WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER

barbiecat

Hi My name is chris Gilman and I'm getting back on track. Need all the support I can get. doing this by yourself isnt easy. I tell myself .This time I'am going to do it. Wish me luck

Hi Chrissy, If you really want this to work, plan on logging onto MFP every day and posting your food for the day before you eat it.....then log onto this thread and read what others have said and post something about yourself......find ways to exercise...learn about healthier eating. and one day at a time you will see results.....treat this like a new lifestyle, not like a temporary diet.
:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

exermom

FINALLY got whatever it was off my desktop, thanks to a suggestion from Bryan. Now to play catchup (read: "delete")

Donated some refrigerated goods to the soup kitchen, then I was going to take this one class at the workout place near there, only they cancelled that class so I went to another place and took the extreme pump class. Then bowled 3 games (it's been almost two weeks since I've bowled!), picked up a prescription for Vince, then came home and was going to start making the pierogi. Then Vince called. He said "you were right, Denise is moving in with SFB." Seems the landlord called Vince because as a mother she felt bad if we were subsidizing the rent and didn't know that SFB was there. Then.....it turns out that SFB's mother will co-sign for the lease. She must have a very short memory. The last time she did that, they skipped out of the apt and she owed $2,000. Barbara (the landlord) called here to say that legally if they have a cosigner for the rent and that person meets with the credit, she's legally obligated to rent the apt to them. However, she's going to rent it on the 6-month lease. Evidentally, Denise asked her not to tell Vince that SFB was also going to be living there. So.....I stressed out eating. On the positive side, making the dough for the pierogi, you should have seen how I kneaded it!!!! Good stress reliever. Barbara is going to call us tomorrow to let us know how things are going. I'm willing to bet that the mother passes the credit check. SFB has been talking to her about buying a house (yea, right, with what???). Evidentally SFB called Barbara, who didn't like this, to yell at her that they had no place to live. Vince told her that Denise always has a place here. Wouldn't surprise me if the mother is going to pay the rent. I did call Denise & told her that we were willing to pay 1/2 of her share of the rent (which we know to be $750), so we are willing to pay $150. She didn't seem at all phased by the fact that we will no longer be paying $325. Wonder if SFB's mother is planning to pay the rent? That would be sweet for us, 1/2 of 0 is 0. Now I'm really worried about Melanie. When they're down for Christmas, we've made an appt. with the vet because Melanie is due for her rabies shot (and maybe some others) and I'm sure Denise hasn't kept up with that. I would hate to see her get some sickness that could have been prevented. I'm going to ask Jessica to really look Melanie over good -- knowing what happened to Lexi. Vince said that he's going to ask at the Humane Society here if they would take her other cat, since they are a no-kill shelter. She really can't afford to properly take care of two animals.

Barb - when I worked at the Y, I was fortunate in that I got to work one-on-one with the members but also taught classes. I preferred teaching one-on-one. One thing I found with classes is that there was a certain amount of pressure among the members of the class. If someone was hurting, they sometimes wouldn't tell you so that you can give them a modification. Then they'd hurt themselves so bad and not come back. Or else they'd use weights that were too heavy for them because someone else was using a heavier weight. Congrats on teaching!

Hi SunnyLu! You, too, psdh. Where are you from? And jalfie!

Amanda - I'm so sorry that happened to you (your ex). Hopefully, Denise will see the light before there are any children involved. Wow! 3 pounds from goal. That's fantastic!

I can't get over the weight I've gained over this holiday. But I am keeping up with my exercising, drinking water, etc. Just this stress!

Had a holiday social for the Newcomers. People don't bring nearly enough food. I almost died when I saw that by the time I got thru the line (and there were people after me), some of the food was already gone. I actually wound up taking more turkey because I felt if I didn't take it then, there wouldn't be any more left. I went back for dessert (the positive was that I took 2 bites of this chocolate cake and threw the rest out, I had some vegetable fried rice <that I brought, I made 2 batches> for my dessert. I really had no desire for the dessert. There was this lemon bar that I wanted to try, but by the time I got up to the dessert, it was all gone. Maybe it would help if people didn't cut it up into such big pieces, smaller pieces so that everyone can get at least a little bit.

Chris - you CAN do it, and we will all be here for you.

I'm planning to do a step DVD tomorrow.

Everyone, have a great day tomorrow.

Michele

tiarapants

Hello to everyone and welcome to all the new faces.

I seem to be rushing everywhere at top speed at present - which is probably not a bad thing, calorie burning wise. The only problem is that I'm just not able to switch off at night and I'm not getting any proper rest. I suffer from insomnia anyway, so I'm used to surviving on a couple of hours a night, but I've been even worse lately.

DH is out this evening, so I don't need to think about food for him and I may make myself something a bit special - not sure what yet, but I have to go shopping later with my youngest daughter and will get something then. She's off work until the new year as she has to have an operation on Thursday. Prayers for her would be appreciated.

I went for a sight test yesterday and ordered my new glasses. I can't believe how much they cost! Even though I didn't choose expensive frames, they still came in at over £400.00. I have my next appointment with my glaucoma specialist on New Year's eve and wanted to make sure that I had my new spectacles before then, it's just a shame that it had to be so close to Christmas!

Ok ladies, I'm off and running (well, a fast walk at least - I have to be careful with my knee!) so happy Tuesday everyone. Keep up the good work. Hugs to all who are going through struggles.

Love

Amanda x

pmjsmom

Just popping in to welcome our new ladies! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: This is the BEST thread you will find--ever!

Even though I haven't been posting much I read the posts every day and get so much motivation from all of you.

Michelle--I hope your DD sees the light soon. Young women (and men, too) can be so blind to the truth that is right in front of them!

Amanda--3 pounds from goal! How wonderful for you! (Unfortunately, I hare a few pounds to go to get back to my ticker weight--but I will do it!)

Debianne--I like the way you think. I wish you lived near me-- we would be such good friends!

Prayers and good thoughts going out to all of you--have a blessed and safe day.

chicletgirl

:flowerforyou: Hello Everyone!

For the past 2 weeks I have been getting up early for no reason whatsoever, so today I read posts and have some time to post.

Mom is stronger now. I have been doing exercises with her religiously every day, through, " I don't know what I' do without you" to "Damm you I hate you days!". We have had to stop the caregivers coming over as all of my mom's money was being used for that and we had nothing to live on. I have finagled 2 hours a day for a caregiver to come in and help lift mom and put her on the commode or into the wheelchair. I really only needed the caregivers for 2 hours a day, but was forced to do 6 hours a day because it was there minimum. I finally found one that goes for 2 hours but because it is a shift most caregivers don't like doing you have to pay a little more. (normally it is anywhere between $14 to $18 an hour, but because it is such a short time per day they lump it into $45 for 2 hours. Still it is cheaper than what I normally pay!) Saturday, on the day I was letting go our caregiver on his last day, my mom decided to try and sit up on the edge of the bed. She had been listening to the physical therapist on ways to accomplish this and so she tried it. She managed getting her legs over the edge and half way up to a sitting position.I just needed to grab her hand and pull her a little up to a sitting position. I was impressed with that. But then she grabbed the handle of her wheelchair with one hand and while holding the bed rail with her other hand she said she was going to try and stand. I saw her bouncing her butt on the bed, so I thought she was just trying to get the knack of lifting herself a little ways up for strength building her core muscles.I was sitting in a chair at the time watching her and the caregiver was standing in front of her but a couple of feet away from her, when all of a sudden her grip tightened and she started moving up.I sat there with my mouth open and watched shocked :noway: as she continued up on her own and stood holding the wheelchair and bed rail. I was so excited I started screaming and Iggy, the caregiver, said "You did it, you did it!" He went up to her to steady her with his hand but she was standing all on her own! She then sat down again and did it 2 more times to our amazement. We were so excited and because of it her confidence just bloomed. She was so proud of it and herself you could just see the confidence oozing out of her. I was so proud of her!:bigsmile: After she sat down for the last time she turned to me and said, " I feel terrific and it is all due to your exercises you make me do. I never thought I would be able to do that again."
It was a good day. :flowerforyou:

The following day she tried it again, but was unable to do it. I think she must have put a lot of stress on her muscles the day before and her body was sore the next day. Even doing exercises with her she was a little weaker than normal. I am hoping today she might be able to do a repeat performance.

I have been reading "The Simple Abundance" book to her daily, (my bible, since I am not a religious person) and she has fought me on this too. In the beginning she thought it was just crap, and that she had no use for positive thinking or reaching within herself to see what she is really about. But by the time we have gotten to the point of her keeping a gratitude journal it has slowly began to sink in how this will help her. She is more positive now. I have arranged with Access transportation to Barnes and Noble (to get her out of the house) and we are going to look for a journal that will represent her. She will have to look within herself to find that special journal, It needs to be something she will look forward to writing in and enjoy looking at, as it will represent her. She is jazzed about the trip!

It's funny, the other day we were watching a movie and during a commercial she said, "Maybe next Christmas we will be in better situation than we are in now. We'll have money to spend things on." I looked at her and said, "Why what's wrong with what we have now?" She said, "Well we are unable to buy any gifts at all. All our money is wrapped up in me write now." I told her, "You know, at least we are safe and have a roof over our head, have food to eat, you are getting stronger everyday, and we are doing okay, considering everything we have been through. Yes I have to finagle things around to pay for diapers and such, but I manage somehow and we don't want for anything. I am sure everyone understands our situation and will be okay about not getting any gifts from us this year. Besides I plan on making some cookies to give as gifts to the people who have helped me throughout the year and you since you have been here. They will appreciate homemade cookies since none of them cook from scratch. That will be fine for them." Mom said, "Well yeah we are okay I guess if you look at it that way. You're right." She then said, "You've changed, you know that? You never used to look at things like you do now." I told her, "Hitting rock bottom and living on food stamps and accepting help from friends has humbled me and made me appreciate the simple things in life. It's not all about the material things anymore to me. And even when we are able to afford things again, it still won't be. I have learned huge lessons from doing without. It has changed what is important in my life now. Just like the way I eat now. Food doesnt rule me anymore. It no longer has a hold over me. I don't see it as a "Diet" but a new lifestyle change. And I enjoy it! I have never felt so good about myself mentally or physically now compared to when I had material things. I am a different person now and you can be too. It is never too late for anyone to change for the better."

:flowerforyou: Michelle

I have been reading your posts about your daughter and synmpathize greatly with you and her too. My childhood was very bad and I witnessed horrible things done to my family by my own father. My mother was a victim. She worked 2 jobs to make up for my dad never being able to hold a job. He spent money faster than she made it, forging her name on documents for hairbrained get rich ideas that always bombed. Then when it failed he would get drunk and come home and beat her up. This was constantly happening. I remember her being chased around the kitchen table as he thew things at her, like jars or glasses. At the time he was molesting me between 4th grade to 8th grade. He beat my brother all the time. He would point guns at us while we sat in the living room laughing as we flinched when he'd point at us. When my mom would come home from work she would have to make dinner (even though he was home all day) and if he didn't like the food she made he would throw the plate of food at her or at the wall. Him being home all the time made my life a living hell. I never knew when he would come at me and was constantly on guard of him trying to not be around him when he was there. Neighbors thought it was weird that I was always over there house all day (trying to avoid being around him) but sometimes even my best attempts to avoid sexual encounters with him were not good enough. Sometimes he would pull me into a room even when my friends were over. I used to say to my mother, "Dad is doing something bad to me" all the time. But she never did anythng about it. If she ever got the nerve up to ask hiim what was going on, he would make up a lie, like he made me steal somethiing for him and she believed him because it was a bad thing and he would tell her he wouldn't make me do it again. She believed him, not me. I couldn't tell her specifically what was goiing on because he said he would kill her if I told her. But I always said, "Dad is doing something bad to me". Her being a victim herself made it impossible for her to help me or my brother. She was weak. One time she decided to leave him and we went looking for a place to rent. I remember looking at a house with her and I was so excited that we were leaving him. But she chickened out and said she couldn't live without him and back we went to hell. I grew very angry with her and as soon as I turned 18 I moved out. I went to therapy and mom had to come with me sometimes and I had to tell her what had happened. At first she was in denial, then she blamed me for seducing him and finally she realized what she had put my brother and I through because she didn't have the nerve to leave him. My brother who was beaten regularly supressed a lot of it and when he went to therapy and memories came back to him that he had hidden, he hated my mother and never went back to therapy to help him deal with it. Their relationship was a love/hate relationship all his life and he is a very bitter man and has punished my mom all her life for it. I on the other hand finished therapy and came to realize that my mom was a victim and even though she was the breadwinner and supported us, she felt like she could never do it on her own, even though that was exactly what she had been doing all along. She felt she "needed him" to survive.. Literally. She was extremely co-dependent on him and refused to see what was really going on because she felt she deserved the abuse and didn't think she deserved or would get anything better. That was the way her life was supposed to be. She was madly in love with him too. It wasn't unitl she had to face the ugliness in therapy with me, that she finaly left him and took ownership for what she put my brother and I through. But up until I was in my late 30's she never acknowledged what I went through. She would blow me off and say all kids have bad childhoods. It took me until my late 30's of being upset with her, disappointed in her, resentful of her that she wouldn't acknowledge what I went through and how I never had an normal childhood living in terror all the time. Eventually I had to see that I would never get the recognition I needed from her. I guess I was still looking for her to save me. But it wasn't ever going to happen. She was a victim herself and until she dealt with her demons she would never be able to help me, so I just forgave her for her weakness and finally was at peace.

It is ironic I think sometimes, that I am now taking care of her, when she really never took care of me. I hope that it makes me a better person in the long run. I remember taking care of her after he would beat her or I would have to call the police to protect her, that I have always been the one to take care of her. I was the mother, and she was the child even back then. What I have learned from that whole experience is that you can do nothing for them to make them leave the situation. It is something they have to realize, like an epiphany, a light bulb clicking on. You can try and help them, save them, take them away from the situation, but unless they WANT to, all your best efforts are futile. It's like changing the way you eat like we are doing now. You have to WANT to do this for yourself, no one else. You can't do it for your boyfriend, husband, or to attract men to you. It has to be for YOU. Your brain has to acknowledge the change is for you. Otherwise you will go back to eating the same way again at the first stessful situation or trigger. Otherwise you go back to the same abusive relationship thinking it will be better next time or believe what he says that he loves you and won't hit you again. It is a very hard thing for them to realize and see when we obviously see it. I think of all those doctors who used to tell me that I was morbidly obese and was going to die if I didn't do something about it. At the time it wasn't enough to be warned, I refused to see it. I felt fine and I didn't want to give up cakes and cookies and fried foods or eating fast food all the time. It wasn't worth it to me. It took me to hit rock bottom in my life, losing everything I had accomplished, achieved, owned and the person I loved to my divorce. It's true I didn't see it coming, but it happened and I was forced to deal with it, though not well in the begining. It has been the hardest thing I have ever gone through, but it has changed my life for the better. It has made me realize what really is important in my life and I have wonderful friends that I have met in the process. I look at things entirely different now. I think of me now, I take care of me now, I love me now and in turn, people find it easier to love me back now. So I guess what I am saying is your daughter will have to make the decision herself when she is ready and all you can do is be there for her when she realizes it and help her then. It is unfortunate that he pets are suffering for her ignorance. I imagine she needs them to help her cope and he takes advantage of that love for pets to get at her. The poor animals are the ones that are suffering the most though. She has chosen that relationship and it turmoil it puts her in. The animals have not. As usual they just love unconditionally and get the brunt of it all. You are a good person, Michelle to try and help them escape it. You may not be able to help your daughter as she has "Chosen" this path, but the innocent animals definitely haven't chosen it. I am sure for all the animals that don't have a voice and can't express anything, that they definitely appreciate people like you. People like you are what makes animals care unconditionally. I just wanted to let you know I think of you often.

Faye:flowerforyou:

I saw that you said your recipe is different from the other ladies peanut butter cookie recipe. Would you mind sharing it?

Well everybody here is starting to wake up. Boo just popped her head up from her bed and looked at me and started stretching. I think I will go and pick her up and hold her for awhile and be thankful I have such a sweet little dog in my life.

See you later
Chiclet

BirdieM

Well Amanda, I found the 3 pounds that you lost!:laugh: :ohwell: But I know what to do about it! :flowerforyou: I just wish that I could exercise, as that is key in maintaining the weight....unless you want to live on 1200 calories the rest of yopur life!:frown: So, My routine will go back to when I started, which was to stay within the allotted calories & drink lots and lots of water. I wish I could exercise, but with vertigo, and the doctor telling me to move slow....doesn't look like it's in the cards for the time being.:ohwell: But I'm not changing my ticker for at least a week. I have total confidence that I won't have to because I have learned how to manage my food and not let it manage me!!!:laugh:

Welcome to all the new posters!!! :flowerforyou: Barbie's right about not considering this a temporary diet. The only way you lose it and keep it off is to change your lifestyle and your attitude towards food. I LOVE to eat but I LOVE fitting into smaller clothes more. So food is to be enjoyed in smaller quantities but I never give myself permission to eat the way I used to. That person, back then, focused too much on food and gave it too much power in her life. Take the reins and control the food. Don't let IT control YOU! That only happens "One Day at a Time".
Good luck!

BirdieM

anotheryearolder

Chiclet – I would be happy to share my pb cookie recipe but it probably isn't anything unusual. The point I was making about my friend is that she just is no good at making cookies period! :ohwell: I find the two most important things about making cookies is to know when to take them out of the oven. As you probably know, as you apparently make cookies for gifts, is that they shouldn't look done when you take them out of the oven, at least for cookies that aren't supposed to be crisp. The second is to have air bake cookie sheets. I always loved my Mom's cookies but they were always …...I'll be kind here..... crispy and very brown. We enjoyed them for sure and usually dunked them in milk anyway. I will get the recipe out this evening and post it here. They are a soft cookie, if you don't bake them too long.

It is wonderful that you have managed to have such a forgiving heart regarding your mother and to have endured the abuse from your father and come out of that experience still able to have a normal life is remarkable as well. You are a strong person.

Good news! Even though it got down to 18 degrees here last night and the wind was blowing like crazy, my baby veggies made it through the night.:noway: :bigsmile: Yesterday DH and I had to redo the plastic on the cold frames, as it was a couple years old and had gotten weak from the sunlight. The wind had knocked a hole in both of them. We got that repaired and then covered the cold frames with tarps and roped that down because of the heavy winds! :noway: You would think they didn't sell veggies in the store wouldn't you? But I was just determined that they would survive. I so like picking my own fresh veggies.

I have just been out on the glassed in porch assembling a storage cabinet. Burrr, it's still cold even though it's after noon. I had lifted the cold frames earlier to keep it from getting too warm in there but I better go lower it again! DH was a sweetie helping me all afternoon keeping the vegetables safe, especially as he is not fond of them.

His doctor wants him to eat more veggies, so I make him a salad most days for lunch and he gets green beans every night for dinner. That is about all he will willingly eat in the veggie line. Can you imagine eating in such a boring manner? It would make me starkers but he said if he has to eat veggies for dinner, make it green beans. He doesn't even use salad dressing on his salad. He says it tastes so yucky that salad dressing doesn't help, so why bother. He likes tomatoes and sweet peppers but can't eat them anymore. He has become allergic to them and gets esophageal spasms from them. It was not fun trying to figure out what the problem was, those spasms mimic a heart attack and was quite scary until the doc got him on a good medicine and we figured out the food allergy thing. He can eat them cooked in small amounts now with the medicine he takes for the spasms but not raw at all.

We sure are opposites when it comes to food. He likes meat, corn, rice and potatoes and a few other things and nothing spicy. I love spicy food and mixing it up. I used to compromise and come up with something we would both eat and add some zip to mine but I don't do that anymore. I can't lose weight eating what he likes. I make two different dinners; keeps us both relatively happy.

Well, I have been writing this a bit at a time between tasks. I better get this posted and hit the gym here shortly.

Keep warm! :drinker:

Faye

Laura80111

:flowerforyou: It's Tuesday and I some how missed the last three days...

Saturday was very busy and the hubby and I went shopping got 90% of it done.

Sunday I finished the Christmas Cards and all the rest tof the candy making, so I have reclaimed the kitchen.

Yesterday Hubby and I didn't feel too good so we stayed home. I was able to get a lot of the papers filed that pertain to Mom and then some wrapping done, still more paper work to deal with but have made a dent.

Back at work today and the "Paper faries" didn't show up and do the work on my desk...so I have a lot to do and no incentive to want to get it done, unfortunatley there isn't anyone else to do it so I have to just plug along.

Viv - "One Chocolate at a time"...there was a time that is what I was doing....and growing with it too.

Denise - So glad you are back from France, I'm sure it was a wonderful trip.

BerdieM- I too suffer from Vertigo, it can really take the wind out of your sails. It's been a few months since I have had it hit me...but just about the time I'm thinking I won't have it get me...it does:grumble: Hope you are better soon.

VickiM- for the Peanut Butter Balls:
1 cup Peanut Butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cube of softened butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Cream all together, form into small balls. Place them in the freezer. While in the freezer melt Chocolate Bark( I melt mine in a double boiler) after the balls are Very Cold dip them in the Chocolate. When they are cold it helps set the Choc Bark.

Hoping all of you are having a good day. Yesterday my sodium went out of control as hubby wanted sushi and I said yes, so today I am really pushing the water and green tea to get it out of my system.

Til tomorrow, keep up the good job everyone:drinker:

Laura

joylaut

Got my cards done last night. Had some clients cancel today -- I should have been shopping or decorating or something but nooooo, I went to 3 different stores looking for a 2011 day planner. I saw so many inspirational, zen, cool, fun planners BUT...they all had a horizontal format. I really really need a vertical one. Oh well, I guess I will have to settle for one that is more mundane.

Meanwhile, I am trying not to get discouraged about being at day 19 without the scale moving at all. :frown: With the exception of maybe 2 or 3 days, I am under my calorie count and I'm walking at least 3-4 times a week. I know I need to increase my exercise plan....but still.

I am committing to all of you that I will stay consistent in logging and monitoring calories, stay with my exercise for at least 3 months before I decide it's not working. I keep telling myself that if I just stick with it long enough, Something has to drop off, right?!

Again, a reminder for all of you about self-care. don't make yourselves crazy trying to do it all...
Joy

mynyddisamrs

:blushing: Pleeeeeeease can I come back in?? ....................

:noway: I've been so lazy since we came back from holiday and know I should have been........., could've been and haven't been...........doing what I should have!!!

:flowerforyou: Hope all you guys are Ok. I'll admit to not even reading any of the posts either ..........apart from Amanda being 3lb short ....nearly there!! and Faye's looooong post ...keep caring girl!!

Xmas countdown nearly done. DH has just done his Xmas card neighbour run. Presents are wrapped and under the tree ....for the cats to take all the bows off etc!! :laugh: All cards posted and now.......we're just waiting for the snow to arrive again.
I must say the carers that come every day were quite intrepid . Mum still managed to get to her day centre ....well wrapped up against the arctic temperatures we've had.At least being in a wheel chair she has no danger of slipping and falling. We did have a laugh one day though when the taxi driver got the chair down the wheel ramps and skated up the drive behind the chair

The tin of sweets bought for the Carers has been emptied............Moi? ....:sad: Yep!! and I'm kidding myself that it won't make a difference. I'm the same weight again and I'll certainly be joining the" New Years Resolutionists".
Meanwhile I'll try and lose at least a pound before 25th!!

So ...............it's tape over the mouth time.Dh has spied the mince pies and the coffee smells good!!

BFN
....again
Jackie

anotheryearolder

Chiclet - sorry I didn't get this to you last night. Hope you like them. As I said, it's sure no secret recipe of mine but they are tasty!

Faye

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. shortening (I use butter flavor Crisco)
1 c. regular sugar
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs well beaten
1 tsp. real vanilla
1 c. peanut butter
3 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt

Combine shortening and both sugars, beat until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, peanut butter and mix well.
Add dry ingredients that have been stirred together. Mix well. Roll bits of dough into a golf ball shape with your hands. Flatten balls somewhat until about 1 ½ inches across with a fork dipped in sugar. Then leave marks in the opposite direction with dipped fork.

Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.

smwert

I had resolved to get back on track and I just read all the posts while I scarfed down a bad of bbq chips. What a dummy I am.

I have a hard time resisting snacks. I had such good intentions. Oh well - have a good supper and start afresh tomorrow
smwert

MacMadame

Hi everyone... Just checking in.

Chicklet, you should be really proud of the work you are doing with your mom! Have you though about becoming a physical therapist or an occupational therapist some day?

exermom

chicklet - how wonderful for your mother! Wow! Reading about your childhood, you certainly amaze me. Yes, so many times I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that my daughter has to WANT change. I can only pray and be here, let her know that I'll always be here for her. One of the things that really frustrates me is the fact that his family will always rush in at the 11th hour whenever there is a problem (financially) and just give her money. That really isn't helping her to grow. I can tell from the things that she's saying that she's slipping down again (in a bad way). She's started lying to us, to her sister. That's usually one of the first signs. I'm willing to bet any amount of money that the reason she doesn't have the apt she had before is because he was always there. My understanding is that she has a suspended license. She hasn't said anything about getting that situation rectified, so I don't think she has. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if his mother is making her car payments. They seem to think that just throwing money around is helping -- it's not, she needs to learn financial accountability. Well...one day she will. Unfortunately, that day may come when she's 50. But I can't help that. Now that they're living together again, I'm really worried about her cat (Melanie). The last time they lived together her cat was severly abused. We have ownership of that cat right now. When the SPCA came to seize the cat, he threw the cat (with a dislocated hip) at the officer. Now what is going to happen to her cat? What are we going to do when he abuses it to the point that it needs vet care? Before, we paid for the care. But we don't want to pay just so that he can continue to abuse the cat. I don't know what we're going to do. I'll have to talk to Vince so that we're on the same page when this occurs (I'm sure it will, poor Melanie)

Well, I talked to Vince. He said, and this sounds reasonable to me, that should something happen to Melanie and Denise takes the cat to the emergency vet, he's going to ask the vet if in their opinion this could have been caused by abuse. We realize that they can't say definitely it was abuse, but we'll tell them about Lexi. Then we'll tell Denise that she is to call the West Chester police and file a formal complaint of animal abuse. When that's done, the vet can talk to us and we'll give them a credit card number. So, in essence, she'll have to choose between her child (Melanie) and SFB. Should she choose SFB, she's condemned Melanie. We just can't keep paying for him to abuse an animal. I just feel so bad for Melanie, Denise is choosing this life, Melanie doesn't have a voice.

We'll most likely go to the Humane Society tomorrow. Update: I don't know, but sometimes it takes Vince so long to get moving. He'll go tomorrow. I have a cookie exchange to go to. Last yr we had a cookie exchange on the day when we had 10" of snow. I know for some of you that isn't much, but for NC it's a lot. People have no idea how to drive in the snow, down here they don't know how to plow either. I guess they're just religious about snow, you know, "God put it here, God will take it away"

Did an hour step DVD today (Mon). Tomorrow...yoga and then water aerobics.

Went to play Bunco tonight with the Newcomers. I just took some veggies with me. Lately, I just really want something light. I guess I just can't understand people who always go to the store and buy things. All the desserts were bought

Faye - I certainly can understand bordom in eating veggies that you have with your dh. Vince likes carrots, corn, white (not sweet) potatoes, tomatoes (but only if they are cold, except in pizza sauce). I hear ya about not being able to eat healthily with what he likes. Many times I do make two meals, but I make a fair amount so that all I have to do is reheat leftovers for him.

Did 45 min of yoga today (Wed.) and an hour of deep water. Guess I'll do a weight DVD tomorrow.

Take care everyone.

Michele

Laura80111

It's Wednesday and I'm still dealing with last Friday work .... there is something wrong with this picture...and I think it's "I need to be cloned" just to get caught up:ohwell:

I can sure tell that we have all been busy, due to the lack of entries...and I'm sure that once the new year sets in and we slow down again we will all be back to our chatty selves

Last night hubby wanted Pizza for dinner and I was so stressed that I had no will power...and today I am having to drink a lot of water and green tea to get rid of the sodium. I am feeling the NEED to exercise and wish I had a few more hours each day because I just don't have enough time right now.

We are waiting for our first real storm to hit the Denver area tonight...sure do wish that the weather people here would get together and decide how much snow we are to get...some say 1-2" others 1-3 plus an extra 2-4 and some just jump to the 1-6" so after it's over we will really know. The nice thing is it's supposed to be back in the 50's by the weekend and most of it will be gone. But considering that by this time we usually have had about 19" and so far we have only had a trace...I won't complain, it's made going to work and shopping a lot easier with warmer weather.

Well I must get back to the piles on my desk. Everyone have a good evening and drink your water:drinker:

Laura

jam0525

really quick as I am still at work..............

Amanda - great new picture
Chicklet - U go girl! give your mom a hug for me for standing up on her own. We are all so proud of you and her.

All- warm wishes for a great day and evening. My apologies that I don't have time to write more today.

Jeannie

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: I cooked the turkey yesterday (actually, with my direction, Jake made the cranberry sauce and stuffing, stuffed the turkey, wrapped the yams in foil, put the turkey in the oven, set the table, carved the turkey and did more than half of the clean up)......I had a busy day with the cat's appointment at the vet, and an hour long meeting at noon, and a two hour visit from a friend before our turkey dinner guests arrived at 4:30. The dinner was delicious. Our friends brought a great salad and dessert.

:flowerforyou: Today we learned a waltz in line dance and after a lunch of turkey/stuffing/yams/gravy/cranberry sauce I met with a friend for a walk that lasted almost two hours. There was no rain and the temperature was just above freezing so I wore my early morning dog walking clothes so I knew I'd be warm enough.

:flowerforyou: Yesterday with all the sit down and stand still activities, I had a huge challenge to walk my 10,000 steps, but Jake was very tolerant and didn't fuss that I walked up and down the hall whenever I had a minute and jogged on the carpet while we watched TV after the company left......I just barely made the 10,000 steps by bedtime

:flowerforyou: All the sodium from the stuffing resulted in a big water weight gain, but after the leftovers are gone, we'll be back to normal

:flowerforyou: Chiclet, I admire your forgiving spirit and you ability be so kind to your mother after all that went on when you were younger.......I believe that we are all better off if we can forgive and go on.

:flowerforyou: we took the cats for their yearly check up yesterday and got good news.....both cats have lost weight so the new healthier food has been doing its job.....also Haifa, the 15 year old cat who had glucose problems last year and had to have insulin for a few months, is doing well and needs no special treatment except that the vet had to trim three claws that were growing so long that they were about to grow into his feet.....it hurt so much that she gave him a shot for the pain......between the pain shot and the regular immunizations and turkey for dinner, both cats slept far into the day :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:

:flowerforyou: someone brought a big plate of Christmas cookies to line dance and while I was admiring them and thanking the woman who brought them, some said to me, "but you can't eat things like that":laugh: :laugh: :laugh: and I told her, that I can eat anything I want, I just choose not to.....this was the same woman who makes veiled snide remarks about how warm i dress because I get colder than everyone else......it's a good thing I have a thick skin (even if it doesn't keep me warm :laugh: :laugh: )

lyn54

Hi Ladies,

Hello to all the newbies:flowerforyou: This is a great thread.

Laura it's good to see you on here. I am glad your life is getting somewhat back to normal. I wish you a peaceful Holiday Season.

Birdie -I miss your excercising too and am sorry you are experiencing vertigo? what causes that? inner ear?

Amanda-nice pic- I'm glad the new "bairns" are doing so well..

Chiclet-I had a horrible experience as a child but I must say not as bad as yours. I wasn't sexually molested. Any abuse is horrible. I, too , went to therapy. Sometime, I might tell my story. Sometimes, it's too depressing to relive. I can't imagine what you deal with even in forgiveness, to take care of your mom like you are. You are a saint and there will surely be many stars in your heavenly crown. You are earning them. My experience has affected my health all my life. I was told it's post traumatic stress just like we had lived in a war zone. Your body is on alert at all times.

to all the rest I wish you a healthy, happy time, whatever you are doing.

I have been very sick this week. I had to sing Friday for a crowd and still had a cough. One of the singers there told me they did that once and had the worst case of bronchitis he had ever experienced. I think that may have jinxed me . I had company Sunday from out of town, until 10 pm. It snowed all day. It took them an hour and a half to get home.
My cough continued to get worse all day Sunday. Monday I was coughing so bad, it was awful. The doctor prescribed a zpack and cough meds with codene. Tuesday the coughing was a lot better. I have felt like I was "run over by a mac truck" since. I am better but very weak. It may not be the worst bronchitis and sinus infection I have ever had but I don't want it to be worse. I was wondering if I was getting pnuemonia again. Which would mean steroids. I am up a pound...not going to change my ticker until I see if it isn't the antibiotics messing with my system.

We are having an ice storm here. I hope it isn't too bad. The temp is 33 which is weird because I thought it had to be below 32 to be ice. We are having what is called freezing rain. This is the highest temp we have had in 2 weeks. I hope everyone will be safe going to work in the am.

I am resting and taking it easy. I can do that for a few days. I will probably do Christmas Cards tomorrow. I feel like doing something again.

Good health to you all...:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

tiarapants

I am supposed to be out of the door in about five minutes time, but just had to pop in and tell you all .... I'm at my goal! I lost that last pesky 3 pounds. I actually thought I'd done it a couple of days ago - but wanted to see it for a couple of days before I'd believe it. Well, today it was still gone - so I'm owning it!

Got to go, but wanted to share my happiness with all my lovely friends.

Amanda x

AliceLMS

Outstanding Amanda!:bigsmile: