It's been chilly here this week. But that is usual for this time of year. I'm so looking forward to spring and getting outside to walk. I've been on the elliptical most mornings and have really cut down my sugar intake. When I stepped on the scale yesterday morning I was rewarded with a 2 lb. loss! It certainly is incentive to keep at it. I didn't exercise this a.m. but will definitely get up and go again tomorrow.

DL: Doesn't it feel good to be halfway to your goal? Keep it up. You will find lots of encouragement here.

Rosebud: Your meals sound yummy as usual. This week I had fish and broccoli. With DH gone I cook enough for myself for 2 meals so that I don't have to think about what to make for one evening. Then last night I made home made chicken soup. Knowing that I would have mostly carbs for dinner I made up for it by having a huge salad at lunch. Instead of ice cream like I usually want I bought myself a bar of dark chocolate and had a square of that after dinner. Amazingly it cut my sugar craving and is much better for me than the ice cream.

Bootsie: Sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. We lost ours a few years ago and I really did lose a friend. I made up a picture memory frame of her and even my adult sons thought that was really a great idea.

Garry: Sorry to hear that your pup is going through issues also. I hope they can figure out what is wrong so she can be helped.

Aren't grandkids great? Mine is starting to babble and I'm convinced he wants a puppy. He gets so excited to see people and is such a happy guy.
Can't wait to hear about your new arrival and really can't wait to share mine when he/she gets here.

Bootsie, I know the pain of losing our treasured friends. Sausage was so fortunate to have you to care for him and love him. God bless you for your kind and compassionate heart.

Hi, everyone! Trying to post again tonight, but I see that last night's didn't get here. Our desktop computer is in the shop for diagnostics (but they found no problems, except that it's too old) and, since our internet provider stinks, we don't seem able to keep the internet connection long enough for my posts to load from our laptop

Bootsie-I'm so sorry about your Sausage. I also feel that our furry friends get to go to Heaven, as the Bible does say that if the people won't praise Jesus, even the rocks will cry out. And, we know that God is providing for the sparrows, so just seems to follow that He cares for all His creatures and would allow them to join Him in paradise. and prayers for you as you grieve.

Rosebud-We have robins!! Seems that spring is here and a bit early! It was 60º here Tuesday-just wonderful!

Wilma- sounds like you're doing great with your plan!

DL-welcome!

Hi to Bargoo, Gary, Nelly, and everyone else! As I said, we've been having computer issues-it sometimes just goes to black or white screen and has to be shut off by the back button to get it to function again. Surprised that they didn't find a problem, but, of course, they did say that it's now considered a 'vintage' machine and we'll no longer be able to get any parts for it when it dies. So, we've pretty much decided that we'll be using part of our tax refund for a new one.

We're still waiting for report on Mom's test on the hip. She said she'd call them tomorrow and we're hoping things get rolling pretty quickly for her hip replacement, so she'll get through therapy and be able to enjoy some of the coming summer.

Well, I'd better go. Hope everyone has a wonderful evening and tomorrow!

HI RONNI ~ Sorry you're having PC problems; good idea to splurge on a new one -- you both deserve it. I am so glad I have my new ones; the desktop NUMPSTER & DH sent up and the laptop I bought for a back-up. Should have done that a long time ago, in retrospect.

We had 55 F that same day and boy, did we have a lot melting. Was glad that our water pump kicked in for us. DH had to clean out the drain; the last people had let a pile of garbage fall into the hole so the pump was making weird sounds. Dh checked it out and now it is running nice & quiet. The most important thing is that it is working for us; yeah!!!

But the last two days we have had lots more of this ...


WILMA ~ I like the dark chocolate idea too; I have some pure dark chocolate chips in the freezer -- if I get an urge, I'll try them until I can find a bar somewhere. I usually get some for Christmas but forgot this year; next time I go shopping I will look for a good one. Congrats on the 2 lb loss; I know you've been working hard for it.

DH had a dizzy spell this AM; turns out this is a side-effect of his meds. We think we have found out what is causing the problem. He will change the time he takes the meds to 8 pm and see if that helps. If not, will have to go back to see the DOC and get that checked out. He really wants to take them becuz we both believe they are helping him remember more, and he's much less confused. If they even just kept him from getting worse, that is great; but an improvement is even better.

I made homemade Chinese fried rice with leftover chicken and veggies for lunch today. Probably will have pizza with salad (for me) for dinner tonight ... sounds like a plan.

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday everyone ...

My husband has had the shingles for like 3 months do they ever go away? They are not on the outside anymore but they hurt within he said. I got my vaccination, it kinda made me sick for 3 days but after that everything was alright. I had touched them at first because I did not really know they could spread from one person to another like that. I sure do not want them!

It has been raining here what a blessing! But our river is nothing but a stream barely moving we need a-lot of rain so many peoples wells going dry around here and more people moving in! Ranches turning into subdivisions every time I turn around sooner than later they are going to have to outlaw putting in subdivisions when there is a water shortage. Golf courses Gee what ever happened to common sense! With out water how are they going to survive? People want to move to the country then they want to tame it and bring their laws also . I think they ought to stay in the city if they want city laws, not move to the country where we enjoy our freedom. Is not why they moved to the country because they liked what we have why destroy it? I guess I am speaking my mind to much here but what ever happen to common sense?

Rosebud that is good you have found a medicine that helps ,now if the doctor can figure out what is in the medicine that is causing the dizzy spells and have it took out and see if it would work . Most medicines or made with plants around us this is great it is working this may be a break through for many! Praying here for him.

BOOTSIE ~ am sending up ^prayers^ for David that he heals and recovers completely from that virus. I do know a lady that had it, but I can't remember how long it took to go away (we prayed for her, then never heard again). Also, that you will not catch it either. Btw, how long is it contagious for?

Heck, we don't mind that you rant a bit about the urban folks moving into the country and wanting to change it into a city; it happens in a lot of places. Sounds like some of the ranchers have given up and are selling the land off instead. Yes, they are gonna have to dig big wells for all those folks. ^Prayers^ that GOD will send some more precip down your way too.

Bootsie praying for healing for your husband.

So sorry BOOTSIE....

I leave prayers and will try to catch up tonight

Thank you Gary, Bargoo and Rosebud, really don't know how long it is contagious.

Bootie.. I also pray that your husband can be free of the shingles. I did find on the mayo clinic web site, they say you can't catch shingles from someone with shingles only chicken pox.
There is also information on continued pain after the blisters heal. If you google that name, you might find more information. One site said there were drugs known to help with it.

Hello all. Found all of you inspiring. Hope to join in each day.

NELLY ~ thanks for that info; thought it had something to do with chicken pox -- it's kinda confusing though. If Bootsie had chicken pox when she was a child, that would make her immune to shingles? Hope so. That after pain reminds me SRD (sympathetic reflex dystrophy): excessive pain caused by nerve damage. ^Prayers^ continue for David & Bootsie ...


BTW, DH & I have decided to stop the memory medicine DH is taking; he's just been having too many side effects from it. Dangerous ones: dizziness, falling down, blacking out (that even looked like a possible seizure to me). He can't remember it happening, but I sure do; plus he's been sweating, tremors, fitful sleep with terrible nightmares & strange illusions. I'm finding them way too scary and risky.

He forgot to take them on Friday night, and it was the first night he had a full night's sleep with total peace (no nightmares). Took the pill last night and the symptoms started all over again. I went to a drug site that said we should stop taking the meds if he had ANY of those symptoms. We were only told about possible nightmares, nothing else. We prayed about it and talked it over today, then made the decision to stop and see what happens. We'll be seeing his doctor to talk to him about this too.

It's been a huge responsibility on me to have to make such a difficult decision, but I just won't risk his safety or life. However, we are going to continue the Vitamin B-12/complex therapy as there are no side effects to that. Thanks for all your prayers about this matter.

ANJSMOM ~ Glad you found us over here; always happy to have more people join us ...

I had to lay down this aft as I was feeling nauseous & feverish (could be hormones or low sugar; not sure). So we prayed and it got better. Anyhow, I took that time to read the bible, say thanks & praize verses, and pray for people -- that always makes me feel better. Then we had mock fried chicken (baked in the oven) with new tators & veggies; nice Sunday dinner.

Sending up prayers all our friends here have a good week coming up ....

anjsmom, welcome, so glad to have you here, please keep coming back.

I, too, have reading here for a few days. You are inspiring group. I truly enjoy your posts and uplifting messages.