Hello All,

I am finally home from our vacation. We went through 12 states.  The first five days, we hiked all over Rushmore, a natural bridge in Douglas, WY, and Yellowstone. Once in Yellowstone, we lost cell phone connection, and we lost internet access. So, we were forced to pay attention to where we were going and what we were doing. LOL. I have to tell you that driving through UT, CO, and NM, we had the pleasure to see the most beautiful canyons and mountains. We hiked and walked and played. We did the Mesa Verde Pueblo Cliff dwelling tours and I thought I was going to die but it was so worth it to let the kids experience all of that the cliffs offered.  So, yesterday, after being home for two days, I went to the doctor and I lost ten pounds.  I know! It had to be all the walking. My husband, lost 10 pounds as well.  We at our breakfast at the hotels, we always took a picnic lunch wherever we went, and our dinner consisted of a nice restaurant and I have to tell you, I didn't count calories or carbs. I did eat vegetarian as I do here and it was hard because not all restaurants serve fish. LOL. 

Yesterday, we went down to look at a little house near the AR River.  It's way the hell out in the country but only fifteen miles to our daughter's place one way and fifteen miles to a small town in the other direction.  The house has 3 acres, is fenced, has two small buildings--one is a workshop and the other is a small apartment that we can rent out, if we want.  Also, with the house comes the lease for the land the post office is on which only pays 5000 a year but it is money that will be monthly for 99 years. Of course, we won't live to see the end of the lease but our kids will....Anyway, we are thinking of buying the property.  

For the next few weeks, I am using up all my time that I have accrued at the university and then my real retirement begins. Well, let me get back to organizing my spices.  

I am in Wyoming until mid October. Not sure if we are going home through Denver or not but would be overnight only.  I have a dr appointment on the 18th and have to get home in time for that.

My sympathy.  Addison sucks.  I just got "a small" dose of it.  

I tried to take  a mix of prednisone and cortisone, but my pouch does not tolerate any.   O was hoping that some prednisone would help with my back /sciatica... 

hi Nancy  and yvonne,

Sounds like you both are on track food eisenbrown and Nancy you are super busy as usual.

I'm still in cody, wy enjoying the sights and activities.

Could be better with my food but I am trying.

Getting lots of walking done.

Hope your day goes well.

Good morning, everyone!

Here, in Canada, it is a Civic Holiday so the banks, etc are closed. We are still desperate for rain here after 30 days of over 30 degree (celcius) weather. Our lawns are brown and our garden is dead, completely gone.

On Saturday, my son Dan & his lady, Jen, flew from here (Niagara) to Nova Scotia...usually a 14 full hour drive...in a four-seater Cessna plane. There was a lot of stress as the weather was very threatening with severe storms so the airport control had to decide if they were allowed to fly but the consensus was, if he took off immediately, that they were fine. As it turned out, the storm suddenly dissippated, and Dan emailed us later, that he flew above the clouds & over the mountains for the most part. I was so relieved that they arrived in Truro that evening at 6 pm. Now they will stay there and do the tourist thing for a week, after having picked up Jen's girls (10 & 14) who had arrived there 2 weeks ago and will fly back with Dan & Jen.

I have been working hard on determining what illustrations are required for two children's books  for kids with night terrors and for kids with strong fears...so five drawings for each book, plus two different front covers plus four mandalas for each book. That, alone, takes time to decide and now I can start drawing. At the same time, I am working on writing four different articles. Apparently I am being featured in a local newsletter so that must be done right away.

It seems that now, after stepping down from the presidency of BPW, I have more artwork & writing than ever to do...it gets a bit overwhelming so there are times when I simply have to step back and let some things wait. My nature is very intense and I must practice more self-discipline and being kinder to myself by softening my own demands on my accomplishments. I can be my own worst enemy, applying pressure on myself.

I've finally gotten my BLOODWORK done and will see the surgeon this week to get the second duralane injection into my knee joint..I sure hope this helps as that knee, in particular, is extremely painful. Add to that, due to my cancer meds, I am now back into a high pain phase...perhaps it will pass in the next week.

Food hasn't been much of an issue really as this heat & humidity seems to really make cooking undesirable. However, I have made sure that we have lots of our local melons, peaches, and cherries here and lots of crispy greens. I always cook a bit more meat than needed so that it can be diced into small pieces and added to a salad.   My weight varies up & down by 3-4 pounds and I am so eager to FINALLY slip UNDER the 280s...I have to remember that the body "rests" after weightloss and patience is important. NOT easy for me.

Breakfast: protein drink

Snack: 1/2 cantalope melon

lunch: 2 poached eggs & one slice of toasted 12 grain bread

Snack: frozen fruit pop (homemade with crushed fresh peaches, Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of   cinnamon and a tsp of local unpasturised honey)

Dinner: tossed green salad with diced peach, walnuts, leftover diced chicken, cucumber, celery, tomato, pumpkin and sunflower seeds & light poppyseed dressing

Bedtime: protein drink