OLD AGE & ME!!!

Old Age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend...I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set . They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it) MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART! MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

On That Road Trip Once Again!

It seems I am always starting down this road and never completely get there...I almost reached my destination once in 2004, but I evidently convinced myself I didn't deserve to reach it....so all my hard earned losses were put back on and of course I had to add a few more pounds to punish myself for even thinking I deserved to loss that weight....Well I DO deserve to lose this weight!!! I asked myself why I was overweight, but I didn't want just the usual answers, such as I cook the southern style (you know pork fat and more pork fat)etc....so I looked at my life and what was good and what wasn't and I am trying to do some changes there...I also want to set aside time each day just for me to exercise and meditate....Well this road trip started January 5th 2009....I have set small goals for myself and girls I can use all the HELP you can give me....I almost reached my destination going to WW but that isn't an option now, but I do know how to do everything, like measure, measure and measure some more....keep a log of everything that goes into your mouth (those little tastes here and there add up) and drinking water and more water and then of course exercising....Now here in Minnesota it isn't always possible to go out and walk, so I simply walk around the house 10 minutes after each meal and do the old peoples push ups....I lost 2.1 pounds this past week and I am happy with that, but thought I would lose more the first week (water loss) know I have ran to the potty enough to have lost 20 pounds....I just wish I had someone that could come here every Monday and see me weigh...That is what I really need!!! Well since I have done the WW thingy I have compiled a lot of recipes with the points figured out, but I didn't always keep the calories, fat and fiber information. I will try and post some recipes each Monday that I have made and like.....

SIMPLE SALISBURY STEAK: 5 WW Points
I gave it 4****!
1 egg
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced fat-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup undiluted, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 pound 93% lean ground beef
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 teaspoon Browning sauce (optional) I used it.
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
In a bowl combine the egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup soup and onion. crumble the beef over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 6 patties. In a large nonstick skillet, brown the patties on both sides, drain.
In a bowl, combine the milk, Browning sauce, if desired, salt and remaining soup; stir in mushrooms. Pour over patties, reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink....Yield 6 servings

SCALLOPED POTATOES: 2 WW Points
Serves 6 ( 1/2 Cup)
I gave this 4****
Preheat Oven to 350%
5 coups frozen Southern Style Hash browns thawed
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 teaspoon light butter
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Crispy Fried Onions
Spray a 2-1/2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix the potatoes, flour, dried onions, butter and pepper together and put into prepared casserole. Pour milk over top. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle on the crispy fried onions and continue to bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Yield 6 1/2 cup servings:

EIGHT LAYER SALAD: 2 WW Points
Serves 12 (1-1/2 Cups)
I gave this 5*****
6 cups torn iceberg lettuce
8 cups torn romaine lettuce
6 40% less fat bacon slices cooked and crumbled ( I used Oscar Meyers recipe ready bacon pieces)
3/4 cups chopped red onion
1-10 ounce package frozen green peas, thawed
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts drained
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 (0.7 ounce) package dry Italian dressing mix.
Combine lettuces in a 4 quart bowl. Toss well. Layer crumbled bacon and next 5 ingredients on top of lettuce. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and dressing mix in a small bowl, stir well. Spread dressing over top of salad, sealing to edge of bowl. Cover and chill up to 24 hours.
Yield: 12 1-1/2 cup servings.

SERENITY!

A friend just sent this to me and I was laughing so hard I almost pee'd my pants...That is what happens when you get old....I should know!!!

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,
'How old was your husband?' '98,' she replied.
'Two years older than me'
'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented.
She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it?

Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman:
'And what do you think is the best thing
About being 104?' the reporter asked.
She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'

The nice thing about being senile is
You can hide your own Easter eggs.

I've sure gotten old!
I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement,
New knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes
I'm half blind,
Can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine,
Take 40 different medications that
Make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.
Have bouts with dementia .
Have poor circulation;
Hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.
Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92.
Have lost all my friends. But, thank God,
I still have my driver's license.

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,
So I got my doctor's permission to
Join a fitness club and start exercising.
I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.
I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But,
By the time I got my leotards on,
The class was over.

My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

Know how to prevent sagging?
Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.

It's scary when you start making the same noises
As your coffee maker.

These days about half the stuff
In my shopping cart says,
' For fast relief..'

THE SENILITY PRAYER :
Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
The eyesight to tell the difference.

Now, I think you're supposed to share this with 5 or 6, maybe 10 others. Oh heck, give it to a bunch of your friends if you can remember who they are!

Always Remember This:
You don't stop laughing because you grow old,
You grow old because you stop laughing!!

Preserve Your Own Family Treasures!

Online historical records are full of clues that connect individuals and events in your family history. From military records to census records to old newspaper archives, there's an entire host of resources available when researching your family tree.

Besides online content, what family treasures are hidden in your shoebox, your attic, the cedar chest, even the garage? Look for family Bibles, photographs (found an old glass photograph of my great grandfather in his confederate uniform), diaries, letters and most importantly birth, marriage and death certificates. Scan and add them to your family tree---helping to preserve them for future generations. Older relatives, in particular, can often provide a wealth of information, stories, pictures and other family heirlooms.
We're all reflections of the ancestors who came before us, from our natural talents to the places we live and traditions we honor. Understanding our ancestors truly helps us understand ourselves..
Family history research is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. Getting started is easy. With the help of the Internet, you can be on your way in just minutes....In one weekend, you can create a full memorial page for your love ones.
Make a special scrapbook for your family and give for a gift this Christmas...Nothing you could buy would mean more to the recipient...Isn't that what we should be doing at Christmas, giving of ourselves?...Get started by going to Ancestry.com....Right now they are offering a 14 day free trial....Sign up and get started.
I was always told my great grandmother was a full blooded Cherokee Indian...Well guess what! she wasn't.....decided to follow her blood line as most people follow the men's bloodline...Well how interesting....I am Spanish, Italian, Scottish, Irish, English, German & of course Cherokee, just on her side alone....

Death By Chocolate!

For all of you that are not dieting and love chocolate!

Brownie Mix: Bake as directed in 9 x 13" pan, cool and then cut into 1 x 1" cubes.

6 Heath bars; freeze solid, then break into small pieces by placing in a ziplock bag and beating with a kitchen mallet, rolling pin, meat pounder etc.

3 boxes of Chocolate Mousse: Mix as directed.

16 oz container of Cool Whip/thawed.

In a large clear bowl layer:

1/3 brownies cut into 1"cubes

1/3 mousse

2 bars of broken candy

1/3 Cool Whip

Repeat layering 2 more times

cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge for a few hours before serving...

This is to die for...I like it more than "Better Than Robert Redford"....

ROOTED IN HISTORY!

What's your story? So what secrets are waiting to be discovered about the people who made you who you are today? Our roots influence us in ways we can't even imagine. Studying your family history actually lets you discover more about yourself....With online databases and research tools, it's easier than ever to start putting the pages of your family story together, preserving your heritage and passing it on to future generations.
Create a family tree.

You can easily create a family tree online with what you already know....Begin with yourself and add your parents and grandparents. Record each person's name, birthplace, birth date, death place and death date..If you don't know the exact information take your best guess...vague clues can lead to amazing finds...Family members may be able to help also...Go to ancestry.com and get started now....What a wonderful Christmas present this would be for the members of your family next Christmas...Keep tuned for more to come.....

I AM BACK!!!!!!!!!

Well as you can see and hear, it is time to find time to update my blog! I am busy digging up information on my genealogy and that is so time consuming...I hope to be able to give you'll some tips for doing this...We are all reflections of the ancestors who came before us....It is so important to pass on the information of your family to future generations....I just wish I had started sooner....I am amazed at all the different nationalities in my background that I never knew about...My great grandfather served in the civil war at the tender age of 17...He was with General Lee at Appomattox and is listed in the records there....My daughter went there and was so surprised to see his name listed.....You can even get the kids involved....Well my dryer just buzzed, so better get the clothes out before they get wrinkled......