Birthday Brunch

My family (my parents, siblings, daughters and grandchildren) were waiting for us when we arrived at Mimi's Cafe. They were already seated at a table for 20. I sat in the middle of the table and enjoyed conversing with everyone. My grandson, Vincent, sat on one side of me and my husband sat on the other side.

I had ordered an orange juice, but after one sip I knew it would not be good for me to drink on an empty stomach. I asked the waiter to exchange it for apple juice. He thought he had made a mistake and brought back the apple juice in a large pilsner glass (the kind beer or perhaps a parfait are served in). Everyone teased me about drinking early in the day : )

Those of us following Weight Watchers talked about what we would order. I had the egg white omelet with a low fat blueberry muffin. Mmmm, mmm! The muffin was delicious. They serve the muffin first and all my hungry grandchildren were watching it arrive. I cut it up and shared it with all of them. I didn't even miss what I gave away.

After we ate, out came some presents. The first one was from Isabele. She is 5 and was so excited to give me the gift she had made for me. It was a beautiful beaded necklace. She said she had worked very hard on it : ) I put it on and wore it all day.

Next came a gift bag from my parents that contained, among other things, a wallet on a shoulder strap (I'm sure there is a proper name for them). It was leather and contained cash inside. My sister gave me a card that also included cash. My daughter, Emily, handed me some more cash before we left the restaurant. It (the cash) was for our afternoon adventure !

The waiter returned with a birthday surprise ... a huge piece of chocolate pie with lots of whipped cream on top. My family sang happy birthday to me and I decided to take a small bite then pass the pie around. Everyone who wanted to, got a bite of it.

I am very thankful that I'm no longer obsessed with food like I used to be. In the past I wouldn't have even thought of sharing my muffin or my pie with anyone else. On this day, it was actually freeing to let it go!

At one point during the brunch I took several of the kids to the bathroom. They got to giggling and talking so loud (plus it was echoing) I tried to shush them and thought people would be looking at us when we came out. Many eyes did turn toward us. One lady spoke up and said they were all so cute. I told her they were my grandchildren. She said I was very lucky. That I am.... blessed, that is.

Finishing Touches

My daughter, Emily, arrived at my house on Saturday morning. She gave me a refreshing facial and then opened her Mary Kay color book (full of samples) and we picked out my make-up for the day. We finished just in time to leave for the first stop on my birthday.

Getting Pampered

Nicole and I both had pedicures. We sat side by side in our massaging chairs. We had the works done to our feet and legs. It was the first time I had sea salt added and also the hot stones applied. I could get used to this! I was delighted to have my odd toenail cut down and reshaped so that it looked just like a regular toenail. We chose the same color of polish and both had a decorative flower added to our big toes : )

For our manicures we were split up. Mine was started first. I didn't expect to have my arms massaged as well (and for quite a long time). Ahhh, I was very relaxed and felt like a princess by the time we left. All I needed were some pretty glass slippers.

Happy Birthday Eve

Interestingly, I wasn't dreading turning another decade older ... even if this was going to be the BIG "5 -0." My family was determined to celebrate it to the hilt. They talked it up for months and made secretive plans.

Friday, July 2, I received my first acknowledgment. My brother wished me an early happy birthday via Facebook and told me that the fireworks this year were celebrating our country AND me. How sweet : )

My daughter, Nicole, treated me to a manicure and a pedicure on Friday night.

Made Me Smile

This morning I remembered a motto I read (I think it was on the Vita Tops website) "No Ifs, Ands ... But Smaller Butts!"

Life Goes On Around Me

It's 12:14 AM. My son and his girlfriend are baking a cake in the kitchen. I can smell it now. Time to go to bed and apply the Vicks under my nose!

Honesty

It's time for me to bring this to the light. I've been experiencing eating binges at night for several nights in a row. Not a good thing and I don't want to "cover it up" any longer.

WHY I've had the restless sensations and tried to eat them away is a mystery to me right now. I intend to take time to journal my thoughts and emotions over the last few days (if I can remember them all : )

I refuse to drop off this journey I've been on. I am reminded that this is not a sprint, it's a marathon. There will be days like this ... I shouldn't be surprised. And I will not allow myself to feel ashamed.

It is not really about the food. It is more about my thoughts and ignoring my emotions. Ugh ... funny, how thoughts and emotions can present more of an obstacle to me than the actual food. I never would have believed it.