[happy2bme]

Good morning ladies,

Had a talk with Mom and my sister yesterday. Seems like my Mom has not been upfront about some heart / medical issues she's been having. Her blood pressure is elevated, she has swelling indicative of water retention - hoping not but she might be at the brink of congestive heart failure. So no move for her up this way. My sister will more than likely move her into her home before winter sets in. This is going to be rough but as my sister said, she has to do what needs to be done. I feel badly for her (my sister) but as she told my Mom - it wouldn't be any trouble at all IF my Mom would STOP fighting her tooth and nail on everything - Mom use your cane, Mom don't be gorging yourself on Cheeto Cheese snacks, Mom WASH YOUR HAIR already! (LOL) I feel badly for my sister - we talked about different options including hiring the neighbor girl to look in on her but she'd have to almost move in and that's not going to work. So we will be getting Mom out of her house, just not the way we thought...

Ceejay - I do hope that you can get everything settled with the niece and get back to enjoying your own life and your retirement. Like you - Coca Cola is probably my biggest detriment to weight loss. Like cigarettes before that - I like it. Hard to stop, know that I should. Cutting back as you have is a good step in the right direction.

Susie - thank you for sharing your story about turning to food for comfort. That is so sad. I suppose it is very easy to turn to food because it's there and it makes us feel both good and then bad at the same time. As we say - wish broccoli was as satisfying as chocolate! Thank you for your support.

Annie - dealing with the elderly - welcome to my world - In my Stepping On Class all the ladies talk constantly over each other - no one listens to anything the other says and they all want to get their opinion in ALL AT ONCE. Yes, it can be tiring Let's pray we are never that way ourselves.

I have to help DH with a tablet training class this morning at the Senior Center so I'm about to have something light to eat and get ready for that. Hello to the rest of you - will try and check back later...

[Laura705]

Hello all. Just a quick pop in to say hello. Had a crummy Monday, but today's been alright. The weather's been icky. Very hot over the weekend. The last couple days have been very humid with scattered showers.

The weekend was alright. The landscape guys came and did work on Saturday even though it was so very hot. The cut the cable wire, aaaargh. Thankfully, bf was able to splice it well enough to get us back on our cable tv and internet. I went to the library, and then to make my return at JCP. I also bought a couple pair of dress pants. Well, same ones, two different sizes. I'll try them on again and see which one works best. I need to be able to wear them right away - next couple weeks I have some meetings happening...but I'm hoping to fit the smaller size perfectly comfortably very soon...

Also bought my mom some pants - turns out JCP has the kind she wants. Again, bought two sizes. Took them to her on Sunday. One size worked for her and I'll take the other one back.

Sunday I worked out. Did laundry. Went by mom's. Nothing much else.

Might not be working out tonight, bf's bday and we'll see If he wants to eat out.

Okay, gotta run. Have a good rest of the day!!

[annie175]

Wow so busy at work, time just gets away from me. Last night I made the keto meatloaf wrapped in bacon. YUCK....it was too smokey/hickory whatever tasting. Sam and I gagged. Of course C liked it. Won't be wrapping my meatloaf in bacon again. Sadly that is all I served to suit me. Baked tates and mac n cheese for the rest of them. That was the excitement for the evening. haha.

Got my brows microbladed Monday afternoon. Looks pretty good but takes about 4-6 weeks to heal. Just like a tattoo. Brows are a little reddish looking but should be a dark ash blonde once all is said and done. Wasn't painful at all even tho they actually cut you. She used a topical ointment that numbed the brows and I didn't feel a thing. I did hear it cutting tho. Sounded a little weird. I really don't like plucking my brows plus they were too thin from my teenage years. No plucking will be minimal.

LAURA...good you still got some exercising in even tho you were having a bummer day.

HAPPY...sorry to hear about momma's issues. Why in the heck did she not tell anyone? Nevermind, I get it. Did you verify this with the doc or did she make it up so she would have to move to assisted living? hmmmm.

SUSIE...I blame my fat on my youngest older brother. He name called and poked fun of me all my life. Usually about weight. Hugs. A small loss at TOPS is better than a small gain anytime. Hope you have a great loss this week.

CEEG..hope you get back to taking care of yourself at home. Miley will keep you company.

HELLO to all the rest of you.

[Laura705]

Morning all.

Ceejay - the fb photo helped me understand the "crow's feet" grass. == Did you try the upright bike at the gym? For some reason, the upright felt much easier to me than the recumbent, dunno why except that I ride my bike to/from the train almost every day and I'm accustomed to that movement?

Happy - Wow, a lot of issues with your mom's arrangements, and I'm sorry to hear about her medical issues. Is a move for her up by you off the board permanently because of this? Oh wait, she was going to go for independent living up there, but now she probably needs assisted? == Did you take care of the peaches? == Slow down and breathe! == It's a shame about the boat, but it does sound like it's not used enough to warrant the ownership hassles/cost. Especially if you're not diehards and keen for going out in weather that's less than ideal (cool, windy, etc.)

Annie - Good job cleaning the kitchen! C'mon over, plenty to clean at my place, LOL. Actually thinking of having someone come in to do it... == Mom's plumbing?? Can't recall the issue. Her kitchen work is done - new countertop, sink, faucet, and stove. Maybe a fridge, but low on the list because it's just to have it match the stove. She does want to get rid of the weird tub situation - a very short side but she still doesn't like stepping over it to get into the tub. And then there's a built in seat in it. She was initially interested in a walk-in tub, but now I think she just wants a shower.

Susie - Good job with the exercise. I'm so impressed with the running! Any loss is better than a gain - keep it up girl! When's that 5k you're doing?

Hellos to Shad and Dee!
==
Went to Longhorn for dinner last night for bf's bday dinner. Yum, we both realized we hadn't had steak in a while and it was so good. I ended up bringing a big piece of mine home. Now that bf has our grill in good working order, he needs to get some of those good steaks from the butcher!!

No exercise since Sunday, so I'm definitely going to the fc after work. On Sunday I did 15 minutes each on the elliptical, upright bike, and the recumbent bike. Might do that again. Plus the mat work as usual. Probably can't work the abs/core enough and should do them every day...or need to just work them harder when I do. And that's when it's good to be in a class setting and having an instructor encouraging you to work harder...

Cable guy is coming this afternoon to do a permanent fix on the cut cable. Bf will be home for that.

I dropped the electric toothbrush over the weekend while I was using it. It still works, but now it's making weird noises because the brush head doesn't seem to sit on the base properly. We've had this one such a long time, I have no problem saying that it's time to replace it. Costco has a deal on one, so that's good timing.

Have to phone the eye doc about switching my existing eyeglass lenses to my new frames. Bf has an appointment, but not 'til next week. I'd like to get the process started sooner.

Back to work, have a good rest of the day people!

[ceejay52]

I'm home for good. Doing a happy dance Brought most of my things home. And brought Miley home too. She's having to get readjusted but I think she will be okay. I bought a new carrier for her but she still cried most of the way home. She's getting used to her surroundings again. She's hid from me right now but she did that before. She missed her nap so I'm assuming that is what she is doing now. My nieces friend and co-worker has moved in with sis and niece so she's been doing the driving. Knowing that I'm getting my life back has relieved a lot of stress so I'm going to move forward. I could not plan my day but this morning I got out of the condo while they were asleep and did some errands.

Happy
It's sad to find out about your mom's health. I love the taste of coca cola also. I've come to the conclusion that it's all the cokes that is making me stall on the weight loss. Plus it's causing a few minor health issues.

Laura
No I haven't tried the upright bike at the gym. I'll be glad to get to go back full time at PF and get back into my routine. Yum steak sounds good.

Annie
Sigh on the bacon wrapped meatloaf. Wish I had the gumption to clean my oven. Not sure if I could pull it out though to clean under it. I'm sure it needs it.

Susie
Thank you for your explanation for your over eating. Makes me want to take a journey back in time to see if I can remember if there was something that triggered my over eating as I got older. I think my problem is that I like food all the wrong kind of food. And when I was younger I didn't have the choice to do so. Mom did the cooking and we ate the food. Sometimes their were sweets sometimes their wasn't.

Shad
Hello, Sounds like you are staying busy.

[annie175]

They are a bit red and have after care lotion on them. They still have to flake off the dead skin yet. I like them Much better than the pencil lines I used to have. What do you all think?

[ceejay52]

Looks good Annie
Guess I'm by myself today.
I've been to PF and did my work out. That always feels good.
Stopped by Bruam's and got an strawberry ice cream waffle cone.
Getting back into my routine.

[Shad]

They look good Annie, but you look very tired. Time for rest.
Got two appointments for today. August is a very busy and expensive month. Be back later when I get the 2nd one sorted.

[annie175]

Good Morning Lady Loves...

SHADDIE....I always look tired. I have dark allergy eyes. But I will take the rest you suggested. Good luck at your appts. Have a great day/night.

CEEG...um strawberry ice cream, ok Curtis, your gut and insides are going to go bonkers. Stop that already. Get a healthy clean routine going...make it into a habit. May the force be with you.

We went to Murphy's Irish Pub for dinner last night. I had the best grilled salmon. We all had really good food. I am thinking about getting my lips tinted also. Hmmm.

Not much else going on. Make it a great day/night/weekend. Hugs all.

[ceejay52]

Annie
I'm going to get back to eating clean. Just haven't had time yet to plan. Will do that today and go to the grocery store.

-------
We really need a good soaking rain. I've been watering the back yard now to water the front.
One of my friends is having a medical procedure done today. I've been thinking about her since I woke up this morning. Thanks to Miley I've been getting up around 6.30 to 7.00 because she is hungry and wanting to play.

[happy2bme]

Good morning ladies!


I am giddy with delight. I have the day to myself!!! Of course this morning I had to deal with emails from the Thrift Shop and then had a chat to calm down the receptionist who was not being treated nicely by one of the other staff. But I still have most of the day to myself. Going to make a peach pie and some peach sauce with these peaches I have. Laundry. Wash the floors, etc.


My arm is starting to really hurt me. I think I injured the rotator cuff on my dominant arm. I have a hard time lifting it - even had trouble vacuuming the other day. I am SO FREAKIN' TIRED of body parts breaking down already. I'm going to have to go to the doctor about this. Will probably take a year to heal and $5,000 in physical therapy. The tendonitis in my foot has calmed down but is ever at the ready to reflare if I over do it. Sigh...


Ceejay - how nice to be home again and to be able to bring Miley back. We could use some rain here too. I get nervous when things get too dry. I hope you can get settled in and back to a good routine for yourself. It's hard when you are travelling back and forth.


Annie - I like the eyebrows - they look nice and full. Interesting that they will lighten up over time. I have caterpillars on my face myself. Thanks Dad! Yum on the grilled salmon. Famous Dave's restaurant chain had the best grilled salmon which they served with steamed broccoli and grilled pineapple. It was sooooo good! Why do you want to ruin a good meatloaf by wrapping bacon around it? Seriously I am one of those people who does not think everything is improved with a little bacon on it. Sorry it didn't turn out.


Shad - looking forward to catching up.


Laura - yes, for the time being my Mom will stay put at my sister's house. Until she closes her eyes for the last time. I am not sure when IF at all my sister will retire up here. If Mom is still around, we will deal with it although if she is not stable enough to move now, I don't see that ever happening. Which means my sister can't move until our Mom and her father in law have passed. By the time she does get here, I will be ready to pass on!! With switching your eyeglass frames you said you got the same kind just in a different color? So that should be no problem to switch them quickly. I would like to keep the ones I have also but I can't give up my glasses for 2 weeks while the lab makes them and they are 2 years old so they probably don't carry this frame any more. Are you still biking to the train? It's been beastly hot out there - hasn't it? Dog days of summer...


Susie - I cried about your story about the kitten who was killed. They probably didn't realize what happened but still I cry when anything gets killed - deer in the road, turtles, kittens. You are a good lady to tell them about it so the poor thing could be left at peace. How is work going? Are you managing your time?


Hellos to the rest. The clock is spinning and I want to get a few things done so I'd better get dressed and at it.


Have a good weekend everyone!

[ceejay52]

Happy
I'd be doing a happy dance also with the "free day" for today. You deserve it.

------
I've been lazy today. I may get outside and mow but Im not sure. Not feeling it. I did go to the grocery store this morning and bought some healthy groceries. Going to have beef tips, carrots and potatoes tonight for dinner.

Finally got some much needed rain late this afternoon.

[happy2bme]

Hi ladies,

Got a few minutes so I thought I'd post.

Last night we went to a dinner out at the farm. OMG good. Chef roasted bbq chicken legs in Sherrie's woodfired oven and then he popped in a lake trout and roasted that afterwards. That was our "appetizer" served with some braised kale and fresh garden tomatoes and some wayyyyyy to spicy for me to eat Kim-chee (fermented cabbage with seasonings). Second course was a deconstructed ravioli over a pasta sheet make with stinging nettles (sting removed of course). I don't know what was in this mix but it was the most amazing and heavenly tasting sauce I ever ate. DH did not like it so he gave me his portion. We do tend to trade food at these events as chef uses a lot of veggies DH does not care for. 3rd course was a salad of chopped kale with a dressing of grapefruit vinaigrette, some cold roasted beets and some small cherry tomatoes with a pesto of some sort. I ate part of the kale, tasted one beet and ate the tomatoes. By now I am full. Our entree was wood roasted pork roast over a sweet potato mash served with charred carrots and green beans. I ate the veggies - gave DH my meat. Dessert was a lemon ricotta cheesecake served with fresh raspberries, blueberries and mint. It was a great dinner. One of her sows was in labor so DH got to go afterwards and take pictures of the baby piglets. Poor Momma pig was in labor over 24 hours and it was beastly hot and humid yesterday. We went to the casino afterwards for about 90 minutes to catch the last 2 drawings of the night. One guy practically lives at the casino so he has like 2,500 tickets in the drawing. He wins at least one of the prizes and often more each weekend. Has won the $7,777 prize at least 3 times between July and now. It's getting rather tiring - you can't stand a chance when he's got that many tickets in the bin. DH was not lucky at blackjack and lost his money. I was waiting for the last drawing of the night and was playing 50 cents on a machine when I hit a bonus. I was able to win back all that I had played and lost and walked out of there $38 ahead.


I have spent a good deal of last week on Facebook and learning how to use the website software. DH wanted to go to photograph a sunflower field today but it's a 4 hour drive each way. 8 hours of driving for just pictures??? Turns out he didn't sleep well last night so he went down for a nap a little while ago. Bimmy thinks every time he goes in the bedroom he wants to play with her so he's trying to sleep and she's jumping all over him and crying for him to play. It's going to be a hot one today - we talked about taking the boat out but decided on going around 4 in the late afternoon. Everyone will want to be on the water so we would have had to get to a lake dock by 7am in order to get a parking spot. Not having our boat moored on the water has been a big hassle. I don't think DH realized what a pain it would be. We would use the boat more if we could just go to the dock, get in the boat, ride for an hour and then go back home. It's alot of hassle trailering the boat back and forth. I mentioned this to DH when he was considering buying it but he said no, it would not be a problem.... He wanted to sell it last year and we all talked him out of it but I think I'm on board with it too. It's like $1,000 a ride for as little as we use it and what it costs to maintain and store it. We will take a huge beating / loss on selling something that was barely used 10 times. Live and learn. I think we will still take it out for an early evening ride tonight.


Ceejay - how did your dinner come out last night?


Hello to the rest of you - hope you are enjoying your weekend will check in on Monday.

[annie175]

Good Afternoon All....

The day kind of got a way from me. Still is...

Not much done on the weekend. Errands and grocery. Laundry. Pretty dull.

HAPPY....the meal at the farm sounded delish with a few exceptions for me. Any time anyone else cooks and I don't have to, I will like the meal even if I don't. Today I have Mississippi Pot Roast in the the crocker. Pretty easy. I think I would sell the boat too. Sad we cannot enjoy life like we thought we would. I don't like 8 hours of driving for things I like to do much less take pictures of flowers. There are several field of lovely sunflowers around us tho, so if you are going to do a road trip, come my way. Just sayin'

CEEG...Probably need a bit of time to rest and get back with YOUR program at home. How is Miley adjusting? We are due for some rain beginning Wednesday some time. Meanwhile we have to water the garden.

HELLO TO ALL>

[Shad]

Morning all,
Like Happy, I have a couple of minutes to spare today. This being retired has it's drawbacks. Can you do this for me while I am away,.... can you pick up my Mum...… can you, would you, I need your help with my new home and garden. The cat door...……….. you get the picture I am sure. Today I am to take DS2 to the hospital for a nose job. He, like most of my family has breathing through the nose and sinus problems and apparently snores (according to the partner) like a steam train getting a head of steam up. Of course that also means taking the dog for the night since it will be an overnighter for him and his partner always works late. Then he has to be picked up tomorrow. Since tomorrow is a public holiday I shouldn't have to pick up the kid or return the dog, but will probably need to do both since the partner is not known for good deeds and philanthropic events. Geez that sounds *****y.
Tomorrow is haircut day and some shopping required and then either Thursday or Friday a trip to Ikea with the ex-neighbour which will probably turn into lunch and then assemble whatever she wants to buy and talk her down from her current OCD about the new house. And she wants some advice on her new garden - which she won't take anyway. Next week I will lock myself away and do some work on this place apart from the car service on Thursday. I think the fencer is coming the week after so I will need to go chat with the over the fence neighbours next week too, about restraining dogs and clearing away junk (pardon me - hoarded stuff which will come in handy one day) from his side of the fence.
I've got a million tomatoes to do something with and a whole stack of green ones that I will have to make pickles or something out of. And there are more coming every day. I still haven't finished last years relish and chutney or the jam I made. Such joys to be had with 'all this time on my hands'.

Okay - out of time. Laundry is done, now to hang it out, dust and sweep the lounge room - not washing floors until dogus maximus goes away on Wednesday. Cat is outside waiting for me to go out so he can roll in the dust and get his tummy rubbed. Loves being out with me if the dog isn't here. I'll be back for personals tonight.