Journey Beyond Survival

I hate it when an epiphany strikes. More often than not, it sets off rumblings that threaten to bring down an avalanche. Writing that post yesterday got me thinking-which we all know is terribly dangerous-about those dastardly circumstances. I thought about the twenty pounds that are gone, and I thought about the thirty-two pounds left. All in the mother's lounge at church. Chickadee made up her mind that she wanted to show with all her might that she is indeed a two-year-old. She wasn't quiet, she was throwing a tantrum. The whole time. Which gave me entirely too much time to think. I thought stupid thoughts, such as: What did I do to deserve this? Why on earth is this happening? And then came the thought that I have never let myself think. The one that I am ashamed of. Take it all back. Just take it all away. Yes, that was me talking to my Father in Heaven. Chickadee woke up and started having even more of a fit, so much so that I had to take her out to the van a...

I'm tired of me whining! I'm tired of "woe". Not today. FUNK OVER! In the spirit of Bootstraps and good ole Pollyanna, I'm introducing the Survival Family Homework Game. Every time we whine or complain too much, we have to list 10 good things about our life. Here goes: Chickadee has bounced back to most of her old abilities! Beansprout adores his bicycle bell. ---as if kids on bikes aren't already annoying-just add bells Miss THANG doesn't complain about practicing ballet this week We have a new-to us-wheelchair adaptable minivan Said minivan has a DVD player! Said minivan has a sunroof AND heated seats ---Ooooohohoho. Really, it was for Chickadee that we got the van I am the proud new owner of an automatic door/backhatch key fob! ---for avoiding splatting-food and otherwise-in the parking lot It's not too bad to be interrupted by visitors in the middle of exercise. It's even okay when pit stains are involved. Birthday cake and ice cream can...

For some reason after Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I'm feeling a bit deflated. I've been overeating a little bit, not quite drinking as much water, just little things. Nothing is adding up yet. I want to be pumped for the new week. But, compared to last Monday, I'm as flat as a whoopie cushion. But darn it all, I care about my 20 mile goal, and I care about my Sit Down Dinners pledge for the challenge, and maybe most of all I'm committed to my adopted Lenten promise of No Sugar, so I can't get into that much trouble this week. I don't think it's TOM time, and I don't really have S.A.D.D. to blame so much. So, it's just a perturbing day. *photo credit*

picture from here Training Wheels, or No Training Wheels? The first time that I heard about these was from my mother. But she didn't make a big deal about it. She simply brushed her teeth when she found herself wanting too many cookies. The next time was from (no groaning please) Dr. Phil's Book. There are a few more I've picked up along the way, most especially from my infamous trio, Tasty Food, Real Food, and Simple Food. (I know, you guys are sick of these. But the Snap pics are so pretty when you roll over the links!) It seemed to me yesterday that nobody really knew what I was talking about. I was *shocked*. This helps me so much! So if you have decided that I am crazy and you really don't want to know about it, comment about it or think about it, feel free to think of this as a JourneyBeyondSurvival indulgence day. If you don't, this could TOTALLY help you! (Do you feel bad for thinking I'm dumb now or what?) Every Time You Want to Jump the Tr...

* We just picked up Chickadee's glasses today. They are the most adorable things. Like a doll's. At my house, this makes them dangerous. Mean mommy surfaced out of the murk and snarled, "NO TOUCHING!" or "I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S PULLED THEM DOWN TO HER NOSE." Miss THANG and Beansprout think those glasses are so cool. Chickadee does too. When she has attention or she has something really fascinating to watch afar and realize that she can see it. All other times- not so much. We spent the afternoon watching movies to get used to it, then removing them as quickly as we could before the meltdown window closed. It wasn't pretty. It's different. It's a change. They slide down her nose and Mommy got that really annoying elastic band around the back of the neck. Those times she doesn't CARE that they make her look 'gorgeous' and she can see the detail of the PB Beansprout left on the wall. But this got me thinking. My wei...