wsw, thanks for sharing with us. My aunt has MS and she says that the worst thing for her is the unpredictability of it. One day she'll be okay and the next day she'll have all sorts of things go wrong. I saw a something on TV the other day about MS patients being helped by tai chi.

Amarantha, thanks for stopping by. Always a pleasure!

Anagram, I love amaryllis'! They always seem so bold to me!

Kaylets, thanks for the tip on flavored rice syrups--hadn't heard of those. About your question: for me it'd be a toss-up between the housekeeper and the masseuse.

I love to cook--maybe I could come cook for Arabella and Punkinseed. Of course, the 3 of us would spend most of out time swooning over Alan Rickman. Oh heck, we'll just have to invite him over!

Punkin, is snow normal this time of year in your neck of the woods? Spring's really popping here--DH is out tilling the veg. garden.

A pound a week--I'm with you, Scooby. No change at my weigh-in this morning. Still at 146 no matter how I wriggled around!

Off to the treadmill!

happy friday, all!

arabella-thanks for your kind words. so glad to hear you're feeling better today.

punkinseed-hope you feel better soon. snow--yuck! my a/c has been blasting here today, and i'm rather happy about the need for it! thanks for your support. there certainly are clinical trials and a lot of on-going research in ms, and i am hopeful.

amarantha-haven't read any stephen white, but enjoy mysteries, and will check him out. thanks for the tip. i love to read!

scoobysnacks-thanks for your kindness and support. i'm one of those people, too, who believes things happen for a reason, even though sometimes it may be challenging to figure out or accept whtat the reason may be. i am inspired by your large weight loss too-over 90 lbs-wow!! that's terrific!!

anagram-i am sure your ra must have involved lots of adjusting over the years. that kind of pain must be very challenging. glad to hear at least that you've been in a semi remission for a bit, which i certainly hope continues for a long time!

if i could have one service, it would definitely be a cook. would be nice to have someone cooking nice healthy meals (and cleaning up afterwards!) all the time.

i got out early this morning and took care of some errands while it was still cool and lovely. i am going to grab a quick nap and then do some exercising. thinking of you all. have a good weekend. take care, all!

wsw

Well Eydie 142 sounds amazing..i wish i could get there. Oh well one day at a time.

Cool Arabella. Awesome. I bet if we work as a team we can do it. My weigh in dates are monday. So this monday we should all weigh in and get what we are. Then we will focus on just one pound a week.

So i am dating this guy..he lives out of town. I only been on one date with him...but im like so swept away by him. And i hate the feeling of being so vulnerable. And im sure its not healthy. I mean im not obsessed with him and he wants to go out again when he comes back into town in 3 weeks. I feel like chasing him a little but i enjoy it. I mean i wrote him some fun emails sometimes.

I wish i did not get so taken by my emotions. OH well part of life i guess.

I think the negativity is coming from the yucky weather. NO sun shine...sigh

Oh well check in later.

hi eydie-yes, i'm with your aunt--the unpredictability of ms can be quite challenging. i got a book on tai chi as a gift a few weeks ago and it seems like it would be so gentle and relaxing. i have been thinking about checking into a class, as a matter of fact. think i'll take a look at my book again too. happy treadmilling!

Eydie, it snowed during our 4th of July parade one year - I've learned there is no "typical" or "normal" weather in central Oregon. You get what Mother Nature gives ya' and it can, and often does, change every 15 minutes...

If it had been a "normal" winter, yes, we'd be about done with snow by now, but since winter was pretty much non-existant this year I guess the Old Man is figuring "better late than never"?

All I know is the damned storms make my head hurt and there's nothing I can do about it but shake my fist at the sky.

Hoping the weather channel is right and this time next week it'll be 70,

Terri

Scoobs, what a great weight loss! And Kaylets, the daffodils sound wonderful. The drug store on a corner near here has planted a hill of them and it's one corner where I don't mind waiting for the light to change.

Arabella, RA is rheumatoid arthritis. The fatigue bothers me as much as the pain sometimes. I did take part in some clinical trials and sometimes had extra relief. I've now been off what I call the "bad" medicine for a year. It's really been helpful in stopping progression but has god-awful long term side effects as well. I was able to go off it once before as well. and they're always coming up with new things. Accepting that you can't do what you want when you want, etc. has been the hardest part. And there are times, I seem almost "normal" and then there are the other times. Diet, exercise are also most helpful as they are with most things.

Anyway I did get to the pool today. Have been walking which I so enjoy (there was a time when I could not). But every so often I just have to do the water thing.

Going to a baby shower tomorrow. Will have to be really careful foodwise of course. I felt "thinner" today so stepped on scale just out of curiousity. I was down .8 since yesterday. Now we know that didn't happen. It's just that demon scale. How an inanimate object can figure out my weigh in day, I sure don't know.

Punkin, I held off telling my kitty story because it has some bad parts but since it has a good ending, maybe it will help your Mom out. My Mom had a tomcat named Sooty (he was all black). He was an indoor/outdoor type. He disappeared at one point. Mom was heartbroken. One day after literally MONTHS, someone called Mom and said they thought her cat had just been hit by a car. My youngest bro was at the time a teen, checked it out, was devastated. Brought Sooty home, buried him (with ceremony). Two days later, the REAL Sooty walked in as though he'd been out for five minutes and none the worse for wear. For the rest of his natural life (and it was long) he was even more arrogant and mysterious than ever. The story has become one of those "family legends". Sooty RULED and in a way, he still does. So I hope your little feline shows up soon, however mysteriously.

I guess I'd opt for housekeeper. I do have a woman who cleans for me but "housekeeper" might involve more. I don't like to cook any more so that's tempting but with dh's restricted diet and me trying NOT to eat, I don't think we'd do a cook justice. I like to drive myself most of the time and a massage a week (or month).....would probably do me and could me more easily arranged. I'm fairly organized and my own personal secretary. Oh definitely Housekeeper.

NKow if I can just stay awake to watch SVU tonight.

Hello all!

Just sat and scrolled thru the thread some and realized that I must have missed a page-
wsw --Thanks for sharing wsw-- didnt realize you had already "shared" when I asked this am- I believe its only natural that MS could get you down. I don't think any of us could deal with it any better than you. And I really hope I could show as much grace, style and courage as you do. I don't know if I would.

But am glad to hear you enjoy reading-- I am trying to get some pages read with my bath every night now. My tastes in books is like my taste in music--very eclectic but I demand excellence!
Perhaps we enjoy some of the same authors? For years, a favorite of mine was James Michner. Have been rereading Chespeake some lately.

North of us in Albany there is a major ice storm yet here we only have misty rain.

More family"fun" - -- DS thought up a brand new "victim" routine. Didnt think it thru though, very transparent.
Calculated to get sympathy and cash at the same time. First tried it out on me last night before DH came home. I wouldnt bite though. He told me he had been robbed at knife point ("from behind"). Then told his father on the phone that he had been struck with the knife from behind on the back of his head and robbed. ( of $5.00). This happened about noon time in front of the KFC which is on a main shopping route, hundreds of people must have been driving by. Much less, the KFC is next to a big garage and a Goodwill. DS says he didnt call the police because " I didnt see who did this to me". ( There is not a mark on him nor is he complaining of any ).
Then this am, when DH had $5 for busfare for DS, DS is upset "You know what happened to me yesterday-- I have nothing left. Don't you have more than that $5." Luckily, I was gone or who knows what I would have done.
DH's day got to work tense and stressed which made the whole day the same.

Then this evening, DS is hinting around that the dealership gave him a key but can't guarantee it will fit his car but offered a locksmith much much cheaper than the one he talked to. DH told DS the key better fit because when you don't have money it doesnt matter how much cheaper. In other words, we're not paying this time. That DS is going to have to figure the car issue out himself. And the cigarette issue and whatever else he wants. DH could not be distracted or sidetracked, he said his piece , DS interrupted a 1/2 dozen times to say" I'm not going to say a word" ( ?!?). DH is in bed drained.
Of course, now, DS is traipsing around the house like its his because his father is asleep.

Meanwhile, I'm being advised we should get DS to tell us what kind of drugs he's doing otherwise things will start to turn up missing. This is especially frustrating to me as I have been sharing w/ this individual for years and this advise makes me realize, she hasnt understood what I've been telling her for years.
Why does she think the locks have been changed ?

DS is a legal adult and cannot be "signed " in for treatment without his consent.( unless he's a danger to himself).
I also believe, until he decides to get clean, there is no point.
Its quite obvious whatever he's using is something he can stop fairly easily for a few days or so. Or at least, his body will let him stop. Mentally, I am sure he's missing it. He's eating and sleeping -- We see no crack, coke or IV drug withdrawl symptons. We are sure if we offered DS a drink, however, we'd be very popular but all we have is Spring water.
How do they say it? 90% is "Stinkin thinking" --



On a day like this, the masseuse sounds wonderful. Otherwise, the housekeeper would do just fine.

Thanks for letting me vent-

Hello all!

Just looked at the newspaper and there are a few yardsales advertising "rain or shine". DH is still waking up but maybe we'll venture out. Sometimes its just the distraction.

Arabella: been meaning to ask you how the new work opportunity is shaping up. Do you think this is something long term ??
And I am glad to hear carrots are "ok" again- that was silly wasnt it??
http://www.suzannes-specialties.com
is the website where DH found the ones he bought, but when I did a google search, found many companies-- I also keep hoping to find a store carrying these products too. Perhaps someone in your area does.

Am playing Jesse Cook this am- I forget which one of you introduced me to him.

Scooby- I never knew you had lost almost 100 lbs!! I am impressed !!! WE WANT DETAILS!! Who, what, when, etc .....
Good going!!
Dating is always confusing. Don't even understand why we call it "Dating"-- (?) -- But I guess I can how a relationship is like weight loss-- it takes time, moment by moment building to a bigger result. We are anxious for the "result" but only make things tense if we try and force things.
Unlike weight loss, relationships often are NOT meant to be.
All I know for sure is, when I was not looking is when "it" happened.

Today's thought of the day is:

"If you want happiness for an hour-- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day--go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month-- get married.
If you want happiness for a year--inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime-- help someone else.

Chinese Proverb

Today's question of the day is:
"Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted? "
Question #2 from The Book of Questions--Gregory Stock, PH.D.


How shall we celebrate the First Saturday of April??

Kettle is on!

Well if there's one thing you and DH could use this weekend, I'm sure it is distraction. Hope things go well....and DS sees some light soon.

This gloomy, wet, cold spring day, I am going to "celebrate" by going to a baby shower - new life is so "spring". It will probably take 45 minutes or so to get there, I am sure I will be the "elder statewoman", etc. But I WILL enjoy myself and I WILL NOT overeat. Right? As far as it looks now, my sister and sil (grandmom to be) and I will be the only reps from Daddy's family. I've met Momma -to-be two brief times but don't know her yet as well as some of other nephews' brides. So maybe today's my chance.

Felt "thin" again this morning. Demon scale showed another pound down from yesterday. Now I'll take it anyway, time, place I can get it but cannot get it to be down on weigh in day.

Well I'm off to an appt. Wanted to wear "spring" today but too cold. I'll have to console myself that I've worn "old" clothing the last few days and all are fitting nicely, thank you. I figure now I'm as "young" as when I last wore them as well as the new size.

Have a goody, all!

Kaylets, you and DH are doing the right thing with DS. It's hard as **** and stress beyond belief, but it's right. I don't know if I ever told you about my first husband. Wonderful guy, very mellow, built like Arnold....but made one stupid decision when his brother offered him crack "just once, to try". Well, it only takes once with crack. Crack depletes the brain of a chemical we need to function, and until the crack is completely out of your system you brain doesn't start to reproduce the chemical on its own. So, I've been through everything you're experiencing...the begging, the promises, the fresh starts, the can't survive without it speech, the stealing, the stories, the lies, the worry, even detox. It was a drug counsellor who said to me once that I was young, pretty, and had a future ahead me...what was I doing with this guy who was addicted?...and that while he was making bad choices I needed to make choices of my own, good choices for me. It pissed me off at the time, but after a few more months of life the way it was then, I remembered what he'd said, and it was my lifeline to get out. That great guy of mine had turned into someone I didn't know. He'd lost all kinds of weight, went from Arnold to the 99lb weakling, didn't care about his appearance, would sell anything to get the money for drugs...it was really awful to see. His mother would pay off his debts because he'd tell her the dealers had threatened to kill him. She couldn't see that she was enabling him, and did so for years after I left.

No, it doesn't have anything to with how they are raised. At some point, they make a decision and it's all their own. It's just too bad that we have to live with the consequences of their decisions. You and DH stay strong.

a friend just brought over some pictures of my surprise birthday party last month. i was having a rough day physically, and this was such a lovely pick-me-up emotionally. looking through all these pictures of all my wonderful friends and thinking back on how much effort they expended to carry off the surprise and make it one of the loveliest days of my life, has put a big grin on my face, which i am unable to wipe off! it had meant so much to me to have so many of my friends there, plus notes from out- of -town friends, which were read out loud at the party. it's been almost a month since then, and quite a few of my buds have still been mentioning what fun it was and how much they liked my other friends (whom they had not met 'til that night.) i am so blessed to have great friends! i may not have family, but i absolutely lucked out in the friend category!

it started out rainy this morning, but it has cleared up nicely now. i think i will get out on my porch and enjoy some reading and sunshine. hope everyone has a good saturday! take care, all!

wsw

Hello all!

Dh and I got wet a few times this am but we had found a real deal about the 3rd stop and it was one of those that didnt look so promising from the curb-- which is a big life lesson reminder for me-- that things rarely are as they appear at first. Later, DH and I wandered over to the side of town where the co-op is as well as a Chinese grocery we discoverd by accident a few months ago. We can get cases of Mori-nu tofu there for less than a $1.00 a piece. DH is experimented w/ baking tofu w/ different flavors to add to salads and etc. I was watching tv in bed thinking I wasn't as tired as I thought I was and then woke up 2.5 hrs later! So, we had some fun, got some walking in and I got a long nap.


Wildfire- Thanks for the encouragement-- Is he still using?
I know a lady who didnt realilze until she was 72 yrs old when she couldnt physically work full time anymore that she had to stop paying her children's bills.

wsw- sounds like the photos came at a perfect time !! Its wonderful to realize how blessed we are with good friends!
Was thinking of you this am as I happened across a great buy on paperbacks-- a real mix, some sci fi, some historical romance, some adventure-- There were also couple Robert Fulghum ( ...from What I learned in Kindegarten fame) but the first one is really a book of musings and I was disappointed. That's ok- it cost me .25 so I'm not out that much!

Empress- what's going on your way? Is that AC keeping you cool enough? The news showed snow in Arizona- was that near you?

think I 'll have some more tea, my stomach's a little queasy.

Take care all!

Yo! Kaylets, there is almost never snow near where I live! Sometimes the mountain towns where I work get a little, but it only stays on the ground for an hour or so. Every few years a few flakes fall where I live but coming from the midwest, I don't actually call that SNOW! Everyone gets excited about it, though. It never lasts more than a few minutes and melts when it hits the ground.

The temp is below normal here now but since it was in the 90s last week and it's only April, I'm glad. It was cold and windy in the mountains.

I don't see any days off for awhile ahead ... skipped the five-hou reiki workshop I'd signed up for today ... I'd paid for it but didn't have time to attend and have a very bad sinus infection (still) and too much stuff to do.

Wildfire, very glad you found the strength not to become an enabler and victim of an addicted person. Glad you shared that story.

Kaylets, have you tried the tofu that's prebaked? You just slice it like deli meat and can put in salads or sandwiches ... comes in flavors and is quite good?

Also, do you like tempeh? That is good sliced and cold as well.

Anagram: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE POUND DOWN ON DEMON SCALE!

I hope to join you in the pound down club tomorrow!

Punkin: Hope your mom's kitty is home by now ... sometimes lost kitties are taken in by kindhearted folks and fed, etc. ... maybe that's what happened.

Quite shocked to hear it once snowed on your 4th parade ... really glad I didn't take any of the job offers I've had in your area. The very thought of snow in the summer makes me quite lightheaded ... (I don't like it even in winter, but on the Fourth of July it would be a nightmare)!

Arabella:

To All:

Re question of the day ... hmmm! I don't intellectually believe in ghosts but sometimes a mystical manifestation of my nature emerges and I swear one has visited me (ditto with angels)! I would have no objection to spending a night in a haunted house if there were a compelling reason to do so ... I can't see why any ghost would want to hurt me (and as I said I don't really believe in them, so I'd know if I saw one it wouldn't be real)!

Hello all!

Daylight Savings Time change! How my body resists this change!
How does Snoopy say it ? "Bleeeehhhh".

Empress-- Yes, that's where DH got the idea about baking tofu. We tried a few of the flavors available in the stores and hoped we could do better both for flavor and cost. So far, Lemon Pepper was a success. The teriakyi was judged too salty and the hot and spicy not hot and spicy enough. What flavors do you like? We use tempeh often but only have one choice of flavor available. Do you have different "flavors" available your way?
I had no idea AZ's spring was so hot. My folks live near Tampa FL but have about a month till the temps get close to 90. In fact, just about the time I will be there in May.

I need to run and get water as I am picking at everything I shouldnt instead of drinking water.
Kettle is on, lots of ice in the bucket -- I'll be back!


Today's thought is:
"Every day under the sun is a gift. Treat it kindly. Share it with joy. Each night return it to the Giver who will make it bright and shiny again before the next sunrise."--- Unknown

Today's question is:
"Do you find it so hard to say "no" that you regularly do favors you do not want to do? If so, why?"
Question 137 from The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D.

Hello, Lovely Ones!

This will be a mememe post--sorry. I'm too exhausted for anything else. I guess I'm just here for "confession". Have spent the last 2 days surrounded by food--my job. And I've indulged quite a bit from the stress of being upset with a woman that works there. In retrospect, I could've handled this a lot more "skillfully", as the Buddhists say! Instead of eating mindlessly to kill my feelings I should've just told her how I was feeling, and that would've been the end of it. Feeling pretty ashamed right now, not to mention ill!

Makes me think a lot about how I use food as reward and punishment for myself and how that line is blurred much of the time.

Tomorrow is a new day. And I mean it this time!