Well, I'm back to reality. Back from Las Vegas where buffets are cheaper than eating a meal at a restaurant. Back from the family BBQ over the 4th of July, where the homemade food is always good. Back to work where there is rarely a dull moment. Back to recording my food and blogging.

Today has been busy. I didn't mean to skip breakfast, but because certain things needed my attention, I did not get a chance to grab something to eat until 12:00. I had planned at 0900 to get some fresh fruit, but that was stopped by 2 phone calls, and a visit to one of the floors to sort out a problem, followed by another person stopping by my office to file another concern, followed by another phone call with another concern.

I did step on the scale and was "ok" with my weight. Since my Las Vegas vacation and the family BBQ, I did not expect to lose weight (but I did hope for it). I would say, my behavior was reasonable during those times. So I did lose a smidge which is better than gaining. But I think the hot dog and cheesecake from yesterday's family BBQ may come at me down the road. I left all of that good stuff at my sister-in-laws house and took the fresh fruit salad back with me.

I should work out tonight, but I'm not sure I'll be able. Summer is such a busy time. This Saturday, my niece is turing 4 and having her party (easy for me to avoid the cake, but hard to resist the ice cream). That will be followed by a trip to Wendover on July 13th. My sister-in-law and my brother-in-law are both having gastric bypass surgery. They want to have one last trip to the buffet and slot machines before they make this big change. My sister-in-law is having her surgery on 20th of July. My brother-in-law will have his on the 26th (as long as everything goes well with the first surgery).

Then July 14th is my husband's birthday (another celebration with food). But he wants some healthy things for his birthday dinner. He wants orange chicken, brocolli with cheese sauce, pilaf and devils food cake.

July 15th, picnic up in Millcreek Canyon to celebrate all the family July's birthday.

July 24th, another holiday for the state, but I do not celebrate.

July 25th, my daughter's birthday (but she doesn't know what she wants for her birthday dinner).

August 9-13 - Ooodles of relatives will be decending on my home for a baptism. All (and that is about 4 adults and 5 kids) will be staying with me. This will be stressful for me. This will be a lot of work for me. This will cost me a lot of $$$ and time.

August 17-19 - camping trip.

August 21 - my birthday
August 22 - my son's birthday

And some where in the next 2 months, I need to go to San Diego to visit my mom. She's been bugging me about it and I really should go. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed with all the celebrations.

Celebrations are great when you can just sit back and enjoy. But for me, they generally include a lot of planning, work and time. Getting to enjoy the celebration is usually not possible because I'm too busy cooking, cleaning, or just making sure that everyone has what they need. My husband tries to help, but there is only so much he do. If we take everyone out to a meal, we usually have to pay for everyone to eat. So that costs me $$$. And I still have to do extra laundry, and extra housework with having guests. You add up all the extras into the normal things I do (like gardening, paying the bills, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, going to work, etc) and it is easy for me to see how I can be overwhelmed.

It is a mixed blessing to have family to celebrate good things. Good to celebrate, but a lot of work.

So, perhaps I will be able to get to the gym today for a quick workout. I still need to get gas and go to the store and get some food to cook for dinner tonight. I'm going to try the Practically Perfect Picnic Salad and some cucumber sandwiches. Both are very easy to make and my kitchen will stay cool.