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Hi all! Didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted..... Had some stuff going on that left me feeling less than sociable (I had been checking in on everyone though). I'll try to be a bit more regular again. Just wanted to be sure to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, before everyone headed to their destinations. or their guests arrived.
I am still hanging in there... may be starting back to work in about 2 weeks, just 4 hrs. a night to start. I've been trying to build up to it by walking in my neighborhood (I need to get used to walking on cement a lot). My foot is improving, but not real happy about walking the streets... Oh well! At least the hole is finally pretty much closed up. The knee has made some complaints too, but that was to be expected... still have a few more months till it should feel more normal (can't wait!!!). I finally uploaded a picture, in honor of Thanksgiving.... hahaha!!
I'll check in again soon.... I've missed chatting with everyone!

Howdy, everyone! It’s been another busy day. Did half my grocery shopping for turkey day, will finish that tomorrow. Also went to Wal*Mart for cleaning supplies and ‘scripts. Am ready to rest, but I still need to tackle the Last Chance Workout for the challenge.

My plan for Thanksgiving, that has worked well the last two years, is to remind myself I’m there at the table to spend time with my family, NOT the food. So I take a little bit of what I like, keeping in mind the serving size I will have to keep track of when I get back home, and ignore the stuff I don’t like or can make any time. Then I do more talking than eating…

Believe it or not, this works for me.

Lynn: yes, I do remember albums, still have a bunch even though we have nothing to play them on. I found out from doing the GOYBADs on the challenge, that if you Youtube a song, similar songs will come up. So I did one Roy Orbinson song, and a bunch more came up, plus some Johnny Cash. Lots of fun.

No, the streak doesn’t have to be over, but I’m trying to be realistic. I know a lot of chocolate goodies will be around during Christmas, and while I will try hard to keep them at bay, I don’t know if I’ll be able to. The 3-week streak I’ve been on was just to see if I could, and to stay away from the Halloween candy. Maybe I should do this sort of thing every time I find myself getting in a certain goodie more than I should. Like if I have a donut one day, then think the next: I should have another because that tasted so good!! I tend to go in cycles with sweets.

And for me, some things just can’t be done in moderation. That is why I refuse to buy Oreos anymore ~ I will eat them until I’m sick. Ed is the same way with Cheez-its, so I don’t buy those anymore, either.

I LUV York, but if I have a bag, I usually don’t stop at the allowance. It’s more expensive, but better for me, to just buy one on the way to work, so once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Shirley: yeah, my two boys are total opposites, too. Except Andy is just like Ed, and Nick is pretty much like me, except for the male laziness. Well, I tend to be lazy, too, but have found ways to bribe myself to get stuff done everyday. The guys don’t understand it, but it works for me.

Laurie: glad you arrived safely. I’ll try not to be envious when I’m warming up the car and scraping the windshield tomorrow morning!!

Becca

Thank goodness, Round one of pre-ops and the most stressful in my opinion is over, after taking many vials of blood and everything else I was finished. So glad that is over with. My blood pressure was sky high when I got there but the PA took it later on and it had come down to 126/84, she was happy with that. I also had some bad news this morning so that made it even worse. I finally got to eat something after 3:00, after all of that and then found out I didn't have to fast after all, but it ended up being okay because she just took advantage of me fasting and ran a bunch of blood work. Fine with me I have met my deductible for this year so hopefully the charge will be minimal.

Now, I want to go and take a nap or go veg out in front of the TV for awhile is how I am feeling but I am about half way through my list of things I wanted to get done today. I guess it will get done sooner or later and I am sure dh will be working a little late tonight, plus he will have to battle traffic on way home.

I keep thinking about a year ago today and how we were on our way to Missouri to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Both my kids were there and it was wonderful. Sure am missing it this year.

Now my youngest son who lives in Florida who I thought was going to come and see me after surgery sent me a text that now he wants to know if they can come Dec. 8th and 9th. My surgery is the 10th. I just can't see me doing it. It breaks my heart because I really want to see them but that weekend I feel like is just the worst weekend, I will need to be finishing up last minute things and packing. Plus I know I will be an emotional wreck and I just don't think I am going to be up to company. Going to talk to dh tonight when he gets home and see what he says. I asked my best friend what she thought I should do and she said to tell him no. I am so torn.

I hope you have a great time with your family Laurie, so glad you didn't get stranded in Atlanta.

I went to the Christian bookstore before my appt. to try and find a Chicken Soup for the Soul book to take to the hospital, they unfortunately don't carry them anymore, I was telling the sales girl that I wanted something to take to the hospital that had short, simple, inspirational stories and she found the perfect book for me in the end, when she rang me up she handed me a notebook and told me that if I would like to write down my name and the date of my surgery that they would pray for me. I was so touched by that, I nearly started to cry.

Hope everyone has a good afternoon, will check in later. Shirley

Hi Laurie -- enjoy your family!!! Glad you had a good trip and that you checked in with us!! (yep I'd have been starving by then as well!!)

Will check back later team - am busy printing out recipes for recipes - I've already bought theingredients -- now I need the 'directions' on how to put it all together!!

Greetings from a warm, sunny Florida afternoon. Yesterday's flight went OK, but we were starving by the time we got here. Our connection was really close in Atlanta and by the time we got to our gate they were already boarding. Soooo...breakfast at 8:00, peanuts and pretzels at 30,000 feet, with a couple peppermint Life Savers and chocolate-covered espresso beans for good measure. My SIL's meatloaf really tasted good by the time dinnertime arrived!

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Don't know how often I'll be checking this week!

Oh Becca, I can so relate to your dilemma with unhelpful men! When I was married before I had a very unhelpful husband and two ds who didn't want to help either, they had the same idea as yours, "it looks just fine the way it is, who cares. Oh yeah we'll help" yep 10 mins. before people show up. My youngest ds, wow, when he would get in the mood he could clean up a storm and he did a good job. So this summer when we went to visit him and my dil, He was the one cleaning up the kitchen! I am very proud of him, I sent him off to college, able to cook a gourmet meal, clean and do laundry and he graduated with honors. I am proud of oldest ds too, but he is the TOTAL opposite of his younger brother, I just shake my head and wonder if he wasn't switched at birth or something, not only don't they even look alike, they have totally different personalities, life goals etc. and where my youngest is clean shaven and short hair, the oldest has hippie hair, tatoos and unfortuntley smokes too. Not good when heart disease and diabetes run in the "ex's" family and my ex has had 3 heart attacks, one was so massive that he had to be life flighted and they really didn't expect him to live. So yeah Becca, I can relate to what you are going through and I feel your pain and frustration. Vent if you must, I don't mind listening.

Good luck with the organization thing Lynn, that would be my dream to hire someone to get me organized at home. Just not motivated to do it on my own.

Off to work I went this morning. DH actually got up with me at 5:30 and walked me out to the parking lot and made sure I was safely on my way. I made the bed before I left so he wouldn't be tempted to get back in it. Heehee!!! : ) He got a lot accomplished and came to pick me up a little after 12 to go to lunch. We were hoping the superintendent would let us leave early like previous years but she hadn't by then, so we all went to lunch, I am on my way back to the office and one of my co-workers calls and tells me that she had announced at 12:59 that the school district would be closing at 1:00!!!!! By the time I got to the office they had shut down my computer and shut off the lights, I ran in and grabbed my jacket and home we went. DH and I have a had a pleasant afternoon together and he made chili for dinner. So that was my day. I did get something accomplished at work but sure didn't want to be there.

Everyone please be in prayer for me, tomorrow is my first pre-op. Kind of anxious anyway, but lately my blood pressure has been borderline. So afraid that it is going to be through the roof. At least I will have a relaxing morning at home and won't be rushing. I will be starved though, have to fast and my appt. isn't until 1:30!

I am so glad to be off for a couple of days and away from all the stress at work! I hope to get a lot accomplished around here. Hope everyone has a good evening. will let you know how pre-op goes tomorrow.
Shirley

Good afternoon all --

Shirley -- so glad you have found someone to talk -- walk? with through SP...that is always so helpful. I'm thinking about going to the SP rally here in IN in January -- I am just concerned about the weather that time of year...but we shall see. I know my office is a bit cluttery -- only I use it but it has too much stuff for the area...I know that but trying to figure out what to keep and what to go is overwhelming sometimes. I have a desk that my father built back in shop class in HS - so it's over 60 years old! It's my scrapbooking desk and I plan on keeping it. Along those lines I sent out an email to a lady who has a business as as professional organizer...heard back from her but haven't since I responded....so I'm hoping if it's not TOO expensive to hire her - I'd like for her to come and tell me what I need to make this room more peaceful (closed in areas - some from clutter - some from being a small room -- makes me crazy sometimes!!)

Ahhh Becca - I do love Roy Orbison too...used to have an 'record album ' (remember those??) of his songs that belong to a friend of mine...I had it for like 2-3 years!! But he finally came and claimed it....sigggghhhhh....I empathize with you and having all men in the house to help at Thanksgiving....and yep that sounds like one who thinks it can be all done 10 minutes b/f people arrive....drives ya crazy doesn't it?? (My son and his father are JUST like that!!)
And your challenge may be over - but does your streak have to be done??? I, for one, am one who believes all foods are allowable -- just in moderation...so is there a way you can do that in a way that you are comfortable with and keeps you within your limits?? I think I've discussed here b/f that miniature york mint patties are my THING....have a bag in the drawer right next to me right now! A serving is 3 patties for 150 calories....I have been able to have just a serving a day everyday and stay within my limits -- now....have I done that EVERY day...NO...but I know if they weren't there or if I knew I could not have them...I would have gone and found something else -- prob. with even more calories....so - to me - they are my test of control - yes but they are also my 'treat with limits'. I was just sitting here thinking I brought home from my daughters birthday party on Sat...a cake donut with chocolate frosting - a BIGGGGG favorite in my unhealthy days ....guess what ?? It's STILL there....I haven't touched it!! That amazes even me....so I'll either have to throw it away or decide how I want to eat/use it....might have it in halves....or bites....the choice is mine....and that's what works for me. OK there's my food sermon for the day!! LOL....I like that you ladies make me think sometimes (yeah I ONLY think sometimes not ALL the time!!!) and I appreciate that!! We all learn something from each other. Love SP!!!!

Will try to check back later...

Listening to the ever-romantic Rob Orbison. I’m really charged up this afternoon, ready to finish the weekend challenge with a great score, ready to put the test of James, my PT, since he missed the last two sessions…

But I do have to admit that now the end of my chocolate streak is upon us, it’s all I seem to think about. Avoided it yesterday, even tho’ a bag of Lindor truffles, my FAV, were working their way around the room while we were bagging up food.

Lynn: good choices with the pizza!! I had some yesterday, too, but only 2 small slices of cheese.

Shirley: trying to get my kitchen & living room “company ready” for Friday, but I’m not getting a lot of help from the MEN. They’d rather wait until 10 minutes before company comes, then toss everything into the office. Can’t keep doing that because this room is a disaster area already, from doing that in the past.

Becca

Hello everyone,
Becca, your days just wear me out reading about them, you are the busiest person I have ever met. :) Good for you for keeping so busy!

I try to be organized, I do pretty good at work, but home that's a whole nother ball game right there, I would hate for any of you to see my office area, what a wreck, but it's on the list to get cleaned up this week! Will have to because my dh bought me a new desktop computer for Christmas, now I just have to find someone to set it up for me, we are not very technical at our house I am afraid! Maybe I need to dig out that FlyLady book and take a look at it again. Our office lacks light I think that's my biggest problem, it's dark and kind of overcrowded and with two computers, two bookcases, all of dh's paper clutter, two filing cabinets and my scrapbooking area, we have a lot crammed in here. It's also the hottest or coldest room in the house depending on the season for some reason.

I did get a lot done yesterday, I should have been exhausted but then didn't sleep well last night, I guess it's because my back has been bothering me and I just couldn't get comfortable. After waking up and tossing and turning several times I did manage to sleep until nearly 8:00, which is very unusual for me lately. Yep, I guess I am nesting, I just have this overwhelming desire to have everything in place and done before surgery, I am stressed enough without worrying about this little last minute stuff. When I found out I was having surgery I immediately started thinking and making multiple lists of everything I knew I was going to need and have done. I want to do a little cooking and freeze a little bit (as much as I can squeeze in our small freezer that is) so dh won't be so stressed those first few days he goes back to work. I guess this is the advantage of having done this before, knowing what to expect and what I could have done to make things easier.

Yes, Lynn, dh got his back rub, he deserved it. He is always giving me back rubs and rubs my legs especially when they are aching. I tell you God broke the mold when he created this guy, I am fortunate to have him and thank God everyday for bringing us together.

You did such a good job at the Birthday party! What a great feeling of satisfaction you must have for staying on program. Don't know if I could have passed up the birthday cake, but I think you had a great alternative. Good for you!

I'm so excited, a girl contacted me on SP yesterday and said she was looking for someone who lived in the area that was about her age and my name came up, we have been sending emails back and forth and have become fast friends. We have a lot in common too. I am hoping someday we will get to meet, she lives about an hour away probably. It is so nice to meet someone who lives local. I think we will be good for each other.

Guess I will go and spend some time with dh and get myself together for work, wish I could get away with wearing blue jeans. It isn't like anyone is going to see us since schools are closed. But since we are housed in the same complex as the superintendent we never know when she might decide to do a walk-thru, so I guess I will have to get dressed up. We are hoping she will let us leave early, hardly anyone is working tomorrow. If I have to work all day though dh said he would come and take me out for a quick lunch, so that will be nice.

Sweet dreams everyone,
Shirley

Good evening --

You're welcome Becca --- I am an organizational fanatic (or is it fiasco??)!!!! On my Pinterest boards - the BIGGEST boards I have are on organization (perhaps after food and scrapbooking!!!) Actually I have 3 boards on organization there -- "Organizing the office, Organizing the home and Organizing ME!" ....so yep alot of them!

Hi Diana -- so glad you dropped by - I was just thinking the other day about you -- actually it was b/c I thought of my taxes and where on earth did I put something I knew I had and can't find (that I'll need for that time! ) It'll show up soon hopefully....One of the best things I love about HAVING Thanksgiving is the leftovers -- but alas - I"m not having it this year. My newly married daughter is having it....should be an interesting day.....

Shirley -- wow....that is pretty impressive!!! You do sound like a lady on a mission -- or one about to give birth!!!! (the nesting!!) But I understand - your surgery will be here b/f you know it and you want things to be in order b/f you go....all makes sense to me! So GOOD for you for actually DOING IT....I always 'think' about it but the 'doing' sometimes gets lost in the translation. So did dh get the backrub?? That's so nice of you....I'd love if my dh would do that for me but that's not one of his things very much - so instead he buys me gift cards to get a massage!! Ok...that'll work!! (ok so he likes to clean but he won't give backrubs - how much more should I expect??) :))))))

Went to the other birthday party today - to Pizza Hut - talked my BIL into buying a Thin and Crispy half veggie lovers and the other veggie supreme (with meat) I ate 3 pieces but it was only 440 calories and I hadn't had but 185 for breakfast - so I was pleased with myself!! No cake but had a half cup of the icecream b/c I wanted to try it -- birthday cake ice cream!! What will they think of next?? It did taste like birthday cake - VERY sweet - like eating the icing!!!

Well time for a shower and then a few computer games and then to bed!! Have a great nite everyone!

Another busy day here. After church and Sunday school, I helped the youth group sort food and fill 32 Thanksgiving baskets. Whew!!

Right now I'm listening to Christmas music, even though it's a little early in the season. It always soothes me, and puts me in a good mood.

Doing well on the challenge. One more day to go...

Lynn: thanks for the tip on seeing my home as prime real estate. Maybe that will help me to get rid of some of these piles of stuff, or at least move them to the rooms they belong in.

Becca

Hi everyone,
I really am still around, just busy. Work has been busy and I'm trying to start to get ready for the holidays.

I know how much laundry I do and it's just me and the cats. It's amazing.

Not too much else going on yet. I am hired back on for tax season, so things will get crazy in January. OTher than that, I'm just trying to get my house in order for Thanksgiving. Mom and my brother will be coming over-but actual dinner will be at a restaurant (still have to make reservations though!). I did buy a turkey breast so I could have turkey later in the weekend.

Take care everyone. Diana

Well, since you asked Lynn! I got up at 6 am as soon as he left (can't sleep past 6 anymore and hate it) started doing laundry, I cleaned the whole house, dusted, swept, mopped, bathrooms, the whole thing and did more laundry (how do 2 people create so much laundry in one weeks time is always my question) and I even cleaned out a cabinet that I keep cookbooks in and other junk! Found some very old interesting stuff and wondered why in the heck haven't I gone through this before and why in the world would I want to move it? In the trash it went. I also found my FlyLady book! Put it back away without really looking at it and buried in this cabinet I found 3 books that I have been wanting to read and never did, so got them out, plan on reading them during recuperation. So I was very proud of myself for accomplishing so much. In fact I kind of enjoyed some of the down time and extra energy I had. DH got home after 4, we went out to dinner and then to good ol Wally World for a bit. I told him he needed to work some more Sats. since I seem to get so much accomplished!

Sounds like everyone has been keeping pretty busy! I have a busy week planned next week for those days I am off, I feel like I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy and nesting. Just want everything to be in order and cleaned before surgery. Hope I can stay motivated and have the energy to do it all. I have my first pre-op Tues. afternoon. Oh joy! Just can't believe surgery is in three weeks. I will miss you all! My phone is not high tech so won't be able to check messages until I get home.

Need to go spend some time with dh, I think he deserves a good back rub after cramming 5 days of work into 3. Poor guy didn't even get lunch today, we thought the company would buy them lunch but didn't and he didn't have time to go and get anything so he was starved when he got home. I knew I should have packed him a sandwich, I will be sure to do that the next time!

Have a great weekend! Shirley

Good evening -- been a long day - My new SIL had a surprise birthday party for my daughter (his wife) at his grandmothers clubhouse of her apt complex. She thought she was coming for the grandmothers birthday (which is the day after my daughters) So he told her they were going to celebrate grandma's birthday early with Thanksgiving and all......so we all hid behind the counter in the kitchen, behind couches, etc...and we told grandma YOU don't need to hide -- she expects to see you here....and the aunt. The guests were 5 of her college friends and their spouses/dates...plus her mumsie (another grandma) and her dad. So she walks in -- sees grandma trying to hide behind the couch and says "are you hiding grandma??" Then 1st her brother jumps out and says SURPRISE! Then the rest of us jumped up and said SURPRISE! - So yep she was surprised.....but it's always a long afternoon when you have to spend time with your ex there -- and my dh couldn't go b/c he was working!

Laurie -- I agree w/ Elaine -- SO funny -- I wanna see you try that one -- 'just underwear!!' And you take the flute because ?????? Hope you have a good trip!!!! And good luck with just having carryons!!! We each have apnea machines -- so we have to check the bags b/c they take up so much space.

Becca - the Umbrella Factory thing sounds pretty neat!! ok...so if I read that right -- you're going down the road ...at 75mph...trying to tell this guy his car is on fire?? How on earth did you get close enough to TELL him that and still be traveling down the road?? And then he doesn't believe you??? Bet he figured it out not too much farther on down the road!!! I agree Becca about FLYlady and the week -- but you can adjust it to meet your needs. Some people need that whole week. As I said - I just like the concept of breaking it down. The other thing I've learned along the way of organization (not from FLYlady) is that think of the space nearest and dearest to you as 'real estate'....PRIME real estate....do you have important things there or 'other things'....that was eye opening to me when I started thinking about the spaces around me as real estate and what needed to be in that space more...I mean like do I really need a pile of blank envelopes in the drawer (that I use perhaps once/twice a month) next to my computer?? Wouldn't that space be better served to have things in it that I use EVERYday??....I do think about everything in those terms now....

Well a long day today -- going to get up early in the AM and go swim laps...and then home to go to another birthday party - (nephew) Oh BTW...I had NO cake or cupcakes today!! (Did have one extra serving of chicken salad but used it with celery and NOT crackers!! Yay me!!

Shirley - yeah dh likes cleaning....mostly sweeping/mopping and vacuuming but he does it all ....without my asking. Heck when I found out that about him I KNEW he was a keeper!!!! He tells me often -- you just married me b/c I do stuff for you!!

P.S. Was just sitting here wondering what Shirley did today with her day of being home alone with dh working....what got done?? Can't wait to hear....

Edited by: MEME102 at: 11/17/2012 (20:14)

Strange day ~ went to a place called the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, with our friend. She told us it was like a huge barn filled with crafters; it was a couple of old outbuildings, filled with imported crafts and jewelry, and smelling of incense, or maybe something else. We had lunch at a buffet, and I behaved myself, did some walking, took the long way home, saw a guy’s car on fire while on the freeway, tried to tell him about it, going 75mph, but he didn’t believe us…

Just did a fusion yoga workout, and I feel totally stretched out! And my knees don’t hurt as much as I thought they would, but I haven’t done the jumping jacks yet.

Shirley: Ed doesn’t really like cleaning, either, but then again, neither do I. And I remind him of that often… He would probably like it more if it were just us, but he feels he shouldn’t have to clean up after the boys.

Laurie: the only thing I didn’t like about Flylady is that she spent one week in each zone. My house isn’t that big. I can spend an hour, tops, in most rooms, and some don’t even take that long. The thing I remember most is: even imperfect cleaning is better than nothing. I think of it every time I swish out the bathroom sink when washing my hands…

Well, got to finish up some more of the challenge.

Becca

"just take underwear" so funny. You made me chuckle. I was at my favorite GW this morning-everyonewas just having a great time. I found a couple of books and a pair of workout pants plus a cool beanpot. I have to admit it's been afew years siince I've made homemade baked beans..well one never knows when one will get the itch to make beans!
Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Becca, shoot, I'd hate to start looking for a new dentist. I keep telling my dentist he can't retire! He's just a little older than I am, so I fear that day will come. I just hope he's got someone good lined up to take his practice.

Lynn, turning our house into zones sounds like it would be manageable. Shoveling out the old stuff has always been the daunting task that's kept us from really starting to clean up and keep it that way. Lately, I've been tossing clothing that I don't want any more, so that's a start. Sadly, some of those clothes are smaller clothes that I can fit into now, but I don't like the styles anymore. So why are they still around??? Paperwork is the worst, though. So this won't be a quick fix anymore than losing weight was.

Becca, we do cook alike! My spaghetti sauce is a throw-it-together "recipe". And I also always start with lots of onion and garlic. We buy the BIG jar of minced garlic!

Well, today is a short shopping day for a Saturday. Just picking up some last-minute stuff and then we start packing. We are leaving Monday to spend Thanksgiving with my brother's family in Florida. I hope we can get everything into carry-ons for the flight out, anyway. It's going to be tight. I have to haul my laptop and flute and those will take up a lot of packing room. We are going shopping at thrift stores on Weds., so I fully expect to have to check a bag on the way back. If I was certain I'd find a lot of good stuff, I'd just take underwear

Happy Saturday y'all. Talk with you later.

hhhmmm, Lynn what a guy, so he actually likes cleaning! My new hero! Wow! My dh doesn't mind helping out but he doesn't like it, he usually empties the dishwasher in the mornings, and most days he will make the bed even before I get to it, that is a MUST for me, the bed has to be made! We do have one agreement though, I clean the bathrooms, I have mine, he has his, but we only use the one shower. He cleans the tub because I just can't get down on the floor to do it. I appreciate that. He will dust, run the vacuum and mop too. I'm sure he doesn't like to, but he will do it. He works really long hours and his job is very stressful, he works 6 days a week too. So I try not to ask him to do anything extra right now. He does help do the laundry though, he will throw in a load and hang up clothes and help me fold them. My "ex" wouldn't do anything to help so this is just wonderful to me.

Thanks for finding Mary Ann. Hope she gets her computer up and running soon.

Becca, thanks so much for posting this recipe, I love crock pot recipes, and this is one I am going to make this week for sure! Yummy! Perfect since I will have time off to do it this week.

Guess I will go see what's on TV or read for awhile. .DH just got home from work and probably has another 4 or 5 hours to go and then back up and out the door bright and early tomorrow for a day of work. I guess I will clean and do laundry while he is gone, since I was lazy this afternoon and didn't get started on it. Shame on me! Oh Well!

Have a great evening! Shirley

Ham and Bean Crock Pot Soup



Ingredients

1 cup navy beans (dried)
1/2 cup chopped celery
2-3 carrots, chopped (or 8 oz. baby carrots)
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 oz. smoked ham (diced into 1" squares)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 tsp. olive oil
1 T. thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Nutritional Info


Fat: 3.6g
Carbohydrates: 22.5g
Calories:180.6
Protein: 12.7g



Makes 4 1 1/2 cup servings

Soak dried beans in water overnight in a covered pan (water should be at least 2" higher than beans). The next morning, drain beans, rinse thoroughly and set aside. Brown onions and celery in olive oil, stirring in thyme. Once browned, add onions and celery mixture along with all remaining ingredients to crock pot and cook for 8 hours on low. Serve with good fresh bread.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SUASPONTE.

Just got back from a cleaning at the dentist. They are usually pretty good, but I didn’t need to find out that our new dental insurance rejected the dentist we’ve been seeing for 15 years… Ed will have to make some phone calls this weekend. I really hope we don’t have to find someone new.

Lynn: I don’t swim well, either, altho’ I love being in the water. Going years without being in a pool isn’t setting me up for the Olympics…

Glad you tracked Maryann down. I was starting to get worried.

Shirley: I don’t have the cookbook, but have enjoyed most of the SP recipes I tried. The soup one was passed on to me, but it’s done in the crockpot. I’ll see if I can find it again.

We deal with a small bank, and everyone knows me there. We miss out on some conveniences, but when Ed has his heart attack, and I missed a mortgage payment, nothing was said. I paid double the next month, but I was so thankful, because they knew we were having problems.

I never figured that dealing with the elderly would be my calling, but I’ve been the MOW site supervisor for 9 years now, ever since I learned how to drive, and it’s grown on me.

Laurie: I’m the same way when I make soup, even spaghetti sauce. I never make it the same way twice because I just put in what captures my fancy. But I ALWAYS start out with lots of onions and garlic.

Going to take some ME time... reading!

Becca

You might be right Laurie -- 100 miles -- HI MARYANN!!!! LOL...My arms are starting to feel it now....so we'll see how I do tomorrow. I'm not going swimming tomorrow (at least not so far!) b/c my new SIL is having a surprise birthday party for my dd....soooooo I'll be going to that just after noon. I could make it but I have let some things go (again) this week that I need to do. I mean when I come home and find my dh has cleaned my bathroom ....uhhmm, sorry honey I was going to do it!!! He IS a cleaner...its something he enjoys doing (except dusting) and so I say just have at it honey!!! But I do feel embarrassed sometimes that he's doing things I think I should be doing! He certainly is a keeper!!

About FLYlady - if you sign up for her website I'll forewarn you there are a LOT of emails (however at some point you can ask them to make them into a daily digest rather than 20 emails a day!!! I do like her philosophies though....FLY -- stands for Finally Loving Yourself....and you are one of her FLYbabies..;..esp if you're brand new to the site. She uses alot of acronmyms (like the FLY) another is -- Is your house in C.H.A.O.S -- meaning "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"....and there's a few more. What I like is she turns your home into 'zones' and each week you're in a different zone. It breaks the overall BIG picture into smaller, manageable components.....I used it when I taught for my classroom - I broke my room into 'zones' and each day was a different zone...so it works at more than just the home.
Do check it out.....when you have some time b/c it's got a lot on it.

After a frosty start this morning it's warmed up nicely.

Wow, Lynn, 2 hours of exercise! If you make it 100 miles, you've almost swum to Maryann's house, right?

Jury duty comes around about every 2 years here. I've been in the pool to be interviewed, but never got picked to serve on a panel. They were looking for volunteers to serve on the Grand Jury, but it's too big a time committment for most people. Every Tues. and Thurs., January through March. It would be interesting, but it would be a drag getting downtown twice a week.

I have to use great restraint to not buy the SparkPeople Cookbook. I've got so many cookbooks on the shelves that I just can't add another. It sure is tempting, though. Every now and then I'll go browsing through the recipes on the site. We've found some good ones. And some that need tweaking to taste good to us. Our favorite so far is the Black Bean and Ham soup (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-det
ail.asp?recipe=160187). I have a bunch saved to try someday.

I put my vegetable beef soup non-recipe on the recipes page. I use beef broth and beef Pho soup starter (it's Vietnamese) for the liquid, Lynn. The flavor of the pho is very distinctive.

A couple of you mentioned FlyLady. I had never heard of her, but I see that there is a FlyLady Team here on Sparks. I'll need to check that out. My next big self-improvement project needs to be to get the mess under control at home! We need to paint and get new flooring, but I can't even think of that because it's going to be a major project just to clear out a room. Doesn't help that I've got a miniature library in my house! Shirley, I envy your organized project room!

Well, lunch time was over a while ago and here I am still posting to Sparks. Guess I'll need to stay a while this afternoon.

Good afternoon everyone!

Well I did it - I got 120 minutes of exercise in today!! Whew...may not move again til next week but I wanted to do it once since I'd been hitting 90 so consistently with my pool time. So today I went to class an hour early and did my 'floating thing for 50 minutes and then did the 50 min of class --- and then did another round of floating to equal 120!!!! . I found out they're doing a 100 mile swim challenge...til next June...(so I'm a little late) Anyway my 18 ups and downs today equal 9 laps....and I did 6 laps yesterday ....so that's 24....and it takes 35 laps to make ONE mile!! LOL...Ya think I'll make it to 100???? LOL....well anyway its a motivator and I'll give it a go and see how far I get.

Shirley -- that is a gift to be able to work with older people. In my area of speech and language therapy I could have worked with older adults (I did when I was in college) who had had strokes, throat cancer, (and lost their larynx) and I just found it all too overwhelming and depressing -- so working with kids was my niche....so my hat is off to you and Becca!
I'm hoping you find some exercise you like that you can do consistently after your surgery. My hope is that you'll feel so much better that it'll motivate you to be active. Oooo and glad you got the bank thing figured out to your favor - that doesn't always happen!!

Laurie -- your veggie soup sounds good -- what do you use for the liquid base for yours (and any of you out there who make veggie soup) I just made some last nite in the crockpot -- and just had it for lunch -- it tasted bitter to me. I used a cheaper brand of tomato juice and I'm wondering if that's what it is....I also didn't have any canned tomatoes so I put in a can of tomatoes with green chilis.....would that make it be a bit bitter?? So I'd welcome any ideas you ladies may have....and I'll try it the next time. Otherwise all the veggies (and this one had meat in it) were tasty and COOKED (I have a reputation for not quite getting things cooked all the way through)

Ahh lucky you being called for jury duty....did you hear in the news about the lady who was 'bragging' that she got out of jury duty by feigning some type of illness (don't remember what) then somewhere the judge OVERheard her telling that......and she got charges brought against her for perjury!! Knock on wood I've not been called now for about 7 years....In my old town I was called at least every 2-3 years...OFTEN. So when I moved (to a new county I thought - good they won't be able to find me for awhile. I hadn't lived here a year b/f I got called AND had to serve for a whole week.....so I'm happy about the lull.

Shirley - I'm a scrapbooker - have a whole room for it -- and I still procrastinate!! I've JUST started the pictures from our vacation to Disney last Oct.!!!! Now I've got that , plus my other trip to Disney in April, some summer yard pics, the wedding and our trip to Boston to scrapbook!!! My 2 youngest kids books are all caught up...I did theirs from birth til they graduated from HS...now I did just finish my dd -- just this past summer b/f she got married but it's now DONE...all her college pics - she can take care of. But I love doing it. Having a specific space where you can keep the stuff out is KEY....Otherwise it seems to much like work having to haul it out and put it away....so good for you for creating the space!! I'd love to see it...(if you have pics to share?)

Well I usually only volunteer 1x a week but the teacher has me doing a little 'major' project and if I'm going to make any progress on it I'm going to have to go in more often or something...So I'm going in for awhile this afternoon and do more -- esp since I usually only go on Thurs and NEXT Thurs is Thanksgiving!

P.S. Got a note from Maryann (Kineps - coleader) and she thinks her computer has now 'died'...dh is supposed to try to revive it today but who knows...She checks Spark on her phone but doesn't want to type message here....don't blame her...I hate texting!!

Edited by: MEME102 at: 11/16/2012 (12:29)

Hi everyone, Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Friday. My dh is working late late tonight to get his paper ready to go to press tomorrow so I will be home alone tonight and all day tomorrow. Ugh! Maybe I will work on sorting and organizing some pictures for scrapbooking. I'm not much of a big TV watcher, just nothing on that interests me much. I share my scrapbooking space with 2 computers in our spare bedroom, it was such a mess, no organization and I hated it. This summer I saw a friends crafting room and it was so nice so I invested in all of these organizational cubes from Micheal's Craft Store and now have this wonderful space, everything has a place now and I can find stuff. The before and after pictures are amazing! Be nice if I could get motivated to get some actual scrapbooking done now. Talk about procrastination - I am the queen of that! I started a scrapbook of my son's life for his college graduation, well.... it still isn't finished and he has been out of college 3 years now! Maybe someday I will get finished!

Becca, I couldn't find that recipe on SP recipes, I found one for split pea soup in the crock pot but wasn't sure if that was the one you were referring to, could you link it please.

Guess I better get some work done. Have a great weekend everyone!
Shirley

Hi you guys! Just time for a quick note before heading off to bed.

Had jury duty yesterday, but didn't get picked and got to leave by mid-day. I nearly froze to death waiting for the bus in the morning. I don't like those frosty mornings and in between the tall buildings in Dallas the wind blows and the sun doesn't shine.

Bad Biscuits! My brother and I used to give his lab mix a bath together--one kept her calm and one washed. But once she was clean and toweled off, she shook. And you know that all that bath water doesn't get toweled off very well. We ran when she began shaking, laughing our fool heads off.

I made a huge pot of vegetable beef soup on Tuesday morning and it turned out really good. Can't post the recipe, though, because it's different every time I make it. It's one of those things where you put in "some" veggies and "some" beef and "some" of whatever is in the fridge.

OK. Enough for tonight. Mom and I have to make a list of wine that she wants as a Christmas gift from her grand-kids. Then off to bed. Mom's got a cold and I don't want to catch it, so we both better get a good night's sleep!

Becca, yum yum, going to go and look up that soup recipe as soon as I get done here! Has anyone tried any recipes from the SP cookbook yet? I am going to sit down with it in a min. and look for some new recipes to try. Wish I had some of that soup right now though, it is a bit chilly. Maybe my DH will have tome to make some chili this Sun. he doesn't cook much but he can make some good chili. I am just thankful for those nights when I don't have to cook!!! : )
Your Sr. luncheon sounds like fun! I love elderly people! That is truly my gift from God I think, I just have such a passion for them and feel so at ease with them. One of my first jobs after high school was working as a nursing asst. in a home for the elderly. I loved those people so much. We were encouraged to sit and talk with them. I still remember just about all the people I cared for on my floor. I would like to go back and do it again, but my knees and poor ol body just can't take all that lifting and being on my feet all day, plus I am so spoiled after having my weekends and holidays off. I would have to go back to school again too! Just too old!

Lynn, so glad that you got the dog cleaned up and smelling good again. I am allergic to just about everything so we have no pets. Now I remember why I don't really want one either if I could!
HHHmmm, all that swimming sounds like good exercise to me! I think using both arms at once and kicking constitutes as a good workout! I bet you are burning more calories then you think you are. I am so envious that you can go to the pool. Enjoy!

My day started out really crappy, I accidentally made a double car payment, which knocked out half of the money I had saved for surgery. I just knew the bank was going to say so sorry, nothing we can do! But I called and the loan officer was very understanding and compassionate when I explained the situation to her and she said she would see what she could do, within 30 mins. she called me back and told me the money had been credited back to my acct. I am praising God! I was just about sick when I did it! This is what I get for paying bills late at night (midnite) because I couldn't sleep! Thankful I deal with a small bank and have a relationship with the loan officer. There are people who really do care and want to help I found out today.

Hope everyone has a restful, wonderful evening. Two more days of work! Yippee!

Shirley

Good evening -- (or almost!)

Your soup sounds good Becca - if you don't mind posting the recipe in our recipe thread I'd appreciate it....or if you have the SP post a link to it. I was going to ask ANY of you who try new SP (or any) recipe that you think would be good - to post it on our recipe thread or post a link to it. If you're like me you're always looking for new recipes to try (much to dh dismay at times!)

My day recovered fairly nicely after the morning fiasco!! Swim class was great -- And I actually did some 'swimming/floating of laps!! (before and after class) I did 12 ups and downs of the length of the pool so is that 6 laps?? Now before you think wow, she's doing really good -- I am NOT a swimmer -- not a good one anyway...I am a floater on my backer!!! LOL...And while I can't do the backstroke with alternating strokes I do both arms at the same time and kick, kick, kick my feet....so surely (is that a wish??) I'm burning some calories doing that....On my tracker I count it as 'easy swimming'.....

Your days sound so busy Becca - you are involved in alot of stuff...I assume the senior lunch was through your job?? Glad you could come and chat with us -- I'm about to change to the hot tub...gettin' too cold for this pool!!! (AND I'm VERY glad Biscuits didn't have a run-in with a skunk!!! )

Will check back later.....I'm going to have to go and scare up that Maryann -- I think her job took her in and swallowed her up -- or else her computer did!! :))

I’m in for the afternoon, and all evening. I am SO tired. The senior luncheon went very well, but I’m exhausted, as always.

It’s good to come and chat with you ladies, dip my tootsies in the hot water…

Shirley: it was ham and bean crock pot soup, via SP. I just put the last 3 servings in containers to be frozen. I LUV it, but after eating for 3 days, I’m ready for a break.

Donna: envy your time in the spa, am I!! Glad the trip was good, with no major hassles.

Lynn: remember when our beloved dog got sprayed by a skunk! Whew! What a smell!

Becca

Oh Lynn, the joys of having a dog. YUK! YUK! YUK is right!
Glad your knee is feeling better. It is hard to know how much medication to take when you want to get off the stuff. I am doing the same thing. I was taking. Aleve but I think I will switch to Tylenol which is suppose to be better for you. Trial and error I guess. I am being lazy this morning but will have to get moving soon as I have things to do and my list of things I forgot is growing. Have a good day and I will check in later.
Donna

Good morning!!

Up early to head to the pool in about 45 minutes. BUT before I can do that dh and I have to give Biscuits (my dog) a BATH!! When he was outside today ---- for whatever reason -- he 'rolled' in a pile of you-know-what so now we have to give him a bath b/f I leave and dh goes to work.....I have to help b/c I'll try to keep him still in the tub and dh will do the scrubbing YUCK YUCK YUCK....not a good way to start the day!!

Donna - glad you made it safely. And I'm sure it takes a few days to 'catch up' with the stress of of traveling. Just enjoy the warm weather and tell us all about it!!!

Shirley - my knee is better -- I went back to everyother day with the NSAID.....ahhh well I'll talk to the dr. about it when I see her next. We keep track of my liver numbers b/c of it so I guess I shouldn't worry -- and if I stopped taking it and took tylenol (my usual pain reliever) it can cause liver damage to in high dosages. So I think being on the lowest dose of an NSAID and taking it only every OTHER day should be ok -- like the way I talked myself into that??

Hope all have a good day...

Hi all, my IPAD is almost dead so I have to make this short, I hav dread all your posts and as usuall we are a chatty bunch but hard to keep up with.
As I said a few days ago we are here and have been very busy grocery shopping and getting organized. We haven't even benn to the spa which is just outside our patio. Oh well I think that might happen tomorrow. I still am weary so will talk to,you tomorrow when me and my IPAD are both charges!
Donna

Hey All,
Thought I better check in. Just very busy at work! Woohoo!!! Only 3 more days and then I will have 6 days off! Bummed out because my dh has to work on Sat. that is our day, he doesn't even look at the computer on Sat. we spend the whole day together. He gets Mon. off instead and I have to work that day, plus I have to be at work at 7 am. Ugh! It is so stupid to make 12 month employees work that one day. Out of 7 of us only 3 of us are working in my office, schools are closed, and everyone I have talked to has said they are taking the day off. Doesn't even make sense to turn on the heat and lights for 3 people. It is going to be so dead and a very long day I am afraid. They have already given us 9 furlough days this year, what's one more? Oh Well! I was hoping we could get away with wearing blue jeans but found out today we will have to dress up like usual. Like anyone is going to see us!

Becca, which split pea soup recipe do you use? I love split pea soup and that sounds so yummy right now. Sorry about the misunderstanding with your mom I had. My stepmom is like your dad I guess. She doesn't like telling me anything either, especially when it's about their health. She recently had a scary episode with her heart and she was so vague and wouldn't tell me anything and my dad couldn't tell me anything either. So aggravating, I am kind of like the child left behind even though I lived with them for 6 years, they have nothing to do with my children anymore for some reason. Then there are her 3 beloved sons who can do NO wrong, I haven't stayed in touch with them and I live the closest to our parents. I have one brother and me who are even remotely close to them out of all my siblings. Really worried about when their health really starts failing. I am lucky if I can get information out of them about my great Aunt and Uncle. They could be dead for all I know. Families!!!!!

Donna, so glad you made it to your destination. Sounds like a long trip, I guess you are busy unpacking and getting settled. How's the weather there? Sounds like paradise.

Senimmo, Yippee for you getting down those steps! I hope you were able to get back up them again okay. Isn't freedom grand? Especially when you can go out and do things all by yourself. Good for you! I am kind of scared about navigating the few steps I have to get up to get in my apt. after my upcoming surgery.

Laurie, such wonderful news about shopping for clothes. I absolutely hate shopping for clothes and some of the new fashions just don't flatter me at all! I am so thankful when I find something that looks decent. I hope I get to that point when clothes are too big!

Lynn, how is that knee today? Yesterday was horrible for me, my "good" (the one I had replaced) was giving me fits. It just felt out of sorts all day and the pain went down the side of my leg. And I noticed when my knee is acting up it makes the nerve damage feel worse too. Today, it is fine again! So bizarre, it was tender and just felt funny all day long.
About my mom, she is only working because she has to. When she does finally retire she will have to move in with one of us 4 kids and she doesn't want to do that. She is extremely stubborn and independent. She is in great health thank goodness, doesn't even take any meds. but I know she is tired and wants to retire, it just breaks my heart. She works in a very busy allergist office doing medical billing and coding. And nope I haven't spent Christmas with any of my family in 25 years. We have all gathered in Missouri for Thanksgiving several times at my brothers house over the years, which has been fun, I don't get to do that too often though. To make things doubly worse, this year will be the FIRST year that I won't be spending Christmas with either one of my sons either. The holidays have always met family to me so it just breaks my heart. The last time I spent Christmas with my youngest son was the year I had knee surgery, that was 3 years ago and he was taking care of me. I am so thankful that I have my dh at least. We won't be going to Tenn. to see his kids either since I will be recuperating. What a way to spend the holidays though taking care of your sick wife. I feel bad for him too.
The t-shirts are sitting smack dab in the middle of the living room floor still. Hoping dh will get around to boxing them up and sending them off on Mon. LOL! I think they would be better off in the Goodwill box but what can I say? As long as they are gone from here I will be happy.

I used to be a big FlyLady fan! I love the way she has to have things in such order starting with a very clean sink! I need to find her book again and read up on some things. She is funny too!

Well, dh is on his way home, will see him in about an hour or so maybe! His commute is horrific. I need to go and do a load of laundry, pay some bills and start dinner.

TTYL!
Shirley

Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry I’m a bit late checking in. Had to take a hot bath this morning, due to my aching knees. I did well with the LCW, but paid the price for it…

Will be heading for the gym as soon as my undies are out of the washer. The washing machine is below the dry well level, so things have to be taken out right away, in case the pipes back up. Only happens if there has been a lot of rain, which there has been the last few weeks. (Was the Frankenstorm only last week?)

Lynn: I did Flylady for a long while. Great advice, and I can still hear her in my head when I’m cleaning…

How is your knee feeling?

Looks like everyone else is busy today. Maybe they're laying on a beach somewhere, listening to some Zac Brown...

Becca

Good afternoon -- how did I miss yesterday?? I guess just lots going on!

So LAURIE - you did it for a few days and I missed a day - so easy for us to do sometimes. My mother was a piler -- and when she and daddy owned the icecream store after their retirement - her desk was piled high so daddy being the 'nice guy' that he was decided he'd go in and straighten out (or at least 'square off' some of her piles) . Welllllll, she came in after and hit the roof -- "NOW I don't know where anything is - why did you do that???" I still remember him looking so sheepish and softly saying - "I was just trying to helpl"!!!
Ahhh yes. -- I loved hearing about your shopping trip -- that would be such a thrill I can only hope it happens someday to me! . Gosh to have roses in November -- what a sight that would be...DH just had me order some plants he wanted (house plants) thru Amazon -- we can only hope what shape they will arrive in - coming into our cold fall!!!!

Shirley -- I was just about to send the troops out to find you so glad you posted That will be SO nice if your son can come to help out some after your surgery -- even if just for the weekend. Wow, your mom is in her early 70s and still works fulltime?? I was going to say 'poor thing' but if that's what she WANTS to do then more power to her! I just so love the freedom of being retired --
I can't imagine not being with your family for Christmas for almost 25 years -- does that mean your folks, your brothers and sisters and your family?? All my family has been gone for so many years -- (my parents, sisters) I guess that's why having Christmas with my late dh family is so important to me!! know with all my children getting married now our Christmas' will be different from now on. I am going to 'try' for next year to have a Christmas here at our house in early December for all of my children (and grandson) and their spouses in early Dec...then they will be free to go where they want for Christmas Eve/Day....we'll still go to my late dh mother's for Christmas day -- for as long as she's living. But I know sometime that will change as well .
I was wondering what would be in that closet -- old love letters, buried treasures -- but T-SHIRTS??? LOL....that one just made me smile!! Well as long as they're out of the house - that'd be all I care about! In our house dh is the thrower outer -- and I'm not a keeper of things but I have things I still want to keep. And, I'm sure to him, it' s TOO much but truly I'm not a saver of things either.

Glad to hear I"m not the only one who loves HGTV!!! I love house hunters too...that's why Laurie your looking at homes would have been fun thing to do. Although when I was looking to move after my divorce - it was a stressful time - but I don't think it was b/c of the hunt I enjoyed that part .... I don't watch much major network TV at all -- so HGTV, the FoodNetwork, and the DIY channel are my favorites

Becca - families are weird ducks sometimes -- we love them of course but they sure can make life complicated sometimes. (and no I didn't initial my leaves!!! LOL, that did make me laugh!!) If you know who FLYlady is -- she has a phrase that says 'our main rooms shouldn't be anymore than 15 min of messy'....meaning if company was all of a sudden coming - your room should only take 15 minutes to straighten b/f it looks at least respectable. And I try to do that in my main 2 rooms that company would see if they came. It's a system that works for me anyway PLUS not having any kids at home helps a WHOLE lot!!! Glad you had an enjoyable day of reading and writing!! We all need those kinds of days from time to time.

Donna - are you to your destination yet?? I've been thinking of you. How did the eating go??

Seni -- wooohoo for getting out of the house!! I remember what a thrill it was to be able to drive my car - on my own - and not needing anyone to be with me. I know we all hate having to be dependent on others.....you can stop and bring some of those brownies to me next time too - I'd love one!

My knee (the 1st TKR) has really been hurting -- I don't know if I slept wrong on it, I don't think I did anything at swimming (at least not something where I FELT it happen) or if its b/c I tried changing my schedule for meds I take for my arthritis. I had cut them down to 1 (lowest dosage) every OTHER day....and was doing great...so thinking I could cut them back even further decided to try one ever TWO days....wellllllll, that might be why it's hurting so!! I'll go back to one every other day and see what that does -- otherwise I'll be calling my ortho surgeon. Grrrrrr....

Will check back later....have a great evening everyone!!

I’m babysitting right now. Not actually me, since the youngster is really down in the family room, watching TV with Nick. She is the youngest of the pastor’s kids, just turned 4 today. She is a sweet little girl.

Will be doing some kick-boxing when our guest leaves. That’s cardio, right? It’s too raw to walk today, although I did get some in while at work. Plus I did a bit of Zumba, but need lots of help with it…

Am making some split pea soup ~ thanks to a SP recipe. I’m the only one who likes it, which is why I seldom make it. But it already smells good, and it’s only been 90 minutes.

According to Elaine, dad thinks that anyone who comes into the apartment will steal things. He didn’t used to be that paranoid, so I don’t know if it’s just an excuse because he resents having to admit that he can’t take care of himself or my mom anymore. He has congestive heart failure that he refuses to discuss with a doctor, so moving around is painful for him. We don’t know what Mom’s issue because she won’t see a doctor for religious reasons…

Seni: good job on using the one crutch!! But be careful!

Becca

Hi guys, I'm still not sure who is who, so please forgive general comments. I'm sure you will figure out who the info is for When we had a hard time getting my grandmother to eat, I made her what would now be called smoothies (she just called them "those drinks you make") with whole milk, banana, carnation instant breakfast powder, and ice cream. Sometimes I added more fruits. It helped pack more nutrients and calories into the small amount we could get her to take. My aunt had hissy fits, her Dr loved it.

Anyway-I stopped in today because I managed to get out of my house and down the steps with one crutch today! (My son forgot his brownies for choir and wanted me to bring them to school) I have no idea how I'm going to get back UP by myself with one, but I got down!

First of all Laurie, how awesome for you with all those small clothes. I think from the sounds of it, you will be doing some more shopping. Have fun with that.
Becca, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom and especially your Dad not wanting to let anyone in. What is that all about? This makes it so hard on the caregivers. As you know my Mom is not doing that great either. Se does not want to cook anymore so she is hardly eating. We have been through TV dinners, places that good for you and meals that Re prepared where she lives. None taste good to,her. So what do you do. I am a three day drive from here so I really can't help. I am very worried about her too. I will be thinking about you.
Shirley, your surgery is coming up quickly and you will be so relieved when it is done. The waiting is the worse part. It is all good when it is done.
Well ladies, we have arrived earlier than planned. We have unloaded the van but we are not unpacked. Tomorrow will be soon enough. We are both weary so will say good night and I will catch up with you tomorrow.

Donna

Ah, the perfect day, spent reading and writing. Will be going to the gym later on, and already have dinner planned, since it’s just ham sandwiches…

Lynn: you mean to tell my you didn’t initial your leaves before you sent them out into the cold, cruel world? How will they ever find they’re way back home?

We were supposed to have temps in the 70s today, after all the horrid weather last week, but it didn’t happen. Still, I was thankful I didn’t have to get up early to take Ed to work.

Laurie: I like to look at model homes, too. I think it’s because there is no clutter! They look so clean and fresh, not like my own home. Right now I’m working on everyone keeping all their junk out of the living room, so it is always COMPANY PERFECT, but it will be a long uphill battle.

Congrats on the size 14!!

Shirley: we’re not that far apart. They live near the RI line, and we’re halfway up the state. But as I said, Dad likes Elaine best, so she is really the only one that is let in. (And frankly, I think he’s still mad I married Ed against his wishes… after 3 decades!!) So I’m not privy to the inside info.

I have been doing my own sort of decluttering today. Walk into a room, find something that doesn’t belong, take it to the correct room, find something in THAT room that doesn’t belong, etc. Makes things neater, gets me moving, and I do feel a sense of accomplishment.

Becca

Becca, so sorry to hear about your mom, even harder when you don't live nearby. I can relate, I live in Georgia and my sister, brother, their families and my mom all live in Colorado. I have another brother who lives in Missouri and he can be there within 8 hours or less. I feel so bad when someone is in need in my family and I can't be there to help. But it is comforting to know that my mom is looked after by the rest of the family. She is in her early 70's and still works full time but at least I know she will be taken care of. On the other hand I have missed birthdays, weddings, most holidays and graduations because I live so far away. It has been 25 years since I got to spend Christmas with my family, I have a really hard time during the holidays. I get very depressed.

I talked to both of my sons this morning, such a rarity! My youngest that lives in Florida said he is going to try and come up for a weekend after my surgery, that made my day, I only get to see him once or twice a year and I hate it! Gives me something to look forward to.

So...we did some cleaning in the closet yesterday! What was in those mystery boxes? T-shirts, believe it or not, yes, on top of the cassette tapes, videos, records and CD's my dh also has a collection of T-shirts, some dated back to the 1980's. I told him I can't believe he has moved them so many times. Why? is my question, anyway parting is hard to do, but he says he isn't going to keep them, he says he is going to send some to his stepsister, (I was thinking if I was her I wouldn't want them) and some of them he is giving to his son and some went to Goodwill. I got rid of some shoes and some clothes. The closet looks better and I finally have room for my clothes to hang!

I love looking at houses too, HGTV is one of my favorite shows too and Property Virgins.

We had temps in the 70's all weekend, today it is cloudy and supposed to start raining this afternoon and then the temps are supposed to start dropping, I think it is supposed to be 60 tomorrow and then mid to high 50's the rest of the week. Leaves are starting to drop here, glad I don't have to deal with them, one more joy of living in an apartment!

4 weeks from today I will hopefully be done with surgery and in my room. Starting to get more anxious as I count down the days. Just want this to be over with! My first of three pre-ops is next Tues. afternoon. I have a long list of things that I need to do before surgery day. Going to be pretty busy the next 4 weekends and my days off next week.

I am so excited, I finally got my SP cookbook on Friday! I have flipped through it and have seen several recipes that look good, does anyone have any favorites? I plan on trying a few next week.

Hope everyone has a great week, lunch break is over, so back to work.
Shirley

Oh good grief! It's been last Thursday since I posted. Sheesh--time flies, and not necessarily just when you're having fun.

Donna, hope your trip is going well. I know what you mean about fast-food on the road. I don't like stopping midday for a big meal and usually by the time we stop we aren't hungry enough or in the mood to sit at a restaurant. So fast food it is. I try to minimize the damage by getting kid-sized portions, no fries, and broiled or grilled if available. If I was REALLY disciplined, I'd toss half the bun. But I just can't do it!

Lynn, I love looking at homes. House Hunters on HGTV is one of my favorites shows. One year we were thinking of moving out to where my brother lives and we went all over his town looking at model homes. We ended up not moving, but we sure had fun looking at all those houses.

Organization-wise, I'm a piler. It looks like a mess, but I know where things are. It makes dusting a chore, though.

Becca, so sorry to hear about your mom. It's hard to see a parent decline. Even harder when you feel like you can't be part of supporting them.

We've had high winds around here for the last 3 days--first from the south, now from the north. I'm glad I don't have to deal with raking leaves. I have a desert willow and the leaves just mulch in by spring. Our roses are blooming their heads off. I hope we don't get a hard freeze for a while.

Saturday Mom and I went shopping. We are both lacking winter clothes. The temps dropped yesterday and it took me forever to find something to wear this morning for work. Well...I never did find anything satisfactory for cold weather. So I'm wearing my jacket in the office to keep warm. I found a pair of stretch denim pants on Saturday. At first I grabbed size 18 and 16 to try, was optimistic and tried size 16 first. Huh--they were too big! Tried size 14 and they mostly fit. A little loose around the waist, but that's typical. Then I found a vest in a medium that fits (and looks great, I might add). Now, understand that we were shopping at Dillards and clothing at Walmart might still have to come in a size 18. But...size 14???? Who knew? So Mom bought the pants and vest as my birthday gift. I need to stock up on turtle-necks and have high hopes for the thrift store next week. We are heading to Florida for Thanksgiving and my SIL and Mom and I go to some great thrift stores in their area.

Well, back to work!

Becca -- sorry to hear about your mom....family issues are so hard sometimes. But we deal with them the best we can. As for the gym - just do what you can and know that you are trying your best....

I went out and raked leaves today....had a big pile but certainly not all the leaves -- that quickly blew (it was quite windy today!!) down the street toward all the neighbors yards!! I'm sure they're going to be pleased with me!!! Luckily there are 2 or 3 homes on the block that have the SAME kind of tree -- so maybe they won't KNOW they were my leaves!!! At least I tried to help dh out....

Our beautiful 2 days of weather ends tonite....going to get much colder this week....plus rain!

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday!!

Well, I’m back. Had a long talk with my sister, and her main concern is that my mom doesn’t want to go into a nursing home. But my dad is against having any sort of social services, like MOW or visiting nurse, because he doesn’t want outsiders butting in. I do not envy my sister being in the middle of all this.

Had to leave church right after the service, instead of staying for coffee hour and adult Sunday school. Between the issues with my parents, and the moving speech one of our church veterans gave, I cried thru’ most of the service.

James called me yesterday to tell me he’s going to have to change our gym sessions. His dad just had surgery and won’t stay in bed, so James has to ‘babysit’ to make sure he behaves himself. I should still be able to get in two sessions a week, I hope.

Becca

Becca,

Sorry to hear about your Mother. That is really tough. Perhaps you can send her a letter or card since it doesn't sound like they want calls. I did that when I was pregnant and had a cold when my Mom went into hospice. I was able to see her just 3 days before she died, but I she was so sick at that visit, I was happy that I had the chance to write the things I wanted to say to her before she died.

I just started water classes last week, it was 7 weeks after my surgery. I was cleared to get in the pool the week before that. My Dr said the general rule is once your incision is completely closed with no remaining scabs, you should be okay to swim. Most pools have rules that you aren't supposed to swim with an open wound, anyway. With a joint replacement, I was told we have to be more vigilant about infections that could settle into our implants, and public pools/spas are places we need to be careful. I still use my crutches on the pool deck, just very carefully (I only need them for balance, not weight bearing) I don't use the whirlpool, because I still have swelling issues and I'm afraid the heat would make it worse. As far as the shower, I was allowed to shower with a waterproof dressing right away, and with no dressing right after the staples came out-as long as I didn't let the knee soak too long.

http://youtu.be/eH3giaIzONA

Need some good music to cheer me up. Got the news last night that my mom's health is failing. She still lives with my dad, but she may have to go into a nursing home. My parents don't want anyone calling with a lot of questions or advice, so all I know is from my younger sister. (She is my dad's favorite and the only one who really has access...) I will be talking to her this afternoon.

Becca

Hmmmm, I don't know the exact amount of time.....there may be others on the team who do know. I know for the 1st one I couldn't shower til the staples were taken out.....but with the 2nd I could shower after the 1st full 48 hours.....(but not to let water run directly on it for a long period of time. I am sure for swimming -- you couldn't do it b/f the staples came out for sure....(about 10-14 days) and then the other thought that comes to mind -- you'd have to make sure you were fairly mobile -- no walker, no cane.....so I'm thinking we're talking a few months here....(like how I'm talking myself into figuring this out???) :))) Your dr. is your best source of course but we'll see if anyone else has had experience with this.

How soon after knee replacement can you go swimming?

Lynn, I think you must have the best aquasize class. Much harder than the one they offer at our Y. I like to swim too mad I think I am going to get back into swimming lengths again. S good for us.
I think we all have CRS. Love it!!!! Now if I can only remember that.

Had a nice visit with our son and his wife today. We have not seen them since the middle of August which is way too long. They came over this morning then we went out for lunch. I had a great salad and a glass of wine. Ohhhhh, they were both so good! To ignt is very low key, then up early and heading south. Hopefully I will ve able to catch up with you tomorrow night.
donna

Elaine - I think I saw them on the top shelf in the back of the closet behind your scuba gear....or at least that's where I think I saw it last!!!!!! teeeeehhheeee....ok ok so I have NO idea where it is but I thought that sounded good....are you going swimming??? A little late for that isn't it???

Edited by: MEME102 at: 11/10/2012 (20:21)

I was just looking for my goggles and shorty swim fins. I was using them regularly-almost daily before the TKRs. Now I have no earthly idea where they are. Talk about CRS! Way to go on all the swimming. It just feels so so good!