I don’t know about where you live, but around here, we have these “summertime only food joints” all over the place. Locally, about 2 miles up the road, is Cappie’s. It’s got an eat-in restaurant area, or you can do the “drive-in” and get served at the car. We tend to do take-out whenever we choose to eat there, it’s nice and quick, by the time we hang up the phone and drive up, the food’s ready.

We also have a place not too far from here called “Jumpin’ Jack’s”. This place is more famous for their cotton candy and ice cream than the food, and it’s situated by the edge of the Mohawk River. Kinda nice, if the smell doesn’t get too overpowering.

Anyway - my problem here is this: When these places open up for the first time (usually the last week of March, right around the first official day of Spring) I get that “feeling”. The feeling that Summer’s coming - the temperatures are on the rise, the sun’s shining more, I’m dying to go to Payless and grab all the sandals I can find, that sort of thing. It’s a fantastic time of year! There’s just one problem: I can’t just know that they’re open and feel this wonderous sense of Summer… I have to EAT there.

The food they serve is always the same. It’s frozen square hamburger patties, fries, onion rings, breaded chicken patties, hot dogs, and of course… ice cream! None of this stuff is healthy. Period. It’s like going to McDonald’s, and the food doesn’t even taste the same (it’s fast food without the greasy, heat-lamped kind of taste). But it’s not like the food’s even GOOD. I mean, it’s edible. It’s not horrid tasting. But what the hell? It’s far from gourmet, or even anything I could cook myself here at home. So why am I so compelled to eat it!?

Especially when you consider the fact that most people, when they think of Summer, think of bathing suits and beaches, shorts and convertible cars, tank tops and tankinis. Not me. I think of Cappie’s. Of course, this could be because I wouldn’t be caught dead in a tankini… but that’s another story.

I’m trying desperately this year to think of Cappie’s as a treat. Maybe only once or twice a month, if that. And NO MILKSHAKES! Problem is, they’ve been open for a week and a half and I’ve eaten there 3 times. *sigh* But no more! I’m not going to eat there until at least April 20th. That’s 3 weeks away. Maybe by then I won’t even want it. Wait… I have an idea for a challenge!

If I can get myself to eat at least 2 servings of fruit and veggies EVERY DAY until April 20th, then I can allow myself Cappie’s. If not, then for every day I don’t do it, that’s one day longer I have to wait for it. That’s it! Done deal.

I have made another decision though. I’m going to use some of the money from my most recent client and get myself to the gym. Even if I have to go a month at a time, based on my financial situation, I’m going to do it. I get up early enough, dammit. I need to go.