I'm so behind again on the posts and know I won't be able to respond to them all but wanted check in as I have time this morning. I woke up really early and lay there wide awake for quite a while then finally got back to sleep. When I do that I'm sleepier when I do get up for some reason. But that is my first wakeful night since I went off the hot flash supplements and even then when I woke up in the night I didn't feel tired so know I am sleeping more soundly. Unfortunately We forgot to change our clocks so missed church this morning so we are just relaxing here at home.

Yesterday we went out for the towel rack and TP holder finally and Joe got them installed. While we were out we went to BestBuy and I got the iPad I've been wanting for a long time. I didn't realize it is more like a phone than a computer. That made me stop and think..I wasn't sure I could justify the purchase but I tried it for a few sweeps in the store and it seemed to work and I like the larger (than phone) screen so I decided to try it for my away from my desktop computer and for traveling. We facetimed with our youngest dd and gs yesterday and enjoyed that. I hated how old I looked though! Isn't it strange how we don't notice how we've aged and can sorta pretend we look younger than we really do until we are faced with it? I look really old when I see myself on my phone or ipad. My neck is so droopy, how in the world did it get that way?!!! I guess aging is still a mystery to me...we go on looking young for so long it seems then all of a sudden (it seems) we have to admit we look old. Logic tells me I am old enough to look old and I have never been a very vain person, but somehow it is still hard to face. I don't mind the number (age) but I hate the saggy skin! Oh, well it's life I guess..just sharing with my GGs, I don't usually talk to others like this.

Our company came right on time..called ahead to let us know where they were and everything...I love that! My lunch went well I think. Esp the teenager seemed to like it. We had a nice time together. It was the first time they had ever been here. My caramel cake turned out ok...the cake part was kind of dense, more like a cookie to me..and the caramel frosting was like candy (hard and could be broken off easily). I tried a piece at breakfast and took a couple small bites and through it out...too early in the am for something that sweet! Just wanted to see how it was. But I thought it would be good with vanilla ice cream and it was. Ice cream makes everything better. I think the cake was fine, just not the kind I typically like. However with ice cream, I did eat too much of it. We had four pieces left yesterday and we shared them to get rid of them. We still have some low-carb ice cream left. Dh won't let me throw it away but I'm thinking to just take out a little now and then and thow it away. Afterwall he'd let me eat it so what's the difference? It's not the best ice cream (the good stuff was eaten fast) but if it's in the house I will still eat it.

Bobbi - Sorry about your lemon tree...maybe it will be ok. I don't know anything about them. Would love to have one but think we don't get enough sunshine up here. If I lived where I could I'd like a lemon tree and a grapefruit tree. Several years ago a friend gave us grapefruit from their tree in So Cal and they were SO good! We've also had people down south give us lemons. The last winter we spent down south I made a lot of fresh lemonade.
Yummy! Here at home i never make it.

Auto - My dh was telling me about the beef "slime," but I didn't hear about it. I bought some ground beef (grass fed "organic" variety) before hearing this and haven't used it yet. My dh said he thought it was even true of the "organic" kind...is that true? I need to research it. What is wrong with it, why is it called slime? Beef is my favorite meat. I usually don't care for chicken and don't like to eat pork although I did it eat up until about 5 years ago. Talk about slime, from what I hear about how pigs' bodies work when they eat I can't stand the thought of it. And now beef? Guess soon I'll just be eating fish. Fortunately I do like salmon, some cod, halibut, talapia and occasionally some others.

Think I had some silver really early on in my marriage though don't remember how I got them. Don't think it was a full set and I hated cleaning them. Now the only silver I have are two or three pieces I got when my mom died. I never polish them, just keep them because they were hers. My only china is a pretty set my dh bought me when he was TDY on Okinawa, many years ago. I broke the platter, but the rest is all intact. Only use it on holidays.

I thought i had lost this post but just found it...LOL I'm really a ditz sometimes... So I will continue.

Deelee - I like Michael Connelly too. Don't think I've read the one you mentioned. Will check it out. Grisham I read now and then but am not as big a fan. I loved The Firm but everything after that was kind of downhill for me.
My dh is the same way about hiring people. Fortunately he is still pretty able to do things, but I'd like to see him not work so hard. I don't stop him though as want to keep him active (he's almost 77) but I do remind him to pace himself. I agree that it is overwhelming trying to pick out tile!! Just went through that recently and was thinking now we need to start on the other bathroom but I dread it. I would love belonging to a book club I think!!
The book you are reading sounds very good even though it is a probably a lot different than my usual reading, but that would be the good thing about a book club. It would force me to try other genres.

Rie - Glad you had a good day and good meal!

Marie - You already know about my iPad. I think I'm going to enjoy it. I was hoping it was more like a regular computer but it's all about apps and I understand why and afterall I'm used to that with my phone. I was hoping to be able to install my regular budget program but have to use the app. It's ok though, I still like it.

Just heard the sad news about the killing spree in Afganistan! So horrible and will really hurt us in the eyes of the world. But this is what we get when we send the guys back over and over again..it's a wonder more of this kind of thing doesn't happen! What big terrible problems are in our world today.

Well, I'm writing a book...better stop.














Deelee - I

Good Morning...I have errands to run in town today so I'll just check my mileage on the travel post and run. Sundays are really lazy days for me and I only got in about 5,000 miles. We visited MIL, she was in good form yesterday. No sooner did we get home before she called and wanted to know her mothers telephone number. (MIL will be 92 in July) I asked her how old she thought her mom was if she was 91? OH, you mean my mom's dead? Did I go to the funeral? How could I forget something like that? We go through this at least once a week. We've left a message at the nurses station that she can't call after 7:00pm. This is another reason I try to keep my mind active, my mom died of Alzheimer's and I'd rather fall over dead of a heart attack or something similar.
Mary...I guess any day we're on the top side of the grass is a good day, droopy skin and all. My neck still looks good, it's the laugh lines around my mouth that ages me. Botox is the only thing that could fill in those deep grooves and I'm not vain enough to do that. Have a great Monday everyone.

Maryea - I know how you feel looking in the mirror and seeing yourself age. I try to be happy that I lived long enough to see my neck droop, etc. In my immediate family, I have lived the longest reaching age 66. No one else lived past 64, parents and 2 brothers. My maternal grandparents, from whom the heart problems came, lived to be in their 70's. My grandfather had heart disease and back then in the 50's there wasn't much treatment for it. If my grandmother hadn't died of cancer, I don't know how much longer she would have lived. I think the reason they lived so long is because they had worked hard all their lives but were always too poor to afford anything but the bare essentials. They could never afford any more than their basic meals. No snack food, nothing to eat between meals. As Rosie once said, eating very low calorie is supposed to lengthen your life. I have heard that before, but I don't understand how that relates to the weight loss community who state that if you eat too few calories your body goes into starvation mode.

Bobbi - Unfortunately, both DH and I are packrats. But he is the one who doesn't want things sitting out, so he puts them "away." Not necessarily where they belong, and not where he can remember where he put them. LOL Many things go "in a bag and up in the attic." Then when you look for them, all the bags look alike and you have to sort through all of them to find what you're looking for. I don't like to throw things away, but I like them organized so I can find them when I want them.

Marie - How are you feeling? Lots of healing going on? This morning I mentioned my BIL's problems to my home nurse and she said he might be eligible for Medicaid because he is low income. That would really help him, but it seems that we looked into that at one time and there was something that made him ineligible. I will have to look online and see if I can get any info. If he doesn't have some sort of assistance I don't think he will continue doctor visits, which he really needs.

If you are one who is used to being out and about it's hard to stay home. It has been 3 months since my surgery and the nurse keeps telling me that to be eligible for home nurse visits I am supposed to be homebound. I just make sure I don't tell her if I go somewhere. I feel fine....I just want the nurse to pack my wounds instead of DH or myself. Just be glad that you feel well enough to go out. That's a good sign!

Karen3 - We are like your company that's coming. At Red Lobster, DH orders steak. But we go there for me, because I like seafood. He will eat fish, but nothing with a shell or claw. When we go to Texas Roadhouse I order chicken as I am not much of a beef eater. This is why we eat in restaurants so much....we don't like the same things. DH usually makes a hamburger for himself a couple times a week. I have some ground beef in the freezer and I'm still waiting to see if he makes a hamburger after hearing about the pink slime. It doesn't worry me much. I think it's just the name that sounds so gross. They say it is a beef by-product. I figure we have been eating it for years, not knowing it was there, so it's not going to kill us. I think if you saw where 80% of your food comes from you would lose your appetite!

had a busy morning here. worked out at curves and ran errands afterwards.

Hi Everyone,

Upped my gym time this morning to 80 minutes. I am spurred on by our “walking” challenge. I LOVE these challenges. Since I have stopped training for the ½, I have gained almost 10 lbs. I am not eating any more than I was eating while I was training – probably eating less. So, the only way I can get back down is to up my exercise.

My DD & SIL get home on St. Patrick’s day. So, I am planning to make them corned beef and cabbage and Irish brown bread. Bought the corned beef today. Now I need to look for a recipe. I make the brown bread all the time, but I have not made corned beef in years!

Have a happy Monday. Is anyone else watching “The Voice?”

Lynn

Hi Marie,

My DD is about your age. Next year, she will be eligible for the GG thread! Yes, she is adorable and amazing. In addition to having her B&B, she is also a realtor, a computer programmer, teaches online for Phoenix, is my financial advisor and travel agent, and is a champion knitter. She is also a VERY good artist but doesn’t really have time for that anymore (except for decorating).

Hi Karen,

Kudos to your DD! I am thrilled when I get my A1c down below 6 and I am on meds!

Hi Rosey,

I wish we lived closer – I would LOVE to learn to quilt. I have always loved doing crafts in the company of other women (ceramics & scrapping). However, I am NOT a sewer.

Hi Mary,

I am also thinking about getting an iPad for travelling. Please let us know how you like it. My laptop is about 8 lbs and that is 8 lbs too much for me to lug around. When I am teaching, I must have the computer so that I have WORD and Power Point. However, when I am not teaching, I can get by with just having access to the internet.

[QUOTE=Bobbolink;4250381] We visited MIL, she was in good form yesterday. No sooner did we get home before she called and wanted to know her mothers telephone number. (MIL will be 92 in July) I asked her how old she thought her mom was if she was 91? OH, you mean my mom's dead? Did I go to the funeral? How could I forget something like that? We go through this at least once a week. We've left a message at the nurses station that she can't call after 7:00pm. This is another reason I try to keep my mind active, my mom died of Alzheimer's and I'd rather fall over dead of a heart attack or something similar.
Hi Bobbi,

I SO feel the same way as you do. I cannot think of a worse illness. I think of you with your MIL often. I no longer “enjoy” seeing my DF and I love her. Would be VERY difficult to deal with someone with this illness if you disliked them!
Hi Carol Sue,

Both of my parents died at 61. We in our family figured members of our family just died young. However, once I started doing genealogy, I realized that MANY of our ancestors lived into their 80’s and 90’s. Even women who had over 10 children and lived in the 1800’s or earlier!

Hi Zoe,

I think you will like The Space Between Us. I have been listening to (I usually refer to it as “reading”) books on tape/DC’s for years. I get them from my library or from inter-library loan. I always have 1 book I am reading on my Nook and 1 book I am reading while I drive.

I was looking at our Birthday list and noticed that Nancy's (Nancyoyo) birthday is on St. Patrick's day. We have not heard from Nancy lately.

I just sent an email to her home email address to check on her.

Lynn

Hi there, I don't have enough time to respond to everyone, but Carol Sue's post struck a cord.

I have just been looking up about calorie restriction, and how it is supposed to extend your life expectancy, and was also wondering about this whole 'starvation mode' thing. As i only eat once a day usually, occasionally twice, this has made me think. Both sides seem to have heaps and heaps of research on their side, yet both seem to be mutually exclusive.

For me, the 6 small meals a day does't work if i want to get thin, yet i worry about starvation mode as well

Does anyone know where the 3 square meals a day came from originally? Why 3 meals? Why not 2 or 5? Is it cultural? How often do traditional people eat (given a choice)?

Auto.

Hi everyone another sunny day here.the dogs followed the sun across the floor,all stretched out with their paws in the air i spent a share of the day doing household duties.i wish i had a fairy godmother who could wave the magic wand and everything would be neat and tidy. i cooked a turkey breast for dinner and am experimenting with the dh to see if hes really gluten intolerant. i dont think so,im a good observer and i think after his gallbladder surg he cant tolerate any fat.just my observation so i convinced him to try some stuffing made with real bread. i'll let you know the results.by the way this trial and error diet thing is dr approved and also by the nutrionest. i'd hate to poison the old fart as soon as i get my laptop fixed i would love to play scabble with you all as far as the aging discussion,im more comforable with myself now that im older and if you dont like how i look dont look is my atitude,but never in the past did i feel that way. i was always concerned about what i thought others thought of me if that makes sence. and i have lots f wrinkely saggy skin,including butt wrinkels(dont ask LOL) not apretty sight. when i get under 200# i will be having atummy tuck and whatever else my ins will pay. hoping your evening wonderful rosey

breakfast
coffee
greek yogurt

lunch
tomatoe cuke salad

snack
coffee mocha
1 slice cheese
1/2 cup grapes

dinner
slice turkey
fresh aspargus

Trying to keep up with the personals -

Hi Auto,

My 2 cents – from all of my reading/research, I believe that you need to keep your metabolism stoked to burn the pounds. I also believe that if you eat fewer calories than you burn (regardless of when you eat them), you will lose. The formula is when you burn 3,500 calories more than you eat, you lose 1 pound. The trick is getting your body to burn better. When you eat 1 meal/day, you slow down your metabolism and you must eat fewer calories.

I eat 5-6 times/day. I exercise at least 1 hour/day. For me to lose, I need to keep my calories below 1,000. My mid-meal snacks are around 100 calories each.

Hi Marie,

An old friend of mine had a saying I loved --- “He is nothing but a good screw wasted.”

The Macbook Air sounds GREAT. I will go to Best Buy and look at both. Thank you for the tip.

Hi Rosey,

I have always had that attitude about my weight. When I was at my heaviest, I still wore a bathing suit, shorts… I always said, “If anyone doesn’t like what they see, look somewhere else.” My attitude has changed as I’ve aged. Now I REALLY think that no one looks anyway. The only person who is looking long enough to not like what they see is me! I really always thought I was cute – even when I was heavy. Now I think I am really ugly. Luckily, I’ve got a great personality .

Went to the gym this morning but otherwise have stayed home. It's a cold, cloudy wet day. Got most of my housework done but still need to vac the living room. Maybe do that in a little bit. If I hadn't been online so much it'd be done. There were issues with "the" house today but I posted in on FB so won't go into it here.

Marie/Lynn - Yes, I'm liking my iPad, even though it isn't quite what I need. It works though and has other advantages...like the camera, facetime etc. I love the size of the screen, and so far I've been able to enter most sweeps with it. All the important things. I thought about getting a laptop but I'm scared I'll be disatisfied unless I spend a lot. I absolutely hated my netbook!! Yes I have the FB app already. I downloaded most of the apps I had on my phone but not everything because I don't think I want them all on there. Like I don't plan to use it for grocery shopping so didn't download those.

Rosey - I've had my gallbladder removed and only once did I really have trouble with eating something fat...and it was right after the fat restriction (first 2-3 weeks?) was lifted. I went to the mall and bought a burrito at a Mexican place...Oh man, I only had two pains but they were terrible ones! Then I had to run to the bathroom! But since then I can eat most anything...I don't think I eat really really high fat generally...I try for no higher than 45% (30% would be better of course) but I occasionally get more. Occasionally if I eat something really high fat my tummy will ache a bit but not bad and sometimes I can eat the same thing with no problem. I think it's because now the gall is released at random times, rather than when stimulated by fat so sometimes it is not there to take care of it.

I hope Nancy is doing ok. I miss her.

Marie - what you are describing to Lynn sounds like what I bought...it's a case but also has a keyboard and the ipad sits in it nicely. Much more durable than anything else I saw plus easier to use too. I like having the keyboard as the iPad keyboard is so sensitive! But i can use either one. I see that the Zaggfolio is being advertised right here on this page. That's what I bought. Didn't get the free ear buds though as I bought mine at AT&T.

Zoe - Wow you worked long days...well, guess time passes faster that way.
I have never been one to tan, can't stand to just lay out and mostly the sun makes me burn so probably good I haven't. What "tan" I do get is freckles/brown spots! Now with my gray hair I look awfully pale and this is the darkest I've ever been!

Slmn - My mom only lived to 64 but her mother lived to 104. It was cancer that probably really caused my mom's death although pneumonia was the immediate cause. My dad lived to 88 and died pretty naturally from what I can tell. I wasn't there. My sister is now 78 and my brother is almost 88. I'm probably the healthiest of them all, but I probably should cut out my snacking. Would help me lose weight and weight is a longevity issue too since it leads to other things.

help please my print is so tiny I can't read it.....hellllllp

Good evening everyone,enjoying the Voice. First year ive really got into that kind of thing but i do like it.Nothing on Tv thrills me much.

Bobbi i think you asked my cats name its Sylvee she is a tuxedo kitty black and white.4 years old now.

my online name is ladysheets in most of my forums i am in just like yours is bobolink and ladyinweighting and so on my last name is Sheets.
why does it seem odd to everyone? lol...

Our outdoor planting starts the end of may.. we have beautiful beautiful gardens and flowers here in the summer. Things grow really well with the long day light hours and moderate temperatures. I forget who said alaska wasnt a good place to be to garden your right if you wanna garden all year but summer is awesome here to Grow a lot of things. I enjoy starting from seed a few flowers and herbs every year. my nasturtiums are always really nice when i start them indoors.

Went swimming today, lots of kids off for spring break.

tired tonight. I will put on a picture of my kitty soon. she is a sweetheart. Brenda