Didn’t have a great evening last night but could have been worse…gave in to a bit of low fat frozen yogurt at about 9, overall not a bad day, but it won’t help with reducing the number on the scale.

DH and I are both avid readers we used to buy our books and realized we were spending a hundreds on books each year. We discovered that the local library had a online reservation system so we started reserving our books and stopping in to pick them up at the local branch. Then I discovered ebooks!

I love to read but always felt guilty about the time used in such a leisure activity. I now find myself completely lost listening to a book while keeping my hands busy gardening, cross stitching or quilting. I’ve found the combination of keeping my mind and hands busy keeps me out of the refrigerator, and when I stitch I don’t snack because I’m worried about staining the fabric I’m working on. Unfortunately, the Outlander series is only available as a printed ebook through my libraries, so no stitching and listening with this series and book 5 isn’t available as an ebook through either library.

At this time I use two online public libraries, my local county library King County Public Library, WA (kcls.org) and Scottsdale, AZ (library.scottsdaleaz.gov) public library. Scottsdale used to be free to online users but I’ve heard that they’re now charging a nominal annual fee like most public libraries. If you’re used to spending a few hundred dollars a year at the book store this might be worth the cost but as I get closer to retirement I’m counting every penny. I need to get my sons to provide me with library cards in Denver and Chicago….then I’ll have lots of variety. Even if you love the feel of a book in your hands, and occasionally I do, the online reservations at most libraries makes the stop at the library a pleasure. Based on the recommendations you gals provided I just reserved a Paul McKenna “I can make you thin” CD a few minutes ago and I’ll receive an email when it’s available for pickup.

My player died recently and I’m looking to replace it with either an iPad, or Barnes and Nobel Nook. I want something that will support both print and audio ebooks that I can download for free from the public domain or public library. Meanwhile I either use my laptop or my blackberry phone, a bit cumbersome but gets the job done. Oh by the way, I know my library lends listening devices if patrons don’t own one.

Rosey, hugs back at you. Don’t feel too guilty…,you didn’t consume everything. Remember how you felt with this choice; what would you do differently?

Bobbi, I think it’s important to take scheduled breaks I like the idea of Sundays being a day of rest. :)

Bootsie, my youngest sister is like you can’t turn away a dog in need. Her latest four legged mutt joined her troop when she took her two highly intelligent border collies to the vet for an annual visit. The vet convinced her to go home with an extra. She’s dumb as a rock but so affectionate you can’t help but love her.

Have a great day ladies! Jo

Yes, Bobbi, they are weight loss hypnosis tapes. It's called Enjoying Weight Loss.

Rosey - compared to me (and I realize everyone's appetite and needs are different), you seem to eat very little.

Karen3 - I am going to try your bedtime self-hypnosis. Sounds very relaxing and helpful. In the tapes I listen to, she has you imagine a staircase and as you step up the steps you go deeper into hypnosis but she only takes you up 5 steps. Then she gives you the suggestions when you are on step 5. Then at the end you slowly go back down the steps one at a time.

Karen, I was a nurse in my previous life and I don't miss working at all but I do miss the patients and as you mentioned that sisterhood of the nurses. We were all in the same boat so to speak and depended on each other. It was in nursing I developed some of bad eating habits...so little time to eat and I would just grab and stuff...so developed a habit of eating too fast. Then I wouldn't feel satisfied so when I got home I'd eat and eat. I worked swing the last several years I worked on the floor so often that meant eating a whole lot before going to bed. But I can't blame it all on nursing as even before I started working I was eating way too much. I think stress of raising kids (esp teens) and turning to food for consolation and satisfaction played a big part in it.

Sun is coming out now but it was overcast when we got up. We slept in as so tired...we sleep but it is so interrupted. My dh feels stronger each day...he is doing more himself ...does his exercises on his own at least in the am, made his own coffee this am etc. I think he'll be back to his usual routine inside the house soon. He is still not comfortable with the idea of taking a shower even though doctor said he could and he only goes outside with me. We don't want him to refracture it so are taking our time with some of this but he does quite a lot now.
We haven't started back to church...will do that and shopping only when he is able to bear more weight and walk easier.

evening...Just had to bob in...Maryea! I looked back and it has only been a few weeks since your DH did his bounce. From what you have told us he is doing so well. He is healing fast for his age and from inside looking out am sure it seems like a long process, but still girl it isn't. It hasn't even been a month. You can do this and you will be strong afterwards.

You can talk someone thru the steps. "Relax, breathe in deep breathes thru nose and out your mouth...letting go of all your tensions and anxieties. (10X) Close your eyes.Now see the steps and walk them down them." Put my DD to sleep many a night before a big horse show. It works. Hey I was hypnotized in college in front classmates and put in an age regression...this was after I questioned a movie about labor/delivery using hypnois. Made me a believer for sure.

Night all Sleep tight....hugs karen3

My niece surprizd me with a visit tonight and she brought 3 newborn mini dachshound puppies soooo cute :yes: rosey :wave:

Ooooooh, Rosey! How adorable! And teeny-tiny! Isn't it interesting the way we are so attracted to babies of any species? From puppies and kittens to baby monkeys or baby elephants, we are equally fascinated with babies, and just want to cuddle them. (Okay maybe not a baby porcupine, but I've noted that hedgehogs are all the rage as pets in Great Britain...and they are cute little devils, if a little weird.) Anyway, you're certainly continuing to look smaller and smaller yourself, kiddo. VERY congrats! :cp:
Karen3, interesting that you've worked with therapeutic hypnosis....I interned, when I was working on my graduate degree, with a clinical hypnotherapist - partly in a pain control center (I can still numb any body part that needs first aide, and don't need a local anesthetic for dental work, because I can numb my jaw, or a specific location in my mouth) and partly as a psychotherapy tool (I'm still crazy :crazy:....just kidding...I think). ANYWAY, like I said before, I used it very successfully to quit smoking, but not so successfully for weight loss. I suspect that I haven't hit on the right self-message, so I'm hoping that Paul McKenna has done it for me.
Glad to hear that your DH is doing better, Mary. And DO let us know how your hypnosis tapes - and your self-hypnosis at bedtime works for you.
Jo, you're absolutely right about the money spent on books. Once I retire and have a little extra time in my day-to-day agenda, I'm definitely going to start reserving through the library. Makes perfect sense, although right now, I'm lucky to get to the drugstore to pick up my blood pressure medication every month. :dizzy:
Apricot cobbler, Bobbi? A few tiny pieces, no ice cream? Easy for YOU, I guess. Not nearly so easy for me. If I has an apricot cobbler anywhere within grabbing distance, I'd be plotting and planning how I could get the most and biggest possible portions! See? That's why you're maintaining, and I'm yo-yoing like a champ, here. Pickings are going to be real slim here for me this week - I made a big batch of cabbage soup last night (a head of cabbage sliced real, real thin, 2 big jars of V-8 juice, a carton of low-sodium, fat free chicken broth, onions, carrots, mushrooms, black beans and turkey sausage. I seasoned it with two packets of chili seasoning). I'm figuring to have my yogurt, berries and Fiber One every morning like usual, but just have a small (6 oz.) container of soup for lunch and supper with a slice of (60-calorie, high fiber) pita bread at each meal. Obviously wouldn't be able to maintain this over the long term because I'd die of boredom before I could reach my goal, but I DO find that eliminating choice as much as possible does help me over the short term.
How was the picnic, PT? Your post gave me an "ahah!" moment. Carb overload. Interrupted sleep, achey joints, lethargy and even depression. Hmmmmmm. That about describes me, too. And of COURSE it's all those carbs I've been wolfing down of late! I amaze myself with how dense I can be after all these years of dieting and reading about nutrition and such! Well, my soup has carbs, but the good kind, I think, and the calories are low enough so that I will at east drop a few pounds and begin (again) the process of feeling better about myself, at which point it gets easier to stay focused on eating properly. Oh, and I loved the "Do I need an umbrella?" email. That is soooooo kewl! I made myself a desktop shortcut so I can go there every morning!
Bootsie, I am intrigued by this "making" of hot sauce! Is this some kind of old family recipe? And I have a bunch of peaches ripening in a basket in my kitchen...I'd love to know how to serve them with hot sauce! Instructions would be appreciated!
Freda, yeah, my middle daughter, who is drop-dead gorgeous, smart as they come, and recently left her position as executive director of the local American Heart Association to accept an offer from the YMCA in MA, is married to a real idiot. He spent two months in the fall last year at kickboxing camp in Thailand...this is a 40-year-old fitness addict who spends megabucks on maintaining his physique, but she has to HIRE people to mow her lawn and do minor repairs around the house. Sometimes I'd like to just shake her back to reality, but I guess she's beyond any shaking I could do right now. She threatens to leave him periodically, but none of us is holding our breaths any more. Hopefully she'll see the light at some point, but in the meantime, we all just grin and bear it. He doesn't participate in many family activities anyway - he's always at kickboxing matches - so that eliminates our having to put up with "Mister Ego" too often.
Well, this has gotten long enough, so I'll call it a day, I guess. Hi Lynn, Isabella, Karen31, and all of the GGs, wherever you may be....
:grouphug:
Z

Evening all...OOOpps. Some how I bid and won 50 paperback books on ebay. 3 different sites. Don't remember bidding on2 of them. Well set for summer anyway. Talked myself into a hypnotic state last night, was reading and never remember closing book or turning the light off. DH denies doing it????

Doing a happy dance...played bridge today and came in 1st. Not shabby with 15 tables. Games are smaller with snowbirds gone. Still love a day when you know where everything is and it all clicks. Plus lost another 2lbs. Soon my happy dances won't cause earth trembles.

Need to do my pool workout. Love to do it since there's no sweating.

Jess...Where is your SIL from? Who was her sponser? How wonderful to celebrate the 4th with a new citizen. wow! And stop putting yourself down...negative thoughts grow into monsters. We love you so you can't be that bad.

Zoe...Aren't hedgehogs prickly? Did you get the email of a pitbull who had an interaction with a porcupine...so sad looking!

Rosey...half those books are your fault, they are the 2 authors you recommended. See how fast I can pass the guilt! (Sara Donati and Wilbur Smith) Love the babies and want one now. Ha they'd scare Dash to death. He's 65lb of whinny dog. I'll report back in a few weeks about the books.

I had a crazy moment today. Sweet old lady told me I looked good for my age and I wore 80 well! Hey am not 70 yet....

Must not think negative thoughts...or I will turn into a monster! hugs, karen3

You gals are making me crazy.......I don't have time to go back to everyone's post and find their favorite books. On the bottom of your NEXT post, please list your favorite authors and what type of book it is. Mystery, love story, etc. Then lazy me can just copy paste them all onto word and I can look them up at the library.
PLEASE?

Bobbie we have a Feed & Hardware store on a country road. It is on our ranch. I am surprised how much business we do.

Salsa or Hot sauce, just comes natural with me. Make it, 1 gallon of tomatoes to 1/2 gallon of peaches. I slip the skins off the tomatoes and peaches by dipping them hot boiling water and into cold water, then cut them in chunks.
I guess of how much I want put in , on the onions, Bell peppers and hot peppers, when you put the hot peppers in , the longer they cook the hotter the sauce so be careful there, apple cider vinegar and the sugar, I taste it to see what I need to put in. Make sure you cook it down nice and thick and I add the salt last. There to I add till I get it just right. Make sure your canning jars are nice and hot, I put them in a warm oven to keep them hot, lids in some hot water so they seal easier , cup funnel and I use a cup to dip the mixture out into the jars. If you do not have a cup funnel ,put a butter knife in the jar to keep it from breaking, take it out and seal it. Repeat.
This is really good for get tog ethers , take some fat free cream cheese ,lay it on some colorful lettuce , then just pour out some of this peach salsa out over it . Surround it with vegetables or chips.

Bobbie English Setters are so beautiful and such loving dogs. My friend had one called her Sunshine.
I really like the short haired Border Collie , talk about a dog that can do almost anything except housework! If I could just train them to that. My Tippy would stay with the chickens, herd goats, and you would look out there and she would have a chicken standing on her back and she would be walking around the pen. I lost her to cancer about 6 years ago and still have not found a dog that can walk in her paws. Sausage her sister is so old she can barely get around and can't hear, she lost her teeth, so she has to eat can food and wienies. She can not help at all, but she watches! She likes to get out and nose around see what is going on with the other dogs and stand in the water trough to cool her feet.

Bobbie i have so many favorites but here are a few.

Wilbur Smith..family dynasty,s in africa, egypt "river god" and "7th scroll" my fav he wrote over 30 books all good diff series

Ken Follet historical fiction or mystery who none it,s

Dianna Gabaldon series historical romance couldnt put them down

Sara Donati historical romance and adventure

Robert Ludlum spy who done it espionage mystery" Bourne Iden tity" series

David Baldacci mysteries who done it

Janet Evonovich Stephanie Plumm very funny

James Clavell about japan "Shogun", "nobel house", "taipan"

MM Kaye about india and their culture love story ,"The Far Pavillions"

Gwen Bristow "Calico Palace" about the gold rush

Susan Arnout "Frozen lady" love story in alaska

Kathleen Kohen historical fiction adventure "Through a Glass Darkly","And Now Face to Face"

Rosamonde Pilcher historical family dynasty "Coming Home", "The Shell Seekers"

Judith Krantz "Mistrals Daughter" her other books are great to

Patricia cornwall mystery Kay Scarpettas novels

Marion Zimmer Bradley "Mists of Avalon" king arthur and his knights

Nancy Cato "all the rivers run" about australia

Maive Binchey "Tara Road"

Barbara Taylor Bradford "a woman of substance" series about family dynasty emma harts retailing

Ok Ive got many more as reading is my all time fav thing to do..hope you all read some of these as i loved them all..i own them and have read them more than once..sry you asked :D:rolleyes::yes::cheer2: rosey :wave:

Hi all...Read all the authors both Rosey and Jess listed plus:

Tess Gerritsen....Rizzoli & Isles mysteries (TNT new series started last nite)
Tami Hoag...have newest waiting for me "Deeper than Dead"
Robert Parker....everything he wrote
Sue Grafton...read up thru "U"
All 3 Kellermans...husband wife and son's books

Have been buying paperbacks in lots. Love to get the whole output of an author and read them in order so this Spring/Summer have read all of:
Donna Andrews (14)
Laura Childs tearoom mysteries (10) with "Teaberry Stranger" waiting for me.
Denise Swanson (11) with "Wedding Bells" waiting for me
Katherine Hall Page(8) with "Body in the Gallery" waiting for me
Valerie Wolzein (10) Susan Henshaw mysteries with "Elected by Death waiting for me...plus halfway thrus her Josie Pigeon series and have 3 left there.
These are listed as cozy mysteries and can read one aday.

Bunch of other favorites...Marion Mason?? writes about judge in NC???
Rita Mae Brown and her cat

Spent years loving Stephen King,but scifi doesn't catch me anymore. Can't watch tv without a book and sure can't sleep without reading for a little while(sometimes alot of little while)

I usually donate these books after i read them, but anyone wants some let me know. I still have the Wolzien series here and got new batch coming soon.
I use these paperback books to fill in around the more well known writers. I know am addicted. Perfect day would be on the lania with tall ice tea and bag of chips and good book...so 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Called for hair appt this am looking like Clairabell. Have tuffs stick out over both ears. honk honk and just called back can take me NOW...bye hugs karen3

Morning everyone :coffee: as you can tell i love to read..like ive always said if i could only choose one pleasure it would be reading..its raining today..we cleaned up from the garage sale yesterday..my niece took most of the stuff that didnt sell..im glad its gone and have empty closets to fill up again:yes: I saw this groc sale flyer in the paper and it had this salad on the front looked so good so i made it last night..mixed green salad and the i added celery,chopped green apple,red grapes,walnuts,blue cheese crumbles..and used a lite poppyseed dressing it was really good..deff make this again..nothing new going on here..have a great day rosey :wave:

Hi Everyone,

One of my favorite subjects, reading. LOVE it. I'm with you Rosey, if I had to choose one thing, it would be reading. I'm trying to instill the love of reading into the grands too. Our local library has a summer reading program and I'm taking Kenzie. For every 10 books you read you get to pick a prize. She is finished with her second 10 and we picked up her prize today. She took forever choosing, finally decided on a book "Tilly turtle comes to tea".

OK, my favorite authors. soooo many!

Janet Evanovitch....too funny. I find myself laughing out loud.
Robert Parker
I can't remember the name of the author, but the vampire series that's funny (really) one of the titles is "undead and unwed".
John Sandford
Staurt Woods
Martha Perry, writes about the Amish. i've learned a lot
James Patterson, just finished reading the 9th judgement

so many more I know I am forgetting.

I'm looking forward to learning new authors too, so looking forward to everyone's faves.

Freda

Hi everyone! It is a cooler day and I was going to mow but after looking at the yards, dh said I don't need to so will wait a few more days. That's good as I need to catch up on my housework. Had a busy day yesterday. PT came yesterday morning and he looked at Joe's shower and discussed ways to make it easier for him but he told him not to stand in the shower. There isn't much room for a chair so I may have to buy one of those little benches, a hand grip, mat and maybe a handheld shower. But right now Joe just wants to wait until he can bear more weight. PT discharged Joe as he is doing so well. He will start outpatient pt once he is weight bearing as tolerated which hopefully will be after his x-rays next month.

Karen - yes I agree he is doing amazingly well! He has never appeared his age (75)...he acts more like he's in his late 50s or early 60s and actually can do some things at the gym that many guys that age and even younger cannot do! They are amazed by what he can do. I hope he can get back to being that way again. It is the inactivity that bothers him the most right now.

I went grocery shopping yesterday and when I got home I learned a couple of our grandchildren were coming over with their other grandmother. One is 15 and the other is 19. It was good to see them as we hadn't seen them for several months. I quickly baked some cookies from refrigerated dough. I keep it for just such times as it doesn't tempt me like baked cookies in the freezer or packaged cookies would. But once it was baked, of course, I did eat too many. I hope someday I can get to a point where I can just take one or two!

Karen - yesterday went so quickly and I didn't get to my hynosis weightloss tapes. I did do the one you taught us when I got to bed the other night though. I got all the way down the steps and remember thinking, I didn't fall asleep and that was the last thing I remember, because I DID fall asleep! LOL Unfortunately I was awake an hour later with a hot flash but that's the way it goes for me all night...if I'm not getting up with Joe I'm waking up with a hot flash, then have to go pee and often then Joe wakes up and I have to help him...LOL and on and on it goes every night! Oh, well this too shall pass I guess...I'm 67 and my sister is in her 70s and says she still has them just not so often. Talked to a lady at my gym whose in her 80s and even she has one a night! But I still keep asking God to please take them away!! I've heard some people consider them power surges but if so, I must be the most powerful woman on the planet! :?: Anyway, I've been interested in hynosis for a long time as a method of healing and getting rid of bad habits although have only recently tried it. Your age regression sounds very interesting. Did you go back to a very young age? Was it a good or helpful experience for you? The mind is a wonderful amazing thing!

Ellabella - I have not noticed any changes in my eating since using the tapes! In fact I have been continuing to over eat about 5 days now! I'm hoping to get back on track today. But they say it takes about 19 days and I have missed a few days too.

Jess - I have the same problems with the bad carbs...ie the cookies yesterday! It can be anything though, mostly carbs...like crackers, bread occasionally, or rice cakes..whatever is handy...but not always...I can also binge on nuts. Why can't I say no or at least only have one serving?!!

Bootsie - LOVE making my own salsa sauce too! I don't do the cooked variety though..just fresh and I use a salsa maker I bought at some bazaar when we were traveling in our RV. Can't wait for our tomatoes to be ready to harvest as I will make it again. I like to experiment and do it a little different each time.

All the books sound interesting. I'm adding them to my list to get when I have finally read all the ones I have now which will take a while. I like most of of the mystery writers you have mention. Favorites are the Kellermans (both of them), and Patterson but there are lots others too.

Need to get to work now...hope you are all doing ok.