Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Home Again, Home Again

The most amazing thing has happened. I arrived home to find I have not lost a single pound! After walking 27 days for up to 10 hours a day, no elbees have been shed. Nada, none, non. Fully expecting government laboratory to call me for analysis. You know...the one that study freaks of nature.

I'm not usually a hand on hip person but the NY Times says the Superwoman pose engenders confidence and happiness

You're probably thinking: oh she ate loads, made a little piggy of herself. Truffle snuffle. No in fact like most other people walking the Camino, you lose your appetite, even in the evenings.

Anyway, one thing has got bigger. My Ahnu hiking shoes were so good to me, like slippers they were - no blisters - so I looked properly at the size. Somehow my feet have increased one and a half sizes to a nine, since, well I don't know when. I arrived home tried all the old ones that were 7 1/2 - yikes did I really wear them this small? and have donated galore. Also clothes I haven't worn in a year.


Old Gold has gone on to greener pastures
Loved the Lion King cardys from Berlin, but it never gets cold enough here...

It was a sad goodbye to the babysitters, Mum and her friend Pam. They went beyond the call of duty...besides the task of looking after the four wee cherubs they re-potted the plants, re-ordered the cupboards and took buses exploring the wilds of Oakland. (Before that it was Kevin's brother Dave whom I'm sure was mentally scarred by Back To School Lists. Before that, Conrad, my good friends' 25 year old son. It takes a village.)

Me, dog cousin Lilly, cousin Cecily, Tallulah, Mum and Teddy (looking annoyed) and Cy 

Mum's friend Pam, Mum and me at the pool
The highlight of their trip: Alcatraz. Jackson, Cy, Harley, Pam and Mum

Re-potting galore


Re-invigorated by the trip I returned with more enthusiasm for kidstuff.  There was two games on Sat and three games on Sunday and no one cheered louder than me. "Embarrassing!" was the verdict "you call out the wrong Kiwi stuff." Harley was totally on the back foot after I asked if I could watch him manning the BBQ at school all day Friday (remember I told you he was President of BBQ Club?). They raised $2,000 for charity and donated the remaining 200 sausages to the homeless. Cy did not get elected President of his class but told me he learned a good lesson: that he needs to have a speech ready and not: "Yeah, what he just said, vote for me, okay?"

Had a wonderful time on Saturday night at friend's William's birthday dinner. Photos are all by our lovely friend Heidi. Heidi has a double life - by weekday she's like the rest of us. Weekends and vacations find her mixing with celebs in the most glam wee boltholes. One of her family members is famous. As you can imagine (okay I'm very nosy) I give her the 20 questions every time I see her, but she is maddeningly discreet. I can reveal that they eat breakfast at Denny's.

William, Ron and Heidi



Bob the cat, William's favourite (don't tell Greta)


Ron is the baker in the house

You might have seen William'n'Ron's home before on this blog. William bought his Victorian 28 years ago in a "transitional" part of Oakland - (there was a crackhouse next door) and as he points out "it hasn't really gentrified and I don't think it will." He's restored the house beautifully ("The old girl's had a lot of work done") and I think the neighbors must be very proud of the street's grande dame because they've never had a break-in (touch wood).

William feeds and takes care of 12 stray neighborhood cats; Bob comes in and out but only one cat stays inside -  Greta, who like her namesake is suitably haughty and prefers alone-time with her eyeliner always perfect.

So all going kind of well until I arrived home on Sat night early. Two of the kids were out on the roof, the oven was on and someone had made an enormous cake with attendant mess.

Trying to be positive. Out on roof at night - not optimal by any stretch. But I didn't know Tallulah could bake (they didn't even have a recipe) or that she had listened when I showed them her to use the oven.

50 comments:

  1. Well you may have gained muscle though through the walking, and muscle weighs more than fat so even though it's not showing on the scale yet, you're in much better shape after all that hiking!

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    1. Yes hopefully, though this week I'm so jet lagged its just enough to get in the car to pick up the kids after school!

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  2. Had to check American shoe sizes to see if my feet would fit into your Cinderella slippers. Not quite. Damn.
    I think you should go away this time every year so your plants get regularly re-potted.

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    1. Me too, re pots so happy now.
      Those nude ones I suspect had a design fault which was annoying because they were pricey. No amount of those sticky things could keep them on

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  3. Bloody well done girl and you haven't any LBs to lose - that is why!

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    1. My calves are firmer, though sadly all the exercise I've been doing is getting in and out of carpool cars

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  4. Don't worry honey I'd be the freak who didn't lose a pound either, in fact I would probably put weight on! Can't believe that about your shoe size, crazy! Well done anyway - you did amazing x

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    1. Haha, Thanks Love.
      (Most people lose about 20 ibs, actually some people do it to lose weight and get fit rather than spiritual and find themselves afterwards...)(
      Hopefully my calves will keep their muscles until summer is well and truly over and I can blop around in jeans.

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  5. You didn't lose any lbs because you cannot afford to lose any! I love your new outlook -- all shiny and new. I do hope it lasts, and perhaps rubs off on faithful readers.

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    1. Combination of massive jet lag and the fact that kevin is in PA - his mother in hospital and needs to go into a home - is wearing the rose colored glasses a bit thin...but trying to hold on!!!

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  6. Welcome back Jody! As noted above you didn't have any elbees to lose as that pic in the fab pic up top so wonderfully attests....oh and btw your superwoman in smoking hot LBD hand-on-hip pose will engender lusty sugarplum visions on hetero males...just so you know.
    Great to see your gang all turning up to fly the flag. Great pics of Mum, Tallulah, Cecy, Cy, et al.

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    1. Hi GSL - thanks Yes, have been practising these "Open, strong " poses as espoused by the NY Times this weekend, but not sure its me!

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  7. Well obviously you are the perfect weight...for you...and now standing on a very firm, size nine, foundation. I have those Stuart nudes in size nine. My feet spread after babies. Once again, very good job baby.

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    1. My foot constantly came out of the back of them, even though they were the right size..do you have same prob with them? I was naughty and bought a similar pair that had a strap at the back and no such similar problem.
      The cork-nude -peep toe combo is a winner though, have got a lot of use out of the new ones

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  8. Well done entering back into reality, and with re-potted plants, Mum and Pam are quite the team. My son Ole Rascal was suspended for running all over the school roof in grade ten, did it for a laugh he said. Geez that kid. My youngest is baking a cake right now and though I do smell burning I am staying well away.
    Thank goodness you didn't lose any as you are already perfect!

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    1. Ole Rascal and Cy would give school a run for their money. When Cy was in pre-school he climbed over the fence to the cemetery next door and just disappeared,

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  9. Glad you are home safe, if not lighter. But letting go of Old Gold? Say it isn't so! Hurrah for Tallulah for baking!

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    1. I know, sad to see Old Gold leave the building but she had her good years and she was all pulled and bit ratty

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  10. Wow, didn't lose weight but grew bigger feet. That is a freak of nature lmao glad all is well n the homefront and the cat sure approves of being a prima donna

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  11. How could you have not lost weight?

    send your mum here for re-potting duty please.

    I love a declutter!

    Mr FF and I put in an offer on a place opposite a drug rehab centre once but then decided No.

    Behave x

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    1. You have got the re-potting thumb, I've tried and failed so often, I have the vision but nothing thrives

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  12. Welcome back! You look great and too funny about the shoes!

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    1. There were more clonkers that I was sad to see go, but realised i was only keeping them for decoration

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  13. Jody, You look amazing and you really couldn't have spared an ounce!! Wow you are back and already clearing out closets. You amaze me! Nice your mum was such a help and gardener too. Funny about your feet. Mine got larger after pregnancy and then shrank back... So maybe don't throw the Manolos out yet!! ;) Otherwise, I am happy to take your castoffs, though I'd only fit the shoes not the frocks!! xxx Kim

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    1. Actually I have some light pink manolos that hurt like a b'tard that I will bring to my sister though I don't think anyone will be able to handle them. After a while you just need a heel under the toe, stilletos don't cut it

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  14. Congratulations again! My feet grew after I moved out of my parents' home, and I grew an inch taller. Freedom from repression, ya think? As for my feet, they continue to grow, longer, wider, arch-ier - this is an expensive development.

    I traveled through India, Kashmir, Nepal with 3 others who all complained about their tummies, one even got amoebic dysentery. I on the other hand gained weight. They still haven't forgiven me.

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  15. I'm not sure you should lose a pound anyway, you're stick thin Jody! My feet grew a little bit when I was pregnant with number 3. It's annoying as it's just enough that I'm between sizes, sometimes a 37, sometimes a 37.5. Makes internet shoe shopping hard work. I'm sure the kids were thrilled to have you home, even if you were strangely more attentive toward them. So great that they attempted to bake a cake in celebration! xx

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    1. Hi Heidi!
      Yes its still in the fridge and I can see icing sugar all over the floor so that must be their topping of choice!

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  16. Glad to see you home safely! You probably have a lot more muscle now, which probably weighs heavier. It doesn`t matter, though, since you look great!

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  17. Back home safe and sound......and looking as glam as ever.......poor Kevin re his Ma....I'm sending good thoughts. As for you now that you are back in the land of home'n'kids.....more interesting adventures morning noon and night no doubt...and what did you do in London? x

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    1. Yes, really sad, though hopefully now with a assisted living place there will be more people around to help and she will get out and talk to people more. She just stayed inside in her flat.

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  18. You look terrific as you are, no need to lose weight. You'd disappear.

    Sounds like the big return is hard work!

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    1. Yes, with kevin gone have been driving all day since I got back. have only walked up the driveway to the front door so far

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  19. Well done, you did a marvellous job. I'm not sure I would have lasted, but giving it a try would be interesting! I hope you enjoy your time back home with your family :)) xx

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    1. Always nice to be back in your own bed isn't it - you get spoiled with the temperpedic

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  20. It looks like you have had a fabulous home coming Jody! I'm shocked to hear you didn't lose any lbs. but that must mean you were in such amazing shape (all the hip-hop?) before you left you were just a clean burning machine. Love the family shot and you attend the best parties! I'm still so impressed with your trip. I must look up those hiking boots. I wore a pair of ...ummm...aeorsoles...(I know) on our trip to Spain, for some of the cobblestone walking, it was like wearing a pillow top mattress on my feet-cushy, cushy! :) xx
    PS-I'm so glad you caught my '50 Shades of Grey' tale girlfriend. LOL!

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    1. Loved that story - had all the ingredients of a thriller. I hope you start feeling better Heather!

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  21. Can you share the make and model of your slipper-like walking shoes? My sister and I consider doing the Camino together but worry most about having uncomfortable shoes. Thanks.
    -Jane

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    1. Hi there Jane,

      Shoes: There are Ahnu hiking shoes. No blisters no nothing. Just wear one pair of socks with them.
      http://www.ahnu.com/

      Mine were Sugapine Air Mesh:
      http://www.ahnu.com/women-performance/sugarpine-air-mesh/AF2473.html?dwvar_AF2473_color=DCIT#start=3&cgid=women-performance

      Some people put vaseline on their feet every day or changed their socks at lunchtime but I did not do any of that and it was fine.
      If you do get blisters the Spanish Famarcias (which are everywhere) have great products that people say really work so you don't have to worry about taking that sort of things.
      Shorts, Royal Robbins fit well and easy to wash
      Everything else, tops, socks get Icebreaker. Even the other tops i got from REI stank at the end of the day, but Icebreaker never did.
      http://us.icebreaker.com/
      Sticks: Use titanium walking with the cork handles, they are great, cut down on shinsplints and help you up and down. Your arms have to at a higher angle than 90 degrees. (though did not help kevin but he was taking long steps instead of short ones - long steps bring on shinsplints) and buy the rubber tips for them otherwise they will clank in the cobblestone villages.
      I bought a really light pack and kept it it to 7lb, would not have wanted anymore than that.

      Some people even cut the handle off their toothbrushes and rip the pages out of their guide books when they've been through somewhere to keep the weigh down (and then Pietra met someone who was traveling with a hair dryer. The woman said; "you never know who you might meet"

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    2. Gina below might be able to give a few tips too as she did the whole thing as well.

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  22. Don't give away those shoes just yet! your feet will remain swollen for a while but will return to normal in a few months ;-).

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    1. Gone baby gone, I think they have been too small and I've just been squishing my wide trotters into them regardless.

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  23. You did lose weight, you simply put it back on again as muscle. And it's not that your feet have gotten bigger, it's that they make shoes smaller, it's a conspiracy.
    Your lucky to have had such good "baby sitters". We have trouble just getting a cat sitter.
    Welcome home.

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    1. Actually my clothes do fit better (meaning jeans are no so squeeky tight as they were)

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  24. Welcome back to the States.
    How're the hubby's shin splints?
    Sad about 'Old Gold' :(

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  25. It will take a month or so to heal (the husband not Old Gold)
    Old Gold just gave and gave until it bobbled and was no more

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  26. I agree you look great and don't need to lose any weight at all.

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