Thread: October '08 vets tracking(of various things!)

Hey guys, sorry I've been scarce this week. This actually has been my first full day off in 8 or 9 days. Whew! Needless to say it was full of housecleaning, laundry and grocery shopping--oh, and two routine dr. appointments. Added into the mix was that I spent more than usual time with my hospice patient who began failing rapidly and did pass away this week.

.....and dh has had another rapid round of interviews with a company he'd first interviewed a month ago. He's one of the three finalists out of 250 (!) applicants and a decision will be made this week. Your good thoughts and prayers would sure be appreciated!!! Enough about us!!!

Shell, you find us all jobs in the mountains and I'd be there in a heartbeat. Pic-chas!!!! Do you have Pic-chas somewhere???????

Barb, congrats on the new car!!! I have to say you made a fine choice, especially since my car is a Mazda 3, too. It's a 5-door, rather than a sedan, but quite a sporty number. You'll enjoy both your Mazdas for years to come.

Alida, I may have missed some reports, but are you enjoying your new applipliances? Have you had any time to try the convection oven? You know, I think with landscaping even with a plan in mind things look different actually laid out. You'll get that edging to look right.

Judy, are you through the grading period and on to the next yet?

Peg, LOL! (Sorry!) I keep looking for a smilie with one eyebrow Hope your dinner goes well. I think puppies do well when exposed to lots of different situations, as long as they aren't overwhelmed or overhandled. The most bulletproof dog I ever had went everywhere with me as a puppy, on a leash, in my arm, or in a bag, LOL!

Bert, have your new tenants moved it? What's up, there in the heartland?

Donna, wow, that was a lovely long vacation, but I'm sure the cleaning up is tiring. When do you have to go back to work?

Heather, it sounds as though the challenge is paying off for both you and dh.

MK, Rachel, Sus, big waves

Well, I gotta find my fat pictures somewhere. The Executive Director where I work wants to lose 50 pounds for her wedding in February and she's rather intrigued by the few things knows about it. She's seen how carb conscious I am (lately, shhhhh!) and was shocked to find out I was much heavier--LOL, she wanted to see the "before" because I'm not sure she believes me. Makes me feel thin even if I'm not where I'd like to be

I'm so tired today. Productive day of walking, exercise, cleaning and work site day. Now sitting here on the couch with my laptop while we watch some shows. It's suppose to snow the end of this week!
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Brenda - Prayer for your DH to get that job is done.

Brenda...... prayers definitely coming from Texas. I'll hold my breath and cross my fingers too if you think it could help.

Donna, good to have you back.

Hugs to everyone.

Sorry guys...I'm just too pooped to visit tonight...it was just crazy at work and it won't get any better until next week maybe. Weighed myself and only gained 2 lbs on holidays...but I'm back on induction today. Gotta get rid of all this baggage I've gained. I'll try to get back tomorrow and do a decent post. Hope you all understand.

Welcome back, Donna! I know you're up to your ears in things to do, but your busy, cheerful posts are something I look forward to. I hope the re-entry goes smoothly. Your good heart seems to attract needy people, and that's just the way it is. Take care of you.

Bren, big prayers today. Job searching is hard work--and especially challenging for experienced workers in a culture that seems to value other things more. The death of your hospice client also takes its toll. I'll be thinking of you.

On Monday, the baby I mentioned earlier, the son of my nephew and his wife, died in utero at about eight months, as a consequence of genetic errors. She will be induced today. They have been very brave and loving throughout the pregnancy, and no matter what was expected, the outcome is very sad.

Alida, how are you getting along with the new appliances? Inquiring minds want to know! Planning a Thanksgiving feast at your house?

I had a routine mammo yesterday, and all is well.

Every day I can, I love coming here to pick up the threads of life--other lives. Thank you all for sharing, for being there.

Barb, I am so saddened by the loss of your nephew and his wife's infant. No matter that it was expected, I know their hearts are aching, as are yours and the rest of the family's.

Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, and finger crossing. (Judy, LOL, holding breath not recommended, but thanks for the thought)The powers that be are deliberating and purportedly checking references so we may not hear anything one way or another for a couple of days. I'm trying not to show my anxiety to dh, but my stomach is in knots. Definitely not in a state of equanimity, LOL!

Tomorrow it seems I'll be in some kind of video hospice is making at our Inpatient Unit. Not sure if I'll be playing a volunteer, patient, or relative, LOL! Now, back to laundry and then off to work, with maybe a cuppa coffee to steady the nerves of waiting.

Bren: Well, I won't hold my breath, but I'll cross my eyes, fingers, and toes, and oh yeah, pray! Thanks for mentioning my mistake. I thought that none of you even noticed that I am going around now with half eyelashes on one eye and without an eyebrow on the other. Of course, I did add it with Sephora's eyebrow pencil. I am such a babe! If they only knew!

Barb: One of the many jobs I held was as the Chaplain on Neo-natal intensive care unit of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. In that capacity, I had the extreme privilege of being with Moms and Dads when their children were born after dying in utero, or after dying after being and living for just a little while. There is nothing like that time of death that brings one closer to God, if one is open to it. I have lots of stories about that time. Maybe I should write about that.

Heather: Don't work too hard, girlfriend.

Alida: Yeah, about those appliances.......

Shel: Good to hear from you again.

Judy: You too. Good to hear from you!

I went to the health clinic today because my chest hurts and I was losing my voice by the afternoon for the last week. She said that I am very "tight" in my lungs. COPD, you know. Suggested that I used my "rescue" inhaler. I did and it helped immensely. Our weather has changed dramatically. This happens in CA. We get down to 50 at night and then up to 100 in the daytime. Dh loves to have the windows and doors open in the morning, and it is d*** cold! That is one of the things that sets off my asthma! When I told him, he all but said he didn't believe it. Sheesh.

People, er, uh, I mean, dog trainer came today. She tried to teach Bob how to walk SP on the leash. She must have told him 50 times to hold the leash close to his body and if he couldn't remember that, to hook his thumb in his pants pocket. Still he didn't remember. We were about (the Trainer and I) 100 yards away and I said to her, "He can't dance either." She cracked up. Bob kept wrapping the leash around his legs, holding the leash out about two feet from his hip, forgetting everything she said. He is just such a klutz. Don't tell him I said so, okay? We also tried to get her to climb up or down the stairs. Nope. She wasn't having it (SP). No amount of cajoling, calling, or treats could move her. So, she (people, er, dog trainer) suggested that we take her out to walk and pee in the morning and then put out her food while we leave her at the bottom of the stairs. We'll try it. Though I am really not excited about that. She will hear the kibble hitting the ceramic bowl, and smell it too. Stay tuned.

It's 96 right now and almost 5:00 pm. Sheesh. It is hot. But, we have the A/C on.

See ya all tomorry,
Peg
oh, and I am losing weight. Watching what I eat. Also, lowering carbs.

Barb, I am so sorry for your nephew and his wife, as well as for the rest of the family. What a terribly sad time.

Bren, still crossing my fingers and saying prayers. We care! Let us know how things come out.

Donna, I'll bet your day was BUSY. If I remember right, your boss does absolutely zero while you are away. I actually hope he didn't do anything that will mess up what you have to do now. A pile that no one has touched is better than one that has been thoroughly messed up.

Peg, Maybe DH needs to go to remedial training. When we took Lexie to training she learned to walk like a show dog -- close to the left side of the body, etc. She and I have been walking everyday for the last month or so. One day last week I was talking to my dad while we were walking. I wasn't holding the leash properly. When we crossed at the corner below our house she sat down in the middle of the intersection and refused to move. It looked like one of those pictures of someone trying to drag a mule. She wanted to go home! Since then it has been pretty evident that she is not excited about going out to walk. The last few days I have been giving her a little more leash and allowing her more freedom to sniff and explore. I think she is happier about the exercise. She is so lazy. After walking two miles she will come in and plop down like she had been at it all day.

BTW, Peg, for your weight loss success.

Adios amigas......have a good evening.

flying by...
Bren, an album with some of my pics is here.

My back pain is some better; I did fitness walk today, just not as far or as fast, but at least the body was in motion.

Smiles and waves to all!
nitey nite!!
(((hugs)))
s

Good morning, everyone. Taking a deep breath after yesterday. The other "emergency" is my dad's continuing battle with back pain. He had a fall, and aggravated a herniated disc. (Shelley, you probably know something about that pain!) He wants to go to the hospital, but it's tougher than you can imagine to get admitted, since you have to go through a primary care physician one way or another. Fortunately, my sister and I can tag-team the situation until it gets resolved.

Meanwhile, I've misplaced my cell phone. Hope it's in my car! Aaack!

Peg, you've had an amazing lifetime of experiences. No wonder you're still moving at the speed of light.

Right now, I have to dust and spiff up my home, in case any of the church people want to have a look this evening. My next-door neighbor and fellow church-member is hosting an event in support of the Capital Campaign. I'm the greeter. I also volunteered to help usher at a funeral this afternoon--not someone I know, just a courtesy of the church. Sometimes living next door to the church gives me an opportunity to be helpful.

It's a beautiful day outside, and I hope to get out in it for a while.
Take care of YOU!

Good morning ladies. After working at night from home I'm finally starting to see the light. Boss has gone to town so I think I deserve a little time to talk to you all.

Barb: What a sad time for your nephew and his wife...and you too of course. I'm so sorry it turned out this way.

Peg: I just love your stories about Sweet Pea. What a little monkey not going up or down stairs. But, Lily won't go down our basement stairs either even though they are carpeted. She'll go down 2 steps and lay there waiting for me to come up. If I carry her downstairs...she'll immediately run up again. Silly pup.

Judy: My dogs have never stopped in the middle of the road, but Sora has stopped in the middle to have a poop! How embarassing!!

Shelley: Sorry about the back pain. It didn't ruin your holiday did it? Hope not.

Alida: I too want to know how the appliances are.

I started back on induction on Monday and I'm down 2.5 lbs. already. Also started back on an exercise program....mostly treadmill, but I'm running on it too. Gotta get rid of this excess weight. My jeans aren't fitting right in the thighs now. I decided that no matter how much work I have...I'm making time for myself to exercise.

Back to work....I'll try to visit more later.

Donna - Congrats on 2.5 pounds gone already!
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Peg - Your DH!! You would know best when your asthma is acting up. Sheesh is right.
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Barb - I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew and wife. That is so terribly sad. They will be in my thoughts and a prayer is said.

sorry for the fly by again...
a little pre-occupied today (see journal entry below). This morning, I thought I would be doing lunch for about 20-25 people tomorrow, but found out later, it's already been taken care of.

per my journal entry:

Late yesterday we learned the lady that was the ONLY person I trusted with my newborn daughter, and was our DD's very first baby sitter, passed away on Sunday.
I can not even tell you the love and care she gave to our DD, and she had 4 girls of her own. E would take our DD to all of her girl's basketball and baseball games. Her girls hoovered over our DD and played with her like she was a doll. The girls would beg DH and I to leave DD with them *just a little longer* every time we went to pick her up after work. Later, when our DD was school age, E and the girls would stop by on Saturday mornings and take DD with them for donuts and cocoa and then home with them to watch Saturday morning cartoons.
Very happy memories for my DD and us, as well.
When they(E and her hubby) lost their house in the 1999 tornado, we were able to help them with some used household items, but you would have thought we gave them a million dollars. They were just thrilled to get anything, but totally thankful they still had each other and no injuries. It was truly a pleasure to help them out. After that, we didn't see them very much as we lived on the other side of the metro, and E was often busy with her grandchildren, which were just the light of her life. They were a very loving and close family, lived in a very modest, but neat and clean as a whistle home, and E drove a little blue 1963 Ford falcon, that her hubby had restored for her back in the 70's, until the day she died.
I sure dreaded calling DD to tell her. We are all very sadden and surprised by E's passing; she was only 69 years old....and that is definitely NOT old!
RIP dear friend.


walked 83 min/ 5.11 miles/ 284 cal burn/ 10,800 fitness steps/ >13, 000 after grocery run.

alrighty then....

Donna...my back was OK on vacation, probably the long car ride home and lifting some things I shouldn't have.

Barb...yes...I can relate to the back pain. Gosh, sure hope your dad gets some relief. Did they do a hip x-ray just to make sure it's not a hip fx that's causing the pain?

Peg...you go girl!!! Glad you are *losin' it* again!

Off to do some chores. blah!

to all!

(((hugs all around!)))
s

Morning ladies. Invoices are uploading as I type so I have a few minutes.

I'm going to change my signature weight to reflect the 2.8 lbs that I've dropped this week. I really look forward to my treadmill time again...it's true, you do crave exercise once you start it. I learned on Biggest Loser that if you get up during commercials and do jumping jacks you will have burned 300 calories during one show. I got up...did the jumping jacks once...and realized that if I did it every commercial I would be dead before the show ended!! lol Not the type of exercise for me.

I'm basically caught up at work. Still have month end to do but that's for tomorrow. It sure helped to take the work home, but I'm not going to make a habit of it.

Here's a shocker....my son called and invited us to Thanksgiving dinner! First time ever! Of course we said yes. Oh...hey, you guys don't have Thanksgiving until November do you? Ours is this Monday. Wonder why it's different for us?

Dd is still gaining massive amounts of weight. The dr. says it's the meds she is on but if that's the case he should cut her back. I bought her a hoodie on vacation...2X, and it just fits. She was never larger than a L. It's bothering her too, but not much I can do about it. Maybe if she cut back on the rice, pasta and junk food it might help too. But..at least the calories aren't coming from booze. It's almost a year now that she's been sober .... YA!

Shelley: I'm so sorry to hear of your friends' passing. It's never a nice thing to go through but especially hard when it's someone who is so special to you.

Okay..invoices are ready...that will take care of the rest of my day. I'll be thinking of all of you.

I'm shooting for about 180 this time around on the SBD. I was up to 221 at the end of July, and have lost down to 195 so I'm closer to my goal than to my start weight.

Riding my bicycle(s) a lot has really, really helped.

I'm starting to get that "skinny" feeling, which is nice.