Wild Rose Gift Shoppe Journal

Mini Pumpkin Crochet Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 14:14:00 +0000

Make some cute little pumpkins for fall decorating using your scrap yarn. You can make some very creative pumpkins!

(Each pumpkin is approximately 2 1/2 inches wide)

Materials:
Small amounts of orange and brown yarn
crochet hook size f

polyester stuffing
yarn needle
sewing thread and needle

Procedure:

Pumpkin:
Using orange:
Round 1: Chain 2. Work 6 single crochet (sc) in 2nd chain from hook. (6sc). Note: It will be helpful to mark the beginning of each round, moving the marker as you progress to the next row.)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each sc. (12sc).
Round 3: (sc in first sc, work 2 sc in second sc), repeat 5 more times. (18 sc.).
Round 4: (sc in first two sc, work 2 sc in next sc.), repeat 5 more times. (24 sc).
Rounds 5-10: work even on 24 sc.
Round 11: Decrease - (sc in first two sc, sc next two together), repeat 5 more times. (18 sc.).
Round 12: Decrease - (sc in first sc, sc in next two together), repeat 5 more times. (12sc).
Stuff pumpkin firmly.
Round 13: Decrease - ( sc first two sc together, repeat 5 more times).
End off, leaving about 36 inches of yarn. Thread end of yarn into a yarn needle and sew top closed. Insert needle through center top of pumpkin coming out of center bottom. Pull tight to make a ridge. Repeat 5 times to make even grooves, secure yarn, and cut off.

Stem:
Using brown:
Chain 4.
Slip stitch in 2nd and third chain from hook.
Work 7 half double crochet in last chain. Join to first half double crochet and end off.
Sew to top of pumpkin with stem sticking up.

Variations: Experiment with a variety of orange or ivory yarns and crochet hooks sizes f through h to get different sizes and textures. Using two strands of yarn and size g or h hook will make a larger pumpkin. Add a dab of cinnamon oil to stuffing for a scented pumpkin.

Fall Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:47:00 +0000

Football. Apple Cider. Colorful leaves. Crisp, cool evenings. Caramel apples. Harvest. Cinnamon. Indian corn. Fall festivals. Jack O’ Lanterns. Mums. Scarecrows. Cranberries. Chili and hot dogs. Halloween candy. Sweaters. Plaid wool blankets. Candy corn. Bonfires. Pumpkins. Pumpkin Spice lattes. Pumpkin scented candles. Pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkins everywhere.

Fall has arrived! I love summer and I am really going to miss it, but there are lots of things to love about fall. I have listed a few of them in the paragraph above. I love the new colors of autumn: the leaves, orange pumpkins, and red apples. I love the cozy smell of bon fires and cinnamon and pumpkin spice. I love eating all the yummy foods and treats. I love the taste of apple cider and pumpkin spice coffee. I love the soft, warm texture of thick socks and sweaters, flannel shirts, and wool blankets. I love decorating my house for fall.

Bathroom shelf décor – it’s a little creepy when I get out of the shower and see them watching me!

Pinterest is my inspiration for decorating and celebrating holidays. I love the holiday ideas and the craft ideas and the recipes. I have probably only tried about 5% of my pins and I have had just as many successes as failures. This might seem like a waste of time to some people, but I really like the creative possibilities of Pinterest. I continue to look and pin and I love it. One thing I do not like about Pinterest is it’s ability to make me feel inferior. I was and am still happy with my fall decorations this year. They are simple and elegant and will be easy to take down and put away when the time comes. My decorations make me happy. Now, however, when I am looking at Pinterest, I see decorating ideas that look better mine. I get the urge to start over or add Pinterest ideas.

Mix half candy corn and half peanuts to make a yummy Pay Day Candy Bar flavored snack mix

So, Pinterest is an amazing source for holiday decorating ideas, recipes, and crafts. I also like Houzz.com, hgtv.com, and MarthaStewart.com. There are many other websites and blogs that offer ideas, crafts, and recipes. I also like to read magazines and shop for books at garage sales. You can find a lot of old , unique ideas and recipes in older books. One of my favorite recipe books is Gooseberry Patch Taste of Autumn. Gooseberry Patch has a website with recipes and information about their books.

When decorating for a holiday, I have learned to keep things simple. After thirty-six years of decorating and living in four different homes, I have accumulated too much stuff. Last year, I cleaned out my fall decorating boxes and sent some of it to my children. Some of my holiday stuff has sentimental value and I just have to keep it even though I can’t really use it. A lot of memories are tied up in these things. I never understood why my mother kept everything but now I know.

Usually I decorate with pumpkin candles, leaf garlands, and pumpkins. I start with a scarecrow theme and replace the scarecrows with turkeys and pilgrims for Thanksgiving. I am only using a few scarecrows this year. I am a little tired of scarecrows and my cats won’t leave them alone. I avoid a strictly Halloween theme as there are no children around to enjoy them and I don’t have to put them away for Thanksgiving. I like the look of corn stalks but have found them to be too messy and difficult to attach to my latest home. Bales of straw are messy too and will mold quickly. If you buy corn stalks or bales of hay, be sure to wrap them in an old sheet before putting them in your car.

Scent is the most important aspect of my decorating. I love the smell of spices, vanilla, apples, and pumpkin. I began my decorating with a big shopping trip to Bath and Body Works and Michaels. I bought pumpkin spice hand soap, candles, and wallflowers at Bath and Body Works. Every time I wash my hands, they smell like pumpkin spice. Wallflowers are plug-in fragrance bulbs that radiate scent. This year I chose caramel pumpkin swirl. Every time I come home, I am enchanted by the smell which makes me think of freshly baked pumpkin bars and cake. I am a huge fan of Bath and Body Works. Their soaps, candles, lotions, and wallflowers are pretty, they smell good, and they are not overpowering. I have dozens and dozens of pumpkin scented candles scattered all over the house.

My autumn mailbox cover

Mailbox covers are very popular in my neighborhood. Mailbox covers wrap around the mailbox and are magnetically attached. There are many, many designs to chose from and they are easy to attach. They are durable and weather resistant. There are two sizes: standard and oversized plus a strip that will fit on your mailbox or metal door. I purchased mine on eBay.com but discountdecorativeflags.com has an enormous selection.

Welcome to my home!

My front door area is very simple this year. I have some repotted purple mums and my new scarecrows sitting by the front door next to my old leaf doormat. I hung an orange and green wooden pumpkin plaque on the door. I scattered a few pumpkins around the doorway. I like it. I would like to have a few more pumpkins and plan to pick some up next weekend when we will be visiting a pumpkin farm.

I don’t like a lot of clutter in my house so my decorations are minimal. Although I have tucked pumpkins, jack-o lanterns, and candles all over the house, most of my focus is on my fireplace mantel, my dining room table, and sideboard. My fireplace mantel is gorgeous. Everything is orange and glittery. I have a leaf garland with glittery pumpkins and pumpkin scented candles.

I bought new fall themed linens last year. I have fall themed towels and pumpkin candles in my kitchen. I have fall themed kitchen towels and pumpkin candles in my kitchen. I have four placemats and a runner in cranberry, green, and gold plaid. I found a matching centerpiece with fall leaves and vegetables that holds three candles.

Each bathroom has pumpkin spice scented soap and a candle. New hand towels would be a nice touch.
My home is feeling very cozy and festive. I am excited about the next few months. There will be football games to watch, world series baseball games to watch, wiener roasts, and fall festivals to attend.
Happy Fall Ya’ll!

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 16:30:00 +0000

Make a pot of potato soup for dinner. Potato soup is easy to make. It is a delicious and filling meal on these chilly fall nights. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Cooking time is at least 30 – 40 minutes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup finely chopped onion  
6 slices of bacon - diced
2.5  pounds potatoes - peeled and diced 
4-5 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cups non fat half and half or milk
1/2 cup corn (optional)

optional: 2 tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 cup of water or instant mashed potatoes for thickening soup.

Toppings: shredded cheese, ham chunks, bacon bits, chopped onion, chives, butter

Directions
Melt butter in a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bacon and sauté until lightly browned, or about 10 minutes. Peel and dice potatoes as onion and bacon are cooking. Add potatoes, broth, salt, pepper, and corn to pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally so potatoes will not stick to the bottom, for at least 30 minutes. Mash potatoes with potato masher for a smoother soup. Stir half and half into potato mixture; bring to a boil for a minute or two. Stir in cornstarch mixture or instant mashed potatoes to thicken if necessary.

Add toppings. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches for extra protein or with crackers, bread stick, or roll and a salad. Fresh fruit or jello for dessert.

This is an quick and easy soup to prepare and serve. The ingredients are inexpensive. There is a good chance that most of the ingredients will be in your pantry. Leftover soup should be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator and can be kept for three to four days. Reheat over low heat stirring occasionally.

Cubs and Cards at Busch Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 15:36:00 +0000

We had the best seats ever last Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis Busch Stadium for the Cubs/Cards game.

We had four seats behind the Cubs dugout at 3rd base. We were second row back. We could see everything. It was amazing to watch the players up close.

It was a beautiful day in St. Louis - hot and sunny with a few clouds. A thunderstorm blew in during the 7th inning and there was a rain delay for about 3 hours.

We met our friends and seat companions at Ballpark Village for an early beer and some appetizers before the game. Ballpark Village is the place to go before the game. Ballpark Village is the Cardinals answer to Wrigleyville. There are 3 floors surrounding an indoor center court containing a stage, restaurant, bars, and beer pong areas. There are several restaurants, bars, shops, and a museum of the Cardinals Hall of Fame surrounding the court. Tickets are available for purchase to watch the game from the rooftop at the Budweiser Brewhouse. You can also just sit in there and watch the game on via flat screen tv in cool comfort. On that day it was a sea of Cubby blue and Cardinal red. While we were there, we listened to music and watched a contest to see which fan could eat the most jalapeno peppers. It was very lively in there and an awesome start to our adventure!

Go Cubbies!!!

We found our seats and had a great time watching the game until the 7th inning storm sent us back inside the stadium. We waited for two hours for the game to resume. We had found several other people we knew and passed the time visiting and drinking more beer. People started to leave and we grew hungry so we decided to get some food. We left and had a nice meal at Hooters down the street. Our friends went home and we walked over to the Lumiere Casino as we had a room for the night. We gambled and had a few more drinks. It was fun but I wish I hadn’t lost so much money in those slot machines.

Can’t wait to do it again!

Sinus Remedies

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 16:02:00 +0000

Do you like the smell of fresh brewing coffee, baking bread, the top of your child's head? If you are missing these smells, you may have sinus congestion. Sinus problems can also interfere with your appetite and your memory.

Seasonal allergies. It is the time and the season. My nose runs, my head hurts, my throat is raw, and my ears are stopped up. I can’t hear what people are saying to me and they are confused by my replies. Food has no taste. I've got sinus congestion. Life has become a little colorless.

This year I had my allergies tested and I am very allergic to mold and dust and less allergic to certain weeds, trees, and corn pollen. No allergies to cats which is a good thing because I have two of them. I have just started allergy immunotherapy to decrease my sensitivity to these things. This consists of a series of shots. I get 2 shots a weeks for several months, one shot a week for a few more months and then one shot a month for maintenance. It is very inconvenient, as I have to go to the clinic twice a week for one injection per arm and wait for a half hour to be sure I do not have a serious reaction. It is very expensive. The serum for the shots must be prepared individually just for my own set of allergens. The serum costs around $1360 dollars for the first years supply but my insurance covered it. Each shot costs $32 and I have a $24 dollar co pay. It will take about 6 months before I will feel any relief. I’m hoping it will be worth the time and expense. I am desperate to feel better.

In the meantime, I am taking Zyrtec and Flonase. My doctor says I can use these medications twice a day when my allergies are really “acting up” as my mother says. They do make me sleepy. I am using a Neti pot twice a day. I have put allergy covers on my pillows and I change my furnace filter frequently. I dust and vacuum as often as I can.

My sinuses are not doing well this spring. They feel congested and inflamed but I do not have a fever so I do not think I have an infection. I won’t go to the doctor unless I have a fever or just cannot get any relief. Here are a couple of things I do to make them feel better.

Afrin Nasal Spray is the first thing I try. (Free coupon) It is a decongestant that shrinks the blood vessels in your nose and relieves congestion. You have to be careful to only use it twice a day for 3 days or it will backfire and cause the blood vessels to swell leaving your sinuses even more congested. It is addicting. You can use it on a one week cycle if needed. Oral decongestants and sinus medication make me feel sicker so I don’t use them.

Heat followed by rinsing helps immensely to drain and clear sinuses. I have a long sock filled with rice which I heat in the microwave and lay over the part of my face that hurts. A steam bath will work also. After 15-20 minutes of heat, I rinse my sinuses with my Neti pot. The Neti pot should be used twice a day to rinse out problematic sinuses regardless of whether you use heat. I experiment with the temperature of the water. Sometimes cool water is soothing and sometimes warm water feels better. Be sure to blow your nose gently – you do not want that stuff backing up into your ears or deeper into your sinuses. After rinsing my nose, I apply coconut oil or tea tree oil with a cotton swab to each nostril after the rinse. This keeps the nostrils from drying out and the antibacterial properties of the oil helps prevent infection.

Everyday, I massage my sinuses in the shower as I wash my face. Google “sinus massage” for instructions on how to perform facial sinus massage. I have a bottle of eucalyptus oil I sniff to help clear my sinuses but I have to say that tea tree oil opens them up the best for me although it doesn’t smell very good. It doesn’t bother me, but my husband hates it.

When your sinuses are clear and healthy, your sense of smell returns. Believe it or not, a good sense of smell activates the brain. Memory improves. Food tastes delicious! Life is good!

Let's Party!

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:52:00 +0000

Once again spring has come to the Midwest.

I love spring!

It was a long and dreary winter: cold, rainy, cloudy most of the time. Officially, we are almost a whole month into spring but it has not felt like it. The weather has been chilly and rainy but we are expecting sunshine and warmer weather for the next few days. More time to get outside!

Bulb plants are blooming. Trees are flowering and starting to turn green. The grass is thick and lush. Spring is very pretty this year. My backyard looks good and I haven’t even touched it yet.

Spring is very sensual and sexy. Visibly we have more color and pretty landscape to see. We can watch the birds nesting and bunnies and squirrels running around. We can smell the freshness of the earth and air outside. We can hear the birds going crazy nesting, fighting, and searching for food. We can taste the first fresh asparagus, lettuce, and mushrooms. Salads are so delicious right now. We can feel the warmth of the sunshine and the softness of the new grass and tulips.

Spring is all about nature. It is a feast of the senses. It also signals a time for new beginnings. The warm weather encourages us to eat lighter and move around more. We have more energy and actually feel like organizing and cleaning our homes and yards. We become more social as we see our neighbors outside more and start to attend baseball games and other outside activities.

There is always a dark side. Some people simply do not like spring. Allergies, hay fever, asthma, difficulty breathing, and sleep problems are a huge problem for a lot of people. Some people feel overwhelmed with spring cleaning and other chores and activities. My cats are shedding buckets of hair that I need to keep cleaning up.

Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’ (Robin Williams)

So, let’s be happy and enjoy spring.

John Mellencamp's Plain Spoken Tour

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 14:30:00 +0000

John Mellencamp. I have loved his music for over 35 years. I ran miles and miles listening to his Scarecrow album in the eighties in cassette form. Last night I saw him in person for the second time in one year. I was lucky enough to see him last May in St. Louis. Both concerts were simply epic!

Tickets for the concert sold out quickly the first day but we were lucky enough to get a set of 4 seats in the 7^throw. They were over $100 each but well worth it. He was so close! I wish I could have taken a picture or two. The ushers were Nazis about cameras. The girl sitting in front of me was very nearly asked to leave. I don’t think taking a picture would have been worth the risk of missing the concert.

It was a wild ride. Mellencamp is a musician who loves to perform and share his music. He is enthusiastic and energetic. He sings, dances, tells stories, and throws out guitar picks. He is one of those performers who show appreciation and love for their fans.

He looks good – fit and trim, handsome, attractive - dressed in a dark suit. It is hard to believe that he is 64 years old. His voice is still strong – a bit raspy perhaps from all that smoking.

Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash opened for him. She is a lovely person with a lovely voice and is the picture of down home country charm. After a brief intermission, John Mellencamp and his band came out on stage and played most of our favorites and some new stuff from the Plain Spoken Tour. He told several stories about his grandmother and where he was when he wrote “Jack and Diane. He talked about his children and growing old. It felt like we were hanging out with an old friend.

My husband was slightly disappointed that he did not see Christie Brinkley who is Mellencamp’s current girlfriend. Other than that, it was the perfect evening!

Purse Party

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 17:26:00 +0000

Purse Party!

It was called Power of the Purse and it was a fundraiser for Mercy Community. Mercy Community is an organization that provides housing and services for homeless mothers with children.

Basically the Power of the Purse was an online auction of purses ending with a lovely party of music, champagne, drinks, appetizers, gifts bags, door prizes, winning new purses, and fun with your friends.

Mercy Community had put purses up for auction on their website as they were received. Many of the purses were donated but the organization also bought some to round out their collection. Each purse had a starting price and a buy it now price. The auction was to end at 8 pm during the party. Tickets for the party sold for $50.00 and included a flute of champagne, goody bag, and heavy appetizers. There was a cash bar. There was also a table of items to be raffled off at the end of the party.

It was so much fun. The purses were gorgeous. There were all kinds and sizes, mostly designer, although some were beautifully handcrafted. For me, I could bid on the purses I like without feeling guilty about the amount of money I was spending because it was for a good cause. We enjoyed champagne and appetizers while discussing and bidding on purses and looking through our goody bags. We took home a pretty good haul of cosmetics and spa stuff.

I don’t know why but you just can’t have enough purses! Shoes are the same. A shoe party would be fun too.

It is a wonderful idea for a fundraiser! You are giving money to a good cause and getting something great for yourself at the same time while having a great time with your friends!

Visit the Mercy Community website if you would like to donate.

This is a very creative idea for a centerpiece!

Essential Oils

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:28:00 +0000

I recently found a large selection of essentials oils on sale at Walgreens. Some of them appealed to me so I bought eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender oils. I vaguely remembered that essential oils could help with relaxation and I have been under a great deal of stress lately. One of my friends had told me that she rubbed a little on her wrists and sniffed them occasionally when she needed to relax.

I wasn’t sure how to use them so I researched them. To be beneficial, the oils must enter the body through your skin, nose, or mouth. They should be used cautiously on children and animals. They should be diluted with unscented oils, milk, or honey.

For massage, dilute one drop of essential oil into sweet almond oil or other non-scented oil and rub into skin, sore muscles, or aching joints. For the bath, dilute 2-12 drops into 1 teaspoon of milk, honey, or oil. Make your own bath salts by combining 1 cup sea salt, 1 cup Epsom Salts, 2 tablespoons baking soda, and 15 drops of essential oil.

For inhalation. You can sniff the oil directly from the bottle or from drops on a cotton ball or handkerchief. Add 10 drops to a steam bath and cover your head and breathe steam for 5-10 minutes. Apply lavender oil to your pillowcase to induce sleep.

Drinking essential oils is not recommended. They are very concentrated and could be toxic. It is better to buy them in a commercial tea form.

Eucalyptus is good for sinus congestion. It dilates blood vessels which allows more oxygen to penetrate the lungs. I have used it with great success in steam baths for my nose and by sniffing it from the bottle. It also is supposed to stimulate mental activity. (Cure for mental fog perhaps?)

Peppermint oil has a cool and calming effect, improves mental focus, and boosts energy. Sniffing peppermint or chewing peppermint gum gives me a little boost when I am feeling sleepy or hangry (hungry/angry) in the afternoon.

Lavender oil is a relaxant, bug repellant, skin soother, and will induce sleep. I have used lavender bath salts for a long time and am now sniffing it from the bottle when I need to relax. It really helps. I recently read about the old fashioned practice of using a dream mask to help sleep and am looking for one or the instructions to make one. It is a small rectangular pillow made from herbs including lavender that you place over your eyes when you sleep. I really need some good dreams.

I’m not sure if Tea Tree OIl is considered an essential oil but I have been using it for several years. I have it in a cream and liquid soap and although it really works for me , the smell is not very appealing. My husband does not like the scent on me. Tea tree oil is good for any kind of skin infection or irritation. It also helps with sinus congestion. I discovered it last summer when I was having so many sinus problems. I swab a little tea tree oil in my nose after using my Neti pot before bed and it really seems to help me breathe better. I have also used it to clear stuffed up ears. I add a few drops to about ½ cup of hot water and bent my ear over the cup. The steam helped my ears drain.

I also bought some sweet almond oil to use as a conditioner for my hair and nails. I had been looking for it for quite some time.

I am not fond of drinking herbal teas. I do like a passionflower tea that my daughter-in law make from fresh passionflower leaves. It is delicious and helps with digestion. I also use a chamomile and peppermint tea mixture to rinse my hair once a week. It makes my hair very shiny.

I love these aromatic essential oils and will trying many more in the future.

Crazy for the Military Diet

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:43:00 +0000

Losing weight is a struggle. Two years ago, I lost 10 pounds on the Dash Diet. Then, I got bummed out about Christmas and decided that drinking beer and wine and eating chocolate was the way to get through it. I gained 15 pounds that winter and could not summon the willpower to lose any of it. My weight just kept creeping up and up.

This January, I really didn’t feel well at my current weight. My feet hurt. My back hurt. Then I had a birthday and I turned 59 and I felt like I didn’t have enough time to do the things I wanted to do with my life. The most important thing to me was to lose weight and get into shape It was a no brainer. I need to feel better to do the things I want to do.

I had a hurt foot which limited my exercise abilities. I started counting calories, drinking the required amount of water, and doing low impact aerobics in my bare feet. I went to the foot doctor and got a cortisone shot and special orthotics. I lost a few pounds during the week and gained them back every weekend when my husband I went out for dinner and/or drinks. It just wasn’t working.

In February, I discovered the Military Diet. I like it so much better than the Dash Diet. I eat a very Spartan diet for 3 days and have 4 days off. I can do it. You get ice cream in the evenings. Some days are harder than others but I can eat sparingly for 3 days knowing I can have whatever I want on the fourth day. I have lost 10 pounds although pound 9 and 10 are up and down so I should probably just claim to have lost 8. The good news is that the these eight pounds are staying off even after a 10 day vacation. I have continued doing my low impact aerobics, added a little yoga for relaxation and flexibility and some weight lifting for strength. Lately, I have been able to increase my routine by walking 10,000 steps 4-5 times a week. I am surprised how much lighter I feel after losing just 8 pounds even though I have a lot more to lose.

Currently, I am on a weight plateau which is very frustrating. I am being careful to drink my water and walk or exercise my 10,000 steps. My focus is on calorie counting and eating better on the 4 days off. The days off are my biggest problem, especially the weekend. I need to satisfy my food cravings in a low calorie increments and I need to be able to go out with my husband on weekends. I am researching and trying to figure out how to accomplish this.

The Military Diet is crazy but it works for me.

My Big Fat Wedding 2 Review

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:38:00 +0000

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a movie that I can watch over and over again. It is funny and romantic and loaded with unique and loveable characters. I watched the sequel last Friday at the movie theatre. Although I probably will not watch it again and again as I do the first movie, it was very enjoyable. I do think sequels are tricky.

The same characters from the first movie are back. It is somewhere around twenty years later. The Portokalos family is older and grayer and just as feisty. Windex is still the cure for everything. Ian and Toula have a teenage daughter named Paris who has become very rebellious in response to her overprotective family. Paris wants to go to college in New York and her parents want her to go to college in New York. Toula still works in their restaurant and has become the caretaker and problem solver for her parents. Toula has been so busy caring for Paris and her family and working that she has neglected her marriage to hunky John Corbett. When a huge surprise is revealed and another big fat wedding is planned, she starts thinking more about what she will do when Paris leaves for college and leaves them empty nesters.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is 1 hour and 34 minutes long. It was written by Nia Vardalos and directed by Kirk Jones. In criticism, I wish it had more of a story and better flow. I felt like I was just revisiting the characters instead of watching a story. I did enjoy the movie. It was funny and charming and made me laugh out loud several times. If you liked the first one, you will like this sequel.

Spring Training Arizona 2016

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 19:51:00 +0000

Spring training in Arizona 2016!

Sunshine, cold beer, baseball!

It doesn’t get much better than that, especially if you live in the Midwest where a spring like day in March can quickly turn into a blizzard that night.

My husband and I just returned from our 4^th trip. He is truly a die hard Cub fan and I enjoy a few games too. We saw three games this time all featuring the Cubbies. The excitement for the Cubs is at an all time frenzy. We are so excited! This will be our year!!!

There are 10 ball parks in the Cactus League in the Phoenix - Mesa area and 15 teams: Cubs, White Sox, Angels, Reds, Royals, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Rockies, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Padres, Texans, Mariners, and Athletics. We have been to Sloan Park, Camelback Ranch, Peoria Sports Complex, Maryvale Stadium, and Hohokam Stadium.

This season, we went to the Peoria Sports Complex, Sloan Park, and Camelback Ranch. Each ballpark has beautifully tended grass and gardens. Tailgating is allowed and encouraged in the parking lots at Sloan Parkand Peoria Sports Complex. Funny story: We were tailgating at Sloan Park before a late afternoon game. I sat on the open trunk of our rental car and the back bumper just fell off. It was a Toyota Yaris and it looked like the bumper should just snap back in but we couldn’t get it in position. I was feeling a little panicked but one of the other tailgaters came over and helped us fix it. The Yaris has to be one of the cheapest cars made. Thank goodness we didn’t have an accident because that car would not have been any protection.

There was a lot more traffic this year and we were told that the traffic gets heavier as the season progresses. We saw several wrecks.

Spring training games are much more relaxed than regular season ones. Everyone is really friendly and happy and ready to have a good time. No one cares if you move to a different seat. You get closer to the players and can even get autographs. You can watch the pitchers getting warmed up.

There is a huge variety of foods and drinks to try. There are cocktails and craft beers. Although we just have to have a hot dog and peanuts at every game, we did find frozen yogurt root beer floats at the Peoria Sports Complex and a Portillos at Sloan Park. Delicious! Camelback ran out of food as it was a sold out game and I guess everyone was hungry. No worries - there was plenty of ice cold beer.

We like to stay in the Tempearea around the college. We like the bars and restaurants on Mill Street. We usually can find a bar close to our hotel. We stayed at the Candlewood Suites on West Baseline Road. We had a mini kitchen and a large bath. It was clean and comfortable except the pillows were flat as a pancake. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. We could cook breakfast or walk to McDonalds or Waffle House. There was a very nice outdoor pool and hot tub which we used every night. We chose Final Round as our last watering hole for the evening. It was an interesting place. The owner was a bit of a grouch but the waitresses were very nice.

We hiked up the Hayden Butte and around Papago Parkfor exercise. The desert is so beautiful and all the trees and shrubs were blooming.

Casino Arizonawas disappointing. The bets on the slots cost twice as much as usual and you didn’t find that out until you started playing. It was definitely the devil’s playground as my younger son likes to describe casinos.

It was a good time. The sun shined every day. I cannot wait to go back.

Snakes and Liars

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:48:00 +0000

Snakes and Liars

Anyone want to play a game?

It is called Snakes and Liars. If you have a family who is fighting over an inheritance, you can play. The object of the game is to get your hands on that inheritance anyway you can.

Rules: There are no rules. Cheating and lying are allowed. Backstabbing will earn you more points and get you to your goal even faster.

Strategy: Screw them before they screw you using any mind games you can dream up.

The Winner: The winner is the person who causes the most emotional damage and walks away with the prized inheritance.

I am playing this game although I did not it until yesterday. My brother informed me that this family dilemma is all a game. My mother, who is not a nice person, has been clinging desperately to our inheritance which does not belong to her. She has been accused of miss mongering and stealing from it. She has been asked nicely to turn it over to my brother for further managing and has loudly and passionately refused.

It should be simple, right? The farm belongs to my 2 aunts, and my three siblings and me. It is reasonable that the aunts and 3 of us children no longer want my mother handling these affairs. We are all in agreement that my brother should take over. Why are we sneaking around behind each other backs, keeping secrets from each other, throwing each other under the bus? I don’t know why they are using these methods, but I do know that I absolutely hate it. An attorney has been engaged and a threatening letter is being sent to my mother today followed by a court order if she does not comply. Will that solve the problem? Probably not. She’ll fight it.

The problem for me is that I am still afraid of my mother and I am a little afraid of my brother. They are both verbally abusive people. I have been talking with my sister who has been slowly seducing me into this drama while holding back elusive information causing me to not really know what exactly is going on. I am a nice person who just wants everyone to be happy and get along. I don’t belong in this situation. I don’t know what to do or who to trust and I can’t remove myself. I am involved whether I want to be or not.

So, I have given my support to my aunts in removing my mother from the business because I feel she is not capable of running it and that it rightfully belongs to my brother. I do not trust my brother or my sister because I feel they are being deceitful and dishonest and possibly have other motives. For sure, they are using my aunts and me for their own advantages. Now, I wait for the next shoe to fall. There seems to be no honesty or honor in this family.

I have seen this happen to many families. A death and a little money bring out the worst in people. I wonder if there is a support group for the victims of greed.

Snakes and Liars. Everyone is going to get hurt. Watch for us on Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil.

The Revenant

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 16:15:00 +0000

This movie is different. For one thing, you really don’t see too many Westerns anymore. Secondly, it was a very satisfying, suspenseful tale of unfulfilled revenge and honor. There was plenty of action, blood, and history to keep you on the edge of your seat.

What does revenant mean? I had never heard this word before. A revenant is a person who has returned from the dead for revenge.

The Revenant movie was inspired by the adventures of Hugh Glass. Hugh Glass was a fur trapper/mountain man from the 1820s. It seems to be true that he was attacked by a bear, left for dead, and recovered enough to return to civilization to serve revenge to the men who had both deserted him and killed his son.

The Revenant is set in 1823 in Montana and South Dakota during the Louisiana Purchase. Hugh Glass guides an expedition of fur trappers to the frontier to gather beaver pelts to sell to the French. They are in direct competition with the native Americans who hate all white men but like the guns and horses they can get from trading with the French. The natives attack the trappers to steal the pelts. A small group of the trappers escape on a boat down the Missouri River. They decide to abandon the boat to avoid capture. While camping, one of the men, Hugh Glass, is brutally attacked by a bear. The rest of the group rescues him and tries to heal him while transporting him on a travois back to the fort. Glass seems to be on the verge of death and is slowing the hunting party down so they leave him behind with 2 men and his son with the idea that they will bury him if he dies or bring him back if he recovers. One of the men, John Fitzgerald, wants to leave him, and tries to strangle him but is interrupted by Glass’ son. He stabs the son as Glass watches and is too helpless to intervene. Glass is thrown into a grave and partially buried. Fitzgerald convinces the third man, Jim Bridger, that Glass is dead and the son wants to stay with him and that they should leave before the indians return. The next day, Hugh Glass crawls out of his grave and painstakingly begins his journey for revenge.

It was a long movie – 2 hours and 36 minutes and I liked it. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy were dirty and disheveled and very manly. It was suspenseful and interesting to watch DiCaprio overcome incredible obstacles just to survive while maintaining his code of ethics. Revenge is a powerful motivator. The best part of the movie was the scenery which was just beautiful. The stark, lonely, snowy mountains and forest and freezing rivers were breathtaking. It was the old west where men survived by their wits, strengths, and convictions.

Breakfast of Champions

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:56:00 +0000

This is what I had for breakfast today:

One scrambled egg made with 1 egg, 1 egg white, a chopped ham slice, and a splash of milk – cooked in a non-stick skillet sprayed with pam. (approximately 153 calories).

Ten fresh spinach leaves and 8 grape tomatoes. (approximately 31 calories)

Coffee with 3 packets of Equal sweetener and a splash of low fat milk.(approximately 30 calories)

This is a hearty and filling breakfast for about 214 calories. If I am really, really hungry, I will add an extra egg white which only raises the calorie count to 231 calories.

I like to eat this particular breakfast on Monday through Friday. Weekdays are the days when I work the hardest or am on the run and need some super fuel to keep me going. I like oatmeal on Saturdays and pancakes or French toast on Sundays. Eating the same thing for breakfast everyday gets too boring and can make you want a donut.

It is hard for me to cook and eat eggs first thing in the morning. I am not a morning person and do not feel like eating until noonish. I cook and eat them anyway and I feel better afterwards. I like getting in a few vegetables first thing in the morning too.

You can easy add more vegetables without changing the calorie count and you can make an omelet with the same amount of eggs for variety. Substituting Canadian bacon for ham doesn’t change the calorie count too much and tastes a little different. Other variations will usually cause the calorie count to increase: adding cheese, bacon, or sausage.

I discovered this breakfast when I was doing the DASH diet. I highly recommend the Dash Diet. I lost 10 pounds last year but I gained them back plus a few more. I am not the type of person who can do a restricted diet. I do stick to the bare bones of the diet and am healthy because of it. I’m trying to find some kind of compromise that I can live with, not feel deprived, and still lose weight. Am I dreaming? Maybe. Just not ready for that gastric bypass.

Easy Black Bean and Sausage Soup

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:21:00 +0000

This is a delicious and easy soup to prepare. It is very filling and satisfying to eat, especially on a cold day. It a very healthy soup. You can make it even healthier: 1. substituting turkey sausage and draining the fat, 2. rinsing the beans in water to remove the salt, 3. using reduced salt broth, and 4. adding shredded vegetables such as spinach, carrots, peppers, corn, or onion. It can be simmered all day on the stovetop as long as you have enough water and stir it occasionally.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 lbs. hot ground sausage
3 - 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and/or rinsed
2-3 medium potatoes, pared and cubed
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 1/2 garlic powder
4 beef bouillon cubes
4 cups water
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water.

Spread vegetable oil in a heavy dutch oven. Brown sausage over medium heat, crumbling meat into fine pieces as it cooks. Drain grease and rinse meat in a colander if desired and place back in the pan. Add beans, potatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, and broth and simmer for at least 2 hours. Maintain a level of water of about an inch above the meat and vegetables. Just before serving, mix 1 tbsp. cornstarch in 1/2 cup cold water. Bring soup to a boil and slowly add in the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until soup thickens. Serve or reduce heat to warm or low setting to hold.

This soup tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.

January Blues

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:17:00 +0000

I'm on my fourth cup of coffee this morning and I just can’t get moving. I hate mornings.Winter mornings are the worst. It is cold, cloudy, and snowy outside. Very depressing.

There is nothing to look forward to today. I have to diet, exercise, clean the house, and put away the rest of the Christmas decorations today. I have been avoiding these things for over a week now and I really need to get to work. All the dust in the house is hurting my head and making me sneeze and if I don’t get in better shape soon, I will not enjoy my vacation to Arizona in March.

I am still upset about the spat I had with my husband yesterday. Weekends have become difficult for us lately. We are always getting in each other’s way. He is cheerful and wants to converse as soon as he jumps out of bed. I need a couple of cups of coffee before I can talk. He has been learning to cook breakfast on Sunday morning because I cannot function enough to cook first thing in the morning and we are tired of going out. He is really proficient in making waffles, pancakes, and bacon but cooking eggs has been frustrating him. He was very disappointed with the way his breakfast turned out. His fried eggs were a total failure but I thought everything else was delicious. Then I saw the kitchen! It was a disaster! There was pancake batter everywhere and the skillets were ruined! His finger prints were all over the place. I foolishly complained about what a slob he was and he got very angry. It put him in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

Marriage is a difficult balance. Should you be honest or should you tell little white lies to keep things running smooth? It is a judgement call and sometimes you make the wrong decision.

Let’s look for the good things:

I will feel really good if I can start living healthier. I just need to make better choices and think about what I am doing. I need to find foods and activities that I can enjoy and that are good for me. That will be a bit of a challenge.

I have the freedom to sit on the couch all day or I can clean the house when I feel like it. I will see how I feel after I have exercised today. Maybe I will be energized. Maybe I will take a lot of little breaks.

Maybe the old ball and chain will be in a better mood today. He is usually a cheerful person but it is Monday so I don’t know how his day will go.

I’m going to keep telling myself: “Life is good.” It could be much, much worse.

Easy Pulled Pork Crock Pot Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 20:02:00 +0000

Today I am sharing a recipe for pulled pork. It is easy to make and very moist and delicious to eat. The leftovers taste even better. You might want to double or triple the recipe.

Ingredients:
Pork shoulder roast (2 Pounds)
Garlic powder (1 tbsp)
Onion power (1 tbsp.)
Brown Sugar (2-3 tbsp.)
Chicken broth (1 - 12oz can)

Place pork in crockpot. Sprinkled generously with garlic and onion powder and brown sugar. Pour chicken broth around meat. Cook on high for 1-2 hours, then then low for at least 6 hours. Remove from crockpot and shred.

We ate our pulled pork last night with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and sides of steamed green beans, corn on the cob, and roasted peppers and onions. washed down with frosty glasses of lemonade. It was an awesome summer meal! Tonight we will have pork sliders topped with pickles and onions, salad, and chips. Tomorrow I will fry the leftover meat in a greased skillet just until the ends are crispy and serve on tortillas. We will add salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes and sides of refried beans.

Magic Mike XXL Review

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:59:00 +0000

Have you seen Magic Mike XXL?

I watched it last night with three of my girlfriends. We enjoyed it but I was a little disappointed. The original Magic Mike was much better. I missed Matthew McConaughey. I need to watch that movie again!

Anyway, Mike Lane’s life has gone sour since he retired from stripping. He joins his old stripper friends who are on their way to Myrtle Beach for a stripper convention. Road trip!!!

The trip to Myrtle Beach was silly. Quite frankly, it was pretty boring and painful to watch. The guys were trying to help each other find each one’s own true authentic self in order to find happiness. It was good theme but it could have been more entertaining. This part was a little too long and very awkward. It should have been funny and sexy with more action. That’s what we wanted to see.

There was an odd stop at a brothel owned by Jada Pinkett Smith that catered to African American women. That was pretty sexy and I loved how women of all shapes and sizes were included.

The best part was the Stripper Convention. It was super sexy and passionate. Hot! It was just what we wanted. So hot! The dancing was exciting and provocative.

My friends and I decided that we like the movie and we all want to go to a Stripper Convention. Is there such a thing? I hope so. I’m putting it on my bucket list.

Girls Night Out

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 20:10:00 +0000

It sounds like a fun, sexy night but in reality it is just five old married or divorced women getting together to talk, drink and have some fun without their husbands and boyfriends around.

Every couple of weeks we meet at someone’s house or at a restaurant to talk, eat, and drink. We talk about hot flashes and our families and jobs. Sometimes we cry but mostly we laugh our asses off, especially after a few drinks.

Last week I hosted a taco salad night for the five of us. I sent my husband and visiting adult son off to get haircuts and then to visit their favorite restaurant. I served lettuce, taco meat, fajita chicken, and shredded cheese. The chicken was John Soules Fajita Chicken from the freezer department of Wal-Mart which was simply heated in a skillet for 5 minutes – so easy! I browned a few pounds of hamburger earlier in the day, added taco seasoning and water. I simmered it in the Crockpot all afternoon. I set out festive red plates and green napkins. The girls brought tomatoes, onions, chips and salsa. Someone brought cupcakes for dessert. We had a variety of beer and wine. Delicious!

We got a little crazy with the cupcakes. There were eight of them and they were giant sized. There were 4 different flavors. How were we going to divide them between 5 people so we could try each flavor? Well, we cut the first four into 5 pieces and shared and saved the others to take home. We each got a small bite of each flavor. I don’t know about you but I would rather have had a whole cupcake and I am talking about the chocolate fudge one.

We seem to be talking a lot about our aging parents and problematic adult children lately. We discuss

and try to figure what to do with these needy people. We all have them and we are happy to have them but they are very tricky to care for.

This week we got off topic on why does your urine smell bad after you eat asparagus. We looked it up on the internet but couldn’t find a satisfactory answer. Somehow this led to a discussion about airing out your privates. We all decreed that you should not sleep in your underwear! We laughed so much that night! Everyone had a really good time.

Laughing is good for you. Life is stressful and laughing makes you feel better. It causes your body to take in more oxygen which stimulates your all your vital organs. It relaxes your muscles. Frequent laughter can improve your mood and reduce pain. We really need to find more things to laugh about. Laughter is truly the best medicine, especially when shared with your friends!

I can’t wait to do it again.

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:45:00 +0000

Last summer we moved into a new duplex. We wanted to simplify our life by moving closer into town and buying a new home requiring less work. We love it! It is actually bigger than our old home but the yard is much smaller. We are closer to shopping and work. We no longer have to take care of a big yard and swimming pool.

I miss my old neighborhood and the small town adjacent to it. It was roomier and quieter. There were great places to walk and a lot less traffic. I especially miss the library. It was the best library in the world. I can still use it but take some time to drive there.

I thought a new home would be less work but it is a lot of work setting it up. We moved 33 years of stuff. While we were selling our house, we had moved most of our stuff into storage to stage the house. It worked. We sold our house the first weekend. We discovered we liked the decluttered look so we put everything in a storage space in the new house’s basement except the basic furniture. Most of the stuff is staying in the basement, which means we really don’t need all that stuff. I am still

sorting it out.

Deciding where to hang the pictures was really difficult. It was so hard to hammer a nail into those nice fresh clean walls. We still have a lot of stuff to hang but we are still thinking about it.

The hardest thing has been decorating for the holidays. Everything is different and I need a lot less decorations.

I love the space in front of my front door and window. It has taken me a while but I have it just the way I like it. The brick of our house is cream with a pinkish tint so I have learned to stick with cream, pinks, purples, and dark reds. I bought a daisy bench from Lowes which was yellow. It looked horrible out there. I spray painted it cream and it looks fantastic!

For fall, I replaced my summer flowers with purple and white mums and added one pumpkin and a couple of standing scarecrows. I made a wreath for the door by wrapping a fall leaf garland around a large grapevine wreath. I placed bunches of cinnamon sticks all round it and tied them on with pretty fall ribbon in little bows. It smells so good! Simple, festive, and easy to do! Good from early fall through Thanksgiving!

Simplify! I like it!

Alzheimer's Association Walk

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 14:46:00 +0000

Tomorrow morning, September 21st is the Alzheimer's Association walk in the Springfield area. It's purpose is to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease for patient care, support, and research.

My father died from this disease and it is a truly devastating disease. He was a sweet, brilliant man who lost all control of his brain functioning bit by bit until he was not able to feed himself or even get out of bed. It was most heartbreaking when he got to the point where he could not even recognize us.

Any one of us could get Alzheimer's. It develops slowly so you might not even know you have it. it cause the deterioration of healthy brain tissue. This leads to a decline in brain function which causes difficulty in functioning in day to day living. There are drugs and therapy which can help prolong functioning but research is needed to find out about the causes, prevention, and possible cure.

I will be walking with other people who care about ending Alzheimer's and wish to help raise the necessary funding to do so. Please join me or donate a few dollars to the Alzheimer's Association.

Lucky Bird Poop

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 14:13:00 +0000

Yesterday a bird pooped on me. I was riding my bike out on a trail when it happened so I couldn’t even wash it off. Then I thought, oh I think I heard that it is good luck for a bird to poop on you.

Not true! My day continued to go down hill after that. I read my horoscope and it was not a good one. The computer program I was using would not work. I turned on the oven to make lunch and smoke filled the house. The last time I baked, tomato sauce had spilled over and was now burning off the oven bottom creating a huge stink as well as smoke.

The mail delivery did not bring me a check I was expecting. It did bring a much anticipated new purse. It was wrapped tightly in a box and when I pulled it out it, I created a 2 ½ inch scuff. I was so disappointed!

The afternoon brought news that our friend who was fighting pancreatic cancer did not have a successful surgery. He had a bowel obstruction that could not be repaired and was given a feeding tube.

I got in my car to go pick up a few groceries but it wouldn’t start. I called our mechanic and he said it sounded like the battery and he could stop by on the way home and try to jump it. He arrived at 5:30, tried to start it, and said it was the starter. He hit something under the hood with a hammer and we got it started. He said I needed to take it to his shop because it might not start again but he had to go home. I left it running in my garage while I called every one on my contact list to get a ride back home. No one answered their phones. My husband was at a bank function where you cannot use your phone and it was the commute from work/ dinner hour so no one else was available I guess. I decided to drive it over to the shop and take a taxi home and that worked just fine.

After a dinner of scrambled eggs and toast, my oldest son called and told me his apartment had been robbed this afternoon and all his computers were stolen. He makes his living from working on his computer so this is truly bad news. He called the police and the pawn shops will be watching someone trying to sell his computers. However, he wants to come to live for awhile. Not sure if this is a good thing or bad but what can you do?

I had a mostly sleepless night last night – upset stomach and nightmares.

Although today is a little depressing; it is cool and rainy outside and I am really tired; I am feeling a little more hopeful. It could be the xanax I took at 5am this morning to get back to sleep but I think I overlooked all the good things that happened yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny day, I had time to take an enjoyable bike ride out in the country, I received a lovely anniversary card from my mother, I have a really nice, talented mechanic, today is my 33^rdwedding anniversary, I am healthy, it is a whole new day and I have a whole new attitude.

May we all have a happy and peaceful day today!

Fat and Middle Aged

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 21:37:00 +0000

Well I just found out that I am obese. I thought I looked OK.

I had my 6 month check up on Monday morning. I have high blood pressure and have to see my doctor every 6 months. I am on several medications for high blood pressure and I watch my salt intake. We were hoping it would start to go down but my blood pressure is high and I am gaining weight. Can you believe it? I ride my bike for an hour 5 times a week. I watch what I eat. I don’t understand how I can be gaining weight.

My doctor is checking my thyroid to see if it is functioning correctly. My exercising is good. He says that maybe I am not aware that I am eating too many calories. Since I do not want to go on a diet or join Weight Watchers, he has advised me to see a dietician who will analyze my current food choices and recommend the changes I need to lose weight. He also said that due to my history of high blood pressure, I might be eligible for lap band or gastric bypass surgery. I will be researching those surgeries in the days to come.

I am waiting to hear the results of my thyroid test before I call the dietician. I am pretty sure she will have me start with a food diary. Yuck!

Monday afternoon I joined the YMCA. They were having a week long special where the yearly fee was waived if you signed up. Plus, you can quit with 2 weeks notice. Perfect! I was thinking that I needed a place to work out when the weather starts getting bad this fall and winter. I have been twice and I love it. I am learning to use the weight machines which will help me build muscle and protect my decaying bones. I can ride their bikes while watching TV and/or listening to my Ipod. I also have access to the pool and pool exercises and group floor exercises too. I am thinking the yoga classes will help me relax a little. I’m hoping to get a little more socializing too. It’s all good!

More exercise and relaxation will help but I still need to lose a few pounds.

Now I need to get my couch potato husband to join me.

Hollywood Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (julie's journal) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 16:43:00 +0000

We went to Hollywood yesterday! The Hollywood Casino in St. Louisthat is! It was Harrah’s Casino until last November when it was purchased by Penn National Gambling, Inc. and renamed Hollywood Casino. We go there whenever we are in town. We enjoy a little gambling. It's fun!

Anyway, we were not in town but Hollywood offers free bus trips to the casino from several cities in the area. It is a very relaxing day if you are careful not to lose too much money! Springfield schedules trips to the Hollywood on Sunday and Wednesday mornings and Saturday evening. Free! You pay nothing for the ride. All you need is a Hollywood Marquee Rewards card.

We took the Sunday morning trip. It was our second time. The bus leaves the Capitol City parking lot at 8:50 and returns at 5PM. It is a perfect time to sit back and relax, drink some coffee, chat, or read the paper. The bus is large and comfy and there is even a restroom stall at the back of the bus. It stops in Litchfield, IL and Livingston Park on the way.

We had the Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Eat Up Buffet. It is all you can eat plus champagne for $19.99 per person. There is a breakfast section, salad section, carved meat and side section, Chinese section, and a dessert section. Delicious!!! If you gamble enough there you can win rewards to apply towards the cost of the meal. There are other restaurants for lunching but some are closed for construction.

Right now the Hollywood is undergoing a lot of construction so some of the restaurants are closed and the layout of the casino changes daily. The hotel part does not seem to be changing. We have stayed in the hotel a few times and it is very nice although it could probably use some updating. You can easily win free weekday nights by gambling. Be sure to use your Marquee Rewards cards to earn freebies.

After brunch we played blackjack, roulette, and slots. My favorite is the Wheel of Fortune game. I lost $50 dollars but I played for 3 hours. It was fun. I am not a big gambler and I am not a very good gambler. I set a budget and I stick to it, However, if I am having a really good time I will get carried away and spend a little more. Sometimes I win but usually I just break even.

Riding the bus back is very relaxing. You can have a few drinks at the casino and not worry about having to drive home. You can read a book or even take nap.

I highly recommend it! Takes your mind off all your problems as long as you are careful not to overspend so just take a good book, travel pillow, and as only much money as you want to spend!