Weekly Weigh In: 6/30/15

Dear Friends and Family,

this week's weight loss: 2.2 pounds
total weight loss: 11.6 pounds

Yes! Finally! I got through the plateau. Wow! It feels awesome! I'm more than 10 pounds into my journey and I feel like I'm making progress in a different way.

I love the book "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. In it, he talks about how people change lifelong habits. And, I feel like I went through that once with Weight Watchers. I lost a little over 70 pounds and felt like a million dollars. I thought the changes were permanent. And, they were, mostly. I had regained about 5 pounds before I had P, but in the grand scheme of things that was okay. I was well within the range for a healthy BMI and I looked forward to doctor's appointments to see how all of my statistics were doing.

Then, I had P. I gained weight during my pregnancy. I gained about 28 pounds which was perfect for P and me. I lost most of it after P was born and was within 10 pounds of my original weight (5 pounds of what I weighed when I got pregnant) when life got hectic. Worked changed. My body's needs changed when P was done breastfeeding. Our eating routine changed when P started eating. And before I knew it things felt different.

But something else changed while all of this was going on. Weight Watchers changed their scoring system. And, I tried a couple of times to get back on the band wagon, but it didn't seem to work for me any more. I wasn't sure if it was because I was older or because something had changed in pregnancy or because it was the second time using Weight Watchers or because the new system didn't work. Regardless of the reason, I didn't have faith in it. I didn't believe it could work for me the way it had worked for me in the past.

Things got worse at work and I continued putting on a pound here and a pound there.

Well, according to Charles Duhigg belief, or faith, is a critical component of changing habits. I knew that. But, trying to force yourself to believe is just not possible. Either you believe it will work or you don't. During my first journey, I started off with belief in hand. Two friends each lost close to 30 pounds and told me it was due to Weight Watchers. Voila! Instant belief!

This time, after a couple of attempts that fell way short of the mark, I needed to find my own faith, my own belief, that this will work. And, that's what breaking through a plateau does. And, it's what losing over 10 pounds does. You begin to believe again that this will work. And, even if my belief isn't rock solid. I don't have any competing options at the moment that I believe will work better. So, it's the best option I have.

Still, it feels good. Because once you believe, then it's just a matter of time until you hit your goal. And, I'm finally on my way to believing. Things are beginning to feel different now.


Cheers!
mouse

06.29.15: Joyous Free Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

What started out as a very ambiguous weekend ended up being a lot of fun. We originally had a trip planned that got cancelled because of weather. When you read a weather forecast that includes the words 100% chance of precipitation, drenching rains, thunderstorms, 1-2 inches of rain expected, 20 mph wind with 40 mph gusts, flood warnings, you begin to reconsider whether an outdoor trip will be a lot of fun. And, we decided it wouldn't be a lot of fun. So, instead we opted for a free weekend at home.

Saturday, we found a carnival in town. We bought P a $25 wristband and she went to town riding the rides. Her faux sister joined us so she had company on a lot of the rides. It was a fun day capped by a play date and lovely time on the roof.

Sunday, we restocked on groceries. P and I drew a giant ice cave turned coral reef cave in the courtyard before coming inside to play. Our friends brought their little boy over and Mr. mouse cooked up a feast for all. They are such gracious guests. We're fortunate, we love having people over. And, the people we have over are great people to have over. But, they could write a book on it. It was a great way to finish up the weekend.

And, now, it's Monday. Fortunately, P's camp this week is closer to home. I hope to get some work done in between drop-off and pick-up. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality. Hooray! Now, I'm waiting on our month end retirement review tomorrow, the results from P's audition by Wednesday, and the weather for Fourth of July weekend by Friday.


Cheers!
mouse

Waiting

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday, June 26th, and I feel like I'm waiting. I'm glad the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act. Now, I'm waiting to hear how they rule on marriage equality. It would be amazing if they rule in favor of marriage equality.

Then, on a more personal note, I'm waiting to see how the month end retirement review will go. I know it's just a point in time, but I like to keep track of how our money is growing (or not growing) so I know if we're in good shape (or bad shape) come retirement.

Then, there's P's dance audition. The studio told us that we would know by July 1 where our kids were placed. So, I'm waiting.

Then, I'm waiting on the weather. There's a carnival in town that we love to take P to. The weather's been abysmal this summer. So, I'm waiting to see how the weather develops for Fourth of July weekend.

Yep. That's a lot of waiting for the next couple of days.


Cheers!
mouse

Manners, People

Dear People in the Suburbs,

I signed my kid up for camp for a week in your suburbs. And, frankly, you should be embarrassed. Your manners are appalling.

Parking. I get parking can be hard to find. But, when the lot is half empty, it's not cool to double park. Take a designated parking spot. And, if you double park, double park along the perimeter of the lot. Don't block the entrance to the lot by double parking in the entrance.

Moms with strollers or really anyone with strollers. I get that people with strollers can be slower than people without strollers. That does not make it okay to push past them willy-nilly when they've been waiting in line to pick up their kid. We're all here for pick-up. They let us in at 11:50 and give us 15 minutes to pick up our children. She's been waiting in line just like the rest of us. There's no real reward for shoving past her to get to your kid. Your kid is safe in the classroom. I waited in line like a civilized person and got my kid by 11:53. Really.

Walking in a crowd. First of all, if you're walking in a crowd, teach your kid to walk next to you or hold their hand. It's not okay to shove another person aside to get to your kid because you let your kid run wild. Second of all, there are kids walking in the crowd, it's not okay to shove someone else's kid to get out the door 5 seconds faster. The building's not on fire. And even if it was, shoving a six year old kid aside to get out first says a lot about who you are.

Stopping and talking. I know. It's exciting to see your friends and it's nice to be able to stop and talk for a couple of minutes before you disband. I do it too. But, I don't do it at the doorway to the school. No one can get out if the six of you are blocking the doorway. Please remember there are people pushing and shoving to get out as if the building is on fire. You're in their way and my way too.

Stop signs. Okay. Here's what I learned when I took my driving test. You stop at a stop sign, check for oncoming traffic, go when the traffic is clear and it's safe to proceed. When it's a four way stop, everyone stops and takes turns. When it's a two way stop, the people with the stop sign wait until the other street is clear and then proceed. Honking at me does not make the other cars in oncoming traffic disappear or stop. Honking more at me does not do the trick. It merely irritates me to no end. I've seen how you all drive. You treat the stop sign by the school as a merge sign. You expect traffic to stop for you. Guess what? That works until one car isn't playing by those rules. And, when that happens you're in the wrong since you clearly had a stop sign and they didn't. Don't be an ass and sit there and honk. There's a nice break in the traffic every 90 seconds when the light turns red. Sometimes there's a break before that, but sometimes you have to wait it out.

Now, fortunately, I've been in other suburbs and know that most of them are completely civilized places where the people have manners and teach their kids to have manners. But, frankly, I've seen better manners on the bus and train than I have this past week in your town.


Yours truly,
mouse

The Sounds of Laughter

Dear Friends and Family,

I have a friend whose life has been tough recently. And, because of her nature she's tried to shoulder it alone. I'd given her space and time, but I was eager to see her again. And, last night, I got to see her and it was so good. There were adults chatting in her dining room and kids playing in the living room and the sounds of laughter echoed off of the walls. She told me it was good to hear the house full again with the sounds of people and I believe it.

I remember another friend who also went through some very trying times. Instead of going it alone, she threw open her doors and we flooded into her house. There were, literally, 30-40 people in her house at any given point in time. There were rules, of course, like we were all expected to pitch in, and the second floor was off limits for when G needed some alone time. But, the house was never empty. We signed up for shifts. We spent a lot of the time just talking to each other. But, we were there for anything that needed to be done.

And, I think there's something healthy about that human connection. If I were to ever go through a trying time, I think I'd look to my friends, old and new, to help sustain me. I think I'm strong enough to go the road alone. But, I'm glad I have friends so I don't have to.

I'm also glad my friend has gotten over the hump. I look forward to seeing her again in the near future.


Cheers!
mouse

Weekly Weigh In: 6/23/15

Dear Friends and Family,

this week's weight loss: 0.4 pounds
total weight loss: 9.4 pounds

0.4 pounds. I'm not going to complain because I have not been on the ball. We went out to dinner on Thursday night with friends and I effectively missed counting for the rest of the weekend and yesterday. I guess all I can do this week is get back on the ball and begin counting again. I'm grateful I didn't have a gain this week.


Cheers!
mouse

06.22.15: Quiet Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a quiet weekend at home for us. Saturday, we went to the library to pick up some books. Then, P had a make up swim class. And, we spent the rest of the time at home playing. P had a chance to practice her tennis in the courtyard. She read 30 minutes for her library challenge. We ate dinner and it was bath time. Sunday, I went to church while P and Mr. mouse went shopping for groceries. We went to watch the baseball game. And, by the time we got home it was time for dinner and bed.

It was a great weekend. And, the homily at church gave me lots to think about. The father brought in the Pope's recently released paper on climate change and it really got me thinking. If we think of people along two separate axes (not a grid, but two spectra), one socio-economic and one time-based, then we can plot everyone along both of those lines. And, if you're a Christian Buddhist like me, you believe everyone on those lines are connected in a community.

Now switch gears to food supply, and clean water, and safe shelter and other things we want for ourselves and those we love and care for. For better or for worse, unless something changes, our immediate family does not want for food or clean water or clothes or a roof. We are fortunate to live lives that provide us with plenty. But, that's not true for everyone. Someone lives on the border where food is inadequate, where clean water is not a given, where clothes and a roof are not assumed. And, the question I need to answer is do my actions (e.g. how I consume the Earth's resources) impact their access to food and water and home? When I consume beef, the grain and water it took to raise my beef could have fed another person. Beef is one of the worst offenders, but there's plenty out there. Or when I contribute to global warming, does that change the climate in a way that makes someone else's home drought-ridden or flood-prone? I'm not sure. I think it does.

But, it's easy to think selfishly about ourselves and forget about "those" people who don't interact with us daily. That's where the time spectrum comes in. If these changes are real, and I do believe they are, then it will worsen with time. How much time has to pass before it impacts someone I know. Will it be in my lifetime? Will it be in P's lifetime? In her children's lifetime? I don't think you have to go very far into the future before it impacts the people you do know. People are living longer and having children later. For example, if P has one child when she's 35 years old and that old child lives to be 80, we're talking 2124 when we talk about that person's lifetime. Do I owe this possible future person, my potential grandchild, a world that can sustain it? And, even if P doesn't have kids, will one of her friends? Or one of my "nephews and nieces?" Yes, someone will. And, yes, I think I do.

Which brought me to my last thought before we headed to the baseball game. Is Starbucks sinful? I was waiting for Mr. mouse and P to pick me up from church. And, there was a white woman walking down the street with a Starbucks cup in her hand. And, there was a black man begging for food and money and moment of human connection. Is it right for me to spend $4 on coffee when another member of my community wants? Is Starbucks sinful?

I'm not sure.


Cheers!
mouse

Completely Free Day

Dear Friends and Family,

P's in camp today and my to do list is blank. The house is a bit of a mess, my inbox can definitely use some love, and I need to do a little research on a vacation we're planning. But, overall, it's a free day for me. I could have blown it on the parade downtown, but I think I'll savor it instead by spending the day at home just relaxing.

I looked back on my list from this week last year and it's a hot mess. 24 tasks long, it gives me a headache to even look at it much less try to summarize it here for you. Two years ago? 2013? 18 tasks long. 2012? 16 tasks.

So, I think I'll brew a nice cup of tea and enjoy the day.


Cheers!
mouse

Almost Two Years in the Making

Dear Friends and Family,

Around this time 2013 I was beginning to surreptitiously begin my exit from old work. I had a list of people I wanted to say good-bye to. I had a list of things I wanted to finish. I had a list of things I needed to take home. My computer was scrubbed. And, I was beginning to count down the days to notifying daycare that we would be leaving. Our last day would be August 23, 2013. I was going to leave on a high note.

Instead I let money sway me. Against my better judgement I decided to stay part-time at old work for a ridiculous amount of money. There were a couple of things I learned while working part-time. While my hours went down by 65% and my pay went down by 30%, my work only went down by 10%. So, right off the bat I wasn't getting the better half of the deal. And, while I did have more flexibility to take off days P had off, and to be home for pick up, I still missed out on all of the field trips because they were on Thursdays when I was in the office. More proof that I wasn't getting the better half of the deal. Still, the money was good so I stayed. Until my position was eliminated and I left - this time on a much lower note. As far as everyone at old work was concerned I decided to leave, but inside I knew it was brought on by my position getting eliminated.

That was April 2014. Now, over a year after that cycle of events, I finally feel ready to put it all behind me. I had a dream where I was finally able to let go and put old work behind me. And, while I realize now that I should have left in 2013, I am also glad I did leave in 2014 and am not at old work now in 2015. P is a big kid now. Her little kid years are definitively behind her. I'm glad I got to spend the last year and two months enjoying the last of the little kid years.

Like P's birth, it took me some time to get over things I wished could have happened differently. I wish 2013 and 2014 could have happened differently. But, sitting here in 2015, I'm finally able to say it doesn't matter. I'm glad of where I got to and it doesn't matter how I got here. What's important is I am here.


Cheers!
mouse

Weekly Weigh In: 6/16/15

Dear Friends and Family,

this week's weight loss: 0.2 pounds
total weight loss: 9.0 pounds

Well, it's official. I think I've hit a plateau. I'm not sure what it is about P being off from school/camp that triggers this. Or maybe it's just coincidental. I think I'm not as diligent about it all when I've got P at home all day. Well, she started camp this week so hopefully I'll have better news to report next week.


Cheers!
mouse

Last Day before Camp

Dear Friends and Family,

And just like that two weeks have passed and P starts camp on Monday. I'll be honest I think we're both looking forward to it. Unlike last summer we did not get to many parks or museums or play dates. We spent a lot of time inside either playing or doing some form of enrichment. The hot, humid weather with a constant threat of torrential deluges just wasn't a great motivation to go out and explore. Well, P's got a week of full-day camp which I will use to catch up. Then, she's got five weeks of half-day camp. Hopefully we'll be able to use that time more constructively than we used the last two weeks.

I think camp will also help because it will force us to get P up in the morning which will also then give her a reason to go to sleep earlier at night.

Today? It's another blah day weather-wise. We have an appointment at one o'clock to baseline P's reading and math to see where she's at.


Cheers!
mouse

Hot and Humid Start to Summer

Dear Friends and Family,

It's been 90+ degrees and humid the past couple of days with daily threats of deluge thundershowers. It's not the best weather for planning and P and I have been reluctant to melt outdoors in the middle of the day. We've been making the best of our time indoors. But, I'd love a sunny, clear day with highs somewhere in the 80's. Just one day would be great. Unfortunately, when we look ahead to the weather, it shows more of the same for the next 7-10 days. Ugh. If I had known it would be this brutal, I might have been tempted to sign P up for camp.

Still, I should remind myself that I'm fortunate to be able to have this time with P. She's a good kid and I love her to pieces.


Cheers!
mouse

Precious Time Before P Wakes Up

Dear Friends and Family,

I've gotten through my usual morning odds and ends and have some time before P wakes up. How much time? I don't know.

I can either finish reading through a magazine of summer activities, go through my email or try and spend a little more time on the living room. I think I'll do that.


Cheers!
mouse

Weekly Weigh In: 6/9/15

Dear Friends and Family,

this week's weight loss: 0.2 pounds
total weight loss: 8.8 pounds

I didn't think I'd have a ton of good news to report this week, so I'm happy with 0.2 pounds. This week I will have to be more diligent. Hopefully I'll have better news next week. I just need to keep motivated this week and not inch backwards.


Cheers!
mouse

Riding in Cars

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday, we had such nice plans. We were going to start with a quick 30 minute errand followed by lunch at one of P's favorite restaurants. Then, we were going to go to the park and play before swim.

Instead, we got stuck in horrendous traffic and barely got to the restaurant before it closed. Instead of a nice leisurely lunch we hurried through our food. Sigh. Then, we got stuck in horrendous traffic again and barely got to swim on time. Instead of fun times on the monkey bars we hurried through the changing room. Double sigh.

When we got out from swim, P asked if we could go to the park. Since we had sat in the car all day, I agreed. The rest of the evening was fine. I just could have done without three extra hours of driving.


Cheers!
mouse

Last Night I Prayed

Dear Friends and Family,

Mr. mouse fell asleep with P last night so I had the night to myself to finish up all of the things I didn't have a chance to do because P is on summer vacation now. I posted P's library challenge. I checked our credit reports, I ran payroll. I submitted the yearbook for publication (that was a big one). I rejiggered the calendar for the rest of the week. I checked my emails. I played Frozen Free Fall. Then, I changed and got ready for bed. I read a little. I turned out the light. I decided to pray.

There's so much I didn't know where to begin. I have a friend who recently lost her husband in a freak accident. She's decided to shoulder the burden alone. I prayed for her and her family. I have a friend whose child recently got approached by a creep. I prayed for her and her family. P recently told me that sometimes people look at her as if she's crazy and it makes her sad and sometimes people call her sensitive and it makes her sad. I prayed for P. Mr. mouse and I got into an argument last night about Disney. We were both unhappy about where it went. I prayed for us.

And, this morning I woke up to a brand new world. The sun is shining. My list is under control. Should be a good day!


Cheers!
mouse

Weekly Weigh In: 6/2/15

Dear Friends and Family,

this week's weight loss: 1.8 pounds
total weight loss: 8.6 pounds

Yeah! I hit my first "wish" for journey. I wished that by the time P finished school, I was 5.8 pounds lighter than if I had done nothing. And, I am. I'm 8.6 pounds lighter than if I had done nothing. It feels good. I'm nearing in on 10 pounds. That's my next goal. And, that ones a real goal, not a wish. I don't have a time frame for the goal (that's the difference between a goal and a wish) but that's okay. It's another step in a long journey and I don't want to get ahead of myself.

For now, I'll just relish 1.8 pounds.

Cheers!
mouse

06.01.15: First Days of Summer Vacation

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Monday and it's the first "real" day of summer vacation. After many ups and downs we ended May on a high note. We found buyers for some tickets we had. We had some good news come in the last couple of days budget-wise. And, our retirement review was also positive. So, after a month where it felt like nothing was going to break our way, in the end, things worked out okay.

Thursday afternoon, P had a doctor's appointment for her six year check up. I almost made us late, but I took a couple of moments to take some pictures outside of school. And, I'm glad I did because Friday pickup couldn't have been more chaotic. Instead of staggering dismissals, all of the grades dismiss together for the last day of school. On top of that, everyone is trying to capture the last day of school. And, to make matters worse, the skies opened up 10 minutes before dismissal and it was pouring buckets for 30 minutes. Like I said, I'm glad I took pictures on Thursday.

Saturday, we had pancakes for breakfast. Then, we took P to a dance workshop. To say she loved it would be an understatement. She came out positively glowing. I love that she has passions. I love that she enjoys her activities. I love that she's willing to try something new even if it takes a little extra coaxing at the door.

After P's workshop, we came home and ate lunch. One of P's best friends, we'll call her CHG, came over in the afternoon for a play date. The girls danced upstairs while the dads deejay-ed and the moms caught up. We love spending time with them, they're an easy family to love.

Sunday, I punted on brunch with the boys and went to mass instead to hear our new Archbishop speak. He gave a great homily on family and remembering we're all sent into this world for a reason and it's part of our job as family to help each member do whatever it is that member was sent to do.

I know Catholics don't believe in reincarnation, but I do. I believe we've all got a purpose in life. That purpose might be so that our soul can learn a new lesson on its journey to nirvana. Or that purpose might be so that we can help another soul learn a new lesson on their journey to nirvana. Yesterday's homily really rang true for me.

We spent the rest of Sunday getting new sneakers for P and a new toaster oven for our kitchen. We finished off the day by going to the park. It was freezing cold, but it gave P a chance to run around. Now, it's Monday. I'm hoping it warms up a little bit. If not, we'll figure it out.


Cheers!
mouse