Hi everyone.i spent a lazy sunday.reading the paper,drinking coffee,playing with the dogs and watching old movies. chix stew simmering in the crock pot. a great way to spend a rainy day daisy and gizmo where playing this am,gizmo was under a blanket and all u could see was a lump moving around and daisy going beserk at him and both barking,daisy high and shrill and gizmo with this little tiny yip like the mouse that roared,then we let sadie in and it was like a 3 ring circus..so cute and intertaining. i did something amazing today and wanted to share. i parked my wheel chair in a closet and am now walking around the house using the walker but mostly hanging on to counters chair backs and tables.its the best feeling to sit in a real chair and have coffee, i feel free. more like i used to be. sry for those that are in pain,or have puter issues,or gains,hang in there (((hugs))) for all rosey

Awesome Rosey and

Fantastic news Rosey!! I'm so excited for you!

Hi Everyone,

VERY tired today - probably the weather - VERY dreary. This afternoon is my OB/GYN appt. to do the annual check on my ovarian cysts. I've had them for years - I'm pretty sure they are OK, but he still thinks he needs to check them every year.

My DD wants to plan a January trip. I am kind of reluctant. They are under such stress about the B&B (wanting to retire, unable to find good help) that they are doing a lot of arguing. I'm not sure I want to spend 2-3 weeks with them. I think we should wait until they can go away with more confidence that the B&B will be OK. Maybe I'm just in a cranky mood.

Wednesday is the endoscopy - still having the pain when I eat fat & having swallowing problems several times/week.

Take care Everyone,

Lynn

Hello, GG’s! This chickie has been pretty busy all weekend long – and it went by far too fast! Little IzzieBee is home and doing well. I’ve been cooking for everybody because dd’s mil came up from Rhode Island to “help out”, which she does by sitting on a chair in the living room with her feet up on an ottoman busily pecking away at her laptop. Taking care of business, you think? Nope. The woman is a year younger than I am, looks (and acts) 20 years older, and has been on disability for about five years now. She does absolutely nothing but sit. Okay. I’m shutting myself up, now. (It just annoyed me to see her with her plate piled high with my pork roast, roasted sweet & white potatoes, spinach, corn on the cob, homemade apple sauce with cranberries, and corn bread yesterday. She ate it in the living room and left her plate on the coffee table for someone else to pick up and wash.) Fooey! Speaking of eating, though, I am STILL on plan and have lost 10 pounds!!!!!!
I’m back at work this morning for three weeks, and then will be out again for ds’s wedding over the Labor Day weekend. (Hoping to lose at least another 5 pounds in the meantime.) I’m feeling very much in a countdown, now – not just for the wedding, but I’m going to apply for my social security on Sept 1st so that I can begin collecting in January. I’m planning to continue working until my birthday in April, though. Then, DONE, except for some consulting stuff, which I can do on my own schedule and hours. YAY. In October – over the Columbus Day weekend - my best friend, whom I only get to see a couple of times a year, and I are meeting half-way (She lives in Richmond, VA) somewhere around Lancaster, PA, and spending a long weekend together shopping, eating out, and talking, talking, talking….I’m looking forward to it. Then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and one more winter commute to get through before I can pack it in. Seems like a long time, but I know it won’t be.
Oh, Rosey! How fabulous is THAT? You’re getting your own self back! I’m so, so happy for you! Just keep plugging away like you have been, and you’ll soon be dancing!
Rie/Val – I’m so sorry about your back pain. I’ve been plagued with back pain a few times in my life, and it’s no joke. I seem to have a flare up just a couple of times a year now – no warning, just one morning go to leap out of bed (okay, crawl out…) and practically fall on my face because my back hurts so bad. Usually lasts a day or 2 and then goes away for another five or six months. I have no idea what the cause is, and it doesn’t happen often enough for me to look for a diagnosis. Sounds like the icing is about the best solution – that, and staying in your most comfortable position. Feel better soon, you hear?
Mary, that’s why I don’t weigh myself too often – that up and down fluctuation of a few pounds, even when you don’t eat a thing off-plan. It just discourages me, even though I know it’s just about temporarily retaining fluid. I hope you got a good night’s rest!
Gayle, you have a truly beautiful family! Thanks so much for sharing the pics! That dgd of yours is just precious!
MustangK – dh and I did some house-peeping on Friday! It was fun, and it’s helping us kind of get a feel for what’s out there, so that when I retire and we get ready to make the change, we’ll be sure about what we want and where we want it to be.
Be safe in those storms, K3! I’m glad to hear that you’re doing so well – don’t want you blown away after working so hard to get back on your feet!
Lynn, I think it’s probably okay for you to take it easy for ONE day! I swear, I could NEVER keep up your schedule!!! I know that “if you don’t use it, you lose it”, and I’m willing to do some brisk walking, honest. But as for all the rest – and all the training and such – nope. I’m just far too lazy and good-for-nuttin’ . I sure hope they get to the bottom of your health problems. Oh, the kids. No, you're not just being irritable or cranky or anything like that. It's no fun to be around your kids when they're bickering with each other. Maybe by January, things will be more settled though? I know how much you enjoy traveling with them.
Bobbi – it sounds like egg white could very well do some good, and I plan to keep it in mind. Thanks!
PT – I see lil’ IzzieBee every day, Isil be danged. I exchange courtesies with the fool; not a word more. Yesterday, I fed the multitude – dd3 came over with the twinnies and her dh & dd. On Saturday, I made pasta sauce with turkey meatballs and turkey sweet Italian sausage and cooked up a pot of spaghetti – brought it next door along with garlic bread and chicken salad sandwiches on bulkie rolls for later on. Otherwise, dd wouldn’t be eating enough (and she’s breast feeding) because Isil and mil don’t know enough to go to a grocery store or even attempt to put together a meal for anybody. Those two would just live off take out junk.
I seem to have developed a sore throat and a touch of laryngitis. Just in time to get back to work. Tsk. Well, at least I didn’t have it last week, and was able to hold and admire IzzieBee all I wanted.
Marie – My horn use is a constant subject of discussion between dh and I. He is a very calm and unruffled human being. I, on the other hand, am EASILY ruffled (as I guess you’ve noticed) and feel compelled to let other drivers know when they’re driving poorly. Surprising how many poor drivers there are out there, you know? And they all seem to be traveling the same roads as me!
Freda – hiya! Come back and chat when you have a chance! (I always look forward to your posts). Have a good week!
So, Nancy, is the colonoscopy over with now? (Hope you didn’t eat any red popsicles!!!)
Well, hello and have a good day to all those that I’ve not mentioned – I’ve got to get back to work now. Sayonara!
Z

Good Morning. WOW!! I can't believe I slept until 10:30 this morning!! I did get up and let the girls outside at 7:00 but went and laid back down on the bed and the next thing I knew it was 10:30! A pretty nice day here and only 79 degrees right now It is only supposed to get up to 89 today and then tomorrow and the next three days we are getting thunderstorms again. At least we haven't had to add water to the pool but it has made the temp. of the water really cold!

Lynn, good luck with your Dr. appts. Let us know. I don't blame you for not being too entusiastic about traveling with someone who is so stressed that they make it not so much fun! Maybe things will turn around for them soon.

Zoe! WOW!!! 10 pounds! That is fantastic! You really need to be proud of yourself. I need to find that commitment again! Congrats. Sorry about your sore throat but glad you were able to spend so much time with Izzie. My grandchildren are all out in Colorado and I never did get to spend much time with them, even when they were little. The son was always going through "Stuff". Summer before last though we had our youngest grandson here for about a month and that was nice. He enjoyed the pool and I felt that the money I put in to getting it cleaned up was well worth it just for him. Our older two grandsons(brothers) are out there too. The first one we didn't get to see from the time they were 2 years and the other was 4 months, up until about 4 years ago. There was a nasty break up with their Mom and our son so we ended up being the ones that hurt the most. But it was wonderful when one day out of the blue the oldest one called me on the phone and I heard, Hi Grandma, this is Travis. WOW! They are now 17 and 15! So hang on to all those moments you can and don't let ANYBODY get in your way--- they grow up way too fast!!!

Rie, I hope your Dr. appt. goes well and you can get some relief from the pain. Back pain is so darn miserable! Please keep us updated. And I know your son probably knows that you weren't really snapping AT him, but TO him because of the pain. Just give him and extra hug!

Well, my morning is competely gone so I guess I'd better get busy and do something before the afternoon is gone too!

Hello to everyone else and hope you all have wonderful days!!

I haven't done so well recently on my eating plan. Made the mistake of buying some WW ice cream bars...thought I could handle them but no, I'm still not ready. So my weight is now up almost 3 lbs but I still hopefully have time to straighten out before my weekly weigh-in. I just have to get back on track...was doing so well and I don't like this.

Zoe, I used to have issues with the scale but no more. I take it in stride now knowing it will flucuate no matter how I eat and when I have been eating wrong, I simply use it as a reminder to be more careful so it is just a tool to me now. But whatever works for you and obviously what you are doing IS working! Congrats on the 10# lost!! I find it really hard to get 10# off ...I do well and almost get there then mess up as I've done recently and back up I go. So I admire your perseverance! You will look great at the wedding!

We went to the gym this morning....good to be back at it. We had a substitute instructor in our stretch class and she did different things which we enjoyed. In the beginning, she had us stretch at the bar and I really liked that. Then I did the bike 15 min, treadmill 14 min and used three weight machines.

It's a very nice day and while outside I noticed my lilac bush is in bloom again! Jut the top part but there are more blooms this time and it smells really nice. I'm so glad we got it...my dh wasn't so sure but now he is glad too!

Rie - the first pound was water but the other almost 2# is because I've been overeating. When I overeat I tend to binge and I can gain really fast, so right now I'm upset with myself but I hope to get myself back on track now.

Karen31 - We are in a similiar situation. We have four children scattered about in three states so we seldom see our gc. The ones here in WA we rarely see due to family conflict and the ones in other states we see once or twice a year. Our 11 year old gs is supposed to come here the end of this month for a few days.

Well, I have much to do so better get off this computer and get to it. Hope everyone has a good day!

Hi everyone,

Worked the weekend, as you probably all know by now. when I'm not on here it's usually because i'm working. 12 hours mean I don't get home untill too late to cane about anything except a shower and couch. The weather here is sooo wonderful! Mid 70's with a nice breeze. all week! I have even been outside doing yard stuff. I might even go for a bike ride this evening. At least take a walk. I did laundry and hung it outiside this morning. I always hang my bed linen outside. I just did it the other day, but I used some kind of fabric softner that I had just bought and found I couldn't stand the scent!

Z, congratulations!! 10 lb.? Wow, that is so awsome! If you think that isn't a lot, try carrying 10 lb.s of something around for an hour or 2. You are going to look smashing at the wedding. Why did the other MIL come to help if she didn't intend to help? sounds like they just got another person to take care of.

Rie, Oh, I'm sorry you're feeling bad. I'm sure exercise and eating better won't cure lupus, but I bet it make the symptoms and the instances of outbreaks less. We can't always make things go away, but we can make them so much better. Feel better. I'm glad the ice helps you. It just makes my muscles tense up. Heat is the only thing that helps my back. We're all different, and isn't that a good thing!

Mary, Wow, I knew there were some Lilac bushes that bloomed more than once. I really want to get one. Once a year just isn't enough.

Karen, it's always hard where there is a bad divorce and the kids are used as collateral. I guess the parents are more concerned for themselves than they are for the kids. there is nothing like a grandmothers love, and your ex-DIL robbed them of that for a long time.

Lynn, good luck with all those Dr. tests!

Nancy, is the colonoscopy over with? The prep is the bad part. the reason you aren't supposed to have "red" stuff is because it can look like blood.

Rosie, that is amazing! I knew you would get there, but isn't it wonderful when you actually do? And the best is yet to come. As you continue to lose you will be able to do so many more things.

Freda

Hey GGs,
Had a nice weekend, hated to see it end. Even though I no longer “hold down a job”, I still hate Mondays. I guess because getting up with SO, & getting him off to work, sort of seems like a job. But, at least I get to go back to sleep afterwards, so I shouldn’t complain. His colonoscopy went well. Quite painless for me, but then I wasn’t the one having it! Actually, he said it was painless for him too. Everyone at the dr.’s office was very nice, & they explained everything. They even showed me where to wait, & told me how long it would take, & when they would come back & get me. It was actually a very pleasant experience (& SO says so too), which I think is very unusual for a medical procedure! Rie, if by the “cleanse thing” you meant taking all the laxatives, SO did have to do that (I didn’t do that part, because I didn’t think it would be good to have both of us running to the bathroom every 10 minutes, at the same time, even though we have two!). He had never taken laxatives before (that shocked me), but he said it wasn’t bad, & he didn’t have any cramps (I always do, with laxatives), & he had everything “out” within a few hours. I think I would like to do the “cleanse thing” sometime though, & SO said he might like to do it every 6 months or so.

Freda, I did know to stay away from red popsicles, & anything else with red dye, I assumed. Thank you for telling me why. The instructions weren’t too clear about that (just mentioned no red Gatorade), but my mom had a colonoscopy a few months ago, & she told me she couldn‘t have anything red. But, since banana popsicles are my favorite, & SO’s too, that wasn’t a problem. And, I was down a pound for the week, to139.4 lbs. (Yay! - the 130‘s), but I don’t know if it will stay gone.

Yay! to you Rie, for the pound you deleted! I’m so sorry your back is giving you so much pain, and that it will be 2-3 days before you get some relief. It’s sad that weight loss doesn’t cure everything, but, like Freda said (sort of), it helps. And, you’re entitled to be irritable when you’re in pain, & I’m sure your DS understood.

Zoe, 10 pounds deleted already! Yay! for you too! I guess now we know why your ISIL is such a pain! He gets it from his mom! Sorry you & your DD are having to put up with her, & him!

Rosey, you just continue to chalk up those NSVs! And the scale ones too! WTG! Did you think, back in Nov., that you would have come this far, this fast? You’re amazing!

Lynn, sorry you’re feeling under the weather. Hope you’re back to your old, energetic self soon. I agree with Zoe, you can afford to take it easy for a day. Good luck with those appts.

Gayle, I enjoyed your pics. Those dresses are beautiful, & so is your DD, & the DGKs (even the four-legged one)!

KarenFL, glad you’re doing so well. I think it’s really sweet that your DH is keeping a watchful eye on you. I’m sure you gave him quite a scare! And with all us GGs wishing those hurricanes away from you, I just know they won’t come anywhere near your part of FL!

Mary, hope you got those computer problems worked out. And I also think that losing weight slowly seems to be best for keeping it off, at least that’s how it’s seemed to work for me. You’ve been doing so good, I’m sure a little slip-up won’t have a lasting effect. Hang in there!

KarenMO, good for you on getting to sleep late. I think the cooler temps definitely help with that.

Donna, I’ve been thinking I can feel fall in the air too. I am sooo ready! And, I’ll definitely be sending positive thoughts your way for Granny/Mom’s surgery on Thurs.

Well, I know I’ve missed lots of you, but I need to get outta here for now. Before I go, I’m going to put up a pic of the food I ate yesterday for my pig-out meal. I debated with myself about showing it to y’all, because it’s one thing to tell you about what a pig I can be, but it’s different letting you see for yourselves. But, since I’m constantly amazed I can actually eat a meal like this every week, & still not regain (as long as I stay pretty much OP the rest of the time), I guess I will.
NCNancy

It’s been a busy weekend and week too. Does it seem to any of you also, that when social events pop into your life, that they all come at once? We had 4 cookouts this week. First was for my DH’s New Horizons Band (I think I may have mentioned this band – for over 50’s who want to play an instrument again – my DH is playing first clarinet after a 40 year break from it.). Anyway that was last Monday night, then a Red Cross cookout on Thursday, (my DH volunteers as a mental health counselor), then a post wedding celebration for some friends who were married in the Caribbean this winter..This was for local friends and family. It was at this cool place called "Bass Hole" on the CC Bay. I took lots of pics. Then yesterday one more cookout..the hostess for this one is a professional cook and needless to say it was fantastic. So as for the scale- I am avoiding it for the time being!

I also got to go Kayaking with a friend on the Bass River. Saw an osprey nest and family. I think a kayak is in my future.

Rei – Hope the flare-up passes quickly. My sis has lupus too – it can be a frustrating challenge!

Rosie – CONGRATS on the wheel chair retirement!!

Z – 10 POUNDS!! Wow. You’re an inspiration. Sorry about the lazy MIL.

Nancy – Glad the SO’s colonoscopy went fine.

Lynn – hope you feel better soon. We’re getting all that rain today – not as much as you though. I actually have a sweatshirt on – fall is in the air.

Hi Freda – glad you’re back and the weather there is cooler for you!

Love those GD pics, Gayle!

No hurricanes for you, KarenFL!!

Hope you computer is better, Mary.

Well, I’m typed out. I’ll try and post later this week.

Lyn

Helllooo GGs

Busy work and busy otherwise have conspired to limit my time on the 'puter, so haven't been on here for a while now. We had some warm(ish!) weather over the weekend - so I took the opportunity to wash all my bedding - doona, doona cover, blankets, everything, and dry them in the sun - plus I've got new pillows. Hoping all this will help my allergies which are giving me gyp with the onset of spring. I've had two nights of good sleep, so I'm feeling a bit less like I am trying to run through treacle

Lyn - lots of fun outings I'd love to go kayaking, maybe one day. It's a constant challenge balancing social activities with not straying too far off plan, one at which I have variable success

NCNancy - WTG getting in the 130s - awesome The Chinese meal looks derlish! Whatever you're doing is working for you, and that's what matters.

Freda - it's nice having your bed linen smell like sunshine, isn't it?

Rie - sorry to hear that you have been suffering from a flare up of your lupus. It might not be curable, but imagine how it would be if you hadn't made all those lifestyle changes. Hang in there, chickadee. LOL at your and your DS experience with the wii - that would have been proof positive to your son that his caring and cooking was really helping you to keep a healthy lifestyle.

Mary - you're keeping yourself in the ball park by keeping a close eye on your eating. You will be back on track soooon

Mustang Karen - nice to hear that the weather is becoming less extreme, but sad that your pool is getting cold. That's such a nice story that you are now back in contact with your DGSs. Yay on the 19 pounds - sounds like they have been well and truly deleted.

Z - WTG on the 10 pounds - that is a fantastic achievement Hope your sore throat didn't develop into anything worse. Maybe the cause was biting your tongue to stop yourself being less than civil to the MIL? Unbelievable ... I think I would have dressed myself in a maid's costume and DH in a butler outfit - just to be sarcastic Your future plans sound so exciting - lots to look forward to in the next phase of your life/career - there is no way that it could be considered retirement

Lynn - hope all goes well with the OB/GYN appointment and endoscopy. I hope you get to have a relaxing fun holiday with your DD. Good to hear that the new shoes are helping with your foot problems.

Rosey - how wonderful that you have improved your mobility, that's such a gift. Hope DH gets a diagnosis soon. That road trip sounded fun - the beautiful puppies sound like they bring you much joy!

Gayle - gorgeous piccies of your grandies, DD and dear puppy Hope your headaches have improved.

Karen3 - so nice that DH is so caring. Here's hoping those hurricanes stay away. Yep, I'm another one on the "not feeling in top form" list - allergies have hit me for six, they are really debilitating.

Donna - glad that you are happy at the changing seasons! LOL at SamCat not helping around the house - you do realise that we are their staff? Keeping you and Granny/Mom in my thoughts. It's tough whatever their decision - and all you can do is support their wishes. The egg recipe sounds yummo - it's a bit like the fritatta that I make, basically a pastryless quiche.

Bobbi - hope you are going OK

Marie - they have good peaches in Thailand??? That's the last place I would think of finding nice peaches Hope you are going OK with less time with DH. It's good there's a positive of more time to do your own thing.

Wannabe - *hello*

Toodles!

Good morning GG's,

One day down ~ three to go. Actually got out on time yesterday, so that was nice.

We are on a streak of heat here. We have set a record for days on a row of temps in the triple digits. Today will be the 16th day in a row like that.

I have been waking up before the alarm for several mornings in a row. So, since I had a few minutes of extra time ~ I walked on the treadmill while listening to an audio book. It was only 10 minutes, but it's a start.

Ok, better go do some getting ready for work.

Hope you all have a good day.

Take care