6, YES 6, 30-day challenges: Day 11

I confess. I did have the last ice cream sandwich last night.

Today has been a very long work day. I work a double shift on Saturdays. And even thought I work from home, while I’m working, I stay in my craffice (craft room/office) just as if I was going to an office to work. And even though the hours are sometimes long, there are benefits.

It was late today before I did my challenges. My back hurts and legs are still not happy with me. But I think I might be finding my groove. Maybe. I’m hoping. Today’s challenges consisted of:

Abs: 55 sit ups, 65 crunches, 33 leg raises, and 42 secs planks.

Squat: 120 regular squats.

Arms: 15 opposite arm and leg raises, 15 arm circles, 15 floor tricep dips, and 9 wall push ups.

Butt: 15 goblet squats, 15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, and 9 side lunges.

Thighs: 15 lunge jumps, 15 forward lunges, 15 side lunges, and 9 sumo squats.

Cardio: 1 min 45 secs butt kicks, 1 min 45 secs high knees, and 1 min 45 secs bear crawls.

I often wonder who came up with this torture… I mean exercises. I am sure there is a reason. I am thankful that I do my exercises alone in my home. I never know what sounds will be made (and from where) when I do leg raises. But I’m doing these challenges because I want to. I made a decision that I would do them and I am going to do my best to stick with it. Now if I could just be a little bit more motivated with my diet!!!

Today I had hopes of eating better. And it started out okay I guess. Today’s intake was:

morning coffee, because I am human, no breakfast, turkey sandwich with mayo and some veggies chips for lunch and for dinner I had 1 chicken tender, some fries, ranch dressing, 1 corn nugget (my husband gave it to me), and an apple.

While my hubby and I were watching Big Texas Fix tonight, my youngest son brought me a coffee mug full of mint chocolate ice cream. He said it was for Mother’s Day. I ate it. It was good. But I refuse to over-indulge. Everything in moderation, at least that would be a good start.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s challenges, especially since it is a rest day for everything except the squats.

Please come back tomorrow for day 12.

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges: Day 10

I have made it 1/3 of the way!!! I really feel that this is an accomplishment in itself! But sometimes, it would be nice to find some outside motivation. This morning I was distracted with the normal daily struggles and did not get to my challenges until 6 this evening. Luckily, I work from home, work was slow, and I was able to get the challenges in!

Today’s challenges consisted of:

Abs: 50 sit ups, 50 crunches, 30 leg raises, and 30 secs planks.

Squat: rest day!!!!

Arms: 15 box push ups, 15 opposite arm and leg raises, 15 arm circles, and 8 floor tricep dips.

Butt: 15 goblet squats, 15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, 8 back extensions.

Thighs: 15 lunge jumps, 15 sumo squats, 15 clock lunges, and 8 forward lunges.

Cardio: 1 min 40 secs high knee, 1 min 40 secs butt kicks, and 1 min 40 secs Plyo jacks.

My legs still hurt and my lower back still aches. Please, someone, anyone, tell me what I can do for this discomfort. Tylenol doesn’t seem to want to work.

Today I had my usual coffee in the morning. And it was good! I drank the last of my Ginger Ale then switched to water. As for as what I ate, I had 1 chicken tender (those things are HUGE), french fries, corn nuggets and hush puppies. I would have loved having gravy with my chicken tender, but since Dan’s Seafood and Chicken do not offer it, I used ketchup. And that is all I have had today! There is a very good chance that I will have an ice cream sandwich tonight as well. Might as well finish those off too!!!

Tomorrow I have to pick up groceries for my mother and I have also added some lemons, apples, and turkey slices. My water will taste so much better tomorrow!!!!

Please return tomorrow for day 11.

6, YES 6, 3-day challenges: Day 9

I must start this issue with a bit of honesty. Last night after I published Day 8, I was hungry so I had a hamburger. The gross kind made with some frozen meat that claims to be hamburger but no one really knows what it is. I had visions of a grand hamburger with some melted cheddar cheese, a little onion, some lettuce, and my favorite condiment for my burgers, mayonaise. Instead, I was barely able to eat half of it. Even the frozen air fried fries covered with ketchup couldn’t get rid of the taste. YUCK. I compensated myself for the bad decision by allowing myself to have an ice cream sandwich. Obviously, this week is not exactly on the healthy eating track. Hopefully things will improve soon!!!

Day 9 challenges completed this morning and included:

Abs: 45 sit ups, 30 crunches, 30 leg raises, and 35 seconds plank.

Squat: 45 regular squats.

Arms: 15 wall push ups, 15 box push ups, 15 floor tricep dips, and 7 opposite arm & leg raises.

Butt: 15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, 15 goblet squats, and 7 side lunges.

Thighs: 15 lunge jumps, 15 side lunges, 15 forward lunges, and 7 clock lunges.

Cardio: 1 min 15 secs high knees, 1 min 15 secs bear crawls, 1 min 15 secs butt kicks.

I’m hoping the pain in my legs and lower back will subside. I’m also hoping the challenges will eventually get easier as time goes on. It does get easier, right???

Today’s daily consumption of non-health eating consisted of my normal morning coffee, chicken noodle soup, popcorn, Ginger Ale, air fried fries, and another ice cream sandwich. There is a possibility I might have another one before I go to bed!!! I know tomorrow will be a full on fried lunch!!! Taking my youngest son to get his favorite shrimp, chicken for my husband and myself. I might even splurge and get myself a Dr. Pepper to drink!!!

Sorry no pictures today. Maybe tomorrow I will share pictures of the yummy lunch!!!

Please come back for day 10!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges: Day 8

Today has been better than yesterday. Stomach is definitely better! And today was a FANTASTIC challenge day!!!!

Abs: rest day

Squat: 50 regular squats

Arms: rest day

Butt: rest day

Thighs: rest day

Cardio: rest day.

My legs do not hate me today!!!!

As far as my meals go, of course I had my morning coffee. And I have been drinking Ginger Ale all day. It truly does help an upset stomach. Around lunch time, I had a bowl of potato soup with onions and bell peppers and some Ritz crackers.

I had an afternoon snack of unsalted top crackers with peanut butter. It wasn’t bad and it definitely met an immediate need!!!!

It is a little late, but I have not had anything to eat for a while and I am definitely hungry. I will likely have a hamburger patty with some cheese and maybe a side salad. I’m just not sure yet. Who knows what I will have, but I will definitely find something to nibble on.

I hope to have more to share tomorrow. I know there will be more exercises to add!!!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges: Day 7

Today did not start of great and it really hasn’t improved much. I was not able to exercise first thing this morning like I have been doing everyday since I started this. Such is life… and an upset stomach. So instead of knocking the challenges out all at one time, I paced myself over a couple of hours this afternoon. And there was definitely no diet in any way shape or form today.

So, this morning, in an attempt to calm my stomach, I had a few powdered donuts. And yes it worked. Or maybe it worked because I was also drinking Ginger Ale. Before I started exercising this afternoon, I had a banana.

Today’s exercises seemed more difficult, but I think that is because I wasn’t feeling 100%.

Abs: 40 sit ups, 20 crunches, 20 leg raises, and 30 secs planks.

Squat: 90 regular squats.

Arms: 15 arm circles, 15 floor tricep dips, 15 wall push ups, and 5 opposite arm & leg raises.

Butt: 15 goblet squats, 15 sumo squats, 15 donkey kicks, and 5 back extensions.

Thighs: 15 side lunges, 15 sumo squats, 15 clock lunges, and 5 forward lunges.

Cardio: 1 min 10 secs bear crawls, 1 min 10 secs high knees, and 1 min 10 secs butt kicks.

I ended by day with a bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup and Nabisco unsalted top crackers. And, of course, Ginger Ale.

Now I’m tired. I think it just might be time to go to bed.

Good night! Please come back tomorrow to see how day 8 goes. I know it will be much better than today!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges: Day 6

Today started entirely too early. Waking up at 2:30 am for no reason is never fun. Giving up on the idea of going back to sleep became a reality. I have been up and functioning since functioning since 3:30 am. I could understand it if I had small children at home. But my kids are adults, 2 are happily married with children and their own mortgage. The youngest of the 3 lives at home but he is 20 and fully capable of functioning on his own. So, I have no idea why I couldn’t go back to sleep.

Today’s exercises seemed to be a bit more challenging than previous days. Hopefully tomorrow morning will be better. Today’s challenges included the following exercises:

ABS: 30 sit ups, 12 crunches, 12 leg raises, and 20 second plank.

Squat: 60 regular squats.

Arms: 15 wall push ups, 15 opposite arm and leg raises, and 15 box push ups.

Butt: 15 sumo squats, 15 donkey kicks, and 15 side lunges.

Thighs: 15 clock lunges, 15 lunge jumps, and 15 sumo squats.

Cardio: 1 minute Pylo jacks, 1 minute high kicks, and 1 minute running in place.

My legs and lower back are still hurting so tomorrow when I go to the store, I might be purchasing something like a pain patch that I can put on my back and will just continue to take Tylenol for the pain in my legs. Unless anyone that read this has any other suggestions.

I did notice at the end of my work day (I work from home), my lower left leg was hurting a lot and my left ankle is a tad bit swollen. But I will carry on with these challenges.

Today’s meals and beverages include:

3:30 1 cup of coffee with sugar and creamer

8:30 scrambled eggs with sausage, onion, jalapenos, topped with homemade pico de gallo. Water to drink

12:30 salad consisting of lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cheese, and ranch dressing. Water to drink.

3:30 6 Ritz crackers with peanut butter (put together to make 3 cracker sandwiches?)

7:00 what can only be described as taco fries! Air fried fries, taco meat, pico de gallo, onions, cheese, and sour cream.

It should be noted that I drank water (plain) during the day but I did not drink as much as I do when I add lemon to it. So tomorrow, I will be adding lemon to my water!!!

Also, around 5pm I made a half pot of coffee but only drank just under 2 cups.

So that is how my day has been. It was busy before work with a couple of errands one of which was taking my yorkie in for her summer buzz cut. Now she is happy and isn’t panting like she hasn’t had water in years. She tends to be a bit of a drama queen!!

I will be back tomorrow with day 7. Please come back!!!

Carnival Dream 2019 – PreCruise #1

We are 15 weeks or 105 days away from our cruise on the Carnival Dream. And to think is started out as a secret from my husband and told him about on Christmas. Times is really flying by!!! This cruise has special meaning to us as we will be celebrating the 17th anniversary of our honeymoon cruise. The dates are the exact same. We are leaving from the same port. The only differences are the ship and one port of call. But that doesn’t matter to us at all.

So with the cruise quickly approaching, it is time for me to start making my lists. I will have a checklist for everything. Our goal is to limit ourselves to carry-on only. I’m not saying we can do it but I’m not saying we can’t. But we are definitely going to give it a try.

The important list is the clothes we will need. I make a list by day and what we would need for that day. I do this in an attempt to control the number of items I take. Typically I still end up over-packing. But it has helped me cut things down tremendously.

Then I have the very important travel first aid kit. This is important and can come in handy. But the goal is to not need it if at all possible. Of course, the antacids will definitely been used because… well, Warm Chocolate Melting Cake…. HELLO!!!!

And then there is the master list. Everything I think I will need goes on this list. Once the list is completed, I will break it down by category and how it will be packed. By doing this, I will know where everything is. Hopefully, that is.

I should mention, on our last cruise, we used packing cubes for a big majority of our clothes with minimal in a garment bag. I’m not sure how things will play out once we starting packing in August. But I am excited to use the cubes again!

So now we wait. My plan is to be packed early so the days leading up to our travel day is less stressful. I know on the drive to Galveston, I will constantly be checking to make sure I have our boarding passes, passports, reservation confirmations, and other necessities because that is just how I am.

My plan with this series is to update weekly on things that we are planning on doing in the ports of call and what I have already put aside to pack… in August!!!!

Thanks for reading and please come back!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges. Chapter 1: I can do this! The first 5 days.

For some reason, I felt it would be a great idea for me to start a 30-day challenge and seriously watch what I eat on a daily basis. I am seriously pushing 60 and I have COPD and some dietary restrictions so my ability to actually complete this is questionable at best. But I am going to give it my best shot!

I have tried a modified version of Keto three separate times and although I did lose weight, the diet also contributed to some gastric issues. So Keto is out, especially a strict Keto. Another issue for me with diets in general is inability to tolerate any and all artificial sweeteners and also the “natural” sweeteners that are currently on the market. My body just does not tolerate them in any way, shape, or form so I’m 100% sugar. With that being said, I plan on limiting my sugar intake and also watch my carbs but not omit either. As of May 1st, I have omitted all soft drinks and my beloved sweet iced tea. I have replaced it with water and lemon. I have never been a fan of water so that has been a real adjustment for me. But I have made it work for me so far!!!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges when I started my serious planning for our upcoming cruise. I wanted to start exercising and eating so I can make sure the clothes I purchased for our last cruise will still fit for our upcoming cruise. I have seen a lot of 30-day challenges on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram but I felt I would have a better benefit from an app. So I started searching for FREE apps for 30-day challenges. I looked at one that said it was free, but when I downloaded it and started the initial assessment stuff, I found out that this free app was not free. In fact, they wanted approximately $5.00 per week!!! This $5.00 per week would give you a personal workout plan and meal plan. Thanks, but no thanks.

I finally the 30DayFitness app. I am so glad I stumbled onto this. The app has 8 different challenges (Abs, push-up, squat, arms, butt, plank, thighs, and cardio) and each challenge has two beginner levels, two intermediate levels, and to advanced levels. Considering my age, health, and level of exercise (or lack thereof), I decided on the beginner level 1 in SIX different challenges, Abs, squats, arms, butt, thighs, and cardio. I decided if I am going to do this, I might as well get the best benefit for all areas.

As of today, I have done 90 situps, 35 crunches, 34 leg raises, 72 seconds of planks, 215 regular squats, 36 arm circles, 10 wall push-ups, 47 floor tricep dips, 11 opposite arm and leg raises, 37 box push-ups, 50 side lunges, 55 sumo squats, 55 donkey kicks, 37 goblet squats, 36 forward lunges, 24 clock lunges, 37 lunge jumps, 85 seconds of running in place, 55 seconds of high knees, 85 seconds of bear crawls, 15 Pylo jacks, and 60 butt kicks.

My legs are sore.

My thighs are sore.

My lower back hurts real bad.

NO PAIN, NO GAIN! I’m going to conquer these challenges.

A lot of these exercises I have never heard of, but luckily the app has diagrams of each exercise. Any exercise I struggle with, I try to modify it ever so slightly until I am in better shape. I am looking at these challenges as an adventure. I have not woken up in the morning dreading to do exercises. But I do enjoy a nice long hot bath immediately afterward!

I hope to blog about this one a daily basis and will include information and maybe pictures of what I eat each day.

So please follow along on my 6, YES 6, 30-day challenges!

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Chapter 1: My thoughts and theory on the Lucy dog drama

Let me start off by saying I have watched this show since it’s beginning. I have always enjoyed it and the casts (for the most part). But there is something with the dog drama that really stuck a nerve with me. I have always thought there was so much more to it and I’m sure there is. We will never know the whole store nor will we know the truth as no one is likely to take responsibility or blame. So… let’s just dive into this. Keep in mind, this is my opinion only. Nothing more, nothing less. Just my opinion and thoughts on the subject as it has been presented to the viewers.

It seems to me that if it wasn’t for the dog drama, Dorit Kemsley really wouldn’t have a story line. I’m sure their money troubles, which now have her and her husband very tight lipped, and up to their eyes in legalities of said trouble. And I would like to know what type of mother would leave her husband and children for two weeks to go to a spa in Utah to get over their house broken into. One would think that the children and hubby would come first, but now in her case. She comes first and foremost. Definitely not a candidate for mother of the year.

The dog drama this season began when Dorit adopted a puppy from Vanderpump Dogs. After the dog bit her husband on the face, she gave the dog to a woman that she thought would give Lucy a good home. That woman, who identity has never been revealed and makes me wonder if she even exists, took Lucy to a shelter. Some people say the shelter was a kill shelter and others say it wasn’t. But in any case, the dog ended up in a shelter. The shelter scanned Lucy to see if she was chipped and to find the owner. Thanks to Vanderpump Dogs, she had been chipped and they were immediately contacted and got Lucy!!! The drama about Lucy escalates when someone leaks to the tabloids what had happened. Of course, everyone has fingers to point and they all point to Lisa Vanderpump.

While the cast was in the Bahamas at the invitation of Dorit, it is learned that Lucy was not the first dog she adopted from Vanderpump dogs. She had previously adopted a dog and returned it to Vanderpump Dogs with the excuse of the dog biting her children. Then she goes back to Vanderpump Dogs to adopt Lucy. This leads me to think that this family has no idea how to take care of a pet.

This is where the two Johns and Teddi Mellencamp come into the picture for me. The two Johns are connected/associated with Vanderpump Dogs. The three of them are friends on a personal and professional level. In the past, Teddi has not liked Dorit. Remember this information.

So now Lisa knows about Dorit giving Lucy to some lady and then Lucy ended up in a shelter then back at Vanderpump Dogs. Somewhere along the line, word leaked out to the gossip rags.

At a bar-b-que/pool party at Kyles, Dorit’s son and Teddi’s son got along and became friends. I believe this is when Teddi started having a massive guilty conscience about the drama that had been started. She has confessed her part to anyone and everyone that will listen, all the while throwing Lisa under the bus, saying that the she has numerous texts from the Johns about Lucy and they tell Teddi that Lisa wanted her to know. Or she would be on the phone with one of the Johns and they would tell her that Lisa was on the other line trying to decide what she should do next. Seriously?

THIS IS WHERE I CALL BS.

Everyone is laying blame on Lisa.

But my theory is the opposite. I do not blame Lisa or her hubby in any way nor do I think she was involved. But I do believe her staff, namely the two Johns, and Teddi are involved and had everything to do with the drama FROM THE BEGINNING.

Why do I think this?

Teddi and Vanderpump have worked together on various fund raisers for bother of their businesses.
Vanderpump Dogs does not need to have outside businesses to promote them. The Vanderpump name and what they do for the dogs speaks for itself.
I feel that the two Johns were wanting to be recognized and glorified for the work that they have done while being employed by Vanderpump.
Teddi isn’t or hasn’t been the best of friends with Lisa. Maybe she has a lot of envy turned jealousy issues.

So my theory is this: The two Johns and Teddi conspired the entire doggie drama originally to make Dorit look bad. When the two Johns didn’t get the praises they felt they deserves, they decided to throw Lisa in the dog pound as well. I do not give a crap about how many texts Teddi says she has from the Johns saying that Lisa wants you to know this and Lisa wants to know that. I think the two Johns fabricated everything. I also think they did of good job of making Teddi look like a complete and total fool. Wise up Teddi. If person A tells you that person B wants you to know this, pick up your damn phone and call person B to find out what’s up. Chances are if it didn’t come directly from the person, that person didn’t say it.

But this also brings up the one thing about this doggy drama that really makes me mad. Why did Dorit adopt Lucy when she had a failed adoption with the first puppy? Why? It would be clear to most normal people that their family isn’t ready for the responsibility of a pet, be it a puppy, kitten, or goldfish. Her children are too young and often appear undisciplined. Puppies bite. There is no surprise there. It just happens just like toddlers bite. But they also bite when they are being mistreated. Pets should be loved as they love their owners unconditionally. But Dorit obviously has no concept of this.

In my opinion, Dorit has no business ever having any pets. They have other more pressing issues involving debtors and the legal ramifications of that. Maybe it’s time for Dorit and her husband to come back down to reality and realize that it is time for them to be real parents to their children instead of their staff. Maybe let all of your staff go, all of the staff go including Dorits glam squad. Learn how to cook, clean, do laundry, take out the trash, mow the yard, and care for your children yourself. Be more involved with your children on a daily basis, not only when it is convenient for the cameras. This is what normal people who are not self-involved do on a daily basis.

This is just my opinion on what I have seen on this seasons Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Remember, when you are looking for a family pet, adopt don’t shop. Pets are great companions and deserve loving homes.

Come back next week for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Chapter 2 Seriously Lisa Rinna?

Why we have never sailed on Royal Caribbean.

It all started 17 years ago when my husband and I were planning our honeymoon cruise. When we first started planning our honeymoon cruise, we did not limit ourselves to only sailing out of Galveston. However, we were strongly considering a 5-night cruise on the Carnival Jubilee, in a suite and the cruise would be going to Cozumel and Calica. We were excited to be going away on what was my husband’s first cruise and my fifth cruise (third with Carnival).

At my parent’s request, we went with them to a cruise & travel show one day. They wanted us to know all of our options before we actually booked our cruise, just to see if there was something else that caught our interest and would prefer to do.

Once we got there, we walked around and stopped and spoke with a travel agent that was very eager to sell us a cruise on Royal Caribbean. We told her what we were interested in (suite) and where we were interested in going to. We were not limiting ourselves to sailing out of Galveston only. What she was offering was a 7-night cruise to Key West and the Bahamas. Jim and I both had been to the Bahamas before and at that time, I had no desire to go to Key West as that is somewhere we could travel to anytime and not just on a cruise. So, what the travel agent wanted us to buy was this 7-night cruise out of Galveston (to destinations we had no interest in) in an interior cabin for almost twice as much as our suite on Carnival. She never offered any other itineraries, which we all know Royal Caribbean has more than one sailing out of Galveston. When we told her what we were looking at with Carnival and our desire to be in a suite, she told us to just go sail with Carnival and see how that works. And that we would not be happy with Carnival as we would be getting what we paid for and that wouldn’t be much.

Well, we sailed on Carnival for our honeymoon and have sailed with them several times since. Never once have we considered a Royal Caribbean cruise all because of one travel agent’s bad attitude.

We have friends and family that love sailing on Royal Caribbean. We have not. We have even been invited to go with friends. But we didn’t go.

First impressions go a long way. And I have never forgotten that one person that really left a very bad impressions with us. An impression that has lasted for seventeen years.

Now, Royal Caribbean will be doing something big in Galveston which interests me as we love to go to Galveston just to be there. It is my understanding that they will be building a new facility that will be capable of handling their Oasis class ships. This will definitely be good for those that are loyal to Royal. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. At least not yet. But it will take a very good deal.

I will never say never, but I will always remember that one person and the impression she left on me.