New Year's Eve stuff...

Red Lobster 250 calorie lunch

You can eat out and stay healthy and low calorie, you just have to ask for what you want and how you want it - and I do.  It was filling and delicious.  I only had a tiny bit of the sour cream on the potato and didn't finish the whole thing.  The tilapia was cooked with spray instead of butter and the steamed broccoli had lemon on it, not salt.

I am staying in tonight and probably going to bed early although that's hard because there will be fireworks all around me at midnight.  It's chilly and windy so there won't be any swimming either, rats.

I have people above me now, they are Canadian and very nice but I have quite gotten used to it being quiet and it's not.  They don't stay long but they have children and marble floors.  The door bangers are still next door too but they are so nice I will never say a word.  They'll be gone soon too.

When I was at lunch at the club a few days ago I saw the menu for New Year's Day and I commented that there were no black eyed peas or collard greens on it.  Well no one had ever heard of eating them on New Year's.  Can you believe that?  I was stunned.  I thought everyone ate them!  Weirdos I guess.  

So have a very happy New Year y'all.  Stay off the roads if you can too.  Crazy people out there!

Some more on food...

Okay some of you asked me about the roasted vegetables.  I thought I wrote about it before but I might be wrong.  If so, skip this if you want.  

I use non stick foil, spray it, add whatever vegetables I want to use at the time and spray the top of them.  Add a tiny bit of salt and as much pepper as you like.  I roast them for one hour - the first 25 minutes at 425 and the last 35 minutes at 350.  

The reason I turn down the oven is when I put in the chicken breasts they roast at 350 for 35 minutes.  Everything is done at the same time then.  I hope this made sense.

The photo above does not have mushrooms but I usually add them too.  Red peppers are good, celery, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, onions of course and really whatever else you like.  This pan is about 3 meals worth for me.  I know I told you I like a lot of food!  They do shrink down some when they cook.  They go from brobdingnagian to normal.  (That's a Sheldon word.)

Last night I had leftovers so I don't have anything new to show you today.  Soon I'll be cooking again.

So yesterday I subbed in a canasta game and I won ten bucks!  I'm playing next Saturday too.  

And they were having an auction upstairs at the club.  They had a bunch of stuff from drug busts and stuff like that.  Of course we went and looked before cards.  I found a gold rolex with 8 carats of diamonds with a minimum bid of $15000.  You have no idea how close I came.  It was appraised at $80000.  It was bee-u-tee-full!  I mean really beautiful.  But then I though, where in the world do I go to wear it?  So, sadly, I walked away and went downstairs to the card room and that was the end of that.

Today it's Publix and if it's not too cold swimming but I'm doubtful.  I'll just walk more.  Hope your Sunday is lovely.  I know mine will be!

It's what's for supper...

Okay Bee Bandwagoners... I told you I like a lot of food.  I guess I'm like hungry girl or something. Anyway this is last night's supper.  

The lower right is baked chicken, I only eat a half a chicken breast, on the left are roasted root vegetables, onions, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms and on the top is steamed broccoli and cauliflower.  That was quite a plate of food and it weighed in at less than 300 calories.  This kind of cooking is how I can stay on 1200 calories a day. 

For a snack I had fruit and before bed a decaf latte and a small biscotti.  I want to show you more of my meals if you are interested.  

This very healthy meal is extremely low in fat (I only used spray on the veggies when I roasted them) and very low sodium.  It only took about 10 minutes to prepare, an hour to cook in the oven for the vegetables and the last 35 minutes I put the chicken in, and there you go.  Now I have two more meals already prepared because today I have canasta and when I come home I can "heat and eat".  There is also enough chicken for a sandwich in the next few days.  Nothing will be wasted.

Did you wonder why I roasted the vegetables for an hour?  I know they are done sooner but I use non stick foil and spray the bottom of the baking sheet and if you leave them in that long they brown up so nicely.  The onions taste just like they are fried but they are not.

Also some of the roasted onions and mushrooms will be delicious in an omelet made with egg beaters or one egg (I like either) and some salsa on top and a bit of fruit on the side.  Be creative, think ahead at the produce stand, plan, cook and LOSE weight!  Oh, and feel wonderful while you are at it.

And if you need to be on the Bee Bandwagon and aren't, why not?

Well it's Friday again already.  I need to make a run to the fruit stand, I need fruit and veggies!  You know for me the holidays are all over as I don't do anything for new year.  I did not do bad at all considering there was a 10 day cruise in the middle of it all.  I have not lost any weight in about six weeks but I have not gained either so it's good.  I have 20-30 more pounds to lose in the next year and the last ones are much harder than the first ones although the main thing is just getting going.  That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

I haven't shown you any new photos of the apartment because nothing else is done but soon, stay tuned.

I will try to find out more about the Apple TV today.  It's all hooked up and working but other than Netflix I'm not sure yet what's what.  Again, stay tuned.

And that's it from me today y'all.  Hope your day is lovely.  I know mine will be...

Thursday stuff...

This was the duck on Christmas Eve when we stopped to have cake!  He has really been a rock for me and I so appreciate him.  

Well yesterday I was so excited to be off and the temperature high enough to swim so I got on my suit and went down to the pool.  It was so windy I could barely stand up.  The water was blowing out of the pool it was so windy.  I sat there and read for about 45 minutes thinking any time it would settle down and I'd get in but no, it only got worse.  Then a bug flew in my eye.  It was not fun but I fared better than the bug did for sure.  Finally I gave up and came upstairs again.  I was so disappointed.

Today I have canasta and tonight is poker (which is usually on Tuesday but not this week).  And another cold front is on its way.  I just have to keep walking because swimming seems to be out of the question right now.

It's only three weeks until we cruise again.  This is the bloggers cruise and I am really looking forward to seeing so many of my friends again.  The duck is really really ready to go.  He has lots of stress where he works and he needs a cruise to lay back and regroup.

And that, my friends, is all I know for today.  Hope your Thursday is totally tits.  I know mine will be...

Wednesday and normal stuff...

There is no MahJong today but life will still be getting back to normal around here.  It's time for the world to go on a diet now but I'll just keep doing what I have been doing.

Yesterday I had every intention of swimming but it just didn't get as warm as they said it would and I didn't.  But I did walk and I didn't eat bad, we had a nice turkey dinner at the Fern House.  I am so lucky to be invited there for holidays, everyone is so nice to me.  I enjoy them all.  Well most of them anyway, ha!

I have to get around to my bloggie friends today, I didn't visit much yesterday.  I hope everyone had a nice day and not too much stress.  

I've been asked to review the Apple TV and I will, once I figure out what it does beside movies and TV.  I haven't had time to play around with it yet.  Stay tuned.

Oh, and have a wonderful day.  I will too!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in paradise...

Sarge loved his little tree.  I just know he did!

He already had a wreath!

The duck took me!

Every grave had a wreath, just like at Arlington!

And then we had cake!

And then I went swimming and it was freezing but I did it anyway.

Merry Christmas!

The end.

Carry on.

Merry Christmas Eve...

This is the little tree that I got to take out to Sarge today.  The duck is taking me to go see him.  It's little but it's cute and I think he'll like it.  I'm not sure if he can actually see it but I often feel him near me so I think he'll know.  

The duck also hooked up my Apple TV and it works perfectly.  

It's supposed to get warm again here so I am hoping to swim when I get home.  Tomorrow too.  Have a lovely Christmas Eve everyone...

Bamboo towels review...

To skip to the chase I love them.  My best description would be a cross between a luxury towel and a shamwow.  Remember those?  Skinny little shammies?  

Anyway it is soooo soft and dries you in a second.  The downside is that you should not use a hot dryer or fabric softener (well you don't need that for sure) and you can get strings on them.  The instructions said to just snip them off and I will.  

Now being only one person I can properly take care of them but if you have a big family where everything will get thrown in together I think they won't last too long.  But for me?  Love!  Love!  Love!

The end.  Carry on.

Sunday means grocery shopping here.  At the Walmart.  Oh.  Maybe I'll just hit Publix instead, the thought of the Walmart three days before Christmas makes me shudder.  Since the world didn't end there is much to do.  

My new towels came yesterday.  They are bamboo and very very soft.  They are not supposed to mildew and are anti-microbial whatever that is and antibacterial.  Anyway I thought I'd try them, they are pink (of course) and I washed them so they are ready to go.  They feel thinner than a normal towel but are supposed to be more absorbent and fast drying.

Everyone is talking about gun control again.  Both sides have points and I am not going to weigh in on my opinion but every time something happens it comes up again.  I will admit to having a gun (in the safe) and I am glad I do.  I took the course and got the concealed permit but I don't carry it.  On a car trip it would be with me though.  I remember when I was in the course the guy asked me if I would shoot someone coming at me threatening me, I said yes, I'd aim for his legs and then run.  He told me I'd be dead before I got to the door.  He said if you pull a gun and decide to shoot you must shoot to kill.  Could I do that?  Hmmm.

So anyway enjoy your last weekend day before Christmas.  I know I will enjoy mine!  

Good report!

This photo is from last time but I still got a good report on my checkup yesterday.  Oh, and I weighed more in that photo too!

Holy moly it got cold!  And windy!  Yikes, I went outside expecting maybe 65 or so but that wind almost knocked me down!  I was pretty glad I wasn't wearing a skirt.

When I got done at the doc's I just came home and had a tuna sandwich and got on my robe.  It was a great day to read a good book.  I did, however, do some exercise.  So I was not a total slug.

My part-time next door neighbors are here for the winter and they have young grandchildren visiting them.  Very nice people but the children run the hallway and slam doors.  It is usually SO quiet on this floor that it startles me.  Every.  Single.  Time.  Oh well, I'll get over it.  They're not bad, just door slammers.

And so my friends, that's it from paradise for today.  Hope your Saturday is totally tits.  I know mine will be...

Well today I go back to see Dr. Wacks and expect all to be good so no big deal.  Probably am not down any weight since the last visit after a 10 day cruise and three holiday parties this week but it's okay.  I feel good again.  I have not eaten much that is not really good for me and I can really tell a big difference.  That's motivation too!

There won't be many games next week but I am playing as a sub tomorrow (Saturday) with a really nice group.  I don't mind some time off from the games though.  And we moved the poker game to next Thursday night when everyone could come back.

I wanted to have lunch with the duck today but he has a chest cold and I don't want to be around that until he's better.  Buggers to everyone being sick.  I guess I am so lucky to be well and believe me I am washing my hands all the time.  I even got up in the card game and did it and then went back.  So many germs everywhere.

So the temperature is going down here, no swimming for a few more days.  Too bad I couldn't go on Wednesday or Thursday when it was so nice out.  Maybe by Sunday it'll warm back up.

Have a lovely Friday y'all.  I'll be finding something to get into today!

Thursday and back to normal...

Wow I got through the three days of holiday parties and yesterday wasn't too bad.  We had a Mexican luncheon with the MahJong gals and I did pretty good with chicken fajitas and only eating the lower cal stuff and not the chips.  I will admit that I have felt bad since I had that Chinese food Tuesday night though.  I also gained four pounds which I know has to be fluid from the sodium but still, it's just not worth it to feel that bad for that long.  I will not eat it again.

Now back to normal today, I am having lunch at the club but I'll have my usual, half turkey sandwich without bread, cup of soup, sliced tomato.  Fills me up and delicious and I'll be good to go.  Then at cards I'll have coffee with milk for a snack.  The turkey they use is real roasted turkey, not the lunchmeat kind.

And so my friends I am tired to the bone now.  I'll rest up and have more soon.  Have a wonderful day, me too!

Wednesday stuff in paradise...

My mother used to say "there's nothing like a Florida sky" and I always thought that was so true.

They are ever changing and one is just prettier than the next.  Living up high in the sky I think I have such amazing view of them too.

Yesterday I lost seven dollars at canasta and I was losing big at poker until the end where I ended up winning - ready? - seven dollars.  Even steven day.

And the Chinese food made me sick last night.  Not yucky sick, just headachy and not feeling good.  I am not going to eat it again even though I love it.  Not worth is at all.  Wish we were not going for Mexican food today but we are and I'll try very hard not to eat much and I don't think that will be a problem really.

Have a great day y'all.  I am partied out.  For real.

Oh yeah, that what I'm talking about!

Now that's MY kind of day!  I love that it says 82 and feels like 83!  How funny is that?  So a lovely pool day finally and followed by a wonderful party.  The water was the same temperature as the air so it was really really lovely!

I think my sensible eating may go astray this week as first the Fern House Christmas dinner and party, then the poker holiday party tonight (with Chinese food!) followed by the MahJong holiday luncheon on Wednesday (with Mexican food!)!  Oy.  Anyway I will do my best through all of it and have a wonderful time with lovely friends and good cheer.  And keep exercising too.

At my table at the party there was a guy and his young son, maybe 10 or so years old.  You know me, I always chat them up.  Well this kid was adorable, quite the young man about town.  I asked him if he played sports thinking maybe baseball, football, basketball, stuff like that.  No, he said "oh yes, I play polo, croquet, and soccer".  Polo?  Okay, I guess I was chatting up a rich kid but he was still adorable.  Not snobby at all.  

I got a great gift in the mail yesterday, Apple TV.  Now I have heard of this of course but I'm not exactly sure just what it is or how the heck to hook it up.  I hope someone comes to visit me soon and takes care of it!  So I told this kid about getting it and he proceeded to tell me how wonderful it is and what all it could do.  I should have brought him home with me to hook it up!

So have a wonderful Tuesday y'all.  I will too.  And I'll try not to eat too much.  I did okay at the Christmas party so I only have to get through today and tomorrow!

Monday in paradise...

I had breakfast with the duck yesterday.  He's right skinny now isn't he?  Not me, I still have a way to go but have no fear, I shall get there.

Yesterday we went to the new grocery store, Aldi's.  I had never heard of it before and it certainly was "different" but the prices were amazing.  Way less than WalMart but they don't have name brands, just their own brand.  The produce was really nice, the meat looked bad (tough looking), but I would go back again.  You have to take your own bags and put down a 25 cent deposit on a cart that you get back when you leave the store.  They were very friendly.

I am still finding homes for stuff around the condo.  No art is on the walls yet and I am going to let them tell me where to put it.  The sheets I bought are really nice.  I got them on amazon.com and they are so soft and smooth.  I had trouble finding pink sheets, when you try to search for them you get all kinds of kid stuff instead of plain but I found them.  

I got "split king" which I had not heard of before.  You get two twin fitted sheets and one king top sheet and then the pillowcases.  I also got twin flat sheets for when I have company had separate the beds.  The bottom sheets have to be twin because the beds go up and down independently so you couldn't use a king fitted one.  Did that make any sense?  If not, never mind, it's just sheets.

And that's all I know today.  I'll be going to the party at the Fern House tonight for dinner.  Hope your day is as good as mine.

Some Sunday stuff...

Well the weekend is winding down already.  Tomorrow is the Christmas party at the Fern House.  I am invited so I am going.  There is also a condo meeting but I am not going to that.  Blech.  They asked me to be on the board again but I declined.  I served six years and that was plenty. 

I never did get to the pool yesterday.  It only got into the 70's and that's not warm enough for me.  I did, however, do a lot in the condo.  There is still plenty more to do, finding places to put things that I want to keep, stuff like that.  I still have to do my den shelves too.  I have lots of pretty things and I need to put them where I can enjoy them.

Enjoy your day off, I will too.

Saturday in paradise...

There are no sofas yet and lots of arranging to do but the guys are gone.  Larry Mo and Curley finished up yesterday.  They did an outstanding job and were just as pleasant as could be all week long.  I gave them some jewelry for their wives for Christmas and made them coffee and treats every day.  I thought they would make such a mess sawing and sanding and painting but they cleaned up behind themselves every day.  They they had me tell them where to put everything and they did the plugs and stuff for me too.

Next up, oh my, now I see the dreaded fruitcake is an ice cream flavor.  The only person on earth I ever knew that liked fruitcake was Sarge, yup, the old Claxton fruitcake from Claxton Georgia.  He liked one slice a year.  I'll never be able to look at one without thinking of him.  But an ice cream flavor???

So what am I doing today?  Not much.  After I put all the stuff away that I had in closets and places where they would not get broken or be in the way and several loads of laundry, well I plan to go sit at the pool after that.  Hopefully it will be warm enough to swim.

Have a lovely Saturday y'all, I will too...

Friday - my day off!

My new license plate arrived.

Oh yeah.

This is the bedroom color.

The guys (I am now calling them Larry Mo and Curly)

say they should be finished today.

We debated making the strip in the bedroom the green color but finally went with the deeper pink.  Now I don't think the rest of the bedroom stuff (headboard, drapes, etc) will be finished until the middle of January but that's fine.  It will be very livable and the rest of the condo will be finished.  I hope.

I now have a place to sit and use the computer and watch tv if I want.  It was a difficult few days but the worst is in the past now.  I did fine.

Hope your Friday is totally tits.  Mine sure will be!