Well, it's been eight days since LYNN has posted, and that's a tad unusual - no matter how busy she may be, we usually hear something from her. I hope we don't have TWO MIAs now! Lynn, check in, lady! And I HOPE that Jane is able to track Isabella down and at least let us know that she's okay.
Today, - tah-dahhhhhhhh - is my last day of work for the next eleven days! I can't WAIT to get out of here! And wouldn't you know, I had to be in at 8:00 for a meeting! Bleeaaahhhhh. No, not planning any trips, just a "staycation", so to speak, but will get in some days at the beach, and maybe, if the spirit moves us, take a drive up the Maine coast, which is absolutely gorgeous, and maybe stay for a night or two if we feel like it. Tomorrow I believe the (extended) family is wanting to take a drive down to the Plimouth Plantation http://plimoth.org/, and we'll be accompanying them unless the weather is uncooperative. On Friday, DH will of course be "historically interpreting" at Old Sturbridge Village, so I'm thinking to take myself down to Newport for the day and enjoy a little "alone" time at that little hidden beach that I discovered for myself. The rest of the time - all next week - can just unfold however it does, and I'll be perfectly happy because I won't be at work.
Gayle, my "thinking woman's apple crisp" really isn't apple crisp at all - just a generous serving of the apple sauce that I make (stewed slowly for three to four hours on very low heat) by dicing the apples - skin left on - finely, adding dried cranberries, a couple of tablespoons of cinnamon, and Stevia to taste. Once that's ready, I'll typically serve it with roast pork or pork chops or some such, and then, a day or so later, make us a high-fiber, calorie conscious dessert - "Apple crisp" - by heating the apple sauce and serving it with a half cup of Fiber one (original) cereal sprinkled over it and a dollop of FF whipped cream on top. YUM. And, incidentally, I'm so GLAD to see you checking in regularly!
Rosey, the ONE thing we have to learn NOT to do is feel bad about it when we mess up. There isn't a one of us who hasn't done it and won't do it again from time to time. So, we shake the dust off our feet and jump back on the wagon. Case closed. Keep up the good work. You're going to be our poster child.
Freda, you are right on when it comes to what our stomachs will and won't tolerate once we get used to eating in a healthy way. Case in point, my recent indigestion attack following a really stupid late night, after not eating all day, encounter with a greasy pizza. Ack. Makes me nauseous just thinking about it in retrospect. I have to say that my stomach is really letting me know these days what I can and can't eat comfortably.
PT, I'm glad the weather is more to your liking - I know I can't stand humidity, but love the sun if it's @ 75 degrees out. I think September and October are my favorite months.
Bobbi, loved the donkey story - shared it with DH and he laughed out loud as well. I don't know if I could eat a "pet", so to speak, but by the same token, I do think that there is some kind of symbiotic balance that exists between farmers and their animals in which it is understood that the animal will be well fed and cared for, and treated humanely in return for eventually providing nourishment and nutrition to the farmer and his/her family. This, of course, doesn't apply to those "professional" farmers who raise chickens stacked up on top of each other in filthy pens and shoot them full of hormones in order to meet their contractual agreements with the big industrial chicken purveyors.
Mary, like you, I can gain quickly when I'm not paying attention to what I eat, and also lose when I put my mind to it. I need to be more focused, and I keep getting distracted. I'm really fighting with this last ten pounds that I want to lose - down 4, up 2, down 3, up 1, down 5, up 3 - and on and on, ad infinitum. MUST break through this crazy pattern, but so far, no luck.
Hi Karens! (Where are YOU, Karen3?) Hi Wilma! (Who else, who else? My old brain isn't cooperating....anyone that I've missed should post and remind me who they are! )
Have a grand day, y'all!
Z