I Almost Did!

I almost moved the blog over to Substack, that seems to be the thing to do these days.  After a few days of trying it out, I chose to just come back here.

Today hubby and I walked down to the Fall Festival on main street.  We didn't buy anything but it was a nice walk and I got a good many steps in.  Since the change in the fitbit app to google health, my app won't sync with WW anymore; it was weird today, it would only clock in about 1/2 my steps on WW???  I was all confused, so I just disconnected them and will enter manually.

Now I'm watching some horror movies.  I'm heading south at the end of the month, so I'm not doing my normal 30 Days of Horror Movies for October...but I'll probably end up watching that many anyways - just not one every day!

And that's pretty much been my week.

Happy Halloween Month!

Yes, Absolutely!

Yes, I have absolutely been gone for quite a while.  Lazy?  Well yeah!

I've been sick this past week with a sinus infection, but an antibiotic has been clearing me up.  I also had a Weight Watchers oops!!

Well an oops on their part, not mine.

My 10 month contract is soon up and, not to be charged full price next month, I went in to cancel my subscription.   As always I got the "Are you sure?", I clicked to continue to cancel and then got a pop up for a new deal - "We think you may like this - upgrade to Core+ for one year at $10/month".  

Now if you do WW, you know that Core+ is the one that includes in-person/virtual meetings.  I had been paying $10/month for plain old Core.  So I took the offer.....except...

When I got the email, now all of a sudden I was paying $20/month for a year.  Wait, what????  I immediately got on the chat option, which I realize is nothing more than a computer, and it was totally unhelpful and basically told me "Oh well, you're stuck for a year at $20/month".

This morning I get an email that my first payment came out at $22!!????  I go into my WW account and see I'm being charged $22/month for a year.  The WW website shows a deal of $12/month for a year.

NOW I'M TOTALLY CONFUSED!

I've never had luck calling WW - those customer service reps are like little robots, however, I have gotten great customer service messenging them through their official WW page (make sure you are on the "official" page:  Official WW FaceBook ) and sent a message pretty much saying what I've written above.

It didn't take long for Mary, to message back.  She understood my frustration and wanted to help make it right.  She did explain that sometimes the website/app will offer something special during a cancellation and she had no way of seeing what happened there, however, she told me she would gladly cancel my commitment and I could resign up under the $12/month for a year.  To me, $12/month for Core+ is still a good deal; so I chose that.  She did let me know that I would lose my past 90 days, which was fine since I really haven't used it that much (she did say she could have it emailed to me, which I declined).  She also advised to contact them at least one week before my contract end date to see what new offers they may have at that time.  She thanked me for being a long time member.

Technically, after she cancelled out my account, I could of just gone on with my life and not have signed up again; but I did.  I like the WW app, I like WW and I always end up back at WW.  And actually the only 90 days I lost was my food log (which I wasn't using) but all my weight logs are still there; all my recipes are there; and I still have the same log-in and password.  And they did reimburse me the $22 they had charged me almost immediately.

I know many, especially on the Med plan, have issues with these contracts and WW is non-forgiving; BUT, this is an example where they went the extra mile, or at least one employee did.

Oh....the Core+ $12/month for a year is available on their website and expires September 30, 2026.

Luxe Foundation Review

I kept seeing videos and ads all over FaceBook regarding Luxe Foundation.  Luxe is a white foundation that adjusts to your skin tone as you put it on.

Does it?????

I watched a lot of videos and read a lot of reviews.  Everything seemed too good to be true; but if you know me, I'll try anything once.

First thing you should know; influencers are paid for their reviews, and though a few are totally honest, most will give a rave review.  Secondly, a lot of the videos are AI or heavily filtered; so don't expect the model look.  One thing I noticed is that most of the people doing the videos already have make-up on perfectly beautiful.  So why are they putting more foundation on??????

Anyway; I broke down when an offer came up to buy a tube and get a free tube and a free brush.  This is not shipped from within the U.S.A.; it's shipped from over seas; but it really didn't take long to get, maybe a week.  I have seen some reviews that shipping took longer.  Despite there being a guarantee...all reviews indicate that getting you money back is non-existent - just an FYI.

Anyway, I got my tube and gave it a try on my face with no make-up already on it.  It is indeed white and it does change color as you put it on.  I found my face felt a little itchy for about 15 minutes but then it went away (I did not scratch).  It didn't fill in the lines, it didn't cover any facial blemishes flawlessly and I certainly did not have the model look all the videos show.  It worked just like all the other foundations I've used over the years with the exception that it starts out white and blends in with your skin.  It does however last the day without melting away!

Suggestions??  Start with a base/primer for under the foundation; that will help with any itching (I get none if I use a base) and it's just a good way to start.  And don't apply like all the videos do...less goes a long way.  The directions will tell you to put some on the back of your hand, and use the brush to start blending, then apply with the brush.  You don't need a lot - I can't understand why all the videos show gobs of it on the face to start and then start blending.

I don't think I'd buy it again; but I'll use it up and then move on.  I can't say the advertising is false; but the videos are extremely misleading.

I Know, I Know!

Let's have a real talk......

I'm sick of tracking points, calories, fiber, macros, WHATEVER..... Sick of it.  I'm DONE!

I've decided I just need to start communicating with my body a little better.  I KNOW what I need to be eating.  I KNOW not to stuff myself full.  I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW....

There I feel better.

I do, however, know that I still need to keep track of what I'm eating.  I can't do it with an app because it will show me one of the above...and I don't right now want to see those numbers.

So I ordered *this*.  It's a plain ole food journal, I will not be using the areas to list the nutritional information, but I did want more than just a plain notebook and I liked that the spirals are on top rather than on the side.  I'll also continue with *Kickstart* as that gives me community and it is more about setting habits rather than a food plan.

I'm going to start making those changes now but go full in, in September.  

And that's where I'm at!!

A Walking I Will Go

Today I walked a mile.

I haven't walked in a long time, though I use to do it daily.  It was hard, like I said it has been a while.  I'm hoping to get back into it.

I bought a new Yeti (I'm so into Yeti, no Stanley's at my house, lol!); I went with 30 ounces this time and it looks like this:

And these are the details:

I really like the top on this one!  Hopefully, it will help with my water intake, a new cup usually does!

I often feel like I should continue on with the Weight Watcher app since I still have to pay a few more months.  I probably won't be renewing it, so then that makes me think that if I'm not going to renew it, why continue the program since I'll be switching to something else.  My something else will either be Healthi or the Lose It app.  I get so tired of tracking food though.

A Vacation Update!

Yes, it's been awhile!  I'm on V A C A T I O N this week with family visiting my sister in South Carolina.  Though I normally would consider this a beach week (I LOVE the beach)...I haven't seen the ocean at all and most likely won't.  Sigh......  I know you're wondering why; that's a story for later.

Weight wise I've failed all over the place!  I'm hoping to get that back in order once I get home!

This & That

One of my commitments is to keep up with my journaling, which is what this blog is.  I can't guarantee something every day; but I can do better.

Our Aldi's never seems to have the things that other Aldi's have that I see people post online,  It doesn't have those great 1 or 2 pt bread/rolls or the low point snacks.  It's just pretty much another grocery store.

I stopped by yesterday as that's where I get the canned dog food and wandered down the "everything you never knew you needed aisle".  Again, I've never seen those extremely low cost items in my store's aisle.

Anyway, I did find some jean shorts!  Due to my weight, I'm not a big shorts wearer - capri's yes, but shorts...not so much.  I have one pair and they are wearing out and with the current heat; I know I needed one or two pairs.  I did find a pair at our Beall's store but ended up with 2 more from Aldi's.  I hate that there is no way to try on clothing at Aldi's (but it is a grocery store after all) but when I got home; I tried them on and they fit!  YAY ME!  Not the size I'd prefer but they will work for my upcoming beach trip.

Today is the 4th of July and my town has a little celebration downtown with vendors, food, music and such.  They were doing something special for the 250th last night but the heat caused that to be postponed to a later date.

Grrrr......

I get so tired of WW groups and the know-it-alls on them.

Case in point; I belong to a very popular WW group.  One of the members posted asking about WW med program as her daughter was interested and she basically wanted to know if the cost included the meds.

I answered, as did others, that the cost does not include the meds and if your insurance won't cover that cost, you'll pay out of pocket.  We also warned that if you can't afford the meds, you'll find yourself stuck in the WW contract anyway.

A "holier than thou" member chose to pull my comment (out of all the others saying the same thing) and decided to give her experience on the WW med program.  She loves it, her insurance pays the cost of her meds (few do, but good for her), by going through WW she saves PTO time off to go to the doctor, she doesn't have to pay a doctor co-pay (guess she doesn't consider the $79 WW monthly fee a co-pay) and she has great support from her WW doctor and team (clinician).  OMG - she's the perfect WW representative!

I, of course, told her I was glad that all was working well for her since all I see are people stuck in contracts for a service they can't afford the meds for.  She, of course, blamed it on not reading what you're signing up for.  Anyway.....

I stated I have never done the WW med program, I do do WW and am a lifetime member.  She in turn stated she also is a lifetime member and "obesity is a disease".

I answered with a simple "I never said it wasn't".

Do you see how a simple question was escalated by one individual?  That happens all the time.  Perhaps she should of stuck to what the question was asking; rather than the answers.  I could have said a lot more...but I didn't want it to continue and cause the group owners to have to come in and shut it down.

The "obesity is a disease" comment really p*ssed me off though.  Why would you say something like that to another person who struggles with their weight?  WHY???  Does she think I don't know the struggles of weight loss?

Sorry, I just need to vent!

Weight Update

It's been hot, there's been celebrating...but I haven't forgotten I need to lose weight!

I'm truly thinking I need to go back to Points Plus or rather Carb Conscious on Healthi.  I just can't seem to lose on these "here's a list of zero point foods".  Even though I don't overeat on any of it; I would rather have points.

So I'll get started on that next week as we are heading into the fourth of July weekend.

A Day To Celebrate

It's a celebration day!  

Today is my 26th Wedding Anniversary.

 

We look so young, lol!

The second celebration is that it's my start of DROP.  If you're unfamiliar with DROP, it's a deferred retirement option plan.  Basically, I'm considered retired but still working.  My employer will put my pension payments in an interest bearing account while I collect my salary.  Somewhere between 1-5 years, I can fully retire.  I will then be met with my pension payments as well as a lump sum from that interest bearing account.  My plan is to do the whole 5 years.

Once you join DROP, you can not change your mind; I must go in 5 years.

So I'm "semi-retired" but it's great to know there's an end date!

A Quick Update

It is so very hot out - no walks getting done here!  

Today we had a retirement party for one of my co-workers.  It's always so sad to see someone leave, but at the same time, you have to be happy for them.

Not much happening, just counting down the days until vacation!!

Summer Kickstart

For the Summer portion of Kickstart, they've decided to be more laid back.  There will be no weight loss challenge due to vacations and such.  I'm not sure about the book club part yet.  Though I'm disappointed in not having a weight challenge - I will still be part of Kickstart for the summer.  I've decided not to do 10 commitments for the summer; that always seems like so many and I never stick to a lot of them.  I'm going to do 5 and hopefully that will be more doable.

Keep in mind, Kickstart isn't about perfection; it's more about having that support group there to help you along the way.  

So 5 commitments:  Track my commitments on Kickstart, at least 4 - 8 oz servings of water per day, walk and/or exercise daily, read one chapter of a book daily and journal at least 3 times a week.  My goal is to be 10 lbs down by the end of the summer.

After summer, Kickstart will resume on a monthly basis - starting anew each month rather than running by season.  That way you can join the months you want and take a break when you want.  Kickstart is always evolving.

Join Kickstart HERE.

Trying To Get Some Prep Ideas

With Kickstart starting next Monday ( Join Here ), I'm trying to get some menus started.  

Tonight I'm making one serving of Hash Brown Egg Bowl from Diana's Delish Dishes.  I'm hoping this is something new to add to my breakfast rotation.  I probably made mine slightly different (store brand hash browns, store brand real bacon bits and 1/3 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar) as through the Weight Watcher app, I come up with 5 pts rather than 4, but that doesn't matter.  This packs a rather large calorie count for breakfast (around 500), however, I think it will keep me fuller for a longer period of time and I can do something lighter for lunch.  I'll round it out with some raspberries.  Right now it's in the oven and smells very good!

I did decide to go ahead and pay for the Kickstart Summer 2026 Journal in the PDF format.  I have the full version of adobe so I'm able to type on it via the computer.  Again, if you decide to join Kickstart it is free and any journal (or none at all) will work.

Now that the Hash Brown Egg Bowl is out of the oven....it looks delicious but way more than what I would eat in the morning; I'm now thinking that 1/2 of it along with the raspberries and one slice of 647 bread toasted will be better.  So I'll get 2 breakfasts out of it!  Which works too!

I'm Not Perfect

I'm not perfect....not in weight loss or other areas of life.  Perfection is not what it is about anyway; never aim for perfection...just keep moving forward.

A new KICKSTART session starts Monday, June 28th.  I'm going all in this time around; not all in mode with Weight Watchers (I find that too restrictive); but all in with Kickstart.  So I'll be joining the weight loss contest part and the book club part as well as doing the daily activity and exercise.  I need to do more! Kickstart is all about setting habits; not perfection and that's why I talk about it so much and encourage everyone to join.  It's free to join and the only part you would pay for is the weight loss contest, the book for book club and/or your Kickstart journal.  You don't have to join the weight loss contest or the book club and absolutely any notebook will work as your journal - or if you don't need a journal, don't use one (I don't).  Click the link above for more information and keep checking back for more information!  Kickstart is much better than the WW online meetings.

Let's Discuss Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs.....

I LOVE guinea pigs; I've loved them since I was little and have had guinea pigs for many years.

I currently have one right now; he's a skinny pig (aka: hairless) and despite being old for a skinny pig...he's still quite chipper.

Tonight I'll be acquiring 2 more that belong to my grandkids.  They are getting ready to move and don't really have the room; but more than anything the pigs need to be in a bigger enclosure and I do have that.

Cages.  If considering a guinea pig (best to buy in pairs, but I get it if you only want one); you need to buy the largest cage possible and most pet stores DO NOT sell appropriate cages.

If you ask online the better than you guinea pig owners will insist the only proper cage is what they call a C&C cage.  Several years ago, someone bought a set of those wire cube shelving units and created a cage out of it; they then purchased coroplast (used to make signs) to create a bottom for it.  Since then, anything other than a C&C cage is wrong.

Well, it's wrong....according to them; it's not wrong if you ask me.

I agree that you need large cages; I don't agree you need a C&C cage.  Here's some cages I would recommend:

Midwest Wabbitat Deluxe Extra Large    There is an extension you can get to add more space as well:

Wabbitat Extension

Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat  This can be purchased with or without the top; the bottom is canvas.  A piece of coroplast cut to fit the bottom would make it sturdier.  This cage is the closest you'll get to a C&C cage.

If you run a search through Amazon; you will find many different types of cages.  Always look for the LARGEST available and no wire bottoms - they are just bad for piggie feet (they are also bad for rabbit feet, don't use them).  This is a helpful guide:

Photo courtesy of Cagetopia

Want the C&C cages?  Cagetopia is a great place to start!  They've done it all for you.  There are a few others, but I'd start at Cagetopia.  There's tons of information there as well.

Bedding?  This becomes preference.  I really like the fleece liners; they are reusable and after the initial investment; much cheaper than shavings.  People sell them on etsy or if you know how to sew, you can make them yourself!  If you prefer shavings - stay away from cedar;  and pine shavings should be kiln dried (it'll say it right on the bag).  Aspen shavings are another good option as well as CareFresh.  Before fleece, CareFresh was the shaving everyone raved about, now not so much.

Remember to get guinea pig food (not rabbit, hamster, etc..).  And don't forget HAY; Timothy Hay is the standard.  And that's HAY not alfalfa.  Guinea pigs should always have hay available....always.

The Living Dead Weekend

Well, I arrived in Monroeville for the Living Dead Weekend.  Drive was uneventful and I got here earlier than expected!

Once I got checked in and things began to open.....I walked through the vendors to find Bodoro T. Dugrasima Creations.  She knits movie creatures!  I bought Sam (of Trick 'r Treat) from her last year and we have a fun time at work decorating him for holidays.

So this year I bought her Frankenbear to join Sam.  I named him Frank!

When Greg Nicotero got set up, I went to his table and had him sign my Funko Pop Woodbury Walker.  I knew he played a Woodbury Walker in The Walking Dead but wasn't sure if the Funko Pop was actually him as a walker - IT IS!!  We also did a selfie, which he always has to do, I told him "I give you my phone code every year, you never remember it..." and he said "You're right, I don't, but I lecture you on the dangers of that everytime!"  LOL!!  He then went to take the photos and I said "Wait, let me fix my hair." And then he said "Oh I'll fix mine too!"   There is no possible way not to LOVE this man!

I'm here the whole weekend, but I try to get as much done on Friday that I can.  Then I can relax.  Saturdays are normally the crowdiest and Sundays everyone trying to do what they miss.  Fridays aren't overly busy...so if I get everything done I need to then, I can relax more the rest of the time.  Like right now I'm at the hotel; I'll go back later for the late night activities for the VIP passes (I'm one) and though that will make a long night.....I can sleep in in the morning and go to the convention a little later!  

Last year a fan from England fell asleep in one of the massage chairs in the mall.  Someone took a photo and it went viral; he and that chair showed up everywhere, lol!!  I was getting something to eat in the food court and a guy in front of me looked like him, so I asked!  He laughed and said "I've been waiting for someone to say something!"  He's set up with that photo for autographs and selfies as well, lol!  And yeah, I had to do that!  That also gave me the opportunity to meet Michael Tomaso.  Michael had a zombie part in Day of the Dead and Michael also records many of the panels and takes tons of photos!  I bought last year's panel discs from him.  He's so very nice and knows the importance of documenting these events; especially since Wal-mart bought the property and plans on tearing it down. We've friended on FaceBook.

The late night activity is a viewing of the original Dawn of the Dead which was filmed right at the Monroeville Mall.  What could be better than watching the film in the mall where it was filmed!!!  Also had opening discussion by 3 of the stars:  Ken Foree, Gaylen Ross and Scott H. Reiniger!  

It was a late night though, didn't get out of the theater until about 1:30 a.m.!

Where I'm At Now

I'm still here, I'm still failing; but I'm not giving up.  I just wish I could get my head in the right place.

I would love to go to an in-person meeting; I'd upgrade to get that, but there are no evening ones in my area.  Evening meetings seem to be almost non-existent.  I can't figure out why WW doesn't care about those of us that work.

I've tried the virtual meetings; I just get nothing from them.  I have joined into some of the helpful ones that I'm allowed with my Core membership - they are informational and not inter-active.  I actually like that and wish WW would provide a Weekly topic one for their Core members.  Just a leader talking about the topic; no member participation.  It may be helpful.

I do still follow influencers and you can find new ones everyday.  Check my sidebar for sites I love.

I've also stopped daily weigh-ins; just too stressful.

Other than that, not much happening.  I am headed to Monroeville, PA for The Living Dead Weekend next week; mostly because, of course, Greg Nicotero will be there.  I do have a fan girl crush on him; he's so very nice and you never think you're talking to a celebrity.  He's just like you and me.

You can read about my past two trip  Here and Here.  It's one of my yearly highlights.  July will be Myrtle Beach with family.

But for now I'll just carry on and hope for the best.

 

An Unhealthy Relationship With Food

I found this website:  Eating Well and it is loaded with information and recipes.  They have recipes for any type of diet you could be on and even meal plans!

Today I tried:  Raspberry-Banana Yogurt Parfait (except I used strawberries instead of raspberries and I used vanilla non-fat greek yogurt instead of plain, but it says I can do that).  It was very good and will probably be breakfast for the week.

I have an unhealthy relationship with food.  Which is why this website was a goldmine for me.

When I started WW way back when (during the last version of the original point plan); it taught me the importance of portion sizes, weighing & measuring.  I ate more vegetables because of their low point values; and I began eating lower fat/sugar (or fat/sugar free) versions of items that otherwise would of been high in points.

That lower fat/sugar (or free) would follow me for years.  I allowed points to point me towards them - it gave me points for other things.  It helped me save points.

If you've ever read the nutrition label of a food that is fat free or sugar free (or a reduced version); you'll find that to make that happen, a lot of chemicals become involved.  That's not healthy.

Realizing that WW provided me with helpful information but also harmful ones is a realization that comes hard.  As WW has been involving into more than just points (you can track just about any nutritional value you want along with points); I found myself relying less on points and more on the other values.  I could be well within those values and way over in points - so what is right???

We know what is right.....we know what we should be eating and what we shouldn't be.  I don't ever think I could be a health food nut; but I do know I should and can eat healthier and enjoy a treat now and then.  

It's a long and hard progress, but I don't want food to be the boss of me.

Saturdays

Yesterday was Saturday!  And since it poured down rain; CC and I couldn't do yard sales....so it became my grocery day (which is normally Sundays).

I actually go to the grocery store almost every day.  On my way home from work, I stop at Weis.  They often have great prices on pork!  And with prices the way they are; I always am looking for deals.

Yesterday, I shopped in town (no Weis here).  I started at Save A Lot, mostly for the same reason I stop at Weis.  In my area, Save A Lot has the best prices not just on pork, but all meats.  They also had great egg prices.  From there, I headed to the Dollar Tree.  That may seem suprising, but you can get good deals on food items and cleaning items; so it's always worth a stop there.  It also happens to be next to Aldi.

I know lots of WW rave about Aldi; but mine doesn't seem to have half the products others have.  There are some things I do like buying at Aldi; wet dog food and dog treats, block cheese, eggs (but Save A Lot had better prices yesterday) and other odds & ends.  From Aldi, I went a few doors down to Tractor Supply for guinea pig food.  Last stop was Martin's Food (known as Giant Foods in some areas) for all the other things I needed.  

Today, I'm just hanging out.  I have pork & sauerkraut in the slow cooker for dinner and the leftovers will be lunch this week.  I'm getting ready to make Banana Oat Bake to have for breakfast this week.  I've made this before and I think this time around, I'll add some sugar free chocolate chips to each one.

So I'm working towards the upcoming week.

Ups and Downs

It's up, it's down...it's all around!!  Yep, that's about how weight loss goes; but I was down this morning.

YAY ME!!

This week I went and saw Lee Cronin's The Mummy.  You'll get mixed reviews on this one; but I really liked it.  If you go in expecting the old black/white Mummy movies or the Brandon Fraser Mummy movies; you'll be disappointed as it is nothing like those.  Rather than worry if it is a true "mummy" or not; go in expecting a horror movie with jump scares, some gruesome scenes and you'll be entertained!  And it has the best ending!

Other than that life has been just moving along as normal.  For administrative professionals day, the command staff cooked us breakfast and then our immediate bosses took us out for lunch.  It was a food day, but very pleasant.

Later that evening, I had dinner out with the girls from school.  You heard that right, every 4-6 weeks I get together with a group of ladies I graduated with.  Actually, most I've known since elementary school.

It isn't something we've always done; life does take over after high school.  I guess a few years ago, someone put a group together and the group kept expanding.  It's lots of fun.  

This past week, the group was just the girls from elementary school.  Elementary school...the good ole days; my first group of friends outside of my family.  We weren't together through all the schools; middle school and high school brought different classes, new friends and different life goals.  Life took over.  However, the first time I went to one of those dinners and sat with those ladies from elementary school; it was like all that lost time never happened.  We're still friends; just as close as ever.  Everyone needs friends like that in their lives.