Everyday a little more

Progress, people! Progress is happening. I'm still losing weight, still racking up those 10k steps a day, still attempting to squeeze in as much exercise during the day as possible. I told Ed, I feel like I'm perpetually sweaty. I don't believe that will change at any point in the near future, what with munchkin moving faster every day. I should get extra caloric credit on my Fitbit for not only getting in my 10 flights of stairs a day, but 10 flights while carrying almost 20lbs up and down. Side note - if you're a fitbit user, please friend me! One of my friends is dusting me by 20k steps this week, and it just makes me try harder so let's help each other out with some healthy competition.

I'd just like to make progress at a slightly faster pace so I can go back to wearing all those nice clothes I bought before. And by nice, I mean, not leggings and not flowing shirts. I hate leggings. When I think about being pregnant again, I dread all the stretchy clothes. I've never felt like 'forgiving' clothes looked or felt very good. By the end of the day they were always over stretched and sagging. That's not my bag baby. Bring me jeans and cotton shirts. It may not be fancy, but it's what I love. Caveat - athletic clothing. I do enjoy wearing my running clothes and yoga pants. But! I would argue that they are not forgiving. Comfortable yes, but concealing? Not in the least. Either way. Give me liberty to wear my jeans or bring me... nudity? Death seems extreme.

I've made a bargain that I won't allow myself to go to the Gilroy Outlets until I drop the weight again. I cannot wait. I'm hoping by Christmas time I'll have made some serious progress and can maybe allow myself an early visit? Maybe? :)

In the mean time, I'm still trying to get back into reading, writing and my general hobbies. I'm currently reading Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan and My Wish List by Gregoire Delacourt and truly enjoying both immensely. My Wish List is a French book that I just happened to grab when it caught my eye. In truth, it looked about the right length for what I can manage to read these days (a slim 163 page paperback). I was actually about to poll Facebook for a book that was in the same vein as Shopgirl by Steve Martin (one of my all time favorites). The universe must have read my mind when it sent me this piece. I'll let you know more when I finish it. Also, seriously, if you have books in mind similar to Shopgirl, send those recommendations my way!

Gardening is coming along. Damn caterpillars are trying to invade again, but I'm showing them zero sympathy this time around.

Currently, there are beautiful flowers in the community garden I'm loving. I feel my day get brighter just looking at them.

I'm back in the kitchen, making real effort to try new things. I'm making new baby foods, cooking chicken in new ways (spatchcock), and trying new vegetables in our weekly meal plans. It feels good to eat fresh made foods again and roll back the take out and frozen foods.

With golden beets, carrots and sweet potato

We visited a local pumpkin patch that had a petting zoo set up. Because I'm a terrible mother, I took pictures of the baby goats - but not of my own daughter in the pumpkin patch. Priorities, right? Ah well. Can't win 'em all.

 This year I went for a bit more adventurous pumpkin design. Last year, my mom had us dress up like minions for Halloween, so I thought I would honor her efforts by attempting the minion form. I think it turned out alright for an amateur hand! Ed did the work on his and Munchkin's.

A coworker of Ed's constantly brings in persimmons and no one wants to take them. Before you say, but Carly, persimmons are delicious! Let me tell you, these are NOT the delicious kind. These are the apple like kind, that are only good for cutting up and eating like an apple. And they aren't as tasty as apples. So when you get a bag of 40 of them or so, what do you do? Paint pumpkin faces on them!

It was Ed's idea, I can't take any credit. I think they look so cute and spooky. God, I love Halloween. I can't wait for you guys to see Elise all dressed up. She doesn't have a costume per se, but she's got something planned. I'm definitely taking her grocery shopping in it. :) Until then!