ENDOSCOPY TODAY! DAY 309

Monday, November 22, 2010

Well I had an endoscopy today to see what's up with my esophagus and acid reflux. I have a small hiatal hernia where the stomach meets the esophagus and I had a polyp removed. I am constantly swallowing and clearing my throat and coughing and choking. Doc says I am a candidate for the TIF procedure which makes the opening smaller and helps the gastric juices stay in the stomach instead of flushing back into the esophagus. Afterwards, I can only eat liquids for 2 weeks! That ought to make me lose some weight, the hard way.

A lot of times I think that when I think I am hungry, it is actually the acid reflux at work. I will also eat so that the food pushes down and clears my throat. So maybe this will help. I am waiting until after all the holiday parties. If I can hold my own on the eating, I'll be fine. Around the 16th of Dec maybe for surgery and then can't have Christmas dinner. There is never a good time so might as well get it over with at the end of the year. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PRAIRIECROCUS 11/23/2010 3:06AM

All the best, with your TIF procedure ! I hope that all will go well ! Report Inappropriate Comment

PMFISH 11/22/2010 2:54PM

My Mom and a friend had a hiatal hernia. Know they slept propped up until they found out about an aloe drink. Don't remember where they got it, but sure it would not take much research to find it. I remember both saying some were better than others, but they both got a lot of relief drinking that in their water. Healing vibes coming at up. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

QUILTING SESSION TODAY. DAY 307

Saturday, November 20, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

Today, I am attending what is called a quilting pig out where everyone who attends brings their machine and stuff they are working on to finish up and just help each other. I figured I would be doing some sewing today anyone so I paid the $15 to attend and to do a few projects. We are supposed to bring pot luck food to share so I am stopping and getting a subway sandwich for $5 that I know what is in it and take that. Can't imagine staying all day from 10 to 4:00 but you never know.
With all the parties ahead, I appreciate all the help and comments I get. And Donna said it best, there won't be anything at those parties that I can't get any day in the week so I don't have to eat it all. I think I just need to be sensible and do my best. May not lose weight in the next few weeks but if I can keep from gaining that is a bonus.
Have a great Saturday! We will be watching the FSU Maryland game tonight.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ILLINITEACHER52 11/24/2010 10:51AM

Way to go! Progress and fun at the same time! Report Inappropriate Comment

4DOGNIGHT 11/20/2010 6:32PM

The Pig Out was a lot of fun, lots of women with their quilting projects, fun to see what they were doing. I was able to finish 3 tops and get them ready for quilting! Cut out 2 backs and didn't eat much. Report Inappropriate Comment

ILLINITEACHER52 11/20/2010 6:01PM

Hope you had a great day sewing. I was wondering if the P-I-G out was referring to Projects in Grocery Sacks. Some people around here call UFOS (Unfinished Objects) PIGS. Let us know how it was. Report Inappropriate Comment

COLEENCOLE 11/20/2010 4:47PM

What a cool idea. As long as you are quilting you are not eating. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNYDAZE9 11/20/2010 12:47PM

It sounds like a wonderful day with your friends. I always enjoy those days when I can stay with one task without interruptions--laundry, telephone, etc. Enjoy your day. Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIECROCUS 11/20/2010 11:39AM

I hope that you'll all have a wonderful day ! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 11/20/2010 10:27AM

have fun. You will probably stay til 4 p.m. times goes quickly when you are chatting and doing with friends. Sounds like a great choice for lunch. Have fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCYRUBIO 11/20/2010 10:19AM

How about wearing a sign that says-if you see me eating pinch me. I really like what Donna said. It is so true. A Quilting party sounds like a good idea with just down to earth people. They will understand if you are honest about wanting to eat nutritional meals. Slowest Eater Team crottyn Report Inappropriate Comment

BEVPRESLEY 11/20/2010 9:34AM

The Quilting Pig Out sounds great. Wish we had one around here. I may have to check into starting one at the rec. Bringing your own lunch is a great idea too. Enjoy your game. Report Inappropriate Comment

PIG OUTS AHEAD! DAY 306

Friday, November 19, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

Hubby and I were going over our party planning for December and this is what we have ahead!

Dec3 First Friday Chamber Breakfast and Holiday party at my Sister's and she always has tons of food.

Dec4, Puerto Rican Festival, probably won't go.
Dec 5. Chamber Ambassadors Party and gift exchange. Food, food, food

Dec 7, I think there is something but can't remember what it is.

Dec 9, Host party with Chamber of Commerce, Food galore

Dec 12, Egg Nog Party at Yacht Club, Food again

Dec 14, Chamber Staff Christmas Party at our house catered by Golden Corral. Left over food probably is left here.

Dec 15, Cultural Awareness meeting and potluck at Chamber of Commerce

Dec 16 Retired Military Officer's Club Christmas Party dinner dance. (May not go)

Dec 17, Barbershop Chorus Christmas Party with food food food again.

Parties are over until Christmas. Might have the neighbors in but I doubt it. Probably be too pooped to do anything.

So you can see why it is difficult for me to lose weight. This is not a normal month but last night we were out again. I haven't cooked but one meal in 2 weeks. Next week on Wed we have the annual Chilil Supper at our church and of course Thanksgiving the next day. And then of course there is Christmas and New Year's Party.

Last night we had a Chamber business mixer. I started with a plateful of carrots and celery with blue cheese dressing. Should have skipped the dressing but oh, well. Then I filled my plate once with the rest of items and drank diet coke. At least I didn't pig out. Later.

Thought I'd share. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ILLINITEACHER52 11/20/2010 6:02PM

Good luck! It sounds like a lot of fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

COMPUCATHY 11/20/2010 8:34AM

I think the key, with the eating out, and the parties, is to make yourself educated and have some guidelines. Look for the fruits and veggies...stay away from the white breads, sweets, and fried items. Look for the grilled lean items (chicken is my favorite). We eat out a lot...but I always stay in range with my guidelines and the knowledge of calories for the food choices I have available. You can do it! Be determined! Keep sparking! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIECROCUS 11/20/2010 12:43AM

Keep up the good work ! Report Inappropriate Comment

TOWHEE 11/19/2010 10:39PM

Check with your local homeless shelter. They may be glad to have the leftovers from the Chamber Staff Christmas Party. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 11/19/2010 10:04AM

Congratulations on your good choices. You can have dressing, just count it. Sounds like a busy December. Remember there won't be anything at those tables that you can't get during the rest of the year. Remember food is fuel, not an event. Report Inappropriate Comment

TINY67 11/19/2010 8:26AM

sounds like you have everything under control. Report Inappropriate Comment

CATCHING UP DAY! DAY 306

Thursday, November 18, 2010

LEARN TO BE CALM AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY!

Well, I'm home today catching up as I am having my van logo put on that was supposed to be done in May. I'm the only one driving around here so it didn't matter that much to me but if I want to get a bonus, I have to comply. International Franchise rules. I don't mind, maybe I'll have a ribbon cutting.

WEll, I rejoined WW last week and we ate out every night and when I weighed in on Tuesdy, I was the same. Not bad considering we ate out EVERY night. This week is not much better as we attend so many functions and ribbon cuttings where there is food. I'm eating less of it though so that is good. I figure it is dinner and I don't have to cook. Monday night, there was a lovely hors doeuvres buffet and I ate a plate and I had one lemon square, about 1 ". I stood by the tray of sweet goodies and didin't succumb. Good for me. Last night we were out and tonight we are out and Friday we will be out. I'm just trying to eat sensibly and less of it.

I do appreciate the WW meetings as they are encouraging. Maybe today, I can track my points. I continue to quilt, spending way too much money on magazines and kits. I bought a really cute three wise men wall hanging and nearly finished it. They are really the three wise guys, so cute. I figure that I can also make a wall hanging with the left over scraps and some of my stash so I'll get 2 out of one pattern. I finished my underground railroad quilt and now need to get it quilted. I'll pay for that. This is an expensive hobby as I've said before. Maybe I'll get a better sewing machine someday.

I've got a lot of work catching up and bill paying to do so later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PRAIRIECROCUS 11/18/2010 11:55PM

All the best with all your projects ! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARSHASTAR 11/18/2010 10:55AM

I bet YOU are the motivational one at the WW meetings! I'm always inspired by your blogs. why? because you are so busy all the time. I just get energy reading what you write. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 11/18/2010 10:33AM

congratulations on making wonderful food choices. Maybe just staying the same weight during the holiday is a sencible goal for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

JHADZHIA 11/18/2010 9:55AM

Well done avoiding temptations with all those functions out!! Not so sure I would be so successful! Lemon square, oh boy!!! Good luck with Weight Watchers! I find Spark People is all I need and being free besides is a bonus. But it does take time to track and I suppose the points are easier and a lot quicker when you are so busy! Enjoy your Thursday! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNDAY MUSINGS! DAY 302

Sunday, November 14, 2010

We are skipping church today because my hubby got in early (2 a.m.) from the FSU/Clemson football game. (Go Noles. We won!) He's a little tired and just wants to take it easy. This is very unusual for us as we go to church every week but both of us feel like a day off today!

Last night I attended the NAACP Annual Banquet. To say the least, it was interesting. More than half the seats were empty even though the absentees had paid $50 per meal. Some kind of free concert going on. I felt like the only Republican in the room and the speaker was obviously not a Republican. Guess I know how it feels when my democratic friends are in the room when the talk is about politics and the participants are heavily republican. Politics really ought to be kept out of friendship. I went because hubby had gone to the game and my friend Pat is black and a member and I went with her.

I was never a political junkee but the recent goings on in Washington have inspired me to glue myself to Fox News and get involved. What I really didn't like about last nights speaker was that I felt like she ( as a member of the national NAACP) was promoting the institution of racism, trying to keep alive the notion that racism still exists (yes it does) and that the NAACP exists to fight it. Yes, this is probably all true, however, you are not going to change the opinions of people by shoving it down their throats. I thought her whole speech was negative in that way and it was all I could do to keep from getting up and walking out. But I was good and I said nothing. I was sitting next to a recently elected Republican Country Commissioner so I wonder how he perceived it.

I try to understand what it is that keeps these people fiercely committed to Barak Obama and his politics. If the only reason is that he is our first black president, than that is racist in itself. If they really believe that the rich should pay for the poor, I can't agree with that. I think our government should be fiscally responsible and not get into any more debt. We need to balance our budget and not spend more than we take in. And not impose any more taxes.

I shouldn't be talking like this and I apologize if I offend anyone but I really would like to seek understanding on this subject and be able to converse with someone in a sensible fashion without either getting angry. The speaker's first paragraph included a statement that the recent election brought out people who wanted to take back our country! Yes, that makes sense to me in that we want fiscal responsibility. In her interpretation, I felt like she was saying that in taking back the country, we were going to instill racism again in a big way. Not even a close idea. Racism has nothing to do with it.

Oh, well, I'll get off my political bandwagon and do something productive, like clean off the bar in the kitchen. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KHADEEJAH1 11/18/2010 7:25AM

I think in government they are all crooks. They steal from us and it is all legal. Someone is always in your pocketbook. In these peoples mind money makes the world go round. If you have some you move forward if you don't tough cookies. And yes racism still exist whether you're on the receiving end or dishing it out. Open your eyes, look around you and don't be blind just because you don't want to see. Racism is an ugly characteristic. How many human beings do you know who want to be viewed as ugly? Report Inappropriate Comment

HEWIES 11/16/2010 9:13AM

Fox news is not unfair. All voices are heard on that station which is why more people watch Fox than any other. If you are interested in conservative conversation check out a tea party or listen to conservative talk radio...Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, Levin, and others. Report Inappropriate Comment

KAKIPOPUP 11/14/2010 1:28PM

I think it is sad that we can no longer have discussions about our differences - In the interests of full disclosure, I am a Liberal Democrat who supports President Obama. I don't know where all the Republicans were when President Bush was spending the surplus like there was no tomorrow (both by starting 2 wars and by cutting taxes at the same time - President Johnson (Democrat) tried to do this during the 1960's with VietNam and the Great Society and it didn't work then either and got us stuck with a stagnant economy during the 1970's. I know that prevention of problems tends to cost way less than dealing with their consequences, so I support government programs that support people. We pay for the poor regardless, and considering that poverty is disproportionate, there is an "ism" aspect to it. If you are going to watch Fox News (which is most definitely unfair and very biased), you should also watch MSNBC (which is equally as unfair and biased, but in the opposite direction) so that you hear both perspectives on the issues. The question that I have for all who advocate downsizing government is: what are you personally prepared to give up? Whether you are aware of it or not, you benefit directly from services provided by government at all levels, just as all of us do. Just some thoughts - I wish you well - Take care of yourself, and may your journey be successful! Report Inappropriate Comment