"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, February 28, 2011

Monday and the birthday hangover!


Live Like an Eighty Year Old ... Or someone celebrating their birthday to much!

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a tall, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn’t believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven’t fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven’t played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.."

With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!



While the above is true - the real truth is MODERATION.

While eating like above would be awesome - as I have problems with self control of food - I did this the whole month of February. And it was too much.

Okay girl, my birthday celebration is over - I think I've celebrated every day since Valentine's Day this month. And I have birthday - food - weight - sugar - hangover. So I threw away the rest of my delicious cake my daughter bought me and some left over Valentine candy and I am starting back on the wagon today - now!

Moderation of all things - to me that is the secret of life. And while I KNOW this - the real answer is to not only KNOW it - it is to DO IT. And that is what I am working on - putting moderation into practice.

Have a piece of cake every once in awhile - but a small one (you should have seen what I ate last night) - and not every day - like I have done this month.

And my GS's birthday party is this week - so my goal is at his party - have fun - and eat in moderation.

Love,
moderately, Chatty

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.
- Abraham Maslow

(I have added the tool of moderation to my group of other tools). lol

25 comments:

Southhamsdarling said...

Oh Chatty, Chatty, where do you get all those gorgeous photos of glamourous women???!!! I've even made one of them as my profile piccie on facebook! What a brilliant story about Jim - brilliant! It did make me smile, and, boy, did he have the right idea!! Still, I suppose that's alright if you are 80 but for us that are just a tad (!) younger than that, I guess, as you say, we have to eat things in moderation, and TRY to be good.

SparkleFarkel said...

Octagenarians most definitely say it best! With that being spelled out for me, I'm having ice cream for breakfast! (<--a new-to-me Ben and Jerry's flavour my daughter stocks the freezer with, that of which I said I'd never get around to treating my tongue buds to!)

Thanks! This read was marvelous!

Melanie said...

That's a cute little story. :)
Yes, we have to use moderation, but we also need to take time to smell the flowers and taste the new flavor of ice cream.
Hope you have a great week. ♥

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Dude, you should've mailed me that cake! ;-)
Sounds like you've had an excellent time of celebration!

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

Hi Sandie, words of wisdom, moderation. Although very hard to do when it comes to desserts.

After reading Jim's story, now I'm inspired to do something fun, like going for that walk to Placita Olvera I've been putting off.

betty said...

totally forgot, Sandie, Happy (belated) birthday! I hope you had a good day yesterday with it!! I am with you on the moderation thingy; started back afresh today and I'm going to remember that word "moderation"! We can do this!!!

betty

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh Sandie I agree...moderation! I've been celebrating a lot also and it wasn't even my birthday...just yours!!! LOL...back on the sugar wagon we go. Love ya! Linda

Unknown said...

well i guess i don't need to wish you a happy birthday cause it sounds like you had one of those. but i woul like to wish you a happy belated birthday! and a wonderful year ahead filled with all that you want it to be filled with!!!!

Jane said...

I had to laugh at this one! He has the right idea. I just hope there's time for everything.lol Blessings jane

Anonymous said...

WOW - I loved this post! Like they say "Life is short eat dessert first". Such a wise post and really made me think.

I am on Weight Watchers and yes, everything in moderation. Except for birthdays!

Thanks for the wisdom!

Susan said...

Hi Sandie! Moderation is hard, hard, hard. I know how you feel. Lack of moderation hangovers are hard, hard, hard, too!

Hope you are having a great day. Take care. Susan

Sharon said...

Love Jim's philosophy. My dad, who will be 81 tomorrow, has type 2 diabetes. But he cheats. I ask him why he does it - he says basically the same thing. Gotta enjoy life, too, once in awhile!!

Hope you had the BEST birthday ever! You certainly deserve it.

Best of wishes as you jump back on the Moderation Wagon -

Keep that first picture on your fridge - that would make me lose my appetite - just sayin'

GOD BLESS!

MadSnapper said...

if you walk 2 hours a day you can eat whatever you want and it will not harm you or put any weight on you. of course you might be in hospital from exhaustion, but that is ok, they serve terrible food.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Now you know WHY O go to the Y!....:)JP...P.S. I like Jim!

Cindy Caudle said...

This month I have forgotten what the definition of moderation. I have been on a "See" diet. If I see it, I eat it. I am going to join you on the bandwagon and start to practice moderation. Love the pictures of the older ladies you post. Cindy

Ginny Hartzler said...

Well, moderation is very good, healthy and what we should do, but just no fun!

Whosyergurl said...

Sandie, I'm doing no sugar/no flour again. I did it last spring for 2 months and lost 24 lbs. It works! sugar free kisses, Cheryl

tattytiara said...

This is my year of wearing orange. It occurred to me that I've never worn orange in my life, and now I'm making up for lost time. It's wonderful, and best of all I don't have to do it in moderation!

jeanmac said...

What a story of inspiration. Sorry to have missed your BD but belated wishes.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

gee,, did i miss your birthday too?
where have i been?
love
tweedles

The Boston Lady said...

Sandie, I loved this! I have been trying to enjoy life a little bit more too, but also realize that moderation is the key! You always hit the nail on the head and have the most appropriate quotes! Ann

Granny Annie said...

Ron has always insisted that we can give the grandchildren strawberry ice cream and cookies for breakfast. It contains dairy and fruit and grain just like cereal.

Tanna said...

I have declared myself back on the moderation wagon as of yesterday, too, Sandie. I do love the idea of Jim's plan... but, it makes me really feel like crap, the food hangover. I enjoy it while I am indulging... then I feel the after effects. Ugh. Wagon time! Forward ho!

Unknown said...

I love your Jim! Happy birthday again Sandie!

Annesphamily said...

I love that woman! she is so REAL!