New Outlook For The New Year

Yes !  a new outlook for the new year for my health and to start off the new year – we are heading to our cottage to re-decorate with some rustic log furniture that we had bought last month.   The cottage will be used for our weekend getaway once a month – or whenever we get chance  – especially during the summer.  We are finally closing the cottage down for the winter and will be running it in the spring.  We feel that by using more of the cottage – it would relieve our stress and make us do things together instead of just going on the computer always.  Rustic log furniture are great because it gives us so much warmth in our life and we feel like we are living harmoniously.   The rustic log furniture blend into our cottage so well – we just loved it.

Exercising With A Yo-yo

Missy Moo asked for a yo yo for Christmas – because she had just seen some of her classmates doing all sorts of tricks with it during gym.    Apparently, you not only can do tricks with a yo yo – you can also exercise with it – and then co-ordinate your movements.  I told Missy Moo that she should be careful – in case, she swings the yoyo  into her face or worst someone else’s face.  In which she replied in a matter of factly way – that they will be trained by an older student on how to maneuver the sassy moves – just like any routine – or dancing she might be learning.   Now isn’t it something ?  I used to love playing with a yoyo – when i was a kid – walking the dog and making them swing inside a triangle but now the kids even have more tricks to do with the yoyo – so yes !  we are getting it for her – maybe she will have something to do at the store – instead of telling us she is bored all the time.

Stress free Christmas

Yes! i would like a stress free Christmas and in fact – I think I might achieve it this year – as someone is dressing up the window of our store for Christmas – I don’t even have to worry about that ! woohoo!!  so when a customer came in to ask me for gift ideas for wife I told him – he will have to check with the spouse – for I am having a stress free Christmas – hahah!  But seriously, I buy everything online – so no need for gift wrapping nor mailing and postage worries.   I have been doing this for a few years now – and for friends from away – I think it’s the best thing to do.  I loved that I just need to pick the item online – and the rest will be done by someone else.  Yes, I do pay a wee bit more – but what the hell right?  you have to keep the economy going.  So if you want a stress free Christmas – use my secret – shop at reliable places online – and you will be all set.   So while others fret and sweat it out – or run around n the cold – I sit and relax and wait for the gifts to arrive at the receiver’s address – and await my thank you emails.

Baking Diabetic

One often wonder – can a diabetic eat cakes and desserts right?  I too wonder myself – most times – I do cheat and eat half a cream puff every now and then too – but if you are up to it – you can actually bake your own diabetic cakes and baked goods.  I had been quite gungho with my intake of my sugar when it comes to coffee – I don’t even take a substitute now but when it comes to baking a cake or making baked goods – you have to have some form of sugar right?  Yes!  and for those who’ve tried using sugar substitutes – you will know that it tastes different.  So what do one do?

I was taught to use vanilla in my baking recipes – pure vanilla extract is what i use now – and you can get it from your local health store.  And since I am using sugar substitutes – I need to also flatten the dough before baking as sugar substitutes prevents the cookie dough from spreading.  And if you are making chocolate chip cookies or anything chocolate – use cold brewed coffee – to replace the liquid you need to use in your recipe – thus sharpening the chocolate taste in your cookie. Create volume by using whipped egg whites in place of whole eggs. Use two egg whites for every egg called for in the original recipe.  So there – diabetic baking is a lot harder and more work – but then you don’t have to feel sinful after eating your home baked diabetic cookies.  Yay!

Flu Mist

It’s that time of the year again – and once again – we had to order the Flu Mist for Missy Moo for her flu shots – from our local pharmacy.  I had ordered it about a week ago – and yesterday I was told it was available – so I made the appointment to have Missy Moo get her flu shots today.  We had to pick up the vaccine before leaving for the doctor’s and had to have them on ice pack – while they were packing the vaccine for me – I also noticed they were using a very nice and small printer – unlike ours that is quite big and white in color and pretty dirty by this time.  The Epson TM-T88V that they were using was black in color and it was pretty small as compared to ours at our business – and being black in color – i can see that it won’t show that it is dirty after a few years like ours.

After collecting the vaccine – I went back to our store – and I told Mr Moo about the receipt printer I saw there – I like the fact that it was really fast when it printed out my receipt – unlike the one we are using.  An auto cutter is always good for a printer – then I don’t have to worry tearing receipts out for our customers in horrible shape.   And a new receipt printer like Epson has a 4 yrs warranty.   We might consider the Epson TM-T88V for our next printer – when ours goes out of service – I guess the pharmacy must have some good tech savvy guy working and buying their electronics for them.

Outdoor Adventures

This year – I’ve done more outdoor activities than I had in my entire life – because of the used ATV that Mr Moo bought for riding around the woods on his father’s 100 acre land -  yes! just like Winnie the Pooh – according to Missy Moo.  But because the ATV is pretty huge – it’s hard for me to go at it by myself but Mr Moo bought the utv power steering to enable me to cruise and steer the ATV easily – so I’m now able to ride on it by myself.  Sometimes, I get Missy Moo brave enough to sit behind me for a ride but other times – I like to do it on my own.

This fall – we have been having a few good days – so I’m taking advantage of it and going out in the woods more often than I would usually do.  And because of all these outdoor activities – I find myself getting stronger and less tired during the day – it makes me feel so much younger.  For those who lives in the country – you will understand why we like to go to the country during the weekend and stay at our cottage – and ride out in the woods.  If you haven’t tried it – you should and now that one can buy the UTV power steering – even for someone who finds it hard to maneuver the ATV before – can do so.

Best Dried Fruit For Diabetics

I for one am always complaining that there is no snacks that I can eat as a diabetic – I’m sure you understand what I mean to – and to only find out that  Sun-Maid Mediterranean Apricots – is considered one of the best dried fruit for Diabetic kinda stumped me.  Why?  I’ve always thought that dried fruits were full of its own sugar – so are you sure we can take that?  or eat it?

According to Diabetic Living – there is no sweetener  added and these apricot are very flavorful  — one can toss them in yogurt or on a salad for a sweet touch. Plus, they’re a good source of antioxidant vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.  Can I just eat it as a snack?  i’m going to check it out tomorrow and update – and see how much sugar is in them.

Vacation

The outlaws just informed me during Thanksgiving supper that we were invited for another wedding next year – and the entire family will be going to New Brunswick for the wedding of the cousin.  But this time, they are not going to stay in a hotel – since the entire family from down here is going – they are looking for houses for rent for a week and treat that as a summer vacation.  It’s a good way for the entire clan across Canada and United States to get together.  So they want us to plan our vacation time around the wedding as well.  I would love to go – since I haven’t been to New Brunswick for a vacation except for a drive thru’ while going to Maine, so that would be very nice.  Plus everyone needs a vacation every now and then to relax and I love family gatherings and BBQs.  I told the outlaws that I wasn’t going to be cleaning house while on vacation – so if they are looking for a rental house for the vacation or a seaside apartment – they have to make sure there is maid service as well.

You Don’t Need To Look Frumpy Girl!

I tell all my pregnant girlfriends – they don’t need to look frumpy or clumsy when they are pregnant – because maternity dresses are not made the same way they were during our parents time.   I loved it when I see a pregnant woman taking care of herself and dressing up well.  As for me – when I was pregnant with Missy Moo – i was sick all the time – and not just morning sickness and the only time that would make me really happy was when i had to dress up and go out.  I didn’t have many maternity dresses because there were no maternity stores here – but these days – one can order them online – and some even have shipping free as well.  Now you can buy jeans, evening dresses, tops and bottoms at reasonable prices.  I loved my maternity bottoms – I still have them now – they carried me from 3months pregnant to 9 months – I loved the material and you can wash it like normal.   So gals – you don’t need to look frumpy when you are pregnant – some people don’t want to get pregnant because they can’t dress up – but you are wrong gal!  you can still look your best.

Bowflex Home Gym

So I had a chance to get a bowflex home gym from the local yard sale – as you can see its not a very huge machine and you can even store it away if you are not using it.  So I decided to check it out – since the spouse was interested in flexing his muscles as well.   Normally, these machines are a few thousand dollars but this used one is going for $600 – so that’s the reason why I wanted to get it.  Alas, some of the  bearings need changing because it wasn’t running as smoothly as a new one – I was told by the now owner that bearings don’t cost very much – and I can get them online anytime and fix the problem.  Having said that – he was willing to give us a further discount on it if we decided to take it but what kind of bearings do we need to buy?  or can any bearings do it ?  if we dismantle the machine – would we know how to put it back together?  and since the spouse is so busy – will the bowflex sit in the box for a few months or even a year before he gets to it?   So we had to give it a past this time round – so sad!  now if I had someone who knew how to fix the bearings – or tune it – that would be a totally different story.

Medicine Cabinet At Work

We don’t have a medicine cabinet at work – so we stored all our usual emergency stuff in the washroom at the store – but we found out quickly that it can be quite inconvenient and embarrassing as I have my personal stuff in there.  So when I received some Target coupons the other day – I decided to invest in a real medicine cabinet – that way – when a customer/s need some emergency stuff -  the spouse don’t have to rummage thru’ my personal stuff in the washroom.   Thanks to the coupons – I didn’t have to spend so much on the medicine cabinet and even bought some allergy medication for the store.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

So my medication for my panic attack is almost due for my yearly refill – that means I have to go see my family doctor again and get her to assess me to rewrite the prescription for another year.  So I’m sure you all want to know how my panic attack is after taking my medication right?  I call it my crazy meds – whenever I go pick my prescription from the pharmacy – and we all have a good laugh.  What make the girls at the pharmacy have a laugh is the  funny shirts i wear whenever i pop into the pharmacy because I try not to sweat the small stuff anymore.  The only thing that gets me really excited and paranoid is Missy Moo – she can be really dramatic  and even now I try to keep calm with her.  But sometimes her whiny can caused me to get upset – and the other day – I was mad with her and lost my temper on her.  I wished I didn’t do that and I regret losing my temper on her after shoving her into the washroom because she wouldn’t go in there – as she said there was spiders in them.   I think I need to get Missy Moo to wear some funny t-shirts on her – that way maybe she will lighten up sometimes.

Kids With Better Teeth

You know when we were kids – my mom didn’t teach us how to floss our teeth nor taught us to use mouth wash – it was very much later – when we were in our late teens before we knew all about this – and learned how to take care of our teeth better.  Thank God !  there was still time.  Missy Moo is really lucky because both Mr Moo and I are very careful with regards to her health -  so when we found this – it’s not a mouth wash for kids – but a temporarily tinting on her teeth to help her brush her teeth better.  It doesn’t have alcohol and it comes in two flavors – a minty one and a bubble gum one – so no prizes for guessing which one we bought – and only less than $6 at your pharmacy – it can help your kids get better teeth.

Biking For Exercise

I’ve always wanted a cruiser bike – and not because it’s pretty – but because they are so easy to ride on – and cruiser bikes are not very expensive these days.  What’s missing on my cruiser bike is a basket – for me to carry my doggie with me when I go biking by the beach.   For now we just chuck our bikes into our truck – but I would like to be able to go biking on my own without having to wait for the spouse to drive me to the beach.  So as soon as I can get a chance – I’m getting one of those yakima bike rack for my car – and I can go biking on my own with Missy Moo.  Exercising with my cruiser has never been easier and with the cruiser – I want to go biking so much more – and you know as a diabetic – any form of exercise is great.   What better than to go for a bike ride after supper right?

Boosting One’s Confidence

My grandmother used to say that you are first judged by your looks and dressing before your personality – and in many ways I have to agree with her.  As we all know – the pretty girls always gets what they want and they get away with just about everything – pure evil right?  When people say that the inner beauty is more important – that’s just pure bullshit – hahahh!!  pardon my language – but it’s the truth.  From a very young age – I learned that you have to dress appropriately to be treated the way you want people to treat you.  Dress up in sandals and shorts and walk into Louis Vuitton boutique and see if the shop girls will rushed to serve you – nope! and i don’t blame them – and fully understand it too – not that i agree with them.  But it’s only you that can make other people respect you by dressing up appropriately right?

So I’m starting Missy Moo young – and even though Mr Moo doesn’t believe in dressing up and love his jeans and t-shirt – me and Missy Moo are quite different. Even if we were just going to the neighborhood grocery store – i would put on my sterling silver pandora and some lip gloss before heading out.   First one have to learn to respect ourselves – then others will – if i were to go out in my PJs – then people will treat me the PJ way.  So if you want to boost your own confidence – make sure you are dress appropriately.

Summer Swim

Missy Moo has a busy summer this year – from Summer camp – to Karate classes in the evening.  We also signed her up to learn swimming this summer – for she really must know how to swim not only for health reasons but for safety reasons.  We never had swimming classes when we were young – we learned how to swim myself – through trials and error  (well – drinking lots of pool chlorine water).  We bought her an outdoor watch by suunto and hopefully she would wear it for all her summer activities.   We bought another ladies golf watch – for her aunt – who loves golfing – and it’s face plate is pink in color and so pretty – I just might get one for myself.  But yes – I’m glad that we are keeping Missy Moo occupied for this summer.  Maybe, next year – she can go for a golfing camp with her aunt and the local country club.

Basil Growing For Health

Summer Bugs & Insects

July 1st always reminds me of the time that we had to send Missy Moo to the hospital because of a very bad hives – but was it hives or mosquito bites that caused her to have that reaction – till today we are still not sure.  But from that day on – we never let her go to the same playground again and also have her sprayed with bug and insects repellent during her days out in the sun like today.  The only thing we don’t like about summer is the black flies and all the mosquitoes – even though we lived in town – the mosquitoes are terrible.   But as parents we also want to make sure that we find the right cream or spray for your kid – and so we went hunting for something that would last and one that doesn’t smell either.   We found a eucalyptus cream that work really well with her and it smells great too – and thus far when she uses it – she never has any trouble with any bugs or insects plus mosquitoes – I will make sure to take a picture of the cream and show you all.  It cost like $9 if I am not wrong and we bought it from Superstore.

This is the bug lotion I was talking about – it worked great !

Wrestling As A Sport

I’ve often wonder if  wrestling and body-building is a sport ?  but I guess it is ?  since the nephew is taking it up as a sport in school.  Yes – the local school has a wrestling team now and this summer – he is going for a summer camp to teach him all about wrestling – neat right?  so he had asked for us – his aunts and uncles and older cousins to sponsor him for his camp – and raise money for the things he needs for his wrestling camp – like the new sissy shoes and head gear that are compulsory for the wrestling camp.    So how is he raising money – you asked?  he had offered to do our lawn or clean up our basement – and babysit Missy Moo for us.  I think it is an ingenious idea – to raise money to buy his own stuff that he needs for his wrestling camp but wrestling had been his passion for the longest time – if you had seen him watching those wrestling match – you will know what I mean.  Plus, this year – they had brought in a group of wrestlers at the mariner for a real competition – so that must have raised his interest more.  So yes, we will be helping him gear up for his wrestling camp.

Store Bought Diabetic Snacks

Like any diabetic – we are constantly looking for the right thing to eat and we all know that it sometimes is not easy – just to buy something from the store – because you don’t know how much sugar there are into it.   So we are constantly looking for reports or news about things we can buy and eat easily and easily obtainable.  As a diabetic – I love to snack as well – and I was told that this Honey Maid Cinnamon Roll Thin Crisps is really good in taste and great for diabetic like me to eat.   So diabetics out there – if you see this snack by Nabisco – grab it – because I’m grabbing it tonite.

I can’t find the Nasbico brand – but found Mr Christie instead – and it tasted really good – too good to be true too!