Too Stuffed

Not talking about me squeezing into my pants!

I'm talking about my closets today.  

Downsize! Organize!

Okay, Monty Hall,  what's behind Door #1

Do you have things blocking your closet?  I do

Move over, you're crowding me!

E-gads, what a mess!

I was here first!

Yesterday I pulled everything out of this closet (everything!) and started from scratch.  Please note: this is only one closet of many....I'm not superwoman!!!

just in case of spiders, grab the broom and sweep out the shoes!

It's raining shoes!!!

What a mess

I tried on clothes and I tried on shoes.  If I didn't like the way they fit or felt, out they went....well, except for the Pretty Woman Brown Polka Dot Dress I'm hoping to get back in to!  That one stays.  She is my motivation piece.

 

Whew! What a morning!  So my Breakfast of Champions was a morning smoothie consisting of blueberries, vanilla shake mix, fat free milk and ice.  WW SP= 6

mmmmmmmmm

Next I checked out the purses, I mean how many purses does one Strawberry need?

 

I love the quirky purses!  And guess what?  I found the purse I have been looking for for well over a year!  It was hiding in another purse!

My Precious

I pooped out after the purse purge.  I brought in 2 Rubbermaid tubs and divided the purses between winter and summer. 

After lunch which consisted of Calabaza con pollo again and crackers (WW SP= 10), I tackled the built-ins.  I have 4 built-in drawers.  They aren't packed to the gills like my closet, but they did need a little culling and organizing.  Boom! Done.

Why mess with a good thing?

Mid-day snack:  fresh from my f-i-l's tree to my freezer mangoes.

I want a mango tree! Moana whines

In the late afternoon, Boy and I left to run some errands and quite frankly I wasn't in the mood to think about or even cook anything.  Chicken, other than Calabaza con Pollo, sounded terrific.

The dinner of a busy, pooped out Strawberry: Kentucky Fried Chicken grilled chicken and a biscuit (I gave "Wisdom Toothless" my mashed potatoes and gravy). 

I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture (you probably couldn't have seen it anyway!). Darn if KFC didn't give me the smallest chicken breast in the lot.  Unfortunately  I was still hungry after eating dinner.  :(

Snack 6 pretzel rods.

WW SP=8

So here's the good news.  Not only is my closet clean, but I found clothes I thought were too small but actually fit now.  Score!

And just so Wisdom Toothless Boy doesn't feel all alone this Christmas season, Master College Girl is now Tonsil-Less.

Not to be outdone by her brother! #allmychildrenaresedated

The new year is upon us, Grainiacs.  Do you have your motto/goal/dream/wish for this coming year?  

Pick a letter!

 

And Away We Goooooo!!!

Day One

Journal Entry for "here we go" again.  Hopefully this merry-go-round will spin and I will spin and get the weight off.  It's time.

My New Year Motto for 2016 is Downsize and Organize

  Last year was my BIG accomplishment: 

 


Getting my Masters in Christian Education was something I wanted to do for over 20 years.  Well guess what?  Losing weight has been another "something I've wanted to do for over 20 years."  This will be the winning year that the weight comes off.  

Here is a peek into my tracking journal for yesterday.

Day 1 Breakfast of Champions: Cook 1/2 cup of dry oatmeal using lots of water (as per Hungry Girl's instructions)/ frozen blueberries/ dash of cinnamon/ and instead of adding yogurt (love adding yogurt to oatmeal; it makes it creamy and yummy!), I added one tsp of Fat Free/ Sugar Free Caramel Creamer.  If you are following WW Smart Points, it counts as 4 SP, the whole meal, that is...not just the creamer!  And look at it....well don't look too close.  I'll admit, it isn't as good looking as it was good!

No, Big Puppy didn't cough this up!

As soon as I mention the word "diet" or mask it with some other fancy phrase "healthy eating," my stomach revolts.

Breakfast was at 10-ish and by 1 p.m. Stomach let me know she was running on empty- or at least Moana thought so!

A delicious lunch:

Dee-lish

This is called Calabaza con Pollo; it is loaded with good vegetables and hits the spot on those cold winter days.  Plus the seedlings love it and Hubby makes it so Strawberry is happy, happy!  Of course I get to do the dishes, but hey, I have a husband who cooks!!!!

Ingredients:
celery -0 SP
canned diced tomatoes- 0 SP
zucchini- 0 SP
bell peppers- 0 SP
onions- 0 SP
carrots - 0 SP
I'm on a roll here!!!
chicken, thigh- 3 SP
and then Hubby told me he added half a jar of Pace's Picante Sauce to the whole pot.  I figured 2 TBSP = 1 SP

So all in all, a huge bowl of this stuff came out to 4 or 5 SP (depending on counting 1 or 2 points of salsa!

Watch out!!!

Snack Attack!!!!!

Warning, warning, Will Robinson.  A snack attack is coming.

At 4 p.m. Boy and College Boy had a Sonic treat and I got a big ole cup of Sprite Zero.  I was feeling a little left out and unfortunately Career Girl left a massive amount of chocolates here. 

Strawberry and the Chocolate Factory

Yes, I did have one. Dark chocolate is Good for You, Right?????

I never said I was perfect!!!!!

I'm counting one of these babies as 3 SP.  I couldn't find the nutritional info on their website so I went to WW website and made an educated guess.  I decided to go on the high side versus the low side.  Tomorrow I'll decide if this little 3 SP piece of chocolate is really worth it.  Today it was....Moana says so!!!  ;)


Dinner was another "hit the spot on a cold winter's night."  mmmmmm

Bistek Ranchero

This concoction includes round steak, onions, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a slow simmer.  I wanted more veggies so I added a fresh tomato and a very sweet church member gave Rev Hubby Mexican avocados so Yes, Please!

SP=8

At 7:30 p.m. I topped off the day with a snack pack chocolate pudding because really, who doesn't want to end the day with chocolate?

I only ate one. Honest!

One cup of Snack Pack sugar-free pudding= 2 SP

Total for the Day= 21 SP

I had a great day yesterday, Grainiacs.  I'm praying today will be just as successful.  Let me hear from you.  What is your goal/motto/dream/wish for 2016?  Let's do this together and SuCcEeD.  2016 is the year!!!

All in the Family

The little seedlings are heading north today.  I pray the weather is mild and the snow and hail and ice AND tornadoes are a thing of the past.

We have had a good visit.  Poor College Boy is in bed with a semi-swollen mouth; he had all 4 wisdom teeth removed the day after Christmas.  2 of them were impacted and the other 2 had gnarly roots.  The Dr. told us the sedation medication might cause hallucinations and sure enough College Boy thought the Dr and technicians were playing baseball.  I told him it looked more like a wrestling match.  One root was going in the opposite direction of the other.  I have photos but I don't want you to lose your meal....in case you are eating while reading this post.  I will, however, private message you the photos if you are interested!  :)

A bit apprehensive

 And After......

He gave me permission, I promise (and he wasn't sedated when he said "yes"!!!)

The Graini-Mom came to visit and take us out for a meal.  Step-Dad's favorite spot happens to be the same favorite spot for Master College Girl.  Can you guess the place? #ican'tbelieveiatethewholething

Boy tried to take the photo and we said NO, do a selfie with us in it!  Hahahaha  #ilovemyfamily

The holidays were wonderful and although I did watch what I ate, I didn't do a good job of the slowing down what I ate part!  I did watch, unfortunately I watched myself eat and eat.

Today I'm back on the wagon and it's a go.  I am happy to report I've kept off the 14-15 pounds I lost when I first started the journey and then decided to restart the journey and (ahem, sigh) continue with the journey.  It IS a journey.  I recently saw an acquaintance who lost about 20 pounds last year.  This year she has put them back on plus. (No, I'm not talking about a grainiac! This person does not read my blog!)  All I'm saying is best made plans and all that.  For me it will be a continuous journey.  There is no "arriving."  I will always struggle with weight.  But that's okay.  It gives me something to do. (think positive)

That's about it in the Strawberry Patch.  Oh, except Hubby has caught a cold.  He thinks he caught what the nephew had on Christmas Day.  We like to keep it all in the family.

Have a Terrific Tuesday, Grainiacs.  I'll start journaling about my journey....tomorrow....maybe.  wink wink

It's Still December!

I feel justified with what I am about to say.

HaPpY  BiRtHdAy, Favourite GrainiAunt!!!!! I love you lots....even if I don't send a blog shout-out on your very special day!!!

And MeRrY  ChRiStMaS, most favorite Grainiacs.  I love you all!!!!  I'm just a bit frazzled, but really....what's new?  Notice the name of the Blog!  It's how I roll.


How was your birthday and/or Christmas, Y'all?  My daughter wore a cute Santa tee on Christmas Day.  An Old Fashioned Santa with the wording "Merry Christmas, Y'all!"  I can't remember what I wore; it was that memorable! HA

We had a wonderful day.  It started on Christmas Eve with a beautiful Candlelight Service.

Funny College Son!

  We celebrated a meal with church members after the service and went home to open gifts.

On Christmas Day we traveled to B-town for another celebration.  Unfortunately the Graini-Mom was unable to attend because they went to celebrate with stepdad's son and children.  But it is okay because today we get them all to ourselves!  #alwaysasilverliningoutthere

Have I blogged since moving back to the house?  I don't think I have....WE HAVE MOVED BACK INTO THE HOUSE!!!  Can you tell I'm excited about that news?  We moved in Friday, Dec. 18th and hit the floor running.  Not only did we have to clean OUR house before the kiddos came home, but I needed to clean the church office (where we had been living for 3 weeks and reeked of barnyard and stinky boys) PLUS I needed to clean the house where we had been sleeping for the past 3 weeks.  If you know me (and you do by now) I.Do.Not.Like.House.Cleaning.Period!  So it was a real chore (but a happy chore) to do all that cleaning.

First, the house.  It was covered with tiny specks of white dust....everywhere....in everything....including up my nose.  Dear Hubby cleaned first.  Turning on the AC and then vacuuming up 3 barrels of white powdery dust (who says it isn't snowing in So.TX?).  Next he changed out the AC filter (TWICE).  I am still vacuuming up white powdery dust particles that seem to come out of every nook and cranny and now our pores.  It is a never ending struggle with this stuff.  And because of that, I am really liking the minimalist look.  I think I'll keep the storage unit for one more month while I combat the white stuff!

Color Crushin'

 Here is my Part Reveal.  The rest of the room is littered with Christmas and sleeping Boy.  So I will reveal one bookshelf.

More later, Grainiacs!  And May the Force be With You (Yes, we went....good movie!)

Do I hear...

Let's go for broke. I had success posting a video yesterday, let's try for today!  I think I've said this before (I know I repeat myself!) but my Dad taught me if one's good, two's better!  And thank you, Dad, because of you I am a happy hoarder today.

Here is my sister-in-law in action.  She's fun.  She reminds me of me, except she is pretty Type A personality whereas I'm X-Y....ooooh shiny!  If you want something done, call her.....not .....what was I saying?

So today I am heading over to my Favorite Enabler's house; we have been paper crafting on Tuesday for the past two weeks.  Truth be told, I hope it becomes a weekly or bi-weekly event.  I miss my girlfriends and let's face it: spending time with friends is WAAAAAAY more important than housecleaning.  You know what I mean?

Take yesterday, Hubby and I were in my favorite Tuesday Morning town.  I asked him if we could stop off there before heading home.

Hubs: Do they have a bathroom?  (What are you 3 and can't hold your bladder?)

Me:  Uh, I think so.  (I don't know!)

Hubs: Is there something you need there?  (I really want to get back to the office because I'm a work-a-holic and this living at the office is my definition of heaven on earth!)

Me:  Forget it.  (I'll come back later without your watchful eye, thank you very much)

Here is the scenario with my Favorite Enabler:

Me:  Wanna stop off at Tuesday morning?

FE:  Yes!!!!!  Can we also stop by Hobby Lobby?

BOOM.  There ya have it.  Grainiacs need their friends!

Fa la la la la and Yipee!

The choir director and I breathed a sigh of relief yesterday afternoon.  The children's Christmas musical production during both worship services and the youth spaghetti lunch and dessert auction fundraiser (not to mention the youth lock-in the night before) are over! Yipee and Fa la la la la, Falafel House!

My sister-in-law came down from Up Yonderland and provided the "professional" to our youth dessert auction.  She is a professional auctioneer and she has a wonderful sense of humor...Come on, you know you only heard "rum" in rum cake!  Quit looking at her, you know you want it!!!)

I have to say, my ankles and back are killing me.  Getting old and feeble is not for sissies!  I saw a video clip of me hobbling along and thought Sheesh!  Who is that old person?  Definitely not for sissies.

I am so thankful to the parents and grandparents and friends of the youth.  My gosh they came and stayed and served and cleaned and washed.  I am truly humbled by their generosity.  I would still be at the church clearing and washing and....crying!

Whew, what a weekend!

crossing fingers and toes and eyes, hoping this video comes through.

The Story continues

Ever have one of those days when you are just sure your name is on the universe's shit list?  Yesterday was my day....most horrible....most irritating...just a shit day....thus no blog.  (It doesn't sound like it's much better today, does it?  But it is....it really is!!!)

First I'll just start out with all the house photos.  Here's my house.  It doesn't look much different than it did when the workers first started over a week ago.  

December 3

December 8

December 10

I kept thinking maybe there would be some difference....nope the whole house is a mess and we got word we would be back in the house by December 18th.  I'm not holding my breath on that one! But, we have a roof over our head and all is well.  Thank you, Lord.

More about yesterday.  I woke up and my phone was dead.  I plugged it into the charger thinking the battery died in the night.  Nope.  Used Boy's new phone charger (remember Boy and I got new phones right before Thanksgiving....this blasted phone isn't a month old), but still no luck.  Decided to go back to Sprint, but they were closed till 10.  I was at their door looking at the hours sign at 8:30. Hmmm, Career Girl said I might have to go to the Apple Store so I googled it before leaving and found that in my SOTX area, Apple Store is at some Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (Big HMMMM) or Best Buy.  My best guess was that Best Buy was the best place to go although I could have had a fun time showing my phone to the chocolate factory employee.  I didn't want them to think I was some senile old fart and make fun of me. Poor old woman is getting her eating and talking mixed up!  Can't you just hear it now.  Sorry, can't help you with your phone but why don't you run over to Sprint and ask for a pound of fudge.

Well the Geek Squad couldn't help me and suggested I come back at 12:30 when the Apple Store rep would be in.  I had already waited for 10 a.m. at Hobby Lobby and I wasn't about to wait it out at some other fun Strawberry shopping excursion.  So I headed back to Sprint and guess what?  They have the magic touch....that damn phone turned on for that young good-looking sales boy like a cheap whore.  WHAT!!!  What did you do, Eddie?  He smiled and said don't go to Best Buy- always come here!

I'm letting you in on Eddie's secret.  First of all he held the side bottom and the round button on the front of the phone down at the same time (as if he were taking a screen shot on the phone).  Secret is out!  Next he told me that Apple phones need to shut off at least once a week like you shut down the computer.  If one does not power down the phone at least once a week, the phone shuts down itself.  Ah ha.

And now you know the rest of the story!

living in a virtual world

I'm feeling a little cultured (to quote a friend!).  I recently joined a book club and have been reading something other than religious educational books; not that THAT doesn't make me feel cultured, but you know, I don't have to read for a grade or a Bible study!

Our last two books have spanned either years or centuries.  I have to say there's something about being able to flip a book to see what generation you are reading...just in case you get lost.  Not so easy on a Kindle!  My fingers were flying back and forth on my Kindle searching for the chapter title and then back to my place.  Back and forth.  My fingers got dizzy; my eyes got dizzy.  I had a major hand workout!

In my de-cluttering phase, I decided to give away the physical books and rely on virtual reading.  oh hell no.  I want physical, page turning books.  In seminary I loved highlighting and writing in the white space all around the perimeter of the page.

I guess I'm not a virtual girl.  I prefer holding a book.  I love turning the page.  I tried a virtual calendar years ago.  Hubby got a Palm Pilot from his former employer.  Save a tree!  Get techie!  I'm not sure the slogan but the first time he let his Palm Pilot battery go dead and with it ALL the contacts, appointments, etc. then I became the proud owner of the Palm Pilot.  I did the same thing and                         phooey...so much for keeping up with the times.
                                                                                                                                          

Our "smart" phones have the capability to schedule meetings and ring an alarm to remind us.  But I really love the feel of paper. Do you think it is generational?  I am so thankful I do not work at an office supply store, Grainiacs!  I think I would spend every cent I made on purchases there.  Keep me out of Staples and Office Depot!  You would be frightened to see me-- 

Security, crazed female on aisle 2...no wait...aisle 10, oops, she's on 6, yikes she's back on aisle 2!  ...look out she ran over customers on aisle 11-20!!! Call for back-up.

I joined a planner kit subscription.  Do you know what that is? A box filled with matching paper, washi tape, stickers, unique paper clips, charms, pens, paper flags,..... oooo la la....a dream come true!

Come to Momma!!!!!

Now my calendar can be all dolled up....I can't close the blasted thing and it doesn't fit in a purse thanks to all the doo-dads in it, but it sure is purty!!!

More about that later.

Happy Hump Day, Grainiacs!

Your ever faithful Strawberry signing off

One week down

November 30, a Monday, was Day 1 of the Great Strawberry Patch Electric Make-Over.  Big Puppy, Garbage Gut, 3 cats, a Hubby, and a Strawberry moved over to the church office for the day.  I decided immediately that the 3 cats would continue living at the church office because quite frankly I didn't want to get mauled each morning trying to crate them!  Cats do not like being shoved into a box.  Imagine!

At the office the dogs barked constantly; I fell asleep on Rev. Hubby's office couch (I tend to do that when I'm sick) and workaholic Hubby worked....all day and pretty much into the night.  For three days we continued this routine until the electrician said "Stop!"  Seems he needed to turn off the electricity so he could get some work done.  Imagine!  

An email was sent to the church officers and it was suggested we move into a motel.  A wonderful church lady offered her empty home (she's on vacation up north) and Boy came home from college!  Life is hectic and I don't think I would want it any other way.

I am so thankful to have a roof over all our heads.  I am especially thankful that I won't be getting electrocuted for Christmas.  We have transformed the lovely Garden Room into my craft room and Boy's computer lab.

Okay, so Garbage Gut claims part of it too!

My Happy Place is paper crafting

Not much has changed at the Strawberry Patch except for massive amounts of holes in the walls and the ceilings.

We have new lighting in some rooms and new ceiling fans in others.

The 1950's dark paneling is gone and the bookshelves are getting a paint job.

Good-bye 1950's

Hello Strawberry Patch Beautiful

Big Puppy wants you to know he has claimed a spot too....the Pastor's Study!

Mine, all mine!!!!

I Can See Clearly

Ahhhh, the fog has lifted out of my head and I'm beginning to feel like myself again.  Hallelujah!

Did I tell you our deep freeze and refrigerator have moved over to the church?  I tell ya, put up a few beds and we could live at the church.... Save the church some money having a house!

When we first moved here, please forgive me if I'm repeating myself, I'm prone to do that...old age and all, I took Boy to the local high school.  We could not prove that we were residents.  The clerk gave me a renter's agreement to sign.  It began "I,______________, am at least 18 years of age, ......"  I said yes, the church is 105 years of age and not a person.

Clerk: "Oh; you mean you LIVE at the church?"

Me: "Never mind."

See how easy it would have been and I could have said "Why yes, I do live at the church!"

Do you remember my fantastic kitchen paint job?  I think I bragged about it and posted pictures here.Kitchen redo

Ta DA::



loverly, isn't it?

All I want is a room somewhere... blah, blah, blah.

The good news is, it will NOT remain this way....I hope!

So, that's what's happening in the Strawberry patch.

Hope your day is full of a lot less holes and is truly Holy.

Toodles, 

Your ever optimistic Strawberry

Smash Up

What would you get if you smashed up Little Rascals and Betty Davis?

Whatever Happened to Baby Alfalfa!!




That's what I looked like this morning trying to rush out of the house before the workers got there.  My curling brush blow dryer was packed in a suitcase at the church and my hair was stuck on a Little Rascal's rerun channel.  Hey Hair!  


If you want to channel something, why not Farrah Fawcett???  

My eyebrow brush is MIA and I didn't notice till I drew a nice arched brown eyebrow on each eye.  I scared myself this morning.  I look like a mess. The dogs ran away from me.   Honestly, how do people live while their house is being "purtied up?"  

I am so thankful to this congregation.  They saw a need and got right to work on it.  We will be homeless (once again....flashbacks to after seminary life) for a week, hopefully not any more than that, and several members have graciously offered their motor homes (it's great living in a retirement city!!!!).  I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Enjoy your Thursday, Grainiacs.  I'm off to make a shake.  I got off my routine on Monday with all the packing and moving to the church and being sick. Yuck.  Still finding my "happy," I am always your

Baby Jane Alfalfa, Strawberry

P.S.  Pansy, you were right!  It is Alfalfa.  Sorry I doubted.  ;)

Finding Strawberry

Just keep swimming.....just keep swimming...

Where, oh where has Strawberry been?

Packing and packing and (sigh) packing! Renting a storage unit. Hauling the packing over to the storage unit.

First we had to pack up the breakables so the electricians and workers wouldn't be responsible if anything broke.

Then they told us they would work on one side of the house and then the other so we could move stuff from one side and then over to the next.  I stopped packing up because hey, who wouldn't want to shift it from one side of the house to the other versus packing it and hauling it.

Now they say they have to work on both sides of the house at the same time so back to packing.  keep on swimming keep on swimming

All this packing had me a little depressed over the Thanksgiving weekend.  I felt like we were on the move....again.  Now for those who know me well, spontaneity is my middle name....but remember, I don't have to pack up the china when you call and say "meet me at the Island" or "let's go have a margarita!"

Now it's time to pack up the fridge.  

keep on swimming keep on swimming keep on.....

Working on the Happy

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving?  Where did the month....the YEAR go?

Did you know we are entering the time where more people experience depression than any other time?

During my "happy" challenge negative thoughts kept creeping into my brain.  It was truly a challenge to turn those negatives into a positive.

Human nature bends toward less than positive thinking. Not everybody, but I'd wager the majority.  We are wired that way; let's blame Nature/God/Spouse/Children...or.....

We have a puppy that is full of vim, vigor, and vitality.  Nothing.....and I do mean nothing gets that dog down.  He's reprimanded and turns right around and jumps in your lap....or onto your tummy...or private parts.  Does that second reprimand get him down?  hell, no.  He's chasing the cat or chewing on my shoe or grabbing food off the counter.  I mean to tell you, he's happy as shit and I'm ready to open the front door and sing "be free, Big Puppy, be free!!!"

I guess I could learn from BP and take the knocks with the pats on the back.  I can choose to to sulk and hide under the couch (like the cats) or I can wag my tail and stick out my tongue and chew happily on a sock while ignoring the negatives around me.  I really think BP has the right attitude.  Who cares what others think or who I'm pissing off.  Maybe, just maybe those people will open the front door and sing "be free, Strawberry, be free."  Who needs the negative anyway?

So yeah, my "happy" challenge is still on, but honestly, can I pick a new challenge....like taking a vacation at the Happy Farm???

What Big Teeth and Eyes you have; that's because I'm a BIG puppy!!!!