Good Morning Sunshine

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Every now and then, I get the urge to check out the sunrise.

Today just so happened to be one of those days.

So I took a little trip to Coronado Island and spent the early morning hours watching the sun come up.

A view of San Diego from the island.

Good Morning San Diego!  I love you!

Playing – that would be me and what I did best today.

Next stop, The beach! ~ The plaque next to me reads “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides” with a sweet ocean breeze.  In honor of Gordy and Betty Beaubien Don and Polly Valliere  From: Beaubien Family and Valliere Family. ~ Just beautiful, I love it!

The Beach!

One of my favorite places…

It truly was a fun place to chill…

Next stop ~ Seaport Village – To stroll and visit this area is sheer bliss.

Here’s where I stopped for breakfast.  It was such a beautiful place.

Seaport Village Resident – Love him!

A flag on the streets of Seaport Village.

The shoe fits!  And I’m totally getting into the Christmas spirit.

On that note, I’ll say I’ve had a blessed day.

Blessings – Debbie

On a Cool Wet Autumn Day

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Good evening!  What a crisp ~ cool ~ wet ~ autumn day it has been.  But it did not dampen my spirit.

  • Coffee was sipped while in my jammies early this morning
  • I enjoyed a wonderful lunch date with hubby
  • The house was cleaned
  • My laundry baskets are empty
  • The ironing pile is finished
  • I’m sipping on another cup of coffee this evening
  • Hubby is due to walk thru that door any moment for the weekend
  • Yes, indeed my spirits are pretty high about now

Lunch at Panera Bread: Chicken Noodle Soup + Chicken Salad Sandwich + Baguette = Goodness.

Cheers to a pretty Cool Happy Friday! ~ Photos taken from the backyard this morning.

Blessings – Debbie

Autumn in So Cal

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What a lovely autumn here in southern CA.  Days are sunny with temperatures averaging mid 70’s and evenings are very crisp and cool.  Mornings are greeted with coffee (again) cheers!  I found a new coffee cream aka half n half that I’m adjusting to just dandy.  The healthy new me/us is improving and things are going well.

These pix were taken on one of my enjoyable hikes in the sunshine.

The color of autumn in So Cal.  Have I mentioned “I love autumn” from the rooftops?  Well I’m doing it now.  Come to think of it, I believe I sing it from the rooftops every year.

Autumn in Southern California is simply amazing.  Meet the Chorisia speciosa AKA majestic beauty.  I’ve taken pix of these trees in the fog and on blue sunny mornings.  No matter the background, this tree is no doubt majestic.

Hiking and house hunting ~ I looked at another house last week, this time it was in our neighborhood.  How fun to house hunt on foot.  We love our quiet neighborhood nestled in the mountains with a nearby lake.  Who knows, our next house may be right under our nose…

One of our beautiful evenings.

Another haircut?  When the urge strikes, I take my head of hair into my own hands.  Cut by me this time…

Halloween night ~ Best costume by far ~ My Cowboy!  He even answered the door saying “howdy”.

The morning after – This is what was lurking behind the freezer door, two Reese’s!  I touched them but they had a special someone’s name on them.  It was a positive experience as I was able to 100% stay away from all chocolate and goodies.  I’m saving up “BIG TIME” for Thanksgiving!

I’ve shared this view from my hike so many times.  But, as I was hiking this week, I had to stop and enjoy the sunshine as it burned the fog from the mountain tops.

Lesson Learned:  Learn when to leave well enough alone!  Apparently I couldn’t stop cutting my hair.  Now I just need it to grow an inch or so.  I had to break down and make that emergency call to have my girl get me out of a pickle.  No more cuts for me for a long time.  Promise!

A quote from my hubby’s FB status this morning – “Something’s going on here.  My wife had a bad hair day on 12/31/1999.  We call it the “Y2K hair day”.  Now she has another bad hair day on 11022011.  What are the odds of that?  If I could only predict when the next Y2K hair day will be, then I would keep her away from salons and scissors that day.  PS: Debbie, your hair looks fine!”

I LOVE that he loves me no matter what!

The evolution of the haircut – I’m assuring myself that it has already started to grow.  That = I have stopped cutting it for the first day in a while.  The aim is for it to reach the length of the top two pix.

And on that note, I’m pleased to report that I’m pretty much caught up.

On a brand new note ~ “Do you realize Thanksgiving is just 3 weeks from today?”  I can’t wait for the turkey and all the fixin’s!

Cheers to Autumn with a thankful heart!

Blessings – Debbie

Making Memories

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Hubby and I are back home and getting settled from a little vacay up north to see our daughter.

What a joy to spend time with Kristy.  She is a delight and we were blessed to get to help celebrate her birthday.

We also had the treat of meeting a couple of her really good friends.

The Birthday Dinner was celebrated at Benihana.

This pic did not turn out so well but I think the blur made it interesting.

I was so disappointed with the way those pix turned out…I could cry.  I think I like them in sepia the best, but still, I’m sick about it.

While visiting Kristy, hubby and I had a chance to scoot over (an hour away) to visit with Grandma and her two sisters Great Aunt Ruth and Great Aunt Barb.  Left to Right – Aunt Ruth, Grandma, Aunt Barb and me.  ‘Twas a lovely afternoon where hubby and I treated them to lunch.

I’m happy we were able to squeeze in another trip this year.  So many good memories were made.

Blessings – Debbie

Hair Drama

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I consider hair drama to be an ongoing thing of mine.  In years past, I would go from long to short in an instant.  All it would take is a bad hair day, to just go have it all cut off.  Then more drama would follow as I went through stages of allowing it to grow out.  It’s been a yo-yo just like that since my 20’s.   Ask my mom, she used to call me scissor happy during my sudden cut outbursts.

So this time, I had it all planned out.  I was going to work thru my outbursts and enjoy the long hair thru the holidays.  I was to wait thru the New Year before I made any drastic changes to the length.  Of course, over the summer I was tempted on more than one occasion to cut it off.  It was during those times that I would reflect on years past.  So I kept it.  In fact, I’m proud of myself for keeping it around this long.

I work to have long hair – I force myself to keep long hair – I’m a fan of long hair – And I’m a prisoner to long hair (when I get it)

But it’s not what I want when I have it.  I’m thankful I stuck it out this summer – fought the urge to cut – By the time I was ready to cut it, I could no longer remember what the reason was for keeping it so long all this time.

So I had it cut!

I came to grips with it this week.

As I looked down, I had to take one last pic…

It makes me wish I cut it sooner.  But there is a lesson here.  Hopefully the next time I think I want long hair, I’ll remember how much I’m not a fan of it for myself.  Not to confuse the fact that I will always be a fan of long hair..Anyone confused?  Yes?  Me too!  I’m just trying to convince myself otherwise.

Blessings – Debbie

A Walk in the Park

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It’s one of those beautiful cool autumn days.  A little too cool for my thin blood to get out for my walk first thing.  So I hung out doing laundry and a few things around the house until it hit about 64 degrees.  That’s the time (9:30am) I hit the beaten path.

The combination of sunshine (vitamin D) and the crisp air, made the perfect blend for a hike.

This tree loaded with buds and blossoms made my heart sing.

I ended my membership at the gym and can’t imagine going back.  I get free day pass offers, but this is the place I’d rather be.

Many days I take on new paths.

Remember Forest Gump and how he took off walking?  That is exactly what I felt like doing today.  I struggled with the thought of going back inside.

Note:  Boo at me for not having my camera.  All pictures were taken with my cell phone.

Another mile was added to my route.  And stops to enjoy the view were necessary.

Words can’t express how great it was to breathe in the cool fresh air.  Nor can I describe the joy this peaceful setting brings.

Losing weight is a beautiful walk in the park.  Cheers to the weekend, good health and walking!

Blessings – Debbie

The Battle of the Handbag

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For decades, I’ve had an ongoing battle carrying a purse on my shoulder.  I’ve tried to keep them as small as possible and they are not to exceed 3 or 4 pounds.

Oh the many days of going out with hubby and informing him that I’m leaving my bag at home.  I have a thing with lugging around any amount of weight on my shoulders for long periods of time.  There are countless times while out with him that I could really use my phone to reach him.  I may be over in the gardening department of Home Depot while he’s off looking at manly things.  Or sidetracked looking at pretty things while he’s focused on his list.  It’s those times I/we could really use the phone instead of hunting for each other.  Then is when I regret not bringing my purse.

Then there was today when I was off to the mall (with my 3 pound purse) to make a return and pick up a couple of things.  And it dawned on me (again) that both of my shoulders were hurting.   As I continued to switch my purse from left shoulder to right shoulder, I remind myself why I always try to wiggle out of taking my purse anywhere.  And then it came to me, clear as day – I need a clutch purse!

As I made my purchase, I clutched my bag as though my life and shoulders depended on it.

Why I never thought of this before now, I’ll never know.  This little dandy has one zipper on top with two compartments in the middle.  The front has a little snap compartment…

…and the back comes equipped with a zipper compartment.

This was such a joyful moment for me.  This little gem has plenty of room for car keys, cell phone, plastic cards and a little lip stick.  Would you believe I ripped into the bag (in my car) before I left the mall?  I did!  I ripped the price tags off, emptied the paper from it and filled it right there on the spot.  I could not have been happier.  Our very first outing together was to the grocery store.  We really hit it off!

I can almost guarantee one thing.  I don’t think I’ll ever ~ ever ~ ever carry another purse (on my shoulder) again.  Those days are gone.

This little thing made my day…

Blessings – Debbie

The Journey

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We’ve heard a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step.  There are days on this weight loss journey where the view seems to stay the same.  And no matter how hard I work the number just doesn’t budge or it even goes up.  It’s those type mornings I grow thick skin, suck it up and accept that our bodies vary and the downward cycle will come.  I say that especially for those of us who weigh every day.

This morning was one of those major rewarding type of mornings.  I had a really happy meeting with “The” Digital Scale.  It was extra loving and it totally made me feel special.  It’s a crazy good feeling when the numbers are honest and the hard work finally shows thru.  It’s mornings like this when my skin gets a little thicker knowing I won’t see a result like this for a while.  All the more reason to work hard and eat healthy.  Good results will continue to come.

My days are taking much better shape now that I have my hiking game on.  Exercise has become much less of a struggle getting out the door.  I’m driven and I feel stronger than I did weeks ago.

The journey begins when I walk thru the door…

The path less traveled proved to be quite enjoyable.

Oats and walnuts were the perfect hearty boost after the hike.

My healthy journey started back in June, but it’s taken this long to finally feel equipped with all the tools I need to settle into this life commitment of good health.  It’s been a great one day at a time experience and no doubt I still have lots to learn.  In the meantime, I’m gonna keep on truckin’!

Blessings – Debbie

Happy ~ Beautiful ~ Crisp ~ Autumn ~ Monday

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Picture taken from my hike this morning, the only time I took a moment to stop.

I beefed up my exercise by hiking a bit further with an approx elevation gain of 750 feet.  My tracker states I climbed more but I don’t believe it.

Hubby and I have a date in mind to mountain climb again.  And I’m working hard to master it – something I never thought I would enjoy.

“The odds of hitting a target go up dramatically when you aim at it.” – Mal Pancoast

Blessings – Debbie

I Believe In Me

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I enjoyed a wonderful lunch date with hubby (yesterday) – As we were talking about health as a whole…I said “The key to success is believing in me”.

Climbing that mountain just over a week ago did something to me. My attitude has drastically changed towards exercise.

I feel empowered with an “I can” attitude. I will climb that mountain again ~ I believe in me.

I don’t want to forget this moment, it’s pretty amazing.

Blessings – Debbie

Things That Make Me Happy

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Autumn is the time of year when I start to feel that sweep of joy rush right thru me.  There’s something about this special season that kicks off the holidays.  So to kick off my very favorite season, here are a number of things that make me happy.

We’re starting our hunt for another nest to call home for a while.  Today was my very first day out.  Makes me happy!

House #1 has amazing views and such a beautiful patio stretching across the entire back of the home.  The inside of the home was gorgeous as well.  It has a lovely master/master bath with a huge picture window over the jacuzzi overlooking amazing views.  Guest rooms were extra small and no room to accommodate the office.  Another down side, there was no room for the pool table which we don’t want to give up.  Hubby and I both agree, this is a “no”.

While looking for another nest, we continue to enjoy our current views.  Picture taken from the kitchen window.  This makes me happy.

A perfectly spun web on the front porch, made me happy.

I’m Thankful – For the fact that I like cutting my fruit instead of taking big bites out of it.  Totally makes me happy!

Last but not least:  Zig Ziglar motivated me today, he says – “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” I had my early morning hike with an elevation gain of 443 feet this morning.   Thank you for that Dear Zig, I need to remember this daily.  Makes me happy!

Blessings – Debbie

Crisp Fogy Morning Walk

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Oh my oh me or is it – o me-o, my-o?  All I know is this one thing, my legs are still in pain from our hike this past Saturday.  Namely my claves are pretty much tight as ever.  As my feet hit the floor bright and early I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.  After a bit I was waddling and humored with my predicament.  It takes a while to go from neutral into first.  After awhile, my legs start to warm up and it’s not so bad.  Then is when I asked hubby if he thought it would do me good to get out and exercise.  He was all in favor, so long as I didn’t push too much.

So I promptly hit the pavement.

With my walking stick.  I left the other one at home.  It kinda felt good to have this in hand in the event I encounter a coyote, stray dog, snake or what-have-you.  Honestly, it was most helpful climbing nearly a 200′ hill, made me wish I had brought the other one today.

After climbing a few hills and 50 min later, I found myself in this spot for the next 15 or so min.

It’s nice not to be lying around.  But, I do hope these aches and pains wear off soon.

Hubby grilled extra chicken the other night such that I can have leftovers for lunch.  Served with fresh hunks of cucumber and cottage cheese, topped with lots of pepper.

It’s a great day.

Blessings – Debbie

Weekend and Monday Joy

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Long weekends…When hubby has a Friday off, it’s a little extra special.  And I can still hear him ask “what would you like to do this weekend”.  I believe he asked either Thursday evening or Friday morning.  I replied, “I would like to climb that mountain”.

On Saturday, this is the mountain we climbed.  Of the pictures I posted yesterday, most of them were taken from the top looking out in all directions.  Here’s one taken today from a distance, to fit the majority of the mountain in the picture.  My legs are still talking to me today, but I hope we climb it again one of these days.

I did get about a mile worth of exercise in this morning.  This is the path of choice today.

It was a beautiful morning and to this day, we’re still breathing in So Cal.

On a whole different subject – I talked about giving up coffee a couple/few posts ago, I won’t get into it again.  What I will say is that I have a yearning to sip on something warm…

While grocery shopping, I lingered on this isle.

The more I lingered, the more I knew the feel of my old mug (even if it is my coffee mug) would be most welcome first thing in the morning.  I forget exactly what tea it was I purchased (some sort of Green Tea) but it was quite soothing.

Does it replace coffee? I won’t go that far but it was nice.  I may even have another cup this evening.

Sometimes, it’s a matter of making the most of things.  In the end, we may come to realize it’s not so bad after all.

Blessings – Debbie

A Climb To The Top

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It was such a beautiful day for a hike to the top of a nearby mountain.  And yesterday was just the day.  I can say I have successfully reached the summit of a mountain as this was my first experience.  Words can’t express the joy I felt when I reached the top.

My new hiking shoes helped me reach the summit.

Walking sticks, how did hubby know I would need these?  He’s a wise man as I would not have made it to the top without them or him.

There was a black weatherproof box at the top with a book enclosed.  The book was for any and all to sign.  It was fun to reach the top and leave our mark.

Blackhawk in the distance as we enjoy the cool breeze on top of the world.

This was such a high for me as we perched ourselves up there for quite a while.

Our Journey to the top was pretty amazing.

At some point I asked hubby if he remembered to pack the tent.  Tent, what tent?  We don’t own a tent.  But it was one of those times I believe I could have spent the night.

All great adventures have to come to an end.

In this case, it’s time to plan another adventure.  As we like to say, life is one great big adventure after another.

Blessings – Debbie

New Is In ~ Old is Out

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It’s a big surprise to me that I’m a fan of Greek Yogurt.  Having tried it (plain) years ago, I knew we would never jive.

That is, until the Dietician encouraged me to give this guy a try.  So far, I’ve tried the pineapple, peach and raspberry.  I have no favorites, they’re all so good.

We’re getting along quite well.

Fiber One on top provides nice crunch.

 I can see a future for us!  It’s that good.

Continued from the other day regarding my coffee cream delemma…I can’t get away from the fact that the cream I love has trans fat in it.  It messed with my head and I haven’t been able to drink coffee since.

While food shopping this week, I stood in front of the cream selection for quite a while and nothing looked as good as my best friend (Creme Brulee Coffee Mate) there on the shelf.  Right then and there I talked myself out of drinking coffee.  I even poured the bottle (in my fridge) down the drain.  And just like that, I’m not a coffee drinker.

Honestly, I think I’m mourning my old cream, the aroma of coffee first thing in the morning, the feel of that nice warm cup in my hands, the sheer goodness of the coffee paired with my favorite cream.  It’s a sad day.  This too shall pass…

Perhaps I’ll find something in the future, but for now, I need to just let it go.

Blessings – Debbie