And so the diet goes.....

I have been dieting...doing Weight Watchers...since May. Combined with all the running its produced excellent results and I am down by 20 pounds. (Smiling) But now we are entering fall....the hardest eating time of the year for me. Its been a rough couple weeks. (Not smiling) I have had 2 kids birthday parties to throw....and wanted to enjoy. I went to the Ladies Retreat at Bair Lake and gained 3 pounds there alone. Last night Sandor and I had a date night and I (naturally) wanted to splurge, and I attended a bridal shower this morning. Hmmm...so begins the slide down a slippery slope. Halloween and all its sugar are right around the corner, my Anniversary in next month, Bekah's birthday, Thanksgiving is in November, Sandor's Birthday in December and then Christmas. The entire month of December can be filled with baking. I like to give goodies to my neighbors and in fact just picked up some supplies for that today. And I like to "sample" every batch of cookies myself to ensure quality. SO what's a girl to DO? Some would say...go to a Weight Watcher meeting....its encouraging and motivating. That's an idea but unlikely for this busy girl. Keep running! No problem there. But any other suggestions for renewing my motivation? I COULD delegate some of the quality assurance responsibility to my dear hubby and kids when it comes to the baking. OR even forgo the gifts for this year. I know the neighbors like them but there seldom seems to be a shortage of treats and snacks at Christmas so likely it wouldn't even be missed and I could save myself considerable time and expense. As for the special occasions I just need to set some realistic limits for myself and try not to deviate.

So lets say...between now and the end of October...I have 4 events I will want to indulge at...the half marathon, my anniversary and halloween. I KNOW I am entitled to a small indulgence after the run...I will have burned 1300 calories. That should work out fine. And often I am not very hungry on long run days...its the day after that I feel it and find myself justifying extra indulgences. Hmm... Anniversary....well that's a special day...I think its worth a splurge. Bekah's party....obvious. But I can be careful. Halloween. Nothing special there at all its just the prevalence of the sugar that usually gets me. I can say I wont indulge but I thinks its pretty unrealistic. However I LOVE tootsie rolls and they are pretty low in points, relatively speaking. So I could have those on hand for me. AND if I make sure and do a nice long run that day I would have some extra points to utilize. That gets me through October. November actually shouldn't be too bad aside from Thanksgiving. But then comes December....well I am going to start by tackling tomorrow and then October and see what happens!

My favorite VP candidate...Sarah!!

Thoughts on laundry

This morning I had 5 minutes after getting myself ready before I "started" work. "Started" referring to the arrival of my first before school child to care for. So I decided to plow through a basket of clean laundry and get it folded. I WAS able to which is a nice feeling of accomplishment. But as I folded I thought about my kids and laundry. Laundry, laundry. Seems like I can try so hard and never stay on top of it. There is so often a basket of clean, unfolded laundry waiting for me. And just as often a pile of dirty laundry in the laundry room plus a load in the washer and one in the drying. AND many times a row of four baskets steadily being filled for the owners who will be expected to put away the clean, folded clothes. Okay...I digress. Today as I folded I was reminded that I had planned ahead last night and would not hear any requests (often at my busiest moments) for clean underwear, socks or shirts. I had confirmed said items for each boy last night. But I thought about Andrew as I folded a favorite shirt and then one for Jacob and small shorts for Timothy and Sarah's sweet cute shirts. And it reminded me of the PRIVILEGE I have to serve these small souls each and every day. It was a reminder to do it with the right attitude (even at my busiest moments) and try so very hard to let them know I am happy to help them...I am so blessed to have them...and so enjoy watching their personalities develop. Who would have thought laundry could make you think so much!

Crazy Dr. Day

Today I had to run to several doctors' offices with Sarah. It was CRAZY.
First we saw the Dr. for some of her meds as a follow up. Next stop the neurologist to have forms signed for school. (I only made this stop because it was on the way home but it did add about 30 minutes for parking and waiting in the office) While I was on the way out of this office I ran into MY OWN internist! Weird. Then on to genetics so her doctor could see his favorite (only) Mowat-Wilson Syndrome patient. Finally to the pediatrician for a visit I didn't originally plan for today but a quick exam was needed for Sarah. Of course they all ran late and I ended up at home with just 10 minutes to get to the boys' school for Open house/curriculum night. BUT I have an amazing sister (well actually I have 3) who stayed with the kids and cooked dinner and everything. Its great to be loved! And I am glad all those visits are over for now. I am tired now and ready for some sleep.

Timothy's First Day of School

Here are a couple pictures of the big day. He had a great time. I however had to hold back my tears. In a sense I am sending my "baby" off to school. The last one. Technically Sarah IS younger (by 45 mins) but she has been going to school for the past 2 years. So this is it. All 4 kids in school. Where did the time go?? I know, I know...hold on...the pace just picks up from here.