Good morning ladies,
After a busy Easter weekend, with lots of family and friends interaction, I'm looking forward to the wonderful weather ahead to continue being active outside. Everyone here seems to be finding their rhythm and that balance is so important for continued motivation to keep it up! Heading out the door to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine and will check back later.
MaryLynn

Karla, sending you big applause for your consistent efforts and those wonderful results. So affirming to have a cheering section around you as you march daily towards personal goals! Glad to hear that the eye is clearing up with the drug therapy and praying that this tough road will soon be behind you. Nice to have your home to yourselves and enjoy rearranging things.

Janet, it is good to hear that you are finding your "inner idle" today and I truly hope that some quiet rest will bring the healing and relief from pain. Those procedures are exhausting and you are so wise to heed your body's needs carefully. Hang in there with the low iodine regime this week - I'm sure I have no idea how many food items need to be avoided during this time!

Diane, I am SO with you on the start of a new leaf! I still find it a real struggle to take in enough lean protein, so that is my mini-goal this week. You managed well with getting through the Easter holiday feasts and finding out that you can indeed say "no thanks". Please try not to be too hard on yourself in terms of willpower, and allow yourself to be less than perfect. When we incorporate treats into our plans and add some more movement to burn it off, we tend to feel less deprived and more inclined to feel positive about progress. Your schedule doesn't give you much slack and yet you still find ways to get some exercise in too!

Jeanette, your sewing efforts were such a success, with two happy little girls who appreciated the special gifts. Finding a way to allow your parents to remain in their home is a kind gesture and not without challenges, so hoping that the conversation continues to move forward with them in a positive way. Glad you were able to enjoy time with them and your family over the Easter holidays and finding ways to keep active as well. Looking forward to more sewing project pictures as you explore that new creative tool. You have a great eye for combining colors/patterns and it sounds like you were pleased with the results. Happy belated birthday and enjoy your day today! Dance like nobody is watching!

Patti, it is wonderful that you made it to your destination and are having such an active time with your friends! So pleased that and Edd can enjoy the time together, including the challenges of travel that are seemingly inevitable. May you find the recharging of your batteries with the changes of scenery to be a great beginning to springing forward positively. Travel safe on the way home and looking forward to hearing your stories from the adventure.

Cindy, it sounds like you are well on the road to recovery and looking forward to getting active again. Sorry to hear about the struggles with Meg's family, hopefully they can find a common ground to get the personal counselling help you suggested. How are you finding the sources for writing the upcoming book! It is amazing what you are able to accomplish with words and I admire your skill and dedication to your craft.

Myra, wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead. Understandably this has been a hectic time and hoping you find a quiet space to enjoy.

Bert, likely you've been busy with Easter and family and church times lately. Hugs to you!

Beth, hoping that you are finding the balance back in your life again really soon. Take care of yourself with some special moments just for you.

Loved all the photos of Easter outfits from everyone!

Have a terrific Tuesday and get out there and keep moving forward one step at a time. Thanks for being here and encouraging me on this shared journey towards smaller numbers!

Hugs,
MaryLynn

Hi, everybody -- A quick post before I plop for a bit. Karla, what did the podiatrist say? I know the whole office loves and depends on you.

Had routine visit with my nurse practitioner this morning (needed to re-up on my few meds). She was thrilled with my bloodwork and at my next visit may close the book on my type 2 diabetes -- sugar has been in the normal range for ages. Then I got some fresh produce, hit the ATM for cash and came home. It's time for a pain pill -- being out and about for a few hours was, um, interesting. I'm doing quite well -- just need to keep ahead of it.

Low-iodine diet started today -- will be getting myself back into the swing of making everything from scratch and eating lots of fruits and veggies.

Back later to see what's up with all of you.

Good morning ladies! I hope you are all having a good week. I was on the go quite a bit yesterday, mostly for my daughter, Andrea, who
finally seems to be getting her life in order.

But I really wanted to tell you about my brother. A little background...he is four years younger than me and we were very close growing up,
always in close contact until adulthood when we drifted a little due to just living our own lives; but we still talked sometimes and were close
until he met his now ex-wife Rhonda. She decided she didn't like me, I suspect it is because she saw we were close and didn't like that, and
so told him I was mean to her. He never asked me about it, just took her word for it and distanced himself. It was hard for me but I accepted
that he was just drifting further away (I had no idea how she felt or what she had done until about a year ago). I have tried to be in contact with
him over the years, and after he and Rhonda decided to divorce about a year ago I told him he could always call me; he never did until recently.
We have talked on the phone a couple of times now, and before he hung up the other day he said "I'll talk to you soon"...emphasizing the soon.
I am so very thankful, excited and happy to have my brother back!

Karla - I'm sorry to hear your eye still needs treatment, but glad your boss is so understanding. Of course he wouldn't want to lose you! Sounds
like your office is coming together nicely

Janet - it sounds like you are doing so very well! How is the low iodine diet going? It is so hard to be so restricted!! Thanks for the prayers, they
are very much appreciated. I've called a couple more places; one seems like they are willing to work with me, but it is a Christian group, not a
professional group, so I'm not sure my school will accept them.

Cindy - I am not fond of the dentist either; I always tense up when I go. Hope your visit went well and was less stressful than you anticipated. Sounds
like you are a step closer to getting another book published, that is exciting!!!

MaryLynn - Have you tried alternative types of proteins, such as quinoa and/or soy? I'm not a fan of soy so much but use quinoa quite a bit

Diane - hope you are taking care of yourself; I like to be busy too but some down time is also a good idea.

Well, today I hope to get some things done around the house. I have been doing what I can to help Andrea and am pleased she is getting things
together, but the flip side is that I don't have a lot of time for other things.

Have a wonderful day
Grace and peace to you
Jeanette

Good morning ladies,
With such a beautiful morning beckoning, it's soon time to head outside and enjoy it again. The leaves and blossoms, the colors and smells, the warmth of the sunshine and the simple beauty of the intricate designs of nature warm my heart and motivate me to explore it fully. Having so much to be thankful for in this life, including all of you is what keeps me going. May you find exactly what you need today - despite the inevitable frustrations or a series of disappointments - and rediscover your inner child through playfulness and simple pleasures.
MaryLynn

Hi -- Tired so will be brief.

Karla, glad the doc took the news well and that you and Glenn get to go to Destin on his dime!

Jeanette, what wonderful news about your brother. Very happy for you.

Day two of low-iodine (not low-sodium -- I can have salt, as long as it's Kosher salt -- no sea salt or iodized salt, which means avoiding most prepared foods). Too tired to do much cooking so will be eating a lot of raw veggies and making dressings or salsas from scratch. Trying to stay within my limit but get all the nutrition I can (can't take vitamins either). I'll get through it again and will treat myself when it's over in a few weeks.

I have planned the layout of my 31 theatre showcards in my study for when the guy who will hang them is abe to clear time. Even have room for a couple more if I want. Thinking about that.

My new Rx insurance is driving me nuts -- I take flexeril for back spasms -- it's a cheap generic. But (because of the deal my insurer has with drug companies) it's not covered under my new plan -- and would cost me nearly $400 for a 90-day supply -- no way I'm going to pay that. So now I have to try something else. Yet another reason why I consider drug companies and insurance companies basically evil. We all have stories like that -- grrrrrr.

Time to lie down and try to close my eyes. A severe storm is going to pass through in the next hour. Wind has been whipping all day. I enjoy a good storm if it doesn't cause damage, but the cats hide (as if it could get to them inside the house).

Back later!

Good Morning Friends-
It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend. Tomorrow we have a Jack and Jill luncheon for Rick's son and finance and the ex will be there ready to be nasty if she can get away with it. I've never understood people with such intense negative feelings towards other- so unkind to herself as well as those feelings eat at your insides- but not my cross to bear. I will get through it being my typically sunny self and I have a cute skirt and sweater to wear
I've really been eating too many sweets since Sunday. I didn't think we had that many leftovers but I swear they are multiplying at night when I sleep. After tomorrow total focus is on me and my good health and WLJ- I can't control the food tomorrow and with the level of stress I may feel I'm not going to add to it but worrying about what is on the buffet- I will do the best I can.
Posts seem light since yesterday- Hmmm
Janet- your positive outlook is shining through and I'm glad. I didn't realize the diet was SO restrictive but I know you can do it and will rise about the inconvenience. I chuckled at the oreos comment.
I did tell Ellie you said Hello and that you were anxious to see what she is up to lately.
I've decided to do a different cover for Ready to Soar- I talked with Emily last night about my concept and she'll help so I need to wait a couple of weeks for the flowers and trees to bloom and then I'll get my camera clicking. The cover I was going to use will be used in the Crystal Lake series I'm planning.
Need to start the office day- I'll be back when I can.
Waving to all.
Cindy

Cindy, strut your gorgeous stuff in that cute outfit tomorrow. The ex is clearly what I would charitably term a cow, and her venality must never detract from your sparkle. Have fun regardless -- and know that others will see her for what she is. Moo.

Karla, you are so productive already. You do such a wnoderful job of navigating the waters of blended family on multiple levels (with yourself and with Jason -- speaking of which, is he settled down?)

Going to run my errands now -- need to get lots of Swanson broth (no iodine in the salt they use) and some fresh chicken, so I can have more protein. I normally rely heavily on Greek yogurt and fish/seafood, and we all know nuts are yummy but caloric. My sca is two weeks from this afternoon and I'll have to stay low-ioding until I know whether I need another cancer-killing dose of radioactive iodine. Betting I won't but would not want to have to start this diet over and wait longer.

Feeling not terrible but some pain is creeping in, so going t get out now and will pop a pain pill just before I head home -- will be safely here before it kicks in. Planning a quiet weekend. I SO need some uuiet solo time away from the stress of everything I need to do here -- May with my friend in SC will happen, and maybe in later May (depending on stuff) I can visit my many friends in Atlanta -- but stay in a hotel so I can have some peace-of-mind time too. I just need to do that getaway I keep talking about -- but with medical stuff, a baby shower in three weeks in Toledo and tight funds, it's so hard to prioritize that need -- before summer comes and takes away my will to live for several months!

Big TGIF hugs to all. Back later.

Suzi! Glad you didn't tumble into the Grand Canyon. Sounds like you have a very busy April mapped out. Glad you won the Battle of the Sod -- good luck with all the yardwork. Prepping the new modules will probably be a welcome break (and lucrative too).

Waited a bit long before taking a pain pill today but had to get errands run. Am now home, equipped with plenty of produce, a carton of egg whites, fresh chicken and iodine-free broth. I'll cook later. But first, a bit of a veg after some online shopping.