That's what I am doing anyway - exhaling between autumn/Thanksgiving and the Advent/Christmas season. I am not shopping black Friday sales, just relaxing, re-organizing, making pot pie with the turkey leftovers, and deciding on a paint color (finally). I really think my husband has had it with me even though he is being very patient. I really wanted a sophisticated blue for our bedroom, but with oak trim and dark furniture, a cheerier green really does look better. So green it is.
I am also in the midst of trying to figure why I have not lost any more weight after that first week eating the Wheat Belly way. I do feel better - daily headaches are gone and I am starting to wake up more refreshed (even though I still have a twitch in my eye) (and yes, I am taking magnesium) but one would expect a little more results after cutting out all grains and sugar for five whole weeks (Joe has lost the same amount in half the time). Extensive thyroid testing all came out normal. The only thing low is my vitamin D and googling tells me that might have something to do with it, that obese people typically have low vitamin D, but experts are unsure what the exact link is. Maybe it's just we don't get outside and walk enough.
Today I am also enjoying reading about everyone's Thanksgiving holiday - going home, seeing relatives, eating favorite foods, marveling at how many people really don't like mushy pumpkin pie. We went to my in-laws, and by the time the kids performed their annual play many of us youngsters with functioning blood circulation were in a food and heat induced coma. The basement wood stove seems to bring the temperature there up to 85 degrees even with several windows open. I am feeling mush more refreshed today back at home with the thermostat on 68.
Unlike most people these days, we do not get our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. I have not given much thought to Christmas cards (other than ordering Madonna & Child stamps) and have not started shopping for anyone. I will let the kids make wish lists with the help of the 15" stack of catalogs that have arrived. I do know that I want a Pampered Chef nut chopper for Christmas and that we will read Bartholomew's Passage this year, but that's about it. I did order this advent calendar, these chocolate calendars, and these St. Nicholas coins. Tomorrow we will put away fall decor and bring out the Advent box with the star path, advent wreath, and Jesse Tree ornaments. I dearly hope to start some handcrafts this weekend too, after I finish the Larkrise book!
That's all for today. The baby just woke up from napping and I have lessons plans to type up for next week. The big kids are outside raking and playing. It's about time to think about dinner already and exhale a little more while I still have the chance. Since our bedroom is all taken apart Joe and I get to sleep in the kid's beds tonight and they are all excited about pitching a tent in the basement!
