Hey there!

Happy Thursday to you? How are your holiday preparations going? Hopefully you're getting a chance to take a breather between all the organizing and running around. Nothing a little hot apple cider and putting your feet up won't cure!

Well yesterday was the staff lunch at a local restaurant that features a huge holiday buffet each year. Oh my!!! I enjoyed tastes of everything and maybe a few extra on the items I REALLY wanted - you know me - DESSERTS! Mincemeat pie, Christmas cookies, and chocolate AND vanilla yule logs. YUM!!! I felt very full for hours after wards. A feeling I haven't had in many months BUT a good reminder of the slippery (icy) slope. So easy to go back to big lumberjack portions or the extra rich food. Believe me, OLD pre-WW Linda is still very much in here. Peeking out now and then to see if the cookies are done. Luckily, that is my only big meal planned for the entire holiday season. Even Christmas dinner this year will be quiet and low-key. The focus is on family and friends and the season itself and less on the meal.

At least this season makes me mindful of many things. Of how grateful I am with all the blessings I have in my life. 2009 has been quite spectacular and despite the low moments (and those are always around), I am so thankful for what I have now. Finally reaching a healthy weight is amazing. Especially knowing that the first time in my adult life, my New Year's resolution won't be 1) LOSE 50 lbs! My New Year's Resolution will be to 1) ENJOY LIFE and 2) See #1, Repeat!

I am aware that I may always having the tendency to want to get my money's worth from a buffet table. That lover of food will always be there. Waiting in the wings. For wings. Yum.

However, I am one determined gal and will NOT give up on my new healthy living. I like feeling energetic again after YEARS of being so tired. That was scary - never feeling like you have enough rest. Many times I would decline invites because the thought of attending them tired me out! That's pretty sad considering there was nothing physically wrong with me. Now I have tremendous energy despite many months of little sleep with Kitten...um Kitty Jack (aka Sir Jack). He's STILL Kitten Jack to me - certainly with his behaviour and that widdle-sweetums-face of his. Sigh. Digression. It's the law on Planet Chartreuse Monkey!

So here I am, just a couple of weeks away from the new decade and all is good. Very good indeed.

Keep smiling and hope to see you on Friday!

Linda