Amy's Journal: Comments Welcome!

[Amy&Dan]

Hi everyone. My walk did not go unfortunately! Saturday, dh and I decided to do some Christmas shopping to get that done and we also worked in the yard for awhile finishing fall clean up. Then on Sunday it was snowing most of the day and freezing! That day we spent cleaning out the basement once and for all and the garage. Took two huge loads to Good Will. We got so much done this weekend, I also ended up cooking some of my Thanksgiving dinner and got all my menus/shopping lists set for the rest of Thanksgiving and Christmas. It felt so good to get all that stuff done. So I didn't exercise but my stress level dropped quite a bit since I got so much done and off my plate. Yesterday I began working on dh's aunt's scrapbook for her birthday present. She went with us on our Disney Cruise this past September and her birthday is in December and she requested a scrapbook. I got a good start yesterday so that felt good too. But didn't exercise again! I may have a tough time making the challenge but I am going to try. Today I am about to head out for my Saratoga Springs walk! Its very windy, gusting about 35-40 mph so I may blow over but I need to get out there and do it!

Spent this morning shopping online for all my mom's gifts to give to everyone. Stepdad gave me his credit card to use, maybe I'll book myself a Disney Cruise on him ! Hopefully this year my mom won't unwrap everything like she did last year bless her heart. So basically I feel like I am making headway with all of this holiday stuff. Dan and I can decorate my mom's house and put up her tree Thanksgiving weekend and then do my sister's the next (sister has ms and also can't do her own tree etc.). The to do list is still long but its getting shorter!

Food has been spotty. It is so hard to do well on the weekends. I sort of chewed dh out on Sunday night. He has been really bad about bringing home junk. I know its my responsiblity to not eat it but if its not here I think I can fare better. He doesn't mean to sabotauge me but thats what happens. I also told the kids to stop whining about the deceased (as in thrown away) Halloween candy and to get over it! They don't need it either. Ds is taking a class on nutrition in school and is on board with me now. He is learning all about hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup among other things. He even made me a healthy berry smoothie on Friday!

Yesterday's food was better:
Breakfast: glass of milk and two small cookies
Lunch: Big salad with grilled chicken, parm cheese and lowfat dressing
Dinner: Small helping of lasagne and large green salad with lowfat dressing, one rather large piece of garlic bread.
Water: 80 oz., one diet pepsi
So a much better day. Today so far has been good but its early! Sorry I haven't journaled all weekend or yesterday, honestly I have been so crazy busy I hadn't even gotten on the computer period. Forgive me for being a lousy Wish friend! Thanks for reading, hope you are all having a great day.

 

[lovinaz]

I hope your list is getting shorter! You do have lots of things to take care of, but they are happy things like shopping and decorating! And how great does it feel to get the house all cleaned out before you have a bunch of company? That always makes me feel like I actually accomplished something! Your food yesterday looks great, keep it up and you will get through the holidays with no problems.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy. It is happy stuff and yet I miss doing it with my mom instead of for her. I just talked with her and that feeling of her slipping away is so hard to deal with and yet I am so thankful she is still here. Five years ago they gave her less than one year to live with her cancer so that is a blessing she outdid herself! Okay I am pi**ed big time! I decided to journal here then walk and now its pouring rain. Argghh! I may walk on the treadmill or wait a few minutes and see if it clears up. The sun was shining 20 minutes ago. Gotta love Colorado weather.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Got the walk in! I just about froze to death, it was 45 degrees so not too bad but that wind! Its supposed to snow now so tomorrow maybe a tread mill day. Food today:
Breakfast: Atkins Shake
Lunch: Turkey and Swiss sandwich, tangerine
Snack: chex mix
Water so far today: 48 oz.

 

[lovinaz]

YAY for getting that walk in!!!!!!!! You can always come visit me and walk all you want! I was freezing this morning because it dipped below 60 last night...

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Amy
Wow you've got your tree up!!!! I havnt even started xmas shopping yet!!!
Glad T. Michael surgery went well
Hope your mum is doing well, it must be so difficult for you, but like you said shes here 5 years on after being given only a year, thats a blessing
Well done for getting the walk in, i am hibernating!!! Its hard coming from wdw 85 degrees to the UK's 45!!!!

 

[honeymo78]

Good for you getting out there and walking even though the weather was crappy. Not sure I would have the willpower to go outside when it gets that cold.

 

[CACruisin']

Amy I am so impressed with how prepared you are for the holidays already! I haven't even begun my christmas shopping - haven't even started making lists of stuff for people yet. Ugh, I'm behind and the season has just started .

More for walking in the cold! That shows some real determination on your part. Great job.

It must be really hard with your mom, but you are a really good daughter to do everything you do for her. Good Luck with your family gathering. It is wonderful DH suggested FIL stay at a hotel. That will help keep harmony and sanity.

Good Luck with the rest of your week . When do your relatives start arriving?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you Anna, Stephanie, Tracey and Amy. Anna I have to start early, with the situation with my mom plus our WDW trip in mid December if I don't it won't get done! Family arrives Christmas Eve, I am really excited to see them (aunt and cousin) and have them staying with us. The rest of the family is local and stay at their own houses!

Walking yesterday was not fun in that freezing wind but I was so glad I did it! Today I walked again, same temperature, minus the wind it was quite pleasant. I ordered a new jacket online today, my old one is a bit too large I am happy to say.

I am trying to be patient with my mom right now. Times like the holidays are very hard for Alz. patients, too many changes in routine and too many details to remember. In addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas we have a total five birthdays between now and Christmas in our family, thats a lot to keep track of. She has called me over 10 times in the last two days. I spent some time typing up a list of what I have bought on her behalf, what I still need to get as well as other details about the holidays. I am taking it to her tomorrow and taping it up in her kitchen as well as putting other copies around the house. I hope it helps! I don't even bother answering the phone all the time because I know it will just be repeating on both ends.

Oh and fil is not coming for Christmas. He was unable to score good airfare and also isn't feeling well these days. I am sorry yet also relieved. I have enough going on without adding the dynamics between my husband and his father to the mix! We will see fil in CA this summer which will be very nice. It always goes great out there but when he comes here its different somehow . Family!

Food today was good. I am getting sick so wasn't that hungry. Took some Airborne, is usually works hope it does this time. I did get my walk in, I didn't much feel like it but felt better once I got going.

Breakfast: Atkins Shake
Lunch: Taco salad: 4 oz. ground turkey breast taco meat, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, one crushed taco shell, 2 cups green leaf lettuce.

Snack: ff/sf chocolate pudding, 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter

Snack #2: 2 oatmeal raisin cookies (I made these myself, only used half the sugar) glass of skim milk

Dinner: Lean Cuisine

Water: 80 oz.

Exercise: 60 minute walk.

Thanks for reading. I am really still hoping to take off 5-10 pounds by my birthday. Debating whether or not to weigh in tomorrow. I didn't go today I was feeling so yucky early on. I have no idea what the scale will say. The clothes feel good so that is something...

 

[CJK]

It certainly sounds like you have a lot on your plate these days. First, celebrate your weightloss. Having to buy a smaller size is SUCH a rewarding feeling isn't it? You're doing great and I admire you for walking even when the weather is cold (something I have yet to do!).

I sure understand how it feels to have so many birthdays right before Christmas. We have 4 birthdays in my family. Sending you lots of hugs and pixie dust as you cope with your mom. She is so blessed to have you as a daughter.

I'm glad to know that you have the trip ahead to look forward to in between your busy schedule. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[CACruisin']

Sorry you are not feeling well. I hope the Airborne works. I have used Zicam in the past too, but you have to space them apart by 2 hours, I think.

Sounds like you will have a really nice Christmas. I understand the family dynamics issues. Most of DH's family is local. I would really like to be able to have a nice quiet christmas eve and christmas day with just us and enjoy the time with the kids, but instead I spend way too much time cooking, cleaning, and entertaining. We visit with my family after christmas.

How exciting it will be to be at WDW at Christmas time. You are going to have such a great trip!

Take care of yourself and I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Anna and CJK. Christmas can indeed be a stressful time! I love every minute of it but find as I get older it gets harder to have the energy to deal with the whole darn thing. Not exactly the reason for the season but there ya go.

Updating tonight: I did great with food until I got into the sliced almonds. Yikes, don't even know for sure how many I ate. So close to a perfect food day but not so far away. I was just famished and dug in. Went to Wal Mart tonight alone. It was deserted and very nice. Dh was at the hockey game, the kids were at church so I ended up there. But I got some more Airborne and about $140 worth of other stuff . I loaded up on Lean Cuisines in an effort to have easy stuff that is low in points/calories. If it keeps me out of the drive thrus its a good thing. Ds is really coming down with this crud too. He is stressing about missing school if he is sick. I love the way our school makes the kids so wacked out about missing any time whatsoever. You'd think he was working for the Pentagon instead of in 6th grade!

Thanks for reading, I am bummed about the almonds but I did good the rest of the day. No idea what around a half cup of sliced almonds is pointswise and I probably don't want to know!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi WISH sis,

Sorry I haven't been by in a couple of days.... We had some phone issues (I forgot to pay the bill. ) and since we still use dial-up, I haven't been able to get online.

First of all, let me congratulate you for getting so much of your holiday preparations done! That is so wonderful, Amy....

Secondly, way to go getting your Saratoga Strolls in! You are super busy right now and yet you are still finding time to take your walks! Proud of you, Aimsters!

Thirdly (is that a word? ), I want to send a gentle your way.... I kind of understand what you are going through with your mom. She is very blessed to have you, Amy. You do so many wonderful things for her. I will be praying for both of you as we enter the holiday season.

Fourthly (?)... I am sending some healing for you and your family. I hope everyone feels better soon and stays healthy for WDW and the upcoming holidays.

Please be sure and take good care of you during this busy time, okay? Before you know it, it will be WDW.... Here We Come!

Have a great Thursday!

 

[lovinaz]

Great job getting the walk in! And yay for having to get a smaller jacket!

I'm sorry to hear you are not feeling well, hopefully that will go away soon.

Don't worry about the almonds, we've all been there! And at least it was almonds instead of pizza or cupcakes!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Hi there!!

You are one organized lady, and sounds like things are getting done for the holidays.

Good for you on walking, even when it is cold. I have a very hard time with that, but I think I'm going to force myself to go out there today. The sun is actually out, which doesn't happen much this time of year!!

Sorry about your mom and all the stress involved with caring for her, I know we went through that with DH's mom some years ago.

Thinking of your friends son also, hard to see kids go through such life-altering illness.

Hope you can relax some this weekend, and congrats on a smaller size!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks everyone. Tracy your prayers and good wishes are so sweet and wonderful!

Amy, thanks the almonds werent' the end of the world, unlike tonights eating fest (read on)!

Kate, I am orgnaized for now but will probably become less so as the holidays wear on. Oh well, I'll enjoy it while it lasts! I do remember you mentioning your mil had similar issues as mine, its tought yet a blessing to have her here into old age. I lost my dad when he was just 40 so the alternative to having an older, sick parent is not so great and I am thankful to have any and all years I can with my mom!

I am sorry I have been MIA for a couple of days. I was sick yesterday and over helping my mom, then dd had her choir concert last night and I had the family over for dinner beforehand. By then I was feeling better but the kid next to my daughter at the concert barfed halfway thorugh the performance! Yuk, and now dd and every other kid there has been exposed. Poor kid, I felt so sorry for her and her parents! I did not exercise yesterday, but did get out and walk today. Did great on food until tonight when we went out for dinner and drinks with our friends who have the sick son. Who is doing much better thank you so much for all your caring and prayers! He has a long road ahead but for now things are stablized. So today's food:
Breakfast: Atkins
Lunch: Large salad, hard boiled egg, two pieces of french bread, some crackers (went to a salad bar), ice tea.
Dinner (OMG get ready): chips and salsa, three Malibu and Diet Cokes, grilled cheese/tomato sandwich, french fries. Yikes! Oh and three battered, fried mushrooms. We all just needed to go out, when my friend invited us for sort of celebration of T making it through all of this no way was I going to say no. We went to my favorite hang out and the kids had a ball playing chess while we grown ups chatted and relaxed. Oh well, tomorrow is another day! At least I walked today. But to burn off that dinner I needed to walk about 8 hours, not just one!

Also, my sister and her boyfriend and my nephew and his girlfriend all broke up today. I spent a lot of hours on the phone talking to them both. I think nephew and his girlfriend will hopefully work it out (they are young, glad I 'm not after listening to this and reliving my own painful early twenties memories) but sister and her guy seem to be over. Poor thing, right here at the holidays. Glad I am not single and going through that anymore, its a distant memory thank goodness!

Thanks for reading, Happy Weekend!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning WISH sis,

Please don't worry too much about the food that you ate while out with your friends. I don't think your menu looks all that bad.....Don't forget, you were out celebrating the success of T's procedure. Your family was helping to give their family encouragement and a much needed break. Hakuna Matata!

Thanks for being there for me, Amy! Your words of encouragement and support have been such a blessing to me. I hope you know how much I appreciate you.

I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Amy
Hope your feeling better now!
Food doesnt sound that bad....at least you had diet coke with your malibu
Have a great weekend

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you Tracy and Tracey!

Food today was so so, kinda weird choices. Skipped breakfast, had a bowl of cheese potato soup and half a piece of pumpkin pie for lunch. Dinner was two chicken tenders, way too many veggie stix (basically lowfat potato crisps) and that was it. Not the best day, spent most of it out Christmas shopping. I did get a 45 minute walk in. I am almost half way to making challenge, but the month is more than half over so I need to step it up a bit. I am hoping for a better food day tomorrow. I feel really good with this walking, no idea what the scale says, I have not weighed since October 2. But the clothes fit good so I think I am not up. Thanks so much for reading, hope everyone is having a great weekend

 

[toystoryduo]

Walking does do wonders doesn't it? It has become my preferred method of exercising. It helps me to workout, clear my mind, and pray. Not easy to do with an exercise DVD. Now, if I can just get this dang blasted Ohio weather to cooperate, I'd be all set.

Hope you have a great day today!