August 14 - August 20

GaGasheesh

LW: 134.2
TW: 134.2

Hubby left at a ridiculously early hour (3 a.m.) for his Alaska fishing trip. He promised to take care of himself . . it seems like he's been getting more little viruses lately, and just finished an antibiotic for a sinus infection. He loves this trip so much, so I don't nag too much, lol.

Sarah, another house issue is just beyond fair. Surely, this has to be the last for a long while! It seems like you're taking it in stride, so that's good. And Lois, the water in the ceiling insulation is not fun, but it's lucky you live in a hot and dry climate. Hopefully there wasn't a mark left on the paint, and it will just dry out and be okay. We had some heavy thunderstorms lately, but nothing like a hurricane or what you're dealing with, Sarah. We went to the movies (discount day) and saw "Twisters" yesterday afternoon. I can't imagine dealing with that kind of wind! I'm hoping to get to a few more baseball games here before summer is over. The Giants are doing better now, so fingers crossed, they will be in the playoffs.

We've been in our house for 18 years now. I'm really wanting to do an overhaul, but we just don't get into the mood for that stuff so much anymore. I think too many years working in the field along with 4 houses over the years (not counting the 2 rental houses we lived in during construction times, or our cabin remodel) has done us in. But, soon we will need to do at least paint and carpet. While hubby's gone I have a few organizing projects I want to dig into though, so I'd better get to it. Also, I have plans with girlfriends I haven't seen in sooo long tomorrow. Today I also have a golf lesson and practice.

Lois, I'm hoping the PT goes really well, and that you'll feel improvement soon. How are the meals going? It sounds like Rhea is a girly girl, like my little almost 3 yo granddaughter here. She loves to get her nails done and wears princess dresses all day. But, she's very athletic too. I swear, the deltoid muscles on that little one! She climbs incessantly all over things, and is in swimming lessons. My oldest granddaughter in Oregon is on a rowing crew, and is a great swimmer also. They sure didn't get that from me. Doggie paddle is my go-to.

I've been stuck at my weight for a while now, so I'm going to give it more attention this week. I looked back through my calorie burn last week, and I got mostly mid 1,700's and one day of 1,998. By the way, my trainer and her family has had Covid for a week, but we're back at it together tomorrow. . It seems that Covid isn't leaving us, and there's been a mini surge here and in southern Cali. So, take some precautions ladies.

Kelly, I hope your eye is getting better with the end of pollen season coming. How's your shoulder? Not sure if you've been able to get it checked yet, but sometimes just rest, ice, heat and ibuprofen resolve it. Check in when you have time.

Looking forward to your posts.

SarahMaxx

LW: 129.4
TW: 129.2

Sort of keeping steady, but I'm okay with that. I am actually surprised that I was still in the 129's this morning because we had pizza for dinner last night, and that usually pushes me up a pound or two for at least a day because of the salt and carbs. But we were tired last night, and hubby really wanted it, and we haven't eaten pizza in more than a month, so I relented even though I knew today was weigh-in day.

Sheesh, I'm sorry to hear that your hubby has been struggling a bit with viruses. Mine has been down with diverticulitis (which is now better) and back strain, and IBS, and . . . This poor man just can't seem to get a break. And today, he had to drive to his office in Chantilly, Virginia, which means battling the beltway for more than an hour. Thank goodness he only goes there 3 or 4 times a year.

And I really covet those kcals. It has to be your muscles upping that burn. I hit 1700+ 4 days last week and my highest was 1799, but I still average in the 1600's. In fact, my 7-day averages for last week were:

Steps = 10,377
Kcals burned = 1,675

Lois, I'm so sorry to hear about the HVAC leak. Houses can be such pains! On my walk this morning, I saw one of my class members in her yard and talked to her for a bit. She had a leak in her ceiling coming from the HVAC and in repairing it, they found asbestos in the walls and ceilings. I didn't realize this, but although some bans on asbestos started in 1970, it was 1989 before the Feds fully banned its use in home construction, and her house was built in 1970. So she's in the process of having walls and ceilings torn out and replaced! Makes my sewer pipe issue sound not so bad. Luckily, however, it's not every wall or ceiling, so apparently the builder just had a little still on hand, but used newer sheetrock, too. And I hope that PT is going well and that your migraines have gone away.

I'm a bit concerned--and figured I might as well state it here to get myself focused on dealing with it--because staying on track with food and activity is so darned hard when we make these trips to NC. (We are leaving a week from today and will be gone a week.) Not only am I in a car for something like 20 hours, but it's hotter there, which makes walking difficult. And my sister and brother-in-law tend to eat take-out a lot. We cook for them, of course, but that does get tiresome, and so we just wing it with them some days. And because I'm in the house with an invalid and an older person (my BIL is a lot older than my sister, i.e., he's 83), we tend to sit a lot down there. I went to the library yesterday to get books, as I will spend a lot of time reading. But I'll just have to do what I can. At least it will just be one full weigh-in week.

Kelly, I've been thinking about your eyes and your shoulder, hoping that both have improved. Hope you get a chance to check in soon.

Well, I guess I'd better get busy. I have a list of things I want to get done while I have the house to myself. Sheesh, enjoy your time on your own and the time with your girlfriends. If you're like me, I miss hubby if he's not here, but I also enjoy the change. My turn will come up soon with hunting season (which seems to start earlier every year!)

Lastchancelj

Sheesh - hope your hubby has a fabulous fishing trip...and that he brings you home lots of fish!!! Staying on fish - the meals were delish and we have the chef coming back on Monday. I'm going to select the salmon again. I would love to do a couple of salmon dishes, but we won't be able to eat them int time. I don't trust fish more than one day later. So I'll stick to one. Hubby really liked the cheeseburger meatloaf, so that's going to be another selection I think. They should be sending me a link tomorrow to make our selections. We're going to finish the left overs that we froze last week tomorrow and Friday. I got my hair did last night so we have Chinese food left over for today. And I'm up 3lbs from yesterday - probably the sodium from Chinese food...

Sadly, the ceiling is stained....pretty bad. I'm not going to touch it until we change out the handler and ensure we don't have a leak after the new one is installed before I do the clean up etc. For now, I won't look up...lol!! We do not have asbestos in our house - thank God. That's a big deal out here.

Rhea is definitely a girly girl. Princess dresses, dresses and frilly stuff is all her. She LOVES to swim, gymnastics and now wants to try ballet. So as she finishes her summer swim lessons, they are attempting to get her into ballet or some other dance that fits their schedules. Kelsie, the 12 yo is NOT a girly girl...she's big into soccer and shorts. Cannot get her into ANY dress for any reason (her mom's wedding she had a dress on for just over an hour - ceremony, pics then changed). I think I shared that hubby said she had to go to the bibbidy boppidy boutique at Disneyland if we took her. You should have seen the look on her face...she actually contemplated passing on the trip..lol. She's athletic and fun in her own way.

Still feeling good from PT. I did another set of balance and mini squats this morning. I go back to PT Friday afternoon.

Sarah - have a great trip to sisters.

wiredkell

LW: 170
TW: 169.7

Ohhhh it's been a week. So I missed my weigh in last Wednesday because of eye swelling, shoulder issues and my thumbnail almost being ripped off, and I had every intention of weighing in on the Thursday when I woke up, but.... 3am on Thursday, I was hit with some sort of food poisoning to top it all off. I was up all night getting sick and pains in my stomach. Yep.. it's been a week. I slept most of the next day and just let my body relax. After that, mostly everything was back to somewhat normal.

I had Physio on Monday, and was finally diagnosed with Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. I have new exercises to just get it moving for now. We're not focusing on strengthening it until the pain goes away. She also dry needled me.. along with heat, ice, advil and rest, it's all helped quite a bit. This week I'm actually sleeping and have figured out a way to at least not sleep on my back all the time. I also managed to get my September allergist appointment moved up to tomorrow, so we'll see what her plan is for me next. My eye lids aren't swollen, but they are a tad puffy, red and itchy. Thankfully, my eyes themselves are fine and normal. So needless to say, I haven't had much time to focus on activity. My eating has been really good though, so I am looking forward to getting back to some movement... even if it's just the treadmill and a long dog walk.

Sheesh - That's so great that your hubby gets to go to Alaska. I've always wanted to go. Enjoy the quietness of home and getting those organizing projects done! I always accomplish so much when the hubby is away.

Lois - Yikes.. the water leak sure doesn't sound fun and I'm sure has been super stressful. Hopefully it dries up and isn't a huge cost.

Sarah - Wow.. more water and yard stuff with you! I feel for you girl. It amazes me how you can stay on track with your weight, eating and exercise, with all the stresses you have going on in life. And I understand your worry about your trip to NC. Do the best that you can to try and stay active when you can, even if it means something as simple as walking in place while you watch TV. Sometimes it's just movement that your body needs.

SarahMaxx

Lois, I'm still ignoring some cosmetic things that haven't been fixed after our pipes debacle. Sometimes it's best to wait until you'll sure everything is going to stay as is. And I'm glad the PT is going well.

Kelly, I thought I'd let you know that I woke up with one eye swollen this morning. Seems like I've had this happen about this time of year before. This is not the full face horror--just an eye. But I know how worrisome eye discomfort can be. You just can't escape it like you could a sore arm or leg.

wiredkell

Sorry to hear that Sarah! Do you find anything actually helps the swelling go down any faster? Does your eye itch at all?
I just got back from my Allergist appointment and she still thinks it's presenting like an allergy. She is keeping me on the meds I'm on now, adding a cream called Elidel that I'll use when my eyelids are red/itchy until the symptoms are done, and then twice a week going forward as preventative. She's then going to do Patch testing on me, but the earliest I can get in is the end of January... Isn't that crazy?!

My shoulder is getting better and better everyday. I can now touch it and raise it somewhat, without much pain, which is amazing. Things are looking up! lol

SarahMaxx

Hey, Kelly. Glad the shoulder is improving. And about eyes, this time, mine got better as the day went on. I suspect there's an allergic component to mine, too. I almost said "because it tends to happen late summer or early fall." But then you mentioned elidel cream, and I remembered that I, too, was prescribed that, but the first time I used it, I discovered I was allergic to that. And that was on St. Patrick's Day, so mid-March. We had a party to attend and help host that evening and so after I used the cream and had a reaction, I spent most of the day with cold compresses on my eye so I would not have to go looking like Bill the Cat! LOL Remember him from Bloom County?



Today I'm dealing with another eye issue, i.e., I got a new box of contacts and the one for my right eye is not settling in well. I have astimatism and have to get toric ones and if they don't sit right, vision is off. Seems it's always something. And yes, the length of time we have to wait for medical tests now is just unacceptable. I can get in to my primary care quickly because we're concierge patients, but if I'm sent to a specialist or out for tests, it's anywhere from weeks to months.

Will send good thoughts your way for more eye and shoulder improvement. And by the way, I had every allergy test known to man when my face blew up that time, and I was allergic to almost nothing--something called bronopol which is in some cosmetics and cleaning products (though not in the ones I was using at that time) and a slight reaction to dogs (which I pet any time I can and seem to have no problem!).

GaGasheesh

I have dealt with a couple of eye issues. In my late 40’s I had swollen eyelids with dry, peeling, itchy skin. I was told to throw away all my makeup, and put a pure oil on my lids, stop wearing makeup for a while. It took a while, but it did clear up doing that. More recently I’ve had eye allergies (itchy and discharge). I was prescribed an eyedrop, then told after that was gone to get “Alaway” eyedrops over the counter. I still use that every day of my allergy season. Probably not the same issue as you Kelly, but thought I would pass it along just in case.

Coincidentally, I had a right shoulder rotator cuff injury when I was about your age Kelly. Eventually they gave me a cortisone shot and then PT. The shot was horrible! I think the rest, ice, heat and PT was what finally did the trick, although I still feel it occasionally, and have to be careful with weight training.

I’m having a nice week and got to spend time with girlfriends Friday. Of course, the organizing projects are taking a back seat to haircuts, grandkids, workouts, golf, etc. 😜

Trainer will be here shortly. Must run.

SarahMaxx

Wow. Look at those fish! Lots of good dinners to come.

Hi, all. Thought I'd check in today in case I don't make it online tomorrow. We are leaving for NC mid-morning tomorrow. My weight today was low, i.e., 128.0, but that's probably a temporary dip because I really didn't eat much yesterday. Just didn't feel like it.

Overall the day was okay, but there were a couple of bumps that were not okay at all. I spent much of the day doing things related to the trip. Anytime we leave and I have a pet sitter coming in, I try to clean everything more than just my usual day to day cleaning, and that kind of got out of hand. And because hubby has been in pain from his back and is also dealing we IBS, he absolutely lost it at me when he walked into the master bedroom and sitting room because I had three things going on at once (and nothing completed) and I had put the kitties food dishes out of their reach. I tend to clean that way. I'll dust, but then think about clearing out under the bed, and then think, while I'm at it, that closet needs to organized a bit . . . And on it goes. And when he's in pain and still trying to work, it really affects his mood.

Part of the reason I stopped mid-multi-chores was because I got notification from my long-term care policy that as of October, they are going up 30% and will also go up 30% in October 2025 and 2026. That is just price gouging. I know they need to go up since the cost of providing services goes up, but 90% over 3 years? I really think I'm going to write my Congressman. But I know my costs are probably still less than many people pay, and I know that with no family to be there for me when I get really old, I need to have this policy. So frustrating. And it's Unum, if you're curious.

Anyway, I always get a little crazy before we go out of town. I truly don't like being away. And there's so much to coordinate with pet care, someone to water all the plants in the back, someone to cover my classes, stopping mail, stopping the newspaper, etc. And then late last night, I felt a little discomfort in my lower left quadrant. Not much, just a little noticeable. So I had to contact my doc to get my diverticulitis meds refilled to take with me, just in case.

Well, sorry to be such a downer. I'm really doing okay. It's just a temporary bump in the road and I'm sure that getting away will do us good. We hope to take one day while there to go to the mountains and enjoy a day meandering around a lovely little "artsy" town that also has some very good restaurants.

Will try to get back online again during the coming weigh-in week, but if I don't, I hope it's a good week for everyone.

Lastchancelj

Sarah - have a safe trip and I hope all goes well. With regard to the long-term care - I never added that to my AFLAC arsenal - due to the exorbitant costs. So I can understand. Maybe that's something I should add when I retire and can discontinue the disability coverage. And yes, and the cost of all policies and items in stores are rising beyond reason. Hubby stopped at McDonald's for lunch and it was over $30 for two big macs, large fries and one large sprite. McDonald's!!

The chef was here again yesterday. We had the salmon yesterday (I have one more serving for today) and that should get us through next week. I wish I wasn't so busy when she's here to visit and watch what she's doing. Hoping to spark that desire for me to cook again. Anyhow, so far we this program is working for us.

Had PT again this morning. Man, I as I'm doing the first few exercises, I think to pipe up to increase the weights and resistance, but when I am done with everything, my leg is quivering, so I'm not sure I could handle any more. I said as much to my therapist today and he said after Disneyland we can address increases. We don't want to overdo it and encounter any setbacks before our trip, so we will proceed cautiously. I am doing my stabilizers at home as well. Still cautious when coming down the stairs. But looking forward to Disneyland.

The weather here is killer. The monsoon storms are wreaking havoc with my migraines. Headaches almost every day.

Sheesh - those fish look wonderful. You're going to be eating well!!

wiredkell

Sheesh - That's interesting about your eyes. Thanks for sharing. I have replaced all my makeup, even though I don't wear a ton. I do tend to keep it for much longer than I should, which doesn't help things. However, I notice that my swollen eyes happen whether I'm wearing makeup or not. My daughter stopped using her facewash yesterday and switched to cetaphil. I have a feeling it's what's causing her eye issues, but we'll see. We also bought her all brand new bedding and an air purifier for her room. Fingers crossed for her. And wow! Check out those fish! Super cool.

Sarah - I hope you have a good trip. I hear what you're saying about getting anxious to travel. Going outside our bubble sometimes gets more difficult and draining than it seems worth. But once it's over, you'll be happy you went and happy it's over. I'm also the same way when it comes to cleaning lol We're women.. our minds are never just on one thing at a time.

Lois - McDonald's pricing is absolutely insane now. I remember I stopped there quickly through drive thru one day at lunch because I had a doctor's appointment that ran late and I couldn't believe I had spent $20 on 1 meal. INSANE.. and never again. It's not THAT good lol Hope your weather improves so those migraines subside for you.

SarahMaxx

It never ends. Now I'm having some tenderness in my low belly on the left side--just where I had discomfort when I had diverticulitis in September 2021. It may be nothing since it's not really pain, but just to be safe, I called my doc to get the two medicines she gave me back then (cipro and metronidazole) along with extras that she told me to keep some on hand in case it ever flared up. I kept them until they expired but never replaced them. Hopefully, this is something that will just pass on by, but I wanted them to take to NC just in case. Didn't want to end up in an emergency room down there. But boy, I hate taking drugs!

Kelly, my hubby has some itchy eye issues and swears by Pataday eye drops. They used to be prescription only, but now they are available over the counter. They're still a little pricey, but they are what our ophthalmologist recommends. And doesn't it seem like more people are developing reactions to various products these days?

Well, my class ran long because I had a substitute co-leader who wanted to chat after class, so now I'm behind with the cleaning, packing, etc. that should be done by bedtime. Lois, I hope your weather soon changes so you don't have to deal with those headaches.