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I decided a week or so ago that due to the abundance of food in our house, I had to eat. It wasn’t for myself, you see, Hubby is a diabetic and to protect him from all the sugar and fats, I decided that I would eat. The first things to go were the Snickerdoodles. I gave away a ton of them, but there were a few left, and since they are primarily made of sugar, they had to be eliminated.
Next, the chocolates. Friends had sent us a basket of assorted fine chocolates. Now surely this would send Hubby into a diabetic coma, so down they went. You know I did this to “save” him. Such is my love for him!
Then there was the Chocolate Chip Cookies. He loves those, and even though I made them with Splenda, well those carbs just aren’t good for him. So I helped get rid of those too.
Christmas morning I opened the Stollen Christmas Bread from Germany. It’s a family tradition. The bread is made with candied fruit, raisins and marzipan filling and then covered liberally with powdered sugar! Well, there you go. The sugar thing. I had to save him from that too.
Somewhere around dessert Christmas night I realized I was on a “sugar high“. I felt jazzed, like I could run a marathon. In fact I didn’t sleep well that night because I was so full of sugar. Where would it all end?

Yesterday I went out shopping during the after Christmas sales. I grabbed some great pants off the rack and headed right into the changing room to try them on.
As I stood in front of the floor to ceiling, three way mirror I saw where it all had ended up! Right on my hips! Oh, My God!!! I inhaled. I held my breath. Sadly, it was too late. the cookies, stollen and chocolates had found a new home. Right there on my hips!
There was a black cloud over the Liz Claiborne Outlet store. It was filled with all the naughty words I ws spewing from inside my changing room. How could I have done this?
A tear escaped one eye as I put the size 10’s back on the shelf. I couldn’t be too depressed, because I’d eaten those things to save Hubby and well, it’s a sacrifice I would make again for the man I love.
Still, come midnight on January 1st I will go back strictly on my diet. I will throw away any leftover sweets and stock up on sugar free jello.
And as much as I hate to even “think” about this, I will exercise.

What I want to know is why? Why, when you get to a point in your life when you can actually enjoy yourself, are you suddenly just one donut away from “Fatdom”? Long ago, back in my 20’s I could eat what I wanted and I didn’t gain weight. Now, suddenly in my 40’s all I have to do is look at food and I gain 10 pounds!

So until next week I will inhale, and hold my breath and hope that the zipper on my jeans holds!

Got the best deal of the day, a Liz Claiborne car coat, for a mere $60, 40% off the list price! I also got new pants, a new shirt at LC. Then it was on to Jockey where I got new undies, slippers and t-shirts for Hubby, all at a reduced price! We hit the Hallmark shops and got next years Christmas cards, 40% off, and on to Walmart for wrapping paper, bows, lights and Christmas stuff for 50% off! Didn’t buy anything at full price! I’m feeling very happy!!!

I’m off to the shops to partake in some after Christmas sales! It should be fun, as I am a bargain hunter, who absolutely hates to pay top dollar for anything! I just LOVE a good sale!!!

My cousin, Janet gave me these great pajamas. We both loved our Barbie Dolls as kids and so the meaning behind the gift is sort of a sentimental one. They are soft, warm and I LOVE them!!!! Thanks Janet!!!

I want to wish you all a joyous Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

For an early Christmas present, the three dogs let me sleep until 8 o’clock this morning! WOW! I was amazed that they did, and that I really needed the sleep.
Today is a day of cooking, cleaning and doggie gift wrapping. Since I don’t want to go out into the crowded stores on a day when I know they will be filled to the brim with last minute shoppers, I planned well and have all my shopping done. Hubby had a doctors appointment yesterday and he went shopping for groceries, gifts, etc. and he was amazed at all the crazies out there. He called me on his cell phone and said, “You were smart to stay home, it’s a zoo out here!” I just smiled. I knew it would be!

Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

Yesterday we drove down to see my Uncle, “Aunt George” and to take him out for lunch. We arrived to find him all dressed up in a suit with a cheery Christmas tie! I hugged him close and then we sat down and talked for a while. We looked at pictures, talked of old times before leaving for the restaurant.
This country mouse must mention the traffic here. I was amazed, not only at the traffic, but at how much this part of Massachusetts had changed in the last decade. So many new homes, and so many new office buildings! And a lot of wild and crazy drivers! Eeeek!
We drove to “Legal Seafood’s” and they told us it would be a 20 minute wait. It was only about 10 minutes before they escorted us to a table, and by then my cousin Janet arrived and we all sat down together.
After we gave our drinks order we all exchanged gifts for Christmas. Here is the funny part. I gave Janet a night shirt with pictures of little puppies that look like her dog Wolf! And Janet gave me pajamas with “Barbie” on them and fur around the neck! They are so cute! Pictures to follow!! (LOL)
We all ordered our meals starting with the best Clam Chowder I have had in a long time and ending with dessert, for me it was Bananas Foster, which Janet and I shared. I’d never had it before, and it sure was delicious!!!

Janet and her Dad.

Me and my “Aunt” George!

Me and my best friend and cousin, Janet!
The time went much too fast and before we knew it, it was time to head back to New Hampshire. It was so wonderful to spend this time with Aunt George and Janet.

I wanted to share this picture with you from Christmas 1984. The picture shows my nephew Tim, ‘Santa’ (my other nephew Mike) Aunt George, Uncle Betty and my daughter Katie.
It was a wonderful family celebration and as you can see, everyone was full of holiday cheer.

We’re off this morning to go down and spend time with Aunt George. We’re taking him out to his favorite seafood restaurant and I’ve got something special for him too!

Today was the last time I will ski until after the New Year. (My season ticket limits me during “holidays”.) I really wanted to go, but it was zero! ZERO!!! I put on all sorts of clothing, making me feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy or maybe The Michelin Man! I certainly looked about 700 pounds! Every part of exposed skin was covered with something.
When we got to the top of the mountain Hubby looked at me and said, “Look at that. It’s 3 degrees! It’s not so cold!” Did I mention that Hubby has a really poor sense of humor?

So we rode up the lift, my teeth chattering all the time, and started our morning of skiing.
My skis were newly sharpened and they felt good in the frosty snow. The conditions were actually very good and we made 4 long runs before stopping for hot chocolate. I could have stopped then and been happy. It was like pulling teeth to get me to go back out in that cold. But I did.

We got done, and drove home. I simply could not warm up. I tried, but it just wasn’t happening. So after I had a quick salad for lunch I filled the tub and climbed in there for a nice long soak. That did help to get me feeling better and warmer.
Now I am simply tired!

Twenty-nine years ago I gave birth to my first child. Amanda Mae. I’d been told in my early teens that I couldn’t have children because I had such severe endometriosis. I trusted all doctors back then. Heck, I was 17 so, what did I know?
Shortly after I got married I had to have a little female surgery. All went well, and I went back to life. Six weeks later I went back to the doctor because I wasn’t feeling well after the surgery. Everyone was shocked to find that I was indeed pregnant.
It wasn’t the easiest of pregnancies. I had to stay in bed a lot and off my feet. The baby was due around Thanksgiving, and I excitedly planned for the birth.
Of course back then they didn’t do ultrasounds, (did they have them?) so I didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl. We selected names for both Amanda Mae or Joshua Robert. Secretly, I wanted a girl!
Thanksgiving came and went. No baby. Talk about grumpy! Another week passed, no baby. Talk about really grumpy! Then I went to the doctor who did an amniocentesis to check on the actual due date for the baby. Sure enough, he pronounced, the baby is over due! 2 weeks!! Plans were made to induce labor a week later. Did I want to know the sex of the baby, the doctor asked? Nope, I wanted to be surprised.
I must say, that was the longest week of my life! No baby. The night before they were going to induce labor, my ex-husband came home, walked into our bedroom and said Happy Anniversary! And my water broke! I laughed so hard!!!
Eight hours later, I gave birth to the most beautiful, most perfect baby girl ever born! 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

I couldn’t believe how I felt. I was hit instantly with the biggest case of complete love that I’d ever known! I held her in my arms and I knew that this was the best, the most amazing miracle in my life!
As she grew I was always amazed at her intelligence, her drive and her abilities. Her natural curiosity has taken her far in her life. I am in awe.

So today, on her 29th birthday I want to wish her The Happiest of Birthdays, and an even better year ahead!!