GREEN-EYED-LADY's SparkPeople Blog

I'm not drinking TODAY !

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:32:50 EST

I'm not drinking TODAY. I'm trying to say that out loud everyday - and then STICK TO IT ! I'm literally taking ONE DAY AT A TIME. I'm not drinking TODAY.

After being a "free-spirit" (free of alcohol) for 4 entire weeks (28 days) in April, I relapsed in the beginning of May with only 9 "free-spirit" days out of 19. Well at least that's almost 50 %. Not totally terrible.

I've been r...

Alcohol - Habit or Addiction?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:00:27 EST

Recently I have been reading what people are thinking about their own alcohol consumption. They are discussing whether it is just a habit that they drink, or has it become an addiction? To me that means are they simply psychologically addicted (a habit that they feel compelled to do)? Or have they crossed the line and become physically addicted (in which case they would experience physical withdrawal symptoms or D T 's (delerium tremons) which include nausea and vomiting, anxiety and shak...

I can still have a good time even without alcohol

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:50:28 EST

I've been a "free-spirit" (free of "spirits") for 18 days now which may not seem like a long time but for me, it's quite amazing. I had been drinking nearly everyday for probably 5 years. Alcohol had been part of all the "good times". I really didn't think it was possible to have a good time without it. But I'm starting to prove that wrong. Last night, my sweetheart, Johnny, suggested we walk down to the bea...

Beautiful "free-spirit" Weekend

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:13:14 EST

Last night's "date-night" turned out great - even without alcohol for me. We watched a romantic movie about Country songwriters and my husband is a songwriter, so he could really relate. I enjoyed the romance. We watched the movie in our new beautiful oak 4-post bed. It was very romantic.

Now today I can enjoy this gorgeous weather in Florida without a hang-over. We're hanging out on our patio by...

"Free-Spirit" Date Night

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:01:40 EST

I'm on day # 10 of my new "free-spirit" lifestyle. I'm "free" of "spirits" which is very difficult for me on my husband's and my usual Friday Night Date Night. We always included alcohol along with a movie and who knows what else . . . .

I went to the store to buy my sweetie some beer for tonight and I was SO TEMPTED to pick up something for me. But I was strong and I resisted.

My main...

Better Than Subway !

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 14:01:32 EST

I LOVE a veggie sub. I've never made my own before so I decided to try it today. I made a trip to the produce department for lettuce, carrots, green pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and onions. I got hoagie rolls from the bakery. I also bought sliced olives and sliced banana peppers. I used spicy brown mustard instead of mayo, and made my own olive oil and vinegar dressing with Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
...

I am a "free-spirit". . .

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 13:19:26 EST

By "free-spirit" I mean "free" of "spirits" but also I mean that I am "free" to choose or NOT choose what I put into my body. And I choose plain fish and lean meats, fruits and vegetables of all kinds, whole grains, and plenty of plain water. I also choose to not pollute my body with any alcohol. This is MY decision for ME.

I an free to choose ice water with lemon instead of an alcoholic beverage. ...

Sleep. Beautiful Sleep.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 12:52:23 EST

My husband and I bought a beautiful oak 4 post bed. It has inspired me to make a life-style change. Previously, after my husband would go to bed, I'd stay up playing on the computer and drinking. Now when he's ready for bed, I join him. We read the Bible and a little "Daily Bread" devotion, and cuddle and have beautiful sleep. It is not only good for my waistline because I'm not staying up late drinking, it h...

The Gift of Life

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:39:40 EST

I did my "good deed of the day".

I donated a unit of whole blood, for the 48th time, for a total of 6 gallons of blood so far !

I'm proud of myself for that. It makes me happy that I can do something to save a life, when I don't have much money to give.

Please - if you're healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle - Donate Blood Today. You could save a life. Give the gift of Life - ...

My First Vision Board

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:52:21 EST

SeptemberSpirit inspired me to make my first "vision board". I had a really fun time making it. It kept me busy (and not eating) for hours.

I put a hummingbird in the middle cuz my husband calls me a hummingbird for humming all the time (when I don't even realize I'm doing it). He's an eagle cuz he has an eagle tatoo on his back. (really awesome I might add).

I put a terrific quote on there...

My Mother is My Hero

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:05:06 EST

My mother is turning 82 next week and I sent her a beautiful card. I feel so bad that I can't do more. She lives in Wisconsin in the same house since 1957. I moved to Florida almost 30 years ago and I regret it, although I'm very happy with my life, but I have missed my mother so much. I have missed all the holidays, birthdays, weddings, and babies . . . . My mother would have been such a help when I was rais...

Morning Visitor

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:16:38 EST

This handsome guy came to visit me for the first time today.

I had some frozen bait shrimp (with the heads on) in the freezer to give him breakfast.

He loved it. I bet he'll be back tomorrow. I love Florida.

Have a Great Day...

Impossible = I'm possible

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:29:44 EST

I love this little phrase: "Impossible = I'm possible"

I really never thought I could lose any weight, never thought I'd be able to jog, never thought I could get healthy (lower my blood pressure, lower my cholesterol, raise my HDL, etc.) But here I am six months into SparkPeople and I've lost 25 pounds, started jogging, and all my "numbers" are good.

I'm amazed that this has really happened...

Insight from Plato

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:43:19 EST

More than 30 years ago when I took a philosophy course in college, we had to read Plato. Even today I remember his "Allegory of the Cave", in which he wrote that men were like living chained in a cave facing the back wall with only shadows from the fire to look at. That's all they knew so they thought that was reality. Men needed to turn around and see the "light" or true reality. That's how I remember it anywa...

The Secret to Success

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:01:21 EST

Frank Lloyd Wright said, "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."

When I was a child my parents took me to Frank Lloyd Wright's home and workshop in Fort Meyers, Florida. I remember they told us that he tried 1000 different ways to invent the light bulb and kept failing. But he didn't consider them failures. He had just lea...

Keep a Positive Attitude

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:47:57 EST

"The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." was written by Victor E. Frankl in his book "Man's Search for Meaning".

He had been a prisoner in a Nazi Concentration Camp during WWII in which he experienced the most horrible atrocities against humanity. He lost every single possible freedom including being stripped naked and starved. His entire family w...

I Know I'm Different - But I LIke Hot Tea Better Than Coffee

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:44:17 EST

I don't live in the UK or the Orient - I live in the Good Ol' USA, so I think I'm unusual in that I prefer hot tea to coffee. Everybody else I know including my mother and my husband, love coffee. Not me. I'll drink a cup of coffee in the morning because I have to make a pot for my husband, but in the evening, I love to sip a cup of hot tea with a little sugar or honey and maybe a wedge of lemon if I have it ava...

My Sweet Husband

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:49:21 EST

This morning I woke up to a little note on the coffee table from my dear, sweet husband.

It read: Valerie, Would you care to join me for a romantic evening tonight? Johnny
(A Date Night) p.s. You deserve a back rub.

I'm so looking forward to tonight. Anticipation is half the fun. I DO deserve a back rub. We had agreed he'd give me a massage for every five pounds I lost. I recent...

Zeppelin Came Home

Sat, 9 Mar 2013 19:51:49 EST

I am so relieved that Zeppelin came home this evening after escaping around midnight last night. I really thought he was "lost and gone forever". I actually cried this afternoon thinking he might have been hit by a car or attacked by a dog or "catnapped".

I'm so glad he's now sleeping on the rug after eating a can of tuna.

Our baby is home.

Our friend passed away.

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 15:49:31 EST

On Dec. 10th, 2012 I wrote a blog about two homeless friends that had gone missing.

We found out that Joe passed away today at noon at hospice from liver failure. He was an alcoholic.

I was grateful that he didn't die alone in his tent in the woods.

He had friends with him at the end. My husband and I weren't able to be there, but I'm happy he wasn't alone.

May h...

I Survived !

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 14:45:37 EST

I had my first colonoscopy this morning and I am SO GLAD I did.

I really thought it was going to be a waste of time and money because I felt fine and had no problems in the bathroom, but my doctor found 3 polyps and those polyps can turn into cancer. Now I don't have to worry about getting colon cancer. I had a friend die of colon cancer a couple years ago. It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer in ...

1/2 way to my goal !

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 21:16:52 EST

I've lost 27 pounds in less than 6 months. I've gone from 205 to 178 pounds. I'm really thrilled. I never thought I could lose weight, and now I'm 1/2 way to my goal of 150 pounds. I LOVE SparkPeople. It has really worked for me.

Zeppelin and Jasmine

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:32:51 EST

Here are our two fantastic pets: our kitty, Zeppelin (named after my husband's favorite band Led Zeppelin) and our puppy, Jasmine.

They both know how to play fetch with us - which is unusual for a cat. They also play with each other, wrestling around and chasing each other. Our cat will actually jump on the back of our dog and "play bite". Nobody ever gets hurt.

They're both fixed. And w...

Home from our Picnic at the Beach

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:36:13 EST

Our romantic picnic at the beach was LOVELY !

The weather was 80 degrees and perfect.
We saw pelicans and dolphins swimming close to shore.

We had a ...

Romantic Picnic at the Beach

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:10:53 EST

It's 82 degrees here in Florida, and my husband and I are going on a romantic picnic at the beach which is only a mile away.

We have a "date night" every Friday but almost always plan a romantic evening at home. This afternoon for the first time we're walking down to the beach with a picnic. I don't know why we never did this before.

I've packed sandwiches of turkey, ham, and cheese on...

Destination: The Beach

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:17:39 EST

This was my walking destination today: Hudson Beach in Florida.

It's only a mile away from our apartment which is on a canal just off the Gulf of Mexico. The weather was so perfect today - in the 70's.

How can I NOT go for a walk when I have such a beautiful place to walk to. It really motivates me to know that in 15 minutes I'll be able to look out over the water. I am so BLESSED by Alm...

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:47:08 EST

This is Seamus, my son and daughter-in-law's pet tortoise. He reminded me that "slow and steady wins the race". Weight loss takes time. Someone once said to me that, "a diet doesn't work unless you STICK TO IT" It's so true. It takes time. You need to be persistent. You need to keep going. You need to "stick to it". Don't give up. Make small changes and keep going.

I've been "Sparking" for ...

Happy Valentine's Day to Me !

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:53:40 EST

Last night I wrote about what I bought for my sweetheart for Valentine's Day. This morning I woke up with gifts from HIM.

He bought me a beautiful red rose, Dove dark chocolate promises, and a box of cashew turtles.

Now you may be thinking that he's trying to sabotage my "Diet". But that's not the case. I'm thrilled with the candy. I'm not drinking alcohol so I think I deserve a little "...

Happy Valentine's Day !

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:32:49 EST

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone !

I'm so excited about Valentine's Day this year. I baked heart shaped sugar cookies for my "baby", Johnny. He's super skinny and could eat the entire platter of them without gaining an ounce. (I'm going to have to have a lot of willpower to resist)

He doesn't read my blogs so I can tell you what I bought him, too. He loves wind chimes to hang on our patio...

Lowered My Blood Pressure

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:28:57 EST

I used to have high blood pressure. About 140/90

I bought a blood pressure monitor and started keeping track of it like my doctor recommended. I soon realized that my blood pressure related to how much I had had to drink the night before. I've been totally alcohol-free for almost three weeks now and my blood pressure is fantastic - below 120/80 like it should be.

I'm so happy about that. Th...

White Pants in Winter

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:10:43 EST

This is winter? Really? While most of the country is recovering from a major blizzard, we're having gorgeous weather down here in Florida. Our thermometer read 82 degrees this afternoon ! Beautiful !

I decided to try on a pair of white pants that I've never worn before because they were too small - I couldn't zip them up. They're a size 14. When I started SP back in September, I was wearing size ...

I've Quit Drinking - Indefinitely

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 15:02:44 EST

I've quit drinking alcohol - indefinitely. I've made a "life decision".

I ran across these pictures of my two sons when they were young. They're grown up now - 27 and 25 years old.

I realized that I've been drinking since they were this little (7 & 5) - 20 years. That's long enough. I started out drinking just on...

How Much Do You Smoke?

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 20:06:34 EST

"How much do you smoke?" That's the first thing my new gastro-enterologist asked me today.
"I've never smoked" I replied guessing that he smelled smoke on my clothes and hair. "My husband smokes"
The doctor told me in no uncertain terms that I MUST make him smoke outside from now on.
I agree with him. Why should I be exposed to cigarette smoke and get cancer when I've never smoked?

...

With God, All Things are Possible.

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:05:22 EST

My husband bought me this little statue. It says, "With God, All Things are Possible".

I have to admit that before I started SP, I really didn't believe that I could lose any weight. I had tried unsuccessfully for years. I didn't think I could stick with any program or make any significant lifestyle changes.

And now here I am almost 5 months into this fantastic website, and I've lost 22 ...

What Supplements Do You Take?

Sun, 3 Feb 2013 10:48:17 EST

Currently these are the only supplements I'm taking:

A multivitamin/multimineral supplement which has 18 mg of iron. I was taking extra iron because my doctor diagnosed me with iron-deficiency anemia but I recently donated blood and my hemoglobin was perfect now so I discontinued that. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables so I'm probably getting all my vitamins but I take a multi-vitamin just to be sur...

Friday Night Date Night

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 19:36:06 EST

We had a beautiful sunset from our patio for Friday Night Date Night.

We don't go out. We just plan a romantic evening at home. A local restaurant gives us free delivery (but we tip of course). We're having "killer" roast beef sandwiches. I ordered mine with lettuce, tomato, and onion. No cheese and no mayo so that's pretty low fat. We're going to watch a romantic comedy soon: There's Something ...

One Week Alcohol-Free

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:58:12 EST

I'm doing so good. I have been alcohol-free - not a single drink - for over a week. I have to admit I'm proud of myself. I finally realized that I can't just have one or two and be a social drinker, so I decided to quit drinking alcohol completely. Fortunately I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms. I'm feeling very good. Tomorrow evening is my husband's and my "date night" so that will be a challenge to "no...

Honor God with Your Body

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:18:21 EST

The Apostle Paul writes in l Corinthians 6:19-20:
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Have you ever thought of your body in this way? That your body is not your own? That you are a child of God and you belong to Him? Probably not.

Large Shrimp

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:51:47 EST

A friend mentioned the other day that her doctor told her to avoid shellfish. "But I LOVE shrimp!", Karen lamented. I'm guessing that her doctor said that because she has high cholesterol.

I said, "I think shrimp are fine to eat - as long as they're not breaded and fried"

Yesterday a different friend. Tom, visited and brought over a big bag of peel and eat shrimp to share so I decided to do ...

Down By the Seaside

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:16:24 EST

This is a picture of our backyard - a short canal directly to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. We love where we live. God has blessed us with a beautiful life.

Today my husband told me a sweet story.

We were listening to his favorite band, Led Zeppelin. (He even named our new kitty-cat Zeppelin) Well one of his favorite songs by them came on and he asked me to listen. He thinks it's called ...

Blessed with New Living Room Furniture

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 22:52:38 EST

God blesses us so much every day. We've been needing new furniture for over a year. One of our homeless friends fell asleep sitting up on our sofa with a lit cigarette in his hand and set the couch on fire. There was a big burn mark that we covered with a comforter. Then our new kitten used our recliner as a scratching post. (Today ...

Trying to Eat More Fruit

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:06:57 EST

I've been trying to eat more fruit in 2013. It hasn't taken much effort since I really love fruit.

I pick homegrown bananas from an empty house down the street, and it seems that just ONE ripens every day so I can cut it up on my cereal in the morning - either Cheerios or Corn Flakes - with no added sugar. Lately I've been cutting up strawberries on my cereal instead. They're really plentiful this ...

Sunday Dinner

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:10:58 EST

I made an easy dinner for tonight.

Jennie-O Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage has only 160 calories per link with only 10 grams of fat as opposed to 31 grams of fat for Italian Pork Sausage. I happened to have a can of Hunt's diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano and a can of Hunt's pasta sauce with Italian Sausage so I combined them which made a really tasty sauce for 60 calories per 1/2 cup. I ser...

An Evening of Music

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:33:25 EST

Last night, Saturday, my husband and I had an evening of music. Johnny loves music. It wouldn't be an over-statement to say that "music is Johnny's life". He writes his own songs (music and lyrics) and plays guitar and sings. He's extremely talented and I'm so proud of him.

They say that "music hath powers to sooth the savage beast". It's true in Johnny's case. Whenever he gets upset - he reaches...

Mammogram Results

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:08:59 EST

I picked this picture to write about my mammogram for obvious reasons. lol

My doctor's office called yesterday to tell me the results of my mammogram were normal. I was happy to hear the good news.

I read recently that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States where more than 182,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. The article said that Ameri...

I've been alcohol-free for 3 days. WooHoo !

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:23:38 EST

I've been alcohol-free for three days and I'm doing fine and feeling somewhat proud of myself. Tonight is "Friday Night Date Night" with my husband and I can't remember how many years it has been since I was "alcohol-free" for a romantic evening. Today was a busy day and a couple of times I had a craving for a "drink" but I resisted. I weigh myself on Friday mornings and I was disappointed that I had gained two...

I'm a Swinger

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:32:54 EST

No, not THAT kind of Swinger ! lol Just kidding.

What I wanted to write about today is Dr. Phil and alcohol. Yesterday Dr. Phil had a man on his show who had a problem with alcohol. Dr. Phil offered him some very profound advice. He said something like, . . . . "I'll tell you what you should do. Just DON't DRINK !"
Yea, well, Thanks Dr Phil but that, for some people, is easier SAID, than ...

Sunflower Seeds make a Great Snack

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:14:58 EST

I love munching on sunflower seeds. They really keep my hands and mouth busy.

One package says it contains 180 calories, but there's no way you can eat the entire package in one sitting. A package could last me an entire week because they are so much work to eat. You know what I mean, right? You put one sunflower seed in your mouth at a time and you have to crack open the shell and eat the little se...

Still Day #9 - Don't Get Cold Feet

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:31:29 EST

I was thinking about my husband's "Duck" slippers. He looks so cute with his huge feet. They really keep his feet warm. I was thinking how people tend to get "Cold Feet".

They start out with great intentions. They're extremely motivated. They're going to lose 50 pounds. And then the going gets tough. They lose their motivation. They tell themselves that it's not that important after all. They...

Day #9 - Celebrated Two Birthdays Today

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:52:40 EST

We celebrated two birthday's today so I didn't get my walk in to the beach (about a mile away). I feel bad that I didn't exercise but it was a good day anyway.

For my daughter-in-law, Nancy, I made a Chinese lunch because I thought that would be the healthiest menu. We had Chicken and Vegetable Stirfry over Fried Rice made with brown rice, Frozen Egg Rolls, Egg Drop Soup (which is surprisingly easy ...