Good Morning, Ladies. I did well yesterday with exercise. I'm going to the gym again today and walk on the treadmill.....it's not one of my favorite activities, but I think it will be better than walking in the mall! I'm doing better with drinking water, but have to say it's still a challenge.

Cindy: I'm curious about joint therapy....can you expand on that? I'll try to drink water every half hour. That's a great suggestion.

Karla: I do need to get back in the habit of stopping by the gym while running errands, going to and from church, etc.

Patti: I definitely count my steps as exercise. We are still moving, so that's good enough for me.

Today, my brother visits his primary doctor and is supposed to call me at some point today concerning future plans. I'm not sure what he wants to do about relocation. From what I've been able to discover, the VA doesn't help with moving expenses. He has no money either. Very frustrating.

Today is our daughter's, Lindsey's, birthday. I call her my daughter, but she's actually my step-daughter. We've been married for 32 years and she's 35 today. She calls me her "other mom" too. I love that. Have a great day, everyone!

Bert

Good morning,
I ran across an excellent observation in a daily devotional this morning and thought it would be good to share it with you here.

"God’s infinite ways often don’t make sense in our finite minds. Sometimes you have to be willing to look ridiculous and be radical to live a remarkable life. The choices you make when you feel God’s nudge will become the hinges on which your destiny swings. Each individual decision you make, to obey or ignore God’s promptings and directives, is a thread that weaves the tapestry of your life."

What stuck in my mind was that the "choices you make will become the hinges on which your destiny swings."

What choices will I make today? My destiny depends on them.

Hugs,
MaryLynn

Good afternoon, ladies,
Well, with salad prepared and beets cooking (for soup) we ventured out into our "winter wonderland". We rarely get much snow here, but this year it is sticking around somewhat. Very pretty to look at and heavy to shovel! At least the shoveling gives some strength training a chance today and getting out there and hiking around the community is always refreshing. Managed to meet my targeted minutes for exercise so far this week. I realize that I could get used to a daily hike again - even in cold weather - but that is no excuse for not addressing a need to clean up my eating on a CONSISTENT basis. It sometimes seems that I focus on one thing at a time and it is time to focus on getting enough quality protein and variety of veggies.

Have a snugly evening all!
MaryLynn

Good Morning, Ladies. I'm up early AGAIN...,...I'm sure wanting to break the habit. My mind starts thinking of things to "get done" after I take care of Molly, and then I can't get back to sleep. Geez

Patti: Family get togethers can be stressful at times. It looks like we aren't having our Christmas get together this year, and it breaks my heart. School and work schedules won't allow Dan and Annie to travel this year. We are traveling this weekend to deliver our gifts as it will be cheaper than mailing them. It just won't be the same, though. I know Greg isn't happy Dan, Annie, and the kids aren't coming, but he's not traveling up there either. It puts me in the middle. Oh well, we will get through it. I definitely understand family drama! I've let my hair grow out a little. I did find another stylist to finally cut/style my hair that listened to what I really wanted. The days of long hair is out for me, but I do want a little length in the back. I decorated our house a few weeks ago.....I got rid of my knick knacks so I only do the tree and mantle inside as well as the Nativity Scene. I do lights outside as it makes me happy to see the house lit up. Happy Birthday to your GGD. My mother passed away on Dec. 27, 1995. It seems like yesterday.

Mary Lynn: I love that quote.

Janet: So sorry about your hair. Have you ever used Wen products? I've been using WEN for several years as well as AVEDA. They are pricey, but worth it, in my opinion.

Today is my final visit for the semester. I'll head to campus after my visit and hand in some paperwork. Then I'll run some errands as well as head to the gym. I'm proud of myself for going to the gym this week. I walked the mall (always dangerous for me) yesterday rather than walking on the treadmill which I don't like to do. It's so boring to me. I did find a couple of hats for Mike for Christmas, so it was a win-win for me.

Have a great day, everyone!

Bert

Hi Everyone-
Work has been busy as I'm on the 4 day plan for the rest of the year. Using up vacation time and LR days. I do have the week off between Christmas and the new year.
I love the 4 day weeks but it sure does make for hectic days.
I just read an article about eating soup daily- not heave cheese and cream kinds. Says it can decrease your cals by 1/5 which is enough to shed 50 pounds per year for average person. Maybe its time to get some WW veggie soup cooking. Also I've been reading that strength training is better than cardio for weight loss. Things to ponder.
Patti- sorry the boy is so darn ignorant where the children come in-
Bert- being caught in the middle is tough.
Janet- glad you're feeling better and getting your mojo back
Karla- I'm sure you and Glenn are so excited for 2017
MaryLynn- shoveling does burn those cals- enjoy the beet soup
Need to run but I'll be back again.
Cindy

Good evening,

Mom and I watched 4 episodes of Good Behavior. It is so good, twists on twists and stars Michelle Dockery, Mary from Downton Abbey. The only chores were to change her sheets and run to Krogers for about 6 items. We had a great day together with lots of chatting and laughing. We decided that I will make a lasagne dinner for Christmas Day and take to her house. It will just be my sis/hubby, the cousins and me/Edd that day. She was so happy that I suggested it. Means she doesn't have to go out or cook, lol. Tomorrow will be grocery shopping, laundry, decorating and addressing my Christmas cards.

Patti

Good morning dear friends,

I hope you had a restful night and woke up refreshed and ready to meet the adventures and challenges of this day ahead. With some snow falling and the ground covered with more of the "white stuff", perhaps today presents an opportunity to balance some indoor/outdoor activities and focus on strength training.

It looks as though everyone has busy schedules recently and it can be tough to stay "on plan". Let's remember that we are progressing towards a healthier lifestyle and forgive ourselves when we make unwise choices. We are learning every day what works - and what doesn't - and it can certainly try our patience at times. Note to self: Don't bake cheesecake! Well, I did create just that temptation ... along with a few others that are already chilled or frozen. Yikes!

Along with the seasonal creations, the fridge is full of veggies and fruits and salad/soup combinations are a regular in our home, so I will forgive myself for the indulgent tendencies at times. I'm committed to reaching for veggies first, lean protein second and fresh fruit third. While the habit of measuring portions is now a regular part of meal preparation and plating, it's that "mouth hunger monster" that still plagues me too often! I'm NOT hungry if a veggie snack or a few nuts doesn't sound appealing. TV watching is the worst for us... so that is an "easy fix". At every commercial, get up and lift some weights, stretch, do planks or walk away.

I have learned that creating new habits does take time and being rebellious about it is just self-defeating. When I realize that I am my own worst enemy, I can choose to ignore that "mouth hunger" nudge, because the perceived "reward" of an indulgence is a lie that I tell myself. There is a mental shift that is required for me to accept the truth that choices matter; that these health, fitness and weight loss goals are TRULY deeply held. If there is some part of me that is not "buying in" to my plan, I will likely sabotage it pretty regularly. So, I really need to ask myself what is my honest desire. If I truly want to change my lifestyle behavior forever, I must convince myself in the deepest part of my being that I am worth the effort. It matters.

Phew! What about you? Are you convinced yet? I must admit, I'm still a "work in progress",

Hugs to all,
MaryLynn

Good Morning, Ladies. Have a great day! We're getting ready to head up to Chicago this morning.

Bert

Another unexpected day off. Got called off from work again. People just don't shop the craft stores when it is miserable out I guess. Hopefully I will get my hours in the rest of the week. I did get my cards all ready for the mail last night. So I guess I'm am going to put up some decorations. Too cool to go out if I don't have to. Edd is helping our son put a roof on a garage today. My freezers are really out of control. I think I need to take stock and defrost the deep freeze. After I made a huge pot of chili I found 4 jars left from the last batch in the freezer, lol.

Bert, safe travels, hope you do not have to deal with any snow. Enjoy your day and evening with your family.

Janet, I will be thinking of you as I decorate and seeing,in my minds eye, you doing the same only in a more elegant fashion. I am vey homespun and country.

Karla, I have seen pics of the kids on FB, where are you? Are you doing ok, just too busy to stop in?

Cindy, hope you had a good LR day. Are you getting snow there?

Hi to Paula, miss your face here, and Suzi, who I know is working hard with her new puppy Ellis.
Patti

Happy Snowy Saturday!
We continue to accumulate the snow here and spent the morning shoveling and sweeping the driveways here. Then, I noticed that a neighbor was having some vehicle issues in his driveway and needed a couple of extra sets of hands to get it pulled up the hill to his home. What a nice fellow! He is a senior who recently moved to the island from the province of Ontario. Seems that his goods are arriving by transport truck today and it got stranded on an icy hill coming into our community...we were getting him sorted out with the help of another neighbor who plowed his hilly, curving driveway. That way, if the truck can get up the hill somehow, at least they can get access to his property. Keeping our fingers crossed for them!

We are just not used to snow much anymore here and this is definitely unusual for Vancouver Island to get dumped this much and with temperatures below freezing too! We may have to buy a proper snow scoop or shovel, as we made do with the small shovel and brooms today.
Great workout for the arms and core! It is gorgeous outside with the fir and cedar trees coated "marshmallow like" out there. I will try to get a photo to share here later.

Have yourself a wonderful weekend and I will check back later, I hope.

Karla, I sure hope and pray that you and Glenn are feeling better with some rest and good comfort soups or chili. Loading up on veggies again here today and noticing how much energy I have, so perhaps that will work for you both as well.

Hugs,
MaryLynn