Monday

It was a typical Monday. I got up late. I guess you have to sleep sometime when you get up at 1:30 am to talk to your husband on Skype.

The SearchKing India office is offically moved to Bopal and they were offline all weekend. So it made my weekend long too. Bob and I texted a couple of times, but it was really good to see his beautiful face and hear his voice. I am not sure what this LONG seperation would be like without SKYPE. Our technology has improved.

Can any of us remember when we had to write letters? Waiting by the mailbox for a letter any letter. Post office boxes. Knowing the postman's name. Giving him a box of homemade goodies at Christmas time. I DO!

Can any of us remember the phones that had 3 rings and it was your phone call? Then everybody would get online and listen. Party Lines. You had to stand in one spot in your house where the phone was. Some houses had built in little shelves for their phones. I DO!

I can also remember our first color TV. My dad just reminded me that the television company in our area, brought us the first TV, because we lived on a hill and could get good reception. EVERY Saturday when the fights were on, we had a house full of people watching our TV! We always had a house full of people watching our TV.

I really miss those days. Things were alot easier. Now time goes by so fast, I hardly have time to think about the old school days that you thought that would never be over. They have all gone and now I can't remember much about any of it.

Time to go and find something to eat. Eating by yourself can be a challenge as well.

iPhone

I have had my iPhone for a week. I have to tell anybody thinking about getting an iPhone. It is the simpliest phone that I have every owned.

It is very easy to sit up. I have not put any iTunes in yet. That will be my weekend project and I will get back with you on that project.

I am going to really enjoy this phone.

Tell a Friend and Win $100

Just a friendly reminder to please support our 'Tell A Friend' Promotion this month. All you have to do is tell your expat women friends to join ExpatWomen.com

If they join and win our US$100 prize, we'll ask them who referred them, and if it was you, we'll give you US$100 also. So you both win! See conditions and details here SIGN UP

Skinny Bitch

OK, I have been reading again:
Skinny Bitch, by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth.

Skinny Bitch is not your typical boring diet book, this is a tart-tongued, no-holds-barred wakeup call to all women who want to be thin. With such blunt advice as, "Soda is liquid Satan" and "You are a total moron if you think the Atkins Diet will make you thin," it's a rallying cry for all savvy women to start eating healthy and looking radiant. Unlike standard diet books, it actually makes the reader laugh out loud with its truthful, smart-mouthed revelations. Behind all the attitude, however, there's solid guidance. Skinny Bitch espouses a healthful lifestyle that promotes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encourages women to get excited about feeling "clean and pure and energized."

Order your copy, it's under $15.00

It is very funny and I enjoyed it alot. They have another books that I might look into:
Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)

Then I might get this one for my daughters:
Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven: A Gutsy Guide to Becoming One Hot (and Healthy) Mother!

Found a new Toilet Accessory

I have a really good friend that sends me the best pictures. I couldn't resist sharing this with everyone in India. I think that they would appreciate this toilet accessory the most.

Celebrate Life

The more you praise and celebrate your life, The more there is in life to celebrate.

Long Day

First I had a doctor appointment on Monday. I arrived to find out that I was an hour late, found my card and it was at 8:30 and not 9:30. Getting old really is not much fun sometimes. So I re-scheduled for this morning. Up early for 2 mornings to drive to Edmond. Fasting so that the doctor can take fasting plasma glucose, HDL levels good colesterol levels.

The fasting plasma glucose test was down from 217 to 172. And my A1C levels was down from 6.4 to 6

HDL levels below 40 mg/dL result in an increased risk of coronary atery disease, even in people whose total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are normal. HDL levels between 40 and 60 mg/dL are considered "normal." However, HDL levels greater than 60 mg/dL may actually protect people from heart disease. My reading came in at 35 mg/dL. So I have something there to work on.

How can We Increase Our HDL Levels?
Aerobic exercise. Many people don't like to hear it, but regular aerobic exercise (any exercise, such as walking, jogging or bike riding, that raises your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time) may be the most effective way to increase HDL levels. Recent evidence suggests that the duration of exercise, rather than the intensity, is the more important factor in raising HDL cholesterol. But any aerobic exercise helps.

Lose weight. Obesity results not only in increased LDL cholesterol, but also in reduced HDL cholesterol. If you are overweight, reducing your weight should increase your HDL levels. This is especially important if your excess weight is stored in your abdominal area; your weight-to-hip ratio is particularly important in determining whether you ought to concentrate on weight loss.

Then lunch with my daughter. She had to know how my doctor appointment went. So off to Panera Bread for Salad. I had the Fandango and Kimi had the Orchard Harvest. We laughed and had a good time, I am so lucky to have such great girls.

Thinking about my husband has made me a little sad this evening. There is not enough words to express my love for him. I am so grateful for his never-ending patience, love, and support. I feel so blessed to be traveling through this life with him.

A Very Special Child

How special are we, each individual? It's hard to imagine that a specific child came from one sperm out of a million. How do they decide?

Oklahoma State Fair

The Oklahoma State Fair. My kids from Texas came to the state fair to watch the "MONSTER TRUCKS". My 3 year old grandson talked about it for 2 months. All day on Friday before we went to Mom and Dad's in Enid. He told everybody he was going to the MONSTER TRUCKS.



We got to the fair at 10:00 am, rode as many rides as the lines would let them. Brady and Abigail had a ball. We went thru some of the buildings. Went to the pig races. Rode some more rides. NOT me, just the kids. Kati and Brandon rode a roller coaster, while I sit with the kids while they ate cotton candy.

I headed for home when they went to the VIP part of the monster truck show, where you can go and look at the trucks, take pictures and get autographs. WELL little Brady got scared. They only got 1 picture with him and the trucks. He wouldn't go near them. He then went to sleep during the show. Abigail on the other hand, had a really good time. She got all of their autographs on her hat. Got pictures sitting in the wheel of her favorite truck "BIG FOOT". The driver also took a picture with him and he signed her hat too.

They didn't get back to the house until 10:30 pm. They were all very tired. I had hot chocolate chip cookies waiting on them.

Then on Sunday when they went home, it was like SO EXTREMELY quiet that I cried. Your home is supposed to be full of life and bouncy kids. I miss them so much when they are gone.

Distance.

Does absense make the heart grow fonder? YES! There is just something missing in my life. It's like being in the middle of a great big crowd and being all alone. I am missing my husband today, really really bad. Weather is beautiful and I want to be at the lake with him. I just want to see him. THEN he calls me on SKYPE. It was so good to talk to him, see him and hear his voice tell me what he did. Hear his plans for his day and what s going on new with the business.

Then when we hang up, it was so quiet and so lonely. I really don't like be 10,000 miles apart. I have so much in the USA to handle, and Bob needs to be in India. Once he hits his numbers the pressure wont be so great and we can finally enjoy some more time together.

I have been doing pretty good and time really flies. Cade makes me laugh and always wants to go with me. I will have a houseful really soon, the 2 grandkids from Texas is coming up tonight. So the weekend will be full of noise and excitement.

Biggest Loser

I watched the new episode of "The Biggest Loser". It was so good. It made me cry when you see the weight that these people are going to try and lose. They were very inspiring. This season featured our beloved Dr. H, who shared with the teams how old and sick their bodies really were. Many folks were hit with a wake up call when they were told that although they might be only 20 something, their bodies were in such bad shape that it was like they were actually in their mid forties! They cried, I cried, mom or daughters cried, spouses cried. You would have cried too.

I look at some of the women. I used to be their size. 10 years ago. It has taken me that long to gradually work off the weight that slowed me down, made me feel old. As I have said before, my doctor said that this is the best thing for my heart and my diabetes. So today I am going to work a little hard, eat a little less and BE SO THANKFUL for my very loving husband, the beautiful day, my beautiful family and THANKFUL that I am healthy and very HAPPY! (Missing Bob A LOT)

UNBELIEVABLE

I have a REALLY great friend that sends me all kinds of funny, strange, weird and sometimes unbelievable. See what you think!

Think you've seen it all? Take a look at this!!


Is it real? Computer generated? What would you do if you daughter did this? Luckily my daughters are between 30 and 40. I hope that they are past this, but I have to admit, I probably wouldn't say to much, and that is probably the reason that none of them every had to try anything this bizarre. I have never been surprised at anything, anybody does. I totally accept my daughters 100% percent. They are all doing a great job raising my beautiful grandchildren.

What a Beautiful Day

Slow done today, enjoy what you have!

Weather

The fall weather has been perfect.

The days have been in the 70's. Nights go to a low of 50's.

The sun is shining and the wind coming from the North is cool. The Oklahoma State Fair is going on this week. So the fall weather is making being home even more enjoyable.

I traveled to Enid to take my mom to her knee doctor appointment today. What a beautiful drive. I had to wear a coat this morning, it was so cool. But it has warmed up, so I shucked the jacked. I am loving my new transitional glasses.

Hope you are enjoying your weather wherever you are.

One Week

I have been home one week. I have seen 5 of my grandkids and next weekend I will spend it with the other 2 grandkids. They say you get shorter when you get old. WELL, what really happens is that your GRANDKIDS get TALLER than you and it just seems like you have gotten shorter.

Heart doctor appointment went REALLY well. I have my well woman doctor appointment next week. I am on a very good tract to improving my health. It's a tough battle and one that you have to tackle EVERY day, all my yourself. You just have to eat less calories than you use. My doctor recommends the mediterranean diet. So you can sit around and eat nothing or get up and walk and exercise and be able to eat more. This is so different for each individual. I have read all the books and know that it is going to be dealt with everyday for the rest of my life. I love myself and care about myself enough that this personal battle I will win. If I cheat it is only me that it is hurting. Don't take this wrong, I am not selfish, OK maybe a little, but the only one in the world that will take care of me is me. NO ONE really cares if I eat that pineapple fried pie. BUT I DO! It will effect my heart and my diabetes.

So I have only been out to eat 3 times, since I have been home. 1) DIM SUM with my best friends, 2) Applebee's with my parents and 3) Grand House (chinese) with employees of US Searchking.

I ventured out to the movies yesterday "The Women". It wasn't until I left that I realized that there was not 1 man in the whole movie. Now I want to go and see it again, just to confirm that there wasn't not one single man in the movie. The theatre was packed and 99% of the audence were women as well.

Got my pictures put into a creative memories album. I so like to show my pictures that have been displayed in order and explanations of the pictures. I do not like to hand a bunch of pictures for people to look at your trip. There are always way to many extra and duplicate pictures and then they get mixed up and then I have to put them back in order. My daughter started selling creative memories and we have enjoyed it so SO much.

Today is the first day that I have cleaned up my home. I have had something everyday and now I have a day off. Picked up and cleaned the floor, I even moved the furniture. Cleaned the glass front doors. I got my knitting basket out, my hair dresser is having a baby and I need to knit some booties for her. She will find out Tuesday if it is a boy or girl. So I am going to wait to see if I am going to make pink or blue.

I watched the OU football game last night. Now when I talk watched, I have it on the TV and check the score. My son-in-law asked me if Bob could watch the game on SKYPE. So I tried last night. Bob was on skype and I let him watch some of it. So yes Chad, he could have watched the whole game.

I am going to get my iPhone on Wednesday. My contract will need to be renewed then. I am going straight over to my daughters to help me get it sit up. I really enjoy having her around. I love her new home, it is so beautiful. She has so much stuff to do, but it is all so much fun.

Going to go and get on the treadmill and then watch a movie. I will miss Bob alot today. I have to keep busy or I will REALLY miss him. If I get to sad, I just SKYPE him and hope that he is awake.

BUNGALOW

I finally got the webpages up for the new bungalow.

Thrusday

I finally have a day that I don't have to do anything!

Saturday - I spent my first day home with my youngest grandson(Mom and dad went to the OU football game). Cade and I had a REALLY GOOD time. He liked to tickle me, then he would just laugh.



Sunday - went to see Mom and Dad, then the 4 more of my grandkids. We sang Karaoke and played catch.

Monday - was Don's office and pedicures.

Tuesday - HAIR - I always feel so much better when the hair is done, I also had my eyebrows waxed.

Wednesday - Heart Doctor appointment. Lost 15 pounds since I had seen him 6 months ago. NOW he wants another 15 pounds by the time I come back in 6 months. I have a pretty good team with my heart and diabetes.
My 3D's
1) Doctor - I have a really GOOD doctor.
2) Daughter - She helps me with my meds
3) Drugs - Between the two I have the best drugs available on the market.

Thursday - It's raining and a little cold. I am thinking curling up on the couch with the 3 movies I have rented.

Friday - My mom has a heart doctor appointment, so I am going to drive 90 miles to go with her.

Saturday & Sunday are free at the moment.

Monday - Back to Enid for my mom's knee doctor appointment.

I stay busy and Bob is thinking that I haven't been around much, at least not online at the same time.

Tuesday AM

It was a really full day yesterday. I got up and exercised, another really hot LONG shower. Talked with employees here in OKC. Went to Norman, Sam's for some beautiful fruit and fish, went by Son-In-Law's work and gave him his present, went to German restaurant "Ingrids" for a 3 Salad plate, broccoli salad, pea salad and 3 bean salad (food tastes so great here, I haven't had one thing that is SPICY HOT), went to BOA, got a pedicure, a massage, went to Arvest Bank, Radio Shak to get plug for my Acer laptop, Blockbuster for some chick flicks. Fixed myself a salad, fish and asparagus for super. I was going to bed, but it just seemed like so much stuff to be done. I finally did go to bed at about 9:30 pm. I remained asleep until 4am. So I am gaining on my hours of sleep.

It has been really GREAT to be home. My list of things that have to be done, is getting smaller. So now maybe I can rest, before I go to take my mom to her doctor appointments.

Monday 8th

Got pictures back of BhoPal bungalow. You can now see the pictures on this Webpage

The address is:
217-218 Vibhusha Bunglows
Opp Homeopathy College
Bopal
Ahmedabad – 380058
Gujarat, India
Phone we will have a little later.

I have been up all night the last two nights, trying to survive on 3 hours of sleep each night. I have not be at all sleepy. Went thru 2 months of mail the first night. Found surprises and some not so good surprises, but it's Monday and I have a list in my blackberry that is 2 miles long. Just going to take one day at a time.

Saturday I got to spend the whole day with my youngest grandson. His Mom and Dad went to OU football game. We re-bonded and laughed and played all day.

Sunday I went to Dim Sum with our best friends Nikki and Martin, we had lunch at my favorite chinese restaurant "Grand House". I had purchased Transitional prescription glasses for them. They loved their new glasses. We looked pretty cool when we stepped out into the sun and all of our glasses changed to sunglasses.

Then my daughter and youngest grandson went to Mom and Dad's and then to my oldest daughters. All 4 of her kids have grown. They say that you get shorter when you get old. It's just that all of the 'GRANDkids' are getting taller than me. It is awful when you have to look up to your grandchildren.

I have appointments all week. I do have one thing to ask and if anybody can tell me, I would appreciate it:

"When you are on the plane . . . Who has the arm rests? There are 3 seats and 4 arm rests. So is the person in the middle just out of luck? Why is it always me that ends up with NO arm rests and I have to cross my arms the whole trip?"

I'm Home!

Back in the USA! It is pretty nice to be back with your stuff.

Flight were all very good. Slept 3 hours on the first 8 hr flight. Slept 5 hours on the second 8 hour trip. What I got to NYC I arrived at JFK, took a cab to Laguardia airport, (my booking mistake). The first thing I did was get a GRANDE CAFE AMERICANO. Oh my gosh. I don't anything has tasted so good. I drank it hot and steamy and down to the last drop.

Then I shopped around to see what I really wanted to eat. So I settled for a Nathan's hotdog. Texted Kimi and she said I should have had the cab driver take me to get NY style cheesecake and NY Pizza. I was already in the airport, so I went on a hunt in the many restaurants in the airport. I picked out the largest cherry cheese cake on the shelf. It was also WONDERFUL! Then about an hour before my plane took off (I had 6 hours in the Laguardia airport) I went and got a Whooper from BurgerKing. It was everything that I remembered. The sesame seed bun, lettuce (real lettuce) onion, tomato, pickle, mustard and a VERY good meat patty.

Got home on time at 11:30 pm and my daughter was there to pick me up. She looked so beautiful. We both talked as fast as we could. Tell me that Cade had put himself in time-out. He will be 2 in October. They are going to the OU football game tomorrow, so I am going to babysit. What a great first day home.

Wish you all were here.

Last 12 hours in Ahmedabad

It is countdown time. I have my bags packed and I am not sure if I am really ready to leave Bob and India. VERY good things are happening with our company and it just seems like I need to stay. But Oklahoma City office and property needs my attention too.

MOM and DAD are also anxiously waiting for me to return. They are 85 and 86. They don't like it much me being so far away. They do understand. AND I have 7 GREAT grandkids that are waiting on me for all those grandma kisses and presents.

So I will be off line for a couple of days. But will post as soon as I get home.

September 1st

Monday, September 1st. What does that mean to me?

1) End of months reports.
2) New worksheets for September
3) New Chief Operations Officer at SearchKing
4) 4 days till I go back to USA