Random thoughts on a blustery winter night
Steve turned 40 on Tuesday. We celebrated as best we could, given that our options for doing something really spectacular were rather limited. Breakfast was a decadent treat, Steve took the day off and went for a drive, then we called in the babysitting co-op to allow us a dinner date at Lanza's sans kiddos. Steve asked for, and will receive, framing of his Christmas gift (a painting by Gatheringplace artist Craig Rogers) as his Birthday gift. Sam made him a very special card, and I like to think my card touched him in some way too. But was it a "milestone" event? Hard to say. Did we make such a big deal out of my 40th that his was left a bit... plain? We were to have had a houseful of guests for the whole weekend, but circumstances delayed that gathering by a month or so. So is it better to have many small celebrations spread out over time, or one big bash?
I've started an early morning walking club for moms who want to knock out some exercise before their maternal and/or professional responsibilities kick in for the day. Although this was not my intent, it has completely replaced my running program. I meet whomever shows up at 6:30am in front of a coffee shop near my house, and we hoof three miles in 48 minutes. On Saturdays we sleep in; we meet at 7am. My schedule calls for Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat which gives me a good number of work outs but does not feel too onerous to maintain. If I were to miss a day, there are others who only go on Tues/Thurs so I could go then. The social aspect is very enriching. We pair off differently each time, so there is always an opportunity to chat with someone I may not get to chat with very often, especially without kids as a distraction. It has been really great so far, and I hope it continues.
I'm reading A Million Little Pieces, and despite the controversy, I am enjoying it. But I find myself thinking in addiction language about my current diet. Steve and I are off sweets at the moment, and are watching portions and limiting fat intake a bit. I have lost 6 pounds, he more than 7, in two weeks. I go to one or more grocery stores daily, either for food for the family or my now-daily afternoon nonfat latte (decaf -- why bother, eh?) So I see the mounds of Valentines candy, the pastries, the bulk-food candy, the supersized chocolate bars at the check out counter (10 for $10? Really?) I am often hungry when I go, and sometimes the urge to buy something and furtively devour it is overwhelming. I haven't - yet - and I am reminded how hard it was when I quit smoking. Yet that craving did eventually pass, and only rarely does it surprise me by resurfacing. Same thing with alcohol; I spent many years consuming much more than I should have. Now I rarely think about it; it is more of a "special occasion" type of thing, and I don't mean that "every day is special, it's five o'clock somewhere" type of thinking. Really, it just does not occur to me. There are people in this world who feel that way about sweets. I am not one of them and probably never will be. So for now I remain hyper-aware of my feelings when they come, and the addiction lens is a convenient one to view them through.
I've started an early morning walking club for moms who want to knock out some exercise before their maternal and/or professional responsibilities kick in for the day. Although this was not my intent, it has completely replaced my running program. I meet whomever shows up at 6:30am in front of a coffee shop near my house, and we hoof three miles in 48 minutes. On Saturdays we sleep in; we meet at 7am. My schedule calls for Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat which gives me a good number of work outs but does not feel too onerous to maintain. If I were to miss a day, there are others who only go on Tues/Thurs so I could go then. The social aspect is very enriching. We pair off differently each time, so there is always an opportunity to chat with someone I may not get to chat with very often, especially without kids as a distraction. It has been really great so far, and I hope it continues.
I'm reading A Million Little Pieces, and despite the controversy, I am enjoying it. But I find myself thinking in addiction language about my current diet. Steve and I are off sweets at the moment, and are watching portions and limiting fat intake a bit. I have lost 6 pounds, he more than 7, in two weeks. I go to one or more grocery stores daily, either for food for the family or my now-daily afternoon nonfat latte (decaf -- why bother, eh?) So I see the mounds of Valentines candy, the pastries, the bulk-food candy, the supersized chocolate bars at the check out counter (10 for $10? Really?) I am often hungry when I go, and sometimes the urge to buy something and furtively devour it is overwhelming. I haven't - yet - and I am reminded how hard it was when I quit smoking. Yet that craving did eventually pass, and only rarely does it surprise me by resurfacing. Same thing with alcohol; I spent many years consuming much more than I should have. Now I rarely think about it; it is more of a "special occasion" type of thing, and I don't mean that "every day is special, it's five o'clock somewhere" type of thinking. Really, it just does not occur to me. There are people in this world who feel that way about sweets. I am not one of them and probably never will be. So for now I remain hyper-aware of my feelings when they come, and the addiction lens is a convenient one to view them through.
posted by Beth at 10:52 PM
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