Good morning. A beautiful day here in sunny Alberta. Snow has just about disappeared, but it sounds like we will have some more next week. Halloween was really quiet, and I am left with candy. I am sure glad that I don't crave it at all. Didn't have even a piece of it.

Now, yesterday I made a New York Cheese cake, and it is delicious. All I need is a very small piece, because it is very rich, but very satisfying. I have not lost anything else so far, but then it isn't even a week. I have now been on this for 3 weeks and feel good. Hubby joined me in this venture, so it makes everything easier - especially cooking. Even though it is low carb, I will bet that I eat more veggies than most North Americans do in a day. Just not fruit and grains - yet. Can start adding some, but I like the way I feel on this part of the diet, so not in a hurry to start adding a lot of different stuff.

I don't know where everybody is, but the board sure is quiet.

Meme - I hope you are feeling better

Freddie - Nice to see you back with us. I don't know what I would do about your dilemma. I guess, get aother opinion from a heart specialist and go from there.

Mima - have fun today. I always thought it would be so much easier to lose weight if I lived alone! Only have myself to worry about. I know you are looking forward to your trip. I have always thought I would love to go on the Delta Queen since I first started in travel almost 30 years ago. Seems like it would be so much fun. I don't even know if the Delta Queen is still running

Ally - Enjoy your pizza. One day you will look back at all this and see it a bit differently. It is hard see things when you are right, smack in the middle of it. Kids do grow up, thank goodness.

Joanne - Did the move do you in? Where did you get to? I hope you are feeling ok.

Anagram - same with you - hope you are feeling ok, and are just out enjoying yourself.

Candice - Where in the world are you? We never hear from you!

Enjoy your day everyone.

Hmmm...maybe some kids grow up...mine never did! They just went out and between the 2 of them had four more! Add spouses and now I have eight!!!

I really, really, really need that recipe for the NY cheesecake! My daughter is wanting me to make a cheese cake for Thanksgiving. I have my mom's recipe...may use that...but I'd like to see yours and see how it differs.

I haven't lost any more weight this week, either. But at least I'm not gaining. I've been sick and haven't done any exercise or walking, though. I have also had to up my carbs just a little bit. Had some rice yesterday. I'm tired all the time and my blood count is down really low. I'm hoping eating a few more carbs will give me a little more energy.

Mima...your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I'm not doing any Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving. They come out with a new toy every single day and the kids are constantly changing their minds about what they want...so I'm playing it safe and waiting until closer to Christmas. As for the 'big' kids, we usually get them one thing each and then give them some money. My son just bought a new house last week and will be moving the last of November and my daughter just moved into a new house in July so they can both use the money for decorating.

My daughter had a Home Interior party last night. I bought too much...always do! I bought all Christmas stuff. They have such pretty candles and things. I bought a table arrangement and a swag for over the mirror in my dinning room. I also bought some really neat decorations for my livingroom tables and some scented candles. I always do a lot of decorating at Christmas time...the little kids love it (and so do I!) That's my favorite time of year! I have a large tree with all angel ornaments and a train going around the bottom and a large village that I set up on my entertainment center. We put lights all around the front porch and shrubs in front...all white.

I think I may have my mom's trailer rented. A young guy (with a $30,000 truck!) stopped by here a couple of hours ago and asked if it was for rent. He is recently divorced and works in Nashville. Said he left for work at 4 a.m. and didn't get home until 7 p.m. so he will only be home on weekends, really. He has a riding mower and said he is a clean freak! He gave references...2 people that I know well...so I'll be able to check. I know the woman he was renting from while he was married so I can call and see what kind of renter he was then. This is exactly what I've been praying for...a single person who's hardly ever home!

Your decorations sound beautiful, Meme. Sorry you're not feeling well.

Happy, I've just been busy. Correct double recliner came in for family room so we've been rearranging, etc. Plus the ususal drs appts. Also finally got to see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Nice and light. Joanne, I noticed a Pappas Grill in an early scene. I'm sure you've just collapsed after your great trip and all that packing.

Freddie, what a choice! But I go along with the others - second opinion. The creatine(?) is an indication, I think, that your kidneys may be slowing a bit and they probably don't want to take a chance with harming them if the trial medicine might end up doing that.

Mima, trip does sound great. You have a lot to pack in between now and the holidays.

Ally, kids do grow up - mine finally have got to the point where I think they are. They're 37 and almost 40. But I remember the teen years well. Thank God, I had more energy then.

Walked the mall today for exercise, bought nothing but checked out a few things, came up with one Christmas idea and searched for one thing I want to add to family room.

So not too bad a day. We went to local college last evening to see/hear Joe Lockhart and Marlin Fitzwater talk of their experiences as Press Secretaries. Entertaining enough. Tonight we'll go to Mass and eat out leaving tomorrow free for all sorts of old folks' frivolities.

Enjoy, all.

Hello Everybody- Done in is the 64 dollar guestion. My knees hurt and I do feel really tired. I want to get as much Christmas shopping done as possigle but like Meme ,I never seem to get to it till after Thanksgiving. My sister had hers done months ago,I know. Our son is staying with us untill after Thanksgiving. In fact he is moving into his house the day after. At least that is what he told me today. We have seen the outside. It is really nice. Ofcourse he says he will sell it right away. He got such a deal on it he feels he can make quiet a bit more on it. I guess I will keep the spare bed ready!!!
You All have a Great Weekend...Joanne

Anagram:

You are probably right about their refusing my wanting to take part in that "gout" study. I really like the doctor who is the head of that Medical Research. He said he was sorry but he had to go by the rules of the company sponsoring his grant. He gave me a $25 check for my trouble. I did not want to take it but he said I had to and I did have some expense in gasoline coming to his office. My cat scan showed I had a 1-mm cyst (not sure about the size) in my kidney and a nodule (? size) in my lung but no one seems concerned about those things - just about the heart problems. And the Heart specialist is making me decide whether to go further with additional procedures. I see him Nov. 21 and I think I will tell him I want to go further.

Freddie

Freddie...good choice. Then...when you get the heart taken care of...for Pete's sake get the kidney, lung and bladder taken care of, too!!! You worry me...and believe me...I have enough other stuff to worry me!!!!!!!

I hope you know, I'm going to keep at you until all is well!

Rain and pain today and tomorrow! Cold is loosening up so now I'm "draining"...yuck!

Thanks Meme Too for answering my post. All this started because I went to the urologist to discuss getting my bladder leakage problem fixed. I had previously told my general doctor (GP) that I felt real tired but he did not notice my heavy breathing but he did order the chest x-ray when I told him what the urologist noticed. I have been on the Internet looking up the Angiogram procedure. I guess what I worry about most is getting an infection. I don't trust hospitals. I certainly don't trust nurses who are the ones who injected me with needles twice recently in the wrong place.

Love,
Freddie

Hmmm...talk about not trusting...I once had a lump in my breast...went to the Dr., he was going to send me for tests (I didn't like his attitude about it...my lump, my breast, my worry but he was 'laughing' about it...yes...seems the good Dr. thought it was FUNNY!!! NOT! He wanted a certain guy at the hospital to do the test so he said he'd set it up and call me the first of the week. I waited until Thursday and called Nashville and made an app. with a specialist. Then, a nurse from his office called me on Friday and said my tests had shown something serious and he needed me to come in and talk to him! . I about blew a gasket! I said, my tests??? what tests??? He never did even set up any tests! She even argued with me...and me telling her I didn't have any tests. Said she had them right in front of her. I said, lady, I don't know who's tests you have right in front of you but I really feel sorry for them, and then I hung up. Anytime I hear the name Dr. Ivy I tell the person to stay away from him...he's liable to opperate on them with someone else in mind. But...still...we need Drs. and nurses! Just have to be as careful as we can, I guess

Dh is better...nothing like a sick man! I have been on a cleaning spree and not to bed yet and have to be up at 8 for the cleaning help Monday. Still going through my sons room and it takes time to sort out every thing. I found some old English papers that I had not seen before..cute sotires so I saved them. I save too much..but hey they are memories....I also found in a box a brought home from my moms, the last letters she got from her parents before they passed on...I love finding treasures!

Eating well as usuall but would like to check into this Sugar Busters thing too..............Hummm did I say that!


The renter on the land just a few 100 feet from the east side of our house has put cows there to eat the corn the storm we had knocked over now all I hear is MOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (they were not able to combine all of it so it makes since but we have never had cows this close before..I took a picture of one of them at sunrise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Freddie, it's not unusual for people to have a cyst in the kidney after a certain age (younger than I am). If it's only one or so, they don't do anything unless you're having symptoms. I've been reading on this because of dh's kidney problems. He does have multiple cysts in both kidneys and one looks "abnormal". Even with all this and reduced kidney function, they're not planning to do anymore that we know of until about March when they will do another scan. We do see the kidney specialist again later this month though and are anxious to learn a bit more about it. All they've done so far is a special diet so as not to overload the kidneys.

So I think the heart is your biggie. There is the risk of infection with the angiogram (and with so many other things). My BIL did get an infection at the site when they went in to put in his stent. But dh has had angiogram and my father had one too and no infection. And it's the only way they really know what they need to do and if they can do it.

Joann, sounds like you need a revolving door on that bedroom! But if he's back again when you have your surgery, maybe he'll wait on you hand and foot.

As usual, I'm talking about Christmas early but doing little yet. Do less every year and it takes me longer. And this year there is less time than usual between Th and Christmas.

Went leaf peeping again today. Dh and I both passionate about fall color.

Just a quick post to thank you Anagram about the cyst in kidney information. I think I will tell the doctor that I want antibiotics right away if he does the angiogram. Weak ones at first and then real good ones if I get an infection (or whatever he decides). I am really afraid of getting a Strep type infection in the hospital.

Freddie

Hi-I think you are right about getting more tests Freddie-more opinions-Had a nice quiet day yesterday.We have an offer for a free house in FL but it is in Venice-wonder how far to South Ft. Myers.Asked my son. Brad is suppossed to get a flu shot this am but he has major sniffles so I don't think he should. He is under so much stress. The Delta Queen is still running and there are 2 more ships-Mississippi Queen and American Queen. Company was not doing well but now they are coming back. Still can't believe that upgrade. Gotta go post e-mails. Bye for now. Mima

Mima, you should buy a lottery ticket. That upgrade is fantastic and now an offer of a free house in Venice. Lovely area. Not THAT far from Fort Myers. Couple of hours. And from there could easily do a day trip Everglades City and have a boat tour of the Everglades. GO FOR IT!

Yeah, Freddie. Strep is a big worry. BIL's infection at angio site wasn't that fortunately.

Hi Mima and Anagram:

It has really gotten cold here in the South. Think I will go upstairs where it is warmer - in fact hot. My heat rises in this old house. It is cold (not really) in comparison downstairs. It is cold outside. It was close to freezing last night. I better bring in the summer plants or throw them away. I hate them in the house and the only place I have for them is on the old-fashioned iron radiators, which means I have to water them every day and maybe more than once a day.

Later,
Freddie

My cold/whatever is worse. Called the Dr. and he's calling me in some Zithromax...hope it works better than what he gave me last week!

I lost 2 more pounds...makes 10.