Good Saturday Morning girls!
I've been too busy to post other than the St. Patties & trek across the country. These two threads sure do keep me in line, love them.
I purchased a portable DVD player yesterday in town, it's a pain in the butt to load the DVD player attached to the big screen T.V. , set out the mats, bar bells, etc. Now I have the stepper, mats, exercise equipment all set up in the basement waiting for me, no excuses.
Hi Rosey...Make ice cream! HaHa, just kidding. But people do make ice cream out of fresh snow.
I apoligize for this post being so long but I've been AWOL for a couple of days and lots to catch up on.
Lynn...I took many treasures in and found the value of only two items. I was a tad disappointed, I have two Sasha Braskoff green bears that I thought were worth more than $400.00 he quoted me. But he said the market is way down with the economy. I did sell DH wedding ring that he never wore and another ring of his dad's for $158.00. I had lots of collectible item that he said to sell on ebay as they didn't deal much in plates, dolls, figurines. I have a large wicker traveling trunk I wanted to sell but he wasn't interested in that either, It came from Moravia in the late 1800's. It was DH's grandmothers and takes up too much room. What fun to discover a relative, we found a relative through a research of DH's last name and gets emails from them all the time. Did you see the program last night , "Who do you think you are" with Sarah Jessica Parker? Interesting!
Cindy...Oh I envy you, I'd love to be out working in the yard. Are you anywhere near the San Andreas fault? I just saw a segment on that last night, scary! The only problem I've ever had with losing my weight is keeping it off. The losing is easy, keeping it off sucks!
[QUOTE][Nice weather tends to get me motivated. Since the house is caught up I'm hoping for another nice day tomorrow to spend in the yard. If I ever get this weight off of me, I can promise you I will never go back. I have made a promise to myself that if I gain 5lbs over my ideal that it's time to deal with it. I used to do that when I was in my 20's and 30's. It worked then and it can work now.
/QUOTE]
Karen...Yes, I'm going to yell at you. Let me think now, who has a beautiful new pool waiting for them right in their own back yard?hmmmmm, who has a woman cave set up with all kinds of exercise equipment just a few steps away? hmmmmmmmmmm, know anyone who has those two wonderful incentives? Want me to come over to box your ears? See how mouthy I get when I'm away from the thread for a couple of days? P.S. Sissy is waiting for a tummy rub.
Freda...Amen to the 5 pound rule, I totally agree. My jeans get tight across my tummy when I'm up 5 pounds. That's the time to start counting calories again and I've noticed it comes off so easy. I started the St. Patties challenge to get rid of the 5 pounds I gain and took it off in a week, have maintained. Love the 5 pound rule!
Okay Zoe...you're the one that inspired me to go out and buy a Leslie walking tape, don't let me down. You hear me? Once you start skipping the exercises, it gets more frequent and soon you won't be doing it at all. I challenge you to exercise 5-6 days a week, you up for that challenge? It doesn't have to be the walking tapes either, any exercise for at least 15 minutes. That way if you think you don't have the time, 15 minutes can STILL be squeezed in.
Isabella...have you had this flare up before? Have you been to a doctor? My back flares up about twice a year, I have spinal bifida and my back gets inflamed around that and nothing helps. Funny that I didn't know I had it until my middle 40's, that's when doc found it.
Glynne...I've been wondering how you were adjusting to the new schedule, so happy that you can spend more time with your family too!

well, looks like everyone, except me (duh) has managed to get a new ticker from ticker factory. you can see my pitiful attempt. Anyone want to tudor me?

Thanks for the info on which code to post, Bobbi.

Freda, just listen to Bobbi. She won't steer you wrong.

We are coming to end (I hope) of the worst snowstorm this winter. We haven't had much snow this year and most of January and February was sunny, although some really cold days. Yesterday, as I mentioned in my last post, DH had a snow day from driving the school bus. Last night was supposed to be the Women's World Day of Prayer service at the United Church (all churches take turns hosting, etc) but it was cancelled because of the weather. It's still snowing and blowing and drifting. Going on 36 hours of snow. But it's mild and the weather forecasts possible freezing rain/drizzle later on this evening. The plow has been down our street at midnight and again about 6:30 am but not since. I had MIL, 2 SILs and BIL invited for lunch today and they managed to get here. DS and DIL were supposed to be here but didn't venture out on the roads. They live 90 km (about 60 miles) from here and we advised them not to try and make the trip. No worries there as they had decided not to anyway. DH's sister has been visiting for the past few weeks from Western Canada and I've been trying to have her for a meal a couple of times. So I figured bad back, bad weather but good food would have to make a good mix as she's leaving next week.

DH had to use the front door to get out of the house this morning. We usually use the back door but the drift outside was half way up the door. The neighbours' driveways on either side were really piled high as was ours also. DH was playing with his snow blower again until he ran out of gas but he had most of the driveway done. It's probably all blown in again by now.

I lost one of the 2 pounds I gained last week so that was good to see this morning. I've lowered my goal to 125 pounds. I thought I might as well do it when I was playing around with a new ticker. Not sure I like this ticker as I was so used to my pink bubbles.

Cindy, that weather sounds lovely. I'd love to have 70 degrees around right now. I used to have bird feeders but the pigeons took over so I never bothered again. I loved to watch the birds so close to the house. I know the pigeons need to eat but they are gluttons and most of them should join a weight loss forum.

Zoe, you sounded quite perky. I'd take 50 degrees, too. I don't do halter tops but I do tank tops (modest ones) and shorts (not short shorts). No one sings, "Who wears short shorts?" when I walk by.

Bobbi, I haven't been to a doctor about my back. I really haven't had much trouble with my back over the years but if I have another flare up I'm going to make an appointment. This is the second incident in 2 weeks (going on 3 weeks now )

Donna, I love the word "thin." It's not a word I'm accustomed to hearing when someone is referring to me. Thank you.

OK Bobbi, I may have needed to be yelled at but I am getting better. Still don't have a lot of energy but at least I am getting some housework done now! If I still feel OK I'm going to my "woman cave" and at least try to get 15 mintues in on something tomorrow! I just get so worn out so fast-- this bugis nasty!! Glad that we had our regular flu shot, and the H1N1 shot too!! I would hate to think how miserable I would be with a full blown version of this!!

Hello everyone! Sure hope you Sunday is a good one!

Good morning, everyone,

Cardiologist reduced my meds by dropping the diuretic. Unfortunately, I'm now retaining some fluid and am up 2 lbs. My calorie intake has been around 1200/day, so I'm pretty sure it is just fluid - but NOT happy scale moments.

Spent yesterday doing my tax records. Got everything together & took to the accountant.

My DD & SIL get home from Disney World tomorrow. I'm picking them up at the airport.

May meet my sister this afternoon for lunch and a movie.

Check back later,

Lynn

Donna, thanks for your kind words. DH got everything cleared out of the driveway and away from the back door and we went to see DS & DIL today. It was great getting out. We went shopping and I managed to score the deal of the decade at Mark's Work Wearhouse. Got a $50 sweater for $4.23!!! It's a white chunky waffle knit zippered hoodie. Although it says chunky it's quite lightweight and will be ideal for warm spring days and cool summer evenings. Nothing like a great bargain to shake me out of the doldrums.

My back is feeling much, much better and tomorrow I may venture out for a short (or maybe long) walk, weather permitting. Driving back from DS's place the sun broke out of the clouds for the first time since March started. It was great seeing blue skies again. So I'm hoping tomorrow morning will be nice before more snow falls in the afternoon.

Lynn, I just had a look at a few income tax forms today so I guess I could say I've started the process. DS & DIL filed theirs electronically last night so they'll all finished theirs. Sounds like you have a nice day planned for tomorrow.

Karen, glad you're starting to feel a bit better. Fifteen minutes of exercise sounds like a wise plan. You don't want to overdo it when you still feel somewhat under the weather.

Gotta get my rear in gear and get going. We have to make a visit to the funeral home this evening. My friend's brother dropped dead on Friday at the age of 45. I didn't really know the brother but DH did. Not sure what happened but that's too young to die.

Anyhoo, have a great evening.

Good Monday morning, GGs! I'm reporting in for losing my booty/belly duty! Still determined, yep. Ready for Week 2 of my (sensible) ten pounds in two months campaign. I got through the weekend without going off-plan, and am a happy-ish (who can actually be happy at 5:47 in the morning if they're not still asleep?) camper. Thanks for the pep talk, Bobbi - I needed that! I haven't actually walked with Leslie yet again, but I feel myself leaning in that direction, honest! Or, at least 15 minutes a day of SOME kind of exercise. I'm just SO not a morning person, and then after working all day, I don't feel like exercising at night, either! What a dilemma, huh? Of course, once the weather really improves and days get longer, I will walk (outside) in the evenings. I really enjoy that. And, DH & I spent a couple of hours Saturday schlepping around the park with our grandbabies, who played on swings for the first time (You KNOW there's a picture attached!) So, between pushing the baby stroller through some mud (remember: these little guys weight 25 pounds apiece, so I'm actually pushing 50 pounds plus the weight of the stroller through some pretty rough terrain - I need all the exercise credits I can get!) and lifting and toting and walking and bending and straightening, I was even a little sore (good) Saturday night. Yesterday I spent most of the day cooking my roasted veggies with shrimp and chicken, and made "Apples Isabella" as well, with all low-calorie ingredients. Threw a half cup of Fiber One into the topping along with a quarter cup of ground flax seed. Topped it with some slow-churned low-fat vanilla ice cream, and it was delish!
SO glad that your back is improving, Isabella - you're sounding pretty darned perky yourself! (Of course, when I get a good buy like you just did, I'm pretty euphoric myself! Nice work!)
Hiya PT - yeah, reading about Isabella's snow gave me shudders and chills up my backbone. I'm just SO done with winter, you know? We just had a beautiful weekend, but I don't think we've seen the end of the snow and yuckiness quite yet. And, yuppo, I'm really, really determined right now to get this danged weight off once and for all. I think we all go through highs and lows as far as motivation is concerned, and right now I'm in high motivation mode, and need to ride the wave while it's still rolling.
I know that I've dropped at least a few pounds from the way my clothes are fitting, but I still don't like my side view in the mirror one bit, and would no more think of getting into a bathing suit than cutting off my big toe. (Actually, given a choice between the two, I would seriously consider cutting off my toe....)
Hey Lynn, I hope that you've been taking a potassium supplement if you've been on a diuretic for any length of time? As for retaining fluids, the only thing I've found that relieves that is to drink MORE water...and I like the water-with-lemon-juice idea, but if I did that I'd have to add a packet of sweetner because sour just isn't my favorite taste (sweet is, obviously).
Glad you're doing better, Karen. I don't take the flu shots. Can't, since I started withe the egg allergy a few years ago. DH got his, and he was sick - not as sick as you've been, but sick for two or three days - and some other folks I know who've had the shots were sick as well. I know they say the immunizations can't make you sick, but there seems to be a rather large group of people who ARE getting sick after having had their flu shots. Luckily for me (and I AM knocking on wood) I haven't really had any sort of respiratory issues since I quite smoking - was it three or four years ago? I've lost count. Anyway, I'm glad you're doing better, and getting ready to take advantage of that pool of yours!
Freda, if I can install a ticker, ANYBODY (including you) can! Look - mine says how many POUNDS I've lost, and still need to lose instead of tracking my WEIGHT. Not what I wanted, but it's what I've got, so I guess I'll stick with it.
Cindy, oh I would LOVE to live where you do! If I could only convince my entire family to make the move as well, I could do it! Fat chance of that, though. I'll just have to keep enjoying it vicariously through you, I guess.
Hi Rosey! How are you doing?
Have a great day, GGs!!!

Z

Good Morning GG's,

We had another beautiful day yesterday. Bright and sunny and not SO cold. went to the mall and got some walking in. Didn't find any great buys like Isabelle though. I'm thinking about planting my sweet potato vines today along with my cannas. Want to get a head start.

Lynn, Good to hear that you were able to reduce your meds. Someone mentioned that they hoped you were on K while you were taking it. If so, did you stop that too

Z, the twenniesare are so adorable. Mine are so big now, (7and 10) that i've forgotton how much work they were at that age. And yes, running them in the park does count as exercise. I do remember how tired i was after a trip. I do hope you begin your walking again. It's so easy to put it off one day and that leads to putting it off the next. Any chance of taking a walk at lunch time at work?

Isabella, I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better. Think you can refer to this as "an old sports injury"?

Donna, I think we're all ready for better weather. It's been a long, hard winter.

Karen, It's about time you were feeling better! That flu/virus stuff has had you in it's clutches for a long time. I know my husband was sick for an entire month, and he never gets sick! Take it easy with the exercise for awhile. 15 min. will probably wear you out.

Bobbi, I'm jealous of you and Karen, with your exercise rooms. That makes it so much easier and more enjoyable to get your daily exericse in. And leaves you with few excuses. I hope you both have TV,s down there. As much as I love the way exercise makes me feel, it's still boring. Walking outside, with a partner, is so much easier. But you really can't depend on someone else either. If they decide to stop you have to have the determination to go on.

Make it a good day,

freda

Good morning everyone,

Knee felt better this morning. Iced it a LOT yesterday. Also, taking homeopathy stuff (for joint pain relieved by rest). Able to do 45 min on the treadmill (at VERY low speed & no incline).

Today I’m going back to the gym at noon for some exercising in the hot therapy pool. One way or another this knee WILL get better!

I’ve given up on the ticker. Too much trouble to keep it updated. If/when it’s available through 3FC again, I’ll reinstate.

Picking up my DD and SIL this evening. Will be glad to have them back home.

Lynn

Hi Donna

No, have not tried the lemon water yet. Will do that today. I don’t have the glasses yet. When the first pair didn’t work, I made them re-do them. Knee feels better this morning than it has since I injured it. Good thing – my driving trip to FL is coming fast. I need my knee to be in good working order!

Hi Isabella,

Glad to hear your back is doing better. Stay away from shoveling snow!

Hi Zoe,

Yes, I take potassium. I am making a pitcher of lemonade to drink today. CONGRATULATIONS on sticking to your “way of eating/exercising” plan. ADORABLE babies. About the ticker – I gave up. Because I weigh in everyday, too much trouble to keep up the ticker when I must go to a different site to update.

Hi Freda,

Is “K” potassium? I take potassium.

Lynn, The Dr. usually puts you on Potassium (K) because lasix flushes the K out. If you aren't taking Lasix any more you might want to ask him if the K is still necessary. Usually taking extra K isn't necessary, and sometimes dangerous.

Zoe, the Twinnies are absolutely adorable. We're going to see our DGS this coming weekend and attend his first birthday party. Can't wait. Trotting about with twins sounds like more fun than trotting with dear ol' Leslie.

Freda, I'd love to be outside planting things but I'd have to dig through 3 feet of snow today. And I'm not digging or shovelling anything these days. I was just beginning to feel athletic when my back gave out so, yes, it was an old sports injury. Hahaha.

Lynn, I'd love to have access to a hot therapy pool. That sounds so nice I'm thinking about jumping in the tub to have a hot bubble bath. I was thinking the ticker factory ticker is somewhat a nuisance to update. I hope 3FC get theirs up and running again.

This morning I was up bright and early to walk to the local elementary school. I helped serve breakfast with our church group. The school has a free breakfast 3 days a week for any student or teacher who wishes to eat there. It's pretty simple: dry cereal, milk/chocolate milk, juice and toast. All the churches, service groups and many businesses take turns serving about 3 times a year. I haven't had much to do with the school since I retired and started taking care of mom. It was strange being there, looking in on one of my old classrooms, etc. The noise level of the kids is the same, though and they still prefer Cheese Whiz to jam on their toast. After I left the school I continued my walk on my regular route and managed to get in about a total of 8 kilometres. I'll probably have sore legs tomorrow but the sun was shining although it was cold. I was quite comfortable walking until about the last 20 minutes when I could feel a strain on the thigh muscles.

Got to get lunch ready and then I'm headed off to the funeral I was telling you about in last post. The autopsy results couldn't tell why the man died. Everything was in the normal medical ranges. So the family has to wait for toxicology testing, which can take up to 6 months for the results.

Anyhoo, have a lovely day.