Stuff

I am behind this week due to the face thing...which by the way has improved significantly.

So here is the Weigh In....I am going down very, very slowly...these last 40 lbs. might be the death of me. I now need toning more than ever. My skin is flabby and muscles seem very week.....where is the magic skin my boys talked about as little boys? We kicked it up a bit at the gym this week and decided that besides walking we would do a more intense gym work out as well...intense for me is most likely a normal persons beginning workout.....hey, I am trying.
I still need to eat better and get more water into me every day.
The problems with eating better is that nothing sounds appealing to me...so you are thinking then the weight should be falling off, not. Just because it isn't what I would choose to eat doesn't mean I won't eat something, anything to find that perfect food to fill the void. Also coming up with what to eat and then having to make it and clean up after myself is just not fun to think about. I made up my mind today that I was going to make the weekly menu and follow through. i am going to make what is on the plan even if I don't want to and it doesn't sound appealing....I know pretty grown up of me. I hope this new resolve works out.

As for the painting project...it too is coming along very, very slowly....I have about half of it done if I stop and don't do any decorative painting...which is something, the decorative painting, I really would like to do IF I can do it perfectly...so in other words it probably won't happen and I can officially say I am half way done with the painting....now what to do with all the stuff /furniture/junk/etc....that is sitting in the center of the room. I have other stuff I want to load the room up with.....maybe a garage sale?

The rest: The garden is looking good, the rest of the yard is not....too much rain and cold to work out side. The other projects are just someday projects for the moment.....making a ton to do this summer. At least I have projects/work to look forward to on top of the rest of my daily jobs...oh well as they say no rest for the ...wicked or weary.
MCC

Wednesday Weigh In

Okay I am going in the right direction.....down. That is all that matters. I know I am frustrated because it isn't going off fast or in larger increments, but I am losing weight! I guess it is the old stubborn stuff that I am now working on.
More Water!!!!!
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The garden is happening again. I learned so much last year I could not plant it again.....however this year there are many changes....first off I planted earlier...still not as early as dad ,but I got the things that do best in the cooler weather in and going. I am now waiting to plant the things that need a warmer climate, so I probably won't finish planting until close to Mother's Day....tomatoes even after that....yea, I plant tomatoes. Just because I don't enjoy them doesn't mean I should deprive my family who does.
I have been reading a lot of garden blogs lately and have learned that I am I an timid beginner. I don't risks in the gardening area....no brussel sprouts for me...have you seen a full grown brussel sprout plant, it is tall, like a tree. Who knew? Actually I like to stick with things that are easy to grow and known to me....not very adventurous, but hey I am trying...I am planting a garden.
MCC

My Garden

I know, how scary do I look?the flourishing garden.......we made that trellis that the beans were supposed to climb,

they didn't.

Yes, I grew this stuff!

I know that there are several weeks left to harvest from my garden, but hey I don't have much left worth harvesting so here is the report.
I have learned so much from doing it. I have a ton of questions for other gardeners in the area, and I found that I liked my low maintenance garden...the fresh produce was all worth it.
What I learned:
I learned that I need to plant the cold weather veggies sooner. So what if there is still snow on the ground or if it snows after you have planted, when they tell you so many weeks before the last frost that is when you should plant if you want any produce from those plants......when is the last frost?
I love our garden boxes...it is small and manageable and virtually weed free. next year we need to add more soil mix and make it deeper.
I learned what to and what not to plant for next year, where to plant what, what areas of the garden get the most sun or shade and how much is too much water.
I found that I needed to put up a fence to keep my dog and other curious animals out, that birds will eat the seeds so watch out for them....and replant if you think they have eaten your seeds....sadly no melons.
I understand the why and need to thin the veggies.....can you say carrot knots?
I want to ask others who garden in this area what grows the best for them and what tastes the best?
My Semi-Successes and Failures:
I planted 4 tomato plants, one died, probably from to much water, one has produced excellent tomatoes....I hope the variety is in my garden notes, and two are decent looking plants but they haven't produced any tomatoes. I can't remember seeing any blossoms.....crossing my fingers, hoping for more. Tomato Story- I don't like the texture of a fresh tomato so I have never been a big fan of garden fresh tomatoes, however Megan and Gary love them....I decided to try them again because everyone is always telling me how fabulous tomatoes fresh from the garden are....I tried, I really did try to eat it all by it's self....and the flavor was wonderful, I don't have a problem with the flavor, but the texture.....well it made me gag, so I just hid it in something else and finished it. Yes, the flavor was delicious. We will want to plant that kind again.
My cucumbers are interesting, some are beautiful, long and straight, but others are round. If I let them grow a little longer they seem to get a little straighter, but then they get to big and seedy. So I would like to know what are the best variety of cucumbers to plant.
The other really promising veggies are the beets...yumm, carrots and radishes, where they were thinned, leaf lettuce, which was very good when it was young, and some kind of squash, probably zucchini......
The Green Beans did poorly, I barely got enough of them for dinner....others I have talked to said that their beans were also bad, so maybe I got the wrong kind or this was a bad year for beans? The Peppers are still struggling, but it doesn't look as if we will have anything from them this year. The Peas were planted too late....don't know when the last frost is or how to cunt back......but I did get a few. Everyone tells me to plant them again right now for a fall harvest.......I might try it.

Next year I will plant earlier, I will plant less of some things and a whole lot more of others.
I think I have figured out the water and sun thing so that too should help. The fact that I am even planning to do a garden again next year is promising.......maybe I'll even get enough produce to share?

MCC

Monday, Monday, Monday

I am so glad that it is a new week! I loved all that I had to do last week, I just had too much and missed too many things because of overlap.....

I am playing catch up and try to get ahead with my regular things today........in my dreams!

Elder NCCall had a bit of a rough last week....makes my mothers heart sad, but there is nothing I can do to help and he is okay, just disappointed in other people.
I found this photo of him posted on facebook by Elder Hudson ....it made me smile. Elder Call - Friends don't let friends go to UTAH. Elder Hudson -Utah
This was taken about two weeks ago at their Zone P-Day Christmas in July party.

It is a beautiful cool summer day....they are the best. Sky is blue, trees have lots of beautiful foliage, the grass is green, my flowers are still blooming, and the garden looks great...yesterday we had 6 tomatoes, carrots, beets, cucumber and lettuce form the garden for dinner.....yumm!

No great new movies coming out so there isn't a lot of new to book at the K-town this week......I think they are now saving it all for labor Day weekend. that means 2 more weeks of the same old crap.

Attended a great fireside with Hayden last night. The core thought was read and study your scriptures, pray daily, and live temple worthy and you will be prepared and protected.......I know too simple for most of us to do. We want it to hard, to have to make a showy sacrifice, but all that the Lord requires of us is simple.......all he really wants is our heart.

MCC

Wednesday Weigh In

My weight after 2 holidays and vacations is 1lb. down from my pre California weight........
I couldn't be happier, however the clothing issue is getting even grimmer. Tops blouses and things that can belt are still fine,but baggy in the butt and chest. I am glad I found an inexpensive pair of white capri's and that mom gave me two tops. At least I have a few things to make me feel and look slimmer.

Hayden and I are felling trees....not really, just the big branches that are hitting the house. I have to help him finish cleaning up. I know I will be so sore tomorrow, but I am glad we got it done.

Picked a few carrots, two tomatoes, a cucumber and lettuce today from the garden!

MCC

Funday

DYK- that cut peony's lose there color as they age? My beautiful pink peony's are now an off white.

I am so glad the 'maid' showed up yesterday, and not a moment too soon. So, today is play day....not really, but kind of.

I am off the the garden center. I need more daylillies.....you can never have too many.The Daisy moving project is going nicely.
Who would have ever guessed that I would enjoy being in the yard working?
The Veggie garden is also coming along nicely.....except where the dog trampled through right after I planted....the sections look hit and miss with plants.....oh,well.

Perfect weather day so I am out of here!
MCC

The Garden

It is almost completely planted....it is the garden. I am still waiting to put my tomatoes in and a few other warm weather veggies....but hey it is in and growing... I will have to post a photo.
Anyway....my biggest problem with the garden is my dog...he doesn't dig it up, but he likes to lie in the dirt, on top of my new little sprouts.
I guess that this means I will have to fence it for the time being.
It is kind of exciting to know that you are growing good food for your family to munch on this summer/fall. I know it is not much, but I feel like I am doing my part. After all seed only run about $2.00 a package and the labor isn't much so the return can be phenomenal.
MCC

Keep it Positive....and green

"It's not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - unknown

To survive we need to change. We don't need to change our values and beliefs, but we need to be adaptable to the current conditions, and grow stronger because of the change......different isn't always better, but better is always different.....enough said

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson

Love this thought...goal setting and course corrections is what it is all about.

I begin my garden today...probably a little late, but I am doing it.
The sky is blue, the weather is crisp, but spring like. The yard and dirt are beckoning me to them....just like the Secret Garden ...."come to my garden." I hope I will find relief and joy in my efforts. My first job will be cleaning up and preparation for the compost mix that will arrive Saturday. I probably won't plant until Tuesday with the weather forecast we have been given.....good moist soil for seeds should be perfect.
My first plantings will be peas and broccoli....I have never even seen broccoli growing but have been told that it loves the cool weather and is easy to grow from nursery starts.......J&L Garden center watch out here I come.


The birds are fighting for space. Their symphony is calling me to come outside...so I am off.
MCC

Rainy/Snowy Days & Monday

I'm not really down...but the weather today is a gloomy rain soon to be snow mix. They are predicting up to 8 inches at my house...

SPRING WHERE ARE YOU?

The thing that brightens my day is Elder Call sent us a photo...He looks so happy, and skinny. Look at his collar....I will have to send him some new clothes, but I need his new measurements.His smile just makes my heart happy!

This month is supposed to be my month of Action.....it is now the 9th and I don't even feel any motion...so I will have to recommitted to the action thing.

We had our Stake Conference this past weekend...It was wonderful! Why am I always amazed when the promptings of the Spirit I have had are confirmed?.....I have really been prompted to plant our garden again.....around December...... In January our ward began encouraging us to plant a garden or allow others in our ward to use our garden spots. In conference the Stake Pres told us all to plant gardens..... I guess I was told to plant a garden....So I am really going to plant our garden, not just think about planting it.
Dad says it is time to get it ready to plant my peas.....after the snow melts....He will be my go to guy for this project. He has always grown a garden of some type,,,,,when we were kids we had a very large garden, and fruit trees. We had to tend the garden and help with the harvesting and preserving of the produce.....great memories. Dad now mostly plants tomatoes, but it is because of our garden that I love radish sandwiches, and new potatoes and peas in a white sauce. So last night I asked him about when to start, that is why I have the info on peas......He then asked what else do you want to grow? I looked at him like an idiot. This is something that I will now have to figure out. Megan suggested the salsa vegetables, good idea. Hayden asked why don't you just buy it made form the store? He is such a city kid.
Our garden isn't really big but it would provide enough for us this summer.
When I told Elder Call about the garden thing he responded in true missionary fashion....Remember the parable of the sower....good soil, good, seed, good care equals good fruits.....Got to love him! Gary says Nelson advice comes from being happy that he will not have to worry about the garden and the work that comes with it....it should be fun!
I have been studying Square Foot Gardening. I will defiantly use the methods and ideas that are suggested and go to Farmer Cole for the hands on advice. Who knows I may like gardening after all......

Back to work...it's showtime!
MCC