Good Saturday Morning!

Judy, d*mn. I am so sorry that things are going "down hill" for your Dad. I just hope and pray that the neurosurgeon will find out what is causing those hallucinations. And bless Bobby. I know he is your rock. Many, many hugs.

Brenda, and d*mn (again) about your migraine. Were you able to keep your hair appointment? I had to switch my appointment for next week. New owners need me on a job the day I was scheduled for my cut and color. And I want this done before my surgery (hey, a girl has to look good, right?) So I was lucky to get it switched. Just so happens to be on my 60th birthday! BTW, nothing special planned for this momentous occasion. I was hoping to get to Chicago to share it with my friends, but too much going on. Hope I get a card from Bob!

Hope today sees you pain-free!

Barb, (blush). The name of the company is Glass Scapes. If any of your friends are interested, it's best to call my home number and talk with me or Bob directly. Or, send them to www.GlassScapes.com It's still the old site. I have not updated it yet. I am waiting for the new owners to give me a picture! So the e-mail links and the phone number will take them to the new owners, who really know diddly about the Etchlike process. As I said, best to call me or Bob direct.

Thank you for the primer on body fuel! Actually, I am surprised I am back on track. I really believe tracking in Diet Power is the KEY for me. Yesterday evening I wanted "something." Looked in the fridge. Looked in the pantry. Thought about having to add it to Diet Power. Said "forget it!" So I went to bed at 8:30 and read for an hour.

I love irreverent cards. The plan is to go to my Hallmark store today. I will definitely look for those books!

Donna, your son is 6'6"? Wow. That is tall. LOL about you standing on a chair to smack him! So, what did you get him for his birthday?

Chili for 60 people? Another Wow. That's a lot of beans. And just the thought of browning enough meat for 60 people has me saying eek! Do you use a big roaster?

As for Survivor, I forgot that next week is the LAST regular program! I am trying to remember the process. There are four people left. There is one more immunity challenge, right? And Terry has the idol. So he's definitely in the final three. Then isn't there usually some sort of endurance challenge with the winner choosing who to take with him/her to the final two? Actually, if you think about it, Terry does deserve to win. He worked his little tushie off to get where he is, and against all odds, too. If Terry wins the final endurance challenge, he won"t take Ceri. I don't think he would win against her. Aras? Danielle? That's a toss-up. My guess would be Danielle. Then again, Aras could win the endurance challenge. Then Terry would be OUT. Not a chance in hell that Ceri would win any kind of endurance challenge! If Ceri makes it to the final two, she has an excellent chance of winning.

Rachel, back in Georgia, I see. I'll bet your glad, even if the d*mn boiler is not working (again).

No grape harvest for the fabulous Georgian wine? That's so sad. And for the other farmers, too. How's the weather in the Ukraine? Isn't the Ukraine considered the "breadbasket" in your neck of the woods?

Don't be too down on yourself re: 145. You have had an incredibly busy year with a lot of travel. I'll just bet you'll be down a few pounds in a few days! As you say, there's nothing like "home" to get back on track!

Oh! Do you have any pictures from Istanbul you can share with us?

Peg, Ilse, Shelley: What are you all doing today?

---------------
Bob continues to get better with his GERD. Yea!

I have almost gone one whole week on a fairly good induction. Yea! This AM, I am 144. So that's 4 pounds since last Sunday.

Yesterday:
Calories: 1233
Protein: 82.2
Fat: 86.6
Carbs: 21.8 (close enough!)

Hoping you will all have a good day today! XXOO

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

Alida, you're up wa-a-ay early for a Saturday morning. Guess I am, too. A lark is a lark, eh? I've written down the GlassScapes info where I can find it. Exactly which day is your birthday? Might have to send a Hallmark or something. You beat me to 60 by just four months.

Judy, take care of you. It's especially tough for a capable person like you to be mostly waiting and watching. And worrying.

Hi, Rachel. Welcome home--your home in Tbilisi and your home here. You have a lot of changes ahead of you, and we'll be following along.

Yesterday afternoon, DH called me at the office to say he fell in the garage. When I got home, he was in bed with an ice pack on his head. His glasses were destroyed, and the left side of his face was a mass of contusions. He had big bandaids pasted over his eyebrow. Unfortunately, I didn't take a look under those bandages until 8 o'clock, and nearly had a cow! He had a gash an inch long, and really, really deep. I hustled him off to the ER right away. He got a CAT scan and six stitches. Right now, I'm just waiting until a pharmacy opens, to make a run for more hydrocodone. He's going to need it today. Poor baby. I suspect he was kind of in shock yesterday, or he would've been moaning more.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I stepped on the scales this morning. The needle was below135. That hasn't happened in months.

Just errands and stuff to do today. I'll be back later. Howdy, all.

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


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

Wow! We are a busy crew around here!

Barb: I'm so sorry for Dh. I DO know that physical accidents and bruises are awfully hard for our Dh's. Mine has trouble believing that he isn't 50 anymore and just can't (our shouldn't) do some of the stuff that he did then. Also, he is not as steady on his feet as he used to be either. I would worry terribly about him being on a ladder without me around. But, they will do what they want, won't they? Prayers ascending for him that he will heal quickly without too much pain.

Oh Judy! I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your Ddad. D*mn! It just doesn't sound good. I wonder if his hallucinations are medication caused? I only suggest that because I have seen that happen with so many of my older parishioners in the hospital. I think that not all Docs know that geriatric patients need pediatric doses of meds. Just a suggestion, dear one. I can only imagine what you are going through. My brother and I had two years of this kind of thing before DMom died. Though my dbrother did most of it since I was 3,000 miles away and he was only 200. (Long story)

Bren: I WONDERED if this was Migraine season for you! I suspected that that was why you weren't posting. I DO hope that you have gotten some relief by now.

Rachel: How great to hear from you. I, too, am glad that you are home in Georgia and HERE! Waiting for stories about your travels. So sorry that the weather is bad. I wonder if that may contribute to any weight gain? Clouds are the bane of my existence, especially at this time of year.

Shelley: I hope that this Saturday finds some rest time for you. I am going to try to slip into my nail salon this afternoon. They don't take appts. on Saturday, so I have to just walk in and take my turn. I really need a pedicure too, but don't know if I will take the time. We are just barely into sandal weather, but I am wearing them anyway. Dh and I had a little "set to" last night about the A/C temp. I finally asserted myself about it and didn't give in. He is oblivious to the temp when he goes to bed. I sweat and toss and turn for hours if it is too hot. Yesterday was in the mid 80's. Not a heat wave, but warm for us. Our upstairs heats up terribly in the late afternoon. (4:00 pm is the hottest part of the day) The MBr is upstairs. I went out in the boat with him to confront. There he can't walk away. Ha! Made him stay out until we got it settled like two gentle people.

Donna: I have visions of you in the dirt today. I put two white wicker chairs out on our deck and now I am dying to get our hanging baskets out there. I saw one yesterday at the nursery on the way to the grocery store. I may go back and get it. I will start planting annuals in two weeks. The week after Mother's Day is the traditional time to assure no more freezes.

Terry: I vote for the name, "Stilton." That sort of says it all. I hope that this Saturday is a sunny one for you. When the sun does come out it must look spectacular out in your backyard. Don't you have a Bougainvilla (sp?) out there? I remember a climbing vine of some sort. My bf in SoCa says that they have had a lot of cloudly cool weather. She has a spectacular back yard, is a master gardener. She loves the coudly cool weather because everything grows so well and looks so good. June is traditionally a cloudy cool month in SoCa. It's called "June Gloom." Then July hits like a ton of bricks and people are confined to their A/C houses and cars until October. I LOVE it. Can't wait.

Alida: Yeah, just exactly what day is your birthday? 60, huh? I guess I didn't realize that we are so close together. I'll be 63 this year. Yikes! You are doing well on Induction. Congratulations! Keep it up, girlfriend! You give me hope.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, Chickadees. I have to write my own litany of welcome for tomorrow. I talked to the Pastor for an hour and he is just too overwhelmed with stuff to do it. Hmmmmm. (We won't talk about how that bodes) I will "say a few words" from the pulpit, and concelebrate communion. Since I've never been invited into their sanctuary (I've visited three times as a candidate), it should be interesting. (Picture going on stage as an understudy having never read the lines or seen the theater! It's called PUNT)

This is my week to cook, so I have to move things up about two hours so I can prepare the things I have planned. Had your Tilapia last night, Bren. Yumm. Told the "fish" man at the grocery store about it. He wrote down the recipe. (Yes, I have it memorized now)

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
64-3/4 years young

Wow. Twice in one morning!

Oh, Barb, how awful for your husband! I am sure he was in shock. What caused the gash? Do you know? Thank goodness you got him to the emergency room. Good thing he had a CAT scan, too. We can't be too careful. Here's hoping he will be OK and not in too much pain today.

The big six-oh is on May 9th. LOL. You are younger than I am! What? No American Greetings?

Bob surprised me and asked me what I wanted for my birthday! We decided on a spa day!! Massage, manicure and pedicure. Here's the web site:

https://www.parexsalonce.com/index.cfm

They list a whole bunch of add-ons. I can't decide which ones I want. Oh, this is so exciting!

Peg, has your "job" officially started? "Say a few words" huh? How easy it is for someone to tell you that! But, my guess is that you are an excellent punter!

My DH and I have had battles over night time temps, too. Although now that most of my hot flashes are over, it's not too bad. I still prefer a cooler room though. Good for you to stick to your guns. There's only so much you can take off. But there's lots your DH can put on. Seems like you should be the winner here, just on logic!

LOL. We had Tilapia last night, too. I think that's why I was down a half a pound this morning. We will see what tomorrow brings. My feeling? Still 144 or even 144.5. I tend to hover +/- .5 for about a week then drop a pound. Although that was OWL. So maybe this induction thingy will really work. One can hope. When I did my real induction when I started, I had not read all the fine print so it really was a pseudo-induction.

Lots of errands to run today. Barb--going to Hallmark to check out those books!

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

LOL! How about Sir Stilton CED? (CED=Cheesy Egred Decoy, per Shelly). :great:
He does look as though he is walking on stilts, and he certainly is cheesy!

I agree with your BF about cooler weather being best for the garden - and the gardner. Who wants to work outside when it's over 85 deg.? Not me!

You are right about the climber, but it is a Cecil Bruener rose. I finally had the contractor out this week to rebuild the arbor/pergola the rose climbs on. The old one was damaged during the termite tenting and suffered more from the big New Years Day storm. My GF came over yesterday and tried to help me push the rose back over the new structure. We are both strong, but it was all we could do to push the tough, heavy vines up to roof height. The rose is now loosely bound to the arbor, but it needs much straightening out still. Won't get to that until Sunday, prolly.

I'm going to an AAUW potluck brunch this morning. A friend invited me to go along. I made to a SF haupia and a regular haupia to take. Guess which one didn't gell properly? Right, the SF one. I'm debating bringing it along at all.

Well, must go have my second cuppa while I ponder this deep question.

Hope all are having a great weekend!

PS... Judy, I agree with Peg about checking on the geriatric dose of Ddad's meds. There was a great book out about a dozen years ago called "Best Medications/Worst Medications" . It discussed in detail about the greater degree of unwanted side effects in the elderly caused by many meds. As your body ages, it doesn't metabolize medications the same way as in younger people. It described the meds most likely to cause problems and more acceptable alternatives for those meds. I don't know if there's an up-to-date edition out, but it might be worth looking into.

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

Peg, let me see if I heard this right. You have to write your own welcome speech supposedly from the congregation?? Yeah, call it a "litany"--it's still ungracious that you have to do it yourself. Is this the pastor you'll be replacing as interim, or is he a colleague? Also strange that you've never been given a personal tour of the entire church, including the sanctuary. It's like they're installing a piece of furniture or something. Ha. I bet pastors do feel like church furniture once in a while.

Teel, what's haupia?

Dh is doing all right this morning. Got the drugs in him, and he'll probably sleep for the rest of the weekend. I'll hover. I don't know what caused the wound--it could have been his glasses. They might have cut him, but they might also have protected his eye and eye socket. I don't know what he landed on, but his skinned knees evidently broke the fall somewhat.

It will be quiet around the house. I haven't picked up Nancy Pickard's new book yet, and I think this would be a good day for it.

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


My Fitday Journal

Hola gang!
I'm gonna try and type without demolishing my nails....wish me luck! LOL....I can't stand it any longer, I gotta *talk* to ya'll!

Alida....I perused your website and saw the pic of you and your DH. He reminds me a little of Peg's DH...and they are both named Bob??? Wow.....another galpal connection for sure! Woohoo for the spa treatment for the BD! Enjoy!!!

Barb...so sorry your sweetie took a tumble...oye! I, too am glad you took him to be checked out. Head injuries can be sneaky...you think you are fine, maybe with just a little headache, and then next thing you know, things are *going south*. Hope he recovers quickly and feels mucho better soon!

Bren....how are you feeling? Hope you *kicked* the headache before it got the best of you. I can definitely recall my mom's struggles with mg's, and her's seemed to always be worse in the spring when everything was blooming. The doctor once told her he thought maybe allergies/allergens triggered her h/a's. Interesting theory, eh?
Anyhoooo...hope you are up and at'em today

Judy....I'm worried for you! It's true the elderly react so differently to things, meds included. One would wonder if perhaps a *combination* of things were triggering the hallucinations....meds, strange environment, disrupted routine, to name a few. I hope you and your family get some answers soon. Please keep us updated as you are able...also, take care of you!! (((hugs)))

Rachel.....home again! Bet it feels good, eh? I would say, don't worry to much about the up and down blips on the scales. It's the journey...yatta, yatta...yatta....
(I hate it when someone tells me that!) But when you really think about it, LIFE is not always on an even keel, so what makes us think a weight loss journey can be?...at least that's the way I'm looking at *the journey* these days...LOL!
Hang in there.....I KNOW you will make goal!

Peg...my thoughts on being *to warm*...you can't take off more than naked, yanno?
When you are still hot and miserable in the BD suit, that's a bad spot to be in...LOL.
So.....default.....you win!!!! Crank that AC down to the *estrogen deprived * zone and sleep well

Teel...let's take this one step further....how about Sir CEDrick Stilton?? Sounds pretty impressive to me....the varmints are bound to be fearful of someone with an important name like that!!! heh! Hope you have fun at the luncheon.

Donna.....no gardening for you today, right? You are on *K-P* duty making chili for 60?
Yowzers, woman...that's a gosh-awful lot of chili to be cooking...oye! Knowing you though, you'll whip it out in no time. Psssst....I'd hold this over DH's head for a while and eventually wrangle a shopping trip out of this.....LOL.

Well...it's drizzling rain and just down right chilly here today...aacckk! Oh well....I didn't have anything particular to do, so maybe a cuppa green tea and a nap might turn out to be an option. I had intended to walk today...sigh. Oh....yay!...showed trace-small on the ketostix last evening...finally! It's taken 5 days to get into ketosis this time. Darn my messed up metabolism!!!!!!

Later, chickadees!
(((hugs to you all)))

Shelley

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

It's Saturday night and Daddy is still in the hospital............... We finally got a Neurologist in for a consult. They ruled out a stroke, but believe that he may have had some kind of seizure. There are a half dozen other issues involved which include way to much information. Two meds were dropped and another adjusted. Whatever the cause, he is moving to the "complex medical" wing of the rehab/nursing home tomorrow. We have not told him that he will not be leaving for assisted living, but are just letting him think that it is a stay for rehab and strength building. Eventually, in a couple of weeks we will let him know that the doctors don't think it is advisable for him to go elsewhere. The neurologist on call (who luckily is his regular doctor) said that he needs to have a motorized wheel chair and round the clock nursing care.

I will be going home tomorrow evening...... Bobby will come Monday afternoon or night after final evaluations and any trauma that may come on Monday.

..........And, then there were the two Margaritas and plate of fajitas at dinner tonight......... I somewhat justified them by remembering that in the five days that I have been here I have maybe had five meals total.

I'll talk to you all tomorrow after I get home. Love to you all!

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Sunday morning.
Thanks for the report, Judy. Have a safe trip home--it will feel good to be there. Your dad is in good hands, including God's. IMHO, prayer and margaritas are both good for the soul.

Larry spent a quiet day reading yesterday, and I kept him company. Good for both of us. Oh, I did take one of the cats (Veronica) to the vet in the morning for her routine shots. The vet has short office hours on Sat, so I'll wait until next week to catch Betty. Meanwhile, Betty has been hissing at Veronica with the "vet smell" on her. They know, don't they!

I don't know how to explain it, but my weight has dropped right down to 132 this week. I haven't seen that since a year ago. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing--very low carbs, high fat--and see if I can actually break the 130 barrier. I bought some coconut oil yesterday. I've read "miracle" stories about it, and since I use oil in my OMM anyway, I might as well try coconut. Since it's solid at room temp, I melted a TBS in the mixing cup (30 secs), and then added the egg and dry ingredients. Comes out the same in taste and texture.

Teel, good luck with the rose wrestling today. Any thorns involved?

Peg, my thoughts are with you on this debut day. They are so lucky--or in this case, blessed--to have you.

Well, I'd better spend some prep time for the confirmation class this morning. I'm solo today, so I'm going to skip the text and go for "real." If I get asked to do this again, I'm going to pick other resources. I don't know a lot about teenagers, but I do know baloney when I read it, and this material is full of it--an amazing combination of dull and dumb. If I think that, you can imagine what the kids think.

Back later to see who's here.

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


My Fitday Journal

D*MN. I lost my post. Thought I minimized the window, but maybe I closed it???

To re-cap:

Judy, Sounds like a good plan to me. Perhaps we can even hope the adjustments in his meds may make assisted living possible!

Only two margaritas? I would have had three. And a hot fudge sundae. With no justification needed. When things settle down, you know you have a "plan" and we will all be her to cheer you on.

Terry's suggestion about that book on bad meds for the elderly sent to to Google. I did not get a hit on that title, but I did come up with:

http://www.dcri.duke.edu/ccge/curtis/beers.html

"Potentially Inappropriate Medications for the Elderly According to the Revised Beers Criteria." Hmm. It lists Aleve.

Barb, you mentioned your DH was feeling better yesterday morning. I hope he continued to improve during the day. How is he this morning?

I did buy the 50 book yesterday. I was going to give it to my daughter-in-law for her birthday, but then I realized she is only 48! I think I will give it to my cousin for her 61st birthday in September -- after it has been gently read! I may go back to Hallmark and buy the Shoebox book for my DIL. I think she will get a laugh or two! Oh, I also bought the Beach Boys CD. I may tuck that into her gift bag, along with the FREE mini photo album I got with my birthday coupon.

Peg, did Barb get it right? Did you have to write your own welcome because the pastor was too busy??? Humph. I am anxiously awaiting your report today!

Terry, I sure hope that rose does not have thorns! Guess we know what you will be doing today!

Ditto Barb. What the heck is Haupia? And what did you decide after pondering that deep question?

Shelley, yup. Our Bobs look alike. Peg's is taller, though!

WooHoo on the ketosis! I'll bet you are thrilled! Luckily, it only took me three days this time around. Try checking after exercise. The stix will probably be a darker purple. That will really make you feel good!

Donna, awaiting your report on "Chili for 60!"

Brenda: feeling better? Gosh, I sure do hope so! There MUST be a connection between migraines/allergies. I used to get migraines and I remember Springtime as being the worst time for them.

Rachel, are you settling down a little now? Boiler working?

----------
I did a lot of running around yesterday and missed my regular lunch. Gotta love this feeling of not being hungry! I did eat a quick bowl of cooked cauliflower mixed with a little olive oil and blue cheese. Love that stuff.

This AM: holding at 144. Maybe tomorrow will see another drop?

Yesterday:
Calories: 1361
Carbs: 20.4 (11%)
Protein: 84.8 (25%)
Fat: 97.4 (64%)

After eating low carb yogurt as a dessert for three days, it just dawned on my that yogurt is not on the induction list. NUTS.

Have a good day! XXOO

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

Barb: WOOHOO! on 132!! Maybe you were just having one of those lengthy stalls? And now you are going to have a new downward trend? Whatever you are doing, keep it UP!

Have fun with the teenagers! BTW, what baloney material are you talking about?

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

Hi, Alida. The material is the Presbyterian curriculum for confirmation class for teenagers. It's based on an updated version of the "catechism"--the Q&A teaching tool that goes back to the origins of the Christian faith. The goofy part is the activities and exercises supposedly designed to "engage" the kids. The combination of high seriousness and questionable silliness doesn't work too well, in my opinion.

Hope you have a chance to kick back and relax today. And of course you have that great spa day to look forward to.

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


My Fitday Journal

Barb, I was glancing over that "50" book I bought at Hallmark and it's not the right one! Sigh. Various stories but all by one author?I believe his name was Gray (??) What little I have read, though, is funny. I know my cousin will enjoy it, and I will too!

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

Hey guys, just checking in. Have had a good day today, but playing catch up.

To Judy, Barb's DH and anyone else who needs hugs, you got 'em.

To Peg, I was hoping to say "break a leg" before your first sermon--or LOL, whatever is the correct term for a pastor preaching to a new congregation. I'll be interested in your observations.

Donna, hope you're having a great weekend inspite of the chili cookfest. Yup, those doggies have us wrapped around their fingers, don't they

Shelley, you and TB likewise! Shelley, send that manicurist my way!

TB, how was the AAUW luncheon?? Oh, that Cecil Brunner must be lovely! And HUGE. I have a Fiesta that will get about 8 feet or so in a season, but is lucky to have 18 inches survive during the winter.

Alida, I lost a long post myself last night, closing it instead of another window. I was too discouraged to recoup. DH bought the Little Giant ladder today. Home Depot, 10% off on all laddersthis week One Home Depot said the sale was on all ladders, except Little Giant, but the other one gave us the sale price without any hassle since the ads didn't specify any exceptions.

Barb, congrats on breaking the 135 barrier in style!

Rachel, so nice to see you sneaking in here between tourist guide assignments You're one busy lady.


Thanks for all the good thoughts, everyone. I think almost anything can trigger a migraine if all conditions are right, even another type of headache. This should all pass in a week or so at most. Meanwhile, I just accept it when the meds are less than adequate, and do what I can when I can. But hey, I DID get that haircut--would have gone on a stretcher if necessary

hugs to all

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

Alida, you'll enjoy Bill Gray's book, and it will be a good gift. Bill is a Shoebox writer, and a talented Rock 'n Roll guitarist with a Beatles passion. He created the essays in this book during a Hallmark-sponsored sabbatical. What you don't get in the book are the great r 'n r songs he wrote. They shoulda done a CD! The book you didn't get is called 50/50--and it's smallish and square. Some other day!

Brenda, so sorry you're struggling through this headache thing.

I visited my dad today, but mainly just vegged. Finished Nancy Pickard's new book, and started a new Jonathan Kellerman called Gone. It's an Alex Delaware. Usually a good read.

Sleep tight, sweeties. Monday's a-comin'

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


My Fitday Journal