in case you can’t tell, Fergus has used a handy hook and a rubber band to suspend himself from our kitchen ceiling.
These children are easily impressed.
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The “kids’ tree”
Every year we still put up the little tree even though we also do a big one. The kids are allowed to decorate it, and we normally invite friends to help and we make ornaments for it. Some years, the poor little tree looks like it can’t hold up everything we hang on it by the end of December.
Personally, as soon as that smile shows up I feel like my work is done.
Arriving by TARDIS
Because if you don’t want to live someplace where no practical distinction is made between myth, fiction, reality, and metaphor, you’re hanging with the wrong family.
Mommy, WTH?
Almost had you
Ian ALMOST didn’t spot Fergus this morning. When he did he was jumping up and down and yelling for me to “COME AND LOOK!” Good job, Fergus. Good job.
Hug it out
How to make everyone feel accepted, according to Ian. Gosh I love this kid. (and yes, that is an exceptionally long line of chocolate chip cookies on the bottom, because I am raising him
RIGHT.)
Oh, Fergus!!
Yes, I have seen all the overachieving elves on Pinterest, too. I chronicle Fergus’s comparatively tame adventures to help build the self esteem of all the other elves out there who can just about manage to remember not to sit in the same place as yesterday.
You better watch out
We wish you a merry Weigh In Day
No, really. Look, here’s the thing. I don’t really care what I weigh. Seriously, I don’t. I wouldn’t care if I weighed 500 pounds as long as I felt good and could do everything I wanted to do. And if anyone didn’t like it, I would happily sit on them, because I’d be ROCKING that 500 lbs. But the fact is that none of those things have been true. I have not felt well, and my knees (never my best body part) and feet (not a huge constituency until lately) haven’t appreciated it. So, yes, I’m tracking that number on the scale, but what I’m really celebrating is the fact that I’m taking a literal load off. I’m raising my energy level (so much that I’ve ditched most of my daily caffeine intake, and a lot of my daily sodium intake- I’m told sodium cravings can be related to sleep deprivation and low energy.) back to the point where I feel like my real self again. The mental fog we call “mom brain” is starting to clear. So that feels pretty doggone merry to me. And I’m now happy to sit on anyone who doesn’t like it.
PLUS- I have worked out a recipe for a really delicious Phase II compatible Chocolate Cherry Smoothie. Oh, wait, what’s Phase II? Well, the South Beach Diet starts you off on a very restrictive, short term Phase I to bust your cravings and jump start you with healthy foods. Cravings have been a huge issue for me, so that was perfect. But, to prevent loss of muscle and other lean tissues that are all really important for your overall well being, you move after two weeks or so onto Phase II. It’s less restrictive and adds back fruit and whole grains a little at a time, so you continue to overhaul your diet in a healthy direction while still losing weight at a healthy pace. This kind of Shock and Awe approach works for me. Your mileage may vary- the traditional wisdom of making one small change at a time doesn’t work for me. I need to rip off the band aid all at once and then hit the point where half a cup of cherries tastes amazing- which is exactly what happened.
Monday Progress Report:
I feel like I should specify here that I’m tracking my TOTAL progress. So when I say + or -, I mean vs. day 1, not since my last progress report. It helps me to keep the big picture in mind, so I don’t get discouraged on weeks where progress is smaller.
Day: 22
The scale has moved: -8 lbs
The inches have changed: -10.25 inches
I feel: Like myself again. Finally.
I’ve walked: 25.01 miles and counting!
Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
1 scoop unflavored protein powder (Make sure it’s unsweetened.)
1/2 cup pitted cherries (Fresh or frozen, no sugar added)
6 ice cubes
1/2 cup milk or chai tea
1 Tablespoon sweetener (my protein powder is sour, so I add a little bit- probably a teaspoon)
1 Tablespoon Special Dark cocoa powder (I like the richer flavor of the special dark, but you could use regular cocoa and adjust to taste.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Throw it all in the blender and mix. MMMMM. Makes a great breakfast! If you don’t have any protein powder, use 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt instead.
How about you? Ready to join us? Follow along and chime in on Facebook or Pinterest. Or put a little love down there in the comment box! YES WE CAN!
Fa la la la la…
Even though it’s a school night, we put the Christmas carols on and I let Ian stay up a little late to help me get started on our decorating. The tree isn’t up yet, but there is definitely some hall decking going on. He really liked doing the teeny tree, and reminded me that his friends need to come over and help him make some ornaments, “like every year.”
He makes his Rama proud with how he loves Christmas and always wants to include everyone.