I'm so lucky to have such a fantastic husband who likes to cook! He spoils me by making dinner most nights. Tonight was no different. He made an awesome broccoli, mushroom, and onion frittata...yummy! Since he prepared the meal, the least I can do is to clean up the dishes.
As I was cleaning up the dishes after dinner, I turned my head to say something to Mark while I was washing the top of a frying pan. All of a sudden I felt a searing pain in my pinkie finger! OUCH!!! I looked down and realized the large cook's knife was facing blade up and I swiped my finger right into the blade! All I saw was a red finger; I didn't know if I needed stitches or not.
Mark ran upstairs to get some band aids and I kept my finger under running cool water. The bleeding wasn't stopping so I put pressure on it with a paper towel. Mark found the band aids and brought a couple down. He quickly bandaged it for me; I'll have to change the band aid shortly. Not sure if I should have had a stitch or not.
Thank goodness I didn't cut the top of my pinkie off! I guess I won't be doing much guitar this week. (Makes it kind of tough to finger pick.) Looks like I'll be laying off the dishes for a while, too.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thoughts
I awoke this morning by a text from our daughter, Holly saying an 8.9 earthquake had hit Japan and they (California) was under a tsunami warning! Thank goodness it didn't affect the West Coast very much! I'm very glad that Holly took the kids and went to higher ground "just in case".
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and anyone else who was affected by the earthquake and tsunami! The devastation is absolutely incredible and so tragic! I hope the Japanese are able to get control of all their nuclear power plants soon or there will be an even bigger tragedy!
When natural disasters like this happen I just count my blessings. I'm so thankful that Holly and the kids were safe. (Erich was more inland at work so he wasn't in any danger.) I really hope California doesn't have the big one soon. According to scientists there is a 70% chance of a major earthquake hitting California within the next 30 years. I pray it doesn't happen.
Time now for my weekly update on how I'm doing with my lifestyle change: I lost 2 pounds the first week I started back to counting Weight Watcher points and only 1/2 pound this past week. I totally stayed on the Points Plus plan and worked out 6 days. I averaged 40 minutes of cardio exercise on the elliptical and did about 20 minutes of free weights on 3 days; did crunches and a specific lower back and balance exercise daily. I wore my pedometer every day to cross check my progress and I averaged about 7500 steps a day, a little short of my steps goal but I met the exercise goal so I consider that a successful week!
I think it's going to be a tremendously slow process to get these unwanted pounds off! I just need to have patience and keep telling myself this is the way it must be if I want to be healthy. More on my progress next week.
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and anyone else who was affected by the earthquake and tsunami! The devastation is absolutely incredible and so tragic! I hope the Japanese are able to get control of all their nuclear power plants soon or there will be an even bigger tragedy!
When natural disasters like this happen I just count my blessings. I'm so thankful that Holly and the kids were safe. (Erich was more inland at work so he wasn't in any danger.) I really hope California doesn't have the big one soon. According to scientists there is a 70% chance of a major earthquake hitting California within the next 30 years. I pray it doesn't happen.
Time now for my weekly update on how I'm doing with my lifestyle change: I lost 2 pounds the first week I started back to counting Weight Watcher points and only 1/2 pound this past week. I totally stayed on the Points Plus plan and worked out 6 days. I averaged 40 minutes of cardio exercise on the elliptical and did about 20 minutes of free weights on 3 days; did crunches and a specific lower back and balance exercise daily. I wore my pedometer every day to cross check my progress and I averaged about 7500 steps a day, a little short of my steps goal but I met the exercise goal so I consider that a successful week!
I think it's going to be a tremendously slow process to get these unwanted pounds off! I just need to have patience and keep telling myself this is the way it must be if I want to be healthy. More on my progress next week.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Sun Has Returned!
We had several cloudy days in a row with an occasional peek of sun late in the afternoon but today was different...clear blue sunshine skies greeted me when I awoke! Yes! What a way to start off the day; sunshine always puts me in a great mood! As much as I love waking to sunshine beams, I think I'll close my venetian blinds the opposite way so the sunlight doesn't peak through and glare in my eyes in the morning; feels a bit like having Gort's weapon beam of light shining in my eyes! "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!"
We made it up to 56 degrees today and it should be about 60 degrees for the next few days. The sunshine is supposed to stick around, too. Can you believe that this weekend begins Daylight Savings Time? Is this a recent change? I thought it usually happened in April. I welcome it.
Had my drums and guitar lessons today. I'm working on offbeat rhythms in drums and am starting on Swing rhythms. I finally have Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" finger picking pattern down in guitar as well as John Denver's "Poems, Prayers, and Promises". Just need to practice speed now.
I'm still managing to stay within my daily Weight Watcher's points plus totals and have incorporated more movement into each day. I'll have a fuller update on my progress on Friday.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Tidbits
Looks like the snow missed us again! That's okay with me because I'm definitely ready for spring! I enjoy my walks outside...better than working out on an elliptical. There is supposed to be another round of snow tonight and it looks as though that will miss us, too!
I managed to get in 3 hours of drum practice and 1 hour of guitar practice yesterday. I decided to start playing my fills and basic rhythms to some of my Ipod tunes; helps me play a rhythm consistently throughout the song.
I've been quite successful getting in my time/steps for the past few days to support my permanent lifestyle change of more "movement" in my day. It will be more of a challenge this week as my music lessons and rehearsals come back into the picture. But, I'll make it happen.
Mark is finalizing our tax return today (thank you, Mark)! It's one less thing to think about.
I'm starting to read a photography book today which deals with composition. It has assignments at the end of each chapter. Might take a little longer than I anticipate since the weather needs to cooperate for some of the outdoor shots. We'll see.
Well, I hear the elliptical calling me so I'd better not ignore it any longer. Back later with more updates.
I managed to get in 3 hours of drum practice and 1 hour of guitar practice yesterday. I decided to start playing my fills and basic rhythms to some of my Ipod tunes; helps me play a rhythm consistently throughout the song.
I've been quite successful getting in my time/steps for the past few days to support my permanent lifestyle change of more "movement" in my day. It will be more of a challenge this week as my music lessons and rehearsals come back into the picture. But, I'll make it happen.
Mark is finalizing our tax return today (thank you, Mark)! It's one less thing to think about.
I'm starting to read a photography book today which deals with composition. It has assignments at the end of each chapter. Might take a little longer than I anticipate since the weather needs to cooperate for some of the outdoor shots. We'll see.
Well, I hear the elliptical calling me so I'd better not ignore it any longer. Back later with more updates.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Day with Sara
Had a very nice day today with Sara! She drove up to Fort Collins and we did a little pregnancy and baby shopping. She looks great! Check out her week 30 photo on the right. We're all getting very excited about the new baby arriving in a couple of months!
Holly and the kids will be out here for three weeks in May. Very glad Holly will get to see her new niece and Zoe and Ezra will get to see their new cousin shortly after she makes her appearance!
Holly and the kids will be out here for three weeks in May. Very glad Holly will get to see her new niece and Zoe and Ezra will get to see their new cousin shortly after she makes her appearance!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Lifestyle Change...How to Make It Permanent
Over the years I've probably lost and gained hundreds of pounds. I could tell you the calories or point values of countless foods. In the last 15 years, my clothing size has gone from 8 to 16 to every size in between at different times during this period. And, I've tried just about every diet on this planet...well, almost.
I know I "feel" much better when my hips and thighs are a few inches smaller than they are today. It was a rude awakening to me when I recently got into a go-cart and realized the seat was a bit snug on my butt! That was my "aha" moment and I vow to make a permanent lifestyle change.
To begin with, I need to get to a comfortable weight and then need to maintain it which is the key. In my 57 years I finally learned the secret to maintaining a weight loss and realize there is no getting around it...keep moving! Yep, move EVERY day! This is particularly important for women who have reached menopause.
My daily routine involves a lot of sitting. I do at least 2 hours of drums and guitar practice. I fill in the rest of the day with my other loves: writing, reading, blogging, and more photography study. (No wonder my backside has spread!)
I am tired of all my excuses for not incorporating more movement into my daily activities. I want a permanent change. With the help of my watch and a pedometer I will track my progress. Whenever I can fit in movement, I'll do it. I will start with a 30 to 40 minute movement goal or 8,000 to 9,000 steps a day goal...no ifs, ands, or buts! And, I am counting Weight Watcher points again to help me lose the unwanted pounds I so successfully gained.
I'll write about my progress weekly and look forward to sharing any ideas with you.
I know I "feel" much better when my hips and thighs are a few inches smaller than they are today. It was a rude awakening to me when I recently got into a go-cart and realized the seat was a bit snug on my butt! That was my "aha" moment and I vow to make a permanent lifestyle change.
To begin with, I need to get to a comfortable weight and then need to maintain it which is the key. In my 57 years I finally learned the secret to maintaining a weight loss and realize there is no getting around it...keep moving! Yep, move EVERY day! This is particularly important for women who have reached menopause.
My daily routine involves a lot of sitting. I do at least 2 hours of drums and guitar practice. I fill in the rest of the day with my other loves: writing, reading, blogging, and more photography study. (No wonder my backside has spread!)
I am tired of all my excuses for not incorporating more movement into my daily activities. I want a permanent change. With the help of my watch and a pedometer I will track my progress. Whenever I can fit in movement, I'll do it. I will start with a 30 to 40 minute movement goal or 8,000 to 9,000 steps a day goal...no ifs, ands, or buts! And, I am counting Weight Watcher points again to help me lose the unwanted pounds I so successfully gained.
I'll write about my progress weekly and look forward to sharing any ideas with you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Home Again
Left Las Vegas about 5:30 this morning and arrived back home at 7:45 p.m.! Beautiful weather and scenery on the drive the whole way! I'm thankful we made it home safely; the Chevy Silverado was a good ride and Mark did an awesome job driving!
I'm glad we did the drive out to California and back so we could once again experience the beauty of this country's landscape. I wish more people had the opportunity to travel across country via car or truck, really the only way to appreciate our country's vast beauty.
It is so amazing to see the way rivers and oceans have carved out a countryside of rocks and to see where the earth actually pushed itself up to create slanted mountains. And it's so interesting to watch the radical changes in the landscapes within the same state!
If you've ever lived on the East or West Coast and never traveled beyond either coast you would be amazed at how unpopulated most of the United States really is! I hope you'll add a cross-country driving trip to your bucket list.
I'm glad we did the drive out to California and back so we could once again experience the beauty of this country's landscape. I wish more people had the opportunity to travel across country via car or truck, really the only way to appreciate our country's vast beauty.
It is so amazing to see the way rivers and oceans have carved out a countryside of rocks and to see where the earth actually pushed itself up to create slanted mountains. And it's so interesting to watch the radical changes in the landscapes within the same state!
If you've ever lived on the East or West Coast and never traveled beyond either coast you would be amazed at how unpopulated most of the United States really is! I hope you'll add a cross-country driving trip to your bucket list.
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