Hi, All and a big to all the new chicks since I was last here!! So glad to have you here!

We've just had a busy couple weeks. DS2 home on spring break, DS3 started soccer practices, DH home with a bad back for a couple days then took some vacation, too, while DS2 home. We decided to take an afternoon and drive the hour to go to a Red Lobster as our substitute for the whole 'spring-break-at-the-beach-thing' and had a wonderful meal and time with the boys.

Unfortunately, the weight loss is not going well for me. I agreed with a lot of what Rosebud said about the emotional and stress eating issues. I had a lot of family issues growing up and it just seems that food was my only 'friend' although I know it's not true, but I didn't have Jesus then. Now, it's habit and it's soooooo hard to break those bad habits. And, like Aunty, I'm from the Pennsylvania Dutch and my family heritage is fat, fat, fat, but I know it's up to me to get this accomplished.

I posted in Prayer Warriors about my friend, Diana. She's had a setback with a fractured hip and will be undergoing a hip replacement asap. She's been very weak from the chemo and being unable to eat properly, as well, so I know this is a bad situation. One of her sons is coming from New Mexico to be here for the surgery (the other one is local), so we know they're anticipating that things may not go the way they want. I'll get more details soon.

This has happened on the very day that we learned last year my dad was not doing as well as he had let on. The 21st will be one year since he passed away and I still miss him every day.

Also, praying for the Japanese. My cousin is a missionary over there, but she's in the southern part, so she's ok, but so very worried about the people. She says the part of Japan affected by this is the least churched (Christian missions) area of Japan. They are praying for many Christians to come to help with the clean-up and restoration.

Well, we do have sun today and, for the first time in about 150 days, we're to have temps in the low 50's!!!! Might be able to get out for a walk if I can get around all the snowmelt puddles-lol! The MS has been awful the last couple weeks, but at least my walking isn't affected. Can't go too far from a bathroom for now, but I should be able to get around the block!

Hope you all have a great day!

Hi Ronnie... I homeschooled 3 of our 4 kids and of those 3 one is a fashion designer, one a landscaper with an award winning business, one an airline pilot and all girls! Our oldest and only son was a HS senior the year we began and way too smart for me to have helped! LOL! We know better but God had the best plan!

Our oldest girl's husband (13 years and 5 kids later) was just diagnosed with MS. Not all testing has been done yet but I'm wondering if there is a site you've found most helpful with info about MS. We all are trying to learn as much as we can as fast as we can. He has been with his parents in central PA for about 6 mos but is due to return to Portland, OR next week... just in time for all the "radiation" from Japan to hit (not to happen... I'm hoping I'm being facetious in implying a change in the atmosphere in Portland... our son the chemist says it shouldn't be a problem). Anyway, any help you could give me would be most appreciated. We would much rather be equipped with the truth and with sweet flavored words. Thanks so much. Kathy

Maycatcooper-National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com) have good info. Even WebMD has some info. It's really hard to find good info, as so many doctors have their own opinions about the disease, so I visit a lot of sites. When I first came down with symptoms, it was so long ago, we didn't even have a computer, so all my research was done in real books-LOL! After 16 years of symptoms, I was finally diagnosed 2 years ago. Hope this helps What symptoms is he having? And, what treatments are they talking about? I take no meds, as they're worried about worse side effects than most of the symptoms I have. My sister has just had to quit the Tysabri infusions as she's at high risk of developing the brain infection (PML).

And, glad to hear that the homeschooling works out! Some days I wonder if it's worth it (I'm sure you know what I mean!)

Have a good day!

Ronni62, thank you so very much. I find it exciting that you are not using meds. I was afraid that Matt had lost too much ground 'cause he hadn't been on meds. I will go tho these sites this week. Thanks again. ...and homeschooling dizzies... OH YEAH! I still say it is the most fun I've ever had and began with the youngest in 3rd grade with a 9th & 10th grader. All stayed through HS graduation. I miss it so much but am also happy those days are bygone with precious, precious memories! Smile.

Right now, I'm scratching like crazy! This crazy rash was clearing up, I thought, and now it's speading! EEK! I know it's not shingles. I had that this past summer. I have an appt in the morning with the family doc. I hate to throw in the towel to go but am anyway! Smile.

My little Bible study group met today. We only made it through the preliminary T/F test. We had some AMAZING discussion opening doors to share our love for Jesus! With a seeker forming 1/3 of our group, this was such answered prayer. Smile. Pray for S... smile.

RONNIE ~ to you during this time; prayers for you and your friend DIANA and her family too. I know what you mean about family lineage: both sides of our family have an inclination for weight issues too, so several persons in our family are dealing with that and diabetes (and some are doing really well). Hang in there with the kids; it is a lot of work, but as Kathy shows, the results can be well worth it.

PATTY ~ will look into Beth's books/works; sounds interesting.

KATHY ~ prayers for your rash; and for your friend, SUE and your little study group; may the LORD richly bless you all ...

HI BOOTSIE ~ nice to see you pop by.

We did our weekly shopping today; got some walking in. Gotta watch that; will go rest after this and take it easy tomorrow too. Have had mild temps here, but some cooler ones with some sun are predicted for the weekend.

Have a great week, friends ... Rosebud

I've been singing "I've Got Sunshine on a Stormy Day" for so long I'm not sure if I'll be able to sing at all tomorrow... for the laughter and joy of REAL SUNSHINE and temps breaking 60! WOW! ...maybe "I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW"... hmmm. I'll work on it! Smile.

Has anyone started their gardens? My husband leveled some dirt down for me and I made my garden up by our store . I did that so I would be close by in case David needed help at the store. I love the garden no bugs right now not one grasshopper in sight right now but tomorrow may be a different story! My husband said I did not know how to line up the post so I told him you do it then so he drove six post in and when he left to do his taxes I did 5 more and put up the panels and cut them to size also. I was one tired puppy but still had to make him supper and feed the animals.
Yesterday I planted 2 sweet peppers and a tomato bush the peppers are fixing to bloom!
Today I transplanted 5 squash hope they make it. Planted purple Hulls around the fence line and green beans contenders. Going to plant some red carrots tomorrow and beets. I think I will go ahead and plant some okra. Out front of the garden I am going to plant hot peppers and flowers. I started out some tomatoes for Fall yesterday, toothache plant, Joseph coat, first time for that suppose to be really pretty and you can eat it too., lots more 72 little plants.
I am going to work cleaning out our barn tomorrow, there was two men cleaning it out today and they were smoking in the Barn, can you believe that??? I went in there after they left and I said my gosh smells like something burning and it got worse and I walked through there and looked down at the ground there was smoke coming up through the manure and hay and I ran and got some water and it was headed for the boards on the barn slowly and I poured it over it and went to digging all of that up . I filled up my wagon and sit it out front of the house in our road made of gravel if it catches on fire again at least I can call the fire department and they can get to it. If I had not gone out there our barn would of burnt down by morning and all the animals. The two men were digging the crap out of my barn to make a compost pile. While I was working in my garden at the road. I guess they just did not understand you do not smoke around crap and hay, that is like paper burning but it burns slow and not that easy to put out if there is alot burning. They will know better next time though I can assure you.

Hi all!

Ronnie, thanks for showing us a potential positive aftereffect of the horrors in Japan. I know that Christians (because we are the most charitable people in the world) will be swarming to that part of Japan. May God in His mercy bring a positive outcome from this disaster. Historically, conversions to Christianity have doubled/tripled/etc. in areas where volunteers come to help those in turmoil from natural disasters.

Today I went to my doctor. As some of you know, I have been living for over 25 years with autoimmune disease (various doctors have called it lupus, RA, fibromyalgia, and a half-dozen other names that actually mean: we got no idea what is wrong with ya.)

It was a tough week WW-wise, with my first small weight gain despite following the program precisely. But when we saw my blood work (and they take a LOT of blood tests, because lupus can affect any organ or body part), the doctor thought that there must be an error. Not only is my bloodwork "like a newborn baby" -- even down to a cholesterol reading in the mid 100s compared to 389 three months ago, a heart rate like an athlete (despite previous lupus-related damage), and blood pressure so low that they couldn't read it, and they had to take me off my anti-hypertensive medications before I just fell over -- there are no markers for RA or lupus or any other autoimmune disease. This isn't the same as being in remission; this is *GONE* like it never happened.

We'll be repeating the tests in 90 days. And we're praising God for such a remarkable gift of renewal and healing, with such a small effort (following WW). Like my husband's "dying" tumor, this healing is beyond the medical profession's understanding.

My boss/pastor said that "this is because you were willing to be obedient" when we had the inspiration to change our lifestyle into more diligent healthy eating, despite things being weird at church/my job, DH's intestinal tumor, and the bankruptcy and unfriendly takeover of DH's company all at the same time. (We flunked the "are you ready to lose weight" quiz at weightwatchers.com!) I can tell you that it is an undeserved favor from a gracious God.

Aunt Loopy WooHOo! That is awesome news!! Praying it continues.

Bootsie I think I'd be having me a talk with those fellas! Thankful you caught it. Every year I think I would like to have a garden but then I'm not sure I'd even want to work in it if I had one. We had one when I was growing up. Dh plants a few tomatoes, peppers.

It has been a long day. I went for a stress test (echocardiogram?) this morning. Whew! I made it to the finish but I was whooped and could not breath when I got off. But thankfully my bp didn't go high, my heart rate was in good range. I didnt' see a dr there so I'm taking that as a good sign. I will see my reg dr in a week or so for the results.

This is one reason I really need to get healthier and get some of this weight off me. My dad passed with heart disease, my brother has blood clot issues, my mom has high bp, her dad passed of a stroke. I need to get myself into shape.

I've been sitting here looking over things on calorie counting,et c. I'm trying not to get overwhelmed.
I'm making my grocery list out, going to make a menu out.

Well, ya'll have a good evening.

Oh! and they weighed me today-210. Blah!!

HI GALS ~

Well my week-end home is almost over then back up to Beverly Hills all week unless...UNLESS...my GRANDdaughter comes Her due date is Tuesday My son and daughter in law came to church this morning and she is so ready to deliver!

Angie and I took the goldens for a walk to Starbucks yesterday, as we usually do on Saturdays when we can, this time we parked there then went out through an area we usually drive through. Very pretty and all the spring smells! The girls missed a walk after church today because it was just too cold, we have a new storm on the way. I guess I could have put on a jacket, I think I have one ... Bad parents

Watching basketball all week-end during time between chores...leading my son in our personal pool...a game behind my son in law in the ESPN pool we are in as a family/friend group.

The sermon Pastor did today was great on anxiety.....tsunami/earthquakes...radiation fallout....if it comes up on FB before I leave I will post it here.

Angie has been watching the Harry Potter marathon when she gets a chance, although we have all the dvds. I have never seen an entire show

Continue to pray for AJ from our church, a young man with major heart issues right now...not looking good. His family has been dear church friends of ours for almost 30 years.

Well ladies, good to see all the posts when i come back into town. Soon I will be working closer...for a few weeks....and will be able to catch up and be a bit more personal...until then...

My prayers are with you all Gary

Gary is your grand daughter here yet? I'm expecting my first grandchild in October!!
Well, weighed this morning and I'm down 2.5 lbs!! Woot!! This is day 3 of counting calories. I think the weight loss had to do with the exercise of a stress test I had to have last Friday and then the major amount of walking I had to do at work on Saturday. But I'll take it.
The weather has been so nice this week. I'm hoping to get some walking in today.
Well, off to get some homework done.
Ya'll have a blessed day.

PATTY no GRANDdaughter yet...dang!

My dil started having contractions yesterday morning at 1am....my son kept in touch, I was working out of town, and said the doctor said to tell your dad to come home...the baby will probably come tonight (yesterda) so far she is still kicking in the tummy....

we all hope she comes very soon....

Hello everyone, Just joined this site then discovered this forum. So happy that there is a christian forum! I live in rural New Brunswick not too far from the Maine border. Cross border shopping is wonderful! Been struggling to lose about 15 pounds. It really shows as I carry it on my upper legs. Ugh!
It is not good for walking here yet. Woke up this morning to see snow on the ground and flurries all morning. The temp is -1 to +1. Will be so happy for some really nice warm weather! It is really good to meet you all. Have a wonderful day.

Hannah! Glad to have you here!

Bootsie-I'd be kicking some cigarette-smoking butts (pun intended) if I were you! You were guided by God to check out your barn, for sure As far as gardening, we think the frost may have come out last week, but still waaaayy too cold to put anything in the ground-not even potatoes-and very, very wet. My crocuses are starting to bloom, though, but they're right up next to the south side of the house, so it stays warmer there. I'll try to upload a pic, but can't remember how to resize.

Aunty-God's healing power is simply amazing, along with all His other powers, too!

Gary-waiting to hear about that granddaughter

Hi to everyone else, too! Not much going on here-rain, rain, rain right now. Spent the last couple days on an emotional roller coaster. Yesterday was 1 year since my dad passed, so I'd be remembering good things one minute and crying the next. I started wondering when the disbelief goes away. I look at his photos and it still seems impossible that this man who was so much a part of my entire life is now gone-can't call him or write to him or hear his laughter or sarcasm Went through photos for a good one to be used for a memorial ceremony at Life Center where his eyes were donated. He would hate the thought, but wanted people to know he was really a good person. The photo I found was from my sister's wedding and he looked so good in his tux! We eloped so didn't have any of those kind of photos of our own. He donated the rest of his body to IU medical school, so we don't have his remains back yet to bury. They said it could take up to 2 years, so I wonder if that doesn't have something to do with the disbelief aspect. He didn't want any kind of funeral, memorial, or "family gatherings" (his words) when he died, so we honored his wishes....well ......mostly-my cousins and aunt (Dad's only sibling) had a dinner with my family and Dad's best friend. So, I don't know if the lack of 'ceremony' has anything to do with it or if this is just normal.

Anyway, I've rambled long enough. Hope you're all having a nice day!

I think we figured it out! Wanted you to see my dad in his tux too


flower 3.jpg

Dad photo (tux).jpg