Good morning all. Today is my birthday -- turned 65 -- and Medicare has officially kicked in. Never thought I'd be excited about turning 65, but then I can remember thinking that it was ancient. Kind of hard to accept that I now fit the definition of elderly.
Terra -- Sounds like a busy day for you. Your schedule with waking up so early would wear me out. Especially now that I'm elderly!
Dean -- Glad you're on something like Xarelto as it's a lot easier to manage than warfarin or coumadin. It is interesting that people at work are responding to the need to move around and stay active. I remember reading recently that people should get up every hour and walk around for 5 minutes at a minimum. The sweet potato casserole is one of my favorite Southern recipes. Ubee, there are lots of variations, but I agree with Dean that there is absolutely no need to put that much sugar in it. Mine calls for a little brown sugar, pecans, grated lemon peel, and raisins, but quite truthfully just making mashed sweet potatoes is good. Thanks for reminding me that it's getting to be sweet potato season again, Dean. (In spite of them being available year round, I tend to think of the cooler months as season. No, there's no logical reason for it. Must be an elderly thing!).
Ubee -- Glad you're feeling back to your usual self. We definitely missed you. You asked if there was ever a time when I could have splurges. The answer (as a true Libra) is yes and no. I definitely could eat a LOT more when I was growing up right until about age 18. I was tall and thin. Of course, I was also a cheerleader in school, had practice 3 times a week, attended a 5 story urban high school and went up and down the stairs numerous times each day, etc. Also, while we definitely were snackers in my family, my mom would not let us just eat any and everything. Once I hit college, I gained the freshman 15, but with all the walking all over campus, it was still controlled. After college is when I started really putting on weight and have had issues for the last 40 years. (Long answer to a short question). Actually, it's much easier to take trips in the RV because I have a full size frig/freezer and can take on plan food.
Andrea -- Hope your day goes well. I remember days when I was so busy at work that the end of the day just seemed to magically appear. It is so smart to get your food organized as by the time the end of the day comes -- especially such long ones as you're having -- I don't feel like cooking anything and just eat whatever. And whatever is usually not on plan!
My BIL and one nephew are taking me out to eat tonight -- Thai food but I've built it into my plan for the day. I'm definitely trying to get down to the next decade by the end of the month. I think it's also time to accept that it's time to turn the furnace on -- sitting here with a runny nose and cold fingers. Hope everyone has a great day.