I sat down to eat my cottage cheese and pineapple breakfast at the computer and what is filling my FB wall? Pictures of darling children going back to school! All those smiling faces, but no one is showing the "cat that ate the canary" grin on the parents' faces or the forced grin on the teachers' faces or the tears streaming down the college parents' faces. Where are those pictures?
Tomorrow, eldest son gets dropped off at college and following behind Boy will no longer be Boy at Home. He is joining the ranks of College Dorm Boy. sniff sniff
My children voiced their concern about how I would handle empty nest. Sweet little birdies worrying about the momma bird. I joked and said "I'm going to Disneyland!!" Truth be told, I won't be celebrating at Disneyland....I'll be celebrating at Dr. offices. The Momma Bird's momma is still trying to figure out what caused the fainting over 2 weeks ago. After poking and prodding around her head and deciding that the brain aneurysm had nothing to do with the fainting, she is back to the cardiologist. I'm thinking the dehydration had more to do with the fainting and divine intervention revealed the brain aneurysm, but who am I, mere mortal???!!!!
So I'm off to be a third set of eyes and ears and happy to do it. I thank The Divine Intervention that I'm done with schooling and free to be there.
Happy Monday, Grainiacs. For those retired teaching grainiacs, try not to gloat, but DO enjoy the day!!!!!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Thursday, August 20, 2015
more Watership Down
The water is flowing,
but it is coming with thunder and lightening
(or rather lightening and then thunder if you want to be scientifically correct with the whole light travels faster than sound thing!)
I actually love thunder. It reminds me of my childhood in Houston. We had lots of thunder--another scientific fact probably having to do with humidity. ;)
I will tolerate lightening and love God's firework show as long as I'm indoors. Otherwise lightening scares the "you know what" out of me.
And here's the sad truth. I have a scaredy dog; Garbage Gut is panting-ly afraid of thunder. So much so that he kept me up pretty much all.night.long.
I wouldn't mind him sleeping on the bed, but he is not sleeping on the bed. He is panting--loudly-- and pacing across me. First at the foot of the bed, then at my pillow, then in the crook of my legs and then back to the feet. All.Night.Long!!!
And the clincher is he can sleep all.day.long while I'm up and can't get back to bed.
Please don't mention a thunder jacket. I put his winter sweater on him (same thing in my book) and then I had a panting/ pacing/ pissed off dog!
Happy Thursday, Grainiacs. Get your water down today.
but it is coming with thunder and lightening
(or rather lightening and then thunder if you want to be scientifically correct with the whole light travels faster than sound thing!)
I actually love thunder. It reminds me of my childhood in Houston. We had lots of thunder--another scientific fact probably having to do with humidity. ;)
I will tolerate lightening and love God's firework show as long as I'm indoors. Otherwise lightening scares the "you know what" out of me.
And here's the sad truth. I have a scaredy dog; Garbage Gut is panting-ly afraid of thunder. So much so that he kept me up pretty much all.night.long.
I wouldn't mind him sleeping on the bed, but he is not sleeping on the bed. He is panting--loudly-- and pacing across me. First at the foot of the bed, then at my pillow, then in the crook of my legs and then back to the feet. All.Night.Long!!!
And the clincher is he can sleep all.day.long while I'm up and can't get back to bed.
Please don't mention a thunder jacket. I put his winter sweater on him (same thing in my book) and then I had a panting/ pacing/ pissed off dog!
Happy Thursday, Grainiacs. Get your water down today.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Watership Down Too
My life is truly looking like a strawberry patch...you know the ones that aren't maintained and organized. My strawberry patch is the one that resembles birds pooping strawberry seeds here and there and then the strawberry vines start growing here and there and everywhere-- unattended-- free--wild--choking each other out-- demanding attention.
I have reached my limit.....today! That's it. I'm reclaiming the patch and ordering o.r.d.e.r. starting today. My MO has been and (if I don't stop it today) will continue to be chaos. The Flylady system Marla Ciley created calls it "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"- in other words-- C.H.A.O.S.!!!
Chaos came in to roost and it is causing a huge deal of stress. If I don't watch it, I'll wind up in the ER like the Graini-Mom.
The Graini-Mom was admitted to the hospital on Monday. She experienced dizziness and passed out at the kitchen table. The Graini-stepdad caught her, otherwise she would have hit the ground. After arguing about going to the hospital (once she regained consciousness, that is), she finally agreed to go and has been there since. And yes, this is probably the reason she didn't want to go in the first place- 2 1/2 days in "the slammer." She is a prisoner to the pokes and prods they are doing. Rev. Hubby says this is a blessing in disguise. She has never been a huge "go to the Dr." type of person. As a matter of fact, the only time she has gone to the hospital (that I know of but don't remember) is when she was giving birth. She is the first to admit: she is NOT a good patient (although she has been a jewel and a cooperative patient in the hospital). And that's the catch: she will not be so good and cooperative once released! She will continue to go, go, go and I think it will take the whole fam-dam-ily to keep her down.
Isn't that how it is sometimes? We let ourselves focus on other things while neglecting the greater things-- like hydrating ourselves. I don't care what the folks say: Mom went into the hospital "dehydrated." She was busy getting ready for a trip and walking in and out of the house into the heat and more than likely she thought she was drinking water when in fact she was not. I do not know; I wasn't there so I cannot argue that that is the reason for the "passing out."
Many of you, Grainiacs, have told me you keep a large container filled with water or tea. You drink from that container all day so you can gauge how much liquid you are consuming in a day. I like that idea. I recently purchased an igloo-type water jug. Every morning I will fill it up and drink from that fountain of youth to keep my kidneys and other vital internal organs working. It's hot here in Cucaracha-ville (extremely hot!) and it seeps indoors. Our AC units are working overtime. My car registers over 100* every time I get in it and it takes "forever" (Moana whines) to cool it down.
I went back and read some of my original posts waaaayyyyy back when and one post that caught my attention was the water post Watership Down. I need to drink more water and here I am four years later and I'm still saying I need to drink more water! Well that's it. I'm frickin' drinking more water.
And here is the Graini-Mom.....
I believe she is being released today. I have plenty of things to do around the strawberry patch but I want to see her too. Time to load up that water jug so it's ready for a road trip! Be safe out there in the heat, Grainiacs, and drink more water. Hydration is our buzz word today. So go out and hydrate.
I have reached my limit.....today! That's it. I'm reclaiming the patch and ordering o.r.d.e.r. starting today. My MO has been and (if I don't stop it today) will continue to be chaos. The Flylady system Marla Ciley created calls it "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"- in other words-- C.H.A.O.S.!!!
Chaos came in to roost and it is causing a huge deal of stress. If I don't watch it, I'll wind up in the ER like the Graini-Mom.
The Graini-Mom was admitted to the hospital on Monday. She experienced dizziness and passed out at the kitchen table. The Graini-stepdad caught her, otherwise she would have hit the ground. After arguing about going to the hospital (once she regained consciousness, that is), she finally agreed to go and has been there since. And yes, this is probably the reason she didn't want to go in the first place- 2 1/2 days in "the slammer." She is a prisoner to the pokes and prods they are doing. Rev. Hubby says this is a blessing in disguise. She has never been a huge "go to the Dr." type of person. As a matter of fact, the only time she has gone to the hospital (that I know of but don't remember) is when she was giving birth. She is the first to admit: she is NOT a good patient (although she has been a jewel and a cooperative patient in the hospital). And that's the catch: she will not be so good and cooperative once released! She will continue to go, go, go and I think it will take the whole fam-dam-ily to keep her down.
Isn't that how it is sometimes? We let ourselves focus on other things while neglecting the greater things-- like hydrating ourselves. I don't care what the folks say: Mom went into the hospital "dehydrated." She was busy getting ready for a trip and walking in and out of the house into the heat and more than likely she thought she was drinking water when in fact she was not. I do not know; I wasn't there so I cannot argue that that is the reason for the "passing out."
Many of you, Grainiacs, have told me you keep a large container filled with water or tea. You drink from that container all day so you can gauge how much liquid you are consuming in a day. I like that idea. I recently purchased an igloo-type water jug. Every morning I will fill it up and drink from that fountain of youth to keep my kidneys and other vital internal organs working. It's hot here in Cucaracha-ville (extremely hot!) and it seeps indoors. Our AC units are working overtime. My car registers over 100* every time I get in it and it takes "forever" (Moana whines) to cool it down.
I went back and read some of my original posts waaaayyyyy back when and one post that caught my attention was the water post Watership Down. I need to drink more water and here I am four years later and I'm still saying I need to drink more water! Well that's it. I'm frickin' drinking more water.
 |
| pretty orange...not exactly burnt orange, but orange! |
And here is the Graini-Mom.....
 |
| That's a lot of food and no, she did not eat it all! |
Monday, August 3, 2015
Oh my, my head
Either I'm suffering from summer cold, allergies, caffeine deprivation headache or I just have a headache! I'm thinking something is blooming outside or my mold and dust bunnies are blooming inside, but whatever it is, I wish it would go away!!! I'm too busy to be sick. I know I've said that before...only I think I said I was allergic to housework. Actually, I still say that! LOL
#1- A local food shelter had an electrical fire. I offered to bring items to share with their office or thrift store. I've kicked up A LOT of dust and animal fur while obtaining these treasures. I mean really- I haven't used those kitchen items since moving here and they can bless somebody else!
OR #2- My headache might be that ding dong puppy we took in. The end of last week I was hugging a neighbor off to her new town and job. She is not only a neighbor but a church member. I'm sorry to see her go but happy for her just the same. So...... a black blob comes bouncing down the church parking lot toward us. I tell her "Look! A traveling companion for you!" She wasn't amused and I tried to sneak away. The puppy tried to climb into my vehicle and I kept telling him "wrong car!!!" Thankfully I was able to leave and run my errands. When I returned, I noticed she was gone and the puppy had a water bowl on her front porch. (Her husband is still here so I guess she was hoping he would take care of the puppy or the puppy would bound off to other houses.)
Well, I worried about that puppy and finally told the boys to go check on it. We all know what that means- yes, we were taking in a puppy. A black lab puppy!!! I checked the paws. They were small.
Fast forward to today. Puppy's name is Lucien. He is Boy's dog and sleeps with Boy and pees in my room and eats--- lots!!! and drinks water with his whole body...meaning water is EVERYWHERE! The only way we can tell if it is water or pee is due to where said water is located. College Boy says the dog pees like a fire hydrant.
Garbage Gut is NOT amused!
I think I've just located the reason(s) for the headache.
#1- A local food shelter had an electrical fire. I offered to bring items to share with their office or thrift store. I've kicked up A LOT of dust and animal fur while obtaining these treasures. I mean really- I haven't used those kitchen items since moving here and they can bless somebody else!
OR #2- My headache might be that ding dong puppy we took in. The end of last week I was hugging a neighbor off to her new town and job. She is not only a neighbor but a church member. I'm sorry to see her go but happy for her just the same. So...... a black blob comes bouncing down the church parking lot toward us. I tell her "Look! A traveling companion for you!" She wasn't amused and I tried to sneak away. The puppy tried to climb into my vehicle and I kept telling him "wrong car!!!" Thankfully I was able to leave and run my errands. When I returned, I noticed she was gone and the puppy had a water bowl on her front porch. (Her husband is still here so I guess she was hoping he would take care of the puppy or the puppy would bound off to other houses.)
Well, I worried about that puppy and finally told the boys to go check on it. We all know what that means- yes, we were taking in a puppy. A black lab puppy!!! I checked the paws. They were small.
Fast forward to today. Puppy's name is Lucien. He is Boy's dog and sleeps with Boy and pees in my room and eats--- lots!!! and drinks water with his whole body...meaning water is EVERYWHERE! The only way we can tell if it is water or pee is due to where said water is located. College Boy says the dog pees like a fire hydrant.
Garbage Gut is NOT amused!
 |
| sorry...no matter how many times I rotated this picture, it still copied back to this view!!! |
I think I've just located the reason(s) for the headache.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
busy strawberry patch
I am excited to have all 4 kiddos home this coming week. Don't misunderstand: it will be a madhouse but before long everything will be back to "normal" and then for the first time in 27 years, it will be me and the Hubby alone again. I have mixed emotions about this. On the one hand I have been teasing the kids telling them "Daddy and I will be going to Disneyworld" once everyone is out of the house. On the other hand, I'm just trying to organize a trip to Houston and that is proving futile! How in the hell do I expect to get to Florida?!?!
So, dear Grainiacs, I have loads to do before this joyous occasion and a sermon to write. Yes, I'm preaching on Sunday and as usual I have waited to sit down and write it out. I wonder if they would like to listen to a few blog posts?! :)
So, dear Grainiacs, I have loads to do before this joyous occasion and a sermon to write. Yes, I'm preaching on Sunday and as usual I have waited to sit down and write it out. I wonder if they would like to listen to a few blog posts?! :)
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Clutterbug
The clutterbug has hit! I went to town cleaning out the bottom of my closet...giving away a Macy's sack full of shoes. I attacked the dresser next. I was amazed at all I could get rid of and truth be told, I don't think I will miss them. I have an endless supply of flip flops (we live in South Texas in the heat! What else would I wear???) and those winter sweaters? I laugh at you! At my age, my body heat would keep me warm even if I didn't have the So. TX sun to do it already.
We are getting to the temperature where I feel like I need to shower every time I step in or out of the car- my personal sauna. Boy was filling up the tank and as I sat there perspiration (oh who am I kidding-- large streams of sweat) was running down my face, down my back. Yuck. I felt sticky and wet. All I could think was that I needed to change my clothes and/or jump into my pool. I have stopped wearing make-up because it pools under my eyes and drips down my chin. Try to look good when your face is melting off you!
So out out damn winter clothes; no turtlenecks needed. This Strawberry will dance circles in her backyard when the temps get down to 60*.
The clutter around my middle still seems to want to hang around, though. I wish I could pull it off and donate it to Goodwill too. Here are my shoes and my gut. No need to write out a receipt; I give it away gladly.
We are getting to the temperature where I feel like I need to shower every time I step in or out of the car- my personal sauna. Boy was filling up the tank and as I sat there perspiration (oh who am I kidding-- large streams of sweat) was running down my face, down my back. Yuck. I felt sticky and wet. All I could think was that I needed to change my clothes and/or jump into my pool. I have stopped wearing make-up because it pools under my eyes and drips down my chin. Try to look good when your face is melting off you!
So out out damn winter clothes; no turtlenecks needed. This Strawberry will dance circles in her backyard when the temps get down to 60*.
The clutter around my middle still seems to want to hang around, though. I wish I could pull it off and donate it to Goodwill too. Here are my shoes and my gut. No need to write out a receipt; I give it away gladly.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Gimme Gimme
The boys and I went to see Terminator Genisys a couple of nights ago. The things I'll watch to satisfy my movie popcorn crave!!! True to form it was hokey and the lines were cheesy, but damn that popcorn was good.
Cravings! They get the best of me. Sometimes they come sublimely; watching TV is detrimental to my diet plan! Sometimes they come on when I pass a certain street with a certain ice cream joint. Sometimes my cravings are nostalgic and sometimes they are emotion-driven. No matter what, they come with a vengeance and are a force to be reckoned with!
I recently heard about "intuitive eating" (look it up, it's a "thing."). You listen to your mind rather than your stomach....or is it your heart rather than your brain? Any who, imagine you are a child. For most normal children, you eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. I bet those kids are naturally organized too. But what about the ones wired differently? It would be so nice (not really!) if we were.....I'm imagining Stepford Wives. People with eating disorders don't think logically when it comes to food. If we did, we would not have the jiggley bellies and thunder thighs we have now. I remember sitting in a Weight Watcher meeting when they were first introducing their Points program. The premise was you could eat anything you wanted-- just stop when you ate your points. One man stood up and questioned if this was a good idea. He reasoned "Isn't that what got us here in the first place?" WW then revised the program giving a weekly bank of extra points realizing some weeks you needed more points- say, for a wedding. I think people started gaining and then they said you could modify your points bank if you exercised gaining MORE points!!!! Whee!!! Don't get me wrong; WW has been deemed the healthiest way to lose and keep weight off. I have joined and rejoined and rejoined WW because I know it is the best way to lose and keep it off......if done properly. And there is the cinch....done properly.
No eating plan will work unless done properly. Does this mean we can't cheat a little? Yes. Just like going to the party the other night. I did taste the luscious dark chocolate cake (I'm a sucker for chocolate) but I didn't eat the whole thing. I took two or three bites and savored them. I was able to leave without feeling deprived. Am I good all the time? Heck no, that's why after 4 years I'm still battling the weight and the "going against the grain." But for today I have what it takes to stay on track. I'm riding this roller coaster the best way I know how.
Cravings! They get the best of me. Sometimes they come sublimely; watching TV is detrimental to my diet plan! Sometimes they come on when I pass a certain street with a certain ice cream joint. Sometimes my cravings are nostalgic and sometimes they are emotion-driven. No matter what, they come with a vengeance and are a force to be reckoned with!
I recently heard about "intuitive eating" (look it up, it's a "thing."). You listen to your mind rather than your stomach....or is it your heart rather than your brain? Any who, imagine you are a child. For most normal children, you eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. I bet those kids are naturally organized too. But what about the ones wired differently? It would be so nice (not really!) if we were.....I'm imagining Stepford Wives. People with eating disorders don't think logically when it comes to food. If we did, we would not have the jiggley bellies and thunder thighs we have now. I remember sitting in a Weight Watcher meeting when they were first introducing their Points program. The premise was you could eat anything you wanted-- just stop when you ate your points. One man stood up and questioned if this was a good idea. He reasoned "Isn't that what got us here in the first place?" WW then revised the program giving a weekly bank of extra points realizing some weeks you needed more points- say, for a wedding. I think people started gaining and then they said you could modify your points bank if you exercised gaining MORE points!!!! Whee!!! Don't get me wrong; WW has been deemed the healthiest way to lose and keep weight off. I have joined and rejoined and rejoined WW because I know it is the best way to lose and keep it off......if done properly. And there is the cinch....done properly.
No eating plan will work unless done properly. Does this mean we can't cheat a little? Yes. Just like going to the party the other night. I did taste the luscious dark chocolate cake (I'm a sucker for chocolate) but I didn't eat the whole thing. I took two or three bites and savored them. I was able to leave without feeling deprived. Am I good all the time? Heck no, that's why after 4 years I'm still battling the weight and the "going against the grain." But for today I have what it takes to stay on track. I'm riding this roller coaster the best way I know how.
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