Stormy Saturday

Good morning my OFF sistas!

The big news today is that it rained!  Hurray!  We sure did need some of the wet stuff.  We didn't get a whole lot--it more more wind and lightning than anything else, but it's cooler here this morning.

Benny Bop has a cold.  Started yesterday.  Last night I went to the little local grocery store for medicine for him.  I didn't want to drive all the way into New Braunfels.  He's very clogged up this morning, but not running a fever.  I hope it doesn't develop into something worse than a snotty nose.

Chris is working AGAIN today.  This ol' Mimi needs a break.  I feel way more like Benny's mommy than his grandmother.  I am exhausted and I need a little time away from the baby.  Thank goodness she is off tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday and a great weekend.

Love you all!

Good mornin' ya'll.
Vickie, I hear you. Being a Grandma is great!! But when Grandma is more like Mommy it can wear you down real fast!!
My DH said he just read on the net that Obama has a solution to the draught. He only read the headline didn't go to the story. But if he has a rain dance or a secret, he needs to share it with all of the states.
Today I have some mending I have been putting off, and crochet a border on a fleece receiving blanket.
I don't know if any of you have a Kuerig (sp) coffee maker. I don't drink coffee, but I got a big box of assorted teas for iced tea. Fill a huge glass with ice (I use the big plastic cups I got on one of my hospital visits), put the tea k-cup in the machine and let 'er rip! I like the raspberry best. The southern sweet tea is a little too sweet for me, but I just add more cold water once there is room in the cup.
Gotta get a wiggle on, I've been putting these two projects on hold too long!
Everyone have a fantabulous day!!

Oh, I love the Keurig coffee maker for hot tea and hot chocolate.  Unfortunately for me, I left it at the big house in Nac.  I didn't want to bring it here because Chris would put me in the poor house buying all those little K cups for it.  She already drinks the most expensive cup of coffee imaginable.  She has to have the hazelnut kind, and then she loads it up with half n half and HONEY.  Gag!  And half the time, I find a half full cup of coffee on her bathroom counter after she leaves for work in the morning!  Grrrr!  All that money on her special coffee and she doesn't even drink all of it.  I swear, everything that girl does drives me crazy!  LOL!

Good morning Vickie and everyone.....

Vickie....I can relate with the mommy situation. I was way overloaded with that in Iowa. It wore me down!! Love those grandchildren but everyday is too much for us grandma's!!  Hope you get some rest tomorrow.

I will be going back to the hospital soon. Like I said last night, Pam may be discharged on Monday. She is definitely improving. I am so fatigued I feel sick. I want a day for me!!

Wishing everyone a beautiful day!! Prayers for those in need.

Love and many hugs to all.......connie d

Good Morning Vickie and OFF Family,
I am late posting today.  I went to my morning AA meeting and stayed to talk to a couple of women.  I then emptied my dishwasher, filled it, and have it running again.  When it is done, I will start on a blueberry pie made with Splenda instead of sugar.  My sis-in-law is having me over for barbecue and a game night.  Her hubby is home from Saudi Arabia.  The game we are playing it called "Ticket to Ride."  It's a lot of fun.  We have a roughly drawn map of the U.S. and everybody builds railroads criss-crossing the country.  It's fun, and very competitive.  

I'm wishing I were in St. Louis this weekend.  My daughter is there with my grandchildren, and my son is there to see his wife in the play.  My daughter, Colleen, is taking Isabel and Lincoln to see the show.  Trent will stay back at the hotel.  I assume they are seeing the matinee, because the night show doesn't start till 8:00, and my Munchkins get cranky after their bedtime, which is around 7:30.

Vickie, I know how hard it is babysitting, though I only did it for two weeks for my daughter at the end of her pregnancy.  Let me encourage you with this thought.  You are helping your daughter get on her feet financially, and creating memories for Benny.  Just be sure to take time for yourself each day.  

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Hugs,
Trish

Good Afternoon Vicki and OFF-

Vicki glad to hear that Texas got a bit of rain.  My friends in Eastern Texas are dealing with wildfires caused by lightning strikes.  Hope you get some more down time for yourself.  You are a hero in my book to help raise your grandson.

Connie - I hope that your friend is able to get stablized with the MS.  It's all about balance based on the reading I've done.

Grammylew-  Hope your panic attacks are under control.  You amaze me at the projects you do and I don't want to see  you have to stop.

Drab and rainy day in Maine today.  I walked the road this morning without arm exercises due to the humidity level.  The temperature appears to be dropping as we go through the day.

I am presently knitting flowers from a new book I bought called Noni Flowers.  You can knit them with any size needles and yarn.  I'm using size 5 as I learn the various patterns (40).  I'm using wool as I intend to felt all the flowers for use on felted purses or other projects.  I'm also knitting a scarf with ribbon yarn.  I've cut up plastic bags into strips and am knitting them into a shopping bag.  Plus I'm working on another pair of socks.  Got to get started on Special Olympic scarves too.

A week ago Friday and this past Wednesday I drove to Bangor so I could attend WLS support group meetings.  I've been on a major stall in weight loss since May.  Thought it would be good to go get reinspired to the commitment I made last year when I had my surgery.  I've struggled this summer with the comfort eating.

Not much else is new here in Maine.  There is a proposed wind project within 3/4 of mile of my cabins.  I've joined a group that is opposed to the project.  I'll be writing letters to the State regulators to oppose this project.  You can check out the effort on Keepitgrand.org.

Sending positive vibes to all of you in pain or need!

Cindi

Cindi....Pam is improving. She is the worst person to follow doctors orders ever. She has blood sugars at almost 400 and is diabetic.  She eats so many wrong foods and doesn't take her meds. She has a sweet tooth and always eats so much candy, cookies etc.. I hope this was a wake up call for her and she does the right things this time!

She is a Physical Therapist and knows a lot about the body. You would think she would do better with her own health!!

HUGS...connie d

Hi Vickie and my OFF family:

I was up at 6:30 a.m. because I had someone over to pick up my washer ... sold it! And since I was up, I went out and did some shopping and paid some bills. Boy, am I glad I used the scooter at Target. My left knee is so bad I can barely lift it up the step I need to get into my apartment. My ortho doc's nurse had suggested some PT before surgery, and I think I'm going to take her up on that. I think if I can get stronger, it will be better for me.

Vickie, Carolyn, Trish, Connie and the rest of you grannies, I don't know how you do it. I couldn't do it. I remember dealing with my nephew when he was 10 and I had him for two weeks when I was in Montana ... he was good company and I loved him, but he wore me out. And I definitely couldn't do it now, not with my bad knees. I'm fortunate I have a cat who doesn't need a lot of care (although she's starting to have the itchies again). I have problems taking care of myself lately.

I felt just miserable last night with my cold but today, even though I didn't get much sleep, I feel pretty good. I bought some Mucinex (well, store brand) chest congestion relief DM and it really seemed to work (that, and the Breathe-Right strip on the nose). Which is good, because I was ticking everyone off with my coughing and drippy nose last night ... the one guy suggested I should take a sick day. I said, "Well, I could stay home tomorrow night (Saturday)," and the guy in charge said, "No, don't do that." Yeah, they don't want me to spread germs but they don't want me to call in sick on the weekend. I would never call in sick on the weekend unless I was dying. And anyway, I feel a lot better today.

Well, anyway, I've blabbed on long enough today. Have a good day.

Hello OFF friends,

I didn't have a chance to say hi yesterday. I was busy running errands for my surgery. Will be doing grocery shopping on Sunday. Any food and beverages suggestions on what I should have on hand when I get home from the hospital would be of great help. Should I take my vitamins to the hospital are wait to take them after I get home? It's going to be over a 100 today! I'm not a hot weather fan. My arthritis is acting up today, my back is killing me. Liquid diet was really hard last night. Krissy my daughter is my best supporter through this. Funny, she's the one I thought would give me the least support. Life is funny! Down 10lbs! YAY!!

Big hugs to all,
Debbie

Take whatever meds you are on with you to show when you check in  (if you are on Synthroid or some other important meds, you will be told to take while in hospital).. As for the vitamins and supplements, my surgeon said only after 2 weeks, so your surgeon will no doubt have given you or will give you instructions as to when to start them..

Before I went to hospital, I had cooked and pureed  allowable foods in small portions, and bagged in sealed baggies for the freezer, so later I could just nuke allowable amounts...I was weak for about 2 weeks after and glad I had prepared allowable foods in allowable portions...including veggies such as pureed spinach with a bit of the cooking water ( smelled like wet grass ) and laid in a stock of SF apple sauce, plain  Greek yogurt and foods I was allowed on my surgeon's food plan.  I had soups and other items I knew I would be allowed so I could progress according to my eating plan, also fresh eggs, 1% milk which I fortified with powdered skim milk to increase the protein content, since I was only going to be able to eat about an once or two at a time, SF instant puddings (added the fortified milk and even some protein powder to increase protein content).  Don't buy babyfoods as they tend to have too much sugar in them, although are the right consistency, but stay away from them, even the turkey -veg  and similar babyfood combinations. Make your own "babyfood" without sugar and without too much salt...for your post surgery eating.  And lay in a stock of water bottles so you can go everywhere with one in your hand, even bedside so if you wake at night, sip, sip,  sip as getting all your liquids and protein in are going to be a bit difficult in your early days, but try to take in as much water as possible round the clock to stay hydrated.

Take it easy when you first come home, I was told no lifting and no stairs...You have been cut and sewn inside, despite not having a big scar, you still have to be aware you had major surgery. It takes 3 months for your inner stitches to heal and your nerve endings to heal and let you know you are "full", and your pouchie will only be the size of an egg at first until it stretches ( I am presuming you are going to have RnY)...so don't overdo the food amounts, and you won't have the vomits or the "foamies" which is the way we vomit now..Follow your eating progression, don't force increased amounts, and be careful. You may need to drink protein smoothies to get as much protein into you ( you need protein to heal and get your energy back)..  I found a small one-serving type of mini processor useful ( Magic Bullet, Cuisinart, etc are good f or this).

You may want to check Eggface's site for helpful recipes when early on...When I could do pureed foods I was often inspired by her recipes...

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.ca/

Edited to add:
Forgot to mention...use a teaspoon to eat at first, and put it down between mouthfuls, eat very slowly, although at first you will be doing soup and yogurt and applesauce, be sure to try "chewing " as from now on digestion starts in your mouth...When you are on pureed chicken or fish and pureed veggies or egg, be sure you chew chew chew, about 40 times...Your food will get cold as eating is going to be a very slow thing unless you want to start throwing up (foamies), so use the microwave  to reheat...

Remember as bad as it may seem immediately after surgery, it does get better the further you are out from surgery!  Good Luck!