Well I finally got my power back last night from the storms that came down from the North and devastated the area.  All you saw going up and down the roads were the hugh tree removal trucks and those really big utility trucks.  If would be so funny how the damage would jump, hit and miss.  But all the roads and lawns were cover in a layer of shredded leaves and branch particles.  They called it shear winds and hail was they worst Bill says he had seen in 78 years.  Were it collected in the corners was 6" and you couldn't see any grass thru it.

Hugh trees were uprooted all over.  I watched the second one hit it was the weirdest thing I have every seen.

I got the internet back online late last night.  We couldn't draw water for the animals for over 24 hours.  Some had pails out side and they were full but others had automatic waters and those didn't work of course.

Spent today with the grands picking up sticks.  I than "mowed" the lawn of mulched leaves.

Trish.....blond senior moment.... Duh!!!

Yes...the gardens here are amazing. There is one are for nothing but roses. Right off the Mississippi.... lots of weddings and family pictures taken there!!!

I live about an hour and a little bit from the Mall of America. Not my kind of place. It has just about everything. I do love the under water world... amazing. I also spent time on the rides with my grandchildren. I am not a shopper so I rarely go there. Too many people!!

Hugs and love..... connie d

Tee hee!  Earth to Connie!  It's Wednesday, love, not Thursday! 

Good morning everyone....

Where is every body?? Must be busy I guess.

I don't really have much planned today. The nurse told me yesterday to relax for today as my neck is still swollen at the injection sites.

I may try to at least get outside for a little while. We have a beautiful flower park here. People come from other states just to see it. It is called Munsinger Garden's. A man and his wife lived across the street. She was very ill. He eventually had an elevator in their home and added  a room so she could be in there and enjoy the garden. When she passed away he donated enough money to have it permanently taken care of for many, many years to come. Look it up on the computer if you get a chance.

Time for me to shower. Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Prayers for so many of our OFF friends and families.

Love and hugs to all.....connie d

Sounds so good Vickie. This is a good time of year to combine all sorts of fresh veggies. Imagine cooking those on a grill - oh yum.

 

Annette

Good Morning my OFF Sisters,

I'm up early for a reason.  First, I have an 8:00 appointment to get something done to my back, similar to an epidural.  Then, this afternoon, I'm getting an endoscopy done.  I was permitted to have clear liquids till 6:00 a.m.  So, I fueled up to keep my blood sugar up.

I'd appreciate prayer for my Mom amd my daughter.  Mom is in a deep depression, her usual bipolar stuff.  It's always disturbing to talk to her when she's like this.  Then, Colleen is experiencing a huge co-dependency issue with me in town.  I've tried really hard to respect her boundaries.  She's acknowledged that what she's experiencing is from within her, and not because of me.  I never wanted to relate to my kids the way Mom has been with me.  Yet, I still blow it at times, I still come across like the old me, while not intending to.  My motivation is to help her, like with things related to our trip to PA.  Unfortunately, her old tapes get defensive and see me as butting in.  When we talk yesterday, she was in tears by the end of the call.  Just breaks me heart.  I never want to be like the old me.  Unfortunately, the old tapes of me still lives within them.

Thanks.  

Trish

Oh, wow, I just have to share this one!  Y'all know I've been trying to find more ways to eat vegetarian and to use more kale in my menus.  This salad scores BIG on both counts!  It's very easy and you can swap veggies as needed or to just fit what you have in the house that day.

Roasted Veggie Salad

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a large sheet pan with foil (spray with non-stick cooking spray). 

Wash and cut up a variety of veggies* into bite-sized pieces.  Drizzle veggies with EVOO, season with salt and pepper, toss well to coat and pour into single layer in the pan.  Cook for approximately 25 minutes or until veggies are cooked through and starting to brown around the edges just a bit.  (Cook dense veggies for 10 minutes before adding more delicate veggies, then continue cooking another 15 minutes or so.) 

*Here are the veggies I used today:  diced potato, match-stick carrots, diced onion, diced red and green bell pepper--I started these first in the oven and cooked them for 10 minutes before adding the rest: diced zucchini, diced yellow squash, and cherry tomatoes, halved.

Meanwhile, cook 1/2 cup of whole grain (I used a combination of bulgar wheat and red quinoa today, but you could also used wheat berries or barley or other grains--whatever you like) in 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth.  I added in 1/2 bunch of fresh kale, washed and de-stemmed, chopped and let it cook right along with the grains.  Cook according to package directions, but let the cooked grains rest in the hot broth for about 5 minutes after they finish cooking, then drain the broth. 

(I also added some cooked black eyed peas that I had left over in the frig.  You can use up all sorts of bits of leftover veggies in this salad. And I added some fresh basil and parsley I had growing in my garden. Use whatever you like!)

Combine grain mixture and cooked veggies together in large bowl.  Pour balsamic vinaigrette* over all and toss.  Serve warm or cold, as preferred.

*Balsamic Vinaigrette

In small bowl or shaker jar, whisk together or shake to combine 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar, 2 tbs. honey, 1/2 c EVOO, salt and pepper to taste.   

Eileen.....so sorry your coworker fell and it is causing more work for you! I know you like the extra pay but I also know you have  been in a lot of pain to. I am glad you are laying low today!

 

Love and hugs....connie d

Aloha Mona....You take me back to 7 years ago when I had RNY surgery. I had all the worries you do, BUT I was 63 when I had my surgery. I weighed 335 lbs. (or so), and thought I'd never be slim again. I could not fit into restaurant booths, and needed an extention on airplane seat belts. My deciding factor came when my son and DIL were expecting their first baby. I knew I would Not be able to get down on the floor with grandbabies, OR swim, or take beach walks, etc.

Long story short......I lost about 160 lbs. the first two years, and since then have lost another 35, so I currently weigh 145, and I'm 5'11" tall. Many say I'm skinny, and I gues I am for my height, but I know one thing for sure....I can do all those things I feared not being able to do at 335.......get on the floor and back up easily, pull seatbelt through a good 18 inches on airplane, fit in any seat with lots of room to spare, etc.

Don't fret....you'll do just fine if you just eat what you have been told to eat, and walk, walk, walk. Of course daily vitamins and lots of water as key too.

Good luck to you!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Vickie and my OFF family:

I'm off today, only today. The older coworker fell on Friday and hurt his arm or shoulder and it's in a sling. We are shorthanded with people on vacation this week, so it's overtime for me ... which is OK because I need the money. I can do this every other week, but not every week. So I'm laying low today, just doing laundry. I will go walk down to the mailbox and take out some trash (they're next to each other). That's about the extent of my work today. I'm still drinking coffee ... didn't get out of bed til after 11:30 a.m. Just being lazy.

We had some thunderstorms yesterday and may get some today. During the afternoon storms, there was a big crash in town and one guy was seriously injured ... it was our big story. Plus, because the old guy was out yesterday, I had to do two sports sections at the same time ... with lots of late stories coming in at the same time. Lots of fun! It was a crazy night.

Well, not much else happening. Just want to relax today and not think about work. It's going to be a busy enough week. Have a good day.