Heather Shrinks in Houston!

[Houston Heather]

I'm a little "skeert" of it.

My garden beds are starting to get a little crowded, so I feel OK if the squash doesn't make it. I don't seek out squash at the grocery store, but you never know. I am curious to try this and see how it works.

I'm giving the rest of the seed packet (holding back a half-dozen seeds for myself) to Leroy at work - he's a big time gardener, conventional style, but it's nice to know another gardener.

Busy today, you can tell when I'm posting now! Got up, went to work. Lots of work at work Like moving a pallet of soda, case by case. I burned off my onion rings in advance.

Yes, after work, we went to Burger King. I made it a meal with onion rings and ate 10. Sadly, I can't find my "flogger".

Then we went to the blood bank. Donated, both of us were fine. I ate my "after" burger, because donating blood always makes me hungry. We had to wait an hour on our ride. Just sitting around... I knit the best I could but my elbow was sore. Knitting the way I do involves some elbow bending, but I took off my bandage about 10 minutes ago and you can hardly see where they stuck me. They didn't have any type A or B blood for the day, it was all "O". Ron's type A, and I'm type B (personality wise, too ) so they needed it.

Someone's going to get into a wreck this weekend and need it. Anyway, we got home, I was BEAT. Ron and I both agreed, next time we donate, we will do it on Wednesday morning, at 10 or so. Then we can go home and sleep. We get tired after donating AND we need our naps!

I am as open about my disabilities in public as I am here. I have no problem saying "My mother drank when she was pregnant and fried the part of my brain that processes information. I can troubleshoot a vending machine, help my husband write a spreadsheet, and design a web page but I can't drive." I have nothing to be ashamed of and I feel it helps people understand me better. I am also very clear when I tell them there's no way Mom knew that what she was doing could hurt me, no one knew back then about FAS.

So I came home and got my nap. I knew my plants were coming today so I had one ear open. I had a GREAT nap and slept about an hour, hour and a half. Sure enough, DING DONG. I galloped up front (no dizziness, thank God!) and got my package, hollering "Thank You!" at the departing UPS guy.

Sometime I'll have to tell you about Al, he was an interesting guy.

I opened it up. The babies were a little bit mashed, dirty, and tired looking. I got them planted outside quick. It actually got dark while I was working but I still finished the job and watered all the garden beds (plants dry out faster when it's windy). All the new babies have great root systems and I fixed up the soil quite a bit. It's good stuff. I mulched them too, with a layer of compost (I did mention spoiling them), and a layer of shredded pine bark. I put a modest amount of quick-release organic plant food in the holes, so they'll have a snack. It's up to THEM now. I selected their spots very carefully.

I came inside and posted... after eating a very modest dinner of cut-up cheese. That ought to keep my stomach happy when I take my lithium.

[skeopple]

It sounds like you've been busy. That makes you happy, doesn't it?! I love when you type about your gardening; I'm learning a lot.

Apparently, your gall bladder is doing better? Or you are just keeping the pain to yourself? Must have done you good to pass those stones!

Have a restful, refreshing evening, Heather.

[Houston Heather]

It's behaving fine. I guess I was just passing all the stones, and when they were gone, they were gone. I'm just glad to know I don't have some timebomb ticking away in my belly.

Last night while I was lying in bed, it dawned on me that 1. Drying winds and 2. Weird weather (high in the 80's low upper 30's today for instance) would probably be a little rough on my plants.

I buy a lot of 2 liter diet dr peppers (caffeine free) and splenda sweet tea. I got out of bed, cut the bottoms off a couple of them, and put them over my geraniums. Then I went back to bed.

It's warm right now, but around 6-7 I'll put the caps on them to hold in the heat. I'll also bring in my peppers and cover my tomatoes. We're having pretty constant winds of about 20 mph.

I finally got the potting soil so I could pot up my bay tree (in a nice self-watering pot), and the mint. I mulched them both. I grew just about everything in pots for years, and I know mulching helps. It adds organic amendments to the soil and it keeps the soil from drying out. I also put some crystals in the soil that help it retain moisture, and big handfulls of Heather's special compost.

I watered all the transplants, again. I might lose a lettuce transplant, it looks a little dried out, or maybe a cat sat on it but one out of dozens isn't bad.

Anyway, today, up EARLY. Went to work, did a lot at work. I was a tiny bit dizzy and I'm pretty tired but that's it.

I counted the money and I got paid. [happy dance] Then we went to Walmart. I got some bottled drinks, potting soil, and stuff like that (also a sweet cherry pepper), but no groceries! Sorry Walmart, Foodtown is better. Walmart is cheaper on the cat food.

Our pickup was almost an hour late. Lots of complaing on Ron's part, until I told him "It's getting a little toxic in here". He suggested I sit outside so I did until our ride came.

I bought our driver a couple of double cheeseburgers, which were a big hit! I love to spoil people.

I came home, gave Barky his treats through his hole in the fence, and played in the dirt for a bit. Now I'm waiting on Ron, we need to file an online report. I'll get my nap and then later on protect my plants. It's going to be chilly nights all weekend.

[Houston Heather]

I feel a little dumb - it gets cold TOMORROW night. But I've already covered my plants so -shrug- might as well leave them covered tonight.

I just bought a load of vitamins - lots of Olive Leaf. It's a really good herb for fighting infections. When we ride with someone who seems sick (sometimes the driver has a bad cold, for instance) then we'll take some. We seldom get sick as a result. Anyway, it was an insanely good deal so I bought 6 bottles of it. You want to get 500 mg, at least 6% olueropein. I got my usual energy/mood vitamins - B100 this time, L-carnitine, CoQ10, etc. I'm too tired to remember what I bought - oh, I did get some milk thistle.

That's a good one for the liver and my liver has to process my medication. Good boy. It does a great job.

Oh, I checked my results from the blood bank. Cholesterol was 160 - again - perfect! Blood pressure and heart rate, perfect! Dad will be thrilled to hear it. He worries, especially since my mother died of a heart attack at age 58 and weighing about 130 pounds (at my height of 5'7). She did smoke and drink. But it's important to know so I can take care of myself.

I'm feeling nicely lazy. Tomorrow they're having killer snake movies on Sci-fi. Big yawn. I'm more into zombies.

Tomorrow I'll probably just do my zombie impression and lie around. I'm not cycling so I can stay in bed if I want. I don't know yet, but it sounds nice.

Of course I have to take the covers off the tomatoes.

[Houston Heather]

Bad migraine today. Lasted about 16 hours.

I'm beat.

I did manage to squeeze in a little fun once it passed, planted the mint and lemon balm out front, checked on the babies out back, gave neighbor's dog a bone.

Frosty loved on me for a few hours too.

Ron was great.

[Houston Heather]

Well, my weight is down a little bit too.

I slept about 10 hours last night, and a couple hours today. I feel pretty good but still groggy. I had woken up on my own when Ron accidentally pulled the headphone cord out of the jack in his speakers. What did that mean? It meant a deafening level of Jerry Jeff Walker until he scrambled to get it fixed. Then he did it again about 10 minutes later. ACK.

I made sure he knew he'd woken me up and he yelled "sorry" in between curses. [sigh] After that, I figured I wasn't going back to sleep.

I finished a romance novel I borrowed from the book exchange (I'm not the only inspiriational romance reader), checked on my garden again, and decided to leave the little guys in the sun for a bit yet. In about half an hour, I'll cover everyone up.

Last night we got sub-freezing but you'd never guess it to look at the babies! Everyone looks great.

Frosty was very cute today so he got 2 cans of 95% tuna cat food. He loves the stuff, and it's low carb. His ears look great ever since I made him low-carb. He used to get yeast infections in his left ear.

Anyway, he's doing great, Bubba's doing great. I'm a little tired but I'll live.

Ron and I are going to Walmart tomorrow and then, later on, to Starbucks. He can't really go by himself. He used to go a couple times a week - but now he'd need help.

So, that means I go with him, but not for very long. I know I get Wednesday off so I plan to do fun Heather things then.

I started feeling really lightheaded at work - checked my blood pressure, it was low again. Oh, well. Cost of sanity.

I was planning on a cook day yesterday, but all my meat went out of code. Bad word. I had to throw out $10 worth of meat due to that migraine.

[Zer]

Meat went out of code? You toss stuff after the "Best Used by" date? My eggs are date stamped "Enjoy by Mar 13" with a dye that lasts through boiling. Neat! These are Trader Joe's fertile eggs from happy hens (with a better social life than I have - or have ever had, actually!) and the yolks are 24karat gold!

[Houston Heather]

I almost died from salmonella food poisoning I contracted at IHOP. You BET I toss things when they hit the sell by date. I'd rather "waste" $10 than get sick.

Especially considering my lithium can ONLY be taken by mouth. If I'm puking, I'm insane until I can hold food down. It doesn't take long for the lithium to wear off.

Uh-UH! I'm not going there. For me, getting on my meds was like escaping from a really bad horror movie. I'd do a lot to avoid going back.

I eat organic eggs - the code is on the box. I don't take them out of the box 'till I eat em. I get organic eggs too - they taste better and I feel the chicken deserves the best life possible.

God made us stewards of everything, and to me that means I have a responsibility, when possible, to get humanely produced meat products (milk and eggs included). I would love to have some chickens, but with rowdy children nearby, deed restrictions, a not-very secure gate, and 2 cats it would be a terrible idea.

[Houston Heather]

More garden pictures, a photo of me, and some of Frosty. Picasa Web Albums - Heather - March 2009 You can double click to make it bigger and read the caption, but I keep the file sizes small.

Today Ron and I went to Walmart and got him some new pants. He's got a

[Houston Heather]

Our ride showed up to take us to Starbucks - still pretty disappointing for Ron.

I even got him some Ben & Jerry's, but that wasn't good either.

Anyway, Ron got 4 pairs of pants, underwear, and lots of socks for about $60. Cool.

I'm beat now, naptime.

[Houston Heather]

I'm sure it's a local Houston thing - I got some thin sliced "Carne Picada" pork strips on clearance at Walmart for $1.50 - almost at the sell-by date.

I sauteed it in my iron skillet with some chili powder....OOOOH. It smells so good!

I had a lazy-woman's dinner of turkey spam and canned green beans. Only the finest cuisine for me!

[Houston Heather]

Ugh! Last night I could not fall asleep. When I did, I had really bizarre dreams and I woke up early. I could hear loud touch-tones, like you'd hear on a phone. Sometimes Ron calls informational phone numbers (the kind that have news,weather, and celebrity gossip), so I staggered into his room and demanded he get off the phone.

He was already awake, thank God. He said "I'm not on the phone, Heather, but I'll turn up the noisemaker for you." I went back to bed and fell asleep again.

I was hallucinating. Touch-tones.

"Howya doing, Heather?" Oh, fine, just hallucinating, but it's only audio hallucinations, I don't see, smell, or feel anything. I don't think anyone is out to get me, either. No paranoia, damn I miss the paranoia. No delusions either. As far as I know, the world is NOT coming to an end and no one is persecuting me.

ACK ACK ACK. This morning, I figured out what happened. Last night, and maybe a few other nights, I got my AM and PM pill holders mixed up. I was taking an antidepressant (a second one) at night, instead of the antipsychotic (which I obviously need). I take lithium morning AND night so I was OK in that regard, but it explains my fatigue in the morning, and my inability to sleep at night. It also explains the hallucinations.

I never though I had or would have hallucinations, but I do. If I screw up my pills or I get tired, I do.

Other than being tired, and Ron being miserably exhausted from a bad night's sleep, it was a good day. We rode around at least 2 hours today on Metrolift, and had to wait over an hour after work on our ride. The guy who picked us up isn't a bad guy, but not very sharp. He may be playing some head games, he may just be incompotent, or both, but he was over an hour late, no place for Ron to sit until he put the seat down, and even though I told him "Ron needs to get in on the passenger side" he turned so the driver's side faced Ron. Then I had to walk Ron around the minivan and put him in the back passenger seat (due to his stroke, it's a lot easier to get in with the strong left side). Ack. Then he took the long way to a trip that was no good.. you get the idea.

But Ron left his cane in the vehicle and the guy honked at me until I came out of the house and got it. He gets points for that, and he's not a mean guy, just... frustrating.

Sales continue to be dead at work. Ron's boss came by and wanted to hear about the gallbladder so I told him. He's going to try to get us a bottle vendor soda machine. That would be great! Sodas are about the only thing that are moving.

We almost had too much time at work, then the waiting an hour, then Burger King. We went straight home and ate our food, then took our naps. Such a wild life! I'm still tired and Ron is tired and cold - I covered him with his feather comforter and his knitted afghan, so he's cozy now. He also turned on his heated mattress pad. Frosty was curled up with him for a while, it was adorable.

Now I just need to take out the trash later, and enjoy tomorrow as an off day. We're going to hold off on the big junk food delivery until next week, and get a few small things at Sam's Club on Thursday. Ron's boss is going to pay him back for a repair or two, and the repairman is fixing the food machine on Thursday - it's still running but the door is broken. We took all the food out of that row.

Tomorrow I should get all my vitamins and I can set up my pills accordingly.

I read an interesting article in the Health food store newsletter. Apparently, they took people with bipolar disorder, who had "breakthrough" depressions while on medication. They added NAC to their routines, 1 gram a day. The depressions went away. When they took the patients off the supplement, the depressions came back.

Fortunately, I don't get severe depressions on my "cocktail". If I did, I might add it into my supplements. Everything I HAVE read says that lithium depletes the body of inositol, so I did get a B complex with some Inositol.

Interesting how everything works. I like tweaking things - I can't believe, for the first time in years, I mixed up my pills like that.

I really am only a couple of days away from completely nuts at any given time. It used to scare me, but now I've accepted it.

Take my pills = I'm fine.

[Houston Heather]

Today I told the milkman about my fat butt breaking the toilet seat. He died laughing. "Really? YOU?" Yup. I told him my weight and everything, and how I told Ron about the REAL cause of the toilet seat breakage AFTER I had lost about 30 pounds.

[Zer]

Heather, I cannot find words to express how I admire your pluck and persistence as you chat informatively about your ringtone delusions and how you discerned a mixup in your AM/PM meds. Love how you and R interact and balance out your individual shortfalls (if that's the right word for handling damaged brain cells that cause difficulties) and give each other SPACE as you share a life that many of us envy.

Yes, Heather - I envy you your courage and your lovelife - with R and with ALL the folks you meet during your perambulations, your rides, your time on the job, at the job, sharing outdated goodies with a staff who is happy to snarfle pastries and whatnot that you remove from your machines.

Your whole journal is a delight to read - up days and down days alike. You gardening is refreshing. I got a 6pack of marigolds that I am enjoying before I gift them to a housekeeper whose b'day is 3/7 and who will plant them in her raised garden patches out behind the kitchen. Mine are sunny yellow. Dora (my home helper) got them, picked out the best from what I understand was a shabby lot of marigolds. She did not know the flower, but asked and then shopped for the best-looking 6pack. She knows it's a gift, a b'day gift, that I am enjoying while the b'day girl (turns 78 on 3/7, but works 7days a week on bionic knees that she had replaced a few years back) waters them and finds time to dig them a hole - or six holes - in her tumbled gardens that are full of carrots, beets, tomatoes, peppers and such! Thanks for the idea!

Yep, marigolds! A perfect gift for a gardening friend who may not know how marigolds scare off garden pests. I'll tell her to mix them in with her vegies.

Oh, how well I recall replacing busted plastic potty seats! Now I put my 4" riser directly on porcelain as I use the loo, carrying my sturdy riser with me as I come and go. Shared facilities, so I cannot install anything. I carry it to and from my room each time. The toilet seat is raised, up and out of the way, else I'd be busting it, I'm sure!

[Houston Heather]

Aw, thanks Zer!

Ron considered getting out the toilet safety frame, but says it would make him feel "too old". I can understand. I told him if he wants it, let me know and I'll set it up.

I did get a little paranoid before I took my evening pills. I was convinced the neighbors were going to steal my garbage cans. Yeah. and maybe a little .

I used to really get disturbed when I'd see how "broken" I am without my medication, but I choose to look at it as: "Look how much my affordable medication helps me!"

Oh, I found the best treat ever. Yesterday at the health food store I found these:


They are SO good! I have problems with chocolate - unsweetened, fake sweetener, or 85% chocolate - if it's chocolate, I'm binging.

Heavy whipping cream, I get some and pretty soon I'm eating it for dinner every night and stalled like a jet on a runway.

These - no sugar. No chocolate. No nuts. No wierdness. 3 g net carbs per tablespoon. I put 2T in a measuring cup about 4 hours ago. I still have most of it. I just nibble on a chip now and then, letting it dissolve slowly. Mmmmmm. It's a wonderful "fix".

I should be OK with them because carob comes from a tree, it's not a legume.

I paid about $5 for a 10 ounce bag, but these ought to last a good long time. It's a wonderful "treat" that doesn't trigger binges. I was beginning to wonder if such a creature existed.

[Houston Heather]

No migraine and I'm a little lighter, too. Looks like unsweetened carob chips are OK.

Yay! I got up early, made a good post in the main lobby about having a low carb disaster kit (you can find it if you look) - the gist is - have one! Canned foods that are low carb, plus stuff you should have on hand anyway. Low Carb emergency kit

Now I'm deciding what I want to do today. We have plenty of clothes, so I don't plan to go to the thrift store.

What do I want to do, that's fun for me, on my day off? Hmmmm.

[skeopple]

Yay, Heather! I printed off your emergency kit. It's very well thought out. Thank you.

So, what did you find to do today that was both fun, yet relaxing? I'm anxious to hear.

[Tazcat]

Just popping in to say HI Heather I hope you're well.

I'm recovering from a surgical procedure i had last Friday. Grizzy came to take care of me - she left yesterday.

Indy and Kiki have been taking fabulous care of me too (great nap buddies).

I'm WAY off LC and have got to get back to it.

I miss seeing you post and hope you are well.

[Houston Heather]

HOME DEPOT.

I want to build a raised bed in my compost corner, I've got the room, but the ground is full of tree roots. I'll have to go vertical if I want anything to be happy.

I ate my breakfast, chatted with Ron when he woke up, and figured out our trips for the next couple days. He's going to take me to Walmart on Metrolift in a few days, so I didn't need to go today.

I decided I'd like to go to the Home Depot. I caught the one bus, did some knitting at the transfer point, and there's the next bus. I caught that. It was interesting - an alcoholic woman (she was obviously intoxicated) was chatting with a guy who had been to the courthouse. She asked him what for and he said it involved a woman... wouldn't say more. Hm.

They jaywalked the busy street, I took the safe route, to the next transfer point. The next bus came along in about 10 minutes, so only about 40 minutes waiting for 3 buses. Remember this.

I almost missed my stop because I was staring out the window at nothing. Good thing they have all the orange. It woke me up and I rang the bell in time.

My cart and I got off the bus, and I put the cart in a shopping cart. I cruised around, looking at things like mulch and soil amendments. They have some good stuff. Once I get "Heatherworld" fixed up I'm going to bribe our buddy Chuck. If I buy him lunch, he'll drive over there, let me buy the stuff, and put it in the back of his pickup. When we get home, I'll unload it.

You can imagine the reaction if I tried to take bagged COW MANURE (loudly labeled) on Metrolift or the bus! "I can't have that **** on my bus!" Of course they can't... so I have to borrow Chuck. He's a good friend - the one who took me and my barf bucket to the emergency room with the gallbadder thing. He'll do it when he can. So, anyway, they have "the stuff". My favorite was the brand labeled "We're #1 in the #2 business".

Enough poop talk. They had mulch, too! Pretty good prices on mulch. I need to look at Walmart on that. I did have one Metrolift driver object to carrying mulch (I got it on and off the van) because it smelled "loud". It did have a strong pine scent. So I think mulch is another Chuck item.

The place that delivers requires a huge purchase... I don't need that much mulch, ever.

Then I looked at cinder blocks and landscape edging... ron's calling. He wanted an eggroll and he left a message for Chuck about the poop run.

I decided that CINDERBLOCKS will work best for my raised bed. I found a great article about building raised beds with cinderblocks. They are reasonable. I can sit on them, and fill some of the holes in the side with dirt and trailing plants, in between the seat areas. I like it.

I just used some of my rose scented "house spray" - it's a Mexican brand, very affordable, huge aerosol can for less than $2. I only use it when Ron's in his room. He's not a big fan of roses.

So, I'm happy with the cinder blocks. I looked at landscape edging and I found it... EMERALD EDGE! It was $3 cheaper than the garden center, and very easily purchased. The garden center is a special trip, then off-roading my cart for 1/2 a mile and across a busy street to the bus stop... plus $10 more in my pocket if I got it at HD? Easy choice.

I did my happy dance, and put 3 strips in the cart. I need 3 strips to have everything edged with the good stuff.

They didn't have fish fertilizer granules, which is a shame. My tomatoes love the fishy stuff.

I saw a yardstick on the ground at the paint department, which reminded me I wanted a yardstick. I bought it.

I also saw hose, and it reminded me I needed a new "squirter". I asked where they were and he kind of looked at me. I made a squirt motion and said "For my garden, a squirt gun?" He laughed and pointed me in the right direction.

I found a nice one, mostly metal, SO GLAD I bought it. It has nice feel to it, a lock button in the on position, and not a lot of moving parts on the outside. Just the dial setting (do I want soaker, shower, or mist?), and the on button. Well worth the $7 I spent. Like I told Ron, I spend more time out there watering than anything else, I deserve a good squirter.

We're having a drought year so I do need a good one!

I also sprung for some weed edging. It is recycled rubber, attached to weed-blocking fabric, on a roll. I just unroll it at the edge of my garden bed and I have a nice, mulched-looking weed free area. Very snazzy. Not cheap! But I figure if I buy one roll at a time (I'll need 8 total) it won't be so painful.

I plan to mow and edge, then lay down my weed-blocking fabric tomorrow. Then I'll put the new edging around the edges of garden bed 1. Here's a photo:


I got a few packets of cucumber seeds and I was done.

Ron wants a new thermostat. We need one. I got one that seems very similar to the old one. The directions aren't too scary. I just need to remember to turn off the fuse before I take the panel off the wall. I took an electrical course in order to get my Ham Radio License so I understand electrical safety. I'm not dumb enough to see myself as the GREAT EXPERT either. Rick, the electrician, would be happy to come out should we need him.

He installed our ceiling fan last year and did a great job. Ron wants us to try it, and I don't mind. I'm very flattered he knows I can do it. I tell him "I'm an engineer's daughter" and he agrees.

After I got the thermostat, I paid up and left. There's a good Chinese restaurant nearby and I decided to roll on over, 3 (four foot long strips of plastic edging) sprouting out of my cart. I read the menu on the window, then figured out what we wanted and went inside. They took one look at my cart "This is to go?" - great relief when I said yes.

I don't want to bring down the neighborhood if I can help it. It's a good restaurant. They had my order ready quick!

Ron wanted to try the pork in garlic sauce, spicy. He is doing OK with spicy foods, but not sweet ones. I got the dry string beans. It is green beans and pork cooked in a wok with garlic, yummy.

I waited outside for 42 minutes before the cab came. I went home, ate, put up the stuff and took my nap. I had a nice long nap!

Then I watered the plants, everyone looks great, my vining squash is sprouting. I planted some cucumbers.

That's what I did for myself today. I had a great time!

Hi Taz! I'm sorry you had surgery, but I'm glad your better. It is wonderful to have a good friend to rely on.

I'm glad your masters are treating you well. I call Bubba-cat "Master" now. I finally admitted it.

I'll be praying for you!

[Houston Heather]

A busy day today.

Got up early, went to Sam's club for business hours - got some muffins, candy, and chips for the business. Went to work, stocked it.

Dealt with our supervisor from the state and a repairman. I did all the sodas (stocked over 11 cases, thank God they're buying), and snacks, while Ron did food machines. His feet were pretty tender so he worked from his wheelchair only.

After work, we went straight home. We ate leftover Chinese and I took a nap.

I woke up around 2:30. I picked up and watered the garden, and rolled up my hose. Then, I got out the mower and mowed the front and back yard. I also measured the area I'm allocating for garden bed 6 - it will be raised, and got some more compost going. An organic gardener can't have too much compost.

All the plants look good. Now the yard looks good too 'cause I mowed it. I spent about 2.5 hours outside total taking care of everything. I passed Ron's window - he left the blinds open, and I peeped in at him. He was awake and looking pretty depressed, so I banged on the window and made cat noises at him (Bubba likes to knock on the window to be let in). He laughed and we chatted for a bit, then I went back to the work.

He mentioned he had checked the temperature while I was mowing - 74, with nice breezes up to 20 mph. Sunny and clear, beautiful. I wore my hat so I didn't get another breakout.

I think he was depressed because there's no way he could mow the yard now. No way at all. He used to be able to do it, now he can't. No matter that he mostly hated it, it was a job he did well.

I was very matter of fact about it - still am. If I lived alone, I'd have to care for the yard and take out the garbage. What's the difference doing it for myself or doing it for both of us? It's not like he's able to do it, and forcing me into it against my will. I enjoy spending time in the yard - it makes me happy. I need to tell him this!

Oh, and I need a new pair of shorts. My size 12's fell off me today, I almost made quite the show. I went in the stockroom and gave them a little downward tug while they were fastened - and they came right off! Ooops! Time for some TENS! Very nice.

I told someone about the Veronica Atkins foundation, and she told me she is starting soon. I'm thrilled. She's doing it "Because I look so good now". Nice!

I got my vitamins yesterday and took them today. I had lots of energy (obviously) without being manic, so I think I've got some good ones.

I think I'm going to eat a little more sausage and some veggies - I'm still hungry. I was up about half a pound but considering I ate Chinese yesterday (low carb chinese but still) I'm not worried.

[Houston Heather]

TODAY, I'm a little manic. I plan to do a post "How do I know when I'm getting manic" in my other blog. When I get it, I'll post a link.

I'm starting to annoy myself, thoughts flapping around like birds, time to take an extra lithium with dinner. If I get it now, I can whack it in a day or so. If I wait, it'll get bad.

Anyway, except for being manic I had a great day. Got up, went to work. I actually had machines to fill, which made me happy. I threw away very few out-of-code products. I got my strawberry flavored egg white powder a good home. Ick. I found it horrible, but I didn't want to throw it out.

Ron said I was a "Big!" help. I basically did all the standing work because he told me it was a bad day for his feet, very numb and tingly. We had plenty of time and I did it all. We even had time for a break.

After work, Walmart! Ron doesn't like to wait long, but I needed shorts, cat food, and other stuff AND I had to check out the outside garden department section. Ack. I managed to get it all, but I was pretty impatient due to the time rush and the mania. I just don't see why, when 2 people are shopping together, they need to park the cart in the middle of the aisle and each stand on one side of it, while one person is looking at the cleaning products.

I managed to get around all my obstructions, and I got Ron a jug of Tampico juice. While we were waiting he drank the whole quart, so I ran and got him a whole gallon. The first ingredient is water, second is corn-syrup, third is (Less than tiny percentage) juices. It's a good drink for someone who needs to gain weight.

I got my size 10's. I'm sure they'll fit great. I also got 3 of the smaller tomato cages, about 3.5 feet tall - good for supporting pepper plants and eggplants. I went ahead and bought an "Ichiban" eggplant. It has long, narrow, pencil-like fruits.

Chuck called and said (YAY!) he will do a manure and mulch run with me next week. That means we go out and I buy him a good meal, then we go to Home Depot (better choices) and I get bagged mulch, bagged compost/soil conditioner, and bagged manure. I will also get some cinder blocks. I am the only one to touch "It". I put it into and out of the truck bed. He drives only.

It wouldn't go well, trying to get bagged manure on Metrolift. Ron's making "pay me early or at least give me an advance" noises so I can buy it. Awesome.

I'm a spaz today. ACK.

Here's the link: Heather knits, the junk food queen: How do I know when I'm getting manic?

[skeopple]

Great explanation of manic in your blog, Heather! I hope the rest of the day goes well for you and that you got everything under control.

Zer hasn't been on any threads since Tuesday. Have you heard from her? Do you know of any way to contact her? She's not been feeling real well and I'm worried about her. She doesn't have anyone to notify us if she's put in the hospital.

[Houston Heather]

No, just her posting in here. I hope she didn't fall. I only know she lives somewhere around San Diego.

My extra lithium has me right where I need to be. Everything is nicely fuzzy now.

[Houston Heather]

169.4! Yay! It's nice to get into the 160's!

I was considering going to Starbucks, but I think I'll stay home today. I need to cook up some food, and clean out the fridge. I also plan to install that new thermostat if possible, and do some work in the garden.

Needless to say, it'll be clean eating today!

[dee730]

Heather,
just wanted you to know that since I have joined lcf I have read your journal from the begining, And what a JOY you are. I am totally addicted I have to check in on you and Ron everyday

I am so jealous that you have started your gardening already this year I still have at least another month before I can do any planting (Georgia weather is too unpredictable)
it snowed last Sunday and today not quite a week later it is in the 80's go figure

anyway just wanted to let you know that you are an inspiration to me not just in weight loss (yours is amazing btw) but in all things.
thanks
dee

[skeopple]

I 2nd that, Dee.

Heather, just wanted to let you know that Zer is in the hospital. Alaskanlaughter contacted the host lady at the place she lives.

We have sunny 40's today (while waiting for tomorrow's snow).

[Houston Heather]

Awww, thank you.

I got a lot done today, dishes, housework, laundry, you name it. THEN I did it. It was me vs. the thermostat. The old one is junk, so I bought a new one that looked very similar.

I read the instructions several times through. I have a little bit of electronics background due to my ham radio license - my favorite question on the test:
Someone is working on a project and touches a live wire. What do you do?
A. Run away so the electricity doesn't get you, too. (my favorite)
B. Pull him away from the current. (common mistake and a good way to end up in ICU)
C. Pour water on him.
D. Turn off the circuit (correct).

Anyway, mastering questions like THAT made me feel OK with it. I felt pretty sharp, so, I turned off the circuit and took the panel off the wall. Lots of "helpful advice" from Ron, and amazingly I didn't smother him. I finally told him "I can listen, or I can work, what would you like me to do?"

I took off the old panel, labeled the wires properly put on the new panel, wired it correctly, and closed it all up. Then I turned on the circuit and IT WORKED! Yay!

Ron said he was very proud of me. He spent about an hour outside working on his gate afterwards. It was getting kind of droopy. Later on, after he came in, he repeated that he was proud of me.

I started to put down my weed barrier edging, after I watered everything, and did some weeding. I needed a little Heather time. I did a fair amount of cooking - sausage and egg bowls.

When I'm sick I have more trouble battling carb cravings. I ate about 15 more carbs than I would have liked but nothing that will cause migraines or anything. Ugh. Hopefully I'll at least maintain my 169 or maybe, hopefully, even drop a little more.

Loads more laundry. I'm a little worried about Frosty - I think he may have a bladder infection. AGH. I have no idea how to deal with it - my old cat, years ago, had bladder troubles due to eating cheap cat food. This stuff is not cheap, it's all meat and it's frustrating. As far as I know, I'm doing everything right. He's been healthy for years, why now?

Either we take him to the hospital tomorrow (if he isn't begging for treats) or take him to the vet on Monday. SIGH. I hate it when the little guys are sick. I can only imagine how much it must suck to have a sick CHILD.

Assuming Frosty is OK, I plan a little Heather time tomorrow. I need a little time away from the house, doing something fun. When I'm at home it's too easy for Ron to "bother me" as he puts it. I don't mind, really, but sometimes I just want time to myself.

Other than that, things are great.

I was following the Zer thread. I'm glad to hear she is getting help, sorry she's in the hospital.

[skeopple]

I can tell that Zer really likes you, Heather. Praying she finds the help she has needed for a long time. And that she is on her way to healing from all her pains. I'm excited for when she gets better and decides to come back online. She'll be very impressed with all the detective work!

Have fun with your alone time tomorrow. Guys just don't get it.

[Snowman]

I am so impressed you put that thermostat on, Heather!! Hope Frosty is ok and doesn't have to go to the vet.

CONGRATULATIONS on being in the 160's!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! I was 186 today, down from 198.5 on Jan. 1st. I've been really good getting to the gym!

I hope Zer is soon feeling better!

I agree with Dee, Heather is an inspiration to me too!

Hope you get "Heather" time tomorrow!

[Houston Heather]

Well, today it looks like me and Frosty, alone at the vet. He's really sick, poor thing puked all night and he looks awful.

I woke up with a headache, too. AGH.

Poor little Frosty.