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  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hi Crackers = well I must say that I have been supported and comforted by the actions of friends over the past few days and have been out the last two evenings and, although I was still feeling quite sick yesterday morning I do feel now that the shock is beginning to wear off and I feel a bit more ready to face the next challenge. I have a couple of jobs to apply for and my CV is just about ready. I went to a lovely concert last night at a church about 10 miles away and then ended up in the pub before returning home. I'm off to church shortly and the sun is shining. We have a choral even song benefice service next Sunday so I'm singing the Cantique de Jean Racine and a Cantate Domino both of which I know. I have to go to the hospital with Mum on Wed to receive the results of a CT Scan so that is a small worry but I'm trying to be positive as her endoscopy was clear and I suspect a lot of her trouble is stress related.

    I shot a letter from my solicitor across her bows before the meeting on Thursday so I was at least able to make them back off a little. The outcome was the same but they gave me a pay off which they could potentially have just given me a months notice. So I need to be very careful about the next job and try to choose more carefully what I do next and with whom. I'm not prepared to put up with bullying any more.

    Well need to get ready for church so more later.

    Take care Crackers

    PB xx
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. PB, I was very sorry to read about your job when I popped in just for a read. However, it's good to read today that you are already looking forward and considering your next move. As always, it is good to keep involved in other enriching activities and your choral
    singing seems to be uplifting. I wish I knew more about the kind of music you sing but even the titles sound very grand. Also I hope the appointment with your Mother goes well.
    MITM, we do seem to be the Weather Women, don't we! I often comment here about how much more attention is paid to the weather on the daily news programs. I think in part at least it is because the weather is so much more extreme now. Last week I was running plants into the garage every night because of frost warnings; today it was near 30C and suddenly everything was drying out quickly and I had to do a large watering. I spent a lot of time on the weekend planting and ended up with more pots than I had intended. I always do quite a few pots anyway because my soil is quite sandy and in the really hot weather annuals do not do well in beds because they dry out so much. I have had more success potting them up and placing them in the beds for more colour after the spring flowers re over.
    I've had a further call from my sister regarding the wedding. My niece is already finding that many venues for next summer are already booked. However, apparently her Dad is going to look at one today. My niece and her fiancée want to be married in the mountains. There is a small lodge that sounds promising. It is called Beaverfoot Lodge about 40k from Golden, B.C.
    I've looked at it in the internet and it seems very beautiful and rustic. (it is easy to find if anyone is interested in looking it up). MITM, it will indeed be Operation Wedding Dress and more. But more on that later. I have just had another niece on the phone and she wants to come and have me guide her writing an essay on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein tomorrow afternoon. I need to do some prep!
    Regards all.
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good Afternoon Crackers!

    It's a beautiful sunny day here in the mountains. The local outdoor swimming pool officially opens for the season today so I could just pop on the bikini and lie out! On Sunday I was out walking with the husband and realised this time last year, was when my husband took the unflattering photo of me clambering up, which I didn't recognise as me and it was my wake up call as I looked such a blob. So first sign of warm weather I was in my new fitted 3/4 length trousers and breton t'shirt, showing off my 'at target' figure - no flab this year!!

    The Presidential elections have really shown the 2 faces of Austria which my daughter and I have always had our strong suspicions about, in our lengthy dealings with the locals in school/church matters which my husband never believed. He is still in shock that he and his family, my daughter's inner circle and my close friend we are in the small minority here. These little villages would rather have a far right President. Thanks to Facebook my daughter can read the most dreadful post election comments from pupils in her former school class. The propaganda they come out with, they are so ignorant and small minded. As my daughter said "Well what do you expect, that comment is from the girl who turned around whilst watching 'Schindler's List' and said 'Who cares about these people - I don't." I recently read 'Born Survivors' a true account of how three mothers and their newborns fought to survive the Holocaust. They ended up in Mauthausen death camp in Austria. It is packed with harrowing detail and their treatment at the hands of the Austrians.... This election was decided by less than 1% so unless the parties get their acts together I dread the next elections in 2 years time.

    On a more positive note - Beaverfoot Lodge looks enchanting Bracken I do hope they have availability. My daughter has her second exam today in history Russia this time. I've checked she has had breakfast and I hope she can remain calm! My geraniums are also finally out of the garage and up in their window boxes. Later today I will plant up the petunias into the old wooden beer barrels we use as pots! We have also finished planting up the vegetable garden hurrah! Right I've window shutters awaiting a second coat of paint.

    Hope the job hunting is going well PB.

    Be good Crackers!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. This will be brief pop-in but I had to check an e-mail, so here I am. I'm quite exhausted after another day of lots of gardening but also many steps. In fact, I may have set a record for my steps- over 13,000 and I am feeling them at the moment. I started with a good walk with Nellie. I don't wear my Fitbit all day because I don't think I get an accurate count when what I'm doing involves upper body movement but will put it on for any activity that is mainly walking so I wore it when I cut the front and backyard lawns which added considerable steps. Then I had to go to several stores, at all of which I was parked a good distance from the entrance and then walked a lot in the stores, all big box type stores. I also did over 10,000 steps another day within the past week so I am making some progress.
    MITM, you have done so well in reaching your goal and maintaining target or very near target. I'm glad you can enjoy your success.
    There was quite a lot of press here regarding your recent election and I was aware of the far
    right candidate. (Mr. Hoffler I believe is name is). What a strange and disturbing place the world is at the moment with so many countries having such extreme candidates and so many scary people in charge in many countries.
    AS I said, this is really a pop-in so must go and have a nice soak with some Epsom salts!
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Sadly, MITM, the political situation in the UK is hardly better. We are polarising around racism and fear as we head towards the referendum. There is basically no reliable information about the truth because the politicians (and the media) are spinning everything so much they couldn't begin to tell you what was truthful and of course we have a wide range of ignorance that is encouraged and magnified by the media - both sides seem to want to use fear rather than hope as their basis for decision making - this is clever since it is actually fear that makes people vote in a particular way - either stay in (fear of the consequences of leaving) or leave (fear of the cost of staying). They are ALL MAD! As far as I can see this is about as stupid as the Scottish referendum. On what planet does it make sense for a small part of a small island to declare independence in a global world???? Similarly - we are a global community - the problems that face us are global and cutting off a small island won't make any difference to those problems. What with the resurrection of myths and Daily Braille lies about 'unelected officials', lies about 'spending the money we save (!) on the NHS I fear that the vote will go for leave - for completely the wrong reasons.

    OK rant over!

    I'm OK. Its been an up and down week with some job applications but nothing (as yet) coming to anything. Mums results were positive with no cancer being detected. However, she has to have another endoscopy as they now want to look at her bile ducts where they think she has stones. Her pancreas is still not working correctly but this may be because she is on metformin for type 2 diabetes which is a known side effect. Not sure what they will do about that, but she was going to see the GP yesterday so I will find out today what she says.

    I am on duty at the stables over the weekend - my friend is off to Munich to be a patient voice at a medical conference this morning until tomorrow evening so I'm going to give her Mum my help this afternoon and tomorrow evening. On Sunday evening I also have a benefice Choral Evensong which I'm looking forward to with the Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure) being the main event. Its such a beautiful, melodic piece of music.

    My garden is doing well and I have carrots, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers in. My strawberries have lots of flowers on so fingers crossed and my rhubarb has bolted. I'm looking forward to a harvest of cherry plums too. May even do some weeding this morning!

    I did a 4 mile walk yesterday from home to a village on the coast - through the woods and along footpaths. The highlight was the sound of a cuckoo calling! Haven't heard one for about two years. Enjoyed the walk and the ankle was OK but when I took my boots and socks off I realised that my toenails needed cutting - my feet were a bloody mess. whoops. Luckily, its the time of year for sandals so my toes can have a few days to recover! the pace was around 3 miles an hour - I really can't move all that fast at the moment and it felt quite fast but we were short of time so had to keep going. perfect weather though with a nice cool breeze but warm enough.

    That's it for now Crackers. take care all

    PB xx
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Good Morning Crackers,

    A short post but I am hoping it will become a daily post. I apologise for not keeping up with things, unfortunately it feels like the past few months have been happening to someone else. Not too sure if that makes sense? I am back to a horrendous weight (again) but thank goodness I am starting to care about how awful I look and feel. I honestly haven't cared about anything in an age so to feel awful about myself is, to me, feeling well on the road to normality.

    I am going to start logging my diet intake again and have put my Fitbit on for the first time since about February. I need some routine and I just know I will find it here with my friends. Thank you all for being there xx
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good Morning Crackers!

    Very strange 'dieting' week for me.... Thursday evening I succumbed and ate the last of my birthday chocolate, 2 bars of white chocolate and I don't even like white chocolate! Thankfully there is now no more chocolate lurking in the house.

    The following day did my weekly food shop only to find myself stood in front of the bakery counter looking longingly at the olive bread. I love olives and I love bread and I also know all too well from past experience I'd polish off the lot and feel very ill afterwards! So as they had no half loaves I dragged myself away only to find myself staring into the ice cream cabinet! 25% off and I cannot resist a bargain! I haven't bought ice cream from a supermarket in over a year which is probably why and how I got back to my target weight... However there was a small tub because again I'd scoff the lot, no sharing but I know it could trigger me off again and then I caught sight of the sugar content - 2 days worth in one serving and that wasn't even the whole little tub!! Aside from my white chocolate attack I've got my sugar back under control at 20g a day, so I tossed the tub back into the freezer in utter disgust!

    Returned home and headed for the garden and planted up my lavenders and busy lizzies. Next day decided to face the scales having avoided them on Friday, time to draw the line and was gobsmacked to realise I'd not gained but lost. Only 0.4lbs but I was expecting a gain! The rest of the day I was so busy I just didn't have time to sit. My husband was doing a wedding so I completed another 4 shutters, cut the front lawn and potted in the garden happily. Got on the scales again yesterday (as I always do!) and could not believe it I've lost another 0.6lbs so I've lost a pound in total after all this week, which is great news as with my 'Challenge Group' just after Easter, I pledged to hit 133 pounds by Memorial Day and I'm actually just under my target weight at 132.6 so I'm feeling very, very fortunate!!!

    PB - your walk sounded so lovely. Walking in our pine woods is my number one form of exercise as I find it clears my head! Sadly no walk for us yesterday as it poured with rain however I'm dragging my friend out today rain or no rain!!

    Bracken - well done on your many steps! Have you had your doctor's appointment yet?

    BM - Good to see you back with us again. Baby steps, one day at a time - they will soon mount up.

    LMV has broken her wrist and says everything is difficult but will be back online eventually.

    Right Crackers be good!

  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Thank you MITM, baby steps sums it up nicely at the moment. My Fitbit goal is just 5000 steps and I hit that yesterday which felt good. Absolutely well done on your weight, an inspiration xx

    Bracken, I assume that the Drs appt MITM mentions is re your skin biopsies? I apologise but I can't yet read back over the posts, hope all is well with you and Nellie Xx

    PB, how are you and your parents? are you keeping up with your singing? Xx

    LMV, hope you are not in too much pain with your wrist? Look after yourself xx

    Day two for me, my goal this week is to take each day as it comes.......
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    HI BM - great to see you. Welcome. thank you for your kind thoughts - Mum is doing well after her cancer scare - thankfully, no cancer has been detected although she needs treatment for stones in her bile ducts and a pancreas that isn't working as it should. As far as singing is concerned I had a lovely Choral Evensong to do on Sunday evening - as it was a 5 sunday month we had a benefice service and they chose Choral Evensong - a service that is rare outside of cathedrals these days. There were 17 of us in the Choir and nearly 40 in the congregation (in a church that has a capacity of about 60). A beautiful evening, in contrast to the last couple of days where we have had wind, rain, thunder and lightening and it has been cold enough for a fire yesterday afternoon.

    Your goal for the week is absolutely spot on - and one that I need to follow myself at the moment so we can go for it together. Well done on the steps yesterday. Its probably more than I did - but my walk on Friday morning certainly helped me to exceed my step count - as it was around 15000 steps! And I heard the cuckoo!

    My job hunt has been on hold over the weekend but I hope it will pick up again today - found one to apply for this morning in Ipswich so quite a good opportunity. Lets hope that I will be back at work soon (although the situation regarding the EU referendum isn't helping).

    take care Crackers and keep in touch!

    PB xx
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. A late pop-in here and I just had to read all the newsy posts so now I am out of time. Wonderful to have you able to post again, BM. I'll try to get back tomorrow. Regards.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Thank you Bracken, I am so grateful to be back and posting again with you all xx

    Day 3 for me (hoping to get to day 7 and then will relax a bit with the counting!) xx
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Good morning all, day 4 for me. Hope you are all well xx
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hi BM. Doing ok (if not focus send on weight loss).
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Thanks PB xx

    Nearly there now, day 5......
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Afternoon Crackers!

    I was lying in bed this morning when I heard the bread man, tooting his horn as he drove his bread van around the village - a bit like an ice-cream van! Farmers are early risers but I'm a night owl so I was still tucked up safely in my bed! However it reminded me of my late mother-in-law who always had a bread order without fail every week. She had a special huge wicker basket and she would trot up with her list and return with it heaving with bread, donuts, brezels (at 100g 380 calories), sweet pastries, lardy cake in fact you name it, it was in the basket - her larder would end up looking like a bread shop! Needless to say she was an obese lady in her final years...

    So with bread on the brain I did my weekly shop today and lo and behold, there waiting for me was 1/2 an olive loaf with my name written all over it!! I've maintained my target weight this week so I feel I can treat myself and I'm craving olive bread! My thinking is I'm saving calories this weekend as the husband is back at his Sunday hotel job so will not be cooking for me. So I can afford it and I have to confess I enjoyed every mouthful safe in the knowledge it was accounted for!

    Well I must return to work - lots of potatoes to squash. Very good for the upper arms I keep telling myself whenever I get tired and cross! And for burning calories after eating bread!!

    Be good Crackers!
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Have to admit to not being a massive fan of bread, but olive bread.......... I too love it MITM. Unfortunately I like mine dipped in a really good extra Virgin olive oil or a tasty balsamic. Not the healthiest I know but as a treat, totally worth it!

    Day 6 and I have plans to start Swimming again this week. Fingers crossed I don't chicken out! Apologies for all the capitals dotted about, it's this ipad with a mind of its own!
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Day 7........ Now I can relax a bit and hopefully get into a new routine. Off to uk for annual endurance test in about 6 weeks so I hope to be well both mentally and physically. Hope you are all enjoying a good weekend xxxx
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Good Morning all, halfway through the week already and thankfully I am still on track. Little Maisie was six weeks old on Monday, I feel so sad I haven't held her yet but I see her lots on Skype which is both difficult and lovely at the same time.

    I hope you are all well and happy,
    Take care, BM x
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hello Crackers - well a quick look in - and lovely to hear from you BM. You'll soon be seeing Maisie for real I hope?

    My situation has not changed at the moment and there appear to be very few jobs around that are suitable, but I have a few irons in the fire and I guess it is still quite early days - I'm just impatient. I suspect a lot of the problem is people are holding back because of the referendum (don't get me started!). I am of course spending time with the horses and, of course, the weather has turned rather nicer so its not so bad being at home as I can get out and do other things.

    I too love bread and have been making a lot of it recently - in fact, I'm just sitting here thinking I should have some breakfast as I need to be going out soon so will drop back in later.

    take care Crackers

    PB xxxx
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good afternoon Crackers!

    Well if you've seen the pictures of the floods in Germany and France - you'll know we've had lots of rain in this neck of the woods... after the warmest winter on record we're now heading for the wettest spring. However this week so far, it has been dry in the day and then heavy storms in the evening so I've been working hard in the garden and it's looking very green! In fact it looks stunning as across the hillsides it's just a mass of wild flowers as the farmer's have been unable to cut the fields.

    Plus I'm still occupied with my window shutters... In my 'Challenge Group' I often feel in awe of the other members as they do so many work outs but then I realised lifting shutters down, carrying them 2 flights of stairs, lifting them onto brackets and then turning them continuously to prevent any drip drying and then carrying them back up again... is quite a useful work out in itself and then what with all my potato squashing - I'm working out in my general daily life! So olive bread or no olive bread, I'm still maintaining my target weight.

    I too am off to the UK 4 weeks today but only for 10 days. Once the daughter has broken up from college we are flying back for her summer holidays. I'm going to London with my mother to see 'Jersey Boys' at the theatre, plus take afternoon tea. We do like our tea and cakes and the trip is a treat from my brother for my 50th and we will stay overnight so we can shop until we drop. At the moment I have the outfits planned (from the minimal smart navy/grey wardrobe!) the silver birch top is getting an outing. I just need to stay at target or within 3 pounds or else I will have nothing suitable to wear! Apparently I read today 'women spend 6 months of their lives deciding what to wear' for me, it's more a case of what can I or can't I fit into and then spending 6 months of the year attempting to diet into it!

    However this July I'm setting a new personal best of having stayed within 4 pounds of my target weight for a whole year - I use to set it at 7 pounds but would go over at certain times of the year but I've maintained this past year at far lower and for the past 4 months it's been 3 pounds. Yay!

    BM - how time flies if Maisie is already 6 weeks old! Well I hope as I'm assuming your OH is accompanying you on your endurance test, that he will help to keep any 'triggering' situations short and sweet and that you have penciled in lots of cuddling time with Maisie. Have you made it into the swimming pool this week?

    PB - Have you kept the 5 pounds you recently lost off?

    Bracken - looking forward to an update.

    LMV - thinking of you.

    Well my window shutters won't paint themselves alas! Be good Crackers!

  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    MITM. WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. Good to see recent posts. BM, I'm very happy you are back posting and commend your regularity. I'm glad you have something to look forward to, seeing your new grandchild. PB, you are right to make good use of your time while not working. I am very impressed with your veg garden. In my vegetable garden box bed, I have three different kinds of tomatoes, spinach, red chard, romaine lettuce, beans, and zucchini. I am also attempting to grow in a separate container water cress which I have read has the highest amount of vitamins and micronutrients of all the green leafy veg, including kale which is the veg of the moment here. MITM, your account of your maintenance regimen is very interesting and a real testament to your goal setting strategies and vigilance- well done. I hope you enjoyed your well-deserved bread treat.
    After over a week of exceptionally hot weather, we finally got some much needed rain and the temperatures have moderated. I'm very pleased with the plants in my garden. The hostas have
    shot up beautifully. At the moment I have two weigelia bushes in bloom and two rose bushed just beginning to bloom (because so much of my garden is shade I don't have many roses or flowering perennials but really enjoy those I have. I did have a lovely display of dwarf irises at the front of the house but the large iris in the rear have not done well this year, just a few bloomed in their little area of sunlight. I also had some lovely English bluebells and some Virginia blue bells that an old friend had given me. I have three clumps of pink cranesbill in flower (they look like geraniums); they were quite beaten down by the rains but are slowly recovering. I like them as they flower for quite a long time. I really do love plants and think my garden is a bit of a botanical zoo with this and that plant often plunked in because I like it; however, I think a garden designer would probably not be impressed! Also on my garden, I have been really pleased to have finally got a bench for behind my pond. The old one was literally disintegrating and I could not find a nice one anywhere until I chanced on a lovely old teak bench in the classic English garden bench style in a local consignment store. It is perfect for the setting. I have had several fledgling birds, robins and bluejays in my yard. Of course, they don't just stay in my yard so it is hard to tell if they have survived. I have become familiar with the sounds the parent robins make when minding their young (much different from their morning and evening song too) so keep an eye for them. I have had a very sad incident last week when I came home to discover the little chipmunk who lived under my front steps had died. I saw him on one of the steps and realized he was not moving. The saddest thing was, it was clear he was trying to get to the hole where he goes under the steps. I examined him and am quite certain he had been mauled, probably by a cat (my neighbour told me of a nearby cat that had killed a chipmunk the previous day) and I suppose died from internal injuries. I buried him by the hydrangea bush near the steps. I shed more than a few tears, remembering all the times I watched him at the feeders, and saw him waiting for me to put out birdseed. I had been so pleased to see him emerge from hibernation under my steps. I can feed these creatures but I can't keep them safe.
    Well Crackers, I must get to some jobs- no more delays. Regards.


  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hello Crackers - well that was annoying. I had written part of a blog and then added a couple of photos (Before photos of my living room) and then managed to lose both. So here goes again.
    Bracken I love your description of your garden and like you I would blub copiously over a dead animal and bury it with gentleness (if only partly because my cats would otherwise bring it in to play!).

    This morning is damp and cool (after a very muggy weekend) so I will only need to water the greenhouse plants. Today, my decorator is coming - hence the pictures which I hope I will have uploaded correctly. I probably should not be spending the money until I am back in employment, but I don't think its right to put him off as it would impact his income as well. Hopefully, something will come up soon although I have had no success so far and there hasn't been much in the way opportunities yet. Still, something will happen soon I'm sure.

    I have a lot to look forward to this week (although its going to be very busy - who has time for work?). If only I could afford to retire I would really enjoy myself! Once the decorator has finished, I have a lot of baking today as its the Village Gardens Open Day on Sunday and will need to do the baking to Friday because on Saturday I'm doing a music workshop with a group of friends (another expense I have justified to myself). It will be church on Sunday morning then I will have about an hour to do any finishing touches for the cakes I have made. I'm helping with the teas in the village hall which is always fun.

    Well Crackers that's all from me today. Welcome back BM and let us know how you are feeling when you are up to it! Its OK to lurk (I do!)

    PB xx

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  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Bracken, I love hearing about your garden, your new bench sounds lovely. So sorry for your poor chipmunk. I must admit that would have upset me dreadfully too.
    MITM, I read in wonder at all the painting you are doing. You must be so fit with all the lifting you are doing etc. You thoroughly deserve to be at the weight you are.
    PB can't wait to se pics of your room whe it is finished. I love the eggplant Colour on your wall now, are you changing that ? Hope you have success with the job hunting soon. Fab you are enjoying yourself with your music and keeping busy,
    I have had a few dodgy days but hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better, my bleeding is out of control at the moment so I am certain when it settles my outlook will lift.
    LMV thinking of you xx

    Love BM xx
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good Afternoon Crackers!

    How lovely to hear from you BM. Well I had to giggle at your comment 'well you must be so fit' as I was at the doctor's yesterday for my annual medical.... I was sat, dressed and the Dr asked me to breath in deeply - don't ask me why but I couldn't relax and do as he requested and all I could do was give a feeble gasp! It was pathetic! He muttered disapprovingly 'you obviously don't do any sports.' Well really!!! I agreed as I don't play tennis or ski but I replied 'I walk.' 'Where?' he asked in disbelief! 'Troga' I snapped (which is my mini Everest) 'With who?' 'With my husband!' I thought what is this?! Next he started flinging my bones around the room and amazingly my limbs actually responded and did as wanted and he stated surprised 'Oh, but you do, do yoga.' 'NO I DON'T!' But I do salsacise!!

    Oh I detest going to the doctors especially to this little runt. My iron having been told last month it was too high when I queried this with him he looked and said 'it's fine.' But my thyroid which I was informed was fine last time, he insists is a chronic thyroid (although I have no symptoms whatsoever) but according to his ultra sound of my throat there is a problem. So more blood tests and I'm returning on Friday to discuss this further, I don't know if I'm coming or going! But as it's my immune system it could explain my mouth problems or so he thinks...

    For Father's day here last Sunday, I made Brownies for my husband but I bought a carton of cream knowing full well only I would be eating it tut tut! And surprise, surprise (not!) I'm now 2 pounds heavier, so perhaps I do have a thyroid problem after all!! I've now got to be good as it's only 3 weeks until I fly to the UK when I know the chances are very slim that I will be being good!

    PB - how is the decorating going I'm looking forward to the after photos.

    Bracken - very sad little story but your garden sounds like a haven for wild life. Everyone in the UK keeps telling me how 'green' my garden looks, well since it feels like it hasn't stopped raining since Easter hardly surprising!

    Right I have window shutters awaiting my attention.

    Be good Crackers!
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Delighted to say that I have a temp contract starting Monday
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good for you PB! And has the decorator left?!
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Good news PB, hope you enjoy it there xx

    MITM, I laughed out loud at what your GP put you through, I agree he is a little runt! (Loved that expression). A GP whilst wanting the best for you is not supposed to be judgmental, it sounds as though he was both disbelieving and dismissive as well. Not a good combination. Hopefully you will see the one you like next time. It was obviously anxiety which made you fail to inhale adequately, he should have realised that and not jumped to so many wrong conclusions regarding your fitness. I am cross on your behalf, lol xx hopefully your blood tests will give you good news xxxx

    Bracken, hope you and Nellie are both doing well xx

    Enjoy the weekend all xx

    Ps, had to mention. My stepdaughter who hasn't been in contact with me since last August emailed me and asked me to buy her Dad a card and gift on her behalf as she has been on holidays and didn't get around to it! She then sent a snotty letter the next day saying she hadn't heard back off me and it was too late now for her to send one anyway! The build up to the Annual Endurance Test begins...........

    PPs thought I should also mention she is 43, not a teenager!
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good Afternoon Crackers!

    In my 'Challenge Group' one of the ladies has lost over 100 pounds and her husband when asked how she did it innocently replied 'No faddy diets or anything, just eating right and exercising.' And she saw red!!!

    I thought to myself well that is what I would say. However another lady pointed out "it is the 'just' that is all wrong as there is no 'just' about it. It's more like change every single thing we used to do with regard to eating and exercise and do the polar opposite every single day."

    Now that comment suddenly got my attention, I'm slowly letting bad habits creep back into my everyday life yet again.... I'm tired - I eat, I'm cross - I eat, I'm bored - I eat but it's mindless eating which is the worse - calories that are not even enjoyable but just keep the jaws moving that all add up.

    I made a delicious from the garden rhubarb with an almond based crumble, a recipe from Annie Bell - absolutely yummy and worth every single calorie - as a Sunday afternoon treat. Now that kind of indulging I can justify to myself but wasteful calories....

    I didn't lose the 2 pounds I gained from last week but after my mid week wake up call, I did manage 1.2 pounds and I am only a pound over my target weight.... I almost sprinted up to Troga yesterday with my husband! Whenever I felt a groan or a moan coming, I visualized my doctor's face and not a sound came from my lips! Instead I strode out in grass in some places almost as tall as me!

    My blood results came back fine. But to save face as it's been over 3 years since I've had my thyroid checked my doctor is sending me for a test at the hospital - just in case! I know I should be grateful he's being thorough. My iron complete u-turn, in my blood it is fine but I have no stores - certainly no longer high!! But the sugar is still slightly high could that be the Brownies?! I will return for a sugar test but after the summer and in the meantime I'm tempted to buy Michael Mosley's book 'The 8 Weeks Blood Sugar Diet' and see what happens if I follow the low carbs Mediterranean diet in it as I have my strong suspicions carbs are my sugar problem!

    Well BM - now that is endurance within a very, very challenging situation all round - you deserve a medal! My first thought would I want a step daughter 8 years younger than me? Honestly - no! And she sounds absolutely delightful (not!) but then again, would I want a step mother 8 years older than me?! You must spend your life walking on egg shells whilst in the UK.

    Right for a complete change as it is not raining, I'm now heading for the garden before my trot around the village.

    Be good Crackers!

  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    edited June 2016
    Good Morning Crackers, quick mail but wanted to say hi! X

    MITM I had to smile when the thought of your Doctor kept you going without complaint on your walk, it sounds just like something I would do lol. A Mediterranean way of eating sounds lovely to me, I will be very interested in how it goes if you do.

    I just wrote a longish mail and it cut off most of my post! Grrrrr, hate that.

    MITM I also agree with you re the age thing, however she just didn't want her Father (step Father, he married her Mother) to spend any of her perceived inheritance on another woman, regardless of her age or who she was. I did write this a bit more eloquently in the first mail! Lol however I am rushing now. I should maybe also say OH was also divorced when we met (for 12 yrs before we met) so I was in no way the other woman.

    Love to all PB, Bracken and Nellie, and LMV also, hope you are all well

    BMxxx. ( sorry this mail is all over the place! )
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