Good evening GG's,

It has been sunny some of the time today and rainy some of the time.

Right now, I feel in an ok frame of mind, but tomorrow, when we (my sister and I) have to start working again on preparing for that guardianship hearing ~ all the upsetting feelings will probably come crashing back into my mind and I will start to feel sick to my stomach again. At least I haven't had a headache today.

It was kind of a different day today ~ funky feeling some of the time, but better some of the time.

My father-in-law's wife had encouraged me to go back to church. I grew up going to church and kind of felt sad that I had gotten away from going. Work ~ night shift and hospital with its every other weekend ~ kind of made it hard to go, and so I just eventually didn't go anymore. I told her I had visited some, but had never been able to find one that was the right fit for me. She suggested a couple different ones to try. One was the denomination I had grown up going to. There is one not too far from us. I sent an email to that pastor back in July. Small world ~ he knew the pastor in the town where I lived where one of the churches was. I finally got a chance to go visit that church today. I was kind of feeling like with all this upsetting stuff going on ~ maybe that would help me find some peacefulness and comfort. It isn't a great big church. I went to their 9 am service ~ the modern service. They also have another service at 11 am that is a more traditional version. The modern one was ok. I decided since I was all dressed and out already ~ that I would go run a few errands and come back and try out the traditional one. I liked that one better ~ the hymns were familiar. I enjoyed that. I probably have a better chance of going more often to the 11 am one ~ because I will/should be up early enough, where the 9 am one, I might sometimes sleep to late to make it to that one.

After the second church service, I went to Dollar Tree in search of a card for a friend whose 50th wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. Then decided to go to a different Walmart to see if I could find a couple more of the bras I liked. I had checked again at the one I usually shop at ~ thinking that maybe they had replenished their stock, but they didn't have the size and color yet that I wanted/needed. So, I went on to a different one in our area, found a couple ~ not the colors I wanted, but I got them because they didn't have many of any color in my size ~ thinking that I could use them if I wasn't ever able to find what I really wanted, but would keep looking and return them when/if I did find the ones I wanted. Then started to head back home. Stopped at CVS to pick up a prescription. I was gonna/probably should have gone back home then, but ~ this was the funky mood part ~ I just didn't want to. I guess I was feeling like ~ going back home, I would start thinking about all that upsetting family stuff again ~ and I just didn't want to deal with that. So, I headed to yet another Walmart (in the town where I used to work), to see if they had the bras (size and color) I wanted. No luck, but I got a snack, and headed to another Walmart. There are 6 in a radius area that are not real far away from where we live. They are building another one, so soon there will be 7. My sister called while I was driving to the next one, so when I arrived at it, I stayed in the car and talked to her for a while. Then, got out ~ went in and I struck gold ~ they had the color and size I wanted, so I got the last two I needed/wanted. That saved me from having to go to the last Walmart in the radius area, and I headed back home.

I thought that my husband would be calling and hounding me about where I was. But I didn't hear from him. I was glad of that ~ I think I just needed some time alone and away from the house. I think he maybe realized how upset I have been and that I just needed to be left alone.

You guys probably think it is silly going to all those Walmarts. We don't usually do that ~ I guess I just wanted to get what I needed before they should no longer be available ~ you know how they are always changing things or quit carrying things you like. We usually just shop at the same couple of ones ~ which one we go to depends on which direction we are going for other errands.

Having all those Walmarts nearby is different than how I grew up. We had a (1) K-mart that was probably 20 miles away. We lived in a rural area. About the same when we lived in Maine. It wasn't until living in the city in the Kansas City, Missouri area that we had access to so many stores right close by. There it was the K-marts ~ there were 3 of them in a radius area near to us.

Well, I'd better get some supper dished up for Steve. Hope you all have had a nice weekend.

Mary, I don't eat a lot of fresh vegetables at home so I guess I don't miss them when I'm in the hospital. I use mostly frozen, because we don't eat enough to eat fresh before it goes bad. And I cook my veggies well, because I have trouble with a lot of raw vegetables and my thyroid. They don't bother it as much if they are well cooked. You probably wouldn't like to eat at my house. LOL DH hardly ever ate when he was in the hospital. One time they were served some type of pasta, and his room mate said if he wasn't really hungry he wouldn't be eating it. LOL I have a little salt/pepper shaker I used to take to work with me and I took it with me to the hospital because they never gave me salt. I don't eat a lot of salt, but they gave me egg beaters for breakfast and I can't eat eggs without salt. I was also not allowed ice cream, but they had little cups of ice cream in the visitors waiting room and DH used to bring me one once in a while.

We went to Bob Evans for dinner today and had a delicious meal. We had steak, cooked with mushrooms and onions and topped with cheese. It was very good. I had broccoli and carrots with mine, and DH had mashed potatoes and a salad. We ordered banana bread instead of rolls, and brought the bread home so DH can have it for breakfast tomorrow with his coffee. I would have loved to eat it but I was being good. LOL

Today I was really tired. I didn't sleep well last night. First of all, we were out late, then I woke up with a cramp in my foot that wouldn't go away. I think it was because of the shoes I wore last night. So when I was complaining that I was so tired today DH told me it's because I quit eating sugar, and sugar gives you energy. LOL It's a good thing he isn't diabetic because he knows nothing about sugar.

I hope you work things out with your neck/arm problems. I agree with you about surgery. I will live with the pain as long as I can. Mine isn't unbearable like some.

Gayle, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother causing so much trouble. Why would he do that? It can't be in your mother's best interest for him to block you from contacting her or asking about her care. That's why they say you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives. I will pray about the situation.

Good evening GG's,

Just stopping in to say hi ~ the day is almost over ~ it just kind of went by ~ I sort of can't even remember what I did.

Yesterday, I bought several small pieces of fabric for a project I want to do. But the ones I chose (from what was available) weren't really what I had in mind. So, I went down to Joann Fabrics this morning to look and see what they had ~ didn't really see any I liked, so went to Hobby Lobby to check out what they had ~ none of what they had struck my fancy either. I have some remnants here at home, but not sure exactly where they are ~ guess on another day, I'll have to try to locate those ~ maybe there are some pieces in there that would be more of the colors I have in mind to use.

Got to talk to my mom and sister today.

I cut up a cardboard box and made some little easle things out of it. I had made one back along when I was working ~ to put my phone on so I could read stuff on it and not have to hold the phone while I looked at the phone ~ and had my hands free to eat my lunch on my lunch break. But since I have a different phone now ~ a little bigger than the one I had before ~ it is too heavy for the easle thing I had made for it, so I traced the shape of the one I had onto the cardboard box and made one that was more sturdy for the phone I have now. Then since I had already cut up the box making unusable for anything else, I cut out each of the corners and made 4 more of the little easle things.

Tomorrow ~ the dentist.

Hope you all are doing well.

Busy day...trying to plan a potential trip...for when the kids move out...plus my usual weekly cleaning our bath and bedroom. They plan to move out tomorrow at least by 4 pm or earlier when they get the keys. So I fixed some of my son's favorite foods tonight. They will really be discouraged if something else comes up to delay things so praying that doesn't happen.

We have 5 tomatoes from our garden now. They look really good and I plan to make some salsa. I find it's best if I make salsa right before we plan to use it though and tomorrow I am serving Chicken Stir-fry (bok choy and other veggies) and rice as I know dh has missed stir-fries. Since the kids moved in we haven't had many. Hopefully Wed I'll make a Tex Mex Taco Salad and can use the salsa with that.

I am babysitting tomorrow afternoon as mama has to take our gs in for his screening to determine what class he will be in. He has been in a special education class but the teachers told her he is ready for regular kindergarten as long as he also continues to get speech therapy but apparently the school wants to test him first. I am a little worried the kids may make fun of his speech, but he is a very sweet kid and I'm hoping he can win them over. We have another gs who is very small for his age and when he started school the other boys bullied him but he won them over by his great personality and no longer has problems and girls of all ages totally love him! ;) He's the one that dances

I think both dh and I are feeling antsy, wanting to go places etc., so hopefully we can make it happen soon. Hate to take the money since we are saving, but if it's to be it will work out somehow so praying about it like we do everything.

Glynne - Glad you found a church you find peace in and that it has the two difference type services to choose from. We used to have two services like that but found most people ended up just automatically drifting into the regular service (modern music) so they ended up dropping the other one. Since I just go to worship and learn, I can go to either but I actually prefer the modern one. We since mostly choruses but also an old hymn now and then and I love both. One thing I enjoy is to listen to Christian music on youtube. I esp do this on Sun while waiting for dh to be ready and I esp love the Messianic Jewish music.

Dh is calling me to watch a favorite, Ninja Warriors, so have to stop rambling now. Hi Carol, Hi Sandy!

Mary, our tomatoes are pretty much done for the season. We will continue to get green ones. I wrap them in newspaper and allow them to ripen. We got a lot, but they come really fast and we have to eat them fast. We don't eat salsa. My step-son makes a ton of salsa and puts it up in jars. I like stir fry but DH doesn't. It's back to that thing where he wants all his food separate on his plate, not mixed together.

I think my grandson is going to need speech therapy but nothing has ever been said about it. I haven't seen him for a while, maybe he's getting over it. He's going into second grade. He can't say the "th" sound. He says it like it's "f." Like "free" for "three." And "furty" for "thirty." It was cute when he was little, but now it's something the other kids could pick up on. I think a couple times he caught himself doing it and corrected himself. I had a lisp when I was little and still have a bit of it. It's comes out more like a hiss now when I say certain words. No one has ever mentioned it, but I can hear it myself.

Gayle, I think you are so talented with needlework and crafts. I have really gotten away from it.

The sleep lab called and told me that the doctor wants to put me on oxygen for sleep, and I told them I don't want it. They said I could discuss it with the doctor at my next appointment. I think it was because they made me sleep on my back, because I can tell my breathing is harder when I'm on my back. Today I am going up there to see if I can get my supplies I need now instead of waiting for my appointment. I think they will want the sale and allow me to get them. I have been using my old original mask the past couple days and DH said it's leaking badly. The straps are really worn out. He told me which of the 3 masks I tried had the meast amount of hissing, so I guess I will go with that one. I really think when the straps get old it makes it loose and it doesn't get a good seal.

I am getting so tired of all these medical problems. Gone are the days when you just get old and sick and die. They put you through hoops to keep you alive longer. I have to keep reminding myself that so many others have it worse than I do, and I am truly thankful for that.

Well the final papers were signed this morning and the agent is to meet our dil at the house to give her the keys some time today by 4 pm, she's hoping sooner as she wants to get in to put in groceries and do some cleaning. So glad it is finally happening for them! I watched the kids (they were still sleeping) while they signed the papers and will have two this afternoon, then they will all go to their new home. We had a nice time with them all last night and they let the kids watch TV with us til 10 and the little ones were very loving and sitting with me etc. I guess they understood that soon they would not be with us all the time. I'm sure we will still see them plenty though when we are home.

I laid in bed until 10 since the kids were sleeping and dh went fishing early. It's a cooler cloudy day. The days seem to be passing fast and fall is rapidly coming. If we are here we will likely have a BBQ for Labor Day.

My weight is back up to 166 so glad I didn't change my sig. Everyday I hope to eat right and seems like I get off track at some point each day. I hope to get back to it, I felt slimmer even though it was only 3# less :D and I want to get back to that. I didn't change my sig because I actually wasn't eating right even the days I was 164 and 165 so figured it wouldn't last. When I start eating right again and see those numbers I will change it.

Carol - You sound discouraged and I understand...when so many things go wrong, it's hard not to be, but you will still have good days. I finally got the results of my Xrays on my neck and shoulder and it appears to be arthritis. As I understand it, there is a falling forward and down of the upper vertabrae which causes my head to kind of jut forward and a rounding of my back. The pain is not severe enough for stronger pain pills or surgery so I will keep on doing what I'm doing. I'm doing pretty good with my exercises now and probably will do better now that the kids leave. Travel makes it more difficult but I will do what I can. So now, I know that I have mild-mod arthritis in my right hip, my neck and back (from cervical vertabrae to lumbar) and probably both knees. I think this is mostly just part of aging as I've heard even active fit people can have arthritis. My mom stood so straight but then she didn't live this long. I'm sure losing weight would probably help some.

Well I hear the kids, and I need to get off my butt and do some work.

Mary, have you ever gone to a chiropractor? Sometimes they can work on you and straighten up that bending in your upper spine and neck. Most of them don't do all that back and neck cracking they did back in the day. It is more gentle adjustments that can fix things over time. My mother-in-law had that and they fixed her up. I don't know if hers was from arthritis. My left knee is starting to get bad now. It was always just the right knee for so long. I don't get pain per se, but just can't bend it as much as it should, so I have trouble going up and down steps. I think exercise helps that.

Gayle, I used to go on all day shopping excursions when DH was busy doing something else. When we go shopping, he wants to go to one store then come home. I like to go to the farthest store from my home, then stop at each one on the way back. He always hated when I wanted to do that. He likes the mall, but hates stopping at each store, unless they have a hardware or automobile department for him. Another thing he does is he will go get gas. Then later on he will go play the lottery. Then later on I need to go to the store. I tell him to wait til I get ready then we can make one trip and get it all done. We are at Walmart a couple times a week.

I grew up in the city. We never had a car, but could get the bus to the downtown area. When they started building stores like KMart, we could never go there because the bus didn't go there. We could only go downtown. In the future, you should consider looking at Walmart online when the store doesn't have your size or color. Usually, if you find it online, you can have it shipped to the store free of charge and you just go there and pick it up. I have done that with several things they didn't have in the store. There is a smaller Walmart about 5 miles from here. The bigger one is about 15 miles away and we only go to that one if we're passing it, like yesterday. They carry more of a variety. Then there's another one about 10 miles away but we only go there in desperation. It is in a bad neighborhood. There are always purse snatchings and muggings in the parking lot, even in daylight. If we go there, I don't take my purse. I put my credit card in my pocket and that's all I need. DH doesn't even like to use the credit card there because of how people can get the information off your card just by standing next to you. Things are amazing. It's strange that 10 miles from our house it's like a different world. I grew up and hung out in that area and it was fine back then.

I went to the sleep lab and got the supplies I needed. I was tired of waiting. The girl didn't give me the chin strap he said I needed to use, but I think she just forgot. I had to sign a paper that said I had to have my follow-up visit with the doctor in order for the insurance to pay for it. At that time I will discuss the oxygen he wants me on, and I don't know what will happen if I tell him I just don't want it. I don't think he can force me to use it, but then insurance may not pay if the feel I am non compliant. I don't know why I didn't just order these supplies online and pay for them instead of getting myself involved in all this. And this doctor is foreign and has a very strong accent. I really have a hard time understanding him. I'm not looking forward to this. It's Sept 12. I'm starting to understand why so many people just don't go to the doctor. Like my DH.

Cooler today...I hear some places back east got snow. It was suppose to start raining about now but on our way to the gym we had a little sprinkling and now nothing. I like days like this. Since coming home from the gym, I have checked a few things online, then talked to my sis on the phone for a few minutes, then checked a reservation we made several months ago for the coast to be sure of the date. That's all I've done today! After I type this, I'm going to put in a load of laundry and then start moving my stuff back to the main bathroom...yea no more being crowded up with dh! I'm already getting used to it, but when I woke up this morning, the house felt very empty. I kinda like quiet though so it's ok.;)

Carol - No, I haven't gone to a chiropractor and actually my doctor suggested I could try that. I've always been rather scared of them making things worse, and as he said they will need to be gentle. So it's good to know they are more gentle. Right now (since I got the shot), I'm in less pain with my shoulder/arm but if it gets worse I may consider it. It isn't severe pain, more like a slight sprain all the time and is more annoying because it's all the time and I can't lay on it, that's it. I've had much worse pain in my life, so feel sorta silly to make so much of it. Even the leg pain/hip pain isn't what I'd call severe pain...but again it's annoying as it slows me down climbing stairs and I hurt when on my feet for long which makes me feel tired and old. My knees only hurt a little when I go up/down stairs or ride the bikes. So although it is annoying, all these are not severe pain. What IS more painful to me is the burning pain in my thighs...can't be on my feet long without that and recently my feet hurting..but it does ease when I sit down. Next time I see the doctor I will tell him about that. Since I've had it since I was 26 I don't think it's caused by the neck/back issues. A patient has a right to refuse any treatment, Carol, even in the hospital. I have done it more than once.

Hi Gayle! Hi Sandy! I need to get busy..have a good day!

Mary, I know that a patient has the right to refuse treatment, but I noticed on the paper I had to sign it said something about insurance not paying in certain circumstances, for example, if you don't go for your follow up exam. That's probably my main concern. The paper she gave me for the supplies I received showed a sum of over $300, but she said that's what they submit to insurance, not what I owe them. I guess the worst would be that I would have to pay that money, that I don't have. LOL I guess I worry about things too much. Don't worry until it happens!

Sometimes when you get a chiropractic adjustment it might seem as though they made it worse, as it may hurt worse for a few days before it feels better. For me, I usually start to feel better 3-4 days after my visit. If you were to go this route, I think I would discuss with them how they are going to handle it before they do it. My chiropractor is a friend of DH. He has changed his procedures in the past few years to gentle manipulations. He won't do anything I don't want him to do.

They are going to do some sewer work on our street. The neighbors on each side have a marking in the middle of their driveway. The marking for our house is in the street, at the end of our driveway. I'm hoping that means they won't have to do any digging in our driveway. They have been doing this work all over the housing plan, and it can get to be a mess. I heard from some other people that whatever they do, we are going to have to pay for it. More bills. People who are low income applied for and received a grant to pay for the work. I applied, but I knew we were over the income level to get assistance with it. I guess I should be glad I'm not low income. The people across the street go on a couple cruises every year, but they are low income. LOL Something's fishy.

I hope everyone gets all their problems ironed out, and I hope those who have been missing come back and give us an update! Sandy, Karrine.

Another morning of waking up after a good sleep to a quiet house, not clean but quiet and it was a good feeling. The kids popped in briefly yesterday and gs had to have a peanut butter sandwich and crackers from me and M&Ms from dh as soon as he came in..LOL, so we are still going to be able to enjoy them. It's again cooler today and I think I sleep and feel better when it's cool, even though I still use my fan. I think I've become addicted to it.

I bought some of the BOOM skin care products (for older women) and I think I like them. Have you heard about them? I may have posted the link, not sure. They made my face feel really soft but I'm not sure the color lasts very long...but I've only tried them once. Will know more how I like them as I use them more. I thought they'd be good for travel as all I need are the three products. I don't usually wear eye makeup when traveling but will pack some for after I get to a destination. Still it will cut down on the number of products I'll need to pack. I'm a pretty light packer anyway....even for long trips I rarely take more than one week of clothes and for shorter trip at least 1/2 that. And I mostly use the free samples for skin care (other than the BOOM now). The BOOM comes in very small tubes and seems expensive however you only need a tiny bit each time.
Here's the link if you would like to check it out. Sorry if it's a repeat. I'm not selling it :D http://www.boombycindyjoseph.com/pages/store

Didn't get much done yesterday. Still need to clean carpets and do more deep cleaning now that the kids are gone. Still finishing my laundry this morning. I did get all my bathroom stuff shifted over..at least I think...I'm constantly remembering something else. :dizzy: Now I want to scrub out the tub and take a tub bath! It's been so long.

So the plan for today is to finish off the laundry and weekly+ clean the office and main bath and mop the kitchen floor. That's probably too ambitious for me, but I'll try. Trying to decide whether to cut my hair...my head and ears are itching terribly but the way my hair was cut last time, it needs cutting in some places and some places are still pretty short. But if we decide to travel soon, I'd like it cut in time to grow out a bit. These small decisions can be hard for me to make...:dizzy:

Carol - Oh I understand your concern now. We are so fortunate as our insurance covers about everything at least so far. We live in a cul-de-sac and the city sewer runs in the street at the end of of it, but we are all on septic tank. There was some discussion many years ago of getting the sewer up here but we would all have had to pay for it and chose not to. I used to want it but now I don't care..I'm happy with our septic tank.

I've been wondering about Karrine. Hope she's ok.

Sandy hope you are ok and just enjoying the summer. It's almost over, can't believe it!

Mary, we have always lived where there are sewers. Most of the time when sewers come in you don't have an option to stay with septic, and it's expensive. Around here, some people got a grant, but we were too rich to qualify for that! LOL I found out that the reason our driveway wasn't marked is because we were not home when they came around to check them. They tried to check it yesterday, but they couldn't get the camera in for some reason, so they will come back with another camera. We had a bad clog several months ago, and had to pay $700 to have that cleared. At that time, the plumber checked with a camera and said that our sewers were good, but that doesn't matter to them. They will check, and they will decide. Jerry said he will fight them on it, but you can't fight city hall. The whole housing plan had this done. I think we are the last street. Whatever happens, happens. If we have to pay, it will go on a loan and we will have to make payments.

That's nice that the kids can stop in for a PB sandwich and you can enjoy them, then they go back home. LOL

I don't wear much make up anymore. Just occasionally. It seems that the less I wear, the better I look. That's my opinion. DH likes makeup, but now that I have that bad eye, it's hard for me to put it on the right eye. If I close the right eye to put on eye makeup, I can't see very well out of the left one. So I just try to be happy with what God gave me.

We don't pay for our health insurance, except what they take out of our SS for Medicare. Our insurance is $0 premium. We have small copays usually, and I don't mind that much because we aren't paying for the insurance. So far I haven't had anything denied. DH only goes to the doctor once a year, so all our expenses are from me. DH says I go to the doctor for every little thing. LOL

Good morning GG's,

Thursday 9-1 ~ It seems like it is later than it really is. Guess because I got up earlier than usual this morning. I had gotten up to go the bathroom about 4:30 am. Went back to bed and I was maybe starting to drift off to sleep when I realized it was quieter than usual. I have one of those machines that makes nature sounds for while you sleep. I like the ocean waves one. Well, that sound had stopped ~ then I realized that my C-pap wasn't blowing air. No lights. I laid there for a while, but couldn't get back to sleep there, so came out to the family room and tipped back in the recliner and did sleep maybe another hour. Up at 6:30. I feel like it is maybe noon or something, but the clock says only 10 am.

I have to go back to the dentist today. I went for a cleaning on Tuesday and they found that the gum by one of my back teeth where I have a crown is receeding, so that what is left of the tooth under it is exposed and decaying. So, I am going to have that fixed ~ remove the decay, place a temporary crown and go back in two weeks to get the permanent crown put on.

Fun, fun, fun. Our dentist in NC was wonderful ~ when he gave you the shot of novicaine, he was so gentle, you never even knew he had given the shot. I hope this guy is pretty good like that too. I'm not afraid of shots, but the way the other dentist did it ~ it was awesome.

Friday 9-2 ~ I started this yesterday, but never got back to it.

My dentist appointment went pretty good. The doctor said I did not need novacaine because the tooth he was working on had had a root canal and that I wouldn't feel anything. I was apprehensive about that ~ I did not want to be in pain. He agreed that if I felt at any time that it was painful, he would stop and give me the shot. He said all I would feel was pressure and vibration. He explained every step of the way exactly what he was doing ~ that helped a lot. And what he said was so ~ I felt no pain, and did not have to have a shot. I have the temporary crown on now and go back in 2 weeks to get the permenant one put on. I will be glad when the 2 weeks is up ~ this temporary is not a smooth as the permanent one will be and is bugging me ~ I keep feeling it with my tongue ~ and it is kind of bothering a little bit. Nothing I can't stand for the two weeks, but I will be glad just the same to get the regular one on, so it feels right again.

I went with Jason today to his appointment where they are helping him get retrained for some other kind of work. The man who was helping him ~ left for another job, so he had a new lady today. She was nice, but Jason is feeling kind of discouraged ~ he has been working with these people for a few months now and I think he thought he'd be farther along in the process and closer to being able to be done with the back breaking work he is doing now. The first two programs they sent him to didn't work out. The first one he never even got to start ~ he found on one of the papers when he went to get signed up that a GED was a prerequesite. So, he kind of hit a brick wall right there. He doesn't have that. It has always kind of been a stumbling block for him because he has (just found out recently after they sent him for testing) a learning disability. They had told him that there were ways to still get training ~ some that didn't require a GED. So, they sent him to another program for training. What he found out there was the jobs he could get with this training were contract jobs ~ not steady work (so not steady pay) and no health insurance. That wasn't good ~ he needed steady work to be able to pay his rent and stuff. And you almost have to have health insurance. So, after talking to him, she is gonna look into some ideas/options for him. I hope that the “third time is a charm” and he will finally be on his way. He feels like the clock is ticking and if he can't get out of his current kind of work, he will end up disabled. Just this week, he had to go to the doctor because his hands went numb. He now has some kind of nerve issue going on. Praying so hard that things fall into place for him.

Sara, Maddie, a friend of Sara's and Steve were gonna go camping for the long weekend. I was invited, but opted out. That all fell through ~ due to her scum bag ex. I feel bad for her ~ she was so looking forward to it ~ she loves the out of doors and hiking and nature. And Maddie was pretty disappointed.

Carol Sue ~ I don't wear make up. I did a little in college ~ but I didn't feel like I was very good at making it look alright. I think Steve was glad I didn't ~ that and nail polish. That after all was extra money he would have to spend. I think that he liked that I was a “low maintenance” kind of girl. Not wanting all those girly things that would eat away at his money. He was alright with me not wearing it, and to be honest, I didn't have the patience for fooling around with it anyway. I was always reaching up and rubbing my eye and messing up the makeup.
It was a good suggestion about looking on-line for items at the K-mart. Sadly, the nearest one to us is about 200 miles away. There used to be one in the area, but not near enough to be handy (I don't think farther than 20 miles). The Walmarts have driven so many of the K-marts away. When we lived in NC, there was one not too far from us, and then across the intersection was a Walmart. When we visited our former town back in 2014, the K-mart had closed. Kind of sad. I used to want to send gift cards for Christmas or birthdays to Sara, but she asked me not to do that. I thought she was just being picky or something ~ but I didn't know the area. Now that I live down here ~ I realize that it wasn't handy to her.

Mary ~ glad you are enjoying the quiet and getting some better rest now, but that the kids don't live too far away and can pop in from time to time. Your mention of your little grandson coming and wanting a peanut butter sandwich ~ made me think of going to my grandma and grandpa's house ~ we would walk in and head straight to the cupboard with the cookies and get some. Grandpa bought these ones that were sort of like the Keebler Pecan Sandies. He called them gravel cookies ~ maybe because there were crumbs when you ate them. Yum ~ I loved them.

Hello Sandy and Karrine. Keep thinking of you and wondering how you are doing.

Guess I will get this posted. Hope you all have a good rest and have a good weekend.

Seems like this day has flown by. I only did my daily work and then went out for a haircut. Today is our anniversary...54 years...and our ds invited us out to dinner with them. We went to Rib City and the ribs were very good, and so were the sides. I don't normally eat pork often...but those baby backs were so good I'm sure we will return. I never got my kitchen floor mopped, thought I'd do it tonight but now I'm tired so not so sure.

I don't wear much makeup...these Boom products are more like skin care than make up although one has color and the gleam has just that...adds a little gleam. I like that with only three tiny tubes I can have what I need for most days. If I go out to eat or to church, I usually add a little mascara and sometimes eye liner but not every day. She developed these products for older women who don't want to wear a bunch of makeup so with these three products you can look nice and natural. She has videos on her site showing how she uses them and why she came to create them. She's coming out with a cleanser now too. So far I think I like them and my face feels really good with them. You can also use her products all over your body and makes larger containers too. I dabbed a little on my cuticles today and last night I tried it on my itchy ears. She also makes an intimate lubricant that is very good too.

Oh, I love the pecan sandies...so I'd probably like your grandpa's cookies!

Mary, the mascara was the first thing I gave up. My eye lashes have gotten so short and stubby that mascara just seemed to accent that. For a while I was using one that lengthened and that worked well, but naturally, they quit making it, and the ones they have now lengthen and thicken. The thickening is what doesn't work on me. I saw someone selling it on Amazon, but I'm afraid it's old and leftover and might be dried up when I get it, so I just stopped using it. And eye liner is what I can't see to apply anymore. Getting old is so much fun. LOL

Happy Anniversary!! I like ribs, but DH does not, so I only eat them occasionally. They usually have a sweet sauce in restaurants and I can't do the sweet sauce. DH only likes boneless pork loin.

Gayle, I was talking about ordering from Walmart, not Kmart, as you said you were driving from one Walmart to the other looking for what you wanted. Ordering would save you from driving around. Just a suggestion.

I feel bad for Jason, too. It's a shame he can't get his GED. Also, I'm wondering if he could get assistance or to get him help with some medical insurance since he has the learning disability, but I'm sure he has looked into that already. People need to be able to support themselves, somehow.

We just got a little while ago...got up early and went to visit our dd at the OR coast. It was a good day...sunny but cool and they have a beautiful home. They say they have a lot of maintenance and remodelling to do but it looks great already to me. They took us out for lunch and then we sat and talked and watched TV together, before I did some Lularoe shopping...ended up buying a dress (yea! One I can wear...kind of big tend but it's my favorite color, blue so I like it...it's got one of those up/down hems...not too sure about that but just have a dress I fit makes me happy. I also got two more Azure skirts..they are my favorite..one is black and cream, and the other is a mix of colors..blue, pink, purple. Both are very pretty and the black and cream one is the same buttery soft like the leggings. My dd has one herself and she says it's very comfy.

On the make up - I am slowly giving up makeup ...even my dd said she is too...they are making so many nice slightly tinted moisturizer and many are so good you really don't need foundation. I have lots of eye shadow but now that I have the Boom Color I don't really use anything but it...it is so subtle it doesn't look like make up and all you do is swipe it so very easy. I still like mascara but the one I will likely give up soon is eye liner. I still use it sometimes because I do think I look better with it, but it's a bother so I doubt I'll use it much longer. I only wear it one or two days a week anyway and I want my life to be as simple as possible. My dd (39) has switched from foundation (she's worn since he was 16 )..to tinted moisturizer only and her zits are now going away. I think things are changing. ETA: My dd uses Everskin skincare. I also like a tinted moisturizer by Coty...it makes my face very smooth and it's the only think I've been using in the summer until I got the Boom product and it has sunscreen in it. I'm not sure I'm completely satisfied with the Boom line for all the time (it's great for travel cause the tubes are small) so in time I may try the Everskin line just to compare.

Glad to hear you had a nice visit with your DD, Mary and get some new clothes you like. I decided to order that mascara that I saw on Amazon and hope that it's not dried up, so I can wear mascara for a little while longer.

It was a little chilly overnight and DH had the bedroom window open. He wasn't chilly, but I woke up with a stiff neck that hurts on the left side. I hope it loosens up as the day goes on. The weather feels really good now that the temps have cooled down to 70s to low 80s during the day. That long spell of 90s was not enjoyable to me. I wonder where Sandy is? She would be getting this cooler weather, too.

The hurricane and storms didn't reach us here in PGH. We usually get the tail end of it, but they said we will have a few more days with no rain.

Last night I made some zucchini bread for DH. After it was mixed and I put the loaves in the oven, I went to clean up the counter. When I moved the mixer to clean around it, there was about 1/4 C of flour that had missed the bowl when I put it in. I was a little afraid of how it was going to turn out without that flour but it turned out fine! So I guess the recipe doesn't have to be exact. It called for 3 eggs but I only put in 2 because the eggs I have are really big. That didn't seem to affect it either.

Resting a bit...we just got home from church, eating out and grocery shopping...went to New Seasons for meat and eggs but then was going to go to Winco for a few other things..we got to talking and forgot to go to Winco! I think too because we knew our son was here doing some carpentry and needed some help finding a particular saw. Dh thought sure he knew where the saw was but when we got home, it wasn't there. I think maybe he gave it away.

I got chicken wings for the BBQ tomorrow. Also making deviled eggs which I will prepare tonight. Wanted to get brownie mix and maybe a bagged salad at Winco so will go back after I rest a while. I'm trying to keep it simple as I have too much to do right now. My dil may bring ribs and or burgers, not sure about the others.

I wore my new dress to church and felt really good in it even though I do look pregnant. I look pregnant in every thing, oh well, but I love the color. Sure enough I got about 4 stains on it first time I wear it. Tried to water clean them at the restaurant but after I got in the car I realized it was all still there. Came home and used dish soap and THINK it's all gone. Washing it now. Didn't want to use Shout just in case it might lighten up the blue color. This dress is really just like a t-shirt in looks and feel on the top, even has a breast pocket on one side...very comfy...its called the Carley.

Hope the mascara works for you, Carol.

Not much news ...hope you are all having a good Sunday!

Things are going well so far today..got up at 7:30 and marinated the chicken wings before going to my nails appt, came home and finished the deviled eggs...was going to do them last night but I was out of mayo, so dh went out for it while I was at the nail place. Made one pan of brownies last night and made another today. They are now cooling and I have the chicken wings baking. Will turn them soon, then brush with the marinade and cook some more. One son is bring hamburgers to grill, the other is bringing stuff for tacos. Tacos sound good to me. We will also have watermelon and it is ready to go. I didn't get the potato salad or any kind of salad or veggie tray this time.

Carol - Your zucchini bread sounds SO good! I used to bake a lot of that, but now it's too tempting to me. We don't even grow zucchini any more. It grows so fast and we only use the small ones for stir-fries and get tired of them before the season is over even though we give a lot away. But I wish I could eat like I did in the past because I love things like that. I was just thinking another thing I used to make and ate most of it myself...have you heard of Ozark Pudding? It's apple slices in a sweet base, kind of like a custard but with nuts on top So good with ice cream and I ate a lot of that too...no wonder I gained weight.:( I always say I enjoyed my way to getting fat. Don't enjoy the fat so much though.

Hi Glynne, Sandy!! Hope you are ok, Sandy, miss you.

I think this recipe is about the same as the one I used for Ozark Pudding. Makes me want some right now! I loved it with some good vanilla ice cream!
Ozark Pudding
1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup finely chopped peeled apples

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat egg and sugar together until creamy. Stir in sifted dry ingredients, blending well. Stir in vanilla, chopped nuts, and chopped apples.

Spoon batter into a well-greased 10-inch pie plate and bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle more nuts over the top, if desired, and serve warm or cold with ice cream or whipped cream.

That Ozark pudding looks good, but too much sweets for me, and DH isn't crazy about anything with apples or nuts. We don't grown zucchini. People used to give it to me, but they don't grow it either. Jerry's brother had some coupons he got to use at the Farmer's Market so Jerry took him to show him where it was. He let Jerry use one of the coupons and he bought cukes and 2 smaller zucchinis. That's the only reason I had them to make it. I have another one and I don't know what I will do with it. I might make more bread and freeze it rather than having it go bad. I would have rather he bought some lettuce or cabbage that I would use, but I can't complain.

We had out own little cook out. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans potato salad. Same thing all the time, just for the two of us. I think I mentioned that we don't get together with the kids because they would rather be with their drinking friends. My step-son's in-laws are big drinkers, too. I know I make them sound like a lot of alcoholics. LOL They aren't, but alcohol is included in every social get-together and then I don't want them to have to drive home. We like having the day open to do our own thing.

We had a cool couple days, now it's going back to the 90s.

Another nice cool day. I have a lot to do today so glad it's cool. Our BBQ went well yesterday. There was plenty food as usual. One person compained (or maybe was just surprised) their were no veggies, but he brought a beef and beans dish and fresh pineapple. We also had watermelon. My chicken wings were a hit...I even liked them. Our oldest son hung out with us as his SO was working and he had the three kids. We enjoyed talking with him and playing with the baby. She's 8 mo old now, crawls and can pull her self up to stand. I think she probably will walk early. She loves Halo and giggles all the time at her and even will reach out to pet her. Halo likes to lick her but after that basically ignores her. She loves when our son is here, wish he paid more attention to her because she just sits at his feet adoring him.

Carol - Until our boys moved back we used to have our own little bbqs too. Yes the Ozark Pudding is too many carbs for me too, but I still dream about it. We aren't drinkers much either...dh likes a light beer on a hot day, and we drink a little wine now and then...dh a little more often than me though. I probably drink wine maybe 1-2 times a year. Right now we have three bottles of wine (2 I won and one our sil gave us), we have never opened and we've had one a couple years. Just not that interested.

Gotta run...

Good evening GG's,

Another one of those days when the you get to the later part of the day and wonder where the day went.

It was a sun shiney day. Got to talk to Mom today.

Went out for a few errands, then it wasn't too much longer before it was time for Maddie to get home from school. Then Dairy Queen was having some kind of deal today if you showed up between certain hours, you could get a free Frappe' ~ so we went to get those. We didn't eat ours, but put them in the freezer for Maddie on another day.

I was so excited this morning. A friend asked me if I might be willing to make a couple mini quilt/wall hanging things for a fund raiser for my childhood grade school. It was built in 1914. Some of the people in the community just wanted to tear it down, but it is a sturdy lovely old building. They were able to get it registered as a historic building and save it. They are going to use the building as a community center. So, I wanted to make a couple of these mini quilt/wall hanging things I found a pattern for on Pinterest. Part of it has some words embroidered around the edges. The words were made with a font I used to have on my old laptop. When that one started to not work so well, I started using another one Steve had and it did not come with a word processor on it (the old one had Microsoft Works Word). We were able to download a free word processing program ~ Apache Open Office. It has different fonts, but I lost a lot of the cool, fun ones I used for different projects. So, I thought, I'm gonna see if the old one will work long enough that I could print out the words with that font for my project. Yippee ~ it did. I was so happy. I suppose I could have used some other font, but I wanted to make it just like they had it in the picture. Simple pleasures

Another simple pleasures thing. I had some dental work done (lower left back tooth) last Thursday. It went well. But then on Friday evening, the teeth on the other side ~ lower right ones, started hurting. Saturday and Sunday, I was having pain in my jaw when opening and closing it. It hurt to chew, so I ate softer things, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich. By last evening, it wasn't hurting much anymore and today it wasn't hurting at all. Most every afternoon, we eat a bowl of raw veggies and ranch dip. I really look forward to my veggies. Sometimes that is what I eat for supper. Anyway, I was missing my veggies. I tried them today and so far ~ so good. Another yippee

I should have done some cooking Monday or yesterday, but one thing or another came up and I didn't get it done. Thank goodness there is still some of the soup I had made left ~ so Steve will get that and a salad. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some cooking done. With this diet, you can't just pull something out of the freezer, you have to keep stuff made. Sometimes, I miss the convenience of having that kind of stuff available. Sigh.....

Mary ~ your family gathering and the meal sounds nice. We used to have gatherings with Sara and Jason, before stuff fell apart with Sara's marriage and between she and Jason. We don't do anything with just the two of us ~ just spend a quiet day at home. Kind of peaceful ~ a day off/free day when we don't have Maddie, and can just kind of relax and do what we want ~ without having to be “on duty”. Sometimes, depending on what the holiday is, I will fix up myself a plate of foods that might be had for that occasion, by buying single serving sizes of stuff ~ have to get creative. Steve won't eat stuff that is not on that diet, so there is no use to making any of those foods.

Carol Sue ~ your own little cook out sounds nice too. Your zucchini bread sounds good. I don't bake from scratch anymore. We don't/shouldn't eat it. If I do bake stuff, Sara never likes to take it to her house. If it was left here, I would end up whittling away at it until it was gone, so better not to make it in the first place. We do keep some cake mixes and brownie mixes on hand as Maddie likes to make stuff sometime. She doesn't do that as much now-a-days as she used to, so we've stopped buying those.

Hope all is well with you Sandy. Karrine ~ still thinking of and praying for you and Nan.

Hope you all have a good rest and that you had a good day.

Sounds like you're been having some good days lately, Gayle. That's good. We want everyone to be happy! LOL

I would not have been making the zucchini bread if DH had not bought those zucchinis. We don't eat zucchini otherwise. It's not a veggie that I like. I still have one other one and the only thing I can think of is to make more of the zucchini bread to use it up. If DH doesn't want it again I can give it away, to a neighbor or to my step-daughter. She can take it to work and the people there will be happy to eat it up.

You are lucky that Steve will eat things that were made ahead. DH won't. His food has to be made right when he's going to eat it. The only things he will eat leftover are stuffed cabbage rolls and lasagne. And he will only eat them the next day, not for days until it's gone. I eat anything. I don't care how old it is. LOL

I am cooking chicken on the grill today. I have it on the unlit side of the grill with the lid closed, like it's in an oven, not over the flame. I like chicken cooked this way and it doesn't heat up the kitchen. I think I'm going to make zucchini fries with the other zucchini to have with the chicken. I found this recipe online, and it sounds like something I've had out in restaurants.

Zucchini Fries

Ingredients

.
• 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 (9 inch) zucchini, peeled
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil lightly greased with cooking spray.
2. Cut the peeled zucchini in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Slice the zucchini ito 1/2 x 1/2 x 4 inch pieces.
3. Combine the bread crumbs, cheese, and seasoned salt in a pie plate. Dip the zucchini fries into the melted butter, then press into bread crumbs. Gently toss between your hands so any bread crumbs that haven't stuck can fall away. Place the breaded zucchini onto the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the zucchini in the preheated oven until the fries are golden and tender, about 15 minutes.

EDIT: I did not consider these zucchini fries a success. They tasted good, but they weren't crispy like the ones I've had in restaurants. They were limp and soggy. Bummer.

Good morning GG's,

It is only partly sunny so far today ~ 85* Yippee ~ now it's sunny ~ hope it lasts.

Just kind of doing puttery stuff today. But actually those little puttery things add up. While doing ~ watching stuff on the DVR so I can get rid of some of the programing I have saved on there. The thing was getting full to where I wasn't having very much room left for new stuff. One of the shows I like starts up its fall season in a couple weeks, so I wanted to make sure there was enough room to record that.

Supposed to go help Jason today with the “vegetable” project. Haven't heard yet what time he wants to do that.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. This doctor is fairly new to us. We had to switch doctors at the beginning of the year and the old doctor wasn't on the list of ones accepted by our new insurance. We started out with one, she left shortly there after. So, we went with the other lady in the office. She is very nice ~ we like her a lot. I liked her even more yesterday ~ she was so sweet and helpful with the things I went to see her about.

Carol Sue ~ your zucchini fries look yummy. I'm sorry they didn't turn out like you had hoped they would. When I first started making my pans of roasted vegetables ~ that is how I thought they would turn out ~ kind of crispy. But they aren't. I was kind of disappointed too. I know, and am thankful that Steve will eat left overs.

Mary ~ hope you keep getting more of the weather that is a little cooler and enjoyable for you. Glad you got to have family time and go visit your daughter.

Hope Sandy is doing ok.

Hope you all have a good day.

Gayle, I won't make the zucchini fries again. I had them at a restaurant last night and they were very crispy and delicious, the way I like them. DH said it's because they deep fried them. I have heard of other people making regular potato fries in the oven and they become crispy. I never really expected roasted vegetables to be crispy, but I like them browned a little bit.

We are still having hot weather and hoping it will cool down soon. I should enjoy the warmer weather while we have it because we get really cold, snowy, winters, but I just don't like this hot weather. I don't enjoy being out in it.

Good afternoon GG's,

The sunshine kind of comes and goes today.

Went and visited Jason on Friday to help him with his vegetable/fruit project for his work lunches. We usually do it on Saturdays, but he planned to get together with some friends to “jam” ~ guitars, drums, rock-n-roll. He has been having trouble with his hands going numb and paining. They were hurting too bad on Saturday, so he was disappointed to have to cancel those plans.

He went and saw a doctor for this and got some medication, but he's still having the pain and numbness ~ he wants to ask the doctor if it could possibly be carpal tunnel or arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Poor guy ~ seems every time he turns around it is something else. He is so discouraged.

Worked on a few small sewing projects yesterday. Put a zipper in a hoodie for Jason. His company gave them all hoodies with the company logo that they want them to wear. Depending on where he is in the warehouse, he takes the jacket off and on, off and on and was afraid that having to pull it off over his head over and over again, that he would dislodge and damage his hearing aids. So, I put a zipper in it for him so he could remove it and not have trouble with his hearing aids.

I should be doing something right now, but I woke up with a headache ~ it is mostly gone now, but a twinge of it remains ~ so just don't feel much like doing anything.

Carol Sue ~ I understand about the heat. I don't go out much when it is like that either. Just out to stores or something ~ so, in the air conditioned car and out long enough to go in to stores. But don't do things where we have to stay outside for any length of time. I feel bad for Steve when he does the yard work ~ that has to be done rather it is hot or not. And he is dressed in long pants and long sleeves to protect him from sun and bugs and stuff. Poor guy ~ when he is done, his clothes are wringing wet. We have a little deck out back with a glider, but it seems that we don't get to enjoy it very much ~ it is either too hot, or too buggy. Sigh.......

Hi Mary and Sandy. Karrine ~ thinking of you too.

Hope you all are having a nice weekend.

Edited ~ Confession. I haven't eaten very good today. I had some fudge and chips.

Hi Everyone,

Long time no see. Just got back from vacation & need to get back on track. Want to post my weight, daily calories, and exercise. Let's see how long I can do it.

Sun 9/11 - 154 lbs - 0 exercise - 871 calories
Mon 9/12 - 154 lbs - 25 min exercise - 951 calories
Tues 9/13 - 154 lbs - 30 min exercise -

Good afternoon GG's,

Glad to see you back Lynn

Carol Sue ~ I thought of you today and how you don't like the heat ~ when I went out to the mail box. Just that short time of being outside was too much. The mail boxes aren't in front of each house, but in a kind of a bank of maybe 16 boxes that is a couple houses down the street to get to them. So, when it is hot ~ even that short distance is too much time to be out in the heat.

Good afternoon GG's,

It has been sunny off and on today. Sunny right now

Almost time for Maddie to get off the bus.

I have recently started going to church again. I have enjoyed it. The people have been nice and welcoming. It is just the right size. Not too big and not too little. I feel like it is the size of one where the pastor knows each of his people. I like that size. They have a quilting group and I had planned on going to that today, but I decided I would wait. I won't be able to make it the next two weeks and I didn't want to start something and then start missing right away, so will start in a couple weeks.

I think they work on sewing projects ~ quilts and other things for giving away. And they also work on their own projects. They bring their sewing machines. I wasn't exactly sure what they do, so said the first time, I would just bring some cloth and cut the squares for something I am going to make. After I go once and get a feel for what they do there ~ then the next time I go, I will have a better idea what I should bring and what they might want me to do.

Today, I cut out strips and will cut those into squares there. I didn't want to haul a whole lot of cloth with me.

I am making some mini quilt/wall hanging things. A school mate of mine back home (Ohio) asked me if I might make a couple for a fund raiser for the grade school I went to growing up. That will be a good size project to learn on. Maybe the ladies at the group can teach me things.

Well, I hear a little voice, so I'd better get off here.

Hope you all have had a nice day.

Good morning GG's,

Sunny out right now. Love the sun shine.

As I was sitting here yesterday afternoon ~ I was kind of ~ I don't know ~ just couldn't seem to settle my mind to doing anything. Maybe actually I was kind of bored. Couldn't watch TV, because Maddie was doing homework. There was nothing new to read on the websites I look at. I don't like to read the news stuff ~ seems like it is so often upsetting stuff ~ don't need that. Read a little. I can't really work on anything while Maddie is there ~ because I couldn't do it without interruptions. I got to thinking ~ I waste so much time when I could be doing something. In particular some kind of exercise. So, I resolved to try to get in a routine of walking on the treadmill. 15 minutes in the morning (before Steve gets up and takes his turn on it) and 15 more minutes in the afternoon. I used to feel like I needed to stay nearby when Maddie is here, but she is busy with homework and doesn't really need me (Grandpa is the homework helper), so she probably wouldn't even miss me for that 15 minutes.

I have done the morning chunk of walking. Wanted to get it done before I found some excuse not to do it. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can make this a daily routine.

I've gotta do some cooking today. Pot of soup, cook a butternut squash, maybe a bean loaf.

Tomorrow I go to get the permanent crown put on my tooth. I'll be glad to get that done. The temporary one would feel better if it was smoother ~ it is tolerable, but anoying. The space between it and the tooth in front of it is bigger than what was there before ~ food gets caught in there and it is frustrating. I haven't been able to eat my raw vegetable plate I look forward to every afternoon. I did try a couple of times ~ tried chewing on the other (right) side and it made my gums feel sore, then tried on the left side and the food gets hung up in that space. Funny ~ you don't pay attention to which side you chew on (at least I didn't) until something like this. I think I must have always chewed on the left side. It feels funny chewing on the right side and I guess my gums on the right side weren't used to those raw vegetables.

I hope I can find a time when I can go to the hair cutting place at the same time that the lady I usually have is there. I missed her the other day. I don't like to check until I am ready, in case they say come on and I am not ready. I go to Supercuts. They have an app now that you can put on your phone ~ and by using the app, you can check to see which stylists are on duty that day, and you can tap on a place and get checked in and it will tell you what time you are to be there. It is really cool ~ that way you don't have to go there and sit and wait.

Hope you all are having a good day.

Hello Mary, Carol, Sandy, Karrine.

Good evening GG's,

A sunny day here today.

Got to visit with Jason.

My plan to walk 15 min in the morning and 15 min in the afternoon ~ well, I didn't keep up with it like I had hoped. I will just aim to do it when it works out that I can and not beat myself up about it when it doesn't work out.

Not much going on here. The usual. Vegetables tomorrow. Might get together with Sara, Maddie and Corbin on Monday to celebrate Maddie's birthday.

Hope you all are doing well.

Good morning GG's,

A sunny monring so far.

Just been doing puttery kinds of stuff. Can't settle my mind to tackling things here lately.

We went to Sweet Tomatoes last night for Maddie's birthday. I had small portions of some tuna pasta salad. And some of the broccoli salad ~ I like that ~ it is kind of sweet with raisins and cashews in it. A little bit of potato leek soup and ½ of a small baked potato with toppings. I wanted to save room for cake and ice cream ;) I had two small pieces of cake and a small dish of soft serve ice cream with caramel sauce on it. Yum. I was gonna bring the left over cake home and cut it up and freeze it then wrap it so Maddie could have it for snacks after school. But, for some reason, she didn't like that cake ~ wouldn't eat any of it. I knew if I brought it home, who would end up eating it ~ me. So, I asked Sara if Corbin would eat it. She said he would ~ he and his friends. So, much as I would have liked to whittle away at that cake, I knew bringing it home would be a disaster for me.

I haven't been doing very well with my eating lately. I've fallen back into old habits ~ stress eating. Weight is creeping up.

I miss everyone ~ hope you all start posting again. It's lonely here.

Hi Gayle. I'm not doing as well with my food choices either, and it makes me angry with myself, because I know better. I think I have too many diet plans running through my head and I'm combining them, which doesn't work. I need to find the one that works for me and stick with it.

Happy Birthday to Maddie. Is she 8 or 9 now? I thought she was around the age of my grandson, who is 8 and in second grade.

Carol Sue ~ I understand completely the frustration with self over the eating ~ I know what to do, but sometimes, situations get the best of me and I turn to old habits to cope.

Yes, Maddie is close in age to your grandson. She turned 9 and is the 3rd grade.

We just arrived home from a trip last night. I'm very tired and also have so much to do to catch up on things. I didn't work much on the budget the whole time I was gone ...17 days and now I have to much updating to do.
All I did today was transfer some summer clothes to a drawer in our spare bedroom and then filled up the empty drawer with pants/leggings and go through all the mail we had held. Still have to process some of it more. I didn't gain weight..in fact I lost 1# from the day I left, but I'm just down again to my sig weight. My bs have been really good with only a few highs. We ate out tonight as I didn't get anything thawed out to cook. Talk more perhaps tomorrow.

Welcome home, Mary. Hope you enjoyed your trip. I have been starting to sort through my clothes too, to get some summer things put away. I didn't really do that last year and my closet and drawers were a mess with both summer and winter clothes mixed together. I will have to leave a few things out for a while as we ill probably have some more warmer days before it gets cold. We still have our air condition running because of the humidity.

My grandson is coming to stay over on Saturday night next week so I have to get his sheets changed and the room cleaned out a bit. I tend to use that room for storage. It's a good thing he stays over once in a while and gets me to clean it. LOL I really don't like him to stay over because he never wants to go to bed and DH lets him stay up as late as he wants. No one listens to me.

Was happy to see I maintained my weight (sig weight) despite dinner out last night. We have eaten in a lot of restaurants because of the trip but I guess I am beginning to learn how to handle it. Last night we went to a restaurant we haven't been to in a long time...just remembered it...and I had halibut fish and chips...there were two larger pcs and 2 smaller..I ate the two smaller and a few fries, plus 3 small slices of the yummy bread and had a margarita. I was SO full after that I couldn't possibly eat anymore...and didn't eat anything after I got home. I was more tired than anything, but tried to keep my eyes open to watch Hawaii 5-0 and then planned to go to bed but ended up working on the budget until dh went to bed too. Slept better last night...the first night home I had feet and leg cramps all night...last night only one cramp. I've been very sore all over since returning home. Not sure why...I had back pain/spasms the last few days of the trip and maybe that accounts for the soreness in my back but my butt and legs were also very sore and still are. I did some stretches today in hopes of making it go away...I have no explaination for it except perhaps the long sitting in the plane, but I've experienced far longer flights without that happening.:?:

This morning, I've been working on the budget again and have it all balanced except for one account and that one shows we owe more money that the website does so I'm just waiting to see whether it will work itself out in time.
I'd rather it be that way than the other;) This was an expensive trip but still think it would have been more expensive if we had driven. I didn't get the adults kids gifts but did get gifts for the grandchildren who live up here.

It sure looks like fall here...cloudy and cool, but right now the sun is shining and dh is working in the yard. Also lots of flowers still in bloom and some that popped out while we were gone...so kind of a blend of seasons right now...precious days that will soon be gone.

Not sure I mentioned it but my glasses broke and I've been wearing an old pair. My vision is much worse recently and I'm assuming it is just that I'm wearing an old prescription...I think there have been 2 or 3 very slight increases since these glasses..so minor the doctor said I could ignore or get my lenses changed..up to me and I never did it. But now I think I'd better as I'm having a very hard time seeing anything close up and even some decline in distant vision. So that's our next bigger expense...since I'm high index I have to pay quite a lot for my lenses and I will need to get new frames too.
Since we are saving for fixing up our home I was trying to put it off but can't do that any longer.

Well, need to get on to the next thing...glad to be home, but it was sure hard to leave my ds and sil. They are so alone out there and I don't know whether we will see each other again in this lifetime.

Another good article ...some of you have liked these in the past...it is a Christian weightloss site, so will leave it up to you as to whether you want to read it or not.
http://takebackyourtemple.com/how-to...ptations-door/

Her articles seem to be helping me.