Spring Break

When my Dad was alive, my son and I would hop in the car, drive two days and arrive at Dad's house. Since it was such a trek getting there, we'd stay a few weeks. Sometimes we'd stay a month.

Because we homeschool, we were able to do that. I'd pack up school and we'd do it in Grandpa's living room. When Dad died, I knew that I would miss that tremendously.

When we would arrive at Dad's, we'd store our stuff in our bedroom and then clean. He didn't clean. He did keep his kitchen up (to his standards), but he didn't dust, do bathrooms, etc. So I always worked my tail off for him--and I loved being able to do that for him.

We would hit the grocery store, stock up, and then Sam's Club where he'd buy Ginger Snaps for my son and we always got a big box of danishes. Through the week, Dad would take us to my favorite restaurants and of course my son would get to visit Casa Bonita, his favorite restaurant.

We always had a wonderful time. The mood at Dad's house was relaxed, calm and enjoyable. Dad and I would sit at the kitchen table and have long talks. He opened my mind about so many things. I learned more from him in adulthood than I ever did as a kid.

Mom has been gone almost 17 years, and she died before my son was born. I always enjoyed going home to visit when Mom was alive, too, but aside from when I had six weeks off from surgery (and she died then), visits with here were always short.

I miss it tremendously. We usually went in spring or early summer, when I had cabin fever so bad. I knew I would mourn my visits as much as mourning Dad himself.

So, I decided why not create that mood in my own home. Stress has been extremely high this past week. Truth is, my husband is in Germany. I don't like sharing his travels while he's gone for some strange reason. He arrived this weekend safe and sound. It's just me, my son, our three dogs and two cats. What a perfect time to have our own spring break! (Hubby is working, so it's definitely not a vacation for him!)

This weekend, aside from worrying about his flight and 3-hour drive through Germany to arrive at his destination, we took things down a notch. We stayed up late, watched movies and TV, and I pretended I was at Dad's, made a list of everything I wanted to do but never have the time to do. I got so many little mini-projects done this weekend it just boggles my mind! All while being in a very mellow mood!

I've created the atmosphere that Dad's house had. Even my son noticed it and commented on it. Everything is neat and picked up. My iPod is loaded with lots of mellow music that I love: Elton John, Cat Stevens, etc. It's parked on the iPod dock pouring into the house.

We stocked up at the grocery store. Bought some things that hubby doesn't like. We had spaghetti for supper last night. We did NOT buy danishes, though! lol I did buy my son a box of Ginger Snaps.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed my pain had disappeared. Knock on wood. It's not back today. I wonder if taking things down a notch, getting out of our normal routine, helped.

Saturday night my son was watching a movie into the wee hours, and since hubby was gone, I vacuumed. At midnight! I used to do that at Dad's. I'm a night owl by nature, and I was always so productive at Dad's--and that happened here.

Later in the week we have to go to the big city for a dental appointment. While there, in honor of Mom and Dad, we're going to the Olive Garden. (We go every time DS has a dental appointment, but this time we're attaching that memory to it.)

Two days...in two days my spirits have just soared. My shoulders aren't at my ears. I'm enjoying my music, my clean house, marking projects off my list. We're having fun.

I think we (me?) need to allow ourselves to relax. Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day activities of life that we forget to stop and breathe. So while I don't have the resources to take a vacation right now, nothing is stopping me from having a vacation at home.

So here's to a fun-filled week for us! We plan on going to a movie, playing games, and school in relaxed mode, and relaxing! I have many more projects on my list that I know I'll get done! (Including my taxes, yuck.) Hopefully I'll be able to get back into my exercise routine.

Now, I'm off to cross some stuff off my list...

All Aboard!

My son and I got to take a train ride today. The Union Pacific, my favorite railroad, hosted a free trip on their Safety Train. Even though I am extremely familiar with trains, I actually learned a couple things. It was informative and fun.

This post has nothing to do with food, diet, exercise, but it lifted my spirits considerably! My son enjoyed it, too.

My dad worked for the Union Pacific for over 40 years. When I was a kid, I took a lot of train rides. As an adult, I've taken a few, too. Amtrak is great, but it isn't nearly as fun as the old-fashioned cars that we rode on today. The smell, the rocking, the whistles...took me back to my childhood. I remembered my dad during the entire trip.

Here are some pictures. Isn't it amazing how much my son looks like me?

Middle of the Night

I woke up about 1:30, got up for a bit and then tried to go back to sleep. No go. I got up again, had a breakfast cookie and glass of soy chocolate milk, hoping it would induce sleep. Nothing yet.

My tummy was really bad today. By dinner time it was all better, though. I just don't understand it. So when I got up the second time, I figured maybe it would feel better if I had something in it. It bums me, eating in the middle of the night. I decided to take the points from the flex pool instead of Wednesday's allotment. I'm still afraid of eating those flexies because it just seems like too many points -- more than when I did Winning Points.

I've been catching up on blogs. I read through Bloglines and it doesn't always update instantly. So I was thrilled to read all the great losses everyone is having.

I Googled health fairs in my area. There is one this weekend in a town about 100 miles from here. I would really like to go. I wrote my hubby a note and taped it to the cupboard that houses the coffee so I know he'll see it. I'd like to get a CBC done. I don't go for my physical until the end of May, and I want to see my numbers. I'd like to see if they've improved over last year, and if I can get them even better by May. The blood work is just as important to me, if not more so, than the weight.

I have decided that even if he doesn't want to go, I may go anyway. My son and I could make a day of it, hit the zoo or go shopping or do something fun. I'm suspecting hubby will say no due to the fact we have three dogs now. It's hard to travel with that many critters, and we don't have a good kennel in our town. Shoot, they've never even been boarded overnight.

Well, I'm going to try to get some sleep. My tummy is feeling better. I need to remember many small meals when it's upset like this. For some reason that helps.

Upcoming Vacation

I am taking a vacation soon.

I was thinking how much easier it would have been to do this before starting Weight Watchers, but I am determined to remain on plan so I am planning my meals before I pack my bags.

So, the game plan so far is to take my own cereal. I will use my Gladware bowls, and have it pre-measured. I will have to find some skim or 1% milk. I'll even have it pre-sprinkled with Splenda. I will also take three bananas. That takes care of breakfast and mid-morning snack for about 6 points total.

Lunch can be Subway. Sometimes the meat at Subway makes me retain water. I don't think highly processed lunch meat is as healthy as they want you to believe, yet it's still better than fried burgers and fries. 6 - 8 points for lunch, depending if I get chips. Will get veggies on my sandwich.

So that puts me at 12-14 points, so I'll have 20-22 for snack and dinner (plus flex points if I decide to use them.) That's easy if I go to a restaurant that lists points, but I really want to go to the Olive Garden. Years ago I knew a gal who worked there and she said that the Cheese Ravioli which I love so much was 14 points. Now that was years ago, but I think I'll be safe with that figure. A bread stick is 3 points, and I'll get the dressing on the side of my salad.

So all I'm worried about now is an evening snack and morning coffee. We don't have a Starbucks where I live. We had one for a short time, but it was one of the 600 or so that shut down. When I went there, I always ordered a decaf with cream. I tried looking on their website but I couldn't find nutritional information for what I want. Does Starbucks have a fat-free creamer? A light creamer? Unflavored for me, thank you. I guess I can ask when I get there, but I'd rather have my points planned out ahead of time. If it doesn't work, I can always drink my coffee black, though.

Secondly, I am a big fan of air-pop popcorn. My husband thinks it's gross, but I enjoy it. So I'm used to 80 grams of unpopped kernels equaling 4 points. I am simply not up on the microwave popcorn. The room will have a fridge and microwave, so I could enjoy a microwave popcorn if I can find one that is low in points. Favorites, anyone?

The one thing that is most important to me on this vacation is to remain true to myself. Right now being true to myself means remaining on plan. I am worth it. Sure, I could indulge and "really enjoy myself." However, if I want to really set myself up for life with healthier eating, that means taking the focus off food and on to other things. This vacation is not about food, it's about rest, rejuvenation and fun. I can still enjoy the Olive Garden without going blowing my plan.