Pan Seared Tilapia w/ Homemade Salsa

I love my deep fried fish with oodles of tarter sauce or even ketchup. But, that's not on my menu plan these days. So, instead, I have my fish like this sometimes.

Do you see the juice oozzing from the salsa? That makes the fish softer to help it slide through my pouch.

1 frozen tilapia fillet, approx. 4oz.
1/2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
a pinch of salt and pepper

I heated the EVOO to just the smokey stage, not too hot. Sauteed the chopped garlic for a minute or so, then pan seared my fish on both sides until white and flakes easily with a fork. I topped it with about 2 tablespoons of my friend Brenda's home canned salsa.
That was my protein dinner for tonight. It's not battered and deep fried and smothered in tarter sauce, but it still tastes pretty darn good! Remember, if you aren't like me, and you have more than one mouth to feed, just double, triple or quadruple the amounts.

Nutrition Facts
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171.1
Total Fat 8.1 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.0 g
Cholesterol 55.0 mg
Sodium 179.4 mg
Potassium 79.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 2.9 g
Dietary Fiber 0.6 g
Sugars 0.0 g
Protein 21.6 g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Learning

I am working on learning to live again. Not only am I learning to eat a whole different way, I am learning to live alone.
When I get moved, it will be the first time in my 51 years to ever live alone.
I went straight from my parents to a marriage at 17 and 2 children by the age of 20.
A second marriage and 2 more children by the age of 26. Then on to live with my children and a 3rd marriage at age 42.
When Wayne passed I came to live with my son and his family. Now I feel it's time to learn to live on my own.
Yes, it's a bit scary sometimes, but I think it is what I must do to learn to live again.
Financially, I am a mess. Mentally too, in some ways. Physically, I am hoping for much improvement since I had the gastric bypass.
I am planning on searching for a way to earn a little more income, perhaps by going back to school and finishing a degree that I started over 20 years ago. Possibly something completely different. I guess my world is open for anything these days.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me, please leave a comment on here. I would love to hear from you and hear any cool things you have to say. Who knows, you may have a great idea that will make me a self made millionaire!!
Seriously tho, I don't need or even want millions. I just want to learn to live again, on my own and be able to take care of myself until I really am too old to do so. Lets face it, at 51, I don't have a whole lot of years left to waste!

The new family

My oldest son Travis, his wife Joanie and my new granddaughter Jovie.
Aren't they a great looking little family?
Jovie has had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days due to making sure she did not inhale her meconium, or bowel movement that she had before birth. The doctors thought maybe she had a little breathing problem, but so far it all looks good. Now she is under the billirubin light because she was slightly jaundiced.

I can't wait until she comes home so that I can hold her in my arms again. My 6th gift from God.

Snow on The Plains (Ohio that is)

I finally got a place of my own to rent. I felt it was what I needed to do to move on. I woke up to this mess this morning. Yes its pretty and all that, but kinda puts a damper on moving.
Things are going to be really tight for me finacially, with rent, utilities and all. My income is not so great. Some of the kids are worried that I took the wrong step by renting my own place right now. I just felt like I needed it to move on after the loss of my husband, so I am going to put my trust and faith in the Lord, that my needs will be met.
Now, to get the weather to cooperate so that I can get moved in!

My great niece

With my neglect of this thing the last few months, I forgot to mention my new great niece Mackenzie Jo.   She is the daughter of my niece Laura and her husband Shane.

Mackenzie was born on Dec 2nd weighing in at 7.1 lbs.  She is a month older than my new granddaughter Jovie.
She is the first grandchild of my brother Jim.  The proud grandpa is holding her in the picture.
We lost a few family members in the last couple of years, but we have also gained 4 new lives.
Mackenzie Jo and Jovie Lynn both have a Jo in thier names in honor of my mom who was always called Jo as a nickname.

A new years baby!

My second granddaughter and 6th grand child, Jovie Lynn, was born today, New Years Day at 12:12pm. Weighing in at 6lbs 12 ozs and 20 inches long. Isn't she adorable? Thank you Lord, I love being a GRANNY!!!

Happy New Year

I know I have been AWOL for quite some time. I am battling the depression demon. But, I am pretty much determined not to let him win.

A new year is right around the corner. I am praying hard that its a much better one than the last couple have been.

Wayne has been gone 9 months now, but it still feels like only yesterday.

My weight loss is still going well, and I am learning each day how to use my new tool. Weight loss surgery is not a cure all, but a learning guide that I must use daily. I fall down, I get back up. The same way that I need to learn how to live my emotional life as well.

It hasn't been easy learning to live again, and I have a long way to go. But I am putting my trust in the Lord and my life in Gods hands.

Happy New Year to all my friends!

All my love,

Liz

95 pounds gone

95 lbs gone!

This was taken today in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
My friend Lisa and I took a much needed vacation. We leave here on Sunday to head to Alabama to visit my daughter.

6 Months

It has been 6 months today since I lost my "OL Goat". It still feels like only yesterday.

I still feel lost and alone. I feel like I only go through the motions of living day to day. I'm not really living. I guess I am just doing what everyone else expects me to do.

I try to be strong, but, it's not really that easy to do. I function, I suppose, but how well remains to be seen.

I miss you Wayne.

A daily dip in the deep end could add years to your life

I began a new exercise regiment yesterday. Swimming.

With my bones in the shape they are in, my doctors have been telling me to do water exercises for years. Well Monday was my 51st birthday,,, (ugh!),, my oldest son Travis gave me some birthday money, so I put it to good use.

I went to the Holiday Inn Express in town and bought a pool/fitness room pass.

The fitness room is very small, 2 treadmills and a recumbent bike. Oh, and of course, a scale!

The exercise equipment and I don't quite see eye to eye yet, but a few minutes a day and eventually I hope to get a better relationship going with it. HA!

I have spent about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs a day in the pool. Not always swimming, but always moving.

I have met some really nice women there, who are very encouraging. One lady, Barb, loaned me a book of water exercises from the arthritis foundation. I am going to study it to find the best ones for me to do.

So, not only am I getting exercise in but I am also making new friends, and that's always a great thing.

Until next time,
Liz

Just a little update

I am just a little over 3 weeks post-op. Things are going pretty good. I need to get more exercise in but other than that its all ok. In this pic, the blouse I have been unable to wear in years and the shorts were too tight.

I haven't been weighed for a while, but last weight loss count I was at a loss of about 30 lbs.
I have moved on from the full liquid diet to pureed and soft foods with finely diced meats.
Its hard getting my 60 to 75 grams of protein in daily and drinking 64 ounces of fluids, examples: flavored waters, crystal light, decaf tea w/splenda. This little pouch can only hold so much and with no drinking a half hr before or half hr after and eating 6 "meals" and taking several vitamins and other medications several times a day, it ain't easy getting it all done.

I am trying though. I made this choice and one way or another I WILL SUCCEED!!!

Surgery Update

Surgery went well. On Tuesday I had a few minor complications but nothing major. I was released on Wednesday.
They weighed me the day after surgery and there was an extra 7lbs from IV fluids, swelling, etc. As of today I have lost that 7lbs plus 10 more lbs gone.
I got out of the house yesterday for a bit, I went up to visit Wayne's memorial bench up close to our former home. That was not easy, but its my way of visiting him, ya know?
I went to the grocery to pick up a couple small things just to be able to get out and do a litlle walking and to the drugstore to buy a new scale. My old one died and I just had to know if I had made any progress yet,,,
All in all, everything is going along smoothly for now.
Still fighting with the VA to get things settled so money is still nill, but my dad and kids are my saviors for now.
Always, Liz

Surgery Date

Ok all, I know I was going to get back to this sooner than now. I still have a bit of trouble concentrating and Wayne was my inspiration when it came to cooking.

I am living with my son and his family now. Jordan and Lily's daddy Trevor, (Toad).

Still waiting for the slow as heck VA to pay my widows pension after almost 4 months.

I am luckier than most, I have family willing to take me in after losing my home to foreclosure because the government is so slow. But what about other veterans widows, that have no one. Its really a shame the way the government treats our war hero's and their families.

Alright, enough of that or I could go on for hours.

My surgery is this coming Monday August 24th. I have posted a recent pic as my new before picture, well, unless the kids get snap happy with the camera that is. I have lost 44 pounds since I began this journey into weight loss surgery. I started at 315, as of last week, I am at 271.

Also a pic of Miss Lily Bell and I. I have a new one of Aaron and I coming soon.

On Monday at 9am est please keep me in thoughts and prayers as I am gonna need all I can get.

I will let you all know how things are going afterward.

Dad's Birthday Cookout

We had a surprise cookout for my daddy on Sunday at his house. Here he is holding Lily Bell and Aaron. His birthday is actually today. Happy birthday Daddy!

I thought these were great pics. I can show off my dad and updated pics of my babies!

Would have been 8 years today

Hi all!!

Yes I am still around. I was telling someone about the blog, and thought, ok, I better let you know I am still here. Now, I hope you haven't all forgotten me.


Life hasn't been easy since Wayne passed. I ended up losing my home to foreclosure as I am still waiting for my widows benefits from the Veterans Administration. The government gets in no hurry. I not only lost the "ol' goat", I have lost practically everything. My car is the next thing that goes.
On top of that, today, would have been our 8 year wedding anniversary.

I am living with my son Trevor, (Toad), his wife Jammie, grandson Jordan, and new grand daughter Lily. I have a little bedroom in the basement, that I lovingly refer to as "The Dungeon!" I spend lots of time with my 5 grand children. Oh, by the way, grandchild number 6 is due in January. My oldest son Travis and his bride Joanie are expecting. Their wedding pics are on here somewhere.

I have a new date for my gastric bypass surgery, it is now set for August 26th. That is if I pass all the pre-op stuff on July 28th. My nerves and frame of mind are way off kilter, so, I am just hoping that it doesn't impede my progress. My health sucks, and I need this to get myself back on track. I wanted to give up living, but I can't. Too many babies to spoil!

I plan on posting more often, so, if you are still interested in my life, keep checking in. As Arnold would say,,"I'll be back!"

Until next time,
Liz

Aaron James

Aaron James was born on May 13th, weighing in at 8 lbs 4.6 oz, 21 inches long. Quite the little bruiser!

Aaron looks like he is thinking, "Wow! This is a strange looking world!"

"Pucker up for some kisses Granny!"

" Hey Granny! You lookin' for a fight?"

Learning

I am sorry its been awhile since I have posted anything.
I am trying to learn how to live my life without the Ol' Goat.
I've been trying to get all the paperwork done so that has kept me pretty busy.
I have started staying alone here at the house again, letting my kids get on with their own lives.

I find myself talking to his chair without thinking, because thats where he was a lot. Then I turn to look because he isn't answering me and then I remember.

I want to thank you all for all the prayers and support. It means a lot to me. I may not have answered all the private emails and messages, but I have read them all.

Kiss and hug your loved ones daily, you never know what tomorrow may bring.

SEMPER FI JARHEAD

This is a photo board that we created for Wayne's memorial service

This is a family pic that I managed to snap of Waynes Children and grand children.

More pictures of Lily Bell

A very proud big brother

Taking a little snooze

Snuggling with her MawMaw Shirley

Granny Me holding Lily. Sure wish PopPop had gotten the chance to hold her.

He was so looking forward to her coming.

Granny's little Lily

This is just a cell phone picture for now, but wanted to let you all know that my grand daughter made her debut at 2:28pm on April 1st. 7lbs 2.5 ozs.

My little ray of sunshine during this gloomy time.
My Lily Belle.