Good afternoon, Dee and everybody else!

It's been lovely and coolish here in SE Texas this last week, and I've really appreciated and enjoyed it so much. I spend a lot of time out communing with nature, reading, or working crossword puzzles.

I've been seeing a therapist by myself, and she is really getting through to me, and I feel like I'm learning more about myself than ever before. Friday was marriage counseling which was also enlightening to me. I've never felt so validated in my life as I did by the MC. H made me explain why we were there, and I was a nervous wreck, but I gave details and tried to keep feelings out of it. She told H that he was the one with the hard job now because he had to try to repair all the damage he had caused over the years! He couldn't refute anything I told her. I wanted to cry from relief that somebody in the know finally believed me.

On the eating front, I'm doing alright. I learned how to eat so healthy this past summer, and it's continuing now. I'm still down 25 lbs., but I need to keep going. As my depression lifts, my appetite is also increasing, so I need to think before I cook and eat!

Wishing everyone here a good start to their week and success where it's needed!

Oh Milkdud~I'm SO happy for you! You are taking the right steps it sounds like. I can't believe that there was someone who didn't believe you before. You've had an awful time. I'm hoping things get much better. Now you can tell me how to eat healthily???

Hope everyone else is doing all right? Let's take the bull by the horn & make things right in our world. :)

Patti, thank you for your comments. I cooked my WW Core meals most of the summer, and lost some weight. I also worked hard around the yard, in the house, to help earn my keep. Good for the body and the spirit!

I'll be going to my chiropractor in a bit, then have my last candling session for my almost deaf ear. After that I'm going over to Beaumont to see my kids and visit Barnes&Noble bookstore for a self-help workbook on regaining self-esteem. My therapist wants me to get started on that because I really have lost most of whatever I had once upon a time.

Wishing everyone a great day!

[[[[[[Milkdud]]]]]]]]]] Hoping you have already starting on those books. Come by here if you need a boost of self-esteem. :0)

Well, I rescheduled my appointment with the cardiologist. Things are so hectic in the office, that I felt it would not be prudent to have my first vist on a Friday afternoon after a week here! They were very nice about it, and I'm set to go on November 19. Perhaps I can lose a pound or two before then; I'm a nervous wreck about getting on a scale at a doctor's office. I was completely out of control while I was not exercising!

On a healthy front, I've decided to join a Zumba class presented on Monday evenings at our clubhouse. Should be fun, but our lake newsletter stated it is first come/first served. Very popular, so I need to move on that tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great day!
Good to see you, Patti.

Good Morning!

Hi Milkdud! Sounds like you are on the right track! Therapy can be so cleansing and so validating. I am wishing the very best for you!

Hi Patti! How are you?? How's dave?

Dee, i know it took awhile but I PM'd you thru Garden Web a while back with a whole list of ideas but didn't hear back.... I am SO GLAD that you are seeing the cardiologist soon. Zumba sounds fun! I want to hear all about it please!

Well, I have been reading up but not posting, I confess. I had a rough go of it for awhile. DS left for university and to celebrate, I promptly came down with the flu. Just as I was recovering, I got hit by what only could be called another strain of that same bug, and in total, was in bed for 11 days. I missed so much work, was so far behind in paperwork and SO WEAK after that last bout, that I had to cancel my trip to NYC that we'd had planned for almost a year : (

Back in the saddle, the case load is frighteningly low and I am looking to contract with some new agencies. Such is the nature of home health nursing and even with the ups and downs, I LOVE it!

I am enjoying life as an empty nester! There is just something freeing about the whole thing! I married and had kids way too young and THESE, ladies, are my Twenties! : )

I am scheduled to take a rolling class in my kayak next month and this weekend I am getting a surf kayaking lesson with a meet up group I found. I have a stack of books to be read and I'm determined to master some of the new tech out there too. I am treating myself to a new Droid next week, so we'll see...I have a 3 day trip to San Francisco planned for November, then a 4 day jaunt to Oregon. I really have the sense that this is my TIME!

As for healthy eating etc, I maintained my weight all summer, eating pretty much what I wanted, but tracking my food daily. Just started back on the treadmill again after being sick. Gotta check in at the weekly weigh in thread.

I don't know how many of you are thinking about going to the Girlfriend's Getaway in May, but I am going! Wouldn't it be great if we could all go? I am going to start ticket shopping right after Christmas.

Today, I have only one patient visit planned. Then I am driving out to UCLA to drop band equipment off to DS,who has a gig on Friday and apparently can't LIVE without this particular amplifier! Then I am cooking for a friend who is wheel- chair bound for 3 weeks (poor baby!) and off to a meeting at church. It's a wonderful rainy day!

(((hugs)))

Tikanis

Milkdud - I am so happy to read that you are taking all those positive steps. Good for you! I have a book to recommend "Simple Abundance". You read a passage from it each day for a year and it instructs you to do small activities and teaches you how to be grateful for what you do have no matter how little (I know you already are aware of that). I followed it about 15 years ago and it helped me get out of a very bad funk I was in.

Dee & Tikanis - I just scheduled Zumba for the Girlfriends Getaway! We can zumba out together. Friday is my first meeting with the hotel, so I hope I can get those room rates lower than last year.

Tikanis - I never took the rolling class, but my cockpit is very wide and I plan on a quick escape - not staying in the kayak LOL. It really is important but I honestly only go out on flat water right now. I have the Droid Incredible and love it.

Dee - I am confident you can lose a couple of pounds in a month. Glad you are getting to the cardiologist. Get to Zumba and report back to us LOL. I have seen it done but haven't participated. Looks like an intense but fun workout.

We had to put our 17 1/2 year old "puppy" to sleep last Friday. It was very sad but we had no choice. We knew the day was coming for a while now, but we still weren't prepared for it. I will not be getting anymore pets for a long time, if ever. I really don't want to go through this again.

I don't think I told anyone but my art teacher succumbed to lung cancer the end of August. My heart broke and I miss him greatly. Just a couple weeks ago I started taking lessons with a new teacher. He is extremely talented and a fantastic teacher - I feel very fortunate to have found him.

On a positive note, today was a perfectly beautiful fall day. Blue skies, a slight nip in the air and still some vibrant colors on the trees and ground.

I promise to check in more often.

((Milkdud and Tikanis))

Like Raeanne I will check in more often, promise!!

Raeanne, just saw the last part about the "puppy." I am so, so sorry and know exactly how you feel. You are never prepared even when you know it's coming. I said no more too and now have TWO more. I waited 7 months which to some may not be long but to me was a tribute to my Lacey as I got 2 more Bichons. Love, hugs and prayers my friend.

Happy Thursday!

It's another rainy day here, and yes, I will be out in it!

I have always said to be careful what you wish for; yesterday I was lamenting having so few patient visits and today and tomorrow I am SWAMPED! That's okay, because I'd rather be busy than bored!!

Probably no kayak class this weekend as the weather man predicts more rain. Instead, I will install my kayak hoist in the garage and put up peach and strawberry preserves.

Hi Donna, How are you? Any chance that you'll be attending the Girlfriend's getaway?

Raeanne, I am so sorry to hear about your pup! My heart goes out to you. (((HUGS))))

Suzanne, where ARE you??

Let's go out and make the very most of our day, shall we?

: ) Tikanis

Happy THURSDAY!

Tikanis, I never got your PM. I have lost several e:mail accounts over the last year, so it may have gone into the dead-mail file. Do you happen to still have it? You can attach it to my FB private message page. Thanks.

Gotta run...

Hi all!

Tikanis~We are doing all right. Right now I have a sinus infection or something so just up to check in quickly. Dave is at the VA right now.

I have a Droid too & they didn't send a book along with it. I called & they said they would send one but alas they did NOT. I need some guidance so I can get the most out of this great phone of mine. I know, it is SO much more.

I am interested in the Girl's Weekend if someone tells me more!

BJ~I really came on here to let you know that I am thinking of you today! Hope everything goes well with the final transition. :)

Have a great weekend everyone. Patti

Here ya go Patti! I am definitely going. Hope you feel better soon!
http://www.girlfriendsgetawaybolton.com/

Uh Oh Dee, not sure if I saved it or not! I hope so as it was quite the dissertation Ha Ha!

Tikanis