SLOANIE= I'm the one who has to call them,even before Leo passed away they hardly called. That wasn't done in Leo & My family we always called our mother,but some how today OH WE FORGOT or WE WERE BUSY is our children answers.

I'm not going to tell them I'm hurting as they will only say it would be so much easier if your lived in NY again,than when your lonely you can come to the house any time. YAH!!! I heard that before.

I had a great time at the marathon, and my nephew finished in good time.

My eating has been totally OFF today. But, I'll get back on track tomorrow. I'm also taking the day off from the gym, but will go back tomorrow. I've been very good, adding walking at least a mile, and often 2, to my routine. I'm headed out soon for today's walk. I've also added a lot of abdominal work.

Go over to the Goal board and read "I did it. 115 pounds lost." Really nice story.

Rhonda

Maryann, you're right about them telling you that you need to move closer. I just hate to see you hurt because they are too busy to call. Just move to Tennessee, and you can come to see me when you are lonely :lol:

Rhonda, glad you had a great time at the marathon. Did it make you want to run?

Rhonda, I was wondering the same as Sloan. Will you be our runner now? The way you're exercising and walking, you could walk the half marathon easily.

Maryann, I hear ya on the no phone calls. I suggest you call them when you get lonesome just to "check on them." They'd probably love to hear from you. When I call my son, he keeps me online longer than I'd intended even if I'm the one initiating the call.

Nancy, I'm glad you're feeling better.

We have USA Archery Indoor Nationals @ TX A&M in just a few days. Life is good.

YEP, I did want to run, starting with the 5 miler. But, I have a problem disk in my neck and was told by an orthopedist: DO NOT RUN. I do run up and down stairs though. But, that's not for long. I could power walk it, but this race was cross country and that's a little tricky for power walkers, I think.

Anyway, it's in my mind for next year. What a great thing to do when you're 65!

Maryann, it's just one of those generational things, I think. I'd call every now and again, and live exactly where I wanted to live. Period.

We went to the local Unitarian (my church of choice) congregation's chili supper tonight and helped raise some money for some renovations. We had a good time, and it put the finishing touch on my weird eating day. On to tomorrow!

Rhonda

Good Morning Chicks! I was up to all hours of the night so I'd thought I'd pop on here before my breakfast and nap. It seems we are all so busy, which is funny considering that it is the middle of the Winter when we should all be hibernating.

Mary Ann, the first year without Leo is going to be filled with adjustment for you. It's why Suze Orman and other financial experts tell you to do NOTHING major for the first year after the death of a spouse. You are a friendly person and I'm sure you'll see that after the year, you'll have made a new life for yourself. Kids suck.....well most of them anyway. I was an awesome daughter but not all are. I didn't have kids so that gave me a bit more time to be good to my Mom. Actually, my Dad died when I was living at home and only 22, so my Mom and I became more friends than anything else. I still miss her every day. Having said that, I think it works both ways. If you want to be in their lives you'll need to try to insert yourself. I wouldn't move there but I'd let them know that you need and want their companionship. I'd get mad at our family and friends after my Dad died. I even told folks that they needed to come be with my Mom and take her out. They told me straight out that they didn't want to have to face the fact that my Dad was gone. I told them we had to face it every night when we sat done to dinner without him. Our house used to be the gathering spot and then it wasn't. Sadly, my Mom gave up living and eventually got Alzheimer's. I really believe her giving up contributed to that disease. So I encourage you to be vocal about it. Tell your kids what you need. If they won't give it to you without moving then get it from somewhere else. Hey there are plenty of us middle age folks around who don't have their parents and would love to have you for a friend! OK...I'm off my soapbox now but I do care about you and wish you well. How was your outing with your friends last night?

Paula, I'm really glad that DD is feeling better. Her packing list to go see Grandma is the same as what my Great Nieces and Nephews bring here. The DS is critical! I'm really impressed with the exercise you and Rhonda are doing. I'm a slug. I hope all goes well with your hernia. I've got one in my lower stomach too. I consulted with the surgeon and he told me to leave it alone unless it's bothering me. Most times I don't know it's there but it's because I don't stress it. I also have a hiatal hernia that keeps me from lifting anything over 15 pounds or straining in general. That probably helps the stomach hernia. Geez....am I old and falling apart or what!

Rhonda, I don't understand why the weight isn't falling off of you. You must be getting some serious endorphins. I don't know if I could keep up that kind of exercise without some reward. Yeah...I know the health benefits but I guess I'm shallow. Rhonda, I'm with Nancy. I got to the pharmacist and ask for the old Sudafed red. You have to sign and give you license here in Illinois but it is SO worth it. Works like nothing else.

Wow, Angela. Natural for baby boy. How impressive and good for our planet. Did you make healthy chicken enchiladas this week? I'm looking for healthy Core type mexican food. I need to cook and freeze for my lunches or when I just can't stand the JC food anymore. We have an upright freezer in the basement and it really comes in handy. Our tax refund went to pay the last of the Cassie kidney specialist bills. We need new washer and dryer but we are trying to wait for the IL/Federal rebates to kick in the middle of April. Sorry about your daughter's school issues. My great Niece had them in first grade and I think the teacher was one of the problems. She's done better since then because my Niece has learned the tricks for getting what she needs from the school district.

Sandra, did I miss it? What where the results of your allergy tests? I had the double set of scratch tests. I'm dust, dust mites, weeds, feathers and cats. The rest were all mild and she didn't really test me for food.

Nancy, how are you feeling? You caught us up on Robin but you haven't said how things are going for you. We are all such caretakers of others! Speaking of Robin, though, how does he like Nutrisystem?

Sloan, how did the training go with your family? I can't believe how much you have going on in your life right now. How is your Dad feeling? Are his spirits good?

Well, Jim just came home from getting us some supplies to last through our next snow/ice storm. I'm one of those stock up kind of girls. And, I had some coupons that were going to expire for stuff we use all the time so we had to get that stuff too. I'm going to go put it all away and then maybe watch a movie with him. We watched Angels and Demons last night and it was no where near as good as the book. I just read all of Dan Brown's books recently and loved them. Of course, I read DaVinci Code a long while ago but read the other 4 since November and they were terrific. I am quite an avid reader and have been since I was a kid. I don't buy books anymore, I just get them from the library. My library has a website and I can order any book online and they email me when it is read for me to pick up. They even order new books, if I ask them too, and put me first on the list. Right now my table is full of good carb cookbooks and bathroom remodeling books. It seems I must always have a project.

Love to you all. I'll try to stay more in touch.

Ooopps...that was long! Guess I should try to get here more often. How embarrassing.

Hi Ladies:)

Have such a hard time getting onto this thread on Sunday mornings. I was lucky today I got up before the alarm clock could ring.

Than it was a mad dash out the door to get to church on time.I & few girls were reprimanded for not showing up to choir practice last Thursday. I completely forget and was putting on my new slip-covers on at the time.

Plus I had a bad weekend,couldn't stop crying even in front of my friends.Don't know how that happened,just started to cry alike a baby. My one choir friend told me that sometimes in comes in clumps and other times just a few hrs or a day,but don't be a shamed as it happens to the most of us.


Going to watch the Olympics and than some of the golf tournament. I have to give my friend a call this afternoon,as we're planing to go out some where nice,but Oh No!!! they're predicting snow/rain combo for most of this week starting on Tuesday up to Fri. Its gong to be slushy.Wish SPRING was around the corner I hate this kind of weather.

THANKS LADIES FOR YOUR ADVICE,I'M GOING TO CALL MY DD TOMORROW MORNING WHEN HER KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL IF I CALL NOW HER KIDS ARE ALL OVER HER ESPECIALLY THE BOY AND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK WHEN HE AROUND.


RHONDA-I ate Pizza last night with my friends and I had 3 slices along with a salad. I have no idea why I eat so much. I have to get rid of this bad habit that I developed in the last couple of months.Thanks,I can't believe this generation is so different from ours.

SLOAN-Thanks, I sure this will pass,and things well get better again.

SANDRA-I know your right,I'm going to call them this week and see Whats going on, & how many times they call me in a month.


VICKIE-I have a awesome DD also,but its the family she married into.MOTHER -IN LAW very domineering. Has to have her own way and I don't think she like Leo & I. We were aware of that 12 years ago when they were married,but we didn't say a word.Oh they are so friendly and than they stab you in the back.I don't know that the reason for the less & less phone or e-mails,she still is grieving and I do understand that but a phone call or an e-mail would be so wonderful. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. I haven't done anything to hurt her,why is she doing it to me,and why do the INLAWS always interfere.

Have a nice weekend what left of it. Going to watch TV and get a snack.

Well, not all of the "younger generation" ignore their parents. I'm pretty sure my Mom wishes I wouldn't talk to her quite so much! :lol: Of course it helps being neighbors. My kids are in her backyard now with my brother (who's home for 2 weeks), making a snow fort.

Vickie, we've got snow coming supposedly later today into tomorrow. They're calling it "heart attack" snow. Guess that means it'll be wet and heavy, and a lot of it. Yippee skippy. The enchiladas I made weren't healthy per se. They could have been, had I altered the ingredients a bit - like using low-fat or fat-free cheese.

I think I'm getting a cold, as my sinuses are very stuffed and my nose is starting to run. Blah. I guess it 'tis the season though, eh?

I made chocolate chip cookie dough yesterday to freeze. We also got our new freezer yesterday. I love it! There's so much more room in a 13 cu. foot than a 5! I will continue using my 5 for bread only, and put everything else in the 13.

But today is a day of rest, although I need to make sure I don't lapse into a nap. It seems that if I nap, no longer how short, I have trouble sleeping at night. Sigh.

Have a good, restful day everyone!
Angela

Hi:

I'm enjoying reading all the posts although I'm not feeling so chatty right now. It is raining and gloomy. I said I'd go to the gym, but I'm going to do one of my exercise tapes instead. I don't want to go out.

Denton is home to a documentary film festival and we've been to three of them this week. We saw one this afternoon that was unbelievably serious and heart wrenching. It is called "The Heart of Texas." I don't imagine it will get much distribution but it was startling, and true. Two men in a small town became very unlikely, but close, friends. One was black, uneducated and poor; the other, white, professional, and well-off. The black man unknowingly and accidentally ran over and killed the white man's four year old daughter. To make a long story short, the white family totally forgave the black man, with no reservations. They pleaded with the grand jury not to prosecute the man, built the black family a new home and settled into a life of forgiveness and acceptance. It was stunning. Normally, I like to hear film makers discuss their films, but when the film maker began to talk, I just had to leave and take that movie into my heart and be with it. If you ever get a chance to see it, do. Or, see if your church can get it. AMAZING story and very well done.

I hope that whatever struggle is in your heart today is lightened.

Rhonda

Rhonda, we didn't get any rain today, but that's all right. We've had Lake Horton long enough. It's been gone a few days and we aren't ready for it to return. :lol: Did you know they have Texas Senior Games (Senior Olympics)? 2010 is a national qualifier year. To compete in the National Senior Games in 2011, you must compete this year on the state level. Some of the events include: 5K road race, basketball, cycling, 10k road race, bowling, archery, and several other events.

In Texas you have to compete at a local qualifier before you can compete in the state championship (Houston this year). We're going to A&M to compete in archery. Here's the website http://www.brazosvalleyseniorgames.org./events.htm. (If this gets deleted, I'll e it to you if you'd like.)

There are also local games @ San Antonio http://saseniorgames.com/sports-ee/i...p/olympics/C4/.

Age divisions for Senior Olympics (Senior Games are held in almost every state and 2010 is a national qualifying year for Nationals in all of them.) are in 5 year increments. You have to be at least 50. Divisions are as follows:
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
and so on. They are a lot of fun. We've seen folks in their 90's competing in archery. I competed in archery and bowling in Montana and had a blast in each. You can enter one or more contests. I highly recommend them. On a lighter note, I am still having trouble thinking of dominoes as a sport. :lol: But you never know. It does give the mind exercise so maybe it is.

Vickie, yes, you need to come here more often, but, no, your post wasn't too long. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Felt like we were chatting at your kitchen table. Curtis and I recently went to an allergy specialist. So far, we've each had one visit. Both of us are being tested for food allergies. Curtis finds out his results tomorrow. I have 2 more weeks of testing. I have already been tested for airborne allergens. They did a simple 6 needle prick test. It's a simpler version than I had back 35 years ago, but showed where I am allergic to grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites, and pets. I don't remember what the 6th needle was for but I am allergic to whatever it is, too. Tomorrow Curtis will most likely have the needle test and I'll pick up my drops for the airborne allergens. We're hoping drops will work for us. If not, then we'll get shots.

Was that tmi?

Maryann, you do what you feel is best for you. If you need to cry, do so. You are an amazing woman so full of strength. Crying is important for healing. You have to let yourself mourn to heal. Now I'm off my soapbox. Well, nearly. Don't let them fuss at you for missing a choir practice. Okay, I'm off now.

Angela, I envy you and your mother your closeness. My mother and I close like that for many many years. I miss her a lot. Please give your mother a hug for me.

Well, looks like I wrote a book. Now I need to go work on my shooting form. Night night, chickies.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts.
I will post more tomorrow . I am still battling this
upper respiratory gunk and am headed to bed.

Does anyone have a beginner/easy workout DVD
that they like. It would be better if it doesn't require
equipment other than dumbbells. I would break something if I tried to balance
on those huge balls:dizzy:

Rhonda, I could weep at just your short introduction. Sounds amazing. I love those types of stories.

Sandra, good luck with the drops. I passed on the shots. Way too much commitment for me.

Angela, I'm glad you like your freezer. Mine is usually full of frozen dinners, frozen fruit and WW zero point soup. I'm going to be cooking again soon, though, and I'll need room.

Nancy, I like the Leslie Sansone WATP tapes. They are very easy, require no equipment except for some weights if you want. I thought it would be too easy but it really makes me sweat and burn....way more than the treadmill. I'll go see if I can find them on Amazon. I think I got my set from QVC.

Nancy, the beginner ones are at the bottom. Once you decide which one you like, you might be able to buy it someplace else cheaper. All the ladies at WW use these videos, even the older ones. That's why I bought it and because I could do it in a small area at home without going out.

http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/

Thanks Vickie!!!