Beautiful Fall Days

The weather has been unseasonably beautiful here in Western Oregon. Usually by this time the foggy days and dreary drizzle has started. So far all we've had is a couple of days of rain followed by sunny days and a little fog in the morning that burns off by noon. Sure makes all the leaves look that much prettier in their color palette. I haven't been able to write the last couple of days because everytime I started, I would look back at what I wrote and thought "that is dumb" and I would delete it. I guess it's writer's block. Not that I am a writer but I guess that is what it is attributed to. I just got back from my workout at the YMCA. I had a protein shake with a banana in it. Yesterday I had a heck of a time eating. It seemed like everything I ate got stuck. I chewed until it was very small and took little bites but still it would get stuck. I can't figure out how some days I am tighter than others. I am reluctant to get a slight unfill for fear that it will allow me to eat too much to continue losing weight. I guess I will just play it by ear and see how things develop. Hope you all are having a good day.

Pumpkin days..........

I bought a couple of pumpkins yesterday and thought I would put them on our new deck in front. I placed them on the railing one on either side of the staircase. I also want to get one of those stuffed scarecrows that are always available this time of year. Last night I was fixing dinner and I let Chloe out to do her business. While she was out sniffing around I ran back to check my dinner on the stove. Suddenly, I heard her barking at something. I ran back to the door and there she was standing on the deck barking at one of the pumpkins. Silly girl!! I guess she noticed something different and decide to vocalize her displeasure with the intruder. I also went to the YMCA yesterday for the first time since I got sick. I worked out on the treadmill for a half and hour and then met my neighbor and we went to an aerobics class. It was a moderate aerobics class so I didn't feel like I was gasping for breath throughout it. It was mostly stretching and slow movements at first. Feels great to be back in the swing again.

High Tea

Today I was invited to a High Tea. It's the first one I ever went to and I could really get into these events. The ladies all were required to wear a hat. If you didn't have your own the hostess had a bed covered in all colors and styles of hats to chose from. We all looked so dignified in our hats and we sat at our tables and waited patiently for the party to proceed. Each table had a hostess to serve us and so we were expected not to get up and move about the room. Each table was beautifully decorated and the dishes matched throughout the room. There were spaces for 18 ladies. She had 8 different flavors of tea. The tea started out with scones. We had the choice of two different kinds. A lemon poppyseed and a cherry pear scone. They had devonshire cream, lemon curd and raspberry jam to spread on the scones. Next, they had a fruit bowl filled with small chunks of frest fruit. Apples, bananas, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, and maybe more but I can't recall them all. With the fruit there was a dish of raspberry cream sauce to serve on top of the fruit. Then the trays of sandwiches were brought out. All in different shapes with different kinds of bread. A chicken salad with tiny pieces of cranberry and cashew nuts, an egg salad, a cucumber with cream cheese, and a rolled up sandwich containing an asparagus and havarti cheese all wrapped with a pretty pink ribbon. Then for dessert there were all kinds of homemade cookies. There were iced sugar cookies in the shape of a tea pot and each one a work of art and all different, and a mushroom shaped meringue, a walnut pastry, a striped chocolate and vanilla layered ice box cookie. It was all so impressive. So much work went into it and I guess these ladies put this tea on once a year. I felt so priviledged to have been invited and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't able to eat too much but I did eat enough to be satisfied. Made for a fun afternoon.

Is it Thursday already??

Here is Chloe "singing" with her Dad. She loves to sing and does it on command. She is so funny. I have to get myself in gear and get busy. It's almost noon and I am not even dressed yet. This week has flown by. I guess since I was sick I slacked off on many of the things I usually do. I still have to get all the iris bulbs out of the ground and replant them in their new location along with the bag my friend gave me. I would like to do that after a rain when the ground is a little easier to dig in. I did get my Halloween decorations out from under the house yesterday and put them up. I was disappointed that I didn't have more. I haven't put them out for the last few years and I thought I had more than I do. I must have gotten rid of some of them. Time to go stock up on more right?? We'll I had better get in the shower or the afternoon will be gone too.....................later

6 month checkup today

Well, I went for my 6 month check up today and I have now lost 57 pounds. I am so happy. I actually lost about 5 pounds this past week while I was sick. I just couldn't eat I was so miserable. All my bloodwork was normal and my bp was 110/75 . The doctor agreed that I shouldn't have anymore fill put in the band today. I explained how full it has gotten over the last few weeks and he said that should slowly dissipate over the next month. He suggested I call in if I stop losing from 1 to 2 pounds a week and then get a small fill. It was good getting outside today after being inside so many days. It was beautiful today too. When I got home some dear friends brought over some homemade salsa and chips for us and a flat of fresh tomatoes they got at a local farm. Some of them were huge, like 6 inches in diameter. All different varieties. She made salsa with some of hers and froze the rest. I think I will freeze mine too. Maybe tomorrow. I am sure glad I feel better. I sliced one just now and it tastes fabulous. I love fresh produce. Well it looks like this system is going down in a few minutes for maintenance so I best hurry up.

Monday, Monday.....

Well, I survived the weekend and the illness that overtook me. I was beginning to think it was the end until about 9 o'clock last night I started to feel a little bit alive again. I still have a headache but other than that things are getting back to normal. I am sorry I missed the whole weekend but that is the way it goes sometimes. I didn't eat very much so I am sure I lost a little weight. I go for my 6 month checkup tomorrow morning. I am anxious to see all my results such as blood work improvements, etc. Not to mention the number of pounds I have lost as well as my bmi and percentages of fat loss. The weather was beautiful all weekend and today. Mild and sunny in the high 60s and pretty cool at night. My hubby took good care of me while I was sick. Although he isn't a cook, he did drive into town and but me something to eat and he heated some soup for me last night. He also made himself a pot of chili last night so I don't have to make him dinner tonight either. I am sure glad this thing is behind me now.

I am feeling slightly better today. I am going to stay home from church though. I have a wicked headache and my sinuses are still all plugged. I spent the night in my recliner so as not to disturb my hubby. Chloe spent the night with me. I took some Alka Selzer Plus for the sinus thing and I am hoping it helps. I have to gather up all the Kleenex and dispose of it now. Have a good day.