Tonight's the night

I'm heading to Charleston this afternoon for tonight's WV J-J Dinner, the big Democratic fundraiser for the year. Keynote speaker is Vice-President Biden.

Yes, I'm having dinner with the Vice-President, along with 1,999 other devoted West Virginia Democrats. Doors open at 4 p.m., and no one will be admitted after 5:30 p.m. Security is, of course, tight-tight-tight.

First things first, though … I haven't had a good long-ish walk in several days, I'll be heading to my favorite flat road with my husband for at least a five-miler this morning.

I want to say another little something-something about the candy I ate Thursday night. I don't FOR A MINUTE think four pieces of candy is going to hurt me in the long run. I'd hoped to avoid it, but in the end chose not to. I don't FOR A MINUTE think that makes me weak-willed. I think it makes me human, and I also think I'm still in the experimental phase.

Having that sugar hangover the next day is something I hope I remember next time I face down a bowl of free candy bars.

I can see, after seven months, that the paleo way of eating agrees with me. I like being pain-free. I enjoy having more energy. I appreciate how well my body moves and responds when I want or need it to. I don't feel like grazing or eating mindlessly – this is probably the most surprising benefit of the plan.

I also like how my mind works these days. I rarely crave a certain food (I wasn't craving candy, as an example). As much as I used to love the whole pizza process – making the crust AND the cheese, putting it all together, savoring every delicious bite – I'm just not interested in finding out what grains will do to my gut. I'm much more interested in feeding myself reasonable portions of simply prepared whole foods.

As for tonight's dinner, my experience throughout this process is that even when I'm not in charge of my food, I've been able to make acceptable choices. I hope that will be the case this evening. I won't have a problem refusing dessert.

I just hope the entrée isn't pasta.

Home for a bit

Another Halloween has come and gone, and a good time was had by all. There were lots o'zombies this year, but not just zombies – zombie ballerinas and zombie princesses, which was, um, odd. My favorite costume this year was a very clever s'more.

If you can't eat 'em, wear 'em!

I ate four treat-sized candy bars, which was probably three too many. I had planned to not indulge at all, but caved when faced with a full bowl of tiny chocolate goodies. I paid for it this morning with a sugar-induced headache.

Why was it three too many, and not four? Because my granddaughter snuck upstairs and left my favorite – a snack-sized Three Musketeers – on my nightstand. She's a sweetie. And I couldn't refuse her generosity, since it was the only Three Musketeers in her trick-or-treat bag!

Okay, moving on.

I found the blue moccasins, and the price was so good I bought a pair of charcoal-grey ones as well. I'd originally thought I'd just find out what size to buy and then order online, but I just couldn't leave them in the store.

Vickie, I found a white shirt, too, but thank you for your very kind offer. (And a couple pairs of jeans, a size smaller than the ones I've been wearing this fall. WOO HOO!)

The only thing left on my list is a pair of dressy black flats.

Tomorrow is West Virginia's J-J Dinner, this year honoring retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller. More driving, driving, driving. But we're spending the night (it's in Charleston, WV, which is two hours from our home) and then driving, driving, driving home Sunday.

I shall then, possibly, collapse in a heap. The good thing is I've felt great, eaten reasonably well (I had chicken and spinach for dinner Halloween night, passing on the pizza, but then there was the candy) and stayed as active as possible considering the time limitations. I took a short walk when I got home today, and my husband and I are planning an early walk in the morning before we head out. But it's still going to be a pretty low-mileage week.

I can only hope that sticking with the program most of this week will shake a pound or two loose by Monday morning.

And if not? OH WELL. I shall keep on feeling great, eating reasonably well and staying as active as possible.