Enjoying family time

Friday, February 26, 2010

Jordan (my son) and Rose (my beloved daughter in law) are home for the weekend. I am always thrilled when they are here. I enjoy seeing them together. They love each other so much and get along so well. It really makes me happy.

Jordan had a doctor appointment this morning so he came in a several hours earlier than Rose. I got to enjoy several hours with just the two of us. I actually took off from work for a couple of hours early. We did simple things - playing cards and playing on the internet.

I have to work tomorrow.

I hope that everyone is having as good of a weekend as I am anticipating.

Elaine

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JAKEANDNELLIE 2/26/2010 9:44PM

I'm glad you're able to have the "kids" with you for the weekend. Family makes life worth living. Sheila Report Inappropriate Comment

SANDYBRUNO 2/26/2010 9:26PM

I am glad you are having such a good day and enjoying your children. My adult son is living with us so I get to enjoy him. When he was younger he moved to Virginia. We live in Missouri and I thought my heart would break. Luckily he was back in 6 months. Report Inappropriate Comment

Saving money at the grocery store

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Ian and I have been on a strict budget lately (supporting three kids in college will do that to you). One of the places that we have managed to save LOTS of money is on our groceries. We have completely changed the way that we eat and it is saving us money and calories --- and we are improving our health at the same time.

We are using beans as our main source of protein. We buy them in bulk and cook several varieties on the weekend. This past weekend, we made split pea soup, black bean chili, and baked beans. Tonight, Ian made a 3 bean salad of his own invention. Instead of using green beans and waxed beans, he used kidney beans, black beans and navy beans. He made a homemade dressing that is sweet and sour like the traditional 3 bean salad dressing. It is delicious!

We are also buying wheat berries - that is whole grain wheat in its natural state. We grind it and make our own whole wheat flour from it for baking our own bread using yeast that we buy in bulk. We also cook the wheat berries overnight in the slowcooker with cinnamon and vanilla. Ian sometimes cuts up dried apricots and adds those also. It is delicious!

We are still eating fresh fruits and vegetables, but we are sticking with what is in season. This week, that has meant oranges and grapefruit.

We are eating a very healthy, well balanced diet. We are consuming no food preservatives.

I feel great!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NEELY0918 3/10/2010 9:15AM

good for you! i am still in phase I of my low carb diet but after reading your blogs i am tempted to switch. your diet is a lot cheaper and it seems to agree with you. good luck Report Inappropriate Comment

IMREITE 2/25/2010 9:20PM

i try to buy fruit in season also. i watch the ads because the sales vary so much. I'm glad to hear you enjoy explore healthier options. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAUDON 2/25/2010 9:20PM

Wow, your 3 bean salad sounds fabulous! I use lots of dried beans too - can't beat the price, and the nutrition is excellent. I have never tried to cook wheat berries, but want to. Glad you are eating so healthy, AND saving money!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Sleep apnea --- and treatment

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Yesterday I went to my second follow up after being diagnosed with sleep apnea in March, 2008. I have so much more energy now that I can get a good night's rest. Anyone of you that suspects that you might have sleep apnea, I urge you to get tested for it. I had it so bad that I would fall asleep just from sitting still. Before I went in for treatment, I was so depressed by my lack of energy and I had gotten to the point that I thought I was going to die in my sleep.

It took awhile to adjust to the CPAP machine. Now that I am used to it, I wear it while I am reading prior to going to sleep. I love my CPAP machine. It represents GREAT SLEEP. With being able to get a good night's sleep came increased alertness, increased energy, increased happiness.

It is one of the best things that ever happened.

  

Walking without the dog

Friday, February 19, 2010

Ian and I decided to walk to the grocery store this evening. It is something that he does fairly regularly (he loves to walk), but I have never gone with him before.

I really enjoy walking with my husband. It is especially enjoyable without the dog. As much as we love her, she is distracting and we pay more attention to her rather than to each other. So, this evening we made it just the two of us. We did not really talk much. Just enjoyed each other's company. It was a very pleasant Friday night date.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TERRIFICLYFIT 2/20/2010 12:15PM

What a lovely evening! Spending time with just the two of you, basking in enjoying the present moment without distractions, that's a calm, peaceful way to be. Good for you for trying something new that worked so well for both of you! Report Inappropriate Comment

GLYPNIRSGIRL 2/19/2010 10:14PM

I felt really guilty for leaving her at home! It really makes me happy to see how happy it makes her to go with us. She really is a pack animal, but Ian does not like the stopping to sniff pace. He prefers a steady pace so it really bugs him. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAUDON 2/19/2010 10:00PM

Sounds like a wonderful evening! I always take my dogs when I go for a walk - I just feel too guilty to leave them at home. Have a great weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

GOSPELCLOWN 2/19/2010 9:00PM

Simply put-- simply beautiful. Report Inappropriate Comment

I have lost 7 years of weight!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

I weighed this week. I now weigh what I weighed while I was engaged to Ian in 2003 - about 6 pounds less than I weighed when we got married.

At my age (55) the scale is not moving too quickly. To keep a positive outlook. I have determined that I should measure my weight in years rather than in pounds. So my next goal is going to be a hard one. I gained alot of weight from September 2002 when I weighed 240 to April 2003 when I weighed 285. (Yes, I really gained 45 pounds in a 8 month period).

So, my next goal is to get down to my September, 2002 weight. I am hoping to lose that 8 months worth of weight in approximately 8 months. The goal after that is to get to my pregnancy weight (1982!) of 210 pounds - so the next goal will be to lose 20 years of weight.

So, this is not a perfect measurement. Sometimes I gained weight really quickly. Sometimes I would gain/lose/gain/lose/gain/lose ... for years at a time staying in that 210 to 280 pound strata. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

Elaine

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SWAN_JUN_G3 2/24/2010 10:25AM

Congratulations on your weight loss so far. I can relate to how hard it is - especially for women over 40. Thank you for your comments on my blog Cheers Anne Marie Report Inappropriate Comment

SWAMP_DIVER 2/19/2010 6:06PM

Elaine, Congratulations and keep up the good work. I like your strategy. I gained weight pretty steady for an eight year period (1999 - 2007). This sounds like a good way to revisit the "glory days." Bryan Report Inappropriate Comment

KSHAGGY 2/18/2010 10:59PM

However it works, it is great! Keep it going! Report Inappropriate Comment

WANNABTHIN02 2/18/2010 10:48PM

I like thinking in fun things and weights too. But I am so heavy there are not alot of things around this weight. HHHHHMMMMMMMM. Let me think. 250 lbs Mike and I renewed our vows. thats about 65 lbs. from now. UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH I can do it. Just keep reminding me. Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNELLE150 2/18/2010 9:26PM

I think the same way as you do regarding my weight history. I have goals of getting back to post pregnancy, pre-pregnancy weight, marriage weight, college and high school weights. The funny thing is even at my high school weight I felt like I do now. I hope when I get back to that weight I will enjoy it and appreciate it much more. I know I will be much healthier. Good Luck!! Comment edited on: 2/18/2010 9:27:03 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

DIANEBFIT 2/18/2010 9:15PM

I like the creativity that you are using to accomplish your weight loss goals. That is what it takes, a good outlook and creativity. Best wishes Report Inappropriate Comment