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Monday, November 29, 2010

Thanksgiving Re-cap


Thanksgiving went well.  I had no major issues.  My restriction is such that overeating is pretty much out of the question.  I enjoyed a few bites of everything...and a big ole piece of pie!  It was yummy!

We actually had two Thanksgiving dinners; one Thursday and one yesterday.  The only thing I would have done differently is that yesterday we had lunch around 12:30 and dinner around 4:30 and I just wasn't very hungry at dinner.  I ate anyway which isn't my M.O.  I don't feel bad about it, but food is much better when you're hungry!

I also visited my step-grandma yesterday.  I haven't seen her in more than a year.  She mentioned that her daughter, my step-aunt is thinking of having Lap-band surgery.  So I sent out an email this morning telling my aunt that I'd had the surgery.  I really like talking with people about my experience through this blog.

Oh and I forgot to mention I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done ON BUDGET which is fantastic since I'm planning to pay some things off with my Christmas bonus instead of spending it on gifts and travel like I usually do. 

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Turkey Stuffer 5K

My sister & I at the start of the race
My sister and her daughter
My daughters & niece at the finish line
Me and my youngest at the finish line
After the 5K we got to go to the swim park for FREE!  The swim park has a wave pool, water slide, kiddie pool, hot tub and lap pool.  I swam laps for 40 minutes and played with my kids a bit.  I also sat in the hot tub for awhile.  According to the calorie burner website, I burned 691 calories!  Woo hoo!  Pumpkin pie and whip cream here I come!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The time has come...

After nine plus months of claiming I can eat all foods in moderation, I think the time has come to officially remove tofu from my diet.  The last several times I've had it, it hasn't worked out so well.  Last night I cooked it differently in the thought that it would be easier to eat, but nope.  I still ended up "re-gifting" most of it. 

It is a shame though because tofu is an excellent protein source for vegetarians like me, but I don't suppose I get much benefit if it won't stay down.

Today is weigh-day and after a less-than-spectacular .2 lbs. (.1 kg.) lost last week, I was a little apprehensive.  But I got on the scale this morning and was down 3.2 lbs. (1.5 kg.).  This brings me to 181.6 (82.4 kg.).  I'm just 1.6 lbs. (.73 kg.) from my goal of losing 100 lbs.(45.4 kg.)! 

It is funny that at various times during this weight loss process I have "felt" thin.  Or thinner.  I would look at myself, especially in photos, and think I looked good.  And then sometimes I wouldn't feel that way.  Even though I was actually smaller than I'd been when I'd previously felt thin, I felt fat.  I kind of feel fat right now.  Or maybe not fat, but not like I look good.  I don't know.  It is weird.  I'm going to have my mom take a bunch of pics of me over Thanksgiving so I can get some perspective.  But for now, I feel fat.  Or fatter.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday and I hosted a party for her last night.  I think people with birthdays that often fall close to holidays sort of miss out on being "birthday-ed" so even though we'll be having ANOTHER big family meal on Thursday, we still got together for a party. We had a Chinese food themed dinner and cheesecake for dessert.  It was yummy, but I didn't get to enjoy it much since the tofu made me sick.

The birthday girl with my two daughters and nephew

I think my biggest Thanksgiving worry right now is not overeating, but it is being unable to eat.  That would be sad.  I haven't really been having issues like that, but I guess we just never know how food is going to go down.   

Monday, November 22, 2010

Thanksgiving Plans

Maybe I should be more freaked out.  Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away.  This is the BIG DAY for American eaters, right?  The day when we role out the pie, the carb-laden sides, the plates and plates of snacks and treats.  In the past, this has been a difficult day for me.  I've binged my way through pretty-much every Thanksgiving since childhood.  I've started eating the minute I walked through the door and I've not stopped for hours.  I've munched and snacked so much before the actual meal that by the time the dinner was ready, I wasn't remotely hungry.  But I still ate two plates full.  And pumpkin pie covered with whipped cream.  So am I deluding myself that this year will be okay?

I don't think I am.

I think this year WILL be different.  Because this year, I am different and this year, I have my lap-band.

I've attended several holiday and birthday meals since having surgery back in February.  I've managed to survive them all without issue so perhaps that is why I'm not too worried about Thursday.  I have great restriction.  I don't obsess about food anymore.  Now I enjoy food, but the band makes me stop eating when I've had enough.  The only big change I've made for these family dinners is that I no longer snack before the meal is served.  I want to be hungry when the meal is ready.  If I filled up on chips and crackers, I wouldn't be able to eat the holiday foods I love.  Sometimes if I'm hungry, I'll dish a small plate of veggies and dip and nibble on them for awhile, but I don't always.

The other difference this year is that I signed up for a 5K Thanksgiving morning.  It is followed by free swimming at the local swim park so my girls and I will be getting some exercise in the morning.  I feel really good about doing this.  I think I will start my day off on the right foot.

I talk about eating all foods in moderation in my blog, but I want to say it again because I think it is important.  I will be enjoying pumpkin pie with whipped cream on Thursday.  I'll also have real butter on my bread.  For me these foods are far more satisfying than low-fat/sugar-free foods.  I am content to enjoy a small amount and be done if I allow the "real thing".  I will enjoy EVERY bite of my Thanksgiving dinner.  I will take a tablespoon or so of each offering and I will eat slowly, chewing thoroughly and savoring the taste.  When I am full, I will stop eating because that is what my band requires of me.  I won't feel guilty about the calories or the quantities because I will know that I ate according to the requirements of my band.

I wish each of my American followers a happy, satisfying Thanksgiving.      

Friday, November 19, 2010

Happy Friday!

Greetings Bandland!  I hope you're having a wonderful Friday. 

I am so stinking tired!  Let me back up.  When I deviate from my normal habits, things just get weird!  Yesterday I ate breakfast an hour late, at 11:00 instead of 10:00.  So then I wasn't hungry for lunch at the usual time, which wasn't a problem because I was planning to go grocery shopping last night so I knew I'd be eating dinner late.  After we were done shopping and everything was put away, I fixed myself a quesadilla and a little green salad.  And I proceeded to eat it by taking HUGE bites and not chewing thoroughly.  WTF?   Seriously, why?  I've been banded for more than nine months.  So of course I got stuck.  I PB'd a few times, but I never felt better before I went to bed. 

And then I woke up TWICE with the taste of vomit in the back of my throat.  The second time I couldn't get back to sleep for a long time.  I have no idea what would cause it.  I wondered if some vomit came up into my stoma when I PB'd and sat there as I slept and then came up in a burp while I was asleep.  (Sorry for the TMI!)

So the moral of the story is that I do better when I stick to my routine.  And, DUH, I need to take small bites and chew thoroughly.

I also PB'd a few nights ago.  I have TOM to thank for the extra tightness.

Got paid yesterday and have spent all but about $60 on bills, gas and groceries.  Should be an interesting two weeks!    

Thursday, November 18, 2010

No big loss this week

I'm down just .2 lbs. (.1 kg.).  Hardly worth mentioning except I know I'm not alone with the slow loss so I wanted to put it out there.  There wasn't anything different with my eating this week.  Just one of those things, I guess.

I had another .2 loss back on 8/25 and it seems like I had a .8 lbs. (.4 kg.) loss once early on, but I can't find record of it.  It is a little frustrating to see such a small loss, especially when I know I didn't do anything different, but I know it happens.  It does mean I won't hit goal until 12/8 or 12/15 though which is kind of a bummer.

My fella picked up tickets to the new Harry Potter movie for us and the girls.  We are huge fans and I can't wait for the newest movie.  This weekend is going to be crazy-busy.  Starting this evening, I guess.  This is the schedule:

Thursday
5:30 - 6:30 Bryn - basketball practice
5:30 - 7:00 Caelyn - volleyball practice
7:15 - 8:30 grocery shopping

Friday
4:00 Caelyn indoor soccer game
6:30 Movie night @ church

Saturday
2:00 - 4:00 Bryn - birthday party for Tristen P.
2:00 Caelyn volleyball game
4:00 - 6:00 Bryn - birthday party for Marcos
6:00 Bryn basketball game 
7:30 HARRY POTTER

Sunday
2:00 Caelyn volleyball game
2:15 Bryn basketball game

These are just the special things going on this weekend.  We have all the usual stuff too like church and cleaning the house and doing the laundry.  Should be fun! 

And can I just say that I am sooooooooooooooo glad next week is a short week AND I get a four day weekend!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Thanksgiving

Next week is Thanksgiving here in the States and I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the many things for which I am grateful.  In no particular order, they are:
  • My daughter, Caelyn.  
  • My daughter, Bryn.
  • My mom.
  • My sister, Sarah.
  • My sister, Rose.
  • My dad.
  • My dog, Brody.
  • The rest of my family.
  • Christmas music.
  • Snow.
  • My job.
  • My car.
  • My house.
  • My blogging friends.
  • All of my friends.
  • My church.
  • Good health.
  • My lap-band.
  • My chickens.
  • The little park by my house where I walk every morning.
I wish you all a long list of your own!



Monday, November 15, 2010

I'm sorry for telling you what to do

Lately I've been kind of preachy in my commenting and I'm sorry.  I guess my thinking is that I love when people comment on my blog, but I really appreciate the comments with substance.  You know the ones - not just a generic compliment, but something from the commenter's personal experience or a thoughtful reflection on something I've written.

I want to encourage the discouraged and support the unsupported, but if I come across as bossy I don't think I'm doing my job. 

The fact is that I want to fix things for you.  I want to help.  I want to share my experience, strength and hope.  I also want to shield myself from your struggles.  I don't want to fail.  I don't want to stumble and fall.  And I know that if YOU can struggle, there is nothing keeping ME from having the same problems.

So instead of accepting that, I come up with a list of suggestions of things I would do if I were in your shoes.  But I know that sometimes the last thing a person needs when they're struggling is another list of things to do.  And I'm not in your shoes.  I don't have all the answers. 

So I hope you haven't written me off because I really have good intentions and I need your support.

Friday, November 12, 2010

"Normal" Eating

A while ago Blogland was abuzz with conversation about children and weight and the role our families have played in our struggles.  Someone (I think it was Tina from Losing It!) talked about how she has noticed that with her children, some of them just eat "normally" and some do not as if it were a part of their personality.  I have noticed this with my own kids too.  My oldest daughter is a little chubby and she has loved food since she was a toddler.  She nearly always cleans her plate and at times has been known to hide and even steal sweets.  My youngest, on the other hand, always eats a few bites of food, but has no issue stopping when she's full.  She'll throw away half a cookie or piece of cake if she can't finish it.  I don't think I've raised them differently from each other.  I think it is just a part of who they are.

One of the reasons I love blogging is that I often come across posts that challenge me or make me think or echo a thought I've been wrestling with.  The post from Tina is one example as is a post I read yesterday from Sherry at Two Sticks or a Lighter.  If you didn't catch it, go read it!  It is fabulous.  To summarize, Sherry talks about a good friend of hers who has always been very thin despite enjoying treats and regular soda, among other foods.  The realization Sherry came to is that for her friend, the idea of eating when she wasn't hungry was bizarre and something she wouldn't even consider doing.

I have been thinking about this point myself for awhile.  Naturally thin people DON'T eat when they aren't hungry!  What a concept!  That is the difference between us and them!  It isn't that naturally thin people always eat sugar-free and low-fat food (some do, most don't).  It isn't that they exercise all the time (again, some thin people do, many do not).  They don't eat nine servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  In fact, they probably eat the exact same foods as we do!  They just eat less food because they eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. 

For the naturally thin person, stress, boredom, anger, frustration, and happiness ARE NOT reasons to eat.  And it seems that the deciding factor as to whether we fall into the naturally thin category is completely arbitrary.  It seems to be a personality trait or a behavior learned as a very young child.

So the big question is can we go from being a person who eats when we aren't hungry to a "normal" eater?  Can we, like our beloved Amy W., change teams mid-season or are we stuck with the eating behaviors we've always followed?

I think we might be able to become normal eaters or at least more normal eaters.  Just like a drug addict can stop using or a smoker can become a non-smoker, I believe it may be possible for us to adopt the behaviors of a naturally thin person.  I used to smoke cigarettes, but now that behavior isn't a part of who I am anymore.  Although it was difficult when I first quit the behavior, over time it has lost its appeal.  Occasionally over the years, the urge to smoke has reappeared from time-to-time, but most of the time the idea of cigarettes totally grosses me out.  To some extent, the same has happened with food.

When I had lap-band surgery, I was someone who obsessed about food.  When I was eating, I always wanted more.  Even before I had a weight-problem, I believed that if I didn't control myself with food, I weigh 500 lbs.  (226.8 kg.).  I was never satisfied with food.  I punished myself as I ate with messages of self-loathing in a twisted attempt to make myself STOP overeating.  But the shame and the hate only drove me to eat MORE.  Those messages fed my obsession.

But something happened after I had surgery.  I made a conscious effort to eat only when I was hungry.  It wasn't too hard in the beginning because I could only eat really small quantities which meant I was hungry about every two hours.  So pretty much I was able to eat whenever I wanted.  And since I had "done something" about my weight problem, I stopped berating myself about it.  I lost weight and the desire to overeat diminished.  As I got better restriction from the band, my quantities got smaller and I had a concrete "full" signal from my body that I really cannot ignore. 

Now I won't suggest that I never eat when I'm not hungry.  Sometimes I start shoving food in my face, just like before, in a frenzied effort to get as much in my body as I can before I finally make myself stop.  But those days are few and far between.  Just like my life as a former-smoker, it is harder and harder to imagine living that way again. 

Most of the time I am perfectly content to wait until I get hungry before I eat.  Even with the band creating a diminished sensation of hunger, I can still recognize my hunger at mealtimes.  But I do things like not eating snacks in the afternoon because I know it will make me not hungry for dinner.  Isn't that the kind of thing a "normal" eater would do?

I don't know if I'll ever solve all my problems with food.  My sense is that it will always be a struggle to some extent, but I believe the lap-band has given me the ability to at least imagine what it is like to live that life.  And THAT is pretty amazing! 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

You guys are a bunch of pervs!

I say that with tons of affection.  But you have to wonder about a post promising naked (censored) pix of me eliciting so many comments.  It is okay though.  I love it when you guys "bare" yourselves too!

I do feel compelled to dispel the myth that I am a model Bandster, which a couple of you included in your comments.  To be completely honest, I don't know why I've lost so well and so consistently.  I have some suspicions, but I suspect a lot of it was luck.  I feel really, really blessed to be so comfortable in my own skin and to feel so little compulsion to overeat.  My disordered relationship with food has been an issue in my life for more than 30 years.  I have agonized over it, prayed about it, struggled with it and given up on myself  more times than I can count.

I do believe that my decision NOT to diet is a big part of my success.  I eat what I want and stop eating when my band tells me to.  I am satisfied by the foods I eat.  I know that I chased this sense of satisfaction for most of the last 30 years as I ate more and more or less and less.  Now I eat and enjoy and I don't feel the compulsion to keep eating most of the time.  I believe a bit if real butter on my potato is far more satisfying than a whole bunch of light margarine slathered all over the place.  Same with full-fat cheese, mayonnaise, cream and real sugar.

But when I was first banded, I DID diet.  Then I learned from several other bloggers that it was possible to eat a different way.  It was scary for me to stop writing down my food.  In the past that has always been an indication that I was about to give up on a diet.  But I trusted that it was possible to eat all foods in moderation, so long as the quantities were reasonable.  I had always wanted to eat that way and several years before being banded I'd actually started eating that way.  I quit binging for the most part.  I didn't care how many calories something had.  I ate things I actually wanted to eat.  I didn't have the lap-band to make me stop eating so I didn't lose weight, but I feel like some of my sanity was restored by that time.

But I make plenty of mistakes and sometimes I don't disclose them here.  Mistakes like last Saturday when I had some popcorn for a snack in the afternoon and then wasn't hungry for dinner.  My "rule" is that I eat when I'm hungry.  At 8:00 PM I said, "Screw it!" and had dinner because I wanted to eat.  I still wasn't hungry.  Oh, yeah and I had dessert too even though I definitely wasn't hungry for that either!  My calories were still reasonable (1,200) for the day (I know because on days when I do stupid things like that, I add up my calories to decide if it was a problem or not).

I also have a fair amount of band related "issues".  I've struggled with acid reflux off and on since September.  I have gurggling that sometimes prevents me from sleeping on my left side and interferes with my sleep.  This week my band has just plain hurt.  I don't know why.  So even though I have a tendency to gloss over the negative elements of banded life, I do recognize that it isn't perfect.

I guess my reality is that I see how much better things are now.  I love being "thin".  I love wearing smaller sizes.  I love not beating myself up about my size.  It isn't perfect, but for me it is enough!

  

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Down 3!

I'm down 3 lbs. (1.4 kg.) this week for a grand total thus far of 95 lbs. (43.1 kg.) since February.  I am just 5 lbs. (2.3 kg.) from goal!  I am hoping to be there by the end of the year, but I could see it before the end of the month!

I am also wearing a size 14 jeans today.  My sister had some things that no longer fit her so I now have one pair of size 14's.  I knew my size 16's were getting too big, but I didn't have anything smaller to try.  When I began this process, I was wearing size 24 pants and 3X shirts.  Most of the shirts I wear now are size large, but, again, I don't have any mediums to try.  I can't wait to post my goal pic of me in my size 24's now (or 5 lbs. from now).  I know I'll be able to fit into one leg of them.

I also kind of want to do a naked pic with the ta ta's and hootchie-coo blacked out just so you can see all the scars and extra skin and such.  The scars are not fantastic, but there isn't too much saggy skin, all things considered.  Stay posted!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

I'm so cold!

Apparently fat keeps you warm.  Who knew?

Gibberish & 200 followers!!!!

I texted a quick post last night and it came out gibberish.  Not really sure why, but I got some funny comment from you guys.  Bunch of Smart Alecks ~ lol!

What I was trying to say was that I tried the downward dog yoga pose when I was stuck last night and it worked like a charm!  I can't remember who suggested that to begin with, but try it next time you get that feeling!

I thought it was kind of funny that I was stuck after a normal dinner when I'd been able to eat like a pig on Sunday.  Quirky little lap-band sometimes.

I logged in this morning to see that I have 200 followers!!  Woo hoo!  I've had 199 for several days and I was hoping I'd get another one to hit that magic number.

I started this blog in February and I can't believe I have so many people who are somewhat interested in what I have to say.  Amazing!  Please know that I appreciate each and every one of you.  You have given me so much support and I am grateful!

Monday, November 8, 2010

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North Eugene Wildcats WIN!!! And I eat A LOT!!!

    I have to take a minute to brag here.  My daughter's soccer team swept the end-of-the-season tournament to win the gold medal championship game yesterday.  The tournament was three games and they held all of the opposing teams scoreless.

I don't usually brag too much, but this has been a really difficult season for their team.  They are now in the U11 division which is mainly 4th and 5th grade teams.  They started the season with a jamboree and they won two games and tied the third.  This got them bumped up in the standings so that all but two of their games were against 5th grade teams.  You might not appreciate the difference between a team of 9-year-olds vs. a team of 10-year-olds, but let me tell you - it is significant.  10 year old girls tend to be just that much taller and stronger.  They kick a bit harder and their longer legs carry them just a bit faster.  Plus they have played a year under the U11 rules so they don't tend to make mistakes with off-sides and lifting their back foot during throw-ins.  Despite the tougher competition, our girls played really well.  Although they lost most of their games, all but two of the games could have gone either way.  They lost by one or two goals and if they'd had the edge the older girls did, they would have dominated.  So in regular season play, they lost all but two games.  It was a difficult season, but the girls didn't lose heart.  They were excited at each game and did their best.  There was no grumbling or sour grapes.  I couldn't be prouder of them!

So they ended up in the third of four tournament standings for the U11 division.  Finally they were playing against 4th graders and they got their chance to shine!  The weather was cold and rainy, at times it poured, but they didn't give up and they won the gold medals! 

After the game, we had a big Mexican food potluck at one of the parent's house.  I ATE so much!!!  It was awesome!  I hadn't had anything all day except a cup of coffee and a protein drink.  I had a taco with rice and cheese and guacamole and some chips and bean dip.  After I was done, I had another mini-burrito and some more chips and bean dip.  I also had two drinks AND a piece of cake!  I figured my calories for the day at 1,750 with 1,450 in that meal alone!  Holy cow!  I can almost never eat quantities like that, but I guess the lap-band gods smiled on me.

And here's the thing - I don't feel bad about it at all.  I'm not ashamed or full of self-loathing.  I know I usually don't (and can't) eat like that.  I know the calories, while high for the day, can fit into a healthy diet.  I will still lose weight for the week.  I enjoyed the meal.  I wasn't eating compulsively.  I had intentionally NOT eaten much because I wanted to be hungry for the potluck. 

I am not really sure how I was able to eat so much.  Do you think alcohol relaxes the band somehow?  I almost never drink so that is the only unusual thing about the day.  I know my restriction ebbs and flows from day-to-day.  I don't usually put it to the test though.

Which brings me back to what I wanted to say.  My relationship with food has really changed.  I am different.  I feel so free!  This is such an amazing tool! 

Friday, November 5, 2010

Turkey Stuffer 5K

I just finished registering myself and my girls for a 5K on Thanksgiving morning followed by free swimming at the local indoor swim park (with wave pool, lap pool, and super-slide).  I LOVE that this is my life now and that my girls are having these kind of healthy experiences! 

That is all!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

How do you define your "sweet spot"?

How much is too much or too little restriction?  That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it?  I read a lot of blogs wheneverr I have a spare minute and it is abundantly apparent to me that we all define good restriction differently.  Sometimes very differently. 

For example I often read people saying that they've felt their restriction loosen up (or they've gotten an unfill) and can now eat bread, pasta, rice, or whatever food was previously out of the question.  I would consider myself too full if I couldn't eat those foods.  I consider good restriction to be being able to eat ALL foods while having very clear "Full" signals when I've had enough. 

The weird thing is that I have a hard time imagining having more restriction than I have.  I have had times when I was tighter for various reasons and it was a real problem.  I had to have an unfill after my second fill and I was can't-swallow-my-own-spit miserable.  Even though I have good restriction now, sometimes I tighten up randomly due to TOM or the weather or stress or the full moon or whatever causes random tightness.  I've had days and even weeks where I was really tight and fairly miserable.  I've also had issues with acid reflux which is associated with band restriction. 

So I'm curious how YOU define your "sweet spot"?  What do YOU consider good restriction?  What would YOU consider too much restriction? 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

What's in a title?

I started to write a post on Monday.  As I thought about what to title the post, I placed the cursor in the title field and as soon as I began to type, a drop-down list appeared of all my previous titles.  So I began to read them.  I saw titles like the first one, "WLS in 10 days" and other early ones like, "Is anyone else losing their hair?" and "Food? Whatever...".  I saw many that were celebratory like, "What a difference restriction makes!" and "I weigh less than it says on my driver's license!".  There was, "Kicking head hunger in the A$$!", "'Normal' shopping" and "I'm in the aughts".  There were personal victories like, "Camping weekend (and swimsuit pic)" and posts about struggling with the changes I have experienced like, "I feel guilty for being successful".  Of course there were more recent titles like, "Onderland!" and "Hiya 188!".  Each and every title and post provides a snapshot of where I was at the moment I wrote it as I have journeyed through this process.  It has only been nine months since I began this blog back in February, but in many ways it feels as if I've travelled a lifetime during that time.

Of course you have been a huge part of this process!  I re-read some of your comments as I went over those older posts.  Early on I only had a few followers (my first post had no comments), but all along, I've received so much love and support from each of you and I cannot fully articulate how much you mean to me.

This blog has been a chronicle of this process and it will continue to serve that purpose as I deal with the challenges and triumphs yet to come.  I look forward to writing posts with titles such as, "GOAL!!!" and "I'm down 100 lbs.!" and hopefully, "I just won the lottery!".  I also expect to write posts like, "Maintaining weight loss is boring (in a good way)" and "I've worn out a pair of size 10 jeans!". 

So what else is up?  Halloween was fun.  The whole weekend was fun, but VERY busy.  My daughter's soccer team won both tournament games they played so they have a championship game this Sunday.  I keep referring to this soccer season as the season that wouldn't end.  Seriously, we are starting volleyball tomorrow and the soccer season hasn't ended.  Practices are being held in the pitch-black darkness.   This next sport's season will be busy because both of my girls are playing team sports which means four practices a week plus at least two games a weekend.  At least we'll be indoors.  Oh and my oldest is playing on an indoor soccer team too.  It is going to be NUTS!

I also had a job interview on Monday afternoon.  It would be a very good job, but I am hoping they don't offer it to me.  I really don't want to leave the company I am working for even though I don't have any benefits.  The new job would have fantastic benefits (pension, insurance, more time off), but it would mean more hours away from my family.  My quality of life would suffer.  The money would be about the same. 

Food and band-wise, I'm doing pretty well.  I haven't eaten much Halloween candy.  1.75 packages so far.  Here's a picture of all the candy my kids brought home:


I do feel like the reflux might be coming back although it isn't bad at the moment.  The OTC medication I bought said to take it for two weeks no more than every four months.  I am wondering if any of you have ever taken a product like P/revicid more frequently than that?

Here's my kids in their Halloween costumes:


Caelyn was a goth cheerleader and Bryn was a creepy bat lady.  They are both being intentionally apathetic in the picture.  Aren't they cute?