So Go The Days Of My Life ...

Two sweatsocks to the 150s!

2011-06-25T19:18:00.004-05:00

I know ... I've been bad ... just busy with traveling, company, worry, yada yada ... OK, just lazy to be honest! Sorry about that!

Today I have lost 36 pounds and have under 13 to go ... unless I change my goal which depends on how I look and feel. I am not going to be perfect .. have let myself go too many times and the skin is just never going to go back where it belongs no matter what I do ... well, not no matter what ... if I have a few thousand $$$ to spend on tummy tucks and such, that would work, but at my age? Who am I kidding? OMGosh, I totally forgot to mention a great NSV (non scale victory) ... Last week I glanced in a mirror one afternoon and there they were ... right in front of me ... MY JAW/CHIN BONES ... wooooohooooo!

Just getting all this abnormal fat off and feeling better is enough of a reward for me. I can actually button the new size 10 pants I bought when Julia and I went shopping -- breathing is a little bit of a problem though, so I won't be wearing them for awhile yet! hahaha I wore a size 10 in high school, which as near as I can figure is a size 8 in today's fashion world. I wore that for a few months 9 years ago, but not really thinking I'll worry about getting there this time. Really going for the healthy BMI which is below 125.0 ... don't want to get 'skinny' as the last time I did that half the folks I knew thought I was gonna die at any moment!

This is day 26 of the vlcd in Rd2 ... feeling good, no cheats .. over all doing well!

Julia and Jesse moved to Hawaii on Wednesday .. I'm a weenie and cried most of the day. Have to start saving for a trip over. Can't wait! For those who don't know they were 9 days late leaving WA due to Jesse breaking his foot ... surgery, four pins and a screw ... yeah, nothing simple there. There are some not for the squeamish photos in an album on my Facebook photo page if you can't resist and have a strong tummy!

Getting closer every day ...

2011-06-08T15:08:00.002-05:00

You know how you see skinny girls cross their legs and then tuck their foot behind the other ankle? Yesterday I couldn't do that ... today I CAN!! wooohoooo OK, I'm certainly not skinny, but sure a lot thinner than I was and on my way to healthy to boot!!

This is such an awesome journey with surprising results every single day. I have a few real life friends doing it as well .. not because of my journey, but they also found it on their own ... and I know one is doing very well! The other two don't stay in touch often, so not sure about their journey at all but hoping for great successes for them as well.

The temp has soared over 100 today after keeping us in early spring/late winter for so long .. it is quite a change with very little warning. Almost makes me happy my eye is not sunshine worthy and I must stay in the air conditioned confines of my home. HA .. good excuse! Healing ulcer and staph infection .. neither a lot of fun, both painful and difficult to deal with. Hopefully with the prayers of wonderful family and friends I will heal sooner rather than later!

Am on day 10 of the vlcd ... keeping it as close to 500 calories a day as is possible. The last couple of days I have lost over 1 pound so expect that to slow a lot soon. This is the 2nd week which notoriously is slow and sluggish, but since I have some experience with the reasoning behind that, I am hoping to plow my way through it ... I am actually enjoying the journey and hoping that these next 18 pounds will leave the building during this round. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Hhcg R2 Load Day 1

2011-05-28T19:28:00.002-05:00

And here is the rest of the show ... I sincerely hope! I would like to get to the finish line in the round but we will have to wait and see. Our bodies are at times fickle and will only lose what they want when they want.

For those of you who don't know what 'load day 1' means, today and tomorrow are the first two days back taking the homeopathic hormone, Hhcg .. during those two days (three if you are taking the rx type) you "load" by eating more GOOD fats like avocado, coconut oil, full fat yogurts, nuts and such and carbs as well ... this jump starts your body and prepares it for the very low calorie days to come so that you are not ready to chew your arm off with hunger the first couple of days of eating 500 calories! I had no hunger to speak of last round and am hoping for the same this round!

For breakfast I had a two egg omelet with turkey sausage, onions and half an avocado, with a piece of sprouted flax seed toast slathered in butter.
Lunch was full fat Greek yogurt (home made) with blueberries and half my rib eye steak from last night.
Dinner is RIBS ... big old fatty baby back ribs cooked indirect on the bar-b by my rib king hubby! Quinoa salad and fatty dressing in the mix, but mostly RIBS ... yummmmmmm .. won't see those again for a couple of months so going to enjoy them big time tonight!! Thinkin' of ice cream tooooooooooo!

So wish me luck, don't hate me when I'm finally healthy and down to size .. and stay tuned!! Feel free to follow me, as I don't get here a lot so you won't be obligated to read too much! hahaha

Saying TTFN with my Mouse

2011-05-20T10:32:00.017-05:00

Here I am, back from my 11 day journey and up under 3lbs from my LDW ... after all the goodies we shared and lack of exercise, that is pretty good ... looking like a steak day is here though I am not certain when the weight went on as this is the first time my tootsies touched a scale since I left on the 9th.

Flew in to SeaTac and Julia and I began our journey from there as she picked me up and we headed south on the first night. We did give it up early and stayed in a hotel in Oregon that night since we had both had a very long day.

On Tuesday we headed towards the coast to go to Bandon, Oregon to visit the West Coast Game Park Safari and play with the animals. It was one of Turbo's first days in public, we were allowed only to pet the 3 wk old spotted leopard on his back .. but had an amazing time petting, playing with and feeding the 3-month-old Bengal triplets ... Truly (Scrumptious), Rocco and Piper ... This place is a must visit for anyone who loves animals. We were also up close and personal with a skunk, lemurs and ferrets ... not to mention the Llama's, goats, sheep, peacocks and such that are just roaming around. The people who work there actually take the babies home and hand raise them ... how cool is that? There are many full grown animals in the park as well, moms and dads of the animals raised there ... lions and tigers and bears OH MY .....

This is Turbo ... so soft ... Here are the Bengals ... the two are Rocco and Piper ... Truly joins them later ...

It was very difficult to leave here as you can imagine, but it was time to continue our journey as Julia's other parents (Dad & other Mom) were awaiting our arrival that evening in CA. So off we went down the coast ... The GPS knew a way across to I5 and we were in search of dinner on the way .. we found a beautiful spot on the coast to watch the ocean and eat ... kind of a hometownie kind of place where the waitresses knew what folks wanted without a menu ... from here we were a mountain road away from the short cut through the pass to Grants Pass and I5 ... uh huh ... that is what the sign said ... 32 miles to the turn off .. it was a LONG 32 miles ... we saw two cars and it was about two hours when we saw the sign pointing to the turn off around one more bend ... we rounded that "one more bend" to find barricades up across the road with a sign saying it was closed due to winter damage. To say we were a little frustrated is white washing the situation, but we were enjoying the beauty of God's handiwork and decided not to be upset, but to laugh it off. Julia pulled in to a house, walked up to the porch to find an empty dog run and a house that smelled like Noni's (my mother's house) when she was a little girl .. but- alas - no one was home. As we pulled out, I saw a sign pointing to a "LODGE" so we headed that way for inspiration ... nothing, zip, nada ... However, we did pass a house that was attached to a motor home with an electrical cord (not certain which was powering which) and when we pulled in, there was a large dog barking in the window, but of course, Julia got out of the car .. the door opened and the dog came leaping and barking .. just as Julia was heading back to the car, the dog stopped and wagged his tail ... he was followed by a cat that thought he was a dog and a gray haired (LONG), barefooted man, straight from the 60's! (BTW .. I was waiting in the car, no sense in both of us getting eaten, right?) Well, this guy tells us its 10 to 14 hours to go back and up the coast to cross over to I5 -- OR, we can turn right, hit the dirt road (that will turn into gravel shortly) for 14 miles and head on back to the road to I5 we had come in on earlier in the day .. so off we went ... laughing all the way about him calling the 'mountain boys' and letting them know he sent two 'fresh ones' their way ... long in the tooth, but fresh ... and Julia kept twanging the tune to Deliverance! As we came around a corner a bear about Julia's size was waddling across the road .. she thought it would be good to stop, get out and follow him/her, but before her foot touched the ground we were both thinkin' and sayin' the same thing .. hmmm, baby bear, followed for sure by Momma looking to make up dinner ... so off we went ... we encountered a bird straight out of Jurassic Park .. someone said it might have been a Prairie Chicken, but I looked those up and this dude was not even close! He looked like a feathered Komodo Dragon with chicken feet and a duck's rear end ... and he just stared us down - not afraid at all! We saw a family of deer as well, a beautiful stream, lots of downed trees and one vehicle with three men cutting up a fallen tree ... and finally civilization! OH .. forgot to mention, all those hours, no phones, computers or communication of any kind ... just wilderness. We made it just as darkness fell! Around 3am we hit CA and a rest stop and slept for a few hours.

Next stop .. Burney Falls CA ... Jim & Gerry were nice enough to provide us with a cabin at the campground they host at .. This is another MUST SEE spot if you are ever around there .. it is near Mt Shasta and absolutely gorgeous. This park is close to half way through the Pacific Crest Trail
And this is where it takes its name ... so beautiful! We left this gorgeous section of God's country on Thursday morning and headed to the valley, more or less. No adventures on this leg of the trip - whether that was good or bad is beyond me. We made it to Dede and Ray's lovely home in time to unpack, change and head to Jarrett's baseball game where we were able to visit with Jim, Andy, Jarrett and Lisa for a couple of hours during his game then back to the Cordell's home for a late supper (stuffed butternut squash to die for), wine and Margaritas -- we kept poor Dede up WAY past her bedtime, but had a great time chatting and laughing!
Friday we headed down to visit Bill, shopping on the way. We spent the weekend in a little B & B in Coalinga and visited with Bill Saturday and Sunday. Twenty-two months and counting!

Back up north to Sacramento area Sunday night .. we were trying to be nice and offered to stay elsewhere, but the wonderful Cordell's insisted we return and had homemade Pizza awaiting us! We did not, however, stay up half the night this time and we were able to feel a little less like horrible house guests!

Monday found us down to one day to visit with what family we could after Julia and Ray went off to enjoy Bikram yoga (not me .. thanks anyway).

We were able to lunch with granddaughter, Elisha, her husband and three kids as they had been in town for the weekend and weren't leaving until afternoon. Had planned to stop by their home on Sunday but they had gone to Sacramento already. We had a very nice visit with them .. the kids were adorable and so well behaved! Julia spent most of her time talking to Clara and Cameron .. she adores children and is so good with them. Mikey has gotten so big and made many improvements since I saw them in December. Wish we had the camera charged but will see them again soon!

That evening, surprisingly, we managed to get together with Jim, Lisa and the boys as well as Scotty and his wife, Sara ... didn't know if it was going to happen with all the moving woes and us trying to get out of town. The boys are so grown up!

So, we weren't able to see everyone or make everyone happy, but we did what we could in a short amount of time. We left after dinner around 10pm and made it just past Redding before heading in to a rest stop for the night. Woke up to ... uh??? What was that again? SNOW IN MAY???? Yep .. snowed off and on through Northern Cal and into Oregon ... was sticking in some spots but had been in the 40's and 50's awhile, so wasn't really building up much.

Made it back to the Island about 9pm Tuesday night, spent Wednesday repacking, shopping and running errands - watch the newest Harry Potter DVD, washed clothes -- we certainly fit a lot into the day, then went to Calvary Chapel Oak Harbor for Wed night bible study! We both needed that!

We delivered Julia's car to the shipping company at the Port of Tacoma Thursday morning and hit the airport for my trip home about 9:30 ... stormy trip home, delays, lightning, rain .. but made it home safe and sound only about 45 minutes late, so not too bad overall.

Short trip, long on running, short on rest, but we had a great time!

11th Day

2011-04-26T12:57:00.002-05:00

In P3 that is ... I gained about .6, lost .4 ... and like that during this 11 days ... I have added many things to my menu .. pork, turkey sausage, whole eggs, avocado, blue cheese salad dressing, home-made greek yogurt, cream, blueberries, mixing veggies together for salads, salmon, broccoli ... lots of stuff ... today am .4 below my LDW (last dose weight) and happy as a clam! (are clams really happy? and how would you know?)

I pretty much eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not. Try not to eat until I'm "FULL" but just to be satisfied and comfortable. Have begun reshaping also, though not fast enough to suit me ... I know, from past experience at this weight, I should be another size down, but that isn't happening yet, although the size I'm in is rather roomy (they weren't last time I was in them, but I weighed ten pounds more) and there is only a 'suck it up' between me and buttoning the next size -- I just refuse to be uncomfortable in my clothes at my age! Have always liked the look of tight pants, but just don't want to be that old broad dressing like a kid! Of course, if/when I actually get back down to an 8, we might discuss it! HAHA!

Have a grandson getting married and one graduating HS next month ... sure is getting old out!

P3

2011-04-19T22:17:00.002-05:00

So, am staying near my LDW (last dose weight) ... just about half a pound off but we are allowed to fluctuate 2lbs without doing corrections, so am good for now. I expect to have some problems since I am on meds for my crazy eye problems, but will correct when need be.

I love that I have lost 23 pounds in 7 1/2 weeks and that in 6 more weeks I can start again and lose the rest of this ugly fat! Luckily my timing is perfect for heading to WA and on to CA with my beautiful daughter .. I will be in P4 and able to eat whatever I want .. it was a accident, but a happy one for certain!

I know some think we are all crazy on this Hcg diet, but if they would just take the time to get past the 500 Calories, they would know that we are all healthy and losing the BAD fats. On this site there is a ton of information. It takes dedication and will power, it isn't made for cheats .. but it works!

The End ... for now

2011-04-14T16:10:00.003-05:00

So .. I have been the same weight for three days and this is VLCD 48, so it will be my last day taking Hcg (just a morning dose) and I will do the vlcd today and tomorrow and have a more or less regular breakfast on Saturday.

I will be eating added GOOD fats during the next three weeks, avocados, nuts, coconut oil, animal fats, dairy and the like. Also additional carbs will be added in as we go along. Three weeks to stabilize within two pounds of this new weight, then on to P4 in time for my trip with Julia ...

P4 will be more 'regular' eating during the trip (adding sugars and starches) and will make the trip easier to deal with. That is another three weeks, then back for R2P2 to see if I can get to goal or at least close. I'd love NOT to do three rounds, but if I must, I will!

Even though I don't eat yolks much, am really looking forward to a REAL breakfast!! Like, I don't know, an avocado & cheese omelet? NO NO NO .. can't add them all at once ... so maybe that particular meal will wait a week or two .. must make sure I know what adds weight and what my body will tolerate. This will be a journey unto itself!

Wish me luck! Happy scales to you and may God bless your journey, whatever it is!

Major wooooooohooooooooo

2011-04-05T16:07:00.003-05:00

Yep ... you see it up there??? TWENTY pounds down ... that is 2-0 ... Yippppeeeee ... (actually 20.2lbs)

OK, that said ... I am feeling a bit better even though the shaping is not happening yet .. I know 20 pounds is gonzo .. not lost (for then you might find it) but G*O*N*E ... so, I am positive that soon my body will acknowledge that and shape up a bit.

I know some think this is a crazy or crazed journey (read DIET) but it is working and I just don't care what anyone else thinks of it. The forums I participate in have hundreds of folks on this same journey losing hundreds of pounds, feeling healthy for the first time in years and enjoying an entire new life ... that is good enough for me! I get tons of support and help there and I'm good with that. We all have enough stored UGLY fat for our bodies to subsist on and although you may not think 500 calories is much, sometimes it is hard to eat that much HEALTHY foods!

Next phase will be three weeks of eating "clean" .. no added sugars or starches and only healthy fats (coconut oil, avocados, nuts, sugar free bacon, eggs, Greek yogurt and the like) with enough calories to maintain the current weight ... probably about 1600 - 1700 for me. It is truly baby steps .. adding in one food at a time to see what your body is sensitive to or stores instead of burning up.

After that, there is three weeks of adding in some sugars and starches .. quinoa, here I come... and continuing to maintain within 2 lbs of the weight you finished with after the 500 calorie weeks. Again, adding things in slowly and remaining aware. Then you may start all over if you still have weight to lose. This can be done over and over but each time you add a week to the two adding in phases ...

I am hopeful that I will reach my goal, or close enough to it, in two rounds, but we shall see. That is IF I manage to maintain and not gain after I start adding in! And with all of this discipline, we are learning to control the eating .. eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, is a mantra we read quite often on the threads.

Wishing happy scales to you all ... happy reshaping to me ... and God's blessings on everyone!

Getting there ...

2011-04-03T21:14:00.002-05:00

Wow, time flies doesn't it? Tomorrow starts my 6th week on the vlc portion of the diet. I am down 19.2 as of this morning and fighting myself on staying on protocol for another week or ten days. Day 40 counting 'load' days is Wednesday, not counting them is Friday. I will wait until then to make a final decision but so wanted to be down over 20 before heading in to P3. Then again, I am beginning to hear Steve chewing and smelling food every time I turn around, which means my body is getting real close to being done with this phase of the round. Had a good trip to CA .. would have been great if it weren't for the flights there and back. I flew American Airlines and all four flights were late and crowded. My visits with my son were great however ... middle of the month so not a lot of uncontrolled children and no need to give up our table to overcrowding. We laughed a lot as we usually do, over some of the crazy things that go on inside. I know there isn't exactly a brain trust in prison, but some of these guys are soooooo far beyond stupid with the things they do and say. Just too funny at times. So went through a bit of "tweaking" of the diet with my online guru and am now back in Protocol .. thinking I am actually the same either way. So this way I get some more variety to my taste buds and I like that. Adding nothing new, drinking tons of water and hoping for a good drop this week ... definitely want to be in P4 before traveling to WA and CA in May with Julia. Haven't started reshaping much as yet .. hope that happens before the trip as well. If you are on this journey, happy scales .. and God bless you all!

Travel Eve

2011-03-24T20:41:00.002-05:00

Back for a flash, drive-by .. whatever .. leaving for CA 8am ... have to leave for the airport at a little before 5 since I have to park off site and take a shuttle .. I should be at the parking area around 6:30 .. not checking luggage, so that should be good. Have my scale, Hhcg, stevia packed ... prison clothes good, vitamins ... chargers, book on CD ... money entered and marked (information for the Georgers) ... so ready to go!

Back on the VLCD (very low calorie diet) today and off the straight beef and apple routine ... am hoping for a good show over the weekend after retaining fluids for a few days from flying ... so trying something new to see what I may be slowing down from ... eating the same protein for lunch and dinner (today fish actually) and LOW carbs ... kept it under 10 carbs .. so did good there.

Not much to say, just tons to do ... Hugs around and happy scales to you!

Hmmmmm

2011-03-22T12:31:00.003-05:00

So, the old ticker didn't budge today ... don't know what is up with that but will drink more water today in case I didn't get enough yesterday which could be it since I wasn't paying attention. I still love that the weight and inches are coming off .. am learning to be a bit more patient with myself about it.

I have gone public, so to speak, with my diet by posting on Facebook what I am doing. Had a few comments on my post and a number of private messages asking about the diet. I answered them all, explaining about the 40 days of 500 calories and the 6 weeks of follow up, getting intake up and stabilizing before starting another round if need be ... but no one asked any more questions ... I do understand that though. This diet is not for the feint of heart - you have to want to lose the ugly FAT more than anything in the world and really dedicate yourself to it.

Have to say, I have learned a lot about food and how my body reacts to it. One interesting site that would be helpful to even those who aren't dieting and don't need to is The Blood Type Diet which tells you the foods MOST people of each blood type might be sensitive to. I for one, didn't even realize that your blood type could have anything to do with the foods you eat, so found it thought provoking.

Oh .. and I LOVE sea salt .. lower sodium, better for you .. all that ... but in my small town, finding Celtic sea salt (even better) is difficult. Someone sent me to this site where I discovered Hawaiian sea salt, Portuguese sea salt, bath salts, soaps ... everything you could want ... even purse salt holders to take it with you since I haven't seen a restaurant that offers sea salt! They have a great offer for a combination/gift pack that offers a few different salts to try also.

May God bless and keep you all! Happy scales to those who are working their own journey toward a new healthier you and thanks for taking time to read my ramblings!

Time Flies

2011-03-21T12:35:00.003-05:00

Yipes ... a week went by with the blink of an eye ... 2 more inches off from here and there and a total of 15 pounds in three weeks. I was getting really upset last week, but a friend on the forums has given me a helping hand this week with my food combos and things are looking up.

I have pretty much been eating cow all week! HA! Had a few steak/apple days followed by just lean beef nibbled on all day ... now (and yesterday) adding some romaine leaves in to wrap the little morsels of lean rare beef with ... You just wouldn't believe how yummy that is! And the losses are steadying so that is the really big plus side of things. I am half way through this round .. depending on the losses, may go a little longer than 40 days, but am going to play that by ear. I could do up to 50 days, then three weeks of P3 and still be able to start P4 about the time I head to Seattle to travel with daughter to CA and back .. which is where I would like to be! Cross your fingers for me!

Have added B12, biotin and msm (for hair growth) to the daily regimen .. considering how much my hair has been thinning over the years, I thought I would try to prevent further loss during the radical diet. Have seen many folks experiencing new hair growth with the biotin/msm combo so will go with it for a few months and see how it goes!

Am heading to Fresno, CA Friday and will spend Saturday and Sunday with my son, Bill ... seen on the slide show here ... Those who don't know, you can look WAY back at first posts for info on that. We will be celebrating the fact that two years from next month he will be FREE ... I am so excited. Mostly I am excited to see him .. haven't gone this long before .. last saw him the first weekend in December .. forever ago. Was hoping to be down a little more before I go, but am going back in May with my daughter and will have done some reshaping by then ... will be in P4.

The diet will be a little tough but I plan to hopefully still be doing the proteins and easy raw veggies like I am now ... can pick those up between airport and motel as I found a Whole Foods store in Fresno and am so excited about that .. will have fridge in room ... just have to not be hungry during visits as there isn't much of anything I can eat from the vending machines ... water and coffee .. once in awhile they have fresh strawberries or oranges ... but I understand oranges are of the devil, so am cutting those out ... maybe this time of year they may have strawberries and I can snag a few from my son .. he loves them!

FOOD ...

2011-03-14T12:43:00.002-05:00

Well, I lost that nasty 1.4 gain and another .4 and am down 2 1/4 inches too, so am a happy camper today.

It occurred to me last night I haven't spoken all that much about the food I'm eating ... 500 calories sounds pretty boring and from what I am hearing on the forums, is for some folks .. but yesterday was a typical day for me ...

For breakfast, water, coffee and a half grapefruit cuz I was a little hungry.

For lunch I used 100g of 97/3 ground beef to make meatballs using spices only, no other fillers, and stuck them in the oven (350 .. 15 minutes ... did 6 so they were little) ... then I pureed a tomato and added all the spices I love in spaghetti, including a little dried onion, garlic and bell pepper(just a touch, it was a small amount of sauce) and let that simmer while the meatballs cooked. I drained and even patted the meatballs with paper toweling to make sure any fat was long gone then put it in the sauce to simmer for a bit. This was a yummy lunch!

For dinner, I simmered three chicken breasts in water with onion, garlic, celery and a bit of Celtic sea salt to make broth. Weighed the chicken raw and knew there was 5 servings there, so when cooked and rinsed, I weighed it again and divided it for five meals. After cooling the broth, I removed the fat and divided it into 1 cup containers with a little left over for apple desserts ... will explain that too ... I used one portion of the chicken shredded for a chicken salad with crispy romaine lettuce for dinner. AND I have four more meals partially prepared!

For my dessert/snack .. I sliced an apple in a bowl, covered with a goodly amount of cinnamon, then drizzled it with about 2 teaspoons *gasp* chicken broth with a dropper of cinnamon stevia (I sometimes use plain or vanilla stevia) ... about 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave .. and YUMMMM .. someone on the forums mentioned the broth for this so gave it a try. You do not taste the broth, but it really thickens the juices into a nice syrup.

So that was a typical day for me ... today I am fixing beef again, but simmering it in beef broth with cabbage for a nice soup ... not sure about tonight yet, will see where my taste buds lead me ... maybe Swai ... a very mild new fish we found at Wally World ... pretty good stuff!

We also drink lots of water ... half your body weight in ounces ... so 180 pounds means 90 ounces ... so that keeps ya running believe me! One of the gals on my favorite forum runs the drive through window at a bank .. said she was gonna lose her job running to the potty so much! I can believe it! Think I am wearing a hole in the carpet!!

Well ... Happy Scales to you all!

SIGH

2011-03-13T17:49:00.003-05:00

One of 'those' weeks ... up, down, up down, UP ... yep, mostly up ... even my inches ... that just isn't right, but those 'in the know' tell me that is common in week two with water weight filling up the empty fat pockets and that it will disappear quickly.

My biggest UP this week? It was a happy UP .. my baby girl bought me tickets to fly to Seattle and join her for a trip to CA to see the rest of the family ... or most of them, we'll only have a couple days .... in May. I was hoping to see her before she heads for Hawaii, but just couldn't see it in the cards. She has been such a blessing to me .. I'm a lucky mom!

Downs, just come and go ... nothing important to share.

I am sticking strickly to protocol, drinking tons of water, cutting out the caffeine early in the day .. not eating late. Have learned if I am eating beef, it should be for lunch and that I HAVE to keep those calories as close to 500 as possible or I'll stop losing for sure.

Was shocked to see a big gain this morning of 1.4 lbs ... am sad but as I said, folks assured me it would be gone shortly and was only water ... I will feel better when I see that reflected in the scale! I so want to get through this in a positive mode with a significant start .. knowing that will make the next round easier! Am hoping that two rounds will be enough.

For those of you who don't know .. this round will include 3 weeks of adding more calories without sugars and starch and another three weeks of adding those to get to 'normal' calorie intake for whatever weight you are at. This is a stabilization period which also allows your body to reshape and adjust to the new weight. Once you do those 6 weeks, you may start the next round. If you must do more rounds to lose more, your stabilization period is increased about two weeks for each round.

Onward and downward ... Happy Scales to those of you working this journey also .. however you are doing it!

New Week

2011-03-07T19:46:00.002-06:00

The scale hasn't budged in three days but that would be due to (TMI WARNING) no elimination for four days ... but I'm happy with 8.8 pounds the first week. Looking forward to what this week will bring. Just trying to stay up and enthusiastic about the journey! Gonna be a LONG trip! haha

No headaches, no weakness, no real hunger!

It is suppose to snow tonight ... just wish it would already! Has been very cold for days, in the 20's for the most part and I would just like to see the white stuff if we are gonna freeze anyway! Scruffy would like it better too, I'm certain! My son, Ed, is in Florida right now ... he lives here but sure enjoys his truck driving journeys to places warm and sunny! I'll go with him one of these days after I'm through P2 and P3 ... thinking P4 on this diet will be much easier to eat out on!

I'm thinking most of the folks I know in real life haven't seen this, so I'm not getting picked on ... guess that's a good thing!

Onward and Downward ... even with a trip to see Jeff-fa-fa

2011-03-05T21:41:00.002-06:00

OK .. if you get a chance go see him! He is hilarious and his opening acts are amazing as well ... The show was worth the $$, the walk in 22 degree weather, the hour and a half each way ... Super entertainer! Hmmm I wonder who I think I'm talking to?? No new followers and ... no one saying much ... but I am enjoying it myself!

I also wore the pants I wore last in November, so that is also a good thing!

Lot's of good smells in the arena, saw yummy looking polish dogs and nachos .. garlic fries and milk shakes ... I took a sandwich bag of grape tomatoes and munched on those ... and LOOK ... dropped another 1.2 pounds ... viola!

Today was water, coffee and tea .... Half a small grapefruit, 75g (ran low) ground beef and 180g tomato ... for about 208 calories ... then tonight 100g shrimp, 2 cups broccoli and a yummmmy baked apple (cinnamon and stevia) for about 250 more ... WOW, thought I was overeating and it was less than 475 calories! Not hungry (its 11pm) and feeling ok other than my back. Am loving the forum support and all the people in various stages of the diet. So much easier than doing it alone!

WOW ... we love the HD ... toughest part is the new DVR lost all Steve's recorded shows he was saving ... but we'll live through it. OK it is kinda tough to look at FoodTV in HD ... I can almost smell the food!!

Good Afternoon!

2011-03-04T15:10:00.002-06:00

Here it is Day 5 of the VLCD (very low calorie diet for you not doing hcg) and I have lost 7.6 pounds .. yeah, I know it is mostly water weight, but as someone on the forums said, it is still weight!

The diet is still going well ... staying on protocol and behaving myself. I helps to be in the hcg forums and read the problems, questions and answers of others .. they are very supportive. It is a highly diverse group ... I know there is at least one I have met that is only 20 years old and I am 63 ... there are folks who using this to lose 20 pounds or less and folks who are there to lose 300 pounds and more! Many folks are at their halfway mark, many have reached goal and are still hanging in to help others and many of us are just getting started.

The tech from Direct called and he is running late ... wouldn't you know it. Any other time I am doing nothing but now I have to go get my phone replaced in the city and my tickets for Jeff-f-f are very important to me ... If Verizon hadn't sent me a defective phone to replace my broken phone, I would have more time ... oh well ... nothing to be done about it -- we want that HD !!

Chicken and broccoli for lunch today .. unfortunately gonna be chicken for dinner as well as I am out of everything else I can have ... will do cucumbers with the evening meal though.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oppsie

2011-03-03T21:00:00.004-06:00

I didn't get to the scale in a timely manner today due to 1) FedEx lady pounding on the door waaaaay before my wake up time and 2) someone (no names shall be mentioned) got in the room where the scale was and stayed until I just forgot!

However .. this is still me being true to myself and coming here to type.

Got the Wii Fit set up and ready to go since it would seem I am too lazy to head to the Y each day, this will keep me moving in between ... motivation is not high on my list! You would think just knowing I will be in Hawaii twice in the next three years would be enough to get (one piece) bathing suit ready.

Speaking of which ... oh my, I put on the biggest bathing suit I have ever worn and took photo's today. I haven't taken them off the camera yet, and I will bet they won't get here until I can get into the next size down to take a progress photo, but I will do it eventually ... ought to scare me into never eating F A T again!!

Getting the new HD-DVR tomorrow *FREE* ... very excited to catch up with the world .. we've had the TV for eons! And tomorrow night ... woooohoooo going to Omaha for The Jeff-f-f-f-f-f Dunham show ... I bought the tickets months ago and am sooooo excited!!

Finished dinner tonight with a total calorie count of 485 ... Yesterday was 596 .. not hungry, no headaches, not feeling run down. Really, overall very happy with how it is going. Read a number of other blogs, watched some vlogs and spent time in the hcg forums ... so much support and good ideas .. really makes it so much easier!

Funny ...

2011-03-02T14:02:00.003-06:00

Isn't it funny that the more water I drink the more fluids I lose? Being a lifetime dieter, I know that most of the weight loss in the first week is water weight but that doesn't make it any less satisfying to have lost over 6 pounds in four days ... I love it and already went down half an inch in what use to be my waist.

I did change my goal weight today, so have more to lose. Did this because my BMI (body mass index) was still going to be above the 'normal' range when I got to my goal, but we'll see how things look then. Usually when I get below 150 I start looking drawn and sick and really don't want to do that. Besides, last time I was 153, I wore a size 8 for the first time in my life and really don't need to be that small. Will be happy in a ten at my age -- certainly not looking for any bikini time! ROFLOL ... And, to be honest, I gave away all my size 8 pants a couple of years ago and think I will do just fine with the closet full of 10s I have!

I was a good girl on our shopping trip yesterday. Went out to lunch with DH and had an ice tea w/Stevia, ate from my handy dandy sandwich bag 100g of chicken tenders (overcooked darn it)with basil and a touch of cayenne and 160g of raw cauliflower .. about 200 calories added to 65 calories for the half grapefruit in the morning. I only indulged in one sample throughout the day of shopping in Costco, Sam's Club and Whole Foods ... Whole Foods had organic blueberries out and I had ONE of them ... surprised even me! Home at last ... Had the lean ground beef again for 191 cal ... what I thought was a huge wedge of cabbage, but only 85g approx 20 calories, and 75 grams of strawberries ... 24 cal ... for a total yesterday of exactly 500 calories, if you don't count my one blueberry ... I was walking when I ate it, so maybe it doesn't count? HAHA

I seem to have a need for that half a grapefruit in the a.m. so will just continue buying smaller and smaller ones and see if I can't ween myself off them. I don't think the little ones I am purchasing amount to the full 65 calories the chart says, but difficult to weigh them since I devour each spoonful as I go!

I did manage to purchase the organic strawberries at Whole Foods .. a little more expensive than the ones I saw at Costco, but so much fresher and healthier looking that I deemed it worthwhile. Also picked up some fresh liquid Stevia (I noticed mine was not sweetening things = then looked at the date 2008!!! YIPES) and some vanilla Stevia also. The grapefruits were HUGE so I passed on those. Picked up stuff DH wanted to but tried not to look at the pure maple syrup, and such as that.

I belong to a "Mystery Box" group which is similar to secret pals but different ... and I found some peppermint tea and some green tea in one today so took two of each out and put in a couple I shouldn't be drinking right now ... easy way to see if I like them before buying a box!

Haven't picked up any followers here for my diet and no comments as I had hoped to .. wanting the accountability, but that's OK too ... I can do this with or without people support ... prayer helps!

Does that make this the 2nd day of the yada..yada..yada

2011-03-01T08:15:00.003-06:00

I guess it does ... and the first wasn't bad at all. A little hunger late morning, but half a grapefruit and more water quieted those pangs. After shopping for fresh stuff and cleaning the cute little chicken tenders (boy, they had a lot of fat still on them) I indulged in 100g of chicken breast (165cal) chopped and 170g of cauliflower (40) cooked together in a micro bag with garlic powder and a touch of red pepper. Nothing spectacular, but it was tasty and hit the spot. For dinner, 3.3oz (100g almost) lean beef ground at home (191cal) and 200g cucumber (20 cal) .... two snacks during the day ... half a grapefruit approx 65 cal and a 90g apple (48 cal)... sheeesh, I over indulged at 529 calories I see and will have to watch that. But I felt good and lost weight, so that is a start! I also drank lots of black coffee, some organic tea and over 66 ounces of Smart Water .... More water than I usually do, but seemed to be thirsty throughout the day.
OK, another challenge today as hubby and I are headed to the city for a day of shopping ... yippeeee, I get to hit Whole Foods ... have already prepared my lunch and snack to take along with plenty of water also! Wish me luck!

First Day of the Rest of my LIFE??

2011-02-28T12:01:00.004-06:00

So, I remember in my younger days when it was popular to go braless (foolish, but popular), someone told me that if you could hold a pencil under your breast, you should be wearing a bra ... does that mean if you can hold a pencil under your belly you darn well better start losing weight?? TMI I know, but even at 63 I don't find this acceptable and it certainly isn't healthy.

OK ... did two loading days and didn't actually gain weight, don't know why but this is the first day of the VLCD with the HCG. I did this a few months ago on my own, but this time I am involved in forums online and have support and encouragement rather than folks telling me I am on an anorexic diet.

This diet is not for the average person. If you thought Atkins, Weight Watchers, Jenny etc were tough, don't even think about doing this. You CANNOT cheat and get results, you MUST follow the protocol from beginning to end. There is tons of information at this website and many downloadable FREE books, recipes, success stories and more. This is where I found out that this is the actual plan/diet that Kevin Trudeau talks about in his book The Weight Loss Cure (no one wants you to know about)... and was started way before that. I do not do the injections which is mainly because I am a woosie girl, but can attest the drops under the tongue work also.

True ... it is only 500 calories a day, but when you look at 4 to 8 cups of veggies plus 8 ounces (or 200 grams) of chicken, beef, lobster, white fish AND two servings of fruit .. that is a lot of food!
On the right my cute little train will keep track of what is happening with my weight during this process. The VLC part only lasts 23 to 40 days, then you go on to different phases, coming back to this after around 6 weeks of stabilizing IF you need to lose more weight. I did lose 18 pounds on the last go round, but then vacationed, forgot about it and didn't pay attention ... gaining back about 8 pounds, so this time I will try my best to seek support from the other travelers on this journey and continue to post here even if I am the only one reading it, just to keep myself honest. Am also praying hard and long for myself for a change, as I know without His help, this is not going to work yet again and for my health and well-being, it must!

Off to the grocery store ...

No more promises ...

2011-02-22T01:47:00.003-06:00

But I really would like to show up here more often ... I am starting, yet again, a diet this week and am thinking of embarrassing myself and becoming accountable by posting the day by days here ... lots of folks on the forum for this diet are doing that ... we'll see how brave I am. Have almost 50 pounds to lose .. lost some, gained some ... on and on ... really need to do something about it this time though! Will start on the weekend as there are a couple of challenges I don't need this week!

Very busy these days .... started playing Bells with a local group ... I'm just a newbie but the group is playing at nursing homes, assisted living places .. such as that. And I don't have to commit to be there every time as there are plenty of folks involved, so my travels won't hurt anyone. Also involved these days in Worship and Praise Dance so doing some rehearsing for that every week ... and another good reason to lose weight!

In a really great Bible study too with some wonderful ladies who love the Lord. We are studying about David with the help of Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur ... three amazing women of faith.

Starting over ...

2010-03-21T12:05:00.003-05:00

Wow, it has been a long time, and then it was just a joke ... I really need to come back and play more often! Winter was a doozie here in Iowa ... enough snow and ice to have us declared a disaster area three times but so very beautiful and Scruffy loved it! This album shows some of the fun at home and this one shows a train trip through the Rockies and Sierra Nevada's in January ... Have not added March's trip yet, it wasn't as spectacular as January ...

The reason I am going to ATTEMPT to come back here is I have started a new hobby or interest and wanted to share. This site will show you how to send postcards to strangers (hopefully soon to be acquaintances at least) all over the world. It is a free site, so the only investment is a few postcards and some postage ... bring a smile to someone's life and maybe a few to your own ...
we'll see how it all works out. I am just starting but think it will be fun!

So I will try to get back here more often, tell a little about what is happening, maybe share a recipe or a trip ... we shall see.

Had to share!

2009-08-16T00:08:00.001-05:00

Pile pillows around chair, grab tissue ... the cpr is the best! Just couldn't resist this!

For those that remember when we were young and able to run around with a sharp stick, play with fire and life was good.

Around age 10, my dad got me one of those little badass compound bow beginner kits. Of course, the first month I went around our land sticking arrows in anything that could be stuck by an arrow. Did you know that a 1955 40-horse Farmall tractor will take six rounds before it goes down? Tough sumbich.

That got boring, so being the 10 yr. old Dukes of Hazard fan that I was, I quickly advanced to taking strips of cut up T-shirt doused in chainsaw gas tied around the end and was sending flaming arrows all over the place. Keep in mind this was 99.999% humidity swampland so there really was not any fire danger. I'll put it this way - a set of posthole diggers and a 3 ft. hole and you had yourself a well.

One summer afternoon, I was shooting flaming arrows into a large rotten oak stump in our backyard. I looked over under the carport and saw a shiny brand new can of starting fluid (ether). The light bulb went off. I grabbed the can and set it on the stump. I thought that it would probably just spray out in a disappointing manner... Lets face it, to a 10 yr. old mouth-breather like myself, ether really doesn't "sound" flammable. So, I went back into the house and got a 1-pound can of pyrodex (black powder for muzzle loader rifles).

At this point, I set the can of ether on the stump and opened up the can of black powder. My intentions were to sprinkle a little bit around the ether can but it all sort of dumped out on me. No biggie... 1 lb. pyrodex and 16 oz. ether should make a loud pop, kind of like a firecracker you know?

You know what? Screw that. I'm going back in the house for the other can. Yes, I got a second can of pyrodex and dumped it too. Now we're cookin'.

I stepped back about 15 ft. and lit the two-stroke arrow. I drew the nock to my cheek and took aim. As I released I heard a clunk as the arrow launched from my bow. In a slow motion time frame, I turned to see my dad getting out of the truck... OH SHIT! He just got home from work. So help me it took 10 minutes for that arrow to go from my bow to the can. My dad was walking towards me in slow motion with a weird look in his eyes. I turned back towards my target just in time to see the arrow pierce the starting fluid can right at the bottom. Right through the main pile of pyrodex and into the can. Oh Shit!

When the shock wave hit it knocked me off my feet. I don't know if it was the actual compression wave that threw me back or just a reflex jerk back from 235 decibels of sound. I caught a half a millisecond glimpse of the violence during the initial explosion and I will tell you there was dust, grass, and bugs all hovering 1 ft. above the ground as far as I could see. It was like a little low to the ground layer of dust fog full of grasshoppers, spiders, and a crawfish or two. The daylight turned purple.

Let me repeat this...THE DAYLIGHT TURNED PURPLE. There was a big sweetgum tree out by the gate going into the pasture. Notice I said "was". That sum-of-a-biatch got up and ran off.

So here I am, on the ground blown completely out of my shoes with my Thundercats t-shirt shredded, my dad is on the other side of the carport having what I can only assume is a Vietnam flashback:

ECHO BRAVO CHARLIE YOUR BRINGIN' EM IN TOO CLOSE! CEASE FIRE. GODDALLMIGHTY CEASE FIRE! His hat has blown off and is 30 ft. behind him in the driveway... All windows on the north side of the house are blown out and there is a slow rolling mushroom cloud about 2000 ft over our backyard. There is a Honda 185 three-wheeler parked on the other side of the yard and the fenders are drooped down and are now touching the tires.

I wish I knew what I said to my dad at that moment. I don't know - I know I said something. I couldn't hear. I couldn't hear inside my own head. I don't think he heard me either...not that it would really matter. I don't remember much from this point on. I said something, felt a sharp pain, and then woke up later. I felt a sharp pain, blacked out, woke later.... repeat this process for an hour or so and you get the idea. I remember at one point my mom had to give me CPR so dad could beat me some more. Bring him back to life so dad can kill him again. Thanks Mom.

One thing is for sure... I never had to mow around that stump again.. Mom had been griping about that thing for years and dad never did anything about it. I stepped up to the plate and handled business.

Dad sold his muzzleloader a week or so later. And I still have some sort of bone growth abnormality either from the blast or from the beating. Or both.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, get your kids into archery. It is good discipline and will teach them skills they can use

2009-05-17T11:53:00.000-05:00

Just passed through Ft Morgan, CO at 5am Mountain time - sitting in the lounge car wishing 6 o'clock would come so I could have some COFFEE! Sleep eluded me most of the night -- got about two hours -- lucky for me, I have a blanket and pillow along with me as it was very chilly in the car.

Last night was amazing ... We met up at Joe Banana's around 7pm ... I saw a few old friends and made some new ones ... from left to right .. front row: MikeG and RalphieBoy, back row: Jeff, Billy Pilgrim, Me (known as Deeralemap), Old Foggy, W.G. and PattyfromOz ... We had a great time signing Passports, telling George stories and anticipating the train. Queen Sarah joined us later -- as Royalty, she was allowed to be fashionable late.

I have sporadic connections and will just finish this up when it is over ...

Choo-Choo All-Aboard!!!

2009-05-15T02:08:00.000-05:00

Just one more day and I will be off on the Amtrak Rail Trip with my fellow crazies ummmm hobby enthusiasts from Where's George!

Some of you know I register all my paper money, mark it with various stamps then spend it and wait to hear about the adventures my money goes on without me ... I haven't figured out why everyone doesn't do it -- you don't have to stamp the money, many folks just write the web site on them, and some just register and spend -- stealth Georging can be fun too. But I digress!!

I am only a small part of this trip ... it began in Emeryville, CA, went south and across country to Louisiana, then north to New York. The folks that are on the train are on their way to Chicago now ... I will be joining them Saturday night in Omaha and we will be picking up more along the way.

We have amazing folks in our group who designed T-shirts, Where'sGeorge Passports to be signed, postcards to sign and mail to those who couldn't come, postage stamps to use on the postcards, acrylic stamps to use on our bills for the trip and just so much craziness to look forward to it is hard to tell it all at once.

I know a couple of the people who will join the train but am excited about meeting the others -- plus at any stop that is longer than a couple of minutes, local folks will be coming by to greet us and say hello. Most of us have been talking on forums for a long time, some have met in person but many have not ... The youngest WG? member who is traveling with us is 16 and we go up from there .. I know I'm not the oldest at 61, so its quite a diverse group! It will be fun, regardless!

I am going to Sacramento and staying there for a week to go visit my son. Will try to get back here and tell about the trip, may even have some photos to share.

Spring is still lost!

2009-05-05T22:34:00.001-05:00

My word ... most of my friends have lost the urge to write at the same time I did! Well, I see some are moving (although they are going places I knew nothing of) and others are traveling for work or just working or vacationing ... guess we all got busy as Winter began to give way to Spring. I think I fell out of the loop during my last trip.

I was truly planning to do some blogging and catch up with everyone when I was in CA for a month, however I had the flu for almost two weeks and was completely alone so beyond dragging myself from bed to shower I didn't do much at all. Luckily my church has live streaming of all their services and I was able to be fed the Word even though I had no eating food, help or medicine and all turned out well. It was not a fun experience, I can tell you that. Am still rather weak around the edges.

Heading out Morel hunting tomorrow ... I will be slow on the hills for sure but am looking forward to some fresh mushrooms! Still have a few dried ones from last year, but fresh just taste so much better.

Mother's Day we are heading to Boone, IA to ride their excursion train and have dinner. I am so delighted to have this opportunity -- I do love the train!

Of course, next week I will join a group of unknown friends (well, I have met two of them) on the Amtrak for a trip to CA ... I am only on from Omaha to Sacramento, but there are folks that are doing Emeryville CA to NY and back ... and many embarking and disembarking all along the way. Will be an interesting and fun trip. We plan to meet folks at some of the stops along the way to say hello, play poker and LCR on board and just have fun! I think the youngest person going (other than with parents) is 16 and the oldest has a few years on me! Will be a hoot!

2009-03-29T21:35:00.000-05:00

Days are flying by, spring wants to be in the air, but just hasn't shown up here yet - maybe when I hit California Wednesday it will be more noticeable. I know when I am out with Scruffy each evening it is C-O-L-D to the point of wind going through my down parka and hood even with a sweatshirt and hoodie under it, I am chilled pretty darn good - not that it bothers him, he loves it!

I am in my crazy mode --working as many hours as they give me, entering and marking money to trade with other crazed folks in CA for our www.wheresgeorge.com hobby and when I am not working I am driving around to area cemeteries taking photograph's of headstones for people I don't know on www.findagrave.com ... yeah yeah I know ... ghoulish, crazy ... what can I say. I know it sounds strange, but genealogy is one of the biggest hobbies out there and these photo's do help in many cases. I will continue to do both while I spend 28 days in CA during April ... long trip.

I guess I am doing these things to keep busy and not think about all the stuff going on around me. So much that I cannot help with or do anything about for both friends and family -- guess I need to stop trying to 'be there' for everyone and just pray for His best in everything.

2009-02-10T23:48:00.000-06:00

Wow, time flies, doesn't it? I have been to CA and back, watched it snow, watched it melt ... yes, I am that boring! California, however, was not. It is February and I haven't been around in a long time!

I spent time with an old high school pal and her family as we prayed, remembered and loved from the waiting room her mother as she went through surgery. It was successful and the hospital staff and volunteers were happy to see us file out ... laughter and game playing, I suppose, isn't the rule of thumb in a cardiac waiting area. This family is so full of love and it is hard to not share that enthusiasm when with them.

My daughter, Julia, joined me in Sacramento - well, the Navy was nice enough to send her to a class there while I was there -- and we had a great time, visiting family, shopping and going to church. She is my rock and truly the wind beneath my wings .. I only wish I could have been her and am so proud of who she has become, with no help from me .. We were able to go south for a visit at the prison with Bill -- he was SO SURPRISED! Did a complete double-take when she said hello from behind him! We had an awesome weekend of visits with him, then I drove her to Long Beach for the second half of her conferences. Sadly, I had to leave her there and drive back to Sacramento the next day, but I had a wonderful week with her. She will be going home in a few days, her hubby will soon return from sea and she will have surgery on her shoulder. Would love to be there for her, hard to rectify in my old mind that she is a grown woman with her own family and just truly doesn't need me there to help her through it.

And now it is almost a month later (Julia's surgery went very well) and I am heading back to Sacramento -- what? Yes, I am more of a snow bird than the snow birds around here lately ... I will be in CA more than IA the first five months of 2009 for various reasons. So, tomorrow (Sunday) is March already and I haven't posted a word - work, pray, study, work some more and pray a lot more ... try to prepare for the next few months of whirlwind travel by making an extra dime (it isn't working very well) and no time for myself.

Speaking of snow ... it was snowing tonight. Wednesday we did a mini road trip and it was a lovely day - sunshine, no wind, high 50's - shirtsleeve weather for Iowans... last night (Thursday) it hit zero degrees, this morning (Friday) it started snowing and has been spitting all day. Scruffy loves it and was thrilled to go for his run when it was 17 degrees at the fairgrounds. I enjoy the snow, don't mind the cold, just want it to make up its mind. Mid-day today, sun was blazing through the windows and I invited Scruffy out for a tour of his favorite trees and limbs in the yard and toddled out the door, only to come tearing back in for a coat -- lightweight jammies just don't hold up to 40mph winds at below freezing temps!

Yeah, I know, didn't say much ... just wanted to bump my page an inch ... felt so lazy!

2009-01-08T21:54:00.000-06:00

Somehow 2009 arrived when I was sitting here working. The people who call my phone continually said and still say, Happy New Year and I refer it back to them "you as well" and such as that -- I fear this and the coming years ... we shall see.

Iowa Transplant via Semi-Sunny California

2008-12-23T21:38:00.000-06:00

A friend sent this poem to me tonight ... she is born and raised in the area and probably feels significantly superior to this California transplant when it comes to snow and ice -- I, however, take my dog out in sub-zero temperatures (he wears boots and I do wear a hat now that it is below zero outdoors) and shovel snow (usually with gloves on). I just wanted to share this little piece of Iowa philosophy with you all because although some of us CHOOSE to live here in Iowa because of the people, the beauty and the peacefulness, some of us are obviously STUCK! LOL

Winter time in Iowa!

It's winter time in Iowa
And the gentle breezes blow

Seventy miles an hour

At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Iowa
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Iowa
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

Takes Faith ....

2008-12-04T01:50:00.000-06:00

Someone told me yesterday it takes a lot of faith to believe in reincarnation .. it took me a minute to digest that, but then I realized how true it is. There just isn't any proof, nothing that can lead you to actually see that has happened anywhere. One person told me that a person had a birthmark where they had been shot in a previous life ... so it follows that most people were shot/stabbed or otherwise wounded in a previous life if this "logic" is to be followed, since science will tell you most people have some sort of birthmark --

This was included as part of my education this past weekend -- three other morsels thrown out for me to chew on were "sure, God is real, but He didn't create all this" (with a sweep of the arm to indicate ? what ? the world I assume) -- followed closely by -- "yeah, God is real but the Bible is just made up stuff " at which point I was hit with "someone had to make God, so who did that?" .... all put into perspective with the comment that Jesus was just "some guy" .... So maybe that tells you what my weekend was like and why I am about to get crazed here ...

I am 61 years old and although I was not raised in church or as a Christian other than the occasional trip to Mass from birth to ten years and then joining the Baptist church my best friend went to -- I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not believe there was one true and righteous God who created the world and everything in it. Not when that same friend - the most devout person I have even known, was killed in a fiery crash before she was 16 and I was 12, not when my father, my only link to sanity died at 43 when I was only 13 -- It was God I spoke to, yelled at and cried out to. I cannot think of a time in my life when Jesus was not the Christ child born on what we refer to as Christmas to become the saviour of the world, dieing in agony on the cross, spike, tree (depending on your belief system) to set us free from sin and death.

Nope, not when I studied witchcraft, nor when I read of reincarnation and the chance to mess up yet another life and another until I got "something" right (of course, you have no way of knowing what that "something" is), not when I looked at the Scientology group (ME? my own god? YIKES) not when I read with the Jehovah Witnesses and not even when I spent 90% of my time, drinking, gambling and partying -- I ALWAYS knew God was there, Jesus was crying for my sin and my life here was limited only by my own lack of commitment.

OK, you get it -- there were many things, people and beliefs I looked into on my way to handing it all to my Lord and Saviour -- but not once did I ever decide some accident happened in the outer reaches that caused the thousands of colors of green in the leaves, the millions of twinkling lights in the sky, the amazing animals who roam our world ... Nor have I ever equated myself to some slimy one-cell organism or amoeba slithering out of a pond and sprouting legs -- not to mention a jillion other cells, brains, reproductive organs which just happen to be male and female and work together perfectly to build another accidental being. And if we did come from primates, why are there still so many of them in the world?

In addition, the Bible, although penned (not written) in later years by man, was given to us through righteous beings by God, handed down through stories and text to show our history and give us laws and limits. The tougher laws of the Old Testament gave way to the Love One Another law of Jesus time. This is not to say the laws changed ... you do not kill when you love, you honor your parents when you love, you do not take what is not yours with love in your heart, etc ... same rules apply, just stated in a more user friendly way. There are no contradictions in the Word of God.

God opens our eyes to view, understand and apply scripture to our lives. No one has read Ezekiel in the past few months without seeing the wars going on, the election, the turns our world is taking ... It was written way before our time, but there it is, all laid out for anyone to see. It is relevant today.

It isn't just history, it is HIS Story. I cannot fathom how anyone can wake up every day and look outside at the lawn, the leaves, the animals and the humans, the amazing one-of-a-kind snowflakes and not believe a God of infinite wisdom and power built this world regardless of who or what they want to put their faith in.

Just enough snow to make me wish for more ...

2008-11-23T23:18:00.000-06:00

OK .. I know 99% of you are groaning, but I LOVE the snow - it insulates the air and makes it feel warmer than the 22 degrees it is hovering around and it definitely insulates the sounds, making life around me feel pleasantly quiet and slowed. it makes even bare trees and brown lawn look beautiful .... besides, Scruffy thinks it is pretty cool beans!! He really enjoys the slipping and sliding and burying his muzzle in the white fluffy stuff! I just can't help myself ... think that could be why I moved to Iowa from California after all those years? I couldn't get Steve to stay up in the mountains -- "too far from everything" he said, so now we live in small town Iowa and still travel at least an hour each way to the city! Go figure! But he loves his home town so that makes up for it! Since I have not figured out how to put my YouTube videos here (DeDe I need your HELP!!) you can click here to see Scruffy in the snow if you like!

I am preparing for my California trip -- I have a ton of things to do and am very excited to visit with all the people I will see. I am visiting old friends I haven't seen in years, some of my children and grandchildren and some new friends I have only spoken to on the computer... not to mention my tried and true friends and my wonderful church ... Luckily it didn't snow enough yet to make me wish I could stay home, so am getting excited. They tell me it is still pretty warm out there -- well they are complaining it is cold, but 55 - 60 just isn't really all that cold in my humble opinion.

So blessed am I

2008-11-13T21:48:00.000-06:00

Wow ... here I was feeling bad that I would be flying on Thanksgiving -- heading to an empty house in California as my hosts will be in San Diego ... when what to my wondering eye does appear but an invitation ...

A friend in Washington state told her daughter in California that I would be flying out and she immediately pummeled me about the head and shoulders to join their family at the grandparents house as soon as I arrive -- and offered to put me up that night to lesson my five hour drive to only four the next day! To be honest, she didn't have to pummel me very hard ... I love this family .. from the time I was 14, they have been a part of my life -- visiting and accepting visits, crying together, laughing, praying ... they are just an amazing group of people and I will be so blessed to spend this day of Thanks with them all. I will get to meet the next generation (#5) I am sure ... Julie's grandson, Ryker! Julie, who has had more on her plate than most, has always found time to write to my son in prison, send him a book, pictures, a smile ... she is an amazing woman! I am so excited about this trip now! Can't wait!

I am working more and enjoying less as I get ready for my trip -- making certain I have car rental money, hotel money, gas money .... not to mention the flight, cost of feeding everyone on the three day prison visit (about $70 to $100 during the visit, plus other meals outside) ... etc. But it is always worth it, and I won't have to work the whole time I am gone, so nice little vacation thrown in.

Not to mention, my church in California feeds my soul in ways that I cannot begin to explain -- strengthening me for everything that comes along. My pastor, Richard Cimino, at Metro Calvary is anointed by God and gives His word to all of us in ways that leave me hungering for all of His riches. If you want to experience some of that glory, click on the link and check out a lesson ... my most recent HIGHLY recommended one would be Monday, Sept 29 as we explored 1 Samuel 17 ... just awesome!

Be blessed!

Tears & Pride

2008-11-11T13:55:00.000-06:00

Happy Veteran's Day to my husband, my children, my grandson and many friends...

Having a daughter (Julia -- but Julie to everyone but the one who named her) and son (Jason -- he uses the name his mother gave him) (well, he is her husband, but is my son in more than law) in the military (US NAVY) I can state with absolute pride and tons of tears that the ups and downs of a career in the armed forces affects everyone in the family. In times of conflict, war and peace there is always something that is just beyond what civilians think of as stress. The never truly knowing what might come next, where you might be - always being aware that anything can happen and you are the bottom line. So now ... or a month or so from now, I have a third to pray over, be proud of and worry about -- this time my son's son -- Ed's son Scottie has taken the oath and is a member of the United States Marine Corps. My gosh ... it was an emotional roller coaster all those years ago (yes, it has been 20 years) when Julia "joined up" -- and now, my grandson ... wow ... time flies and while my pride soars, my heart is heavy -- I'm guessing that is a normal reaction to this news ...

Life is a funny thing -- oh, I believe there is a plan and that HE always knows what is going on and uses it for good only -- I just sometimes have a hard time waiting for the good to show up. Silly me -- His plan, His timing -- and there it pops up ...

Just an example -- my son, Bill ... in prison, angry, hate-filled -- comes to the Lord, truly gives it up to Him, lays down his anger, gives and takes forgiveness -- and POW -- after ten long years of struggle, his daughter is back in his life (and ours). God is sooooo good and his timing is soooo perfect.
I'm still waiting on a few things, when it is time -- the perfect time -- it will all come together.

Oh ... speaking of Bill -- the slide show to the left and down a little is of a few of his bikes, built from parts or lighters, pens, watches and such, with minimal tools (fingernail clippers are about the most complicated) ... the red is Julia's, the gold is his daughter's ... The ship he built for me -- he did have a razor blade to cut the planks ... and all the threads were painstakingly removed from cotton underwear to tie the sails ... Just a little of what he does to keep busy "inside" when he isn't working at his job or reading.

Met 11 new friends and their families Saturday night -- online acquaintances in the Where's George hobby ... such fun ... the age range (not including the children guests) was from 14 to older than me ... WOW -- and the 14-yo set up the gathering -- a wonderful dinner and many stories, news and ideas were exchanged ... If you know me well, you know I register my money online, mark it and spend it -- and never spend the stuff in the special unmarked section of my wallet until I can do that -- if you don't know me that well, just go ahead and think I'm crazed -- you may be right! I enjoy the game -- and have met some very nice people along the way!

That is all I know ... it is COLD outside, but not cold enough to snow, so just dreary and wet .. no snow angels yet, not a snowman in sight .... but it is early ... that drizzle of snow just got me excited the other day ... I will be patient!

WOOO HOOOO It Snowed!

2008-11-07T21:26:00.000-06:00

OK, the flakes were almost microscopic and it barely stuck around the edges of the grass in the really cold spots, but its a start! Was below 30 degrees most of the day and the wind is whistling through the trees at about 28 mph now ... almost winter ... yippee! Now, when it gets white out I will really be happy! Right now it is just too darn cold -- the snow insulates things and makes the bone chilling cold much more agreeable! It is sure to snow real good Thanksgiving weekend as I am going to be in California and that is just my luck. Seems every year I am in California for the first truly fluffy snowfall in Iowa- sigh!

OK, I admit it ---

2008-11-05T00:31:00.000-06:00

I had a gambling problem for years ... however in the past couple years I have given most of that up ... finding that I can play on-line with play money and satisfy the craving without breaking the bank. Works for me at least -- So that was just me leading into a pet peeve that is driving me up a wall ....
Many sites allow you to put photos up .. not everyone uses that option, but I notice lately there are a plethora of cute baby and young child photos on these sites ... I want to ask these people if these are their children and if they enjoy the idea of some pervert sitting at his/her computer enthralled by their child dressed in leotards or diapers. Is it just me? Do I watch too much television? There are so many weirdo's out there -- we no longer allow our children to sit in the car while we run in the store, they aren't allowed to play outside out of our sight -- the schools have lists of who can pick them up and when -- and these morons are showing them to who knows what kind of blithering idiot on the Internet. I slap my hands a hundred times a night when I see these photo's ... I want to ask .. I really do .. Not my place, I know ... but don't you think ... OK OK I will let it go for now.

Just one of many pet peeves (hey, I'm 61, they have built up over the years) ... and I just realized I can voice (OK TYPE) them here and let them go even if it is only a temporary release. What a great thing .... my very own soap box that no one has to read! I can rant away - I love it!

I think I am going to make a slide show of my son's motorcycles ... they are miniatures made from things like ink pen springs, disposable lighter striker wheels, paper clips and other such things ... I have no idea how to do that, so it should keep me busy and off the streets for a few days!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Hard to believe it's 70+ in November

2008-11-03T16:38:00.000-06:00

Such a gorgeous day out ... and the leaves on the old oak tree outside the kitchen window are so very beautiful. Wish the colors showed up better here ... so many shades of orange and brown with varied colors of green thrown in. The tree on the other side of the house is just barely turning, an amazing phenomenon to me. Just wanted to share a little beauty as seen from my window before they all fall and become the dreaded ground cover that must be raked before the snow turns them to solid mush.

I do love driving around and watching the colors appear before the trees bare themselves ... reds, golds, oranges ... God's palette is so amazing. How can this all be an accident? So much denial in the world today.

OMGOSH I am soooooo OLD!

2008-11-02T23:07:00.000-06:00

Imagine, if you will, a 60+ woman who has been messing around on the Internet for well over 20 years -- yes, back when it was dial up only and just local BBs to visit -- and I had no idea what some people would go through to 'advertise' their blog and get more visitors. Of course I am from the last generation that actually took our coffee cups up and down the neighborhood when the kids were off to school and visited with all the other stay at home Mom's or night working Mom's (me), and we didn't need to advertise to make friends, we were just there, being friends.
Babysitting, running to the store for a sick mom, borrowing a cup of sugar (YES, we really did that!)
No need to advertise me -- I don't say much, just ramble from time to time ... get excited about other wonderful friends blogs, bible study or family ... no need even to read unless you just wonder what on earth I am up to these days -- I write "snail mail" letters to three people in my life now and occasionally bless another three or four 'special' people with cards and notes, but for the most part, everything is done via email or the phone these days. I do seem to remember a time when a book of stamps barely made it through a week -- but - oh yes - they were 11 cents and less in those days. Why are we so impersonal these days? Sending a hug on the Internet to 20 of our 'closest' friends just doesn't seem to be the same as writing a warm note to one who means a lot to us -- just ten or fifteen minutes a day, maybe twice a week and ~VOILA ~ we have brought a lasting smile to someones face. But I digress -- like that is something new for this old brain! HA!

Holy Moly -- gas was under $2.00 today!! I suggested in my naivety that we purchase gas for both vehicles since holidays are fast approaching, and in my minds eye I can see fuel immediately begin to rise again but my hubby wants to wait a few days to assure that it will again rise and we can pay our just desserts in gasoline taxes once more. Obviously, we don't see eye to eye on this but I gave in as usual in the hopes that it will indeed go up and I can justifiably give him the fish-eye told-ya-so stare (without actually SAYING it of course). Yes, indeed, I am a wicked and perverse old woman!

Am working late tonight selling Heidi Daus jewelry or Command Performance cookware ... something of the sort. Sometimes I love my job, other times it is so difficult to deal with people that I know I will be happy when I don't have to work any longer -- that is when the next five years looms large in my mind.

That is about when my son will be set free as will my aching heart! There could be an early release, maybe a year or more taken off, but we try not to think about that much - after 10+ years, getting our hopes up over anything beyond visiting day is not something we do much. We give the tough questions to the Lord and He does it in His time -- witness to that is finally having contact with Bill's daughter after ten years, many letters and packages ... some returned, some unacknowledged ... then suddenly and unexpectedly she was back in our lives -- YES __ He does provide.

So -- regardless of who or why -- if you haven't voted, get out there and make your voice heard on Tuesday .. it is a right and a responsibility to vote -- besides, if you don't actually mark that ballot, you truly have no right to complain when all is said and done!

Feeling winter in the air ...

2008-10-25T01:31:00.000-05:00

Ok .. a little about us ...

Lucky folks a couple hundred miles away had a little blizzard last week -- my friends here groan at me, but I do love the white stuff and can hardly wait to see it. Everything just seems more peaceful when there is snow surrounding me and I do look forward to it.

I will try to stay off politics here -- suffice it to say, I am not a "party" person and I try hard not to listen to the mud slinging from any side (although it does creep through now and then). However, I do not believe abortion is an acceptable form of birth control -- I think gun control should be used on criminals only -- marriage? hmmmm bride & groom, Mr & Mrs ... Our founding fathers thought God was important enough to mention HIM in most documents, speeches, letters, etc --I have a daughter and son-in-law in the military over 20 years -- and I could go on and on but nuf said -- I will not judge you or question your politics - hope it goes both ways.

I am studying the Psalms' of Ascent with a very nice group of ladies here. I think there are about 16 in our group and another group meets a different night. This is a Beth Moore study and so far is very interesting. I think I may try this church out where the study is ... we'll see. I have had such a hard time planting myself in a church since we moved to Iowa. I still feel like my church home is in CA and luckily I am able to hear Pastor Richard's teachings online, so that helps -- http://metrocalvary.org/ -- not much fellowship there though when I can only travel every couple of months, so still looking here.

I just purchased my tickets for my next trip to California. For those who don't know me, I go there ever 6 to 8 weeks to visit ... I have a son doing a long term in prison and I travel there to support him. I have wonderful friends our there, so I always have a place to stay and a lot of moral support. I am always looking for penpals for my son ... it helps to pass the time.

I have spent most of my life in CA and most of my children and grandchildren live there -- and that adds up to a lot of people and many extended families ... about 35 at this point.

My husband is building his newest hobby ... an HON railroad countryside in the basement when he isn't at the shooting range or reloading for the gun range. He is also a woodworker (me too, but not nearly as accomplished as he is) and enjoys puttering in our 1000sqft woodshop -- the only new thing about our home out here.

There are many hobbies around this house ... stamping, scrapping, sewing, needlework, glass work, jewelry making, woodworking, collecting anything we don't feel like throwing out ... and way more. When we do tire of something, we hit Ebay and make some changes.

Our animals run our lives and rule the roost -- The bird - A Hahn's Macaw - has been with us since she was 12 weeks old and is about 15 years old now -- they live to be 80 so she will out live us for certain. The two cats were feral, living in a drainage ditch in 20 below zero weather when we found them -- couldn't touch them for a month, now can't get them off our laps! They are 2 years old -- Scruffy, our heart beat, is a mutt ... but the best mutt ever ... 2 years old - gives hugs, does tricks and stole our hearts forever!

I have worked on this for a week and am just rambling, so am going to just post it and move on ... I almost fainted when I saw someone read my blog -- I'm just doing it CUZ I can!

Silly me ...

2008-10-14T00:25:00.000-05:00

Well, I signed up for this to watch my sweet DeDe on her trip ... then thought, oh why not a blog from the old broad with no life -- but on that day, my back went on vacation and left me home so thought I would wait for its return to go crazy here ... Silly me ... back's don't always return to normalcy on schedule, but I was able to get up the stairs today to my 'puter after two hours with the chiropractor, so thought I would have a word or three here.

Truly nothing of interest to write about -- it's raining and cold, which feels pretty darn nice to tell the truth since I am inside most of the time lately. Taking the dog out is refreshing!

My baby girl, Julia, got home from bobbing around in the Atlantic this weekend and made note that it was pretty darn chilly in Washington too. I know she loves it there, it is so very beautiful, but the weather just doesn't fit their lifestyle all that much. Maybe they will have two homes when they retire ... one for warm water diving and one for skiing! They can pretty much pick and chose by then, I'm pretty certain.

Have a lot of interesting stuff from the summer to put on here, but will wait until I am in good -- or better -- condition for that ... I'm pretty sure I will be the only one reading it anyway ...