W & M (weight and measure) DAY AT CURVES TODAY-NOV.

Danna and I have gone another month of working out at Curves 3x's a week! It doesn't seem that long ago that we last measured! We really have been working HARD, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday here! It has paid off though! Danna's weight has stayed the same, BUT.....she has lost 3 inches in her waist!! Her total inches in all lost since October is 5.75! GREAT JOB!! YEAH! YOU GO GIRL! Proud of you! It is a lot of work, but she is doing a really good job! I, on the other hand, am not as impressive! lol I have lost 2 inches in my waist, and my weight went up 2 pounds! Not to concerned about it, because my weight fluctuates so much anyway! lol I did lose a total of 5.25 inches since October in all. Does this mean we get to PIG OUT Thursday?? NOT!! Don't want to Undo everything we have accomplished! Just remember to choose a smaller dinner plate, and be aware of what you are eating! MODERATION is the key word here! I know it will be hard because you always eat tooo much and then regret it, but going to try!! lol Be thankful for what you have, I know I am. To all of you out there, have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and be SAFE on the roads! Have a blessed week....till next time..

HARRY POTTER and the DEATHLY HALLOWS: Part 1

HARRY POTTER and the DEATHLY HALLOWS: Part 1

Today, November 18th, my grandson Clayton, my (extended) grandson Casey, and myself decided to go to the movies. We all decided on the premiere of this one, (thank you)so I got on line, and ordered our tickets. Being that I have never done this before, I asked Casey how to do it. When we got them ordered, and got the conformation with a link to print tickets in my email, I asked Casey if we will get 3, or just 1 copy. He said 1, only need the conformation number and total cost. So I preceded to print. When the first one finished printing, the printer wanted more paper. So, I quickly flipped the paper over, and printed the next one on the back. The 3rd one went on a paper of its own. I couldn't wait for tomorrow to come, cause I was anxious to see this movie as I have read all the books!
Friday came, and we all got into the car, and we arrived promptly on site of the Regal Hollywood 16, located at 2801 S.W. 27th Avenue. We had about 15 minutes till the show would start. I was surprised to find there wasn't a very long line at the box office! Maybe because it was the matinee. Since we already had our tickets, we went in and over to the man and gave him our prepaid ticket receipts. He said there is only 2. I told him the other one is printed on the back of the other adult one. He then told me I needed one on each paper. I asked him what I was going to do now? He very nicely told me to go over to the desk, and see if they could copy the one. I went back to the desk, but there was only 1 person working the desk, and he was busy with a lady, So I stood behind her. We stood there for a little while, then I noticed the clock! We only had a few minutes till our movie would start! I think the gentleman saw, because the next thing a lady came out of the office and asked me if she could help me. I told her what had happened and she said just a minute. She promptly returned and said "I just printed you 3 new tickets. Enjoy the movie."
I thanked her and we hurriedly went back to the ticket man and he told us to go to the right to theater 9, and enjoy the movie. Everyone was so nice and helpful even though it was MY mistake! We didn't even have a chance to get that good smelling fresh popcorn! Luckily we had just finished eating lunch! Ha!ha! (But it did SMELL Good!) We hurried into theater 9, and found some seats. It was a good thing to, because the previews of the up and coming movies were being shown. One of them that looked good was "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D, PG." Opens Friday, December 10, 2010!
Finally, our movie started! We all were anxious to see how well the movie was going to be in comparison to the book! It starts out at the protection of Harry as he approaches his 18th birthday when his tracer is to be removed. At that time, he will no longer be under the protection of his mother's love. He has to be hidden in a safe place, and Mad-eye thinks he has the perfect plan by having 7 Potters when they transfer him. It seems there is a traitor among them! The movie continues, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron are on their way to complete their Quest to destroy the Horcruxes. If they do not succeed in destroying ALL of them, Valdemort will remain immortal! With a combination of the dark forces, the romantic tension, and the long-held secrets threaten to sabotage their mission in spite of their long friendships with one another. I won't spoil the movie for you, and tell you all that happens, so you will have to see the movie to see all of the details.
So, if you are looking for something to do, go see the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: part 1. This is the last book of the series, and the first of two films of that book. I was very satisfied with this movie, and am looking forward to see the last one! I don't think you will be disappointed!

Have a GREAT day!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS

As everyone knows, this month is Thanksgiving. Every family has their own traditions. This year, instead of having it at my house or my son and his family's house, my grandson Corey came to me and asked me if we could have it at his house as he wanted to start his own tradition. I knew it would be coming, but I just wasn't expecting this year. I told him I didn't care. So I pass the baton to him. I always made the turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and green bean casserole. When he asked me to help with the menu, I asked him how many was coming. He said about 15, so how big of a turkey did he need to get. I said, no smaller than a 14 pounds. I then asked him what he wanted to have. He said the usual. He then asked if I could do the turkey, stuffing, and deviled eggs? I said I would take care of Mr Tom and the eggs, and also bake some pumpkin pie. I don't like a lot of spices in my pumpkin pie. My grandfather spoiled me. He always made a pumpkin custard pumpkin pie, and I have made his pie ever since I was old enough. I thought I would share it with you in case there are some, who like me, don't care for the store bought ones.

                                                                Pumpkin Pie

1 - 30oz can pure pumpkin no seasoning (Libby's)
3 heaping Tbl. all purpose flour
11/4 Cup light brown sugar
11/2 tea. cinnamon
1/8 tea. ginger
1/2 tea. salt
    
      Mix together in LARGE bowl or basin. Add 11/2 tea. vanilla, 5 egg yolks directly to the pumpkin mixture.(Put the whites in a small mixing bowl.)  Add 1qt whole milk, 2 Tbl. margarine-browned, and 1-13oz evaporated milk to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Beat egg whites till stiff peaks and fold into pumpkin. Put into unbaked pie crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until an inserted knife into center of pie comes out clean.

If you use this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  Happy Thanksgiving!

VIRTUAL ONLINE LERNING

Today, I have been participating in a blog challenge for the second time. My first was last month. What is a blog challenge you say? Well, I belong to a group of Wonderful people who have been brought together by Danna Crawford, from all over the world, through the use of the internet. Danna started this group a year ago, and named it "Virtual Online Learning". We are always learning, weather it is finding resolutions to problems we might be experiencing with the internet, or having a problem with our computer. Whatever the problem, we can post it on the Virtual Online web site, and someone will come to our rescue! There is always somebody to help us. All of our members read the posts, can give input in our "meetings", suggest topics for discussion, and get answers to questions. What is so Awesome about this is, we have the opportunity to "meet" a whole new set of potential friends from all over the world, and learn from them. Weather it be blogging, eBay buying or selling, or social networking! These challenges gives everyone a little push to just get in there and try! Some of us, like me who is a little shy, need that push. I am new to the blogging world, and am trying hard to improve. I have gained some very good information through the VOL members participation of these challenges. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to participate, and I look forward in reading your blogs. Have a blessed day!

A PEACEFUL NIGHT

A beautiful evening the stars so bright;
The moon smiles down with it's Wonderous light.
Not a cloud in the sky nowhere to be seen;
As everyone sits on the porch with a screen.
The tikii torches flickered in the evening breeze;
As he gave my hand a soft, gentle squeeze.
Across the sky a falling star fell;
Make a wish, but do not tell!
The frogs are croaking by the pond;
As the fire flies flittered across the lawn.
So peaceful and quiet this beautiful night;
After all, God's work is an AWESOME sight!

Author: Donna Troxell
              03/01/07                                
                                                                  

THE RULES OF CHOCOLATE

This blog is for Danna Crawford, and all of you that are chocoholics  LOL!

1.  IF you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, well, you're just eating it TOO SLOWLY!
2.  Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices, and strawberries, ALL count as fruit, so..eat as many
     as  you want.
3.   The problem:  How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car!  The solution:  Eat in
     the parking lot.
4.   Diet tip:  Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It will take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.
5   A nice box of chocolate can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?
6.   If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer.
7.   BUT, if you can't EAT all your chocolate, What's Wrong With You?
8.   If CALORIES are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and
      they will Jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves!
9.   Eat equal amounts of Dark chocolate and White chocolate to maintain a balanced diet.
10. Money may talks. But chocolate SINGS!
11. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.
12. Why has no one started up a Chocoholics Anonymous?
       Answer: Because no one wants to quit!
13. If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would       be devastated!
14. Put "Eat Chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get ONE thing
      done!

Well, as funny as this, I hope everyone will use common sense when it comes to your diet! You are what you eat! Hope everyone has a GREAT day!

PUSHED BY AN ANGEL? WHAT DO YOU THINK

This is about a dear friend of mine. Her name is Diana Wise. Let me give you a little back ground information. Diana and I met each other when I was in the 6th grade. She is younger than I am. We grew up together in the world of roller skating. We met at the rink. When I graduated from high school, I quit skating and lost contact with her. I moved to Florida, and many years later, when I went back to Ohio and while visiting my mom, reconnected with Diana. She told me that she had been skating again, and had reconnected with her first skating partner Jim, and were back skating competition! I told her I would love to see Jim again. So we plotted for me to go to the rink while they were there to surprise him. Long story short, we surprised him and had a nice reunion. When I had to come home, Diana and I kept in touch with each other over the years. When I retired, I went back up home to help my mom. We became "Snowbirds". Mom and I would be in Ohio for the summer, and here in Florida for the Winter. While in Ohio, I bought myself a pair of skates, at Diana's coaxing, and started to skate a little myself again! This was the first time in about 17 years! Whenever we were in Florida, Diana and I still kept in touch with each other. Mom passed away 2 years ago, and I haven't been back to Ohio since.

Well, Diana and Jim made it to Nationals this year held in August. They had about 2 weeks before they were to leave. On one afternoon, Diana was warming up, waiting for Jim, so they could practice for Nationals. She wasn't doing anything special, skating around when it happened! She just fell! To this day, she doesn't know how or why she fell! It happened so fast she didn't have a chance to protect or block her fall! She fell face first hitting the floor, breaking some facial bones and injuring her shoulder. "Oh my gosh!" you say. "How terrible!" Needless to say, she didn't get to skate at Nationals. When I talked to Diana, at this point in time, she said she was doing good and hoped to go back skating soon. some weeks later, I called to see how she was, and when I asked, she replied, " I'm doing good, Just finished up my second round of chemotherapy! I was, as you can imagine, SHOCKED! I had just talked to her a little while ago! I was Flabbergasted to say the least! I said "What?"! She said, "Didn't I tell you?" I said, "No!" She then preceded to tell me that when they were doing all the tests when she fell to make sure of her injuries, they found a spot on the upper part of her lung. Now this lady was never a smoker. The doctors took a biopsy and found it was malignant. They had to removed the upper part of her lung, and that she was just completing her second chemotherapy treatment. The doctors told her that the cancer was on the outside edge, and it was a slow moving type. They were able to remove it all. Diana doesn't know how or why she fell. She just did. Diana calls her fall her "miracle fall". She said, "who knows how far it would have spread before being found if I hadn't fallen."

So, now I ask you, "What do YOU think? Did an Angel make her fall to save her life?" I don't know the answer, but if so, I want to say, "Thank you", because her family and friends would Greatly miss her. Diana is a terrific person and is liked by all. Diana has had a very up-beat out look through all of this. So when you say your prayers tonight, do me a favor, say one for Diana to be completely healed.

Thank you, and God Bless!

OCALI COUNTRY DAYS

 My grandson Corey King asked me what I was doing on November 13 - 14, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. I said nothing, why? He asked if I wanted to go to what was called Cracker Days, now Ocali Country Days. I said sure. What is the admission? He said he didn't know so I told him I would look it up online. He asked me to text him if I found out. I told him I would. Well, I looked for about 45 minutes for information. I finally found it and promptly text him that it was $3.00 over 6 and US military free with ID. He said awesome, pick you up in the morning on Saturday. I told him I would be ready. When we got to the gate, it said $5.00 over 6 with US military free with ID. I told the lady about how much trouble I had locating any information on the event, and that the cost was stated as $3.00. She promptly called a gentleman over and told him what I had told her. He immediately got defensive and said that's  not my post. I don't have any control over anyone's but mine. I wasn't complaining, I just thought they should know about the difference in cost of admission. I also told the man that it was a post about the Silver River attraction. I was very surprised there wasn't more advertisement about this very interesting and enjoyable event. I hope there will be more information and promotion about this the next time.We walked in, and began our visit into "The Florida of Yesteryear."

The first thing we saw as we entered was a small building where the children were to put the mortar between the logs of this "room" using a mixture of tree moss, sand and water. We then came across a vendor that did wood carvings. He had taken a section of a tree, and carved different animals on it. He then preserved it and put a finish on it. It was really Beautiful! There was a dear on the top and an owl on one of the sides, and many other woodland animals. We saw an authentic old-time telegraph station, went through some one room school houses, log cabins furnished with authentic furnishings. Watched the making of sugar cane syrup, and even bought some sugar cane stalks to chew on!! Yum, Yum! Hayden, my great grandson who is 9 months old, sure enjoyed it!! Lol! Several crafts were on sale, including items made by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Also other vendors were selling their wares and showing how the people of yesteryear lived. We saw the Black Smith and how he used some of his tools, watched some men recaning chairs, a man working with wood using the old tools. We watched a man weaving cloth using a loom. A woman making thread from the fur of a live rabbit, and the spinning wheel would make it into thread to make other things. She said the rabbit didn't feel the fur being pulled out cause it was molting. She said she was helping the rabbit cause it would have to lick its fur to remove loose fur out. She said that a rabbit couldn't vomit and some times the rabbits would die from the fur in their systems in the wild. Corey was soo excited because he got to get some sugar cane! He remembered it from a school field trip, but has not gotten any since. He may not have remembered much of the exhibit, but he sure remembered the sugar cane and wanted more! Lol!

                             

                       Tree Carvings                 

 

Weaver                                                                        Black Smith
                                        

Ashley and Hayden eating sugar cane

                                  Corey in the kitchen
                                  










All in all, the day was a GREAT day! It was really fascinating to see a portion of what it was like to have lived in the yesteryear!

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