The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
So, how’s that giving up sugar thing going?
Maybe you’ve heard it said of people who quit smoking and then think they can have “just one” cigarette for old times: One is too many, a thousand is never enough.
Which explains why frozen yogurt with peanut butter cups on top can lead to cookies and Cadbury and all those other drugs of choice.
But I’ll keep working on it. Because ultimately draining the sugar out of my system seems like a mighty good thing. Anyone else ever tried that? How’s/how’d it going/go?
My good thing this week was finally catching up on four months of bookkeeping that I let slide while I wrote a novel and rested up after writing a novel. It’s amazing how those receipts and credit card statements and bank statements can pile up and reproduce. But now I’m on top of it, and next comes doing the taxes. Woo-hoo! Being an adult is awesome!
How about you guys? What charming little things have you done for yourselves this week?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Care, Self-Pampering, Self-Kindness
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 am
I don’t even know…! I’m working from home today, which is really nice (and rare on this show).
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
I went to the movies even after I got into a fender bender on Wednesday night. Saw There Will be Blood (which was soooo much better than No Country for Old Men) and last night I came to Pittsburgh and hung out with library people and saw David Levithan! Good times.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Lessee…I spent all last weekend with my best friend in the world and blogging partner Ink Johnson. This was only the second time we’d met in person, and it was fun.
Um, Robin, I hope you’re trying to give up sugar altogether. That’s not healthy for your body or your mind. Eventually you’ll crack. Trust me.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 am
I don’t know! This week was one of those stressful ones! I am hoping that I can relax and do something nice this weekend. Maybe go see a movie or something
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 am
I’ve done some library work this week as well as some schoolwork. Not terribly exciting, but necessary just the same. Today I’m going to make a trip to Barnes and Noble which is always nice! That’s about it.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
* that would be you’re not trying. Made of fail. Sheesh.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
So in January my husband and I gave up any alcohol on weeknights, which is like sugar only with more flavor, and I’ve stuck with it (even though a couple of times I’ve wanted to say, “does one small pretty glass of wine reaaaallly count?”) and it’s felt good. So last week we added (or rather, took away) all processed carbs. Which, I guess is, um, sugar. Oi. Hard. But I think really good and maybe I’ll be more aware of the frozen yogurt with peanut butter cups after this little experiment has come and gone. Isn’t it funny how doing a nice thing for yourself isn’t necessarily fun?
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I have talked about giving up sugar, but for some weird reason it hasn’t happened.
I bought a membership to a place where I have to go and work out regularly. So that’s one of those nice things you do for yourself that is good for you but not necessarily fun.
Last weekend I went on a fun trip with friends. Left the kids with the grandparents! Woo hoo!
I read an entire book. And I only ate a few Girl Scout Cookies. Overall, it has been a great week!
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Ahh. Do you know how much I like to read all of your lists?
Yes, Miri, I’m talking totally sugar-free. I realize there’s sugar everywhere–in yogurt, in jam, in sauces and dressings–but I’m not going to be psycho strict about that. I’m talking about giving up the sweets–chocolate (which I’ve already given up completely for over seven months, so I know I can do that), cookies, frozen yogurt, etc. All those things I know fog up my brain and leave me only wanting more. Sugar is my drug and I accept that. And I’d like to be done with it now, thank you. Except for really, really special occasions like birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, since the desserts that go with those are too incredible to miss.
And by the way, Miri, how fun that you got to hang out with your blogging partner in person! As many of us discovered at the Kidlit Conference last fall, it’s just so nice to be able to talk to each other face to face every now and then. Cool!
Molly, that sounds like a pretty fabulous time–especially hanging out with David Levithan! He’s such a nice guy. Sorry about your fender bender, though. Blech.
Katie A., your little dog must have been so happy to have you at home all day! He must have been confused and thought it was a weekend. Maybe you were confused about that, too. Except for the work part.
Michelle, sounds like a great week! Especially the road trip–it’s good to treat yourself to a getaway every now and then so you can come back happy and refreshed for the kids and husband, don’t you think?
Liz, you are a ROCK. Giving up all processed carbs is so hard–I’ve done that, too. Not doing it right now. Sounds like some general cleanup going on over at the Scanlon house–I’m impressed your husband is in on it, too. That has to make it easier for you, right?
Katie Sis, a trip to the bookstore always qualifies as nice. New books are my other drug of choice.
Shai, too many weeks of reported stress! Not good! Definitely see a movie–a light, happy, chick flickish kind of movie would probably do the trick. And I hope next week will be better for you!
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
So, uh, when is that Kidlit Conference this year?
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Last weekend was not only a long weekend, but spent with friends I haven’t seen in person in years, since they’re from out of the state/country, and we had a BLAST.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 am
Congrats to all for your amazing sense of will power to give up sugar. My thought is life is too short not to indulge once or twice a day (then again, if you hold to reincarnation, maybe life isn’t as short as it seems!). I strive to eat a variety of foods, focus on whole grains, take in fruits and veggies each day, and limit processed items. For now, it works.
It was tough for me to recall a nice thing, as this is about the third week in a row when the girls have been sick with one thing or another. But the nice things happened. It was nice to enjoy Valentine’s chocolates (2 per day!), read essays from Eat, Pray, Love each night before sleep, watch Lost in peace (though “peace” is not usually what I feel when I watch the show), and have dinner and conversation with friends.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Giving up sugar is a good thing, Robin, so stick with it. I did it several years ago…mostly the desserts, cookies, ice cream (although that is also a dairy product problem) etc. Now, every once in awhile, I will have sweets (birthday cakes, etc.) and I can definitely tell that it is not a good thing the next day…
The nice thing I did this week is to slow down and take care of my convelescing husband, which has required me to look at priorities and see that I don’t HAVE to do everything that I have been doing in my life and the world still goes on.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
Patrick, I believe the Kidlit Conference is September 27-28 this year, but I’m not sure if that’s been set in stone. I’ll update y’all as I get that information from Jone, who is hosting it this year. In Portland! Does that mean you’re coming this time? I’d love to see lots of people from the blogosphere there–so much fun.
Little Willow, how great for you! Glad you enjoyed yourself so much.
Kelley, sounds like you’re handling your food needs just fine. Not everyone reacts to sugar the way I do (like a junkie). So sorry your girls are still ill. What’s up with that? But I’m glad you got to watch Lost in peace (although I agree it’s never actually peaceful) so you could look for all the clues. That show requires our intense concentration.
Judy, thanks for the encouragement. Nice to hear from someone who’s kicked the habit. You give me hope. And good luck with your husband’s recovery–I know he gave you all a scare. It’s always so interesting what we realize we can give up when we have to–how crisis really helps refine what does and doesn’t matter. Good luck with all of that.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Aw well I’m sure it’s hard at first! Just keep trying! Also like Miri said it is still ok probably to let your self have some once in a while! Don’t kick it to the curb! or maybe just while your in the transition period you can not have any but once your fairly settled in the schedual you could! ^^ I kinda figured out a major plot point in my book i’m writing and it’s great cus I feel like I can write more from the begining now and can maybe even work out an outline! Plus I was thinking I wasn’t sure if this was the right career choice and stuff and I dunno just basically freaking out! xD so now at least I said to myself I just wanted to finish somthing and find out what happens so I think I can now though I’m sure I’ll get stuck again in a few days…. XD
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Well, I’ve backslid and lost some of the progress I made (or rather, gained some of the regress I lost.. I don’t know). I let moderate success go to my head. But now, I really do need to wean myself of unnecessary sugar and find more ways of eating veggies in ways that are delicious AND don’t require butter/oil. I hate it that I’m even struggling with something so mundane. There is very little that is more boring to me than talking about exercise, health and diet. And yet, here I am.
Nice things: I averted my eyes from your recent posts because I have yet to watch the latest Lost, but I believe I shall watch it tonight! I also worked in the front and back yards this morning. Last year was all about breaking ground and reclaiming space to grow things. This year is about seeing what’s managed to establish itself, and plant things with something of a plan.
Do squirrels eat rhubarb? Some dumb bunny is gnawing at my rhubarb so that it doesn’t have a chance to grow.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Dylan, as always, best of luck with all of your writing! And you’re right: finishing is the key. A hundred percent of the books you see on the shelf were finished. Lots of people can start their novels, but only a small portion can finish. Be part of that small portion.
Alkelda, I know what you mean about it feeling boring to talk about exercise, health, and diet. And yet it preoccupies so many of our minds! Good luck with your own adventures in sugarlessness. I’m on day 2 (again), and feel pretty good.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I hope I can! e_e Thank you for the support Robin!
I feel like your kind of a writing mentor for me so thanks for keeping me going! ^_^ *hug* Also I finished a book that’s taken me forever to finish, and I can’t wait to report it on Tuesday! You will be very proud of me! 
February 24th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Thanks, Robin…he is actually doing quite well now…and helping me, too, in that he has to walk three times a day and I get to go with him. In another week or so we will be up to a mile twice a day. That CAN’T hurt me…