Thursday - 2:34 a.m. Ramblings

Good Early Morning Ladies -- I'll probably ramble on a bit, my mind is in high gear.

Feel like I hit the jackpot because I turned on the computer at 2:34 a.m. I have this thing with time of the day.  Times like 2:34, or 3:45, or 5:55 or 10:10 or 11:11 - makes me feel happy. Like something good is going to happen.   and   So I made my first cup of coffee because I know I'm not going back to sleep - unless I get tired around 4:32 or 4:44 or 4:56..... then I'd ha

I'm so happy about what I accomplished yesterday, and I want to keep the ball rolling again today. While nothing is really getting fixed, the place is appearing neat and clean and that makes me feel good.  I used to keep house like my Mom - I loved her dearly, but she would let things pile up around her.  Gran, on the other hand, was a cleaner: a place for everything, and everything in its place, and everything was duster every thing was dusted daily.  I'm shooting for a happy medium in  between. 

I want to keep getting rid of the junk by packing up boxes and sorting it - I want to sort the good things and selling them on E-bay or Craig's List.  I have some collectibles of Jim's ....Lost in Space spaceships, figurines, etc.  Also have several crystal balls and other types of colored balls (can't recall the name of the mineral but very pretty) - the other balls are different colors - brown and green and gold, with streaks of different colors running thru them).  All very pretty. Then I have several pieces of blue and white bowls and plates and pitchers.  I have to research these because they may have some value.  A lot of work to do!

Well, time for some coffee - hope everyone has a good day.  I'll probably check in later and send out personal notes.  I've got to settle down a bit.

Love you all.  Sending out prayers and good wishes.

Mary

Hi ladies!

Working from home again today and tomorrow. It's actually quite stressful to be home and trying to work, as when I'm home, everyone (including me) expects me to be in caretaker mode:  cooking, cleaning, running errands, etc. It's just not possible to do all that and manage a job like mine.  But still, I don't mean to complain;  I am quite fortunate to be able to work from home at all, and to have a good stable job.  I am blessed.  Blessed and stressed, at the same time. LOL I also have  tendency for snacking and grazing, which is much harder to control when working from home.  So today I'm re-locating my work from home space to our basement family room.  I have fewer food distractions there and have to climb a set of stairs to grab a snack so... it makes me think twice.  When I'm working just beside the kitchen I find myself drifting in there while on a conference call.  

I was reading a post on the RNY board today, about when a post op can stop worrying about bounce-back and regain.  Apparently, NEVER! It's always a worry and we will always have to keep working on this.  I noticed that, in the past few months when I drifted away from posting and stopped logging and tracking my intake, some bad habits were creeping back.  This week I'm logging and tracking again and noticed how low my protein and how high my carbs had gotten.  Just because I hadn't caved in to sugar and bread and treats doesn't mean I wasn't making wise choices.  I can do better and since I'm so early in my post-op phase (still in the "honeymoon") I need to catch this now so I can finish what I've started.  I'm only 3.2 pounds from the century club!  I want that to be my holiday gift to myself - a membership in that elite 100# lost club, that so many of you already have!! So I'm going for it.  

Mary, I am doing some of the same things at my home.  I have donated boatloads of clothese as I've lost weight but sold some of the nicer pieces on eBay to make some money to buy new clothes.  I found an online thrift store called thredup.com - great prices and selection on used items, and they will send a bag for you to send in clothes for them to sell. Shipping is free! So I tried it and while I didn't make a lot of money from this, it was super easy and better than nothing.  I was able to use the proceeds to buy a winter coat and two pairs of jeans in my current size.  I'm also cleaning out decades of family memorabilia, etc.  I have hung on to many of these things for far too long and it feels good to finally start clearing out.  I have a thing about never throwing out a book - they're precious. But I don't need all of them.  I found a place that will accept donations and place them in hospitals and such - they will come and pick up! So now I just need to pack up all the books I no longer want.  I can't wait!   

OK girls I will stop by later on to read up on how your days are going.  Love, light and comfort to all.  

Christine

Good morning Mary and sistas!

I'm determined to do better today.  Yesterday I just sort of wallowed in a mixture of self-pity, blue funk, and exhaustion.  Not a good combination!  And because I was feeling that way, things kept happening.  I cooked my roast too long (or I didn't add enough liquid to begin with), but I came home from picking up the boys to a burnt mess!  The roast was still edible, but the pan!  Oy vey!  I have it soaking still.  Going to be one HELLA mess to scrub it out!

Then last night, Maybelle got into my closet and found some Christmas candy I had already bought.  We have a tradition of putting a chocolate orange in the toe of each stocking, instead of a real orange.  (Never had a chocolate orange? OMG. To die for!) Anyway, that damn little stinker dug one out of the bag, ripped through all sorts of packaging (cardboard, plastic, foil), and ate the whole damn thing!!!  Oh no!  Chocolate is toxic for dogs.  And she's so little and she ate so much of it. It was very late and I really didn't know what to do.  But you know what?  Mother Nature is amazing.  Maybelle started drinking copious amounts of water and then she would throw up (a lovely chocolate and water mix--UGH!).  She did that 6 or 7 times.  But she's just fine this morning.  (My carpet is not so fine, but that's fixable.)

So, a new day today!  This morning I'm going to cut out the boys' Christmas jammies.   Then I have to take Mom to the store.  And I have to figure out what to make for dinner tonight because I have to pick up the boys again.  I have to pick them up every night this week.  Poor Chris and Mike have horrible schedules this week.  I imagine it will be this way until after Christmas.  

I'm determined to smile and have a better attitude today.  I may not like my new life, but it's the only one I've got.  

Mary, I'm glad you are getting your house in order and making it your own now.  You will feel better when things are the way YOU want them.  My husband collected a ton of stuff, too, but at least all of his junk was always outside the house.  Please don't do Craig's List, though.  Too many criminals stalk those pages!  Or if you do list things there, arrange to meet in a public location, okay?

Someone asked me about crochet yesterday?  I can't remember who.  Ask me again?  

Love you all!

Try filling the pan with water baking soda andca little dish soap and heat it till the water boils for about five minutes. It will make getting the burned stuff to come off. At least it works for me most ofcthe time. 

Hi Mary and my OFF family:

I'm still battling a headache. Got rid of it last night but woke up with it this morning. Plus, I've got the drowsies again. Just want to nap two hours after getting up and drinking coffee. 

Mary, I've sold both on eBay and Craig's List and have had good luck on both. The only problem with Craig's List is watching out for the scammers. As for criminals, I've never had an issue with that ... the folks in Evansville are fairly good. But then I haven't had any big ticket items to sell. Good luck.

Hope everyone has a good day. I'm going to try to get rid of my headache and wake up.

Good afternoon Mary and OFF-

Quick drop in before I leave for chiropractor.

Spare bedroom cleaned and organized for Mom's visit.  Heat didn't work last night but called a repair company and they came and fixed it.  A pressure hose was plugged prevented the furnace from lighting.  So now I've got vacuuming to do and clearing trails so Mom can walk safely.

Went to meet new PCP yesterday.  Did not like the weigh in numbers.  Have to do something.  The medical assistant handed me a brochure on BMI.  So while Christine celebrates being overweight, I'm back to morbidly obese.  Liked the new PCP.  We tAlked about weight loss medications.  I have follow up scheduled in March.  Got my shingles vaccination.  My co-pay was 257.00.  Since I had shingles last winter I'm going to challenge the insurance company to pay more.  We'll see.

Mary delighted that your getting your home the way you like it.  Christine does your WL surgeon run support groups for post surgery patients.  Mine did, unfortunately my life style didn't allow for me to attend regularly.  Vickie keep on trucking through the roller coaster ride of grieving.  Eileen sorry about the drowsies.

thoughts and hugs to all of you.  Gotta go back to vacuuming and then get to chiropractor.

Cindi B

Cindi, been meaning to post and tell you "best of luck" with your mom's visit!  I think it is wonderful that she is coming to see your new home.  Try to breathe, sweet friend.  It will all get done eventually.  Hope the chiro visit goes well!

Good afternoon my wonderful Off Family....

Hello Mary...I can hear the excitement in your voice as you talk about all the cleaning and things you are doing to make your house your home!! I know you miss Jim. I am still praying about that situation. I also know that this time alone will help you to find yourself. When you have always belonged to someone it is amazing what you can find when you are alone. I still get lonely at times but I sure love my freedom too!! I love you sweetheart and want the best for you. I am very sure there are good days and also bad days. It is good for you to keep moving and tackling things as they come along. You really are a strong lady!!! 

I loved the little number thing you posted...it made me giggle!!  I would drive myself crazy thinking about that!! I hardly ever look at the clock. I step alarms for places I need to go. Otherwise no need for the clock. I am not going anywhere or anything I need to do . In your case maybe something exciting will happen. That was a lot of number sets. Let me know how that turns out!

I agree Mary....you be careful selling things. Don't ever give anyone your address. Meet people in a busy place where you can be seen easily. Better yet take a friend with you....or BORROW a HUGE DOG!! No one is truly safe these days. Don't take chances.

As for me.....  I am sad to say another friend passed away. I have known for awhile but wasn't sure I wanted to mention it. She died November 10th. Shelby lived in Minneapolis not far from my daughter Carrie's. We recently were talking about how nice it would be if I could get moved down there. We could get together and have coffee and such. Anyway, her guy found her in the morning slumped over her computer. She had died sometime after he went to bed. Shelby was a kind and loving lady that everyone loved. She would do anything for anyone at anytime. It breaks my heart. I have lost way too many friends lately. This one hurts more. They are still waiting for medical reports.  Shelby also had WLS so they will be checking  into that too. She had Fibro like I have it. Very painful all the time. Plus she was having some other issues as well. I will let you know how this turns out when I get the answers. I have pictures of her on my timeline from when she was little until now. She was a real treasure!!!

I spent most of the day so far doing paperwork. The first of the month I always like to pay everything right away. Rent is always paid a month ahead. I like to keep on top of things. Nothing to worry about.

I am thinking of going out and buying a Keurig. I am looking at the model 200. It is on sale for $109 and then you get a $20 gift card too. Is this a good deal?? I think it is. Should I wait and keep watching the ads? How does everyone like their's ?? My other worry is whether or not I can get decaf in a package? Regular coffee hurts my pouch! I guess I should research some more.

That is it for me. I am going to relax and work on a puzzle for a little while. If I can stay awake!!

I love you all and am just too tired to post more right now anyway. I did read all the posts  and will check back in again later.

Prayers for out amazing OFF Family and their families. Special prayers as requested. 

Have a good rest of the day!! I love you all!!!

Much more love and oodles of hugs to all.......connie d 

Connie, they used to have the kcups you can fill with you own coffee to use in the keurig makers...I am sure you can still get them and you can use them over and over again.

HUGSSSSSSSSS

There is a thing on Amazon called EZ Pod that you can fill up with their filters and use in the Keurig with your own coffee. I use that instead of the Kcups because they became too expensive.