Tag: in the news

Another installment of the K List

  .. .meaning this that, and the other too. 
   Little Miss Olivia Penny Sally Maddie Scout is doing just fine.  Even though I had her name tag engraved OLIVIA… I’m not feeling it.   I  also gave her too much credit for being potty trained so soon in life- silly me.  Now that she’s comfortable here… yeah.   So.. the REAL potty training is in full force.  The great news is she sleeps through the night without having to go out – and without messing in her crate.  Bonus!   I do believe in crate training, it’s not cruel, it’s not dangerous, and it’s not to be abused or it can be all of the above.  I only use the crate for over night and when I have to get busy somewhere else and need her to be safe and not in a potty zone. For the most part she has the run of the house with the other dogs. 
   
The dogs are getting use to her – here they are under my desk in the little bed a bought for her because she likes to hang out there when I’m working… they kicked her out and took over, but at least their butts are allowed to touch.  Progress! 

   I saw something beautiful on pinterest or facebook… a sea glass artist who makes beautiful creations from sea glass, shells, sand and windows.   Mine is much more simple but I love it regardless.   I bought an old window at a junk shop for $5, took some of my  shell and sea glass collection and scored a big vase full from a friend,  and in two hours time put this together and will hang it in my dining room window as soon as the husband has time to help. It’s heavy and I don’t want to risk not securing it well enough.  Better to be able to blame him if it falls (kidding!!  but not really!!).  This is a super inexpensive craft you can do – cost me $16. total – and what a gorgeous accent to anyone’s home.  
      As I’ve said before, I’ve been trying not to delve into the political state of things lately, but some things can’t be ignored.  I have a good friend who is a decent man, an intelligent man… who loves all things Tr*mp.  How those two realities co-exist is beyond my comprehension.   He believes all negative news is fake news and repeatedly tries to defend him no matter what the obvious offense.  It astounds me, how anyone can love him.  LOVE him, not just tolerate him because -agenda-.   He thinks the government deserves what they’re getting from Tr*mp and to be honest?  The government and the media had lessons to learn.  They’re learning alright.  But to who’s expense.  Ours, in my opinion.  This is the leader of the free world, supposedly.  This isn’t just a lesson.   My friend has said over and over again there are absolutely no truths to any of the inklings that the Tr*mp team and Russ*a had any collusion whatsoever regarding our election.   While this will not get him arrested… it is the tip of the iceberg.  It is.. truth.  Is it illegal?   I guess not.  But the son of the President was willing to work with the Russ*ans, felt comfortable doing so… do undermine our election.  That’s enough sleeze for me.  If you’re a Tr*mp supporter and you’re reading this.. you would be SCREAMING if it were Chelsea Cl*nton.    First… lets stop all the hypocrisy.  
     One thing I’m pretty confident is the truth….  Tr*mp is a master manipulator.  He knew how to play what would be his base by using the distrust and fedup attitude of many towards our government.  The downside to that is, he got in and I don’t think he every really believed he would.  His own good friend, Howard St(rn said he had hoped his friend wouldn’t win the election because he didn’t think he really wanted the job.  He was too thin skinned for what would come with it, he would miss is old life, his mental health would be in serious jeopardy.  NO  KIDDING. 
 45 himself said he misses his old life.   So.. what are we getting?  A bitter, self-absorbed bully narcissist who’s missing his old life and saying FU to whatever and whomever isn’t riding along on his magic carpet with high praise for his majesty.    The POTUS works for us, we don’t work for him. He’s forgetting that very important aspect.  If he were a corporate exec, he’d be fired by now with all that hideous twittering and false facts.  
   We the People deserve so much more.  The world stage demands so much more.  What damage will be done…   and oh how I hope I’m wrong about all of it. 

She’s here! And what a gem!

  
      We’ve had a busy 4th of July weekend here – all good!  Little Sally arrived via transport from Georgia on Saturday in New Haven – at a rest stop along the city’s shore containing about 275 thousand food trucks with half the population of the city in attendance – with 25 parking spots.  I’m kidding, but not really.    
   Our new little girl was exhausted, and so very happy to get out of transport and into someone’s lap.  I will say the transport used was wonderful – they really give a damn about the dogs and treat them very well while in the very stressful environment they are in. My son came with me to pick up, and a shout out to him for being very kind despite his mother’s embarrassing tears of happiness. 
 These are the girls of Grateful Doggies Freedom Transport.  They bring shelter dogs from up and down the East Coast to their forever homes.   They left Georgia on Friday morning – driving through the night, picking up pups along the way, delivering them  to their adopters at various stops along their route.. it’s exhausting work and they do it anyway.  Amazing folks.

 Right after this picture was taken she peed about 2 gallons directly on that shirt.  She had been holding it in for a loooong time, apparently.    Did I mention  how much I love my son?  
 Sally (although we’re still not set on the name) is doing very well, we adore her already. She’s super friendly, smart as a whip, loves dogs and people. 
Frasier and Bailey have made it clear she’s not allowed on the bed.
They aren’t either… clearly. 
I need this shirt…. 

 We spent the 4th at the cottage –  Stella has proven to be a great family gathering place, it’s a beautiful thing, just what I hoped for…   

      That’s my dad in the photo below – M picked him up at the nursing home and we had a nice visit.  There are times when we feel  not-so-great about him living in a “home”, but  at the end of the day, it is without a doubt the right place for him to be.  At the time of his last heart attack, he wasn’t taking care of himself, hadn’t cooked for himself in years, hadn’t cleaned his little house in years, wasn’t doing his laundry, wasn’t taking his meds properly, and his driving was unsafe.   We had been maintaining his property for him for years, trying to give him as much independent living time as possible.   If you read here often, you know our relationship is a tough one.  Living here with us is just not an option – he’s lucky we do what we do.  But.. I admire this in him – he has made a decent life for himself at the home, and that’s where I feel good about the decision to place him there.   First of all, it’s a good one – clean, updated, friendly knowledgeable staff and lots of activities for those who are still fairly active.  He has made friends and has a social circle. He is now the president of the residents association, and joins in the activities.   All is well that ends well.

 And because I gotta be me… how about that Christie fella closing down NJ beaches on the weekend of the biggest beach holiday of the year, beaches that hard working tax payers of the state pay for,  only to open one up JUST FOR HIS FAMILY for the 4th weekend.  His answer to questions by reporters as to how he could do that was basically this… “I’m the governor, I can do that. If you want to become governor you can do it too!”    Wow dude.. talk about saying FU to your people.   I’m pretty sure he doesn’t plan to run for anything ever again.  
  If a picture says a thousand words….   
  
   Till soon, friends – thanks for stopping by. 

Where do we draw the line?

   Every time I think — well, this can’t possibly go on, surely someone of authority will stand up and put an end to this nonsense. …every time….. nothing.   I keep calling my mother, who is very politically savvy, has been around a while and been involved in politics for many years on local levels.   I say… have enough wheels fallen off that bus yet??…   and the response is a much more patient one than my own… these things take time, Karen.  
    Well, hell… how much “time” do we all need to believe what 45 is telling us every.single.day… that he is unhinged, that he is vindictive,  that he lies, he tweets inappropriate, obnoxious absolute crap that is an embarrassment to our country, that he’s destroying the integrity of the office he holds, that he has the tolerance, patience, and virtues of a flea… and you know,  that comparison is not even fair to fleas.   Their infestation and leaching off other creatures is for survival means only.  They don’t know any better. 
   What an absolute a$$.   What bothers me more, is witnessing fellow Americans cheering his hideous behavior on.  This isn’t just about policy, folks.  I am not a republican hater, I am not a far lefter, I’m not a “Snowflake” crying because my party lost.  I don’t have a party.  WE ALL LOST when this idiot came to dismantle the integrity of our country.  He’s not making America great again, he’s dismantling it with his total disrespect.  And make no mistake, that was his goal.  That was Bann*n’s goal.. and we’re letting them get away with it.  How very, very tragic. It’s horrifying to watch if you’re a person who actually gives a shit about decency.  That word in particular.  
This latest twitter sh*tstorm with the Morning Joe show and Mika B…. I will say I think the media has taken far too much power, slanting the news toward their own leanings for a long time – that’s wrong.  I think making fun of the President’s hand size is childish.  They aren’t the leader of the free world, though.  The POTUS… should have the wherewithall to refrain from such vile responses… the world is watching. He works for We the People, not the other way around.  We deserve better… we deserve a responsible adult to respresent us, not a whining narcissistic bully. 
WTF.  W…. T…..F. 
    I adopted another dog in part, I think,  because I am desperate to see more of and be part of and encourage the GOOD in people.  This weekend I will support a rescue down in Georgia by adopting one of her charges and make a monetary donation to her rescue to help with expenses.   This woman goes without nice things so she can pull yet another of the 1000’s of homeless dogs/puppies that are throw aways.   I will meet two ladies at a commuter lot in New Haven after they have driven over 30 hours with about 30 dogs who have found a new life is waiting for them up North.  If you’re not familiar with the I-95 corridor running north to south and vice versa – it’s a jungle.  And it’s the fourth of July weekend – God Bless Them.   
   I’ll keep you posted on -Sally’s- arrival.  Not sure we’ll keep her name yet.. have to meet the little girl to know if it suits her.  She doesn’t know it as her name yet, so we’re good there.   This picture was sent to me just now by her rescue… she’s on her way to transport pick up.   I’m in love already.   See you soon, Sally girl.

   I’ll  be bold here and ask one thing of you….  No matter what your political affiliation, please above all else, stand up for  and demand truth, integrity, decency.. from our leaders.  Please don’t condone childish juvenile bully behavior.  Our children are watching, the world is watching….. the integrity of our future depends on it. 

    Be well, friends, and have a safe holiday weekend. 
   

Of the Little things, and the bigger things too

    The sun decided to peek out from under all those rain clouds yesterday so I took my traveling buddy down to Stella with the intention of a good walk for both of us and as I suspected, her grass was tall.  My son bought one of those hand mowers, the kind our grandfathers used to have with no motor, just manual push.  He’s been so busy with our company work, and some of that is real manual labor, that I haven’t wanted to burden him with yet another work chore.  So, I have been doing the little lawn myself with that push mower – and I have to say – I’m liking the manual work.  It takes about 45 minutes to get all around Stella’s little self and across the street on our little “parking lot”… or really just the spit of grass.  I have to say it though, I am not Type A with these things, as my two guys are.  There are lines, there are missed blades, the trim work ain’t happen’n through me. 
 Frasier and I sat down and gazed out over the cove once finished, and the smell of fresh cut grass mixed with a salty breeze was heavenly. 

 I saw this quote on instagram, typed it up and framed it.  My plan for this little cottage I call Stella is -respite-.  When you visit and look around, your eyes should be able to find little messages of inspiration, of love, of hope, of peace of mind, enjoyment and appreciation for the little things that can bring big joy in life if you remember to look, to really see and appreciate them.   We get so darn busy in life and we do a good job of complicating things, we could all use the reminder.  What are we here for, after all. 
       A lovely blog friend of mine recommended a post she thought I would enjoy.  I checked it out, read the most recent blog entry,  and loved what the blog writer had to share… her love of old things in particular.   She is also a New Englander, like me.   Here’s where I’m going to be honest although it is not something that pleases me in this case. It’s poignant because of what we are all dealing with on some level if we’re not avoiding the political scene altogether. 
     I decided to scroll through more blog posts by this same blogger to see what other “old” or “New England” things she might be sharing.   What I came across was her opinion on our current President.  To be clear, she has every right, and I certainly blather on here about my own opinion.   In it’s most basic interpretation, she is thrilled with 45.  She feels we finally have a real president she can be proud of.  
       That stopped me in my tracks.  I don’t know this person at all, she is probably a lovely person I would enjoy talking to regarding old things and New England in general, family, whatever and so on.  My feeling toward wanting to read any more of what she has to share immediately changed, though, once I read that  political opinion.  For the life of all that is holy I can’t fathom how anyone can be proud of a man who has shown such awful traits, and yet there are many who approve of him whole heartedly.   I’m not proud of my own judgement of someone who feels that way.  I’m just being honest here even though my reaction certainly is not something to be proud of.    This whole thing makes me sad.   I see people pitted against each other, turning away from each other, shunning each other… because of this situation we are all in.   In my lifetime so far, anyway, never has there been such bitter division over an elected official, let alone the POTUS.   
    I wish we didn’t give one man such power… to do this to all of us.  We the People… we need each other, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of who sits in the Oval office, which party holds more power.  We need to be a part of the series of checks and balances, we shouldn’t turn away from each other. And yet, as in the case of the blogger above, I am compelled.   Sad deal! 
 I love this picture shared on FB.  When I look at it, I see two men who have the grace and dignity and knowledge and caring to be world leaders.   I don’t see perfection when I look at this photo, that is simply not possible given human nature to start with… but… they are free of scandal, they have never in my opinion been disrespectful to the office they hold/held.  While some of their policies may not have had my support,  I never once felt they had any bad intentions and at the very least, have the welfare of We the People as their core concern.   Someone else might look at this picture and revile, just as I do when I see support for 45.   How is it we can see things so differently?   And yet we do. 
That statement above either pisses you off because you agree, 
or pisses you off because you don’t.  Right or wrong?
Who’s to say.  Regardless,  awful that this comes between us, 
We the People. 
May we all get past this great divide and come back together as
a Nation, for the greater good of all. 
 I thank you for stopping by to read my simple musings –  it’s a new day, all, let’s make it a good one. 

We The People

     Let it be known that many of WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.. do not believe in shirking our moral responsibility as members of the world community to do our part in protecting and investing in the health of our planet. Many of WE THE PEOPLE were proud to be an integral part of the world effort and collaborations to ensure we are doing all we can to protect what we haven’t already damaged of our world for our children and our childrens children. Many of WE THE PEOPLE believe in our scientists, we believe in FACTS vs. MOTIVES. 

     Sad day for this American, who so desperately wants to be proud of the government that is supposed to represent.. WE…. THE PEOPLE.

And the rain came…

 I cannot remember the last time we had so many days of dreary drizzly grey weather all strung together.  It’s downright depressing.  The gardens are drenched and although very green, also very near drowning. My tomato plants are on the verge of needing replacement and I  just spoke with one of my farm market vendors and they’re having a horrible spring growing season. 
About the only thing in my gardens that are happy are the perennials. 
 The paddocks are mucky, the chicken coop murky… the horses don’t mind the light rain because it keeps the bugs away, but the mucking, quite frankly, sucks. 
 We have babies everywhere…. baby bunnies under the bushes in the backyard, nests all around the outside of the house –  this is the porchlight purple finch nest which once held a cowbird egg but it mysteriously disappeared almost as soon as it appeared.  *ahem.  Mama bird is happily sitting on these eggs as I type. 

 Remember the chickadee babes just a week or so ago? …

See how they’ve grown! Almost ready to leave the nest…


 Here’s a robin I discovered in a pine tree on the edge of one of the hay fields out back…

   Frasier and I have visited the cottage in between the raindrops to get some exercise in – thankfully  Stella is less than 15 miles from here and I’m able to get down there easily whenever it behooves me.  The island neighborhood is perfect for walking….
By the way, this is not my photo… but it IS our cove – the Thimble Islands are out in the distance, there are over 200 of them, some as small as a very large boulder, some have multiple houses on them.  Stella is not visible here, she’s tucked in to the shoreline on the right side mid photo-level.   

Below are a few images (not mine) of homes on some of the Thimbles… they range from tiny to huge and each has it’s own charm.  Each also has it’s own funky commute – small boat access only!  Ugh, think of when you’re baking a cake for company and realize you’ve run out of eggs or milk or toilet paper or garbage bags.  On a rainy day.

 For that reason, I’m grateful Stella’s “island” isn’t really an island. 

 →


 Here’s a new recipe share – Cheesecake cookies, recipe found HERE

    

     And last but not least…. If  we’re friends on FB you’ve noticed I am not spewing quite so much political exasperation lately – there’s just so much of it, all the regurgitating of the offenses is getting really.. really old.  It’s still there, the news is reeling…. what news is fake, what news is worthy, … round and round it goes, and when it will stop, nobody knows.  
What I do know is… we all need to keep a little sense of humor.  Today’s humor served up by none other than the Commander in Chief himself  in a late evening sleep-deprived tweet… his new word , of which is already very popular – it’s gonna be great, it’s yuge, believe me!

 (Sigh*)…. You can’t make this sh*t up.

The Greatness…. it’s Yuge.




     Just curious… at what point exactly is it safe to assume no one believes absolutely everyone but the POTUS is a liar? The guy who contradicts himself constantly, lies to the public openly, documented, not fake news when it comes out of his own mouth, those guys you all thought were swampy until they stood next to 45, the guy who throws his own people under the bus when it suits him, that guy. Jesus, NO ONE is going to want to work for him.  I’m surprised we aren’t yet seeing resignations left and right.  Unless… could it be true, the swamp is even swampier than we thought?  


       And…When does it feel justified to believe anything the news came out with if it were about the opposite party, but if it’s about  your guy, it’s all fake news? When does it start getting uncomfortable to defend this bullsh@t, even if you believe in his policy?

   R*ssia…. is going to provide us with transcripts?  Because we can’t rely on our own government (specifically the POTUS) to provide us with the truth?…. 

   What a zoo. 


I am what a Pre-Existing Condition looks like

      Have you been paying attention to just exactly what this is that the idiots in Washingt*n are trying to pass off as Healthcare? Some members of the GOP admit they didn’t even read the damned proposal before they voted.  Holy sh*t, isn’t that what they’re getting paid very well for?  Isn’t this thing important enough to read the fine print, let alone the big print all the way through ?    If you voted for the Orange Scream, is this what you hoped for?  Basically, if you’re a woman, you ARE a pre-existing condition.  If you’re poor, if you’re sick, if your child is sick.. you’re f*cked.  One idiot in particular said in slightly different words, if you’re sick it’s your fault – poor choices!  
  WTF. 
  I don’t know how any member of the Rep*blican party can feel good about the soulless group currently representing them… how did such a ruthless, soulless, heartless, clueless group obtain such power again.  Apparently we don’t learn important lessons from history, we are doomed to repeat them.  When did enough of us decide that decency, democracy, fairness, common sense, truth, justice and THE AMERICAN WAY… was worth throwing under the proverbial bus because -change -.   What -change- did we bring on that was worth forgoing our core values, our very decency.  Why are we turning a blind eye?  Why is nepotism suddenly OK.  Why is the POTUS lying about little things, big things, getting our HISTORY wrong,  pissing off world leaders at random, tweeting ridiculousness in the middle of the night…  and getting away with it –  how is this OK?  What happened, America?  WTF happened?  
   You know what’s worse than the joke below? …. 
the fact that it’s  actually what he said.  
****************************
 The further a society drifts from the truth…
The more it will hate those that speak it. 
–George Orwell
  Funny thing – when I talk like this, I am often accused.. and I use the word accused… of being a Liberal. A Democrat.  As if those are dirty words.  I’m actually none of the above.  But hell, when you express concern for human beings, for decency, for fairness… for inclusion, … if that’s what you want to call me?  It means the republican party doesn’t represent any of these things.   So I’ll take it. 
  Believe people when they tell you who they are. 


     

Blossoming

 New England has seen one wet Spring so far… everything’s pretty soggy ’round here.  The leaves are beginning to pop and pollen would coat everything right about now if it weren’t so rainy.  The grass is a vibrant green and the horses are loving the pastures… 

 My tulips are blooming in the border gardens and the peach trees are just bursting… 

 The vegetable garden beds so far have yielded an abundant weed crop… and the 500 onions are coming along…   we’ve got some work to do out there. 
 The chicks were moved out to the garage a few weeks ago, and now reside in their own little section of the Egg Plant.  There is bird mesh separating them from the big girls until they are about the same size – approx five months old.  The Mr. built a small make-shift coop for them so they are protected at night.  It’s basically a big plywood box with a door and holes in it.  
Amazing how fast chicks grow – this little girl (Florence) is  a Dark Brahma, the feathers on her feet are adorable.  
 I’ve been letting the big girls out to free range when I’m out there cleaning… it’s so good for them but the coyote and hawk population around here makes it treacherous. 
 And because I gotta be me,  let’s talk about this unpleasant subject for just a moment….  how’bout that interview 45 gave Reuters yesterday in regard to his first 100 days?….   I said from the very beginning…. I don’t think he wants the job!  (And I really didn’t think he’d get it)…. Why would a man of his temperament want all the restraints the POTUS position will bring to his life?  He would hate it!…. 
So I have to tell you… I do get just a little satisfaction from reading this yesterday… 
*sigh.    He’s gotta be him, too. 

Grab the Coffee and donuts

    First up – WordPress vs. Blogger –  any advice? What’s your experience?  As a creative person, I know Blogger is limited, but I’m used to it.  And Blogger is Free… that’s kinda nice. But did you know… Blogger is owned by Google.. and that means your content is owned by Google… and at any time whatsoever, they can just turn it off, be rid of  it, bye bye.  That means your blog and it’s contents. Gone.  *sigh… did not know that, kinda defeats the purpose of being a log for you, your friends and family over the long haul.

     Wordpress is more “technical”.. not as easy at first, needs some patience, of which I am in short supply, always..just my nature. And.. it’s not free. If I understand correctly, the most basic costs about $100. a year.  If that’s all I’d have to spend on it, it’s worth it to OWN your content and know it is not going to be erased by parent company. However, their security isn’t as high (google has much bigger security program) , bigger chance of hack with WordPress. Then there’s the tricky issue of transferring your blog to WordPress… not easy from what I have read.   Can any of you tell me your experience?  I think a few of my blog friends use WordPress. 

   *warning – If you didn’t know already, I  curse sometimes.  Blame it on my NY upbringing, except the rest of my family isn’t afflicted.  I know it’s not ladylike, but for me it fills the need, underscores the offense in the way I need to express it, a little satisfaction when talking about a less than satisfying situation, like a quick punch in the gut. Since I hate physical violence, the curse word does the job. 
   Next…how about B*ll O’Re*lly being fired from F@x!.. Ha!… Nothing turns me off more than an arrogant holier than thou a$$h*le, couldn’t have happened to a better guy –  don’t let the door hit ya! But let’s be honest, he’s being let go because of multiple sexual harassment issues –  and F@x didn’t fire him until sponsors started dropping like flies.  He also got a hefty 25 mil golden parachute… so they lose points there. It wasn’t their ethics that took him down.  No.. once again.. money.   I do feel at least the vernal pools at the edges of the swamp are beginning to drain.  There’s that. 
   Speaking of the swamp, how many flagrant outright lies, hypocricies, conflicts of interest,outright abuses of his priviledges and incompetencies is Agent Orange going to get away with before we collectively say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.  If you’re still proud of your new POTUS, I have to hand it to you, you’re able to overlook an awful lot for the sake of  the “agenda”… although.. does anyone really understand the Agenda?  If you do, please explain it to 45, because clearly, it’s lost on him.  Never in the history of EVER has there been a POTUS who flubbed, lied, mispoke, lied, abused his power, lied… and still had a base unwilling to acknowledge ANY of it.  So.. freak’n… strange, this acceptance or ignoring of the obvious ills.  SO strange.  It’s no longer about left vs. right.  Morals vs  none is more like it.  And his tweets?  Honestly…..  on some level 45 is mentally ill. No other explanation for it. 
    
    
    On a health note – Because I had some worrisome symptoms I went through a bunch of tests recently and thankfully all turned out well. Just minor annoyances of menopause , which I have apparently hit full steam ahead.  My advice here – get the health screenings regularly. Don’t skip them, they are important… especially as we age.   I turned 52 and my body said.. OK girl, time to throw some sh*t at you, just a reminder you’re no spring chicken.  
      Sleep is still  currently an issue for me – if I get five hours all in a row, it’s a good night.  My fibromyalgia reminds me on a daily basis that’s not enough sleep, so I am trying to find methods for getting more of it.  Currently my fibro doc has me on melatonin, and my OBGYN has put me on low dose of estradiol and progesterone.  In the long term these things aren’t great – they up your cancer risk. But to get me back on the right track they want me to try them short term.  They had me try a low dose of antidepressants as a sleep aid, didn’t work.  I already employ good sleep habits, I read before bed, I don’t eat shortly before turning in, no caffeine,  we go to bed at a decent time, always have been up before dawn but that’s not the issue.  I fall asleep without a problem, but staying asleep is another story…. have you had any of these struggles?  and what have you tried that actually works?   Things like Advil PM don’t have much effect, and you don’t really want to get into a pill taking habit either.   I can knock myself out with Benadryl, but I am a zombie the next day. 
       As for our current weight loss goals – the Mr. and I started Nutrisystem in January and he has lost 45 pounds – I kid you not.  The program works if you stick with it, strictly.  He looks and feels so much better.  So why didn’t I stay on it?  It’s full of prepackaged food, not all of it healthy – snacks are oreo type cookies, chocolate cupcakes, meals include pasta, rice, sodium, sodium.   Sounds unlikely, right?  It’s the portions that make the diet work.  I just really want to eat real, fresh, whole foods – so … I quit it.  I have not yet lost the 15 lbs I want to lose.  Now that I know I’m not dying and I can push myself with the exercise, I have started the weight loss goals again, let’s see where I get by summer.  One thing I did learn through nutrisystem is… it’s all about calorie intake – and .. PORTIONS.  
     Last but definitely not least… my boy, my baby, my youngest child, has turned 21. Oh, how time flies…. 
     The family spent Easter giving a large donation to the Tribe at Mohegan Sun – a delicious buffet lunch and then some obsessive lever pulling, button punching slot machine worship ensued.  I think half  the state of Connecticut was in attendance as well. 
     I love this boy beyond measure, he is kind, considerate, appreciative, inquisitive, and just as stubborn and thick headed as his mother….but thankfully he has not picked up my tendency toward profanity.   I’m also very grateful for this extended family of ours – we are so very lucky to live near each other, to be able to spend time together, to recognize the value of doing so.        –  It’s all good.