Rob: You're welcome, and I'm glad the postcard generated some excitement for you even if it was short-lived!!!

Thank you ladies for all your wonderful kind words and words of encouragement. I told my dh last night when we were at my mil's that I was not happy with the way things have been where his kids and us are considered. That I didn't like being a welcome mat for everyone and that I was just going to start going and doing things on my own. Because if I sit around and wait for them all, I will be an old, angry lady by the time I got around to doing the things I want to do. He hem ha around and tried to make excuses and his mom told him those didn't fly anymore. I have started to stand up for myself and I don't think he knows how to take me sometimes. An Irish/Scottish woman met an Irish/Indian man, so naturally we are going to but heads. But here lately it has been a lot more. The only thing that has really changed in our relationship is Monday through Friday we babysit his kids from 9-6:30 or 7. Than when they leave we are both tired and really don't have much engery to go and do anything together as a couple. Plus he just bought a new truck and money has been a little tight. We have been together for 1 1/2 year before we said "I Do" in Dec. last year. I am thinking about going to see my minister and asking for counseling for myself. Then maybe I can get my dh to go sometime. But if not atleast I can get some help.
Well I had my yardsale today. It rained off and on, so I had it on the front porch. I made $93. So that was good. I have two boxes of knick knacks and two laundry baskets full of clothes left. So I am going to have another yard sale here in the next few weeks. I figure sometime before school starts. But I am going to take the money I make and go shopping for a few new outfits for school.
Mouse sorry to hear that your cat bite you. I hope your hand heals fast. It must be killing you not to be able to swim though. Atleast you will get your reports done this way.
Summer glad your appointment went well today. Sorry to hear that you found out about other medical problems you have. It is very true about men and pain. They sure do turn into such big babies.
Robyn hope your cold is not driving you crazy. I know that the paint deal must have driven you crazy. I bet they were glad to see you walk out of the paint dept. So how is your trim and door now? Does it look like taupe now?
Ginny I hope you have nice weather for your few days at the NJ shore.
I think I am going to go take a nap. I was up at 7:30 this morning to get everything set up for my yard sale. I ran it from 9-2. So I am just a little tired now.
Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Wow... such a lot of stuff to respond to this afternoon...

Summer: I posted a response to your hypoglycemia question... but the thing is that you don't have to completely eliminate, you just need to reduce. You're in luck, most low sugar products are still made with nutrasweet, and not splenda. I can't have nutrasweet at all. so I'm grateful for splenda, but understand the opposite reaction. My mom has issues with splenda and with nutrasweet.
What you want to do is not necessarily eliminate carbs, but have good carbs. You might want to look at Southbeach as a diet plan... For example, you can't eat carrots because they are high glycemic index foods. And Yogurt has lots and lots of carbs too. Also remember that there are times when you want to eat what you want to eat, and don't beat yourself up over it.
Now, are you actually hypoglycemic... low blood sugar... or are you insulin resistant? I've been insulin resistant as part of my endocrine disorder. Many people with IR take Avandia or Glucophage (metformin) to help the body use the insulin more efficiently. I can't take either of those, so I'm pretty strict with my diet (most of the time... I do fall off the wagon... today is one of those days, but today i can say it is because of the antibiotics I'm on for the cat bite. I'm having trouble keeping anything in and down, so I'm eating whatever I want today... and will go back to it tomorrow).
Also, exercise is very important. If you're insulin resistant, you might want to look into one of the medications. By modifying my diet (and believe me, I'm not on any kind of strict diet... I tried Atkins and made myself really sick on it becuase I produced so much insulin and by removing all carbs, I didn't give my body anything to use the insulin on!), I've brought it to within 3-10 points of normal. Unfortunately, weight loss with elevated insulin or freaky insulin levels is damn hard. REALLY REALLY hard.
Robyn: Hope your cold is gone soon! Summer colds are the worst. I have a funny paint story too: I rented a condo from some friends after they moved. They painted the room for me, but the guy who did it screwed up the trim. So I had sky blue walls and nearly fluorescent blue trim. It was really seriously funny looking. We put all the furniture on the outside walls to hide the trim.
The sky blue was just gorgeous, though. Blue is my favorite color.
I wish I knew what was going through my cat's brain... I mean, he's hissed and spit and yowled before. In fact, one of the new vets asked me if he was a talker or an acter... I said he was just a talker. And one of the assistants told me that I've obviously been teaching at my current school too long because I told Imp I was going to adjust his point sheet for all that cursing!
But earlier today I took a nap, and he came and crawled up with me. Now he's in the window sleeping in the sun. I think that he just freaked out. I'm going to get one of those small travel cases that looks like a gym bag for next time. So he can go in the case and I just keep it in the car for times like that. He got his claw stuck on my shirt, and I tried to get him loose, and that's when he bit me.
The darned bandages won't stick to my hand, either. I don't want to go into work all gauzed and taped... the kids will freak... I'll be answering questions all day. A simple bandaid won't be that bad, so I bought larger ones and clear so you can't really see it, but they didn't work.
Kerry: I wish I could help with the husband issues. I've had possessive boyfriends, but I just don't think anybody deserves to be treated that way. I've got virtual hugs if you need them...

My dh came home from his journey to NJ and back ........and actually told me that he and I quote him here.... "LOVE the way the walls look!" This was in response to me sitting in the bathroom waiting for him to walk in to find me! (Cause he wasn't gonna go in there and notice the paint without the help!) ANYWAY!!! He likes it! He likes it! I'm still far from done...but... the paint cans can be put away! Now on to finding new towel bar and other STUFF to fill it up! Just like they do on tv in 30 minutes! It only has taken me 2 weeks AND counting!!

I'm still sneezing and trying to breathe.... it has ONLY rained 3 times today! WOW! The sun even was shining for a second or two! We have mushrooms growing in our front yard ...on the LAST DAY OF JULY??? We usually can't even keep the grass growing!

Geesh...this is a reallllllly inspiring post! Off to blow my nose and I'm thinking of a shower and then going to bed!

take care

Wow!!!! And I just came on here to say good bye for a few days and wish everyone a great rest of the weekend!!!!!!!!!! How am I ever going to keep up with all of you!

Summer- . Thanks for your sagely advice to Kerry. Me being the new kid on the block here, I lack some of the history that you ladies have with each other and am somewhat hesitant to make that strong a comment. Bless you for being a friend.
Very funny with the accupuncture story too...... BTW- WW can be modified for lower carb eating....but possibly not enough for you with your diagnosis. That's the way to do this, Summer!!!!! Take charge of your life and your health!! You are off to a great start! And keep some of your WW literature.....they still have great ideas for how to maintain a program and get healthy.

Robyn-I love your paint story....even though it was so very aggravating for you at the time! Let us know how pretty the TAUPE looks with the blue! What did you use to sponge with.......a glaze or another color? (I've used a pearl glaze with inside out plastic bags scrunched up to apply- very pretty, interesting effect) Gee, you get the geriatric kitty award!!!!!!! None of mine has made it past 16 1/2.....well maybe Bumstead did, we were a bit unsure of his age. He could have been anywhere from 16-19 years old when we had to put him down. Anyway.....as far as the kidney stuff goes...I had a cat with that- and he got really tired of the low protein stuff too and sooner or later I just gave up and let him have normal food (with some of the other stuff mixed in). What a pain that was! Also had a cat (EC) with thyroid......that was a bit easier to manage! But a cat with both!!!!!! You are a saint! And that vet showed some wisdom with the RX for a year....hope that the cat and you have calmed down from the ordeal. Feel better too!! Hope you get rid of that cold soon.

Mouse- PLEASE- take care of that cat bite!!!!!!! My neighbor (the lady who will be attending to my spoiled cat while we were gone) was bitten by another cat- and now well over 2 months later, the site is still red and swollen. And she went to a Dr too and was on antibiotics. I feel so bad for you that you will not be able to swim for awhile (I equate it to me not being able to get my walk in!). Use your time wisely.....get those miserable reports done! And feel better. I hope the antibiotic does not mess you up too much.

Kerry- how did the garage sale go????? Glad that you had a nice dinner, you deserve it! I can only add a little bit to Summers sagely advice..... I have been thru counselling too (quite a while ago, when Dd was an infant and I was basically a single parent- even though we were married.....Dh was in night school). You are absolutely entitled to uour feelings. Where a lot of us make mistakes is how we present them. You have probably heard this a million times before, but I had to learn how to say things like " when you do not give me a birthday card, I feel as though you do not care for me as much care for you"- or whatever it is that you need to say. It is SO easy to attack the person, and then they become defensive... and all you know what breaks loose! But a feeling.......well- it can be rejected, it can even be made fun of- but that is the way you feel! And an honest expression of that should be a good thing. Hang in there- we are all pulling for you.

As for me.....well I am pooped. Both Dh and I agree that preparing for this trip was a ton easier than what we go thru to get ready for NC. I think I needed a bit of a change. And as I said, I suspect that we will be headed for NC again next year.
I did get my walk in this am- and cleaned every square inch of this house today. Can't figure out why I am tired!!!!! (duh) I am looking foward to NOT COOKING! And not cleaning the kitchen most of all. Mind you I enjoy cooking.......just feel chained to the kitchen sometimes. Nuff babbling from me. I hope to get some excercise in (there is a gym in the hotel.....hopefully a treadmill) and plan on being OP during the trip. I probably won't be back here until Wednesday morning.... Mouse and Robyn, I hope you both feel better. Kerry, hope things pick up for you! Summer- hope you feel better too and that Monday's accupuncture visit goes well.
See ya!!!!
Ginny

Robyn-glad that Dh loved the room!!!!!!!!

Somehow some posts snuck in and I did not see them, forgive me if I did not respond to the most recent ones.......

Kerry- when I went for counselling I went to a Christian counsellor- not that I am trying to push faith/religion.....but I knew that Dh would never go for help and I knew that a Christian counsellor would be the last to tell me to leave the marriage (unless there was abuse). My Dh has a strong distrust of any counsellors....... Anyway- sometimes ministers are not as well trained as they could be.....but I am sure that you will go to someone who is both gifted in counselling and you are comfortable with.

Gotta go.....now there's thunder, so I'd better shut down.
See ya !
Ginny

I can't keep up either... In a few minutes I'm going to go work on those reports, then get into better clothes. I have to go get my hair cut. I can't braid with one hand, and I refuse to wear it down at work. Too many opportunities for kids to grab when they get upset. It'll grow back again...
I did tell all the people who told me how nice I look with my hair pull back not to get used to it, because I was going to cut it eventually... but I'd planned on waiting till fall so I could go to the place I normally get it done (near my mom's house...two of the stylists there are really good with my hair... my hair is thin on top from the endocrine dysfunction, and they know just what to do so it looks more normal, plus they listen when I ask them to use more natural products so I don't itch!)... but I'm not driving all the way back up there today, and I couldn't do it yesterday since I had brat-cat in the car with me...though it was BRIEFLY tempting to leave him alone with the windows down.
Robyn: so glad your husband liked the room!!!
Kerry: Congrats on the yard sale!!! Great job! I think my school raised close to $500 with ours, which was fantastic. It paid for the camping trip the kids go on every year. I really want to go with them sometime, but I don't have a tent or anything, and I'm allergic to insects so they've been iffy on letting me go. This year I was in a cast, so I couldn't go anyway.
For those that are curious: Yes. I attract trouble. My friends in college have called me a magnet for trouble. My best friend gave me a mug at graduation that shows the cow that jumped over the moon laying upside down on his back with the moon over him and the caption reads, "Really, I'm fine." And of course you all know I'm a huge Eeyore fan. I also identify well with Charlie Brown.
Speaking of Eeyore: my mom found TEACHER EEYORE at the Disney Store. He looks like a nerdy teacher, though, with black glasses and a pencil in his fetlock. But he's adorable. He's wearing a white shirt and tie too.
I promise that if the cat bite doesn't look better by next Friday (when I'm out of antibiotics) I'll make an appointment with my doctor down here. My friend at the pool told me I could probably swim if I wrapped my hand in saran wrap and did waterproof bandages, but I'm not going to... I don't think... Its tempting, but I don't want it to get infected, and I'm sure the chlorine will BURN!!!

Mousie: You are not alone. I sometimes feel like I am a magnet for trouble, especially accidents. (Not automobile, I've been fortunate that I've only had one, and it was the tractor trailer driver's fault.) My right leg is about 3/4 " longer than my left leg, hence I have mild scoliosis. No biggie except if you want to run and not get hurt. As a kid, I wasn't athletic at all, and all my life I have intermittently sprained, dislocated, and broken body parts as a result of trying to do the same active things as the rest of the world. My body was made for a sedentary life! I'm smart enough not to lean far enough back in my chair to tip over. But once I stand up, it is all over for me...it is only a matter of time before I stub a toe or walk into a wall. My DH, friends, and other family members get a kick out of the fact that I am accident prone. It hurts to be the butt of jokes, but I have risen above it knowing that I have so many other wonderful qualities like intelligence, a great sense of humor, a loving spirit, and artistic talent. My body just has never been particularly cooperative with me, so I focus on my mind and spirit instead. That is all that will be going with me when I go to heaven, so who cares anyway? Just know that there is another Charlie Brown out there who sometimes morphs into Linus but never Lucy unless her last name is Ball.

P.S. take care of that bite. We will be checking up on you to make sure that you don't let that infection get out of control.

Ginny, I appreciate your support. It is very hard to tell the truth, but when you care about someone, sometimes you have to risk it. HAVE A FANTABULOUS TIME AT THE JERSEY SHORE!!! Eat some saltwater taffy in my honor. I know you are staying OP, but one piece of taffy or fudge won't break you. Don't forget the sunscreen!

Robyn, I'm so glad your DH approves of your paint job. I have some painting projects to conquer before school starts, but I'm still so friggin tired from Disney that I can't get motivated. I did do all the laundry (yet to be folded) and I spent 7 hours putting the scrapbook together. I wanted to get it overwith since everyone will want to see our pictures, and I hate when people get fingerprints on them and put them out of order...anal retentive, I know. Take some echinacea, garlic, and 1000 mg of vitamin C. Feel better!

Kerry, take care of yourself. I shall be praying for you.

Well, it is a rainy day in CT so we will be going to the movies today. At least I can still have popcorn and diet soda (don't you know that nutrisweet turns into formaldehyde in your stomach?) Yeh yeh yeh whatever. Pretty soon the only thing I will be able to eat or drink is organic veggies and fruits and water.

Afternoon Ladies,
Just wanted to check in with everyone real quick before I go take a nap. Went to the fair last night with my dh. Had a good time. We got home at 1 a.m. and I never was able to fall asleep until after 2. I got up this morning at 9 and got ready for church. We had our church picnic today. I invited my dh to go with me and he said that he would go. So when I got up this morning and he was still in bed when I was ready to leave, I went without him. I had a nice time at the outdoor service and picnic. When I came home he asked why church went over for today. I laughed and said that church was actually on a shorter schedule today and then we ate lunch. He was like why didn't you come back after church to pick me up and go to the picnic with you. I said that when I asked you to go with me I told you that I was leaving at 9:45 to go out to the church member's house we were having church and the picnic at. So if you were not ready by 9:45, I was leaving with or without you. He said that he got up after I left and hurried to get ready to come to the picnic with me. I told him that he knew where they lived and could have come out by himself. So it is not my fault that you missed out on a great lunch today. Have fun finding something to eat. So he went to his mom's for lunch. He asked if I was going with him and I said that no I was going to take a nap. He tried to pick a fight with me and I looked at him and said that I was not fighting with him today. I didn't want to hear it and walked away. I am in a great mood today and he is not going to ruin it for me. I think after my nap I might go out to our local lake and walk around it to work off some of that great food I eat for lunch.
I am starting to fall asleep as I type. So I will check back with you all later.
Hope you all are having a wonderful afternoon.
Take care,
Kerry

I just love picnics, Kerry. Hope you've enjoyed your nap!

Summer, it makes me glad to hear that there are others like me out there. I haven't had any car accidents that were my fault...there were 3, though. One guy stole a car in Baltimore City and I was on my way to work and he ran a stop sign; another guy fell asleep at his wheel so when I slowed down for the guy in front of me to turn, Mr. Sleepyhead ran right into me. But I have a Saturn, so I was safe... the steel safety cages really do work... the door panels fall apart, but the car itself stays together. And that 3rd one was a deer trying to commit suicide. He ran into my car at 3:00 in the morning.
I have a new, much shorter haircut. It won't look as nice tomorrow though!

Hi everyone,
I enjoyed my nap. Now I have to start thinking about a shopping list to go to Wal-mart. Boy do I love going grocery shopping there or what? The grocery stores in my little town are too expensive so we have to go to the next town over. It usually takes us two hours to shop. Boy what fun! Not.
Mouse how long had your hair been before your haircut? Your kids are not going to recognize tomorrow at school. How is your hand today? Are you able to keep some food down today? Have fun working on your reports. I will be doing that here in a few weeks when school starts on Aug.24th.
Ginny enjoy your trip. Hope you are able to get to use the gym some. Eat a piece of saltwater taffy or fudge for me,too. You will enjoy your few days away for some fun in the sun.
Summer how are you feeling today? What movie did you go see? Trust me I know how you feel about being tired from your trip. I didn't go on a trip, but for some reason I have been really tired lately. Thank you for your continued prayers. I want my marriage to work out. I knew it would be hard getting involved with someone who was married once before and had children from that marriage, but I didn't know it was going to be this hard. I think I am taking him by surprise at how outspoken I am at times. I have to own that to my weight loss and self-esteem I have gained from my dieting and working out.
Robyn how is your cold today? Are you ready for your jury duty appointment tomorrow? I hope you are able to get out of it. That would be really tough going to duty, starting a new job and starting the school year off on the right foot. Keep saying my prayers that you are able to either get out of it or postpone it another time. Glad to hear that your dh liked the bathroom. Working on it for two weeks is a long time. I am glad to hear what a success it was.
Well I guess I better go and make a grocery list. This time maybe I will be able to eat dinner with my dh today. We always have to go out to eat before we grocery shop if the cupboards are really bare. They are starting to look with Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards.
Oh one more thing, please say a prayer for my one great friend. She is pregrant with my nephew's child and he is giving her a hard time. He has completely withdrawn from her since finding out she is pg. He is an only child and a mom's boy, so I think that has a lot to do with their problems. I feel so bad for her. She told me last night that she is seriously thinking of raising the baby on her own. So I guess it is a male thing with my dh's family to be completely stupid when it comes to relationshops with females.
Take care,
Kerry

Well I got my workout in today. We went grocery shopping and I pushed the cart all through the store and out to the truck. Then we had to carry the groceries up the front walkway steps to get to our front porch. Then after we put the groceries away I lugged all the trash to the curb. My dh came out after I had all of it but one box of magazines to carry out and I told him to sit it down and I would take it out. He wasn't going to take any credit lugging out the trash. Then we went for a long walk around town. Just never made it out to the lake today. It was too hot this afternoon and early evening to go out there for a walk.
So what is everyone's plans for the coming week? I have to talk to my TA and see when she is available to come in and help me set up our new classroom. So I might be going into school for a little bit this coming week to work on our room. I know that I am going to Curves to workout three days. Nothing really exciting. I might load my bike in my van and go to the bike path in Athens to ride along the river and the campus of Ohio Unversity. It is a really nice bike path. I guess it will all depend on the weather.
Well I am going to go and read for a little bit before I go to bed. Talk to you all later.
Have a great Monday!
Kerry

My hair had been just about shoulder length, but it was long enough to wear pulled back... So we'll see if the kids notice anything.
My hand is still attached, but it hurts... I'm questioning the wisdom of going to work with it to be honest... but... I know we have grades due sometime this week, and since the database admin is already not a friend of mine, I'd better be there.
I'm jealous that your TA will come in when you're not paid. I've never had a TA do that... my TA now sets up the room, because she is way better at it than I am, but she only does it because we're required to be in the 2 weeks before the kids come for in-service/room set-up.
I'm doing okay in the food department, I think, but I'm eating great quantities of yogurt due to the antibiotics. And of course, its the low-carb stuff because they don't use splenda in the other kinds of light yogurt.

Gotta run to work... I'm about half done with the reports, and since I can't swim, I'll be able to come right home tonight and work on them. Fun, fun!!!!

......just running in to let you all know that we had no power for most of yesterday....
these darn thunderstorms are something else....anyway...missed you guys! LOL

I laid in bed awake last night thinking of this jury duty... My husband laughed at me... asked if I thought that the others (the reason that THEY ARE DRAGGING me to jury duty) are laying awake worrying over court! HE has a point!

Got a couple of new books to have with me incase there is some time to read... I've been told we SIT a LOT! I'm not taking my water because I'd sit there, reading and drinking and then need to make a 100 visits to "the facilities"....

I'm off to put on my makeup and glue down my hair.... yahoo... I leave in 20 minutes or so and it isn't pouring at the moment! You'd think that I live in Seattle or something..

Summer, I can no longer log into Mike's site.... my user stuff has expired.... Send him an email and ask where to enter your info. I sent him a few emails along the way...to which he responded quickly and with humor and of course good info!

Gotta run..... puting the lipstick on the herpes is hard and painful....but...ya know...gotta have good lips for the judge!
hehehehe

take care!

Morning Ladies,
I actually got to sleep in this morning for once. It felt so nice. Got up and got ready to go to Curves. Called my friend to see if she was still going with me. She has to go later, but I knew if I waited to go this evening with her I would probably never make it there. So I was just getting off the phone with her, when the ex-wife calls to say that the kids were spending the day with her parents. I took the message and gave it to my dh. He was instantly mad and started to hollar. I just looked at him and said that I am not fighting with you anymore and I am leaving to go workout. He was still running his chops when I walked out the door. But when I got home he was sorry for the way he acted and said that he didn't want to fight anymore either. So maybe this is a good thing. I called my boss today and I can go to school tomorrow to work on my classroom.
Mouse as for my TA this is the first time she has offered to come in and help me w/o pay. I think she feels bad that we had to move rooms at the end of the year and is trying to make it an easier process for us to start the school year out. She is a wonderful person and I am going to take her up on her help. So did your kids notice your hair was different? sorry to hear that your hand is still hurting. I will keep saying prayers of healing for it.
Robyn, I hope you made it through your day. Did you get any sleep last night at all?
Well since the kids are not here today, we are going to clean house. So I best get my butt in gear. Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry