Monday

Its Monday…and all is way better in my life…my headache is gone, my tummy said, feed me, and all is better….I have kept my calories under 1000 these last couple days, and I am actually full and happy….only eating extremely healthy food, good stash tea, and lots of water…I feel better mentally and am so over sabotaging myself…..I can only move forward and get back on the ole proverbial wagon, so to say…I will not shoot myself in the foot again…I never say never, but will try to keep my six-shooter in the holster….I really don’t own a gun, so no worries…LOL   I did get on the scale on Sunday and I am pretty sure that I lost all that I consumed on Saturday….whooo hoooo for a quick start to weight lost…but I don’t recommend it at all!!!  The scale never went up or down…yahoooooo –  just hovered right there where it was….so that was nice….so feeling like I can do it again…

Got up this morning (5a) and was able to catch a few beautiful crescent moon beams and watch the sun rise….my little cheap Samsung phone refused to capture the beauty of the moon…so I will share the sunrise…

Then by noon, the wind picked up and we had a good ole dust storm, not real bad, but we could not see the mountains…been a long time since we have had a dust storm….

My good friend Rowena over at,  Beyond the Flow….nominated me for a 3 day Quote Challenge….Thank you Rowena, and as everyone knows, I never nominate anyone, but all…its fun and interesting to see what we all come up with…I am unable to get the link to add so you can just click on it and go directly to her blog…thanks to WP, please copy and paste here address below and go over and say hello and giver her blog a lookie looo, shes pretty special!!!  My Ausie friend from down under….

https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com

So onto the fun…as you all know I can’t just add one quote….it would be to hard to choose….you can never go bad with Popeye. Mary Poppins and Einstein…..

Not sure who wrote this one…but its the best!!!

Until tomorrow……

Sunday….

I am so excited this morning….it was weigh day…down 5#s…..I was concerned as my calories have been in the 1500’s to 1800’s all week, but I have been exercising like crazy in the pool, and been to the gym twice this week….so I am very happy with my results of the week….will try to get the calories back down to 1200 this week and continue with the exercising, try to get to the gym a few more times….and hopefully I will be under 280….whooo hoooo short term goal…..

I missed a couple days, I have been in the pool till after 9p both nights, I realize its no excuse to not post, but by the time I get home, shower and sit down on my bed, I lay down and go sound asleep….LOL  been hot the last couple days, 107, 108, swimming at sunset into the night is so refreshing …the little bats come out at sunset, when the sky is pink and they dip down into the pool for a little drink… fun to watch….and no one is there…whooo hooo so I get on with my exercising all by myself….there a couple gals that swim at that time, but they are very nice and don’t what to chat to much…I am not a pool chatter….LOL….

The shed was due yesterday but the truck that was suppose to bring it broke down in Flagstaff….so its on hold until the truck is fixed. eta unknown….my only question to the gentleman that called was, you don’t have another truck???   Sounds like our sad truck story…LOL  We spent the first half of the day entertaining paint contractors….were getting bids to have this relic painted….LOL  its amazing at the difference in bids….the old neighbor man who lives adjacent to us across the street had yet to come over and meet us sent over one of his friends, were waiting on his bid…he asked what we were going to do with the old metal shed….he is going to take it, we told him as long as he would haul it off it was free…so  that was a bonus….we don’t have to deal with tearing it down and the sooner it is gone the better….so life is good in our world….its all about hurry up and wait, but still good….

so until tomorrow….hope you all enjoy your Sunday….I am certainly walking a little lighter today….LOL

Saturday…..hummmm de dummm

Well I did it…. I really did it….I texted a friend early this morning the word – gym???  thinking if I ask someone to go with me then I have to go…no excuses, well unless she drives herself then I can still stay home if I want….I was hoping she was still sleeping….nope….she texted back when?  I said 11a – and went ahead and added –  wanna ride??….she said Yup!!….and there it was….I had to go, no way out…so I went to the gym….10 weeks away and can I ever tell…pretty pathetic actually….I knew enough to start out easy, not to heavy weights, well I didn’t have a choice…LOL  I couldn’t lift anything where I was 10 weeks ago…so I start over…I even got a quarter mile in on the tread mill…I know I hear you, that’s all!!!  Well for me and my arthritic knee, that was a lot…so was happy with that…I can tell you my arms are a little sore tonight, mostly focused on them and the abductors…..my knee and ankles weren’t having any part of the there machines today…I even made an appointment with the trainer on Tuesday for an hour with her – so lookin forward to that.  Then I went to the pool,  spent 40 minutes there and was just getting my jogging started when in walked a family with 2 small boys…one screaming and not having any part of swimming…that was enough for me to head out…but I also was up and outside at 7a to finish the brick project…sweeping sand in the cracks and then shoveling the rest into the wheel barrow to spread out front the gate…worked up a real good sweat doing that….

….but soooo happy the little project is done…whooo hoooo

I was laying in bed this morning, it was around 4a, all of a sudden it hit me….I may not meet my personal goal I set for myself last year….I was to be at 199#’s by January 1st, 2017..I gave myself an entire year to do ….was doing really well too!!!  ..I hadn’t thought about it much in the last 3 months, obviously !!!  I went on an eating binge on my 6 week vacation…came home and have been beating around the bush so to speak, making excuses to why I couldn’t go to the gym, worked to hard outside, its hot, way to many to write on here… oh boo hoo for me….but I started adding up the days till 2017, and its just right around the corner ….aggghhhhhh   my heart started to beat faster, I got all pissed off at myself for sabotaging my goal…without even thinking about it….119 days till the New Year…87# to loose….doesn’t give me much time…if I can even do it….but you know what, I am going to give it the best damn chance I can….that’s a little over 25#’s a month…eeeek  I am not sure I can, but like the little train said –

I think I can – I think I can – I think I can…..

So starts the race to the New Year…not sure I will weigh until then…but then again I probably will, I like to watch the scale go down…incentive…my calorie total is 1337 today, all healthy, no eating after 6p and I got lots of exercise…whooo hoooo …over an hour at the gym, 40 minutes in the pool of exercise, and a good hour this morning of pure sweat equity put into our home…LOL

Here’s a picture of the sun setting on my way home from the pool…taken from the car driving home…the phone didn’t pick up the intense pink/orange color….

Until tomorrow…..

Thursday Already!!

Amazing how fast the week can go by…especially when I thought it was Friday on Monday…LOL   been a busy week…still working on the brick laying where the trees were…we re trying to do a little every morning when its cool enough to work outside, at least for us….we had the truck tuned up and had to take it out for a drive yesterday…we headed north and then took a side trip out into the desert, (on a county road) to Crystal Hill….it was beautiful out and we had a great morning playing…thought I would share some pictures….

 Teddy Bear Chollo

Crystal Hill below…

This is a picture (below) is right outside of the pool wear I swim, there are a row of hills/mountains and if we have clouds, they are generally right along the hills…was a beautiful day…(Tuesday)

My bedroom does not have a light switch, the switch is connected to a fan without a light…so until my son the electrician can come make switch magic happen, I did the next best, cheapest thing….yup..I bought a clapper…..Clap On-Clap Off..(anyone who has seen the commercials will definitely being singing that)  .LOL..I must say it works great…you say, why are you so lazy that you can’t turn on a light when you walk in the room, well a couple reasons, one, my bedroom is extremely dark, I have sun protectors on all the windows and the lamps are all well into the room so I have to enter a dark room, ( I am known to leave stuff lay around n the floor, trip hazard !)and 2nd, it actually irritates my arthritic fingers to turn the little nasty dial on the lamps….oh hum, life!!!  But hey…Clap On…Clap Off , I am golden!!!!

I have been doing okay..still have yet to loose a pound, I am counting calories and journaling, weighing in on Mondays…exercising in the pool, probably not enough, I have been eating 1200 – to 1500 calories a day all healthy food, lots of fruit/smoothies, salads, quinoa/rice and tons of vegies ….I need to start exercising, perhaps a gym run would help boost my energy level….however if you see how much I am sweating dealing with brick laying again …. I am getting over an hour, sometimes hour and half of an intense workout at least 4 days a week…I am moving bricks, shoveling sand/rocks from one place to another, at least that is what it seems like….so I will continue to trudge along….the weather is cooling off a little, I think that will help….

I am going to commit to blogging every day for a month again…I know that helps to journal on here….so until tomorrow…..

NEW MOON…..

  Another reason to have a twirl under the big NEW MOON…..not that I need a reason, but new moons are just as magical as a full moons….so go out do a jig, twirl or full on move about….and think about what you would like the universe to know, help solve or just listen…..tonight I will have our friend Terry ( https://spearfruit.com/ )   in my thoughts….asking the universe to care and heal him….and for out Oxford buddy, Cameron  ( https://worldsbiggestfridgemagnet.com/  )  for clear weather and a fantastic walk for his charity HENRY….I you have never visited these  2 wonderful men…go on over….read their blogs….they are a couple of good guys!!!   and as always clothes are optional while dancing tonight….LOL

Been a wonderfully hot weekend…LOL  up to 114 yesterday….been watching a lot of Copa America soccer on the TV, to hot to do much else…LOL  I have been able to stop eating the last 2 nights at 6p…feels good to get a little control over the inner rebel…calories  on Friday 1087 and yesterday 1323…so within my range…1000 to 1500…we are trying to get the freezer cleaned out as we leave in 3 weeks so its been pick and choose…LOL  so that’s a good thing…as I always make extra and freeze…I hate to say I haven’t been back to the gym….it just seems to hot to go work out in a hot gym….but I have been at the pool, with the exception of yesterday…just to hot…sounds crazy,you would think I would be there most the day…I will be there tonight for sure…I need to get a work out in and absorb some moisture…LOL   I can dance in the pool as I don’t go until the sun sets…LOL

Lifes good in desert paradise….looking forward to the new week….keep smiling and twirling…..LOL

 

Good Morning and welcome to June!!!!  Can’t believe how fast May went by…been a busy Memorial Day weekend….lots of swimming, enjoying the cool weather before the heat wave, and just good ole living!!! Gave the yard a good cool drink before the heat hits us…went around and checked everyone’s yards we are watching while they are away for the summer, all’s well in the desert.I am having to change my pool time to after the sun goes down ,so it will be late night swimming…hopefully all by myself….calories have been higher over the long weekend…just because…no excuses…but back on the 1200 quota as of today….need to get back to the gym….will be up and at the gym in the early hours, and swimming in the late….LOL….

Achy joints – hands and knee, not sure why….maybe my diet choices over the weekend have effected them…to many carbs….know that I wrote it down, it makes sense…LOL

starting to get piles together for our journey back to California…very excited to see my kids and everyone…

So Happy June to everyone….new moon on the 5th….get ready to dance!!!!!

Well just came in from watching a great thunder and lightening storm from the deck….I love storms….hardly any rain,  just enough to make the ground wet….but different weather than sun….whoooo hoooo okay I have an update…its been slamming rain for about an hour now and no sign of it stopping….very exciting for us….lovin it…

Well my workout yesterday worked..my body has reminded me of how hard I pushed it…I went back to the way I worked out in Calif. start out light, move the weights up each set, ending pushing myself…LOL  I only did 12 reps per set, but I know that will increase…so I am feeling very confident about reaching my next goal….its all about discipline and  tenacity….so off to the gym in the morning &if my sinus are up to it off to the pool in the afternoon… I need to remember to keep my head above the water…water out of my ear canals….I hit 1800 calories again today….very satisfied, good healthy food….

Arthritis is acting up…weather change always gives me the heads up that its in control of my pain no matter what I take for it..!!

Just want to remind every one that the 21st is Full MOON night…LOL you all know what that means…..however when your out dancing in the moon light please think good thoughts for our Terry  (https://spearfruit.com/)  lets help him and Gary sell that house so they can get on the road!!!  Can’t hurt….give a twirl…..only takes a minute…..

Until tomorrow……

Just got home from the pool….spent 2-1/2 hours swimming and exercising….got a good 40 minutes in before anyone showed up….I also jogged 20 minutes so that felt good…can’t believe how refreshing the water is in the evening…I got a call from the gym…apparently something happen to the trainer, she could just be on vacation, but I would of thought that would of been blocked off the schedule…anyway I was told she was going to be gone for the next 2 weeks.(sorry they couldn’t tell me why-HIPPA), they were sorry…I was really looking forward to working with her tomorrow on a game plan….guess I will just go in and do the circuit by myself to the best of my ability…can’t hurt anything…LOL I could also just work out on the floor on the machines…lots of options…food has been great today…at 1483, so I am happy with that…only had some hummus and pretzels tonight, that put me over 250 calories…for some reason I thought it was only 120 calories…that’s what I get for going on what I thought…LOL I ate at 4p before I went swimming and had the pretzel snack pack when I got home…otherwise I was going to eat another sandwich and it was way to late to do that…tomorrow is weigh in day…kind-a excited to see what I have done this week…

Well I believe summer has hit the desert….suppose to be over a 100 tomorrow and the next day…then will settle into the 90’s during the day and still cooling off into the 70’s at night…but that will change very soon….so it will be late swimming for me….I don’t like to be in the hot sun for long…

The last 3 days have been insane with truck hunting….I know more than I have ever wanted to know about 4 wheel drives and trucks in general…LOL  yesterday and the day before we spent over 5 hours ach day going to dealers, used car lots, and going to see some being sold privately…. we checked out a jeep wrangler…totally fell in love with it, but it was a manual…and our old knees just won’t take that anymore…but it was fun…we then thought about it and the best bet would be a truck so we could use it to haul stuff too!!!  so after much calling and scouring Yuma Craig’s list adds, we found a 2001 Dodge Dakota – 4 wheeler….we can know go out and play in the sand in the desert and go on the dirt roads that are so bad for my car..We are having a once over on it tomorrow at a shop to make sure we don’t get stranded miles from no where and then we will be a little more free to go roam….can’t wait…

  Picture off the internet….

We were up early and drove to San Luis this morning before 8a to look at a red Toyota….it was 26 miles south of us, a border town…I guess he couldn’t put that the engine light was on….he had removed the catalytic convertor, said it got dirty and since there is no  emission testing in Yuma County he didn’t need it….hummmm so that was a no…but got to see the border of Mexico in the early morning…long line going in and coming out, I am assuming workers…We did learn that in Arizona, the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) aka DMV, requires a title to be notarized to be sold…no bill of sale needed as there is no tax, you just pay for the registration fees and we have 15 days to show proof of insurance…we walked away with a new license plate, the old one is garbage…the title, tags and registration….no waiting 6 months like in California….its all done in one stop!!!   How nice…and it only cost $39 dollars….I was shocked….LOL  they will even notarize the titles for free if you ever want to sell the vehicle….I love it….however Pima county, Tucson and Phoenix have  the smog program in there county…I am loving this state more every day….

Well its late…for me anyway….until tomorrow….

 

It’s Happening….

Well I did it…finally visited the last gym Yuma has to offer…and wouldn’t you know…its the best of them all and the cheapest…LOL  So I now have a membership to a gym again ($10 a month – 24/7)…I am jumping with joy…. they have a huge amount of free access to multiple machines to use as long as you want…then they have 2 separate circuit set ups…one is a 13 minute routine and the other 30 minute….kind of excited about both of those…I get a free session with a trainer to set up a routing…I will accept that even though I had a trainer at home for 3 months…I will go through the course to get all the info I can on there gym….and there are free classes offered…I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet….I am very excited, can you tell…LOL   My wonderful husband is on board completely….the only downside is no pool, but I have a great pool to work out in, just at a different location…oh well…its all good….I am so jacked I want to go to the gym tonight…but its mothers day and I have claimed it my day…had dinner at the Olive Garden early, tight when they opened at 11a to beat the crowds…it was insane at 11a…but we got right in and had a lovely lunch……yummm then we went house hunting and dreaming of the area we would want to live in ….that was fun….and educating…went by and checked on some friends house that have gone home for the summer…been a lovely day…ended with an ice cream and my pajamas….I hope everyone had a wonderful mum’s day….I know I did!!…

Weigh in day….

Well you would think I am acting like a kid on the first day of school…LOL  I was awake at 4a…laid there waiting for the clock to tick by…didn’t want rush…LOL  so at 5a up took the dog out and did my thing, plugged in the coffee…tippy toed around, didn’t want hubby up disturbing the peaceful vibe…LOL  so back in to the scale…deep breath, actually said out..it is what it is…LOL   I have lost 3#’s.. last Thursday I weighed in at 270…and today I am 267….can’t think of how much bigger that number would of been, but no regrets…just do better in the future…so in all I am elated…whooo hoooo….on my way…I will do it, I will reach my next goal…it will not beat me!!!!   I can really get on a roll…I am sure I channel Helen Reddy sometimes…LOL….I Am Woman – Hear Me Roar….I won’t Eat Late Anymore…LA la LA la La…….I know I can be a jackass sometimes…LOL Anyway back to being serious….YAHOOOOOO   I am so happy that I didn’t gain any weight….I just need to tweek my eating habit, not my arse…LOL  I am on a roll I am so happy!!!!   Thanks everyone for the encouragement and kind words….

Well exercise was a bust at the pool today…we are having strong winds…hummm desert wind, dust…seems to be a repeat every other week here….anyway can’t see the mountains again so just getting my exercise in the house…

So Happy Cinco De Mayo to everyone…I spent the day cooking….I happen to drive by my favorite vegie stand and Mr. Gonzales is back, a week late, but he’s here…he gave me a great deal on vine ripened tomatoes so I made tomato sauce….to day along with stuffed bell peppers…yum…

Stuffed with black beans, bell peppers, onion, garlic, lots of Italian Seasoning and fresh oregano….baked at 375′ for 45 minutes.. and the last 10 minutes I added the cotija cheese and parmesan…140 calories per bell pepper….and they were good!!  Add a salad

 and we had our Cinco De Mayo lunch….it was yummy…finished the day off at 1600 calories….blaming the wonderful watermelon we picked up….juicy and sweet…

The wind is bringing in cold air and the bones and joints are making sure I am aware…LOL  but alls good…we might even get a little rain tomorrow…that would be a very nice change…2 days ago we hit 101’…we re having fun learning a complete new way of living….it is 180′ from what we were doing in California…

Until tomorrow…….