Thanksgiving Traditions

While our family has had many traditions over the years, some going by the wayside after my parents were gone, one is still alive and well. So as we travel to Phoenix for this year's repast, I shall keep this one last motherly tradition up and running. It is actually a tradition for all holidays and family meals that my mother began once I started taking over the family holiday festivities. The day begins with a nice breakfast (ok so far). As I begin the turkey prep, I open a bottle of wine (I'm going to need it....it is purely medicinal). BINGO! The first salvo is launched. "I never put anything under the skin of MY turkey." Ahhhhh, Mom's Thanksgiving Day had begun. Next, Hubby Dearest asks if anyone would like a holiday toddy. Since I've already begun, I decline, but Mom pipes up, "Yes, Dear, but make mine light, I'm on medication, you know. Just a little Southern Comfort and 7-Up, please.". Comin' right up, your highness. Never moving from her perch at the kitchen table, she sees me beginning to work with the giblets for the dressing and gravy. "I always washed my giblets and used the neck, too, you know." Yes, ma'am, already done. I'm sipping away at my wine by now. "I don't cook my parsnips that way, and you bought way too many this year." "I like left over, cold parsnips, Mom." Sip, sip, sip. "Are we having any nibbles before we eat? I could use a cracker or two." Hubby Dearest to the rescue. "Cheese would be nice on these fancy crackers. Don't you ever use just saltines?" Hubby once again to the rescue. Sip, sip, sip. "My glass is empty, just one more light one, please." Hubby Dearest, her new manservant, is off and running again. Guzzle, guzzle, guzzle.

Ok, all the prep work is done, turkey is cooking, Mom is sipping away at #3 (light ones, you know), and I finally have time to sit down. I'm looking for the hard stuff now! I might be a bit wobbly, but I am not done yet. "Isn't there something you should be doing rather than sitting down here with us?" "Well, yes Mom, I probably shouldn't take time to talk to my family on such a busy holiday." (I wanted to ask if it would be ok if I ate with the family, but I resisted the urge.) Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Time for dinner has arrived. There are more exchanges about my preparation techniques, but I'll skip over those. "Who wants wine with dinner?" "I'll take a small glass" Mom answers. One of the kids begins to pour the wine for all of us. Mom requests "Just a bit more, honey."
Hubby Dearest has carved the turkey beautifully and is ready to present it to us for our dining pleasure. "How did you carve the breast, it looks funny." Just give me the damned bottle with a straw and let me have it!!!!!

Now, this year, with The Perfect Child preparing Thanksgiving for her father and me, I get to be the mom at the kitchen table "assisting" HER preparations. "Thanks, hon, just a small glass for me, I'm on a diet." Sip, sip, sip. In spite of the frustration and craziness, I do sometimes miss being yelled at for using chicken broth instead of cream in my mashed potatoes, 2% milk instead of 1/2 & 1/2 in the gravy, and for leaving the wings in the kitchen instead of on the serving plate. I just wish both of my parents, and Hubby Dearest's, as well, could see what great kids we've turned out. I think they would finally approve of something we've done. I know we are certainly pleased with our "work". :)

A very, very Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

I Just Might Be Turning Into My Grandmother

Not that it would be a bad thing, mind you, but it's a little early for that, I think. My grandmother could tell the weather, with a great deal of accuracy, by just knowing how her arthritic joints were feeling. I think I might be following in her footsteps. Wonder if the Weather Channel needs another forecaster? I could be at least as accurate as most. You guessed it, my knee can now forecast the weather here in DM. The past three days have been foggy, dreary and moisture was in the air. My knee felt a bit "off". Today, the sun is out, temps are on the rise, and my knee is almost "perky". Lest I get too cocky about my uncanny prediction capabilities, I'll just be thankful that my knee feels better today. I think it just might be an outdoor walk day. YAY!!

As a matter of fact, this morning I did some weight bearing exercises for my hips and knees. I have no ill effects thus far. I tried my mini-squats and even tried some easy, not too deep lunges. At present, my knee is feeling ok, so I'm hopeful I can get these two exercises back into the rotation again. I will keep the weights light, and the reps fewer than usual, but I would like to have them back again. I keep feeling like I'm really neglecting my other knee and my hips by eliminating all of the leg exercises.

Thanks to all who weighed in on the B-complex issue. I've been looking over the suggestions and have done a little research. In reading the comments, I find that I'm already doing some of the things suggested. I have only 1 diet coke per day. I do drink green tea ( I love it), and I work on getting the right amount of protein in my diet. I remain baffled. So, in the interest of science, I'm going to buy a bottle of B-complex vitamins and give them a 30 day trial. We'll see what happens. I do know that if I OD on B vitamins my body will eliminate them in my urine, so I'm not afraid of that. Whew!! I hope they sell small bottles of the stuff, I'd hate to be stuck with a 300 day supply and have them not do one darned thing. We'll see, and I'll report back in 30 days.....if I have the energy. :)

Weigh In Wednesday was not a total loss this week. I was down .3#. Not a huge amount, but at least the scale moved this week, and not upward, which was nice. For having a week of virtually nothing happening in the exercise department, a small loss was really what I'd call a bonus. Not sure it was deserved, but I'm sure as hell gonna take it. I've been at a standstill for so long, any movement at all is welcomed. (Especially a downward one.)

One last tailgate this Saturday, then I can settle down and get back to business. I've been monitoring myself pretty well, and the walking to the stadium does help, but I still think this might be why the scale hasn't been moving for a while. We'll see. Happy Weekend to everyone, and thanks for all of your help.

To B-complex Or Not To B-complex?

That is the question. At lunch with friends yesterday, we discussed the supplements we were currently taking. The group ranges in age from 26 to 63, so we all had different needs and requirements. And before you ask, I am not the 63 year old.....yet!! Give me time. (3 yrs.) I asked if anyone had a great idea for someone (me) who is suffering from lethargy and has no energy. Everyone (there were 7 of us) said that a B-complex vitamin supplement would be just the thing. So now, before I rush out to get the magic potion, I am asking my blogger friends to weigh in on this important issue. Do I rush out and get a bottle of these little beauties, or do I simply rely on my multi vitamin and its dose of B vitamins to do the trick? Whaddaya think, people?

I would also welcome any other advice you all may have. I am just plain stuck!!! I don't want to do anything beyond what is absolutely necessary. I don't actually sit around all day, but getting my butt in gear is a major effort. I need a boost of some sort. Helpful hints are accepted happily, and I'd be willing to try almost anything.

Next Tuesday we leave for Phoenix, and Thanksgiving with our daughter, The Perfect Child. I'm doing the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day come hell or high water. It's a 5K which I had planned to "slog", but since the Dr. ruled that out, I'll be walking the course. I am very hopeful I'll complete the Trot before Thanksgiving dinner is served. Our daughter has assured me that she can drive home, get the turkey on, and get back to pick me up if it takes me more than 4 hrs. to complete my "run". :) I'm really just doing this for the T-shirt. Hope it isn't too dark when I finish so I can take a picture of me in my spiffy new shirt. The race starts quite early in the morning, so I am hopeful. Even with my lethargy, I have been doing some recumbent bike riding to keep my knee moving. I may progress to the "dreadmill", but to tell you the truth, I like sitting down while I exercise. :) Ahhhhhhh! Perhaps it isn't lethargy so much as it is just plain old fashioned laziness. But don't you agree, lethargy sounds better?

It's My Lucky Day!!!

Yes, it is true, Friday, November 13 is my lucky day!! Actually, any November 13 is one of my lucky days. This year it just happens to fall on a Friday. Today is The Perfect Child's 33rd birthday!! It was one of the three luckiest days in my life!! Of course the other two are July 3, the day I was married, and September 15, the birth date of The Primary Child. Geez!! Just typing the number 33 made me feel extremely old. UGH!

After the last week of being carefree and not worrying at all about my food intake, I'm back on track. My exercise routine leaves something to be desired, but I'm doing a little bit more each day. Even tho' my knee is feeling pretty darned good, I'm taking it easy on the leg "stuff". I want to be in good shape, knee-wise, to walk the 5K Turkey Trot in Phoenix Thanksgiving morning. In order to do that, I've put a moratorium on golf for the duration of the time we'll be here in DM. We have golf plans for Phoenix as well as the Turkey Trot, so I'm trying my best to be ready for both. Luckily, the weather is turning a bit colder and wetter in the near future, so I don't think it is going to be a huge sacrifice to stay away from golf for 11 days. I don't mind coming home a bit hobbled, but I'd hate to be a party pooper in Phoenix.

My cold is in the last stages, so I'm feeling a bit more like being out and about. I'm almost out of apples, so a grocery trip is on tap for today. I've been consumed with lethargy lately, so the cupboard, fresh fruit and veggie-wise, is kinda bare. Can't stay on track if the food isn't readily available. I've found that out the hard way. Cheetos are not a good substitute for apples and pears. I know that, but chose to eat some Cheetos anyway!!! They are the work of the Devil. I even choose the baked variety, but still.....it's just plain dumb to eat them mindlessly. Not going to buy a bag this shopping trip, no matter how hard Hubby Dearest begs. :)

Happy Friday the 13th to all!! Hope you all are as lucky as I am!!! Enjoy the weekend.

That Was The Week That Was!

Holy Cow!! I've never dreaded Weigh In Wednesday like I dreaded this one! After almost a week of debauchery I felt sure I'd be breaking my scales. Last week, The Perfect Child and her roommate came for a visit. The sojourn included a big tailgate weekend with her brother, The Primary Child, and about 16 of our closest tailgate buddies. We did a Mexican Fiesta themed tailgate. I was at death's door with a cold, so luckily I had help in the preparation department. Thank goodness, or we'd have starved. Prior to game day, we squeezed in a couple of rounds of golf, some adult beverages, some free chili and beer, and various and sundry food stuffs that I know are not on anyone's approved list. "Feed a fever, starve a cold"??? I think not. I did the complete opposite. However, it was totally worth it, as everyone had a wonderful time. The visit was not long enough, but we'll be going to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, so we'll have more time to spend together then. This was the week that was. I was prepared for an ugly Wednesday morning.

To say I was surprised this morning when I weighed in would be a complete understatement. I was exactly the same as when I began the week!!! I truly had been anticipating an extra pound or two, or three, to appear before me this morning. Imagine my delight at seeing the same number as last week. Not usually a pleasant sight, but after The Week That Was, it was a sight for sore eyes, knees, back, legs, etc.

Since my Halloween Challenge did not turn out nearly as well as I had hoped, I have extended it to Thanksgiving and added the pounds that did not magically disappear in Oct., to the 5 more I hope to lose by Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that having stayed at the same weight over the last week will enable me to give this Challenge a real run for it's money. My knee is still ok, although I've found that golf tires it out a bit and makes it sore for a little while afterwards. THAT is not good news. Still, it's better than it was, so that IS good news.

Having been busy nursing my cold and entertaining last week, I've fallen woefully behind on both my blogging and my blog reading. I'm hoping to catch up with everyone in the next day or so. I miss reading all of your blogs, so I'm going to dedicate extra time in the next few days to getting current with everyone.