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Blog 49252

A blog by voiceomt2002

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When the Going Gets Tough

Well, still no jobs for DH or I. (sigh) Man, this hurts. You'd think one of us would be sweeping floors somewhere by now, at least. Now another blow. When my DH came home from losing his trucking job, he was so sick we took him to the doctor. She ran all sorts of tests, and we expected to hear something like diabetes, which runs in his family. That would have been bad enough. We didn't expect to hear, "possible prostate cancer." (gulp) Yes, I had hysterics and permitted myself 24 hours of a pity party. :tounge_smile: Didn't we have enough to worry about with job loss, and possibly losing the house to foreclosure because of the job loss? Learning to cope without stuffing myself with food has been interesting. I've never been a drinker, but twice now I've consumed a glass of wine. That may not seem like much to some folks, but for me that's the equivalent of a binge drunk. Do you know what happens when your tortured mind tries to compensate with food while your stomach has a LapBand? Yeah, you develop an intimate relationship with the porcelain toilet. Funny how you have more incentive to keep the darn thing pristine white when you hang your head over it so much your knees are calloused. :thumbup: But an old dog can be taught new tricks. After hanging around my bathroom for two days in a row, I tossed the empty wine bottle in the trash and rolled up my sleeves. When the going gets tough, the tough get cleaning. That's always been my fallback method of dealing with stress. You'd be amazed what you find on top of the refrigerator. I think I'll use some of those old classifieds to protect the top of the fridge. Today I'm rearranging the living room. I think I need to hold another garage sale. I may lose my home in a few months if the mortgage company and I can't arrive at an agreement, but it'll be scrubbed and sparkling! There are just some things in life that aren't fixed by losing weight, but it darn sure helps when you have the energy to get up and do something about it! I'm not crying Uncle yet!

April 23, 2009

4

Revenge is Sweet

When I was much younger, there was a movie on TV about a fat girl who was reviled and treated badly by everyone she knew, even her fiancee. Her only retreat was college, where she was a professional student. Then, she had a car accident after one cruel trick too many. Even in the hospital under all those bandages and in pain, she was still treated badly. Her fiancee broke up with her, among other things. She had no choice but to go on living, and when she finally emerged back into society, she had a new face and a new body. And one heck of a lot of anger. So, she murdered the people who'd treated her so badly, one by one, and very artistically. She made the punishments fit their crimes. I loved that movie. I'm sure we've all been there with that girl, when someone made it clear they didn't find you attractive or even pleasant to be around because of your weight. I'm happily married, but a year ago a man we know made the blatant statement that he found me the antithesis of sexy, despite what I wrote, because of my weight. No matter that my DH loved me, that still hurt. Fast forward one year. The other day, that same gent lavishly complimented me about my weight loss, and how he couldn't help but be attracted to someone who wrote all those erotic stories, etc. (Boy, what a hypocrite!) If my marriage ever failed (HAH!) he hoped I'd look him up. (gag!) I took such pleasure in giving him the evil eye and saying, "Not even in my worst nightmares, sweetie." Revenge is a dish best served cold, and this one tasted so much better than a frosty Ben and Jerry's. :eek: Well, back to job hunting...

April 18, 2009

5

Another NSV

I sew. I sew a lot. Not only do I make my own clothes, I make teddy bears, quilts, costumes, and occasionally the odd decorating item. Yes, I'm one of those annoyingly creative people who have to decorate anything that holds still long enough. A few months ago, I made myself a beautiful white jacket out of silk brocade covered in white-on-white phoenixes. I loved that jacket, but had to put it away when cold weather struck. This morning, I needed to make some decisions on what to wear for a trip to visit my mother in St. Augustine. Mom, who is a blonde size 6 soaking wet, dresses to kill and doesn't look her age in the slightest. She also hasn't seen me since the day of my surgery. If you've seen my "before pictures" here, you know we don't look a thing alike. Needless to say, my feminine sense of competitiveness makes me want to dress up as best I can when I go shopping with Mom, especially since she prefers some pretty exclusive little establishments. Anyway, I pulled out that gorgeous jacket and decided to try on a pair of black jeans and black silk shirt I've not worn in years because I couldn't stuff my fat body into them. The jeans not only slid on, the shirt was too big! I screeched and ran out to show my roomie, a gay man named Dante. The jeans were loose and almost baggy, and Dante rejected the shirt. "Honey, you look like you're a little girl trying to wear Mommy's clothes. Do I need to take you shopping?" (giggle) I'm still wearing the outfit on Saturday if Mom's free to go out, but I think my proud grin will outshine whatever Mom wears. Guess I'll take in the shirt, though. Good thing I know how to sew.

February 19, 2009

5

Homemade Mayonnaise

Ever looked on the side of your mayonnaise jar and wondered why there needs to be preservatives and ingredients you can't pronounce? I did. So, I wondered what would happen if I started making my own. Then I discovered the joys of using my own flavored oils, vinegars, and spices to create special mayonnaise just for certain recipes. One of my greatest triumphs was when I made basil mayonnaise for sandwiches. Yum! Try it!

May 6, 2009

1

Recipe: Scotch Eggs

Scotch Eggs [/url]Servings: 6 Notes: Scotch Eggs are a great way to use leftover Easter Eggs and are one of my favorite foods, although I don't indulge in them too often. Since they are delicious hot or cold, they make a wonderful addition to a picnic. Ingredients: 6 hard boiled eggs 1 pound spicy sausage meat 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme 1/2 teaspoons dried basil 1/2 cup flour, divided 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 eggs, beaten oil for frying Instructions: Peel the eggs and set aside. Mix sausage and spices in a small bowl. Divide sausage into 6 equal portions, set aside. Mix breadcrumbs with salt, pepper and paprika, set aside. Dry each egg with a paper towel, then roll lightly in flour to coat. Take one portion of sausage and using hands, shape a coating around the hard boiled egg, completely enclosing it (see photos). Roll in flour again, then dip in beaten egg then roll in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining eggs. Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a large skillet. Fry eggs, turning frequently, until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels. Let cool slightly before serving. To serve, cut each in half and serve with some good mustard.

February 17, 2009

6

Day 11 After Banding-- It's the Small Things

Wow, it's only 8 AM on a Monday, and I'm already experiencing the effects of being banded. First, I awakened on my stomach. As a tummy sleeper, finding myself comfortable in that position was a huge relief. I stretched until I felt my back do the Rice Krispie "snap, crackle, pop!" Whew! I've needed to do that for a long time. I was also incredibly thirsty. I think I may already be less in need of my CPAP machine. Perhaps I'd better make an appointment with the specialist for more than a little finger stick this time. I'd love to get rid of the CPAP. It's been a friend who kept my marriage and heart from failing, but I'd really like to not be Darth Vader at night. Shower time! I'm normally a "quickie" bather. Get in, get out. But today, I looked down and wondered if I might be able to reach my toes without using a stool to prop my feet on. So, I bend down, soap laden scrubbie in hand, and washed my feet! I did a toe touch! Then I almost palmed the shower floor! Holy moley! It's been two years since I could do that! I'm growing my hair out. You'd never know from the picture I display here, but for the past couple of years, my hair has been close-cropped to my head. With all the hospital time and medications, the shoulder-length hair I prefer was a serious problem. So, I chopped it off. A cap of curls was much cooler and easier. Now, I'm growing my hair again. It feels so weird to actually comb wet hair and wonder if I'll sport bangs today or get it out of my face. I gave away almost all my clips, clamps, and ponytail bands. All I have left is one brown clamp and one black leather rose ponytail band. Guess I'd better build up the collection. Later, after I've written a bit on my latest book, I think I'll take a break and go through all my sewing patterns. My roomie Dante is a part-time tailor, and he's about to lose his mind in his eagerness to dress me up like a life-sized Barbie doll. (sigh) The big nut case dragged me out to the sewing area yesterday and presented his grand scheme for my complete new wardrobe. I almost ran screaming. LOL! Guess I'd better get used to it.

January 12, 2009

3

Day 7 After Banding-- A Clothes Conundrum

OMG, more weight has fallen off me like I’m a melting snowman or something. For the first time in at least two years, when I stepped on my bathroom scale I didn’t have to do the math: “Hmm…Okay, when it passes the zero, that’s 260…so add what the scale says to 260…” Okay, so the scale says I weigh 257 lbs as of this morning. That’s still a significant loss since my banding. Call me vain, but I’m most concerned about my clothes. I’m still swollen enough to need my “fat clothes” yet they hang off me like a clown suit anywhere but up front. Perhaps I’d better take a bit more time choosing my outfit today, since I have a visit with Dr. Baptista and a weigh-in. I’d love to wear a certain suit I’ve not put on my body in two years, but I’m scared of being disappointed and humiliated again. Last time I tried to don this beloved denim suit, I couldn’t slide the pants past my thunder thighs, and the duster couldn’t get around the granny flab in my upper arms. Can we say "humiliation?" Yeah, I know. We all can. (sigh) Maybe I’d better resign myself to a personal fashion show with three piles: 1) Too big, 2) Too Small, and 3) What do you mean it fits?

January 8, 2009

3

The Economy Hits Home--Job Loss

My husband called from California. He's been let go from the trucking company and they're sending him home by bus. Nice, huh? All the way across the country for 2.5 days, devastated by the loss. Needless to say, I'll be a bit distracted this weekend. Don't know when I'll be back. Yeah, I know. The world might just stop revolving without me to spin it. (grin)

March 20, 2009

3

Mushie Seafood-- Cioppino

Okay, call me a tightwad. I hate spending one dime more than I have to. I fell for this recipe while I lived in Denver, where the price of seafood can induce a heart attack for those who are used to seaside prices. Because it uses frozen and canned seafood, it's an affordable indulgence. Personally, I'd rather cut up the fish while it's still half-frozen and firm. It's less of a mess. That's MHO.

March 7, 2009

3

Comfort Food Mushies-- Herbed Tomato Soup

I don't know about you, but Tomato Soup is one of my comfort foods. This recipe allows me to still have it and lose weight. I'm way too lazy to peel my own tomatoes, but it's nice to know I could. I'll also use my food processor. I know very few people besides Ina Garten who own and use a food mill. While I've not tried to do it yet, I may even attempt making this into a Cream of Tomato Soup by adding in a cup of cream just before serving.

March 8, 2009

7

Almost a Mushie Recipe-- Crock Posole

Wow, am I impressed with this one. Doc and I finally achieved an understanding on the subjects of meats. I've been having trouble with meats being too dry, and yet Doc wanted me to eat lots of meat to stay low carb. Can you say conflict? Well, crock pot and pressure cooker meals are the answer. This particular recipe was fast, easy, inexpensive, and relatively low carb. The meat was so tender, it was almost a mushie recipe. If you're not a spicy food lover, eliminate the chili peppers and use a few shakes of red pepper flakes to give it heat without burning your mouth. While I love "Dragon's Breath Chili" and other hot foods, DH and Dante can't take the heat. So, I use Tabasco on my portions.

May 12, 2009

2

Good News/Bad News --Unexpected Hospital Visit

Advice from an old fart of 49: Never, ever EVER say the words, "chest" and "pain" in the same sentence, or you're risking a minimum of four days in the hospital if you use them in the same paragraph. (grumble) In these days of CYA, doctors will automatically consider you a pincushion and a guinea pig for every test known to God and man, just to make sure they don't get sued. And this was an efficient military hospital. I'm quite literally black and blue on both arms, both sides of my neck, both legs, and my belly. I'm not kidding. I look like a hideous science experiment. Because of all the tests they wanted to run I literally never got a breakfast, and sometimes didn't get lunch. I've lost five pounds, have sores from an allergic reaction to the adhesives in the EKG pads all over my torso, and until last night I hadn't had more than three hours of sleep at a stretch. If I hadn't been in the habit of exercising three times a week, I doubt I would have survived that damned nuclear stress tess and I'd still be tethered to an ICU bed by a Mongolian cluster f*ck of wires. Thank all the gods for nurses and Navy corpsmen. They are angels of mercy, kind when they can be, and quick when they can't be. Two, Greg and Naomi, will be characters in my books because they earned immortality in a positive way. Both Greg and Naomi went out of their way to be as kind as possible, even bending a few rules for my comfort. Diagnosis: erratic angina. Translation: We have no idea why her chest hurt. The good news came yesterday. My DH and I both got interview phone calls. DH went to his almost immediately, and was called back for a second interview on Monday! Whoopee! My interview is tomorrow. If I'm very, very lucky, I might be the Trend Teacher at my local JoAnn Fabrics store! (Yes, BG! I get to show off all my craft skills. LOL!) Good thing I lost those extra five pounds. I'm proud of the way I look, now!

May 1, 2009

2

A Scale Whore Sees Results after a Plateau

On Monday (March 9, '09) I went back to Dr. Baptista and had my first fill, because last time I didn't need one. This time I did. I'd only lost 5 pounds, and that annoyed the heck out of me. I was glad doc gave me 4cc's, though I wasn't sure that would be enough. I realize my viewpoint might be a bit skewed, though. Someone so desperate to lose weight permanently as to have surgery might not be too objective. :ohmy: I wouldn't be happy unless I was throwing up everything but liquids, then went back and had doc remove 1cc. Yeah, that's a little extreme. Still, I waited until today to assess how the fill has helped me. Scale Whore that I am, I still checked every morning, but today I saw the number drop to below where it had been for two weeks. It hovered right between 242 and 243, so I'll wait to adjust my ticker until I'm sure. I'd like to be below 240 by the end of March, and down by ten pound increments each month. That's possible without being extreme. I hope. I'm trying desperately not to set myself up for failure by making my expectations too high or unreasonable. Ten pounds a month seems like a goal that requires a bit of effort but is still within reach. What do you think?

March 12, 2009

5

Recipe: Devilburgers

Devilburgers These have been popular in my house for over twenty years. I don't know the carbs and calories, and frankly, I don't care. Originally, this recipe was served where the meat mixture was spread to the edges over a slice of bread. Now I simply stir up the mix and use my electric skillet. The non-bandsters can have theirs spread on toast or buns. I serve my portion on a romaine lettuce leaf. 1 lb hamburger 1/2 c. minced onion 1/4 c. chili sauce 2 t. horseradish 2 t. Worcestershire sauce 2 t. prepared mustard 1 t. salt 1/4 t. pepper Mix, cook in the electric skillet. Drain off excess fat by blotting with a paper towel. Serve on bread or romaine leaves. Variation: Top each with 1/8 cup (or to taste) of shredded cheddar cheese and allow to melt. Monterey Jack also works if you really like your burgers "angry hot."

February 9, 2009

3

Basic Bavarian Variations

As promised, here are some of the variations. There are more! Wait until you see the delicious mushies I found! I'm so excited! Even though I'm on solids, I remember how difficult it got eating only mushies and "clear liquids." These help!

February 26, 2009

1

New Motivational Force-- One Daughter

My daughter (DD3) has moved in with us. She's 24, and hadn't been able to find work in her field in Denver. Hence a desperation flight to us filled with hope. Since she works in the same fields as my DH, we have hope they'll motivate each other. DD3 has another motivational point in her favor. Like me, she tends to be overweight. She's 5'10" and weighed a couple of pounds more than I did when she arrived. Immediately, she saw the benefits of dieting with me on the buddy system. We've each lost four pounds! Woohoo! This is going to work!

June 9, 2009

1

The Economy Hits Home--One Month Later

Things have gone from bad to worse here. My poor DH has recovered from whatever illness got him on the trip home. After two weeks of flu-like symptoms and a trip to the doctor's, he's been looking for work like a fiend with no success in sight. No one will give a trucker with less than a year of experience a chance, especially not in this economy. The local want ads are full of truckers --both experienced and men like my DH-- begging for any trucking job they can get. My DH has applied for any job he can do, even forklift driver and warehouse worker. He's called and applied at every temp agency that will talk to him. They all say the same-- "Don't call us. We'll call you if we have anything." I guess he'll be applying at McDonald's next. I'm down to 237 lbs as of this morning, and I had a recent fill that's put me darn close to the sweet spot. Guess it's a good thing I'm not eating. There's not much food or hope left, here. I think we're going to lose the house. I can't remember the last time I slept a straight eight.

April 17, 2009

2

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Summer's coming! Who needs all those high-calorie ketchups? Not us! Let's go light and get our fresh veggies on our grilled meat.

May 5, 2009

2

TimeSaver Mushy Recipe Part Three- Cream of Vegetable Soup

I assume you did read the previous posts and you now have your cooked veggie collection in front of you. I happen to have 2 cups of cooked broccoli. I had two cups leftover from a previous meal, plus a bag in the freezer. I chose to use the leftovers. No matter what, you need two cups of the cooked veggie. I also thawed out my chicken broth I made the other day. I had measured out 10 oz in each container, so I have a little store-bought chicken broth leftover from a previous recipe to augment the homemade to make the necessary amount called for in the recipe. Next time, I'll know to freeze about 12 ounces, not 10. Okay, so I'm not perfect. LOL! Now I can just follow the recipe below: Before serving, I ladled 10 oz into a storage container and labeled it carefully. I stowed it in the freezer. The rest, I'll serve tonight with a sandwich on the side for Dante. I'll have a spinach salad. You might want to make up a Cream of Mushroom Soup recipe. It's the most used recipe in casseroles. It'll keep up to six months in the freezer, and it's a darn sight better than all those calories, carbs, sodium and preservatives in the cans of condensed cream of whatever soups you buy in the store. Tastier, too. Note: I highly recommend using cream or half-and-half for this recipe. Milk is just too weak. A pinch of salt also helps. Go ahead and put it in a mug. If you love it like I did, you'll slug it down. If you need a hand knowing what veggie and what seasoning, here's a link to my chart: http://s516.photobucket.com/albums/u323/voiceomt2002/Recipes/?action=view&current=CreamofVegetableSoup2.jpg The chart is also where I put the calories and carbs for each veggie soup. I'll post some more soups over the next few days for those who still need mushies.

March 4, 2009

5

Mushie Guilty Pleasure Recipe-- Cheese Soup

Imagine how shocked I was to realize this recipe was low carb! It's only 11 carbs per serving. And lookie! You get to use some of the chicken broth I posted on March 2. This is one of those recipes where the setup is essential. I bring home a bag of onions and shred them all in the food processor, stuff them in a freezer bag, lay it flat on the "floor" of the feezer, and let it harden. Then I can stack and store, breaking off a hunk when I need some. I do the same with the carrots, but store the bag in the fridge. That way, I have some for soups or salads as needed. Oh, and that all purpose flour in the recipe? It's used as a thickener, so I just pull the canister of Wondra flour. It's extra fine flour, made for soups, sauces and gravies. No lumps! You can also vary out the cheeses. I've been known to raid the cheese drawer for shredded cheddar, slices of colby, and the remainder of a block of pepper jack instead of plain old American. It's all good!

March 6, 2009

3

My Replacement for Stress Eating

This is my cure for stress to replace eating-- crafts! I'm very proud of this wall hanging, because it's not just a small quilt. It's a wall safe. On the back are pockets where you can hide small valuables and money. Not a lot, but enough to keep your most precious things safe but ready to use. Yes, that's an applique of a red dragon in the center. Now I just have to decide whether to sell it on the internet or give it as Yule gift.

August 21, 2009

4

Anticipation (singing) AKA the Pre-Op Hospital Visit

Less than one week until my lap band surgery and ol’ Nervous Nellie Lena can’t sleep. The reasons are partially fear and partially excitement. Last Friday, the day after Christmas began The Week Before Surgery on doc’s handouts, where certain dietary restrictions must be rigidly followed. This will last until this coming Wednesday, when I begin the pre-surgical “you can’t have anything solid” diet. I’m drinking my last caffeinated coffee right now, mainly because I forgot about that restriction. Actually, Wednesday begins the three days of hell where I have morning shots of either Lovonox or Heparin as my substitute blood thinners. (gulp) For a needle phobic like me, this is enough to cause nightmares and insomnia all by itself. People, meaning to reassure me and not understanding they’re simply adding to my stress, tell me it’s subcutaneous injections in my belly and the needle is very tiny, even finer than what I might have if my weight had caused diabetes like the rest of the family. Thanks, guys. Now I have a very clear picture for my nightmares. Strangely enough, I’m not scared of anything else. When I saw my favorite of the two surgeons on Monday the 22nd, he took extra time to reassure me and work out how we’d get around my well-documented “hard stick” problem. Before we go on, let me explain the “hard stick.” Don’t bother stopping me if you’ve heard this before. It bears repeating. The record on getting an IV established in me remains at an all time high of 21, and last time OPMC managed to almost break that record at 17 sticks before they finally managed to get any vein at all. When I say I’m a hard stick, I mean I’m an impossible stick. Medical persons have a hard time grasping this concept until they’ve spent hours traumatizing me and they finally must humbly admit defeat to the quivering and mindless wreck that was me. (And they wonder why I’m violently and insanely needle phobic and have the nerve to tell me I need a shrink?) I no longer believe any medical person who confidently approaches with a look of determination, declaring they’re “the best with X number of years experience” at getting the job done. I’ve humbled “the best” at six different hospitals, honey. I’m not impressed. Anyway, once I told the doc this, his big brown eyes got the size of saucers. I’ll give this one major points for at least acting like he cared, a distinct improvement over his partner. (See my blog entry, “Is Humiliation Part of the Treatment?” for more details.) Doc Baptista listened, thought carefully about my suggestions of drugging me to my eyeballs on Valium, pouring me onto the gurney, and establishing a PIC line. He offered an alternative. He calls a PIC line “lazy” medical care. (Uh…hey, it works, doesn’t it?) He wanted me conscious when I was wheeled into surgery. (Privately between you and I and the whole darn internet, it would be best if I could aid in the transfer of my heavy body onto the operating table rather than give several nurses and orderlies hernias. I can understand that.) No matter what, upon arrival I’ll receive that last subcutaneous injection of heparin. If I can tolerate that and remain conscious, they’ll wheel me into surgery without starting an IV immediately. Once I’m on the table, the anesthesiologist will give me nitrous oxide until I’m so happy I’m only semi-conscious at best, then they’ll establish a central line in my neck with a port so they can get blood for the lab rats who enjoy waking you up every few hours for blood tests. Doc then explained that with a PIC line he’d have to have me admitted one day early on New Year’s Day so there’d be an experienced person to establish the PIC line, then I’d have to fidget overnight in a lonely hospital bed at the mercy of the lab rats until the next morning for surgery, and we’d be risking infection because of the PIC line. (He had me at lab rats, okay?) I agreed. Doc also moved my surgery hour back on Position #2 instead of #1 on that day. That’ll allow me time to drive across town to the hospital, give the guys time to convince the fearfully shaking wreck that is normally Lena to get out of the car (wry grin), and give the staff time to prep me. If they come at me with an IV needle, doc had better be prepared for the screaming about betrayal. Yes, it’s happened before where a doc’s promises meant nothing. The trust most people feel for medical persons and the belief they actually care about the welfare of the individual patient was shattered long ago. Granted, there may be a few sterling individuals who still care, but I think they're rarer than hen's teeth. Right now I’m taking everything day by day. I made it through Christmas Day without the usual gorge on sweets, but I still ate way more than the 30g of carbs I’m allowed. At least in my mind, I broke my diet with meat and veggies, not pies and cakes. Maybe that counts for something. Doesn’t matter. The past is in the past and cannot be altered. I can only change today. I’m back on the diet and behaving. I’ve lost officially 11 pounds, and I hope to make it more by next Friday. :embaressed_smile:

December 28, 2008

7

Stress Management Solutions-- Part Two

Sometimes, there are solutions to stress right under your nose. Just a day before my DH called to tell me he'd lost his job, I signed up for a "Learn to Quilt" class from the local quilting guild. At first, going to classes when my DH was home with no job seemed frivolous and even selfish. However, I've found a certain peace and satisfaction in this art form. Funny thing is, it ties in with my losing weight. Last summer, while I waited to visit the surgeon and jumped through all the hoops like a circus poodle, I was also humiliated to find myself making clothes in a size larger than the pattern companies made. I had to "size up" from their largest, creating a pair of pants that were grotesquely huge. In despair, I never finished those pants. I was too mortified. The other day, I found those pants buried under the piles of cloth I made teddy bears out of for my grandchildren. I laughed and cut those pants into 6" charm squares for a quilt. Then I looked at my closet door. Hmmm! I have clothes in there that cannot be re-tailored down, but the memories of the "fat girl" events they represent should never be forgotten. I now have a pile of clothes to be cut down into a memory quilt of charm squares and black rails, since many of those clothes were black (or matched black) because I honestly believed black was slimming. No, I just looked like a black beach ball. I'll finish the pretty new blue quilt I'm learning on within the month. Then, I think I'll start on my memory quilt. Maybe I'll use it as a visual aid when I write "No Fat Chicks" this fall. Lena

May 19, 2009

2

Do I Hear an Echo?

I've uploaded a few recipes recently, but I've gotten very few comments about them. I do appreciate feedback. Do you like them? Would you prefer I didn't do this? Any requests? Lena

February 26, 2009

5

The Tension Eases Slightly

DH and I went to one of those "We Buy Houses" guys yesterday. While Patrick declined to touch our house, he did it for the right reason-- we don't need him right now. Patrick assured us that the mortgage company will call eventually, and they will likely make a deal that will allow us to keep our home. It's just likely to take awhile. He said the sheer number of foreclosures happening dictates the mortgage companies are willing to work with anyone who'll talk to them despite the embarrassment. Besides that, the volume of foreclosures mean it can take more than a year to complete the process! If Randy takes a year to find a job, then we may as well hang it up. We don't need much in the way of income. A mere $1600 a month would guarantee we could stay here and still eat. Randy and I took a few hours to digest the information and numbers Patrick gave us and decided to take his advice. We relaxed and vowed to not be so hard on ourselves. Good thing, too. The coffee pot blew up last night. LOL!

May 23, 2009

2

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