Canning

Eddie went and picked a five gallon bucket of string beans this morning. I snapped them. He washed them and put them in jars. Here is a couple of pre-pic's before canning. We got 7 quarts this morning, plus a "mess" for supper.


We are having fresh squash,


sliced fresh tomatoes

and a rotissiere chicken to go with the beans. Yum! Yum! I will try to add a pic of the chicken before it is just bones. I can't wait for supper.

Flowers and Vegetables III

Day lilies


String beans




Tomatoes


Corn


Bell pepper



Hibiscus



Hollyhocks

Old picture I found pre-op

This photo was probably taken about January 1998 or 1999. I can only guess that I weighed close to 300 pounds. If you notice my birthday present included two big boxes of Russell Stovers Pecan Delights.

I was shocked when I came across the photo, not that I don't remember being that big, but because I look so much better now. I am so glad I finally decided to do something about my weight.

Busy Day

I went for my 6 month check-up following GBS and officially weigh 197.6. Dr. Sherer was pleased and said I was on the downhill swing. He said he thought I would easily make my goal of 150, hopefully by the one year mark this coming November.

I had lunch with my dear daughter and we went to Red Lobster. We had garlic grilled shrimp, rice pilaf, and salad. Shannon had the apple crisp, but I abstained because it would have made me sick.

I, then, went for my annual gyno and mammo this afternoon. Dr. Morgan was well pleased with my weight loss. He said the physical was okay. I will receive a letter in the mail if there was anything in the lab work which was questionable.

The new Dean Koontz book, "Odd Hours," came out today, but I was unable to go get it because I was so busy with doctor's appointments. I will have to wait til Thursday to go get it at BAM. I can't wait.

I am tired and am glad to be home.

New pictures

I have been walking on my elliptical while listening to 60's music on the FM satellitte radio on the TV. So much fun. Some songs can cause me to walk at 5 MPH and some of the slower one's only 4.3MPH. I walk about 30 minutes. Think I'll kick it up a notch to 45 minutes a day.

This weight loss thing is so great. I tried on an outfit of Momma's that she wore on her honeymoon when she married Bob. I thought it was the best looking outfit ever when she got it. I was with her when she picked it out. It fit me, but was a little loose. I was going to wear it to a baby shower next month, but it may be too big! Imagine that. I am so pleased and I know Momma would be pleased to see that I am shedding the pounds.

I have added a new blog that I read. Her name is Michelle, she had WLS and now concocts some of the best recipes for WLS patients. I absolutely think these recipes are fantastic. If you want no sugar, no fat/low fat recipes go see her blog, "The World According to Egg Face." Just click on the link on the side of my blog.

I have been exercising

I have been exercising, walking two miles a day for the past four days. I feel good and I am sleeping better. Who knew! I am also eating more protein and drinking more water and I feel great. I now weigh 195. I have 45 pounds to go for ultimate goal and 15 to my next mini-goal. Wehn I get down to 180, it will be the first time I have seen that weight since right after my daughter was born over 22 years ago. I am so pleased.

Here are a couple of new pics:

Mother's Day

I spent four hours driving back and forth to my daughter's today. I also spent a lot of money on her getting items for her apartment, some new clothes for her and food stuff to stock her fridge and pantry. Isn't that just the way of a mother? I guess that is my reward for having such a wonderful girl. I haven't done that in a good while and haven't spent any money on her since the wedding, so it was time for a splurge. She is such a good girl and I am so lucky to have her in my life. What a wonderful Mother's Day!

Blah Monday!

Although it is May 5th, Cinco De Mayo, in rural South Alabama it is just another blah Monday! We have no mexican restaurants, save for Taco Bell, and it is 20 miles away. So I do not get to celebrate by having an authentic mexican dinner. I guess I could make taco salad for me and Eddie tonight, but I would much prefer going to Los Compadres or Los Amigos for great mexican fare like I used to when I lived in the big city. Who am I kidding, since the surgery I wouldn't be able to eat that much anyway, but it's good to reminisce about such things.

I go for my six month follow-up on May 20th. I have un-officially lost 81 pounds so far, but that is on my scales. The doctor's scales weigh me three to five pounds heavier because of clothes and such and for the fact that his scales may also be calibrated differently. But in any event, that means I have lost on average a little over three pounds a week since the surgery, if my calculations are correct. I am not known for my exceptional math skills. If truth be told, I am not known for much of anything exceptional. I am just an average Jo, LOL! Jo being my middle name, of course. I may have some talent in making people feel at ease around me, if that can be considered exceptional and that just may be all in my head, but people have commented so before.

Back to the mexican thing today, I can smell the refried beans, mexican rice, fajita steak with fried onions and peppers from down here. With a few warm tortillas and a side of pica de gallo, I would be in heaven. Also, I would love me some chips and salsa right about now.




Comment on this blog and tell me what you're known to be exceptional for! Maybe that will make up for it being such a Blah Monday!