Reflections of My Life

My appointment with my Lymphedema therapist went very well. So relaxing to have someone massage lotion in your feet, ankles and legs for a half an hour. I wish someone came to my home to do that every day. That's how good it felt. She said my Lymphedema had not increased in size (she takes measurements each time) and that I have a mild case. So I do not need to go back till January (unless it is a bad snow day).

Then Sonny took me to the restaurant at the truckstop for lunch. It has become my favorite place to eat when we go to Binghamton. We sat in there longer than necessary after we finished eating, drinking coffee and talking. Not many people in there at that time. Mainly truckers. Sonny enjoys being around and talking to them since he was a trucker himself and I think he misses it.

On the way home we stopped at Walmart so I could get some groceries. He did not come upstairs with me because he had to get to Tractor Supply before 6. His dogs' automatic water dish broke and he had woke up in the middle of the night and found his kitchen flooded with the water from the dish. It was only three years old! He has had a time lately........the day before yesterday, his dog leaped off his lap because she heard a cat on their porch. When she did Sonny jumped and knocked over one of those canning jar glasses that has handle on it. It was full of milk. The glass shattered in pieces and he had to clean that up really good because he was afraid one of the dogs would lick it. Last week he dropped a container that had fresh eggs in it........all over the floor. I told him to stay out of my kitchen! haha
 
There are times when I get focused on a certain thing and worry about it constantly. Then I wake up one day and don't even think about that again till days later. Then I think, "what happened to that?" Either I accepted it and am living with it or it disappeared. Not sure which. I have had a few things like that happen over this summer. Today is a new day and I guess things resolve themselves at times.

Yesterday two of my friends were here visiting and one of them brought some carrots and berries for Rabbit in a little plastic dish. Well, he had them in stitches watching him picking up the dish and slamming it down. Then turning it upside down to get the last piece of carrot out of it. I wish I had a video of him doing that. I love the fact that he can bring laughter to my friends here. Especially when they are going through hard situations in their lives.

My brother's ex-girlfriend died in her sleep the day before yesterday. She was 63 and had nothing wrong with her that anyone knew of. She was pretty active being a horse person. Had horses and rode a lot and even competed in various things. I was in shock when I saw that on fakebook. I hadn't seen her in person because she lives an hour or so away but interacted with her on fb often. It serves as a reminder to me that even someone who seems to be healthy and younger is not necessarily healthier than me.

My Lymphedema therapist told me that my skin is excellent and that whatever I am using or doing for it to keep doing it. To be honest I don't do all that much. I use an anti-itch lotion but not every day. When I remember. It possibly could be my diet since I eat more fat than I used to. Keto is high fat, moderate protein and low carbs. When I walk in the park I try to sit in the sun for a bit. Not eating sugar could be part of it too as that is definitely not good for your skin (or rest of your body). Though I have slipped up recently but hope I have overcome that now.
 

Yesterday I made a batch of "Cornbread Chaffles" and will probably make them a couple times a week. I think I got about 8 out of my recipe. Actually the recipe was for the "Stuffler" but I used the mini waffle maker for it. Sometimes I want a sandwich or toast for my eggs. This works great for that. It is flavored with sweet corn extract which makes it smell like cornbread is baking in the oven. The brand I use is Amoretti and on Amazon it was $10.26 when I bought it in July. Today it is $27.38 for the same two ounce bottle! Sometimes when a recipe is posted in one of my keto groups it drives the price up on Amazon for a certain product. Instead of appreciating more orders they raise the price. So people find cheaper alternatives.

Anyway here is what my chaffles looked like. They are good! Easy to mix up and cook. Not sure of the exact carb count because I am not counting them any longer. I have an idea of what my food should be. This is mainly eggs, pork rind crumbs, almond flour, coconut flour, sweet corn extract, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.

chaffles.JPG
 
I am sad that I could not stick to the Triple B & E (Beef Bacon Butter & Eggs) challenge. Most of the people in the keto group stuck with it and had great results. Well my body does not work like others. Not at all. That is why I cannot take medications. They affect me the opposite of what they are supposed to do. I learned early in life not to take them. So I am just back to prepping keto food in the morning for the day. The Keto Chow replacement meal shake really makes a difference to me. I always have it as ice cream and since I have something to look forward to I am not tempted by anything else.

One thing I have been making a mistake on is using regular condiments from the store. I knew they had bad ingredients and I should not use them. Plus I used too much per serving. Now I have changed to exclusively "clean" low carb products or make my own. No low carb product is going to taste exactly the same as the ones with questionable oils, sugar and other ingredients. I had to get used to the taste and after a bit it is just normal. Then when I have one of the old ones again it is too sweet or the taste is not good anymore.

I see though how people will endure any medications, procedures or limitations instead of trying to change their food or lifestyle to improve their health. Now when they complain about whatever is wrong with their health, I don't say a word. No use. It has been hard for me to give up eating ice cream so I knew I had to find an alternative. Which I did with Keto Chow and the Ninja Ice Cream Maker. I can also make from scratch keto ice cream if I am out of the Keto Chow. The key is to find alternatives to what you are missing.

What I was missing on the Tripe B & E was vegetables and dairy. At first I felt great but after a week not so much. So I am back to feeling normal better now. Keto includes low carb vegetables and full fat dairy. That gives me the option of making everything taste great!

By the way, every time I write low carbs my editor shows it is spelled correctly. But if I write it as low carb it shows it is misspelled. It sounds funny in a sentence as a plural at times so I misspell it on purpose. Just so you all know why I do that.
 
Last edited:
There must be a good Samaritan in my building. Yesterday I received a package and was watching for it all day. UPS usually leaves the packages out by the intercoms so I try to get down there as soon as it arrives. I walked out my apartment door and.......Surprise! There it was outside my door! My lucky day! Now today I was expecting a big box of hay. When I checked the computer and saw it had been delivered I started to head out the door...............Double Surprise! There it was outside my door! Now this box is big and heavy. Wonder who carried up for me? Maybe my maintenance man since he is working in the apartment across the hall. But he wasn't here yesterday. Well, whoever did it I am grateful.

Sun is shining and I have my window open right now. I have been watching YouTube videos about living in studio apartments and tiny houses. I would love to make my apartment look less cluttered. Even though I do not have much clutter left, due to the type of furniture I have it looks cluttered to me. But buying new to replace what I have would be a stupid idea. I think I need to just work more on what I have and organize it better. So I am working on some dresser drawers right now. One of the dressers is where I keep sheets in one drawer, another drawer has towels and another one has kitchen towels, sponges, dishcloths, place mats, etc. Two of the drawers in that dresser need better organization.

I have changed my schedule a bit. Now I am cleaning Rabbit's cage about noon instead of two. Then I can take the rest of the afternoon more leisurely and not hurry to get to it. Then I have more time to take the garbage out with the stuff I clean out of his cage. Much better that way.
 
I have been watching YouTube videos about "Tiny Houses". Not that I am getting one just that I get ideas from them for living in my apartment as far as organizing and making it easier in a small space. There are many people who have retired and chose to sell their houses and put that money into a tiny house. If I was younger or at least had the money for one I would have liked to do that (I think). Especially the ones in the communities. So it kind of reminds me of trailer parks, nice ones. Of course living in NY makes it difficult for getting permission to have one for a full time residence.

I do not like the ones with a loft. Those seem uncomfortable. I would rather have higher ceilings and a bedroom I could stand up in. Whichever you choose, a trailer or tine house, they are not cheap. But the fact that you can live in a community but have your own dwelling sounds good. The communities I saw were really nice but like I said you have to have some money to build it, move it and set it up.

One channel, Alexandra Gater, specializes in small apartments and does a great job. I have gotten many ideas from her. Many ideas I get for my apartment come from her. Not exactly the same but close. Of course she has a staff and her carpenter is really good. I don't have him so I have to figure out things on my own or buy items already made. Though I like less clutter than she does. She usually does apartments for younger people so it is not exactly appropriate for me. But I can change it to fit my lifestyle and me.

 
Jackie23 said:
Good morning, @katlupe, I watch tiny home videos too, this is one I've enjoyed for years, she has just moved out of the city on to Vancouver Island....
I think you do a great job of staying organized and posting your diary, that I enjoy reading.
Click to expand...
Thank you that is a great video! I shared it on fakebook too for my boyfriend. He used to move mobile homes so I think he would like this video.
 
A very good friend of mine called me the day before yesterday and we talked on the phone for awhile. I hadn't talked to her in a long time and was really glad to hear from her. We will make plans to do something soon. Her and I used to do a lot of things together and I have missed her. I told her I don't want to do much until I get finished with this upcoming dental issues. So will see what happens then.

I have to call my son's new landlord. His building has been sold. The old landlord died and his wife sold it. A couple of months ago the rent had been increased by $25. to $575. a month. That was fine since it hadn't been increased since he moved in back in 2018. So he brought a letter to me by the old landlord's wife and she gave the address and phone number of new one but did not say if I have to mail the rent or if he will be picking it up like the old one did. I hope he does not raise it again. It is not a great building or anything so hope it just stays as it is.

Now after my shower I will take my garbage out and walk to the drug store and hope they have cream. They usually do. Not out completely yet but will be needing some. It is kind of foggy and I am hoping it is not going to rain. At least not until I get back.
 
I skipped going to the drug store for cream today. I think I have enough for coffee in the morning. Instead I made keto chaffles and replacement protein shakes for ice cream. So I was pretty busy in the kitchen but didn't get everything done that I wanted to do. Tomorrow is another day. Every time I start to hurry or put pressure on myself, I stop and think, "Does this need to be done by a certain time? If so, why? What is the reason?" If I am not going somewhere then there is no reason to hurry.

I realize since I live alone and do not work, there is no reason to make myself hurry. I remember my mother telling my father to slow down when they were going to the store. She would ask what his hurry was? I knew the answer, he couldn't wait to get done and get back home. Mom though enjoyed the shopping experience and took her time looking at everything.
 
katlupe said:
I skipped going to the drug store for cream today. I think I have enough for coffee in the morning. Instead I made keto chaffles and replacement protein shakes for ice cream. So I was pretty busy in the kitchen but didn't get everything done that I wanted to do. Tomorrow is another day. Every time I start to hurry or put pressure on myself, I stop and think, "Does this need to be done by a certain time? If so, why? What is the reason?" If I am not going somewhere then there is no reason to hurry.

I realize since I live alone and do not work, there is no reason to make myself hurry. I remember my mother telling my father to slow down when they were going to the store. She would ask what his hurry was? I knew the answer, he couldn't wait to get done and get back home. Mom though enjoyed the shopping experience and took her time looking at everything.
Click to expand...
I get, I was going to go out today but it was nothing pressing. I wanted a few things from the store. Still in the pj's, I need to give one of the pups a bath so maybe I will get that done tonight.

Were you able to solve bunny boy's flea problem?
 
Blessed said:
I get, I was going to go out today but it was nothing pressing. I wanted a few things from the store. Still in the pj's, I need to give one of the pups a bath so maybe I will get that done tonight.

Were you able to solve bunny boy's flea problem?
Click to expand...
Been combing them out with a flea comb. Dip them into water with Dawn in it to kill them. Plus I got a flea trap now. It has a light on the top of it that attracts fleas (and other bugs too). So far, just fleas. But they aren't like cat fleas that I remember would bite me on the ankles. I just do this daily. Doesn't seem too bad right now.
 
Me too, Kat. I find myself rushing just because it's always been my habit to do things fast, and now I have to remind myself I don't have to anymore. I make myself nervous when I rush so what's my hurry? Is there a time limit to do whatever it is I'm doing (and I don't do much) NO. I remind myself to slow down.
 
Pepper said:
Me too, Kat. I find myself rushing just because it's always been my habit to do things fast, and now I have to remind myself I don't have to anymore. I make myself nervous when I rush so what's my hurry? Is there a time limit to do whatever it is I'm doing (and I don't do much) NO. I remind myself to slow down.
Click to expand...
I think it is a habit we develop from when we had to get things done fast. I am putting up post-it signs that say "Slow Down!" And "You are NOT in a hurry!"
 
I came across this vendor because I spied a box of heirloom tomatoes behind their table. I had no plans to spend any money (but I did put 10 one dollar bills in my walker......just in case). I ended up buying 3 tomatoes, one bunch of Italian parsley, a bag of spring mix and he gave me a stalk of fennel for my bunny for free.

wander_creek1.JPG
 
I am looking forward to these tomatoes! I don't buy them in the stores anymore because they are not worth the money or the carbs unless they are REALLY good which they aren't. I bet these will be worth it. The fennel is Rabbit's. He never had any before because I have never bought it. Not sure what you do with it. I gave some to him and he ate it like he loved it.

heirloom_fennel.JPG
 
Kind of cold here this morning, 36 degrees. I had my heat set at 68 but it felt too cold for Rabbit and me so I turned it up to 72. The problem with my heaters is one (the short one) is right here next to my table, where I am sitting right now. The longer one is right under the windows which is the coldest spot. My cedar chest blocks a small part at the end of it. Rabbit's cage is right next to it. So if he is in the cage, that is good but when he's not it blocks a bit of it.

I suppose today I will start blocking my windows. I usually put sheets of bubble wrap around the bottoms of them. They are so tall and big that I cannot do the whole window. I cannot even take down my curtains to wash because I can't reach them. When I moved in my husband put them up for me. He was able to stand on the window sill because he was very agile. I am planning to ask for new blinds when the manager comes around doing the annual inspection. If they do it. Without a real manager here there are many things that used to be important that are neglected now.

I think this is the time of the year to start stocking up on Philadelphia cream cheese. Remember last year there was a shortage of it? Well, I use it all year long for certain keto recipes that I make regularly. The other brands are not the same carb count nor as good. The price has gone up quite a bit on that and heavy cream. Both are items I buy every time I go to the store and pay what I must for them. I just leave out something else if I need to. Sonny is taking me shopping today. Later in the day, as he probably didn't get home till around one so he will be sleeping later. He had races (go-kart) last night and Friday so two in a row.
 
I bought some heavy cream a few days ago to use in a quiche. Yep. the price of that jumped way up. I don't use a lot of cream cheese but I do get it at the holiday time to get a good price. I have the room to freeze it. Who am I kidding, seems everything now has jumped up.

I sometimes will take towels and roll them up to put o the window sill dwhen it gets really cold. You might have Sonny check around your windows to see it they need new weather stripping. That can make a real big difference.
 
Blessed said:
I bought some heavy cream a few days ago to use in a quiche. Yep. the price of that jumped way up. I don't use a lot of cream cheese but I do get it at the holiday time to get a good price. I have the room to freeze it. Who am I kidding, seems everything now has jumped up.

I sometimes will take towels and roll them up to put o the window sill dwhen it gets really cold. You might have Sonny check around your windows to see it they need new weather stripping. That can make a real big difference.
Click to expand...
Last year at holiday time Philadelphia offered $20.00 checks to people who agreed not to make cheesecake for their dinners. I missed that offer since I don't make cheesecake anyway.

I know it needs weather stripping but maintenance is backlogged now since his hours were cut for coming here. Bubble wrap seems to work and I have it.
 
hollydolly said:
Kat...perhaps you could get Thermal backed Blinds installed.. that would be Ideal......
Click to expand...
Depends on my manager (or whoever is in charge here right now). They should actually put storm windows on all the apartments since the cost of electric is up. But they won't pay for that I am sure.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top