[weigh-in wednesday] 5/19 diets

This week, .4 pounds, total 42.8 pounds.

So frustrating to watch the scale hover around the same point. I know I should weight myself every day. I can't help it. At least it isn't going up.

Should I even mention the word diet? It's a four letter word with a bad reputation.

diet 1 |di-it|

noun
the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats : a vegetarian diet | a specialist in diet.
• a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons : I'm going on a diet.
• [as adj. ] (of food or drink) with reduced fat or sugar content : diet soft drinks.
• figurative a regular occupation or series of activities in which one participates : a healthy diet of classical music.

verb ( dieted , dieting ) [ intrans. ]
restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight : it's difficult to diet.

I think I should focus on the first definition:

the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats

OK. That seems pretty safe. Really, a diet is just what you eat. So, what kind of diet are you on? And I don't mean a specialized diet to help you lose weight. What kind of food to eat day to day?

Most of us born probably grew up eating the same things. Cold cereals for breakfast. Sandwiches on white bread for lunch. Meat, potatoes and canned vegetables to dinner. A few fresh fruits were thrown in but weren't encouraged because they disappeared too quickly. Store bought cookies and salty snacks were around but not like they are today. We jad milk in our cereal for breakfast, at lunch in school and were required to drink at least one glass during dinner. We were allowed one soda per day, usually a 10 ounce bottle. We had to split a 16 ounce bottle. Most meals were at home. With a family of 7, eating out became very expensive. TV dinners were rare and considered a treat. (Really, eating poor quality food in an aluminum tray was a treat?) I call this the American diet of the 1970s.

In the 1980s, more of our food came from packages. Packaged potatoes, sauces in jars and frozen, microwaveable meals became the norm. We still had milk in our cereal but in high school, we had the option of soda. Milk was no longer required at dinner. And that is partially because we started to eat out more frequently. My brothers were grown and gone and now we were a family of 4. There were more fast food restaurant and more affordable family restaurant to visit. There we were allowed one soda as free refills did not exist. Family meals at home were few and far between. When we were home, the TV was usually on and mom was probably on the phone. We were still limited to one soda per day at home. But we had our own money and local quickie marts to buy soda and snacks. This was our American diet of the 1980s.

I was never one for the cooking. Find something, make it and eat it. I don't enjoy the process, it feels like a chore. Convenience food were my friends and enemies. I learned to make casseroles since I would have to juggle to many things at once and try to coordinate all the cooking times and temps. I was cooking for convenience rather than health. And there are so many options in the frozen foods section. I love Stouffer's Mac & Cheese and couldn't happily eat it several days a week. I once made lasagna from scratch. It took hours and it didn't taste all that better than Stouffer's.

But convenience foods are not a healthy choice. They are full of added fat and sodium and preservatives. And they are not cheap either. You are paying for their time to make it and package it and deliver it to your store.

So what now?

warsaw filharmonia

The following week was spent getting acclimated to the city. Lori & Teré never seemed to stop complaining. It was cold in the rooms so Stefan and Fred brought over a heater for them. We went shopping for boots and they didn't like anything they saw. To be fair, we were shopping in Poland and were lucky to even find any boots. Many shops were half empty. Then again, did they not realize that February and most of March is still winter? Lori's pink high-top Reebok's may have been stylish but were impractical.

Mike and I did our best to avoid them. I liked Nopp but she stayed with Lori & Teré so I only spent time with her at class or at the dorm. Fred didn't do much to make the girls shut up but he didn't placate them either. I think he was used to tuning out females.

I started to venture out on my own. I liked doing what I want when I want and not have 5 people complain about it. I liked to ride the trams and just watch the city go by. It was very cheap, less than pennies. I went into a local café called the Magnolia. I was handed a typed menu, all in Polish. I would point to something and be told "Nie wiecej" I would point to something else and be told, "Nie wiecej." Finally, I pointed to something that they did have. I didn't know what it was until it came. It turned out to be veal cutlet which was good.

I thought a lot about Bill. As much as I liked him, I was conflicted. There wasn't anyone to talk and I didn't know which way to go. I guess that was all for the best. Lori told Fred about him. When we got to the embassy Friday night, Fred was already there asking for Bill. It was very embarrassing. It was the one night Bill & I could have gotten together. But there were plans to go to the Warsaw Philharmonic. I really did not want to go and Fred knew it.I am glad that I went. The music, limited to a piano and violin, was wonderful. I was really impressed with the architecture. The original building was destroyed in 1939 and was rebuilt after the war. Fred thought it looked too plain but I really liked it. I think it made me focus on the music more.And going to the Philharmonic made me avoid a big mistake with Bill.

not me! monday

This is my first Not Me! Monday. I got the idea from here.

Sometimes being a mom is tough. So many things to do. We compensate by multi-tasking. Lucky for me I did not leave the stove on and have Andy tell me about it later after the calphalon griddle was ruined. Not me!

And us moms need to keep all those appointments straight. It's a good thing that even though I wrote down the right day, I did not take the boys to their hair appointment a week early to find the door locked. Not me!

Us mom also have to schedule repairs when necessary, or put it off for months because we get a lot of rain in the summer. But I did eventually call the sprinkler guy came to repair the sprinklers. But I did not not check them before I called. They worked and there was nothing to do but pay the $75 service call. Not me!

Some household maintenance we can do ourselves. It's a good thing my dad taught me how to use a plunger because I did not plug up the toilet. Not me!

Us moms have to buy the groceries. I did not go to the grocery store 3 times because I did not plan ahead. Not me!

Oh Thursday, I was to meet the teachers and students when they went to check out their school for next year. I arrived early because I hate to be late. I did not fail to see them arrive because I was too interested in listening to This American Life. Not me!



I cannot guarantee that Not Me! Monday will happen every week. But it's a fun way to keep it real, so to speak. Then again, I did not do anything of the things written here. Not me!

water ride

We have had some unusual storms this week. It is like summer is here but these storms seem even stronger than we typically get in the summer.

I was at my computer when I heard an an engine that wasn't a car or truck. I looked and saw my neighbor with 2 boys riding his ATV through the puddles. They were getting wet and having fun. I grabbed my camera to take some pictures. Ryan followed me and when our neighbor saw him, he asked if the boys wanted a ride. I wasn't sure if they would. Ryan was hesitant so P went around the block again and came back. By then, Andy came out and wanted to go. Ryan would start to get on then change his mind. Ryan would not hop on but Andy did. He loved going through the puddles even though P did not go as fast as he had with other boys. Ryan decided he would get on, but he seemed nervous the entire time. I took lots of photos but only a few came out OK.

tom's of maine toothpaste

I got some new toothpaste. Tom's of Maine Peppermint. First of all, I am so happy that it is a paste. Why did Crest have to change everything to gel? Secondly, the smell is wonderful! The peppermint is a welcome eye opener. However, the taste is not so good. I was expecting some nice peppermint but that is overpowered by the baking soda. There is no sweet taste which is probably for the best. (Seems kind of odd to put add sugar to something that is supposed to clean your teeth.) After a few days, I am more used to the flavor.



Tom's has a lot of different toothpastes available. I would like to try one of the ones for sensitive teeth but they are not available locally. Maybe once this tube is gone, I will order some online.

My patronage of Tom's began a few years ago when Andy developed body order prematurely at age 9. I knew I wanted to get him a deodorant that was safe. Nothing with aluminum. I checked the store and decided on Tom's Fragrance Free. It has a fragrance but it's light and sweet and fades quickly. It was tricky getting Andy to use but now he does it by himself. I saw that they had a lavender scent and had to buy it for myself. I love it. They aren't antiperspirant but being in Florida, who would notice the difference if you had a bit more sweat under your arms. The main part is that they really control the stink from Andy.

I have also used Tom's Mouthwash. It seems a little weird to put witch hazel in your mouth. Did you know witch hazel is the active ingredient in Tuck's Hemerrhoid Pads? Anyway, once I got past that, the spearmint flavor is very refreshing. And I really like that there is no die, spearmint leaves may be green but products made from their essential oils are clear.

[weigh-in wednesday] 5/13 goals

This week, .8 pounds, total 41.8 pounds.

How do you reward yourself?

Do you make smaller goals and celebrate them? Or do you wait until your final goal has been met?

Does it make sense for you go out & splurge on a delicious meal when eating those delicious meals got you fat? You could buy yourself some new clothes or maybe some music but what if you are trying to save money?

Since I have a large weight loss goal, I am breaking it down into smaller portions. I will do something when I lose 50 pounds (if I ever get there). But I am not so sure what to do. It might be summer vacation time when I reach that goal so going out to eat won't be possible without a babysitter. Music and books are necessities to me so I don't really wait to buy them. I don't think I will need new clothes by then.



Perhaps a plug-in for Photoshop? On Mother's Day I almost bought Topaz Adjust but decided to spend the money on more photo greeting cards for the teaching staff. Maybe really wanting Topaz Adjust will be motivation I need?

Actually I don't know what more I can do. I have been eating less than my allotted 2100 calories. The weight seems to come off so slow. OK I know that moving more will burn more calories. And maybe instead of blogging, I should be lifting some weights or cleaning the house.

Maybe.

the eagle club

7|march|1987
Dinner was disgusting so Mike & I went out to dinner at the Metropol.

I am not sure who suggested it, but we went to the bar at the American Embassy. It was like any almost dive-bar where you have the best fun. There, we met plenty of marines and other foreign personnel. But most of all, the beer was cold, not just chilled from being left outside in the cold. (The Poles do not have large refrigerators. Like most Europeans, they shop daily for food.) And the mixed drinks were cheap! Only 75¢ for a whiskey & coke. I later found out that they used Johnny Walker Red. (Should I thank the US government for subsidizing?)

Lori, Teré & Nopp talked with the marines. Lori asked everyone she met if they could get her real toilet paper. Mike & I talked with the embassy staff. I met an attaché named Bill. I won't write too much about him. My behavior embarrasses me. OK, it wasn't that bad. I didn't have sex with him though I wanted to at the time. Twenty two years later, I realize what a sleaze he was and was glad I didn't succumb to his advances.

We went most Friday nights. It was nice to speak to other Americans and as the marines could not fraternize with the Poles, they were happy to speak to us too. Tony and Phil were the two marines we became good friends with.


(click to view larger)

Lori, Teré & Nopp started eating at the Eagle Club most days. Mike & I did not since the prices were not so good. It was cheap by American standards but we could find much cheaper places like the hotels and local cafés. What we didn't know is that unless you were embassy personnel, you had to have a membership. I purchased one but somehow the girls got in when I wasn't around.

found my journal!

I was writing up another post about my trip to Poland. My memory was shaky on some points and I knew I wanted to should look for the postcards and letters I sent to my mom. She gave them all back to me when I got home so I could keep them. They had been in my trunk for years until I started scrapbooking. Then I took them out and was putting the postcards onto the scrapbook pages. I have them, somewhere, in this house.

I didn't find the postcards but I did find my journal. We were told to keep a journal though it was meant to be more visual with sketches of the cities we went to. I am not confident in my sketching so I used it more for thoughts. I don't remember writing down as much as I did. So I will have to read some of this before I post another chapter. I'll have to scan the tickets and memorabilia taped in the book as well.

Here is one snippet...

28|february|1987
The toilets are starting to get to me. Not many people flush. Yuk!

[fun] friday

6 am, Ryan told me he had no shorts to wear to school today. Huh? OK, let's do some laundry.

---

Being a mom is routine. Mostly. It's enough of a routine that I tend to forget to check my calendar and get mixed up with dates and times.

I thought Friday was haircut day.

I wasted the morning with exercise and laundry and finishing Andy's photo book for his birthday. (Only a month late!) I had planned to pick up the boys from school. Ryan's teacher wanted me to pick him up earlier to avoid the chaos.

I got to school just before 3 and saw some kids coming out front. Hmm.. As I got closer I heard the alarm. They were having a fire drill. Oh joy. I thought I was going to have wait a while the kids got back to class but Ryan was waiting with the behavior specialist. We went to sign out the kids (rules!) and we saw Andy walking back to his class. We got out of there before 3:15.

We were going to be early for our hair appointment so I stopped and got gas. Prices are going up again?! And why have they gotten rid of all the thingies that hold the pump open? My hand tends to cramp while pumping in 26 gallons of gas. We would still be early but nothing else to do. We got to the salon to find the door locked. Huh?

When I got the call earlier this week, I was asked to come in earlier since there was a cancellation. But it's hard to get in earlier because of school. I decided to call Dana then realized I didn't have my phone. Did I have her cell number in my iPod Touch? I decided to check the appointment and found out it was next week. Oops.

Surprisingly, Ryan was OK with the mix up since I still promised the book store. Andy whined a bit but stopped once we got to the mall.

---

Andy picked out another Thomas book while at the book store. We went to go find Ryan who was checking out the Peanuts books. Andy saw a book about the Simpson's and picked it. That one was big and expensive and basically showed how to draw the character. Andy doesn't draw so I showed him another book. He wanted it so I told him he had to choose. He chose Bart over Thomas. Part of me is happy he is growing up and wanting things more appropriate to his age. The other part of me doesn't really want him repeating those things that Bart and Homer like to say.

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I really don't mind that my boys don't acknowledge Mother's Day with cards and gifts. My mother expected it and make it seem her right. It was more a chore than a good experience trying to give something back.

Today I got 2 cards from people other than my kids and it makes me feel bad. I feel like they were given in pity. Probably not but maybe I feel guilty for saying Mother's Day is just another day around here.

hang it up

A couple of months ago, I caught Andy trying to refold his shirts that were in his dresser. The OCD in me wanted to scream to make him stop. I take pride in my clothes folding skills. But I let it go. I showed him how and left the room.

A few days later, Andy mentioned something about hanging it up. I think he might have been learning about hanging up clothes at school. I asked him if he wanted to hang up his clothes and he got excited. We went into his room where he had one shirt haphazardly hung in the closet. I showed him how to hang up his clothes and we hung up until we were out of hangars. Now his shirt drawer is practically empty.



I still fold his shirts and put them in his drawer but then he goes and hangs up the ones he wants in the closet. I should probably get a few more hangars so he can hang up the rest of his shirts.