To Daily Post or Not to Daily Post?

I have no idea why I decided to participate in the November NaBloPoMo this year. I've done it before but this time, I already had a nice rhythm going with three posts/week. I met some very lovely bloggers participating in the past and I'm pretty sure that's a huge reason for jumping in even though, in the back of my mind, I thought it to be unnecessary.

I've discovered that my most of my daily posts are inconsequential at best consisting of nothing more than drivel. They don't hold any substantial content. Not that my blog post usually do hold substantial content but, they really don't right now. I'm just throwing stuff up here some days, it seems, to have something because it's a commitment I made. I am someone who sticks to her commitments. Usually. But I'm rethinking this one.

Another thing is I haven't met more than 3 new-to-me bloggers. No one is reading my trifling content. I'm visiting other blogs- I've made it through the letter E on the blogroll of participants and I'm finding that others are posting trivial writings as well.

I don't think NaBloPoMo is a bad idea. If someone is just getting into blogging, it's a good way to get used to posting. If someone has fallen out of the habit, this will help get them back into a rhythm. I also believe that it can be a good way to meet new people of the blogging sort and, on a good day, you can run across a blog with posts that are not only beautifully written but also contain thought-provoking content.

And so I find myself faced with a dilemma of the lowest sort- do I continue posting daily because of my commitment to do so or do I just stop and go back to my more comfortable blogging rhythm? I don't know. That annoying little voice in the back of my mind keeps saying, "But you said you would."

What to do? What I always do- question my motives. WHY am I considering quitting?

• No one is reading my posts
• My posts are drivel
• I don't feel I need to post every day
• I prefer a simpler method to my blogging 

That first one sounds like whining, doesn't it? The drivel part, though? I don't want to post drivel. If I continue this challenge through to the end of November, drivel is what the posts will be. Or a lot of posts about Baby M... 

It's not like I thought I would change the world by blogging. It's not like I thought I would turn into some sort of great writer. It's not like I thought I would make money from blogging. I started because I needed an outlet to help me readjust to having an empty nest. I discovered along the way that there are some wonderful, kind-hearted folks out there and connecting with y'all is one of the main reasons I continued this blog. Another reason is that I do enjoy sharing and writing. This blog brings me friends. It brings me joy. It brings me an outlet- to a degree. But posting every day just to post, I don't know that's bringing me much of anything more than posting every day.

This group has reminded me of going to a new school or a new church or a party and the people who already know each other stick together and there's no room for another person. I'm sure there are others out there who feel this way about this group. Even I have to admit that I am searching for people like me- middle aged, living in an empty nest, retired maybe, and grandparents. None of it is necessary but I do look for those folks when I visit blogs on the blogroll.

Right now, I've stopped linking to the NaBloPoMo folks on FB and the website. Writing posts, finding the places to link them, checking back for comments, reading the blogs of as many as I can in day...it's becoming no fun at all. 

I'm torn. I'll post until I don't. And that could be tomorrow or it could be the end of the month. My 3 posts/week rhythm was nice and I enjoyed it. This every day stuff is driving me nuts. It will be easy to tell if I decide to forget about it because there won't be posts everyday. LOL

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!Thanks so much! 

It's day 17 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 16 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.
15. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE ME IN 2016: where I talk about being a grandma. 
16. HAPPINESS IN THE HODGEPODGE where I share my answers on Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Happiness in the Hodgepodge

Hey, y'all! The Hodgepodge is back! That means Joyce has moved into her new home and I have a post for NaBloPoMo day 16! Ha! 

I thought the autumn months would slow down now that I'm home instead of school but, no. It's the middle of November, y'all. How did that happen? Christmas will be here before you know it and I am not ready. Nor will I be ready. This is crazy. I'm so glad the Hodgepodge is back so I can focus on something other than the speedy quick passage of time. 

1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here. How about this:

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day spend it with your granddaughter!

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you? My bedroom. With the door closed. Sometimes, I'll take Tucker and we go for a walk. But mostly, I go to my room and close the door. The closed door means do not disturb the crazy lady within.

4. What song never fails to make you happy? This one:

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? I can't remember the last time I consumed fast food. Seriously, I think it was last year at school and it was probably Chick-fil-A. If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include? Anything that my grandmother used to cook. :)

6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog. At first, it was to work through my empty nest but, as the days turned to years, it just became some fun. Mostly, though, I blog because I love sharing and meeting new bloggers. 

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today. Baby M, Breezy, Deanie, Birdie, DoodleBug, SILExtraordinaire, DrummerBoy, Tucker, my friends...oh, sorry. This list could go on for quite a while. :) 

8. Insert your own random thought here. If I tried to make sense enough to all the randoms in my head right now, I'd be writing the rest of the day and into the night. Let's just go with how nice it is to have Joyce back from her moving adventure! 

It's day 16 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 15 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.
15. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE ME IN 2016: where I talk about being a grandma. 

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!
Thanks so much! 

What Was It Like To Be Me in 2016?

It's day 15 of  NaBloPoMo for November and I'm still hanging in there! Today, I'm using one of the daily prompts the Blogher gals give us because I'm stumped. I've got too much on my mind and none of it is blog worthy. So...

The prompt: What was it like to be you in 2016?

It was life changing and exciting to be me this year. I decided not to go back to teaching at Thanksgiving of 2015 so I could stay home and provide daycare for my very first grandchild who was born in July and--- I DID IT!

No more school was bittersweet. On one hand not having to be someone at a certain time is helpful with my fibromyalgia. Getting up and moving is not always the easiest thing to do. But I missed those kids and my teacher friends before the school year was over.

But then this little sweetie came along and I knew the decision was a good one.

Have I regretted anything about the decision? Just one thing. But that's something I may or may not share at a later time. Meanwhile, I regret nothing about my time with Baby M!

It's day 15 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 14 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 
13. AND NOW, THE BIGS where I share the big things for which I am grateful. 
14. A SURPRISING GIFT where I tell y'all about the way too generous gift I received.

Please click to visit my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

There are many sets of coasters for your browsing pleasure!
Thanks so much! 

And Now, The Bigs

Yesterday I shared my thankful lists from 2015 and 2016 for the LITTLE things. Today, I'm comparing the BIG things on my thankful list. The big things include the obvious things like friends, family, a home but I've found that some of the big things to be surprising. Who knew?

They say that being thankful every day will make a huge, positive difference in our lives. I tend to agree.

The list from 2015:

BIG Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for someone with whom I reconnected with a few years ago. This person makes such a wonderful difference in my life every single day.
2. My friends at school. I love these people. They are supportive, encouraging, uplifting, funny as hell, sharing, caring, loving, and I would hate going to work every day if they were not there. 
3. Daughters. Because, even when they are on my last nerve, they're still the best kids ever.
4. My Tucker. 
5. A roof over my head that keeps me cool when it's hot out and warm when it's cold out. The running water and electricity are quite nice too.
6. Every day that I am still alive. 
7. My education. I have two bachelor degrees and a masters degree and I'm darn proud of them. Even if I don't get paid squat at my job. 
8. My job. I hate working, but I love my job. 
9. A car. As soon as I get one. Not having one of your own makes you truly appreciated them.
10. Time. 
11. Family traditions.
12. My health.
13. The five senses and the fact that they all work just fine. 
14. Long weekends. In the mountains. 
15. Love. 
16. The seasons. Especially fall and winter. 
17. Food to eat, spring water to drink.
18. The healing power of music. And, the music itself. 
19. Kind hearts.
20. All my blessings.

And now, this year's list:

BIG Things for which I am Grateful 2016:

1. Daughters! My four in particular.
2. Granddaughters! Cause I have one now and I get it.
3. My SILExtraordinaire!
4. My pup! He's still the best!
5. My health and the fact that I haven't done myself in with poor eating habits.
6. Food on the table.
7. Electricity, running water.
8. A roof over my head. Even though it leaked during Matthew. Yikes.
9. Family gatherings when all four daughters and their boys are home AT THE SAME TIME!
10. My amazing friends whether here or in blog land.
11. My parents.
12. Our family traditions.
13. Blogging. Because that's how I met so many wonderful friends in blog land. 
14. Support and encouragement. It means the world. 
15. My grandparents. They've been gone a long time now but not a single day goes by that I don't think of them. 
16. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
17. Weekends!
18. Learning from mistakes. 
19. Safety.
20. The night sky. And the morning sky. :)

Your turn! What are some of you the big things for which y'all are grateful?

It's day 13 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 12 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 

What are Little Thankfuls?

It was so much fun comparing the hashtags about myself from last year (I did this on the Grits) that I thought I would look back and compare my thankful list from 2015 with one I made today.

Last November, I wrote a post about the LITTLE things for which I am thankful. The big things are easy to come up with- friends, family, health, a home...It's the little things that be more difficult to find if we're not paying attention or not in a thankful frame of mind...

Think about those little things we might not even realize we appreciate. The little things that can turn a sour day into something calm and wonderful. The little things that bring happiness to our days. The little things that turn that proverbial frown upside down.

My list from November 2015:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Deep down, in my gut, so hard I can hardly breathe and makes me cry laughter.
2. The way coffee smells and how the steam rises up from the cup when you first pour it. 
3. The way the lights on the Christmas tree sparkle.
4. The smell of rain. 
5. The way snow glistens during a full moon.
6. A song that reminds me of a love from long ago.
7. A memory that brings a smile to my face that begins in my heart.
8. The rhythm of poetry. Especially when it's being read to me. 
9. The sound of a cello, and fog horns, and those little grunts that puppies make. 
10. The smell of homemade bread and the memories it evokes. 
11. Pulling out that winter jacket and finding money in the pocket. 
12. Clean sheets. 
13. A surprise phone call from an old friend. 
14. Snuggling with your puppy. 
15. That thing you wanted is on sale and reduced even more at checkout.
16. Hot chocolate.
17. Sitting in front of the fire.
18. A handmade quilt.
19. Hayrides.
20. Farmers' Markets. 

My list for this year:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Cool autumn weather that finally shows up.
2. Irish cream in front of a fire.
3. Just the right pen.
4. Music. 
5. A walk in the woods.
6. Red rain boots.
7. Stringed instruments, especially the cello.
8. A full moon.
9. Fog.
10. Snow.
11. Fall and winter trees.
12. Feeling safe.
13. Snuggling down into flannel sheets.
14. Polka dots.
15. Sudden ideas.
16. Feelings of accomplishment.
17. Rest.
18. Conversations with special people.
19. Laughter.
20. Books. 

Yes, my list could go on. But I'd be here a really long time and y'all don't want to read THAT much.

So, it's your turn. Share your lists in the comments or on your blog. I'd love to read them!

It's day 12 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 11 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.

Baby M Goes to Clemson

For a football game. I mean, we think she's brilliant but we aren't unrealistic. Not much. We realize she won't go to college until she's 8. ANYWAY, what better place to share Baby M's first football game than on Day 6 of NaBloPoMo?

Her parents had tickets and they were so excited to take Baby M up there.

Step one was purchasing a set of noise canceling head set for Baby M's little ears. Oh, and sunglasses because, we're cool like that.

Y'all, seriously. 

Of course, this was our first weekend of experiencing fall temps and it's way cooler in the upstate than it is here so, she had to be bundled up.

We're going where?

Clemson? I thought we were going to Disney. 

Was there any doubt what color Baby M's stroller is? I didn't think so.

The gang! Listen y'all, I've met these folks and these are the people that make you realize your grown up kid has the most wonderful friends! Especially the one standing beside Birdie and Baby M. She's a dream! Everyone should be blessed with a friend like M.

Notice the light shining on Baby M's head and no where else? I told y'all she was an angel! 

As the day went on, temps warmed up. Notice her tiger onesie and orange pants. I hope this child likes Clemson when she grows up. Else her parents will be crushed.

There's a reason she's yawning. Did y'all see the game? BORING.

Some of y'all might have caught the Clemson game yesterday. No one was in danger of having a heart attack due to a close game. Even Baby M couldn't believe it.

Wait, WHAT'S the score?

No, it couldn't be.  

Seriously? THIS is the game you bring me to see my very first time? 

So, Baby M went to sleep. 

For the rest of the game.

Because 54-0. In favor of Clemson.

Someone was proud to bring his baby girl to her very first Clemson game.

All in all, I'm pretty sure Baby M enjoyed her first Clemson football game. What do y'all think?

Of course, my dad would say she's probably happy to be out of that tiger onsie and orange pants. ;)

Enjoy your Sunday!

Singing Along with Baby M

Don't worry, y'all! None of the videos are of me singing. :) It's day 5 of the NaBloPoMo for November and I'm sharing a bit about the love my family and I have for music.

I love music. It has just what I need no matter what my mood and it doesn't judge me when I sing along off-key or spout the wrong lyrics. Music moves my soul. As long as it isn't country. Or metal. Or opera. Ok, for the most part, I love music.

When the lovelies were coming along, music played an important role in their upbringing. They learned the lyrics to the Grateful Dead songs instead of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. They knew John Prine lyrics, CSN lyrics, The Doors, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Beatles, Neil Young, to name a few. They were exposed to a plethora of my favorite music from rock to classical and nearly everything in between including the classics like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Shoot, we even love show tunes. But we "Just Say No" to country. And metal. And opera. This family loves music and not just current choices. As a matter of fact, when you go to Birdie's house, you will listen to vinyl. No joke.

Not that I never shared songs for kids with the lovelies. There were many. And Baby M will be exposed to some of these as well. As a matter of fact, we were just watching Raffi on YouTube yesterday:

And this one:

And I'm stopping there because we LOVED Raffi songs then and we LOVE Raffi songs now.

Here are a few more of our favorites:

Veggie Tales! Ok, the lovelies weren't all that little when we first discovered Veggie Tales but we sang along anyway and still do. This is one of our favorites:

Doesn't everyone know this one? One of the few Disney songs I like. 

Woody!

What about classical? Yep. It seems Baby M is a fan of the ballet so we've been watching this nearly everyday:

And I threw in  some Swan Lake, too.

I love singing along to music but I am very careful because I am that person who can't carry a tune in a bucket. But Baby M? She does not mind. She just smiles and smiles.

What are your favorite songs for kiddos?

Tools, Lists, and Feats

There is no Hodge Podge this week. Joyce's 17 year old niece, Anna, passed away. If you have a minute, stop by From This Side of the Pond and share some love with Joyce. And please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.  

Since there is a break in the Hump Day HOPS, I want to share a new-to-me website. It's called DailyFeats and I'm loving it. What a fantastic tool for keeping me accountable for---everything.

There are challenges that you can check out and join. The site then creates you lists and, as you complete a feat (or task) it is moved to the 'done today' section of the lists.

You may be saying, "But I can make my own list." Sure you can!

But who's keeping you accountable for completing your tasks? What's motivating you to get it done?

That's what I really like about DailyFeats! AND, they give you points for completions and these points are redeemable for GIFT CARDS! WHAT?!

I headed over there and joined just yesterday. I've already entered a couple of health and fitness related challenges as well as a pet care challenge and, since I'm working on my mental 'Zen', a challenge that focuses on positivity. 

No, I don't get anything for posting about this site. They don't even know I'm doing it. I'm just sold on it!  And, when I'm sold on something, it's easy to get behind it!

I've been having a few motivation issues lately and this is one tool I'm using to get me out of my funk. My exercising is going well with the 30 Day Shred but I'm getting slack on my running.

The running has turned into walking Tucker. Who stops after about half a mile to be carried. It's hot and humid so I don't blame him. I would rather be carried too.

But the eating has been horrific. Not bad food just too much of good food. Remember, even if you're eating healthy, you must sill count calories if you want to lose weight. 

My hope is that these lists will hold me accountable for completing each health and fitness feat that I need to continue with as well as help get my mental 'Zen' up and running...HA! running--LOL

There are lists for so many different things- not just health and fitness. There are challenges for finances, saving the world, ebay, spring cleaning, politics, quitting smoking- and much more! 

If you check out DailyFeats, let me know. Maybe we can help each other over there! 

Smoothie Mother-lode

I've found it! The smoothie mother-lode! Holy Cow! This is awesome!

Her name is Olivia Parker and her book---the mother-lode- is Sensational Smoothies, Drink You Way to Health Deliciously!

I've looked over this wonderful eBook and I can't find one piece of information left out. If there's a question you have about smoothies and their relation to health- it's answered in this book.

Does she include any recipes? DOES SHE?! That's a big Y.E.S.

Besides information, she also includes over 180 recipes! I read through the book myself and found so much information that I hadn't even thought of before. If you're new to the smoothie experience, this is THE book to own!

Olivia even includes recipes that require you to use CHOCOLATE! WHAT?! AND---if you do decide to buy the ebook, Olivia is including 3--THREE--other ebooks for no extra cost! (Geez, I sound like a freaking infomercial). Seriously, it is such a beneficial book for learning all about smoothies!

Y'all can click the banner on this post or the one on my sidebar to get the whole story on Olivia's book(s)! Meanwhile, here's a guest post to check out! 

Low Fat Smoothie Recipes for the Health Conscious You

By: Olivia Parker 

A lot of people are now becoming more conscious of staying and being healthy. They look for ways to improve their diet and incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. And since smoothies are so good, a lot of people are turning to smoothies and learning how to make smoothies that not only taste good but are healthy all around, too.
Smoothies fit a healthy lifestyle perfectly. It allows heath conscious people to enjoy a refreshing drink and lose weight at the same time. If you’re looking for a low-fat food source, it’s the perfect guilt-free treat. It’s also very easy and very convenient to prepare. All you need is a blender where you can mix and combine fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. You can create recipes that provide you with an energy boost, add lots of fiber, provide your daily dose of minerals and vitamins and so much more.

Health conscious people will be happy to note that smoothies also provide these host of benefits:

-    You can add natural fruit juices that contain vitamin c; studies have also shown it to be beneficial and helpful in the prevention of certain cancers and other debilitating diseases or illnesses.

-    Smoothies made of fruits and vegetables boost your immune system and help speed up metabolism (at least, some fruit juices do)

-    Because fruits and vegetables are broken down, the nutrients are absorbed easily by the body.

-    Smoothies can replace meals and provide you with the energy you need to last the day. This is why smoothie breakfasts are perfect if you need to go to a workout, or before going to work.

-    Smoothies with fruits and vegetables can help correct your body’s acidity or alkalinity balance (since fruits have natural acids and enzymes)

Here are some tried-and-tested smoothies, perfect for the start of your healthy lifestyle:

-          Combine and blend the following ingredients: 1 cup of milk, 1 packet of instant plain oatmeal (or about 1 cup of it), 1 cup of orange juice, and 1 frozen chunked banana. Blend and process for about a minute. Serve immediately.

-          Blend 1 frozen banana (chilled or frozen fruits exude much more of the fruit’s natural sweetness – you don’t even have to put sugar or honey to sweeten your smoothie), ½ cup of low fat milk, ½ a cup of shredded ice, and 2 8-oz. of low-fat yogurt (you can choose your favorite flavor). Blend and serve immediately.

-          If you love apples, you should definitely try this: Blend 6 oz. cold apple juice, 1 cup skimmed milk, 8 oz. of vanilla or plain low-fat yogurt, 3 to 4 crushed ice cubes and a dash of apple pie spice (optional). This yields about 4 cups so it’s perfect for the whole family.

-          If you’re into soy products, then you’re going to love this: Blend 1 cup of soy milk, 1 frozen banana, 2 cups of pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons non-fat dry milk, 2 to 3 ice cubes, 1 tablespoon of coconut milk (or coconut essence/extract), and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Blend until smooth, and as usual, serve immediately.

Having low-fat smoothies as part of your diet isn’t hard to assimilate. The key is variety - which you can easily achieve these days with books like “Sensational Smoothies: Drink Your Way To Health Deliciously”. Reconcile yourself with the idea that smoothies – although sinfully delicious – are a great way to inject some healthiness in your diet. 


WooHoo! What are you doing to get healthy this week?

Friday Fragments!

It's time to PLAY around with friday fragments! It's fun! Just share your week and link up at Mrs. 4444's Half-Past Kissin' Time!

The winner of the coconut oil giveaway is revealed at the end of this post!

I'm am still on track with Jilian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Sort of. Today is Day 10, though it should be day 11. Remember last Friday when I decided to try Level 2 and then went out for a walk/run with DoodleBug and Tucker? Well, that was an idiotic move. I did something to my left leg so I took Saturday off to let it rest. Which was a great idea because, by Sunday, I was ready to get back to it! Level 1, of course.

The most frightening thing about the whole shred thing is that all day Saturday, when I took the day for my leg, all I could think about was wanting to do the SHRED. This is very scary people.

There have been an abundance of various water birds over at the ponds this week. Laughing gulls, egrets, great blue herons and a juvenile, osprey, green herons, mallards, cormorants...it's been awesome! Here are a couple of my favorites (you can see more at my bird blog One Flew Over the Empty Nest).
 

I enjoyed a day with my BFF on Wednesday! She brought over my surcies from her vacay to St. Martin- a super huge tote bag and 2--TWO--Christmas ornaments! (I'm a total slacker- didn't take pictures). I took her over to Trader Joe's. She's never been and wanted to check it out. Her hubby has Crohns disease so I'm getting recipes together for them to go gluten/sugar free and for the smoothies and what info I have about going RAW so far. And then we went to the Atlanta Bread Company and got lunch to go. We came back to my house and ate while we watched the SHRED.

That's right. We watched the SHRED while we ate. It's not that bad- BFF is a personal trainer and she wanted to check out the SHRED. She said she was tired just watching it!

I slightly followed the story about Chen- the Chinese dissident that made the news---and I found a meaningful quote in The Week: "Still, Chen has succeeded in delivering a powerful blow against China's ruling elite, said Peter Foster in The Telegraph (U.K.). The "battered but indomitable" activist brought the cruelty of China's one-party state to global attention. It's almost hard to believe that the vital economic relationship between China and the U.S. could be "held to ransom by one blind man." But the fact that "a single, solitary human voice can bear witness to the plain truths that powerful nation states too often choose to ignore" should give ordinary citizens of the world "cause for hope and quiet rejoicing." (source- The Week, May 11, 2012, page 4).

Well said.


I'm linking this post up with NaBloPoMo for May. The theme is PLAY and they provide prompts if you want/need them. BUT you do NOT have to stick to the theme. You just have to post every day!

 

Time's up to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil! The winner is: #59: Apryl Deeter of apryl deeter photography! Congrats Apryl! I have emailed Apryl for her info! 
 
That wraps up the week! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Losing

I don't care for it. Most people know that about me.

I don't like to lose when I'm playing a game of any kind. I don't like the team I'm pulling for to lose. I don't the candidate I'm voting for to lose. I don't even like to lose a heated debate.

When I was really little, I was probably one of those kids who would take her ball home if things weren't going my way. I don't recall being like that. But I probably was.Though I'm not quite that bad now.

As a matter of fact, I'm very proud to say that I've gotten much better in my method of accepting a loss. I am capable, now, of keeping my disappointment to myself. Sort of. As long as you can't read my face or my body language. At least I don't carry on like a lunatic anymore. Or make the body language really easy to read.

Mostly.

However. As much as I hate losing, I am no where near as bad as Hubs used to be. And he's an even worse winner. When I win, I'm content with the win itself. I do not have the need to rub anyone's face in it. The win, in my opinion, speaks for itself. No so for the husband that lives in this house.

In all our years- 28- I've played Monopoly with him once. Just once. He won. Bad enough. But then he proceeded to rub that win in my face. Huge mistake. HUGE.

He's much better about losing now. But the winning? It has not changed one little bit.  He will sit there with that smug little hahaIbeatyou look on his stupid face and that annoyingashell-youlost grin. And then he opens his mouth and acts like he's accomplished some great and wonderful feat that is going to change the world.

 Good thing I win most of the time. :) 

What kind of winner- or loser- are you?

AND----

You still have time to enter to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil! Just go to the post right HERE.  

This post is part of the NaBloPoMo for May. The theme is PLAY. The prompt that inspired this post was:  "How did you feel as a child when you lost a game."  

 

Playing with the Hump Day Hops!

It's Wednesday which  means it's time to play around with Joyce and the Hodge Podge and take time to have a chat on the porch with Patrice!

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing? We don't vacation so I guess I don't really have one. We live only 5 minutes from the beach so we 'vacationed' there every day during the summers when the lovelies were coming along.

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink? When the lovelies were growing up I packed EVERYTHING. Now, I just pack what I think I'll need and off I go. Though I only go to my dad's or to my mother's.

3. What's the best lesson a child ever taught you? Don't make assumptions OR go with the flow. And about a million others.  The episode of The Andy Griffith Show below is a good example---just move it forward to about the 22nd minute and watch...

4. Share one piece of advice you'd give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market? Put yourself out there and keep trying no matter what. When Deanie was looking for a job she found the ONE she wanted. And she wanted it bad. She didn't get it but that didn't stop her. She kept trying and found one much better! So, NEVER give up HOPE!

5. What's your favorite lemon something? That would be my mother's lemon meringue pie! It is TO-DIE-FOR!

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel...your favorite footwear? This is the low-country so- FLIP-FLOPS or BARE FOOTED!

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you're not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least? We practically LIVE at the beach so... Hey! Does that mean EVERY day is a holiday?

8. Insert your own random thought here. I started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred back in...March, was it?...and then everyone came into town for a few days and I just never got back into it. I don't do the shred in front of anyone- you're welcome family. Anyway, I started back last week and today is day 8. Had to take Saturday off because I attempted level 2 on Friday and killed something in my left leg. OUCH. But by Sunday I was back! Wish me luck and send encouragement- I am NOT stopping until the full 30 days are up!

AND----

You still have time to enter to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil! Just go to the post right HERE.  

And now, Chat on the Farmhouse Porch with Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty! 

Patrice answered her questions with pictures and gave us the option of doing it as well.

Here are the questions:

1. What do your everyday dishes look like?

I love my everyday plates. The little ones have single fruits on them- my absolute favorite is the pear. Hubs has broken several of them and I always told people I needed another set just in case he broke some more but no one ever got them for me. Now each plate costs about $15! Are you kidding me?!

2. What shoes are you likely to throw on in a pinch right now? "Go to" shoes.

This are my Wal-Mart cheapos that stay right by the front door. So I can slip my feet into them when I go to Wal-Mart. LOL

3. What's the last gift you were given?

Hubs keeps giving me indoor plants even though I don't have an appreciation for indoor plants. I love my outdoor plants- I even planted a flower garden this year. But, and I think it's because his mother loved them, Hubs keeps giving me indoor plants. Sigh.

4. The first face you saw this morning was-------------------.

The first one I see every morning-because it's hard not to see the face that's licking yours- Tucker!

5. What cup or mug are you most likely to grab for your tea or coffee? What's your "cuppa"cup?

I really prefer tallish, fatter mugs for my hot beverages but my BFF gave me this a few years ago and I absolutely love it! Thanks Leslie!



This post is part of the NaBloPoMo for May. The theme is PLAY so I played around with the Hump Day Hops! 

 

High School PE

Oh how I hated it. And the teacher. And most of the other students. But that outfit was the worst of all.

source

Holy Crap. I've never seen anything so hideous in my life. It was like a prison jumpsuit but, instead of long pants, they were shorts. And they snapped up the front. The color? A medium shade of blue that would make you seriously consider hurling. They were similar to the one in the picture on the left. Only much, much worse in shape and color.

I'm not sure anyone enjoyed PE. Though it might have been different if we'd had a decent teacher.

This woman was the girls' basketball coach and basketball seemed to be her one and only interest. Except for her basketball players, that is.

We played basketball every day. EVERY day. Her basketball players loved this. The rest of us- not so much. On the rarest of the rare occasion that we did not play basketball, students on the basketball team did not have to participate. Nor did they have to dress out. Really? Regardless of whether or not a student had an excuse to sit-out of PE, she had to dress out. Unless she was on the basketball team. I am still amazed that our stupid teacher did not realize that this was not going to be just fine and dandy with the rest of us. Especially when they team students sat in the bleachers and had social time while we had to run drills. During basketball season, the players did not participate nor did they dress out.

One day a most brilliant non-basketball player student (I promise you, as much as I wish it had been, it was not me) decided that perhaps a sit-out (sit-in?) of sorts might drive the point home that idiot woman's the teacher's methods sucked were not fair to all students. We felt that:

• The fact that teacher didn't require her players to take PE but the state did was wrong.
•  Having one rule for students who made the team and a separate set for those who didn't was quite unfair: everyone should have to dress out or no one should; everyone should have to participate or no one should; etc...
• Basketball was not the only activity in the state PE curriculum.

We walked into the gym and sat on the bleachers. And refused to move. The moron coach/teacher became quite upset. She finally ran into her office crying and had her star player (I remember her name but decided not to post it) come out and try to guilt us into dressing out and having class. Really? Yep. She was that kind of stupid.

Someone might have suggested, after star player's tirade, that going to the principal or our parents or the school board might be the best solution to this problem. 

That's when star player (and this was hilarious) shouted something like, "FINE! We'll dress out and take class." How freaking generous of her, don't you think?

I rarely think about that day in PE but, when I do, I am disgusted with the behavior of the coach/teacher to this very day. And, to this day, I am not a fan of women's basketball.

Oh and that star player? She's the one on the Latin Club trip to the state capital that got so drunk and caused such problems that we never got to go to the Latin Club Convention again. Thanks for that too.


You still have time to enter to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil! Just go to the post right HERE.  





This post is part of the NaBloPoMo for May. The theme is PLAY and this post was inspired by the prompt: "What sports did you play as a child."