Mind Over Matter -- When it Matters

Hubby and I don't exactly recall how we stumbled upon the quaint little village of Littleton, New Hampshire, on our recent trip. We know it was en route from Vermont to Boston, but can't recall if it was a pit stop, a gas stop or a wrong turn courtesy of "Jill," our persistent GPS!

Whatever the reason, we decided to park the car and check it out. I grabbed my camera for some photo ops and Jim grabbed his wallet in case we found a New Hampshire shot glass for his sister. (She's missing that one in her state collection).

We stopped in a little tourist trap shop first. While Jim searched for the perfect little gift (and he found it), I wandered about, too, eyeing the fudge behind the counter and checking out weird knick knacks I had no use for. Then I saw it. Gleaming before me like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket.

The World's Longest Candy Counter.

I wasn't kidding! It had dozens and dozens of items to choose from. Everything from bubble gum cigars and gummy "fried eggs" to rootbeer barrels and maybe even the Everlasting Gobstopper! Whoa.

Although we weren't on a tight time schedule, I knew it was best not to spend the many, many, many minutes looking over the entire selection to find the perfect treat for my taste palate. Somehow I walked out of that store without so much as a gum drop.

How is it sometimes I can master that self-control, that elusive will power, and other times.... not so much?

I don't know if it was really mind over matter since I later helped my self to some sort of deep-fried fantasy at the Cheers bar. I also managed to hold off having ice cream the whole vacation until Ben & Jerry's after our tour. Of course, splitting a pint with hubby isn't exactly a healthy portion size either.

I kept telling myself: "This is vacation. Enjoy it. Don't worry about calories or exercise. Wear lose pants if you have to. Get back on track when you get back."

Well then sister weekend followed up shortly. I did go running on the day in between. But during our getaway, ice cream and chocolate and yes, even fudge, were on hand for those lacking will power or exercising any mind over matter. That was basically ALL of us!

Still, I again told myself: "This is girls' weekend. Enjoy it. Don't worry about calories or exercise. Wear lose pants if you have to. Get back on track when you get back."

Well I'm back but I still had to get through a fall festival potluck and party at work today. Now I have no excuses. And after seeing some unflattering (in my critical opinion) photos of myself, I really do have to get to get back on track. Back to my good routine of drinking water all the time, running some of the time and having treats only a little of the time.

I need to adopt the Littleton motto for pedestrian crossings:

I need to stop... look at my options for making a smart choice... and wave as I walk past that temptation.

Lord knows if I don't pay attention, I'm likely to get run over!

Extra Innings Fun

Woke up to a foggy morning in Boston. Went out on our balcony and could just make out the Harvard rowing team practicing on the Charles River below us. You don't see that every day!

You know what else you don't see? SNOW!

We weren't even out of bed yet and we were getting texts from back home in Wisconsin about the snow. Unreal. Normally we'd be thrilled we weren't home, but we felt bad for Carter who had to play in Pep Band before today's 11 a.m. homecoming game and then march at halftime. The snow melted but it didn't get too warm. He said he was freezing. I'm sure he got over it and is having a ball tonight at the homecoming dinner and dance.

Jim's sister sent us a photo of the boy all dressed up. That makes us miss him all the more... but, we are having fun.

Had breakfast this morning with two of the women that Jim knows through work. They're the ones who got us the tickets to the Red Sox game. It was their company tickets, which meant nice club seats with the rich and sometimes famous. So we hear. Anyway, Claire and Suzanne were a hoot and I'm glad I finally got to meet them.

After breakfast, we packed up, checked out and headed to Fenway Park. Our seats were indeed awesome. Not only a great view of the game behind home plate, but we actually did have a brush with the famous part of rich & famous.

My fellow gearhead fans will appreciate this one. NASCAR driver -- well, commentator now -- Michael Waltrip sat in our club seat area. Jim is the one who encouraged me to go say "hi." I did. And told him we were from Dick Trickle's hometown and asked about a photo. He was very accommodating and hugged me close. I mean, he was willing to let Jim take 3 pictures 'til I was sure one turned out right!

 

Who's luckier than me?

Back to the game... Fenway Park and the famous Green Monstah (as they say it in Boston) are celebrating 100 years. So much history. Very cool -- and quaint -- ballpark. Game went into extra innings and the Orioles ended up beating the Sox 9-6 in 12.

After that we headed northwest out of town, across New Hampshire and into Vermont. Ended up as far as Barre, near Montpelier. We are staying at a place called the Hollow Inn. Not worried about dreaming about Headless Horsemen and Sleepy Hollow tonight, though. Something tells me I'll be dreaming about racin'!

Sweet dreams!

Weekend in New England

It felt like our "weekend in New England" was accomplished in one day as we left Newport, close to the Canadian border, made our way south across the state of Vermont and part of New Hampshire and into Massachusetts and the Atlantic Ocean. Our final stop: Boston.

Well, technically, Cambridge, Mass.. More on that in a bit.

Our morning started late as we slept in past 8. Ha. We did the lakefront water walk and checked out the pretty scenery in Newport. Even got my picture with a  lighthouse. Sort of. A small one, built just for me, I believe.

From Newport, we headed southeast and crossed through the little state of Vermont and across part of the equally small state of New Hampshire. That was my first time there. Of course, I miss the welcome sign but I know the state motto is "Live Free or Die." Saw that on every license plate!

The one thing that surprised us about New Hampshire is that the White Mountains were even more impressive than Vermont's Green Mountain chain. Really cool. Took lots of pictures out the car window, traveling 65 mph on the interstate. I think some turned out. It only took me 10 tries to get a Moose Crossing sign in focus. I need more practice!

We also went by the New Hampshire speedway in Concord and realized the NASCAR race is there this Sunday. Our plans may have to change! You never know!

Jim's cousin was unable to get together with us today so we headed straight into Boston. We're actually staying on the north side in Cambridge, home of Harvard. Saw what we believe were the Harvard "kids" out practicing their sailing on the Charles River (which makes its way into Boston Harbor) outside our hotel window. I braved the balcony on the 12 floor and took some pictures. I just looked out, not down!

After we got settled in, we took a cab over to downtown Boston. After driving 4-lanes-wide into town, we weren't in the mood to even attempt it any further. So we cabbed it over to the north side and walked a tour of historic sites -- everything from Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church (where they hung the lanterns) to the Massachusetts State House and Cheers bar.

C'mon, that has to count!

We had dinner at the Bull & Finch, which was the inspiration for the television program, then shopped in the gift shop. I got a shirt and earlier, we already found Carter his gifts (hint: Boston Celtics). We still need to find something for Jim (besides cemetery pictures).

We cabbed it back to hotel and now we're just chilling out, enjoying the view of the cityline lights on the water. Gorgeous day all around. We got lucky.

Hope it continues!