It's a grizzly, gray morning here, but I couldn't feel better about life... My sister had a mastectomy yesterday, they determined that there is no lymph node involvement, and they were able to do the reconstruction, immediately following the mastectomy. Silver lining: the doctors use the "pouch" under the belly button that many of us are too familiar with, to reconstruct the breast with... in other words: TUMMY TUCK! And she won't need chemo or radiation. Many sighs of relief were breathed yesterday. I feel like a heavy veil has been lifted and we can all go back to living again!

SO, you'll be seeing a lot more of ol' Kat again... I'm even starting up WW again next week at work... NO EXCUSES!

Gotta run to work now... well, after applying a bit o' face paint... I don't want to scare anyone...

Happy Friday, s!!

Good morning! And it really is. I'm on vacation for an entire week! WHEEEEE! Okay, I did bring home two books to read, and I have a lot of lesson planning to do, but a break from the classroom and some time with my family is just what I need about now.
The weather here has changed drastically, but it isn't snow type, darn it all. We just have wind moving around some chilly air. I still try hard to not giggle at everyone here bundling up like they live in Canada. They have huge coats on and are still shivering while I'm walking around comfortably in shirt sleeves. Yes, they think I might be insane. I'm thinking they wouldn't survive anywhere that gets even an inch of snow a year.
I've decided to hit that "No excuses!" bandwagon myself. Going back over my food logs, it is apparent there are areas that can improve. I'm also not doing much exercise outside the trainer days at the gym. I run around a lot at school, but I apparently need to step up my game to get results.
On the very positive side of things, though, I'm really proud to say that I've logged for the last 10 days straight, even when I didn't want to! It does make it a lot easier to turn down the holiday temptations. Half of those dishes I can't figure out how I would log them, and the other half I just don't want to have to admit to having eaten. It is easier to walk by at that point. Besides, Gym Jim wants me to start bringing in my logs, and I seriously don't want him seeing that I'm wasting our hard work there as soon as I get home. Ah, the joys of accountability!

My sweetie just called me down to work on breaky with him. I'll have to return later for replies.
*HUGS* Here's to No More Excuses!

Andria

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:25, 1st time... 9:10 actual... so nice to sleep in!!!
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Religulous (great documentary, btw!)
4. What is your favorite TV show? The Daily Show w/Jon Stewart
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Oatmeal w/craisins & walnuts, skim milk, coffee
6. What is your middle name? Mary
7. What food do you dislike? not many! Overcooked carrots & liver come to mind.
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Tom Waits, Heartattack and Vine
9. What kind of car do you drive? Isuzu Rodeo
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey Reuben
11. What characteristic do you despise? Closed mindedness
12. Favorite item of clothing? Sweaters (when I'm not as bulky as I am now!)
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? The Greek Isles
14. Favorite brand of clothing:
15. Where would you retire? A lovely, quiet but funky beach town would be nice.
16.What was your most recent memorable birthday? I was in Las Vegas last year on my 50th birthday
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football, preferably in person
18. Furthest place you are sending this? CA
19. Person you expect to send it back first? my niece, Heather
20. When is your birthday? July 3
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? I can swing both ways!
22. What is your shoe size? 9
23. Pets? Molly Brown, a chocolate Lab
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I told you about sister's good news already... after that, I think I'm tapped out for the moment
25. What did you want to be when you were little? An artist
26. How are you today? Cheerfully optimistic!
27. What is your favorite candy? Anything with chocolate and nuts... but I'm willing to settle...
28. What is your favorite flower? Gardenias
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Christmas with family
30. What is your favorite pastime? Hiking in the woods
31. What are you listening to right now? Tom Waits, Heartattack and Vine
32. What was the last thing you ate? croissant, cup of coffee
33. Do you wish on stars? "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight."
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Forest Green
35. How is the weather right now? Sunny, COLD
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My daughter
37. Favorite soft drink? Real lemonade
38. Favorite restaurant? Little Havana
39. Real hair color? "Fabulous Fawn" (inside family joke, my grandmother swore she'd never go white, would rather die with her favorite shade on her head---and she did!) Mine's light brown, with assistance...
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? TRESSY! (me too, Arabella!)Barbie too.
41. Summer or winter? I love something about all four, actually... this is a hard one! Summer, I guess...
42. Hugs or kisses? Kisses, the ones from when you first started kissing each other!
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea? Coffee...good coffee in the morning, a nice herbal tea at night
45. Do you want your friends to email you back?
46. When was the last time you cried? Thursday, tears of relief at sister's prognosis
47. What is under your bed? Dust bunnies. Lots and lots of dust bunnies. Renegade socks. Miscellaneous flip-flops.

I have so many things I need to reply to, (don't worry, I took notes!) but I went WAY past the hour I had alotted myself on the computer answering the above questions! I'm all caught up with reading everyone's posts though... hence, the note-taking, but I have a ton of things to do today: daughter and I are going to see Cats tonight with a friend and her daughter... first we want to get a visit in with sissy/aunt, and a cursory house tidying needs to be done.

Have a great Saturday all!

Well, G O O D morning!

So much good news - individual replies to come in a more leisurely time.

Second procedure also went very well. I still feel a need to remove my contacts at bedtime and/or adjust my glasses throughout the day - and none to do either with. Reading glasses only at this point and that's just plain miraculous.

Enjoy this Sensational Sunday, Sleek and Svelte lies.

Oh, anagram! I know that feeling well... 'tis a miraculous thing to be able to see WELL again! (and amazing to realize just how POORLY we actually saw pre-op!) I'm so happy all went well for you! I'm constantly (even after a year) amazed at the things I can see now: street signs, directions on packages, recipes...

Ceara! I'm seeing those Christmas lights around here too... I REFUSE to go all Christmas-y til at least December! Good for you, getting the walkies in, with the long johns!

Wow, Arabella... that much snow? Ouch. We had some flurries a few days ago, but even that is way early for these here parts. You intrepid trooper though... activity took precedence over cozy. I'm inspired, as usual.

Andria... I'm so happy that all is well now with the family. What a horror it must have been. Your Gym Jim sounds intense, but you are working it, girl! Another inspiration for me! BTW, thank you for offering Tony up for free medical advice!! Who needs WebMd?

wsw, my dainty fingered, stalwart muse! I'm glad to hear that you are on the mend from your fall... you always sound so serene in spite of adversity. Count me in on that glide down the scale, despite all winter challenges!

Kaylets...I must tell you that I am adopting your "Good Things Bucket" and intend to fill 'er up each day!

Well, I'm off... must get dinner ready for dh, who had to work tonight. He deserves an occasional home cooked meal, I think...

Happy Sunday, s!

Hello all!

I was here yesterday but see today that my post didn't "stick"....

Basically, I was applauding everyone's progress!


Kat, I am thrilled to hear the wonderful news about your sister! How wonderful! This is good news!

Anagram, Great news about the second eye procedure! This is definitely good news!

WoodNymph, I think I had a touch of something this weekend too.... Mostly splitting headache and no strength.... I spent nearly all of Saturday trying to sleep. I'm feeling better now, how about you?


Ceara, Your expert advice please.... Beagle wakes up happy except her right hind leg is "asleep". This is happening nearly all the time now. If you rub the leg, it takes less time for her to be able to put weight on it but if you leave her alone, the leg is like a dead weight for a few minutes. Sometimes, when you rub the leg on a certain place, the dog will react but not always.
Its hard to know if she's even in any pain...... I'm calling the vet today as its been about a week since we've noticed.....Any ideas????
(PS, she's eating, sleeping, playing..)


WSW.... I too am wearing sweaters, heavy sweats, etc, etc. A storm came in last night which made the house feel damp. I pushed the thermostat up and it did make a real difference but I need to figure out more ways to keep that thermostat lower.



Silver, I know you have reading to do for school, I have promised myself reading or internet research every day as long as I get other 'chores' done too. I've also promised myself naps....


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On another note, I wrote yesterday about a 62 yr old friend of mine with a brand new diagnosis of ostersporosis...... she had two cracked vertabrae "repaired" ( I don't know the medical term) and then a 3rd broke during her recovery. She has no family history of osteo, but did smoke nearly 35 yrs and as far as I know, only drinks milk once a day. In her youth and up until her 30's, she danced and taught dance and "tumbling"; every summer, she is outside teaching swimming .....
I always considered her lifestyle "active" so I was shocked at her diagonosis and the severity.....
She has begun taking the med that Sally Fields promotes.......

I did some reseach and see that there is theory now that studies seem to prove a direct correlation to the less estrogen, the harder it is to process calicium to make new bone......

All the info about strength training, etc, suddenly has a brand new point of view for me. WOW.... things sure do look different from this angle!!!

Anyone taking additional Vitamin D or another "bone" product???


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Thought of the day:

"When you aim for perfection. you discover it's a moving target."
George Fisher


Question of the day:

"What temperature do you keep your thermostat?"



Tuesday Tip

....from Green Daily (www.greendaily.com)

This or That: Aluminum Foil or Plastic Wrap?

Aluminum foil or plastic wrap for leftovers?

Turkey Day is coming up quick and as a result many of us will soon be overrun with leftovers. Reusable storage containers are an eco-friendly option for storing them, but when something needs to be wrapped or there's a lid missing is aluminum foil or plastic wrap the better choice?

Aluminum foil wins by a mile. Although there certainly is an environmental impact made during its creation, aluminum foil is almost 100% recyclable whereas plastic wrap also negatively impacts the environment during production but then isn't recyclable after use and can only end up in the landfill.

The catch? Make sure you do actually recycle the foil after you take it off the cold turkey!

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Time to check the laundry!

Good Morning all!

WSW--- I can relate to waking up cold! Sometimes I try to stay under the covers as long as I can but invariably, nature calls!!

I did notice yesterday when I was washing the floor, I needed to take a layer off....I guess my lesson there is there's more than one reason to declutter.

As for the dog, the vet suspects a partial tear in a ligament or the miniscis ( spellling?)..... Dog got a shot and a course of pills of an antiinflammatory. 2 hours after the shot, dog was running cheerfully around so we hope we continue to see improvement. Luckily, both hips show full range of motion and the only obvious sign of tiny bit of arthritis is in a front "wrist".

So, we won't be roughhousing for awhile and I've put a clothes rack in the tub to keep the dog from jumping in. She likes to lick the tub right after someone's showered but we noticed the back leg doesn't cooperate when she jumps in....


DH is home today unexpectedly which means I have to 'blend' my schedule with his ..........hmmmmm..........


We do have sun so far this morning which means I need to get in front of the window or outside to get some Vitamin D!!!


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Thought of the day:

"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect.
It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."



Question of the day:

"What is the best Thanksgiving dinner?"

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I'll try and poke my head in later to see what's going on....