The Hubs' Diet

It was a significant event in my childhoood when Dad went on his diet (I was around 12, as I recall). He wasn't about to be involved with all the choices and calculations, so he made a deal with Mom that he wouldn't eat anything she didn't give him. She did all the rest (that suited her mathematical/statistical nature as well). The real problem that I saw with this arrangement was that Dad was completely dependent on Mom for his food choices. Fine if you are always together, but there were times (like when Mom fell and broke her hip) that he had to fend for himself.

So, when the Hubs started working with a nutritionist recently, I decided to butt out as much as possible. As is his nature, he has jumped in with both feet. He is surfing nutritional websites to gather information, and is keeping a food diary that rivals even the statistics on one of our golf scorecards. Last night we went out to dinner, and it was he who decided we would split a steak and sweet potato, have a simple side salad, and asked the waitress to leave the bread off the table all together. Part of my "butt out" philosophy is not to ask him what he weighs, but I have lost 5 pounds already. I think it's working!

Anticipating Spring

This may seem like a strange thing to be thinking about as it is snowing out, but I'm just sure it will be an early spring this year. Can't really put my finger on why, but I really feel it is around the corner. I am looking forward to so much this spring. Long walks outside (instead of on a treadmill), going to the golf dome (to prepare for the season), cleaning up the yard (getting it ready for flowers), and sitting on the deck or in the hottub on a mild evening. The Hubs and I are both seriously dieting right now, and awaiting our annual trip to Myrtle Beach. But, I can enjoy some beautiful spring nights before we leave this year, I'm sure.
Now, come on snow. Get outta here!

Comfort Food From the Past

Every so often, the Hubs makes one of my favorite meals for dinner. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. The tomato soup's for me (not liking tomatoes, he generally has chicken noodle). And, I gotta tell you, this meal reminds me of the traditional Friday night suppers we used to have after driving up to the lake. The cottage was always ice cold, and after Mom lit the DuoTherms (oil space heaters, for lack of a better description), she would make grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for supper. The hot soup would go down so good in that cold house.

I would also often have a screaming headache from the stress of leaving town on a Friday afternoon and spending three hours in the car (you would really have to know my family dynamic to understand). So, hot soup was especially comforting.

Tonight (after having a migraine earlier this week), it really took me back. I love to recall those old childhood memories.

Quinceanera

I haven't been able to update the blog for awhile, because we have been having issues with Comcast. The Hubs finally got fed up and has them coming out tomorrow. Let's hope I can keep a connection long enough to post this entry...

We went to a Quinceanera Saturday for our friend's granddaughter. This is a fifteenth birthday celebration, and in the mexican community it represents her transition into womanhood. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and an evening of dancing and pageantry. At one point, she was seated on the dance floor, and presented with all sorts of symbolic gifts from her various sponsors (a prayer book, scepter, tiara, bracelet, earrings, ring, and doll). Her stepfather then removed the slippers she was wearing and put a pair of "grown-up" dancing shoes on her. Then he danced with her, followed by her mother, and all her friends. I remember thinking how sore her feet would be in the morning, after dancing in those new shoes all night. Welcome to womanhood, Alexis!