Archive for November, 2008

It’s that time of year again… turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing, gravy…  and pumpkin pie!  Yes!  That is the only thing that I get excited about this time of year!  I love pumpkin pie… prior to surgery AND after.  I’m going out of town for the holidays.  I’ve been watching every calorie to the tee… walking a tight rope wanting to get off about 3 pounds to be at my ultimate “feel good” weight of 125.  So, while I am out of town, I want to continue my vigilance.

Last night, I made my favorite pumpkin pie recipe.  It’s the recipe on the back of the Libby’s Pumpkin Puree, but without all the condensed milk, evaporated milk, or sugar.  Instead, I substituted with a combination of Hood Calorie Countdown and Fat Free Half & Half, and Splenda.  I poured the “insides” of the pumpkin pie into two mini bread loaf pans (no shell) and baked them for the allotted time.  Wow, they are so good!  I had just a few bites last night before bed.  This morning I portioned out a little bit for my afternoon snack.  I am also taking a portion on my trip in hopes to stay on track, away from the real thing, and still enjoy my holiday with a tradition.

I want to take just a moment to share something with you.  My friend sent me an email today which was so heart felt and touching.  It brought tears to my eyes, and I had to fight hard not to just burst out in sobs.  It really touched me deep within.  I would like to cut and paste her words here…  it summarized a wonderful Thanksgiving blessing for all:

“I hope each of you have a wonderful day tomorrow…That you all enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration.  For those of you that will be traveling to be with friends or family, please be safe and enjoy the time you spend with those you love.  Take time to just sit back and reflect.  Listen to what everyone is saying and take to heart what is being said.  Let it be a day where harsh words are not spoken….  Where the words that are spoken are spoken out of love, respect and are used in such a way that the person receiving them are lifted up and are made to feel good.  Take time over the next few days to spend some quiet time with your heavenly Father giving Him thanks for all your many blessings because we know they all come from Him.  Take time out for yourself to just relax and reflect on this past year.  Think about the things you haven’t done that you still have time to do.  Think about the things that you haven’t had time to do and make sure you make them a priority for next year.  Make the most of each and every day and be sure you are living life to the fullest.  Remember, we have been given a 2nd chance at life and we must use the tool we have been given to the fullest, to the best of our ability to get the most out of it we can.  So take charge and enjoy.”

That is so beautifully said…  I hope you enjoy your holidays.  And, if you need an extra OOOOMPH to keep you away from those goodies, just imagine me saying this to you….  STEP AWAY FROM THE PIE.  I REPEAT, STEP AWAY FROM THE PIE!

Wow, I’ve been so busy.  I get home from work, change clothes and head on over to the new house for an evening of remodeling.  Sorry I have not kept you abreast of all the changes these past few days.  Here’s a rundown:

Monday evening:  I went to the Succeed program to talk about my surgery with prospective weight loss surgery patients.  Tim took a trip to his ex-wife’s house to pick up his tools.  He went to Longhorns and I went to Logan’s with my friend, Jenn.  

Tuesday:   Went to the new house and first cleaned up the mess left from Sunday’s demo work on the closets.  Once that was done, Tim continued the work on the master bedroom’s closet while I attempted to remove wallpaper border from the smaller bedroom.  That way, he has peace and quiet while he does HIS project, and I, well…  I’m out of his hair.  Removing the wallpaper border is a very slow going project. There are two borders on the wall.  I stood on a ladder for almost two hours with my hands raised in the air, scraping, peeling, steaming…  I did accomplish two things.  First, I was able to peel the glow in the dark stars off the ceiling.  Second, I cleaned the commodes and sinks in both bathrooms.  Now our guests will feel safer and more sanitary to use our bathrooms.  My arms hurt so bad when we left. 

Wednesday:  My back felt like it was broken.  My calves burned.  Then they cramped.  I felt like I had been run over not once, but a few times.  Wow, standing on a ladder appears to be a good exercise in toning up the calves.  We were going to work on the house but was diverted by a clearance sale at Lowe’s where we stopped for building material.  Now I know what you are thinking… “Melinda, you mean you even find clearance sales and bargains at Lowe’s?”  Oh honey, let me just say it was TIM this time…  there in the middle of the aisle was a front load washer and dryer, black, with the two pedestal shelf stands.  He saved $850 by buying them on clearance.  The manager said he had just marked those down.  The date was on the tag.  Mike came to help us load and unload them.  We all went to dinner, then back to do about an hour’s worth of work.

Thursday:  Off to do it again.  But, I am starting to get visions in my head…  kinda like the visions that those children in “Twas the Night Before Christmas…” cause that’s all I am thinking about…  When the house is done.  That will be a great Christmas present for me!