The Iced Coffee Blog

I haven’t mentioned them in a long time but our neighborhood owls haven’t been around here much in recent years. I just got a surprise — they’re back!

Yes, as I’m writing this I’m listening to two owls having quite a conversation outside. I just wish that I could see them if I were to go outside but I’ve never been able to get a good look in the dark. The best I’ve ever done is to tell exactly where they’re perched but I’ve never been able to see as much as the color of their feathers. The best I can tell is that they’re somewhat light in color but definitely not white.

I love hearing their soothing hoots, I guess I sense that is a sign that all is good in the world of the local owls. I know there is lots of small prey out there for them to feast on if they feel the need to go after it.

Enough of them. They’ve moved on and I no longer hear them hooting.

Danny got a cute little Olympus digital camera today. I got the honor of figuring it out for him and the battery should be nearly charged by now. He still needs to get a 2 gig memory card for it but it does have onboard storage for a few photos. I need to install the software that came with it soon, at least before I get a barrage of photos.

I had to do a bit of Christmas shopping this afternoon. I had to get something for each of 10 co-workers and I think I did pretty good. I didn’t want to get candy or cookies and most everything else was too expensive. Besides that, I got cookies for them last year. Well, this year I found bags of dried mixes for corn chowder and split pea soups. They sounded like a healthier choice and each package is supposed to make 3/4 of a gallon of soup. I added a real glittery snowflake ornament to each package to dress them up. Shopping is done, at least for work.

While I was shopping I finally found something that I wanted — almond syrup that if added to club soda and ice makes a wonderful Italian soda. The syrup can also be added to coffee, and that’s probably what it is most used for. This last summer I discovered Italian sodas and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. I also found but have yet to try a coconut flavored syrup. The syrups are made with Splenda so there are no calories. Beats soft drinks!

I was just dinking around with Microsoft Access for the first time in over 10 years. My gosh how easy it is to use these days! Anyway, I found a couple of useful templates that I might put to use. One is for managing all of my income and expenses and the other has to do with keeping track of what I’m eating.

I’ve seriously got to cut out the snacks I’ve been having and find some new ones that won’t pile on the pounds. I weighed myself for the first time in several months and needless to say, I was not pleased with what the scale told me. I’ve gained at least 10 pounds, maybe as many as 15 and I want them gone. It’s no wonder that many of my clothes just hang in the closet — they don’t hang well on me. Oh, they still fit but not like I’d like them to.

Guess I’m going to have to cut out my chips and switch to vegies that I like such as cucumbers. Fruit is a problem for me. The only way I’ll eat an apple is if it has been cooked, can’t stand them raw. Oranges are too messy and bananas won’t help other than getting me some much needed potassium. Tomatoes give me heartburn, as do a lot of foods that I love. So much for other goodies like a pizza or ice cream. They’re out for now.

So what am I left with to eat? I’m not giving up the burritos that I take for my lunch at work because they’re cheap and easy. I may just have fewer of them. I have to have my Dr. Pepper for work but I don’t have to have it at any other time. If I want a soda at home I can make an Italian soda with flavored syrup, crushed ice, club soda and lite cool whip. I won’t be having any “diet” varieties either with all the bad reputation that aspartame is now receiving. Best to stick with plain old sugar in smaller amounts.

Got to have my coffee although I now use Splenda in it. Can’t give up my caffeine!