A Diamond in the Rough -- Candy's Journey

[Tippy Toes]

I miss you too, Candy! I hope you are having a good time!

[LovesDivine]

Hope you are having a GREAT time!!!

[Tippy Toes]

Candy, when you get back I will be on vacation myself for the next 2 weeks. Look forward to catching up when I return.

[Low Carb Mommy]

I will be on vacation too! Hope I have lots to read when I get back! I want to see some pictures posted on here too!!!!

[monet0329]

[Livywilltim-mom]

CANDY!!!!!! I don't want to wait for you to come home anymore...boohooboohoo

[Edwards20]

WOW !! I really missed you all while I was away. We took the laptop, but I never could get the site to load.

The pain from my infection lasted til Tuesday, then it started to ease up. We had some rough times with Randy's dad. He didn't feel too well, and struggled to know what day it was each morning. His mother didn't help matters by yelling at him. Ugh .... my nerves are shot.

Hannah had a horrible stomach ache most of the week, and took the Miralax several times.

All and all it was a decent vacation, but I can't say it was totally relaxing. There were some rough times, but some enjoyable moments as well.

On the first day, I ran into an old friend that I attended church with 21 years ago ... WOW. We had a lot of catching up to do. They have a 7 year old daughter with Down's Syndrome. She and Hannah really hit it off.

The ocean had a purple flag every day we were there. That means dangeroud marine life. We understood a shark was spotted, as well as Portugese Man of War. The beach looked nasty the first part of the week, but towards the end, it got better. We got in to our knees for a few minutes on two occasions.

The first day we were there, a 17 year old boy broke his neck diving into the water at the beach. From what we understand there were two more teenagers at the beach that did the same thing on different occasions within the past two weeks. What a tragedy for those involved.

My friends had to leave early because of a death in the family. When they got the news, they tried to contact their oldest son. They were unable to contact him by cell phone and they called his place of employment. He had not been to work in two days. I only got my friend's email address. She got my cell #, but has not called me yet. They were going to have the campus security go to his dorm room. I have been worried sick about this since Friday morning.

I did pretty well with food and drinks until about Wednesday, then I was horrible. I was eating everything in site. I am pretty swollen from the water retention, as expected. I was allowing myself 10lbs, and was suprised to have come away with only a 6 lb gain. I am pleased. I do plan to go back to induction levels and hopefully knock it off. I know I am dehyrdated as well.

I missed you all, and am going to try and get to all your journals today. I do have to unpack and do laundry as well, so it might take a while. Plus, none of us feel very well and we are exhausted.

I do have some pics to share as well. It's great to be back.

[LovesDivine]

Welcome back!!!

How sad about the teens...and death in your friends family. I hope their son is ok!!

[Edwards20]

Just got a call from my BIL. My sister is in the ER with high blood sugar .... go to run for now. Please keep us in your prayers.

[seb]

Ladies from the Weight Loss Journal - Our Favorite Recipes

That is the recipe thread that we were mentioning. Please feel free to add any recipes. I've been very bad at it.

It's good to have you back, Candy. You've been missed.

Now I'm worried about your friends' son, your sister and your FIL. I will remember to pray for them. Keep us updated.

Can't wait to see some pics.

[seb]

Sue's Brownies

1/4 C half & half
4 eggs beaten
4 T SF chocolate syrup
1 T SF vanilla syrup
1/4 C coconut oil or butter (I prefer butter)
4 T flaxmeal
1 t baking powder
1/2 C cocoa powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 C splenda

Mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine together. Put in greased 8X8 baking dish and bake at 350 for 20-25 min.

[Tylar_Connar]

WOW Candy. I wish you had had a more relaxing vaction. BUt I sure do hope all that you have mentioned above are ok!! What alot of things going on in your life.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Dear Candy,
Wow, prayers going out to all. I wish I could do more. I have missed you very much and look forward to your photos.
Peace friend.

[pri17cess72]

Prayers for you and your family. Glad to see you back.

[hawkwife]

Candy, I am thinking of all you have on your mind lately...wish I could do something to ease the stress, but I am for you!!

I know what you mean about the water weight and swelling!! My hands look terrible...but it will all come off this week!!

Have a great night, and I'll try to check in on ya in the morning.



Jen

[Potaty]

Wow, Candy, I wish it had been a little more relaxing for you! So sad about the teenager and the death in your friend's family. Have you heard from your friend regarding her son? I hope your sis is okay, sending up some prayers for you!!!!!

[Tylar_Connar]

Good morning, Candy. I hope you have a wonderful and less stressed day!!

[seb]

Good morning Candy. Hope all is well.

[marnie4949]

Welcome back. You were missed! Hope this week goes well. You deserve to have a nice, quiet, stress free, no problems day now and then!!!

[monet0329]

hiya my friend .. so good to see you back .. .. sorry for everything.. my prayers are with you as well hun.,....

you'll get those pesky 6 pounds off in no time..

love ya lady..

[mycattaz]

So sorry, hope things are better for you this AM....

[Edwards20]

Sue, thanks for the recipes.

Tonia, Jaimie, Liz, Jen, Katy, Marnie, Monet, Lisa, and Sue it's great to see you all. Thank you all for your love, concern and prayers.

I have not heard anything from my friend and am still quite upset about this. All I can do is continue to pray.

My sister is back at home. They have gotten her blood sugar down to 275. It was almost 400 at the hospital. There are some other blood issues going on with her. We both have had very elevated white cell counts for YEARS, but NO ONE can figure out why. NOW, some of her other bloodwork is out of register ... hematocrit, hemoglobin, etc. I am so worried about her.

I think that I have made myself sick with worry, or perhaps I am sick myself. I have been telling myself it is the antibiotics, but they didn't bother me that bad in FL, so perhaps that's not it. I was in severe pain when I got back home last night. Upper right quadrant. I have had my gall bladder removed, and twice have had stones in my bile duct. Each time I knew what it was, and it does feel the same.

I started off really well with breakfast this morning. By lunch, I was so sick at my stomach and feeling horrible. I decided I needed some bread to absorb the antibiotic. So, I had a chicken sandwich and fries. Ughhh .... I have to get out of this rut. I need to get my emotional status in check and then worry about my WOE. But, gosh it's hard. I have NEVER been an emotional eater .....

I will agree with Tippy Toe's mantra ... the worst advice I ever got was that it is OK to have a cheat. I digress ........

[Edwards20]

I am not exactly proud of myself in these pics, but handled it much better than last year - when I refused to really even get in the pics.

VACATION PICS

[mycattaz]

Great pictures.... look like everyone was having a really time...

[Edwards20]

I have just gotten another phone call ... I just want to crawl in a hole. My best friend just called me. A dear friend of ours has been air-lifted to Emory hospital. He has a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit. They will be drilling 4 holes in his head to relieve the pressure. I am not sure of anything else. I again reach out to you for your prayers.

Lisa, I was just reading your journal when I got the call .... I will get back with you later.

[mycattaz]

[SunaBee]

Originally Posted by Edwards20

I have just gotten another phone call ... I just want to crawl in a hole. My best friend just called me. A dear friend of ours has been air-lifted to Emory hospital. He has a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit. They will be drilling 4 holes in his head to relieve the pressure. I am not sure of anything else. I again reach out to you for your prayers.

Lisa, I was just reading your journal when I got the call .... I will get back with you later.

Mighty prayers being sent up for your good friend.



Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. You should be proud - proud that you are making a point of being in pics, so when Hannah looks back she has pics that include Mommy too. (I need to take my own advice *blush*.