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

[sleepysue07]

Hi Y'all,

Okay, I'm going to start back to the gym next week. It will take a while to get back to swimming forty laps a day again, but I will eventually get there. It may take a year, but I will do it again.

Sue the garden sounds wonderful, I can see how it might be helpful in stretching the food dollar. I am beginning to do the whole coupon thing.

Leslie, you are more active than I realized. I used to love bike riding so much! However, the last time I had a bike I sold it because the seat was positively torturous! I think I would have to lose a lot of weight before I would be able to try it again, but you have already done that!

Ok girlfriends, have a lovely day tomorrow!

TTFN,

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hey ladies:

My exercise did not happen last night. Phleh! Anyway, here's to tonight. Right. Carolyn, 40 laps????? I haven't swam that much since I was about 10 years old. I can't even do 5 without dying. We do have a pool at the gym, and I should try an occasional swim instead of the usual cardio machines.

My bike has a big seat. Its not like those 10+ speed bikes with the little narrow seat. So it isn't that hard on my butt. Its just trying to get away to actually get the ride in.

On the upside (well sorta) DH is scheduled to work out of town for a few weeks, and he and DS are taking a trip around the 4th of July. That will give me some me time where I can get in all the exercise I want. Yay! I hope it makes a difference. Perhaps if I can behave myself and eat right too, the results will come.

Hi Sue: I hope all is going well with your mom and visitors.

Bye for now.

[Suji]

Hi you two,

I had a long day (and night) yesterday. Not a good idea to ask my husband to try out his new expresso machine in the evening. I've been awake since 2 am...

To top it off, the AC is not working and we are expecting temps to climb into the 90's and close to 100 over the next several days. We have an archaic system which I don't think most of the repair guys trained for. Plus the garage is practically impassable these days to get to the room where they need to work. Arrghhh, On second thought, this may account for my lack of sleep (toss, turn)

The garden party went well, but it was hot and close in the one room we met in and the meeting dragged on for hours and ended in rain so we couldn't walk around the gardens. I really am not much into the flower arranging side of things, but so many of the announcements during the meetings have to do with this or that competition. Yargh. I prefer live arrangements in the ground.

New book for bookclub is "She Got Up Off the Couch..."--Haven Kimmel.
I don't know anything about it yet except it is a biography/sequel. I'll let you know.

THe latest thing that appears to be making the rounds is AMish Friendship Bread. My cousin gave us some starter when we were up in NY and now I see people posting about it on the community net asking questions. It makes a sweet bread/cake, I guess. I remember a cool starter where you sink an onion into a mix of rye flour and water, slightly covered container-for a few days. I'd like to try that for fun. I'm not eating a lot of bread products, it's just a cool thing to try!

Today, assuming I can stop feeling like "powdered toast", I want to work with Mom on exercises you can do seated. SHe complains her hip hurts when she walks so listening to her coming down the hall is to be hearing losts of huffing and groans. But, all this sitting can't be good for her!!!
Still, a friend has offered to let us rebuild an old model 4 wheel scooter to make her more ambulatory. Hurray! Let it work!

TTFN,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Wow, Sue: I wore a coat, drank hot tea and had my heater on full blast in my car as I drove to work today. Its June 5th for heaven sake. Where's the summer? I actually envy your hot weather.

Let me know how you like the book. I'm always looking for a good read. I just finished a book by Keith Clemmons. You've got to like a little bit of religion to like his books. It ended up being a feel good story. DS just finished a book called The Last Lecture. He wants me to read it. I have no idea what its about.

In our group, we had a session on chair exercises. I was surprised at what a good workout it was. I hope your mom decides to work on that a little. I can't get my mom to. I hope the scooter works too. My mom would be lost without her wheelchair.

Espresso. Yummy. But that's what I'm afraid of. I would drink it too late at night and not be able to sleep. I drank a hot chocolate last night and it kept me awake.

Let us know how the bread turns out. I've never heard Amish Friendship bread.

DS was gone last night playing in the band at the graduation so I managed to grab some exercise time. Everything I've ready says to up the intensity of what I'm dong, so I'm going to try. Its pretty sad when I see ladies going around the trail older than I at a jog or a much faster paced walk. I've got some work to do.

Have a great day.

[sleepysue07]

Hey Sue and Leslie,

Tonight my baby graduated from high-school. I was proud and sad at the same time. I cannot believe that I no longer have high schoolers. It seems so strange. We had family come in and we all went out for dinner together and it was nice. So many of his friends and classmates came up to us tonight and hugged us and said nice things that my mascara was gone before the commencement started.

Ugh...have to go back to work tomorrow.

I have decided to give low carbing a try again. I am going put myself and DH on a low carb diet again. I found the entire series of the Walk Away the Pounds dvd's at a tag sale last week for a dime each, unopened even, so I bought them and am going to give them a whirl beginning Saturday morning.

Leslie, I am glad your seat doesn't hurt. I would gladly loan you fifty degrees if I could. It is sooo hot here! I actually wore a sun dress to graduation tonight, but wore a little sweater over it because I am self conscious about my chubby arms. My husband is getting the pool ready this weekend, Yeah! My oldest is life-guarding at camp this summer, and he is as red as a lobster right now. I keep telling him to wear sunscreen, but he won't listen!

Sue, the Amish friendship bread went around here a couple of years ago, and it was wonderful!

Good night,

Carolyn

[Suji]

Oh, It is bitter sweet isn't it when they graduate! (Hugs)
Let's send that heat someplace else, shall we?! It's going to be in the mid to upper 90's and that's just too soon!
I took Mom to the farm today. Got in peppers and eggplants and dug some area for future young plants as a nursery. Some of last year's plants are humongo this year with all. the rain and such. I will have to transplant to new places! I also put phlox in the ground from our club swap and some iris from SC my Mom had dug up to bring north.
THe yard is in dire need of mowing and there is so much trimming around plants that needs to be done! Auuggghhhh!

We need to get a downstairs bath in as Mom can hardly make it up the steps! I am now looking for a "Big Butt" walker seat!

Leslie, the bread was very tasty but too sweet to make regularly without ballooning up!!!

WEll, must check on Mom and dry my hair. It feels so good to get clean again after working outside in the heat and humidity! Bet I turn up with a case of poison ivy by morning though!!!

What is Walk Away the Pounds? Is it something you listen to on earbuds while walking outside?

Have a great weekend!
Sue

PS Sorry! I think the exclamation point monster must have control of my hand! *#&*#*

[sleepysue07]

Sue, did you escape the effects of poison ivy? I am not allergic to it fortunately,as it is everywhere here in Central Texas.

I am totally baffled. I bought Lantanna plants about two weeks ago, and they are supposed to be drought resistant and withstand full sun and heat. I checked on them today and they are fried! I have been watering them occasionally. I am truly the kiss of death to plants, I just don't have a green thumb.

I have eaten too much this weekend. I am thinking of fasting tomorrow just to get over the weekend.

Well, I had better go for now, I have laundry to do before tomorrow. I am actually AWOL from church tonight. We took DS2 and DGF to the drive-in movie last night for a double feature, and didn't get in until after 2:00 this morning, I am really tired.

Oh Sue, Walk Away the Pounds are exercise videos by Leslie Sansone, and they are sort of like Aerobics, but incorporate a lot of walking maneuvers, and range in intensity.

Have a good evening,

Carolyn

[Suji]

Hi Carolyn (and Leslie),
Yesterday I awakened with a feeling of malaise--all my muscles hurt. Then later in the afternoon I started to get so cold--I couldn't keep warm. Body temp only went into 101's but then my basal temp generally is in the 97 range. THis morning, except for a backache, I felt OK, now it feels like the malaise is creeping back. Eeew.

I didn't get poison ivy--thank goodness!

THings that are "drought resistant" are not automatically so. You have to get their roots established in the soil. When you buy them, you have to water as if they are a regular non-xeric plant. Once they start growing more and the roots have gotten into the native soil more extensively, they don't need as much water but do appreciate some sort of regular watering even if it isn't as great a requirement as something like a caladium.

TTFN!
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Ladies:

Sue you can send some of that heat our way. We still have rain. Haven't even seen the 60's for days. Heck, there's even new snow on the mountain. My walking partner's DH went snow shoing on Sunday.

We did manage some sun yesterday. I got the grass mowed and the rest of my large bed cleaned out. I'm going to spray roundup in those difficult spots and preen around the roses but didn't want to yet because of the rain. DS is starting the replanting project on the hedge. I told him one tree at a time. (I don't want a huge pile of dead trees to deal with all at once) We have dead arbor vitea. Yesterday he cut down one and cut it up in little pieces and got the stuff cleaned out of the yard. He was exhausted when that was done which is why I said one at a time. We may leave the stumps in and plant around them. We have so many volunteer maple trees that have come in around them, we are going to let them grow.

DH left for eastern Washington yesterday. He gets to come home every weekend though. But it gives me time for projects in the evenings and exercise.

Carolyn: Yah, its a mixed bag of feelings when the kids graduate. My DS only has two years to go. But that leaves our future wide open for us to buy a new house and get out of dodge.

I too need to go back to strict LC again. I have regained everything I lost since the beginning of the year (after christmas) so here I go again. I just have trouble giving up fruit and yogert and staying motivated.

[sleepysue07]

Well Sue thanks for the tips on the plants. I obviously have a lot to learn. You mentioned Caladiums, and oddly enough when we lived in town I grew them with no problem.

I hope that you feel better today. I am not feeling my best today either, but I have to work both places , so I just have to take some Advil and get on with it. I am so tired all the time that I am just going to have to quit the second job, it just isn't worth it to me anyway because I feel lifeless and drained every day.

Are your high schooler' out for the summer yet? Mine is and he is alredy driving me crazy. He needs a car and won't be getting it until next month, and until then we are sharing, and it is such a hassle!

Well, have to go to job #2 now,

have a great evening!

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Carolyn and Sue:

I didn't get anything done last night to take advantage of DH being gone. I had to run DS to his trombone lesson which sucks up most of the evening. His car kind of stalls when it idles and it scares him so he doesn't like to drive it very far. He was legal in this state to drive with friends on Sunday, but hasn't taken advantage of it yet. I thought once he hit that six month mark he'd be gone all the time.

Still raining here. We won't hit 60 today. The wind is howling and it might as well be winter except it stays lighter outside longer. I'm wearing one of my winter sweaters today. DS left DH's truck window open last night. Ugh, what a wet mess. I hope I can have it dried out before DH gets home.

Tonight I'm taking on the computer/laundry room. I'm so tired of having to look at the messy dump-all computer desk, and the piles of clothing my kids have and won't get rid of or put away are going to disappear. One project at a time. I hope I make some progress while DH is gone.

Carolyn, don't work too hard. I find one job is plenty for me. I've worked two jobs before but when I was single and no one else to worry about and even that was really hectic. I don't see how you do it.

Have a great day.

[Suji]

Well,
I'm still battling the whatever it is with the low grade fever. FInally this afternoon, I am feeling a bit less like I'm walking around with a heated bubble helmet on!
I have little to report since I haven't done anything but lay about feeling sorry for myself that I'm not even taking care of rudimentary stuff...

Leslie, this doggone weather! Today is supposed to be the last day of the heatwave. You can have it!!! What would it be like normally where you are?

Mom is having to get used to a very different diet at our house. My nieces/SIL do all the cooking and they are g.o.b. southern Nascar lovin' types. Lots of grits and gravy and barbecued pork and what all. Mom is used to having hot meals 3x a day. Up here we graze and eat lots of cooler things like green salads and cold pasta salads. I'm very simplistic and for the most part don't mix a lot of stuff together. Hardly ever make gravy except at holidays. I just don't want to cook in this heat either. Still, with being practically immobile and a diabetic, with high blood pressure and what all, she shouldn't have that southern style diet daily. She's being a sport by eating how we do, but it would be nice if she could get up and cook some of what she wants instead of being wishful for this and that for me to make. Given a choice--she'll sit.

Carolyn--did you have 3 jobs and leave one already?

Well, I guess I'll go prep the pork stew type thing I'm planning...

[Dreamcometru]

Sue: I'm sorry you are still under the weather. Summertime is an awful time to be ill. The heat seems to compound the symptoms. I hope you feel better soon.

Well......normal weather here this time of year....75 to 80 degrees, 85, an occasional 90, but mostly 70's and 80's. We are supposed to get above 60 today. Yay! I need to open the truck up to let it dry out. I moved it this morning and it was stinky from the moisture. It can't be that way when DH gets back on Friday night. Hmmm, I haven't heard from him, so I know he's so busy he can't see straight. If he's bored he calls daily.

I had my group meeting yesterday then went grocery shopping since I hadn't done any for the house, just DH. I bought stuff to make taco salad for DS and I and by the time I was done it was pretty late and I was tired so I didn't get anything done around the house. So tonight I will try to get the computer/laundry room done. At least the computer desk anyway. I can't stand it any longer.

We are like you, we don't do hard core cooking around here except on occasion in the winter. We tend to opt for salads, lots of chicken and poultry, occasionally pork or a roast in the crock pot. Gravy is unheard of around here except for holidays and since I've been LC'ing, potatoes just don't happen around here much any more.

I had best get to work. Hi Carolyn.

[sleepysue07]

Hello. Sue I am sending well wishes your way, and hoping you feel better tomorrow.

My brother-in-law finally lost his battle with cancer. My sister is not doing well in her grief and has begun to drink again. I'm just very sad. Gary has been my hero since I was eight. He looked like Robert Redford, and had a deep voice like Sam Elliot, and was always ready to run to my rescue. I know that he genuinely cared for me as well. The last time we spoke he told me how much I meant to him as a sister. I can't even imagine what life will be like without Gary in our family.

I have been able to salvage about half of my plants. It is just too hot and dry here! Tonight the news said that our little town is rationing water and banning any outdoor watering.

Leslie is your DH on a disaster response mission somewhere? I didn't know you were going to be meeting with your group anymoe. Is this the group from the clinical trial?

I am only working part-time at both jobs, and then am on staff at my church. DH and I are carpooling though and we leave at 6"30 am and don't come home until 10:00 pm. I only work both jobs on Monday and Friday, and I have about 2 to three hours between. I sometimes run errands, shop or go to the library and read. I am currently reading my way through English tudor history, and while I find it fascinating I know that other people do not.

Well, it's late and I am going to turn in for the night.

Sleep well,

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Whoaa, I can't believe I haven't posted since Wednesday.

Carolyn: I'm so sorry about your BIL. I wish you and your family well. I'm sure you have many great memories. It is tough. I ran into a picture of my MIL the other day and realized just how much I miss her even though we weren't that close.

Oh, and yes, I continue to meet with the clinical study group through April of next year. So you would think I would lose some more weight, wouldn't ya?

DH is still gone. He didn't come home this weekend and probably won't next. They are pushing to get out of there for 4th of July week. Yesterday I had the kids all call at the same time to wish him happy father's day. He's not on disaster relief. Its an environmental job. It truly would qualify for that show on discovery channel "Dirty Jobs." But once they get the muck cleaned up, the rest is all cat work and dirt spreading which is what he specializes in. He's the superintendent so he calls the shots. He seems to be having fun with his buddies.

I went to DD1's graduation on Friday. She got her masters. She does have 4 more weeks of schooling, but then that's it. She's done. Yay!

I worked in the yard a lot on Sunday. I helped my poor roses that were being choked out by weeds and tall grass. Now I've got to reweed my beds. I'm laying soil next weekend around the plants that are already growing and going to plant lots of color like zinnias to get me through the fall.

I finished the computer desk too. I hardly recognize it. I had no idea how big a job that was, but it sure looks nice now. My neighbor took our old computer and is going to try to get past this error message so I can get into it and retrieve pictures and music. I hope he's successful. I was/am a little hesitant because it does have some personal information on there, but I don't think he will mess with that. He just wanted to solve the error code problem. I told him not to work too hard because the hard drive was on its way out anyway.

Sue I hope you are feeling better.

[sleepysue07]

Thanks Leslie, It's been a very sad loss.

I'm sorry that your husband is gone so much lately, I know you must really miss him, but on the plus side you seem to be accomplishing quite a lot.

I am exhausted. This is Vacation Bible School week, and I'm spent and it' only Tuesday. I have 11 kids in 4-6th grade. Every year I swear it is my last one to teach it, but I think this year really will be.

I am wondering if Sue is alriight. It's been a few days since she posted and I know that she hadn't been feeling well.

Sue? Are you alright?

Well, have a good day tomorrow,

Sweet dreams,

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Carolyn:

I taught vacation bible school for a long time. I remember it being such a ridiculously busy time but I still enjoyed it. I just hope the kids learned from it and enjoyed it too.

I went to the gym last night and did cardio for an hour which is longer than I usually do it for. I was dripping wet when I finished. Ewww, but with everyone gone from the house last night, I didn't want to sit at home alone, so I took advantage of the opportunity.

The big bosses got this ridiculous idea to keep the men at 10 hours per day at this job DH is on. DH is the superintendent and he blew a cork. He told them they want out of there as soon as possible. If they leave them to 10 hours a day, they will be there a lot longer than desireable. So they allowed them to work unlimited hours. His longest day has been 14 hours. They've been trying to work 12's. Thats way too long for me. He sounds exhausted when he calls. I hope they get out of there soon.

I had a terrible weekend eatingwise and weighed myself yesterday. Ummm good grief! I was up 4 lbs. This is ridiculous. Anyway, I'm back at it hoping to lose 4 lbs before my next group meeting on July 8th. How the heck can you gain 4 lbs in one weekend? I ate a couple of carby things but no that much. Hmmmph.

My neighbor recovered everything from the old computer, but the motherboard and hard drive are shot, so he put everything on DVD's. Its all there. I was so excited and he didnt' charge me a thing. Its expensive to have that done, so I'm going to buy him a gift certificate to a local restaurant so he and his family can have a night out. What a sweetie.

Sue, I know you have your hands full with your mom. I hope you are feeling better.

Leslie

[sleepysue07]

Wow Leslie! What a kind neighbor you have!

I am impressed by your hour of cardio too. I have actually gained pounds in a day! I have never understood how that happens, but I know it does.

My eating has been hit or miss this week. I am trying, but to busy to plan ahead this week, so I guess I will try it again next week. I haven't weighed, and I don't want to. I was at 214 last week though. I am going to only weigh in monthly. If I weigh too often I become obsessed with it.

DH is routinely working 14 hour days 5 days a week now, and he is exhausted too. I am looking for a full-time job so that he will not have to work so much. I got a lead on a job today in the insurance business. I don't like insurance much. I sold insurance years ago and was very good at it, but I just don't find it remotely interesting.

Bible school is wild and crazy this year. My class is almost half male and half female. I am used to having more boys than girls. I am not used to all of the drama that I am seeing between the girls this week. I guess it's a good thing I had boys because I'm really not equipped with the skills necessary to raise girls. I honestly don't know how you did it, maybe yours weren't as high strung.

Sue, I really miss you and hope you are feeling better!:

Well, I think I will turn in for the night,

Have a wonderful tomorrow!

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Carolyn:

Dont ya wonder how men do it? 14 hour days are awful. I guess we put in our long days too, first at work, then at home, so perhaps it all works out.

DD2 got her schedule for her job at the theatre. She was excited because they scheduled her for 44 hours. I'm glad because it makes DS think a bit about trying harder to get a summer job. Its so nice that the theatre takes DD2 back over the summer and christmas.

As for raising girls and guys, I must admit, DS and I have a completely different relationship than the girls and I do. Although being his age, I always feel privileged to be in his company. After all, no kid his age wants to be seen with his mom. I'm fortunate in that he tells me everything. DD1 did too, DD2 not so much. But I always enjoy our discussions after school about his day and all his friends. He is always having kids over too which is fun. I'm glad they feel they can come over whenever.

I didn't exercise last night. I was too sore from the night before. I hope I can get moving tonight!

Hi Sue.

[sleepysue07]

Good Morning Leslie,

I honestly don't know how they do it. I only do it two nights a week and I and I have a three hour break in between and I am worn out the following day.

It's great that your daughter is getting so many hours at the theater. Matt could have done the same at Starbucks, but he didn't want to drive into town everyday. He is lifeguarding at a local summer camp this summer and is working about 50 -60 hours a week. He is not happy though because he has now been there over a month and has yet to receive a check due to a payroll snafu supposedly on his part. On the bright side, when he does get paid on July 15th it will be a very large check which he surely needs. He has a traffic ticket to pay for. His car needs new brakes so DH and I will be funding them tomorrow. It is always something.

He told me yesterday that he wants to sell his Mustang and buy a more economical car that will not be a trooper target. Oh! did I mention that he has decided to transfer to SFA not this coming school year but the next? Thank goodness he wants to be closer to home. He is already committed to play football this next year, but says that it will be his last year to play. He feels that he will be able to get enough in academic scholarships and track to cover his tuition, and because SFA is a state school the tuition is only about half of that at Sterling. (I really wanted him to go to SFA in the first place, but his XGF had different ideas.)

This morning on the drive in DH told me that he wants us to give Weight Watchers a try. I guess I need to start lookig for meetings. (I am eating McDonald's as I type this...how pathetic is that?)

Have a fantastic day Leslie!

Hi Sue!

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Carolyn:

I had to laugh at the McDonalds. I had it last Friday when we were on the road to DD1's graduation. I had the wraps with grilled chicken though in an attempt to eat semi-lc. But I did put my hands in the cookie jar and have a few fries too.

Wow, your DS sounds like he's on the right track. Good for him. And its good he has a summer job. I don't want to put too much pressure on my DS to get a job. I did that with DD1 and it ended in disaster, so I'm just subtly encouraging him. He's out pounding the pavement today. I told him he should have started back in April or May. Oh well.

Ah, we are going to get DS's brakes done too. They are really in need of repair. I hate to see the bill. But I don't want him to drive without good breaks. Speaking of, I need to call and make an appointment for tomorrow.

I hope to stay on track this weekend. I didn't last night. Although I had an omlette, I went for the pancakes. Darned things. I've been craving them. I think its tv commercials or something.

Hope you have a good weekend. Sue, hope to hear from you sometime soon.

[sleepysue07]

Leslie,

Yay! VBS is over! It was great. I am exhausted, and two of the kids in my class made a profession of faith.

I am proud of DS1. He already had a lifeguarding job lined up about three weeks before he took his finals. While he was taking his water safety and lifeguarding classes he found this job, and took it instead because it's close to home. He has always been a worker. He enjoys lifeguarding, and had to rescue a camper yesterday who couldn't swim and fell out of a canoe into the lake. (I met his father at camp in 1980 when we were lifeguards together--man that was a long time ago now!), so it just seems natural that he would be doing this as a summer job.

My youngest, on the other hand still isn't actually employed anywhere, but he works for himself. He does odd jobs, and cleans property, hauls scrap metals and really hustles. He has a friend that works with him and the split everything 50/50. He is working at something every day and makes more money than Matt ever has. I have to admire his initiative. He certainly isn't afraid of hard work, and he isn't afraid to go out and work for what he wants. He is going to start at the local Junior college in the fall though. He wants to go into business for himself some day. He will receive his inheritance soon and plans to spend some and invest the rest, and also to add a certain amount to his invested money each year. He plans to marry his girlfriend when they have both graduated from college so he is serious about his plan.


I didn't have anything as innocent as a wrap this morning. I had a McGriddle. Tomorrow we begin Weight Watchers. I have four friends who are having great success with it. I hope I will be able to do the same.

Have a great weekend. If it's pretty tomorrow, I plan to work out in the yard. I have no plans for the rest of the weekend. A weekend without plans to me is like a vacation! Maybe I will sew something! I am also going to begin exercising again. (I'll let you know how that goes--I'm a little nervous.)

Carolyn