Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Finally!

I have been really eating mindfully, drinking my water, getting some exercise, and making better choices for a while now, and the scale would go down a little, then up a little, and then repeat the cycle over and over again. I knew eventually the scale would have to go down, but I was getting very discouraged. 

Yesterday when I got on the scale, once again I was discouraged when I looked at the number, it showed a huge gain, or so I thought.  I couldn't believe I had gained so much weight when I had been so careful over the holiday.  I went and got my glasses and realized I had a good loss, but of course it doesn't count until I weigh in at TOPS. 

Tonight I weighed in at TOPS to a 4.6 pound loss.  I am so excited. 

I am hoping this is a definite change in direction now.  I have been so disgusted with myself.  Ever since there was a big change at my job I have been gaining weight, as if I wasn't already big enough.  In total, since the change, I have gained 20 pounds.  I have got to get this weight off.

The TOPS lesson about mindful eating has been very helpful to me and  I now notice when I do not eat mindfully. 

Looking forward to weighing in with a loss next week.


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving Weekend, 2010

A very peaceful, pleasant holiday so far.

Since I am still hindered some with my shoulder, Loni drove me to get the youngest on Wed. afternoon.  Once back into town we met the oldest for dinner at Joe's Italian Bistro.  After dinner we all came back to the house.  Loni and I watched tv while the boys played games.  It was so wonderful to have them back together in the house and hear them laughing together.

Thanksgiving Day we slept late and then got a slow start to the day.  I had the youngest make the pie crust (from scratch) and the filling for the pumpkin pies, while the oldest made our from scratch BBQ buns.  They did a great job, with little help from me.  Once the bread was done, we sat down to turkey sandwiches, baked sweet potatoes, and pie.  The turkey was smoked turkey breast from Dickey's BBQ and very moist and tasty.  

We followed tradition and went around the table giving our blessings before eating.  The oldest had his all planned out and he did a great job, but, Freudian slip or not, left out a big part of his life, which the youngest and I found interesting.  After counting our blessings, the oldest asked to say Grace.  It was probably different from the Grace being said at most tables.  "Dear Lord, thank you for this food, which by the way smells wonderful.  Forgive us for being dickheads most of the time.  That is all because I want to eat now.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."   

After our sandwiches, it was time for me to keep my promise.  I finally learned to play Settlers of Catan. I won, which perturbed both of the boys, because evidently everything I did led them to believe I couldn't possibly win.  The game finished they went on to do their own thing, and I watched shows I had taped. Kyle came over later in the evening and we played Settlers of Catan again.  I lost this time. 

Friday, BFF and went to Texas Quiltworks for the Black Friday sale and then back home to work on our quilts.  Mina came over later in the day and worked on the quilt she is making Loni.  Mina said that she would like the fact that she worked on the quilt to be a surprise and not to tell Loni, which was fine with me.  Jill and Mina left to finish their own personal errands before we all were to meet to see Kyle perform in "Nutcracker."  

When Loni arrived later to go to the performance, I told that Mina came over to drop of some pudding for Jill, never mentioning that she had been here for a few hours quilting.  However, when we all met up at the performance hall Mina wanted to know if Loni had seen her cat quilt.  Loni thought she meant the one I was making her, and was confused.  Mina then told her about how she had worked on her quilt for Loni that day.  I walked over during the discussion and said "Well, so much for it being a secret."  I held up my part of it though.  

Jill ended up getting sick and missing the performance.  The "Nutcracker" was very enjoyable, and we all got to hug Kyle in the lobby, much to my youngest's chagrin.  On the way back home we stopped at Sonic so everyone could either get a meal or pick up a drink to go with another turkey sandwich.  Then Loni and I played Split while the boys and the oldest's girlfriend played games.

Today was a day of sleeping late, helping the oldest make more bread, taking the youngest to see friends, and then quilting while Loni knitted.  

It has been a wonderful holiday weekend.  I wish I didn't have to see the boys leave for school again tomorrow.  I like having them around. 

Christmas should be very nice together because I will be off on vacation.  Can't wait to be around the boys for a nice length of time. 

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Counting my Blessings

I have too many blessings to count, but here are a few of my top ones:
  • The Boys
  • Jill, Loni, Mina  
  • My brother
  • My aunts and uncle, nephews, cousins
  • All the wonderful people I have in my life that care about me and love me, Jenn, Gina, Jason, Bryan, John, John,Tim, Darrell, Lilo, TOPS Pals, and so many more
  • My health
  • My family's health
  • Job that I enjoy
  • A beautiful piece of property with a warm (thanks to Loni) and dry home
  • A savings account to take care of emergencies (like car repairs)
  • Wonderful books to read
  • Beautiful art 
  • That any problems I have I brought on myself
  • And so many, many more things, I couldn't begin to count them all
Yes, I have more blessings than I deserve even though I miss Raymond so much I can't put it into words. 

This Thanksgiving also comes with sorrow in my heart from knowing that a classmate's wife is about to go through the same thing I am as he enters his final stages of battling cancer.  I hope for all their sakes it is a peaceful passing.  We were not friends, or really even acquaintances in school, but I still remember him and his smile as he walked through the halls, and no one should have to lose their life to cancer.

I am praying for:
  • My friend Lilo as she is experiencing the holiday without her beloved husband who passed away a couple of weeks ago 
  • Soldiers battling and their loved ones who spend every day with their heart in their throats
  • Dedra and her family as they sort through the rumble of their house that burned this week
  • My youngest and the stress he is under
  • Alle and the biopsy she is facing
  • The families of Alzheimer's patients as they search for just a glimmer of recognition from their loved ones each day
  • My friend that is battling depression, and all that goes with that battle ... I love you
  • All those that are suffering for any reason
  • Peace
I wish everyone was as fortunate as I am and had so many blessings.  I pray for that daily.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Local Artist - Charles Claudet III

I know own 2 pieces by Charles Claudet III:



My photos do not do these pieces justice.  The turtle is now framed and in my living room.  It looks fabulous in a reddish maroon frame with a large white mat.  The Storm Trooper resides in the "man cave" the boys have, which is really a very nice second living room with lots of art.  

I hope he will be at Cottonwood or Huffines next year, I am looking forward to having collecting his art work for years to come.  
Here is a piece I would love to have...hint for those looking to give me a Christmas present: 




Music to my Ears

I love wind chimes.  I have several in my back yard and a a couple in the front yard.  Now I would not recommend this for people that live close to others, but I have over five acres, and know I am not bothering anyone, well, except those that visit me. 

My favorite wind chimes are from Windsongs.  I have the five and the six dot bells.  Now I will admit that if you are sitting under the one on the breezeway on a windy day, it gets to be a bit much, hence John disabling it while he was working here.  It gets so loud sometimes you can't talk and be heard around it.  

Tonight there are several sounds coming from the back through the open door.  The turtle bamboo chimes are in the background of the Windsongs chimes along with the tinkle of a few small chimes around in the trees.  Every once in a while Raymond's chime comes in, but only when necessary.

As I sit here tonight with this wonderful breeze I realize only one thing... I need more chimes!

Maybe I need these for days it is too cold to open the door. Homedics Indoor Wind Chimes


Sunday, November 21, 2010

I Knew Her When

I knew Mary in high school.  She was always very talented.

Beach Ball's Journey

or Mary Van Tassel

I hope her book takes off.  She said she is writing a second one.

Finding Old Friends - Facebook

I have had a Facebook account for a while now, and at first I enjoyed the games and keeping up with the girls when they were on the road, but now I have started contacting people from all areas of my life that I have lost touch with and I am enjoying learning about what they have been doing with their lives.  No, we don't have long exchanges, but I really like knowing that a high school friend is publishing a children's book, while another one has a business with her husband, and several of them have retired. 

I found a cousin on FB and found out that her mother (my dad's sister), father, and sister all are alive and well, when I had thought them to be dead.  

My nephews are on FB and even though I never met one of them, I keep up with their lives, and I feel we have a little bit of an ongoing relationship.

I got in touch with my favorite cousin in Florida, and through him another cousin.

I found some of Raymond's cousins and keep in touch with them now.  I can also see what his one sister is up to and my mother-in-law too.

A friend of Raymond's from high school that later became an acquaintance of mine is a well known artist know, and I love seeing his new work through his FB page.  

There are some great quilting pages, and I have met up with people that read this blog.  

Tonight a found a friend I haven't seen since 1979, but I have many great memories of a Christmas get together at her house. 

I learned of an acquaintance from high school that is in the final stages of a long battle with cancer, and have been able to keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers, because I know what that is like and I wish they did not have to experience that kind of pain, suffering, and grief.  

There are a few people I wish would get FB accounts (Laurie, are you reading this?), just because I find it a quick way to share pictures and such.  There are a few more I would like to find just because I have wondered how they have been over the years, and I would like to know if they had a good life, or need prayers to a better life.  

One of the best things about FB is that I can nag my youngest during the day.  He hates it, which just makes me laugh.

All in all, I think Facebook has been a great experience and a good tool in my life. 


Overdid It Yesterday, Paying Today

The orthopedic surgeon says I have a shoulder impingement.  I was given a steroid injection and told not to do any overhead or behind my back movements, but to keep up the PT that I had been shown to date.

Yesterday I quilted, until my machine developed an issue, and then I pieced a back and sandwiched a quilt in queue.  Neither of those involved the movements I am not allowed to do, but it sure did stir up the shoulder pain.  

I am hoping that when I go back in four weeks the shoulder will have healed, but if not they will scope it to see if they can release the impingement.  Worker's comp requires a lot of paperwork, but so far the process has not been too horrible.  

I know that Serendipity  would like to recommend a chiropractor and so would my hair dresser, but I am limited at this time due to the worker's comp.  To answer a recent comment from Serendipity, I am not far from Wylie at all.  Just in Lucas.  




Lovely Morning

It has been a lovely morning.

Woke up early to prep a "family" breakfast after early service.  The alarm clock was accidentally set to music and the song that came on was "Get Up in Jesus' Name" which was one of those little things in life that makes me chuckle.  

Loni, Mina and Jill were meeting me at church to see our Youth Pastor preach his last sermon at our  Methodist church.  He is going back to his roots in a Baptist church in College Station, TX, to what I hope will be a great step up for him in the course of his life.

I am going to miss him.  He is a friend.  He calls me "Mama" and I think the world of him.  I am very excited for him to have this opportunity.  He asked me why I didn't cry when he told me he was leaving and I told him I was very sad for me, but thrilled for him and I couldn't cry when one of my sons was moving up in the world.

He did an excellent job with the service, even though I had to look straight ahead and not at Mina at one point because I knew if we laid eyes on one another we would be laughing.

After church the girls and I came back to the house for breakfast.  We had eggs scrambled with ham and cheese, homemade from scratch buttermilk biscuits, and a fruit cup of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.  We each had our own drinks. I had water infused with orange slices, very refreshing.

As I was finishing up fixing breakfast, John came to get the latest skunk in the trap, and it sprayed.  Loni told Mina not to open the door but she saw John backing away and was concerned for him and opened the door just a little.  Fortunately, even though the smell came in the house, it wasn't too bad in the kitchen while we ate.  

We had a little conversation after breakfast and now everyone is off doing their own thing.  

I overdid it yesterday and will be resting more today because my shoulder is really bothering me.  I see a reading, game playing, and a nap in my future, but first I must go get something to put in the skunk trap for tonight.  Jill saw another one walking in the ditch last night while the trap was already occupied.  



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

New Favorite Hair Product

It is a powder that gives amazing lift and leaves your hair soft.  Only takes a little. 

If you are blind like me and can't see how much you are sprinkling on, then put a little in your palm and rub your hands together before rubbing your hands through your hair. 

I buy mine at Sally's since it doesn't ship directly from Amazon.  

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Movies

I have started going to the movies more the last couple of years.  I find it really boosts my morale and keeps me from being a total hermit.  The trick to this though is finding movies I want to see.

Tonight I was thinking about the movies I have seen since I started this effort and overall I am quite pleased with my choices.

Some of my favorites:



Due Date (Robert Downey Jr. is just so yummy.)






There were others, but these are the ones I remember.

Sometimes a movie touches me because it reminds me of a different time in my life.  Other times I just like the action.

I have found that I am oddly attracted to Vince Vaughn.  There is something about the way he moves.  It is comforting. Familiar.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Adam Sandler movie "Just Go With It."

I saw some previews today that looked promising.  Looking forward to some good mindless entertainment to get me out of the house in 2011.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Art Purchases from the Cottonwood Fall 2010 and Huffines Fall 2010 Art

Here are just a few of the pieces we purchased at the art festivals this fall:
Guardian (You can make it your own by adding your own personal items)
 by LEROY GARCIA

by Lisa Loudermilk

Owen Mortensen

Charles Claudet III - Storm Trooper (My second piece by him)

Brad W. Foster - The Librarian (2nd Piece)

Rick Loudermilk (Married to Lisa Loudermilk)

Mary Downing

Friday, November 12, 2010

MRI Monday

The doctor stopped all PT on my shoulder until after the MRI scheduled on Monday. 

PT was not helping at all and so the said they needed to know what was wrong to continue.  In fact my physical therapist said he would not be surprised if I required surgery.  If that is the case, this would be the worse time for work with Christmas

, but the best time physically since the boys will be home for a month beginning the middle of December and they could help me around the house.

When I went to schedule the MRI they realized that we had been filing under the wrong worker's comp insurance. I was injured at the end of Sept. and the insurance changed on October 1.  Fortunately, it was solved quickly, and the old company is actually a lot easier to work with than the  new one.  I wish they hadn't changed.  

In the mean time, I am trying to keep up with some of the exercising so the shoulder doesn't freeze, but limit what I do with the arm so that the pain doesn't increase.  

I cannot quilt on the Bernina with my shoulder like it is, so I am going to create some hand quilting today.  I miss it so much.  I also need to add some farm animals and holiday items to the Library Lady apron.  

I want to thank my BFF, girls, and friends at work for being so thoughtful and helpful to me right now.  Loni drives me around when we go places together and is helping me by taking me to see my youngest this weekend and getting him for Thanksgiving.  Mina brought up my garbage and recycling bins the other night, BFF emptied my dishwasher and helped with laundry, and will be helping me change sheets. My friends at work have been wonderful in helping me lift and carry items. 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Word is Lose!

Lately I have noticed more and more emails, documents, newspaper articles, etc. using the word "loose" when it should be "lose."  At first I attributed it to typos, until I started noticing it in conversations.

I am the first to admit that I do not use perfect English in writing or speaking, but I was taught the difference between these two words.

Just today a friend wrote about how people "loose" touch with other over the years.

Did the definition of the word "loose" change and no one told me?

dictionary.com defines loose as:

loose  [loos] Show IPA adjective, loos·er, loos·est, adverb, verb loosed, loos·ing.

–adjective
1. 
free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.
2.  
free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered: loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.
3
uncombined, as a chemical element.
4.   
not bound together: to wear one's hair loose.
5.
not put up in a package or other container: loose mushrooms.
6.
 available for disposal; unused; unappropriated: loose funds.
7.
lacking in reticence or power of restraint: a loose tongue.
8.
lax, as the bowels.
9.
lacking moral restraint or integrity; notorious for his loose character.
10.
sexually promiscuous or immoral; unchaste.
11.
not firm, taut, or rigid: a loose tooth; a loose rein.
12.
relaxed or limber in nature: He runs with a loose, open stride.
13.
not fitting closely or tightly: a loose sweater.
14.
not close or compact in structure or arrangement; having spaces between the parts; open: a loose weave.
15.
having few restraining factors between associated constituents and allowing ample freedom for independent action: a loose federation of city-states.
16.
not cohering: loose sand.
17.
not strict, exact, or precise: a loose interpretation of the law.
18.
Sports .
a.
having the players on a team positioned at fairly wide intervals, as in a football formation.
b.
(of a ball, hockey puck, etc.) not in the possession of either team; out of player control.
–adverb
19.
in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination): loose-flowing.
–verb (used with object)
20.
to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
21.
to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
22.
Chiefly Nautical . to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
23.
to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
24.
to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
25.
to make less tight; slacken or relax.
26.
to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.
–verb (used without object)
27.
to let go a hold.
28.
to hoist anchor; get under way.
29.
to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often fol. by off ): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
30.
Obsolete . to become loose; loosen.

31.
break loose, to free oneself; escape: The convicts broke loose.
32.
cast loose,
a.
to loosen or unfasten, as a ship from a mooring.
b.
to send forth; set adrift or free: He was cast loose at an early age to make his own way in the world.
33.
cut loose,
a.
to release from domination or control.
b.
to become free, independent, etc.
c.
to revel without restraint: After the rodeo they headed into town to cut loose.
34.
hang / stayloose, Slang . to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
35.
let loose,
a.
to free or become free.
b.
to yield; give way: The guardrail let loose and we very nearly plunged over the edge.
36.
on the loose,
a.
free; unconfined, as, esp., an escaped convict or circus animal.
b.
behaving in an unrestrained or dissolute way: a bachelor on the loose.
37.
turn loose, to release or free, as from confinement: The teacher turned the children loose after the class.

Origin:
1175–1225;  (adj.) ME los, loos  < ON lauss  loose, free, empty; c. OE lÄ“as  ( see -less), D, G los  loose, free; (v.) ME leowsen, lousen,  deriv. of the adj.


loosely, adverb
looseness, noun
o·ver·loose, adjective
o·ver·loose·ly, adverb
o·ver·loose·ness, noun

loose, loosen, lose, loss.


2.  unbound, untied, unrestricted, unconfined. 10.  libertine, dissolute, licentious. 17.  vague, general, indefinite. 20.  loosen, unbind. 21.  liberate. 25.  ease.

1.  bound. 10.  chaste. 25.  tighten. 
 Lose is defined as:

lose

[looz] Show IPA verb, lost, los·ing.
–verb (used with object)
1.
to come to be without (something in one's possession or care), through accident, theft, etc., so that there is little or no prospect of recovery: I'm sure I've merely misplaced my hat, not lost it.
2.
to fail inadvertently to retain (something) in such a way that it cannot be immediately recovered: I just lost a dime under this sofa.
3.
to suffer the deprivation of: to lose one's job; to lose one's life.
4.
to be bereaved of by death: to lose a sister.
5.
to fail to keep, preserve, or maintain: to lose one's balance; to lose one's figure.
6.
(of a clock or watch) to run slower by: The watch loses three minutes a day.
7.
to give up; forfeit the possession of: to lose a fortune at the gaming table.
8.
to get rid of: to lose one's fear of the dark; to lose weight.
9.
to bring to destruction or ruin (usually used passively): Ship and crew were lost.
10.
to condemn to hell; damn.
11.
to have slip from sight, hearing, attention, etc.: to lose him in the crowd.
12.
to stray from or become ignorant of (one's way, directions, etc.): to lose one's bearings.
13.
to leave far behind in a pursuit, race, etc.; outstrip: She managed to lose the other runners on the final lap of the race.
14.
to use to no purpose; waste: to lose time in waiting.
15.
to fail to have, get, catch, etc.; miss: to lose a bargain.
16.
to fail to win (a prize, stake, etc.): to lose a bet.
17.
to be defeated in (a game, lawsuit, battle, etc.): He has lost very few cases in his career as a lawyer.
18.
to cause the loss of: The delay lost the battle for them.
19.
to let (oneself) go astray, miss the way, etc.: We lost ourselves in the woods.
20.
to allow (oneself) to become absorbed or engrossed in something and oblivious to all else: I had lost myself in thought.
21.
(of a physician) to fail to preserve the life of (a patient).
22.
(of a woman) to fail to be delivered of (a live baby) because of miscarriage, complications in childbirth, etc.
–verb (used without object)
23.
to suffer loss: to lose on a contract.
24.
to suffer defeat or fail to win, as in a contest, race, or game: We played well, but we lost.
25.
to depreciate in effectiveness or in some other essential quality: a classic that loses in translation.
26.
(of a clock, watch, etc.) to run slow.

27.
lose out, to suffer defeat or loss; fail to obtain something desired: He got through the preliminaries, but lost out in the finals.

28.
lose face. face ( def. 48 ) .

Origin:
bef. 900;  ME losen,  OE -lÄ“osan;  r. ME lesen,  itself also reflecting OE -lÄ“osan;  c. G verlieren,  Goth fraliusan  to lose. See loss


re·lose, verb (used with object), -lost, -los·ing.

loose, loosen, lose, loss.
 There I feel better now.