Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[toystoryduo]

, , , and more ....Sending more prayers your way....

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you so much ladies.

Dan's dad passed away this afternoon. They moved him to the different facility last night and he was again, declared brain dead. I think this hopsital did a better job of really being compassionate but firm with fil's partner about what the right thing to do was. Because he immediately agreed to turn off the life support today. Just before they turned off the machines, he put the phone up to fil's ear and Dan and I both said goodbye and how much we loved him and would miss him. I told him that we would always think of him when we went to Disneyland and all the wonderful times we shared with him there in the past six years. Ironically enough, the last hospital he was in was in Anaheim, just a few miles from DL.

Dan is just so glad his dad is in heaven and not in a state of limbo. I am just so sad that my fil spent the last seven weeks of his life, mostly in the hospital with just one thing after another. He gave the surgery a try but in the end, it just wasn't meant to be.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. Poor Dan, other than his aunt and cousin, he has no family left in his life.

I'll get back to journaling next week. I did go to WW yesterday and was down 2.2 pounds which was good. But my food was wacky and I only exercised once all week. So hopefully next week, even with Thanksgiving, I can make some good choices and keep that small loss from finding its way back.

 

[lovinaz]

My heart goes out to you, Dan and your family. I think that is wonderful that you were at least able to say your last goodbyes via cell phone.

Wow, a 2.2lb loss? Maybe it's because of stress, but hey, a loss is a loss! I know you can do good for Thanksgiving and keep those lbs off.

Hang in there, Amy!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Amy,

I am so sorry to hear about Dan's dad. We're sending our love and prayers your way.

 

[toystoryduo]

You, Dan, and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Amy! I know that your hearts are a bit heavier this year, but I hope that today is a wonderful day for your family. Sending our love and prayers your way.......

 

[lovinaz]

I hope everything is OK. I know it has to be hard for everyone, but hopefully you were able to enjoy your Thanksgiving!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hope all is well, WISH sis. We miss you!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy and Tracy

I am sorry I have been so out of touch. Dan has been having a very hard time with the loss of his dad. He feels bad he didn't call his dad that last Friday, the day he fell. It was literally only one of two days he didn't call during that last six weeks, we had both meant to but that was the night he and I went to a friend's birthday party and stayed much longer than we had thought we would. Of course he knows that with his mind, but his heart just feels so bad and so I regret it too. But who knew. And Dan's dad knew how much we did love him, going out there for his surgery really cemented that. Dan and his dad had a complicated relationship at times, but that trip sort of brought them to a place where they both knew for sure how much they each mattered to the other. That was the smartest thing we ever did and I really do thank God we were able to make that happen financially and find a place for the kids to stay. Some things are just meant to be and that was one of them.

We got all the final arrangements finalized at last, it was hard doing that from 1000 miles away. But its done, fil's ashes will be sent to us so that we can go up to the mountains in the spring and scatter them where his parents were many years ago. Its felt funny not having a service and not getting that closure. Its funny, I have dreamed of my fil every night since he died. He's always happy, he had a big belly laugh and in my dreams I can hear that. I told Dan his dad is telling me to tell everyone else he's okay.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. My sister and nephew came down Wed night and then spent all day Thursday with us. My sister was on absolute perfect behavior. Funny thing, I told my nephew his job was to convince his mom to smoke! I have know forever she smokes but she's always insisted nobody knows. Well, all these years, I think her nicotine withdrawl when we are together has just compounded her weird moods. So I told nephew to tell her to go out and do her thing, and I would just pretend not to notice. So she kept going outside to "check on the dogs". Those dogs never got so much TLC in all their lives! And she is so much more pleasant when she smokes. Its my new rule of thumb weird as that sounds!

Tonight both kids are at a friend's house so Dan and I have a night to ourselves. I think we'll just spend a quiet evening at home by the Christmas trees, neither of us feel like going out.

So that's the news. I did step on the scale today and was pleasantly surprised that I have kept off my two and half pound loss from last week. I certainly pigged out on Thursday but did drink a ton of water so that must have helped. Monday I made a date to meet my friend at the gym and I have already planned all my menus for next week. I am still hopeful I can lose five pounds this holiday season, heck I am already halfway there!

Thanks so much for sticking with me this past week. I promise to do better next week!

 

[lovinaz]

No one expects you to be a perfect WISHer with all the stuff you've gone through these past couple weeks! So give yourself a break, woman!

I hope everything is getting back to normal, I think some of the feelings Dan is having are expected. We always look back and try to think of ways that we could have prevented these things from happening. I'm sure it's part of his grieving process and he will eventually come to terms with it in his own way.

GREAT JOB keeping those pounds off! How funny that you are encouraging your sister to smoke. Maybe she should get those nicotine patches or gum or something. At least that's a little healthier!

 

[traceycooper]

Amy i'm so sorry for Dan & your loss
im sure dans dad will always be alive in both of your memories for ever.
i hope your both doing ok & had a nice evening together.
well done on the loss & keeping it off, take good care of each other

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Amy,

Sweetie, my heart goes out to you and Dan. I know this is a difficult time for both of you. We'll be praying for you both and if there is anything that we can do for you, please let us know.

I'm glad that you had a nice Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a good week ahead.

 

[DisDee]

Amy, I'm sorry that I haven't been here recently. I was so sorry to hear about Dan's dad. I hope that Dan is coping through the grieving process and finds some peace in the upcoming weeks, as well as the rest of your family. I'm sure it was so difficult for you to make those long distance arrangements, so thankfully that's been completed.

Have a nice holiday season! Thanks for stopping by my CarePages site!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Food on Sunday was awful! We came home from church and all just decided to have a really relaxing afternoon. Dan and I went to the store starving, and well you know how that goes. I ate way too much junk and sat on my rear and watched three Christmas movies with Dan and the kids. So nice! We all needed that and I just didn't bother to feel guilty.

Today was a good day. I did very well with food, got a short walk in (need to do longer tomorrow) and got a ton of stuff done. I wish all days could be like today! I did have some Harry and David stuff, we got a box delivered today, stepdad's lady friend sent it to us and I was really touched. I thought that was very nice. It was a tower of treats in very small sizes which was good since that Moose Munch stuff is killer for me. The other stuff, I didn't like so it worked out perfectly! I just thought that was so nice of her to do that, I have only met her once. Although she is coming over with stepdad for brunch in a couple of weeks.

I should post my food but I'm too tired. The good news is that I got in five servings of veggies, one serving of fruit, two milks and my two healthy oils. I really wrote it all down and kept track of everything and knew I had a few points left over, which I used up with that Moose Munch.

We leave for WDW in 112 days, I hope we get to go! With this uncertainty over Dan's job its hard to know if we can really get excited. But I think it will be fine, my plan is to get it all paid off in December. And of course lose about thirty pounds in the next 112 days!

Amy: There is a part of me that would like very much to tell my sister to get a patch and quit once and for all given years upon years of grief she has given me to my face and behind my back about my weight. But in the end, I am just not saying a word. But I will enjoy the fact that we don't have to put up with her nicotine withdrawl moods anymore! I think she's crazy, with her MS she should not be smoking. And my nephew smokes too, it really makes me sad to see them out there lighting up together. My kids were horrified and really sad.

Tracy: I sent you something today! We did have a nice Thanksgiving and I so appreciate all the prayers you have said these past weeks. God answered, maybe not in the way we hoped but we know fil is in good hands now. And your prayers gave us a lot of comfort.

Tracey: Thanks so much for stopping by, we are hanging in there.

Denise, I loved the pictures on your page and I was happy to stop by. I know you can do this and I want to support you as much as I can! Through Wish, God has given me some wonderful friends like you, who have been there for me!

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone. I really appreciate all the support!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sounds like you had a great day yesterday...Way to go getting your walk in!

I had Moose Munch once and it was soooooo good! Have you ever had Dale and Thomas popcorn? My DH sent some to a client of his for Christmas and bought some for us as well. (It's supposed to arrive tomorrow! ) Their peanut butter and chocolate drizzled popcorn is out of this world delicious.

WDW in 112 days?!?!? You're almost double digit dancing! Sending lots of prayers and that you are able to go.

I hope you have a wonderful day, WISH sis!

 

[lovinaz]

Sounds like you had a fun day on Sunday! And one splurge day a week won't kill you. You got right back on track the next day, and that is what counts!

I'm sure everything will work out for your spring trip, you guys deserve it!

My stepmom's mother died of lung cancer and smoked up until the last day. It's a sad addiction, isn't it?

That was very thoughtful of your stepdad's lady friend! At least you know he is in good hands, even if he drives you crazy half the time!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Today has been very good. I did a 30 minute walk away the pounds, I decided to stay home and get some work done and get some laundry done. I really like that work out, its great for a day like today.

I have to pick up stepdad at the airport in about an hour but I made lowfat spaghetti sauce in the crockpot and then can just boil the pasta when I get home. No fast food runs!

Here is my food for today:

Breakfast: Slim Fast
Snack: White chocolate hershey kiss
Lunch: Lowfat split pea soup (made that with 3x the veggies it called for)
Snack: Celery with peanut butter
Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce (96% lean ground beef), one piece of garlic bread, salad with oil and vinegar dressing.

Can I just say that I am proud of how well I am doing with those Hershey Kisses? They are the white chocolate peppermint kind, I eat no more than two per day and I SAVOR them just like my WW leader told me to. I have a big bowl and we all get a rationed amount!

Tracy: Ooohhh that popcorn sounds delicous! I will resist the urge to google that stuff and order some for myself!

Amy, ain't it the truth about stepdad! I tell my mom all the time she owes me a few favors when I join her up there for all my trouble with her husband! I still love him dearly even if he can be a fuddy duddy and has kids from hell. Who of course cannot pick up their dad at the airport after he's been gone for two weeks.

 

[toystoryduo]

Great job on your workout, on your food choices yesterday, and on limiting those Hershey's Kisses. Those Hershey's Kisses sound yummy!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[lovinaz]

Great job on rationing the Kisses! Things do taste so much better when you actually enjoy them instead of scarfing them down...

I'd love your crockpot recipe for spaghetti sauce! My garlic allergy only seems to show up when I eat jarred spaghetti sauce - have fun finding one without garlic in it! I did find one (Prego Traditional), but haven't tried it yet...

 

[traceycooper]

im glad you had a nice day with your family on sunday Amy, & i heard the other day that if you dont feel guilty when you slurge you dont gain as much weight!!! honestly someone on the news said feeling guilty releases some chemical in your body that makes you gain more!!!