Did I leave the Window Open?

Monday, January 21, 2013

My vacation/retirement home here in NC is in much better shape since I bought it in 2008. I've added a screened, roofed porch to the deck. And when water damage destroyed the subfloor in both bathrooms and laundry room, restoration involved putting in 2 new bathrooms. I took advantage of the house being torn up to replace the 13 year old low grade blue shag carpet.

Even so, it took me 5 hours to warm up yesterday after going to the pool. I took a LONG hot shower, put on layers with a wool sweater on the outside, and ate a warm comforting supper. I didn't get warm until I wet to bed under piles of blankets. I wondered if I was finally giving in to the flu.

No, this morning I feel great and I'm torn between staying here to watch the inauguration and going to the gym. But sitting here in the recliner with frigid air blowing out of the central heat vents makes me wonder if I left a window open somewhere, or if I should retreat back to Florida.

I did that in 1971 when I was renting half of a barn of a house. I closed off the living room and slept on the couch near the huge old heater that blew no air. Showering was next to impossible. In the spring when I ventured through the dining room to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, I noticed a window wide open. I swear I didn't do it. I think a thief opened it and left after finding nothing worth stealing.


So this morning, I started a fire in the fireplace. I love that fireplace. I haven't gotten to use it much because I'm usually here in the spring and summer. We were snowbound one year at Christmas and had the fireplace roaring every morning and evening. But this trip, I noticed the button. You know, a little silver push button? Anyway, I'm glad I found it because it is now actually BLOWING wam air into all cold corners of this house.

I'll have to start a fire when I get home this evening and remember the blower switch. Maybe I'll warm up faster. And next summer, I'll find someone to make sure the insulation and ductwork are intact under the house.


It all makes me think of my journey toward health and weight loss. From Jan. 1 - 4 I lost six pounds. I wondered if I had found that blower button that just blows away the pounds. But since then, the scale had been standing at attention, no gain or loss since January 4. I started looking around for the open window, something I was doing or had forgotten and wasn't doing. And then, this morning, the scale reported another pound has melted away to that large hole in the ground.

I'm taking this lesson with me as I continue on my quest for that last piece to the puzzle that will help me unearth the slim healthy me. I might still need to retreat to the warmth in Florida before the planned time of exodus, but I will NOT give up and say, "Why bother" if the SP journey seems to be halted or derailed for a while. I'll just need to make sure I didn't leave the window open!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PAHOOT 1/23/2013 7:17AM

Well, fat busting button sounds lovely but I think we are all out of luck on that one. I, too, am wintering away from home and have no scales. Actually, that's pretty freeing as I have to figure out if I'm losing by the pain caused by my waistbands! If it hurts, I'm obviously eating too much! Love your blog. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGEL1066 1/21/2013 7:05PM

I'm looking for that button, too, lol! I love your analogy, and will look for my own open windows, too, now that I am feeling less rough. God Bless, and keep whittling away! Report Inappropriate Comment

LAURAAT 1/21/2013 3:44PM

What a great analogy! Thanks for sharing :) Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTINASP 1/21/2013 11:30AM

Very nice blog. I'm glad you're finding ways to keep warm! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTINASP 1/21/2013 11:30AM

Very nice blog. I'm glad you're finding ways to keep warm! Report Inappropriate Comment

ALICIA214 1/21/2013 11:30AM

Amen to that!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDSEYJ 1/21/2013 11:20AM

" Oh, please, someone show me that button that blows away the fat. HA!" Bwahahahaha!!! I'm a Texas girl living in Washington, and some days I just put on my warm winter hat and never take it off! There is also a new fad of fingerless gloves, and those are nice to wear around the house. Report Inappropriate Comment

NEEDBU66 1/21/2013 11:15AM

Oh, please, someone show me that button that blows away the fat. HA! Report Inappropriate Comment

Your Compass

Sunday, January 20, 2013

I am the Compass, the ONE who can help you understand your destination.
I am the One who can help you find different paths to your destination when the one you’re on dead-ends.
I am the One who can help you find a new direction if the bridge on the path you’re on is out.
I am the One who can help you help others stay on the path to the destination.
I am the one who can soar the heights, helping you to set your sights on lofty mountaintops and then to see there are many paths that will take you there.
I am the one who is ready to go in another direction if the way is blocked.
I am the one who has the vision to help you find what is needed on your journey.
I AM Guide.
I Am Navigator when all is dark and you can’t see the next turn.
I AM the WAY whether you trudge along the byways or fly to new worlds.
I Am your never-failing GPS. I know all routes. I will not let you get lost.
I KNOW both where you are headed and HOW you are to get there and when you will arrive.
My compass is not broken or affected by magnetic attractions of trivial pursuits along the way.
You do not need AAA for this life journey because I am already here.
Because I stay focused on the destination, I can help you know when it is time to stop and revel in the scenery along the way.


Who is your compass?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LVSHOPE 1/20/2013 3:37PM

Love this post! Parallel is Jesus is the same yesterday, today & forever. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMMIESMOM13 1/20/2013 9:45AM

Jesus is my compass. Report Inappropriate Comment

VUKELK 1/20/2013 9:32AM

Very inspiring and very much worth keeing close at hand and reading often. Report Inappropriate Comment

How do you decide what to fix for dinner when you're stumped?

Thursday, January 17, 2013

I used to go to a fast food restaurant when I had no idea what to fix for dinner. I couldn't get to one today, even if I wanted to. Besides, they are all closed due to the water main and the sewer line breaking.

So, I'm left to my own devices. I'm thankful I'm not like this often. I love to cook, put things together, layering in flavors.

And I have lots of choices I can fix and layer. But I'm coming up empty.

So. Today is the day to plan next week's menus. Double trouble.

Maybe I'll go walk in the rain and get inspired.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SAGELADY2 1/19/2013 3:16PM

Hi, catching up on my reading. Looks like you got washed out and almost away there. Hope you got the food sorted out. My old me always had a spare bunch of meals I could throw together in emergencies and always keep propane on hand (plus water). We're preppers in a sense that we never let things get to zip normally. I like the idea of cleaning out the fridge. I'm doing that next. Before I go to the store. :-) Taking a break from creating a new rock garden bed in front. Been hauling rocks off and on for a few hours. It's heavenly warm outside and a stiff wind blowing so the fans are on and the house is airing out. Have to get Dix to the park soon for her walk or she'll kill me. Have a good rest of your weekend and I hope you dry out. Report Inappropriate Comment

BRAVELUTE 1/17/2013 4:19PM

Thanks everyone. You've helped to get me back on track. I'm going to either eat or throw out all those leftover bits. Then perhaps when all that clutter is gone out of the refrigerator, I'll get back to my "normal" self. I think I'm really leaning toward breakfast for supper. That would be a comforting meal, warm by the fire. Report Inappropriate Comment

ARIANERA 1/17/2013 4:07PM

1) Eat the oldest meal on my freezer inventory 2) Google "name of ingredient" recipe for the veggies in my CSA box and look for something new and quick 3) Eat breakfast for dinner (often something involving eggs like an omlet or fritatta) Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 1/17/2013 3:58PM

Fast food, ugh. My go-to when I haven't a clue--and sometimes when I don't have anything in the house--is pasta with a little olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley and black pepper. So good! Report Inappropriate Comment

NSTARSMITH 1/17/2013 3:56PM

Oh, man, I am so glad I do not have anyone expecting me to cook for them! Being as how it is just me (and the puppy) if I have zero inspiration I am happy with canned soup, crackers and cheese. But maybe sometimes that what everyone ought to get, especially with natural processes and broken water mains! Just to be flexible, sometimes you gotta serve what's in the cupboard and let creativity go ...? Who knows. I don't know the family you are serving, but there's my thought! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTINASP 1/17/2013 3:09PM

Maybe waiting for an hour or two until you get hungry helps for the meal planning? For dinner maybe you can focus on one item that you have that you like and start from there, combining it with other flavors you enjoy. Report Inappropriate Comment

5th day

Thursday, January 17, 2013

The fifth day of rain. And I mean heavy rain. Seems like we're getting to the worst of it. Don't see how it will ever turn to snow. I've decided to stay put and stay off the bridges I must cross to get to the wellness center. I'll miss the pool.

Safer to stay here, put my new trampoline together, and drink my own water. (not on the failed city system 9 miles away).

So cardio will have to be up to me.

15 years ago, 5 years ago, even one month ago, I'd just , light a fire in the fireplace, have a cup of tea, and curl up with a good book.

I still might do all those things but I also want to do a little zumba and jumping on the mini.

Nice change.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LINDA! 1/17/2013 12:54PM

Good for you for finding a way to exercise. Some of the Spark videos have cardio. Enjoy your book as well. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTINASP 1/17/2013 11:18AM

Well, if it keeps raining like you won't need a pool! You're inspiring me to think on about ways to exercise now that there's too much cold and snow for me to do my usual biking. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHARJOPAUL 1/17/2013 11:05AM

A little exercise then curling up with a good book sounds good to me! Report Inappropriate Comment

TCANNO 1/17/2013 10:54AM

No curling up with a book least not until you have run round the house a few times. I am sure that you can set something up indoors Good luck Report Inappropriate Comment

40 days and Nights and Ta Done!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

It has been raining steady for what seems like 40 days and 40 nights, but it's only been 3 or 4 solid days of rain. We are to get 2 - 4 inches of snow in the higher elevations tonight. Then it is to warm up the next day enough to melt the snow, on top of the 4 - 7 inches of rain.

So I had planned on getting snow pictures but flood pictures seemed in order when I noticed that the bridge below the high school had washed out.

Compare this picture with the one in my blog on Jan. 8 of the tree with the roots. The water was up to the bottom of the charcoal grill.



A major waterline has broken and emptied the reservoir, and the waste treatment plant is having difficulties because of nowhere for the water to go.

Here's the TV spot about the bridge near the high school.

www.wrcbtv.com/story/20593549/murphy
-nc-hit-hard-by-rains-and-flooding

Sounds like Florida during a hurricane. I hope the tree survives.

My Ta Done List:

decluttered kitchen
flattened all the Christmas packing cartons
made grape salad to take for lunch
walked a mile along the river
1 hour class in pool for seniors with arthritis--whew, what a workout with foam barbells that you had to keep underwater AND keep your feet on the pool floor. I'd just bob up everytime.
25 minutes of treading water,
4 laps of the crawl WooHoo!!
1 SP fitness video for January Challenge
gym clothes washed and dried for tomorrow
Bed by 10--up too late last night. Good class tomorow at 10:00 a.m.

If the bridges are still standing so I can get there. And back. Maybe I'd better stay here and play in the snow.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KIWIANN 1/17/2013 10:15AM

Be careful around all that water when you are out and about!!!! And congrats on your great Ta Done list!! I have a long to-do list today, hopefully I will be saying ta-done, too by 5:30!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BRAVELUTE 1/17/2013 9:52AM

Ta DAAAA! is what we say with a fluorish, hands up in the air like a circus performer who just finished a trick. We do that when we think we have just accomplished something. So someone on my other blog where I shared the idea of a "It's Done!" list said she called it her "TaDone" list. It's just a play on words, but in this case, it's just a syllable. There is also music associated with TADA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilya TwAej-E And this little guy is giving a Tada fluorish after his performance, at least until the lion shows up!! http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=3xJEcqpL2JM Report Inappropriate Comment

LVSHOPE 1/17/2013 9:20AM

Be safe my friend. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTINASP 1/17/2013 2:25AM

You're doing well! What is Ta? Report Inappropriate Comment

BRAVELUTE 1/16/2013 10:09PM

Well, I hadn't even considered building an ark since I feel like I'm on Mt. Ararat already, but everyone down in the lowlands along that river might need one. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNSHINE99999 1/16/2013 9:55PM

what will your pleasure be? A boat or an ark? I hope the weather improves soon. Report Inappropriate Comment