Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[Suji]

LOL! Hey PJ! Pammie Jo--love it. It's so...Petticoat Junction! LOLOLOL!

[sleepysue07]

Hello Ladies!
I am so sorry to have been gone so long. My life has been in the blender lately, and I guess my attitude has been as well.

My son graduated from high-school and it was wonderful. He is leaving for vacation to Orlando at 3 AM (tomorrow morning) and is really looking forward to it.

I am now finished with school for the summer, and I already miss it. I am going to be teaching a grammer/writing class at the local Christian Women's Job Corp. starting June 16 and ending the second week in August. I am really looking forward to that, and expect to have 22 women in my class.

I have not been dieting. I am finding myself at a crossroads now, and I have to decide what to do. My marriage is in trouble, and I am trying to decide whether to leave after all these years, or stay and try to work it out. Whenever I envision my future these days he isn't in the picture. My husband is a sweet and loving man, but his financial habits are ruining my life, and have been for years now. He will not stop spending, and he will not take care of himself physically. He is a diabetic and likes to pretend that he isn't. As a result of denial, he feels bad all the time and is unbelievably irritable. He no longer speaks in a normal tone of voice, but resorts to yelling. I feel that I've had enough! I cannot reason with him. I cannot even have a serious discussion with him without him becoming loud and beligerant.

My oldest is moving out in July. My youngest will graduate next May. I feel that I have to stay at least until then because we live in such a small town and there is no other housing. I'll not move now and cause him to have to transfer his senior year.

I want to continue my education, but I know that I am going to have to find a job so that I can begin to stash money away for my escape. So, I am seriously searching for a job now, for the first time in years. (Wish me luck.)
My husband is not supportive of my plans for my future. He wants to be able to decide what I do. He keeps insisting that I go to school to teach, I have no desire to teach school for a living. He is entirely too controlling, and lately has even taken it upon himself to tell me what to wear.

I know that losing weight will only help me to feel better and also improve my chances of finding gainful employment, so starting tomorrow I am going to be starting all over with induction, and excercise. Fortunately for me, I am not alone. I have really great friends to support me.

I hope that this post isn't too depressing. I am not myself lately, but I feel that I have hope, and I will feel great again. I have a very sunny and optimistic disposition by nature.

Leslie, I would like to congratulate you, and I love the photos, they give me hope that I too can do it.

Hello to Sue, Kayann, and Pam, and thanks for not forgetting about me.

Welcome to all of the new girls! You will find this group to be an awsome source of encouragement and inspiration.

Carolyn

[Pam in TX]

Quick Note:

PJ: My nickname is Pammie.... My grampa gave it to me when I was very young.....

Carolyn: I wish you all the best as you make these life changing decisions.... Remember I am not far away if you need someone to listen...... Will be at BLORA The weekend after July 4th...... Whatever you do, be sure to take care of yourself......

[sleepysue07]

Thank you Pam. Are you renting a cabin at BLORA? My girlfriends and I did that last summer and we had the best time! We were talking about checking to see if they had any cancellations for this summer, as they are always booked so far in advance. I am not far from there, so it has always been a favorite spot for myself and my family. My youngest was just saying today that he'd like to go.

[Pam in TX]

Originally Posted by sleepysue07

Thank you Pam. Are you renting a cabin at BLORA? My girlfriends and I did that last summer and we had the best time! We were talking about checking to see if they had any cancellations for this summer, as they are always booked so far in advance. I am not far from there, so it has always been a favorite spot for myself and my family. My youngest was just saying today that he'd like to go.

Our family has all the cabins for that weekend..... there will be about 50 of us up there..... We go every year for a family reunion weekend......

You are right about them being full..... You can reserve them 6 months in advance.... They are also building 3 new cabins.... 2 bedrooms.........

[Suji]

Oh wow, Carolyn. No wonder you haven't been posting. Major, major hugs coming your way!!!
It sure sounds like a stressful situation and your idea of planning ahead is a smart thing to do. Good luck on finding work--I'm sure you will. It is so important to have friends to unload emotionally with!

I am hanging around at home just in case I have to make a trip south to sig some paperwork for my DH. Another good day I am missing to get some garden space dug.

Took Cara out on the hill and talked to the fella who owns the company doing the earthmoving. He says it would be much easier for them if our house wasn't in the way! The last owner intended the 8+ acres to be a preserve, according to an older lady who lived in the 'hood for 44 years and knew her. When she passed on the "kids got greedy" she said, and decided to sell off the land. I told my son that no matter how much you hope that your kids will value the same things, there is no guarantee, unfortunately. The fellow I talked to said things could get "interesting" for us when they put in the road as our access will be blocked off at times. There's an alleyway behind us which we can use if the shrubs and trees are cut back (car scraping).

Well, guess I'll check on the housework situation. Older kids are still asleep.

TTFN,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning ladies:

Carolyn: It's good to hear from you. I'm sorry you are facing such a traumatic time. Believe me, there are times when I have thought exactly like you and the behaviors of your DH somewhat mirror my DH. It's emotionally draining at times. I love my DH dearly, and a lot of times, when we talk about the future, I get excited at the prospects, but sometimes, he says things that cut to the heart and make me wonder where whatever he said came from. Please unload on us whenever you want. We would be happy to talk with you off the boards too.

Sue: I'm so sorry about the construction going on. Hopefully you won't loose too much of that atmosphere you have worked so hard to create.

I hit the gym again last night and walked on lunch hour. I'm trying to do something to start losing again. I did stick to induction standards yesterday. Hopefully I can today. My scale rewarded me with a loss of the lb I gained over the weekend. I hope that sticks.

Have a great day everyone.

[kayan]

Morning all

Another busy day here. DD2 graduates today. She has an apartment now, She has lived off campus most of her college years, but considers this her "first" real apartment. She is having so much fun decorating it. Now all she has to do is get a job for the summer. She has an interview with L.L.Bean next Wed. so hopefully that will go good for her. They like to hire teachers
for the summer when the peak is and then around Nov-.Jan. Next will be getting a teaching job in the area that she lives. Her. Mentor says she shouldn't have a problem as the schools like to have teachers with their masters already so they don't have to pay to get it.

Carolyn Major Hugs to you. Just know we are here for you and that you can do it.

Pams: that weekend sounds wonderful

Sue: I have all I can do to keep up with the little flower gardens that I have arounf the house little alone a whole farm I don't know how you do it.

DBIL may move out of ICU today. Loks like he will need to stay on oxygen even when he comes home

everyone have a good day

Kayan

[Dreamcometru]

Hey Kayan: Enjoy DD's graduation. My oldest graduates with her bachelors next Friday. Then it's on to get her Masters in teaching too. Although I think we've covered that before.

My scale was nice today. It's playing with 196. I hope it sticks. I have been staying on induction levels, but slightly higher. I have been eating strawberries and lc yogert which aren't induction foods though. I hit 33 carbs one day and a little over that on others.

DS only made it through half of his marching practice yesterday then had a nasty nose bleed. He always gets them when he has congestion. His test is today. If he can get through the entire practice, he will march tomorrow. If he marches, I'm going down to the parade later to get a few pics.

Hi Pam, PJ, Carolyn and Sue.

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Have been really busy here... The first week of the longer days is always pretty rough.... but I enjoyed my Friday off..... Actually I had the house to myself all week.... So I really enjoyed the quiet...

I have been having trouble sleeping..... am awake by3:30 and usually end up by 4:00 to 4:30....

Leslie: How is DS feeling these days? Hope he is better..... My DH came home from his business trip Friday with the sniffles and some congestion....

Kayan: How did the graduation go? and your BIL, how is he doing?

Am on track with eating, but didn't get much exercise in this week....

Got the invitations printed and ready to mail for the anniv celebration.....

Hope everyone is doing well......
__________________

[kayan]

Morning All

DD2 graduation went great. We had a celebration dinner last night with family and had a nice time. DD1 leaves for N.J today. It was nice to have her home

Leslie: hope your son is better so he can march. Congrats to your DD on her degree. No matter how old, it is still very stressful for them and us. Now she is worried about not finding a job. But her advisor told her they will all get jobs. Next it will be stressful about starting her own classroom

Carolyn: How are you doing? My Zen room is just about done. Had to move "Fred" up there. out of the living room where he has lived for 30 years. to make room for DH new TV. Fred is my rubber tree. So now I need to rearrange my Zen stuff to make it more pleasing. Carolyn you are more than welcome to come sit in my rocking chair to relax and reflect,

Pam : It must be someting in the air. I am having trouble sleeping also awake for several hours during the night and up early. I hate that on mydays off when I can sleep in and can't. then on work days 4:45 I could sleep for ever
and that is the usual time I am falling back to sleep. been waking up around 1:30 and tossing and turning for a couple of hours. The birds start singing at 3:30!!

Have been staying on track eating, pants seem to be fitting better, but still not using my nordic track

Sue How is the farm homestead planting coming?

Hi to the new Pam PJ

everyone have a good day

I work the next 3 days so may not be able to check in

Kayan

[sleepysue07]

Kayan, thanks for the offer to rock and reflect. I have been thinking of getting a rocker to put on the back porch, it would be nice to sit there and rock while listening to the frogs and the crickets in the evening. It is very peaceful here.

I'm feeling much better this weekend. We are very busy at church. I teach vacation Bible school, and that starts tomorrow. We spent most of yesterday decorating in the rain forest theme. It's always so much fun, but SO exhausting! Today we had dinner at the church, and after eating, I held a water balloon war with the kids on the church lawn. We had 1200 water balloons! My 16-year-old and his friends filled them up for me yesterday and put them in a plastic children's pool. The kids all had a great time, and I forgot to take pictures. I love doing things with the younger children at church. My class often complains because the teenagers have so many acitivities and they feel left out. So, whenever I can I try to oganize activities that will include all of them.

Kayan and Pam, I am your sleep deprived sister. I have had trouble getting a good nights sleep since I had a hyserectomy. I have had success taking an herbal remedy called "Deep Sleep". I think it has valerian root as it's active ingredient. It's very relaxing, and doesn't knock me out or leave me groggy the way other sleep medications do.

Leslie, everytime I see your avatar I want to pull you kitty out of that tree and give him a hug! He is truly beautiful. I am jealous of your 196. I spoke at a charity luncheon last week, and someone e-mailed photos yesterday, and my neck seeme to have dissappeared! I was greatful to have a large lectern to hide behind this time. I weighed this morning, and sure enough I'm back to 218! I am going to start hitting the track this coming week. We went to a Ranger game on Tuesday. Our seats are on the 4th row, so it is quite a hike to go to the restroom, or concession stand. For the first time in my life I find myself out of breath when walking up stairs. It's time for me to get serious about losing this weight. I was proud of myself today because I avoided all of the breads, cakes, pastries, potatoes and other carby fare at church. Now I have to kick the fast food habit. That is my weakness. I am always in the car. I need to start packing snacks before I leave the house. I have already decided that I will be brown bagging it when teaching this summer.

Well, I need to go do the wash (my least favorite thing to do.)

Enjoy your Sunday

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Good Morning Ladies:

Must have been a quiet weekend.

Carolyn: I used to teach vacation bible school. I volunteered and then taught it and regular bible school for the next 15 years. I loved it at first, but kinda got burnt out and for fear it would show, I asked to be relieved of my duties. I take my mom to church and she can't drive, so I am her ride. She can't get up and moving in time for bible class, so I'm not able to get to church to teach at the moment, although they keep hitting me up. They are always looking for teachers. The water balloon fight sounds so fun. It always felt so rewarding to see the kids have fun doing an activity you produce.

Yah, my kitty in the tree. He climbs up and gets stuck. What a silly cat.

Kayan: I love the sound of your zen room. I made the first step towards having a place of my own in our house by moving my exercise thingy (its like a bike but you don't pedal, you bend at the waist and push and pull) up in DD1's bedroom. She may get frustrated, but she's getting married next month, so the room is mine.

DS did march. He was red faced after the first 20 minutes and said he didn't even play for the last mile or two of the parade because he was so winded. He came home at around 2:30 and slept until 9. They did a replay on TV last night and they showed his row of trombones. It was so cool. I did go down and watch. It was really fun. The people were so nice, it was like a giant party. I had a blast.

Pam: I know about the trouble sleeping. When my thyroid was too high, man I was buzzing in the middle of the night. They lowered my dose of meds and sleep finally came around. Although I've just been retested and it was normal, I'm back to buzzing again. I got up at 6:00 a.m. Saturday for no reason.

I've stayed on plan. I'm down to 195 today, well yesterday too, but I never believe the scale on the 1st day. I hope it's official when I weigh in tomorrow with my research group. I got lots of exercise sunday. Walked 6 miles then played tennis that afternoon with DS. We have some fabulous courts right behind hour house at the high school. I must say, I'm terrible. But I guess it makes up for Saturday's lack of activity.

Have a great day. Hi Sue. PJ, how's it going?

[Suji]

Hey Guys,

I kind of jammed my strongest typing finge helping DH on SUnday, so stayed away from the computer yesteday. it's much better today, but ai'm still feeling it, so no long posts for a while!

Sat/Sun at the farm--much digging. Got in the rest of the peppers and eggplant and the first of the corn. I've got more corn to put in, but the languishing seedling flowers have to come first--get the bed chopped out literally. SO many underground vines to contend with in the area I want to plant. Okra and cukes are to go in the week, but not my job, thank goodness. They are both in flats waiting...

Today I have the last general meeting of Frederick Friends until September, so I'm going. Tomorrow is my garden club induction. I went cheap and got a white hat to wear with something I already owned. I would have loved to wear something "romantic", but $ and time, ya know!

Two more days of school for my youngest. THen we have GOT to find volunteer stuff dor 75 hours. He isn't helping me with ideas!

I was feeling sad yesterday--the trees are being torn down on either side of us. Until it was actually happening, I was able to be dispassionate, but the relative isolation was a real draw for this place. Now we will be totally surrounded by raw earth. It is amazing how quickly trees growing for decades can be splintered trash on the ground when these big machines go at them. :-(

Well, time to check on DH progress for work. I'm glad you're more "up" Carolyn--you sound like such a nice personk, teaching BIble School and all. Leslie, you are doing such an AWESOME job on keeping with the diet! Kayan, congrats on the new grad in the family! Pam--the sun comes in my window at sunrise, so I'm becoming quite the early wakeful person. It is hard to get alot of sleep especially if I go to bed too late that night!

Later,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sue:

So sorry about your finger. I hope you recover soon. Especially with all the hard work you are doing.

I so know how you feel about the trees being cut down around you. It breaks my heart every time I see a neighbor cut one of the massive fir trees down. Now, in Portland, you need a permit to remove a tree. The neighbors in front of us, both of them, have gargantuan maple trees. Although we have a huge amount of cleanup after them in the fall, I wouldn't trade the ambiance they provide for anything. I love having them. One of the neighbors was talking about removing theirs. I was heart broken. I think they applied for a permit and it was denied, thank goodness. Some city regulations are working.

The high school had many giant fir trees they had to cut to put up a new building. But they made up for it by planting a grove of fir trees. Those trees are already 20 feet tall and growing rapidly each year. The school is known for its giant trees, so I was glad to see it replace the ones they cut down. It's part of our neighborhood to have the huge trees.

Ladies, my scale was up this morning. Not quite to 196, but almost, 195.8. It figures because I weigh in with my study group this afternoon. So I probably won't see the loss I was hoping for. The good news is the last time I weighed in with my group on May 8, I was 204.6 and I know I have gone down from that.

Have a wonderful day.

[Pam in TX]

Morning Ladies,

Have had a busy couple of days..... My youngest sister is in the hospital, so have been up there.... She had 3 seizures on Sunday night... Her sodium levels were "critically low" accoding to the dr.... and they are readjusting her meds... She hasn't had a seizure in 7 years.... My parents are exhausted... One of them has spent the night up there each night.... She may get to go home today....

No weight loss to report.... My body seems to be very content at this weight, even though I'm not.... Will just keep plugging away....

Sue: Sorry that you are injured.... Hope you are on the mend.... I always hate driving by place that they are clearing for new devleopments.... seems so barron.... Our town doesn't allow trees over certain sizes (and other rules) to be torn down when building....

Leslie: Sounds like your scale is cooperating about as much as mine is.... So frustrating.... How is your son feeling? How was your group meeting? Did you see the thread about trying to have a Portland gathering? I went to a TX one a year or so ago and it was pretty fun....

Am going to go in to work early today.... Off to begin getting ready.... Hope everyone has a good day....

[Dreamcometru]

Hi ladies:

I don't know whats up. But the weigh in at my group put me at 194.9. I was very pleased. That's 9.7 lbs in 5 weeks which lately is quite an accomplishment for me. It took me almost three months to lose 8 lbs, so I'm really happy for this loss. I bumped up the exercise, quit eating the creamcheese muffins, and added some carbs, especially fruit, but oatmeal sometimes for breakfast, and it seemed to do the trick, for now anyway. Dropping back to induction levels for a few days I believe helped too. Although, my scale today says I'm only 2 tenths down from yesterday which is higher than the day before, go figure.

Pam, I'm so sorry about your sister. Is she eplieptic? My sister is and has been for her entire life. She can go several years without having a seizure and then all of the sudden one pops up. She can't drive because of it. Her DH is the same. It's so cool that they found each other. I really feel bad for them though because they never know when it's going to happen. She has had one out in public several times and people 911. Then she gets stuck with a huge bill, etc. It's very sad. I hope your sister recovers quickly as do your parents from the ordeal.

No, I haven't seen the thread for a Portland gathering. I'm going to look, but if you think about it, let me know where it is. Thanks.

Hi everyone else.

[kayan]

Quick note this am

hope all are doing well

my dad went into the hospital on Sunday and died Monday. The funeral services are this afternoon. So have not been home much, just to get re-supplied with clothes, etc


Say a Prayer, or just think of him,
Kayan

[Suji]

Kayan,

I am so sorry to hear this. Bigs hugs and good thoughts toward you and your family in making your way through the grieving process.
Pam, I sure hope the Docs help your sister. My FIL has issues with sodium falling too low and he gets "weird" saying things that make no sense, falling asleep for most of the day and other stuff. He's in his 80's and they have to watch this closely. We are just happy to have another Father's Day with him.

I had my last gathering of the Garden CLub until Fall and was duly inducted, so now I'm a member. Yay! THe lady who hosted had 43 acres--the driveway was a long curving road with an allee of 30 year old Bradford pear trees which opened up to a rolling vista of vineyard where they grow and sell wine grapes as a side business. THe house was late 70's modern with interesting sharp roof angles and an open floor plan. We had lunch in the back yard followed by a plant swap, so I came home with some woodland phlox and a snowball viburnum. YAY!
Again, Leslie--you are doing great. I think if I went on Atkins with all this fruit and vegetable growing for the spring/summer, my family would pummel me!! I am just trying to maintain as best as I can (though I know I have regained somewaht) until after summer/fall harvest. But I can be here to cheer the rest of you on until I'm officially back on LC again.

I think our newbies who posted were scared off or something. I hope I wasn't rude with the name funnin'! :-( Maybe we've been posting so long that others feel that it is hard to easily step in anymore. I know I had that problem in some other lists that I tried. It felt like I was intruding on a clique with history that I couldn't catch up with. I do think regular posting is a key though, so that people get to know you and address you specifically.

I'm off to the farm today to help transplant the cukes and to hack out some garden space for the flowers left to put in. It's unseasonably cold--like it will be only 70 degrees today!!! Then by Father's Day-90!

Hey Carolyn! (waves)
BTW--two pipped duck eggs so far. My bater temps were trending lower, so the hatch (if successful) may be delayed a few days over the norm. I am so hoping for some cute little duckies!

[Dreamcometru]

Oh my gosh, Kayan, I'm so sorry. I am really sad to hear the news. I hope, wish and pray that you all get through this sad time relatively smoothly. Thinking of you.

Sue: Congrats on becoming a member of society!!

Yah, I was wondering what happened to the new people. Hey guys, we welcome you. Come on back and post.

[Pam in TX]

Morning ladies,

Kayan: Am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.... I hope you are hanging in there.... Will keep you and your family in my prayers as you begin to deal with this life change....

Sue: Congrats on the induction to the garden club..... You will have to post pics of your little duckies when they hatch.....

Leslie: WTG on the weight loss.... Wish I could report the same.... No, my sister isn't epiletic.... Our family can relate to the story about your sister and DH.... Right now my mom and dad are afraid to leave her alone for any reason.... can't say that I blame them either....

Carolyn: Hope all is going well for you..... Post when you can....

Haven't been doing very well on plan this week..... Am really struggling right now....

Am off today so will be running round getting some errands taken care of later. Off to get some laundry started right now.....

Hope everyone has a good day and a great weekend..... Supposed to rain here most of the weekend....

[Suji]

I'm going to head off to the farm early today so that I can get either corn or okra into the ground today. Yesterday, we got in most of the cukes and I dug a long bed adjacent to the stone ramp one and put in both flats of flower seedlings I had started. It felt good to get them in the ground and it wasn't a hot day making the effort hard to do either! Today's weather will be similar so I'm taking advantage!

Tomorrow Ladew with my sister and two other Red Hats. I'll let you know how it was on Monday.

I came home to find all the trees along our driveway right of way gone and the big old shrub I had been hoping to salvage ( a Bridal Wreath spirea) While at the farm they took everything down, so now it's a jumbled mess among the tree debris downhill. Everything looks so severe now!

Guess I'd better eat something before I leave!

Have a productive day! Thinking of you, Kayan.

Sue

PS Two ducklings hatched yesterday!! Maybe more later in the week (delayed hatch). One is dark and the other yellow. Awwwwww. I will post pics once DH uploads.