Depending on what time I’ve hauled my sorry ass out of bed on Boxing Day in the past has largely dictated whether I’ve woken up thinking about leftovers, or smelling them. I think it’s fair to say that both my son and I are fully-paid-up card-carrying members of the leftover Christmas food fan club, in fact I might even go as far as to say that between us we’ve probably regarded it as the highlight of Boxing Day.
I can recall more occasions than I’m comfortable admitting to where we’ve pitted our wits against each other in the ‘who gets to the leftover pigs in blankets first’ race, and I’m here to tell you that the sound of the microwave being activated downstairs in the kitchen on Boxing Day morning has historically invoked the kind of reaction that alarm clock manufacturers the world over could only dream about. You see, whoever gets to the tupperware first is in charge of allocation…otherwise known as who gets what. And if that’s not you, damn straight you’d better get there and supervise, so you get your fair share.
So, when my son found out that he had to work on Boxing Day this year, as you might imagine, he was more than a little bit pissed off. To be fair, he wasn’t worried about working as such, I mean why would he…there’s no contractual obligation to work so it’s triple time thank you very much. But jockeying for space with the dollar signs in his eyes was the vision of coming home to pillaged tupperware containing a stringy bit of turkey and the odd unwanted sprout. He was worried that I’d eat Boxing Day whilst his back was turned.
As we were bidding our respective goodnights last night before heading for bed I casually threw it out there that I wasn’t eating any leftovers this year…his face was a picture. The sort of face, I imagine, that you might see on a lottery winner, as the implication of picking those numbers sinks in…well, something close anyway. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ll definitely join in with the turkey, that’s fine…but the crunchy butter-rich sage and onion stuffing balls, the leftover roasties and the crisped up pigs in blankets are all his this year. Although it near kills me to say it, they were yesterday’s treat.
You probably don’t need me to tell you that the asshole in my mind has almost combusted himself into an early grave by jumping up and down trying to change my mind. They’re behind me in the fridge as we speak, and they flirt with me every time I open the fridge door. On a scale of 1-10 I want them to the tune of at least 15, but I’m thinking instead about that size 22 top that I pledged my allegiance to when I got back from Vegas…I remain determined to fit into it on 1st January.
I can’t have both. And one is more important than the other…so I picked that one. And whilst the chatter from the tupperware tubs is driving me bat-shit crazy, I’m happy with my choice.
Today, Boxing Day or not, is the start of a new dieting week. I’m remembering how I worked out a plan to see me through our trip to Dublin, and Christmas, and I’m way beyond proud that I managed to stick to it…I’ve had to dig deep, but I’ve done it and trust me when I say if I could bottle this feeling and sell it, I could retire on the proceeds. And you know what else..? I’m 3lbs down since my last check-in with the bitch in the bathroom.
Epic 🙂
Around here, it helps that i have Brother-in-Law, The Mouth. He’s single, never married, won’t cook for himself, and is willing to devour anything and everything in our home at any time. Leftovers? He won’t leave any, and if someone else did, they are gone.
Ah…I would imagine that gets annoying?!!!
You lost three pounds (congrats!), and I found them….two days of indulgences, and n o fair. I didn’t even eat as much as I could have. Now the hard part begins – to tone it down, dial it back, and padlock my mouth shut. ha. I got chocolate from around the world from one son, and a box of chocolate covered caramels from another, plus a jar of dark chocolate covered coconut cashews. um, hello? Where have these kids of mine been? I almost want to eat it all up, and get it over with. I am getting back on track today though, and am glad I’m not alone in my suffering. I am not content with self-denial today, I want more and more days of eating what I want. It’s not fun, but like you said, we can’t have it both ways. And I want to go along to Skinnytown too!
Della
Of course you’re coming to SkinnyTown…no question! You’ve had a bit of a wobble that’s all…I’m drooling on your behalf at the thought of dark chocolate covered coconut cashews, lordy lordy they sound like heaven in a jar! But onwards and downwards, right? Good luck getting back in the groove, that’s the hardest bit! D x
Going to have to ask- what is a WOC? I love the classic flaps, where do you buy your pre loved bags from? I am always scared I would end up with a fake.
My eating has been bad and still ongoing, starting back to SW in jan
Hi Sue, sorry I forget not everyone is a Chanel stalker like me! WOC is short for a wallet on a chain – one of their iconic small cross-body bags.I love the classic flaps too, but I’m definitely a single flap girl rather than double…I’m something of a collector 🙂 I use a website called The Vestiaire Collective, which is superb and gives you peace of mind, they have a full authentication process as part of their service so you don’t need to worry. Good luck with the new diet…new year new start, right? D x
Yeah, so many things get even better…. Hey, I really fancied the slice of beef & the seconds on Brussels sprouts. “Pie? I’m full. Maybe later.”
When the New Year approached, & there were little cartoon characters perched on my shoulders, they have traditionally been shaped like food & body image. (Hey, I couldn’t hope to draw them: but they’re emotionally loaded symbols. Very shrill.)
On Dec. 26th it was always frustrating to feel still discontented (! to the power of 10!) with the state of my body, & still hungry for the trigger foods. Musings from the Recovery train.
Dee, girl, Epic indeed – You rock!! Condolences to the Asshole & the Bitch. Love Fleury
These musings from the recovery train are insightful though right? Happy days….we’re on our way Fleury 🙂
Oh you make me laugh. My son is the same, and he’ll eat himself ill rather than risk not having dibs on the leftover whatever – and it’s a regular thing not a holiday one! Unless he’s feeling virtuous LOL
I posted the following on my fb page this morning, mostly as a reminder to myself:
Things to stop doing:
1. Eating all the food
2. Buying all the things
Back on plan for me – it’s been an ugly few days LOL – but I know it was temporary and whatever the scales spit back at me is just a number – back to plan
Onwards and downwards Cherie…and I’m glad it’s not just our household who scrap over the scraps! Love your fb motto…you go girl!
Epic indeed! 3 lbs is great. Meanwhile I am contemplating making butter rich sage and onion stuffing balls. 🙂
Oh no!! Me and my big mouth 🙁 Sorry…not quite the outcome I’d intended!