Weigh In Day

Well let's just get right to it today. Somehow this past week, I managed to lose another pound. This does boggle my mind because I was on vacation this past week and I made a big pot of hearty pasta fagioli soup and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, that I have been craving. I was going to make pumpkin cake, but I have resisted the temptation. This week anyway.

I have now hit my first weight loss goal of 25 pounds. My next weight loss goal, another 25 pounds. Oh boy.

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I went to a birding by ear class at our library yesterday. It was fun, but for me and others, very hard. I am a visual person. I need to have a visual first and then I can associate the sound. I tried finding the bird in my field guide book and listening to the song. It worked out okay, but it was still hard.

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Very early this morning I was awoken by a thunderstorm. Let me just say that I sleep like the dead. So for me to be woken up from my sleep, it has to be loud. Well this one was. Some of the lightning strikes were brilliant and the thunder shook the house a couple of times. There is something about lying in bed and watching and listening to a thunderstorm. This morning the skies are dreary, foggy and humid.

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My foot feels better. There is still some discomfort, but not like before. So I guess the cortisone shot is helping.

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Well that's it. Today doesn't seem to be a good day. My thoughts are scattered and all over the place. So I will end this with I hope everyone has a good Sunday and a better day then me.

Camera Critters

Hello Everyone! I am not going to keep repeating myself, but you know that I love this time of the week.

These were taken at Cape May Point earlier this month. In the first pic, I didn't realize he was there until he moved. I was able to focus quick. I was glad because once I took the picture, he flew. I love his reflection in the lake.

Please visit Camera Critters to view other's critters or if you have a critter that you would like to share, please sign in.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sky Watch

Hello all. My contribution this week is from Jake's Landing. Yesterday was a beautiful day and I decided to stop off here to see what was going on. I didn't see any birds, but with a view like this, it was worth not see any birds.

To view skies from all over the world, please visit Sky Watch. Or if you have a photo that you would like to share, please do so.

My Foot

I am the type of person that will ignore it and it will go away. I have said before that my foot has been bothering me. It has been bothering me now for about four or five months. When it started it only bothered me if I walked a lot and if I rested the foot, it would stop hurting. Well it got to the point where it was hurting everyday whether I walked a lot or not. My ignore it and it will go away went right out the stinking window. Well I finally went to the foot doctor. He was very nice. After telling him that it first started out hurting in two toes and now in three. The base of the toes on top hurts and on the ball, it sometimes feels that there is a pebble in it. He manipulated the foot. Nothing. He put his fingers on the ball of my foot and squeezed my toes together. Okay, now you have something. Pain. He sat back and said, "You have Morton's Neuroma" and explained it to me. He gave me a sheet of paper to read about it. Here is what Morton's Neuroma is "A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs at the base of the third and fourth toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal neuroma. "Intermetatarsal" describes its location-in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones (the bones extending from the toes to the midfoot). Neuromas may also occur in other locations of the foot. The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. The compression creates swelling of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage." Well then. So now what do we do. He suggested a shot of cortisone and inserts for my shoes. So a shot of cortisone, shoe inserts and I was out the door. I must go back in three weeks for a follow-up to see how things are working out. I guess I was expecting the cortisone to do something right away, but I still have pain when I walk.

I have read the paperwork that he gave me, but the bottom line is, I have nerve damage in my foot. There are many treatments to try, but eventually surgery will be needed. So now I know what is wrong and I go from there.

Weigh In, self defense class and a meme

Ahhh that time of week again. Pulling the scale out of the closet and taking the leap of faith and getting on. Good news. Lost the two pounds that I had gain. Total weight loss back to 24 pounds.




I am glad that I that I cheated way back when and rewarded myself with the slice of Chocolate Lovin Spoon Cake. I would still be waiting for the goal weight loss of 25 pounds. Which seems to be eluding me. I'll get there. Just going to take yet more time.

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Yesterday morning I took a self defense course for women and children at the library. I was surprised at how many were there. There were quite a few mothers and daughters.

It was an older gentleman who was teaching the class. He taught us a lot of great technique's that we could use. He taught us how to block a punch. Area's of the attacker's body that are vulnerable. If we were to be attacked with a knife, how to disarm the attacker. And different kinds kicks. He would show us how to do a kick and say, "No. That is not a push kick. That is a snap kick. This is how you do a push kick." I don't mean to be mean, but what difference does it make. If I am being attacked, I am going to be fighting with everything I have. I don't think I am going to have time to say, "Oh. Can you wait just one minute. I am trying to figure out if a push kick or snap kick is the right one to use."

One thing that did bother me throughout the class. He was telling us what kind of punch and where would kill a person. When I was talking to Bobbie I was telling her. I guess if I am put in that situation, kill or be killed, I would feel differently. But I think it would have been more appropriate, especially with very young girls in class, to teach strictly self defense. How to defend yourself and get away to safety.

I do recommend that all women and young girls take a self defense course. There is a lot to learn to defend ourselves if need be.

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Bobbie was tagged for a meme. She didn't tag anyone, but had offered if anyone wanted to have fun, to do this meme. Why not. So here we go.

1) Where were you ten years ago? HUM. Ten years ago I was working with Bobbie at the Township. That's about all I can remember from ten years ago. I have an excellent memory, but not when it comes to what happened when. Or what I was doing then. I can tell you that what ever I was doing I was having fun. It was fun working with Bobbie and I do miss working with her.

2) What is on your to-do-list today? I have nothing on my to-do-list today. I have already completed that list. What I will do today is blog surf, continue reading my book and go for a walk at the Point.

3) What would you do if you were a billionaire? Oh my. How many zeros is that? Well let's see. First, I would make sure my friends didn't have to want for anything. Then I would purchase a very large parcel of land and make a sanctuary for old, sick and abandon animals. Big and small. I don't care. I would want to make their remaining time as comfortable as possible and give them the love that they deserve. Sorry no snakes.

4) What places have your lived? Being the world traveler, ha-ha, I have lived in Villas, New Jersey. Then Cape May, New Jersey. Then back to Villas. What can I say. I love where I live. It is my home.

5) What are your bad habits? Bad habits? Do I have bad habits? The reluctant answer is, yes. I smoke. I do procrastinate, but hey maybe something more fun comes up. Whatever I was supposed to do can wait a little bit longer, right? But guess what, I made an appointment for the foot doctor. This Thursday is the appointment. I have only put it off for, what is it now, three or four months. But if something important comes up, I will have to postpone going and re-schedule the appointment.

6) What snacks do you like? I guess I would have to say that chocolate is my favorite and something that I could eat anytime. Other then that, it really depends on my mood. If I crave salt, I want potato chips. Popcorn is up there on the list. Not really into pretzels, but I do enjoy soft pretzel nuggets with spicy mustard and honey mustard.

Well that's it. I have nothing more to say except I hope everyone has a happy Sunday.

All too soon

I have talked about my baby many times before. I have also talked about her declining health. I have notice the past couple of days that she has become distant. She doesn't talk as much. She hasn't met me at the door when I come home. Doesn't curl up on me if I take a nap in the afternoon. Isn't underfoot when I am making dinner. Even when I was vacuuming, she didn't run and hide, until I was almost done the living room. She has been spending most of her day's laying in the living room window. Even then, she is up and turning herself around every couple of minutes.



This is hard for me because she is basically the last family I have left. That may sound stupid, but anyone who knows me, knows my cat is my baby. Animals do not have to be human to be a cherished family members. Some say animals are stupid. They're not. Some say they don't talk. They do. You just have to listen.



I guess what I am saying is some day, I think all too soon, I will be totally alone. I still have the kittens and love them very much, but this is different, and I don't know how to explain this.



A friend in work last week was saying that she just needs time away from her family. They are getting on her nerves and she just needs alone time. She then says to me, "how lucky you are." My response, "the grass isn't always greener on the other side."



I am a solitary person by nature. I can keep myself good company, but it is lonely sometimes. Isn't that about the strangest sentence you ever read?



My point is, I have lost my entire family one by one within a twelve year period. First my dad, uncle and gram. Each within a month of one another. Then my brother, aunt, cousin and her husband, within six months of one another. Then my mom and two aunt's within a year.

I get angry when I hear people talking negative about their family and just want to go up and slap them. I want to them how lucky they are to have family. Because all too soon they are gone.

Wildwood Crest had a Seafarer's event today. My ceramic teacher had a table selling ceramic's I asked her how she was doing. She had her knee operated on a couple of week's ago. She asked me if I had spoken to Karen yet. I said, "No. What's up?" Phyllis then floored me. She said, "Chrissy's husband died last night." What? What are you talking about? Phyllis said, "Mark was laying down on the couch. He got up and was beat red in the face, moaning and grabbing his chest. Chrissy called for rescue. They got to the house and worked on him there. Then they worked on him outside, but he was all ready gone." I asked how old was he? 56 years old.

I will not go to Chrissy's house or call her. Being in this position too many times, I know it is none stop people coming and calling. Reality hasn't sunk in yet. You feel as if you must entertain and comfort these good intentioned people. This goes on until the burial. Once that is done, everyone goes back to their normal lives. But you. You don't have a normal life anymore. The after is when you need people the most.

I have since spoken to Karen and told her this. She is going to Chrissy's house tonight, but only because Chrissy asked her. I asked Karen to tell Chrissy, how deeply sorry I am and that I will be there after things have calmed down. Karen agrees with me and all of us ceramic girls will make sure we are there for her after.

I had started composing this earlier in the week. I guess I was feeling lonely or sorry for myself or both. My baby is still distant, but not as much as before. I give her as much love as she will allow me.

We get pissed off at our loved ones. We fight with our loved ones. We go to bed mad at our loved ones. This is natural.

If you missed my point with this post, then let me tell you what the point is. Get pissed and fight, but never go to bed angry. Always tell them how much you love them and how much they mean to you. Because all too soon they are gone.

Camera Critters

It is my favorite time of the week again. A time to visit others who love critters as much as I do. A time to visit and say ohhhhh and ahhhh isn't that cute. A time to learn about other critters.

This week, I am needing the help from my fellow critter lovers. I took these pictures at Cape May Point State Park, NJ, the day before Tropical Storm Hanna arrived. It was in the pond with egret, herons, ducks and geese. I have no idea what bird this is. I have never seen this there before or since. If anyone can identify this bird for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Visit other critters by going to Camera Critters, hosted by the a very nice and funny Misty. Have a good weekend everyone.

Sky Watch

Hello and welcome to my contribution for this weeks Sky Watch. These sunset pictures were taken earlier this summer in North Cape May, NJ at sunset.

If you would like to see other beautiful sky pictures, or if you have a picture of the sky that you would like to share, please visit the Sky Watch.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Weigh in Day & other stuff

I wasn't planning on blogging today. The damn needle on the scale went up by two. Yes I gained two pounds, but total weight loss stands at 22 pounds. Want to hear my excuse? Amazing how I can always come up with excuses for my misdoings. Well here's the excuse. My friends from Lancaster came down this past week. J. is about 66, P. - J's sister is 84 and D. - J's daughter is a very immature 49 - 50 next month. They love the Wildwood boardwalk. The only time I go to the boardwalk is when they come down. So we finally met up Monday afternoon and went on the boardwalk. J. loves Mack's Pizza, so this was the first stop. Two slices later we were back on the boardwalk. Next stop, Douglas Fudge. Well let me just tell you that they have the best fudge and molasses paddles around. A pound of fudge and two paddles later, on the boardwalk we were. D. had told her friend's in Lancaster about a snake one can have their picture taken with. Well the snake was out and D. went to see how much it would cost for the picture. I was at maximum safe distance. When they finally caught up with me, I asked if she did it? She didn't. She then says to me, "What I didn't tell you is that if I don't have my picture taken with the snake, I must buy them all a beer." My response, "Well you better get your credit card warmed up. If you think that I am taking your picture with that snake, you're sadly mistaken. I don't get any where near them. I can't look at them. I can't even look at their picture." I told her she should go back and have it done. Honestly, I think she was afraid.

Tuesday brought the threat of rain. Again we met up in the afternoon and went to Cape May Mall. D. loves to shop and would go in every store there. Come to think of it, I think she did. Well we came to one store and J., P. & D. went in. I stayed outside to have a smoke. You could feel a change in the air. I looked around the building and said "oh shit". They came out of the store and I told them we were going into this restaurant. D. said, "I want to shop." I said again "we are going into this restaurant." D. said, "I want to shop." I said "D. come here a minute and look at that sky. If you want to shop then you go shop, but we're going into this restaurant now." She came into the restaurant. They had the weather channel on and it is beeping away with warning. A while later it downpoured. Later that day guess where we went. Yup. You guessed it, the boardwalk. With the rain earlier, not to many places were open, but we went into an arcade. D. was playing with one of the claw machines that grab the stuffed animals. Well she got one and it got stuck. I went looking for an employee not knowing the P. was behind me. I rounded a corner and then heard a loud noise behind me. I turned, but didn't see anything, but then saw movement on the floor. Here P. tripped and fell and slammed her head on one of the machines. I went running over and another couple was there. We helped her up and all I saw was blood. We ended up in the emergency room for about three hours. Luckily nothing was broken but she ended up with six stitches and a concussion. My friends went home Wednesday. This was planned and not because of P's fall. P. has now adopted me as one of her own after Tuesday night. I didn't do anything that someone else wanted have done for her, but she is a special lady and I am honored by this. My meals for that day was a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Hot dog and soft pretzel for lunch. And the best dark chocolate non-perils around.

Yesterday a group of friends had a girl's night. We all made something and gathered at one of their homes. We had so much food, it was a non stop eating feast. I was designated driver by choice, which honestly I think is more fun then drinking. While driving everyone home, one said, "I can't believe you didn't drink." I told her that I find it amusing watching people that are drunk.

I haven't walked at the Point all week and ate nothing but junk food. I must say though, I had fun. Now I must get myself back on track and start eating right and walking.

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So today I stop at Wawa for gas. The boy came over to the car and I asked him to fill it up with regular and I would be paying cash. He said that they have changed their policy and now we must tell them how much we want and pay up front. I looked in disbelief first. I asked how I was supposed to know how much my car would take on a fill up? He shrugged his shoulders. I said what if I asked for forty and it doesn't take forty? He said I would get change. Now the bitch in me came out. I said, "Now let me see if I got this straight. I have to tell you how much gas I want, pay you up front and if there is change you'll give me my change?" Him "yes". Now I cross my arms and say, "hum, let's see. I am a little less than 1/2 a tank. Gas is $3.43 a gallon. I knew I should have read the book to see how many gallons my tank holds. Well now let's see. I'll take $35.00. Oh wait. Let me see if I have exactly $35.00. Oh yes, I do. This is unbelievable. I feel like I am at the casino." He was not amused and neither was I, but I couldn't help but laugh. My total fill up was $27.50 and I got my change. I couldn't believe that this happened and I had to call Bobbie to tell her. She asked a very good question, "Did you ask for a receipt for the money you gave him." No I did not, but I will the next time. Then she asked me where I was? I said I was on my way to Shoprite. On my cellphone? Yes. I know. I am breaking the law, but I had to call and tell you about Wawa. Anyway I said what's next? Are we going to have to turn over our credit card when we walk into the supermarket before we can food shop now?

To ease my frustration, I bought yet another book and a vente Pumpkin Spice Latte. I guess getting myself back on track will have to wait a little while longer.

Well anyway, I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Camera Critters and Award

Well it is that time of the week again. My favorite time of the week. It's Camera Critter time. Please visit and/or join a whole punch of other's who just love critters big and small, furry and not.

This was taken along one of my favorite roads. There are two farms along this road and both have horses. I pulled over to try and get a better picture. This one decided he was camera shy at the last moment. The guy in the back was just taking too long to come over to the fence. I don't think I got any more pictures then this one. I was enjoying their company and didn't think to much more about snapping more photos.

To all my fellow critter lovin bloggers, have a wonderful weekend.

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Apple Debbie of Planet Ollie-wood gave me this award.

I would like to thank her very much. I have never thought of myself or blog as brainy, but it is nice that she thinks of my blog this way.

The award came along with rules, but like the last award I was given, I am going to break the rules. There are many blogs that deserve this award and I always feels bad choosing just five to give to. So this award will be displayed proudly on my sidebar. Like with the other awards, if there is one or more there that you would like to give to a follow blogger, please do so.

Apple Debbie has several blogs, Planet Ollie-wood, Travels with Trooper and The Bob & Blackie Show. Please visit all of them. They are guaranteed to bring a smile. After all, we all need to smile :)

Weigh in Day & storm

Wish there was some good news to report on the weight loss, but there isn't. No weight loss this past week. Still holding at 24 pounds lost. I don't think that it helped that Starbucks has brought back my favorite Latte. And that I got two yesterday. Two of the biggest cups they offer. Two 24 oz. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. What little willpower I have is out the door when they offer these. I have to go over that way this morning, so guess where I am stopping. I will try to get just one this time.

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Most of this past week, the media was talking about Tropical Storm Hanna. At one time they were saying that Cape May County was going to get hit hard with 3 to 5 inches of rain, high winds gusting over 50 MPH and possible power outages, but Hanna is a fast moving storm. Well hell we get nor'easter's worse then this and they last for three days. My friend who is vacationing in Michigan, called me Friday and asked what the weather was like. I said sunny, hot and very humid. She said that she has been following the weather report and asked if I would ask her next door neighbor to but her swing in his garage. I said that I think that they were making this storm out to be worse then what it really would be, but still I told her I would ask the neighbor. So swing in garage, I e-mailed her to let her know. After work I went to the Point for my walk. No one was on the trails. I didn't even come across to many birds or butterflies. I did see one squirrel, one butterfly and one turtle. But worse of all most of the ponds were drying up or already dry. So the rain would be a welcome sight. It did rain some when I was there, but not nearly enough. Later that night we got a downpour that gave us one inch of rain. Yesterday the humidity was highest it has been all summer. The storm finally hit late morning early afternoon. We did get a lot of rain and wind. We had one gust that was probably 50 MPH, but that was it. I didn't even lose one branch from my dogwood tree.

For the most part, we are pretty lucky here. We get some bad storms, but generally not too damaging. All total from the rain Friday night and yesterday, we got three, much needed, inches of rain. I cannot wait to go to the Point and see what the ponds look like now.

Well that's it. I don't have anything more to say. I hope everyone had a good Saturday and you have a great Sunday.

Camera Critters

Well I can't believe I am about to say this, but this cute little critter was in my yard last week. When I went to get the newspaper, I almost stepped on him. I think he was enjoying his photo-op.

If you would like to see other cute critters or if you have a picture to share, please visit camera critters. Have a good weekend.

Sky Watch

This picture was taken at Cape May Point State Park. This is a beautiful area and I have spent a lot of time there lately. I will let this picture speak for itself.

Please visit the sky watch site to view and/or participate. Many people from all of the world join in on the fun. Have a good weekend.