Weekend Recap...

WooHoo!!! I just HAD to step on the scales this morning to see what damage I did to myself the past couple of days. I stayed the same! Whew!! Because I just had to have a piece of cake Friday and another one last night. But never fear I sent MOST of the rest of it home with the kids and the rest (that wouldn't fit in the containers I had) is in a pan right now with other garbage being dumped on top of it. So no more cake for me. We even went out to eat last night before the movie and I couldn't resist the homemade "pot bread." This place uses little souffle dishes to bake their bread in. It is sooooo wonderful. Normally when I go there I ask them not to bring the bread but since it was more than just me I didn't want to do that to the others and I also just can NOT have it on the table without eating some. But on that I really didn't over do it.

The movie we went to see was the new James Bond flick. It was so good that about a half hour into it I fell asleep and woke up when the credits rolled. They told me I didn't miss much because it was very confusing. How's that for an expensive nap?

I'm a bit on the nervous side right now because we were having a freezing rain when the kids left this morning. They called me when they got over the first set of mountains and to the interstate and I checked the weather for them and looks like they will just have rain for the remainder of their trip. They promised to call me periodically to let me know they were safe and they always call when they get home.

So my home is back to normal. My dogs are still a little on the skittish side. They aren't sure the puppy is gone as of yet but it won't take them long to get back into the swing of things.

Oh, I watched a great movie this morning. It was called "Freedom Writers" and it is a true story about a teachr (I tend to watch all the teacher movies out there) and it was a really great one.

Gonna go now and check on what's going on in your lives. Sorry, I didn't have time last night to do that, but I've got plenty of time now.

Movie NSV...

My daughter was tickled pink with the puppy. And the puppy was thrilled with her new Mommy too. The wee one got a lot of lovin'.

And helped Mommy play cards.

Had a great visit even though it was short. They are leaving early in the morning to head back home.

We went to a movie tonight and I didn't even eat one kernel of pop corn. It smelled sooooo goooood.

Didn't do too badly on "the" big meal, but enjoyed a little of everything. Now I've got to buckle down and get this last 30 pounds off. I may be ready to get back with it. Think I'll sleep on that thought.

A New Member to the Family...

Hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends.

As most of you (in the USA) are crawling into bed sated on turkey and all the trimmings I am getting ready to start mine in the morning. Got my cake baked today and it is a whopper. It made too much to put into the three loaf pans like I had planned so I had to bake it in a 13x9 pan. I almost screwed it up. It called for 1 cup of crushed pineapple and I just threw the whole (20 oz) can in without looking at the recipe. So it took a little longer to bake to get done but it sure smells gooooooood.

Now I can share with you the reason I took a 6 hour trip last Saturday. I went to pick up a Mini Schnauzer puppy for my oldest daughter. I am so anxious for her to get here tomorrow to see her reaction. It is a total surprise Christmas present. She has an Australian Shepherd that is 13 years old. The Ausie had some problems a couple of weeks ago with some weird fleas and is partially paralyzed. When the troubles started her fiance called and asked if I would get her a puppy for Christmas. I had already thought of it and had it in the makings at that time. My daughter has wanted a Schnauzer for several years so this is the opportune time to make that wish come true.

The week I've had with the puppy has been a real experience. My dogs hate her!!!! They feel that Mommy has forsaken them and even though I'm not giving the pup a whole lot of love (so she won't bond with me) they think I don't love them any more. The first night I put the puppy in a crate and she cried and howled ALL night long. Boy, was my butt dragging the next day. The crate is now on the porch out of the way because I just couldn't spend another night like that. It's also been a real joy watching the pup learn and grow in just a week. When I brought her home she was having a hard time walking around and I think that was because she'd been in a cage all her life and never had a lot of room to walk around. It didn't take her long to learn that she had a lot of area to walk around and she finally learned how to run. She takes off across the floor and still has a little problem and ends up tumbling "ass over tea kettle" as my great grandmother used to say. And she finally learned how to "follow the feet", "follow the feet", "follow the feet." I've gotten pretty good at getting her outside to tinkle but am having a hard time timing her poopy cycle. I know it's supposed to be after she eats but she isn't doing it like she is supposed to. Thank goodness that won't be my responsibility after tomorrow.

Guess I'd better hit the sack so I can get my bird stuffed and in the oven on time tomorrow.

My Thanksgiving Day...

One more day 'til cooking, family and friends for most of us here in the USA. So here's an early wish for you all.

We didn't get the ice storm, thank goodness. We have gotten more snow but only a dusting both Monday and Tuesday. I think there was really more than a dusting but you see, the winds blow up here on this mountain in the winter time like crazy and it just blows it all off to the east of me. I would wager that the winds hit 40 miles per hour in some of the gusts and it is really spooky with all the trees around me but somehow they manage to stay up-right. ::knock on wood:: So all in all the prediction was 4-6 inches but with the winds it was just a dusting.

Gonna have to make a trip into town today to get a few last minute things that the other store didn't have last Saturday.

My company (daughter and her fiance and one of his daughters from NJ) aren't coming until Friday. They are stopping in Roanoke, VA to spend "Turkey Day" with his grandfather. He hasn't spent much time with him in the past couple of years and his health is failing so he wants to spend at least one day with him. So my cooking will be on Friday. They will get to eat 2 Thanksgiving dinners. Made me proud when my daughter told me how tickled she was that I was cooking turkey and all the trimmings for Friday. She said thank goodness that she'd get to eat the real thing when she got to my house.

I will be doing my baking tomorrow and the major part of the cooking on Friday. I'm only baking one cake for the occasion. It's going to be a carrot cake with all kinds of yummies in it and cream cheese icing. Gonna bake it in three small loaf pans and that way they can take the left overs home with them in the loaf pans. Yea, boy, I'm gonna have at least one piece and try real hard to make it ONLY one piece. My other plans for eating off kilter will be the dressing and broccoli casserole. Well, I may have some mashed potatoes with a little bit of gravy on them and one roll, but hey, it's Thanksgiving and I don't think I could cook all that stuff and not have a little bit of it. They have requested candied yams and that will be prepared too but I won't be having any of them. There will be plenty of other stuff to enjoy and I can have baked sweet potatoes any time.

Last year it was just me and the dogs and I did make a turkey breast with all the trimmin's. I was very conscious of my food intake then and since it was only me I made everything weight friendly. That won't be the case this year so I will just be careful and have small portions so that I can enjoy the flavors without going overboard. The cake is the only thing I will probably have problems with and that is a new one for me since I usually don't crave sweets, but it is my mothers old recipe and it brings back a lot of memories. If I'm going to eat sweets it is usually pies that I can't turn down and that is the main reason I won't be baking any pies this year.

So, to all of you out there in blog-land. Have a really wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Just a Peek...

Things are going alright for me right now. Food intake has been healthy (mostly). Except for the burger I had last night for supper but it was the first red meat I've had in over a week (and I'm not counting the burger on the road on Saturday, when traveling that doesn't count, right?) and it was 93/7 lean. I even had it on light bread at 35 calories per slice so that was good. Actually the burger wasn't all that bad after all. But then I did have a chocolate chip cookie last night. It was one of those "Mini" mixes and boy was it good. It kept me from snacking all evening.

I've been hitting the bed early (for me) lately. I'm worn out by 10:00 and that is very odd. Course I'm up and wide awake early too so maybe my sleep schedule is just changing. When I get up that early it makes for a very loooonnnngggg day. And now that it is getting dark earlier I start getting sleepy very soon after dark. I hate (as I'm sure you do too) switching back and forth between regular time and daylight savings time. I just wish they'd pick one and stick with it. I don't care which one they pick as long as it stays the same.

Keeping my scales covered has really helped me from obsessing over my eating. But I keep thinking that maybe I should take a peek just to make sure things aren't going in the wrong direction (especially after the cookie last night). Think I'll take a peek, hold on while I go check....................cool, they're staying the same. Whew!!

Have a great week getting ready for Turkey Day.

Snow Pictuers...

I had a request for snow pictures, so here they are. These were taken last Monday during the storm.

The first one is of my closest neighbor. The one that comes up only during hunting season and causes me to have to pull my blinds so that he won't get an eye full.

The second one is the dragon in my yard. I call hime Mountness. Sort of a play on words, get it? Lockness/Mountness.

Sun is out today and the snow is melting. Sure hope the ice storm they were predicting for tomorrow doesn't show it's ugly face.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog...

I made it home safely from my little trip. It took me 3 hours one way because the roads near me weren't in great shape. Kinda icy going over the first mountain. So, I drove nice and slow and pulled over a lot to let the lunatics that wanted to speed pass me.


Got this cartoon in the mail from my sister-in-law. She cut it out of First magazine and I just had to share it with you.






I wasn't real good on the road. Got hungry and the only place to stop was a fast food place, so I got a plain cheeseburger and took off one of the buns. Alas, they didn't have chicken. Actually this place's specialty is biscuits and I knew if I got anything on a biscuit I'd eat the WHOLE thing. Was hungry coming home too but waited until I got home and had a piece of left over chicken. That satisfied for a little while but I'm going to have to have something else sooooooonnnnnnn.

Stopped at a grocery store (the same franchise I shop at in my town) in a little town on my way home and they had very little of the stuff I normally buy. They didn't even have any light bread and only one kind of whole wheat bread to boot. Sure glad I don't live there. I wouldn't be able to stay on this healthy eating life style. Their produce area was the pits too.

Have a great Sunday!!

Bread and a Trip...

Ok, first of all about the bread. I buy light wheat bread for my half sammies. It usually takes me 2 weeks before I buy another loaf and then I have to throw away part of the one I have left. But for some reason just knowing the bread is getting low makes me want sandwiches more. Does that happen to you with anything? So that's why I've been stressing over it.

Now about the trip tomorrow. I think I'm going to have to call the person and postpone it until Sunday. It is snowing like crazy here. Already another 3 inches. Supposed to be in the 40's on Sunday and sunny so that means that the driveway will definitely melt. This trip is to pick up something for my daughter in NJ for Christmas. Want to have it for when they come for Thanksgiving. Can't tell you what it is yet since she does have this web address and she never reads my blogs (or never mentions reading them) but sure as I mention what it is here she'll check in to see what I write about. So, I'll share it with you after Thanksgiving.

Just hope the weather clears up the first of the week so I can go to the grocery and get the Thanksgiving provisions. Course if I can't that means that they won't be able to get here either and there won't be any reason to cook that kind of meal.

This is really weird that we are having so much bad weather this early. The last time this happened we had a REALLY bad winter.

The daughter in NJ is trying her best to talk me into going home with her until Christmas. I just don't want to do that. I want to be home. I like my home and I'm more comfortable here. She even tries to entice me with her high speed Internet. But again, that's not enough. And besides her fiance has a 4 year old that is there half the time and I'm just too old to put up with a youngin' that age for any period of time. It wears me out!

Have a great weekend y'all.

Donna's back...

Donna's back! Woo Hoo!! Drop by and give her a shout.

I think winter has arrived in my mountains. I don't care what the calendar says, it's here, here. Snowing again but just little, teeny, wee flakes. Sure hope it doesn't amount to much since I have a 5 hour (round) trip to take on Saturday. I figure the main roads will be clear but I hope my driveway is passable for when I get home.

Not much happening in my life. I woke up at 5:00 this morning, wide awake. What's with that anyway? My butt's been draggin' all day and I have tried to lay down and nap but it just won't come.

I discovered some bagels and hamburger buns in my freezer so now I don't have to worry about running out of bread before Saturday. Just had to tell you all about that because I know that you were really worried about me running out. Yea, right.

The Catalogue...

I just took a trip down memory lane, through a catalog. Actually they called it a "catalogue." It's from The Vermont Country Store. This is a small catalog and if you're like me I always start at the back and work my way forward. This was the right thing to do because all the "Olden Days" stuff is in the back. I can remember setting and going through a catalog much like this one with my grandmother.


Gosh I hadn't thought of some of these things in a long time. If you're over the hill (Hill? What hill? I didn't see no stinkin' hill.) like me you may remember some of these things too. There was Ralston Hot Wheat Cereal. And Fizzies drink tablets. And do you remember the little magnetic trick dogs?

They even had some of the old "timey" clothes that my grandmother used to order. Wow, that was fun.

Did you know that when I was little they didn't have tooth paste? It was tooth powder that we sprinkled in our palm, wet the tooth brush and dipped it into the powder. We didn't have roll on or spray deodorant either. It came in a little jar with round wipes inside. And no TV either! Yep, no TV. Can you imagine being that old?

I know I don't usually post more than once a day but I just had to share that with you.

Life's Goooooooood...

Well, we didn't get the additional 6 inches, just one more it seems. And it's not because it didn't try hard enough. It snowed off and on all day and really hard, but the sun kept coming out periodically and guess it melted some in between squalls. At least it didn't do like in 2003 where we had a foot then a freezing rain storm and then another foot of snow, etc, until there was 3 feet with ice in between each foot and on top. Blue skies today so maybe the sun will come out and melt what's on my driveway. I could stand to go to the grocery store but not in dire need yet. Down to 1/3 loaf of bread but I can always make biscuits if I run out. Would make bread but don't have any yeast in the house. And THANK GOODNESS the power has stayed on. Whoops, "knock on wood."

My cats are outside cats and I have to give them water about 3 times a day because it keeps freezing. So I remedied that one. I went on line yesterday and ordered an electric water dish. It even has a thermostat that allows it to only turn on when needed. How cool is that? Evidently the cats get up before I do because there's always a little hole licked in the ice and I always feel sorry for them that I didn't get up and water them early. When it comes I won't have to worry about that anymore.

This not obsessing about food is really making a difference in my whole outlook on life. I cheated today and got on the scales just to see what a week without obsessing did to me and I've stayed the same. Maintanance is a good thing for me right now. I'm going to be really careful over the holidays (both of them) and eat the stuff I used to eat (if I cook it) but not over do it. Won't make any cookies or cakes or pies that will tempt me. I like my weight friendly pumpkin custard just fine and will enjoy that as my dessert.

One thing I will miss about the holidays in pistachios. My mother always sent me a big bag of them every Christmas. Was a tradition. When she passed away I was really distraught that the tradition wouldn't continue but low and behold, one of my nieces picked up on my sadness and always includes pistachios in my holiday packages. Now comes the hard part of not eating the whole bag in one setting. For me they are just like potato chips. I can't eat just one. Last year (the first Christmas on this healthier me journey) I gave them away. But this year I am not going to do that. I'm going to ration myself and enjoy a little of the olden days. I mean, what good's livin' without enjoying it.

Later blog-buds.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (again)...

Woke up to 6 inches of snow this morning and they are predicting 6 more before night fall. The sun came out for a little while and melted about one inch of the snow already on the ground but it is now falling in earnest and piling up quite nicely. Might as well rejoice in this beautiful day because there's not a thing we can do about the weather, and why complain.

Just put on a pot of soup to simmer and am going to crawl under a down comforter on the couch with my book and just enjoy myself immensely. That is, after I finish up here.

Hope all is well with you on this glorious Tuesday!

Taking a Break...

Hey, two days in a row! I'm almost back.


I read almost everyone of my blog buddies posts last night and I commented on very few. I, for some reason, just feel that I can't give any good advice right now. So if I missed commenting on your post please forgive me. I will try to do better.


This break from obsessing over my weight loss is so much better for me right now. I'm still doing pretty good and definitely not eating the things that are bad for me. I'm sticking to my healthy meals and snacks. So I guess I have developed a healthier lifestyle (without the exercise).


I've been reading some and crocheting A LOT the last week. Got an afghan and two pair of socks to finish before Thanksgiving so I can send them home with my daughter in NJ. Yep, she's coming for Thanksgiving. YAY!! I won't have to spend it alone and cook for just me and the dogs. Then all I have left is 2 scarves and a pair of mittens to finish after that. Then my Christmas will be done. Not much in the store bought presents from me this year. I always prefer getting something made with love myself so I hope everyone else does too.

I had the news on just now and Huntington, WV just hit the national news. It's about 3 1/2 hours away right on the Ohio border. They are number 1 in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, lack of teeth and a couple more that I don't remember. And here I thought I lived in the county that had all of those things. It was really funny that the mayor of the city told the news that his city was focusing on the economy instead of themselves. How funny is that?

Have a great week!

Hangin' In There...

I'm still here. Just haven't been in the mood to blog lately. Can't think of much to write about. Guess the ole creative juices aren't flowing. Still kinda low.

I'm still on this friggin' weight loss journey. Never fear, I haven't given up. I haven't weighed myself since Wednesday and there was a half pound loss. But it's still discouraging. I decided to just cover the scales up for a month or so. I even went 5 days without meat this week. Didn't really mean to but kept eating beans and taco soup (from the freezer) and peanut butter. Just didn't feel like cooking. Found some chili in the freezer and had it last night and that was the first time for meat. My colon told me about it this morning.

Hope you are all doing alright. I'll get caught up on what's happening in your lives as soon as possible.

Apologies...

Wow, I didn't mean to get so maudlin yesterday. Guess I was just depressed and needed a pity party. Sorry 'bout that. Still a little blue today but it is better. I spent the day in bed napping off and on yesterday. My defense mechanism for depression and it usually helps as it did yesterday. I have no idea what makes me get into those moods, there are so many other people out there that have such enormous problems in their lives that mine are minor in comparison.

Sorry that I didn't get to too many of you yesterday but I will catch up later today. I just wasn't much in the mood to read or comment.

I'm showing a half pound loss so far today but tomorrow will tell the real story.

About what I said yesterday about wanting a mate. NOT!! Just part of the pity party. I like living alone. Now don't get me wrong, I would love a companion of sorts but not on a daily basis. The perfect relationship would be a part time one. Like maybe on the weekends ONLY. I've settled into a routine and like being able to sleep and eat and clean whenever I want to and not have to please someone else. I like just pleasing me for a change, since I've always pleased others all my life.

Have a great Tuesday.

Struggling with Emotions...

The confusing cycles we go through during weight loss are very hard to deal with at times.

When we start this journey we are all excited about finally becoming THIN. We are gung-ho in the beginning if we are truly dedicated this time around. When we see the pounds dropping off the excitement continues and it keeps us on the straight and narrow of our path. We start seeing a difference in our bodies and hear from others that they are seeing it too. What a wonderful feeling to know and see the changes we are working so hard to make.

Then somewhere along the way we discover that it isn't all about being THIN but about being healthier. We realize that we are feeling better not just about our looks but inside too. We can walk farther without huffing and puffing. The joints in our legs don't hurt as much any more and what a wonderful feeling that can be. We discover exercise and some of us get a real natural high form it.

We try experimenting by adding more exercise or different exercises to find the right mix for us. And we try incorporating our favorite foods into our daily or weekly food intake to satisfy our cravings. We finally find the right mix and are euphoric that we have found the correct path for our lifetime journey. Along the way we have discovered that this is indeed a lifetime journey because we know in our hearts and heads that if we don't stick to this new life style we will be back up there where we began if not larger. And we really don't want to go there again. Ever!!

Then a plateau happens. Yea, just happens. The first week we just accept it as part of the process. Then when the weeks continue it becomes harder and harder to accept. Discouragement sets in. We want to quit and just enjoy our food again without measuring and weighing and eating so many salads we feel like we are going to turn into a head of lettuce. At this point some of us to give up. At this point some of us take a side track. And at this point some of us just understand and have the resolve to continue no matter what happens.

Well, I'm among the side tracked group right now. The closer I get to goal (66 pounds gone and 33 to go) the slower it comes off and the harder it is to stick with it. Yes, I know, I am only two thirds there and not really that close to goal but at this point I am so discouraged that I really have entertained thoughts of just giving up. I won't though. After all, I gave away all my "fat" clothes and don't want to buy any new "fat" clothes, ever!! So here I set wondering what I'm going to do. I am so sick of cooking healthy, I am so sick of cooking just for me, I am so sick of the whole shebang.

Those of you that have followed me for a while know that I don't exercise. I tried it and it just doesn't work for me. It felt wonderful when I started and I was really excited about getting healthier in that aspect too. But when I started exercising is when my plateaus started and even gains. Sure the clothes were getting a little smaller but we all know what the numbers on the scale do to our minds.

I am in this alone, physically that is. I know I have all of you, constant readers, but you can't be with me to exercise with. I am just not the type of person that likes doing things or going places alone. After all, these past 2 1/2 years are the only years in my 62 1/2 years that I've ever been alone. And it isn't just about likes, it's about being terribly uncomfortable doing things alone. I have anxiety attacks when I try going somewhere or doing something alone. I've purchased about 6 exercise DVD's and can't even make myself do any of them in the privacy of my home by myself. I've got dance DVD's, exercise DVD's, yoga DVD's...I even got 2 of Richard Simmons "Sweatin' to the Oldies" DVD's and the plastic wrapper is still on them. I know I have to get over this and just start doing something but I can't seem to make myself, despite all your encouragement.

So, right now I am side tracked mentally. I have quit journaling my food intake. I am keeping track of it in my head and so far I haven't done too badly but I'm just sick and tired of obsessing over this. I want that magic wand that will make all of this go away and POOF I'll be thin and healthy. Ever feel that way? Only every minute of every day, huh?

I really wish that there was someone in my life, in my home with me to help me through this and encourage me hourly to continue. For some reason the dogs like me no matter how I look or how healthy I am and don't care either way...stupid dogs. Don't they realize that being healthier I'll be here longer for them, to take care of them, to love them? Sure wish they could talk. I live in an area where there isn't a place where I could meet someone new for my life. I do love where I live and have lived in the country setting so long that I wouldn't be able to live in a city any more so moving isn't an option. Not only because of my comfort but financially either.

I know I'm not alone with most of these feelings. I know you have been there too. But I just had to get it off my chest. Maybe that will help.

Hope your week is better than mine seems to be starting out to be.

Cluck, Cluck, Cluck...

Not another chicken recipe!!!I just had a really good dinner and I thought I'd share it with you. I got this off the Bisquick box.

ULTIMATE CHICKEN FINGERS

3 Chicken breast (skinless/boneless)
2/3 Cup Bisquick
1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp pepper
1 egg slightly beaten
3 TBSP butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with Pam or use non-stick foil.

Cut chicken into strips long wise.

Combine dry ingredients in a gallon zip lock baggy.

Dip chicken into eggs.

Place chicken in zip lock and shake to coat.

Place on cookie sheet and drizzle with butter. Bake for 20 minutes turning half way through.

Now, I did it a little differently and it was still really good. I didn't use the egg, just the dry ingredients and I didn't drizzle the butter on it. The original recipe calls for cooking for 12-14 minutes but I found that it didn't get browned properly in that length of time. And I only used one chicken breast since there is only one of me. :o) I had some hot mustard and mixed honey in with it and made a yummy dip. The WW points and calories are below for the way I did it.

Weight Watchers Points = 6 (6 oz chicken breast)
Calories = 262 (6 oz chicken breast)

Well, Cammy, this wasn't a memory about salad but at least it is a healthy post.

Memory Lane...

Thanks for all the advice on fake butter. But come on now. Although fake butter is alright it's still not the real thing. And unfortunately I was raised on the real thing. I think our alias was the Buttertons. There was NEVER a stick (remember I was raised in the olden days) of the fake stuff in the fridge. When Mom would make a recipe that called for margarine she used BUTTER. When it called for crisco (later on) she used BUTTER flavored crisco. I use the fake stuff now but it just doesn't compare to the real stuff. I have found that Land O Lakes Light Butter has the flavor that is almost like it but it is still a little off. And I've learned to like my corn on the cob with the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. But I really miss the real stuff.


Talking about the "olden days" I'm going to take a little of Charlie's advice when I have writer's block. But instead of talking about Pizza I'm gonna reminisce a little. So if you don't want to walk down memory lane with me to can skip the next part.


My grandmother practically raised me since Mom was divorced (a couple of times) and she was the sole bread winner. I stayed with Butsy during the week and with Mom on the weekends. I'm told that my grandmother wanted to be called Mutsy but as a little tyke I couldn't pronounce my M's very well and she became Butsy. One of my fondest memories was picnics in her front yard. When I was having a bad day (as she later told me) she'd decide to have a picnic to cheer me up. She'd take one of her "picnic" blankets out in the front yard and spread it out. I'd help her carry plates (they didn't have the paper kind back then) and cups outside and wait while she prepared our wonderful picnic. The one I remember the most vividly was grilled cheese sandwiches and (homemade) vegetable soup. As we would set on the blanket nibbling away we'd talk about the (imaginary) forest around us and the (imaginary) critters we could see. We'd see grand oaks and sycamores with little mitten leaves. We'd see squirrels and foxes frolicking around the trees and beautiful red, orange and yellow flowers. When all that was done, I'd be ready for my nap and she could breath a sigh of relief (I'm sure).

Hope you enjoyed a little snippet of my past.

Disappointment...

I really didn't enjoy the roast. And I'm sure it is because I didn't throw any potatoes on it. And since I didn't have potatoes on it, I didn't have a half a stick of real butter on them. That must be what makes the pot roast so good to me. So I guess it's not the roast I missed but the potatoes and butter (and I miss noodles and butter) but I'm surely not going to go down that road. I know for sure that that would be a terrible mistake on my part. But I did have enough left over roast, onions and carrots to freeze a couple of meals. My next feat (next week) will be to try to make healthy fried chicken (breasts). I used to make Bisquick oven fried chicken once in a while and it was almost as tasty as the chicken I fried in a lot of grease. I will give that a try next.

Nothing else going on in my world. I've been setting here with my fingers poised over the keyboard for the past 5 minutes racking my brain and can't think of a thing to write about, so I guess this will be a short one.

Ho Hummmm...

I lost 1.5 pounds of the 2 that I gained a couple of weeks ago (again). One half pound to go to be where I was a month ago. Oh, well.

Yay, no more political advertisements!!!!!!!

Got the roast out to thaw this morning so I will me having it for dinner. And then will have some of my very own frozen dinners ready to eat.

I've gone back to my bedroom to sleep. Started a couple of nights ago and I think I have a way to keep myself from devouring books. I am leaving them up there by the bed and only letting myself read right before going to sleep. It was beginning to get expensive. I was going through a book in about 2 days. At least I go to Amazon and order enough to get free shipping and usually watch for their 4 for the price of 3 special. I've tried the library in my area and it is so small that I've read what they have in the genre that I prefer.

Later dudes...

Good Advice...

Thanks so much for the wonderful advice on my last post. I never thought of it the way most of you put it. I've been allowing myself red meat about once a month. Really didn't think I should have it more than that but, since I miss it so much maybe I should. It just might make this easier. And it just so happens that I have a couple of roasts in the freezer. Since they are way much more than I should eat, I'll just cook them and freeze the right portions so that I can enjoy them once a week. I'm a happy camper right now just thinking about it.

Y'all are AWESOME!! I knew I was doing this blogging for something other than just rambling. Now if I could just light someone else's world like you have all lit mine.

Hey, are you looking forward to the prime time coverage of the election like me? (Sarcastically said.) I can't believe all the prime time programming is preempted for that bull s%&t. What ever happened to the scrolls at the bottom of the screen that were a nuisance but a whole lot easier to take than having to listen and look at live coverage for hours? UGH!! Thank goodness I have some movies in reserve.

I started my Christmas shopping this weekend. I just love the Internet!! No crowds to fight!!

Hope your week is a good one.

Earthquake???

Did your windows rattle last night when I fell off the wagon? Don't know what got into me but I wasn't hungry or anything like that, I just HAD TO HAVE stuff above and beyond my plan. It started with Doritos then moved to 100 pack calorie cupcakes (2) (I'm never buying those again) and ended with pop corn. Now that wasn't so bad except for the Doritos but an extra 500 calories at bed time is awful. And the worse part is that I really don't feel so bad about it. I was watching television and crocheting away when it happened. Was keeping my little fingers busy so I wouldn't want to snack and all heck broke loose. I wasn't even thinking about snacking and then WHAM it hit me in the head.

I'm so sick of broiled chicken breasts, and baked chicken breasts and I want a STEAK or a GOOD OLD FASHIONED POT ROAST or FRIED CHICKEN AND GRAVY! Okay, so I had fried chicken and gravy for my birthday but I want it AGAIN!!

And to beat it all I weighed myself this morning AFTER breakfast and I was down to 182. That means that I've lost the 2 pounds that I put on AGAIN last week plus another half. I'm sure it won't be that way by Wednesday. I KNOW it won't be that way by Wednesday!

Okay, enough yelling.

How's your first day of standard time going? Don't know what mine will bring but it surely won't be good.

I Did It..

I didn't snack even once last night! And would have made it the night before if someone (who shall remain nameless, Cammy) hadn't mentioned in one of my comments that she was enjoying pop corn every evening as a snack. Since I didn't blog until late Thursday it planted a seed and I couldn't get it out until I scratched that itch. But one bag of light, 100 calorie pop corn isn't that bad as a snack. I had even decided yesterday that if I got hungry last night that I could have some pop corn again. And when I went to bed, still not hungry after dinner, I realized that I hadn't had the it and didn't want it. Soooo, here's how I did it. I ate a light breakfast, a large lunch, and a light supper. Having the large lunch kept me full longer and I was able to eat supper later. That kept me full until bedtime, 4 hours later. Yesterday was a little easier, I'll have to admit because I had a bunch of carbs with my lunch. But, all in all, I stayed within my allotment of calories for the day. Now if I can just keep that pesky ole mind at bay about snacking in the evenings, I'll do a lot better. I think the carbs helped yesterday.

Nothing else to report. You all wanted to know how my experiment worked out and there it is in black blue and white.

Have a great weekend.