Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: I'm sorry, I thought you said Alyssa might be allergic to the medication. No, you don't sound heartless. I'm really glad she is getting better. I hope she's not like my MIL- who is a hypocondriac and has been ever since she got too much attention for being ill when she was a child. She exploited it for the rest of her life. If you are going to the hospital tomorrow, see if you can pack a bag for yourself of great food you can eat. Otherwise, since she isn't in critical condition, you should take the car and go get something. You'll be better for everyone else if you take care of yourself first. I have to wash a lot of Tupperware when Tom goes to work, but he's got all of his food, even in case there is an overnight emergency. It's really worth it to have your picnic on board.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Here is Bonnie making herself comfortable to watch TV last night. You have to understand these pillows are not kept this way; she fixes them to her liking every night.

http://s830.photobucket.com/albums/zz222/wisteria1956/Bonnie/?action=view&current=Bonnie12310.jpg

 

[Wisteria1956]

Natalie and Pam have restarted Step 1 and they will be posting right away. Yeah! We missed them!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I guess everyone has a busy day today. I'm the only slouch stuck at home with R & R.

Dr. Oz said that if you are overweight, the fat cells suck out all of your Vitamin D and you have to take extra. He said it will come back once you lose the weight. OMG! Thank goodness we learned about how important it is, but I didn't know I could blame the fat cells!

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Lisa - just you and me here today? LOL, I used the flax as I thought thats what the recipe called for...but I have the almond too, so may try it again with that. It wasnt awful, just not great like all the rest of you are reporting! I like the idea of adding the cinnamon too...I guess I was just looking for more taste...it was kind of blah. Bonnie is too cute...Harley completely rearranges the pillows and throws on the couches and beds every day too! Like he is making a nest of something...too funny. So great that Pam and Natalie are coming back...where are you hearing from them? I had sent out that e-mail to all, but only heard from Cheryl...who hasnt made it back here either I see! I will get ahold of her again. I was wondering what happened to Natalie!

 

[Daniele]

Kathy, I don't think you sound heartless. I'm trying to think of how to put this and make it come out how I'm meaning it... We are all on different stages in life, and some people stay in stages of needing attention a lot longer than others. I think it's normal in development. I know that if a person is missing love, even self love, sometimes being sick is the only way they feel like the treasured human being that they are. We're all treasured, we just don't know it. It can be really hard to deal with though because people stuck like that demand more and more because the way they are trying to get love never really fills the need. Does that make sense? If you've known Melissa long enough and seen this pattern, then I think your instincts are telling you the right thing so don't let yourself get sucked into the guilt.

Lisa, Bonnie looks very comfortable! I think it's so cute that she arranges the pillows. I also have no problem blaming the fat cells. In fact, they should become the scapegoat for everything! What do you all think?

I hope you get all better soon Lisa!

Hey Pony, I'm here. I'm doing my homework, but checking in on everyone. Love ya Girl!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Nell: You have such a sweet, eloquent way with words and I'm sure you were a great comfort to Kathy.

Oh, Yes, let's blame the fat cells for absolutely everything - even themselves.

I'm slowing getting better so that's good. It must mean that this will heal without surgery. Crossed fingers!

Robin: Some of us messed around with the muffin recipe since we can have the almond flour too. I think Kathy uses a little of both. I put lemon extract and I think vanilla Stevia in mine, along with poppyseeds. I can't remember exactly. I'm big on cinnamon for sure.

 

[Carol-Fish]

Hey, Robin. When I've made the muffin, I put in about 1 heaping TB cocoa powder and some vanilla extract. Then I take some cream cheese and mash it with some splenda and more vanilla for a frosting. It really does cure any kind of sweets craving that you may have. You could use any kind of flavored syrup for the muffin or the frosting. Keep working on it until you find one you like. I also use the almond meal as it has a better flavor when baked.

Well Lisa, I'm glad to hear that your knee is healing well and surgery not in the horizon at this point. Keep up the good work!

Nell, I'm so excited for you that you're taking classes and getting a career going. Did you get your student grant money and buy some groceries or are you still eating oatmeal for your meals? Hope it's working out.

Kathy, Sorry about all the time you've had to spend at the hospital. How old is this girl? I guess I'm asking because I'm wondering why you have to be there so much if she's not in any kind of critical condition and quite able to talk and joke as you said she was doing when admitted. Can't you visit for a little while maybe twice a day and leave it at that? Drop off some books or magazines for her to look at? Having worked in a lot of hospitals myself, I'm sure she could find something to occupy her time....be it tv or talking to another patient. I truly think that allowing a young person to be bored and work through it is something that the younger generation knows nothing about and is a good experience for them. They are left with themselves and no distractions from pondering the meaning of life. LOL but also serious.

Well, as everyone else has knees that are getting better, mine is getting worse. I haven't made it to the pool yet because of the storms we've been having. Now we have a cold front coming through and I haven't gotten up the courage to swim in an outdoor pool when all my knee wants is warmth. Oh, woe is me....enough complaining.

Did horribly on step 1 ( or any step at all ) over the weekend as we had a b-day party for my oldest daughter on Saturday. Will go to Costco tomorrow and pick up some cottage cheese and turkey and nuts to get me back on track. Did anyone have any success making cocoa almonds like the Emerald kind? They are just too pricey for me but I really enjoy them.

I've almost written a small book but wanted to tell you how the counseling is going. I've been spending a lot of time on line on an ADD website that has many blogs and as I read what so many people have written about their ADD spouse, it's exactly what I've experienced. It's comforting in a way and in another it's kind of depressing to realize that he probably won't improve too much. I'm looking for an ADD Dr to prescribe drugs for him first and then someone that specializes in ADD therapy that can help us once the drugs have helped his concentration. The counselor that we're seeing might still work. We'll have to see how much he improves with meds.

Keep up the good work everyone,

Carol
step 1 tomorrow

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Wisteria1956]

Carol: I'm so sorry to hear your knee is worse. I got relief from the roll on by the Head On people that's for body pain. I think it's called Arthri-On. It really gets nice and warm and doesn't smell bad or stain your clothes. I'm using arnica gel also. My physcial therapist wants me to raise my leg and contract the big thigh muscle above the knee to keep it strong. He doesn't want me to squat with it at all yet. Not like I would want to!

I got an email from Amazon that the Emerald nuts were 30% off. They have free shipping for over $25. I also found them at Target but I don't remember what we paid for them there. Maybe they are less at Target?

I hope you get to swim soon.

Good job on being proactive about your husband's condition and getting support for yourself. I hope they find a medication that suits him.

Have a good night!

 

[Daniele]

Hey, Robin. When I've made the muffin, I put in about 1 heaping TB cocoa powder and some vanilla extract. Then I take some cream cheese and mash it with some splenda and more vanilla for a frosting. It really does cure any kind of sweets craving that you may have. You could use any kind of flavored syrup for the muffin or the frosting. Keep working on it until you find one you like. I also use the almond meal as it has a better flavor when baked.

Well Lisa, I'm glad to hear that your knee is healing well and surgery not in the horizon at this point. Keep up the good work!

Nell, I'm so excited for you that you're taking classes and getting a career going. Did you get your student grant money and buy some groceries or are you still eating oatmeal for your meals? Hope it's working out.

Kathy, Sorry about all the time you've had to spend at the hospital. How old is this girl? I guess I'm asking because I'm wondering why you have to be there so much if she's not in any kind of critical condition and quite able to talk and joke as you said she was doing when admitted. Can't you visit for a little while maybe twice a day and leave it at that? Drop off some books or magazines for her to look at? Having worked in a lot of hospitals myself, I'm sure she could find something to occupy her time....be it tv or talking to another patient. I truly think that allowing a young person to be bored and work through it is something that the younger generation knows nothing about and is a good experience for them. They are left with themselves and no distractions from pondering the meaning of life. LOL but also serious.

Well, as everyone else has knees that are getting better, mine is getting worse. I haven't made it to the pool yet because of the storms we've been having. Now we have a cold front coming through and I haven't gotten up the courage to swim in an outdoor pool when all my knee wants is warmth. Oh, woe is me....enough complaining.

Did horribly on step 1 ( or any step at all ) over the weekend as we had a b-day party for my oldest daughter on Saturday. Will go to Costco tomorrow and pick up some cottage cheese and turkey and nuts to get me back on track. Did anyone have any success making cocoa almonds like the Emerald kind? They are just too pricey for me but I really enjoy them.

I've almost written a small book but wanted to tell you how the counseling is going. I've been spending a lot of time on line on an ADD website that has many blogs and as I read what so many people have written about their ADD spouse, it's exactly what I've experienced. It's comforting in a way and in another it's kind of depressing to realize that he probably won't improve too much. I'm looking for an ADD Dr to prescribe drugs for him first and then someone that specializes in ADD therapy that can help us once the drugs have helped his concentration. The counselor that we're seeing might still work. We'll have to see how much he improves with meds.

Keep up the good work everyone,

Carol
step 1 tomorrow

Feast upon the Words of Christ

Hi Carol! I'm so glad your getting a better understanding of your husband's illness even if it is frustrating and depressing. It can only get better from here. It's harder for people with challenges such as your husband's to communicate, but with a lot of work they can get a whole lot better at it. I sounds to me like the counseling is already doing good!

Our friends "just happened" to need us to stop by every day this weekend and needed our help with something up until dinnertime. Then last night they happened to make way too much food and needed to send us home with some. Makes me cry when I think of it too much. This weekend with all the eating the scale went down for me. I don't eat, the scale freezes in place. My check should clear tomorrow morning, and then I'm going to do a careful, sane and super healthy food shopping. It would be easy to get crazy wanting things. right now.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Nell: Your friends are a reflection of you! They are doing exactly what you have done and will do again for others. They sound like a lovely group of people and you are all blessed to know one another. What a great example of true friendship.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good morning everyone. Had a small bit of snow last night. About an inch, but lots of flooding around. We had 2 straight days of heavy rain. I hope all you in CA are doing ok with the flooding out there, and Jocelyn, hoping you never got the rain.
Alyssa got out of the hospital last night around 9. I took off work yesterday. All her tests came back negative. She needs to go back to the regular doctor in 2 weeks, and the psychiatrist in 2-3 weeks. He prescribed her celexa for the depression. Now she's worried the medication won't work. I have tried to reassure her about it, as I have used it on occasion. I may need it before this is all over LOL.

Carol (I hope it was you) she turns 20 on Valentines day. She didn't want the tv or anything like that. We did take her in her sketch pad on Sunday. Mike didn't want to leave her in there alone, and I went to keep him company. Her mom went over the weekend, but only for a couple hours at the most. I won't even start in with her. I didn't offer much of conversation there. I mostly read my books, which I don't mind at all. By Sunday, she was out of bed and she went into the play room yesterday and drew on the chalk board. She did some care bare drawings on it for the little kids. She has been sleeping most of the night now. She can't understand why she is so tired, but she doesn't do any type of physical activity. Once in a while she will take a walk with us. But she spends all her time either in bed or on the computer.

Nell, thank you for the kind words. I honestly think you managed to say what I wanted to, but in a much nicer way. Wish I could put things into words that way. Yes, she tends to be very needy. Everyone has always done everything for her all her life. She was a preemie and very fraile when she was born. And if something was/is too hard or difficult instead of letting her figure it out, or try to do it, they just do it for her. She will just look at them with tears and tell them she can't do it. So they will do it for her.

Robin, which muffin did you make? I personally like the 2nd recipe, the one with the baking powder in it. They turn out fluffier and better tasting than the other one I think. I use about 1/2 flax and 1/2 ground up pecans. I also use 2 packets of splenda (which is 1/4 teaspoon, I measured LOL) a splash of the syrup and if I want cream cheese, just throw in small hunks. You can do the icing too (can't remember who said about it, sorry) and hear it is really good. Hope this helps you out a bit. I have used chocolate syrup, raspberry and just plain old vanilla. I prefer the chocolate and if I do the raspberry, I do the cream cheese with it. You could add just about anything you want to it.

Well, off to get ready for work. Probably a long day. I'll catch up later.
Love you all!!

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

OMG, I am off today, so let the dog out at 8am, and went back to bed and ended up sleeping like a ROCK til noon! I NEVER do this much sleeping, wonder whats up with that? Maybe I am just responding to my body needing the sleep? Luckily Mom went down and fed the ponies earlier, bless her heart, so I dont have their guilt trip on me! haha, they keep me in line!

Carol - hope they find a way to get some meds for your husband that will be able to help you two keep working on your marriage...ADD is a rough thing to deal with...Thanks for the muffin info, Im going to go downstairs and try again to make a few good ones I can snack on the next few days. Praying your knee feels better soon!

Lisa - Glad your knee seems to be slowing getting better too...no surgery would be so wonderful for you!

Nell - sounds like you have great friends, and I agree that they are responding to something they see and feel from you...you KNOW you would be there for them! Isnt it weird the way it seems that when we eat less we lose less? Diane had told me that way back when I started step 1, that I wasnt eating enough...It seems like now, when I have an occasional "cheat" I actually feel smaller...WEIRD...I have been allowing myself that cheat like once a week lately..usually its not HUGE, just like an 11-20 carb, or 2 5x5 in less than 5 hours...doesnt seem to hurt me at all.

Kathy - thanks for the muffin info, Im going to add the vanilla and some cinnamon and use 1/2 flax like you do...or try one with the ground almond instead...Glad Alyssa is home, and it really sounds like she needs to be toughened up some...hard to do when everyone else is catering to her every whim...hard to believe someone so young should have so many issues...praying for strength for her and for you!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: Something you said about Alyssa made me think she has CFS. I heard recently (Dr. Oz?) that there is now a test for it? I think it's a blood test. Her being so tired and apathetic is a big indicator. I began to have debilitating fatigue when I was only 18 and struggled off and on until I found Dr. Teitelbaum's book so I am so sympathetic. Have they tested her for mono, also? CFS causes depression, so it could all be physical. I hate the way they treat us like it's all in our heads when we now know it isn't - if that's what she has. Could be. I hope she does some research.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: Your cute words about little cheats made me think of my birthday coming up. TOO SOON AGAIN! I've been pondering my cheat, which I care more about than Thanksgiving for some reason! I'm thinking of Southwestern Chicken Tequila Fettuccine at California Pizza Kitchen (which would be my last meal if they were going to execute me) and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for desert. It will be my only major cheat in over 6 months. I hope it doesn't make me sick or send me over to the dark side! The funny thing is of course Tom is encouraging me because he knows I will share, LOL! I would have felt ok about it if I hadn't been a total slug since the injuries. I'm holding my own, but not dropping again like I wanted for my birthday. Oh well, sigh.

For some reason, I've been overdoing the nuts lately. Sometimes that's boredom or nerves with me. I had to lay down the law yesterday and not have any, but I went nuts again after lunch while I was pondering a real estate deal. I think hightened anxiety, whether it's of a positive or negative nature, can set me off to crunch land. I guess I'll have to not buy the salty nuts again. Somehow, I can control the Emerald Cocoa ones to a lid-full just for a treat and not go crazy.

I'm glad you got your much-needed rest. Have a great rest of the day!

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Lisa - OMG that sounds like the " Ultimate" cheat!! Yay! Seriously though, I havent gone extreme, just once a week I will go for 2 pieces of 5g bread instead of one, or have a couple pieces of pizza with the guys at work and eat the crust on one or two...was out to eat with a friend last week and ate the three small pieces of cantelope on my salad plate...that sort of thing, and it hasnt hurt me one bit...havent gained, didnt send me into carb craving land, nothing...so I vote YES on your birthday cheat! Im sure it wont hurt you, and you are so DARNED disciplined, you KNOW you will be right back on track the following day. I just decided if I am to live on Step 1 for another year til I lose all the weight I want to, I have to cheat once in awhile or I will just bore myself to tears! I am definitely not reaching for "bad carbs" or binging out on anything, just occasionally allowing myself something different, or something I really want, like the darned pizza thing! The funniest thing is that I hang out at work with 4 men, all who have become very good friends to me, and they are SO supportive of my eating plan! When I say sure, I'll take a piece of pizza they are like Really? Are you sure? They do all they can to be sure I stay on track! LOL, they are just too cute. They are so excited to see if Ken will notice any losses when he gets back...I dont hink it really matters to him at all, but if he doesnt say anything, Im pretty sure they are planning to beat him up!

Watching the news just now and hear that our mild weather is leaving us again and we are looking at ANOTHER 12 inch snowstorm on Thursday night! OMG...this is so NOT Virginia weather! Guess I better stop at WalMart tomorrow night and stock up in case it ends up being another 5 days snowbound before we get plowed out! This is NOT good news!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy: Something you said about Alyssa made me think she has CFS. I heard recently (Dr. Oz?) that there is now a test for it? I think it's a blood test. Her being so tired and apathetic is a big indicator. I began to have debilitating fatigue when I was only 18 and struggled off and on until I found Dr. Teitelbaum's book so I am so sympathetic. Have they tested her for mono, also? CFS causes depression, so it could all be physical. I hate the way they treat us like it's all in our heads when we now know it isn't - if that's what she has. Could be. I hope she does some research.

Thank you Lisa for bringing that up. She was tested for mono and that is negative. So is her test for Epstein Barr. I will have to check into the CFS with the doctor. She and I now have the same one. I have a check up tomorrow, so I'll have to "test the waters" and mention it to him. He seems pretty open minded. I have thought about CFS in the back of my mind also, but I try to be careful of what I mention to her. I don't want to perhaps give her false hopes. Thanks Lisa. I really do appreciate it.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good evening everyone. Doing ok today. Not a perfect step 1 day, but not too bad either. I went to Walmart and got some stuff, so I'm set. I think I may be getting sick. My throat is feeling scratchy and I have been sneezing. I am going to up my vitamin C and a few other things to try to nip this thing in the bud. This could be why I was so upset over Alyssa and this hospital/sickness thing. I tend to get "over reactive" when I get sick. Tonight will be an extra early night also.
Robin, hope you liked the muffins if you tried to make more. I like them for a snack when I'm hungry, but more of "snacky" hungry. I hope the storm passes right over you Robin. What a winter, huh? My one road to go to the school was a sheet of ice this morning. I slid down it broadside this morning, with the garbage truck in front of me stopped picking up garbage. The only thing that saved me was I had coasted out of our road onto this one. So I only had the last 1/4 of the hill to slide down. When I got back (10 min) there was a wreck there.

Ok, off to read for a while. I believe I'll read up some more on CFS. Thanks again Lisa.


Later everyone

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: Especially with all of your exercising, I think your tiny cheats aren't harmful. I suspect Diane was conservative with our measurements knowing we would flub up once in awhile. I had to ponder whether I wanted to go to the movies and eat popcorn or go out to dinner for my birthday, LOL! I would love either one. I sure would love to get back into those size 12's before too long. At least I haven't gained anything with being down for 3 weeks so far. I'm going bonkers!!! The PT told me not to even try walking for exercise yet. He put me on a little pedaling machine and a ball today. Very light.

Kathy: Alyssa is lucky to have you to help her, even if she does take advantage of the situation. I sure hope she isn't in for a lifetime of not feeling her best. It's so easy to become resigned to it when you don't know what else to do. You've done a lot of research and can help her. Good for you!

 

[Simpleone]

I have returned!

Hello everyone!! I just spend way too much time catching up with you all. I learned long ago that if I end up missing even a few days it's hard to get back in the swing of posting.

I declared this a "Me Day". Time to rest, reflect and decide how in the world I'm going to get these last 15 or 20 pounds off. I am having an impossible time sticking to Step One. I give! I surrender! ...and all that. So today I spent researching and trying to figure out what my next move might be...nope, still no answers.
I did find something of interest in my Flat Belly Diet book though, I think you all might also. The diet has a four day detox at the beginning that includes a drink they call Sassy Water.
2 liters of water (8.5 cups)
1 tsp. freshly grated ginger root
1 med. cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 med. lemon, thinly sliced
12 mint leaves
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher, chill in the refrigerator over night to let the flavors blend.
Doesn't this sound really refreshing for a hot summer day? Yummy!
I also noticed that this book is loaded with what would be some very friendly Step Two recipes. I'll have to delve deeper, really check them out and get them posted. I thought about following this plan until I discovered that I have to eat exactly what they tell me to. lol I can't do that, never have been able to do that!

OH! It's dusk here right now and snowy and slightly windy! I just looked up and saw four deer casually strolling across the back yard; on their way to graze in the farmer's fields next to us. Such a pretty sight.

Lisa, thanks for checking in on me. Rest assured that I'm never too terribly far away. I'm hooked, I may not be able to follow the plan like I need to anymore, but I sure can't go very long without visiting you all. I wish I could tell you go for a brisk walk or otherwise occupy your mind with another chore or task when those "stress munchies" hit. But considering your current boo'boo's and it's your job... How about some baby carrots, celery, broccoli and some cucumber instead of the nuts...maybe add some LF Ranch for dipping? Crunching into the veggies always gives me good satisfaction for some reason. About your birthday cheat..DO IT! You've been so faithful to this WOE, you've more than earned a celebration. If I can be off plan for as long as I have and only gained three and a half pounds, you can have your birthday cheat. This goes back to my belief that this WOE "fixes" something in us.

Pony, so glad you got that much needed rest. After you posted what a work day around the ranch is,...I'd say your body needed it! You are so funny! I'm betting those small cheats that you're having are going to allow you to stay faithful to this WOE. The story about the men at work is so cute! Love that!

Kathy, glad that Alyssa is home. I agree with Lisa, I hope you can research her symptoms. I hope you're rested and back into your normal routine soon!

Carol, I hope your knee starts feeling better soon. I don't know any adults with ADD, or that I'm aware of. It's good to see that the counceling may prove to be successful for you both. I wish you the very best.

Nell! I was so happy to see you're back! I agree with everyone that you've created a friendship with some wonderful people. You deserve to surround yourself with the very best. Congratulations on starting classes too! I'm one of those non-eaters. I could go all day and eat nearly nothing. It took me forever to get in my head that you have to eat to lose weight. Dr. Oz explained it best for me, he said that it goes back to historic times of feast or famine. Beyond six hours after eating, your body starts to hold onto it's fat stores in fear of not getting it's next meal. Odd huh?

Okay so it's Biggest Loser night, is anyone else watching this regularly? Or just me?

See you all soon!