Good news, & working to stay positive

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Last night I took TWO of my 10-mg Amitriptyline pills--& I slept through the night with only a very short time of early-morning wakefulness!

I did wake up groggy & didn't get up earlier than usual as I had hoped. Probably my body will need some time to adjust to the new higher dosage.

The train was delayed this morning, so I transitioned to reading my current novel after my usual Bible reading & prayer. But by the time I switched to my second train, I was in a really bad mood. Thinking a bit, I realized that it was probably the grogginess + the novel I've been reading. It's a serious novel, The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing, but I DON'T LIKE IT; I find it annoying, & it's big & heavy so it weighs me down.

No more of that book! I've removed it from my bag & am going to leave it here in the office till next time I drive my car to work & thus have an easy way to carry heavy stuff home. I don't need to clutter my mind with a boring, depressing book no matter how famous/important it is.

I'm going to march to protest the Iraq war this evening after work. It will feel good to be outdoors giving some expression to what I believe.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 3/28/2008 12:00AM

Sorry to hear the new med regimen is causing grogginess in the morning. I hope it resolves. I still need to retype and resend that long e-mail that didn't get through. I know you'll explore options until you find what's right for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUPERMOM17 3/20/2008 11:50AM

Glad you recognized that the book was not the right one for you. I have a hard time not reading stuff all the way through, but there have been times when I've just had to say "enough," I don't like this book, it's depressing me, and I don't think it's good for me. Keep up the good work, and I hope you are able to enjoy some restful sleep. Joyce Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 3/19/2008 4:46PM

Glad to hear you slept better, and I agree, if it makes you feel bad, don't read it. Maybe you will get more execise in while you are marching??? Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment

From "Eat This, Not That"

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

* Worst Fast Food Meal: McDonald’s Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips with creamy ranch sauce. Chicken sounds healthy, but not at 870 calories.
* Worst Drink: Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo’d Power Smoothie. With 166 grams of sugar, you could have had eight servings of Ben & Jerry’s.
* Worst Supermarket Meal: Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie. One pie packs 64 grams of fat.
* Worst “Healthy” Burger: Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger. With 1,145 calories, not a very healthy choice.
* Worst Airport Snack: Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll. Packed with 813 hot gooey calories and 5 grams of trans fats.
* Worst Kids’ Meal: Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni ‘n Cheese. With 62 fat grams, it’s the equivalent of 1.5 full boxes of Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese.
* Worst Salad: On the Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef. A salad with 102 grams of fat and 2,410 mg of sodium.
* Worst Dessert: Chili’s Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. At 1,600 calories, it’s like eating the caloric equivalent of three Big Macs.

A great reminder of why we eat out seldom &, when we do, we choose NON-chain restaurants, usually some kind of Asian cuisine.

I think it's terribly irresponsible of these chain restaurants to design & market foods that are tantalizing but are making people unhealthy.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 3/27/2008 11:56PM

I agree. We don't eat out often for several reasons. One, my husband has watched his fat intake very closely since 1994 - had a cardiac arrest and learned about his coronary artery disease. Two, quite some time ago we decided it was not how we wanted to allocate the money it costs to eat out. The only thing on this list I've had is the Chili's desert. And that was when one of us had a birthday. We shared the desert about 6 ways, so maybe not too bad that way. I'll definitely keep the Macaroni Grill Mac and Cheese in mind if I ever take my granddaughter there. Thanks for the info Report Inappropriate Comment

SUPERMOM17 3/19/2008 2:34PM

Wow, Ruth. Thanks for the eye-opener. Joyce Comment edited on: 3/19/2008 2:33:25 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 3/19/2008 2:20PM

I agree to a point... i do not think they should make food sound healthy when it isn't. At the same time... if America did not buy the stuff, they would not make it, ya know?? It's a danged if you and danged if you don't kind of thing. Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment

Doctor visit, & being Mary

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I was able to get in to see my doctor this afternoon, & she sat & talked to me quite a while. We decided to increase my current medication for now (my dosage has been VERY low) & see whether that makes a difference. My recent insomnia is definitely related to the onset of menopause, but I don't want to go for hormone replacement therapy (estrogen/progesterone). My doctor says that in her experience, it only postpones the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. And health risks are now recognized. So no to that. If increased Amitriptyline doesn't work, we'll try some of the newer sleep aids or perhaps a newer antidepressant.

I am hopeful that SOMETHING will work.

This evening I went to church to practice the readers' theater play we're doing for Good Friday. I am reading the part of Mary the mother of Jesus. Every time I read this play, alone or practicing with others, it makes me cry. So powerful.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 3/27/2008 11:51PM

Ruth, you have my curiosity up about this play. I went back to the blog you gave the title of the play, wrote it down. Might try to see if I can access it somehow. You have so many wonderful experiences and activities. So glad I found you on spark people - you broaden my horizons. Truly you do! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 3/19/2008 9:27AM

I am really glad to hear that you are at least HOPEFUL that something will help you sleep better. I have no idea about menopause, so I cannot insert any opinion or thoughts on that one. I hope it isn't too bad for you. I love that the play you are in and reading the part of Mary is THAT powerful. it should be, ya know??? Have a wonderful day, my dear friend... I appreciate your support so much! Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment

+s & -s

Monday, March 17, 2008

I went running on Saturday! It was the first time in more than two months. (There was an unseasonably balmy weekend back in January . . . that feels like ages ago.) I was wearing three layers on top (T-shirt, sweatshirt, & sweat jacket) & still found the air quite chilly. That probably helped me to keep going! I stopped for 3 errands but basically ran about 2.5 miles in between. It felt great.

That night we went to a friend's birthday dinner, where I both ate & drank more than usual. So it's not surprising that I was up again on the scale this morning. Well, it'll come off; I don't normally eat that much!

I am struggling with insomnia once again. The medication that has helped me for years is no longer doing the trick. I'm thinking that it's time for a visit to my doctor, to request a referral to a sleep disorders clinic or something.

A plus, though: my husband & I decided that I should go to a really great writers workshop in Boston in the second half of June! Some excellent poets will be teaching, & I think it will be both challenging & nurturing for me.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 3/27/2008 11:33PM

You deserve the trip to Boston. You've worked hard for a special reward. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUPERMOM17 3/18/2008 9:13AM

Have fun in Boston, Ruth! Joyce Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 3/17/2008 2:41PM

You SOUND better today Ruth and I am so glad for that! I am happy to hear you enjoyed your run and also that you are not letting your little bit of weight gain get you down! Yes, DO go to the doctor and see about going to a sleep clinic, they can do wonders sometimes!!!! Your trip to Boston sounds AWESOME and exciting! Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment

Still hunkered!

Friday, March 14, 2008

But spring is STARTING to approach. :-) Chicago weather is a bit warmer, & I no longer have to wear my hiking boots for traction every day.

The big freelance project is still going; it needs to be finished by March 24, & that will be tight, but I'm hoping for the best. At work I spent a couple of hours this morning reorganizing my shelves to pitch a bunch of old stuff into recycling & open space for current projects. That has made me feel as if the current pileup of work is more doable--though it may be a happy illusion.

Several nice things that have happened recently:

1. I got invited to be the featured reader at the monthly poetry night at an area cafe! That's March 22. I'll be reading for 25-30 minutes; it will be fun to sit down with my poems & put together a good set.

2. Three of my poems were accepted for publication! The list of journals in which I've been published is growing slowly but surely . . .

3. I'm reading the part of Mary the mother of Jesus in a reader's theater at church on Good Friday. It's The Man Born to Be King, originally a radio drama by Dorothy Sayers (from the World War II era). I'm finding it very moving.

Haven't been able to do much extra exercise, but I'm maintaining my weight. A lifestyle that involves regular walking helps, I'm sure, plus I've been eating properly.

Better get back to work now!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 3/27/2008 11:30PM

I knew about most of this from our team page - but don't remember the Mary reading. How special is that! You're the best!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 3/14/2008 3:09PM

Ruth, so glad that signs of Spring are approaching in your area too! Sometimes being able to declutter some things helps me feel lighter too, i need to do that, yet, feel as if I do nto ahve time, crazy I know... one fo thsoe things I need to work on. Congratulations on all the publications and readings that are happening! It sounds AWESOME! I am happy for you. I love you dear friend, Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment