Tuesday February 14

Just checking in; working like crazy and dealing with my Dad's post surgery issues. Having BFF and her fiancé over for dinner tonight (they went out on Sunday night to avoid the crowds), as I made way too much Chinese food last night; I had meat thawed out that had to be cooked. Menu for tonight: day old fried rice with beef and tofu (it's always better the second day anyhow!), Chinese BBQ ribs, lumpia (Philippine spring rolls), California roll sushi, and yu choy. I'll have a rib and some yu choy. Did I mention I like cooking Asian food?!?!!  :)

Am up a half pound for no good reason; probably cuz I'm not getting in enough calories and my body is rebelling. I know I'm losing inches, tho - am rocking my new size 8 jeans, and my college ring is in dire need of resizing smaller - I've run out of fingers to move it to!

I'm really enjoying this supportive group; have quit reading all my other groups as am just too busy - except for this one. So glad I found y'all!!  :)

Sheri

Glad to have you here!

206.  My daughter has an infection in the peritoneal cavity, so she has to stay in the hospital for a while on IV antibiotics.  The boys are doing fine staying at my house and I will survive.  I got them to school on time this morning (25 minutes away from my house) with all of their Valentine's cards written, the younger's "mailbox" decorated, lunches made, and they were both wearing RED!  It's a Valentine's Day miracle!  My son is visiting with my daughter today at the hospital.

My son-in-law who was a big baby before his stroke has stepped it up a notch, not in a good way.  He leaves everything out, full jar of peanut butter without a lid, bread bag open, milk open and out, food everywhere ... everything opened and out with the dogs running wild.  My daughter is going to come home to a terrible mess.  I put the stuff away that I could, dumped the milk, put all the garbage out, but I had to call my brothers in for this.  Hopefully, they can convince my son-in-law to step up in a good way.  He has limitations, but he can do MUCH more than he is doing.  He is taking medication for depression, and it is definitely working, so it's not that. 

Another small victory, which the scale did not reflect - The boys wanted macaroni and cheese for dinner, "the good kind, y'know from the box".  I made it for them and fixed myself a roast turkey and cheese sammy with light, whole wheat bread to eat while it cooked.  Unfortunately, on the drive home from their house (25 minutes), quite a few goldfish crackers that the boys had in the car swam into my belly.  I cannot let myself get that hungry.

Oh Joey Jo, so sorry to hear about your daughter's infection. You and your family really can't get a much needed break! Sorry that your SIL is not doing too well either - those post stroke behaviors can be unsettling for sure! Sounds like you did a superb job of getting the kids off to a good Valentine's Day, your family is blessed to have you (and we are too!)

Paula

Thank you so much Paula.

You are a wonderful Mom and grandmother. Your daughter is lucky to have you. Just make sure you take care of yourself as well as you can.

Joey, I have tried several times to say something helpful in response to your last several posts, but haven't known how to say anything that would be meaningful.  Of course, what I really wish is that you didn't have these problems to deal with.  

I was once in a very stressful family-care situation, but even it wasn't overwhelming as the one it sounds like you're in.  So I'm surely conflating and confusing my situation and feelings with your own.  

Still, it sounds like you are taking care of everyone but you.  Is there ANYTHING you can do for yourself right now that would benefit you and only you?  

Because the end result of not caring for yourself is that you're going to keep taking care of everyone else until you fall over and can't get up again.  

And if you keep shouldering it all, chances are everyone else will let you keep at it until you're incapacitated before they step in.  

Please know I'm not trying to "pile on."  If I had more helpful words to offer I would type them.  I'm also very aware that I don't know you or your story, having read only a few recent posts here.  

I really do feel your pain.  And that's heartfelt, by the way -- not a Bill Clinton joke ... ;).  Seriously, I have been thinking about you a lot.  

Ann

Thank you Ann.  One of my aunts says this to me all the time.  I almost went for a pedicure but that did not work out.  An ex boyfriend texts me every morning and asked me to go out tonight, but I couldn't get anyone to take care of the boys, so I rescheduled for next week, got my brother lined up and I am going! 

I'm so glad to hear all this!  God bless your aunt and that ex-boyfriend and your brother!  

And YOU!  

Greetings Valentines

Well the sun is out and its a lovely day. 133 so at least no gain. I will celebrate today by running errands and having the root canal. Prepare to hear a lot of whining from me tomorrow especially if I have to show up for jury duty. DH and I will just pretend its not valentines day today. Price of roses will go down tomorrow and no candy for me anyway.

Liz glad you are having fun decorating and wish you could do it without a cold.

Diane O, our nephew used to live in Redondo Beach so I know exactly where those piers are. We had a great time there with all the nieces and nephews a few years ago. 

Shel, don't ya just hate it when you can't get any work done due to external time wasters. I used to get so annoyed with that when I had a real job.

Joey we are all thinking of you and so sorry your daughter has an infection. I'm with Paula - its about time you got some good breaks. Hope you can get those brothers to help out. 

All this talk of chinese food makes me want some. Or Thai. I made chicken curry last night which was pretty good but its always better if someone else makes it. We live in a small town and even though there is a state university nearby, there is really an absence of good asian food except a couple of sushi places and pho places (but who needs noodles).

Paula gl on the MOHS. 

Hang in there all you snow bound people. Winter can't last forever. Just seems that way.  Diane S