Thanksgiving

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food. My mom used to make turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, corn, peas, black olives, cranberry sauce, and pies (pumpkin and cherry). Thinking of her cooking makes me drool… the mashed potatoes with whole milk and Country Crock butter, the Bisquick biscuits, the gravy that I can’t replicate. The cherry pie, oh the cherry pie. Ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving isn’t the same. Hubs’ side of the family just doesn’t do it right. Sometimes they don’t even have turkey! Isn’t that illegal? It should be.

I don’t like to eat in front of people. I don’t like to load up my plate and shovel it in, so when I go to family dinners, I keep my portions small and focus on Chubbs and making sure he’s eating and wiping his hands and face. The same for this year. I had some turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade mac n cheese (which is amazing, but I kept the portion small), corn, and a slice of pumpkin pie (which I didn’t finish because I’m not the biggest fan). I kept it small, I didn’t go back for seconds, I didn’t even think about it.

We only had one meal to go to, which was nice. We were able to slow down and enjoy it and not rush around. I did get a little emotional because it was another Thanksgiving without my mom, and without HER cooking, but I promised that one of these days, I’m going to take the turkey breast I have in the freezer and do our own Thanksgiving-style dinner just like she would have.

You’ll notice a lot of talk in this post… and you’re probably wondering, “Did you gain? Did you lose?”…

I didn’t gain OR lose. I maintained. I’m really proud of that. It could have been so easy to gain, and I bet if I didn’t enjoy a cookie or two, I could have lost, but I maintained. I kept my goals in mind, I stuck to it, and I did my best.

This week is going to be busy with appointments, and an afternoon at the mall to see Santa. Usually when I go to the mall I get a big drink, or a smoothie (which from the mall is never very healthy)… but this time I’m getting water. I’m going to chew gum. We won’t be eating out because our cash flow plan only allows so much for restaurants a month, and I don’t want to use a big chunk of it on the 2nd day of the month. :)

This week is about moving more, even if it’s around the house. I’m not going to let myself sit at the computer for long stretches, I’m going to get up and chase the dogs, or do a quick junk throw out, or switch laundry, or just walk around the house! It’s getting colder and colder (and more depressing outside, I wouldn’t doubt I have that seasonal disorder thing), so going out to play and take walks just isn’t fun. I’m going to be actively looking for a good deal on a treadmill or elliptical. I don’t have a couple thousand to spend, but I’ve seen a decent one that likes $200? $300? That’s not bad. I just need something to fill the cold months.

So there’s Thanksgiving week. Here’s to another week!

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