Monday, October 27!

Good Monday Morning, sisters!


Welcome home Fright Fest Gals! Um, yeah Melissa, I can imagine that you were too busy talking to take pictures! Can totally relate!! Still, can’t wait to see the ones you did get.
Waiting to hear from Sue that her trip home was uneventful. Only 3 hours apart is quite doable for future visits, yes? Just ask BSQ! 3 hours ain’t so bad when your pal is on the other end!

A friend from out of town was visiting her family here this weekend so I got to spend some time with her, good fun. They gave me a drink of raspberry rum, 7-up I think, and one other thing I can’t remember. Sweeter than sweet, but it was actually pretty good! I did NOT ask for diet pop (ala our more angelic partier, Katie ) Not so OP I guess.

For anyone interested in bone health, I’m reading a good book called Strong Women, Strong Bones by Miriam Nelson. She has others that I’ve looked at & liked & so far this is a goodie too. One simple thing she mentions is that calcium alone won’t help, you must have vitamin D with it.
Also, her studies indicate that just walking alone is not enough to make more than a very slight difference. Gotta do some weight work. This is the first place I'd read that so I was glad to learn it. It’s an easy read with a positive, motivating tone.

Sending s to all.
Chris, I read about your terrible losses and your beautiful attitude. Yours is a heart wrenching story and your determination to love life and help others in spite of everything is very powerful indeed. You are a very special lady.

Alright Desk, enough is enough! Stop in & say hello! We love ya.
Set a good example for our other lurking sisters!!!!!

Have a great Monday, friends. It’s getting chilly around here & it becomes easy to get a little depressed. Any of you find that? To nip it in the bud I really need to get outside & enjoy nature so that’s what I intend to do today, somewhere, somehow.

BEST of everything to you all.
xena

Hi gang

No for me today -- gotta take Mom to the dentist and then she's coming here. Prepare for some ranting and raving and major venting later on today............I am finding myself feeling fairly cranky this morning and I know it's just because.........I'd rather be doing almost ANYTHING else. I am having one of my totally selfish, sick-and-tired-of-taking-care-of-everyone-else, moments. I have not had enough ME time recently (even with those 2 days in Vero Beach........it was go go go the entire time and I need more down time!) I managed to snatch a couple of hours in the yard over the weekend but it wasn't enough.

I know all this sounds really bad on my part but it's just that........it's 1/2 an hour to 45 minute trip thru downtown Orlando to pick Mom up..........back thru the same traffic, almost all the way to where I live, to her dentist.........then back here, where she plops herself into the recliner and gives orders. Then tomorrow, if she's ready to go back home, it's back to play in traffic again. Sigh. I'm sorry gals but I think I'm just dreading what today will bring. I wish Mom and I got along better but we don't, I TRY REALLY I DO, but she makes it very hard. Hmmmm I think I just got some insight into why I've been over-eating all weekend!!

Ok I am done crying on all your shoulders. If I can get thru today and tomorrow, Wed night I start Brandy's dog-training school, and maybe after that I can get some free time?!?! Feels like I've been saying that for weeks.......if I can get thru this, if I can get thru that.........I'll get some time for myself. Doesn't seem to happen.

Melissa -- glad to know you are home, and waiting to hear from Sue.............ummm, maybe she's catching up on her rest? Looking forward to pics!

Xena -- seems to me I've heard of that book somewhere along the line. Yea, weight training is important! And for me, it really makes a difference in the shape of my body........after years of doing other types of exercise, I really saw a difference when I added weights to the works.

Desk -- I'm with Xena, I miss ya! Where are you?

Chris -- you are a very special person (don't say you're not because you are). Enough said.

Ok, I've worked myself into a better frame of mind. Thanks for letting me vent at the beginning of this. I will deal with whatever today brings. I know that I have friends who only wish they had their Mom's here to take to the dentist and I should be grateful that mine is here. I just wish..........she wasn't quite so demanding and that we got along better. I tell myself every time that I will not lose my patience this time............and it's gone before I know what hit me!

Later!

Ann

(((((( Ann ))))))
Yes, I do wish I still had my mom to take to the dentist.
But hey, that doesn't mean your mom isn't a pain in the neck sometimes!!!!!!!! !!!!
I know you try & you do SO much for others & to have to deal with the difficulties of tense Mother/daughter relations is rough!

And ya don't have to feel guilty, either! You are a good daughter, you love your Mama, and she drives you nuts! Not an uncommon thing!

s of strength to you today. Yikes, come here later & vent. We understand.

Well, morning to all and off to another week, but this one well, let's just say it won't be normal.......... Sad news in regard to the fires here........... At church yesterday morning, my dear friend told me her daughter and her family lost their house. Her husband was home with the 3 girls and he had enough time to grab them and get in the car and flee. She was at work totally unaware.......they lost all but what was on their back, even their paychecks they received that Friday were burned.......... By the grace of God we are all most thankful everyone is alive and safe, but these were some kids struggling finanically and now this.......in the midst of a refi on their home and all kinds of stuff to get back on track.......... We are gathering around to see what they need immediately, like a big shopping trip for clothes, makeup, school books for the kids, etc........... Wow..........Very sad also just south of me in San Diego 11 or 12 people died in a huge blaze.... we sit in the midst of all this and yesterday could not be outside, you could not breath and chunks of stuff were everywhere. I spent the day outside keeping things wet......Praise God this morning, you can breath and the sky and stars are visibile so perhaps there will be some containment........

With all this activity I was forced to stay OP as who wants to eat under stress...........I don't .........so perhaps I will stop at the gym on the way home from classes today........depends on the look of skies........... I am nervous about all these fires..........I fear for my furry children.........

Well, it sounds like a group of you had a wonderful time this weekend how coo! Perhaps there is a way to gather the westcoast BEST's also????

Everyone have a fantabolous day..........and may you be richly blessed along your path............. God Bless

Chris

This weekend was tough still no computer. It is still not working and I had to take it back to the shop yesterday. Man I was mad. I was online with Sony for hours they are great. They said we have a worm. I hope to get the computer back soon. I cant tell you how much I missed it.

My weekend was busy I never ended up working as the program here at work was being updated. So I shopped til I dropped. Went to Curves, did tons of house work and read. It was great. I caught up on my sleep which is what I totally needed to do.

This Friday we are having a Halloween party kind of impromto. Well over 30 OMG. NO ONE EVER SAYS NO TO OUR PARTIES

I am still trying so hard with the diet and weight. IT is not coming down very frustrating.

I will go and read the weekends posts.

Hey Xena that drink sounds yummy but yes diet pop would have been better. I bought the new Vanilla Voldka. Very good with diet coke.

Ann I hear ya on your mom. Mine has been staying with me til she leaves on Wed. Though helpful she is driving me batty. OMG I mean it. I cant wait til she leaves. It is like she is suffocating me. She is doing so much in my house and then tells me how I should do it. IF you met me in person you would know this is not going to fly without some conflict I tell ya I love her but cannot live with her. Have a good day at the dentist if you can.

Okay I am off

Katie

I'm just popping in this morning for a few minutes. I've got a weeks worth of posts to read and try to catch up on. No way I'll be able to respond to everyone, but I am going to read so I can feel caught up.
The visit with Mom and Dad was good. Trying at times, but it's nice to still get to go and visit.
I think I actually lost a pound over the week. I'll count it officially on Friday at my weigh in. Got my walk in everyday just walking all over the farm. One night, Chevy and I had to walk in the evening after dark. I told Mom it didn't bother me to do that, and we'd just walk in and out of the driveway. (It's 3/10th of a mile long so we just walk in and out several times, plus I had done some walking while I shopped with girl friends that day). Once we got to the end of the drive, on the last trip out, we turned around and I shined the flashlight into the corn field. It scared something that ran back into the corn. So now I'm at the end of the lane, with the dog, and somethings in the corn. (There are lots of coyotes in their area now). So I just yelled at it to get out of here, and what ever it was ran deeper into the corn. Chevy and I did a quick trip back in. That was Friday night. On Saturday, the guy that plants the corn for Dad was there to pick all of it, so no more creepy walks between two tall fields of corn.
I actually did a corn maze also with my nephew on Saturday. We were in the maze for 1 hour and 45 minutes. We were both exhausted. There was a treasure hunt to do if you wanted, and you had to find all five mailboxes and get the ticket from each one. We got a free small pumpkin each for doing the treasure hunt. It was fun and it was definately my walk for the day.
I'll check back in later. I've got a list a mile long to do today and I need to get at it. I am going to catch up on all the posts from last week.
Welcome to the new BEST ladies. Glad you've joined us.
Take care everyone! Have a BEST day!

This month has totally flown by - hard to believe that Friday is Halloween!

Had a good weekend though with more changes of plans. Took dd to meet her dad and came home to get ready to get back on the road to go and see my dad. he had called while I was gone and said he had an emergency job to do so that wound up not happening. Did some needed chores around the house, dd was not up to speed last week and I usually go behind her once a week anyways. we wound up going to see some friends in the evening that we haven't spent a lot of time with lately and had a really good visit. her husband is going through a male menopause or midlife crisis and has been suffering from depression for the last year. Her and I talked about all kinds of stuff including you wonderful women that I am getting to know! I told her about Frightfest and she thought it awesome that could happen.

Yesterday dbf and I slept in which was wonderful, got up and ate and then started to watch a movie and we both fell back asleep and woke up when it was just ending. I picked up some oysters and we had Oysters Rockefellar (not OP by any means - lots of cheese and bacon on them and fixed in the broiler - but owe so yummy) but that was the only non-op moment of the weekend. We were up late last night as dbf was custom making some sconce-like light fixtures for one of his best customers. Took him a while but he figured out what and how he wanted to do and they came out fine. Wish I had his ability. This customer is a very wealthy family and they love him as he does all kinds of stuff for them and they give him leads for other work.

DD is out of school today so she stayed an extra day with her dad and they are to bring her to my office this afternoon so I won't have to go and pick her up which I appreciate. I will be glad to see her!

Going to CURVES today and can't wait. I just feel so much more invigorated when I walk out of there. And I am struggling this morning already to stay OP, we have a snack bin in our kitchen and I wish the kitchen had a door so I could lock it to stay out. It is so tempting and the wellbutrin hasn't kicked in enough yet I think to start having loss of appetite. Today I start taking 2 a day so maybe that will help!!!I am going to weigh in at CURVES and see how I am doing though.

Nancy - glad you had a good visit with your parents and got to see some of your friends too. Sounds like you had a great time and we are glad you are back - missed you last week!!!

Katie - sorry to hear about your computer troubles - very frustrating I am sure! Hope your party turns out to be a success. Was talking to dbf yesterday about one we had once when we were growing up that was the hit of the neighborhood. That is one thing that my mom was good at, being very crafty and always the perfect planner/hostess.

Chris - I am so sorry to hear of the losses you have already gone through with your own family. What a strong and special person you are though!!!! I hope that the devastation ends with the fires, we saw on the news this weekend about them and it is so terrible!!! I hope that you and your family continue to be safe!!!

Xena - I agree with what you said about the change in weather and depression. I read one time that it is very common for depression/anxiety cases to go up once fall hits and through the winter that it really can affect people in a negative way!!!

Ann - I can so relate with what you are going through with your mom, but you are being a good daughter and are being there to help her and be there for her. She is lucky that you are there!!!!! I hope that the day doesn't turn too stressful for you and look at it this way its Monday and they always fly by fast.

Oh I almost forgot - talking about Mom's, I talked to my birthmom who lives in Pensacola on Saturday. She too has been prescribed Wellbutrin to stop smoking. She already has been diagnosed with COPD and has been pretty much ordered to quit smoking too. We have decided to have the same QUIT day which is Saturday and I now have an 800 # here at work so she will call me everyday before I leave to go home and let me know how she is doing and we can do this together even though we are far apart from each other. I told dbf I thought it real ironic that she is taking it too. We only talk once every couple weeks and she takes care of her husband who has Alzheimers and it is very hard for her to have time to talk on the phone with peace and quiet. So I enjoyed hearing from her Saturday and making this pact with her.

Well I am off to get some stuff done before 11 so I can go and come back.

Hope the rest of you ladies that come in behind me have a great day and will try to check back in maybe later on!!!!

Hugs,

jody

Hello all!!
Strange to be posting at this time of the day.Just came from the doctor's.Have a bad sinus infection.Gee that's way I have been feeling so lousy for 2 weeks.So Im home for 2 days for some R&R
doctor's orders.Can't go againest dr orders now I can I?Itwill do me good to be away from all the germs floating around work.

Chris:I pray you and your family stay safe.I've been watching the coverage of the fires on the news.How awful.How awful for your friend.The bike run yesterday was quite impressive and yes the bikers were kind to our town.They always are.This is an annual event now in it's 15th year.According to the paper the run made $150,000 for MDA.I am a wanna be biker.lol I used to ride years ago and would really like to get back into it.Although this time I want my own Harley.

Nancy welcome back!

Jody sounds like you and dbf had some quality time together this weekend.
HI Ann Xena,Melissa,Sue Shirley,oh I know there are a bunch more of you you know
Off to get some sleep
Tuttles

Good morning!

I have a little time this morning and thought I’d play catch-up.

Bliss, the women’s conference sounds very interesting. I bet you learned some new things and had some fun. Did you get a lot done before the rain hit on Sunday?

BSQ, I know what you mean about missing some of the produce from CA. I miss the huge avacados - the ones here are so tiny - and I miss the big dark purple plums - the ones that are red inside. And the Idaho potatoes. Live in ID and all the potatoes are grown in WA. Go figure! Did you manage to avoid the chex mix?

Emily, about empty nests - our’s has been empty almost as long as it was full. Our DD is almost thirty three. The thing I remember most was how the bills changed. The utility bills went down and the long distance phone bill went up. Takes a while til the empty feeling goes away - but then you kind of start enjoying the freedom. I think my DH and I got a lot closer.

Chris, I’ve got to agree with what Ann said - you are a very special person. I was so sorry to hear about your friend’s daughter’s loss. I hope the clearer air this morning means they’re getting the fires under control. They are so devastating. I talked to my cousin, who lives in SoCal, and he said the Santa Ana winds had kicked up over the weekend to make everything worse.

Shirley, so glad the weekend went well! Sounds like you guys had fun. I can’t wait to see the pics. Hope your mom/DS time worked out. Sometimes, no matter how old they get, they just need a little one on one time with mom. Yea!!!!! on the twenty pounds!!!! BTW - I’m taking the crockpot over to DD’s next week so I can make her the turkey I’ve been telling her about for months. Her crockpot is too small to hold a turkey breast.

Val, so sorry to hear about your sinus infection. Have a nice peaceful couple of days at home! How did the day of 5000 bikes go? Bet it was really impressive when they all arrived. I was on the freeway near Rapid City, SD one year at the end of the big Sturgis rally. Thousands of motorcycles and me heading west...

Dany, sounds like you really had a busy weekend! My favorite part of halloween is seeing the trick or treaters in costume. Won’t get to see my grandson this year - he’s going to be a “cereal” killer. DD is pinning small cereal boxes all over him. The cereal boxes are going to be stabbed with plastic knives dripping with fake blood. Can’t wait to see the pics.

Pat, two donuts and no weight gain! I think I can gain a pound just thinking about a creme filled Krispy Kreme... Sounds like you had a busy weekend, too. I bet the Lipizanner show was grand! I’m so jealous.

Melissa, glad to hear you’re home safe and sound. I’m looking forward to the Frightfest pics. Glad to hear nothing serious was wrong with your car. Have fun visiting with Sharon tomorrow.

Sue, we haven’t heard from you yet. Hope your ride home after dropping Melissa off was uneventful. Hope you’re getting a good start on the week.

Xena, Raspberry rum? Sounds interesting. I do fine with the sunny crispy fall days - my depression hits when the gray days of winter arrive and the days are so short. I find that turning lots of lights on - while not very economical - is a real help. Also music and candles. It’s amazing how much good can be accomplished just by giving your senses a little treat.

Ann, feel free to vent any time you want! Isn’t that what we’re all here for? Support means sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. My mom passed away five years ago - but while she was alive she could push my buttons better than anyone! Are you sure you can’t sneak in a little gym time tonight? It’s days like this when you need the physical release even more. If you can’t fit in some gym time you should take a little time to reward yourself in some way for getting thru the day.

Katie, sorry to hear your computer’s not feeling well yet. Over thirty at your party??? You are my hero! I don’t think I could figure out what to do with thirty at one time. I just know you are going to look in the mirror one of these days soon and see, in living color, the results of all your hard work with Curves and food! Just be patient. And, next time I complain about being on a plateau, you can toss those words back to me.

Nancy, welcome back! We missed you! Sounds like you and Chevy had a good time walking all over the farm - except for the one scary walk in the dark. The corn maze sounds like fun. I’ve always wanted to try one of those - but the growing season is so short here that you have head south to find cornfields. One of these years... Good luck with your catch-up list.

Jody, you’re right - this month has gone by so fast! Hard to believe that Saturday will be November! How great that you have someone to be a “quit smoking” buddy. You’ll both need support to get thru this - it’s a hard one - but so satisfying when you’ve succeeded. Maybe if you put some healthy stuff in the snack bin others would catch on and add their own healthy snacks? Have a great time at Curves!

Hugs to all the sisters missing in action. Hope you’re all healthy, happy and just too busy to post.

Bought a new scale yesterday. The one we have is a really good one but the older I get the harder it is to read. Decided to get a digital one - so there was no question what little line the dial was pointing to. Bought a good one, one of the most expensive models there. Brought it home, set it up, got on and weighed ten pounds more than I did on the other scale! Total depression and meltdown... DH got on and he was eight pounds heavier than on the other scale... He got on fifteen minutes later and had gained another pound. Ten minutes later we both tried again. I had gained two pounds and he had gained three. Half an hour later DH had gained two more pounds.

The old scale is back in the bathroom and the new one is boxed up and ready to go back to the store. I’ll just leave a pair of glasses in the bathroom. That will work just fine...

I’ve had a great day so far. Did my 8MMs and took a four mile walk in the park. It started getting light about five forty five. That gives me enough time to walk in the park in the mornings on work days. Now if the weather will just hold off for a while. It’s supposed to snow on Wed...

DD’s pre op appointment is tomorrow. Her TVH is next Tues but she won’t have a time til the evening before. I’m hoping it’s early. I was glad mine was so early in the day so I didn’t have to think about it all day. Who’d of ever thought this would be something we’d be sharing? And both of us in the same year?

I’m off to see what mission Kelly has in store for me today.

Hope you all have a wonderful OP Monday and give yourselves a hug from me!

Sandy - hope dd appt goes well. I agree how strange it must be that both of you will have gone through this in the same year!

I had to laugh about your issue. I refuse to buy a digital scale and yes it can be hard to read that little line but at least we don't gain pounds at a time and then them be gone again. I bet your dh got a good kick out of that little ordeal. I agree, leave glasses in the bathroom and stick to the oldie but goodie - sometimes you just don't get more bang for your buck!!

CURVES was great today, I am 2.5 pounds from not having to start on the scale at the 150 mark!!!! Can we boast 1/2 pound intervals just as proudly as single pounds??? We just got a new "glute" machine and it is awesome, I told the mgr on duty that I want to use just that machine for 1/2 hour and it won't take long to get my "glutes" in shape, she of course had to tell me you know you can't do that...oh well I tried.

Well I just thought I would drop back in real quick and read the other posts that came after mine from earlier today.

I am off again!!!!

Hugs.

jody