The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

The law of calories, based on the first law of thermodynamics (conservation of energy), states that body weight change depends on the balance between calories consumed and calories expended. Source: Google. 

In my dreams, I would love to enjoy my favorite ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream, and not put on any weight after finishing a half pint and napping all day. Dreams.

My reality being born with naturally high cholesterol and blood pressure from my Eastern European heritage, my diet is mainly healthy of fruits, vegetables, whole grain noodles and hot tea plain. Ideally, but life happens with stress eating. 

In my younger years, I earned my aerobic instructor certification through American Council on Exercise plus worked with on video of Step Reebok, Jane Fonda and Cher. Plus, I rode my bike and walked.

After losing my job, I’m walking most every day and still drinking hot tea with a hot bagel smeared with cream cheese. A sandwich for lunch then Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice or deli fresh salads for dinner. Red delicious apples are the best for a sweet tooth. Ben & Jerry are lurking though.

Truthfully, I don’t know anyone who would complain if the, “Law of Calories,” didn’t exist. 

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Write about your dream home.

A long time ago in a place far away, I once lived in my dream home. It was far from perfect but just right for me.

Built in 1932, my old home was solid as a rock with a change of the original floor plan that I was hoping to return it too. Plus, it had a “Michigan” basement in Michigan.

Honestly, I would add back the garage by getting rid of the living room that it was converted to. Next, I would convert the big bedroom back to the original living room by opening up most of the wall to the kitchen returning it to the original two bedroom bungalow.

The location of the property wasn’t far from the Michigan White Pine Trail which is a paved bike trail that one can ride for miles to different cities. Plus, easy access to I-96 to get to Detroit and to US-131 to get up north and to the Mackinac Bridge.

The neighborhood had a city built in HOA that allowed the area some political clout. For example, the local school district wanted to sell an elementary school building two blocks south to a contractor to develop it into condos. But, the HOA won keeping it open with no school busses allowed thus making it primary a walk only school. Next to school built in the 1930s like my home is a city park. South of the school had built in open green space used for Little League games of softball and football.

My current home in Texas was built in the 1950s which is considered to be a tract house put together in a few months with the same floor plan as my neighbors. Little insulation to keep the home cool in the summer and to stay warm in the winter. Grateful for it but don’t love it.

Time to time, I check the neighborhood to see what’s for sale in the area. But, the properties don’t last long and are sold quickly.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

My news line are the people who I would tell good news to first that has changed over the years like most everyone.

My early years, my Mom has been my first contact on good news. She was the first one to know about me making it on the cheerleading squad, my best times on downhill racing and getting the rare good grades.

Later on, it was my ex husband who I separated from in 1994, he was the first to hear the news. His lackluster response was deafening although I celebrated his wins like catching the big fish (salmon) that fought for over an hour and the deer.

Post divorce, for sometime, I shared with my Mom but at age 35, I felt that I needed a change and I started becoming more discreet to whom I shared in person. At that time, I learned who my ex had been with even one of my superiors so that relationship changed. My cat, Adrian, who became my rock and who was the first to hear my good news.

2011, good news was rare because I lost my longtime employment which I felt relieved to be out of the toxic environment. Sharing good news was now for Seville and Madrid who are feline brothers that I adopted from the Humane Society then my Mom. My friend who moved to MI from VT to find a man to marry that she did and who became a good friend to share news with. We met at the job that I loss.

Beyond 2013, I moved to Texas with new adventure and new employment that changed who and how I communicated good news. Facebook is where I find lifetime friends many whom I’ve known since kindergarten. They get the good news first because a long time ago, they accepted me for who I am, and our relationships have grown as we have. Yesterday, I shared with them and then here.

My news line of sharing with friends/old classmates who I’ve known most since kindergarten then later in fifth grade when my class came together from different schools previously. My Mom kept her lifetime friends too.

In closing, I’ve learned to be careful who you trust your bad news with and, sometimes, who you trust with your good news as well. News lines are feeling completely safe.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

Since I moved to north Texas, I gave up downhill skiing and long distance road biking. The first one seems obvious but not the second.

Due to the climate in Texas, frozen ice falls from the sky and not snow. There’s a winter resort in the Hill Country but non traditional for downhill skiing. Growing up in Michigan, the State gets plenty of snow and has plenty of places to downhill ski. In high school in northern Michigan when I was on ski team, I was blessed to train with one of the few Michiganders to make it to the winter games of the Olympics.

In the past, I was given an inheritance which U spent most of it on a decent bike. My Dad called me up and started screaming about it because of the thefts of expensive bikes stolen and it wasn’t for him. My cherished possession is a 12 speed touring Raleigh Technium 420 Aluminum in cherry pink. In Michigan, I rode it everywhere from May through late September. Unfortunately, Texas gets too hot from June through August. Spring usually has turbulent weather like fall. My bike would slide on the trails under 55 degrees. My window to ride is late May and maybe into early June.

In time, I believe that I will be riding again in northern Michigan as well as skiing in the reasonable future. Prayed about the quiet powerful voice that I heard to make the impossible seem possible not long ago.

The lost will be found again.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

What’s your favorite candy?

Truthfully and unfortunately, I’m unable to choose just one favorite. Although, I’m currently buying one at the moment to keep in the fridge.

First, my red delicious apples taste like candy too and, thankfully, healthy in many ways.

At Christmas near my birthday, I love the mini candy canes to eat solo or to put in hot chocolate to add the mint flavor.

For quick energy when I feel sleepy, I go for a bag of plain M&Ms. A small bag will definitely help me become more alert quickly. Mixing with caffeine does cause headaches though.

My comfort candy of having worked in a high stress environment and now being unemployed is Snickers. My ex husband got me hooked on them. Have a small bag of the minis in my fridge that I eat sparingly.

My second comfort candy is Reese’s peanut butter cups because I LOVE peanut butter plus the chocolate to offset it.

Honorable mentions are Nestle Crunch bar and Milky Way because they are both delicious.

That’s my lineup because a person cannot be expected to love only one kind of candy.

Enjoy your Candyland,

Leslie Elizabeth David.