VSG Maintenance Group
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Congratulations to your step daughter and fiance! Which medical school in Omaha will he be at? Does he have a specialty he will study?
The art/music combo sounds wonderful Ann! We need to do more cultural events!
Glad your infusion went well. Yes, Costco on a Saturday is nuts! Enjoy the Orchestra tonight!
Sorry your trip is soon coming to an end Liz. It looked truly wonderful. Enjoy your last few days on the island's! Praying for a successful surgery for DD and that her blood levels return to normal. She must be feeling awful!
127.7 today, still within my range. Feeling good! Exercised yesterday but not today. I will get back on it again tomorrow!
Ruebens for dinner tonight. Nice and easy!
Tomorrow will be Character Development class and then church. I'll be making that Shepherds Pie soup again that we liked so well!
This next weekend will be a whirlwind of activity getting ready for the shower I am hosting on Saturday!
DSD and fiancé found out where his residency program will be - Omaha Nebraska! They will do a transition year in Milwaukee first and then he will have a 4 year residency in Nebraska. That works out well with our timing for going to Florida too. We will have one more year closer to all the kids.
Liz, I had the same response to the synchronicity of your birthday and Elise's passing. I know her memory is a blessing to you--and it is to all of us who've gotten to know her a bit through you this last decade or more.

ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Oh wow, A hemoglobin of 6?!!! I'm so glad she's in the hospital. That is crazy low. I hope she has surgery soon.
I guess I never put it together how close the day you lost Elise is to your birthday. So many emotions. May her memory be a blessing. Especially that mega watt smile. How beautiful she was.
Love your picture.
We're on our way to coffee soon. DH woke up and said he needs a news black out today. I think its a good idea. He really admires Fareed Zakaria's analysis, so he is not going to watch anything but local news until Fareed's show on Sunday morning. After coffee, we are going to brave Costco on a Saturday afternoon. Might be the craziest thing we've done all week.
I am having very minimal amounts of side effects from the infusion. So relieved. Tonight we are going to hear a season sampler concert of the Minnesota Orchestra. The tickets and ****tails are deeply discounted, hoping to tempt people attend, and then sign up for season tickets. Our Orchestra is world renowed, and a huge source of civic pride. We really should take advantage of this opportunity more frequently.
Ann your words about the music and our cycle of hope and despair have moved me so, and brought some comfort too.
Edited to add: I read it to DH to bring him some comfort too.
Liz, what a wonderful group photo of six handsome, happy people! Who dressed y'all? The white/cream on everyone is genius! Your yachting photos have been a joy to see. You really do look wonderful, girl. You so deserve it.
I'm glad to know that your DD is now getting the medical attention that her situation deserves. We're all hoping she gets the proper treatment and recovers fully.
I've been absent from here this week due to granddog sitting and walking and running around town on home remodeling errands. And although we're not in the Caribbean, we've found ways to enjoy ourselves.
Last night was one of the best times I've had in a while. DH and I went to the wonderful museum in town (which we're members of) for their monthly "After Hours" event. Last night's event was structured around solo performances by string members (violin, viola, cello) of the Louisville Orchestra. The two men and two women who performed at various galleries around the museum were unbelievably amazing musicians--technically and interpretatively. Their performances occurred in specific galleries that paired music and art from the same eras, e.g., Baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc.
At some point I realized I was crying from the impact of the beauty I was hearing and seeing and the recognition that human civilization is one long history of horrors and victories, destructions and creations, vengeance and altruism. The night may be dark, but the sun always rises. I felt a peace and a release I haven't experienced since January 21st.

ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
I can't believe it was 20 years ago today when we lost Elise. She would be 52 now. Hopefully she is watching out for her sister. DD was admitted to the hospital last night. Her new PCP saw her in the afternoon and sent her for a blood transfusion based on a hemoglobin of 6. She saw a gyno in the ER and was admitted at least for observation at this point. There will likely be some sort of surgery within the next week.
Today we leave the boat mid-morning and take a water taxi to St Thomas where we will stay for 2 nights. We have a reservation at a fancy restaurant tonight. Boy has there been a lot of good eating and drinking on this trip.
Have a satisfying Saturday!
Last night:
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish