First Family Hike

Hiking is something we love. 

One of our first hikes was in Charlottesville to Humpback Rocks.  Matt warned me it was an easy stroll, not even a hike and I would be fine in my flip flops and jean skirt. We got a bottle of wine, a sandwich from his favorite restaurant which was located in a BP, and were going to hike to the top to watch the sunset.  Before we left, I changed into jeans despite the assurances that it was easy and I would be okay.  Of course I didn’t change out of flip flops because all I had were flip flops (my preferred shoe).  I bet you can guess that this hike didn’t go as planned!  The leisurely stroll was a short but very vertical trail which does not agree with flip flops.  I was slipping left and right.  And we made it to the top for the sunset which was beautiful, but he didn’t mention that the top was very very rocky and cliff like with lots of places to tumble to your death.  Oh, I have a small fear of heights.  And, of course, we got to the top and realized we had no flashlight or fancy phones with flashlights (this was BEFORE the smartphone!!) so we didn’t enjoy our bottle of wine and gas station sandwich because we needed to get back down before it was too dark.  When we got back to our car, we pulled out the tailgating chairs and had the picnic, not quite the same view!!

And you wonder, why do we love hiking??

While living in San Diego, we hiked a lot.  We went every Saturday, sometimes just the three of us, once without the dog (ONLY once and it was because Torrey Pines doesn’t allow dogs-seriously??), and often with friends.  We did long hikes, short hikes, short hikes that ended up being long hikes, easy hikes, hard hikes, all kinds.  And we have lots of stories from the hikes.  One hike, we went with another couple and we were going for a 2-3 mile hike at Mission Valley.   We actually got a map of the trail (very rare) which Marion and I thought was a good thing with my navigator husband and her pilot husband.  They must know how to read a map!  Well, this quick little hike became 7 miles, ended in the dark, and at one point the dog was carried across the river.  Another hike, we didn’t realize that the ground was so hot it was burning the puppy’s paws.  She actually laid in the stream because her feet was so hot and we didn’t even realize it, poor puppy.

Through all of our blood (usually mine), sweat, tears (again usually mine), and vomit (again mine but this was because I was pregnant), we have learned something from each hike.  We got the appropriate footwear for me (we tried hiking boots for the dog but she was not having it!), hiking pants for both of us, poles for me when I am not being too stubborn, Camelbaks for both of us and a water bottle for the dog, first aid kits, snacks (especially when pregnant or nursing!), sunscreen, and cameras.  We are perfecting the art of hiking. 

I still offer this warning: Hike with us at your own risk!

Ever since we got to Napoli, we have been talking about hiking and trying to find hikes.  As you might have guessed, hikes are not quite as organized as in America.  The trails aren’t labeled with well maintained paths and parking lots.  There are not good hiking books (at least that I have been able to locate) with detailed descriptions of the hikes discussing the difficulty, the altitude change, the terrain, whether or not it is pet friendly.  It is a bit more word of mouth and general ideas.  Which makes me nervous.

 We had a hike planned with a guy Matt works with which I thought would be a good way to start because he knew what he was doing and where the trail was located.  It also seemed like a bad idea because I am the world’s slowest hiker when I am not 7 months out of practice and Matt’s friend is like crazy athletic and fit.  I was actually getting excited about this hike but it was scheduled during the ridiculous monsoon type rain we had for a week.  I told Matt that as responsible parents, we can’t take our baby hiking on a slippery trail with predicted rain.  So we missed this hike.

Now, Matt could think of nothing else he wanted to do in Europe except hike.  The next weekend it was perfect hiking weather!   We got up around 9 on Saturday morning with intentions to go hiking.  Somehow, it took us 3 hours to get to the actual hike.  And I know you will say, oh you have a baby now, but this is pretty standard for us.  I don’t really understand how or why but it takes FOREVER to get ready for a hike.  Even though everything is together and we know what we need.

When we got to Carney Park, I asked Matt if he actually knew where the trail was and he said, “Yeah, you go left and then you go right.”  Ummm.  My anxiety started about this point.  I HATE not knowing where I am going. So, we leave the park and go left and then we go left again.  Yes, I know you are thinking “he said go left and then right.” Matt wasn’t sure if the left out of the parking lot was the first left or if the left was on the road.  So we are hiking up this steep road and I am thinking “this is really vertical.”  Of course we aren’t even to the trail yet, just wandering on this road.  Matt says that we should just take a right at any of the little turnoffs that look like trails.  Just pick one and see!!  This does not seem like a good idea but we pick one.  And it seems like it might be the right thing because it is a trail that is pretty good.  We take the dog off the leash and she is super happy!  As we are hiking along, I am getting slightly nervous because it is pretty steep and parts of the trail are right on the edge of the cliff.  I have thoughts of slipping (which I do on almost every hike) and falling down the side of the crater.  Then I have thoughts of Matt slipping and falling down the side of the crater with our baby.  The anxiety makes me quiet. 

Eventually we get off the edge (thank goodness) but we end up in shrubs with a very overgrown trail.  So the three of us are just pushing our way through shrubbery.  This doesn’t bother Matt because he has on the proper hiking pants.  I do not.  I know I mentioned that I have proper hiking pants but they do not agree with my post partum body (yet!).  So I am wearing my workout capris and my legs are getting scratched beyond belief.  Lucy is doing better than me although some of the growth is so thick, that she needs help finding an opening.  During this part of the hike, I am quiet and sending mean thoughts towards Matt for taking on us this hike.  I am wondering why I think I like hiking.  At one point, I cried.  There is nothing you can do in this situation but push ahead.  Turning back would be harder than going forward.

Eventually we get out of the dense growth and we end up on a road.  The road hiking seems easy, right?  Except for all the trees that are blocking the path.  So we are climbing over trees (which was kind of fun) and trucking through mud (the dog liked that part) but it still didn’t seem like we were on the right path.   During this part, we saw a rusted out car…weird I know.

I finally got over myself and my silent moments of hatred and Matt and I started laughing and joking.  Even though we were going the wrong way.  Through our conversation, Matt again mentioned that we should just pick one of the paths on the left and just go that way.  Of course, I am not excited about random paths but we are not going the right way and going up seems to be the only choice.  So we start a series of very vertical paths.  And I start putting myself down because it is hard and I feel fat and out of shape.  But I go slow and steady and eventually we get towards the top.  The cycle continues: everything seems right (we actually pass the monastery which is part of the trail), then we are in completely overgrown shrubbery and my legs are getting ripped apart, then we find some ridiculous vertical paths.  We find a very nice lookout and stop for a snack (the baby), a photo shoot (Matt and the dog), and a little rest.  We laugh and enjoy the beautiful view.  Unfortunately, this is about half way through the actually trail but it took us like 2.5 hours to get here.  I am thinking that it will take us another 2.5 hours to get back.  Luckily I am wrong!!

We start back on the journey and we are now on a downward slope.  I bet you are thinking that I am happy now, but you are wrong!  I realize that I have ingrown toenails during this part of the hike and how bad they hurt when you are going down and your toes are crammed in the front of your shoes.  Again, there is nothing you can do about the pain but to keep going and hope it doesn’t get too much worse.  (Hiking is AWESOME!!)

During this stretch, we actually see other people and they are American.  They tell us that the path is too steep for us to go down it with the baby.  I quietly sent them evil thoughts thinking, I am not back tracking through the past three hours.  They also tell us of a little lookout that has a great view.  The lookout was great and there were two more Americans there who took our picture.  One of the guys was from Mount Airy and reminded me of Ziggy’s (bar/music venue in Winston Salem).  After talking to them for a while, we continue on our downward journey.  It was steep but just as steep as the other way.  So Matt and the baby are moving quickly, the dog is running around and loving life, and me and my toes are going step by step.  I am determined to make it out of one hike without falling! 



So we are finally on the trail and close to the end, we hear rugby.  This makes my husband both happy and sad.  I can tell he wants to be on the field playing.  When we finally finish the hike, we went to watch the rugby game.

I am sure you are asking why I love hiking.  We have stories like this from lots of hikes.  During the hike I am thinking about how pathetic I am because I am out of breath.  I fall and my toes hurt.  Silent Angry Lizzie sends mean thoughts to her husband during the hikes.  But during every hike, I laugh.  We have some amazing view and sit for a few minutes just looking at the beautiful surroundings. It is just us.  Hiking burns lots of calories and is hard but it still doesn’t really feel like exercise.  And when you finish a hike, there is a sense of accomplishment.  And it is something that I can share with my husband.   We have hiked in Virginia, California, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and now Italy.  I still can’t believe I live in Italy!

 

Awesome Hiking Backpack from my sister



Since Life is Boring

I am a teacher and I have not been in a classroom for 3.5 school years.  This makes me sad and at the same time I feel blessed.  I am able to stay home with our precious munchkin and teach her about the world. 

I taught 2 years of kindergarten (kindergarten teachers have a special place in heaven as do middle school teachers) and 5 years in first grade (which I LOVED).  I have my Masters in Reading Education.  When I moved to California, I assumed I would be able to get a job teaching.  I had my California license before I got to the state.  Unfortunately, the state is having some budget issues and the teachers are one of the major “expenses” that could be cut.  So, I was not an appealing hire because I had experience and education so I was too expensive.  I tried to sub but I HATED it.  I did not like being in someone else’s classroom trying to follow the lesson plans even if I thought it was a terrible lesson.  I applied for jobs in daycares but I did not have the “proper” education for working in a daycare.  I applied for jobs in tutoring centers but high school students are cheaper.  So, while in California I mooched off my husband.  Coming to Italy, I thought that maybe I would teach in the DOD schools.  Several people told me that spouses are only allowed to be assistants or subs.  And childcare is very difficult to get (there is a waiting list for the infant section of the daycare and you can either go everyday or not at all).  And I LOVE being with my baby.  So I am not overly motivated to go back to work.

So what did I do?  I signed up to be a Stampin’ Up demonstrator…meaning I am starting my own business.  Seriously??? What was I thinking.  I don’t have time to shower on some days and I think I can start a successful business.  I don’t have many friends and I think I can sell wonderful scrapbooking and stamping products.  And the friends I do have, don’t scrapbook.  So I am doing something that scares me.  I am trying something that I am not good at (sales) and attempting to share my love of crafting with others.  I am scared of failure so I have to make this work. 

Now, I have to find time to actually scrapbook.  Hmmmm.

Visit my website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/scraptasticstampers/

Or my facebook page (like it so it looks like I have customers) https://www.facebook.com/#!/ScraptasticStampers

Here are the first two cards I made as a demonstrator.  Of course I broke the rule of using product that has retired but since it is for personal use I think it will be okay!

Baby Food

I can’t remember if I wrote this post already: forgive my memory. 

As I mentioned in a previous post I had aspirations of making my baby’s food (I think I only mentioned it and didn’t write a full thesis on it!) That way she would only have fresh food with no preservatives.  And I would save money.  And it is SUPER easy with the awesome Baby Breeza that our awesome friends the Lonergans gave us.  I mean you put the food in the machine, push a few buttons, and poof!  You have baby food.  The Breeza steams and purees it for you.  The only problem is my baby does not like to eat the wonderful food I make her!

The pediatrician wanted us to start feeding her baby food at 4 months.  But based on the American Pediatric Association baby’s should have exclusive breast milk for the first 6 months (ideally).  So I decided we would wait.  At 5.5 months, she seemed interested in what we were doing during dinner time so we decided we would give it a shot.  The pediatrician said we could start with whatever we wanted, fruits, vegetables, and that rice cereal had no benefits at all.  Again, I decided I didn’t like this advice and I would stick with rice cereal.  So we got the camera ready, mixed the cereal, and put Matt’s childhood bib on the sweet baby. 

She loved every bite.  And Matt filmed every bite!

This love of baby food lasted about a week. 

During this week we learned she does not like peas.  Other things (butternut squash, pears, bananas, carrots, oatmeal) were not loved or hated. 

After talking to everyone I know who has a child, my two cousin pediatricians, my pediatrician, my sister, my sister in law, my mom, everyone said don’t get stressed and just keep trying.  So I just kept trying.  And she just kept her mouth closed!  I finally decided I needed to give up my goal of making baby food and refocusing my goal on getting my baby to eat food.  So I bought some Gerber First Foods.  I bought peas, pears, sweet potatoes, applesauce, peaches, and carrots.  I bought new flavors and flavors she had tried before to figure out if she hated eating or hated eating my cooking (lots of tantrums in our future if this is the case J ). 





The same thing happened with the processed food, at first.  She would eat one bite willingly and then not really eat anymore.  She was unimpressed with the sweet potatoes.  She seemed to possibly like the peaches, pears, and carrots.  And she did not like the peas (clearly my daughter!)  She did like to eat small pieces of banana which made me think it was a texture situation and that she would never like to eat purees.

On Tuesday, I went to the dentist and my friend babysat the baby.  She was able to get her to eat carrots!  I asked her what she did and she said she warmed it slightly.  So the next night I warmed her carrots and she ate some!  She even ate some cereal.  I still had to trick her and shove the spoon in whenever she opened her mouth.  But this was progress. 



Wednesday when I was eating my cereal, the baby and the dog were both staring at me longingly and drooling, so I figured I would try to feed her at the same time.  She ate the cereal!  She even opened her mouth, asking for more!  I was so shocked and excited.  That night we tried the rest of the carrots and she wasn’t super excited but she ate two bites.

Today was very successful!  We had pears for breakfast.  She ate all the food without any tricks! She opened her mouth and asked for more. I couldn’t believe three meals in a row she actually ate food!  I gave her some bananas for lunch.  And for dinner she ate some cereal and confirmed that she hated peas!

So, we after trying for several weeks, we finally have some success.  Next step, seeing if she will eat the food I made her!





One day the baby will be able to enjoy our grill masterpiece!

 





Phone update

Matt's iphone has officially lost all contact numbers.  Today he was finally able to sync with the 'old' laptop and could not retrieve the lost numbers.  Needless to say, I feel pretty bad about the forced purge.  Luckily, he is not mad about it and actually thinks this was as good a time as any to purge. 

Due (TWO)

Matt and I had our second anniversary in February.  Our first anniversary we spent on a plane to Costa Rica and had “Snack Bar” food for dinner.  Our second anniversary, Matt was on a plane to Germany and the baby and I had Ramen for dinner!  But when he got back from Germany we went out on a real date to celebrate.  Our friends Mike and Gina watched the baby and we went to a restaurant called La Granzeola.  This was our first date since the baby was born.

Anniversary Uno in Costa Rica!

After getting all dolled up, prepping the baby, and dropping her off, we set out to find our destination!  We had the address of the restaurant entered in the GPS.  As we followed the directions, we discussed how this was our first date since the baby was born.  And of course we discussed the baby and our new home.  TomTom said “You have reached your destination” and we said, “umm…”  We were in some one’s driveway that wrapped around and definitely was not a restaurant.  The lights were off and it was not inviting.  So we got our phones out and googled the coordinates and of course they were pointing us in the same direction.  We were both disappointed and frustrated because we were so excited to have a date and a nice steak dinner.  Instead we were sitting in a strange driveway.  Neither of us wanted to deal with finding another restaurant.  Finally we called the restaurant.  Calling restaurants is always a challenge because we don’t speak Italian, they usually don’t speak English and you can’t mime on the phone. Matt was able to determine that they were in fact open and that we should be able to see the sign from the street.  Leaving the GPS, we drove a little further up the road and guess what we found!! The restaurant did have a sign that was visible from the street!  So we parked on the side of the road, took everything of value out of the car (big purse!), got the umbrella, and walked arm in arm to the restaurant.  Then we saw the parking lot.  Oops.

The restaurant was prepared for dinner with all the tables set and fires built (not started).  We were the only people there.  The menu was all in Italian and the wait staff did not speak English.  Through some miming, some google translate, and some guessing we ordered our dinner.  We got two pasta dishes for our first plate.  Matt ordered ravoli and I ordered a pasta with funghi (mushroom pasta!).  YUM!!!

For dinner, we decided to split a steak.  Since we both got a first plate, we figured sharing a steak would be fine.  And the steak came with a salad (lettuce on a plate with a lemon wedge) and french fries (yummers!). 

When we ordered the steak, I didn’t think about the temperature issue.  How do you tell some one in Italian that you want your steak prepared medium rare?  The word he used had sanguine in it so which I could figure out was blood.  So we attempted to explain we wanted medium rare and unfortunately this was not easy.

When we got our steak the first time it looked like this!!

The waiter brought the piece of meat for us to approve. When we got our steak, it was BLOOD red.  My mom would have loved it but it was a little too rare for me.  So we were thinking about sending the steak back and asking for it to be cooked a little longer when we realized the plate was sizzling.  The steak cooked 50% of the time on a hot skillet in front of us.  And it was delicious!  We ate about half of the steak and fries.  We asked to take the rest away (the bone especially for Lucy) and we both ate it for lunch the next day!!!  Be sure when you order a steak in Italy to pay attention to the size, I kilo (2.2 pounds, written in very small print) will be enough for multiple people!!



The steak fed Matt and I twice and Lucy once!



After our wonderful, leisurely dinner where neither of us had to walk the baby or defend our plates from her, we were ready to go get her!  It was a wonderful second anniversary.  Now, in what country will we celebrate the third one?!!

Buona Pasqua

This was the baby’s first Easter.  She was so excited!!  Just kidding, but we were.  We dyed eggs with some of our friends who have kids the ages that can actually dye eggs.  We had Matt’s traditional Easter breakfast of creamed eggs on toast made with the dyed eggs.  We had an Easter Egg hunt from the Easter bunny and Easter baskets!!  The dog was very excited about the Easter baskets, mainly looking for Snickers. Luckily this year, she did not get ANY Easter chocolate (that doesn’t mean she didn’t get my nieces and nephews birthday chocolate in March though!!).  She even got lamb dog food! 

The baby was not as excited about the basket but she sure loved putting the plastic eggs in her mouth and she loved knocking down the block towers that daddy built with her new blocks! 

For the past few Easter Matt and I have been to brunch with friends so we were excited when our friends invited us to join them for an Italian brunch. Our Easter Lunch was hosted by the Italian Jack Nichalas!  He had the same mannerisms and chained smoked.  We decided to try a traditional Easter dinner  at a local restaurant called La Vigna Agriturismo.  An agriturismo is a certain kind of restaurant that you can find throughout Italy.  It is a restaurant/hotel but to stay there you must help work on the farm.  This one is obviously a vineyard but also has rabbits, ducks, horses, goats, and chickens. It is a price fixed menu, which means you pay a set price and you get what they bring you.  This is a bit scary for picky eater such as myself, although I do try everything, before I ask what it is!!  Another appealing part of an agriturismo is the playground.  During the long Italian meals, the kids get up between courses and play on the playground which can be seen from the tables.

When we walked into the restaurant we were mesmerized by the display.

I made sure not to inquire about the menu prior to getting there because I am so picky.  Our set menu was:

 Antipasto:

Prosciutto ,Mozzarella, Olive, Salame ,  Pancetta,

Crocche’ , Bruschette, Zeppoline, Verdure  alla  brace,

Frittata rustica, Tortano Napoletano, Ricotta  salata

 Primo : 2 assaggi

Cannelloni Napoletani

Risotto ai funghi porcini.

 Secondo:

Misto alla brace
o
Agnello  alla  brace

 Contorno:

Patate fritte  e insalata verde  mista.

 Misto di dolce e frutta

Translation (at least my attempt):

Appetizer

Prosciutto, mozzarella, olives, salami, bacon (this was really pork fat), Bruschetta, Zeppoline (this was a bread thing with salty ham), grilled vegetables, frittata, Neapolitan Tortano (this are puffy fried bread balls) and ricotta

First Plate

Cannelloni Neapolitans (cannelloni with sausage)
Risotto with porcini mushrooms

  Second Plate

Mixed grilled meat plate (I choose mixed plate because I am pretty sure I am not a fan of lamb.  There were three meats on the mixed meat: lamb, sausage, and something we could not identify)
or
Grilled lamb


Sides:

French fries(I personally prefer Italian french fries to American) and mixed green salad (I personally prefer American salads to Italian).

Dessert
  Mixture of cake and fruit

Some of the dishes are served family style (the pastas, the french fries, salad, and half of the appetizers).  You get unlimited vino and acqua.  The vino di casa (house wine) varies dramatically from restaurant to restaurant and 75% of it, we do not like.  This wine was actually good.

Baby trying bread for the first time!

In my family, Easter dinner was always ham, potato salad, and other things (can you tell which parts made an impression! I LOVE my mom’s potato salad).  In Italy, Easter dinner is always lamb and various other things.  During our Italian meal, Jack Nichalas Italian Style brought us two piles of beans wrapped in paper towels.  And then he walked away.   Of course the four adults had lots of speculation about what type of beans and what we were supposed to do with the beans.  The next time Jack came back, I asked him what we were supposed to do with them.  I apparently spoke too quickly for a limited English speaker so we tried again slower.  We learned that besides lamb, another traditional part of Italian Easter dinner is farva beans.  He showed us how to open the beans and told us to eat the small bean inside raw.  Farva beans are very large (I had never actually seen one) so when you open them the inside bean looks like a big lima bean.  We all tried one and I don’t think raw farva beans will be added to our favorite meal list.  It didn’t really have much taste and I didn’t enjoy the texture.

I do not know how Italians celebrate Easter at home although I know they buy very elaborate and gigantic Easter baskets and BIG chocolate eggs with amazing detail.  I believe they also do something big for Easter Monday.  I guess I will have to learn more next Easter!

Video of Lucy burying her bone.  Notice where it ends up!

First Navy Dental Experience

I went to the same dentist for all of my childhood, until he retired and the guy who took over his practice was my second dentist.  Then when I lived in Raleigh, I saw the same dentist for 7 years.  And I had my third dentist in California.  All the dentists did things a little differently.  My childhood dentist did all the cleanings and examines himself.  The hygienist assisted him.  In Raleigh, the dentist only did the examines and the hygienist did the cleanings.  In California, the dentist did 50% of the cleaning and all of the examine. I probably would say I enjoyed the dentist doing everything but that is just me.  

I think we take little things for granted.  I just assumed all dental experiences would be similar to what I have had in the past.  I have been to three different dentists in my life so I know things are not always identical but for the most part, you go get xrays once a year, cleanings twice a year.  In the past couple of years, the dentists started providing shades to help you with the glaring light.  Usually you get a toothbrush at the end and ALWAYS I get yelled at for not flossing.  If you have any problems, you come back for another appointment.

Here, it is different (you are only allowed to get one cleaning a year).  I made my appointment, got a babysitter, and was ready to come home with nice clean teeth.  I even prepared myself for the standard flossing lecture.  It didn’t go quite like I anticipated.

The x-rays were INSANE.  I had the standard “bite on this” and they took the digital x-rays.  Then I had to stand in this machine and bite down while the machine scanned around my entire head.  I felt like I was getting a head xray but apparently it gives a full view of your teeth in one picture that is “flat”.  After the xrays, I was called back into the actual dental chair.  I had my teeth examined by the dentist and got my “flossing is awesome” lecture.  I even got a prescription for toothpaste (who knew they did that!).  Then it was over.  The end of the appointment.  WHAT?!!  I had to make another appointment for cleaning.  This was not something a new mom wants to hear.  A new mom wants everything to happen at once.

I made my appointment to come back for my cleaning and went home without that satisfied feeling of clean teeth.  I was VERY lucky to have a good friend who was willing to keep the baby again so I could get my teeth cleaned without having to worry about the baby. 

The hygienists was an Italian man named Felix.  He had lots of pictures of his child on the walls.  One was a bit creepy, the baby and him in the shower.  He also wanted to discuss his goals of becoming a landlord and renting to Americans.  He is debating between buying a single family home for 300,000 euro or buying a 6 family home with shared stairs (an apartment building) and one box for the car for 130,000-200,000 euro.  He didn’t want to put his house up as collateral and pick the wrong one because he would lose his home.  He also told me that I needed to learn Italian before my next cleaning.  I should learn one new word a day.  This I think might be good advice…now to find the motivation/time to do this!  After about 10 minutes of real estate discussion, he finally started cleaning my teeth.  I usually close my eyes during the cleaning so I don’t know specific tools etc but I do know that usually the hygeniest uses more than one tool.  And usually they are gentle with the tool.  He was so rough and quick with his one tool.  I think the cleaning took about 5-10 minutes.  He then did the toothpaste spinning tool on my teeth and the water to rinse followed by the flossing.  The weirdest part was the fluoride.  I have had the kind where it is painted on your teeth.  I have also had the kind where you gargle and then spit, making sure that you do not swallow.  This was neither of those.  He put some bubblegum flavored foam in a mouth guard and then made me bit the mouth guard.  During this weird moment when you are trying not to gag, I got the “you must floss” lecture and told I brush my teeth incorrectly.  You are not supposed to go side to side, or up and down, or in a circle (only kids can do the circle).  

So in the end, I got the clean teeth feeling even though it took two visits and a weird pseudo Italian dentist experience.  I also got the flossing lecture twice.  And prescription toothpaste but no toothbrush.  And have no clue how to actually brush my teeth.

Wagon

I have fallen off the wagon.  I have lost of control when it comes to eating candy.  And I have not been exercising enough.  I am getting at least one a week which is pretty good when I am off track.  I have stopped tracking my food (counting my points for WW) which means I eat an extra helping or sweet and don't really think twice about it.  My husband who is probably the most supportive person to have around when dieting, has noticed my spiraling out of control and has been trying to help.  He will casually ask me about my points or how my eating was that day.  He encourages me to work out and eat more fruits and vegetables.  He even cuts the vegetables so I just have to eat them.  All of this wonderful support and I am not focused.  I am letting myself down.

I have 2.5 months to get to my goal weight (30 more pounds to go :(.)  This is following the 9 months on and 9 months off plan.  I need to really focus so I can reach my goal.  I know it is lofty but at least I can get close.  So, tomorrow I start tracking again.  Hopefully today I will work out and not have the extra helping at dinner. 

Sharing my weakness and "failure" with the world seems a little weird but I need to find the motivation and accountability again.  Since I can't go to the WW meetings (much better for me than the online), I will have to find my support from other people.  So, my post Lent challenge is to get back on track.  I will track my food.  I will limit my candy.  I will increase my working out.  I need to get healthy again so I can set an example for my daughter.