Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[toystoryduo]

Hi WISH sis!

How did your day go yesterday? I hope it went well.

Have a great day today!

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy Friday, Amy! Any special plans for the weekend?

 

[toystoryduo]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!! UPS just came and we got the Tinkerbell ornament...It is so cute! The girls and I absolutely love it!!! Thank you so much , WISH sis!!!! Your gift has definitely brightened up my day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well once again, I just seem to be a lousy Wisher lately! Sorry bout that.

I have been so so with food, luckily the scale is the same as it was last time. I'll take it! I have been doing Walk Away the Pounds at home, its been so frigidly cold and snowy I have been trying not to get out more than I need to.

Dan took Friday off, we got almost all our shopping done! I have never been so late on getting my shopping done and I have never done virtually all of it in a two day period. It was pretty fun and gave us some time to spend together. He is also taking off this Friday, I am really enjoying these Friday's we spend together. This year he is determined not to lose vacation days like he has before.

We got his dad's ashes on Saturday. Poor Dan, having to go to a crowded post office, in the middle of a holiday rush to pick those up. And the rather idiotic postal worker who made some rather insensitive comment about them when he handed them over. Some people! We are both determined to have a good Christmas. Two years ago we lost my mom just after Chirstmas (and spent a very long month of Decmeber knowing it was coming), last year was tough, and now this year we have just lost fil. And to be told "oh yeah, you're taking a big pay cut" to boot, well lets just say we are having to try very hard to be thankful but in all, we are. Things could always be worse. We have new rule at home, each night at dinner we all come up with five things to be thankful for. It helps us remember that we have more going for us than against us.

Tomorrow I am going to the gym, I want to get back to longer walks and WATP is a good workout for me, but I can only do thirty minutes because I find it very boring.

I made a very good, very lean beef and vegetable stew tonight. It was the perfect meal for a day when I had to take Matthew to two appt's, one clear across town and it was comfort food on a day when it never even hit 10 degrees. I also however made a pumpkin pie. I mean wth? Like I need that. But I did have a very small piece with fat free cool whip and I counted the points. I should have made my little pumpkin tarts that are lower in calories, but of course I didn't. Oh well, like I said I counted the points. And enjoyed every bite!

Tracy: I am so glad you liked the ornament. Dd spied that one so I guess I have to give credit where its due!

Tracey: I like the no guilt idea. Lord knows feeling guilty has never bought me a thing!

Amy: I use Prego but add other stuff to it (namely tomato puree and my own chopped onion). I used to make it from scratch but my kids like the Prego better! I had an aunt that died of lung cancer and she literally smoked while she was hooked up to oxygen. I never forgot her suffering but I guess my sister did.

Forgot to post food:

Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: chicken and broccoli casserole
Snack: Coke (had a headache and I was about to fall asleep at the wheel and can I just say I wanted french fries too but I didn't get them!)
Dinner: Beef and vegetable stew, ritz crackers, one smal piece of pumpkin pie with 1/4 cup fat free cool whip.

 

[toystoryduo]

Woohoo!!! Great job getting your Christmas shopping almost done!! That's a great feeling isn't it?

Your beef stew sounds yummy!

I'm sorry to hear about the insensitive remarks from the postal worker. I hope Dan didn't take what was said to heart. I know this is a difficult time for you both. Sending lots of and prayers your way.

Thanks for your PM and the BWV suggestions!

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Woohoo!!! Great job getting your Christmas shopping almost done!! That's a great feeling isn't it?

Your beef stew sounds yummy!

I'm sorry to hear about the insensitive remarks from the postal worker. I hope Dan didn't take what was said to heart. I know this is a difficult time for you both. Sending lots of and prayers your way.

Thanks for your PM and the BWV suggestions!

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

If you want the recipe, let me know, its so easy and you just throw it in the crockpot!

The guy wasn't horrible, I just think when he asked Dan "what is this" and Dan told him, he should have just said "oh I'm sorry". Simple and short! Poor Dan, in a crowded, packed, post office there to pick up something that is a far cry from a Chirstmas present. He just wanted to get out of there if you know what I mean. They did come in a beautiful box he has out with a really nice picture of his dad we took a few years ago at Disneyland. We'll keep them safe and sound until summer.

 

[toystoryduo]

If you want the recipe, let me know, its so easy and you just throw it in the crockpot!

I'd love the stew recipe and the pumpkin tarts too, please!

The guy wasn't horrible, I just think when he asked Dan "what is this" and Dan told him, he should have just said "oh I'm sorry". Simple and short! Poor Dan, in a crowded, packed, post office there to pick up something that is a far cry from a Chirstmas present. He just wanted to get out of there if you know what I mean. They did come in a beautiful box he has out with a really nice picture of his dad we took a few years ago at Disneyland. We'll keep them safe and sound until summer.

I definitely think that the post office worker should have said, "I'm sorry" and leave it at that. I'm sure Dan just wanted to get in and get out of the post office without any complications.

I hope you have a nice day and a wonderful week ahead!

 

[lovinaz]

Great job resisting the fries!

I agree, the postal worker was out of line. Yes, he has a stressful job, especially this time of year, but it's JUST A JOB!

I like your 5 things to be thankful for plan at dinnertime.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Ahh, busy week. My food has been pretty decent (until yesterday that is) but I got on the scale today and I am still the same. And I am okay with that. Next week should be a better week for getting to the gym. With sub zero temps all week, snow and my holiday get together tonight, its been really hectic. Dan is off today, we plan to finish up the last bit of our shopping, go to the liquor store for our party and hopefully have lunch out. I baked a lot of good stuff for tonight and so far I have stayed out of it! I rolled out 6 dozen sugar cookies and baked them so the kids can decorate them tonight and I didn't even have one snip of cookie dough (major downfall of mine). So I was pretty happy with that. And it was fun to bake them and it will be fun to send them home with other families!

I plan to get to the gym tomorrow afternoon, I may take the kids to the pool, we are babysitting a friend's kids all afternoon and night and with the cold weather it may be good to wear them out at the pool!

Hope everyone is having a super day!

 

[lovinaz]

How did your party go? Did you get rid of all the leftover goodies??

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy, I got rid of a lot of the leftovers, however, people brought me presents of food, mostly chocolate so that has been a huge obstacle.

I did pretty well yesterday but awful thus far today. I just don't know what my problem is. Every year in December its the same thing. I get sad and angry that the year is gone and my goals are not met. I just cannot seem to overcome this problem I have with food. I had every intention of working out today but didn't. So mad at myself. And on top of that, I have a horrible headache which is just making me feel more miserable. I guess tomorrow is another day. I ate 12 points worth of mozzerlla sticks for lunch and a coke. I mean what is up with that? I can still do okay on points if I have a salad for dinner which is my current plan but then again, you never know with me.

Thankfully the chocolate is mostly gone except for this huge hunk of fudge. I haven't touched it so far and hopefully won't. I am not a big fudge eater and that will make my head fall off in agony if I do. I should just throw it out but then I feel guilty since its a gift. I may offer it up tonight and if nobody eats it, well it may have to go in the garbage. I hope nobody else gives me a food gift.

I am going to hopefully do this Biggest Loser challenge at my rec center with my friend. As long as they still have spots open. I can't afford to sign up until this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed!

I am sort of looking forward to January in all honesty. The holidays are really hard for me with food, missing my parents and with losing Dan's dad so close in this year, well that has just made it harder. Oh yeah, that pay cut looming in January is stressing me out a bit too.

I am still pretty sure we can go to WDW in March. I have never travelled in that time frame before and oh my, that 45 day pay off date is way too close to Christmas! But its making me very careful with our money right now since I have that close in goal to attain!

Funny how I always make my goals with everything but my weight! Now why is that???

 

[lovinaz]

Hang in there! The holidays are hard for a lot of people, for many different reasons. BUt I know you can get through this without undoing everything you've accomplished so far. You just need to start NOW, and not wait until Jan! Your lack of significant weight loss is because of a mental block somewhere. Like Jillian always says on BL - you need to fix that part before you can fix the weight. Then you will be able to lose the weight and keep it off, because you will know what mentally got you there in the first place!

I hope things are going better for you and you are able to enjoy this next week. And don't feel bad about throwing away food as gifts! Or send it with Dan to work. Just get it out of the house if it's too tempting.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy, I threw that fudge out. Fudge isn't even something I like but lately it seems if its got calories, I'll eat it whether I like it or not!

This week was hectic like I know everyone else's was. It seems like Christmas just came up so suddenly after Thanksgiving.

We are going out tonight with friends for my birthday, I don't really intend to stress or worry over what I eat or drink. I mean, I know I won't do well, and I am not going to pretend I will!

Dan took yesterday off and we did some shopping, had lunch and enjoyed the day. I have really loved him having a few Friday's off lately, its been so nice.

So today, I am taking dd shopping to get something for ds and then I have to do the same for him. That is the last two things I need to do and I am so glad! I am tired of spending money.

And speaking of gifts we had some major miscommunication with ds aunt and cousin. I thought based on a conversation I had and one Dan had as well that they were only getting the kids gifts. I got them each a small box of candy from a local candy co. they love from the kids and that was it. Then yesterday this box arrives full of gifts for all of us. Dan called and long story short she swears she told us she was giving all of us something this last time. I can't see how that would have been what she said because I would have immediately said, "okay, lets all do this year and then next year not do gifts". I was just mortified. So, I got online tand ordered them stuff but it was going to be very expensive with the rush shipping and I just ended up cancelling it today. I don't see how Dan and I both could completely misunderstand this but in the end, I decided they did what they wanted and were comfortable with and we will do the same. She said don't worry about it, so I won't. But I intend to get this more clearly worked out for the future because its very embarrassing! Even though she said to not at all feel that way.

I took a gift by to a friend of mine on Thursday. I picked a time when I just KNEW she wouldn't be home. I love this friend but she has a thing about fat people. She loves to call people tubby, is very much keyed into how she looks and I know full well she just doens't get why I don't make more of an effort with my apearance. I drive up, house looks very empty of activity, so I hop up on the porch to leave the gift, and suddenly she is standing right behind me! She had opened her garage door to leave and saw my car and came around to see what I was doing. It was good to see her, but of course she was dressed perfectly, about to go out to dinner (she has loads of money so she dresses so nice, always) and she just looked me up and down and I could just tell I was being evaluated. I blabbed on about how I had been cleaning all day (hence my sweats) and then said I was going back to Weight Watchers soon. She told me "good". I guess I'll take her advice.

Ahh, I dream of the day I can just either be comfortable with who I am or get the weight off and look nice and feel good. I think my feelings about my weight cause me too look worse than the actual weight does. I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror at Macy's and the first thing that popped into my mind was how unhappy I looked. I know women who weigh what I do and on them, it doesn't look as bad somehow. But they also seem to at least be enough okay with who they are to portray that and it shows.

So I treated myself to new sweater. Most of what I wear is dowdy to be honest, this is very pretty, a really rich, dark purple. And I opened up one of my presents from dh's aunt (I knew it was earrings and she always buys me the prettiest ones) and they were gorgeous and purple. Perfect for my new sweater. I also bought myself some new makeup and am getting my haircut today. And I colored it yesterday. I may not be a size 8, but I can at least make the most of what I am. I can wear it tonight to my birthday party and on Monday when I am having lunch with some friends from high school. If I feel better about myself, maybe I'll look better too.


Amy: I am trying very hard to find that piece of my puzzle. I do know that my eating problems began as a little girl shortly after my dad died and about the time my mom married my first stepdad. I know that as an 8 year old little girl, I used eating to cope with what was happening and clearly, I have not yet found out how to end that long standing cycle of overeating and guilt.

 

[lovinaz]

GOOD FOR YOU buying that sweater! And how perfect that your aunt's earrings matched? I think that is a sign! I think you are your own worst critic (aren't we all?) and I bet the new sweater/makeup/haircut will make you start to feel better about yourself. And I KNOW you can succeed at losing this weight. There will be a moment when it just clicks for you, just like it does will all those people on BL. And you will do it.

How did your early b-day celebration go? I hope you had fun - guilt-free fun! Because you deserve it!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending a gentle your way, my friend. I understand what you are saying about your weight loss goals. I feel the exact same way about mine. I'm glad the New Year is around the corner...It will be a chance for a new beginning for both of us!

I hope you had a great time with your friends last night. I bet you looked really nice in your new sweater and earrings.

I hope you are having a nice Sunday!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Ladies. I had a wonderful time with our friends last night. These are the two couples we do so much with and I always enjoy our time with them. I ate too much, drank too much (Dan did all the driving) and felt no guilt whatsoever! I am 45 (well almost) so I figure I deserve a night out.

My new sweater was very nice, although I had some hot flashes (Amy can you relate??) in the restaurant due to my hormones and the fact it was just hot in there. But a few cocktails with extra ice helped. But that sweater is heavy and I was about to die at one point.

I am really looking forward to the New Year and a new start. Every year its the same and yet I feel like I made some progress with some things this past year. Not on the scale but for sure in realizing its got to be a total mind and body effort. I am still on them at church about starting up a weight loss group. I think it would be really helpful and they are starting up new small groups in the new year so hopefully that will work out. Maybe adding some spirituality and faith to my journey will help fill in those gaps.

We had lunch with my sister today, had a very nice day with her. Now dh and I plan to watch a movie and relax, both kids are exhausted so its a quiet evening around here. Then tomorrow I am supposed to have lunch with some friends from high school and I have to wrap my last presents, grocery shop and do some baking. Not a lot, but just the three kinds of cookies I let Dan and each kid pick out.

Thanks for stopping by and hope everyone is having a nice Sunday evening.

 

[toystoryduo]

Sounds like you had a great time, Amy! I'm glad that you enjoyed your evening out with your friends.

Have a great day ahead!

 

[lovinaz]

I'm glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself! Yes, I can totally relate on the hot flash! I hate it, and I dread to think that I have 10+ more years of dealing with it! It's few and far between now, but I know it will only get worse!

That's great that you had an enjoyable time with your sister!

I hope your church does start up that weight loss group. That would be great for you.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy and Tracy.

I had a nice lunch with my friends from high school. We went to a salad place and I am sure with the ranch dressing on my salad, it was not low fat, but I got a big serving of veggies (made sure I got a bowl that had romaine and not iceberg) and I had ice tea to drink. It was great to see them, its amazing, we have known each other for 39 years.

In the process of making the plans, my one friend told me on the phone last night her dad was just diagnosed with Alzheimers. My heart breaks for her, I know firsthand what this is going to do that family. Her dad is the sweetest guy, I just feel so bad for them. Not great news here at the holidays. So please if you could say some prayers for my friend "K" and her family, I'd appreicate it.

My kids are both sick today. I hope they get better before Christmas. I think its partly they are so rundown from being so busy but also the weather her is crazy. Its 60 today, tomorrow its supposed to be 23. At least they are home from school anyway and can rest up and get better.

My TA emailed me today that we got the $300 Disney giftcard for our package. I wasn't sure we would, Easter Week is blacked out, however we arrive the day before the blackout starts so we get it. That seals the deal we won't do the Quick Serve Dining Plan, we can now use that card to pay for some of our meals. Plus, I had about decided not to do the QS Plan anyway, its too much food for dd who eats like a bird. I just wanted things prepaid. This will work out much better.

So that's my news of the day. Today's plan is to finish up my nephew's photo album (its of our Disneyland trip with him in October), clean up my very messy house and wrap up some presents.

It was 18 years ago tonight I met Dan for the first time. I can't believe its been that long. Best Christmas present I ever got!

Amy: I hope they do it too, its a very large church and I can say this much, I am not alone there with my struggle. They have small groups for everything else, so why not this too?

Tracy: Thanks for stopping by!

 

[lovinaz]

Awww, how sweet that you remember your first meeting 18 years ago! I don't remember the exact date I met DH - but it was at work, so I'm using that as an excuse! Plus I was still married to my ex at the time, so I guess it's a good thing I don't recall...

We must be getting your crappy weather - it's supposed to rain here tomorrow and only be 55 on Wed!

I'm glad you had a great time with your friends. True friends are the ones you can pick up right where you left off even if it's been months since you last saw each other.