My Plan, and my early Christmas present!!

I can't believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow! I am so excited!

After 3 days of struggling on the 17 day diet (Mon, Tues, Wed), I am back on track with my eating. I've decided to stay on the 1st cycle until the day after Christmas. I wanted to give myself a day off my diet, during this fun and joyous time of year. I just had to decide if I wanted my off day to be Christmas Eve, or Christmas. After lots of thought (lol), I've decided that on Christmas Eve I will let myself eat, and be merry (in moderation of course). That is part of the reason why I've decided to stay on the 1st cycle until after Christmas.

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My hubby brought me home an early Christmas present while he was visiting in NY:A Goldendoodle puppy!

We've named her Bellissimo. It means lovely in Italian. This little pup has definitely been keeping me busy! But we absolutely love her! She has made this Christmas very special.

Perfect evenings

This is my idea of a perfect evening at home:

First, the hubs and I go on a long walk with the doggies, at sunset.

When we get home, we make dinner together.
Twice baked broccoli potatoes:(I got the recipe from the food network, HERE. I lightened it up by using low-fat sour cream and cheese, and used less butter.)

After dinner, we watch my favorite sitcom together, The Nanny.
Reason #1,900,043 why I love my husband so much- because he walks with me, cooks with me, and watches my favorite show with me every night. I'm one lucky girl.

What's your idea of a perfect evening?

California, Cheeseburgers, and our new puppy!

I thought it had just been a few days since my last post, but it's been over a week! Yikes!

My husband recently got a new job, where he's traveling a lot. Last week, he was in California. I grew up in CA, and hadn't been back in 5 years! So, I decided to take a last minute trip, and tagged along with him! It was lots of fun, and I'm very grateful I got to go!
It also meant I got to spend my hubby's birthday with him!
(b-day dinner at Rain Forest Cafe)
There was lots of food temptation in CA! I wanted to eat all the food I grew up on, like In-N-Out!And I did.
I feel like I got back handed by a cheeseburger.
Truth of the matter is, I didn't exercise moderation while I was in CA. I went a little over bored on all the good food CA has to offer. I came home a little dumbfounded. I thought I had more control then that. I thought I had learned how to have a balanced life. I guess I still have a lot to learn...
Aside from the calories, isn't this the cutest caramel apple?
I gained 6 pounds during my stay in CA. Yikes!!
But 6 pounds isn't going to get me down. I've learned a lot from this experience. Like to never let my guard down. I'm going to move on, with my head held high. It's not the end of the world, and I will reach my goal!!

Besides being on vacation, there's another little thing that's been soaking up all my time...

Meet Moxie:Our new little puppy!
We now have 3 dogs! :
Kisses, a lab mix: Thumbalina, a Carin terrier, Poodle mix: and Moxie, a Pomeranian, Yorkie mix:House training is brutal, but we love her, and all of her puppy kisses!
Aren't puppy kisses one of the sweetest things in life?