A few years ago, I had a new tub and bath surround installed in my bathroom. I bought all the supplies and this guy my parents knew came out and installed it. No one told me I had to use a special type of sheet rock for the tub/shower area. Therefore, I used plain ole white sheet rock. Needless to say, as we fast forward to present day, my bathroom is a mold party!
A little back ground on the other room, the laundry room, or as we like to call it, "The Room of Doom". This room (and I'll provide photos later) is a nightmare! It's dated. And, it's just plain ole ugly! Last year, my son went through the floor and my hubby place two pieces of plywood over the hole.
This year, we are going to gut and totally redo the bathroom and the laundry room! A shopping trip was in order. So, off to The Home Depot we went. We picked out all new sheet rock (the RIGHT kind), a new vanity, toilet, and shower/bath surround, and flooring. The Home Depot is going to deliver all my goodies Tuesday morning. I can not wait to get in there and get started!!
Hubby is taking some time off work in March so we can get this done. I will be posting the ins and outs of DIY remodeling. Wish us luck,
Gershelda
Things I enjoy and want to pass on to you! Whether it is cooking,crafting, DIY or health issues, you will find something interesting with the pages of my life.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
All About...The Birds
We had a rather nice little snow storm in my neck of the woods the other day. The snow was so pretty, the flakes so big. And, yes, James and I were right in the middle of it. On this day, we had to make a run to Best Buy to pick up my new laptop (lato). The longer we drove, the heavier the snow got and by the time we were back in the car, heading home, the roads were getting a little slick! I was NOT happy. However, with the snow, and the cold air, comes the snow birds. I HAD
to snap a few photos of the birds out in our front yard. I did entice
them just a little with some bird food, but I got some really nice
photos.
Enjoy the view. Somethings in life just can't be explained. This is one of those moments.
And as for the new laptop, still feeling it out and trying to understand Windows 8. I'm so lost and confused with it. But, as with anything in life, figuring out the little things is most of the journey.
Gershelda
Enjoy the view. Somethings in life just can't be explained. This is one of those moments.
Gershelda
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
I went to see my Chiropractor this morning. As I lie upon the 'adjustment' table, he says, "Are you losing weight?" Made my day, it did. Then, he asked me what I was doing to lose the weight. Here is what I told him: "I'm eating." WHAT???? Yes, before my heart attack, I was only eating one meal a day, mostly in the evenings (dinner). Now, I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and maybe a snack before bedtime. I am also on my treadmill 2-3 times a week. I have lost, to date, 15 lbs. since December 24th! Pat me on the back!!! I realized that by eating one meal a day, my body was in a constant state of 'stravation mode". It was creating fat to supplement what I was not eating. It's a vicious cycle.
I have tweaked my food. I use olive oil now. I eat more fresh fruit and veggies. I broil, bake, poach, or grill my food. I do NOT, however, buy 'low fat' anything. Like Mrs. Paula Deen says, it's better to eat the real thing, just less of it, than that fake stuff. I do look at the labels when I buy food and opt for NO trans fats and either zero or low Cholesterol. And, to my great surprise, it isn't costing me MORE to eat more healthy. And, of course, I watch the amount of food I eat. Yes, portion control in vital. I still eat ice cream. I eat ONE scoop, instead of half a pint. I still eat pizza, which I make myself. BUT, I eat a very small slice with a huge salad.
Just making a few adjustments in what I eat, and how I prepare it has made a huge difference. I also use my crock pot a lot more.
I am making these pulled chicken sandwiches for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, until I am able to purchase another laptop, I can't post photos. :( Come on, tax refund!!! Being unable to post photos really puts a damper on things for me. Bear with me, folks. I will be posting photos in a few weeks. Until then, this is what I do to make a health version of BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
You will need the following:
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast.
1/2 of a red onion, sliced and cut in half
5-7 button mushrooms, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning Mix
1 bottle of BBQ sauce, I only use 1/2 the bottle.
Chop and diced the onion and mushrooms. Place in the bottom of the crock pot. Add, the garlic, salt and pepper, and seasoning mix and give it a good stir. Place chicken on top of veggies, set on high, cover, and walk away for 4-6 hours. Take out the chicken and shred it up using two forks. Take the veggies out, place in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the now blended veggie and the BBQ sauce in the crock pot, add the now shredded chicken and stir to mix. Cover and walk away for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, open up a bag of cole slaw mix and add 1/2 cup of cole slaw dressing and mix it up. Place in the fridge to chill.
When ready to chow down, take onion rolls, put a scoop of cole slaw mix on the bottom bun, top with BBQ chicken and eat! You can put the slaw on the side if you want. Serve with chips, pickles, bake black beans, etc.
One sandwich is enough to fill you up. Using the left overs, open a can of black beans, or cook them up, add in some corn and the chicken, top this on a corn tortilla and YUM!
Until next time, when I am praying I have a new laptop and photos.
Gershelda
I have tweaked my food. I use olive oil now. I eat more fresh fruit and veggies. I broil, bake, poach, or grill my food. I do NOT, however, buy 'low fat' anything. Like Mrs. Paula Deen says, it's better to eat the real thing, just less of it, than that fake stuff. I do look at the labels when I buy food and opt for NO trans fats and either zero or low Cholesterol. And, to my great surprise, it isn't costing me MORE to eat more healthy. And, of course, I watch the amount of food I eat. Yes, portion control in vital. I still eat ice cream. I eat ONE scoop, instead of half a pint. I still eat pizza, which I make myself. BUT, I eat a very small slice with a huge salad.
Just making a few adjustments in what I eat, and how I prepare it has made a huge difference. I also use my crock pot a lot more.
I am making these pulled chicken sandwiches for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, until I am able to purchase another laptop, I can't post photos. :( Come on, tax refund!!! Being unable to post photos really puts a damper on things for me. Bear with me, folks. I will be posting photos in a few weeks. Until then, this is what I do to make a health version of BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
You will need the following:
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast.
1/2 of a red onion, sliced and cut in half
5-7 button mushrooms, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning Mix
1 bottle of BBQ sauce, I only use 1/2 the bottle.
Chop and diced the onion and mushrooms. Place in the bottom of the crock pot. Add, the garlic, salt and pepper, and seasoning mix and give it a good stir. Place chicken on top of veggies, set on high, cover, and walk away for 4-6 hours. Take out the chicken and shred it up using two forks. Take the veggies out, place in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the now blended veggie and the BBQ sauce in the crock pot, add the now shredded chicken and stir to mix. Cover and walk away for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, open up a bag of cole slaw mix and add 1/2 cup of cole slaw dressing and mix it up. Place in the fridge to chill.
When ready to chow down, take onion rolls, put a scoop of cole slaw mix on the bottom bun, top with BBQ chicken and eat! You can put the slaw on the side if you want. Serve with chips, pickles, bake black beans, etc.
One sandwich is enough to fill you up. Using the left overs, open a can of black beans, or cook them up, add in some corn and the chicken, top this on a corn tortilla and YUM!
Until next time, when I am praying I have a new laptop and photos.
Gershelda
Monday, February 4, 2013
Warning Signs
So, as most of you all know, Christmas Eve, I had a heart attack. During the time before I went to the Emergency Room, I did some looking online for signs of a heart attack. There was a few things that suggested I was having one, however, most of them leaned toward indigestion.
I am going to share what my "pain" felt like with you, the emotional side of having a heart attack and, what you should do about it.
For a long time, probably six months to a year, my energy levels plummeted, losing more energy as the months passed. I would tell my PCP and she just blew it off to the fact that my blood sugars were not "where they should be."
I never once thought I could have a heart attack. So I was totally blind sided when the Cardiologist said I was having a heart attack. We had been awaiting the birth of our first grand baby, so we had put a lot of things off until after she was born, like Christmas shopping. Once Lyla was here, James and I went into super overdrive to get it all done and in record time! By Sunday, I was exhausted, still battling an ear/sinus infection and just wanted to get the holidays done and over with so I could sleep. That night, as James and I were relaxing, I coughed pretty hard. Which wasn't anything abnormal, I always cough...I smoke for crying out loud! :) I took a drink of my Diet Dr. Pepper, and stuck a cough drop in my mouth. Then, the 'pain' began. It felt like I needed to burp. Have you ever taken a drink of soda pop and experienced that "oh crap, I swallowed air and it hurts like crazy" feeling? That is what it felt like. So, I got up, told James I was heading to bed. I laid down and the 'pain' was worse. James begged me to let him take me to the ER, but, being the stubborn person I am, refused to go.
The next morning, we went to my dad's for my family's Christmas. I never left a crushing pain, my heart never beat harder, I just left like all my energy had been sucked out of me. I have never left so tired in my life!
James went to work, I came home, and began getting things ready for Christmas morning. I tried to lie down, but the 'pain' just got worse. So I called James and the rest is history.
I have learned that women and men are a bit different when it comes to heart attacks. (Men and women are different when it comes to a LOT of things). Women, normally, will not feel that crushing pain that most men will feel. Women may feel discomfort in the center of the chest, a pressure, like gas, burning, like acid reflux, pain in the upper back that does not go away, OR will go away and come back, kind of like you over did it. Women will be SUPER tired and feeling sick to your stomach. These are warning signs of an impending heart attack and the sooner you seek help, the better off you will be.
I was afraid the ER doctor would tell me it was gas (how embarrassing would that be?). When it comes to your health, NEVER be embarrassed to find out you just need to burp! It will save your life.
The emotional part of having a heart attack is probably the worse part. You experience every emotion known to man and few they don't know! I was laughing and carrying on until my doctor told me I was having a heart attack (I thought they were all NUTS!) Once it sunk in that he was NOT joking, the fear that came over me was nothing I have ever experienced before. Everything I had done, said, thought and felt hit me like a mac truck! Everything I wanted to do, say and think hit me even harder. Knowing that I only had four days to spend with my new grand baby was enough to bring Superman to his knees. Knowing that there was a big possibility that I would never see James, or my children again, my family, and friends was enough to melt Jack Frost's heart! Thankfully, I have a really smart and knowledgeable doctor.
Afterwards, once I got home, I fell into a bit of a depression asking, "Why me?" "Why did this happen to ME!" Then, I got mad! And finally, I accepted what happened and began to change my life style.
I am now more aware of my body than I ever have been. Your body will tell you when something isn't 'right'. Listen to it. And never let any doctor "blow off" your concerns. Get a second, third or fourth opinion if you need to.
There are some things a person can do to avoid a heart attack. Stop smoking! Lose weight! Get plenty of rest and exercise everyday! Eat a heart health diet, limiting fats. Reduce your stress! (This is a HUGE one for me). Laugh, love and enjoy every moment you are given. Get a check up, having your doctor test your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar.
We are only given ONE LIFE. Treat it like you mean it!
Gershelda
I am going to share what my "pain" felt like with you, the emotional side of having a heart attack and, what you should do about it.
For a long time, probably six months to a year, my energy levels plummeted, losing more energy as the months passed. I would tell my PCP and she just blew it off to the fact that my blood sugars were not "where they should be."
I never once thought I could have a heart attack. So I was totally blind sided when the Cardiologist said I was having a heart attack. We had been awaiting the birth of our first grand baby, so we had put a lot of things off until after she was born, like Christmas shopping. Once Lyla was here, James and I went into super overdrive to get it all done and in record time! By Sunday, I was exhausted, still battling an ear/sinus infection and just wanted to get the holidays done and over with so I could sleep. That night, as James and I were relaxing, I coughed pretty hard. Which wasn't anything abnormal, I always cough...I smoke for crying out loud! :) I took a drink of my Diet Dr. Pepper, and stuck a cough drop in my mouth. Then, the 'pain' began. It felt like I needed to burp. Have you ever taken a drink of soda pop and experienced that "oh crap, I swallowed air and it hurts like crazy" feeling? That is what it felt like. So, I got up, told James I was heading to bed. I laid down and the 'pain' was worse. James begged me to let him take me to the ER, but, being the stubborn person I am, refused to go.
The next morning, we went to my dad's for my family's Christmas. I never left a crushing pain, my heart never beat harder, I just left like all my energy had been sucked out of me. I have never left so tired in my life!
James went to work, I came home, and began getting things ready for Christmas morning. I tried to lie down, but the 'pain' just got worse. So I called James and the rest is history.
I have learned that women and men are a bit different when it comes to heart attacks. (Men and women are different when it comes to a LOT of things). Women, normally, will not feel that crushing pain that most men will feel. Women may feel discomfort in the center of the chest, a pressure, like gas, burning, like acid reflux, pain in the upper back that does not go away, OR will go away and come back, kind of like you over did it. Women will be SUPER tired and feeling sick to your stomach. These are warning signs of an impending heart attack and the sooner you seek help, the better off you will be.
I was afraid the ER doctor would tell me it was gas (how embarrassing would that be?). When it comes to your health, NEVER be embarrassed to find out you just need to burp! It will save your life.
The emotional part of having a heart attack is probably the worse part. You experience every emotion known to man and few they don't know! I was laughing and carrying on until my doctor told me I was having a heart attack (I thought they were all NUTS!) Once it sunk in that he was NOT joking, the fear that came over me was nothing I have ever experienced before. Everything I had done, said, thought and felt hit me like a mac truck! Everything I wanted to do, say and think hit me even harder. Knowing that I only had four days to spend with my new grand baby was enough to bring Superman to his knees. Knowing that there was a big possibility that I would never see James, or my children again, my family, and friends was enough to melt Jack Frost's heart! Thankfully, I have a really smart and knowledgeable doctor.
Afterwards, once I got home, I fell into a bit of a depression asking, "Why me?" "Why did this happen to ME!" Then, I got mad! And finally, I accepted what happened and began to change my life style.
I am now more aware of my body than I ever have been. Your body will tell you when something isn't 'right'. Listen to it. And never let any doctor "blow off" your concerns. Get a second, third or fourth opinion if you need to.
There are some things a person can do to avoid a heart attack. Stop smoking! Lose weight! Get plenty of rest and exercise everyday! Eat a heart health diet, limiting fats. Reduce your stress! (This is a HUGE one for me). Laugh, love and enjoy every moment you are given. Get a check up, having your doctor test your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar.
We are only given ONE LIFE. Treat it like you mean it!
Gershelda
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