Tuesdays Trackings....whats up
Good Morning Jeannie, Francine, Eileen & all Ladies to follow!
I loved your post, Jeannie. It really captured the essence of this board. There is a bond & caring here that I would have to say is very rare in online groups. I am not saying bonding & care does not occur, but rather I find a special & unique atmosphere here.
I am at a loss for words for Vickie. The only was I can even remotely relate to her loss is in thinking of my divorce. Sounds odd, but despite all the animosity it was a huge loss & life changer. My lifestyle changed, my responsibilities increased & some of my relationships were different. Most of all I mourned the loss of the way of life we had created as a couple and the dreams we would never realize. And this was only after 9 years w/a real idiot...Vickie & Butch had a lifetime together & by all accounts he was a good man! All I can do is continue to wish her peace as her journey continues.
And Mary was right. No matter what the choices we make are our own & even though we all suffer disappointments in those we love we need to realize things can change in a blink of an eye. We need to let go of some of the smaller annoyances...
Jeannie, one of the few things I enjoyed in my position as a manager was being able to 'mentor' the employees I hired. I chose a lot of interns when I needed permanent employees b/c I had already observed their work ethic & commitment to a field where the pay was low, respect for staff was often minimal (sense of entitlement!), but the rewards were often heartwarming & spiritual. Many of my former staff are still employed at the shelter PT, have graduated from college & secured FT jobs. They stay in touch. This makes me proud...maybe I did make a difference! I am sure you feel that, too, as well as Francine.
Eileen your discussion about books the other day hit a note w/me. I am an avid reader & had countless books from over the years I could not bear to part with. I finally let them go when we downsized a few years ago. I decided then I would get my books from the library in the future as I could accumulate 1-2 books/weekly. I like using the kindle to read, but like Connie mentioned I also like to have a REAL book in my hands...I read before going to bed every night!So anyhow, don't need as many bookcases anymore...but still enjoying my books!
We are headed to the beach shortly for another day trip. I like to arrive later in the afternoon due to still carrying this weight. I say to myself I've beat cancer & lost over 50 lbs so to hell w/all the 'haters,' but it still bothers me to get some stares. Oh well...
Everyone have a good day & try to stay out of trouble!
Kathy
Kathy,
I hear you on the beach...when I was waiting for my WLS and although I had already lost a couple of hundred pounds, I was still way over 300 pounds and at my height, it made me quite the spectacle. Anyway, a couple of the members from this board who no longer post met up with me and we had a little day of fun in the sun and that included hopping in the pool...they had already lost a ton of weight but I still was so fat but they rallied around me and brought me one of the travelling larger than life suits that I think every one of us from that time wore, and I got it on and got in the pool and that summer, I spent countless hours swimming in public...they gave me the courage and I did it in a bathing suit and not long pants and a shirt....probably the best support that the gals gave me was to not care....get in the suit, get in the water, and have fun and I did and that was the summer before my surgery and when I went for my surgery, I think I was a little better fit for all that swimming that I did.....you go to the beach and show yourself...we are here and they just need to deal with us and if they don't deal with us, they need to keep their mouths shut.....Have fun.
Jeannie, when I was 350 pounds, I still got in my swimsuit and went in the pool and swam. It was the only exercise I could do. There were several others like me, either at the health club I first joined in Grand Rapids (subsidized by work) or at the Y. One day when I was getting out of the shower, some woman made a rude comment about the "cows who left the floor dripping wet." Several people turned around and glared at her. We were there to get healthy, not to be demeaned. She slunk out of the locker room. I have missed being in the pool these past few years because I couldn't afford it; I sure enjoy the water exercise classes more than I thought I would.
We are getting drenched here now. I had to go for a drug screen after my doc appointment and by the time I got out of the lab, it was pouring out. I skipped the farmers market, dropped by CVS for my meds (free Voltaren gel! Wasn't expecting that!) and came home. Sticking around the house for the rest of the day. Good day to make zucchini bread.
Eileen,
I am so glad the women glared at her. I remember being the largest person in my family and when I shopped, I was the largest person in the store. I remember people staring at me and now I feel so sorry for my son who took me shopping so late at night. The other day, when I was leaving a friend's house, it was very late, I ran by the store to pick up some things and there was a woman there being pushed through the store by her son and I remembered....she was in a special wheelchair that was extra, extra large and she still hung over the sides...people stared at her and gasped and people made rude comments...I scolded one woman and said, shame on you...you have no right to treat that woman the way you just treated her...she has the right to shop in a store without being mistreated. I hate the way people still treat obese folks, especially obese women. For some reason a man can be the same size as a woman but the woman gets judged most often negatively. My doctor told me to start going to the pool and give up on running...he said I needed no impact and would get that in the water. I have free access to our on campus gym that has a wonderful pool with pool classes for older folks like me and I am going to check it out. Stay dry....
Darling sistas,
I can't type much today, but want to let you know that I am okay. We have been apart so much of our married life that in many ways, I already know how to do this. Yes, I'm sad and at times I cry, but I am doing okay. The girls are having a harder time than I am today.
I love each and every one of you. I will come here when I hit the depths of despair, I promise. Right now I'm just dealing with things concerning travel and clothes and funeral arrangements and hotel rooms, etc. It keeps me occupied.
We are leaving for Nacogdoches tomorrow. Visitation is on Thursday evening. Funeral is Friday morning. Here's the link to the early obit. The full obit will post tomorrow.
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Howard-Poe&lc=1787&pid=175229416&mid=6507806#.VZvOj9_UgOc.facebook
Vickie
Dearest Vickie...I know how completely busy you are today.
Please give Carrie and Christie a huge hug for me. Ask them to do the same to you. Those poor girls. Just heart wrenching what the three of you are going through. I love you all so much.
God Bless. Keep strong sweetie.
Prayers and love and more hugs...connie d
