Hump Day

Here is what my baby looks like when she is in need of a grooming. She has an appointment tomorrow. She has the neatest personality. Keeps us laughing all the time. Her hair usually stands up on top but when it rains she loves it and just walks around and sniffs the ground and comes in soaking wet. Her hair gets heavy and falls to the sides. It stands up again when it dries if we brush it. Obviously this time we didn't brush it. I had my neighbor (82 year old widow) call me a little while ago to tell me she saw me going out this morning and couldn't believe how much weight I've lost. It made me feel really good. I actually haven't lost more than a pound or two since I saw her but I guess she just didn't notice. We've had a dry couple of days and tonight the rain is supposed to start again. Last week our rivers were all getting higher but now they've gone back down close to normal. The temperature today was 50. I didn't even need a jacket. I was wearing a sweatshirt and I was warm enough. I am making some beef stew for dinner tonight. Comfort food. Good for a rainy night. Well, I need to go and check it so I will send this off.

This is another of my violets. I didn't make an entry yesterday because I was busy with other things around here. I also am very tired today. I haven't been sleeping well. I am waking with acid reflux lately. I am frustrated. Since my last fill I have had to take meds for acid reflux. My surgeon said that it would stop as I lost weight but it seems worse now. I made an entry on LapBandTalk.com today asking if anyone else is having this problem. There are many who are I found. Some of them suggested what they have used to alleviate the reflux. One person suggested a tablespoon of cider vinegar before going to bed to neutralize the acid. Another said it sounded like I am too tight and need a slight unfill. I haven't had a fill since August and it doesn't seem like that would make a difference to me, however I didn't start getting this until after my last fill. I am wondering if the reason I can't eat in the morning is because I am swollen around the band from the reflux all night. This can't be good for me. I've tried lots of acid reducers and am now taking a combination of those and PepcidComplete. I still have to take a Tums during the night as I start coughing and can feel the gurgling in my stomach. Yuck!! Do any of my Sisters in the Band have any suggestions?

1st Sunday in January

Here is one of my violets in bloom. I've had quite a bit of luck with violets the last several years. I move them from the east window shaded by a big oak to the north windows depending on the time of year and they bloom profusely. I really like transplanting them and splitting them when they multiply.
We spent most of the afternoon at the emergency room with some dear friends. He has had a bad back for several weeks and nothing has helped him. He tried going to the chiropractor and that didn't seem to help. He also just got back from driving down to California and back to do some plumbing work on his rental property. When he got home he was really hurting and he couldn't get out of bed this morning. His wife couldn't persuade him to go to the ER so she called us and my hubby convinced him and drove them. So after sitting in the ER for 3 1/2 hours he came out with more meds and an appointment for an MRI. He was also told to stay in a prone position on a hard surface for the next 3 days or until he feels a little better. They were very grateful for us taking them. My husband is very thoughtful that way. He will do anything he can to help someone. Even those he hardly knows. He is a good guy and I am very lucky.
It's been very cold here all day. It's usually in the mid 40s this time of year and it was the mid 30s today. I think the highest it went was 40 degrees for a short time. Brrrr! I know some states get much colder than that but we aren't used to it that cold here. But then, my husband was wearing a short sleeved shirt and shorts today. He is nuts!! What can I say except his thermostat is out of whack!!

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

This picture is of Chloe and Sissy our cat. Sissy was laying in Chloe's bed and Chloe laid just on the edge so as not to scare Sissy away. It was a rare occurrence that the two of them were so close. Chloe usually likes to chase Sissy for fun, and Sissy is so skittish I was surprised to find them together long enough for me to run and get the camera.

Well, today I am thinking about resolutions. For the first time in a lot of years I am not putting weight loss in the number one slot of my resolutions. I instead am going to put "going the extra mile". I mean that in more than one way. When I am exercising, I need to push myself just a little harder. When I think I can't do more, make myself do just a little bit more.

And this can carry over into my every day life. I can "go the extra mile" in everything I do from organizing a closet in my house to helping on a task at my church or working with a friend on a project of any other kind. Putting in a bit more effort will make a huge difference in my performance and results. Rather than make a list of things I resolve to do, this year I will focus on that one task. It can be a huge step in changing how I relate to others and reach other goals in my life.

The wind has been blowing hard here, something that rarely happens. I was awakened by it and now it's almost 3:30. I am getting sleepy again so I think I will head back to bed. Hopefully there won't be too much debris in the driveway from the oak tree out front.

January 1, 2009

Happy New Year everyone. Please ask God to bless this year and take His rightful place in our country.

New Year's Eve

Well, the year is almost history. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
by Robert Burns


Happy New Year everyone!!!

2 Days until 2009

Today is our anniversary. 16 years. I presume we will be toasting another year of good times and togetherness tonight. We have had our share of fights and ups and downs. But we can honestly say that we do love and respect each other. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart.

I got on the scale this morning and since I didn't last week I was sure I had gained a pound or two. To my surprise I am down another 2 pounds. It has to be the gym workouts reving my metabolism. And I did toss out those leftover cookies and fudge. It's a good thing I did that. I kept the bag of cut up veggies that I dipped in ranch dressing dip. When I want a snack I have been grabbing a slice of zucchini or celery.

I am trying to think of something I hope to achieve in the coming year. Something that will help others. Maybe I will do some volunteer work in town. I think I will look into this and see if I can be a benefit to somebody. I feel fortunate that I have my health so maybe I could help an older person who is in need of help. I helped my mother in her declining years and I know how grateful elders are to have extra help around the house or just a ride to the doctor or the market. I will give this some more thought in the next couple of days.