Monday Monday

Morning Ladies!  

Pop!    There goes my good mood - already gone.  What a good job Jim does at that.  Had to get up to use the bathroom, and Jim was awake.  I had mentioned last night that after I take him to his daily appt. I had to drive into the city to pick up a prescription.  No problem.  So now I just mentioned on the way home I'd like to pick up a leaf blower at Home Depot.  I can get one for about $35.  (I was out in the yard yesterday afternoon and noticed all the leaves.  In the good old days you could burn them [loved to do that] but can't do that anymore.  You'd think it was a big deal.  We had talked about having someone do the initial mowing this Spring, because last year the back yard didn't get mowed, just the front, so I wanted to get it mowed once, then I will be able to maintain it - also need to get gutters cleaned out.  I figure it would cost about $100 to have the young guy down the street do it.  I think having him do the leaves would make it cost more.  You'd think I was looking to spend a fortune, not $35.  And it's MY money A-hole! Like it or not buddy, I'm getting it.  

I have me second appointment with my counselor this afternoon, thank goodness.  I feel like I'm making positive changes.  Have been journaling, riding my new recumbent bike, pre-planning my menus, etc.  But I'm still having "issues".......  Oh yeah, I got "the lecture" about keeping "our business" private.  He says he never "bad mouthed" me when he had to go to counseling. Well, how could he bad mouth me, I'm perfect!!    Oh well.  

Be what may...... Today is going to be a good day.  Now that I've vented, I feel better already. I'm so thankful I can come here and bare my soul.  As Vickie and others have stated, this is a "safe place" where we can be open and honest, and express our feelings without fears.  Thank you Ladies!!    (I'm full of "emotions" today....)  I hope you don't think of me as a "downer".

I was looking at Michael's web site yesterday - saw so many things I could get into.  They have a two-session class on cake decorating which I'd like to take, and I'm hoping Maura will join me.  I used to make some good money years ago when I did it, and I'd like to take a class to learn some of the basics.  Also want to get a sewing machine for some projects.....  Michaels has lots of interesting classes.  I have got to get myself going -- and keep myself going.  Every day sitting in my recliner watching TV is a wasted day.  

There's music to play, places to go, people to see! Everything for you and me! Life's a ball, if only you know it! And it's all just waiting for you! You're alive, so go on and show it! There's such a lot of livin' to do! Such a lot of livin' to do! What a lot of livin' to do! [Bye-Bye Birdie 1960] 

Yakety Yak!!    My mind is racing this morning.

Anyway, hope I haven't gone overboard with my venting......  I know so many of you have bigger issues to deal with, and have no control over.  I'm sending prayers and good wishes to all!  Thanks again for your patience with me.  

Hi There!

You can Vent on. I feel the same way! 

I'm missing Vinnie so bad I decided to ride back to Chicago on the 30th with my sister so she doesn't have to drive Alone. I'll fly back in the 12th after mothers day. I didn't tell my daughter I'm coming! Her husband knows though!

It looks like its going g to storm today! I hope so! My grass needs it!

Well my Keurig is calling me!

Carla

Hi Carla....I am sure Vinnie is missing you too. Glad you have a chance to see her soon again.

Have a good day....love and hugs...connie d

G'Morning Mary and all,

This is a great place to come to vent, share, ask advice, etc. I'm already grateful for this group.  So Mary, you need a place to come and vent and here we are for you!  You sure have your hands full, too. And I'm singing along with you today:  There's such a lot of livin' to do!  (I love that musical!)

on the topic of venting... I had such a down day yesterday.  I am making good progress across the board since surgery but I just hate being dependent on others.  I expected to be up, about, and independent by the end of week 1 but - I am not.  I was still in a good amount of pain Saturday so I took my pain meds to help manage it.  Sunday I went grocery shopping with my husband Ron.  I went because I so wanted to be OUT and because I figured hey, I need to be walking!  Besides, I usually do all the shopping and he wouldn't know where anything would be :-) I was dizzy, lightheaded and had to sit down in the store. This killed me. I got home and had to take a nap to recover - from grocery shopping. And Ron did all the lifting and toting and putting away.  I just walked with him through the store.  Though I am mentally raring to go and ready to conquer this demon of morbid obesity, I have to recognize that this is MAJOR SURGERY that I had only last Monday.  I guess I was trying to do too much, too soon and I have to give myself time to heal. 

I had grand plans to walk to and from church yesterday. (I am, to my dismay, the only church goer in my family.) The church I go to is about 1/2 mile away or less, an easy walk. Well after the grocery store debacle I rethought that plan. My stepdaughter dropped me off, and hubby picked me up. But I went to church, which was the extent of my Sunday activities.  Oh, and I enjoyed watching and smelling my husband make tomato sauce and meatballs.  It smelled heavenly. Though I'm not exactly hungry at this stage of post op, I am so looking forward to chewing something! so I just sat in the kitchen, smelled the good food, and drank my water.  

So I was quite down yesterday, but it ended well. I've made peace with the fact that my body needs time to heal, and I will try to "suck it up" and take the help that has been offered to me until I am able to be independent.  I drank all my 64 oz of water, plus some broth and a SF popsicle yesterday.  Whoo hoo for liquids! My protein is still at 50, but I'm close to the goal so I'll take it.  Pain is much improved and I didn't take any pain meds yesterday nor for sleeping.  This is a huge accomplishment!  

Enough venting and talking about me.  Now its on to you guys!

Mary, as I said about you have a lot on your plate.  Good for you for making positive changes and seeing your counselor too. My DH has a Harley and loves to ride.  They hold their value well, too, so it will sell well - especially now that the brutal winter is ending.  

Trish, glad you got to your taxes. Like Mary and so many here, you have had so much on your plate, it's not wonder you put it off.  Good for you for getting to it.  Sorry about your fall - hows the pain today?

Jennifer, I hope all is well and your cancer scare remains just that - a scare.  

Judy, praying your safe in all the storms. Bad year for them it seems. We got rid of our grill last fall - it was 25 years old and falling apart!  So now we are in the market for another.  I will make sure we buy one even if I'm not able to eat grilled stuff for a while!

Jeannie, I was an adjunct at a local college for a few years, when I owned my own business. I loved it - I always wanted to do that. Now that I work full time for others I don't have the time, and it is very difficult, time consuming work, as your post describes! Good for you. And gosh your story about being stopped by the police made me chuckle.  

Connie, how was your visit with Amanda and Tyler?  I hope it was great. Praying your pain is more manageable and that you continue to take care of yourself!

Eileen, good news that Richard sold his bike. Isn't it nice when you can see that honest people still live in our world?  I'm a huge baseball fan but you can nap during some games (especially in April) and not miss much action!

Vickie, thinking of you, Butch and all the work you're doing.  Good luck with it all.  Your post the other night about being with your mother was so heartwarming.  I am glad she was there for you.  I do so miss my mother, and I always will - enjoy her company and companionship and support.  You need it and deserve it.

Well now this is an epic post.  Congratulations for reading the whole thing. LOL.  

Saved the "best" for last. I weighed this morning and I've lost all my surgery fluids PLUS another 7.6 lbs in week 1. Yes this means 7.6 since the morning of surgery. That's staggering to me. I lost 5 pounds in my entire pre-op preparation program. On my very best diets in my youngest days, the most I lost in a week, even in my first week of a diet, was 4 pounds. I am blown away.  I know this loss rate won't continue but golly I am happy with that week 1 progress.  

Time to shower and do my hair.  Have a great day and thanks for listening!

Christine

Hi Christine....I always hated depending on others and I still do. I always think I can do so much more then I can...then I suffer for it. You my need to step back and go a little slower right now. I agree the walking in the grocery store was way too much for you!! Until you are healed and feeling stronger you should try not to over do. Walking is good, but only as your body will allow. When a person is used to doing everything it is hard to step back and let others do it for you. I am glad that you will let others help you now. I am sooooooo glad you didn't walk to church. I don't think you would have made it.

Congratulations!!! You are losing weight at a really good pace. The amount you lost is about normal for your first week. Good for you!!!!

I remember my first soft food...I was so excited...I went to Taco Bell and ordered refried bean with cheese. Oh my...nothing ever tasted so good!! Lots of protein too. I could only eat about a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the bowl....yummy leftovers!!  I have always loved refried beans so I really enjoyed that meal!!!! 

It won't be long before you are on some foods...you will have plenty of times you can enjoy food from the new grill!

Keep working on that protein...you are almost where your doctor wants you to be...I am so proud of you!!

Much love and oodles of hugs...connie d

Christine, when I had my surgery back in 2004, my brother Gary came up a couple weeks after my surgery to stay with me. He was trying to eat somewhat healthy ... I wasn't hungry at all. One day he had a Subway spinach salad. Even that smelled good but still didn't make me want to eat. One day we went to a movie ... I brought in my water (amazing the movie folks didn't say anything about it); Gary had popcorn and pop. By the end of the movie I was getting a little hungry for a protein shake and a little dizzy. But still, I didn't want popcorn or anything that much to eat. Funny ... sometimes I wish I could go back to those days. 

But you must remember you had major surgery and it takes your body time to heal. Don't try to be a superwoman. Baby steps.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Told you it was a Wild Ride!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Christine: despite not having major scars, you had major surgery on the inside: you were sliced and diced. It takes 3 months for inner sutures to heal, you must not force yourself to do things as you could do yourself an inner injury, even develop a hernia. Set your impatience aside, take it easy, not worth doung otherwise.  Your whole system has had a shock, plus the general anaesthetic weakens you. Be good to your body or pay the price for doing too much too soon. 

Take rests, and recover..

Jennifer

Oh Lord, girls, pray for me today. my mom and I have been up since 5 a.m. and she is driving me crazy!  She's worrying and fretting over every little thing. She's already pronounced two or three times that this is not going to be a good day.  Argh!  It's drizzling rain and the toilet sprang a leak and etc.  Etc.  Etc

.  geez mom!  I tell her that it is going to be a good day.  And I tell her that happiness is a choice we make daily.  Nothing works.  She's determined to be miserable. Ack!  anyway I'm off to the storage building to meet a locksmith. Butch gave me the wrong key to the padlock.  Grrr.  Damn man.  It will be okay but it will cost me $65 to get it cut off.   Silly.  But it's only a small problem.  Nothing I can't handle.  Love you all! 

Sending you prayer, strength, and anything else you need!  hang on to your hair Vickie!  have a nice bath in that new tub when its over!!!