I do not like Halloween. To me its not a holiday that provides a healthy, encouraging entertainment nor an inspiring heart for living tomorrow.

Its full of witches and goblins, monsters and blood. Ghosts and vampires. The underworld of witchcraft and paganism.

It adds humor and silliness to a demonic, wicked spiritual world to neutralize its emphasis on evil and death.

I find it incongruent to my life as a christian, a follower of Christ.

But yes, we open the door to little ones with masks and costumes and pass out candy and “trick or treats” which share the gospel of Jesus along with a few puzzles for fun.

Its the attempt to light a candle in a dark and windy world on Halloween.

For a number of years I would dress up like an elf, put christmas lights on my door, have christmas music playing in the doorway and I would hand out Candy Canes. “Merry Christmas!” I would say to those sweet little faces when they held out their hollow plastic pumpkins full of candy. It confused them, I’m sure. But it was my way of providing entertainment and treats with a reminder of a different holiday that makes total sense and embraces life and the worship of the Giver of Life instead of the entertainment of death and fear.

Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Although I’ve lost only about 13 pounds, I’m frequently asked by friends about my weight loss method.

I explain that I’ve been walking and working out.

And then they ask about diets and food consumption.

Numbers don’t make sense to me when it comes to food. Oh, I know that food is assessed based on calories, fat grams, sodium, etc. But while I know I should eat 1200-1500 calories a day, keeping track is a hassle.

Weight watchers points is another good system but again, more numbers to track. A hassle for my brain.

I like to do what I call portion control. For me its anti-gluttonist. Self-control.

I like eating 5 times a day. And I like eating smaller portions.

I saw a plate portion picture once that made sense to me. It was a visual for eating portions that connected with my visual brain instead of the numbers of calories. It was called 3 Hour Diet. A smaller plate was used instead of a dinner plate. On the plate was a rubrik’s cube, a deck of cards, 3 DVD cases and a water cap.

Deck of cards= protein. Usually for me, a meat portion. A chicken breast. A lean hamburger patty. A steak.
DVD cases = veggies or fruit. Salad. Broccolli. Green beans.
Rubrik’s cube = carbs. Pasta. Bread. A hamburger bun. Rice.
A water cap = fat. Salad dressing. Butter.

A plate of food. Three hours later a snack which for me is usually a fruit portion or a handful of almonds. Another plate and another snack. According to this article 3 plates and 3 snacks a day would fill you up for the day of calories without overdoing it.

Of course the hard part is eating out. Last night we met friends for dinner at a Mexican food restaurant. I ate too many chips and thought of my pudge dogs at home. (Read previous blog post). When I’m on the run and away from my house my favorite choice is Arby’s. I choose a combo #1 which is a Roast beef sandwich (no sauces) with fruit cup instead of fries and a diet coke.

Nopers, I’m not a nutritionist. But for me, it works because I can wrap my brain around this kind of sensible eating. I can also indulge in my favorite foods in smaller portions and tastes without guilt. I can save my “calories” for an ice cream treat on occassion. Diet coke with lite vanilla ice cream (100 calories in a half cup) makes for a coke float that is an awesome treat for my taste buds.

That’s it. Nothing secretive about it. Just my own system that works for me in a long run, lifestyle of eating. Less food.

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” Proverbs 23:1-2

I’m not so sure putting a knife to your neck is needed. Just get up and walk away.

Random thoughts today.
About Time: Every year I grumble twice because of the time change. I figure whatever it was that drove us to alter the clocks, messing up our sleeping schedule must be antique by now. I simply do not like it.

But I do understand it in part. My body is sleeping later and later in the morning as the sun is taking long and longer to get up and shine.

But on the other end of the day, the night is arriving much too early. And with the “fall back” it will be darker even earlier. This, I don’t like.

But if I had to pick one time adjustment over the other, I’d pick “fall back”.

Its easier to get more sleep. I just hate having to give it back in the spring.

About Deceit: Yesterday I got home about 10 minutes beyond the dog’s normal eating time. I arrived to find my husband had beat me home but wasn’t in the living room or kitchen when I walked in the door.

Both dogs jumped and barked with their hunger dance. I recognize this dance since they begin it about 15 minutes before their scheduled meal time and keep bugging me until I relent and head to the kitchen.

I asked them if they were hungry. Bark bark. Jump jump. Generally, if they aren’t hungry, there is no excitement.

So I fed them.

They gobbled up their food like they were starving prisoners.

Husband walks in the door chuckling. “They fooled ya. I fed them minutes ago.”

If you come for a visit, please don’t say anything about my pudgy dogs. It will remind me that I was duped by a couple of wieners.

About Friends: I love my friends. I love scheduling time to spend with them. Tonight my husband and I are going to abandon the pudgy dogs for dinner with friends. Mexican food. Yum!

Spending time with people I enjoy is the highlight of my week. Its encouraging. Its healthy. Its inspiring. Its as it should be.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17

I first noticed it in the mornings. Normally I wake up without an alarm clock because the sun is shining in my room and the birds are singing.

But now, if I wait for the sun to wake me up, the morning is about gone! Its staying darker and darker in the morning which is an important clue that the season is changing in Texas.

The garden is doing an encore. The azaleas are blooming one more time and the mums are blooming brillant yellows.

The leaves are sorta changing. A few choice trees have leaves that are turning yellow, some a reddish color. This photo was sent to me by my friend in Rhode Island who pulled off to the side of the road to take this picture to send to me. I can only imagine the gorgeous site of the northeast in the autumn! Here in Texas we will wake up one day in November and find all the leaves on the ground. This is another sign that autumn has arrived.

I actually put on a long sleeved shirt today even though the temps got into the 80’s.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and I’m thinking of sweet tater casserole, turkey and dressing, pecan pies, mashed taters and homemade rolls.

I love the change of seasons. While we don’t have a huge swing of seasons in Texas, I love the changes in temperatures, apples and pumpkins and the promise of spring flowers when God renews the earth.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:20-21

This was a busy day.

Early this morning I had a physical therapy session. I have turned a corner in my pain and can tell I’m making progress. Hooray! My back is less achey. My bottom isn’t hurting. This is progress.

Later this morning I packaged up my two dogs, Dora Mae the dachshund and Thelma Lou the wannabe, for their annual checkup and vaccinations. They received a pedicure and manicure, various shots, blood check for heartworm, new Rx for heartworm meds, ears checked, and a handful of treats for being “good girls”. Their vet is aptly named: Dr. Barker. (Don’t you love that? Its like having a dentist called Dr. Molar or a dermatologist named Dr. Fleishli (pronounced: Fleshly. I collect professionals in my life with appropriate names.)

After a quick lunch I took my car over to the dealership for its oil change. I thought it was for a regularly scheduled oil change but discovered it was a major checkup at 30,000. They provided me a complimentary car and told me to return tomorrow to pick it up. Of cour$e they provided a loaner car. It wa$ in their be$t intere$t for thi$ $cheduled maintenance. A 10% off di$count coupon will be a help to me.

Back home again, the dogs had their afternoon meal and I sat down to check email and catch up with projects.

Tomorrow is another busy one with a workout for the morning, picking up the car, back to a meeting at 11:00 and a lunch date with a friend. I’m glad I can work at odd hours to catch up. I am so blessed to have the type of job that is flexible with a laptop propped next to me while my feet are propped on the ottoman and a wienerdog laying next to me.

God is good. His love endures forever. Even when I am busy.