Yesterday I had my hair done and it's good, I always get good color and cuts there.  They just don't like Wen and I do but that's okay.

Today I have a canasta game and a luncheon.  It's not warm enough to get in the pool, I did sit out there for a bit yesterday but it was pretty blustery so I left.  Roche' won't go out at all when it's less than 80°because he says he's cold natured.  Uh huh, cold natured.  I reminded him that when it's hot he loves air conditioning.

So sorry but I'm pretty dumb today, don't know anything else so I'm going to go to bed and read instead.  Hope your Saturday is great.  Mine will be when I get up!

Well now the holiday season is in full swing pretty much everywhere.  There are parties and decorations and food.  Oh, and more food.  And then there is food.  

I have done pretty well the past few years and hope to do the same this year but no promises.  All I will promise is that I will not gain back the weight.  If I add a few pounds I'll take it back off and it will not get beyond a few.  Like two.  

I am obsessed with weighing myself every day.  I know you are not supposed to but I do anyway and I don't think anything will change me.  The only time I don't weigh myself when I get up in the morning is either on a cruise ship or when I am out of control.  I choose not to get out of control any more.

My mouth is healing and not nearly as sore as it was but I am still taking Advil.  Hopefully that will go away soon because I don't like taking it.  I tried not to but it started hurting again so I took more.

Today I am getting my hair done.  It's getting longer and I like it for a change, I have had short hair for so many years.  Somehow it's really easier to take care of when it's long, maybe because I can pin it up to get it out of my way now.  Anyway don't know how long I'll keep it but for now I will.

Guess that's it from paradise for today y'all.  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, I know I did.  Have a wonderful Friday too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

and Happy Hanukkah for those that celebrate that!  (see - I spelled that right, I think)

I am thankful for... and in NO particular order.

(Poor) planning on my part that will not let me chew food today.  Just think of the calories I'll save!  Well except for gravy which has always been a beverage in my home.

A son that has finally agreed to go with me to the Andrea Bocelli concert in February.  I had to bribe him but he's going and that's all that matters.  And who knows?  Maybe he'll discover he likes it as much as I do!  One can hope, right?

A daughter that had the great sense to come to Dr. Wacks to find a surgeon for her back and that she is 100% pain free because of their skills and her endurance.

A son-in-law that loves to swim with me when he can!  And tells me he loves me!  How many son-in-laws do that?  He's a peach!  Never mind that he's a great husband and father too.

The color pink.  It just makes me happy.  And that I get to live with it.

Roche'.  That little thing gives me endless pleasure.  He's a pistol and tosses hissy fits like cats toss hairballs but still... he's mine and I love him.

Health!  I've come a long way in the last two years and I plan on continuing forward as far as my (somewhat less) fat a$$ will let me.

Friends.  Cyber and otherwise.  It's really my cyber friends that keep me company daily and I love you all.

Online shopping.  I love not having to go into the stores to have the lovely things just brought to my door.  Of course the doorman says otherwise but I don't have to please him, now do I?  

Living next door to the club where I have most of my social life.  My card playing, lunches, occasional dinners, and the friendly staff there.  This includes Andre' and the gym now too.

Memories.  I have them.  Now if I could just remember where I put them!

Cruise ships.  Big ones.  Mostly with the whale tail on the back of them.  And all the fun they bring including piano bars, even if I do occasionally sit on the piano.

Our pool.  I have endless hours of pleasure there.  And my pool buddies, they encourage me daily.

Warm weather and that I get to live where it's warm almost always.  Even if it's not all that warm today.

FPL.  (Florida Power and Light) for sending me my power bill of - are you ready for this one???  FORTY-SEVEN dollars!  Yay.

Grandchildren.  Now I don't mean to put them way down on the list either.  Remember I said no particular order.  I just wish I could post more about them but I can't so that's that.

The Internet.  It seems like a funny thing to be thankful for but I am.

People that do NOT wear perfume.  Especially in restaurants.  Perfume is evil.  Why do I have to smell what they want me to smell?  I'd rather smell my food.  Or nothing.  I believe it's very selfish to wear perfume.  I have friends that disagree with me but this is my list.  They can put their danged stinking perfume on their own list.

There is much more that I am thankful for but the list is long enough to have already lost your attention.  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I will too!

Now that's what I call a pink chair!   Remember I ordered this from Ethan Allen over two months ago?  Well it came yesterday.  It is very comfortable.  And very pink.  And I love it very much!  Roche' is claiming it as his but we'll have to see about that.  Dan (remember him?) said the lamp shade needs to be white.  I agree.  I'll get one.

I won four dollars at poker last night.  Better than losing, a night out, fun, and a win.

My mouth is still very tender, the stitches are still there of course but it's not too bad and I know that part will be over soon.  I am very glad I had it done.

Since this is the last day before Thanksgiving I hate to have to go to Publix but I do.  I can only eat things like eggs and cottage cheese, stuff like that.  Well I didn't buy eggs this week thinking I had enough.  I didn't.  So that will be my day.  Hope yours is fantastic!

This is what it looked like all day yesterday.  This is an old photo but it looked the same.  A good day to sit in the dental chair and come home and relax.

So for those of you interested here's what happened.  He said it would not hurt and it didn't.  Just pressure and noise.

I had dental implants on my upper gums.  They are stitched up and all you can see is the stitches.  There is nothing "sticking out" at this time.  That comes later.  Now we wait for the bone to grow around them.  I can wear my denture until then.  I took Advil afterwards and ate soup the rest of the day and nothing much else.  Oh and he gave me an antibiotic.

I had to ice my face for a while too.  He said there may be some discoloration (black and blue?) and some swelling.  None yet though.  I can do whatever I feel like doing now too except no straws or things like that.  Just like if you had a tooth pulled.  

I go back next Monday for him to check everything.  Then I wait.

Next will be my regular dentist and he will do the pretty teeth!  He said he'd give me a perfect smile.

Now if you decide to do this here is what I'd like you to know.  First get a really good professional to do it, not one of those on the tv commercials for $499.00.  Nope, get someone that does THIS for a living and not too old, been to school not too long ago!

Want to know the cost?  I don't mind telling you if you are interested.  First was the scan to see if it was possible meaning the location of my sinus cavities.  That was $380.00.  Yesterday was $9800.00, $1500.00 of which my insurance covered.  I paid the rest.  The next part will be approximately $18,000.00.  Since it's after the first of January my insurance MAY pay another $1500.00.  That will depend on whether they choose to use a calendar year or a 12 month period.  Don't know.  

Anyway when I thought about it, it's about the cost of a mid priced car and I decided to keep my car for a lot longer and do this instead.  It's just choices.

Anyway sorry if this is not something you wanted to know, come back tomorrow!  But if you did want to know, well, there you have it in a nutshell.  Written by the nut herself!

Have a great day...  me too.

All went well, I was in the chair for an hour and a half and all the implants are done.  No pain.  At all.  None.  Now when the novocaine wears off it may be a different story but if you are considering this don't be afraid.  It's not bad at all.

Bee...

Roche' wanted me to show you how cute he is.  He's pretty full of himself but I don't care, I think he's cute too.  That "dot" looking thing on his forehead is one of the rhinestones, a blue one.  Most of them fell off.  I know, it's time to glue on some more for him.

When I got back from the grocery store yesterday it was raining and blowing and howling and then raining sideways so no pool.  And it rained and howled wind until bedtime and beyond.  At least it was sunny and warm while I was out.

So remember I'll be the one at the dentist today.  Don't know how I'll feel afterward but he says he won't hurt me.  I'll be the judge of that though.  Stay tuned...

Well it's Sunday again so that means lunch with the duck and grocery store wandering.  I decided to get a turkey breast and roast it even though I am going to the Fern House for Thanksgiving dinner.  I like turkey, it's cheap and low cal and I just don't know why I don't cook it more often.

Have you ever heard of OOMA?  I saw a commercial for it and went to see about it online.  It's a box to replace your phone company and for less than $5.00 a month (the local taxes and 911 fees) you have unlimited service including long distance.  I even looked at calling Canada and it's about a penny a minute.  I am considering it and will research it a bit more but if you know about it I'd love to hear from you.  Most of the customer reviews are good.

It's getting cooler this week, the high on Thursday is only going to be 73°and that's not nearly warm enough to get in the pool.  

Tomorrow I am having my dental work done.  Wish me luck!  And have a great day.  I will too...

This is my "before" photo.  Let's see what happens in the next few months.  And meet Andre'.  Hopefully I will have a fabulous "after" photo.  But no promises.

They turned down the temperature in the pool.  It was 78°and was much cooler to get into but much better to work in.  (Y'all.)  If it doesn't get any cooler than that I'll be happy.

I hate to keep reminding you of how fast time is going but do you realize there is only one more week in November?  One. More. Week.  Yikes.

I was up in the middle of the night and saw a Dennis Miller special on HBO.  Now if you are easily offended don't read the rest of this paragraph please.  You have been warned.....  He was trying to get the lid off a jar of jelly beans and couldn't.  He said it was harder to get off than Martha Stewart on dirty sheets.  I don't know about you but I thought that was funny as heck.

Okay if you left me you can start reading again now.  

Last night the fundraiser was a BLAST!  I am so glad I went.  Well all except for I ate too much.  Everything was so delicious.  The show was amazing, the live band wonderful, all the staff donated their time, the band, the show, the valet car parkers, all of it was donated and the money raised all goes straight to the Philippine Red Cross.  There was an auction, a silent auction, and the crowd was huge.  They showed a slide show of the devastation and it was so bad, I just don't know how they can cope with it.  It will be years getting back to normal.

So all in all I had a great day yesterday.  Today shall be the same, I declare it so!

Roche' simply cannot understand why he can't do this too.  The poor little thing is so frustrated from trying.  He just keeps falling flat on his - um - his - bottom?  Anyway he just keeps falling.  

That little guy gives me so much pleasure, he keeps me company and talks to me and makes me realize just how lonely I'd be without that rock!  I highly recommend getting one.  Just try not to get one that likes to dress up  all the time.  And insists you hot glue rhinestones on his little self.  And plays in your make up.  And throws hissy fits.  But other than that, he's my joy!

So yesterday I won five bucks at canasta.  Today I go back to see Andre'.  It's leg day.  Hope I can walk home afterwards.

Then tonight is the fund raiser for the hurricane victims.  It's going to be a silent auction and some entertainment and a great dinner menu including prime rib and turkeys.  Lots of things I can eat and stay on target if I just stay away from the cake table.

Have a wonderful Friday y'all.  I know I will too.

Roche' was sunning himself by the pool.  At least he didn't wear his wig down there.  He's taken to keeping it on most of the time now and he likes gowns too.  He's quite the little dapper dude(ette).  

So yesterday it was Steve and Jane's day to clean and Jane brought two of her three daughters to help her while Steve got their brakes fixed.  Well young teenaged girls and me get along fine.  I took them to my makeup drawer.  They got a load of stuff to take home and try (all new) and a bottle of Wen too.  They were super sweet girls and the apartment sparkled when they left.  Great family, all of them.

Today I have lunch with some gals and canasta.  I don't think there will be many games next week because of Thanksgiving.  Lots of people are either going out of town or having company come to them from out of town.  I don't mind a week off, my dental procedure is Monday and if it's nice weather I'll spend most of the week at the pool.  I have several books I'm about to read and it'll be a nice week.  And no cooking for the holiday for me!

So that's it from my world.  Hope your having a great day.  You know I am!

The pool is so warm - wait for it - it's almost too warm!  84°and running.  When you first get it it feels like a bathtub but when you are working out it gets hot.  I'd much rather it be hot than cold though.

So last night I lost $88.00 back in the poker game.  It was a fun game though.  The winter players are back and it's good to see old friends.  We are planning our holiday party, just a dinner before the game.  I'll make the salad again.  I'm now the salad queen.

Did I tell you that Friday night the club is having a fund raiser for the hurricane victims?  I don't remember.  Anyway we'll all go and donate and hopefully it'll do some good.  The manager of the grille room lost some of his family in it.  Cousins.  Very sad.

Guess that's all I know.  Yesterday I did two posts so that's all you get today! Ha ha.  Anyway have a great day y'all.  I will too...

So okay, here's my project.

Well the small one to give me courage.

An old thrift shop stool.

I already covered the seat.

Add some Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax.

Just get it on there.

Let it dry and then wax and buff.

If your arms aren't too sore from the gym.

And here it is.

Thanks Barb for the courage!

I don't think I ever showed you the whole group on the cruise.  Sorry.  This photo is courtesy of the fine photographer Ray McTeague.  He was the "official" group photographer and a fine one at that.  How often do you get that many people together and have every single one of them smiling at the same time?  I think I smiled the entire eight days.  I am just SO glad I went.

So I had my second session with Andre' yesterday and he worked arms.  I can barely lift a pencil now but I'll be stronger soon!  Anyway I asked him about a monthly rate and the rates are set by the club.  I took ten sessions for $320.00.  If I need more after that then we'll see.  I guess it's not too bad.  The gym is included in my membership to the club so I save that.

When I got home I got in the pool but didn't do much.  Then I was going to finish my project but the next part is waxing and I was just not able to do it, my arms wouldn't work!  

So - - - I had a shower and a nap!  It was a great day!  Hope yours was too...

Yesterday after I went to lunch with the duck and then the WalMart and then swimming I went upstairs and started a project, long overdue.  I am not finished enough to show you yet but I shall very soon.

I also watched more tv about JFK then I ever thought existed and way more than I wanted to if you wondered, but it was on and I was busy and so it was.  Fifty years it's been since that awful day.  Well in a few days it will be.  

I was in high school home economics class.  Do they even have home ec any more?  It was required when I went.  Cooking, sewing, housekeeping, all of it.  Even budgets.

So where were you (if you were even born yet) when he was shot?

Well it's getting to be turkey time again.  What are you doing this year?  I am going to the Fern House for dinner with the duck.  It's always very nice.  And delicious too!

So if you remember I go back to the gym today at 11:00 for another torture strength training session.  I am going to ask Andre' if I can get a monthly rate for two months.  If not I don't want to go twice a week or three times at $30.00 a pop.  But I don't feel ready to do it by myself either.  Oh well, what the heck, you know I'll do it.  Dr. Wacks told me to!

Have a great Monday y'all.  I will too.

I posted this photo of princess Laura and I because someone (anonymous) was asking me yesterday in the comments about my hair stuff, WEN.  I swear everywhere I go people comment on my hair now.  This is what it is.  I use the Sweet Almond Mint cleaning conditioner twice and then leave in the styling cream and a bit more of the conditioner.  I recommend watching youtubes on how to use it though because it is not shampoo and you do it differently.  You use cool water and it takes about 15 minutes in the shower or bath.

Now I also use the body wash and love that as well.  I do not recommend buying from Guthy Renker because they put you on automatic reorder whether you want to be or not and I get it from either Amazon.com or QVC, both are the cheapest too.

It is pricy but I think it's worth the money.  I can't even say it lasts a long time because you use a lot of it.  Don't skimp on how much you use, it's not as good if you do.  

One thing different though is I only have to do my hair about every third day instead of every day.  My hair is pretty short and I use 10 pumps twice.  Then when the second is rinsed out I use one pump more and a pump of the styling cream and leave that in.  Sometimes I use the mousse after this, sometimes not.

If you try it let me know how you like it.

Sorry if this was boring to those of you that don't care about hair.  The end.  Carry on.

Gosh it's still windy.  So here's what happened yesterday.  I went to Dr. Wacks at 10:00 and my weight was the same, blood pressure 120/68, cholesterol perfect, no diabetes, all good things.  No aches and pains.  Then.  (Stay tuned for the rest of the story...)

So we talk about why I am no longer losing weight.  He said to start to measure the food again because when you stop then portions creep up (that's true) and - get this - change my exercise.  Yup.  The water jogging can now be for fun and pleasure but the needed exercise is in the gym.

Luckily I have the club next door to me with a full gym and trainer on site.  So I go and I hire the trainer for personal training and off I go into the land of aches and pains.  No, seriously, it's not too bad but I am a bit sore.  

Dr. Wacks knows Andre' (the trainer there) and he tells me to tell Andre' that he sent me for weight loss and he'd know exactly what to do.  It will kick up my metabolism and it's mostly strength training.  It's 30 minutes.  I go back Monday morning for another pain and torture training session.  Now some years back I did go to a gym but haven't been in years now.  I think I remember why.

I came home and changed into my bathing suit and got in the pool to work my arms and legs so they wouldn't ache so much.  Then I crawled came home, got a shower, and got in my nightgown.  At. 3:00.

So that's my story Morning Glory.  What's yours?

Oh, one other thing.  Dr. Wacks told me to get out and have some fun.  I told him I already did.  He said good, keep it up.  The end.

This is Judy and Laura with me on the cruise.  And yes, that's water in my glass.  We were in the Red Frog Pub.  It's a fun place to hang out, music and happy staff there.  Snacks too.  I think we were waiting to go to dinner.  Or somewhere.  But I loved being there with them.

Let me be the first to tell you that November is half over already.  Thanksgiving is around the corner and Christmas won't be far behind.  Yikes.  

Today I am going to see Dr. Wacks for my 3 month checkup and then I am going to the pool.  It's supposed to be nice.  Hopefully the wind will stop.  It's driving me crazy! Kidding but it is still blowing.  Woosh.

Have a wonderful Friday y'all.  You sure know I will!

Boy oh boy it's been windy again.  I mean blow you over windy.  

Today I have canasta and lunch with some gals and it's a good game.  

Many of the snow birds are back now.  I am getting many comments about my hair.  It's Wen.  My hair is soft and shiny and bouncy.  Is it expensive?  Yes, but I will not give it up any time soon.  I use the conditioning cleanser, the styling cream, the mousse, and the refreshing spray.  And now I don't have to wash my hair every day, sometimes it's every three days now.

Last night I had pistachio encrusted Chilean Sea Bass.  Was that ever delicious.  The best fish I have ever had really.  It had a green apple relish that was amazing too.

The weather was calling for a cold front, they talked about it for three days.  It was huge news.  It got down to 73.  Gosh.

Have a great Thursday y'all.  I will too!

Boy howdy poker went good last night.  I won $179.00!  I just couldn't do anything wrong no matter what I did,  it's good to have a night like that!

Today I have a game at the club so no pool but that's okay, we had a cool front come through and the high is only going to be in the mid 70's.  I don't like to swim when it is less than 80°even if the water is warm.

Someone said to me on the cruise that when she grows up she wants to be me.  You know I don't blame her.  I am one gal with a wonderful life.  I hope the same for you...