Four Days of Walking does not a new exercise routine make

I'm having brain fog today so this will be short and sweet. 

Buddy and I have been taking extended walks for the last four days.  Now a Buddy Walk is not fast so the amount of calories burned is minimal but it is good for my hip joints to be moving.

I'm still sleeping nights and have accomplished much this week.  Finally went to take my blood test after the Doctor called and left a nagging message.  I was supposed to go last Thursday or Friday but I was waking up at 3 am then and could not go that long with eating.  Anyway, mission accomplished. 

I also went to the eye doctor and got my new prescription.  I am happy to announce that my eyes are free of any diabetic damage.  So thankful.  Since the cataract surgery this summer I have had terrific distance vision and almost nonexistent close-up reading.  She knows I am retired (insert and poor) so she recommended I go without any glasses by using cheaters for reading.  Now those of you who have problems with your close-up vision whether naturally or after cataract surgery, know what a pain finding and/or putting on your cheaters is.  I have decided that I will get the prescription with the close-up and something she added to distance for driving at night.  Money is tight now so maybe next month. 

And if that wasn't enough, I have emailed with the nutritionist/diabetes educator several times and she will help me set up my meal plans.  I laughed when I had to tell her that I don't like to cook, can't afford much in groceries and it all has to fall in line with my diabetic restrictions.  Hahaha.  She'll be earning her money.  My appointment is something like Jan. 24.  She must be good if she is booked up till then. 

More later.....

My Very Own Cindy Lou Who

We had our Family Christmas with the Grand Girls yesterday.  They have been out of town all this time so it was a nice low-pressure meal and presents with the family.  I had to share this one part:

My very own Cindy Lou Who

The DIL used thin pieces of wire to curl the youngest Grand Girls braids up like the cartoon.  

My DIL's family call their after-Christmas Christmas Parties "Grinch Christmas Party".  I'm not sure what the background story is but the kids loved the idea and fun was had by all.  Here is the fireplace decoration.  So cute.  

I have more to share but it will have to wait until the next post.  .....

New Year. New Me by FaceApp.

This is me but it is absolutely not what I look like.  My DIL turned me on to a phone app called "FaceApp".  If you'll remember she hosted Thanksgiving this year and bless her heart didn't put on makeup when she prefers to look all dolled up.  She didn't want me to post photos of her to Facebook without her makeup so she told me about this app and improved her naked face pictures before they were posted.  It costs about $20 a year although there is a free version with fewer options.

I picked this picture of me because it is a full-face photo.  It was neither a good picture nor a bad picture to start off with.  Just a picture of somebody's nearly 70-year-old grandmother.

For one thing, I had it draw a smile on me.  My lips have disappeared in my old age.  I think they fell down under my chin and helped form my double chin.

I also had it put eye makeup on my eyes which is something I only do on special occasions - like if I know there will be picture taking - and color on my poor eyebrows which now have equal numbers of white and brown hairs.

I'm not sure what it did to my face color but does tend to look healthier.  It was fun playing with all the options.  Hahaha.  So funny.

More later.  Off to Christmas with the Grand Girls who have finally come back to town. 

And a Happy New Year to You

We had gorgeous weather for Christmas and I was so happy for the young Jedis, new bike riders, skateboarders or whatever else the kids were into this Christmas.  The weather has continued to be beautiful, or slightly rainy, or slightly muggy.  Perfect for sending those young 'uns to play outside - that is if they even get to go outside in your area.  Speaking of Jedis, have you seen the commercial with the young girl that has her hair in the three knots and jedi costume where she tries to turn the fridge water off or washer on with her jedi powers?  Precious. 

I wanted to stay up and see the fireworks New Year as we have a great display over the bayou but I didn't make it since I am sleeping early afternoon to early am these days.  The good thing is that my sister gets up very early so we are able to talk yesterday around 4 am and it was good to have a catch-up.  

I had my appointment with the endocrinologist and my blood sugar (A1C) has dropped a whole point.  I told you I had taken it in hand and decided to treat myself according to what my body told me. I guess I did pretty good.  I'm not recommending this habit to anyone else. However, I am encouraged and have contacted a nutritionist/diabetic educator who takes Medicare. So exciting.  She hasn't contacted me back but I'm going to try her once, at least.  

There is a health club near me that has a pool and I have talked with them once about joining but wanted to be sure before I signed on the dotted line.  I'm only going for the water aerobics, at first, anyway.  The problem is my energy level.  Many days I can only make it from the bed to the couch.  Something about the sugar in your bloodstream being converted to energy.  I guess with my bouncing sugar levels the energy comes and goes.  So will I have the stick-to-it-ness to make a go off it.  I'm really thinking about trying it.  The good thing about this gym is that they are open crazy hours - very early and very late for the young professionals.  So I thought that might work with my crazy sleep schedule.  

Like all things involved in my diabetic lifestyle, the nutritionist and gym take money.  The money is well spent if I take it to heart, wasted if I don't.  

I'm feeling chipper today whereas yesterday while talking to my sister on the phone I could barely make sentences.  Dadgummit.  I'll be really mad if my mind goes after I've spent the money to make my body healthier.  Hahaha.  Seriously, the New Year is starting off great.  I hope yours feels just as hopeful.  

More later.  

The Two Popes and Holiday Calm

I watched The Two Popes on Netflix today.  First, let me say I am not Catholic so my views on this movie and the Catholic doctrine are simply those of a movie watcher. 

I thought the acting, the script, and the movie, in general, were great.  There couldn't have been two better actors chosen.  The idea I got was that the Old Pope was strictly by the book and the New Pope was we have to come around to the world our people are living in.  From my view, it seems the Catholic Church has been struggling with that for a long time.  In fact, from my view, it seems the whole world is struggling with this and I believe many of the ideas espoused by the New Pope were absolutely on point.  However, it was a movie and I don't know how much of the dialogue was close to the actual words or thoughts of each priest.  I'll just say I really enjoyed it. 

I have an appointment with the endocrinologist tomorrow.  Happy New Year's Eve to me.  She had her office barraging me with phone calls to come in.  I only agreed because I was almost out of insulin and knew she would not refill it without my coming in.  Hahaha.  I'm getting really tired of these doctors not refilling my medicine unless I come in.  My GP upped one of my prescriptions and wouldn't refill this month so I'm just going to take the stash of drugs I had from before she upped my prescription.  I'm sure you are going through something similar.  If politicians want to complain about the cost of Medicare than they should tell the physicians not to force us to come in every three months and bill Medicare a small fortune.  I appreciate the hell out of Medicare but I wouldn't go in so often if I was paying for it so I don't want to waste Medicare's money either. 

Aside from the doctors' offices nagging me, I have had a calm and enjoyable Christmas - mostly at home and mostly alone.  The main reason for that is, of course, my sleep schedule.  Not too many friends and family awake to talk to at 3:00 in the morning!  I have New Year's Day at my Sister's and then Girl's Christmas that weekend.  I hope to be awake for both of those events.  My son and daughter are buying me new glasses for my Christmas present, but again my eye doctor is not open at 3:00 in the morning.  I'll get it done soon I hope. 

More later.....

Hahaha

Nothing new.  Just a laugh.

A sure sign that you are overstressed this Christmas. 

Change to Comments

I've changed my comment mode to pop-up window.  I am getting lots of comments held on blogger for moderation and I am no longer notified like I used to be.  I've heard others of you comment on the same thing.  I've never used pop-up before so I'll just see how it goes.

My Christmas is going well aside from the fact that I am sleeping days again and that is causing so many problems. 

Since it is dark so early and Buddy's last walk is sometime between dusk and dark, I have made it an event to walk around and look at Christmas lights.  I love these old Victorian homes and the colored lights and decorations makes them even more special.  I've taken several selfies in front of the houses. None are good quality but I wanted to remember this so I would do it again next year.
I'll share one next time. 

Throwback: Youngest Grand wearing the pink wig

my daughter wore to the Pink Concert.

My youngest sister and her husband are coming to town on the 21st.  We are meeting at the Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood where we grew up.  My son and family will be out of town and several others are on standby.  It is a big noisy restaurant so it will be fun.  

I am truly enjoying this Holiday Season because I have made myself slow down and enjoy each little event as something special.  We get so used to big parties and large family celebrations that we sometimes forget to enjoy the little things.  I hope you are enjoying your big and little things. 

More later .... 

Something to Laugh About

Just a few smiles to share with you. 

My Son.  What a great Dad playing with the Girls.

I just love this.

I might just be in the mood to laugh but

this tickles my funny bone. 

This was probably posted for Pearl Harbor Day and I just now saw it. My Dad would have so loved this.  He was there when they took the picture.

And finally me a couple of years ago.  The little Girls must have been over because we always put on costumes.  I can guess when it was by the glasses I am wearing.  Do you tell your age in pictures by your eyeglasses?  

More later.... 

Mid-Month Wrap Up

 

I am having a lovely quiet December so far.  The house is decorated with odds and ends of decorations I picked up from the Thrift store.  I knew my daughter would be out of town for Thanksgiving which is when we usually pull out the decorations and since we combined households, our decorations are boxed together and I didn't feel like taking that task on alone.  So I started gathering odds and ends at the Thrift store that were Very inexpensive and I ended up with a nice little collection of used decorations to go with the few new items I had purchased at Michaels and Joann's when they had good coupons going.  One of the great things about being retired is that you can go to Michaels or other stores in the middle of the day when there are just a few people.  

We are doing Family Christmas on January 4 which is when all the children will be back from other parents' houses and my Daughter's Partner's Son will moving in with them permanently.  

I've spent a bit of time reflecting on the changes going on in my family.  I feel like I'm living through the "empty nest syndrome" again.  I remember that strange feeling when each of my children left home.  I'm glad they have each found a partner, a family and happiness but I do feel like there is something missing from my life when I don't see or hear from them constantly.  Even the Grand Girls are seeing their Mother every other weekend since Son has taken her back to court for custody.  That used to be my time.  I purchased lots of crafts and books to share with them over Thanksgiving and Christmas but their time was booked up.  Of course, having more time with their Mom and the other weekends spent as a family unit with Dad and Girlfriend (I am going to start calling her DIL to make it simple) and her kids is a really good situation.  My son has always been the "let's grab up all the kids and do something" kind of person.  I'm sure I'll see the Girls more when the court battle is over and the holidays are behind us.  

The most negative thing in my life, and I have to confess I am quite worried, is the periodontal disease that is eating my gums away.  I did not know until recently that uncontrolled sugar in the saliva from diabetes makes gum disease quite serious.  I have avoided the dentist since Medicare does not pay for it but I'm running out of time.  I need to research and see if the periodontist might be covered.  Does anyone know?  Maybe since it is caused by the diabetes I can get some coverage.  You've got to be willing to research when it comes to diabetes.  

I have all the strangest ailments from diabetes!  I guess it is better than having heart or circulatory problems.  There is always a silver lining and that's mine.  

I hope you are all enjoying this mid-month December except for Margaret, Peggy, Peg who doesn't have a chance in H#%% of having fun.  We are all thinking of you Margaret. 

More later. 

Thanksgiving Follow-Up

My Thanksgiving with my family was wonderful.  My sister, her family of five and I were hosted by my Son and his Girlfriend and it was so lovely.   Girlfriend is a wonderful addition to our family and really put on a feast.  Their house was big enough to hold us all and her mother was there and I just loved her too. 

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  Food, family, and lots of laughs.  No worry about gifts or money.  Just make a couple of dishes and come on. 

My sister usually hosts Thanksgiving and we have a few basic we always have with a few new and bring different sides to try out.  Girlfriend made dressing from her Grandmother's recipe and made mashed potatoes instead of sweet potatoes. Girlfriend also made sweet potato cookies which was their preference over pie so I brought pecan and sweet potato pies as well as chocolate brownies - not Thanksgivingy - but I have to have chocolate. 

Girlfriend's dressing and mashed potatoes were delicious and a definite for Thanksgivings to come.  Bless her heart, it was her first time to cook for a dozen and she wore herself out.  I don't think I could cook for that many anymore. 

I did fairly well on how much I ate but my blood sugar still went through the roof so I went home and napped and hence the previous Buddy napping post.

I usually make a little video with all the Thanksgiving day photographs but my flash was turned off and many of my photos were too dark.  Here is the Son and I taken outside. 

As Margaret mentioned in her post the Father/Son french commercial really makes my day so I had downloaded the song, Come and Get Your Love by Redbone, to add to my video but, alas, it was not to be.  You may just have to wait for the Christmas video to get the Miller version of that song/commercial.

More later ....

Buddy says there is nothing like a good nap after Thanksgiving Dinner.

Hey folks.  Just checking in.  A cold front is on its way and the wind is blowing beautiful leaves all over the place.  It looks like an animated scene you'd see on the internet as the leaves toss and turn in the wind.  It was lovely.  I'm still in shorts.  Been so for a couple of days.  But the long pants are out of storage until next Spring as the cold temps will come and go until then. 

Big plans for Thanksgiving at Son's house.  My Sister and her crew who usually host most holidays will be coming as well as DIL's mother who I have not met.  Grandson, who I have not seen since he got his own apartment will be there!  So excited to see him.  Grand Girls will be home for Thanksgiving but gone for Christmas.  DIL's sons are the opposite and I think DIL is planning an after Christmas Christmas for when the girls get home. 

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday with the young female doctor I like so I could get my happy pills refilled.  I have issues with anxiety, startle response and claustrophobia.  Ever been stuck in traffic and had claustrophobia?  You want to jump out of the car and run down the road like Godzilla is coming after you.  She said my blood pressure was high again and upped my medicine again.  My sugar was pretty decent for me the last couple of days but my energy was really dragging.  I didn't even think to check my blood pressure.  What do you do if your blood pressure is high?  It is not like sugar levels where you can take a shot to bring it down.  Brother, life sure is complicated sometimes. 

Has anyone watched Mandalorian on the new Disney plus channel?  I won't spoil it for anyone but I thought it was excellent if you are a Star Wars fan. 

I read this when the last cold front came through recently.  I thought the early winter was all in my mind but I guess not. 

With clouds and rain Thursday, we managed to only hit 48° for a high temperature. That was the third consecutive day of Houston not getting above 50°. When is the last time that occurred in November? That would be November 27 to 30, 1952.

1952 was a long time ago.  Just look on a drop-down menu.  It's way down there.  Hahaha.

More later ...

Kayne West and Joel Osteen

I'm sure most of you have heard of Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church which is here in Houston.  I have never been to a service there but went many times before the Church bought it when it was an entertainment venue.  I'm sure most of you have heard of Kayne West and his Sunday Services and his new album, Jesus is King.  In the various newsfeeds, I read there is always something about Kayne or Kim Kardashian so I see just the blurbs.

At any rate, I pulled up Youtube yesterday to see what the bruha was about.  Well, I nearly died when Kayne told Joel and the audience not to say anything because he was all about a stream of consciousness and comments - like Amen - caused him to lose his stream.  Who tells Joel to be quiet at his own service?

I also thought it was interesting that Joel stood right next to Kayne on the stage.  I wondered if it was to grab the mike from him if he went off on some tangent!  Truthfully I only listened for about 3 minutes.  Ok, maybe seconds.  Kayne sounded so much like Muhammed Ali saying I am the greatest.  Maybe it's an act or maybe he believes it, I don't know.  I'm afraid I don't keep up with the young people's music anymore. 

I think maybe he has an attention disorder in which he gets easily distracted.  I had a friend once that couldn't have the tv on while trying to talk.  Maybe that but then again, I've never been on a stage in front of gazillions of people so who am I to judge?

I guess my take would be that I'd rather see him dedicate himself to religion than of the other paths music stars might follow.  I've also read that he dictated that his young daughter would no longer wear makeup.  Hum.  Then how is going to handle naked pictures of his wife being shared with the world?  Now that, I think, will cause a big bruhaha.  We'll see. 

Hahaha.  Just my own version of stream of consciousness.

More later ...

What is your best time of day?

Author Elizabeth Gilbert on time management:

“If you’ve reached a certain age then you know what works for you. You should know by this point in your life what time of day you’re 'good' — like what time of day is your brain at its best. Because the reality is we all get, maybe, two good hours a day where we actually feel awake and alert.

"And the big, important question is: Who currently gets that time from you. The best time from your brain every day—who or what currently gets that? And would you be willing to take it back so that it’s yours and then give the world the 'second-rate' version of you (which is the other 22 hours of the day)…"

This was a clip from JamesClear.com.  I couldn't find the link back to where he got it but you can find Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) at https://armchairexpertpod.com/.

As I've mentioned before, I am an avid audiobook listener.  I have Overdrive on my old phone.  I can access my library through Overdrive and listen to and place on hold any book that interests me for free.  I could also ebook it but I haven't gotten to that yet.

So back to the article.  I remember when I worked.  The starting time was usually 8 to 8:30.  Like the song, I would stumble to my desk and grab that cup of coffee before my brain kicked in (Working 9 to 5).  While I was drinking coffee, I would read my emails from the boss - as emails from him were either information to know or tasks to perform.  With that information in hand, I would review the work for the day and separate it into groupings and by 10:00 I was at peak performance.   I can still remember that feeling of being ready and really hitting it.  Such good memories.

My daughter sent me a picture of her cubicle from her new law office and it made me so nostalgic - but not nostalgic enough to go back to work.  Hahaha.

And just a little humor to close. 

More later ...

Hunkered Down

Anytime it is sweater weather here it might as well be -20.  Hahaha.  Little Buddy and I are hunkered down.

I covered my plants on the balcony but the wind blew the cover off and it's looking pretty sad.  Here is before.  

Memories.  Light the corners of my mind.  (The Way We Were) And, I'm afraid that's all that will be left.  

More later.  

Pumpkin Carving

Isn't this the cutest?  Not mine. Found on Pinterest.

Today we are going to the Son's house for a Pumpkin Carving Festival.  Everyone (my daughter, her girlfriend and girlfriend's son; my sister and whatever of her family members; son, his girlfriend and their four children; and me) is bringing their own pumpkins, carving tools and templates in an attempt to bring home carved pumpkins for Halloween.  Kind of late but you try getting this many schedules together.  

I wouldn't mind bringing home some pumpkin seeds to roast.  Anybody have a good spice recipe? 

It is pretty nippy here but the Son has one of those gas patio heaters that came with the house.  I don't think the weather will bother me but the sound of all those little voices may drive me inside.  

Nothing exciting to tell.  I spent all week trying to go to bed and get up so I could be on daylight hours for today.  Hahaha.  Last night I got up at 10:00 pm.  I thought it was 10:00 am and I forced myself to get out of bed.  Made my coffee.  Texted my daughter I would drive myself today.  Then sat down to drink my coffee and watch something on the tube.  Only then did I realize it was dark outside.  So I looked at my phone and damned if it wasn't night.  Surprisingly, I watched one program and went back to sleep. Got up at 4:00 am.  I'll probably be ready for bed before all the pumpkins are cut.  

I read a really interesting article about circadian rhythm/sleep cycles/diabetes and how they affect your glucose numbers.  It basically said what I had been thinking.  When I get up early - like today's 4:00 am - my numbers are better and stay better.  Then I found a new website Insulinnation.com and it has similarly informational posts about T1 diabetes.  Watch out!  I may become well informed.  

I met a new neighbor this week.  He asked me if I was interested in gardening as there is a community bed that has been laying unloved since I moved in.  Since I just met the fellow I didn't want to go into the saga that is my diabetic health problems when here he was trying to start a food garden the whole complex could take advantage of.  If the time is ever right, I'll explain why I can't be counted on to (1) be awake during the day and (2) have the energy to move from the bed to the couch.  Drat.  Being old and unhealthy is a drag.  Plus, he was kinda cute.  I guess I'm not all dead if I could still think that!  Hahaha.

More later .....

Just a lot of thoughts

Marie's blog made me think of something I heard on House Hunter's International.  Two young women were looking for a shared rental on a beautiful island.  One wanted affordable housing and the other wanted a really nice home but especially a good view.  They looked at one house which had a view of a beautifully treed mountainside.  She said that was not her idea of a beautiful view she wanted to look out at the water.  While I do LOVE a Waterview, I equally Love a picturesque forest or wooded area.  I'd never thought about which I prefer.  It seems I'm easy to please - I love both.  What about you? 

More later ...

Update: I deleted the rest of this post because I'm so tired of hearing myself talk about politics.  I'm going to try to stay off the news channels until after Christmas.  If it looks like the World is coming to an end, someone please let me know.  LOL.

What a difference a day makes -- in the weather

 

 

Yes, I am still playing with my salt dough ornaments.  Above you can see the gray and white tumbler I use as a rolling pin.  I have a really nice rolling pin but for the small amount I make at a time the tumbler works better.  

Here are some of the Halloween ornaments I made for the Grand Girls to paint.  You can see I dyed the dough with red and yellow food coloring to make it orange and a little more Halloween specific.  The Girls were supposed to come over last weekend so they could paint them but something else came up.  

I have a great number of cookie cutters.  Like any craft I get into, I over-purchased my supplies and these are only a few.  

Have I done anything else interesting?  Quite frankly, no.  I have watched a fair amount of tv while surfing on Pinterest.  I found one or two shows on real tv that I liked but honestly, I guess I must have gotten so specific in my taste that I find it harder and harder to find programs I am loyal to.  

The daughter also got a new/old car after her car was flooded in that last big rain.  It was getting pretty old so she is happy and is used to having a car note so good for her.  My floorboards are still a little stinky.  I leave the windows open many nights to keep it aired out.  I don't think anyone would want to steal it and I think it will eventually lose the smell.  If not, I'll just put my big girl panties on and go anyway.  

And, before I close ....  How 'bout those cold fronts?  We have had the most wonderful weather.  Lots of rain but in a nice soaking way.  Today the temp was 71 when I got up.  Unheard of.  I know I'll be back in shorts before the next three holidays.  Nothing like Christmas in shorts and cowboy boots. 

More later .... 

Two Passes and a Fail

I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my salt dough ornaments.

Here are two Christmas trees from two different cookie cutters.

I've been playing with dying the dough different colors using food coloring.

I figured out here that my fingernails make pretty good branch impressions.

Here I used Puffy Paint to make ornaments on the tree.

I found that the cheap acrylic paint from the Dollar Store also 

covers the salt dough well but I am not very talented with a paintbrush

so dabbing the Puffy Paint worked better for me. 

I can't figure out how to rotate this picture but you can see 

that the angels look more like ghosts.  I used a straw 

to make the holes (I find two holes are better to hang the bigger

ornaments).  I also have a skewer I use and will try that 

on next angels.  Hahaha.  This is a live and learn business.

More later ....

All is right with the world

All is right with the world - except maybe in Trumpville where the mighty Donald keeps striking out!

As I was cleaning up and organizing my blogs I follow I came across a couple of new diabetic recipe Blogs I wanted to share.  Sometimes it only takes a tweak in the recipe to bring the carbs down.  I also found two blogs share info on Type I diabetes and also have information on the insulin pump which may be in my future one day.  I have these and several more marked to read and review but these two below definitely made my list.

diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com

diabeticsrejoice.blogspot.com

Another thing that slowed down the process of organizing blogs is that I love to look on other people's Blogs I Follow list and click over to see if that blog interests me.  

I have a friend, my oldest and dearest BFF, and it always surprises me how much I like most of the friends she has made over the years.  This has proved true for 40 years.  I guess that many of the blogs I follow are also followed by bloggers whose blogs I like.   You get where I am going with this.  

I have to admit I don't like to follow lots of blogs because then I feel pressure to hurry and read and respond and it starts to take some of the fun out.  I have also noticed that there are a circle of us that somehow all found each other.  Neat, huh.  

So I'll be fine-tuning this blog and visiting new blogs to see what others are up to.

More later ....