Things I have Learned

I think the biggest thing I have been doing the last seven months that I have been following The WW Green Plan, is to write down each meal (using their online App) and plan out what I am going to eat.

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Here I am at 10:15 on Saturday morning and I know what I will be eating the rest of the day.

A friend told me she couldn’t be so rigid with her eating. Her life would stop if she had to give up the things she loves.

I told her I don’t “Have” to, I “Want” to.

I’m sixty-one years old. I’ve been waiting for the “Skinny Fairy” to arrive. I’m guessing it isn’t going to happen in this lifetime.

What this means to me now, in order to avoid becoming a Type 2 Diabetic, or developing a heart problem, changing the way I eat, the very way I look at food needed to change!

And it has. Big time.

I’m a Carb-a-holic. This means there isn’t a loaf of bread, donut, cake, cookie, or breading that I do not crave and love. In fact, it’s funny, even when I am not eating bread, if I am making Jack a sandwich, I will hold the bread close and “inhale the scent” of it. Ahhhhhh!

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There are certain foods I know I cannot eat because they trigger me to start down that bumpy road.

Sugar is also one of those things on my addiction list. I have ended my love affair with the white stuff. It took about two weeks of going cold turkey before I got the need for sugar out of my system.

I’m learning to fully enjoy new things. Melon, berries, apples, garden salads, and this is a big surprise, Carrots. I’ve always liked carrots, but now I cut them up and add them to my salad. I love them!

I have given up pork and salty ham. Never a favorite, so it wasn’t hard to eliminate it from my eating plan. I love to eat fish (any kind) and I love poultry. And very occasionally I will enjoy some beef.

I know I need to use portion control, but I also need to use my head to pick and choose foods sensibly.

I’ve written a lot about my journey on WW because it helps to keep me honest with myself. I also hope that if anyone else is struggling with their weight, maybe they will see that there is a way to lose weight and still eat!

I admit that after the age of 60 it’s a little tougher to do, but not impossible.

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Something New

I’ve decided to try out this way of answering your comments, in hopes that more people will comment here. Below you will see the comment area. Simply write your comment and tick the box Notify me of new comments via email before you submit the comment. I will reply here to each comment and you will get notified. Who knows? This could be fun!

How toA Blogging friend of mine does this on his Blog and I always enjoy his feedback on my comment and the comments of other readers.

So, let’s give it a try!

The Friday Five July 31st

The Friday FiveWell, here we are. The very last day in July of 2020. Another month and the summer will be over. I am actually grateful that right now time seems to be going by very fast. In fact, the sooner 2020 ends, the better!

Alas, here we are, and so, here is this week’s Friday Five!

  1. This week was not what I had planned. I’d started cleaning out my closet and was mostly successful. But the heat slowed me down and I still have the shelves to finish.
  2. My daughter had given me a beautiful Vera Bradley pocketbook last Christmas! I so adore it. However, the last month, my left shoulder has really been bothering me, and my right as well. What to do, what to do? Well my daughter has these cute wristlet type wallets and I found one to match the purse and best of all, it is on a small strap.20200727_164911Just enough to carry my credit cards, and cell phone! It slips in my purse for long-range trips, and then I pull it out when I go grocery shopping.
  3. While doing laundry I noticed that there were telltale signs of mice! Ugh! It is a big process, to go through everything, find the nest, vacuum and wash everything and throw some stuff away. At first, I was grossed out, but now I am thinking how good this is for me to get rid of a lot of crap! I will be bringing a load first thing in the morning to the Recycling Center
  4. So while I cleaned in the basement, from 8:30-3:45, I realized I’ll be down there a lot for a while. The bug has bitten me and I want to basement clean, NOW!
  5. Lastly, The two dackels have finished their antibiotics and I will need to bring them in some time at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after for blood and urine tests. They both seem to be doing well, but I need testing done to prove to the Pharmaceutical Company that Arnie really did have Lepto and I believe Anneliese did too.

So that’s it for the week. I’m getting a lot done, but I am reminded that I am not as young as I once was as my body creaks and I groan!

Have a great weekend!

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I’m Tired

I’m tired. I admit it. I think I finally have hit the wall as far as carrying the load on this whole Covid-19 thing.

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Since March I have been essentially doing all the work in the household. Looking back, I thought it would only be for a few weeks, and now, here we are, at the end of July and our Governor announced that they are expecting a surge in our numbers and we should continue to stay in, protect ourselves, and our elderly population.

My days start early. I am up with the first glimpses of light. The dogs are cared for and I am usually able to find some peaceful time, but with the dachshunds having been sick recently, this did not happen.

I’m not thrilled about going out or ordering out meals. Not that we actually have many places to chose from, but I am not comfortable.

This means I’m cooking six separate meals a day. My meals, and Jack’s.

I’ve let the house cleaning slip a little admittedly, so today I am overwhelmed with vacuuming and washing surfaces down.

And that all makes me tired!

I know, wah, wah, wah! I am full of self-pity and woe. And personally, I do not find it very becoming on me either.

But, I’m tired!

I realize that it’s not just physical tiredness, but I think emotionally I am tired too. How long will this whole Covid thing be with us? How long will normal life not be normal?

I remember the good old days when I went to a WW Class. Afterward, I would slip over to TJ Maxx for a little retail therapy, and stop here or there running errands. Remember those days?

Now, I can report to you, I have not been in a store for retail therapy since early March. The only store I go to is the grocery store. And thankfully, my friends from WW and I have decided to get together once a week at a local Park and share in our weight loss journeys and crazy wild lives.

Thank God for my friends!

I am also deeply grateful for my diet. Planning my meals and staying on this plan has kept me sane. I know I would be a lot more unsettled if I were gaining this whole time instead of losing.

So I apologize, gentle readers, for basically having one giant pity-party today. I just needed to get it all out!

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My Thoughts

In the last few days, I have been reading excerpts in articles about the book Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have written about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They claim they never spoke to them about any of what is written, but certain events and accounts of them were obviously given to them by the dynamic duo.

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Here are my personal feelings about the entire Sussex Affair. Please read the disclaimer below.

Meghan Markle grabbed on to being a “Senior Royal” the second that ring was on her hand. She obviously never understood that one must “EARN” the title.

This was another odd thing. Senior Royal? Who the heck coined that term?

The only Senior Royals are the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William

Even back in the day, pre-marriage, and children for the Queen’s children, it was always understood that the line of succession started there, behind the Queen.

Personally, I was leery of MM even before the wedding. I didn’t want to be, but something in my gut suggested that she was, perhaps, a very good actress. And Prince Harry had led a somewhat sheltered (spoilt, gets everything he wants and has never worked a day in his life!) life, it would not be hard to turn his head.

MM’s family members claim that she studied the Royal Family. Most especially Princess Diana. And looking back over the last few years I have watched her dress like Harry’s late mother time and time again.

The new book claims that Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are horrible snobs with bratty children.

Well let’s see, William has never missed a beat. He is a good son, a good husband, and a good father. He recognized that the public would want to be part of his life.

He and Catherine have graciously shared their children with the world while maintaining their privacy.

William and Catherine are good leaders and excel at being Patrons of their charitable organizations. They are the bright light for England’s future.

In my opinion, MM has done nothing but demand things, have temper tantrums, and has been displeased with everything offered. It is never enough.

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Imagine, you are given a Fairy Tale Wedding, to a Prince in a beautiful land (not your own). It is completely paid for, and the groom’s father, who will one day be King of the land, walks you down the aisle.

Your living expenses are covered, as are all of your clothing expenses. A driver takes you wherever you want to go, and a chef cooks for you and housekeepers clean for you. No more “Tidy Bowl” moments for you Ms. Markle!

In return is was expected that she follow the rules of decorum. Dress in proper clothing, wear stockings when at official gatherings, and conduct herself in a manner becoming a Duchess.

She did not. She was bitter, angry, fired people for not doing their jobs “good enough” in her measure. Others simply left to escape her wrath.

When her baby arrived, there was no announcement for some time. We didn’t see the baby for a while either. After the initial viewing, that was all we saw until Archie was presented to Desmond Tutu.

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The people of England and the world were never included in Archie’s life. Except when his publicity hound mother wanted to make a statement.

The unhappy Sussex Family somehow made their way to Los Angeles California. This is where a “Little Fish” Prince and his wife and son can pretend to be something special.

Who would ever have thought that anyone could turn our hardened hearts about Camilla? She has worked tirelessly, quietly. She has made Prince Charles happy, and she has never missed a beat with her Patronages. She is a delightful Lady!

After the last two years, we’ve seen what a real selfish family and friend wrecker can do in short order. Harry no longer speaks to any of his family and friends. MM may think she is Royal, but no, MM was never Royal. You have to work hard to earn that.

Since we live in a fishbowl of sorts, please read the disclaimer below.

Disclaimer: All material on my blog is found in the public domain and is for entertainment/discussion only. It complies with the US fair use and UK fair dealings guidelines. It is up to the individual to make up their own mind and do their own research. Everything written in this blog is considered ‘allegedly’ in its correctness. I sometimes voice my opinion which might be wrong. I sometimes post information I don’t agree with for discussion purposes. I DO allow FAIR CRITIQUE of people in professional roles ie: the British Royal Family BUT will not allow any form of racism, body shaming, pack mentality, or similar abuse on this Blog. While I disallow & moderate inappropriate language in the Blogs’ comments section, I am not responsible for the comments and might not necessarily agree with the comments. I do encourage lively debate and opposing ideas, but reserve the right to delete conversations if they are obvious trolling or inappropriate.

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Dear Fritz

I was thinking all day on Monday about my darling Fritz. It was his birthday, had he still been with us. I think Fritz was, perhaps, the best dog we ever had. He was gentle and sweet and kind and loyal.

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He was protective of the dackels and respectful of Greta, and her puppies, whom he loved.

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And he loved everyone. He was definitely an equal opportunity lover of all people.

Fritz

Gone from us now, for 6 and a half years, he will live on, forever in our hearts and our memories.

The Weekend Wrap ~ July 27th

I woke on Sunday morning and knowing that I wanted to change the sheets on my bed, I simply got up and stripped the bed before I even made the coffee.

This proved to be a wise move because after showering and starting the day cooking and cleaning, I lost interest in changing the sheets. However, since the bed was stripped, I had no choice but to make it up!

It was hot here today and rather soupy with humidity. I do try never to complain about humidity as nothing up here compares with what I lived with during the 6 years I spent in Florida. Southern humidity is a thing unto itself!

Over the weekend I watched two movies about a Dog’s purpose.

819OGMiuFqL._SY445_A Dog’s Purpose was the first one and A Dog’s Journey the second one. In many ways, I liked the first one best, but both were good, especially if you love dogs.

And how was your weekend?

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Accomplishments

There is nothing so sweet as when you sit down at your computer, turn it on, and it works perfectly. It’s acting normally, and wonderfully fast! Actually it is working better than when I first got it. I suspect that I put too much of my backed up files onto the machine.

Since I have a wonderful external hard drive, I’ve decided to use that to store my info and only keep what I need on the hard drive of this machine.

That was a good decision! I think I simply overloaded things in no order and things got all twisted. Now my hard drive is clean, my current files are organized and my old files are organized on the external drive.

My Saturday was not so bad. I worked on two sewing projects. The first found me having to wind a bobbin. I tried and tried and had no luck. I had my operation manual, and I followed step by step, and finally, it said, be sure to use Bobbin XYZ or this will not work. Yeah, that’s where I went wrong. I had Bobbin Z and as soon as I got the right one it all worked. I will not confess how long it took me to figure that one out.

By the time all was said and done with the sewing, I felt tired and with no desire to do much of anything. Leftovers to the rescue!

Have a wonderful Sunday and take a little time to enjoy the day!

Maribeth Dackel

The Friday Five Plus-1 July 24th

The Friday Five

You will not believe the week I had! But below, it is detailed in this week’s Friday Five!

  1. On Tuesday I was having a problem with my laptop. It was almost like there was a conflict and things just weren’t working well. I decided that I would back up the entire machine. And on Wednesday morning I wiped my hard drive and started again.
  2. Because I have done this numerous times, I have gotten very good at the backup and then the reloading of the machine. Everything went smoothly until Adobe Photoshop Elements, and for whatever reason, that program is never easy to reinstall. At 9 PM, I shut the machine down and went to bed.
  3. I woke on Thursday and my cell phone, which had been acting wonky, no longer would hook up to my blue tooth, and it would close on programs I was using! I really didn’t need that!
  4. I finished installing the Adobe program, and it went right in! I do not know why, but I will not look a gift horse in the mouth! Then I settled in doing a factory reset on my Galaxy S-8. I backed it up, and then wiped the drive!
  5. I spent the day reprogramming the cell-phone and there is actually more to do, but the phone is already working well. And my Bluetooth is back to working as well. It was a big job. In some ways bigger than the computer, but I got them both done. Yay, Me!

+1. Now here is my Plus 1 this week. I did this all myself. I did it because my former Computer Guru taught me along the way. I am so thankful that each time Brad came to repair my machines, he taught me all the things I needed to know. I am self-taught too, but in many ways that makes me even prouder of my accomplishment!

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Happy Birthday, Melodie!

Today is my sister’s birthday. I wish I could be down in Connecticut with her to celebrate her big day. Alas, this is one more Covid-19 moment.

I do want to tell you all what a wonderful sister Melodie is. She is five and a half years older than me, and I was her “first baby”. She cared for me like a little mother and was always more like a mother to me, than a sister.

Mel is one of the kindest women that I know. She always has a smile and a warm greeting for those around her. She loves her family with her whole heart and rejoices in their successes and comforts them in their sorrows.

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Ron and Melodie

She has been married to her husband, Ron for 49 years. They met at the age of 13 at summer camp and wrote to each other for many years before their wedding in November of 1971.

So today, on her sixty-seventh Birthday I want to wish my beloved sister, Melodie a very Happy Birthday!

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