Wednesday, 7/31/2013

Day 212, 7/31/2013 - Eat, had a Starbucks protein smoothie for breakfast and the oatmeal power cookie for lunch. Went to Ye Shire Tavern for happy hour and a shrimp basket for dinner. Pray, I prayed that all was well with my annual mammogram. Prayers answered, after a brief concern over one spot, all is well for another year. Whew!! Joy, my joy is in celebrating another year as a survivor of breast cancer. I will not lie, every year there is anxiety. This makes 8 years! God is good, all the time!

 

Tuesday, 7/30/2013

 

Day 211, 7/30/2013 - Eat, quick breakfast then lunch out with good friend, Blake, before he leaves town. It has been a great couple of days with he and the rest of the Spencer's here for Maddie's graduation. We had lunch at Cindi's NY Deli, Blake felt as if he was in NJ...lol. He had the Patty Melt and I had Pastrami and Swiss on a bagel. Delicious!  I had breakfast for dinner of scrambled eggs and fresh tomatoes from the community garden. Pray, I pray for relief from my aches and pains. I'm just achy this week. Glad I have a massage scheduled this week. Joy, my joy was in seeing one of Maddie's cakes up close. I will have to order a cake for an occasion soon. This one was for someone special, her grandparents.  She is so talented, so proud of her!

Monday, 7/29/2013

 

Day 210, 7/29/2013 - Eat, I am destined to maintain my present weight as long as I go to or work in a church...lol. There is always food. The three little cupcakes were left for staff and the "staff" (me) enjoyed them today. Sugar spice frosting with carmel in the middle, delicious. Good thing I had soup for lunch. Met friends at The Fillmore Pub for happy hour before the Concert in the Park with the Plano Community Band. Stella never disappoints. Glad I had the Brie with apples. We went to Allen Wickers after the concert. Other than the appetizers and drinks the entrées were disappointing. Usually not the case. Pray, prayers of thanksgiving,  I have not killed my balcony plants yet. For almost 4 months I have enjoyed their beauty. Joy, my joy today was in the people that I spent the evening with and in the free band concert in the park. Some great tunes from the "Big Band" era.

 

Sunday, 7/28/2013

 

Day 209, 7/28/2013 - Eat, coffee for breakfast. Needed caffeine, it was very hot in my place and I was awakened at 3 am in sweats as it was 84 degrees. My A/C had stopped working. I was glad that I rent and all I have to do is call maintenance. I was also glad when my friend, Marilyn offered lunch out (in air conditioning). We went to our favorite place, Taverna. We both knew we wanted Risotto. They have the best in Dallas. I chose the Risotto con Prosciutto. Awesome blend of asiago frescor, arugula, prosciutto and toasted walnuts. Met friends and son, James for bowling in the afternoon. We had Cosmos at my place after. The other half of my Baker Brother's salad made for a great dinner. Pray, prayers of thanksgiving as the A/C was repaired by the time we were done with lunch. The inside temp is back in the 70s. Sure I will sleep better tonight. Joy, my joy again was in seeing and spending time with friends that I don't see often enough. What fun!

Saturday, 7/27/2013

 

Day 208, 7/27/2013 - Eat, protein shake for quick breakfast. Went to Baker Brother's Deli for lunch had a great chopped salad. I love not having to further prepare my salad! Decided to drive through Taco Bueno for a quick /cheap dinner. Pray, prayers of thanksgiving, all went well for Maddie's graduation from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. She is now a Chef of Patisserie and Baking. Congrats! Joy, my joy is in being able to be at Maddie's graduation. In seeing my good, good friends, the Spencers and sharing in the joy of Maddie's accomplishment.

 

Friday, 7/26/2013

 

Day 207, 7/26/2013 - Eat, finally TGIF! Stopped for my favorite "comfort food" breakfast at Whataburger. Sausage biscuit with sausage gravy and coffee. With a breakfast like that, who needs lunch? Had a protein pack for lunch. Dinner was left over pizza, reheated in the oven, the best! Pray, prayers of thanksgiving, I made it through my stressful, admin filled week. Overall I was very productive. Joy, my joy was in the community garden gift of the week. Cucumbers! TGIF and that called for happy hour. Once again I searched the internet to find the perfect simple recipe for Cucumber Martini. Score! Even better, friend, Kari joined me for happy hour and pizza!

 

Thursday, 7/25/2013

 

Day 206, 7/25/2013 - Eat, a pleasant surprise for breakfast, pastries left for the church staff in the frig at work. Lunch was perfect with left over pizza, yum. For dinner I sauteed onions to add to the left over meat from the mini meat fest at Rafain. Pray, I pray that the birds that have taken up residence on my balcony find a new home. As adorable as they look and seem what they leave behind is pretty unappealing. Joy, my joy is in it being Thursday and that my stressful week is coming to a close. Yay, can't wait to say TGIF!

Wednesday, 7/24/2013

 

Day 205, 7/24/2013 - Eat, a loaded oatmeal cookie for a mid morning lift. A wonderful blend of oats, nuts and fruit. A favorite sandwich for lunch, the chicken BLT salad. Received a BOGO coupon for pizza at Brooklyn's Pizzeria. My son, James joined me for dinner. We ordered two of our favorite pies, The Brooklyn Meat and The Queens Alfredo with breakfast bacon and chicken added. Their box says it all, "Whoever coined the phrase 'Easy as Pie' never made one of ours. Hey, it takes time to make a good pie...But, c'mon, who wants a pizza that tasts fast?" I was reminded just how good their fresh ingredients, sauce, cheeses and Boar's Head meats taste. Worth the drive to take away or dine in! Pray, prayers of thanksgiving for my productive day at the office. Joy, my joy was in having dinner with my son, James.

Tuesday, 7/23/2013

 

Day 204, 7/23/2013 - Eat, had a Starbucks protein smoothie for breakfast and a light lunch. Met my friend Rosemary at Mi Cocina for dinner. We decided to share White Queso with beef and Chicken/Steak Fajitas for dinner. And of course Margaritas to drink. Everything hit the spot! Pray, continued prayers that I deal well with the tasks at hand at the office this week. Joy, my joy was in pampering myself with my good friend, Rosemary. We both had mani/pedis then enjoyed dinner. It was great to catch up with my good friend.

Monday, 7/22/2013

 

Day 203, July 22, 2013 – Eat, was a good thing I ate light during the day. I received a late afternoon invitation to meet friends for dinner and a movie. Yes, now I won’t feel guilty about having popcorn during the movie. After the movie we had a late dinner at IHOP. We ordered Crepes Florentine, Omelet and Pick Two Combination. Guess which entrée I had, it was dinner and dessert all-in-one! Pray, I pray that I have less stressful days ahead this week at work. I spent all day jumping through legal hoops for impending litigation. Good grief, I work for a church…this reminded me of corporate jobs in my past!  Joy, my joy was in the invitation to meet friends for dinner and a movie at the end of a somewhat stressful Monday, and in my new resolve to say, “Why not?” I thank my friends, Kari and Alys, for the invitation.

 

 

Sunday, 7/21/2013

 

Day 202, 7/21/2013 - Eat, slept in again and prepared scrambled eggs for brunch. I used my Destin "flip-flop" mug for coffee and wore flip flops all day. Wearing flip flops means I am on vacation according to my Plan B calendar. Snacked during the day and enjoyed my left over crawfish for dinner. Pray, I pray that I will continue to heal and am well rested to start another busy week. Sleeping in on the weekends certainly helps with being well rested. That and my brief "vacation" by wearing flip flops...lol. Prayer of thanksgiving that James found a new apartment in his search yesterday afternoon. Joy, my joy was in my Downton Abbey Season 3 marathon. I am such an addict of the series now. The start of the addiction was during the Destin monsoon over July 4th. Anne and I will both wait somewhat impatiently for season 4 in early 2014.

Saturday, 7/20/2013

Day 201, 7/20/2013 - Eat, enjoyed sleeping in and awoke to the view of birds taking up residence on my balcony. They were not skittish at all until I threatened to open the door. Sparrows I believe, I was forced to clean their droppings later in the day. An interesting morning! I met my youngest, James, for lunch. We met at Pappadeaux's and shared the Trio appetizer (smoked salmon, seafood fondeaux and crispy fried alligator) and the Crawfish Combination (Crawfish Etouffee, fried Crawfish tails and dirty rice). All was awesome as is usual of Pappadeaux's. We of course ordered too much food and both took away left overs. Snacking was all that was needed for the rest of the day. Pray, I pray that my son, James, find a new apartment as he searches in the afternoon. Joy, my joy was in having lunch with James. I should renew my commitment to get together with him more often as he is my only child who lives in the same town as me. All to often I get too busy with other things and weeks pass before I know it.

Friday, 7/19/2013

Day 200, 7/19/2013 - Eat, got my favorite smoothie/protein drink at Starbucks today. Met my friend, Laura, at the Holy Grail Pub for drinks and appetizers. We chose Gravy Fries for our appetizer, fries with a rich brown gravy topped with gruyere cheese. We had Raspberry Martini, The Jon Daly (Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka and house lemonade) and a glass of Belvenie 15 year scotch to drink. Then met Marilyn at Rafain for dinner of a mini meat fest. All food and drink was delicious! Pray, prayers of thanksgiving that I was able to meet with my friend, Laura, before she returned to California. She and I have several things in common. The main thing being divorce in the last several years. Not a planned kinship by any means but it was good to catch up with her over this common bond. Joy, my joy was in my friends, food and fellowship today. I realize today and many days that I am blessed to have good friends.

Thursday, 7/18/2013

Day 199, 7/18/2013 - Eat, ate light during the day. Had some left over cucumber garden dip with crackers for happy hour. I evidently ate light for a reason. The reason being, friend, Marilyn called to see if I wanted to take a road trip to see a friend of ours at the DCI competition in Denton. In my new resolve, I said, "Why not?" and off we went. We stopped at Sonic to get dinner for the three of us, so I was not so good for dinner. I had quite the adventure and got to have a brief visit with my friend, Linda who was working the Blue Stars souvenir truck. Pray, I pray for continued healing since I completed my round of antibiotics today. Joy, my joy was in the beauty of the clouds at sunset.  I managed to snap a few photos. But photos by the amateur with a cell phone camera hardly did it justice. The photos will spark the memory of the moment of beauty.

 

Wednesday, 7/17/2013

Day 198, 7/17/2013 - Eat, made wise choices during the day since I was meeting a friend for dinner. You've heard of Tuesdays with Morrie, well I have Wednesdays with Maddie. Had dinner at Chili's with my friend, Lynn with Maddie as our server. She is so good to us...love her like a daughter! I chose one of the new flatbreads, California Grilled Chicken. Avocado, grilled chicken, cheese, bacon, etc, delicious! Pray, prayers of thanksgiving and praise. I am so proud of Maddie and her accomplishments. She will soon graduate from Le Cordon Bleu in Dallas as a Pastry Chef. She is following her passion. Following a passion is often not easy but the rewards can be many. I wish Maddie great success. Joy, my joy today was in "A Job Well Done" at my office. I was very productive with regard to some time sensitive projects over the last two days, woot!

Tuesday, 7/16/2013

Day 197, 7/16/2013 - Eat, I was so good today with my wise healthy choices. That is, until 8:30 at night when I was starving and drove by a Taco Bueno. I succumbed to the temptation and had their beef chilada platter. Of course it was yummy.  I later made the mistake of looking up the nutritional info. Yikes! My caloric intake for at least 2 days. Note to self: Don't ever be starving...have frequent small meals! Pray, I pray that I will be better disciplined in my food choices. I really need to lose a few pounds and never find them again! Joy, my joy was in having my hair colored by my good friend, Kendra. How is it that she can achieve much looser, bouncy curls than I ever can? Guess she has magic scrunching fingers...lol!

Monday, 7/15/2013

 

Day 196, 7/15/2013 - Eat, trying to be healthy in my food choices this week. Prepared a protein shake for breakfast and ate light for lunch. The community garden fairy left several cucumbers on my desk over the weekend. In my vow to always use these fresh items, I researched cucumber recipes when I got home. I decided on a dill garden spread with baked pepper crusted tilapia as the main dish for dinner. Pray, prayers of thanksgiving for the continued rain and cooler temps in Texas. In July we are usually counting the over 100 degree days and it did not get out of the 70s today. Kind of freaky, but welcome relief from the summer heat! Joy, my joy was in an evening at home enjoying the fresh produce and dinner that I prepared. Also in the fact that I made healthy food choices today.