Bristol!

Everyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows I am a NASCAR fan. I love the races. I found something my Nikon digital camera can do - quiet by accident. Below is the results. (And yes - we had seats on row 1!)

Vacation

Guess you have noticed - I have sort of taken a vacation from blogging. Just was not sure if my efforts were worth wild. Trying to come up with a theme to blog about rather than my personal views and muse.... so far - nothing has come to mind. 

I am,  however on vacation from work. No trips were planned - no extra money. Alas - I must be content with simply staying home. Sure  - we have plans to do a few things... going to the lake, going fishing... and there is a chance we will go visit some friends in South Georgia for a few days.... if so it will be a spur of the moment trip.... which is usually the best kind.

I had an unexpected guest this morning. I had appealed our property tax assessment due to the hovel like conditions that are across the street. (another topic of another post). The guest was from the tax assessors office taking a more detailed look at our property! Thus possibly increasing OUR property taxes! All because I chose to complain about the filth and disgust that we have been staring at for almost 2 years! Personally I am appalled by my county's actions and am anxiously awaiting the letter from them confirming or denying my appeal.

I will - make every attempt to 'keep you posted'

Say It Ain't So

Where has all the innocence gone? Do kids today:

• Catch lightning bugs and put them in a jar
• Play with June Bugs - tie a string around one leg and watch it fly? 
• Set the table for supper - or even sit at the table as a family for supper
• Have chores to do and DO them ( because there were consequences if you didn't)
• Play outside til after dark - or until Momma yells "SUPPER"
• Think that sodas are a special treat
• Go to the super market and behave ( not so they will get a treat, but in fear of what they will get if they did not behave)
• Know that eating out is a luxury, and treat it as such
• Have a cooked breakfast at home every morning
• Say yes Ma'am and no Ma'am, yes Sir or no Sir
• Beg to get to 'help' in the yard or in the kitchen
• Ride their bike 2 blocks away to play with a friend
• Play outside all day with a friend and only  their imaginations
• Go barefoot
• Dig for worms for a fishing trip with Dad
• Do what they are told the first time
• Do not back talk for fear of what it will get them
• Sit on the porch and snap beans for supper with their Mom, Grand Mom or Aunt
• Play for hours with the new refrigerator card board box
• Walk to the store - as a treat
• Know what its like to sit at the 'kid's table at family gatherings
• Hate the rain because they have to stay inside

This list could go on and on. Is it me, are am I now dreaming of the 'good old days' that I used to hearing stories about?

100 Days

First - I feel I must apologize for my long absence - just know that is a separate post altogether.

This past Tuesday marked 100 days of a healthier lifestyle for me. Eating right, and trying to exercise. I have no idea the actual weight I have lost. We do not own a scale. And I have no plans in the future of purchasing one. I can say that in February I went to the doctor for a regular check up and was ashamed to even look at the scale. So I have no idea my starting weight. I will return to the doctor in August for another check up. I will wait until then for him to tell me how many pounds I have shed. 

I can,  however tell you how many inches I have lost. 2 pants sizes, 13 total inches.  That sounds a little deceptive. I measure 7 different places. Each arm, each thigh, chest, waist and hips. I am quiet pleased with my progress, although to some it seems slow. The way I see it - it took a long time for me to get that large, its going to take a long time to reach my goal. I am in it for the long haul! I have goal jeans I want to get into. Not there yet - but I am closer. I can see the difference and I feel better about myself. Lets face it - I feel better. PERIOD.

This is what I am doing. I eat breakfast every morning. ( I used to never have time for breakfast, then about 10,  I would be starving and heading for the vending machine.) Most days my breakfast consist of either oatmeal or cereal. I prefer to opt for the Great Value brand 100 calorie Maple and Brown sugar.

The only thing I drink is coffee and water. No sodas - or (gasp) no more Jones Root Beers. (THE BEST ROOT BEER MADE!!! still made with pure cane sugar!!!!)

Mid way to lunch, I have a snack. I try to limit my snacks to 100 calories or less. Grapes, strawberries - something natural. I have discovered that 12 baby carrots have only 35 calories - so when possible that is my choice. Those 100 calorie packs you buy are deceptive.  I have found I feel full and have less calories but munching on fresh veggies or fruit.

I eat a normal lunch - usually a sandwich or leftovers. I try to walk 2 miles as well. (I get an hour for lunch and at a fast pace I can average 2 miles in 35-40 minutes)

Between 2 and 3 I have another snack. 99.9% of the time I choose the 100 calorie packs of popcorn.  (I am a nibbler - as long as its there I will nibble on it!!) Lets face it - 100 calories of pop corn is a lot of popcorn! 

I eat a healthy supper, then exercise. I am using the "Barry's Boot Camp' video. It goes quickly and I really get a work out. Still  way to cheap to join a gym.

Although my results are not astronomical - I am making progress.  I do from time to time allow myself the occasional indulgence. If I want an ice cream I get an ice cream. I just try to limit my indulgences a habit! 

If anyone asks - I am not dieting, I am just living and heating healthy. So far its working. Sure there are times when I feel like I have reached a plateau and nothing is changing.... but I keep going. Its hard to get depressed about gaining a pound or two when I do not weight daily.  Its nice to pull something out of the closet that has not been worn in a while and not only does it fit - its actually loose! THATS motivation. 

I must warn you though - exercise can be habit forming. On the occasions that something comes up and prevents me from exercising I become quiet irritated. I feel like I am cheating myself! And in reality - I guess I am.

I feel better physically, and emotionally. Its really nice to hear someone say how nice I look. Especially when its my husband. I believe he is as proud or (if possible prouder) of me as I am myself. Not that I am skinny by any means. I am actually looking forward to going to the doctor next August. I want to hear him say I am in good shape rather that hear - you've gained a few pounds we need to increase your bp meds or start cholesterol meds... or that is due to the weight you are carrying. I am tired of looking at the height and weight charts and seeing I fall into the 'obese' category. Being only 5'1" a little extra weight makes a BIG difference. If I was 5'9" at my present weight I figure I would be OK. 

I don't care if I am not skinny (my mother used to say I had big bones! Like THAT made it all OK!) I just want - one day - some stranger to ask - how I manage to stay so trim! Its been a long time since I have heard that..... but i will again...... and trust me - I will keep you posted!

Lost, Found and Returned

It was a wet and dreary day on Wednesday. Too wet and rainy to go to the park and walk (which is my usual lunch time routine during the work week).

Several of my friends invited me to join them at lunch, but 

I declined. Although I could not walk, I was still drawn to the park.

Upon my nearing, a dog came running up the road towards my car. I slowed and hoped it would move - which it did. As a matter of fact, it followed me to my normal parking space. (Being a creature of habit, I always try to park in the same location every day).

As I opened the door, she tried to get in the car - cold, hungry and soaked to the bone.  I was on the  phone with John, all the while petting her. I spied that her collar had a name and number on it. Instantly I was off the phone with John, and dialing the number on the collar.

As I explained who I was, where I was and the reason for calling. he sighed that familiar sigh of relief. He said it would take him about 30 minutes to get there and asked if she was alone. He went on to explain that he and a friend had been coon hunting the night before and gotten separated from the dogs, He had been searching for them since 8 am.

As I waited for him to arrive, I pet and played with her. Very friendly. A couple of men with whom I work came up. Actually, we do not work together, we simply work in the same building and speak when our paths cross.

They asked about the dog, and I explained the situation. They left, went back to the office, and returned with some food for her. She ate that pork chop and bone like she had not eaten in days!!

When the owner arrived, his gratitude for my calling was apparent, as well as my staying with the dog until he could get there. I explained the generosity of my coworkers, as well as as my pleasure in seeing her returned safely to her proper owners.

 My husband explained later that evening that for most people that use dogs for hunting, although not mistreated, they do not love on them or give them an over abundance of food. There purpose is to work and are rewarded accordingly. These are not pets, but hunting dogs. None the less, if that is the case, for a brief time she was loved on and fed, and seemed grateful for all she received.

No matter what, I am glad I was able to assist in returning her, and will think fondly of my adventure.

The only question that remains - was she the reason I was drawn to the park? Some outside force influencing my actions? Or was it simply a coincidence. I think not. I think it was meant for me to be there. At the right place, and the right time. For both of us.

Below are 2 pictures that I made with my cell phone. ( She is attempting to lick herself dry.)

¿Qué Pasa?

Or - What's Happening?

Something about the way things are today just does not seem right. Every citizen has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So where does the Politically Correct Police come in? You should not pray at a ball game..... it might offend someone. You should not say Merry Christmas, instead use Happy Holidays.... because it might offend someone - or some group - which would impede on their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  But what about MY rights?

Its now politically correct for signs, billboards, even commercials to be bi-lingual. I am offended by this. I am an American citizen, born and raised in Georgia. But, due to the influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal, I am forced to to read Spanish. That just does not seem right. If I was living in another country, would they allow me to communicate in only my native tongue? I think not. No special treatment for me. Why should these immigrants receive special treatment? They are allowed to bring their culture, their lifestyles to the US, and not conform to the American way of life. Why should we be forced to conform to theirs?  In their native country, it is acceptable to raise livestock in their yard. In the US, the folks who do that live on a farm. Not inside a sub-division where the average home is priced over 100 thousand dollars. Yet, they are allowed to get by with it, because they are immigrants.

Don't get me wrong - I come from a family of immigrants. My ancestors came to this country through Ellis Island, looking for a better life. They conformed to the American way of life. They learned and spoke English.

I have heard there is a debate going on within our government about making English the official language!. A DEBATE!!! ( those politically correct police are at it again!) Ballots are offered in many different dialects.... Why? What's next? Our traffic signs changed to bi-lingual? If you live and work here, and you can not speak or read the language. You need to learn. Period.

I have a sister-in-law who immigrated from the Philippines. There are no special signs or billboards or instructions printed for her. She conformed. She speaks English. Very well I might add! 

Elementary schools are forcing children to learn Spanish so that they can communicate with their classmates. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

A friend of mine, lived many years in Spain and Germany while she was growing up. Guess what! She conformed and learned Spanish and German so that she could communicate!! 

Another friend informed me today that the term Hispanic is not politically correct.  The proper term is Latino. But to quote him "I don't give a Mierda".

Many immigrants today do not wish to learn English. And why should they - everywhere you look everything is bi-lingual. If it were only in English, they would have no choice but to learn.  Personally, living, working in the US, I think one should have to.

Happy Memorial Day

As you enjoy your day with family and friends..... take a moment to....