Third Quarter of 2016: We Can Do This!!

mdubbs1

Jean - good job on the weight loss and the Leslie Sansone!!

KonaKat

Maryanne--Thanks! I am fighting myself right now to get motivated to do the DVD now. It is only 15 minutes and one mile, and once I get into it, I make it but getting started is the real challenge.

I started the day with a Special K breakfast sandwich.

Helene610

Jean..I think you got your exercise mojo back. Great week, No sun here for several days. I'm ready for a change. Pam..How did brunch go?

KonaKat

Helene--The exercise is a process of taking me an hour this morning to talk myself into doing 15 minutes of one mile. Leslie says that she selects music in which the beat and steps equates to a mile in 15 minutes. I'll try to do another 15 minutes this evening. Trust me when I say I am happy when the 15 minutes are over, so I can't imagine doing 30 minutes of it nonstop.

mdubbs1

Somewhere around here I have a bunch of tapes that are different genres of music re-recorded from the original to be a certain number of miles per hour. I should look for those. They are literally tapes so I'd also have to make sure my walkman equivalent still works.

PamS53

Just got back home after my annual well woman checkup and all is well, so far. I now have to schedule my mammogram and go back for fasting blood work, but those can wait until next week when I'm less busy. I was down three pounds from last year, so that was a plus. Of course, I wore my lightest weight clothing and asked the nurse to deduct two pounds for my shoes, lol!

I've started trying to declutter. That is by far DH and my biggest challenge in keeping the house neat. We need to get better about it, but it isn't a priority to either of us. Hopefully I can do a little every day and by Friday I'll have gotten most of it cleared up and cleaned in the areas my guests will see. They'd better not open any closets though!

mdubbs1

Pam - good job catching up on doctor stuff (too funny about the shoe deduction).

I'm trying to get DH to think about decluttering. He's had two winters now of working part time and doing nothing. I'd like to see him start this winter. Heaven knows we need it in every inch of this house. I do sometimes worry what I'd be facing if something happened to him. I know there's a lot of his stuff I couldn't even lift.

KonaKat

Pam--That is funny about deducting 2 pounds for shoes. I always take mine off. Good news on weighing less than last year. Baby steps on the decluttering will pay off.

Maryanne--Decluttering is overwhelming to many people, including myself. I really could get rid of a lot if I just said farewell to things not touched in a year. It takes time and being able to take the things to the city for donation. At one time, we had a donation center a block from me which made it easy.

I guess I'll have a Special K breakfast sandwich for breakfast. I'm not feeling the best so I might not indulge in Leslie this morning.

Helene610

I'm also catching up on medical stuff. I mentioned I have a new primary care Dr. She's scheduled me for a colonoscopy and lucky me, someone cancel next week. So I don't have a lot of time to worry about it. I'll be doing the prep on Tuesday, procedure first thing Wednesday morning. My previous ones were at the hospital and this one if out patient at the doctor's site. I think It's the same place I took my friend last year. I killed time at Kohls while waiting for her. DH has to take me and Home Depot is in the same shopping plaza so he can hang out there while he waits. The facility is only 5 minutes away. I could have asked her delay setting it up because my old primary said do it in 2017 but I figure I night as well get it over with. Going away for the winter cuts into my local availability so that's another good reason to get it done.

Jean..Good job doing Leslie. I should dig out some of my DVDs and get back to that. I have the one we got when we started NS and I bought a couple more at a close out store. It's a local place similar to Big Lots and Ollies.

I had to get weighed at the new primary care DR and I was glad it registered heavier than my home scale. When I see in her September, hopefully I show a little loss from my 3rd quarter goal.

KonaKat

Helene--Get the colonoscopy over with while you have flexible time.

I think I have an appointment with the urologist in September to schedule a time for the next bladder scope. I have to do the same prep for it that is done for a colonoscopy so that the intestines are nice and empty and don't press against the bladder, etc.

I didn't do Leslie today. I didn't feel like it this morning and by the time I got finished with someone talking to me and then setting up my printer, any plans to do Leslie were kaput. Any excuse!

PamS53

Today I continued to work on decluttering and getting ready for my brunch on Saturday. As it stands now, I'm expecting 16 people and there are still 3 that have not responded. All three are neighbors and I'm very surprised that 2 of them didn't respond, even to the reminder notice I sent them. The third is someone I don't know well and I'll be surprised if she comes. Today I also polished a small silver tray I plan to use and washed some of the serving dishes I'll be using. It's slowly coming together and I'm trying not overdoing it by being on my feet too much. Tomorrow I will iron tablecloths and work on getting the tables arranged and whatever else I can do ahead of time. Friday will be my busiest day but hopefully I'll get everything else done before then. My perfectionism really kicks in when I'm planning a party, unfortunately.

I was so happy when my doctor checked my record and agreed with me that I'm not due for another colonoscopy until 2021! That was the best part of the whole exam, lol!

mdubbs1

All these medical tests. What a PITA but so necessary!

Tomorrow morning I take Jessicat to the vet and they'll probably do an endoscopy on Friday so even the cats are getting into the medical test act!

Helene610

I can't imagine a cat getting an endoscopic exam. Mine would have clawed the vet's eyes out or maybe taken a bite out of him. It feels strange not to have any cats in the house. We're taking a break right now. It too Dh a year be ready for a new cat when our first cat died. You can rush when you'll feel ready. It will happen in it's own time.
Pam..Sounds like you have the brunch prep well organized.

KonaKat

A cat getting an endoscopic exam? The cat would have to be sedated and out of it to permit it. I have seen Midnight in action at the vet when they tried to do something to him. This nice well-behaved kitty at home is a Jekyl-Hyde type cat; I saw a side of him that I didn't know existed.

I went to the city yesterday to have lunch with my cousin and then to pick up some groceries at WalMart. I haven't been to the Olive Garden for lunch for a long time other than to have soup and salad. They used to have some great luncheon entrees I enjoyed, but the menu has changed. It is fine for dinner but I wanted an entree that I always enjoyed and was acceptable for a diet. Yes, they have some luncheon items but I didn't want any of them.

mdubbs1

Helene/Jean - they anesthetize the cat. LOL!

I had my oatmeal/raisins this morning. Now I'm packed to take Jessicat to the internist. She'll stay for an endoscopy tomorrow (I assume). On the way home I need to feed the colonies.

KonaKat

Maryanne--I hope all works out well with Jessicat. I had a feeling that she would be anesthetized.

I see work that needs to be done, but motivation is lacking.

When I get bored, I start researching. I knew that NS had bought out South Beach Diet but don't know what that means for the future I discovered a link that SB subscribers suddenly found the website for SB was no longer available and they were upset as they had relied upon it to get recipes, etc. There is a new SB website to be introduced this Fall.

mdubbs1

Leave it to NS to screw up their acquisition.

Good news - my thyroid biopsy was negative! Jessicat's internist asked me about the bruise which I thought was a little strange. But he's a little strange. Good doctor but strange. It isn't until you see him interact with an animal that you realize "oh that's why he became a vet".

KonaKat

Maryanne--Great news on the biopsy.

KonaKat

Dreary day; rain in the forecast. Yesterday, my rings were loose; today, they are so tight that I'm considering removing them. Up 2 pounds since yesterday. This eating around 1200 calories a day and not losing is getting old. Yes, I know the scale fluctuates but when I see an increase like that I know sodium is a factor and to cut down. If it persists, I need to alert the cardiologist.

Helene610

I've been recuperating from a summer cold the last couple of days. I'm just starting to feel better. I've been doing extra fluids, resting, watching TV and reading. I'm hoping to be back to normal tomorrow. Great news on the thyroid biopsy. Will you have to keep repeating them? Jean..I'm sure it's the sodium. Drink extra water to flush your system.

KonaKat

Helene--Sorry you have had a cold; summer colds can really zap you. Hope you feel better soon. I've been drinking 8 glasses of water a day before this gain, so I just don't feel I can down more and still enjoy some coffee. I know that is the usual recommendation to flush sodium out but I'm forcing myself to get the 8 glasses down.

PamS53

Well, I'm as ready as I can get for my brunch tomorrow. In the morning I will bake the casseroles, ice some muffins and make the fruit salad. I will also need to ice down some drinks and pour some juice into carafes and DH will make the coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker and never learned to make it, so that's entirely his area of expertise, lol. I had two last minute guests who RSVP'ed today so I'm hoping I have enough food, but I'm not really worried about it. I think I have enough variety that no one will leave hungry. I'm expecting about 20 people, if everyone comes who said they would.

I have a hard time drinking enough water as well. I try to keep a large covered glass of ice water at hand all day, but I seldom finish it more than once, and I really should drink two of them per day. I need to work harder on that. I don't mind drinking water but I just don't think about it.

I've worked hard today and will need to be up early tomorrow so I think it's time for this girl to head off to bed.

mdubbs1

Jessicat's home. We should have the results of her biopsy sometime last week. I'm hoping for no cancer. If it has to be cancer, let's hope for small cell.

I'm really hoping to get some work done this weekend.

KonaKat

Pam--I think your brunch will be a great success. You have planned it well and have put much work into it. Water? I haven't had mine today. It isn't my "go to" beverage.

Maryanne--I hope you get good news from Jessicat's biopsy. The weekend is designed for relaxation, not work

I have some things to put in the car to take to the city for donation but I really am enjoying relaxing and not being on the road. If I did nothing more than drop off the items and then return home, it would take 3 hours.

KonaKat

Helene610

Jean..What about eating a couple of SF Popsicles on the days you have too much sodium? I believe they are mostly water but it wouldn't feel as bad as trying to force down an extra glass of water. Pam..I never remembered to drink water either. I didn't grow up drinking it so I didn't develop that good habit. What worked best for me was including a glass with my meals. I found it easier to drink with food. I'd drink, have a couple of bites and before I knew it, the water was gone. It was easier than trying to chug down a whole glass. Good luck witht he brunch. And Maryanne, praying for good results for Jessiecat.

PamS53

Brunch was a success and thank God it's over! There was enough food without a huge amount of leftovers, and the Bloody Mary and Mimosa bars were a big hit. That also freed me and DH up to mingle with the guests, so I highly recommend this approach for future parties. We've got all the dishes washed but I'll take my time putting everything away since I borrowed things from all over the house, as well as a couple of items from friends. Everyone was very complimentary about the food and extra touches I added, so I felt really good about how it went. I won't do anything like this again anytime soon, so I'm glad most of our friends were able to come to this one. I'm always exhausted by the time a party is over so I don't entertain very often. I especially tire quickly now as my foot begins to hurt if I'm on it too long. As soon as the last guests left I sat down for awhile while DH started the cleanup, then I was able to help him with the washing and drying later. Fortunately we can rest for the remainder of the weekend.

KonaKat

Pam--It is great that the brunch was a success. Now, it is time to rest and enjoy the memories of the brunch and comments. It is great that you enjoy the food prep and parties.

Helene--I'll have to check the local supermarket to see if they carry any sugar free popsicles. They have eliminated many special diet type foods because of low demand.

PamS53

Jean, watermelon is reputed to be a natural diuretic and I think it contains a lot of water as well. Some of the mini varieties are also seedless and the right size for one or two people. If you like watermelon, you might give it a try.

KonaKat

I now weigh more than what I did at the beginning of this quarter. Oh well! So much for logging food and adding exercise. Now, to try the reverse.

Pam--I can't stand watermelon; most watermelon around here has a yucky taste or almost no taste. I haven't eaten it for years as a melon is too big for one person and takes up too much room in the fridge.