"Clean as a Whistle !"

Well maybe not, but that's approximately what I heard thru the drug induced haze.

Had the occasion (note I DIDN'T say pleasure) to have a colonoscopy done recently. Yep I've reached that age where the mere mention of that term can cause involuntary compression of the sphincter and the medical community starts harping on it like that kid in the back seat asking "are we there yet ?" every 90 seconds for the duration of an eight hour road trip. So after the scare from Mom diagnosis and running out of excuses for over a year, I finally relented and was rewarded by an actual smile from my Doc for the first time in 3 yrs.

Sunday was nothing short of torture. NO SOLID FOODS after 2200 on Saturday & nothing but fluids on Sunday. Part of this fluidation routine was TEN LITERS (that's 2.62 US gallons) of a some demented person's idea of a "pleasantly lemon-lime flavored" concoction, that neither tasted like lemon-lime nor was anything remotely related to "pleasant." Eight of said ten liters was to be started consumption @ 1700 Sunday evening & in 12 oz increments till it was all gone.

To make things even more FUN, the better half was working ALL day and thereby was spared the facial contortions and spewing of expletives that'd make a sailor blush after each and every one of the 12 oz dosings. But being the brave little soldier, I bulled thru it & only spewed once -- luckily towards the end of the routine.

So fast forward to Monday morning. I have to drive 62 miles for this procedure and after no food for 36 plus hours, it was a new land speed record ! Got there, got checked in, wired up & drugged .... I'm kool. Till my less-than-better-side was left exposed for it seemed like 20 mins while the Doc "prepared." Peeps are breezing back & forth with my butt flashing everyone. NO secrets in the endoscopy suite !! Once you've mooned two-thirds of the staff, there's not much more in life that'll embarrass you -- trust me.

Finally Doc comes in & begins explaining the procedure ... did he say a probe the diameter of a cigar ?!?!? Oval office flashbacks followed by unbridled guffaws and questioning stares ... something about removal and cauterization ... ummmmmmm, that's like burning something, right ?!? ... a thirty minute recovery in the room -- did I have any questions.
HELL YEAH I HAD QUESTIONS !!! Ummmmmm, why is that monitor swirling ? that's just the drugs
What happens if I sneeze whilst you're up there mining ? I will wait till you're done
What's that dammed beeping ?! that's the EKG monitoring your heart rate
Ohhh -- Okay, I guess that's all I've got.

"Just relax and this will be over before you know it." HEY BUDDY, YOU WANNA TRADE PLACES & WE'LL SEE HOW RELAXED YOU ARE, M'KAY ????
WOWSER !! So that's what my colon looks like !! Oddly fascinating and abhorrent at the same time.
OUCH !!

"Sorry, this is a tight corner and you may feel some discomfort." Okie dokie, what part of OUCH ! didn't you get ?!

"Almost done, you're doing just fine." Okay, I'm down with that. Watching it in reverse is kinda kool, too !

"Please try and pass gas to relieve some of the pressure." WTF are you talking to ?!?! ME ?!?! No way, no how -- nuhn-uh !! Ain't never gonna happen, capice ?

"Please don't be embarrassed, it's natural and trust me, you'll feel much better. Besides I won't release you until I'm satisfied that the pressure has been released." WTF ?!?! FARTING BLACKMAIL ?!?!?! This is NOT happening !!

Somewhere between his calm explanation of the naturalness and necessity & MY bawking, wind broke and time stopped ..... so did the breathing. NO one wanted to be the first one to let their facial muscles betray the essence of the immediate breathing space.

"There, now you'll feel much better. Thank you for allowing me to perform your procedure. You will be receiving a report and pictures in about 10-14 days. Have a nice day !"
Well there you have it ... WHAM! BAM! Thankya ma'am !!
And so ended my saga of my first (and hopefully LAST) colonoscopy.

I realize this was kinda humorous (it was meant to be), but I do NOT want anyone to take away from this that this procedure ISN'T important -- it is VERY IMPORTANT. If you're over 50 (or have familial history) and have not discussed with YOUR Doc this procedure, please DO. For about 20 minutes of discomfort and/or embarrassment, you'll gain valuable knowledge that could save your LIFE. So ASSUME THE POSITION AND SMILE !! ;-)

take care .... stay kool .... be content =)

Badly Bent, Nearly Broken

There is a song by The Tractors that I think sums up my lot at the present moment .....

I'm goin' back to the country
'Cause I can't pay my rent
I may not be completely broke
But brother I'm badly bent
I don't understand
Where the money went
I'm not broke
But I'm badly bent

They warned me about the city
About the city life
But I thought I knew everything
I took no one's advice
Now I don't know where
All the money went
I might not be broke
But I'm badly bent

I am just a country boy
Tryin' to make some sense
But I'd like to ask the congress
I'd like to ask the president
Can you tell me where
All the money went
We might not be broke
But we're badly bent

Between the telephone, gas and electric bills...
Car payment and the rent
Give it everything I got
Can't seem to make a dent
I don't understand
Where the money went
I'm not broke
But I'm badly bent
Can you tell my where
All the money went
I might not be broke
But I'm badly bent

This kinda sums up my life right now. The BoD decided to change our pay schedule & it's been rough trying to get back on budget. What used to be an easily mapped out routine is now a nail-biting, breath-holding fingers-crossing fight to get the bills paid on time and have any left over to cover living expenses !

Unfortunately most of my bills fall BEFORE the 15th and that's the first paycheck of the month ! So I'm having to scrimp on the end of the month so that I have a big nuff cushion to hold me over thru the 15th. Why oh WHY couldn't they have decided on the 1st & the 15th instead of the 15th & the 30th ?!?!?!!!

Oh well, I guess it'll all work out in the long run. I DID get my tax refunds so that helps out a bit .... even if I DID want to use some of it to put away for vacay in the summer. I suppose I really don't need to leave home on vacay -- lots to do/see here. Siiiiiiiiiiiigh Part of my angst is the fact that I HATE WINTERTIME !!! Not the temps (although it HAS been colder than normal), but the seemingly unending darkness. I think I may suffer from SAD, but won't mention it to my Doc as she has enough to deal with my care as it is.

However, spring is only 23 days away & the clocks change in only 16 more days -- so I'm keeping THAT in my sights in order to keep me from going bonkers !! COMMMMM'ONNNNNN SPRING !!!!

take care .... stay kool .... be content =)

Spring Cleaning .... With A Twist

As spring is most assuredly just around the corner, my thoughts have honed in on the "essence" of spring -- rebirth, new growth, out with the old & in with the new, etc. An interesting mental phenomenon occurred and I just had to put in writing for future reference !

Recently, I had the occasion to watch a show on TV called Confessions : Hoarding. It is about people who are overwhelmed and held captive by their love for animals and the toll it takes on them, their families & their homes. After watching two shows (back-to-back), I got a nervous uneasy feeling. NO ! I'M NOT A HOARDER ! But it DID get me thinking about the accumulation of CRAP in this house. Stuff is STUFFED everywhere !! It no longer resembles a home -- it's a storage unit with two beds and a bathroom !! Immediately I got up (well during a commercial break) & grabbed paper & pen and started making a list, well actually two lists -- Things To Donate and Things to Clean Out ASAP.

In less than 5 minutes, I had a total of 20+ things to either get rid of or clean out so to regain space in the house. It was cathartic !!! But not as cathartic as it will be to GET IT DONE ! I grew up in a household created by two Depression-era parents and their 50+ years of accumulation. Something about that time in history created a generation that NEVER GOT RID OF ANYTHING. Because my Pop was in the USN for 31 yrs, every time we moved, the gov't packed us up & we moved to the next duty station. Every move saw more & more stuff being packed and delivered to the next house. When he finally retired in 1973 and we moved to the final house, the stuff accumulated in all those years, filled a two-story house, the attached garage, the attic, the basement AND AN OUT BUILDING !

So to say that I have a reactionary-formation to clutter, would be THE understatement of the century ! I swore that when I moved out & got my own place, the basic necessities were all that would be in my place. For almost 18 yrs, I lived a spartan life (for 2 yrs I slept on a mattress supported by 8 cinder blocks & some plywood !) .... and enjoyed it ! People would visit and asked if the rest of my stuff was in storage. I'd tell them no, with a clear conscience and a big smile.

I met and moved my better half into my apartment in 1997 and for awhile we stayed relatively "stuff-free." In 1998 we moved to VA & into a bigger unit -- it was the beginning of the subtle encroachment of stuff. In 2000 we bought a HOUSE and I agreed that we needed some more furniture, etc to complete the rooms. Fast forward to 2011 .... the house is boardering on overload & my temper is getting shorter and shorter.

Watching that show gave me a wide awake daymare !! Visions of my growing up in houses that were stuffed to the rafters, flashed before my eyes. No, NO, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! I WOULD NOT TURN INTO MY PACK RAT PARENTS & OLDER BROTHER !!!! I could envision the "clean slate" that the house could become & it excited me to the Nth degree ! So I sat & waited for the better half to come home from work. I would fix her a nice snack & drink, let her decompress for a bit and then WHAMMO ! hit her with the proclamation of PROJECT HOUSE DE-CLUTTER 2011.

Well it sorta went that way -- sorta. The proclamation didn't occur till 2 days later & it was less enthusiastic, but still got the point across. "I agree. This house is on overload !" SHUT THE FRONT DOOR !!! Did my ears deceive me ? Did I just dream that convo ? No, NOOO I didn't !!! The thought of making her sign a contract (in blood preferably) and holding her to it DID cross my mind, but I decided against it -- after all, I needed the help & pissing her off would be counterproductive.

So I'm happy to say that she is going to request a couple of days in a row when I take vacay at the end of April & we're going to GI the house. I'm not sure how much can get done in 3-4 days, but by cracky, we're gonna give it a bloody go !! I can feel the lightness already !! =)

take care .... stay kool .... be content =)

Who IS that crazy broad looking back at me ?!?!

Moments of realization or clarity can either be helpful or cause a new layer of stress. I find myself wondering from day to day why these moments keep switching sides on me ? How can they provide soooooo much helpful insight one day, only to belittle and criticize the next ??? Is THIS how insanity begins ?! Now actually, THAT concept doesn't scare me much as I've always leaned moderately farther left of center than my peers. I think it's the UNCERTAINTY of it all. Will I glean helpful cues today ? Or will I find that the tiny fault lines have widened and lengthened since the last time ? This is the stuff that keeps me awake.

I know that I'm NOT young anymore, but both feet are still planted firmly ON the ground (READ : ABOVE the sod). So I ask you -- why do the body and mind betray me ? There are days when I PHYSICALLY feel like a broken and bent 90 yr old, but my MIND is skipping along at age 20something. Conversely, I have days where I find myself DOING stuff that I used to do waaaaaaay back when, only to be nagged by the echoing thoughts of a fretful and frail senior. WTF up wit DAT ????

Maybe it's a case of "I-don't-wanna-grow-up-I'm-a-Toys-R-Us-kid" when I really NEED to grow up ? Nahhhhh, anyone who knows me, knows better than that. I'm probably the most AR, black&white thinking, OCD child they know ... and yet they still love me ! ;-) Still it scares me to have these moments of conflict that are growing in frequency. Makes me wonder if one day I'll wake up & have NO grasp on reality and go do something really stoopid and UNme -- like bungee-jumping, tightrope-walking or rock climbing !! Butttttttt, then again losing my vice grip on reality could mean my being totally free from the exhaustion of failed attempts to control things I CAN'T.

Maybe what's called for is a major mental meltdown, but just how DOES one "invoke" this ??? Quite frankly, I don't think I'M capable of detaching from reality too easily, because MY reality and everyone else's are already worlds apart now. Perspective is EVERYTHING, doncha know. So I guess I'll just muddle through & get to the final destination much like everyone else. I've even gotten my hand basket all picked out -- it's quite handsome and verrrrrrrry utilitarian ! See y'all down at the station !! I'll be standing in line for the Downtown Express, care to join me ?? =)

And so the journey begins

After a week of dealing with the "creeping crud," I finally feel (and look) like a human being again. I don't get sick often (thankfully), but when I DO get laid down it knocks me for a loop ! Fevers, chills, sneezing, clogged sinuses, aches, and my personal favorite laryngitis. I've almost gotten my voice back and the fever broke sometime Wednesday evening. I even went to work yesterday, but may have rushed things as I felt like death warmed over this AM and ended up staying home.

Bout the only "good" thing I can say about this crapola is that is DOES aid in weight release -- my appetite disappears and even though I know that I must feed my body during its time of lowered resistance, I rarely get much into me past cereal with milk & OJ. I even mentioned to the Best Half that I find it quite ironic that one can judiciously follow a eating/exercise routine & just lose a half of a pound in a week. But let a flu bug hit you & lay you out and 1 to 2 pounds come flying off. Totally bizarre and UNFAIR, but I digress.

The topic of this entry is starting on a new journey. I've found that attempting to maintain routine of getting to the Y 3-4 afternoons per week after work, is NOT working out. So I've read about some people in the same fix as I am, get up earlier & do their exercise first thing & "get it out of the way." So beginning Tues., January 18th I will give it a whirl & see if it's a good fit for me .......... or not. I'll be getting up @ 0500 & getting to the Y roughly 0520. I'll give myself 30 mins of aerobic and 30 mins of strength/toning. If I can manage this 3-4 days per week, I should be in good shape ...... er, or better shape. Dammed good thing I'm a morning person, eh ? HAHAHAHA !!

take care .... stay kool .... be content
mk =)

Now I know what the Pillsbury Doughboy feels like !

I have NEVER in my life experienced bloating like this !!! I swear it's like that scene in The Santa Clause when Tim Allen shows up at work & is all blown up !!

My nemesis, Scaly Bitch, (the bathroom scale to the rest of y'all) hasn't played some evil trick on me -- I know this for a fact cos I threatened to pull her battery if she ever did ! I don't understand it & I can't explain it. I told the Best Half I look pregnant -- hell I FEEL pregnant ! WTF could be happening ?!?!

As I sat there in the chair trying desperately recall every morsel I stuffed down my gullet in the last 48 hours, a verrrrrrrry faint lightbulb appeared & then shone brilliantly. It matched the color of the discarded bag in the wastepaper basket -- bright yellow with red lettering ....... ahhhhhhh, yes !!! THAT'S where the bloat originated from ! It's really true, you CANNOT eat just one Lay's potato chip. And from the looks of the bag, I'm living proof. siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh It's a wonder I don't have permanent road rash from falling offen the dammed wagon !!

Yep it alllllll came rushing back to me -- home alone, reading the paper & munching on chips; playing on the 'puter & munching on chips; watching a DVD & munching on chips ........ hmmmmmm, appears to be a pattern here, eh ? Clearly I need to either keep the dammed devil-chips out of the house or GET A LIFE. I'm thinking the former is easier at this point than the latter. siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

"You got NOBODY to blame, chicka !!! No one put a gun to your head and forced those devil-chips down your throat ! You, & only YOU are to blame here -- so OWN IT !" Ahhhhhhh yes the all too familiar self-deprecating pep talk !! Nothing but the BEST chastisement for this chicka !!! Oh boy, I laid it out in spades !!! Even the other voices in my head took cover ! It isn't pretty, but needs to happen cos these things can spiral out of control in mere minutes.

WTF is she rambling on about, you ask ?! Simple, I've fallen and I got BACK up. No more mindless munching, no more junk food in the house, no more Pillsbury Doughboy look-alike contests. Thankfully I don't fall often and rarely have repeat episodes in close proximity to the last one. But I forget sometimes that I am human and as such, have faults .... quirks .... idiosyncrasies .... stumbling blocks .... whatever term is suitable. And in trying to reign in all temptation, sometimes it back fires on me & the end result is this.

But I've accepted my fate and will strive even harder in the future to keep temptation at bay, better munchy choices at hand. So I leave you with this little piece of advice. Know your weaknesses, accept them and deal with them swiftly and handily. Only way it'll work -- I promise you ! Now I'm off to try near-drowning myself with water to help flush this crap out of my system -- cheers & bottoms up !!

take care .... stay kool .... be content
molly =)

"I've Sat Down & I Can't Get Up !"

Went back into the Y yesterday after work, like I had promised myself I would do. Imagine my surprise at the FULL parking lot !!! Ahhhhhh yesssssss, the onslaught of "It's-a-new-year-and-I'm-gonna-exercise-come-Hell-or-high-water" short-timers. I say short-timers cos they come in droves and stay rarely longer than 2 months .... just long enough to figure out that it really IS work !

Anyhoo, I managed to get a bike & plopped down for a nice heart-raising, sweat-producing ride of 20 mins @ ~ 14mph. Then cos there were NO hydraulic machines available, I opted for the elliptical instead. That machine HATES me & I waste no lost love for it either. So after some choice words regarding the programming, we were off & wellllllll, ellipticalling. 20 mins later my legs felt like spaghetti and I looked like a drowned rat. I'd say it was a successful session ! Still no machines available and I wasn't too mad as my legs probably couldn't have done anything more strenuous than carry me to my car.

Once back home I made a rookie mistake of sitting in the recliner "just to rest a bit" ........ 20 minutes later I attempted to get up out of said recliner. Success was NOT mine & the first wave of pain rushed in like a tidal wave !! Ohhhhhhhhhh the folly of thinking that I could just jump back onto that proverbial horse & ride like I'd been doing back in October ! The Best Half had to literally pull me up out of that chair ! It was then that I seriously considered eating standing up sos not to repeat another episode of "I've Sat Down & Now I Can't Get Up !" Whomever said these are our "golden years," lied ....... I'm thinking it's more like the "rusty" years ! Back at it today after work -- wish me luck & anyone have the Rescue Squad on speed dial ?!?!?! ;-)

2 0 1 1

Four little numbers which by themselves mean little to anyone. Squeeeeeeeezed together and they take on a whole new meaning. It could be the end result of computation or the destination reached when counting. But no, in this case it means the beginning of a new year ..... 365 days and 365 opportunities to better oneself, master a hobby or recipe, develop a new (and improved) outlook on life.

With it being a new year, so many start out by making a list of "resolutions" for the future -- well at least 364 days into the future. Me ? I don't believe in resolutions (so I resolve to make NONE !), but I do have some goals that I'd like to see come to fruition -- maybe even conquer ! Here they are, in no particular order of attempt ..............

1 To try & see the GOOD in people instead of the ugliness that I usually pick out.

2 To be a better partner ... more caring, more supportive, better listener .... yada, yada, yada -- jussssssssssst kidding ;-).

3 To begin a "training regime" from which I will hopefully become strong enough to commute to work riding my bicycle (when weather permits of course) which in turn will save gas, save the environment & ultimately save ME.

4 To release some weight .... saaaaaaay around 40-ish pounds (if I lose more GREAT, if I lose less GREAT -- cos getting rid of it, is waaaaaaaaay better than adding it on !).

5 Take time to READ more, engage my brain in crosswords, cryptoquotes, etc -- & step away from the electronic trappings (READ : computer & TV) that have held me captive (admittedly willingly) for years.

So there ya have it. Short list I know, but still holds TONS of possibilities, perfections, perils & pleasures ! So wish me luck & let's get this year starrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttttteddddddddddddd !!!!

take care .... stay kool .... be content
molly =)

Convenience .... at what price ???

I recently purchased and have "devoured" the books Eat This, Not That and Eat This Not That -- Supermarket Survival. I found myself nodding in agreement throughout both books about 85% of the time (the other 15% was due to regional differences of products). I was intrigued that the authors encouraged convenience foods. Aren't convenience foods the bane of our existence ?!?!?!

As I read through that particular section, I realized that some so-called convenience foods are actually GOOD foods in disguise. Case in point -- Jimmy Dean D'Lights Breakfsast Sandwiches. There are only 2 varieties (at least that's all I found so far) and the ingredient lists are lengthy, but pronouncable.

Hey, I was feeling pretty good as I read the list (they break it up by food -- the muffin, the egg, the sausage), until I read those dreaded words high fructose corn syrup. FARK !!! The list was going sooooooo well, too. Dammitalltohell, HFCS -- must you be in EVERYTHING ?!?!?! I was despondent as I started to put the package back into the freezer. Then I gave it another looky-see.

Out of long list (no, I'm NOT going to count), HFCS was the 5th from the last ingredient. HOLD THE PHONE, MARTHA !! FIFTH from the end ?!?!? Well, now maybe it's not so bad after all. NO, I'm NOT condoning HFCS, but that far down the list AFTER all those good-for-you ingredients can't be considered the same as HFCS being in the first three ingredients, right ???

There I stood having an argument with myself over whether to throw caution to the wind or stand my ground. I realized that several people gave me a wiiiiiiide berth or turned around & headed away from my general vicinity. Hell it's THEIR loss, cos I was having a very intelligent convo about some really important stuff ! Anyhoo, after considerable weighing of pros & cons, I decided to get them anyway. Turns out they only cost about $1.38 each. Not too bad for a 2 proteins, a fat and whole grains, eh ?

UPDATE : So far I've consumed 2 of each type (muffin & croissant) with no adverse reaction. They're filling, tasty & convenient ! They're a boon when I've putzed around too long & time is getting the best of me. Just wrap 'em & zap 'em !! Works for me ! I'm not saying y'all HAVE to run out & get these, just a consumer's POV -- for future reference. ;-)

take care .... stay kool .... be content
molly =)

Well, last weekend ushered in a new decade for ME -- I rounded the half century mark & skidded to a halt. JUST WAIT A COTTON-PICKING MINUTE, HERE !!! There's NO way I'M 50 already !!!! Siiiiiiiiiiiigh .... yes, yes I am. I'm officially @ the top of the hill.

In "honor" of this auspicious occasion, I did NOT record my intake, did NOT weigh in AND I'm NOT apologizing for it ! While I probably DID some "damage," I tried to be diligent about what went into my mouth.

I just didn't freak out at the Vanilla Creme Brulee on Friday evening (which BTW was DEEEE-VIIIINE !!) nor the Lemon Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting on Saturday evening (equally deeee-viiiine). Instead I E-N-J-O-Y-E-D the unusual occurrence and filed it away for memory's sake and today I'm back on the trail towards BETTER, HEALTHIER, & LESS PROCESSED EATING.

So I will update the progress (or digress if necessary) NEXT Monday. Till then, TTFN !!

Slow & Steady Wins The Race !!

Welp, another pound & half has been released (hopefully NEVER to return !) and THAT was with only ONE 30 min exercise session !! And YES ! I AM eating all of my weight release calories. So for fear of displeasing the Weight Release Gods, I'll NOT jinx my good progress (& fortune) by ruminating on it ad nauseum.

In four more days, I'll tick over the half century mark on this chassis. And even though she's showing signs of wear & tear, she's still got LOTS of oooomph in the ol' tank !! Instead of attempting to break some land speed records, she's happy to just stay in the middle lane and keep up with the flow & not get run down in the process ! Here's to maintaining speed and cruisin' onto the finish line ........ many years from now.

Weight : 206.4
BMI : 35.2

Staring down the barrel of 50

In 10 days, 8 hours, 25 mins I'll turn the corner of the half century mark. Quite frankly I held out little hope of reaching this milestone ...... considering the abuse & damage I've wrought on this body during the last 35 years. I know for a fact that I DON'T have another 50 in me -- maybe 25-30 if I can stop the progression of "abuse."

I DID manage to get in 3 days of recumbent biking in last week & there WAS a loss -- just not as much as I wanted. But ANY loss is better than a gain so I'll be happy with the tiny movement forward towards my goal.

So begins week 3 -- ever onward & downward !!

WEIGHT : 207.4
BMI : 35.4

Week TWO

Welp, weighed in yesterday and there WAS a loss -- just not the amount I wished for. But I will take any LOSS that comes my way ! Started up on my recumbent bike again cos with my buggered up foot, I found that I can't do my indoor walking DVD -- too much pain. So I guess until this toe gets fixed, it'll be 20-30 mins per day on the recumbent bike.

We made some homemade chicken stock last night after roasting a chicken & veggies for dinner. Just left the carcass & added a mir poix, some water, couple bay leaves & got it up to a nice boil & then let it simmer for bout 45 mins. I can't wait to make some chicken noodle & veggie soup this week !! Coupled with a healthy honey corn muffin .......... NIRVANA !!!

The Great Weight Release of 2010

Today I begin yet another new journey. I have entered an "accountability pact" with my secondbestestfriendadopted sister. This accountability pact involves the healthy & steady weight reduction in 2010, more & more effective exercise and sharing of ideas, recipes, tips, etc. It's not necessarily about the numbers on the scale, but it IS about numbers ..... A1C, BP, and BMI.

My only hope is that she'll keep me on my toes & be my guide (as I will do for her, too !) thru this daunting maze of weight release. You'll notice that I said weight "release," if I were to say "weight loss" it somehow alludes to a quest to find it once it's lost & I sure as hell DON'T want to do that !

So come along with us as we begin this adventure/journey & take this one day, one step one pound at a time !

3 daaaaaaaay weekend !!!!

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO !

YEEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWW !

YIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE !

AWWWWWWWWWW RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT !

YEEEEEEEEEYAHHHHHHHHH, BAYBAY !

..................................................................................................................................

Good morning, kiddos !! Sun is shining, kitties are perched here beside me, I've got my iPod on & the tunes are a-rocking, coffee is done brewing ........... all is right in munkstirland.

Gots me some new feet-duds last night !!! Specifically designed for "heavy walking."

I asked the clerk if that was supposed to be some kinda crack aimed @ overweight (or obese, in MY case) peeps. crickets...........

The look on her face was PRICELESS -- surprise giving way to confusion leading into moral judgment & finally landing smack-dab into fear. The SO stepped in & saved the poor girl, explaining that MY sense of humor was somewhere waaaaaaaaaay left of center. The girl actually released a pent-up breath !! HAHAHAHA, I assured her that I indeed was yanking her chain & she broke out a radiantly beaming smile. Geeeeeze people need to find their funny-bones again !

Anyhoo, they're NBs & fit like they were specifically made for MY impossible-to-fit foot. I wear a women's size 7, not a real problem -- it's the EE width that kills them ! But these are WW & feel soooooooooo good -- come next Saturday I'll be ready to break them in on the VA Beach Boardwalk with my buds, karyn & saucyirish !!

LOOK OUT WORLD THE THREE AMIGAS ARE HITTING THE BOARDWALK !! LOOK FOR THEM TO HIT THE ROAD IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS ..............sometime in the farrrrrrrrrrrr future !

HAHAHAHAHAHA !!! I KEEEEEEEEEEEL ME !!!

take care .... stay kool .... be content
mk

Change is on the wind

I opened the back door to go to my car & it hit me ! It was cooooool & dry & crisp !! Ahhhh yes, there's change coming and quite frankly I am, ohhh sooooo ready for it ! No more grabbing the scuba gear before going outside, no more multiple showers because the sweat oozes out of yo the minute you walk out the door.

I used to say that Spring was my favoritest season, but as I age I find that Autumn is slowly taking over as my first place-r. Now don't get me wrong, I still lovvvvvvvvve Spring when everything is new & fresh & busting out all over. But there's something to be said for things quietly withering away & preparing for that long sleep of winter (which BTW is my LEAST favorite season for a myriad of reasons !) that fall brings.

Autumn also beckons my taste buds for the richness of stews, soups, roasted veggies & Sunday dinners like Mom used to make. One of my most favored memories as a kid, is running around outside in the crisp fall air and coming inside hours later with rosy cheeks & sparkling eyes, and being greeted by the heavenly aroma of Mom's pot roast cooking ! MMM-MMM-MMM ! Lordy she made dammed good pot roast !!! Yeah, those were mos def the good old days.

Though I'm an adult now (well chronologically speaking), I still get excited after being outside on a crisp fall Sunday afternoon and coming inside to aromas reminiscent of those days and the anticipation of the repast that awaits me later to be shared with the love of my life and/or family & friends. Nothing in the world, at that time, is any better.

take care .... stay kool .... be content
mk =D

Life is fragile ....... A note to Mom

The day is gray; the sky is weeping ...... kinda apro pos considering had Mom lived, today would be the 83rd anniversary of her grand entrance into this world. I can't even fathom living till 83 much less 50 (which is the expected "odometer" reading come next January). Simply boggles the mind that the span of one's lifetime is made up these 12 month increments spread out many years and that are supposed to reflect what it is that makes you YOU.

All I can say is that I miss her tremendously, but I'm satisfied that her long suffering finally ended. She was existing and in no way what could be construed as "living." Such a hard ending for such a kool lady. I LOVE & MISS YOU, MOM !!!

And I promise to keep myself out of trouble (unless IT comes looking for me !) and to take my meds like a good girl. I promise to try & keep my temper .... well, tempered. I promise to love & cherish the love of my life till the very end. I promise to keep the lines of communication open between my siblings -- can't guarantee THEY'LL reciprocate with each other. I promise to let more stuff roll off the back -- after all shit rolls downhill, right ?

I sincerely hope that I was more of a accomplishment than a disappointment in your eyes. In MY eyes, it's a crap shoot on most days. I sincerely hope you and Pop and Nana and Grandpa had a STUPENDOUS reunion (tell them all "HI ! I love youse guys and I'm doing fine.") !! When I imagine the most perfect setting , I see you and Pop cutting a rug to some Chet Atkins or Glenn Miller; maybe snuggling on the couch. These images are borne from my childhood memories and it's what I'd want Eternity to be for you !

I have to go now, but I just wanted to wish you the happiest of birthdays, Mom. I love & miss you more than I probably ever told you while you were only a phone call away. And don't worry too much over me -- I'm a tough old bird and it takes a lot to knock me down .... much less to keep me there !

LOVE YOU, MOM !!

Hunk-a Hunk-a

burnin MUSCLES !!!! OMG !!! Last evening I just did my first set of that resistance band 30 min video (I posted it earlier somewhere) from Spark People. Let's just say I was re-introduced (and quite rudely, I might add !) to a bunch of real slackers -- my hamstrings, obliques (HA !! THAT'S rich considering I can't find them thru the "padding"), biceps, lower back & calves.

This workout may seem simple (or even easy to some), but that 30 mins prit-near whooped MY 49.66 yr old butt !!! But I must say, I feel better for having done it & now I only have to wait till tomorrow to get more reacquainted with the aforementioned group of slackers.

OHHHHHHH, MAN ! Tween the boogeying & this routine, I'll be buff ....... in roughly 2 yrs !!!

PARTAAAAAAAAY ON, MY PEEPS FOR BEN GAY IS WATCHING YOU FROM THE SIDELINES !!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO !!! =D

No I didn't fall off the face of the Earth

The rumors of my untimely demise have been greatly exaggerated. Or however the saying goes. Anyhoo, I'm still amongst the living albeit tired & S-O-R-E.

You see, it was an extremely harried week at work & we've been trying to get the garden prepared for a fall planting. This proved to be a lethal combination for this train wreck known as my body. I carry all my stress in my head & shoulders. I awoke Friday with such a screaming headache, I thought I had succumbed to that dreaded post-menopausal curse ...... the MIGRAINE. Thankfully I remembered the trigger points from when my Mom used to suffer & thankfully I presented none, save the excruciating pain & belief that my head would explode -- secretly hoping for it.

Nope, it was just plain ol stress. Stress is a sneaky bastage -- by the time you realize it has taken up residence, you're contemplating murder or at the very least decapitation ...... of your OWN head. Now those in the know, say that a certain amount of stress is necessary for our survival -- it fuels the flight or fight response which is what keeps us one step ahead of the forces that threaten to defeat us. All I know is that I'd gladly share some of MY stress cos I think I got the King's share !

Enter my angel .... of sorts. I say of sorts, cos she can bring me to the verge of tears with just a touch. No, no it's not that her touch is so tender, so soft, so lulling. No her touch reaches deep into the core and drags out the toxins along with the knots upon knots UPON knots, that I so carefully attempt to carry without self-destructing. Prolly NOT as excruciating as childbirth but sure as hell rivals a good Charley-horse ANY day of the week !

This soft spoken, beautiful person is like stress -- sneaky and unrelenting. She knows I have a high threshold for pain & dangles me on that precipice before bringing me back only to repeat it .......... many times more. Sometimes I can't tell whose more exhausted at the end of a session -- her from trying to will those knots out with her bare hands, or me from desperately running an uphill marathon to my happy place -- never seeming to reach it before the "assault" is over.

Now don't get me wrong -- I do THIS willingly. She can work miracles and I will continue to allow her carte blanc over my body -- it's an odd relationship, but it works. Only because this morning I can turn my head to both sides without a shaft of pain blinding me. And my shoulder is looser & more mobile.

So here's to the person I love to "hate." Certified Massage Therapists RULE !!!

What was once lost, is finally found !

WOWSER !! I couldn't for the life of me, find my info for this place until yesterday evening. Someone had pointed out that I hadn't posted in some time & I had to respond that it was purely brain farts to blame.

Anyhoo, I'm back (till I forget it AGAIN) and I continue to blessed with the ability to open my eyes & get out of bed every morning. Good things, I suspect.

Coming up on Turkey Day & a new experience for us ...... we'll NOT be home for the traditional "trash-OUR-house" marathon. We'll be supping with good friends at THEIR house. I'll be out of my element not getting in there & actively cooking, but mayhaps the matron of the house will allow me to help out is some way -- we'll see.

I'll be bringing a loverly butternut squash souffle & some nice dinner rolls & the SO will be bringing some dee-lish cookies. Good eats, good friends, good conversation -- one cannot ask for a better combo. Best part -- aside from the aforementioned ? We'll be doing the turkey, et al dance @ OUR house the next day for those who were unable to be with us on Thursday.

Here's to a wonderful, satisfying & family-oriented Thanksgiving for everyone !!