Tag Archives: thoughts on a Saturday

February 1, 2020 · 3:24 pm

Crazy Days

Psychology Today

Yesterday and today have been super-busy days. Good -and productive – but long and tiring.

Yesterday started with regular morning chores. Then we enjoyed our friends at Lunch Bunch. We ran some errands, came home, and then back out again 45 minutes later for doctor appointments.  More errands, and then, as we started back home, the skies had suddenly cleared from our week-long dreary, rainy ones, so we packed up the back of the truck with our donations to the Disabled Veterans Thrift Store in Fort Smith, invited the dog to travel with us and headed out again.

It was still cloudy, and we have the windows in the back halfway down when Amber travels with us.  I also have to crack my window because the air buffets my ears, making them uncomfortable. The result was I felt thoroughly chilled by the time we got home. I got a cup of hot coffee, turned on my heat pad, and snuggled under my throw in my recliner in the living room until I felt warm again.

By this time it was 7 pm, time to feed animals and humans.  We finally packed it up for the day at midnight.

________________

Today, too, has been a whirlwind of activity.  So far today we have run errands, I’m running the third load of laundry, I fixed bacon-wrapped chicken – ready to put in the oven later, I baked two spaghetti squashes and then put them into individual servings in the freezer, cleaned out our aquarium, vacuumed the first floor tiles…. My list is long, but I’m making progress.  I’m having a cup of coffee and writing these posts, and then I’ll get back to work again.

I feel good when I’ve accomplished things on my list, but I’ll give myself permission to play in my art room again soon…

 

 

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January 11, 2020 · 11:32 am

Thoughts on a Saturday 1-11-2020

Jeff Jett – LinkedIn

The severe weather came through last night, dropping our temperature from 70 degrees F. to 34 this morning. the storms and lightning were pretty impressive. (My husband was teed off because our weather guy broke into the programs he wanted to watch.) The day today is gray, raw, wet, cold. We MAY get sleet today, but so far, we are doing fine, have sustained no damage that I have found, and are warm, safe, and dry.  I hope the storms don’t cause a lot of damage as they now move to the east.

 

My daffodils are stupid. They have sprouted and will try to bloom, even though the prospect of sleet is imminent today with winter coming on its heels.

 

I baked recipe #6 for keto bread yesterday. I brought two slices in for my husband and I to try. My husband took one bite and didn’t say anything. In a few minutes he let our dog, Amber enjoy the remainder of the slice. (Tact is not his long suit.)  Happily, I found a group yesterday on Facebook – Amazing Daily Keto moderated by Angie Thomason that is all things keto. I was accepted into the group and already have a new bread recipe to try!  Hooray!

I’m getting my chores accomplished – mainly due to the yucky weather outside – and

source unknown

am hoping to spend at least part of the afternoon in my art room. I have some ideas rattling around that are becoming insistent that they be allowed to come out. I LOVE spending time up there! :0)

I hope that YOUR day is safe and enjoyable.

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December 28, 2019 · 12:48 pm

Thoughts on a Saturday 12-28-2019

We just changed the decoration on our mailbox from Santa to Happy New Year.

We love Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson, so we have made two mailbox decorations to honor his great work and sense of humor.  This one appeals to us because we have never been the nostalgic “Auld Lang Syne’ types at New Years.  At our age, we just got used to writing ‘2019’ on our checks and now we have to think again before writing… :0)

I just finished adding my hand painted wooden earrings to my new Etsy shop – EyecatchingEarrings. I can’t decide if I need to work on a banner to go across the top of the page or not. If you have the time to take a look, I would appreciate your opinion.

As we came in from getting the mail and putting up the new mailbox decoration, I was appalled to see dog hair balls on the floor that were blowing in the breeze we made as we walked by. This tells me two things:

THING ONE – I need to get up off my duff and VACUUM, and

THING TWO – I need to defurminate Molly again.

I absolutely will do thing one and will TRY to do thing two.

I hope that your Saturday is a good one!

 

 

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December 7, 2019 · 1:13 pm

Thoughts on a Saturday 12-7-2019

Beautiful World

Today has been a ‘fruit-basket-upset’ so far.

My husband reminded me that it was past time for me to check for operating system updates on my computer. I had to close down everything and start a download. It took FOREVER. THEN – it had to APPLY the updates to my computer.

While it worked, I cut up strawberries for my husband, got chili into the crock pot, vacuumed the first floor tiles, defurminated (a tool that thins her hair) the dog, took down Thanksgiving decorations, cleaned the kitchen….

Now, it’s afternoon and I haven’t had my coffee or started working at the computer!

I have to share that I sold a couple of hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments and a package of friendship greeting cards at the local shop in Greenwood yesterday!

I don’t know which two sold, but it makes me happy that someone liked them. :0)

We got to talk briefly with our son in Thailand this morning.  We tried to use the conference call program, but my computer was using up all our band width, downloading the system updates, so we’ll have to try that another time. He was doing well, and that’s the main thing.

Now that it’s afternoon, and I have JUST finished my morning cup of coffee, I’ll go fix our lunch and then try to get going on the computer again.

I hope that YOUR day is going well.

 

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November 2, 2019 · 2:50 pm

Thoughts on a Saturday 11-2-2019

Amanda Alma-Feel Free

Today started out pretty cold – 33 degrees. I finally went out to the garage to do 35 minutes on my elliptical trainer when the temperature reached 50. Now it’s 58 and practically balmy!  The freeze killed all the flowers in the planters around the yard, so the next several days I’ll be trying to clear out my planters in preparation for topping them out with mulch for the winter.

My husband loves pulled pork. I found a recipe he really likes, so I put a pork loin in the crock pot this morning. When it is cooked, he helps me shred it, each of us using two forks, until it’s the right consistency. We’ll have that tonight for dinner and divide up the rest if it into meal portions for him and freeze them. Usually we get about 8 meals from one pork loin.

An online friend just made my day. He is serving in Afghanistan and we have been chatting. He told me today that he used the photo of my “Believe” plaque as wallpaper for his computer!

The rest of my day will be spent –

  • cleaning out ONE planter outside
  • doing my daily yoga stretches session
  • working on the flat wooden Christmas ornaments in my art room

I hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday, too.

*If you are in one of the states that practices Daylight Savings Time, tonight before you go to bed, turn your clocks BACK one hour!

 

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October 12, 2019 · 10:07 am

Thoughts on a Saturday 10-12-2019

Beautiful World

 

It’s 40 degrees F this morning and sunshine-y.

It’s too cool to have our doors open this morning, but I am REALLY enjoying the relief from our relentless summer here. It’s nice to NOT have a ‘heat index’. Somehow, knowing that makes me even hotter. I’m planning to work outside this afternoon, cleaning up around the tomato planters where I pulled out the plants a couple of days ago. I may have to throw on a sweatshirt!!!! Woo HOOOO!

It makes me a bit sad that in one week our son will be going back to Thailand. He came home at the end of July (27 hour trip with the flights and the layovers) to help us through the aftermath of my husband’s stroke.  There were lots of tests and decisions to be made. It was a super tense situation, but we finally got the information we needed and did what my husband would allow to avoid another stroke. The crisis is over. My husband is almost completely back to normal. It’s time for our son to get back to his life. I’m collecting lots of hugs (thank goodness he is super generous with them. We communicate almost daily when he’s halfway across the world. He set up a secure chat program we use, plus a conference call program we use from time to time so we can see each other. The only thing missing is his world class hugs. We are SO lucky.

 

I am still fighting with technology, but I’m happy to have two shops on Etsy now –

ArtworthyNoteCards –  hand-painted personalizable stationery, note cards, and greeting cards

TotablyYours  – hand-painted, one-of-a-kind tote bags

 

Amazon

 

I’ve admitted that I’m like a little kid when it comes to motivation to do things I would rather not. I’ve been giving myself gold stars on my desk calendar each day when I practice my yoga, do my elliptical trainer, or do a job in the yard that is drudgery, rather than fun. This week – if I stay on track today and tomorrow, will be a 15-star week!  It makes me happy to look at all the stars on the desk calendar, but I’m also FEELING better for the exercise – and that is really the point of it all.

If I can get my technical problems solved today, I’ll try to get up to my art room this afternoon. I have the BEST of all dilemmas – whether to experiment with my new crayon melting tools or experiment with my new Unicorn Spit stain/glaze kit my wonderful SIL sent me.  :0)

 

 

I hope that you are enjoying YOUR Saturday, whether it is with relaxation or fun.

 

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October 5, 2019 · 10:57 am

Thoughts on a Saturday – 10-5-2019

Backyard Garden Lover via Yolanda Vanveen

I marvel at the way some people’s minds work. I LOVE the creativity that resulted in the cute ‘birds’ above! I just hope there is a way to preserve these.

Penn Fitness Warehouse

After almost two full weeks of using my elliptical trainer 3 times a week for 35 minutes each session, my body told me that was too much at one time. Thursday I went to two 15-minute sessions, and that seemed to be better, though 15 minutes seemed a bit short, plus it was difficult to work the 2nd session into the day. Today I started with a 20-minute session. That seemed good, so I’ll do it daily for the next week or so and see how it goes. The cooler days now are bringing up my energy level, so hopefully I can get in my elliptical early.

Y is for Yogini

My daily yoga practice is going well. (I’m on DAY 33 today.)  This poor old stiff, sore lady emerges from my yoga stretches feeling better, moving more freely. I’m FEELING a bit of progress. Our dog, Amber,

Amber

‘helps’ me do my positions by oozing off her ‘place’ (bed) closer and closer until she can nuzzle me. When I start to laugh, she dives right in for a good hug.

Today I’m cooking TWO recipes worth of “Sausage, Egg and Cheese Bake” by Suzanne Ryan of Simply Keto at my husband’s REQUEST.  I have one more pound to lose before I’m ‘into-new-territory’ on my efforts to lose the lard. Cronometer.com is a great site for showing you where you are on your macros (percentages of fat, protein and carbs for the day). I like to add what I’m planning to eat, and then be able to modify it, if needed, before I make a mistake. I have the site bookmarked on my computer, plus added the app on my phone.

The fish haven’t complained, but it’s time today to clean out the aquarium. I’ll scrub things out, vacuum the gravel, put in different decorations, and then fill it back up again. The four goldfish I have are at least triple the size they were when I got them. They still seem to be fine in the 5-gallon tank. I’ll try to show you pics of their new digs later.

I’m working on three designs for a banner to go across the new Etsy shop I’m going to open soon. I’ll also try to post pics later to see what you think.

The weather is SOOOO nice! We have doors open again today. It’s really nice to air out the house and not have to use the a/c.

I hope that your day is full of fun things to do.

 

 

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September 28, 2019 · 10:28 am

Thoughts on a Saturday 9-28-2019

Amazing Things – Linda Orrell

Progress Report – Lardage

  • Weight Loss – 43 pounds to date. 
  • Measurement Reduction – 45 inches to date.

I lost a pound yesterday, but it was a RE-loss of a pound that was gone and regained. I’m working with my MACRO daily to try to get the right percentages of carbs, protein, and fat. This morning I ate an avocado and put heavy whipping cream in my coffee, resulting in over 1/3 of the fat I should have for the day. I don’t really like avocados, but I’m impressed with how good they are for you. They are high fat, which kept me away from them before. Now I’m looking at them as a relatively painless way to get a lot of the fat I need (other than my own, homegrown). I like the fact that on CarbManager.com I can ‘test’ what I plan to eat for each meal and see what happens to my numbers BEFORE I make a mistake. I can then modify my plans. Wonderful!  Ultimate goal is to lose another 30 pounds or so.

Flipkart

I have a good start on my efforts to move more. I have been doing yoga stretches daily now for 26 days, and I just started my elliptical trainer 3 times a week. Since Gold stars on my desk calendar are a really good motivator for me (one for each yoga practice and one for the elliptical) I’ll be adding stars # 8 and 9 for the week today. I’m doing 35 minutes on the elliptical at a regular pace, listening to my MP3 player, basically just trying to zone out and do the time right now. Later I’ll think about doing a couple of intensive (for me) times in there. I try to make changes slowly – trying not to make this body rebel and go on strike for a couple of days in protest – hopefully culminating in more and more of my week spent in moving myself around in ways that will help my strength, balance, and flexibility.

The Guardian

It looks like fall will officially begin here in Arkansas on Thursday of next week, with highs in the 70’s, according to the weather people here. I HOPE they are right, because my energy levels rise when the temperature and humidity decrease.  I’m more than ready for fall.

Daily Dose of Flowers

Today is a quiet one for us. I’ll do my elliptical, my yoga, and plan to spend time in my art room again. Yesterday I tried my new crayon melting tool. I had fun, but am only making glorious messes at this point. I’ll enjoy playing with it again today.

Fill your day with things that bring you joy.

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September 21, 2019 · 10:29 am

Thoughts on a Saturday 9-21-2019

 

The rain has stopped and we have a sunshiny day today – but the HIGH will only be 83!!!! Woooo HOOOO! We have front and back doors open and ceiling fans on to enjoy the glorious breeze….

If you’ve been reading my blog, you already know that I’m a bit weird and maybe even a little nuts. If you didn’t, here’s an example – I’m on DAY 4 of getting serious about keto. Last night I woke up with a cramp in the back of my left leg. I’m HAPPY about this – although I admit I wasn’t at the time – because it’s a sign I may be getting into ketosis!  I’ve been very careful about what I’m eating and I’m tracking it all on my new CarbManager.com website which lets me know how many carbs I have left for the day and the percentages of carbs, fat, and protein I’m eating. I’m mostly concerned about staying under 20 carbs a day right now. I’ll pay more attention to the other things later. I really want to lose this last 30 lbs of lard. Truly tired of the plateau and ready to break new ground on the scales, rather than re-losing some pounds for a second time…

I tried ‘zoodles’ (zucchini noodles) with the chicken chunks and soup topping my family loves. I made rice, too, giving my husband and son the choice. No surprise that both of them had rice while I had the zoodles. Our son DID come back for a second helping, trying the zoodles that time. I’ll check with him today on what he thought. We have leftovers, so we’ll have it again this evening. This time I’ll try cauli-rice under mine.

Downshiftology

 

Pamela Salzman

 

I’m on Day 19 on my daily yoga practice.

Women’s Health

Some positions remain really challenging. I’ve spent a long time getting old and stiff, so I’m not surprised that it will take some time for me to loosen up. I AM feeling a difference, though, in several of the positions. I feel better after my practice, so it isn’t as hard to make myself get into the living room and grab my mat. My husband and son are being very supportive of my efforts on eating (my husband is amazed that I gave up my nightly sugar free ice cream, and says it’s good I’m going to ‘yoge’ each day.) Our son is always very supportive. He wants us to do what we can to get and stay as healthy as possible. He is getting back into meditation now after a time away, and is making good progress, so we compare notes daily and hug each other. :0)

My husband is having fewer anger spurts – a side effect of the stroke he had in July. I’m learning to adapt MY behavior so I don’t trigger events, and I’m learning not to react when one happens, unless there are other issues, too. I’m just keeping my mouth shut and walking away. I’m hoping this is gradually fading. This is not like my husband and he has a full plate working on  day by day improvement on the speech and balance issues.

Our son came in, after we listened to a session of the day’s news, and started talking, seemingly earnestly, about the priorities of the coverage. Since we agree that much of what is covered is of little importance in the grand scheme of things, I listened, smiling, as his sarcasm began to sprout. Toward the end of his ‘discussion’ I was begging him to stop, being totally exhausted from laughing. He is a treasure.

I’m going to try to finish painting the tee shirt in my art room upstairs, practice my yoga, eat right, and enjoy my family on a beautiful day.

I wish YOU a quiet, satisfying day.

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September 14, 2019 · 10:47 am

Thoughts on a Saturday 9-14-2019

Sven Zacek – http://www.zacekfoto.ee via Jeff Jett – LinkedIn

We are having a very pleasant morning – doors open, front and back, ceiling fans on – so we have a nice breeze going through the house. It’s quiet. My husband is already enjoying a nap. We’ll have to close up and switch to a/c later, but it’s wonderful now.

 

COSMOPOLITAN South Africa

 

Apparently my yoga practice yesterday was a bit TOO exuberant. I woke up with a super sore back today. My good husband slathered some muscle gel with Arnica on me first thing, and then I took two Tylenol to top it off. I’m better now, but still very aware that I overdid. I’ll practice SUPER ‘Gentle Yoga” today to see if I can finish the relaxation process.

 

Yesterday on the way back from Lunch Bunch, we had a very nice, nature-filled bunch of sights. On the road there were two deer. We only saw one of them on the road, but I saw another as we passed. Such beautiful animals!

Richard Johnson – Mass Audubon

 

Later our son came and got me so I wouldn’t miss the roadrunner that was perched on top of our deck cover. I wish I could describe the sound one makes. Truly unique.

 

Nat’l Audubon Society

 

My husband got a second hummingbird feeder to put out. Before you give him total kudos on providing for our feathered friends, I have to tell you that his REASON was that we have one hummingbird who sits, guarding the feeder, daring the other two hummers to come and try to get some food. My husband put the new feeder on the other end of the deck so that he would go nuts trying to guard BOTH of them.

 

Mother Nature Network

 

Finally, there was a praying mantis on the screen outside out dining area window!

 

Tree Hugger

My only plans for the day are to start clearing out our square foot garden. Even with daily irrigation, it has just been too hot for the plants to survive. This will take several passes to accomplish, but I’ll try to get started today. I’ll go armed with bug killer spray in case I encounter aggressive ants in the boxes. I’m hoping that our onions are still doing well out there.

Happy Saturday to YOU! Have a wonderful day.

 

 

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September 7, 2019 · 11:37 am

Happy Saturday!

Art and Expression via 2 STAR art

Things are gloriously QUIET around here today! A few errands, a few chores. My husband is doing well, our son is home. We are happily surrounded by our two dogs, two cats, and four goldfish, plus three hummingbirds flying around the feeder this morning.

DAY 5 of my renewed yoga practice, time to play in my art room, dinner figured out.

Doesn’t get much better than this. I hope you’re having a happy Saturday, too.

 

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