What's new Wednesday?

Hello, Karen and all the gang!

I'm still up.  My younger son, Derek, has been out all night salting.  We are experiencing an ICE STORM here - freezing rain- and the ice keeps building up, layer by layer.  It is his responsibility to make sure that his plaza contracts are ice-free by the time they open in the morning. Derek and Danny managed to rebuid the burned out transmission in his salting truck. 

I'm so glad that they took such an interest in their Dad's mechanical work...they can both fix their own machines, be it cars/trucks/motorcycles etc...anything with an engine.  These skills will help them their entire lives.

LilyRose has surprised us all..she went into heat this week and the pitiful mewling and calling is heart-breaking to listen to....where ARE my ear plugs?? We planned to have her neutered and the vet said six months..Lily Rose is only four months old..precocious, I guess.   As soon as this "heat" is finished, she goes to the vet for her surgery.

Im doing a second printing of my MANDALA COLOURING BOOKS.  Can you beleive it? I'd forgotten to put my name in anywhere in my books...sheesh!   I have also added a segment at the back where people can journal their thoughts as the mandalas trigger memories, feelings or creative ideas.

Mother is slowly getting stronger...it seems that these "events" take longer and longer for her to recover her strength. I am concerned that she may require moving to a more "assisted living" residence...certainly NOT a nursing home situation yet ....but Mother uses a walker and has alot of trouble with her mobility.  And lately Im noticing memory loss.

I do have to say that I'm glad also that the holidays are over...I really do need a certain amount of structure in my life.  They are wonderful for a while but there's so much stress, pressure, high expectation and commercialism these days that many suffer despondency & depression. (and I always forget what darned DAY it is)

Well, off to bed for me..Im working hard at slowing down for this week.

Nancy B

 

I'm always so happy to start the new year. Nancy B, can it truly be two years about now when we met up in San Diego? It seems like 6 months ago! I loved San Diego. This fall I spent 3 days there before and after the Mexico cruise. Next time I think I'll just take a week and stay in San Diego the whole time. What fond memories I have of our time there. And the wonderful weather. . . . Spring will come, spring will come, spring will come. . .

How could one forget a massage with a happy ending!!

Janet

Maybe one of us should have been brave enough to accept the offer! Nancy B?? Maybe if was the hat you were wearing.

Good morning Karen & all,

Those are fierce winds. Your dog must need some ankle weights to stay on the ground.

The wind woke me up. Everything is coated in a layer of ice and the freezing rain is expected to continue all day.

For the past 2 1/2 years I have been the Food Police in my home. Tom has been supportive and kept his goodies stashed. Over the past couple of months he has started buying/eating cookies, chips, candy, JUNK. I have let it slide. On Monday he went to the doctor and I insisted on going with him.

His weight is up to 229 lbs, his BP was 208/100. At 6'4", I didn't think the weight was too bad, but still, it was a gain of 12 lbs.

The doctor gave him the same lecture I have heard all my life: lose weight, watch your diet and exercise. The doctor predicted a stroke or heart attack within 5 years if he doesn't comply immediately. It was the first time he has ever heard this talk.

His responses were the same ones I used for years. "But doctor, I don't eat all day long, just dinner. I am too tired to exercise after working all day." We all know the routine.

He is now on 2 BP meds which I will probably have to shove down his throat, he will have to listen to me rant about eating breakfast and lunch, and he is going to walk with me even if I have to drag him by the ear. That sounds harsh but I want to keep him around and healthy.

I feel like a hippocrate doing this. He never pressured me about my weight and has always been supportive. I need to figure out a way to do this in a supportive manner and not badger him. Guess I need to put on my support group leader hat, encourage him and not PU**** feels odd to be on the other side of this issue.

Kisses
Annette

Hi Nettie!

As far as Tom is concerned, why not just try the truth and tell him you are concerned and want to keep his wonderfulness around for years to come, hopefully that will be the ticket, after all, your Tom is someone that sounds like most women's dream come true. . .

I miss you and while the Fall is far off, perhaps there will be a way to see you before then and some of the others from the Pittsburgh event. . .

Hugs, Laureen

Thanks Sweetie,

I was honest with him and told him I want to keep him around for years & years & years and then some. He is a good man and I'm not ready to give him up.

I'd love to see you and some others too. Maybe after Winter is done raging?

Kisses
Nettie

Hopefully once he thinks about it he'll sign on with you. I wonder how much he worries about you? He sounds like such a neat guy, I bet he has been dealing with stress that he tries to keep from you with his own added stress by keeping it inside. Does that make any sense? Sometimes when I am worried about someone or something it shows itself in unhealthy ways. In the past, and still occassionally, it was by uncontroled night time eating. Maybe this can be a "win win" for both of you. . . Sure hope so.

Karen,
You always have such excellent insight. Tom does keep stress bottled up inside thinking I won't worry. That never works because I always know!!!

Last night he ate a dish of fruit instead of an entire bag of cookies. It was his idea, not mine. Well .. plus the fact that the cookies are gone from this house. It is a good start.

Kisses
Annette

Just a quick hi from me.  Don't feel much like posting.  Too much on my mind.