Just got back from the psychiatric hospital. Hannibal Lector wasn't in residence. We talked for two hours to a group of chaplain students from all over the country. They had wobbly eyes when we were done. The course is for chaplain that want to work in psychiatric hospitals, or on the psychiatric wards of regular hospitals. For most of them, the only time they will see someone with a serious mental illness, is when they are actively psychotic and really sick. They have to work more with family members at that point, and if they think the future is hopeless, it is easy to transfer that to the family, at a time when hope may be all they have to hold on to. Seeing someone like himself, who has a serious illness, but takes his medicine, is stable and healthy, and leading a normal (if eccentric) life can make a huge impression. Plus seeing that he can be married to a normal(ish) woman, amazes them. If he was deaf or blind, people wouldn't assume that I was also deaf or blind. I guess everyone assumes you have to be crazy to marry a crazy person. I see them looking at me, watching for tics or something, and finally someone always gets up the courage to ask me. I always say no, I don't have a mental illness, but I have fallen on my head, head over heels.

Catherine - what a perfect answer!

Ladies this has got to be the stupidest lesson I have ever learned. Tonight I licked the lid of a yogurt and now I know that it is never worth the taste! I papercut my tongue! Fairly painful. Kids are tying to convince me to apply a band-aid. Please learn the easy way from my example. DON'T DO IT!

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

I am still struggling with my plan. I have done WW in the past, phase 1 of SB, many years ago I did Jenny Craig and Optifast. You know how it goes

My husband is diabetic and one of my kids has a dairy allergy. I cook a lot from scratch, do very little processed foods and we try to eat a wide variety of fresh produce. All on a budget. I have been looking at Superfoods Rx but I think the reality is that I just have to eat less, eat better and move more. So right now that is my plan. I have done well today although nights are hardest for me to make good choices.

kirsti -- That IS a plan! If you know nights are hardest, think about strategies to deal with that.... or post a question on the main forum!

Eat less and move more is the basis of my plan -- STILL!

Catherine you are one smart girl!

Julia ....Lol laughing at your kids suggestion! ..... just for your information the tongue is the fastest healing part of your body....hope yours heals fast!

Welcome Kirsti I think you have it right ...We all need to shop at the outside aisles of the grocery store....(that is where the healthy food is)

Heather moving more is what I am trying to do!!But tonight I walked for 57 minuites...And came home and gardened for half an hour .....Now I am so tired !! Waa I exercised too late I missed my night snack ......( I don't eat after 9 pm) Hope tonight I don't try to swallow my pillow!!(lol)

Merksie!! You are doing great keep it up!! It tooks us a long time to gain these pounds so it will take a while for us to lose them...And you are doing wondeful!
dgramie ...way to go!!you had a treat now you are exercising it off!!
halcyon .....keep going girl!!Eat healthy and exercise means success!!
Debbie 54 you are inspiring losing 69 lbs So far!!

Hi Everyone,

Well... I actually have time to post today because I am sick... AGAIN! It is almost exactly the same as I had a few months ago. It is a cold that has moved to my sinuses, as well as giving me laryngitis. It is VERY difficult being a Music teacher when you have laryngitis, so I have two days off school. I have a certificate for tomorrow as well, but it is an IT day, instead of a teaching day, so I will probably go in if I have some energy back. It is funny how good I actually feel, and I feel guilty having time off work, then I start doing things and my energy levels plummet. Yesterday morning I had to go in to school for the first lesson, as it was a choir rehearsal. We are performing tomorrow night at a Citizenship ceremony and I want to fit in these last couple of rehearsals (one before school tomorrow) just to get the fine-tuning done. Interestingly enough, the last time I had this type of cold was just before our first performance last term. Perhaps it is stress induced. I also know that it has something to do with my new teaching role. This is the first year, in 26 years of teaching, that I have not had my own class. I am teaching a totally new subject (have always had music specialists before, so never actually ‘taught’ music) and I work with over 200 children. I think part of the whole thing with me getting these bugs is that my system is getting run down with all the new stuff I am doing, not just the subject content, but teaching Music is a very physical job and you have to be ‘up’ for the entire day so you can give the last class the same attention/energy as the first class. Thankfully I only have one totally full day (and I am thoroughly exhausted by the end of Monday) and two half days of music, but I’m not sure my system gets the time to recover between times, because I am running all over the place sorting out IT issues with staff. This year I am also exposed to a HUGE range of kids with their own bugs. I know that last week I was sneezed on or coughed on (yep, always a fun thing) at least twice, and I probably just overlooked another 10 times that this happened, because we have a LOT of sick kids at school, sniffling and coughing. So, with these issues combined, I suppose I’ll just have to ride through the year and hope that I build up a little more immunity before next year. I think it is just a bit of a shock because I had NOTHING last year. I had figured that my healthier lifestyle was helping me to avoid colds and other nasties. Nope, just maybe a lucky year. This time the doctor has put me on antibiotics to try to work out any infection, so maybe I’ll recover fully instead of having it hang around for a LONG time. I have also bitten the bullet and decided that I am not going to exercise for a few days to give my body time to recover. This is REALLY hard for me. I’ve rested for a few days before, but I think this time it is going to be closer to 5 or 6 days. My cold started Friday and I had exercised in the morning, but nothing in the afternoon, and nothing since then. With the Citizenship ceremony tomorrow I won’t have time to exercise after work, so I have decided to just leave it until Thursday, if I am up to it. Thankfully I haven’t been too bad with food, so my weight dropped last Friday, (after my period was ending, so expected a drop) then was stable for a few days, and it has actually dropped again today. Not sure if that will last, but I’m thankful that it is doing OK even though I am being VERY sedentary.

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary and I probably won’t see much of hubby, even though I am home all day. He is the head cleaner (janitor?) at my school, so we usually see a bit of each other during the day, but he starts very early (4:30am) and works a split shift, so comes home for a few hours, then is back at school to spend lunch with me then work until 5pm. Well, this week he is helping our gardener with a job at another school. We share our gardener with another school and they are painting a maze on their oval this week. He asked Neil to help him, and it will mean a little more money, not a lot, but they do help each other out a lot, so it all balances out. Anyway, I was hoping that the weather would be too bad for them to work today, so I would get to spend time with Neil, but it is turning out to be a beautiful day, so he is over there painting. Oh well. We didn’t exchange gifts, as we are seriously saving for our holiday at the end of the year. I wrote him a poem and he sent me an email that made me cry, it was so lovely.

Well, I suppose I had better get my act together and work on some personal replies while I have time and am still awake. I have been taking a lot of naps over the last few days. I’ll put the personals into a new post, so this one doesn’t get any longer. Sorry about the verbal diarrhoea, but once I start ‘talking’ I find it hard to stop. Surprising huh???

Take care,

Zelma

Greetings all,

No bike ride today.. There were lots of storms. My old Captn kitty started eating with all the appetite stimulating meds, anti-nausea meds and extra fluids. There was some side effects (aren't there always) and he was meowing and not feeling himself and pacing around. He did eat a half of can of food. That was the great part! It's a wait and see game now. I have a pharmacy to give him in the morning as well as some IV fluids. Looks like I'll be late to work in the morning.

Julia, just had to laugh at your injury. Ever think about a tongue piercing??!! hehehehe. It would thoroughly mortify your kids.

Welcome Kristi!

Heather, go girl! I love your scuba stories of triumph.

Catherine, I see a romantic side of you!

Zelma, oh my, get better quickly!! Happy 8th wedding anniversary and think of that wonderful vacation you two will be taking soon!!!

Hugs GGG and Angel!

Luv,
Ratkity

Luan – I am SO sorry you have been suffering this grief from your family. I lead such a sheltered life that I am always appalled at how family members can treat each other. My family isn’t exactly ‘close’, and we don’t see each other that often, but I can NEVER imagine that any of us would treat each other with the neglect/aggression/anger that your family is dishing out to you. I hope you find some way to stay strong around these ‘poisonous’ people. With your work possibly being on the line, I understand that it isn’t really possible for you to move out, but I will keep my fingers crossed for you that something else comes up and you will be able to walk away from this situation in the near future. From what I understand, you may be worried about what will happen to your great-grandmother if you are not there for her. I think you may have to just depend on the other family members to actually do something right for once if that happens. You can’t destroy your own life just because they can’t be the children/grandchildren that they SHOULD be. You will be of no use to your great-grandmother if you end up having a breakdown. But... I am not in your situation, so I probably shouldn’t be trying to give advice. It just hurts that someone who seems so special is being treated like dirt. You don’t deserve it and I wish your family could see that.
OK... off my soap box now. I am not sure if you saw my post a while back, so I’ll repeat my question. You mentioned seeing Fantasmic (I think that is what it is called) at Disneyland, and I looked it up on the Internet and it looks great, but from what I read, it seems as though it is only on in Summer. Would you know if it is also on in Winter? Thanks.

Julee – I am sorry you are feeling so down about your weight loss at the moment. I kind of felt that way a few weeks ago when my weight had crept up again and was sitting there, no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was just hormonally induced. So, I started really watching what I ate again and it is gradually coming down again. I tend to have to do this every few months, as I get a little lax. I am not saying that is your problem, just explaining that it is common to have these frustrating ‘blips’ along the road.
As far as Las Vegas goes, I truly hope you don’t let this stop you from having a fantastic time. Remember, I want to hear all about the wonderful things you have done so I can get some ideas for our own trip. As far as the eating goes while you are away, I have been worrying about this already and our trip is still 6 months away! After a lot of though, I have worked out that I am going to try to be good ‘most’ of the time, but I am not going to worry about every bite I eat while we are away. Now... we are away for 4 weeks, and that is certainly enough time to put on some weight if I don’t eat what I usually eat, but I am willing to cope with that AFTER the holiday. I am hoping that all the walking we do will make up for the treats I may have along the way, and I plan to eat my usual meals most of the time, as I said. Most of the hotels we’ve booked into already have a fridge, and some have a microwave (great, I can still have my oatmeal for breakfast) and one has a full kitchen, so I don’t really have any excuses for not eating properly most of the time. We have had to book a fridge at the Paris, Las Vegas, for an extra $10 dollars a night, but I think it’ll be worth it. I tend to get cravings for my fresh produce and yoghurts if I miss them for too long. I made the mistake, on our last holiday to the US, to really restrict myself from having anything that was too far off plan food-wise. Now, I still put on a pound over the three weeks, even with LOTS of walking, but I don’t really know if that would have been that much more if I had actually had a special meal now and then. I think, over the whole three weeks we had ONE dinner out, and that was because it was booked and paid for by a colleague of Neil’s and it included a cruise, that I didn’t want to miss. I still didn’t eat what I WANTED to eat though and that kinda put a dent in an otherwise perfect evening. This time I have told myself that I can have at least one special breakfast, lunch and dinner in each of the three major locations we are heading to. One each in Hawaii (which will probably be Christmas lunch or dinner), one each in Las Vegas and one each in either Los Angeles or San Diego. That may sound like a lot, but when I say special, I mean a meal that wasn’t eaten in the hotel or prepared by myself. I may end up having a lovely salad in a restaurant, or some scrambled eggs on whole wheat bread for breakfast, and maybe I’ll splurge even more than that once or twice, but that will still be OK, because I am PLANNING for it. I will perhaps have lighter meals for the rest of those days, or fit in some extra exercise, but it will still be OK. I know that I won’t splurge too much, because my stomach protests at a lot of fatty/creamy foods now, so I won’t be getting too carried away. I don’t want an upset stomach while I am away if I can avoid it.
Last time we went away I was also paranoid about not weighing myself every day, but that hasn’t really been much in my mind this time. I may try to weigh myself now and then, but I may also just wait until I get home and plan on a few months to get back on track.
Wow... that was LONG! But I want you to realise that worrying too much about this can ruin a holiday. At one stage I even sat and watched Neil and his mum (who I was meeting for the first time) eat their dinner as I had already had my salad in our room. That wasn’t enjoyable at all! I am not going to make that mistake again and I hope you can avoid making a similar mistake on your holiday. It is too special to worry that much over. It may take you a little while to re-lose the weight, but you know that you CAN lose it, so it isn’t something that you can’t recover from.

Oops... I have spent so long on these two responses that my elbows are starting to ache. Yep... those are still causing me problems as well.

More personals to follow...

Zelma

Zelma: Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. Our plan is one really nice meal at a lovely restaurant, one buffet...hopefully one with a lot of fresh options...and then the rest of the time i am fine on salad and fruit...DH needs his protein fixes...but I want to walk and swim while we are there and not depend so much on the shuttles. We won't have a car. I just want to enjoy the time and be carefree. I'm booking some spa time and we have tickets so far to one show. I will for sure let you know how it all goes.

Zedaus You are so inspiring and encouraging
JuleeCees have a great vacation ...Have of your battle is already won because you are planning so well!
RatakinSorry you missed your bike ride...Hope the weather gets better.....Hope the kitty feels beter also!

Wish I could sleep!! In an hour I have to get ready for work and have been a wake for 3 hours ...

angel_ hope you sleep better tonight. Were you upset over something? I know when i have stuff on my mind i dont sleep as well. Great job on the exercise yesterday... I have found if i exercise in the evenings i have trouble falling asleep...kind like it wires me.

julee_ how is hubby sugar levels? have a wonderful vacation!! You so deserve it!!! Relax and enjoy it!!

zelma_ sorry your elbow is still bothering you.

rat_ we have beautiful weather right now...lower humidy and temps in the lower 80s. Looks like I will be taking the little ones to the playground today.

kirsti_ Welcome...I am a calorie counter and its the easiest thing i have ever done and believe me...i have tried alot of diets out there...tops...zone bars...slimfast..low carb...low fat...

julia_ drink milk..its suppost to help heal mouth issues. LOL

kirsti-WELCOME

Zelma-Happy Anniversary!

Good Morning All,
Today I hope will slow down some as it is that wonderful, joy-joy time of the month. Busy day at work planned. I had to ride the route yesterday, it was quite different than I thought. I hope I don't have to do it today. Well older daughter has a boyfriend that is official as of last night. She was in a great mood! NO DRAMA or ATTITUDE. Let's hope it lasts! HA! HA! Younger daughter thinks it is cool. She said, "Mom, sissy was nice to me!" Kinda funny huh. We are doing well and not flooded! Thats always positive. Ya know, anytime I don't have to go to the basement is good. Plan today is drink lots of water!! I need to wash out the "4" pieces of pizza I ate last night. I can't believe I ate that much. I was miserable. Weight this morning said the same so I need to work on that. Gotta go to work so will check in later. Penny