SPARKY GUARDS THE PORCH

Sparky the concrete dog.

Does this concrete dog look like a THREAT to you?

I named this puppy, SPARKY and placed it on the front porch.  

We had it at the other house we lived in before coming to 

the COTTAGE.

The neighbor's cat seems to think it is something to fight with.

Hubby heard some noise on the porch where he thought it was me sweeping the porch.  He glanced outside to see what the ruckus was.  It wasn't me.  It was the neighbor's old grey cat batting at the dog.  Sparky wobbles a little bit when pawed at which makes a noise.  So far, the cat has attacked SPARKY 3 times.  I have to laugh because the cat must think it is winning a fight with a concrete dog.  haha.

The cat's pride must puff up when the dog does not bark or run away.   Still laughing that so far the cat has attacked the dog 3 times on different occasions.  Entertainment.

WE STAYED HOME TODAY after being on the go a couple of days.  The weather was cooler today with NO rain.  Wednesday and Thursday we had medical appointments and chores to run. Both days we were caught in down pours where it was difficult to see while driving the interstate.

We had a serious hiccup at Quest Diagnostic when we went to sign in to have labs done.  For some reason the computer kicked our Topeka appointment to the Manhattan location.  Not a good sit up for us as we made the appointment for Topeka so when we signed in there were no appointments in their system.  Oops.  Things got straightened out and our labs were done.  We both had our Vitamin D levels checked.  I had my A1C checked as well and Hubby had his B12 checked.  They are fast at getting the results in the health portal.

My A1c is climbing, but still in a good range.  I'll be working on lowering it by losing a few more pounds and not eating bread.  Our D levels were better and Hubb's B12 much better.  

Saw an old friend at God's Storehouse.  Nice to visit with her.  Walmart and Natural Grocers as well.  Drove HOME through the heavy rain and took a well deserved NAP.

Baked chicken breast, green beans and rice for supper.  It was October 1st and an opportunity to start BETTER YOU BETTER SOCIETY diet.

Better You Better Society focuses on helping people lose fat, build muscle, and improve overall well-being through structured programs and guidance. 

I know I talk a lot about diets and losing weight.  I know.  I know.  This particular DIET is super simple and I will do it for a month if I can.  

TOTAL CALORIES FOR DAY = 1218

BREAKFAST = 320
2 PREMIUM PROTEIN DRINKS = 320 CALORIES
WATER

LUNCH = 328
LARGE BAKED CHICKEN BREAST = 240
2 CUPS OF GREEN BEANS = 88
WATER

SUPPER = 570
LARGE BAKED CHICKEN BREAST = 240
2 CUPS OF GRILLED BRUSSELS SPROUTS = 112
1 CUP BROWN RICE = 218
WATER 

No snacks.  No fruit or dairy.  No potatoes, pastries, pasta.  

The baked chicken breast is hiding under the brown rice.  It was really tasty.  I know if I do this everyday with only chicken it will get boring.  I'll switch out the chicken breasts with chicken thighs also with turkey patties and roasted turkey.  Some fish like salmon and tuna.  The side dish of vegetables will be non-starchy veggies where I will switch out with a side salad no dressing, baked carrots, kale, squash, zucchini, cauliflower, green peas, onions, bell peppers, etc.

I'll see how my body responds and go from there.  If I stay in the realm of 1200 calories, I should reduce some body weight.  Praying this works.  Pray and stay thankful I'm not starving.  One month.

Supposedly 40 pounds will come off in 4 months.  This is a long time to eat this way.  It will take discipline.  Can I do this?  If I can take this off in 4 months, I would be ever so grateful.   

🥗🥬🥗🥬🥕🥕🥕🧅🧅🧅🍅🍅🍅🥒🥒🥒🥗🥬🥗🥬

☔Thankful for NO rain TODAY!  I purchased a couple of WALMART MUMS for under $7.00 each.  Gorgeous colors.  After we finish admiring them for the season, they will be planted somewhere on the property.  I may see if HUBBY would consider planting them on the outskirt's of the front flowerbeds.  I love the color they have and HOPE they come back next year.  Cheers me up to see such pretty shades of nature.

TODAY, I went through an old beat up cardboard box that was brought HOME from the storage unit.  Inside was a glass cake plate with an aluminum cover.  I suspect it's from the 1950s.  Mid-century goodie.

Looks a lot this one.  I debated getting rid of it, but decided for now I will keep it and store it in a nice plastic storage box and keep it in the cellar.

I emptied the box and went through another tub full of old receipts, bank statements, old checks, etc.  I started feeling a sense of HOPE that I managed to empty a couple of boxes! A good feeling.   

One of the boxes held old record albums from our High School and College Days.  I thought they'd fit in an old wood crate of my brother's, but they were too wide.  I switched out my Bill Book, Calendar, Address book that I had in a LONGABERGER BASKET into the wood crate that now sits on an end table to the right of my recliner.  

My brother passed away 5 years ago this month and it belonged to him.  I didn't want to get rid of it, so I did the switch-er-roo.  I came across a letter he mailed us before his death.  This one made me tear up.  I didn't do enough for my brother while he was alive.  Knowing this, I must do better for those that are still alive.  

A third box has old bluejeans my children wore.  I was going to make a blue jean blanket out of the jeans, but have decided I will launder these ancient pieces of denim and recycle them.   

Not today, but tomorrow, I will begin the laundry and finish the task by placing them on hangers for a SPRING RUMMAGE SALE.  They will season through the WINTER on a clothing rack and be waiting for their SPRING debut.  

BLOOD PRESSURE
This good reading is rare for me, but I was surprised last night.  I usually have higher BP than this.  Something went just right for me.  PTL.

Wish it were this good all the time.  Perhaps in my future?

Love,

~d