Senior Golden Sneakers - December 2010

Weather seems to be the hot topic these days. The rain in the Pacific Northwest is making things miserable for many, and the snow in the upper Midwest has brought many to a standstill.

I know that some of you live in each area and I sincerely hope you are all dealing with Mother Nature in a positive way.

I'm a little bummed as there was not an ounce of weight loss this past week. I do understand the connection between stress and weight so am trying not to get down on myself. I'm still ahead of my 2 pounds per week curve so will just chalk it up as another thing I can't do anything about, recite the serenity prayer one more time and move ahead.

It's 11:30 am here and as I look around the room I see my husband asleep in his recliner and the dogs asleep in the hall and wonder if I shouldn't lay down and take a nap, too. On the other hand the kitchen floor could use a cleaning and there are branches the wind broke off our big Post Oak laying on the ground. I don't like any decaying wood anywhere near the house even when it is 18 degrees as termites are voracious creatures and don't stop eating just because it is chilly outside.

Here's to the next seven days - with each day bringing us closer to good health and happy lives.

:flowerforyou: the new picture is Jake's beautiful daughter, her wonderful husband, and their two boys ages 2 and 4 months

:flowerforyou: Sandy, the Isagenix cleanse is mostly liquids all day (there's a collection of Isagenix products that are part of the cleanse day) along with Isagenix chocolate snacks and IsaDelight chocolates and a lot of water. It is a cellular cleanse and cleans the impurities in your body not the kind of cleanse that you do before a colonoscopy. Many people do their cleanse days on a day when they go to work because being busy makes the time pass faster for them.

:flowerforyou: Connie, I wrestle with the same dilemma of having husband and all the pets sleeping and not being able to decide if I should nap or do some chore that is calling to me. This morning I got up at 5:30, walked the dogs,let the cats out, and had my breakfast then I noticed that the dogs were asleep and maybe I should go back to bed. Instead I worked on about two hours of projects that had to be done on the desktop computer

:flowerforyou: we have been watching the news of the big snowstorm in southern Minnesota. I went to college south of the twin cities and whenever we go back there, Jake says he thinks it would be great to live there. Today he said he was glad we didn't live there :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

:flowerforyou: Marie, it's so dark and cold here I can't imagine getting ready for spring by ordering tomato seeds.....you are certainly thinking positive.

:flowerforyou: I took the dogs to the dog park this morning so now I have the whole afternoon to do something for myself ----maybe I'll take that nap:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I have been married to my husband for 40+ years and have a daughter, granddaughter, son and daughter-in-law. I moved to Boise 4 years ago to be able to spend more time with my daughter and granddaughter. I am a grant writer for poverty programs by trade and also an ordained minister in the Episcopal tradition.

I am looking forward to getting to know you guys!

Happy Monday!!!

Got all the gifts out this morning accounding to the mail only 4 days left to get boxes on time for Xmas:grumble: :grumble: by now UPS does not promise to delivery on time only overnight:noway: :noway: all this information comes because I used both methods at work.

Sandy - I'm so happy with the nail hardener, my nails are looking amazing-you're right we had so much snow and wind, still more snow is on the way. So glad we're not in South Bend, IN they really got it:explode: :explode:

JoAnn - how is the weather in Elkhart, I know has been terrible in the area, hope everything is well and you're to busy to post,
have a great week and keep warm.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Marie - Good planning ordering your tomato plants seeds already that is a good way to think SPRING, we need that kind of thinking

Maryellen - Welcome:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: I'm in the middle of Illinois where the weather is horrible right now:grumble: :grumble: my family is all over, three daughters and my husband of 43 years, we're planing to retire soon, three grandkids two boys and one girl, we have a great time together.You're going to love this group:happy:

Have a super evening everyone:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Gigi

A quick Hi from Saskatchewan. We had a nice day today (about 16F) with the most fluffy snowflakes. Of course we had a Dr. appt. for Neil, the ortho. surgeon this time. His toe is infected (neil's, not the Dr.'s) so he is on antibiotics and by this evening his toe is already starting to feel better. In January Neil will have some surgery on the toe but the infection has to be completely gone first. The Dr. is going to remove the joint from the toe and straighten the toe out which should make it so it will not be constantly irritated. Fortunately it can be done with a local anesthetic and will only take 10 or 15 minutes. He will be home that day. So it is what we call good news today. When we got home I had a message to call my Dr. to review my blood work. It sounds like some cholesterol problems which I have never had before. Time to behave myself!! I will call him tomorrow.

Sandy -- Thanks so much for prayers. I have said a few words for you as well. I hope the therapy will be the ticket for you.

We did a little bit of shopping today. We bought Neil a new TV for his room at the Group Home. He will be so excited. He will likely want to go home immediately!! I have some more shopping to do but I am getting there. We are back in the city tomorrow for another Dr. appt. ( neurologist this time) so will likely hit the stores for a bit. This is the only time of year that I really enjoy shopping. I love the Christmas music playing and most people are happy.

Thinking of you all. Take care and keep smiling. Gayla

Good morning,

Marie - I loved the Puppy Picture, made me feel great during working hours, so cute.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Hope to be able to go to the Gym tonight, weather still a factor in this area.

Have a great day:happy: :happy: :happy:

Gigi

Hi everyone. It looks as if you have all been busy.

Marie - wonderful news about the drive and also about exchanging the pants; keep up the good work and you'll soon drop another size!!

Gayla - you really are going through it at the moment. I do hope the news from the next round of doc's appointments is good. I have high cholestrol levels and only found out there was a problem after a blood test for something else. However, I am pleased to say that it seems to be controlled with pills as well as me being careful not to over indulge on dairy.

Maryellen, sounds like a wonderful family.

I had a lovely afternoon today. Dawn had to go to Emma's school for a progress reporting evening, so I had the two smallest girls (Ruby and Louise) after school. Tuesdays are Ruby's swimming lesson days and the pool is just around the corner from my bungalow. So we walked around there and she had a great swim. When we got home I cooked them something to eat and we all watched a DVD until Dawn arrived to take them home. It was a great few hours and, as they had eaten here it meant Dawn could sit down for a few minutes, rather than rush home - which was nice for both of us.

I am going to Oxford tomorrow; am not sure how much time I will get to check in with you folks but you will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will get back to you all a.s.a.p. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Pam

Home nurse was here today and hubby no longer has to be on oxygen during the day. Just at night when he is sleeping, or if he is active - which isn't likely to happen. They also reduced dosage on one of the medications! All good news.

Scale kinda fluttered around a lower number this morning but then settled in at the same old level as yesterday and the day before that, etc., etc.

Seems like most of us center our lives around what we're eating, and what the doctor has to say. Wouldn't it be nice if it were otherwise?

Sandy, I surely enjoyed our "live" conversation on Skype. It was fun to see your decorated kitchen over your shoulder. Does anyone else have a web camera and SKYPE??? There is something so "other world" about participating in a video call. Remember back in the 50s when they were forecasting that a video phone was in our future? SKYPE goes a long way toward fulfilling that prediction.

Hi everyone! We were in the city shopping and were on a roll when we left the underground mall parking to find freezing rain. We decided to stop shopping and come home before the highways were not passable. We had a nice dinner of bran flakes for me and oatmeal for Dave. It felt like something my in-laws would have done and it was fine. Then I got into watching some Christmas specials and before you know it the evening was gone.
Tomorrow is my day to do some baking and make nuts and bolts. I will have to watch myself and keep them from entering my mouth.

Take care all. Gayla

A little morning humor!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Oh, I love this Sandy - fits my sense of humour!!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Just finished packing for the next few days. They are forecasting more cold weather (and possibly more snow) so I am taking far more than I think I need but at least I am prepared for whatever the skies throw at me!!

Keep smiling, warm and happy - love you guys

Pam :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Happy Wednesday!! Bingo Night!!

Marie, another great picture, you are becoming quite the expert.

Pam, please drive careful and make sure you always have a near full tank of gas. I like Marie, love to hear about your Country and all the wonderful places you visit. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Gayla, ok I have to ask, what are nuts and bolts? Is this a baking term? As you know I am not a cook nor a baker, I leave that to the talented people in my life. :laugh: Did Neil get his TV early or is it for Christmas? I know he will love it. I just reminded myself I have to send him a Christmas Card. :bigsmile:

Gigi, you also reminded me about how much my MIL used to love secret Santa. I miss her so much she was just such a wonderful lady and since she had no girls (four boys) her and I were very, very close. I am glad most of you are exercising, I am bad very bad, but I will get back on track once I get this back healed. :sad:

Barbie, you are like my husband who takes Daisy for a walk twice a day, no matter how cold it is outside. He bundles himself up with a face mask and hand warmers etc because he just doesn't like to see Daisy not get her walk. He says it calms her down and she is not so wild in the house. I think Daisy keeps him healthy along with the hour of stationary bike and half hour of eliptical and then some weight routines. He is a good example for me, but because he still smokes he thinks if he continues with this routine it is ok to smoke. :noway: His heart doctor says he is in great shape and all his numbers are perfect, so something is working.

Connie, I too liked our Skype call and will do it again. You took me by surprise that morning since I wasn't showered or made up or anything, but it was nice getting to know you and say hello to your husband. :happy: :happy: We will do it again soon. I can't wait to try the group call with my family, it sounds wonderful.

Time to get more presents wrapped, have a great day everyone!!

A little morning humor!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Tooooo funny., And Oh, so true.

:flowerforyou: Sandy, how great that your hubby takes Daisy out to get her exercise. Jake and I share the job. I walk the dogs first thing in the morning (sometimes before daylight) and I take them to the dog park. Jake takes them out during the day including after dark in the evening. At this time of year the sun doesn't come up until almost 8 AM and it goes down before 5 PM so there's a lot of dog walking in the dark. I have a flashlight in the pocket of extra warm dog walking coat so I'm prepared for the dark.

:flowerforyou: Barb, glad to hear that you are alive and well. I hope that your business is successful with all the time you seem to putting into it.

: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 hour long meeting at noon, and a two hour visit from a friend before our friends 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.

: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

Barbie -- Your dinner sounds yummy! You are wise not to fret over a gain that you know will quickly go away. I meant to mention what a lovely looking family in your picture.

Marie -- I get my nail Recovery at the salon where I have my manicure. It seemed a bit expensive but the stuff last a long time.

Sleep well. Gayla