Hi, all--

Just a short one to say I'm back and will read posts later. We had a great time and the facials were lovely. We're taking the train to Portland (Oregon) on Sunday so I will be gone again until Wednesday.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Haven't had much time to post this week. Busy at work and getting DH ready to go to Munich on Monday. I've continued to exercise but am not showing any weight loss...just a pound or so back and forth, back and forth..ugh :(

Willow: Congratulations on your 3# loss:cp: I'm so happy for you. Hope everything went well for you yesterday.

Sheila: So glad you enjoyed the facial. I bet that's so relaxing. Hope that you have a good trip to Oregon. Travel safely.

Bluet: What fun to have your grandson spend some time with you! That's such a cute age! I would love to have grandchildren. Neither of the boys are married. The oldest is in a serious relationship. With any luck I might become a grandmother before I'm old and senile:D: This cold weather is getting old. I'm afraid it's going to be a long winter. Hope you'll be able to get your garden pictures posted.

Sunny: The elliptical sounds like it gives a good workout. We're getting a new machine at Curves next week...the glute. That will give us 10 machines.
Are you sick of snow yet???

Angel: It's good that your DD had her sister to go with her and help her get settled. I know how hard it is to have a child so far from home. Our DS lives in Colorado. We only get to see him a few times a year. Luckily our younger one is here at home yet. I don't think he'll ever leave this area.

Puss: That is so like me...do well with eating all day and then come home and blow it as I'm making dinner. I wouldn't be able to follow the Atkins diet either. Glad things are going better with your mother's phone calls.

Do any of you do scrapbooking? A friend of mine has done some beautiful ones. They have such pretty paper and accessories. I think when DH is away to keep myself occupied I'm going to try my hand at it. I have pictures and souvenirs from the cruise we took last year for our 30th anniversary.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Take care,
Kate

http://www.freefever.com/graphics/gif1902/cart083.gifHi friends.......sounds like everyone is fighting the cold weather....us too!!

SunnyD...love the calendar! Sorry you feel bloated. I'm sure it's the IBS...it happens to the twins a lot. Trina's got to where she has such bad stomach pains, she can barely stand it. Yet, she won't watch her diet!

Bluet...good to hear from you. You don't need a digital camera for pics. It's just better.

1. scan your pic & save in file as jpeg...I use "my documents"

2. Go to your pic & right click...go to "open with"...photostudio & left click. At the top of the page click on "edit" ...then on resize image...& make it the size you want. Click ok. Then go to top..to "file"..click..."save as"...(make sure it's on .jpeg) click....& you're ready to post in your message!

3. when you post your message, go to the bottom of screen where it says "manage attachments"...& click

4. a box will pop up with a message saying "browse"...click

5. find your pic & click on "open"

6. it will bring you back to the box with the url in it...click on "upload"

7. close the window (little box) & send the post as usual.

That's all there is to it. You can send up to five in one post. I may have told you some things you already know...wasn't sure. I have XP...so, ask me anytime...glad to help. Good luck!

Katey...glad you get to see DS a few times a year. Since DD married SIL, we've seen them about once a year. A couple of times it was longer than that. Their son was born in Germany...we didn't see him until he was almost 6 mos old. Chris was in the army when they met. Had planned to retire as his dad did. With this war, though, he's fearing he may leave Gina a widow & the kids without a dad...so, he's getting out this time. He's been in for about 10 yrs.

Sheila...good to hear from you. Glad you're having a good time with DD. I did the same with mine...only we did our nails, instead of facials. It was in the plans...but, shopped til we dropped! :D Enjoy!

Fatpuss...you made me hungry for Spaghetti & Garlic Bread! Don't have any...but, I'm making swiss steak & baked potatoes....smelling good. How are things with your mom? Is she sticking with the every-other-day plan? I hope so.

Willow...I've been thinking of you today. Let us know how you are, & the findings soon as you can.

Hello to Jacquie, & Loodie....hope all is well. http://www.freefever.com/graphics/gif1902/cart003.gif

It's finally done
 

Yesterday was quite a day.
I had to be at one place at 6:45 AM to have blood drawn for various tests the Dr ordered, plus I was asked to be in 2 clinical studies at Mayo, one for breast cancer and one for ovarian cancer, and they said I didn't need to make a special trip to have blood drawn for the studies, just whenever I had blood drawn for something else they would take 3 or so more vials for the genetic testing for the studies.
Well, I have awful veins to get blood from, and they usually end up taking it from my hand.
When I got there, I told the girl who was going to take my blood about my veins. Well, she tried in my arm anyway and got into a vein right away. I was soooo happy. Then, as she got about halfway through, she moved a bit and quit getting blood, so she asked another woman to come and help her by handing her the vials. The other one came in and after a couple minutes she said to me, " Why would you agree to be in a study when you have such stingy veins??" She said it in a degrading way too, like I was stupid. I just said, " well, I figured you had to take blood for tests that my DR ordered anyway, so once you were in there you could just fill a couple more." The girl who was taking my blood told me not to pay any attention to her, then the crabby one said, " No, I was just picking on you a little."
Then I had to rush back a couple of blocks to take an elevator up to the 9th floor of another building, (this walking is all done in a subway) and be there by 7 AM for the colonoscopy and the endoscopy.
They didn't even start till eight o'clock.
I know that some people have no memory of their colonoscopy's, but I'm not one of them. It hurt. And that's all I'm going to say on that subject. Obviously it doesn't kill you, because I'm still here.
The endoscopy was a breeze.
I don't have the results yet from the CT scan of my abdomen, but my DR had the results of the rest of my tests by the time of my appt. with him.
Total cholesterol. HDL, LDL,and triglycerides are fantastically down to normal!! I was sooo very happy! My way of eating and exercise are paying off! Now if I can just get my weight to keep falling as well, I'll be setting pretty. I'll be getting a letter from him with the results of all the tests in a few days. I don't remember the specific numbers of all of them right now, thanks to the anesthesia they gave me.
There was one polyp removed from the colon, but it was very, very tiny so the DR is quite confident it is benign, but has to wait for the pathology report.
My hip exray shows the bone to be normal, so, we're still where we were last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, .....

When we got done at Mayo it was 3 PM, so we went to Old Country Buffet to eat. I was starving because I hadn't eaten since Wednesday at 6 PM, so I had a couple bites of lots of things. And I didn't feel a bit guilty about it either. Mostly meats and salads, and 1 slice of cinnamon bread, and some dessert with a couple spoons of ice cream on them.

I was exhausted and went to bed very early last night.

I got up this morning about 7 AM and did 45 minutes of exercise with the WATP tape, which I probably shouldn't have done because of the warning from the nurses about not putting any pressure on that spot where the biopsy was done. But, I feel just fine, so no harm done.

I had a big old fashioned breakfast this morning as is customary for me on weekends.

We had snow here yesterday and I couldn't get my snowblower going last time and I knew better than to press my luck by lifting shovelfuls of snow, so I called for my grandson to shovel it for money, but he was busy so my son came and did it. He's so good to me. I felt funny having him do it because he won't take any pay for it, and I'd have to pay anyone else. But, he says, "You're my mother and I expect to do things for you."

Well, it looks as though some of our girls have come back to the fold. ;) We missed you Bonnie, Sheila, Kate and Sunny.
I'm glad you're all doing well.

I was reading your description of your elliptical machine, and I think it's like what 've been waffling about for a while. I can't decide if it's that I want to get or what is called a gym, which has the pull-down bars for your abs and laterals, and leg-lifts and butterfly's. I want to have variety here. :D

Charlotte, aren't you just too cool, getting hit on by a young whipper-snapper! Is your ego still inflated? Man! What a compliment!
I'm so happy for you that you got to spend special time with your daughter.

Kate, glad you're still posting. Don't give up on your plan. You'll come out of your funk before you know it and take off again.
I know it gets discouraging sometimes, but, if we keep with it, in a years time, we will be much healthier than we are today, whereas, if we give up and quit, we'll still be as bad off or worse than we are today. Besides, I want so bad for all of us to be successful.
I think it's all trial and error anyway, don't you? Each time we have a bad day or week, we can take something from that and learn from it.
That's why I'm keeping a journal of everything I eat and drink and how much exercise or activity I have in a day.
I noticed this past week for 2 days I was hungry a lot, and I think, looking back on it now, that I was worried about those tests I was going to have. So, if I get an overwhelming urge to eat now, I'll have to stop and take a look at what's going on in my life or job.
Sometimes exercise does that to you also. Makes you hold a couple pounds of fluids for a few days.
Please keep trying. Come here and talk it out when you feel discouraged.
I've never done any scrapbooking, but I want to find some crafts to do after I'm retired. Don't have a clue as to what yet, though. I'm really not an artsy-craftsy person.

I better post this just in case it's too long. More coming.....

Me again, ...
 

Sheila, glad to see you didn't dump us. :lol: I was really getting worried about Dad this past couple of days. Glad everything is ok and you've just been having fun with your daughter.

Bonnie, sounds like you've been having fun watching your little grandson. They are so precious and you really miss them when they go home.

I bet he's a hit at work!
Do you have to pay extra when you are on the internet? I mean, is your phone bill and internet bill two separate bills, or do you get charged a long distance fee when you're on the internet? I don't know how a phone modem works because I have a cable modem.

I know what you're saying about a loss of jobs. It's getting really bad. I can't imagine what another 4 years is going to bring. And who knows how far beyond that?

Kate, where do you live? Rochester, what? MN. , NY., .....?

Puss, how are you doing? I hope it's working out still with every other day with your mother.
I can imagine how you feel. Like you're being disloyal to your mother if you say something, yet wishing you HAD said something when it gets so aggravating. I bet the mister is a lot happier though. :D
What is spaghetti bolognaise? Sounds good to me, even though I don't know what it is. Isn't it funny how names of foods can make them sound appealing? I thought it would be so with a pomegranate, but, not so! ICK!

Well, I need to get going. There's another place I need to post on tonight and I'm getting tired.
Everyone take care and stay warm. See ya!

http://www.wholesalecountrygiftware....bearbottle.gifFor you Willow...sounds like all turned out well...so far!! Sorry you felt pain, though! I've heard that some do. So far, I don't remember anything about anything! I'm sure the remainder of the tests will be equally good!
My veins are very tiny. They always dread seeing me come....especially for Remicade. My nurse, Kathy, drunk diet Pepsi til I started coming for treatments. Now, she's on regular Pepsi. :lol: Says she has special prayer at church before I'm due in. She doesn't want to hurt me. The catheder is larger than my veins! :o I think she gets worked up worse than I do! :D Last Monday I don't think the little nurse at my regular check up really believed me when I warned her. Took 5 tries! I'm black & blue on both arms. Said she wouldn't do it a 6th time...would send me to the hospital for it. :D They want to put in a port....I don't want one.
I don't think it was such a big deal with the waiter! Nice to be noticed, though. Losing weight can pay off...& getting nails done...& keeping hair blonde...& bellbottoms........oh well :dizzy: I DID leave a nice tip! :lol: I have a pic of me in my bellbottoms on my homepage...need to take a pic of what I wore Tuesday....maybe soon! ;)

Take care of yourself. Hope all have a good evening. http://www.eakles.com/29farmanimated.gif

Hi Everyone,

The sun just came out here. Hooray! the wind is coming off Lake Michigan though and that usually means SNOW. Ugh. It snowed this morning while we were in church, more shoveling to do. Well if we have to put up with it then so be it, it is good for the crops.

I took GS back to Green Bay yesterday. He was all hyped to see Mom and Dad and his Brothers. What a cutie he is. They are so sweet at that age. I told him that I thought I would have to cry when he left and he said don't worry Grandma, I'll come back another day.

I went to work yesterday afternoon and caught up a little with my work. Then I brought some home so I can be timely for the accountant tomorrow. I can't get the bank statement to work, so I said h***, with it I'll go do something I would rather do. So here I am. Accountant is not going to be too happy with me. I'll go look at it some more later, sometimes when you come back to it it just clicks. "sometimes"

I was watching a little bit of Tradings Spaces yesterday too. The homes were located in Minnesota. Geniveve Gorder (?) was one of the designers. She was immitating how people in the upper midwest talk. What a hoot she was. I guess we do sound like that, with our long o's and empahsis on the ending r's. I know, yes I am easily entertained, after all I am looking forward to the next Survivor. On second thought may be not, if Richard Hatch is going to be on the next survivor in the buff no less.

I have not gotten into to any excercise program since before Christmas. I need help, I always need someone to lead me kicking and screaming to the treadmill, and I have not ever met anyone brave enough to try it. I have not gained any weight since I lost those twenty pounds since May of last year. I have not lost anymore either. I hope I can keep the strength and have the will power never to see that weight come back again. Also I am nearing a pretty big milestone in my life and I am excited about that too. On February 6th it will be one year since I decided not to ever drink alcohol again. Some days it sure would be wonderful to have a glass of white wine, but I don't need it. I have to wait until May 11th before it is one year since I gave up sugar and white flour. I can't believe I made it all the way through the holidays without eating chocolate or Christmas cookies. Chocolate was practically my mainstay in the evenings. When things bothered me my motto was EAT CHOCOLATE! I am absolutely amazed, I never believed I had the will power to last with out those things in my life.

I guess, I am going to put my pride aside and bite the bullet and try to post those garden pictures. Thank you Charlotte, for all your help. Did you ever think of teaching computer classes? You would be really good. Of course, you would have to find some time, but I am not sure where you could fit it in with your busy schedule.

The pictures, if they work is my perennial flower beds on the west side of our house. I have Japanese Irises, pink and white cone flowers, meadow sweet, bee balm, lillys, chrysanthemums, black-eyed susans, hostas, grasses, etc and a small pond with a little waterfall. Today everything is covered under a couple of feet of snow. Spring will be here soon. The days are starting to get longer already.

Take care everyone.

Bluet

Well, what you know, will miracles never cease. Have a good Monday everyone. Back to the books. Yes I just made myself unhappy. Bye.

Bluet

A busy Sunday
 

I was up late last night so I didn't get up until 8:30 this morning. What a lazy bones!
I did 45 minutes of exercise doing the 3-mile WATP tape.
Then I had breakfast and made out my menu for the coming week.
Then I started doing laundry, and while the first load was washing I went to the store and got some cereals, fruits, vegetables and chicken breasts and low fat ham.

I usually buy vegetables by the bag, frozen, but decided to try buying fresh and then cleaning and cutting them up and freezing them myself.
Then, I was just about out of my mixed cereals, so I bought some of them again and mixed them. I get a few different kinds and mix them together. I have a couple different kinds of wheat bran flakes, some oat bran flakes, some Kashi Good Friends, and some cheerios. I like to eat my cereal dry when I have it mixed, then have some fruit with it.
Anyway, I spent my afternoon cleaning and cutting veggies, mixing cereals and putting them in tupperware containers, and doing laundry.
I also put a couple chicken breasts in the crockpot with some calorie free bar-b-cue sauce and onions to make bar-b-cue sandwiches out of later in the week.

I was so busy I forgot to eat lunch, and before I knew it, it was 5:30 PM. I just had my supper at 6 PM. Had a big chefs salad with a chicken breast that I grilled with garlic and creole seasoning and cut up. Also had some toast and green tea with it. I didn't realize I was hungry until I started eating.

Awwww, Charlotte, thank you! You are so thoughtful!
Yes, the mammogram was negative for cancer too, so now I'm just waiting on the last 2 tests. Maybe I'll get the report this week sometime. He sends me a report on everything that was done.
Gosh, Charlotte, I hate to think of you having to go through that every time they need to do the Remicade treatment. Why won't you let them put in a port? I just think it would make it so much easier for you. I think you suffer enough with that mean illness you have.
Hey, I'd sure think it was a big deal if I were in your shoes with that waiter! It HAD to make you feel great!

Bonnie, don't feel bad about your snow, ... we've got 3 to 6 inches coming tonight. :( I hope it isn't real bad in the morning. I had my son shovel for me yesterday, but I'll have to do it myself if it snows tonight. I don't want to miss anymore work for a while now.
I bet you do miss your little sweety GS.
The work thing will all work out. Maybe that is all you needed was a break away from it.
I never got into any of that Survivor stuff. In fact I very seldom watch TV, except for the news.
I sure hope you can get back inthe groove with your exercising. I always feel better when I'm doing it. Or, rather, after I'm done. It's getting easier to do lately too, so I must be getting in better shape. A little bit anyway.
That's great though that you haven't gained any of the lost weight back. So, you must be doing SOMETHING right.
And CONGRATULATIONS on your abstinence from both alcohol and sugar and white flour. So, you see, you really ARE strong.
You'll get back in the swing of things soon. I have faith in you.
Bonnie, your flowers are absolutely beautiful! You have a wonderfully beautiful setting where you live.
I wonder if my flowers will be alive this coming spring. We've had hardly any snow for insulation for them.

My last load of clothes is in the dryer now. I need to get my stuff rounded up for work tomorrow too.
Take care all.

Minnesota weather today,
 

Todays post will be early and short. I have to shovel sidewalks and driveway, plus I have to go in to work early all week which means I have to go to bed early in order to get up early.

Today was a typical work day. Nothing exciting happening.

We've had about 4 inches of fluffy snow so far today. It is suppose to let up for a while about 6 pm, and then another couple inches over night.
I'm going out about 6 o'clock to shovel and if it snows more after that it will just have to wait till tomorrow afternoon. It sure is beautiful out there though.

I got up at 4:30 and exercised for 45 minutes with the 3-mile WATP tape. I was going to exercise this afternoon after work too, but I figure the shoveling snow is enough exercise.

I have to get my clothes and breakfast and lunch ready for tomorrow, then go shovel.
Have a great evening all.

Hi everyone, just a short one before I go to work - am having to travel about 100 miles to this one, I think. Willow, so pleased your tests were good though the testing sounds nasty. Bluet, your garden is lovely and about 10 times the size of mine. Angel and SunnyD you are surpassing yourselves with beautiful icons, I reckon the pair of you could give Bill Gates (who is getting a knighthood here) a run for his money. Kate, I too am yo-yoing between a couple of pounds up and down but I can't honestly say I have been watching the foods lately. Sheila, lovely to see you back - even though you will be gone again for a bit. Have a good time.
Hope to pop back here tonight but I don't know what time I will get home.
Bes wishes to all,

Hi Everyone,

My goodness, everyone must be very busy.

We were socked with two days of snow, today the sun is out and I think it is about +18 degrees, but cold temperatures are predicted for the balance of the week through Sunday.

My Mom called me the other day, she is starting to get cabin fever. We don't like for her to go out when there's so much snow nor when it is so cold. She is very determined and independant though, but my two sisters check on her everyday. Mom is such a sweet lady, we would be heart broken if anything ever happened to her.

I need to get out today and get the tank on my car filled up again, it is not good to run the cars on half empty, when the temperatures are so cold. I am hoping the roads clear off pretty soon. My car is so dirty, it is a virtual salt wagon. It doesn't pay to get it washed until the roads are dry. I watched the news last night and it looks like just about everyone south and east of us has had dreadful weather, don't you think a deserving reward would be a beautiful glorious Spring? Lent is going to start soon, with Easter six weeks later, that is always a sure sign that Spring is around the corner, right?

Willow, I never answered your question about the phone/internet system I have. We have a modem that we plug into a phone outlet and receive our internet system that way. We also have call waiting with our phone system and if we are on line anyone calling in will just hear the phone ringing, and we don't hear anything. If I would drop the call waiting, then when we were on line the incoming phone call would probably bump us off the internet. Thus the reason it is a good idea to bring in a second phone line dedicated just to the computer. I should drop the call waiting, DH and I rarely ever use it. We needed it when our children were teenagers and would tie up the phone, or to be more exact so they wouldn't miss any phone calls from their friends.

Last night I fell asleep on the sofa at 7:00 pm and slept ther until 6:00 am this morning. I still feel tired though, it is heck getting old. Although I try not to think about it. I try to pretend I am invincible, sometimes it works.

Well, I am going to mosey on out of here. Hope everyone is staying warm, looking forward to hearing from everyone. Bye for now.

Bluet

Hi, all--

Looks like we need to start thread No. 11 sometime soon.

Willow, I'm glad your tests have turned out well so far. That's too bad that you felt pain with the colonoscopy. I'm the other way--I had problems with the endoscopy, but didn't feel the colonoscopy at all. And you had to drink that stuff, too? Yech! I was glad I was given the pills instead--don't think I could have gotten the liquid down.

Bluet, your garden is absolutely lovely. How big is your yard, by the way? It looks huge! I'm a Trading Spaces fan, but like Charlotte, there are just sometimes that those rooms look horrible. I really detest Hildy's work--I don't think I've liked any room that she's done. I haven't seen Vern on in a while, but he was really good. I'm glad you had such a good time with your grandson.

Puss, a hundred miles of traveling one way? That's a long way to go to get to a job. Hope the weather is okay over there.

We got back from Portland yesterday afternoon. The train was about 1/2 hour late, so it wasn't too bad. The train down was totally on time, which was a first for train travel for me! We stayed on the fifth floor of a very nice hotel that was downtown, close to everything. My daughter is a shop-til-you-drop kind of person, and, unfortunately, I drop a lot earlier than she does! The weather wasn't too bad either. It only drizzled slightly on the last day we were there.

My Dad was driving my DH nuts while I was gone. My DH had used the Omaha Steaks hamburger that my dad had bought to make tacos, and he told my Dad that. My Dad then asked where the buns were? Buns? Well, in the Omaha Steaks catalogue, the hamburger is shown in between buns and with tomatoes, lettuce, etc. so my Dad thought it came with buns (my DH said my Dad never asked about the tomatoes and lettuce!). My DH ended up calling the Omaha Steaks people and asking them if the hamburger came with buns. The answer was, "No" of course, but my Dad wouldn't believe it from my DH, even when my DH was on the phone with Omaha Steaks in front of my Dad. So my Dad had to call Omaha Steaks himself and ask the customer service rep if they had included buns. The answer--of course, it was No. Frankly, I would have been offended, and I think my DH was, but he shook it off. I can't quite figure out if my Dad is getting a little "off" or if he's just into arguing. I should put him on the phone with Puss' mother!

Well, no more traveling or houseguests for me in February so I'm planning on finally losing some "virgin" pounds after a bad December and January. Good for you, Bluet, on not having any sweets for so long. I should join you, but I just can't give those up yet, although I know that would be beneficial to my health.

My daughter leaves tomorrow for Virginia. We had fun in Boise and Portland so we had some good memories to share. I have no idea when I'll see her again, but the cell phone is practically glued to her ear so I know I'll hear from her. My friends in Virginia said they'd go visit her, although I imagine they'll wait for much better weather! I feel for all of you back east with the snow and cold temperatures.

Hope everyone stays warm and has a great Wednesday!