The level of excitement today was astounding to me. My son has never quite been as excited about Halloween as he was tonight…..

I continued efforts on the closet this weekend. In fact, today I completed my closet clean out and reassembly project which has been going on for months. How did I end up with all these hangers?

I hit it hard this morning. Popped out of bed and got going with Week 1 Day 2 of my couch to 5K program. No action shots today. But my husband…

Tonight was pumpkin carving night!

We’ve had our pumpkins for a while now but the ceremonies didn’t get kicked off until tonight. These poor pumpkins survived the snow we had last night. I thought they deserved a warm bath today before carving tonight.

The boys out did themselves cleaning out and carving these beauties I was so impressed……

Not too much steam tonight. So I thought I’d share with you the work I’ve been doing capturing my favorite foods….

If you’re not sure where you’re going sit down for a while and take a break. Reassess your goals and then focus on just one to get back on track.

I had a day filled with inspiration. I start week 1 and day 1 of the Couch to 5K program. I had the honor of participating as a helper in my sons writing class. And I had lunch with my skinny friend with whom I shared my recent weight loss surgery blogging venture….

For some reason today people were driving me crazy. Typically I am a gregarious, endlessly happy person. As my husbands says I kill people with kindness. One of “my bags” that I carry (we’re talking about baggage here people) is that I feel as if I have to be friendly and kind. I’ve been working on getting rid of this bag. You ask what does this have to do with weight loss surgery….

As a weight loss surgery post op I took the foods I ate very seriously. I also was very limited in the foods I could eat and therefore I ate the same foods at nauseum.
I read this article a couple months back on my iPad. I got thinking about it today after reading Mitzi’s blog a wls friend. She was talking about trying a new food. It made me pull out the article and it went on to say….

Well I’ve been talking about the candy drawer for a while and now it’s time to bring it right out into the open.  Since it’s almost Halloween, the candy holiday, I’m thinking it is timely to talk about it…

Many of you may know that I am a techie at heart.

I manage technology for my work and technology is a large part of my home life too. My iPhone is never far from my being. I use it to stay organized, to communicate and to obtain information throughout the day.

So needless to say as I manage my tiny tank I use technology too….

A picture is worth a thousand words. A cousin of mine emailed this picture to me recently. A cousin I don’t ….

So I’m ending my day with a “sour stomach.” Some RNY will be able to relate. Doesn’t happen often but when it does it can be evening dampening. Feels like a rowtotiller was run through my tiny tank. It’s not because I ate something I should not have. It’s because….

Started all over today. Back on track at work. And I was being nice. Was thinking I’ve never had an issue about being nice or not nice. So if I had a choice of either over eating when I was stressed or being a bit grumpy when I was stress which would I take?

 Today was one of those days that caught up with me.   I’ve been trying to manage my stress and instituting my less is more approach.  But somehow this day was more overwhelming then I had planned or ever wanted it to be.  I had yesterday off due to the Columbus day holiday.  So today was my Monday morning and it hit me hard….

It’s amazing how doing for others lifts you up….

Had a great Saturday.  The weather was spectacular for October in Boston. We had plans for a boat trip and then lunch at our favorite place Legals Harborside in Boston with my son and his friend.  My Mom ended up…….

Finally bought and started reading THE POWER OF LESS by Leo Babauta. I’ve been focusing the last year on less of everything. Reducing my portions, reducing my snacking, reducing the events I say yes to, reducing my stress, reducing those people in my life who cause me stress. I’m convinced less is more.  It has time and time again proven to be so.

Are you following the rules?

I didn’t know Steve Jobs but he changed my life.

I’ve been reminiscing.  This picture is one of my favorite pictures of me after my weight loss surgery. It was taken by my husband on our honeymoon.  The shirt I am wearing was purchased a mere two weeks after my weight loss surgery.  I bought this Life is Good shirt along with a hat.  The Life is Good phrase was symbolic to me.  I felt as if I was starting a new life.  I loved that shirt and it certainly did not fit me but at the time I wanted to fit into it.  It was a size medium.  As you can see I reached that goal.  And over the years I have worn that shirt to heck. 

Yes, I’m going to start a Mantra category.  Since I started writing about them they are all popping up in my head.
This Mantra is one that my husband has gifted to me.  I am not sure of the source, I wish I knew.  So I’ll just have to say anonymous.

A few things have come into my life recently that have helped me slow down. One of which is drinking tea.  As I’ve mentioned before, I discovered at the beginning of the year that I in fact create most of my own stress. With this out in the open (everyone knew except me) I began to make some changes. Slowing down was one of those changes.

I’ve mentioned before that I have mantra’s that I use throughout my days. These phrases help to drive me through the moments of my day whether I need some extra strength or a reminder or some motivation. I repeat them to myself and they give me strengthen and direction as I move forward.  So basically I talk to myself.   You may be thinking what’s a mantra?

Today was a total wash. But not in a bad way. It was a slow start and I sat and sipped my first hot tea of the season. Fall is here. It was so soothing and delicious it was a hot chai tea. I’ve really come to like chai tea. As you know from this summer I can’t say enough about my Iced Chai Tea Latte that I make at home.