Sketching, Food, and Life

Monday morning and I'm here at the studio.  Am I painting yet, no, because I also pay bills here and I had to call the bank after an update shut me out of a program.  Time WASTED!  I only popped in here once last week as I watched kiddos a bit and just didn't want to be here.  I'm fighting getting back to oils lately only wanting to draw.  Kind of in a weird place right now and I'm sure it's just the weather and lots of time on my hands.  I did have my book club over last Wednesday evening and this Wednesday is my "Birthday" club girls for dinner.  I put a pork butt in the crockpot at 5 am this morning and will cook it for about 8-10 hours.  Tonight we will eat it like pulled pork over mashed cauliflower and Wednesday I will make pozole for the girls.  

Yes, I am back on the low carb wagon and it is going quite well actually.  I went to my doctor a little over a month ago, my blood pressure was great but later, after the blood tests came back he is concerned I am prediabetic.  So he wanted me to come back in for an A1C test.  I am choosing NOT to do that but to jump in with both feet with the low carb thing and so far I have lost 10 pounds.  It's really not been too hard as I was already doing it, mostly, but back slid.  I was enjoying too much bean dip and Fritos!  Now I am spending my quality time with food really being careful, eating tons of greens, veggies and protein.  I feel really strong and confident that this is my path for the rest of my life.  I don't need Fritos but an occasional one is not going to kill me.  I've been going to gatherings and NOT eating the bad stuff and bringing veggie platters that I can stuff my face on.  I am going to do this.  As I said before my doctor prescribed Contrave, but it sits at the pharmacy waiting on the insurance/Medicare to approve.  I think I'm doing just fine on my own and will continue WITHOUT it!  They're adding more warnings on the shots that scare me too death and are exactly why I will not be doing them.  I will continue my food ways, clean eating and sketching!  

I've been adding stories with these on Facebook and they seem to be a hit and several people want me to write about them, in book form.  I kind of already do here on my blog.

Momma and Momma's hands...

Life Drawing class again...One of the best I've ever done.  Of course the sketchbook I used was one the kiddos have drawn on.  Makes it more beautiful, in my opinion.

Anxious Nelly

Good morning.  Surprise, surprise, two days in a row I'm here.   I'm still riding high on getting in that show in NYC and now I have to deal with the details, which for some reason makes me nervous.  I printed out the details on shipping, dates, etc., and that's a whole different kind of mess.  I've done it before, I can do it.  You have to deal with shippers, which in the past have been grumpy old men (the receiving end) but they get the job done.  I have special boxes I have to send out through FedX, they're padded and very strong.  It's just a process and I need to be on my game to make it all happen.  I'm sure I will not be going to the show but who knows, right!   

Honestly, sitting here just thinking about it, typing it all out, I have a desire to FLEE from all of it, just not send in the paintings.  You know that's a pattern for me to run from stuff like this.  In high school, senior year, I tried out for talent show, Pow Wow (not called that anymore for obvious reasons.)  I practiced and practiced with my friend Becky playing the piano for me.  I sang Barbra Streisand's "People", and I was good, I knew it I felt it.  I started out shaky and too soft but I got louder.  I was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED doing it.  I knew people that were quite popular and talented were watching me, listening to me and it was the biggest thing I had EVER done in my life.  I didn't even want to stand on the stage, preferring to stand by the piano down below on seat level, next to Becky, my comfort zone.  I'm telling you I remember reading the lyrics off of the piano book because I knew I would not be able to remember them in front of everyone.  But I did it.  Funny thing though, swinging back around to my point, is that I got in that show, I made it, but I never NEVER went to practice to be in it.  It was all I could do to stand up there and sing in front of those few people.  It has taken a lifetime to break out of that cocoon I built around myself, I'm a much different person now, sort of.  I've stood up in front of people and spoken, I've even done Karaoke before (a little liquid courage on board), but I've done it, I've overcome that shy, introverted girl, mostly.  This shipping stuff seems to bring that stuff up sometimes.  Makes my tummy flutter and me to take a lot of cleansing breaths. 

Oh by the way, down 5 pounds as of this morning.  It's been 7 days since I was in my doctors office, 6 days of watching the carby thing, 5 pounds down.  It will probably fall off pretty quick in the beginning, enough to help with the next blood test, I hope.  The Hubby asked this morning if I was going to tackle the pharmacy and insurance to get that damn pill.  Pisses me off, really does.  I told him I really thought I could do this on my own.  I just hate to take a pill for stuff and you just don't know what the long term effects are going to be.  He promptly said, "Well, you've not been able to do it before, you need to do something."  I AM YOU JERK!  For GOD'S SAKE, I have given up bread, potatoes, pasta, DRINKING, fast food.  I'm eating giant salads for lunch, this morning I ate egg bites (7 carbs-vs-my protein bars of 38 carbs).  I'm going to make my own.  I'm cooking very clean and have been for awhile.  But of course, on my counter is a German chocolate cake our friends made for him for his birthday.  He sat right next to me last night eating it, didn't wait till I headed to the bedroom to watch TV.  He has ice cream every night with chocolate syrup but has the decency to eat it AFTER I've left the room.  He wants to snack and gets frustrated if I don't have a bag of chips or crackers or the right cheese HE likes.  It's very frustrating.  He eats everything I fix for him but these added things are not helping.  It's not that I like GCC, I don't it's the smelling it while he is eating.  It's the crunch of the chips I can hear.  AND I'M NOT A BINGE EATER EITHER! I'm making the right choices and that will be what helps me get this weight down.  If I can just get it down to manageable for my body, my health, that is what matters.  STICK TO MY GUNS!!!  

I Have A Plan

I don't think I've shared this but I had a mammogram and bone density scan the other day and let's just say one of those came back not good, the bone density scan.  My mammogram was just fine, thank goodness.  You know every single year I have one and I am absolutely terrified of the outcome.  So many of my friends have faced breast cancer, losing one this summer from it.  I almost want to cancel the appointment the apprehension is so great, but if I don't have it checked I would worry more, so onward to boob squishing day!

The bone density thing I knew was probably going to not be good as it was down a couple of years ago but I did not expect my doctor to want to put me on more drugs.  His nurse called and said he wanted me to take Fosomax.  I've heard some nasty stories about the stuff and I immediately told her I wanted to research it first, but in reality I am NOT going to take it.  I am not going to go into old age with a counter full of pill bottles with the remedies more damaging than the cure.  I am going to do other things to offset it.  First of all I joined OsteoStrong recently.  OsteoStrong is a type of bone strength training that uses low-impact, high intensity exercises to help increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.  My doctor said my other hip has significant osteoporosis in it, much like my replaced hip, and arthritis.  I can work with that.  I am also upping my Vitamin D3 and Omega3's and drum roll please, more exercise.  I'm sure if I lose weight it will help too, so I have a plan.  

Oh, and my doctor, every time I go in there, tries to get me on like Ozempic or Mondoro to lose weight.  I am so leary of that stuff and really don't understand it.  Years ago there was a drug program out called Phen-fen that I took, lost weight, but of course, put it back on.  Not long after it had been on the market people started having heart issues, having to replace valves attributed to the Phen-fen thing.  I certainly dodged a bullet on that and I've TOLD my doctor about.  Plus there is a rare thyroid cancer with these new drugs and since I have thyroid issues, as did my father (2/3 of his removed) and my brother has, and my great grandfather having thyroid cancer I am NOT going to chance it.  

I asked my doctor why it works, the skinny guy he is (he's diabetic and a pencil thin man,)  and he said it basically makes you feel full, you don't eat.  Um, that's not healthy, to not eat.  You don't get your nutrition and the stuff causes your body to not poop right.  Hey, I've already got mine working just fine, I'm not mucking that up again.  

Back to my plan.  I am retired, don't have to be anywhere I don't want to, there is absolutely no reason I can not get on that damn exercise bicycle gathering dust in our bathroom and use it.  I have only one reason, I'M FUCKING LAZY!  So, that being said, I have decided that Monday's and Wednesday's I will ride the bike.  I'm not going to push, or have an unattainable goal, just get on and ride as long and as far as I can and build up.  I used to ride 5-10 miles a day.  Then on Thursday's I will go to my OsteoStrong and do my quick workout.  I think this plan will work, will fit into my life.  I thought the perfect day to start would be New Year's Day, and Monday is New Year's Day, that it would be the day to begin.  Although this morning I did get on to see if I could do it and you know what I did a mile, easily, well, sort of easily.  I recovered very fast, a good sign.  No, no excuses, I have an attainable plan and when I go to see Dr. K in a few months, hopefully, my weight and blood pressure will be down.  The bone density we will recheck in 2 years.  I'm willing to wait.  

I will keep you posted how this PLAN goes.

Update: Life in General

This is just a little update about our little Bubs.  

Notice something...

no oxygen in his nose.  

Yesterday he went to the heart doctor which is every other week and they said no more oxygen, except at night right now but begin the weaning off of it.  He still has a heart monitor but said that needs to be weaned off (mostly the parents need to be weaned off of it!)  PLUS, he doesn't have to go back for a month.  I knew that would happen.  He is just doing so very well and just keeps progressing.  Now we tackle the food thing and he will have it made, till the next surgery.

MIGHTY MAX

Last week I scooted off to the cabin on a Wednesday and stayed till Sunday!!!  I figured I had nothing else going on and I'M RETIRED!!!  The Hubby showed up Friday afternoon.  It was absolute bliss.  I sat on my screened porch with a fire, my book and then I painted a bit.  Absolute bliss.  

I painted a still life...

"Fall is in the Air"

and...

"Big Red"

which I already sold.  Yes I have painted him before, in fact this is the third time, but they sell almost immediately.

Back to reality (meaning to town) and I hit the ground running with a 1-1/2 hour visit to the dealership for "required maintenance" and to get two nails out of one of my tires.  Glad I didn't have a blowout on the drive to the cabin.  Tuesday was our annual review on our retirement accounts, and finally Wednesday a bit of time at the easel.  I finished this little jewel and really like it.

"Fall Hay"

16x20

Monday was also back to cooking for us.  I had some frozen shrimp, feta, tomatoes, asparagus and rice.  I decided to do the feta back with the tomatoes then took out the immersion blender and whizzed up this to pour over a 1/4 cup of rice.  The asparagus I roasted in the oven and halfway through put the shrimp on top.  All seasoned with salt and pepper and I think Italian seasoning.  It was pretty yummy.

The week before I had my annual Medicare physical.  Don't mind telling you I was jittery about it.  I'm kind of a white coat-syndrome gal, my blood pressure tends to be high at first.  I was worried because I've again put a few pounds on ARGHHHHH!  But when the nurse put the cuff on I was amazed it was pretty perfect!  Then of course he harped on my weight and was again trying to push the Monjaro like diabetes drugs that people are taking to lose weight.  I AGAIN explained that first of all several of them, if not all, have warnings about a rare thyroid cancer.  I have thyroid issues in my family, me included, benign tumors on brother and my father's thyroid (his removed.)  My great-grandfather on my mother's side DIED of thyroid cancer.  So I am not inclined to be a test subject on that crap.  Also, many years ago there was FenFin that everyone was doing to lose weight and I was one of those that was put on it.  I lost weight, yes.  I stopped it (not sure why) and boy am I glad because the bad side effect was heart damage and open heart surgeries!!!!!  HOLY CRAP!  So I will continue on with eating fairly well on my own, ESPECIALLY after my labs came back.  To quote my doctor, "your labs are EXCELLENT!"  Well, that answers a lot about how I'm doing on my food.  I probably, know I should be exercising.  I'm going to take some steps in that direction...LOL.

Goodbye 2021(2020), Hello 2022

Goodbye 2021...so long, see you NEVER again...

Gosh, what a couple of years we've had.  I'm hoping the new year is a lot of good stuff and look forward to seeing 2020-2021 in the rear view mirror.  Let's move on to a new hip, more weight loss, maybe getting into some more national art shows and finally RETIREMENT!!!  

I leave you this year with more food pics.  I'm continuing the weight loss journey, albeit it with a few hiccups but I'm still working on it.  

pork chops with mushrooms, chard, white wine, splash of cream

pork tenderloin stuff with cream cheese and jalapeno's, mixed veggies and mashed cauliflower

Today I'm off to the office after a couple days spent at the studio.  I was busy working on a painting for the friend that passed away, Patti.  She contacted me in November, just before Thanksgiving, asking if I could possible paint this blue bird picture she sent.  It was taken in her sisters backyard.  I have no idea if she was giving it to her sister or keeping it for herself but I had it started and it was just staring at me
in the studio, so I decided I had to finish it.  

Not sure if I will name it but I do plan on giving it to her husband at some point when I know he's in a better place.  It might be too much right now.  

Happy New Year my friends, till we meet again next year, 2022

Carla

 

Weekend Fun and Inspiration

We finally ran off to the cabin for some down time, much needed down time.  I love taking photos while we are driving there but I must contend with a photo through the windshield as he doesn't slow down much for me to capture anything.   

I think I do a pretty good job though, enough that they inspire me to paint.  

I think this photo is my favorite from the drive and yesterday I flew off to the studio to capture it.  I haven't been in the studio for nearly two weeks and it was so time I played in paint.  I really didn't get much done because Linda came in and I haven't talked or seen her for nearly a month.  This studio thing is kind of okay because I have time alone there and she does, BUT, I do miss us chatting. 

Home for lunch I pulled up in our driveway and just had to capture the beauty of our house and the flag for Flag Day!

It is started and trust me it is tiny but if I am to sell some more on the 4th of July weekend at the cabin, well tiny sells quickly.  This one is only a 5x7 and I plan on doing it bigger at some point.  Guess you call this a study as a lot of artists do. 

Diet update...well, the weekend I kind of ATE stuff I shouldn't but that's okay once in awhile.  The scale is up 2...RATS!  It's funny how hard it is to get off but how easy it piles back on and so quickly.  DAMN FAT!

Happy Birthday To Me

Continuing on with the weight loss journey I fixed some veggies with andouille sausage and a little Lawrey's Seasoned Pepper. SOOOooo very yummy.  The scale is down 16 pounds now and I can tell you I feel lighter.  Oh, I know there is a long way to go but I'm already feeling the effects of the pounds melting away.  Hey look, I'm not perfect especially when I wanted to celebrate my birthday without being tied to a diet.  The past few days I have enjoyed but not gone overboard.  Wednesday I met my childhood best friend for MEXICAN, my favorite, and I ate chips, queso and had one cheese enchilada and a margarita.  But, I wasn't over stuffed and I was quite satisfied.  I didn't eat the beans or the rice at all.  Then yesterday, MY 65th BIRTHDAY I had a Schlotsky's for lunch.  That was because I HAD to be at work and because of a glitch in my accounting had to be there well through my lunch and was in danger of overeating.  The Hubby picked up a sandwich for me, still no soda/pop and I ate it with gusto and continued on with my work.  Plus, IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY!  

For dinner we, my sweet family all went out to dinner to a local restaurant called Roka, an Asian-Fusion restaurant.  I was going to have my usual Pad Thai but opted for coconut shrimp and a cocktail, and for my "birthday cake" I had about 5 bites of their yummy bread pudding.  Honestly I was very content with my food choices and I didn't overeat any of it, left a lot on my plate.  The main thing was enjoying the company of my favorite people in my life.

Getting those warm hugs.  My life is so full it is bursting and I could not be happier.

Happy Birthday to me.  I think 65 is going to be fun.

Weight Loss Update

This weight loss journey is working.  I'm AGAIN on the downhill slide with the scale.  I'm back to where I was a couple of years ago before the weight started up again, but this time I am NOT stopping.  For some reason it has been much easier and the food is really satisfying to me this time.  Could be that I'm making it eye appealing too.  I'm continuing the low carb-no carb diet but that doesn't mean I'm not occasionally having a potato or like Sunday evening with our steak half a sweet potato.  The weekend I had a biscuit and about 2 tablespoons of hash browns.  I am not going to deny myself but I am eating in moderation.  One of my issues is portion control and I do LOVE my carb stuff.  I've not had a soda-pop-diet soda since February either and that is a biggie.  99% of the time I only drink water with an glass of red wine in the evenings or on the weekend a gin and tonic.  It's working and that is what counts.  

This one was zucchini, red pepper, asparagus and shrimp with a dash of jalapeno salt and lemon olive oil.

One evening I just was at a loss on what to cook but decided to make an omelet with spinach, cheese and leftover bruschetta.  Oh goodness, so very yummy.

Last night was tilapia with Paul Prudhomme Seafood Magic seasoning and lemon olive oil with a little bit of red pepper and spinach with a splash of balsamic vinegar.  

The scale is 16 pounds down and my goal (hopefully by the end of the year) is a total of 51 pounds.  So far I only have 35 pounds more to go.  Maybe I'll make it by the end of the year.  I think if I continue to eat like this I will.  It's already easier to move my body so I need to add some exercise but honestly just being able to get up off the couch is a big win.  My body had hit a brick wall with the weight gain and I think I was in danger of being completely immobile and I am WAY TOO YOUNG for that.  This Friday I will turn 65 years old.  How in the world is that possible.  Mentally that just doesn't make sense but if I had continued my body was definitely that and that was not good.  I have a lot more to do in my life and I did not want it to be in a wheelchair or bed.  

Thursday Musings

 Good morning, how's it going in your world this fine Thursday morning.  My week is kind of bumpy and feels a bit disruptive but I can deal.  Monday was work at the office to check out the new printer that the girls set up.  The old one last week bit the dust and when I get a new one it also causes me to have to readjust all my printing needs.  By the way, the printer is AWESOME!  

I did workout on Monday morning with Af and the trainer but it was hard going and I just ended up walking the whole time.  I had not taken any Aleve for several days because of an upcoming doctor's appointment and bloodwork and I didn't want to skew the results, so I was in pain.  Tuesday was a day at the easel, not too successful but it was painting and that is what makes me very happy.  Then I had to rush off to the accountant to get our employees W-2's and quarter ends financial stuff.  This all meant that I didn't workout.  I'm really having a hard time trying to work all that back into my life again.  It was so easy before, to have exercise be the first thing I did in the morning, but this trainer doesn't get started till the middle of the day and I just can't seem to make that work for me.  It cuts into my painting time and I'm not too keen on that.  I did get back on my stationary bike on Tuesday for 5 minutes, which is a big deal for a gal who has a hip that doesn't work right anymore.  

Yesterday, Wednesday, was an 8 am doctor appointment.  I was not looking forward to stepping on the scale, not at all.  I have been tracking my food on NOOM and My Fitness Pal, in the free part, calories, and the scale is NOT BUDGING.  I am trying to be very truthful in logging, even with maybe drinking a cola or a handful of Cheez-Its, and that, I'm sure is why it is not budging.  I'm staying between 1,000-1,300 calories a day.  Salmon, cabbage soup, quinoa and over-easy eggs, lots of good food, organic, homemade food.  I'm sure when I move more it will start taking effect.  Today I know I'm supposed to go to the trainer again at 11:30 but, again, that taps into my time at the easel and I AM NOT HAPPY about that.  I'm trying to figure it all out so I can make myself happy.  I know that the exercise is what I need for my body but the easel is what I need for my mind!  Yesterday I thought I would make it to the easel but it was not to be.  I ended up at the office and my desk was absolutely knee deep in invoicing, mail, tax stuff.  I couldn't leave I had to get it done or I would be there all weekend trying to play catch-up.  By the time I was at a point that I was close to leaving The Hubby went to get us lunch and I could not say no to a greasy cheeseburger and onion rings.  Cheeseburgers are my all time favorite food, that would be a big FAT yes and I totally ate it.  My danger place is to be out at lunchtime, especially if I'm driving and have control whether my mind can say no!  Yesterday I had no choice because I had fasted for the bloodwork and was ravenous and was still delving deep into paperwork with a bit more to go.  I needed steady fingers to type the rest of the invoices.  By the time I left I was ready for a nap because I had been awake tossing and turning in bed from 3 to 5am when the alarm went off.  Sometimes I just don't sleep well and Tuesday night was that.  Oh, and the bloodwork came back awesome.  For a fat girl my cholesterol, triglycerides, etc., levels are all in the perfect ranges.  I couldn't be happier for that and it tells me I'm still okay, but I do worry about my glucose levels.  Right now they are all within the range of good but, my mother became diabetic, as were many of my grandparents, and I don't want to go there.  I know weight plays a huge part in that so that is one reason to lose the weight.  I did talk to the doctor about the horrible ortho visit with the idiot hip doctor telling me I was too fat and barely looked at my pain and how that visit really made me feel, but also glad I didn't push it because with Daddy passing I could not have managed it all and surgery/rehab.  He did set me up to visit a podiatrist about my ankle/foot/short leg issues.  He recommended to see about getting a lift in my shoe to help with my walking and I'm totally on board with that even if it means UGLY shoes.  Right now that is making things so much worse on my back and knees, wobbling and uneven in my gait.

Today I know there is a workout at 11:30 but my desire to hit the easel is too overwhelming.  I also have to go to the office YET AGAIN as many large checks have come in and I have to deposit them.  Tomorrow is payroll and there will be an all day invoicing typing day again as he finishes the billing cycle.  GOOD GRIEF, I am so ready to retire and be done with this business thing, he is too.  I also have to start in March I think signing up with Medicare!!!  Yup, it is that time of life and I'm a bit scared to start the process but I will.  There is still a possibly that we will still keep working a bit longer than expected because of a job we're on but The Hubby is not sure about any of it.  This really is a hard place to be in our life and not sure how to get off the self-employed merry-go-round but we will get through it.  

Neverending Meal Planning!!!

Is anyone else having trouble trying to come up with meal ideas.

Since we are trying to only eat takeout food once during the week THAT means I'm trying to meal plan CONSTANTANTLY.  OMG, this is making me crazy, especially when I'm also trying to diet meal plan.  The photo above is my new obsession of quinoa with vegetables and two over-easy eggs.  Can't seem to get enough of this stuff.  BUT, that's a lunch thing when I'm home.  I need more ideas for to-go food besides a package of lunchmeat.  I want, need to have it easy to grab and go.  I spend so much time on planning dinner that I don't want to think too hard on the lunch options.  But I regress, my problem right now is being creative in dinner planning.  I'm also trying to not eat so much red meat but I left with a lot of chicken and I don't want to have chicken every meal.  I also do try to do salmon once a week too.  Tonight we are going to have crab cakes, tomorrow night spaghetti with salad.  I think Friday we will do peel-n-eat shrimp at the cabin which leaves Saturday night.  I have so many cookbooks you would think I could just cook something out of them but I just don't use cookbooks anymore, which is why I'm getting ready to purge most of them.  I'm just rambling here about food that seems to be constantly on my mind.  You know it's the role of my marriage that I have, the meal prepper and I don't want to do it anymore.  It just makes me want to eat all the time. 

I haven't been, actually, I've been really good last week and so far this week.  But you know what the damn scale has not budged one damn ounce.  I am eating about 1200 calories a day and it is the same every single day I step on it.  What the hell is up with that.  Goodness I have gone off on a tangent.  

I have got to get a move on with my day.

 

Clayton Update and NY's Resolutions?

Life with this poor guy is getting better, thank goodness.  I was able to send a video of him to our vet yesterday and this morning will go in and pick up some more meds for him and see what the vet thought.  I don't know if there is anything we can do or do I need to bring him in for an exam, or maybe some laser treatment.  I'm very afraid he has another kind of cancer possibly in his neck/throat area.  Why I question this is that our whining-barking dog has ceased whining or barking.  He occasionally does it but before these recent episodes it was constant, bark to get up on the couch, bark to get down, bark to go outside, bark to go inside, bark to beg for food...now, crickets mostly.  I do know the area where he is most in pain when it happens is the neck-shoulder area.  Poor guy.  Of course when he's good and better he's real good.  Sunday evening it was steak night and he was begging for a bite and barking for his after dinner treat, running, yes RUNNING to the laundry room where treats are.  It's like nothing is wrong with him all of a sudden.  Yesterday I was giving him his pill in cheese and I thought he was awake but clearly he wasn't all the way awake and he snapped, HARD on my thumb.  Then he yelped and had a spasm.  It's all very confounding what is going on with him, hence the video to the vet.  I need more video.

Yesterday I finally went back to working out.  We (Af and myself) tried it in November with her trainer but that was short as the trainer was possibly exposed to Covid so we all went into quarantine until negative tests were had.  Now the new year has begun and it's back to what I know I must do.  My body is KILLING me and I have a doctors appointment at the end of the month!  It is painful and because I have the issues with my knees, hips and being so overweight, it will be a long process.  I have to push through.  I also decided to give the damn NOOM app another try.  Last time I paid for it and good grief the text messages and emails NAGGING me set my teeth on edge.  I have enough of that with The Hubby and my own conscience going on.  This time I'm just using the free version to log my food, watch what goes in my mouth and My Fitness Pal with the trainer.  I know I can do this.  Yesterday when we were done with workout I went home to have lunch because I KNOW that fast food is a weakness for me and I'm trying to avoid.  During workout I remembered I had a frozen pack of quinoa with chopped veggies in the freezer.  I decided to over-easy a couple of eggs and top the quinoa and let the ooey-gooey drizzle over the quinoa.  OMG, so very yummy and satisfying.  I will do it again today and tonight will be salmon and chard for dinner.  Last night was roasted chicken breasts and broccoli with a 1/2 cup of dressing.  It's going to have to be a meal at a time.  Tomorrow night I will have pot roast, onions, carrots and maybe a small potato.  

It's all about planning the stuff.  Typically on Thursday nights we have some sort of takeout, high end food.  We might do Saffron, Mediterranean Cuisine.  They have a chicken dish with a saffron rice that I cannot get enough of.  Of course I will then have to think of Friday and Saturday night.  OMG, meal planning is getting old but I've done it for a few years now, nearly 45 for that matter.   

Happy New Year's

A very quiet New Year's we had this year, but not without drama.  We scooted off to the cabin on Thursday afternoon with Snicklefritz on board for a weekend of absolutely nothing but laughter, a warm fire, lot's of playing Uno or Connect 4 and reading.  Oh and a little beauty shop.  I learned to make a fishtail braid on her beautiful hair.  We enjoyed a bit of black-eyed peas for good luck and she said that usually she doesn't like them but that this time they weren't that bad.  Good luck for us in 2021 hopefully.  

Sadly the time was not without the drama or exhaustion.  Our little Clayton, oh this guy.  He is really having a rough time.  Remember he had been having been having those spasms and we upped his meds to help and he truly got better, was sleeping and not having them quite as bad.  Well, bad me decided that maybe cut back again, WRONG MOVE doggie mom!  Oh man, he started having the spasms so bad again on Thursday and the weekend was horrible with him not being able to sleep because of them and wondering around at night causing me not to sleep.  You see we have stairs down to the garage and because he can't see that well and his body contorting and trying to stand on 3 legs I was terrified he would fall down them.  So every movement he made or yelp I was up and once before I could move fast enough, sure enough he was on the edge.  Scared me to death.  The stairs are right next to the door that goes outside and he knows to go outside.  Sleep was not in the cards for me this weekend and it was starting to effect me.  I told The Hubby yesterday that it would be better for us to head to town where he could go outside by himself and wonder to his hearts desire in the house.  I think the wondering around helps to get the spasm to settle down.  

We packed up after a hearty breakfast and headed home.  As it turned out we were needed in town to watch the other little lady in our lives, Min.  A grand time was had by the girls, they so love each other and it's easy to watch her with Snicklefritz around.  They play and play and play.  We did have an accident with a bump to Clayton while he slept on the floor.  Anything that startles him sends him into an episode and screaming and yelping.  He was screaming and yelping and it scared little Min so she started crying and screaming.  EEK!  When he has them so bad I either soothe him while he is on his bed or scoop him and he snuggles in my neck.  Poor guy, all day long I kept thinking we are going to have to "do something," if you get my meaning.  Worried me all day long.  That being said I started the meds back on every 8 hours again.  Last night The Hubby brought him to bed because he wanted to but it didn't last long because he got restless and wanted down again.  I put him down and just went to sleep and he didn't wake me up until about 1:30 when we heard him him screaming/yelping in the living room.  I ran in there and soothed him and he went back to sleep not to wake again until 5:30 when I heard the family three-legged limp into our room.  I got up, fed him, and went back to bed not to hear from him until about 7:30.  He seemed to be just fine, not all crooked and in pain.  Thank goodness.  It's funny how he rallies from these episodes.  I need to make a vet appointment now that I have some video of his episodes to show the vet.  

Happy New Year everyone, more tomorrow on my journey to TRY TO LOSE THIS DAMN WEIGHT!  It is the new year, resolutions and all. 

 

Life in June and Beyond

Oh gosh, what can I say, "I'VE BEEN BUSY," and that's the reason I have 

been AWOL here on Jill of All Trades. 

Of course I have been painting with this sweet little one finished finally last week.  It's The Hubby's cousin's son's daughter, 2nd or 3rd or 4th cousin, something like that.  Anyway, he has a small family so we are all kind of close.  The girl is named Lillian and I so totally missed making her a baby blanket and the sweetie is 3 I think and now they're going to have a son.  CRAP...so I decided to paint her picture and send a baby blanket for him.  They don't know yet so MUM's the word!

Also, while painting the extensive realist topiary painting I have to take a break to create some of these with my watercolors, pens, and markers.  Such fun and a huge hit.  Hmmmmm, thinking of changing my focus, really I am...

Oh, and last Monday I had a physical and boy was I scared.  For the past 2-3 years now, since I have been on blood pressure meds my BP has been high when I go in.  Makes me even more anxious to know that it's going to happen.  Usually it goes down when we chat and especially when we talk about the art.  Well, this time he said it was FREAKING FANTASTIC!  I was so over the moon happy.  I guess the eating differently has really made the difference.  Kind of fallen off the wagon this past month and have GOT to get back in the game but I think it is showing in this picture, don't you! 

On top of birthday partying this month I also attended a Friday bash for the classes of 1970-1979.  It was actually hosted by my brothers class of 1976.  It was fun plus my class had a cookout which was kind of mehhhh.  My heart was not into that one for sure. 

Also, on the calendar was a sweet backyard wedding of our old good good dear friends son.  I knew them before they even got married and now their youngest was getting hitched.  He had a scare a couple of weeks before when after, AFTER the big bike race, Tulsa Tough, when he and his then fiance' were riding their bikes home down 15th street and stopped alongside the road, later in the evening, he was run down by a hit and run driver.  Poor Sarah was there, saw it and thought he was dead.  Luckily a bunch of bruises, cuts, stitches, a couple broken bones but nothing life threatening.  STUPID DRIVER!!!! 

I've also been a reading fool yet again.  Well, there's nothing on television during the summer so I have my nose deep in my books.  I'm already up to I think 38 or 39 since January 1.  Check out my read list to the right.  I've read some good ones lately.  Elin Hilderbrand's latest is great along with Mary Kay Andrews.  

Voting was also on the agenda for the month of June.  I VOTED and was proud to be the first in my precinct.  

So now onward to July and looking forward to the youngest to come back for a visit along with her guy.  Then next up will be EEEEKKKKKK our trip to Rome!  Can't lie, I'm a bit nervous and excited.  Just need to get the world to stop being bad and naughty please.

Diet....LIFE CHANGE WITH FOOD

This diet.....NO.....not diet.....Life Change With Food...

is still rolling on and on.  I'm not saying I've been an angel but mostly, yes I have.  Last weekend we headed to the cabin and I knew that would be a challenge.  The cabinites all like to get together and drink, eat and be merry.  Friday night was ham and cheese sandwiches and chips and I was on tap for appetizers.  I brought carrots and celery and Greek yogurt dip.  I ate the insides of the sandwiches and only drank water.  With the C&C&Dip I took these wonderful okra chip thingys that I have found at Whole Foods or Reasors.  I know there is a bit of oil but I can have a couple and it's like chips.  (Going to try the kale chips again.)  Saturday night was pork tenderloin and again I was up for appetizer.  So I put together an amazing platter of fresh, blanched veggies and more of the dip.  I admit I had a couple of chips and guacamole, EGGROLLS, and one gin and tonic but mostly water.  I bought a bottle infuser and had cucumber, strawberries and lime in my infuser.  Yum!  Honestly I did okay.  During the week I made an awesome Skinny Zucchini Lasagna.  It is so very good and makes several servings to eat during the week.  

I've also been dragging my lunch to art on Tuesday's.  So in anticipation of the week of lunches I roasted eight chicken breasts and bagged them up individually to grab, pack and run.  It has worked beautifully and my yummy water infuser has been by my side also.   

The upside of this new food change is I'm down 9 POUNDS!  That is exciting and spurs me on but I have to admit that it is a struggle and I want it to move faster.  I know if I start really exercising it will move but, but, but, but...I have excuses, I won't lie.  

I was also faced with this temptation at art as Miss C insisted she bring donuts because she won a blue ribbon.  I asked her PLEASE not to but she said she had too.  ARGHHHH.  I DID NOT EAT!  I had the same challenge at the office as a sales rep brought a box and I DID NOT EAT!

My pal Linda, who is doing this with me, my art buddy too, have discovered that we can eat at the Mexican restaurant across the street from art.  We order lettuce, carne asada steak, pico, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, no taco chips, and it is delicious. 

This food lifestyle change is a struggle not only daily and  hourly, but by minutes and seconds.  I have to consciously think about my choices every second.  It's always on my mind.  As I drive past temptations, walk by my pantry, or make runs to the grocery store, my mind it always saying, "No.  Maybe.  Absolutely not, you are stronger than that."  Every step I take, every thought I have I'm constantly talking myself out of making a bad choice.  It is exhausting but it is paying off and I have to keep pushing forward.  

For dinner last night I wanted to go out.  I wanted to make the right choices successfully and I think I did.  We went to Charlestons and I knew I would have to say NO to the bread that accompanies the salad.  Awww, that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth roll.  I ordered the salmon with a side of steamed broccoli, salad with no croutons and NO BREAD!  It was delicious and I was satisfied.  

Let's Play Catch-Up

Let's play catch-up with my week in review.

Forgot to post the yearly photo of The Hubby's family.  I tell ya, my mother-in-law, soon to be 88 years young, looks better and better.  What a fabulous lady that I love dearly.  She is going to be representing her retirement home as their Ms.  M for the state of Oklahoma.  So proud of her and she will surely win.  

My easel has been a bit clogged up with trying to finish this one.  It's still not done but I am loving it so far.  I think this week it will finally be called DONE!

This week also brought the 8th wedding anniversary of B&B2.  They've been together for 10 years and in that time they have created such a lovely family.  Sweet Snicklefritz was given the big girl camera and took this photo, at 3 years old.  I think we have an artist on our hands, don't you agree.  That girl has an incredible eye.

I'm not sure I mentioned it but I'm doing the low carb thing and am down 6 pounds with stuff like this!  The other night I didn't want to go to the store for dinner stuff, yet again, so I opted for what I could find in the fridge.  So a broken omelet with a touch of cheese, fresh spinach and salsa.  The Hubby loved it and so did I.  It was so pretty which makes the eye happy too.

I've also been asked to donate a painting again for the Cattle Baron's Ball this year and he subtly hinted that roosters are in vogue.  Since I didn't have a ready available photo in my stash of pics I put the call out on Facebook to friends and family that I knew had chickens or the opportunity to snap pics and was nearly overloaded with tons of reference photos.  Here's just a few of the many.  Hey, I may do a series of these.

We ventured to the cabin Friday night and it was very quiet.  I don't think anyone was there, well, there were some but everyone chose to keep it private.  Anyway, Saturday there was a remembrance of one of the cabinite's that passed away recently.  Sweet TP Harris left us so we spent time with his family and friends at the cabin to bid a bittersweet farewell to a one in a million guy.  They had wine and munchies (which I DID NOT eat).  There were tons of fabulous pictures and lots of visiting.  Worth the time spent.

When I pulled up the cabin Friday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised by my Japanese Keirra in the corner of our fenced yard in front of our NEW fence.  Oh my it just glowed yellow.  Love it!  One of my very favorite plants and brings fantastic memories of my Greatgranny who called it the Mexican Rose, which was totally wrong.  Took me years to find in the greenhouses because of the mistaken name.  What's wonderful is that it's only supposed to bloom in the spring, in Oklahoma I find it blooms off and on in the summer too and it's deer resistant and is perfect for wooded area.  Score!