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5/18/13 9:51 P

A shame you didn't get as far as you would have liked Tricia, but going again for a longer trip sounds a great idea.

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5/18/13 6:24 P

The funny thing is I think if I hadn't been worried about overcoming my illness, I might have bowed to the weather forecast. As it is we went, but it was 45 degrees out and raining. :P But at least I felt good enough to go. I don't know how far we might have gotten, but my niece was pretty cold and my sister in law has a circulatory disorder. She loves to bike, but just can't do the cold. So we did a total of 6 miles, which is like 10 kilometers. So, I didn't exactly earn an Italian restaurant meal, like I was maybe thinking. It was still further than I've ridden outside in many many years. And I think I will revisit that trail.

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5/17/13 11:32 P

Hey there everyone,

Rik I too am quite a home body, and have had bouts of agoraphobia (sp) several times in my life along with depression. This is quite independent of the fact that I am also an addict. :)
Once I got sober I thought everything would clear up, but I was more or less left with everything I had before I used alcohol to kill the pain of living.

I am 43 years sober now, one day at a time, thanks to AA and my Higher Power and many others who have helped me on my journey. There are assorted ways to get sober these days. At the time I got sober in Ireland it was pretty much either go to AA or the asylum. We had meetings there on a Sunday night and fear played a big part in my early years I can tell you. Going into that place and getting the doors double locked behind you really brought the message home to me. I was pretty much an emotional wreck when I hit AA, so it was kind of the end of the road. They offered me AA, permanent insanity or death. The choice wasn't great. lol.

I am so pleased you have joined our team.

Tricia that is not such happy news about your toddler. But high functioning does sound very hopeful and now that you have a diagnosis you can find out what is necessary to do the very best for him. You are such a caring Mom.

Thanks Leslie, as it turned out the heavens opened and it was pretty wet to say the least. So we decided to go to another place and had a great time in a warm and cosy atmosphere. Did a lot of walking for me, just as well because it was definitely a celebration meal - and was happy to get home around 5.30.

Keep up the good work Carol and Aurlie.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable weekend.


Edited by: -WISPY- at: 5/18/2013 (21:50)

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5/17/13 9:16 P

Goodness....I have been soooooo busy. I did get my lawn mowed and went to the ball game.Tomorrow morning is my kick boxing class then finishing my yard work (weed-eating) and also some house cleaning. Hopefully I'll get some rest on Sunday. However we have a chance if severe weather (tornadoes) on Sunday!

Have a great weekend
Carol

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5/17/13 5:22 P

Hi Everyone,
Trisha I hope you feel well enough to go on the ride. I commented on your blog and will hold you in my prayers. We are here for you.

Wispy, I hope you had a fun lunch with James. Hope the weather held out for you.

Aurlie, I hope your back is feeling better. I have not been one to have back problems, but this 3 week ache has really increased my compassion for those who have any back distress. I can imagine sitting is difficult!

Rik, good to see you. I had become so isolated at the end of my drinking. The freedom to get out among the world is a true blessing in sobriety.

Happy Friday all.

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5/17/13 1:10 P

I was able to get into a doctor after lunch yesterday and hope to feel better soon. I'm pretty achey. I'll be sad if I can't make it on that bike ride tomorrow. Last time I put up that much money weeks in advance. My husband is already not going, and if I don't go I would be surprised if my daughter goes. I guess I will have gotten a bike that fits me better out of the experience, at least.

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5/17/13 1:03 P

Hey there!
Thanks for the input. I will look for the group suggested. I more choose to be at home than it is a necessity...
I rely on my walking and public transportation to get around.
Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle on Monday. That has slowed me down a bit.

I am not complaining at all!
As soon as save enough, I am buying a decent bicycle.

The best to you and everyone!!!

one day at a time

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5/17/13 11:44 A

Aw, Tricia, I hope an official diagnosis helps you to feel better. Uncertainty can be so stressful. It's a blessing that his hearing is fine.

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5/16/13 3:00 P

My toddler was diagnosed with high functioning autism. They also checked his hearing, and he hears fine, so I guess we take what we can get. It's not a surprise. The doctor says many cases catch up by 1st or 5th grade. I remember being so worried about my oldest and now she's getting ready for college. I also have a fever probably from mastitis so I am now wishing I could remember more of what was said.

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5/16/13 12:02 A

Hi there everyone.

Rik not sure why you are shut in, but I belong to another awesome team for those of us who are disabled in any way. When I first joined Spark over 4 years ago it was one of the first teams I joined and found people who for one reason or another were also housebound or disabled in an assortment of ways physical and emotional. I fitted right on in there. I was in a wheel chair a lot at that time.

Great to see so many of us here. Hope the back pain eases up Aurlie and you too Leslie. Not a pleasant thing to have to contend with.

Tomorrow James (DS) and I are off out for lunch down on the waterfront. Sun is shining down and its a beautiful day, lets hope it stays fine for tomorrow - forecast is for more rain - but they are so often wrong. Here's hoping.

Sobriety one day at a time is the best thing ever. I so agree with your friend Ruth. That basic concept never changes for me.

Hugs to you all.

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5/15/13 11:24 P

Hi Team,
What a talented and accomplished group we are.
Aurlie, I'm sorry you have been experiencing back spasms. I have been experiencing the same in my upper back for 3 weeks. I finally decided to go to a chiropractor for the first time ever this afternoon. I am becoming more open to trying alternative medicine and preventative measures. It was very, very interesting. This doctor and his wife were wonderful. I'm hoping that some issues they discovered can be helped. I'm too old to be rebuilt, but sobriety is allowing me to correct one thing at a time.

Isn't it awesome?

Hang in there, working friends. The weekend is near.
Hug!

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5/15/13 6:36 P

Hello everyone...

Welcome Rik & Nell. Yep...Sparkpeople definitely works as does recovery! Hey...we are all living proof that miracles do happen. I'll be celebrating 23 years sober in September and 3 years on Sparks in August (2 years of maintenance). Both have saved my life!! I am so glad for everyone on this team!!

And again..I am rushing. I have a feeling that this summer is going to be hell on wheels...rush rush rush.

Have a great evening..I'll be back!
Carol

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5/15/13 5:23 P

Just a quick Spark while I'm waiting for my reports to run! It's good to see everyone here!

I'm gritting my teeth through some painful back spasms today -- might be stress-related.

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5/15/13 9:51 A

Hi everyone! I thought I posted Monday. How strange. Yesterday was really busy. I wound up changing the faucet on the kitchen sink. I started off annoyed but I am glad I have these skills.

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5/15/13 1:07 A

Hi Everyone,
I'm passing through (late) tonight. But I wanted to wish all congrats on another day sober. One day or a million days......my friend Ruth (51 years) always reminds us that we only have today.
This team knows the blessings of sober living and always has solutions.
Welcome Rik. We are glad you are here!
Nell, you are wise in the sober world and wise in the Spark world, so we are very glad you are here.
To the entire team, wishing you a smooth rest of your week. Extra prayers for serenity for you, Aurlie.
Hugs!

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5/14/13 10:56 P

I am simply new to the team!

I know the recovery program, although I admittedly have issues.

I also know that Spark works!

I have become sort of a shut in and looking forward to meeting folks.

Stay well!

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5/14/13 9:45 P

Hey there Rik and Nell so happy to have you with us.

Look forward to getting to know you. Are you just new to Spark, or new to Recovery Rik?

Amazing to have someone Day 1 and someone with 36 years joining on the same day, and all of us just free from addiction one day at a time.

Loving the kitty story, and how wonderful to have homes for all of them as well Aurlie, that can be a big problem over here.

The parrot story is so cute, good to see you Leslie.

Hi Carol and Tricia.

Wishing us all a good day.

Edited by: -WISPY- at: 5/14/2013 (21:46)

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5/14/13 7:03 P

Thanks, glad to be here!

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5/14/13 6:47 P

Hello everyone. I've been lurking here for awhile eavesdropping. Not much to share. My life is, for the time being, deliciously dull. I celebrated 36 years in February, the day after my youngest turned 38. Old and sober is a good combination.

I know some of you from the other thread, and I like the idea of meeting more Sparkers.

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5/14/13 6:37 P

Hey Rik..Welcome to our team. There is a lot of great support here!!

I'm passing through very quickly too...gotta go to a ball game! Later...have a great evening!

Carol

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5/14/13 1:06 P

Welcome, Rik!

Just passing through for a quick hello!

I've got about a dozen pending projects due today, but I'm waiting for someone else's action on each one first. Trying not to get overwhelmed by frustration! God grant me the serenity....

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5/13/13 9:57 P

Hi everyone!

I am doing well for day one.

Best wishes to all of you!

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5/13/13 6:45 P

Hello everyone...

Hope you all had a good weekend. Today was not too bad at work...for a Monday anyhow.

Leslie..hello. Good to hear from you. i know how it is sometimes...not enough hours in the day!

My Sparking is going to be a bit sparse for the next month. My 3 grand nieces are playing softball and Linda's 2 grand nephews are playing baseball. We want to go to some of the games. Some weeks there are games every night....so I'll be in and out. On gym nights...I don't know when I'll Spark.

Have a great week!

Edited by: AWESOMECAROL55 at: 5/13/2013 (18:45)

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5/13/13 4:29 P

Good to see you, Leslie! I hope you're taking care in the 100+degree heat! I love the idea of a parrot taking to your chickens!

One of the feral kitties we feel has blessed us with kittens recently. I hadn't realized the little Mama was a female, so it took me by surprise. The girl next door is terribly sweet and she's already found homes for them as soon as they're ready!

The workweek is crazy already, but I just took a walk on my lunch break. Now a minute to Spark and then back to the grind! Happy Monday Everyone!

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5/13/13 2:56 P

Hi Team,
I apologize for being absent. I've been Sparking (and sitting at the computer) less the past few weeks, but I hope to pep it back up again.
I've continued to log in food, exercise, etc. and have stayed on track for meeting my 600 mile goal for walking/jogging this year.

I've loved reading the chicken stories. We have had chickens in the past. I remember them fondly, but my grown boys remember them as nuisances. I loved the eggs we got. When my little sister lived with us after high school she brought her parrot with her. It was a green yellow nape, I think. It used to follow the chickens around the yard saying "hello, hello", expecting the chickens to answer. Precious.

I can certainly relate to the stress of helping our parents age. Having the support of my friends who are in the same place in life has helped me tremendously. Just like with Sparkpeople, the support system is so important.

Well, friends, have a blessed Monday. I am finding it more and more important to stay fit and healthy as I help our parents and my aunts and uncles transition into the end of life and also as I welcome grandchildren into the world. Energy and stamina are required for young and old.
Hug!!!

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5/12/13 12:22 P

I'm grateful I have my mom, and my mother in law and the many sponsors and mentors that have looked out for me, and my five sisters. I just have a treasure trove of wonder women in my life, including you all!!

I remember my grandmothers but they passed in their 90's and I was grateful for them; they apparently gave me really good genes. My Chinese grandma moved to America when she was in her 70's, I think, and my Utah grandma painted right up to the end.

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5/12/13 12:01 P

Happy Mother's Day....

Our yearly zoo membership is well worth the money. The zoo is one of my favorite places to walk. People watching is great there.

I'm getting ready to go to the cemetery and take some flowers to put on Moms grave....it's sad!

I've gotten in a lot of fitness this weekend. I've already been to the gym this morning for 90 minutes but I can't waste this beautiful weather. I think I'll take a walk later.....it'll give me time to reflect.

Have a a peaceful day!
Carol

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5/11/13 10:07 P

Sending love out to all on this special day. We are all affected in one way or another.

It is lovely and sunny with blue skies over here after all the rain. Cant believe summer is still with us.

Big hugs Wispy.

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5/11/13 9:05 P

Happy Mother's Day! I'm keeping myself as busy as possible so I don't get lost in sad thoughts. The weather is beautiful here. We went to the zoo again this morning -- it looks like I'm really getting my money out of that annual pass.

Be well everyone!

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5/11/13 11:19 A

Happy Mother's Day all....

It's lovely here....I plan on doing some mowing and yard work. My kick boxing class was great...worked up quite a sweat!

Have a great weekend!
Carol

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5/11/13 12:42 A

I'm just squeaking in a post here tonight. My husband's graduation was today. I got in a little sparking in the morning but didn't quite make the rounds I normally would. It's funny, he finished classes last month and doesn't get a diploma until grades are out in a few weeks, but today was the day with the outfits and the music and the standing in crowds. Then we went to Brazilian BBQ, and if my guesses are right I wound up inside calorie range today. I also wound up with a headache because it was the third day in a row of commercial food. So I missed working out, but I hope to play badminton with my middle schooler tomorrow and ride my bike.

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5/10/13 11:20 P

Hey there, Aurlie, we had a lovely day, thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

Enjoy the sun Carol.

Everyone have a good weekend. Its Saturday afternoon here and there are blue skies and lots of warm sunshine. So amazing for May that it is still so warm.

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5/10/13 4:16 P

Good Afternoon... SPRING IS HERE FINALLY!!!

What a day... something happened at work that totally blindsided me!! My boss announced to all the leadership in our dept, that I was going to be sent through training to become a Certified FAA Quality Assurance Inspector for our department. Okay...a huge compliment but it sounds very difficult and stressful! My boss said it would be great for my career!! Really... CAREER?? My career there is almost over...I'm want to retire. Anyway I guess it's good...only one person was selected...me! We don't have one currently in our dept. but have to comply so our company can go to the next level of certification Sure hope I can pass the class and tests...the FAA has rigid requirements!

Oh well...I don't know the details..when or how long. Maybe more money is coming!!

Have a great evening!
Carol

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5/10/13 11:52 A

Have a wonderful visit with your son, Wispy!

Has Spring finally arrived in your neighborhood, Carol?

It's looking bright and sunny here! Only 8 hours between me and the WEEKEND!

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5/9/13 6:50 P

Tomorrow is Friday...enjoy! I am ready for the weekend. I have a new Barbecue/Smoker to put together. My old one had seen better days!. Grilled veggies...yum yum!!

Have a great evening!
Carol

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5/9/13 12:24 A

Hi girls, well I've had a very busy day for me and it's now almost 4.30. Feel like I might have a snooze before evening. Unusual for me as I don't like sleeping during the day.

DS is coming for lunch tomorrow so the curry is all done. Always better the second day. So looking forward to seeing him as its a couple of weeks since we last lunched or maybe even longer.

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5/8/13 7:05 P

Wispy..thanks for sharing our story...it made me smile!!

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5/8/13 3:24 P

That's so cute, Wispy! We aren't allowed roosters, too near the city. So we've never had hatchlings.

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5/7/13 11:24 P

It's so good to hear from you, Wispy!

Sending prayers to all. Time for me to get back to my meditating this evening....

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5/7/13 9:23 P

Sending loving thoughts to all of you who are going through sad and difficult times and also suffering with ill health of one kind or another.

It is so sad to lose our pet hens Tricia. I was very attached to all mine, but had a very special pair called Bessie and Bertie. I really missed them when they had to leave because I was no longer able to take care of them. One year Bessie laid eggs in an armchair in the living room. This pair were very tame and in summer when all the windows were open they would spend a lot of time out on the front deck just sunning themselves. She must have spied that soft comfy chair and thought what a great place to have babies. Well I didn't have the heart to move her and Bertie came and sat beside her every night. When the chicks hatched it was just a delight. They of course thought of the living room as home and were just adorable. Happy memories.

It does take time Jen, to acclimatize to not being able to do what we were once able to and is very frustrating. I fought for a lone while, before it finally came to me (after a wake up call to reality from the specialist) that I needed to change my life style rather than try and get back to what I was like before.

I think for some of us the transition is easier than others. It involves so much letting go of our old life and filling the new one with things we can enjoy. Some really sensible people plan in advance for this by taking on new hobbies and lifestyles while they are still active, but many of us never think of it until a life style change becomes necessary.

Your family Jen is very blessed to have such a caring daughter who is willing to move closer to be near to them. Having a little more acreage will be wonderful. I know we have similar interests and that has been a great joy to me to have space and the quietness and slower pace of life.

I have two sons who live quite close and are very good to me also. This means so much as we get older and are no longer able to do the things we once did.

Hoping the weather will improve soon for you Carol and you get to mow. :)

Love to all.

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5/7/13 7:15 P

I live in close proximity to all my siblings. We all live in the same small town except 1 brother who lives 15 miles away. Of course my parents are deceased. I try to stay close to my nieces and their children.Since I have no children or grandchildren I find their company quite comforting!! I love the little ones!!

Mother's Day is almost here and I think of my mother quite often!

Have a good evening!
Carol

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5/7/13 3:03 P

I have eight step siblings and many nieces and nephews, but the closest of us still live about 40-45 minutes away from them.

Besides that, my boyfriend and I want to get out of the suburbs, anyway. We want a little bit of acreage (2-5 would be enough, I feel), and we want a quieter pace of life. I'd still be commuting to my current job, but I think overall, we'd be much happier. I think my mom would feel better if we were closer, too. She wants me to move in with them, which I'd gladly do if it wasn't for our cats.

Jen M.

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5/7/13 11:29 A

Wow, good luck with that, Jen. My parents both have children living in the same town as them (2,000 miles apart from each other.) I have never worried about them in that way.

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5/7/13 9:47 A

Carol, I'm glad you're doing better!

Aurlie, I think this past week was a wake up call for both of my parents. Probably for my mom moreso than my dad. Mom can be very hard headed, but Pop has learned to listen to his body. With congestive heart failure, you just have no other choice, because you CAN'T do much of anything, sometimes even WITH oxygen.

I know that--particularly when their minds are still sound--it's VERY hard for older people (and by "older", I mean elderly)--to let go of their lives as they used to be. It's very frustrating when you have to limit your activities, while your mind is just screaming out with things you believe you need to get done or just want to do. My mom and I talked about this on Saturday. We kids are not at all trying to control their lives. When I am there and not helping them with an immediate need, I'll ask them what THEY want to do about something. They still pay their own bills, etc. We kids are just trying to make sure that they are physically safe, both from harm and illness and that their needs are met. I know that aging is very hard, psychologically, so I'm doing a very delicate balancing act in order to respect them and their desires.

The conversation I had with my mom was very good. She said that she is feeling a LOT of resentment, but not toward anyone. She is frustrated, because her life is changing in a major way. I don't know if Pop feels the same way. Men can be so stoic and don't tend to talk about their feelings all that much. I DO know he realizes that we are doing everything we are doing out of love for both of them.

It's Tuesday, and I'm still bone tired! Wow.

Jen M.

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5/6/13 7:57 P

Jen, I'm so sorry about what you're going through. Lately, I find myself really missing family members I've lost. I've been reaching out to my nieces a bit -- I know they must be missing their Mom (my oldest sister) now that another Mother's Day is approaching.

Life is so precious. I find myself a bit frustrated by people that I believe aren't making an effort to tend to their health issues. I guess I'm just projecting my fears and making judgements about things I really don't know. Maybe prayer and meditation will help me put things in perspective.

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5/6/13 7:27 P

Tricia...sorry for your loss.

Jen..Glad to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear about the health of your parents! to you too!!

I am doing well..I was sick for a few weeks..Bronchitis but have recuperated and am back to my old self. I seriously did no fitness for almost 3 weeks....I had no energy & could not breathe. It drove me crazy but was a real eye opener!

I don't have a lot of time tonight but I'll be back tomorrow!
Carol

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5/6/13 1:46 P

Tricia, I'm very sorry for you and your husband's loss!

Hi, all. I have been away, because week before last, I was flattened with a nasty cold, and last week, I was dealing with crises with my parents.

Monday night, I got a call as I was driving home (I do not talk on the phone when I'm driving--I mean it came in while I was driving home) , and it was my step sister telling me that my step dad was in the hospital, and my mom needed me to go to their place right away. I ended up spending all of last week there. In that time, my mom also ended up in the hospital, and we found out she has the beginning stages of congestive heart failure. (Pop is stage 4 congestive heart failure.) It was a very busy week, and I am exhausted. It was mainly this one step sister and myself taking care of things. The other siblings are stepping up now, as we coordinate daily care of my parents. They are both now home and stabilized.

My boyfriend and I are thinking about buying a place out closer to them and selling my current home, but this won't happen overnight, so to speak. We need to do our research. I would most likely keep my current job, at least for a while. Right now, the closest of us kids lives 40 minutes away from them. I want to buy something closer than that.

So, I'm exhausted and have had very little desire to be online. Didn't mean to disappear on everyone! My diet and exercise plans are out the window, but hopefully, I can get back into the groove soon. I'm still not losing any weight.

Hope everyone is doing well!
Jen M.

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5/6/13 10:59 A

My husband's uncle passed away this morning. He'd struggled with cancer for years. He was a hero to my husband. We didn't live close so we only saw them for weddings and stuff. He was a very brave guy. Just makes me think about how important it is to let people know you love them.

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5/5/13 11:24 A

It's cool & dreary.....it's also misting and damp. We are in a rainy pattern. Tomorrow is the only dry day in the next week. Hopefully it will be dry enough to mow!

Have a great day!

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5/5/13 9:38 A

Feeling a little restless this morning. I woke up with some shoulder pain probably from lifting yesterday and took some ibuprofen.

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5/4/13 7:37 P

Way to go, Carol!

Tricia, so sorry about your hen. Two of my co-workers lost pets just this past week. It's really made me look at my critters closely and appreciate them. I hope your kids are able to put the loss in perspective.

Our temps hit 76 this afternoon -- 20 degrees cooler than yesterday. It's all good.

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5/4/13 5:16 P

Had a great kickboxing workout. Evidently..I am over my illness..no problems whatsoever. Well...other than my uncoordination which is normal LOL!

The weather is dreadful...our Spark people gathering was postponed. It was rainy, cold, and windy. We'll do it at a later date when the weather is nicer.!

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!
Carol

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5/4/13 3:45 P

On the other hand my favorite Goldfish I was worried about seems to have stabilized. This is why we didn't have pets for many years, the drama. And then we get fish and birds.

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5/3/13 7:58 P

LOL



Have a great weekend!!

Tricia...sorry about your hen...

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5/3/13 6:32 P

Our best laying hen died around midday. She'd stopped supporting weight on her legs a few days ago. My husband and daughter kept feeding her by hand, but I guess she was just done. It's mostly hard because we tried to save her for so long.

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5/3/13 3:04 P

This is for you, Carol!

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5/2/13 7:24 P

Hello everyone...

Some great thoughts on maintenance...Thanks for sharing!!

I am feeling quite well and getting in normal workouts now. I'm doing my kickboxing on Saturday morning. That will be a true test to see if I am fully recovered. Saturday afternoon I am meeting up with my friends from team Wichita! It will be some great fellowship and very motivating. Our team leader is a personal trainer now after losing weight and achieving her goal of good health. She is very inspiring!

Have a great Friday friends....

Aurlie..We have a chance of snow again tomorrow night and it did snow and sleet this morning but did not accumulate!

Carol

Edited by: AWESOMECAROL55 at: 5/2/2013 (19:25)

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5/2/13 6:05 P

I think a big difficulty in weight management is that the math doesn't work because all the numbers are estimations. I track my food in the nutrition tracker, but I don't go to the trouble of precisely weighing my food. I accept that a medium apple is 80 calories, but is my apple precisely medium? I accept that the average person burns about 100 calories per mile, but at 5'6" and 135 pounds I'm probably not average. Lean muscle mass burns more calories per minute than fat, how does that factor in?

I wore a BodyMedia monitor for a couple of years. It gathered data like activity, heart rate and body temperature to calculate calories burned, but it didn't have the ability to measure body fat to lean ratios. I used that information to look for trends and patterns rather than the actual numbers. It's more accurate than reading the calories-burned numbers on the machines at the gym, but it can't give the whole picture.

Metabolism relies on such a complicated set of hormones, fluid balance, minerals, activity, body composition, etc. Part of my job is data models and mathematical simulations -- everything is based on averages and who of us is really average?

I love this team where we're all so different and we're all finding what works for each of us. Just because the diet industry is so flawed is no reason for us to be overweight and/or unhealthy. We just need to stay educated and in tune with our own bodies.

Edited by: AJDOVER1 at: 5/2/2013 (18:10)

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5/2/13 3:37 P

My sister the doctor went to a presentation at a national diabetes conference and there was a guy with a data based model of metabolism. So not the equations we're used to using. Pretty interesting stuff. One of the takeaways was that in maintenance you have to watch the food intake (it was a calorie focused model) and use body weight as confirmation because apparently by the time the scale up, your metabolism has already slowed down.

But I guess that's why exercise is also so important. It burns the extra calories from daily metabolism (since I now weigh less) and it helps keep my mood up.

It's hard to limit food when I'm sick or in pain, Carol, I can totally relate to that.

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5/1/13 9:44 P

Hi girls,

Interesting Tricia, I did not realise it was two years before one was considered to be able to keep up permanently. But it does make sense to me. I have been maintaining ? for the last 14 months now, but have actually gained. I was following my eating plan which was fine for maintenance and enjoying it enormously. However after several months, I began to up the celebration days, not consciously but just how life worked out and got a craving for peanut butter.

Well I did gain, but was not worried about it and feeling fine and clothes still fitted..............
so here I am 1st of May.

Life is strange. I had no intention of even bothering to lose it again, as I have been maintaining the new higher weight for several months now. (I actually gained very quickly when I stopped using the plan - looking back - what was I thinking?)

It is strange I had no intention of starting to lose again, however as life thankfully would have it, 1st May, yesterday here I started back on my losing plan and am happy to say that I intend to get down to my lowest Spark weight again.

No idea how long it will take, am wondering if the same eating plan that got me there in the first place will work again. However that is what I started yesterday. I always do it one day at a time. Cant cope with thinking ahead.

My particular plan is food cycling ( 2 days low cal, 2 days low carb, 2 days low cal, 1 day celebration. That is what worked for me when I was losing about 15 months ago now.
So will just have to see if it still does.

So Day 1 yesterday. 1000 cals completed. Feeling good.

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5/1/13 6:31 P

Hello all...

Two years...I just hit two years in maintenance and I'm still not really confident that I have it figured out. I gained 3 lbs while I was sick..go figure. Funny my appetite didn't go away...just my fitness!! I'm back on track now and the scale is going down. I always said if I hit 120lbs I'd re-evaluate and get it under control before I turned around and weighed my old 235 lbs. Guess what ... I hit 121 a few days ago and it made me mad. So..I''m watching it and weighed 120.0 today. Hmmm...perhaps I'm a bit obsessive. I guess I didn't make 2 years of maintenance without doing the work and being aware!

Have a great evening!
Carol

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5/1/13 4:09 P

Wow, Tricia! Time seems to be passing too quickly -- 20 weeks already? It's interesting how maintenance is defined. Since my goal weight wasn't/isn't fixed, I've never made a transition into maintenance. I feel I'm in a good place with my weight today, though.

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5/1/13 10:24 A

Hi wispy!

I got to 20 weeks on my maintenance ticker and now I'm back in the middle. Somehow I didn't realize it did that. Of course, its 2 years before length of maintenance predicts continued maintenance.

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4/30/13 9:19 P

Hi girls, Aurlie that is wonderful news. Nothing like having our self esteem given a boost when we are appreciated for the hard work we do. I am so happy for you.

Hi Tricia and Carol.

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4/30/13 7:05 P

Hello all...

I got in 90 good minutes of fitness today! I didn't have any problems breathing or anything. I'm going to try to work myself up to kickboxing class on Saturday! We'll see.

Saturday afternoon I am meeting my spark friends from team Wichita for a talk and walk. I always look forward to the fellowship and inspiration I get from these gatherings!

Have a great evening friends
Carol

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4/30/13 4:17 P

That's good to hear, Aurlie! I know you wonder about the job sometimes so it's especially good for someone above you to recognize your worth.

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4/30/13 2:47 P

Woo Hoo, Carol! Glad you're feeling better! After I had the flu, it took weeks for me to get back to my earlier speeds. I didn't rush it, though.

Naps are good, Tricia! I probably hated them as a little kid. If I knew then what I know now....

My boss and I had a great talk this morning. While we normally share most tasks, there's one area of our business that has been entirely my responsibility. Last week, she stepped up to help me with part of that project. I gave her one clearly-defined task. Within hours, she was completely overwhelmed. She told me this morning that she finally realized how stressful that work was! Funny, I was kicking myself because I find it so difficult to multi-task when I'm doing that work. We came to the conclusion that we had both underestimated how hard that work was and it was time to give it more respect. It's nice to have a fresh perspective on this!

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4/30/13 10:33 A

I did a pretty good job on doing what needed to be done yesterday. Some things popped up that I hadn't planned on of course. One of the things I promised myself was a nap.

Glad to hear you're felling better Carol!

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4/29/13 6:51 P

I should be thinking about procrastination but I keep putting it off!



Yep...I'm feeling better!!

My little profile doggie looks like my little Murphy...minus the petals!

Wednesday night an 80% chance of rain mixed with SNOW...today 85 degrees..WHATEVER!

That's all I got...have a lovely evening!
Carol

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4/29/13 12:39 P

I've been thinking about procrastination, Tricia. For me, it seems to be an issue of prioritization. There are certain tasks I've been putting off for a long time -- I fill my time with lots of busy and productive work, but I haven't managed to make a dent in those particular tasks. I really need to get focused, but I let busy work get in the way.

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4/28/13 7:14 P

Yesterday in my meeting I mentioned how I am so impatient, and yet procrastination is a defect of character I struggle with. Maybe if I could be more patient with myself I would not be so resistant. Maybe. Though I've been thinking a lot lately about my recovery, how it seemed to come in a lightning bolt of realization. I dunno. Maybe some things are not like that.

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4/28/13 10:32 A

Good morning!

Carol, sounds like you're on the mend! Don't overdo it! (I'm loving your profile dogs)

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4/28/13 10:00 A

Good morning friends....

Have a beautiful Sunday in recovery.I plan on enjoying our beautiful weather and continuing to get well!

Enjoy your day!
Carol

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4/27/13 8:27 P

Hi girls, wishing your husband all the very best Tricia. Awaiting exam results is always a hard time. but it will be wonderful if passes his bar exams in July.

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