Just a quick little

I'm definitely with you all in spirit, gang . . . . . . unfortunately the flesh part is still feeling a bit weak.

HI LADIES ~ well, we had one long day today; we woke up to clear skies and sunshine so DH wanted to go to the lot and boy, he got a lot done. We were gone almost 12 hours in total including travelling time. He got one row of cross-blocks done as a brace for the floor (only one left to do); and he unloaded all the wood on top of that as well. He was one very tired puppy tonight. Made him a quick dinner of his SUPER DOGS and then he sauntered off to bed. I just had a toasted BLT for dinner as we didn't get home until just shy of 9 pm.

HI MEOWEE ~ glad that you popped in and let us know how you are doin' ... still been sending up prayers for you for restored health. There have been some real doozy flues going around this year and that 'SWINE FLU' has been going around as well, but they now think that it has been around for a while (some years; that only makes sense really). Hope you are getting lots of rest and taking good care of yourself too.

HI PURPLE ~ I should explain that DH is 62 y/o this year; he thought he was only turning 61 and kept telling people that and I had to convince him that 2009-1947 is 62! Once he saw it on his calculator, he believed it; I think it bothers him a bit that he's in his sixties. I try to encourage him to remember that his grandfather lived until his nineties, and one of his Aunties is there or almost there now also. This is the first time that I have ever heard his age bother him so far; and I tell him that he's just a young chickadee ...

I don't know if we have a vaccine for pneumonia here; I'm sure with having MS, your doctors would recommend that to you. I was reading a news release that says these pervailing flues and viruses are especially hard on seniors and those with compromised immune systems (like cancer survivors) and those with other underlying illnesses (and MS may be one of several of them).

Yes, I served that pasta dish in a bowl to make the serving seem bigger than it was; but it is very filling anyways and healthy too. We don't put very much cheese in it; just enough for flavor and some creaminess. I don't have any quick dinner in the freezer right now; usually I do, but had run out. This week I'll do up a roast or something like that and make something out of that as well. I do have one chicken that could be baked as well one day we are home, but would need some other dish to go with that.

These long days away make it harder to prepare a dinner that is quick when you get home so late; don't want to be eating at 10 o'clock at night. As it was, it was pretty late tonight, so we opted for something quick that wasn't too unhealthy. DH wanted homefries & gravy last weekend, but next time, I think I'll opt for something healthier for myself.

Well, I spent some time cleaning and organizing my Dad's cottage a bit, so got a bit of a work out today and a little bit of walking in. I hope to increase the walking each time I go out to get myself going again. The weather stayed pretty nice and around 7 pm, there was a lovely rainbow around the sun with lovely clouds that looked like rays eminating from the sun down to the earth; next time, I will have to take my digital camera with me to get a picture of phenomena like that.

WEll, it's time to go put my tired legs and feet up; take good care ladies and be well ... ROSEBUD

Hello, Everyone! Sounds like everyone has been very busy over the weekend! That's good, as I'm sure it keeps us out of trouble! Spent Friday at Mayo Clinic with FIL and SIL. He had more tests and unfortunately, they found that the lung cancer is the small cell carcinoma, which is very fast growing and fast spreading and has already metastasized to his brain. He has a PET scan today and DH has gone up to help his sister with their dad, as he has to use a wheelchair to go more than 20 or 30 feet. He's scheduled to begin chemo this Friday, but the oncologist says that depends on what these last tests show, but in reality, he's only expected to live at most with treatment about 6-9 months.

We did try to do some things to keep from dwelling on the negative and focus on the boys a little. Saw the new "Night at the Museum" movie- it was pretty good. I do like Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller. They're just funny to me!

We also had a small fire in our backyard and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows last evening, which is just a relaxing thing we try to do frequently during the summer. Good thing we did it then, as it started raining later and was still raining when we got up this morning-and cooler too.

Well, must go. Really hope Meowee keeps getting better (you've been in my thoughts and prayers) and Rosebud and Purple recover from the activities (don't get run down and catch something!). Hi to Val and Beverlyjoy and Numpster, too! Have a really nice Tuesday! Oh, and Happy Birthday to Rosebud's DH!

HI LADIES ~ we stayed home to rest today; my feet were really bothering me and DH was very tired also. DH ran a few errands for me today while I tried to catch up on our laundry. While doing the floors, I just let it pile up a bit -- did a couple of loads today and will do a couple more later in the week as well. Thankfully, we have enuff clothes and linen that we never have to worry about running out, but I had lost some clothes while moving things around, but we eventually found them today. We had more than normal as we changed the linen again when we moved the bed; and I like to change my bedspread set in the summer to a lighter one and we put away the heavy comforters, so they have to be washed up too.

Anyways, we had a really healthy dinner of nice tender sirloin steak (DH had hamburger steak), mushrooms & onions & kniblets corn, and other veggies (sliced tomatoes & cucumber) on the side; so had a good OP day today. I had to put my legs up for a couple of hours this aft, and will again as soon as I post here and have my evening tea. Not much else to report here as it seems we need at least a day to recuperate after a long day at the lot. We may follow last year's schedule again, so we don't totally wear ourselves out.

HI RONNI ~ glad things are going well for you and yours; and yes, we are keeping tres busy and I like that. DH says thanks for the birthday wishes, and says that he's aging too fast and not looking forward the next one, but I'll keep encouraging him about that too. Sounds like you had some fun with the boys; that's a good way to alleviate some of the stress you've all been under lately. I'm kind of glad that they may try the chemo for your FIL, esp if he wants to try it; will continue to send up prayers for him and your family.

HEY PURPLE ~ nice of you to stop by when you have such a busy day and I know Tuesday is one for you. So glad that you have met so many people at the treatment center that you can talk with about MS, and compare your experiences with them too. Yes, my legs have been bothering me too; the stairs at my Dad's cottage are way too steep for me, and they stress my legs and feet every time I go there. DH says that he wants to build some better ones with rails on each side for added support.

Anyways, it's time to go rest again; put my feet up and maybe do a puzzle and some reading too. Oh and have some tea too! Take good care and have a great evening ... ROSEBUD

HI LADIES ~ we had lovely weather today and warm temps too with a pleasant light breeze. I could only sit on the deck a little while as the south sun was hot, but it would be nice now as the sun is on the west side. One nice thing is that the hot southern sun doesn't come into our house directly becuz of a nice soffat and fascia (I'm not sure which part is the part that sticks out though, the soffat or the fascia, but fascia sounds right -- ). So, we can see the sun and get the bright light from the sun, but not the heat; that will be good for the hotter summer months.

DH went to the old farm and picked up the wood needed to rebuild the steps on my Dad's cottage and start the small shed. Right now, he is helping our landlord with some project; not sure what it is though. So we hope to go up to the lot one more day this week, but not sure which one it will be as a friend of DH's needs his help for something tomorrow.

Anyways, I just stayed home and did small chores around here. We are having some lovely boneless and skinless chicken breasts with roasted veggies tonight for dinner (carrots, onions, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, and new potatoes). I also made some of my very own special coleslaw that I call --"HEAVENLY COLESLAW". I made two small batches for the week using my new mini-hand chopper/whizzer thingy I got for Christmas, but if I was making a large batch, I would use my regular Food Processor (FP).

HEAVENLY COLESLAW:

1/4 large red/purple cabbage, minced in Food Processor
2 x carrots, peeled and minced in FP
1 small onion, also minced in FP
*salad dressing of choice*

*I like to use either Miracle Whip salad dressing or light CEASAR salad dressing you buy from the store. You could also make your own light version of dressing with oil & vinegar and herbs OR light sour cream with herbs too. Also, if I am making this for a crowd (which isn't too often these days), I add some green minced cabbage too. This is a very bright and pretty coleslaw and the onion makes it nice and pungent too, just the way we like it.

I prepare this ahead with no dressing and keep it in sealed containers in the fridge. It will keep at least a week in the fridge very well, but I eat it almost every day so it goes pretty quickly. Just before serving, I mix in my dressing of choice for that day.

HI PURPLE ~ Yes, even DH's mother lived to her early eighties, plus his Dad lived until he was 77 y/o and he had lots of bad health all through his life. DH is blessed that while he looks like his Dad in many ways (facial features and extremities), he has inherited his slim body and thick hair from his mother and grandfather, who both lived right long lives; and he has had pretty good health most of his life, especially since he stopped smoking over 6 years ago.

That is why I am trying to eat heathier now, as they say every lb less helps our longevity that much more; as does just eating well itself. DH used to have an issue with cholesterol, but that has been remedied by our change in diet as has my blood sugar levels.

BBL ... DH came home; had to go put supper on the table; it was lovely. Dishes done and now Dh is searching high & low for my sewing baskets which are somewhere in never-never land (aka -- the sheds). Someday, I will have all my stuff back!

Never heard of that magazine called ABLE; maybe they have a net site somewhere. Maybe I'll try and google that later too. Hope you have a lovely time playing cards tonight.

Anyways, not much else going on here; the sun is getting pretty hot out there; think I'm gonna have to pick up a window blind for my kitchen window as that western sun comes beating down on us and the temps go up to the roof.

DH just came in: he found the sewing basket (thank you, helping Angels). Hope all you ladies are feeling better today; have a lovely evening and a good day tomorrow as well. ROSEBUD

PURPLE ~ did you happen to catch a UK documentary that aired yesterday (Wednesday, May 27, 2009) called "10 Things You Need To Know About Losing Weight"?

The show does have a net site, but I can't watch videos on my PC (not enuff speed or something like that, so I'm told). I heard about this show on another thread and this is all I could find out so far, but I would really like to know the other tips and more specific details about them, if you can find them out for me, I would appreciate it a lot; so thanks, in advance --


1) journaling what we eat is often very inaccurate, as we often way underestimate how much we actually eat each day. I know that I have found that myself as well.

2) eating soup has a physical benefit to help us feel fuller (which I have already noticed and that's why I have soup almost every day).

3) changing little things in your daily routine can help you burn more calories (walking instead of taking a ride; using stairs instead of elevators; and I'm sure there are many more, and would like to know what they are ...)

4) eating low-fat dairy products helps to extract fat from 'other' foods we eat as well (would like to know what specific dairy items they are talking about).

5) how the brain reacts when we skip meals (I have always believed that it thinks we are starving, and panics by lowering our metabolism to save on energy, which doesn't help us lose weight at all). So I believe that we need to eat more often, not less (grazing on smaller amounts and on healthier foods).


PS ~ I found the site for the 'ABLE' Magazine by googling it last night; and was able to read an article by a man who has spina bifida who is a farmer (works with his Dad on the family farm); and he also started his own MOBILITY AIDS company in the UK, so that he could find better quality wheelchairs to help him get around on their farm. 'Find a need and fill it', comes to mind ...


ROSEBUD

HI PURPLE ~ I managed to find the list after searching the net; and another lady (ANGELEYEZX) helped me with the last one. So here's the full list for --

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT --


1) Journal EVERYTHING you eat -- journaling what we eat is often very inaccurate; we often way underestimate how much we eat each day (up to 40-60% each day). Be sure to mark down every snack and nibble and dab of sauce you eat ...

2) Eat lots of Soup -- eating soup has a physical benefit to help us feel fuller longer (which I have already noticed and I have soup almost every day). Soup stays in the stomach longer than regular food + water.

3) Make small Changes in your daily activities -- changing little things in your daily routine can help you burn more calories (walking instead of taking a ride; using stairs instead of elevators; walk while on the phone or talking; walk while taking breaks; count daily chores as activities, spreading them over the week, etc).

4) Eat LOW-FAT dairy products -- helps to extract fat from 'other' foods we eat as well. The calcium binds with the fat from other foods we eat and cannot be digested, so it is eliminated from the body (good to know). {the reason for eating low-fat dairy is to make sure you don't gain from the fat in the dairy itself, ie lowfat Yogurt, skim milk, lowfat cottage cheese & sour cream and creme fraiche, and cheeses, etc}

5) Don't Skip Meals -- the brain reacts when we skip meals ~ it thinks we are starving and actually URGES us to eat high-fat foods to get some nourishment.

6) Eat Much Less -- watch how many calories you eat over all; many people think they have a slow metabolism when they don't. Larger people have a higher metabolism, and even though they may be as active as a slimmer counterpart, slim people just eat much less (up to 50% less each day).

7) Watch Your Portions -- use smaller plates and bowls (measure amounts); and watch out for super-sizing: choose the small size of all servings.

8) Limit Variety and Choice -- can encourage us to eat too much ie buffets, bbq's, potlucks, and freebees. Remember to choose lean proteins, low cal veggies, and low-fat dairy meals; and watch portions (one smaller plate).

9) Eat More Lean Protein -- in all your meals; protein helps you to feel fuller much longer, ie ham and eggs is a better breakfast than puffy cereal and orange juice for satiety.

10) Do some kind of regular exercise each day -- (ie many experts recommend at least 60 minutes now); as the effect can last overnight and well into the next day. Carbs are used up first; then later on, fat stores are used up until we re-fuel again.


Many of these we already know, but it was interesting to learn the scientific proofs behind some of the research done on these aspects. They didn't study a lot of people, but I guess they just wanted to test out some theories.


ROSEBUD

THANKS PURPLE ~ thanks so much for taking the time to watch the program for us and write the notes too. I agree some of the stuff is very interesting. Hope you have a lovely sleep tonight and a good rest ...

GOOD MORNING LADIES ~ we had all day yesteday, so I just stayed home and did stuff around here. DH had to go help a friend out and they did very well, but they both got drenched in the process. Had a good OP day yesterday as well; that's three in a row, at least. I'm trying to tweak things a bit more to see if that helps for awhile. DH is running some errands as we speak.

We woke up to again this morning, but it has stopped for quite a while; yet it is still cloudy out there. Maybe it will clear up sometime before the day is out. Gonna go and put on some laundry right now. Have a great day -- and I'll try to come by later tonight too ...

ROSEBUD