Now that you have all that off your chest......I hope you have a good week. You've been working hard, and you deserve some good times now. Take care.

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Nita

Thanks Nita. I needed that.
It has been quite a week so far. Dealing with the work group has presented me with several challenging situations to deal with.

At home, Liz is working with me on coming to a concensous on how things will be. I'm satisfied that we are both putting forth a good effort. Liz went in for her booster laser treatment today. She has done very well with her quitting smoking. Other than a headache and some nausea on the first day, she seems to be doing well. If she is having issues she is keeping them to herself. I keep asking if there is anything I should do to help. TJ starts a new job today. He got this one via a contact at the National Guard. Pay isn't bad and he works swing shift. He has done a fine job of sticking to the No smoking at home policy. Very supportive.

On the cleaning up stuff, we got all the shelving built and moved around. I started putting stuff in one shed last night. A little each day will see it done. I'm not doing the gym these couple weeks to focus on the project. When I stop making forward progress or finish, I'll go back. :great:

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Tom

It was quite "interesting" last week and the weekend. I was faced with how well I was sticking to my commitments. Found that I wasn't doing as well as I had thought. Got things going in a good direction at work. Saturday was very very exciting at home. Liz and I aired out some dirty laundry. It was good to get it off our chests. After that we went all the way thru Sunday without 1 argument. We even went to a movie, Premonition. For the 1st 1/2 I thought I was watching a Stephen King movie. Then later it evolved into a true "chick flick." I did enjoy it.

Eating over the weekend was NOT on plan. And not very limited. I didn't even dare get near the scale, for fear of waking the neighbors with the screams.

I did succeed in cleaning up the side of the house. This allowed us to empty out the piled up stuff from the storage shed there. This will allow Liz to go thru that stuff at her leisure to only put into the shed what we are keeping. I even made 2 more dump trips. That makes 7. Liz joined me for a romantic drive to the Dump and then a truck stop for lunch. I have already met my goal of 50% reduction of "stuff." Continuing to clear out more.

With the progress we are making on the cleanup I should be able to return to the gym by the end of the week or next week.

I'm working a deal to buy another dirt bike. This one will be for TJ to use. He is of such a high caliber of rider, he deserves to be on a much better bike. Working on a buyer for the 2 existing old bikes. I expect to get this new bike before the weekend. TJ and I will get in some riding time on Sunday. :great:

Liz has now made it 1 full week of No smoking. We have both noticed her increased eating though. She is watching out to limit how bad ashe gets. One little tool she is using is a walk. She takes 1 cigarette from my son and her lighter. She takes a walk around the neighborhood carying the cigarette and NOT smoking it. This seems to be working very well for her. And it even adds some exercise too. I have noticed that she is doing far less coughing than she normally would at this time and weather conditions.
Now I'm on a mission to find Sugar-Free Cinnamon drops. Apperently cigarettes have a trace of cinnamon in them. The drop help with quitting.

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Tom

Tom, what a great feeling to get rid of "stuff" you don't need!

I'm so proud of Liz, it's gotta be rough going for her. So, there's a trace of cinnamon in cigarettes....who'd have thought it? If she drinks coffee or tea, perhaps a little sprinkle of cinnamon in that. Besides, it's supposed to be good to control your blood sugar levels, too. Everybody could use that kind of help.

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Nita

Thanks for the tips about adding Cinnamon to other drinks. Liz don't go for it in her coffee. But she expanded the thought. She likes to make warm milk with Vanilla. She is gonna add some Cinnamon to that. :great: She thanks you for the thoughts.

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Tom

We made it thru 2 whole days without an argument. Yippie. That is a recent record. Liz did get me somewhat upset with her though. She went for one of her quit smoking walks last night... She decided to go for about 1 mile down the road to a convenience store. She did take the cell phone but not her ID. That was an improvement. A cop stopped her and advised her NOT to go down to the store. There apparently was a group of low lifes down there. Not a good place for an unescorted 61 YO woman to be at night. She called me and told me all this and that she had turned around and was returning. So I'm waiting. And waiting. And waiting... After nearly 45 minutes, I call her on the cell. She has been across the street at a neighbors house.

She could have called me. She came right home and appoligized and gave me a big hug. She knew how much I was concerned.

On other things, TJ got injured last night at work. He dropped a sheet of plywood on his foot. It seems he broke his big toe. Poor kid. I know how he feels. I broke mine racing a few years ago. And when I pointed out that steel toe boots would have helped, he just made excuses that it hit above the toe and such. I just said OK and walked away. He has to be accountable for his own safety. He has only been working with these people for 1 week. Don't know how this is going to effect his continued employment or not.

Cyndi and Eric came over for dinner last night. We had Mexican Pot roast. (frozen from Costco) and Artichokes w/mayo. :great:
Liz has noticed that she is eating much more since quitting smoking. She is working towars controlling that while still NOT smoking. I think I'm eating more too. 1st step is awareness. Then we can take steps.

Happy Tuesday!!

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Tom

Tom, I have enjoyed reading your journel and reading about all the clean up you are doing. Puts me in the mood to get rid of some of our STUFF. Our two story small shed is full and the garage holds the rest so usually can only find a very small pathway to the van. My DH does home improvement so has to pile things in the garage until he needs it.

Glad you and Liz are able to work on your problems and hope the best for you guys.
I hear quitting the smoking habit is hard to do, would think it might be up there with trying to lose weight.

Carrole

Thanks for stopping by Carrole.
Went yet another day without an agrument with my precious. Three days and counting up. :great: This one was easy. She was up all night with some digestive issues on Monday. So TJ and I let her sleep. He and I went out for some dinner. I has a ground Sirloin w/ mushrooms & onions and a salad.
I'm glad it was warm last night. I had the top off of the car. Came in handy. We couldn't fit his crutches in my little 2-seater.
I went to look at a bike for TJ last night. No go. Not as good as the one at the shop. Still waiting for a reply from the seller on my offer.

Plans for tonights dinner is a Tuna steak for TJ and I and some spaghetti squash. I think I'll do some up with cinnamon and some up with butter. A little variety. Liz will have some Salmon. Haven't done much around the house these last 2 days. I was planning on a little bike ride with TJ this weekend. But with TJ's broken toe, I will have to find a new partner for the ride. I also may have to play mechanic on my car. I noticed an oil puddle yesterday. Grrrr.
Liz & Cyndi go in today for a booster laser treatment. So far so good. Liz has not cheated at all. Cyndi has only had a couple of puffs from some friends. Big difference is that Cyndi didn't quit "other" smoking just cigarettes. Not an issue with Liz. Liz does have the added pressure of having smoked for 45+years.
I never have and never will. :great:
Happy Wednesday!

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Tom

Tom, you sure seem happy today. Even with your son's broken toe and possible car problems. It's good to see.

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Nita

Yesterday was good. Yet another day without incident. Liz was even a little "lovey" when I got home. She had her booster laser treatment. So far so good. I'm going to look around today for the SF cinnamon candies. She is popping the regular ones like M&M's. Not good.
TJ helped me look under the car. Couldn't really see where the puddle was from. But it is all sprayed off clean to see when it appears again. Looked again this morning and yet another puddle. Looked closer this time. It is Anti-Freeze. I have a small leake someplace. I'll look again tonight. This time in the areas for that.

Dinner last night was a huge piece of Tuna Steak. I need to start cutting these into 4 pieces instead of just 2. Also had Spaghetti squash. Some raw and some smothered in butter. Mmmmm.

I got on the scale this morning. As expected I am up 3lbs. No gym for a week and more snacking = more weight. I've altered my eating some today. LC only! Also it is time to drop off for awhile on some of my "vitamins." I will for sure be back at the gym on Monday. Maybe sooner. I haven't done the things I had committed to this week going home. Some committment I have.
I found some bottles of Henna in the closet today. Asked Liz if she was ever going to do her "RED" again. She said ohhhh yeahhhh. Now it appears that I will be enlisted to help her out tonight. Got to buy some lemons for that job. At lest now that she has cut her hair it won't take as long as before. :great:

Well, off to the salt mines...
Have a Wonderful Thursday!!!

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Tom

Tom,
Don't you hate those puddles under the car. It is usually my luck that I have oil spots on the driveway and drives my DH crazy trying to get them up. Right now no puddles at our place, thank goodness.

Have a great day!

Liz trusts you to help her with her hair?????

If you have cats, or cats visiting, make sure you keep the antifreeze cleaned up. They will lick on it, and they die a slow, painful death. If a cat has to die, I'd rather it be quick and painless.

You & Liz have a great weekend.

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Nita

Thanks Nita!

Wellll, my plans for the next 6-12 months have now been tweaked. My mother in addition to her already terminal disease has now been diagnosed with Cancer of pretty much her entire body.
She was supposed to be terminal some 45+ years ago. Her will to survive and overcome is what has given me strength to never give up on anything. With that in mind I have rarely had patience for Whiners and whimps. It looks like this will be her last year on Earth. I'm flying out Monday night to spend a week with her. This will allow some quality time as well as get arrangements made for the future. She is in Hartford, CT. The weather channel is showing highs of 32. YIKES!
Also we're sending Cyndi and TJ for a week apiece to see her in the upcoming couple months.
Mother has decided to stay in Hartford. All her siblings are in that area and she has great hospice care available as well. Far better than Las Vegas.

Hmmm, eating is very subdued at this time. I expect to either gain weight being away from home or lose do to the loss of appetite.
I wish all a Wonderful Weekend!!

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Tom

I've been getting my stuff ready for the trip. My laptop was sooo out of date.

We did a Henna Treatment to Liz's hair last night. WOW! I haven't seen her THAT red in over 22 years. She look beautiful. She loves it too. :great: Anything to improve somebodies self-esteem.

During all this computer work today, I've included uploading all my music to my mp3 player. Including my audiobook for "The Secret." That should keep meoccupied on the long plane flights.

Friday we picked up the new bike for TJ to replace the 2 old ones that will go away soon. Got it all cleaned up yesterday. Won't have much time from the time I return and the trail ride. Most preparations are done. Kool!

We were supposed to go over to Cyndi's home for Lamb. Not happening. She had some financial issues at home. Things that effect the mood of the home. We are postponing the Roast Lamb until I return from Connecticut.

Back to the Computer grindstone. lol.

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Tom

Tom,
Sorry you missed out on having the lamb for now, financial issues can really make for a gloomy mood in the home. Hope things look up for them soon.

Sorry to hear about your mother having cancer all through her body. She sounds like a real fighter, like my mother was. My mother lived years longer than the doctor anticipated she would. Sure nice you can spend some time with her.

Liz's hair sounds real pretty.

Carrole