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

[kayan]

Afternoon Ladies

Been busy with day trips while on vacation. Wed. went to Boothbay Harbour and saw one of the largest Botanical gardens in New England. It was very nice. But it was so hot and on the way home we stopped for an ice cream. I had a no added sugar version. This is the first time I have had ice cream since being hypnotized. It has been going okay but now I am thinking about ice cream again I think I need to get out the c-d's and listen to them again.

Leslie: Congrats on 188. befor you know it you will be in the 170's.

Sue Happy Birthday to your hubby and I hope you get some rest soon

kayan

Carolyn: I feel for you and will keep you in my prayers.

[Suji]

Leslie,
That is SO OUTSTANDING!!! WTG! You have really been on track, girl! :-)

I have been doing OK until yesterday. It's hard for me to stay 100% yet with farm produce and birthdays. I'm trying to get back in the swing, but ran into a poor planning snafu. I worked physically hard and arrived hot and sweaty in the farm kitchen simply starving. I ate a tomato sandwich since there wasn't anything else available. So, the no starch portion was broken yesterday. Did you ever notice how, when you mess up, it is very easy to say "oh well, this day is shot anyhow?" Then you commit more of the same diet sin the same day? Sigh. It's my pattern anyway. (roll eyes)

My DH has gone out and purchased a bunch of food items that he wants us to have for his birthday--so I will tomorrow. Then the birthday stuff is over for a little while. My youngest son is next at the end of the month.

Kayan--that sounds like it was a great trip. Do they have a specialty collection at the Botanical Gardens?

Hiya Pam!

Sue

[Pam in TX]

Morning Ladies,

This is all starting to take its toll on me....... I feel awful today.... everything just aches....

My sister is still in the hospital.... Early in the week they took some blood to mark the white blood cells with gamma radiation.... They then put them back in her body and then did a nuclear scan on Wed to see where they were.... The scan showed no signs of infection, so we thought she was going to get to go home Friday. Then during the night Thursday she began running a high temp (104) and they can't figure out why... and Friday night evidently she fainted while up to go to the bathroom.... Then her blood pressure started dropping again.... I spent the day up there yesterday..... Her fever finally broke in the afternoon and she was actually eating..... Went and picked her up chinese food and she just ate and ate.... which is good..... Sure wish they could figure out what is going on with her.... oh well, enough about me......

Leslie: Your are doing so great...... a real inspiration.....

Kayan: the botanical gardens sound lovely and relaxing.... and ice cream.... I have been having some of the no sugar added fudgesicles this summer....

Sue: Happy bday to your hubby...... I hear ya on the food planning... Have found that when I have it all planned out I do much better..... no reason to go off t rack if other foods are available....

Time for more coffee........... Later girls....

[sleepysue07]

Leslie! 188! You rock! I am determined to be in the 180's by March. I may not make it, but I am sure going to try.

Pam, I am so sorry about your sister. Is it okay if I add her to the prayer list in my ladies bible study? It is always heart wrenching to see the people you love suffer so, knowing that you can't stop it. You are in my prayers too.

Sue, what day is your son's birthday? DH will be having his on the 28th. What is your fall schedule looking like? I know you must be lining up tons of interesting activities.

DS2 made it through the game just fine. They only let him out on the field once and that was brief. The coaches explained that since he hasn't been able to practice until last week they are going to bring him in slowly. I am thankful! They have also put him in a position where he is not in the middle of the line and less likely to be tackled. Yay!

DS1 called us Thursday completely stressed out. He was exhausted, broke, and out of gas. He wanted money. DH took him gas money and told him to come home for a talk. We told him that he would be flying totally solo w/o a net if he didn't come home, start being responsible with his money, stop staying at his girlfriend's, come home at a respectable hour, and enroll in college and attend his classes. He had an attitude at first, and was being disrespectful. My husband told him that he should pack his things and go because we wouldn't be putting up with that. He quickly changed his tune, and the insolent behavior disappeared. He never thanked us, but has seemed to be a bit pouty. Then today, we received an e-mail expressing his gratitude. "It's hard for me to admit that I was wrong, but I know I screwed up my life. I appreciate what you are doing to help me turn my life around. I love you, your grateful son, Matt." Now I just pray that he makes a most sincere effort.

Oh yeah! I got all of my work done, and my boss is on her way out of state, and her destination is in a mountainous area where cell service is not available. Yay!

Enjoy your holiday everyone,

Carolyn

[Pam in TX]

Good evening all,

A quick update on my sister..... She began running another fever Saturday morning.... One of the blood cultures came back and shows that she has a fungal infection... So they are putting her back on the vancomycin.... and the new pic line was taken out on Saturday and it came back showing infection in it also........ Another MRI was done yesterday and won't be "officially" read til tomorrow, but they think there might be a spot on her femur.... I think we will be fine with any answers, just to get answers.... We are a close family with a large faith in God...... Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we move along this journey.....

[Suji]

Hi everyone,

We had a pleasant Labor Day with your typical grill foods. MY DH bought himself a ping pong table, so everyone was playing that yesterday. My DS2 hit the road after 7 pm to go back to Blacksburg last night. All is back to normal school/workday.

I'm with you Pam on the knowing part of diagnosis. Nothing annoys me more that these inchoate explanations given by the physicians that attend my mother. SHe seems to have a systemic infection that emerges whenever she has a weakness and then she gets swollen legs or face again. It just won't go away. She is now on multiple medications--who knows if these might be interacting with each pother insubtle ways to be one of the causes of her low vitality. Sigh.

Carolyn--the 26th is his BD. I am waiting to find out tomorrow what my obligations are as far as garden club volunteering to see what other things I'm able to do. I am going to look into a couple of new things--potential for hiking (local area day hikes) and my sister wants me to take up weaving with her at a guild in MD. Sounds fun, but it would be on weekends which I have to think about first. Also, I am toying with taking up an instrument again--will have to look at the expense and whether my poorly aligned (weaker) once broken finger will impact that. Hmmm.

Hi Kayan and Leslie!

Sue (back to housework!)

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Pam, Sue, Carolyn and Kayan:

Pam: I continue to keep your sister in my prayers. What a rough go. I sure hope some progress is made soon. There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing what is going on. Take care.

Sue we had a quiet Labor Day. We went down to Eugene to visit DD1 and bring them the dresser from Ikea. The cool thing about that furniture is it's so easy to figure out. It does take a while to put together. DD1 and I put together the drawers and DH and DSIL put together the main part. We were done in about an hour and a half. Then we went to Red Robin. I had the burger and greens. That's always so good. But I drank way too much diet coke and it affected my weight today. I'm up again, but I believe that it will drop back in a day or two.

Carolyn: Congrats on your son playing in the first game. When DS played, he was right in the middle and as big as he is, expected to bowl everyone over that was in front of him, which he usually did. I'm glad your DS2 gets to play off to the side. I have to go to a couple of games this fall to watch DS march. I was at all the games last year because I worked in concessions. I hope things do turn around for your DS1. We are of the same mind. The kids are welcome to stay and we will support them as long as they are working to better themselves, i.e. going to school, working, etc. We don't have to worry about DD1, but still have DD2 and DS coming up, so we'll see how it goes.

Kayan: We had a new ice cream monster visit our house. Have you ever heard of the kind you can make in plastic bags in about 5 minutes? You can only make one serving at a time though which is a good thing, and you have control over the ingredients in it. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Have a great day!

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Still on plan, with no losses to report......... haven't been drinking as much water as I should though....... but did make it to exercise again yesterday.....

Sister is still pretty sick.... the fungal infection is in her blood..... but the drs don't agree on whether the spot that showed up on the MRI is infection in the femur bone..... they are going ahead and giving her antibiotics as though it is.... The new thing now is her hand where the IV got ripped out when she fell...... It is extremely swollen, they x-rayed it yesterday.... and then the new IV site infiltrated and they took it out and put in a new picc line.............. Poor thing, if it isn't one thing it's another.....

DH comes home tomorrow night..... He has been travelling the past 3 weeks and only been home on the weekends......

Have been working on a scrapbook for my parents....... I am taking all the stuff from their 50th anniv party and putting it together....... Yesterday was their 54th anniv, so the plan is to give it to them this weekend.......

mmmmmmm Ice cream...... one of my downfalls..... I keep no sugar added fudgesicles in the freezer, just in case.... I figure those do less damage than other choices.... I also saw something this past weekend about a ice cream maker that is like a ball and you load all the ingredients inside and then play with it with your kids for about 10 minutes or so (thats the shaking it part) and then eat and enjoy..... May have to check it out....

Leslie: You are doing so great..... I like Red Robin.... especially after I found out that they will do any of their burgers in lettuce leaves instead of the bun.... then I get a salas instead of the fries....

Sue: I can totally understand about what you mean about your mom..... With all my sister's ailments you would thnk she is much older than she is (she is only 44) but the meds that she has to take for her asthma have caused a miriad of other issues, specifically no immune system... Taking up an instrument, wow.... and another club.... girl where do you find the time?

Carolyn: Glad that DS's first game went well...... my DS was a wide reciever so he didn't get involved in the heavy hitting on the line, just creamed while up in the air.... so glad those days are over... I never relaxed when he was playing... just watching to make sure he stood back up after a play, then I could clap....

Kayan: Hope you are enjoying your trip......

I am another Sept bday.... Mine is the 29th....

Really need to get going...... Thanks for the continued prayers for our family....... It really is comforting........

Have a good day everyone...........

[Dreamcometru]

Hi ladies, down yesterday to 189, back up today to 190. I guess I have to lose these 2 lbs about 6 more times before it will stick. Oh Well.

Pam, glad you got to exercise, its good to take some time for yourself even with all your busy activities. Your poor sister. I really hope things stablize for her soon.

Not much new. I walked at lunch yesterday, but didn't make it to the gym, so I'm hoping tonight I will go. I had the energy to go yesterday, but just didn't want to.

I think I've got to do a week of very LC, 25 or less, to lose that lb or 2. My carbs have tended to creep back up these last 2 weeks. Also, now that DS is back in school, I have to have him over there by 6:45 am. That leaves me with about 1/2 hour extra before work. I really need to try to get in that 10 minute workout at least 3 times a week. This morning I cleaned house instead and did some laundry before running out the door.

Hi Sue, Carolyn and Kayan.

[Suji]

Hi Ladies,
I was planning on going to the farm to harvest but became a prisoner of UPS today instead. Missed the first 2 deliveries for something someone had to sign for. Geesh. So, I've been painting the trim down the hall and watching the house go up down the hill. Its fascinating but I have a sick dread that it is going to cut off our wonderful view of the church steeple. :-(

Summer is holding on in the high 80's and humid but I have been able to open up the house at night and shut off the AC which I think is much better for our health!

I attended the first meeting of the season for garden club which was at a local nature center. We had bag lunches and and some homemade items brought in by the designated members. I'm the official photographer so had to take a bunch of commemorative shots. UNfortunatley this group is not computer savvy and one other woman who is a club historian is into scrapbooking with the pics. When she asked me when I was going to have the pics "developed" and I told her it wasn't film she about had a fit! No, she didn't have a computer that could handle online photos!!! So, I have to make hard copy of these on some suitable glossy backing.

My feet have been bugging me lately-especially on hard surfaces. I am going to stop going barefoot on hard surfaces and get some gel inserts. Hopefully this is a temporary problem but it sure is a pain walking all "mincy"! I'd like to get out walking in my 'hood once it isn't so nasty hot!

Guess I'll go empty the litterbox and drink some water-not in that order...

Sue

[Pam in TX]

Sue about your digital pics..... You can do several things...... Put them on a disk or flash drive and take them to a WalMart or Walgreens (other stores also) and print them out there for about a quarter per print.... Some stores allow you to upload the photos from home and then go to the store to pick them up...... I also use an online service such as Clark Photo Lab or Snapfish and can get prints for about 11 cents a print.... an advantage to an online service is that you can upload them, send her the link and then she can go order the ones she wants to use and pay for them herself....

I am a big photography buff and am always printing out photos....

[Suji]

Thanks, Pam. I actually can print them out here at home since we have the right kind of photo paper, etc. I'm just so used to dealing with everything online!

Supposedly it will be 90 today. We are waiting for some colder air system to make it in. I will be going to the farm and picking umpteen pounds of tomaters for canning. I also have sweet corn ready to pick and will prolly end up canning/freezing some of that too.

Too bad meat doesn't grow on plants (well, there's soy!) cuz we'd be doing really well!

Later,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Pam and Sue:

Sorry it will be 90 for you Sue. We've been having average 72 - 75 degree days. We are due for a 90 or 2 next week though. Despite the lower temperatures, we are very dry.

I do what Pam does and upload my photos and send them to costco, walmart or walgreens and they print them and have them waiting when I get there. Costco is great to get them done in one hour. It saves a lot of money too because at home, the ink and photo paper are expensive. Speaking of, I've been trying to upload wedding photos. I've converted them to smaller sizes, but they are still too big to upload. Any ideas on downsizing further? I've been using Google export which shrinks them, but evidently this time, not enough.

So do you all have great plans for the weekend? More shopping for college bound daughter, but that's about it. This is her last full weekend at home.

Have a great day. Hi Carolyn and Pam.

[Dreamcometru]

Okay, here ya go. Wedding pictures. Yay!

[Pam in TX]

Leslie,

Beautiful pics............. and you look fantabulous..........

[Pam in TX]

Sue,

I do print out some at home but like Leslie said it does get expensive..... I also find that the colors are prettier on the ones that I have printed at the store....

Am off to go see my sister and my parents............ My dad is taking my mom out to dinner tonight for their anniv which was on the 5th..... They celebrated 54 years....

[kayan]

morning All

Pam: Sorry to hear about your sister. Hopefully they have found out the real cause and by starting the treatment she will get well soon. Congrats. to your parents for 54 years. My parents would of been married 55 on 9/21.

Leslie: What beautiful pictures!!! You have wonderful family. You look great!!!

Sue: Don't you hate that, waiting for a package and they always come at the end of the day and you have wasted all day

I have fallen pry to the ice cream monster again, I have tried the bag ice cream, you can make a double batch, just use bigger bags, I know all the tricks. Hopefully I can get passed this real soon I have a wedding in 2 weeks and don't want to be all bloated for that.

Carolyn: Our DS Matt also, has moved back home with fiancee , hopefully they are paying their bills and saving money .

everyone have a good day Am going to Bangor, looking for a shower gift. Bangor is about one hour away. It has a mall plus all of the other stores. Will meet up with DD2 for lunch

Kayan

[Suji]

Oh Leslie! Thank you for sharing your family wedding pics! I assume the last of the three is your nuclear family? Anyway--what a great job you are doing on your weight loss! It's nice to have a picture of you!

All pictures of me have been taken at the farm with me sweaty, dirty and disheveled and at most unflattering angles which sad to say is *most* angles! :-)

I brought home at least 30 pounds of tomatoes from one bed alone (my wunderbar paste tomato section!!) to can today. I also pulled some ears of corn--quite the challenge trying to tiptoe around among the Three Sisters planting--trying not to step on any squash vines! Our housesitter (I'll refer to him from now on as "OF") made a gumbo with okra which is just starting to mega produce and sent it home with me.

Kayan, maybe you need to deliberately ruin the taste of icecream for yourself so that you can't eat it. Like dump salt on it. I remember my Mom had an ice cream making day when she was a primary school teacher in the 60's and each kid had to make a contribution. One of the kids brought in salt labelled as sugar. Can you imagine the kids reaction after the ice cream was done??? I would like to visit Maine--only been just over the border once. My SIL and her DH used to go every year before my FIL became invalid.

Pam--we have several professional printers in our home office(s) that ought to do the trick--they do photo quality printing, posters, etc. We also have a dye-sub type that will work. I tend to just hand things like that off to my DH to take care of--we have separate spheres of influence. He is the "Techie" here-NOT me for sure!!!

DH is going to make an omelet breakfast--good way to start the day.

Hiya Carolyn!

Have fun weekends, ya'll!!
Sue

[sleepysue07]

DS2 had an out-of-town football game Friday night. We were slaughtered, but at least he didn't get knocked down, or knocked out. Yay! That's a winner in my book!

DH and I had a date-night yesterday -- dinner and a movie, and yes, I was a good girl. But, we had a potluck today at the church and I wasn't so good there.

We are preparing for our church's Christmas cantata already. It is so strange to be singing Christmas music when it's 94 degrees outside. My Sunday School kids and I have decided to put on a Nativity Play for Christmas this year, and we are all so excited about it. I think it will be great!

Our school's homecoming is this coming Friday. I spent part of my afternoon shopping w/DS2 and his GF for ribbons, trinkets, bells, and other football mum paraphernalia. I always enjoy making those every year. This year I only have to do one, so it is going to be awesome. GF is a petite little thing, so I'm sure she is going to be hidden behind this monstrous triple- mum, but that's what she wanted.

Well, I am really going to kick it into gear this month. I am totally fed up with all of this fat! I am going to start getting serious tomorrow. My good friend is back on Atkins, and I think it's time I joined her. Although, I am thinking of trying either Weight Watchers or South Beach instead. I just cannot face all of the eggs and cream cheese.

Oh Leslie, before I forget...you have a lovely family, you look amazing, and I really like the pink bridesmaid's dresses. Didn't the day just fly by though?

Pam, I'm still praying for your family. I am so envious that you still have your parents with you. My parents were married 53 years before my mom passed away. Their 50th is still one of my sweetest memories, such a happy day for everyone. I had thought about doing a scrap book of their 50th, but now it just makes me a little sad to go through all of their memorabilia.

Sue! 30 pounds of tomatoes? Oh my goodness! We should start calling you Contadena Sue. I wouldn't even know where to begin with canning tomatoes. Do you blanch them first?

Kayan, I've made coffee-can ice cream with the nursing home residents where I volunteered, but never in a bag. I am sure that it is easier done your way, and probably not as messy.

Tomorrow is going to be a killer at work, gotta stop prattling on
and turn in for the night.

Have a great Monday everybody.


Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Ahh, unbelievable. It was 86 here yesterday and going to be 94 today. Our summer has come a little late. We have leaves from the maple trees blowing everywhere. DS left his T-top open only to find his seats full of leaves and seeds. I love this time of year though. The squirrels are going crazy with the walnuts. I saw one that had two and couldn't figure out how to transport both. It was hillarious.

My walking partner and I waked the golf course trail on sat and sun so I got in 12 miles this weekend. Last time we saw rabbits. This time raccoon. We always see ducks, geese and get attacked by the hungry squirrels.

Carolyn: DD2 and I went to the HS football game Friday night to watch DS play in the band. Actually it was really fun. DS said last night that the football team is picking on him because he isn't playing. I don't know if the coach is behind it or what, but I told him to keep me posted. HMMMM. Oh, we lost in overtime. So sad. Anyway, congrats on your son getting through the game.

I'm like you, I've got to buckle down. I want to get these last lbs off and can't seem to drop anymore. I'm not really sure what to do to get the weight to start coming off again except buckle down and stick to induction. We will be having a "booster session" which will be 8 weeks of back to induction, but that's some time down the road. I don't want to wait that long, but just can't seem to stick with induction standards.

Sue: I love tomatoes. Don't know how to can them though but remember when my mom did and they were so good.

Kayan: I hope you enjoyed your shopping trip (my absolute favorite thing to do). We spent all day saturday getting stuff for DD2's move to college next weekend.

Pam: Wow, 54 years, that's amazing. You are fortunate to have yoru parents. My mom has outlived two husbands. My dad died when I was very young. I hope things are looking up for your sister.

Thanks for the compliments on the pics everyone. Ha, that was July 15th and I still look the same!

[Suji]

Hey you guys,
Well, something got me the day before yesterday and I ain't done nuthin'! Sides of my neck were painful and after a fitful night, I awakened yesterday to swollen glands from under my ears and on down my neck and mild earach-y feeling in both ears. WHat the heck!! I am better today, but the swelling is still there particularly under the ears. GAH!

Tomatoes are easy! Wash, scald in boiling water for 30 seconds, plunk in ice water. Peel. Pack into sterillzed jars. Add 2 TB lemon juice per qt (as safety factor for low acid type tomatoes), put on sterile lids and screw tops and process in either hot water bath or pressure cooker for "X" minutes according to directions and altitude. Ta da.

I best go check on my kiddo for school, start coffee, etc. I plan to lay low again today despite the need to pick more maters at the farm!

Great weather in the 70's this week beginning today!

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sue:

I hope you are feeling better today.

A friend of mine brought a bunch of fresh grown tomatoes over. They are absolutely fabulous. Its a good thing I love them. I'm probably the only one who eats them in the house.

I met with my research group yesterday and recorded a whopping 1.2 lb loss for the month. I really need to get cracking to see if I can start losing again, although I went quite a while last time and then started dropping. Hopefully this is my month. I've been at this for almost a year. It would sure be great to say I lost 80 lbs in a year. I'm almost there. My group is scheduled to take a LC tour of New Seasons market next month. I can hardly wait. A nutritionist will be giving us tips on things to buy, etc. Then in November, the one year anniversary of when we first started meeting, we are having a catered LC dinner. Can't wait to see what is provided.

We broke a record and actually had four days in a row over 85. The first time this summer. We are dopping back down today though. In fact the clouds still haven't burned off yet.

Hi Carolyn, Kayan and Pam.