For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
It is cloudy and chilly here this morning. Hubby has gone to work. He is slowly feeling better. As for me, I'm not feeling too good at all. Done took my meds, (antibiotic, probiotic, sinus symptoms reliever) maybe that will help. After he left for work, I got on the sofa nearby the fireplace that had a fire going in it and fell back asleep for a little while. 
My weigh-in this morning shows I'm down a little...144.4 now. I was SO HUNGRY last nite. I almost gave in to a food binge. I kept trying to get it off my mind. I was wanting to get into some sweets my friend gave me for my Christmas present from her. She gave me a lot of sweets for Christmas. I already got into a small bar of fruitcake she gave me over the past few days, but counted it with my calories each day and did my best to 'ration' it. I'm okay with 144.4 today. My goal has been to stay under 147.0 during the holiday season. Christmas is coming up very soon. We always take our tree down early (usually Christmas nite). I am to cook Christmas dinner Friday, Christmas Eve. Daughter will probably come over Christmas Eve nite and open her gifts, as she and I always have (we don't wait til Christmas Day). With Hubby and me being under the weather, I don't expect any company on Christmas Day as our friends know he's been very sick. But, then again, he is getting better, so...perhaps...??? I feel so bad right now that I don't even care at all for company coming over. When you're in pain, you don't feel up to entertaining. I'll do good to get the cooking the meal done. Also, I plan on visiting Mom on Christmas Day, Lord willing and take her gift to her, if not before. Hubby keeps telling me to wait til Christmas Day to give it to her. If I do, I'll take her a plate of Christmas dinner, too.
Hope you're feeling well.
...........................
..........................
........................
Hope you're having a nice day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
Hello, Friends!
Hubby is slowly getting better. So am I. We're both still taking antibiotics.
I've been having a mug of coffee tonite.
The Christmas shopping is done. Gifts have been bagged/wrapped and some have been given. I visited Mom this afternoon, who had been in bed all day, refusing to get up but she had just finished putting makeup on and looked really pretty. I stayed with her a good long while. She told me my Sister, her Hubby, Sister's Daughter (Mom's Granddaughter) and Sister's Granddaughter (Mom's only Great-Gran) visited her this morning and brought her Christmas gifts and Mom gave them theirs (that I'd shopped for and Mom and I had bagged the gifts together). Mom appeared happy. Said her Great Granddaughter was especially pleased with her gift (a musical, light-up butterfly that plays a song when the butterfly is pressed and plays 18 different tunes) and wouldn't let anyone hold it but herself, hehehe~! I was happy about this cause I picked it out!
On the dietfront, I'm having to be especially careful cause well-meaning friends are giving me SWEETS for Christmas gifts. I keep reminding myself that it is NOT WORTH THE TASTE for a few minutes of enjoying those sweets to let go where I'm at sizewise, wearing size 8's, which I've done before in the past and fluffed back up....not again! Moderation!
Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
It is a beautiful, sunny Sunday here in S.C.
Just got back a little while ago from church and visiting Mom (who was doing well). Took her bananas and sat with her a while in the dining room where she and her friends were having their lunch.
Christmas Cantata (a program of Bible scriptures and Christmas songs describing the Christmas story of Jesus' Birth) was this morning. It was beautiful and I thank the Lord for helping us! 
Hubby, who is still sick, stayed home and rested. I fixed him some chicken noodle soup after I came in.
Weighed this morning 144.6. Getting back to the 144.0 I recently was at.
Well, off to read some entries here before I have to get ready for tonite's evening church service in which the children will be having their Christmas program.
........................
Hope you're having a blessed Sunday!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
It is a chilly morning here in S.C...30's...and RAINING...which I love! It gives me a good excuse to stay inside where it is warm and not feel like I absolutely 'HAVE' to run, run, run! However...there are '2' things on the agenda for today...one is go back to a store I shopped at yesterday here in town and get some more earrings...I bought a pair yesterday but when I took them out of the pack last nite to try them on, I lost a piece to them and didn't find it, so I will be going mainly to get another pair to replace that particular piece. (My ears have never been pierced, so they are not pierced earrings.) Second thing is I think I'll surprise Mom and get her a little something to cheer her up since she was so disappointed I didn't surprise her yesterday with a little shopping gift when I went back to her room after doing her shopping for her. (She didn't want a pantsuit that I offered to get for her and didn't seem to want anything before I left, so I didn't bring her back anything when I brought her Christmas list gifts to give her family and friends back to her later yesterday afternoon). So, something to cheer Mom is definitely on the list for item number 2.
Antibiotic is not agreeing with my stomach this morning...ugh...it'll get better....Christmas Cantata (the actual program, not practice) is tomorrow morning! I believe it will be beautiful. I am trusting the Lord about everything. The whole program is to bring praise to Jesus! It is the story of His Birth, beginning with the prophets foretelling the wonderful news and leading up to His Birth. There are lots of Bible scriptures and Christmas carols in the Christmas Cantata.
On the weightfront, I seem to have 'gained' according to this morning's weigh-in. 
My goal during this Christmas season is to ENJOY the festivities which includes social food gatherings and try to not go over 146.anything (stay under 147.0). 
I can allow this and still wear my 8's jeans comfortably (and they are NOT STRETCH). Not going to be a Scrooge, which includes not to myself enjoying eating delicious treats at parties, either, hahaha! Maybe next month I'll get back to the elusive 140.0 goalweight.
Evening update: Visited Mom this afternoon...she had just finished NOT EATING her lunch, except for the small desert and 1/2 carton of milk included in it. When I questioned her about it, and asked if she was still trying to lose weight, she told me she is just trying to "maintain" her weight she is at now. I laughed and confided and confessed to her that I, too, am doing the same thing! She was in the dining room, sitting up in her wheelchair at her table with her friends, who were also in wheelchairs. I gave her 2 pairs of earrings I bought for her, but she couldn't wear either pair cause her pierced ear holes have enlarged so very much. Only loops stay in her ears now. I also took her a baked sweet potato with a little sugar, cinnamon and margerine on it and a small bottle of caffeine-free diet pepsi. I took fingernail polish with me and she happily let me paint her fingernails red in celebration of Christmas season. She was relaxed and seemed content enough, with one of her 2 closest resident-friends sitting nearby her. Her favorite cna was there today, too, whom Mom really loves a lot. This cna told Mom in front of me that she's bought Mom a Christmas present she is going to bring to give to her. (That is a very special cna, I tell ya! ) Mom is usually happy when that cna (for later reference, 'L') is there taking care of her. Don't let me get started on the big difference in cna's and other medical professionals who love their patients and find it a JOY to take care of them and others who simply and only are in the business for money reasons. Anyway, when I finished painting Mom's nails, she was very happy with them.
..........................
........................
Hope you're having a nice day or evening.
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
Hubby and I both went to the doctor yesterday, who put us both on antibiotics, Hubby for sinusitis and bronchitis, and me for sinusitis.
I have decided that the less I answer the phone, the happier I will be. Do I look like I've got 'sucker' written all over me??? Apparently to most of the callers, I do!
I spent 2 days crying off and on from a family member calling and upsetting me by saying awful stuff to me, then the following day calling and saying they had taken a lot of medicine for pain the previous nite when they called me and had no memory of calling and talking to me. (That's a way to be very cruel and then disown responsibility for their actions.)
Another one calls after the usual long period of not hearing for them and wants me to do something for them, which I oblige, then pulls a double with needing a lot more for me to do for them.
My Hubby usually NEVER answers the phone (unless his work calls) and if ANYONE calls just to 'talk' to him (that is not work-related), unless it's me when I'm not home, you should see the FACE he makes as he painstakingly takes the phone I hand to him to talk to them! He tells me repeatedly that "Maria, just because the phone rings doesn't mean you have to answer it!!!" when he sees me agonizing over call after call.
So...am I done yet? You might think? Yep. This is better than overeating, which I AM VERY TEMPTED TO DO!!! But! Guess what??? IT IS NOT FUN TO 'FLUFF UP'! (from overeating).
Okay...some good news...I 'think' I'm done with shopping for Christmas. Today I went to the nursing home and offered to take Mom Christmas shopping, thinking she'd be ecstatic! Instead, she laid there in bed telling me how very tired she felt and that just the thought of getting out of bed to go shopping (even though I'd be wheeling her around in her wheelchair) made her feel even more tired. So I volunteered to do her Christmas shopping for her which she was happy about. I spent about 3 hours getting her list done. Took the Christmas gifts back to her room and we bagged them together (easier than wrapping). She was very happy over everything I got but what was so SAD was when she asked did I get her anything??? I had asked her if she'd like a pantsuit before I left and she'd said no. She doesn't know she will be receiving a real 11-diamonds ring from Hubby and me but she knows she's getting something expensive and extra nice for Christmas, her only hints. So, I reminded her and she smiled again. She'd wanted some of the gifts for herself but resisted after oohing and ahhing over them. I'm glad the shopping is done. What a job!
..........................
........................
Hope you're having a nice day or evening.
Love, Maria
Sometime in the near future that guilt will dissapate!!! Don't ever let anyone dump their issues/anger in your lap, you are sure to feel the same way...Misery does love company sad but true
Good job on getting all the presents for your mom - you are an amzing daughter!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
Hello, Friends!
I'm sitting here by the fireside this morning, keying to you. It is sunny but COLD outside (16F).
I want to say something this morning. This is the time of year when tempers easily flare. Don't get caught up in someone else's anger and don't become angry, yourself. Don't let the devil steal your joy. I am currently caught in between friends, trying to keep harmony and peace between them. It was not my choice. It's not like I stepped in intentionally to do this. I got caught in the middle by someone being inconsiderate and determined to have things their way. I didn't go through the proper channels as I should have when I tried to accomodate them. My excuse (everyone's got one, right?) is that I have become so accustomed to being the one in charge of many situations (including my Mom and her care, though this has nothing to do with her whatsoever) that I didn't even think to consult others in charge before making a decision to accomodate the person who was being inconsiderate. I didn't think of the possible effect on others in charge of a certain project. 
They became very angry, to say the least and it is ALL MY FAULT. I had to tell them that I didn't think to consult them before giving in to the person and letting them have their way. (The others in charge had put me in charge of the details of the project, though they are the ones over it.) I told them I was sorry and asked their forgiveness. Some of the work they had done had to be changed slightly to accomodate the person whom I gave in to having their way. Top it off, after they talked with the person, whom I agreed to let have their way,the person did not even act thankful and wanted things EVEN MORE their way. I ask for your prayers about this even though I can't put the details over the internet. Suffice to say, the devil will do anything he can come up with to try to take our joy if we let him. Also suffice to say that I've learned my lesson well about making sure I, myself, am considerate of others (especially those who are also in charge).
..Tonite will be the last Christmas Cantata practice after evening church service before this coming Sunday morning when we have the program.
Update: In making today's entry, I lost yesterday's entry. Please overlook that comments were made yesterday...they were to yesterday's entry. 
.............................
Hope you're having a blessed day or evening!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
Hubby and I are watching tv...thought I'd say hello tonite... I visited Mom at the nursing home today. She seemed to be doing okay. Then I went to the next larger town over and walked around in stores after navigating the heavy afternoon Christmas traffic... Lots of things on sale. Didn't buy anything. It's very cold outside. I wore hat and gloves, jacket and boots with warm clothes. Looks like I'll have to shop for my Mom's Christmas gifts to others instead of taking her with me...she was wanting to go Christmas shopping, too, but I don't think it would be wise to get her out of the warm nursing home into the very cold air. Last year, I took her Christmas shopping when the weather was milder and after I got her into a store, she got overheated and I had to get her back to the car, then go back in (leaving her alone in the car) to pay for the items she chose for gifts...this is not to mention lifting her and her wheelchair and her bathroom break...I know she wants to get out of the nursing home for a while but it's not worth it to risk her health. So, I'll just do the best I can. 
The chocolate cake (turned out to be 13 layers) turned out real well and I gave away most of what wasn't eaten at the church Christmas party. Tomorrow nite is Christmas Cantata practice at church.
..........................
........................
Hope you're having a nice day or evening.
Love, Maria
I ended up staying in and eating at home when husband came home. As I expected, he didn't want to eat out (he had to eat out 3 mels a day for a whole week while in Switzerland!) and I don't blame him for wanting to eat home cooked meals. Besides, it's easier on the diet front, this way...
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
It is raining here this morning and chilly but not as cold as it has been. I plan, Lord willing, on baking a chocolate layered cake this morning to take to our annual church Christmas party this afternoon. I was going to bake it last nite but got too sleepy sitting by the fire in the fireplace and went to bed instead. Hubby got up this morning and said, "I see that you didn't bake the cake last nite, did you?" (Some ingredients were still out on the kitchen counter waiting to be used in the cake baking.) I don't know if he was thinking more about the cake or more about his little muffin-sized cake I usually bake for him when I bake cakes.
..........................
Update: I finished baking, frosting, and decorating the 12-layer chocolate cake to take to the party in a few hours! WHAT A JOB!!!
..........................
........................
Hope you're having a nice day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
Hello, Friends!
I'm sitting here by the fireside, keying to you. It is COLD outside and so WARM right here...I love it...looking at the fire in the fireplace. That's the good news...
The not so good news (but still good) is I decided to give up the new 3g mobile internet. I miss it already! Turned out that, though it worked wonderfully and was just about as fast as the wifi here at home, the little limited 250 mb/month plan is not going to be a keeper...It sounds like a LOT...but it actually is very little. Oh, it would work out if I didn't do anymore graphics on this entry (no pictures, animations, etc.) and only got online about an hour a day and never checked out youtube or any videos, etc. To upgrade to the unlimited 3g mobile internet plan, the price would have been double the price for 3 months, then even more after that. So, for now, the 3g mobile internet is...'gone with the wind'... Oh, well, still have the wifi internet at home for now and am happy with it and thankful to the Lord for it.
Today, I had lunch with a friend and she and I did a little Christmas shopping afterward. Later tonite or sometime tomorrow, I plan, Lord willing, to bake a chocolate layered cake to take to our annual church Christmas party tomorrow afternoon. (Although I'm really in the mood to bake Christmas cookies but I promised to bake a cake...which I'm actually much better at baking than cookies, hehehe!) It will be at least 4 layers and maybe even more...maybe 8-10...??? It will be a yellow cake with chocolate frosting in between the layers and on top. I may even sprinkle a few multi-colored Christmas sprinkles (tiny candy sprinkles) on top, since is IS Christmas, what do you think?
.............................
Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
........................................................
.........................................................
Hello, Friends...
Just got the 3g mobile internet service installed and am checking it out...so far, so good, here at the house. I will be leaving to take care of some errands shortly and will be taking my laptop with me and checking it at various locations.
.................
Hubby and I are to get the Christmas tree decorated hopefully tonite. The tree is up and looks pretty, though bare.
......................
Update: At a different location checking connectivity, etc. Appears to be doing well with the 3g mobile internet. 
.......................
Evening update: 3g mobile internet doing real well. Checked it out at 3 different locations while out and about in my vehicle this afternoon and it did real well. While out, I visited Mom a little while this afternoon. She was doing pretty well. However, her new roommate hasn't been well at all and the EMS came and got her while I was visiting Mom to take her to the hospital. Please pray for her. From what I'm told she is a good Christian woman who taught Sunday School in her church in her younger years. She's been in a LOT of agony and Mom told me she spoke up for her to get some help and believes they listened to her why she was taken to the hospital. After they left with her, Mom told me she's already lost 2 roommates who occupied her new roommate's bed and she hopes she doesn't lose her new roommate.
On a different note, Mom asked me today how much do I weigh? To which I tried to dodge her question, as she is highly competitive, and has already put herself on a lose-weight diet by refusing her meals and making do with little snack s/w's. When I wouldn't tell her, she asked again, "How much do you weigh? 140?" (Close, hehe.) I answered, "No, Mom, I weigh more than that." (Though not much more, hehe.) I am glad she is feeling well enough to be wanting to be a healthier weight.
Oh, lest I forget to tell you, the Christmas tree is not only up, it is now DECORATED!!!
........................
Hope you're having a nice day!
Love, Maria
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's roommate. I'm sure it is hard on her to keep forming connections to these people and then losing then. I will keep them in my thoughts.
[ Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Next Page ]
congrats on the loss, hope u have a great day
Umpqua on 12/22/2010:
Feel better Maria! I'm just trying to cut back on high-fat meats and dairy because of the saturated fat aspect. So far the family is going right along with it without any complaints - it's going much better than I anticipated!
biscottibody59 on 12/22/2010:
Congrats on your loss--good to have a little cushion this time of year!
Actually Esselstyn and McDougall don't allow any meat or dairy whatsoever, so the chicken would be out--period--so no chicken fat. Also no oils, even the highly touted/marketed "healthy fat" olive oil.
It's a pretty strict way of eating. No animal products at all. No avocados or nuts, though a small amt of nuts is okay if you have no known heart disease. I'll put up an explanation on "ModerationKills" that explains how one gets over the no fat thing. Mind you I'm not in the throes of this plan as yet, so I'm not speaking from personal experience--yet:-)
Have a good one!
V on 12/22/2010:
Maria I am happy to hear that you resisted the binge also keeping your goals not to go above 140...I too have a goal of not gaining more than 3 lbs..I have been doing great so far but there are so many nuts here in all shapes sizes,cans and jars :( I have been trying to keep it to a minimal but so far so good!
moogy on 12/22/2010:
I am so sorry that you are still feeling sick Maria, you still have a couple of days until Christmas. It sounds as if you will be better off with a small celebration than a bit one at the moment. I do hope that you get well enought to enjoy your family at this special time of year. I am sending get well vibrations your way:)
moogy on 12/22/2010:
My favourite holiday foods are fruit mince tarts with custard, chocolate mousse, Christmas ice cream (it is vanilla bean icecream with mini marshmallows, raspberries, grated chocolate and pecans), pork and prawn spring rolls (egg rolls), the traditional Christmas lunch, turkey, ham, roast pork, roast potatoes, vegetables etc. This year I am including a try of Sweetpeas ribs. Yum!!!!
V on 12/22/2010:
Well there is 6 of us who share the same parents :) 25-50 yrs old