Happy Friday--right?

Good morning, sistas!

It's exactly 3 more weeks until Christmas.  How did that happen?

I'm up and moving very slowly and stiffly this morning.  I swear, it's like I have some sort of toxin ravaging my body these days.  I'm really starting to get worried about myself.  I'm stiff and sore all over.  Like there's some sort of little devils in my bloodstream poking me with their nasty little pitchforks all over!  I don't ever remember being this way in my whole life.  When I talk to my girls about it, they both think it is a combination of stress from grief and lack of exercise.  That may be true.  But I can't close my hands into a fist for several minutes after I first wake up.  And the big muscles in my thighs ache all day long.  I need to heed Jeannie's very excellent advice to Judy last night.  I think my whole body is out of whack.

Mary, I will be glad to help you with your crochet if I can.  The problem is I need to know quite a few details.  What weight yarn are you using, what size crochet hook, and most importantly, what is the pattern?  My advice to you is to first buy a skein of yarn like the kind you plan to use.  (Doesn't matter what color at this point, because you're going to have to special order enough yarn in the same dye lot anyway.) Next, make a gauge swatch.  For a big bedspread, I would aim for a 6" x 6" swatch. Be sure and make the swatch with the size hook you plan to use.  Count the number of stitches and the number of rows (in your pattern) that it takes to achieve a perfect square 6" swatch.  Now do the math:  how many stitches across and how many rows will it take to achieve your desired size?

Most commercial patterns have already figured out how many skeins you need for their patterns.  In your case, you will need to undo the swatch and measure the amount of yarn it took to make it.  Again, do the math.  The info on the skein will tell you the number of yards in the skein.  Multiply it out, then buy a little extra, just in case!  

So, last night we took the boys to Wassailfest in New Braunfels.  Never again!  OMG.  It was SOOOO crowded.  I held onto Budder's hand for dear life, for fear he would get lost in the crush of people.  The boys wouldn't even try any of the wassail samples!  And there were multiple Santas and picture ops, but again, they were too overwhelmed to even think of sitting in Santa's lap for a picture.  I bought them a cone of cotton candy and they did love that.  And I bought one large bag of kettle korn (thinking that I would get to eat some of it.  Ha!)  That went down well, too, and it also went home with them.  So fine.  No more Wassailfest for me.  

Today, I sincerely hope I get a whole day off!  I need it.  I want to sew.  I want to relax.  Maybe get out and take the puppies for a walk this afternoon.  The sun is out today and it's beautiful fall weather here.  I'll be on babysitting duty again this evening, and it will be a long night for everyone because Friday is freight day at Hobby Lobby and Chris and Mike will have to stay until it is all put out.

Judy, honey, I too have gained over 30 pounds and I hate it.  All my clothes are too tight.  I was weighing in at right around 165-170 in 2014.  Now I weigh just over 200 again.  I drink cokes and eat sugar all day long again.  No alcohol, but that's because it gives me hot flashes.  LOL.  Some good comes from everything, huh?  We will all hold each other up and we'll deal with this regain matter together.

I need to close now.  I love you all!

Hi Vicki,

My dear, you need to give yourself a break. You have been stressed out both emotionally and physically this past year. That is why you feel so badly. Also eating sugar, I don't think your body is happy. When you are ready, yI ou will stop eating the sugar. You are probably not there just yet.

I know that you love watching the grands, but sometimes a woman needs a break. Treat yourself gently, like a fine piece of china. I do think you are trying to do too much and your body is sassing you back.

My dear, take care of yourself.

Hope you get back to your sewing soon.

To all others, I didn't see the thread yesterday. I have bad sinus issues and my eyes are puffy today. That woul be OK, but I am going to a wedding today. The first one in a while.

God bless everyone on OFF. My love and prayers to you all.

Take care everyone,

Love,

Arlene

Hi Arlene.....I agree with the advice you gave Vickie. It has been a hard year for her. I just keep sending her prayers.

I am eating too much sugar too. The weight gain makes me feel awful and I CANNOT change my eating habits. My therapist said, to let it go for now as I am trying to deal with too much. I am confused.

I hope you have a great time the wedding!!! 

I am sorry about your sinuses and puffy eyes.

Love and hugs to you......connie d

Hello and happy Friday, Ladies!

It feels nice to be reconnected with you all.  Its good for me, mind body and soul. I hope I'm bringing some positive mojo to you all as well. I let my work just consume me, and any time that is left over is put toward other people:  my husband, my stepchildren, my family... of course my dog is part of that family and he gets more attention than I give to myself.  Sound familiar ladies?  Well I have to return to focusing at least some of my time on me.  Being here is part of that effort.  And being here for YOU is helping me, too - so I hope it's a "win - win." 

Speaking of my family... my stepdaughter got into another car accident.  Thank God, she walked away and was not hurt. Poor girl... both her father and I assumed it was her fault, but the police report was clear that she was rear-ended and slammed into another car.  The car at the back was deemed to be at fault and her insurance is paying for everything.  Cassie was driving my husband's old 2004 Honda Civic... it was pretty well worn and beaten up even before this.  Well today we brought it in for the insurance adjuster to evaluate.  We thought they would fix the front end damage and be done with it but... it looks like they will "total" the car. Well, Cassie got a full time job after college and has been saving money, so she's ready to buy a car of her own now anyway.  So, though we had hoped to keep that old junker for my stepson to drive it looks like that ship has sailed.  My stepson has failed his license test twice, so by the the time he finally passes his road test and gets a license, that car may be dead, anyway! So, it looks like Cassie will be buying her car a little earlier than we thought - but she's done a good job saving money, and we will help her get into her new wheels.  

And as for me... I'm still doing well on my program and working hard.  My hubby says my body is morphing - changing so quickly that it's as if I am shrinking and shifting in real time.  Clothes that fit me last week (just before T-day) are very loose today;  I haven't lost more than 1 pound in that time but apparently something is cooking. Muscles or something! Well, I'm happy with it.  Hard work but it's worth it.

Vickie, I'm with arlene.  Stop beating yourself up! You have dealt with so much this year and you cannot let this get you down. You will feel better if you start returning to healthy eating, but you know this. I know that, when I am hurting, I focus on others so I don't have to deal with my own pain... and you may be doing the same. But you have to take care of yourself if you want to take care of all those little grands you love so much! So despite having to face those feelings... please do find some time to start caring for yourself. Just start small, with one little healthy change.  You can do it.  We love you!

Judy, I loved Jeannie's post yesterday.  She hit it on the head, boy - and for me as well! Stress is a killer in more ways than one. And you are under tremendous stress. Please do take her advice to heart and start making changes to lower the stress.  And as for your gain - it happens to just about everyone so don't beat yourself up.  You took the first big step by facing it head on, with us.  Now you can start making the changes needed to get this under control.  You know what to do but don't get stressed out over it!  Just start with one change, like getting your water in.  Then add a little walk, maybe... and then increase your protein.  Kathy and I are brand new post-ops so, just follow along with us! :-) 

Cindi, I hope my celebratory post didn't make you feel badly. You can do this - it will be a lot harder than during the post-op phase (like the one I'm in now) but you can and will do it.  There are groups on OH devoted to getting back on track - please look for them! They may help.  Just focus on your health first. 

Jeannie, I seriously will cut and paste and save your post yesterday.  Loved it.

Arlene, all that puffiness can't be comfortable.  I hope you can find some relief today!!! Great advice to Ms. Vickie, as you always do.  

Eileen, you are really tired these days.  It could be seasonal, it could be due to all the changes at work... it could be so many things.  I do hope you'll rest and relax some when your weekend comes - I know you have a few more days to work yet, right?

Connie, I think of you and pray for you every day.  You are such a light and such a love.  I am so very sorry to hear about your friend Shelby. She also sounds like she was a lovely person.  I have had a Keurig for awhile now and drink only decaf myself.  You can find the pre-mad coffee pods in decaf but they are expensive.  I buy them for an occasional treat, but mostly use a refillable gizmo and off the shelf decaf coffee.  Saves a ton of money. But nothing beats the quality of coffee I make in my mini single cup french press - which is such a pain in the butt that I only use it on weekends!! 

Well girls I must dash and get back to work.  Much love to all those I've missed and all who will follow! 

Christine

Hello Christine....we love having you back. You always have so much wonderful advice. You make us all feel better about ourselves. At least that is how it is for me!

I am so glad Cassie wasn't hurt. I guess it is time for her to get a new car. She sounds like she is pretty responsible. You taught her well, she is saving and that is great!! Good for her!!! There are plenty of used cars out there for your son to chose from when his time comes around .

Thank you for the compliment, you are so sweet!  

Thanks for letting me know what you do with your Keurig. It seems like a lot of others fill their own coffee pods. I am going to try to check it out more tonight.

I need to get back on track too....I have gained way too much!!

I am so happy things are going so well for you with your weight loss. I am not surprised!!  WTG!!!!!

I am really tired so I need to close for now.

Have a good evening....much love and many hugs to you...connie d

Christine-

Your celebratory post did not make me feel bad at all.  I'm delighted you are doing well on your journey.  My regain this last year has made me realise how easy it is to fall back into bad habits.  I continue to participate in this forum to provide a cautionary thread that this is not magic bullet weight loss.  I fell off the wagon but I'm determine to get back down.  Continue to post your celebrations so I can use them as motivation to get back to those feelings again.

Cindi B.

Hi Ladies,

I'm tired again today. My friend came over last night and stayed the night. She kept waking me up then she finally confessed something she did. I got angry but tried to be supportive. Finally she calmed down and got some sleep. I didn't do much today except go to the bank and the store. Now I'm drinking coffee and ice tea. Will probably just chill the rest of the night and try to go to bed early.

Thoughts and prayers for everyone. 

Love and hugs,

Yvonne

Hello Yvonne.....sorry for your lack of sleep. It was nice that your friend finally opened up to you. At least then you both could get a little sleep!!

Have a good evening...love and many hugs....connie d

Good afternoon Vickie and everyone.....

Vickie...I can feel for you with your little pitchforks. That is a good analogy on what it is like. I hope you can find some relief soon. You might want to get tested for Fibromyalgia. I pray you don't have it. I  agree with Carrie and Christie. A lot of what you are feeling definitely can be from grief and stress. I am praying for you my dear friend. 

I hope you have a good night with the boys. Even more I hope you had a chance to sew and take the dogs on a nice walk!! 

It is hard to believe how fast Christmas is coming up.  I know this will be a very painful time for you. I am so sorry. Do the best you can getting everything ready. I know shopping is a bugger. I know you will do as much online as you can. I LOVE YOU! 

Don't you have a KEURIG 200? How do you like it? I am pretty sure I am getting that one. 

Sorry your trip to Wassailfest didn't go as planned. Maybe another time when the boys get bigger. 

As for me.... I am having a sad week. Shelby's funeral is tomorrow and as usual I can't go. One of her friends is going to mail me a memorial card. 

Also Chuck's birthday is on the 9th. I am still struggling with that. I miss him so much! This sucks!!!! He was my soulmate and best friend for so many years.  I keep talking to my therapist. She is helping me deal with all of this and more. I really like her a lot. 

I am going to rest for a couple hours. I will be back to check in again soon. 

Prayers for all our wonderful OFF Family and their families. Special prayers for those who have requested.

Loads of love and bushels of hugs to all.....connie d

Afternoon OFF family...BRRRRRRRRRRRRR I am freezing here!!!!!!! Last time I checked it was 32* here and that cold goes right thru me!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! So hard for me to get warm!!!!!!

Jeannie Thank You for that nice post to me last night!!! I will try to heed what you suggested to do!! I only drink one Coke a day IF that. I only drink one alcoholic drink a day IF that. Rest IS water...just NOT ENOUGH WATER!!!!!  My downfall is Potato Chips!!!!!!!! Gummy Bears!!!!!!! ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I do walk a lot maybe not like you do but I do walk the dog every day and night...we have 5 acres here...so its not a short walk to and from either complex. You are right about the stress here though...in the last couple weeks we lost 4 tenants to death...3 moved out...and this last couple days 2 more moving out. We have so many empty units right now its crazy!! What once was 1 to go and a huge bonus...Not anymore!!!!!!! Be lucky if we get a card for Christmas now. Depressing.

Vic...we can do this TOGETHER!!!!!!!! I said after the Holidays...its going to be easier then to stick to it!!!! You with me??? Anyone else??

Connie...I feel for you!!! Wish I could be with you...I know how bad you feel losing your friends...it SUCKS!!!!!!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Well my CRS strikes again here...sorry.

Went today for my blood test. Veins didn't cooperate. Had to poke two different places. Never felt either poke!!! WOW!!!! Now to see how they come back as in results...hmmmmm.

Shopping tomorrow for supplies. Need to buy Christmas cookies for the VFW kids party. I said I would make some. Well I am going to cheat and get some from Gordon Foods all ready made up just need to bake and frost. Heard they were yummy. Never had them. I lost my recipe I had for the best ever sugar cookies...DAMIT!!!!! I tore this place apart and I can't find it!!!!!! I know its here SOMEPLACE but WHERE????????? But then my hands can't handle making that huge batch of cookies anymore so......

Well that is all for me tonight. Need to play my games and veg out. Been a hell of a week here!!!!!

Thoughts and Prayers for ALL that need them!!!!!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS