All In The Past

  This is my post from Sept. 29, 2007
Number Three

Surgery that is. In a 13 month time span that is. The Doc says my gall bladder must come out. Soon! Very Soon! I many small gallstones and apparently I am passing them. So he is afraid they might get lodged. Going to see surgeon on Tuesday. Can you believe it? My body is falling apart. I'm just trying to catch up to Marlene, HA! So, I guess it's a no big deal surgery, but it's just the whole process of getting the surgery.  (every time I have to write down my surgeries i forget the date.  Now I at least know what year they were!)  See, blogs are good for something.  )

Here is the one from 2010:
Weighty Matters ~ Week 3

Minus 2.6 lbs and total WL of 4.6 It's a start down the long and winding road. Dude on Biggest Loser lost 41 lbs. this week. Yikes! That sounds scary. It barely made a dent tho cuz he was over 400 lbs. Today's focus at the WW meeting was about how to shop smarter at the grocery store. Come on, is there any more smarter shopper than I? I could've guest taught the lecture. LOL I will look for some way in which to improve. You have to look at the total picture especially the fiber.
Upcoming Events:
Going to the Northville Farmer's Market with my sistopher
Getting my hairs cut
Garage sale this weekend
Going camping next weekend ~ FALL COLORS!
(hmmm, interesting. ~ oh and almost had a GS this weekend, but the weather is too crapy.)

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings?

I like both really.  Beans in both.  Spice in both.  Cheese and crackers on the red.  Cheese, cilantro and tortilla chips on the whte.


2. Red~Orange~Gold…your favorite fall color?

Love the fall colors.  Love fall.  Probably orange.


3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up?
John-boy Walton?  My sister?  Betsey Ross?  Clara Barton?  I guess I  didn't.


4. When was the last time you did something ‘arts and craftsy’? Share please.

Um, hmmm.  I can't even remember.  I guess that would be scrap booking.  That's not really a word is it?



5. What’s a place that makes you really nervous?

Tall bridges. Yikes.  the doctor's.  Hospitals. I once drove over the Golden Gate by myself.

6. Horse back riding…yay or nay (neigh?)
. Used to like it, but not so much anymore.  Once took a horseback ride in the Mountains in Gatlinbur.


7. What is your favorite cliche?
Time flies when you're having fun. Time is money.  Hmm.      Maybe I am obsesed with time.  YIKES.  So maybe "The acorn doesn't fall far from the treeeeee." ................





8. Insert your own random thought here.
blank here.



































Thanks for stopping by, see you next Wednesday!

So...

My stress echo test came back positive.  I had to meet with the Dr. today to discuss the results.  Of course he scheduled a new test.  Another type of stress test.  There is a possibility that I have the begining of a small blockage.  Yikes!  Time to stop messing around with the whole diabetes thing.  Ya think?  Been very busy, thus no blogging.  I had to go out to work the nasty houses for a few days.  And even mowing.  blah.  Grass everywhere.  So........... I'm not real chatty just now.

Blue Skies Here In The North

Decided to go up to Tawas for the weekend.  Weather man said it would be a bit more sunny north of the Tri's.  Should've taken the rag-top.  It's sunny and pretty warm.  Especially after all the clouds, cool & rainy weather we've been having.  Thinking about going canoeing.  There is a Triathelon competition here this weekend.  Darn, I should have enrolled in that.  NOT.  Just gonna mostly chill.  Brought a couple books.  Love to just sit and look at the water.

So, Yeah I Couldn't Resist

It was a price too good to be true.  I keep getting stuck at home without a vehicle.  And well you know.  I have wanted a Mustang, probably since I was a kid.  My brother had an awesome Red one when he first started driving.  I thought it was so cool.  It's probably gonna turn out to be a gas hog, and well it's not real smart to have a ragtop in Michigan.  But again, the price was right.  It's in very good shape.  It was hard to sell because it's a 5 speed.  Kids today can't even drive those.  But, I can!  It will be fun!

Is It All Down Hill From Here?

Weather wise?  You never know.  We went from near 100 degrees to only 60 degrees in the span of about 48 hours.  So, we could still have some warm day.  Not sure so much the nights.  Just got back from the Third Annual Labor Day Camping Trip at Myers Lake.  Didn't do a thing on Saturday because it was just too darn hot!  Had a couple storms, mild in nature and a bit of rain.  Got back yesterday early because it was just too darn cold!  LOL.  Felt sorry for the people in tents.  Did my grocery shopping for the week, then chilled out and watched a movie in the evening.  Today, it's just Peyter and me for a couple hours while Nicole goes to school and fixes her schedule and finds her classrooms @ Mott.  Nothing special this week; just going to try and catch up on all the work I've been neglecting.

A Day Late And A Dollar Short

Wednesday Hodgepodge (Ok, So Thursday)


1. Do you think the world became a more dangerous place on September 11, 2001 or did we just become more aware of the danger? How has your own life changed as a result of that day?

I think maybe we just became more aware of the danger.  That was very personal to many people and was maybe even more horrific because we watched it on live TV and then again repeatedly in reruns.  It affected us in other ways, air safety, foreign travel etc.  I flew to Nashville later that year and there were armed guards at the airport.  That was pretty weird.  I think I am more jumpy now when I fly or travel and now think twice about traveling to certain areas, like Washington DC, New York and overseas.


2. Did you think your parents were too strict when you were growing up? How about in hindsight?

Ah, maybe yes a little.  But I think they did the best they could under the circumstances.  My dad was an only child raised by really strict christians and my mom lost her mother at age 12 or 13.
3. Share one random but candid fact about yourself.


I like to be in charge; nuff said?

4. Would your nearest and dearest describe you as simple or far too complicated?
Uh, pretty sure WAY far too complicated.  One never knows when I'm going to be nice or have an explosion.  ha ha

5. What is your favorite stadium or carnival food?
Nachos with halepeno's.  Hot dog at the ball park.



6. Tornado, hurricane, earthquake...how many of these natural disasters have you experienced? Which event do you think would be the scariest?

Tornado came close thrice.  Like in the basement under the table.  couple blocks away.  or in the hospital ~ out in the hall with all the patients they moved (beds) into the hallway.  Couple streets away.  Or with the school kids in the hallway, arms over our heads.  Again couple streets away.  But, NEVER actually been through one.  Hurricane would freak me out ~ all that flooding.  Earthquake would freak me out.  I freaked out last week when I felt the tremors in Cleveland from the one on the East Coast.  I thought it was me, so I had a HUGE panic attack.

7. Labor Day weekend is approaching so a work related question seems appropriate. Growing up, did your parents assign you regular chores? Were you paid for doing those chores? If you're a parent do you assign chores to your own children? Why or why not?
Yes, I had chores.  Dishes every night.  Clear and Clean-Up.  or Rinse and Load.  Clean the bathroom and my room every Saturday.  I don't remember being paid.  But, I'm glad I had those because I think it made me appreciate being neat and clean.  I'm a bit freakish about it, but "hey."  Yes, kids had chores.  They need responsibilities.

Last Day of August

Who would believe it?  Just haven't felt much like blobing lately.  One reason is, I have been in much PAIN!  I did something to my back/hips.  My hips are out of joint.  Went to Chiropractor 3 times, and even had a massage yesterday.  Woke up very sore today.  I think the Chiro used too much force yesterday.  So, now I kinda hurt worse then ever.  I'm sitting with a heating pad in my chair today.  We have been crazy busy at work, I have had to go out on the jobs more than I would like.  I think maybe that's how I threw my back out.  We are supposed to go camping for the Labor Day weekend.  Third annual "group" camping trip out to Myers Lake in Argentine.  I hope my back gets to feeling better.  Pain makes me crabby!!

Signs That F%LL is Approaching

Nights are getting cooler
Flowers are looking faded
It's time for the safeguard conference
Labor day camping is only 2 week-ends away
The grass is growing again
The lawn mowers are breaking down
I'm in the mood for spaghetti, chili, stuffed peppers
           and even soup
Berry then apple season

Just a Chillin' Kind of Day

Got up, walked the dog and decided I wanted to go out to breakfast.  Found a country place called "the Hotspot" in Coloma, Mi.  Not bad.  Drove around seeing the sights on the Blue Star Hwy.  Stopped at a dunes beach and walked down to Lake Michigan.  What a hike back "up" the sandy trail.  Went to a fruit market.  There are literally millions around.  So many fruit jams, spreads, salsa's, toppings, sauces" it's so hard to pick!  Then went to an Antique place that had everything including the kitchen sink.  They had 2 or 3 barns full and a yard.  It all smelled moldy to me.  LOL  Then went to another winery.  This one only sold fruit wines.  Very sweet and yummy.  Bought 3 bottles.  Only 2 for me; one for a friend.   Came home (back to the camper) made tortlilini with alfredo sauce and a mandrin orange/almond salad with "Salad Expressions" dressing.  I did indulge in 1/2 of the dark orange truffle.  Very good!  Some lucky person is gettting a 2-pack.  Tonight is homemade sloppy joes and probably all the leftover veggies etc...Dessert is blueberry/peach pies cooked over the fire.  I know I'm eating too much sugar~ Well it IS vacation.  I'm trying to still go "easy."

Camping, Storms & Blueberries

We are camping again, this time with our friends the Hinspeters in South Haven.  We're at a KOA where they have full hook up ~ Yay.  So you can run the water all you want and "potty" to your heart's content.  My niece Karen would appreciate that.  Woke up to a nice thunderstorm about 7 am Sat. morning.   It is Blueberry season, so thus the Blueberry Festival.  You can pick blueberries everywhere and even right here at the campground.  We picked 5 lbs on Friday at a "U Pick" farm.  A buck and a quarter a lb.  They're quite tasty too.  I'm going to freeze them.

 We had blueberry pancakes at the campground sponsored breakfast on Saturday.  We also went to a vineyard and did a little wine tasting.  Bought one bottle of a white wine that was quite tasty.  Then we went to a Chocolate store called the Chocolate Garden.  Apparently it's famous and rated in America's top chocolates and has been featured on the Cooking Network channel.  Someone I know is getting a tasty, yummy treat from there!  Then a storm blew up so we headed back to the campground.  Upon arrival we saw tents and other things that had been blown around or blown over.  I'm kinda glad we were in town. 
Today's events may include going back to the Blueberry festival in town and picking peaches and perhaps raspberries or blackberries.

Christmas List 2011

Here it is folks, hot off the press.  This year's Christmas Wish List!  What's that you say, I must have too much time on my hands?  Contrair.  I'm multi-tasking.  Babysitting, (he's asleep), working, laundry, shower, dishes, etc.  While I was in the shower I was thinking about stuff I might need. (want)  he ha ha

• Barnes & Noble Gift Card (for Nook)
• Queen Bee charm from Pandora
• Ceramic coffee mug 12 oz or 16
• Scarf-like belt (to wear with jeans)
• New jeans in a new size! (probably 16)
• Coffee pods for Keureg maker
• July Birthstone charm from Pandora
• Airline Ticket to Florida (just thot I'd sneak that in)
• new bedspread

Wednesday Hodgepodge ~ A Day Early!

Hodgepodge
1. Share a favorite song lyric:
Oh my word, music is always circling in my head.  So a fav. lyric?  Ummm

BROOKS & DUNN "He looked at me and smiled, said

I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what i can see
Oh i believe"



2. When was the last time someone yelled at you?
Not sure, people don't yell at me; I yell at them.

3. Money, fame, happiness…are they mutually exclusive?

I don't even know exactly what that means.  I don't think they go together if that's what this means.

4. What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn’t require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?

This is very limiting.  Let's see.  I guess that would be fondue.  Everyone loves when I make that!

5. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?

Hmmm.  I can't think of something for this one.  My life is not that complicated, LOL.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country’s national political scene?

IDK, maybe a 5.  Right in the middle.  I try and follow the main events.

7. What are your final parting words to the month of July?

Why were you so HOT?  Normally, I love you July, but not this year.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have to get tons of work done this week, because I am WAY behind!  Leaving again for camping @ Grand Haven for the weekend.

Sunday, Sunday

I made myself a veggie egg white omelet and coffee, Ahhh.  Then a trip to the Swartz Creek Farmer's Market.  Whoo, hoo!  It's small but I do like buying local.  There is a farmer that always has nice fresh picked produce and his farm is only a couple miles away.  I got peaches, red skinned baby potatoes, green beans, pickling cukes, a red onion.  Was supposed to have blueberries, but somehow they were left behind.  I decided to try my mom's recipe for "freezer pickles."  Going to make a batch tonight.  The blueberries were for some bran muffins, but I think I still have some in the freezer that I can use.  There is a pot roast in the crock pot.  Smells pretty good.  Then we went to a neat restaurant in Grand Blanc,  Brick Street.  We ate outside, very nice.  Then a stop at Meijers to get some supplies for the pickles.  Think I'm in for the day now.  Still battling the wicked cold that keeps hanging on.

What? July is Almost Over?

I feel like I've been gone for a month.  Or most of it.  I did take an extended camping trip ~ 11 days.  Eight days at Otsego Lake with the Renee's and family.  It was hot, hot, hot.  Good thing the camper has air conditioning.  We needed it most nights.  One night was too hot to have a campfire!  We spent most of the days either lazing around or in the lake.  Too bad the boat broke on the first day.  Then I spent 3 days camping with neicopher Karen and the kids.  Their first camping experience.  Poor Riles had to sleep on the floor.  She wasn't crazy about that, but I think she enjoyed the rest of it.  Including the giant marshmallows over the fire and made into smores.  Even Brady Boy seemed to have fun.  I surely enjoyed spending time with them.  We swam in the lake, picked up sticks around the campfire, cooked "boyscout" dinner, visited Dad, walked around Boyne City, played giant horseshoes, and a little baseball.  Now, back to the regular routine for a while.  Until next time.

Cottonwood Campground

A lovely spot right on the green pond.  Campfire last night.  Huge fireworks show right from our spots.  I mean serious fireworks, professional ~ huge!  Oh the things people spend their money on.  So glad we had the foresight to take the dog home yesterday.  I am sure the outcome of leaving him alone in the camper while we attended the wedding would not have been good.  Hoping today will be truly a day of rest. I refuse to think about the fact that after returning home on Monday there is out of town guests arriving on Tuesday....
  My one goal is to finish the book I'm reading.  The last in the Fr. Tim series.  What will I read next?  I've been reading through the series for almost a year.  Excellent books!   Okay, I hope the "hound dog" across the way stops barking.  Just a random thought.  I'm so glad that "Bailey is not a "barker."   FYI: Grilled Chicken and corn on cob tonight for dinner.

Camping or Bed & Breakfast?

After a grueling day of mowing ~ 12 lawns (there were 3 of us) we arrived home around noon.  We hadn't had time this week to get things ready so we had all the packing of clothes, towels, food, etc.  Move the trailer around, hook up the camper.  Load up the camper, take a shower, kisses to Peyton.  Drive to campground.  Set up the camper AND all the paraphernalia that goes along with that.  Get dinner ready.  Grill the burgers,  heat up the beans, get the plates, forks, napkins out.  Finally sit down to dinner.,  Whew, that was alot of work.  We started pondering whether or not the whole "camping experience is worth it.  Mentally, physically and even financially.  It was 81 bucks for the weekend.  However, you really should add the cost of the monthly payment, insurance, etc... hmmm.  Something to think about.  Anyway, here we are.  Just cleaned up from dinner and it's thundering.  But, it does seem like maybe it is going around us.  I surely hope so.  Camping and thunderstorms do not mix in my book!

Thursday, June 30 ~ The Last Day of The Month

As overheard on the news.  Wow, is June really over?  Seems like it has just begun.  I'd like to see the stats on how many days the temp reached over 70 degrees?  Why am I watching the news?  It's just one "Bad News" story after another.

What Is July?

• Independence Day
• Fire Works
• Summer Swelter
• Camping Trips
• Birthdays (mine and many others)
• Outdoor dining
• Tubing (add to my wish list)
• Biking
• Boating
• Endless watering of flowers
• Ahhhhh!

Time Flies

Seems like it anyways.  Peyton is 12 weeks and starting on rice cereal.  Hoping that helps the massive spit up situation.  He's asleep right now while I'm catching up.  Sarah & Nik are returning all the Grad Party stuff that has to be returned to it's rightful owner.  Found a whole bunch of old books down the basement that we forgot we had.  Ordered some books from the library regarding antique books.  Going to see how much we can sell them for on E-Bay.  Went to the Drive In last nite to see Cars 2.  Cute movie.  Drive In is quite a place to people watch.  All the cars drving around with lights on was a bit irritating though.  Mowed 3 lawns this morning ~ whew.  Riding mower of course.  Should get on the ole bicycle later...

Summer Wish List

• Charity Island Dinner Cruise

• Visit The Shores of West Michigan
• Ride in a convertible car
• Start Exercising
• Biking at local parks
• Go to the Northville Farmer's Market
• Visit Calan & Emmett
• *Go for a luxurious weekend brunch on the Royal Park Hotel's patio overlooking Paint Creek in Rochester. 
• Eat at Red Mesa 
•