I'm still here...

Yikes, I haven't blogged, but no, even though some of you are wondering, I haven't overdosed on fiber! Life's been busy, Lindsay and Ryan were here for a couple of days, we've had Oreo all week, John was in Mexico, Tonia was flying, and the kennels were full for spring break. So we brought home the Granddog (cocker spaniel) after our visit with them last week in Nashville. The furkids all got along, actually, HOWEVER, Oreo taught Mags how to bark. FOR REAL, BARK!!

Maggie had been moseying along in life, giving the occasional woof, and then came Oreo, the barking wonderdog! Now Maggie thinks it's cute to bark. She barks at me, at her water bowl, at her food, she even barked at my beloved NPR when I turned on the radio. I don't think she quite has the hang of it, actually.

Of course it IS adorable, but I don't want a barky little dog. I already have Munchkin who goes ballistic whenever the doorbell rings. Maggie didn't seem to pattern Munchie, just Oreo!

And that's it, it's too pretty of a day to sit on the computer, I'm so outta here....

Anyone want to jump on the fiber bandwagon with me -

I read the following article this morning - It's very enlightening -

A lowfat vs. a high-fiber diet: for losing weight, should I pay more attention to the fat or the fiber content of the foods I eat?

Q My favorite cereal (Cheerios) has only 3 grams of fiber per serving, and the breads I buy have only 1 gram per slice. How many fiber grams do I need per day to help with weight loss, and how many should I look for in my breads and cereals?

A The National Academy of Sciences recommends that women under 50 years old consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day for good health. Research hasn't established a precise amount of fiber that aids in weight loss, but nutritionists believe that if most people met the 25-gram-per-day recommendation, national obesity rates would probably drop. (Some studies suggest that consuming an extra 14 grams of fiber per day may cause you to eat 10 percent fewer calories and lose about 4 pounds over four months.) High-fiber diets seem to be more effective for weight loss than lowfat diets, and a review of the published studies shows that people on a diet that is both low in fat and high in fiber lose three times as much weight as those on a lowfat diet alone.

This is likely because fiber makes you feel full, so you eat less. Also, foods that are high in fiber--such as beans, vegetables and fruits--tend to be low in calories, so you can eat a greater volume of food. Think about how much more satisfying it is to eat an apple (3 grams of fiber; 80 calories) than to drink an 8-ounce glass of apple juice (no fiber; 110 calories).

The average woman consumes only about half the recommended fiber intake, so it does take vigilance to get those 25 grams. As you've found, "you really have to become a label reader," says Kathleen Zelman, R.D., a nutritionist in private practice in Atlanta. Start your day with a cereal that contains at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. "There's nothing wrong with Cheerios, but if you're trying to meet the fiber recommendation, beef it up by topping it with fresh fruit." You also could mix Cheerios with a cereal that's higher in fiber, such as Kellogg's Raisin Bran or Multi-Bran Chex (which have 7 and 8 fiber grams per serving, respectively).

Look for breads that contain at least 2 grams of fiber per slice and are labeled "whole wheat" rather than just "wheat." Many wheat breads are simply white breads dressed up with a few sprinkles of whole grains and caramel coloring. For instance, Oroweat 12 Grain Bread, which, according to the package "combines ground whole wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley and brown rice" contains just 1 gram of fiber per slice--the same as Wonder Bread.

Okay, now for my 2 cents worth -

First of all if you aren't used to fiber, the key is to introduce it GRADUALLY and drink a LOT of water. If you don't, it will turn to concrete in your intestines and you will be incredibly bloated. Trust me, it isn't pleasant. Secondly, it takes about 3-4 hours for it to pass into your intestines, so if it is going to give you gas plan your activities accordingly. Know what I mean, Vern?

Oh, one of the most horrible days of my life was the day, when not being used to fiber, I ate beans, sweet potatoes and cabbage all at one meal. OMG, I was so bloated, I thought I would die - I called Ryan (pharmacist son) and after he recovered from a fit of hysterical laughing, he told me, "Mom, you've got to go get Gas-X." Well, I hotfooted it down to the drugstore, swallowed those tablets on the way home, and the repercussions from the Gas-X were almost as bad as eating all that fiber in the first place. I have NEVER been more miserable in my entire life. Have you ever heard the song -

Beans, beans, the musical fruit.
The more you eat, the more you toot.

Truer words were never spoken, trust me... Okay, enough of that...

I'm a big fan, thanks to Ry, Lindsay and Nisha, too, of La Tortilla Factory Whole Wheat Tortillas. These things are BIG - 10 inches, and give you only 80 calories and a whopping 14 grams of fiber per tortilla. I find them in the low carb section at my local Schnucks. I use them for wraps at lunchtime, sometimes put scrambled eggs and salsa in them for breakfast, and Ang gave me a great idea. Smear one with just a bit of peanut butter and a drizzle of honey, roll it envelope style, turning up the bottom edge before you start to roll, wave it for 10-15 seconds, it's really satisfying with a hot drink. Be sure and flip up the end, because that honey oozes when it gets warm, and you will have a mess! In my Weight Watcher days I used to toast these in the oven until they were crisp, top them with fat free pudding and cool whip, and eat the entire thing - great faux pie. I also used to make pizzas using them as crust, or cut in wedges and toast for chips.

I also love Fiber One Cereal - 1/2 cup serving is 59 calories and another 14 grams of fiber. If you're not a Fiber One fan, try this - sprinkle some on your salad, or mix it with your favorite cereal, or eat it my favorite way, mixed with frozen blueberries, Splenda and Vanilla Soy Milk. Those two foods alone exceed my whole daily recommended fiber intake, but I don't stop there, I also eat black beans or pinto beans daily, nuts, fruit and my beloved oatmeal I'm averaging between 40 and 50 grams a day.. Egads, I should be a twig! *sigh* middle age metabolism....

I did walk almost 2 miles this morning at Burdette Park, my favorite place in Heavensville. Oh it was glorious ladies, the ground was wet from an overnight rain, the pine trees were so fragrant, ducks were quacking, the woodpeckers were rat-a-tat-tatting the trees, the frogs were ribbeting, and the geese were swimming. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Spring...

Hubby and I were walking this morning, enjoying the 70+ weather, and I'm thinking about how our lives have changed. We live in a world of well landscaped, manicured lawns, already chemically treated for weeds and dandelions, paved streets and sidewalks, so unlike the springs of my childhood.

The springs I remember were a debris laden yard, full of branches and twigs from winter storms, soggy earth, full of daffodils and uneven grasses growing in clumps, puddles of water standing about, birds singing in the cherry trees, and my beloved ditch framed with blooming dogwood and redbud trees. The bright yellow forsythia would be a riot of color on it's banks, and the dead grasses that lined it would not yet be covered with summer's leafing vines.

The fields that surrounded us would be green now with winter wheat, and Mother's garden would have winter onions almost ready to eat. The lettuce and radish seeds would long ago have sprouted, having been thrown on the snow in February, because she knew from years of experience to put them down early for leaf lettuce ready to eat by Easter. And I'm also thinking that I much prefer the old way, the way spring was intended to be, with our rough, uncultured yard full of nature's bounty.

I'm just being nostalgic, I know, but the long ago country smells of spring, and the harsh visual remembrances of it are are really intense, this early spring morning in Heavensville...

Singing in the rain...

Have you ever been walking and you car is far away and it started to rain? Yep, that was me this morning. I was doing my mile at Burdette, walking with a nice lady named Trina, and it was sprinkling, but what the heck, we kept going. Then it started to REALLY rain, OMG, by the time I got to the car, I was totally soaked, hair plastered to my head. Talk about invigorating.

So here I sit, fresh from a hot shower, all bundled up in my winter bathrobe, with a mug of hot tea. Is it spring?

I posted a recipe on Eating Right for Chocolate Chip Cookies. I made them, they were wonderful, only 4 tablespoons of butter, too. 114 calories per cookie. But seriously, who just eats ONE chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven. *sigh* There is NO hope!!!!

I'm outta here, bathtime for the M&M's this morning - I'll be wet again by the time it's over!

Later 'gators...

I have proof positive...

And here it is. First of all let me say that this is a rather fetching man, don't you think? Unfortunately I met him in the obits. Yeah, I read the obituaries daily, hey at my age, you never know who's gonna be pushin' up daisies.

So anyhoo, my family has argued for years over whether or not people's ears grow as they age. I think I've even Googled it and it says it is a myth. And since families tend to post their relatives pictures with their announcements, usually a "before" and an "after," I've been checking them out. Just couldn't resist posting this dapper guy, whose ears DEFINITELY grew as he aged.

I know, I know, this is just insane, but you have to admit, his ears are definitely bigger in his old age. Egads, I just hope no family members read this blog. *blush*

I rest my case...

In my next life...

I've got it all figured out. If I can't live on a horse farm in Virginia and breed Yorkies, then I'm going to do this.... Now, before you think I've gone totally bat shit crazy ya'll, which in all probablility I have, and just don't realize it, this is what I want to do in my next life.

Well, first of all, you all must realize what a fixation I have with bread and yeast. I simply ADORE, ADORE, ADORE, the smell of bread rising. And this morning, when LC and I were out and about, we drove past the Bunny Bread plant, and it came to me in a flash! In some capacity, I want to work in a bread manufacturing plant.

I'm sure you are all going, WHAT THE...... but imagine the smell, imagine smelling that wonderful, doughy yeast ALL-DAY-LONG!!!! Would that be heaven or what?

Ya, I know it's a bit far-fetched, but oh lordy, is that smell intoxicating...

Just for you, girlfriends, a St. Paddy's Day *giggle*

Freebie at Starbucks Tomorrow...

Right on, Sisters!!!!

The girls on The View gave that godawful Donald Trump his comeuppance this morning - it's a must see video - check it out HERE!

Whether or not you are a Ro fan, and I am, you have to admit, she's a ballsy old dyke! And I loved it when the rest of the ladies got into the act.

Spring fever....

I have it, so does hubby, even the dogs have it. Everybody has a little more "spring" in their step this week. The tulip trees are blooming, the forsythia is ready to pop. Ahhhh, life is good. I'm listening right now to a red wing blackbird - my favorite bird sound of all - You can hear it, too - just go here, click on the Oakalee SONG wav file in the box at the top of the page - that's my childhood, living by the creek ditch sound. Ya it was a ditch, it was a pretty old ditch tho, overgrown on both sides, winding, twisting thru the trees kinda ditch... *sigh*

I go back often to my childhood home, either with hubby or Hooterville. Our house was in a valley and I love to park on the top of the hill that overlooks it, turn off the car engine, roll down the windows and just listen to the old familiar country sounds. You can't beat it! Nobody is living there now, and a few months back, Jean and I stopped, walked through the yard, sat on the porch. It was blissful.

And as I look into the living room, Little Miss Maggie Moo not only has dragged out every toy she could find, she has also plucked a silk geranium from a pot and shredded it in the floor. I can only imagine what is going to happen to my real flowers on the patio. I'm thinking I need to study my plants to make sure none are poisonious because my little pooch has a thing for blooms. She's a fleur girl, for sure!

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

Egads, girlfriends, when we think we are looking old, take a look at Eddie Haskell, The Beaver and Wally.

Oh, I'm laughing out loud at this one...

Thanks to Janet for the HUGE chuckle...

Talk about a blast from the past!!!!

Gotta Check this out...

Jump over to the Jan Can Cook board to see the gawjus looking malted milk ball cake - oh my goodness....

Some people are clueless...

I have some new readers on this site who have not the slightest idea who V, Hooterville, Nish, Ang, the Dilly's, LC, Marti, The Trisher, The M&M's, my guys, and several others are..... Not to mention Heavensville, I doubt very seriously if most people even know (or care) where Heavensville is located! And Nana Sugar, just what is that all about???? Well.....

I'm going to compile a list of characters, put it in the right sidebar, but not tonight, tonight I'm going to bed with a trashy book (well, that's a stretch, Nora Roberts isn't exactly trashy) and a big mug of Peppermint Tea.

Scarlett will work on this tomorrow....

She's not dead, Fred...

It's 65 degrees today in Heavensville and I'm showing you a pix of Maggie Moo in front of the fireplace.

Just had to share - she loves to lay on her back, legs splayed, feeling the warmth of the fire. She's sound asleep in this picture... silly little dog....

Oh yeah....

Dinner tonight was due to a lot of input. Ry and Lindsay are here, Ryan cooked ribs, the way LC learned when he asked that lady in the grocery store with her cart heaped with ribs how she cooked them. Here's the scoop -

You take country style ribs, season liberally with Tony Chichiare's Creole Seasoning, black pepper and a light dusting of cayenne pepper. Put them in a roaster that has onions sliced on the bottom, toss in a few cloves of crushed garlic, add more onion to the top of the ribs, into the oven they go, covered, with no added liquid (375 for half an hour, then turn to 300-325 for a couple more hours). In the summer months we finish these off by putting them on the grill, dousing then with barbecue sauce and cooking til' they carmelize, but tonight he just put on the sauce and ran them under the broiler.

Then he made Lindsay's Aunt Mary's baked beans, which were AWESOME, and the rest of them had baked potatoes, but not me, I had rice. Uncle Ben's Converted to be exact. My friend Susan, now living in Chicago, introduced me to the joys of ribs and rice, it's an awesome combo.

Was it healthy? Of course not, but was it good - Oh, it was sublime....

It was a lazy day, Marti tooled over in her new Lexus - we all had to go for a spin, it totally rocks with every option known to man woman. Jeez, the woman even has air conditioned seats! For real she does, Linds says its the menopausal car. Hey, I know who I'm calling the next time I have a hot flash!! Way to go, Marti....

This wasn't one of my better ideas....

This morning I dropped a container of powder between my bed and my dresser that sits right next to the bed. And I need to tell you that it is a really HEAVY dresser with a marble top - so anyway, I'm trying to lean over and fish it out and I can't reach it - so I wiggle down farther, straining to touch the edges of it, no can do, so I manuever my head all the way in so that my shoulders are even with the dresser, and I grab it, then I start to back out but oh no, I can't because my head is STUCK. I'm talking REALLY STUCK - like there is absolutely no way that I can get it out. I can't budge the dresser, because the darn thing is heaver than anything you can imagine with that marble slab on top and I'm starting to panic.

I absolutely, positively cannot stand to be pinned in or pinned down, I have the worst claustrophobia known to man woman! My first impulse is to just pull my head out anyway I can, just get it out of there, but somewhere, inside my totally panicked brain, I'm realizing that I will do major damage if I do this. So I'm screaming for hubby who is in the garage, I'm REALLY SCREAMING LOUDLY for him to come RIGHT NOW!!!! Poor LC, he comes tearing into the bedroom thinking that I must surely be dying because of the panic in my voice and there I am with my rear in the air and my head totally stuck, and I'm screaming "GET ME OUT, GET ME OUT, GET ME OUT." By this point I'm starting to hyperventilate, I'm clammy, my palms are sweating, and I'm doing everything in my power to not just totally freak out and try and yank my head out. Poor hubby, he had to actually move the friggin dresser to get me unstuck.

My knees were like jelly, I was trembling, OMG, girlfriends, it was SO awful. And I'm thinking what was I doing? What if he wasn't home? What would I have done? What am I gonna be like in another few years???

My kids are already probably saying, "what are we gonna do about Mom." And I can't blame them, I am such a ditz - one of these days I'm gonna really get myself in a bind. And that would have been THIS day, had dear hubby not have been home.

So here I sit, telling you about it, when most people would just keep it to themselves. But, maybe some of you will remember this and stop and think before you do something really stupid. I'm not alone with my senility, a lot of you are doing stupid things right along with me as we age. Just thank goodness we can call each other up and talk about it and yes, we laugh about it.

But trust me, this wasn't funny at all - oh whatever was I thinking squeezing my head in that little space! Egads I am so STUPID!

I remember those days...

THE LAND OF SANDRA DEE

Long ago and far away,
In a land that time forgot,
Before the days of Dylan
Or the dawn of Camelot.
There lived a race of innocents,
And they were you and me,
Long ago and far away
In the Land of Sandra Dee.

Oh, there was truth and goodness
In that land where we were born,
Where navels were for oranges,
And Peyton Place was porn.
For Ike was in the White House,
And Hoss was on TV,
And God was in his heaven
In the Land of Sandra Dee.

We longed for love and romance,
And waited for the prince,
And Eddie Fisher married Liz,
And no one's seen him since.
We danced to "Little Darlin'",
And sang to "Stagger Lee"
And cried for Buddy Holly
In the Land of Sandra Dee.

I'm fruity, not flowery....

Let's talk about smells, specifically how our house smells. I have a neighbor, Janet, whose house always smells WONDERFUL. She told me that it's due to Bath & Body Works Plug-In Diffusers, you know those little thingies that you plug into the walls. She tends to buy what's on sale, mostly flowery scents, and her house always smells really fresh.

Marti went out and bought scents from Bath & Body Works for her house, and again, it smelled great. She bought flowery scents, too. So, naturally I have to jump on the bandwagon, and I load up with all kinds of scents. I had brown sugar vanilla in the den, and clean linen in the bedroom, and some kind of flowery scent in the living room.

Lindsay and I were shopping a couple of weeks ago and I decided I needed to try Juicy Nectarine. Unfortunately they were sold out at our store, but she picked one up for me on her recent trip to Nashville.

I'm in love. Oh, I can't tell you how good this smells, ladies. No more flowery scents for me, nope, it's fruit for me from now on. I should have realized this because Yankee Candle's Pineapple & Citrus has been my fave for a couple of years now. And ever since Ang introduced me to the Febreze scent machine, I've been using their Tropical Scent Stories Disks. I've never been a vanilla girl like Ang and V, Nisha, too. Never been a spicy/cinnamony type either, too 80's for me. But I've found my niche with the fruity stuff... It's ME, it's REALLY ME!!!

And the clerk at Bath & Body Works told me that they have a new pineapple scent coming out this month. I'm SO there... I'm replacing EVERY ONE of my plug-ins with Juicy Nectarine!

If you aren't on to these things, give them a try. They have a huge assortment, they smell mahvelous, dahling, and you can decide if you are a fruity or a flowery girl....

I got this note from Cyn tonight...

Seems like I'm not the only one eating oatmeal, and she's only in her 30's! Here's what she had to say about the perfect oats -

I hate to tell you, but since last summer, I have been queen of the Oatmeal.  I live for it.  I eat it for breakfast everyday--and sometimes have it for dinner, too.  In the summer--sometimes breakfast and lunch.  The standard instant is too sweet.  Sometimes I can't get the seasoning in the old fashinoned right.  This is the magic formula.  (after MUCH experimentation)

Into a bowl, but 1 pack of Quaker Weight Control Maple and Brown Sugar (I like it b/c it isn't as sweet)
Then add,
1/4 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 cup of milk (I use whole b/c Alisha does)
3/4 cup of water
Microwave it for 2 minutes
Add 6 almonds.
Add a sprinkle of salt, stir,  and........heaven!

It's official, I'm old!!!!

I just ate oatmeal for dinner supper. That's it, it's all over, now. I've been teasing Hooterville about eating cereal for dinner supper for years, now I'm doing it.

Holy Batman and Robin, I actually I ate OATMEAL for dinner supper and I liked it, I really liked it! It's a sad day in Heavensville, girlfriends a sad, sad day....