Edgar !

How about that Edgar !  He is taking it easy in one of my baskets and taking a nap.  What a cutie he is.  Although he is one of those cats you admire from afar.  We have had him since he was a little kitty but and I do mean BUT DO NOT PET him.  Maybe he will be nice and let you but chances are he will stop just in time before your arm and hand are dripping blood.  I don't know why he is that way.  I do know he has been in some close calls with some wild animals that do come around (coyotes) and I do provide a cat door so he can get inside when ever he wants but I think he gets too big for his britches and gets into these situations that it's not so easy to get out of.  So we spoil him when we can and do not touch him.

Okay, have I distracted you away from me going to the gym.  No I haven't gone back yet and yes I do plan on going back.  I'm just having a hard time doing just that.  I will, I know I will, for one I am still paying for it each month but not just for that.  I know it's something I should be doing just for my health.  I do but why am I not losing any weight or inches.  I have stayed the same whether I am going to the gym or not.  I do admit I feel stronger and of course I assume the muscles around my heart are getting stronger so I guess that is what I should be concentrating on.  Maybe it won't show but I will be doing a lot of good and lets face it that is what is important.  Wish me luck !  Tootles

No Gym ?! WHAT !!!

Okay, Okay, lets not go overboard.  No I have not gone to the gym for a couple of weeks.  We have had some things happen, like medical in the family and that's where I had to be.  It's all good now, Thank Heaven, and I plan on going back Monday.

I have kept up exercising, like using my right arm shoveling in food.  Ha !  It hasn't really been that bad but I sure have noticed it's getting a little soft in places that were pretty firm and I notice my energy level is not what it was.  So I have to say going to the gym has been wonderful and I can't wait to get back there.  It's just a good feeling knowing you are doing something for yourself and it's a good thing.

 Lemon water and lots of homemade vegetable soup, now that is the ticket.

It's refreshing and delicious.  I try to make soup at least once a week and have it for a couple of days.  It doesn't cost a lot and it's really good for you and so delicious.

Hey,  Jim and I were in Mendocino last weekend and I tried Buckwheat bread for the first time.  I have always stayed away from it as I thought it was full of wheat.  NOT the case. There is no wheat in Buckwheat !  Strange !  This bakery is amazing and when I ask if they still had any bread left (it was a crazy day and very busy, Plus their shelves were looking empty) she said they had Focasia and Buckwheat.  I took both.  They were delicious.

Now I am looking up recipes to make my own.  I haven't really checked in Chico Bakeries as just by chance they

might have some at one of them.  I doubt it but should have a positive thought and I'm sure they will.   Tootles

Gym, Jim or Gem !

Had to put this here.  My daughter put this on fb and I have laughed and laughed about it.  Wouldn't we all like to do this.

The Gym is going great.  I really do love going and doing all the workouts.  I have lost 1 inch on my hips, 1 inch on my waist and 1 inch on my thigh which is not what I should be doing as Irene said you want to gain inches of muscle there.  Don't know why that is happening.  I also gained in my upper arm, I believe that was an inch or maybe not can't remember for sure but Irene said that was good as it is muscle.  I do really feel stronger in my upper body and love doing those weight machines.  It's such a challenge to try and do more weights and I love how good it makes me feel.  Today I did the bike.  I went 3.2 miles in 30 minutes at between 6.9 and 7.2 miles per hour.  I have done better then that as went 4.2 miles in 30 minutes at I think around 8.4 miles per hour.  What I do is bike normal at number1 for about 3  minutes.  Then the last 30 seconds of a minute will pump it up to 4, 5, or 6 which is a lot harder to cycle.  When the 30 seconds is over bring it back down to 1 and settle down.  I do this about every 3 or 4 minutes.  I want to slowly get my heart up and then let it rest.  I do have artrial Fibulation and sometimes my heart beats funny, not in a balanced beat.  So hoping to get all the muscles around my heart strong.  Hey its making me feel great and I love the feeling of sore muscles.  I know I have challenged myself and will always try harder. 

You noticed in the title I put gym, Jim or gem.  Well on the 12th is Jim and I's  "45"  Wedding Anniversary.  So that is where the Jim comes from and I'm sure you have guessed the gem is for the sapphire which represents the 45 Anniversary.  Hey, a girl can dream.  What we are planning on doing is leaving very early Sunday morning and heading to Mendocino, CA.  We do love that town and just spend the day.  Have a couple good meals, enjoy each others company, oh and, have I told you we have a New Prius !  It's a dream all in itself.  All you have to do is go to the gas pumps.  We average anywhere from 47 to 52 miles per gallon.  Not kidding !  It's a beautiful car, we got the 3 as it has the navigation which we do like once we figured out how to use it.  If you are thinking about it, think no longer.  Go, go get it, go get it now !!! You won't be sorry and think of all the trips you can take now that gas is not a factor.  Tootles

Gym today with Irene

 Really Tuesday through Saturday are gym days but today I meet with Irene.  I really like her and she shows me just what I can do.  I'm always sore but sore in a good way.  As you know you have really worked your muscles.

These pictures are from my yard.  You walk in my gate and to the right is the first picture.  Walk to the end of this path and turn around and that is the second picture.  It's really peaceful and calm.  We plan on putting in pavers before the rains come.  Everyone says we are going to have a record year for rain.  I do want lots of rain just have a problem as then have to deal with a lot of mud.

I go at 11 to the gym.  So glad I started this.  I feel so much better and want to continue feeling this way.  Will keep you posted.  Tootles

Chocolate and off to the Gym !

Yeah !! Right !!  I read this as I go out the door to the Gym.  Thank God, there really isn't any chocolate right there.  I do love chocolate and I do have some now and then but right now it's more important for me to watch what I am eating.  I do want to be stronger and stronger and yes I do want to lose weight, after all I am a Woman but right now it's more important for me to be healthy.  I do feel I am doing very well.  Although this morning I up at 6:00, take my shower, get ready for the gym.  Off I go and am so proud of myself for getting around so early.  I pull up in front, jump out of the car, go to the door and it is locked.  I read the sign on the door and this is Saturday.  They do not open until 8:00.  I am a whole hour early.  Darn !  So what do I do ?  No, I do not wait.  I mean come on a whole hour.  I go to Starbucks, order two coffee's and two croissants with cream cheese and bring them home for Jim and I to share.  It was a good morning.  It's good to make the best of things and I felt I did.  I will be there Monday morning with bells on.  So it's all good !  Tootles

Gym, Exercise and Trainer's

I am so excited, very sore, very happy, very sore and feeling very good about myself.
I have joined a Gym.  What is special about this Gym is it's about 10 minutes away.  The equipment is top of the line and the most exciting thing is  Ta Duh!  I have a trainer.  Her name is Irene and she is a spitfire.  Little tiny lady and full of power.  I need a lot of help to get in shape.  Not so much fashion wise but I need to be stronger, much stronger then I was.  I have had some medical problems in the past which left me very weak and have since built myself back up but as time goes by and you get older,  well, things creep up on you and all of a sudden your having trouble walking.  It's not that you can't walk it's that you get extremely tired walking.  We went to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and after walking in I realized how huge it was, well, I knew there is no way I would be able to walk all over.  Believe me you do not want to miss any of the exhibits, whether your a kid or not.  To be honest we still didn't see everything but now we have an excuse to go back and to go back and to go back.  (Like you would need an excuse, Just go back).  So I used one of their wheel chairs.  It really was wonderful as I was able to go all around but I wasn't able to walk with my husband and hold his hand.  I am glad I got the chair but after I thought about it I realized this could be my future.  Is this really what I want.  So about 4 weeks ago I went to our Gym right here in our little town and joined.  Then I got a trainer.  Hey, just in four weeks I can tell I am stronger and I will continue to improve.  If there is a way that I can improve my physical health and well being then I am there.  I go from Tuesday to Saturday.  Sunday and Monday off as my husband is not working then.  I meet with my trainer once a week.  The other days I do weights one day and cardo the next.  It's working out great.  I really feel better and want to continue getting stronger.  She, Irene weighted me and took my measurements at the beginning.  I have 5 sessions with her and I do believe I am going to get 5 more.  She keeps me motivated and right now I need that push to stay with it.  Let's face it if you pay for something you want your money's worth.  Tootles

Just some of my finds from the Thrift Store.  The dishes are from England.  Cool, uh?


What do you do when you are older, like over 60, maybe even over 65 and you are so unhappy.  I really shouldn't say unhappy, that sounds pretty sad.  I am just not real thrilled with the way my life is right now.  Really everything in my life is great except one little area.  I just wish we had more fun with each other like we use to.  We don't have that meeting of the eyes and grinning or just squeezing each others arms, hands.  You know the touching.  The all out damn glad we are together kind of feeling.  I'm not talking about the bedroom although that could certainly use some improvement.  I'm talking about the can't wait to see you, or can't wait to be by each others side.  I have talked about it and run up against Defense.  To Be Continued.....  Tootles

Rain, Rain go away !

Look at those clouds.  Mother Nature at her finest. What a show she can put on and all you have to do is look up.  I love going for rides when the weather is like this. It's so pleasant.  Here is hoping the rain is about over as I want to get out in my back yard and enjoy it first hand not just looking out the window.  March should go out like a lamb so here is to Lambs on the 31st, Monday.  Tootles

New Year New Happenings !

I am so excited to tell you about what we (Jim and I) may be getting into.
  College !  That is right I found it on line at Chico State University.  It's called "Osher Livelong Learning Institute" and it's for anyone 50 and older.  Wow, finally something that is not just for the youngsters (like people in their 40's).  Jim and I are like in the middle of 60 so this is wonderful news for us.
   Next week is an open house in Chico.  Believe me we are there.  I want to know everything about it.  The price you say.... Well from what I have read so far it's 75. for one semester or 100. yearly.  Now that is something I can handle. 
   Hey, I have already sent off for the first book (should get it today) in Historical Fiction class.  Am I on top or what.  Will have to get my Thinking Cap on for this.  Isn't it great !  To start thinking again and not just about the aches and pains or weather, or what's for dinner, or what's on next !!!!! 
   The picture?  I cut off the A and will take a better picture, it says, "Arcanes Portus Aveo"  Which means...................  Secret Haven of Happiness and Good Health.  That is the name of my Cottage where I live. Perfect !     Tootles