Electric lawn mower.

I have been using a Ryobi electric lawn mower for about a year.  I will never go back to a gas mower.  It uses a 40volt Lithium batter and starts right off every time.  I only have one battery so sometime if I have let the grass get a little high, I have to stop and recharge the battery, but I have a really big yard.  I am so sold on this and will be replacing my weed whacker with a battery operated one from Ryobi when my corded one finally quits.  This mower has a 20" cutting diameter, rear discharge and it comes with a rear bag if you want to catch your grass clippings.  I don't.  It also has a space for an extra battery so you can just switch it out.  You insert the battery, a red key, hold down the lever on the handle and push the start button.  It has 6 cutting heights and are easy to set.  It also has high density led lights.  I am sold. 

The tape is on there because I broke the clear cover and am waiting on a hew on.  That cover protects the electrical components for the key and battery from debris. 

Last post for window film

You use the solution to clean the window first and dry it with a lint free cloth and they furnish you with one lint free cloth.  Then cut the film to fit.  Cut it a little larger so you can trim it precisely with a box cutter.  It will tell you to put two pieces of scotch tape sticky side facing on one corner.  You do this in order to be able to pull the protective layer away from the film itself.  Don't do like I did and try to put the film up backwards.  Sticky side goes on the window.  Spray the window liberally with the solution, apply the film and use the squeege to smooth out any bubbles.  Then spray the outside and squeege it as well.  Let set and you are done and you will be so glad you did this.  Their website is www.gilafilms.com.  I am sold on this. 

Finishing with window film

These will be needed to apply the film. 

Back to what this was set up for.

With the heat in Texas spiraling as it usually does in the summer, I have been applying heat film over my french doors and windows.  From the outside in daylight, no one can see in, but you can see out.  At night you will still need shades or drapes.  And it makes a tremendous difference in the amount of heat that come in through the windows and doors.  I found it at Home Depot online as that is the only way I shop now. 

It blocks 72% of sun's heat and it blocks 99% UV rays to help prevent fading.  I am sold and am going to do all my windows.  Do  not remember what I paid for this roll but it was economical.  Next I will show you what accessories you need to put this up. 

update

Well I have my blood pressure under control, but my heart rate is another matter.  It has been dropping to 40 occasionally.  I see the cardiologist on Monday.  I have hit a plateau with the weight loss.  I have to up the exercise.  Blood glucose is still in the pre diabetes range.  I so hope I can keep it there.  And hopefully my cholesterol has gone down.  I am due a blood draw this month so we will see.  I so wish I had never let those quacks put me on those beta blockers.  Well, the damage is done.  Wish me luck. 

I am still losing weight.

Since I got off the beta blockers back at the end of January, I have lost 34 pounds with very little effort.  What I did was cut out salt, sugar, cook fresh and very little meat.  I also stopped my weekly pizza night with the grandkids because they are afraid to come over.  They are afraid they will bring me the virus.  I would take my chances, but as my son pointed out, if they gave me the virus and it killed me, they would never forgive themselves.  So I settle for face time with them. 

My diet before was eggs, toast and sausage for breakfast. Lunch was usually a salad or sandwich, but that sandwich was made with processed lunch meat and that is loaded with sodium.  Dinner was vegetables, salad, and bread.  Maybe a bowl of ice cream about twice a week. 

Now my breakfast is still eggs, sausage, toast, but only once a week.  The other days, I have oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce, blackberries, 1 slice of whole wheat or Jewish Rye toast with butter.  Lunch is either tuna sandwich and salad or just a salad.  Dinner is baked fish or chicken, vegetables, no bread.  And the vegetables I use are beans, mustard greens, squash, brussel sprouts, sometimes potatoes, carrots, and broccoli.  I roast the broccoli, brussel sprouts and squash with onions coated in olive oil and seasoned with herbs and dry mustard.  The mustard greens I cook in no salt chicken broth, herbs and a touch of nutmeg.  These I serve over whole wheat cornbread.  Sugar and salt are gone.  The sugar I keep is to make nectar for the hummingbirds.  And I exercise.  I walk every day, whether around the block, which for me is 2 miles or on the treadmill for an hour.  So for almost 70, I am doing pretty good,.  We will see what the cardiologist says in June,.  But those beta blockers were well on the way to killing me. 

update on health

I am still on the ACE inhibitor for the blood pressure.  I may have to stay on it for the rest of my life,  I have lost 31 pounds now.  And the blood pressure is under control with this medication.  Also, my blood glucose is running from 80-130.  I notice that I can no longer eat anything with sugar.  Or maybe it was the preservatives.  I fixed canned cinnamon rolls yesterday.  I did not add the icing because that much sugar makes my teeth hurt.  But I did eat one cinnamon roll.  And I spent the night in misery.  My intestines felt like they were on a roller coaster.  So from now on if I crave a sweet, I will make it from scratch.  But it is a rarity that I want  anything sweet.  I have managed to cut out most sodium as well.  My diet consists of either fresh or frozen vegetables, beans, sometimes some baked chicken or fish.  Mornings are oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce, and blackberries or strawberries.  And about once a week, I treat myself to two scrambled eggs, one sausage patty, and a slice of toast made from Jewish Rye bread. 

The best thing I have learned is that if I just eat like I did when growing up, I'm good.  We had lots of vegetables, very little meat, eggs, milk, oatmeal and biscuits and gravy.  And we were healthy.  And those vegetables came from our own garden and those eggs from our own chickens.  So back to basics it is.  I have 57 more pounds to lose and I am now confident I can lose it.