Sunday Check-in

Good Morning Everyone.  I hope you all had an enjoyable day yesterday.

I think I shopped at every sale I intended and then some!  My back was so achey from being on my feet on those concrete floors for more than 7 hours yesterday!  But I did get lots of beautiful wrapping paper, tags, ribbon, Christmas cards, etc at 50% off.  We also got a new stove/oven that will be delivered today.  I also got that 2nd 32 oz sippie cup that I need.

I am sitting in front of the fireplace with a wonderful cup of white chocolate raspberry coffee.  I think other than the delivery of the stove, today will be a day of relaxation. If not for the delivery, I would make it a pajama day like Grammylew did yesterday!  Today I will work on making sure that I have my water in and make wise food choices.

Since the "holiday season" is coming to a close, I will try and work on my exercise program again.  This week I will commit to going to the spa on Monday and Wednesday night for water aerobics and work in at least one more day of either walking or the gazelle.

So what are your plans for today, tomorrow, this week, next year?  Share with us, we need to get to know each other.

Have a wonderful day........................Carrie

I have been enjoying my morning coffee and the Internet since 5 am. I just seem to wake up that early now days. I told my husband it means we are old farts waking up and getting up that early. But that's OK. I enjoy the quiet, together time. Except that we have been keeping the Grand dogs lately and one is a gangly puppy who does not know the meaning of peace and quiet. I will be glad to see him go home this pm.
Today will be church, I hope with my daughter, then lunch out in Wilson, then a few errands, picking up my Christmas pictures, a lamp shade, a few groceries, etc. Then some more peace and quiet and a nap in the recliner, I hope.
I, too, got to the sales yesterday at Walmart and got some Christmas lights, ribbon and wrapping paper for next year.
I need to get back to drinking my water and eating my Activia yogurt to prevent some "issues" I've had lately.
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday, then it's back to work on Monday but only for 3 days! Yay!

I'm struggling with a serious bout of depression and it's telling. This time of year is hard for me anyway because my kids and husband's family that we historically spent holidays with is in CA. Normally, we fly home for the holidays, but with Ben's job loss, that's just not a possibility to be considered. Harder than that, I think is the fact that my Mom is so very sick. I was wondering yesterday if she will be here for next year's Christmas. Her brother, cousin, their kids, my adult children and sister all gathered to share the holiday with her and I know she enjoyed being surrounded by loved ones... I just wish I could have been there. My sons said she's really looking 'rough' and they were concerned for her. She lived with me until recently and it's hard to have her struggling and to be so far away and unable to help. I also learned that my inlaws and not doing well... On top of that, I'm concerned about Ben's unemployment. He keeps trying, and has even had a few interviews recently, but nothing yet... each of the jobs he's interviewed for have either been canceled or they have been taken 'inside' so that an internal employee was hired for the position; A good thing for them, but.... if something doesn't happen soon we will likely have to move... Then what? Do we try to stay in NC or move to CA to care for our elders??? I've been in tears most days for the past couple of weeks. I'm getting counseling on a weekly basis and I'm working to identify and appreciate the good things in life.

I haven't been making the best choices... I'm trying, but I know I'm getting more carbs than I should. My weight has been staying stable, but I know I need to be careful. I have been trying to lead with protein and I think that has been my saving grace. 

Sarah has a friend spending the night and I'm getting ready to make some pancakes for the girls. Sarah has asked for cottage cheese pancakes. Her friend wrinkled up her nose, but Sarah assured her that they'd be good. I'll make some of both just in case her friend doesn't like the figure friendly version. 

We have families coming to visit the new puppies today, so I have to get going and make sure that all is ready for their arrival. 

I'm also planning on putting on a pot of ham and bean soup... Maybe some positive carbs will help. 

Ohhhh, Barbara.

I wish I was in Raleigh so I could give you a great big HUG.  As you know, I too am in a constant battle with depression.  I know how it feels to be away from your family during the holidays.  Although I have done it for many years now, it is still difficult.  Hopefully this time next year it will become a non-issue for you.  I just know the perfect position is out there waiting on Ben.  Just keep the faith. 

Please keep coming to the forum with your thoughts, I know how easy it is to turn in ourselves when we are in battle with depression.  As you have taught me, we need to keep looking at all the positive things in our lives. 

How did the cottage cheese pancakes go over with Sarah's friend?

I wish I could share a bowl of the ham and bean soup you are preparing today....That is real comfort food for me.  The only thing I like more is split pea and ham soup. 

I am sending my love and cyber hugs.......................Carrie

Good morning everyone...
This has been a difficult holiday  season... third in a row... 2007 i was fresh out of my surgery, and sick as a dog!!!  2008, hubby had just had his surgery, and had to go back into the hosipital for some "issues", now this year my hubby is again having "issues"... the same issues he was in the hospital & had surgery for last month!!!  Hopefully I'll be taking him back to the Dr. tomorrow morning. In the mean time I'm feeling depressed and more than a little "barn sour" after staying in the house since last Thursday.  I'm thinking of leaving hubby here sleeping while i zip out to a movie... is that too cold and rude? 

I just put a pot of Ham & 15 bean soup... i'm thinking comfort food is a good thing.  Christmas eve i made a ham, candied yams, etc, then when hubby came home sick as a dog and in alot of pain, i knew things wouldn't be eaten.  So, i'm turning the ham ito soup!  However, i will admit now that since hubby wasn't eating, i returned immediately to the "fat girl" mind set and felt i had to "eat everything so it doesn't got to waste".  I could her my mother in the back of my mind telling me that there are starving children in the other countries, so i had to "clean the plates".   Which i did... with gusto!!!  Especially the candied yams!!!  I feel so freaking fat!!! I'm soooo pissed at myself!!!

I'm rattling and ranting here!!! Gotta get back on track!!!  I'm giving serious thoughts to finding a weigh****chers meeting and joining!!! 

Barb, i'll say an extra special prayer for Ben's job hunting and for you and your family!!! 

((((Judy)))),

I'm so sorry to hear that Stan is having such difficulties and I really do hope that things will ease for him soon. I'm sure they will get better for you as they do for him. 

I really do understand about the eating your way to comfort and am having to struggle with that myself. Weigh****chers might not be a bad idea. It's a great program and way to find the structure we need. 

If you decide to duck out for a movie and need a buddy, let me know. 

Love you,

Barb

Judy,

It is not rude to take care of yourself.  If a movie would help your well-being, I vote you enjoy a great movie.  I found out how hard it is to be a caregiver, when my husband became ill in 2003.  If you don't take care of Judy, then you most certainly won't be able to help Stan.

Like I told Barbara above, I love ham and bean soup.  Soup means comfort to me.  The only thing better then bean is split pea.

I have thought of Weigh****chers meeting a few times.  I think the extra support for healthy eating would be a great way to stay on track.  Now I just need to find the extra time.  I am trying to make the time for exercise first.  When I am successful in implementing this, I will revisit the WW meeting idea again.  One baby step at a time.

Hope your day improves.

Sending my love and cyber hugs....................Carrie

Thanks Barb... i ending up burying myself in work and bowls of bean soup!! But i am very serious about WW... I really do believe i need the structure & the accoutability.  And it won't cost much since i'm a lifetime member.  I can go and weigh in each week and only pay for once a month... and no new joining fees.

Hi Judy,

I didn't get my bean soup on until late this evening, so maybe it will actually be soup by tomorrow. We'll see. 

You and Stan have been on our minds all day. Ben was going to call Stan, but misplaced your number. Please tell Stan that we are keeping you both close in thought and prayer. I'm hoping that this will resolve without any further surgical intervention. 

If WW wouldn't cost me a fortune, I think I might consider them myself. I think it's a great idea and might provide the support and structure to help you get to where you want to be. 

Hope that Stan is feeling better soon,

Barb and Judy,

I just want to give you both a big ole hug right now and tell you it will all be better soon.  I wish I had the means to take away your pain.  I know Stan will be better soon and Ben will find a job and all will be right.  You both are such wonderful people and deserving of so much more.  Know that I can offer my friendship and an ear any time that you need too talk.  You've both been there for me more times than I can recall and its the least I can do.  Stay strong and keep the faith and try to remember how and why each of us got to that low point in our lives when we were severely obese.  Its so easy to lose focus once we are this far out from surgery and its more important now than ever that we all lean on each other to help keep us on the right path.  Remember I am just a phone call away and always available for you guys.  BTW, if you guys ever need a movie buddy, I am just about recovered enough to be in mobile condition again, and would love to catch a flick.  Just say the word.

Dalton