Fourth Quarter Posts: October through December 2015.
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Wow, Jean, already booked for two weeks!
I am giving myself a lot of talkings to about improving the food choices! I made a grocery list yesterday, edited it last night to veer toward the bad, re-edited this morning to veer away from the bad. If I just let it alone now, I should be on the right track. it's amazingly HARD!0 -
Maryanne--There was an email from Linda Spangle received this week which deals with loss of motivation. I may have to read it in detail. Love your editing, now reflecting the good.0
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I delayed my NS order until late November. They keep eliminating items I like or reformulating them.0
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I haven't ordered in awhile. If they add a few items, I might do an order at some point.0
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I had a box arrived about 2 weeks ago. I cut it open to get the packing slip out because I was expecting a lot of substitutions. When I went to the website, 20 of my items were low inventory. I had called to delay it further in hopes some of the item would be restocked and the CS rep mentioned they were redoing the packaging. According to the packing slip. everything I ordered is in there. I've been so busy running back and forth to rehab and eating on the run, so I haven't unpacked the box yet. I delayed the next order to December but I'm thinking I may call and stop my orders before that day arrives. My life should be more normal by them and I can figure out if I want to go to a la carte. I'm leaning in that direction.
I guess I forgot to check in yesterday because my counter went back to one again. My dental visit went well but it was a long day. The in laws arrived and visited with DH whole I was away yesterday. We caught up last night when I got back. DH got permission for a therapeutic trip tomorrow. That means he has permission to leave the facility and go out t dinner with us. We got the idea because his roommate went out to dinner with family last week. I love that they address the emotional needs like letting people bring in pets and go on outings. As long as he needs rehab, this is a great place for him.0 -
I keep debating the a la carte but the items are so expensive that way so that just the dinner items alone I would like would equal the cost of the entire bundle of breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert for 35 days.
Helene--It sounds as if DH is in a great place for rehab. I do hope his recovery goes well.
We are having freezing temps, unusual for this time of the year. Right now, I am having Progresso Light soup.0 -
For me, the a la carte was just too expensive and there were not enough items that I liked enough to keep ordering. There are so many good options in the freezer cases now and their cost is less than NS, plus I like them better. So it was an easy decision for me to discontinue the BBB's. However, I live near several large grocery stores, so it's easy for me to pick up the things I need whenever I'm out of the house. I know it may not be as easy for some of you to keep the freezer and pantry stocked as it is for me, so there is a convenience factor to consider as well.
Helene, I'm so glad your DH is making progress. It sounds like his rehab stay is going well. Any idea how much longer he will need to be there? How will this impact your trip to Florida?
Jean, it seems like you've been working a lot lately. I know you enjoy it, but I hope your getting enough down time to rest and take care of yourself. You haven't mentioned when you are planning your next trip. I think you mentioned Branson, Missouri a while back. Are you still planning to go there? We visited it back in the spring with friends and enjoyed it a lot. It's a very pretty area.
Maryanne, I'm with you on trying to make better food choices. It's so hard when every fiber of my being is saying "Eat the cupcake" but I know I need to "Just say no!" I was proud of myself for choosing a salad at lunch and only using half the dressing that came with it yesterday, but I need to do that more often. One day at a time, I suppose.
Today is a baking day for me. I've mixed up a batch of cookie dough for cutout, decorated cookies that I will take to my volunteer "job" on Tuesday, and I also mixed the dough for a large batch of cinnamon rolls. Those will all go into the freezer to be used later. I promised to take some to the cousins reunion that I will go to next weekend. Some of my cousins from North Carolina are going to be here, and one of my cousins offered to host a gathering at their home, so I volunteered to bring the rolls and a cake. We will be there for two nights and I didn't want her to have to do all the cooking for the crowd. My sister is also bringing some things, so I know we will eat well.
After we get home from the reunion we will have three days at home before we leave for New York. I'm really getting excited for this trip. When I went before with SIL and MIL I felt like I didn't get to do many of the things that I was interested in, so I'm hoping for a better agenda this time. Our hotel is just off of Times Square, so we will be right in the heart of the city. DH has never been there before, so we will be doing some of the typical touristy things, but hopefully I can get him to do some of the things I didn't get to do before. Or perhaps he will be willing to do some things with my BIL and the fiancé while the women go and shop. I know DH won't want to shop!
That's about it for me. It's almost time for me to go and finish the cinnamon rolls, so I better get moving.0 -
Pam--I return to Hawaii on November 2. The Branson trip is in May. I'm actually not working as much as I did last year at this time; it just seems that way. If I had to rely upon good food options, I would have to go to the city and that involves an hour and a half back in the car with frozen items. Since my freezer space is limited, I can't overdo the purchase of frozen item. I really hope your trip to New York is a wonderful one; your hotel is located in a great spot for activities.0
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The dinner out was really good. It was at the Inn where we'd made reservations for BIL and SIL to stay. we had dinner in the conservatory which is the prettiest of their dinning rooms. It has a glass wall that overlooks a garden area. The dinner was delicious. I had roasted sea scallops and DH had the salmon which the chef adapted to make it gluten free. The relatives were surprised that DH looked so much better than they expected. Anyone who didn't know he'd had a heart attack wouldn't know it. We have a meeting with the rehab staff on the 27th to discuss his care plan. My friend stayed in the same rehab and she said the meeting probably includes discharge plans. He be in rehab 3 weeks by the meeting date so that sounds plausible. His cardiologist said he'd be in rehab short term when he was discharging him from the hospital. The PT is to help with his stamina.0
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Helene--Your dinner out sounds fabulous. Your DH seems to be under fabulous care. It will take time for the stamina to return.
It is currently 28 degrees at 9:30 but 26 when I crawled out of the warm bed earlier this morning. Despite it being sunny, the cold is not encouraging me to go out as I had wanted to go to the city.0 -
We've been out running around. We need a new stove; ours is at least 40 years old and getting the oven to come on is iffy.
We have some pretty specific requirements, mostly dealing with the shelf I want to attach to set a microwave on. Cuts down the choices which is not a bad thing. It's not like I'm a great chef or anything. I just can't wait until I turn a knob and my oven comes on. My idea of heaven! (I ask for SO little.)
If it weren't for the power outages in the last few years I'd just get an electric stove but I've discovered the advantage of having 4 burners when the power is out.
Because our stove is SO old the gas hookup has to be redone for today's stoves which complicates things a little.
The house smells good. DH has been lobbying for chicken corn soup and BBQ which makes the house smell like home in PA!
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Good luck with the stove search. We have the same problem with a wall oven. I ended up getting a toaster oven instead because I couldn't find the right size oven. Chicken corn soup would hit the spot for me. It's in the mid 30s here. I had to call DH yesterday to ask how the thermostat covers came off. They needed new batteries and I didn't want to break them forcing them open. It was good I called because I was pulling on the top edge and they opened from the bottom. All is well now and I have heat just as the temperatures dropped.0
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Well, we have the microwave shelf. I've ordered the microwave. Plumber is coming Friday to estimate the cost of bringing the stove's gas connection into the current century. Stove arrives next Wednesday. Then with any luck the plumber will have time to come Thursday to hook it up. Whew!
I put "1970's Montgomery Ward oven microwave combination" into google and the first photo that came up looks a LOT like our ancient stove. Amazing what all is out there on the internet!
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What do foxes or owls have to do with Thanksgiving? I've been on the lookout for Thanksgiving potholders (my decorating is so high class hee hee). Don't want turkeys (that just seems cruel). The other two common themes seem to be foxes and owls. Seriously???
Saw the PA at the gynecologist today. Apparently Medicare will only pay for me to see her every other year. What a shame! (not) Unless their scale is broken I really need to buckle down!
Beautiful sunny day here today. Tuffy thinks he should be sitting all over my papers!0 -
Maryanne--I see the PA Thanksgiving week. My internist has left to become a kidney specialist so I have yet to find another primary locally. Until then the PA will work.
I have two days left of the 7 day assignment. I haven't been on the scales since I last saw the cardiologist. I don't want to get on the scales as I've developed an unhealthy relationship with food.0 -
Jean I know what you mean about scale avoidance. I've been eating on the run since spending so much time at hospital and rehab. Once DH gets home, I have to get back on track. I'll check the scale then. He has his follow up appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it so we can hear how much progress he's made.0
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I weigh myself every day and I seem to be maintaining within a two pound range. Unfortunately, I'm maintaining about fifteen pounds above where I'd like to be, but at least I'm not gaining. I really would like to kick those fifteen pounds to the curb and keep them there, but apparently, I enjoy eating and drinking more than I want to lose weight. Hopefully I will muster up the will power sometime between now and next May. I'd like to be lighter by the time my niece gets married. I know I can do it, but I guess I'm not ready to commit yet. I've been at my current weight for quite awhile now.
It's finally cooling off here and for the next three days or so we are expecting heavy rains. We need the rain, but I wish it wouldn't all come at once.0 -
My, but I'm tired of roofers. The poor cats haven't known where to hide today. They'll be glad to see the last of these guys. Little do they know the stove guys are next.0
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Maryanne...let them be surprised. Why worry them ahead of time. Pam...You'll know when the time is right to start up again. If you start in January, that should be enough time to lose before the wedding.
DH had his follow up with the cardiologist today. The doctor could hardly believe he was looking at the same patient. His recovery is nothing short of remarkable. The doctor is scheduling some follow up tests in 2 weeks. We have a meeting with the rehab staff early next week and DH will probably be discharged shortly after that. What great news!0 -
Great news indeed Helene!!! That should be a happy homecoming.0
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Helene--Great news from the cardiologist. DH is doing all the right things.
Pam--I know the feeling of "enjoying food" more than trying to lose. The positive is that you are able to do this but maintain.
Maryanne--Cats are definitely sensitive to changes in their environment. Midnight goes into hiding and it is difficult for me to find him. ..or if I do know where he is, he has a spot that is so good that I can't get to him.
I'm using the day to relax after 7 days in the same job position. I have to start getting ready for the trip which is on November 2. I started the day with the usual Quaker Weight Control oatmeal, but I was tempted to go out for biscuits and gravy. That is one item that NS could bring back.0 -
I agree on bringing back the biscuits and gravy. They really need to update the breakfast selections. I got a message about them re-doing their menu choices. I briefly went into my account and it looks like they put me back on the basic choices. If I stay for another order, I'd have to go in an customize. Right now, I'm down for some items I'd never include in my order. I have until December to decide what I want to do.0
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When I got to Rehab, DH told me he'd flunked grilled cheese 101. I thought he was kidding. It must have been part of occupational therapy. The only thing food he can make is coffee. He's really good at that. He can't make grilled cheese at home so why would this be different? Plus it was an electric stove and we have gas. He said one side was slightly overdone and the other side was charred black. He did pass washing dishes. LOL0
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Helene - that's too funny! I'm sure DH would flunk everything.
Getting our new stove has turned into a monster project because DH won't just let Sears install it. No, that would be too easy. LOL!
Now he's decided we should get new siding. The problem is his color sense is horrific. I told him he picked a dark grey roof so that, together with the black shutters, will impact the color of any new siding. May just have to put my foot down on this one. No, dear, you can't have dark brown siding.
I kept busy this weekend and did get a lot done. I'm hoping to have the holiday newsletter to the printer tomorrow. That will be a little ahead of last year - yeah!
We have a flea market Saturday so I've also been getting ready for that. Since it's Halloween they are going to advertise trick or treating. We'll see how that goes. Should be interesting.
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Going to the grocery store has gotten frustrating. ALWAYS store employees blocking the aisles OR people on their cell phones blocking the aisles. Did no one ever think there's a reason the aisles are the width of two carts??? Today I went to pick up Jack's meds. Called in the refill Sunday. They called to say they had to order and it would be ready yesterday at 5 pm. Just got done standing in line to be told "oh it will probably be in today". Now I have to go count his pills and see how long I can wait to implement a Plan B. Meanwhile they are SO used to not doing what they say they'll do that no one blinks. They're just "move along, no we can't tell you if it will really be here today, move along".
Whew, got that off my chest! LOL!
I think I have convinced DH that he can't have dark brown siding. Now I realize almost anything will look better than the TWO houses on this short block with yellow siding and dark red shutters (what WERE they thinking (especially the second house)???) but that doesn't mean I'm going to cheerfully live in an ugly house.
We seem to have the stove delivery and installation scheduled okay finally. Time will tell I guess.
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I know what thou mean about the prescription refills. My CVS often doesn't have what we need in stock even though we renew it every month. Their inventory control system is terrible. We had our discharge meeting today. The head social worker asked if we wanted to skip it since we knew the discharge date. we told her no, we've never been though rehab before so we want to go through the procedure. it was helpful because some items came up that we had questions about. I think she though she was doing us a favor by offering to skip the meeting but we felt it was time we;; spent.0
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Helene--The occupational therapy story is a good one. I can't use an electric stove....or at least the burners on top. I do hope all goes well with DH upon his discharge.
Maryanne--As much as siding costs, putting your foot down about the color is a must. You will have to live with that color a long time. There is a house in our area that has purple siding along with a purple car they keep parked in the drive instead of the garage.
I went for the appointment with the neurologist on Monday. I am being scheduled for a sleep study, not because he believes I have a sleep disorder but because he agreed with the cardiologist that it was a good idea for anyone having atrial fibrillation. Again, I await another test. I already told them I wouldn't be sleeping with all those wires on me.
It is so unusual not to be working today as I've had an unusually long spell of consecutive days of working until this week. Next week, I'm off on the trip.0 -
Jean - I keep trying to talk DH into a sleep study but no go. He says the same thing - he wouldn't sleep. But if I had the insomnia problems he has I'd be trying ANYTHING. Enjoy your day off and look forward to that trip!
Helene - I'm glad everything with your DH is chugging along like it's supposed to!
We had a moment of panic this a.m. with the stove delivery. Cats were sequestered. Plumber is coming tomorrow to handle the gas hookup. Delivery guys come in and swear what they are delivering is an electric store. DH gets his invoice out. They all huddle and debate. They talk about when they can reschedule a delivery. Etc. Finally the three men all traipse out to the truck and open the box (notice how this wasn't anyone's FIRST thought? hee hee). Sure enough, it's a gas stove. Geesh!
Anyway old stove is gone, new one is here, ready for the hookup tomorrow. The kitchen looks blindingly white with white refrigerator, stove and dishwasher. For years we had an avocado refrigerator and a yellow stove. The wallpaper in the kitchen (which predates us) is avocado and yellow. Now that those appliances are gone, someone too young to remember those colors would come into our kitchen and wonder what anyone was thinking when they chose the wallpaper.
Meanwhile I've been trying to work between crises.
Jack's meds are still not in. Now they claim today at 3 pm. I asked them if I should be making a backup plan. That finally got someone to dig into it a little more. I'm sure they suddenly had visions of me never picking up these (admittedly expensive) meds. Turns out they ordered too few pills the first time. So if I was desperate I could go get 1/2 (although they never offered that until I pressed). But I'm not desperate, thank goodness.0 -
Maryanne--Good luck with the gas range. That is funny about the delivery people. So much for them knowing what they loaded. Nothing like a little pressure to make options available as with the drugs.0
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Jean...Good luck with the sleep study. Where is your trip to?
Discharge went smoothly. I had picked up 2 cakes on the way over. We had a red velvet cake for the nursing staff and a carrot cake for the therapy department. Everyone seemed so pleased that he was going home and he even got hugs from the therapists. He's a very good patient. He does everything they ask him to do and doesn't complain or whine about anything. I brought thank you cards for him to write out to go with the cakes. He's so pleased to be home. The cat gave him a lukewarm reception when he first got in. Once he put a blanket on his lap, she was happy to snuggle down into it. So I think he's been forgiven for being gone so long.
Maryanne...What color siding are you thinking about? Remind DH that color selection affects curb appeal and future sale price if you ever have to sell it. Are you going to re-wall paper? That's one thing I hate to pick out. It's hard to know what a whole room will look when you only have a small sample piece.0
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