Joyce is back with her Hodgepodge of questions this week! We answer and then link back up on her site with all the other Hodgepodgers! Thank you, Joyce!! Join in the fun HERE!!
1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.
No, I have never set "rules" for how to use my time.
2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-
Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)
Of that list, I have been to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. My knees are too bad to climb the stairs for the amazing views. I've never been a big lighthouse fan, but do enjoy seeing them when they appear. I would love to go to Germany and Ireland, but not just to see a lighthouse.
When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?
No, I have never set "rules" for how to use my time.
2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-
Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)
Of that list, I have been to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. My knees are too bad to climb the stairs for the amazing views. I've never been a big lighthouse fan, but do enjoy seeing them when they appear. I would love to go to Germany and Ireland, but not just to see a lighthouse.
When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?
Palm trees tell me we are close to or in Florida.
3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?
3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?
Nothing unintentional that I can think of, but intentionally I just stopped eating carbs and sugar. I want to drop 50 pounds by the end of the year. I need to make this diet change permanently.
4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.
The grandest thing for me is that I am now retired, as of August 1st.
5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.
5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I have been able to go to a few of Joe's doctor appointments with him this week, for a change. He has some VA benefits and we use them for medications mainly and are thankful for the reduced costs. I traveled to Tampa with him on Monday to the VA Hospital so he could get a routine CT scan. Yesterday, I went to an appointment with him at the local VA Clinic here in Lakeland and got to meet his VA doctor. I just want to say that all the bad news we hear about the VA hospitals is bunk in my opinion. They are on time, professional, clean, friendly and so helpful. Our experiences have been nothing but great. And, they are happy to work with our civilian doctors for Joe's cardiac and primary care. This has been a week of appointments and this morning I get my knees shot full of cortisone. The timing is right for our trip north!!
Thanks for your visit today! Peace & hugs!
I think the VA hospital experience depends on which one you visit. My cousin loves the one in Virginia but the one down here in Charleston, not so much. I think being retired counts as a GRAND event for sure! I'm also trying to drop the carbs and sugar. It's helpful that Maggie (pregnant daughter) has moved out and that Mother has moved in. Maggie eats everything under the sun and Mother has to follow a plan. So, I blame my weight to having a pregnant daughter living here for nearly the whole pregnancy. Not sure what I'll blame it on before that. LOL Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWe have stopped eating a lot of bread, reduced our sugar intake and we have both lost some pounds. It is not easy but it produces results. I would like to lose 15 more pounds to be where I would like to be. Oh and I am still trying to get 8 to 10,000 steps a day. As the Bible reminds us, moderation in all things. I know I could never give up sugar for good but I can reduce the amount I eat. ( Can you tell I love cake??)
ReplyDeleteI've cut out a lot of processed foods, eat more healthy foods, bought a Fitbit to count my steps and I've lost 20 pounds. Although I have a lot more to lose I am feeling much healthier.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Oh Terri, I hope the cortisone shots give you the needed relief so you can enjoy your trip north. And it's good to hear about the VA system. We are inundated with bad news these days, so it's good to hear something positive for a change. I'm trying to get Mr. C. to drop sugar and flour with me. And I'd like to get back into the habit of not eating after 6 PM. It's too easy to grab a snack for movie time. Bad habit! :-(
ReplyDeleteHappy retirement and I bet you will lose that weight. You don't set rules - I do. Some anyway. I love the Palm trees there. I have or had the same trouble with the knees - it is hard to do a lot of steps. Love, Sandie
ReplyDeleteRules? What are rules? For how I use my time? Hmmm, well, I get up on time, eat around the same time every day, go to bed about the same time...my hubby made the rules and I just go along with it. Life seems to run smoother when we stay in a routine. But I DO like the spontaneous happy interruptions to our schedule when they happen. Sometimes I just have to "make" them happen on purpose... I've been to St. Augustine Lighthouse and Portland Head Light in Maine, plus a couple others in Maine. But I've never climbed up in them. They are pretty enough from the ground! When do you go to Ohio? I know you are excited about that. I would be too. Have a great time!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive report on the VA. As so often happens, the media makes everything sound worse than it is, and/or REALLY distorts the story.
ReplyDeleteHoping the injections helped your knees....very timely for your trip for sure. I am getting an eipdural one day this month and then we will both be better...just dont know my day yet...
ReplyDeleteI think you will notice you feel better in general without the carbs...less achy. When I give in to them now I really notice how rotten I feel the next day. Not worth it!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you all have had nothing but good experiences with the VA. I do know a couple it hasn't been quite as good for, but also not as bad as the news makes it out to be. I would imagine it depends on the facility.
Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons was the first album I ever owned! (For some reason< Mac Davis' "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" was the first thing that popped in my mind.)
ReplyDeleteHope the low carb lifestyle is a win-win for y'all. At the end of the day, I think I love it because there's no portion control. (Snort, snort!)
... Encouraged by your comment about the V.A. Crossing fingers!
Good for you with the diet change!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Joe has had good experiences with the VA. I've been dealing with them for one of our residents and it's been quite frustrating. I'm sure there are good and bad, just like anything else!
Teri, that has also been our friends' experience with the VA and when we visited, we were quite impressed. I'm glad you don't set rules. Your retirement will be fun. I don't know if I could give up carbs.
ReplyDeleteGiving up carbs and sugar can be rough. It took me a while to adjust when I did it. I was cranky and, for a while, everything would go black when I went from sitting to standing. Good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have joined us retirees! I hope you are enjoying yourself, so far!
I'm happy to hear good reports about the VA :)
Try that pound cake recipe. I think you'll like it. Even Ed and my daughter like it, and they are not fans of pound cake.
Kathy (Reflections)