Good Goal and Reminder

Lettie De Winnaar – LinkedIn

“It’s Really All About the Ice Cream, Anyway”

iStockPhoto

We go bowling every Monday (mostly) with long-time good friends.

I’ve heard the adage, “Practice makes perfect.” Whoever said that has not seen us bowl. We can’t even say we have ‘averages.’ Each Monday is an entirely new “bowl game” ( :0) ) with each of us being ‘on,’ ‘off,’ or somewhere in the middle. I’ve missed getting 100. I’ve bowled a 211. Sometimes I look like I know what I’m doing, picking up spares. Sometimes I would do better standing in the lane on either side of ours and throwing the ball like a baseball. (Assuming I COULD…)  There is no rhyme, reason, or consistency in this pretty nice group of people.

We always go to Braum’s Ice Cream after we bowl. The ice cream may be for celebration of a good job that night, or commiseration that we embarrassed ourselves once again. We are all trying to lose the lard, so the ice cream is a really special treat. I look forward to my ‘one-scoop-of-chocolate-in-a-cup’ all day Mondays and plan the rest of my eating around that, since that one scoop is 16 carbs and I try to stay at 20 or under daily.

My sister-in-law, Mary Lou, got to the crux of it in an email Tuesday.  “It’s really all about the ice cream, anyway.” 

Since We’re Talking Fireworks….

Josh Billings via Kelly Mizell – LinkedIn

Wisdom of the Dragonfly

Attitude of Gratitude via 2 Star Art

After a pretty long, awful day yesterday, my husband and I are doing a bit of resting today.

I’ve been up in my art room playing, and am about to go back up in a minute. I hope to be able to share what I’ve been working on with you.

Maybe Not ‘Forever’

trendsandlife.com

On the way back from the grocery store this morning, I asked my husband, “Will you love me forever?”

He said, “Maybe not forever, but I’ll go for the next 1,000 years.”

I’ll take it. :0)

Good Advice

Jim Cody – LinkedIn

Things are slowly coming together as we try to repair or replace the things we lost since we were hit by lightning. We are actually discovering what is most important to us.

• We are very lucky we didn’t lose more and can recover from this, even though there is no help from insurance with high deductible.
• As far as electronics go, my phone is most important to me because I am now able to communicate with people on it in several ways, even when all else isn’t working.
• The clothes washer is next important. We are still trying to get someone out to repair it, or tell us the bad news we have to get a new one.
• Computers and Internet access are super important to us. I really missed writing my blog, and I didn’t have access to either of my online shops. I also enjoy being able to communicate with people with typing, rather than having to use one fat finger to laboriously type out messages to people.
• We can do without a TV, but it’s kind of a quality of life thing – we’re spoiled.  We’re supposed to be able to pick up a new one tomorrow or Saturday (we hope)

As far as I’m concerned, all the other little electronic gadgets my husband is trying to repair (or get new parts for) are just icing on an already nice cake.

So, We have done most everything we can at the moment, just waiting and looking at the stars….

 

Today

Kids Best Interest via Desiree Angelique Hackett

Playing in My Art Room

My Artistic Wonderland via 2StarArt

I spent a little over an hour upstairs in my art room yesterday afternoon and I had the BEST time. Sometimes things get so busy around here that I go for several days – or even weeks – without giving myself permission to play.  Yesterday I started a group of note cards that I’ll list in my new shop on Etsy.

I love playing in the paint, experimenting with media and techniques, whether they work or not. The playing takes me back mentally to childhood, where I can imagine I’m playing with finger paint. It doesn’t matter whether what I do is ‘good’ or not. I just get lost in the joy of colors, textures, and dreams.

Though other things are pressing on me a bit today, I’ll make time to try to finish the note cards this afternoon, listening to some of my favorite music on my MP3 player, a hot cup of coffee in the warmer beside me… AHHH!

 

Overwhelmed

Psychologies

My poor brain is overflowing with good suggestions for how to make my new Etsy shop better.  I’m feeling totally overwhelmed right now, not knowing which way to jump.

I’m going to go do something else from my ever-growing to-do list and then come back and choose ONE thing to do in my shop.

What Do You Hope For?

Barbara Kingsolver via Lisa Bearnes Richey

My New Etsy Store!

For about a week and a half I’ve been viewing some videos by Renae Christine regarding selling handmade items online. She really got my attention when saying the several things you SHOULDN’T do – because I was doing ALL of them…. :0(

I have JUST finished creating a new store on Etsy called, ArtworthyNoteCards concentrating ONLY on selling my hand-painted cards, note card packages, and stationery packages.  I am trying to look at what I’m doing in a new way, incorporating her ideas, and will see if anything happens.

Changing the way you look at things is really difficult. Maybe this difficulty is another thing that increases with age. Her videos challenged me, though, getting me get excited about trying her suggestions.

I would very much appreciate it if you would visit my new store and give me feedback on what you think when you have the time and inclination.

If the link above doesn’t work for some reason, here is the URL to my Etsy store –

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtworthyNoteCards

Celebration of “NOT”

Pinterest

We are celebrating today that WE ARE –

• NOT starting the brick laying on the second planter today
• NOT working in the yard today
• NOT cleaning the house

I –

• AM posting happily on my blog
• AM doing meal prep for our feast tonight – hamburgers, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and deviled eggs
• AM taking the time to enjoy a good book
• AM enjoying being able to have front and back doors open – enjoying a wonderful breeze
• AM enjoying playing with our animals and spending time with my husband.

I hope that YOU can enjoy a “celebration of NOT” today, too!

Choose JOY!

Source Unknown

Don’t Forget

Lisa Bearnes Richey

Do…

Mini Moons Ago Miniature Donkeys via Cathy Ruggiero

Day Four of Being Back on the Horse!

The Funny Beaver

I’m working on Day Four of doing what I’m supposed to do on my eating and exercise plan. I just put the fourth gold star on my calendar for the week, starting with Wednesday.

I’ve lost 3 pounds this week and have exercised every day since the magical Wednesday.

• Wednesday I did 35 minutes on my elliptical trainer in the garage, albeit slowly. (I had a hitch in my get-a-long with my right hip protesting until I had done about 10 minutes. Then it eased up.)
• Thursday I did yoga stretches for the first time in too long, and again moved very slowly and carefully. (I got an indication of how messed up I was when I laid down on my back and it took a good minute or so of trying to relax before it didn’t hurt.)
• Friday I did my “Walking with Annoying Leslie”  video. I was only able to do one mile, rather than two.
• Today – Saturday – I did the Wii Fit Plus Balance ‘games.’ (I think I’m making progress in my attitude, though, because I actually LAUGHED when they insulted me.) It started with when they weigh you, then announce, “OH! You’ve gained weight since last time! (Imagine what they would have said if I had tried it BEFORE I lost 3 lbs. this week.) Balance is one of my biggest challenges which is why I put up with the insults. I DO get better with practice, and I don’t want to fall on my head or break my bones.
• Tomorrow – Sunday – I’ll do my dance video.

One thing I did that is helping me stay on track is re-sign-up with MyFitnessPal.com. There are fancier food and exercise tracking sites, but these people have the easiest food tracking system I’ve found. I don’t have to put in EACH ingredient in a recipe, for example. I can check-mark a repeated food each day without having to enter it again. I’m trying to stay under 1200 calories per day, but I’m combining that with recipes from my Keto book and other low-carb books, so I’m not as worried about it – just trying to keep myself honest about what I’m stuffing into my face.

I’m also trying to do

• something outside each day that the weather is cooperative – such as weed-whacking or gardening.
• also something cleaning related in the house. Today it was cleaning the screened back porch of a super-thick layer of yellow pollen, dog and cat hair, dirt, and other yuck, so that we can enjoy some meals out there before it gets too hot.

Both of these things make me feel I’m accomplishing something, plus keep me moving.

So far, it’s working.

I’ve lost 40.6 pounds and 43 inches so far. My goal, at this point, is to lose another 30 lbs. I want to be in the average range for my height (and I’m getting SHORTER, rather than taller) on BMI charts, and fit into some reasonable size at a regular department store for clothes, rather than having to hit the fat section of Walmart forever. I want to be as healthy as I can for my age (72) and not be restricted so much on what I can do without my body complaining.

One day at a time – today I’ve done my exercising, cleaned the back porch, and now I’ll head out to do some weed whacking.

I hope you’re having a happy day.

Goodness

The Age of Enlightenment via Janet Melendez – LinkedIn

Notice

Terrance E Stock – LinkedIn

Just Don’t Quit

“Just don’t quit all the way. You might have to quit a little bit. Just until you can breathe and find some space to move. This is not giving up. This is strategic self-care. Realizing you can stop when you want and start when you want builds trust with yourself. Also, try long walks, good books, and maybe chocolate. Or punching pillows. Whatever you need.” ~ Nanea Hoffman – Sweatpants & Coffee

 

Magdalena Korzeniewska – via Kathleen McGreal – LinkedIn

*Thanks to Kathleen McGreal who posted this on LinkedIn

Note to Self

Nanea Hoffman – SweatpantsAndCoffee.com via Desiree Angelique Hackett

To-Do’s

psychologies

Feeling a bit overwhelmed lately with a longer and longer to-do list no matter how many things I manage to remove. It seems as if every direction I look has things saying, “Fix me next!”

I just moved heavy coats from our utility room hooks area to the front hall closet, since it had no space available and I was having to dig or move things to find what I was looking for, so I feel good that is done. But on the way to the utility room, I saw little wisps of dog/cat hair moving along with the breeze on the tiled area. And the poor fishes’ water is cloudy again, and the table by my chair in the living room is piled up….

So – I’m doing a bit here – which I truly love – and then going and doing something else on the list before I allow myself to return here.  This way I’m having some fun between chores.

How do you handle too-long to-do lists?

Brian Tracy – http://www.pinterest.com

 

A Rainy Day

Elena-(Livia) D-LinkedIn

 

Today is a glorious rainy day here in Greenwood, Arkansas. I say “glorious” because the rain was timed perfectly.

Yesterday we had to buy a new tire for our little riding lawn mower. My husband got it onto the mower and did the first mowing of the season. The grass was a bit high, but he managed. Now it looks like someone actually lives here. :0)

Our garden also appreciated a nice drink without a lot of blowing or hail, too! (I’ll post pics in a bit)

So we’re spending the day being thankful we don’t have to be outside working in the rain and chill, happy to have a warm, dry house.

 

Anthony J. D’Angelo

A Good Life

GrowingBolder.com via Cathy Ruggiero

Reaching

Louise Smith via Lisa Bearnes Richey

Epic?

Cindy Basnett Thurman

Make Time

Heather A. Stillufsen – via Christine Malone – LinkedIn

Good Morning!

HappySmiles via Terrance E. Stock – LinkedIn

Happy Pat on the Head

I’m a sucker for all kinds of ‘feel-able’ pats on the head: gold stars on my desk calendar when I’ve done whatever exercise is scheduled for the day; and these cute little bears that NutriSystem sends out for each 10 pounds one loses.

As you can see from the picture above, I’ve gotten my 4th bear – the one for 40 lbs off. (Actually, right now I’m at 43 pounds off  :0) )  There is also 44.2 inches less of me than there used to be.

I have a good start now. I will try to get another 30 pounds off, and whatever number of inches that goes with that any my exercises.

The really big thing is that I FEEL BETTER.  I’m 72 as of yesterday, and I can honestly say I feel better than I did a year ago. On March 9th of 2020, I hope to be able to say the same thing, whether or not I’ve reached my weight loss goal.

Smaller, but again – a VISIBLE thing  – is that I’m able to fit in favorite clothes I’ve kept in closets for years, hoping that ‘one day’ I would be able to wear them again. There are still several things in the ‘hope’ area of my guest room closet. :0)  I’m between sizes on jeans right now, for example. The size I’m wearing is a bit baggy, but I’m still too lardy for the next size down. I’m also able to order some smaller sizes online, too.

I’m sleeping better with the loss of the lard and my efforts to move more. I get up from the computer after I post something here, do some chore inside or outside before posting again, for example. I’m also trying to do my exercises like a good old girl daily. I’m more successful some weeks than others. I’m doing something different each day – yoga and abdominal exercises one day, a dance video another, the Wii Fit Plus ‘games’ for balance and reaction time (I’m still awful and the program is still insulting me), the walking with Annoying Leslie one day, and the elliptical trainer in the garage one day. Now that spring is near (thank GOODNESS!) I’m working in the yard when the weather permits.

Though I’m getting old-in-the-tooth, I can usually gather enough energy to continue going through the house, concentrating on purging, then cleaning and reorganizing one area at a time. Today it’s the supplies shelves in our office after we go grocery shopping.

Motivation is high though results are slow. I think the older you get the harder it is to get any lard off or make appreciable difference in fitness or stamina, but I’m game as long as I’m breathing!

Fun in My Art Room

I’ve had a really fun afternoon experimenting with making a mixed-media painting. I’m like a kid with finger paints, having FUN without worrying about expertise or whether it’s ‘good’ or not. It’s great therapy for whatever ails me.

“Thistles”

 

Chris Chalk – Art

Celebration

makeameme.org via SayingImages.com

I am having quite a celebration of my birthday tomorrow.

The celebration started today, with a present from one of my good, long-time friends at Lunch Bunch. There will be another next Friday, according to my other dear friend. My husband is taking me for a lobster tail meal next week! I received a beautiful card today from a good friend in Tulsa, too. :0)

So I am I’m officially quite spoiled – 72 tomorrow – and ‘older-than-dirt.’

I feel of two minds about having another birthday. Part of me resents almost everyone being younger than I am. If I didn’t before, I treasure anyone who can remember the same stuff I do, and not say, “Oh, wow!” or something similar when I reminisce.  I’m not sure I enjoy feeling ‘maternal’ about my primary doctor.

On the other hand, I’m healthier than I was last year at this time.  I’m 43 pounds lighter and several inches smaller, a bit more flexible, with less pain due to trying to exercise daily. I’m busier than I have ever been – even when I was working for most of my life – doing things I love.

Right now I’m busily trying to get seeds to grow in my greenhouse so I’ll have healthy plants to put in our garden when the weather tames down. I’ve planted onion sets and am trying to get the rest of the squares of our square foot garden weeded and ready for planting.  I’m retired, so I can try to get up to my art room and play. I have more books than time to read.

So – Happy Birthday to me – a nice long celebration with family and friends – and another glorious year to start!

curpyrfc.org

Imagine

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero