I'm getting too old for this!

Today the Midwest got hit with a big storm. I'm glad we only got 5 or so inches of snow, cause some states got more and blizzard like conditions. Here I thought the cold was bad and now I have to go out and shovel the drive AGAIN! Don't like all this snow. It looks pretty, but its hard to drive through and I cant get to work when it's like this. So today I am baking cookies, doing some paper work, working on a woodworking project.

I am making a platform bed frame for my girlfriends twin bed. It's finally taking shape. I have all the side pieces made. Now I just have to make the top platform, and the inside supports. I used plywood and particle board for most of it. I got to use a lot of my tools. The table saw, the rotor table, the compound miter saw and my electric nail gun. The worst part about doing a project like this is you have to have patience and time. Everything has to be clamped and glued. So, I have been working on the weekends whenever I can. But, its so cold I have to put my space heater in the garage to keep the place warm. Anyway, it's gonna turn out great, I just know it!

My cookies are about to come out of the oven and I still have to shovel the driveway and get a path dug out in the yard for the boys. Poor little guys cant get around in 6 or more inches of snow! Guess you are wondering who the boys are.........they are a Jack Russell and a mix Jack Poodle. My best buds alive!

It's COLD OUT THERE!

Wow, its been a cold week for the Chicago land area. It hasn't been this cold for years. I can recall the year it was 80 degrees below freezing with the wind and that was the worst winter for me. This -25 degrees with the wind, is not fun, but it can't compare.

I think of all those people without heat, electricity or any kind of necessities and think, boy have I got it made. Just having a roof over my head with running water and heat amazes me.

My brother is driving around in this cold snap with no heat in his car and no window. He says "well, people riding snowmobiles deal with it". Not the same. I can't imagine sitting in a car and the wind is whipping in at -30 below freeze.

I think of my garden to keep my mind off of it. In several months the ground will be thawing and the signs of spring will be emerging.

That's the life you have to deal with when living in the Midwest. Snow, cold, rain, wind, humidity, and sunshine. I pray for sunshine!

3 weeks without chocolate

Well, three weeks have passed and I haven't had an ounce of chocolate! That's like the biggest accomplishment that I have had in years. I just couldn't seem to get a handle on the additive forces that darn stuff has over me.

For the past few years I have been struggling with GERD. Acid reflux. My system was completely screwed up and I continued to eat like a pig! I love candy, pop, and fast food. Of course I also love salads and other things that make myself sick as a dog.

So three weeks ago I reached my bottom. I was so sick of the acid backup, that I decided to end it all..........bad food that is! I cut out coffee, chocolate, pop, uncooked veggies and fried foods. I started eating bland, bland, bland..........no spicy foods and very little dairy.

Well, after three weeks, I have only 2 times felt sick from food. Both times I had consumed sour cream in a meal. So, now I am concentrating on cutting that out too. I love sour cream! I love coffee, I love chocolate and I love fattening foods.

I looked in the mirror last week and noticed that one of my rolls was almost gone! Walla, instant diet. I guess its a good thing, cause I was sick of the way I looked anyway.

So, now I am on the road to a healthy stomach and I'm losing weight.