Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hey All!

Thought I would drop a note or two to update my post.  Not a whole lot going on at this time. Just trying to get my Australia book put together and look into what all I need to do for school.  I have just 7 classes to go to complete my AA and then try to figure out what I really want to be.  Even at 46, I am still undecided what to do.  I enjoy working with my hands and working with animals.  Yet I am in an office all day.  I guess one of the things I could do would be to volunteer at the wildlife center on Morse Avenue.  That would be a place to go to do something different.  I know that I cannot get my Veterinary degree since I wouldn't make it through school.  If it has taken me 10 years to get my AA, imagine how long it would take me to get my Vet degree!

Just a nice little picture to leave you with...

                                                               How curious...

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Nothing like looking at the world through the eyes of a child.  I had helped Thara move to Colorado Springs where her husband is being stationed.  Dalton and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on my free day. We saw lots of animals there that the Jax Zoo does not have.  They even have mud "huts" set up along the trails for the children to play in and explore! 

The enclosures for the animals seemed a bit small, but I guess when a zoo is on a hillside, there is not that much level room to have big enclosures. The enclosures for the cats (tigers, mountain lions, leopards, etc) looked fitting for them being on the hillside.    

I'll leave you for now with a pretty picture...

 Enjoy your day!!!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

You know it's warm when...

You know it's warm when... the yard is freshly cut and Dalton comes over and wants to play outside...  He was out in the back yard just a sweating due to the humidity.  Well, I said it was time to play in the hose...  Off came the shirt and the shoes and he raced me to the hose to pull it out and turn it on.  Just like the good old days when I was a kid. Even Thara got jealous and wanted to play in the hose, but she didn't have a change of clothes with her. It's always fun watching him in the hose.  Afterwards, it was clean up time...

So handsome when he is clean...  

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Hello again

Well, I survived my first week without Cosmo.  I know it is silly, but I still miss that old boy.  At least missing him around the house got me outside more.  I trimmed up one tree and have another to work on.  Tooey has been walked every night this past week except Friday when we had a really good rain, the first in a long time.  Tooey is still  moping at time, but he is getting better as well.  When we go for our walk, it is like he makes room for Cosmo, cause he doesn't walk next to the curb, but still leaves the space where Cosmo used to walk.  Well, I had better get back to doing something other than looking at the computer.    Enjoy!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

A Sad Farewell

My old boy...  What can I say...  He was 14 1/2 years old.  His hips were going and he would get stuck on the floor in a spread eagle position, unable to get up.  I had him from the time he was 8 weeks old and I will miss him terribly...

He was a joy and a pain to have. As with all dogs, he gave unconditional love to his "family" and was very protective. He did not like men, and to his last day, did not like my next door neighbors.  Any time they were outside, he would charge them and bark.  Luckily, there was a fence between them.   His coat stayed thick and fluffy which meant that there was always hair everywhere, especially in the spring and fall. I will probably be finding "puppies" all over the house for the next few months.  That was the "pain" side of life with him. 

His buddy, Tooey, my greyhound, is moping around the house.  I guess he is wondering where he is as well.  I'm sure it will hit hard tomorrow when I get up and not have two cold, wet noses and two sets of stinky breath in my face.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

It's been a month!




As you can see, I met someone while in Australia!   My sister calls the koala my hairy boyfriend!  He was funny.  I was talking to him and when I stopped, his little mouth started moving. Then he would stop and I would say something.  Then his little mouth moved again.  The folks from the group were laughing and told me later that when I stopped talking, it looked as though he started talking, as if we were having a conversation!  What a hoot!!  He just looked sleepy with everyone else, but even in this picture his mouth is open and so are his eyes!

Well, it's been a month since I've come home from Australia.  I still can't seem to find the cookbook I saw over there (that I should have bought) called The Cookbook, Junior Masterchef Australia Vol 1.  It had a lot of the recipes of the foods that we ate either at the hotels or out on the town.  They were absolutely delicious!  One of the ladies on the trip bought the book at the airport in Cairns and I had a chance to buy it in Sydney, but passed up the opportunity.  Silly, silly me....

I am also still getting pictures developed.  I took sooo many!  One of the guys in the group took close to 2000 pictures and put them on a website where we can order prints from.  They are beautiful pictures.  The only thing is though, some of them look "touched up."  I have the same pictures, but mine didn't turn out the same and I don't remember seeing those colors in the view.  I'm not knocking them because they are quite beautiful!

Monday, April 18, 2011

I'm back!

Yep, it's been a while since I last wrote.  My weight loss journey has been a bust.  Nothing happening.  Oh well, that's the way the ball bounces, I guess.  I just got back from my wonderful trip to Australia and it was totally awesome!  The rough part was trying to stay comfortable on the plane over and back.  The plane ride  was a 15 hour flight each way so you can just about imagine how uncomfortable that can become...  Luckily, I had an aisle seat every time I got on a plane...  The picture above is the sunset at Uluru, formerly known as Ayres Rock.  It was absolutely beautiful!  More beatiful pictures to come...

Have a great day everyone!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Yard Work

I have this one "bush" in the backyard that every year I tackle to try to make some sense of it.  I don't want to completely remove it, but I want to be able to walk under it without getting poked in the eye.  Well, I think I have accomplished that feat this year (so far)! 

It is supposed to be a bush, but by the time I moved in back in 2001, it had become a tree.  It's a good shady spot for the dogs during the day, but a bear to cut under since there are sticky vines all through it. Well, not anymore!   I only have hand tools for trimming so out came the pruning shears for the smaller branches and vines, the loppers for the bigger branches and the hand saw for the large branches.

After the branches were cut down, I ended up with 2 garbage cans full of branches and a big pile of branches by the roadside.  Then I had to figure out how to get the sticky vines out to the road without getting all cut up.  Well, I pulled out an old shower curtain and raked the vines and dead smaller limbs on it.  Then I started to drag it across the yard.  Well, I got halfway before everything was off the curtain. So...  out came the string and scissors!  I laid two long pieces of string on the shower curtain and raked everything back on to it.  Then I tied it all up and was able to drag it across the yard and to the road without losing anymore of the vines or limbs that were tied up in it.

That took three and a half hours to complete.  That should count for a good amount of calories burned today!! I hope the garbage men appreciate how I tried to make it a little easier to maneuver that pile.  

Saturday, February 12, 2011

A Restless Night

I started this earlier, but hit a wrong button and lost it all.  So... I am trying this again...

Last night I had my sleep study done.  I got there at 9:30 pm and was all hooked up with the goop in my hair and wires running in every direction by about 10:15, Luckily there was not a mirror in the room or I would have burst out laughing!!  My friend, whom I shall keep nameless, for her sake, had advised me that there would be a lot of goop in my hair and let me tell you... She was not kidding!!  She also said I would be out earlier than what was stated on the paperwork.  Once again... correctomundo!  I don't know what time they got me up, but I was home by 6:10 this morning!

By 7:00 a.m. I had showered to get the goop out of my hair, started the laundry, and was starting to put my dinner together to go into the crock pot.  My sister had given me a recipe for "Rotisserie" chicken a few years back and I decided that was what I wanted this weekend.  I guess I will fix broccoli and a sweet potato to go with it.  I may even try roasted cauliflower.  Sounds yummy to me!!  I need to explore more veggies outside of the realm of broccoli, green beans, corn, and potatoes.

I did weigh this morning and the results were that I lost 1/2 pound.  That may not be much, but at least it is a loss.  After reviewing my food journal, I know the biggest thing I need to cut out is the mindless eating of the M&Ms.  Even though I am measuring them out, I don't have to have them every afternoon at work.  I had bought a bag right after Christmas and have been measuring out the 1/4 cup serving daily for my afternoon snack at work.  Instead, when I go to the store tomorrow, I am going to buy some Extra Sugar Free gum.  I found that it also helps to curb that afternoon munchy time and at only 5 calories a piece, I can afford that!  (Dang, I sound like a commercial!)

I am tired from a restless night's sleep, but am fighting going to take a nap.  If I nap, I won't sleep tonight and will be extra cranky tomorrow.  I figure it is better for me to be tired now than to be cranky tomorrow.  So...

I did so-so with the recording of my food intake on the Lose It! site.  It seemed like I would get on there every other day to record my food intake.  However, when I did record it, I noticed that I was going over my daily recommended calories on all but one day.  That one day I did the Wii BL workout as well as walk the dogs and 2 other walks at work and it brought me in under me daily caloric intake.  So, as I already know, if I get up off my keister, I can lose this weight...

My goal for next week is to have lost 2 pounds and to have recorded more on the FREE Lose It! site.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Another week!

Well, I've done a bit better this week.  I took my sister's suggestion and bought a 6 pack box of the 100 calorie Oreos.  I am going to try this in place of the regular Oreos.  Right now, Oreos are what I am hooked on. 

I did weigh in and I lost an additional 2 pounds this week!!  I have been working out a little bit to the Biggest Loser workout on the Wii.  It's fun, but it also kicks your butt!  I am trying to make this more of a daily routine with Tuesdays and Fridays off.  Tuesday nights I usually have my grandson and Friday nights my friend and I get together. 

My sister told me about a weight loss site that is free to use.  It is www.loseit.com.  I am also going to try this site AFTER the Superbowl tonight... Go STEELERS!!!! 

Yesterday I went over to a friend's home and put together some Valentine's Day cards. I thought they turned out pretty cute.  Now all I have to do is get the message inside completed and send them off!  Woo Hoo!! Another New Year's Resolution complete.   Now...  What to get my niece for her birthday next month...  Any suggestions?  She'll be 11.  OMG!   A Tweenager!!  Yikes!!!

Not much else going on in my ho hum life.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

It's been a Week!

Hey all!  It has been a week since my last post.  My grandson has spent the night with me two times, I've had two late nights with work and meetings, worked six days this week, and I am just exhausted.  However, I got up this morning, did 2 loads of laundry and hung them out, cleaned up the back yard (with 2 big dogs, that's a must!), took the dogs for a mile walk, and THEN walked over to Walmart to get a few things. 

I did get my pantry organized and I'll tell you, I haven't had to buy much groceries!   To be able to see exactly what I have, means the food bill has been drastically cut.  Ususally, I spend about $300 on groceries a month/  This month, I haven't even topped $200 and I still have a freezer full of food and the pantry is stocked.  Now, to just find some good recipes to follow to cook all this food!

Ok, according to my scales, I have not lost any weight since my last weigh in. At the same time, I haven't gained anymore either. So... I am ok with that.  I have been keeping a food journal and the main thing that I need to cut out is the 4 oreos and milk each night.  I have got to stop that habit.  I have tried, but then it's like I am not able to fall asleep as easily.  Now I have to find something else that is a non-food item to get into the habit of doing before bedtime.  Besides brushing my teeth, any suggestions?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

It's been an UP & DOWN week...

My weight went up a half pound and my motivation has gone down! I must admit that I need help! I have the tools and the workout videos, I just need the get up and go! I have been walking at work 2 times a day for 15 minutes each time and I am now taking my dogs for a walk daily. I have to keep reminding myself that the weight did not come on overnight and it will not go away overnight! I guess that is what my big "downer" is, I'm not young anymore and it won't just disappear like it used to.

I know that I need to stop making excuses and put my money where my mouth is. Aside from this being my weight loss journal, it is also my "therapy" journal. I will be venting my frustrations and triumphs here. I have started getting somewhat organized by cleaning up my pantry and making some peace from the chaos that was there. It definitely makes it easier to determine what I need to buy at the store, if anything. Believe it or not, the only things I bought last week at the store were milk and tuna, since the tuna was on sale. I didn't realize how much food I had. I even had enough of some of the things to give the extras to my daughter.

Does anyone have any suggestions for fish recipes? I have some tilapia in the freezer. The only way I know to cook it is in the oven in foil with a little butter and lemon. Unfortunately I cannot use the Emeril's Essence because of the salt content. Let me know. Thanks for putting up with my whining! Does anyone have any cheese and crackers to go with my w(h)ine? HA!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Good morning!

Well, last night I took the dogs out for a 30 minute walk that turned into 15 minutes since it started to rain on us.  When I got home, I fed them and turned on the Wii.  I did 30 minutes of exercises and broke out in a good sweat. After I was done, my son-in-law called to see if it was ok to come over.  He had my crazy grandson with him and he wanted to see his grandma.  Well, of course I could not say no! 

He is really starting to put sentences together (seems like overnight).  His personality is really starting to shine through all that "baby-ness."  He nows goes potty in the big boy potty, but hasn't quite got the knack of letting you know when he needs to go.  I got to play with him for a bit, racing through the house, reading a book to him and playing catch with this big blue ball of his. I was able to sneak in more exercise without realizing it!

I really enjoy my time with him and he is the reason that I am wanting to get this weight off.  I need to be able to keep up with him. Well, I had better finish getting ready for work.  Talk with you all later!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I'm back!

Hey, it was really a rough week last week, but I think I may have it turned around...  I was able to lose 1/2 pound for the week.  See, told you it was a rough week.  I didn't eat much yesterday, but last week was like I couldn't get enough to eat.  I guess it was because my mind thought I was depriving myself of food.   Usually, I want to eat more when I'm home but with yesterday being Saturday, I really didn't eat much.

Does anyone know where I can get some turkey sausage patties that are bun size?  I can only find the ones that are silver dollar size.  With the bun size, I can make a scrambled egg, cheese and sausage breakfast sandwich on a Pepperidge Farm deli flat bun and have a filling breakfast that will hold me over until lunch time (around 1:30).  My problem is, I cannot seem to find the bun size sausage patties.  I am currently using 2 of the small turkey sausages and having to cut them up. With this "filling" breakfast, I am not "looking" for something to snack on before lunch.  Therefore, I am not sabotaging myself.

This week should be a better week.  I have started walking my dogs  again (yes, even on these frigid nights here) for at least 15 minutes a day.  On the weekends, I can take them for longer and more frequent walks during the day.  It gives them a chance to go out for a walk and for me, much needed movement...

Keep your fingers crossed that I do better this week.  I am sure that I will.  My goal is to lose 2 pounds this week.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Rough Day?

Rough Day?  Try a rough week!  I don't know what is going on, but I can't seem to stop eating. I know that  I am not hungry when I am eating, but I get these cravings for chocolate. So, instead of just giving in to it, I'll eat everything in my lunch box and still want the chocolate and sometimes, this is even before lunch! Today I gave into my chocolate crave and bought the snack machine size of M&Ms after lunch.  I poured out half and put the other half away, out of sight.  Once I finished the half, I was ok.  Then I started wanting fried chicken strips from either Chik-fil-A or Zaxby's.

I finally convinced myself that after my 30 minute workout at home, I could have my left over grilled chicken, broccoli and mashed potatoes.  When I got home I did my 30 minute workout, took the dogs out for a quick 15 minute walk in the cold, and then heated up my dinner.  It was pretty good.  Then I took a hot shower and am now ready for bed.

Any suggestions on how to overcome the cravings?  I mean, I'm not pregnant, that I know for sure... When I get these cravings, it's like thejust consume my every thought!  I really hate it!!  At least doing the workout helped. However, I can't do a workout at work each time I get one of these cravings...

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Rough Day

Today was a bit of a rough day.  With it raining outside, all I wanted to do was to curl up with a good book and take a nap.  However, I had to work.  So, I am now noticing that when I want to sleep, I am finding myself munching.  Luckily, I ate some of the things in my lunch box, like 1/2 of my granola mix, and my apple.  I also ate my Lean Cuisine meal at lunch.  I did not hit the snack machine nor that coke machine!  I was so proud of myself!  I also had 2 pieces of Trident Layers gum to help with some of the munchies.  I still want to gp to sleep, but I know as soon as I lay down, I will be wide awake.

Over the weekend, when I went to the movie with my sister, she gave me a piece of Dove candy with a message inside.  I wanted to share this with you.  I really like the message and it has stayed with me... "Spending Time is a greater gift than Spending Money."  That really makes my time with family seem all that more special to me.  It is a great message to recieve and to practice.

Have a great day everyone!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The end of the first week...

Well, it's been quite a week!  When I started this week, I thought I was crazy weighing myself at night to give me a starting point. Well, I guess it's wasn't as bad as I thought...  Before we get to that, let me tell you about my day...

Did my usual morning routine while my son-in-law's dog is here.  I let her out back and took my greyhound for a mile walk at 7:45 this morning.  I would like to keep this walking routine up, but it's too dark at 6:00 in the morning to go out during the week.  It is a refreshing way to start the day, though! 

This afternoon I went to see "Country Strong" with my sister and Mom.  Let me tell you, that movie was great! If the critics say is wasn't that good, give it a chance, it might just surprise you... I enjoyed it so much that I bought the soundtrack this afternoon!

Well, after dinner tonight I took the plunge and pulled out the scale.  I could not believe what it said!  I had to get back on it to see if I was doing something wrong...  I LOST 6, yep, 6 pounds this week!!  That was weighing after eating dinner!  I couldn't believe it!!  I know that next week won't be as well since I think some of this week's loss was due to not drinking sodas.  Wait, I had a soda this morning...  Hummm, don't worry, I am not going to start drinking sodas now.  What was funny, the soda wasn't all that great, kinda syrupy.  Maybe I have actually got my mind set in the right direction by convincing myself of what I need to do to lose this weight. FINALLY!!!  Let's see how well I do next week... If I can lose 2 pounds next week, I will be happy with that, but I would really like to lose more...  We'll see!!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wow! What a time!!

Hey all!  Sorry about missing yesterday's posting.  It started out as a crazy day!  When I should have been leaving for work, I was leaving for the vet's office!  Seems my greyhound and my son-in-law's dog that I'm dogsitting had a scuffle in the back yard.  Needless to say, my greyhound lost that time.  My son-in-law's dog is a mixed breed with a bit of boxer and pit in her.  My greyhound now has 3 holes in his leg (around out armpit area), is on antibiotics and pain medicine. Luckily, it was not as bad as it could have been.  I could post pictures since they are not too gory, but some out there in blog land may not want to see them.

Last night I went out to eat with some friends and had a wonderful time.  I limited myself in what I had, although I am sure it was loaded with calories and fat.  This morning when I weighed, I weighed the same as yesterday morning.  (I know, it is not good to weigh yourself daily...)

Today I had my usual breakfast and lunch.  Actually did not do much snacking from my lunchbox and I did not get near the vending machine!  I feel pretty good about myself in that respect.  I looked at the Publix weekly ad and started to make my list!!  I spent $87 there tonight, but according to the receipt, I saved $52 by buying the BOGOs.  They had the 10-12 quart Crystal Light BOGO and my peanut butter BOGO plus a few other BOGOs that I enjoy.  I even went before I had dinner.  When I got home, I had one of my Lean Cuisine dinners that I bought tonight. UMMM, Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and carrots!  Lean Cuisine dinners are pretty good.  The only bad thing about them is figuring out which one to eat! Ha Ha!

I went through my pantry tonight and straightened it out. That was one of the things on my To Do list for this month.  I put a box together of "extras" to give to my daughter and grandson.  Some of that was actually some of the BOGOs I got tonight, but we won't tell her, will we?   Well, I guess I'll close for now.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hey All!!

Today was a so so day.  It started out with the best of intentions, but at lunch, Pam pulled out the chocolate. Needless to say I had a few pieces along with my lunch.  Not the right thing to do, but...  At least when I got the munchies later in the day, I ate my 1 serving of peanuts that I had in my lunch box.  I had bought a bag of roasted unsalted peanuts over the weekend and I am limiting myself to one serving a day which equates out to about 11 peanuts a day(peanuts are still in the shell). I think I'll just have a salad tonight for dinner light on the dressing.  The dressing really is not a big thing for me, unless I am eating a ceasar salad. then I want the dressing on the side so I can dip my lettuce into it. I'll probably put my cut up fruit in the salad so I won't need any dressing. I know, it sounds crazy, but it is so yummy! 

Well, I had better close for now so that I can eat my salad before it gets too late.  Have a great day tomorrow!!

Monday, January 3, 2011

It's Here!

A couple of weeks ago I checked out "Love Your Life! O's Handbook for Your Best Today - and Tomorrow." I started reading it and there were a few things in there that I wanted to keep.  So I got on to the Barnes & Noble website and bought it used.  Got it for about half the price as new.  Good enough for me...

Well, I took my sister's advice.  After eating my dinner I brushed my teeth really good so I wouldn't want to eat anymore tonight.  Also, I had my dinner finished and dishes washed by 7:00 so I won't want to mess up my kitchen.  I took my lunch today so I could control what I ate.  I had three and a half servings of fruit today (strawberries, blackberries, a banana and half a pear) along with my turkey sandwich.  My only extravangance today was the small piece of birthday cake. Thanks Pam!!!

I feel pretty good today.  When I got the morning munchies I ate my half a pear.  I may have to take something for an afternoon snack since that was when I had the piece of cake. I also bought some sugar free gum to take to work, but I left it at home this morning.  Hopefully I will remember it tomorrow.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Well, here it is day 2 of the New Year.  Woke up with a killer headache, probably just caffeine withdrawals since I overdid it on the coca cola last week.  I usually have 1 a week and it seemed like I was drinking 2 a day last week.  Now I get to pay for it  :) 

I don't know what it is, but I have noticed that in the evening, I start "grazing" around the house.  I eat even when I am not hungry.  I don't know if it is just boredom or depression that is causing me to eat.  Instead of eating something now that is not good for me, I am posting to this blog.

My sister sent me a quote that I am going to try to live. It is "Find your truth and live it."  It makes a lot of sense. The hard part will be finding the truth.  I think some of the truth as to why I am so heavy is I am trying to hide. Hide from what is what I need to find out.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Hello!

Hey everyone, this is my first attempt at a blog so please forgive me if it is a bit chaotic!  It will probably be a lot like my mind, pretty scattered!  I'm hoping to use this site to help me put my life and the chaos I feel as though I live in, into perspective by finding peace within. It's time for me to start putting myself first instead of everyone else first and not finding time for me.

I will also be using this blog for my weight loss journey.  Right now I am way heavier than I would like to be.  I know the weight didn't come on overnight and it will be a rough haul to get it off, but with a little help and encouragement, I should be able to get some of the weight off.  I will just shoot for 5 pound increments.  By my setting realistic goals, I should be able to accomplish this.  I am not looking to be model thin in 3 months, but to at least be 15 pounds lighter wll be fine with me. So here goes!   Wish me luck!  Better yet, pass along words of encouragement!