SundayThought ~ Psalm 118:24

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Ringing the Weight Loss...Week 4

Another weigh in done and the last one for January. Another 2.8lb off bringing this months total to over 16 lb. I’m so chuffed

And I have another NSV (Non Scale Victory).I am now having to wear my wedding ring on my middle finger as its too large for my ring finger!! MrD says we could get it resized..but that may be jumping the gun as hopefully my chubby fingers will slim down more. Nevertheless..Im completely chuffed.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Winter Wonderland..

Who would have thought that just two hours from my front door in a usually sunny So Cal there is a wonderful winter wonderland

Yesterday MrD and I took a drive to Big Bear Mountain.

When we left it was actually raining..which as Ive said before is very rare.

But as we started to climb.. the rain gradually turned to snow..

and the higher we went.....the stormier it got. 

 

It was absolutely beautiful..

As we neared the village the storm eased..

and everywhere looked like a different world...

We parked up and MrD and I ate our picnic lunch and hot coffee in the truck... 

joined by a hungry little feathered friend

We then took a little walk.. and it was gorgeous

then looked around the town

Just look at those icicles...I think they were bigger than me!!!

And as for the Lake... Stunning!

Could I live here?

Abso..bloomin..lutely..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Everything Stops For The Hobbit.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Teal Tuesday...

Its coming up to the two year anniversary of my remission from Ovarian Cancer. I still have tests to make sure its staying away...at first every three months..now its four.

I often see posts encouraging ladies to have cervical smears. I just want to remind you ladies....A SMEAR TEST DOES NOT DETECT OVARIAN CANCER!!..You have to look for its.symptoms.

Its called the Silent Killer as many dont get diognosed until stage 4..and then it's usually too late. I was lucky...I was stage three when I was told I had cancer.. but even then my doctor had been treating me for divaticulitis. Not his fault...the symptoms are the same as advanced stage OC. Its only when the pain became horrendous and I started to bleed did they find my tumour which was bigger than a baseball. Surgery and chemo kicked it to the curb... and I thank God! But early detection is key. There is still a chance the cancer can return within five years, Even though I had the overies..tubes etc removed.. the cells could still be in my body. But regular checks should catch it.

Ladies...dont be afraid to ask questions when you go for your smear test.... if you have any concerns see your doctor ( you know when your body dosnt feel right) and please please get regular mammograms! You ony have one life... dont lose it!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

 

Last week in January already and another week of healthy eating ahead. Its been raining all weekend and its a little chilly. I keep looking towards the mountains hoping to see a bit of snow. MrD has Friday off work..so it would coincide nicely.

I have come to the conclusion that mirrors lie. You can look at your reflection some days..with make up and hair done.. and can look quite presentable. But then there are days when you are talking to your three year old grandaughter on Facetime and she takes a photo of you unawares..and when you see it exclaim.."who the heck is that"??? 

So yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and got hubby to take some "honest" photos of me. Full length.. wearing leggings and a tight fitting top..front.. back and side views..Hair unwashed.. no makeup.. and no chin up posed smile. To say I was gobmacked is an understatement! How my hubby can possibly call me beautiful as much as he does is mind blowing! Im horrified that I have deceived myself about the way I look for so long.

These will be my "before" pics and no one will see them until I am good and ready! But it has made my reslove to lose this darn weight stronger..and really I should have taken these pics a long time ago. Im going to take pics every month and see my progress. If you are struggling to take the first step in a weight loss journey.. I encourage you to do this...as this would be the kick start you need

Have agreat week... and here's this weeks dinner menu..

Weekly Plan - 25th January 2021

Monday              Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

Tuesday               Taco Salad, Spanish Rice

Wednesday         Ham Steak, Oven Fries, Poached Eggs, Mushrooms and Peas

Thursday            Phoebe's Phoney Pizza

Friday                 Picnic with Hubby

Saturday             Turkey Burgers

Sunday                Roast Chicken. Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 13:6

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Rainy Day Weigh In.. Week 3

Saturday evening..and its been raining all day. We decided to have a day at home and its been nice spending time with the Hubster.

Weekly Weigh- In done.. and Ive lost another 2.8lb which brings me to an exact 14lb..1 stone total in three weeks.. Im so chuffed...and so glad that I didnt give way to an ice cream binge mid week!

So another week over... and 22 weeks til I buy my wedding outfit!

I have come to the conclusion that mirrors lie. You can look at your reflection some days..with make up and hair done.. and can look quite presentable. But then there are days when you are talking to your three year old grandaughter on Facetime and she takes a photo of you unawares..and when you see it exclaim.."who the hell is that"???

So today I decided to bite the bullet and got hubby to take some "honest" photos of me. Full length.. wearing leggings and a tight fitting top..front.. back and side views..Hair unwashed.. no makeup.. and no chin up posed smile. To say I was gobmacked is an understatement! How my hubby can possibly call me beautiful as much as he does is mind blowing! Im horrified that I have deceived myself about the way I look for so long.

These will be my "before" pics and no one will see them until I am good and ready! But it has made my reslove to lose this damn weight stronger..and really I should have taken these pics a long time ago. Im going to take pics every month and see my progress. If you are struggling to take the first step in a weight loss journey.. I encourage you to do this...as this would be the kick start you need

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Here Comes Daddy ...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Cravings...

Yesterdays hospital visit seemed to go well ..and I should get the results in a couple of days. I just want to give a quick shout out to all our healthcare workers... who are carrying on regardless in the most surreal  and worrying times....Like the sign says...not all heros wear capes

It was s a lovely morning for walking..almost spring like... even though we are still in winter. The beauty of living in So Cal is that it never gets really cold.. But the seasons seem to roll into one.. and that can be a bit monotonous. Still it was lovely seeing spring flowers as I walked..which brightened my day

But...Im struggling a little at the moment. Im hungry..even tho Im eating quite a bit. Im craving things I know I cant eat right now. Low calorie substitutes are not satisfying enough. Two nights running I have dreamed of ice cream... not the fudgsicles that I look forward to every evening. But huge bowls of the stuff..every flavour you can inagine.. with every topping you can imagine. There is a Baskin Robbins 5 minutes away and I pass it every day on my walks...in fact I gazed at it as I strode by .. It would be so easy to call in there.. getting a few flavours, eating them all in one sitting... and not telling a soul! Who would know?

 

Well.. I would know... and what would that achieve. I know it wouldnt be the end of the world but I would feel so sick and guilty.. and hate myself for doing it.. I know its a step back from getting into the lovely wedding outfit I have in mind.. Plus.. I may have trouble getting back onto the weight loss horse

So far I have resisted... but the struggle is real! I will just continue on my walks and take pleasure in the ice cream colour flowers I pass each day

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

The start of week three... and so far so good. I can tell Im losing weight as my walking trousers slipped up easier this morning. Im taking it day by day as if I looked at the big picture I would probably give up

A weekend of self isolating at home is over so I can go for my xray this afternoon. Im a bit stir crazy and need to get out in the fresh air.. so I think I will go for a walk really early in the morning..way before there is anyone around... Its given a couple of days of rain towards the end of the week so I need to get as many steps in as I can..

We couldnt go to church but luckily our church livestreams so we were still able to listen to Pastor Pancho... and one day we will be able to go back into the chapel.. instead of having services in a huge warehouse. To me.. its food for my soul..and just as imprtant as the food I put in my belly!

So not much on the agenda this week.. but I think Im going to start making some lower calories versions of our favourite recipes to broaden our repertoire. It should be interesting.

Heres this weeks dinner menu..

Weekly Plan - 18th January 2021

Monday              Sweet and Sour Chicken, Stir Fry Veggies, Jasmine Rice 

Tuesday              Chicken Frajitas, Spanish Rice

Wednesday         Veggie Omelettes and Turkey Bacon

Thursday            Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti 

Friday                 Phoebe's Phoney Pizza

Saturday             Grilled Chicken Burgers

Sunday                Pork Chops with Onions and Mushrooms, Baby Reds, Broccoli

Sunday Thought ~ Exodus 15:2

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Countdown Begins....Week 2

Weigh in done... and another 3lb off... In two weeks I have lost 11lb....and Im so pleased!

I havent started counting the days til the wedding yet..I will soon.. but I am starting a different countdown. .." Weeks Til I Buy My Wedding Outfit!!." That will be the last Saturday in June... four weeks before the wedding. And... with 23 weeks til then..if I lose 2lb a week... that will be 46 lb lost..and thats just incredible

Also this picture was taken by my daughter in law in England. How gorgeous is that. It is so hot here right now.. in fact temperatures peaked at 91 yesterday. Phew! I would love a bit of snow..but its a gentle reminder that I will soon want to wear shorts again..so I have to stay on track!

 Definitely some things to aim for

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Lavender ?...

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Covid Test..Again!...

Im still sticking to the weight loss plan.. day 9 now with no slips. Im walking every day.... and thats not a chore. as tho I live in a city there are some marvelous views...(forgive the power lines) Its not called Montebello (beautiful mountain) for nothing. Hopefully I will lose another couple of pounds this week.

This afternoon... I had the Covid test. Its the second one I've had...and it doesnt get any easier. A drive through on the third floor of the hospital car park.. Made sense really..as it means no big lines in the main road. It was over in seconds although a bit uncomfortable ..especially the swab up your nose!. How kiddies cope with the test I dont know!

But...needs must and hopefully the results will come back negative.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday...

Week two and my eating plan for the week is organised. MrD and I are eating about the same..though Im having smaller portions...and not having all the snacks....Im focused and hope I can stay this way.

I have had a phone call off the doctor. Im not concerned as Im positive (there's this years word again) its not serious... but Im dealing with a health issue right now. I have had a cough since September.. and after every bout I have trouble catching my breath... and I get horrendous heartburn. When it started I self isolated but had no other symptoms...So after last weeks oncologist appontment.. my doctor has decided I need a chest xray.. but first I have to have a covid test.. which will be tomorrow afternoon. 

She has also prescribed an inhaler for my breathing( I’m now in the same club as mum.. my eldest son and my daughter..who will probably nag me to take it as much as I nag her....) She also prescribed pills for acid reflux ..although I dont have any other symptoms except the heartburn. So Im thinking.. maybe its the hiatus hernia thats causing it?? Anyone else in the same boat as me I would love to hear what you think.

Apart from that... I plan to do a lot of walking and get this weight moving... as well as enjoying the sunshine..

Here's this weeks Dinner menu..

Weekly Plan - 11th January 2021

Monday              Chicken, Baby Red Potatoes, Cabbage. Carrots and Gravy

Tuesday              Chicken Taco Salad, Spanish  Rice 

Wednesday         Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday            Spicy Sausage Pasta

Friday                 Pizza

Saturday             Garlic Herb Chicken, Baked Potato and Salad

Sunday              Mustard Pork,  Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Cabbage

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 107:8

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x