Posts by justamom

Well, after arriving at the hospital around 5 AM yesterday to go through the pre-op stuff with my Mom, they had to postpone the surgery because she came down with a virus. They were worried about the risk of pneumonia. So, it was a bit of a roller-coaster day, emotionally. Now she is on antibiotics and hopefully feeling better soon.

I'm having a feeling-blue kind of day today. Missing my college daughter, thinking of the memories of 9/11/01, worried for my mom, etc. and a few other things, too.

I should eat something healthy and go get some exercise . . . maybe . . .

Sue

Wow - we need to rename our group the "SANDWICHERS" - i.e., taking care of parents, children and trying NOT to eat unhealthy sandwiches in the process.

I'm right there with so many of you - my diet has gone bad, weight is up, Mom is sick, first kid is at college, exercise is down, stress is UP UP UP UP UP.

Aly - did you see the movie "up" over the summer by any chance? My kids are too old for it, but we saw it anyways. Well, the dog in there had to wear a collar/cone and the other dogs called it the "cone of shame". That cracked me up!

My mom has major surgery scheduled for next week and I know I will be away from all of you then for awhile, even more than I've been away lately. I will be at the hospital night and day for a few days, then at her home with her as much as possible. I guess I'll be giving hospital food a try soon. They "should" have something healthy to eat at a hospital, shouldn't they?

My daughter is at college and doing well so far. Some ups and downs just trying to get used to "being on her own". I'm a sad mom with her gone, though.

OK, I've got a list of things to do around here - and no excuses (other than lack of motivation) to get them done. So, here I go  . . .

Take care everyone, Sue

OK rambling (just kidding) Connie - I'll respond. Haven't been on CC much, but just caught up on all the reading. Jags and the Warden are welcome additions here! Or should I say 'subtractions' since we are all trying to lose weight? :)

My update - my weight is terrible. I'm exercising well, but eating much too much. Stress! We still don't know if my Mom has lung cancer or not - every test is inconclusive. She is stressed, I take care of her, I am stressed, I eat. Simple as that.

Daughter leaves for college in less than 3 weeks. Son starts 8th grade next Monday. Husband's job is going poorly. A good friend just moved to Europe. Argh, I'm just stretched a little thin (I WISH!!!) right now.

But, really, I am keeping a hopeful attitude about all things as best I can. Not too get to religious on anyone, but this has brought me to a deeper reliance on God right now. Something I should have in my life everyday. Ok, enough preaching.

Praying for all of you who have your own burdens right now and happy for all of you doing well. I'll try to re-connect on here a little more regularly. I do miss you all.

Sue - from the great HOT state of AZ - where you sizzle on the sidewalk!

Good morning all - It's been a long time since I've been here - but looks like many of our regulars have been kind of quiet lately. Connie, happy belated birthday- and I'm so happy you and Bobby are still going out. Just to catch you all up quickly: First, my house is still under re-construction from our flooded bathroom, but it will probably be done in about 10 days. It is live-able - just messy. Sometimes our computer (when the video card isn't dying, which it is) has been unplugged, so that's part of the reason I've been unplugged from here as well. Second, we had a wonderful family vacation and have been reliving all those great memories with our pictures. Third, it is so hot here - should be about 114 this weekend. The summer storms, which at least cool us off a little, haven't started here yet.

Anyway, on the weight loss front, I have been gaining instead of losing and will try to get back to better habits.

Just got some potentially bad news about my Mom yesterday- possible cancer. So, like Lucy and others know, it is hard to cope with our parents aging. I know we are at "that age" but it is still hard. I am praying and praying that it isn't cancer - won't know anything else for a few days. She just had a follow-up x-ray on Thursday and they confirmed a mass from that yesterday. So we have to wait until Monday for another appointment.

Wow - this is a real downer message. Sorry. Life isn't all bad - I think I am just worried about my Mom right now so everything is looking bleak. But, I'm happy to be back 'talking' to all of you. 

Sue

Ok joey - gotta' see pictures of that underground house - how neat that sounds!

I now have no wood floors (just concrete) and no drywall on the lower 1/4 of my walls thanks to my flood last week. Still no estimate from the insurance company. But, at least all damaged areas have been removed and it looks like we will slowly reconstruct things. All in all, it could've been A LOT worse.

I have an awful sinus infection right now. Can barely breathe - and am taking way too many medicines hoping it goes away soon. Started a "Z pack" (zithromax) yesterday because the over the counter stuff wasn't working. All the decongestants, nose sprays, z-pack, etc. make me feel a little 'loopy' at times - and it's hard for me to sleep, so that doesn't help either. But, I know it will be a lot better in the next few days.

OK, just a boring day around here - off to do a few errands. Hope you are all having more fun than me!  :)   Sue

Good morning to everyone - welcome to Joey. I'm back after a week and LOOK WHAT HAPPENS?  Boyfriends, surgery recovery, finding out one of "us" is in seminary, selling houses, updates from almost everyone, Alli, and more! WOW

I won't take the space here to individually 'shout out' to all of you - but it was great to read all the posts. Most especially - CONNIE! Great for you, girl, you deserve it.

I think, if Connie and Bobby decide to get hitched, it would be wonderful for her to have a whole bunch of bridesmaids, hmmmm, now let's see, who could she invite? *thinking, thinking*, anyone know a bunch of 40 somethings who need to get together? And don't forget about the fun we could have at a bachelorette party!

I was gone this week due to (1) a flooded house and (2) college orientation for daughter. First the flood: happened late Sunday night (11 pm) and took until about 3 am to get an all-night plumber out, etc. Every - and I do mean, literally, EVERY, towel in the house and more was used to stop the water. If you remember, we had a flood in another room -broken pipe in wall- not 5 months ago which resulted in new carpet. So, I was determined that this water would not hit that carpet. Unfortunately this flood was from a stoppage in the drain line which meant that all the water was "clean" water going out, which hit the drain and became "dirty" (you know what I mean) water coming back in. Not too terrible really, but all my wood floors had to be removed and most of the drywall at the bottom of the walls to prevent bacterial growth. Yuck. So let the insurance adjusting and reconstruction begin! I'm grateful that it wasn't worse - it could have been on the night of the graduation party!

Then I spent the last 2 days in Flagstaff, AZ (7000', nice pine forest town) with my daughter going through college orientation/registration. A bittersweet time. We are back home now. I ate college cafeteria food for 2 straight days - including the cruddy desserts that were constantly available. Everytime I felt stressed, ie. "I don't want her to go", I ate a cookie or brownie. YIKES. Aly, best of everything to your son at NYU. You are so much braver than I. Flagstaff is only 130 miles away and I still cry.

Enough of the novel. If I could just get on here more often - maybe I could keep it to 100 words! Does anyone "twitter" - I don't, but I guess you have a character limit on that. Heck, I don't even myspace or facebook. I'm SOOO not in the loop.

Happily technology-free, Love ya' Sue

HI - it's been awhile, but I just finished reading through ALL that I've missed. So, who is going to drag the new BOYFRIEND info out of dear Connie? That's my #1 interest! No, really, I'm also concerned for Tammy - hope you are sleeping, hon; and Jasmine's 2nd hand surgery, and all the rest of you, too. 

Welcome to our new friends, too.

We had a lovely time for our daughter's graduation last week. Much too much food - but a great party. Her grad ceremony was on Tuesday night, then we had a small "family only" party afterwards. Then the big open-house-all-invited party on Thursday. Ironically, you know how I always complain about the heat here, well, the temp on Thursday was manageable - but then the RAIN CAME! Mind you , this was an OUTDOOR party. So, I suddenly had about 50 people squeezed under the patio cover instead of sitting in the yard on the lovely tables/chairs I rented. Arrghh! Oh well, everyone seemed to have fun anyways. I finally convinced 20 or so people to go indoors - everyone here is mesmerized by rain, it seems, and that helped with the crowded conditions. For the rest of the long weekend, we attended other people's parties.

Gee, guess what? After all those parties and no exercise (except moving rented tables/chairs) I've gained weight. Big Surprise, duh. Oh well - it was worth it.

Tru - your weekend with hubby sounds so nice.

Aly - best wishes on your upcoming graduation. And, I'll come help you garden anytime. I would love to sink my fingers into rich soil instead of the clay we have in AZ.

Suz - glad you are having a good time with MIL. Keep us up to date when you steal away for "email correspondence" time. Or maybe you need to "conduct online business arrangements" next time?!

Axe - would love to see more costume photos!

Lucy - hope your back is better. I've had many years of back problems, especially in my 30s, ice and anti-inflammatory meds were my usual course. I must say, since I've lost weight and started exercising, my back is better than it has been for years.

Well, if I don't go soon - I'll have to call a publishing house to print this novel. Next post will be shorter - as I won't wait so long to write again.

Sue

HI All -

Welcome Fudge

Sorry it's been awhile since I've been on. Just really busy around here - but in a good way! Getting ready for daughter's graduation, last concerts, awards nights, etc.

Tammy SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU! Don't go away again.

I've put a few pounds on, less exercise + more junk food = weight. But, I've been too busy too dwell on it.

Jasmine - so glad you did well with the surgery. Best wishes on your recovery.

It is hot hot hot already - 100* each day this week. Believe me, in July, 100 seems like a cool spell in Arizona - but right now it takes awhile to adapt to it.Come on over, Adarana and Connie - avoid that snow and rain.

Oh yeah, Connie, be brave a post pic - I want to see the hair!

Ok - well a big *HUG* to all of you for the HAPPIEST of MOTHERS' DAYS (for cat-moms, too). You will all be in my thoughts tomorrow.

Sue

Thanks for all for the words of wisdom and encouragement. Axe, well now I understand the costume hobby so much better. You are a talented artist - what a fun hobby! Could you make a camouflage swimsuit, like suggested above? You could sell a million of those right here on CC!  :)

Great to hear from Connie (it's been awhile) and Janet and Lucy. Glad to know you are all still doing well. Where's Tammy?

My daughter made the All-State band/orchestra, so we get to go hear a really good concert tomorrow. Traveling from Phoenix to Tucson for that. It should be nice. She's been gone 2 days for rehearsals.

Again, thanks for the encouragement - it's great to have friends like all of you. Love ya' Sue

I was gone from here a week or so, good to catch up on your posts. I had a bit of a tough week last week (hubby was in Honduras, daughter had to deal with some upcoming college issues --my sympathy for Aly and your son going through the same --, then son had trouble at school, and I got called in by Dr. for something suspicious - turned out to be fine - on my mammogram again). But it's Monday, and I'm determined to have a happier week.

My eating has been terrible - I won't even confess the # on my scale right now. So today and tomorrow I'm doing a fruit/veggie (+oatmeal in the morning) "fast". I'll let myself eat as much as I want of fruits/veggies only. I have to get out of the mindless snacking and constant cookie/candy/sweet stuff I've been doing. BTW, Tru, that's how I got this way + lack of exercise. So that's the quick answer to your post above. I wish I was strong enough to cut out sugar, like Tru, but' I'm not.

Connie - I'll just bet you look fantastic. "Different" isn't bad - and, even if it isn't your favorite look, YOU are SO MUCH MORE than your haircut!

Aly - your girls' weekend sounds heavenly. Hope you had a great time.

Hi to Adara, too. Looks like the board's been pretty quiet. Hope we hear from some of our other friends, soon.

Bye, Sue

I second the motion - do the hair Connie! And send us all a pic of the new even more beautiful you!

Aly - I'm IN on the eating right idea for Mon/Tues. Maybe I can manage just 2 days. I've been doing really bad. And now Hubby is off on a scuba trip for a week (his annual escape) and I don't sleep well when he's gone, which means I eat junk-junk-junk late at night.

Adara - I think you asked about my daughter's audition (thank-you) - we've just recently heard results: 1 college is a 'yes' the other is a 'no'. Unfortunately, it was her first choice college that was the 'no' (sound familiar, Aly?). So we've been trying to bring her up out of the dumps and remind her of all the good things going on at college #2. I think she's almost there mentally. I'm a wreck at the thought of her moving out - even though it is only 2 hours away - just shows what a mom-wimp I am.

Tru, Janet, Tammy, and all, good to read up on you. Welcome newdays, too. Tru, it was fun to read all those names you listed on post #1770. Wow - the newbies come and go; sometimes, even some of our "old" favorites have left us, it seems. If any of you are reading this - you are always welcome to come back. :)

Gotta' go - have a great weekend. Oh yeah, the weather here is 80* and sunny - come on over . . .I mean it, you truly have an open invitation.

Sue/Justamom

PS. Aly - nope, I don't "facebook" at least not yet . . .

Morning all -

It is Spring Break here for my kids. Very early, it seems, compared to all your schedules. But school ends early here (before American Memorial Day - we usually end about May 24 or so, but start up again in the 2nd week of August).

Luc - thinking of you and wishing you the BEST time on your trip!

Suz - happy to hear from you, too, check back in when you return home.

Janet - hope you start feeling great, soon. Congratulations on finishing your treatments.

I went for a hike on a nearby "mountain" (not the Alps, mind you, just a peak in the city) this morning. It was 1.5 miles - so not very long, but quite a good climb. Lots of big steps to take going up and down large rocks - felt like a pretty good workout on the way up!

We're having a nice relaxing week. Just hanging out around the house, kids are having a few friends over, but nothing too much. Some spring breaks we run around like crazy doing things - this time - we are just enjoying the relaxation. It's been nice.

Hi to Aly, Tru, Ada, Connie (hmm, I still have to think about that younger man for you!) and everyone else.  Talk to you soon - Sue

Original Post by cantlose:

Well girls I had company over last night and now ahem ahem I have overslept

Connie 

Hmmmm . . . .sounds interesting - too many pina coladas?, or did the "company" that came "over" STAY over ????? Do Tell miss connie!

Woo-Hoo! Thanks for the party everyone!

Also thanks to all of you for the advice on my dreaded hot flashes - I'm going to try anything and everything.

Aly, how creative that your student brought in food to go with the book. My daughter read that book a few years ago and I read it afterwards. It was pretty good, I thought. My son's 7th grade class is doing an around-the-world in the classroom program and each group of kids is taking on a country. My son's group got Viet Nam, so I guess I have to study up on some Vietnamese dishes - they are supposed to cook something for the class. We LOVE Asian food, in general, but I really don't have any experience with Vietnamese food.

Have a great day everyone - Sue

PS. Still no info about my daughter's college audition results. And, we just heard that the room/board at one of her college-choices is going to go up 12% next year. That's on top of the tuition hike, announced earlier.

HI all - remember me? It's been weeks since I've posted. It seems likes it just has been a run of slightly bad news around my house -- nothing serious, thank God, but just bits and pieces of people being sick, work being incredibly slow for hubby (gets paid by the job), son home with vomiting, I had to get a tooth extracted, etc. etc. I feel like I've been eating terribly, and that is sort of a downer too.

So, maybe I can get back on track. I just spent awhile catching up on all the posts. Best wishes to all who are still having neck/back/leg/flu & cold problems. Also to Janet with your ongoing treatments. Belated happy birthday to you, Aly - mine was 2/20 - so we are just a week apart. Also - LOVED LOVED LOVED your polar bear plunge video!

Momo - keep us posted on your daughter. I hope they do have a positive comment, at least, for her. We are still waiting to hear from my daughter's college auditions for piano performance major. She is on pins and needles about it. (me too).

BTW, I have hot tea everyday - at least until summer. I love all the herbal teas (lemon, mandarin orange, apple spice, cranberry). I don't drink ANY caffeine at all so herbal teas are my rescue.

Luc- you plan the trip - I'm there!

Sue