Beach in the Fall has its own Charm

Hey everyone! First of all, just a brief note about the events in the world this week. Although I am deeply interested in politics, I almost never talk about it online because I cannot physically tolerate all of the divisiveness it stirs up. Our world is going crazy right now and our future is very uncertain. North America is divided as we have never seen it before. 

We are divided by our beliefs and by who we trust. There is a feeling of antagonism in the air and for those of us who have a sensitive nature, it can be deeply disturbing. One of my Facebook contacts this week said that it made her want to go look at some landscape pictures. Well, that's why I bring you this blog. 

For me, looking at the beauty of God's creation is one of the things that helps bring the peace back into my heart.

In nature, I am reminded that God loves me enough to bring up the sun every day so I can live another twenty-four hours. I see his whimsy in the flowers, his power in the wind and his intellect in the structure of the seasons.

This week, having been stuck to my laptop, I was almost faint from missing fresh air and trees and water. So, last night I ventured out into the "outside world" and away from my writing cave, holding the hand of my incredible husband. By the time we got out, the sun was falling fast but we were still able to get our fill of these beautiful sandbars that extended over 30 feet from the shore.

I can never resist a sandbar. The sand was squishy and wet but so exciting -- a beach where there is usually none. Even though it was already dusk, you could still see the reflections of the shoreline in the water, still as a cat waiting to pounce on its prey.

My last week

Well, this week has not been as successful as the week before. The ambush? One word: leftovers. Yeah, I made it through Thanksgiving (I'm Canadian, for those that don't know!) and managed to not eat that much over my limit. But .... leftovers!!!! I cooked up a crazy load of food to eat, and it was all in the fridge, all week, and it was there late at night, while my husband was at work. Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, meatballs with sweet and sour sauce, dressing, turkey, ham .... apple crisp. MMMMmmm....!

Why would I do this to myself? Well, I really wanted to give my husband a special meal for Thanksgiving, even though it's just the two of us ... to start a Tradition for our family, being newly married. We were both bummed out at not going out for Thanksgiving anywhere, and decided to cook up a meal at the last minute. It was a wonderful meal! I had never cooked such a feast before mostly by myself. (My husband was doing some last-minute work on the house before winter while I cooked)

And it was so good. I left the table full but not grossly filled up in pigginess. Like I usually would at a meal like this. But afterwards, in the following days, all that food got to me. I just lost control this week. I admit it. And felt terrible ... terrified that I would gain it all back. I had a period of about three weeks where I felt great ... in control and not letting food control me.

This weekend, I am taking back the reins. Last night, we went to some friends to watch videos. There were LOTS of snacks. I had three carrots, all night, and water. Oh, and about 8 rice crackers. A bit high on salt but low-calorie. For supper, the boys and my gorgeous husband suggested A &W. I insisted on Quizno's (subs). I had an eight-inch Chicken sub. No A&W for this girl .... even though we were in a rush, and time was short.

But man, this is hard! I am fighting against my own tendency to want to give up. It  is so constant! And so easy to mess it up! It only takes a day or two of going off track to start those habits again. Yikes!!!

I have been teaching the kids character education at school, and this month's saying is:
Watch your thoughts. They can become your words.

Watch your words. They can become your actions.

Watch your actions. They can become your habits.

Watch your habits. They can become your character.

Watch your character. It can become your destiny.

And how quickly those little actions of greediness, of gluttony can become habits again! And how quickly those depressing thoughts can lead me to the actions of overeating!

On the other hand (always trying to find the positive side!), how quickly good actions can become good habits! Which will eventually lead to a destiny of healthiness and normal weight!!!

Yay!!!!