The Day is all mine!

I'm off and it is cold out there, yep it does get cold in Georgia for anyone who doesn't know that. I do have obligations today, I've got to go to my mom's and do her taxes as well as my aunt's. I've got to finish my Evelyn Palfrey book because I promised her I'd e-mail her and let her know how I liked the ending. I would have finished it by now if my work schedule hadn't been nuts this week. I promised Sweetie, my little dog a bath today (although she'd not mind at all if I forgot). There's lots around here that needs to be done but that's about all I'm planning on.

Tomorrow I have to do laundry which involves going to the laundry mat. Both my washer and dryer have quit and I had the money to get both new ones until my son's last episode and well, it will take some time to recoup from that. He is still ok, I talk to him almost every day and he is working and supposedly has sent me the first payment on the car I bought him while he was here. Of course by now he's convinced himself he really doesn't need the meds or the therapy because everything is perfect right now. And so that is the way it goes but when real life happens or his job isn't so new anymore or some problem comes up, that is when he is ill equiped to handle things without a little help. It would be to his wife's best advantage to encourage him that he needs the balance that the meds provide him but she needs help as badly as him, so there you go. I can only do what I can do.

So, off to start my day now.

Talk about a Survivor

Oh goodness, a friend sent me the links to this story entitled "The Refrigerator Duck." Read here first and then read this next.

All in a Day's work

I'm tired. It's just Tuesday and I have almost thirty hours in already. If all goes well, I'm off tomorrow and Thursday. Good! I need it.
Had a surprise Audit today, didn't do well but I never do that good, I hate paperwork! But I pledge to do better before I get my butt fired! The audit used to count on appraisals but they don't anymore. That's a good thing or I'd never get a raise.
Oh......I dream of having enough money that I didn't have to work. I've worked pretty constantly since I was 14. There have been times when I didn't work, but very short periods of time. If I didn't have to work I'd spend all my time making jewelry and visiting my kids and traveling. But the way it looks, I'll be working until I'm DEAD!
I shouldn't complain, at least I have a job. And I usually like it and I've worked with the same company going on 13 years and they've been good to me, even if I do stink at paperwork. The only thing that can save me from working is to win the lottery (won't happen, I never play) or I marry a rich man! (Well, it could happen!)
I'd probably not be good living a life of leisure anyway, so for now I'll be thankful I have a job and that I'm healthy enough to work everyday. And I pledge to do better on the paperwork!

Short and Sweet

Ok, today was a long one. I had to work both shifts which was from nine to nine at the store, somebody sick and easier for me to do that than to call someone in at the last minute. But I made it. And I'm tired, so not much to offer tonight.
Had a nice long talk with my son tonight, and excited to be planning a trip to Washington to see him and my daughter in law and my granddaughter and my grand dogs. Can't go until April but that's not that far off.
Off to sleep now. See ya'll tomorrow.

I Love Authors

If I read a novel and I like it, I sometimes look up the author and find an e-mail address to let them know I enjoyed it. Did you know that most of them will write you back? Usually not the really famous ones but I just got done with a paperback by Evelyn Palfrey. I e-mailed her and got a response back quick as lightening. She's an African American, lives in Texas, she's an attorney and has written four or five books. Think I'll order some more of her books. I just happened upon this one at Wal-Mart. The story is a good one. Not the Novel I'm still searching for but something to get me by until I find it.

Family Matters

My parents divorced when I had just turned 15. At that time my father's family sort of divorced me too. I had been pretty close to them, especially my grandmother but for reasons that I've never been able to come to terms with, she chose to pretend I didn't exist after the divorce. Eventually I lost all contact with that side of my family. Not only did I miss my grandmother but loads of cousins too.

A few years back I ran into one of the cousins that still lives here. My grandmother and most of the aunts and uncles, including my father have passed on now and most of the cousins live out of state, but this cousin visits me at work pretty often and keeps me up to date on most of them. Last year I even got to see my favorite aunt and uncle whom I was close to as a child. Conversation was a little strained but after a little while I remembered why they were once my favorites. The shock of their appearance after 35 years went away pretty fast because pretty soon the gray haired elderly lady who once had flaming red hair and the older man who recently had his leg amputated because of Diabetes revealed they were the same beautiful woman and handsome young man that I loved so as a child. The shock of seeing me after that much time was probably pretty weird to them too.

Last week my cousin came in with some pictures of me as a child, school pictures from 1st grade up until 8th grade that my mother had sent through the years to my grandmother. Some of them I hardly remember, not even sure my mother has them so it was a treasure to me and a gesture that I appreciated greatly.

I always feel sad when I think about the years I missed with these people. I know divorce is hard on everyone but I share the same blood with this side of the family just as I do with my mother's side. I guess I'll never understand why my grandmother made the decision that she did but I never stopped loving her or any of the others. I wish I could tell her that. I wish after I had gotten grown and before she died I'd made more of an effort to do that. But I guess you're just not as wise at 20 as you are at 50. And that's a real shame.

Just another day at work

WOW! We made up for yesterday by the business we did today. Finished the month off good, didn't blow budget away but had a respectable 12% gain and so that is good.
I saw a guy with a tee shirt on today that cracked me up. He was a pretty big guy, tall and big, and his shirt said, "I see little people". Funny to me. And everyone had their kids out today, screaming, tired and misbehaving kids.

So, I'm home now, having some hot tea, and relaxing. I have to work tomorrow, I usually work the last Sunday of the month because it gives me time to work on closing paperwork. We don't usually do much business on Sunday.

I have movies to watch tonight. Black Dahlia is one, I love Scarlett Johanson and I believe she is in that one. I also have "Employee of the Month" which maybe a bit too silly for me, but thought I'd try it.

And that's about all there is today. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

I'm Grace Kelly and PIGS CAN FLY!

Ok, today was not a pretty day for me. Some personal disappointments, not enough business at the store, nothing went right, that sort of day. And so because I really don't want to whine about all that I thought I'd post an e-mail I got. The funny thing is my boss is always telling us her husband loved Grace Kelly and she says that is why he married HER, gag!!!!(ok, we're caddy females, what can I say?) SO SHE sends this one out and says she is Grace Kelly and my assistant manager and I laughed about that until we both did it and we were both Grace Kelly too!! I missed Katherine Hepburn by one point! I'd rather be Katherine Hepburn, not that Grace Kelly wasn't beautiful or I have anything against her but I'm the polar opposite of my boss, or so I thought. Anyway, here it is and if you're so inclined do it!

Ladies Only ... Which Movie Star Are You? This is kind of fun!
>
> E ver wonder which movie star you are most like?
>
> Don't read ahead please!
>
> Well ~ A team of researchers got together and analyzed the
>personalities of movie stars.
>
> The gathered info has been incorporated into this quiz.
>
> There are only 10 questions so it doesn't take long.
>
> Number your paper from 1 to 10, then answer each question with
>the choice that most describes youat this point in your life , and then
>add up the points that correspond with your answers.
>
> Send this to all of your friends ( including person who sent it
>to you) with your star's name in the subject line.< /FONT>
>
> ... And don't be a butt and ruin the fun by not responding ...
>
> Now .. Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!
>
> 1. Which describes your perfect date?< BR>> a) Candlelight dinner for two
> B) Amusement Park
> c) Roller blading in the park
> d) Rock Concert
> e) Have dinner &see a movie
> f) Dinner at home with a loved one
>
> 2. What is your favorite type of music?
> a) Rock and Roll
> B) Alternative
> c) Soft Rock
> d) Classical
> e) Christian
> f) Jazz
>
> 3. What is your favorite type of movie?
> a) Comedy
> B) Horror
> c) Musical
> d) Romance
> e) Documentary
> f) Mystery
>
> 4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were
>given only these choices?
> a) Waiter/Waitress
> B) Sports Player
> c) Teacher
> d) Policeman
> e) Bartender
> f) Business person
>
> 5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
> a) Work out
> B) Make out
> c) Watch TV
> d) Listen to the radio
> e) Sleep> f) Read
>
> 6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
> a) Yellow
> B) White
> c) Sky blue
> d) Teal
> e) Gold
> f) Red
>
> 7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
> a) Ice cream
> B) Pizza
> c) Sushi
> d) Pasta
> e) Salad
> f) Lobster Tail
>
> 8. Which is your favorite holiday?
> a) Halloween
> B) Christmas
> c) New Year's
> d) Valentine's Day
> e) Thanksgiving
> f) Fourth of July
>
> 9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would
>it be?
> a) Reno
> B) Spain
> c) Las Vegas
> d) Hawaii
> e) Hollywood
> f) British Columbia
>
> 10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
> a) Someone who is smart
> B) Someone with good looks
> c) Someone who is a party animal
> d) Someone who has fu n all the time
> e) Someone who is very emotional
> f) Someone who is fun to be with
>
> Now total up your points on each question:
> 1. A-4 B-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6
> 2. A-2 B-1 c-4 d-5 e-3 f-6
> 3. A-2 B-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6
> 4. A-4 B-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
> 5. A-5 B-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6
> 6. A-1 B-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
> 7. A-3 B-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6
> 8. A-1 B-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
> 9. A-4 B-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6
> 10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6
>
>
>
> NOW .. take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:
>
> (10-17 points) You are MADONNA:
>
> You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have
>fun, but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing
>though, and are much in control of your own life. People don't always
>see things your way, but that doesn't mean that you should do away with
>your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting
>yourself and others.
>
> (18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:
>
> You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd
>pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times,yet
>you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and
>children are very important to you, but only after you have fun. Don't
>let the people you please influence you to stray.
>
> (27- 34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:
>
> You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that
>no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom
>have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm
>most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are
>worry-free.
>
> (35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:
>
> You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to
>enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family
>person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday.
>Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.
>
> (43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:
>
> You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached
>with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap
>from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider
>"real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted
>in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.
>
> (51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:
>
> Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get
>it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is
>your bond. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the
>bank.You attract the opposit e sex. Your inte lligence overwhelms most.
>Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you
>because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life
>and treat people right.
>
> Now put your Movie Star in the subject line, then forward and share
>with your friends, including the person who sent it to you

My Calorie Budget

Ok, time to update my eating experiment. I forgot to do it last week I think. So far I've managed to stay within my calorie budget that I've allowed myself, still haven't gotten on the scales but can tell in my clothes that a few pounds are gone. Still haven't started my morning walking routine back but will soon. Ok, I admit it, I'm waiting for the mornings to be warmer. That won't be too much longer. Mornings work better for me as far as walking and so that's what I'll do.
As you grow older you should always continue to taste things that maybe you don't think you like. One example for me is cantaloupe. I grew up loving watermelon but YUK on cantaloupe. A few years ago I tried it again and now it's one of my favorite melons. Another thing is Avocado. Yeah, I know they are high in fat and calories but actually very good for you and a little goes a long way. I like them in salads or my favorite is to mash them up and have them with tomato on a sandwich.
The hardest thing is to remember those darn serving sizes. It's hard and on those days when all I want to do is munch and munch, I have to be careful and THINK about what I'm popping in my mouth, at least how much I'm popping. Those calories count up fast even if you are eating something good for you. I had a few days like that last week but I didn't do too badly.
An example of that is nuts. Yep, they are good for you and they are a good thing to add to your diet but I can't snack on them. I eat too many so I put a few in my salads or walnuts in my oatmeal, that sort of thing.
Trying to only eat things with ingredients in them that I can pronounce isn't always easy when you need something fast but it can be done. Just have to plan out your eating menus and maybe cook one day a week for the whole week to come. I'm still working on that one.
And last but not least, when I get home from work, if I have a cup of hot tea, green tea or any kind, it seems to curb my appetite and I don't won't so much for supper. Sometimes I may add apple slices or a cheese stick (low-fat).
And there you have it. So far so good.

Plans to Make

My mother, my son and myself all celebrate "big birthdays" the same years. 2007 will be J's 30th, my 50th, and my mother's 70th. My son and I would be ok if nobody noticed but my mother, well now she has made it very clear that she is expecting a party. Or as she puts it "a big blow-out". Her birthday is not until November but I've been trying to think of what to do for her. I remember when an Aunt of hers turnd 75 they gave her a Tea. It was just a drop in thing where family and friends came in, had a few refreshments and hugged her neck and left. Somehow I don't think that's what my mother is expecting.
At least I have lots of time to think about it.(And save the money to have a party). So we shall see what I come up with.

What a day!

I can't confirm this by the calender as I've not looked but based on the patients and customers we had today I'd bet my bottom dollar it is a full moon or close to it. It's not so much that people are mean but just weird and demanding. Several people came in after wearing their frames for two months that now hate those same frames they loved in November. OK, no big deal, we aim to please so we'll exchange them. We WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY! The thing is that both of these people used insurance originally and both picked frames that weren't as expensive as the first and both demanded money back. HELLO! Their insurance paid for the frames, they did not pay anything for these frames. But explaining that got a little weird.
And then there's the guy who could see fine last week but now, if he turns his head this way and looks out the corner of his eyes and tilts his head to the right, he can't see a thing! ALRIGHTY THEN!
Ciba has a recall on their Optix contact lenses. We can't sell them, but that is hard to explain to people. They don't care if they've been recalled, THEY want them anyway and even the Dr. explaining it to them means nothing.
Ok, done venting now. Days like this make me feel like I've been hit by a MAC truck when I get home and I wish I were old enough or rich enough to retire! But looks like I'll be working until I'm eighty or so. I'll grin and bear it because when the moon starts its cycle over again things will get better, I HOPE!

I'm in need of a good read

For whatever reason, I can't seem to find a good, catch my attention, stay up late into the night, oh my god, good book. I sort of got into the Odd Thomas novels by Dean Koontz. I really like the first one it was named Odd Thomas. I got the next one, called Forever Thomas and it wasn't nearly as good so I haven't bought the new one called Brother Thomas. Dean Koontz has never been a favorite of mine, he's a little too out there for me, but I liked Odd Thomas better than any of his other books.
My favorite book I guess of all time was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I read it as a child when my mother used to get those Reader's Digest condensed things, if anyone remembers that and then again as an adult. That was a good, absorbing book. I love Amy Tan too but I'm all caught up with what she's written. Guess you could say I like to read about Oriental culture. Not sure what's up with that.
I recently read "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" by James Patterson which was a sweet little book but not one to sink your teeth in, not one that you become so attached to the characters that you miss them for weeks after the book is done.
Could be just me. The best sellers these days don't seem to appeal to me. A reader all my life I've never reached this point before.
Though I have been known to get stuck on an author and read book after book by him or her, I love to read 1st novels. They are usually the best. Seems like if they become well known the books get worse and worse. I love Dorothea Benton Frank but I'm all caught up with her books, but I see she has a new one coming up in April.
So.....I'm stuck here. Maybe something will come along and catch my attention, until then I'm reading now a book by LuAnne Rice that is boring me to tears, and I used to really like her. Go figure.

All MINE!

Today is mine, all mine. I have the day off, I have no responsibilities today, nothing to do for anyone, mine all mine. And though my house could use some attention, I've decided to do exactly as I please today. So, I went blog hopping by hitting that little next blog button up there. I'll share with you some of my finds.

I found MS.Congeniality. The first post I read got my attention because it is a clever "Dear John" letter to Winter. That caused me to read more and you have to read her post about her grandmother who recently celebrated her 95th birthday and whom suffers Alzheimer's. It is one of the most touching things I've ever read. I'm adding Chelle's blog to my favorites.

I went on, finding many not in English but worthy of looking at photography work, and some very religious ones fighting against one thing or another. I found some bloggers in the twenties talking about music I've never heard of. I found men obsessed with rebuilding engines and then I found this one,
"Letters From a Hill Farm". Here Nan shares her favorite books, poems, T.V. shows, music, and a lot of other things including her favorite blogs which I decided could be a better way to blog hop. SO I chose one of her favorites and went from there.

I clicked on The Quiet Country House. I read with interest how she made homemade pretzels, pics included.
I had to go back to "Next Blog" button from there because she shared the same links as Nan.

I finally landed on A Paper Treehouse where I found Margie, the mother of two great kids and the wife of one of the World's Greatest Guys, who was very quirky and funny.

From Margie's Blog I clicked on "House of Lime" cause, well, I like Limes. Ah Ha! My favorite so far. Michelle of Pennsylvania says, "I'm a 30-something married mother of three. I'm trying to decide what to be when I grow up. Then again, why grow up?" Adding her to my favorites and she has loads of favorite blogs listed, but will have to be another day. I hear a nap calling my name slowly and softly because after all, today is MINE!
Happy Sunday!

Look alikes

My little namesake has always reminded me of Tatum O'Neal as a child.
She lost her first tooth tonight. She and my granddaughter are three weeks apart in age and I can't believe they are six this year! I wish they could know each other but they live three thousand miles apart. Little Robbin is such a sweet gentle child and I love every minute I am able to spend with her. I'm thankful to have her in my life. Sleep tight little one, the tooth fairy will visit you tonight!

Sometimes You have to step back and look at yourself

One of my employees at the store, my newest as a matter of fact, has the ability to make even the most simplest task very complicated. I keep thinking she will get over this but I've decided it is part of her personality. Because of this, nobody wants to work with her when it is just two of them. If the office gets busy, she is more trouble than she is help. This morning was my turn. I tried to get the patients that had insurance because it takes her forever to take care of them and I tried to get the phone because she can be kinda snappy sometimes. I tried to dispense glasses because she takes too long. SO what happens is I'm doing it all, or trying to and she is yakking with someone who came in for us to clean their glasses. I'm getting a little upset with her, I have a store full of people, the phone is ringing, I'm running around like a wild woman and she is standing over their laughing and having a good ole time with a lady that only needed her glasses cleaned!!
I noticed she finally walked the lady over to the Dr.'s desk to make an appointment. The day went on and finally we got more help which relieved me a great deal.
Now, let me say the reason I hired this lady is because of her personality. It is a little over the top but at the time I thought we needed someone like that. So...later in the afternoon the lady she's made the appointment came in to have her eyes examined. I was the one who ended up helping her pick out glasses and here's what she said to me after awhile. She told me Kathleen (my employee) was the only reason she made the appointment and that she thought I was grouchy but that I'd proved her wrong, that I was nice too. I questioned her on that and she said when she was in there earlier I had such a frown on my face she thought I was just a grouch but she knows now I'm not.
Well......hello! Sometimes you have to look at yourself through someone else's eyes. I was trying so hard to take care of everything myself that it was stressing me out to the degree that I could have ran customers off!!!
I've got to learn more patience with Kathleen. I know she has what it takes, she just has to learn to move a little quicker but I'll never resent her again for talking with a customer too long. And I'll try and remember to not think I always know best how to handle things and if I don't let her take on some of the responsiblity she'll never learn. So there's my life lesson for today.

Just me thinking out loud

You know, I know marriage is a good thing and all that. I know it's nice to have someone to come home to, someone to share life with. And I'm always in awe of the elderly couples I meet who've been married 60 years to each other. But regardless of what statistics say about the growing rate of divorce I swear there are people I know who stay married simply because they are so afraid to be alone. Because of that they stay with someone who is making them misrable. Or they can't stand to look at this person but heaven forbid they be alone! This goes for men as well as women in my opinion. I guess I don't get it.
Maybe because I am an only child being alone has never scared me. I think I have an unhealthy obsession about it really, but that's another post. There were lots of reasons I didn't really want to get a divorce when I did. Financially I knew it was a killer, the kids needed both of us fulltime, feeling like the 14 years I'd invested were wasted. None of those are really good reasons to stay married either when love is gone or you are being mistreated, but I was never afraid to be alone.
It's nice to have someone for companionship who cares about you, someone you can sneak away for a weekend with, someone you can share your bad news and good news with. But you don't HAVE to live with them, do you? Being alone isn't the end of the world. It brings peace, time to think and time to work on becoming the person you want to be. Married is nice if you're with the right person, but being alone is ok too if you're not afraid to get to know yourself, and maybe there within lies the fear. Who knows!

Just the Facts for today

My son's apartment will be empty now even though the lease has one more month so I took today to go and clean it, get what he left so that we can have the lights cut off. Didn't quite get done though so I will finish tomorrow.
My mother was weird today, but that's not unusual really.
I have a movie to watch tonight, The Devil Wears Prada. I wanted to have A Prarie Home Companion because I have a thing for Garrison Keilor (if you don't know who he is you probably never listen to Public Radio), but Netflix hasn't sent it yet.
I've discovered a delicious Celestial Seasonings Tea called Chocolate Caramel Enchantment. It's Chai Tea.
We may have rain mixed with Sleet tonight.
And that's about as deep as my life gets today.
Pretty boring I know but HEY, that's better than lots of Drama. Getting too old to handle much drama. SO THERE! That's all there is.
I have to laugh though because I just read a blog and the blogger complains about people who write what he considers "nothing" in their blogs. His is a political one I think. It was pretty boring to me. I guess one's person interesting content can be another's bore. Oh well, that's what the mouse is for, click, click, click away.
See ya'll later.

Just another Tuesday

Today was conference call day. It's when I have to wake up early, dial into the number and spend the next hour and a half listening to my boss tell all the managers how good or bad we did in sales last week. Pretty much it is boring, sometimes we get onto something good, but this morning was pretty much ho hum. It is also the day I don't go into work until noon and work until closing which is at nine.
My son has gone back to his wife. Funny how I miss him, even though life was a roller coaster ride while he was here, I think we bonded and that was a good thing. Our relationship had not been as it should be for a while. I hope they make it. I hope for him so much but I did what I could and now it's up to him.
There is much drama in the lives of my co-workers. They all seem to have problems and things to deal with. I listen to them when they want to talk. That's all I can do.
Oh and I saw this site mentioned on someone's blog. Sounds interesting like a Netflix for books.
And so that's about it for today. Hope everybody has a good day.

Ok, not sure what any of this means but.......

As I was coming home this afternoon from work it is not unusual to see deer out where I live but today, well TODAY I turned down my lane (I live out in the country) and there stood a beautiful Doe. She just stood there looking at me as pretty as you please. I never miss an opportunity to watch these beautiful, graceful animals so I stopped and watched. Curiosity got the best of her and she started walking to my car. I couldn't believe it. She would walk a little and then stop, and then come a little closer until she was right at the car (it was still running). She looked right into my eyes and I into her's. It was magical and then she very calmly veered off to the left and into the Pine Trees that surround my house. WOW. I loved it. And then, you're not going to believe this but I parked, got out of my car and when I opened the door to my house I felt something brush my arm and fall onto the porch. It was a snake! I guess he was on the door facing, a baby snake, I don't know what kind but maybe 15 inches long. I really didn't want to have to kill him, he probably wasn't poisonous but my dog was coming out at the same time and I couldn't take the chance she would get bitten.Rattlesnakes are not unusual in this part of the country. They say the baby snake is more venomous than a grown one. Sorry snake, but I couldn't let you bite my dog.
And so, there you have it, my exciting afternoon. What are these animals trying to tell me??? At least my dog is acting normal! For now.

Update on my eating experiment

Ok, this week went well too, only we won't count the Salmon Patties although I really didn't do that bad that day with calories. And I got fish which is hard for me to do.
I do know that if I eat oatmeal for breakfast no snack is needed before lunch, and if I eat soup for lunch, no snack before supper. I had a big salad for lunch one day with chicken breast and though it was bunches of veggies that I needed, I had to have a snack before supper. I also tried whole grain frozen waffles and meatless sausage links for breakfast and that lasted hardly no time. So, back to oatmeal this week full time which is ok by me, I like oatmeal. I just change the fruit I put in it from morning to morning and it doesn't get boring.
As far as the soup for lunch, if you add some raw veggies as a side and maybe a slice of good whole grain bread, you are full.
So, two weeks complete and my clothes feel loose a little. I'm waiting to weigh because I really don't want to know how much I really gained back.
Today I've been a little less structured, got lots on my mind, and have kind of just munched, not bad stuff but probably too much of the good for you stuff but back on track tommorrow for sure.
And last but not least.....this week I'm going to make sure I get enough protein. Gotta read up on that one, and make sure.
Happy Sunday!

The Sleep Over

My best friend didn't have her first and only child until she was in her thirties. Now, almost 40 she has a six year old and tonight to celebrate her Birthday which is Monday they are having a slumber party. Only three other little girls, S is pulling her hair out. She has texted me a hundred times.
First message that indicated trouble, "I'm ready to slit my wrists!"
Me: How come?
S: These kids are brats!
Me: Oh yeah?
S: Two of them are not getting along.
Me: Well, threaten to take them home if they don't behave!
S: I did already!
Me: Well, do it! I thought they all were friends.
S: Just all three friends with R (her daughter)
ME: OH, OK.
Poor S, she doesn't always think these things thru. I wish she could relax a little and remember what it felt like to be a little girl herself and just become one tonight. Are you kidding me? A slumber party would give me the perfect excuse to go back to my childhood. S, well, she doesn't let herself go that often, and that in itself is a real shame. Another text says they had calmed down some. I've a feeling she is in for a long night........lol. Oh, I did get one last text.
"THIS IS WHY I HAVE ONLY ONE CHILD!!!"

Yawn!

Very tired tonight, going to sleep early tonight I think. But here's a little something to keep you entertained. It drives me nuts! And then if you really need entertaining or just an ego burst, do this. Type this Url in your address bar with your name in it and watch it. www.yourname.youaremighty.com
And if that doesn't do it then try this:

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

I'm so excited!!

You should check Squidoo out if you don't know what it is. I think Kelly, you might like this site if you are reading this, you could make a wonderful lens on how to be frugal. It's free to join and you might make some money even, and it's addicting, I'll warn you. Anyway, one of my lenses made "Lens of the Day" today and I'm very excited. I think you may have to join to see the Lens, that's the way it used to be anyhow but it only takes a minute to do that. I'd love for this lens to be in the top 100 and it may make it now that it's Lens of the Day! YAY! Anyway, check it out and you'll undertand more what it is. Could be something really big someday. There are people making real money there, they have lots of lenses and they are usually promoting an online business. I do it for fun but I have made a little money.

Not your average angel

My son got a neighbor right before Thanksgiving. He doesn't look like the other neighbors, in fact if you were to see him he has the look of a homeless person. He wears the big trench coat, doesn't look so clean, but he has job and he rides a bike to work everyday. My son, who can be quite judgmental about these things hated that he lived next door. He doesn't mind asking for a ride some times and for a cigarette. J hid from him for weeks, he would bang on the door at all times during the night, he made noise in his apartment all night. J, dealing with his own problems couldn't deal with this too well but one day he came face to face with him. He shared his smokes with him, gave him food (all of which I've been buying, thank you very much!) He gave him rides to the grocery store, and I was quiet. I wanted to say...."I can hardly support YOU, much less your neighbor too!" but something kept me quiet. I couldn't figure this friendship out, and I really didn't know what to think.
Like I said earlier in my other post sometimes I believe things happen, people are put into our lives for a reason. I think this is the case with this person. Last week , the neighbor broke his foot. Guess what, he still manages somehow to ride his bike to work, everyday. My son, who his whole life has had some sort of entitlement issue saw this and I mean really SAW it. It hit a chord with him. He called me and told me this. And then he started telling me some other little bits of wisdom this man had been giving him. Words of wisdom that somehow have actually gotten J's attention. Now is that not a riot?? And now J is employed, finally because this guy told him they were hiring at his job. How about that? SO, I guess if this guy is a planted angel, I don't mind him bumming cigarettes (I never knew angels smoked!) or some food every now and then, if he can teach my son some life lessons that I've never been able to make him see.
So thank you whoever you are. Any help we can get is appreciated and yep! You'll have a ride to work every morning if J can pull this job off and if you want it, but something tells me you won't be around that much longer. We shall see.

Wouldn't You just know it!

It's my day off and I woke up at five thirty. I tried to turn over and go back to sleep but it wasn't to be so I got the coffee going. My mind is going this morning. My son, my job, salmon patties! Yeah, Salmon patties. I can't explain it. They've never been my favorite things, in fact we ate them when I was growing up because they were cheap. My grandmother, when my kids were little would bring the fixings for them over to my house on Wednesday which was her day off and we'd eat them. And now I am craving them. I gave up fried foods a long time ago but my mother says she can use just a little bit of canola oil and make them and they won't be too bad, and so today we are having lunch of salmon patties. Thank goodness, got to get them out of my system.
Today Good Morning America is doing a segment on cell phone addiction, tommorrow coffee. Ummm, guess I got both of those addictions. Oh well, could be worse!
Ok, I'm off to have breakfast. I'll let you know how the Salmon patties were.

Mama said there would be days like this......

We were busy at work today and the customers were fine but my associates, they were just strange! If I said hot, they argued with me that it was cold. Not sure what was up with this group of usually "nice" ladies today but wow! Glad when my day was over.
I feared I'd overdrawn from my calorie budget today, not that I ate anything I shouldn't have but it just felt like I was eating too much at each meal, but nope! I ended up with some to spare. I'm trying to shoot for 1700 to 1800 a day, and today I came in at just under 1400 and I'm not hungry a bit! I had a little pot of tea when I got home and it's almost bedtime, so there you have it! GO ME!
THe best news is we don't have a conference call in the morning, so I can sleep in a little, tommorrow is my night to close.
Other than that, pretty much just a day.
Tommorrow's another day. I'd like to take a break and do something really fun soon. Not sure what. My buddy is working in Louisiana and no telling when he and I will have the time to meet up, but I need to get away, see something different. Do something different....climb out of this rut!
Nighty night.

Just a little story I need to tell

I need to tell a story about a man in my life. The term "man" is hard for me to say because you see; he is my son, my first born. He is the baby born in the summer time of the year 1977. A year that held for me much pain and much joy. I was married at nineteen to another nineteen year old who really had no business being a husband much less a father and life was tough but every time I looked at that baby's little face, I just knew we could get through anything. I was right too; we did get through everything but not without many wounds and lots of heartache.
This child of mine will be 30 years old this coming summer. He is creative and artistic, humorous and fun to be around. He is sensitive and thoughtful and he is Bipolar. It is who he is and though people who don't understand this disorder think he needs to just grow up or get over it, they haven't a clue the things he has to overcome that they will never have to deal with. They try to "fix" him, but he is not broken, he does not need fixing. Don't get me wrong, we don't use the disorder as an excuse for bad behavior but we know he sees things differently and when he does something that makes totally no sense to others, there is usually a logical explanation, at least in his mind.
I am not a stranger to mental illness. My childhood was spent with a man who I knew loved me but was unable to show me. He functioned most of the time in his own world and was unable to cope with a child. He was so like my son, this man, my father. But he lived during a time when not as much was understood as it is today and he was never able to get the help he so deserved. His life was lonely and dark most of the time and he died a young man. But in the brief moments when there was light, I was allowed to see who he really was. In those short moments, I knew he loved and cared for me and in my memory, in my mind's eye, it is his smiling face I remember the most, not the pain in his eyes that I saw more often.
I want for my son to have more times filled with laughter than with pain. I want for him to know what a phenomenal person he is. I want for HIM to know this. I hope this journey we are on, he and I, will result in at least this. But more than anything I want him to see the magic that really does exist in life. The things you can’t understand or imagine. I want him to believe that things happen for a reason and you just have to be open to them and ready to accept the lesson they are trying to open up to you. Not everyone in life catches them, these little lessons in life, I’ve missed quite a few in myself, but as I grow older I see them more and more. I believe one of those magic times is happening to him right now. And I pray with all my heart that he grabs hold of it and understands that life is not always easy for any of us, but we go on and we make the most of it. I'd trade my life for him to be happy and at peace.

Week's Review on my Eating Experiment

Ok, I could really be on to something here. I was going to try and choose foods that would keep me satisfied longer. One of the things that I have tried is eating soup. I've never been much of a soup person, and I try to limit my sodium intake and canned soups are loaded with the stuff, but several companies are making low sodium soups now and they are not half bad. In fact Progressive has turned out to be my favorite. Here's a review of some of them I found on www.hungrygirl.com here. The thing about a can of soup when you live alone is that it's an easy meal. Pop the top, heat it up, add a salad if you like, some good quality crusted bread and you have an easy full fledged meal! And guess what! It keeps me satisfied easily until time to eat again. It's already portion controlled. So there you go!
Eating better means you have to remember not to mindlessly pop something in your mouth just cause it's there. I'm also very very interested in the idea that we should only eat when we are hungry, not because of what time it is. And that there are no bad foods. The truth is, if you choose good food, good quality food, it so much satisfies you in lesser quanities.
Anyway, I've been successful this week in keeping my calories down and not being hungry or had that nagging feeling that I need something else to eat at ten o'clock at night! Will keep you posted.

Oh and I forgot.......

To tell you that my granddaughter is reading above her kindergarden level and gets to go to first grade reading class. Her mom and I both love to read and we are so glad she obviously is going to love it too!

By the time I remembered I had a phone camera, the second rainbow had faded mostly but here's a shot of the other one. (OK, so I get really excited about rainbows but they are special!)

What a difference a day makes!

WOW! Ok, first of all I saw a double rainbow today, that was pretty spectacular. Then I got a text from my son, "I got a job!" On top of that he called and made himself an appointment with his therapist and an appointment to start back on his meds (slight set back because he missed last appointment and didn't get a refill on his medicine, which made our Christmas interesting, but oh well, part of life with this special son of mine) and things are looking up for now It's like being on a roller coaster but one can never say it's dull with him.
So, we shall see how this goes.

A Rough Day

Very drained today, very sad and feeling my child's pain to the extreme.

“A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking” Helen Rice

A Day Off but Not Really

I spent the majority of my day off working on a meeting for work. It's just a recap of the past year and some awards to some of the girls who accomplished their goals, things like that. We have to meet before the store opens and that gives me an hour but that hour flies by! One of the goals for the new year is to have more meetings but it is so hard to get everyone together at the same time, we mostly work different shifts since we are open til nine most nights. Anyhow, I got to get up an hour earlier and get there to set things up but then I should get the rest of the day off, we shall see.
Heard from my long lost son today. We've not seen him or talked to him in over a week, I'm sure he was visiting his wife. I couldn't handle having the conversation I have to have with him today, so I feigned a headache and told him I'd see him tomorrow....maybe.
The thing is that the six months we've supported him is about over and he's no closer now than ever being on his feet. But that's the way it is with him, and I have a hard time understanding how much is his illness and how much of it is the way he is! I suppose he'll go back to his wife and things will be no different. Very frustrating for me, and those of us who love him, but well, what can you do. All I can do is hope for the best. It's all I have left. It's a dream tucked away in this cedar chest that I just don't know for sure if it will ever come true. The dream for my son to live a somewhat normal life and to experience happiness.

Experimenting with my Diet

Ok, here's the deal. Three years ago I lost 75 pounds. I did it by eating healthy and watching portions and walking at least thirty minutes a day. I did it to support my mother who found out that year she was diabetic. She only needed to lose 20 lbs, which she did. But.......life happens and this past six months I've gained some back and I am determined NOT TO LET THIS HAPPEN!....and so, back to watching what I eat. I don't care what anyone says, you've got to have the time to plan and you have to buy the right stuff and be prepared. And that's why when my son's problem consumed my life for the last six months, I wasn't as careful as I had been, that and I'd stopped walking.
And so........here's what I'm experimenting with. There are certain foods that keep you full longer. Here's an example.
I've noticed this to be true. So, I'm going to make an effort to eat more of these foods and we'll see what happens. I don't think there are any bad foods, I think we take foods and make some of them bad for us but mostly I believe it's just like anything else, balance. Also I want to learn just to eat when I'm hungry. So, that's the plan. And it works good only there are days when I am hungrier than other days, ( I swear I think this is a woman thing) but anyway on those days I'll just try and eat more of the "full" foods. So wish me luck!

Thank goodness for people who love us

I emailed my last post to a dear friend of mine, he doesn't read my blog and I asked him if he'd still love me when I'm 50? His response was so special I had to record it here so that I won't loose it in my email. Plus I wanted to share. Here's what he said to me:

Hey!
You bet I'll love you when you are 50. 60,70,80,90 and beyond works too..........smile
Actually, my experience is that my life got better at 50 not 40. I recall that I became aware of a lot of things in life at that age. I began to understand a lot of things. I like it better.
I love your humor. I Love You.
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ok, It's all over now!

Back to the real world, except for we still have Gerald Ford to bury and Federal Employees get another day off. Lucky them.
I've had black-eyed peas twice today, I've read dozens of people's New Year's resolutions and I've seen tribute made to all the famous people who died in 2006 several times and I'm ready to start 2007. Or am I???? This is 2007! I was born in 1957! My Gosh! I can't believe I will be 50 years old this year! I still have four months and a few days to be in my forties. They say life begins at 40 but what do they say happens at fifty? Ok, don't answer that, I don't really want to know. Of course today's 50 is yesterday's 40 I think they say. And fifty is a nice well rounded number. Fifty cents is half a buck. If you're into a really good book, page 50 is nothing, just the beginning, really if it's a good long book worth sinking your teeth into. 50 percent off is a really good sale, that's a good thing. There's fifty stars on our flag. That's a very patriotic thing to share. There's 50 ways to leave your lover according to Paul Simon. "Fifty" rhymes with "Nifty" which is used quite often in the local newspaper beside some little child's pic. "Ain't it Nifty! So & SO is 50!...Oh brother....who am I trying to kid, 50 is.......well it's 50. I'll own it proudly, I've earned it! And who the heck knows! Maybe 50 will be Nifty. I'll get used to it. What choice do I have?? But today I'm still 49!

HAPPY New Year!

Hope you had a fantastic New Year's Eve. I know I did. Let's see, I got off work, came home. First I watched a Public T.V. Special on Frank Sinatra's life, very interesting, and then I watched a "I Love Lucy" dvd that I got for Christmas. Four espisodes that I never saw or had forgotten, very fun. I had a pot of tea (Peppermint Lane in flavor) and I had some crackers and cheese. I finished my book and I watched a local station out of Macon where they drop a big PEACH down at Midnite, and then I went to bed.
Today lunch with my mother and stepfather, (the black-eyed peas thing and mustard greens). Let's see, according to what I've been told all my life, you must have all your Christmas decorations put away by today or Bad Luck will haunt you all year. You MUST NOT wash clothes today or else someone in your family will die this year. And my all time favorite, whatever you do today, that is what you will spend the majority of your time doing all year......umm. Alrighty then.
It is a yukky rainy day here this morning. A good day to pull the covers over your head if you are lucky enough not to have to work and SLEEP! Of course I can't do that or else I'll be sleeping all year!
Happy New Year to all and hoping everyone a pleasant day!