GET ORGANIZED; HAVE KIDS. DAY 168

Saturday, June 12, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

I've just come off of two days with my granddaughter at home with me. She is a joy but you sure need to be organized when you are responsible for someone else. I met her mother at work to pick her up so I could not loll around the house in the morning drinking coffee and reading the paper and doing the crossroad. I had to get dressed and go. Thursday was a home day so I didn't bother with makeup or fancy clothes. We baked a cake for her daddy's birthday party that night.
In the afternoon, I had to clear off the dining room table so that I could meet with 2 ad reps from the paper to talk about my advertising needs for my business. The dining room table is a drop off point for all the stuff I bring in after my appmts with clients. It all went on the floor.
First off the doorbell doesnt' work so Elaine had to call me on the phone to let her in. I swore her to secrecy not to tell a sole about the condition of my home! Everyone expects a decorator to have a beautiful home and mine is me, a mess.

Anyway, while we were sitting at the table talking business, my blind and deaf 14 yr old dachshund saunters up and pees on the floor, right in front of us. It's a good thing I know these girls really well. Hannah came and occasionally asked me something as well. Then, I saw the dachshund getting ready to do his other thing so I hurriedly picked him up and took him outside with Hannah. Thank goodness as what a mess it was. And right by the front walk where Elaine and Peggy would have to pass on their way out. So we covered it with a big magnolia leaf.

The good news is that business has picked up and I am working with 3 very good prior clients on decent sizedprojects. That is always so much fun. I had to take Hannah to Grammie's for the morning and lunch. Mon and Tuesday will be interesting as I am helping out not only with Hannah but with 8 month old Brandon. It's been a long while since I took care of a baby. I hope they bring his walker. I have a lot of work to do. We went to a party last night and another one tonight and Sunday I do coffee at church. In between I need to move things around to create a path for the baby's walker. And hope he doesn't step in dog poop. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LNSYLVSDOGS 6/13/2010 7:52AM

Our house has lived in clutter that I always feel like I'm playing catch up with. Right after we moved in our home, I gave an acquaintance a tour of the house for the first time (to show some of the improvements...cuz it's an older house and needed much done...) There was some dirty laundry on the floor in my bedroom & just some overall clutter. My first reaction was to be embarrassed, but it was too late to fix it. The clutter was just there. Well, she has become my best friend and her home has the same "lived in" clutter that mine has. I ended up being glad for the condition of my home that day. It has meant that we are comfortable around each other, instead of it being one of those formal friendships where you think your house & life needs to be spotless at all times....that the person can't see whom you really are. Your blog post makes me smile, and say "Thanks for letting us all see that you're normal." :) Report Inappropriate Comment

SGKAYLOR123 6/12/2010 7:27PM

Busy lady! If kids are the answer to having an organized place I think I'll take the mess lol! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARSHASTAR 6/12/2010 11:48AM

Yikes! You are SO BUSY! ohhh you must have a strong constitution. No wonder you're so successful! (i'd go crazy if i had all that going on) Report Inappropriate Comment

RITAROSE 6/12/2010 10:37AM

Hahahahaha, I loved your blog this morning! I personally love the challenges you described, always wondering if I can keep juggling all the balls or will one fall? Have fun with those adorable grandchildren! Congrats on your increase in business! You are very gifted, your clients are fortunate to have found you! Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 6/12/2010 10:17AM

You are certainly keeping busy - having children around keeps you young, too. (Thinks me!) :-D Report Inappropriate Comment

BANANA SOUP. DAY 166

Thursday, June 10, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

I love that little mantra above. It is so soothing! And it works! Hubby came home with about a dozen ripe bananas that needed to be used for something. I made some banana bread to take to church on Sunday and decided I would find a banana pudding recipe on Spark and use the rest for that. Now, I have never made a banana pudding. Wasn't in my mother's recipe book I guess but it seemed simple. I sent hubby to the store to get all the low fat low sugar ingredients and when he came home I quickly got to work. After all the ingredients were together, it said to chill for 3 hours. Well, it never got firm. I ate some and it tasted good but even this morning when I got up, it was still runny. I thought maybe I added too much milk but no, hubby said he got cook and serve pudding, not instant. OHHHHHH, that was the problem. I couldn't bring myself to throw out almost 4 cups of milk and bananas and vanilla wafers. So I threw it all in the blender and then cooked the whole thing on the stove. It actually turned out pretty good except it is kind of a butterscotch color. But now what do I do with it. I found a shortbread crust in the cupboard and I have more bananas so maybe I'll make a pie. I might try putting a nilla wafer in the bottom of a cupcake wrapper and pour pudding over it and freeze. Maybe I could take those to church coffee. Lutheran's will eat anything. If I put a slice of banana on top of it and brushed it with lemon juice that morning, would it stay nice ? Do I get points for trying a recipe on Spark? Can I add a comment to the recipe? I wish I had some yellow food coloring, it would make it a little prettier. Anyway, my granddaughter is coming over today so we will have a good time. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUST_TRI_IT 6/12/2010 10:05AM

Your poor hubby... First the Klondike bars and now the banana pudding box! LOL Sounds like you know how to make banana anything now! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARSHASTAR 6/10/2010 2:35PM

Hah, you are creative! That pudding sounds delicious anyway. I'd be eating it with a soup spoon. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUGGYS 6/10/2010 1:43PM

I love bananas but have never made banana pudding...bread, cupcakes and coffecake but never pudding...putting it in the blender sounds like a pretty substantial smoothie! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDI571 6/10/2010 12:03PM

I haven't made banana pudding in years. That is one thing I got from my mom before she got to bad with her alzheimer's. She made her banana pudding from scratch. You make like a custard then put it together. It is so good, but definitely not low sugar or low fat. You start out with like a cup of sugar and 4 to 6 eggs. She used to make it for my husband because he loved it. He says I now make it as good as she did. What a compliment. Report Inappropriate Comment

SROUS1340 6/10/2010 10:42AM

Sounds like you had some fun being creative. I read a SP receipe for frozen bananas that is supposed to taste like soft serve ice cream-that's what I'm going to try the next time I have a few overripe bananas. They don't usually last that long at my house. My husband and daughter eat about 6lbs of bananas a week. I just try to keep 'em in the house! I like Kasey's idea about the cupcake thing too. Have a great day and I love the title of your blog. Words tolive by for sure! Report Inappropriate Comment

LADYJ6942 6/10/2010 9:48AM

I feel your pain, my first time making fudge did not turn out well. However you faired better than I did as you found a way to not waste but use what you had. Great job Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 6/10/2010 9:04AM

Pudding freezes well (e.g., pudding pops) and certainly bananas freeze, so take a vanilla wafer, put it into a cupcake paper, put the pudding in and freeze it. Within an hour or two you'll know if it seems to work okay, and either you can use it up by freezing it in individual portions or you will have to try something different if it doesn't turn out well when frozen. Nothing ventured--! :-D Report Inappropriate Comment

Touch and go. Day 165

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

I guess I was calm today when I rearended the car in front of me. I had just gone to Mcdonald's and got an apple yogurt walnut salad instead of a sausage biscuit. So while I was driving and dipping, next thing I knew there was this car in front of me stopped at the red light and I was right on top of her. Just a small bump and not too much damage, scratches and scrapes. I always drive far enough away from the other car but darn those apples and dip. They say if you want to lose weight, don't eat in your car. Or text or use your cell phone. Could be dangerous. My dear hubby came and helped me, called the insurance agent and the police to come and I didn't get a ticket luckily.
And I came home and had a sensible lunch. THe lady was very nice which always helps. I think I need a break, put on some shorts and take it easy. Later.

Oh, and early this morning, the toilet started bubbling up while I was showering which is a sign of bad things to come. Hubby got the plunger and plunged for a few minutes and then decided to try flushing it. Guess what, the water flooded over the side and all over the floor so the plumber had to come. I stayed calm through that as well.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUST_TRI_IT 6/12/2010 10:02AM

LOL... UH.. I think you are getting some interesting advice (see below!) BREATHE! Glad you did not get hurt while driving. that is good. Report Inappropriate Comment

JENNY888 6/9/2010 7:32PM

Not the best of days. I'm glad there wasn't too much damage to the cars. Things have to go up from here. Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 6/9/2010 6:15PM

Get some rest and maybe go for a walk. I am glad you are OK. Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 6/9/2010 5:19PM

Wotta day! Forget the apple-yogurt-salad-dip - I would head straight for the brandy bottle. And I would be very calm, after if not before, lol... Report Inappropriate Comment

ANOTHER START! DAY 164

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

I decided to change my mantra, above, until it becomes ingrained in my memory. Yesterday, after my festival weekend, I went back to tracking and eating right and I peed and peed all day, losing about 2 to 3 lbs. Amazing how that works. I got to the end of dinner and did well with calories. Then about an hour later, my stomach was rolling. I tried drinking water and it didn't help. Finally I gave in and had whole wheat toast with 1 T peanut butter and a klondike bar. Those darn klondike bars. If my husband buys another box, I will beat him with it. I still ended the day with a respectable 1800 calories and considering I was going to try calorie cycling, that wasn't so bad. I must get something besides peanut butter to spread on my toast. Like Laughing cow cheese that has fewer calories but still a protein. I feel a lot less bloated today.

Got a lot to do today so Later!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUST_TRI_IT 6/12/2010 9:59AM

LOL.. The image of your husband on the ground with a crushed klondike bar box did make my chuckle! I thought the same thing when my DH wanted to bring in the Haggen Daas! Love the mantra :) Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 6/9/2010 3:50AM

Sort of like a pendulum - it never stays in one place, but by moving from one side to the other, it still achieves balance. And so will you! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARSHASTAR 6/8/2010 11:53AM

I'm glad I live alone. I eat Quaker Rice cakes (White Cheddar) when I think I simply must eat something. They aren't terrific, but they help with urges. Report Inappropriate Comment

PJGABRIEL 6/8/2010 11:37AM

Sounds like the weekend went well and yesterday was a good day. Have a great day today. Report Inappropriate Comment

RITAROSE 6/8/2010 9:31AM

Have a great day working your plan!! You can do this! Report Inappropriate Comment

QUADCMOM 6/8/2010 8:47AM

Way to go on a successful day. Darn those snacks that seem to be calling from the kitchen. LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKPEOPLE QUOTES! DAY 163

Monday, June 07, 2010

YOU CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP IT OFF WITHOUT CHANGING YOURSELF!

I didn't know that Sparkpeople had a quote library! Or a save to favorites section! There is so much on this site, I'm sure I'm clueless about most of it. I was reading an article sent to my box this morning about surrounding yourself with the positive. In it was highlighted the quote library. I clicked on that and found access to hundreds of quotes! Did not know that.

I found this quote under happiness, "Learn to be calm and you will always be happy!" That spoke to me for sure, especially after writing my dissertation 2 days ago about myself and how I said that "happiness to me is not being sad." I am most happiness when I am calm and not anxious or angry. When I am calm, I also eat more sensibly.

I woke this morning of course with a weight gain. Back to 185 again. I got disgusted with myself and then I thought, no, I am not going to do that. Getting anxious and upset is pointless. I chose to have a good time this weekend and that included eating and drinking too much. I'm going to go one day at a time. Just for today, I vow to track my nutrition down to the last peanut, drink my water and choose fruits and veggies. There are no more special events or festivals on my horizon this summer. Only one day events or special dinners. I'm not going to beat myself up over this or feel bad because the pockets on my shorts are gaping. I'm pressing on with the big picture.

Our friend Nick left this morning so I dont' have to worry about feeding him. There is lots of fruit and veggies in the fridge for me to eat up. Life is good and we are fortunate. Not too many tar balls in the sea as yet. I have coming appmts and clients to see. My granddaughter is staying with me Thursday and Friday this week. What a joy.

Learn to be calm and you will always be happy! I'll have to remember that! Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KARRYB1 6/8/2010 10:03AM

That darn scale! It throughs in a zinger every once in a while to make you doubt yourself. That's why I have made it a rule not to weigh every day. The excess fluid from the varied foods we eat day to day cause the scale to go up and down. I know by my actions and the fit of my clothes that I am progressing. Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 6/7/2010 9:28AM

Hope you had a good visit with your houseguest. Sufry is right: one day at a time is the only way to go. Just for today, track your nutrition and fitness, and let tomorrow take care of tomorrow. :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

LUSHON 6/7/2010 9:17AM

Good luck with the rest of your summer. May it be calm. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

SUFRY3 6/7/2010 9:06AM

One day at a time is the best way to live. Being in the present and letting the past go is the only way I have found to keep on track. I am constantly saying to myself "loose the guilt, it doesn't help". It's always a good idea to remind ourselves to be happy, so thank for the reminder today. Report Inappropriate Comment