One dessert I would not deny myself – Granddaughter’s birthday cake for Grandpa

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I meant to post this last week after my post for DH's birthday - The Junk Food King & I.

Our 11 year old granddaughter likes to bake and decorate cakes. This is our lake complete with sparkly water, our dock and boat, truck and jet skis. There’s even “edible rip-rap.” Very cool.

Here’s our baker with grandpa.


Yes, that’s a race shirt. She’s a runner too.

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

Regarding the weather, just call me Goldilocks

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

My goal this year is to increase my distance running. I even found a trail that perfectly suits my needs. It’s a 25 miles drive, but out here in the country that’s practically next door. The plan was to run there every week or two.

A week ago the temperature reached 70* while I was out on the trail with unfortunate results. I described it here. “Seeking a distance run”
/www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_j
ournal_individual.asp?blog_id=5204597

Today it’s 18* and according to the forecast it may not get above freezing all day. I own a lot of layers, but I’m not ready for that.

I’m like “Goldilocks.” I don’t like it too hot or too cold.

I also do not like to run in the rain
or in the wind
or when the pollen count is high.

Now I sound like Dr. Seuss.

Unlike Goldilocks, I rarely find conditions “just right.” If I wait for that, I’ll never get off the couch. The gym is an alternative. I run on the tm all the time, but usually never more than 4-5 miles. Last Saturday I hung in there for 6.25 miles. That took some determination.

I admire those of you who live in less temperate climates and get out there anyway.
As for me, I’ll either have to learn to like distance treadmill or hope for an early spring.

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

What exactly is a binge? Is it like obscenity or pornography, different for different people?

Monday, January 21, 2013

During a case regarding hard-core pornography Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said that he couldn’t specifically define it, but he knew it when he saw it.

How to define a binge:
By quantity of food eaten?
I’ve had some pretty big meals that didn’t qualify

The length of time we keep at it?
On the cruise we had some 7 (yes seven) course meals that took a very long time.
Definitely not binge material.

How quickly we shove food in our mouths?
I’ve rushed plenty of times eating “on the run”

Is it the type of food we’re eating?
Determined by total calories or maybe fat or sugar content?
I’ve eaten a lot of cheesecake and strudel that I never put in the binge category

Does it matter WHY we’re doing it?
Does there have to be an emotional trigger?

Is it the same as mindless eating?
Last night while watching football with the grandchildren, I ate a bunch of snacks, some healthy, most not. It was more than I should have eaten - excited eating - but not binge-worthy.

Do we have to be alone? Doing it in secret?
I know when my daughter says, “do you really want to be eating that?” that I’m more likely to stop. (Note: DH never says that!)

Maybe it’s the lack of control we feel as we’re doing it?
The voice that says, “you shouldn’t be doing this, it’s bad for you; you’ll feel terrible later” and we answer the voice by doing it anyway.

Maybe like Justice Stewart said, we know it when see it, or rather, when we’re doing it. How we define it may be different for each of us. What we tend to agree on is that it’s bad for us and something that we should strive to avoid. If you are susceptible to binges, it’s a rare person who can cut them out completely for all time.

Maybe overcoming the temptation is just one more step in knowing ourselves and we are all worth knowing. If we slip up, just forgive ourselves and move on.

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Anyone old enough to get my literary reference? I don’t think “A Tale of Two Cities” is required HS reading anymore.

Actually, I was referring to my week – both real life and through TV.

I began the week in a very sad mood (Tuesday’s blog post) and ended on a happy note. Three of our grandchildren are spending the long weekend with us. Their parents are out of town and Friday was DH’s birthday.

Yesterday we watched a lot of TV. They don’t have cable/satellite at home, just over the air channels and Netflix. We finally got satellite access when I could no longer follow the football action – too many ghosts – the downside of living way out in the country.

I recorded a few movies and shows ahead of time.
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” - This was a cute 2008 Disney Movie, happy ending of course and even an uplifting social message.

Then back in time to my childhood (1955) - “Lady and the Tramp”
Same kind of message – pampered pup and streetwise companion who saves the day.

Both had good guys and bad guys. In 2008 the danger was a demon dog, “El Diablo” who looked ready to tear you apart and his gangster owners who looked ready to do the same. In 1955 the danger was the dog catcher LOL.

TV Sitcoms – my childhood – Andy Griffith, Donna Reed, Father Knows Best.
For kids today even on Disney – Sorry I don’t remember the titles, but lots of “smart ass” kids.
I asked, “What would happen if you talked to your parents that way?”
The response: “They would take away our WiFi!”
Good!

I will not become a crotchety old woman complaining about “kids today” or longing for the “good old days.” Older people have been complaining about the younger generation since Socrates and the old days had a lot of stuff that was not so good if we’re truly honest about it.

Still, it seems so much harder for parents to raise children today and I give you all a lot of credit for the effort you’re making. It’s similar to trying to live a healthy lifestyle, with or without children. We have so much more information, but it seems that there are more outside influences working against us. I suppose we have to be that much stronger. Fortunately, there’s strength in numbers and hanging out with those with similar goals really helps.

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

What does your shirt say about you? “Do you box?”...

Saturday, January 19, 2013

... he asked me as we stood at the grocery check out counter.

It happened last summer. I haven’t been ‘hit on’ in decades and this would have been one weird pick-up line anyway. I was old enough to be this guy’s mother, maybe grandmother.

As I responded with “Huh?” he explained further. My workout clothes said “EVERLAST” in large letters across my chest and Everlast makes boxing gear.


I just picked the shirt out of a clearance bin – great quality for only $2. I was wearing the shorts too, but fortunately the logo wasn’t plastered across my butt only the waistband.

I thought about this at the gym this week when I got comments about this shirt


This tells people that I keep my clothes a very long time.
Regardless of the title, it’s unlikely that anyone running 5 miles on New Year’s Day actually had a hangover.

It also indicates that I like keeping the memories of races past. On that day I remember settling in to run behind 3 guys, dressed as The Three Kings, following a 4th guy carrying a large star on a pole. It was the only time I remember running while singing a Christmas carol to myself. O, star of wonder, star of light…westward leading, still proceeding… It was very effective as we circled the DC Mall twice. Grab motivation wherever you can.

My favorite shirt is this one.


The words are on my back and I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments from runners following behind me. We’re a friendly bunch – that bottom 30-40% of the pack. That quote, originally from my daughter’s HS Cross Country team, is my tag line here.
It can be applied to so many areas of life beyond an actual foot race.

So, whatever type of “race” you happen to be in, or whatever journey you happen to be on, just hang in there!

  Member Comments About This Blog Post: