LC Our Way...April. No Fools for this one

[tryinitout]

dak what are the symtpom. My eyes have been really blurred and hazy lately.

[Dakini]

Hey Tio,

It's a whitest halo around the cornea of the eyes, since my eyes are so dark, it's more a blueish halo on me, it looks like the colored part of my eye, the cornea is turning blue. Arcus is supposed to be a precursor to heart disease, but my cholesterol numbers are always pretty good. If you goggle "corneal arcus" you'll get a pic, but thankfully my eyes don't look quite as bad as those diagnostic pictures. It doesn't have any other symptoms, it doesn't affect vision.

[lil miss]

should all of us who consume protein be concerned? I am trying to figure out if TIO is doing something differently thats leads you to believe she, in particular, should worry.

[adillenal]

Dak - I just used a fragrance oil (dupes) of some perfume names. They turned out pretty good. I am taking them with me to a monthly market tomorrow. We will see if anyone else likes them. Interesting about your eyes. I still think my osteoporosis started when I did Atkins and Stillmans for a couple of yearsw. Too much protein causes bone loss too.

Tio - I really like the solid perfume. My favorite is something called Blue Skies. I have made myself some dry oil spray with it that I use for my personal perfume.

lilmiss - Get back on track girl and eat healthy.

kritter - I made some vegan soaps last week so I can cater to all crowds. Oilve oil and castor oil plus one with olive, coconut and palm. No fragrances. Could not decide so left them plain.

Been a rough week. A long time sub for the local school had a heart attack and died. Next day a long time aide at the school where DH and I worked for 5 years had a heart attack and died at school with the little kids as witnesses. Then the HS principal at another county school's husband died in surgery. I am getting a complex since all 3 are about my age.

I have to go to visitation tonight so I got to run take care of chores and loading my car for my show tomorrow.

Oh, I gained 3 pounds this week. Hmmmm. WOnder how I can do the Rice Diet and add enough fat to allow me to absorb the Vitamin D?? I am open to suggestions. I miss my groats.

[Dakini]

Lil Miss,

I'm thinking it's genetic, I'm mixed races and the woman that I met was also mixed. I guess I'm profiling, but I've read that black males have the highest rate of arcus, with black females being the next highest.

[krittermom]

Okay, who all has spent the last few days staring at their eyeballs?
<raises hand>.

Dak, I wonder if lighter skinned folks develop the condition, but it's just less noticable with lighter eyes. I checked that video and the stretch looks awesome. I'm going to try it tomorrow.

adi, I think that's the problem with eating higher carbs. They don't mix well with fats the way lower carb foods. That's sweet to think of vegans Make sure you mark those with an sign that says vegan. I know when I shop, it's so much easier if people mark things clearly so that I don't have to read the list of ingredents on everything.

I'm so sorry to hear about all of those deaths. I get freaked when I hear people my age dying. It forces me to admit how old I am.

tio, get yourself to an eye doctor missy! Don't mess around with your vision.

Hi lil miss!

Made tacos with fake meat and topped them with salsa. OMG they were good! I also cleaned and cut up some peppers, cukes and celery so I'll have some healthy muchies.

[adillenal]

I am thinking of just going back to the Rice Diet and take my medi with my lundh since that is when I have my salad with a little olive oil. I have been totally exhausted this week and I know where the 3 pounds came from since I am so constipated. In the morning I am having groats.
Back from my market. Started REAL slow. I was worried but finally came out in profit mode. Also went to the big grocery store before leaving town and saved some more money.
KRITTER - I have some stand up metal sign holders that I am going to use for the Vegan sign and I am going to put those products on a riser all by themselves so they can be seen easily. Sold lotion like crazy today. Just never know what people are going to buy. Had about 6 requests for patchouli. I have one soap with some in it and handed that one to them to sniff. SOld a couple of those.

My best seller was my charcoal soap. Wierd.

[krittermom]

adi, I'm glad your sales turned around today. Do you do vanilla scents? That seems to be popular nowadays.

I forgot to tell you guys that I got my haircut today and finally decided to let her color my hair. Actually, I wanted to get it done professionally for ages but always wound up doing it myself because I didn't want to wait for an appointment.

So anyway, I LOVE it. And as a bonus, because I had to wait 40 minutes because she was tied up with another client, she gave me free highlights. She only did a few - just enough to get me hooked But I love the highlights and can't wait to get the whole head done. And I was shocked that DH really liked the highlights and even said it would look nice with more. I was surprised he even noticed. It was nice getting my hair done and getting pampered. Next week, I'm going to spring for a pedicure at a spa. It's expensive(about $40), but I think it's like an hour long and they really massage your feet and legs. I figured I'd treat myself to a really good one for the first of the season and then I'll get the cheap ones the rest of the summer.

[lil miss]

Congrats Adi! Verrrrrrrrry cool about the sales! SO sorry tohear of your losses, scary stuff and it always seems to happen all at once, doesnt it?

Kritter-Yea you! You go and pamper yourself, you SO deserve it! ENJOY! I anxiously await hearing about your pedicure, it will feel like heaven I am sure!

Dinner last night was so-so, had way too much wine. Then, tonight DH and i went out to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary, VERY nice dinner and convo, hadnt been out just "us" in forever it seems...

[adillenal]

lilmiss - Glad you enjoyed "your" time with DH. That made me think about how long it has been since DH and I did something with just the two of us. Outside of driving to town to church when DS doesn't go. nothing.

kritter - I would love to get a spa treatment. I might just have to spring for a facial or something for myself. I had an eisthecian (sp) ask about buying soap wholesale to sell in her shop. SHe said she used to make her own and got too busy but her clientele were missing the hnadmade soap to buy. SHe had tried someone's out last week and didn't like it. Too slimy which means too much olive oil. So she bought a bar of Oatmeal, Milk and Honey and we will see if she likes it.

Hi Tio and Dak.

I am cooking graots and I lost 2 of those extra pounds cause I finally went to the bathroom. I remember all of the problems with that issue several years ago but I refuse to take Epsom salts and that used to be the only thing that worked. Discovered I looked like I had a sunburn when I got home but I was in the shade all day. BUT the wind blew mercilessly all day and I have wind burn. In fact I actually look better with a little color so maybe I will start my vitamin D sun worshiping routine today and "Lay out" for 10 minutes.
I am drinking coffee again since I read so much about it having beneficial properties in moderation so I am using cream. THat makes me think that I can take my vitamin D after breakfast and be alright. I ahve researched some and it doesn't take all that much fat in the difestive system.

Off to do something useful I hope.

DAK - I am so glad your eye condition isn't something that affects the eyesight. My secretary missed all last week due to a severe case of pink eye. Went to the doctor on MOnday and Tuesday it was worse and went back to the doctor on Thursday and she ended up with 4 kinds of medication. THen the docotr (who isn't open on Fridays) called her on Friday to check on her. I sure hope it got under control since pinkeye CAN damage the sight. Her whole family got it from one daughter but no one had it as bad as my sec. AND can you imagine me without a secretary for a whole week trying to get everything done with no one to point me in the right direction. I sure need to see about a BIG raise for her this year.

[adillenal]

O.K. folks. In ate groats and a banana for breakfast and I am bubbling over with energy. I guess I have proved to myself that I cannot live on a high protein diet.

Off to make lotion.

[krittermom]

adi, don't you love when you have tons of energy? I felt that way this morning and did tons of laundry, got out my summer clothes, packed away a lot of winter clothes and then took Meg for a 2 hour walk with lots of hills. But now I need a nap

How cool that the spa lady is interested in your products! Facials are heavenly.

I want to try laying out this summer too, but just my legs. My hands and face are so wrinkly and sun-damaged, but my legs can stand some sun and last year, with all my dog walking and bike riding, my legs never got any color.

lil miss, I can't wait for the pedi. My feet are a mess and with sandal weather fast approaching, these feet can't be seen by the public. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your dinner with DH. I love going out to dinner with DH and getting a bottle of wine and not being in any hurry.

[adillenal]

BAck inside for a bit. DH is working on fixing a soft spot in the floor in the hallway. The central air conditioner is all hooked up. The AC people come tomorrow to put the coolant back into it that they took out when we moved the unit. It is so nice working out there. My kitchen window overlooks the goat yard and I can watch the goats play and act silly. Now I know what they do all day. I can't see them from the house since we fenced the backyard.

kritter - I have some vanilla sandalwood soap and some just vanilla. Vanilla turns soap dark so I haven't tried it in lotion. People might not like brown lotion. Just finished my vegan lotion. I put it into some clear tottles I had gotten. Totally different packaging than my regular lotion so I don't get it mixed up. Only going to make one size since I only have one size of the clear tottles. I guess that would be a take it or leave it situation.

Goat milk lotion heating. Making a souble batch for next weekend. Going to make a bunch of little ones since they sell so fast since they fit into a purse nicely.

Not hungry but I guess I better stop and eat or I will be ravenous later.

[krittermom]

adi, how cool that you can watch the goats while working in your new kitchen. I love watching animals outside. It's so relaxing. Yesteray, I was ohhing and ahhing over a robin taking a bath in our bird bath. Usually the only birds I see in the bath are sparrows.

It's kind of a shame that we are wrapped up in the color of lotions and products in general. Same with food and even coffee filters! People prefer a bleached, white coffee filter to a natural brown colored one. I honestly don't get it. I don't care what a lotion looks like if it does what I want it to do.

I thought I was tired yesterday after our walk, but I don't come close to how pooped Meg was. She was practically unconcious all day and night. Poor baby. I need to whip her into shape

[lil miss]

hey all

On Plan, feeling motivated as May is right around the corner!

[tryinitout]

hey all, up a little from my cheese and lack of water. I just dont know why i dodnt get enought on the weekends. Its sooo easy and i get tons during the week. UGH it so stupid of me.

Anyhoo.
Dak- Well with you saying it may be a mixed race thing, i'll definetly be on the look out b/c so am i. What are you if you dont mind me asking.

Kritter-I think we need a pic of this new hair!!! I've never understood the coffee thing are they all the same? Oooo spa pedi. i hear those are FAB! i've never had one though.

Adi-Sorry to hear about all of those losses close to you. Charcoal soap? what is that like? I need some of that engery. No mater what i do or eat it i'm always tired. Now granted i have more than i used to but i think the fact that i dont sleep well at night doesnt help. Goats at play...Is it like reindeer games. lol

LM-Congrats on the 13years!! Glad you had a nice dinner. Keep up the motovation. And pass some this way too1

[krittermom]

tio, I might try to get a pic of the hair. How much sleep do you get a night? Do you have trouble staying asleep or do you just go to be late?

Are you asking about the coffee filters? I think the white ones are actually bleached(yuck!) and the brown ones are natural, unbleached. Coffee tastes the same but I prefer to use unbleached products. Some executive somewhere probably thought the brown would look dirty and be less appealing to the American public

I think it's easier to get the water in during the week because you're sitting in one spot much of the day. On the weekends, a lot of times I forget to eat lunch because I'm so busy running around and I'm guessing you are too. I've even gone on bike rides and forgot to bring water. How stupid is that?

So I'm going to start eating shrimp again. I'm having a tough time with the protein. I like tofu, but I get sick every time I eat it. And I think the beans are keeping me from losing weight, plus I'm not looking forward to eating them in the warmer weather. So I'll see how I do with shrimp and will try to ease my way into tofu and tempeh.

I'm working from home today and just got back from taking Meg for a walk. It's a little chilly today but sunny and really pretty nice. Poor Meg. I wore her out so bad yesterday, she could barely make it through the walk today. I hope she's not coming down with something.

[Dakini]

Morning!

I have to start losing weight again, ladies! The scale is creeping back up again. One good thing though, I've committed to walking again, every evening DH & I take a great walk around the neighborhood so my legs are beginning to get more tone. Spent the weekend finishing taxes so stressful munching got the better of me.

Kritter, have you tried that stretch yet? It really does feel good. Sorry I have you worrying about your eyes! Better to be aware though. Funny image about your abusing poor Meg. Spring boot camp for dogs!

Adi, glad to hear your shows are going well. Will the heat affect your shows this summer? Do the lotions & soaps need to be kept cool? You mentioned the groats helping with, ummm, weight loss, I'm finding that yogurt does the same thing for me. I've been buying Fage from Trader Joes but it's rather expensive. I ordered some yogurt cultures from Amazon and made my own yogurt yesterday. I haven't tried it yet, but it did set and it does smell like yogurt!

Happy Anniversary, Lil Miss! Glad you were able to go out just you & your husband. Was it 4/13? DH & I are today, 4/14. Sad, I seem to always spend our anniversary doing taxes. We're going to celebrate on Wednesday instead.

TIO, I always kind of cringe when people ask me what race I am because it's so complicated. No one was pure anything until I go back 3 generations to my great grandparents. So I'm a mix of African, native American, German, Norwegian & Irish. What about you?

[Dakini]

Spring is here and I'm procrastinating the end of taxes! Here's a recent pic of our back patio. You can see the vineyard next door on the other side of the fence.

[lil miss]

hey all

Dak-I am part Irish, part Native American, Part German and Part English.

Kritter- you took poor Meg out again? Meg is gonna be ready for swimsuit season!

Adi-I am so impressed with your success with the goat milk products! I think a spa carrying your line would be SO cool! Love the visual of you watching oyur goats out the kitchen window!

TIO-Yep, weekends are what either make us or break us I guess. They've been breaking me for the last year! Come on now girl, dust yourself off and drink some more water!

[lil miss]

OMG Dak, Thats GORGEOUS!

Hey, How is DS doing at school?

[Dakini]

Thanks Lil Miss! I take no credit for the patio, that's totally DH's domain. Nice to be married to an artist.

Not too sure about DS this semester. Doing OK with calculus but not with physics. Expensive to pay for all that and have him not pass. He may be at a junior college next year.

[Dakini]

More procrastinations. I've changed my avatar to our kitty on the roof. She looked so watchful up there, surveying her domain for interlopers!

[krittermom]

adi, I haven't tried the stretch. The pain is gone so naturally, I forget about stretching. Maybe I'll give it a try before I take a shower in a few minutes. I have been doing other stretches today as well as finally lifting some weights(YAY!).

I'm not worrying about my eyes sweetie. I'm just glad DH hasn't caught me staring at them. He already thinks i'm crazy

Your patio is beautiful! Do you guys sit out there a lot? Does your DH work from home or does he have a studio?

Your kitty reminds me so much of my Sweet Pierre. I changed my avatar to a picture with Pierre and Babycakes when they were kittens.

I think it was physics that nearly did DH in at school.

lil miss, Meg's going to need some time in a rest home when I get done with her this weekend. We are doing hills for a couple of hours.

On Saturday when we went walking on the easy, flat path, when we were walking back to the car, we passed a couple pulling a wagon that contained a laundry basket and in the basket was a daschund! And this little pipsqueak was barking at Meg. It couldn't even walk and it still had an attitude LOL!
I thought it was so sweet of the owners to pull the dog in the cart like that so it could enjoy the sights and smells. Very cute.

Maybe I should do that with Meg. I should get a jogging stroller for dogs and when she gets tired, I can throw her in it and push her. That would be great exercise for me.

[Dakini]

What a sweet picture of Pierre & Babycakes! I'm partial to black & white cats, they've always been the best pet for me. DH works out of the house, the patio is right adjacent to his studio.

My yogurt turned out great! Felt like a science experiment making it, I let it incubate for 5 hours, I guess the longer you let it set the more tangy it gets. I think it turned out perfect, though I suppose a bit lumpy. I sliced 1/2 a banana into it and put a couple of tablespoons granola on top.

Jogging stroller with a dog in it, that would be a conversation starter. Cute baby....dog?

[krittermom]

Dak, I've seen people riding bikes with dogs in little carriers on the back of the bike, and I also saw a woman riding a bike with a dog in one of those sling things that you strap to your front. The dog was so cute!

How great for your DH. I would love to work from home again. I wouldn't miss all of the politics, that's for sure.

Okay, here are some pics of my new hair earlier today. Not sure I love the cut but I can't think of anything else to do with it right now. Hope this works.

OMG, the pics were huge.

Go to these links to see the pics of my hair.
http://home.comcast.net/~kathfitz/Highlights.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~kathfitz/More%20Highlights.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~kathfitz/M%...20Highligh.JPG

[Dakini]

Kritter,

Your highlights are beautiful! They really look good with your coloring, I read once that the colors that are in our eyes is a spectrum of what balances the skin tones, whatever the spectrum, those tones or compatible tones should be in your hair. Looks like that's what you've got going!