Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

January 11, 2010

Just Doing It!

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 10:41 am

It’s the beginning of a new week and I can already tell it’s going to be a great one. Yesterday, I did something that I’ve never done before in my life- I walked on a frozen canal. Yes, I know it doesn’t seem like much, but trust me, for someone who has never walked on a frozen canal or any other body of water, it’s a big deal.

I wanted to slide on the ice but didn’t dare. After much encouragement from mom, I decided to stop being silly and just do it. The worst that could happen would be that I would fall and break my leg, arm or something else, but life would go on.

I’m happy to say that I DID do it, and I didn’t fall, or even almost fall. I loved it and I found myself wanting to learn how to ice skate. Marcel recorded it, so once I get it uploaded, I’ll share.

Do it today people- you never know when tomorrow won’t come, and who wants to live with regrets?

January 10, 2010

We Could All Use A Little More…

Filed under: Inspiration,Life,photography — gardener @ 11:16 am

All You Need is Love
I think this says it all- no words necessary.

January 9, 2010

Health and Fitness Update

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 1:51 am

As you know, I recommited to myself and promised that I would do my best to reach my weight loss goal by November of this year. I’m also on a 21 day sugar detox to try to readjust my tastebuds to live without sugar and that means not eating anything with sugar or that’s sweet.

At first, I lasted two days, and the fudge in the kitchen called my name a little too loud and I had a piece. Two pieces to be exact. I knew what I was doing and no I didn’t kick myself for doing it, but rather than saying ‘forget it’ with the sugar detox, I started again fresh the next morning. It’s now been three days, and while I still miss sugar, I’m managing without it. I hope by the time this 21 days are over, I won’t crave it any longer.

In other news- I’ve been very good about not eating after 8, and I continue with that pattern. I haven’t started tracking my food yet on paper (or on the “eye phone”) but I will. (I have been keeping an estimate and close eye on what I have though, and I feel confident I’m staying within my calorie range.

I still haven’t got on the elliptical, but what I have done is been walking some in this weather. I’m really ready to get back on the elliptical, but I really want to get rid of this cough before I do, because anytime I get too warm, the coughing fits start. I hope that will be soon.

So that’s my start- I’ve increased my water and yesterday while I was out with Desere, I resisted cookies, chococcino and even the beautiful ciabatta bread that was served with my tomato soup at lunch. I wanted it, but in the end, I know that it isn’t worth it.

Icy Roads

Filed under: In the Neighborhood,Life — gardener @ 1:45 am

I can’t believe that yet another few days have passed since I last wrote in here. Things have been slightly busy, and in the evenings when all is quiet, rather than spend time on the computer, I’ve been watching movies, and some of the new shows that I’ve just discovered and fallen in love with.

Yesterday I spent half of the day walking, shopping and lunching with Desere, and afterwards I spent some time on a little photo safari looking for winter pictures. I didn’t have to look far with the weather being what it is. One thing is for sure, with all the cars I see slipping and sliding all over the road, finding the cheapest car insurance should be a necessity. Having something is definitely better than having no coverage at all.

Marcel and I ended up in a couple places yesterday where the roads weren’t cleared and where the road wasn’t wide enough for two cars. One of those moments happened to be on a hill, and we met three cars in a row. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck by the time we got out of there. Thankfully we didn’t slide off the embankment and into the canal and made it home safely.

Today and tomorrow I’m not working, so I’m planning on catching up with a few things around the house and possibly writing a few letters.

January 6, 2010

Gratitude- January 6

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 8:38 am

It’s hard to believe that we are almost a week into the new year. Aside from a few frustrations and speed bumps, the year couldn’t be better and I know with each passing day things are only going to continue to be great.

In a little while, I’m going to retire to the kitchen for a little while and start dinner, but before I do.

My Gratitude List for January 6, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • The softly falling snow and the beautiful blanket of white.
  • The silence and overall peaceful feeling that comes along with the snow.
  • New recipes, which I’m excited about trying.
  • Thick warm socks that keep my feet warm on days like these.
  • JJ and Mister M. who never fail to make me giggle.

I Can See Clearly Now

Filed under: Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 8:32 am

Do you remember that song from the, what was it 70’s? Even though I am a child of the 60’s, I happen to love that song, but that isn’t what this entry is about. It does relate to seeing clearly and about something that I’d like to share with y’all. For those of you who know me, you know that I always love sharing products that I find that I think others can benefit from, and this is yet another one of those occasions.

This morning I was reading online when I came across an article about eyeglasses. Now, I don’t personally wear glasses, but both of my parents do so I figure it’s just a matter of time before I join them. I can’t tell you how many times mom has mentioned paying astronomical amounts for prescription glasses for both she and dad both, so after I read about the great prices that can be found online at Zenni, I decided to give mom a call. I told her that she should check her email that I was forwarding her an article that I read on how easy it is to get great prices on glasses by using Zenni optical.

I’m all for saving money and in this day and age with the uncertainties associated with the economy, the fact that someone offers prescription glasses for as little as $8.00 a pair is exciting. According to the article I read, they are able to do so because they have no middleman. They also don’t have a store that has excessive overhead that they have to cover, which ultimately is passed on to you. In addition, they don’t offer designer or brand name glasses, but instead, they offer inexpensive QUALITY glasses in many styles.

Mom had never heard of them, but now that she has, she said she’s definitely going to check them out. After all, the way I see it is why pay more if you don’t have to?

So Much for Sunshine, and Coffee

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 8:22 am

Ok, I did have a cup or three or Illy here at home so that does count for something, especially since the cafe I mentioned in the previous entry doesn’t serve the Italian goodness known as Illy, but as quickly as the sunshine arrived, it disappeared again. Once the clouds rolled in, the dark clouds that were looming on the horizon also rolled in and before I could blink or say Rumplestilskin the snow was falling. I don’t mean a little snow- I mean so much snow that it was difficult to see anything but white. Within 15 minutes quite a bit of snow had fallen and left everything covered in a blanket of white.

The weather said that the snow wasn’t going to begin until tonight, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens. Saturday’s weather says there’s going to be a storm. A blizzard maybe? I guess we’lll see.

Sunshine and Coffee

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,In the Neighborhood,Life,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 2:14 am

I woke up this morning to sunshine and if I have anything to say about it, I plan to get out and enjoy some of it as soon as I get my work done. In fact, since Marcel is off today, maybe I can talk him into walking with me into town (provided the ice is off the sidewalks and it isn’t slippery anymore) and having a coffee at my favorite cafe.. I’d love to have a chococcino (chocolate cappuccino) but I’m trying to detox from the sugar. AND with that being said, I must confess that I did have some fudge last night in a moment of weakness. I’m not beating myself up, but determined to be more conscious and I WILL make it the 21 days without sugar.

But since I’m not supposed to be having sugar, that means that I’d need to have plain coffee, since the chococcino has chocolate in it. I love the cafe though. I think I’ve shared pictures before, and I noticed the other day when I went in to their little girls room that they had new hand dryers that I thought were very cool. You stick your hand slowly inside this little thing, and this really high speed air blows out and dries your hands instantly. I’ll admit, that I played with it even once my hands were dry because I thought it was fun. I know.. it really is the little things that amuse me.

January 4, 2010

Gratitude January 4th

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 11:49 am
  • We are already four days into this new year and already it’s going great. I have high expectations of what this year is going to be for me, and I know that it can be even better than I think.

I’m grateful for so much- so I thought I’d share a few of what I’m grateful for today.

My Gratitude List for January 4, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • A quiet evening at home to relax and do exactly what I’d like.
  • The little things that make me smile.
  • Friendship- real friendship.
  • The freeing sense of saying no when I want to, and not saying yes just because I feel obligated.
  • Warm socks on a cold winter’s day.

Thinking about Lasik Surgery

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 11:44 am

I was wondering if any of y’all knew anyone who had had Lasik surgery recently? I have heard that one of the best places to have it done is Stahl Eye and that is usually is without much pain or side effects. I’d love to hear your stories because I would like to be able to give someone advice about it who was asking me.

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