Sex and the City 2

This is a Movie for entertaining and if you think you aren't going to be, then don't go see it. The movie critics get paid to recommend a selection of films for the Movies section of your Newspaper. The recommendations are based solely on that critic's personal opinion of the film.

Trust me, your opinion is the only opinion that counts!  I never went to see a movie based on the opinion of a critic.  And, they were sooooooooooooo wrong on this one!  This movie was fabulous!

With that said, I absolutely loved, loved this movie……….the actors,  the clothes, the shoes, the laughter……….Oh and MR. BIG!  He had me drooling as always!  LOL

The movie started off with the Gay Wedding which was out of this world and the end of the movie was my favorite part!  I also, loved everything in between!

It is a must see!  And, don’t forget your Cosmopolitan!

My Experience going Vegan!

Well, since my last lab work at the doctor's office for a regular routine exam with a new Primary doctor, my results were totally off the charts! I was quite disturbed by this. He took me off my statins and all vitamins and suggested the Vegan Diet for six weeks, as a process of elimination to find the culprit of why my numbers on my blood work are out of whack!

Sigh, the first week without any meat was o.k. But no dairy definitely added more frustration, as I can't start my day off without cream in my coffee in the morning, so I began to read about antibiotics in poultry and other diseases of fish, cow's milk, etc. Oh my.......what is there left to eat? That soy stuff doesn't do it for me. Forget about Tofu.....not my favorite thing. (it just won't go down)

I read that a Vegan is a very strict vegetarian who does not choose to eat or use any animal products at all, from dairy and eggs to leather, wool and honey. While this is a major transition from my eating habits and forget about the leather, wool and honey.............do you think I would actually give up my Gucci, Prada, and Coach????? I wear wool when up north for warmth........I love honey in my tea when I don't feel good. Who started this Vegan stuff???? I can understand a Vegetarian more than I can understand a Vegan.

The doctor suggested I purchase the book "Eat to Live" and use it as guidance and understanding eating off the land.

Grocery shopping is a challenge and exhausting reading labels. I take a list of all animal ingredients to avoid, and look for them on the label. There are hidden animal products in an amazing variety of foods, so this was depressing and time consuming for me.

I started to look at my natural foods I used to eat and the ingredients were short and understandable, I didn't have to figure anything out whether the product came from an animal or not.

I was getting so frustrated trying to modify my own recipes. Most non-vegan recipes can be made vegan by substituting some of the products using what they call simple tricks like replacing eggs with cornstarch and water in baked goods. Most introductory to Vegan sites online explain these tricks. Those tricks don't make your own recipes taste the same and, therefore, I'm not enjoying my food!

The cravings for normal food is overwhelming. Eating a salad twice a day is so boring...............tons of fruit daily, I'm really have a hard time with and you cannot substitute it with juice as your fruit. I tried to explore a variety of vegan food that is available in "WholeFoods", the pricey organic store.

I hate to tell you the amount of  money I wasted on food that tasted like cardboard and ended up throwing away or down the disposal. I love vegetables but having it for your main course is so different than having it as a side on your plate!

Did I forget to mention the doctor said no alcohol........that means no wine with my dinner! He dare say that to an Italian?

Well, two weeks have gone by and I spent a great deal of money at Wholefoods and I have lost 12 pounds.......that part is great but I'm miserable. I want a pizza, I want a veal cutlet, I want to smell my Sunday gravy simmering on the stove with meatballs and sausages!

 I want my wine and a visit from Johnny Walker or Mr. Dewars  now and then would be lovely.

Did I forget to mention the gas that is associated with being a Vegan? LOL  My next lab work is Tuesday and I'm praying for a major improvement in the test results!

Happy Mother's Day

M - O - T - H - E - R

Author: Howard Johnson

"M" is for the million things she gave me,

"O" means only that she's growing old,

"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,

"H" is for her heart of purest gold;

"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

"R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell

"MOTHER,"

A word that means the world to me

If all my wishes came true!

We all dream and wish for things that we may never have……….some of us have achieved greatness and attained the good life by good old hard work and some by born with a silver spoon.

But if all my wishes came true, would my life be perfect?

Taking into account of all the people I have met throughout the years, and viewing the celebrities on TV…..people who have what they want are all over rehab centers, divorce courts and jails! Hmmmmmmmmmm! Now they call cheating on their spouse a sickness and there is a special rehab for that. It’s like a new app for your fancy IPhone. Bull crap on that theory!

I believe being blessed with good fortune has side effects just like medications you see advertised on TV. Scary to hear that the medication you selected and/or advised to take by your doctor can kill you! Basically, any external thing we eat and/or breath in, we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. It’s all about making good choices. Some are not easy but for the most part, we all know right from wrong so no excuses! A lot comes from maturity and wisdom.  It is your duty to research and take good care of yourself.

Ever notice when you stop depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize somehow. I guess it is the Law of Attraction. Ever pay attention to when your body tenses or relaxes, it is telling you something………it is telling you to consider choices you have to make whether a simple choice or a major decision. Listen! Instead of weighing pros and cons, notice your physical reaction to each option. You will then make the right choice.

Many of us have dreamed of winning the lottery or fantasized about how happy we would be if only we had great wealth.

Compared to the large bulk of the world, we are already enormously wealthy. We have possessions that most people only dream of, and access to opportunities that many women can hardly even fathom. I have food in the fridge, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. Most of us have the wealth that others only dream about.  I'm trying real hard to stay healthy.  I've had a few medical concerns and with the help from my doctor, I'm working on it.  Gosh, it is hard to tell an Italian cook to turn into a Vegan!

I can’t help but feel blessed when I look at life through my window of gratitude!

What's New on TV!------ What's New with Me!

What’s New on TV?


TV has been boring the hell out of me. I love “Dancing with the Stars” because I’m a ballroom dancer but when the season ends……I’m searching for something of interest to keep me company. Insomniacs need something to do during the wee hours of the morning when the entire world is sleeping and that includes a lot of channel surfing and finding a good book to read!

Here are my favorite pics so far on Dancing with the Stars:

“The Marriage Ref” which premiered on NBC in March is quite entertaining. It is a sort of stand-up/reality TV show that features clips of real couples in real verbal struggles. Plus, it has a panel of celebrity “experts” and Tom Papa, who is the referee and who ultimately declares the husband or wife in each standoff the winner.

If you’ve seen the show, you already know that the petty stupid issues of other people’s lives provide its share of chuckles. For example, the husband that insists his Harley requires a place in the living room instead of being parked outside! Or, the husband that loves his dog so much but the dog hates and bites the wife!

Some of these people have a screw loose for sure! The celebrities are a hoot with their comments.

Seinfield said the idea for this show started when he had a spat with his wife and thought a ref would be good to see it through another person’s perspective to solve marital disputes.

I think Jerry Seinfield has another winner here! I do like shows that make me laugh. You need some chuckles after seeing the depressing News every night.

Well, what's new with me?.........

not much. I'm still enjoying my Silver Sneakers classes at the gym. Actually, I truly enjoy it very much. I'm motivated and I can now bend down and pick something up without being stuck to the floor! LOL

The weather has improved so I also incorporate my acqua aerobics in my pool which is refreshing and back in the house in time to watch Dr. Oz! He is the man! My favorite doctor!

I have a nurse friend that worked with Dr. Oz in New York when he was just known as Mehmet! That was many years ago when she first graduated Nursing School. Who, knew he would be such an amazing doctor and have his own TV show today.

My social life needs to be upgraded! I hardly ever go out much in the evenings anymore. I really need to push myself and enjoy more.

My new Primary Care doctor saw some things in my blood work that requires some serious attention! Ugh! This has been going on for several months now. Tough getting older. I'm trying real hard to eat right, exercise and be healthy. Thank goodness I stopped smoking 3 years and three months ago! So, if any of you out there are still smoking...........please stop! Stop eating unhealthy foods, sugar and fatty foods. My doctor now wants me to eat living off the land. Being a Vegan is not easy, as I like meat and dairy. Hey, take notice.....I have the map of Italy on my face!  I like good Italian food so this is going to be a challenge for me.  I'm hating it already!

Give yourself the gift of life.

The "To Do" List Never Ends!

I miss having a man around the house to handle my “To Do” list to complete some major and minor home repairs which would certainly go easy on my wallet. It is understandable that maintenance and repairs are necessary but I guess I was spoiled when living in New England and coming from such a large family.......most of the men in my family always were able to handle most repairs for me. Purchasing an item is usually not bad, it is the labor that is very costly and that is what I can't afford.

We all know that we can pay our auto mechanics a little now for routine service, or pay them a lot later for a major repair. The same idea holds true for your air conditioner or heating unit. If you don't service your air conditioner or heat pump regularly, you'll find yourself uncomfortable and broke.

I have been real good replacing my a/c filters faithfully (I have my computer to remind me with an alert feature) and I was also instructed by an a/c tech to add a little white vinegar in the air handler in that back narrow pan about every 90 days. And, I call for a maintenance service once a year. This year, however, I was just about to make that call and the other night my a/c was not running properly. It was running all night long yet the condenser outside was not moving so I knew something was wrong. I was beginning to sweat and very uncomfortable to say the least. I like to keep my house “meat locker” cold as I overheat easily. Most women out there understand! Of course this happened during the night so I tried to sleep with three fans facing me in bed! I did not sleep very well to say the least. My insomnia is an issue to begin with but I have to be cool at all times.

Well, I called my a/c company that provides high quality work and comes within a reasonable time, so that discomfort is not too bad. Hey, I live in Florida so it’s important to have the a/c working properly.

This maintenance visit was disturbing; as I was informed I need a new condenser outside. Heck, it is 9 years old but I always thought they would last a good 12-14 years!

Here is the whopping price $1,795.00! Yikes! I also included the One Year Maintenance Agreement so I wouldn’t forget to call for the twice a year maintenance which was another $150. raising my bill to $1,945.00. Holy Crapola! Looks like I won’t be doing any Happy Hours for a while. I don’t remember the last time I’ve been to the Mall to treat myself to something new………….Ugh. I have no choice, so the installation is tomorrow morning.

I’ll officially get it off my mind but I have not recovered yet from my recently replaced water heater last December and my new washer/dryer last August. It never ends!

Sometimes, I wonder if it would be better to rent than own? (provided you would have a very good landlord) I’m in a small condo and for the most part, I enjoy it. And, there are times; I do get annoyed with the Condo Commandos! That is when I miss owning my own home and I’m the solo commando of my domain! LOL Plus, the rents today are more than my social security check!!!!! What would I do?

Sunshine Award---come see if you were picked!

Thank you to Val from "Joy in the Rain" for bestowing this Award to me.  The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers who have positivity created and  inspired others in the blogesphere!

The "rules" have changed a little through time. I am choosing my own rules. LOL Val chose 7 Bloggers and I have chosen 12. It was difficult to narrow down, as I feel mostly everyone deserves this Award.

Place the Sunshine Award on your Blog, either in your text or on your sidebar.  Send this Award to whom ever you feel deserves it.

List the bloggers you feel deserve this Award so others can view their Blog. And, if you find the time, notify the bloggers you have chosen!  Val listed 7 things about herself.  I already listed 100 things about myself in an older blog! So, there isn't much more to add about me! LOL

Please enjoy viewing the blogs listed below:

http://vtriders.blogspot.com/
(Michelle)

http://jimsulliv3.blogspot.com/
 (Jimmy Sullivan)

http://vagabondjourneys.blogspot.com/
 (DB)

http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/
 (Jack & Sherry)

http://mysouthernhome.blogspot.com/
 (Sonya)

http://garnett109.blogspot.com/
 (My Brain is in Pain)

http://joyintherain-val.blogspot.com/
 (Val)

http://nutwoodjunction.blogspot.com/
 (Beth)

http://buckoclown.blogspot.com/
 (Beth's Hubby)

http://onyama.blogspot.com/
 ('On Ya'-Ma)

http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/
 (Vickie)

http://boylerpf.blogspot.com/
(Alicia)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's almost that time again to raise your glass and wear some green because everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's day!

I have a friend from Ireland and she told me things I never knew like......Did you know the original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green?  However over the years the color green and its association with St. Patrick's day grew.

My girlfriend also told me that she and her family never ate corned beef and cabbage on St. Paddy's Day!  Hmmmmmmmmmmm!  So, who started all these traditions here in the United States?

Well, I'm not Irish but this Italian gal will raise my glass of Johnny Walker and make a toast with my Irish friends.  I probably won't be wearing green either.....maybe someone will pinch me!!!!!!!!!  LOL

 

Images of your life!

How many of you remember the above style camera?

Ever think about what all the pictures you own hold for you? How much would you remember if you didn’t have them? Are you old enough to remember when we only had black and white film? Without those photo albums, would you remember all those birthday parties, proms, anniversaries, weddings, births, vacations, hairdos, cars you owned, your high school yearbook pictures…..all these images are still with me today and so are the emotions that go with them.

Visual images hold amazing power whether through your photo albums, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks and now with high tech….I personally use Picasa to store my photos online….no more discolored old photos….Amazing!  Saving them on a disk is much better than in a shoebox!

We all have some old worn out photos. I did some research on how to store these old photos so you will always have your precious memories.

Here's How:

1. First, take your photos out of "magnetic" albums. The materials, ordinary plastic, glue and cardboard, will damage them over time.

2. Eliminate any glue, tape, staples, rubber bands and paper clips that might stain, scratch or dent photographs.

3. When framing, use acid-free mats to keep photos from touching the glass and acid-free backboards to avoid deterioration of the image.

4. Place photographs in plastic sleeves void of PVC, which can be purchased at photo supply stores.

5. Use plastic sandwich bags for a good, inexpensive alternative to plastic sleeves.

6. Store large quantities of photos by layering them between sheets of 100 percent acid-free paper in metal or acid-free cardboard boxes.

Tips:

1. Wood and wood products, like cardboard and paper, harm photographs and should only be used if labeled "acid-free."

2. A good rule of thumb is storing photos where you are also comfortable, not too hot, cold, wet or dry.

3. Keep photos out of attics, garages and basements where they'll be subject to extreme temperature fluctuations and excessive humidity.

I’m very lucky to have a daughter that is an amazing photographer! She bought me my first digital camera and told me to carry it with me at all times in my handbag. That way, you will always be able to capture that special moment in time and create another wonderful memory in your life.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner!

Valentine's Day is approaching and with all forms of glee, bliss, and even annoyance. The feel-good day for lovers is also a field day for florists, chocolatiers, Hallmark and jewelry stores, as for me....it was my wedding anniversary! I now consider it just "another" day with fond memories!

Compatibility means a lot more than liking the same movies, sports, food or flavor of ice cream. It also means being able to successfully talk about and manage your finances. How to raise your children, religion matters to many. It is more than just hugs and kisses especially when you are very young!

I believe in love.........always did. I even believe in love at first sight. Can you imagine going about your daily routine of things and just out of the blue you randomly catch eyes with a total stranger, fall in love and start a life together. Well, that sorta happened to me with the exception I was introduced to my man and it was love at first site for both of us without even exchanging any words yet!

I was 52 years old and divorced and I think by that age, you definitely know what you DON'T want! Unfortunately for me, my husband passed away after only 3 1/2 years of marriage.

I still believe in love............do you?

Silver Sneakers

Yes, folks....I turned 65 in January and I jumped for joy when my Medicare Card arrived in my mailbox! Well, I'm not thrilled to be older but I certainly suffered for 8 years without health insurance due to existing conditions. I'm blessed with two friends that are nurses that helped me through some health issues along the way. It was very costly for my doctor visits when it became absolutely necessary to warrant an appointment. Being a woman, it is mandatory for the pap tests and mammogram.......more $$$ for my checkbook which could barely cover these expenses and I had to make sacrifices in other areas for my budget to handle these bills. So YES! I love having health insurance.

I got so hyped up to join Silver Sneakers to get my old body back into shape. I walked into the classroom and felt like I was the youngest person in the class. To my surprise, I could NOT keep up with the 80 year olds! I was huffing and puffing and sweating my brains out. But I made a commitment to myself to go three days a week and later anxious to join the Zumba class which I'm sure most have you heard about as it is all the rage these days. It is a fast pace form of Latin dancing that surely gives you a boost of Cardio. I love Ballroom dancing so I hope being a former ballroom dancer that this will help me keep up in the class. LOL I'll let you know how I do.

Oh my, my first day in a Silver Sneakers Class at another gym, this elderly gentleman fell off the big ball he was sitting on for balance and weights in his hand....his head banged on the floor and I freaked out. Why would they give an 80 year old a large ball to sit on and placed on slippery hardwood floors? The next instruction was to slide your tush down on the ball and that is when this poor guy crashed. He was fine but it was scary for me to watch. I got a yoga mat that was stacked high against the wall and told the guy perhaps the mat on the floor under the large ball may prevent the ball from sliding.

I, on the other hand was smart and skipped that part of that class altogether. Damn, if I fall off of that big exercising ball! I'm trying to get back into shape not break bones or split my head open!  Of course, every gym makes you sign a disclaimer that they are not responsible for your injuries.

Decided to try a different gym and luck was with me to find a fabulous instructor.  Only four classes under my belt so far and I already lost 3 lbs.  That is good for me!  WhoooHoooooooooo!

Everyone in my class remembered my name and greeted me with such kindness. The Instructor's name is "September". She is a hoot...whenever we are lifting weights she yells out "Oh yeah.... Baby, Baby" when the arms are started to hurt. She sings and jokes around with everyone and calls out their names. I really like her. She gets you motivated. And, my favorite Sinatra songs are blaring from her boom box! When September starts counting she will start backwards and yells out 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 3, then a member in our class takes over and says: twooooooooooooooooo and 1. September's personality and great sense of humor makes that hour go by quickly and worth it.

We do a lot of weights while sitting in a chair and a lot of kicks with our legs while standing up.....one particular kick....the Instructor yelled out...."pretend you are a dog and bend you leg at the knee and lift up to the side to a count of eight. Don't let the words "Silver Sneakers" fool you. These people are devoted to their exercise and take it very seriously which in turn provides them with a better quality of life.

Well, my goal is important. I want to receive all the benefits from increasing flexibility and improving my balance. Just try standing on one foot....how long can you do it? This class also provides great stretching techniques. I definitely went home feeling very sore. God Bless our older generation, these people take their exercising seriously and they have stamina. By my third class, I was able to keep up and they all cheered for me!  They are too funny.

Being flexible allows me fuller movement and reduced pain in my joints so that it is easier to perform my daily activities. I highly recommend Silver Sneakers for you Seniors out there. Go put that younger crowd to shame!

I plan on adding a Yoga/Meditation class too, perhaps in a couple of weeks.

The best part is that it is helping me sleep a little better.  WhooooHooooooooooo!

Insomnia!

Many people experience an off night where they can't obtain restful sleep. My Chronic Insomnia has plagued me for many years and is now getting worse. I experience a chronic difficulty either falling or staying asleep long enough to meet the body's needs for sleep. This lack of quality sleep leaves me with impaired functioning each day and keeps me from carrying out normal tasks.

Most adults require approximately eight hours of sleep but the best indicator is how you feel. If you awaken feeling tired, it is likely that you are not getting enough sleep. Insomnia can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable and struggling to concentrate............ugh!

People who are emotionally upset or anxious often find that they frequently awaken at night or have trouble falling asleep. It's difficult to relax when your mind is 'racing' and you can't seem to stop worrying about various aspects of your life.

Insomnia exacerbates the symptoms of depression, making it more difficult to treat.  Then add the serious issue of "SleepsWalking" and eating..........double trouble!  And, did I mention the weight gain?  Oh my, to look in the kitchen sink in the morning and see a bunch of forks and spoons and crumbs.  Yes, I woke up once to see a box of Cherrios next to me in bed!

I have followed all the doctor's suggestions on how to get a good nights sleep. Keeping a sleep diary is supposed to help the doctor to identify the cause and will be able to treat you. Well, so far after 15 plus years........nothing has worked which includes: sleeping pills, melatonin, going to bed at the same time every day including weekends, make sure the bedroom is dark and very cool, avoid caffeine, decongestants, stop smoking (which I quit three years ago) and  limit alcohol before bedtime, exercise more often but not at night time, don't lie in bed worrying about things. Set aside another time just for worrying......for example, spend 30 minutes after dinner writing down what's worrying you and what you can do about it.

Well, that warm glass of milk at bedtime that your grandma insists works, doesn't work for me ....so some doctor is going to have to come up with a better solution for me pretty soon. I have experienced many times not sleeping for 2-3 days in a row...not a wink...not even a short nap.....nothing! People don't understand how severe chronic insomnia is and how it takes over your quality of life.  I used to go to work with no sleep. It was easier when I was younger but that is no longer the case now that I am a senior citizen!

Do a lot of you out there experience chronic insomnia????? If so, do you have a special remedy that works for you, please share. It would be most appreciated.  I'm at my wits end and willing to try almost anything within reason!

Hugs, Rose