Sylvia and I began using Sensa last November and, to date, Sylvia has lost 16 lbs. and I've lost 15 lbs. It may not sound like much but those pounds would still be molded to our bodies if we hadn't tried Sensa. We support each other all winter in Florida and by e-mail each Wednesday when we check in and state our weight loss or gain.
It's so true that not all diets work for everyone. I've tried them all at one time or another and none had the effect that Sensa has had for me. All other diets are restricted which means you start out feeling hungry all the time. Sensa is more a reminder to be careful what you choose to eat and that has given me the time to develop better eating habits, ones I don't find difficult at all. I do think twice before eating anything but when I really feel like fries I eat fries.
My weight loss goal isn't unreasonable. I'd love to lose a pound a week but if it takes a month it's still a pound loss. My true goal has always been to be more comfortable rather than slim and sexy, any way, so 15 pounds gone in 5 months is pretty darned good.
I believe my original weight gain (from 105 lbs) was all mood related. I wasn't happy so I ate. Even now, when I'm quite content, I'll turn to food if I'm stressed. Thankfully, that doesn't happen too often these days. Sensa has been a godsend for me and I don't care if some people think it's just a scam. It's helped me immensely and that's all that counts.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Racism
There's a lot of debate about racist remarks made by a mostly black basketball team's white owner and I really can't understand the naivety of the comments. Every single one of us has our own prejudice and it's really stupid for someone to believe that your boss (team's owner) loves and respects you just because you make money for him or her. Your boss does not need to love you...they only need to treat you with respect no matter how they feel about you. If you resent your boss's personal beliefs and prejudices, then get another job.
If I were a black person, I would not associate with a racist in any way at all. I would not work for him/her. I would not befriend him/her. It's simple logic. If a person has qualities you can't live with then stay away from them. But don't take away their career just because you don't agree with their prejudices.
It's funny that this particular person is being attacked because he is a racist but it's been perfectly acceptable that he is unfaithful to his wife. What the heck is wrong with our values?
If I were a black person, I would not associate with a racist in any way at all. I would not work for him/her. I would not befriend him/her. It's simple logic. If a person has qualities you can't live with then stay away from them. But don't take away their career just because you don't agree with their prejudices.
It's funny that this particular person is being attacked because he is a racist but it's been perfectly acceptable that he is unfaithful to his wife. What the heck is wrong with our values?
Monday, April 28, 2014
Static Cling Window Treatment
I bought a piece 36" x 72" at Lowes for $45.99 and it was fairly easy for me to manage. My cutting wasn't perfect but it wasn't too bad and I got the computer room windows, my bedroom windows, and part of the spare bedroom windows done in an hour or so. I actually didn't have enough film for the spare bedroom but decided to cover what I could and lower the blinds to make it look as though it was complete. No-one will ever know.
I'm really pleased with the effect...for one thing, it adds color and it also provides privacy. I use horizontal blinds in every room but don't like to lower them all the way because I love lots of light. Even at night, there are dim lights on in the parking lot below my apartment so I'll always have a bit of light coming through the film. It will always be pretty!
My next project is to line the cupboards with some foamy shelf liner I bought in Florida. It's a salmon color which will brighten up the inside of the cupboards.
I am enjoying apartment living!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
What I Meant To Write About
I'm always going off on tangents...yapping or writing about something that just caught my attention...but I really meant to write a blog about my granddaughter, Aeron, today.
One of the biggest blessings in my life was the time I got to spend taking care of my grandchildren when they were young. It gave me the time to really get to know them and to have them make me laugh. Children, in all their innocence, are the funniest creatures on earth.
When Aeron was about 4 or 5, I took her shopping for Dennis' Christmas present...a gorgeous leather jacket. Aeron was the best kid in the world to keep a secret if you asked her to so I knew she wouldn't tell her Grampa what he was getting. I was so sure of her that I told him to phone her and ask her. He did...and she sweetly answered, "Maybe someone is getting you a nice jacket.". Damn!
The moral of this story is...you can't trust anyone.
One of the biggest blessings in my life was the time I got to spend taking care of my grandchildren when they were young. It gave me the time to really get to know them and to have them make me laugh. Children, in all their innocence, are the funniest creatures on earth.
When Aeron was about 4 or 5, I took her shopping for Dennis' Christmas present...a gorgeous leather jacket. Aeron was the best kid in the world to keep a secret if you asked her to so I knew she wouldn't tell her Grampa what he was getting. I was so sure of her that I told him to phone her and ask her. He did...and she sweetly answered, "Maybe someone is getting you a nice jacket.". Damn!
The moral of this story is...you can't trust anyone.
On Being an Agnostic
I question everything so it's no surprise that I have and have always had many questions about religion. Logically, it doesn't make sense but then nothing else I can think of does, either. Most of the ten commandments make sense in a socialized community...you have to have some kind of rules to live by. Being an agnostic means I question what I have been taught about religion. It doesn't mean I dismiss it entirely.
Birth and death are miracles in my eyes. The complexity of the human body is a miracle. The flora and fauna of the world can only be described as miracles. All of these things are not man-made...and the mystery of it all overwhelms me if I think on it too long. It would be so much easier on the mind to just say, "Oh, a mangod created it all!". But I'd like a little proof, please.
I have questions, and so I am an agnostic. It would be nice to think that my questions will be answered when I reach the other side.
Birth and death are miracles in my eyes. The complexity of the human body is a miracle. The flora and fauna of the world can only be described as miracles. All of these things are not man-made...and the mystery of it all overwhelms me if I think on it too long. It would be so much easier on the mind to just say, "Oh, a mangod created it all!". But I'd like a little proof, please.
I have questions, and so I am an agnostic. It would be nice to think that my questions will be answered when I reach the other side.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
More Computer Woes
When it comes to computers, I don't ask for much...just one that turns on when I want it to and one that has a relatively speedy internet. Computers tire me out, more because I can never figure out what went wrong or why it went wrong. Take tonight...the computer was working fairly normally all day so when I went to use it tonight I didn't expect a problem. Stupid me. It seems to take longer to start than it used to but at least it started. I clicked on the internet and then on Facebook. I swear that is all I did and suddenly the damned screen shifted to the right. I couldn't fix it and I couldn't scroll because that part of the screen was now hidden. I tried all sorts of things, even going online to see if there was information on how to realign it. Of course, my search was limited because, you guessed it, I couldn't scroll.
Stymied, I phoned Kim who suggested I reboot it. I did and it didn't work. A bunch of us are going out for breakfast tomorrow morning so I asked her if she'd come up after breakfast and see if she could work any magic. Of course, she would.
I stubbornly decided I'd give it one last chance to straighten out but it wouldn't. Just as I was about to log off, I noticed a little tiny part of the square you click on to enlarge or decrease the screen and I thought, what the heck, and clicked on it. I now have a full screen. There is no way I clicked on that thing in the first place so who knows what happened. What matters is that my computer is working okay.
If there is a hell, it's filled with intelligent computers that like to play with the tortured minds of the sinners.
Stymied, I phoned Kim who suggested I reboot it. I did and it didn't work. A bunch of us are going out for breakfast tomorrow morning so I asked her if she'd come up after breakfast and see if she could work any magic. Of course, she would.
I stubbornly decided I'd give it one last chance to straighten out but it wouldn't. Just as I was about to log off, I noticed a little tiny part of the square you click on to enlarge or decrease the screen and I thought, what the heck, and clicked on it. I now have a full screen. There is no way I clicked on that thing in the first place so who knows what happened. What matters is that my computer is working okay.
If there is a hell, it's filled with intelligent computers that like to play with the tortured minds of the sinners.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Blue Screen of Death
My computer has been acting wonky since I got home and yesterday the "blue screen of death" showed up. The darned computer isn't very old so this confuses me. It did start this morning but it took forever for it to do so. It's maddening.
But...I slept well last night and crawled out of bed before 6:30 A.M. rested and ready to enjoy the day. Right now the sun is shining brightly even though it isn't very warm outside. I don't much care. It's nice to be home!
I've started receiving the local newspaper and, of course, there is a lot in it to upset me. I saw where a so-called church group had their funding taken away because they used it for personal trips, etc. I always wonder how easy it is for even a tiny group to call itself a church and get funding and tax breaks as easily as they do. Who does the research on the group and who makes the decision to hand them public money?
I saw where the creatures who murdered a young man last year has now been charged with murdering two others. What causes a human being to turn into the kind of person who can so easily take the life of another? Their trials and imprisonment will go on for years and years at public expense when, in truth, they are trash that don't deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us. Maybe my feelings about capital punishment are changing. But, then, the Americans have capital punishment and it still can take 30 years for a death penalty to be exercised.
I still hate what the newspaper considers front page news. In my opinion, front page news should be what's happening in the world and not a few pages about a local discount store that is closing. I'm going to let that pet peeve pass or I'll be cancelling the newspaper again!
Now don't think I'm in a sour frame of mind. I'm quite happy with an easy day ahead of me before picking Faye up to go to a dinner/Bingo at the senior center tonight. My own life is going well even if what makes the news isn't so good.
But...I slept well last night and crawled out of bed before 6:30 A.M. rested and ready to enjoy the day. Right now the sun is shining brightly even though it isn't very warm outside. I don't much care. It's nice to be home!
I've started receiving the local newspaper and, of course, there is a lot in it to upset me. I saw where a so-called church group had their funding taken away because they used it for personal trips, etc. I always wonder how easy it is for even a tiny group to call itself a church and get funding and tax breaks as easily as they do. Who does the research on the group and who makes the decision to hand them public money?
I saw where the creatures who murdered a young man last year has now been charged with murdering two others. What causes a human being to turn into the kind of person who can so easily take the life of another? Their trials and imprisonment will go on for years and years at public expense when, in truth, they are trash that don't deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us. Maybe my feelings about capital punishment are changing. But, then, the Americans have capital punishment and it still can take 30 years for a death penalty to be exercised.
I still hate what the newspaper considers front page news. In my opinion, front page news should be what's happening in the world and not a few pages about a local discount store that is closing. I'm going to let that pet peeve pass or I'll be cancelling the newspaper again!
Now don't think I'm in a sour frame of mind. I'm quite happy with an easy day ahead of me before picking Faye up to go to a dinner/Bingo at the senior center tonight. My own life is going well even if what makes the news isn't so good.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Leg Cramps
The night before last, I was awakened by the most excruciating leg cramps I'd ever experienced. Strangely, they were on the inner thigh of one leg and the calf of the other. They were honestly agonizing and I fearfully realized that the cramping was so severe that I wouldn't have been able to even stand up to get help if that became necessary. It lasted about 5 long minutes before abating and I was able to get back to sleep.
One good thing about this damned computer is that I don't need to see my doctor when I'm curious about what might be a health problem. I can just google it. And this is what I did to discover that super severe leg cramps are not uncommon, coming out of no-where and with no known cause. It could possibly be a shortage of potassium, magnesium, or hydration but that's just a guess. Some poor souls are afflicted by these cramps so often that they keep a glass of water on their nightstand to hopefully help if they happen during the night.
I've experienced childbirth and gall bladder attacks but these cramps are almost as bad. They appeared so suddenly, waking me from a sound sleep to wide awake agony in moments. I hope they never come back.
One good thing about this damned computer is that I don't need to see my doctor when I'm curious about what might be a health problem. I can just google it. And this is what I did to discover that super severe leg cramps are not uncommon, coming out of no-where and with no known cause. It could possibly be a shortage of potassium, magnesium, or hydration but that's just a guess. Some poor souls are afflicted by these cramps so often that they keep a glass of water on their nightstand to hopefully help if they happen during the night.
I've experienced childbirth and gall bladder attacks but these cramps are almost as bad. They appeared so suddenly, waking me from a sound sleep to wide awake agony in moments. I hope they never come back.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
On The Other Hand
I have a digital scale in Florida that I bought to help me keep track of weight loss or gain while using Sensa. I thought it would be a good idea to buy one here so that I could get a more accurate reading than what I was getting on my old scale which wasn't digital. So I bought one at XS Cargo (love that store) and brought it home. Too bad it only registers in kilograms!! I'd forgotten I was in Canada, eh? Oh well, I'll just have to buy another one in the States when I go back.
FRIGGIN' COMPUTERS!
My computer is only a few years old....maybe 4-5??...but I guess that's considered old. Anyway, after the miracles of yesterday when it repaired the link between the computer and the printer, I thought I was all set for a while. Wrong.
This morning I awoke to a computer that wouldn't turn on. I gave up and just let it meander around until a message came on telling me the computer wouldn't start. Gee Whiz! It asked me if I wanted it to find the problem so I clicked on "yes". It spun for a while until it told me that it just might have found the problem but I needed to allow it to fix it. Hell, yes! It spun for another lengthy time and then told me that it just might have fixed the problem but needed to restart the computer. It did, and it worked. I can't stand it! I wonder what surprised the damned computer has in store for me tomorrow.
This morning I awoke to a computer that wouldn't turn on. I gave up and just let it meander around until a message came on telling me the computer wouldn't start. Gee Whiz! It asked me if I wanted it to find the problem so I clicked on "yes". It spun for a while until it told me that it just might have found the problem but I needed to allow it to fix it. Hell, yes! It spun for another lengthy time and then told me that it just might have fixed the problem but needed to restart the computer. It did, and it worked. I can't stand it! I wonder what surprised the damned computer has in store for me tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
What I Learned Today
I bet everyone in the world knew this but I just learned it today. You know those little blips at the bottom of the computer screen that tell you to update one thing or another? I make it a point to ignore them. Well, my printer wasn't working so I'd asked Kim and Matt to come here and fix it for me but, as I was playing games today, a little message came on the screen (magically) to say that HP was ready to install updates for my printer. Really? How did they know I had a problem? Well, I stopped the game and clicked on the message which went on to ask me to insert the CD I'd used when I first got the printer and the program would perform a "critical update to correct a PC to printer communication issue". How did they know???
Another miracle occurred too. I just happened to have the CD. Apparently I'd left it at the house when I sold it and the new owners gave it to Lisa who gave it to me last night. Now, this was getting scary.
So...I did as I was told, then restarted the computer. The printer wouldn't work. Then I noticed the little warning light at the bottom of the screen telling me to update HP. Hadn't I just done that? I clicked on the warning and a new screen came up telling me the printer was now operational. I tried once more to print a form and lo, and behold, the damn thing worked.
Totally worn out from all the stress of baffling miracles, I called Kim and told her she didn't need to come over. But my next problem arrived quite quickly on the heels of the miracles. This all started from me wanting to print out a form to send to OHIP to claim a refund on the dermatologist fees and the prescription fees I'd incurred in Florida but I sadly discovered that there can be no refund of the prescription fees. I'll remit the dermatologist's fees, though, and hope for the best.
I'm wiped!!
Another miracle occurred too. I just happened to have the CD. Apparently I'd left it at the house when I sold it and the new owners gave it to Lisa who gave it to me last night. Now, this was getting scary.
So...I did as I was told, then restarted the computer. The printer wouldn't work. Then I noticed the little warning light at the bottom of the screen telling me to update HP. Hadn't I just done that? I clicked on the warning and a new screen came up telling me the printer was now operational. I tried once more to print a form and lo, and behold, the damn thing worked.
Totally worn out from all the stress of baffling miracles, I called Kim and told her she didn't need to come over. But my next problem arrived quite quickly on the heels of the miracles. This all started from me wanting to print out a form to send to OHIP to claim a refund on the dermatologist fees and the prescription fees I'd incurred in Florida but I sadly discovered that there can be no refund of the prescription fees. I'll remit the dermatologist's fees, though, and hope for the best.
I'm wiped!!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Time to Crab
Okay, so life is not always easy but my unease often starts with the damn computer. My laptop that I use in Florida stopped sending signals to the printer so I couldn't print what I wrote. Now my desktop at home seems to have lost the printer altogether. Could it be me??
Yesterday I tried printing something and discovered the printer setting wasn't my printer so I clicked on the right one but was unable to print. I have to admit I went in somewhere and changed something...don't really know what I did, then my printer disappeared altogether from the computer! I need help!
But...today it's sunny and there's the wonder of spring in the air. I only plan to wash the wood floors and then piddle around until suppertime when I'll go up to Kim's and then to Costco. I'm in desperate need of coffee pods.
Life is good, especially when there are good people around to help you with your problems.
Yesterday I tried printing something and discovered the printer setting wasn't my printer so I clicked on the right one but was unable to print. I have to admit I went in somewhere and changed something...don't really know what I did, then my printer disappeared altogether from the computer! I need help!
But...today it's sunny and there's the wonder of spring in the air. I only plan to wash the wood floors and then piddle around until suppertime when I'll go up to Kim's and then to Costco. I'm in desperate need of coffee pods.
Life is good, especially when there are good people around to help you with your problems.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Fun Cleaning?
I enjoy this apartment so much that it really is fun to come back after almost 6 months in Florida and clean it. I dusted (the biggest job), vacuumed, and washed the tile floors...the wood floors can wait for another day because I'll have to move furniture and my strength is not up to it today. I did a load of laundry and emptied the car (another big job because I tend to shop too much). I called Cogeco because one T.V. wasn't working and they fixed that "over the phone!!". I'm so amazed with technology.
I also weighed myself on my home scale and it looks like I've lost 3 pounds since leaving Florida. Now, I know that all the desserts I ate while travelling don't allow a 3 lb. loss but I'll accept it any way. It will be easier for me to eat properly at home than on the road so I'll try harder from here on in.
It's cool out but the sun is shining brightly and I'm nicely settled in my sweet apartment. Life is certainly good!
I also weighed myself on my home scale and it looks like I've lost 3 pounds since leaving Florida. Now, I know that all the desserts I ate while travelling don't allow a 3 lb. loss but I'll accept it any way. It will be easier for me to eat properly at home than on the road so I'll try harder from here on in.
It's cool out but the sun is shining brightly and I'm nicely settled in my sweet apartment. Life is certainly good!
Home Again
Mary and I left Florida on Wednesday, April 16th, spent 2 days in Savannah touring a couple of old homes and then the riverfront stores. Savannah is a beautifully laid out city with so much old character and charm.
We headed across country to Hwy 75 on Friday (rain!!) and spent the night in Kentucky at a gorgeous hotel we'd found last year. It's so fabulous that I'd thought then that we couldn't afford to stay there but it's actually very reasonable. I konked out early from exhaustion each night...I guess just travelling is enough stress these days to wear me out.
I dropped Mary off at her house about 5 P.M. and then travelled on to my apartment...bought groceries on the way and arrived home about 8 P.M. It was perfect timing, just getting dark, and I was able to bring 2 loads in from the car before calling it a day. The apartment looked great, just dusty. Unfortunately, one of the T.V.'s won't work but Cogeco should be able to help me with that tomorrow.
I am ever so happy that I'm living in this apartment and not having to deal with the needs of a house any more. It gives me such a feeling of freedom. Today I will dust, polish, and wash and then go to Cindy's for a homemade lasagna dinner. I get to see her new house and also my sweet Aeron. Don had a knee replacement last Monday so I'm hoping to see him getting around well, too. I love my family!
We headed across country to Hwy 75 on Friday (rain!!) and spent the night in Kentucky at a gorgeous hotel we'd found last year. It's so fabulous that I'd thought then that we couldn't afford to stay there but it's actually very reasonable. I konked out early from exhaustion each night...I guess just travelling is enough stress these days to wear me out.
I dropped Mary off at her house about 5 P.M. and then travelled on to my apartment...bought groceries on the way and arrived home about 8 P.M. It was perfect timing, just getting dark, and I was able to bring 2 loads in from the car before calling it a day. The apartment looked great, just dusty. Unfortunately, one of the T.V.'s won't work but Cogeco should be able to help me with that tomorrow.
I am ever so happy that I'm living in this apartment and not having to deal with the needs of a house any more. It gives me such a feeling of freedom. Today I will dust, polish, and wash and then go to Cindy's for a homemade lasagna dinner. I get to see her new house and also my sweet Aeron. Don had a knee replacement last Monday so I'm hoping to see him getting around well, too. I love my family!
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