Good morning! Today's is DH's prep for tomorrow's colonoscopy so we are sticking close to home today.

That is ok as I have presents to start wrapping and other things to do around the house. I need to spend a bit of time on line ordering the last of the gifts I want to get for my brother and his partner. They finally sent me some ideas for them.

I will also be working about 4 hours today so I can stay caught up at work since I will be out tomorrow.

I am out of "time off" due to how much time I have taken off for DH for doctor appointments and procedures. My bosses told me that for Monday I can count it as a sick day for myself and it will be an excused day off as we actually have a policy where the manager can approve things like that even if it isn't my sickness. If it involves taking care of a immediate family member in cases like they are in the hospital or can't drive after a procedure that sort of thing is allowable.

Thank you all for your kind remarks about my painting and the kudos that the VP gave.

Dee: I am sorry to hear about your foot. It takes a while for that sort of thing to heal because of the daily pressure we put on the foot. I wonder if a boot would help you? When I broke my pinky toe last spring, I ended up with so much pain along the side of my foot and they finally put me in a boot and it helped so much.

Terra: I'm glad to hear that going back to your old shoes helped with the blister. I'm also glad you were able to get your shopping done.

Ceejay: Good job for identifying that the Cokes and sweets were making you feel badly and that you are going to stay away from them. I get on that kick with too many of them every once in a while and it feels good at first and then I feel awful..draggy feeling, mean feeling, so tired, bloated...it's not worth it.

So, let's make a pack..no coke or sweets this week...I bet we feel better by Wednesday!

Annie: The church tea event sounds like such a wonderful time. How did the massages go? I love to pampering like that!

Laura: I'm thinking of upgrading to 2013 in a couple of weeks; the week after Christmas. I'll be at work that Monday and Tuesday and the office will be dead so I think I might do it then. We have it available and don't have to do it, but I like to be one of the early users in the company. How did it go for you?

I was thinking about your comments about your career and doing something that more fulfilling for yourself. Have you thought that maybe you don't have to do wait to do that? Here's my thinking..... You have a great job right now that affords you so many things and you aren't ready to step away from them yet but you want to try something new/more fulfilling. Why don't you look for something that you could give 1-3 hours of your time a week or so many hours a month and volunteer in that area. There are many non-profit places that could use help in their offices or with special projects were your current skills could be utilized and it could give you a chance to expand yourself in new places and see how other businesses do things.

I have thought about this for myself for sometime in the near future. I love meeting planning but I'm not sure I would want to do it all the time. I have thought I would like to work for the Chamber of Commerce or in a city's visitor bureau. I have thought about going to those two organizations and seeing if there was something I could do for them about 4-6 hours a month and do it for free, to get exposure to those two organizations.

At this point my job is too busy and I really need to start working harder and devoting more time to my weight-loss effort so I don't want to give up those 4-6 hours but at some point I will do this.

Just a thought/direction for you to think about.

Michelle: I'm glad to hear the appointment went well and you are cleared to workout. I am not surprised that you are exhausted in the evenings. You really are doing a lot for just 2 weeks post-op. Because it was laparoscopy you might not feel like you had surgery. I think a lot of people feel that way after laparoscopy procedures, but you need to remember, while you weren't cut on the outside of your body, your body was altered on the inside so it needs to heal, also anesthesia is not easy on a person and it take a while for it to get out of your body.

You are doing well....just keep taking care of you. I'm praying for your friend Bob, please keep us updated on him. Let him know there are a bunch of women praying for him and he is on our hearts...we believe he can have an amazing life going forward and we are pulling for him.

Happy: I am more than a little mad that the trainer did not respect your time with him. I think I would let him know about it and ask that he give you a "make up" session free.

Shad: yikes on those creatures in your yard!! I hope your second week on the project goes smoothly and you can get those people whipped into shape! That is the way work goes...the project isn't that hard..it's the people!

Susie ~ Yeah I'm glad I'm still able to wear my old shoes and they dont hurt my feet when I've been walking for a long time like my new shoes do. I'm glad I was able to get my shopping done too.

Hi ladies....

quick check in. I'm exhausted as usual. Seems like I run out of energy by 5 pm. I'm going to skip the hospital tomorrow. I'm sure Bob will understand as he wants me to make sure I'm taking care of myself too. I might hit the gym in the morning, and then I hope to go to my Stepmom's. We've been playing a lot of Scrabble since my surgery. We're very evenly matched. The last few times we've played our final scores have been within 5-10 points of each other. She'd like me to help her decorate for Christmas. I was going to do it today while I was there, but it was too difficult with Santa there getting into things...so tomorrow, it's day care for him, and then I'll be able to help her. It will be fun since she's got the nicest decorations, and I've already done the little bit of decorating in my house.

Santa and I had our picture taken with Santa Claus. My Santa is a lot more photogenic than I am. I'll get the digital pictures on Friday, and I'll post the best one here.

================
Susie - Sending good thoughts for your DH's colonoscopy. The prep is the worst part of the whole thing.

Happy - Bummer that the trainer/owner didn't respect your time. Aaargh.

I'll try and do more personals tomorrow.

Much love to all,

Evening all,

So tired tonight. Just going to change and hop into bed. I've been in a class all day that was completely useless.
It started late because no one knew where the room was, and when we finally found it, there was no projector and the trainer didn't show up for another half hour. Then they started on about something which was meant to happen but was never realistic. I had to stop them yakking at one point (and it wasn't even my class) They were going on and on about something that they would like to but which won't get changed. I just got to the point where I was about to move out, when I suddenly decided to take matters into my own hands and told them that since we were running up to an hour late at this time, was it at all feasible that we might talk about the subject matter for which we were there to learn. That shut them up somewhat I can tell you. Then the trainer had to disappear for 2 hours for another appointment and didn't resurface for 4 hours and in the mean time we had this man who, although enthusiastic, is about the worst trainer I have ever had the misfortune to listen to. Added to which he has a thick Bangladeshi accent which makes him difficult to listen too. So I went back to the office at lunchtime and had a whinge. Naughty Shad. For my problems I now have some more work to do! Goodonya.

So I will do personals later. Seems like everyone is going okay anyway. I'll be back tomorrow hopefully with something witty.

Monday, Monday...here we go again...

SHADDIE... well it you are taking training? Or you need to be training these slugs? haha. No wonder you are worn out. Hope you got some good rest.

HAPPY...maybe make it clear when you make your next appointment with the gym dude, that he needs to devote your appointment time with YOU, and not chatted all afternoon with others. Only say it in a nice way, lol. RE: Grunting men, I don't know what it is but when the men in my life do anything, work, play, exercise, they are always noisy. Maybe that is the criteria for moving for them.

CAROL SUE...thank you for the positive input on the surgery. I pray it goes well for me also and I will ask my doc at the pre-op appt about the scar tissue on the cervix. That sounds like a negative side to this procedure.

CHELLE...can't wait to see your Santa pictures with Santa/you. I bet they are adorable. Any luck getting the pictures posted on a flash drive for me?
Enjoy your time off with step-momma, good that you have enough energy to help her with decorating.

TERRA...how's the feet coming along?

SUSIE...prayers for DH and hoping they find nothing inside. The massages were wonderful. We were a couple limp noodles the rest of the day but managed to make it to lunch and a bit of shopping.

DEE...hope everything is going well for you in your neck of the woods.

CEEG..maybe call the sanitation dept before you rake and ask them to come out on a specific day or what day might they get to your leaves before you rake them. Save time or having to do it over again. Bleh on doing it again.

LAURA...great job on the stairs. I imagine BF put the wrong batteries in the scales if they scales did not say what you wanted them to say...lol

I will post my weekend later, gotta get at it.

Have a marvelous Monday/night.

Annie ~ My blister is getting better each day, Thanks for asking

Good morning girls,

Sort of a foggy / snowy day today. We got a light bit of snow overnight. This is a more typical winter so far (thank GOD!) milder temperatures around average and it might even get a bit warmer later in the week and melt some of this stuff. The bad part is that some of the streets have gotten a bit slick where the sun wasn't shining enough to melt the snow and it packed down as ice. You have to be very careful in the 2 parking spots right in front of the thrift shop - I was helping a lady with donations yesterday and we both were doing that slip slide careful walking. We had enough customers to make it worthwhile to be open yesterday. Also a friend showed up to work with me so it was nice to sit and visit with her too. I was supposed to go for another gym training today early but had to cancel. The cat climbed up on my last night and I crossed my leg in my sleep and hyperextended my knee for the better part of the night. It's very tender right now. I would have gone later this afternoon but they are having their annual holiday party at noon so not only would he be busy but the lot will be no doubt crowded with cars and it's a small lot. I'm hoping I can meet with him on Thursday. Will stop at the gym early on Wednesday before yoga class and get a little extra work out time in. There's an exercise ball workout class at 9 on Thursday - maybe I could see him afterwards which would be great. DH picked me up yesterday and we decided to go out for a burger at a favorite bar. It was the one with our Australian bartender who was not there when we arrived. Turns out we missed her by an hour - she had a family situation and has decided to return to Australia - yesterday was her last day and she asked to leave early. We were bummed out to miss her as we really liked her. We did get her email so at least we will get to say goodbye. She kept her plans quiet and we haven't been there in 3 weeks - had we known we would have made an effort to get to see her one last time.

Terra - glad you foot is feeling better - I guess you just had to stay off of it for a while to heal up. And perhaps you should consider returning the new shoes if they are a bad fit.

Annie - you made me laugh today with your comment about Laura's BF using the wrong batteries since the scale didn't work give the right readout Oh, if only it were that easy, right? Glad you had a nice girl's day out with Sissy. Remember to glug the water after a massage.

Shad - what a total screw up on the class! We had several Indian trainers at my last job. I had a most horrid time trying to keep up with the fast talking and the thick accents. I imagine you get a lot of that by you.

Michelle - how nice that you spend some time with your stepmom. Scrabble is a good way to keep the brain active! Not that you don't have enough going on right now. Enjoy the decorating!

Susie - good thoughts and all for DH's colonoscopy. Hope all goes well. That's a bummer that you are out of time off - he's not had a good year medically but with all the extra time you put in (which I'm sure they are aware of) I'm glad they will work with you on a flexible schedule. It's not like you ever let the ball drop or leave your duties for someone else to deal with. I really loved your advice to Laura about the career changes, volunteering and getting some experience as well as a taste of other things to come. Very sound ideas!

Dee - glad to hear from you again. So sorry to hear about your foot injury. You have such a busy life I can't imagine having to deal with this but then again, life tends to throw us curveballs occasionally. I do agree with you about the importance of wearing shoes. I can't go barefoot anymore and when I see the young girls or anyone for that matter wearing those blasted flip flops, I cringe. A lot of people have stumbled and really hurt themselves with those. Feel better soon!

Ceejay - hope you made some headway with those darned leaves. Yes, I used to hate when we'd clean up the yard, the winds would kick up and the lawn was covered with OTHER PEOPLE's leaves! Looks like it's been on the chilly side down your way. Brrr.

Laura - I'm sure we are posting over each other. I will have to submit this and then catch up with you.

Think I'll go have an egg or two and one of my Florida oranges - or even a grapefruit although I'd prefer the orange. I'll be back later.

Morning all. Quick check in. Our performance self-assessments are due today, so I have to get busy with that.

Happy - I get furious when people waste my time like that gym manager did. He needs to know that's unacceptable, especially if your future sessions are paid ones.

Shad - What a colossal waste of time that training session was. How frustrating.

Terra - Good for you to increase the chair exercises if you can't do any walking.

Susie - I hope DH's colonoscopy goes/went well! I think your employer should be very willing to extend you compensatory time off for all the OT you work, in lieu of the OT pay if that's what it takes.

Annie - Unfortunately, my scale at home has always been very consistent, so it (or the battery) can't take the blame.

Michelle - Hope you're getting your rest. I agree with the others - Even if you wake up feeling great, you still need your recovery time. Enjoy the decorating with your stepmom, minus Santa. Looking forward to the Santa photos.

Dee - So sorry to hear about your foot injury!!! I hope it feels better soon.

Ceejay - Bummer about having to rake twice. I would have thought whatever city department does the pickup in your town has a set schedule...Our village does the curbside sweeping/mulching for several weeks, and after that, they will pick up the leaves in yard waste bags - for free, no paid sticker required. This week is the last week for that, but our tree in back still isn't done dropping leaves. BF will have to rake/blow/bag what he can and that'll be it.

==
I had a good weekend, it just went too quickly.

I did my Jazzercise class on Saturday morning. We did some errands in the afternoon, including buying the paint for the half bath. I did some laundry and the dog walk while bf worked on the half bath.

Saturday night was dinner and seeing a band with friends. Great show - awesome musicians, and quite entertaining in a sometimes theatrical way. The band name is Here Come the Mummies, and they keep their identities a secret - they perform in mummy bandages. Yeh, I know it sounds goofy, but they are great musicians, and I have a feeling that their "day jobs" are high level studio musicians. Annie, they are playing in Indy on NYE!!

Yesterday I did more laundry. I finally got the bed set up with our new quilt set. Bf brought down the outdoor Christmas decorations (from the attic access above the garage). We changed out a couple bulbs from one of the hanging decorations and now we don't have to go out and buy another one to replace it.

We are hosting my side of the family on Christmas Eve and have been mulling what to serve for the main dish at dinner. We definitely won't do turkey, and prefer not to serve ham. Anybody have any ideas? We are thinking of having a rib roast (prime rib). It'll cost a bundle for one that's big enough to feed a group of 9, 4 of which are big eaters, but we want to have something special and different than turkey or ham.

We ordered pizza for dinner yesterday, but when bf was going to pick it up, the car wouldn't start. Grrr. We had the pizza delivered. Bf just learned that the mechanic we used for the last job had an injury and has decided to close up shop. Bf is now researching a new mechanic. Cars are such PITAs!

That's about it for me. Everyone have a great day.

Good morning ladies,

I just had my breakfast (1/3 c. 2% cottage cheese). I bought some little fruit cups of diced peaches in their own juice to eat with my cottage cheese in the morning (per the meal suggestions given to me by my doctor), and since I have to eat protein (cottage cheese) first, I only get to eat 1 or 2 of the diced pieces. One of those little fruit cups has lasted me 4 days and I still have half of it left!! LOL

I usually have yogurt as a mid-morning snack. Lunch is about 1/4 -1/3 c. canned tuna mixed with low-fat mayo with 2 baked Wheat Thins. Yogurt or cottage cheese for a mid-afternoon snack. Then I usually have the same for dinner. Because I'm only able to eat about 1/3 - 1/2 c. at a time, I'm not getting all the protein I need, so after dinner I have a protein shake.

I go back to work a week from Wednesday. Gee time has flown by! I may still have a lot of exhaustion and fatigue (like I'm having now), but at least I only work 3 days and then my company closes down for two weeks for Christmas and New Years! If I'm being honest, I'm really glad my company closes down for Christmas and New Years weeks. I honestly don't' think I'd have enough energy to work a straight 5 days yet. I've been doing WAY too much. But I don't know what to "give up" so I can have time to rest. I've got to get my Christmas shopping done and get packages mailed, and Christmas cards done. I want to support Bob and be there for him. I'm glad I'm having this time to spend visiting Bob and to spend time with my step-mom. I just have to find some balance so I don't get as exhausted. I haven't gone to the gym since Friday, and I really must get there, but I'm listening to my body today and just doing walking.

I'm not going over to my step-mom's until 1 after I drop Santa at day care, and because traffic gets horrendously bad starting at around 3, if I have the energy, I may stay through dinner-time. I know she's enjoying seeing me more often. She's enjoying our Scrabble games. And I know she misses her son (my step-brother who lives in Belize) isn't around for Christmas this year, and since she raised me since I was 10, I think she likes having one of her kids around.

===================
Annie - I'll get the flash drive out to you with your Christmas card. Is that ok? Sorry for the delay sista. Will you miss much work when you have your cone surgery?

Dee - Sorry to hear about your foot injury.

Happy - Your breakfast sounds really yummy! It would be great if you could meet with your trainer after the exercise ball class because then your muscles would be warmed up and ready to go. So sorry you missed seeing your Australian bartender friend. Like your gym, my gym has the grunters. When I'm working out with my trainer, I don't grunt...I just say profanities when I get to complete muscle fatigue. Not ladylike I know, but oh well. I'm looking forward to getting back to strength training. As for the snorer in Yoga, I've done that once or twice. Very embarassing.

Susie - I hope your DH's colonscopy goes well today. Bummer that you are out of time off, but I'm so glad that your boss is willing to work with you...you're always going above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks for the kind reminder that I have had major surgery and should listen to my body.

Shad - Bummer that your training was so useless. Training can be exhausting. Useless training is even worse. Sigh.

Terra - Good for you for doing chair exercises. I hope you're able to get back to your walking soon.

Ceejay - So frustrating when you rake and get the lawn all clear and then a bit of wind blows and it's covered within 1/2 hour.

Laura - I hear ya' on the career changes. I've had more than my share of job changes in the last few years, and I'm really hoping to stay in my current job for several years. I'd also like to work with animals (either as a vet tech - since I'm too old to spend years in vet school, or at a doggie day care, or something like that). Problem is, that would be a HUGE cut in pay. In my existing career, my skills aren't as fine-tuned as recent college grads, but I've got decades of practical work experience on my side. The other chicks have given you great suggestions about volunteering, or working part time or whatever. That sucks your car won't start AND your mechanic closed up shop. I'm so grateful that even after moving away for 12 years, my great mechanic from back then is still in business. Hopefully I won't need his help anytime soon though. Good luck with the performance self-assessment. I've always hated doing those.

I'm going to sign off, download the photos from DropBox so I can see how big of a Flash Drive I need to use, and try and start on my Christmas letter.

I really, really don't know how to thank you all for the love, support and encouragement you've given me.

Much love and really big hugs to all,

Whoopity do da, they came and got the leaves. I called again this morning. He hemmed hawd around but late this afternoon I heard the truck. I mulched most of the leaves that blew back into the yard with the lawn mower. Told him that I would call every day that the leaves were not picked up. He saw me out working a couple of times this afternoon. Guess he was waiting for me to get through.

-------
Shad
I thought you were supposed to be the trainer! Yeah for telling them to be quiet. Someone had to.

Michelle
It's always fun to help someone else decorate for Christmas. Could you go see your friend three times per week instead of every day. You really need to rest some more. I'm proud of the fact that you have started your exercise again.

Susie
I hope that DH's colonoscopy went well today.

Terra
As daddy used to say you must go to bed with the chickens to be able to get up at 4 a.m. and have enough sleep. I got up at my regular time this morning, answered a couple of text and said I'm going back to bed. It's my last day of freedom. Slept till 10 a.m.

Laura
Yum on the prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner.

Happy ~ Someone on 3FC said to wear my new shoes around the house to break them in so I'm gonna try that first and then if I still get blisters, I'll return them if its not too late at that time.

Laura ~ Thanks, I thought it was a good idea to increase my chair exercises until I can do my walking dvd again.

Michelle ~ Thanks for commenting on doing my chair exercises but I hope to get back to walking soon too.

Ceejay ~ I've never heard of that saying, Thanks for telling me about it. What do you mean its your last day of freedom?

Good Morning Peeps!

TERRA....I wouldn't even try the shoes again and maybe get a blister. I would just take them back or exchange them. Why submit yourself to another shot at a blister? Maybe get a wide shoe or go a half size bigger. That is what I do on most shoes anyway. It feels so much better.

CEEG...victory on the leaf pick up. Bout time. We don't have leaf pick up but thank God we do not have many leaves either.

CHELLE...TAKE CARE OF YOU FIRST, otherwise you will be in no position to visit/help others. RNY is a MAJOR surgery even tho it doesn't necessarily feel like it. Recovery time is important for you, more than ever. Slow down and get your rest, and give your body time to heal. Do you want to end up back in the hospital? I think not. Ok, lecture over. Hugs...xoxo

LAURA...sounds like you should be wrapping up the half bath before too long now. Are you talking about the bathroom just off the living room? As for suggestions for Christmas dinner...I am serving Mexican, Christmas Tacos. lol, just enough red and green in there for the holidays.

HAPPY...your winter sounds similar to ours, only without the inches of snow, but the slipping and sliding in the mornings, I certainly can relate to as the driver's here think it means go faster and drive even more idiotic. I call them bastroids, that is a cross between B*st*rds and hemrroids. ba haha. Have you chatted with the trainer yet? Or do you want me to?

SHADDIE...hope they are not holding you hostage. YIKES.

Hellos to DEE and SUSIE..

In the lobby today they had tenant appreciation day with Starbucks coffee, hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Donuts from Long's bakery. I forewent the donuts but did have some apple cider. Google Long's baker in Indy. People come from all around to buy them and even stand in lines to get them. Frankly, I do not see the attraction, but then again I do not like donuts or sweets really.

Yesterday was my 3 mo anniversary here at WF. I am still loving the job and my co-workers. One co-worker came by today to get me to go down to the lobby for goodies. Surprised me as we normally only say good morning to each other every day. How nice was that?

We got our tree up, I got a real bargain for it at Menards (hardware). It is a 5 1/2 foot (I like them short and fat) tree. Really full. $14.94, pretty cheap for a real tree around here. Have not lighted it or decorated it yet as I want to get more lights first. It is really pretty tho. I will try to post it later after it is decorated. Had to get another stocking for the window for Royce as he didn't come til March after the holiday last year.

Church was amazing last Sunday. It was about peace and the birth of Jesus. The entire month revolves around the birth of Jesus at church, but the biggest thing that happened was Curtis rededicated his life to the Lord and went up front to be prayed over, I went with him as did my friend Betty who introduced us to the church. The entire time Pastor Kris was talking to C and then praying over him, I bawled like a big baby. So touching and my heart was swollen with love.

Guess I better get busy, my boss will be here soon.

Hugs.

DEE....my siggie line is after I had Bariatric surgery. My doc wants me around 175-180, and that is where I feel good. So I need to lose about 30-35 lbs to get back to that. I suppose I need a new siggie line, however I was so proud of that one. lol. Sorry about your friend being so pressuring to you on the missionary trip. How NOT christain she is by treating you that way. If I were you I would find another place to sit for the gala. I have no plans for parties, dances or galas this year. So I will wear my sweats. haha. Hope things get better for you all the way around. Hugs