Lesli's Live Long and Strong WISH Journal

[pearlieq]

Wow! PT really wiped you out didn't it? I guess that's one way to tell you're working hard.

The water thing seems to be very important to you. I wonder if there's any way to make it easier. You could maybe take a glass of water any time you eat something. Or maybe carry around a bottle? Maybe incorporate a glass of water into your morning/nighttime grooming & toothbrusing routine? That might be a way to sneak some water in. Or maybe you could try to incorporate some foods that have a higher water content like soup & watermelon? I dunno--I guess it will take some experimenting to find out what works. But I know you can do it!

I hope you have a great day today! Starting again is what it's all about!

 

[Lesli54]

Food wasn't too bad yesterday. I had about 10 mixed nuts for AM snack. Lunch was 2 tuna wraps (should have done one as I had more wrap than tuna on each) and a kudos bar. PM snack was a few nuts. Supper was a hamburger, a few chips, and potato salad. The killer was the popcorn (2/3 bag) I ate late. Water was about 36 oz!

For the most part, I spent the day working and contemplating things. Such as GS. I am supposed to go to a kickoff for leaders tonight, but I am unsure where I stand at the moment. It is a good organization, but I am too involved and at the moment, I don't have much time to spare for anything extra. However, I am afraid that if I get out altogether then I will later regret not still being a part of it somewhere. Such a dilemma. But at the same time, if I stay in a little bit, I don't want to get back to that overly hectic life of running back and forth for only GS.

My co-leader and I have decided to disband the older girls since it is only her daughter and mine who show and they can still be involved without a troop. It is just to much to continue trying to keep people together who always have something better to do. Also, we decided to step back from our younger girl troop and hope that someone else will step up as leaders. We will still help at meetings if needed, but I don't have the strength and energy right now and she doesn't really have the focus she needs either. (She had a car accident a year before mine and is still dealing with the effects). So for now, that puts me down to overseeing the needs of the leaders and I think I could be ok with that, but I am not sure I want all that hassle again, yet I am not sure I want to give up trying to get the needs of leaders recognized and acknowledged. They are an important part of GS. I know I can get out of doing trainings until things are better for me, so that is not a problem. And the fundraising committee that I was on has done fine without me so I guess that will be ok.

If I am not wore out from PT, I think I will go tonight, just to weigh things out, make my intentions known and let them know that I can't do much right now. We'll see how that goes and then maybe I can make a more informed decision.

I just don't want to get trapped back into that extremely hectic lifestyle again, so I am weighing all things that I used to be involved in and trying to pick what is most important to me or at least trying to focus on some specific causes a little more.

Oh well, enough babbling. Breakfast today was 1 egg omelet w/moz & chives, 1 c grapefruit juice, a few ham slices. I think I will go get some water in now.

Talk to you all later.

 

[pearlieq]

Lots to contemplate today...

I hear where you're coming from on the GS issues and that's a big decision to make. You've been a pillar in the organization for a very long time, and it always seemed like you enjoyed it and got a lot of fulfillment out of it. But it also seems like it's hard to be just a little bit involved. If you decide you need a break for now, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be welcomed back with open arms the second you expressed an interest in coming back.

I hope you can find a good balance for yourself.

Have a great day today, and good job meeting your water goal from yesterday!

 

[Lesli54]

Well, let's chalk up yesterday as a not thinking day. Too much candy.

I tried to get lunch before we had to leave for PT, but I had so many interruptions that it didn't happen. DH and I have been working on selling our popup camper since we upgraded to a travel trailer and he was running around trying to get all the last minute paperwork and things in order before the seller arrived. Not too mention I needed to do payroll and my printer kind of died, so I had to send it to the other printer and run up and down the stairs. Hopefully, my new printer will arrive tomorrow. Then phone calls, and.......well you know the drill

PT was hard again yesterday. But I managed through and it didn't wear me out so bad. Lunch was a 6" Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sub w/mayo, tomato, & cucumbers from Subway. Oh and a Sierra Mist (though I drank just over 1/2). Late in the afternoon again.

I just got home in time to dress for the GS Kickoff, then waited for DH to finish up with selling the camper. He rushes in and we were off. A bit late, but oh well. I made it to the meeting just in time to get in line for supper. Now, I wasn't very hungry, but since the meeting was going to be long, I thought I better have something. I has just over 1/2 c cream of brocoli soup, a small salad, a couple pieces of cheese, and a ham & turkey sandwich on wheat w/mayo. The bread was way too big and I should have taken only one slice to make 1/2 a sandwich. Drank quite a bit of water! But they had chocolate and candybars sitting in front of us and I did have some. Not alot, but I didn't need it or was hungry for it. On the way home, we stopped for gas and I got another candy bar to eat during the long drive, along with water, but what gives?

Anyway, the meeting was fine. There were some who really missed me and kept hugging me all night. They were the higher ups, so it surprised me a bit. Others who I work with more often, barely looked at me to even say "hi!". It was awkward, but I have noticed that alot of people just avoid me in a social situation since the accident. Then others, I barely know are right there. Maybe some just are afraid of what they should or shouldn't say, I don't know.

But GS knows that I will be a part of somethings and they are fine with that. The fundraising committee that I am on is just waiting for me to give them the green light to fill me in, they didn't want to overwhelm me. By the end of the night, I did realize that I still want to a small part and I don't want to give it up altogether.

Oh yeah, my therapist (not to change subjects) is going to set up a driving evaluation for me to see if I can begin driving yet. I guess it test strength, timing, reflexes, etc. That is perfectly fine with me since somedays when my leg is stiffer, I feel that my reflex is slower, so it concerns me. But I am excited to be getting closer to drive again.

Breakfast today was a bowl of Basic 4 cereal. I got up late since I could sleep during the torrential downpour and wonderful thunder episodes last night. Gotta go get my hair cut, attend a special library board meeting tonight, do some work around here, get in some exercise, and maybe straighten my room a bit.

Talk to you all later. Thanks for listening.

 

[pearlieq]

Weren't those storms something! For a while it sounded like cannons being fired outside my window! We've got some more rumblings now, so I wonder if we're in for more.

Sounds like a busy day yesterday and another one coming today! I'm glad you were able to get some clarity on the GS situation. It's a shame some people are still having trouble with how to react to your accident, but it sounds like you have it in perspective and are approaching it with a healthy attitude.

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

 

[Lesli54]

Another restless night. No storms, but way too much on my mind I guess. I don't know how many hours it took to get to sleep. Thought about coming down and working on the computer, but then I was afraid that I would be awake until 6 this morning and that really wouldn't do good for PT.

Lunch yesterday was 1/2 Marie Calendar's chicken pot pie. I was in the mood for one, but have a hard time eating the whole thing (didn't used to). It just makes me feel extremely full, but DD8 came along and we decided to share! Good job. Go me. Also had a few cheetos and some green tea w/plum. Later, I had a piece of summer sausage and a piece of cheese. So far so good? Supper was 2 pieces of cheese pizza and some coke. That was pushing it since I wasn't very hungry. Later, I had about 2 bites of cake.

All in all, not too bad, but all of the food was very heavy and there just aren't too many fruits and veggies in there. And so we try again.

Got a few things done yesterday. Then I just got to the point that I wanted to play and not do anything I need to do. So I fiddled around with my genealogy for awhile. I don't want to get too far into it since that is too great of a temptation over work, but it was fun.

Breakfast today. Very late due to the restless night. 1 egg omelet w/chives & way too much moz, a few slices ham, 1 c grapefruit juice.

Plans today? Get some water in. Do some of my exercises. Go to PT. Go shopping for shoes and maybe a blouse to wear a wedding tomorrow. Ooh, I forgot, I need to grab a gift as well.

I will talk to you all later. Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[pearlieq]

Go you! Sharing treats always works out so well. All of the fun, but half of the calories and no leftovers to worry about! Now you've got me thinking about pot pie. Those are good...

I'm sorry you had a restless night. At least you'll probably sleep well tonight since you're already kind of tired and you've got lots to do today. Hopefully you get some good rest.

Have a great day today! Happy shopping!

 

[Lesli54]

Whew! Is there such a thing as too much exercise?

PT was tough, but we got the bend to 84 degrees! So happy. Now I just have to keep working on keeping it there, that is the hard part. Trying to get in ENOUGH time for working on that or sitting in a chair/car and being uncomfortable for various lengths of time while you try to keep that stretch going until your body gets used to it. Not easy to do when your body is just plain tired. But I must move on.

Shortly after getting home, my mom and I went to do a little shopping. We think we are running in one store and out. WRONG! We ended uk walking most of the mall....and I left my crutch at home since I didn't think we were walking so far. The plus side is that I made it through and we would stop from time to time to either sit or stand so that I could rest.........But we made it through and that feels good. The down side, I was very exhausted. But that too is okay.

Lunch was late. I had a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and part of a Sierra Mist from DQ. Then around 9pm, mom and I stopped for ice cream at Whitey's. They have the best ice cream. Too dangerous, fortunately for most people, they can't get it since it is mainly local, but they are branching out a bit. Anyway, I had a medium fresh peach shake. So delish! When I got home, I had a few raspberries.

Not alot of food, but high cal.

Breakfast today was late. Slept in again. I do need to address that. I had one fried egg on and english muffin, 1 c grapefruit juice, a few ham slices.

Lunch will be light, I hope. Maybe some chicken salad and carrots. Don't know about supper. We have a wedding for tonight so I am not sure what they are serving besides cake. It will be fun to get out there and dance. Well, maybe not all the various dances, but just to be able to do something normal like that will be wonderful.

Better get going. I have many things to get done. Talk to you later.

 

[pearlieq]

Whew! That does sound like an exhausting day, but just the fact you could go walk the mall after already doing a strenuous PT is great!

A fresh peach shake sounds sooooooo good! Yum!

I hope you have a great day and have a wonderful time at the wedding. (Didn't I say you'd be doing soon?)

 

[Lesli54]

You were right, Pearlieq! I was doing this and it felt really good. At first it was a little strange to get used to moving to a rhythm of any sort and still trust that my legs would hold me and I wouldn't fall over. But after awhile it was going pretty good. I'm not up to 2 stepping around the floor yet, but maybe by the next wedding in Nov.

Did a little shopping yesterday. So lunch as McD's on the way home. Fries, qtr lbr & sprite.

At the wedding, I had some Gardetto's snack mix, a piece of chocolate, and pepsi. For supper they served a small buffet. I chose watermelon, taco salad (only had 1/2 of a sm serving since it wasn't very good), a sm skinless chicken breast in a light sauce, gr beans, and a wheat roll (should have skipped, not great). Then of course there was a sliver of cake, or should I say a sliver of frosting. My piece had more frosting than cake. The cake wasn't dry, thankfully, but the frosting was so sweet it made your teeth hurt on the second bite. Oh, and a couple of mints, but they weren't very good either. Also had a few cheetos when I got home.

The wedding and the reception itself was a good time though and there were so many people that were just thrilled to see me out dancing. Imagine my thrill. The groom (family of DH) was dancing w/ DD16 and commented to her how nice it was to see me dancing and how you don't realize how much you enjoy something until it is gone or threatened. He is so right. We take so much for granted, but I will always remember last night and how great it felt to try to dance and how happy DH was to see it happen.

Sure does make you think. As if I don't do enough of that already.

Breakfast today. 1 fried egg, 1 english muffin, a few slices ham, 1 c grapefruit juice.

Not much planned for the day other than work and getting things cleaned up around here, which is work.

I will talk to you all later.

 

[pearlieq]

I'm so glad you had a good time at the wedding! I bet you can really cut a rug!

Sounds like you did very well at the party and made sensible, well thought-out choices. Wedding cake is a tricky thing--I've had one or two really great pieces in my life, but most are aggressively blah. It must have been nice to see the family, though. It's always nice to get everyone together.

And yes, I think you've done your fair share of deep thinking lately.

I hope you have a wonderful day today. We couldn't ask for better weather, eh?

 

[Lesli54]

Whew! Just got up from my nap. The weekend and PT today really took its toll.

Yesterday's lunch was chicken salad on a few crackers. Then supper was out to Pizza Hut since everyone had worked so hard cleaning the house. I had 3 small slices of bacon cheeseburger pizza and some pepsi. Not overstuffed, but I definitely knew when to quit.

I am so happy that I actually got some serious dejunking done yesterday. I got through the entire upstairs bath. How do you accumulate so many products that everyone half uses and then never again? Did a little in my office. Then I tackled our bedroom. Mind you it is huge and every time we clean the entire house anything that anyone doesn't know what to do with ends up there until I have a chance to go through it. Thankfully, I was in the mood of if throwing out everything. There again, why does one keep the things they do, thinking that they just have to have them when it will make no difference later if you have it or not and most of the time, you don't even know you have it? There are still a few stacks that I need to go through, but they are a bit more organized so it will be easier to take the on another day or just a few minutes per stack over a few days. At this point, it feels good to be dejunking and rearranging if I can't do it all in a few days like I used to, then I will take what I can get over a little bit of time.

The best part was that I did alot of standing and I wasn't concentrating so much on whether I had the strength to do all that I did. Such a normal feeling.

Breakfast today. 1 egg omelet w/chives & moz, ham, 1 c grapefruit juice.

We had a guy come measure for the windows so that we can make a final decision this week. I am not sure how many people put in 22 windows (not counting the basement) at one time, but I just want them done and over with. Next year I hope we can do doors, the screened in porch (making it 3 season) and the basement windows.

Then it was off to PT which was early today. We got some great movement going and my knee felt normal. Now if it could always stay that way. But it reallly wore me out and I couldn't make it to the daybed fast enough when I got home.

Lunch was qtr lbr w/cheese, fries, & some sprite. We really need to find some other places to grab and go or phone something in to take back home on days like these. OH and I just got done eating a few cheetos. The "after the nap" munchies.

Well better get going. I have plenty of work on my desk and I need to get started on it. Talk to you later.

 

[pearlieq]

So it's not just me on the "after nap" munchies?!? Good to know!

I'm glad you had a good PT--sounds like you worked really hard.

I find cleaning, organizing, and decluttering so liberating! It makes the whole house seem bigger and fresher and makes the whole world make a little more sense.

I hope things go well with the windows. 22 at once does sound like a huge undertaking but I'm sure it will feel great to have it over and done with!

I hope you have a great evening tonight--good luck clearing off the desk!

 

[Lesli54]

Got some work done yesterday afternoon and evening. That is always a good thing. Still plugging away on getting back on track. Some days I see an end in sight.

Supper was taco salad/dip w/tortilla chips. I had a smidge too much, but that was ok. Later, I contemplated getting some ice cream or other treat before bed, but realized that I wasn't very hungry and that I need to go back to a 7:30pm cut off time again anyway. So I passed it up. Thankfully, the scale was down 2lbs. and I am just 2 shy of my clippie.

My weight has been fluctuating within a 5lb range, but I am not too worried as I am starting to see my muscle tone come back in areas and I am able be active more throughout the day.

Breakfast this morning was a bowl of basic 4 cereal and 1 c grapefruit juice. Then I ate about 10 chips and a couple of nuts.

Am I hungry? Probably not really, but I have noticed that if I don't have a balanced breakfast, I tend to snack more. Oh, that's right, I noticed that a long time ago. Well, ok. Time to remind myself of that.

Today is an all work day. I am going to stop in the afternoon to do a little exercise. Tonight, I am supposed to go to a meeting (at least they are hoping I will), but I am thinking that I will skip it. If I go, I will be gone from 4-10:30pm and I am not sure I want to do that right now. Besides, my work has some deadlines that I have to meet which is more important. And then again, maybe it is a defense mechanism so that I don't get roped back up into running around so much.

Oh well, I better get going. Lots to do. Everyone have a great day!

 

[pearlieq]

Defense mechanisms are worth listening to! Our instincts are usually right about things, plus that sounds like a heck of a commitment tonight. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I'm glad to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel for your work. There's nothing greater than the feeling of getting something done and off your back!

I would imagine your weight would be fluctuating a lot these days with all the changes your body has been though. You're building back so much muscle with all that hard work you're doing. It's great to see progress, but I wouldn't mind the scale too much these days. It sounds like you're taking very good care of yourself.

Have a great day!!!

 

[Lesli54]

Well, I listened to my instincts and I didn't go to the meeting. I actually feel good about it and I was able to get tons of work done! Now, if I can keep that pace up for a few weeks, I might actually be caught up. Of course, then what will I do with my extra time?

Lunch yesterday was taco salad w/chips. Then I nibbled here and there on trail mix. Supper was a BLT on 7 grain and some chips. For a late night treat, DD16 brought home a Whitey's fresh peach shake. YUM! Thank God we live far enough away that it doesn't happen often, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Oh, to clarify the "weight issue" for those who don't really know me. Those who do, probably have figured it out. At the moment, I am not overly concerned about my weight and I am not concentrating on losing at the moment. But I am keeping an eye on it from time to time because with the lack of activity that I have had over the last several months, I am concerned that it could easily get out of hand. Without being able to do an extremely vigorous workout, I don't have a lot of ways to combat an ever increasing 10, 20, 30 lb gain. So, I am just being aware of where I am at on the scale and at the most just trying to maintain. However, if I lose a few here and there, I won't complain.

Breakfast today. I egg omelet w/moz (too much moz), 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c grapefruit juice.

Time to get going. PT awaits. Talk to you later.

 

[pearlieq]

DH is literally walking out the door on me right now, but I wanted to stop by and say hi and to wish you a great day!

more later!

 

[Lesli54]

Doesn't it feel good when friends rank you above a DH?

PT went pretty well. Then it was off to run errands and grab lunch before having a dr visit, just a check up with my regular dr. Lunch was a 6" sweet onion chicken teriyaki sub w/provolone, tomato, cucumbers & gr peppers. I went for unsweetened tea instead of a sugary soda.

Back home, I had a few crackers & egg salad. Oh, there were chips there too. Later I had some trail mix.

Supper was chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, gr beans, fruit salad, and pie. I tried a blueberry cream since they were short on fresh strawberry. Here's a hint. Don't every try something like that. It was a custard w/blueberries suspended through it in a few places. So I took out the blueberries, whipped cream, and scrapped the custard from the crust. Then my mom gave me some of her strawberries and I kind of made my own pie.

I did get more work done and even attempted to work on some GS to get ready for this new year.

This morning, I slept in. Breakfast was 1 fried egg, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, and 1 c grapefruit juice.

I have been trying to book a weekend for our last GS trip with the older girls and have been doing the hotel search all morning. So I ate some nuts and just now had a few Fritos.

For lunch I think I might have chicken salad & crackers. Maybe also some watermelon. Just not really hungry.

The rest of the day, I plan to work. Better get going. Have a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was a "snack" day, I guess.

Lunch was the chicken salad & crackers. Then there were a few Fritos, some nuts, a few bite size pieces of chocolate (really bad when you are looking for something and you find it in your purse left over from the wedding), and something else, but I can't remember what.

Supper was a bowl of fruit loops, followed later by about 3/4 bag of popcorn.

Part of the problem was the fact that my computer was so slow that it was very frustrating and really slowed down my work. So last night, I spent alot of time getting things cleaned up and today, thankfully, things appear to be quicker.

The main part of the problem is that our meals have zero structure. I almost wish that DH would have allowed the churches to continue bringing a few meals a week (they were signed up through Nov). Granted, I can get around much better, but with all the running for therapy and the running that everyone else has to do for various things in my place, it is still hard to get time to make some good well balanced meals. It is getting better, but I am really beginning to hate this in between stage.

Today's breakfast was 1 egg omelet w/moz & chives, a few slices ham, 1 c grapefruit juice.

For the rest of the day, I will try to be reasonable in my eating. The snacking just isn't working since it is all empty calories. Hmmm....I do have some frozen bananas, maybe I will grab a smoothie instead of snacking.

Also, I think I should reread a few of my early entries to see what we used to have for dinner, because it has been so long since I have done any real cooking that I just can't remember. I just want to get back to a healthy routine again.

Well, gotta go. PT is calling my name. Everyone take care.

 

[pearlieq]

Hello from Las Vegas!!

Sounds like you've had a very productive few days! Good for you for stopping at Subway after PT the other day. That's a great healthy choice!

I know what you mean about those snack, snack, snacky days! You make a good point about where you are in your recovery. You've made wonderful, wonderful gains, but this in-between time is hard. I can definitley see where the extra meals could be a help. Do you think you'd be up for a cook-and-freeze session? Then you could at least have a store. Re-reading your journal is a great idea too!

I've been meaning to ask--do you have the little mini bags of microwave popcorn up by you? They make them in the light flavors, but also in the "good" flavors too (movie theater butter, etc). I noticed that we're both popcorn fans--I've found the little mini bags help keep things a bit more under control, but they're darn tasty too!

I hope you have a great Friday and a wonderful start to your weekend. Stay in the shade!