Sunday Selections

What a fun box from Inked Goddess.  While some of my subscription boxes got worse as time went on, this one never ceases to amaze me.  It grows better with time.

The unveiling.

 Lots of loot in this month's box.

Love the images they send with the box.  

Tree of Life blessing coin.  Sorry it is sideways.  I didn't notice that until now.  The back of the stone says, 'may trouble always be a stranger to you.'

Seed grow kit.  Complete kit (even with a miniature greenhouse) to grow your own tree.  For the first few years it can be kept inside in a pot to represent the earth element is you don't want to plant it outdoors.

Green Witch Votive.  Cedarwood, pine, and oak moss. 

Tree Magic booklet.  Made by Bladeandbroom  on Etsy.

Dryad Oil Sample.  In Greek mythology dryads are nymphs who live in trees. 

Reclaimed Rosewood Necklace.  Made from resin and reclaimed rosewood.

3 bags of tree bark or blossoms--Poplar bark for money, astral travel, manifestation, and rebirth; Elder Flowers for divination, magick, psychic protection, and transformation; and Birch Bark for protection, purification, change, and good fortune. 

And each month there is a little card in the box with the magickal musing of the month.  This month:

To knock on wood to stave off back luck after making a bold declaration derives from Germanic pagan folklore.  It was believed that supernatural beings (spirits, sprites, fairies, nymphs, etc.) lived in trees and knocking on a tree could awaken the being so one could ask it for protection.

Saturday Quote

What a desolate place would be a world without flowers.  It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome.  Are not flowers the stars of the earth?  And are not our stars the flowers of heaven?

Clara Balfour

Friday Roundup

Whew!  It's Friday.  Been a very busy week for me.  Good thing I decided to stay home on Sunday.  Needed a day to myself.

On Monday I went to the center.  Stayed until after lunch and then left even though Food for Life was on.  I just don't care about it anymore.

On Tuesday I ran out in the morning.  Went to two different banks in two different directions.  Then went looking for a graduation gift and card that I didn't find.  Bought an "I'm proud of you" card and a box of candy.  Also gave the graduate a pair of earrings and a choker that I made.

She is such a pretty girl.  I hope she gets her act together.

In all, I was out from 9 am to 11 am, came home, took a shower and dressed, fixed hubby a plate for dinner, was picked up for the party at 1 and didn't get home until after 10 pm.  You'd best believe I was tired the next day, but I was up and out the door Wednesday morning at 8:30 for Mindfulness and a veggie lasagna lunch.  That was an alternate lunch.  Most people had lobster tail, baked potato, and asparagus, but I don't eat seafood.

Thank goodness for Pepto Bismal.   Without it I wouldn't have made it in Wednesday.  Don't it just bug you when someone brags about their food and then when you taste it, it's nasty.  Well, my goddaughter's friend who is obviously an alcoholic (she brought her own booze and drank all day) made stuffed shells with homemade sauce.  She boasted about it all day....how great it was, how everyone loves it.  Well, I hate to tell her, mine is so much better.  Somehow a spicy sauce does not bode well with stuffed shells...in my opinion.  I ate some because I was starving, and it was the only food available.  On Wednesday morning my tummy was all upset.  My son said the same with him.  Never again.

Yesterday was the last day of our special meals--steak, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts (which I gave to my friend).  They also gave us a gift bag--tote, pair of socks, pill container with one side for pills and the other filled with bandaids, and Foster Grant reading glasses.  What an awesome place.

Today I am off to the center again.  Jewelry class in the afternoon.  I sure am a busy lady.  Making up for all the time I spent working with no time for any fun.

Have a wonderful, safe weekend.

Thursday Odds and Ends

 Beautiful flower in the park.

My union retirees Christmas party.  I miss them all, but I just can't do it anymore.  Can't sit for the two hour bus ride and discovered at the party last week that one dance was all I could muster.

Recognize her from Blue Bloods?  At the grand opening party of Wahlburger's of Coney Island.

My daughter and I.  Both with our glasses on our heads.  Like mother like daughter.

 My beautiful granddaughters.

I love putting these veggies in my soups.  Makes them extra healthy.  Usually I don't eat squash, but I do when it's in these packages. 

My goddaughter.

Dusk in the park.

My first pet, Susie.  She lost one of her back legs when she was hit by an oil truck.  Got along as well as any dog with 4 legs.  My girl was extra special, and 52 years later I still cry for her.

One of my feasts.

My 2nd great uncle and his wife Dagmar.  She was from Sweden. 

My second great grandmother, Constance Mary Hazel.  Unsure who the baby is.  Mary was a very special lady. When she was born on December 10, 1880, in Stalham, Norfolk, England, her father, Richard, was 22, and her mother, Harriet, was 21. Ger dad died when she was just 3 months old.  Her mom remarried and came to America with her new hubby. Constance Mary was married two  times and had four sons and two daughters. One son passed away when he was 12 years old.  They say he drowned while crossing an iced up lake.  She died on March 3, 1956, in Dover, New Jersey, at the age of 75, and was buried in Randolph, New Jersey.

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning.  Weather has been gorgeous, but this morning I woke up to heavy rain.  What's new? No matter what I have to get out this morning to sign some papers before a notary.  My pension papers.  Every few years we have to go through this to prove that we are still alive.  If we don't get them in on time, we lose our pension.  Can't afford to let that happen. 

Later I am headed to my great niece's surprise graduation party.  She is graduating 8th grade and heading for high school.  Her mom really has her hands full with this one, and I fear it is only going to get worse when she enters high school.  In short, she has sent nude pictures of herself to boys and runs away to hang out with boys.  I told her mom she should take her to a gynecologist because personally, I am pretty sure that at 13 she is already sexually active.  However, I didn't come right out and tell my goddaughter that. She would get mad at me.  I told her the gynecologist could help educate her.  

Made these for her graduation gift.  She likes black and she loves cats.  Luckily I had a little cat charm in black.  Nothing like being invited at the last minute.  Didn't have time for much of anything.

Went to the center yesterday.  Wellness was canceled because they were doing some work on the stairs and using a drill which made it impossible to concentrate on a class.  So I hung around and chatted all morning and had a wonderful time of it.  We talked about everything under the sun.

Then they announced that Food for Life was going to be held at 2 pm.  Actually, I have given up on that class.  They disappointed me too many times.  Besides, I already know how to cook.  Just enjoyed the socialization part of it.   

Have a good one.

Monday This and That

Spent a lot of time this weekend planning.  Have to get my food intake back on track in July as well as get more movement in. Trouble is, I've tried getting back into exercise, even the seated exercises, and it just leaves my body in pain so I really have to try to get a lot more walking in.

This is a really great book.  Lots of good info to get you started and to keep you going.  The book is divided into eight parts, covering every phase of walking, keeping cool in the heat, winterizing your program, how to pick out proper shoes, finding the best place and the best time, tips for rainy days, allergies, etc.  Lots of great positive thoughts. 

Already started a walking program.   On Saturday I did lots of running around. I came home exhausted. Got more walking in than usual. First I walked from my house to the subway station to put money on my card and then back on down to the bus stop--1 very long avenue and 7 shorter blocks. Caught the bus and made my WW meeting which I am glad I did. Enjoyed it very much and it helped to get me back on track.  The topic was "All or Nothing Thoughts".  I raised my hand and spoke about my downward spiral and the difficulty I was having getting back on track.  Did me a world of good to say it out loud.

Then I caught the bus that goes from 5th Avenue to 18th Avenue. When I got off I walked 12 blocks to get to the bank and the stores I had to go to. Did some shopping in Walgreens and C Town and then headed home. I think that was enough for one day.  In all I walked 19 blocks, 1 long avenue, and the walking I did in the stores.

Started on the Mediterranean diet.  Oatmeal for lunch, tuna salad on whole wheat for lunch, and the following dinners....

Saturday night was a salad with romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, red bell pepper, grilled chicken and avocado.  I used Walton Farms no sugar added Italian dressing.  Delicious and filling.

Made this easy 3 bean salad.  Served it with spicy refried beans, and grilled chicken.  Both meals were 0 point meals.  

Sunday I did lots and lots of housework...including some de-cluttering.  I find it really difficult to decide what to keep and what to let go, but it has to be done.  Today I'm off to the center.

Have a good one.

Saturday Quote

Mountains inspire awe in any human
person who has a soul. They
remind us of our frailty, our
unimportance, of the briefness
of our span upon this earth. They
touch the heavens, and sail serenely
at an altitude beyond even the
imaginings of a mere mortal.

Elizabeth Aston

Friday Roundup

Good Friday morning everyone.  Despite the weather, I have to say I had an amazing week.  On Monday I left here before 9 to get my haircut and then headed over to the center.  Wellness class was about healthy relationships.  Very interesting.  I was even able to admit to the class that I had spent 15 years in a toxic relationship.  Cooking class was canceled again.  Not even newsworthy anymore.  I just hope it's true what they said about an intern from the Culinary Institute teaching it.

Tuesday I don't usually attend the center, but I did attend this week for the monthly birthday party celebration.  What fun....and what food.  No way will I get on the scale this week.  Chips, nuts, a great meal of sausage, mashed potatoes, and peas and carrots was followed by a Carvel sundae in a cup. Oh so yummy.

These are two of the cats I feed.  They are sitting right below my kitchen window waiting for their food. 

Bullseye and....

Ms. Gray. 

Wednesday and Thursday they served special meals once again at the center.  On Wednesday they served lobster mac & cheese, asparagus and salad.  I don't eat lobster so I had the alternate--peanut pork, gondulas and rice, and salad.  Delicious.

On Thursday we had bbq'd short ribs, mac & cheese, and brussel sprouts.  

I have really overdone these past few weeks and have fallen way off track with my weight loss.  Only one more week of special foods and then I'm seriously going to straighten myself out.  I am going to attend a WW meeting on Saturday morning, but no scale.  I'll pay, but I don't want to see how far off I am.  I want to have a chance to start righting myself before I see what I weigh.  I worked too hard for this, and now I just seem to be throwing it away.  Lost all control and it's not only what I eat at the center.  It continues at home as well.  How's two pints of ice cream in a week?

Off to the center this morning.  Wish I could participate in the exercise as I did last week, but I paid the price with worsening back pain so I'm going to steer clear of it.  Jewelry class in the afternoon.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday Odds and Ends

My son Jerry on the set of a commercial he worked on.  I always told him he would be perfect for the Vikings television show.

 My beautiful church.

 My great grandfather.

Another picture of my friend.  One day she offered me her little pillow in case I wanted to sit.

My long hair the day before it was cut.  I never did anything with it except tie it back in a pony tail.  Figured it was time to let it go.

At the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.  It is this Saturday, but I don't think I will be making it as much as I want to.  The crowds there are enormous and there no place to sit.  This old body just can't handle it anymore.

Another picture of the Mermaid Parade.  You can see how crowded it is on the sidelines.

My son and his girlfriend at the grand opening of Coney Island's Wahlburgers.

I loved this color.  I don't know why I ever changed it.

My Barbie paperdolls.

Wednesday Share

The following info is from my  Holistic Healing class.  Hope you find it helpful.

We should drink one ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of body weight.

Apple Cider vinegar helps digestion, bloating, gas, and heartburn.

Aging weakens our digestion.  Taking Dietary enzymes BEFORE or AFTER meals is important.

Amino Acids should be taken on an empty stomach. One hour BEFORE or two hours AFTER a meal.

Herbs should be taken WITH meals.

The amino acid, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) helps with lung conditions such as COPD.

For Macular Degeneration, eat kale every day to keep it from progressing.

Bromelain helps reduce pain, is a natural blood thinner, and interferes with growth of cancer cells.
For osteoarthritis...2000 GDU suggested 2 hours AFTER meals. (GDU is Gelatin Digesting Unit.  MUST say 2000 GDU)

Chasteberry to normalize periods, reduce menstrual cramps and PMS, and for hot flashes.

Echinacea fights bacterial and viral infections.   Powerful immune booster.  Reduces symptoms of colds and flu.

Echinacea/Goldenseal tea for high fevers. Reduces fever in about 20 minutes.  Not to be taken by someone allergic to ragweed or with autioimmune D/O.  And do not use more than one week.

Elderberry fights viral infections, reduces coughs and congestion.  Comes in 500 mg capsules.

Ginger is anti-viral and anti-inflammatory.  May prevent TIA's (minor strokes) and improve circulation.  Lowers blood pressure, fever, and cholesterol.  Whenever we have a cold, we make a big pot of ginger tea--fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, lemon, and honey to sweeten.  Knocks it right out.

Hawthorn is similar to ACE Inhibitors.  It is a natural treatment for heart disease. Comes in 200-500 mg tablets.  Take 3X per day in divided doses.

Copper is good for mental health. Check copper level if you are depressed.

B6 for Carpal Tunnel...100mg per day.

Warning:  Vitamin E might increase blood pressure.

Antibiotic means 'against life'.  Anti (against) biotic (life)

Minerals should not be taken with fiber.  It reduces mineral absorption.  Take on an EMPTY stomach.

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning. Was planning on doing some cooking today, but yesterday my friends and I decided we'd attend the June birthday party event at the center.  They hold it once a month.  I've never gone, but my entire jewelry class will be going and seated at the same table.  It should be fun.  

Took this picture on Sunday as we headed home.  Sundown at the Verrazano.  

Amazed that I was able to get this photo from a moving car.  My phone camera works when it wants to.

So Food for Life was canceled once again.  In fact, the teacher wasn't even there....after telling me on Wednesday that it was moving back to Mondays.  I was so frustrated I marched into the office to find out if it was even going to be held anymore.  I received a huge apology and was told a new intern from the Culinary Institute was going to be interning with the kitchen staff (he sure is lucky because they are great and will teach him a lot), and they are going to have him run the class.  Probably on Wednesdays.  Would be great to work with someone from such a famous culinary school.  Will just wait and see what happens.

I am really determined to get back below goal.  Not only to save money, but also because I worked so hard to reach goal.  It's a real shame to  blow it.  My house is now filled with healthy snacks.  Time to get my health back.

I find I can get more in by piling them in than by stacking neatly.  Yogurt and sugar free applesauce.

Sugar free peaches, mango, watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe. Plus lots of fresh fruits and veggies.

I'm also determined to get back to walking. 

This book outlines their program to safely increase physical activity levels by walking for better health, improved fitness, and less pain.  I started a few years back, but dropped it when I began walking well again.  Now I plan on starting again to get myself back in shape.  This book can be purchased through Amazon, but it can also be gotten free through the Arthritis Foundation for $11.95.  I got mine for free from one of the osteoarthritis organizations I belong to when I participated in one of their programs.

Have a wonderful day.