Welcome to the Hen House

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5/17/13 11:47 A

I know it's not much, but my jeans are easier to snap! It was cold, overcast, and windy yesterday.

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5/16/13 4:15 P

great job Geri have to go grandsone needs the computer

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5/15/13 11:29 A

I have been reading the new Spark Book along with other members. We are getting daily checkups and updates. It's nice to know that thousands of people are going through what you are. In 2 days I've lost 4 pounds. I know most of it is probably water, but I feel good.
I have tomatoes almost ripe and some squash that's ready to be picked. Woo hoo.
Cooler today. In the 80s.

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5/15/13 8:39 A

well, looks nice out at this moment. I have started gardening and have some projecs in mind. Daffodils are pretty much done now and I'm thinking of doing some square foot gardening. My food has not been great... too much driving. Hope to stay close to home the rest of this week.

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5/14/13 10:09 P

I don't get it.

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5/14/13 8:59 P

Free Range?

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5/14/13 2:28 P

It would be hot if you we're at home. Big cool down today at 95!

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5/14/13 1:10 P

too cold

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5/13/13 3:58 P

10 a.m. was already too hot to walk!

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5/13/13 3:36 P

cold here in Rockville MD

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5/13/13 9:34 A

I hope everyone has a tremendous week. I'll be sweltering through 100 degree weather--too soon!

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5/13/13 9:07 A

Bookmark and hello to everyone!

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5/12/13 1:13 P

Happy Mother's Day everyone.

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5/11/13 4:13 P

they do not know what they are getting

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5/10/13 3:38 P

As much as men complain, they don't usually notice when things are healthy. I sneak healthy food in occasionally too!

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5/10/13 11:57 A

Too funny! The scale has not moved... but I am feeling great. I found the full plate living website that encourages the same way I eat (lots of fiber and very little calorie counting) and tried the black bean flourless brownies which I served to B&B guests this morning with fruit. Not really a brownie taste... but you would never know there are only beans, eggs, sugar, vanilla and cocoa in them. You need a blender though. More like a chocolate cake texture but no guilt for eating them! The wife was delighted when I could give her the protein and fiber content and the husband rolled his eyes and dug into his "traditional unhealthy english breakfast" which he declared perfect. I was laughing inside though becuase the bread was a high fiber flax bread and the bacon super lean and then there was asparagus and tomatoes which I had broiled and the eggs were poached... so not the greasy low fiber meal I'm sure he is used to.

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5/9/13 9:20 A

Sounds like fun. I used to have a doggie cookie dog. When you opened the head, it played "Who Let The Dogs Out." The dogs would come running from all corners of the house!

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5/9/13 8:31 A

Don't know if you know the "Suppertime" song from the play "Your A Good Man Charlie, but I sing it when I'm about to feed the animals. They all come stampeding and then one or all of them sing along. It is so funny. Having a bed and breakfast there are always guests who marvel at "teaching" them this trick. The most consistent to sing is Niffernitsayaka (Egyptian for she who is blessed with beauty and goodness of heart) and her song starts almost from when I open my mouth and does not stop until the food hits the bowl. pretty much in time with me. If she is delayed somewhere else in the house, then Billy will voice his opinions although it is more syncopated. Christal (the dog) dances about and makes little excited wimpers. This happens twice a day and you would think the poor things are starving, lol. But I admit I enjoy it and it is probably a game to them too.

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5/8/13 8:06 P

I'd fly too if I had to!

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5/8/13 7:15 P

have to fly otherwise coming to US from Bangladesh will take months as it is its about 24 hours with a stop

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5/7/13 7:28 P

Sounds reasonable but I won't fly. I've bypassed a lot of great trips because of this. I finally told my DH that I might flt but he has to book us first-class. I figured that would stop him from trying to get me to go somewhere.

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5/7/13 12:43 P

I KNOW! Long car and plane rides are meant to be avoided. This summer we have a wedding to go to in BC and thought while we are out there we may as well visit friends and family in that large province. Rides were offered and we considered renting a car although it is nice to have a car available and can be a nice time to catch up with people on a road trip, and can be less costly... the truth is between my knees, feet and hips, my diabetes and general aches and pains.... if I am sitting too long I pay for it in many ways. So, finally decided we will fly everywhere. Bite the bullet and just pay. Besides, it is a short holiday and I would rather be outside than traveling.

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5/7/13 11:55 A

just ssitting for some time makes me stiff

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5/6/13 9:48 A

When I get out of the car, I always have to stretch and bend my knees a little to get moving.

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5/6/13 9:41 A

get stiff sitting for a long time

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5/4/13 11:33 A

Yes--always. It's called aging or arthritis!

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5/4/13 11:10 A

I notice I really feel old when I get up out of a chair after sitting for a wee while... it takes a moment or two for my joints to get working! Ah well.... aging... it isn't for the weak!!!

Does anyone else have this type of thing happening?

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5/4/13 9:43 A

cant get the computer when he is in school as his father works from home twice a week

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5/3/13 11:02 A

Good questionJanice! Tell us Justina?

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5/3/13 10:22 A

Hi Justyna7. I loved reading your post. You've been so busy yet are managing to stay organized with food and keeping on track!

Having a Bed and Breakfast must be a huge responsibility yet fun, too! Where is the farthest someone has come to stay at your place?

Janice

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5/2/13 11:34 P

Hello lovely chickies!

Great day here in Ottawa. I am happy to say I walked over 6K today in a park I have not been to in years. I went while my DD was having tests done at the hospital for some neurological problems. Nothing came of it which was too bad and good at the same time. Sure would be nice to find a cause of her problems.

Oh a newcomer! Hello and welcome! This is a very nice little group.

I lost a pound this week. Cooked up a large piece of salmon marinated in garlic and maple syrup and soy sauce; also a batch of chili. People have strange schedules in my house and were not eating well. The chili is full of veggies and fiber. The salmon is just... healthy protein. I'm pretty happy with my fiber and protein for the past week. Big bowl of fruit on the counter. Raw veggies cut up and ready to grab and go. Guests this weekend are a birhtday sleepover group followed by a baby shower who are here just for a few hours. I have more cleaning to do but it has taken me a while to get all the towels caught up from the last group. (I run a bed and breakfast). I bought a new dress for a wedding this summer. Love it. No room to gain weight so I must be vigilant in keeping up with my exercises. DD took me for a manicure yesterday and I chose a colour that went well with the dress. A nice reminder to me every time I look at my feet to just take one more healthy step towards a healthy me!

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5/2/13 11:15 P

Get on it while he's in school.

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5/2/13 6:44 P

my grandson is a fifth grader so needs the computer more

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5/1/13 9:17 A

You did it before, didn't you?

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4/30/13 11:06 P

cant go online as much here

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4/29/13 1:19 P

You're very welcome! In more ways than one.

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4/29/13 9:41 A

Thank you, Gerikragh!

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4/29/13 9:30 A

Welcome Janicejem. Keep checking in. People drop in whenever they have some spare time.

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4/28/13 10:40 P

Thank you!

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4/28/13 9:23 P

welcome Janicejem great meeting you good luck in your journey to health

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4/28/13 6:32 P

Hi. I'm new to the "Hen House". Looking forward to losing 70 pounds and gaining some friends!

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4/28/13 1:49 P

Hope all are having a great weekend.

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4/26/13 2:19 P

Great Nasfkab!
I detest parties but will force myself to go to weddings and showers. I will go to funerals but not the after part. My hubby and I don't socialize.

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4/26/13 2:53 A

walked up 4 flights stairs without deep breathing & did not enter coffee shop for a treat

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4/25/13 9:29 P

coming to US

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4/25/13 4:57 P

Too bad about low attendance at the shower. I provided the background music for my brother's boss's retirement party and they are having a terrible time A. getting RSVP's and B. with people saying that they can't attend. I don't get it. I LOVE parties. But it is true, fewer people seem to attend a lot of events. Kind of sad. Like our community spirit si getting weaker.

I read a GREAT blog today... ah... hmmm. what was it called? Grrr. Well one of the quotes was "don't talk yourself out of it, talk yourself INTO it". My little voice has a lot of power. I have been wearing a "cape"... part of my superhero persona.... on my wrist for the past 4 days and so far I've been eating CLEAN! A comment on my blog was healthy lifestyle is 70% eating and 30%exercise. Which would explain why it is so hard to control my eating. It's a lot of work. Today I did strength training which I'm pretty happy about too. Seems this little cape is doing wonders for me to remind myself to TALK MYSELF INTO doing the right things.

Where are you off to Nas?

Thanks for the prayers for my friend Donna. She had her double mastectomy today. Fingers crossed they got all the cancer and then she can get back to fighting the neurosarcoidosis.

Edited by: JUSTYNA7 at: 4/25/2013 (17:00)

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4/24/13 12:23 P

Have a good trip.

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4/24/13 12:40 A

getting ready to leave

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4/23/13 11:43 A

Shower wet well but hardly anyone showed up!

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4/23/13 5:37 A

sleep well & drink water when you wake up

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4/22/13 7:55 P

Sorry to hear about your friend, Justyna. She'll be in my prayers.

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4/21/13 6:28 P

A step back... but I'm ready to step forward again. I watched Ben's story "Running off 120 pounds" I think it is called in the motivational videos. That was awesome. I also found a fellow sparker with similar goals to me right now to want to eat well and write... so I'm giving it a try starting tomorrow after doing a freezer and pantry inventory. I have a plan. My youngest DD wants to take me for a pedicure next week and that has made me happy.

Hope the shower is a success.

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4/21/13 12:13 P

stay well all

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4/20/13 4:55 P

I'm leaving shortly for the baby shower I'm giving my DIL!

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4/18/13 2:26 P

I hop you don't let this setback hurt your good work.

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4/18/13 9:51 A

I found Cuba very very safe and friendly. I found Jamaica much scarier. No military people with guns in the airport and no people asking for money. They are very poor though with many educated people out of work or doing jobs that require no education.

OK, so I am having a mixed feeling day. I was all set to have great behaviours exercising and eating for ten days with a reward of a trip to Vancouver/Victoria at the end. I have done that for over a week! But... my friend who I would be flying with is now booked for surgery for her cancer. That's good but on many levels sad. No trip which is disappointing but doesn't seem to matter now. Things don't look good for her and it breaks my heart. The cancer is because she in taking aggresive drugs for Neurosarcoidosis. The cancer is a side effect. So I can choose to be sad... or inspired. I see how hard she is working to survive and feel like I can at least work hard on getting healthy. My plan is to continue with these good behaviours. I'll have to keep blogging and sharing so I don't eat emotionally and sabatoget that. I AM sad. I need to tap into the good feelings from all the exercise I've been doing. Grrrrr.

Edited by: JUSTYNA7 at: 4/18/2013 (09:52)

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4/18/13 12:33 A

well hope can go there

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4/17/13 12:24 P

I think Cuba is as scarey as going to Mexico!

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4/16/13 9:33 P

I'd like to go to Cuba some day too. My aunt is Cuban. She came over hear as a refugee in the 60's. I love hearing stories from her homeland.

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4/14/13 8:05 P

We are just a few hours from Hawaii and if feel like island life, that's where we'd go.

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4/13/13 1:20 P

Cuba is one of the places I want to visit before I die

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4/13/13 1:09 P

It's true, Cuba is not friendly to Americans but it's hard to understand because they are such a friendly people and you are so CLOSE. I think you have to get some kind of special reason for a visiting visa if you are American. When you are there you can visit Hemmingway's house and so much of Cuba's heritage/history has Americans in it - but I believe at one time the mob had a lot of action there and whether that was the reason, when the revolution occurred the door was closed. They certainly like Canadians and Europeans.

As for weather.. come ON! Planting? We had a big storm yesterday with ice and snow. It was miserable. I had to drive my DD to her exam 2 hours away and it took over 3.5 hours to drive. Then a long day there and driving home in similarly aweful conditions. Oh well... it has to end eventually. I am getting ready for B&B guests. It's a birthday sleepover and the birthday girl has a severe nut alergy so it has been an excuse to do a throrough cleaning. The pool is waiting for me to do laps. I have my bowl of marbles ready to count laps.

I'm getting a lot of leg/foot and hand cramps so had brown beans for lunch and they are sitting like a rock in my stomach. Not the best food before exercise I guess. I'm not a big fan of bananas so am eating beans and mushrooms and squash. Other suggestions? Milk too. Water. Very frustrating at night.

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4/11/13 8:42 A

I'm going on a school field trip to the zoo. I'm going with 90 kindergardeners and on a bus!

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4/11/13 6:24 A

my granddaughter called yesterday that her ears have been pierced I told her that a big bird had told me so laughter

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4/10/13 9:15 A

Weather is warming up. I think the grands are going to swim after school.

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4/9/13 1:55 P

no not yet

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4/7/13 2:17 P

Are you in America yet?

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4/7/13 1:04 P

we are in the 80s too