:wave: Good morning chickies, I feel so much better today. I slept through the night which always helps. Still not 100% but getting there.
oneday- sounds like fun to get away. I wish I could. You sound like you are doing well on SB. I am with you with that exercise thing. I just can't seem to get myself movitated to do it.

Hal- I get those dang chocolate cravings too. My one weakness. Have a great day.

To the rest of you chickies have a great day as well. Stay OP all.

:grouphug: :dance: :dancer:

Hello Ladies,
We'll I just got back from a big craft show that they are putting on across the street at one of the downtown churches. WE'll the only things I bought was food.... they had all kinds of homemade cookies, cakes, muffins, cassroles.... and of course all kinds of samplings.... Of course when it's free, i'm going to sample, besides that I was hungary...I didn't eat breakfast.

LittleChick - glad to hear your feeling better..

Hope everyone is having a great day!

good evening
 

Good news on my DMiL. She is sitting up and talking and off the ventilator :bravo: She was asking for her slippers and her walker--we were surprised.

I need to get serious on being back OP.

LC--glad you're feeling better!

Hal--thanks for the neat graphics and notes.

Mooz--love the pix. Sure that whether you keep "working" or not, you'll make good use of your time.

Hard to keep up with everyone with job, family health problems etc. Sorry.

Oh--going to see podiatrist Fri. Heel spur really acting up, and hard to make myself walk as I should.

Best to all--
Catlover

Hi everyone --

One of these days, I will post an uplifting positive post again. I promise. I'm just not sure when that will be. I feel so bad to always post "downer" messages... but then I feel bad when I don't check in.

DM's spirits have been up lately. The people at her senior complex threw her a party yesterday to show her much she is loved by all of them. She used to be the activities coordinator there, and then she did the activities newsletter even after they got a new coordinator. They all just adore her. She felt so special, and she so enjoyed getting out. She had to take her portable oxygen of course. She doesn't go anywhere without oxygen anymore. Last night she went over to my sister's. It was my sister's birthday. My DM's breathing is very labored and her cough is bad. Her hospice doctor feels she might be around for Thanksgiving....He feels she has about 6 weeks. Hospice comes about 3 times a week now, as she can still do most things for herself.

Last night, I received a call from my DF and step-mother that his cancer markers have more than doubled in the last month to well over 1,000 (the cancer is just running rampant in his body), and the dr. said there is nothing more that can be done, and it may not be much longer. They are meeting with hospice today to see what can be done in terms of making him comfortable. Some family members are making arrangements to fly out, but since I was just there, I won't be going out again. It was difficult talking to him knowing that I won't see him again. But I said to him to try and stay happy and comfortable and enjoy the time he has left. I think he is still in shock because he has always held out hope for getting better and all that he would do when he got better. I could also sense his pain at having to leave those he loves. I held it together more or less on the phone, but when I got off the phone I just sobbed and sobbed.

How difficult it must be to hear from your doctor that there is nothing more that can be done, but here are some medications and some people (hospice) who can try and make you feel comfortable in your remaining days, weeks or months (who knows?).

Even though I knew this was a reality, and an eventuality, there's something about the cancer markers skyrocketing and the doctor saying "nothing more can be done" that hits you like a freight train. And now this is the situation with both my parents. :-(

It looks like I will likely be making two more trips probably before the first of the year. Not ones I'm looking forward to...but I'll be able to support and find support in the rest of my family members.

Again, chicks, I'm so sorry for the "downer" posts. I do appreciate tremendously your love and support and friendship through this very difficult year. And I will post uplifting posts again someday -- I promise.

Love and :angel: :angel: to all of you

And since I woke up at 3:15 and couldn't get back to sleep -- crying -- I'm going to now try and get an hour or two of sleep before heading off to work.

Good Morning Chickies - sorry I have not been posting for a few days but I never seem to have enough time these days.
I went linedancing last night and it was great so I had a good workout. I really did not want to go as I was tired but I am so glad now that I did. It's funny how exercising sometimes gives you more energy:?: I noticed last night that some of the linedancers had lost some weight and were looking great. I always feel so motivated when I see someone else who has lost weight. I think to myself "That's it - I am going to lose this weight once and for all" Why can I not hold that feeling for longer than a few hours ..........maybe that's what I need to try and keep in my mind - the thought of how wonderful someone else looks when they have lost weight and are in great shape......... the thought that I too could look better if my clothes were a better fit and I had not got this big blob of fat sitting in front of me:(
I am off today - I have 4 days leave to take and I am going to take them off on Thursdays.
I have already been for a 2 mile walk this morning. It is a beautiful morning ........... sunny, breezy, cool and dry............. perfect for walking. I was deliberately walking through the leaves just to hear the russle of them.
It is 10 weeks till Christmas!! I have lost count of the number of years that I thought I would lose weight for Christmas and never did. So how could I make this one different? I am maintaining at this weight and have done so for the past few years. So all I really need to do is up the exercise a bit, cut down on the food a bit and drink my water. 10 weeks .......... I could lose 1 pound per week maybe 2 if I a lucky :D That would be the perfect Christmas present to myself. We always aim to give other people exactly what they want for Christmas so what is stopping us from giving ourselves something that we have always wanted :cool:
So far today I am feeling good and in control ........... mind you it is only 10.40AM!! Feeling in control is the best feeling ever ......... I wish I could bottle this feeling and use it when I need it. I wonder if I made an imaginery bottle and put some into it could I us it later ....................


Michelle - we are always here for support and we care about you and you are in our thoughts through this very difficult time in your life.

Thin -you asked about webshots. You can post a limited number of pictures on webshots free once you register. I started off doing that but then I paid a small fee to add more pictures. I can't remember just how much but it was not a lot.

Catlover - glad your MIL is getting a bit better.

Patty - we will let you off this time with the sampling seeing as you had no breakfast ..........

Littlechick - glad you are feeling better.

Halgal - great pic of Hal and friends. mmmmm ........that recipe sounds delicious!

Chacha – I must try and find out when Dr Phil is on – not sure if our programmes are up to date though.

Nita – you will soon be on your way to PA and Ohio – have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Mej – where have you gone to? We have not heard from you for a long time – I hope all is well with you.

Tammy, Jodie and anyone else I have missed I hope all is well with you too.



I wonder what Ralphy Boy has got in store for us today ..........




Truly best

The easiest thing to do when the alarm clock rings would be to roll over and go back to sleep. Yet if you made that choice every day you would never get anything accomplished.
The easiest thing to do when troubles come your way would be to look for someone else to blame. Yet even if you find who is to blame, that's not going to remedy the situation.

The easiest thing to do when faced with a challenge would be to run away and hide. Yet when you do that, the challenge becomes even more difficult the next time you encounter it, and eventually you'll be unable to avoid it.

Taking the easy way out is never really easy, not in the long run. Rather than seeking the easiest choice, seek the choice that will fill your life and your world with the most value.

Rather than avoiding effort, welcome that effort and the progress it will bring. Instead of being enticed by the empty promises of an easy answer, enjoy the rich rewards of holding out for the best answer.

When you have the choice, forget what is easiest and go with what is truly best.

-- Ralph Marston

good evening
 

Michelle--

Please feel free to vent to us. That must be so sad to lose both dear parents so close together. Anything we can do to help you hold it together, please just ask.

Mooz--sounds like some good practical ideas. Oh, I read an ad you might think funny. It was for quite an attractive ring with a Celtic design--and the ad said something like "from Ireland, the land that never changes." I thought that was pretty silly and ignorant.

WI in this morning, and down 2 lb! ACtually, I don't think it was really that much, as I had been fasting for a fasting blood sugar, and so I think probably a pound of that was "real" loss.

I seem so scatter-brained lately. Just remembered I was supposed to take my glucometer over to get it tested at the same time. Darn. Am I just getting old? But then look at Nita, I think she gets more done than 2 or three of us "youths." (Note: I am getting hard up on 60).

So where is everyone else?

Goodafternoon Ladies,

I was at a conference yesterday & boy did I do bad... First of all I skipped breakfast, so when I saw the pastries I couldn't resist. Seems like the rest of day when downhill from there. But the funny thing is this morning when I got on the scale, looks like I lost a lb. What is with that? Also this morning I was not feeling too good, sinsus were bothering me, so for lunch I had some chicken soup... this is the first time I have had pasta (noodles) in a long time. Umm good...

Mitchellez - I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. Don't worry about having to post a uplifting post or no post at all. We are here for you. Wish we could do more. Keeping your parents & you in my prayers..

Cat - glad to hear you MIL is doing better. I also have to make a appointment with my podiatrist. I just got work that my insurance will pay for my orthordics... that save me about $ 400.00 WTG on your 2 lb loss

Mooz - Now Mooz, you need to change your way of thinking... no negative talk... You need to tell yourself that you are doing the best you can in terms of food & exercise & that you will make daily improvements... I'm not really sure what you are suppose to say, but everything I have read says don't talk negative to yourself...

Thin, LittleChick, Mej, Nita, Hal, Jodie, Chacha - Hope you all are having a great day!

1day--congrats on the loss!!

I think what it means is that you are changing you habits, and so even the occasional slip-up does not undo your new lifestyle.

Hi chickies. Just checking in before bed on sunday night. Thought I was on the mend then woke up this morning with a sore throat. Go figure. Seems quite around here lately. I find it hard to get in here to post some days. Michelle, I can't even imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I cried when I read your post. Please take care of yourself and remember that each day you have with your parents is a gift and make the most of it. Say all the things you need to. Take care of yourself.

Good Morning chickies - the weekend is gone again! My eating was not good at all this weekend and I feel fat. I wouldn't dare weigh myself when I feel like this - too depressing. Why is it such a struggle to just maintain even though I really want to lose. Then with just one weekend of overeating I can actually feel the weight coming on me. Why can I never feel it coming off when I am being good? I guess I am not being good enough. So here we are ............ another Monday another attempt at getting rid of some flab. Today I will drink plenty of water and cut down drasticsally on the treats. I think I was stressed out a bit as Orla was away to Dublin to visit her boyfriend and she was travelling alone on trains and the travel time was 5 hours each way. I worry too much .................

Halgal - I sent you a PM about Hal Ketchum appearing on a live TV show from Belfast - did you get it?
I see there is a thread for teachers .......... Summerlover - one of the girls I was talking to in the journals has started it - so you might be interested in it.

Littlechick - hope you are feeling better by now.

Patty - congratulations on losing YGG

Catlover - I can fully understand about being scatterbrained - I feel the same lots of times!

Michelle, Nita, Tammy, Chacha, Jodie, Mej - hope you get to post soon.


Gotta go now


I see Ralphy Boy has come up trumps again ...........




Feeling great

Do you want to just feel good? Or would you prefer to truly feel great?
It can feel good to overindulge. Yet it can feel great to enjoy the lasting rewards that come through practicing discipline and restraint. It can feel good to be lazy, lounging around and doing nothing. Yet it can feel truly great to invest your time in creative, effective, productive efforts.

It can feel good to win an argument. Yet it can feel great to develop a mutual understanding with, and true respect for another person.

It can feel good to live for today, abandoning all your responsibilities for the pleasures of the moment. Yet it can feel truly great to live fully in the moment while remaining responsible to the positive possibilities that the future will bring.

Rather than living for the fleeting pleasure of feeling good, fill each moment with meaning, integrity, responsibility, discipline and love. Then you'll know the lasting joy of truly feeling great.

-- Ralph Marston

Hi Chicks --

We had a very sunny weekend, with temps in the mid to upper 60s. Saturday, we drove around looking for fall colors and took a few pictures -- though none that compare with Thin's photo. We also stumbled upon an apple and pumpkin farm having a harvest festival. The apples looked fabulous, so we got a bag of those. The pumpkins had been on the ground though and looked a little "turned" -- and were a bit pricey for the quality so we passed on those and opted to keep looking. They did have some jars of fabulous homemade pumpkin butter with free samples -- yummy. They also had lots of other crafts and food items and games for kids. We didn't stay long though as we also wanted to get the dogs to the dog park.

They had a great time at the dog park! Their other Schnauzer friend, Hans, showed up just after we arrived and the three of them frolicked and wrestled together. Then they ganged up and chased a Boxer, a Bouvier des Flandres (http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/bouvdfla.cfm), a yellow lab, and then the three of them played with a Miniature Pinscher (I think) and had a grand time running and chasing all around. It's just so funny to see the big dogs' expressions as these three Schnauzers run at them from all sides in a coordinated "attack". (ha ha ha)

After the dog park, we went to a nursery by our house that was selling pumpkins and bought 4 really nice ones.

I spoke with my step-brother, my step-mom and DF, and I'm so grateful I went out to see my dad when I did. He has taken a dramatic turn for the worse just in the two weeks since I left. He now doesn't have the strength to talk much at all, and my step-brother says that his mind is really going and he's making less and less sense. Apparently he doesn't get out of bed much at all anymore, he's losing a lot more weight, and he hasn't eaten solid food in days -- maybe a little applesauce and a little custard, but mostly drinking Ensure, but not even much of that. Even when I was there it was difficult to encourage him to eat or drink anything. My step-brother really feels that my dad's systems are beginning to slowly shut down.

I think my step-mother might be aware of it too, but doesn't want to admit it, which of course is understandable. She says she wants to see if a friend of theirs has a rollaway bed they can put in the room where my dad is sleeping (he's been sleeping downstairs for several months and hospice has brought in a hospital bed) so she can be by his side day and night. I feel so bad for her. This is so hard on her. It's hard on all of us, but especially for her. Thank God my step-mom and my Dad have so many friends that are such great support for them (especially her) right now.

Based on having seen many other people go through this process, my step-brother seems to feel my dad could pass fairly soon....maybe in the next week or two. Even the doctor said last week that my dad won't make it until Thanksgiving, and he'll likely pass in the next week or two or three. And after listening to what my step-brother and step-mom have said and after speaking with my dad the past couple times, I really think they're probably right. The phone call could come any time. It's so hard to think of this and really feel the reality of this...I always thought my mom was doing worse than my dad. He's just had this rapid decline. It's hard, but all things considered, I'm doing fairly well -- not great, but okay -- able to get through the day and do what I need to do, at least most of the time anyway. I do worry about my step-mom though. I worry about her a lot.

I'm so very grateful that I was able to see my dad while he was alert and aware at least some of the time. Thank God.

Well, I'd better get to work.

RE: Post for Mooz...!!!
 

http://www.imgag.com/product/full/ap...0/graphic1.jpg
I only have time to say a few words to Mooz, as I am looking at less than 5 hours of sleep.

Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,

You have NO idea how you have added a much needed bright spot to my day, my week!!! Hang in there... I am right there with you in dealing with temptation. TOM has arrived and I've indulged in Dove chocolate. Yum......!! I feel instantly fat also. I do so very much understand. It takes me a month to lose 5 pounds if I am very lucky. I can gain 5 pounds in a weekend.

I did not know the news you shared, and have shared it with other US Hal Ketchum fans. You are the best.
:flow1: :flow2: :flow1:

HI chickies quick post as it is rainy and cold here and I have two of my two year olds that are toilet training. Please send me strength. Love to ya all.