Sat March 11

Heard on a podcast yesterday a guy using the analogy of paddling a canoe. You don't go in a straight line. Sometimes you go in the wrong direction but because you can only paddle on on side at a time you are constantly correcting your course. You are still paddling. Hang in there. I learn so much of myself as you write.

Greetings Busy Buddies

Note I said busy buddies and not busy bodies. We are the former, not the latter. But I should get my body busier to knock off a few pounds. 133.5 today.

Carbon funny you should mention Elina because I have been thinking of emailing her to see if she is ok. Thanks Devon for the update. I knew she was interesting in clinical psychology but took a break in schooling because of kids. They must be in high school now so good for her. I emailed Frisco a few months ago and got a nice reply. He seems fine. Yeah I have wondered about Mikey Mike, Wanda, Brandy and others.

I too say yes and act no. Hmm. gotta think about this one.

Well we can all take a lesson from Dave that chores of life can be good exercise and help with weight control. Thats one thing I have always hated about gyms - you go there and work but the house and yard are still messes when you get home.

Wish there was an easy cure for body dysmorphia. I kind of think mine ran its course due to getting older. Like people asking you if you get the senior discount and I am happy to say yes.

Ann how on earth do you get 7 servings of veggies in per day? Examples please. I am lucky to get two unless each grape counts as a serving.

Well Paula your courage and fortitude amazes me. You and DH are in for busy times with all that is scheduled. Glad your ear is less painful.

Two neighbors now have trampolines for their kids. Funny to see these half people popping up above the privacy fence.

Had a very odd dream last night. Someone brought me a dish of chocolate ice cream and instead of eating it, I painted my foot with it. Hello, Dr. Freud??!!

Well not much planned for today except laundry, errands, cutting 52 dog tonsils, training Tesla a little and maybe a studio visit.

But first, more coffee........ Cheers Diane S

Diane, you asked how I get in 7 veggies/fruits a day. It does require some focus. Day before yesterday I actually had 8 servings, which might have been a post-op world record. The following are typical fruits / veggies I eat and count the following amounts as single servings:

* ½ to ¾ cup of colored veggies, e.g., broccoli, squashes, carrots, tomatoes, green beans
* 1-2 cups of lettuces, spinaches, and other leafy veggies
* ½ cup berries, e.g., blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
* ½ cup of other fruits, e.g., mango, papaya, peaches
* Small-sized apple, tangerine, orange
* Half a big grapefruit

I seldom eat starchier veggies and fruits like potatoes and bananas.

I load up my meat and/or cheese sandwiches with low-cal veggies and almost always have sliced carrots on the side (crunch, crunch). We eat a lot of blueberries because we have great sources (a friend's blueberry farm and Aldi's) and throw them into cereal bowls or eat them as dessert with a couple of tablespoons of vanilla yogurt. And at nearly 3 years post-op, it's easy to add a couple of half-cup veggie sides to a 3-ounce meat entrée for dinner.

Fortunately, I don't seem to be "good-carb" sensitive. In maintenance I also tolerate daily "treat-carbs" (squares of dark chocolate and 1 biscotti). Thus far, I remain unscathed. Key phrase there is "thus far."

P.S. David, it is snowing here now.

Wow, thats a lot of fruits and veggies Ann. I don't think my sleeve would hold it all plus protein. But good on you, you will never get fat on that stuff.

My hubby loves blueberries and I do too. We used to have several productive bushes in the yard but they have kind of fallen off. Need to plant new ones. There is a blueberry farm near here and they nearly always have them at costco. DS

Started out with sleet then big snow flakes. Supposed to be 27 tonight. Wrapped my water lines with extra heat tape.

It took me a second to realize that tonsils was a typo and it probably was meant to be toe nails! I just couldn't see you doing surgery on those poor doggies throats!

Thats dog toenails, not tonsils. Danged auto correct. DS

Gotta say, I wondered about that... I'm sure had I stopped to think about it, I would have figured it out, but I enjoyed 50 something tonsils!

Do dogs even have tonsils? That was my next question! A quick Google search states that Yes, yes they do!

"Dogs have one set of tonsils: one tonsil is located on each side of the throat. They are found within a fold of tissue referred to as a tonsillar crypt. The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. They can become inflamed, and when they do, it is called tonsillitis."

What did we do with all of these unanswered questions before the internet?

Paula

I did not know tonsils were part of the lymphatic system!