Weight Loss

I've been adding still tons of things to Healthy Patter, getting ideas from all over the place. I will probably still add more. lol

My new weight loss is now 58 pounds GONE! YEAH BABY! lol Almost at a pivotal 60! I'm hoping by my trip to Silver Dollar City at the beginning of June I will lose another 4 pounds.

Not much going on here. I want to take some pics with the digital camera on May 1st, and start doing monthly pics at least. So I hope I can do that. And keep up with it.

Hostage

I made some more mice today. lol I really like them. I also added a comments part to my site. So I will be working with it, over the next few days probably perfecting how I want it to be. And then adding one to my Healthy Patter as well.

When I got on the pc this morning, to my horror Netzero has taken the PC hostage and I am limited to the websites I can go to. Thankfully I can go to some. At first it didn't let me go any where. Then Vince downloaded some things at Microsoft and it's now letting us go a few places. I hate that you just can't get online and have fun any more. I hate hackers.

Then I about couldn't think cause literally right outside my bedroom window was workers drilling away, hanging from a scaffolding. Oh what fun, I looked at them as I closed my blinds. I wanted to open the window, but then they could come right in. lol It is a weird feeling being on the 12th floor and having some one inches from your window.

Let's see not much else done today. lol Lazy day. I took a long nap and I'm tired again. Time for bed.

Oh yeah, I'm almost done with both Healthy Patter, and Book Fancy's. Hmmmm when will I unveil Book Fancy's? lol

Graphics

I finally made it to the store today, and got every thing I needed. I got the new pickles made with Splenda. I seen both Mount Olive and B&G had sugar free pickles. So I got both. I got bread and butter, gherkins, and relish. I can't wait to try them. The B&G is zero calories a serving, and the Mount Olive is 10 calories a serving. Not bad.

I've been in a drawing mood, and haven't finished the pantry. BAD me. lol Check out Healthy Patter, I created new mouse characters I call Wise Mice. I have all kinds of things I am planning on doing with them. They are really cute I think. But, I will get back to the pantry real soon. lol Probably tomorrow. BTW, I made those new linkies for Book Fancy's so that's done.

I'm trying to talk my mom into starting a blog. I hope she does. I think it will be fun. She saw this blog for the first time yesterday, and she liked it. I have her one blog already set up, but I made it over a year ago and so I would like to make it better if she does do a blog.

Let's hope I get back in the pantry tomorrow! For now I'm going to watch Dr. Phil. Two people are going to get kicked off the weight loss challenge. SCARY! But, I think I know who the two might be. Sad, that they must be in such a depression/denial/not ready or something, to not even take advantage of such a good program. It really shows, that I feel you have to be ready to lose weight. Not just gung ho I want a new size dress, I'm too fat. A change in mind, and life that says, I am ready to live a healthier life style, cause I want to be healthy no matter what, and I need to for me, and because I love me. It's hard to explain the difference. But, I can sure tell it's different for me this time then any other time. And it's cause it's a change in my mind. Not just a diet, or something that is temporary. I wish others could have this change in their mind too. But, I know it has to be the right time for them. Oh well, guess I will see who gets kicked off.

PLF

Today I drew my first pig. I think she's pretty cute. lol I made a new ring for sisters keeping online weight loss journals. I hope a lot of sisters will join. I need to work on it just a little more. Then it will all be done. My weight loss journal is just about finished and so is Book Fancy's. I just want to make new linkies for Book Fancy's and finish the Archives to match. It will be unveiled soon. Healthy Patter is almost done. Just a few things left and I haven't even began matching the Archives yet.

And yes the pantry is almost done too. I just have a hard time reaching up to the top shelf working on getting all that stuff down. I had no idea that pumpkin in a can that was not dented or anything like that would leak! ACK! And then the dried pumpkin cut me. So I quit after being cut. lol It was just barely a little around the bottom of the can and it cut me. I was trying to figure out why it was stuck to the shelf. Cause there wasn't really much at all that leaked out, (I couldn't see anything, but figured it out when I looked at the bottom of the can really really closely, it looks like just around the rim some seeped out.) but I think that is what happened. I am kind of surprised since it isn't dented or anything. Must not of been sealed correctly at the cannery.

I can't wait till PLF is up and running for every one. It seems to be really nice so far.

I need to go shopping today too. I hope I get to go. Need lots of odds and ends at the grocery store.

Special Talk

We had our special talk today. It was really good. Brother Pascal gave it. He used to be the reader in our book study, but now is a Book Study Overseer of another book study. He's really nice. And the talk was great! It was very encouraging to endure to the end courageously, even under persecution, like Enoch, Noah, David, and Daniel did. Knowing Jehovah will always be there for us. I was kind of surprised the brother actually said, that Jehovah had our backs. It's a nice thought, to know Jehovah will always be there for us, as long as we stay faithful and courageously endure to the end. Then the Watchtower study being on witnessing, like Jesus set the example, really went well with the talk.

I wish I would have taken pictures of the brother, and the talk. But, I will take pictures during our open house. There is still some finishing touches being put on the hall, but it is truly beautiful. I really like the blue. I haven't had windows in a Kingdom Hall, however, since I was first in the truth back in the mid 80's. And they were just small basement window type windows. Cause we were not in a conventional hall. It was more of a cement structure, that was really small. It was sold a long time ago. Back in the late 80's. Our hall has I think a total of 4 windows upstairs. Two are in the main hall/auditorium. And it is over looking some trees, which was unusually pretty for being in between so many buildings in NYC, I wasn't expecting it to be much of a view. All we really see is some tree tops though. And it's lovely. My Father in Law operates the elevator. It is a really nice elevator as well. Has two glass accordion type doors. I will take pictures probably at Open House when every thing has it's finishing touches on it. I just love it. So much room. And the new chairs have a lot more padding and aren't nearly has uncomfortable as our old ones. Although I still think the ones at my congregation in Kansas has the best chairs ever. lol haha. :)

Today I worked on my weight loss blog some more. And am doing a little bit of work on my book fancy archives. I am going to make a new linkie and archive linkie for it soon. Then I just have a little more work in my weight loss blog and that's about it.

I will probably be done with the pantry today or tomorrow. Finally I have every thing screwed to the wall. Even though the spice rack is a bit crooked. lol Now I just have to put every thing back in there, that I pulled out. That's the easy part though. So pictures are soon to come.

Shopping

I went to Wal-mart yesterday, in the Pocono's. We picked up our anniversary pictures so that was nice. And then I did some shopping. I bought several shelves for the pantry so that should really help out in there. Although I am having a hard time getting them screwed to the all. Thankfully I only have one more screw to get in. It's about to kill the poor screw driver. lol So pictures of the new and improved pantry should be coming soon.

I didn't find any clothes that I liked. The clearance was a bunch of junk, and was higher then their regular priced items. WEIRD!

Oh I did find that Wal-mart makes their own brand of sugar free apple pie filling. So I bought some and hope it is good. I wish they would make the cherry pie filling in sugar free, cause the Lucky Leaf is expensive in sugar free. Oh I found out that Mount Olives brand of relish and pickles you can now get in sugar free made with Splenda. I am anxious to find that and use it. I know they sell Mount Olive here but I haven't seen the kind with Splenda. I love sweet relish and bread and butter pickles so this will be good.

I worked a little more on Healthy Patter and Book Fancy's today. They need a lot more work, but I am just going to do a little each day. I finally got the archives to match the front of Heather's Patter, hopefully it won't be long till all the updates are done. lol

BTW, what is with this fashion with some thing wrote on your buns of your pants? I really don't understand, if you are old enough to wear something like this, more then likely your buns are so big you don't want to call attention to them, and you are smart enough not to be so brazen. If you are young enough to look good in them, why would your parents buy them and allow you to wear them? I mean do people want child molesters attracted to their children's buns, saying yummy, princess, honey buns, hottie, hot, bad girl, kitty, bad kitty, cutie etc on their bum? I just don't get it. And Wal-mart was full of these.

Shopping and Cleaning

I went to Wal-mart today. I didn't really see anything I much wanted. I wanted one tee shirt that was a care bear shirt, but it was too small. So that was it. Nothing else. So I left with nothing. We are going to another Wal-mart tomorrow, to pick up our pictures, so maybe they will have something. I really need a swimming suit too. And I don't see anything I like this year. *blah* I usually like at least one. There wasn't really anything in clearance either. Grrrr. Maybe there will be something tomorrow.

Other then that I have been updating the looks of all my blogs. It will probably take me a few more weeks to get every thing exactly how I want it to be. And I have some more graphics to make.

Still working on the pantry. It needs a lot of help! lol I figure it will take me about 3 maybe 4 more days to get it organized the way I want it. I need to get a shelf for in there from Wal-mart too. I will take pics when I am done. Even though it's pretty ugly in there. It was meant to be a coat closet not a pantry. But, we have a smaller closet by the door we use for our coats. So we didn't need the big one for coats, and I did need some where to put food, so it works for us. Maybe some day I will decorate it. lol I doubt it though. lol For now it's just trying to serve a purpose. Next cleaning adventure will be the kitchen. That will be fun. NOT! lol Needs a lot of help as well. But, I think it can be done in a week, a little at a time. I really don't spend much time cleaning and organizing, just a few minutes a day. That's why it takes so long. And of course keeping up with other chores like, cooking and washing dishes too. Washing dishes has been challenging the last few months. They keep messing with our water, so it's either off, on but cold as ice, or once in a very little while it's hot, but so hot it can give you burns, they have no in between temperatures for the last few months! Although I would rather it be on and hot, then off or ice cold. I don't do the dishes unless the water is hot so sometimes they have to wait a day or two. Cause when the water is so cold, the soap won't rinse off, and I don't feel like they are really clean any way. I bet the water in most rivers isn't that cold. And my hands begin to hurt with the water so cold and I have to stop and warm them up with a towel, it's like putting your hands in ice. But, it just depends on the time of the day and the day of he week if it will be hot or not. So I just keep checking till it's hot, then do all the dishes I can. But, until the last few months we had consistently good water that you could choose what temperature you wanted it, by turning it to the left for hot and right for cold. But, now it's just one temperature no matter what way you turn it. And I guess the repairmen get to choose which it will be. lol Awe well, we are hoping they will figure it out soon. As it is hard to take a ice cold bath too.

Oh today when we were leaving they were tapping on the ceiling down stairs trying to scare birds (the custodians that is) Oh joy. lol These people aren't the brightest sometimes. lol

Weigh Loss

Today I went to Curves and got weighed and measured, even though I can't exercise there yet. But, I did lose 5 pounds since my last weigh in there, with out much exercise, so that is really really good. And my measurements all went down or stayed the same, so that is also great!

Then we went and looked at a few trailer lots. And looked at a lot of trailers, that was fun. Even though we won't be able to afford one for a while.

Next, I plan on going to Wal-mart to look through the clearance and find a few things that fit now. Since I've went from a size 26/28 to a 18/20. So my pants keep falling off. I can't wait to get a few new things, especially for our trip in June with my parents.

Sister Hudson

I called Sister Hudson yesterday evening. It went well. She would like me to help her with a diabetic diet. She brought it up, not me. She is 74 years old. I knew she was from Jamaica of course. But, I didn't know much else about her till yesterday. She told me she has 4 boys and one daughter but only two boys are in the truth. But, none of them live here in NYC. She was very sweet. And she is going to the doctor today. She also told me she likes fish and chicken. Her phone was having problems so we kept getting times when we couldn't hear each other. So that was about it. Except for me telling her to ask her doctor about seeing a diabetic doctor. It so happens she has the same insurance as me, and actually goes to the office where my diabetic doctor is. So that shouldn't be hard for her to get to see her. I go to a different center, but I used to go to her same center just to see my diabetic doctor. Now I go to a center where there is parking.

Today I have been cleaning the pantry. It's not been too fun. Finding lots of things I forgot I even bought. It should get how I want it with in the next two days. I only worked on it about 20 minutes. I plan on working on it maybe at least another 15 today. And then maybe tomorrow or the next day it will be in the order I want it to be. I also need to rearrange the kitchen, but that will be a bit longer before I get it how I want. I am in the process of collecting roosters, and rooster items and decorating it in them. Although I have very little cabinet space, and lots of empty wall space, so mainly it can only be stuff that can be screwed to the wall. I really want a clock next.

Other then that not much else going on.

Going Away Party

Yesterday Vince was tired when he got home from work. He has had a sty in his eye on Friday. So he decided he better sleep. So even though I was dressed and ready for meeting we stayed home. So I decided I would call in and listen to the meeting. I got to hear the song, prayer, and about 10 minutes of the public talk, it sounded soooooo good. But, then! I was disconnected and couldn't get back on, I kept calling but it was busy. Some one wired the phones wrong, and when some one pushes the door light (silent door bell) to get buzzed in when they are late to meeting, it hangs up the phone, for the people listening in. I hope they get some one to come and rewire it.

Any how I was really upset thinking I had missed the special talk. But, then I went to a going away party later that afternoon after Vince was able to rest his eyes. And I asked about it, and the sisters said no, that our special talk is next Saturday, since no one gets to hear it till today. So that was a relief. I am so bad at dates, I couldn't remember when they had said ours was, but had assumed it was the same weekend as every one else. That's what I get for assuming. lol

Maria


Any way the party was really really nice. It was for a sister who came here from Africa. I think Zambia, but I am not positive. She is a very sweet sister. And has been living with my Book Study Overseer and his wife for the past 2 years. But, now her mother is in bad health and may die, so she is going back. We are all hoping that she gets to come back. Sister Green the Book Study Overseer's wife, was crying cause she will miss her like a daughter she said. :( Every one went around the room and let her know what we thought about her and how much we loved her. I have been to a LOT of going away parties and none were so endearing and loving as this. It was mainly a small party of only the book study. But, it was very very warm. One boy who is just starting to come in the truth and is only 17, really almost made us all cry when it was his turn to tell her good bye. It really did show that this is the truth, by the love we show among ourselves. This boy, said he didn't know her well since he has just started coming to meetings, but hearing the story how the Book study Overseer and his wife took her in as a stranger, just cause she was here in NYC and a pioneer, and treated her like family. And how much her and all of us at the party treated him like family already made him really feel good. And he appreciated it a lot. He also told her how he admired that she was going back to care for her mom, instead of staying here in comfort, and letting her mom die with her other siblings there caring for her. Especially since where she is from her family and friends are starving and have very little money, or access to any thing. Any way it was very very encouraging. I am not for sure but I think the boy was not raised by his parents since at one point in the party he said he was raised by people from the West Indies. So I think us treating him with love means even more.

I bought a lot lot lot of food. lol And Vince said I should have brought more. lol Every one was disappointed when it was all gone. lol But, I didn't know how many people would be there, and how much to bring. When I first got there, I had Vince take in a box of food-deviled eggs, Lemon Coconut Grove Pie, and a layered salad. Then I had him come back out and bring in the green bean casserole and I brought in the cherry dump cake. When I first came in, the sisters said more food, every thing says Woodford on it now! lol You brought the whole meal. (I put my name on all my dishes/pots/containers etc). I wish I would have taken pictures of the food but forgot! But, it was really really pretty. I got a lot of compliments, and a lot of people asked me if I was a gourmet cook.

Another sister brought some green beans, and her mother knew she was bringing green beans, so when her mother got some of my green bean casserole she said, oh this is good you made this? She said no, that was Heather, I can't cook gourmet. lol I just have to laugh that green bean casserole is considered gourmet. Poor sisters, I need to teach some cooking classes. lol And as usual some one ate the decorations off the salad. (tomato rose, and cucumber leaves) I have to really think about what to use as decoration since it's always eaten! lol Have to make sure it won't make any one sick. This is the only place I've ever had my garnishes eaten! lol Another sister came up to me, and said she had to have a piece of my pie (Lemon Coconut Grove Pie) cause it looked like a custard pie her mother used to make. She said and it tasted just like her mother made in Trinidad. That really made me feel good! I could cook some thing as well as someone's mother really just floored me. And I think I was beaming. lol I guess I will make that again, at least for that sister!

Group Pic
Wouldn't you know the one pic with me, is blury. But, here it is.
From Left to right, front to back.
Little Girl (can't remember her name), Me, Sister Lee, Sister Maria, Sister Green (BO's Wife), and her granddaughter.
Behind me is, Brother Hudson, Brother Green (BO), Brother Johnson (PO), Sister White.



Then when we were going around the room telling Sister Maria, how much we would miss her, a sister, that Vince and I have given many rides to her husband, said she didn't know Maria well cause she misses a lot of meetings cause of her diabetes. I knew immediately I wanted to get her number to call her. But, I had to wait, by the time I waited for every one to be done, and for me to get all my stuff gathered to go home. I thought I missed my chance. But, no she came up to me, and said I heard you talking about diabetes I want to talk to you more. And I said, I want to talk to you more too! I want your number, so she gave it to me. Then her husband came up to me, and thanked me for wanting to call his wife. And he was almost crying. It made me feel so good and bad at the same time. It gave me a feeling that maybe others have forgotten her. So I am going to start sending half my meals I make over to her. Cause most my recipes are too big for Vince and I and we never get it all eaten. So it would be much better to share with her then throw it away. I'm going to give her a call today, then I will start some dialog and find out eventually what she likes to eat and try to send her things she likes. Of course I am hoping she will accept food from me first. I am just excited at the possibility of getting a friend with the same problems as me, with diabetes.

Sister Hudson


I guess I should save some chatter for tomorrow. lol Of course I will have to fill you in on how my first call with the sister goes. For future reference her name is Sister Hudson. :)

Joined the Library

I finally got my library card today. Finally took enough ID. lol Vince drove me over there so I didn't have to walk. I got two books for today. So I will be using my Book Fancy's blog soon.

I made three graphics today. So I can't wait to unveil them.

I plan on working on my other blogs soon too. And getting every thing running smoothly again. lol Took only a small hiatus.

For now I need to make lunch.

Books

Now I have to work on my book sisters blog/ring, and the archives, but for the most part I'm done touching up this blog.

I went to the library today for the second time and still didn't have enough ID. Credit cards, picture ID, and a check book wasn't enough. Now I need bills in my name too. I tell ya, you would think I was getting into a secret club, like the CIA.

I seen some Orphan Train Children books, I want to get. I think it is diaries of children who was on Orphan Trains. Sounded interesting, they are by the same people who do Dear America. And I really like those Diaries, although I don't think they are true stories, they are short and interesting. Short is my kind of book, lol I have a chance of finishing it. Although I heard there is some Food Mystery books out there and I would really love to find some good ones. I heard there is a series, and that would really interest me too.

Leave me a message of some of your favorite books and authors. I will get my Book Fancy's up and running with in the next couple of weeks. I made a new Linkie for Blog Sisters today, and I will make myself a new sig tag, and intro tag tomorrow and Sunday probably. One a day is my goal. lol :) Then I need to redo my Tag Board, or get a new one. Cause I let that one die on accident. Awe well, I'll fix it with in the next couple of weeks.

If any of you have a blog that you can dedicate to book reviews, and books etc, or want to make one, please join my book sisters! :)