The Plant

This is Bud!

This plant actually has a name but I can’t remember it. When my oldest grand daughter was living in Witchita a friend gave it to her. It was just a little stick of a plant, certainly not worth much. My girl named the plant something like “Bud”.

Naturally when Bud couldn’t be moved overseas with my girl, Bud came to live with me. Now I don’t even like plants but I have four, four plants that I don’t even want. But, for one reason or another I have these plants and I take (sort of) take care of each plant and occassionally even fret over them, like a hen with her chicks.

Bud has been living in the bathroom and Bud out grew his pot 2 years ago and yet I just ignored the fact that his roots were showing. Suddenly Bud started sprouting and he has all kinds of off shoots. (PTL I have not sprouted as much as Bud).

Lately Bud looks like he is coming out of his pot and yesterday while I was at Big Lots I found a pot, stopped at Earl May’s and bought some dirt and repotted Bud.

Bud seems happy that I have given him some attention, he didn’t even wilt when I changed his pot. This morning he looked very happy and even perky with his new pot, new soil and a good watering.

You already know where I am going don’t you? Old Bud reminds me just a little bit of my man. The fact is, sometimes I don’t make Bob #2 in my life. Life gets busy, do you know what I mean? Is there someone at your house that needs some attention? Perhaps needs a little tender loving care? Perhaps needs to hear how much you appreciate them.

Think about it, the people we love most often go unattended because, like Bud, they just stay. They just keep on doing what they’ve always done not asking for a thing.

Let’s make a point to say I love you, I am proud of you, thank you for being you, I appreciate you.

PS
Down two pounds now this only takes me to the lower part of my high . . .oh that makes no sense. In other words I have 4 pounds to get to my all time low. So if you do the math, as they say, I gained 6 pounds during my eating holiday.

“Twas The Night Before . . .

T’was the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,

not even a blouse.

The cookies I’d nibbled,

the chocolate I’d taste

At the holiday parties

had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales

there arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

(less a walk than a lumber),

I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared; The gravies and sauces and Special K Loaf nicely rared, The grape juice and the spinach balls, the bread and the cheese And the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please.” As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt… I said to myself, as I only can, “You can’t spend a winter, disguised as a man!”

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip. Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip. Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished. I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick. I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.

I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry. I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore… But isn’t that what January is for? Unable to giggle, no longer a riot. Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

I Know I Promised But. . .

This is a rather humiliating thing to have to tell you. So far I have told my daughter, friend and now it’s your turn.

I went to the diet center to start all over again and they informed me that I have to re-enroll. In other words they fired me, they let me go, that got rid of me. Actually they want my money. I don’t want to re-enroll. That means I would need to write another check for $100, I don’t want to.

Now mind you I didn’t throw a fit, I wasn’t rude, I just told her I would have to think about that and then she said, “Is it the money?” I wanted to say nooooooooooooooooooooooooo I really don’t want to be here. I confessed it really is the money I just don’t want to write another $100 check because I can’t do it on my own.

So here is the plan, I am going to work on this last 20 pounds on my own, if I can’t do it I will “eat crow” and go back. I know what do–I just have to do it.

So there you have it!

There are some great bargains at Walgreen’s if you combine your coupons and the in-add coupon from the Walgreen’s insert on Sunday. Maybe I will take a Picture for you so you can be inspired.

Here We Go Again. . .

It is time for confession, THEY say confession is good for the soul.  Have you ever heard that phrase?  Well I think it really is.  So I am confessing, maybe that is the wrong word, I am telling you the truth, that’s better.

I have eaten everything in the house that is sweet, I think it is all gone now.  Welllllllllllllllllllll maybe there is a chocolate chip or two and I may have to send these to work with Bob.  My new found love for apples has gone out the door, I love Chocolate (notice I capitalized that).  I love sugar, I love sweets.

Here is the bad news, I am headed back to the weight loss center tomorrow, that’s right tomorrow.  They called!  They are wondering where I have been, I didn’t tell them hiding in the closet eating candy.  I’m embarrassed to go in tomorrow and own up to what I have eaten. 

Here is my goal, I will get OFF the pounds I have put on plus ten.  My biggest goal is to figure out how I can stay on the wagon and not become a glutton the minute I am off the plan. Oh I hate the  word glutton but it is the word that best describes to the point I have fallen.  My new clothes still fit but I can tell they are tighter.  This is where I usually just don’t get on the scale again and start back up the hill to being an overweight, overeating, high blood pressure woman.  Not this time!

Tomorrow I will let you know the amount I have gained since my all time low. I will let you know the plan and I will start in again eating my vegetables, fruit and protein and I WILL enjoy it.  Pray for me.

How about you?  Do you want to join me on this road or maybe you are at your perfect weight and don’t need to worry.  Good for you.

Oh I just remembered I think we still have some cheese cake in the freezer, better get that cleaned up tonight.

Humility, the Ordinance of

Yesterday was Communion Sabbath, I love Communion, it gives me a sense of renewal, starting over, washed clean if you want to think of it like that.

Bob was eager to wash my feet, and I was BUSY, I had a job to do and when I have a job to do I “get ‘er done.”  After all I am dependable and I can’t let anything get in my way of doing my proper job.  I was taking someone’s place at the table serving water to others taking part in the ordinance of humility. 

Here sat my fella, right beside me waiting, waiting, waiting, but remember I’m BUSY. Finally he looked up at me and said, “Do you think you can do it now?”  Well, the people had slowed to a trickle so I asked the lady beside me if I could be excused.  We washed each others feet, he noted that my toenails need to be painted and smiled. http://nancyoutlook.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/how-did-mothers-day-go-for-you/ We prayed with each other and we quickly went back into the sanctuary.  Then I noticed, he was the last deacon to be seated on the front row to help serve the wine and bread.  Ugh!  Why had I not put him first and just wash our feet first and then do my DUTY?  Another lesson learned, but those lessons rarely stick.

I have been washed and forgiven by my Lord for my sins and shortcomings, He is always ready and willing to forgive.  But, I wonder when will I ever learn, when will my selfish side be put away for a new me? A kinder, less selfish, more understanding, kind of person. IDK–I am praying about it.

What About the New Year?

 

 Have you thought about what you’re going to do different?  2010 is a new decade in case you haven’t noticed.  It really is a time to make a new start. 

I am always determined to eat right, exercise and stay in touch with Jesus every day. I wonder how many times I have made these same declarations.  This year is different I have lost weight (gained some too) I am exercising (some) and I have stayed in touch with the Lord ( at least more than usual.  The point is this. . .It’s not enough, I want to do more.

Someone else came up with the ideas I am about to write but I seem to have plenty of thoughts about each one.  See what you think!

1.  Drink plenty of water–I drink 8 glasses a day, some days I can hardly stand to do it.  I helps if I have it measured out. 

2.  Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.  Ugh I hate that.

3.  Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.  Get it?  Eat less processed foods.  I really try to do this, read your ingredients.  Cut out the high fructose corn sugar, partially hydrogenated shortening, too much salt and sugar.

4.  Live with Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy–I need to work on this especially the empathy part.

5.  Make time to pray.  Dah, that is a no brainer but why don’t we do it?

6.  Play more games.  I love games, any game, any time!!

7.  Read more books than you did in 2009.  You know books keep us well rounded, we can learn so much from books.

8.  Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.  That’s a hard one for me.

9.  Sleep for 7 hours.  Sleep seems like such a waste of time.  Some people just love to spend a day in bed, I can’t stand it.  If I ever tell you I was in bed all day call the ambulance, *I need help.

10.  Take a 10-30 minute walk daily and smile while you do it.  My daughter has been calling me when she gets on the treadmill and that signals me to do the same and we spend a quick 30 minutes chatting while we exercise.  I love it.

I will have more for you tomorrow.

I have a new recipe for you.  I have eaten it twice and loved it both times.  You may make this vegan or you don’t have to.

Sweet potato Pear Jalapeno

2 Tb. Olive oil

1 Large onion chopped–put oil in pan and saute onion a little then add:

1/4 tsp Cumin

3/4 TB Curry powder

2 lbs. Sweet potatoes –peel and cube

6 Cups vegetable stock ( use McKays but you can buy vegetable stock

1 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Simmer for 30 minutes the above

In a skillet Add below and cook until done:

2 TB butter or margarine

3 ripe pears–peel and cube

1 Fresh jalapeno — take ends off and seeds out and chop small.  I use rubber gloves or plastic bags on my hands otherwise it will burn your hands.

Saute jalapeno and pears in butter then add:

1 TB brown sugar -I omitted this

3/4 Cup soy creamer or evaporated milk

Add this to potato mixture

When all is done puree

The Last Day of the Year

Crazy isn’t it how fast a year can pass?  I hate it, I don’t want to be a year older!  I don’t even want my grandkids to be a year older, I love the age they are right now.  I don’t want to get a year closer to retirement, Medicare, Social Security and . . .

Yesterday the United States Post Office called me, that’s right, ME.  I left my wallet with them. LOL  I asked if they would keep it until today and I would pick it up.

Today I stopped at the fabric store and told them I was just coming from the post office where I had picked up my wallet.  I purchased my fabric, focused on my credit card because I sure didn’t want to leave it at the store.  Got home and. . .you guessed it, they forgot to give me the credit card and I forgot to focus.  I asked them if they would keep it until tomorrow and I would pick it up.

Now I have not told my man about all of this, I am afraid he will take my car keys away thinking I might forget my car, or where I live or even worse my name.  However, when I told my friend about all of this she was relieved because she does stuff like this all the time.  We both found comfort in knowing it may be a common thing for women like us.

Have you thought about 2010?  Are you going to make any changes? I will have some suggestions for you tomorrow.

End It Now

 

Today, 1 out of every 3 women around the world has faced some form of violence, including sex trafficking, domestic abuse, sexual assault, honor killings, female genital mutilation, child marriage, emotional and verbal abuse, and other forms of violence. These practices are unacceptable and must end now.

 enditnow is a global campaign to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence against women and girls around the world.

This campaign, which extends to more than 200 countries and territories, is a partnership between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Department of Women’s Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

I am asking you to go to the site below and sign the petition, even if you are not a member of this church I know you are interested in stopping violence against women.  We are planning to get 1 million signatures on this petition. http://www.enditnow.org/

My Day

This is a very special day, but then, isn’t every day?  I mean I have nothing I HAVE to do.  I read my Bible, walked on the treadmill and met a friend for lunch.

Meeting a friend for lunch is where my day changed.  First you have to understand I love odd places to eat.  I actually enjoy “hole in the wall” kind of places.  We had agreed to eat at The Grateful Bread, it has another name but I can never remember it.  It’s vegetarian and they serve great soup and since it’s only 17 degrees I thought soup sounded good.  Well, they were closed, they are always closed on Monday and Tuesday and get this, they are only open for lunch.  The place is owned and operated by a couple and their son, I would guess the parents were hippies in their day.  Who am I trying to kid, they still are by all appearances.  Their food is great.

I decided to move along and agreed to meet my friend another day.  I stopped at Open Harvest, a health food store and co-op.  They have yummy food there also.  I had Indian Curry Soup, a scone and some sweet potato, again a glorious meal.  The best part of the whole thing was the people I ate with.  I didn’t know any of them but felt like we were forever friends. 

The first lady looked over at an older couple and informed them and me that she finished her last chemo treatment yesterday.  We all congratulated her and wished her well.  The male part of the older couple told us he is recovering from a stroke and again we all congratulated him and told him how well he looked.  He then let us know they had been snowed in and without electricity for days, their wood stove had kept them warm.

What I want to tell you is this. . .Each of my new friends  had such a great attitude, they were tickled to be alive and they were thankful for small and big things.  They bragged about how hard the crews were working to clear the snow, they saw a young woman who use to work at Open Harvest they treat her like a long-lost friend.  I felt so good sitting there chatting with them, I felt like I belonged.  I actually almost asked them when they would be back and I would meet them again.  As I left the store we all waved goodbye.

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4

I don’t know if these “friends” are believers, I would like to think they are.  They acted like I think believers should act, they were thankful, happy, rejoicing, finding good in others, not complaining.  They had joy written on their wrinkled faces.

It was a good day even if 2 blocks of tofu, 1 dozen eggs and lunch cost me over $14.00.

It was worth the price.

Words Aren’t Enough. . .

I hope your Christmas was glorious, fun, Spiritual and filled with love for each other and God.

Mine was funny, surprising, fun, snowy and Spiritual, what more could I ask for?  I still smile when I think of Jenna opening a gift and saying with a questioning look on her face, “but I don’t remember asking for this.”

A snowy Christmas!

I know you are wondering two things:  How much weight did I gain and the big question, what did my man get me for Christmas?

First, the weight, I felt really big on the way home especially since we stopped and I had a Candy Cane Blizzard all to myself.  I gained about 4 ounces over Christmas.  I am on the wagon today, we do have some candy in the house, I am planning to stay out of it.  I am actually thinking of sending it to work with Bob.  But, it is sooooooooooooooo good.

The Huskers play in a bowl game this week, and then there is New Year’s Eve, I can see eating in my future.  How about you, how did you do over the holiday?

Can you tell I am avoiding telling you what my fella got me for Christmas?  http://nancyoutlook.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/another-surprise/. Well, it was not another stuffed bear.  You know I was waiting with great anticipation.

Here is how it played out.  I had taken the envelope downstairs to the wrapping table.  I wondered if he would remember it, mean of me I know, but I had decided not to remind him.  At the last minute he ran downstairs and wrapped it up and put it in the car.

Jenna, in her Laura Engles dress and bonnet I made for her.

Christmas morning the kids had opened about all they could stand and we decided to eat breakfast and then open some more.  Quick as a wink, Bob jumped up and grabbed his present to me and said, “open it.”  All eyes were on the quickly wrapped package.  My hands were trembling (not really), I ripped the wrapping open and it was a  . . . . . . . . . . . . .KJV electronic Bible.

Here is the surprise!

This is what I am thankful for: He took the time to buy me something he thought I would enjoy.  He thought a Bible was something I would enjoy.  He was excited about the gift.  He loves me enough to venture out and buy something I had not asked for.  He bought it without help from anyone.

It will be handy for my purse and I will keep studying on how to use it. King James is not my favorite version of the Bible but I will use this gift with warm feelings for my man.

There has to be a Spiritual lesson here somewhere, could it be that I am not always thrilled with the gifts God gives me, but with every gift there is a lesson to be learned and a growing of character and mind?