The Lighter Side Cafe - 3/11 - 3/17/19

Good evening!

Today is Monday, so laundry day. Other than that, I made a hospice visit and checked on things at the office, then went grocery shopping. Meals were leftovers from the fridge. I had the remainder of my stuffed flounder from Friday for lunch and shrimp stew for dinner, with some cabbage slaw & Garlic Expressions dressing as a side. Best of all, I went to yoga!!! It felt so good, even though my ankle is not 100%. I was able to keep up, but it was a pretty easy class. Tomorrow will be the test, if I can make it to class on time.

I have promised to help DH paint the closet in the reno bedroom. He was going to leave it as is, but it badly needs painting, so...I will get up early and get that done before I head into town. I have another hospice visit scheduled at 10:00 AM. and a cooking class after lunch to learn how to make the scrumptious cooked frosting that goes on the iconic Morganza cake. I have committed to making some cakes to sell at our next event in April. If all goes well, I will be finished in time to get back to town for yoga.

Sue - Thanks for getting us started on a new week!

Ann - Sorry about the tooth! I'm sure that was unwelcome news.

Judy - I'm sure catching up with everyone was fun, as well as sharing the joy of a new baby. A baby shower with 100 guests must have been something! Hope you had fun tonight with your former co-workers.

I'm going to hit the shower, get jammified and read a while. Sweet dreams all!

Good evening all!

Another busy day. I'm hoping that keeps me young! DH decided, once I was up early and dressed in painting clothes, that he would paint the closet. I gladly let him do it and tended to some other chores before heading out for my hospice visit. After I got back to the office, my supervisor came by to sign some papers and catch up on news. She was pleased with what I have accomplished, which made me feel very good.

I hurried home at lunch so we could facetime with DD2, as it is her 37th birthday. She leaves tomorrow for a weeks' trip to Nebraska to check in at her office (IBM) and visit with friends. She also told us she is dating someone. He is from our area and I know his parents, but not him. They met on a dating site and have already had several dinner dates, from the sound of things. DD2 has never dated much and pretty much gave up on the idea of marriage and motherhood. I have always advised her never to marry for the sake of being married and to wait for that special someone. Her BFF got married in December and I think she has been feeling lonely. She is pretty, super intelligent, (which I think some guys find intimidating) and successful in her job. She has lots of friends and loves to travel, so doesn't sit at home much, but I would so love for her to find a true love.

After lunch, I headed off to my class to learn to make a cooked caramel icing. We had fun and were successful in making 4 batches that weren't too thick or two thin. Our hostess then scraped what icing remained in all 4 pots, added pecans and made pralines. I succeeded in escaping with only one small piece, when she wanted me to take 4. I did indulge in a little wine and cheese when we finished and we all toured their lovely yard and her DH's "Dog House" which was a super man cave patterned after an old general store, with lots of antiques. It also has a stove, 2 refrigerators, bar with stools, dining table and chairs, a small bed, ample seating in the form of rocking chairs, a wood stove and a big screen tv. They do most their entertaining there. Her husband is well-known in the area as a cook for special events feeding large numbers (100's) of people. He generously volunteers his time to cook jambalaya or pastalaya for numerous area events, often donating the ingredients, too.

I did finish in time to get to yoga class. This class tends to be a bit more strenuous and tonight was no different. I struggled, but made it through. I cannot believe how much muscle tone and flexibility I have lost in the past month and a half! Anyway, I'm sure I will sleep well tonight.

Lunch was leftover chicken and sausage gumbo and dinner was cajun shrimp and cornbread dressing stuffed boneless chicken from the freezer with cabbage slaw and cauliflower. It was delicious!

I am currently reading A Place for Us by Fatima Mirza. It is about an Indian family living in the US and is quite interesting. I am also listening to Kristin Hannah's Fly Away, which I would also recommend. My favorite books are about people and their personalities and interactions. I guess human drama is a good description.

I will read just a little and then head to bed. I'm pooped!

Hi all, 

Happy to see everyone here to start out the week.  

Pam, I drool thinking about those Morganza cakes!  Candied pecans and so forth...you have the best food!  Happy birthday to your DD#2.  Does she live in your area?  I know you have one in Michigan with two children, one in your area with three children...am I right so far?  I hope she has a happy romance with her new beau. You are right that many guys are a bit intimidated by smart, beautiful women.  But, a very confident guy who's sure of himself will be a great match for her.  Keep us posted.  I love hearing about new loves!  I like Kristin Hannah a lot, too.  I will check out that book.  Most of the time, I like the same genre as Ann - mysteries!  I am reading Bad Blood right now.  It's a nonfiction account of the corruption and fraud perpetrated by Theranos company founder Elizabeth Holmes.  Unbelievable how many people she suckered into believing in her company and very smart people, too.  You probably remember reading about it.  

We watched The Green Book last night on Amazon.  We both really loved it.  Great acting and based on a true story.  Sadly, many things have not changed much, but the show left me feeling upbeat and had laughs and poignant moments, too.

Ann, thanks for the encouragement on my gain.  Yesterday was completely on point and today will be too.  I am determined to stay OP.  I know what  I need to do.  Less thinking about this and that and just do it! Connect is a nice tool, but too much time reading about everyone's success doesn't work for me.  I am going on the WW site only to look for a recipe and to track for a while.  It isn't that I spent that much time on Connect, but it reminds me of Facebook which I do enjoy but in small doses to catch up on friends and our kids.  I also like to post pictures while on vacation because it becomes a travel log for my own memory bank! 

Oh - today we are taking our precious little Doug to the Ophthalmologist.  He has an eye issue and may have a slipped lens.  I hope he is not in pain because he is "winking" a lot and his eye is tearing up quite a bit.  I'll keep you posted on the fur baby. He really is our baby and we sure love him and his sister. 

The work in the bathroom starts on Friday and not a moment too soon.  Also, I have to see the tax accountant Friday. I always dread that! 
 
Have a great day all!   

Hi, friends!

I just finished a dinner of ham from the freezer, corn, green beans and sweet potato fries. I put the fries in the air fryer and ran everything else through the microwave and had it all ready in 15 minutes, which was a good thing. Choir practice ran over and it was nearly 7:00 when I got home. Lunch was the rest of the chicken and cauliflower from last night.

I had my hair appointment today, so I am trim and the gray is gone again for awhile. Such a good feeling!

I am somewhat on pins and needles this evening, waiting to be sure DD2 makes it to her destination in Nebraska, with all the crazy weather in the Midwest. I just checked and her flight did get off okay. ( Judy- She lives in Lafayette, about 65 miles from us now, after living in Lincoln, NE for about 13 years.)

Well, the bedroom renovation is done!!! We went to town and bought a queen-sized bed to replace the old double bed that was our bed when we first got married in 1975. It is past time to get rid of that old mattress and box springs! The new one will be delivered tomorrow and they will haul off the old one. Once the old mattress and box springs are gone, we will then be able to get to the rest of the furnishings which have been crammed into another bedroom. I think I may have a curtain rod to fit the double window, but if I do, it's in the closet in the room that is currently jam-packed with furniture. Once I have that figured out, I can order curtains. I already have the comforter set, sheets, etc., but have kept the receipt just in case they don't work and I have to return them. The small cabinet, inherited from DH's family, that was used as a nightstand needs to be painted. I will get DD1's advice on that as she is talented at decorating.

My weight has been up a little at daily WI. Since I have been sticking with my eating plan, I am guessing it is my muscles adjusting to exercise again and retaining fluid. We will see what Friday brings, especially since we are eating out tomorrow night before the little theater performance. I'm trying to get DH to decide where he wants to eat (his turn to choose) so I can pre-check the menu and plan my meal.

Have a good evening all!

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

Happy PI day!!  I had a pork sirloin tip roast thawed out to go in the crock pot this morning, then was reminded by the radio that it was PI day, so I took some frozen leftover Jet's pizza out of the freezer and we have plenty of salad makings, so we're all set. Now the pork roast will go in the crock pot tomorrow morning.

I just noticed that I never got back to post all week.  Good thing it is only Thursday! We have today off for a Professional Development Day for our teachers; and I took a floating holiday (pay) so it's all good. So far I have packed away some sweaters and turtle neck tops and taken out some lighter and short-sleeved tops. I have also removed the flannel sheets (which are in the washer) and brought up some fresh percale sheets and remade the bed from the bottom up.  That will feel good tonight!  My sweatshirts were all packed away so I got them out and put them on their shelf so they're ready to wear. This is the season that I enjoy them most.

Pam ~ What great news that you finished the reno on the bedroom.  I assume this is a guest room??  You have really done this all quickly.  I love reading about your busyness and all that you accomplish. Also made me smile about DD2 and her new beau. I do hope he realizes what a treasure he has found.

Judy ~ I also was unable to get together with WW Connect.  When the old message boards were closing, there were a lot of people encouraging us to try it.  I also cannot "find" anyone and don't see a continuity. I am so grateful that these message boards came into being for those of us who like having a "group".  I especially appreciate all of you.  Even when I don't post in a timely manner, I often peek in to see how you are and it is like a mini-visit.

Ann ~ I do so enjoy hearing what all of you are reading. I wish I had MORE time to read - but lately I have been taking a little break here and there and its working for me. I also am a big fan of meals that can be thrown together in short time.  Much as I like to cook, I don't want to spend a lot of time every day on it. That is why I love things that make more than one meal.

In fact, the other night I took out the grilled chicken and cooked spaghetti and pasta sauce that DH's VBF sent home with us.  I weighed it and would you believe it was exactly FOUR servings of everything!  I made two casserole dishes for supper that could go in the oven for reheating; then put two servings in an aluminum foil pan with a snap-on lid for the freezer.  I absolutely HATE wasting food, especially really good food.  So we had his Chicken Parm for supper and we'll have it again.

Last night we went out for Walleye Wednesday at a local eatery.  I have been craving Walleye for a while now and talking about it - and then DH remembered where they have it - so last night was the night. It was absolutely delicious!!  We both had cole slaw and a soft bread stick - I had sweet potato fries and DH had steak fries.  I tracked everything and it was all good.

Tracking really worked for me last week because we went to Red Robin with another couple on Sunday and I looked up their menu on the WW site and tracked it all - and I went WAY over my SP and weeklies!! Oh well, I had what I went for and then had to rein it back in. But it was so worth it!!  I had rather track honestly and then face the music - rather than fudge it and wonder why I don't show a loss???

I need to get back to chosen chores for today. I plan to get some cleaning done and some polar fleece tops put away that I won't be wearing again this year.  Tomorrow I have a nail appointment in the morning and hair appointment in the early afternoon. It will be a great day to leave a roast in the crock pot for supper.

BBL.  Make a great day!!

Hi all,

What is PI day?  No clue.  I will have to google it! Also, what is Walleye, Sue?  I think of fish - Walleyed Pike! I learn so much here.

I had a luncheon out with a friend who used to work with us. She has been gone about 8 years and still keeps in touch when she is back in town.  She's a  very lovely person and I always enjoy seeing her.  Plus, she insisted on treating the three of us and wouldn't take no for an answer!  We tried and tried...she's just that kind of person.  Beautiful inside and out. We went to a Greek restaurant and I had a small lamb kebab and some rice - one skewer so not bad but I ate a fair amount of rice.  For dinner, I have a pot of chicken soup in the Crockpot.  I cooked an oven stuffer the other day and used the carcass to make a nice soup so that'll be my low pt dinner.  

I worked on gathering up tax info last night and will see the accountant tomorrow.  

Our little doggie Doug saw the Ophthalmologist yesterday at Tufts and we are relieved to know he does not have a slipped lens but could have one of the following: a) a form of doggie Bell's Palsy which causes his left eye to remain open or b) some type of inner ear infection causing the eye to tear. He is now on antibiotics and eye drops. This was the middle road attempt to see if it helps before we pursue anything more involving CT scans, etc.  He was such a great patient.  DH and I both went to the animal hospital with him.  What we don't do for our beloved babies! 

Good to see you Sue and you are very busy!  

Pam, I saw all the awful weather in the midwest and I hope DD#2 made is safely.  She is familiar with cold and snow if she lived in Nebraska.  One of my favorite books of all times is Willa Cather's My Antonia.  I have read it a few times. It takes place in Nebraska and you really can almost feel the cold of the winter there.  Your new bedroom sounds beautiful.  That was quite a project and sounds like it came out great.  I also love the air fryer. I just copied a recipe for air fried reubens and air fried zucchini.  The Reubens use eggroll wrappers and are only 4 pts.  Also, I agree with Sue.  You worked so fast on the renovation of the bedroom!  It's impressive.  We need to get a move on to clear out stuff and do some freshening up, too.  

Sue, you are smart to track all and face the music.  After all, who are we kidding when we "cheat" or fail to track it?  I try to do the same.   I don't always succeed but I am improving in my tracking.

Ann, what type of journal did you buy? Was it for tracking or for thoughts, etc?  

Have a great night all.  Off to finish up the work for the day.