Diet Update: My New Scale

My diet has gone well thus far with me hitting my midyear goal last month.  However, since hitting that goal I seem to have lost my vision and sort of plateaued.  I've mentioned before that my old scale did not agree with the doctor's scale and I suspected that mine measured a bit light.  I decided it was time to upgrade to a digital scale.  The bad news is that indeed there is about a four pound difference in the two scales with the new one measuring heavier.  The good news is that I'm still on track and can in fact reach my end of the year goal if I keep focused.  In fact, if I use this new scale as my reference I will have a more accurate weigh in.  Also the exactness of the measurement helps with motivation.  So, I have 8 pounds to go in four months - two pounds/month; 1/2 pound a week.  That should be attainable.  I have been eating better and part of that is due to my husband's change in eating habits. 

Here's hoping for a skinnier 2012.

Where Have I Been?

If I were a dedicated follower of my blog I would wonder where I have been and why I haven't posted recently.  So, to all those readers who have wondered about my whereabouts recently, let me assure you that I'm fine, though busy, and have been away from home for awhile. 

My trips included Charles Town Race Track and Casino.  This was an enjoyable visit and sort of educational.  I understand the whole horse betting thing better and now realize that there are times when it is more lucrative to bet the odds than to bet the horses.

Our next stop was Canonsburg, PA where there is also a race track and casino, but the horses weren't running when we were there.  The casino was very pleasent but the machines were set tight which really cut down on the entertainment value. 

Next we went to Fort Wayne, Indiana where my husband had business and I spent some time with my brother and his wife.  We went shopping at Shipshewana and I discovered the wonder of cuddle quilts!  I bought the fabric to construct one and can hardly wait to start it.  I have to finish my fish quilt first.  The recipient of the fish quilt had another big catch this week, and a "fishing first" for him - a marlin.  So I'm going to try to add a marlin to the quilt to commemerate that trip.

On the way home we stopped in Columbus, Ohio to check on the new grad student in the family.  He seemed a bit stressed but I know he will soon have things under control and be more at ease with his new situation.

Now I'm trying to rearrange my office/sewing room and get back on track with my own projects.  But, the rest of my siblings are all in the path of Irene.  Two sisters live in the projected hurricane path and my brother is driving into it!  His son lives there and they had this visit planned for awhile. It seems like driving into an area that is being evacuated doesn't seem too smart.  I guess time will tell if the projections are overstated or if he has underestimated the situation.

Disappointment

I think disappointment is perhaps the hardest thing in life to deal with.  And maybe (although I haven't thought this through) many other issues could be subcategories of disappointment.  For instance: when a loved one dies, we are disappointed that our relationship with them has ended; when we gain weight (and no, that is not the inspiration for this post) we are disappointed that we no longer look and feel as we once did; ditto for when we realize that we are growing old; or when something we make does not turn out as nice as we envisioned; or when we are not chosen for a job, or rejected by a friend.  And it starts with the little disappointments in life like when a parent promises a trip to the store but then has to cancel due to a work obligation or when we anticipate a visit from someone who either comes late or stands us up. And it seems that even as we get over the little disappointments, they leave behind a hole and each subsequent disappointment, big or small, makes the hole bigger until we dread any disappointment at all because it causes a disproportionate bad feeling that is really the cumulative hurt from many disappointments.

And maybe you (those mythical "you" who don't really seem to be there) are thinking, "Oh, please....just deal with it".  And indeed I try and most of the times I succeed, but this time I feel particularly worn down, this time the disappointment seems bigger, deeper, greater and harder to move on from.  It makes me want to hide my head in the sand in an attempt to prevent any other disappointments.

The Return of the Hummingbirds!

We moved into this house in the fall of 2003.  Shortly thereafter we noticed hummingbird activity and became almost addicted to watching the delicate birds circle and feed on flowers around the house.  I went out and bought several varieties of feeders and put them all around the house near windows where we could watch them.  We had daily activity at all the feeders.  The next year I was excited to again watch their activity and put the feeders out once again, but there were NO customers.  Each year I put out at least one feeder hoping to attract them back without success.  BUT last night we were sitting outside in the evening and noticed several birds flying around the patio area and stopping to "check us out".  This years feeder had fallen down a few days ago and I had only recently put it back outside.  I was thrilled to see the little hummer visit my feeder!  In fact I was so excited that I went inside and hung yet another feeder.  He hasn't taken a liking to the second feeder.  It may be too close to the window for his comfort.  But he has returned faithfully to the first feeder all night and again this morning and afternoon!  There appears to be about three birds.  They take turns at the feeder and fly off together to visit other areas and circle back again to us. 

What a nice little gift at this time of year when summer is waning!  I hope they stick around for awhile and make this an annual stop.