Received Blessings

Our apartment on the steep hill was nearing its lease and the people who just purchased the property decided to raise the rent. I felt this was a sign to go. I needed a home that'll help my recovering not sabotage it. Plus, I noticed my once extremely energetic child was starting to take comfort in just sitting with me, watching TV, playing video games,  and eating. Her last doctor's appointment was eye opening when we find out Chloe is not only getting a little chunky, but she's also inhereted my thyroid problem.  We needed a change.

Found a 2 bedroom apartment downtown. Not only is the place beautiful with a washer/dryer in the unit and balcony doors that look over the town's parades route, but it has many great features. There's a small gym in the building, a YMCA around the corner (insurance will cover my membership), the Mississippi River is a couple blocks away with a walk/bike path, and CitiBus has a couple routes that go right by it.

After crunching the numbers, found out we couldn't afford the place. When I told them that, they said they also have "low income" apartments available. So we got the exact same apartment two floors up in the same building for almost $300 less. It's a slow and stressful process to move, but we're doing it. We are grateful to the wonderful people who are helping.

I've already started making use use of CitiBus. My insurance does cover door-to-door medical transportation for all medical appointments. I have a wound clinic appointment. Instead of calling transport, I took the bus. I walked a block to catch it. When I got to the hospital, went down, walked through the hospital, pavilion 1, then pavilion 2. I'm hurting, but it's good hurt... a proud hurt. When done here, I'll go back.

Chloe loves here new home as well. By the end of the month, we should be settled. The library is a couple blocks away. We can start going every weekend, she loves to read. She's also excited that we'll be starting our Y memberships. Chloe's looking forward to some pool time.

Got a St Patrick's Day parade this weekend, can't wait. Will be our first since moving to the Quad Cities almost 14 years ago.

Hope you all are doing well. Will be blogging more often.

Crash-aversary

3 years ago today, Chloe and I were in a really bad car accident. Luckily, my girl's alright.

I had 3 surgeries on my right femur.

Had steel rods, pins, screws, and a plate put in.

Stayed in a nursing home twice, dealt with a major infection, and lived with depression and cabin fever.

Now with the help of my friends I'm getting out, running my own errands, got a new loving church family, and losing some weight. Last week, I started physical therapy. Tomorrow, I start aqua therapy. Can't wait. Next crash-aversary, you won't recognize me.

Foods You Can Eat at Any Time and in Any Quantity

Celery--6 calories

Celery makes a great snack or as an appetizer

(ants on a log--add peanut butter and raisins)

Arugula--10 calories

Never tried arugula, but I think I will now.

Eggs-78 calories

Eggs are an awesome food.

You can prepare it in many different ways.

Salad--10-20 calories

I love salad. You can always do something different.

Just be careful what you put on.

Cucumbers--16 calories

Sometimes when I'm craving chips and dip,

I have a sliced cucumber with a bit of

salad dressing on the side.

Cauliflower--25 calories

Cauliflower is a great crunchy snack.

Also makes a nice alternative to mashed potatoes.

Tomatoes--25 calories

Tomatoes are amazing by themselves or in any dish.

Broccoli--31 calories

Broccoli is another great crunchy snack when raw.

Although, some prefer it steamed.

Popcorn--31 calories

Popcorn is awesome as long as you don't load it up with butter.

Kale--32 calories

Personally, I prefer spinach to kale.

Spinach--7 calories

I love spinach. This is a great food fresh or cooked.

Popeye had the right idea. I add mine to salads.

I also use it in sandwiches and subs instead of lettuce.

Sugar snap peas--35 calories

Love sugar snap peas, can be made in lots of dishes.

Grapefruit--50 calories

Not a big fan of grapefruit, but lots of people like them.

Melon--55 calories

Stayed with Grandma Toll one summer. She gave me melon everyday at lunch. I've had more than enough for one lifetime. Many folks love it, so awesome.

Strawberries--50 calories

My daughter and I love strawberries. Great by themselves, but can be added to many things.

Blackberries--62 calories

Blackberries are great.

Can also be eaten by themselves or in dishes.

Oranges--80 calories

OMG, ORANGES! I know this will sound crazy, but I love sucking the juice straight from and orange. Not only low in calories, but high in vitamin C. Gonna share a secret for my juicy turkeys: I cut an orange, a lemon (17 cal), and a lime (20 cal). I squeeze a little juice of each over the turkey, then I put the pieces inside the turkey's cavities. This not only adds an amazing flavor to the meat, but it creates a steam inside that makes the juiciest bird.

Blueberries--85

Gotta love blueberries. Not only very delicious, but they are also great for your heart and overall health.

I sure hope these ideas give you great options when choosing a healthier lifestyle. I never do "diets". This is a lifestyle change, it's permanent, not temporary.

Today

Today's been kind of rough. Trying to give up soda is difficult, but I must in order to lose weight. I want a Mountain Dew Throwback so bad right now. Been drinking water.

YouTube has Tai Chi videos for beginners. It was bit of a "stretch", but I gave it a try (as much as my injured leg would allow). It's something I can do for now.

I am trying.

update

Last year, I stopped doing new year resolutions and started doing new day resolutions. I took one day at a time. If I fell short, I just tried again the next day. It worked. Even with my leg injury, I lost 70 pounds. This year, I'm continuing my new day resolutions. I'm going to lose at least 100 pounds. By the end of the year, I will be able to walk up and down this hill we live on. For now, I got one of those hand/foot bike pedal things to use while watching TV. I'm kinda sore right now (fell at Christmas). Going back to Iowa City to see Ortho doc. If he says everything's alright, I'm thinking of trying Tai Chi (or however it's spelled). Will keep you posted.

asking for prayers for my friend Amy

My friend Amy is an amazing person to helps other people. Now she needs our help through prayer. Next Wednesday June 22 at 7am (California time), she will be having surgery to see if her cyst is cancerous. 

When 2 or more come together in prayer, miracles happen. So I'm asking everyone to join me in prayer when Amy goes in. Please, either the night before or the morning of when you  wake up, please pray for good news and safe/speedy healing.

Thank you.

TIP OF THE DAY

5-31-2016

My daughter Chloe has multiple issues including Autism and Episodic Ataxia (neuromuscular). Chloe is my heart, and the love of my life. Since my accident in August 2014, I've had to rely on her a lot...too much. I tend to use jokes to hide how I'm really feeling, and I've been feeling useless. This has put a horrible strain on our relationship. Someone close to us said I need to praise her more, so I'm working on it. Lately, I've been able to do more for myself and our home. Next week, we have apartment inspections...so I need to rely on her more. So at night, I write out a list of chores we have to do for the next day. Yesterday, Chloe found the list before I got up and just started on them. When I woke, I started doing as much as I can. Since pain causes me to take many breaks, I allowed her to as well. Together, we got a lot accomplished as well as watch all of the "Back to the Future" movies. By late afternoon, we were starting to get on each other's nerves and started arguing. So I decided to quit for the day and let us both relax. After dinner, Chloe rinsed and stacked the dishes for me. I gave her a big hug and kiss and told her I appreciated all of her help. I also said that I wasn't happy with our arguing but tomorrow's another day. I woke up this morning shortly after 9 to half of the chore list is done. I told Chloe how grateful I was for her. She is starting to show great responsibility and pride in our home and is a great help to me. I told her she could go play video games for a while, she deserved to download a couple more. I also told her that this kind of responsibility she's showing me means that she's becoming ready for a pet. When she turns 14 in about a month, Chloe is going to start looking for her cat. I told her the main condition is that's the only grandbaby she's allowed to give me until she's at least 21. She promised. 

Yesterday was a big deal for our family. First of all, it was Memorial Day. We're a Naval family, so I know and appreciate the sacrifice our warriors take for our freedom. I was rejected immediately from joining, but I will still always have much love and gratefulness to all of our sexy @$$ heroes. THANK YOU!

(USS Brenner, the ship my daddy served)

Another reason yesterday was so important to our family...on May 30, 1984, my little sister and I were adopted on our big sister's birthday. HAPPY "SPECIAL" DAY!

I want to give a shout out to my friend Amy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

5-25-16

Been heat sick for a few days, finally starting to feel better. Earlier, I drank a Herbalife healthy meal shake (with water instead of milk) since I'm still not quite ready to eat. 

I've used a walker for so long, it's weird getting around without it. Feel like a newborn foal getting up on unsteady legs. lol

Gonna brag for a minute. My girl Chloe finished up the 8th grade today with 2 awards, second honors and "most unique". I am one proud mama. 

5-23-16

Hello, my friends. How is everyone dealing with this heat? I'm not. LOL!

Been trying to make better choices in my eating habits. Lately, I try to eat more fresh vegetables. Did you know fresh spinach only has 20 calories? I started eating it, because the iron was helping my Hypothyroidism. Now I realize I can eat a ton of it, get filled up, and still remain in my calorie budget.  One of my recent meals was a garlic-herb boneless skinless chicken breast on a huge bowl of spinach. Loved it. 

(amount difference between foods)

(garlic-herb boneless chicken breast on spinach)

Went to Iowa City today to check in with my Orthopedic doctor. The new hardware holding my femur together is doing great, and I am now at full weight bearing. No longer do I need my walker/cane around the house. Since the hill I live on is unlevel ground, I will use one of them whenever I venture out for extra stability.

(today's x-ray)

Today, I am asking for prayers for my friend Amy. She is a really good person who helps many people, but now she needs some help herself. Amy has a cyst and will be having surgery soon to see if it's cancer. Please keep her in your prayers.

Here are some quotes and humor for the day.

5-17-16

It was an eventful day. My new bedding came, my helper was here and put it on for me. In a couple weeks, I'll be getting a frame for it. Right now my mattress and box spring are on the floor, so it's too low for me with my leg injury. Been sleeping in my chair. Soon I'll be sleeping in my queen size bed.

My nurse came by, she needed a urine sample. She brought the cup, wish she brought the hat thing too. Women, you know how frustrating it is to pee in a cup. So I go to the bathroom, and I'm going in the cup...then I drop the cup in the toilet. LOL!!!! Luckily, we had another cup to use. But I didn't have anything left to give before she left. So I'm 0 for 2. The nurse will bring one tomorrow...with a hat thing.

Got some great news. I have a brand new great niece born today. Her name is Haley Rae 6.5 LBs 19.5".

5-15-16

Chloe is officially back home for good!!! :D

One main thing that has been causing me more pain in my leg was getting in my chair and putting my leg up on the ottoman (and pulling it close). I accidentally broke the lever that made my chair recline. This morning, my new OT lady came. She showed me a trick to help, and it's easy and pain-free. 

I'm a little sore from PT this afternoon, but it's tolerable. Not using the meds unless I absolutely have too. Since the accident, I was starting to become a little too reliant on the pain pills, I don't want that too be an issue. I've come too far.

Chloe and I just finished up some chores, now we're going to grill up some boneless-skinless chicken breast with some spinach. Yummy! Hope you all have a good night. 

5-15-16

Chloe came to visit this weekend. I've really missed having her around. She helped me get some chores done around the house that I can't do by myself right now. 

We cooked dinner together. It was a baked garlic herded salmon with Jasmine rice and corn. In a little bit, we're going to split a blueberry muffin.

Chloe got her 8th grade school pictures, here's one.

Chloe is growing up too fast, it's making me grow old. Love spending time with her.

5-11-16

Not much is going on. Doing my exercises while watching TV or playing video games. Nurse came to check on me. Finally got some pain meds... finally pain-free. Swelling's going down. Clothes are becoming looser. Chloe came to visit after school and watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with me. Now, I'm just going to play games til I fall asleep. I'm on Twitter @Fat2PHATinIA if anyone wants to chat. 

my girl

5-9-16

Chloe came home for Mother's Day weekend. Really enjoyed spending time with her. Got visits from my new visiting nurse and physical therapist. Got exercise "homework" to do, but it's easy stuff I can do while watching TV or playing video games. Staying in the nursing home has thrown me off. I'm eating very little and filling full. And now it's just after 8 pm, and I am extremely tired. SMH! Will be meeting my visiting occupational therapist soon. Being home is a bit of a challenge. With this leg injury, I have to relearn how to do stuff in a new way. That's OK, I love a challenge. Good night, my friends.

5-5-16

I'M HOME! *screaming* I'M HOOOOOOMMME! That will be all.

5-4-16

Chloe came today for my cooking test, she loved the mac & cheese. Afterwards, she helped me pack. I am ready to go first thing in the morning.

Even though I'm going home tomorrow, Chloe will stay with our friends until the end of the school year. This way, I can focus on me and getting better.

It's after 10pm, and I am tired. Going to try and get some sleep. Later.

5-3-16

Today was uneventful. Kicked butt in both therapies again. Right when I got on the NuStep machine, EYE OF THE TIGER came on the radio. I found it very appropriate. Had them both in the morning, so I spent the afternoon napping. Just finished having dinner. Ate a polish sausage (no bread), sauerkraut, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a side salad. I grabbed a couple bananas for my snack later. Going to just spend the evening playing Wizard101 and listening to music. 

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. They've been giving me tests to see if I'm really ready to go home and take care of myself. Tomorrow afternoon, I need to prepare some kind of meal. Chloe's coming for her visit, so I'm making her favorite...macaroni and cheese. I love seeing my girl. Can't wait.

Good night, my friends and family.

5-2-16

It's been an interesting day. I originally asked to be put on a low sodium diet until my swelling and blood pressure went down. It took forever, so I was careful with what I ate. Now that my swelling's gone and my B/P is just about in my normal range, they want to enforce it. The dietitian said, "This is what you asked for." They're having bacon tomorrow with breakfast :( . Luckily, Thursday's coming.

PT gave me a balance test, I passed. Then I kicked butt on the foot bike thingy. In OT, I did the hand bike thingy. Since my arms were sore from using my walker, I lowered the resistance on the bike when the lady wasn't looking. Yes, I cheated. Later, I went back for more PT. After my "electro-shock therapy", I did my exercises and walked up and down the stairs a couple times. 

I'll be able to do pretty much everything at home. I have my Icy Hot Smart Relief that works like the electrical stimulates. There are stairs in the building I can walk up and down. Plus, I can do the exercises while watching TV. I pretty much do that anyways...even when laying here in the bed.

Wednesday, I have to cook something to prove I'm capable of preparing myself something to eat. Since Chloe comes for her visit then, I'm making her favorite...macaroni and cheese. She's excited. 

My friend and I agreed that Chloe should stay with her the next few weeks of school til my parents come get her for their visit. But she'll come home this weekend for  asleep over. 

Can't wait to go home...THURSDAY'S COMING!

4-31-16 & 5-1-16

I got up yesterday went out for a bit. Got a cab and paid the rent. Wanna make sure I have a home to go home to when I leave here on Thursday. Climbing in and out of the van really took it's toll on me. I'm still sore. 

Chloe came to have lunch and hang out with me. She drew me a winged-wolf to hang up in my room.

We finished up on our knitting and crocheting project. We made pot holders as a thank you gift for some special friends. It was fun working on them together.

Gonna chill the rest of the day watching movies, playing music, and playing video games. Back to physical and occupational therapies tomorrow. Later.