  Well, my baby girl is on her first overnighter and it happens to be with her Brownie Troop. I'm missing her. It's funny, but as I drove away, I had a physical ache in my gut for her. I love that child beyond my own understanding, even.
What a great blessing she is in my life. Before I left her today, I did all the mom things - "remember to listen well, be careful, behave, brush your teeth tonight, take your medicine (her asthma inhaler) and most of all, remember where I'll be. " She said, "I know, Momma. In my heart. " I almost cried. We pulled up behind them at a stop sign and she turned around waving and blowing kisses. J and I did the same back to her. I know she's having a wonderful time and that her Scout leaders will take good care of her.
In fact, they might be in bed by now. It's almost 9:30 p.m. here. She has her little pink unicorn to sleep with, a new slumber bag and a small pillow from the sofa (because the zoo is on the side of a mountain and her backpack was full. They are using backpacks, then carry their slumber or sleeping bags and a pillow. I was able to fit the small pillow into her backpack, so it will be easier for her to hike up the mountain side.
J is working on his bike, getting it all ready for the ride tomorrow. His friend is picking him up at 3:15 a.m. now. So, I won't see much of him until.....shoot, who am I kidding? He's going to be so tired, I'm sure we won't really have a chance to "see" each other (talk a bit) until his next day off. Plus, his surgery is on Wednesday. Then I'll see so much of him the week or two he's home, I'm sure I'll want to strangle him!
lol. Today, as I was reading posts in my e-mail group, it occurred to me that all the healthy eating in the world won't get you very far if you don't exercise. Now I'm not saying you don't have to eat healthy. I'm not even saying you don't have to eat healthy most of the time. You do. But I am saying that it will only take you so far if you don't exercise, too. These are things I've really known all along - at least since I last lost weight - but apparently needed reminding of this time around.
A dear friend of mine has lost 50 pounds and is now 4 years at goal! Do you realize how rare it is for someone to keep the weight off this long? She's remarkable and an inspiration to us all. And how does she maintain her weight? How does she eat right all the time? Well, she manages the first part by exercising daily. The second one, she does most of the time because you must in order to keep it off.
But, no one is perfect. She makes up for any slack in healthy eating with the exercise. That really seems to be the key. Then we can look at "what is healthy eating? " I think that depends on each person. For some, low carbing works best. For another, it's low fat. Our body chemistries are all so different, it just depends on what your body needs you to do to make it drop weight. And we learn that by trial and error. But one thing is the same for everyone - in order to lose and keep off your weight, you must both eat healthy and exercise.
Now, if only I can put it into action! Sigh....... 
