Good morning GG's,

Carol Sue ~ yes, nursing is a demanding job, but I think any jobs where you have deal with people are not fun jobs. Unless you have the patience of a saint or something. I think most people are nice, but the few that aren't, make you dread dealing with any of them. I have heard my mom and daughter tell about dealing with people in the banking business. My daughter called me up crying a couple times because of her frustration at dealing with horrible people.

Mary ~ I was puzzled too by the thing you mention about always having to eat protein with the carbs to keep the blood sugar steady ~ I was taught the same thing. I should be checking my sugar at various different times to see, but I get busy and forget. The only one I can seem to remember to do routinely is the fasting one before I eat in the mornings. It has been consistently good since starting this diet.

Carol Sue ~ I think somewhere in the book, it encourages you to try to do the more restrictive plan for 6 weeks. That is what we are doing. At the end of that time, I plan to do like you tell he says to do with the meats and such ~ as a condiment with salads. I never really did eat lots of meat, but did use it like that ~ ham chunks, chicken chunks, tuna or imitation crab meat and shredded cheddar cheese on top of a salad. I figured I was getting in a little protein that way, and it made the salads look pretty and be tasty to me. I don't think a little bit that way is going to mess this up.

I'm sure DH will keep doing the strict way. He's kind smug about things like that ~ prides himself on his self control. Good for him, but I don't think I am a failure or a bad person if I can not be like him.

One day, I tried one of the smoothie recipes in that book. I didn't have the kind of lettuce it called for. Somewhere I found a web site that told about the different kinds of lettuces and what you could substitute if you didn't have that kind. One of the substitutions was to use the leaves from celery. So, I used that in the smoothie recipe. The recipe also called for frozen strawberries ~ the ones I had, I think were maybe freezer burned. Anyway the smoothie came out tasting awful. Maddie ate a couple spoons full and also said it tasted awful. DH tried it ~ I told him it didn't come out good. I don't think he thought it was very tasty, but he ate it all ~ kind of just to prove some kind of point. Kind of made me mad.

Carol Sue ~ have you been cooking for your husband for such a long time now that you have it figured out how much to make so there aren't any left overs? Just wondered. My daughter's husband (well ~ ex-husband who she let come back and live with her) won't eat left overs either. DD ~ since we started this diet and aren't eating some things, said to us ~ what am I going to do with my left overs now (she had been bringing them to us)? LOL. Forgive me for saying, but to me I feel like it is inconsiderate ~ especially in this day and age when both people are working full time, for the husband to demand of his wife, a brand new meal every day and refusing to eat left overs. Does he not think she is tired too? That would have been a reasonable thing I guess back in the day when mom's didn't work out of the home, but now, well.....I said how I feel. Sorry.

About the processed foods and other choices. I have suggested salad bars, and he seemed to think maybe that would be ok. But where does he think the stuff there comes from ~ I'm sure they dump it out of a bag. I suggested that we could eat at the hospital cafeteria as they had healthy choices there ~ salads and fresh fruit cups.

Actually, I think DH is feeling better on this diet. Before the stenting, he had had a colonoscopy with banding of hemorrhoids. “Going” to the bathroom was not too comfy, but after the first couple weeks, this diet has helped him “go” easier. In that way, it has been kind of life changing for him ~ his bathroom routine changed for the better, and he isn't going to have to take the medication the doctor wanted him to take, he is “going” nicely now, just by the change in his diet. So, he is real pleased with that.

Carol Sue ~ sorry you didn't sleep well last night and had pain. Hope you are feeling better now.

Mary ~ hope you were able to rest and not have too much pain.

Love2 ~ How are you and your DH doing today?

Well, I've played around too much on here, I'd better get off and do something. Hope you all have a nice day.

Here are pics of some of the foods I have made on this diet.

Gayle How colorful your meals look. In nutrition class I was taught to go for color for health and because the eyes also enjoy the experience.

Glad the diet is getting the entire GI tract working well for your DH.

DH is good to eat leftovers at times, but never thinks to look in refrigerator for them. He grabs bread and bologna instead. Hopefully he will limit his lunch meats with nitrates etc, but with decades of eating that way it will be quite a change.

Mary how is your pain today. You amaze me how active you remain inspite of health issues that would sideline me.

Carol Sue your perseverance also amazes me. Your personality reminds me of my efficient daughter-in-law who is a CPA and so smart.
I've always tried to work toward becoming more efficient, but it is so foreign to my nature. Just trying to work on one area at a time.

DH enjoys order in the house. We share this former bedroom as I use desktop computer and he has desk on opposite wall where he ties flies for fishing. His side is so orderly and neat. Easy to see my side.

Our daughter who lives with us once used this bedroom with her sister. Twin beds and shared desk. Pat's side was neat with bed made and desk neat. Kit's was piled so high that at time her junk slid over to Pat's side and I'd hear the kids get in to argument.

Living with two neat people makes me try harder at leas some days.

I've been anxious about signing my real name on line, but am trying to put that anxiety behind me. Therefore, I'm admitting that my name is

Sandy

I was up in the night with Halo but I think it was only once about 2:30, I was a wake a while but finally did sleep. Knew when dh got up (he got up early to work in yard while it's cooler), but went back to sleep and didn't get up til a little after 9. Woke up very achy. It's basically all the time now but worse at times and Asa does help some. Sometimes (like this morning) I hurt so bad it is hard to walk...I have to force myself.

Thought I might be needed for babysitting but so far have not been called. Tonight we have our other gd's birthday party. It will be just grandparents and possibly one cousin for dinner at our dd's house. Her daddy is making spaghetti. In between now and then I plan to clean our family room. I did finally get the living room done yesterday. It seems to take me so long to get through the whole house anymore. I used to do my weekly cleaning in a day just a couple years ago, then went to one or two rooms (if a bathroom) a day, and now it's one or two a day but over more like 10-14 days. Part of the problem is we go out and when I get home I'm too tired.

Sandy - Thank you for sharing your real name! I don't mind either way but it does feel more like we know each other with actual names I think. I think it was Donna who always used to asked for a real name. I think it was because sometimes the usernames are hard to long and hard to type. I usually just shorten them. Having to live with very neat people would be difficult for me too...I'm not really sloppy (well by MY standards!) but am never totally neat and organized either. I like a place for everything and everything in it's place but I still allow for clutter here and there too if that makes sense. :dizzy: My office is the messiest place in our house aside from our son's room. That's a whole other story, but to be fair he has too much stuff and too little room. I wish I could give him a couple rooms. Sandy, you mention despite the pain I'm active..well honestly some times it is by sheer will ...I've always had a lot of pain and it generally just seems part of my life...so I force myself to go on.
I'm not bragging...I truly wish it were not part of my life but even as a child my legs ached.

Glynne - Glad your bs has been good and the fasting one is usually my worst so I think you're doing well. With the procedures done (colonoscopy and hemmorroids) followed by the stent, I think that's enough to make a person tired for a while. Dh had three surgeries over abt 6 months and I think that still may contribute to his fatigue. I know it would wipe me out. I enjoyed dealing with people in nursing...for me the hard part were all the rules, some seemed just silly not really important, and that we were always understaffed, and never enough time to get all the work done. I never felt satisfied with the care I gave because there just wasn't enough time in the day to do it and the charting. I didn't even mind the charting like many nurses do, but I like to do well at whatever I do and there just wasn't the time, so I'd work way over and then the administrators would get upset at me for that. They were sure I'd want comp times sooner or later...funny because at the time they told me that I didn't even know what comp time was!! When I worked days but got home later than my dh, my dh would prepare dinner. He even prepared Thanksgiving one year when I had to work. He's a pretty good cook esp of Asian type meals. For potlucks he often makes Chicken Pansit and gets raves. I prefer to do most of the cooking though...and right now we both are retired but in good weather esp he works much harder outside than I do inside so seems only fair. Plus I just enjoy cooking for him and our son...it's a labor of love for me and I feel so good when I please them.

Carol Sue - Hmmm...I had't actually thought about the diabetes meds causing me leg/hip pain. If the Glimepiride (Amaryl) is the cause, it didn't get bad til several months later as I started it in July. As I say, I've always had achy legs but usually not as consistent as it is now. This is the drug that made me gain ten pounds in the first two weeks though. I started Farxiga April 1st, so that was after the pain started. When it started I didn't think much about it...my different kinds of pain are typically cyclic ...and I just figured it was my time for leg pain, but then I realized it was different...not only was it lasting longer but also my Rt hip was involved. I used to have Lt hip pain but not in recent years...but again that was cyclic and felt like sciatica. Stretching helped it. So this is different. Stopping Simvastatin may have helped a little but not significantly. My hip is better although it is still hard for me to go up stairs...the hurting is only mild now so I'm not exactly sure why but it is still hard and I have to use my right arm to kind of pull myself up. I will find out how my cholesterol is next month and doctor will have to determine what I should do if it's high.

Our eating is more like you and your dh. Like you I'm used to the preparation. Only difference probably is that your dh seems to be pickier than mine. Mine has become harder to please as he aged but he usually will eat whatever I serve. He will eat leftovers but would not want the same thing very often.

Yes, beans have plenty of fiber...another thing I love about them! Still they are a carb even after subtracting 1/2 the fiber. As long as I could eat products that come from animals...like milk, cheese, eggs etc. and beans, I think I'd have no problem on a mostly vegetarian diet, but in time I would want a little meat. I like meat as you and Glynne mentioned, more like a condiment..in small amounts with my veggies. I do like potatoes though...I suppose you can't have white potatoes on this diet? Not sure I could give up potatoes entirely even though we actually eat more rice than potatoes. I like both but esp potatoes, but dh loves rice.

Trying to keep quiet again today as son again worked night shift and he is very tired these days adjusting. Hopefully this will be over soon. I do the more quiet things during his sleeping time and then vac after he's up.

Until next time..

Hello ~ back again,

I'm feeling better about this food thing tonight. I think getting all that food prepared yesterday helped. So that when Sara left here tonight, I could just put food on the plates, heat it up, make a coleslaw (use that pre-cut bagged stuff) real quick and it was done. Also, I kind of did things at different times. I had it in my head that I needed to load and unload the dish washer in the evening so it wouldn't be waiting for me in the morning. The last couple days, I haven't done it at night. I rinse stuff as I go, so I don't have to stand for long periods of time doing that. It makes that back/sciatic pain worse ~ standing for long times. And because I had prepared stuff yesterday, I didn't have to do as much today. Had more free time to enjoy.

I feel like I am starting to get the hang of this diet. I have some things we like and are pretty easy to fix and starting to get a feel for how long stuff lasts and sort of how much to buy.

I do feel a little guilty that I let Maddie play on the iPad and watch TV more than usual, but we read and played too, so maybe it will work out ok. If I feel better about stuff, I am likely to be less stressed and it will be more enjoyable for Maddie too.

Now the weekend off (from Maddie that is). Gotta go get groceries tomorrow.

Mary ~ I'm so sorry that you have so much pain and have had for such a while. Hope you felt better so you could enjoy your granddaughter's birthday party.

Sandy ~ thank you for sharing your name. Makes it seem more like we know each other ~ like Mary said. Your description of your daughter's bedroom ~ sort of sounded like my sister and I. I was the kind of messy one. Now, I like stuff neat, but don't always feel up to keeping up with it. Both DH and I are have areas of clutter. When it starts to bug us, we deal with it then.

Carol Sue ~ I agree with you about the food prep ~ it is new to me ~ well, not actually doing it, but doing it every day. I think it might not have been so overwhelming if it had happened a while before school got out or in the fall when school has started up again. I think it is the trying to do it while Maddie is here. Being torn between spending time doing that and letting her do the TV and iPad while I do it. I guess I feel guilty when I am letting her do those things because it is more than we had been letting her do it. Oh well, it is what it is. Also, DH used to be the one to play and entertain Maddie the most, but with his health stuff now, he is tired and it falls more to me now. So I think all these changes all at once is maybe what makes all of it overwhelming.

Sorry that you also had pain that kept you awake. Hope the med helped ease it.

I've enjoyed that supper is out of the way, dishes can wait until tomorrow and I had some of the evening to enjoy and relax a bit. Thank you all for giving me a place to come and share.

Hope you have a good weekend. Happy Father's day to your husbands and sons.

Mary, from what I have read, the carbs in beans are processed differently in your body and do not effect blood sugar the way other carbs do and they also contain protein. That's why they always say beans are so healthy for you. I don't know enough about it to explain it, but I believe it to be true. And even though you're not eating protein as we know it, meat, dairy, seafood, some plant foods do have protein and if you eat those, you don't need the protein from the meat. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind or force my beliefs on anyone, just repeating what I have heard.

Sandy, I do not consider it inconsiderate for DH to want freshly cooked foods each day. It could be hot dogs, just not hot dogs left over from yesterday. It's how it's been for me all my life. My mother prepared a full meal every day, too. We never had leftovers because we were always hungry by dinner time and ate til the food was gone.

Gayle, I used to cook for 4 when the kids were here and now I cook for 2. I know how much to cook. When it comes to things like stuffed cabbage rolls or lasagne, DH will eat them leftover, but for lunch the next day, not for dinner. When I make things that make a lot I give the leftovers to my Step-daughter. In fact, when I make meatloaf I specifically make it much bigger than we need so I can give it to her. If they don't eat it for dinner her husband takes it for his lunch. They love my cooking. He calls me Betty Crocker. LOL But she doesn't cook like that, she does a lot of quick cooking foods. And they grill out a lot. My DIL hardly cooks at all. My step-son does most of the cooking because he gets home from work first and they also do a lot of grilling. They eat lower carb. No potatoes. Rice is brown rice and pasta is wheat pasta. Their dinner will consist of meat on the grill and a salad.

I can understand the frustration of doing all this prep and having Maddie for the day. I think you are doing great and your pictures look very healthy and appetizing I do not eat fruit, though, so only the beans and veggies looked good to me. DH would love the fruit plate. He orders a fruit plate often when we go out to eat. I could make a tray of roasted veggies and eat the whole thing myself.

I think most restaurants use the bagged salad, and I think it is still good. The bag keeps it fresh longer and they don't have to have someone cutting up all those veggies. The more people who handle your food the higher the risk, IMO The only problem is some of them have preservatives on them and they can be bad for some people.

I sure got long winded this morning. LOL I love food and love to talk about it.

Carol Sue ~ it was me that said the thing about feeling husbands were inconsiderate to ask for a new meal each night and not eat left overs. I didn't mean to cause any hard feelings or anything. I guess I was thinking more of my selfish jerky (ex) SIL and others ~ especially those when both of the couple are working full time. Please forgive me ~ I don't usually express such strong feelings about things. That one just hit a nerve for me I guess. And not because that has been my experience, but for others who go through that.

It is a nice sunny day here today (so far). Gotta head out after a bit to Aldi and where ever else the stuff we need is on sale.

I was kind of worried about the fruits on this way of eating. But so far, my blood sugars have been alright eating this way. I have kind of hit a stall though ~ darn. But I'm not giving up ~ it has got to move sooner or later. I even thought maybe my scale was broken ~ it has read exactly the same thing for 5 days in a row now. Not even varying by a 1/10 of a pound. I put on a pair of shoes just to test it and it did go up, so I guess it's not broken and that really is the number.

Hello Mary and Sandy. Hopefully I'll get back later.

Carol Sue I agree that the medical people would sooner blame us if we feel pain than to recognize that some medication DOES funny things beyond what they expect.

DH was taking pain meds after his tooth was pulled and did fine for 12 hours or so, but the med suddenly made him nauseous and feeling "funny" in his head. I took him with me when I went for massage and he sat a whole hour in AC waiting room for me. Still feeling "awful". Dry heaves and unable to think even tho over 4 hours after last med that was taken with food.

I believe he simply is more sensitive to that medication and if taken every 6 hours instead of every 4 he would have been fine.

He swears that pain is better than feeling so terrible, and he is probably right. He used to have a stomach ulcer that caused him to turn pale with pain but he couldn't take anything for it. Finally had over 1/2 his stomach removed and no pain since, but he does have attacks of low blood sugar at times. Surgeon said some have that after the stomach surgery he had.

I can't imagine being a nurse. Caregiving for our kids, grandkids, was not nearly as hard as it was taking care of Mom for years with Alzhimers was the hardenst.

Thank God, I have no diabetes yet, and hopefully as my weight drops, and diet keeeps improving, I'll escape. Scares me more than most issues.

Sandy

Woke up really achy again but not too bad now. I've weekly cleaned the family room and did my daily work except I still need to do a quick mopping of the kitchen/dining area. Dh and our son went to the Men's breakfast at church early this am. Then Dh put up wire fencing around some of his gardens because Halo has been digging in them. Dh and son trimmed our bamboo plant that had grown wild and son picked up all the trimmings and other weeds to have ready for debris pickup on Monday. Glad they did these things before it got so warm.
Now dh is headed for a place that sells bbq ribs he likes, as I think we are having a BBQ tomorrow. Hopefully they will decide for sure soon as I plan to go out and get the potato salad and beans and watermelon.

We had a lovely time at our dd and sils last night. It was just us and other grandmother whom they call Nana. Our gd was so cute...she got SO excited with every gift no matter what it was. She was very happy with her construction paper, and her brother excitedly showed her how some of the paper has sparkles. I picked that pad because of that, knew she'd like that. She was even more excited by the pretty duct tape!! :D LOL And the climax of the gifts...her parents gave her a pink ipod...Oh did she scream with excitement. Her nana gave her a Power Girl outfit and she put it on for pictures with her mom and dad acting like super figures in the background. It was very cute. My sil made his famous spaghetti and it was delicious! I had TWO servings. He told me there was ground beef, pork and chicken in it, and I could see fresh tomatoes, artichokes and olives. Very different and so good. They served it with a Caesar salad (bought blend). I also had a small glass of red wine and one slice of almond roca cake. Gained 3# overnight! Didn't even bother to take my bs last night but was no worse this morning than usual, even better than it was the morning before. I forgot my meds until after we got home though so probably spiked pretty high for a while.

Sandy - I react like your dh to some medications...like oxycodon, percocet and even regular codeine. These meds I have to go to sleep with otherwise I get sick.

Carol Sue - Well that's good about beans and I love them. If dh liked them more, we'd eat them a lot more, but I do eat them for lunch now and then. I also love grilled veggie sandwiches. Do you ladies have a Five Guys hamburger place? They make a really good grilled veggie sandwich. I've never tried their hamburgers because I always get it. Dh and our son don't care for their hamburgers, but once in a while I go there when I'm out on my own. It is not easy to find a GRILLED veggie sandwich. I always have them use mushrooms, onions, and green peppers...the mushrooms are like meat to me. I sometimes let them put one slice of cheese on top too. I should just make my own at home..just never think of it I guess.

I like the bagged salad too..esp for convenience and because the blends with the added ingredients are usually very tasty. The one we buy most often is the Asian blend. I like my salads with lots of things in it..not just lettuce although I so love iceberg lettuce..it isn't the most healthy but I figure with all the other veggies I add to it, it's ok. The one problem with bagged salads is up here at least there has been a lot of contamination from the field workers and people have gotten sick...usually e coli as I remember. Nasty stuff! For that reason I don't buy it often but sometimes it is just too convenient not to.

Glynne - Glad things are getting easier with the diet and preparation! It has helped you enough that it seems to be worth the extra effort. I feel tired most of the time so understand how you must feel though esp with babysitting too. I'm not very good with the babysitting. I never feel I have to entertain kids...my kids were always outside playing if the weather was nice and usually entertained themselves if indoors. Often had friends here or went to friends houses too. I realize things are different now though. You can't let kids run free and they have to have play dates instead of just running next door. So occasionally if they ask or they are driving me nuts I do play a game with them. Depends on the kids though...some don't really seem to want to play a game with me and others do, some like me to read to them and others can't sit still long enough to even read a short book. Depends on what they are used to. The ones that like games and books are easier for me. The others just want video games and movies all the time. To me that is not as healthy but they screech if they aren't allowed and I've finally decided I'm not a mama, I'm a grandma and I tend to give them what they want, within reason, even though I don't necessarily like it. :dizzy: I can't stand the screeching. The ones who do that are getting better though as they are learning, I don't respond well to it. I tell them screaming doesn't do any good, it gets your nothing except maybe bed. If you talk, I will respond right away and try to please, help you if I can. See I don't want to be a mother and have to discipline, but yet I can't stand somethings so can't just be a doting grandma either! :dizzy: About the dishes, I completely understand...I used to always prefer to do my dishes in the morning. Sometimes I still do if there are not too many, but dh doesn't like it if there are dishes in the sink esp on both sides. So now I usually fill the dishwasher and turn it on before bed. I unload it in the morning or gradually throughout the day when I need something. Occasionally dh or our son even unload it. But I say as long as your dh is not against it, do what is easier for you. Esp if you have less pain and more energy in the morning. I say, it's only dishes...not a big deal..LOL that's what I've always told my dh. :D

Mary So glad you enjoyed time with family. Sorry you are achy, hope today is better.

My DH is like yours, he can't stand the kitchen to be messy and when I used to leave dishes in the sink, he would do them. Now that he has taken over the kitchen, he can suit himself and he NEVER leaves them.

We just got the Five Guys restaurant not so far away. DIL loves there, but I dreaded going because I don't like hamburgers much. Good to know your good luck with the grilled veggies there.

Gayle really amazing how we can adapt as you have with this new diet requiring so much preperation, and a struggle to change. Proud of u!!!

Carol Sue you mentioned stuffed cabbage rolls. DH absolutely will eat those for days on end so we always make a huge amount. Seem to get better with sitting and reheating doesn't hurt them a bit. We really need to make some soon.

We drive over an hour to the Art Gallery were DD has some of her paintings. The award ceremony is at 3:00 PM and we want to eat the Father's Day Dinner at the fantastic restaurant that is next door. Was hopping our youngest daughter could come too as she is also an artist. She woke with severe Migraine and won't be able to drive up to join us.

She has the most stressful job of working to gain funding for 20 mentally challenged people that she know so well from her frequent visits with each one. She is very protective of her people, actually clients, but much closer than that for her.

May each of you enjoy Father's Day and the first day of Summer.

Sandy

We have 5 Guys near us but have never gone there. DH more likes family style sit-down restaurants with a more varied menu. Some day we will try it.

Right now we are on a search to find out if a pet store in town has the dog food that Rusty likes. We have to go to Petsmart for it and that's too far to run every time he needs food, it's in a congested area. We have tried 2 other foods and he won't eat them, so we will give him what he likes. It says online that this pet store in town has it, but I thought I looked there one time and didn't see it. I hope they have it. It will save us a lot of traveling. I have a DH who is a picky eater and also a dog who is a picky eater. All of our dogs have been picky eaters. My step-son buys quality food for his dog, but when he's at our house he will gobble down any dog food we have here. Son doesn't like that, but that's how grandma's treat their granddogs. LOL Just like feeding sweets to the grand kids.

Sandy, my younger brother was mentally challenged and it was very hard to find people like your daughter who loved and cared for them just the way they are. Bless her.

The kids just left. We had a BBQ after church. It was fun even though I was kind of too tired. The kids brought meat and drinks and I got potato salad and beans, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and apple pie. Dh bought some BBQ short ribs. They didn't look like short ribs to me but that's what he said they called them. They were like thinly sliced steak. Our son grilled beef and pork kabobs with shrimp (not for me), pineapple, and red peppers.
Joe received a back brace and a heating pad for his back, plus a GC for one of his favorite sports stores. His lawn mower was his gift from me. My washer was my Mother's Day gift. :D

Carol Sue - You can buy dog food online...some sites you can even have it auto shipped to you so you don't run out. You might find his brand. Picky people, people dogs ..whats the world coming too..

I'm too tired to type more...hope you all had a nice Father's Day.

Good evening GG's,

It has been a nice quiet day here today. I did some puttery stuff ~ mopped the bathroom floors and washed the bathroom rugs. Tomorow, maybe I can enlist Maddie's help ~ put her up on the counter to reach the high up part of the bathroom mirrors that I can't reach without a small ladder.

DH helped me order some things from Amazon, to help me with the food prep ~ things that will help there to not be so much strain on my joints. Electric can opener, knife sharpener, that cuisinart mini food chopper and a gizmo to help open ring top cans ~ have arrived. Awaiting a right angle knife (handle is at a right angle to the blade ~ supposed to be able to cut things with your wrist in a better ergonomic position to prevent strain/stress on the joint).

Cooked up another pot of the kale and white bean soup. We did grocery shopping on Saturday ~ I think I am getting the hang of how much to buy and what and when to fix things, so that it doesn't seem as overwhelming as it did at first.

We had heavy rain, thunder and lightening and high winds on Saturday. On our way home from shopping, the one road had many trees down along the right lane of the road ~ both north and south bound. It was passable, but cars had to kind of weave in and out going slowly. Thank goodness when we got home we didn't find a tree on our house.

Mary ~ sounds like your family had a nice time celebrating Father's day. Glad you all enjoyed. Hope you can rest now.

Carol Sue ~ Hope you can find the dog food you need for Rusty at a place closer to you.

Sandy ~ Your day sounds like it will be nice. The art show then the restaurant you all enjoy. Sorry your one daughter wasn't able to attend.

Gonna relax a bit now. Maddie's back tomorrow. I think with my food prep, I am better set for her.

Hope you all rest well and with less pain.

Looks as if we all had a lot of activity. Some with people, or weather, or pets, and always with food.

Gayle, You will really enjoy those special appliances to make your preparations easy. I really appreciate the jar opener!

The heavy winds and blown down trees make driving an adventure we can do without. Glad your trees at home stayed where they belong.

Pat had such a good time at the Art Gallery Reception with other artists talking about what they are so enthusiastic about. She was on her feet for hours and smiling and so happy. She loves talking about art, her kind or the kind she has never tried. She looked fantastic. Pink sleeveless flowing top over her slim black pants with chunky necklace, bracelett and earrings. She has great posture and looked even taller than her slim 5'4".

DH and I enjoyed seeing her have such fun, the places to sit were most appreciated but we had a good 3 hours standing, total. Left the house at 8 for Mass, then drove home, and later to Gallery, and got home 12 hours later at 8:00 PM Was so glad it was the longest day of the year and daylight for all the driving which was my job all day.

Carol Sue Finding the proper food for Rusty is a problem. Sure hope the local store has it or is willing too order it for you. Funny that your son's dog will eat whatever at your home. Grandma's privilege, right?

Mary, Family events are fun, but I agree also exhausting. Were you too tired to sleep last night?

I was too wound up and it was 1:30am before I finally could fall asleep. Sure am grateful to be retired and able to sleep in today.

Sandy

I got up at my usual time (about 9 am) but dh said it was too late to go to the gym. It's the same time as usual but I guess because of the summer type weather he wants to do things around here instead. So doesn't look like we'll be going to the gym much until fall cause I am not willing to give up my sleeping in. Funny thing is he just sets up the sprinkler and then goes to sleep in his recliner til I get up. :) I plan to use my walking tape today and also ride my bike. I also have weights so I could really do most everything right here. It's just laziness or fatigue that keeps me from it usually.

Sandy - Yes I was exhausted last night...not just the BBQ but I didn't sleep well the night before..MAYBE 4 hours...not enough. But I did sleep well last night and only got up once. Glad you got to go to the art gallery. Your dd sounds lovely. I am sure you are very proud of her. Glad you could sleep in after your long day.

Gayle - Glad you found the things to help you in the kitchen. Your joint issues are probably another reason all that chopping is hard on you...I'm sorry I never thought of that. I'm fortunate not to have that kind of pain. The doctor thinks I have arthritis in my rt hip and the other doc said I might have it in my left knee but otherwise I don't think I have any. At 72 I know a lot of people have more problem that way. Anyway glad things are getting easier with the cooking. Our son and dh did the cooking yesterday...that sure helps but still the standing and walking taking things out and bringing them in wears me out even now, even though I enjoy having the kids here. I did have a little help with that too though. I used paper plates this time thinking I was saving time but then realized I had to rinse each one off for recycling so really didn't make much difference! :dizzy:

Dh is hanging my new shade today. I'm waiting for him to call for my help.
We are planning another trip and were so pleased to learn this am that we can get a room an a nearby (to our destination) AF Base. That will save us a lot of dollars. Don't want to talk about where and when here, will share that later privately but were so happy to hear that I wanted to share it now.;) Praying the day we leave I won't be hurting.

Carol Sue how are you...hey that rhymes!!:D Did you find the right dog food?