Losing or Gaining... Selling My House is Bothering Me

I got a call from the realtor two days ago, and we close on my house June 2nd. My heart sank. I guess deep down, I was hoping their financing would fall through. I love my house with all the beautiful shade trees and the enclosed front porch. I have a glider on the porch. I had invisioned myself using on a regular basis after my retirement. Of course, good neighbors all around me which I will miss.

Although I haven't actually lived there for 3 years, it has still been home to me. We have been living with my mom since dad passed because she was afraid to be alone. I thought it was better to leave her in her environment and move in. She was having a hard enough time adjusting so I didn't want to have her leave her home.

Yesterday we went down to the house to finish getting the rest of our stuff out. I had to look like a nut....crying as I was cutting the grass for the last time. I even pulled all the weeds out of the flower garden. I had my husband clean out the eaves on the house and the garage. I'm going to buy the new owners flowers. They will be surprised when they walk in and see a bouquet sitting there.

Let's see...what am I losing???....a place I felt comfortable, the ability to build on relationships I had established the years I had lived there.

What am I gaining???...Financial I guess. I won't have to worry about someone falling and getting hurt on the property. I won't have taxes, utility bills, or insurance bills.

I know God has another plan for me. I'm just dragging my heels all the way. When I was younger, I loved moving. It was always a new adventure. I'm having a hard time seeing it like that this time. Perhaps I'm getting to be an ole fuddy-duddy.

I see my next hurdle is going to be getting through the closing without crying. I've got to tell myself to be strong. (dang, I'm such a baby) (Sigh)

A Lost Friend......Meeting again after 20 years

There was a message on my answering machine the other night from a woman I use to be friends with over 20 years ago. She recently moved back in the area and heard we had a lawn care business. She wanted to know if we could give them an estimate on cutting their lawn.

With the good directions left, we found the house with no problem. OMG.....had to be 3 to 4 acres to cut. Some of it was 3 feet tall. I sent my husband to the door. I didn't want her to see me. I never weighed this much 20 years ago and I was hoping she wasn't home. She use to be real heavy but I had heard years ago she had lost tons of weight and was into a size 12. (another reason I didn't want her to see me) Her husband came to the door and talked with my husband. We started cutting this endless grass. We cut for 6 hours. Now I know that had to be some calories burnt off.

I was cutting around the hedges when I noticed someone in the yard talking with my husband. Wow...it was my old friend. I couldn't believe it, she had gained ALL her weight back. She is actually bigger than me. I was so shocked. Then I thought to myself....wait a minute...you have been up and down how many times?

It just proved to me that maintaining weight loss is only accomplished through constantly living a healthy lifestyle. A person can hear that and hear that...but not really HEAR it. I can be like a brick wall sometimes. It's always great when there is a break through.

The phone just rang.....someone needs their lawn cut. We've already been to WalMart this morning and ready to hit the road. I'm gonna get my Omron Pedometer, my grass shoes..and head for the door.

Lost My Appetite

I had some business to take care of in Joliet today and stopped at White Castle on the way out of town. I had proceeded into the restroom after one of the employees had exited. The sink was bone dry. It was quite obvious she didn't was her hands. She walked back behind the counter in the food area.

I approached the young manager and asked if they didn't have a store policy which required employees to wash their hands before returning to work after using the restroom. She just shrugged her shoulders.

Needless to say, I lost my appetite. I fired off an email to the company. It's better they act on it, before someone becomes ill.

Lost my Pedometer

I must be working too hard today. When I went to check my pedometer, it was gone. We were at our second lawn when I noticed it missing. We back tracked after we finished that yard but to no avail. I hope who ever found it, puts it to go use.

I guess my son knows me too well. He bought me two Omron pedometers. Now I can use the second one. I've decided this time, I'm only going to use it when I have a pocket to put it in. Clipping it on my pants is what caused me to lose the first one.

We stopped for lunch and now he is beckoning me to go again. It least the sun is shining and the temperature is perfect for doing lawn work. I'm just not one that cares to to work after I've eaten. Oh well, once I get going I'll be fine.

I figure tomorrow I'll probably be a little sore. I was trimming bushes today. Having my arms raised up...isn't the norm for me.. ..Yikes.........he's ready to go!!...Off into the green green grass of homes.

Counting my steps garage saling

The sun is shining and the weather is perfect. There are tons of garage sales today. I just put on my pedometer and am heading out the door with mom. Love finding those bargains...whether I need it or not. Shopping and losing weight...I love them both.

Scurying in the Rain--Burning extra calories

I sure didn't get much of a break cutting grass. I helped my husband Saturday with two lawns inbetween rain. Today we weren't so lucky. We had finished two lawns and were working on the third when the skies opened up. Whoaaa....a torrential downpour. I didn't know I could move that fast with a lawnmower. We were both soaked by the time we finished. It started lightening so the trimming didn't get done.

I know I had to burn off extra calories during that little escapade. We both just laughed when we got back in the truck....looking like a couple of drown rats. I won the flip for the getting a shower first. Yeaaaaa

Tonight is my husband's championship bowling playoff. Time to fix my hair and get ready so I can cheer him on.

The Importance of Taking Meds

I have forgotten to take my blood pressure pill and water pill for the last 3 days. When I got on the scale this morning, I had gained almost 4 pounds. It has to be the water retention. I just never realized I retained that much so quickly. I can tell by the way the elastic in my socks leaves an indentation on my ankles.

I use to put my meds out every night so I'd remember to take them in the morning. I'm not sure how I got away from it...but I can see I'm going to have to get back in sync.

Since I've retired, my system of doing things has gone out the window. It is just so much easier to procrastinate. I even lose track on which day of the week it is. I think I need to go back to work. Perhaps I'll rethink that last statement. hmmmm

Low-fat Healthy recipes

I tried a recipe yesterday I got from another blogger. It was Portabella mushrooms baked in the oven with salsa and then sprinkled with low fat mozarrella cheese and returned to the oven until it melted. They were delicious. I need to eat more foods like that.

Today I'm making a fresh aspargus and mushroom casserole. This recipe I got out of Busy People's Low-Fat Cookbook by Dawn Hall. It calls for 3 (4 ounce) cans mushroom stems and pieces drained (I'm using real mushroom pieces) 5 (14 1/2 ounce) cans asparagus-drained (I'm using fresh asparagus) 1 (12 ounce) jar Heinze Homestyle gravy.Blue Ribbon Country Flavor, 1/4 cup Kraft fat-free grated topping, 1/4 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese.
Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with non-fat cooking spray.
Mix everything together except the mozzarella cheese.
Cook in the microwave for 4 minutes...(stop after 2 minutes and stir)
Take out of microwave and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish and let
it sit a few minutes before serving
The heat and moisture from the gravy and vegetables will soften the cheese.
Yields 18 (1/2 cup servings)
Calories 35 Total fat: 1:0 gram (21% fat)
Cholesterol: 1 mg Sodium: 435
I'm using the fresh vegetables so I won't have the sodium content. It will take me longer since I'm going to have to cut the veggies up first and blanch them. It's worth it though. Since the doctor has put my husband and I on water pills, I am trying to reduce our sodium intake.

This low-fat cookbook has lots of recipes I want to try. I've got so many cookbooks I never use. It seems there are always a few odd ingredients I don't have so toss the book to the back of the cabinet, never to be seen again. This book is very realistic and has your everyday normal foods. ( I don't cook with wine or lots of unique spices)

Time for church.....Happy Mothers Day!!!

Cold, Rainy, Gloomy Day

It feels like winter edging it's way back. The wind is howling, the skies are gray, and its drizzling. It's a perfect day to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea.

I went with my husband this morning to cut a lawn. Before we reached the business it started raining so we turned around and came home. According to the weatherman, it's suppose to be like this for the next 3 days. I suppose it's good for the farmers. It's just bad for lawn business. Perhaps he can finish laying the bricks in our patio.

It doesn't look like I'll be getting any real exercise in for a few days which may be a good thing. I'll see if my knees quit hurting with this much rest. I want to believe that getting older is not the reason they are killing me...but all this exercise.

Mom just said she is ready to play scrabble. My husband is setting it up. We love this game...we are all so competitive.

I'm going to play the game and enjoy the flowers my son sent me. I was so shocked, he sent me, not one bouquet, but two. The one bouquet came with a box of chocolates. I've been doing real good eating one piece per day. I don't want to have a set back on this weight loss. When the UPS guy pulled up in front of the house yesterday, I figured they were flowers for my mom. Imagine the shock, when I saw my name. I was so touched. He is the one that gave me this website last fall. He is only 26 years old but so thoughtful and considerate of others (not just me). He makes me so so proud.

Time for me to get my game face on...along with my thinking cap. The Scrabble board is calling me.

HOLY MOLY....the UPS guy was here again.....my son sent me MORE flowers. A lovely miniature pink rose bush. I'll be able to plant this one outside. This house smells like a beautiful garden. This has really brightened my day.

Burning of Calories cutting My Lawn

Today we are going down to the house to finish packing up things. I'm being optomistic when I say that. I'm hoping we finish packing. It's been a long time since I've burnt any of my bridges..it sure feels odd.

The hardest thing is going to be keeping my husband on track. He loves visiting. I've never was one much for neighboring. It always seemed when I did do that...I always got taken advantage of. So...over the years, I've learned to just keep to myself. My husband, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. He makes a point of visiting neighbors. Today I'm going to have to keep him away from the neighbors so we can get done.

At least today, I have remembered to wear my Omron pedometer. Yeaaaa!!

I couldn't get this thing to publish before I left. I knew I had a big yard...but didn't realize I did that much walking when I cut it. I bought myself a Yardman lawn mower. I didn't get the self propelled one because I figured I'd burn off more calories with a push mower. It's easy to start and the height can be adjusted. It's a great mower. I checked my pedometer when I was done, I had walked 12,580 steps. WOW My husband cut the section behind the garage or I'd have had more. No wonder I was tired when I got done. There are a lot of walnut trees in the yard so I had lots of sticks to pick up first. I walked another 3500 when I cut the front lawn when I got back home. Needless to say, I hit the shower and then the couch. A good day for this weight loss journey.

Packing off the Pounds

I got good/bad news on Friday. My house has sold. I had to go sign the papers yesterday and the people want to close on June 1st. YIKES!! I'm already sore as heck from all this yard work and my husband's lawn business....this packing up is going to be a killer on me.

I'm happy as well as sad about selling my house. I actually thought that I was going to retire and live out my life on my front porch swing. I realize God has other plans for me. (I never was one to sit around) I have always liked adventure...so I'm looking forward to experiencing this one.

We have never done lawn work on Sunday's before...but we have to make an exception today. That trip to the realtor's office yesterday, threw our plans off so we have to cut a couple of yards today.

I'm just wondering how long I am going to be so sore. I've been helping him now for about a month. I keep doing more each time...maybe that has something to do with it. I think at some point, my body should be adjusting and I shouldn't be so sore.

I'm at least not gaining any weight. Losing slowly again...but that's ok. Once I start packing....I know I'll be losing some pounds.

The green green grass of a customer is calling me..........time to go!!!

Outside work is shaping me up...or is killing me?

I've just been to sore and tired to make any posts the last few days. I have been helping my husband dig out the area for the patio. I bought a new shovel a couple of days ago and it holds more dirt. My shoulders and arms are killing me today. At least the digging is done on that project.

We picked up another lawn customer yesterday. Of course, the first cut of the year is always hardest. I spend so much time picked up the sticks, paper, and rocks, and miscellanous stuff before we can even get started. I just keep telling myself it's better than lifting the weights at the gym and doing crunches. My arms are showing a tan from all this lawn cutting....another plus.

I'm back down to my April 4th's weight. I realize I'm gaining muscle with all this walking and pushing the lawnmower. I'm not going to worry about the weight loss right now as long as I keep focussed on eating healthy.

It's time for me to head out and cut grass. We have our two biggest yards to do. They both take us about 3 hours each. Hi Ho Hi Ho ....off to cut some grass I go.

Shoveling off the Pounds

It's been raining the last couple of days so we haven't been able to cut any lawns. YEAAAA Today I was helping my husband dig out the space for the patio. I'm sure my shoulders will be killing me later. The dirt was heavy because of all the moisture. I don't know why we had to do work on that today..but I obliged. That has to burn off some serious calories.

I found an old red marble about 5 inches down. It looks like the kind we use to use when we played chinese checkers. This is making the digging worthwhile. The thought of finding an old treasure of some sort sure makes this digging interesting.

I've lost another half pound since I weighed last. That is making me feel pretty good. I have plans on going to the gym tomorrow if my husband isn't going to cut any lawns. The way the weather is going, I think it is still going to be too wet. (Have my fingers crossed) Perhaps he'll be doing some more digging, but if that is the case, I'm still going to workout at the gym.

I snacked on sugar free bread and butter pickles again last night...zero calories. I'm just hoping I can keep it up. At least I'm back on track losing weight.