Friday Roundup

Good Friday morning.  We come to the end of another week.  Started out with my back bothering me, and as much as I wanted to go to class, I decided it best to stay home.  Didn't want to push it.  

Tuesday the weather was bad.  Snow, then ice, and later in the evening...rain.  I do not go out in that kind of weather anymore.  Now that I am older, I am so afraid of falling.

My coccyx seat pillow arrived on Tuesday.  I can't tell you how much more comfortable it is to sit now. I love this cushion. Great feel and comfortable support.  I just wish I had bought it much sooner. 

Started reading a new book, and I am loving it.  Just wasn't able to get fully into the 'When the Moon was Ours'.  Got about a hundred pages in, and I totally lost interest.  It had gotten very slow moving....in my opinion.   

Now this one I definitely cannot put down.    

From  the jacket cover:  "Three generations of Palestinian-American women in contemporary Brooklyn are torn between individual desire and the strict mores of traditional Arab culture in this powerful, heartbreaking, and hopeful debut novel—an emotionally resonant and culturally relevant story of love, secrets, courage, and duty that speaks to the lives and experiences of all women today, giving voice to the silenced and agency to the oppressed.

Set in an America that may feel removed yet is all too close at hand, 'A Woman Is No Man' is a story of culture and honor, secrets and betrayals, love and violence. It is an intimate glimpse into a controlling and closed cultural world, and a universal tale about family and the ways silence and shame can destroy those we have sworn to protect. And above all, it is a tale of courage—of one young woman who bravely battles to find her voice and make her own choices."

This was the money tree hubby destroyed.   They grow huge.  There is one in my doctor's office.  Will get a picture when I go on Saturday.  This ear ringing is driving me up a wall.
  
I also decided it was time to find some activities closer to home so on the days I am not up to a 2 hour bus trip I'll have a place to go. So I looked up the monthly calendar of the senior center I attended for my art class.  Wow, do they offer some great things!  And it's only a 15 minute bus ride.   I started on Wednesday because I saw they offered a Holistic Medicine class in the morning.  You know that is right up my alley.  They serve some great lunches, and I would have stayed if Thursday was not weigh-in day.   

Yesterday, as you know, was weigh in day.  I DID IT.  Lost 3.4 pounds and am back to goal.  Not going to let this happen again....although I did get into the chocolates hubby gave me yesterday and ate quite a few of them.  What can I say?  I enjoyed them.

Was going to go over to the center this morning, but instead I have to sit and wait for UPS to pick up a package being sent back to Amazon.  Oh well.  Next week. 

Have a wonderful safe weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day

Must, bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a mate;
This day's Saint Valentine's.
For that good bishop's sake
Get up and let us see
What beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns.

Michael Drayton

Thursday Odds and Ends

This little flower pen is so old.  I bought from a co-worker's 12 year old daughter.  This little girl has grown up now, graduated college, and has become a teacher. 

My little serenity corner.  Sadly hubby killed the palm tree and the money tree by the lamp.  Every time I turned around he was putting another tie on them. I understand that, yes, one does have to tie to help the plant stand up, but he did it so tight and put so many, I think he cut the plant itself off from its nutrients.  

This yummy chicken and orzo soup came from one of my WW weeklies (when they WERE weeklies and not a piece of cardboard)  Tastes just like Lipton chicken soup.--carrots (I used baby carrots), celery, boneless chicken breast (I used Purdue's grilled chicken strips), sodium free chicken broth, fennel, orzo, a dash of lemon juice, and black pepper.  Oh my, so delicious.

My great great grandmother, Constance Mary Hazel.  Born in Stalham, Norfolk, England in 1881.  She lost her dad when she was 3 months old.  Richard, my 3rd gg was only 22 years old when tuberculosis.  My 3rd gg remarried and moved to the United States in 1889.

My son and his girlfriend. 

I adore this picture of my grandson and great grandson.

Healthy diet.  Sticking with it.

Myself, my daughter's childhood friend, my silly daughter (love her), and my son. 

My daughter and I. 

Monday This and That

Good Monday morning everyone.  The cold air has returned, and I am still debating whether or not I should go to class.  My back has been acting up again, and this would be a two hour bus ride, 8 block walk, and then dance and yoga.  Sitting isn't easy right now so I don't know how I would manage sitting for the meditation on a hard chair.  Sent for a special pillow which should arrive this week.

Had a nice weekend.  Spent a lot of time on Saturday in the kitchen.  Made a pot of chili and some sausages for hubby.  Put them both in the freezer for later use.  For myself I made two soups.  Both were so simple and quick to make.

Black bean soup--one large 1 lb 13 oz can of black beans, carrots, celery, corn, onions, peppers, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, tomato sauce, and sodium free chicken broth

 My version of Tuscan Bean Soup.--one large 1 lb 13 oz can of cannelli beans, carrots, celery, 1 10 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chili, onions, sweet pepper, rosemary, garlic, chopped kale (frozen), red pepper flakes, sodium free chicken broth, and black pepper. I felt like adding a bacon taste but since I don't eat bacon due to sodium I added a few bacon bits.

Went to church yesterday morning and then picked up a few fruits on the way home.  Heard the weather was not going to be so good Monday and Tuesday, and I wanted to have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.  

Tinnitis.  Don't know if I mentioned it before, but for the past three weeks I've been suffering with it.  It's not so bad in the day because I'm either busy or watching television and the ringing is drowned out.  But at night when I go to bed?  It's so annoying.  I've been cleaning my ears, using a homeopathic formula, and taking an Aleve pm to help me sleep, but it's still there.  Anybody else suffer from this?  They say there is no cure.  That sometimes it might go away on its own.  I pray it does.

Have a wonderful day.

Sunday Selections

The focus of this month's Inked Goddess subscription box was love and passion since February is the month of love.  It's okay, but not one of my favorites.  Waiting anxiously for next month when the theme is Ancient Egypt.  That should be a good one.

 I was so excited when I found the box in the lobby waiting for me.

 This is the entirety of what was inside the box. 

Rose Quartz gemstone infused perfume oil.  Now this I love.  Essential oils of ApHoneysuckle, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Apricot Kernel Oil and Jojoba Oil.  This oil is blended to open the heart Chakra and infuse love and passion into your day.  Smells wonderful. 

Sigil Magic and Feathers.  2 pages of information and instructions on how to create your own power Sigil and use feathers.

Red and Gold feather to help draw passion and vitality.

Passion votive.  A blend of Honeysuckle, Ylang Ylang, and Cinnamon to enlighten your internal flames. Does smell very nice.

Love Magii Bag Talisman Pouch.  A blend of herbs and flowers for attraction, love, and friendship.  Place under your pillow to draw these energies to you.  Instructions are included.

Bewitching Seduction Powder.  Adds positive energy to a situation. 

Saturday Quote

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. 

Henry Van Dyke

Friday Roundup

Good Friday morning.  We come to the end of another week.  For me, it's been an up and down week.  On Monday my back was feeling somewhat better, but not good enough to go to class.  So I headed out to deposit some money in the bank and do a little shopping.  I realized as I was walking that it had been 6 days I had been in the house--first because of extreme cold and then because of my back.

Tuesday wasn't as good as Monday, but I still went out to buy a few meats.  Heck, I couldn't pass up getting out there in that 60 degree weather.  Chinese New Year was being celebrated in my neighborhood all day there were drums, colored costumes, and later, fireworks.  I really wanted to go pick up some Moon Cakes, but once I got home, I just wasn't up to it.

On Wednesday I wasn't feeling so good at all, but I did do some cooking.  Hubby has enough meats cooked and ready to go for about 15 days.  This weekend I plan on focusing on me.  Have a couple different bean soups I want to make.  

Started reading a fun new book.  This magical fairy tale is for teenagers and young adults, but who cares?  You are never too old.  The book is filled with  wonderful fairy tale elements that stir your imagination--witches, curanderas, and characters with  mysterious beginnings.

 When the Moon Was Ours is the second magical realism love story by critically acclaimed author Anna-Marie McLemore. The novel blends Mexican folklore (such as the legend of La Llorona, aka the Weeping Woman) with a diverse romance between a Latina girl with mystical, mysterious beginnings who can grow flowers out of her wrists and her best friend, a transgender South Asian boy.

So darn disappointed at WW yesterday.  Put on 1 pound.  Been doing everything right.  My leader said it's probably due to inflammation. When a part of your body becomes inflamed...like my back...the body immediately sets off an anti-inflammation attack causing excess swelling and fluid. I know this has to be it because although I have gained some during my two years at WW, I have NEVER gained one full pound. Time to focus on an anti-inflammatory diet for the time being. It's basically in alignment with WW minus dairy, gluten, and processed meats. So, no more deli chicken breast until my back heals. And for some, nightshades are no good, but I've not had an issue with them, but I'll cut down anyway. Oh, and no sugar, but I don't use it anyway.

As for today, I'm headed out to buy the ingredients for a nice easy bean soup I want to make tomorrow.  That and a salad should be a tasty dinner a few days this week.  And going to get some walking in as well.

Have a wonderful weekend.