At My House

I just don't seem to have alot to blog about these days. Not that I have been doing little, but I have been doing alot... just nothing exciting. I got up very early today to put up okra. My neighbor and I picked from his garden a couple of days ago. I left the okra in the frig knowing I had better hurry up or it was going to go bad. And I had a full day today, so I got up and started in on that okra at 6:00 a.m. It took me over an hour to wash it, cut it, and get it in the seal-a-meal bags. I had 8 quarts total with enough left over to fry tonight. Speaking of that.... dh said it was the best he had ever had!! I don't know if it was because I coated it just right with the cornmeal or because it was fresh. But I have to agree- it was delish!!

Our tomatoes are finally finished. We had so many from our mere 16 plants that we were loving giving them away to friends and family. I still have a few in the frig along with some green ones for frying. Yes, I know I do not need to eat all that fried food, but I do have to say it is better than processed food.

Since I have retired from dental hygiene, I have been happy to help out with one of my dear friend's son's business. He and his wife have estate sales, and I am one of their workers. I have found some great deals at these estate sales. Like one the other day- I was able to buy two small braided rugs for $10 each. This is funny... have you ever had a job where you paid them??? I find so much to buy that I end up using up all my hours plus having to pay them. I have found some good stuff- Champion juicer, sewing machine, sewing supplies- books, fabric, thread; television, tools, paintings, prints, fans.. all things that I am recycling!! And many times you get good stuff because it is old, totally metal, made in U.S.A., and just all around better!! Tomorrow I will be there bright and early at 7:30 a.m. before the big rush at 8:00 a.m. This sale will last 3 days. It is not antiques this time, but lots of "men" stuff- tractor, four-wheeler, go-cart, lawn mowers, tools, pool table, etc. Of course there is also household stuff too like dishes, furniture and linens.

I am really trying to get back to working out harder. I have bought Zumba and also Chalean Extreme. I have done them both a few times and still doing my walking. My dh had put me on the gym membership back in January. I think I went maybe four times. I just did not like that gym. It was mainly men there, it was small, hot, and crowded. Since it was a 24 hour place, many times there was no attendant on the premises. And the clientale needed to read the book on weight lifting etiquette. They would leave those heavy heavy weights on the leg press. I could never use it because I could not lift that to get them off. And when you went to put your clothes in the locker, someone had left theirs there like it was their own private locker!! I guess I just had a bad attitude toward this place from the get-go. I mean, I have worked out in gyms all through my working out years, and this place just did not do it for me. But... I am still having a hard time MAKING myself do my weight lifting. I may be able to join a new group that will be working out at 6:00 a.m. everyday. I haven't been getting up this early, but I can do that!! I think I will try it.

So today I sent my first T shirt quilt to the quilter. I have started on the second one. Then when I get the last set of T shirts from ds, I will start on his. I have been doing a little bit more sewing lately because it is just too darn hot to be outside. This Texas heat is rough!! We did get a small shower today here at my house. I just finished doing my 3 mile walk starting at 7:00 p.m. My face was beet red, and I was dripping with sweat. Off to the shower and bed for me!!

Where Ya Been Dee?

T shirt quilt- 24 T shirts, 12 on front and 12 on back-just need to add the borders and get quilted

tomato basil jam- I think it will be good over cream cheese.

Corn salsa- use as a dip with chips.

Father's Day weekend at Galveston

Have y'all been wondering where I have been? Gosh... it has been 3 months since I have posted. I cannot believe that time is rushing by so fast. Well... I have had lots going on. You know I told you all how in January I helped my oldest ds fix his bathroom up.. then he decided to move to the Woodlands, so I helped him kinda sorta stage his house. I have a friend that is a stager and another friend that is a realtor, and they both gave me some pointers on what to do to help sell his house. Here is what I did- shampooed the carpet, painted every room except for the bathroom ( which I did) and another bedroom which I did last year; painted the kitchen cabinets; painted the deck off from the patio; painted the hardware on the kitchen cabinets; bleached the grout on the kitchen tile; had to tear down wallpaper in one bedroom before I painted it; painted the light fixture on front porch; painted the mailbox; planted impatiens in the front flower bed; pressure washed the deck before painting; pressure washed the carport and the front of the house; watered the yard continually, raked up 18 bags of pinestraw; hauled off junk, cleaned thoroughly the laundry/storage room; replaced the lights on the ceiling fan. I am sure I left something out.. but yea!!! he sold the house and did make a profit... and I will get a nice monetary gift for all my hard work!!

I have also kept my granddaughter a few times this summer. That is lots of fun, but also quite exhausting for this "Gibby". I have made it a few times to Galveston to check on my family's condo.. which is still for sale!!

I haven't done near the amount of working out, walking, zumba as what I would like. I have had some health issues, but after scheduling an appointment 6 weeks ago, I finally got to see the doctor today. I will soon have the wonderful colonoscopy along with a scope to check out my esophagus. They are gonna meet in the middle...LOL

I have done very little in my sewing room except for fixing it up so I can comfortably watch TV. I now have a window unit along with central air in this room. I put a little loveseat in here too... you come to my house, you can find me in this room. I am planning and designing a wall of some bookshelves. I have so many projects I want to do, and I seem to be doing more planning that doing... I just seem to have a hard time getting started.. so today... by gosh.. I got the spray paint out and have been painting my barstools. My dh came home and could not understand why I wanted to change things... duh... women like to change things!! So instead of buying new, I am just making things different.

I also was pretty busy a couple of weeks ago "putting up" tomatoes. I have made over 60 jars of salsa, tomato basil jam, pickles, and my newest- chili sauce. This is fantastic!! I have eaten it on refried beans, rice, eggs, and I plan to use it with enchiladas. I am so proud of this!! It is from the cookbook, You Can Can.

So, yes, I have been busy, and just not making time to blog. I hope I will start back regularly. I will include some photos of some of my projects.

Just Painting?

To some people who saw me with a paintbrush in my hands, you would think that all that was going on was that I was painting. However... there was much more going on. You see, I have been painting the interior of my oldest son's house along with his assistance. When you are in the same room painting there are times of silence, but there is also talking going on. Now let me say, that those who know me know that I am a BIG talker.. but my firstborn son is a man of few words... always has been. We used to quote the commercial... gosh.. I cannot even remember who it was for, but when they talk we listen... well, we could always say that about Brett... when Brett talks we listen because he was not a big talker. He did not tell you what he was thinking or how he felt about something. So today was a very enjoyable day for me. I loved spending time with my son... Brett talking, and Dee listening. I love him so much. He is such a sweet and extremely intelligent person. All of us in our family just do not understand how he is so smart because the rest of us are just average. If that sounds like I am bragging, I certainly don't mean it that way. There are some people that are blessed by God with beautiful looks, great athletic ability, and then super intelligence. I just continue each day to pray for him. That God will use this great talent he has given him to glorify God... not for his selfish gain which is the way of this world. So painting??? yes, we got lots of painting done, but so much more. Don't miss those opportunities that come your way... sometimes these days are just so much more than what they appear to be. Thank you Lord for this special day of painting that I had!

Little to Blog About

My beautiful daughter and granddaughter

Friends and Family at Olive Garden

Fish Fry

Well, I have felt like I had little to blog about. I was quite busy a couple of weeks ago. My sister was here from N.C. for a visit and my daughter and granddaughter were here during that time. It seems we were on the go, but not doing anything really spectacular. My dh fried up some good ole catfish! I probably said it before, but he cooks it better than any restaurant. It is meaty on the inside and crispy on the outside... just the way I like it. My sons and their gfs were here for the fish fry. One of the days my sister was here, we headed over to ds's house... you know the house where I redid the bathroom. Well... he has moved to the Woodlands, and the house is for sale. I borrowed a power washer and we got the patio and back deck all spruced up- this east Texas weather is notorious for growing mildew. The house is pretty much all cleared out- now if only a buyer will come along.

I had a doctor appointment to check my thyroid levels on Monday. I have not yet heard back from my lab results. After my appointment which was in Houston I headed down to Galveston. I met up with a friend there, and we had dinner and a movie. I seldom go to the movie here in town, but for some reason when I am in Galveston I like to go. I saw the new Matt Damon movie, Adjustment Bureau, I think that is what it was called. It was not a great movie.. too strange for me. I don't care for movies that are fantasy and not true to life. I had some great seafood while I was in Galveston. One day some boiled shrimp and a fish taco, and then the next day shrimp enchiladas. That was a first for me on the shrimp enchiladas, and my opinion is... it was not something I would order again. I did get to soak up some sun while I was there and also went for two walks- both about 3 miles. I had to cut my trip short to return home for a funeral. It was the father of one of my friends- he was 87, and had lived a very full life. And then tomorrow will be another funeral of an acquaintance's 34 year old daughter. It is also the niece of one of my dear friends. Such a shock to all of the family to lose her at such a young age. So as of late, I have been overwhelmed with thinking of my friends and the loss they are experiencing. But thankfully both of the people that died knew Jesus as Saviour and knew where they would spend eternity. This is what is and will continue to sustain these loved ones left behind. They have the hope of seeing their departed again.

I am trying to get myself going. I have walked every day for 3 days. So far today I have not made it because I had too much to do. That is no excuse! But the day is not over yet.

Today I got up and cut up alot of green onions that went right into the food dehydrator. They are still drying now. Tomorrow I am getting my new baby chicks. There are so many things I want to do, and I am usually either short on energy or short on time. I love living in the country.

I have several projects that I want to get done. I had been working on that birthday banner and I want to finish it. I have still not finished the T shirt quilts I started. I want to learn how to crochet, knit, and tat. My garden will soon be started. I need to get busy again with my kitchen garden- namely basil, oregano, cilantro, and mint. There are lots of cute little outfits I want to make my gd, and I got a serger from a friend that I want to learn how to operate. Like I said.. lots of things I want to do!! I will post later showing my onions and also the homemade pizza that I made. So don't give up on me.. I plan to blog more in the future.

Gonna Start Posting Again

I really am gonna start posting again. The main reason I have not been posting is because of my camera. First, I needed a new battery. Finally I got one. Then, I lost my memory card. You see my battery had swelled inside my camera. I had a dickens of a time getting it removed. And when I did the memory card came with it. And then, like I said, I misplaced the darn thing. So I made a visit to Walmart to get a new memory card. I bought the wrong kind. Back to Walmart to exchange it. I got the other new memory card yesterday. I moved some magazines and what did I find under the magazines? You guessed it, my memory card!! I am glad I had not opened the new memory card. I will return it AGAIN!! Well, I guess I can show you the dress that I made for dear granddaughter for her birthday. I don't have a photo of her in it, but I have one of her momma and daddy looking at it. I will post more later. I am also including a photo of dgd, dh, and me at the party. She had a cute Minnie Mouse dress on, but when she got the swimsuit, she wanted it on NOW!!! Naturally Gibby obliged her. LOL

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Do as I say, not as I do. How many times have we heard that? Did you ever hear it from your parents? Well hear it from me!! Only, I think I will change it up somewhat.. do as I say, and what I aspire to do... I have been harping on this blog for two years now about exercise and healthy eating. Do I follow this? Well... off and on. I have gone through periods of lots of exercise ( for a 50+ person) to very little exercise. Retirement has certainly been an obstacle in my routine. .. or should I say what routine? That's right, I lost my routine when I quit working. I have never been a person to sit around though. Just because I don't have a routine, I won't say that I have been lazy. I have indeed accomplished alot in a year, just not concerning my exercise goals. Also, my weight loss went the other way- yes, instead of losing, I have gained. I have read about probably every exercise manual and diet book and new recipes you can think of. Some I have tried, some I have dismissed. So I thought I would list some of my conclusions. They may not be your conclusions or some statistician. I have no experiments or data to have them set in stone. But here goes.

1. Every diet, be it low fat, low carb, etc. does not work on every person. Some of it is related to their hormones or how they metabolize food. My dh has been on the miracle metabolism eating plan- in a week he had lost 15 lbs, I lost 5. After 8 weeks, he had continued to lose as I gained mine back. Eating the same things!! This is low carb. The same thing happened with South Beach. My best way of losing weight is counting calories- essentially weight watchers.

2. The three main objectives in a diet are quality food, quantity of food, and frequency of food intake.
Quality-Forget all those processed low fat or low calorie foods that are not really food. If the food you eat did not have a mother, or did not grow in the ground, don't eat it. (there goes my Dr. Pepper). Eat organic if you can. Buy locally if you can. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, free range eggs
Quantity- portion control does matter. A menopausal woman cannot eat as much as her husband who has more muscle mass. He will lose, she will gain.
Frequency- eat those "smaller" meals several times a day instead of larger 3 square meals

3. Drink your water. You really should be drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 150, drink 75 ounces of water. Your body works the best at metabolizing food when you drink water.

4. Exercise!! I often thought that the exercise I did was not that beneficial. After all, I was not getting thin from doing it. But now after a year, of very little exercise- a hit and miss of walking and maybe doing some weight lifting here and there I know that I was wrong. Exercise is so important for health. I have had bronchitis probably 4x in a year, I have been sluggish, tired, developed arthritis. I probably could think of more.
Do aerobic exercise- to help your heart, increase your stamina.
Do anaerobic exercise- working with weights to increase your muscle mass and working your core so that when you reach, bend, pull, push, lift, etc. in your daily activities your body is able to do these things.
Stretching- do yoga or pilates for all of the above reasons.
Exercise is going to be what keeps you young.. or should I say lack of exercise is what is going to make you old- you will look old, and you will walk and move like an older person. When I was working seeing patients I could most of the time tell which 70 and 80 year olds exercised. I knew before they ever answered my question of "do you exercise?" what they were going to tell me. They either told me that they walked routinely or that they worked in the yard.

5. Destress. This to me is one of the most important areas of keeping your body fit because your mind and emotions are not separate from you body. This world and circumstances in life can certainly cause stress. Some of our stress can be avoided, but certainly some cannot. Spend time with God with prayer and reading His Word, meditate, relax, take a hot bubble bath, get a massage, spend time with friends, write in a journal, write each day something you are grateful for, write notes of encouragement to others, laugh, laugh, laugh, tell others how you love them, think positive and throw out negative thoughts, speak positively, be creative with sewing or crafts, spend time outside listening to nature, turn off your TV, phone and computer, listen to good music, do something you remembered doing as a child.

So, in conclusion... let me repeat.. do as I say.. and as I aspire to do. All of this I share with you because all of this is what I need to hear!

The Core Program.

One of my favorite things to do is find new diet/health/exercise books. I probably read more about exercising than I do exercising. LOL... So I was in Goodwill the other day, and I picked this book up for $1.99 simply because it was a hardback book instead of a softbound one. I already had other books about core training, Pilates, yoga, but this one interested me because it was written by a physical therapist. If any of you have back trouble, you know that you have had to have some kind of treatment for it- core training, Pilates, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or extreme- surgery. Probably for the last 8 years or so, every now and then I will strain my back or what I refer to as "pulling my back out". Sometimes I do this after working in the yard. Sometimes it is from doing some heavy lifting. But sometimes, I can just reach to pick up a piece of paper off the floor, and WHAM! There it goes. This book really explains about muscle elongating and muscle contraction and the reasons you can not only pull your back out, but so many other issues that come from poor muscle quality. So I have only done the beginning 15 minutes a day program two times, but I must say... omg... my back feels so much better after the stretching and conditioning in those minutes. Of course right now it is taking me longer because I am trying to familiarize myself with each exercise. Core training is not a substitute for aerobic or anaerobic exercise. But core training is what we all need as we age. Your core includes the muscles in your shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, and hips. We do so much reaching, bending, pulling, pushing, and twisting that all comes from our core. The title of the book is The Core Program and the author is Peggy W. Brill, P.T. This book is available on half.com or Amazon.com. I hope to make this a habit of working my core with these stretches. The exercises do progress to more strength training which I think I could do now since I have done core training before. However, I just decided to start from the beginning. Check it out, and let me know what you think.