Holiday Choices

Busy day planned as I get ready for the invasion of “the girls” as hubby calls the upcoming visit from Belinda and 3 of her friends from North Carolina.  They are scheduled to arrive sometime tomorrow.  I am excited to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter.  Of course this Thanksgiving trip conjures memories of her last Thanksgiving trip to NJ including an expected trip to the ER for an emergency surgery to remove her leaking appendix.  This is a shorter trip, so keep us in prayer that there are no trips to the ER.

My first instinct is to go into Vacation Veronica mode…. you know the one.  The holidays are here, surrounded by family and who wants to work, right?  It was great when I worked for someone else, I could take time off and work didn’t suffer.  The truth is, in direct sales what you do today will effect your business 90 days from now.  Scary thought, huh?  I don’t want to be scrambling in 90 days for bookings or worrying about meeting goals; I want to continue the steady path that I am on now.  So, I am being smart about this holiday… I am scheduling hours to work my business so that I can enjoy Thanksgiving Day in NY with the girls and tine with hubby.  I am fighting Vacation Veronica mode even if it means getting up at 5AM before and after the holiday.  It will be so worth it.

When Vacation Veronica pays a visit not only is work effected but also our eating habits (or at least mine).  Last week at Weight Watchers, we did the PLATE.  It is a visual that show just how many points (or calories) are in each of the items that we eat over Thanksgiving.  Let’s be honest – do the mashed potatoes taste any different on Thanksgiving then any other day of the year?  You can have biscuits anytime, right?  So, if you are watching your weight, you have a decision to make:

1. Am I going to eat everything I want and not worry about the scale?  If so, enjoy.
2. Am I going to eat the things that I really enjoy and hold off on the things that I can have everyday?
3. Am I going to eat a little bit of everything, just smaller amounts, until I am full but not stuffed

Which of those best describe you?  Well, this is Week 1 of being back on program at Weight Watchers.  It has been a definite eye opener for me on how easy old habits creep back into our life.  So, since I am cooking this year and we are having our holiday meal on Wednesday, I think I will choose #2.  I will enjoy the things that I don’t have every day including my Tofurkey (the vegetarian version of stuffed turkey) with some gravy and LOTS of veggies.  I know that Thanksgiving Day will be filled with lots of walking and dinner out in NY after the parade so I want to save my points so I can enjoy the day.

Are you embracing Vacation Veronica this week or are you only allowing her a SHORT visit?  Whatever you decide, enjoy the moment and don’t beat yourself up.  Embrace the choices that you make, enjoy and jump back into work or your weight loss program the next day.

It is time to go bake a pumpkin pie and pick up cookies from Jersey Cookie Girl.…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#holidaychoices

#Thanksgivingblessings

NYC Bound

Happy Saturday!  As you are reading this, I am off to spend the day with an AMAZING woman – my mom!  I know that everyone out there is thinking, I have an amazing mom too, right?  Or are you wondering what makes her so amazing?

When I was growing up, our house was the go to place.  You know the one where everyone wanted to hang out but ME!  Friends could crash in the rec room, food was always available for snacking and I could call at a moments notice to say a bunch of friends were coming home with me.   The word “no” was seldom heard.  I mean how many parents would serve breakfast for over 300 kids in their home the morning AFTER the Junior Prom?  Mine did!  When I was in college, we spent a lot of time together.  This was when my parents were divorcing and mom struggled with health issues and financially but she was always there for me.  Our relationship changed slightly when I moved to the Atlantic City area and began what would be a time of personal growth coupled with struggles.  But through the trials, she was there.  Okay, did I think she made me crazy – YES!  The truth was, no matter what she would always be there for me.

Fast forward to my 4 month stint of bed rest when I was pregnant with Belinda and Belinda the early years.  We had moments of conflict and there were struggles but mom was always there.  My addiction was hard for her to understand.  My life choices were hard for her to accept.  Through it all, she was there to help financially and emotionally when I needed her.  Did we fight? YES!  Did we not talk at times? Yes! Did I shut her out? Yes! No matter what she was always there to lend a hand, from taking care of Belinda to paying for  necessities AND vacations.  I know, you are thinking – isn’t that what a mom is supposed to do?  I was blessed with a mom of unconditional love.   How many people can say that?

Today, we are headed to NY for a mother-daughter day.  Taking a bus trip to see a show and just spend the day together walking and enjoying the sights and sounds of NY.  Mom lives only 1 hour from me now but life continues to get in the way.  We hardly spend any time together now.  Yes, things have changed.  I am married, work a part-time and have a full-time business.  We talk about making time for each other but the plans don’t always fall into place.

Over the last weeks, I have had some AHA moments and realized that taking time for those we love is important.  The holidays this year are NOT about the presents under the tree, they are about spending time with those we love.  Today is devoted to MOM.  Thank you for always being there, for our struggles helped to shape me, and your unconditional love has guided me through the years.

Share about your AMAZING Mom.  If she is close, make sure you hug her and spend time with her.  If she isn’t, reach out and make a DATE to share those moments together.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!