Mary Good blood sugar is good news. Take care of yourself, glad you had good sense to say no to babysitting. That would just make you hurt more.

Carol Sue May your computer bless you with more months. May your testing show good results and if kelp helps anything, sure can't hurt.

Gayle Prayed for your friend who has such pain.
Your PT results sound so good. THere is hope, for sure.

I drove DH 167 miles over narrow mountain roads to get his hearing aids adjusted. Thank goodness for Warranty because one is not working and will be sent off. When it comes in, we make another trip so Larry can adjust both to fit DH properly.

Think the anxiety over making that dreaded trip was causing part of my jaw pain. Combination of Ice on Jaw, eating softer food, and meditating to help relax is making a differece. Best so far this week, right now.

Road construction added to the stress of that trip and now I can relax.

Blew the diet by having Belgium Waffle with pecans and Turkey sausage for lunch. Enjoyed each bite, and since it was soft, jaw was fine. UNTIL I drank the hot coffee!!! Oh h h h

Fine now. May each of you have a good day. I'm glad our grandkids are now adults!

Mary, some of us girls who post on the diabetes thread have found that when our weight goes up our blood sugar goes down. We don't understand it, either.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't sleep well and had all that pain. It's understandable that you wouldn't feel up to babysitting the way you're feeling. We haven't been babysitting much lately either, but the other grandparents are back here for the summer so they are picking up the slack. We do most of the babysitting in the winter while they are in AZ.

My arm felt very good most of the day, then it started to hurt again. I took another Kelp and now it's fine. I have to actually push on the elbow to feel any pain deep in the joint. I was reading some things online and it said that hypothyroid can cause tendonitis. The iodine in the kelp would help with the thyroid function, so that must be why it's helping with the pain. I can't wait to talk to the doctor about this, now. He is pretty knowledgeable, but I think if I am going to start having thyroid issues along with the diabetes maybe I should start going to an endocrinologist. Another doctor to add to the list. It feels so good not to have that pain in my arm!

Love2garden, I'm glad I didn't have to make that long drive! Glad to hear you made it safely.

So far the computer is working OK.

Well my pain eased a bit by this afternoon, so I told them I would babysit. The kids are outside right now. It's been really hot today but think it is beginning to cool down slightly now. Tomorrow when we are having the birthday party it is to get to 99 degrees. Hopefully not early afternoon, but I'm sure it will be hot. We plan on turning on the sprinklers for the kids plus I think there will be one of those balloon houses (well that's what I call them). I think there will probably be 5-8 children, possibly more besides the adults.

Nana the Portland kids other grandma is doing a lot more babysitting than us. She lives closer to them plus is a few years younger and healthier.

Sandy, that's a long way to go just to get a hearing aide adjusted! Belgium waffle sounds yummy! I haven't liked turkey sausage in the past but have recently learned to like chicken sausage so maybe I would now. Sounds like a tasty breakfast.

Glynne - Glad to hear your sciatica is not showing up quite as often. I know how that hurts.

I hope to get my kitchen floor mopped in the morning before the party and also quickly run a vacuum over the family room carpet. Otherwise I got quite a bit done today. They are just using our back yard...I am not responsible for anything. Whew!:D I think they are serving pizza and a veggie tray...keeping it simple. There will be a pinata for the kids too.

I've done much better with my bs today...before lunch it was 98...that's great for me. Still a little high 2 hrs after but seems to be coming down. I ate too many blueberries tonight, I was thinking 1 1/2 cups was a serving but guess it's just a cup. I love blueberries!

This week has flown by...I can't believe tomorrow is Sat already!

Mary, I wouldn't worry about over eating blueberries. They are discovering that they have so many healthy properties. It may be more than you should eat, but it's a lot different from overeating cookies, etc.

The party sounds nice. The kids should have a good time. We have had rain all week and it's going to continue through Thursday, so no one will be having outdoor parties in our area.

My weight hasn't been good lately. My ticker says 196 but all week I was up around 203. This morning I'm down to 200. I'm hoping that I continue to lose so I don't have to change my ticker. I hate to be such a liar! LOL

Yesterday morning I took a shower but didn't wash my hair. I wanted to wash it before we went out to eat but our water got shut off. There was a brake in the water line up the road. That's the second one in a month. So I had to just fix my hair the best I could. When we got home the water was back on.

Good morning GG's,

Ahhhh ~ a day off from kid watching duties. Yesterday was kind of a rugged one. Miss Maddie was sassy and difficult ~ not all day, but part of the day and it wasn't fun. Grandpa was off to an appointment and errands. She gets like that sometimes when he is here, but he has been looking after her for such a long time now that he knows better how to deal with her. When she gets like that, I am really scared that she will get mad and go out the front door and take off (maybe trying to go home as she lives right around the corner on the next street over) and that I wouldn't be able to catch up with her. Most of the time, she is so sweet ~ it makes my heart ache when she acts like she did yesterday. Sara is already dreading the teenage years with her.

Sometimes I wish that there were other options for Maddie's care while mom and dad are at work. We do it to try to help Sara financially. I wonder if she would be better off if she could be with some kids her own age and maybe she would behave better for someone that is not grandma and grandpa. She gets good behavior reports at school. I guess she is human like the rest of us and has moments that she's not at her best.

Carol Sue ~ glad your computer is still working. You'll get back to your ticker weight ~ you aren't far from it. Glad that your arm felt better yesterday. How is Rusty doing?

Mary ~ glad your pain eased up some. The birthday party sounds fun. Yea ~ for the better blood sugar. You need to take care of yourself ~ the cleaning can wait ~ it isn't going anywhere.

Sandy ~ wow that was quite a drive. Glad you made it there an back safely. Thankful that you didn't have to make that trip in the snowy icy weather.

Gonna make some foods today. Getting the hang of this way of eating, how much to buy and kind of when to fix stuff.

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

Gayle What a great break you have today! Isn't it great to have what should be a "normal" day?!!! I understand a fear of a run-away-child. Our youngest was 5 when we were in Atlanta Mall and she ran away and hid under clothes hanging near by. She didn't answer me or my sister and I was in panic. We got them to announce to watch at all doors for her, describing her and then could only continue to pray. Finally she got tired of hiding and came out. Clerk brought her to us and I hugged her so hard and thanked God just as hard.

Next trip to Disney she had a harness on that I held onto. Funny later she became so clinggy that she wouldn't go anywhere without me.

Carol Sue you mentioned that "hypothyroid can cause tendonitis" according to something you read on the web. I am hypothyroid and well controlled with meds. However, like you, I'm concerned that I may not be getting enough iodine. Need to buy some Kelp again. How do you take yours? I used to add it to V-8 juice.

Mary The activity at your home is amazing. Always busy. Hope you enjoy this weekend and don't work yourself to death.

DD#2 at the FestivALL booth hopefully selling some of her beautiful art work. She has spent so much time an effort for weeks preparing.

House is so quiet without her working in the front room that is now her studio. She was cutting acrilic to make holders for her beautiful cards, and the sound was so horrible I had to leave the house. I asked her to put in ear plugs, and she did.

Often she simply paints, or works on the Excell spread sheet that keeps track of which painting is in what gallery or needs to be picked up on what day. Also her correspondence which is huge, and her Art newsletter that she produces and sends out several times a year.

I'm so grateful that my part is to brag on her work, which is so easy to do, and to simply ignore the mess till she cleans it up, which she does.

Cooler here today, such a blessing. 1-1/2 inches rain in 2 days means I don't have to water pots or veggies, but the weeds are also growing a great pace.

Sandy

hypothyroid can cause tendoniti

The party went well except several people couldn't make it. The kids had a pool and water slide to play in and really enjoyed it. They had a Minnie Mouse pinata so lots of candy. Also pizza and a veggie tray. Oh and yummy cake. I ate too much and here I was doing so well yesterday..well most of yesterday but so far today, not good at all. That's the way I tend to do...inconsistent. The only time I was consistent with my diet was the time I lost 33 1/2 # but haven't been able to do that since and am getting close to what I weighed when I started that now. Grrr... It's not a matter if not knowing how it's a matter of choosing to do that all the time..All I can say is, tomorrow is another day..

Sandy - I didn't have to do much really today...the kids did it all. I handed them a table cloth for one table, and provided utinsils, and towels. Dh turned on the water and put out chairs. That's about it. :) They brought everything else. Thats nice that both of your dds are artists and that she cleans up! :D
I hope she does well selling her work.

It was suppose to get to 99 today but only got to 92. It was hot but there was a nice little breeze which helped. Still it felt good to come in the house and feel the AC for a few minutes now and then.

Glynne - It is hard on grandparents when kids aren't acting nice. I struggle with that...I'm not a mama, I'm a grandma and I don't want to discipline. I was very much a disciplinarian as a parent. I was loving but I was also strict. Tried not to be unreasonable, but looking back now I think maybe I was too strict at times but mostly I think I did good. Regardless I know I did the best I was capable of doing at the time and I worked very hard at being the best parent I knew how to be. But I don't want to have to be a parent again.

Carol Sue - Well turned out it wasn't just the blueberries ..I also ate a lot of baked caramel corn and milk with it! But overall I guess I did ok, as I dropped a pound...today I ate too much again so up and down I go...
But normally, most things I eat are on the lower carb end.

Mary, it seems that I'm saying "tomorrow is another day" way too often anymore. I rarely eat sweets, but I have trouble with other starchy carbs. I bought some bread at Target. It's Silver Hills organic sprouted whole grain. It's from Canada. I keep my bread in the freezer and only eat a slice now and then. I tasted this and it is so good, I had to go back and have another slice. Eating too much makes it not so good for me, even though it's healthier than the white bread that DH eats. I love grainy chewy bread.

Gayle, it's nice that you got a day off from Maddie, even though I know you love her dearly. I think kids will push to the point that they know they can get away with, and grandparents are always more lenient than parents. DH is much better with our grandson than I am, like your DH. He lets him do whatever he wants. He says he doesn't get much time with him and doesn't want him to remember Pap Pap as someone who yelled at him. I'm glad that my step-son and wife both have well paying jobs and they can afford day care for John, and he enjoys having other kids to play with, which he doesn't have at home. No neighbor kids.

Rusty is improving every day. He finally started playing with the toy that the neighbor bought for him the first day. Not a lot, but I've been finding it in different places around the house and know that he's carrying it around. I also saw him playing with one of my garden gloves that are kept on a low shelf next to the back door. I guess it smelled like mommy. LOL DH keeps reminding me that I wanted the other dog that was his kennel mate at the shelter, but chose Rusty because DH liked him. I wouldn't trade Rusty now for any other dog. He's very loving, but still a little timid.

Love2garden, the Kelp I take is in capsule form which I just take like a pill. I probably got it at Walmart. I realize that I probably shouldn't be taking it without knowing if I'm actually low. I buy iodized salt, but I rarely use much salt. I just know that for some dumb reason it stops the pain in my elbow/arm. It does nothing for the pain in the thumb and index finger of the same hand, which is probably RA. They hurt and are swollen up like little breakfast sausages.

Hope everyone has a nice Sunday.

I'm with you Carol Sue...I keep saying tomorrow I'll do better but so far it's not happening very often. :( Today has not been good again. So far my weight is stable..up and down a pound or two now and then. I'm also like you that I like the whole grain bread...dh has always preferred the white spongy stuff he grew up on but he has been good about eating the healthier kind most of the time since I switched us over many years ago. I guess I convinced him.


It's suppose to be in the 90s again today. We went to church and out to eat. Now I feel like a nap. Not much to talk about. Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

I am asking for prayers for my Son-in-law. He is not sick, but he has applied for a different position where he works and it will really help them get out of a financial rut if he gets this job. It is for Fire Chief at the plant. He has been a volunteer fireman for 30 years and Chief for the past 10. He has taken numerous classes for fire fighting and it very experienced. In fact, that's what got him into the company in his current position, dealing with nuclear waste. I guess it will all depend on who else applies and their background in firefighting.

This has been the rainiest June I can remember. It has rained almost every day for the past couple weeks and this week the only dry days we are going to have are today and Thursday. Rain is good for the crops, but not when there's storms. A tornado touched down in a neighboring community over the weekend. No one was injured but it caused a lot of damage, knocking down trees. One landed on a house that was up for sale.

Good morning GG's,

A sunny day right now. Only supposed to get up in the 80's and sunny ~ some parts of the day with 50% chance of rain.

I was hoping for a sweet Maddie this morning, but she came in already in a grumpy, argumentative mood. “Loaded for bear” as my dad would say. Oh boy.

The weekend flew by too fast. I did get to have a nice visit with our son on Saturday. Sunday was grocery shopping ~ the list wasn't as long as sometimes, but I was kind of tired when we got back. I rearranged a couple areas where we store food, so things were easier to find ~ like items grouped together. DH had tried last time, but had them on the bottom shelf and it was hard to see and hard on the back to bend down and look and reach.

We had some moments of irritation with each other. I can't even remember what it was about now, but it boiled down to (what I felt was) that it is ok for him to be irritating to me, causing me stress, but because of his heart issues now, I should accept the irritation and have no say in anything so as to not cause him any stress. (His new reality he calls it.) Grrrrr. I'm not purposly disagreeable (though he might feel that way), but sometimes, there is only so much blah, blah, blah a person can take without reacting to it.

Sorry for the little rant.

Still sticking to the diet, but the weight loss has slowed down. For about a week now, the weight goes up and down the same couple pounds, and no further progress is made. Oh well. The foods are good and I don't go hungry. Maybe I don't pay attention and drink enough water. Also, I don't really get in any exercise other than the normal moving around.

We are thinking about doing a couple outings ~ it will be the first time doing that since being on this diet. After being informed a couple weeks back that we couldn't eat a McDonalds salad ~ because it was “processed food”, I am a little apprehensive about how this is going to turn out. I feel stressed just thinking about it. Plus, Maddie will be with us, and a couple of the past outings when she came with us, she had some not so fun moments.

Sorry for the negative vibes.

Hope you all have a good day.

ETA: Carol Sue ~ we were posting at the same time ~ will pray for your son-in-law and the job situation.

Maddie placed her precious friends (Zeebee and Violet) on the table by me. :D

Carol Sue a Tornado? Thank goodness no one was injured, but that is truly scary. Isn't that unusual for your area?

Prayers for your SIL for a better job. I admire his job, must have nerves of steel. I'm deathly afraid of fire.

Yesterday, Mass at 8:30 when I was Reader for the Old Testament reading and the Epistle, as well as the Prayers for the faithful. Pleased DH could understand every word without his other hearing aid. That is my purpose to speak distinctly so all may hear the Word of God.

We wen on to the Capitol where DD#2 had her beautiful art work for sale under canvas tent that stretched for 3 blocks. Lots of music, dancing in the streets. costumed characters roaming around, events for kids, and places to sit for us who really need it!!! We walked several miles total, and my legs were so tired I was really glad to get to our favorite restaurant close to our home and sit in a cushioned booth and eat REAL food.

Pat's work is so beautiful and thank goodness some people were willing to buy what she worked so hard to paint. She had a great time, but was so exhausted after 2 intense days and packing and unpacking each day, plus carrying her stuff to car 1-1/2 block away.

I'm grateful to have her nearby so I can see her actually painting those beauties. I have some of her larger pieces on our living room wall and in our bedroom.

Rain? Boy we've had more than any June I can remember, too.

Gayle, Just saw your post. How did today turnout with eating out AND having Maddie, too? You are welcome to rant. We all understand. Sometimes relationships seem to call for 100% from one instead of the 50% to 50% we wish for.


Sandy

Another beautiful day in the NW. Strange how the weather is so switched around these days all across the country! Dh is working outside he really enjoys the sun..but does come in when gets too hot. His back aches sometimes, but he says he just stops working when he notices it. I hope it is not making it worse, but can't stop him from what he enjoys. I wish I had his energy and enthusiasm for working sometimes. The septic tank was inspected today and there was mostly just water in it so guess we are doing good. I don't put much down the sink. It is required by law to have it inspected yearly and cleaned out/maintained as necessary.

This will be a busy week for me as I want to do my usual cleaning in the house plus have some shopping and appts.

Carol Sue - Glad the tornado didn't do any damage. I have forgotten where you live....in the mid-west? I'm originally from the mid-west so know about tornadoes for sure. Occasionally we hear of them here usually north of us. Funny, eastern WA is more like the mid-west but I don't remember hearing about tornadoes out there..maybe I just missed it. Where we live typically our disasters would be a volcano erupting or an earthquake. Thank God we have been spared when these things have happened for the most part. When St Helens erupted ('83?) all we got was some ash but most of it blew east. And so far we have only felt a few tremors when there were earthquakes north and south of us. That was enough, thank you very much! But they are finding more fault lines all the time so you never know and I'm sure if Mt Hood ever blows we will know it!

Sandy - Glad you enjoy reading the Word and may God bless you as you do it. His Word is so precious and never returns void (will always do something good), so glad you can speak distinctly so all can hear. The art show sounds fun, glad you could attend and that your dd was able to sell some of her work. I can understand your being tired though (both of you!), but the walking is good for you for weight loss (but is it hard on pain issues?). You have such a positive attitude and I want you to know you inspire me. I'm glad we can rant here and I'm also grateful for the inspiration, encouragement we give each other.

Glynne - Don't worry about negative vibes...we are all there sometimes...this is a safe place for you to state how you feel, better here than at your loved ones I think too. I think you were bound to slow down the weight loss or even hit a plateau for a while. Doesn't that happen with all diets? You know I have found something that might possibly help you and it's free for three weeks. Its the Food Lovers Online Diet. You can actually do it offline too but then you have to buy a kit I think. I'm just trying it for the three weeks and am not sure I am willing to pay yet. You could eat like you are already and follow those rules if you want but this just kind of guides you to eat right. Anyway you might like to check it out. If you sign up, they try to get you to buy stuff but just say no if you don't want it like I did. You can use the website to track everything and for 21 days it gives you tips on how to improve your fat-loss plate. It's made me realize that I need to eat more slow carbs at some meals and snacks. You probably get a lot of those with your diet though. I'm pretty good at lunch and dinner but at breakfast and snacks I get too many fast carbs and fat. So I like that it checks me and tells me how I'm doing. This program doesn't care about organic or processed foods but you already are learning all that from the program you are on. I think probably the Food Lovers program could work with any other diet. Of course remember it's only free for 21 days and I'd cancel a little early to be sure it's cancelled on time. Just a thought...don't do it unless you want to.
I think you are on the right track with getting as much exercise as you can and drinking more water. I'm not drinking as much water as this program wants me to. ETA: Glynne you might not like doing this program though as it does take some time using the website..and I know your diet already is time consuming.

Carol Sue - Prayed for your sil and will continue. Keep us informed if you can as it is a reminder to pray. We need good people in that dangerous job they do for us. Our son is also applying for a job right now and we are praying if it's good for him for him to get it.

I need to get off this computer...talk later...love you all and hope you have a great day!

I found out that the job my SIL is applying for is Fire Marshal, not Fire Chief. The job would be to do inspections of fire extinguishers and other equipment throughout the plant and train others in the safety and use of them. I read the job discription online and he has a lot of experience in the requirements of the job. My step-son, who also works at that plant said that a lot of people are applying for the job. My SIL does not work for the company, but for a contractor from the outside. They are allowed to apply for positions inside the company, but if an employee of the company also has the same experience the job will go to the person already employed. I really doubt that very many people would have the same experience as my SIL because he became a junior fireman at age 16 and has been doing that all his life. He is 49 now. But we shall see what happens, and prayers are appreciated.

Mary, I will also pray for you son, that he gets the job he's interested in.

Mary and Love2garden, I live in southwest PA, about 20 miles from Pittsburgh. We get tornados from time to time. They are not usually as destructive as the ones in the mid-west which seem to wipe out entire towns. We have never had any in our immediate area, thank God.

We had a small earth quake here once. I was laying in bed watching tv and I felt the bed shake for a second or two. I thought DH had snuck into the room and pushed on the bed to scare me. I asked him about it and he didn't feel it. Then people started calling. It seems that anyone who was up walking around didn't feel it but those who were sitting or lying down, did. It didn't do any damage at all. Very slight. That was more than enough for me!

Gayle, my husband and I bicker like that, too. Everything is always my fault. I'm used it it and just say "Sorry" even though It was not my fault. We get over it quickly. One time he told me that he knows that I just say "Sorry" to stop the argument, an I told him he's correct. LOL

I have been on a waiting list from the library for the Joel Fuhrman book The End of Diabetes. I had read it before, but after all the talk we've done here about the Nutritarian diet, I wanted to read it again. I got tired of waiting for it, so I bought a used copy online for only several dollars. It is in very good condition. It is basically the same information that's in Eat to Live, but he has more detailed information about how it effects diabetes. I know I will never give up eating meat entirely, but I would like to eat more vegetables and less meat.

Recently, I was very happy to see that my cholesterol was very good in spite of the eggs I eat every morning. Then today I read an article in AARP magazine that said that it's the choline that's in eggs, red meat, and dairy that had a bad effect on heart disease, not just the cholesterol. I guess I have to give more thought to eating the eggs. I don't eat a lot of red meat or dairy. I have been eating eggs since I was a child. I was never a cereal eater. It would be hard to give them up altogether. I wonder how important it is at 69 years old to make all these changes in eating. Either way, I'm only going to live for a little while longer. Why not enjoy it? If it was going to help me lose weight that would be another story but it doesn't seem that anything helps me with that.

Carol Sue Please KEEP the eggs. Eggs are ranked as perfect "Number 10 out of 10" as a perfect protein. The value of the nutrition in those great eggs we've eaten all our lives are probably helping us be here this many years. Job of Fire Marshall: Prayers revised. By the way our family business worked closely with our state Fire Marshal as we designed systems for buildings and as DH inspected construction. In fact, once our kids were at High School when Principal was tired of slippery floors from kids coming in from the rain, he chained a door shut that was the ONLY door of exit. Our oldest daughter knew to call the State Fire Marshal and let him know to inspect the school NOW, and left her name. They did, and promptly unchained the door and let Principal know, but not the name of the one who called in, letting him think it was the usual surprise check up.

Earthquakes: the earth quake in Virginia fairly recently was felt here. We have concrete slab on grade so when my chair moved I recognized it as an earthquake, went straight to computer and logged on that I felt it. Once years ago I suspected an earthquake when I was again sitting and slab moved, found it it was in Maysville, Ky. I've always been fascinated with earth sciences so I was excited, not scared. Just as glad NOT to be in the west coast area!!!

Gayle thought of you today when DH and I disagreed on something and had to laugh. I suspect all couples can be honest and admit that disagreements are going to happen and if I often do as Carol Sue does and simply say "sorry" , I suspect my DH also knows I'm just thru with the discussion.

Mary I look forward to coming here to read what each of you are doing and about your lives. Even if we have the same things to say, it is ok with me.

Today DH and I went to Dr for eye exam. He had a real scare with tumor in his spine last fall that they thought was cancer, but WAS NOT!!! I asked him if he was scared before surgery and you will love his reply. He said "No, I wasn't scared. I trusted GOD above to do what was best for me, and He did!!!" Wow! Of course we also had him in our prayers and he thanked us for that.

Just finished reading Bill Moyer's book Healing and The Mind He had made a TV series of this and if I remember it was on PBS TV. The book was fascinating, but took me long time to read. Lots to think about.

Hi everyone..I'm exhausted right now...I went shopping..needed new summer clothes. Not cause I've lost weight, darn it, but because mine were so old. Dh has even been telling me I ought to buy some. Not sure he was prepared for about $200 worth...but really that's not that bad these days if you buy several pieces. I'm actually a real cheapo these days when I buy clothes...I was once a whole different gal..and maybe if I ever lose weight again, I may change back into more or a shopper/spender, but now it's just not that much fun. But I was happy to find some things that fit pretty well even a couple summer dresses! Besides the dresses, I got shorts, capris and tops...three each. That's a whole lotta shoppin' for me! Feel like I'm finally prepared for summer and it's felt like summer for several weeks already..:dizzy:

Carol Sue - Now this is MY opinon...but I think that the reason meat products are so bad for people now is that in our modern culture, most people simply eat way too much of them and we also eat a lot of fat and sugar and white bread products. Sugary drinks are a bit part of the problem. I've seen young mothers telling their kids to drink their juice, I look at the bottle, bag and it usually has very little real juice in it and often the number one ingredient is sugar! All that PLUS food additives in most things and esp in the candy, PLUS less physical activity... No wonder Type II Diabetes and high cholesterol is now found in young kids!! I see this in some members of my family. It's a very scary scenario. I don't eat many eggs but do now and then. I would actually like to eat them two to three times a week as I do believe they are healthy. I like them but for some reason but even though I usually have a slice or two of low-carb/cal WW bread with them they don't keep me full very long. I'm not a big breakfast eater either even though I used to. It seems like I crave something sweet and creamy for breakfast these days. I haven't bought anymore mocha mix because it upsets my tummy, so these days I'm drinking high protein smoothies for breakfast. Usually add some fresh fruit and some flax seed meal. It taste good and fills me up pretty well.

Glynne and Carol Sue -I HATE bickering with my dh and so does he really but we do fall into it now and then. I like your approach, Carol Sue. Sometimes I too just say I'm sorry because I am sorry what ever it was has caused the bickering. Or I often say, oh well, maybe you are right (which still allows for maybe you aren't;)). Of course this is if I do feel I'm right. I simply apologize if I realize I'm in the wrong. Sometimes after thinking and praying on it, I realize I am in the wrong believe it or not!! :o Then I'm so glad if I didn't argue about it..;) I try to remember to ask God for a special blessing of His grace each morning (or whenever I think of it) and find that makes these situations easier to handle. It seems like when I do that I am able to keep calm and think of a soft answer which helps so much. Believe me I am still learning and hope this doesn't come across as if I think I'm prefect because it wouldn't take much time with me to know I'm not at all!! Besides my dh would probably tell you if you asked.;) Definitely a work in process.

Today I found another place that sells grilled veggie sandwiches...well really it's pita bread but they make it into a roll like a burrito. Pretty tasty. I stopped to buy some tea and it was recommended to me. Can't remember the name but it was in the mall food court. Really enjoyed it.

A family member borrowed my vacuum and I need to vacuum...hoping she brings it back tonight. My house needs it!

I googled choline and didn't see anything about it being bad for the heart. I know you can't believe everything you read or hear. I personally feel that eggs have a lot of nutritional value. I think I eat a fairly healthy diet. I eat all the food groups, but I don't eat much fruit and not many starchy carbs, although they are something that always tempts me. I don't eat many sweets, but last week DH bought some cookies that are my all-time favorite. They are called Pinwheels. They are chocolate covered marshmallow with a graham cracker base. I have always loved them and only bought them rarely for a treat. I haven't had them for years. I ate about 5 of them last week and were really glad to see that the package was empty, but today when I went to the store DH told me he wanted another pkg. I asked him why he wanted them when I was the one who was eating them all, but he said he ate them too. That's very odd because normally he doesn't eat chocolate. I will have to make myself stay away from them this week and see how many of them he eats. It's going to be hard.

I also don't eat many salty snacks, like chips or pretzels, but this week I bought something in the produce department called Snappea Crisps. They are sugar snap peas coated with something and baked. I'm telling myself they are healthy because they are sugar snap peas, but I think I'm only kidding myself. They sure are good! They are light and crispy like a potato chip. The ones I bought last week were black pepper flavor and this week I got wasabi ranch. I liked the black pepper better. I hope I get tired of them soon. I don't need to be eating more snacks.

DH and Rusty went to bed, so I guess I'll go in, too.

Good night!

Hi Everyone,

I'm back. Are we not doing monthly threads anymore?

Today is July 1 - first day of many fiscal years. I am making myself a Fiscal Year Challenge - get down to 145 lbs by June 30, 2016.

Anyone want to join me?

Lynn

Good morning GG's,

It is a nice sunny day here right now. 50% chance of rain most of the day until about 3pm, then it drops to 30%.

PT yesterday. Some of the exercises I don't like much, but I keep on ~ they seem to be helping (lessen this sciatic pain).

I enlisted Maddie's help in cleaning the bathroom mirrors this morning. I can reach only so high up, so I put her up to stand on the counter and sprayed the windex and she reached the high up parts for me.

Lynn ~ glad to see you back. No, we are not doing monthly threads anymore. There are so few of us now ~ only about 4 of us that have been posting regularly. They don't like the threads to get over 500 posts, so when we get close to that, we ask Bobbi to start us a new one. Maybe she can add to the name of it so it is easier to find the current one. Something like Golden Girls 2015 part 1, 2 or what ever. The last one lasted about 4 months.

I'll join you Lynn ~ in your challenge thing. It looks like you don't have very far to go. I don't really have any time frame in mind and no particular number in mind to reach, will just try to lose as much as I can by the date you said. My husband and I are doing that Eat to Live Diet by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. DH's brother (a doctor) follows it himself, recommends it to his patients, and so recommended it to us. We have been doing it for a month now.

Sandy ~ Confession ~ I made it almost the whole month, before messing up. On Monday, I was frustrated with Maddie. Fixed her a sandwich per her instructions. She took one bite and spit it out. Normally, I would just fix her something else, and we ate her left overs. But now on this diet, the stuff she eats, is not part of what we can eat. The waste just bugs me. So I ate her sandwich ~ it was just ½ of one. But that began a slide down the slippery slope and I ate several other things from then on for the rest of the day that I shouldn't have. Oh well, onward. I think I was also frustrated because the weight had been dropping a little each day, but steadily. Then it kind of slowed down and had been going up and down the same couple pounds, but not making any further progress. Perhaps, once school starts back up again and I can get back to some kind of exercise and pay closer attention to drinking more water, things will improve. For now, I'll just keep plugging away, eating the right things. I like the food and am not hungry, so that is a plus.

Carol Sue ~ oooo ~ I like the regular sugar snap peas just like they are. I fix up a plate of raw veggies, the sugar snap peas, baby carrots, broccoli and cauliflower ~ and dip it into some ranch salad dressing. Been trying to do like you do and eat more vegetables. I love those cookies you were telling about, but better get those out of my mind ~ LOL.

Mary ~ it sounds like you had a successful shopping trip even though you ended up tired. Excited for you about your new clothes and that you were able to find things that you were pleased with the fit. I hate clothes shopping ~ nothing ever looks good on me. When I do buy, it is out of desperation, or I will buy some of the T-shirt type tops when I see one I like from Walmart ~ because I know the size I need and that they will fit.

Sandy ~ good for your daughter knowing how unsafe it was for the students to have only one door available to get out of the building. Glad you had a good day at the arts festival. Sounds like a nice day. Sorry that you got so tired. Glad you get to enjoy your daughter's artwork.

Yea Bobbi for getting to goal weight. Yes, cheer us on please.

About earthquakes ~ we had one in Maine back in the 80's. Nothing major ~ and not a thing that happened very often up there. Like you Carol Sue, I was in bed a the time, and felt it shake, I thought it was a big truck (we had a paper mill right beside us and big log trucks passing by) rumbling by. I don't think DH felt it ~ he was not to bed yet. My father-in-law lived out in San Francisco back in the 80's when they had that big one there. He was driving at the time and described seeing the telephone poles swaying.

Guess I'd better go do some more stuff.

Hope you all are having a good day.

Hi Gayle,

I have been trying to get back to 145 for about 3 years! Was there & then started gaining. Hopefully, this year, I will get there.

I just do calories. From everything I have read, it comes down to calories & exercise. If you eat 3,500 calories more than you burn through exercise, you gain a pound. If you exercise enough to burn 3,500 calories, you lose a pound.

Between a bunch of health problems & a GREAT vacation, I have not been doing much exercise & have been doing a LOT of night-time grazing.

My objectives are to exercise more & eat less.

Lynn

Another busy day running around, first got a manicure, then a haircut. Wasn't quite as satisfied with the cut this time but it's not too bad, just that one side is a little higher than the other. She said it is just the way she brushed it. Hope she's right as when my hair grows out it tends to get a sorta squared off look on top and a bit higher on that side anyway. Then I realized it's a small detail in the grand scheme of things..:dizzy: Today I've done well on my eating plan except for the timing, too much time between meals, can you believe that! Usually it's the other way. The program doesn't like that I am in bed so long...well, somethings aren't likely to change.. I have to say it is easy to find food ..cause no need for anything special. I had a hot dog at Target today then came home and had several baby carrots and a glass of milk...no problem. I don't really like hot dogs that much but it was the best protein I could find there and it actually tasted pretty good! Even though I haven't really lost weigh (I've cheated a lot in the evenings), I feel less bloated and slimmer at least until I look in the mirror.:(

Lynn - Glad you're back! Trips do not help with dieting..

Glynne - I very well know what it's like to get so frustrated clothes shopping you just grab something...anything to get it over with! Been there too many times, and I'm trying not to do that anymore. I was surprised to find all these new clothes at Sears...usually Pennys is my go-to store these days.
I am also well to familiar with getting off track in a small way and that leading to a greater binge. I read an article that talked about something similar that kinda helped me think differently the other day...hoping it will help me in the evenings if I remember it.

Bobbi - You are always welcome to keep us on track! LOL You have always inspired me.

Carol Sue - I'm familiar with the pinwheel cookies and they are good. I think I'm familiar with about every cookie and candy out there, unfortunately. :(
I've been around those aisles for many years.. Sweet, salty and sweet creamy call out to me..definitely my triggers.

Sandy - Hope you are feeling ok and enjoying the summer days.

Hi Mary,

Biggest problem with the trip was I irritated my foot & couldn't wear shoes - therefore, couldn't exercise.

I finally got a cortisone shot & am now pain-free. Today was my first day on the treadmill in almost 2 months.

Lynn

Lynn Amazing what a cortisone shot will do. Enjoy wearing shoes again. I'd love to be down to the number u started with.

Mary How well you did on your shopping trip! Sure feels good to have some new clothes.

I'm wearing some new pants that are super comfortable. Good thing because it was a day of in and out of car, and such all day.

Gayle Thank goodness we can always start again, and we shall overcome!!!

Carol Sue I tried to find Kelp to day but couldn't. Where did you find yours? The store I used to buy such things in doesn't exist now.

Our granddaughter who is still in college sent me a text about her new job, and that she is getting an apartment near our youngest daughter's safe apartment. Those two gals are to be reckoned with.

Relaxed now after great massage. So fortunate DH insists I maintain the weekly appointment and I have the best gal around who really knows how to get my muscles working properly.

Sandy

ouch that sounds terrible, Lynn...I've heard those shots do wonders! Glad you are back exercising. I recently had the opportunity to buy at a great discount through my son's work and got a recombent bike. We haven't been going to the gym like we were so I use it...my goal is 30 min when we don't go to the gym, but have to admit mostly I only use it for 10 min but at least its something. I also try to just move a lot throughout the day.

Hi Sandy,

I don't think we have "met." I just read your bio. Gardening is out for me unless I can figure a way to do it without getting on my knees - knee surgery last fall.

My hobbies are reading, playing mah jongg, taking courses, teaching courses, and going to movies/plays/vacations.

Lynn

Lots of posts to read today!

Hi Bobbi, Hi Lynn! Good to see both of you here.

Love2garden, the Kelp capsules I have are Nature's Way. I rarely go to any store but Walmart and Target so I think it would be one of them, probably Walmart. I buy all my Health and Beauty Aids there, and I really need the Beauty Aids! LOL

Gayle, I know how discouraging it can get when the weight loss stops and you know you're doing everything right. Forget the slip up and just get right back on plan. You can do this! Is Steve losing weight? I think some of us are just slow losers and we have to live with that.

Lynn, I was wondering how you were doing after your knee surgery. I have one bad knee and can't do much on my knees. If I do manage to get down on my knees, I need help getting back up. I bought a garden tool that has 4 prongs and a long handle. You put it down into the dirt and twist it to dig around your plants and you do it standing up so you don't have to get down on your knees. It works as long as the ground isn't too hard.

Mary, I have always liked shopping at Penneys and Sears. I haven't been there for a long time because there's been a lot of road construction between us and the mall for the past couple years. It's terrible driving through there. I've been doing a lot of my shopping at Kohls. They send me a lot of coupons.

Hi Carol Sue,

After the knee surgery, I had two "cardiac events." Not heart attacks, but lots of cardiac symptoms resulted in me getting 2 stents. Problem after the catherization. The surgeon clipped the artery in my groin & ended up with horrible pain & bruising.

The knees are pretty good, but cannot kneel for any length of time.

Lynn

July 2

Progress toward Fiscal Year Challenge goal -
Weight - 153
Exercise -
25 reclining elliptical level 3
5 elliptical level 1
25 treadmill @ 2.5 no elevation
Calories - 942

Lynn

Lynn Your experience with surgery is really nerve wrecking!!! Glad you at least have a new knee.

I also have one replaced knee and one that receives lubricating shots every 7 or 8 months that allow me to walk without pain. So grateful. However, I simply bend over in semi squat when I plant or weed in the garden.

Having pots for the flowers that require deadheading helps. Not so far to bend over.

Carol Sue we avoid driving distances, and especially thru heavy traffic. The tension I feel is not worth it. It is easy to get to the mall that has Sears and Penney's. This is also near my daughter, granddaughter, and the wonderful Massage therapist.

Mary hope you are doing well today.

I head to Snap Fittness for a bit of strength building and exercise in a few minutes. Also to our Prayer Chapel for an hour of solitude and prayer. We keep it open most hours each day and rotate on who covers which hour. Usually I am by myself, but some people come in together for their hour.

Feel like I'm spinning my wheels today...have a lot of to-dos but something keeps coming up to stop me from getting them done. Did most daily stuff, partially weekly cleaned small bathroom, stripped our bed and put one load in washer then headed out for some things. Got home and then went out again to go with dh to see doctor. Dh has been having some neck pain past three days and doctor thinks it is arthritis. This made me late on my eating (every 2-3 hrs) so stopped at Five Guys for a veggie sandwich. Put on my tracker and it says too much carb! Was really surprised as it's just the usual size bun and just onions, gr pepper, and mushrooms with one slice cheese. I would think the fat might be an issue, but not carbs. Only thing I can think of is that you can put whatever you want on it and I know they offered me sauce so think probably most people get sauce and that might add to the carbs. The software can only do so much when things have lots of variables. I don't care, I enjoyed my sandwich! :D

So now I'm home and tired from the heat and wanting to rest but have much to do. Need to check my laundry and make the bed at least. My pain is much less so thankful for that! I notice when I stick to my diet my tummy feels better too, but last night I overate some and it hurt again. So less discomfort is incentive I guess.

Sandy - Your life seems very calm and peaceful..I like that. Hope the shot is continuing to keep the pain at bay.

Lynn - You were always disciplined...so I know you can do it again. You put me to shame!

Lynn, Carol, Sandy - So many women I know have had problems with hips and knees already....I'm doing pretty good that way although I did have pain in my hip (very little now) and I have a little soreness in my lt knee that I've been told by previous doc may be arthritis. I hope neither get worse. Surgery seems to help us in some ways but often it hurts us in other ways.
A raised garden might help you with gardening. That's how dh does it although I think he should have made his higher.

Carol - For a long time after it opened up here..Kohls was my go-to store. I love all the sales! But then it got so I rarely found anything to fit me. I still shop there from time to time but have mostly switched to Pennys. This was the first time I've found much at Sears that fit. I will continue to shop there if I do though. When I worked, Norstrom was my store of choice. I bought on sale but I bought too much in those days. I've totally changed, now I do not often shop for myself. I may buy more than one thing when I do but it's because I don't want to shop again too soon...I'm too hard to fit!:^:

Ok,gotta move..have a good evening!

Thought I'd show you guys examples from the Food Lovers Diet I'm trying. It's kinda different...makes me think of the One, One, One plan, but I think it works out the things that weren't so perfect with that one. However I still struggle a bit knowing if I'm putting together a perfect fat loss plate. Sometimes I'm surprised by what they think is right and sometimes what is wrong. I usually figure it out but find it a little quirky at times. See what you think.

THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL EATING DAY FOR ME..,,I do not usually eat restaurant foods for two meals a days and I don't often eat candy bars. I'll list the foods and their comments (actually the software's).

9:00 Breakfast
2 sl Sara Lee 45 cal whole wheat bread
1 T Smart Balance
1 T fruit spread
1 Cup NF milk

PERFECT!

11:45 Snack
Peanut candy bar

PERFECT!

3 PM Lunch
Veggie Sandwich
11 peanuts (from shell)

Overall portions too large, fat portion too large, carb portion too large (I don't agree, maybe they think I had sauce on it). Also went too long without eating between am snack and lunch.

6 PM Dinner
2 veggie spring rolls from Panda Express
1 cup blueberries, unsweetened

PERFECT!
In the coach's section where they grade you and teach, they said one at least one of todays meals did not have enough protein. I had two veggie meals. They also said at least one meal had too much fat..probably the breakfast sandwich as I had one slice of cheese on it

It's kinda fun trying to get the perfect plate...LOL Hopefully I'll get the hang of it and if I start losing weight I'll be able to do it on my own.

Mary, the only thing I notice is that you had very little protein throughout the day but the program obviously didn't think so!

This morning I was watching the national weather and I noticed that the temps are very hot up in your area, if you live where I think you live. I'm not sure and won't mention where I think it is. Our temps have been in the high 70s and low 80s.

I still like Sears for clothes for me, but I've gotten away from going there. Kohls sends me coupons online. Recently, they have been sending me coupons for $5 off anything. I will go there just to get that $5 even if I don't need anything. Sometimes there's something DH wants, or I can usually find a casual top for $8 or $10, and if not, I buy something from the clearance jewelry. They have some pretty necklaces or bracelets that dress up an outfit, something that I probably wouldn't buy at the regular price, but it's just a few dollars on clearance. I know that it's their intention that you will go there and spend a lot more. Sometimes they are having a % off sale and I can combine the $5 coupon with a % discount. Another store I really like is Bon Ton, but that is also at the mall where we run into all the road construction. Maybe they will be done with that soon.

Yeah, they caught the protein...it says one or more meals with not enough protein. See at the end. I'm not a big protein eater unless it's from milk. I do drink quite a lot of milk. I like Kohls coupons too. Pennys also has coupons here...I think they are trying to compete with Kohls. My problem with shopping is that I'm not a Woman's Size but am too big in my torso/middle for Misses! I was fortunate this time to find some things in the Lands End Misses dept and some in the Womans. Understand about the road construction and if it's a big project it can sometimes last a long time.

ETA: Still studying FL, and I see that breakfast and snack were fat burning, but from lunch on, so far, it's been fat storing..I guess because I had cheese and peanuts with lunch and because I had no protein with dinner. Interesting ..I guess I'm learning..

Ok, Mary, I missed the part where they said there was not enough protein. I could eat too much meat/protein if I don't watch. I like it. When I had the home nurse coming here after my surgery she told me to eat protein at every meal, but when they talk about protein, they meal a small serving, like maybe 3 oz. I tend to eat more than that.

I might look into that program. I think you said there's a free trial. I'd like to see what they say about my meals.

I can wear misses pants as long as the waist is big enough. I'm biggest through the middle. With tops, it can go between an XL misses or a 1X womans. It just depends on how it's made. A lot of the tops today are made with some spandex and they tend to hug my midriff too close. I prefer a looser fit, but not big and baggy.

Hi Sandy,

I am in same situation - except the non-operated-on knee gets cortisone shots. Tried the lubricating shots (something to do with roosters) - didn't work as well as the cortisone for me.

Lynn

July 3

Progress toward Fiscal Year Challenge goal -
Weight - 152
Exercise - Rest day
Calories - 1009

Lynn

Hi Mary,

I go in spurts. Ever since I lost the 40 lbs (now down to 30 lbs), I don't have much of an appetite for large meals. Can't eat more than 1/2 of stuff at most restaurants. However, I still crave sweets. I work around it by getting low-calorie stuff (ice cream bars, cookies), but I know they are empty calories. I know my diet is too heave in carbs & not enough veggies & protein.

Planning to make myself some healthy stuff today - mushroom soup & zucchini muffins.

Right now I feel like I am back in my zone. Hopefully, I will get myself back down to 145 and hold it for the rest of the year.

Lynn

Hi Carol Sue,

I am the opposite. I get most of my protein from dairy & eggs. Every once in a while I crave a hamburger or bacon, but, for the most part, I have trouble making myself eat meat. Unfortunately, I'm not crazy about beans either. I have a protein bar every morning & keep some protein powder around for shakes.

Lynn

Another busy day...need to finish up as much housework as I can today. Dh was up in the attic early running the line for our new security system, drilling etc so I couldn't sleep in. Know he wanted to do it before the heat. All of a sudden I thought, "he shouldn't be up there with all that insulation!" I knew he was wearing a surgical mask but still I don't think it's a good idea. Funny I hadn't really thought about it until this AM. Then I heard him cough and I got up to yell at him. He couldn't hear me of course but a few seconds later he came down. He said he's done and that he didn't know if our son would know how to do it the way he wanted it...yeah, he always thinks that and he needs to learn to delegate. I told him he needs to not only delegate but also to just say no sometimes. The scare we had back in Dec was enough, I don't want any more to happen to him.

The idea of FL diet is like others out there...to encourage fat burning rather than storage by preventing the in rush of insulin. Protein with carbs is key. You don't have to eat a FC and fats are optional. Of course, I love FC. :That's what the 3 weeks are for ....to get you used to the plan, making the necessary changes.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who doesn't eat a lot of meat. I really have to think each meal, where am I getting my protein. Eating this way I feel full all the time, sometimes almost too full, in fact I actually fill up very fast anymore...esp since the first of the year. It's like there is a tight band constricting me. I'm wondering whether there is a reason for that. I know I should listen to it and stop eating, however I still can eat and in the evenings I still overeat and when I do I get that right upper quadrant pain/discomfort again. My first thought was that it is the muscles in my upper abdomen stretching ...I remember a similar feeling when I was pregnant with my 3rd child and my abdomen has gotten a lot bigger...seems like all my weight is going there. When I eat less, I don't notice it. I am scheduled for a consultation and colonoscopy later on this month. Sure hope they don't find anything wrong but better to know and deal with it I guess.

Carol Sue - You sound a lot like me in the sizes.

Well need to get going...