Fun Weekend with Grand-Girls!

July 17, 2023 by GmasPhoto 15 Comments

Hi, what a fun weekend I experienced with my grand-girls. My daughter and son-in-law went out of town with friends for a float trip. Which translates to me getting to spend the entire weekend with the girls, YES!!

I took the day Friday away from my work to do my weekend errands in the morning so I could drive to Topeka and get the girls picked up from summer camp by 4pm. That evening we went back to their house to take care of the pups, get dinner ready and then movie time. Grandma let the girls stay up later than their bedtime. Saturday morning Kevin came out to sat with the girls while I went to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting. While I was away, Kevin took the girls to the Farmer’s Market. Upon my return the girls were excited to tell me, they got some honey sticks and already ate them. After Kevin left, we ate our lunch and decided to go to the Topeka Zoo.

After the zoo we stopped by the girls choice restaurant, McDonald’s. Brynlee likes the playground. We ate and then I watched the girls play for a bit. Then back to their house. Once back to the house we let the doggies out and fed them. By this time the weather had cooled down some. We went outside for some fun activities, hula hoop and jump rope. Here is a fun video of the girls trying to teach me how to hula hoop!

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The video will then appear.

The best part of the day for me was when the girls were getting ready for bed. Briella told me she had a fun day. This warmed my heart. My husband always asks me what memories did we make after I am with the grand girls. This is certainly a memory I will treasure.

Sunday was my last day to spend with the girls. The plan was to meet Shaune’s parents for them to take the girls to Branson. Our hand off was a success!

This weekend the grand girls and I completed two of my 101 in 1001. #13 Go to the Topeka Zoo and #89 Learn How to Hula Hoop. At least I tried! 🙂

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -8.8lbs 🙂

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

May 29, 2023 by GmasPhoto Leave a comment

Fun at the Kansas City Zoo.

Hi, I had a fun birthday weekend with my family at the Kansas City Zoo. Happy birthday to me!

#14 Go the the Kansas City Zoo
and #38 visit the grand girls once a month

fun at the Kansas City zoo — Click image to see the images taken at the KC Zoo!

The morning began with eating breakfast out. I ordered a two egg omelet with cheese, bacon, green onion and tomato. After breakfast my daughter and her family picked me up to go to the zoo. It was for sure a fun birthday. It did make me realize a few things.

Firstly, I want to do better of taking pictures through out my adventures. There were things the grand girls did that I never took a picture. For example when they slid down the slide instead of using the stairs. I never took images of our lunch, what we ordered and the menu to show the high cost of ordering on zoo grounds. The thought of bringing a picnic lunch didn’t even come to mind until I saw the prices. One bottle of water was $5.00. Ouch, a family of 4 would be 20 bucks.

Secondly, my weight. My age, working from home, not getting out among other things I have been telling myself when I look in the mirror. This adventure to the zoo made me realize how my weight is affecting me. And it is not good. From this day forward, I will take more responsibility to do something for myself to improve my health. I want to be like my Aunt Phyllis was. When she was 80 she could keep up with my dancing when I was 50. She looked amazing. That is how I want to be when I am 80.

favorit aunt Phyllis — My inspiration in aging, my Aunt Phyllis.

#52 Walk two miles 3x a week.
#53 Do nightly excersizes 3x a week. Opposite nights from above walking goal.

These two will be a work in progress. And to keep a journal of progress, I will include a selfie of me each post. And hopefully this will show the change/progress of my efforts.

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

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Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

Chicago the Windy City

May 22, 2023 by GmasPhoto 10 Comments

Chicago the Windy City.

Hi, I decided to take a trip on a whim! Wanted to eat the famous Chicago deep dish pizza.

Once upon a time I worked for our family business. I met Linda, a valued customer who would come into the store with her family. Over time I became friends with her. We since sold the store and we lost contact. One day I was in Walmart and she approached me. We exchanged phone numbers. I reached out to her and we began to make dates to meet for brunch to visit.

#95, Meet up with an old friend and catch up.
During one of our brunches I mentioned to her I would like to eat Chicago deep dish pizza and asked if she would be interested in going with me. Our adventure was going to happen.

Back in March we decided to go the first Tuesday in May. We spent one evening in the Windy City. When we went to check into the Congress Hotel, the desk clerk, Jasmine upgraded our room. She did a wonderful kindness for us. The view was absolutely beautiful, night lights and the sunrise were gorgeous.

chicago congress hotel — The Congress Hotel

We walked a lot, 23,298 steps Tuesday! Walked to Millennium Park, Navy Pier and took the bus back to the hotel. Next we went to Lou Malnatis for our pizza. Then off to Wallis Tower, formally known as Sears Tower. The tallest building in Chicago.

Wednesday we reserved our Wendella Lake & River Architecture Tour. We enjoyed this. After walking down the streets it was neat to see the buildings by boat. Here are just a few of the images taken. Too many to share all of them.

On the left side of the collage there is a picture that has a green circle on it. That was the floor our room was on.

train travel — #28 on 101 in 1001 list- Travel in a train

K9 dog statues — Click this image for more K9 statue information.

Once back home and reflecting on the trip, never did I notice trash or litter on the streets and in the alley ways. Even while looking thru all of the images I had taken, no evidence of trash/litter. Secondly, both of us returned safe and unharmed. Now keep in mind we stayed in the downtown area and was back in our hotel room by 10 pm. We had a good time!

Have you been to Chicago? What was your favorite experience while there?

I have already asked Linda if she would like to go again next year. Gotta have me that Chicago deep dish pizza again!

To see more images from this trip, click here!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Bake a Treat for Neighbors

April 24, 2023 by GmasPhoto 10 Comments

Bake a treat for neighbors.

Hi, this week I baked treats for the neighbors, which is #94 on my 101 in 1001 goal list. One day while browsing my Facebook, I saw a post about these mounds brownies. I absolutely love the mounds candy bar. So I decided to make this for my neighbor friends. This is the first time I have made this recipe.

Bake treats for neighbors

101 in 1001 — #94 Bake treats for neighbors

These are delicious! As my pictures show, I made two pans of mounds brownies. Thank goodness my grand girls, daughter and son-in-law came over to see the baby chicks and eat dessert. Took a plate full to my mom and dad. Had plenty to take to two different neighbors. Next time I will make just one pan and still share with the neighbors!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Bake treats for the neighbors.

March 101 in 1001 Update

March 27, 2023 by GmasPhoto Leave a comment

March 101 in 1001 update.

Hi, I had a very pleasurable weekend spent with my daughter and her family. My Son in law’s brother was there too. Nothing big planned. Just time with them. We watched a movie Saturday night. I was pleased that little Brynlee wanted to cuddle while watching the live action Aladdin. Brie was upstairs with the guys.
march 101 in 1001 update
All of us slept in Sunday. Shaune (son in law) made scratch pancakes with chocolate chips. Breakfast was delicious. After breakfast Brynlee wanted to put a puzzle together. I sat back and observed them, taking in the atmosphere. My heart full!

Visiting grand girls — #38, 101 in 1001 visit grand girls once a month

#54, getting 8 hours sleep is proving to not be as easy as I had hoped it would be. My sleep tracker on my Apple Watch shows I am sleeping the 8 hours. However my ResMed app reflects mostly 7.5 hours.

After my wreck in Sept 2019 causing me to stay at my daughter’s home for 3 weeks; my daughter and son in law suggested that I have my sleep monitored. Apparently I snored. So I did as they suggested. My doctor prescribed the sleep test. Sure enough I have sleep apnea. Using the CPAP machine has definitely made an improvement. I seem to focus better and transpose letters, numbers less.

March I have only worked on two of my monthly average of 3. I will continue to work on my 101 in 1001. I am hoping you all hold me accountable on my goals and giving updates!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

March 101 in 1001 update.

101 in 1001 , 2023-2025

February 20, 2023 by GmasPhoto 9 Comments

101 in 1001, 2023-2025

Hi, as I have mentioned previously, i do experience low periods. Thinking of things that I can do to avoid these lows, I decided to do the 101 goals in 1001 days challenge.

Having something planned is a huge factor in staying positive and avoid the blues. Creating this list of 101 goals was not an easy task. To see my complete list click here.

To hold myself accountable, I plan to make a monthly post of the goals accomplished for that month. To complete my list in 1001 days, this will require me to complete an average of three goals in a months time.

The weekend I completed the list just happened to be when Kevin was going to volunteer his service to feed the homeless in the Kansas City area. He found this organization on Facebook. He is not a ‘member’ but tells the group if they need anything to let him know. He makes soup frequently to take and serve. A few images from Sunday 2.12.2023.

My job was to take cups of soup to the folks standing in line waiting for their turn to go thru the food line. I used a box that could hold six servings. Once those six were passed out I would get a refill and deliver. Repeating until everyone had been served a cup. They had the choice to get another serving while going thru the food line. Food was served while supplies lasted.

If I have inspired you to create your 101 goals in 1001 days list, please let me know. I would be able to mark off #100 on mine!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

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