Pursuing Balance & Joy

I Can’t Stop Smiling!

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Hi!

I almost even made it early enough to say good morning, but I missed by a little bit. I’m really enjoying this time off. I actually have no work to do at all. Nothing. I’m off my regular project until January so my schedule is being filled with small jobs right now. Next week I have no work so I’m doing some internal project thing. I haven’t been given the internal project thing yet though so right now, I have absolutely nothing to do for work.

I am so excited about being in Indianapolis this week. First, it’s my 3rd week home in 6 months. That’s something to celebrate all by itself. Second, there’s a training class of some kind so a few of my coworkers from other states are going to be here. One of them I haven’t seen since April so I’m super excited about that!

I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since Wednesday night. Seriously. Last night was so much fun. I helped a friend put up Christmas decorations. I love everything about Christmas. Most of all, I love the time spent with people I love decorating. While we were putting things up, I was thinking a lot about Kyle. I miss the Christmases when the kids were little and we’d put up decorations as a family. I always went way overboard, but he never complained about it. He’d just smile and laugh. I miss him a ton right now. I miss him a ton all the time, but it’s always in the front of my mind at Christmastime. It’s nice to miss him with a big smile on my face instead of tears finally. There’s something magical about this being my first Christmas alone. I don’t know what it will be like, but I know I’m going to savor every minute of it–the good and the bad.

I’m heading to Terre Haute this afternoon to pick up David. I so can’t wait to see him even though it’s only been two days. I’m so blessed to have awesome children.

Have a great day!

Posted in Being a Widow, Family, Holidays | Comments Off

Post-Thanksgiving Recap

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Hi!

Has it really been 5 whole days since I’ve been here? How is that possible? So what’s gone on in the last 5 days? Hmm…where do I even start? Florida was awesome and beautiful! There really isn’t better weather to me than 75 degrees and sunny. It was just incredible every day. The work was good, but honestly, it was a touch boring. The few times we were really working were fantastic. It was a very different assignment than my usual job, so it was fun to stretch my skills a bit. The client was happy and felt like the two days were productive. That’s an awesome feeling.

The trip home was boring and uneventful. That’s always a great thing. I got home the day before Thanksgiving at about 3:00 in the afternoon. I got to come home and put things away and then have dinner and a really nice evening with a friend. I got home later than I really wanted, but it was a truly fantastic night. He just picks up my spirits whether they need it or not. I so enjoy the time we’ve been spending together lately getting to know each other better.

Thanksgiving morning I picked the kids up at 9:30 to head to Oblong. We were all three ready to go ON TIME!! That is a miracle in and of itself honestly. It just never happens. The last time I was supposed to pick them up at 9:30, I woke them both up when I got to the house. So the day started off great. We stopped at Starbucks for some yumminess for the road. The drive down was really good…catching up and chatting and laughing and texting with a couple friends who were also on the road going to visit family for the holiday.

Thanksgiving was awesome! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the rest of my siblings had been there. Other than that, it was absolutely perfect. I ate really well. I definitely had more calories than a normal day, but I never felt stuffed or sluggish either. I was on my feet all day and almost always holding at least one niece. Six of my seven nieces were there. (Neither of my nephews made it though.) After lunch, Kristene and I took three of the girls to the park and played on the playground. We ran and merry-go-rounded and swinged and climbed and ran some more. I must have gone down the various slides 30 times–some by myself and some with a niece on my lap. It was so much fun. They are amazing little girls, and I so enjoyed having the energy to be out there with them.

I also got to have nice chats with my aunts and my dad and a whole bunch of the rest of the family. At least 10 people said they hadn’t recognized me and had to ask who I was. I feel like I just beamed all day. Two years ago, I was a size 24 for Thanksgiving. Last year, I was a size 14. This year, I am size 6. SIX! The best part is that when people ask, I can say that I did it through diet and exercise. I can say, and really know, that it’s going to last forever.

I was tired when I got home last night, but I wasn’t worn out as if I ran around like a 3-year-old all day (which is exactly what I did). I actually have the energy of a 3-year-old! I can keep up with them. I’d give almost anything to be able to go back to when my kids were that age and do it again with this energy level. What a gift I could have given them! I am super-thankful that I got to share it with my daughter yesterday though. She had just as much fun in the park as I did, and she’s really been getting some exercise and looks great too. She also is smaller than last year and had more energy. I’m so thankful for that. She looks healthy. I kept looking at her yesterday and realizing just how beautiful she is…inside and out. What an amazing girl!

David stayed with Aunt Maymie last night, and I’m picking him up in Terre Haute tomorrow sometime. I can’t wait to see him. I’m so glad he’s getting the time with Aunt Maymie (who looks FABULOUS and is doing great!!). I’m also thankful that I’ll get the 90 minutes or so in the car with just him tomorrow on the way home. I love having both kids around, but I also love getting one-on-one time with each of them. It’s so great to have that.

So…where’s my weight on the day after Thanksgiving? (Insert REALLY BIG smile here.) It’s 143.4. It’s exactly what it was yesterday morning. It went up a little Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I think the day off from working out was good for me yesterday–although my activity level was still really high. My workout today was great. I ran longer than I ever have at one stretch. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then 30 minutes on the treadmill. I really could have kept going, but I thought I’d throw a second workout in later if I feel up to it instead. I have to get laundry done today. It’s been two weeks…yikes!

Speaking of which…I’d better get moving.
Have a phenomenal day!

Posted in Diet, Everyday Life, Exercise, Family, Holidays | Comments Off