Hello everyone, my name is Lisa I am a southern girl born and raised in East Tennessee. I love discovering new places and things to do. I have a lot of favorites, shopping, traveling, knitting and photography are all at the top of my list. I am married with my fur babies my only children. This blog is actually named after my beloved basset hound Patches. She passed away a few years ago but will always have a huge part of my heart. Come with me and we will explore some wonderful places and discover some really fun things. Are you ready?
What a week. I know I have been a little MIA the last few days but work and life have both gotten in the way.
When I last left you I was preparing for a third blood test for my high potassium levels. My potassium wasn’t that high but higher than my doctor wanted it to be. All of my other blood work was good. The kidney function was good so it was a bit of a mystery as to why it was high. For about three weeks I have been on a low potassium diet and I have to say I didn’t realize how many foods were so high in potassium. Anyway my potassium level is back in range so that is a very good thing. As I mentioned before I am really trying to eat better and cut back on sweets and get more exercise. I am down ten pounds!!! Whooo hooo. I have a long way to go but it is definitely a start.
Happy Memorial Day!!! Thank you to all of those who serve, who have served and sacrificed so that we may have the freedom we have.
I had to work on Saturday because it was Memorial weekend and in tourism that is a big deal. Not only because of the significance of the day but also because a lot of people travel. I only took Sunday off and was back to work on Monday.
Monday night there was an AT&T area wide outage and we were without internet, phones etc. for most of the evening. It finally came back on around 8:00 PM. It’s not like we lost power but I seemed to feel paralyzed to do anything. I did read a book and that was a good thing.
My sister and I had our annual mammograms on Tuesday in Knoxville. It seems like all of my wellness checks come up at the same time. And then I spend a month or so getting them all taken care of. My sister and I always get our mammogram appointments really early and spend the rest of the day shopping. We had such a fun time. I bought several things and I will show them later on my Friday Favorites. It seems like the stores were a little better stocked than last time. I did buy another Orchid at Trader Joe’s. They always have the best selection and I have been wanting a white one to add to my collection.
This is the one I picked and I named her Ophellia I always name them.
Several white orchids to choose from.Great prices too.
Every store we were in had tons of gnomes. I like gnomes as well as the next person but good gravy that doesn’t have to be the only patriotic decorations. This was at Marshalls but it was the same way at Hobby Lobby and T.J. Maxx
Just look at these two. This is Allie Cat and Sadie. They love being on top of the garage door.
Gus is taking it easy. He has really made himself at home.
I have been using my quesadillas maker to make these quesadillas. I use cheese and pepperoni and cut them into corners and they are yummy and low cal. Also low in potassium.
I had breakfast this morning with my niece and a good friend of ours.
So that is what has been going on with me what about you?
Hello friends. Wow we have had three inches of rain today. This past week we had unseasonably high temps and then today was rainy and cool. I loved it!! How was your weekend?
My weekend extended into today. I have to work next weekend because it is Memorial weekend and it will be our first big weekend of the season. So I took today off.
I had a great weekend. I think everyone should have a three day weekend. It would be the perfect amount of time to get things done and get some rest and have fun!!!
I started my weekend with these blueberry muffins. Believe it or not the potassium in these are not that bad. I also do not believe in totally restricting myself from things I love. I think moderation is key in everything.
On Saturday I went with a friend to take photos. He likes taking pictures almost as much as I do. He had told me about some of the roads he traveled to work. Some of them are short cuts on the back farm roads with the most beautiful scenery. I have to say East Tennessee is beautiful. I say East Tennessee because Tennessee is divided into three grand divisions East which is Knoxville, Chattanooga, Gatlinburg area all the way into North Carolina. Middle Tennessee is Nashville, Murfreesboro area and West is Jackson and Memphis areas. Each area is so different it’s almost like a different state. That is why the state flag has three stars. One star for each division. Ok enough history.
This is the first photo I took on our trip and I love it. I love taking pictures of old barns. Especially the ones painted red.
So we took off early Saturday with our cameras and cell phones. I love taking pictures with my cell phone about as much as my big camera. Chuck had almost the same camera as me and he was able to show me a lot of new things I didn’t know. We took pictures for a few hours and then stopped in nearby Athens and had lunch and then walked downtown to get some shots of the old buildings in the downtown area. I am saving most of the shots I took for my Wordless Wednesday post so stay tuned for that.
Flags all around the courthouse. It was very windy and they were billowing and beautiful.
Isn’t the courthouse here beautiful. It is very old.
I picked up groceries on my way home. I took care of all the babies when I got home, we went on a long walk. I put the groceries away and started some laundry. It was a great day!!
This is our girl Sadie, she thinks she is a wild jungle cat.
Scruffy and MollyAllie Cat, AKA Mama kitty. She is mama to all the kitties we had. Sadie and Izzy. These babies love going on the walks with us. It is the funniest thing you have ever seen. They are all trailing behind me as I walk. I feel like we’re in a parade. HA!!!
Izzy
Sunday was quiet. Mark and I were both off and we just hung out at the house. I did more laundry and worked on the temperature blanket. I had about a billion ends to weave in. That is the only bad part about switching colors so many times. I cooked dinner and caught up on Working Moms on Netflix.
Monday I had to get my hair done really early and then I planned to continue cleaning my Mother in Law’s house. We are planning to rent it so a lot has to be done. A sweet friend came to help me. We worked for about three hours and then got some lunch and went back to her house to eat it. I had to pick up some things for my MIL and take to her. She was In good spirits and wasn’t even upset about her upcoming doctor visit. I went home to feed and walk the babies and get ready for work tomorrow. It will be a long week because I have to work on Saturday.
My eating is going well this week I am down about nine pounds. I want it to go faster but I know realistically this is the best way. I also am now on a low potassium diet. I had blood work a couple of weeks ago and my potassium was higher than it should be so I had to drink a liquid potassium binder, which was pretty yucky, and have the test repeated. The results were better but not quite where the doctor wants them to be so I had another of the delicious binders and will get rechecked on Thursday. We will see after that. All other blood work was great so it is a bit of a mystery. I would be concerned with only having one kidney and that could be causing a problem but all kidney related blood work was great!!! I’m trying to remain calm and optimistic that we will get to the bottom of it. However potassium does play a big role in your body. It is very important to keep it balanced.
The inside kitties, Gus and Kitty Kitty are getting along better every day.
This was the first time I have seen both of them on the bed at the same time. Gus’ fur is starting to come back in and it looks so weird. The places where there is the least hair is where the hair was the most matted.
I love this look I think it says I am here and I am King!!!!
More daisies blooming. I love them. They are my favorite. do you remember picking the petals and saying “he loves me he loves me not”? You always had a special person in mind while you were picking the petals and you just always had to make it end the way you wanted.
I love these. Weeds or flowers either way I think they’re beautiful.
This is perhaps the least specific blog you will find. A variety of DIY projects, book reviews, health tips, yoga poses, fashion ideas, recipes or something altogether different depending on my current mood. I've never been pigeon-holed into one category so neither is my blog. Strap in and enjoy the ride!
Southern Patches 