Ten Pounds Lighter

The last time we weighed ourselves one of us was loosing weight, the other was holding steady. I just saw a picture of myself, from the back and all that bread, butter, chocolate, french fries, wine and beer has found a place to call home. I found myself holding my breath as I put on a pair of shorts this morning...I laughed with relief when they still buttoned! I am working on finding balance of enjoying the new tastes and not over indulging. It's really hard. And, is it really necessary? Europe is about indulgence. The foods are rich, the wine cheap and the bread, oh the bread! Self-control is my struggle as I walk past pastry shops, bread bakers and the chocolate section at the supermarket. We are both members of the "clean plate" club, whatever Jason doesn't finish, I quickly smuggle away in my second chin. If only I could use my new saddlebags for carrying loose change. Jason, on the other hand, has lost weight.

But this post isn't actually about our bodies, it's about what we've been packing in our backpacks. We just have too much stuff. So, from Italy, with the help of my cousins (mailing stuff from Italy is not only very expensive, but extremely difficult in that you have to list each item, what each item is worth and weigh it) we sent the following back to California:

Jason's return:

1 pair jeans

1 button up shirt

1 pair shoes

Sheryl's return:

1 dress

1 pair yoga pant

1 pair socks

Schultzie's return:

1 Canon camera, with camera lens and bag to hold it all together

Total weight lost: nearly 10 pounds!!

Jason is our photographer. And all of his amazing pictures have been captured on his cell phone, a Samsung GS5. If I had to pack all over again I would have bought a Osprey 70 liter women's pack, either the Farpoint or the Wayfarer. I would have only packed the bare essentials. Instead of spending $150 at Target on a last minute freakout session, I would have saved that money and purchased an as needed wardrobe from Europe. The clothes are just so much cuter here! I would have packed less bathroom stuff. Jason would have got his same pack but in 80 liters, he has a lot of empty space in his pack...which I will try to fill, with snacks.