Hey y'all:
Birds chittering and a true live nature experience on today's walk. I saw a great white heron chowing down on a snake. The snake was about 12 inches long, at least the part that was not gulped. He/she flew off with his bounty, it was a good experience and one shared with a teen bike rider. Quite walk today only a one bark moment.
Guido (the car) remains on his 'sleepover'. I cannot weigh in, but am still fitting in the clothes so I don't think there is any rebound weight.

DD's Spring Break is over and she reclaims the computer for her online classes. She will get the AA degree this May and on to USF. She will major in Far Eastern history. A late bloomer, she is doing very well, as is her CA sister who is finishing her Freshman year. They are 38 and 33 respectively.

DeP (dear exPartner) is back in recovery. I wish I could give her some of my experience strength and hope, (I am 26 years w/o alcohol) but her recovery is hers.

all for today
Coralee

Good Mornin'
I can't linger today, lots to do. I got the squares cut out for my patchwork seat I'm going to sew today. Speaking of nature, the Canadian geese are flying over on a regular base. We have a field across the road from us that always collects water when it rains heavy or spring thaw, forms a large pond. On Tuesday, 14 trumpeter swans flew in and stayed all day. It was so much fun watching them, two of them were signets (half grown babies) They kept a close watch on us, whenever we let 'Charlie' out, the cobs (males) would swim to the front to guard the family. I wasn't outside but DH said they were making lots of warning noise.
You all have a great day!

Hi everyone..this is my 2nd post the first went poof into cyber space(sigh) i got home last nite about 9 pm and went direct to bed..i was so pooped..it was fun to get out but exausting..im not sure if i like the dr..after thinking all he said i realyze he was probably ascessing my desire to do all i will have to a go thru the process..and how bad i want it..i expected a get to know you session,however he looked me up and down and called me a round little pumpkin ok..then he wanted me to get on his examine table which was my shoulder height by not using my walker and to step up..i knew that was not possible but i tried scared i would fall yikes..then he said my dh was my enbabler and why i had gained ,not true,as i beleive we have control of what goes in our mouths which i told him.then he got quiet for about 10 min very uncomfortable..and then said he doesnt do surg on people who cant get on his examine table and wasnt sure if i was a good acanidate..he wants me to follow atkins for a month,exercise and get more mobile have all the medical tests and get reevaluated in a month..ok i left feeling awful..i guess i expected some sympathy and understanding but his manner was cold and aloof..i enjoyed getting out and spending time with my dd..i was glad i had not gained as my wt was the same as from my ch up in may last yr..on the way home my upper legs where charley horseing from all the in and outs and walking..thats agood thing to as it tells me i need to move more..so after getting home a nites sleep and a good cry session i have decided to follow his advice and see where it goes..he suppose to be a good surg with lots of success stories in fact all his office staff are former patients and they luv him,you can tell..so i will reserve judgement on him but if he calls be a round little pumpkin again he might here some nasty words :dizzy:..the seminar was interesting and some of the befor and after pics where amazing so the journey cont..thankyou fro all support it means so much to me so high fives for all our accpomplishments big or small...:hug: rosey :wave:

PT, Leslie and I are no longer on speaking terms. She was offended over my new close friendship with Wendie. Wendie and I spent a little time "doing our own thing" over the weekend; nothing drastic, you understand - just a little time to ourselves. You know how it gets when you're constantly in someone's company. You just go stir crazy if you don't get away from them once in a while. So, we had our little break, and then got back together Monday morning. We've been pretty much inseparable ever since, and you know that Leslie is just completely miffed. Won't speak to me in fact. I tried to use the walk DVD one morning, and I SWEAR she made a very naughty signal with one of her fingers (and you know which one I mean) and turned her back on me. Had all her walkers turn their backs on me, too. It was humiliating, I tell you.
Okay. None of that really happened. But I don't dare put the DVD in because I'm afraid that it will. :eek:
Welcome, Coraline! I am one of the "writers" referred to in an earlier posting. Unless your librarian tasks took you into the National Grants database, it's unlikely that you've read anything I've written (other than posts here on GGs). I've been working on a novel for a long, long time, but alas, I am still working full time, and much of my time off is spent with family, so if it's ever finished it will be a true, bona fide miracle.
Spring begins tomorrow! I am SO looking forward to it! A nice long one, I hope, with moderate temperatures for as long as possible before we jump with both feet into the hot stickiness of summer. This weekend - or at least Saturday - is supposed to be exemplary, with temperatures possibly hitting 70 degrees, which in my opinion is PERFECT. Our Third Saturday "field trip" with the grandkiddos is this Saturday, and we shall be taking them to the Museum of Science in Boston. Perhaps after we leave there, we'll take a nice long stroll around Boston Common before going out for dinner. That's one thing I'm REALLY going to miss now that we've moved our offices 20 miles south of Boston. I loved going over to the common on my lunchbreak during the summer months when our offices were right there on Berkeley Street in Back Bay. I have noticed, though, in a few little forays out into the neighboring countryside hereabouts, that there is an Audubon Society hiking trail about a mile down the street from our new offices, so I may just give that a try.
We had a little supper party for the twins first birthday at my daughter's last night. Their actual "big first birthday party" will be next weekend, on Saturday the 27th. I can hardly believe that they're a year old already. Seems like just a month or so ago that we were getting them out of NICU and home. They're doing so well - and little Micah has learned to walk without holding onto anything! Marcus is almost there, but still needs something to grab onto when he starts to totter.
Rosey, I'm SO glad that you're using the doctor's unsympathetic manner as motivation to move more and follow the Atkins plan. If he has so many "fans" - including his staff - he apparently knows what he's doing. AND- I think it's probably a good thing that he isn't willing to just go ahead and cut into you before he feels that you're in adequate condition to have the surgery. Always better to be safe than sorry. Just keep coming here for support (and some of Bobbi's special brand of encouragement) and you'll be ready for surgery in no time! :hug:
And speaking of you, Bobbi dear, what is this "patchwork seat" that you are working on? A cushion for a chair? Or reupholstering a chair? Do tell what amazing project you are embroiled in now!
G'morning, :wave: Freda, Karen, Linda...and Isabella (if you're psychic, that is) and of course Lynn, except she is off to Florida, isn't she?
Guess I'd better get some work done.
Have a good day, all! (TGIF)
:grouphug:
Z

`Be back in a jiff......gotta get my banana, yogurt and Fiber One to munch on while I catch up on the posts.

Originally Posted by :
Easy Ways to Get Active

January 14, 2010 12:00 AM by Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD | 3 commentsjqgetComment("654367","/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/easy-ways-to-get-active");

Your street has no sidewalks, your office is on the highway, and the gym isn't a stop on the way. We hear you. Plenty of people like you don't have easy access to activity. So you have to make it yourself. (With physical activity having more health benefits than a celeb has paparazzi, we don't accept excuses!) Try these simple strategies:

• Move your stationary bike from your garage (or out from under the pile of clothes in the bedroom), and put it in front of your TV so you can get 60 minutes in during your favorite show. Here's how you can strengthen your core while you watch TV.
• Fidget! Find an excuse to move wherever you are. Clear the dishes. Stand up and walk in circles while you're on the phone. Walk over and talk to coworkers instead of IM-ing them. Learn how simply standing up more often helps you burn more fat.
• Keep a set of dumbbells at work, and do an upper-body exercise for 30 seconds when the clock hits the hour. Or every time your boss says, "We need to control costs," drop and do 20 push-ups. Military style. Okay . . . after 2 months, do them military style. You'd be surprised how much you can do when you are persistent. Find out how working out at work can make you better at your job.
• Do this ab exercise while you work, ride the elevator, wait in line, and walk: Pretend the top of your head is being pulled by a string to the ceiling. Then, squeeze your butt and suck in your belly button as if you're trying to pull up a pair of too-tight jeans; hold that position as long as you can.

Learn other easy ways to sneak more exercise into your day.

Zoe...Yes, it's a cushion for a wicker chair, I'll take a picture of the room when I'm finished.
Rosey....Sorry for thr rude awakening from your doc, I think he's testing you to see how badly you want it. I'm curious as to why he said the Atkins diet? If you've ever been more motivated in your life Rosey, I'd prove to him that you do want this very badly. Put a sheet of paper on your counter where you can see it, journal everything you put in your mouth, journal your exercises, and count the days backwards. Your daily goals should be staying OP, get your exercises in. Keep some weights around you to pick up during TV commercials. At the end of the day, you can look over what you did for the day. And most important of all is having a good talk with hubby, plead with him to help you stay OP. Ask him to make it easier to get your exercises in, maybe he can also suggest Atkin suppers or help you stay OP. I don't know what the Atkin's diet is but if he thinks it'll work, go for it. Can you practice getting yourself up on a similar table daily? I know you disagreed with doc about DH being an enabler, what did hubby say about that? Did the doc suggest any web sites of people in your position who need to ready themselves for surgery? Maybe you can do some research yourself? How's your heart, did the doc say how strenuous you can go at it? I just got an idea, how about posting your stats on the new challenge Lynn just set up? You can post your Atkins stats, your exercises for all to see. We just update it daily instead of posting a new post. You can type in a Daily chat section to let us know how it's going for you. This sounds like a lot of computer time but you need to take the time to care for yourself. It's only for a month right? Let us know what you think. God bless you in your journey...:grouphug:

Originally Posted by :
wasnt sure if i was a good acanidate..he wants me to follow atkins for a month,exercise and get more mobile have all the medical tests and get reevaluated in a month..ok i left feeling awful..i guess i expected some sympathy and understanding but his manner was cold and aloof.

Morning..thankyou for the welcome advice..im allready following atkins its mostly protein as thats what u eat after the surg..my dh agrees he is an enabler..so after talking we decided i must do all i can by myself(not honey if u are in the kitchen can u bring water) also he has phy ed degree and was a teacher so we are designing an exercise program similar like when i was in rehab and he is doing it with me..i told him i cant cook like i used to hes not sure about that..many changes tho and im determined..was up most of the nite too much anxiety but im dealing..when i get this all sorted i will post for all to see..husbands up so that means exercise yikes ttfn rosey :wave:

Good Morning Golden Girls,

It's such a beautiful day here. Sunny, warm. I am washing the throws and hanging them outside on the line. Love the smell! I worked for 3 hours this morning. I went in for another nurse. Boy, I could take this all the time. Oh well, dreaming.. Saw a beautiful phesant this morning when we went shopping. Not something you see that often in the city. thought of you Bobbi.

Coralee, Welcome, come back often. Look forward to getting to know you,

Freda

Lynn, Hope it's warm there and you're having lots of fun.

Isabella, hurry up and get that computer going. I miss you.


Z, 70 is my idea day too. I just don't like really warm weather. And I can't believe that Leslie treated you like that. After you gave her the best hours of your life!! the nerve!

Donna, Snow? Oh no!

Rosie, too bad you got a Dr. with no bedside manner. Like the others said, good incentive to "show him". But, honestly, the doctors here require patients to undergo therapy, and they have to be losing weight. The high protein diet is for healing. When you are not able to take in that much food, you need all the portein you can get to heal. And as for exercise, if you can't move well you are just too likely to get a blood clot. So, as mean as he was, he was being practical. But I know you can do it, especially now that you have got hubby's help. always easier with help. I don't work at a baractric clinic, but very close to one, and we get lots of patients. And our unit clerk and one of the aids had the surgery, with great success.

Hi everyone..i just finished an exercise program that my dh designed for me using the things i learned in rehab..i feel good about it and my dh did them with me :carrot:..the diet is protien atleast 3 oz a meal,30 grms of carbo a day,limited fats and dressings,green vegies and salads,cottage cheese and eggs and peanut butter..the purpose is to use up stored glycogen (carbs) in the liver to make it shrink befor surg..they also said this diet is not healthy for long term..i feel good about myself today :D (((hugs))) rosey :wave:

Well, I haven't got much exercise in the last few days---except for finger exises on the computer.. BUT we finally got a contract on our house in Colorado!! YAY!!! We didn't get out asking price but close enough to it. That will be a big headache gone IF everything goes well. The closing is the last of April so we will be making a trip out there. WHEW!! Sure hope it isnt snowing when we have to drive across Kansas!! YUCK!!!

OK I'm pooped but in a good way! I'll try to catch up with everyone soon.

i'M BACK! At least for a while. DS lent us his mini Dell notebook. It's a really small thing and the keyboard isn't full size and some of the punctuation keys are in different place but I'm thankful for it. We have ordered a new Dell laptop which should be here in about 2 weeks. Both DSs were in on the consultation and came to the conclusion that this was the one for me.

My house has really profited from the loss of a computer. I actually cleaned thoroughly this week. DH had such a satisfied look on his face when he saw the clean and empty coffee table. Hahaha, half the stuff was his. The house looked as if we were expecting very important visitors. But I notice the couch is full again (DH is stretched out having a snooze. Guess I can't throw him out!)

And before I forget, Happy first day of Spring!!! The weather and temperatures are telling me a different story today but the days are longer and I saw a crow with a small twig in his beak this week so I know the birds are starting to nest. I've also traded in my winter coat for a smaller spring jacket and my winter boots for my regular sneakers.

Our DGS celebrated his 1st birthday last weekend and what a haul of gifts he received. It was almost an obscene amount of presents for one so young. His other grandma gave him so many gifts I asked her if there was anything left in the store for anyone else to buy. (I know her well enough to ask that.) Anyhoo, I'm not getting into a gift buying competition with her. That woman can't afford to keep up with me and that's what she'd do. We had a great time with the kids and I even got to decorate DGS's birthday cake. The only thing that went wrong was that Baby had a cold and wasn't feeling as well as he would normally. He's walking now but prefers to hang on to someone's hand. He had a nasty spill and came in hard contact with the corner of a living room table. That would make me somewhat cautious too.

I joined the Memorial Day Challenge and I'm hoping to be at goal by then. I just love food so much, though and I like to bake but I'll have to put that energy into Spring cleaning. :lol: I'm also back to walking again although my back gets really tired sitting and most particularly in the car. I like that idea of sitting on the exercise ball, Bobbi, to strengthen the core body muscles. I think I'll pick one up next time I'm in town.

Zoe, I saw all that flooding in Mass. on the news and I thought of you and wondered if you were close to it. I think I'd have turned back home.

Freda, I didn't know what to do with myself the first few days the computer died but then I rediscovered books. Ha, ha. I'm actually re-reading my old college nutrition book. Some of the info is really outdated but some is not. I'm trying to understand the Krebs Cycle. It was always a mystery to me when I actually had to learn it.

A big hello to everyone else. This screen is so small my eyes are starting to burn from reading the small print.

Have a good day and remember Spring is a time of new beginnings.

Rosey, we are all on your side and pulling for you. It is great your DH can set you up an exercise program.