Heather Shrinks in Houston!

[Houston Heather]

Yup, sometimes you can't be nice. I think the bird liked the bookcase.

I measured this morning and found out my hips are down to the goal measurement: 40 inches. Very cool!

My waist was 31, 1 inch higher than "goal".

My pant size is a Walmart 10, one smaller than my "goal" of Walmart 12.

Weight was high 167/low 168 (depending on which scale reading you believe), a good 17 pounds above the weight goal of 150.

My Dad worries about my health, and even he was impressed with my appearance!

Ron asked me to check his sugars, they're a little high. He wants tips on managing his sugars so he doesn't end up like them. The ones we see on Metrolift, like the obese amputee who got off the van to buy a large vanilla milkshake, or the morbidly obese woman in an electric wheelchair, eating a pasty, on oxygen. The driver spent over 5 minutes loading bag after bag of trash carbs into the van.

Anyway, I've been very reassuring, you won't act like that so you have nothing to worry about. He just needs to avoid sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, the obvious offenders. We'll add in a chromium supplement, and maybe a little time on the recumbent bike.

If we can't get the sugars down, he can start on some Metformin.

[skeopple]

You're so great at figuring all those things out.

I meant to ask you, what was the name of that stuff you put on your bruises to both take away the pain and make it look better? I scraped my shin on a log. My mom fell down on her deck. I think we need your expertise. Thanks for all your knowledge here!!!

[Houston Heather]

Arnica!

You can get it at a Latino-oriented market, and buy something called "Pomada de Arnica" - literally translated as Arnica cream. I love my jar and keep it nearby. The bruises heal faster and don't hurt.

Ron calls me his "witch doctor".

I did a long post in my other blog, then plagarized myself to post here, too.

Hey, it's MY blog.

Today? I went to Foodtown first, and bought more delicious meat. I wanted a "Brisket Junior" a small brisket I could practice with to learn the secrets of good meat! I don't want to marry a large cut of meat, and to be honest I don't want to eat it all either. I'd die of boredom, no matter how tasty. So, I found a 1.5 pound brisket for about $4.

I've been wanting to get a wok, so I also bought stir fry beef. I'd picked up some delicious veggies, so I wanted to to kebabs, and I found beef tips all ready for kebabs (the label told me). All I need to do for them, soak some skewers, make a marinade, marinade the meat, cut up veggies, and impale same. Then cook until proper meat temp.

I considered pork chops, because Ron loved the smoked chops I prepared yesterday (the roast was done, the coals were hot, and the chops were in the fridge), but I didn't see any boneless ones in a small package. I also considered making some more "CheddarBurgers" but they grind the meat themselves at Foodtown, and they don't use chemicals. You only get a one-day sell by.

I'll get the ground meat on Saturday, the day I cook the burgers. It's worth the trouble. I really want my meat to be free of flavor "enhancers" and preservatives if at all possible.

Three meats, plus sausage and leftovers. PLENTY of meat to get me to payday, and delicious veggies too. I got Ron the all-beef hot dogs he'd wanted.

I'm really looking forward to the kebabs. I'd decided to get myself a wok today, too.

I like the idea of preparing a stir-fry on a hot night. The meal is done in a few minutes, once you finish your food prep. You can cook about any meat, too.

But first, I had to get home from Foodtown. I did and put up the groceries, then out again.

Ron wanted some vitamins, and socks. That meant Walmart.

I had to wait with a rather unpleasant couple at the bus stop. They were both alcoholics, and she told me she had taken lithium. I had no trouble believing she was bipolar, because they had a vicious argument while seated next to me.

AWKWARD! I called Ron, just to remind them "I have a cell phone and I can call the cops, too." I would have walked to another bus stop but it would have been too far, and it didn't have a bench. To quote Ron, I had to suck it up.

The bus finally came and I went to Walmart. I got pretty dizzy walking across the parking lot but I lived. Plenty of exercise today!

I deliberated over "digestive products" and magnesium tablets, finally realized I could combine both needs, save money, and get some Epsom salts. So far, so good.

I got the stuff Ron wanted and stuffed it in my hand cart. I realized I could only meet Ron at Starbucks if I went "straight" (2 buses) from Walmart. If I'd made my stop at the Vietnamese market I'd be late. He would only be there 30 minutes and he couldn't change anything.

So, I went straight. He got there first and he bought me a heavy whipping cream thing. We had a good time, nice to know we can have simple pleasures. It was good to see him. The cab came to take him home, and he left.

NOW, I went to the market. I had good rides, not too long to wait. They didn't get all weird over my handcart. I got a lovely stainless wok, some chili paste, and some leafy green veggies. I recognized one of them as "Edible Chrystanthemum" - although the label wasn't in English. The other item, a bunch of leafy greens, looked like it belonged to the mustard family. It was nice and crunchy. I like the stems.

I'd brought an insulated tote bag for the greens. They never would have made it across the parking lot! I also had a large frozen "ice pack" item. It's a plastic rectangle filled with a substance. When frozen, it stays cold forever. I used that to chill the greens.

I forgot about them for a while after I got home, but they still seem perky. Yay! I hate wasting food.

I got home with my wok, my veggies, and my miscellaneous. I'd taken my lithium at Starbucks, I was fairly irritable.

I realized I needed lithium, NOW, and I had it. I felt better as it was absorbed by my system. It never ceases to amaze me, I have a pill. I can take this tablet, every day, multiple times a day, and all the Bad Thoughts and Bad Times are gone. No more Bad Days. No more battling constant suicidal impulses. I can't remember the last time I wanted to hurt myself.

It's a constant joy. Ron mentioned I seem to get so much enjoyment out of life. I told him, it's only in the last few years that I've been able to LIVE.

I can depend on my mind! If I get a hiccup or a shimmy, I just take a tablet and it goes away. How joyous! Every day is a constant joy, knowing it's going to be a good day.

I've been running a little depressed. I want to spend all day in bed, I want to sit and brood. I want to have pity parties for myself. But that won't help.

I'll take my lithium, and stay busy. I'll go with my latest interest of the moment, nurture myself with interesting meals - that edible chrysanthemum stir-fry was GOOD! I'll take care of myself, and appreciate myself for who I am. I am an original soul.

I'm the only Heather! Yesterday, I set the ribs on fire, today I bought a wok. Who knows what I'll do tomorrow but I know it'll be an adventure.

[skeopple]

Thanks for the 'arnica' hint.

I love your writings, Heather. Your outlook is so awesome. I always leave here with an idea or having learned something new.

Thanks for being YOU!

[Houston Heather]

Thanks!

The story of the flaming ribs made everyone at work laugh! I'm glad!

The other vendor's employee was very abrupt, and slammed a door in my face this morning. Huh. I'm glad I'm on my medication!

We're getting ready to go to a fried fish place today. I've got a date with some calamari. And Ron, of course.

[Houston Heather]

Well, that was unpleasant. I just checked my blood sugar; I was "bad" at the seafood place and ate a couple of breaded scallops, a basket of fried calamari (albeit a small basket) and 2 hushpuppies.

Basically, my sugar should be around 130 tops, it was 165. 2 hours post meal, it ought to be under 120. I'll have to wait and see.

Discouraging... but I can adapt.

2 hour sugar, should be less than 120... it was 111.

Good!

What's the lesson? Heather, only eat ONE fried item, instead of 3, the next time you eat at the seafood place.

[Houston Heather]

First of all, let me post my low carb BBQ marinade and sauce recipe. Mr. Picky LOVED IT.

Sugarfree BBQ sauce and marinade
One 8 ounce can tomato sauce, no sugar added (most are fine if you avoid "Spaghetti Sauce")
1 t onion powder
1/2 (for mild, 1 for spicy) t chili garlic paste - I got mine at the ethnic market
1 T liquid smoke
1 T molasses
1 T apple cider vinegar (the cheap kind in the plastic bottle works fine)
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t garlic powder
Blend well and use as a marinade (put the meat into the night before, use the leftovers to baste the meat while cooking, but leave it alone for the last 5 minutes or so).

I'm very excited to try it. I had a little over a pound (1.15) of beef tips for kebabs. I split it into 3 portions. One portion went with "Mojo Marinade" - it is a commercial marinade with things like sour orange, grapefruit, garlic, etc. It's intriguing, I think. I cut up 1 cup of meat for it.

One portion went with the low-carb sauce, more than enough for marinade, plus an extra 2/3 cup for basting tomorrow. About 1 cup portion of chunked meat.

Last portion, I went with just garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. I rolled the chunks in the spices then put them in a container in the fridge.

I'm going to season the brisket tomorrow, after I get some meat tenderizer. I talked to the "BBQ King" at work today and got his advice for cooking a brisket. Lots of smoke, slow indirect heat, no rushing. He made the most sense. I asked several people; some told me to wrap the meat in foil? How will it get smoky?

Anyway, that'll be fun. Ron is agitating for cheddar burgers too so I'll get shredded cheese and 27/73 ground beef (the fattier meat makes for a far juicier burger).

I like experimenting with cooking....it's fun.

I learned why the other vendor's brother/employee was so cranky this week. "Jack" has a 30-something year old son, "Jim".

Jack likes Jim's girlfriend...a lot. Jim has some mild brain damage of a sort, I took one look at him and told Ron he is FAS. He has ALL the features. Jim also has a lot of social troubles, trouble holding a job, money troubles, etc. All very consistent with Dr Heather's diagnosis.

Anyway, Jim got laid off, so he is sponging off his dad, again. If that wasn't bad enough, he got into a car wreck with is 2007 car, totaled it, and put his girlfriend into ICU for days.

So, Jack's looking at continued medical bills for the girlfriend, bills for paying off the vehicle, etc. No wonder he's been grumpy!

I'm sure he is furious at his son; and I guess I'm catching some of the fallout for some reason. Today he made a crack about wishing the sharks had eaten us and we hadn't come back. He was as serious as a heart attack when he said it.

I talked to "Hot Legs" - the other vendor, and had a good chat. It was nice to see a smiling face in that stockroom!

After work, we came home, took a nap, and went to Starbucks. It was a good day!

[Houston Heather]

I ate a can of sardines and some cheese for dinner. Later on, I got hungry again.

I was doing food prep for tomorrow, cutting up the white pattypan squash (it's the only squash I can stand to eat), for kebabs. I thought, huh. That would be good in the wok, with some veggie oil and some chili garlic paste.

I am not a hot and spicy lover, but I like this stuff. I got out my greens, because I intend to eat a cooked green every day.

I chopped up some edible chrysanthemum, and some of the other leafy green, and put them in a bowl.

Fire up the wok with veggie oil. Wait until the oil smokes. Get out the chili garlic paste... should have done first. Oil is smoking, put in the squash. I cooked it until it went from white to cream, then I added the greens and about 1/4 t of the chili garlic. I cooked until the greens were wilted.

TASTY! A very good snack, and I got my veggies today. Yay!

Edit: while doing some research, I found this interesting. Barbecue and Food Safety

On various occasions (not our fault) both Ron and I became very ill due to food borne illness, so I'm always interested in food safety.

[Houston Heather]

Considering I ate 17 carb-grams of onion rings (value size), and a 12 ounce heavy-whipping-cream steamer at Starbucks, I'm not surprised I woke up with a mild headache.

I AM nicely surprised to see my fasting blood sugar was "only" 96!

OK - here comes the AW, GAWD WHY DID SHE EWWWWW section so you can scroll or click away. It involves -digestion-.

Still here? OK.

I've always had slower digestion. I never really ate a very high-fiber diet, except for the time, I kid you not, I got manic for beans. As in, cooking beans. I ate every kind of bean (except fava, 'cause they didn't have them in Cali). Canned beans. Cooked from dry beans. Ron enjoyed things like maple/mustard pintos, and other concoctions I created, but my favorite beans ever were canned kidney and garbanzo.

Let's just say I was astoundingly regular during that period. I can remember Grandma always coming to visit us, tiny cans of prune juice in tow. So she must have had issues too (thank God, unlike ME, she never discussed it! )

So, my average diet is maybe 10-20 grams of fiber. A couple times a week is the norm for me.

Recently, that's been bugging me. I tried some epsom salts. Oh, don't do it please! Cramps, horrible bloating, and 911 bathroom trips.

I will be getting some magnesium today, but I'm getting it for me, not just my digestion. I want to be healthy. If my body wants to poop three times a week, I need to accept it and love it for being so well behaved.

Think about all the poor people out there with ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease, and other horrible digestive ailments. They would LOVE to have my system! They'd probably pay good money!

So, I need to be more appreciative of my digestive tract. It does an excellent job processing my food and assimilating my lithium. Lithium cannot be absorbed, unless it is "eaten". The lithium is harsh and irritating, but hardly ever a complaint. It forgives me my excesses and appreciates my consideration.

Thank you, gut.

[Houston Heather]

Back from Foodtown. The Bible handout was a big hit. The girl behind me in line wanted one, too!

It'll be interesting to have God tell me how all the people turned out.

Anyway, ground meat in the fridge. All the meat tenderizer had sugar, so no go.

My aunt told me my brisket was "trimmed" and that it was a good thing. OK.

All that's left is to finish my shopping (Vitamin store, and Walmart, maybe the dollar store). Good news, all my purchases are SMALL and won't require a cart. My ride leaves at 12:50, so I'm taking a "nice cool break" as Ron put it.

[Houston Heather]

Today, I pitched a fit.

I rode one bus, caught another, just to get to the vitamin store. I rarely shop there, generally I get my vitamins at Walmart or online.

Anyway, today I went to a vitamin store. I spent a lot of time in the heat walking and waiting on buses. It was nice and cool.

After greeting me, I was ignored, which is fine. I do better on my own. I spent about a half hour shopping and I got the following: $6 bottle of magnesium, $5 clearance items, and a $9 jar of coconut oil.

I got to checkout and had to wait for someone to decide they'd ring me up, took a couple of minutes. Right when I was about to say something, the guy came over (the store was dead).

He rang my three items and told me the total was over $30. I verified the cost of each item, $6, $5, and $9. I then told him, if all the items are priced correctly than you overcharged me. It should only come to about $20.

No, he insisted, it was over $30. I told him, I don't want it then, are you certain the items are priced correctly. He read me the totals again, 6, 5, 9. I said, that equals $20.

The other employee agreed with me, but the manager came over and insisted, if I wanted the items, I'd have to pay $30.

I said "That's easy then, I don't want them." I had $20 in one dollar bills. I took it out and held it up. "I think it's sad, though. If they're priced correctly, (naming totals again) it would equal $20. I have $20 right here... money I wanted to put in your register. Now, you're kissing that money goodbye. I'm never coming back... kiss it goodbye!" I then held the money up and waved "Bye-bye" saying bye-bye in a high pitched voice as I walked out.

Then I went to Walmart. I got a jar of extra virgin organic coconut oil, a bottle of magnesium, and some organic flax oil for less than I'd planned to pay at the first store!

What a stupid butt. He couldn't even add. I told Ron I felt very, very sorry for his children. "Daddy, help me with my math homework! Daddy, I got an "F" after you helped me!"

I made it a good day. I got more blood sugar strips at Walmart so I don't have to worry about them for another couple months.

I came home and made beef kebabs (three kinds), cheddar burgers, and I'm still smoking the brisket. [cough cough] The smoke (high pitched voice) gives it the flavor!

And I'll smell like smoked beef until my shower.

[Houston Heather]

Lithium and chromium, bad combo. I got one of Ron's multi's, which has 100% RDA for chromium. I realized recently I don't get enough chromium, or magnesium.

The magnesium has been fine. My sugars this morning were 86 - perfect. I really feel the mag has something to do with that.

I took some coconut oil too in my low-carb protein shake (I make my own with powder and water). It was good. I like the flavor.

I took the multi - starving for hours, even with lots of food... totally doped up. Hard to think, harder to talk. Ron made many comments on my impairment... he was very kind.

I wasn't much good at work, but I managed. We met Chuck for lunch and that was fun, and I felt better after.

I told Ron "I'm only taking the chromium at night" - that way it can knock me out, all I wanted to do today was sleep anyway.

UGH. Not again!

[Houston Heather]

Nausea came back after my pills. Ugh.

I'm drinking some herbal remedy teas (mexican and vietnamese) for stomach problems and it helped. Ron got hungry, it was nice to just give him cheddar burgers and watch him gobble them happily.

[skeopple]

After no computer for several days, I'm back. Was anxious to read how you're doing. I hope your tummy gets better. I have confidence that you will figure it all out better than anyone else could.

Your meat cooking sounds great! Amazing what taking the extra time for marinating and seasoning will do, huh? Not to mention the smoker! Enjoy.

BBL

[Houston Heather]

Thanks Sharon!

Not a good day, but I'll live.

Stomach is worse, I think a virus. I have cramps, nausea... worse. Fortunately I have been able to keep food down, and keep the lithium down too.

The other vendor's employee is going PSYCHO on us. Today he was almost in tears yelling at us about how could we betray him.

We have asked repeatedly, please don't block the door to our stockroom. However, a few weeks ago I mentioned to him that one of the postal workers was trying to make me separate cardboard and other trash, but it was an impossibility due to the small size of our stockrooms. HE got the idea that he HAD to do this, even though there's nothing in the contract and it's a major pain in the ass for EVERYONE. The dumpsters take up 16 cubic feet EACH.

So, he gets TWO dumpsters and starts sticking them in the hallway. Along with the huge metal cart and the two dead vending machines. Pretty clear why our door kept getting blocked.

Anyway, we kept coming in on the weekends and the dumpster was jammed in such a way that we had to go around, brute the dumpster out of it's "wedgie", and put it in front of their door.

We did this once, and asked nicely when they were getting rid of the vending machines? We did it again, and mentioned that maybe 2 dumpsters in the hallway were a little cramped. Nothing changes.

So, last week Ron called the guys' boss. "Victim" came in on Monday with an attitude and said the OTHER GUY had done it, very much into the wronged victim role. Very excessive considering it was a polite request by Ron. "If you don't mind it was rather difficult for us this weekend, please remember..."

This past weekend we went in and it was wedged in even TIGHTER. It took Ron 10 minutes to get it out of the way so we could access our stockroom. We each have a stockroom, on either side of the hallway. It took a lot of work to wedge that in. A lot of work.

Ron shoved it BACK in front of their door and attempted to call the guy. No answer. He then called the other employee. The guy was very nice about it, he'd left first so the "victim" had done it, but he'd make sure to remind the guy AND while he was at it, get that last vending machine out of the hallway. THANK YOU! Wonderful guy. Ron then called the boss and explained it had happened AGAIN, and could they please talk to "the victim" about this issue, as it caused us to lose a lot of time at work moving the damned thing.

I also mentioned the problem didn't start until "V" started doing the two dumpsters, and she said she'd tell him to lose one. Today he was yelling, shouting, carrying on, almost crying at one point.

GOD IT WAS SCARY HE WAS JUST LIKE ME BEFORE MEDS! I felt like crap due to my stomach virus and I went as far out of my way as possible to avoid him.

Ron went into the stockroom, listened to this whole "wronged victim" tirade/rant, APOLOGIZED to the guy, practically crawling on the floor, and finally the guy "forgave" him.

It made me even more nauseous. I told Ron I understood why he did it, but catering to people who are obviously mentally unstable is a very bad idea. He was in the wrong and Ron shouldn't have apologized for making him stop causing us problems.

I think what pissed me off the most is that Ron would NEVER do that with me, even if I were as delusional (and that's what he was, I know it!) as this guy. He told me, I don't care about that guy, but I do care about you. That made me feel a little better and we agreed to disagree.

This guy goes through phases (I am beginning to think he is also bipolar) where he feels that people are persecuting him, where he talks crap about them for weeks on end, "X" is a jerk, X is a pig, X is worse, he can say nothing nice about X. Then he cycles out of it (!!!!) and is all warm and cuddly with X again.

Like I said, the similiarities are scary! I used to be just like that - before meds! So, the way I see it, if the guy sees me as a persecutor, nothing I say or do is going to get that out of his head. He needs to crash, I think, end up in the hospital, get properly diagnosed, and on some proper meds. I will avoid him as much as possible, and always remember the guy is not "Right".

No more chatting with HIM! Uh-uh! He's been really hostile to me for a couple weeks now so it's no hardship. In another week or two, based on his pattern, he will cycle out of "I hate Heather" and get depressed.

Thank God! I'm not going to apologize, we did nothing wrong. If he is that unstable he needs psychiatric help. I won't tell him that but I sure think he does!

I understand he has a lot of personal problems in addition to his mental illness, but that's no excuse to go off on us, and make a big production out of hating on me. It started when I told him I had maintained my weight on the cruise.

His wife is morbidly obese and the doctor is talking about dialysis if she can't get things right. Everyone has tried to help her, but she refuses to eat properly. Her brother in law lost a lot of weight on a lap band. She came to visit him, in the hospital, in an X-wide wheelchair because she "Can't walk much anymore" and he told her flat out "You need a lap band too". So, he's got that.

Then, he's always bailing his 30 year old kid out of jams and paying off his bills. The kid is a deadbeat and recently almost killed his girlfriend. I told him (back when we were talking) he should do tough love but "He's my blood, I can't do that." So, his wife is dying of obesity, his kid is on drugs and alcohol, unemployed, leeching off Daddy.

Why go after Heather?

I'm sure I'll never know. I just plan to avoid the hell out of the guy from now on. Some people, you can't get invested... or they'll turn on you. This isn't the first time the guy's done it but it's the last time it'll surprise me.

[Houston Heather]

I'm so happy I almost cried.

I was feeling vaguely nauseous/hungry. I was thinking about "V" and wondering if I'm toxic from too much lithium. Should I skip a dose? Then I thought, V would probably skip a dose and the whole reason I take my pills is that I'll NEVER act like that again!

I need to eat. I need to take my pills with something that is friendly and cushioning, yet LOW CARB.

Oh, what could I eat? And then I spied: The Can of Pumpkin! Oh, happy dance!

I ALWAYS keep fixings for pumpkin pudding! I was smart! Oh, now I can eat delicous pumpkin pudding for dinner - a dinner I'll LOVE, a dinner that likes upset tummies and sings them to sleep, a dinner that will offer a freindly sponge to soak up all the lithium irritating particles.

Ron's home... I'm off.

[skeopple]

Heather, mind telling me again, how to make your pumpkin pudding?
thanks!

[Houston Heather]

Oh, it's easy.

One can plain canned pumpkin
1 stick unsalted butter
4 eggs, beaten
1 t cinnamon
2 T splenda

Melt the butter, then mix with pumpkin until coolish. Add splenda and cinnamon, blend well. Add beaten eggs, mix well.

Pour into microwave safe containers. It makes 3 cups, so you can make two GREEDY sizes (my favorite) of 1.5 cups each, or smaller portions as desired. Microwave 5 minutes for the large portion, and 3-4 minutes for a smaller one. I prefer to cook it a little less than overcook.

It should be a solid orange all across, without a mushy middle, when done.

It fixed me up so well I ate some sardines later!

[Violet Skye]

You've just proved the theory of "Life is short, eat dessert first". I admire your commitment to scientific research!!

[Houston Heather]

Yeah, my nausea went from a good 6 on 1-10 down to a 1.

My body LOVES pumpkin pudding! Of course, "regular", non-low-carbers freak when I tell them I use a whole stick of butter. And FOUR eggs!

[skeopple]

Thanks for the recipe, Heather. I'm making this at lunchtime! I'll let ya know how we like it.

[karenb]

People have been asking about you on the Playground. I told them you were here. Hope that's OK

[Houston Heather]

I'm dying to know what you think, Sharon!

That's fine Karen!

Well, Mr Cranky apologized for being cranky, so I forgave him (I should have been a better Christian to begin with... but I'm learning).

I had a busy day. Work, then Chuck picked us up. Ron needed to mail back his old talking book machine; it's broken. He has to mail it at a post office because it is "free matter for the blind or physically handicapped" - actually for him it's BOTH! Blind AND physically...

Anyway, it fit into one of my canvas tote bags so I said don't worry, I'll take it. I knew it would take forever at the post office and I didn't want Chuck and Ron to wait 45 minutes on me.

I had them drop me at the Dollar store on 1960, and I went shopping. They were out of my lavender hand santizer, but they had other kinds. It just seems prudent to me, since I am riding public transit, riding with a lot of very ill people on Metrolift, etc... so I'd better be smart. Anyway, I got that and some oven mitts.

Then I went to the Christian Bookstore. I wanted to get some items, which I got. I talked to an old man and told him about the 50 cent New Testaments. He bought himself one! I found a couple of Bibles for handing out, and got more tracts.

Then I walked past the dollar store () to Burger King. I was hungry. I ate onion rings... bad Heather! Tomorrow will be a low carb day! As I get myself a refill, I realize I forgot the whole reason for the $store visit... rose scented hand soap! I walked BACK over there, got the soap, and missed the Walmart bus.

I waited and here comes my freind the bipolar drunk. The bus came, yay. Off to the Post Office! I mailed Dad's gift, and called him to verify the zip. It's a good thing I love him! Long wait! I got Ron's machine sent off too.

Then Walmart. I like the cotton elastic-waist shorts, so I found a pair. I'm wearing them now, great for hanging out around the house.

I found Spanish Bibles with a reading plan and what appears to be a how to get saved section as well. Less than $2 each, I got 'em all!

As I was waiting in line to check out, a guy from work came up, "Hey, Heather, what'cha buying?" I laughed and told him I was glad I'd been caught buying Bibles and not at the XXX store! The cashier almost hurt herself laughing. I am so NOT a XXX.

Anyway, I tried to meet up with Ron at Starbucks but it didn't work. I had to catch 2 buses to meet him (by the way, I forgot my pass and had to pay cash for each trip!), and they didn't get me there in time. I handed out several Bibles today, when I felt "led". Everyone was delighted as usual.

I sat there anyway and did my Bible study, trying to give Jesus some quality time, and drank my heavy whipping cream thing. It was good.

It was up to 100 degrees today, a lot of time in the heat, but I was OK. Tomorrow I will go to Foodtown and get some more Powerade Zero, I don't want to cook my brain walking around in the heat.

For now, the only thing planned is taking out the trash, relaxing, and taking it easy. I have tomorrow off.

[Snowman]

Just a quickie to say HELLO HEATHER!!!

I've been so busy. DS is getting married in Aug. and the shower is this weekend and I've been busy helping get ready for it.

Keep up the good work!

I'm not crazy about pumpkin pie, but I just might have to try your pumpkin pudding.

Hope you have a GREAT day tomorrow!

[skeopple]

I didn't get to make the pumpkin pudding today because I had to make a low-carb cheesecake. We're celebrating at an anniversary tomorrow and my mom is bringing the real thing, so I don't want to be tempted and made our own to take with/share! Thought one nice treat at a time. I'll make your pudding when the cheesecake is gone. I have fresh strawberries for it too.

I love hearing of your trips around town. I'm sure all that walking is aiding you in keeping in shape AND keeping the pounds down.

100 degrees is pretty warm!!!! Is it dry or humid?

Oh. Oh. Oh. Must tell you that our sweet corn finally sprouted. (we had both rain and warmth). We are tickled. We don't eat it anymore cuz of the starch/carbs but our little grandchildren love it.

[Houston Heather]

It's humid. Sunny and humid; feels like 97 right now at 2:30.

I slept in 'till around 8 and then got up... went to Foodtown. As I got on the bus, I realized I had left my list, my cell phone, and the Bibles I like to hand out.

I had fun shopping, got the ground beef, buns, and stuff. I spent about 45 minutes shopping. I got plenty of the Powerade Zero I like. I want to have a stash - it's great for rehydrating in the heat and helps with electrolytes. I also found sugarfree sweet tea (gallon jugs) and got Ron some flavored water.

My cart was completely loaded when I was done. As I paid, I realized I forgot the cheddar for the cheddar burgers. I had to go back and get it. AGH.

I went out to the bus stop, I had bought a couple of cold bottles of Diet Dr. I got some bunless small hamburgers and ate them. I listened to a woman complain about how much it sucked to ride the bus, she wasn't going to ride the bus anymore. What kind of person rode the bus in the summer? One with FAS, I told her. She didn't want to talk anymore after that! The bus came. It was the style with 3 steps.

As I told Ron, the driver followed the letter of the law... I couldn't get my cart up the steps... he could have lowered the wheelchair lift but chose not to. I had to wait in the feels like 100 heat for another half hour.

I got very emotional and almost cried like a baby. I coudn't remember anything when I left the house, I couldn't even call Ron, I had to ride the bus but I couldn't even do that...etc. I felt like a total loser.

Then I reminded myself that these were emotions. I was feeling emotional because my chemicals were out of whack. I had food, I had lithium, take a lithium and get better. I did.

I reminded myself that I am a child of God, and He needs me EXACTLY the way I am! There's only one Heather! God needs ME to be who I am, no one else. I don't need to be able to drive, or any of that... I need to be who God wants me to be.

I felt a very strong leading about that time to share one of my unopened, cold, Diet Dr bottles with another gal at the bus stop. She was thrilled. I gave the last one to my NEW bus driver, Mr "Above and Beyond". We had a good time gossiping about cheddar burgers and racist grandparents (mine).

Ron laughed when I told him "Drinks are on the house!". But it's true, who but me would think to do such a thing? God didn't need me to bring my Bibles.

It says in the Bible, if you offer a glass of water in Jesus name, you are giving it to Jesus. I'm sure Jesus loved his nice cold sodas!

Getting home was exciting. Now I'm going to veg - the lithium makes me groggy. I got into a jug of iced tea... mmm.

Later on, Cheddar Burgers. I'm making over 5 pounds so I ought to have at least a few for photos.

[Houston Heather]

I was pretty worn out, and took a nap.

When I woke up, I made cheddar burgers. I had some problems with the wind putting out my coals in the little grill, so I asked Ron to buy me a chimney starter. I'd put newspaper in it, and light it in the chimney, the coals look nice and then put them in the grill. Sounds ideal. Since he'd eaten over a pound of cheddarburgers by this point, he was happy to do so.

Anyway, the big smoker didn't have any problems. I put the meat on, first batch, about 2 pounds of burgers. Smoked them good on both sides until they got up to internal temp of 165, THEN I sauced them. I use Kraft light. I put 3/4 t of cayenne per pound, and wow they packed a KICK. They were hot, but good.

Anyway, I made 2 pounds worth for Ron, 2 for me, and about 1.5 for the guys at work. It'll be a nice Thursday surprise. Ron ate 2 of his burgers, one of the "guys" batch, and proclaimed them delicious. I believe that man would do just about anything for me right now.

He also mentioned the neuropathy is a little better, too. That really made my day! I'm fine now, but I was a real mess earlier. I didn't realize how bad until I had the lithium onboard. Thank God I have lithium. I thank Him every day.

I've even been continuing with my Bible studies and devotionals. It was so cool when Ron asked where the verse was about "God draws people to him" and I said John chapter 6. I read the whole chapter to him and he decided he liked verse 45 the best.

I EVEN HAD A BEER. I have never been much of a drinker. When Ron and I first got together, I was drinking cherry brandy every night. He said he wanted to respect me, but it would be impossible if he saw me as dependent on alcohol. Honest man.

I stopped easily. I would drink rarely, 1-2 drinks at a time. I might get tipsy but never drunk, and never a hangover either. Maybe 1-2 times a year, if that.

After my diagnosis, even less, I drank once when I wasn't "right" and it made me have hallucinations - I was already in not-great shape and I had a shot of hard liquor.

So today I wanted something refreshing. I didn't want soda, tea, or water. Ron had some light beer in the fridge, and I asked him if he minded. He was kind of shocked but said "Go ahead". He even took off the cap. It was good!

I didn't even feel it, it was just a nice refreshing drink. I had a great, safe time with the BBQ. It's nice to know, if I want, I won't fall over dead if I choose to have a light beer. I like the idea of a light beer and a BBQ. It was fun. I feel fine - absolutely normal.

I don't want to get high, I think that is an important distinction. Anyway, I made today LOTS of fun.

I'm still laughing at me handing out cold Diet Dr Peppers to everyone.

[Jean@125]

Hi Heather,
Just dropping in to say hi. You are so good to Ron I hope my son will someday find someone like you who will be patient with him and love him the way you do Ron. Jeanie

[Snowman]

What a sweetheart you are!! You will get rewarded some day!

Glad Ron's neuropathy is doing better! He deserves a break.

You seem to be one wise woman to me! GOOD FOR YOU!!!

[skeopple]

stopping in to say "Nighty Night". Tell Ron that I think he is blessed to have you as his wife. He probably already knows that tho. He is doing much better lately, isn't he! yay.