madaboutmoose's Journal, 16 November 2011

Good Morning fellow travelers!!

Baby it is COLD outside ... 12.9 degrees ... that took me by surprise!! One of the upsides to waking up every few hours from hot flashes is I didn't need to set the alarm to feed the fires last night. I stumbled down the stairs several times throughout the night to put another log or two on the fires (one wood stove in the main house, another in the attached "apartment" that basically serves as storage space). As most of you know, we live "off the grid" meaning we make our own electricity. So comforts like "plugged in heat" we do not use because they draw too much power off of our battery system. The thought of frozen water lines this early in the season didn't thrill me so I opted for less sleep!! Of course I didn't sleep as well as I usually do anyway ... so strange to be in my big bed all alone. It has been over two years since hubby has had to work nights. It will take some getting used to.

Day 22 and the scale agreed with my most recent fatsecret weigh-in this morning at 202.8. Of course I was hoping for a tad lower but alas ... not this morning. Still. It was nice to see 202.8 this morning after the 204 I saw yesterday. I'm not holding out much hope at this point that I will see 199.8 before Thanksgiving but ... you never know!!!

Yesterday was simply gorgeous in my neck of the woods. Blue skies, snow-capped mountain tops, the sunshine reflecting off the lake ... breath-taking really. Chilly outside but beautiful. I had a full day of home visits (4 families) but it was one of those days I really felt like I was "in the zone" ... it was energizing. Some days you feel like a nut, some days you don't. Yesterday was a day I "felt like a nut" in a good way.

AND ... my dearest girlfriend in life called me with good news!!! She was offered a new employment opportunity!! She is an assistant dean at a University and unfortunately it has become quite a toxic environment. She has been less than happy there for quite some time and has been looking for other opportunities. I am so thrilled for her. She is taking a clinician position with an agency in her town. She and I met as undergraduates (many, many moons ago), ended up in the same grad school, both ended up moving to Idaho (her before me) ... and we are very close. I'm so excited for her I can hardly contain myself.

I can smell the coffee perking ... I'm so looking forward to that first cup!!

AND ... one of the families I work with is in the process of adopting the child they have been fostering for the past year. Yesterday the mom invited us (myself and the occupational therapist who also works with the family) to the adoption hearing in December. I was touched. I felt my eyes moisten. Amidst all the sadness and pain I often witness there are joys like this.

It was a good day.

Today's day will be full too. The doctor is coming this morning so I get to meet with her since my supervisor is otherwise engaged. Then a visit before staff meeting, then two visits after staff meeting (unfortunately a bit farther from home and later in the day than I prefer this time of the year which means a long drive home in the dark!!). I'm going to see if I can rearrange my Thursday visit to Friday so I can work from home tomorrow. I have a report I MUST get done by Friday because the children involved have a court hearing on Tuesday. I only learned on Monday that it was needed ... so I haven't even started to pull together what I need to write. YIKES!!!

Good grief ... I sure am "talking" a lot this morning!!! Time to consider what I am grateful for this morning.

1. The beautiful place I live in ... sometimes I no longer see it ... it was wonderful to open my eyes and really see the beauty around me yesterday.

2. The honor I have of being invited into families' homes, their lives, and the opportunity to support them in raising their children.

3. Being warm on a chilly day.

4. Friends who help me maintain my sanity!!!

5. The smell of freshly perked coffee!!!

The only "sad" news today is learning that my "baby boy" won't be home for Thanksgiving this year. It will be the first time in 28 years (yes that is how old he is!!!). His car isn't working, he won't have it fixed by next week, and he lives about 2 1/2 hours away so it isn't feasible to go pick him up because he only has Thanksgiving day off from his work. I fear the same will be true for Christmas.

Gosh I've hardly talked at all about my weight!! This is a weight loss site right? LOL!!

Well ... I think I NEED that cup of coffee now and I probably should eat. Sure wouldn't hurt to get to work a little early this morning with as much as I need to get accomplished. So ... I will indeed continue to practice being kind to myself today ... being mindful of what I let my mind rest on and continue on with my journey. I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving Day launch of my "indulgence" experiment ... and of course having my mother home for a few months!!!

I hope you each have a good day!! Take care of yourselves, be kind to yourselves, don't ever give up!!!

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1735 kcal

Fat: 103.52g | Prot: 160.11g | Carb: 36.52g.   Breakfast: Sargento Provolone & Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, chorizo, eggs, Nutiva Coconut Oil. Lunch: butter, Acorn Squash, chicken breast meat. Dinner: Litehouse Chunky Bleu Cheese Dressing, iceberg lettuce, Roast Chicken. more...

2801 kcal

Activities & Exercise: Driving - 3 hours, Resting - 5 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours, Desk Work - 8 hours. more...