[joy828]

Yep - I'm still here!! lol

Marylyn - so happy to hear you are having some less pain days! I also hope the 'pen' isn't too uncomfortable. It is all so complicated for us, isn't it?

Like you said, I am also thnking I should take this three months at a time. And, I need to make my focus on today and making today as good as I can, and not look at how long this will take or how difficult it will be. That always gets me down and that leads to reaching for easy, fast & bad for me food.

I have had better days the past 3 days. Cooler weather helps, because I love to be outside when it isn't 90+ degrees & the heat activates my candida, so heat is miserable for me.

As my daughter said to me one time, "Mom, you've got your MOJO back!" Well, I had lost my MOJO again and was depressed and couldn't get interested in anything. The past few weeks have been difficult mentally. I've been fighting feeling bitter about the situation I'm in and the things I had to leave behind when I had to move so quickly. Things like my deck, easy-to-use kitchen, etc. I don't know if it is the weather or if something else kicked in, but I'm able to put that behind me more. I'm anxious to work on piecing the quilt again and I'm doing some writing exercises, so I can get back into that again .... and I'm wanting to get my eating right. It feels good to be excited about accomplishing something - besides housework!

So ..... I hope everyone is having a great day and can enjoy your weekend. I will return-

Gratitudes:

1. Projects to work on
2. Gorgeous weather!
3. Call from daughter & sis-in-law yesterday

Love ya!
Joyce
_________________
You Can Make a Difference
Support our Troops - Action speaks louder than words!!

www.operationquietcomfort.com

[wiccanmalenurse]

Hey Joyce! I'm still here too! Surprised to see me on a Sunday aren't you? LOL We shut the fans down at the mines so I got today off and of course Mondays are my normal day off so 2 in a row and woo hoo! Gla dyou are coming back around and getting that moto back. I miss that spunk myself and knew it would return. You have been through many things and in a very short amount of time so I really understand and it is only normal that you have felt bitter and depressed. Seems as we move forward and get more things we seem to forget that what we do have is great. Not preaching by any means as it applied to me as well. I think man this old truck I drive when all the guys at work are driving new ones and even though I knew many people don't have a vehicle and would love to have that old truck, it still didn't really make me appreciate it. Then when we were laid off and many couldn't make their payments and lost those new trucks, I felt really bad for them but REALLY appreciated that old truck with no payments as it got me from A to B when I needed it to. You are a positive person and I know some changes have been rough on you. Just look at what you have and make the best of it any way you can and hopefully it will wear in and be better.I am also glad you are back on track eating. As for the cooler weather here, it frosted heavy last night with flurries in the higher elevations and we had to cober our pepper plants up that have went on a second blooming spree again. Should have plenty of peppers this year for sure. Also send me your home address in a message on Facebook as I have something I want to send ya if ya don't mind. I too am glad MaryLyn is back and feeling better and hope we all stay around and get to where we used to be again. The support, friendship and encouragement really seems to help me! Hope your quilting goes well and things even out for you in all aspects. Know we are here for a shoulder or an ear and I am always keeping y'all in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there, together we will do this! Love and hugs to you,
David
_________________
Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
"Stella Styler for "Life"!"

[mgonser]

Hey all! First it is Tues. and such a beautiful, beautiful fall day. Sun is shinning and it's 66 warm degrees. Praise God!

Joyce, how is your MOJO coming along? For me, it's doesn't seem that easy somedays to get my mojo going. Some days are better than others. I do try every day to start out positive David, your morning quotes help me. Joyce, I can't imagine how hard it must be for you since you had to move so fast that you really didn't have time to process everything. But sweetie unfortunately it was something you had to do.

I remember vividly how I felt when I had my major MS attack in 2000. Overnight I lost my ability to walk, talk, and the pain was awful. The worst for me was being told I could never drive again, lost my hearing completely in the right ear, and by the 3rd month the hardest for me was to call my employer and tell them I wasn't ever coming back as I was disabled for life. I absolutely loved my job and driving. I felt "raped" of everything I held dear. Of course through physical and speech therapy for a year I could walk with a walker and sometimes cane. Now, with all the new medical concerns, I do not like giving myself insulin shots and take my blood sugar, blood pressure and pulse 3 times a day, but I do it because I have no choice. I guess as we age, we have to be even more thankful for what we have and things that we CAN do.

The first time I went to get on my trike, it was/is harder than ever. I venture out a couple times a day to practice but I figure hat's good exercise too and I was starting to feel like a recluse again. But I am determined not to let that happen.

So far, I have lost control, for one evening-night, and I have to really focus to get back on track. My MRI was Fri night and even with the meds and blindfold, I had 2 panick attacks. It was longer than usual and the staff was the best ever, first time I had one at this hospital. Anyway I was ok, glad it was done then I realized after my Sun MS shot and insulin shot that by last night I really lost my MOJO and I totally was eating everything I could get my hands on. So, today it's like a hangover effect, that I want to remember, and just move on. I started the day SS and it felt good.

David, two days off in a row......Halloween pictures yet? David, I know you deal as Joyce and I do with our health issues, yet, look what you have accomplished! Congrats on all levels of achievements you have accomplished recently. And, is your rooster ok and did you find out what is getting into your hen house? Yes, very good advice that we all hang in there together and get through this.

GRATS:

I "slipped" on SS but it is making me stronger not backsliding
Fall weather
SS is a place to come and I can re-energize myself by reading new and older posts and find friends who understand.

Have a good day. Blessings, Marylyn
_________________

[joy828]

Gooood Morning!! Another gorgeous morning on the Ozarks! I had a good night's sleep and have been sleeping better the past few nights. Sleep is elusive most nights & is always interrupted by trips to the bathroom. But, getting some good rest really makes a difference in how I feel mentally.

I'm trying to figure out how to shop for food. Sounds weird, but I've got to do something different if I'm going to get this right. I have groceries delivered and I can shop online for them (wonderful service for people like me who need it!!), but I have been ordering veggies that require washing and bagging up or other prep for the refrigerator - or cooking. It has become almost impossible for me to reach into the sink and wash them, and when I cook (other than the oven) I have to do it in an electric skillet on the table - so I have been evaluating if the cost and the convenience of already prepared food. I ordered a veggie tray this time, just to see what it was like. It was $9.99 and contained carrots, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and a ranch dip with only 2 carbs per serving (2 Tbsp). Already washed and cleaned! I didn't expect the dip, but it came with it. So with that tray, and a couple of seedless cucumbers, some bagged salad and a pkg. of celery hearts and maybe some zucchinni, I will have a week's worth of fresh veggies. I do have some frozen veggies, too. Sonny rarely eats vegetables, but if he does want some, there would be enough. Rotesserie chicken & Schwans ready-to-eat turkey sausage and Blue Hake fish for meat. I think I will actually save money because I have wasted food when I couldn't take care of it properly. I don't really enjoy cooking, now. #1 - It is just so darn difficult. #2 - no one to "cook for". Bless my microwave oven - I can do most of what I need to do with it. I was able to bring my own microwave with me and I'm thankful for that - it's old but it was top of the line when I bought it. I didn't get to bring my stove and dishwasher - and these appliances in this house are rusty and worn - the dishwasher particularly is a problem, and mine was so much nicer. But, again, I am thankful to have "any" dishwasher!

My daughter and I refer to this house as the "Recovery House" or "Temporary Housing". It was a miracle from God that we found it when I was desperate to find something close to the hospital and dialysis, because Sonny was critically ill at the time. It is small, and I had to use some of my money to make it usable for me, but it is a sturdy little house and it is nice. However, we do need more room and I NEED a deck, patio, porch or some way to get outside with flowers and birds! This house has a porch and deck, but they are just big enough to turn the wheelchair around on. I do go out on the front porch when the weather is ok and read or piece a quilt or do some writing, etc. but there are barking dogs, neighbors yelling, little kids whose parents let them run up and down the street without any supervision (I worry about them), and it is not relaxing most of the time. So - I'm looking for a better place (difficult to find rentals in this area with rooms that will accomodate my chair) and I'm believing that God will provide when the time it right.

I hope this all doesn't sound like I'm complaining - it is just how things are for me right now. And with all of Sonny's health problems, I never know how any particular day will go. So, I'm feeling more positive about coping with all this, and am doing a better job of it here lately.

It is so wonderful to have "youse guys" to talk to ....... I so hate to burden my family and friends here with all my worries - so thanks for your shoulders!!

Gratitudes:
1. My house and the birds and flowers I have here
2. My microwave and refrigerator - I'm thankful I got to keep them
3. Youse guys!!!

Till next time .... Just keep swimming!!!!

Joyce
_________________
You Can Make a Difference
Support our Troops - Action speaks louder than words!!

www.operationquietcomfort.com

[mgonser]

It is Wed. and a beautiful fall day. It is actually 80 degrees right now at 4pm.

I have been having a good cleaning of the kitchen day. I knew it was going good cause I sure was sweating a lot! I am making George's Lime garlic thigh recipe but am using chicken breasts boy does it smell good in here. Having a nice dark greens salad.

Joyce, I believe you and I must come here to "complain" but it's not really complaining its just getting out our feelings that need to come out to friends here we love and trust. I do edit most of my when I put it in Discussion forum cause, well, just cause.

The food getting is hard for me too now. There was a nice grocery store that I could ride my bike to but after being there 60 years they closed this one and made a new one further away. I actually cried as it was another loss of my dwindling independence which I know you understand all to well unfortunately. Marv works so hard and has to get up so early that he gladly will pick up things but I don't get to get some things I'd like to try, veggie wise. So we end up using his Sat. shopping and I HATE that, so many people and lines that make me miserable. We do go to Gordon foods sometimes after church which I hate too, and there I can get the veggie tray and frozen veggies, etc. however, we have to plan it just right as you have to spend so much more all at once and we are living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes even though I know and believe that God does have a plan for me, but it just feels hard. And, Joyce I am trying to take a positive spin on my insulin and giving myself a shot every night but it stinks. Let's see, are you sick of me yet, well I'm sick of me complaining.

GRATS:

A phone call from my grandson in Fla.; he always makes me laugh
Good dinner for tonight
October summer days; lovely!

Blessings, Marylyn
_________________