Sorry I was MIA this weekend. I was busy, frustrated, busy, busy, and oh yeah, did I mention busy?
I was determined to put up the tree Friday evening, so I borrowed my mom's multi-color (my favorite) pre-lit tree on my way home from work. Mom joined the kids and I for a quick dinner at the Club and then we went home to do the tree!!! But of course, over 1/2 of the lights didn't work, so I decided to go out and buy a new pre-lit one. Went to Target, the only multi-color was ugly and cheap looking, so we went to Menard's. I did find one tree there I liked and hey, all the trees are on sale. I don't consider down from $280 to $250 a big sale. It even had white lights, but I liked it, but I'm not willing to spend that much. I already have one regular (non lit) tree and one pre-lit whose lights are halfway working in my basement. So, off to Wal-Mart where I didn't really like anything either. So I bought 10 strings of new multi-color tiny lights and went home. By the time I picked up DD at my mom's house, I was too tired to do any decorating. So by now, I am 13 days to Christmas without a tree.
So on Saturday a.m. I went to Zumba, came home and tried to watch a Disney videocast I was wanting to see. But no, it was on at 12:00 EST, and I logged in at 11:55 CST and missed the whole thing. By this time I had had my DS bring up the regular "fake" tree and I got started on it. However, it seemd I was unable to assemble a simple tree stand. When my mom came to get DD (they were going to bake), mom offered to take me out and buy me a tree. I declined and after everyone left I was finally able to get tree assembled and lit. We still only have 2 boxes of ornments on the tree. After assembling the tree, I had to bake a dessert for the Boy Scout Court of Honor, so I mixed up cut-out sugar cookies (and didn't eat any dough). It was then time for church. After church I came home and baked the cookies.
Sunday was also busy, since I had to frost the cookies. I also made some cupcakes since I had so much left over frosting. DD had a soccer game and we then ran a couple of errands. After that we frosted the cupcakes and went to Court of Honor, where I had 3 choices of things to eat. (Does anyone feel my pity party right now?) After COH the kids decorated the tree with the aforementioned 2 boxes of ornaments and by then DD tells me she has a spelling test to study for. Thank goodness they were all bonus words because I finally gave up. She was tired and unable to concentrate. I don't know if she got even one right on the test.
Oh well.
Monday and Tuesday were full of shopping and running around. We went to St. Louis yesterday and finished all of our Christmas shopping. So now I just need to wrap 37 gifts and finish decorating a tree. Plus, 6 days after Christmas we leave on vacation. As you may have guessed, I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed.
Like Nell, I am struggling with the carb dams and think after we get back from vacation I am going to go back on Stage 1 for a while also. I really enjoy the carbs on Stage 2, but I can't seem to get the timing correct.
Well, enough about my pity party, I need to check in with all of you.
Beverly, Were you the one with the banana-pineapple bread recipe? Could you please send it to me here?
Yes, I have the banana pineapple bread recipe. I need to remember to post it when I get home today.
What a cutie!
I have to pick up the B-100 Diane told me to start taking for the cortisol issue, and thought I would get some of the 99mg potassium too.
Maybe I'll try this too. My belly fat doesn't seem to be deflating much either.
Good morning/afternoon. We are on our way out shortly. I wanted to say hello. I'm afraid everyone is mad at me for not doing the list well enough. I'm having Chinese food today and am planning on doing step one for 3-4 days to clean out starting tomorrow. Unless anyone thinks that is a bad idea. I'll talk to everyone later. I hope there aren't too many accidents in this weather and people out shopping.
Nell - nobody is mad about the list. We all know that nobody is perfect (well not in the last 2000 years at least). We love you for you.
Tom's Mom was hospitalized last night with chest pains and high blood pressure. This has happened many times before and required adjustments to her meds so hoping that's all it is. She didn't have a heart attack. I'm waiting for him to call me from the hospital now. Prayers would be appreciated. Her name is Ann and she is 85.
Update: She ate a big breakfast and seems fine. We don't know what time the doctor will make his rounds and the nurse won't say anything.
Wishes and prayers for you and your family and MIL.
Hi all. Not much going on here. Just in a really nasty mood again. Won't go into details. Just can't understand why people can't clean up after themselves.
If you figure out the answer to this age old question, let me know!
Hi All--quick catch up, busy weekend! Moms back in the hospital for her atrial fibulation (racing heart). Getting her meds straightened out. she feels good, just bored!
Sorry your mom is back in the hospital, but glad she is feeling better.
Just received this e-mail from Gena which she asked me to post here for her, as she couldnt log into the site today. Just to let you all know that I responded that she should NOT be sorry, and just enjoy the cards she receives...as we know what a difficult time she is having these days...
Robin,
I tried to get on the MM website and said I was logged on but still couldn't post. Please copy and paste this for me.
Dear MM Warriors,
I must apologize for putting my name on the Christmas list as I will not be able to get cards out. The last two months have been awful to say the least. The week of Thanksgiving my Dad could no longer get out of bed due to weakness. He had not eaten all week. I was getting a neighbor and my husband to go out twice a day to lift him up and change sheets. On that Friday I went to the Ranch and called the ambulance . He was furious with me and I told him if he could get up I would cancel it. When they arrived I gave them my power of attorney so they took him on to the hospital. He was there 5 days..........biggest problem malnutrition, dehydration, and low potassium. Nothing major that they have found yet. Has lost 50 pounds in the last 4 months. From there we went to the nursing home. He continues to get stronger which is good but is having lots of confusion. In the hospital he was hallucinating due to all the drinking. I hope he gets better, but not too good or he can check himself out and this madness starts all over again. Besides going to see him once or twice if needed I go to his ranch to pay bills and do other things. I am hanging on to what sanity I have with God's Grace and nothing else.
I hope everyone has a Happy Safe Holiday. Thank you Robin for posting this. I hope Ken gets home soon!!
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My prayers are with Gena.
I'm being as steadfast as I can. In the past, once I got this close to goal, my pea-brain would start telling me nasty little lies "it's ok to have a little icecream, you've been sooo good", "you look so much better, you can have pasta once in awhile". I've lost 50 pounds more than 5 times over the years. It's keeping it off that will win the war. That's where you all will continue to be so important
Isn't it awful how we sabotage ourselves?
People are starting to give me compliments. My manicurist told me my best friend told her (still with me?) that I had lost a bunch of weight. Funny thing is, my best friend didn't tell me, LOL! My manicurist was really sweet and said she noticed last week for sure. That was nice.
Glad to hear your friends are noticing. She probably didn't say something directly to you for fear that you would ask how she is doing on the program.
Wow, its kind of nice to be home from the gym by 11pm!! There is some talk of new shift bids coming up after the first of the year, so if theres a chance I might be able to change shifts I may be able to get a noon to 8:30, or a 1 to 9pm...its amazing how much difference that hour makes at the end of the day...I wouldnt miss the lost morning hour, and the earlier hour home would help with my sleep schedule for sure!
I was totally amazed myself today...pulled out my black dress pants to wear to the luncheon and they are actually loose! Even loose in the waist! OMG, thats totally incredible...legs are way baggy, and the last time I wore them about a month ago the waist was definitely tight...I LOVE step 1 !!!
Barb - I am totally cracking up here! The Farmer and the Nell!!
Robin - Good luck on getting the shift you would like. YEA! on the pants fitting better. Did you end up weighing at the fitness club? How did it go?
Barb - the Farmer and the Nell is too funny
It's so weird how this plan works! I've lost only 4 pounds since re-starting step1 a month ago. But, some of the pants I was saving to fit into are already too big??!! My waist is my biggest problem (pun intended). I tried some new pants on this morning to see if the waist fit yet. The waist is great but the hips, thighs and butt are way too big. All this in a month?
I'm used to judging my weight successes by the scale. I'm slowly realizing that I need to take my own advice (and Dianes) and trust my pants
If my final goal pants (The Lee slacks, Lisa) fit sooner than my scale goal, I'm done
Barb - great job on the fit!
My neice is still in the ICU. She is still on the ventilator so they are putting a tube in her trachea so she will be more comfortable. She turned 22 on Sunday.
Chloe got home last night. She will be home for five weeks!
I got the results for my blood work done. The bad news is that my Graves Disease is acting up and my thyroid is a little hyper. Not as bad as it was three years ago but I have to go on medication to slow it down some. The doctor still thinks I should consider killing my thyroid with radiation or having it removed surgically..... I am going to continue to try to control it with medication for now. The good news is that my chlosteral and blood sugar numbers were all good.
I am sorry that I have been too busy to check in much. I think about each and every one of you!
Kate - sorry your niece is still in ICU, but it sounds like she is finally on the mend. Glad to hear that Chloe made it through the airport again! Good luck with your Graves Disease. I hope you can get it regulated.
Well, at least Dennis got to come home for a few days....unfotunately threw a bunch of blood clots in his foot that traveled up his leg in a matter of minutes last night, so back in the hospital for emergency surgery at 3am...now in ICU and things are pretty grave...they have told the hospital folks I am his sister, so I will be going to the hospital in the morning on my way to work to see him....prayers still needed there...
Robin - so sorry to hear about Dennis. I just said another prayer for him and Rick and you.
Quick Morning Check in - Dennis had a bad night and they want me to come as soon as I can, so I am showered and heading out the door for the hospital...Please dont let this happen to him at Christmas time...it would be so hard for Rick in the years to come...Thanks for the continued prayers and all of YOU.
Let us know how it is going.
Carol, Natalie, Jocelyn - it's good to see you back.
Lisa and Kathy - don't overdo too much with your CFS. You need to save some energy for Christmas.
I hope I didn't miss anyone. If I did, know it wasn't intentional.
Thanks to all of you for the Christmas cards. It is really nice to "see" and "hear" from all of you. I do have to check my display every day because the kids grab the cards, open them and attach them to the door frame before I can see who they are from. Obviously a synonym for "mom" is "total lack of privacy."
Well, back to work, I'll check back in later.
I hope you are able to enjoy Christmas and some downtime soon. Hopefully your vacation will be relaxed and enjoyable
It's been three days and my liver is clean now. 
You are definitely their angel.
I hope everything is up and runnung soon 
