I was supposed to go to my mother's Friday evening, but the weather did not cooperate. Where she lives everything closed early due to snow, sleet and icy streets. After, I was home and settled, I called her and she said that the temperature had risen and it was just raining. It was still a good thing that I didn't tackle it. It rained steady all evening and into the night. I didn't need those kind of travel conditions with my foot.

On the way home, I stopped by the Fresh Market to get some chicken salad. I ended up spending almost $45. I got chicken salad, fuji apples, granola, banana chips, gourmet snack blend and a couple of magazines. I think I am going to start making my own gourmet snack blend. All that's in it is pecans, cashews, pistachios, dried cherries and dried cherries. I think I'll get the premium mixed nuts and the dried berry mix and mix them together. I'm not too crazy about pistachios, but I'll eat them in snack mix.

Since the roads are still soaked and I didn't have anything planned, I decided to lay around and watch TV or whatever. I've been bored since noon. My mother called. She was bored. I guess I'll call BFF MAB and see if she' bored.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to do some housecleaning and then head to Publix and the bookstore. Maybe my spending at Publix will be better than the Fresh Market.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the weekend. If you live in an area that was hit by the snowstorm, please be extremely careful.

I finally got some sort of bath. I stood in the shower, soaped up, and rinsed by dipping a cup in a pan of water. With the small stream of water, I was able to fill up a dutch oven and a couple of pans with water. At least I was sort of clean. And, of all days. My team leader was in town. She is very nice. She treated Queenie and I to lunch at Brio's. YUM!

The water is back on and everything is back to normal...for now. I just hope that I have water in the morning.

My duties and responsibilities are increasing at work, which is a good thing. I like to be busy (but not too busy). I was supposed to have my review at the beginning of December. I still haven't had it yet. When I emailed my team leader, she never responded. Today, I came up with a plan. I am going to outline everything (and I mean everything) that I did last year. Then I am going to email it to her. If she doesn't respond, I'll go to the department head. I hate to do that, but I need to take up for myself. I can't get my annual salary increase until I have my review. I hope it won't come to that.

I hope everyone has a good Thursday.

Last night when I got home, our building had no water. A couple of hours later it was back on. I got up this morning at 5:15. When I turned on the shower, NO WATER. There was enough of a trickle in the kitchen for me to fill a few pans with water for some kind of bath. I got enough out of the bathroom sink to wash my face. I'm going to do everything else except put on my clothes. I'm hoping that the water will come on in time for me to take a quick shower. I feel so yucky. I have to have my morning shower. We'll see. I may have to be late for work.

I hope everyone's Wednesday starts out better than mine.

Queenie was back today. She got on my nerves talking to herself in a loud voice. She finally quieted down. She loved the purple cardigan that I bought her for Christmas. She was busy most of the morning, but when things calmed down, we had several little chats. Since the other department on our floor left, we now have the kitchen to ourselves. We were all able to have a nice relaxing lunch with no one to bother us.

Our team leader will be in town tomorrow. I would love to be able to wear one of my new dresses that I bought at the Brooks Brothers outlet, but I don't think it will look very good with my Nike's. I think I will wear a pair of navy chinos and a Brooks Brothers light blue twin set...with pearls, of course.

I hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

Propping up my foot along with drinking lemon water has really helped my foot and leg. The swelling is almost gone. My calf is back to normal and my foot is wrinkled like a raisin. I have been real good about continuing my exercises and walking. I seem to be getting better every day. I never realized that a broken foot would disrupt my life like it has. A word of advice to everyone: Be careful and don't let this happen to you.

It has been raining continuously for over 8 hours. My mother said that her yard had water standing, but not near as bad as her neighbors' yards. Right now, I'm watching Legally Blonde on ABC Family. After it goes off, My Big Fat Greek Wedding comes on. What better movies to watch on a rainy day?

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the weekend.

My mother left this morning going back the her house. I didn't cry, I squalled. I've been at her house since October 21. We've gotten so used to each other being there every day. We are really going to miss each other. I drove with her until she was on the part of the interstate so that she wouldn't have any confusion until she got to where she needed to exit. Luckily there wasn't much traffic. After I got her on the road, I went to the Publix for a few groceries and then to Edgar's Bakery for chicken salad, fruit and quiche. Now I am laying on the sofa with my foot propped up.


My first two days at work went fine. I wasn't very busy, which was good. When I got to work on Thursday, there was a vase of white and pink roses. They were from Queenie. She can be a pill, but she's got a heart as big as Texas. When I was at Publix, I bought her some Ghiradelli chocolate. She's loves chocolate better than anything. I'm going to put it in the bag with her Christmas present. Since she has been covering for me since October, I spent a little bit more on her Christmas present than I would have normally. I bought her a Lands End monogrammed purple cardigan. Purple is her favorite color, so she should like it. I hope it fits okay. She's close to the same size as my mother, so I ordered her the size that my mother usually gets. Everything that my mother ordered this year has been a little bit big.

Sitting in a car for a long time on Tuesday and Wednesday, plus sitting at a desk Thursday and Friday has caused my right foot and leg to swell. I decided that I'm going to lay around with my foot propped up on two pillows and drink lemon water. Maybe that will help the swelling. Even though my foot is swollen, I seem to be walking better.

I hope everyone enjoys the day.

I am back home. My mother is going to stay with me until Saturday to make sure that I can manage on my own. So far, so good. I'm going to be very, very careful.

Today is my first day back at work after three months. And, it's pouring down rain. YUCK! Queenie won't be there, so I won't have to hear her complain all day about what all she's had to do.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Cell Phone Advice Please

I am in need of a new cell phone. Right now, I have a RAZR. Yes, I know it is outdated. I can't make up my mind with what I want to get to replace it. I have Verizon and am very happy with my service. I'm leaning towards the Razzle. Does anyone have this phone or know anything about it? The only thing that I use a cell phone for is to make phone calls, check the time, and contact lists. With this phone, I will probably use the notepad and the calendar. I really don't need the MP3 player, but you never know. I've also thought about getting a smartphone, just in case I decide in a few months that is what I need. I thought about the Samsung Saga.

What kind of cell phone would you recommend?

Not much going on with me. I've been going to physical therapy and just hanging out. I've been driving some, but not much. I couldn't get over how easy it was to drive after 3 months of not driving.

Last night and tonight we went to eat at a local restaurant. I did real good getting in and out. It is good to get out after the "arctic blast" that we had last week.

Some of the backwaters of the Tennessee River is still frozen. You'd think that with the warm weather that we had yesterday and today it would be thawed.

I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Today at physical therapy, I was able to walk some without my crutches. On the way home, we stopped at the old WalMart parking lot and I drove around it three times. Then I drove to the cemetery for my mother to get the Christmas flowers off of my father's grave. Then I drove to the accountant's office, the post office and home. I was more afraid of being able to steer the car that operating the gas and brake with my right foot.

My doctor has released me to go back to work next Thursday. I emailed my coworkers to let them know. Queenie did not respond. I don't know if she was out sick, mad or didn't feel like my email needed a response. I haven't heard from my team leader since the first part of November. I don't know if she is upset about me being out or just doesn't feel like she needs to respond. Oh well. It won't effect the way I sleep tonight.

I've made it three days on my "lifestyle change". It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be. I need to keep this up for several months. I have a long way to go. BFF MAB has started her "lifestyle change" also. She is a little more disciplined than I am.

I hope everyone has a good Thursday. We all need to keep the residents of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers.

I had a make-up session of physical therapy today. The office was closed Friday due to icy roads. I was able to walk a little bit without my crutch. I still have a limp. The physical therapist is trying to get me to walk regular, but I've been limping so long that I can't break the habit.

After therapy, my mother and I went to eat lunch at a restaurant that sits on the banks of the backwaters of the Tennessee River. The backwaters are still a solid sheet of ice. After lunch, we went to WalMart. We pulled into the parking lot at 1:55 and returned to the car at 3:19. We didn't buy that much. We just kept running into people that we know. We stocked up on healthy foods. Since I got home, I've been trying to rest my foot. It is tired.

It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow. I get to go to the old WalMart parking lot and try to drive. I haven't driven since October 19. I hope that I can drive.

I hope everyone has a good Wednesday.

Today must not be my day. First, while at PT, I made my makeup appointment for tomorrow. (They were closed Friday due to the icy roads). I also made my appointments for next week. When I was on the way home, I checked the schedule that they gave me and tomorrow was not on there. I called and it was corrected. Next, we went to McDonald's drive thru for lunch. As we were leaving the parking lot, I noticed that they gave me regular Dr. Pepper instead of Diet Dr. Pepper. We parked and my mother went in to exchange it. As soon as she gets out, I notice that they left part of my order out. I yelled for her, but she was already in the building. So, I grabbed my crutches, locked the car and hobbled into the building. I politely let them know that they left out part of my order. Without question, they gave me the remainder of my order. On the way home, we went to the bank so that I could get a check cashed. My mother told the teller that I wanted tens, fives and five ones. What did she give me? Twenties, one ten, two fives and five ones. This isn't the first time that they've done that. I give up with the bank. A few minutes ago, the postman ran. I thought I was being good for remembering that I can get the mail. When I got the mail out of the mail box, I pulled it off of the wall. I was able to fix it back, but in the meantime, some of the magazine subscription cards fell out of a magazine. I had a hard time bending over to pick them up. I hate those cards. I'm afraid to do anything else today for fear it will be screwed up. Oh well, I haven't had one of these days in a while.

I started my diet today...or rather my "lifestyle changes". I had oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast. For lunch, I had a McDonald's cheeseburger and apple slices for lunch. Now, I am drinking a cup of Twining's Christmas Tea. It is almost like a snack to me. I expect to do better tomorrow. I'll be glad when I am getting around better so that I can exercise. That will be my challenge.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of their day. I hope mine gets better. At least the temperatures have warmed some. It got above freezing here for the first time this year. Thank goodness!

Yesterday and today has been spent indoors. I did not get to go to physical therapy yesterday because the offices were closed. Most of the staff drives in from Huntsville or from off of the mountain, and you couldn't get here from those places. The next county over is under a state of emergency. Almost all of the roads are covered with a solid sheet of ice. Since it is a rural county, they don't have the equipment to take care of the ice. There have been some fools who think that they can drive on the ice without a 4-wheel drive. They found out the hard way that they can't. Our town is flat, so it is not so tricky getting around. Today, even though it is only 25 degrees outside, the sun is shining and has managed to melt some of the ice and snow. Let's just hope that it doesn't freeze back. We have plans to go out to eat tonight. I hope that we can. If not, I guess we'll eat canned soup.

It is fairly cool in the house. We can't get the temperature regulated. 72 is too warm and 70 is too cold. My mother lives in an older house with high ceilings (19th century air-conditioning) and hardwood floors. The wool rugs help some. I just bundle up in Cuddle Duds and sweats. I have a quilt and blanket to cover up with when I get a chill.

Since I've been staying inside, I have been walking around in the house with only one crutch. I am getting around better. I have six more PT sessions. The physical therapist said that I should be walking without crutches by the time that I'm finished. I forgot to mention that I have been able to stand up in the shower. For the past three nights I have been able to take a real shower and shampoo my hair. My mother does not have a walk-in shower. I've been taking sponge baths and shampooing my hair in the sink. I complained to a friend that I may not be very clean, but at least I make the effort. She said that was how people used to bathe before indoor plumbing.

When I go back to work, I'm going to have to learn how to get ready for work. I have been dressing in sweats and turtlenecks since October 20. I'm going to have to start learning how to coordinate all of my outfits with my lovely yellow and silver Nike's that I will be wearing for awhile. I have several new dresses that I bought at Brooks Brothers outlets. I guess I'll have to save them for next year. I've only worn makeup one time since October. I hope I can remember how to apply it.

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend. I hope everyone survives this "Artic Blast". I think it will be warmer on Monday.

It is snowing here. The schools are closed. Some of the roads are getting bad. This area of the state has a lot of mountains and lakes which means winding roads and bridges. My mother and I went to McDonald's to get hotcakes this morning. The snow was beginning to pack on the streets. My sister's school closed at 9:15. Why did they bother to even open? I guess after they got there, the roads started to get bad.

My sister had to stop on her way home and stock up on Diet Dr. Pepper. She's like me. While others are buying milk and bread, we are buying diet soft drinks. Can't get snowed in without them. I am a true southerner. I drink iced tea in a blizzard. As soon as I got up this morning, I hobbled into the kitchen and made a pitcher of tea. I may make another one.

If it is snowing in your area, stay safe and warm. Make sure you have plenty of good food, soft drinks and iced tea.

I had a fairly busy day. For me, it was busy. My mother and I went to lunch. We saw people that we have not seen in a long time. Afterwards, we went to the grocery store. I was able to walk around and pick out what I wanted to buy. By the time that we got to the check out, I was beginning to get a little tired. We left the grocery store and went to the post office, drug store, meat market and the bank. I sat in the car at these places. I think that I got plenty of exercise today. Tomorrow we are going to try to go to Walmart. Maybe I can make it there.

We are trying to get ready for the bad weather that we are supposed to have on Thursday. I hope it doesn't get as bad as they say. They are predicting freezing rain and snow which makes for travel problems.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the day.

I had another good day at physical therapy. The people that worked there were bragging about how well I'm doing. I'm starting to see people that I know at therapy. It is getting a little easier for me to walk around with just one crutch. Maybe by the weekend, it will be easy to just use one crutch.

I know it is probably cold where you are, but it is unusual for it to be so cold down here in Alabama. Tomorrow is the only day that it will be over 30 degrees here for the next week. They are predicting 3" of snow for Thursday. I know that's not much for all of y'all up North, but we don't have snow plows down here. Also, we don't just get snow, we get a layer of ice underneath. We are going to prepare for it. Maybe it won't happen.

I was going to start watching what I eat today, but I've been bad. For lunch, I had two hot dogs and some mini Reese's cup. Maybe tomorrow.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of their day. Stay warm.

Even though it only got up to 30 degrees here today, my mother got me out to go to lunch. After a delicious lunch at McDonald's, we cruised the cemetery. The McDonald's here opened back up last week after being closed for about 2-3 months to rebuild the building. I think everyone, including myself, has been having withdrawals. Both drive-thru lanes have been lined up for two weeks. One night, they had the police there directing traffic. I never realized that McDonald's was that popular. Go figure.

My brother-in-law is cooking dinner for us tonight. He is a fantastic cook, so I know we will enjoy it. I may need some assistance getting into their house. They don't have railings on their porch and steps.

It is so cold here and not supposed to warm up for over a week. The high next week is going to be around 32 and the lows will be in the teens. I know those of you up north are used to this, but it is unusual for us to have so many cold days in a row. At least I don't have to go to work. I do, however, have to go to physical therapy 3 days next week, plus I plan to ride to Huntsville with my mother on Thursday. She has a doctor's appointment. I have decided to wait for her in the car. We are going to take some blankets for me to wrap up in to stay warm. We may go to lunch and do a little shopping while we are there.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the day. Try to stay warm.

I did just what I said I was going to do today. I got up, watched the London New Year's Day parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Outback Bowl (Auburn vs. Northwestern). After a nerve racking overtime, Auburn finally won 38-35.

Now that this is a new year, I would like to lose some weight. I don't know how much weight I have gained while not being very mobile. My mother feeds me like I'm in elementary school. On the days that she works I eat Pop Tarts, PB&J sandwiches, Oreos, etc. We've eaten a lot of fast foods this past few weeks. There was a couple of weeks that neither of us had much of an appetite. We made up for it as soon as it came back. I think I may talk to my mother, since she is the one that goes to the grocery store, and come up with a healthy eating plan. It wouldn't hurt for both of us to follow it. I can't exercise much, but I plan to be more active. My goal this weekend was to walk a lot, but I have a cold that has worn me down.

I have been thinking about getting my old blog, Slimmed Down Preppies, started again. What do y'all think?

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the day.