Table for Eight

A rainbow house. Isn't this awe-maze-ing? There's a definite possibility that I'm going through some type of existential crisis. I think it has something to do with one or all of the following: -- our oldest/first kiddo leaving home   (to serve a service mission for 2 years) -- turning 43 -- completing a life-LONG goal of playing Survivor (For those of you that know me, I first applied for Survivor at age 30! So it really is incredible that I was able to eventually get cast and play ... twice. What the what? My point here, that goal is done. I need a new one.) -- not working out regularly (My post-Survivor fitness and eating routines have been horrible. I'm the heaviest I've ever been. In my whole life, dangit.) -- missing our beloved family dog, Ozzy (had him for 10+ years) -- coughing for 34 days straight (I caught some type of bronchitis or cold in July and haven't stopped coughing since) I know none of these are "real proble...

Ree Drummond's (Pioneer Woman on Food Network) Chicken Fried Steak (and broccoli). Dave made it for us last night and it was awesome. (And messy. Holy deep fryer.)   I'm affectionately dubbing this summer my "Chicken Fried Summer." Why, you ask? Because I think my post-Survivor way of coping with transitions, stress, etc., has been to EAT. Anything and everything! Sour gummy worms? Don't mind if I do. Chocolate cake? Sure. Green olives and chocolate cake?  Uh ... okay, sure! The overeating is kinda (emphasis on KIND OF) funny for someone who starved on an island in the Philippines for 39 days last year, but work with me: I'm doing the best I can. And when I can do best er , I will. Promise. In the meantime, I'm just trying to begin a regular exercise routine to balance out the extra food intake AND love myself as I journey through this phase. And even that hasn't been super easy for some reason.  (For those of you w...

Thanks Nae and Whitt. I love my new shirt. I am so thankful it's the weekend: this has been one helen of a week. BUT, the sun is shining--both literally and metaphorically. And it looks like our family is going to come out of this challenge stronger than we were before. So I'm taking a deep breathe and just being sincerely grateful the major stress seems to be behind us. (Until the next major stress. Hahahahaha.) Happy June 1. PS: I'm thinking I will post my Survivor Finale pix. under the "Survivor" tab on the blog come Monday. I heart Survivor and am always happy to answer questions about it OR to talk about it (if you run into me in Target--ha ha), but I'm feeling like it's a good time to start the next chapter of our lives ... post-Survivor. Hugs to you and yours. --Dawn PPS: Thank you to all of our friends/family for loving us during this super-stressful week. We were showered with dinners, treats, presents, and help with our kids....

Survivor Caramoan cast, Day 3 in the game. (c) CBS, 2012, Monty Brinton. Last night was the TV Guide Preview for our season of Survivor. And I have to say--eve n after having lived this experience once before -- holy cow, I forgot how vulnerable you feel watching your self o n TV .   And I'm not alone in feeling vulnerable. I talked with 3 or 4 other players last night after the show aired and everyone said pretty much the same thing: -- "I'm excited it 's finally here." (We filmed a while ago.) A ND   -- "Did you see my X, Y, or Z ? It's aw ful." (F or me, it was my posture and sau sage thighs. For another, their acne. For another, their smir k in one cut-away.) Isn't that the way it goes? Here we are, living out our dream to play Survivor and be part of the Survivor Adventure, and yet we feel super insecu re as we watch the expe rience with friends , family, and 10+ million other s. It's made me think. A...