In the Pocket

CAVEAT:


[Because the whole lifestyle change things is kinda central in my life right now, many of my posts are going to be in some way about that, which also necessitates a usage of many cheesy metaphors, hyphenated word chains and of course, updates].


So, those who know, and some who love me, are aware that I can be a woman of extremes.


If I'm in one of my extremey moods, I either want a 3 hour nap or no nap, I'm ecstatic or depressed, I want a bag of BBQ kettle chips or none at all, I want to be loved by all or brood in a Radiohead-soaked corner, I want my house perfectly organized down to the smallest drawer, or else it goes to pot.


I want to post every single day, or stop blogging.  ;0)


Now, I say can be a woman of extremes, because I'm workin' on it. 


Little by little, in the maturation (?!?)  process, I've gleaned some tools to take a more moderate approach, to find that sweet spot where the extremes balance in a perfect happy rendezvous.


Rather than a daily occurrence, these all-or-nothing moods can be little blips in my week where I catch a breather, think about why I'm feeling the need for extremism and take stock. 


Often times I need to center myself more in prayer, in rest, in diet or activity. 

Actually, if I'm keeping up on all fronts, my moderate D kicks it in control.

Oh, you know you're jealous of my mulletability

This first month of Weight Watchers, I lost an average of 2.5 pounds a week.  Old Danielle might be bothered by the slow moving numbers on the scale, but I am proud to see the slow and steady drop.  It means less stress on my body, less saggy skin and a greater likelihood of those pounds being gone FOREVER!


For the first few weeks, I focused mostly on the nutrition aspect, faithfully calculating every bite and shooing out problem foods (like the aforementioned kettle chips) from our cupboards.  I don't banish all treats from my life, and most days enjoy something small, I just plan for it and count the points.


Jacob and Ceci often come with me to my meetings, which has been a huge boon amidst the obvious practical challenges.  Jacob asks every other day if it's meeting day.  He participates in the theme of the meeting and often gives his favorite tips, with Ceci's enthusiastic "YAAAY" as musical accompaniment to the weekly celebration and star-sticker distribution.


Both kiddos are awesome workout partners.  With the various netflix streaming workout videos, we bust a dance move, stretch and strengthen with pilates or sculpt major muscle groups.  This afternoon, even Kev joined in and we sweated up a storm as a family.

As one might say, I'm in the pocket.  Riding my groove to a better me.

Sing it, random red-suited lip-syncing man

~~~~~


We have had such an insanely busy summer, with just one "normal" weekend at home in two months.  After being in Israel for four months, we hit the ground running with Kev's absence for June conferences (one in NYC and one in Scotland), a trip to Maine, a wonderful weekend in Cleveland for our godson's Baptism, and an extended family reunion with the Grimes family.

~~Random Joys


My affinity for old-school bonnets and my girl in them.

You better believe she rocks a zip line like nobody's business

Fresh blueberries, preferably picked my my clan and lovingly taste-tested for optimum flavor.

 ~~Children.

Living in the Village, I get to savor the idiosyncracies of many littles at once, the intrinsic social systems, their life of imagination and moments of awe in a fuzzy caterpillar or cicada shell.  On a particularly blessed day, they come close with their sun-kissed skin and sticky mouths, whispering a secret, "I love you."

Children continually gift us with the ability to see things in a new light, with a freshness that is, over time, lost from our adult lives.

Perhaps because I still feel very much feel child-like, I really "get" them, and they me.  


~~Silly kid tricks
Ceci does this thing, where when she gets tired instead of crying, she starts blowing bubbles with increasing enthusiasm until someone (usually Kev) joins in. 

The fez.  Ceci is obsessed.  Often, after Jacob gets her out of bed in the morning we hear the pitter patter of feet into the living room and back again where, from the perch of our king-sized bed we see see a floating fez.  And, she's ready for the day.

~~Jacob becoming a young man.

It makes my heart proud and broken all at once.  From chapter books to addition and subtraction to endurance running (no joke--a mile at a time), to wanting to push Ceci's stroller to washing dishes to his long slender summer browned athletic body, my boy is growing up.  He is fiery and gentle, he loves his sissy with great tenderness and protection.  He is coming into his boyhood with fervor and competition and all things manly.  Including self-trained "martial arts."  

~~Feeling my core and other major muscle groups tighten up and strengthen.

~~Finding these plantar fascitis-fighting puppies at Marshall's for $35 instead of $125.  Sanitas, you woo me with your sassy prints.  Must put on wish list.
 
 ~~Getting to see Kathleen in the cloister.  My heart leapt to see your face and ached to give you a huge hug.  I don't understand, but I know you are where God wants you to be.  At least for now.

"Auntie, come play with me!!"

"Fine, I'm comin' in!!"

We turn our back, and this is what we find---Ceci doing the sign of the cross, saying "Deesuhs, Deesuhs"

~~Veggie Straws, I heart you
 


~~Oh there are so many more to name, but for now I shall sign off. 

I leave you with something I've posted before, but have reason to again.  Tree of Life is FINALLY coming to South Bend, and we have our tickets!  Do you have yours?

http://performingarts.nd.edu/calendar/view.aspx?id=1657