Continue To Eat Healthy...

This guy at work brings his home grown tomatoes to share and I got one. It's huge a round! I took a whole wheat English muffin, toasted it, added some low-cal mayo, and a thick slice of that home grown tomato!!!!! Holy canolies! It was so good, I wanted to slap someone!! Home grown 'maters are to die for!!

Here's some good stuff I got from WOMAN'S DAY for help with getting fit - I've paraphrased a bunch and added my own way of talking and thinking to it.

You've been dieting for a few months and have dropped some weight. You're feeling pretty good about your progress and then... something gets in the way that threatens to land you back where you started, and even heavier than before. You're not alone. There are countless dieters who assume they've mastered the art of healthy eating and then one day realize the number on the scale is sneaking up on them. Problems seem to fit into 5 categories. Here's what to watch for and how to get back on track in no time.

DIET DE-RAILER #1: YOU'RE BORED

In the beginning, dieting was kind of exciting. It was hard, but it was also an adventure - you get to think about food in a different way and try new recipes and meal plans. But once you've done all that, the excitement dies down and you figure out which foods fit into your plan and you've stuck with them. Then you get bored with the same old food, the same old recipes, and you usually give up.

TO STAY ON COURSE... EAT SEASONALLY.

Keep variety in your diet. Go to a farmer's market and experience fresh, in season fruits and veggies. Try something new besides apples and green beans.

ADD SPICE. The right spices can take an ordinary meal from boring to deeeelicious! Experiment with cilantro. I love cilantro in my Bush beans or in a salad! Try chili sauces and spices from different countries... experiment!

DAB ON CONDIMENTS. Add small amounts of higher-fat items. For example, add a little fat mayo to low-fat mayo to give it more flavor.

TRY BREAKFAST FOR DINNER AND VICE VERSA. Eat a veggie omelet for supper and munch on crunchy vegetables for breakfast. Breakfast food is not just for breakfast, ya know.

EXPERIMENT. Like, I used to think I would never, never, ever eat grilled fish. MY fish HAD to be FRIED! But I tried it one day when I was out lunching with Moke & Kasey. I actually tried and enjoyed eating grilled fish! It was kind of exciting and adventurous! I felt reckless and crazy... yeow well you wouldn't be laughing if you lived alone and found happiness in the little things, Mr. Smartypants.

Next Blog will be DIET DE-RAILER #2: YOU'RE A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE.

Oh, and I'll be weighing in the morning and will post my poundage... fingers crossed, good thoughts.

Continuing On....

It's been 2 weeks since my last post. Haven't lost any more weight, but I haven't gained any either. I'm very proud of me. I've started to ride my exercise bike for 20 minutes 3 times a day, which is an unbelievable feat for me. Man, I've been very lazy! I've had a room set-up for exercise for the longest time, but I haven't been using it... now I am. Yea Jill! You go Jill!! Anyway, I keep my eyes open for little changes to make in my life that will help my journey to a more fit body. Here are some 400 calorie meals:

From McDonald's---> a cheese burger, a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and apple dippers.

From Subway---> 6" roast beef sandwich with pepper jack cheese and sliced apples.

From Wendy's ---> ultimate chicken grill sandwich and a mandarin orange cup.

Make it yourself ---> herbed cheese and tomato sandwich with an orange:

6 oz low fat cottage cheese

1 garlic clove, minced

2 TBS chopped fresh chives

dash salt and pepper

1 whole grain bagel

4 slices tomato

Place cottage cheese in blender and puree till smooth. Stir in garlic, chives, salt and pepper. Spread mixture on bagel and top with tomato slices. Eat with orange.

Every week, when you get off work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when you get home make it a priority to get on your exercise bike and ride for 20 minutes. Don't allow yourself to eat supper until you have done your exercise. You'll feel very proud of yourself, like I do!!

I will weigh again Friday morning, June 25th, and see how much weight I have lost!

Lost 10 lbs.

I'm losing weight slowly, because they say if you lose it slowly then you're more apt to keep it off... we'll see. Anyway, I'm happy to report that I've lost 10 lbs. Thank you. Thank you very much.

It involves some of the steps mentioned 2 blogs ago, like making the right choices and stopping to think if you're really hungry or just craving and praying for help.

I saw the following snip-it on the Internet and thought it was interesting. I'll take some to test and not mess with the rest.

TOP 6 SKINNY FOODS FOR 2010 -- by Joy Bauer --

1. Pumpkin Pudding: Decadent, creamy pudding for less than 150 calories. Combine a 6-ounce container of nonfat vanilla yogurt with 1/2 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree and a dash of cinnamon. The pumpkin bulks up the yogurt--already a protein-rich, nutrient-packed food--and adds a hefty dose of fiber. This winning combo of protein and fiber expands in your stomach, keeping you full long after you finish, so you're not looking for more munchies an hour later.

2. Vegetable Soup: Studies have shown that just by starting a meal with a fiber-rich bowl of broth-based veggie soup, you can reduce your total calorie intake by 20%. That's because this "veggie first course" helps to fill you up, so you wind up eating less at the main meal.

3. Cucumber Tomato Salad: Thanks to their high percentage of water (95%!), cucumbers are low-calorie, high volume, and top-notch for weight loss! Slice up one whole cucumber plus a medium tomato, then toss with light vinaigrette or unlimited vinegar (balsamic or red wine is delish) plus 1 teaspoon olive oil. The entire salad has only 125 calories!

4. Ginger Green Tea: Nursing a warm mug of tea is a calorie-free way to destress after a long day without falling prey to emotional eating. As an added bonus, research suggests that regularly drinking green tea may give you a slight calorie burning advantage. Steep your tea with a thin slice of ginger root for an extra punch of flavor.

5. Friery Chicken Salad: Adding a few dashes of fiery hot sauce to your food slows down your eating big time so you're less likely to eat past the point of fullness. For a simple lunch, whip up a chicken salad with diced chicken breast, 1 tablespoon reduced fat mayo, hot sauce to taste, and any diced veggies on hand. Serve over a bed of lettuce (and have a glass of water handy!).

6. Shrimp Cocktail: At around 8 calories a piece, shrimp are a fabulous source of lean protein, which helps rev your metabolism and keeps you feeling full for hours. Next time you dine out, start your meal with a shrimp cocktail appetizer. When you're eating at home, dunk your shrimp in this could not be easier cocktail sauce recipe: simply combine 1 tablespoon ketchup with 1 teaspoon bottled horseradish.

The following is from YOGA JOURNAL by Judith Lasater. I was pleased with what I read...

Isvara Pranidhana (Surrendering to God)

Patanjali defines "isvara" as "Lord," and the word "pranidhana" conveys the sense of "throwing down" or "giving up." Thus, isvara pranidhana can be translated as "giving up or surrendering the fruits of all our actions to God."

Many people are confused by this niyama, in part because yoga is seldom presented as a theistic philosophy even though Patanjali states in the 23rd verse of the Yoga Sutra that devotion to the Lord is one of the main avenues to enlightenment).

In fact, some yoga traditions have interpreted isvara pranidhana as requiring devotion to a particular deity or representation of God, while others have taken "isvara" to refer to a more abstract concept of the devine (much as Twelve Step programs allow participants to define "Higher Power" in their own way).

In either case, the essence of isvara pranidhana is acting as best we can, and then relinquishing all attachment to the outcome of our actions. Only by releasing our fears and hopes for the future can we really be in union with the present moment.

Paradoxically, this surrender requires tremendous strength. To surrender the fruits of our actions to God requires that we give up our egotistical illusion that we know best, and instead accept that the way life unfolds may be a part of a pattern too complex to understand. This surrender, however is anything but passive inactivity. Isvara pranidhana requires not just that we surrender, but also that we act.

Lost 9 lbs.

After 58 years, I've found the secret to weight loss and keeping the weight off. With the help of my therapist, yes I said therapist, I learned to love myself and accept me for who I am. People have told me that so many times, but I didn't listen or catch onto it, had to hear it from a total stranger to grasp it. I am a very special, beautiful, fun loving, funny, joyful person and I deserve to be anything I want to be. I was beautiful as a baby, very beautiful as a child, a teenager, a young adult, middle aged, and now 58... I am beautiful, gorgeous in fact. I truly believe this, and I love myself without reservation, and know that I can be thinner and feel better, and am on my way to doing just that! It's not all about weight, it's about living your life to it's fullest and getting the most you can out of it, because we're just not here that long.

I love the words journey and adventure, don't you? The thing is, I'm not waiting for the journey or waiting for the adventure... I'm living the journey, the adventure. That's what I have to do, is to be present in my life and do the best I can for myself and those around me. Of course, I can't make the journey on my own, and I don't want to have an adventure by myself, so I have God with me at all times. I don't need another human being to complete me, I just need God. I talk to Him often and thank Him for my triumphs, plead with Him for help, and praise Him for his miracles. He helps in so many ways. Here's an example: I've got 4 hours of work left and I didn't bring any extra snacks, so I go out to the snack machine and find the lowest calorie thing I can - animal crackers. I go and get my 50 cents and when I return I put my $ in the machine, but find out I put $ in the soft drink machine instead of the snack machine. The money won't come out, so I see it as I need to get me a diet DP instead of the crackers. Get back to my desk with a drinking glass full of ice and some DP in it and realize I have grapes in the refrigerator!!! Wow, what a save by The Big Guy. If you ask for His help, He'll be there. With His help, I've lost 9 lbs.

During my journey, my adventure, I've got my eyes and ears opened to His direction. Not trying to be over religious, but He is my God and He helps me. Here are other things that I do, you've probably heard 'em all:

1. Eat with chopsticks when I can. It takes longer to eat and you end up taking food in slower and realize how full you are before you overload.
2. Think before you eat. Find out if you're really hungry before you eat.
3. Keep only "good" food around the house, fruits, veggies, popcorn. I just bought a hot air popper!
4. Drink lots of water. Water is my favorite drink!
5. Bring to work with you a drinking glass that you love to drink out of, fill it with ice and pour in Crystal Lite Peach Tea or a Diet DP or Diet Coke. It's a treat.
6. I'm going to take an exercise class, probably water aerobics. I have bad knees and a bad back and feel like exercising in the water will be best for me... besides, isn't that how old people exercise anyway. Ha!
7. As much as you possibly can, do NOT watch commercials. They lure me in and make me crave everything!
8. Do your own cooking. Leave fast food for reward days.
9. Set aside a day of the week to eat what you really are craving. I can't do without pizza or hamburgers or Mexican food forever, so I save special days to have these kinds of foods. In the meantime, I cook them myself, but with fewer calories - it's really the best way, and after awhile you grow to like the less calorie foods.

Those are just 9 ways that I live my days, will post more later. You'll be hearing of my success and of the miracles that occur.

Why????

I was just wondering...

...Why racing bikes have those horribly, thin, uncomfortable seats on them? If you're going to get outside and exercise on a bike and ride long distances and pedal like a pusher, why would you want to torture yourself while doing it?

...Why do some people ride on other people's bumpers? They're not going to get where they're going any faster by doing this. Be patient, and when you can pass the slower person, do so, but no finger jestures, they're really not necessary, I get it.

...Why is it when you go garage saleing in Clear Lake, that the people there follow you around and watch you like a hawk, like you might steal something? I know there are those who do steal, there is evil in this world; but dude, did you really think I was going to stuff your old rusted bait bucket in my purse? Come on!

...Why is it that people who live in beach houses in Clear Lake act like they're better than those of us who don't own beach houses? I know they're better, but they don't have to act like it, riding around hither and yond in their golf buggies. I could own a golf buggy if I wanted one... I can save for anything I want... just don't happen to want a golf buggy... very much.

...Why, if a person from Clear Lake is going to have a garage sale, do you NOT put prices on things? If there is no price on your items, then I don't want your items. That would be like going to a restaurant, looking at the menu, and seeing no prices... I'm outta there... 2 tacos and a 5-layer burrito for me! I'm a cheap date.

...Why are all the Schlotskys sandwich places, closing down?! The one on Spencer and Burke is now a Verizon store! The closest one to me is now the Schlotskys on Bay Area Blvd. What is going on?! It's like when the Taco Buenos disappeared around here. I mean, I love Taco Bell, but I also loved Taco Bueno, plus Taco B had a beef burger to die for! No one has that anymore. Please if you know where I might purchase just the bread that they make Schlotskys sandwiches from, I will buy you a sandwich... seriously.

...Why would a guy who drives a golf buggy around his neighborhood in Clear Lake with his 3 grandkids sitting with him, be drinking a beer at 9:30am? #1 He's driving = bad; #2 He's driving children = very bad; #3 He's drinking at 9:30am = people, we must draw the line somewhere!! The only good thing about it... probably around 3pm I could buy his house from him and he wouldn't care.

Jill's Journal - Entry 2: To Kansas I go for the 6th Time

13 days and I will be in Holcomb, KS! Going to see my youngest son Ethan, daughter-in-law Deni, and my beautiful, genius, talented, funny little Grandsons Faolan and Rowan! I call them My 4 Moochies. May 17 is Rowan's birthday and November 17 is Faolan's birthday, so I make the trip to Kansas twice a year for their birthdays, and that is every 6 months - in May and in November. I usually stay 5 or 6 days.

My adorable Grandsons call me Gamma, I love that name. I made it up because it's like I have extra powers like in the Gamma rays The Hulk has. I'm mean like The Hulk, and if I continue this same course, I'll be as big as The Hulk in no time. Don't know what to do about being green. But I sure am Gamma.

Anyway, while I'm there... I sit and watch them watch TV, every once in awhile Faolan will say somthing like, "Gamma, you're looking at me." I also play with them as much as I can, working through the knee, foot and back pain... usually sit on the floor, makes it easier on the pain and we surround ourselves with toys. We also go to the Richardson Zoo in Garden City, and I watch Faolan and Deni climb The Rocket. The Rocket is on the playground there and people climb to the top of it. The Rocket even has a profile on Facebook... I kid you not! It's not real tall, I plan on climbing it this year. I am an actual friend of The Rock! Cool!!

And we'll go to "Story Time" at the Library, and I'll get to watch the boys faces light up while listening to some sweet person read a book to them and other kids. You know, I think I'd like to do that. I can do voices and a British accent that Big Al absolutely hates me to do but I love doing it. Wow, that would be a bunch of fun to read stories to kids. Wish I could make a living at that, or add to my income by doing it - very cool. I wonder if they even pay the person who reads to the kids, it's probably a volunteer thing, that might be fun anyway.

We ALWAYS go to the Thai Restaurant! It's excellent food, very hot! My Moochies are beyond regulars there, they are totally into Thai food. I don't know of a decent Thai Restaurant around here, wish I did. I always get the chicken with veggies, extremely spicey - Moke couldn't take the heat, he's not good with spicy hot flavors, he's such a weenee. And you get a big glob of steamed rice with it.

Let's see what else are we going to do, oh yes, we'll go to Sondra and Robert's (that's Deni's Mom and step-dad) house and have a BBQ in their backyard. This is always fun and we have a good visit with them. They're putting their trailer in E&D's yard and hooking it up so that I can stay there during my visit. The reason for that is that E&D have some exotic animals that I'm totally unfond of and don't want to sleep in the same room with. For instance... cats, 2 rats, and a bearded dragon! Oh such joy for me!! But staying in the trailer is going to be a dream, and an awfully sweet and loving gesture from my dear friend Sondra.

Another thing we'll be doing is to go to Walmart, probably 2 or 3 times during my visit. I hate Walmart, especially hate the Walmart in Garden City. The diversity of this town is... well it's diverse... very much so. You have many, many Mexican Americans, lots of white people, some Ammenites, and a few blacks. On rare occasions I will get a return smile, which truly makes my day! But for the most part, these groups keep to their own kind and give the other kind hateful looks. It can get scary, but the best thing to do is just to pretend that we're all a like and that no one is better than anybody else, and remember to smile... smile you're ars off, and you'll pretty much be okay.

Yelp, 13 days and I'll see My 4 Moochies - Gamma is beyond excited!!!!!

Jill's Journal - Entry 1: My Forgetfulness

[Pictured: Daddy, Ma, Lynda, Larry, Susan Dennis, Mark, Jill, Alan]

Yesterday was my birthday, I turned 58 years old. Like I've mentioned before, my mind and soul are more like 10 years old, but the 'o body is way up there in age! Had my birthday party at Moke & Kasey's yesterday. We have one monthly gathering at different homes and celebrate any BD's or anniversaries of everyone in the Family. Yesterday turned out to be one of our best gatherings.

M&K had BBQ, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, chocolate cake! They did a bang up job with everything! And the weather was so beautiful, we sat outside most of the time. Everyone kept saying isn't this a perfect day?!

It's so much fun watching the big nephews play ball and the littler nephews and nieces just playing. There was 20 of us. We ate and talked and laughed and played and... I forgot stuff, well something huge, actually. Here goes:

Those present, my niece Debra, her husband Rob, my sisters-in-law Betty and Dardon Annie, and my little brother Alan. They were very sweet, each one of them. But I must have beat myself up black and blue inside for what I did, cause I feel very sore inside today.

We're sitting there having that beautiful BD meal. I've always wanted to converse more with Deb, my precious niece, and her husband Rob, just to let them know that I care about them and am interested in their lives. First off, I ask Rob what do you do at Nasa, he tells us. It's cool what he does and I'm proud of him, and I listened really well. Second off, I asked Deb what she did at Nasa, and she told us. It's cool what she does and I'm proud of her, and I listened really well.

Okay... oh let's say maybe 5 minutes after that conversation, I turned to Deb and asked her, "Now... tell us what you do at Nasa."

My sweet niece looked at me just slightly puzzled, and then a full-blown memory came blasting back into my head, and then came the OMGosh I just asked her that! And I thought, what the heck?! Then there was panic and humiliation and terrible, negative things I whispered to myself about how stupid I was and how could I make a mistake like that, and then came the shock of it all and of course the stupid tears! I've forgotten things before, but I knew this was a very major memory mistake! Frightening, it was [Yoda, of course.]!!

Those Family members I mentioned who were present for my massive forgetfulness could not have been kinder nor more sympathetic to me, and they said they had done the same thing themselves... many times, and Jill don't worry about it, it's okay no big deal. But it was certainly a big deal to me. I couldn't believe it, just could NOT believe it!!

When I got home from Conroe, I was taking my gifts out of the bags and came upon a BD card from Alan. He does that a bunch, he'll give ya something or do something and not tell ya about it, then you just happen upon it. The BD card had a fresh banana on it and underneath it was the word "yesterday". Then there was a picture of a more ripe banana and the word "today" underneath it. Opened the card, it said, "Being one day older only matters if you're a banana." Happy Birthday! Love ya, Alan & Marlena. Ha! I thought that was very fitting.

In order to get through it, I chose to believe them saying they forget things all the time too, and much later, I chose to forgive myself. Those older in our Family worry about Alzheimer's with a capital "A", because our beautiful, oldest sister Lynda had it and passed away on October 4, 1995. She had it for a very long time, we miss her and it was so difficult to see her the way she was. I wonder if I have it now and this is the beginning of my very slow trip down to the end. I don't mind the end, I'm ready to go to heaven, it's the "down trip" that bothers me.

I feel much better now, it was one of those things that happens, ya know? I wanted to read to you the birthday cards my brothers and sisters sent/gave me. I believe God helped me by using these cards to make me feel better and not so lost....

From my sister Susan Jane, the card said: "Sister, May you greet the coming year with dreams in your heart and a smile on your face. May only good things come your way. May you have many moments that fill your days with happiness, and may you live the one, exceptional life only you were born to live." -- Sue wrote, Hope your day is filled with fun. Ask the brothers to give you a huge hug for me.

From my brother Larry and Betty, the card said: "Sister, Joy, Peace, Love... Joy for your spirit. Peace for your soul. Love for your heart. On your birthday and everyday, may these be your gifts." -- We love you, Larry & Betty.

From Moke & Kasey, the card has a brother holding tight to his little sisters hands and swinging her around, the card said: "Hold onto the wonder all around you... You'll never grow old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY." -- Get it? "Hold onto the 'wonder' & we'll never grow old." I wonder who said that? See, I feel younger already. Life would sure be a drag without our kid sister. Our prayer is that this year in your life will be the best one ever, and that we get to enjoy it with you. Love you, Sis... Moke & Kasey.

Now after that, how could I feel lost, how could I worry. We're told not to worry, ya know. I just feel loved and cared about, and I hope I do the same for everyone I love and especially to those that I don't.

--Thanks for reading my 1st Journal Page.--

I feel very old

I'm young at heart... playful, silly, I laugh a bunch, especially since I'm taking yet another drug. Been thinking maybe the right combination is finally in place.

I'm also very fun-loving, but, my body is aged somewhere around... well... way older. I hate being old! When you're old you can hardly move, and your body makes creaky noises and you moan a bunch. Every time I get out of bed or out of a chair, my movements must be planned and clearly thought out; otherwise, I could easily dislocate something or something could fall off! It's so tough being old.

I work with a guy, Bill Miller is his name. We graduated together in 1970 from good 'o Pasadena High School. We were young then, now a days, we both limp around like we're as old as the hills... which I reckon we are. We'll be 58 this year. Sheesh! OMGoodness, I just realized that he & I are only 2 years away from being in the 60 numbers... 61, 62, 63... and then, in no time we'll be in the 70 numbers!! Our lives are almost through! Where did the time go??? There's so many things I wanted to do before I died!

Like jump from an airplane! Now that's never gonna happen, because when I landed, I'd crack something for sure even while wearing a parachute. And there will be no bungee jumping because I would probably scramble the vertebra in my spine! No marathon could I run or even walk. And bike riding is out of the question because of my back and bad knees. Skating, forget that too... much breakage would occur indeed.

I was watching poor old Bill Miller walk today and he kind of moves from side-to-side when he limps. Me, I'm more of a slumped forward limper. My limp is nowhere as bad as his, thank the Lord. But, if I stand for too long or walk for too long, my herniated disk yells at me to sit the heck down!!

I really do feel so old... I was on Facebook and doing one of the many quizzes they have, and one of the questions asked what year were you born. Well darn it all, turned out I'm so old they didn't even post a year back that far!!! I was saddened.

Oooooooh, I'm old, so very old, and I don't like it one bit. Did you hear that creaking?

Young at Heart

Things Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You

Maureen Mackey interviewed some hairstylists. The following are things they will not tell you:

1. I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you a movie star's haircut, but I can't give you her face.

2. Come at least five minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games.

3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way.

4. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an option. Hairdresser school does not teach about counter transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders.

5. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth", or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"?

6. I most likely won't remember how I cut your hair. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time?

7. Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still. Kids kick. It's an intense experience.

8. Standing all day and using scissors and blow-dryer takes its toll. I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I am a physical wreck!

Oh my word, I had no idea!!

Just reading this pisses me off and

makes my hands and feet hurt!!

__________________________________

FACEBOOK

The only reason I started on Facebook was to see what's up with My 4 Moochies, meaning my son Ethan, his wife Deni, and of course my beautiful Grandsons, Faolan and Rowan. I get to see pictures that Deni posts of the boys and I get to see what's going on in their lives. I only get to see My Moochies when I drive to Holcomb, Kansas twice a year, once around May 17 (Rowan's birthday) and then again around November 17 (Faolan's birthday). The boys are growing up so fast and I'm missing so much, but I try to stay plugged in by being on Facebook.

I found out that Deni dreaded her hair, she loves it that way and feels more like herself with dreads. She'd look beautiful bald headed as far as I'm concerned. Faolan is taking karate. And Rowan can flip his Daddy over when he doesn't get off the slide at Chuck E Cheese.

Since I've been on FB, I've found some friends, some new ones and some old ones and a bunch of family ones. I don't comment to probably 95% of my friends and they don't comment to me, but I just thought I needed more friends, so I invited them, and now there's more people that I don't comment to.

Seems a bunch of my friends are into finding gold and losing poor little animals and farming virtual farm land. I tried the farmland thing, but just couldn't stay with it. I would rather play Text Twist and make as many words out of 6 letters as I can while being timed.

But, truly what thrills me the most about FB is getting a response from my Ethan or Deni, it doesn't happen much, but I'm sure happy when it does. Makes it feel like stupid Kansas isn't that far from me.

On FB, I do take quizzes to find out what movie star I am or what element I'm most like, what character I would be in Lord of the Rings, what flower, and on like that. I find those kind of intersting find outs. Most of the time, I turn out to be the thing or person I figure I would be most like. For example in Lord of the Rings, I'd be a hobbit. In flowers, I'm a daisy and that's perfect cause that's my favorite flower. Took a what should be your occupation quiz, turned out to be an actor. I'd have bunches of fun doing that.

And you can say on FB just about anything that's on your mind, like I'm depressed today, or I'm going to do this or that today, or wish me luck on blah blah blah. And people sometimes respond with their well wishes and atta girls. It's kind of cool. It's strange, but probably my most favorite person on FB outside of my 4 Moochies, is my ex-husband's wife. Weird huh? Well Tracy is a sweetheart, and I like her and see makes nice, supportive comments, and I like that.

I came upon this picture of the cutest little beagle I've ever seen. Look how guilty he looks, wonder what he did?

But isn't he adorable?

_______________________________

Jill's Brother

This is Jill again. Ida's still not well. She said she may have to give up her blog, because it's all she can do to keep up with her radio program and the special requests she receives from all her fans, plus her not feeling well. I told her I wouldn't mind taking over her blog and filling in at any time, even though I don't know how to write and don't have much to say. Ida told me to keep writing for her and that I was doing a fine job... I know she's just saying that to make me feel good.

The last blog I did was entitled "What's on Jill's mind", and apparently Moke is the only one who cared enough to find out, at least he's the only one who posted a comment. LOL! He's a good brother... he and Kasey are The Best Jerry, The Best!! They've done so much for me by letting me hang out with 'em, giving me support, and listening to all the weird stuff I talk about.

I just left their house after spending the weekend with them, and Moke said, "Jill, I laugh more with you than I do with anyone else." Wow, what a compliment. It's true what he said, we laugh and laugh. It's so much fun spending time with the two of 'em.

Did you know that Moke and Kasey are fine cooks! It's true. They fix a great grilled steak, an excellent BBQ brisket with cole slaw and beans, yummy soups, and delicious cornish hen. Oh! And when they're not cooking for me, we go to the best places in the World to eat, like McKenzie's BBQ and Taco Bueno!! Oh Momma!

When I go to visit them, they don't mind if I take a nap during the afternoon, isn't that the sweetest thing? We go to the movies and sometimes do some shopping, watch rented movies or just watch TV. And, Moke & Big Al let me act in their videos when there's a part for me. And Moke and I talk and talk and laugh and laugh! I consider him my best friend.

The reason I visited 'em this weekend is because I was supposed to do some acting with them in Cut and Shoot at a flea market, but I decided that after we went to church and I walked around a little bit, that my knee was not going to hold up very well with too much walking, and my lower back was giving me fits too. So I missed out on the acting bit, I was pretty sad about that, cause acting is lots of fun, especially with my brothers.

I'll be going up again next weekend to Moke & Kasey's Bed & Breakfast (cute, huh?). I have 2 reasons for going. The first is that Don Piper, the writer of "90 Minutes in Heaven", is going to be at The Ark Sunday morning. I've read his book and I've also listened to it on CD, what a remarkable man. I'm not missing out on a chance to see him and hear him talk, no way! I'm very excited about it. Would love to shake his hand and maybe put a little money in his pocket. Moke told me the guy doesn't ask to be paid for his preaching at other churches, just his expenses for traveling and staying over night.

The other reason I'll be going again to Conroe is because of our March Family Gathering. My nephew Nalin and his wife Kristy are hosting it. We have a good time at their home... they have a Wii. I won't be able to play with it though. I've gotta take care of my knee and back and make sure I don't hurt them any more. Forgot to mention that I had knee surgery and was feeling right as rain, but then I wasn't being careful and when I went to turn, my torso moved but my left leg didn't and I wrenched my knee! It hurts like the dickens! I'm doing physical therapy and am sure that it will be super duper some day.

Well, I guess that's enough of my rambling. I had a very nice weekend with M&K and I'm very thankful that God let Moke be my brother. He's a pickle. I just love pickles.

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What's on Jill's mind

Hi everyone! It's me, Jill. I'm Mark and Al's sister (Please don't count that against me.). I can't believe that Ida let me fill in for her for awhile, especially since I don't know anything about doing this. I'm definitely not a writer that is for sure!

The cool think about this though is that I'm not expected to be "a writer" or "a columnist", cause I'm not. I can just put down on here whatever comes to my mind, and it doesn't have to be worded correctly or elaborately, just my words typed here on Ida's blog right here, soooo ah, I'm just gonna think of stuff and then gonna put it on here... Ah... well, let's see...

Okay... I don't like the Kardashians. There's a good place to start. I don't know who they are or where they come from, except that they're rich and pretty people, and somewhere in the family is the swimmer guy who got the nose job that looks absolutely terrible!! Hey that felt good to get off my chest! Let's see what else I can think of...

Have you ever eaten a whole wheat tortilla? Well don't. They're horrible! Of course someone's going to lose weight by eating them, cause they're unedible! Hey, this is fun!

"How I Met Your Mother" is a sucky show! I don't even know who the mother is? And they start some of the shows off with these 2 kids having to sit and listen to their dad talk about meeting their mother, only he doesn't talk about meeting her, he just talks about what he and his friends do or did. It's definitely no "Friends" I can tell you that much. It's just real sucky.

Oh man, I rented the movie "Push". Holy cow, don't waste your money, it's terrible, beyond terrible in fact. I couldn't watch the entire thing, it was just too stupid and terrible to sit through. I just saved you a few cents.

My family knows it, but you guys might not, I'm crazy about my grandsons Faolan and Rowan. they are the most beautiful little boys to ever live. Here's a picture of my son Ethan with Rowan. Ethan is an RN and Rowan is helping Daddy with his homework. Isn't this the sweetest, oh I know adorable in everyway, what did I tell ya?

Hey, this was fun! I truly enjoyed it. I don't know how much longer Ida will be feeling bad, I'll be sure to keep you up on her progress. I brought her some chicken soup today and she was loving every bit out of it. She said to say hi to all of her faithful and devoted readers out there. Am pretty sure she was talking to you Ms A.

Welp, till the next time, keep the wind at your back and don't roller skate in a buffalo herd... you can't do it.

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Until I feel better...

Rooftoppers, I haven't been feelin' too well of late, so I asked someone to fill in for me on my blog page for a bit. She's that sister of Mark and Al Hayter. I don't know what she's gonna come up with or has to say, but she said she'd keep it clean.

She even offered to accept any get well cards that y'all might have to send me - you can mail them to her house and she'll bring 'em by for me. Thank you in advance for all the cards!

Jill Hayter Jakob

1803 Elmwood

La Porte, TX 77571

I really do appreciate this Jill. Do you think that the next time you drop by you could straighten the place up a bit, and pick me up some of that Crystal Lite Peach Tea that I like so much? Thanks darlin', as your brother Mark would say, "You're a peach."

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Jokes

I don't know about the rest of you Rooftoppers, but I love this cold weather... do believe I mentioned that before. Everybody's been fussin' and fussin' about the cold! Think people! Just think about it! In no time at all, it'll feel like 120 degrees out and like it's never gonna cool off! I think everybody forgets the sweatin' we do here durin' most of the year. I say, "Mr. Winter, you just stick around for as long as you'd like as far as I'm concerned."

A good friend of mine, Paul Gordy, I call 'im Paully, sent me the following jokes that you might find a little bit humorous. My favoirte is the last one.

How many men does it take to open a beer?

None. It should be opened when she brings it.

Why do women have smaller feet than men?

It allows them to stand closer to the kitchen sink.

How do you know when a woman is about to say something smart?

When she starts a sentence with, "A man once told me..."

How do you fix a woman's watch?

You don't. There's a clock on the oven.

If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first?

The dog, of course. He'll shut up once you let him in.

Scientists have discovered a food that diminishes a woman's sex drive by 90%.

It's called wedding cake.

Why do men die before their wives?

Because they want to.

Women will never be equal to men, until they walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut and still think they're sexy.

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Still tryin' to Get Fit

Hey Rooftoppers! How's it goin'? Hopin' all is well with you and yours! I'm still workin' on my New Year's Resolution to "Get Fit". Not doin' so well, but I keep tryin'. Thought the followin' suggestions were pretty good ones. I actually came up with some of these on my own...

1. Make a batch of slim soup filled with all the veggies that you love and tons of beans, making it a chicken broth or beef broth base, dependin' of course on the kind of meat you put in it. Have a cup or a bowl of this soup before supper and it will calm your appetite and you won't eat so much. This really works for me.

2. I have fallin' in love with those tiny iddy biddy oranges called Clementines! I snack on 'em at work. They're so easy, just peel and eat, and they taste amazin'! If you haven't tried 'em yet, you just gotta!

3. Eat an apple everyday. I opt for the small Gala apples, and I don't like to just grab 'em and eat, prefer to cut them in wedges, removing all the core and ick stuff. I know this guy who eats the entire apple, core and all! That is weird to me, but whatever.

4. Try findin' substitutes for fattening foods. I have no problem drinkin' or cookin' with skim milk or with sugar substitutes. BUT, there's one thing I won't substitute, ever. That thing is Hellman's mayonaise! Don't even try to take my Hellman's away from me, you might loose a hand! Hellman's makes the world go round for me. Don't dare mess with it in anyway, it can NOT be substituted, just eat less of it.

And now if you'll all look under your chair, you will find that everyone is receivin' their very own jar of Hellman's! Yea! Yippee! Whoopdee! That's what Oprah would have said. She gives away stuff, I don't.

5. This suggestion right here is the very best suggestion I can give you to Get Fit. Just watch "The Biggest Loser" and imagine yourself as a contestant. OMGosh! I think about myself up there on the scale with millions of people watchin', and I'm in a pair of spandex shorts and a sports bra! Oh the humanity!!

Sure hope y'all come back and visit me,

and if you do, add a comment.

I'd love to hear from you...

me & Ms A would love to hear from you.

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Uses for a Penny

Uses for a Penny...

I had no idea that pennies could be used for so many things. Found these uses, which were thought up by a feller named John Lawton. They were posted on Yahoo.

1. Curtain Straightener - Make an opening in the bottom hem, slide in a penny or two, and sow the hem back up to keep curtains hanging level and straight.

2. Thread Checker - Insert a penny into the groove of a tire with Lincoln's head pointing into the tire. if the groove covers part of his head, you're safe to drive; if the head is in full view, it's time for new wheels.

3. Table Anchor - If you dine out and the table is unsteady, put a coin under the leg to restore balance.

4. Makeshift Screwdriver - Use a penny to screw open a toy's battery pack.

5. Birdbath Cleaner - To ward off algae, toss in a few pre-1982 coins; the high copper content retards growth,

Those are very good uses for a penny. Here's some from me, I'm Ida, and I know stuff:

1. When you're playing football with your brothers, the game is tied and it's starts a rain pourin', flip a coin to see who the winner was.

2. I used to have a pair of penny-loafers and I would put a penny in 'em. Somebody needs to research how and why this fad began.

3. Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck - everybody knows that one, huh?

4. If everyone in the World was to save a penny for each day that they lived and we put all them pennies side-by-side, that line of pennies would reach to the moon and back 4,132 times. [I don't know that for sure, I just made it up. Sounds official, don't it?]

Rooftoppers? Can you think of any more uses for a penny? Well of course ya can, but you won't send your ideas in, cause ya never do, so don't even think about sendin' any of those ideas in, cause I don't wanna hear 'em. They say, "A penny for your thoughts"... well that's pretty much what my thoughts are worth these days.

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Things your burglar won't tell you

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU...

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.

[Thank you Dardon Ann Hayter for sending these helpful ideas in!]

CAN YOU THINK OF ANY MORE GOOD IDEAS TO KEEP BURGLAR'S AWAY??

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Joe's Crab Shack

Oh good lord! Have any of you seen the "Joe's Crab Shack" commercial? There's a family of 5, Dad, Mom, teenager, a younger child, and then maybe a 5 year old. Joe is wantin' us all to go eat at his place, so we can have a good visit with each other, while the Dad flips somethin' off his plate and everyone in the family says, "Oh s!!t!" and covers their mouth. Now of course we don't hear the family say the complete word s!!t, but we do here them say the "sh" sound. Even the little girl is sayin' the word! Now please understand Rooftoppers, I'm not a perfect person, and my mouth does come out with some naughty things from time to time, but havin' children say curse words on TV advertising a fun day at Joe's with the family is wrong. Now that's Ida's opinion... do you have one? None of ya have to agree with me, everyone is entitled to think what they want... let's hear it.

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I'd rather freeze than have a nose bleed

Hey Rooftoppers, is it cold outside or what?! It was 51 degrees in my house this morning! Brrrr. I rarely turn on my heater, cause I hate breathin' in that hot, stuffy air that comes out of it, dries out my nose, makes it bleed sometimes. I'd rather freeze than have my nose bleed, wouldn't you?

I love me some cold weather! Love to sleep under 3 quilts, like I did last night. Did ya know you don't need to be sleepin' with somebody to snuggle or stay warm? It's true, you just snuggle with yourself, under a bunch of quilts.... well, quilts and my stuffed beagle, named Puppy. Isn't that a cute name for a puppy? I think it's perfect, don't you?

Another thing that can keep you warm is a steamin' bowl of soup. You thought I was gonna say Wolf Brand Chili, didn't ya? Well, that would be good too. But I found a low-cal taco soup on the internet, and it's pretty dang good, you might try it sometime....

TACO SOUP
1 lg onion, chopped

1 lg chicken breast or 1 lb lean hamburger

1 pkg taco seasoning
2 cups whole kernel corn
1 can fat-free chicken broth
1 can Bush pinto beans, undrained
1 can great northern beans, undrained
1 can fat-free refried beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Ro-Tel

Saute the onion until soft. Add the other ingredients to pot. Simmer for 1 hour.

HAPPY 2010 Y'ALL!

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