Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[kater]

Kate: I’m thinking there needs to be a Godiva ride in Hawaii, too. Our little MM family has been hit pretty hard lately. We need a break and a vacation!

 

[kater]

Lisa - Carol isnt injecting her hcg...I have also been conversing with another friend of hers who started the hcg 29 days ago and has lost 20 pounds! They are using homeopathic hcg drops that go under the tongue. Apparently they are available at alot of chiropractic offices for some reason? Both of them are doing so well and apparently the maintenance plan is to continue to try to eat low carb, so we can definitely relate to that! The restricted diet part of the hcg plan is different from MM in that carbs arent restricted so much as fat...there is next to NO fat allowed on the plan other than some of the butter sprays and cooking sprays to cook with. And apparently there is no problem with staying on plan for 30 days, then going off if you want to around holidays, etc. Carol went off for awhile and is back on now, so I understand as long as you are careful and dont go carb or fat wild while you are off, there is no problem with starting and stopping. I have to admit its starting to sound pretty interesting to me! If I could lose a pound a day for a month I would be pretty darn happy. I feel like if I could somehow get past that 25 pound plateau I always seem to hit, maybe I could continue to lose the 75 total I want to lose!

I understand that the reason that there is NO fat allowed is because your body relies on your own fat reserves for energy. Which is why you lose so much weight so quickly. I followed the thread on Low Carb Friends for awhile just to see if people were successful. A lot of people there were successful. I haven't looked at it in a long time. There was one woman named Dawn that I had seen on different threads on Low Carb Friends - trying different things (sound familiar?). She lost 40 pounds or so and the last time I checked, she had kept it off.

 

[kater]

Tom’s doing great today. No real pain, getting up the stairs and sleeping pretty well. His behind hurts from too much sitting. He tried to tell me they rubbed it with cream at noon every day in the hospital. I’m not buying it!

Ha Ha! You gotta love his sense of humor and give him an A+ for effort!

 

[kater]

Kate, I hope Demi is feeling better today, and each day is easier and easier until that dreaded disease is gone for good!! I will continue to pray for you all also.

Bailey is holding her own. She looks like a huge balloon that if you prick it, it would burst. We can see the pups moving around. I'll have to try to video it LOL. Mike said she was panting and breathing heavily last night again. She is now sleeping comfortably on the love seat. Or sleeping as well as she can with 8 puppies in her LOL. She is softly snoring away. Since she gained weight, she normally snores very loudly LOL.
Robin and Kate, with only 8 puppies, it shouldn't be too hard to dog nap them LOL.

Mike is to go to his training this coming Monday sometime. I have no idea what the deal with the peg board was. Maybe just to check dexterity or something. Or see if you can concentrate on 2 things at once. I am ready for him to get back to work. It will be weird with him being on call 24/7. And he will be at the job until it's finished. It could be 2 hours, it could be 24 or more.
We discussed that once he finds out how much money he'll be bringing home, I am going to cut back working. My body just can't take it like it used to. Man does that make me sound old LOL. But cleaning the offices is really getting to me. I just don't want to do them anymore. And thinking of quitting the lady I clean 4 days/week for. That is the one whose husband didn't go to the funeral of the 2 guys who worked on the gas well that blew up. I have been working for her for almost 10 years and only had 1 raise. I do most of my hard work at her house, and it's just getting crazy. Tomorrow I have to take all the stuff out of her 3 spare closets so she can get carpet laid in them. They are such a mess, and tons of stuff in them. She is the one who keeps buying stuff and buying stuff and no where to put it. Her house is starting to look like a hoarder's house.

Kathy - Demi had her first visit with her liver doctor at UCSF. It went really well and she is optimistic. She is definitely in good spirits. Her dad went to the appointment with her (which was shocking but good). It is a good thing that he was there with her - her appointment was at 11:00 and they didn't take her back until 2:15. I would have been giving someone an earful.

I really hope that you can cut back on some of your work. One raise in 10 years...

I wish I could actually see Bailey. I can't wait to see pics of the puppies. Robin - when should we start talking about names?

 

[kater]

Diane - I am sorry about the job. I am glad that the CEO at least called. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Robin - do you need me to come help with the ponies? Halle says she will help! I can head over after I pick up the pups.

 

[Seabreezes]

We are finally back home after wandering for almost 2 months. I did not have a great connection most of the time (some places wanted $10.00 per day to connect!) so just caught up on 2 weeks worth of reading. I tried reading and answering on my phone, but the print is too small.

We were in hotels most of the time - someone asked that question. When we go to bridge tournaments we play 2 or 3 times a day and then hope to be able to go to sleep right away afterwards as we need to start again the next day.

We spent one week in Ventura, a town I had not really been in before. It is really a charming place. We had lovely weather for the little bit we were outside.It is right on the ocean. We ate at a couple of really nice restaurants. One was called "Brooks" and the food was quite good. Brooks was the name of our late son and he loved to cook.

Our last week was spent on a cruise ship in the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta has really grown as well as Cabo. We had not been there for many years. It was also a bridge tournament with lessons by a well known bridge player. We were with 6 other friends from here the last 2 weeks. We are now back to watching everything that goes into the mouth!!

I feel guilty even saying what we get to do when everyone else is having so much trouble in their lives, but I don't want to not be part of the group.

Robin - Bob has been on coumadin for many years for his a-fib of the heart. The bruising and bleeding are not fun, but blood cots are even worse!! We have heard that there is a new med coming out that is not supposed to have the side effects. I have no idea when it will be available, though. One of our employees who is on the med, too, told us about it.

Do you have a wireless mouse and keyboard? When my laptop was not working very well, I set the monitor on a chair and the keyboard in my lap so that i could keep my legs on my footstool. I can't sit with my feet on the floor for very long at a time as the back rebels.

I am not sure what diet or I should say what way of eating we are doing as this does seem to have to be a lifetime thing, but we are back to really watching the carbs and keeping them really low. We try when eating out, but it doesn't really work unless I can cook for us. The fruit on the ship was beautiful so I indulged more than I should have. We do not get great fruit here as it all has to be shipped in.

Lisa, I am so glad you are back home and it sounds as if Tom came through with flying colors. I only hope each day is better for him.

Kathy - I would tell your client that your rates have gone up. I hired a cleaning lady in California and she charged $17.00/hour!!

Kate - congratulations on your anniversary. It would be lovely if we could all meet up here. It really is a special place with lovely weather and scenery. We often wonder why we leave, but we do love to travel so will keep doing it as long as we can.

Diane - there just HAS to be a job out there for you!!

Beverly - I didn't realize you were out job hunting, too. Don't be embarrassed to take un-employment. It is set up for a reason and you have been paying into it.

It is nice to be "talking" to all of you again.

Hugs to everyone

 

[kater]

Jocelyn - Welcome Home! I know that I have mentioned that my mom and her significant other play tournament bridge. My mom's sister and husband play too. When we are all together, there is always a game of "doop" going on, talk of master points, and what so-and-so would say about how something should have been played.

It sounds like your travels were fun.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: I'm so glad Demi's appointment went well and that she had her Dad's support. You really can be kept waiting for a long time there! We wish they wouldn't take us back in to a room with no view and make us wait when the waiting room is nicer. What often happens is that another patient has an emergency or needs a procedure so we try to tell ourselves when we need the doctor unexpectedly we'd want him/her to be there for us, too. I sat so long one day it felt like the fibers in my tights were digging paths into my skin, lol! It's probably a bonus for Demi she found out early about her diagnosis. Keep us posted on the progress.

Jocelyn: Welcome Home!!! We missed you! We like to hear of your travels so don't ever hold back. We can live vicariously through one another sometimes. I too need to get back to low carb. Made too many exceptions while in SF and I feel miserable. I really don't want to let my guard down over the holidays.

Robin: Hope you are feeling better today. Take naps when you need to. I love my wireless keyboard and mouse. They were very inexpensive at Best Buy and I've had them for years. Miss them a lot when I travel.

Kathy: You deserve a lot of credit for how hard you've worked and I hope you get to cut back soon. I'm with Jocelyn - say your rates have increased. I think some housekeepers get $20 an hour around here.

I'm not feeling well in the tummy today and I have some very important work appointments. Luckily they are after lunch time so I hope I can get it together by then. I have clients signing on a purchase today and their walkthru as well. We got Tom's full pathology yesterday and it is scary to read. The Tumor Board will be meeting over the results and we'll see the oncologist next. I don't know when yet. 20 out of 24 lymph nodes were malignant and some of the masses were quite large. With what I've read, that makes me very scared, but I'm trying to keep the faith and not let my mind take me ahead of the process or in the wrong direction. I think that might be why I feel sick today, though. I'm pretty sure Tom will be having radiation and chemo. He's tolerated the surgery very well and I'm sure he'll bounce back from whatever is needed. Continuing to pray it hasn't spread any where else microscopically...

Off to try to get it together for work today. It's chilly and sunny, which is a nice combination.

 

[Seabreezes]

Thanks for the welcomes. I am still trying to get everything washed and put away. Have I mentioned how much I hate to pack and unpack??? And I seem to be doing it all the time.

We are going on a long trip in January again that requires visas to several countries. It has taken me the last 3 days to get all the paper work together. I think I am now organized. I am now facing a pile of ironing - my VERY LEAST favorite project of all. That will take me several days as I can't stand for very long at a time. Oh well.......I will get it done!

The weather here is a bit breezy, but perfect temperature. I have not made it to the pool yet, though, due to above mentioned projects. Tomorrow should have me back to a routine I enjoy.

Robin, I worked for Weight Watchers for quite a while. I got a bit tired of all rah - rah meetings we had to go to, though. I did lose a lot of weight on WW and went back doing the low carb thing just for accountability. Since I was a life time member at goal I didn't have to pay and liked the fact I was weighed weekly. I haven't been for quite a while now as the meeting place changed to an inconvenient one. I now have a problem with all of the low fat which seems to equal high sugar. They did have a lower carb option at one time, have no idea what their philosophy is today. It definitely teaches you portion control, though. Are you able to go to the meetings? I assume not. Can you drive? Hopefully someone is getting the info to you from the work meetings.

Hope Tom is feeling better day by day and that you are feeling better, too Lisa.

Off to the gym.

Hugs to ALL

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Just checked Facebook and Kathy is posting puppy pictures!! YAY!!!!!!

Welcome back Jocelyn, sounds like you have been a busy lady! So nice that you guys are able to travel as much as you do...so much to see out there! I know what you mean about the WW and rah rah stuff...the leader of the work group is a total Barbie doll and I spent most of the 3 meetings I went to trying to convince myself not to poke her in the eye or accuse her of giving me a cavity! Since I am unable to attend right now, they did refund the last 2 months, but I am still trying to stick to my daily points, and curbing my portions...

Lisa - hope your tummy is better today...Im sure stress isnt helping at all...continued prayers for Tom and the oncologist appointment... I do not have either a laptop OR wireless mouse, but thinking at least the mouse might not be a bad idea...

Kate - You and Halle are welcome anytime...theres always SOMETHING to do when you have a farm and the ponies would love visitors! They are actually quite social and do get bored with me! Looks like the puppies are born, so better get ourselves together and hatch a plan!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: My wireless keyboard came with a mouse all together for around $35. It really saves my wrists!

Off to work and I'll check in later!

 

[kater]

Kathy - how are the pups? How is Bailey? What does Tyson think? Did Mike start his job?

Robin - how is your leg? Are you following all of the doctors orders>

Lisa - how is Tom doing? I bet you are enjoying the nice weather. I took Halle to the beach yesterday. We both enjoyed an afternoon in the sun.

Hi to Beverly, Diane, Jocelyn.

 

[Wisteria1956]

I'm back on Step 1 today. Made it through breakfast and lunch so far, lol! I'm doing massive amounts of clipping in the yard so I'm keeping very busy. What I miss the most on Step 1 is fruit. I'm hoping to commit to 8 weeks again. If I don't I'm really afraid of gaining weight over the holidays. Last year I was sooo good. It was a slippery slope made of exceptions starting around the time people began bringing us food that got me in this mess. My pants are tight in the waist and I can't stand that. I will not go up a size; that's not an option because I had cleared out all the old clothes. I thought I'd be so thin by now, but oh, well, at least I can commit to not getting any worse. Grrrrr!!!!

Tom is enjoying the good weather also. He's kept me company some in the yard and even did a bit of work with a claw and long handle around where my birds' fallen seed has sprouted. It does make a lot of 'weeds'. Bonnie likes to eat the seed sprouts. They must taste nice!

Robin: Ditto about the leg. How are you doing?? Thinking about you a lot.

I guess everyone is trying to get a lot done this weekend before we slide into Thanksgiving week. I filled the green waste can and all of it was clipping with hand pruners so it was a lot of work! I'm looking forward to another hot tub later.

Kate: Glad you got to go to the beach! We've had an amazing weekend, haven't we? Another nice week coming up too. Maybe we'll go for another drive this week. Tried to go to Apple Hill on Veterans Day. Everyone had the same idea. We did have a fun time anyway and didn't eat any apple fritters. I'll have to pack food if we do go out. That's what saves me from doom. We even ate kettle chips last week. OMG! Stress is terrible for one's diet. Tom's lost weight just sitting around. I haven't been so lucky. I'll keep you posted in case anyone wants to join me. Tacos on lc tortillas tonight.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi guys. Sorry it took so long to get back here. Been very busy with pups!!$$
Thank you Robin for posting about them on Thurs.

Bailey and pups did so well. No problems at all. She had 7. 4 female and 3 male. They are all dark brindle except the black one I had the picture of. They ae gaining 1-2 ounces per day. We are keeping a boy and he is a bruiser! He was the biggest of the litter. He is now 24.2 oz. He gains about 2 oz per day. Mike calls him heavy chevy

Tyson doesn't mind them at all, but wants to lay with Bailey when she goes out to potty. She doesn't waste any time getting back to her babies. She is very pertective of them and doesn't want Tyson near them. She will tolerate it as long as we are right there. She is such a great mommy!!

Mike started his job today. He has orientation to attend before he actually starts driving. It will last from 7-11 days. That will put his first day at Thanksgiving. If he gets called out on holidays they make it very worth his while.

Ok, back to work. I will try to catch up this evening. Have vet appt at 6 to get pups tails and dew claws done. Thinking of getting our guys ears cropped too when that time comes. He's going to be a big bruiser!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: When our lab Hershey had her puppies I didn't know to take her with us for the dewclaw appt. They said it would be less stress on her than taking her pups away for a time. Good luck today!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Tom's oncologist called today to say the Tumor Board is meeting next Wed. before Thanksgiving to discuss Tom's treatment. We'll be called that day to forumulate the plan going forward. Prob chemo and radiation. At least we can have the holiday with all the kids coming home without disruption.

Hope you all are having a good start to the week. I'm still sick to my stomach and having work stress too. Not such a great day, but trying to turn my thinking around...

 

[Simpleone]

Hi everyone!! Figured I'd better let you all know I was alive and kick'n as well. This is my third attempt at posting in as many days, I get started and before I can get half my post done, something comes up and I have to leave it. I'm going to have to make them shorter and more frequent I suppose.

Kathy, so glad all is well with the pups, and the birthing. Very few things are more cute than frisky little pups and kittens, I'd not get a thing done if I had them to watch and play with. Best wishes to Mike in his new job, that has to be so exciting for you both.

Robin, slide on over here to your PC and give us an update on the leg. I hope you're doing well. Will you be having family and friends in for Thanksgiving?

Dear Lisa, don't forget that you're on Step I again, I know that until I completely detox from carbs the first week, stress gets me, bad! So other than wondering what further treatment he's going to be going through, how is Tom doing? I'm so happy for you that family will be in for Thanksgiving, sounds perfect for you, don't forget to accept help if it's offered....if not...then ask for it! lol

Things around here have been positively insane. I had no idea the work it would take to remodel the old master and move Millie and Chris in here. Ugh! Millie found out that the baby is a boy and his name will be Julian Christopher. He has a cleft lip, but will remain unsure of the palate for a few more weeks, they'll do a 3D or 4D ultrasound to try and determine. She's trying to be so strong but starts crying at the drop of a hat at times. She's done all her research on it. Her OB GYN's father was a plastic surgeon, so she has managed to calm a lot of her fear and uncertainties.

I'm still on Step I and have lost another couple of pounds, I'm still not down to where I was this time a year ago, but I'm headed there quicker than I imagined. I pitched out the last of my 'fatty clothes' last week, I refuse to go back there! My eldest daughter has been on Step 1 for about three weeks now and has lost six pounds, so I'm very happy for her, she's all excited. She only has about 15 to take off so I'm hoping that Step I will do that for her. I will stay with Step 1 until the first of the year, then will reconsider if Step II is in the books for me. We may be headed to Mexico then, so Step II may be in order, wheather I want to or not. Contracts are still coming in for the winter months for DH, looking like there will be no 'slow' period this winter. The trip may be shorter than we orginally hoped for, but the money sure will come in handy!

I've started Thanksgiving prep, have my turkey and ham already in the freezer and have contacted family and friends to invite and issue the carry in items. I usually take on the largest part of the meal and let everyone bring what they wish. Not this year, I'll be lucky to get the house pulled back together by then, so this year I'm making it as easy as I can for myself.

Off to finish up dinner, hugs to you all!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Ok, did a big, huge post, and it disappeared. So going to do a short one for now.

Sending prayers out to everyone!! I hope you all are doing better!!

All is well here, pups are getting bigger each day. Gaining 1-2 ounces per day!!

Mike's orientation is going well. It lasts about 11-12 hours. He will get his first paycheck next Friday!!

Ok, got to go. I'll be back later, hopefully. Short work day (cleaning offices tonight) but have my own housework to do

Later everyone!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Pam: It was great to hear from you. I’d love to see pics of the remodel. It sounds wonderful. All kinds of things to celebrate in your family lately with weddings and babies coming. I’m sorry to hear Millie has to worry about the baby. He will be beautiful and sounds like she has wonderful support from her doctor. Stacy Keach is one of my favorite actors and think how long ago his lip surgery must have been. He’s got to be in his 60’s by now.

I’m doing ok on Step 1. Feeling a little less fluffy today, which is great. I’ve made up my mind to eat turkey and veggies for Thanksgiving. It is perfectly satisfying to me. I might eat some of my butternut squash soup, but no other cheats that week planned.

Kathy: You must be so proud of Mike and so excited to have less burden. What nice timing for his new job – going into the holidays. Sounds like the pups are adorable. I remember how you can’t leave home for long once they get on ‘solid’ mushy food. I used to mix it up on a cookie sheet. Oh, the way their little tails would stand at attention when I came near! Nothing cuter! My little Cchino (cappuccino)got a respiratory infection and I had to keep him separate from the litter. Of course I had to keep him then, telling Tom no one would want a sick puppy. He grew to be a 110 lb. lab and never had a sick day until he was old, ha, ha. He was such a considerate dog. He knew my flowers were important to me and he would walk on the stepping stones. Bless his heart. Bonnie has not an ounce of his consideration.

Closed a very difficult short sale this morning so I planted about 40 plants and Tom and I are taking off for a drive to a park by the river with the dog. It’s next to where gold was discovered on the American River. Sure is a gorgeous place! Maybe we’ll lean over and pluck up a big nugget, lol!

Hoping we hear from Robin today about her leg. I’ve been worried about her.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Hi Ladies....nothing too interesting to report on the "leg front" lol....the swelling is down quite a bit, but still have some pain in the knee and all, so am scheduled to go back to the orthopedic doc Dec 7 for follow up on that, then Dec 1 to the hematologist to discuss the results of the genetic bloodwork to see if we can figure out why I am clotting. then hopefully mid december will mean a re-scheduled visit to the vein doctor to see what they can do about the painful surface vein...OMG the co-pays alone are going to have me in debt for the next 5 years!!

Lisa - thanks for checking on me...I continue to pray for Tom and hope the report is one you can all deal with. I agree with Pam too, dont forget how stressed and crazy we all were last year when we first started Step 1 !!! At least you guys know how to do it right now, so hopefully it will be less stressful after the first week.

Kathy - sounds like you are enjoying the puppies, and we definitely need some updated photos! I am officially claiming the black one!! Hope you guys are planning to celebrate Mike's first paycheck with a little Mike and Kathy time!!

Pam - I always look at the holidays as a time to enjoy family and friends, so who cares if the house isnt perfect yet? Unless someone from Better Homes and Gardens is on your guest list!!! Im sure you are far more critical of it than your guests will be...they will probably be in awe of the work thats been done so far!

My interesting news flash for the day is that I have been talking by phone and e-mail for the past 8 months or so with my college fiancee, Roger...he found me on FB and we have had many long, in depth conversations about the past as well as keeping in touch weekly with the current! Our families were very close then and we went through alot together in the 5 years we were together....losses of family and friends, basically growing pains together...that sort of thing. He is based in Atlanta now, but he and I actually lived here in Virginia together back in the early 80's...OMG...he is coming up to Pittsburg this weekend to interview for an important job on Monday and is STOPPING HERE TO VISIT ON HIS WAY BACK HOME!!!! OMG

Needless to say we both acknowledge that time and health problems have not been kind to either of us, (he has been fighting with a tumor that is wrapped around his heart for several years...amazingly enough he was diagnosed with this tumor the same exact time I was in the hospital with my lung clots in 2005....OMG) so we have both been on Prednisone, gained a bunch of weight, and he has also lost his hair...so at least we know in advance so we can meet in person not expecting either of us to be the gorgeous specimens that we were in the early 80's! LOL, we have not seen each other in 27 years....this should be interesting!!

Did I mention I am off to get my haircut tonite!!