***The Senior WW Challenge*** - SUNDAY 10/7

Marlo I think you misunderstood about Debbie staying at the house when Jeff is gone. She goes over to see the dogs and take them for a walk and he leaves so they don't see each other but that's only for about an hour and then she comes home. Maija does go to counseling on her own but they don't leave together and she has Debbie on the phone with her as she's walking to the car so if he tried anything it would go very badly for him since he's on probation. He still does not contact her like the counselor suggested but since their next session is Tuesday he did text her yesterday so as to be able to say he texted her but that was the only time in two weeks when it was supposed to be 3-4 times a week texting and 1-2 times a week actually calling her. I don't know if she'll agree to anymore sessions as I think she considers it a waste of time as he never does what the counselor suggests and still cries and blames Debbie for everything and expects Maija to agree with him, which of course she won't do.

The house we looked at was in bad shape and really smelled when you walked in the door so she's going to relook at the duplex and put in an offer but if the owner won't come down in price she'll just keep looking.

Fred and Debbie did get the 2009 Toyota Highlander yesterday and really dickered with the dealership but ended up with the deal they wanted and it's really beautiful! Even has those weather guard floor mats you see advertised on tv. The way she will let Maija know, since she put it in the garage last night and Maija has no clue she had gone to Aurora to see it, is when Sam shows up to go see Lion King today say how will we work this as it'll be crowded in the Volvo or Mazda so maybe Sam and you can follow us but then Sam would have to pay for parking. Then she'll start walking to the garage while saying or we could all go in this and open the garage door. Maija will flip as she wanted Debbie to get a Highlander! Fred will video it on his phone to have her reaction saved!

Good Morning!

Yesterday's Genealogy Seminar was so great! I learned so much, especially about DNA Genealogy. CeCe Moore was one of the main speakers. She is awesome. She was on 20/20 on Friday. I didn't know it at the time but I had it on DVR. I watched it last night. She broke a cold case in the murder of Christy Mirak in 1992 using DNA. I learned that DNA purchased for genealogy cannot be used to solve crimes but you can send your DNA to GenBank for that particular use. Not many people know that, so the data base is small.

Jane, I can understand not wanting to have the responsibility of a class. One of my students is in yoga teacher training. I am hoping to pass off my Tues and Thurs Land O Lakes classes once she has her certification. The drive each way is beginning to be a bit much. I can get to the classes in 40 minutes but I leave an hour before class in case there is bad traffic. In 9 years I have only had traffic that made me late twice. Once was because a railroad crossing gate was malfunctioning and once from a bad accident. 

Marlo, I am eating a little differently since discovering Dr Joel Fuhrman's book. I am amazed at how adding 1/2 c of beans per day cures my sugar cravings. It has also helped me to eliminate night time snacking. 

Just to clarify the Highlander will be mostly Debbie's car but Maija will be able to drive it as well as Debbie said they will switch out depending on her road trips for work as the Mazda does get better gas mileage. But when Debbie said about needing a car for herself instead of driving one of ours Maija kept saying she should get a Highlander. So we'll go to see the show in it as it has plenty of room for the five of us.

Good morning all!

Saw 'The We Were' yesterday. It was great! Then we went to a local Asian restaurant, impeccable service, food presentation, etc. Instead of Beef and Broccoli, they created a delicious dish with a variety of vegetables in a spicy sauce with a side of brown rice. The Mai Tai was good, too! I noticed a movie 'Nothing Like a Dame' with Judy Dench is playing at my favorite historical theater. I'll take advantage of these days off and see that one too!

Sharon, I eat beans each day. I make a Cannellini Bean Hummus, the recipe I googled is just lemon juice, garlic, evoo and beans. I use it as a dip for carrots, mostly. Also, I cook Quinoa with some grated onion, spices, and mix with beans. That's tasty on it's own or on a tortilla w/salsa, etc. When I roast veggies, at the end I stir in some beans. My DGD's favorite food is beans! So much healthy protein.

The Highlander sounds great and what a fun day planned, Sandy!

Sounds like everyone has a full day planned, enjoy!

Marlo in MA

Happy Sunday, friends.

I had a wonderful time at the opera yesterday. Gorgeous AIDA. The two female leads, the sets, costumes, and dances were outstanding. Then we went out for dinner and had a lot of laughs. When I got home I watched THE RED SHOES. I was a ballet nut when it first came out and I loved it. They have restored it and it was a delight to watch again. The arts...literature, visual, performing...all are so enriching to our lives.

Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it. –Robert Motherwell 

QOTD: Please share with us an experience with the arts, any of them, that changed you.

Breakfast shouting. I'll be back soon to catch up with your posts.

Gail

Ok, so much for me figuring out my travel route yesterday. We stopped in Osky and got the new windshield wiper plus they installed it for me. Continuing on to West Des Moines the highway to Knoxville was closed with water over pavement. Couldn't go that way but DH announced he did not want to go to party but I was to take him to casino. I said maybe I should just take you back home. No, take me to casino. Ok, casino is 20 miles across town one way from party. I left him at casino and said do not call me and I may not be back until 7pm. This was 1:00 in afternoon. I went to party, to visit my two sisters and stopped at Penney's as it about 3 blocks from my younger sister. Picked him up about 5;30 but he did not call me. I did accomplish 3 things I wanted to do and had a very good time. I met a couple at party originally from the town of What Cheer which is about 12 miles from where we live. Interesting thing is they now live in this Senior Village in West Des Moines and their first names are Dick and Jane. Remember those names from Kindergarten book.

Today will be a quiet one, I am not suggesting we go anywhere. May have him help me move the long tables so I can layer and pin 2 small throw quilts.

Geri, if we could split our weather temperatures over the average for both of us perhaps we both would be happy with the temps. Your send to be about 90, ours night lows in 40's and daytime highs in low to mis 50's with rain forecast thru Wed and again Friday. Have 3 inches so far since Friday. Farmers are very concerned.

Someone mentioned the new WW name. It is like a lot of things in my life, they can change the name or program but it will always be Weight Watchers and I have heard several people say that especially those that have been a member for many many years. I will continue to drive to the meeting to get on the scale as that is a commitment for me. I like WW and do try to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the simple fact I would like to remain independent in my lifestyle as long as God's grants me that privilege. My mother was 95 and sound mind and fairly mobile. I can only hope.

Answer to your question Gail, I am not much into that type of Arts. One of my Sister's and a couple of niece's are. I sort of envy them but we do not live in the greatest Arts location. Need to live closer to the bigger cities in Iowa. As children we were farm kids is southern Iowa and spent most of our time trying to make a living. Trust me, in no way am I complaining. I Am very proud of my family and life.

Every enjoy your day, I am planning on a lazy one.

AOTD - my DSIS and I took our 3 teenage daughters to the Art Institute in Chicago. Before that I had only seen pictures of the great works of art. I was blown away especially by the light and colors of a Renoir in real life. Artists I had not thought much about, like Gainsborough were fantastic. The pointillism of Seraut’s huge “A-Sunday on La Grande Jatte" was awesome. Later in life we had an opportunity in Portland Oregon to see a show of Rembrandt’s. I used to think they were dark and uninteresting until I saw them come to life in person.

When I was a young mother in my 30s I joined a small town art league of older ladies. We painted together and critiqued one another. It opened a new world for me. Sorry to go on so, but art is my joy.

Thanks Gail.