And it’s not because of too much green beer!

About a week and half ago my Dr heard a heart murmur ( I went in because od a sore back!) and that set some things into motion. Some blood work followed by a visit to a cardiologist and then today...... more bloodwork, an echocardiogram, and a stress test. Ok fine! You gotta do what you gotta do and since heart disease runs in my family I guess being checked out is all good.
Last week the Dr had me staryt on baby aspirin and niacin. The niacin is for my cholestrol which is high but she expected it to be since there again is family history.
Yesterday I had the most lovely experience with the niacin...... an instant and bit painful sunburn feeling all over my body! This lasted about 30 min and then went away but left me wiped out and freezing.
Today was all that testing so I had to fast....which also meant no coffee! Yikes no coffee??? Testing began at 7:30am and I didn’t finish until 11:30am. Still no coffee......argh!!!!
So I get home and get the coffee brewing. I have to make up for lost time with my coffee. Oops! I should have eaten first!!! So this has me feeling a little woozy.....
And feeling GREEN!

A Dog’s Purpose  (from a 6-year-old).

           Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound  named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

           I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer... I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

           As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

           The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

           The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’

           Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.

           He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life—like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’ The Six-year-old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.’

           So live like a dog:

           Live simply.

           Love generously..

           Care deeply..

           Speak kindly.

           Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

           When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

           Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

           Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

           Take naps.

           Stretch before rising.

           Run, romp, and play daily.

           Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

           Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

           On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

           On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

           When you‘re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

           Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

           Be loyal.

           Never pretend to be something you‘re not...

           If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

           When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

11/21

Your imagination is the preview to life’s coming attractions.

 —Albert Einstein

I just posted this as my status and it has me wondering if imagination can also aid in weight loss. I know doing visual exercises can help you achieve success if you do it consistently. But is visualizing and imagining the same thing?

I just got this from sparkpeople and it looks so good. I am going to make these today since I have a crave.....

Fudgy Brownies

Instant coffee in the batter intensifies the chocolate flavor. Beating the sugar and eggs together gives the baked brownies a crackly surface.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon hot water
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325?.

Place sugar and eggs in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until thick and pale (about 5 minutes). Combine hot water and coffee granules, stirring until coffee granules dissolve. Add coffee mixture, butter, and vanilla extract to sugar mixture; beat at low speed until combined.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, stirring just until moist (batter will be thick).

Spread batter into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325? for 23 minutes or until brownies spring back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Garnish brownies with powdered sugar, if desired.

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 brownie)
Cal 126.4
Fat 4.9g
Carbs 20.2g
Protein 2.3g

8/21

Yana,

Thank you so much for creating this site. I know there have been trials and errors, ups and downs, good and bad. But THANK YOU for being the tough lady you are and demanding the best.  

I am one of many lucky recipients of you creating this site. There have been many FABULOUS women that I have “met” and would like to meet. There have been so many wonderful stories shared and so much support given. Even when it’s not expected it’s there.

I also have been a lucky recipient of winning a contest or 2...
My latest “WIN” tho is 2 free months of premium membership for becoming turquoise. How very exciting!!!!!

Thank You again!
Vikki

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his  wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she’d like tohave for her birthday.

‘I’d like to be six again‘, she replied, still looking in the mirror .

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the ScreamingRoller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald’s where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite  candy, M&M’s. What a fabulous adventure!  

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.  

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, ‘Well Dear, what was it like being six again?’

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. ‘I meant my dress size, you retard!!!!’

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna get it wrong.

4/21