@MusicCandy @SadMe70 A place to communicate

OMG- you had a pretty terrible week , except for the bright side which is- you didn't back into the oncoming car! Your car situation sounds like my fiance. He had an affinity for an unusual little car, and got 3 of them in different states of drivability. One is his drivaround car and my backup now- but I made him get rid of the other 2 . One he planned to restore and the other for parts - but Chesterfield county is only going to allow for so much on the property, and there are a number of personal watercraft boats, trailers, his truck, my car and of course the big sailboat. not counting the antique corvtte he plans to restore which is in my drive in garage so I cant use that. When I retire, there will be some time to weed out a lot of his junk/ stuff. I'm still working extra with the day shift person out till August.

I am with you on the too many treats. I am trying and being successful mostly on the "good foods" part with adding fiber and oatmeal and veggies- but I am still eating too many cookies and chocolate. I did manage to get back on my "no wine 3 days" this week-end although i almost talked myself out of it. fiance and i try nto do something fun, outdoors , walking or on the river on Thursday before I start work. This week, he didn't make good plans and we ended up driving around for 3 hours- and in Montpelier. Not much there but he found a little park and farmers market. I did not plan on being in the car 3 hours with no real reason and got a bad attitude. but I did stick to the no wine in the end and had some lovely herbal tea - and Chocolate! SOO, if i can do it you can too. Get your mind over matter and one good step will lead to the next. i like the idea of a list - writing things down helps me too.

I am glad you get to spend some time with your Mom. It sounds like you have some nice relaxing and exercising things planned. Memorial day i am on Ct call so i know there will be a few of them. It is first day of outdoor pool open for Rachael and I hope we get some time to take her - she will be so excited. One of my church prayer sisters was bitten by a brown recluse and had to have surgery by the time they figured it out, And- she is a nurse. i'm taking dinner to her Monday since she is on bedrest. She was at a retreat camp when it happened - so watch out for anything like that. I'll check in with you later my friend. Wishing you a happy time starting NOW

Hello! I am sorry I missed my weekend check-in! I was at my mom's. I will be with my sisters this weekend so I will write to you Mon or Tues next week.

I had such a great visit with my mom! I don't usually get to stay a whole week like I did this time. We did so many fun things. We kayaked on a lake at a park one day and took a picnic. We had lunch with my sisters and some of dad's cousins. I visited my uncle on the way home. We went to a little railroad heritage village near mom's where a preservation group has bought part of the old Ma & Pa track and runs a little gas powered train on it. We did that with my boys when they were little, but it was still fun. There's a general store and mill that you can tour too. We also went to a Native American museum and took a short walk on a trail there. I had dinner one night with a high school classmate (3 more were supposed to come but didn't make it). Mom and I made dinner together twice and had lunch out again on my way home. She was glad of the company and I was glad to be home for that long. I miss it so much and of course miss spending time with her.

Tomorrow my sisters come and we have rented a cabin about 20 minutes from my house, on the water. I will have more exciting things to tell you next week!

My eating and drinking were both so-so while I was away. We walked my son's crazy dog every day but that is the only exercise I got. I am going on a walk today. I have managed not to drink for 2 days in a row, and will try not to drink today, because I will definitely drink with my sisters.

How are things going with you? I will write again early next week!

Hello! I had a great visit with my sisters. We went out to a dinner with wine pairings, saw my son's band play, went on a 1-hour boat ride, and then sat in the backyard at the cabin watching the waves. I ate and drank lots again, but have been doing better Mon and Tues so far. I have also done some exercise both days, including some yard work yesterday. I have my annual gyn checkup today, with a new provider - fun fun!

I am glad you have an afternoon caregiver lined up for Rachael. You do so much and I am sure you will appreciate the help. Do you have a morning caregiver also? So sorry about the insurance issue! I hate having to fight with insurance companies. Nobody should have to do that. It is SO aggravating. I will cross my fingers for you on that one.

I'm sorry you didn't get to your outdoor outing, but the D-Day program sounds really nice. I have not been to that memorial. I recently read a novel based on a real group of British women who went into France to perform sabotage activities and make radio reports. These women got some government training, but weren't soldiers so their skills were very rough. They had to have been incredibly brave.

Good job with no wine on two nights a week! I am going to try and scale back some now too. My son has moved back in, and there will be lots of tension between him and my husband, plus the crazy dog will make us all nuts, so not drinking will be hard!

I hope your week is going well!

Good morning! I know I am very lucky to still have a good relationship with my sisters. My mom doesn't talk to 3 of her siblings, and my dad went through rough patches with one of his sisters. I am grateful for it. They also did the bulk of caring for my dad, and now starting on my mom. Mom is having trouble with her skin due to lots of sun exposure over her life. She's had a weird rash they are treating with steroidal cream, had spots frozen off while I was with her, and this Wednesday is having a larger cancerous spot cut off the back of her leg.

Yesterday my younger son and I went hiking in the mountains. I wanted to try a new trail and I don't like to do that on my own in the mountains. It was 3 miles up the mountain and 3 down on a different trail. I figured that would take me 4 hours, but it took 5.5! It was really challenging but I did it and I don't feel too bad this morning. I did take 2 doses of ibuprofen yesterday to help with my knee!

I am getting nowhere with weight loss. I am still back up where I was before the challenge at work. Some of my pants were getting more comfortable too. I had hoped being away from school would make a big difference, but I'm just giving into temptations all the time. Today we are headed to my older son's house for a Father's Day cookout. I probably won't overeat but there will be plenty to drink.

I hear you on the slipping up. That seems to be my norm these days! Hang in there! You are still doing great! You do work so hard, you deserve an occasional treat. I know you are working hard to stick to your goal, so just keep at it!

I am totally with Rachael about the dentist - I want to scream when I am there too! I really hate going to the dentist. I have an appointment coming up July 3.

I hope you have a lovely weekend and get some outside time!

How nice that you got in 6 miles of hiking- that's a lot! I bet it was beautiful. I don't get to the mountains much so I'm sure I would be sore too

. Rachael and her sister had a cookout with their Dad today and then sister is taking her to my myhouse and fiance can entertain her until i get home at 11:30 . I don't usually work Sundays now but I switched so coworker could be with their Dad. Long day with 4 hrs sleep after church and then back here, but i'll be off Thursday night now. Maybe fiance and I can overnight somewhere, a park cabin maybe. I don't plan on a summer week off, so a night here and there away will be nice.

I wish keeping off the pounds was easier. I keep having too many carb snack just because they are handy. My doctor is going to a concierge plan that means I have to pay 160 per month extra to keep seeing him personally. There will still be NP's on board, but i don't think they are as competent with my unusual cholestrol issue, and potential heart disease from that. I wasn't aware that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. i knew it was a lot, but that is a startleing statistic. you see so much with breast cancer, but not so much heart disease as it is often under noticed in women. I think i will pay it, though it will not be fun. He says there will be more included than a normal physical and more nutrition and fitness testing and support at no extra charge - except that fee. Longer visits and no wait. I'm a few more years from retiring here and when I switch to medicare i'll probably go somewhere else.

I hope things start to get into a summer routine for you and the parties and special occasions will mean less oppertunities to splurge. I know you can meet your goals better when there isn't always something coming up. no matter what, we will stick together and keep at it. I'll share any majic formula that i find!

Hi , its summer! my favorite season. fiance's birthday.We went to Chippokes state park - in Surry, on the James., and stayed in a yurt for one night. at the campground, and no power inside, but one line in from the pole, Just for a fan, radio and cell charging - but otherwise quiet and no TV or distractions. The beach was almost deserted, and we picked up fossill shells and I swam some. The water was perfect and the night was so peaceful. The bed was pretty comfy for camping, it was a treat for both of us. I wanted to stay longer, but one night was all i had off from work. I'd love to go back, and its only 90 minutes away. Now- back to work and it was really busy tonight. I wanted to catch up with you since i won't be here tomorrow. I have healing prayer duties tomorrow at the evening service so I hope i get a break between now and 7AM.

Otherwise an OK week. I just can't get a good meal routine going at home. The wine isn't too bad, but I want to do better with the no wine 3 nights.. messed up routine again with working different shifts and going away. Rachael's afternoon caregiver is supposed to start July 1 and I think it will be better.. We haven't had that in so long,I forgot that that gave me 20 hours a week free time. I hope you have had a good week with the nice weather. Are you doing anything special for the summer? It is diffrent i'm sure with your son back at home. Don't forget to take time for you and de=stress. It's important.

Hello! I went to a state park yesterday too! Mason Neck up in NOVA. Nice park, dreadful drive. That is my 7th park visited on my Trail Quest. I have been to Chippokes once years ago, and that is on my list to try to get to this summer so I can add it to my Trail Quest. I think it is close to 3 hours away from me. I am glad you got to get away, and it sounds so nice! A quiet night and mostly deserted beach sounds right up my alley too!

We had a bit of excitement overnight Thursday into Friday. My older son had an emergency appendectomy. They got it before it ruptured so it was a quick surgery and they did not admit him. He is missing two gigs with his band and some work, but hopefully will be fully functional again soon.

My younger son finally got a start date next month for one of the 3 jobs he's been offered! The other 2 will not hire him until after he gets a clearance which can take a year, so I'm grateful this last one is hiring him right away. He is looking for places to live to get away from living with my husband, which is not going well. He has not told my husband yet, who I know will be mad and there will be yet another fight. I am worried he is going to struggle financially because the rents are not as cheap as I was expecting, but I do want him to move.

I have actually eaten pretty well this week. I have been drinking but not too badly most nights. I have gotten in some exercise too, so this is my best week of the summer so far health-wise.

I am glad Rachael's afternoon caregiver starts soon so that you will have that extra time. You need it! Have a great week, my friend!

Hi there, I thought I posted last week, i even sort of remember what I wrote, but i don't see that now. Weird computers.

I hope you had a nice Independence Day holiday. I took Rachael to the pool for a couple of hours and that was about all we did. Storms popped up and i didn't want to stand around in the heat and wait for the rain.. which came with a t storm about 4:30. Then I had to take a nap before work 11-7. I sat y the pool and listened to the Declaratin of Independence on NPR and hung out some flags and that was all the celebrating.

Rachael's new caregiver started last week, but now her mother is critically ill so she probably will be out another week. But I told her no problem, you only have one mother and I've been used to taking care of Ra afternoons for awhile now. I think she will be a good person to work with her . She is young and in the Army Reserve, a fitness trainer; so Rachael can get in some good exercise and healthy eating. And i can do some things I need to do, and haven't had time. I want to take a women's self defense class for 5 weeks ( you never know ) - and some more cleaning out stuff. There's a lot of that to do. And summer is half over.

I hope your son is recovered well from the surgery and the job situation works out. I especially hope you are getting some recreation and relaxation time too. I have Healing Prayer duty this Sunday and that is very calming. I have it once or twice a month - i just have to get some extra rest after the work week-end and I only have a few hours to sleep before back up at 3 Sunday afternoon. It's worth it though; the serenity is good for the soul . Wishing you a happy day.

Hello! I was getting a little worried about you. I'm glad it was just a computer glitch!

We went out to lunch on the 4th but that was it for us. It was restful though!

I am glad that Rachael's caregiver is such a good fit! I hope that her mother recovers. I took jiu jitsu when I was in high school, but I haven't had any refresher since then. I hope you will soon have the caregiver back so you can do all the things you have been putting off!

My son is doing well. He missed 3 performances with his band, including a big one on the 4th at a theater in Richmond, but he is feelng better the last few days. He went back to work about a week after the surgery so he's getting back to normal. My younger son finally got a job offer to start soon, and he is moving out today. We are helping him start to transfer stuff from storage to his rented house about 45 min away. We paid the storage fee for July so he can move it out gradually. The house is furnished so he'll have most of what he needs there anyway. His wife is due to fly back Wednesday. I have been praying there are no issues with her re-entering the country, and that there are no more snags with the rest of the process. We have a lot of paperwork to get together.

I decided to go back on anxiety medication about 2 weeks ago. I had been thinking about it for a while, though I hate to be on any medication. I really want to get a grip on picking my fingers and my constant feeling of anxiety. It is embarrassing when kids at school ask me what is wrong with my fingers. I am sure adults notice as well, but have more tact than kids! Unfortunately, I am not doing well with side effects. The first week I had insomnia and was awake for hours each night. I switched from taking it at night to morning, and am sleeping better now, but having trouble with other effects. I do feel calmer, but still picking my fingers, so I'm already debating whether to stop the medicine. I wanted to give it 2 months but not sure about even that now. My son moving out will help remove tension from the house, as he and my husband have not been getting along at all, so that will help some, but I was anxious even without that. It just seems to be how I'm wired.

I have done a little hiking here and there. I went to Mason Neck state park in Lorton, and Chippokes. Both were nice visits. We are planning to go away July 21 to the mountains a bit further south than we usually stay. I want to visit Natural Bridge and Douthat state park. Tomorrow I am leaving early to go to PA and take my mom to get stitches out (she had a skin cancer cut off her leg) and then coming back Tuesday. Just a quick trip. My son will milk the goats for me those 2 days, and I have two other people lined up for when we go to the mountains.

I hope your Healing Prayer duty was calming for you, and that you are getting some rest now before your shift. I was glad to hear from you! Have a good week my friend!

Hello my friend, I hope the visit with your Mom goes well. Rachael's new afternoon caregiver is still taking care of her Mom, but I told her to not worry about starting yet.We only have one mother and that is more important. Im looking forward to the extra time that I haven't had for a long time.

Im so sorry the meds aren't helping you without side efffects. It is hard for anyone who hasn't suffered from it to understand. My daughter takes a low dose every day and it does seem to help her anxiety and panic attacks. But it only takes the tiniest thing to totally throw her off balance. She and Ra both are doing OK for now. i'm glad your sons are both getting life together for a spell. i hopw too that the wife gets back OK . Trump has just made it so hard for a lot of innocent people to simply have the oppertunities that we were born with. i won't get started about him but lord help us in 2020.

Good to hear that you have some more outings for the summer. i haven't been to Natural Bridge in several years, but it is a great getaway. I remember the night show was spectacular. I don't know what we will do next, but fiance got yet another boat - a catamaran . in my backyard of course. He has GOT to get rid of some of the other little ones he just put together, its getting rediculous, My bucket wish list is to live on the water and then you don't have to pay a slip fee, which is expensive when you only use the boat a few months of the year.

I hope your meals and exercise are holding up somewhat. I haven't tried to eliminate the wine for 3 days, but i am drinking less overall; and meals are pretty good. i have to do the colonoscopy again real soon and maybe i won't "fail" the prep this time. I was surprised they found the polyps last time since my first one was clear. Oh well, age gets something or other. I'll check back with you when you get back from your mom's. I keep you all in my prayers.