Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South. This week in honor of the eclipse, we want to bring you something special. Something that is so out of this world that mom had to make pre-arrangements last week so she could partake in this glory. Pre-arrangements as in she walked extra – snorts with piggy laughter. And I don’t blame her because this was well worth the extra calories.
We’ve all heard of Krispy Kreme. It’s a doughnut chain that makes awesome doughnuts of every kind imaginable. And when the HOT doughnut sign is on, it means they have hot glazed doughnuts coming off of the conveyor. Hot glazed doughnuts that will melt in your mouth from being so fabulous. Okay give me a second – I need a moment.
Okay I’m good. With the eclipse coming this week, just for last weekend their regular glaze went chocolate. Can you imagine hot doughnuts going through a waterfall of fabulously hot chocolate? Trust me. It sounds much better than what it looks. But you can see from the pictures what I’m talking about.
Now do you see the hot chocolate glazed doughnuts in the box? Yes trust me on this. Mom/dad said they tasted so much better than what they look in the box – ha! Their thoughts about the first time chocolate eclipse doughnuts? They come off the conveyor hot. They are great but messy. I mean messy. Mom told daddy that she thought she was going to have to hose him down before he got into the Jeep. That kind of messy. But good. And mom said she preferred them once they went cold. They weren’t as messy then – which she loved. Either way, it was a once in a lifetime treat all the way around. And yeah, mom/dad didn’t forget about me. They brought me one of my favorites – an apple fritter. Now *that’s* what I’m talking about!
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Sunday, May 7, 2017 – The good thing about challenging myself to a perfect month is committing to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. Once upon a time, it sounded so foreign to me to want to do this. These days, it’s normal talk. Funny how things change like that. Miles Moved: 1.47
Monday, May 8, 2017 – The best things about Monday is the start of a new week. Normally coming off of a weekend, I am so ready to walk some stress off. But with walking on the weekends now, it’s the fact that I *need* to really walk in a workout. Your life changes so quickly it seems. Just to think I use to be a couch potato that sat at my desk all day and on the sofa at night watching television. What have I become? Miles Moved: 3.20
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 – The days are getting hotter here. Soon I’m going to have to start changing clothes before I hit the streets during my lunch break. But it does seem like I’m seeing more and more people outside now as I walk. There was more people watching me over the winter months than I knew. People are watching me and that makes me feel safe in my walks through the neighborhood and building complex. You just never know who is watching. Miles Moved: 3.06
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 – I’m extremely busy this time of the month with preparing some monthly statistics. My mind is mush. So it really does feel to get away from my desk for a short period of time and walk off some steam. Too bad my mind doesn’t shut down while I’m walking. How can I walk and still configure numbers in my mind? Giggles – nerd never shuts down. Miles Moved: 2.26
Thursday, May 11, 2017 – Okay, I think I have this new way of living down pact with exercising and moving. Next week, new food choices will be put in effect. Of course my hub will act like I’m starving him to death – LOL. Must shop this weekend for all foods and restock the house with healthy choices. Miles Moved: 2.64
Friday, May 12, 2017 – I’m exhausted today. I feel wiped out like I’m trying to come down with a summer cold. Really Mother Nature? Please don’t do this to me okay. I really don’t have the time. Miles Moved: 2.40
Saturday, May 13, 2017 – What happened to the old me and where did she go? This was a day that did not end and I’ll tell you a secret. I loved every minute of it. I never would say that with the old me. We took my mom out today for Mother’s Day and afterwards went shopping to a couple of places. Then I went home and cleaned out my closet and dresser taking some items to Goodwill. Then I swept and mopped the entire house. Did a load of laundry and folded. Cleaned out the anipal rooms. What was I thinking getting all of this done in one day? So weird having all of this energy. Miles Moved: 2.85
Thoughts for the week: Another great week behind me to full rings every days on my Apple i-Watch. Go me! When I first started this challenge, I though it would be difficult. Yet I find myself having more and more energy instead. So very weird – I’ll take it anyday! My sister said that once you get on a row, you don’t want to stop. I so see what she is talking about! Let’s go for another perfect week my friends!
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
February 5, 2017: I’m definitely living for my Sundays – the day of rest from all exercise. The big game is on tonight so I’m sure I will get some exercise from jumping up/down and screaming at the television. That counts, right? Giggles. Miles Moved: 0.95
February 6, 2017: I’m so excited! I finally got my green exercise ring to move and I am kicking it like you won’t believe. My goal this week is to have perfect circles in everything – activity, exercise and stand – all week long. I think I can do this. Some people have asked what the circles do. I have an Apple i-Watch that does everything ❤ . On the Apple i-Watch, you have an activity app that keeps up with three things – your activity, your exercise and your stand. Your activity ring is the red ring. That tells you how many calories you are burning for that particular day. For this week, my calories are set for 370 calories therefore my goal is 370; however, as you can tell from the picture, I’m normally doing twice as much as that – yay me! Your goal calories changes from week to week. It can be higher or lower and gives you something to shoot for. The exercise ring is the green ring. It is recommended that you do some type of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and that is your goal. If you do more, the green just keeps wrapping around like the red. And then there is the blue ring. That is your stand goal. The app is set up that it wants you to stand 12 out of 12 hours. Which means, if you sit too long not doing anything, your watch will buzz to let you know you need to get up and move. Neat huh? I hope that explains more. I’m in LOVE with this i-Watch and can’t thank my sister enough for the gift. It has really helped mt to be more aware of what I need to do everyday. And the stand reminder is awesome at work because sometimes I get too involved in paperwork and forget to move. Miles Moved: 2.23
February 7, 2017: My RA in my hip has really been giving me a tough time today. It may be the wetness in the air due to some rain we are suppose to be getting. Do your bones/joints let you know when rain is coming? It’s the pits for sure. But still, during lunch at work, I got up and moved it around the parking lot. In fact, I think I kicked it really well 🙂 Miles Moved: 3.06
February 8, 2017: The rain did come in – thank goodness! But my hip is still giving me problems. It *hates* me moving. Regardless, I hurt if I move and I hurt if I don’t move. So what am I going to do? Walk of course – LOL. Miles Moved:2.34
February 9, 2017: People around my office complex are starting to recognize me from walking so much. I think it’s cute. If they are outside of the building when I come around, they now wave and tell me how proud they are of me getting out there and moving. Crazy huh? It really does inspire me to keep going at it especially when my hip is yelling. Miles Moved: 1.96
February 10, 2017: YAY! I never thought Friday would get here. I have to say that I almost had a perfect week. I was so tired last night that I went to bed early missing two hours of stand time. But I’m good with that. Today I felt really great so I kicked it up a notch on my lunch walk. Felt awesome! Miles Moved: 2.70 miles
February 11, 2017: Today’s agenda is to run errands in the morning, movie in the afternoon and then rest. Lots of rest. Miles Moved: 1.16
Thoughts for the week: As time has went by, there has been several changes that I’ve seen. My body is one. My tastes is another one. I use to be a huge potato chip fan. I loved them – all of them. But these days, I don’t want any of them at all. Just thinking of them, turns my stomach. And I’m also happy to say that I still have not had a single soda. It has been 43 days now since my last one last year. Some days are easier than others. Some days I struggle and realize that this is a lifetime change. So how did you do this week my friends?
This week walked: 14.40
TOTAL 2017 Miles: 73.05
January Weight Loss: -12.00 pounds (88 more to go!)
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
January 22, 2017 – The day of rest. Today calls for cleaning, laundry and FOOTBALL. Too bad the i-Watch doesn’t keep up with the day-to-day activities that we do. You know what I mean. For example: shaving aerobics. It has to account for something twisting yourself like a pretzel to shave your legs. Or scrubbing the toilet/shower/tub areas. All of that moving around, grunting and groaning. What about cleaning the litter box? Or making a king size bed by yourself. LOL – some things just don’t get counted. Miles Moved: 0.70
January 23, 2017– Back to work – back to grind of things. I think I like taking a walk during my lunch ‘break’. It gives me energy to survive the rest of the afternoon. I’m kind of ticked though because my walk didn’t make my exercise circle – it did make my activity circle though. It’s weird. I’ll look at it again tomorrow to see what’s going on. Miles Moved: 2.08
January 24, 2017 – Still feeling good and motivated which is awesome. I can’t remember ever changing my eating habits and feeling this good. Totally weird for sure. I like to take my walk between 11-11:30am at work. This is before people start going to lunch so there’s still a lot of people in their offices just in case I need someone. Funny how we think about that huh? But I’m a safety girl – LOL. And again, my walk didn’t make my exercise circle on my i-Watch. Stomping my southern feet 😦 I’ll give it one more shot tomorrow to see what I’m doing wrong. Miles Moved: 1.79
January 25, 2017 – Still walking the parking lot. I feel good afterwards. Do I want to before hand – absolutely NOT! But in the end, I know it’s good for me. And it’s only been since the beginning of January, but I feel my body changing in good ways – my legs are getting stronger – my pain levels are not so high lately. That’s totally awesome. Miles Moved: 2.27
January 26, 2017 – I almost have a perfect week in my activity rings. As long as I’m pushing it and my activity ring circles, I feel great about myself. From going completely sedentary to moving, it feels good. Yep, I can’t believe I said that. 🙂 Miles Moved: 2.05
January 27, 2017 – Friday! Can I get a YES! Of course, Friday wouldn’t be Friday without something happening, right? I don’t walk on Friday’s at work because I want to walk on Saturday with the hub unit. We shall see how this works for sure. Miles Moved: 1.43
January 28, 2017 – Well, one of the appliances decided to quit working at the house (we will post about that later). Stress is a wonderful thing – ha! Lot’s of waiting today for the delivery man… I mean lots of waiting. Miles Moved: 1.47
Thought of the week: I think I finally found my groove. I walk at work Monday thru Thursday. Then I pick up one day on the weekend to walk with the hub unit. It’s taking me the entire month of January but I think I have a system now – yay! My next weigh in is 02/01/2017. Hopefully there will be a good change going south on the scales. I hope so… I really hope so 🙂
This month, we are focusing on gifts. Since Christmas was just last month, let’s focus on that one thing that you received that was absolutely wonderful. Maybe it wasn’t from Christmas – perhaps it was on your birthday last year. What is it – why can’t you live without it?
Okay this month it’s easy. What’s the ONE gift that mom can’t live without? Of course, it would have to be her Apple i-Watch that her sister gave her. It does everything. It’s like an extension of her cell phone that she wears on her wrist. It’s a watch. It’s a phone. It’s a trainer. It’s a therapist with her breathing and stress levels. It keeps up with her steps/her miles. It challenges her to be more. It does everything! So yes, that would be the one gift that mom can’t live without. Much, MUCH thank you to her sister – Tina!
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
January 15, 2017 – And on the seventh day, God rested. Thank goodness for Sundays. Sundays are my do nothing day. No workouts. It’s a me day to do what I want/need, like catching up on my blogs and watching some television to see what’s going on in the world. I like to refer to it as my no worry day. I don’t have to watch the clock for time. But on the other hand, it’s also my catch up day with cleaning and laundry. So no workouts but these other activities do count too, right? Miles Moved: 0:41 (which is not really accurate because I didn’t wear my i-watch for most of the day)
January 16, 2017 – We were off from work today in honor of MLK. This gave me lots of time to get up and move it – move it. I persuaded the hub unit if I took him out for breakfast he would then do my errands with me and then walk the stadium down the street. I think he enjoyed it although he’s not admitting to it – LOL. When we got home, he said he wouldn’t mind walking the stadium again. I’m sure Lucifer misses me but hey the great outdoors was calling my name today and I grabbed it. This is going into my third week. Last week was up/down. This week will be so much better. In fact, I’m pushing hard between now and the end of the month to step it up a notch. In fact, on my i-Watch today, I completed all of my rings on my activity! Miles Moved: 2.06
January 17, 2017 – Back to work today! Today was a busy day with being off for the holiday yesterday. I did manage to get in a quick walk outside and around the building. Unfortunately I wasn’t wearing my tennis shoes so guess what I got. Yep – nods head – two blisters under both feet. Joybells – I’m so excited. But you know what? When I got home, I put on two pairs of socks and my tennis shoes and hit Lucifer – go me! I felt so much better. I’m not going to let some blisters get in my way – no way! And today, I filled all of my rings again – go me!! That’s 2 days in a row. Miles Moved: 2.61
January 18, 2017 – Icky – it’s trying to rain outside today. I really enjoy getting my walks in around mid-day to break up my routine. I did bring my umbrella into the office in case I can get out. And yes, I brought my tennis shoes today 🙂 I thought I would tell you more about the ‘rings’ on the i-Watch. The red is your ‘move’ activity. Currently, my red is set to burn 320 calories a day (this goes up/down weekly according to what you are doing). As you get closer to your goal of 320, the red line circles around. The green is your ‘exercise’ activity. It is set for 30 minutes a day. You can set your workout clock on your i-Watch and exercise throughout the day – you don’t have to do everything at once. All of your exercise adds up to your day . And the blue is your ‘stand’ activity. This one really comes in handy with me because at times, I forget to get up from my desk and move around a bit. I hope that helps you understand more about my activity rings. Miles Moved: 2.74
January 19, 2017 – There’s a lot to get done at the worky place today. I’m feeling kind overwhelmed. I got in one quick walk around the parking lot and that was it. I think with the work that I have to complete, my lovely blisters and things that I have to get done at the house in the next couple of days, I need to distress tonight. Walked Lucifer when I got home. Didn’t get all of my rings filled on my activity levels, but I can live with that. Got so much done at work. Miles Moved: 2.56
January 20, 2017 – Woke up with a migraine. Don’t you hate those? Stayed low key today and tried to take care of me – my head and my feet. Didn’t move too much. Miles Moved: 0.87
January 21, 2017 – Today is a new day! Feel so much better. Got the hub unit out with me and we ran so many errands together. Miles Moved: 1.80
Thought of the week: In the beginning, I was thinking that I just *had* to move ever day and work out. I’m just starting. You can’t take someone that is so sedentary behind a desk and blaze through life. It’s about finding a balance that works for me. So next week, I’m focusing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday during the week working out hard. Saturday I will do the same with the hub unit in tow. The other days (besides my day of rest Sunday), I will still move but not focus on the working out. I’ll see how this works out. I’ll keep you posted.
How in the world does mom do this? How does she convince daddy to do the things he does and in what seems like he enjoys it!? You see mom hasn’t thought about the cloud. You know the cloud that saves all of the pictures on your Apple devices in the house – snorts with piggy laughing. I don’t even have to get on mom’s iPhone anymore. I can check the cloud from my iPad and see what she and dad have been up to. But don’t tell her okay – this is just our little secret. I found these shots of daddy picking out his new fashion wardrobe. Shaking piggy head. WOW – that’s the first word that comes to my piggy mind. Which one of these glorious sweaters do you like?
I was so shocked myself. I couldn’t believe it and I heard it my friends. Mommy was at the worky place and I was in my bedroom taking a nap. That’s when it happened. I heard a girls voice. I was like, “That’s not mommy”. I put my head to my bedroom door and listened. What the cream cheese? Daddy was in the front room talking to a girl!
Of course I eavesdropped. I think mom would understand in this situation. I mean this is concerning family and family is first… right?
I heard daddy ask, “Siri, who’s your daddy?” That’s the hoochies name – Siri? What kind of name is that? But get this my friends. This Siri chick responded, “You are.” WTP (what the pig)!? This trumpet called Siri is flirting with my dad? Is she crazy? That’s my daddy! She can’t be doing this.
And then I heard daddy ask, “Siri, why did the chicken cross the road?” I tell you my daddy is strange. Why would he be asking this cornflake this question? But again get this – this Siri chick replied, “I do not know the motivations of chickens.” What a smarty!
Then daddy said, “Siri, you’re the best.” Piggy down – THUD. What has daddy done? And Siri said, “Thank you. So are you.” NNNOO!!! This has got to stop. Who is this scarlet?
I heard laughing from daddy. And then daddy said, “Siri, tell me a joke.” Siri said, “The past, the future and the present walked into a bar. It was a tense situation.” Daddy rolled with laughter. I don’t get it.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to put my hooves down and take my daddy back before mommy found out about this situation. I squealed like I’ve never squealed before – at the top of my lungs and scratching my bedroom door. That got dad’s attention. He came running to my bedroom and opened my door. I ran out of that room like it was on fire straight into the front room to find said hooch. Nothing. No one. Nada. Where did she go? I heard her. I know she was there. I checked everywhere. And still nothing.
What’s a pig to do now?
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NOTE:This post is all in fun. Siri is actually put out by Apple products. Siri is the personal assistant that you can talk to on products such as the i-Pad or i-Phone. You can place phone calls, make appointments, and ask general questions to just about anything.
Hey my friends – today I’m giving you the answers from mom and dad’s new game that I posted about yesterday. Remember, I showed you a picture to guess but did not give you any clues like how many letters or words the answer was. My deviled Ham side came out to play – snorts. The answer are posted below – how many did you get right? Remember these are the game answers and the game’s way of thinking. Should be interesting.
EXAMPLE
You have to put on your thinking cap and really look at the pictures. By looking at this picture to the left, you see a man, a boat and a tiger. The conclusion: Life of Pi
Does that blow your mind? Now figure out these –
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Picture 1 –
By looking at the nail and the manicure, you are suppose to get beauty. The lady has a crown so she is a Queen.
The answer – beauty queen.
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Picture 2 –
This one took mom and dad a bit to figure out. The number 10 means perfect in this illustration. The umbrella with the rain means storm.
The answer – Perfect Storm
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Picture 3 –
A house – that’s kind of obvious however the tree throws you a bit. The illustration of a woman in a wedding dress means wife.
The answer – housewife
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Picture 4 –
Candy is obvious as well as apple.
The answer – Candy Apple
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Picture 5 –
This one is one of the more simple ones. There’s a piggy – yay me – snorts. Then there’s a bag of money.
The answer – Piggy Bank
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Picture 6 –
This is one that really blew mom and dad’s mind. It’s deep. You have to really look at the pictures. A snowflake, the sun, the leaves – and then you shake your head in confusion huh?
The answer – Four Seasons
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Picture 7 –
Another one that requires a little thinking. There’s a cat, a dog and a horse with a world looking image. What could it be. Oh – now it’s obvious –
The answer – Animal Planet
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Picture 8 –
I leave you with another one that your probable got right. A snake and a set of eyes.
Me and food – what can I say? I ❤ food. It’s what I live for.. well that and snuggles from mommy. I thought today I would show you what I eat here at the Hotel Thompson. Keep in mind that I might be just a tad bit spoiled… just a little okay.
This by all means does not happen every day or every weekend for that matter. But, at times mommy cooks me my very own spinach omelet with piggy chow on the bottom of my piggy feed bowl. Doesn’t it look delish? Trust me, it is!
If I’ve been especially good, she will put on her cook hat and toss some eggs around. Daddy gets one too – minus the piggy chow – snorts.
Most days though, I have a combination of Cheerios and piggy chow.
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Here is my snack bowl that dad will fix me during the week at times. You can see my piggy plate better in this picture. Dad gives me rice cakes, carrots and grapes. Again, not every day.
My snack during the day changes according to what is in the pantry here at the Hotel Thompson. Looks good, huh? Sometimes I have to watch daddy because he will eat my snacks as he fixes my plate – how could he huh?
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For special occasions like my birthday, I get the platter of my dreams like this picture to the left. Who needs a birthday cake when you have all of my favorites rolled up into one delicious piggy plate?
Bananas, strawberries, grapes and watermelon. Licks lips! Too bad birthdays only come once a year!
If I’m lucky, mommy will fix a tub of this deliciousness so I can eat on it the entire week. Usually when she goes shopping, this is how she does my food. She packages it for the week so all dad has to do is pull out a container for me. It makes it easier for him since he takes care of me during the week when mommy is at the worky place.
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This plate to the right is my normal dinner. A great salad topped with carrots, tomatoes and piggy chow on the bottom. I ❤ my dinner plate. Doesn’t it look delicious. You want some, don’t you? Usually mommy will fix me my plate while she is fixing her salad.
And I love me some snacks. I can be bought and persuaded to do almost anything with any of the following – Gold Fish (Crackers not sushi – snorts), animal crackers, an apple slice or okay – just about anything.
But for your amusement, there is a rule here at the Hotel Thompson. Don’t eat in front of the pig unless you plan on sharing with the pig. Snorts – you’ll see once you look at this video. Enjoy my friends and I hope you learned something about this little oinker that you didn’t know.
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.
Now do you see the hot chocolate glazed doughnuts in the box? Yes trust me on this. Mom/dad said they tasted so much better than what they look in the box – ha! Their thoughts about the first time chocolate eclipse doughnuts? They come off the conveyor hot. They are great but messy. I mean messy. Mom told daddy that she thought she was going to have to hose him down before he got into the Jeep. That kind of messy. But good. And mom said she preferred them once they went cold. They weren’t as messy then – which she loved. Either way, it was a once in a lifetime treat all the way around. And yeah, mom/dad didn’t forget about me. They brought me one of my favorites – an apple fritter. Now *that’s* what I’m talking about!
February 5, 2017: I’m definitely living for my Sundays – the day of rest from all exercise. The big game is on tonight so I’m sure I will get some exercise from jumping up/down and screaming at the television. That counts, right? Giggles. Miles Moved: 0.95
This plate to the right is my normal dinner. A great salad topped with carrots, tomatoes and piggy chow on the bottom. I ❤ my dinner plate. Doesn’t it look delicious. You want some, don’t you? Usually mommy will fix me my plate while she is fixing her salad.
Piglove 
