My Winter Coat

Hope you guys aren't offended by this, but since October I have been eating with abandon! In October, as we drove up to Houston, we stopped at a diner that was featured in Texas Monthly, some kind of Dixie place. I had chicken fried steak covered in peppery gravy and mashed potatoes...my favorite. Afterwards, when we stopped to refuel, I got a Twix Bar and a coke. Mike asked me if I was putting on a winter coat for the cold winter...of course, I hit him with as much of my girth behind that punch as possible and kept eating. I have eaten my way through the fall and now, I am warm and cozy and about 10 pounds heavier. To be honest, I am trying to fight the urge to burrow underneath my red oak or deck and sleep away my thesis! I am not sure there is enough caffeine in the world to jump start my metabolism or my desire to do anything but watch Top Chef while sipping a hot chocolate it is supposed to be sugar free). At least I have enjoyed Oprah's company in my winter coat endeavor. Alas, she has abandoned our coat factory and is opting for a healthier lifestyle. For Christmas, I made every cookie I could think of and ate as many as possible, while trying to look respectable. I even have a new favorite cookie: snow balls. They are like pecan sandies dusted with sugar and filled with white chocolate chips. They are heavenly, and I think I am carrying a snowball in each butt cheek. Since January, I have been trying to eat less, but it is soo hard, especially with my new kitchen aid mixer. Tonight, I made garlic foccacia bread....YUM! We have also had homemade pretzels, cake, and angel food cake! I am hoping to shed my extra winter coat, but I am having major difficulties. I had a friend pat my belly and ask me if I was expecting a third: I told her the truth was cookies and a lot of them, and I didn't even bat an eye or cry. Alas, I know that come tank top and swim suit weather, and I will have another break down in the Neiman Marcus dressing room as I curse spandex and swimsuits and consider the plastic surgery cards that are left on the table to the right of the dressing room. Perhaps this spring's swimsuit season will be the impetus that finally makes me move to Burlington, Vermont, where my winter coat will serve me well.