Today is also our daughter-in-law Amanda’s birthday! 🎂
Every day is special, but when we have one dedicated to someone we truly appreciate, it makes days like today all the better
There is so much to appreciate about Amanda that it is difficult to put into words – she is caring, upbeat, hilariously funny in her unique Amanda way. She is adventurous, intelligent, LOUD but unassuming, high energy, and totally loving and loveable.
Best of all, Amanda is an amazing mother and a genuinely great wife and partner for son Dan. Truly, those two deserve each other and the life they have built together!
Happy Birthday, Amanda – and MANY more! 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 240
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) sausage patty (150)
(2) potato patties (240)
(2) eggs (160)
Snacks:
(15) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (218)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(5) oz Tbone steak (375)
(1) baked white potato (100)
(1) yellow ear of corn (80)
(5) tsp butter (171)
(1) red tomato (22)
(5) slices green cucumber (4)
(1/2) c brown mushrooms (8)
Total net calories: 1253
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1253 = 24 over
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ☺️💗
Today is Day 238 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 34 weeks without one miss. ☺️
Today is almost two full weeks since we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill. The first night we got it, I used it for fifteen minutes, the second night twenty, and every night since for a full thirty.
Until last night! For the past three or four nights, using the treadmill had just been getting harder and harder.
Over the past three and a half years, I have found that making commitments was more effective for me than setting result driven goals. I have found that modest, persistent, consistent efforts were more effective for me than occasional grand gestures. And I have found that muscle fatigue is a real thing!
When my muscles turn to achy, breaky, jello, it is time to set some down time for rest and recuperating.
Last night was one of those nights, and I’m thinking I am going to have to start taking regular break nights from the treadmill until I build up some muscle strength.
It is unfortunate, because I enjoy my evening treadmill time – physically and mentally. But it has to be done!
Maybe our treadmill will appreciatethe necessary break times. Intermittent weight lifting is helping me to develop some arm muscles! 🥳. (I’m still working on the Bingo wings. 🙄)
Daily Food Diary – Day 238
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)
(3) tsp butter (103)
Lunch:
(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, redvegetable, stir-fry (307)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(15) barbecue chips (130)
Supper:
(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, red vegetable, stir-fry (307)
(1) red tomato (22)
(3/4) c Butterscotch ice cream (180)
(10) hazelnuts (88)
(1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)
(1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)
Total net calories: 1360
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1360 = 131 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😌❣️
Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.
Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning. We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.
I have to cut this one short. Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!
Daily Food Diary – Day 237
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)
Lunch:
(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)
(2) oz ham (57)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)
Snacks:
(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery, brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)
(1) vegetable spring roll (100)
(4) Gyoza (133)
Total net calories: 1022
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️
We are having a fairly uneventful weekend. Our air is (thankfully) smoke free. Our temperatures are mild and we have limited wind.
Yesterday, I took advantage of our pleasant weather to do some work in the garden. Dan drove granddaughter Maddy to work and went driving with her after she was off.
Every once in a while I would check my phone (Life 360) to see where they were and make sure they were still on the road. Dan had her drive for quite a while – in the city, far from country ditches. 😂
Apparently, she did quite well. Our Jeep came close to losing a side mirror but no actual harm done.
I’m glad we have Life 360 – but seriously Maddy. Using a photo from your first ever Annual Boxing DaySleepoverfor yourprofile picture? You should be driving a pedal car. 😳
This morning we went for an early morning walk, had our typical Sunday morning, breakfast and tidied up a bit. Dan and his cousin from BC (who dropped in for a short visit) are outside in the gazebo.
Outside this morning – feeding the squirrels peanuts and cleaning up after Molly.
Today it is one week since we got our treadmill. I am not a world class athlete yet, but I have been using it for 30 minutes every evening and I am already noticing the difference.
Ever since I can remember, when I stand in one spot (even momentarily) my hips, knees, and ankles lock up. Even if I am moving, it is an effort to keep them from locking up. It is frustrating, but I am used to it.
For the past two days, I have noticed that at least my knees are moving a lot smoother. I’m not sure if my ankles are any better, and I know I am still struggling with my hips – but it’s a start!
Daily Food Diary – Day 232
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(2) Barbecue drumsticks(270)
(1) c raw vegetables: cauliflower – white, radishes & peppers – red, onions & green (90)
(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (60)
(60) oz water
(8) oz lemon water
Supper:
(2) SVG Arby’s roast beef (200)
(1) Medium Arby’s Crinkle cut fries (530)
(2) Arby’s cheese sticks (220)
(2) Arby’s gravy (35)
(1) horseradish sauce (50)
Total net calories: 1401
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1401 = 180 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! ☺️💕
Today is also August 19th and for the second time this summer we have our air conditioner turned on!
This summer has been less than sunny and warm. Even on the warmest days (both of them) the temperatures at night dip to low single digits Celsius. Zero is freezing. 🙄
There are two relatively nice things about this summer.
(1) There have been fewer smoke days from the northern wildfires. The fire season has been terrible up north, but the smoke hasn’t been too bad here.
(2) There have been fewer bugs this year than usual. Less annoying, but the ones we have seem to be getting meaner.
Our new pet – the Striped Garden Spider. Relatively harmless with a sting comparableto a bumblebee. I have stepped on a bumble bee. I would NOTconsider it’s sting to be harmless. 😧
I remember that day… I was getting ready for our big move from North Battleford, Sk. to the metropolis of Spruce Lake, Sk. (Population 50 once we moved in).
As usual when these transfers came up, my ex was off to training for his new position. I was left to get everything ready for the U-Haul, our house ready for the new tenants, while taking care of the kiddos. Mark was 4 years old, it was Danny’s second birthday, and Jen was 7 months old. I had dismantled the beds, cribs, etc… I had an unhappy two year old hanging off one leg, a shrieking baby, and a four year old doing Lord knows what. The U-Haul depot manager called to cancel our truck because back in those days they didn’t rent trucks to women. Not like I would be driving – which I explained when I made the arrangements.
I decided I needed a nice cup of tea to settle my nerves before getting back to wiping out cupboards and cleaning the kitchen sink/stove/fridge. I made my tea and set it beside the teacup full of Lime Away – and proceeded to take a good swing out of the wrong cup.
Having a two and a four year old, I knew the drill. I poured myself a glass of milk and chugged it down. I don’t drink milk. I haven’t drank milk since EVER. It comes up faster than it goes down. But I knew I had to keep it down, so I battled through the nausea and got back to work.
I strode across the kitchen, more determined (and nauseated) than ever and stepped on a frigging bumble bee. The searing pain was bad enough, but the baseball sized lump on the bottom of my foot was the last straw.
At this point, my father-in-law stopped by to wish Danny a Happy Birthday. 🎈 My father-in-law was seldom my hero, but he came through that day. He scraped us all together and took us to McDonald’s for lunch.
That gave me the time to pull myself together and for the swelling on the bottom of my foot to go down. When he dropped us back off at our house, my ex’s boss called to see how everything was going. That second act of kindness in one day was one too many for me. I told him exactly how everything was going – including my dealings with the U-Haul manager.
That was too much for him. He told me he would deal with it. Within minutes, he called me back to tell me the truck was ready for my ex to pick up when he got back.
Just one of several moves we made back in the day, but I am pretty sure it was our worst.
Although… There was the bowl of chocolate pudding that got packed in the box of linens when we moved to La Ronge… Who does that? And that was the one move we made with professional packers/movers.
Yesterday marked one full month since our granddaughter Genie married her ‘To Infinity’ Alec. 💞
This week when Alec and Genie delivered our ‘new to us’ treadmill, we finally convinced them to send us some more wedding photos.
Dan & I with the happiest young couple! 😊Prim looking so pretty (as always). Acting as official flower girl, Prim took her duties seriously. With help from the mother of the bride & flower girl (our daughter Jen), Prim helped to choose, arrange, and distributeall of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.
Back story of theflowers… the basic blossoms were store bought (and included red carnations and pink rosebuds in memory of Genie’s great grandparents). They were also filled out with wildflowers that Jen and Prim picked for the day – in honor of another day from Genie’s youth.
When all of Jen’s kids were young, we used to take them to visit my Mother in the Foyer in Gravelbourg. We always brought Mom something, most often flowers. On one visit, I forgot to get anything, but as we turned onto the highway to Gravelbourg, the ditch alongside the road was filled with wild flowers. Jen and I decided we would pick a bouquet of wildflowers for Mom. 👍
After telling ALL of the kids to stay in the car, we made our way down into the ditch. We heard the car door open and close. And looked back to see Genie rolling into the ditch behind us.
There was no turning her back, so we just watched over her while she picked an armload of wildflowers for greatgrandma.
My mother loved the bouquet and we never let Genie forget the story. 😂
I am taking things easier this weekend. Yesterday, I went for Molly’s walk. I did a bit of housework (nothing too heroic). I did my aerobics. And… I did 21 minutes on the treadmill – getting up to a Level 4 (of 16). No incline yet, but today could be the day.
Daily Food Diary – Day 228
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) granola bar (170)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
(12) Mini Easter Eggs (the LAST) of the mini Easter eggs: (190)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) Beef/pork burger with bacon bits, provalone cheese, onions – white, tomato – red, lettuce – green , & horseradish – white (256)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(5) slices cucumber – green (4)
(5) slices tomato – red (13)
Total net calories: 965
Net calories goal: 1222 – 965 = 256 under 👍
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💓🤗
Grandpa escorting his girl to the altar, while she clutched her, special as she is, bouquet.
It is Day 225 of my Daily Food Diary. Not a single miss in 225 Days! 💃
Yesterday was another busy and productive day. I got to go for Molly’s morning walk with Dan. (We have been wildfire smoke free for a few days now. 👍) I did my morning aerobics and Wednesday weights. I spent the afternoon outside watering, pulling weeds, trimming plants, and doing general yardwork. And, I came in to bake apple pies and straighten up the kitchen.
I can’t tell you how great it feels to wake up every morning feeling well and going to bed every night feeling that my day was productive.
I have been on this Health and Fitness Journey for three and a half years. It hasn’t always been easy. Not that it has been that hard, but there have been setbacks. Regardless, weeks like this make it all worthwhile.
It isn’t about living forever, it is about living well. This week, I am living exceptionally well! 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 225
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Rice Krispies (120)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
(1) tsp sugar (16)
Lunch:
(2) chicken drumsticks (401)
(9) Lay’s Low Salt wavy chips (131)
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tomato (22)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(1) PC apple pie (178)
Total net calories: 944
Net calories goal: 1222 – 944 = 278 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
Yesterday was one of those days when I realized how far I have come in the past three and a half years – since I first set out on my health and wellness journey to build up my strength and stamina.
Yesterday, I walked Molly first thing in the morning. I came home to do half an hour of yard work, clear my lungs and then do my Daily Food Diary blog. I was just about to post it, when my daughter arrived with her dog Sasha.
We had previously arranged to take Sasha for a bath at Pet Value. But first, we tag teamed a serious brushing session. Once done, we headed off to bathe her. An hour later, Sasha was fully groomed. Jen and I should have both been exhausted.
Sasha, in the zone – enjoying her first Pet Value bath.
However, once I got home, I changed and did my morning aerobics followed by my Monday weights and cardio.
Following that, I made a batch of caramel corn and tidied up the house. I made homemade macaroni and cheese and fixed vegetables while Dan barbecued the chicken for our supper. After, supper I set up the coffee pot for this morning, straightened up the kitchen and Dan came in to help with dishes.
This may not seem like that much, but three and a half years ago, I would never have been able to take Molly for a walk… much less everything, or anything else.
I honestly don’t know what most people expect life at seventy should look like. To me these days, mine looks like a miracle. 🌹
It has been over a month since I started taking Collagen Supplements. My nails are stronger and healthier than they have ever been, my hands are barely achy (even first thing in the morning), my hair is shedding less and looking healthier, my skin texture is improving, AND my sinuses are starting to feel noticeably better. I don’t know how to describe that, except they feel firmer and less collapsible, if that makes any sense.
A couple of days ago, I mentioned Generational Health here, on my blog. I was talking about the positive health and wellness lifestyle habits that we pass down to future generations. I was mostly referring to physical health.
Last night our daughter-in-law sent me a photo of our grandson Cason and son Dan. Since Cason was a tot he has been playing board games, card games, and doing Jigsaw Puzzles with his parents, older siblings and grandparents.
When we were at Dan and Amanda’s this spring, Cason brought out a chess board and asked me to play a game. He said he knew how because he had seen someone playing Chess on one of his kiddie shows. I was a bit skeptical but, ok then!
With a little help setting up the board and the occasional advice during the first round, Cason had a good grasp on the game. Despite my best efforts, he won the second one.
Natural talent, and above average intellect aside, kids need encouragement, support, and adult role models to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
As a parent, I have occasionally wondered if my parenting was ever effective or appreciated. Seeing my sons and daughter parenting their children, it is obvious that they were both. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 220
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
Lunch:
(1/4) stuffed GREEN pepper (86)
Snacks:
(10) Lay’s lightly salted potato chips (57)
(1/4) c barbecue corn nuts (260)
48) oz water
Supper:
(2) c beef steak and vegetable – green, red, orange & white stir-fry (200)
(1) c white rice (242)
(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)
(1) tbsp butter (103)
(5) Gyoza (167)
(1) tbsp Gyoza dipping sauce (15)
Total net calories: 1090
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1090 = 131 under
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🌞💕
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 