But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home!

So, I rejoined Weight Watchers a few weeks back because I’m on the edge of 45 and those stinking ten pounds that I gain every year during the holidays somehow turned into fourteen pounds and when Jeff is out of town I tend to eat my anxiety and that anxiety sometimes tastes like grocery store doughnuts and my pants don’t fit.

Anyway, this morning I decided to actually go to a Weight Watchers meeting because I’m paying for this, so why not take advantage of Every Single Opportunity? (Side note: We joined the YMCA over a month ago and I still haven’t gone, mainly because I can’t walk on a treadmill without holding onto the sides, and my Fitbit doesn’t track steps unless my arm is moving, and if the numbers aren’t advancing on my wrist I feel as if I may as well stay home—where I can eat a grocery store doughnut.)

After weighing in (down 2.4 pounds since I rejoined!), I took a seat in the meeting area (back row aisle, as I need to be able to make a run for it because: You Never Know). Less than five minutes later, an older woman and her gentleman friend scooted past me to sit in the middle of the back row.

Older Woman, to her friend: Well, you gotta love new people who sit in your regular seat!

Gentleman Friend: I’m just glad there are enough seats for everyone!

Older Woman: I’m just glad I know that I need to get here earlier next week so I can sit in my chair!

Me, to myself: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle, Plato.

Older Woman: I actually gained four pounds this week because my husband retired!

Gentleman Friend: Is he force feeding you?

Older Woman: HE MAY AS WELL BE! This chair is so uncomfortable.

Me, to myself: Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind, Henry James. Also, no one has ever become poor by giving, Anne Frank.

Me, to the Older Woman: I’m so sorry. This is my first week here. Am I sitting in your chair? I’m more than happy to move.

Older Woman: My name’s not on the chair. You can sit wherever you want.

Me, to myself: We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars, Oscar Wilde.

On Sunday, I finished a project that had been on needles since July of 2010.

MnCO3

Yesterday I finished a project that had been on needles since September of 2012.

"It's the Berries!"

Next up? I think I may tackle the scarf that has been taking up needles since September of 2008.

Secret Garden

Would you mind if I sat in your chair? ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

17 thoughts on “But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home!”

  1. I wish I could let WW work for me. I know it works, but something about it makes me resist like mad. I’m attending a mindfulness class surrounding my eating soon – 6 weeks of learning how to own it. And now I want a donut too!

    You’re knitting looks incredible and your mindfulness is to be admired.

  2. I don’t remember what kind of fitbit you have, but if you can attach it to your shoe it’ll count your steps on a treadmill!

  3. It’s so hard to remember to be kind, especially to ourselves. Thank you for the reminder, I needed it!

  4. Lovely, I really like the sweater! I just finished an embroidered tablecloth I started 41 yes 41 years ago. I started it right after I got married.

  5. She’s just a little passive aggressive.

    Look at you finishing up those projects! They’re beautiful.

  6. I cannot go to a public WW meeting. I’ve had success At Work or on-line, but sitting with people I don’t know and listening to their emotional food memories upsets me. If someone cries, I have been known to stand up and leave.

    http://youtu.be/RUFT35S7Jb4

    I am a horrible person. But I’ve lost 50 drama-free pounds since mid-September.

  7. First of all, Dooley^ Wowza — way to go, you!!

    Second of all — that scarf is simply spectacular!!!

    Third (and possibly final) of all — I simply cannot get my head around how you manage to get your head around the complications of those beautiful patterns. You would have to lock me in a sound-roof room and I would have to write down/check off each stitch taken and repeatedly refer to the instructions for forthcoming next steps. Clearly you are a wizard!

  8. Kudos to you for not responding to the bitchery of that woman in kind. I disagree with those who say get there early and sit in the same chair — that will make you feel bad. Look around next time for someone who looks kind and sit next to them. The old woman can make herself miserable at someone else’s expense.

    Very cool to see you finished some stellar knitting projects! Please do take a picture of you in that cardigan with both sleeves. Puhleeeze. I would love to see it finished.

    Go to the Y. Walk on the treadmill. You will feel SO good that you’ll find you don’t need the Fitbit until you’ve gotten in the groove of walking treadmill without holding on. Just do it. I joined a gym for the first time in my late fifties and was certain that there was something seriously wrong because if I let go I had to grab the sides again right away. I didn’t want people looking at the dumb old lady who couldn’t manage to WALK by herself. I wanted to quit. Luckily I had a trainer who said to hang on as long as I needed to and maybe one of these days I could let go. It took me forever but then one day I just let go and never went back. You build up your stamina and balance and get the feel of it in your own time. Do it. You’ll be sad if you let that hold you back.

    Also, I joined WW online because I will never be okay going to meetings. Ever. I wanted to lose twenty pounds. It was so easy I lost twenty five, and have maintained that for four years. Find what makes you feel best.

  9. Thank you, today the blogging community, you included, is offering me reassurance and comfort, I’m very grateful. Mel

  10. I have a perfect chair for you. It’s antique, it’s big, it’s fluffy and it’s perfect for planning world domination or logging points.

    The sweater is gorgeous. They all are, really.

    I’m doing a whole 30. Join me.

  11. Love this post, made me smile all the way through.
    I’m trying to shed the 5lbs I gained after the holidays ( go figure, I’m attributing it to the hermit like existence I’ve had since all the cold and snow here), but finding it hard to stay motivated. You were so so gracious to that woman and she was not at all to you.

  12. A while back at church, after we greeted each other, our pastor made us all get up – like 1200 of us – and move to a different seat. I totally dislike passive aggressive – glad you called her on it. Nothing like loving ang encouraging the newbies – gah, our world.

Comments are closed.