Chats, Challenges & Laughs 2nd home

[Cele21]

For all my Chats, Challenges & Laughs peeps! Since we can't get on the threads I thought I would start a discussion area for us. We may not be able to keep track of points standings easily but we can still talk.

I miss you!

[Katrin]

Hi Everyone,

I'm still making no money but I'm moving forward with my health. I had an ultrasound for the GI doc today and did some blood tests to check my thyroid over the weekend. I'm currently waiting for my sleep doctor to jump on a scheduled televisit because I've noticed that my sleep has not been of the quality that I've become accustomed to. I use my CPAP every night and usually 7+ hours a night. However, my number of incidents during the night has been increasing over time and I feel significant daytime sleepiness. Nowadays, CPAP machines give you a full report every day and most days I score 100 out of 100 but despite that, something is going on. I'm pretty certain it's NOT perimenopausal because earlier this year I had my hormone levels checked and they are still going strong.

So my insurance company reached out to me a month or so ago and advised me that there have been some changes to plan options due to some federal funding updates and that I may wish to look at options. Turns out, I was able to get an even better plan than I was already on for a much lower price and because of the already incurred expenses for my ultrasound, MRI and surgery earlier this spring, I'm fully free for everything now.I've decided to seize on this and am getting my foot looked at since after my injury in December, it should be better by now and if need PT, now is a great time to get it!

Then, just today, my insurance emailed me a loneliness quiz. Taking the quiz made me so sad that I actually cried a little so I decided, since it's free anyway, to schedule some mental health sessions. I don't know why I feel like I'm working so hard and booking next to nothing. I'm a good, client focused sales advocate and I should be rocking this. Why can't I get it together? I definitely have some things to think through about my relationship with my now ex-boyfriend. And, I definitely am dealing with $$$ stress compounded by the fact that I'm selling so little. I feel like a mental/emotional tune-up is probably called for at this point and since it's free now, I found an in-network provider accepting new patients and spoke with the receptionist. Someone will call me later today for scheduling. Frankly, I feel so anxious but relieved about taking that step that I feel like crying again except that I'm already on camera with the sleep doctor so I don't want to be a mess.

Anyway, I didn't book anything today but I feel like I'm getting myself into a better place a different way right now and hopefully the two areas - health and work - will work together to support one another.

[Katrin]

Time for another discussion question - I don't want everything to be about my issues 🙂

It's been nearly 100 degrees most days around here and we haven't had rain in long time. What little we do get only raises the humidity level even further! From inside the house, I can hear the cicadas singing - making it SOUND hot outside.

What do you do on hot, humid days to stay cool? How do you stay active when the heat index and air quality index are in unhealthy or dangerous zones? Any tips or products that you've found to help combat the heat?

[CJ_Here]

I have been able to cross off, as completed, a couple of items on this week's 'Plan / Schedule'.  The upstairs guest and craft rooms' CCP (Clearing Crap Project) is going slower than expected, but I've started and will just continue for as long as it takes.  I do want to be done by August 6th, at least, so I have time to hem up some curtains and do some fine-tuning prior to my sister's arrival August 8th.  It's nice to have both a soft and hard deadline.  

I have nothing to offer on how to stay cool / active on hot, humid days.  I can't remember a summer like we are having this year.  We are in a drought, have been dealing with Canadian fire smoke and hotter conditions than normal.  I just stay inside.

[ElaineJ27]

Up 1.2 pounds from last week. 

In answer to the question, I have to admit that I haven’t been very active lately but weather and my schedule permitting, I play golf at 7 am. Otherwise, I would use my elliptical in my basement or some exercise DVDs that I do in my living room with the ceiling fan running. 

@Katrin my endo/colonoscopy is scheduled for next Tuesday. I hope we find some answers for all of my digestive problems. I took my mother-in-law for some tests today for her GERD. The first was an esophageal manometry, which involved inserting a tube and doing some swallow tests. Second, she had a smaller tube inserted, attached to a monitor, which we go back tomorrow for removal. The nurse administering the tests was very good and had quite a few suggestions. No gum or hard candy, which make the stomach anticipate food and thus starts acid flow. The same applies to sipping liquid instead of consuming the drink more quickly. I tend to sip all day. Also, consume nothing but water within three hours of bedtime. 

A friend and I each chose one action to complete every day. She chose a step goal and I committed to tracking all my food. We are to daily text each other yay or nay on our goals. 

[Jan2512]

We have just been freed from our 5th lockdown.  Thanks to our neighbours in NSW who brought the Delta virus into my state we had to go into a five day lockdown which was extended for an additional week.  Our lockdowns in Victoria are quite severe compared to other states including NSW where today they had a record 239 cases.  They have also had about five deaths in the last week including a person in their 30’s.  We have a total of 205 active cases in Victoria and all but one new case in the last 10 days have been quarantining for the entire time they were infectious, so that is good.  Although we are out of lockdown we still have to wear masks everywhere apart from your own home and no one is allowed to visit your home. We also have to use QR codes everywhere.  At least now we can travel more than 5 km (3 miles) from our homes.

Has anyone been following the Olympics?  I have, I was not in favour of the Olympics going ahead in the midst of a global pandemic but I love watching the different sports  so I haven’t watched much else.  I remember back in 2012 I took two weeks off work just to watch the Olympics as it was the London Olympics and I am from there and that Olympics had great coverage here as it was shown on pay TV as well as free to air.  This time it is just free to air and you can stream, which I don’t as a rule like.  Although I have spent most of my life in Australia I still support England (or Team GB in the Olympics).  If there is no GB competitor I will cheer on the Aussies.  Between my two teams it has so far been quite a good medal tally.

Elaine

•  Fingers crossed your endo/colonoscopy goes well.
• I like what you and your friend are doing about completing tasks, it makes you more accountable.
• We is actually at the Kidzeum?

CJ

• Glad you enjoyed your Jury service.  I hope I never get called up for it.  I only know a couple of people who have done this, one liked it (but she got out of work and she didn’t like work) the other hated it, it was an horrific murder case that went on for some time.  Due to my arthritis I would be in a lot of pain as I find it extremely difficult to sit down for long periods of time and need to move.
• This might seem a silly question but what is “scarfing”? Is it knitting scarfs for the wooden snowmen?
• Have you and hubby worked out a compromise regarding him always wanting you to sit with him when he’s home.  My Dad was like that with my Mum.  Before he got sick he would go off and play lawn bowls or wood work and when he was home he would potter around the garden, but once he came inside he would expect Mum to stop what she was doing & sit and watch TV.  I put it down to a generational thing and my Mum would do her own thing a lot of the time but you know he wanted her to be with him all the time. 

Catherine

•  I think it was good of your insurance company to send you a loneliness quiz.  This pandemic and all the lockdowns has taken its toll on many people.  I am lucky that I live with my Mum and brother so there is always someone around, plus we have a dog which helps.  It is also good that our house is fairly large so if you want your own space there are no problems with finding somewhere to be by yourself.
• I hope your work picks up?  I would never make any money in your industry, I could not work in sales.
• I like books but you impress me with how many you get through.  I would love to join a book club but I don’t think there are any in my area and even if there was  I would join at the moment due to covid lockdowns.

Glenda

• I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, but I find it difficult especially getting rid of books.  I still have books from my high school which would make them over 40 years old.
• My Mum has given me a machine that has various nature sounds to sleep to, but as usual I have been slack and not set it up yet.

Celeste

• What has happened to your sisters house?
• How is your hubby’s aunt?

Margaret

• Have your work hours/days been sorted?
• Like you have every intention of posting more regularly, but I only like using my laptop and some days it takes so long to boot up I just get on with something else and forget all about it.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and stay safe.

[ElaineJ27]

I have tracked all food again today. I made another trip to Springfield this morning so my mother-in-law could have her stomach tube removed. We ate lunch at Red Robin and I had a grilled chicken wrap, thinking it was a better choice than a burger. The wrap has 1,024 calories and the burger has 1,080. I usually check before I go but this was a last minute decision. 

@Jan2512 , I laughed when you asked about “scarfing”. Our slang can be confusing. It means eating extremely quickly.  It’s usually an exaggeration with an image of stuffing food in your mouth as fast and as much as possible. 

We have been watching some Olympic coverage but I haven’t been able to find a schedule of what is being broadcast when. We have seen mostly swimming and I realized that I watched the same race two different days.  We are 14 hours behind Tokyo so very little is broadcast live. 

[CJ_Here]

@Jan2512  and @ElaineJ27 , besides different slangs, there is always the chance of miscommunication, lol.  Yes, scarfing food is one thing, and I had to laugh that it would be easy to think that that was what I was talking about.  However, on this occasion, I was talking about putting scarves on snowmen that hubby had made.  I ended up using pieces of material to tie on as a scarf.  On the first one I took the time to stitch up the raw edges, but then I just folded under, tied and then glued any rough looking spots.  I also made a yarn scarf.  I didn't have any knitting needles so I just made three separate braids and then braided the three together.  I also had a couple of old scarfs (or is it scarves; I don't know) that I was able to cut up and tie on.

I do like the accountability texting you are doing with your friend, @ElaineJ27 .  I had done that in the beginning of using the LoseIt app with a gal from Tennessee.  But, I wasn't progressing and so I quit.

I have put on over 10 lbs over this summer since I started dieting again.  I'm once again feeling very uncomfortable since most of the new weight is sitting around my middle.  I did some reading last night on how to stop the binge cycle.  The easiest one that I think I can remember is the concept of "now".  Just eat healthy "now".  Just focus on "now".  Don't deprive.  Make sure to eat your meals.  Eat when you are hungry.  Don't worry about the big picture; how much you have to lose, etc.  It's much easier to not be overwhelmed by it all when you just focus on what is healthy "now" ...    

[Cele21]

Hi everyone! Been a while since I posted so here are the highlights.

LW - 198.4 (7/24/21)

CW - 199.4 (7/31/21)

Had all good intentions to jump back into cooking healthy dinners which lasted exactly 1 week and I only cooked four times of that week. 

My sister's house is progressing. She has already filled a dumpster with damaged 'stuff'. I asked her if she came across anything that devastated her to lose. She said not really. A couple items made her sad but nothing that made her say 'I can't believe that's gone!' Some things she is looking at and thinking 'that might be able to be saved/cleaned' then stops and thinks 'but will I actually use it? Do I actually need it? I'm 70 years old, will it be important?' after those questions, it usually goes. Her biggest disappointment is losing her dining room set which she loved. It was dark wood with red velvet on the chairs, kind of a medieval look to it. Going to be difficult to replace. She has an apartment lined up to move into soon (I don't remember the exact date but the beginning of August). One of her sons will end up taking the dog - either in Minnesota which depends on how well he gets on with their two dogs, or in Chicago with the son they are currently living with. The investigation is done and it has been ruled an accident so insurance coverage will be good. Her boys and friends have been helping with the clean out.

I had my regular doctor visit with my general practitioner and he was happy enough with my progress/numbers that I don't have to go back for a year. My visits have been either 6 or 8 months because of blood pressure and water retention.

The day after my doctor visit, I fell at home. We had some plumbing work done a long time ago and never repaired the floor so there are loose boards between my kitchen and back room. I was making dinner and had some grains cooking in the microwave which is on the counter in the back room. I needed to add them to the sauce and went to get them. I wasn't paying attention (as I usually don't, being so used to the boards that I automatically step in the middle), stepped a bit past the middle which brought up the back edge just a bit. I didn't pick up my other foot high enough and caught my toe on the edge of the board which lifted up and tangled in my legs. I went down straight forward with nothing to grab onto. I tried to protect my bad knee and ended up catching myself on my right hand and right knee. Hubby heard the noise and came to see what was going on. It took almost 15 minutes for me to calm down, sort myself out and figure out how to get up. I iced and elevated my knee, hubby finished dinner, got me some hot tea as I had a bit of shock set in and developed the chills. I developed a pretty good bruise on the heel of my hand the next day. The knee looked good until the following Sunday (happened on a Tuesday) when it turned yellow with a huge dark bruise under the kneecap. I pulled the muscle in the thigh behind my bad knee (left) and wrenched my right shoulder a bit. Nothing broken, chipped or sprained. Not quite sure how I pulled that off.

Hubby's aunt is doing pretty well. She had her eye doctor appointment and is getting new glasses. She sees the surgeon for another follow up in a couple weeks. Can't wait to get her out of the nursing home. It is not a place that's conducive to healing. She has trouble sleeping due to her roommate having the TV on all night, they don't have her scheduled for physical therapy because she is just there for them to take care of the wound so she is not getting the movement she needs and due to Covid, we can't get in to see her for more than a half hour visit at a time and only in the common room, not her room. They bring her in a wheel chair and take her back when the half hour is done. She needs more activity and they don't give it to her so she is losing some mobility and without the stimulation, her speech and memory are just a bit worse. But she is trying and handling it all well.

Work is getting slightly less hectic and I feel like I'm making some headway there too.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

[Glenda]

@Cele21  Celest,  I'm sorry you fell.  It can be surprisingly  traumatic.  Glad that this time your injuries were not worse.  Since I fell this year, slipping on a wet  sanitizing wipe in a store,  I have become more careful.   It is like getting a speeding ticket ..........that feeling...of "Oh heck"  you really wish that unnecessary event hadn't  happened.  I hope all the younger people reading about your fall will slow down a smidge or pay more attention ....whatever it takes to avoid accidents if possible.  It definitely isn't worth a torn up knee or broken hip etc.  It is only teens who are invincible.   Right?

[CJ_Here]

So, a little nighttime vent.  Feel free to ignore.  After months and months of waiting, our main floor shower is finally being installed.  The two wall panels were installed today.  And, much to my disappointment, they are not white.  Instead, they are some kind of alabaster or something that shows a tinge of yellow instead of stark white that my toilet, sink and washer/dryer are (and also my curtains are white).  I never dreamed they weren't going to be white.  When it was discovered in late June that the shower pan was the wrong size (and then I noticed it wasn't white, I'm certain I asked if the panels were right since the pan color wasn't.  And, maybe if I would have walked over when he took them out of the cardboard I would have noticed (except it was in bright sunlight).  I guess I should have walked in there when they were putting them in place (before they were cut), but hubby was in there so I just didn't go in.  I am just sick.  Also, had I been in there I would have questioned why they were overhanging the shower pan (hard to explain).  Anyway, they were cut, glued and siliconed in place and the guy had left before I went in to look.  I couldn't sleep just thinking of them.  I don't know if I should mention to the guy or not tomorrow.  I'm sure I will.  I feel bad for him because things haven't gone as I'm sure he had planned either (as far as his knee injury, wrong pan, etc...and he is a perfectionist (at least I thought)).  I just think he should know sooner than later that my dream bathroom is not 100% what I expected.  Ugh.

And, yes, I've gained 12 lbs in two months and I'm still overeating.  Yes, I know I'm human and not perfect, but how disappointing to not be able to stay on plan for even one day.  Just say 'no' they say.  Just for 'now' I say.  I have failed myself so many times; over and over.  When am I going to be over the disrespect I'm giving my own body.

[Glenda]

@CJ_Here  Such a disappointment for you.  How frustrating.  That will surely be upsetting for months.  Maybe you should say they have to do it over better or you will not pay?   Sometimes we put up with too much.    You better stop overeating now though.  It will make you more unhappy.

             Yesterday following youtube video instructions  I made a cabbage, carrot, onion "soup" that is suppose to make me lose 15 pounds in 2 weeks if I eat it 2 times a day.  LOL    

There was a study reported by the American Heart Assoc. today that said people in it reduced their calories by 250 a day and they lost 20 pounds, and made their blood vessels better.  That is reasonable because 100 calories supports 10 pounds.   But something was wrong with this study because part of the group reduced their calories by 2 times as much and only lost the same amount of weight.    Can that be right?

[ElaineJ27]

@CJ_Here , you have every right to be upset. You hired someone to do a specific job and it isn’t to the standards you requested. I don’t understand the “overhanging” but it sounds like it wasn’t done correctly. For your overeating, I would suggest that you plan two snacks a day and choose them carefully. That way you have something to look forward to and not feel deprived. When the urge to snack hits, you know you will have a treat at a certain time and hopefully resist the temptation. 

@Glenda  I read your “soup” description while I’m finishing my colonoscopy prep and know exactly how that causes weight loss but not much will be fat loss. There’s a difference between weight loss and fat loss. To lose one pound, you have to decrease your caloric intake by 3500. For one week, that equals 500 fewer calories per day. The optimal solution is to reduce intake by 250 and increase exercise to burn 250. If you eat too little, your metabolism holds onto fat to store so you don’t starve. 

I know all the science, logic, and solutions. If I could find the process of actually following through, I would be a millionaire!

[CJ_Here]

Thank you both, @Glenda  and @ElaineJ27 , for your thoughtful comments / insight.  I haven't said anything yet as he is quietly working on the glass sides / door.  I did go out to the shed where the cardboard was set and see the panels are "glacier" instead of "white".  I also can tell by peaking in while he wasn't looking that the the glass part is sitting on top of the pan which means there's no need to be the "overhang".  I really feel bad for him because I would guess by this point he should know there's an issue.  I've had various conversation starters going on in my head.  He's a nice guy; I know he's going to feel awful ... but as you said, it's not right that I'm / we're not getting what we expected.  Another "Lost in Translation"; "This too shall pass"; etc etc etc.

I like the two snack idea.  It all comes down to my 2021 word I chose - "Commit".  

[CJ_Here]

Just to finish the shower conversation...  I did share my feelings; he did apologize; no credit given.  But, he finished the project this afternoon and so we have our house back.  Tomorrow I will do a deep clean.  Hubby does not want to hang curtains & pictures tomorrow - he just needs a day away from it.  I'm hoping by later in the day tomorrow he'll change his mind.  I dropped off donations today including clothing, books, and some decor.  I've made a dent in the craft room project and look forward to working on that again.  Second week of having a written weekly "Can Do" list which I'm also enjoying. 

[Glenda]

CJ,  I admire all that you are doing.  The worst job in the world is hanging curtains.  I would ask my husband before making the curtains, if he would hang them if I made them.   Only if he agreed in advance would I make them.  Donating all that stuff is a win-win.  they are grateful and you are better off without it.  Good job.

[Katrin]

@CJ_HereI would be beyond frustrated. I would require the job be done right with the stuff I requested or a substantial refund for the wrong stuff. I ordered a special mirror through my contractor that has lighting imbedded in it. It's super cool. Twice it was delivered "rattling" with what sounded like loose pieces that had broken inside so he refused to sign for it. Third time was the charm and an intact mirror was installed weeks after my bathroom was otherwise finished. It was annoying but I just knew I wouldn't be happy with something chipped. Mismatched colors would drive me bonkers every single day.

So, I had my "assessment" with the counselor yesterday. Just getting through that made me feel weepy and stressed out. I feel like I definitely did the right thing by scheduling - perhaps, though, I should have done it sooner. In speaking, she commented that most of my goals are professional so I explained to her that I gave up a lot of personal, non-work activities to focus on my job that required so much travel - I simply couldn't attend a dance class or toastmasters meeting or other activity when I wasn't even at home. Now that that job is gone, Covid has complicated my ability to resume these activities and so does my lack of funding. So, yes, fix the professional problems and some of the other items will be easier to resolve. However, we will identify specific therapy "goals" to work at our next session.

@Cele21congrats on the medical report card - that's great to be able to decrease the frequency of appointments and that you've been able to manage some of these conditions! However, please be careful - your fall sounds like it could have been much worse than it ended up being. Having fallen twice and injured each ankle once during my journey here, I can vouch for the kind of setback and injury can create and now, given my overmedicating with Advil, I created even more obstacles for myself.

Also, can your hubby's aunt's roommate not use headphones? In a roommate situation, I believe comfort decisions should default to the "majority of reasonable" people rule of thumb. Most reasonable people turn off the TV before bed (and other noise and light makers). If the roommate cannot, then the roommate must find a compromise that suits the roommate like headphones. Same thing with temperature - temps should be set to the comfort of the person who likes it cooler and the person who likes it warmer can put on a sweater. That's just ridiculous that in a healing center, someone should not be sleeping well due to such an easy fix!

I want to say thank you to everyone for being such a wonderful support for me and creating this environment where I feel comfortable sharing!

[ElaineJ27]

Based on what the doctor told Hubby, EGD/colonoscopy showed no problems but no confirmation letter on that yet. I was not completely cleaned out by the time of procedure, which didn’t deter the doctor, but I continued cramping and bloating throughout Tuesday. I think this shows my problem of a slow digestive system but I will have to see a specialist to confirm that. 

My friend and I are continuing our accountability to each other. We each achieved our goals six days the first week. I decided to add a second goal of 5K steps per day but have only met that goal W-F. On Saturday, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday with lunch at a winery, then a riverboat casino, both on the Mississippi. Since I neither drink nor gamble, I went for the family visiting. 

I woke Sunday morning with a headache different from my usual and it still hasn’t let up. In addition, I now have muscle aches. I believe it’s some form of flu bug but since I don’t have fever, sore throat, cough, or sneezing, I’m not too worried. But I haven’t reached my step goal. 

I’m watching an episode of Hoarders and have realized that I don’t have attachment issues with the stuff but I’m simply too lazy to clean it out. 

[Glenda]

@ElaineJ27   I don't think you are lazy at all.  I think it is motivation.   Personally I figure out what is bothering me the most  around here  and that is my "project of the moment, or day"..  Try that thought and it might work for you too.  Recently my daughter suggested a better question instead of" what can I get rid of"  is "do I need this?"  Every thing on the top shelves in my kitchen are things I put there because I knew I would never use them.  Why did I keep that junk?  Now that I have electricity again I'm going to work on that top shelf tomorrow.  

[CJ_Here]

Why didn't you have electricity, @Glenda ?  Was it due to fires?  We really feel for the people of Greenville, CA that lost their homes, businesses, town.  I can't imagine the loss.  

Today is my low fiber day; tomorrow is the colonoscopy prep day; Thursday the colonoscopy.  It'll be interesting to see if I'm all cleaned out.  I don't think I have a slow digestive issue like you, @ElaineJ27 , or like my husband.  I have more IBS issues and diverticulitis.  The later from poor food choices I'm sure; and, my Dad had severe issues with it.  I'm hoping for you and me that we can wait another 10 years before the next one.  My brother had colon cancer so it may be a five year deal for me.  I'm getting a little nervous just writing about it.  Congrats on your accountability success. I need to consider who I know who might be a good choice for me.

So the bathroom is done!  I'm about 90% happy with the finished product...and, it's not the shower that is contributing to that percent.  I'm not crazy with the white curtains.  I had three panels; took off one to try and get away from the hospital feeling.  I need the two remaining for coverage.  Bottom line, though, is it is wonderful finally being done with remodeling and getting the place back in order. 

[Glenda]

@CJ_Here   Give yourself a break CJ  Your brother's colon has nothing to do with yours and It seems highly unlikely that your poor food choices caused your colon problems, IF you have some.   However I do admit my father and I both DID have colon cancer and were both cured of it.  (But my brother didn't have colon problems.  Having a colonoscopy   may reveal polyps that can be removed before they become cancer.  Don't waste worry.  Wait til you need to.  Don't you think?