End of March - Wow, first quarter - Gone

It seems so much is going on, I don't have the energy to write or think. My sister has moved down, so more people to process on the day to day always overwhelms me.

And...I am totally enjoying my granddaughter, just about every single day I get to see her, and she is changing so fast and learning things so fast, it is truly difficult to keep up! Three months old and she seems to want to skip rolling over and go right to getting up! I have to Goggle that ~ I thought all babies were supposed to roll over first!

Otherwise, it's just busy, Sean with school and work, and Madam B with work now and working on getting the GED, and Mr. B is enjoying his work right now, even though it is considered part time, we are using all the ways we can to keep ourselves running efficiently.

The cut backs on the electric bills have been easy as the weather has been so beautiful! And when it gets hot, since the kids are working (two less people in the house), and I don't get home until after 5 usually, we can leave the AC off later and later in the day. Now, when summer comes, we will have to make that adjustment else where! Especially since there is talk of gas prices going up.

I've gotten back out in the yard, and even though I have suffered a bit with my back by moving bags of dirt and such, I do love it. And as always, I wish I had more money in the budget for plants and flowers!

My vegetables have not done very well this year. Maybe it's too early? I dunno, but they are still out there. The activity is the yard is picking up everyday. I see caterpillars everywhere!

I'm up early this morning, but when everyone is sound asleep, you wonder if there is much you can get done!

Current Status of This Life

Exciting things here. My sister, her husband and my great nephew, who is her son, have relocated from Central Florida. They found a place 3 miles from us! Amazing. And she has a job! (Which is why she relocated in the first place.)

So there has been much activity regarding that, and I've been working a little bit longer, and Madam B is working on her GED and somehow, in our move two years ago, I have misplaced our birth certificates and social security cards!! Weird, weird, weird. I have all the copies, but the copies are really not what I need.

I am figuring what will happen is, as soon as I get the replacements, then I will find the originals. That's usually how it goes for me!

My granddaughter is just still so fantastic. I am lazy on my other blog, but I will catch up on all that great detail. And soon.

It's been raining here. Which is lovely, as we do so need it.

I'm still reading the same three books I last mentioned, and my mother in law has lost one library book I checked out for her. I have renewed it 5 times, but I'm going to have to just pay for it if I don't find it soon.

We have moved a few things in our yard, plants that is, and are enjoying the birdhouse! We have a couple of robins and blue jays. I'll post a picture of our robin soon. I've named him Chiller. As he seems to just chill and chirp loudly when he's out there even when the cats are present! Gotta admire his spunk!

H. Tip/Quote and - Running Behind

I lose track of the days. I am guessing that is not entirely unusual for people to do. There are more people in them lately, and before I know it, several days have gone by, and I'm not sure how I got here. That's really not a bad thing unless you have an unhappy life, but since I have a very happy life, it's not a bad thing at all.

Right now we have company from Rhode Island. One of my nephews is visiting with his wife and daughter, and other family came up yesterday. It's quite fun, but the day is over before you know it!

"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies." ~Shirley Abbott

And for our health tip -

We already covered ice cream (why do I want ice cream at this time in my life? I was never a big fan of ice cream. Weird), so let's say we won't mention that on April 21 is Ben and Jerry's National Free Cone Day? And Baskin and Robbins gives you free scoops on your birthday? ...moving right along

Ankle injuries -

Balance training is what you need to help prevent ankle injuries. Practicing balance exercises help improve neural pathways between the brain and the joint (information on this can be found - at that site or just a general goggle search will prove many exercises that will help.

It's an easy exercise to adapt, good for you in terms of long terms benefits, one can do it just about anywhere, and you don't need any special clothing!

Stand firmly and comfortably on one foot. Take the opposite foot, and wrap your toe around the back of your ankle. Just stand steady. Repeat. Repeat as many times as you can during the day.

I know one that is a little more complicated, just a little, I'll post that one tomorrow.

After you are great at keeping your toe behind your ankle (make sure you work both sides), you can move the ankle up a little on your leg.

I fell asleep, but not before I ate Ice Cream

I haven't posted the last couple of days regarding my Quotes and Health Tips. I fell asleep. And there was so much activity going on! I think both days were one day, or certainly seemed like it.

I think it started Monday when I went to a small theater to see an Irish show. It was very entertaining. Tuesday? It happened, I'm sure. I know I went over to see the baby and walked that evening (increasing my distance), and there is company visiting, and I've been watering my yard, and clipping back plants, and I'm sure some other stuff ...cooking, laundry, shopping.

Anyway, both nights, I had an ice cream cone and fell asleep. But, I have lost three pounds, and I am cooking very well. Mr. B is on the Eat Well For Long Life wagon, so that is very, very helpful.

(But, we all know that in the beginning of trying to drop a couple of pounds, ice cream cones can be your enemy disguised as something totally wonderful.)

And sleep is good! Today, my plan is to start back on my Bar Method DVD. So, we will see what happens!

Actually, the main goal for myself is to not gain any additional weight and tone up what I have. So. Good luck to me.

Health Tip:

1. Do not eat ice cream at night.

2. Do eat ice cream if you want to try Uma Thurman's Ice Cream Diet. And, if you should so wish, you can scroll down and read the comments.

Quote:

I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice-cream straight out of the container. ~~Bill Bryson

Another day Q &HT

Quote for today --

The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it. ~~Bertrand Russell

Health Tip-

Breakfast. Breakfast is a good thing. Start your day with some kind of protein. It doesn't have to be meat or an egg, if you don't wish, it can be peanut butter or re-fried beans! (I love re-fried beans for breakfast!) Or hummus~ I love hummus.

Make a protein shake with a soy or whey protein powder.

It's just one of those things that can help things work out better for you during the day. Your body is fueled from its night of fasting, and ready to go after a nourishing breakfast. And, usually, when lunch rolls around, you won't need as much food, so good there!

So, eating well, and moving ~ yeah, on our way.

Quote and Health Tip for the Day

Quote for the day:

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.

- Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)


Health Tip:

Identify your weakest area regarding good health.

Snacking? - Don't stop snacking. Find something that's good for you, instead. An example might be yogurt instead of ice cream. But not just any yogurt. Buy really, really good yogurt like Fage. I love that stuff! Of course, I load it with fun things like walnuts, fiber cereal, raisin, cranraisins, okay, and maybe a chocolate chip now and then, and sometimes -- for a really fine treat, I add peanut butter (the natural kind) and cherry preserves. Oh gosh, it's heaven.

But anyway, match a good food to your favorite weakness snack.

How about exercise? Just can't do it? Then run in place and keep parking that car farther and farther from your final destination until you are walking from home. Guaranteed to get you in shape.

Spring has sprung...Yay!

It's March. I love Spring. I just love Spring. I can see little buds of new growth popping out all over, and the birds are visiting my yard even though I have three cats, two of which would eat them if they could. We have the feeder up really high.

We have Robins and Blue Jays and butterflies! I have four specimens of butterflies. I am keen to plant so that more will feel like coming.

My hands are like loofahs pads, my knees are hurting and my back is stiff! But I am joyous that it is finally Spring!!

Day 9 -- Keep on going

Children today are tyrants. They contradict thier parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers. ~~ Socrates (470-399 B.C.)

Health Tip:

1. Isometrics. You can Goggle Isometrics and find plenty of information, suggestions and explanations of how it works and why.

Do them in the car for your abs. Do them sitting while you are listening to music or watching the television. An easy one is putting your palms together in front of your face and press as hard as you can. See if you don't see a difference in about a week.

I know this works. I just keep forgetting about it~!

Day 8 - Still forming the new patterns

Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.

Thomas Jefferson
1743-1826, Third President of the USA
more famous quotes

Health tip:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff, but do sweat. Break a sweat doing something. Dancing, running, jumping rope, chasing a doggie, just move quickly for 20 minutes in place (okay, that's boring, but still it's an option.)

2. Keep that car parked farther and farther, and walk faster and faster.

3. Make sure you are drinking enough water.

4. Do not sit down when you can stand. Put your computer on a counter, walk around when you are talking on the phone, purchase a standing desk, but find a way to stand more.

Day Seven

People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.
~~Romana L. Anderson


Health Tip:

1. Actually, I fell asleep while I was thinking of which health tip to post. So, let's go with more sleep.

Rest is necessary. Whether it be just a relaxed rest of the mind that means no reading or thinking of paying the bills, just find a comfortable place to be, let your shoulders and jaw relax, and just soak in the moment of letting your body relax and your mind should follow.

If it does not, this is something that one should really, really work on.

2. Park even farther away.

3. Walk at an even faster clip.

4. Remember: It's all good.

Day 6

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne

Health Tip:

Soup. Eat more soup. Homemade soup. If you make yourself a nice, hearty, rich bean and veggie soup, you will fill up, eat good food, and probably lose a pound.

I might use canned beans (I love small white beans). A veggie broth that is flavored with a base of sauteed onions and garlic and ginger in olive oil. Then the broth. Now you choose your favorite veggies. Try to throw in some color - preferably green -I like spinanch or kale. You can add other beans and noodels, and Ithink you will be so happy with your results. Get creative!

1. Park Farthest


2. Walk fastest.

Day 5 - Long Enough

I think by a fifth day of trying anything, one would kind of have the idea for a plan that would be real. So, in the spirit of commitment. Let's stay commitment!

My quote today is, "Ya' just gotta be honest." That's it. Don't let a commitment to make things better become a sense of false importance ...make this real for yourself, as good health and exercise are important for you life.

So seriously, put down the Twinkies, don't drink that third beer, go ahead and not take that third helpings just because it's good...time will give you great substitutes, you will see.

Health Tip:

Reach u-p toward the sky and, then bend over and touch your toes. If you can't reach them. Try again later, and then later. But do it. Deep breath, as you let it out, reach over and out, Bend toward your toes. and then touch them. Stretch.

Do that tomorrow morning as well, and do it again at night.
along with.
Park way farther
Walk way faster

You'll get it.
These are just little ways that can makes it so much easier. Like with food - just for a week try to literally throw out anything that has trans fats. Eat an apple instead, and everyday if you can. Or pick your own fruit.

It all depends on how serious a person is. We are changing lifestyle. It's kind of fun actually.

Jane Eyre

This is one of the books I am reading now, and I do love it. I'm just at Chapter 5, and if I thought that the movies of this book (although, they were excellent entertainment) told about Jane, I was wrong.

I have an old blog that I had started once about the books I was reading, and I just dropped it. I think I will start it up again. it will be a right good challenge for my brain. And don't we all need that!

Day Four

"First, do no harm." Can you wake up everyday and say that's what you do?

Health tip:

1. Crunches. Do as many as you can at one time. Then add to that.

2. Park Farther.
3. Walk Faster.

Day Three is a Tuesday

Quote of the Day:

"I am not so arrogant as to presume that only my intellectual superiors can teach me. If such were the case then the teacher would learn nothing from her disciples, the parents nothing from their children, and I nothing from the animals, from whom I have learned so much." ~ Caroline Coax

Health Tip ~

1. Eat more nuts. Nuts are very good for you. They are chalked full of good things. Your almonds, for example, one ounce of almonds, provides as many flavonoids as a half cup serving of broccoli..

So go nutty. Eat the Pistachios, walnuts as your first choices, then head out for the almonds! Pecans are good, too. And any of them taste good combined with other things. Like, whatever dinner dish.

2. Park farther.

Q & T - Day Two

Today's Quote:

If you really want the last word in an argument, try saying, "You could be right."
~General Knowledge


Today's Health Tip:

Park Far.

Quotes and Tips - First for March

Day One

The best ornament is Humility; The richest wealth is Wisdom; The strongest weapon is Patience; The best security is Faith; The best tonic is Laughter (from Thought for the Day site)

If I may expound ~ stay humble as no one is comfortable with a braggart. Let others tell you how great you are.

Keep yourself smart and informed. Know who you are reading and don't be influenced by it until you think it through. But be sure to read -- and don't forget to read fiction! It's great for you.

Be patient with all living creatures. I repeat, all. Especially yourself. Have the forbearance and calmness in yourself to know that in the end, all will be well. Act like it.

And most importantly ~ laugh, everyday! At yourself and situations. Rent funny movies. Learn to tell a funny story. Animals are always safely funny. We have three cats and we feed the birds. We are beginning to think that birds are smarter than domesticated cats (and know it.) And if you can't find anything to laugh about ~ eat a Popsicle.

Health Tip ~ Move it! You got to Move It, Move It! Find someway in your life TODAY, to move more than you did yesterday. And don't eat seconds. Throwaway all hydrogenated fats - all. Choose one vegetable to add to your diet. Choose one bad food to quit eating.

See ~ things are better already!!