Uh oh, my weight conundrum

Uh oh, in spite of my best efforts, my weight continues to drop beyond what I set for my goal.

Apparently I'm supposed to eat at least 1700 calories a day in order to maintain. 

And therein lies the problem for me. You'll recall that I struggled to eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day while I was deliberately losing weight.

Do you know how difficult it is for me to hit that 1700 calorie threshold each day?

I haven't done it one day this past week.  I've barely hit 1300!  Of course, I've been on antibiotics for the past week so I haven't been able to enjoy my daily wine intake.  And that wine usually helps me get close to the prescribed daily caloric level. 

Now, with the higher caloric need in order to maintain my weight, I really really need that wine.

I know, I know, many of you wish you had my problem.

Be careful what you wish for!

Perhaps, over the next ten days, while I'm able to have wine again, I'll get back on track.  (By "on track," I mean I might manage to ingest about 1400-1500 calories a day, including the wine!)

But for the week before my surgery I again won't be able to have wine.

And naturally, I won't be imbibing whilst I'm in hospital, however long that might be (was a full week last time).

So conceivably I could be going another two weeks without wine.

Then as I recall from the last rehab stint, using that walker really burned the energy and I lost weight through that period.

Uh oh, I could be in deep do-do for a while insofar as my weight is concerned!

It's my baby's birthday!

Today marks my little chickadee's 39th birthday.   (Yes, I can admit to having a 39 year old daughter, although I myself am still only 29!)

My daughter entered the world at 1:16 pm on this date back in 1975, and what a terrific addition to this world she has proven to be.

She has become a truly marvelous young woman of whom I am extremely proud.

She is a terrific daughter and a fabulous mother.

But most of all, my daughter has become a wonderful friend.

She was an early talker, and has been bending my ear non-stop ever since.  In her early years, I can remember wishing she had never learned to talk, she did so much of it!  Now, I look forward to her daily telephone calls, and miss the days that we can't fit one in. One would think we'd run out of things to talk about but somehow, that never seems to happen.

She was an adorable toddler ...

... blossomed into a truly stunning young lady ...

... and matured into a beautiful woman, inside and out.

She fills my heart with love and pride.
Happy birthday Natalie, my beauty queen daughter! 

Four weeks to go ...

My right hip replacement surgery (total hip arthroplasty) is scheduled for four weeks from today.

YIKES!

That's going to be here before I know it.

So much to do.  So little time.

I've mapped out on a calendar what I think needs attention before the big day, so I can pace myself as I take care of the important stuff.  And to ensure that I don't forget anything that really needs doing.  Like paying bills at the appropriate times.  Have to make sure I queue all the ones that need to be paid while I might be laid up, away from the computer.

I've mentally made my "packing" lists and over the next couple of days I guess I'll actually put them to paper.  One for the short hospital stay, another in the event that I am again sent to rehab (which I expect will happen).  Last time, I was caught off guard when I went to the rehab centre and I had to talk John through finding the clothing that I needed.  This time, I'll have a bag already packed for him to grab!

But four weeks until I'm back to using a walker?

Yikes!!!!!

Such a homebody I am

Am I really the only person in the world who doesn't have "travel" on her bucket list?

I mean, seriously, I simply don't have any interest in travelling.

Anywhere.

My daughter recently took a mini vacation to St. John's, Newfoundland.

She took some fabulous pictures and posted them on Facebook.

Comment after comment referred to the locale as being on their bucket list, or they had been there and the photos made them want to go back real soon.

When I look at the photos, I see the beauty of the place for sure.

But there is no stirring within me to visit the place.

There's one shot I'd love to have enlarged and framed because it's the kind of photo that appeals to me.

A couple of the images would make fabulous jigsaw puzzles.

And time after time, when someone shows me their travel photos, that's what I see:  potential jigsaw puzzles!

But in all my 64 years, I have never experienced that burning need to travel.  In fact, I can recall being absolutely bored to tears when people showed me their travel photos.  (I can still experience that response.)

As a result of my employment, I've seen Canada's west coast -- as west as Vancouver. (I've toured BC's southern interior and portions of Alberta by car.  I've also seen the route by train -- Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour -- now that's an experience that should be on everyone's bucket list!)

I've also seen Canada's east coast -- as east as Prince Edward Island.  (I've done Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, excluding Newfoundland, by car.)

I've not touched down in Saskatchewan or Manitoba.  And I've not visited the far North.

I live in Ontario and while I've never seen the northern parts of this beautiful province, I have driven the southern portions numerous times.

I've been into the United States but not very far from the border.  Seen Maine, Vermont, and northern parts of New York State.  That's about it.

And truly, I don't feel cheated by any measure.

To me, travel is more stress than relaxation.  Just not worth it.

I know, I know, some people really thrive on travel.  As soon as they return from one trip, they are itching for the next.

But me?  If I must travel, I have a three-day limit before I'm itching to get home again.  And I truly have no desire to get on the road again once I am home.

Guess I'm the epitome of a homebody.

Happy Anniversary Sis!

Forty-one years ago today my baby sister married her childhood sweetheart.

My family took advantage of the opportunity to take a photo of all of us because it was the first time in many years that we were all together (and it has never happened again since).  We are arranged, from left to right, in order of age from youngest to eldest.  Our parents are seated in front of us.

Today, Susan and Dan are parents to five (two sons and three daughters) and grandparents to three beautiful little girls.

Next year, Susan will celebrate her 60th birthday.

But she will still be my "baby sister."

Happy Anniversary Sue & Dan!

A good time was had by all

My birthday celebration was a deliberately quiet one this year, in deference to the recent passing of my beautiful Suzanne.

Three invitees were unable to join me, one due to illness, two because they had made other plans after I had earlier said I was doing "nothing" to mark the day this year.  (They believed me!)

And my grandson wasn't here because he's away at cadet camp for two weeks.

But we had a birthday meal of lasagna and salad, 

followed by "birthday cake" in the the form of MLC's current specialty:  funnel cake.  (OMG, it's good!)

We posed for a group photo before my guests headed home.

Later in the evening, I had a surprise visit from Baby Briella who brought her parents over so she could give me a birthday kiss.  They also gifted me a lovely bird-motif wooden coat hook and some fresh-baked butter tarts (that are absolutely yummy!).  I think these new neighbours are keepers!

Like I said, nice quiet celebration.  Just as I ordered.

I'm 29 (again!)

Yup,  it's the 9th of August again.

So again I celebrate my 29th birthday.

I promise, next year when my 65th comes, I will own up to my true age (as I did on my 60th).

But in 2016, it's back to being 29 again.

Not because I think anyone actually believes me.

I mean, really!

Just because it's become such fun.

And besides, that's what my jersey and cap say I am!

Anyway, happy birthday to me.

My new hearing world

I am so enjoying my new hearing world.

This streamer/mic combo is working really well.

Last week I was putting the combo to many tests.

A friend from the Stratford area had visited for the weekend and on her last day, she insisted on taking me out for lunch.  At the restaurant, I wore the streamer and we placed the mic on the table between us.  Every word she spoke came directly to my ears with amazing clarity, in spite of the buzz of the busy establishment. When the waitress approached to take our orders, she pointed to the mic and said, "What's that?" in the most quizzical of voices.  I explained that it was a microphone which allowed my dining partner's voice to be directed at my ears, she bent into the mic and said, "OK, I'll speak directly into it then."  We all three had a chuckle!

Later that day, MLC and MHYC and I were at Wendy's Restaurant for dinner.  This would be a good test!  With the mic again placed on the table between us, MLC -- ever the comedienne (and brat extraordinaire!) -- says, "Can you hear me now?"

Yes

In a softer voice, "Can you hear me now?"

Yes
Leaning back into her seat, "Can you hear me now?"

Yes

Turning her head away, "Can you hear me now?" 

Yes

Picking up the mic and almost shouting, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?"

YES, stop that!!!!!!!! OUCH!

She really can be such a brat sometimes.

Later that evening, I placed the mic in front of her television speaker and was actually able to hear the show we were watching.  The downside?   I couldn't hear when she or Pauple were speaking to me.

"You mean now, when I need to speak to you, I have to mute the TV?" she asked in frustration.

"Guess it's either that or constantly repeat for me what is said during the show," I replied.

The icing on the cake though was the next morning when MHYC and I went for breakfast.  He wore the mic around his neck.  Again I wore the streamer.  We were able to converse during the drive to the restaurant.  I was able to clearly hear him place his order.  And when I asked a question during our breakfast, I could actually hear his response.  The first time.  What a joy!  I'm sure he appreciated the fact that he didn't have to repeat everything for me.

I have paired the streamer with my cell phone and tested it in action.  Makes talking on the phone much easier.  The clarity is amazing.  Based on those results, I was able to give John a suggestion for a birthday gift for me.  He will be taking delivery of the unit that connects with the home phone on time for the big day.  Once connected, I will be able to take calls without picking up a handset.  And I'll be able to hear what's being said.  Can't wait.  Hands-free wireless telephone access!

I've also paired the streamer with my iPad.  That allows me to play music (or any sound actually) and hear it as though I'm wearing headphones.  My iPad can be anywhere in the house.  Don't have to carry it with me, attached to a wire.  That's not a feature I'll use often, but it's there should I wish to.

When I tested the mic-at-the-TV-speaker setup at home during a ballgame, I discovered that I can wander pretty much all over my home during a game and and not miss a play.  The other night, I spent time in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner and could hear the game over the din of packing the dishwasher; I went downstairs to the laundry room (just to test its range); I went out on the porch; I even went to the washroom and peed!  Never missed a play.

Suffice to say, I am very much enjoying the wonderful freedom these new ears are giving me.  Guess I should have bitten the bullet sooner.  But, I have them now and my hearing world is good!