We got back from Houston last night and I go to DC tomorrow, but it's the last day of November and I am determined to get one more update out before December punches us in the face with its sparkles and joy.
(To be clear, I LOVE being punched in the face with sparkles and joy.)
When we left off it was way too hot in Dallas for mid-November, Cora had just turned 12, and things were pretty solidly fine.
(I had to do a faux TV fireplace while we decorated our tree a couple nights ago because it was way too hot for a real one.)
But today it is finally cold out (I'm wearing my coziest sweatpants, sweatshirt, and fuzzy socks while typing in front of a partially open window because this is my happiest combination), Cora is still 12, and things are also pretty solidly fine!
I celebrated a dear friend's birthday by going to a new restaurant with the best gluten-free pizza I've had yet (
Perch!) and then staying out past my bedtime at a nearby bar club place I'd never heard of because I am usually in my cozy clothes before it opens.
It was a good time! I have gotten to know some really fantastic people - particularly professional women - since moving to Dallas 3 years ago and I love any time I get to spend with them.
In other me-related news, I have an exciting new opportunity at work that I'll be pitching for this week while I'm in DC. I love my new firm so much- I've been so busy and I love it.
I just really like my job and I love being able to do it.
Not really related, but it appears I'm in my maxi skirt era. These are all fall versions. The sparkly one above is a vintage Alice & Olivia find I scored on The Real Real and the other two are TJ Maxx finds over the years with my mom.
On to the children!
Landon had his senior night at his last high school dual meet.
He's talking to several Division I college coaches right now. It's such an exciting, mildly crazy time. Recruiting is so different now from when James and I were going through it... he's done a great job navigating it. He has a meet next weekend that is his final opportunity to qualify for Nationals the next weekend where every coach he has been talking to will be in the stands to watch and make offers.
No pressure.
Claire is doing well. She has her permit and is my driver on all local errands. I pay in the occasional Starbucks and lots of quality time.
Cora was DELIGHTED to sleep in our room for a few nights while her room was undergoing a few projects.
We designed some built-in shelves and a desk, her walls were being repainted, and her bathroom was getting a few personalized touches like a new mirror and light fixture. Cora didn't change anything about the room when we moved in 3 years ago and now she was finally ready to... use the exact same paint color the original owners used. My sweet girl does NOT like change. But the room looks great and I can't wait to finish arranging it!
As I think I've noted before I promised Landon zero vacations before March this year so that he doesn't have to miss any practice in this final push of college recruiting.
So our Thanksgiving was a little different this year.
My parents spent the last month in New Zealand and Australia and only got home a few days ago. We decided to do a belated Thanksgiving (which was actually a delicious spread of bbq and sides because that's what the kids voted on) at their house over the weekend. We left Friday morning and got back last night.
Maggie got to meet her new dog cousin (my brother's recently adopted gigantic chocolate lab), my kids got to play with their tiny cousins, and we all got to catch up with my parents and brother and family. It was lovely.
On actual Thanksgiving we enjoyed a lazy day at home, went to see Zootopia 2 (which was very good! recommend), decorated the tree, and played cards.
(Landon felt the garland also needed some ornaments. He wasn't wrong.)
Our meal (again, kids' choice) was a charcuterie spread at home and then we watched Home Alone.
It was pretty great actually. For Christmas my entire family is coming to stay at our house, so it won't exactly be low key, but we aren't traveling! It's going to be so fun with all the cousins, I can't wait.
So that's where we are!
In a brief bit of blogging introspection, I'll note that I'm definitely not working out as much as I probably should be. I do my steep incline walk almost every day, but I haven't done yoga or stretched or anything else that is undeniably good for me in forever. I lift weights in my room maybe once a week. I'd like to make it at least 3. A glass of wine at the end of the day is something I love more than I wish I did. I should eat more protein and I definitely need more fiber (going gluten-free makes that harder). I don't know. I recently learned that basically everyone I know is on GLP-1's, so maybe that's the secret? Every day I feel torn between the disciplined me I wish I was and the one who found some incredible gluten-free cookies I now keep in the freezer (
Trouvi! if you're in Dallas) and for some reason feel I deserve most days for just, you know, living this life I genuinely love. I sat at my desk for 72 straight hours last weekend and finished my photo books, which feels like a lifetime achievement award every time I manage it, and my house is sparkly and my husband, kids, and pets are good so I don't know, on balance I feel pretty good. Even if under-fibered and mildly squishy.
And that's the deep thoughts without conclusions we're left with on the last day of November! Pressing publish and getting back to the sparkles, Christmas shopping, work prepping, and packing!
Happy Thanksgiving! Chiming in to say I'm so impressed with how you balance your career with family and have been a memory making machine the last few years before L heads off to college. Bravo!
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DeleteI hear you on the GLP-1s. I know of several friends who have done them for 10-15 vanity pounds and it looks so effective and so tempting that several more friends plan on trying them. My sister has been on them for almost a year (for vanity pounds only) and she says she will stay on the lowest half-does she is taking forever unless there are health concerns that pop up. It looks effortless and amazing. I have competing feelings about this.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has tried so many things to lose weight (even a nutritionist and all that macro counting and nothing works. Her doctor prescribed a GLP-1 and the insurance company denied it since she didn't "pay for a weight loss program". Hers are not even vanity pounds. I would love to try it as well, but taking it forever isn't something I am willing to do.
DeleteFloura bars are gluten free and an excellent source of fiber. They are stupidly expensive but.... I really like them and they have half your daily fiber in one bar so I think they are worth it.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your updates and like many I am impressed by what all you manage to do Between a rewarding career, family, and everything else. You may have no interest at all, but I absolutely love Peloton app workouts. They have great “hikes” You can do on a treadmill that are crazy, challenging and fun. Their strength classes have been the first time in my life. I have actually enjoyed strength training. Signed, someone else tempted by GLP 1s but sticking to training and diet right now
ReplyDeleteOh I really appreciate this discussion about weight loss meds. I am in the same boat most, but technically a little bit overweight (but strong!) but I spend so much mental energy on eating decently. I would so love to be free of this.
DeleteI'm against GLP1's for vanity weight, but could be that I think I would look worse with more weight off. I've seen friends go through dramatic weight loss (who did not need to) and it is just not the look I want for myself. Too many bones and veins sticking out. It's okay to be squishy and healthy. You look beautiful and fit. Also, it's so refreshing to meet women over 40 who actually eat and enjoy delicious food.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage you to remain active as much as you can since that is going to have a much bigger impact on your long-term health than losing 10 "vanity" lbs, though I certainly understand the impulse. Also, with respect to the nightly wine, IMO if this is something that you are resisting giving up or find you really really want, maybe that's a signal to stop. GLP-1s for vanity lbs seems crazy to me, but you know what's also nuts? Competing with other women about body size at age 45. Lift some weights and cut the wine and you'll be hotter without becoming a sack of osteoporotic bones with $500 extra in your pocket from the money you'll save not taking a GLP-1.
ReplyDeleteHow did Landon’s meet go? Did he make nationals??
ReplyDeleteHe got it!!! It was crazy. He missed it in his best event (100 fly) by 0.04 seconds. Then, in the last heat of the last event of the meet, at 8 pm last night (Sunday) he dropped nearly half a second in the 50 free (which is so much in such a short race) and made the cut by 0.02! He's so excited. I cried. He leaves for the meet tomorrow!
DeleteThat’s wonderful. I hope he does well!
DeleteCongratulations to Landon and I hope all goes well at the nationals.
DeleteAgree to the commenters saying you look fit and all. I actually had to look up what GLP-1s are, maybe the hype just hasn’t arrived in my part of the world (Europe) yet. So these are oral supplements, not jabs am I correct. Anyways, I‘ve started reading your blog when you first appeared on best of both worlds, and I am so happy to observe that you seem to be in a very happy and comfortable place right now.
That is so exciting!!! Signed, a fellow swim mom who understands how big of a deal it is to drop 0.5s in a 50free! Must have been the perfect race.
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