Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy: How do you know how that bread turned out????LOL!!!!!

You're being funny, Lisa LOL.
Actually the last one I did the bottom and sides of the bread got pretty brown. This time they were a really nice golden type color.
You thought I tried it, right? Gotcha!!!!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi everyone. Well, survived yet another snow storm. We got our cars moved over to the next street and the boro came and plowed the street and parking areas well. There is a car in front of the house that has been there since Sat. They are possibly going to tow it so they can plow that part of the street. They have a front loader and 4 wheelers with plows getting the remainder of the snow off the road. They are putting it on a sidewalk across the street. We are getting to the point we don't have anywhere left to put it. But thankfully they didn't plow it onto the sidewalk.

Diane, I am so glad you didn't get a lot of these storms. I hope everyone else is fairing ok. Just be safe!!

Ok, I guess I should try to go to work today. Not sure how the rest of the roads are or even the lady's driveway. It's on a small but somewhat steep hill, and where it's at, I can't get a lot of speed to get up it.

I'll check in later guys.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Well, nothing here for us either...sun is shining, wind is gone, and still the kids are not in school! ????? they say they are afraid of the ice...COWARDS! It is still very icy on top of the snow, but the roads are clear and dry...if Chris (godson) does not go back to school soon, he is going to implode or be put to work as slave labor by his parents and myself! He is so bored, he even WANTS to go back now!

We arent due for warmer weather for another week or so, chances are the icy snow will not melt much until then, but its time to get back to work and get on with things...

Lisa and Melanie - hope you enjoyed your birthdays

Carol - prayers for your friend Holly and the inner strength she will need to get through all of this in her life

Diane - Ali called me yesterday all ticked off as the news reports of Blizzards and Horrors had produced nothing in Hartford, Ct either...she got up way early to allow herself an extra 30 minutes to drive to the hospital for work, at 6am and there was NOTHING! She got out at 3 and it was flurrying, but they got less than an inch! She can still see her grass...Gov Rell had declared state of emergency and closed down half the state the night before, EVERY state school, government office, etc...for less than an inch! I think they need to get their Dopler Radar checked at the National Weather Service!

Kathy - sounds like you got the worst of it...hope you are plowed out and this sunshine makes it up your way!

Anyone know someone who is using an online dating site? A good friend of mine just signed up a few months ago for one, and has been conversing with a gentleman there for the past several weeks...was all excited to meet someone who was Christian, widowed, and had started to profess feelings for her, etc...he then said he had to make a trip to some Nigerian country as his construction company was building a hospital there for orphans, and when he returned, he would come to meet her. Two days after his supposed arrival there, he messaged her asking her to send him $5500, as he was unable to access his credit cards there and needed the cash to pay hotels and expenses until the job was done and he would then be back to meet her and pay her back...OMG!!! She told him no and he got all angry and abusive and she called a lawyer friend of ours who directed her to a dozen websites warning of Nigerian online dating scams! Turns out they are posting profiles all over the american dating sites, targeting the christian ones, and almost all have the same story he was giving her! Even the popular sites like e-harmony, Match.com, etc are loaded with these scammers! Just wanted to let you know if anyoneyou know is using one tell them to be VERY VERY CAREFUL and not give out any info like last name, address or any financial information! If the person asks for money, report them to the site and RUN!!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

You're being funny, Lisa LOL.
Actually the last one I did the bottom and sides of the bread got pretty brown. This time they were a really nice golden type color.
You thought I tried it, right? Gotcha!!!!

Good answer, Kathy! Do you ever freeze brown bananas? You can pop them in the freezer even skin and all and thaw them out as you want to bake with them. Looks weird, works great. Kudos for you for smelling banana bread and not eating any!!!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Oh, Robin! Those Nigerian scams are all over the Internet and even the phones. Your poor friend. Thank goodness she was wise. John-Paul was hit by one that stole the email address of a client of his and pretended to be that guy. Said his wallet was stolen in a foreign country and he needed help. Terrible.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Thanks again to everyone for the sweet birthday wishes. We had a really nice day. Went to a Mexican place in Folsom and made a MM connection with the waitress, lol! I asked if they had black beans for Tom's plate instead of refried and told her we were measuring our carbs. They gave him exactly 1/2 cup - so nice! Then she brought us cut up veggies for our salsa because he told her not to bring chips. She asked how long we were doing lc, etc. She had lost 60 lbs. but had started to gain it back. I wrote the book down for her and my email in case she had questions. Told her about all of you. Maybe she'll be joining us someday. We were so impressed by her extra attention. We went into a couple of shops and Tom got me a new scarf and necklace. Then we went to see Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges. It was a bit too much for my legs so we came home and he went and got PF Changs to go. His card made me cry and there were flowers from J-P when I got home. J-P had called off and on all day to see when we would be home. He was beside himself that he had to change florists because the one he used before went out of business. He was worried the new one wouldn't be good enough. How sweet is that??? I'm the first woman he ever sent flowers to and 2 years ago when he picked out his first bouquet for me, they were big enough for a hotel lobby! Bless his heart. I'm not worthy!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi everyone. Not much going on here. A little story about my day for you all. It was good LOL.
I decided to stop at the health food store to pick up some vitamins and such that Dr. T says about for CFS. I was looking for a certain product, and they didn't have it. The sales lady looked it up online to see what all was in it. As we were standing there talking about it, a guy came walking in, just making himself at home. He didn't really pay us any attention. As we talked, the lady said, "Hey, there's the guy we need to talk to." So he walked over to us and asked what he could do. Here, he is an NC and CEM. I told him about Dr. T and his book and how I have read it, and CFS. We then got to talking about that and he said about all the different things that contribute to CFS. I told him I have had a bad time with allergies and yeast infections. He told me to put down my keys, and hold out my hands. When I did so, he gently pinched the skin between my thumb and first finger. He asked if it hurt, which it did, pretty much so. He then did it to my left hand, and it hurt also, but not as much. He went behind the counter, got a bottle, and handed it to me. As I held the bottle in my left hand, his again pinched the skin on the right hand. It didn't hurt at all!! I couldn't believe it. Just to be sure, he had me put the bottle down, and pinched the skin again. It hurt! He then told me to take a multi-probiotic and a pill called CandiBactin-BR (this is what I was holding). He then walked outside to go to his office next door. I kept thanking him. I believe I'm going to make an appointment with him. I already took my first dose of probiotics. I am so excited!!
On another note, Michael is now with us again. The lady he was staying with threw him out because he was drinking the Robitussin yet again.
His PO called Mike and told him if we don't give him a place to live, he will go to jail. Mike said this is the last time. Just really disgusted with this whole thing. I went waaaayyy off plan now. I don't want him living here and have to go through that hell again. I know it sounds selfish, but I just don't want it. Alyssa didn't want him to come back. So, once again, I have left it up to God. I know he will take care of it one way or another. To be honest, in my deepest heart of hearts, I think he'll either run away or end up in jail again.
Sorry for the soap box guys. This just gets really old, and I don't want to vent on Mike as I feel he has enough on his mind without me going into a song and dance. He knows how I feel, and I just left it at that.
Off to eat some supper. Not sure what I'll be doing plan wise right now. Major stress right now. I am staying off the sugar for certain. The guy I talked to said NO SUGAR (no honey, vinegar, alcohol, or junk food). I did buy some s/f candy. If I decide to binge, at least I'll have my s/f turtles.
I'll try to check in before bed. Love you guys!!!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good answer, Kathy! Do you ever freeze brown bananas? You can pop them in the freezer even skin and all and thaw them out as you want to bake with them. Looks weird, works great. Kudos for you for smelling banana bread and not eating any!!!!

I will have to do that with the bananas. Didn't know you could freeze them like that! I honestly don't like bananas too much. I will eat a couple a day, but I don't like banana breads, ice cream or anything like that.

 

[Seabreezes]

Carol – Thanks for the info on the pool. I have passed it along. They live in Newport Beach – so contacting the Del Ozone will be great for them.

I’ll pray for Holly, too.

Melanie – sorry I didn’t know it was your birthday. Happy Belated Wishes!!!!

Lisa – sounds as if you enjoyed your special day. What do you order from P F Changs? We went there for the first time last weekend and loved it. They are fairly new to Hawaii.

Bob’s bridge partner is coming for dinner tonight. His wife has a place in Whistler and has gone for the Olympics. Her husband does not like cold so stayed here!! I still have to put together a salad but everything else is ready – thank goodness. I am having a very bad back day and can barely move!!! I was doing much better, but then I have a tendency to overdo!!

We have a lot of Thai restaurants here that we love. I made a version of Thai green curry last night with coconut milk and green curry paste, chicken, mushrooms and green beans. We got some brown jasmine rice and had that with it. Quite tasty. I did’t have any Thai basil – that would have added a bit more zing to it.

Kathy - sorry for all of the problems with Mike's son - not a happy scene. Remeber food will not make it better, either!!!!

Off to shred cabbage for tonight!

Hugs to ALL

 

[Wisteria1956]

Jocelyn: Our favorite PF Changs dish isn't on the menu and isn't MM so we don't get it any more, but it's Changs Spicy Shrimp. It's fantastic. We got the lettuce wraps, leaving off the rice noodles underneath, the shrimp with snowpeas and broccoli, curry vegetables (we love these!) and 1/2 cup each of brown rice. That and pot after pot of jasmine green tea!

Let me know if you hear from Kate. I'm in for sure - rain or shine. Can't wait to see you!

Kathy: I can't remember what that method is called about holding the bottle, but I think all naturopaths do it and I've heard great things from people being treated that way. They also do one where you hold your arm out and they try to press down on it while you hold different supplements. It's wacky - but it seems to work! I want you to remember that starch turns quickly to sugar in your body so when he said no sugar, he also should have said no regular breads, pastas, chips and the like either. Put down the Doritos, my little stressed friend! I had the worse case of CFS today. It was from the little birthday indulgences - namely only 2, but they counted - and the pain I had in the night keeping me up. I had to take a nap to get back to normal. It's just not really worth it when you have the types of bodies we do.

Remember people can't take advantage of you without your permission and part of what God wants you to do besides pray is to be strong in your resolve when Mike's son transgresses. You have to protect the whole family. That said, you and Mike would need to be on the same page. I'm so sorry!

 

[Diane W.]

Kathy - I feel for you and the situation with Mike's son. I really pray that he straightens up. My nephew has been a heartache for my sister for so long. I know it's draining. Take care of yourself.

My son bought a book called Primal Body-Primal Mind. It's very interesting. Some websites he was looking at really caught my attention because they have recipes and they are all basically low-carb. I've been looking at them for over an hour now. They are marksdailyapple.com and cavemanfood.blogspot.com. On the marksdailyapple website there's a recipe for Moroccan Chicken casserole that I plan on making for Monday night.

I'm off to watch the Mentalist which I have going on the dvr. I love that guy!
Enjoy your evening!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good morning everyone. Thank you for the prayers. I do truly appreciate it. Feeling a bit better this morning. More or less passed out last night around 9:30 or so, and my little eyes got opened at 4:30. I think I heard Michael up and about, so I came downstairs after tossing and turning. I'll take a nap later if I'm tired. No school today. Still a lot of roads that need attending to. The main roads are clear, but most of the side roads are just now getting cleared off. I imagine most back roads aren't even hardly touched yet.

Lisa, I have actually had the arm thing done before as well as getting my eyes read. It was such an experience. It was an older couple that did it. I quit going to them because I had gotten supplements there, and they were expired by about a year!! When she read my eyes, she said I have a lot of chemicals in my system. I was smoking back then, so who knows what all I have in there! And with my house and office cleaning, there are even more chemicals. I buy the cleaning products and get reimbursed, so I think I will be getting the Clorox line of green products. Thank you for the reminder about the starches. I actually did think of that. Would my low carb bread be ok? I am hoping. It is the Arnold s/f low carb bread. It's a little rubbery, but it's ok. I put my legal Polaner s/f apricot jelly on it. YUMMY I want to be able to wear shorts come summer and not be embarrassed!!

Diane, I am sorry your sister is still having problems with your nephew. I will continue to pray for them.

My off plan isn't the nacho chips and junk food. It was actually just the opposite. I didn't eat at all yesterday. When I get really stressed, I just kind of shut down and not eat. But Mike had made some Mrs. Paul's fish, and I broke down and had 2 sandwiches. They were on hamburger buns. My bad. I woke up with a new resolve today. Now if I can keep Michael away from my snack stuff, I'll be ok.

We are going to go check out the YMCA this weekend. I am sooo excited to join it! The gym we are going to is just too small. Plus driving 15 minutes to get there doesn't help. I am putting too much gas money out. And the Y only costs $55/month for a family. They have a sauna and steam room too! Ok, I'm rambling LOL.
We are to get more snow today into tonight. Another 2-4" possible. Then the other storm headed here Sunday night into Monday. Not liking this at all!!
Off to clean up a little before I have to get ready. Michael jumped into the shower before I could, plus I'm washing clothes, so it'll be a good hour before I can shower
Later everyone. Sorry I'm being a cry baby.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Remember people can't take advantage of you without your permission and part of what God wants you to do besides pray is to be strong in your resolve when Mike's son transgresses. You have to protect the whole family. That said, you and Mike would need to be on the same page. I'm so sorry!

Thank you Lisa for the wisdom. Sometimes you remind me of my mom. She says things like that to calm me down. I appreciate it. I need to remember that I may not have control over a situation, but I DO have control over how I react to it and how it affects me. I can CHOOSE to let this get me down, or just put on big girl pants and deal with it.
Mike and I actually are on the same page, I just don't like to vent to him as I know he's upset as it is. I just don't want to add to it unnecessarily. Thanks for the hug, it did help. I also need to remember the serenity prayer and just keep repeating it to myself.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: What I meant to add about the starches is that the lc ones have a lot less empty carbs, of course. If you have Candida, the diet to be rid of it is quite strict and all bread might be out because you have to eat all fresh food that couldn't have molds in it. Yeast is a big no-no because it feeds candida. My Mom did that diet for a good while.

I hope things look brighter today. Family can add a lot of stress, that's for sure. Has young Mike been in a lock-down type rehab yet? Sending you more big hugs and prayers.

 

[Carol-Fish]

Kathy,
Sorry about the turmoil of having Michael back at your house. Just one thought on that...Have you and Mike sat down and made a list of the things you expect from him and the consequences that will result from bad choices? Have you sat down with Michael and drawn up a contract and had him sign it? I don't know if this is what you've done before, but it will take some of the stress off you as the contract will spell things out nice and clear with the consequences of bad choices. If you can't do this on your own, I would suggest going to a professional counselor and having them help you 3 write this up. This may be something you are already doing but thought I'd put in my two cents worth. I used to work on an adolescent psych ward and these contracts were law. They help you step away from reacting too emotionally to a choice the kid has made and give you a set consequence to enforce. It kind of builds a wall around their game and manipulative behaviors so you don't get sucked in. GOOD LUCK!

Sorry about all the bad weather ya'll have been having back on the east coast. It's been beautiful here....blue skies and temps in the 60's. I'll make up the bed in the spare bedroom for any that want to escape the cold and snow! You 'll just need to remember to keep your shoes put away or Lobster will depart with them. We are down one childs rain boot at this time. My husband did find his new hiking boot after it went through a few rains out on one of Lobster's pathways. It looks okay but we'll see how it dries.

Have a great day!

Carol
step1

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Wisteria1956]

Carol: You could supply a safe for guests like they do in hotel rooms to lock up their valuable shoes, LOL! That silly Lobster! He would make a good subject for a short story.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy: What I meant to add about the starches is that the lc ones have a lot less empty carbs, of course. If you have Candida, the diet to be rid of it is quite strict and all bread might be out because you have to eat all fresh food that couldn't have molds in it. Yeast is a big no-no because it feeds candida. My Mom did that diet for a good while.

I hope things look brighter today. Family can add a lot of stress, that's for sure. Has young Mike been in a lock-down type rehab yet? Sending you more big hugs and prayers.

Hi Lisa! I actually did know about the yeast and canidia. I don't eat a lot of bread or yeasty type things. I have had extremely bad yeast infections (sorry if TMI) since I was in 7th grade. It has been pretty extreme at times. So, I don't eat too much bread or yeasty stuff with the exception of last night. I even try to not eat cheese that has been aged for a long time. I will have to do some research on it too.
Michael was in a lock down rehab back in December. It was down in Philadelphia. He managed to get out after 3 days there. He some how ended up in Pittsburgh (we know who got him from Philly to Pitts.) He was then sent to jail. He then was given yet another chance and he was living with the school teacher's mother. Long story. She is I believe in her 80's. She found out he had been doing the robutussin the last couple weeks. So, he is in violation of his parole yet again. That leads up to the post the other day. Mike agrees that it is only a matter of time before Michael ends up in jail yet again. He called his dad Wednesday night around 10 to have to pick him up and take him home to the lady's house. He was on IUP property again. He isn't allowed there. That goes back to when IUP charged him with a felony tresspassing. It has just been a vicious cycle. Mike wants to help him, but also knows you can't help someone who doesn't want it.
Ok, hope I didn't bore you too bad LOL. I really do appreciate you all. Your caring brings tears to my eyes. Thank you guys, I love you all!!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy,
Sorry about the turmoil of having Michael back at your house. Just one thought on that...Have you and Mike sat down and made a list of the things you expect from him and the consequences that will result from bad choices? Have you sat down with Michael and drawn up a contract and had him sign it? I don't know if this is what you've done before, but it will take some of the stress off you as the contract will spell things out nice and clear with the consequences of bad choices. If you can't do this on your own, I would suggest going to a professional counselor and having them help you 3 write this up. This may be something you are already doing but thought I'd put in my two cents worth. I used to work on an adolescent psych ward and these contracts were law. They help you step away from reacting too emotionally to a choice the kid has made and give you a set consequence to enforce. It kind of builds a wall around their game and manipulative behaviors so you don't get sucked in. GOOD LUCK!

Sorry about all the bad weather ya'll have been having back on the east coast. It's been beautiful here....blue skies and temps in the 60's. I'll make up the bed in the spare bedroom for any that want to escape the cold and snow! You 'll just need to remember to keep your shoes put away or Lobster will depart with them. We are down one childs rain boot at this time. My husband did find his new hiking boot after it went through a few rains out on one of Lobster's pathways. It looks okay but we'll see how it dries.

Have a great day!

Carol
step1

Feast upon the Words of Christ

Thank you Carol. To be honest, I don't think Mike would do a contract. As far as myself, I would have these kids doing all kinds of chores, and if it wasn't done, well, no computer, no phone, nothing like that. My kids have always had to help out. That is the way I raised them. Mike has never taught his kids responsibility for their actions. They don't think rules apply to them. Even the law in this instance. If I had my way, he'd be sitting in jail. He has been to numerous doctors for help, but they won't do anything until he stops this behavior. What he does mimics many diseases such as bipolar, ADD, and some others. So they aren't sure if he has one of these or if it's the Robitussin. He is extremely intelligent and knows what drug does what to your body. Like the dextromothorphan in Robitussin is an opiate.

I am packing my bags and Tyson too. We will be there before Sunday!! I won't bring shoes if it's that warm there. LOL I can wear shorts!!!!!! I wish I could. That would be great to feel some nice warm sunshine right about now! I think I'll have Tyson teach Lobster how to NOT take boots and shoes

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: You all have really been through the wringer with young Mike. The problem is you can't trust what he promises to at this point because you are talking to the drug. Even if he really means his promises one minute, as soon as he needs his drug, the drug will win. It seems like unless he goes to rehab and stays there, it's kind of hopeless. My son has been through this with two dear friends and belive me they will lie to anyone about anything. He has learned this the hard way after trying to help one that was on heroin. They have been friends for so many years and J-P believed him that he was clean and wanted a fresh start, so he let him live with him. Long story short, J-P's heart was broken and he learned some really tough lessons about drug addicts. These kids were like our own and they would look us right in the eye and lie - tell you what ever they think you want to hear. Don't you worry about telling us all about what is going on - that's what we are all here for - each other!!!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Lisa, no truer words spoken. I know not to believe a word he says. Mike has been clean and sober for over 20 years, so he knows how to handle the addict part better than me. I wish I could get an apology for everything he has done, but I know that will never happen. He has stolen very large sums of money from Mike, he used to steal my cigarettes going as far as getting into my purse. I take my purse and everything else with me when I leave a room, and when I go to bed. I keep all my keys for the offices in the vehicle which is always locked. 2 offices I clean do water testing. The one office has all the stuff in it that kids use to make meth. It has already been robbed a couple times. It is difficult, but I need to protect Carrie and myself. I bought a door alarm for Carrie's bedroom. I don't trust him at all. I really hate to say that but it's true. I don't even trust him to go outside. I have no doubt at all that he will be in jail before long. His new doctor told him he can't prescribe him any medication until he stops doing the Robitussin.