July 1 2021

For all of Canadians it is our Canada Day - but here on the west coast we are under such a heat wave - and where I live there is a wildfire 15 km (8 miles) from the city so we are under heavy smoke from the wild fire. Makes breathing difficult - and the fire is so close - there is even talk this morning that they might start evacuating different parts of the city due to how close the fire is and the people fighting the fire are having problems from not just the heat wave we are dealing with but the heat from the fire making it impossible right now to contain the fire - scary - don't like it at all as I don't know where we would go - windows are all closed but I can smell the smoke coming in - don't like it at all.

As it is a new month I am looking at having a fresh start for following my food plan. Looking for good results for this month. I am going to start walking though slowly and not far - and I have set up a group called Walking Across Canada - it is open to all. The 1st leg of this walk will be 309 miles and I have posted the route from city to city to accomplish this part of the route. If you would like to join me please do so.

Today I am starting what is called Reboot Rezoom - a course I took back in January that was offered re the Bright Line Eating program - best course I every took well worth the month. I have the course material till the middle of September so am doing the course again along with a friend that took the course back in September with me. Looking forward to making progress during the next 66 days

Isaiah 33:2
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. But our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble

Isaiah 35:3-4
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'

Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!



-Marilyn
leader of the group Walking Across Canada

I found You!! I'll catch up later.

Bren - enjoy your long weekend. Happy 4th to everyone.

Marilyn - I know that this is very difficult for you! Praying for you. God knows your heart. I left a church when I was in my 20's and I left one when I was in my 60's. Even though they were 40 years apart, there are still scars from both. I am a person that thinks that you get into a church, become active, minister where you can, and stick with the church through thick and thin. Sometimes God has a different plan for us, though. May you continue to bloom where you are planted.

Also, prayers for your health.

July 3 2021

@restfinder - yes that pain can be bad. It has been a reminder though to make sure I get in my water because when I don't get in 100 oz my back hurts more especially around my kidneys. You mention compression socks - I have them and get mine from a place there they actually measure your calves to make sure you get the right size. I haven't worn then now for a couple of weeks and I need to get back to wearing them as my feet are swollen some and so are my legs - it is amazing how just having them on for one day how the legs go down so much - when I havent worn them for awhile and then put them on oh do they feel tight - like a brand new girdle if you remember those days - and then when I take them off at night it feels like puff as the legs want to swell back up. I should have them from the toes up to my hips as my upper thighs really need the compression also but those just wont work. But she suggested getting spandex as they fit 'tight' - and that makes me think (laugh actually) as I do have some pants that when I put them on my hubby laughs as he says 'when did you decide to wear pants so skin tight that you can see the dimples in your bum - don't like it but there are days when I know I am not going out that I will put those on as they do help with the swelling.

Anyway it is Day 28 of logging on to MFP and am liking the streak I am making. And with each day I log on I get to understand and love this website even more. Have started my food plan - once again - as of the 1st of July with the goal to get in 31 days on plan. Have set a few goals for July and each morning I have a look at them to see what I can do today to reach these goals. So far so good. Today I am going to attempt to go outside for a walk though it is still quite smoky but I need to get moving even just a little.

Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

-Marilyn
leader of Walking Across Canada

Good morning all, sorry that I have been MIA the last week or so. Between the heat wave, last night was the first night in a week that that temp went below 30C (86F) during the day we went up to the 40Cs most days. It was just too hot to do anything. For some reason the heat really bothers me. The cold I can take but not the heat.

This week has been trying. The heat has been terrible. On Monday my hubby and daughter both had doctors appointments. Daughter has had her meds changed and I'm praying that she does better soon. Hubby has to go for more testing, I hope we find out soon what is wrong.

My AS is acting up again. I had x-rays on my lower back an d may have to go for a cortisone shot in my SI joints. I'm okay as long as I keep moving, it takes me about 20 minutes in the morning to get going and then as long as I don't it too long I'm good.

July 5 2021

Hope you have all had a good weekend - without to much celebration that takes you away from eating healthy.

Day 30 of logging onto MFP - one month already - seems like yesterday I just joined the website and was learning how to navigate it - am really liking it especially the food tracker. Being able make up different dinners and them save them to the different meal categories - breakfast, lunch, dinner - though it took time to make up different meals it is now a time saver

Jeremiah 10:23-24
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.

-Marilyn
leader of Walking Across Canada

We didn't do anything for the 4th except church, then went out on our bedroom deck and watched fireworks. Yesterday was grocery day -- pick-up at WalMart and then another grocery store to purchase some meat. Whew, meat has gotten soooo expensive. I put a little bit of hamburger in the freezer (usually buy 10# at a time, this time 3#) and had grilled pork loin for dinner but none for the freezer. We will see if anyone has a better sale on anything.

Bill did work on one of our night stands. That was very good for him. It got him out of his recliner and busy. It looks okay, it wasn't what I was expecting him to do, but it is looking good so far. He still has to cover some scratches on the legs and to put finish on the top. Then he gets done with that one, we will do the other. They are antique and we have had them over 20 years and have never done anything to them. They were in need of some major TLC.

July 6 2021

Today is Day 31 of logging onto MFP - so am starting my 2nd month here - and looking forward to making better progress this 2nd month.

Also today is our daughter (2nd born child) 49th birthday. Time sure goes by fast.

We are finally getting a bit of a break in the heat - it is in the high 80'sF and low 90'sF so though that is warm/hot for most of us it is cool compared to last week when it was around 110 - 115 each day We are experiencing wildfires though and that is scary - July 1 at 10 pm 17 fires were started around the city, one of which made 500 homes to be evacuated

I believe I have shared the outline of my food plan before but in case I didn't or if you haven't read it I will share it again

Breakfast 1 protein serving, 1 serving of fruit no more than 6 oz

Lunch 1 protein serving, 1 serving of fruit no more than 6 oz and 7 oz of vegetables

Dinner 1 protein serving, 1 grain serving, 7 oz of vegetables and 2 fat servings.

Water 100 oz

No snacks, no sugar, no flour and all meals are about 4 hours apart with the last meal around 6 pm.

The reason I am eating following this plan is that I am a food addict and sugar and flour are addictive (to most people). At first I thought there was nothing left for me to eat but truthfully I have plenty to eat - nothing is processed - anything that can sit on the shelves for a long time I do not go for as most of these items have either sugar or flour or too much sodium in them. I have had to revert to making my own 'sauces' to make sure there is no sugar or flour. I have gone back to the basics of what I can eat that is in its natural state (vegetables are fresh 1st, then frozen, then canned) I get my beef from our daughter who lives on a ranch and the cattle are not pumped up with steroids, and the chicken we eat we get from a farmer that does not add steroids to them either. At first I was amazed how much 'more' it seemed to cost me eating this way but when I did a look at this 2 ways: (1) the cost doing the eating now with no sugar no flour and (2) the cost of groceries when I purchased processed foods such as cakes, cookies, pies, breads, noodles the cost was more then what I spend now on fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and some meat.

I understand that there are a lot of people with a weight problem that don't relate to being a food addict - it took me along time to come to terms with being a food addict - I did not want to think I fell under the same problem re being an addict as someone who has issues with drugs, drinking or smoking. I realize that the Lord had to humble me to make me look at myself and realize that my choice of 'drug' was food - food that did not have the proper nutrients to nourish my body. I am grateful now that I have come to terms with this and with the Lord's help I am learning how to get into full recovery. And for those that have a weight problem but aren't dealing with the addiction - I appreciate you so much and just ask that you try to understand those of us that can't have 'just one bite' as it leads us to full addiction. If any of you are thinking you might be dealing with food addiction I would suggest going to the Lord, asking Him to direct you and make your eyes see where the true problem is with your weight issues - it is really humbling when we come to terms with it - I now hear the Lord so much better when it comes to food - when I eat off plan I now hear the Lord telling me that He loves me but that I need to turn away from the food cravings / addiction and turn to nourishing my body with healthy choices, freeing my mind to spend better quality time getting spiritually feed. Hope that makes sense.

Before sin we were given green plants to eat Here is my reference to this
Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.

Then we read about Daniel
Daniel 1:8-9
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion n the sight of the chief of the eunuchs

Daniel 1:11-12
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 'Test your servants for ten days, let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink

Daniel 1:15
At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food

Today Bill had his Dr. appointment. Blood work and everything came back good, but he wants him to see a rheumatologist and a wound clinic for the ulcer on his toe. It is actually caused by gout, so that's the reason for the Dr. He hadn't had a flare in about 18 months, but he had a flare last month. The flare was actually in the other ankle, but Dr. said they were related. He has had me dressing it and taking care of it, but I wasn't happy with it. He decided I was right (probably to appease me). His nurse didn't like a look of a mole on his elbow and said to also make an appointment with a dermatologist. Wow - If this had been a bad office visit, I wonder how many different doctors he would be seeing. Praise the Lord all was well.

Word of the year: HOPE

Hello everyone! It is rather warm here only at 88 degrees but the humidity makes it feel much warmer. Today a new refrigerator is being delivered so I transferred all the food to the fridge in our camper. Otherwise, we aren’t doing much but staying inside to keep cool. Yesterday was mow day and grocery day. I prayed to the Lord to get me through my portion of the mowing and He did. I have a hard time with heat and humidity and the last time I mowed, I had to stop and rest multiple times to get through it. This time, I got all of my portion done without having to rest.

Marilyn, so glad you had a good doctor visit. It was very interesting to read about the verses regarding meat and vegetables. I learn something new every day. It’s good that you have found a new church and are already connecting with the people. You’ll have to let us know what you think after attending this Sunday.

Connie, Glad to hear Bill’s blood work came out ok. Wow, I didn’t know a person could get an ulcer anywhere other than the stomach. I do like that scripture, thanks for sharing.

Restfinder, there are a lot of veggies I don’t like too. But I do try to eat as many of the ones I do like. I’m not big on meat so I eat a lot of chicken. Well, by a lot I mean mostly on the weekends when Bruce grills food. I will eat some steak and hamburger. Not a big fan of pork or seafood either. Anyway, I do like a lot of fruits so have incorporated them into my daily diet. I’m sorry you have migraines but glad the med are working. I have a friend who suffers from migraines. I’ll have to google chaffles as I’ve never heard of them.

Bren, hang in there. You’ll get through this. Prayers for you.

Well that’s all for now, I wish you all a beautiful peaceful day.

~Gail

Had a meeting with the boy bosses today after a grinding already by phone on Tuesday...the meeting wasn't so "horrible" but gee whiz, they made me wait until 3:00 for it and my job IS in danger of termination. They are discussing it and haven't made a final decision yet.

My "error"...the maniac who rented a large unit a few months back, under false pretenses, is a tweaker, beat up the girlfriend's car on our property, after their interaction with me on Saturday.
I should have had him sign a release form or vacate notice before I had her fill out a contract in her name, transferring the unit to her, which is what he said he wanted to do.
So legally...it's not binding and he is still the "legal" renter of that unit....and I may have put them (bosses) in danger of a lawsuit.
They asked her to move out of the unit and not tell him, (the tweaker) transferring to another location that she is keen to do....but is dragging her feet.
"They" are left wondering how many more times I have done such things, in the 23 years I've been there and can't trust that I have followed procedures in every circumstance prior to this.

While I'd like to tuck away some more money for "retirement"...I am hoping they don't drag their feet if they choose to cut me loose. I am in so much pain of late that it won't be a hardship to stay at home, you know? God is aware of all the details and while this in in the boy boss's hands, it's ultimately in God's hands and I will be OK...whatever the outcome.

Kim, I gave away my chaffle maker thing! I didn't have the patience to play with it and I enjoy my microwave omelets immensely...so hope whichever neighbor got it...enjoys it! My kitchen is so tiny and the space for my toys has been long outgrown so only the few things I love and use regularly are staples.

I'm still a few days away from full recovery again...foot/elbow etc. I look forward to a normal night's rest and walking upright again....ad being able to do the necessities without such a struggle.
I so appreciate thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. Thank you!