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KISS

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Day 122 in my strategies to spend time with Mickey

This is my busiest time of the year as a church secretary.  I have extra bulletins to prepare, extra lessons to prepare, extra just-about-everything to prepare.  I am definitely more stressed about work than at other time of the year.  You know that picture of the kitten holding on for dear life as he hangs from a rod?  Yeah…that’s me this time of year.

So my plan for today is to keep it simple.  I will go home after work and prepare a dinner of baked chicken breasts with vegetables.  If Mike or I crave a starch with dinner, then we have a delicious multigrain bread to go with it.  KISS–that me today.  Keep It Simple, Smartypants.  🙂

Back to work.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Just Another Manic Monday

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Day 121 in my adventures in preparing to meet Mickey in October        (10 months and 5 days to go)

Ahhh…another Monday.  A new beginning, a chance to have an even better week.  So my plan for today was to get up early and go to Lake Bluff Health and Fitness to walk on my way to work.  I did it..again on a Monday…in icy cold drizzle under gray skies.  It does feel great to have my plan for the day accomplished early in the morning.  Tonight we will have a veggie filled, delicious dinner, and I will put this day to bed in a sugar-free, exercised, healthy day-way.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Is anyone out there watching The Red Tent on Lifetime?  It was off to a great start last night, and tonight it wraps up.  Very interesting.  It’s on at 8:00 CST and 9:00 EST.  It’s worth the watch.  The two hour program called, Women of the Bible, was really good last night, too.  It was a nice break from all the Hallmark Christmas movies.  🙂

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The Choices We Make

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Day 120 in my journey to better choices until (and after) I meet up with Mickey at the Magic Kingdom

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Donna.  She loved the month of December.  Her birthday was in December.  Her brother’s birthday was in December.  New Year’s Eve was in December, and the holy of holies, Christmas was in December.  (And later her other brother and sister-in -law were married in December.)  At her house it was party, party, party all month long.  For the entire month there were amazing goodies in the house: chocolates, Christmas cookies, birthday cake, ice cream, nuts, flavored popcorn, Lifesavers books, candy canes, soda pop, homemade coffee cakes, etc…  It was a month of sugar highs and, of course, the crashes that followed those sugar highs.

The little girl grew to be not-so-little as she indulged in all the available goodies.  By the time she made it to Junior High, it was a real problem.

My plan for today is to spend time thinking about the choices that I have made in my life to gain the weight that I carry today.  And I will continue to seek new choices for a healthier lifestyle.  In past years I would have gained 2 to 5 pounds so far this holiday season.  With another 2 to 5 added by New Year’s Day.  I know I haven’t gained weight this year; I can feel it.  I don’t know if I have lost weight, but I’ll let you know on Thursday, my next payday-weigh  day.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

Going deeper: I was a little girl who developed very early.  My mom took me to JC Penney’s when I was in third grade to get my first bra.  (blush)  Even at that very young age, I would overhear people talking to my mom about how quickly I was developing.  I didn’t like it.  I really do believe that subconsciously I decided to pad myself to hide how quickly I was developing.  Hmmm..interesting.

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Practicing New Behaviors

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Day 119 in my pilgrimage to party with Mickey

Today was all about changing past patterns.  We had our Annual Women of St. James Cookie Exchange today.  Usually that meant chipping in something that was easy, like coffee cake or juice.  arriving late, leaving early, and piling cookies in a box to take home.  Then once again at home I would put the cookies in the freezer with the best intentions of leaving them there until Christmas Eve.  Then I would proceed to nibble away at them until there were hardly any left for Christmas Eve.

Today I got up early to cook 96 mini-quiches to bring along.  I arrived at the church early.  I volunteered to share a story book with the ladies.  I helped to plate cookies for the bake sale tomorrow benefitting a local food pantry.  Then I left for home with no cookies.  I decided the best way to not eat a bunch of cookies this year, is to not have them in the house.  We are going away for Christmas this year, so no need to serve up Christmas cookies here on Christmas Eve.

I did, however, come home with a box of oranges from the high school band fruit sale.  I think I’ll go and enjoy one right now.  Have a lovely day, dear readers.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Disney Love

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Day 118 in my current love affair with Walt Disney World and Mickey

Things I adore about a Walt Disney World Vacation:

  1. Family together time away from the stresses and pressures of daily life and work.
  2. Old Key West-I literally exhale and all my stress drifts away when I get there.  Whether  it’s hanging out in our room or relaxing by the pool or sharing a meal at Olivia’s, this place is just my happy place.
  3. The Magic Kingdom–this is the place that I become that little girl again, the one who always wanted to go to “Disneyland” but never got to go, because it was too far and too expensive.  Disneyland and I are both 59 years old this year, and for me it’s been a 56 year love affair with all things Disney.  (That’s about when I have my first memories of Disney.)
  4. EPCOT, Disney Hollywood Studios, The Animal Kingdom–Each park is so unique and so interesting.  I love to see the changes every time we go, even though I sometimes miss the attractions that have gone away.  (I still miss the original “Journey Into the Imagination” ride, and don’t even get me started on “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride”!)  But this time we will see the New Fantasyland and the first stage of the changes at Disney’s Marketplace.
  5. I love the fact that you walk about 5 miles a day, and it doesn’t feel like torture.
  6. I love some serious pool time.  I expect to do miles of pool walking in October just because I can.  🙂
  7. Amazing gourmet meals.  We make it a point to schedule one sit-down meal together for each day that we are there.  Favorites include Olivia’s, The San Angel Inn Restaurante and Tony’s Town Square.  And this year we will be there for the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT for the first time.  Looking forward to that!

My plan for today is to think on these wonderful “loves”, so that my zeal will be renewed, and I will put some extra active-ities into my day.  I finished setting up for the Womens’ Cookie Exchange this morning.  I will grocery shop on the way home from work today.  And tonight I will take a more active role in decorating the tree and the house for Christmas.  The kids will come over (Yay!) and we will have “The Dip” while we decorate and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  And you know what?  It is a wonderful life!  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: The Dip is not a diet friendly dish.  We have it twice a year, (1) when we put up the Christmas Tree and (2) on Oscars night.  (A) In a pie pan you spread 8 oz. of cream cheese. (B) Top with 6 chopped green onions. (C) Top with a can of No Bean Chili. (We do one pan with no beans and one pan with beans) (D) Top with 8 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese.  You can either microwave for 5 minutes, or you can heat it at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  We prefer the oven, as it stays hot longer.  Serve with your favorite chips.  Mike and I prefer Ruffles; Jake and Eliza (aka The Kids) like blue corn chips.  Tonight we’ll also have veggies on the side.  For me: more veggies, less chips.  🙂

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Setting Up

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Day 117 in setting out to be in a healthier condition to meet with Mickey at the Magic Kingdom in October.  (10 months and 9 days to go)

Today’s plan is to set up.

  1. Set up Damascus Road, our church contemporary band.  We have had 3 weekends off because there were 5 Sundays in November, and we only play the first two Sundays of the month.  So I will move the chairs, music stands, microphone stands and microphones into place, move the piano into position (Thank the Lord its on casters!), and make sure everyone has the music they will need.
  2. Set up for the Women of St. James Cookie Exchange this Sunday.  I thought this would be an easy job, because it was almost already set up from the Advent Dinner last Sunday.  However, the Ladies’ Sewing Group is meeting in that room today, so everything has been moved out of place.  I prefer to think that God just is helping me to move more.  What do you think?

That’s it for today, dear friends.  Thank you so much for all the birthday love yesterday.  It was a very fun day.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Happy Birthday to Me

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Day 116 as I celebrate with my mylar Mickey “Happy Birthday” balloon.  🙂

My plan for today is to thoroughly enjoy my birthday, and I have done so.

Mike surprised me with a table full of presents this morning.  So fun!  I treated myself out to breakfast.  Went to see Mockingjay, Part 1.  Had a delicious cup of Starbuck’s which I enjoyed with the red velvet cupcake that Mike found for me.

Tonight we will sing at the Advent service at church, then go out to dinner.  I am craving a really good burger, so that’s what we’re having.

I am heaving a contented sigh as I contemplate my last year in my 50’s.  59 years old and tomorrow I get up and wear my new workout shoes to walk before work.  Life, my friends, is good, and I am counting my blessings which include you all, dear readers.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Hoofing It and Chocolate Disappointment

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Day 115 in my hike to Mickey.

My plan for today was to park so I walked more.  I ended up at the mall this evening.  Since I had to wait for someone who was in a shopping frenzy, I decided to go and have my hair trimmed at the JC Penny Salon.  So I parked at the opposite end of the mall and walked all the way through to the salon.  Then I walked around a bit while I waited for our meeting time.  I hiked back to the car, and now I’m pooped, and I didn’t even shop.

My birthday is tomorrow.  I will be 59 years old, only one more year in my 50’s.  To treat myself I went to Fanny Mae to buy a few dark chocolate vanilla creams.  When I let myself have a sugary treat on a holiday, I find I want something really special.  Not just anything will do.  (Like something out of the movie Chocolat) Fanny Mae dark chocolate vanilla creams are the creme de la creme for me when it comes to candy.  I was so excited to have this wonderful treat tomorrow with a cup of coffee.  Well, my friends, God has a tremendous sense of humor.  I asked the girl behind the counter if they had any, and she assured me they did.  I grinned from ear to ear.  Then another girl walked out from the back room and said, “Oh, I’m so sorry.  We’re all out of those.  What else may I get you?”  I had to grin, in spite of myself, “No,” I said, “nothing else will do, but thank you anyway.”  I really do believe that God has my back on this thing.  That obviously wasn’t the right treat for my birthday.  PTLA!  Maybe for Christmas?

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Shout out to Jennie Carlson!  Happy birthday, dear Jennie!  Happy birthday to you…and many more!

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Doing the Hard Work

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Day 114 as I walk toward Mickey at the Magic Kingdom (10 months and 12 days to go!)

Today’s plan was to get up early, head to the Lake Bluff Health and Fitness Club and walk before work this morning…and…mischief managed!  I did it…on a Monday…in single-digit wind chills.  That’s a bit of a miracle.  Hallelujah!  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13.  To God be the glory!

I step on the scale again on December 11.  I’m so curious to know how things went over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I did adjust the menu and some of the recipes to make them healthier.  Then Mike and I went to an Advent Dinner at church last night.  Again I chose carefully at the buffet table, and instead of loading up my plate with several of the scrumptious desserts on display, (like I have in years past) I only had a bit of Carol Bennett’s famous rice pudding with boysenberry sauce.  What a treat!  Carol, you never cease to amaze!

I like the way I feel.  I just feel better, healthier, more energetic.  Sore, too, from walking, but even that is a good sore.  It sure beats the soreness that was setting in from sitting too much!

Thank you so much, dear readers, for all your encouraging words.  I appreciate you more than you will ever know.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Happy New (Church) Year!

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Day 113

Today’s plan is two-fold:

  1. Go to worship the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our St. James family.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the Sabbath!  Happy New Year everyone!  As today is the First Sunday in Advent, it begins the new church year.  It’s a time for new beginnings, and, for me, it’s another opportunity to recommit myself to living a healthier lifestyle.  It is the life God wants for me, and because I want to serve him, it’s the life I want for me, too.
  2. Make a healthier version of a Barbecued Meatball recipe that has become a favorite at the Advent Dinner at St. James.  (Props to my sister-in-love Julie for the fantastic recipe!)  I will substitute Splenda for the sugar and use low-sugar catsup.  I’m so excited to take the sugar out, and get to still enjoy these delicious meatballs.

Peace to you all as we begin this hectic season.  My family has decided no Christmas gifts this year.  Our gift will be time spent together (Facetime with Emi and James) and sending some money to charities, such as: ELCA World Hunger & Heifer International.  Friends and Family take note: No Christmas gifts from or to the Jarvis this year.  🙂  May the peace that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord!  Meet you at the Kingdom!