Feel Real Good

Feel Real Good

Hi, have you ever had a day where you just feel real good? Today was such a day for me. Nothing spectacular happened, just several nice things. First was my Weight Watchers meeting. I am truly enjoying this more with each passing week. Meeting new people. Now that I am working from home, I miss the socialization I once had. WW has given me a much needed outlet.

My blog has also been a blessing. While creating mine, I have found new blogging friends. One such friend is Dee with GrammysGrid.com. I say she is a friend because she has been a tremendous resource. She just makes me feel good by making me feel important, always answering any questions I may have about my website, software and such. Not to mention her prompt replies to the comments I add to her posts, that in itself makes me feel important.

As I have mentioned in prior posts, I had taken many senior portraits, family session, engagement pictures and weddings for 20 some years. I have since slowed down, only doing an occasional shoot here and there. This weekend was one of those here and there’s.

What lead up to this weekend was when I was on Facebook and saw a high school friend had just gotten engaged to another high school friend (Cris and Todd). Well, one of my 101 in 1001 goals (#99) is to be a wedding crasher. No bashfulness, I asked them when and where they were getting married. Does inviting yourself count as a wedding crasher? 🙂 I was flattered when they asked me if I would take their wedding pictures. Of course I said yes! We took a few engagement pictures this weekend.

Then I met my son, we filled his medicine pillbox, had lunch and then did grocery shopping. Our usual Saturday stuff. Always have a nice time with him. Then I drove home. As I was getting close to home, I had to pull the car over and take this picture.

feel real good home
“Home is not a place….it’s a feeling.”

Standing on the gravel road, looking at my husband’s and my home, I felt good. Still do when I look at this picture. My whole day was a feel good day. Driving down the road and seeing this, just made my day even better.

I have so much to be grateful for, and by the Grace of God, I can enjoy this for many more years with my husband. Amen!

May you enjoy a feel good day!

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -14lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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Make a List

make list

Make a List

Hi, have you ever gotten to the store, bought your things and once home you realized you forgot the item you specifically went to get? This is happening to me more than what I like to admit. And it’s not limited to just buying things at the store.

This week I had to run errands. While at the house I thought about all the things I needed to do. The car was on empty, get gas. I like going to Sonic to get a route 44 tea. Then into town to go to the Social Security office. I was prepared to be at the office most of the day. I remembered that line can be extremely long.

I got into the car to leave. My drive will take about 40 minutes. I stopped to get my Sonic route 44. Then as I left Sonic I began to think what I needed to do when I got to the social security office. About 10 minutes into my drive I remembered I needed gas. Uh-oh…..

empty gas tank

I had passed up the last gas station before I got to my destination. As you can see my tank is on empty! I took the picture and probably was not the smartest thing to do while driving. I had approximately 25 miles to go to get to town. Keeping fingers crossed, I did not run out of gas. The first gas station I came to, I stopped and filled up!

Luckily I did not run out of gas. That would not be fun. This has made me think about making a list, shopping and to do list. Which would make shopping easier. The need to remember would be eliminated with just looking at my list!

I must admit the older I get, I recognize changes I am experiencing. Memory loss being one of those. Of course I did Google about age and memory and was comforted to know this is normal for persons 50 and older. If my lists do not help me, I will definitely consult my doctor.

One source I visit often is the Mayo Clinic. This article mentioned misplacing keys, forgetting people’s names but remember them later. This describes me.

A short while ago I did add to my key ring an Apple AirTag. It’s already been helpful. I was at the doctors office and had set my keys down in the lobby. After my appointment I went to my car and could not unlock it. Used my phone to find my keys, worked like a charm!

key ring on chain

Remote Shutter
AirTag

This week’s WW meeting topic: Single Tasking. I have not heard of this before my meeting. Multi-tasking is a term I am familiar. Single tasking focuses on the moment. My list is multi-tasking. Each item on the list, a single task. Focus on one task at a time and not the whole list. The idea of a single task is to eliminate stress, focus on the moment and stop the squirrel like thoughts running in the mind. Allowing me to focus on the pleasures of the now, not be thinking of other things needing to be done and ruining the pleasures of the moment.

single task

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -11.6lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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My Cell Phone is more than Just a Phone

My Cell Phone is more than Just a Phone.

Hi, everyone now days has a cell phone. I remember back in the day when no one had them. And once upon a time, when someone did have one and it rang in public, it was considered rude!

How do you use your cell phone? In this post I would like to share how I use mine. Most of the apps I use are the free version. There are a few applications that I upgrade to the pro or premium. I will notate as I go which app is the paid version. Safety is huge, be sure to use applications wisely. One safety practice I use is not connecting to public wifi.

Now days our smartphones are just that, smart. I have heard we should consider them a computer in our pocket. Like most, I use my phone for calls, regular and by video; social media; taking pictures. In addition to the norms: I edit my pictures; track my steps; calendar to schedule appointments; banking, check balances, transfers and pay bills.

most used apps

Smartphones are not cheap. Because of this I am trying to utilize my smartphone more. The app Adobe Scan has been a wonderful find. I no longer use my scanner that is connected to my PC. Using my phone now to scan simplifies my life. Just take a picture in the app to generate the pdf file. This can be saved right to my phone and I am able to email as needed.
adobe scan

Apps I can not live without

  • Project Life (standard)
  • PicTapGo (this is a yearly subscription)
  • Calendar (standard calendar on phone)
  • Weight Watchers (active member)
  • Bublup (free)
  • Maps (standard on phone)
  • Sonic (half price drinks all the time!)
  • Pedometer (Basic)
  • WW Update:
    Since Start Date; -10.6lbs 🙂

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

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    Fun Weekend with Grand-Girls!

    fun weekend with grand girls

    Fun Weekend with Grand-Girls!

    Hi, what a fun weekend I experienced with my grand-girls. My daughter and son-in-law went out of town with friends for a float trip. Which translates to me getting to spend the entire weekend with the girls, YES!!

    I took the day Friday away from my work to do my weekend errands in the morning so I could drive to Topeka and get the girls picked up from summer camp by 4pm. That evening we went back to their house to take care of the pups, get dinner ready and then movie time. Grandma let the girls stay up later than their bedtime. Saturday morning Kevin came out to sat with the girls while I went to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting. While I was away, Kevin took the girls to the Farmer’s Market. Upon my return the girls were excited to tell me, they got some honey sticks and already ate them. After Kevin left, we ate our lunch and decided to go to the Topeka Zoo.

    fun weekend with grand-girls

    After the zoo we stopped by the girls choice restaurant, McDonald’s. Brynlee likes the playground. We ate and then I watched the girls play for a bit. Then back to their house. Once back to the house we let the doggies out and fed them. By this time the weather had cooled down some. We went outside for some fun activities, hula hoop and jump rope. Here is a fun video of the girls trying to teach me how to hula hoop!


    MacBook viewers: If the video does not appear, switch from Safari browser to Google.
    The video will then appear.

    The best part of the day for me was when the girls were getting ready for bed. Briella told me she had a fun day. This warmed my heart. My husband always asks me what memories did we make after I am with the grand girls. This is certainly a memory I will treasure.

    Sunday was my last day to spend with the girls. The plan was to meet Shaune’s parents for them to take the girls to Branson. Our hand off was a success!

    handoff successful

    This weekend the grand girls and I completed two of my 101 in 1001. #13 Go to the Topeka Zoo and #89 Learn How to Hula Hoop. At least I tried! 🙂

    WW Update:
    Since Start Date; -8.8lbs 🙂

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

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    My Journey

    My Journey

    Hi, I am just beginning to comprehend my weight loss will be a journey, a long journey. I never really thought about Weight Watchers. As I mentioned in the previous post it was a friend who returned to the program and that is what prompted me to join. Saturday I went to my meeting. The meetings are for support. And I have come to understand I need this support.

    The first person I met at my meetings is sitting behind me in the bottom right picture, Patty. She has lost 85 pounds since she began the program. That was a year ago. At these meetings I was advised that during my journey I will loose some weight and there will be times I will gain. This past Saturday was a week I gained 1.4lbs. My all time weight tally to date, -3lbs.

    my journey

    Knowing my personality, this will need to be kept real simple. Measuring out my foods is not simple. I have been giving this some thought. Rather lots of thoughts. Here are a few ways I found to help me with measuring.

    measuring

    The jars are 8oz. I will be using this jar for all drinks, water will be the exception. Simple to measure, if only 4oz I can eyeball that pretty close! The clear cups are 2oz. This will be for food items like salad dressings and cheese. I am sure I will be able to use with other foods as well. When I order my deli meat, once sliced I request the clerk to show me how many slices is 4oz.

    I was discouraged to say the least with my gain. With the encouragements from fellow members, I will continue to track my food, stay within my points. My journey is a work in progress.

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

    Looking My Best

    Looking My Best

    Hi, I took the plunge and joined Weight Watchers. For the past year I have tried cutting back on calories and walking. Not much success. A friend, Linda, returned to the program. She had fabulous results and then waivered from the program. It was during one of our virtual walks she had mentioned her return.

    Saturday I went to my first meeting and signed up with Weight Watchers. With Linda doing the program and our virtual walking, I feel like I have the needed support and accountability to be successful. I do want to mention that I am not being compensated, endorsed for this post. I am merely explaining what I am trying to do to meet a few of my 101 in 1001 goals, #’s 66, 68 and 69.

    weight watchers Counting calories wasn’t working. One day using the tracking method with weight watchers I discovered is more convenient. The Weight Watchers app is very user friendly. The foods I thought I was eating that were ‘good’ was not. For example, I would eat yogurt with granola for breakfast (and still be hungry) for a calorie count of 300. On a 2000 calorie diet this isn’t bad. But that’s 8 points with Weight Watchers. My daily point count is 29. Even with tracking calories, the point method brings more light on weight loss. Most of what I was eating were high points. As long as I can stick with my daily points, I should see 1-2 pounds loss each week.

    One thing I will need to do more of, drink water. I do not like the taste of water. Kind of funny, does water have a taste? 🙂
    I do have a plan to conquer my dislike of water taste.flavor water

    After my first Weight Watcher’s meeting, I did my grocery shopping. Kevin went with me and he did not complain about the time it was taking me to scan each item I placed into the cart. And I did, scan each item. Quite a few items I used to get, I had to choose an alternative. I expressed my concerns about the water with Kevin. We went to the water isle and it was here that Kevin pointed out the flavors. Some of the guys Kevin works with uses flavors in their water. I thought I’d give it a try. Water is 0 points and the flavor is 0 too! I selected the berry flavor this time.

    One of my main concerns is how my diet for Crohn’s will work within my 29 daily points. I remember telling my doctor I could not be diabetic. All I can eat is potatoes, pasta and meat! I’ll give an update on what I discover for meals that work for me.

    I’m embarrassed with my current weight. So I will not share. But, what I will share is my weight progress with you here. Another accountability measure to help keep me on track.

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

    2022 Holidays | Merry Christmas!

    Hi, Merry Christmas 2022 to you. Our holiday festivities will be celebrated over a two week time frame beginning last weekend Saturday, December 17 thru next Monday, January 2, 2023. Funny how the older I become, the more I enjoy going slower. Enjoy the present a little more! The grand girls are the opposite, they have been so excited for Christmas morning and seeing what Santa brought.

    We kick started the season with meeting up with my husband’s family on Saturday, Dec 17, 2022. Our Christmas gathering was at the Hollis Renewal Center. Our family has outgrown going to one family’s home to celebrate indoors during the chilly holiday.

    Holiday in laws

    Kevin’s siblings all were able to join; something I am truly grateful for! It was the second generation we missed. As the family grows time together is a commodity cherished when we can be together! They were missed as we had a wonderful time eating, playing games and celebrating this holy holiday Christmas.

    Merry Christmas 2022 games

    Christmas with my parents was moved to Monday, January 2, 2023. Erika and her family had caught a cold from their travels the week before to Branson. Not wanting to pass the bug on, the decision to reschedule was made.

    Kevin and I joined Erika and Shaune (and girls) on Saturday as previously planned; not to celebrate Christmas, but eat ham and beans and watch the Chiefs play football. The Chiefs won! Each time I am with the girls, I do my best to get our selfie. This day Brynlee was given the selfie stick and was in charge to take our picture this time.

    Holiday selfie

    Merry Christmas 2022!

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

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    Treasures Found While Recycling | Mushrooms

    Treasures Found

    Hi, it’s amazing at how the smallest thing can bring so much happiness. I have started recycling; mainly aluminum cans and plastic milk jugs. Just before grocery shopping I dropped off several bags of cans. Nothing unusual about that. What was fun was the surprise I found once I opened the cover to the recycling can house. Adam was with me and he had his phone with him; he took several pictures. Not me, I had no phone nor camera. So the next day I went back. Another surprise, they were still there!

    treasure mushroom
    LENS: 30 mm Macro
    EXP: 1/60 sec; f/3.5; ISO 200

    In the local Dillon’s parking lot is the Cans for the Community recycling bin; I refer to it as the can house. Cans for the Community proceeds from recycling are donated to local non-profit organizations.

    treasures mushroom

    You can see the small mushrooms on the bottom right side of the opened sliding door in the middle and right image above. As cute as these mushrooms are, still be very careful. Mushrooms can be dangerous. We never touched them, just looked at them and took many pictures!

    What’s even funnier; after taking these pictures I researched macro photography and found that it is recommended shooting with a smaller aperture. The first image above I used the largest aperture for this lens f/3.5. So I went back to the can house the following day. Guess what, they were still there! One had faded (expired, died) and another one had grown open more. Here is one of the pictures taken with the smaller aperture of f/10. Note that in this image my distance is a bit closer to the mushroom treasures.

    treasure mushrooms
    LENS: 30 mm Macro
    EXP: 1/60 sec; f/10; ISO 640

    Have you found any treasures such as this? If so, where did you find it?

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

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    Killdeer Nest of Eggs, Can You Find It?

    Hi, can you find the Killdeer nest in the image below?

    killdeer nest
    EXP: 1/1000 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

    It was last weekend when I was with Kevin while feeding the cows that he asked me if I could see the Killdeer nest. As I was looking everywhere, Kevin just laughed. He said it’s out in plain site. I had to admit that I didn’t know what I was looking for- never seen a Killdeer nest before. Heck, I wasn’t sure what a Killdeer even looked like!

    You might see the nest right off the dot. But when you are out in the open pasture the nest isn’t easy to see. This is down by the pond/cabin, Kevin marked the nest with two bigger rocks so he wouldn’t mow over them.

    killdeer-eggs
    EXP: 1/640 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

    Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
    Gma’s photo

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