Hi guys,
Just a little quickie note before my chores. I have been awake since 0130 this morning...aacckk...brain was going 90mph and I couldn't get back to sleep after I woke up....drats!!!...I hate that! Anyhoo...things have changed with the surgery schedule this week, and our part time nurse needed some hours, and no one else wanted to furlough, so I said I would!!!...are you kidding me???...LOL...I'm the furlough Queen!!!

Barb, on the nalgene bottles, they are made with polycarbonate which is practically indestructable and it does NOT retain odors or tastes like other plastics do should you put juice or something else besides water in it.
Now, about the used Dasani/Aquafina bottles...I will only refill them for a total of 2 days; suposedly they letch toxins if they are continually used or exposed to high heat(as in washing with hot water, or left in a hot vechicle). I did read this somewhere and it made sense at the time, so ...dunno if it's true, but a case of H2O isn't that expensive so why take a chance, yanno?

Bren...I'm really thinking about an oak hiking staff(hand carved) versus the collapsable aluminun ones. Of course for maximum stress reduction on the knees, hips and back
hiking poles are recommended. I just don't think I'm coordinated enough to use a pair of the poles. I'm still pondering on it though.

Everyone else Judy, Peg, Donna, Teel, Alida, Rach...
Hope your week is going well.

Maybe back later, but I really think I will *crash land* early tonight...I am feeling a tad cranky

later chickadees!
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!

Hi Gang!

Well, Shelley, I had an opportunity to appreciate what you do all over again this morning. Dh's surgery was schedule at 9:30, but we had to be at the hospital at 6:00 am. I got up at 4:30, saying to myself, "Shelley does this every day!" Of course, when we got to the hospital we had to wait. They got us into a room pretty quickly, but when there, we waited another hour or so. Then they took him away. I got to see him again at noon straight up! It was day surgery, but we didn't get home until after 2:00. He is fine, though pretty groggy. They infused him early with factor 8, and his incision looks just fine. His IV site didn't bleed and that is a good sign. He is sleeping now. Had a little trouble with the BIG drugs and nausea, so decided not to take them. I think that's fine as long as he is okay with the pain. He's not complaining.

Donna: Prayers and hugs are with you.

Judy: Hope that this week is going well for you

Bren: So, what are you doing these days?

Alida: Hope that web site is coming together this week so we can see it

Barb: Thanks for your posting this morning.

Rachel: I hope that you were able to get inside wherever you are camping. It's raining cats and dogs here today and tomorrow, as well as yesterday! I guess Summer is over. Fall is definitely here no matter what the calendar says.

Terry: What are you doing this week?

Well, I'm going to play a couple of games of "Royale Tiles" and then go to bed. Tomorrow is another home inspection and I need to do a little cleaning before they come at 6:00 pm.

See ya,
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

Oi! that's an early day, Peg! it sounds like the surgery went very smoothly, so I'm sure that's a huge relief to have it behind you. The factor 8 is for hemophelia (am i remembering Bob is a hemopheliac?) I hope his recovery is swift and that he takes it easy for a while. I suppose rain is a good thing. It's so nice for staying in and reading quietly when the rain is pouring down.

Donna, I can imagine how distressed you must feel over dd's crisis. I'd say it's a hopeful sign if she beat drugs already; it shows she's got it in her. Fingers crossed that she gets situated in the recovery program quickly. I know you want her in a safe place.

Judy, I hope the anti inflammatory meds give you some relief. As Barb mentioned above, glucosamine and chondroitan are supposed to help joints and connective tissue. I've known any number of older dancers who swear by it; and I don't think it has any known side effects. As supplements go, it's a little on the expensive side, but no where near as bad as many of them.

Shelley, enjoy your furlough! Why not try two poles? I've hiked with a woman who used two poles and I was quite envious of her when we were going down a rocky slope. The poles really seemed to help a lot.

We are going "camping" this weekend at the property some friends bought (it's inland sort of by San Luis Obisbo). It's only camping as the land is unimproved and has no potable water. We'll actually be sleeping in trailers. I found a pair of nearly new hiking boots at Goodwill for about $15. They are half a size too big, but I think I can add some Spenco inserts to make them comfy. I prefer hiking in good athletic shoes, but Maria said the boots are necessary as there rattlesnakes in the area.

Barb, I'm in the flaxseed-for-breakfast camp, too. I either have it as hot cereal or as a 1-minute muffin. Breakfast of champions, eh? And, it's cheap! The fresh ground seeds taste so much better than that nasty, expensive flaxseed oil they push in the health food stores (which tastes like furniture polish).

Alida, I'm looking forward to seeing your website when it's done. Do you really need printer friendly pages? What would the users be printing out? Instructions or a product/price list?

Well, DH just got home and I must go start dinner!

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

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

Barb, you don't want to know how many supplements I take. The length of my list is partially because I don't take a multi but rather individual vitamins/minerals--long story. But I admit to a few in addition. Of course, there are times when I get tired of the whole deal and refuse to take any of them for a while!

I've read the same thing Shelley mentions about re-using commercial water bottles--that the plastic can leach under some circumstances, and that bacteria accummulation is a problem since the material used isn't intended for continuous use.

Peg, well darn it, I'd forgotten this was Bob's day for surgery. I'm so sorry! Glad to hear it went well and that he's home and as comfortable as expected under the circumstances. Gads that you have to clean up again tomorrow, though. Bless you, girl. Keep us posted on Bob (and you too!!)

Shell, glad to hear you'll have some off time! But what it is about sleeping for us? I was awake until 6:30 this morning, then slept until only 9. You'd think I'd be sleepy now, wouldn't you? NOT! I think maybe something I'm taking is keeping me awake because I've got that "overrevved" feeling you get when you've had too much caffeine the last few days (and nights).

Shell, TB, I've never tried hiking poles, but it does look rather impressive on a slope. With my record at cross country skiing, though, I would forget to release the poles if I fell and would end up breaking something attached to the pole. Yup, that's me! I suppose the point is with two poles that you shouldn't fall, eh? LOL!

TB, have fun camping! I hope you see nary a rattler and can report a lovely snakeless outing. Let us know! And so you don't feel too alone, I will also be the recipient of a new crown--Thursday, oh joy.

Judy, I'm afraid I don't have any good advice for you. I make none of the baked things and have gained 10 twice in the last 7-8 years, and still have that last increase hanging around. However, I've found that any time I start relying too much on grain products, even lc ones, I start having maintenance issues. That said, I'm firmly in the camp of believing there have to be some pleasures in the woe.... My problem is "pleasure creep." On another subject, will do a rain dance for you!

Donna, I had a quick consult with my gyne today about the d*mned hot flashes we're having. I was quite astounded to learn that other than estrogen supplementation she said it's been found that a very low dose of Prozac or a certain hypertension medication at a subtherapeutic dose both have been found to work well for hot flashes in some women. Darned I can't remember the hypertension med, but it comes in a patch. Shelley, do you know what she was referring to. Darned CRS... Anyway, I told her I'd get back to her :o

Edit: Clonidine! That was the name of the med.....

I know you have your hands and heart full right now. Thoughts and prayers with you.

Alida, Rach, hugs!
___________________
My days and nights and sleep patterns are one reason I haven't been here much. Even though I'm technically awake most of the time I'm pretty foggy and am using "good" hours to get the basics done. (Although it would be more fun to be with you all.) I'm considering giving up my morning latte, but really terrified of the migraine backlash Been there, etc So please bear with me. I've got Dr. permission to halve a prescription to see if the sleep problem (as well as the "revving" and occasional lightheadedness) is a medication issue.

On the fun side, I've been loading albums and books on the iPod and am in heaven!

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

Good morning!

As usual, miss a few days and I get waayyy behind! But I got up a little earlier today so I could visit .... Forgive me if I miss something.

Peg, I forgot about Bob's operation, too. I am so glad it went well. I hope the pain will not be too bad for him if he is going to bypass the pain pills. How long will his recovery take?

Judy, I am not sure about those muffins and thingys holding you back. I do remember during my induction and OWL, though, that anything out of the ordinary seemed to hold me back a day or two. For instance, if I had a Mock Danish -- I'd be up the next day. The general trend was downwards but if I kept it simple, it went faster. And by simple, I mean plain foods -- an egg and 2 slices of bacon for breakfast, salad with chicken for lunch and a meat, vegetable and salad for dinner. And forget any kind of sweet. Jello seemed the best, with berries or low carb yogurt coming in second. I seem to be having trouble getting in all my water lately ....

Good plan of attack on your shoulder. But I thought Celebrex was one of the meds taken off the market. Am I wrong? Does tendinitis go away if it gets anti-inflammatories and rest?

Brenda, I hope you can get your day/night rhythm back. Medication? That could be a culprit. Also, could you just be more worried about your DH's situation at work? I know that situation would mess me up for sure.

You give Khaki G/C? Quarter pill? I wonder if that would help Buddy's arthritis.

Shelley, I have a neighbor that walks with two sticks ... and this area is FLAT. Perhaps she just uses them for balance, but she sure just flies by, two poles swinging. I would think for actual hiking, a pole or two would be very helpful.

Yea! on the rain! Finally! And has your weather cooled down like it has here in KC? Yesterday it just got up to around 74. Oh, that was heaven.

Thanks for the info on Cortisone shots. (And, everyone else, too!) I took my first pills yesterday. So far so good. None of those little stabbing pains.

Barb, I got your PM. Oh, you will have such a fabulous time!

Hmm. Dr. Ashby? Tall, blond woman? When I was active in the Lyric Opera, I hosted opera trips to various cities. A Dr. Ashby took several trips with us. Great lady! Next time you go, tell her hello from me. I think she'll remember me.

Terry, I would be hopping mad about now if I still didn't have my new glasses! How long has it been? Seems like forever.

Camping? Rattlesnakes? No water? Will you have potties? In spite of all that, it just may be fun. Different, anyway!

Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. Sigh. Prayers that the rehab center has a spot SOON. She now realizes that she needs HELP. That's a big step in the right direction.

On a brighter note, it sounds like your shopping trip with your DGD was a big success!

Have a wonderful 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

Early breakfast before spin class. Sounds like everyone could use a few hours gathered around a "real" pool, cooling off and relaxing. But...not to be, I'm afraid.

Nurse Peg, hope the patient is comfortable. Nurse Shelley, hope the nurse is catching up on her sleep. Of course, you're right about the hazards of germs and toxins in leftover water bottles. I'll be more careful.

The doc said the little thing-y (skin tag, wart, or whatever) that sprouted on my back is not a cancer, but he didn't have the equipment to remove it. So by-and-by, I'll get myself to the dermatologist. He also wrote two prescriptions for Ambien--one for me, one for DH--which could be helpful on the long plane ride. I copied out some diary pages from Fitday to show him my weight management strategy, and he was quite interested in that.

Judy, it's very possible the baked goods could contribute to a gradual wt. gain, especially with the additional toppings that inevitably go with them. I don't use ANY wheat or grain products on a routine basis. The one-minute muffin I bake has wheat BRAN (floor sweepings!), ground flaxseed, and whey protein powder. I consider it induction friendly. Also, I have to keep calories in the neighborhood of 1500. This is actually pretty high, considering my age and history, but the fat allowance of low-carb makes these tastier calories than I'd otherwise be eating. Keeping a diary is the only thing that holds my feet to the fire, diet-wise.

Bren's comment about "pleasure creep" is right on. I can't keep those Costco nuts in the house, because a handful once in a while soon becomes a handful every day, and then, a handful morning, noon, and night. It's a "legal" snack--but totally uncontrollable for me. Somehow I can blissfully ignore all the chips, crackers, donuts, pastries, Haagen Daz, and candy my DH brings in. It's the not-so-obvious increments that are troublesome.

To my way of thinking, if your weight is steady, and not increasing, your body may be at a perfectly happy place, and you should stop worrying. My problem has always been perpetual gain. Until LC, I've never been able to maintain, and I have no idea how much I'd weigh if I'd never been a yo-yo in the first place. My "healthy" breakfast used to be a large glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice (a real addiction!), and non-fat yogurt mixed with a banana and some Grape Nuts. My OMM with whipped cream cheese probably has just as many calories, but provides way more protein (egg + whey powder), fiber, calcium, and fat (coconut oil + flax seed) for energy.

Oops. I'm getting carried away. Gotta run. Back later.

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


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

Well, up early today to continue my nursing duty. Dh gets up early no matter what. He just doesn't seem able to eat very much. I guess that's all right. I'm going to continue to tempt him with stuff. I baked a blueberry pie for his bday on Monday. He loves that, but can't even tempt him with that! But, he's drinking tea and water. Percoset makes him nauseous. Poor guy. Today the pain hit big time. But, he's getting up periodically and walking the "C" section walk. (shoulders hunched over, bent at the waist)

Judy: I'm up more than 10! Been afraid to weigh. Did last week and the scale showed that 10 more and I would have gained everything I lost three years ago. I'm pretty discouraged with myself. My clothes are tight. Today I'm going to try to, at least, get all my water in. I can do that. The "pleasure creep" that Brenda mentions is my absolute downfall. Stress seems to drive me to the sweets. I won't enumerate what I've eaten. It's shameful.

But, about your question. I think I go with Alida. I found that not having anything that isn't simple was the key. Also, with the last 10, remember, you have to count calories too. Actually, for me, losing was easy in the beginning. I remember the absolute elation of getting on the scale and seeing those pounds fall off. For me, I think it was the combination of the water and eating clean. Though, to tell the truth, I have been really lucky in that I haven't ever eaten "clean" for more than a couple of days. I DO need to cut out the sweets. Don't know why I crave them, but I certainly do. So..........there's my confession. I've been afraid to write that.

Bren: Sounds as though your Circadian rhythms are all out of whack. I wonder what's going on with you astrologically? What's your sign? I'll look up what's going on for you. It's supposed to be a creative time for me. Of course, most of the creativity is going on in my mind and as constantly move things from one wall to another in our new small apartment (remember, I said "my mind.")

Donna: ((((((((prayers)))))))))

Terry: You couldn't get me to go camping for all the tea in China!! I know some people enjoy it, and if that is you, have a great time. I'm familiar with the rattlesnake thing, growing up on the edge of the Mojave desert. They won't bother you if you don't bother them, you know. Most of the time when they are out, it is to sun. You'll see them. They're not sneaky like other snakes.

Barb: Interesting about the Dr. I just had a bunch of those skin tags removed by my Dr. I had had them all my life. Just last night, I looked in the mirror and saw my neck, now healed, without that skin tag and I was so surprised not to see that brown thing there. I'm a "molely" person. Now my skin has little red spots all over my trunk. Dr. says it's from the sun. Dang it! I also have bit and small lipomas under the skin on my arms and legs. Aging is the pits. Most of the time, however, I just ignore them.

Shel: Enjoy the day, girlfriend. I'm doin' the rain dance for you.

Well, I'm off to nurse and clean up the house. Back later.

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

Alida and I were posting simultaneously, and Peg's up early. So I'm back soon, from the office now. I hurried home from cycle class, showered, primped, and got out the door in time to catch the later bus. Grandson Scott was just getting up about the time I got home, and I heard him turn on the shower. As I went out the front door, he was STILL in the shower. According to my sisters, this is a guy thing, not just a young guy thing.

DH and I attended a United Way appreciation event yesterday evening at the Liberty Memorial. As we came out into the twilight, we enjoyed a magical view of KC, very romantic. On my 60th birthday, if it's a nice day, I want to have drinks in the revolving lounge at the top of the Hyatt. With all its faults and quirks, I still get goofy nostalgic about my ol' hometown.

Teel, I admire your adventurous spirit, but my camping days are done. I do anticipate some tramping in NZ, but no sleeping outdoors.: )

Later, Babes. Take care of you.

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


My Fitday Journal

LOL! I would have said mine were over, too, until this trip came up.

Brenda, my sincere wishes that your crown installation goes smoothly. this morning is the second round for getting my first crown. I am so not looking forward to this. My jaw is still way sore from last week's session. All the stretching caused the disk in the "hinge" of my jaw to slip out of socket, and I could not close my teeth until Sunday.

My dentist recommended gold instead of porcelaine saying it's longer wearing. Later my friend said that was bu11shjt, and that proceliane lasts forever. I'm not crazy about the idea of a gold tooth, even if it is way in the back.

Okay, enough whining... Off to face the music!

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

Sorry I've been MIA. What a lot has been happening. My dd is going through heJJ....really called the dt's. She's been crying off and on for 3 days, can't eat, doesn't sleep, her mind is going, going, going. I have to be very careful what I say to her cause she goes off on a tengent. There is still no room for her as of today, but she seems a little better this morning. Yesterday when she called them they told her she is very likely to start having seizures, so they recommended that she has a drink of some type of alcohol. I was furious, as was she after all she's been through. Instead she called a friend who came and had coffee with her. She is determined this time will be different! She's already contacted AA and after calling the helpline she has a sponsor named Lorraine who calls her all the time. She's also going to her first AA meeting in town here tonight. She realizes now that she has a lot of "thank you's" that she will have to say once she is on the road to recovery. She has very good friends who are sticking by her and of course, her family. I'm hoping she gets into the centre soon so she can get some therapy for what's going on in her head.

Enough about my problems. I had a wonderful day with Mickey on Saturday. Poor kid couldn't keep up with gramma shopping and finally asked me to put her in a cart cause her feet hurt. I taught her the two most important words in a woman's language....charge it. You should have seen the look on her dad's face when she told him. It was priceless. This year the most important thing on her list was slippers. We mananged to get them and 3 other pair of shoes along with lots of other clothes. We did lunch where she told me all the secrets that she was probably not supposed to tell me.....like Daddy doesn't always wear his seatbelt, and Mommy doesn't always do her housework. Gotta love a 6 year old!

Sunday we went to my grandsons 4th birthdayparty. This year Lissa outdid herself with a teenage mutant ninja turtle cake. All these little kids running around with green all over their faces after eating cake! lol I managed to stay away from it (except for the sloppy, suggary kiss I got from my youngest grandson).

Yesterday the rain came like you wouldn't believe. Peg you would have been in your glory. We had thunder...huge claps...and lightning, and the skies just opened up. It rained all day and most of the night. Very unusual for this area. Today it's a bit cloudy but very muggy and the skies are trying to clear up. Tomorrow it's supposed to start to warm right back up into the high 30's again. So...no walking last night. I did try my treadmill....but I hate it.

When I was walking my weight stayed at 156..never moved. No walking last night and I'm at 158 today. Could be that I didn't get enough water yesterday or the fact that I've been worrying myself into having a sore stomach and not eating enough so my body is holding onto what I have. We'll see what the scale says tomorrow.

Not too much to say today. I'm behind at work due to dd calling me every half hour crying and sobbing. So, I'd better get back to it while I know that she's sleeping. Talk to you all soon, I hope. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

__________________
Donna
238.5/166.4/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Hi gang,
Well....I did sleep last night...yay! I must've been super tired, 'cause I didn't wake up until after 0630. Then I had coffee and brekki, then headed to the gym. There were no TMs available(grrr) when I first got there, so I hopped on the stairmaster. Finally after about 10 min, a TM became available, and I did 85 min/4.45 mi with inclines and speed walks. Knee is doing well, so I"m thinking it was just inflamation from the rapid onset of repetative motion with the extreme TM back in July. Anyhooo...I'm still being careful until my F/U visit next week.

Alida...we had some cooler temps with our rain this week. Hope Judy doesn't see the *r* word I used...LOL. If we don't get back into the 100's for the rest of the summer, it will be just fine with me!

Barb...I think we will both be on vacation at close to the same time. I can hardly wait! I just bet you are getting pretty excited with your big trip drawing near as well. I really think I love fall vacations waaaay more than summer ones!

Peg...how's our patient doing today? Hope he is feeling better. Has he tried a little mix of protein and carb when taking the pain meds? Percocet is notorious for causing nausea on an empty stomach. We give graham crackers and milk, or saltines and sprite to our patients when we give them pain meds. Just a thought. Hope each day brings a big improvement for Bob!
Give him an ((((Okie hug)))), would ya, please???

Bren...my *heart sister*... I hope you will soon be back in dream land at the appropriate times. I can commisurate on the weird waking hours and not being able to do anything about them. It is so infuriating to me....grrrrr!
I was either so tired last night that I was bound to sleep, or my little mix of a benadryl and tylenol did the trick. I think I will avoid the valerian root for a while. I'm thinking I may have reach the max on that. Anyhoo...good luck sista for a great night's sleep

Teel...OYE!!! Well, if you have to go camp, be ye careful! That is one reason we don't really do any hiking to speak of, here in Oklahoma...there are to many snakes....ack! Not to mention ticks, chiggers and huge-a-mongus mosquitoes...LOL. There are NO snakes or ticks in the RMNP
The only good thing about a rattlesnake, if there is a good thing, is that they will most always give you a warning that they are there...by making their famous *rattling* sound. We'll be waiting to hear if you were a *happy camper*...LOL...sorry, couldn't resist

Donna...sorry to hear your DD hasn't gotten into rehab yet, but it's encouraging that she is in the AA loop now, don't you think? I know the advice she recieved to ingest some alcohol seems weird, but that's what the treatment used to be to help stave off dt's. We would give the patients very measured amounts of ETOH in water, then wean them off slowly. We even had patients addicted to cough medicine for the ETOH. Sad but true.
OTOH...so glad you and Micayla had a good time. Yes, outta the mouths of babes comes shocking info sometimes...LOL!

Judy...got your email just now....I am trying to stop laughing long enough to finish this post....snort! Those poor misguided ladies of the 50's. Boy could we teach them a thing or two, eh?
Hope your shoulder is feeling better. It could take a while to see results; tendonitis can be slow to resolve at times.

Alida, here is a good site for info on Celebrex:
http://www.celebrex.com/information/faqs.asp

alrighty...off to put clothes in the dryer and ponder on what tonight's dinner will be.

later, chickadees!
(((hugs to all)))
Shell

__________________
~~~~
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!

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

Checking in late again, and so happy to see you all here

Alida, I give Khaki a half "human" capsule (Trader Joes's), mixed in her food, twice a day--about 250mg each of glucosamine and chondriotin total. G/C seems to come in a variety of dosages for humans, so you'd need to to look at the labels of any product you consider. There are several brands specifically marketed for animals, too. Cosequin is a well known brand and one of their line is specifically for cats. The dosage is the same for small dogs, but the cat version is flavored to sprinkle on their food. At one or two capsules/day (125-250mg), Cosequin gets expensive, which is one reason I use a human product. Here is the dosage and specifics: http://www.petmedstore.com/Merchant2...COSEQUINCAPCAT
I think as with humans, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Barb, I really have begun to believe this is true for me. My body is at a happy place, even if my mind still struggles with the idea, preferring a lighter "happy place."

TB, how are you and your crown doing? Oh gosh, you and I must have jaws from the same parts bin and I am SO wincing for you. (((HUGS)))I will only have to endure one visit (2 hours) but this is the guy whose Novocaine shots reduced me to tears earlier in the year. Good wishes for both our procedures and recoveries

Donna, prayers for you and for dd that she find the strength she needs now! So very glad you had such a marvelous time with Mickey anyway. LOL! Reminds me of how one of DH's dd's used to spill the beans about his ex at about that age! Gotta love 'em.

Peg, Bob must be miserable if he can't even muster interest in your blueberry pie--poor guy. Maybe Shelley's advice will help? I hope he quickly passes to the grumpy/whiney stage. Then you'll know he's getting better Meanwhile, how are you doing????

Astrological snafu? Hadn't thought of that one. I'm a Libra--any idea what's cooking in Libraland's stars and planets?

Barb, Peg, I've got one of those skin tags on my neck right where necklaces want to rub. I've been thinking about taking it off for years--I think my GP even has the equipment. Thanks for the reminder.

Shelley, oh darlin' thank you so for the good sleepin' wishes. Same back atcha! Funny you should mention it, but I've been wondering if the melatonin/valerian root caps I was taking were giving me a weird morning headache (but who knows with all the other weirdness, LOL)--anyway, something about it wasn't feeling right, so I've decided to stop them for a while, too. Hope that tylenol/benedryl cocktail works for ya!

Judy, I definitely consider it good news to hear that your weather is cooling off. There's not a thing that doesn't improve with nice weather, IMO. May Texas (and OOOOOOklahoma) have a long and luscious fall to make up for the crappy/hot/dry summer.

Those gaucho pants sound great. You've really got the legs to show the gaucho/boot look to advantage
______________________________________
We had some guy from one of the electric co. contractors wander into the back yard today, lift the plywood from the big hole, peer in, scratch his ............ head (gotcha!), and disappear. I do wonder when I'll not have crime scene tape and an open grave back there......

Yoga was great tonight. I think I'll try to take advantage of the relaxation and hit the sack. DH has promised to use one of those little nose band-aid thingies (CRS on the name!) to lower his decibel level. Maybe I can make the sleep thing his fault, ya think? heheheheh

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

Brenda, you might be right about the decibels being the culprit. Even if you're not consciously aware of the racket, you could definitely be brought above a level of deep sleep. Usually I am sound asleep by the time DH comes to bed, but on those occasions when I wake up to the z-z-z-z-z from his side, I have to give him a major heave-ho. Sleeping on his side rather than his back seems to solve that problem long enough for me to drop off again.

I used to buy most of my supps from Puritan Pride when they have their two-fer or three-fer sales, but lately I've been picking up the glucosamine1500/chondroitin1200 at Costco. I buy the extra-strength Kirkland brand, so I only have to take two of those horse pills a day instead of three.

Shelley you truly are STBO. That's dedication. It really does have a big payoff in health benefits.

Teel, sorry about the dental work. Last time I had a crown, my dentist put in a porcelain tooth pretty far back, for aesthetic reasons. I have a big grin. The insurance company wouldn't pay the extra cost, but I agreed with the dentist. Get what you want. Of course, shouldn't we all get gemstones set in our front teeth, or "grills"? As if piercing everywhere didn't give people enough places to hang their bling.

Peg, Brenda and I are both Libras, so you can see how that sorts out for each of us. We're so much alike, after all.

One of my NZ classmates and her husband own a vineyard. So I've ordered a case from her to be delivered to one of the social events at the reunion. We'll be staying over with them two days while we're in the Marlborough district.

I wasn't able to read the 50's essay yet, but I've often thought how trapped my mother must have felt in the prescribed role of the time. She loved her short time as a professional woman (medical technologist), but then took up the "career" of following my dad all over the planet with the military, with her (eventual) four kids in tow. I'm grateful to exist, but I've always thought my mom would have been happy as a single "career woman." And I suspect that that perception, however subtle, shaped my decision not to have children. This attitude was nailed in place by Betty Friedan and her groundbreaking book The Feminine Mystique, which came out during my college years. You CAN'T have it all--at least not all at once, as they say.

This week is going fast for me. Good work project, not a lot of stress. I wish I could package up some peace and happiness for you and yours, Donna, and some blissful rain for you, Judy (not to mention compliant and devoted students!) And other good things as needed for everyone else. But...we're here to listen and remind each other that the sun does come up on a fresh, clean day. Prayers and blessings.

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


My Fitday Journal