Denise's Happy, Healthy,Healing Journal-Posts welcome

[DisDee]

I can't believe the weekend is here again. DH is working for a few hours this morning, then I'm not sure what we'll be doing. I'm trying to convince him to go see "Nights in Rodanthe", but I'm not sure if he'll agree cause it looks like a chic flick. It was filmed in the Outer Banks so he might go for that reason since we love it there so much.

We got a postcard offer in the mail yesterday from WDW. The package is for selected dates between now and Dec. with park tickets and free dining. We're very tempted and even checked out some flights, but right now there are no bargains to be had. If we can snag a decent airfare, then we might jump on it. DD called me last night from the MK. She's there with her in-laws and staying at the Vistana Resort. Anyway, she says, "guess what I just had to eat?". Of course I knew it was Dole whip. She was waiting in line for the Jungle Cruise at the MNSSHP. I'm soooo jealous!

I'm trying to stay out of the stores now that I'm unemployed, but I decided to treat myself to a new Vera Bradley bag for the fall. I'd gotten several of the Kensington accessories for my BD and just had to have the bag to go with them. So, that was my big treat to myself to console me after my job loss.

My PT will end in 2 weeks, so after that I'm checking out the 2 health clubs in my neighborhood that have pools. My main focus will be on water exercise for my creaky knees, but I'll also use some equipment for my upper body and abs. I'm hoping to find a place which will be under $40.00 a month.

I'm doing pretty good with my eating even though I've had a little too much ice cream this week.(my comfort food) I'm at the low end of my normal weight range and just need to get over that next hump. That will be the mental boost that I need to stay motivated.

Make it a fun weekend everyone!

 

[goldcupmom]

Glad you're back among us, Dee! Sorry about the job, but in the long run you just may look back on it as a blessing!

Hopefully you'll find some cheap airfare & get to go to WDW!!!

Have a great weekend!!

 

[DisDee]

We finally have some sunshine today. We've spent the last 3 days in grayness with on and off rain. I'm meeting my ex-supervisor for lunch today before I go to PT. She was informed that I was being laid-off about 5 minutes before I got the news. I've been avoiding talking with my former co-workers because they want to hear the "dirt" as to what happened in private with the VP's when I got the news. I signed a confidentiality agreement that also had some other terms for me to follow. I had to do that in order to get my severance package. So, even though I want to speak with some of my friends, I'm afraid I might say the wrong thing and I really have to be careful.

Wish me luck! I'll report back later.

 

[goldcupmom]

Hope today goes well! Situations like that can be really hard and very uncomfortable.

Glad the gray finally disappeared!

have a GREAT week!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, I want to see that movie so bad! It looks very good, just the escape I need right now.

That is great the sun came out. Your idea to do some water workouts is very sound. I also think swimming and aquasize go fast and pleasantly. So good job with that.

Good luck with your co workers, people always want to hear the dirt don't they? No idea why.

I hope you can find some good airfare, that deal sounds awesome! I love dole whips too. I'll have on in your honor very soon.

 

[DisDee]

I had my lunch with my friend from work which was nice and weird at the same time. She was never any good in tough situations, just too nice to be in a management situation, and upper mgmt. never included her in decision making. It was such a boy's club there. I could tell that she felt terrible about my lay-off. I'm slowly contacting the people who were important to me which I feel is part of the process of "dealing" with this. I'm experiencing my ups and downs, actually more downs then I thought I would have. I really need to get myself on some kind of schedule so I can accomplish a goal each day, whether around the house, personal, or job-search related. I did hear from unemployment and my claim is open. I file for my first payment on the 8th., which is 2 weeks from the date I applied, so the first check should be for 2 weeks. With any luck, my first severance check should come tomorrow.

Well, enough of that! I snagged another Spirit Airlines flight to Florida. $78.00 total for both of us to fly to Ft. Lauderdale in Jan. That's a city that we've wanted to visit. We can also spend time with my brother, and go to WDW for a couple of days.Who knows, maybe I'll have to tell my new employer that I have a vacation planned. I'm not booking any hotels yet, I have to wait and see what I'll be doing at that time.

I have PT today, which I really do enjoy. Everyone on the staff is very pleasant and concerned about my progress. My last day will be the 15th, and I know that I'll miss going there. I also need to get out and take a walk every day, just to get some sunshine.

Hope everyone is having a good day!!!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I can imagine that is weird to see a co worker. I think it takes time to establish a relationship with a co worker once one of you isnt' working there anymore. I hope you get your severeance check tomorrow!

I love Ft. Lauderdal, that is so great you got that fare. We went there a couple of times and stayed in the Deerfield Beach area (very close to Boca Raton). You will have a ball.

You just got laid off, it takes time to settle into a routine I am sure. I think you are doing very well!

 

[DisDee]

We had a nice weekend with our family. My DH had his company picnic at Six Flags-Great Adventure which was decorated for their Fright Fest. Our son lives nearby so we all spent the night at his house, did some outlet shopping, then took DD back to the train station.

This is going to be a busy week. I have PT, M,W,F. Today I have to take my Mom for some routine lab work and on Thurs I have to go to the unemployment office. I'm also meeting 2 different co-workers for lunch. One on Wed. and one on Friday.

I've gotten myself into the job search mode. I'm re-writing my resume since I cannot find a copy and the last time I needed it was 3 computers ago. I've also picked up some applications and I registered on Monster which is a great resource. I'm hoping that I can find something which is less than full time-maybe 30 hours a week. After my health issues that I had this year, I'm looking at my life from an entirely different point of view. In other words, I need to slow down and enjoy each day to the fullest.

I'll be back after lunch!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, something good comes of everything, and I think the good from your illness is the fact you are looking at life differently. I really hope you can find something 30 hours per week. I bet you can!

Good luck with pt and enjoy having those lunches. Hope your mom's lab work comes out fine.

Amy

 

[DisDee]

We did some research regarding what we want to do while in Florida in Jan., and found a cheap cruise. We originally searched Ft.Lauderdale and there were no M-F cruises. Then we remembered that Miami was close by and found 3 cruises which fit into our schedule. So after some more research, we decided on RCCL-Majesty of the Seas because of the itinerary. It sails to Nassau, Cococay (their island) and Key West. We're very excited and I've been on Cruise Critic trying to find out all I can about the ship.

So, today starts another round on WW. I'm going to follow my program materials from the past and use my Dis friends for my inspiration! You guys are cheaper than the meeting fee. LOL!!!!! I won't post my foods/points, just a general summary of the day. TIA for your support!

Here goes...today's weight 186, and if I stand up really straight, I'm 5'3". As you can imagine, I'm rather roly-poly and no longer have a waist.

Day one and counting! (points that is)

 

[DisDee]

Yesterday was a tough one trying to stick to WW, although I did manage to stay in my points range. I just need to stock up on some more low cal/healthy items. I find it just too easy to go to the fridge or pantry and just grab whatever I want. Tonight I plan to cook a chicken and rice dish with a side veggie.

I have PT today which is my next to last session. Then I have to find a cheap fitness center which meets my needs. I've narrowed my search down to 2 near my house which both have a pool. I'll probably check them out next week.

Make it a great week Dis friends!

 

[DisDee]

Yesterday went well for me. I stayed in my points range with the help of a couple of flex pts., and exercised for a total of 1 1/2 hrs. at PT. I really feel good about the level of endurance that I achieved. The 2 months that I spent there was like like a free gym membership with a personal trainer included. I tried to convince them that I also needed to get a massage, but they weren't buying it. I worked with a college student for most of my sessions who was very attentive. It was kind of weird in a way, he's younger than my own son but a very sweet, helpful person. One of the staff PT's was always watching too.

Today my DH has an appt. with his primary. This is the first time that he's been there since his weight loss (still losing). He weighed himself last night, and he's lost about 50 lbs. I know that the Dr. will be thrilled with his progress. Next week he has an appt. with the cardiologist. He was the one who challenged DH to lose 15 lbs. by his next appt., so he will be impressed also.

For those of you who are WW members, when you go for your weigh-in, do you also stay for the meetings? Right now, I'm just using my old program materials. I've been throwing around the idea of joining again because of a crazy idea. I'm thinking that WW might be a great place to work for someone like me. I know that all their staff members have completed the program and are lifetime members. I'll have to do some research on employment with them.Just think, I could get healthier and find a new career!

I'm going to visit some journals today. Have a fun day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Denise, that is awesome your husband is down 50 pounds! I am very impressed.

I do stay for the meetings, when I don't I am not as successful. And actually a goal of mine is to someday work for WW. I would love to be a leader. So that is one of the reasons I keep with it, I look at as an overall investment towards my goals. I think you would be a great WW employee!

Too funny about your PT, as I get older I am amazed at how everyone around me is younger! My daughter's English teacher is young enough to be my son for heaven's sake!

Keep up the good work, I am off to WDW on Saturday but will hopefully check in while I am gone.

 

[DisDee]

I had my 6 month follow-up with my radiation oncologist today. I can't believe that time has passed so quickly. He told me that everything looks good and its time to schedule a follow-up CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. This is the test when I had to drink the nasty orange crap cause its done with contrast. Oh joy! I'm also scheduled for a routine colonoscopy on Monday. So that means more crap to drink. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad medical science has progressed to this point where we have all these diagnostic tools. I'm very thankful for my continued good health!

My food for Tues. and Wed. was not very good. On Tues, DH wanted to go out so we ended up at Baja Fresh for the first time. The food was appetizing as far as fast food goes, but oh so bad for me. Yesterday turned out to be a snack fest. Today I'm sticking to plan, Even on my "bad" days, I've still journaled, so I feel good about that.

Off to do some housework! (Yeah right)

 

[DisDee]

Time to catch up on the last several days. Last Friday, I did some clearance shopping at one of my favorite local dept.stores, and I got some great deals! All the summer stuff had a final markdown of $2.99, and I was able to find 8 items for the Jan. cruise. I bought them a size smaller than I wear right now, and they almost fit, and nothing came from the plus-size dept.

We didn't do a whole lot over the weekend, although we did finally go see "Nights in Rodanthe". I enjoyed it since It took place in the Outer banks and Richard Gere was the leading man, and DH kind of enjoyed it too, even for a chic flick.

I had my colonoscopy on Monday, and got great news. No problems and come back in 5 years! Whew, big sigh of relief on that one!

Food has been OK, I just need to get to the grocery store. I did lose some weight when I did the prep for the test, but what a way to lose it. Yuck!

I plan to go to one of the local gyms today and check out the pool, etc. I don't want too much time to go by since I stopped my PT last week. My knees are feeling pretty good right now, no excessive pain, just the type I've been living with for years.

I'm going to try to get some sleep now. I'll be back....

 

[DisDee]

Wednesday was great in the food sense. I actually stayed in my pts. range but felt I had enough to eat and wasn't hungry. I guess that's what happens when good food choices are made. Tonight will be a test though, cause Thurs. is our night to eat out. I haven't decided where we're going. I just need to think of a place that has some healthy choices.

I've got a date with the unemp. office this afternoon. I've been chosen to participate in a program for re-training and job-search assistance, and I'll take all the help I can get. I just don't know what I want to do when I grow up. LOL!

Our DD is coming to visit this weekend, so I'm not sure what we'll be doing, other than visit with my niece for a little while. She's 14 and throws an annual Halloween party. She's been doing this for around 4 years-the kid just loves Halloween. She asked me to bake a Kitty Litter Cake. I did one a few years ago, and it was just so funny. The cake gets transferred to a cat pan, and cookie crumbs make the litter, complete with green sprinkles and Tootsie Roll droppings. For those of you who have cats, this cake looks very authentic.

Gotta go and do something productive...

 

[DisDee]

I checked out the gym that I want to join and got a 1 week pass to try it out. Since I'm mainly interested in their pool, I have to wait till tomorrow to try a class because they just installed a new filtration system and it had to get the OK from the health dept. I did work out on Friday and used the st. bike and t.mill and also the leg press. I am determined to make this work for me cause I want so much to feel better physically. I'm good medically, but just need more energy and stamina to get me through the day. We are taking that cruise in Jan., and I would love to be down about 15 pounds. I know that's probably not a realistic goal because of the holidays , but I want it so much that I'm going to do it!

Make it a great week!

 

[DisDee]

Ugh, another night of interrupted sleep. DH got up at 3:30 to leave for work, and that was it for me. I couldn't get back to sleep so I got up to play on the internet and also do some laundry.

I'm doing great with exercise and just OK with food. Why can't I ever get the 2 in sync? I went to the gym on Mon. and Tues. Monday I took a group aqua class which was great, and on Tues., I just used the pool on my own and did my PT work-out and some laps also. I really felt good after that work-out. Swimming and aqua classes are perfect for me with my knee problems. The best part was being able to use the hot tub when I was done.

The plan for today is an aqua class at 6:30 then a little of my own program. Some time in the next few days I'll have my orientation with a trainer on the equipment. I'm really happy that I joined this gym. There's a nice mix of ages and something for everyone.

Go Phillies!!!! (we live just across the river from Philadelphia)

 

[DisDee]

I'm so happy to report that I made it to the gym 4 times last week. If I can do that every week, I'll just be so pleased. Of course now is the time to devote to myself while I continue with my job search which is a job in itself, but I know eventually I'll find something that is just right for me.

I'm finding out that I really like to be alone. I love to read and I'm basically a quiet kind of person. I find lots of things to do do every day, even if they don't seem very important. I'm looking forward to the holidays this year. Last year I was having all the problems that led up to my surgery and then to my diagnosis so I wasn't in the usual holiday spirit if you know what I mean. I am just so thankful that I'm healthy!

I'm off to get ready for the gym. Be back soon!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Denise,

I have a hard time getting my food and exercise in sync too! It sounds like you are really doing well. I loved that movie, it really made me cry though! I am so glad your test came back okay, five years to wait for the next one, I bet you are crushed !

I really like to be alone too. Its good for you! Enjoy this time, and you will find just the right job.

This holiday season is going to be your year!