banana bread

morning has broken... (i liked that song) today sweetheart and I get to go to the doctor... his first visit and me to find out all the news from the tests last week.

I bought groceries yesterday and tried to plan for me to be healthier. Shopped the perimeter more than the interior and so got more fresh foods than processed... this means more work but healthier food and maybe less poundage for me... I am back under 270 again...was 269 this morn... the water pills are having an effect and trying to be more careful seems to help as well. Now just to keep it up... please GOD help me keep it up... I feel so much better when I am smaller and stronger and healthier...*:)

Made banana bread this morn...no sugar, no fat, some whole wheat flour, this is not a sweet bread but uses the banana for fat and sweetener. Serve with melted butter or applesauce on it. Sweetie expecting sweet banana bread was not impressed... had good texture... I packed one of the loaves not sure yet if it will go to the freezer or the grand babies...*:) I will decide after Andy wakes up and tries it.

Here is the recipe:

Minted Banana Bread

2c white flour

2c whole-wheat flour

2tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1/4c chopped fresh mint (didn't have so left out)(DO NOT USE DRIED MINT)

3/4c plain yogurt or buttermilk (used yogurt)

1tsp grated orange rind (didn't have so left out)

1&1/2c mashed ripe bananas (3 large)

(took mine out of freezer in Ziploc bag-microwaved 3 min-mashed in bag)

mix dry ingredients in large bow.

in small bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix well.

pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir to mix but do not overwork.

pour into greased floured 9x5 loaf pan or 2-7x3 loaf pans (i did this one)

bake 375 degrees for 50 to 60 min until they test done

(ya know a knife in the middle coming out clean)

cool a few minutes and then turn out on rack to complete cooling.

enjoy

you be blessed today...

Today goal... prep for move... pack 5, recycle 5, trash 5... or such is the plan... am looking for the best way to move my son's 10 years of comics...*:)
Monday morning... sometimes it feels good to have a clean slate like the beginning of a new week. Of course I know the week actually arrived on Sunday... but... that was the weekend right...
I am going to try to make some more progress in my paring down project. I know there are more things that need to be shared and will be truly used and enjoyed by others... so that is the plan for this week.
I am running out of steam in this area though...have been doing it slowly but surely for over a year and am down to what I really want to keep in many areas. I know it is time for me to use a fine tooth comb and work inside some of these cabinets to purge and pass along some of the bits and pieces of my stuff... so here goes...
be blessed today...

oatmeal, walnuts, honey

chad and his turkey leg

chad & zoe happy meals

chad and raisin bread

Just wondering how would I go about simplifying my diet? There is so much written about what we eat. What would a simple diet consist of. Some say it would be maybe vegetarian. Some only what you make from scratch. Does it mean simple to prepare or simple to eat. Simple to eat might be drop by the window and place my order...not the best for my health. So what do you think a simple diet would be?

• fruit
• veggies
• grain
• protein
• water

how simple do you make it and not get bored... does it matter if it bores us... are we eating for entertainment? "eat to live or live to eat?" is a comment heard in a diet group or two over the years... just wondering... be blessed today...

simple life?

pics show simple contentment at it's best...imho

where is my simple life? Hidden behind all the stuff my life holds... things, projects, plans, people... simplicity disappears behind life... so it is time to dig it out...

• set priorities
• purge unnecessary projects
• plan for simplicity
• ease away from the draining people (embrace the uplifting ones)

priorities... family, health(physical, mental, spirituial), food, clothing, shelter...that looks like a good place to begin... focus on these priorities...if it does not contribute to these things then ease it or throw it out of my life...

be blessed today

lost son...found...*:) shavin with grandpa in '76

lost son found...at the beach in'76

son lost in cleveland... search mapquest... son found in cleveland...

going for his second appointment to have the stomach surg in January...

he is braver than I am...

ain't these puters wonderful...

puttering around the house and looking to stay out of trouble...

will go get grandbabies and play at the beach this evening...

or that is the plan anyway...

be blessed today

naming property???

grand baby #6 chad took this pic of grandma laughing...he is 5...

this is mom & dad a few years back...

Years ago I was looking for a name for my property. I knew it came from GOD... just too many coincidences fell in place for it not to be a true blessing. I remembered a verse that says "GOD inhabits the praise of his people". I wanted him to be welcome and live at my place so it became "praise place". This has been the name of many physical places since then, and the name of my ministry, but truly I think it is the name of my heart. We will be moving once again and I know I will carry the name with me. It is interesting how a place will get a name. My dad lived in an area that the kids all called "rainbow" because of the HUGE rainbow bread sign on the tiny local store in that community. Where my parents live now...mom named "rainbow's end". I need to get busy today...taking a few more steps to get ready to move... be blessed today

july 09 grandma's job

the water was chasing her...

she will pose for this one...

sharing the great lake with grandpa

going for a trip with grandma...

moving is by nature complicated... so how do you simplify it?

plan, plan, plan... I am tired of planning...

I just want to be taking action!

I am ready to take action even if it is the wrong one...

just quit planning and move!

I guess that is why I am blessed to have my sweetheart here... he is the calm, slow, and steady type that keeps my impulsiveness in check... he is a good choice...

Today we start the taxi for taking the #1 grandson to band practice M, T & W night. Has to be there by 6. It is good that his dad is on days and can pick him up this week. Last week it was over there by 6 and pick him up at 9... of course if we picked up a baby grandchild for 3 hours it made the time fun...exhausting but fun...

Here I go to do more planning... you all be blessed today.

MorningRamble: Nature Deficit Disorder - KQED QUEST

This is a link to a wonderful video on reasons to include nature in you life.
I do enjoy the MorningRamble Blog...
Take a peek.
MorningRamble: Nature Deficit Disorder - KQED QUEST

still mowing

grandbaby #6 chad and grandma resting in outdoor swing (bed mode)

Today my sweetie put a running board on our old van "bertha" (name provided by my son). Now I can get in from both sides!! While he was doing that I took on the mowing chore... (he made this suggestion...he is trying to keep me moving) I did it all without taking a break... (mind you we live in a trailer park...not much lawn) I am 43lbs lighter than my last mowing blog was written... I did work up a sweat (or glistened) but I did not have to go sit for a while to rest before I finished... I am getting stronger... I still have MILES to go before I reach optimum health but I am making progress... in a book I wrote years ago it said over and over...Progress not perfection... I need to practice what I preached... this pic is from our most recent visit with Chad... we were resting after he took grandma for a walk... he grabs my hand and pulls me all the way...to see every animal, leaf, and especially any worms that my cross our path... *:)

mowing grass...

my sweet seat to rest from mowing

(this is an old postfrom my space, just thought I would share it.)

Just thought I would share this...Actually NEED to...I got a new reel mower and was so proud of myself...No gasoline...more exercise...quiet...simple...Now mind you it took me 3 rest periods to get my tiny(trailer park) yard mowed...but I DID IT!!(Being disabled and over 300lbs poses a problem sometimes)Anyway...I was coming around from the back of my house.I had emptied my grass catcher into my little compost bin...when the lady next door was beginning to mow the front of my yard!she stopped and came to me just smiling so happy!She said "I didn't know if you had a mower so I am just gonna get this front and side for ya!"and she didn't hear me over her mower that she left running say "I just did my yard..."She then said "The neighbor on the other side is gonna do the back and other side for you!"Should I mention this woman is about 20 years older than I am...I just went in the house...I am trying to be good and not fight with these people right off the bat!So I mowed my yard...and now it is being mowed "right" I guess...So I will try again next week...maybe I need to set it lower???Y'all have a wonderful week...and be grateful for all the land you have...How far away are your neighbors?

one more day to simplify

one more day...sunset at walnut beach ashtabula...

cleaned out the drop leaf table by my bed yesterday... it definitely counted as packing 5, throwing away 5, but did not give away 5... i should go through the box and pick out 5 things to give away...

took care of myself with the bone density test yesterday and gave blood... so the new doctor can know a bit more about me...*:)

spent some time at the beach and gave all my money to the various bill people that hold their hand out at the first of the month...

been taking my water pills again and lost 6 lbs in 3 days... 3 weeks without them had me swollen like a water balloon... at least my skin is not hurting from the pressure of the water now...

will be searching online for a natural substitute for these pills... any suggestions?

well onward and upward... how will you simplify today?

should be simple...

this is the storage building...can I count it as packed already?

It should be simple... just put it all in a box and drive 1100 miles to the new house... or strike a match and drive 1100 miles to the new house... how about...put up a sign "everything free" and drive to the new house...

well nothing is all that simple.

So today...I will find 5 things to pack and 5 things to throw away and 5 things to give away... that sounds like a plan...to me...

Now let's see...will 5 newspapers count or do i have to count the whole pile as 1 thing? ha ha!!

Will let you know how I do tomorrow...

doctor report 7-09

me and my sweetheart...
he is still here even if I am falling apart at the seams...haha...

Yesterday I went to see a new doctor. He seems to be thorough and I like that. Wants to run blood tests and wrote refills for meds and made lots of notes as we talked. So for those of you who do not know. Here is my list:

• arthritis...hips, spine, shoulders, knees
  
• fibromylagia...all over, more than anywhere else...haha
  
• edema...feet and legs
  
• spurs in spine and knees
  
• morbid obesity...haha
  
• incontience...shush...don't tell

Now he wants blood to see if there is more... ain't life grand...

I know life is quite grand. Wonderful in fact...In spite of the fact that most of these problems have plagued me for over 20 years I still feel life is wonderful... I must just always remember to count my blessings and to praise GOD for each one... that is how I cope...

song stuck in my head...

this is one of my blessings...grandbaby # 8 miss zoe

old song...
"i am blessed"
"i am blessed"
"every day that i live i am blessed"
"when i wake up in the morning"
"when i lay my head to rest"
"i am blessed"
"i am blessed"
i guess this is one that is easier to sing sometimes than others...
i know if i can get this one stuck in my head my day always goes better...
what song is stuck in your head today?

grievance or miracle...

(This is an old post sent out on my space years ago...I am 52 now)

on my fridge is a sign that says:
every decision
I make is a choice
between a
grievance and a
miracle...
some days this encourages me and some days it haunts me...
at 50 now I can look back a bit and see those choices that caused grief...and the ones that ended up being miracles. I only hope others see my life as filled with more positive than negative... how do you ever know until all is said and done...
Well how about you? Is your balance sheet more positive or negative?
I have days that I feel completely negative...and others that I don’t feel i have done so badly...that is why i have to remind myself to always..."count my blessings and praise GOD for each one" like it says on the bottom of my emails. It is to remind me to do that, not necessarily tell anyone else to...*:)
All I know is that I have one more day at a time and many more choices to make things work out right...
I must...we must never give up!
Please join me and begin making those positive choices one at a time...
I do not not want to be in this alone...

pass it on...

This is my grandson Chad and his worms. We were learning about biology this day. I have heard it said you need to learn something new every day... I am trying to figure if you are doing all this learning when do you do your practicing. There comes a time to apply all that knowledge or at least take the time to pass it along... There are so many younger people (always someone younger) who need to know something that you know... If you have a skill or a trick of the trade or just a neat idea take the time to share it and don't let it die with you! Share your knowledge even if is just reading to someone or teaching someone how to do some little thing that will make their life a bit easier... Reach out and help someone else learn something new everyday...TODAY!

doctor visit...blessings?

Today off to see the doctor... great fun... I have had such a setback since my other doctor moved. I ran out of meds about 3 weeks ago and my body has quickly began to suffer. So here we are with a chance to fix all that. It is always a challenge to start over with a new doc. I need to convince him that I am a partner in my health care and not just a patient. I know more about this old body of mine than anyone. I need him to work with me not on me. Sometimes a doctor cannot see past the weight to know there may be other factors at work in my body. The weight is just one of the symptoms...not necessarily the cause. I have fought these battles for 20 years now and get tired of it from time to time...but I cannot give in or give up. I already tried that once and it just made things worse.So once again I seek someone with more education than I have to help me "get all better".

I pack up another box yesterday. My bathroom bookcase is just about empty. Just my jewelry boxes remain. T-my DIL is getting excited about all the plans. This is a big move for all of us. It will take a year of more to get us all moved and settled. It is a long way from Ohio to Texas...and moving 13 people will not be easy... I am ready to return to our neck of the woods. I do so look forward to being in the country again and building a life to share with my children and grandchildren. Of course having my sweetheart beside me and parents close is going to make things all fall into place. I am looking for blessings from this day forward. We have had enough trial...it is time to receive good and not evil, blessing and not cursing, and joy not sorrow... I am ready to sit in peace and enjoy the blessing of GOD...

peaceful morning

peaceful morning seems to equal getting up before anyone else and having quiet time...

so coffee is ready for James... Andy is still curled up in bed and probably will be till his aide arrives... e-mail all checked... and now to decide on my project for today...

I did get the bottom shelf packed in the bathroom yesterday and went to the beach a sat a bit with James... then we spent some time on our swing in the yard...

we are still hashing our our plans about moving... we think the decision to keep the van is final... now to do some final prep so it can make the 1100 miles journey to Texas from Ohio... seems it needs a new radiator... we will begin the hunt for a radiator deal today...

why simplify...

This is it the beginning...

In the beginning was the word...

That was a good start for one author if I recall...

I am trying to find simplicity...

Downsizing has been a chore... from 3 houses to one... from one with 3 bedrooms, a full basement, and a double garage to a mobile home... now possibly to a few rooms or a cabin in Elysian Fields, Texas...

So what am I hoping to accomplish?

Maybe in ridding my life of stuff, I will make more room for life...

a ride to the water, or a walk on a mountain, or even a hug from a grand baby...

in order to do these things I seek to simplify.

Life can be so busy and things rob us of our peace, of important things we need... not necessarily want... but need...

Do I need... shoes? (not in my house...but yes at the store...)

a hat? (on the Ohio beach or in the heat of the Texas sun... yes)

a big house? a chicken? a goat? a cat? a dog? land of my own?

These answers will be so different for each of us... and have even been different at different times of my life... for now I will just take one step at a time...and right now that involves fixing breakfast for James and me...