I Think We Made It !

To sun shinny days, warm breezes and swimming on your mind.  Oh Mama, how I love this weather, where you can spend all day outside.  Right now the birds, and I mean a number of them are singing their songs.  Beautiful.  Who could ask for anything more.  I have even washed our sheets and have them outside drying.  Talk about back in the day but hey, I love the smell of them and  the crispness as you crawl in.  Now that is something you do not get in a bottle.

Our gym and my Jim are doing fine.  Everyday I do a little more on the machines.  I swear it is such a good feeling to keep pushing yourself and just knowing your improving and getting healthy.  We have talked to several of our group that is if you are able to while doing your routine. What fun and interesting people.  I think they have potlucks once a month but haven't heard anything yet so we'll see. I am so glad we are going.  I feel like we are getting in on something that was a secret and we have discovered it.  Oh, guess what ?  They have opened the cafe.  How cool is that.  We went in and had a light lunch.  I had a salad and they had a smoothie.  It was really delicious but next time I want to order a breakfast burrito or something along that line.  They said they are going to be open from 7to 1 for breakfast.  I know Jim and I will work that into our schedule. How smart of them to have a cafe already there especially after you go swimming.  I still have not lost any weight but I can tell you my clothes fit better and my upper arms are looking a lot better.  There is still room for improvement but I can really see my arms are getting firmer.  Hey, have you checked out what's in your town ?  I don't care what your shape, size or how old your are, it just doesn't matter, GO, sign up bring a husband, wife, friend or neighbor, just do it.  I know you will not regret it and oh, how much better you will feel.  I will tell you we are spoiled in Chico, CA.  In Motion Fitness is the best all around.  The equipment, so many machines. The options.....exercise, yogi, dance, pilates, weights, basketball court, one on one trainer, 5 pools that are large with different temps, and 2 hot tubs.  Plus there is more, I just don't know about all of them.  What more could you ask for.  It's Heaven on Earth and I love it.  But I have to say the number one thing that sets it apart from all the rest is............The People !  Stephanie and Bree are Senior Wellness Trainers.  Top Drawer, Top Notch, Number 1.  Very professional on top of being warm and friendly.  They make you feel glad you came.  Everyone else I have come in contact with there, are friendly, always welcoming and you know they want you to come again.  Anyway that is the feeling I get.  So, if you don't live close enough to Chico then find one in your area.  Check all of them out before you decide but pick one I can tell you it will make the rest of your life happy, pain free and with lots of energy to do the things you want.  Isn't that better then meeting your long time friends at the waiting room in the Dr. office, or being room mates at the Rest Home or God forbid meeting at a mutual friends funeral.  I'm here to tell you, Change Now.  Do not pass go, go directly to the health club and start your New life. Tootles

At the Top !

Ok, we are going to talk about not only what is at the top but also what is not or at least not so much.  I'm talking about our hair.  I mean, what is up with thinning hair.  You know I excepted it, when my hair started turning white.  By the time I was in my 30's my hair was mostly white.  I mean, come on.  Then, I did have a choice of putting a dye or a rinse on it. I did for a while then let it be white, got a perm which was the style in early 90's and let it grow long.  Loved it.  Then I got the bright idea to surprise my husband.  Now keep in mind my hair was past my shoulders.  I had it cut just below my ears and dyed light brown.  Believe me I was sorry.  You know when you do something like that and you can't take it back and you see the look on peoples faces that it doesn't really look good but they don't know what to say.  So to save yourself you have to act like you love it.  That's what I did.  Think about it, what else are you going to do ?  Well, I finally got over that but have always had a problem that when ever my hair looks pretty good I sabotage it by either cutting it on a whim or put a color on it.  I really wish I could figure that one out, why do I do that ?  Anyway, now I'm dealing with  thinning hair.  Just on top.  How ugly is that.  It goes through my mind about the guy who does the comb over but now it's not so funny. Ha,so stop laughing.  I have wore a hat but alas I one of those people who do not look good in a hat.  I have, however, wore a baseball hat and it wasn't too bad.  My favorites are the little visors.  Not the ones with a rim, just the ones that go straight back in your hair.  There is not much to them but it's getting so you can see the sides of it through my hair really good and they don't stay in place as well as they use to.  I do blow dry my hair to make it look fuller.  Of course, then you hear that is hard on your hair so you shouldn't.  I know the only alternative is a wig.  I am thinking about it but then that leads to a whole new direction.  Do you wear it all the time ?  What color do you get ?  I just don't know if I want to commit to that just yet.  I know some of them are very expensive but some are pretty reasonable.  I just need to go check them out and see how easy or difficult they would be to use.  For now, you see a lot of pink scalp and some white hairs flowing over it.  I guess in the scheme of things this is not a life or death decision.  It's just another part of dealing with getting older and wanting to handle it with grace.   Tootles

Did I say Rain, Wind and Cold ? No, not again !

 It's here again so we are huddle up inside watching the weather outside put on quite a show.  That is one thing we have is windows low enough so you can sit in our chairs and look outside. We have orchards around us and boy, the wind is whipping the branches every which way.  I'm not thrilled about this as I would rather be outside on our patio enjoying the morning sun with a cup of good hot coffee in my hand but alas the sun is not shinning so it will be inside today.

Our Gym and my Jim are great. (little play on words there).  Our trainers, Stephenie and Bree are the sweetest girls and I love how they challenge us.  It's only been a little over a week and I feel great.  It was the best decision we made for us to go and do this.

Has anyone purchased an ipad ?  I went to Best Buy and looked at one there. Actually they had three of them and boy they were really impressive.  The picture on them was really great and you can do a lot.  That is compared to my Kindle (which I love, love, love).  My Kindle is absolutely prefect for reading books.  You couldn't ask for anything better.  It's small, light weight, and fits in my purse.  In fact I am never without it.  I can read, check ingredients from recipes, even look up stuff on the web.  They have it under experimental on the Kindle but I can even check my email, look up most things on google and go to a number of sites.  Now with the ipad you can go to a lot of places and even type with an on board keyboard.  How cool is that ?  Just saying, things are going at a fast pace and I don't know if Jim and I will be able to keep up.

I finished the book, "Rooms".  I just had a feeling when I started it, that it was going to be outstanding, and it was.  I think everyone can relate.  We all have problems, everyone and this just shows you how to work them out and deal with them without going crazy.  Sometimes what you think is important in your life, just isn't and the things you take for granted, are.  This is a book I will read many times over.  I'm sure there are even more messages in it every time you read it. Tootles

Simple Pasta Anyone !

Hey, I tried out this new recipe the other day, anyway it's new to me, and it was a big hit here in my house so wanted to share it with you.  I got it from our Free cookbook on Kindle, "Cooks, The Cooks Illustrated How-to-Cook Library".  If by chance you did not get this get it NOW.  It's the best.  Anyway here is this easy and delicious recipe.....

Butter and Sage Sauce
       8 Tablespoons butter unsalted (1 stick)
       2 Tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves
           Salt

Place butter, sage, and 1/2 teasp. salt in medium skillet set over medium heat.  Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until butter is golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Use immediately.

Note:  This is the simplest of all sauces.  It is especially good with filled fresh pasta like ravioli and tortellini.  It also works with fresh fettuccine or any dried pasta.  Serve with grated Parmesan cheese at the table.   You can also substi. sage for chopped pine nuts. (have not tried that yet).

It does sound like a lot of butter, it is, and I have been wanting to try it with olive oil at least half the butter and the rest olive oil but haven't yet.  I always want to go by the recipe first then change it around next time.  Enjoy

     The Gym is great.  Last time I went I got a locker.  Not knowing how they work I went to the desk and told her I wanted a locker.  She was very sweet and gave me a diagram with instructions.  Boy have times changed.  No longer do you need keys, or paddle locks .  There is a dial on the front with numbers in each corner that you can change.  You put your stuff inside, pick your numbers shut and turn knob up, scramble the numbers and your set.  Easy uh?    I tell you I love the work outs, the place, the people.  I think I love everything about it.  Haven't lost any weight yet, but hey, I just started so I'm not complaining.  Tootles

Rooms , Yours for Free

Must let you in on a good book, I am about half way through right now.  It's on of our free ones, "Rooms", by James L. Rubart.  I'm enjoying it very much and I think you would like it also.  It's not a deep mystery but what it does show you is you can get through life no matter what shows up.  I know I'm being vague but don't want to give anything away, I just want you to read it.  Although I'm not even at the end yet so I might hate it when I'm done.  It just brings up a good point about having faith.  Hey, we all have been there.  Things happen, then they get worse and it effects other areas of your life and the people around you.  Well I'm here to say,   We know we are all on a path, whether it's God, The Great Being, or who ever you have in your life, so maybe it will take some adjusting on our part.  Maybe we never thought about doing it that way or never thought we could.  It's just important to have an open mind and move on.  Today is important, right this moment is important because this is when you are living, right now.  Not last week and not tomorrow.  Last week is over, done, you can't change it. Next week is not here yet and hard to face but you might not be here next week.  Now is the time to love and get the most out of.  Am I right or what ? .........I did not mean to go off so much.  Hey, I was talking about a book and wanted to recommend it to you so get the book and enjoy.
Don't we just love those free books.  I swear I said before......."It's like a present almost everyday and it's not my Birthday or Christmas !   Tootles

Update and Then Some

     It is Tuesday already and must tell you how happy I am to be going to the gym.  It's working out just great.  We met Friday with Stephanie and Bree ( I mistakenly called her Jennifer,  Jennifer is the girl who helped us along with Dan to get signed up).  They are fantastic, beautiful, very well fit women who I feel very lucky to have helping us with our exercise.  They are perfect as they make you feel very welcome and yet you know you will get the best guidance because they are professionals.  My Jim and I just love it.  We know we are doing something good for ourselves, health wise which will ensure a quality of life we truly want for the rest of our lives.
 So will keep you informed but not bore you to tears all the time.  Now get out there and see what you can do for yourself.
  
I hate to bring this up but it has rained again today.  See what I mean we have a few days of warm sunshine then boom here comes a storm.  I will say the only good thing is it's not as cold and all the many birds around our yard seem to love it.  I just want spring weather in the 70's but alas I do not think that's to be as the few warm days we have had were in the 80's.  Am I complaining too much ?  I think yes, as my Jim stated how awful and sad it is for Europe, what with the volcano showering all the air with it's cloud of ash.  It has hurt so many people.  You know everything is linked so it's just a matter of time for it to effect the US.  Oh my,  something else to be concerned with.  Will keep posted on it.                                                                          I have been looking for a bathing suit to wear at the gym.  Now that I am older it's really quite easy to pick one out.  I mean really i just need to get a regular swimming suit, well made.  Something that is not going to stretch out on me and covers the areas which need to be covered and then some.  I really can hardly wait to see what is out there. Tootles 

And so it Begins !

     Good Afternoon all you fit and trim exercise warriors or those of us who are on our way to being fit and trim warriors.  We met with Stephanie and it was great, answered all her question, had a few of our own and whaallaa we are in.  Well almost.  You see tomorrow we are to meet with the trainer and set up our exercises.  We were also introduced to Jennifer who will  also be working with us in our exercises and goals.  Am I ever excited.  In about two weeks it will be even better as by then we will feel we know the place better and I will  know more about what to do and where to go.  I want to, in the near future, start swimming as I have been looking at suits on line.  They are pretty cute but most are high in price or it's just that I haven't been shopping for swim suits for quite awhile.  I really like the health club itself.  I think I told you yesterday, the name is "In Motion Fitness"  in Chico, CA..    It's really beautiful you feel like you are in a palace.  There are large columns everywhere and the general feel is luxury.  There seems to be something for the whole family, I mean kids included.  I know for the summer we are going to be so happy.  Not only the wellness program but just joining the gym they offer swimming in at least 6 different pools some are heated.  One is heated to 82 degrees and has an over hang so you don't have to worry about the suns rays.  Isn't that cool ?  Plus I believe there are 3 or 4 different hot tubs of different sizes.  Now I know I am different sometime but I'm am not one to like hot tubs, never have and never will.  That's ok, because there are plenty of people out there that just love them.  I will however really enjoy the 82' pool especially because it has the overhead covering. They also offer Yoga, Tai Chi, sculpting classes and heck many many more.  That is just at my gym find out what yours has to offer.  I think you might be surprised.  Oh, another thing, which I think I already mentioned, they have a cafe there and because it is family oriented and has Seniors the prices are going to be reasonable.  There is going to be a yogurt bar and I believe many smoothies offered, kids food and a variety of sandwiches.  I can hardly wait. We hope it opens soon seems to be red tape with the city, maybe they need to join the club and chill out.  Isn't someone from the City Office a member ?  Come on let's get a move on here.   So as you can see we will be spending a lot of our time doing our own thing along with what's on the program.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Tootles