My "Mom Guilt" is hitting hard this week since my upcoming trip to Spain was extended by a week. I leave on Saturday for 2 weeks so I am trying hard to give everyone lots of 1:1 attention before I leave. Last night Nathaniel and I had a fun night just the 2 of us, we went to the bookstore and then the arcade, along with dinner at his favorite place. Tonight I am surprising Penelope with tickets to go see the Broadway touring production of Wicked (she is going to FREAK out).
My job has been pretty stressful this week for a lot of reasons, partly just the last minute scramble that happens before a conference. I definitely feel like I'm being pulled in a million and failing at all of them. I joked yesterday that "I wish I was someone that couldn't eat when I was stressed" because EVERYTHING in me just wants to eat non-stop when I am feeling overwhelmed. Also all my normal coping mechanisms of going to the sauna and tanning etc. I still can't do yet.
I did take about 15 mins a couple times yesterday between meetings and just went outside and laid in the sun, it helped a lot. It kept me away from the kitchen, reminded me to close my eyes and breathe deep, and just let me take a mental break without turning to food.
What are some ways you cope with stress without "eating your feelings."
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Yesterday we surprised the kids and brought home a puppy!! They have been begging for one for years and we felt like the time was right to bring one home.
Meet Angus 🐕 He's a Golden Retriever/King Charles Cavalier Spaniel mix. He's 11 weeks old and currently weighs about 8 pounds, he should be around 35 pounds fully grown. I know it will be an adjustment for a while as he gets potty trained etc but we are so excited. 😂 Wish us luck! 🤪
Cheese is good! I ate a block of chipotle oven baked cheese with lunch yesterday and it was divine. I love it, but know that it halts any progress I'm making, and will even trigger eating in excess to where I'll gain weight. It's sad but I have accepted it. If I eat it in small quantities with a meal, it's ok, but I really have to work to keep it in check.
What's your favorite cheese? How do you incorporate it? Do you see negative results when eating it?
Happy Sunday! Sharing a video today from our week, one of the highlights. This was Wednesday evening church, normally they have a more casual prayer meeting where someone plays the guitar, but they were doing some construction in the fellowship hall so they had their prayer meeting in the sanctuary. No one was there to play the piano so my my Grandma did it, she's been playing the piano in church for probably 80 years.
For context, she's 88, she had a really bad fall 5 years ago now and hit her head and ended up with a lot setbacks, similar to having a stroke. She has a lot of dementia like symptoms also (I am sure related to her Type 2 diabetes), she really can't read music anymore, and she has trouble seeing well, and she needs to wear hearing aids to hear but hates wearing them, so on this night she didn't want to wear them. My 93 (almost 94) year old grandpa takes care of both of them on their farm. Anyway, on this night she sat down on the piano and led worship as people called ...
Happy Saturday!! Can you believe it is officially August!! I feel like August and September are really good months to just dive in and set some really good goals, that way you can build some momentum and be feeling confident going into the holidays.
Based on how things went in July, what adjustments are you making for Aug? What is your non-negotiable for the month?
Wow I can't believe it's the last day of the month already, I have totally slacked on our normal end of month recap!! Let's focus on both things today:
1. What's been the best thing to happen in July?
2 Where did you get stuck this month?
Thankfully I am checking out of the hotel today and going back home (I've been home daily but working and sleeping at the hotel). They think the floors and walls are dried out enough, we just need them to put the walls and toilet back in etc. Should take a few days because of drywall drying etc. But we leave for WV Wednesday of next week so it might all happen after we get back.
Answer those reflection questions in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Now that it is fall sports season I am usually walking during cross country practice. Really helps me get a break from family for a minute. Our dog was silently judging my grilling skills. I have been really consistent with doing light weights in the morning. I am thankful for the rain we should get tomorrow. I could use a slow day in my sewing room.
