Happy Easter

Yes, Happy Easter.  Woke up and the temp was 28 degrees, now two hours later its almost to 40 -- wow.

This is my holiday plant, can't really call it a Christmas cactus as the sucker blooms all year and at the oddest times. Whatever it is pretty and I haven't killed it yet, which in itself is quite a feat.  Of course, my sister tends to call me and reminds to water the sucker and dead-head the dead flowers.

As the weather gets nicer, the birds start flocking around the feeders.

This particular woodpecker has found his personal diner and comes every day.

The cardinals, both male and female have come twice, but being shy, it really takes some "stealth" to capture them on film, but I shall sooner or later.

This fence photo just caught my eye. Different view point  and kinda interesting, don't ya think?  It was our first time up at the ball field since last summer/Fall. Ground is still damp in spots but Clint loved being able to run around and of course, within seconds, found the sand pile.

King the Rock...as you can see, we still need hats and coats, it's not that warm yet.

And of course we have "critters" that make life interesting.  Wood chuck who is fat and busy and then, wild turkeys in my front yard. This is most unusual but what the hell.

So today is Easter and I have 8 people for dinner.  Best of all, I'm not really doing the cooking, Patrick is, he is fixing is ham and my role is quite simple and easy, peel, cook and mash potatoes.  I believe Kel is fixing Brussels sprouts, veggie tray and dessert.  We got shrimp to nibble on and I need to hide Easter eggs for Clint to find -- we colored them yesterday. This was a project he and Aunt Penny were gonna do but she is sick, so it fell to me.  

Hope the weather warms up, this 40+ is not warm enough. Have a lovely day and please, take a moment and reflect on why we have this special day!

Still winter

 So, its March 24th and we have yet to see anything closely looking like Spring.

In fact, woke up and the temp was minus 10 this morning.  Oh it is sunny and all that but its also freaking ass cold.

More cold weather is predicted this week as well, with possible more white stuff.  Hello, we don't want anymore and if what we have would just melt, slowly, we'd be quite content.  A fast melt will be a major flood and we don't want that, picky shits aren't we?

Ya, we'd like to be spring chickens. It is my understanding that even Florida is not exactly warm and other southern states have definitely felt the effects of this rather long, cold, nasty winter.

I don't call this "global weather," I just call it a long damn winter and I'm sick of the tundra number. Now, when its this cold and windchill's -35 or more, even I don't care to be outside sno=shoeing or just walking about.

Last week  I got to spend part of an evening and most of Thursday with my sister.  It has been a long time since we have seen each and yes, we miss our sister in Florida too.  We truly had a good time and nicely entertained folks at Macy's as well.  Well, the clerk did say to us; "if you apply for a Macy's card, which only takes a minute, you'll get 20% off and then, I'll give you another 10% coupon."  So we said, what the hell, go for it.  Now, they needed a driver's license, credit card, and other information, such as date of birth, SS number, annual income (she said we could say zero) and other shit.  Penny goes first, can't remember her SS number, so she makes one up but later admits that might be wrong, for income she says $200,000.  And within seconds she has a temporary Macy's card and the shirts that cost $12. are now $6.  So,now its my turn, I know my SS number and for income I wrote ZERO! Within seconds I was on the phone with some corporate ass confirming information and when she got to the income part, I calmly said, "hey, I'm on a day pass here."  Needless to say I did not get a card, so I used my sister's and still got my shirts for $6.  We told folks behind us they might want to go to another counter but no, they preferred to stay and watch this performance, it was alot more entertaining.

Ya, you jerk people around and you wonder why folks don't want your goddamn cards.  Give me a break, I don't need this crap and I have no Macy store near me, so who gives a rip.

Regardless of all this bullshit, it was great fun hanging out with my sister, laughing and catching up on family gossip, etc.  She hears one thing, I hear another, etc.  Sometimes what we each hear matches, which is shocking as hell.

Thursday afternoon we head back north, in and out of snow storms but the drive wasn't too bad.  Stopped for KFC and altho I love this stuff, its the most fattening food you'll ever consume. Friday was spent doing laundry as Hubby was leaving Saturday and for some strange reason, wanted clean clothes, he can be so damn fussy.

The best news, and hopefully this will occur, is Penny may visit me this coming week.  Again, with our weather its hard to confirm trips because you just don't drive in snow storms unless its absolutely vital.  We all have done the blizzard drive on I-81,and no thank you, we shall avoid it as much as possible now.

Here are some thoughts about growing older:

• Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
• The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
• When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think Algebra
• You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
• If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old.

Have a good one and stay warm (or cool if you happen to be where its warm).

March It Be

Well,its March and the cold weather continues to drive us nuts.

It was -19 on my deck this morning, you could have seen a sparrow fart is they were out and about, but they were not!   Its just been too damn cold.

This is how Grandma workouts out, well, some Grandma's this Meme, doesn't do this, I actually work out.  I'm such a nerd.

Okay, this month all us Irish folks will do the jig, ya, like that is gonna happen, not.

Years ago my sister put on quite an Irish spread, including green beer and later, everyone headed downtown to some dance party and raised all kinds of hell.  It was a grand ole time.  I'm hoping the weather gets warmer so we can really kick up our heels

So what's been happening in your neck of the woods?

I know that Warroad,Minnesota hasn't seen above zero temps since November, talk about frozen tundra.  Now they are use to cold winters, snow and ice but even they are sick of this nonsense, its just been friggin cold.

My darling sister has nicely provided me with a new nickname, hell I don't even remember the other one.  But now she refers to me as the "surgeon slut," due to the many surgeries I have had.  For example on Feb 25th I was at the Hepburn hospital having surgery (they call it that but I'm not sure its really surgery) - a cystocope and uretreoscope exam, laser lithotripsy and stent removed. Oh yes,great fun.  But once done, it was nice to know the stones were gone.

Then this Monday, March 3rd I had an eye appointment and was informed I needed to see an eye surgeon and have cataracts removed.  But I would not be able to get in to see the eye surgeon until August. However the next day I called the eye doctor to see if I should seek someone else due to this wait and he said, "no, if it was that serious I would have called and gotten you in much sooner, it's okay to wait until August."  So I took a deep breath and relaxed.  It was upon learning this, that my sister who had some run-in with some asshole in a grocery store, and she was steaming,texted our older sister and said; "guess who had an eye appointment today and now needs to have cataract surgery?"  Older sister replied, well isn't your day going nicely.  To which younger sister answered:  "not me, the surgeon slut." At that point everyone was roaring with laughter.  You see all three of us have cataracts and at some point all three will need this operation---guess I get to go first.  But they have made many advances since my parents and brother had this done and I'm not overly worried or concerned.

Today I visit the VA clinic -- I really have not been happy with this clinic for some time but hell, they are listed as my primary provider, so I will go in, have them listen to my chest, take my BP,etc and smile and leave.  Such a pain in the ass performance.  While I am doing this, hubby is heading to Office Max to get two new computer chairs, they are on sale and he has decided we need new chairs.  The old chairs will be taken outside and used in our time out, bar area near the deck this summer...hey, we might as well be comfy while sipping our drinks,right?

So here is your workout routine -- get the wine bottle and enjoy!

Snowing...still

 Well, you might as well find something to do because the snow ain't going away and neither is winter.

Kinda hard to photo yourself sno-shoeing but what the hell, you get the idea.

The snow as deep and Clint plowed in front of me and made a path, it was pretty funny and he loved prodding thru the snow.  But later, he would inform me he was hungry and we needed to go inside.  

Once inside I fixed him some breakfast, he ate two bites and that was it -- now I knew he was sick, this kid is constantly hungry and rarely does he ever want to come inside.  We would get a nap in later for sure.

Oh ya, after the ground hog saw his shadow and it was announced six more weeks of winter (like this shit means anything, its six weeks regardless), we all were ready to kill that sucker.  What is really bad is the temperatures.  It has been brutally cold and that even stops many from skiing or doing much outside. Hey,who in hell wants to play in minus 27 degrees and fight wind chills that hit -35...not this puppy.  Needless to say, ski resorts are suffering this year, they got snow, plenty of that, but nobody can handle these damn cold temps.

I send this to the Minnesota folks, as they are having a horribly cold winter too.  Well,shit, who isn't this year.  Even the southern states are suffering and I mean suffering.  Ice, no power, no idea how to clear the roads and many places are closed and stores are empty of food items everyone wants, its really something.

So, I go back to the urologist on Monday and we'll see if these damn stones have finally departed my body.  Sadly he didn't do the uretroscopy bit or remove the stent on Feb 3rd but we did blast again.  Said the stones, particles of them at least are now in the urethra, lovely.  Now, if the next KUB shows them still there, definitely doing the other number.  Oh hell, put me out, go up and get these suckers and remove that goddamn stent, I am really sick of this number.

And yes, damnit, it is snowing today too.  However its 30 degrees and I may just don my sno-shoes and go for a short hike.  It's a great workout and it really is nice to get outside.  Breath in that fresh air and what have ya.

Hope all who are reading these blogs is safe, happy, healthy and warm.

Super-boring--bowl

 So you waited all day for the Superbowl and you fixed all sorts of eats too, right?  Your team wasn't playing but you decided Denver had this in the bad and altho the Seattle Sea hawks had come a long way, great team and all, they could not beat Denver, no way, right?

Don't you feel like an ass right now?  The very first time Denver has the ball, they screw up, Seattle has a touch back and Denver never really recovers --Peyton was so shocked by the toss from his center, he just could not believe his own eyes.

Then he gets intercepted a couple times and holy crap, it just kept getting worse.  I was in bed with my book before half -way, bored out of my mind.  Hubby would walk back and up date me on the score and we both realized, this was a no brainier, Seattle had this in the bag.

Like I said, my team wasn't playing but I was pulling for Denver as my nephew is a huge Bronoc fan and he truly hoped to see them win.  

So football over and now what?  I don't think the fun tennis matches start until later in Feb but I can wait.  There is always repeats and while some are boring as hell, others are worth a second or third watch.

Today I go in for my 3rd blast treatment...holy shit, must be a damn gravel pit in there. My urologist told me; "First off, this was a very big stone and you are doing nicely. Secondly, I have a three strike out rule, this will be your third strike.  However, this time I will blast, remove the stent, use a uretroscope and go up there and remove any particles with a laser beam (or perhaps he said basket).  At this point I didn't give a shit, I'll be out and I want that damn stent gone.  It's beginning to cause a burning sensation when I pee and well, its been in there since Nov, so its time to go.

Now I think this is a damn clever idea.  I use to keep my coat and hat by the door, if someone showed up and I didn't care to hang around with them, I'd tell them I was sorry, I was just on my way out and I'd proceed to my car and say, call me later.  Ya, I'm bad.

So how is your Monday going? Anybody reading this blog?  I'm so ready for winter to end.  We are being advised another storm will hit us by Wednesday, which will include more snow and back to the frigid temperatures.  This shit is really getting old.

Keep warm folks and have a good one.

Another Blast

 Hey, if you leave your window down and its snowing, this is what you can expect to find.  And believe me, it's not easy to get that stuff out of your car either.

Some years ago, a mate and I left the window down just a crack at some Winter Conference in Oswego County, when we saw the snow inside the car the next morning, we just stood there and laughed, what else could you do. Then we brushed it out, started the car and ran the heater, hoping like hell to not only dry the seats but warm up the car too.  It was colder the Hades that morning.

Now for my story, ready?  Back in November, my back began hurting me and I knew the kidney stone that had been laying about for nearly 5 years had decided it was time to come out.  It was pretty big and probably should have been removed much earlier but with all my other medical issues and this not bothering me, we left it alone. But now it was impossible to leave alone, it had to be blasted (lithotripsy) and the urologist would put in a stent to assist in the stone removal process.  Of course you do realize, once this procedure was over, I would have to not just collect my urine but strain it to collect stone particles, right?  Collection was tossed, stones were placed in a jar (that alone is an entirely other story).  

Went back to see the urologist on Jan 3rd and thinking today the stent comes out and my life goes back to normal. WRONG!  Seem this stone was showing parts still there and another blast was needed, so on Jan 6th, back to the hospital and more blasting, more collecting and more fun.  Then, this week on Jan 29th, went back in for a check up, you do understand, each check also involves an x-ray (KUB), right?  Once again, it seems not all the stones are gone - what the hell, it's like I got this goddamn gravel pit in there or something.

So Monday, Feb 3rd I go back again for the third blast treatment, but this go around, he'll use either or both a cystoscope/uretroscope and remove any remaining particles and also that damn stent, all while I am out cold, thank you very much.  

Earlier on Jan 29th I was at the dentist office.  Oh this gets fun too.  I needed the dentist to sign off on the medical release for the oncologist to give me this infusion number for osteoporosis,helps maintain healthy bones or some such shit.  But I also wanted him to check my jaw, because after my last blast treatment, that sucker was sore and I couldn't open it as wide as I would like.  Well, shit I have a minor case of lock jaw.  No disease or infection, thank goodness, and I can (1) massage my jaw with my hand, (2) use warm, moist compresses to the jaw area a couple times a day, and (3) just kinda open and close your mouth, stretching your jaw as much as you can.  In other words, nothing to worry about, but it is painful and it will go away (in my life time hope).

Now my Grand son is all for this.  The other day he informed me he wanted to play outside and I informed him, no way, its minus 17 degrees and way too cold. "But Meme," he says, " we need to plant a snow garden!"  Ya gotta love this kid.

A few weeks ago,he and I were kinda of wrestling on the floor, he is four years old and not a light weight, he is tall and solid, well, he jumped on my and I heard this pop and sure as shit, my rib popped.  Talk about hurt, ye gads.  I tape it at night and thinking, I should wear a tape during the day too.  Oh sure, if I go to see a doctor, they'll say wrap it up, take these pain meds and its just gonna take time. Screw that, I detest pain meds and due to this lovely procedure on Monday, I can't even have a bloody aspirin.

Oh you wanna know the real kick in the ass.  The day before the procedure, which is Super Bowl Sunday, I can only have liquid meals and I don't mean booze.  There goes my chicken wings -- screw it, I'll have them Saturday just to be sure I get'em.  Superbowl without chicken wings ain't gonna be the same.

In the meantime, I continue to workout with the Shaun T-25 focus DVDs, I completed both Alpha and Beta workouts, a couple of times and this week moved on the Gamma round.  Lots of weights involved which I find damn entertaining and I can see my arms getting toned, etc. Hell, I was even able to do a couple burpees this week and that is quite a feat in my book.

So along with friggin horrible weather, this polar vortez can go to hell, everything is fine here.  Hubby is doing good too.  Have a lovely weekend and cheer on your team, well a team at least.

ENUFF

I cannot add anything to this post, the graphics say it all...so sick of this cold shit.

Minus 27 degrees

Hello everyone, can ya believe it's 2014 and January is nearly over, well, come on, it's January 21st, that is more than half way in my book! 

Now you can call this weather the polar vortex or what ever, but let me just say,today if just friggin ass cold!

Lately we have seen it all: rain, sleet,thaws, floods, snow,green grass, mud and slick roads and sometimes bare roads.  But today we woke up to -degrees. Not that my friends is friggin cold.
I had hope to get out and do some snow shoeing but with a wind chill advisory and half the damn schools on two hour delays, I think it best to stay inside (preferably under an electric blanket).

On the health front, let me get the good news posted first.  My December mammogram was normal (hurrah) and my oncology appointment Jan 14th declared me cancer free!  I have another mammo in June and follow up oncology in July but hey, this was great news and I'm doing the happy dance.

On the bottom half, the news ain't so good, but not bad either.  Back in November,after nearly five or six years, my back began bothering me and it was time to blast this damn kidney stone, which was done and a stent was put in to help remove the blasted pieces.  Then on my Jan 3rd follow up, it seemed the stones hadn't completely passed and I needed another blast treatment and that was done Jan 6th  but the stent remain,damn.  So now I have a follow up (along with a KUB) on Jan 29th and hoping like hell, the stones have gone and the damn stent can be removed (this is done in his office).  

This is what the ice storm brought us a few weeks ago and yes, we had power outages and some damn slick roads.

However, the sheet of thin ice on top of the backyard, which slopes slightlty, made for a great place to slide and my grandson loved it.  Put him in a plastic sled, little push and away he went. Even Meme (that would be me) did it once but getting back up that icy slope was anything but fun.

Poor birds were having to bust thru ice to get to food and when I could I was insure the bird feeders were full too.  Love to watch them but haven't see a cardinal yet, oh well, they'll be back in due time.

Here's me taken last month or perhaps earlier this month.  I'm losing weight, and inches as I do this Shaun T-25 workout program.  It's only 25 minutes each day and I sweat like crazy but it works.  Also learning to make healthier food choices too.  Sorry, but I still want my sweets but learning to cut down on them,too much sugar is not good.

 I do hope your year is going smoothly and things are happening in a manner you can accept or at the very least deal with?  I know life tosses challenges at us but screw it,we just do what we can and tell ourselves, this side of the dirt is a lot more fun than the other side.  So, if you are sitting around and moaning, get off your ass and move.

Have a lovely day, keep smiling.  Oh, if all goes as planned I will be headed to Florida in April...oh man, that is one road trip I can't wait to start and it'll be so much fun to see my sister and my Nam buddy.  

Happy New Year

 So, the year is nearly over and everyone is screaming "happy new year," right?  What the hell did we expect people to say anyway?

Gotta tell ya 2013, was a rough year for this household, in Feb I finally finished up radiation and man, was I glad that was over.  The last few days of that were rough, I'd get my treatment and head upstairs to the Ward to visit my husband who was hospitalized with pancreatitis.  Later, in the month, it would be determined Potsdam could not handle his problem and he'd go to Burlington, Vt aka Fletcher Allen.  There he would have a very risky surgery and spend a good month at that hospital.  The kids and I stayed in a Residence Inn, and drove back home every week or so just to check on things,switch people who could come with me and visit hubby, who had no clue we were there half the time. Finally the end of March, he was sent home and now, recovery was underway.

Some where around October or maybe it was September, I got into this Focus T-25 exercise program and quickly learned just how out of shape I was and 25 minutes of working out was just about killing me, but I stuck with it and each day I got stronger and feel better.

It felt good to see the pounds drop, body start to tone and while I had aches and pains, I was learning to eat a bit more healthier and having more energy.

  It wasn't long and winter let us know it was here.  For awhile we all sat back and hoped this was not gonna be another Ice Storm, like we had in 1998, it was bad and many places lost power but thankfully not as bad at 1998.

Ya,the sun shining through the ice cover branches is pretty but that ice brought down many branches,including power lines, now that was not pretty.









It always amazes me that doctor's schedule appointments in December and rarely can keep them.  Back in November I had a kidney stone blasted and stent inserted.  I was to see my urologist on Dec 23rd and hopefully get the stent removed, well that was canceled and now I shall see him Jan 3rd but need get an X-ray done before hand.  Had a mammogram on Dec 16th and would see my oncologist on Dec 19th, well that was canceled as he went on vacation and I would now see him Jan 14th (the last time I had a mammogram, a letter came expressing some concern and after discussion, an MRI was done, all was good, so I was kinda nervous about this one but felt all was fine.  On Dec 27th a letter from radiology confirm, it was normal, all was good...and I was once again breathing normal.  The only appointment that was not canceled in December was dermatology and he told me I looked fantastic, no issues and just keep getting older.

Now Christmas was creeping up on us and somuch fun.

Clint got a Leap Pad but calls it his Ipad.  Well, gotta run, more later, have a great holiday.

Pre Thanksgiving...duh!

We begin the month with my grandson,who turned 13 in July, getting his first deer, a nine point buck.

He was so excited he could hardly walk to find the deer but he managed to do that and of course, pictures were a must.

Earlier his grandfather had shot one, they walked forever to find it and had no luck.  Alex also shot but missed, so this was truly an amazing experience and he is one happy camper.

  Not to be out done, my son also got a beer, and it had been some time since he shot one so now there were two deer to be processed and two very happy campers.


However, grandpa Cass would also shoot one and another guy, so Dean's thrill of being the only one to shoot a deer that day was shorted lived.

The following week, the kids were return to school and the guys would go back to deer camp with no kids.  I can't imagine how they managed without their boys???

 Before you knew it was November 11th and Veterans Day.  It was kinda nice to put on a cap that read "I'm a Vietnam Vet," and have people actually stop, shake my hand and say thank you for your service.

In many places (not in my hometown unfortunately) Vets ate free at various restaurants. That was really nice but I read, weeks later that many were pissed that such an offer was not made in our hometown area.

 Here is Clint trying to decide whether or not he likes this idea of sharing his toys or not.  Usually he is a very caring, sharing young lad, but he turned 4 in late October and has begun to assert himself and is slowly realizing that not sharing, listening or showing signs of bullying is not acceptable and he needs to change his ways, and slowly this is happening.

You gotta love his workout gear -- he really gets into the safety aspects even if the toys are plastic.  He is attending pre-school and loves it.  He is smart and catches on quick, retains everything but dislikes being asked what he did in school today.  He'll tell one person and that, in his book, is sufficient.  He just doesn't see any reason to repeat things over and over.

Yesterday I asked him if they were learning Christmas (Holiday) songs and he said yes, and I said, "oh like Jingle Bells?'  He was quick to inform no; "No Meme, Christmas songs!"  I have no idea what in hell that means.  My sister, who lives in Syracuse said, in the city schools they can't sing Christmas songs because of all various religions and if they sing Christian songs, then kids must learn other songs as well.  Holy crap!!!

So, now we prepare for Thanksgiving.  Kel will fix the meal but I am sure we shall get our assignment as well; such as: can you cook and bring the ham, how about sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and oh, can Aunt Penny bake pies?  I get to do Christmas dinner and have it at my house.

I continue to do the Focus T-25 workouts and have lost inches, a few pounds and feel great.  However, this morning I realized the back ache was not really from the workouts but what I suspect is a kidney stone.  I have had one for over a year, it ain't gonna pass on its own but as it hasn't bothered me, we leave it alone.  Well, low back ache and blood is sufficient to have me call my urologist and see if I can see him sometime soon.  In fact, I left a message around 8 this morning and it's almost ten and no word.  I may need to call again.  Every get one of those goddamn answering machines, with ten options and if you chose one, they send you back to someone else and then, you get her voice mail and who in hell knows what happens after that?  Crazy process.

Well, folks have a good day.  Life is good.

Monday Oct 21, 2013

Hot damn, its Monday and the third week of my second go around with the Focus T-25 workout program.  Ya, I'm crazy but you all knew that, so what else is new.



Actually I rather like these workouts, they definitely challenge me and yes, I admit it, I have some aches and pains, including pulling abdominal muscles but overall I feel good. Then my darling sister read if you take one teaspoon of turmeric everyday you get all sorts of health benefits.  Lose weight, have more energy, supposedly has properties that count down on various diseases, etc.  So we are trying, in my opinion its like downing a very bitter root but you get creative and add "sweeteners" to dull the taste.  It's only been 4 days and I'm not sure, so far I see nothing but hey, it's early.  Remember, I was the asshole who bought into that garcinia shit, expensive and totally friggin worthless (hell I used it for a week and gained four pounds).  Anyway, I am adding the turmeric to my shakeology drink, which is another aspect of the T-25 program...when I add it, peanut and some guava, I'm able to drink the stuff.


Each week the coaches have us do various challenges, like post sweaty face pictures, video of us working, comments on the daily workout, pictures of the veggies and/or fruit we eat...here's mine for today: 

Then while my daughter is working in Asia and dealing with various airlines, hotel rooms, language differences and trying various cuisine, Clint and I are hanging out---we do have our moments, eh?

Now you have not really lived until you paint pumpkins with an almost four year old.  We start off using paint and brush, then we progress to finger painting the pumpkin and we cover the entire pumpkin we as much paint as we can apply.

Can you guess which one is Clint's?





In the meantime, my sister is here cooking up and storm and we just keep laughing alike crazy.  They see us enter stores and every clerk wants to follow us because they know this is gonna be fun.  For example, I wanted just three damn apples, picked them from the display and wouldn't ya know it, the damn apples took off, rolling all over the place. Other customers were handing them to me; "here's an apple, wait, here's another."  In the meantime the clerks are roaring and saying; "wait a minute and 50 more will roll by!"  This is just a mild example of our shopping experiences and the fun we share with everyone.  Now when Sissy returns to the big city, I hide out and let the local stores recover until she returns and we once again, grace them with our presence!

 

Fall photos.  You gotta get photos fast as the rain and wind cause leaves to drop quickly.

However the yellow and red leaves are almost always the last to show up and stay longer.

So, let me check and see if Face Book is fixed. I could not post a damn thing this morning, Kel texted me from Beijing saying she could not post and I had to text her back and tell her, it wasn't just China, they must be working on the damn site...bastards, drives me nuts.

Workouts Continue

 Let's start with this photo.  We took our sister-in-law Shirley out for her birthday.  Man, did we laugh and  have a good time.

Then she was saying how her sister, Irene who lives in Florida would love to see, but she won't come North because her husband is ill.  So, we quickly suggested she join us in April on our road trip to Florida.  

We nicely explained the details (ya, like there are so many).  We split the cost for gas and hotel room, but meals you're on your own.  That way nobody feels they had to pay for more drinks than they consumed.  Plus, we could always drop her off at her sisters and travel on to see our sister or she could join us, etc. We haven't worked out all the details but the idea is planted -- hey, it won't happen until April, so we have plenty of time.

This is Clint at some apple, pumpkin picking playground. He could of cared less about the apples, he loved all the playground equipment, in particular an in-ground bouncy gym which he jump on constantly.

Just trying to get him to look at me was not gonna happen but we had a good time.

Well believe it or not, I'm doing a second month of the Focus T-25 Workout programs.  These suckers kick ass but I'm getting toned, losing inches and even dropping a few pounds. I also have finally accepted the shakeology drink and that is actually curbing my desire for sweets.  Oh don't get me wrong, I still want my sweets but I'm not craving them so much now.  So, as I said I'm doing another month and so far so good.

As many of you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  And when I saw this display,in Norfolk no less, I had to stop and snap a photo.  The gal who lives there is still under going some reconstructive surgery but she and her partner dreamed up the pink pumpkins and I thought it was fantastic.  Just for the record, I do NOT support any cancer -- that statement just causes me to go livid.  I support cancer research and cancer awareness but I do NOT support cancer.  Are you friggin nuts?  

So, my daughter is currently in Bangkok, going to China in a couple days and various other places, all part of her job and not due home until Oct 28th.  She has had one hell of a screwed up flight so far and I just did face time with her and she looks exhausted. Its an 11 hour time difference and I told her to get off the phone and go to bed.

Now I plan to head over and see Clint, take some pictures and post to her email address.  Then come home and fix pork chops for dinner.  So life is good and hope all of you are having a good day, week, month and year.  Hugs.

Week Two

 Okay, I'm into my second week and so far so good. Holy water, I tied for a prize with another gal for total points.  We get prizes -- thrill, thrill.  This is a fun group and like I said, I'm the oldest one, but you know what, these young gals and guys keep me focused and I absolutely love their humor.

Oh hell yes, I am sore, have had some aches and pains and wondered (really wondered) if I wished to continue this madness (my dau-in-law's comment, "hell, you are 70, eat what you want, makes me laugh).  I am a sweet freak and trying my best to cut down on sweets. I don't give a shit what they say, a damn peach, pear,plum, etc is not a sweet like a chocolate brownie!!!

I have no idea what day this is but one of the things we do, or try to do, is posted sweaty face pictures.  I guess this proves we sweat or something or at the very least, how unattractive we can be while getting toned, losing weight and developing a much healthier attitude.


Gotta admit some of these workouts are just unreal and altho there is a "modifier," I modify a bit myself.  Like, lunges, grabbing my foot and pulling it up to my butt or how about getting down on al four, lift up and legs forward, now bring foot up to arm (are you nuts).

  Every Wednesday, along with a sweaty face, you can make it wacky -- so this was this weeks version of Wacky Wednesday.


I'm gonna keep at this, its for a month and who knows, I may keep going.

Now sure about this drink tho.  It's Shakeology and supposedly full of all kinds of good stuff but it tends to cause me some digestive issues (like mild constipation) and that is not good.  I usually take a daily dose of MirLax to stop this nonsense,with Shake, I switch to a stool softener and not sure that is working.  Now my daughter is "advising" me to not use MirLax or I'll rip my butt out or some such comment (she got her medical degree at Wal-Mart).  Look it's quite simple, I will do what I need to do to insure this ole body functions as it should,amen.

On September 5th my youngest grandchild, who is 3.5 years,began pre-K (aka pre school) and what a cluster morning that was -- we had three different buses arrived (are various times) before the 3rd one was his and he was mighty upset when he couldn't ride one and finally when the right when did arrive, he was all smiles and happy as hell.

Needless to say his mother was calling the school, asking about the damn bus, knowing she was late for work, etc.  He only goes half a day, so when they bring him back, they bring him to his house (wrong place assholes) and they call to learn what needs to happen (they have paperwork that tells them but who knows, can they read?)  Anyway,eventually everything worked out and Clint was one happy school kid.

This is the second day, all "tagged" up and this time the bus was on time and all worked out nicely.

When I asked him how school was (he was busy playing in the sand mind ya) he replied, "great."  End of story.

Ya, he likes school and that is good.