Charlene K

I am checking in before the next blackout. Texas was not ready for this. We have had four outages today.......20-45 minutes. Cheri, That Toredol is good stuff. That is the shot I had after lap band surgery. After that all I had was Tylenol. I am glad you are doing good. Don't overdue! Oh the macaroni was very sparce. I had to put a little starch in there for DH. I just chopped all my veggies for WW chicken Gumbo. It is an easy recipe too. Laura, My lower right side hurts when I have a bladder infection. You think you might have a cyst? I hope you feel better soon. Nels is so cute. I saw his baseball picture on FB. Joyce, I am so glad you mentioned the generator. DH forgot to get gas. We expect snow and ice tomorrow at noon. This is a big deal. 2004 was the last time it snowed and actually stuck on the ground. I have my fireplace going too. Of course our central heat has been on and off today. Stay warm!!! I'll try to check it later. It is about time for the electricity to go out......GOTTA SHARE.....LOL.

Arlene, how is your weather? Heard there was snow in Texas -- hope you are okay - those abrupt temp changes are hard on you -- stay safe and warm. Linda, it is 23 this morning. We are having rolling outages because of the demand on the power plants. So, I just had my 45 minute outage. Thank goodness I have natural gas logs and stove. It is supposed to snow tomorrow night and Friday when the clouds come in from the Gulf. This is a good Soup day. I made a low fat low carb soup on Sunday. I browned lean ground beef then added a can of beef broth, onion soup mix, pk of frozen mixed vegetables, can of Rotel tomatoes, can of tomato sauce. Then after the veggies were done I added a handful of elbow macaroni and six cups of Water. Easy and good. I am not sure of the counts, but I did not put potatoes in it. Oh, I forgot one thing.....Tony Chatere's creole seasoning.

The cold front blew in this morning like a hurricane. My thumb is still popping, but the cortisone shot kept me from having a FM day. Yay! I just had a little IBS. Hopefully, my thumb will improve because I don't want surgery on it. Eva and Linda, I cannot walk fast, but I could try to walk at least 5K. We have several 5K walks here during the year. I still don't know about Chicago. Meredith, the news at noon said there was a 60% chance of snow on Thursday night and Friday. So, I went to Walmart.....lol......you would think a catagory 5 was in the Gulf. I had never seen so many people shopping during the day. When it snows here we are paralyzed. Today it dropped from 70 to 40 within a few hours. Gonna be 25 tonight. BRRRR!!!!! Lori, BRRRRR!!!!!! ZERO!!!!! Oh my, take care! Jodi, so glad you had a great trip. I will be sure and look at the pictures. Apples, your place sounds so cool. One day, one year, I am gonna show up! Laura, nope, no numbing on the shot. Now, if this dang digit would stop popping I will be good. I am wearing my stabilizer and it really helps. My mother got her cast off today and started therapy on her walker. Hopefully, we will move her furniture this weekend and get her back in to independent living next week. YAY!

Okay, that settles it!.......I'm coming to Tucson one day to get Eva's treatment. The food sounds wonderful.....and I know the fellowship is awesome. Maybe I will come next winter so I can see Apple's "love shack" too. My thumb is sore from the shot, but at least it quit popping back and forth. It was really annoying and starting to hurt. Goodnight All!

Meredith......now you know what it is like down south when a hurricane is coming. I hope you stay warm and safe. HUGs to all of you up north! Lori, So glad DD's shower was a success and no one spoiled it. Katelyn is one Blessed Baby! Janet, It was in the 70's yesterday. I can handle 75 in the house during the day, but I have to have it 70 at night. The humidity makes it so miserable for this old broad. Apples???? What's happening this week?

I just got back from the Hand/plastic surgeon. I have "trigger thumb". I was his third patient today with the same problem. He put a steroid shot in it.......OUCH!!!. I acted like it didn't hurt, but I was screaming in my head. I have to go back in a month. Anyway, while I was there I got a price on getting some fillers around my mouth. Now I have to hit up DH for the $$$. After all, turning 60 is a big deal! Oh, I told the surgeon about the lap band and my weight loss. He said finish losing the weight I want to lose then he would do a face lift, breast augmentation, body lift...........WHAT! That's when I told him I just wanted fillers. He also gave me a price for Botox to lift my lids. Eva, yep, it is coming. Tomorrow is our rain day then 25 on Wednesday. Joyce, I talked to my mother today. She did see the movie with Betty White last night. She said it was her life without the train station or the body coming home. She even said a man from Texas called her after her husband was killed and told her what a brave man he was. He was killed in the same place that the man in the movie was killed. I thought the movie would upset her, but she was glad she watched it. Phyl, back in the day when we lived in Hawaii I crocheted pearl rope necklaces. I was looking in the Annie's Attic catalog and they are popular again. After this thumb gets to working I think I will buy some seed pearls and start doing crocheted jewelry. 5k......I would love to walk one someday.

Good Morning Gang! I finally got a good night's rest....pain free. I stabilized my thumb so it wouldn't pop all night, and turned the A/C on to get the house nice and cool. Now the front will move in the next couple of days......Ugh! I do go today for my jacked-up thumb. Linda, yes, my mother has many life experiences that she always handled with grace......and God Blessed. I saw the Hallmark movie last night with Betty White. Wow, my mother's husband was MIA in the Philipines in 1944. I hope she didn't watch it. It was a real tear jerker. Sndy and Meredith.......the storm of the year is coming! Take care! Phyl, glad you checked in.......you are one busy lady. Janet, I think it is a good thing for you son to make sure his daughter knows her dad. Then she can form her own opinion and relationship with him.

Good Evening peeps! I walked two miles yesterday and today. I have been weaning off of carbs. I did have a Protein Bar today with carbs in it. I was busy with church this morning then we took the pastor and his wife out for lunch. I had fajita meat.....no chips!. Linda, thanks again for posting and sharing. It really hit home with me. My mom is special. You can see her on my FB in the 2008 Christmas. She spends a lot of days now talking about her growing up days. She married her high school sweetheart( before my dad). He was killed in the Pacific during WWII. Last year a great niece found his sea bag. In the very corner of it was a blackened ID bracelet. She polished it up and there was his name Phillip and my mother's Norma Jene. She had given it to him before they married. Imagine that bracelet stayed in the sea bag for 65 years. Since then many of Philip's relatives have dropped in to meet and hear about the uncle they never knew. When I went to get her clothes the other day there were pictures of her and Philip all over her dresser. One of the nephews told her that their story was like Titanic. In a way, it was. She did not get his belongings because his dad did not like her. The ID bracelet gave her peace and completed the circle. She loved my dad for 49 years, but not the way she loved Philip. Laura, sorry little Nels is sick. He must really feel bad. HUGS! for him. Joyce why did I think you were in the Bahamas? I knew you were going to Tucson. It sounds like you had a good time. Now, back to the cold. I hear it is gonna be bad this week for everyone......well, maybe not CA and AZ.......lucky people! Cheri, my DH had gastric bypass. He ate a piece of pie yesterday and got so sick he had to go to bed. Then after a couple of hours he broke out in a sweat. You would think he would learn. If I have been off of carbs for awhile and eat sweets I get kind of queasy, but not like him. I was so concerned I went in there and felt him to make sure he was warm. At our age you never know. Janet, sound like you did have a blast. What a sweet Bro and son to do a few honeydews for you. Julie, hang in there. Maybe you should ask the Dr if you could cut back on the dosage of Lyrica or extend the length of time between dosage. If it works ......take it. HUGS! Eva, the card exchange sounds fun for you that make them. I never got into card making. I am better off sewing and crocheting. Post some pics if you exchange. I love all crafts.

I never discussed the racing heart thing, but when I eat late and go to bed my heart races. Another good reason not to eat late. I hate that feeling!

Linda, thanks for sharing. I can sooooo relate. I too, have been struggling and I think is because of carbs. I also have not been exercising as much. Today I did start walking more. Dh and I are going to the gym tomorrow afternoon. LauraK.....I'm no hero sandwich, but I definitely feel sandwiched at times. I went to the nursing home and took my mother up to her apartment. She has a reading machine that magnifies all her reading material. I think she is going to make a complete recovery. I went with her to therapy and she was able to walk with the therapist. She will get her cast off on Tuesday and will start therapy with her walker. I see more "me" time in my future. Eva and Apples......Quilt show........Love em. I know y'all had a blast. Sndy, I never thought I would ever want to move away from my Grand kids, but this Fybromyalgia makes a warm dry climate look real good for the winter. Our cold is mainly in January and February, but like today it was 73 and sunny. I just know I am a whimp when it comes to cold weather. How is your dad? Julie.....are you okay? Janet.......want to know all about your birthday. Lori.....how was the shower? Sweet Dreams!

Happy Birthday Janet!!!!!!!!!.......and many more! Have a blessed day!

The sausage sounds like a great idea. I thought you were doing it in casings. I like ground sausage better. I usually have to peel off the casing because it tends to get stuck. Good description of both states. I didn't mean to say Fl was too cold.......it is humid. Today is a great day.....plenty of sunshine. I walked to my DD's home and picked up my DGD. I put in about 2 miles. I am so frustrated. My hunger is back. I am once again going to make an appointment with Dr. Davis. I got sidetracked with my mother, but I need to take care of myself too. You and Apples have a great time!

Good Morning! I thought I would drop in before walking to my DDs to get DGD. My pup is scratching my arm as I type. He heard me say "walk" to DH. I took a break from my mother yesterday. My DS took her to the doctor. She is getting her snap back and wanting to go back to her apartment. Maybe in a week or so. Apples, great decision on the AZ. I love the weather in their winters. FL is too much like Texas......too humid and cold! Enjoy your trip with Eva.....want to hear all about it. Linda, I have not watched AI this time. I am recording it though. I save my recorded stuff for weekends when nothing is on TV. Welcome Kelley! Meredith.....good look on changing careers. You won't regret it. Janet, yep BBQ here is brisket, ribs, chicken, sausage. Your BBQ is our Mexican food. I love it all. I had fish and broccoli last night. I am not overeating.....I am not active enough to burn off what I am eating. So, I better get busy. I will check in later!

Janet, I love fajitas too! Yep, our BBQ is different. We had our grill connected to natural gas so we would have to buy tanks. My DH said it doesn't get hot enough for him. I am sure he is hinting for a new one. Your dinner sounds delish! So sorry about your BIL's diagnosis. I wonder if he has had cancer for awhile. This is really going to be difficult for your sis since she is in such poor health. HUGS and Prayers for them and your too. Eva, making sausage......you are amazing! Are you going to throw in a little jalapenos? Linda, good to hear your SD is on the wagon again. I am sure it is very hard to trust her. My DD and her boyfriend( yes the jerk) have started going to church with us. Only God can change a heart. I hope for the best for my DD, but they have broken up about six times. It is hard for me to believe this will last.....I'm just saying......

Good morning gang! Janet, I love, love , love BBQ. You will have an awesome birthday celebration. You are a "hot mama". Thanks for helping us to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Linda, getting out with people that love you and you love is such a boost. Our church offers Zumba on Tuesday nights. I might go check it out. I hope to make WW chicken Gumbo this afternoon. It is the best recipe and you can eat so much more than regular gumbo. Getting ready to go walk this morning. The sky is clear and sun is beaming down. YAY! My pup will be so happy.

Lori, I take Lexapro because the Savella for the FM gave me panic attacks. The dr asked me today if it had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I don't think so, but you know I have never been tested. I may ask the thyroid doctor to test me. I have an appointment in March. All I know is the Savella helps with the pain .......and the Lexapro controls the anxiety side effect.......I'm good except when those dang cold fronts blow in. I know the shower will be so much fun. I just love baby showers.

Hi Gang! Linda, no, the table is not gone yet. Tomorrow we where getting together to start making her apartment safe. I have decided to let my sister and cousin work on it tomorrow. My mother told my cousin I wanted to move everything out. I think she is confusing me with the therapist. I will let the monkey be on their backs this week. I need a break and my mother needs to hear it from others. Happy Bandiversary Thursday! Apples, R & R.......you need it! Love ya bunches! Julie, I hope the pain eases. You must be exhausted. HUGS! Eva, Happy Anniversary! Tx, I bet you are ready to get back in the groove. Take care! Eat clean when you start traveling. It is easy to get back to doing fast food. Plan! Laura......what an awesome trip! I see that commercial all the time. That would be a dream vacation if my kids were still home. I know you will have a fabulous time. I went to the shrink today. I don't know why I have to go to her other than my GP said since I have FM it would be good to see her for the Lexapro. Whatever! I stay there long enough for her to write out a script. She did talk to me about my mother. Her mother was in the same nursing home. I haven't lost or gained this week. I feel I am doing good to maintain since my caregiving has interrupted my exercising. Also it has been raining for several days. I am walking today. YAY! I did go to Sam's and bought some broccoli, grapes, and a new Atkins bar. They were giving out samples......yummy! Janet, you should be so proud of me......I did not buy any junk or crackers. Great, are you going to DD's this week?

Hey Gang!! Lori, we have your cold rainy days. Boo! Congrats on getting back in the exercise groove! Phyl, I loved the poem! A lot of truth to it. Eva, yes, my mom is a doll. She has become stubborn because of dealing with her loss of some independence. My cousin is coming on Thursday to give her a pep talk and see if she can help move things out. She was an office designer and now does professional organizing. She will be a God send! Janet, it is always a good feeling to get books to balance. Woo Hoo! I made an appointment with a hand doctor. I found one that comes to our city from the Houston medical center. My thumb is still popping at the joint and now it is swollen. I will get some answers next Monday. I'm off to a funeral about fifty miles from here.....my old home town. Later!

Just checking in.... Joyce, Woohoo on the trip. I would so love some warm weather, but on an island is even better. Take pictures. Happy Trails! Lori, I just sat down and heard the end of the game. I guess you are celebrating. Glad DD is better. Linda, You go girl! on the Penney's sale. I went the other day for my mother. I did not find her size. She is a petite 6-8. There must be a lot of short petites in this city because they are hard to find. I went to my mother's today to do laundry. She said she think she had a stroke a couple of weeks ago because she is so weak. They did not test her for a stroke, but she is getting a lot of therapy right now. Funny, she asked me to order some wrinkle cream off of a Tv commercial. She said it would make her look ten years younger. That is the least of her worries, but it sounds like she is coming back mentally. Janet, Yes, my mother said she is going to sell her glass table to the workers at the retirement home. So my sister is SOL! I know y'all had a great time. I always think about Vegas. It puts a smile on my face Melissa, good going on the clean eating. The tough love from us is because we want you to live a long healthy life. So many of us waited to eat healthy after our joints, backs, and GI problems got out of control. You are young.....you can save yourself from those problems now and even get control of the diabetes. HUGS! Apples, glad you are enjoying the vacation. I just heard of another person with kidney stone problems. Is it a weather change problem? Eva, where are you taking Apples next? Julie......how's it going with the Lyrica? Sndy.....I know you must be enjoying a free weekend. Jessica.....did you break a bone? Meredith...? Tx......where are you? LauraK.....dance, dance, dance.....a good way to shake those extra LBS off or keep them from coming back. Laura......saw some pics of Nels on FB. He is such a cutie pie! Cheri......you ok? Phyl.....What wine are you drinking now? Found any good buys? I had BBQ chicken today with green Beans for lunch. I am finishing it up for dinner. My problem now is getting in my exercise. I will just have to walk till I can get back to the gym. Caregiving is time consuming. I just have to keep my pedometer on and keep on walking. Later!

Hi Janet! Just read your posts. Yep, I'm in that sandwich again.....Gkids and a parent. I will tend to her tomorrow. She agreed to let me take out some of her furniture like the glass top table....it is not safe. I wanted it out before she returned to her appartment. Now she says she is not an invalid.....she will get around to getting things done. UGH! She is so stubborn. My DS wants to let her have time. My sister is also somewhat of a hoarder. She wants the time to pack up my mom's stuff and take it home. Enough of my family drama. I love those Marathon snicker bars. The have 20 grams of Protein. I only eat have at a time. And they don't have those sugar acohols that give you gas. I'll check in tomorrow.

Good Morning Gang! I thought I would check in so the thread would keep flowing. The cold front had kicked in my Fibromyalgia. I am hurting all over this morning, but I gotta keep moving. That is the only way I can get some relief. I am getting ready to go to my DGS's basketball game this morning then babysitting DGDS for a couple of hours. I will go take care of my mother tomorrow. My DS and I have been sharing that task, but her FIL died yesterday so she will be tied up for a while. Her FIL was also my neighbor in the small town I lived in for almost 30 years. I will be going to the funeral. Julie, after you get used to the medication your head should clear. Don't forget to journal your food. I think those meds cause Water weight. I know muscle relaxers do that to me. Take care! Lori, How is DD? I know that must be so scary for her and you. Prayers!.......she is on my list. Janet, Jodi, and Phyl........party down! Wish I was there. Eva and Apples, I guess you are sightseeing.......wish I was there too. I am on the CHEW CHEW today. I ate out too many times this past week. Melissa, is it there? BRRRRR!!! Joyce, I saw on the weather report you are really getting the snow. Take care!

Well, I got a temporary fix for my thumb.....I bought a thumb stabilizer at Walmart. It feels so much better, but hard to type. Julie, I don't know when Lyrica kicks in...my med started to work in a few days. I bet you are really sore from that fall. Take Care! Apples, sounds like you are a veteran at passing stones. I wish they would come up with a medication to dissolve them. HUGS! LauraK, yep those nuts can really make the scales go up. Dr. Davis said English walnuts and almonds are the best to eat. Laura, thanks for the info on the ps. Joyce, good going on the gym.....especially going in the snow. Melissa, the cold front is here. You should get it soon. Sndy......glad your dad is better. Yeah, we will get ME time one day soon. Later!

Good Morning Gang! I am not going to Water aerobics. I will walk. This stupid thumb of mine was popping back and forth all night long. Weird. I will go to the dr after my mother is better. Apples, don't hesitate to go to a doctor today. You might need to get an x-ray to see if you can pass it. My DS had to get one crushed to pass it. Prayers and HUGS for you today. Laura......glad you are better today. I try not to eat after 7. If I eat late my DH said I snore. Jessica......sounds like a painful injury. I hope a few days rest will be all you need. HUGS! Linda.....So glad DH got to speak to the doctor. So sorry you have to keep going through all the crisis. I know Aylah feels safe with you. Prayers and HUGS! Lori... How is your DD? Sndy....How is dad? Tx......the band still working for you? Janet.....got a computer yet?

Lori, I said I got sick.....I meant my stomach was hurting. I do think it was lack of fluids. When I got home i drank a large iced tea and felt so much better.....and I got it from McD's. I like their tea. That is the only thing I buy from there since my nugget experience. My DH is out of town too. I am taking a friend out to lunch tomorrow. Her DH is being a jerk. He is in a mid-life crisis. She served him with divorce papers today. I can't imagine having marriage problems like that at 58years old. Oh, Apples, I know you must be in so much pain. My DS suffers with kidney stones. Her daughter just had her first bout with them. I hope it passes soon. HUGS! Janet, I hope you get your computer fixed soon. Miss your posts.

Thanks Julie! I miss your updates. I hope you start feeling well enough to post more. If the Lyrica causes you to gain....you will have to just journal your food so you won't overeat. I had a bad FM morning, but as I moved around and it warmed up I felt much better. The Savella has worked for me so far with the exception of the weather changes. The cold you are experiencing will be here Friday. I am taking a muscle relaxer that night. Sounds like this Dr wants to get your pain managed by the best in the business. I know it must be a relief to find someone that cares. HUGS!