February was a short month, but that doesn’t mean I’m letting myself off the hook. It’s time for another round of Demerits and Gold Stars.
DEMERITS
- Pants without pockets. This is a dual demerit. First, a demerit to clothing manufacturers for ever producing pants without pockets. Why do they do this? Do they hate humans? The second demerit is on me. WHY DO I EVER LET MYSELF BUY PANTS WITHOUT POCKETS? I own two pairs of PJs without pockets and two pairs of exercise pants without pockets and every. single. time I wear them I question my life choices. Sadly, I love the PJs and the pants too much to part with them, but moving forward I need to make sure I only buy pants with pockets.
- Overextending myself. After resting a lot in January, I jumped into February activities with both feet. Skiing, so many playdates for the kids, and all sorts of things. For the most part this is wonderful, but I recognize now I was back to my old pre-Shmita tricks of pushing myself toward exhaustion. I rested more but not enough and had a pretty bad “crash” recently. I’d love to say my lesson has been learned, but I recognize this is an ongoing struggle for me.
- Not visiting the dentist. I had a wisdom tooth out in March of 2023. That was the last time I visited the dentist, and it was only for an extraction. It has been TWO YEARS since my last cleaning and this is simply deplorable. I hate paying for dental work, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so shame on me. I have now booked an appointment and will try to go with my head held high despite the fact I’ve ignored about a dozen text messages from their office over the last year informing me that I’m overdue for a hygiene appointment.
- Not peeing when I need to. (Sorry Lisa). Have I turned into a 6-year-old boy? Seriously. Why don’t I just stop what I’m doing and use the washroom immediately when I need to go?
- Missing corporate tax installments. Oops. In the grand scheme of things it’s not a huge deal, but I hate paying anything unnecessary and we did get charged for missing tax installments in 2023. To be fair, we had always been allowed to pay in a lump sum corporately. I don’t recall receiving ANY MESSAGING about this from our accountant or the government, but I will just assume that I did and missed it/ignored it.
I have a note to make sure the first installment is paid next month, so I will not repeat this (costly) demerit.Done; I’ve set up the correct tax account in our corporate banking and made the first installment! - Not walking. I have gotten so lazy about walking the kids to school when John is away. To be fair, a friend needed a ride to work quite regularly over the last few weeks, so I had to drive more than usual. But mostly it has been either laziness or deep hatred for the cold. Both are bad excuses.
- Eating pineapple. I rarely buy pineapple, but it was on a good sale and a child begged for it. When I was slicing up pineapple for the kids, of course I ate some. It was so good. Here is the issue. Pineapple hurts my stomach so badly. Every time I eat it. I know this. But I still ate it. A few hours later my stomach was bothering me and I was puzzled until I remembered – oh right, I couldn’t stop snacking on pineapple. Will I never learn? (Pineapple is delicious but it really isn’t worth the discomfort, hence the demerit.)
GOLD STARS
- Yoga. I am so happy with this new routine. I have been inflexible my whole life and for years (and years and years) have tried to start a regular stretching/yoga practice. I’ve finally done it! I have now done yoga every day for over two months and I love the experience. At first it felt like a to-do, but now my day just feels…empty without it. (Update: I missed my first day of yoga, but got back on the bandwagon the following day. Part of me is sad – there goes my chance at an annual streak; part of me is happy – one less thing to track or think about…)
- Skiing. I am just delighted to be able to list this as a gold star. I felt pressure to use our season’s pass, but I didn’t want to go through all the hassle of lugging gear to the hill and all the coordination is requires but it was so worth it. The weather has not been ideal this winter – not much snow, a lot of rain, but I’ve been five times and that more than justifies the cost of the pass so I’m counting it as a win.
- Relaxing with the kids. OVERALL (some tough moments aside) I feel…calmer. I know a lot of this stems from my Year of Shmita and taking a big step back from my work responsibilities. I’ve been more present, but also feel far less guilty when I DO put up boundaries (It’s bedtime. I’m going to read a book.)
Any recent demerits or gold stars you’d like to share? Have you started any new daily habits in 2024? Is there a food that you know upsets your stomach that you eat anyway? What are your feelings on pants without pockets?
Coco
I know fruit, spicy food cause me stomach pain, and I forgot so many times. Now I am better of remember it and avoiding them, eat minimal amount at the time seems okay.
I also tend to hold pee until i really need to when im working, not good practice indeed.
feburady was stressful, im looking forward to a more relaxinf march.
Elisabeth
A good reminder that I mostly avoid pineapple! In a moment of weakness I enjoyed it, but it 100% wasn’t worth it! Lesson learned (maybe?).
I hope you have a wonderful March <3
Nicole MacPherson
You just reminded me I have to find a dentist! I will put that on my to-do list.
Yay for skiing and yoga and rest!
Elisabeth
Dentists. Sigh, right?
Jenny
Don’t feel intimidated going back to the dentist! I promise you are not the only one who’s been ignoring their texts and is way overdue for a cleaning. I’m sure it happens all the time. And… deep hatred for the cold is a very good excuse for not walking.
BIG gold star for the yoga!!! And, the fact that you missed a day is probably a good thing- it takes the pressure off. If you got all the way to November without missing a day, the pressure would have been terrible to make that annual streak happen.
Interesting that pineapple irritates your stomach. It’s fine on my stomach but irritates the inside of my mouth, so I don’t eat it very often either. It tastes so good though!
Elisabeth
Thanks, Jenny! I know I’m not the only one (and I have very good hygiene – brush regularly, floss almost daily etc) but still…
I’m thinking the same thing about the yoga! A lot less pressure this way.
Michelle G
So interesting about the pineapple! I also have a finicky tummy and have to be careful with fruit. It’s a real pain, isn’t it?
You’re right about pants without pockets!! Why do they even exist? I must have pockets!!!
Elisabeth
Strawberries hurt my tummy too – though it takes a lot more (vs pineapple). I feel like such a diva sometimes. Garlic really upsets my stomach too, which makes me sad. I had some last night for the first time in a while and a few hours later, sure enough, my stomach hurt so badly. SIGH!
Colleen Martin
Pineapple makes my mouth feel so weird and fuzzy and yet I still eat it everytime, fresh fruit cut up is so hard not to eat! Totally understandable. I also don’t pee often enough, which I only thought about when you said that you didn’t, why do we do this? It’s like I just need to finish up this one thing, and then I’ll go, but that one thing lasts longer than it’s supposed to. It’s good to be aware of this now, thank you!
Elisabeth
I don’t know? Are we so busy we don’t feel like we have time to pee? I also feel like it breaks my concentration, so I power through because I have a job I’m focused on getting done?
Daria
Gold stars: social connections and crawling out of my hole. Warmer weather helped. Demerits: movement, you know how I feel about exercise 😉
Elisabeth
I feel like March is a time to crawl out of the winter “hole.”
I know how you feel about exercise because I mostly feel the exact same way 🙂
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
If it makes you feel better, I have a habit of skipping routine medical appointments because I feel that the intervals are too close. I haven’t had a dental issue in years so I don’t need to go every 6 months. However, I’ve found a dentist that I like and I do need to go to regular cleanings to stay on the active patient list, and the odds are that someday I will have a dental issue and want to go to the dentist that I like instead of whatever random dentist I can get. So I just push the time between appointments a bit. When they try to schedule my next appointment for exactly 6 months, I push it to 7 months because I’m “busy”. It might be a little childish, but it’s what I do.
I love pineapple but it hurts my stomach as well, so you are not alone.
Elisabeth
Wow – I’ve never heard of dentists requiring an active patient list! I guess this makes sense, though!
I’m sorry we both have issues with pineapple – it’s so delicious but just not worth the consequences for my stomach.
Lindsay
Pants without pockets upset me so very much – I have things to carry!! Also, pockets always give me a place to put my hands when I don’t have a prop in a meeting or hallway (as a former theater person, “what do I do with my hands?!” is a constant thought in my head). Congrats on your dentist win! I am so proud that I finally called a new dentist for myself (after 4 years, sigh) and was able to make appointments for me and Lil Momma at the same time (we were so ready to switch her to somewhere closer) AND we went to the appointment AND they were so nice and kind and can fix a stain I have on one of my front crowns. Small wins make hard weeks a little brighter <3
Elisabeth
What a good point! I also like to rest my hands in my pockets! I feel the same way about selfies – WHAT DO I DO WITH MY HANDS?!
NGS
After years of eating very little gluten, a bowl of pasta will destroy me for days. But sometimes someone serves you lasagna and what choice do you have but to eat it?
I will no longer buy dresses without pockets. Even if it’s otherwise perfect, if it doesn’t have pockets, it will not work for my lifestyle. I still have one or two dresses in my rotation that don’t pockets, but NEVER AGAIN. Unfortunately, one of those dresses is my favorite little black dress, so I don’t know how exactly I’m going to replace that dress!
Elisabeth
I’m not quite as picky about dresses, but definitely PREFER dresses with pockets (I’d say it’s about 40% with pockets/60% without, but I mostly just wear dresses to church and I always have a purse so it’s not quite as critical?). Good luck with that LBD hunt!
ccr in MA
The number of times I have said to myself, “Why do I have to go to the bathroom again, I just went!” as if my not wanting to go changes the fact that I have to go…I feel you on that one.
And I’m with Lindsay about pockets, not only do I want them for putting things in, but my hands! I have NO idea what to do with my hands otherwise. I look like a robot pretending to be human.
Elisabeth
Me too! Sometimes I can’t believe I feel the need to go AGAIN. It’s so inconvenient. Funnily enough, when I was in my undergrad degree, one of my favourite places to study was in this little booth close to the ladies bathroom. I would drink a ton while I studied and would need to use the bathroom about once an hour and that became my break. When I left the booth and headed to the bathroom I generally would run into someone I knew and it was the perfect way to break up my study time (this was before cell phones and texting so, you know, to talk to people, I had to actually run into them!).
“I look like a robot pretending to be human.” This is too funny!!! I laughed out loud.
sarah
I can’t eat pineapple, bananas, egg yolks, olive oil, or avocado– some kind of enzyme they all share **shrug**
Elisabeth
I would die without my eggs (I assume you can eat them baked in things, right? Or do you use egg whites for everything). I know lots of people with banana issues…and I think Colleen is allergic to avocado. I’d never heard of such a thing!
Shelly
My demerit is certainly not getting enough movement. I joined a gym and have gone a few times but really want to make a regular routine. Our weather has been so wonky and lots of ice that I have walked very little outside unless I have to. We just had several cm of snow so it’s not going away quickly either. There is a yoga class I want to sign up for, have I done that yet? no.
I think you get a huge gold star for skiing – the cold, the work! You did it.
My gold star would be staying home today when I started with a migraine. The migraine has lifted thankfully. Now I just need to work on the guilt of taking a sick day.
Elisabeth
I’m so glad the migraine lifted and GOLD STAR for taking the day off and resting when you really needed to. And look – you’re feeling better. I’m proud of you <3
It is so hard to move in Canada in the winter. Getting to the gym involves cold and maybe winter boots and driving on icy roads. Walking requires most of the same things. It's just hard!
Gigi
The no pockets thing! WHY, manufacturer’s? WHY?
I currently have a few pairs of pocket-less pants in my closet that I’m not ready to part with yet but I will only wear them if I have a jacket or sweater on that does have pockets.
I have also sworn off buying any pants/skirts/dresses without pockets ever again. I have stuff and it needs a place to go.
Elisabeth
I know. Why?
I’m glad to know I’m not the only person who struggles mightily with no pockets!
Maria
A long time ago I read that if you cut pineapple and store it in ten fridge for 24 hours a lot of the enzyme that usually bothers people will degrade. I think that was it anyway… Don’t quote me on it! Anecdotally though I have found it to be easier on my mouth and stomach when I do that.
I have you beat on th dentist. I went four years after having a bad experience with a sketchy dentist who tried to do unnecessary work and told me I was lying that my tooth didn’t hurt because she claimed it was in need of a root canal and this clearly I must be in pain. A line that I will never forget “You don’t understand. This tooth causes you pain.” It didn’t. (Spoiler alert: 10 years later that tooth is still going strong and remains cavity free. She was apparently highly unethical and planning on drilling into perfect teeth to make a buck. Either that or highly incompetent.)
Elisabeth
Ohhh. That’s such an interesting tidbit. I do find it still hurts my stomach even after being stored…sadly, even frozen in smoothies. It just…doesn’t like me!
Oh gracious. That dentist story. Wow. I’m so glad you managed to leave and realized it was the shady scheme it was; that really shakes one’s faith in professionals, though. Having a doctor/dentist/mechanic to trust is just worth so much!!!
Stephany
We were just talking about the dentist at book club – it can be SO EASY to let years go by between cleanings. It’s an easy appointment to fall off the radar! You got this!!
Citrus fruits can give me acid reflux so I feel your pain on the pineapple issue. Why is it the YUMMY FRUITS that make our bodies unhappy? That should be illegal.
Lisa’s Yarns
Have to laugh at this peeing shout out/apology! I am understanding that many people use that verb – I have had to get over it. 😉
Demerit – my eating hasn’t been stellar… it’s fine overall but I will sometimes tell myself I deserve to have certain foods because of the level of stress at work. But it’s not a great way to approach eating.
Goldstar – I planned Paul’s birthday party with school friends and I gave him a very special experience kind of day on his actual birthday. It was a yes kind of day and we both had a wonderful time!!
Elisabeth
Aww. Yes days are so fun. You had an epic day together with lots of fun and I’m just so glad. YOU DESERVE a nice relaxed day where everyone is healthy!!!
Melissa
I hate pants without pockets and also the useless pockets in the front of women’s jeans. Why can’t we have proper pockets like men so we can keep our phones there like they do? Too much dairy gives me eczema but I will break it when I’m away or for things I deem “worthwhile”
Elisabeth
ARGH. Those little useless pockets are the worst. Or what about the faux pockets in dress pants. So it feels like you have a pocket but you don’t. So many issues with pockets, eh?!
Kate
Yes, the pockets!! Sometimes if I’m wearing leggings or a dress, I find myself putting on a hoodie to wear around the house just so I have readily accessible pockets. To add insult to injury, I have a pair of dress pants with FALSE pockets which is even worse. I feel betrayed every time I wear them! (Ha, and I just happened to scroll up and see you mention this exact thing in a comment! It’s infuriating!)
The overextending is so tricky for me, too. In the moment it’s hard to see the potential downside to something, especially if it’s something the kids want to do, and it’s usually not until after the fact that I realize “that was insane!”.
Good for you with the yoga practice! I have just not been able to get into a good exercise rhythm since having Victoria. I need to be better about utilizing even small pockets of time to do *something*… hopefully this gets easier as the weather gets warmer.
Recent gold star: realizing that the library near the school gym stays open until 7:30 PM, so I can take the little kids there to hang out and play and look at books while Greta has practice, rather than driving around aimlessly or trying to entertain them in the car!!