Tuesday May 2

Oh, that is so very sweet! I plan to make a Costco run today and try and get some simple (healthier) meals. I think salmon will be on the docket for tonight and I just made a batch of chili for tomorrow night since I work and it can be ready to go in the crock pot when I get home!

Wt 217

Shel thanks for the info. Diane O, Reiki sounds interesting. I need to study up. Liz and Paula, sounds like you are managing your busy lives well. Ann, we get more rain tomorrow too. DS#1 has moved some of his stuff from the river cabin. It has never flooded there in the past 100 years but I think he will have water all around it. We have a low water crossing to get to our place but it has a good solid bottom to it and good drainage. Carbon, you should get extra points for walking 3 hours and double points for walking in the rain. Diane S, hope you have lots of 'kiln goodies' to sell. Kiark, my dose increase on the Vyvanse helped to get some good effects back as they quickly faded. The increased dose has kinda stabilized. Hope so anyway. My PCP, not the prescriber, suggested a once a week skip to promote sustained effectiveness after my dose stabilizes. I have not done this yet. DW works some with a psych provider and they do that for other stimulants. JoeyJo, glad your grandsons didn't notice. Being a preacher's son, I think church services are way too serious anyway. Still when someone is cutting up on your row it is distracting.

The bee swarm I caught was transferred to a hive box yesterday in the cool of the morning. Not too many angry bees. Steps today: mowing before the rain comes tomorrow. Maybe cutting up some hickory. And we must bathe the dogs and clip one.

More later, David

208. So much to do at work. So much to do at home. So much to do. Just keep swimming...

My son is really stepping up. He went to the hospital again today to sit with his sister and watch over her. Yesterday, her blood sugars kept falling to the 30s. Today they're over 400. She is on a liquid diet, which is her favorite, because they usually limit her fluids, and her blood is still going crazy. She is afraid to switch doctors because she likes her doctor and doesn't want to hurt his feelings. My cousin is a nurse at the hospital so I asked her to help my daughter make the change.

The boys have really gotten the hang of our routine and we are becoming a well-oiled morning machine.

I am eating high protein, low carb chicken salad from Costco. I don't like it, but I have a few more little containers left. I mix it with spinach which makes it OK. As I was fixing it, a co-worker told me about all the goodies and lunch options that were out and I politely declined. She was going on about how "dedicated" I am to eating healthy. I took out some of the baby spinach and it was frozen stiff from the stupid office refrigerator. This was seen as an excuse to indulge, but I stuck to my guns and microwaved the spinach. Lunch was no worse, no better. It is just fuel. Looking forward to it being all gone so it will be fuel with some yum.

Greetings Busy Maintainers

Whew, wears me out just to read all the stuff you guys are doing. Have safe trips Liz. Usually when stuff is that busy it goes fast. GL on the drug trial pre screen.

Diane O, our art studio also does fused glass. I wonder if any one there makes the Chakra items. Lots of Reiki people around here. The fused glass is so beautiful. We have a new artist at our gallery who does hot cast glass that is fabulous.

Seriously Ann and Dave, more rain? You will be mowing forever! Out here we have to mow in the winter but in the summer when the rain quits, grass turns brown and most people don'****er. Last year it was not allowed due to drought.

Thanks for all the V info Shel. I don't think I am a candidate for that drug but its interesting to read about.

Well I have to do food for the art gallery this Friday night as its an event. The person who usually does it is the featured artist so I felt like she should have a break. But believe me it is ALL coming from the deli and such. Paula you should do that for whatever you have to do. Maybe even hire a house cleaner for awhile during DH treatments. You need a break (and not at McDonald's). When my hands got gimpier I decided I would not beat them up with house keeping and hired someone. Its worth it.

Dave glad the v drug is working out. Stay safe. Its amazing how much work a home and a few dogs can be. I clipped dog toenails yesterday and one bled (I felt so bad) and had to rush to the pet store for styptic powder. Cornstarch can be used in a pinch but that wasn't cutting it.

Gallery banking today and have to straighten out computer malfunction. Jeez I don't know how it gets so bad and my computer skills are laughable.

Well its sunny and calm here and dogs get walks. DH has regained some weight but at least he is walking a lot. Carbon, can't believe you do three hours in the rain. You are a tough lady.

Hey roses are starting to bloom. I can see them from where I sit. Peace. Diane S

Diane O, glad you were able to get so much yard work done! That's rather impressive. Must have taken hours. Two of my friends do glass work. It is an art form that requires an impressive level of skill as well as artistry. I am impressed.

Paula, sorry your load keeps getting heavier. I learned a lot about my eating post VSG as major stressors came down the pike. I had never, ever considered myself an emotional eater. Rather I thought of myself as a volume eater, which is why VSG held such appeal. Little did I know that much of my eating - more than 50% I think, was emotionally driven. Had I truly been just a volume eater, I would never have had the regain to the degree I've had. It's great that you are recognizing emotional eating so early into maintenance. I wish I had! I'm so impressed by how well you are managing DH's treatment, illness, and caring for your boys.

Carbon, impressive walking in such weather!

Ann, glad your routine is back to normal - always a welcome thing for me. Liz, hope Chicago is not too tiring (sounds dreadful to me!).

Diane S, enjoy the roses. Mine are blooming in full force, too.

Joey, great your son is doing so well. Not easy for him, I know. He must be feeling pretty good about himself to take on that responsibility.

David, thanks for the Vyvanse information. As I feel the effects waning and I'm settling in I will continue to monitor effectiveness. I'm mostly concerned with the quieting of compulsive food thoughts and behaviors.

Weight down another pound today. I am not starving myself - I swear! However, it is very much like the early days of WLS when eating just was not a priority.

I had a productive session with my therapist. She noticed the effect of the Vyvanse pretty quickly. We talked about how it's helping me, and my concerns about taking the drug. Clearly, the Vyvanse is doing what it is supposed to do. I am becoming very aware that the Vyvanse is slowing down impulsive thoughts and behavior, allowing me time to make choices - even when an urge is present. The urges are stronger in the late evening, which is something I will address with the psychiatrist after my 30 day trial.

Another food fest at school today - Teacher Appreciation Week, don't you know! Jamba Juice this morning, which I skipped. Later there will be a catered lunch. I have yogurt and berries, if lunch is a no go. We shall see. At least I'm not worried about the temptations that will be present.

Best to everyone!