anneemish's Journal

A little moment in my confessional if you please

Apr 13 2009 22:39

OK. For Easter dinner I had deep-fried turkey (and yes, I sampled the wonderfully crisp skin), carrots, mashed potato with 1 tbsp Celeb Margarine, garden salad with olive oil and feta cheese and then I topped it off with 1/2 piece of spice cake, 1 slice of pecan pie (OMG it was delicious) and an almond cookie.

Today for lunch, I had an insatiable desire for a hamburger so I indulged. (I don't really like hamburgers all that much - never really did - so I don't quite understand where this craving came from).

Hopefully, these little fits are over and done with and I can get back to business. It is amazingly strange how these cravings come right out of nowhere and smack us between the eyes. Sort of reminiscent of being pregnant but I craved tomatoes when I was pregnant - not pecan pie or hamburgers. The human mind is a vastly mysterious thing.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Apr 11 2009 22:03

OK. I'll re-write this entry since cc just booted me off my previous try and did not save.

I'm here to apologize once more. For the last couple weeks, I've made only weekly entries due to hectic schedule, spring cleaning and sons requiring the computer for school projects. I sincerely miss being on cc daily and I really miss reading all your entries. I'll try to do better next week - things should calm down by then.

Last week at physio, the physiotherapist decided that it was high time she teach me how to walk. I had a good laugh but readily agreed that she was absolutely right. I've had decades of lower back pain, sciatic pain, 2 bad pregnacies, knee pain, numerous falls and sprains and extremely weak ankles. Over the years, I have "compensated" by walking defensively - I tend to lock my ankles (I'm really hesitant to trust my ankles to hold me up) and my hips have developed a certain "swagger" which might look alluring on a cat-walk but not appropriate for a daily romp to the grocery store! I now have a full-length mirror propped up at the end of my hallway at home and I practice walking daily. So far, the only result is a nagging sore left hip but I expect better progress soon.

My weight has stuck at 185 lb. so next week, I'll revert back to 1250 cal per day for about 1 week and see if that gets anything moving.

I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend planned. Mine will be spent with family and a great deep-fried turkey!

More Snow Uggggggghhhhhh

Apr 06 2009 21:41

WHY?

At 2:15 a.m., I was outside on my patio because my old dog had to go outside and I had to watch her and make sure that the skunk living in my hedge stayed away. It was warm and the breeze was gentle.

At 7:00 a.m. I woke up and, lo and behold, there is 3-4 inches of SNOW on the ground and it's still coming. The wind was harsh and very cold. Where did that come from? Holly, did you send me some Colorado weather?

Spring. Spring. Spring. BBQ. Spring. Spring. Spring. Iced Tea. Spring. Spring. Spring. Sunshine. Spring. Spring. Spring. New Flowers, green grass (where art thou, green grass?) T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

I think I've had enough of winter.

Test Results Back

Mar 10 2009 19:11

I could do cartwheels right now (if I knew how to do them)!

MS test was negative.

I do have a rather severe B-12 deficiency (pernicious anemia). My doctor's office called today asa they got the blood test results and wanted to see me right away - after I went to the drug store to pick up the prescription they phoned in. My doctor told me my B-12 level was "frightfully" low and I got my first B-12 shot today and will have to get injections once weekly for at least 6 weeks more. Then I might be able to switch to a B-12 patch. B-12 pills won't work - my diet should be providing more than ample B-12 but my body is simply not absorbing it.

This should perk me up! Everyone look out!

I always have believed that in every negative thing there is a valuable lesson to be learned. This lesson is perseverence.

I have experienced many frustrations over the past 7-8 years concerning my thyroid. All the doctors and specialists insisted that I was "just fine" when my thyroid levels were within the normal range. But I knew I wasn't completely "fine". My new doctor is a keeper. Bless her heart. She listened to what I was saying and ran me through a ton of tests over the past weeks even though my thyroid numbers were "normal" again. I always seem to learn things after the fact - now I know that B-12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) is the number one autoimmune condition to look out for if you are hypothyroid. Now they tell me! LOL!

Anyway, today's lesson is: never give up.

Life in the crosswalk

Feb 18 2009 21:04

Well, life is slowing down. Finally. I'm more than ready for a rest!

As I mentioned in my last entry, I've spent a lot of time with local officials regarding my son's accident at the crosswalk.

Here is exactly what happened:

Wednesday, Feb. 4th, was a bright sunny morning in our town with excellent roads that were almost completely dry and ice-free. At 8:50 a.m., Evan approached the crosswalk, stopped and looked both ways but he did not activate the crosswalk lights. There were cars already stopped as others had just finished crossing the walk. Evan proceeded to walk across. He was wearing I-pod headphones.

The crosswalk extends across a 4-lane highway. Just as Evan was about to enter the 4th lane, he heard a horn blare, snapped his head around and immediately tried to jump out of the way but he was already being hit by the vehicle. He was lifted up onto the hood of the vehicle, grazed the windshield and was propelled through the air about 10 feet to where he landed on the pavement on his butt. The vehicle's passenger side mirror was broken off (presumably by Evan's right arm).

The driver pulled ahead and stopped, got out, and asked Evan if he was all right. Evan said that he thought he was and stood up. The driver appeared to be shaken up but picked up his truck mirror, got in his truck and left.

Evan proceeded into the school - with a friend helping him - and proceeded to his first class where he immediately told the teacher what had just happened. The teacher did not send him to the office nor did the teacher advise the office. About 30 minutes later, the office paged Evan as the police were there asking about the incident. Apparently, a witness called the police. The school did not.

The attending officer questioned Evan and 3 other witnesses who related what happened. The school contacted my husband who went to the school to see how Evan was. Evan declined to go to hospital but was checked by a paramedic at the school and by my husband. Evan had bad bruising on his right arm, hip and ribs. Swelling required icepacks for about 3 days.

(He's a VERY lucky boy. We have nicknamed him Mr. Rubberbones cause we cannot understand how he didn't break any bones.)

The driver of the vehicle contacted the police by telephone at about 4 p.m. later that day. The police requested that he attend at their office in person and he immediately did so. The police determined that, since the driver appeared to be extremely concerned and still very upset about the accident, he would probably not reoffend so they decided to not lay charges. They also forgot to tell us (the parents of the 17 year old victim) that the driver had indeed come forward.

Two days later, after receiving a press release from the police department, our local radio station broadcast the following: (actual print-out from radio station website):

"Student Stuck by Car

It's a classic case of why wearing headphones can be dangerous to your health. Saugeen Shores police report a student being hit by a vehicle at the Gustavus Street crosswalk by Saugeen District Secondary School. Last Wednesday, a 17 year old study who was wearing headphones, crossed the street towards the school. The cross-walk lights were not activated and a vehicle on Gustavus couldn't stop because of slippery conditions. The motorist did sound its horn but the student did not hear it. The vehicle hit the student but the teen was not injured and continued to school. Police were called in by a witness and the motorist also checked in with police. No charges were laid. However police remind pedestrians of the dangers posed by the use of portable music devices and headphones. It is important, if using these devices that the music is played at a level that still allows for awareness of the surrounding traffic activity."

The local newspaper report was slightly more accurate although basically the same. The newspaper did report that Evan did sustain injury and they did state that the driver did not come forward until much later in the day.

I think I'll stop here and let you all provide comments because I would really appreciate your feedback. I think I took the right course of action after hearing the news reports but would really like to hear your take on this.

Start of Curves Diet - Feb. 3, 2009

Feb 03 2009 13:38

Our local weather-predicting rodent, Wiarton Willie the albino groundhog, definitely saw his shadow yesterday and has therefore condemned us to 6 more weeks of cold and snow. Needless to say, this little critter actually does have security guards who have sworn to assure his safety cause there are a few of us who are more than ready to do some groundhog hunting.

Had a great weekend with my daughter - she and I went to Curves together yesterday morning. At the end of the work-out, we were both exhausted because, as a team, we are quite competitive!

Last night, I attended a nutrition class hosted by Curves. I think I can safely say in mixed company that I have done a lot of research in the area of nutrition over the years and I have to say that I was very impressed with the Curves nutrition plan. So much so, I've decided to give it a try.

My new "diet" is high protein, low carb. For 1 week I will try to stick to 1200 calories and then for 3 weeks at 1500 calories. After that is 2 weeks at about 2000 calories and then I get to start the whole thing over. This plan is obviously geared to avoiding plateaus - something that I am extremely anxious to master. I'll keep everyone up-to-date and, who knows, it might work!

I'm on my lunch hour now and am out of time. BBL to check out your journals!

Missed you guys

Dec 02 2008 22:36

I'm so sorry I've not been around the last few days. Had troubles at home that needed attention. Last Thursday, my daughter's ex-boyfriend finally realized that she would not be "changing her mind" or "coming to her senses" and move back in with him so, of course, he decided to force the issue. There is no way to describe how helpless I felt when I learned that he had punched, shoved and kicked my sweet daughter. True to her nature, she managed to get away from him and call police who promptly put him in jail with 4 criminal charges to answer to. He's now out on bail and I'm worried sick about my daughter's safety (this guy is MAD) but there is a travelling peace bond in place although it gives little peace of mind. Nothing we can do now but be very careful and observant while we await the trial. I have found it very hard to remain rational while being worried sick and angry as hell.

Compared to the above, my current thyroid problems seem very small but I have a wonderful new doctor who very much disagrees. After 3 years of trying to convince doctors, specialists, etc. that something needed to change with the treatment of my thyroid someone finally not only agrees but recognizes the same troublesome patterns that I have known for so long. My new doctor has increased my dosage, ordered umpteen tests and I will be undergoing an thorough "investigation" so as to try to determine why, periodically, my thyroid levels decide to spiral out of control - which is where they are right now. It's a credit to Curves and to me, I suppose, that I have somehow managed to maintain my weight for the last 6 weeks or so as my thyroid dropped to my second lowest level ever. The last time my thyroid spiked like this, I gained 26 pounds in about 3 weeks.

The x-ray on my knee didn't show much other then the beginnings of arthritis, some fluid on the knee and possible ligament tear. The MRI will tell more.

Hope everyone is well and, to my American friends, I extend a belated Happy Thanksgiving. Take care all!

One little pill won't fix this

Oct 20 2008 20:25

Spent yesterday and today in the hospital emergency ward. Now have left arm in a splint. I apparently broke my wrist when I fell over the dog 10 days ago but the damage only became evident this past weekend. I have at least one week off work and will be reading your journals but keeping comments short. I'm not a great one-handed typist.

take care

lornajean

Try not to laugh when you read this.... (Just kidding - laugh!!!!)

Oct 10 2008 22:46

What a day I had yesterday!

Had to work an 8 hour day and my back was feeling worse and worse as the day rolled on. By 1:30 p.m., I knew that, without a trip to the chiropractor, I wouldn't be able to work another hour. I was really lucky and the chiropractor fit me into her schedule within 45 minutes. I left work, got my treatment, returned to work and really felt much better.

6 p.m. I arrive home at the end of a tiring day. Too pooped to cook so I ordered Pizza for the family (it showed on the scale for me today but not too badly - I weighed in at 206.4). Rested with ice on my back and then did some stretching exercises before going to bed at 11.

Shifting around in bed to appease my sore back was not letting hubby get a good night's sleep so, around 1 a.m., I decide to move over to the spare room so he can get some sleep.

Cue the dog. My old gal - Annee - always sleeps in the hallway just outside my bedroom door.

3 a.m. I wake up needing to use the bathroom. Grunt my way out of bed and head towards the bath across the hall. Don't bother switching on lights or anything - I can easily find my way. I also couldn't see the black dog that moved herself from outside my bedroom door to the spare bedroom doorway. I tripped over the dog - knew it was a dog cause of the hair stuck between my toes as I began falling..... dog flies up off the floor (as fast as a 15 year old dog can fly ..... I realize that I'm going to fall right on top of my old 60 pound dog (and my weight definitely outweighs hers) ...... so frightened I am going to really hurt my dog ...... I twist my body (read, "wrench aching back muscles" here) ..... slam my right elbow against the doorframe ..... slap my left ankle (yes, the one still recovering from the bad strain) against the footboard of the bed (thankfully, did not dent the antique bed - they sure made wood tough back then).... realize Annee has made her escape towards the kitchen ..... it is now safe to land ---- directly onto my left hip. Let the vibrating and screaming pain begin. And hubby is still soundly sleeping not 20 feet away - didn't hear a thing. Annee returns to me as I lay on the floor - lets me have a nasty growl (I scared the pee out of her I'm sure) then starts to lick away the tears of pain streaming down my face. Yes, I might have been crying but I was also in awe of how good I have become at abusing my body lately.

Today was a longgggggg day at work. Another chiropractor visit. Lots of ice. A new support belt for my back. But the best part - my dog still loves me and hubby got a good night's sleep. To give him credit, hubby did comment on all my new bruises this a.m. - wondered when I got them....

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. It's Thanksgiving here in Canada and daughter will be coming home tomorrow. I don't plan to stray too far - think I'll strive for a calm and peaceful weekend!

Take Care everyone - at least take care of yourselves better than I do myself!

lornajean.

Curves

Sep 15 2008 20:35

I think I like Curves - I know I'm in love with the stretching machine. I could hang out on it all day long! The work outs aren't too stressful and I do manage to get my heart rate up and a fairly good sweat-on by the end of the circuit. I was really nervous before my first visit - with all the falling down and injuries I have sustained this year I have more sore spots than not.

Took a short ride on my bike today - my knee doesn't like it too much but my ankle is doing fine. Maybe I'll be able to get in some biking this Fall - I sure missed it over the Summer.

My weight has been coming down rather quickly so that's rewarding. Keeping the proteins high and limiting the carbs seems to be working. I still have to work at increasing water intake - only 4-5 glasses on average per day so far but that will come.