Just for the Hell-th of it!!

One Would Think

2011-03-21T06:02:00.000-05:00

One WOULD think that after all this time I would have an interesting post at the ready. Darn it, I don't. One of the reasons for my long absence is that I simply don't feel very interesting, blog-wise.

I continue my recovery from the knee surgery, with everything going well. Aside from the continuing flair ups of sciatica, I'm almost back to where I can resume my normal exercise routine. My current limitation is my inability to get down on both knees to do pushups. I have an alternate method...I use the kitchen island. It seems to work just fine for now.

I did have to make a trip to a back specialist in the hope of finding a resolution to my sciatica. I found out I have spinal stenosis and a slightly bulging disc. I am pondering the steroidal injections, but at present, I'm using a non-narcotic pain reliever.

On the weight loss front, I am delighted to report that the edema in my right leg (post surgical) has finally dissipated and I am down 15 pounds! Talk about a water loss! I still have a bit of residual swelling in my right ankle, but I doubt that will result in any significant weight loss. Darn it! I also kept to my plan of incorporating more soups and grains into our diet. Hubby Dearest has been a good sport about it, too. "Mr. Meat & Potatoes" has been a willing participant in this endeavor. To be fair to him, I adhered to the NO MuSHROOM law that is in effect in our house.

The happiest turn of events has been the opening of the golf course! I was able to play last Thursday, and the boost in my spirits was quite noticeable. It will be cooler for a few days again, but the hope of golf is clearly in sight. Delighted to report that both the knee and the back held up well. That was the best part of the whole experience.

Keeping Up

2011-01-25T00:59:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to keep up with my goals, I really am. However, my goal for Sunday kinda fell through. The Sunday supper I had set as my goal, became a soup supper. Still healthy, and still eaten together between football games. Not traditional, but it was fun.

Yesterday's (Monday) goal was to continue monitoring my water intake. I am still having edema issues after my surgery, so I am trying to be extra cognisant of my water consumption. I say yesterday's goal even though I have yet to end my day. My butt ache is preventing me from sleeping, so technically I'm still working on my Monday. These little late night adventures are starting to annoy me.

So, since it is now Tuesday according to the clock and the calendar, I think my goal for today will be to catch up on as many blogs as I can. I have been rather lazy in that regard lately. I finally learned to use the iPad for this purpose, but have not really done so. I still cannot find the spell check for my blog, so my apologies for any errors.

I am holding steady with my eating and exercise. I must admit, my exercise routines are getting more and more like the ones of yesteryear....a.k.a pre surgery. I hold the hope that increased strength will soon translate into the disappearance of my sciatic nerve problems. Thus far, the acupuncture is not the miracle cure I'd anticipated.

Once I feel confident my strength is where it should be, I want to get back to the gym and my trainer. While I do ok on my own, I really like being held accountable by both my trainer and my pocketbook!!! S'pose I could count that as one of my daily goals, too....just not quite yet.

Well, Now What?

2011-01-21T10:15:00.000-06:00

Already one whole day into my new plan, and I'm pondering what should be today's plan. I'm torn between incorporating extra stairs into the daily number, or doing laundry! I suppose technically, doing laundry is a non-compliant event. Oh well, I tried. I estimate I go up and down our stairs (16 on each level) at least 5 times per day. This includes going up to bed and coming downstairs in the morning. (I'm counting up and down as one trip) I am thinking that an addition of 3 extra trips would be helpful for my knees, and fulfill my goal per day requirement.

Thinking, thinking always thinking...since I don't generally post on weekends I have come up with my two goals for Saturday and Sunday. For Saturday, I am going to be more aware of the actual amount of water I am drinking. I've not been keeping track, and I am pretty sure I am falling short. Sunday is in flux...laundry may win the day! A girl needs clean underwear, ya know. Not really. I want to make a healthy and satisfying Sunday supper. Hubby Dearest has been out of thorn this week so I think a comfort food Sunday supper would be nice. Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

In case anyone wonders, and I seriously doubt that you do, I did manage to meet yesterday's goal. In fact, I did 15 min twice on the recumbent. Big deal for me as I tend to NOT be an overachiever!

New Goals In The New Year

2011-01-20T07:09:00.001-06:00

Yes, I realize his sounds suspiciously like New Year's Resolutions, but I'm looking at it from a different perspective. I've been reading The Primary Child's tweets and Facebook posts,and have become intrigued by his daily goals. These are not lofty, nor are rhey difficult. It occurs to me that as I continue to build my strength after the knee surgery, perhaps daily, achievable goals would be a dandy idea.

Looking back, my first goal was to be flexible enough to remove the risers from the toilet seat! Mission accomplished. Funny how something that simple was a signal to me that my recovery is well on it's way. With my strength in my leg returning I think it is time to add a few daily goals that include physical activities. So far, a little walking and some recumbent bike riding have been my routine. Dr. Said Thursday I could add exercises that did not cause undo stress on my knees.

Since I am still "blessed" with my sciatica, I think my first order of business will be to find a stretching routine that will strengthen those back muscles and the core. Not ready for weight bearing exercises yet, so will have to make stretching work for now.

So for today's goal....15 min twice today on the recumbent.

Not Quite Done Braggin'

2010-12-18T15:42:00.000-06:00

Had my first post-op Dr.'s appointment yesterday afternoon. I was feeling very good about my progress, but you know how Doctors can be. I went in with tempered enthusiasm for what I believed to be remarkable progress. I am extremely happy to report that my enthusiasm was not misplaced! I am a medical miracle! Ok, that might be a slight overstatement, but I'm pretty dad-gummed good.

The Dr., first of all, complimented his handiwork by bragging about my incision. I was glued shut, not stapled,so the wound looks really nice. I reminded him that it was my knee, my skin, and my fantastic healing ability that is making him look good....and what kind of discount do I get for that? No surprise, no discount!

I did my best strut around the room for him so he could see my knee bend. I passed that with flying colors, too. So, my reward?? No crutches!!! I can navigate around the house without benefit of crutches. I am to use one crutch or a cane when I go out and about, at least for the next two weeks. Dr. Was very impressed with the angle of bend I have achieved in only two weeks. So much so, that I will be requiring no further physical therapy! I am to continue everything I have been doing, and add other exercises as I feel stronger.

One small downer....no driving until after the first of the year. Guess my friends will be getting bigger Christmas gifts as bribes to schlep me around a little while linger.

Ok, I am now officially done bragging about my amazing recovery.....at least for now! :)

Up And At 'Em

2010-12-16T23:27:00.000-06:00

I have returned to the blogosphere! Would have dropped by much sooner, but being techno challenged, I could not work my new toy. Hubby Dearest got me an iPad so I wouldn't have to negotiate an extra set of stairs to use the computer. Try as I might, I simply could not get the body of the blog written. Many tries, and many false starts later, here I am! Nonidea if, and/or when I might return.

My surgery was a rousing success,and I think I am doing splendidly. The shot I had to give myself turned out to be a piece if cake....and no, a longer needle was not needed to penetrate my additional roll of fat. Thank goodness. I go to the Dr. Tomorrow for the first time since the surgery, so I'll get a professional opinion on just what a fine example I am as a patient. I anticipate kudos all around.

I have had very little pain, very little pain medication, and feel I'm doing great. I do have occasional stiffness in the knee after overdoing the exercises I've been given, but nothing unbearable. All in all, I have to say I am looking forward to many years of pain free walking, golfing, exercising, and playing with my grandchildren.

The being waited on hand and foot portion of this event ain't so bad, either. :)

Shocking, Just Shocking!!

2010-11-19T12:16:00.000-06:00

Yep, shock of shocks, I am posting yet again. It will be just like most of my other posts, random and imparting nothing of note. However, I find myself with a bit of time on my hands, so I thought I'd sneak in a post today. Don't get excited, I don't have much to say. :)

I had my pre-op "class" yesterday. It was semi-informative. Much of the info was the same as when I had my other knee replaced five years ago. However, there were some new twists since my last foray into surgery. This particular orthopedic department believes in pain meds by the pound!! I'm not at all sure I'm totally on board with that. Before I'm even undressed I will be given an Oxycontin, Tylenol, and some other pain pill/relaxant I'd never heard of. Hope I can get undressed and into my hospital garb before I pass out.

The rules for post op are much tougher, but they mentioned nothing about physical therapy. That was the most important part of my recovery last time. I asked about that and was told they would discuss therapy with me after the surgery. Wish I had a little more info on that. The newest thing, and one I'm lukewarm about, is that instead of the Coumadin I took post op last time, I'm going home with 7 pre-loaded syringes of Lovenox (sp?) that I have to inject into my stomach once a day. Doesn't that sound like a laugh a minute? Hope the needle is long enough to penetrate the blubber that resides there. :)

I just noticed that I have no spell check for this post, and the font is different. What the hell happened while I was sleeping? I don't get it. So, while I think I've spelled things pretty well, I'm not certain. Wonder what else will change while I'm recooperating? Hope I still have an account upon my return.

Once again....Happy Thanksgiving to all, and safe travels.

Yes, I'm Still Here!

2010-11-15T11:43:00.002-06:00

After what seems like a long absence, I have rejoined the blogosphere. Nothing was wrong, I was not sick, and I wasn't being bad....I was being lazy. Well, that, and I'm trying to get everything in order for Thanksgiving, the last tailgate of the year and have the house in order for after my surgery. Needless to say, I'm anxiously awaiting Nov. 29 and my new knee.

I have my pre-op walk through this Thursday, and my physical on Monday. I should be all set to go. I'll be delighted to have my mobility restored. I have been trying to keep up with exercise and proper diet. I have to say, I'm doing ok in both regards. I'm not a shining star, by any means, but I've done pretty well.

A friend of mine recently broke her right foot, and is not allowed to drive, so I'm trying to accumulate brownie points by chauffeuring her around these last few days before I no longer can drive. Then, hopefully, she'll be able to take over. I'll be wheel-less for about 4 weeks. Certainly didn't wish an injury on her, but at least we can help each other out. Handy for me, not so great for her.

I must now take a moment to brag on The Primary Child. As a teacher, he doesn't have lots of time off, but he is going to take a personal day after my surgery to drive 2 hrs. one way to come help me out if needed. I thought that was a lovely gesture. I'm quite certain The Perfect Child would fly in from Phoenix if necessary. I got me some terrific kids!! Even Hubby Dearest surprised me by taking the entire week off after my surgery. Didn't see that comin'. I figured an hour here, an hour there....color me shocked. What a guy!!

Thank goodness the new Trader Joe's opened here before I was temporarily incapacitated. I have enjoyed my forays into the new store. I can now make shopping lists for all my favorite places and I'm sure HD will be happy to fulfill my every whim. For one who absolutely hates grocery shopping, his efforts will probably be less than enthusiastic. Poor guy. But if he wants to eat, he'll adapt.

I am able to read blogs on my Crackberry, so I'll be in and out of the blogs while I'm hobbled. I haven't found a good way to comment or post on my phone, so I may be silent, but I'll be checking up on everyone.

I'll check back in on the flip side of surgery. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. For those who are travelling, please travel safely. The very best to everyone. "See" you soon!!!

Mental Check Up

2010-10-06T10:44:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I may need. I've had insomnia lately (nothing new), but my thoughts have been turning to what it is going to take for me to have the defining "AHA Moment"? I've had minor moments, and pay attention.....for a while. While lying awake at night this week, I've come up with a myriad of great reasons to get my act together once and for all.

A few months ago, I realized my children have never seen me in any other state than fatness. That should have done it, right? It did, for a while. Since then, I've thought about having some sort of accident that would require EMT's to lift me onto a gurney. Could they do it? Yes, I'm sure they could, but it would be embarrassing, I'm sure. I am not fixated, by any means, on having any accidents or health problems, but I'm just considering the problems that could possibly arise as I age. Last night's thought for the night was about my post op recovery. What if, after getting my new knee, I still have the sciatica and hip pain? What if it wasn't just a result of the odd walking gait I now employ? I've been told it is, but maybe the weight has played a part as well. Along with that, what if I cause the health insurance rates we pay to go up due to my inability to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol under control. I do have them in very good shape, so it is not an immediate concern.....but at 3:30 in the morning, it's something I ponder. My new concern this morning is flying. I love to fly, but what if pretty soon I have to ask for the seat belt extension? A lady across the aisle from me on one flight had to ask, and I could sense her embarrassment. I don't want to be that woman. I want to travel, and be able to do so comfortably.

Any of these moments, taken by themselves, should be a call to action. So, why is it that I remain half-assed in my efforts? I am lightening up and improving our eating habits, but that alone, ain't gonna do it. I can do easy exercise, which I do, but not enough to be considered a cardio workout. I guess my best effort has been in changing our diet. We eat healthier, lighter meals, and we do watch the calories, but I know that alone isn't going to make a huge difference. I have pledged to include more grains and legumes, for fiber, in our winter diet. I am hoping that's gonna move me to action. (Not the kind you're thinking of when you hear "fiber".)

AHA!! I am hoping against hope, this is it!!!

Nothing of Note

2010-09-30T12:09:00.002-05:00

Just exactly as the title suggests, nothing good or bad is happening around these here parts. In a way that's good, but in other ways, disappointing. I have had some relief in both the sciatica and knee departments, so that is the good news. However, my increased exercise and mindful eating have not yielded quite the success I'd hoped for. I had some "flu" bug or another on Saturday evening thru Sunday, so I did lose weight thanks to that. Of course, when I re-hydrated, my wonderful loss was suddenly not quite as wonderful. However, I did lose 5.6#, and believe me, I'm perfectly ok with that.

I find that each day my energy increases, and my sciatic nerve pain lessens a bit. I still go to the chiro regularly, but I'm stretching the time between appointments each week. Even better, I've been able to play golf....adding to my exercise this week. Once again, I'm beginning to be satisfied with baby steps at this time.

My next cortisone shot is coming up in a week or two, so I'm hoping that some relief will be forthcoming. Easier walking should, theoretically, lead to lessening of the pressure on my sciatic nerve. At least that is what both the chiro and the orthopod tell me. Since at the time of my last shot, the sciatica was minimal, I'm awaiting that relief in that department.

I do have to confess a funny mistake I made last Saturday. It was football Saturday, and we were going to the game. In order to be ready for the long walk, I put on my knee brace early. Laced it up, buckled it, and off we go. About an hour away from the stadium, I realize I have put the brace on the wrong knee!! This required a trip to the restroom in our parking lot, and a bit of maneuvering to get it on the right knee....literally the right knee. Felt a bit silly, but everyone enjoyed a good laugh. I may have to use a magic marker now to make sure I'm hitching up the right side.

I Love My Postal Worker!

2010-09-24T09:03:00.004-05:00

Well, not in the literal sense, but figuratively, anyway. Yesterday, my new blogger friend, Spunky Suzi sent me a package of delicious bars....my favorite postal worker delivered them! I simply could not resist trying just one right then and there. I chose a coconut and mango (she had me at MANGO) bar. It was lovely, even tho' I am not a huge coconut fan, I enjoyed this bar. After looking at my goody package, it occurred to me that I had won a give away a while back. This little goody bag arrived just at the right time!! I am feeling a bit better, and have begun exercising more, so a mid-day snack that is healthy will be a wonderful treat. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Suzi. I'm really anxious to try the Macadamia Nut Butter. That sounds delicious.

We have begun the tailgating season around these here parts. I am still trying to include a healthy alternative to some of the usual tailgate culprits. If I don't mention that a certain dish is healthy, it goes just as fast as the ribs, brisket and cheese corn bake. This week's switcheroo is a healthy mac 'n cheese. It came from a Taste of Home Healthy Eating cookbook, and is quite delicious. Made with healthy pasta (which coincidentally comes in the shape of the letter "N" for Nebraska) no one will know it's a lower fat, lower calorie version of the usual fat laden dish. I am also including a smoked turkey breast as well. I think I'm all set. I made a few changes last year, and they went over well, so I'm expanding this year. I've heard that many of our tailgate participants are trying to improve their eating habits, so I feel it my duty to assist them in this endeavor.....all the while really making it work for me!!

Knock, Knock...

2010-09-23T13:31:00.002-05:00

That is the sound of my knuckles meeting the desktop. Not that I'm overly superstitious, but just in case, I'm taking no chances. After 4 days of being miserable, and still trying to do the new stretches my chiro gave me, I had shown no relief in the sciatica. Then this morning, after a fairly miserable night, I awoke to the least amount of pain I've had is weeks and weeks!!! Instead of having to sit down on an ice bag for 45 min. to an hour before I could get anything done, I was ready to go in only 15 min.!!!! Hip, Hip, Hurray! I got right after the stretches, and began to graduate to a few leg lifts, and sit ups. Weights came later, but I did get a few done. No outdoor walk today, it's raining again. Baby steps.

I hesitate to get too excited and overdo, but I am feeling heartened by the little progress I'm currently enjoying. Now, I'm going to have to get my cooking and eating under control. I've felt so lousy lately, that I've not been good about food preparation, at all. Whatever I can throw together is what we end up with. Not good at all. In all honesty, there have been a few too many trips to a fast food joints, too. If this pain relief is the real deal, I'm anxious to get back and get crackin' on my new plan for more soups, and for using more grains and legumes.

Tomorrow is the last regular delivery for our CSA produce, but this year, I wised up and extended our share for the fall. I love the squash and fall veggies, so we decided to pony up and get the extended share. That will begin next week. Last week's box brought a little "Carnival" squash, and this week it should be ready to eat. I've been busy dehydrating chili peppers and making chili powder for soups this winter. I just finished a batch of tomatoes that I dehydrate and use as snack chips. I'm going thru all the right motions, I've just been terribly remiss in putting the right things into action.

I've also found, by stepping on the scales this morning, that I have not been maintaining my weight, as I thought I had. With little or no exercise, and a diet of junk and crap (sadly).... imagine my surprise when my scales showed a gain!!! Not as bad as it certainly could have been, but more than I'd like to have seen. I even modified my calorie intake to compensate for the lack of exercise, but then it just all went to hell, and off the wagon I tumbled. I'm reaching for the reins right now, trying to gain control of my wagon, so hopefully in the very near future, my results will be better. Here's hoping.

Day Three, I'm On a Roll!

2010-09-17T14:19:00.002-05:00

Well, a mini-roll anyway. I do feel improvements, gradual as they may be, but at least I'm feeling perkier by the day. I'll take what I can get.

I went for a little longer walk today. Still not overdoing, but it felt good to at least get stretched out and get something done. I'm working my way up to the recumbent bike, as it requires hoisting my leg over the middle of the bike. We don't have one of the fancy ones with the completely cut out middle portion.

I'm also making it a point to begin thinking about re-vamping (for a 2nd time) our eating habits. With my exercise limited, I need to alter my portions and daily calorie allotments. I informed Hubby Dearest that we are going to be enjoying more grains and more soups this fall and winter. We (meaning I) are hoping that using soups, which are quite filling, will provide the proper fiber and calorie counts without breaking the dietary bank. There are only a few (canned) soups that HD even likes, and besides chili, this could be a real challenge. But, to his credit, he has taken all of my previous wild ideas in stride, and is extremely cooperative. All I need to do is leave out the mushrooms and I'm golden. :)

So, now armed with the umpteenth iteration of my "plan", I am hopeful that I'm back on the right track. All I need is for the knee and the back to hold out until Nov. 29 when I can then fully engage in all of the things that I've been planning to do. Not quite a bucket list, but kinda close.

Ho Hum!

2010-09-16T12:42:00.002-05:00

Another day, another blog post. OMG!!! This makes two in a row! Alert the media, I'm back at it. Well, sorta. After yesterday's "Oh Woe Is Me" post I felt I owed it to myself (and to the one or two people who actually read my blog) to let you know that I am seeing some improvement. My walk yesterday was, in fact, longer than the day before, so that's progress. I still have great difficulty getting on the recumbent bike, but that day will come soon, I am sure. For now, a few weights and a walk or two is about all I can muster.

I can't tell if the prednisone is really helping yet or not. I do know that it tastes bitter, and gives me terrible indigestion. Ahhhh, the price one must pay for results. The gigantic bruise on my butt is not subsiding, and sitting is still an issue. Perhaps I mentioned I had a deep tissue massage, with a sledge hammer, so I'm still mighty tender. Ice, Ice, Baby!! The good news is that I did, as usual, awaken at 3:00 this morning for my nightly trip to the potty, but instead of being in pain and having to go downstairs to medicate and sit on my ice bag, I was able to go back to bed with minimal pain, and get 3 hrs. more of the sleep I so desperately crave. That, my friends, is progress. I still have the morning pain, but it begins to subside about 11, so I am hopeful that each day, as the prednisone takes hold, my mobility will arrive earlier in the morning....day by day.

I am currently able to get some work done around the house, so that makes me feel a little bit more useful. Can't do some household tasks, but they are the ones that I hate to do when I'm completely well.....vacuuming being one of them. Luckily, Hubby Dearest has sprung for a cleaning lady, but she is only able to come every 4 weeks until Nov. But believe me, that is better than nothing. So, I am trying to maintain bathrooms and dust now and again. Not too much bending over at one time, and I can "Get 'er done!"

Lest I bore you all further, I shall now go back upstairs to my comfy chair and lovely ice bag. Getting a lot of reading done as I sit all day. Boring, but at least I don't have to twiddle my thumbs all day long.

Shame, shame, shame

2010-09-15T11:28:00.003-05:00

ON ME!!! I have not only been remiss in my blogging, I have been remiss in almost every other area of my life, as well.

This is the point where I now begin the litany of maladies that have prevented me from doing what it is I know I must do. So as not to disappoint, I shall begin by saying that my sciatica has come back with a vengeance. It has prevented me from sleeping, doing stairs, driving long distances, and sitting comfortably. I have not come downstairs to blog or to ride the recumbent, or to do any exercises at all. As one might suspect, the lack of activity has taken a toll on my previous successes. I am about as out of shape and "blubbery" as I have ever been. It's more than slightly depressing. I'm trying to work myself back into some sort of groove, but when I awake at 3:30 every morning in pain, I'm not exactly motivated to get exercising. I know, Excuse #1. When the pain finally subsides, I drive the 7 blocks to the chiropractor, where he uses his elbow to go deep into the tissue to loosen up the "knots". I'm black and blue for days, and it hurts to sit on the bike seat. Excuse #2. There are days I cannot stand to do the stairs. I can get downstairs from the bedroom, but doing another flight just isn't in the cards. Excuse #3. I could go on and on, but instead I bit the bullet and actually went to my regular Doctor.

After making me push and pull various muscles, he came to the conclusion that I do, indeed, have sciatic nerve problems, caused by my bad knee. (Which, due to the sciatica, I'd almost forgotten about.) He's given me prednisone (sp?) for the time being. I only have to get to Nov. 29 when I have my knee replacement, so this is a 6 day pack, with 6 days of residual effect. That will hopefully give me some much needed relief. I just want to sleep more than 3 1/2 hrs. per night. I think the worst part of all of this is my pathetic lack of golf this summer. It has always been the one key component to my exercise regimen. That, may very well be the cause of my blue mood. I've only had one day on the prednisone, so we'll see if relief is on the way. Fingers crossed.

I did try to take a short walk yesterday, but turned back after less than 1/2 block. I thought the stretching would be helpful....I was incorrect. Back to the ice pack again. I'm going to try again this afternoon, so we'll see how far I can get. I'm going with the any progress is good. Even if I only go 3/4 of a block today, it will be an improvement.

I probably should have titled this post "Oh Poor Me!", but I think I've used that before. :)

Yoo Hoo, Am I Out There?

2010-08-16T10:06:00.003-05:00

Seems like ages since I've set down and composed a post for my blog. Suppose that could be because I've not been busy doing very much. Knee, back and hip are doing quite nicely considering I am an old fart. Rain, rain, and more rain has kept me off the golf course, so my exercise has been largely confined to the recumbent bike. I really have no problem with that except that I prefer an outdoor activity.

A post without mentioning another injury is like a day without sunshine. Well, actually I have 3 new ones to report. Last week I had 2 squamous cell spots removed on my right hand. They were located in very odd spots, and the Dr. said he'd never seen them between fingers before. Leave it to me!! Typing has been a challenge with all the bandages. They are smaller now, so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. The third oddity occurred last night. I opened the drop leaf to my desk and the old calculator slid out and dropped, corner first, right on my big toe. A slight yelp of "ouch" and I thought nothing of it. When I went upstairs to go to bed, I had quite a lovely bruise. Well, "ouch" indeed. This morning I awoke to a really swollen and bruised big toe. A little ice and a little elevation of the foot, and only the bruise remains. But, really, what a stupid accident. Only I could do something so blatantly dumb.

It's State Fair time again, but I am not succumbing to the temptation of the pork chop on a stick.

The heat and humidity might also play a small part in my willingness to forgo the lure of multiple new foods on a stick. I'll stay at home and enjoy the fresh and delicious tomatoes that everyone, but me, has been growing. My efforts at tomato farming have yielded exactly 2 regular sized tomatoes and 6 cherry tomatoes. Pitiful, I admit. However, my peppers are going nuts!! That, and my herbs, have been doing well. My upside down tomato thingy hasn't proven to be the wonder of nature I was promised. I had much better luck last year. Lucky for me I have my CSA and several friends providing lovely produce.

On a very proud note, my granddaughter (age 6) completed her first 1 mile fun run in 13 min. 11 sec.!!!! I am so proud of her. The Primary Child (her father) did the 5K just prior to her run, then ran with her. Very cool.

A Sunday Post??? What Am I Thinking?

2010-08-01T19:58:00.003-05:00

Well, I'll tell you what I'm thinking.....Yippeeeeee Damned Skippeeeeee!!! I played 18 holes of golf today with almost no pain!! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about that. At about the 16th hole my knee began to get tired, but I was not in pain. Hallelujah!!

I know better than to get too cocky about this, but I have to admit I am heartened by this turn of events. I am well aware of the pitfalls of being over confident, so I will keep things in perspective. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week is our annual Member-Guest Tournament, and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue to enjoy a pain-free golf experience. I have promised myself that I will not overdo, and I will not force myself to do things I'm not able to do. Thank goodness my partner realizes that I have certain limitations. We're in it, not to win it, but to have an enjoyable experience, and have fun. I have warned her that if I feel pain...I quit. She's good with that.

Since my injection on Thursday, I have been taking things slow and easy. I am not going to tempt the fates, but I am thinking I may be able to resume a walking schedule after the golf tournament. I have found one thing to be a problem, I cannot carry heavy things without a bit of a twinge in my knee. I think that's a sign that everyone should fetch and carry for me!! NOT!

I cannot carry my usual 5 grocery bags in at one time, but I'm ok with that. :)

In looking over this post, I see why I don't post on weekends. It's an odd post, but a happy one. I just couldn't wait to share my happy news. Hope my good fortune continues. Wish us luck.

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh What A Relief It Is

2010-07-29T11:13:00.002-05:00

Well, truth be told, there was no plop, plop or fizz, fizz....but AHHHH what a relief it is! Yep, you guessed it! Today was cortisone shot day. I'm to stay off the knee for a "few" hours. What exactly is a "few" I asked. I was told "More than 1 and less than 10". So guess I'll just chill for a little while. I was told to stay off the "dreadmill" as it is too taxing on the old, decrepit joints. So just me and my trusty recumbent from now until Nov. 29. Oh....did I mention that's my surgery date? I can also squeeze one more cortisone shot in before surgery. I learned not to stretch the gap between shots the hard way.!! I am looking forward to the surgery and having all of this crap behind me, but I still want to be able to enjoy golf and football, too. I want it ALL!!! If I take care and listen to what my body tells me, I see no reason I can't have it ALL!!!

I have to admit that feeling the relief already has me anxious to get back on track. I will pace myself, but just being able to do a bit more than usual will be wonderful. I'll ease back into a routine that is sensible, but just using the word routine is comforting.

Thank you all for your encouraging words on my last post. I did think and ponder quite a lot before I went to the Dr. today. I was truly thinking of an earlier surgery, but after discussing the situation with my Dr., he felt I could stay comfortable and still do all the things I want to do. He did use the word "sensible" quite a bit. Think it might have been a subliminal message? I was also left with the option to change dates if things become intolerable. Good to have options, I guess. Certainly hoping that I don't need to make alternate arrangements.

So, I'm all set for another 3 months...I hope. I'm gonna do things in moderation, but I'm looking forward to actually DOING things again. Thank you all again for encouraging me. I'm trying to hang in there. After one whole morning...so far, so good. :)

At A Crossroads

2010-07-27T09:30:00.002-05:00

Remember the old Johnny Carson skit, where Johnny is giving directions to his character's car lot, and he says "When you come to the fork in the road, take it!!" Well, I think I might be at a crossroads ready to "take it"....but which way do I turn?

When I originally began this journey, it was to improve my health and hopefully lose weight along the way. I am happy to report that the health improvement is going along nicely, but there is always room for improvement. Improvement that would be greatly enhanced by a greater weight loss. Thursday I am going to the orthopedic Dr. for my cortisone shot. I know that it is going to bring relief, but I also know that relief will be temporary, and will wear off a month before I want to schedule my surgery. Crossroads #1...accept the fact that I will have another month like this last one before the surgery OR bite the bullet and schedule the surgery earlier and miss football season. (No I am not playing linebacker for the team.) Fact is, I am as crazy about Nebraska Cornhusker football as I am about golf!! Therein lies my dilemma.

Crossroads #2...I am not achieving the weight loss goals I had hoped for lately, but I know that my lack of exercise due to limited movement is not helping. It is not an excuse either. So, do I back off for now completely, continue the healthy eating and wait for pain relief to begin again, or do I toughen up and get on with it? I'm not a sissy by nature, but I am not enjoying the pain I'm inflicting upon myself one little bit. Even golf has been a struggle. Sunday, after a long layoff, I decided to give it a whirl. I only lasted 13 holes, then became an innocent bystander. That really hurts!!!

Crossroads #3...Blogging. While I love blogging, especially reading all of the blogs that I've followed all these months. I simply don't feel that I'm doing my part as a blogger. I'm not able to exercise, I'm not really losing weight, I'm just kinda hangin' on by a thread. My question is, "Should I continue to blog even tho' I have nothing but my marvelous wit (no wisdom) and sunny disposition to share? The blogging community has been so kind and generous to me, I hate to leave it altogether.

I can see that this post might qualify as a whiny, "oh poor me" post. I don't want it to be, really I don't. I want to make decisions that will be in my long term best interests. At 61, I want to maximize the years I have to look forward to. I don't want lasting damage from anything I may be trying to do right now. At least we are on the right track making good food choices, and making sure we find healthy alternatives to our old "vices". Guess that's a good thing, huh?

Thwarted!!

2010-07-13T15:06:00.002-05:00

Drats! My grand plan to grow old gracefully is being thwarted. Roadblocks are being thrown in my path right and left lately. I shall not be deterred, but it ain't gonna be easy.

As I've already complained, my knee is on the replacement "to-do" list this fall. Until then, I'll be dragging it behind me, bitching loudly. I think I might have pulled a little something in my neck lifting weights this morning. I think it might be a matter of not stretching enough, so I'm not overly concerned. However, what I am concerned about it how much more stretching and warming up I have to do before I can get down to business. Almost as long as the workout itself!!

I was at the Dermatologist the other day, and had several spots frozen. Nothing significant, thank goodness, but the spot I was actually worried about turned out to be nothing more than an "Old Age" spot. Now, the Dr. put it more politely than that, but I knew exactly what the inference was. Old Age spots be damned!! Of course pointing this one spot out led to the discovery of many, many more spots that prompted the, " You don't have to worry about this, it's a normal part of aging." comment. Ouch!

I looked this morning and found that my list of vitamins and Doctors now outnumber the number of friends on our Christmas Card list!! I had a plan, once upon a time. Hubby Dearest and I would slide gracefully into our dotage with dignity and all in one piece. I'm pretty sure HD is gonna succeed, but I'm sort of a question mark at this point. I can cope with body parts aging, and going to pot, but I get very concerned when my mind shows signs of slowing down.

Case in point: Grocery Day today. I park the car in about the same place.....far enough from the door to make myself walk a short distance. (So far, so good, huh?) I shop like pro, sticking mainly to the perimeter of the store. (Still ok, right?) Check out and pay. (Still hangin' in there.) Push the cart out to the car. Stand by the door and click my remote door thingy...nothing. Keep clicking, still nothing. Click, click, curse, curse, click, click. Well, dummy, now what? If I stay out in the heat much longer, my broccoli is gonna pre-cook. LIGHTBULB!!! This is not my car! Ye Gods! It is an identical version of my car, down to the extra cloth grocery bags on the back seat. My car is directly across from the car I'm trying to break into! As casually as I can muster at this point, I stroll over to my car and load 'er up, return the cart to the cart park, and make my getaway as quickly and quietly as possible. As I left I saw that this car had different tires than my car.....well, who the hell checks that???

But in thinking about this further, it occurs to me that I have an SUV with the license plate right there in front of me on the tailgate. I have a personalized plate and should have noticed that I was trying to load up the wrong tailgate!!! I can't begin to tell you how that affects my self esteem and my plan to be a really cool, hip and happenin' old lady. I've suffered a setback, but I'm bound and determined to keep pluggin' away. I am buying a book of more difficult crosswords right away!

No News=Good News, Right? Well, Maybe Not

2010-07-12T09:12:00.003-05:00

That's just where I am at present...nothing newsworthy.

My knee completely gave way last week, so I am on the injured reserve list. Walking very gingerly until I can get to the orthopod on the 29th. I am hoping that the cortisone shot will help re-seat my knee, and I'll be able to resume some sort of regular walking routine. Right now I have a hobbling routine. My knee "popped", I heard it, waited a moment, and then it came....PAIN....shooting, stabbing pain. My knee had popped out of "sync". I got it kinda re-seated, but it still wobbles. I am seriously considering an earlier surgery date. I'll see the Doc on the 29th and ask if this little setback is enough to move up the surgery date. I'm hoping not, but if I'm going to have this "wobbler" for the next few months, I won't have much fun to look forward to. I know it's bad when I cancel golf!! One good thing has come of this new event tho', I've pretty much forgotten about my sciatica! :)

I've been away from blogging for a bit. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I began reading again yesterday on my Crackberry. I haven't figured out how to respond or comment using the phone yet, but I did finally read and catch up. I am trying to use the phone for as much as I can, then I don't have to go downstairs to the "office/gym" to use the regular computer. (We don't yet have a laptop.) Stairs are not my friend at the moment. I can't use any of the equipment we have downstairs, so I'll bring the exercise ball upstairs along with my 8# weights and do a little bit of work upstairs. Makes the family room look a little funny, but at least I can do a little something.

My main claim to fame in the past few weeks has been that we are keeping our eating under control. I've managed to stay on the healthy track with that, at least. The CSA shares help, so it's always fun to see what we're going to be enjoying from week to week. And, guess what??? My beloved kohlrabi has returned!!! Not in the huge quantities we had last year, but it's back. I am wondering what it is about Iowans and their kohlrabi? Even the farmers' markets are full of kohlrabi baskets. I find that very odd. Must have something to do with the bright purple color. If that's not the reason, I cannot figure out the attraction. This year, a friend and her husband are sharing our bounty with us. Makes it much easier to use all of the greens and, of course, kohlrabi, if we are not the only ones trying to make use of it. Zucchini squash season has begun, so I suppose I'll be baking soon. I'm not keen on baking, but with the onset of zucchini season, I usually have to do something baked for HD to take to the office. I can't let a cake sit around here, that's for sure. We'd not be able to resist.

Well, Go Figure!

2010-07-01T10:15:00.003-05:00

This just in!!! Dr. Reports That VRaz60 Is OK!! I just opened my Dr.'s report and found that aside from the bottom number of my blood pressure (I forget which is systolic and which is diastolic) all of my numbers have improved!! As I whined yesterday, it was due in no part to my healthy habits of late. I am hopeful that with these numbers showing improvement, and knowing that even tho' I've slacked off lately, I did well, I'll be more inclined to get my act together more quickly.

After several weeks of remaining silent, my competition has spoken!! He informs me that he has now lost weight again! The contest continues. Perhaps that, too, will motivate me again. He has forged into the lead by a per cent or two. I should put my nose to the grindstone, or more accurately, my butt on the recumbent bike, and get a move on it. I did 15 min. on the bike yesterday, but I really felt it in my knee. Fortuitously, my sciatica is in abeyance for the moment and I can be more active. Will that actually make me get going or not, we shall see.

As you can see, I talk a good game. Action needs a little work. I DO really want to get my mojo back, I really do. I don't want it to take bad news to make me work as hard as I should. I cannot take my positive Dr.'s report as a sign to continue slacking off.

Blogger's Block

2010-06-30T09:39:00.002-05:00

I've had Writer's Block before, but now it has turned into Blogger's Block. I am still doing most of the same things on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, so nothing strikes me as very newsworthy. The events that are fun and exciting to me have nothing to do with my health, per se. Even tho' each of the fun events make me happy and I enjoy them enormously, they don't necessarily contribute to my overall good health.

Example: Our wonderful grandson's 3rd birthday party. For this big event, The Perfect Child flew in from Phoenix to help celebrate. Big party, big fun. Smart eating....not so much. Earlier, The Primary Child and the above mentioned wonderful grandson came for a visit. Rainy weather, no outside activity, and again.....good habits took a big hit. Guests for golf, dinner out, bbq's when weather permits. Dumb choices all over the place.

Next up: 4th of July with friends joining us for the huge celebration at our club. I'm planning on improving my choice making, but who knows? I grow weaker and weaker in this department lately. I'm not gaining any weight, but I'm certainly not losing, or taking care of my overall health.

I should get a gauge as to just what damage I may have done very soon. Monday, I went to the Dr. for my 6 month med-check. I'll be getting the blood work results back this week, so perhaps I'll be shocked back into action....and while I'm not anxious for bad news, maybe that might just be the kick in the butt I need to get my sorry ass back on track. I talk to myself daily, chastising myself for being such a slacker. I know exactly what the consequences will be if I don't get going in the right direction again. I know, I know, I know. WHEN do I DO???? I certainly do not lack for AH-HA moments, they happen all the time. How do I manage to continually ignore them?

Sciatica is much improved, golf is more frequent, so theoretically, I should be perking right along, right? Yeah, I'd think so too.

Dadgummit, Anyhow!

2010-06-16T16:48:00.002-05:00

Seems as tho' I'm just not gonna catch a break this week. Yesterday, as I was pulling some items out of the dryer in order to get ready for my big golf outing, I snapped my sciatic all over again. Not as bad this time, but plenty aggravating. I made up my mind not to miss this golf event because it was "Bras for the Cause", a breast cancer and women's health organization here that our golf club supports with a big tournament every year. I hated to miss it, so I dropped "a few" Tylenol Arthritis Strength, and tried to keep moving. I wasn't much help to the team, but I got thru the day with no major problems. Just the same nagging pain as I woke up with.

Upon my return from the tournament, I called the chiropractor to see if I could get in yet that afternoon. The office was closed!! I suffered thru the evening, and was able to sleep a bit. I do have to get more Tylenol, however. Also had to pull out "Old Faithful"...the ice bag. I've had it attached to my butt off and on all day. Took it off only long enough to get the chiro to adjust me, and to have my spinal decompression. I'm having a modicum of relief right now, so I'm hopeful this siege of sciatica won't be as long, or as painful as the last one. The whole things throws a real kink into my exercise program, let me just say. Walking slowly is just about all I can do at present. I've tried a few stretches with the exercise ball, but I'm not quite sure about that yet. It hasn't actually been painful, but I can feel an uncomfortable pull now and then.

My salsa garden has suffered a setback, too. A friend told me to make a solution of Dawn liquid dish washing soap and water to get rid of the little bugs that were nibbling on my radish tops and enjoying my lettuce right down to the ground. I bought a plain, non-antibacterial, old fashioned Dawn liquid, added it to a spay bottle with some water. Spritzing away, I was feeling very good about my efforts to remain "green". Later that day, the tops of the radishes were brown and wilted, the lettuce sickly, and the leaves were beginning to yellow on my pepper plants.... and then eventually they fell off!!! Tomatoes were unaffected, thank the Good Lord!! Today, I noticed that teeny, tiny leaves were beginning to form on the "Pepper Sticks". Can't really call them plants at present! :) I remain hopeful that I'll have peppers by the time the snow flies.

Blogger Must Not Like Me

2010-06-08T09:15:00.003-05:00

I had the most wonderful post ready for yesterday, but Blogger wouldn't let me post it. I commented on a few blogs, then PRESTO! I was booted out. Was it something I said?? At any rate, a day has passed and I've forgotten what I was going to regale you all with. So, I decided that an even better post would include the picture of our granddaughter, "The Dancing Princess", pre-recital. Ain't she sweet? This picture doesn't show her black and white pom poms which were part of the dance. The music..."I'm A Believer"... Right up my alley, era wise. :) It was fun to see all the little ones doing their very best to remember their steps. As usual, I was tired of seeing the older dancers every other dance. 2hrs. and 40 min. of dancing, and the cutest dancer of all was 5th or 6th from the last act. :(

On another note, I assume I am running away with the "Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done" weight loss challenge. My competition has not reported in for two weeks, so I have declared myself the winner of the last two weigh ins! This is turning out to be easier than I ever imagined!! Possibly NOT the dumbest thing I've ever done, at all.

I have just purchased two new cookbooks, neither one of which I needed. However, I love cookbooks, and now that I've added these two to the collection, I have decided I need to cook at least two items from a cookbook, any cookbook, in the collection each week. More would be better, but at least two seems doable. My new Emeril cookbook, "Farm to Fork" will be useful when my CSA shares begin to be more bountiful. Right now we are stuck on greens, spring onions and asparagus. All wonderful stuff, but I'm looking forward to more variety soon. The other book, "Planet BBQ" gives ideas for international barbecue favorites. Last night we had a Serbian style stuffed pork tenderloin. Wonderful!! HD's father's family was Croatian, so in the interest of detente, we enjoyed a Serbian specialty. Ever the peacemaker, that's me. There are Croatian recipes in the book, so I do plan on sampling those soon.

My new addiction, which I'm trying to use to replace Cheetos, is Twitter. I'm not a contributor, as a rule, but I am following several people. I find it oddly fascinating, and totally addictive. Being a total non-technological person, this is a huge step for me. Teeny, tiny news bits, recipes, gossip and useless info is wildly amusing I am finding. It's just plain fun. Guess what, when I got kicked out of Blogger yesterday, I went right to Twitter to amuse myself. Should I have done laundry? Yes, of course. I got around to that eventually, so Twitter is not consuming all of my time, although I think it certainly could. Moderation in all things, right? Right!!

Ok, Where Is My Yearly Weight Loss??

2010-06-04T09:22:00.002-05:00

I just read that throughout the year, a person sheds about 9# of skin!! Where's my 9# loss been hiding? Has someone else confiscated it? I feel cheated.

I have noticed my skin getting thinner, (old age, I'm told) but I've had no significant weight loss due to skin loss, I'm pretty sure. How, and when does this happen? Certainly not while I'm watching....and I have become very vigilant after reading of this phenomenon. Something else for me to ponder while I'm awake at night. :)

I decided yesterday that perhaps my blog needed a new look. Being kinda techno challenged, I tried to find a spiffy one from one of the sites dedicated to creating new blog templates. I found one, downloaded it, as instructed. Problem #1, the right margin said 2009 and problem #2, it didn't completely replace my old template, so I had old and new trying to compete with one another. My solution? Just use the templates that Google provides. Quick, easy, done!! Not sure yet if it has boosted my enthusiasm or not.

Today's CSA delivery is going to be Bok Choi, Lettuce, Arugula, and Garlic Scapes. Looks like we will be having a salad of some sort this evening, followed by a healthy stir fry on Sun. Sat., we'll be in Omaha for our granddaughter's dance recital. I totally enjoy watching the little dancers every year, but as the program goes on, the older dancers begin, and I lose interest. I know that when our 6 yr. old progresses upward, I'll enjoy the older kids, too. However, at this point only the little ones make me smile.

No report this week from my competition in the "Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done" weight loss challenge. Plus, he's off to Vegas this weekend!!! I think I'm gonna do just dandy. This past week, I held even, but lethargy overtook me and my exercise program. No gain, so I guess that's good, but with a little more effort, I can do even better. I just need to get motivated again. Having a competitor should help, but since he's not really giving it his all, neither am I. THAT, has to stop....for me, anyway.

Just Wonderin'

2010-06-03T10:04:00.002-05:00

I was awake again last night with my restless leg and began to ponder. I pondered many important things, but the uppermost topic was blogging. I am concerned because I feel I have run dry, and have no blog topics I want to discuss. I look at my blog list and see all of you coming up with witty, interesting, pithy, informative, and smart things to blog about. I'm at a loss.

I am continuing my journey to better health, but nothing fascinating or exciting is happening on that front. I'm doing just fine in my "Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done" challenge, but it isn't necessarily newsworthy. No really big news around here. I don't really feel like I'm in a funk, really, just experiencing some antipathy toward my blog.

See, this is why one should not contemplate big things while up and about at 2 or 3 in the morning. Nothing good comes from thinking. :)

Miss Me???

2010-05-27T14:07:00.002-05:00

Nah! Didn't think so.

I have been goofing off, blogging wise, but working on the rest of my plan. I've also been nosing around the other blogs, but haven't commented much, cuz I've been using my new fangled phone, and I can't figure out exactly how to leave comments on blogs while using the darned thing!! I know, and I admit that I am techno challenged. I've learned to accept that shortcoming.

I am happy to report that The Perfect Child is doing her best to secure my victory in the "Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done Challenge". She took my competitor out to dinner last night, fed him junk, and insisted he consume beer!! Yay, Kris!!!!!! AND, since I had not heard this week from my fellow competitor, I assumed I was in the lead...I was right, I am!! He finally reported in this afternoon, and his results were not what he'd hoped for, I'm sure, but I'm delighted. :) He gained .09% this week, and I lost .19%. Now, normally that wouldn't be a very exciting loss, but at least I'm hanging in there. A win is a win, right?? What is it they say about age and treachery?? I certainly have the age part covered.

I have also heard from the competition that he's begun to follow my blog, so now I must tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. (Shaded slightly in my favor, of course.) I have to admit that my exercise this week has been less than exemplary. I am two months away from being able to get my next cortisone shot, and my knee is complaining loudly!! It's all I can do to get around the golf course, so lots more than that simply is not getting done. I do get a few weights in now and then. Jason, on the other hand, is hiking up and down mountains like a mad man. Luckily, The Perfect Child is insisting on beers and "squeeze cheese" for dinner. I've been assured that even tho' this week offered up a gain, he's still on board with the challenge, so off we go to week three. I keep reminding myself of the tortoise and the hare.

This is the tortoise signing off. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all !!!

Week One Is In The Books!

2010-05-18T15:18:00.002-05:00

While it hasn't been a full week since the "Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done" Challenge began, my competition weighed in yesterday and reported a loss of 2.24%!! Thankfully, his weigh in took place before he did a mountain hike of 4 miles in the 96º heat!! I dodged a bullet there, I'm quite certain. My loss, while delighting me, was more modest. I had a 1.18% loss, which at this juncture, I'm very happy about. It erases the evils that beset me a week or two ago. So, while I did fall below the yellow line, (reference "The Biggest Loser") I was not eliminated!! We are still hard at it. I am also buoyed by the knowledge that my beloved competitor has indulged in a QuickTrip hot dog with all that wonderful squeeze cheese and drippy chili, so I'm feeling ever so much better about that, too. He hasn't entirely given up the soda pop, either. The Perfect Child has volunteered to sabotage his efforts, so I may eventually have to take her up on that offer, but as of now, I'm gonna play it straight. That might not last long, but at least I'm going to try. :) I am certainly not above taking help when it is needed. :)

I have to admit that my efforts are a bit more focused these days. For absolutely no other reason than that I am able to play golf on a much more regular basis. That just lifts my spirits enormously, and makes me much perkier....disgustingly so, some would say. I have to admit that I was tired of just doing the same old stuff day after day. Even my outdoor walks, which I enjoy were getting boring.

I have received confirmation that my "Almost, But Not Quite, World Famous Rhubarb Ketchup" is, indeed wonderful with turkey burgers! The Primary Child emailed me with that bit of news the other day. Being the wonderful parent I am, I resisted the urge to say "I told you so", and accepted the compliment with humility and gratitude, neither of which come naturally to me. I received the same plaudits for the rhubarb-chipotle BBQ sauce, too, so I am really on a rhubarb roll!! CSA deliveries start next Friday, so I am excited about that. I can't wait to see what's gonna show up. There was a limited delivery (not to our site) 2 weeks ago and they got asparagus, onions and garlic scapes. I'm hoping with an extra week in between, we'll be getting lots of goodies. I always look forward to the email telling us what we're going to get so I can begin gathering my recipes. It is just so nice to have fresh, organic, locally grown produce. I miss that in the winter months.

Onward and Downward in Week 2!! Be sure and have another hot dog, Jason....I'm buying!!

Confuscious Say...

2010-05-12T09:23:00.002-05:00

"Never enter into Biggest Loser contest with man who is just beginning his diet". Contrary to good sense, I have done just that. A family friend, 37 yrs. old, and I have embarked on a Biggest Loser type contest. He wants to lose weight before his vacation in Aug., and I am just continuing what I've already started. This ain't gonna be fair, I already know that!

First, as we all know the deck is stacked against me just for being a female. Second, I've been working on this a while so my initial big loss is behind me, he is just beginning. Third, he has just discovered FIBER, so his first week will probably be a very nice, big loss. I'll be happy getting my 1#. (There goes my "touchy-feely" diet, I'm gonna have to file reports.) I'm not even going to think about the age difference and activity levels. UGH!

As an aside, this guy is a young, athletic guy with an active, outdoor job. He's on the go most of the time. However, he has never met a QuickTrip hotdog smothered in that pump cheese and liquid chili he didn't love!! Junk food in quantity is his best friend. The Perfect Child, our daughter, is back into fitness and healthy eating, so her friend has decided he needs to begin a healthy eating program, too. Even tho' he's not a healthy eater, he is so active in his job that he can get away with the diet he has been enjoying. He is also a devoted Dr. Pepper drinker. Upwards of 2 liters a day!! He's cutting back on that, I've been told.

The cute thing is, that yesterday he called to tell me about his FIRST day of eating well. Like a little kid that just won the spelling bee, he was delighted with himself. I oohed and ahhhed appropriately, then listened as he told me a Buffalo Wild Wings was going in very close to where he lives!! Excitement was clearly in his voice. However, since he is one day into his devotion to good health, he has determined he is going to ride his, as of right now, nonexistent, bicycle to and from his wild wing, beer drinking evening. He's also going to try to get The Perfect Child to fall of her wallet to buy a bike as well. Heck, she can't even commit to a living room set she likes after being in her house for a couple of years, it'll take forever for her to chose a bike. (This comment will get a rise out of her....I should be hearing from her soon.)

Ya know, come tho think of it, if we stay at this contest long enough I just might be the tortoise to his hare, and do okay. :) Fingers crossed.

Weekend Recap

2010-05-10T09:45:00.003-05:00

For starters, I had a really wonderful weekend! On Sunday, I was pleasantly surprised by HD with an invitation to breakfast. Not all that unusual, but we were going to a place much further away than usual. We arrived, waited for a table for 2 to clear, and HD said we needed a table for 6. I thought our golfing compatriots would be joining us. We ordered coffee and waited. Well, imagine my delight and surprise when our son, daughter-in-law, and the two grand kids walked through the door!! The best Mothers' Day gift by far. They traveled 2 hrs. to treat me to breakfast, then came to the house for a few minutes and headed back home. They left early so I could join our golfing friends for our Sunday afternoon round of golf. What a wonderfully thoughtful and gracious thing to do!!! I enjoyed my day even more because of this fabulous beginning. Happy Mothers' Day to me.

Saturday was Farmers' Market day. It was cool, windy, and overcast, be we got up early and got moving. We made a quick run to the stands I was most interested in, and made a record haul. I got everything in the shortest time ever!! My leg was giving me problems, so I was happy to find a primo parking space close to where I wanted to shop. Upon my return, I chopped my rhubarb and got ready to make my "Not yet world famous" rhubarb ketchup. I got side tracked, and found a recipe (a friend suggested it) for chipotle-rhubarb BBQ sauce. I made a batch of that instead. It was wonderful!!! And, better yet, only 40 cal. for 1/4 c. I need some small freezer containers to do the rhubarb ketchup, so that's on tap for later today. Naturally, I had asparagus to take care of too, so that's all cleaned and ready to go as well. While I was picking out asparagus and rhubarb, HD went to the stand next door and got a cup of coffee for each of us. I allow myself a few cups of coffee on the weekend, so it was a real treat to have some "gourmet" fresh roasted coffee to warm me up.

While my weekend was wonderful, it might not have been full of my best food choices. I wasn't terrible, but I know I was indulgent on more than one occasion. A half order of biscuits and gravy for Mothers' Day was one example, but I was confident I'd work some of it off whacking around the golf ball that afternoon. Believe me, I worked hard on the golf course, and swung the club many more times than I would have liked. I'm looking at that as excess exercise to make myself feel better. :)

After uncovering my tomatoes and peppers on Sunday morning (we had freeze warnings out) I found that they looked none the worse for wear. My basil looks forlorn, but all things considered, I think I came out ok. I even saw one little blossom on my cherry tomato plant, so that gives me great hope. I may beat the neighbors to a BLT yet!

Good Times 'a Comin'

2010-05-07T09:24:00.003-05:00

Yep, I'm anticipating a great day today leading into a great weekend. "Why?", you might ask. Well, I'm going to tell you! Today our new bed is being delivered!! I am extremely hopeful that this will alleviate some of my back issues. Our old mattress is embarrassingly old, and I've been begging for a new one for a few years now. We'd kinda forgot about it after we moved, until just recently when my sciatic nerve problems began. Voilà! We got a new mattress. The one and only good thing coming from my sciatica. :)

Second, tomorrow is the Farmers' Market. It is week two for the market. Last week I went with two friends, one of whom doesn't like early wake up calls, so we missed the fresh asparagus and rhubarb!! Oh woe was me. This week, HD and I are off early to be able to partake in all of the fresh goodies that went so rapidly last week. Asparagus is #1 on the list, followed closely by the ruby red rhubarb, from which I will make my "Not yet world famous" rhubarb ketchup. This ketchup is wonderful, but it particularly good with a turkey burger. Yummy. I'm down to my last container from last year, so it's time to get busy and put together another pot full. Needless to say, the tender, young asparagus has my mouth watering just thinking about it. I was told that last week, amounts per person were limited, so I hope that is not the case this week. I did get some spring onions, and there was bok choi available, as well. Since I was so bummed out about missing the asparagus and rhubarb, I just settled for some spring onions and we all went home. Tomorrow is going to be a completely different experience, I am certain of it. I'm taking my largest shopping bag along to be sure I don't run out of room.

In my zeal to beat all the neighbors in harvesting tomatoes, it would appear that I'll be covering them up the next few nights. I guess they say May 15 for planting them for a reason. :( Luckily, the plants are not all that pricey, so if I lose one (I only have 4) it won't be the end of the world, but I will have lost my competitive edge. My radishes and lettuce are up and looking perky as the dickens. They'll get covered too, as they are in the top part of the upside down tomato "thingy". My herbs are looking great, so guess I'll cover them as well. Replanting everything has no appeal whatsoever.

So there you have it! My wonderful weekend begins today between 11-1 when the bed is delivered. Then I'm off and running, ready to enjoy a terrific weekend. Hope you all are ready for a great weekend, too.

Product Review

2010-05-06T09:26:00.003-05:00

Before I get into the product review, I wanted to check in and thank everyone for the kind comments on my last post. I honestly was not "fishing" for compliments. I was only thinking out loud about posts and followers. Having never worried about either, I was surprised that so many folks are concerned about those things. Thank you all for your comments and compliments. Even tho' it wasn't a fishing expedition on my part, I feel like I landed the "big one". Thanks again, you are all too kind.

Now, on to the product review. A few weeks ago I received a 4-pack from CherryPharm asking me to review their new sweet and tart cherry juice CheriBundi. I was given 4 (8oz) bottles of the three flavors available. There is Tru Cherry, Skinny Cherry, and Whey Cherry. I sampled each, one day apart so as not to confuse my taste buds. I began with the Whey Cherry, and while I had to shake it fairly often to keep it mixed properly, I did like it. It was a little higher in calories than I would have preferred, but it also packs a protein punch. 8g of protein in one 8 oz. serving. I could also taste the whey, but it was certainly not unpleasant. It contains milk, so I don't think the vivid cherry taste was a prevalent in this bottle. Although, I must admit, it did taste a bit like a cherry pie...just as they had said it would. Next, I had the TruCherry. I really liked this very much, but again, a few more calories than I'd like. These products are made from Michigan and New York cherries (tart), and each 8 oz bottle equals 2 servings of fruit (50 cherries in each). I was totally unaware of a tart cherry juice, so finding these items was a nice change of pace from my usual pomegranate juice. Lastly, I drank the Skinny Cherry juice. It was very tasty, and I liked it quite a bit. It is sweetened with Stevia, so the calorie count was more to my liking. Even with extra calories, I really liked all of the choices, but if I was going to purchase these items, I'd be getting the Skinny Cherry.

Each bottle contains Phytonutrients, the building blocks in fruits and veggies, they provide more benefits than green tea and other juices. They all have a high ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) rating. In reading about this, it means CheriBundi will absorb and neutralize free radicals. As a personal aside, I would say these are all worth a try. They are a wonderful tasting change of pace from the grocery store juices.

I am suspending Weigh In Wednesday for an undetermined period of time. I lost .8# this last week, but I think I'm going to try the "intuitive" method for a while. Not being married to the scale, but being cognizant of what I'm putting in my mouth sounds better to me. Besides, I'm quite sure the scale has turned against me and is rebelling. So for the foreseeable future, I'm going to suspend the Wednesday Weigh In, and resort to a more "touchy-feely" approach to my healthy pursuits. I'm sure I'll hop on those mean, nasty scales once in a while, but I'm not going to record and keep track of what the scales say to me. So for now, "May the force be with me".

Lack Luster

2010-04-29T09:30:00.002-05:00

That's me this week. Lack of Luster, Lack of Motivation, Lack of Energy, Lack, Lack, Lack.

Weigh In Wednesday was extremely lack luster. I had anticipated at least a decent week, and was truly thinking I'd have a loss....after all, I'd had 2 days of flu-like stuff. To say Wednesday was disappointing was an understatement. I'd gained!! Not a little, a LOT. I was up 3.1#!!! How I managed that is a complete mystery to me. I have no explanation for it. I am baffled, and also a little depressed. To my credit, I did not turn to a bag of Cheetos to erase the memory of the gain. That, in and of itself, was a great victory for me.

After reading Jack's blog the other day, I began to wonder about my blog. I'd never thought about how many responses I get, or how many followers I have. Apparently, I am lacking the desire to really knock the blogosphere on it's ear. I'm just plodding along in my own little world. I assume people read my blog once in a while, cuz I do get comments now and then, and that has always been enough for me. Now I wonder, should I be more concerned with my lack of readers and comments? Nah!! I love all of the "Popular Kids" blogs, I read them religiously. I comment when I feel I have something to say. But Jack made me think about my own blog for the first time since I've started blogging. I'd say, by comparison to the "Cool Kids" I have a fairly lack luster blog. It's fun for me, and it is serving its purpose, but it certainly isn't the bee's knees. I'm actually ok with that. Is that normal? Should I be striving for more and better?

On the bright side of being Lack Luster, I don't have to moderate my responses like the real bloggers do. :)

I am in the process of reviewing a product sent to me this week. It is a tart cherry drink from CherryPharm.com called CherriBundi. Since I've had a "bug" this week, I've not had a chance to taste all three flavors, but when I do, I'll be reviewing it for all of you. I'm anxious to try them all. I think my innards are ready to experiment now. So, I'll get back to you all when I'm done with the samplings.

Lacking Luster, I'm off to peruse the Cool Kids' blogs.

How I Spent My Earth Day

2010-04-22T15:25:00.005-05:00

Today was Earth Day, and as part of doing something "earthy" I planted my herb garden, pepper plants....AND, tempting the gardening fates, I hung my tomatoes!! May 15 is the magic date for planting tomatoes, but I can't wait that long. I'm hoping that getting a jump start on the season will provide an extra early crop. We'll see. I want bragging rights in the neighborhood.

As part of this gardening project, I included the lifting, walking and bending over as part of my exercise for the day. As for the "not so green" part of the day, I had to run to the store to buy an extra bag of potting soil. Seems that taking out all of the strawberry plants in my tomato planter took a considerable amount of soil out as well. So I did have to take one extra trip to get the job completed.

Since taking the strawberries out I'm trying to decide what to plant in the top of the tomato "Thingy". I have 3 (soon to be 4) pepper plants and one stray dill plant. I'm thinking of putting in radishes. Ed loves radishes, and the CSA usually has only a few each week. The planter isn't really deep enough to try carrots or any other root crop, so maybe an early lettuce could work. Any ideas?? I'll pick up the seed on my next grocery shopping trip, as I want to remain as green as possible while doing this project. Looks so nice to glance out the kitchen door and see herbs just waiting for me. Gives me all sorts of new ideas for yummy concoctions for dinner.

Yesterday was Weigh In Wednesday, and I remained the same as last week. I was really hopeful after having done reasonably well over the tailgate weekend. I suppose I shouldn't complain, as it could have been (and has been in the past) much worse. I refuse to believe it was the M & M's I stole the other day. :) Other than that, I'd been doing quite nicely. I even lightened up a strawberry shortcake last night. Using Stevia to sweeten the strawberries and fat free angel food cake for the shortcake. The strawberries needed a little sweetener this time for some reason. Generally, they are plenty sweet all by themselves.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Earth Day as much as I enjoyed mine.

A Drive By Chew-ting!

2010-04-20T09:09:00.002-05:00

It never pays to brag too early!! Last night as I was putting away the last remnants of the tailgate, I took the leftover bag of M & M's down to the freezer. On the trip I decided that one or two wouldn't kill me. Well, it was more than one or two, but not a great deal more. Just enough to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not a sweets person by nature, but for some reason an M & M nibble caught my fancy. So I had a quick drive-by "Chew-ting" on my way to the freezer. It's over now, and no one was hurt. I cannot explain why I wanted an M & M, because unlike most women, I'm not a chocolate eater. And, I don't really like desserts or sweets all that much. These little drive-bys remain a mystery to me. Luckily, they don't happen often, so I don't think I'll waste too much time worrying about them.

I was delighted this morning when I found that I could do a little dancing without the stabbing pain from earlier this month!! So, I turned up the music and had a little fun. I didn't overdo, but just knowing that I can do this without crippling myself was a wonderful surprise. Slowly, but surely, I'm getting back into the things I used to do. I'm trying to exercise caution while easing back in, so as not to overdo and end up back where I started. Patience is a virtue, I'm told. I am anxious to get back to the program, but I really am being careful. Slow and steady, right?

I got an email from my CSA farmer yesterday telling everyone that there may be a few spears of asparagus for delivery in a week or two. Just knowing that the deliveries may be starting made my day. This year he's added bok choi, and parsnips to the farm, and I am a huge fan of both, so that was something I was particularly delighted to see. I've suggested parsnips two years in a row, so finally we're going to have them!! Squeaky wheels...and all that. Pays to beg, I guess.

Weekend Review

2010-04-19T08:54:00.003-05:00

As you may or may not recall, Saturday was the first tailgate of the season. All went very well, and I really did stay in the neighborhood of what I had planned. There were around 25-30 of us at the tailgate, and I do believe a good time was had by all. The kids had a wonderful time, and enjoyed all of the kid food we had for them. Lots of "junk" too, but I skillfully avoided that....save one small rugelach treat. As you can see, my favorite boys are ready to roll out the food and fun!

Breakfast with the family on Sun. morning was on track, too. In the past, I have treated myself to a little "heartier" breakfast after a game, but this weekend I decided to keep it simple. I am very hopeful that my good behavior will be rewarded come Wednesday.

I was all set to get my herb garden in place this week, but the weather has taken a bit of a turn, as it often does in the Midwest. The nights are getting down much lower than I'd like, and I'm too darned lazy to cover things up every night. I guess I'll wait. It is always advised that we not plant tomatoes until May 15, at the earliest. Last year I jumped the gun a bit and the plants were none the worse for wear. This year, I may heed the advice.

By the by, the Amberjack we grilled the other night was wonderful!! Although it is not a really good looking color to start with, it is a flaky, white fish after it's cooked. I'll be getting it again when it's available. To be able to see what it actually tasted like, I didn't make a sauce or salsa to accompany it, just lemon pepper. Really tasty. I'm anxious to find some new fish this week, too. It isn't as easy here in DM, but once in a while I am surprised and delighted at a new arrival at the fish "place".

Doin' A Little Math

2010-04-15T09:40:00.003-05:00

After yesterday's post, I decided to check and see how I've really done with my Moron's Challenge. I had to look up the date of the post, which was Feb. 4. That makes today the 10th week following my bold proclamation. Up and down, and all over the town went my weight. However, after 10 weeks I have lost 8.2#. Not quite the 10# my plan proclaimed, but respectable anyway, in my opinion. Beats having put that back on again!! Right? Right!!

I am now hopeful that with an improved back and knee, I'll be able to resume a regular, if somewhat modified, exercise program. And of course, with golf season heating up, I'll be on the links as often as possible as well. I really do think the 1.8# that I did not lose during my ten weeks of the challenge may be due to the difficulties I was having with sciatica, no cortisone in my knee, and general malaise. Soooooo, since I am now perky as the dickens, the sky's the limit!! Well, at least the 2nd floor of the house should be possible. :)

Since this weekend will bring a few challenges with it, I'm going to make a real effort to use what little good judgement I possess and eat sensibly. Tailgating is always fun, but troublesome for someone on a diet. Since our grandson wants fruits, and lots of them, I'll try to stick to those items. I will have healthy options, so I will give it my all. The mac 'n cheese that I make is anything but healthy, so I'll stay away from that (well maybe a little taste), but I will account for it in my overall caloric count. Since it's a walk to the stadium, up the stairs, and back from the stadium, I'm counting the walking as mild exercise which will walk off the nibble of mac 'n cheese. Please don't tell me that this won't work, I'll be heartbroken. :(

Tonight, we are trying something we've never eaten before....Amberjack. Apparently, it is a fish that is similar to halibut, firm and steak-like. This is the first time I've seen it at the market, and the fish monger talked me into it. Looks like a slightly tanned halibut, so I'm anxious to give it a whirl. The same guy talked me into Barramundi several months ago, and we loved that, so I'm hoping his suggestion this time will meet with the same success. I'm going to go online and see what preparations I can find that might be interesting. Whatever I decide to do with it, I'll be having my favorite grilling delight alongside. Grilled pineapple with just a hint of Cajun or Creole seasoning on it. That is my favorite dessert when it's grilling season. My mouth is watering in anticipation.

The Moron's Pound

2010-04-14T08:11:00.003-05:00

"Any moron can lose one pound per week", remember that proclamation? Well, today is Weigh In Wednesday and I lost .8# this week. I am calling that the "Moron's Pound. Not quite the real deal, but close enough. Given my lack of exercise (I'm told I can't count calories used in whining as exercise) I'm not totally disappointed. Not the full pound I'd hoped for, but perhaps after my haircut this morning, the other .2 will be gone.

I have to say, that the last two days have found me feeling a bit perkier. Still have a twinge or two in the hip, but overall, I'd say I'm back to where I was. Now I must re-energize my exercise program. With the arrival of Spring, I have drug out the baskets that will hold my herb garden, and the contraption that will house my upside down tomato plants. The strawberries I planted in the top of the tomato "thingy" look fairly good, and have some new growth, so I am hopeful that there will be more than the 8-10 berries I harvested last year. I am going to count my garden building as part of my exercise program. Hauling potting soil, lugging plants, etc.....that can double as doing weights, right?

I am happily compiling the list of the herbs, tomato varieties, and kinds of peppers I want to grow this year. This time of year is always exciting to me. Plus, it will only be a few short weeks before our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share deliveries will begin!! Barring no lousy weather, I'm anticipating some young, tender greens, asparagus and spring onions. We've been promised that the kohlrabi crop has been minimized this year!!! Hallelujah!! When all is in place, I'll try and post a few pictures.

One small downside to Spring around here....ALLERGIES!! Des Moines has been ranked as the 5th worst city in the country for allergies. So, at least we're really good at something. :)

I really, really love Spring! Everything begins to renew, and I'm going to renew myself and my health journey. I have all Summer to perk myself up, and get that one pound per week goal back on the right road. A "Moron's Pound" once in a while isn't going to deter me, I am hopeful it will make me work harder the following week. After all, a semi-famous old woman once said, "Any moron can lose a pound a week."

Piece by Piece, Bit by Bit

2010-04-12T11:14:00.002-05:00

My body is giving up bits and pieces on a daily basis now. :( Oh poor me. The back and knee are in pretty darned good shape at the moment, but someone, somewhere decided that this condition was not to be tolerated. "Let's give her something else to bitch about" was the decree!! And so it was. On the fifth hole of golf, on a lovely Sunday, not a care in the world, playing well, enjoying friendly chatter, and just plain, old fashioned havin' a good time....POP! There it was a pop of some sort on the top of my right foot. Ouch! Oh poor me!!! Needless to say, I complained immediately, received an adequate amount of sympathy, but was told to suck it up and keep playing. Which, may I add, I had planned on doing anyway, but my husband and our friends thought this might be a ruse to go into the clubhouse to watch the Masters! (They have adult beverages in the clubhouse, so I'm sure they had that in mind, as well.)

Now, I am trying my damnedest to take this little glitch in stride, but I have to admit, these nagging little things that keep happening are starting to take their toll on my good nature. I admit to being crabby, so believe me, all this stuff is starting to wear thin. I don't want to start having to get up in the morning wondering what's gonna fall apart next. Getting old is really getting suckier and suckier!! However, as my friend pointed out, this new pain certainly took my mind off of my sore, bruised butt. Guess there's always a positive side if you look long enough, and hard enough. :)

This morning at the chiropractor, I mentioned my bruises, received an appropriate amount of sympathy, then made him try to fix my foot. I told him he owed me that much. :0 He did an adjustment, but thus far I'm not noticing a great deal of improvement. Gotta go get another gallon jug of BioFreeze, I think.

In spite of everything else, my food and exercise has been pretty darned good. I did sample a couple of fried artichoke hearts yesterday, but didn't go overboard. This coming Saturday will be a tailgate opportunity!!! It's the annual Spring Football Game for my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers, so we'll all be going to the game for food, fun, frivolity and football. This is the one game each year that all of the kids and grandkids get to go to, so the tailgate is centered around kid food. It is so much fun, and this year will be particularly fun as it will be our grandson's first Husker game. He is very excited. He wants strawberries and yogurt for the tailgate. Smart kid, huh? Obviously gets that from his grandmother.

A Rare Saturday Post

2010-04-10T08:52:00.002-05:00

I just had to tell you about my deep tissue massage yesterday! I will spare you the pictures (there are none) of the bruises on my hips, my butt and my thighs. I cannot tell you how happy I am that I opted for only the 30 min. massage!! Ed is beginning to wonder why I continue to do this to myself. I have two bruises the size of the palm of my hand, and several other half dollar sized ones. "It does feel better, though, doesn't it?" I was asked. What was I to say? Apparently I have a considerable pelvic tilt to the right because my right leg is shorter. This is what seems to be the root of all my evil. That and one of my vertebrae in my sacrum has partially fused to another. And my sacrum tilts to compensate for the other tilt. Well, it was just a morning of pure delight!!

Even with my new "look", I feel pretty good. I'm not going to admit it to the chiro, or the masseuse, but I think things are, in fact, loosening up. We'll take it for a test drive this afternoon when I go to play golf. Fingers crossed.

I'm still pretty well on track, but I did take a "day trip" yesterday with a few adult beverages with dinner. I'm saying it was pain management, but since there really isn't any pain, I'm imagining that the bruises really, really hurt. I forgot to include in my bio, that besides being old, fat, and lazy I am also a bit of a liar. Well, no body's perfect. :(

Happy Weekend to ALL!!!

Never Brag Too Soon!!

2010-04-07T09:28:00.002-05:00

Yep, it's Weigh In Wednesday, and yesterday I posted all about my almost perfect week. Well, Karma did kinda "nibble" at my butt. Didn't really bite me, but did put me in my place. I did lose weight, 2.4# worth, but after regaling everyone with my stellar week, I had anticipated just a trifle more. Lest this sound whiny, I am NOT complaining!! Just sayin' that I was hopeful for a smidgen more of a loss. But I know, a loss is a loss, is a loss. I'm perfectly ok with 2.4#. After all, I did at one time in the not to distant past proclaim that any moron could lose one pound per week, then proceeded to gain regularly for 3 weeks. Now, after two weeks of losses, I'm feeling like a real smarty pants.

I resolve not to let this 2 week success roll go to my head. I am feeling better, I'm watching my foods, and I'm out and about more. Even tho' cooler weather and overcast skies have returned, I am still attempting to remain in a "sunshiny" mood. Today is my deep tissue butt massage, so that is taking a little bloom of my rose, but I'm sure it's going to be beneficial. My last whole body deep tissue massage was ok, except for the excessive number of bruises I had running up and down my spine. Hubby Dearest, was quite shocked to see all of them, and was glad I don't wear revealing tops, as he was sure he'd be questioned by someone about the abuse he was inflicting on me.

Best event of the day....a visit to my eye Dr. I have been having trouble reading with my old glasses, and my distance vision has diminished. At first I was really worried about this because I thought I had just been to the eye Dr. not too long ago. Well, we've been here in DM for 3 yrs, and I've never been, and when I looked at my records, my last exam was 5 years ago. I can now understand why my vision seemed to have changed. I am anxious to get some hip and happenin' new frames....plus I'll be able to see better, too. Not sure which is the bigger deal. :)

So, after 2 weeks of doing the right thing, I'm ready to stay on this path and continue my journey in a happy, healthy frame of mind. I feel as tho' I have finally turned a corner......hope I don't run into a wall!!

Dare I Brag A Day Early?

2010-04-06T09:55:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm going to anyway. Karma be damned!!! My past week has been one of my best thus far. My mood and my food have been really good. My Greek inspired Easter dinner was simply wonderful. Ok, in keeping with my total honesty promise, I did have some strawberry shortcake for dessert (I KNOW it's not Greek!), but I did not indulge in the whipped cream everyone else heaped on top, and my strawberries were sweetened with Stevia. Plus, the shortcake was the sugar free Angel Food cake they had sitting next to the strawberries. So, I'm thinking I was not really so very far off of my caloric plan. I even accounted for my glass of wine to go with the racks of lamb.

Barring a real fall from the roof, calorie wise, today, I am anticipating another good Weigh In Wednesday. I remain hopeful.

Today I awoke with a little twinge back in my calf and my butt. It is certainly not severe, and it's not really a bother, but after several days of not having it, I'm a little disheartened. I'm hoping once I begin doing my "walk about" today I'll be getting rid of it. Tomorrow is another deep tissue massage concentrating on my butt, so that should be interesting. Never have I done anything like that before! I have to admit, I am actually a little massage phobic. I have never been a big fan on being touched by people I am not close to. I'm working through that, I guess. Growth is part of this journey, too, so guess this signals a little growth for me.

I am just so happy to finally feel positive about my journey again. I feel able to do the things that need to be done, and enjoy doing it. It's a lovely change from the previous few months. Amazing how a positive attitude, and a body that cooperates, will turn a lousy week into a successful one. I am going to do my best to continue with this positive new ME. I think I could grow to like this person very much. :)

Positively Giddy!

2010-04-02T09:02:00.002-05:00

I really am positively giddy with delight!! I slept without pain, I woke up without pain, I played golf without pain, and I'm still wandering around waiting for today's tee time without pain! Ok, so my bad knee is a bit on the "wobbly" side, but with my knee brace strapped on, I'm ready to roll. I am so darned happy, I can hardly stand it.

That, coupled with the fact that I've been behaving myself food wise, has lifted my spirits enormously. I didn't realize how really down in the dumps, crappy I felt, until this fog of pain and dreary weather lifted. Yipppppeeeeeeee Damned Skipppppppeeeeee!! I'm feeling like a whole new person. Oh, yeah, I'm still a fat person, but at least now I can move around and work on remedying that situation. I think I've done well this week, so I'm now planning my Easter dinner to accommodate the calories that are acceptable. At the moment, I'm planning a Greek inspired dinner centered around a rack of lamb, and a tomato/cucumber/feta/olive/onion salad. I think I can make it all work, because we've added a round of golf to our afternoon activities. I can work off at least one or two calories that way!

I go again to the Chiropractor today for another spinal decompression, but I really don't feel as tho' I'm in need. I'm gonna go a time or two more and see what happens, but I feel so darned good I'm tempted to just get on with life. I don't suppose an extra adjustment or two is gonna hurt, so I might as well go ahead and do it. And, to be honest, the spinal decompression feels really good, and very relaxing, so it's kinda nice just lying there being "stretched". I'm only 5'4" now, but I'm almost positive I'll be around 5'6" or 5'7" when I finish this pulling compression thingy. I'm counting on it, as a matter of fact.

A happy byproduct of this new lease on life, is the new found energy I now have. I actually feel like doing "stuff". I've put things off recently cuz I've felt so lousy, so now, slowly and carefully, I'm adding things back onto my "to do list". Feels good, believe me. Even tho' I profess, proudly, to be lazy, I still like to be able to do things for myself. Now I'm feeling as tho' I can do those things, and not pay for it the next day with pain and stiffness. Hallelujah!

Everyone have a very Happy Easter Weekend. Whether you celebrate Easter, or not, enjoy the weekend!! I am certainly going to, for a change! :)

Finally!!

2010-03-31T09:38:00.002-05:00

At long last, I woke up this morning without the horrible pain I've been experiencing in my back, my butt and my calf. It was a wonderful surprise. I also cut down on the medication I was taking, so I'm hoping this is a good sign that I'm on my way to recovery. I have slight twinges now and then, but the excruciating pain is gone. (I hope verbalizing that doesn't prove to be a problem.)

Plus, in spite of myself, I managed a successful Weigh In Wednesday! I actually lost 3# this week. And as is usually the case when I'm successful, I wonder what might have been if only I'd not been limited by the sciatica. Is that what they call "Looking a gift horse...."? At any rate, I have been very conscious of my food and the exercise I could do, so I'm more than delighted to see that it paid off this week. Feel kinda like a kid getting positive reinforcement.

Feeling perkier than the dickens has prompted me to contact my golf buddies and see if anyone is thinking of hitting the links this week. I would very much like to at least get out and try a few holes. I'm well aware that I might not be ready for all 18 holes, but a swing or two here or there, would do wonders for my melancholy mood. Temps in the 70's and maybe 80's have me chompin' at the bit to get out and about doing something out of doors. After the chiro today, I'm planning a walk. He recommends that after I have the spinal decompression, I remain active for at least an hour afterward. I think a walk in the great outdoors fits right into that recommendation.

In anticipation of the lovely day ahead of me, I have even donned my shorts and a golf shirt!! Can't tell I'm anxious, can you?

I can also feel the excess salt in my system slowly dissipating. All of that sitting around, and not being able to move freely, really allowed water buildup in my body. My feet and hands felt like little Easter hams. Fortunately, I am losing that excess water and can really tell the difference.

I'm anxious to get moving again in a normal fashion, but I'm going to go slowly and do it little by little. I am certainly not ready to have a repeat of the sciatica problems any time soon. The weather has improved, my back has improved, my mood is improving, and life in general is looking good. I'm anxious to resume my healthy journey, the way I originally intended to do it. Oh, I'm sure there will be more bumps in the road, after all I'm old, but I'm still excited to get busy and resume my "real life" again.

Dare I Hope?

2010-03-30T08:52:00.003-05:00

The past two mornings have seen a great relief in my sciatica!! Dare I hope the end is near? I actually feel semi-human again, and am very hopeful that I'll be able to resume my regular schedules again. I am partially convinced that by playing Dr. on the Internet, I found that the medication I use for restless leg is also an anti-spasm, anti-seizure medication. Dr. Me thinks why not try these little jewels on this particular problem. AHA!! Since I've begun using these drugs, I've had steady improvement. I will have to be very careful because these are narcotics and could be dangerous. But for right now, they are a God Send!! I assure you, I will be careful using them, and will begin weening myself off of them VERY soon.

I've been able to monitor my foods, and even the little bit of exercise I've been able to do. The weather has turned delightful, so I'm ready to get out and walk about. I do have residual effects from the drugs (they make me slightly drowsy) so I have to pick and choose my walking times carefully. I am even giving serious consideration to a trip to the golf course for a few practice swings. That, my friends, is REAL progress. That little picture up in the corner is the golf course, and I'm anxious to go and reacquaint myself with it.

I told Hubby Dearest that the only positive that has come out of this mess has been that I've caught up on all my reading, and that now we must go to Barnes and Noble for a restocking of the shelves. Needless to say, he was delighted.

It's hard to explain how much one misses what one cannot do. I'm basically a really lazy person, so one would assume I'd be happy to lie around all day bemoaning the fact that I cannot get things done. Not so, it drives me crazy. Getting enough energy, and being pain free long enough to get just one task completed it absolutely the pits!! Bending over to fold clothes just about killed me the other day. Yesterday, I did it without incident!! That is how I am measuring my success. Baby steps, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.....and I can hear everyone saying "Be sure it's not an oncoming train". Fear not, I'm going slow, but marking my progress and being thankful for it.

The Prodigal Pound-Part II

2010-03-24T07:18:00.003-05:00

Well, it's Weigh In Wednesday again, and I sent the Prodigal Pound packing!! And also sent another .4# with it! Back to a net .2# loss over the last month or so. My "Any moron can lose a pound a week" theory has been torn asunder. THIS moron found out it wasn't as simple as I'd professed. Admittedly, I've had a few challenges in the exercise department, but I still can't help but believe I can do it. I haven't given up the fight, that's for sure. I have been fairly pleased with my food program. I've been taking care to journal daily, and prepare new things in new ways to keep myself interested. Hubby Dearest has been very good about accepting the concoctions I've been trying out. :) Having made some caloric adjustments due to the exercise issue, I think I'm doing ok. Having grilling weather returning to our fair city has helped a great deal!! My favorite grilled pineapple with Creole seasoning has brightened our dinners of late.

My sciatica has not improved significantly, so my exercise has been sporadic at best. When I am awakened with the leg pains at 3 in the morning, I do go down to the main level and walk around the house for about an hour. I have been meaning to put on the pedometer, but I can't find it in the dark. I am wondering if replacing carpet can be considered a medical deduction? At any rate, during my walks, as I get a bit more limber and the pain subsides gradually, I stop at the stairs and do a few stair steps (10 on each leg). I get about 3-4 of these done every other "lap". The walking does help, but I'm still not walking outdoors for long periods of time. I still feel just a bit uneasy about getting too far from home and not being able to hobble back. I'm only out and about on the walking path for 10-20 min. The golf course is opening today, so I'm am working diligently to get my "kinks" worked out. Right now, there's no way I could play a round of golf. And, of course, you know that is something I am anxious to do.

My chiropractor is working hard to help, but I'm not getting the results I'd hoped for yet. I may have set my sights too high, but I was hopeful I'd be having some relief by now. I've had one session of spinal decompression, and today I'll be having a deep tissue massage, then on Friday, another spinal decompression. Acupuncture will be the next step, if one of these next two sessions aren't helpful. Hopefully, one or both of these things will UN-GUM me. I still can't get over being told I'm "really gummed up" by the Dr. AND....tomorrow is my appointment with the orthopod for my cortisone shot. I'm going to ask him about my sciatica as well. I am hoping to schedule my knee replacement tomorrow, too. I know the wait is about 7 months for this Dr., so I'm hoping to get by until the week after Thanksgiving.

I am also going to make an attempt to catch up on my blogs. I've not been able to sit for long periods of time at the computer, so I've read some of the blogs on my Crackberry, but answering or commenting on that contraption is not easy, so I just read and remain silent. I'm back down at the computer now, so I'm hoping to be a bit more communicative.

The Prodigal Pound

2010-03-17T09:29:00.002-05:00

Yep, the Prodigal Pound returned for Weigh In Wednesday. AND, he brought a .1# friend with him. While this isn't the news I had hoped for, it is certainly better than I expected. As I've mentioned, this week had not been my best ever, so I was expecting a weigh in disaster, and quite frankly, I'm not all that displeased with having gained 1.3#. Never let it be said that I set my sights too high.

I did get out yesterday for a "waddle". I wasn't able to set any land-speed records, or work up a good sweat, but I did manage to get a refreshing 15-20 minute walk knocked out. It was a slow, steady, short but sweet mood lifter. Just being outside again was delightful. Now, after another day or two of moderate temps, we'll be back into the 30's again, and possible snow on Sat. So, I'm glad I was able to take a stroll yesterday. I'm off to the chiropractor today, and I'm finally getting a good haircut. The haircut should be good for getting rid of that pesky .1#!!! If I can manage another walk after my appointment, and the drizzle lets up a bit, I may take another walk outside. Gotta take advantage of the opportunity when it arises.

Speaking of my chiropractor, I am really, really hoping that after today's session I begin feeling some relief. My mornings are absolutely horrendous, and I'm tired of not being able to do anything without pain. I want to be "UN-gummed" damn it!! It's getting to the point that even sitting in a chair hurts. There is not a position that I've found lately that I can assume and feel comfortable. It's the pits!! Only positive in this situation is that with all the back pain, I hardly feel the knee pain at all. :)

Hocus Pocus!

2010-03-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

I'm out of focus!! In almost every way possible. I have been a very remiss blogger, I've been lax in my food journal, I've been terrible about exercise, I've paid no attention to my water intake, and in general, I'm much crabbier than usual, too!!

My blogging intentions are always good.... I'm going to sit down and read everything, and comment as often as possible. But recently, I can't stand sitting still long enough to do a good job of that. I've tried using the Crackberry, but I'm not skilled enough to make that work efficiently. I am reading blogs with the Crackberry, but commenting is rather complicated for my techno-challenged self. I may have to break down and get a laptop, particularly if I'm going to get my knee replacement this fall.

My trip to the chiropractor yesterday was interesting, to say the least. I think he might possibly have broken my butt "massaging" it. The pain, as he continued to press harder and harder, was almost unbearable. Then he worked on my "Bladder Meridian" (or something like that) with some acupressure. I had a moment of calm when he used the Cold Laser, but then it was back to the torture chamber for the spasm in my calf muscle. As we were ending, and he was trying to get back into my good graces, he said "Boy, you are really gummed up." I assume that is a technical "chiropractical" term, right? But seriously, GUMMED UP??? Could he not have used something that made it sound as seriously awful as it feels? Oh, and just to "loosen" up said gum, he sold me some Magnesium tablets. Apparently Calcium tightens muscles and Magnesium loosens them.....therefore, I should be feeling relief momentarily. LIAR!!!! This morning was the absolute worst morning yet!! Hubby Dearest happened to still be here when I made my way downstairs in tears. He asked if I really thought this was going to help, and all I could mumble was that I had hope!

Regardless, I am determined to get out for at least a short walk this afternoon. We are finally having moderate temps, and I'm tired of walking laps around the house or using the dreadmill. I did wander out to the deck for a moment or two yesterday, just to get some more fresh air.

I do apologize for the whining tone of recent posts, but I simply cannot get loosened up and am tired of feeling crappy and crabby. I am, however, going to try and be more positive, and work myself back into a groove. I certainly appreciate all of the blog friends I've found online, and hopefully, I'll be back in the game very soon. Until then, please accept my apologies for being a big baby.

What Is It About Mondays?

2010-03-15T09:50:00.002-05:00

What is it, anyway? Mondays always seem to bring out the doom and gloom in me. It's a drizzly, overcast day, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. But I think it's the fact that yesterday was a wonderful, sunny, warm day that I let pass me by. I was having too much trouble with my back to walk very far. Hubby Dearest suggested we take a stroll, but I was simply not up to it. Now I'm regretting that decision. Even a slow, short walk would have been a morale booster, I'm quite certain. I've even bowed out of our MeetUp luncheon this noon. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything until my back, butt, thigh and calf feel better. I'm off to the chiropractor this afternoon, so I I'm hoping for additional relief. I also plan on purchasing a gallon or two of BioFreeze. I might also have to look into getting a portable ice maker, our refrigerators' ice makers are not keeping up with the demand.

Speaking of ice....I have a new fashion forward look. I fill my largest ice bag, strap in onto the small of my back, secure it with a wide ACE bandage (left over from my first knee surgery), and can then move about, if need be. I'm leaving my windows closed lest my neighbors get a glimpse of this new "look". It does feel good, so I guess I shouldn't care about how it might appear to others. But, me being a slave to fashion and all (NOT!!) I'm staying out of sight. :)

Aside from my maladies, my weekend was pretty good. Hubby Dearest returned from the UK bearing gifts!! Always a lovely way to return home, in my opinion. I love Duty Free shopping, so I gave him a list. He did very well, I must say. Even managed to find Tower of London, and Big Ben snow globes for our granddaughter's collection. What a guy!!! Since he had been eating the wonderful array of fish over there, he was ready for something different. So Sat. we had my Greek Chicken Salad, and on Sun., I gave in and did BBQ ribs. I behaved myself, but today I'm finding that I'm retaining water. My feet and hands seem to be a bit swollen. I imagine that part of this problem relates to my lack of movement. Then yesterday I read that one's water consumption should equal 1 oz. per 1 pound of weight!! Dear Lord!! I want to hydrate, not go swimming! A person could drown in that much water! I think I'll stick to a more sensible amount.

"Keep A Movin', Dan"

2010-03-12T09:29:00.002-06:00

With apologies to Marty Robbins, I'm going to adopt this phrase as my own. Although my name is not Dan, the keep a movin' part is certainly directed at me. After my visit to the chiropractor yesterday, I came home feeling pretty damned perky. I had my adjustment, my BioFreeze, and my instructions....sit in straight chairs, no overstuffed chairs, no couches. If I use BioFreeze, don't use ice. If I use ice, put it on my back while lying on the floor with pillows under my knees. No heavy lifting until I return again next week, and no strenuous exercise until then as well. And, no matter what....NO HEAT!! So, ok, now all that's left is just walking around, I guess.

My afternoon went splendidly!! I wanted an miracle and it felt as tho' I'd been given one. I was feeling such relief, and yet I did not do what I normally would have done....which is overdo. I behaved myself, knowing that when I went to bed I'd be feeling better than I had in over a week. I was really looking forward to lying down without shooting pains in my butt, thigh and calf. All was well until 4:45 this morning!! I was awakened by the shooting pains I had become so accustomed to this week. Dad Gummit!!! I got up, took my Aleve, took a quick, cool shower, applied the BioFreeze to the offending area and made my way to the kitchen. It was then I decided to just "Walk it off" as we used to tell the little leaguers. After about 1/2 hr of just simply walking in circles around the house, pausing at the stairway to do a step or two, I felt things loosening up. Well, well, well, could this be the secret? No other exercise is advised just yet, so I suppose that Marty Robbins was right when he sang "Keep A Movin', Dan". So move I shall.

I would very much like to take this show on the road, i.e. an outdoor walk, but it is hazy, cooler and rainy. That, coupled with the fear that I'll get a good distance away from home and have an attack of pain. I know....BIG CHICKEN! I do hope to get outdoors soon, and have the kind of enjoyable walk that I've been waiting for. I have 3 more sessions with the chiropractor next week, so I'm hoping each one will bring more relief. I'm looking forward to Cold Laser Therapy, which I was told is really awesome. I'll let you know. While I'm there, I may decide to do acupuncture for weight loss as well. Heck, as long as I'm being poked, prodded and adjusted, and lasered, why the heck not?

Ok, Ok, I'm Going!!

2010-03-11T09:29:00.004-06:00

First, let me thank everyone for their kind comments on my current "predicament". Today has brought a modicum of improvement with my sciatica. I'd particularly like to thank DrDave for his sage advice. The ice packs seemed to have alleviated a little of the excruciating pain. I even had a pretty good night's sleep. Thank you DrDave!! I only wish you lived in Iowa, I'd be at your office in a heartbeat!

Even tho' this morning I was much better and the whole "gettin' ready" process went much more smoothly, I made an appointment with the chiropractor for this morning. Having done that, I realized that this meant I must now shave my legs! I'd been putting it off because of the pain in my back and legs. Well, the old Lawn Boy made it thru the thicket, and I'm ready to go. I am looking forward to the relief. Just need one miracle to go, please.

Yesterday was a simply horrid day, foodwise. There is no sugar coating it, I was BAD!!! I was feeling so lousy, and hurt everywhere, so I just plain gave into almost every temptation. Some old habits die hard. Self pity is a powerful motivator, and I gave in way, way too easily. I'd like to say I didn't have the strength to refuse myself, but that was not the case. I just plain screwed up!

If not for the rain, haze and sogginess around here, I could be out walking....once my chiropractor makes me all better. The walking path is clear, but full of puddles, the lawns have appeared, but are soaking wet and matted down, but I'm hopeful that Spring will be sprung very soon. Sadly, in this neck of the woods, Spring brings the floods, and many roads in the area have already flooded over. Luckily, we can get where we need to go without any problems, but many people just a few blocks over are not so fortunate. Right now, as long as I can get to the chiropractor I'm a happy camper.

Good News, Bad News

2010-03-10T08:18:00.002-06:00

Bad news first....my sciatica is worse today!! Instead of just being a problem for about an hour in the morning, it came back last night for prime time. Did get a little sleep tho', so that was a nice bonus. Came back with a vengeance this morning, and it took 45 min. just to be able to do more than hobble to the bathroom, let alone get downstairs to do anything productive. I do believe that per DrDave's suggestion yesterday, I am going to have to go to a chiropractor soon. The small problem is finding my window of opportunity to drive. The difficulty is on my right side which makes driving somewhat problematic. Doesn't seem right to keep a friend "on call" for this problem, so I'm waiting for the right moment. There is a really good chiropractor near us, and he takes walk ins, so when the time hits, I'm all over it. (Hubby Dearest is in England, so he is of no help with this problem.)

Good news now....the often debilitating pain in my butt, thigh and calf have taken my mind off my bad knee!! I can hardly even tell it's there!! It's my right knee, too, so I assume the sciatica is masking the pain I usually have in the knee. When it rains it pours, isn't that what they say? At any rate, the whole exercise plan is kinda on hold for the moment, so my dietary needs have to be more focused. With the flu-bug thingy I kinda forgot that. I was concentrating so hard on staying hydrated, I sorta forgot about eating properly. High calorie, high carb, and bland was the menu. Those were also the easiest to prepare. Yes, I'm well aware I took the lazy way out.

Weigh In Wednesday did not produce the results I had assumed it would. I figured with my "bug" and the issues that came with it, I'd be looking at a lovely loss this week. Instead, I had only a 1.2# loss. I did have a few Propels for hydration, and some chicken noodle soup last night, so perhaps a bit of extra sodium has retained fluids. Who knows? At least I didn't gain weight being sick.....that would truly suck.

The snow is melting, and I can see my walking path!! (At least parts of it.) I am anxious to get out and take a little stroll around the hood again. Temps have been fairly mild (in the 40's) so it would be completely doable if I could walk more than 20' at a time. Rains are in store for us this week so, the flood watches and warnings are beginning. I have the lumber ordered for the ark! The ground is so soggy, the runoff is going to be pretty severe according to the experts. Selfishly, I hope it doesn't delay the opening of the golf course!! I hope to be up and walking and swinging a club very soon. Just one more reason to get my butt ache cured. :)

Upright Once Again

2010-03-09T09:58:00.002-06:00

I've been down and out with some sort of flu-like bug and sciatica since Sunday afternoon. I am not sure which was worse, but between the two, I've not been in an upright position for long periods of time. Always "Little Miss Sunshine" I'm anticipating a weight loss in tomorrow's weigh in because of these two "problems". I am just now beginning to feel fully hydrated again. I was not interested in trekking down to the computer so I've been trying to keep up with everyone via my Crackberry.

Needless to say, the food and exercise portion of my journey has been non-existent for the past day or two. Unless walking to and from the bathroom can be counted. :) My plan to work the core and lower back for my sciatica has produced no results at all. Now, admittedly, a day or two off may not have helped, but it wasn't making a difference before the bug hit me. I'm at a loss. Back to the web for additional medical advice....no insurance coverage necessary. Eventually, if things don't improve this week, I will have to break down and go to the Dr. The only upside I can think of right now, is that I've felt too lousy to even think about enjoying a Girl Scout cookie!! I took delivery of several (as in-too many) boxes over the weekend, so the temptation has been on my doorstep.

Hubby Dearest is in England at the moment, so thankfully I've not had to worry about fixing meals. Toast made from Arnold's sandwich thins and green tea have been the wild and crazy menu I've been enjoying. I'm thinking of adding tomato soup to the repertoire today. Call me adventurous!!! Always ready for the finer things in life. :)

Off And Running

2010-03-04T10:32:00.002-06:00

Well, figuratively, not literally. I've been laid up with sciatic nerve problems this week, so my exercise routine has been slightly amiss. "I am not a Dr., but I play one on the Internet", and have determined that my home remedy is to work on the lower back and so more core exercises. Oddly enough, my knee has been cooperating in this endeavor, so I'm really quite pleased with myself. Well, of course, except for the excruciating pain of waking up in the morning with my right leg knotted up and my butt aching!! After some minor stretching in the shower, a little Aleve, and a quick walk around the upstairs, I can negotiate the stairs to the main level. Today was the first day that going down a flight (or two) of stairs didn't just about do me in. Progress is being made.

I am happy to say that after my "weak-end", I have been back on the right track again. Wednesday's Weigh In was as I expected....a disaster. I was up 3#! Serves me right, and I knew it was gonna happen, but that still doesn't make it right. I am working to remain diligent in my food journaling and have added a Fiber notation in the margin of the chart. I had been using Nutri Mirror, but for whatever reason, I can't access my charts. So I'm doing it "Old School", I actually use and pen, a calorie counting book, and a calculator!! Takes a little extra time, but it keeps me thinking about what I'm doing.

I went grocery shopping today with my list in hand. I shopped the perimeter of the store with a close eye on my healthy options. I did "dip" into the frozen food aisle for some frozen mangoes. The fresh ones were way too hard, and I wanted some for lunch today. I took another detour thru the bread aisle for the high fiber, low calorie bread and hamburger buns I have discovered. While there, I found a new flat bagel/bread. It was similar to the Arnold's sandwich rounds, only it is a package of Everything Bagel thins. Only 110 calories!! I'm having one with a veggie burger for lunch with my chopped mango. Something new and interesting. It is not often that I actually look forward to lunch. :)

Weak-end Mea Culpa and Burnt Offerings

2010-03-01T11:32:00.002-06:00

Ok, so the non-birthday, birthday weak-end for Hubby Dearest turned into a real fiasco, diet-wise.

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa. It all began responsibly enough, but soon descended into a weak-end of pure caloric debauchery. No excuses....I just did it! Saturday evening, Ed had a hankerin' for Mexican food. Ok, I can do that without too much harm to the day's caloric load....or so I thought. After a pitcher of margaritas, possibly the most caloric non-ice cream drinks known to man, I realized this might not be my finest moment. Ok, one night won't deter me, I'll soldier on tomorrow. Then, Sunday morning, we woke up to a lovely, sunny day. Since the 28th is the day we actually celebrate Ed's birthday, we decided that a cook out would be delightful. I had just cut a beautiful boneless rib roast into 8 great looking rib eye steaks...PERFECT! Hubby Dearest likes twice baked potatoes, so put that on the menu. I used only 1 large potato and divided it between the two of us, so far so good. Fresh asparagus on the grill, yummy....still doin' ok. Tossed a salad, still right on track, garlic toast on low cal hamburger buns, only 120 calories, so I'm still ok. While preparing all of this, we began the cocktail hour(s)!! I had hit the slippery slope! "Look out below!!!"

The diet powers that be did get semi-even with me, however. The Jack Daniels that I used to marinate the steak caught on fire, and my smaller steak was crispy crittered! I didn't get to eat it all, it was too dry, and too chewy. I was able to get thru about half of it before I gave up the ghost. Luckily, the birthday boy had a lovely steak done to perfection. Serves me right for using booze to marinate a steak, right? After years and years of doing steaks this way, this is the first time we made a bonfire out of a meal. Burnt offerings, indeed!!!

After having given up weekday cocktail hours for Lent, HD and I got a little carried away with our freedom on the weekend. Next weekend Ed leaves for Watford, England, so perhaps I'll behave more responsibly. The Primary Child and his family will be visiting....and delivering Girl Scout cookies, so I am preparing the self control portion of my brain in advance. Luckily, I am not a huge fan of sweets, so I am hopeful self restraint will not be an issue.

And Now For Something Different

2010-02-26T09:13:00.002-06:00

Today's exercise is going to be way far out of the ordinary....for me. I am going mall walking. Not with a group, just by my little lonesome. It's kinda a big deal for me, cuz I detest malls. I'd do anything to avoid them. I'm fortunate that my Barnes and Noble has an outside entrance and I do not have to enter into the mall at all. However, today I'm goin' in!!

Sunday is Hubby Dearest's "kinda birthday". (He was born on Feb. 29th, and is a leap year baby.) So, in order to celebrate the day, I'm off to get one of his favorite gifts...a Barnes and Noble gift card. I know, it seems an odd thing to really like, but he does. Truthfully, we both do. Ordinarily, I'd zip in and zip out, but today, since the snow is still covering our walking path, I thought perhaps something a bit different would be interesting.....hence my plan to mall walk. I am going to stroll thru the B & N, then out to the mall itself, walk for 45 min. to an hour, then reward myself with a shopping spree in B & N. I'm thinking that ending up back inside the friendly confines of my favorite store will soothe my mall- jangled nerves. :)

Now, in all honesty, this is a perfectly lovely mall. It's new, it's full of wonderful stores (or so I've heard), and it is really close to home. While I don't plan to make mall walking a regular part of my exercise program, once or twice hither and yon, probably won't kill me. New scenery and all that, ya know. While I'm in the neighborhood, I'll zip over to Bed, Bath and Beyond and get him another gift card. He's been complaining about the absorbency of some of our bath towels, so I'm going to let him pick out the next set. I'm tired of his complaining. He would rather have a limb removed than shop, so this should be interesting. It'll teach him to complain!!! :)

Whew!!

2010-02-24T09:05:00.002-06:00

Well!!! I must say, Weigh In Wednesday was not nearly the traumatic experience I was expecting. Having prepared myself for a possible gain, or at best, a very small loss, I was pleasantly surprised this morning with a .8# loss. Now, I realize that this isn't the #1 per week I had set as my goal, but after a "burger lust" I have to say, I'm quite pleased at the moment. I think I might even have achieved the full 1# loss had I not been up at 12:30 in the morning eating an orange and a piece of Laughing Cow cheese. :0 I am quite sure those two little night time nibbles pulled me under the 1# mark.

This nighttime nibble brings up another question. Since I have restless leg syndrome and experience many sleepless nights, I often go downstairs to read. Sometimes, not always, I will have a piece of fruit, a small bowl of oatmeal, or an energy bar as I read. (Used to be leftover pizza, a sandwich, Cheetos, etc.) My question has always been, "What day do I record these foods?" Do I put them on the previous day, or start with them on the upcoming day? I had plenty of room for these items on yesterday's food journal as I try to leave a few calories just for this purpose. I suppose then, that it wouldn't matter which day I record them on, would it? I have those few calories available whichever day I choose. Oh well, I ended up putting them on yesterday's list. I like the feeling of starting fresh each morning.

Speaking of starting fresh....I just received notification that our share of the CSA has been entered into the books and we'll be receiving our boxes of produce again this summer. We have decided to share our share with some friends, so perhaps this year I'll not be overrun with kohlrabi. :) We even went so far as to ask for the extended shares this year. That will give us 4 extra weeks of produce in the fall, and since butternut and acorn squash are two of my favorites, I am excited about that. Now, if we can avoid flooding after all of this snow, the farm will be in great shape, and the crops will do well. Two years ago, after the awful floods, our produce was pretty pitiful, but I guess such are the vagaries of farming. Still, I'm excited to get the season started.

Wo-"Man Up"

2010-02-23T09:07:00.002-06:00

Might as well put it out there, just like Tiger did..."I cheated"!! No, not like that, but we did the Wendy's drive thru last night. I know I shouldn't have, and that it is going to have a negative impact on my weigh in tomorrow, but damn it all, I wanted a big old, juicy, bad for me burger. And of course, no splurge would be complete without those nasty French fries. So there you have it, I am a cheater. Now, I don't know which is worse, the actual cheating, or the fact that today I'm really not feeling all that guilty. I stayed on the plan all day long, but about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon I got a splitting headache and decided I would not be cooking dinner. Yes, I am well aware that there are healthy options out there, and I DID consider them. But I simply could not get the image of that burger out of my mind. :( I mentioned this craving to Hubby Dearest, and in an instant he was off to Wendy's for our dining pleasure.

Up to this point, I had actually done pretty well this week. We were out with friends Sat. night, and we might possibly have spent an extra moment or two in the bar, but I had planned for that eventuality. I was feeling fairly good about dodging that bullet. I'm back on track so far today, and I'm not stressing out about my evening of debauchery, I just thought that in the interest of full disclosure (mostly to myself) I should admit the error of my ways. I'm sure I can knock this burger and fries off fairly soon, but it most likely will affect my weigh in stats, and put me one week behind in my goal. That bothers me more than the actual ingestion of the burger and fries.

I'm ok with a small slip now and then, I've actually accounted for that in my 1# per week goal, I think. However, I don't think a burger and fries really amounts to a small slip. I'm going to dance and extra few minutes today, and do a few more minutes of weight training, then continue to do a bit more as the week progresses. I'll get the burger worked off, and I'll be back in the ballgame!!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

2010-02-19T09:22:00.003-06:00

I'm talking to you, Mr. Weatherman!!! "No snow for 5 days in a row" you said with great conviction. Bah, humbug. Gonna snow 2-4" today. "Sun's going to be around a while" you claimed. Not so....gone today. Three sunny days is all we got. You have ruined my perfectly delightful week.

Truthfully, my week is going just fine, and I'm quite pleased with myself at the moment. My exercise is not exactly what I would like, but there are no excuses for that. I am just plain, flat out, being lazy. As a matter of fact, in my Food Journal I am now making notes regarding my excuses for not exercising properly, not eating the right things, and not drinking enough water. I then look at those excuses the next day and realize how ridiculous they all sound. AND, since my exercise has been "off", I have adjusted my calories accordingly. Prior to this, I'd just keep on with my usual calories and figure I'd make up the difference later....and we know how well that always works. Like not at all.

I have also begun talking to myself. But worse than that, I'm answering!! I am trying to motivate myself with positive "self chat". I make myself laugh when I begin my discussions, but eventually I get down to the nitty gritty. I feel lots better about doing this now that I've seen one of the USA women's snowboarders singing to herself before each run. I'm thinking talking to myself is almost the same....right?right!! Right now I'm telling myself that I need to eat slower and enjoy my meals more. I know that when I eat fast, I can't tell when I'm actually full, so I continue eating until I feel full. Generally that feeling hits way, way after I've had too much of everything. That's kind this week's challenge. I'm thinking of giving myself a challenge of some sort each week to go along with the goal of a 1# loss. I have to be careful, tho'. I don't want to overdo and work too hard.....remember??? I'm lazy!!

Help!!

2010-02-17T09:08:00.003-06:00

Can anyone help in identifying this large, mysterious object in the sky? I'm having difficulty placing the name of it.

Yes!!!! The SUN!! It has been a distant memory, but today it appeared again. I am quite certain it has shown itself with the sole purpose of making me feel better. (If that's not the case, don't burst my bubble, keep that thought to yourself.)

It is Wednesday Weigh In, and I stayed the same as yesterday's weigh in total. I am down 1.1#, so I did, in fact, meet my 1# per week goal. Now, with spirits buoyed by my loss, and the sun's appearance, I anticipate a wonderful day. I have not yet done my dancing or my biking, but I will now do so with a bit of an extra lilt in my step. I have it on good authority (albeit the TV weather guy) that this strange object in the sky may linger an extra day or two!!

Hallelujah!! The perfect beginning to Lent. I was all set to give up feeling perky until April, but now I'll alter those plans. :) Perhaps I'll do something a bit more meaningful.

Blah, Blah, Blah

2010-02-16T08:50:00.003-06:00

I realize it isn't Weigh In Wednesday yet, and I'm a little early...but, I did manage to get my 1# loss. Even tossed in an extra .1# to boot. However, even sticking to the plan and accomplishing what I wanted to do has not alleviated the winter doldrums that have overtaken me. On last night's weather report the weather "person" mentioned that since Dec. 1 we have not had 5 straight days without some sort of snowfall. This week may be the first such week since then. We might just have 5 days without snow. There is also promise of continued sun this week. I'll believe that when I see it. It'll still be cold, but the sun would be a most welcome sight.

Yes, I realize that we've not had the huge amounts of snow that the Mid Atlantic and Eastern Seaboard have had....we had that over Christmas, but still having snow (as everyone can attest) on the ground constantly is a real bummer. This particular year, the snow has turned me into a big, fat chicken!!! With my knee difficulties I am overly cautious about when and where I walk. I even postpone grocery trips if I think the snow will be too packed down and therefor slick. I opted out of church on Sunday because the snow pack in the church parking lot is always slick. To clarify, I am NOT afraid to drive in this stuff, I'm leery about walking on top of it. I shuffle down the driveway to retrieve garbage cans, pick up mail, etc., but walking on the poorly shoveled sidewalks around the shopping areas kinda scare me. I absolutely HATE feeling this way. I can't get my cortisone shot (don't ask me why) until Mar. 25. That's when my knee will go back to feeling semi-normal, and I am anxious for that day. Perhaps that will give me some of my "oomph" back. I feel like I need a trip to OZ to get a dose of courage. I'd ask for a brain, too, but that would be just plain greedy. :)

Did Ya Ever??

2010-02-10T09:40:00.002-06:00

Let me preface this all by saying I have always considered myself a coordinated person. I was an athlete in high school and college, and until I got married was not accident prone at all. I am not blaming Hubby Dearest for my new found clumsiness, I'm just pointing out that these strange things only began happening to me then. Of course, the case can be made that all of these things happened to me after I gained weight, too. Something to consider.

Did ya ever...go to the mailbox on an icy day, find it frozen shut, give it a "tug" and snap the muscle in your neck? Yep, I did.

Did ya ever...go skiing and make it all the way to the bottom of the run with your arm out straight ahead of you (like sliding into second base) sliding on your side all the way? Right, I did that.

Did ya ever...cough so hard you lost consciousness, fell on the tile floor and knocked a tooth out and bruised your entire face. Good guess, I've done that.

Did ya ever...do the Superman stretch in the gym and pull a hamstring? Guilty, your honor.

Did ya ever...jump up out of your chair during a football game to high five someone and snap your butt muscle? Yes, sirreeeee.

Did ya ever...knock yourself in the head with an 8# weight while dancing around the family room? We all know I did this just recently.

These little mishaps all bring me to yesterday's little "oops". Another dancing injury, I might add. While dancing around the house to Chubby Checker and doing the Twist, I had a Rice Krispies moment. My knee did the "Snap, Krackle, Pop" thing. Literally!! First I hear a snap, then the grinding crackle, then last of all the pop of a firecracker going off. Scared the living daylight out of me, I'll confess. Luckily, nothing horrible really happened, I was merely hobbled for a short time, and left with a more pronounced limp than usual. Today, the knee is stiff, but not swollen, thank the Good Lord for that. I was worried I might have done some lasting damage, and since I can't have surgery until the fall, I was a bit frightened. Whew!!

My dancing today was more subdued, and involved less leg action....that means no prancing around. I did a few more regular weights, and did stairs an extra time or two to make up for the lack of prancing. :)

It was Weigh In Wednesday, and I lost .6#. Not to make excuses, but my new Plan did not take effect on a Wed., so I'm not really a full week into it. However, since I've been at a standstill, I'll take the .6 and be happy. I am still planning on my 1# per week, and really think that next week, I'll be right on the button. Yea, ME!!!

Workin' On It

2010-02-09T09:28:00.003-06:00

I'm workin' on "The Plan" this week. I kinda goofed up not actually beginning on Weigh In Wednesday, but I can't control when my brain is going to work and when it is going to sit in "Idle". However, in the portion of the week that has passed, I think I'm doing ok. Yes, ok....not great, just ok. For now, I'm going to work with that. Within this past week, I celebrated our granddaughter's 6th birthday and avoided the cake!! I also feel that I ate responsibly when we went to dinner with her, and also the next day at breakfast. I did notice that everything tasted salty to me over the weekend, and that was kinda strange. At first I thought it was just the dinner because everyone else said some parts of their dinners tasted salty, too. Then at breakfast, my entree tasted salty again. Later that day, while watching the Super Bowl, my Edamame & Tofu "hummus" was salty, too.....and I added NO salt to that at all. Odd.

Another random tidbit hit me yesterday. I was listening to the TV while I was sorting laundry, and I heard someone say that lack of sleep can cause carbohydrate cravings. Perhaps that partially explains why I am always foraging for bread products in the afternoon. I don't sleep more than 3 really good hrs. per night, so theoretically I should be craving loaves of bread and piles of pasta, right? Well, truth be told, I am looking for Cheetos by the truckload, but since I have stopped buying them, I have to settle for more mundane carbs. I found this info interesting, but also wondered if I tried really, really hard, could I find a justification for just about any bad craving I might have? I decided that I most certainly could.

My dancing program is going quite nicely. I'm having fun, and find myself laughing quite a lot as I prance dopily around the house. Then, this morning, while reading the paper, I see an ad for a local hospital....they are advertising a "Dance your way to heart health" program. I wonder if they got the idea from me. Should I sue for royalties? I have to admit, I kinda felt a bit of self righteousness when I saw the class advertised. I am just such a trend setter. They are advertising the fact that they will be including all sorts of dances....just like me. They will be playing music from all eras....just like me. They will not be teaching specific moves and dances, except for one session of Irish Step dancing....just like me (kinda). Yep, I think they stole my brilliant "Plan". But being the great humanitarian that I am, I will share this concept with the rest of the city because helping people get heart healthy is where it's at. I am such a giver.

Could This Be It?

2010-02-04T09:09:00.003-06:00

Could this possibly be my "AH-HA" moment? I don't know, but it kinda feels like it might be. In the midst of another sleepless night, I had a thought that I could not get out of my brain. It rattled around endlessly in that big empty space until I finally kinda went "Ah-Ha". This might be IT!! I realized, as I lay in bed, that my children have never seen me anything but fat, fatter, and fattest. I was 106# when I married, 14 months later, I had The Primary Child, and had gained a great deal of weight inexplicably during the pregnancy. The Dr. could not figure out what was causing the weight gain as I stuck to a strict 1500 calorie diet. I did give up smoking the day I found out I was pregnant, so he thought perhaps my metabolism was out of whack. Whatever!!! After the delivery, I lost a bit of the weight I'd gained, but not lots and lots. Four years later I went through the same thing while pregnant with The Perfect Child. Again, I lost a little of the "baby fat" but not all. So, neither kid has seen me anything but fat! I have always been "The Fat, but very funny, Mom". And, quite frankly, it didn't bother me a great deal until just recently.

In between then and now (the kids are 37 & 33 now) I've smoked and quit 3 times. That means weight gains that I've only been able to partially get rid of. I've dieted, exercised and worked on my weight periodically since the 80's. It wasn't until Hubby Dearest and I approached our 60's that I decided that we needed to change our health habits. For me, that included losing weight. It's been almost a year since I had the first "Ah-ha" moment in Phoenix and decided to start both a new, healthy lifestyle and this blog. As I've chronicled before, I've lost weight, gained a little back, then lost again. Seems as tho' I'm dibbling and dabbling at this journey. I am hoping that last night's epiphany is just the impetus I need to jump start myself again. I told myself that if I could just lose 1 pound per week for 1 year, I'd have 52 pounds gone! Simple, isn't it? No lofty goals, just one lousy pound. Anyone should be able to do that, with or without a good knee, right?! I'll dance my way to success....if I don't knock myself out first. :)

So, with this being said, I think I might just have hit on the new plan. One lousy pound per week for one year. More per week would certainly be welcomed, but steady losses would be wonderful. I am hopeful that I'll not be shooting myself in the foot again any time soon, and that this modest plan is THE ONE that yields success.

By the by, Weigh In Wednesday brought no change. But that's no loss, no gain, so I'll be starting on my new journey with no new extra weight to get rid of. I guess that's a positive point.

Danger! Will Robinson!

2010-02-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

Dancing is far more dangerous than I ever imagined! Last week, as I was dancing with my weights above my head to "Shout", a weight slipped out of my hand and hit me on the back of my head. Nothing serious, but certainly surprising. Lucky for me it was at the back of my head and fell to the floor behind me, or the darned thing probably would have landed on my foot and busted it. Clutzy, huh? I am not deterred, but I am certainly more cautious now. I'm using far fewer over head moves. I'm leaving those to the regular weight work routines.

We ditched the trip to Indiana over the weekend. The weather reports for about half of our route looked grim, so we decided to stay here, safe and sound. Slightly disappointing, but we are happy we weren't caught in any of the inclimate weather that was out there. Since we did one smart thing (staying here) I guess I gave myself permission to do one dumb thing. I did not track my calories or exercise all weekend. I wasn't really over the top on anything, I simply didn't pay attention. Then, of course, last night I sat down and did the calculations. Not nearly as horrible as it could have been, but I sure could have done better.

This coming weekend is our Granddaughter's 6th birthday party. It should present no significant eating difficulties, so I'm happy about that. It's been a while since we've seen the family in Omaha, so we're really looking forward to that. This week, (snow permitting) I have gifts to find and purchase. I'm armed with a list, so I should be ok. She likes to email, and can open, address, type and send all by herself, so I have an extensive list of items to chose from. :)
I often deviate from her list, but at least she gives me ideas. I, personally, think her father, The Primary Child, should get her an email address of her own so we can communicate privately. Ok, perhaps she's a trifle young for that. :)

A Short Disclaimer

2010-01-27T09:42:00.002-06:00

Lest everyone think that the playlist for my dance party was a playlist I put on my iPod or other listening device....IT WAS NOT!! The songs I partied to are courtesy of my cable TV provider. I just gyrate to what they give me. I am techo challenged so I do not own, nor am I interested in owning, an iPod. I have plenty of CD's and could easily use those, but just clicking on channel 724 (Favorite Oldies) is much easier, and I get a really, really wide variety of oldies but goodies. My musical tastes do not run to "Hey, Hey, Paula" and the like. Just FYI. :) I also have many other channels to chose from, so I'll hop around from time to time, as well.

Today's sock hop was cut short by a nagging pain in my knee. I did get 5 songs in, 2 with weights, so my party was not a total flop. I continued with just weights for the remainder of the time I had allotted for dancing.

Today was Weigh In Wednesday. UGH! Another stand still week....which, of course is better than a gain. Perhaps I did not begin my dance program early enough to produce results. :)

We are off to Indiana this weekend to celebrate HD's sister's 70th birthday. I'd have preferred a trip to Phoenix, but this is what I got instead. It's a cake and ice cream affair, so I'm thrilled about that. I'm not a sweets lover, so abstaining won't be that big a deal, but the celebratory dinner is at an Italian restaurant, so that will be a minefield to negotiate. I know I can do it, so I'm preparing myself in advance. I am also counting on needing an adult beverage, so I'll adjust for that, as well. Then, perhaps the birthday girl and I can do a quick dance for everyone's amusement. Hmmmm.

Can This Be Right???

2010-01-26T09:26:00.002-06:00

In trying to determine how many calories my new dance routine will burn, and how long I must dance to burn off a bag of Cheetos (just kidding), I visited a website suggested by a friend of mine. It supposedly calculates the number of calories expended in a 30 minute time frame for any number of activities. After reading through the list, I really don't have to do much (according to this website). They list Cooking/Food Prep at using 108.8 cal. per 1/2 hr., Sleeping at 48.9 cal. per 1/2 hr., Watching TV is 54.4 cal. per 1/2 hr., and just standing in line comes in at a whopping 65.3 cal. per 1/2 hr. So, by my calculations, if I sleep 6 hrs. and watch TV 3 hrs, I've expended 456.6 calories without any effort whatsoever!!! CAN THIS BE RIGHT? I'm thinking not, but I love the concept. It reminds me of the old weight loss pills that burn fat while you sleep. Just too damned good to be true. DRATS!

The actual reason for my visit to this website was to calculate my dancing calories! They have three categories of dance to choose from....Fast, which would be dances like the twist and ballet; Moderate, which would include Disco, ballroom, square, line, Irish step, and polka; and, of course, Slow, which would be the Fox Trot, waltz, and tango. No mention of dancing with weights, so I'll figure that out later. Fast= 261.2 cal. per 1/2 hr., Moderate=249.9 cal. per 1/2 hr., and Slow=163.2 cal. per 1/2 hr. I'm not quite up to fast yet, but I'm doing better than slow, so I figure a nice round number of 225 cal. per 1/2 hr. Then add the weights for an extra calorie or two.

FYI, today's playlist consisted of 8 songs, 3 using the 8# weights. I began with "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" then on to "Hey, Baby", with weights in hand I danced, AND sang, to "Him or Me?", did the stroll to "Smokey Joe's Cafe", picked up the weights again for "Every Day With You, Girl", next "I Fought the Law", "Hey, hey, Paula" with weights again, and ended my routine 20 minutes later with "Oh how happy". I figure 20 min. was worth about 150 calories today, plus or minus a few for the weights. There was no mention of how many calories singing loudly might use. My burning question now is.... must I wear my pedometer when I do the stroll?

This is only my second full day of dancing, but I am really enjoying it. The fact that the sun is shining thru the window is a huge help, (the shades were drawn) but the old songs and the funky dances I'm making up to go along with exercise style movements has been very amusing. And, no, Cammy I'll not be making a Richard Simmons style video for everyone else's amusement. :) Besides, I look awful when bedazzled, and even worse in short shorts.

My Mojo Is A Slo-Go

2010-01-25T09:46:00.002-06:00

When I was thinking of blog titles the other day, "My Mojo Is A No Go" kinda stuck me as amusing. So, with that in mind, I altered the title a bit and decided to use it. I have put myself back together, and am trying to overcome the doggie downer feelings of winter blues, and get myself back into a routine of some sort. I've done pretty well over the weekend, so I am hopeful that with a dollop of sunshine hither and yon, I'll be back at it full speed in no time. There was a sunshine spotting yesterday morning, so that helped quite a bit. By noon the sun was under a cloud again, but just that little bit of brightness did wonders for my spirits.

I have pulled myself up by my bootstraps, and am working at developing a new, positive, can do attitude. Being notoriously crabby and cranky, this is no easy task. One of the new exercises I have decided to try is dancing!! Ok, the visual of an old, fat, cranky butt dancing around the family room is quite a picture, don't you think? In spite of the humorous vision, I kinda did a trial run yesterday to see if the knee would hold up as I gyrated wildly to the 50's, 60's and 70's music I found on my TV. So far, so good. I'm planning on beginning with 2-4 songs per day, then working my way up to a full concert!! I'm looking at this as my own, personal Zumba program. Remember "The Monkey"? Well, pick up a pair of 8# weights and do that dance for 2 or 3 min. and you've got a dandy little workout. I'll keep you apprised of my progress, and if I get the call from "Dancing With The Stars", you'll be the first to know. :)

Sittin' In The Dark Of The Day

2010-01-22T10:29:00.002-06:00

Apologies to Otis Redding and his "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay", but it is once again dark and gloomy here. I feel as tho' I'm living in a version of "Wuthering Heights". The lack of sunshine is taking its toll on my psyche.

I had another post all thought out, then last night when I was still awake until 3 a.m. I began running other post titles thru my mind. All of them related to the fact that it has been depressing weather around here for way too long. "My Mojo is No-Go" was my favorite blog title from last night. Others that wouldn't have made the cut were, "The Sun Never Rises", " A Little Gin with your ICE, Madam?", "This is your body speaking, what the hell are you doing?", "Is Gray really a color?" All of this dull, dreary, brown, gray, cloudy, cold, snowy, icy and just generally crappy weather has left me feeling simply unwilling to get my act together in the health and happiness department.

I exercise just a dab each day, so I can say I did something. I've been cheating on the foods I eat....writing down that which I remember, forgetting (kinda) what I don't want to admit to. I don't eat stuff that is really bad, I just eat a bit more than is reasonable. It has been just awful. I feel lousy. I am also getting tired of hearing my little inner voice telling me to quit being such a baby, suck it up, and get on the ball. I have told myself I have to quit using my bad knee as an excuse to do less and less every day. I had hoped that last night's epiphany would find me all revved up this morning, but so far, not so much. I'm waiting for my next "Ah Ha?" moment to occur. The most depressing part of the whole thing is that it has been almost 1 year since I began my blog and I've really made progress, then shot myself in the foot and began all over again.....twice!!

Generally speaking, I am one of the most stubborn people on the planet. I can do anything I set my mind to. Five years ago I gave up smoking, gained 40# and knew I could get that weight off when I set my mind to it. Soooooo, the big question is, "When the hell am I gonna set my mind to it?" After my beginning efforts last year, I lost 16 pounds. Then I fell off the wagon when I hit a plateau. A few weeks ago I got back on the wagon and lost 9 pounds which were part of the original 16 I'd lost earlier. This week, I stayed even with the weigh in numbers on Wednesday. Today, I stepped on the scales (even tho' I normally would wait until next Wed.) because I felt go guilty about yesterday's assault on the pantry. It would seem that I've added back 3# in one day!!! Is that really possible? Given my activity level at the moment, I'd say yes.

So, I'm undergoing a crisis of conscience. Can I make myself straighten up and fly right? I am certainly hoping so. I'm happy to say that we are eating healthier and doing well, food wise. Hubby Dearest has stayed with his 3 day cardio routine, but I am floundering. Any ideas? I'd welcome a swift kick in my butt to get this balloon off the ground again.

What A Lovely Day!

2010-01-20T10:26:00.003-06:00

Just kidding! It is Weigh In Wednesday, and I've stayed even with the board this week. I'm not surprised, but I am a little disappointed. I think the "fly by" of the potato chip bag kinda made me lose my footing. Just a small blip on the screen, but a blip, nonetheless. Drats!

This week seems to be conspiring against me. Yes, that is a touch of paranoia creeping in here. Yesterday, I called to make an appointment with my ortho-pod for my second cortisone shot. My "due date" was to be Jan. 22, so I figured I'd call, get an appointment and be on my merry, more flexible way. WHOA!!! Imagine my surprise when I was told the earliest I could get in was Mar. 25!! So it looks as tho' I'll be hobbling around for a much longer period of time than I had anticipated. CRAP! At this next appointment, I'm going to schedule both the next cortisone shot AND the knee replacement surgery. I'm hoping to put the surgery off until the week after Thanksgiving. That gets me thru golf season (of course) and football/tailgate season. We'll see how that goes. I'm a bit unsure of my ability to enjoy either of these activities to the fullest.

Next thing....1/2" ice covering everything here. Can't get out to go anywhere. Well, I could, but how dumb would that be? I had planned to take a day for myself and go to Barnes & Noble, get a coffee (full caffeine, too) sit in an easy chair and thumb through as many books as I wanted. Now, I'm relegated to my own easy chair with books I already own. Pfffft. Yes, I know, I could be riding the bike an extra few minutes, or doing the dreadmill, or lifting weights......but damn it, I wanted to go to B & N!!! I'm feeling very sorry for myself.

In order to pretend to be productive, I'll resume the sorting and calculating in my recipe folder. At least my hands will be active.

Completing My Project

2010-01-19T09:14:00.002-06:00

As promised, I am now completing the project I began yesterday. In addition to Anne H. who got this ball rolling for me, I'd like to thank 266, as well. Because I am lazy, and techno challenged, I am going to take the liberty of combining the two awards and post this list only once. Both of the blog friends are very kind to have thought of me. The following blogs are not the only ones I read or enjoy. Choosing only 10 has proven much more difficult than one would imagine.

Merry Perennial - Beth
Fat Girl Dives In - Tina
40 the new 30 - Teresa
sixty by sixty - Sheilagh
just one inch -Tamzin
Losing Weight - Mary Fran
282.5 -Jo
Chunky Monkey Mama - Gigi
Slim Spirited -Wakati

Good Lord, this was hard!! However, it did provide me with a tutorial for using links! I didn't know how to go back and forth to get the blog names absolutely correct, but I tried to remember the best I could.

It's been said repeatedly, but I would still like to add my voice to the many. The friends I've found here online have been a true delight. I really do feel as tho' I've known many of you for years. I enjoy your "company" each and every day. I don't always respond or email, but I do read. Thank you all for all you do to brighten my day. Mushy, mushy, mushy!! Ok, I'm done now. Thanks!!

Thank You!

2010-01-18T10:48:00.002-06:00

Thank you to Anne H., for the blog award. It took me a little while to remember how to attach the award to my blog, but I finally did it. Thank you again! Part of the award requires that I list 10 things that make me happy and nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award, and link to those blogs. I am pressed for time today, so I'll begin the process with the 10 things that make me happy. As we know, I am techno challenged, so linking will take me some time. PLUS, choosing only 10 will present significant difficulty, as well.

Ten things that make me happy.

1. Hubby Dearest, of course.
2. My family, for sure. S'pose that's a given, huh?
3. Golf, anywhere, anytime. You could see this one coming, couldn't you?
4. Laughing children
5. Bookstores and libraries
6. Travel - again, anytime, any place (Well, almost any place.)
7. Time spent with friends-luckily, this often involves golf
8. The 4th of July fireworks
9. Nebraska Cornhusker football- both the games and the tailgates
10. All of my wonderful blogger friends. I feel as tho' I actually know each and every one of you.

I am also required to do at least one of these things today. I am going to be spending time with friends, so now if I can figure out the whole linking thing, I'm golden.

I'll finish my remaining tasks tomorrow. Thank you again, Anne.

Anyone Get The License Plate Number?

2010-01-14T11:53:00.003-06:00

I feel like I've been hit by a truck, and no one reported the hit and run! I simply ache all over, and am completely spent. No, I didn't overdo a damned thing! I just feel crappy. No other real symptoms, either, so I'm discounting the possibility of it being the flu. Plus, I've had all the flu shots allotted to me, so I'd think I would be hard to "catch" by the bug.

Yesterday, we had a "fly by" of the Ruffles bag at noon!! Hubby Dearest decided to come home for lunch, and he loves his Ruffles with his sandwich. I swear, as he poured a small pile onto his plate, one of the chips smirked at me! I resisted the urge to smash the smart ass chip into little pieces, as HD had him clearly in his sights, and the little devil would be gone soon enough. What HD finds so raucously funny about my "Chip Incident", as he calls it, is the fact that the bag of chips is kinda high on a shelf that's out of my reach. In order for me to steal a chip from HIS Ruffles bag, I have to use tongs to grab the bag. He has a mental picture of this event, and it makes him laugh just thinking about it. I've told him not to bother trying to put it up higher, I'll just find longer tongs....but I think perhaps just resisting the temptation altogether is the better option long term. :) Besides, truth be told, I'd much prefer Cheetos!!!

I found yesterday's replies to my query very interesting. Seems I'm not the only one with patterns regarding weigh ins. I am heartened by that. AND, a big thank you to Jo, as she pointed out that clipping ones nails could also contribute to an ounce or two less at weigh in time. I'll be sure and incorporate that into my routine.

This is ridiculous, but just sitting here typing this tiny little post has exhausted me completely. I'm gonna try to hang on and read a few before I fall out of my chair and nap on the floor.
ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!

The Morning "Constitutional"

2010-01-13T09:27:00.003-06:00

Oh, don't look at me that way! We all know we have a certain "rhythm", don't we? Well, today is Weigh In Wednesday, and after I weighed in, I began to think of all the ways I try to maximize my losses. One, of course, is the Daily Constitutional. Today was the day my "rhythm" decided to go AWOL. I weighed in without benefit of the extra "oomph" the constitutional provides. That said, I did lose another 2.2#!!! I shudder to think what my loss might have been. If only. (Not to mention, IF ONLY, I hadn't been viciously attacked by that bag of Ruffles!) Oh well!

So, thinking of all the things I do to prepare for a weigh in while taking my shower this morning, I began to wonder if other people have little idiosyncrasies about weighing themselves. I am also of the opinion that a good haircut will show a loss on the scale, and that shaving ones legs will do the same. Does everyone weigh in naked, or keep their clothes on just like in the Dr.'s office? Do people always weigh in at the same time each week, or vary the times when so they weigh themselves when they feel lighter. (Whenever the hell THAT might be.) I don't like weighing in after a shower, I think my body absorbs extra water, and increases my weight. Anyone else? I admitted yesterday I was a little nuts, perhaps today actually proves my point.

Not to steal from SpunkySuzi, and her question day, but I am curious about people's weigh in rituals. I feel kinda like a scientific journalist asking about this. Perhaps there is a research paper just waiting to be written. Hmmmmm. Ponder, ponder.

At any rate, I'd really like to know the answers to these questions. I don't know if it will make me feel less stupid or more, but inquiring minds......and all that.

Chips Ahoy!!

2010-01-12T09:49:00.002-06:00

No, not the cookie, the Ruffles!!! To preface, I don't even like potato chips!! Now you know where this is going, don't you? Yep, I treated myself to a "few" chips last night. What the hell was I thinking?? Good question. I had journaled, counted, weighed, cooked properly, and was ready to settle in for a little televiewing, when the Ruffles bag jumped up and grabbed my hand, settled in, and then chip by chip those little shits jumped into my mouth. As I said, I don't usually even like chips, so why now? There were not a great number of chips that jumped ship, but enough to make me wonder what was going on? I did a calorie count on what I thought was about the right number of chips that attacked me, so I didn't really exceed my calorie count for the day by a substantial amount, but just knowing I ate them at all I find distressing.

I do feel sufficiently guilty today, so I will give an extra effort to my bike riding. I'll do two sessions instead of just one! That'll teach me. I'm also wondering if the "chip incident" had anything at all to do with the terrible cramps I had in my calf, foot and toes all night long? It was as tho' my leg was being pierced with some sharp object or another. Made for a very lousy night of sleep. Guess I'll Google all of this to see if I have any other underlying psychological problems I should address. I know Drs. love to have us all Googling all medical questions, so I'm gonna jump in and diagnose myself just like everyone else. Luckily, I do not tend to be a hypochondriac, so I probably won't adopt a phobia about any of my symptoms. I think I might just be a little nuts!! No cure for that, I'm told.

Today is a day that will be used to get myself back on track. A few chips ain't a gonna derail this train. I'm happy with my past couple of weeks, so a few badly behaved potato chips will not get me down. Notice how I was able to shift the blame to the potato chips? Yep, I deflect.

OMG!! I See Concrete!

2010-01-11T08:42:00.002-06:00

Yippee Skippee!!! That means with the slight warming trend that is on tap for this week, I may be able to carve a lane on the walking path behind us!! Temps are gonna get into the 30's this week, so I am hopeful that my walk may be an outdoor one by week's end. That little patch of concrete I see, has given me renewed hope. I'll just have to be careful of the re-freeze that happens overnight. But I'm beyond ready.

In spite of my b'day week, and celebrating with friends on Friday night, I think I'm right on target for my food this week. I even planned my dinner out before hand, calculated my possible alcohol intake, and made adjustments to meet my caloric goal. I felt pretty damned good about that. I was actually 10 calories under my allotment. And yes, I knew that because I was faithful about my food journal. I learn slow, but at least I learn. :)

Speaking of journaling and calories, I have had to adjust my daily calorie count to take into consideration the fact that my exercise is not as vigorous as it once was. I've shaved off a couple hundred calories per day to take that into account. Seems to be working, so I'm not going to go any lower for now. Everything is adjustable, so I'll decide as I go along. For now, I think I'm pretty close to being on target.

Perhaps the concrete that has peeked through the snow will beckon me to walk, and my mood will elevate. A bit of sunshine sure goes along way these days....at least for me. I know Spring is still a long way off, but some brightness is quite a delight after so many dark, dreary days. I am even hopeful that we might be able to grill this week. Now THAT is optimism! We do grill quite a bit in the winter, but not when there is 30" of snow on the ground. Hubby Dearest has cleared the deck of snow, so we can get out to the grill if need be, but it's just been too dad gummed cold!

I guess with the rising temps, my new curse word blog will have to be put on hold. I might even put the socks away, too!! Not quite time to shave my legs, but it's getting close. :)

My Potential New Blog

2010-01-08T09:08:00.002-06:00

I am contemplating a new blog..."How to Make The Most of Your Curse Word Collection". Believe me I have an extensive collection and am not afraid to use it!!! In the past few days, the great knowledge I have amassed in that area has come in mighty handy. My problem with starting this new blog is that I don't know what category it might fall into. It's not a Health & Fitness topic, it's not an Arts & Literature topic....just where would it fit in the blogosphere? Until I figure that out, I'll just continue with this blog, and work on expanding my vocabulary even further.

I am totally looking forward to Sunday! The temperature is supposed to rise to nearly 20º that day. Can Spring be far away with temps that high? As The Primary Child wrote on Facebook yesterday, "It's NOT me, Winter, it IS YOU!" A great break up line, isn't it? I want to break up with Winter, too. (Insert curse word here.)

In spite of my fierce dislike for this Frigidaire I'm currently being subjected to, I am getting things done. One downside, I realized this morning. If one leaves one's laundry in the dryer overnight, one's underwear is freezing cold in the morning. A real eye opener!! My buns are just now warming up. I have been concentrating on my foods of late. I'm still working on my recipes and calculating calories for old favorites. I read today in the paper that most of the calorie counts provided on food labels and in restaurants can be as much as 18% less that what is actually in the food!! Yikes! That adds up. Frozen entreès are about 8% off in their calorie counts. So now, with that info in hand (add curse word here) I will have to be more vigilant. Luckily, I don't eat a whole lot of these frozen entreès any more, so I'm not too worried. However, I'm really trying to be as accurate as I can with my own calculations.

Haven't exercised yet today. I think I'm just waiting for my underwear to warm up, and then I'll be on my bike peddling my a** off. Can't decide if I want to do more than that. I'm kinda feeling the lethargy again today. I will get something done in the exercise department, I just don't have a plan yet today.

Oh Poor Us!!!

2010-01-07T09:31:00.004-06:00

Another dark, dank, dreary, bone chillingly cold day here in the heartland. I am starting a campaign to change the buzz words from "Global Warming" to what it really is..."Climate Change". And please, dear Lord, CHANGE it soon!!! I don't know how many more days of wearing socks I can stand. :) I see that the whole country is in the weather related black hole of winter. Well, except The Perfect Child and all her friends in Phoenix. I'm getting tired of talking to her and hearing that it's perfectly lovely there. "I think I'll bar-b-que tonight, Mom". Hell, I'm not even sure we could get the sliding glass door to the deck unfrozen long enough to get to the grill. And YES, I am, in fact, bitter. So there!!!

However, in light of the fact that it's too damned cold to go anywhere, I am taking this opportunity to get my act together. I'm organizing my recipes, figuring out calorie counts for old favorites, lightening them up when needed, and getting them all filed on the computer. I'm doing all of this in between bouts of feeling very sorry for my old, cold self. Oh Poor ME!!! At least I am being somewhat productive. I'm still working on my exercise plan as well. So today, reading Cooking Light magazine I came across an article (with pictures, which I always like) on exercises for core, strength and cardio. So now, I'll "audition" those and see if any make the final cut. I have to say, trying new things and varying the routines has been kinda fun, however, if I were to use all of the information I've collected, I'd never get my nap taken.....I'd be exercising for hours on end. :)

Well, I'm off to put on socks and wrap up in my Snuggie. Boy! Am I ever glad I gave everyone a Snuggie for Christmas....we need them. By the way, does my Snuggie make me look fat? Oh wait, I AM fat...never mind. Too early for my nap, so guess I'll exercise a bit.

Damn! It's Cold!

2010-01-06T09:39:00.002-06:00

Yeah, I know everyone is experiencing unseasonably cold weather, but just for one day, I'd like temps in the positive numbers. I think today is gonna be the day!! I saw a positive 3º when I woke up this morning, and if it gets up to 8º I'm headed out of doors!!! That, and more snow is on the way, and our veggie supply is sadly depleted.

Oh yeah!! Today was Weigh In Wednesday, lest I forget. I had a 6.8# loss!!! I know a good portion of that was the soccer ball sized knot of water around my knee, but hey, a loss is a loss. I'm also quite certain that some of that loss was a result of shivering uncontrollably for 5 days in this cold spell. Kinda like those really old time "reducing" machines that had the belt that went around your waist and shook you silly. It's been so cold, I've actually had to wear socks.

As one might expect, my food had been much better this last week or so. Giving myself those extra few days to stay on the Wed. weigh in schedule probably didn't hurt, either. And color me shocked.....journaling my foods has actually helped. Can't believe I didn't believe that. I AM NOT as smart as I think I am....in that department, anyway. :) My ego is totally in tact in all other areas!!

Exercise is coming along slowly. I can't quite get a program put together that really feels good. I am "auditioning" several combinations right now. I've given thought to going back to my trainer, but with only one leg that works properly, I don't think I'd be getting the full use of his expertise or my money. It's still a possibility, tho'. I might just drop in and ask for some suggestions as to what I might be able to do without risking more damage to the knee. My fear is that he'll talk me into coming back, paying the ridiculous fee, and then I'd end up being able to do only half of the routine. Sounds like I'm talking myself out of this, doesn't it? For the time being, I'll keep plugging along with what I'm doing. I still subscribe to the theory that any movement is better than none.

My Last Day!!

2010-01-04T09:55:00.002-06:00

As a 60 year old, that is. Yep, tomorrow I turn 61 and today I feel every bit of those 60+ years. It is cold outside, snow covered, slick on my walking path, and my meteorological knee tells me it's gonna be like this for a while. Darn it all. However, I will not let this deep freeze we live in deter me from enjoying my advancing age. As they say, "It beats the alternative!!". Amen to that.

I have moved some of my exercise equipment upstairs to keep from having to run up and down stairs too many times per day. Unfortunately, the bike, the dreadmill and the elliptical of death are still in the downstairs family room, so on the days I wish to ride, run or die, I'll have to go downstairs. Truthfully, the computer is in the downstairs area too, so I'll be down there anyway, might as well take a spin on something or another. I can pretty much guarantee you it won't be the elliptical of death. That thing is just to damned hard on me at this point. I'm not alone in that assessment, either. Everyone who tried to use it over the holidays said it was a beast, too. I feel semi-vindicated. :)

Since my pre-New Year's proclamation that I was returning to my journaling of food, I have been true to my word. I've left myself a little leeway, and am going to stick to my Wednesday Weigh Ins even tho' my new journey actually began in earnest on a Friday. So, after being 61 for one whole day, I will step onto the scales once again, and prepare to be dazzled!!!

In my ongoing attempt to find exercises that are reasonable for me to do, I have amassed a folder of pages from magazines and online ideas. I'm going to put them together in a coherent plan this week. I can't just jump from page to page willy nilly and expect to remember what I'm doing. I do, however, think I can put together a couple of routines that will work nicely. I'll rotate them so I don't get bored, and everything that CAN get moved, WILL get moved.

With all the pieces in place, I begin my 61st year with great optimism and hope. It is my intention to be blogging long into my "declining years" whatever age that might be. :)

Reflections, NOT Resolutions!

2009-12-30T10:47:00.003-06:00

We all know what happens to resolutions this time of year, so instead of lining up those things that will ultimately make me feel bad when I fail, I've decided to reflect on the past year, and ponder the coming year in a more positive manner.

In March, after a wonderful trip to Phoenix, The Perfect Child and I decided to embark on a new, and healthier lifestyle. Hubby Dearest came along for the ride. :) A modicum of success was achieved on my part....I began this blog. The Perfect Child's blog kinda fell by the wayside, but her efforts at being healthier did not. After eating my way thru every Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, I also decided it was time to lose some weight as well as regain my health. Initially I lost 16.4 pounds!! After sending out a search party in the last month or so, I found almost all of those pounds again. DAMN!!! I am down about 2.2#, which, if I really look at the positive side of this, is not a total bust. At least I still have a small loss to form the base of my new program.

According to my Dr., even with a weight re-gain, I have, in fact, improved many factors regarding my health. That's a positive for sure, but I know I can improve even further. Another trip to another Dr. (ortho guy) reaffirmed what I already knew. My remaining original equipment knee is shelled and is going to have to be replaced. No big surprise. However, what I did learn, is that cortisone (or any steroid) will raise blood sugar! Well, color me shocked. In spite of that, my blood sugar levels went down, and all is well on that front. After spending a good deal of time on my feet over the holidays, I now have a knee that is swollen to the size of a volleyball and is stiff as a board. I'm thinking an excess of sodium (and alcohol) might also have played a part in this little "problem", so I'm drinking gallons of water to begin the flushing of my system. I have learned a little something along this journey. :) Exercise is a key, but I will have to sort out those exercises that I can do safely, and not stress my knee any further.

I NEED to journal my foods. Even when I think I'm just so damned smart I don't need to keep track anymore, I find myself back in trouble. I know, I know, everyone will agree that a food diary will help more than almost any other thing one does, but for whatever reason, there was a time (recently) that I thought I had it all organized in my head and no longer needed the paper "crutch". Reflecting.....I was wrong. So I pulled out the food diary today, and am back in the fold. The lost sheep had been found.

Soooooooo, reflecting on the past year has made me realize several things. I really do like blogging, and communicating with other bloggers. I do need to journal my foods. I do need to try and do the exercises that I am able to do. I want to continue to incorporate healthy choices into our everyday living. We've been doing pretty well in that department, so I want to keep at it, refine it, and make it a healthy habit. None of these reflections are meant to be resolutions, so therefore I cannot break them......as I usually do. :)

In closing this particular blog entry, I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy New Year.
Happy 2010!!!!

OK, So Shoot Me

2009-12-21T16:39:00.003-06:00

Yes, I know, I said I was done posting for a while. So Shoot Me!!! I lied. Besides, when you have a picture as cute as this one to share, how could I possibly resist the temptation to post a picture of my precious grandchildren.

Things have actually gone to hell in a hand basket since I last posted. Just plain ignored what I should be paying attention to. Was at the Dr.'s today for blood work, and did not like what his scales told me. Now, they are always 9# higher than my scales at home (and believe me, the ones at home are scary enough), so I was semi-prepared for a shock. I was not shocked, I was awed!!! I am not at all surprised, but I certainly am dismayed.

"Time has come, the Walrus said"....Yep, it is time to get my fat ass in gear and do something about this lethargy that has overcome me. I'll not procrastinate any longer. Now, today, right this moment, I'm beginning anew. I know what to do, I just need to jump start myself and "Get 'er done"!!! Have I now used enough cheesy quotes for this to count as a humorous post? Yes, I think so.

It occurs to me that I can't even make good on my promise to not post for a while, so how am I gonna do this whole livin' right thing? Hmmmmm. Good question. For one thing, I'm coming back to my blogging friends, reading their posts, and keeping my mind on the business at hand. I hope you'll forgive my foolish departure from the blogosphere. It was ill advised. I'll do a little penance as I ride my bike, and shovel what looks to be a substantial amount of snow on the way. So, I'm back, I lied, so shoot me. :)

Yes, I Would Like Some Cheese With This Whine

2009-12-10T10:12:00.002-06:00

I'm bored. I'm bored with my blog, I'm bored with typing it, I'm bored with not progressing and having anything interesting to report in my blog. I still enjoy reading the blogs I've signed onto, but all in all, I think I'm really boring AND bored. Evidenced by the lack of comments for my last few posts (enter the whiner, now) I can tell that all of you are bored with me, too. Now, I realize I never had hundreds of comments, or even dozens, but when I only get one or two per post, it sends me a message. I AM BORING!!! Shoot, I even lost two followers!!!

I haven't made any progress in my attempt to lose weight, either. Wednesday brought a small change. I was down .2#. Big deal. I have improved our eating habits immeasurably, and we do watch what we eat more closely. That part of this journey has been a huge plus. Not being able to do the exercises I once did, and the way I was once able to do them, is a big downer for me. I don't have the enthusiasm I once did. I'm stuck at having lost 10# total, so it's hasn't been a total bust.

So, for the foreseeable future, I am going to cease and desist, by popular demand. I'm just going to lurk and read other blogs, and let my blog sit and think about what it's done. It is in a "Time Out".

Chuggin' Along

2009-12-07T09:03:00.002-06:00

After a rather uneventful week, I feel kinda under-motivated. Not UN-motivated, just under motivated. Snow is on the ground now, with more on the way Wednesday. That really should put me in a festive mood, but as yet, the Yuletide Spirit has not yet kicked me in the butt. I'm just chuggin' along with all my usual routines. I need a kick in the pants! I have to brag just a tad on being better about our food choices. Hubby Dearest and I both decided we need to get back to being a bit smarter in that regard. So, I must admit, that we did better this past week.

Since I didn't do Weigh In Wednesday last week, I'm thinking I might just get back to where I was Pre-Phoenix. That would actually be ok with me for right now. I anticipate some snow shovelling in my future, so that will up the exercise quotient a bit. To be honest, I'll use the snow blower, but it is huge and so is our driveway. Trying to keep warm burns calories, too, right???

I am also pleased to announce that almost 2 months after my cortisone injection, my knee is still feeling ok. Even after the 5K, and 3 rounds of golf, I'm still feeling better than before. It's never going to be great 'til I have the surgery, but for now, I'll settle for ok. I am beginning to do a little bit more leg and hip exercising, but I am taking it slow and easy. No need to upset the apple cart by going overboard. The small downside is that I can still predict a change in the weather with my knee. :)

So, all in all, I think I'm finally moving along in the right direction. But, as I've read in so many blogs, winter is a tough time to keep it going. That will be my greatest challenge, I suspect. My outdoor walks will be few and far between, so it will be back on the "Gerbil Wheel of Doom" and of course, my beloved recumbent bike. With dreary days ahead, I'll have to really push to get myself motivated, but I remain hopeful.

Been There, Done That, And Now Have The Damned T-Shirt

2009-12-02T09:59:00.004-06:00

Yes, friends and family, I did, in fact, complete the 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day! I was passed by an 86 year old man "slogging" his way along the route, chatting merrily as he blew by me, and having a lovely day. His 35th year of running in this sort of event. I was duly impressed, believe me. At about the half way mark, I had a bit of a twinge in my knee so my pace slowed a trifle. That's when the "Old Runner Guy" passed me. After walking a bit slower, and with shorter strides, the knee re-seated itself and off we went again. I say "we" because the Perfect Child and Hubby Dearest held back and walked with me at my pace. Love is grand, ain't it? They could easily have blown by me and waited for my arrival at the finish line, but they didn't. Thanks to both. I had set a time limit of 1.5 hrs. to complete this event, and we made it in just over 1 hr. I really felt I could have done better if the knee hadn't acted up at the half way mark, but overall, I'm pleased that I made it. And, yes, I did get the damned t-shirt, as I stated as my original goal. :)

Still, the 5K and three rounds of golf did not wear off all of the damage we did in the adult beverage and football food department. Today was Weigh In Wednesday, and I have actually decided to skip it because I know it will depress me. My jeans still fit, but not because I exercised any sort of self control at all.....I'm just plain lucky. I admit I worried about what I might have to wear home on the plane if the jeans became too tight. :) Thank goodness, I didn't have to worry.

So last night, it was back to doing what should be done. Being sensible, and righting the ship. I've been adrift a bit too long, so now I must seek calmer waters and begin cruising my way to reclaiming myself again. Off I go now. Good health awaits!!!

Thanksgiving Traditions

2009-11-24T08:29:00.002-06:00

While our family has had many traditions over the years, some going by the wayside after my parents were gone, one is still alive and well. So as we travel to Phoenix for this year's repast, I shall keep this one last motherly tradition up and running. It is actually a tradition for all holidays and family meals that my mother began once I started taking over the family holiday festivities. The day begins with a nice breakfast (ok so far). As I begin the turkey prep, I open a bottle of wine (I'm going to need it....it is purely medicinal). BINGO! The first salvo is launched. "I never put anything under the skin of MY turkey." Ahhhhh, Mom's Thanksgiving Day had begun. Next, Hubby Dearest asks if anyone would like a holiday toddy. Since I've already begun, I decline, but Mom pipes up, "Yes, Dear, but make mine light, I'm on medication, you know. Just a little Southern Comfort and 7-Up, please.". Comin' right up, your highness. Never moving from her perch at the kitchen table, she sees me beginning to work with the giblets for the dressing and gravy. "I always washed my giblets and used the neck, too, you know." Yes, ma'am, already done. I'm sipping away at my wine by now. "I don't cook my parsnips that way, and you bought way too many this year." "I like left over, cold parsnips, Mom." Sip, sip, sip. "Are we having any nibbles before we eat? I could use a cracker or two." Hubby Dearest to the rescue. "Cheese would be nice on these fancy crackers. Don't you ever use just saltines?" Hubby once again to the rescue. Sip, sip, sip. "My glass is empty, just one more light one, please." Hubby Dearest, her new manservant, is off and running again. Guzzle, guzzle, guzzle.

Ok, all the prep work is done, turkey is cooking, Mom is sipping away at #3 (light ones, you know), and I finally have time to sit down. I'm looking for the hard stuff now! I might be a bit wobbly, but I am not done yet. "Isn't there something you should be doing rather than sitting down here with us?" "Well, yes Mom, I probably shouldn't take time to talk to my family on such a busy holiday." (I wanted to ask if it would be ok if I ate with the family, but I resisted the urge.) Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Time for dinner has arrived. There are more exchanges about my preparation techniques, but I'll skip over those. "Who wants wine with dinner?" "I'll take a small glass" Mom answers. One of the kids begins to pour the wine for all of us. Mom requests "Just a bit more, honey."
Hubby Dearest has carved the turkey beautifully and is ready to present it to us for our dining pleasure. "How did you carve the breast, it looks funny." Just give me the damned bottle with a straw and let me have it!!!!!

Now, this year, with The Perfect Child preparing Thanksgiving for her father and me, I get to be the mom at the kitchen table "assisting" HER preparations. "Thanks, hon, just a small glass for me, I'm on a diet." Sip, sip, sip. In spite of the frustration and craziness, I do sometimes miss being yelled at for using chicken broth instead of cream in my mashed potatoes, 2% milk instead of 1/2 & 1/2 in the gravy, and for leaving the wings in the kitchen instead of on the serving plate. I just wish both of my parents, and Hubby Dearest's, as well, could see what great kids we've turned out. I think they would finally approve of something we've done. I know we are certainly pleased with our "work". :)

A very, very Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

I Just Might Be Turning Into My Grandmother

2009-11-20T09:18:00.003-06:00

Not that it would be a bad thing, mind you, but it's a little early for that, I think. My grandmother could tell the weather, with a great deal of accuracy, by just knowing how her arthritic joints were feeling. I think I might be following in her footsteps. Wonder if the Weather Channel needs another forecaster? I could be at least as accurate as most. You guessed it, my knee can now forecast the weather here in DM. The past three days have been foggy, dreary and moisture was in the air. My knee felt a bit "off". Today, the sun is out, temps are on the rise, and my knee is almost "perky". Lest I get too cocky about my uncanny prediction capabilities, I'll just be thankful that my knee feels better today. I think it just might be an outdoor walk day. YAY!!

As a matter of fact, this morning I did some weight bearing exercises for my hips and knees. I have no ill effects thus far. I tried my mini-squats and even tried some easy, not too deep lunges. At present, my knee is feeling ok, so I'm hopeful I can get these two exercises back into the rotation again. I will keep the weights light, and the reps fewer than usual, but I would like to have them back again. I keep feeling like I'm really neglecting my other knee and my hips by eliminating all of the leg exercises.

Thanks to all who weighed in on the B-complex issue. I've been looking over the suggestions and have done a little research. In reading the comments, I find that I'm already doing some of the things suggested. I have only 1 diet coke per day. I do drink green tea ( I love it), and I work on getting the right amount of protein in my diet. I remain baffled. So, in the interest of science, I'm going to buy a bottle of B-complex vitamins and give them a 30 day trial. We'll see what happens. I do know that if I OD on B vitamins my body will eliminate them in my urine, so I'm not afraid of that. Whew!! I hope they sell small bottles of the stuff, I'd hate to be stuck with a 300 day supply and have them not do one darned thing. We'll see, and I'll report back in 30 days.....if I have the energy. :)

Weigh In Wednesday was not a total loss this week. I was down .3#. Not a huge amount, but at least the scale moved this week, and not upward, which was nice. For having a week of virtually nothing happening in the exercise department, a small loss was really what I'd call a bonus. Not sure it was deserved, but I'm sure as hell gonna take it. I've been at a standstill for so long, any movement at all is welcomed. (Especially a downward one.)

One last tailgate this Saturday, then I can settle down and get back to business. I've been monitoring myself pretty well, and the walking to the stadium does help, but I still think this might be why the scale hasn't been moving for a while. We'll see. Happy Weekend to everyone, and thanks for all of your help.

To B-complex Or Not To B-complex?

2009-11-17T10:45:00.003-06:00

That is the question. At lunch with friends yesterday, we discussed the supplements we were currently taking. The group ranges in age from 26 to 63, so we all had different needs and requirements. And before you ask, I am not the 63 year old.....yet!! Give me time. (3 yrs.) I asked if anyone had a great idea for someone (me) who is suffering from lethargy and has no energy. Everyone (there were 7 of us) said that a B-complex vitamin supplement would be just the thing. So now, before I rush out to get the magic potion, I am asking my blogger friends to weigh in on this important issue. Do I rush out and get a bottle of these little beauties, or do I simply rely on my multi vitamin and its dose of B vitamins to do the trick? Whaddaya think, people?

I would also welcome any other advice you all may have. I am just plain stuck!!! I don't want to do anything beyond what is absolutely necessary. I don't actually sit around all day, but getting my butt in gear is a major effort. I need a boost of some sort. Helpful hints are accepted happily, and I'd be willing to try almost anything.

Next Tuesday we leave for Phoenix, and Thanksgiving with our daughter, The Perfect Child. I'm doing the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day come hell or high water. It's a 5K which I had planned to "slog", but since the Dr. ruled that out, I'll be walking the course. I am very hopeful I'll complete the Trot before Thanksgiving dinner is served. Our daughter has assured me that she can drive home, get the turkey on, and get back to pick me up if it takes me more than 4 hrs. to complete my "run". :) I'm really just doing this for the T-shirt. Hope it isn't too dark when I finish so I can take a picture of me in my spiffy new shirt. The race starts quite early in the morning, so I am hopeful. Even with my lethargy, I have been doing some recumbent bike riding to keep my knee moving. I may progress to the "dreadmill", but to tell you the truth, I like sitting down while I exercise. :) Ahhhhhhh! Perhaps it isn't lethargy so much as it is just plain old fashioned laziness. But don't you agree, lethargy sounds better?

It's My Lucky Day!!!

2009-11-13T09:24:00.002-06:00

Yes, it is true, Friday, November 13 is my lucky day!! Actually, any November 13 is one of my lucky days. This year it just happens to fall on a Friday. Today is The Perfect Child's 33rd birthday!! It was one of the three luckiest days in my life!! Of course the other two are July 3, the day I was married, and September 15, the birth date of The Primary Child. Geez!! Just typing the number 33 made me feel extremely old. UGH!

After the last week of being carefree and not worrying at all about my food intake, I'm back on track. My exercise routine leaves something to be desired, but I'm doing a little bit more each day. Even tho' my knee is feeling pretty darned good, I'm taking it easy on the leg "stuff". I want to be in good shape, knee-wise, to walk the 5K Turkey Trot in Phoenix Thanksgiving morning. In order to do that, I've put a moratorium on golf for the duration of the time we'll be here in DM. We have golf plans for Phoenix as well as the Turkey Trot, so I'm trying my best to be ready for both. Luckily, the weather is turning a bit colder and wetter in the near future, so I don't think it is going to be a huge sacrifice to stay away from golf for 11 days. I don't mind coming home a bit hobbled, but I'd hate to be a party pooper in Phoenix.

My cold is in the last stages, so I'm feeling a bit more like being out and about. I'm almost out of apples, so a grocery trip is on tap for today. I've been consumed with lethargy lately, so the cupboard, fresh fruit and veggie-wise, is kinda bare. Can't stay on track if the food isn't readily available. I've found that out the hard way. Cheetos are not a good substitute for apples and pears. I know that, but chose to eat some Cheetos anyway!!! They are the work of the Devil. I even choose the baked variety, but still.....it's just plain dumb to eat them mindlessly. Not going to buy a bag this shopping trip, no matter how hard Hubby Dearest begs. :)

Happy Friday the 13th to all!! Hope you all are as lucky as I am!!! Enjoy the weekend.

That Was The Week That Was!

2009-11-11T09:02:00.002-06:00

Holy Cow!! I've never dreaded Weigh In Wednesday like I dreaded this one! After almost a week of debauchery I felt sure I'd be breaking my scales. Last week, The Perfect Child and her roommate came for a visit. The sojourn included a big tailgate weekend with her brother, The Primary Child, and about 16 of our closest tailgate buddies. We did a Mexican Fiesta themed tailgate. I was at death's door with a cold, so luckily I had help in the preparation department. Thank goodness, or we'd have starved. Prior to game day, we squeezed in a couple of rounds of golf, some adult beverages, some free chili and beer, and various and sundry food stuffs that I know are not on anyone's approved list. "Feed a fever, starve a cold"??? I think not. I did the complete opposite. However, it was totally worth it, as everyone had a wonderful time. The visit was not long enough, but we'll be going to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, so we'll have more time to spend together then. This was the week that was. I was prepared for an ugly Wednesday morning.

To say I was surprised this morning when I weighed in would be a complete understatement. I was exactly the same as when I began the week!!! I truly had been anticipating an extra pound or two, or three, to appear before me this morning. Imagine my delight at seeing the same number as last week. Not usually a pleasant sight, but after The Week That Was, it was a sight for sore eyes, knees, back, legs, etc.

Since my Halloween Challenge did not turn out nearly as well as I had hoped, I have extended it to Thanksgiving and added the pounds that did not magically disappear in Oct., to the 5 more I hope to lose by Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that having stayed at the same weight over the last week will enable me to give this Challenge a real run for it's money. My knee is still ok, although I've found that golf tires it out a bit and makes it sore for a little while afterwards. THAT is not good news. Still, it's better than it was, so that IS good news.

Having been busy nursing my cold and entertaining last week, I've fallen woefully behind on both my blogging and my blog reading. I'm hoping to catch up with everyone in the next day or so. I miss reading all of your blogs, so I'm going to dedicate extra time in the next few days to getting current with everyone.

It's Been Almost A Week

2009-10-28T10:51:00.003-05:00

Yes, tomorrow will mark the one week anniversary of my injection of cortisone. I know everyone has been keeping track of the days, and you are all anxiously awaiting the verdict. I am ever so happy to report that, as of today, the pain is gone and my knee feels better than it has in quite some time. The question remains, however, how long this relief will last. At the moment, I am delighted with the result, and if I can get even a few weeks of feeling this good, I'll be a happy camper.

Even with this happy turn of events, I am losing steam in my journey. I'm making little to no progress, and I'm starting to feel myself caring less and less. Blogging helps keep me at least a bit on track, but I still don't have that over powering urge to succeed anymore. I'm not gaining weight, but I'm not losing, either. Just kinda hangin' around doin' nothing. Boring, I know, but I kinda really don't care. This is NOT good news. I am usually better at sticking with something than this. I think this problem might be genetic. The Primary Child has said he's kinda backing off his blog about running, and The Perfect Child isn't into this anymore, either.

My Halloween Challenge is probably going to be a major bust, unless I can lose 4# by the 31st. Doesn't look promising at this point. I do have something to look forward to this week!! Our 5 yr. old granddaughter has two days off from school and I'm going to pick her up tonight and bring her here for a visit. I always enjoy that.....plus, she will keep me moving, so maybe that will prompt me to action again. I hope something does. I really don't like feeling so down and negative about all of this. I think it probably best that I finish this post for the day, so I won't bore you all to the point of no return.

Hey, Buddy Can You Spare A Joint?

2009-10-22T14:47:00.002-05:00

No, not that kind of joint....although it might be a good idea eventually. I've just come from the Orthopod's office. I have NO cartilage whatsoever in my right knee. I used to have some, I'm pretty sure, but it has flown the coop. Nothing, even behind my kneecap, where I know there used to be a small dab hiding. Dr. said it's no wonder my knee feels lousy. Even IF I wanted to have the surgery, which is now inevitable, I'd have to wait 7 months for an opening. Ok by me. In the meantime, we'll try cortisone every 3-4 months until I can't stand it anymore, then schedule the replacement. I have had wonderful luck with my first replacement, so I'm not at all hesitant to do it again, I just would like to postpone it until walking around is really, really so painful I have no other choice. Right now, I think I can get by with the cortisone. I had my first injection today, so I've already begun counting the days until my next shot.

I have been given a list of no-no's in regard to my exercising. Some things I've already either quit doing, or modified, but some others I'm going to have to alter a bit. No weight bearing exercises unless I use the physio-ball to sit on. No weights over 8#. No squats, but a slight "dip" is permissible. No "slogging" or slow jogging, no jumping, and no climbing. Other than an occasional "slog" the other two things weren't in my plan anyway. Easy on the stretching, and when I stretch be extra careful not to "bounce" when trying to stretch out the leg. Also, no power walking....as if!!! Unfortunately, nothing about vacuuming and cleaning toilets was mentioned.....although when I relate the details to Hubby Dearest, they might make the final list of no-no's. And Kids, no tattling to your father, or Christmas might be pretty bleak this year. :)

My plans for the 5K at Thanksgiving have been altered slightly. I'll now have to walk the entire thing instead of a moment of slogging now and then. The Perfect Child has graciously consented, I think, to hold dinner until I get done. I'm hopeful I won't cause the turkey to burn.

All things considered, I got exactly the news I expected, although I was hoping that the surgery option was going to be a bit further into the future. I'm still going to try and hold out as long as possible, but if doing that interferes with my golf game, I'll go get the new knee in a heartbeat.

Whew!!! and Whoa!!!!

2009-10-20T10:03:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm not going to tell you how long it took for me to get the new badge affixed to the side of my blog. Suffice it to say, I worked up a sweat, and exercised my vocabulary muscles. Thank you again 266. I'm only sorry it took me so long to get this done. Now, if I could actually remember "how" I accomplished this miraculous feat, I'd be ever so delighted. Dumb luck is a wonderful thing, but I sure would like to know how to do it again.....should I ever be so lucky as to get another award. Not begging, just sayin'.

Yesterday was simply an ok day. I went out to lunch with our lunch group. I had a lovely Moroccan Chicken Flatbread sandwich with a small side salad. I didn't eat all of the flatbread, so I was pleased with myself about that. One of the women I went to lunch with suggested that since we were in the downtown area we should "pop" over to the Italian Sausage & Grocery store only a few blocks away. As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman...."Big mistake, HUGE!" The trek through the store started out just fine. Found my favorite canned tomatoes and some lovely olive oil.....no problems yet.....turned a corner and POW! Fresh, hand made Italian sausages, Prosciutto, Pancetta, Mortadella, etc. I stopped and stared, it was useless to fight it, I simply could not. The only choice I had was to mitigate the damage I was about to do by showing a little self restraint. Only 2 garlic sausages, 3 small slabs of pancetta, and two 1# pkgs. of med hot bulk Italian sausage. Got to the checkout where we found all of the frozen stuffed pastas. I resisted the temptation to buy one bag of each, and settled on a tri colored tortellini for when our granddaughter visits, and a bag of chicken ravioli. That's about the very best I have ever done in an ethnic grocery store. In some respects I was quite pleased with the self restraint I showed, but in truth, I was completely off base. I promise to use these ingredients judiciously, and only for special occasions. I just got a new Food Saver vacuum sealer, so I sealed everything up nice and tight, that way it will keep longer, and I won't be tempted to pull something out once a week "to keep it from getting freezer burn".

I was kinda smart with dinner. I did use one of the bottled tomato basil sauces I bought with the chicken breasts I had already thawed out. Not really a chicken parm, but close enough to satisfy my Italian craving. I gotta stay away from that part of town. Unfortunately, it is right south of the Farmers' Market area, so now that I know where it is, I'm going to have to monitor myself. Perhaps house arrest would work.

Tailgate Success Story!!!

2009-10-19T09:20:00.005-05:00

Yes, folks, I did navigate my way through the tailgate this weekend with little, or no difficulty. As you can see, the tent was up early, and a few friends began mingling around, so I snapped this photo before I forgot. Then as people began to gather, out came the food. What you can't see is the turkey breast, which went very rapidly, and about 1/2 of the meatballs are already gone. My introducing healthy fare had no detrimental effect on the participants whatsoever!! Although, get 'em all liquored up and they would probably eat a cow pie if it had BBQ sauce on it. Just sayin'. But for those who really didn't care if the food was healthy or not, I did have our Pizza Bread (kinda copied from Johnny's Italian Steak House), my famous Pepper Dip & Pretzels, Chocolate Chip Cookies, M & M's, Skittles, Combos and assorted other chips and stuff. I refrained from all of the "other stuff" with the exception of two pretzels with my pepper dip on them. I walked those off just getting to the stadium, I am quite sure.

I would like to thank 266 for a blog award, but as we all know my techno skills are such that no matter what I tried, I could not for the life of me get the award picture posted. I have also forgotten some of what I am supposed to do after receiving the award. I know I was supposed to link to her blog, so I managed that. I think I'm supposed to come up with 6 things that might be interesting about myself. Now that's a tough one. I really have only about 4 1/2 things about myself that are interesting. I'll fake the other 1 1/2, I guess.

1. I love reading and doing crosswords.

2. I love the smell of a bookstore and a library, I find being around books very comforting.

3. I am old, and forget which of my children is which. Last post I said it was the Primary Child that signed me up for the 5K in Phoenix, it was, in fact, the Perfect Child. It's easy to confuse them- one is a tall, red haired male and the other a dark haired female. See how easily I'm confused???

4. I really, really, really hate exercising on a regular basis. I have not yet had those "I gotta do it" endorphins kick in yet.

1/2 I could be a mole. Not a spy, a really life rodent mole. I don't seem to object to living in a dark house. Lights are strictly optional to me. Although I do love the sunshine. Hubby Dearest, gets so perturbed at me for reading the paper without light. Doesn't seem to bother me in the least. Lest you think I am conserving energy, I'm not doing it consciously. I've always had lights off around the house.

I guess the last 1 1/2 things about me that are not even remotely interesting is that I really love golf, and hate it when the season begins to come to a close. I get a bit "misty eyed" at the prospect of days on end without golf.....which is on some occasions, my only exercise for the day.

Now, I'm sure I'm supposed to award this blogging badge to others, but since I can't seem to get my badge on my own blog, I'd be forced to ask all my blogster friends to wander about looking for the badge. However, EVERYONE, I award you this wonderful honor. I truly do love all the blogs I read. I try to comment as often as I can and be as positive as I can. You ALL do the same for me, and I appreciate it to no end. You are a community of wonderful, caring people, and I am so grateful to the Perfect Child for suggesting I begin blogging, and to the Primary Child who was already a blogger, and taught me where to go to begin blogging and how to do it. Now, if someone could just update my blogging skills, I'd really be all set, wouldn't I? Thank you ALL again.

P.S. I think I got the kids in the right order this time. :)

Been There, Gonna Do That, Now Give Me The Damned Tee Shirt!!

2009-10-16T10:58:00.002-05:00

"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play." Well, sort of. We are headed to Phoenix for Thanksgiving to see The Primary Child. Guess who thought a 5K Turkey Trot would be a fun preamble to the traditional gluttony of the Thanksgiving meal? Yep, our little Phoenician!! She has taken the liberty of signing Hubby Dearest, herself and me up for the event!! I wasn't going to do it unless I got a tee shirt, and by damn, I do. So I guess that means I'm now committed. To say I'm looking forward to it would be slightly overstating things, but I do think it will be fun to at least say I did a 5K. I plan to "slog" the route, meaning a very slow jog, moderate walk. Might turn into just a walk depending on what I learn at the Dr. next Thursday.

Tomorrow is another tailgate. I've planned it all out, and I'm armed and dangerous. I am also thinking some cooler weather and some shivering might wear off a few extra calories as well. I now have an entire notebook devoted to healthy choices for tailgate food. I'm using 3 of the recipes tomorrow.....Hawaiian Meatballs, King Ranch Casserole and Brined & Grilled Turkey Breast. I'll have some low cal snacks of some sort, too, but the major players are all going to be healthy.

I have to admit, yesterday was a lousy day for me and food. I did too much boredom eating, and no exercise at all. My exercise routines have been limited, but at least I've kept doing them. Yesterday, it just simply didn't happen. I didn't want to, so I didn't. I am kicking myself every which way today, cuz I know that any movement at all is good, so my total "slugdom" kinda pissed me off. The food portion of the day was no better than the exercise portion. I just grazed on things randomly. No thought went into a darned thing, until it came to dinner. Then it occurred to me that a healthier dinner might be a good idea. I was already grilling the Brined Turkey Breast, so I threw on some chicken breasts, roasted some veggies and shared a baked potato with HD. At least I salvaged the last part of the day. Sometimes it feels like I should just lift up the other foot and shoot myself in that one, too. KA-POW!!

Zip, Zero, Zilch, Nada, Nil, Nothing!!!

2009-10-14T09:18:00.002-05:00

That sums it up!!! The Wednesday Weigh In produced NOTHING!! I suppose I should be somewhat heartened by the fact I didn't gain, but I'm not. I just finished reading "Sixty by Sixty" and Sheilagh is suffering through a gain last week, and swearing that there will be no more negativity!! I really don't know if I'm strong enough to swear off anything.

OMG, I just heard on the television (Dr. Oz Show) that saying you'll "TRY" is a form of not doing anything!!! You must say you are going to "DO", not try. I hadn't thought of it that way....ever. I am always saying I'll try to do something, to get a job done, to finish a project, to start over again, you get the idea. Seldom do I say that I WILL "Get 'er done". Now the question becomes, CAN I change the way I look at this journey? Am I going to try or am I going to do? I truly believe I want to do, but I've been stuck trying for so long, my learning curve might be steeper than I think. I am thinking that this show came on at just the right time to wake me up a bit. Perhaps it was "Divine Intervention", who knows.

I had originally thought this post would be a quick little "Oh poor me" post cuz I didn't lose anything this week. Now, having just heard that quick little snippet on TV, I'm completely rethinking a lot of things. I have lots of work to do, I am quite certain. I must learn to DO things that will be of benefit to my well being. I must DO what is right for myself. I need to learn to be a DOER, not a TRYER. Geez, a whole new project is in the making. And here I thought I'd just complain a little bit, inject a bit of humor, bemoan my lack of progress and be off to read all of my blogger friends' postings. New Day, New Plan, New Philosophy, New Way of Thinking. Gonna take a little time and a lot of work to turn things around, but I'm certainly going to DO it this time.

Techno Challenged

2009-10-07T09:08:00.002-05:00

I admit it, I am techno challenged. It's hard to fathom since The Primary Child is a whiz kid, technology based media teacher. He did not get this skill set from me. Many of you might remember the difficulty I had (well, still have, really) posting pictures, so this problem can't come as a complete surprise. This disclaimer leads me to a thank you to Karen @ FITCETERA. She gave me the Over the Top Blog Award, and I am most grateful to her for thinking of me. However, this being a two part award, one posting the sign on your blog, which I did, after much fiddling around, and part two -answering a bunch of questions. Here's my problem, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to cut and paste the questions so I can answer them. Now, to be completely honest, none of my answers would be all that interesting, so consider yourselves lucky I'm a techno challenged old lady. I remember the first question, which was "Where is your cell phone?" My answer would be "In my purse, turned off." See, nothing interesting at all. :) Now, of course it is my privilege to pass this prestigious award on, so to everyone who has a blog I follow, consider yourselves awarded!! I simply cannot chose just a few anymore, I follow so many, and I honestly enjoy each and every one of your blogs. I followed the directions to the best of my ability....which as you see, is limited.

Weigh In Wednesday. Hmmmmm. I was looking forward to today with great anticipation since I had been behaving this week. My good behavior was rewarded with a measly .3# loss. I know, a loss is a loss, but come on .3#??? Good thing I revised my Halloween Challenge downward from 10# or I'd really be screwed!! I do think part of the problem is that with my cold, my exercise efforts have been cut short by congestion issues. I've not been putting the usual effort forth, and it shows. I still have one week before the next tailgate, so I can hopefully get more accomplished by then. Today is my day for cooking some of the healthy tailgate food I'll be packaging up for later use. The Hawaiian Meatballs await! I'm really looking forward to some of the new and unusual things I've found in my recipe hunt. This is going to be fun, I think. Both kids are willing participants in this experiment, as is Hubby Dearest, so I'm hoping the other tailgaters will approve, as well. My theory is, "If it tastes good, they will eat it". Simple as that.

I heard on the news this morning that we may have a slight possibility of snow this weekend. I am so NOT ready for that. I was looking forward to going to the Dr. on the 22nd, having my knee injected, and going to play some more golf. I am hopeful that can still happen, but the darned weather this year has been so unusual, ya just never know. The change in temps also means more walking on the dreadmill. I'd much rather be outside, especially since I would like people to see my spiffy shoes. :) Oh well, exercise is exercise no matter where it's done, right?

Will staining the deck count as exercise, or just busy work? HD decided that he could powerwash and stain his own deck since the deck itself is TREX material, he'd only have to do the railings and beams. HA!!!! Not as easy as he thought. Very tedious. I like to remind him that there are people who do this for a living, and that it would have been done by now if we'd found one of those people earlier in the year. I had to begin helping a few weeks ago, but now with cooler weather coming, I don't know if we'll get it all done. I think I could count at least part of the process as an upper arm workout, don't you? How many calories will I burn by repeatedly telling HD "I told you so!" ???? Hundreds, I'm quite certain.....I'm very good at what I do.

Weekend One, In The Books!! Literally.

2009-10-05T09:38:00.003-05:00

Whew! I made it! No major slip ups this weekend. Now, in order to keep myself honest, as I promised I would do, I must admit I was still battling my fall cold, and didn't feel like misbehaving. Hey, whatever works, right? I don't recommend going out and getting a head cold, but it did keep me from falling off the wagon. I also found out that the Halls cough lozenges we have on hand have 15 calories each!! That was a major bummer. It was bad enough when I found out that some of my vitamin and mineral supplements had calories, but a throat lozenge with calories is just too much to endure. According to my handy-dandy calorie/carb counting book, there are sugar free varieties, so I must put those on my shopping list. Geez, 15 calories might be 2T of something I really like!!!

I think, in my debilitated state, I developed a bit of OCD. Actually, a bit more than usual, to be totally honest. I scoured the cookbook cupboard, and while doing so, I cleaned it out and rearranged everything, so that the healthier option cookbooks were right smack dab in the center of the shelf. Got rid of excess books. Well, not really got rid of them, I just relocated them to the basement. Now, I need an extra bookshelf. Then, because this wasn't enough of a task, I began the tedious job of taking all of the recipes I've torn out of magazines, newspapers, etc. and calculated the calorie counts in those I might be interested in using. Good Lord, I collect a lot of recipes I have no way of ever getting time to cook. I had two file folders full of recipes torn from various sources, but I only got about 6-10 completely calculated. I figured I'd just do the new ones I wanted to use for tailgating, then when winter finally hits around here, and it will, I'll do some more as time allows. Now, all that remains to do is make the darned recipes and have them ready to go. I have to say, I am quite proud of myself. I feel armed and dangerous now.

I realize I seem to obsess over the tailgate issue, but that is currently where my biggest challenge lies. I am trying very hard to plan well, and be sensible, so lining up some menus and recipes that will fit into my personal plan is a big deal for me. Sorry it's kinda repetitive, but blogging about it helps me focus on what I need to do. Perhaps, at the next tailgate I'll take a quick picture so you can see what our little pre-game party looks like.

Oh Drear, Oh Drear!

2009-10-02T09:27:00.003-05:00

Dreary, rainy, cool, crappy day today. To prove just how crappy the day has been so far, I finally put away my golf shorts nice & neat. Usually I just fold them, then pile them up after washing, after all I'm just going to put them on again and get them dirty in another day or two. :) I organized our closet while I was at it, as well. I think my topper will be digging into the smelly laundry next. Well, for goodness sake, who doesn't just love sorting one's workout clothing and getting it ready to wash. It is certainly a highlight of my week. Even tho' I have virtually no sense of smell, the workout clothing (both mine & Hubby Dearest's) seem to sneak through the one olfactory nerve that works. Tells ya something, doesn't it? One small bright spot....when I went into the jeans drawer, my old jeans are a bit looser than last year. My small NSV for the day. :)

I continue to work on my tailgate recipes. Several hours and several cookbooks later, I find myself wandering around Barnes and Noble. Four new cookbooks and another book later, I find myself at home, formulating my plans. I have actually gotten out an old notebook, made copies of recipes I'm going to use and divided them up according to the game day I'm going to use them. My organizational skills often amaze me, particularly when you remember that I have the attention span of a gnat. Must be where The Perfect Child gets it...organizational skills, that is. :) As a "for instance"....one game I'm doing Hawaiian Meatballs for myself. Four meatballs are 115 calories. Along with that I'll have some Chicken Schwarma. One serving of that is 300 calories. I'll use a low fat/low cal pita to accompany that. Both should be filling and delicious. I will also have almonds available for my "munchies" instead of the M & M's, Skittles, Combos, Peanuts and Popcorn. Those will all be there, I just won't be diving in head first this time. I might throw in a 100 calorie pack of Cheetos, and I mean ONLY one pack. If I take only one with me, I won't be tempted to eat the entire box!!! AND, in keeping with my plan, I will faithfully report just exactly how I did in regard to this new plan. No "fudging", no shading the truth, I'll give you the straight stuff. Promise.

Tomorrow is our team's week off because we play next Thurs. night. So instead of tailgating, I'll have a time off to cook and prepare for Oct. 17's game. This also gives me a little "lead time" in getting myself on the right track. I am actually quite happy about that, even tho' I miss seeing our team play. This weekend's events will kickoff with a trip to the Farmers' Market. A much healthier beginning to my Saturday, I'm happy to report.

I found an interesting website in one of the magazines I was perusing yesterday. It was an older issue of Taste of Home. It is a Belgian website, complete with blog, that has wonderful, if sometimes odd, combinations and pairings of foods. For instance, tonight I have chicken set out for dinner. Who knew that fresh cut grass goes well with chicken???? Well, this website told me it was so. :( Other combinations make much more sense, but I found many of the pairings interesting and unusual. I'm definitely going to try some of the suggestions. They put the pairings together according to main ingredient, the do kind of a "spokes of a wheel" chart of things that work well together. It's kinda fun to look at. I would use the fresh cut grass tonight, but it's too wet to mow, so I'll have to settle for a more mundane rendition of a chicken dish. Maybe next week, if the weather improves. I'll keep you posted. :)