Category: Friday Five

This week I am thinking about Weight Watchers and how to make the plan work for me. I didn’t do particularly well this week at class, but not because I didn’t stick to the plan, but more, I think, because my choices need a little revamping.

1. Ice Cream. I found a wonderful sugar free ice cream, and I really enjoy it! I measure 1/2 a cup and eat it in the evening. I think perhaps, I need to make this a twice a week treat and not an every night one! Change one.
2. Pop corn is another munchie favorite. But both the sodium in the brand I like, and the carbs, may not be good for daily consumption. So I plan to limit this to every other day.
3. I stopped at the grocery store on Wednesday and bought three different melons. I plan to make a fruit bowl/salad of these melons and some berries.
4. I also bought some flash frozen Cod Loins. These are wonderful. They are nice hunks of Cod, that were frozen right on the ship, after being caught and cleaned. BJ’s have them in their meat section in a frozen food freezer, in the center isle.
5. I also plan to work several hours each day to clean the formal living room, and take all the clothes, shoes, and coats, I have stored there to be donated, down to St. Vincent DePaul. Working in there, will count to a large extent, some extra exercise this week! Thus making it a part of my overhauled WW plan!

Have a great, happy and safe, holiday weekend, here in the States.

It’s our 4th of July, and I bet the traffic up here in the Lakes and Mountains of New Hampshire, will really pick up!

Here we go. Another week has flown by. The beginning of summer, complete with high temperatures and an explosion of growth both in the orchard and the garden. Here’s what else is happening.

1. My darling Greta is really slowing down. The pain medication is working well to keep her comfortable, but my dear pup gets gray/whiter, by the day. I’m not a happy camper when it comes to my doggies getting older.
2. Hubby was busy all day caring for the fruit trees. He came in to eat his lunch, and dinner, and now at 8:30 PM on Thursday night, and he is finally done.
3. I went to the grocery store today and there was a display of fresh corn on the cob. One of my favorites. I went over to check it out, and the husks were moist and fresh looking. I lifted an ear up to my nose, and I swear to God, it smelled fresh!
4. I brought two home and cooked them for dinner. Hubby was teasing me the entire time about the ears smelling fresh, but once we tasted the corn, we knew! Fresh corn on the cob!
5. I will end this week’s Friday Five with an interesting movie I saw this week. “The Age of Adaline”. I had heard that some people really liked it and some did not.After seeing it, I suspect it is mostly a chick flick. It is slow and steady and full of special, intimate, moments. Good acting, good story and a sweetness not seen in many movies these days.

My Friday Five is dedicated to the men who shaped my life, as I was growing up.

1. My Dad. He was an amazingly talented musician and he passed along his love of music to me. Dad was devoted to our community. He played the organ at both the Congregational Church and the Catholic Church in North Falmouth.

He was the Music Director at Highfield Theater for many years. He also was a summer police officer in our town. And when we went to local parks for cook-outs, Dad was the burger-meister! He has been gone a long time now, but I still think of him often and miss his wry sense of humor.

2. My Uncle George. He was the father who taught me everything growing up. How to swim, how to dive, how to bowl, how to care.

When I was about 7 years old I cut my toe badly at the beach and he carried me all the way home! He was not a loud man, but in his quiet loving way, I just knew that I was one of his special kids. In fact, when Hubby and I married, Uncle George walked me down the isle. I miss this sweet, loving, wonderful man!

3. My Uncle Bob. He was fun to be with. But, he required that I act like a mini adult too. That was fine.

I did a lot of things with him and his wife, Auntie Cynthia. I remember being on his boat, or when they took me to their home in Quincy and to museums. And I recall my Uncle once got a monkey. Cute, but it didn’t last for long.

4. My Papa Fred. Another quiet man, who was quite old when I lived with him and Grandma. But he showed me something important.

What real love between a man and woman was all about. I would watch Papa and Grandma sitting on their sofa watching Lawrence Welk. Papa would hold Grandma’s feet in his lap and stroke them gently. He simply adored Grandma, and had all of his life.

5. My Papa Sam, my Dad’s Dad. I didn’t know him as well, but I remember him taking me to the Prudential Building in the summer to listen to the Barbershop Quartets sing.

I remember sitting on his lap and listening to him sing along. He had such a beautiful voice.

 

These 5 men helped to shape the woman I grew up to be. Each special in their own way, and now, each greatly missed.

Happy Father’s Day! I remember you all with love and many memories that make me smile!

Another week has come and gone. This week I have been wrapped up with skylights. Here is why…

1. Sunday we arrived home after a Christening Party to find our kitchen skylight was leaking. Not super badly, but enough to cause a long running drip on our ceiling.
2. Luckily, by the next morning, the skylight seemed to have sealed itself, but both Hubby and I could see the writing on the wall.
3. First thing on Monday I began making calls to get quotes on fixing the skylight.
4. Today we had a bunch of contractors over and the news is not good. We had a lot of damage from ice jams, and a large portion of our roof as well as the skylight must be replaced! (groan!)
5. The initial estimates are not promising. Looks like we will have to cut back on everything (like food and medications), for a while!

Busy week for me, as I drove out to my Veterinarian’s Office twice, and then splurged and got my hair done on Thursday.

1. Greta started the week off with being in pain. I wasn’t sure if it was another bladder infection or what, but in the end, she is having some kidney problems, and we have her on medication to keep her pain free. She is doing well.
2. Next, I went to Weight Watchers and lost another pound and a half. I’m working the program really hard.
3. Then Anneliese went to the Vet’s today. She has been having a skin problem for a while. Blood work was drawn and I now have her on medication too. As well as special shampoo. Arnie and Lili are both fine and dandy. (Knock on wood, this continues!)
4. The next few days will find me consumed with laundry. Somehow I got lazy and it has piled up!
5. Thursday also found me getting a hair cut! It’s a slightly longer Pixie cut. Not sure how I feel. Mostly good, but I think it will have to grow on me.

Another week has rushed by. But this week, we are starting to see and feel the first heat of the summer. Although it is not unwelcome, when I am trying to do things outside, I’d prefer it a little less hot! However, it was a good week all around and here are my five highlights!

1. Monday I spent the day with my two grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn and my daughter, Mandy.
   

   You all are probably tired of hearing me rave about my grandchildren and daughter, but honestly, the three of them are magnificent!

2. I was able to help my daughter get Savannah’s party stuff. Savannah will be 4 years old on May 31st! Wow! Where has the time gone? I remember that I was so anxious to hear what she thought of this world, when I looked into her infant face. Now, not only does she tell me her thoughts, but she will look at books and tell me stories too.
3. The other thing I totally love, is listening to her play by herself with her dolls. She makes these wonderful voices as she plays each character. Yeah, I am crazy for this kid!
4. Quinn is so bright and alert I am amazed. He loves to be sitting up in his little froggy chair so he can watch the world, and the TV. At two and a half months, I think he is way ahead of himself.
5. And my daughter. Well, she is an amazing mother. I watch her with her kids and I am so proud of her. Her love and patience and the ability to truly be with her children, is a beautiful thing to see.

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone. Enjoy, and stay safe.

Oh my goodness! Another week has flown by! It both shocks and amazes me. I recall thinking that time went so slowly when I was a kid. I would lie on the sand at the beach staring up into the sky and think that time was just going so slowly! How wrong I was. It seems the older I get, the faster time slips by.

All that being said, here is this weeks meanderings, from one who finally understands that time is not relevant to life. It’s merely a a way of counting of the hours, days, and years.

1. It’s been 4 weeks since I returned to Weight Watchers. I have lost 7 pounds.
2. In the past this would have depressed me, but, I am eating wonderful meals, and enjoying the challenge of finding new, low point things to enjoy. Good-bye sugar! The true corrupter of diets everywhere!
3. The office is finished. Finally after all these years, it is done. I had to go in there today for a printed page, and I opened the door and nearly fell over! Wow! It really is beautiful in there!
4. The apple trees have been in full bloom.
   
   The orchard
   

   Oh I love this time of year, when the blossoms are out, and when you walk through the orchard, you can hear the hum of the working bees!

5. At some point I will stop and pick up some vegetable plants. I will directly sow the peas and beans, but everything else will come from a farm stand. Although I am doing well on many levels, I haven’t quite gotten my garden feet under me.

So that’s this weeks list, with a few pictures of the orchard. Enjoy the Spring, even if it is a cool one!

Another busy week went by. Appointments, laundry, housework, cooking and my first weigh in at Weight Watchers since starting their new plan. Here are all the details!

1. Tuesday found me off to the eye doctor’s office to be checked for changes in my prescription. There was a significant change. So…..New glasses were in order. My frames were not comfortable, or big enough to give me a good visual field. So I was willing to spend a little on some frames this year, as it was not my year to get new frames with my insurance.
2. I found the cutest light pink, wire frames. While I was being fitted for those, the sales clerk mentioned that they were having a special buy one get one 20% off. So I found the funkiest frames for sunglasses and ordered those too. They’ll be in around May 3rd.
3. After finishing up with the glasses, I was forced to drive home in a wild Spring Snow Storm! Yikes! The roads were bad and I was nervous, but I made it just fine!
4. I made more of Hubby’s favorite Lentil soup. I made a double batch this time, and froze a large container.
5. I weighed in on Wednesday at our meeting. I was so nervous and I just knew I would cry if I didn’t do well. I worked so hard this past week. I weighed, measured, and counted every point I put into my mouth. I also tried to make good choices. I got to class, and stripped down to my shorts and tank top, and stepped onto the scale. I was down 4.6 pounds!  Needless to say, I have been walking on clouds ever since.

Here are first, my new glasses (Blurry, I know.).

And these are the frames for my sunglasses.

Another week has flown by, and this morning I am off to spend time with my favorite little man, Quinn! But this week I have the added bonus of getting to spend some time with Savannah too! I am so glad. I’ve missed seeing her.

My two darlings!

So as this week ends, here are some of my thoughts about current events and happenings.

1. I found the most wonderful book for Savannah. It is such an awesome book, and I will tell you all about it, after I read it to her tomorrow. It is just a truly feel good book!
2. I was shocked to learn that the singer Prince passed away on Thursday. Prince is the same age as me, and his music was part of my growing up. My favorite was “Raspberry Beret”. You could dance and dance to that. He will be missed.
3. Also this week we lost Doris Roberts, who played Raymond’s mother on the TV show, “Everybody Loves Raymond”. She was so talented and could do nearly anything. It was nice to know that she simply went to sleep and passed from this world to the next.
4. Hubby has asked me to cook a few dishes that he likes this week. Actually I enjoyed the cooking. ANd he enjoyed the eating.
5. I went back to Weight Watchers this week and I am making every attempt to lose this weight. I am now journaling and planning what I am eating. I simply have to do this.

So that was my week. How was yours? Hopefully it was good, and the weekend ahead will also be great!