Melody
That is what I have been doing today. Drinking cranberry juice, which I love and really watching the sodium. Going to keep an eye on it until it is back to normal. Everything else is fine. Numbers are right where they should be. I am feeling a little better but still feel yucky. Hope the eyes get to where they should be. Nice to have everything done. Maybe you can find a few days to relax and have some quiet time.

THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I WONDER WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL A LITTLE PUNCHY FROM IT ALL. NO SOONER DID I GET OFF HERE FEELING HAPPY WITH MY WORK DONE AND A FREE WEEKEND COMING UP WHEN MY FRIEND & MALL BUS DRIVER MARK CALLED TO SAY HIS DAD PASSED AWAY. WE HAVE ALL KNOWN EACH OTHER OVER 30 YEARS. JEN WAS JUST 7 WHEN WE MET. HIS MOM LIVES IN HERE TOO. I STUCK A SIGN SAYING I AM UNWELL ON THE DOOR AND LEFT A NOTE FOR JOHN TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO HANDLE THE WEEKEND.
TALKED TO JEN AND MARK LAST NIGHT AND I AM DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TODAY OF ALL THE MEDS I HAVE HAD IN THIS HOUSE....I COULD USE A FEW TRANQUILIZERS RIGHT NOW! OR MAYBE A GOOD STIFF DRINK...WE ARE IN ATHENS...SHOULD IT BE OUZO?
A TOAST TO ALL OUR DEPARTED FRIENDS AND THOSE THAT ARE UNWELL

WISHING MY WORLDLY FRIENDS A GREAT DAY.
WISHING CARLA A GREAT TRIP.
HAPPY FRIDAY

Good morning chicks,

Mel - so sorry about your buddy's dad. So many losses sustained here recently. We need to choose to celebrate the lives of these loved ones and the specialness that touched our lives. I believe we are all here for a reason and when that reason has been fufilled, we move on to the next great thing. It is sad that some moments are more brief than others and on the other end of the spectrum, some people refuse to go away no matter how much we mumble Hope you can have a quiet and reflective day

Rennie - sounds like your task for the day is to hit the water - by the gallonful. The good thing about sodium is that at least you can flush it away. Oh my gosh - aren't you the little Denise Austin leading the exercise at the campground lol.

It's Friday We got some heavy rains yesterday. There's a nice pond out back on the patio. I'm betting that some of the tree schmutz/pods are clogging up the drain. We need a good week of steady sun to dry things out. A lot of clay in the soil here so things are quite soggy. So much so that DH can't even mow without sinking in the ground. Even walking across the grass leaves a trail of footprints.

I have to get ready for work. Have a happy Friday ladies.

Morning ladies! I have found the reason for being out of it. I am PG!!!! I am excited, but also a tad afraid, after 4 very early misc, I am not sure what to do. Will call the dr's office and see what they say. Will probably still go to the gym for the 5k, but will take it easy, and break it up if I need to. Will post after I talk to the dr.

Have a great weekend!!!

Evening all,
I've been and come back. It was quite distressing to see Bev looking like a Biafran refugee and gasping for breath. I felt like saying, just lay back and let me do it for you - I've enough for two. And the coughing - yuk. But at least the coughing is doing something. If she stops coughing, the lungs will seal up like cement and she will drown. So it may sound awful, but it is keeping her going for a while. She is so weak and pale though. Her hands are very cold and her feet are sometimes blue. There's not much oxygen going to the extremities at all. All efforts are going into keeping the vital organs awake and alive.
Still we had a few laughs, and I took my computer up and showed her some of the photos of my tour - I've been writing these one page stories about my trip to the States and Canada and putting in some pictures here and there and then emailing them to her. She enjoys them and loved the story of Gracelands. So I took my computer and showed her the Gracelands photos and also the Butchart Gardens. Bev is/was a keen gardener and I think she enjoyed the slideshows.
Even worse news today was that her carer has been diagnosed with rapid onset breast cancer. On Tuesday she will know what has to happen with her. There will be an operation and she may or may not lose a breast and lymph nodes. So even if she was well enough, Bev can't go home at the moment. She will be in hospital indefinitely. I think we can number her life span in weeks rather than months, but who is to say? Her brain is as active as ever and she keeps saying that she is not going yet.

Thanks to Mel and Madcat and indeed all of you, for those lovely messages. I appreciate the thoughts.

I think I will try for the personals tomorrow. At the moment I am feeling a bit drained. It's been a long day.

Shad
(((hugs))) and more ((hugs))What a good friend you are!

upswife
did i read correctly--you're pg. my sister sadi that her body was low on progesterone when she had her miscarriages. She has three now and one to be married in May. Wow how time flies.

Rennie and Mel
I've learned something new today. Cranberry juice relieves sodium!

Happy
Yes, the pollen is here. To bad I don't have a garage!!! I was going to raise the windows today but decided not to until I get the water hose after the screens. They were covered in yellow. Did you get the storms?

Today has been a restful day. Nothing on the agenda and this is what I've needed for a long time.

Cee
Yes it does lol. I have went through a whole bottle of the stuff lol.

Shad
I am so sorry about your bad news. We never understand why some people live long healthy lives while others have such a tough time. Will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Ellen
Hope things go well. Listen to what the doc says to do. Ask about exercise and so forth. I know miscarriages can be horrible. I had many. I was blessed with my two children


Happy
Glasses and glasses of cranberry juice. Good thing I love the stuff. lol at first everyone at our site laughed. They stopped laughing when woman asked if they could join in. To bad those at our own camp site don't join in.

Melody
I am so sorry for you also. So many loses lately. Please remember the good times and be glad for them.

I feel a ton better today. Figure it will take a few days to get all that sodium out of me. I really have no idea. I have gone throught a bottle of cranberry juice and have two more in there. Going to work on my hook rug tonight

Hello fine women of the world,

Ellen - that is wonderful news. I hope all goes well for you and that the doc has some good tips. Yay for you for continuing on the exercise.

Shad - that is so sad about your friend Bev - makes you wonder why some people have to suffer so. I think it's a great idea to give her a mini travelogue with your pictures and adventures travelling. I too have travelled vicariously through you as have others. How neat that she loves gardens and you were able to share your Butchart pictures too! It's good that you were able to spend some personal time with her. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers

Ceejay - we had some storms roll through here but not as bad as it could have been. Enough to soak things through. With the clay soil, the lawn in parts looks like a bald man's head with a bad "comb over". All the azaleas and the dogwood trees are in bloom and it's so pretty out here. The sweet gum trees just dropped their pollen clusters - oh joy Have things been busy at the plant for your with all this rain?

Rennie - glad you're feeling better today. Just watch the sugar in the juice if you're drinking that much of it. Maybe a shot of juice and a water chaser I tried to eat a fresh cranberry this Thanksgiving after one of the girls said she liked to snack on them. Interesting texture but oh so SOUR :P I'll stick with the juice, the dried berries in stuff or a small dab of the cranberry sauce. Good stuff those cranberries, isn't it?

Mel - I got your card today. Thank you so much - it brightened my day! Give Mark a hug from the chicks of the world who pass along their sympathies on the loss of his dad.

Thinking about you too Madcat

Carla - are you being a good girl? Or a fun girl? I hope you are back on the bike again. Or maybe just taking a walk around town admiring the place.

Ruth - have a good trip and fun on your girly weekend.

Michelle - hope the weather breaks for you but heard it's going to be cold and windy again. Cheer up, spring is coming, it's just hanging around down here and refuses to go north

Annie - hope you're feeling better. Sending you a bit of sunshine. I think it's going to be on the cooler side for most of the country.

Hellos to Patty, Painter, Holly, Rose. I guess we lost Shaker again. Hope I didn't miss anyone - if so, not intentional as at the moment I am in search of a drink of water - horrid sinus coughing fit - my personal favorite.

'night ladies...

HAPPY~ SORRY YOU ARE GETTING SOGGY IN THE BACKFIELD!!! SQUISH, SQUISH! WILL SEND SOME SUNNY WEATHER DOWN TO YOU AS SOON AS WE GET SOME! STAY DRY AND THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD THOUGHTS

ELLEN~ CONGRATULATIONS BUT DON'T DO ANYTHING TILL YOU GET THE OK'S FROM THE DR!

SHAD~ STAY STRONG AND I AM GLAD YOU GOT TO SEE BEV AND SPEND SUCH GOOD TIME WITH HER. I AM FEELING DRAINED MYSELF. HAVE A "SHAD" WEEKEND AND BE GENTLE TO YOURSELF AS WELL

CEEJAY~ DANDELION LEAF SALAD, CRANBERRY JUICE OR BERRIES(DRIED), ASPARAGUS AND A FEW OTHER ASSORTED THINGS HELP YOU PE MORE IF YOU DRINK WATER WITH THEM. THUS ELIMINATING THE SODIUM.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

RENNIE~ HAPPY HOOKING

I AM THE WORLD'S BIGGEST CHICK-EN. I HAVE YET TO GO UP TO THE 6TH FLOOR, FACE THE CROWD THAT ARE MARCHING IN AND OUT OF THAT APARTMENT, AND EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES. I DID PUT A CARD ON THE DOOR WITH A PERSONAL LETTER TO MOM. HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE WEEKEND IS OVER, I WILL HAVE GOTTEN TO THE ELEVATOR WITHOUT FALLING APART.
OTHER THAN THAT...ALL IS WELL IN MY CORNER OF THE WORLD. NEPHEW IS DUE THIS MORNING. HE GOT OFF TO A LATE START. I AM READY!
HAPPY SATURDAY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND

Good morning ladies --

Sorry for not checking in yesterday. Since I had the day off, I got up and did about 1.25 hours of cardio at the gym in the morning then came home and organized many, many cupboards and did some cleaning. By then it was late afternoon and I was exhausted. Today I'm going for my fasting blood test which will test, among other things, my cholesterol, blood sugar and a value called Hemoglobin A1C - Which essentially tells how your blood sugar has been over the last 2 or 3 months. That's the value that was a little elevated last time, along with my triglycerides and cholesterol. So I'm really hoping that my blood test results will be better. I will know for sure on Friday when I see the doc again. After the blood test, it'll be off to the gym for cardio and weights and then back home to do some cleaning.

Happy - I couldn't agree more with your words about cherishing loved ones and that we're all here for a reason. And I certainly couldn't have articulated it as nicely as you. Thank you for expressing what my heart wanted to say. I'm so glad that the floor turned out lovely! New door illuminating your new floor! Gorgeous! While I'd love seeing Brett Favre play football again, he needs to make up his mind, one way or another. And I sure hope he doesn't play for any other team. Judging by what he said when he called in quits, that he doesn't have any more to give mentally, emotionally or physically other than for 3 hours on Sundays, I'm not sure coming back would good for him.

Shad - I'm so sorry there's no more that can be done for your friend. My thoughts are with you and with her. I'm glad you were able to spend the day with her. It is rough to see a loved one whose health is declining. I flew to California and saw my DF just a couple weeks before he passed. He, too, was just skin and bones - weak and pale. It's good you were able to share some laughs and pleasant conversation. I'm sure she greatly appreciated your visit.

Madcat - Hang in there.

Annie - I hope you are feeling better.

Ellen - Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Good for you on continuing the exercise. I'm sure your doctor will have good advice/suggestions for you.

Rennie - Those two pounds must be sodium, especially if you feel bloated. You'll go back down in no time. YGG! That's cool that you have 3 great zoos in Ohio. We've been to the Milwaukee Zoo of course, the Green Bay zoo, and the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. When we lived in California, we went to the San Francisco Zoo quite often and a couple times to the San Diego Zoo. I got a great out of you doing workout videos while camping! That's wonderful!! Have TV, will workout!

Mel - I'm so sorry about your friend's dad. I'm glad you've asked for someone else to handle the weekend, so you can take the rainy weekend to relax.

Ruth - I hope you're having a great weekend with your friend!


to Carla, Patty, Holly, Rose, Painter, Shaker and anyone I may have missed!

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am going to continue my exercise, tho in a limited form. I am also going to eat clean, the problem is I am so tired!!!! YOU ladies are the only ones besides DH that know...I had to tell someone. I know my hormones are screwed up...but I have taken the progesterone, and it has not helped, in fact it made the misc far worse than the others. (pain wise) Trying to keep my head together,as I keep thinking of the possibilities , and still waiting for Morning sickness. Will keep you wonderful ladies posted on what is happening. Have to get ready to take the kiddies swimming.

and thanks again for all the encouragement!

Perdue's French Country Chicken

Ingredients
4 PERDUE® Fresh Chicken Thighs
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 slices bacon
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 package fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced (3.2 ounces)
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon sun dried tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish



Instructions
Pat chicken dry; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, over low heat, cook bacon. When crisp, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving drippings in skillet.
Increase heat to medium high. Add onion and mushrooms to skillet and sauté 2 minutes, until onion is slightly softened and mushrooms are golden. Remove onion and mushrooms and reserve with bacon.
Add chicken to pan and brown in remaining drippings. Stir in chicken broth and tomato paste. Return bacon, onion and mushrooms to pan. Add thyme, cover and simmer over medium low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until chicken is fork-tender.
Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired, and serve with garlic mashed potatoes.

Nutrition FactsServings Per Recipe 4
Amount Per Serving (* % of Daily Value)
Calories 417 (21%)
Total Fat 31g (48%)
Saturated Fat 10g (50%)
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 180mg (60%)
Sodium 457mg (19%)
Total Carbohydrate 5g (2%)
Fiber 1g
Sugars 0g
Protein 30g

** I COULDN'T FIND SUNDRIED TOMATO PASTE SO I CUT UP SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND ADDED THEM TO THE BROTH TO REHYDRATE AND ADDED A TBS OF REGULAR TOMATO PASTE. NOT A GREAT DIET DISH BUT A NICE WEEKEND CHANGE

Morning all,
I wasn't in yesterday, just didn't feel up to it. In fact I did so little yesterday I should have stayed in bed. Thanks for all the thoughts and wishes for Bev and me and I dare say Pam since she is now undergoing the pain and problems of breast cancer. She is quite amazing though (Pam) and her main concern is that she and her home are not going to be available for Bev when she needs them most.

Ellen - congratulations on the pregnancy. I hope all goes well for you and while I think you are great going on with the exercise, please ensure you take Doctors orders and don't overdo things.

Rennie - thank you for your kind words. I have to admit that I got a laugh out of the camp tv work outs. Surprising how many people will do a workout if they see others doing it, but can't or won't do it by themselves.

Happy - glad to hear that the door is finally finished and that the floor looks great. At least the floor seems to have gone in with a minimum of fuss and is done. What colours are you going to paint the walls??
Sounds like you are well into the rainy season now. Chris (Japan) used to make me laugh when she said that the officials had declared the rainy season open or finished. How can they define Mother Nature like that. Wonder how they felt when she decided to teach them a lesson and the rainy season wasn't finished!!!

Mel - please pass on my condolences to Mark and his family. I hope he doesn't fall back into depression and drugs after this! Keep smiling old friend. If nothing else, it makes the b*stards wonder what you've been up to!
Thanks for the recipe too. Since we are in a state of siege here now, there is no oven or hotplates and everything cooked is either on the BBQ or in the microwave. Hopefully, no cooking may mean weight loss???? on second thoughts probably not!
Have fun with the nephew.

Michelle - hope the blood tests go okay and that you have improved the levels with all the exercise and wise eating you have been committing to over the past months.

Carla - WHERE ARE YOU?

Ceejay - Hi, come on over and wash my car while you are at it will you?

I'm determined to do better today than yesterday. So shortly I am off to the gym and then on with finishing the sanding, doing some painting and clearing up the mess which always seems to follow me around. Then I should get out in the garden again, where the weeds are making themselves known around the roses once more. The shed needs to be cleared out too, but that's a big job and really suited for a time when I am in a bad temper since that's when I can fling some of the junk a long way.
Somewhere along the line I also need to fit in a manicure. My nails, never a strong point are starting to show signs of neglect and imminent breakage. So I will be busy today and that may well mean that I achieve something and will feel better about the world and its inhabitants.

Hi - to all the others - Madcat, Shaker (I hope the news over Easter wasn't too bad, maybe she is caught up in school holidays as well), Holly, Ruth, Patty (must be time for another check in) Painter. So who have I missed? Gotta be someone who slipped through my unmeshed cogs.

MICHELLE~ GOOD LUCK WITH THE TESTS AND HOPE THE A1C COMES OUT WELL. FRIENDS OF MINE GET THEM. GREAT CARDIO EXERCISE WITH THE CUPBOARDS!!

ELLEN~ JUST DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STAY WELL AND CAREFUL! MOTHER MEL WILL BE WATCHING YOU!

SHAD~ I WELL UNDERSTAND THE FEELING OF NOT WANTING TO BE ANYWHERE! POOR PAM AS WELL. SENDING HER AS MANY GOOD THOUGHTS AS I CAN MUSTER UP. WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTURE DATE? I JUST MIGHT GET A LONG TOW ROPE AND TIE IT TO YOUR PLANE'S AXLE!! STAY STRONG

THE SUN IS OUT BUT THE STRANGEST LOOKING CLOUDS ARE OUT THERE. KIND OF LIKE THOSE WEIRD TREES THAT GROW IN AFRICA. LONGINSH, FLAT AND VERY BLACKISH ON THE BOTTOM WITH THE SUN MAKING THEM BEAUTIFUL ON THE TOP. HAD TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS AND PUT THE HEAT BACK ON. I SEE SNOW PREDICTIONS FOR OUR WESTERN NEIGHBORS. WINTER SEEMS TO BE HOLDING ON WITH A VENGENCE.
WELL....OLD MAN WINTER STAY AWAY FROM MY DOOR.
UESTERDAY WAS GORGEOUS. TOOK A RIDE AND WAS LUCKY TO AVOID EVERYONE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE. WEDS I WENT TO THE STORE AND GOT THE SENIORS THEIR DVD PLAYER. WELL IT'S A CHEAP ONE AND WON'T PLAY EVERY DVD THE RIGHT WAY. PLAYERS ARE LIKE THAT. NOW HERE COME THE COMPLAINTS 4 DAYS LATER ;rofl: TOLD THEM IF THEY WANT A GOOD ONE THEN THEY MUST ALL CHIP IN AND I WILL INSTALL IT! NOT SURE IF THAT WENT OVER TOO WELL OR NOT. I'LL FIND OUT ON MONDAY.
I FILLED UP A BOX WITH ASSORTED JUNK AND THERE IS STILL ROOM AT THE TOP. TODAY WILL BE FINDING THINGS TO TOP IT OFF AND SHREDDING LAST YEAR'S PAPER TRAILS!
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY

AOL HAS ANOTHER "AMERICA TAKES IT OFF FOR THE SUMMER" CHALLENGE. THIS IS THE LINK ..... IT HAS A MEAL IDEA LINK IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND SIDE FOR BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES AND DINNERS ETC. AND LOTS OF OTHER INFO FOR EXERCISE. SPRINGTIME MOTIVATION!

http://body.aol.com/diet/americatakesitoff/flat-ab-tips