Ai! Shelley! That's quite an aerobic workout - Whoa! - no wonder you go to bed early, LOL! I'd be pretty bushed after that much sustained exercise. I bet your Charlie Brown tree will be charming.

I saw the dermatologist again today and she decided to wait on a new biopsy on the hand lesion. Instead, she gave me an Rx for topical fluorouracil to apply twice a day. It makes your skin blister and peel, so I'm not going to use it on my face until after our Asilomar weekend in late October. For now, I'm being careful to only apply it just to the bumps on my knuckle and not let any slop onto the good skin.

The man from the fumigation company that messed up our floor called today. He wanted to bring in his own guy, rather than use the flooring company recommended by the property manager (and my sister recommended them, too). I politely asked what credentials the "guy" had, and the fumigation man said, "well, that's what he does - tile". Eh? for all I know that could be one of the guys who waits in the Home Depot parking lot - not that they couldn't be good tile layers, but who knows? Still, he was nice enough when I demurred, and just asked me to fax the quote I got. He said he'd have to get clearance from his boss, but not to worry - they were responsible and they would make it right. Whew! I hope so.

Hey, Alida, how great that your son has found his flock! I know this will be a great step for him. Well done on losing that pound, too!

Peg, that's so cool that your heard from Rachel - pass along some "Hey, there, girl" stuff from me, too.

(.... hours later....) I stepped away to take care of a few chores and forgot all about finishing my post! Now it's time for bed, so I'll try to catch up tomorrow.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Shelley, I'm interested in your "sleep solution" also. I don't have a persistent problem, but I don't like taking sleep aids when I do have that "can't turn off the brain" situation. Let us know about the personal trainer's advice, too.

Teel, anybody who uses the word "demurred" in a casual internet post is my friend for life.

DH is delighted with my modest progress as a pool shark. However, I decided to practice a little this morning at 5:15, and managed to knock over a couple of cues. The crash woke him up and he came down to investigate the "prowler." He's creating a monster!

I'm cuing and typing instead of eating bkfst right now, because I'm having blood drawn for Lipids and thyroid follow-up. When I gave blood before vacation, my total cholesterol--usually around 230--was at 293. That startled me, so I decided I'd better check the details. My HDL has been excellent, and trigylicerides also. I'm not really worried, but I needed the thyroid thing anyway, so we'll get the whole story.

The new fireplace doors, and the new garage door, are both attractive improvements. Dh is inspired to look for other things that need doing. Yay!

See you later.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Good morning! Gosh, miss a day and there's so much to respond to . . .

Barb: All I know right now is that Mark's ordination is December 11. When I know the time, I'll send a PM. Would you mind explaining what an Elder IS and DOES? Elders are ordained? Guess I'm not up on all this church stuff! And what's a GLBT? It would be lovely if you could share this occasion with us!

Peg: You mean I gotta buy a gift for Mark's Ordination? Thinking about it, I guess it is right up there with weddings, baptism, etc. So yes, please give me some ideas!

I am confused about your printer. What's wrong with the new printer? I mean, I know $68 is pretty cheap, but I would imagine with current technology, your $68 printer might be better than my 10-year old $500 printer! However, if you are wanting to print pictures, then I think yeah, more $, the better!

10:30 am and still in your robe? LOL! I think I'm going to have one of those days today!

As for your computer problems, I don't understand how a program (or file) can be on your laptop but you cannot access it. Is the software necessary to RUN the program also on your laptop? For instance, if you want to access a sermon written in MS Word, but don't have the Word software loaded . . . you could not open the file. Is this the sort of thing you are talking about?

Whoo Hoo!! Have a wonderful time with Rachel! Please give her a BIG HUG from me! Also find out when she will be home and expected back "on the boards." Tell her we all miss her!

~Sigh~ about your roof . . . again. Damn rain.

Terry: LOL about the fumigation company wanting to use "their guy." I can just see it . . . he's somebody's brother-in-law who needs a job. Then again, maybe he's legit. Still, better to go with a reputable company.

Topical cream for your bumps? Are they going to remove the bumps? If I recall, you said they were "pre-cancerous." I guess that means there's no hurry, so maybe the cream will work? Hmm. Blister and peel sounds uncomfortable . . . and itchy.

Judy: LOL! I thought of that question for Shelley, too! Although I usually sleep very well, it's always nice to know of a non-medical sleep aid!

Congrats on your AcaDec kids doing well! Were they competing against another school? Or was this an "internal" competition in preparation for bigger competitions?

Ilse: The only comment I can make about finding out if insurance will pay for a surgery is that you need to think about it before you ask! You really need to talk with your doctor so he can stress that this surgery is NECESSARY for your health. Is this the bypass or rubber band surgery or the knee surgery?

Brenda: Boy, you seem to be getting lots of things done! I LOVE putting on the oldies and dancing to them . . . but I often forget to put the music on. That is CRS big time! I also love opera. But that music is more "stop what I'm doing to let the feelings wash over me."

And your mention of winterizing your deck reminds me I have to spend this weekend doing the same thing. Before I know it, it will be too cold!

Shel: I am so glad your helper is working out. Sounds like you are having a good time with her! I have to ditto everyone about your workouts. Whew! You ROCK!

I am sorta kinda in the same boat you are re: decorating for Christmas. We don't entertain, but my sister does visit for Christmas and we do have Christmas Eve with Mark, his wife and 2 grandkids. Very laid back. So each year I wonder if I should just scale back on the decorating. I usually put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. It takes me one day for the tree and the rest of the weekend to decorate. Most of that time is schlepping the boxes up from the basement and schlepping the emptys back down. Well, just the fact that the two grandchildren are here is enough reason to go full-boat, I guess. And this year, our friends from Chicago will be here for New Year's. The house always looks so pretty when it's decorated. Another reason to go full-boat!

Oh, Shelley, yes Mark is married (see above). And yes, he may move. Right now he's about 20 minutes away from his new church. Not bad, but I am sure the congregation would like it better if he lived north of the river. Plus, now he lives in Kansas and the church is in Missouri. Clear as mud, eh?

Yes, I think Donna said she was going to be gone for two weeks. That should put her back on line next week. Hope she wins a pot of $$!

Yesterday I left the house at 8 am and got home at 7:15 pm. Can you say LONG day? I was exhausted and was walking like some 90-year-old cripple. Lots of up and down. Two bummers on the job: The windows we were doing were in the entry, which was divided into three parts, with glass walls separating the parts. Had to use two scaffold sections. In order to get the scaffold from one part to the other, we had to dismantle the top section to get it through the doors into the next section, then set it up again. PITA!!!! The next bummer were the giant BLOWERS right above the windows we were tinting. Blew the film to kingdom come. Manager had to come with his little cherry picker and tape the blowers shut because they could not turn them off. Manager said they were operated by "corporate." They called "corporate" and "corporate" said they could not turn them off. Give me a friggin break. Oh. The third bummer was the SUN, which was in my face around 2PM. Ended up with a "sun headache."

The rest of the week is a piece of cake. Hell, the rest of the month will be too, after that job! Off today and tomorrow with 3 small jobs on Friday. That gives me time to start cutting a fabulous template. Wait till you see it! A Tuscan scene framed by two columns and an arch. It is gorgeous! This will be for an etch job on a bathroom shower "window."

Have a great day! I know I will!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Peg, didn't Rachel bemoan the fact she could not find boots to fit her calf? And didn't someone else (besides me) say she had wide calves, too?

While looking through my catalogs, I checked a Silhouettes catalog for larger women. I get this because I've ordered for my sister. Aha! They offer wider calf boots, starting at size 7 medium.

Print this out and give the site to Rachel. Maybe she can order some boots for herself while she's in the states:

http://www.silhouettes.com/dept.asp?...ept%5Fid=10200

There are a few I have my eye on. One looks like fun. Flat heel suede "sweater boot." The acrylic knit shaft can be worn cuffed, scrunched or tall. $69.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Alida, I'll PM you with more info about Presby elders. Meanwhile, I'd say, no, a gift is not really necessary for ordination, although (if he doesn't already have one) sometimes family members give a newly-ordained pastor a nice quality pulpit robe. These are kinda pricey, and some Presby pastors don't wear them. So--check with your son. Another nice gesture could be a gift to the Memorial Fund or Mission Fund of his new church, if they have such a thing. Editing to add: I see that Peg has posted some excellent gift suggestions. You can find many of these items online, I bet, at Xian vendors. I'll try to find one or two.

GLBT is convenient shorthand for gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered. It is now the customary abbreviation that covers a lot of ground.

Can't wait to see the pix of your Tuscan etch.

Christmas for me means winding some fake greenery around the wrought iron stair rail, and decorating that. Might not happen this year, as we took down the railing to remove the carpet, and haven't put it back yet!

The main event, however, is our enormous church drama called "Journey to Bethlehem." It's a wallk-through pageant--the audience goes from scene to scene, hearing the whole story of Christmas, and winding up at the manger. We've been doing this for almost 30 years, and it's quite a production by now. It's a lot of work, but I always consider it "the real Christmas." We have 300-500 visitors for each of two nights--this year, Friday 12/2 and Saturday 12/3. I've got some recruiting to do--but thank God, I'm not in charge!

It's fun to see Halloween decorations going up all over town. We need more celebrations, however silly, to counter the depressing news on all fronts.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

Another day closer to "leaving day!" Each day I get up now, I am wondering what I have forgotten to do or forgotten to put on the list. My list is two pages long. I've managed to get most of the running one that I have to do. What's left are tasks here in the house. Except, I need to get a case of Dunkin Donuts coffee! My DD3 told me that they don't have Dunkin Donuts in SoCa! Horrors, huh? My weight has been all over the map, but seems to be calming down some today. I weighed 177, which is nice to see.

Shelley: Yeah, give, girl! What is your sleep solution? I have a terrible time getting to sleep. Have had insomnia most of my adult life. I've tried Melatonin and it doesn't even touch it, plus leaves me feeling pretty woozy in the morning. There is a lot of research that puts FM and insomnia in the same category: at least says that insomnia is a by product of FM. When I am in a flare, I hardly sleep at all. TTL I haven't had a flare for over two years now.

So glad that you are sounding so chipper! For a person who didn't want to exercise, I would say that you have taken to it pretty well. Your body must be changing. Is it? Are you seeing some definition in your arms?

Alida: Sounds as if you have a fun day planned today. I can't wait to see this new template you are cutting. I do so wish that I had somewhere to put an etching. It just isn't too big back here. Of course, I haven't been in the big expensive houses, except for the "flock" I just left. Anywho, be sure and post that puppy.

Thanks for the website. I did print it out for Rachel and will take it to her on Friday. Those boots look pretty nice and not too expensive either! I went to DSW to look for a simply pair of black flats and "maybe" some boots. The boots were all over $100!, and I couldn't find any flats. I mean, there are lots of flat black shoes that you slide into. Those just don't work for me. I keep stepping out of them, or they don't fit properly.

Ordination gifts: a nice stole (red or purple are always appreciated); a "home" communion kit (it is a small kit enclosed in a zip up leather holder. It holds a small flask for wine or grape juice, and small communion cups.); an unusual pottery communion set (large goblet and plate); a cross to wear with clothing or robe.

Barb: Okay, you have challenged me. I'm going to get out my BIG vocabulary and see if I can impress you. The trouble with me is my CRS has gotten so bad that I can't THINK of the word even though I know it's there in my "hard drive" somewhere. It took me about three minutes to think of the word "attraction" yesterday. I was mortified. Luckily, I was talking to DH about something and he just waited patiently for me to come up with it.

Brenda: What are you going to do today? I envision you sitting and knitting these days. I worked on my prayer shawl last night. I always worry when I come out with fewer stitches that I started with on the previous row. Oh well.

Judy: Good to see you "pop in" I hope things go well with you today.

TB: So glad that you decided not to go with the exterminator's "guy." I agree, you never know what his experience is. And, so glad that the exterminator took your word for it and will go with your "guy."

Well, DH is worrying his little mind waiting for me to come downstairs and finish a project that he started without telling me that he needed me to be a part of it! It's one of the "benefits" of having your DH home all day every day.
:silly:
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Hey you guys!! Listen to this:

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Quickie --

Peg, I may have beat you. I stayed in my robe until almost noon! And the only reason I put clothes on was because I needed to run to the mail box to post a few bills. Otherwise, I'd still be in that robe!

Peg and Barb, thanks so much for the gift suggestions. I remember when we gave Mark $$ for graduation, he mentioned buying robes with it. So I think he's covered there. So, where does one look for those type of gifts??? If you have a web site handy, I would appreciate any suggestions. He may already have a portable communion set up. One of his duties at Village was to visit the sick and elderly. Guess I'll have to ask him!

And Barb, LOL about the GLBT! You're right. That just about covers it all.

Good luck with your blood tests this AM. Hope that number comes down a little. And are you looking for new meds for your thyroid, or is this just a routine check?

Peg, about not remembering words! Yes, that's CRS Big Time! I do that all the time. Dictionaries don't help, either.

I also know what you mean about those slides. I have one pair and not too fond of them. Seems like they're popular, though.

I said this would be a quickie . . . .

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Whoops. Thanks for the heads up, Peg!


Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Brennndaaaa!
Happy Birthday to you!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

LOL! You guys! Love ya!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Speaking of CRS......what did that stand for, again! LOL!!!

The last few days have been glorious, and I've been outside as much as possible. That will all change tomorrow, so I've saved bills and paperwork for the dreary weather. I've missed commenting on so much but will try to hit a few spots....

LOL Alida, I run to the mailbox in my bathrobe when the occasion merits it. Have also been known to trod the back yard in my pj's when trying to coax a furkid who is on a mission back in the house. Trust me, my pj's are approved for general audiences.

Nice website, Alida. I've been thinking about boots, too. I see myself in riding skirt, high boots, sweater wrapped artfully around my shoulders, long hair blowing in the breeze.......oh, no, I guess that's Jane Seymour I see....

Peg, sorry to disappoint you, but I rarely knit during the day (when I could actually SEE what I'm doing). I do now take knitting with me to appointments which include waiting--Drs. offices, for example My knitting is a late night affair, done in semi-darkness after everyone's in bed. Mwa-ha-ha

Peg, CA doesn't have DD? What! Heresy! And do give Rachel big hugs. Betting you two will have a marvelous time together.

TB, I'd have demurred, too. Maybe I'd even have taken exception to that suggestion. Very happy to hear no more surgery, although the cream sounds powerful enough And you survived all the entertaining!

Barb, isn't it wonderful (and amazing) to see a DH do get some projects done around the house? Hope your lipids number are fine this time around. It must be an enormous task to put on a church drama of that size. We have often gone to Willow Creek (a large community church in the area) Christmas events in the past, but the size of the church now requires tickets, which I think members deserve more. But with what, 10-15 thousand members, you can imagine.

Shell, so very glad you've found a good recipe for sleep! Between DH and I, we've had almost every variety of sleep disorder, but are doing so much better with our own versions of supplement therapy. Will be interesting to see what you are doing, because DH's symptoms have always been much like yours.

Ilse, I'll be very interested in what your Dr says next week!

Donna and everyone out there,


I'm taking the "boys" (DH and DF) out to an early dinner tonight to celebrate my 57th, then DH and I will do something together on the weekend. Every year creates an opportunity for renewal, and I really have not felt as good about a birthday for several years. Many thanks to you all, whose spirits have lifted mine so many times this past year. Hugs to all.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Brenda,

I PMed you!

Peg, where are preparing to go to again?

I started posting just before lunch, but the bell rang and I had to get going.

I had a funny thing happen today. I made my lunch (broccoli slaw, cole slaw mix-both mixed with ACV and olive oil, season salt and one package of Splenda. To that I added dried cranberries/cherries/blueberries.) I was going to add a package of salmon on top (usually, it's tuna). The salmon was something my DH had brought home from work. The package was stuffed with paper instead of fish. It was really funny! I was glad I had a SBD microwavable meal I could heat up for some protein. My microwavable meals are gone.

I did swim 30 minutes.

School is out-gotta go!

__________________
Ilse

380 (Highest)/318(9-11-08)/230.2(current)/154
5'6"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

first of all...


Happy Happy Birthday, Dear Brenda!!!
Hope it's totally grand


OK....a quickie on the fly for me. The personal trainer cancelled on me today; she had a migraine, poor dear. We are tentatively rescheduled for Friday afternoon.

Alida...definitely post a pic of that Tuscan etch. Man, it sounds like it will be a doozie to cut, but will be beautiful for sure.

Teel, hope the cream does the trick for your *lesions*. Will you re-biopsy after the application/healing has occured? I think I read an article on the use of the FU cream...good stuff.

Judy, Peg, Barb and anyone who is interested in the herbal sleep aids...
Here's what I'm doing...I take 2 Valerian Root caps(500mg each) with dinner, around 1800. Then around 1900 or 1930, I take one 5 mg Melatonin tablet.
I am usually nicely drowsey by 2030 or 2100, and it's lights out...LOL.
I was awakened at 0100 when DH's company called this morning, but went right back to sleep...woohoo! So, I'm very excited about this little combo.


Disclaimer: herbal sleep aids are not for everyone, and should not be used for a prolonged period of time, despite what some literature says, IMO.. It is always a good idea to check with your physician, herbalist or naturapath if you are unsure about which herbs to use.

sidebar: just a heads up on the Valerian root...it does NOT smell very pleasant! Also, always buy the highest quality herbs you can afford.

Everyone else Hope all is well.

Peg...yes...please give Rachel a big ole (((Okie hug))) from me too!

I took a quick little snapshot of my little *fencepost* tree. Hopefully, he will look better with some lights! hehe.

Gotta jet...

Shell

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Thanks, Shel. I can't take either one of those herbal aids. Dang! Oh well. Sometimes I'm better than others. Right now seems to be one of those times when things are leveling out. I'm sleeping all right.

Alida: try www.cokesbury.com. They have all of the things I suggested. I think they also have Presbyterian symbols on some of the stoles, but it is not required. It's a Methodist publishing house, but most of us from all the mainline denominations order from them. A robe is quite pricey, and if he has one, that is good. I always wanted more than one, but in 20 years of ministry have only had one. But, it is white and I used to have a lot of stoles. You may know that there are four different colors for the lectionary year (seasons of the church year): white, purple, green, red. Green is the longest season of the church year. Red and white are worn for a short period of time, but can be worn for special occasions like ordinations and weddings. Purple is worn at Christmas and Easter.

Ilse: Try reading through some of the back posts and you will see that we are traveling to Southern California for the Winter.

Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Barb, I heard Ted Kooser on All Things Considered this evening. I thought for a minute I might hear you, too, but it was an interview , an interesting one, though, on how he writes. What a wonderfully warm, but quiet way of speaking he has. I loved it when he said something like "I like complete sentences and punctuation that makes sense."

Ilse, LOL! A paper salad....wonder how many carbs that would have.

Shelly, now that's my kind of tree

And you are sooooo right about valerian....ack! Tastes as bad as it smells, too, but works for many people. Wonderful that you've found a formulation that is effective for you! After years of extreme sleep issues, I take trytophan and/or 5-htp before bed to supply serotonin, a major cause of insomnia. DH uses GABA Calm or occasionally Night Rest, both by Source Naturals when needed. GABA Calm contains inhibitory (calming, relaxing) amino acids-it doesn't make him sleepy per se, but allows him to relax enough to sleep well. He can take it on stressful days, too--he has an abundance of those. Night Rest contains the same aminos, plus herbs (skullcap and passionflower) and melatonin. I think there are a lot of helpful things out there, and sometimes it takes a little experimenting, as Shelley did to find an individual workable solution.

The usual medical disclaimer applies here, and the above describes my personal experience and not a recommendation.

Oh, Alida, yes! I do want to see the Tuscan etch! Sounds soooo lovely.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108