Other Thoughts | BulgingButtons

January 6, 2014
by BulgingButtons 7 Comments

The Twelfth Day of Christmas – And Boy Do I Feel Fat

My sweetheart gave me a little history of Christmas and the Epiphany today as we took the Christmas lights off the garage. The lesson continued on the way to dinner at Kona Grill. You see, I just got back from Hawai’i and there’s really no food in the house, so dinner out was in order. My sweetie suggested Kona Grill to extend that Hawaiian feeling.

The lesson was fascinating and I learned about the Twelve Days of Christmas. I also learned that the Christmas season is now officially over, if you count all twelve days. Over. Done. Finished.

Kind of like my vacation. Today was the first day back to school, and it was a long one. Today we tried out a slightly new schedule, regrouped students for both math and reading, and began the study of fractions and magnets. I also had a new student start today, and I worked on report cards after school for two hours. They are not yet finished. Yes, vacation is over. Done. Finished.

This is not a boo hoo, poor me post. I’m very fortunate and I know it. Few people get to take off two weeks in the middle of winter and escape to Hawai’i with loved ones. Few people get to take off two weeks in the middle of winter, period. I enjoyed the time off and I especially enjoyed the trip, but now it’s over and real life has returned.

Real life means bills and laundry and bedtimes and deadlines. It also means a reality check on the state of my health and well being. Mental health? Great. Rested, relaxed, batteries charged and ready to go. Physical health? Uh… not so great. No, I’m not sick (cross fingers, knock on wood, chant a magical incantation, anything to keep me well). However, and this is a big however, I’m not in very good shape either. The holidays and the cruise were delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Now, though, after our fabulous Kona Grill dinner, I have to face the music that, like Christmas, vacation is over. Vacation mode eating needs to end too.

I’m not enthusiastic about facing the scale, but I feel like I have to. I know I’ve gained weight. I see it. I feel it. My clothes are tight, my face has rounded out even further, and my multiple chins are wiggling whenever I speak. Rolling over in bed is becoming paramount to an Olympic event, and tying my shoes is enough to get me winded. I hate this feeling. Ok, so maybe my mental health isn’t quite as fabulous as I first suggested. Just like Jacob Marley I wish to be free of the chains I’ve been forging in this life. To quote Scrooge, “I want to live!”

It’s time to start over. Not those absurd New Year’s Resolutions that some people make, but the baby steps that always lead me in the right direction. I need to revisit my 47 for 47 challenge page, eat better, move more, and allow myself to be ok with who I am, even though I’m not perfect. Here we go again. Here’s to your, and my, health in the New Year.

December 25, 2013
by BulgingButtons 17 Comments

A Gear Called Overdrive

Too Late For That! Maybe next year I’ll read the multi-part series that promises sanity.

It’s time. I can’t put it off one more minute (but I am by blogging). I MUST finish what I started. Company is coming, the turkey has to go in the oven, and that kitchen is not going to clean itself up. It’s time for OVERDRIVE!

My dear friends, I must tear myself away from the computer, pull out the cooking and cleaning supplies, and get to it. I HATE this feeling. I HATE that I procrastinate. I do it all the time, and it causes me so much stress and negativity. I’m not a negative person. I don’t need the stress.

If only I had used the tips for a Stress Free Christmas!

“It’ll all get done,” are words that fall from my lips far too often. The thing is, it does. Mostly. But it doesn’t get done with the same quality that I might prefer. Take my health. Sure, I’ll lose the weight. Someday. Surely it won’t be today with the menu I have planned, unless I forego everything but the green beans. And exercise? It’ll happen. Eventually. Sheesh.

I can’t spend too much time mentally beating myself up. It interferes with overdrive mode. Positive self talk is far more effective. Now I’m off to do all that must me done. Merry Christmas all! And may you have a happy, healthful, peaceful, and restful celebration.

December 24, 2013
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

Santa Makes Me Feel Like a Slacker

Next to me, my fiance’s computer set up so that we can keep tabs on Santa as he makes his journey around the world. A short while ago he was in Zimbabwe, now he’s in Serbia headed for Hungary. Santa has a job to do and he gets it done. In spades. Maybe his list is what helps him.

I have a list too. It’s about a mile long and filled with things I ought to be doing. I have company coming tomorrow. I have a trip planned (more about that in the future). There is cleaning and cooking and wrapping and packing to be done. Yet for some reason I can’t quite make myself do it. I’m overwhelmed. I want to shut down. I want to sit on the couch with a steamy mug of cocoa and watch White Christmas. Under a blanket. With my dog. And my sweetheart. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

The ought to do list is too much. I have to simplify. I need to be kind to myself. My family will be fine if I do, or they won’t. The happy people won’t care, and the grumpy people will find fault regardless, so I might as well calm down about it.

Here are the must do’s:

1. Pack

2. Set up the guest room

3. Clear off the kitchen table

4. Wrap gifts

5. Finish cleaning the main bathroom (i.e. son’s bathroom- ew)

Here are the should do’s:

1. Bake

2. Wash the floor

3. Fold and put away laundry

4. Set the table from tomorrow

5. Work on schoolwork (always schoolwork)

You already know the want to do’s, but there are more:

1. Nap

2. Play Candy Crush Saga

3. Read

4. Sip cocoa

5. Watch Christmas movies, on the couch, under a blanket, with my dog, and my sweetheart

Maybe I can find some balance? Do a must do, followed by a want to do, followed by another must do, then an ought to do? Mind boggling. Here goes, I have to do something, those lists aren’t going to take care of themselves, and I don’t have an army of elves to help. Ho ho ho, away, I go.