In a shocking development….
My mom calls me this morning and says “I never asked you what the orthodontist said.” My response was “Has an orthodontist ever seen a teenager and said they didn’t need braces?” The boy needs braces. His issues are minor and he’ll only need to wear the them for 9 months.
Let’s review yesterday shall we? Termite control: $1300. Braces: $1700. If I spend $3000 in a span of 12 hours I should at least have a really hot cabana boy to show for it! (Joking). Ugh. Not the best week on the family budget!
My tomato plants and herbs are looking really good. I hope I don’t regret trying to grow the tomatoes in pots.
I’m feeling fairly unenthusiastic about diet & exercise right now, but I’m not drowning in a vat of cheese dip either. I am holding steady for right now.
This whole thing couple with my house being all disorganized (dining room emptied out while the floor goes down – hub will complete tonight) has left me with pretty low energy. I am walking outside at lunch at least. We are taking the dogs for a walk this evening.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Silver lining
Okay, so there are some good things about the great termite debacle of 2008:
I saw them. I have termites, but they have done no damage to my house! I have to have the guy come out and treat for them ($1300), but I don’t have to pay for any repairs. What if I hadn’t seen them??
Having an unexpected emergency forced my husband and I took take a hard look at our debt and our short term savings. What we realized was that paying down debt, paying for the deck, AND doing the roof in one year would stretch us too close to the breaking point. It was too much.
Our shingles are in decent shape, so hub is planning to go up and replace any that are missing (thank goodness he is handy!) and we are putting the roof off a year. Thankfully, it is in good enough condition that we had that option. That will allow us to continue paying off debt and increase our short term savings (which had become $0). We’re good with the retirement, but we need to increase our “emergency” fund. Termites are an emergency.
I’ve been stressed and my sleep has been affected so my walking has been spotty. But now that things are resolved, I actually feel much better than I did before the termites! So maybe this taught us a lesson and it was a much cheaper one than it could have been.
Let’s see if I still have that perspective after my son’s trip to the orthodontist this afternoon!
Okay, so there are some good things about the great termite debacle of 2008:
I saw them. I have termites, but they have done no damage to my house! I have to have the guy come out and treat for them ($1300), but I don’t have to pay for any repairs. What if I hadn’t seen them??
Having an unexpected emergency forced my husband and I took take a hard look at our debt and our short term savings. What we realized was that paying down debt, paying for the deck, AND doing the roof in one year would stretch us too close to the breaking point. It was too much.
Our shingles are in decent shape, so hub is planning to go up and replace any that are missing (thank goodness he is handy!) and we are putting the roof off a year. Thankfully, it is in good enough condition that we had that option. That will allow us to continue paying off debt and increase our short term savings (which had become $0). We’re good with the retirement, but we need to increase our “emergency” fund. Termites are an emergency.
I’ve been stressed and my sleep has been affected so my walking has been spotty. But now that things are resolved, I actually feel much better than I did before the termites! So maybe this taught us a lesson and it was a much cheaper one than it could have been.
Let’s see if I still have that perspective after my son’s trip to the orthodontist this afternoon!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Ever feel like you just can't catch a break??
If you'll recall, hub was out of work for the first few months of last year. Indeed, his work had been less than steady for the prior couple of years. It seemed to be "feast or famine", with us slowly sliding into more debt, culminating in his stint of unemployment last winter and into the spring of 2007.
Then he got on with a good company. He recently got a promotion, and things seem to be going good. It's a construction firm, but they focus largely on commercial. Things may slow down a bit, but they don't "over hire" the way some construction firms will. This company has been around 85 years and has positioned itself to remain. What I'm saying is that we feel his job is fairly secure, despite the industry.
We may some good strides on getting our debt under control and haven't resorted to borrowing against the retirement fund. The past 2 or 3 months I've felt like we weren't doing as well against our budget, so I sat down with the bank statements and analyzed our spending patterns. Hub and I sat down last night to look over the results, revise the budget and we agreed that in some areas (eating out for example) we would go back to a cash based system in order to prevent overspending.
All in all it was a good talk and we both felt like we had made a good plan. It concerns us that we have no short term savings and too much debt (none of it on credit cards, thankfully!).
This morning I was in the garage and saw all these bugs: termites. Unless you live in the south, you probably can't fully appreciate the horror and dread that word strikes into the hearts of home owners here. Termites eat wood. You know, the stuff your house is made of? Hub sprayed last fall, so I am hoping this isn't an old infestation. If it is, we could be talking thousands of dollars. Hopefully it's new and we're talking hundreds of dollars.
So, it may be the money we planned to spend on a new roof will instead get spent on termites. We really need a roof, but I am hesitant to borrow money, even for a few months in the current economic environment.
I will say one thing: this recession (and I don't give a poo what the president says that's what we're in) has reminded me that budgeting and living beneath your means are the way to financial freedom and peace of mind. We couldn't really help the times hub couldn't find work - it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. But it's time to get back on track and watch closely to make sure we stay there!
Anyway, this termite thing has me worried. :-(
If you'll recall, hub was out of work for the first few months of last year. Indeed, his work had been less than steady for the prior couple of years. It seemed to be "feast or famine", with us slowly sliding into more debt, culminating in his stint of unemployment last winter and into the spring of 2007.
Then he got on with a good company. He recently got a promotion, and things seem to be going good. It's a construction firm, but they focus largely on commercial. Things may slow down a bit, but they don't "over hire" the way some construction firms will. This company has been around 85 years and has positioned itself to remain. What I'm saying is that we feel his job is fairly secure, despite the industry.
We may some good strides on getting our debt under control and haven't resorted to borrowing against the retirement fund. The past 2 or 3 months I've felt like we weren't doing as well against our budget, so I sat down with the bank statements and analyzed our spending patterns. Hub and I sat down last night to look over the results, revise the budget and we agreed that in some areas (eating out for example) we would go back to a cash based system in order to prevent overspending.
All in all it was a good talk and we both felt like we had made a good plan. It concerns us that we have no short term savings and too much debt (none of it on credit cards, thankfully!).
This morning I was in the garage and saw all these bugs: termites. Unless you live in the south, you probably can't fully appreciate the horror and dread that word strikes into the hearts of home owners here. Termites eat wood. You know, the stuff your house is made of? Hub sprayed last fall, so I am hoping this isn't an old infestation. If it is, we could be talking thousands of dollars. Hopefully it's new and we're talking hundreds of dollars.
So, it may be the money we planned to spend on a new roof will instead get spent on termites. We really need a roof, but I am hesitant to borrow money, even for a few months in the current economic environment.
I will say one thing: this recession (and I don't give a poo what the president says that's what we're in) has reminded me that budgeting and living beneath your means are the way to financial freedom and peace of mind. We couldn't really help the times hub couldn't find work - it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. But it's time to get back on track and watch closely to make sure we stay there!
Anyway, this termite thing has me worried. :-(
Friday, April 25, 2008
Word of the week: blah
I've spent time this week analyzing where we spend money and how much and comparing that against our budget. Ugh. That kind of stuff makes me want to hide in pizza & beer!
Being a grown up can be a pain in the butt.
Going to work on housework this weekend - that always makes me feel more in control.
Anyway, have a good weekend!
I've spent time this week analyzing where we spend money and how much and comparing that against our budget. Ugh. That kind of stuff makes me want to hide in pizza & beer!
Being a grown up can be a pain in the butt.
Going to work on housework this weekend - that always makes me feel more in control.
Anyway, have a good weekend!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Earth Day
Didn't do anything special for Earth Day, although work had a really nice info area set up with lots of folks coming in. I didn't know that Home Depot makes a "green" paint - since I'm in the market for paint for the boy's room, that's good to know! Anyway, got some good info.
We've made several changes this year - the clothes line, cutting the setting on the dish washer to air dry (did you know drying the dishes uses more power than washing them?!), the new bulbs, recycling, the CSAs, my (small) garden, unplugging the cell phone chargers - it all adds up!
One thing we've done is switch to "green" cleaning products. But they are so expensive that I may switch to making my own! Just as friendly, and a heck of a lot cheaper. I draw the line at making my own laundry detergent though, that sounds like a pain.
We are having a brewing thing at the house this weekend – a friend is coming over and co-teaching. We have 1 gallon glass bottles so that at the end of the day, people can take home something they've made. That should be fun. Other than that, just continuing to work around the house. I am deep into spring cleaning, the boy is into re-doing his room, and hub is catching up on his "honey do" list as well as the deck.
Not much on the SCA event horizon. Well, Pennsic prep and finishing a dress a friend has been helping me with. I know I sound like a stick in the mud, it's just that we put off so much family & house stuff while hub was working 7 days a week that right now I am just really enjoying.
The weather is making walking a piece of cake. Morning is pleasant and evenings are prime time for us going out and walking the dogs. We are getting quite a bit of rain though – our grass is super long but too wet to mow!
The diet is going okay. I wasn’t very faithful about getting on the scale for a while, but to date I have lost 6 pounds and am starting to feel a bit better. This morning I weighed exactly 180, I’m looking forward to the 170s!
Meals are largely going just fine – I do need to figure out a good evening snack though – I’ve been having a boca burger on half a piece of lavash bread (a really thin wrap bread). This brand is made with flax and whole wheat, so it’s low carb and has fiber. Trying to keep those refined carbs down. I don’t need a lot, but I find I need maybe half a serving 2 or three times a day.
Like I’ve written, I’m not 100% compliant, but I am eating a lot more veggies and a lot less fat, so that has to be good – even if I do cave and have the occasional diet pepsi!
Didn't do anything special for Earth Day, although work had a really nice info area set up with lots of folks coming in. I didn't know that Home Depot makes a "green" paint - since I'm in the market for paint for the boy's room, that's good to know! Anyway, got some good info.
We've made several changes this year - the clothes line, cutting the setting on the dish washer to air dry (did you know drying the dishes uses more power than washing them?!), the new bulbs, recycling, the CSAs, my (small) garden, unplugging the cell phone chargers - it all adds up!
One thing we've done is switch to "green" cleaning products. But they are so expensive that I may switch to making my own! Just as friendly, and a heck of a lot cheaper. I draw the line at making my own laundry detergent though, that sounds like a pain.
We are having a brewing thing at the house this weekend – a friend is coming over and co-teaching. We have 1 gallon glass bottles so that at the end of the day, people can take home something they've made. That should be fun. Other than that, just continuing to work around the house. I am deep into spring cleaning, the boy is into re-doing his room, and hub is catching up on his "honey do" list as well as the deck.
Not much on the SCA event horizon. Well, Pennsic prep and finishing a dress a friend has been helping me with. I know I sound like a stick in the mud, it's just that we put off so much family & house stuff while hub was working 7 days a week that right now I am just really enjoying.
The weather is making walking a piece of cake. Morning is pleasant and evenings are prime time for us going out and walking the dogs. We are getting quite a bit of rain though – our grass is super long but too wet to mow!
The diet is going okay. I wasn’t very faithful about getting on the scale for a while, but to date I have lost 6 pounds and am starting to feel a bit better. This morning I weighed exactly 180, I’m looking forward to the 170s!
Meals are largely going just fine – I do need to figure out a good evening snack though – I’ve been having a boca burger on half a piece of lavash bread (a really thin wrap bread). This brand is made with flax and whole wheat, so it’s low carb and has fiber. Trying to keep those refined carbs down. I don’t need a lot, but I find I need maybe half a serving 2 or three times a day.
Like I’ve written, I’m not 100% compliant, but I am eating a lot more veggies and a lot less fat, so that has to be good – even if I do cave and have the occasional diet pepsi!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
SOS (sick of salad!)
I am finding it difficult to eat an el humongo salad every day. It’s mostly my fault – I chose to buy the 6 pack of romaine hearts from Costco this week and last – I much prefer cabbage and/or spinach as a base for my salad. Couple that with a couple of poor dressing choices and you have disaster! What I am enjoying is the spinach in my morning smoothie. I wonder if I could get a little wheat grass in there??
The weather is making walking pretty easy, although the weights and I remain (sadly) on the outs. I hope that situation changes in the near future – right now I’m not fighting it because this whole eating thing is taking a lot of my energy.
This past weekend I cleaned out my make-up, hair accessory, and medicine drawers in the bathroom. I filed all my recipes in the correct binders. I picked up and put away all the sewing stuff in the dining room – we could actually eat in there now!
Unfortunately, when the boy cleaned out his room he did so by leaving all the crap he didn’t want in the guest room for me to dispose of. Ahem. He’ll be helping, but between that plus some of our junk that has accumulated, that room is next on my hit parade – I plan to tackle it Sunday.
I love spring cleaning!!!
I am finding it difficult to eat an el humongo salad every day. It’s mostly my fault – I chose to buy the 6 pack of romaine hearts from Costco this week and last – I much prefer cabbage and/or spinach as a base for my salad. Couple that with a couple of poor dressing choices and you have disaster! What I am enjoying is the spinach in my morning smoothie. I wonder if I could get a little wheat grass in there??
The weather is making walking pretty easy, although the weights and I remain (sadly) on the outs. I hope that situation changes in the near future – right now I’m not fighting it because this whole eating thing is taking a lot of my energy.
This past weekend I cleaned out my make-up, hair accessory, and medicine drawers in the bathroom. I filed all my recipes in the correct binders. I picked up and put away all the sewing stuff in the dining room – we could actually eat in there now!
Unfortunately, when the boy cleaned out his room he did so by leaving all the crap he didn’t want in the guest room for me to dispose of. Ahem. He’ll be helping, but between that plus some of our junk that has accumulated, that room is next on my hit parade – I plan to tackle it Sunday.
I love spring cleaning!!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
I highly recommend a weekend birthday
The cool thing about having your birthday on a weekend is that not only do you get to do what you want, but you get to do it with the people you care about! I spent Saturday buying plants with my mom (and then planting them), doing yard work with hub and the boy, and then going out to eat & to the used book store (where I scored an excellent stash of Star Trek books and the soundtrack to “Queer Eye”). Sunday was more house work – food prep & helping with the carpet cleaning. We practically emptied the boy’s room and then re-organized & cleaned out. We are planning to paint, so he needed to pare down. The pack rat gene skipped a generation!
Anyway, wonderful weekend.
The weather is awesome – the heat is turned off and the windows are open. Got in a couple of terrific walks. I love this time of year!
The cool thing about having your birthday on a weekend is that not only do you get to do what you want, but you get to do it with the people you care about! I spent Saturday buying plants with my mom (and then planting them), doing yard work with hub and the boy, and then going out to eat & to the used book store (where I scored an excellent stash of Star Trek books and the soundtrack to “Queer Eye”). Sunday was more house work – food prep & helping with the carpet cleaning. We practically emptied the boy’s room and then re-organized & cleaned out. We are planning to paint, so he needed to pare down. The pack rat gene skipped a generation!
Anyway, wonderful weekend.
The weather is awesome – the heat is turned off and the windows are open. Got in a couple of terrific walks. I love this time of year!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Birthday weekend and lessons learned
Tomorrow is my birthday. I’m taking a half day off today to do the grocery shopping and run errands. That will give me more time tomorrow for planting my herb garden (my gift from my mom) and working on things around the house.
The hub is taking the day off today to work on the deck. He hasn’t had many days off and the job he’s been working on was winding down and he wasn’t needed, so this is a good chance for him to get a bit of down time. Right now their crew is parceled out amongst other crews because their job hasn’t started yet. Once his boss’ job starts in June (which is when he will be the foreman) he probably won’t get a lot of time except for our annual vacation – and he many only get 1 week for that.
Our weed eater died so he had to buy a new one today. It’s always something, isn’t it?
I have planned out the meals for next week and included some “plan b” type things incase of emergency. I would say that eating vegetarian is (for me) easy, eating vegan is more challenging but once I got some good recipes under my belt wouldn’t be too hard. But this whole “eating for life” is tough because it also eliminates things like artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and your grains are limited. I am definitely NOT 100% compliant, but I can see an improvement in how I feel with just the 80% or so I’ve been able to achieve. So, I’ll keep plugging away at it!
I hope you guys have a great weekend!
Tomorrow is my birthday. I’m taking a half day off today to do the grocery shopping and run errands. That will give me more time tomorrow for planting my herb garden (my gift from my mom) and working on things around the house.
The hub is taking the day off today to work on the deck. He hasn’t had many days off and the job he’s been working on was winding down and he wasn’t needed, so this is a good chance for him to get a bit of down time. Right now their crew is parceled out amongst other crews because their job hasn’t started yet. Once his boss’ job starts in June (which is when he will be the foreman) he probably won’t get a lot of time except for our annual vacation – and he many only get 1 week for that.
Our weed eater died so he had to buy a new one today. It’s always something, isn’t it?
I have planned out the meals for next week and included some “plan b” type things incase of emergency. I would say that eating vegetarian is (for me) easy, eating vegan is more challenging but once I got some good recipes under my belt wouldn’t be too hard. But this whole “eating for life” is tough because it also eliminates things like artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and your grains are limited. I am definitely NOT 100% compliant, but I can see an improvement in how I feel with just the 80% or so I’ve been able to achieve. So, I’ll keep plugging away at it!
I hope you guys have a great weekend!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Not poor planning, just poor recipes
I tried really hard to plan yummy, vegan meals for myself this week. It has not panned out. The recipe I chose for lunches was horrible (I ate one portion and am throwing the rest out!) and the guys have turned up their noses at a couple.
Last night I took them out to celebrate my husband’s promotion to foreman (he was hoping to be made assistant foreman!). Tonight they are having pork chops and the evil health food grocery had no tofu in the deli so I guess I will be having a vegan tv dinner. Ugh.
I am going to pick up a couple of vegan tv dinners to have for emergencies, I tried this week, but it didn’t pan out. I’m planning to try some more new recipes next week, I hope I choose better.
Still can’t figure out what to drink. Had unsweet tea at dinner last night because I just couldn’t face another glass of water.
It has been a learning experience and I am definitely still climbing “up” the learning curve. On the other hand, it hasn’t been any more difficult than any week when I try new recipes. Sometimes the one with meat are lousy too!
I tried really hard to plan yummy, vegan meals for myself this week. It has not panned out. The recipe I chose for lunches was horrible (I ate one portion and am throwing the rest out!) and the guys have turned up their noses at a couple.
Last night I took them out to celebrate my husband’s promotion to foreman (he was hoping to be made assistant foreman!). Tonight they are having pork chops and the evil health food grocery had no tofu in the deli so I guess I will be having a vegan tv dinner. Ugh.
I am going to pick up a couple of vegan tv dinners to have for emergencies, I tried this week, but it didn’t pan out. I’m planning to try some more new recipes next week, I hope I choose better.
Still can’t figure out what to drink. Had unsweet tea at dinner last night because I just couldn’t face another glass of water.
It has been a learning experience and I am definitely still climbing “up” the learning curve. On the other hand, it hasn’t been any more difficult than any week when I try new recipes. Sometimes the one with meat are lousy too!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Home improvement and drink ideas
This weekend looks to be a continuation of working on the deck. Hub was never able to finish it last fall – the covered area needs to be roofed (the framework is up, it just needs the plywood & shingles) and the handrail needs to be finished. We hadn’t planned to tear out the rug in the dining room because we can’t lay the hardwood until next spring, but that carpet was nasty.
I’m finding the challenge with this particular diet isn’t the vegan eating – that’s not too bad. It’s the beverage choices – or lack thereof. Once you eliminate juices, caffeine, and artificial sweetener, what are you left with besides herbal tea and water? Cause I’m tired of both.
This weekend looks to be a continuation of working on the deck. Hub was never able to finish it last fall – the covered area needs to be roofed (the framework is up, it just needs the plywood & shingles) and the handrail needs to be finished. We hadn’t planned to tear out the rug in the dining room because we can’t lay the hardwood until next spring, but that carpet was nasty.
I’m finding the challenge with this particular diet isn’t the vegan eating – that’s not too bad. It’s the beverage choices – or lack thereof. Once you eliminate juices, caffeine, and artificial sweetener, what are you left with besides herbal tea and water? Cause I’m tired of both.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
So far so far
I emailed back and forth several times with my friend VJ last week to find out about her experience eating a vegan diet. Like her, I have found some things easy and some things difficult.
Easy – all the meals I cook for myself. My smoothie for breakfast has been excellent. Who would have thought to add spinach? And the new fruit blend is a great change of pace. Snacks are virtually identical except I have beans instead of yogurt in one of my snacks. Lunch is very similar – huge salad and some sort of casserole/soup type deal.
Dinner has been tough. I have been excited about trying new things (although this does mean more work), but the guys have been resistant. And I’m not making them eat no meat – I’ve been adding meat to their portions. But their upturned noses are starting to get on my nerves. They are usually really good about new things – but I am seemingly on a huge losing streak with them. Oh well. I am using an old recipe for dinner tonight and I will scrap Thursday’s plan for an old standby while I eat leftovers from last night – stuff bell pepper.
I got up and walked this morning. We are having a cold streak here – it’s in the 30s in the morning, but tonight is the last night. I had to turn the heat back on Sunday, but I suspect I’ll be able to turn it off tomorrow until the start of fall. Woo hoo!
I am putting in my herb and tomato garden this weekend. I was planning to do it this past weekend but didn’t – I’m glad since we’ve had these cold nights!
I emailed back and forth several times with my friend VJ last week to find out about her experience eating a vegan diet. Like her, I have found some things easy and some things difficult.
Easy – all the meals I cook for myself. My smoothie for breakfast has been excellent. Who would have thought to add spinach? And the new fruit blend is a great change of pace. Snacks are virtually identical except I have beans instead of yogurt in one of my snacks. Lunch is very similar – huge salad and some sort of casserole/soup type deal.
Dinner has been tough. I have been excited about trying new things (although this does mean more work), but the guys have been resistant. And I’m not making them eat no meat – I’ve been adding meat to their portions. But their upturned noses are starting to get on my nerves. They are usually really good about new things – but I am seemingly on a huge losing streak with them. Oh well. I am using an old recipe for dinner tonight and I will scrap Thursday’s plan for an old standby while I eat leftovers from last night – stuff bell pepper.
I got up and walked this morning. We are having a cold streak here – it’s in the 30s in the morning, but tonight is the last night. I had to turn the heat back on Sunday, but I suspect I’ll be able to turn it off tomorrow until the start of fall. Woo hoo!
I am putting in my herb and tomato garden this weekend. I was planning to do it this past weekend but didn’t – I’m glad since we’ve had these cold nights!
Monday, April 14, 2008
It’s a start
So, this weekend was a shift toward my new eating style, with caveats. We has out of town company, so the hub felt the need to indulge and bought wings and beer and cheese dip – and yes, I had some of all of that. But I was also careful to eat the amount of vegetables and made healthy meals. I’m not worried about it. I have gotten on the scale every day. You’d think this would be stressful, but in fact the opposite has been true: by weighting daily (as opposed to weekly), I tend to look at the number, make a mental note, and move on. I’m not hung up on “will this week be successful?”. I’ve watched it go up and down in response to eating etc. I know it sounds weird, but I worry about it less now that I have a scale at home!
I have a yummy smoothie this morning – spinach and a new mixed frozen fruit blend I decided to try from Costco (peaches, strawberries, melon – really good!), about a quarter cup of orange juice, and water. Unfortunately I forgot the flax seed, so I got hungry kinda early! I made a recipe for curried udon noodles of out “Veganomicon” – it was awesome! I made it for dinner last night and luckily there were leftovers for 2 lunches! I am especially glad because the vegetable vindaloo recipe I got off the fat free vegan blog was very disappointing.
Nice weekend – good visit with a friend, lots accomplished around the house. It felt so good to just stay home!
So, this weekend was a shift toward my new eating style, with caveats. We has out of town company, so the hub felt the need to indulge and bought wings and beer and cheese dip – and yes, I had some of all of that. But I was also careful to eat the amount of vegetables and made healthy meals. I’m not worried about it. I have gotten on the scale every day. You’d think this would be stressful, but in fact the opposite has been true: by weighting daily (as opposed to weekly), I tend to look at the number, make a mental note, and move on. I’m not hung up on “will this week be successful?”. I’ve watched it go up and down in response to eating etc. I know it sounds weird, but I worry about it less now that I have a scale at home!
I have a yummy smoothie this morning – spinach and a new mixed frozen fruit blend I decided to try from Costco (peaches, strawberries, melon – really good!), about a quarter cup of orange juice, and water. Unfortunately I forgot the flax seed, so I got hungry kinda early! I made a recipe for curried udon noodles of out “Veganomicon” – it was awesome! I made it for dinner last night and luckily there were leftovers for 2 lunches! I am especially glad because the vegetable vindaloo recipe I got off the fat free vegan blog was very disappointing.
Nice weekend – good visit with a friend, lots accomplished around the house. It felt so good to just stay home!
Friday, April 11, 2008
I’m practicing: “No thank you” and “oh well”
These 2 phrases are going to be my mantras. Any time my husband says, “Would you like (fill in the blank: a beer, some chips, a snack from the convenience store) the automatic response is “No thank you.” Cause I’m glad he’s a thoughtful man, but he can also be enabling. Next up: staring into the cupboard or fridge, longing for … something. The answer is “oh well” and reach for one of the already prepared snack items.
My weight is already down a bit just from the stomach thing earlier this week. Now to stay on that roll! I have printed out yummy recipes for next week, established that the home scale is very close in weight to the work one (which matches the doctor’s), I have plenty of veggies coming from the farm, and I’ve already done some experimenting. This morning I added broccoli slaw and spinach to my smoothie and it was good!
Have a good weekend!
These 2 phrases are going to be my mantras. Any time my husband says, “Would you like (fill in the blank: a beer, some chips, a snack from the convenience store) the automatic response is “No thank you.” Cause I’m glad he’s a thoughtful man, but he can also be enabling. Next up: staring into the cupboard or fridge, longing for … something. The answer is “oh well” and reach for one of the already prepared snack items.
My weight is already down a bit just from the stomach thing earlier this week. Now to stay on that roll! I have printed out yummy recipes for next week, established that the home scale is very close in weight to the work one (which matches the doctor’s), I have plenty of veggies coming from the farm, and I’ve already done some experimenting. This morning I added broccoli slaw and spinach to my smoothie and it was good!
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Nesting
The hub asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him a clothesline. I have been asking for one for over 2 years, but now since I asked for it for my birthday, lame excuses are verboten. Ha! I am sneaky that way.
This month we are working on our house. Getting a new roof, finishing (finally) the deck, tearing up yucky carpet in dining room.
When I was in the army I moved every couple of years. I liked it. I've lived in my house for 8 years now. Every 2 -3 years I get the urge to re-do things. I'm feeling the itch for my third re-do. Coincidence? I don't think so. I love the reinvention opportunities of home decorating - it's like getting a new place to live on the cheap!
I spoke with Mrs. P last weekend (aka the rebel mennonite) - chickens may be ready this week, but probably next. I am starting to get into the swing of belonging to a CSA - the biggest thing is that you cannot slack off and just decide to eat out or eat crap or you risk being crushed under the weight of fresh veggies waiting to be eaten. If you get behind on veggie consumption (say, a stomach virus for example), you must make your husband grill the veggies so they don't go bad. Actually, make him grill them anyway - they are yummy that way!
A friend of mine (well, online friend – fellow blogger) followed the “Eat to Live” plan for 6 weeks last spring and her results were amazing: (Cut from her blog)
“Weight: I lost 29 pounds
Waist measurement: lost 3 inches
Blood sugar (fasting): I went from 117 to 97. The prediabetic range is 100-126.
Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number): dropped 18 points, from 90-72
Systolic blood pressure (the top number): dropped 10 points, from 120-110
Cholesterol:
Total cholesterol dropped 61 pts, from 219 to 158. The desired range is below 200; borderline is 200-240.
Trigylcerides (non-cholesterol fat) dropped 44 pts, from 106 to 62. Normal is <150.
HDL (good cholesterol) dropped 18 pts, from 67 to 49 pts. Desirable is >60.
LDL (bad cholesterol) dropped 34 pts, from 131 to 97 pts. Desirable is <100, borderline is 130-159.”
While her results are ALL impressive, it was the cholesterol that blew me away – as you may recall, mine was 200 at my last check-up. Yes, I really want to lose some weight, but mostly I want to feel good and be healthy for a long time to come.
Anyway, I seem to be moving out of my funk. Things are going well – life is as good as I choose to make it!
The hub asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him a clothesline. I have been asking for one for over 2 years, but now since I asked for it for my birthday, lame excuses are verboten. Ha! I am sneaky that way.
This month we are working on our house. Getting a new roof, finishing (finally) the deck, tearing up yucky carpet in dining room.
When I was in the army I moved every couple of years. I liked it. I've lived in my house for 8 years now. Every 2 -3 years I get the urge to re-do things. I'm feeling the itch for my third re-do. Coincidence? I don't think so. I love the reinvention opportunities of home decorating - it's like getting a new place to live on the cheap!
I spoke with Mrs. P last weekend (aka the rebel mennonite) - chickens may be ready this week, but probably next. I am starting to get into the swing of belonging to a CSA - the biggest thing is that you cannot slack off and just decide to eat out or eat crap or you risk being crushed under the weight of fresh veggies waiting to be eaten. If you get behind on veggie consumption (say, a stomach virus for example), you must make your husband grill the veggies so they don't go bad. Actually, make him grill them anyway - they are yummy that way!
A friend of mine (well, online friend – fellow blogger) followed the “Eat to Live” plan for 6 weeks last spring and her results were amazing: (Cut from her blog)
“Weight: I lost 29 pounds
Waist measurement: lost 3 inches
Blood sugar (fasting): I went from 117 to 97. The prediabetic range is 100-126.
Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number): dropped 18 points, from 90-72
Systolic blood pressure (the top number): dropped 10 points, from 120-110
Cholesterol:
Total cholesterol dropped 61 pts, from 219 to 158. The desired range is below 200; borderline is 200-240.
Trigylcerides (non-cholesterol fat) dropped 44 pts, from 106 to 62. Normal is <150.
HDL (good cholesterol) dropped 18 pts, from 67 to 49 pts. Desirable is >60.
LDL (bad cholesterol) dropped 34 pts, from 131 to 97 pts. Desirable is <100, borderline is 130-159.”
While her results are ALL impressive, it was the cholesterol that blew me away – as you may recall, mine was 200 at my last check-up. Yes, I really want to lose some weight, but mostly I want to feel good and be healthy for a long time to come.
Anyway, I seem to be moving out of my funk. Things are going well – life is as good as I choose to make it!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Warning!
I either got food poisoning or a stomach virus Sunday night. I am leaning to the food poisoning (I only threw up once). But the problem hasn’t gone away - my digestive system is still a wreck. Food sounds repulsive (I managed half a protein shake and a piece of pb toast for breakfast). I have explosive .. well you know what, except it’s about the consistency of water. I am concerned there is something bad lurking in my digestive tract that my body is trying to get rid of. This is most uncool at work, to say the least!
My lunch walking buddy loaned me a book “Eat to Live” – it’s a diet designed to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol etc. In a nutshell it’s a vegan diet with restricted grains. He doesn’t say you need to be a strict vegan, but he does advocate limiting your consumption of animal products. Given my current unhappiness with both my weight, how I’m feeling, and my increasing cholesterol numbers, I’m thinking of giving it a shot with my friend. Anyone had any experience with this? Of course, right now, nothing is an option other than trying to get this stomach thing cleared up!
I either got food poisoning or a stomach virus Sunday night. I am leaning to the food poisoning (I only threw up once). But the problem hasn’t gone away - my digestive system is still a wreck. Food sounds repulsive (I managed half a protein shake and a piece of pb toast for breakfast). I have explosive .. well you know what, except it’s about the consistency of water. I am concerned there is something bad lurking in my digestive tract that my body is trying to get rid of. This is most uncool at work, to say the least!
My lunch walking buddy loaned me a book “Eat to Live” – it’s a diet designed to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol etc. In a nutshell it’s a vegan diet with restricted grains. He doesn’t say you need to be a strict vegan, but he does advocate limiting your consumption of animal products. Given my current unhappiness with both my weight, how I’m feeling, and my increasing cholesterol numbers, I’m thinking of giving it a shot with my friend. Anyone had any experience with this? Of course, right now, nothing is an option other than trying to get this stomach thing cleared up!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Change of focus
Lately, my time and energy have been focused on activities which have not provided a great deal of emotional pay-back. I’ve gained weight, lost fitness, and lost my joy. April is going to be very different.
I have signed up for the 10 month online course called “Awakening joy”.
I plan to focus on healthy eating and fun fitness.
I want to spend my weekends getting caught up on things around my house that have been neglected for too long. A tidy well, well maintained home makes me happy. Being home makes me happy. These things have not happened.
We enjoyed visiting with our friends this past weekend. It made us realize that we need to spend more time and energy on the people and things that matter to us.
Lately, my time and energy have been focused on activities which have not provided a great deal of emotional pay-back. I’ve gained weight, lost fitness, and lost my joy. April is going to be very different.
I have signed up for the 10 month online course called “Awakening joy”.
I plan to focus on healthy eating and fun fitness.
I want to spend my weekends getting caught up on things around my house that have been neglected for too long. A tidy well, well maintained home makes me happy. Being home makes me happy. These things have not happened.
We enjoyed visiting with our friends this past weekend. It made us realize that we need to spend more time and energy on the people and things that matter to us.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Scales
Last night hub & I made an emergency, unscheduled trip to W-M. (The dog ate my tub stopper and I needed to soak in a bath!) While there, I purchased a scale. I am a bit ambivalent about owning a scale - I don’t weigh myself daily and I tend to react (poorly) to what the scale says, having a tough time keeping it in perspective. OTOH, I am pretty sure I have once again gained back what I lost and I am at the end of my rope – not to mention the end of my wardrobe.
Last night hub & I made an emergency, unscheduled trip to W-M. (The dog ate my tub stopper and I needed to soak in a bath!) While there, I purchased a scale. I am a bit ambivalent about owning a scale - I don’t weigh myself daily and I tend to react (poorly) to what the scale says, having a tough time keeping it in perspective. OTOH, I am pretty sure I have once again gained back what I lost and I am at the end of my rope – not to mention the end of my wardrobe.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The quick version
1. The diving: was terrific! The boy had 1 classroom session, followed by 3 pool sessions, 2 sets of 2 dives each, and a final classroom review plus the test. The only bad part was that the test was the last thing, following 2 long morning dives. He was pretty tired, but did really well. The dives were great. Thursday afternoon was pretty windy and several people on the boat got sick. (Luckily we didn’t). Friday morning was much calmer. He even caught a lobster!
2. The food: was mostly really good! We had a hotel with a kitchen, so I was only reduced to fast food (which I hate) a handful of times while we were on the road. We had the obligatory wonderful seafood meal and wonderful Cuban meal. And the breakfast at the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton was sublime.
3. The hotels: Nice! We stayed at a small hotel down in Marathon. It had a kitchen, which was really convenient since we had to be at the dive shop early and the boy only got a 1 hour break for lunch. It was on the beach and had maybe 10 rooms in the place. The room was a little small, but I’d stay there again. On the way north we spent 1 night in the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton. Posh doesn’t begin to cover it. We were on the 24th floor, with a private balcony overlooking the beach. The heated pool was on the 6th floor also overlooking the beach. The breakfast buffet made me feel like I was in a really nice hotel in Germany – fabulous bread, lox, capers, sparkling water, and awesome fresh orange juice. Traveling first class is nice!
What else? It was nice to see our friends near Jacksonville on the way down – they were wonderful hosts. On the way home we stayed with my step sister at Merritt Island. It was nice to visit and catch up.
Plotting ways to get to go diving again very soon……
1. The diving: was terrific! The boy had 1 classroom session, followed by 3 pool sessions, 2 sets of 2 dives each, and a final classroom review plus the test. The only bad part was that the test was the last thing, following 2 long morning dives. He was pretty tired, but did really well. The dives were great. Thursday afternoon was pretty windy and several people on the boat got sick. (Luckily we didn’t). Friday morning was much calmer. He even caught a lobster!
2. The food: was mostly really good! We had a hotel with a kitchen, so I was only reduced to fast food (which I hate) a handful of times while we were on the road. We had the obligatory wonderful seafood meal and wonderful Cuban meal. And the breakfast at the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton was sublime.
3. The hotels: Nice! We stayed at a small hotel down in Marathon. It had a kitchen, which was really convenient since we had to be at the dive shop early and the boy only got a 1 hour break for lunch. It was on the beach and had maybe 10 rooms in the place. The room was a little small, but I’d stay there again. On the way north we spent 1 night in the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton. Posh doesn’t begin to cover it. We were on the 24th floor, with a private balcony overlooking the beach. The heated pool was on the 6th floor also overlooking the beach. The breakfast buffet made me feel like I was in a really nice hotel in Germany – fabulous bread, lox, capers, sparkling water, and awesome fresh orange juice. Traveling first class is nice!
What else? It was nice to see our friends near Jacksonville on the way down – they were wonderful hosts. On the way home we stayed with my step sister at Merritt Island. It was nice to visit and catch up.
Plotting ways to get to go diving again very soon……
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