According to the Farmer's Almanac, spring will be arriving today at 4:21 p.m. Pacific time! With this, I thought I'd take stock of where I'm at in the process of renewal for myself!
First of all, I have to say, since we've been keeping Dayton so much the last couple of months (and trust me, I wouldn't have it any other way), I can see where I lost myself. While you still live your life, there are certain things that just get put on hold.....and I'm also reminded of why it's so important for moms & dads to make sure that when they have little ones, they make time for themselves as a couple. It's so easy to get engrossed in the beautiful world of diapers and Diego and making sure the right seal gets put into the right lid of the sippy cup (trust me - this is important!) - - it's easy neglect stopping to look into the eyes of the one you love and say "How're ya doin'?"
So - back to finding me - -
1) I've given myself permission to do nice things for myself. My children are capable and self reliant adults - yes, Tommy is still a senior in high school, but he's got his own job, his own apt, and is very very cheap - - therefore, I don't need to interfer. It's okay to get a good haircut and color, to buy a food processor for the kitchen, and to even turn the ringer off on the phone every once in awhile.
2) I've started reading again. Years ago, I read all the time, I started again, I've sort of cut back since we've had Dayton (my evening reading has become time loving the little man) - but besides looking through Better Homes & Gardens or a new gardening magazine, I still try to get in a few chapters of Joyce Meyer or Mother Angelica every week. They keep me focused on what is truly important.
3) I'm planning a small vegetable garden this summer for the first time in several years. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots -- Dave is going to put together raised beds for me - - love that man! Also thinking that the big planter he put built last summer will make a great place for an herb garden.
4) I'm getting back into what I love to do and that's decorate. Admittedly, I'm taking baby steps, but I'm having fun putting together new 'scapes' for the shelves on the unit Dave built last summer. Can't wait for the next unit to be built so that I'll have more shelves to decorate!
5) I'm not walking as much as I was in the beginning of the year - - Dayton thinks the treadmill should be as much for him as it Dave and I and that's just not working out for any of us. So - I walk when I can. Not doing as well there as I'd hoped - - but I know that some is better than none.
6) The new thing I've learned in the last week and a half is that eating grain free isn't as tough as I thought it would be. It's forced me to think more about food and to be more creative with food and I have to say, I've found some excellent Paleo recipes! Indian Butter Chicken, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Coconut Curry Chicken Salad, I've learned to make "cauliflour rice" and "zuchini noodles", and that Almond Milk is delicious in a protien shake!
7) And most important - I'm learning to forgive myself for my past mistakes and not to dwell on where I messed up.
Joyce Meyer Ministries posting on today's Facebook says "Your future has no room for your past. How much time do you waste feeling guilty?"
I know God's forgives me - - and I know I have forgive myself as well - that's part of the goodness of God and if I don't embrace that, the enemy wins and I don't want to take part in his victories.
Happy Spring Everyone!
I want to lose weight. For my blood pressure - for my knees - so that shopping for clothes won't be such an ordeal - so I can wear my favorite dress to Shane and Megan's wedding.
I don't want to journal my food - I get bored with counting calories and measuring everything. So, for lent, I have decided to give up grains - foods made from wheat, corn, rice, oatmeal, even quinoa........ I know, it sounds a little extreme, but just a few days into this, I can honestly say I feel much better, less sluggish, and so far, haven't really had any "comfort food carb" cravings. I haven't had any heartburn, and I haven't had any bloated feelings..........it seems to be turning into a good thing for me.
I can't say I'm going "Paleo" because I don't have enough info about that to really say that's what I'm doing, but I have friends who have been diligent with the Paleo diet and have nothing but great things to say about it.
I was a little nervous, because I don't want this to be a big production or make things difficult for those around me thinking they have to cater to my food choices. For instance, last night, Nicole and Dayton came over so Nicole could do some online homework and it was decided it'd be a perfect night to have pizza delivered. One of the pizzas was a veggie pizza (no meat - Friday lent) so I just pulled the toppings off, ate them, and didn't eat the crust. Not even the edge!
The book which has been recommended to me by Jeff and Danniel, friends from work, is by Robb Wolf - "The Paleo Solution". They tell me it has a lot of excellent information, but basically, I'm eating lean meat, seafood, eggs, nuts, fruit, & vegetables. Because I haven't read the book yet, I'm not sure where dairy fits into this, but I take calcuim supplements (Membrell Bone Health - recommended by the nutritional educator from work) as I realize milk alone really doesn't do anything for my bone loss - - and I WON'T take Bonvia due to the fact there have been so many class action lawsuits against the company because it ate people's jawbones away......just doesn't seem like a risk worth taking. I would honestly rather go hungry than to eat yogurt (which is mostly sugar anyway), and most of the cheese I eat is associated with a carb, so if there are no carbs, I'll be cutting back on cheese anyway.
Dave and I ate a 1 lb package of roasted carrots (all cut to the same size, lightly tossed in olive oil with a touch of sea salt, and half an hour in a really hot oven - thank you very much Ina Garten!) with our crock pot roast the other night. And my new favorite snack is celery with Justin's brand almond butter!
And for those who might be wondering - until they're gone, I WILL be eating one or two of those delightful chocolates every day that I got from Emily !
I know I feel better already - this is currently a commitment for the lenten season - - however, by the end of lent, I'm curious to find out how well this works for, well, for lack of a better phrase, real life.
I'm just starting to get back to life after the flu.
I got over the worst of it - - just haven't had any energy.
And, lately, I have to say, that with that lack of energy has also come a very "bleh" outlook in general.
And on top of the no energy, Dave has had to work a lot of overtime, we didn't have Dayton for four days in a row, so I've also not had any routine. I know I try to work on being flexible, but without routine, I tend to shut down. I wander around my own house like I'm driving in downtown Bellingham.
In other words - lost.
And everything I've done the last few days, whether at work or at home has gone wrong, was the wrong thing to begin with or broke.
bleh! Ever get in one of those jags?
I kept telling myself "you're a child of God and that's all that matters" "you're a child of God and that's all that matters".
uff!
Anyway - - to end this drama, I came home from work today and there was a package waiting for me.
I didn't order anything.....it's not my birthday? Why is this here and what is it? So, like any normal red blooded woman, I tore it open!
A box of chocolates. Christopher Elbow Chocolates. They aren't just chocolates. They're divine chocolates. They might be chocolates from heaven. In a box tied up with a chocolate colored ribbon!
They were from Emily and there was the sweetest note about how she wanted to show her appreciation for me being her mommy.
Made me cry.
Got my mojo back.
And I'm REALLY glad I didn't give up candy for lent!
