self imposed isolation

People are dropping like leaves around here.

Yesterday, my brother called. He said he felt fine driving to work and by the time he got there said he felt like he had been hit by a truck-muscle aches, sore throat etc.
I was with him the day before going to several bike shops looking for a bike (another post) he has a truck with one seat.

Yesterday, I was suppose to go to cancer ladies house so we could plan a class. Her husband was taking one of their 8 kids to the doctor,he has had the flu but neck and throat pain worsened. I decided not to go. She called later-strep throat.
Late yesterday, I got cold. I had on sweats a hoodie, my robe and wrapped in a quilt. I mmediatly drank some emergen C and drank large amounts of hot tea. I was asleep by 830 and slept for 11 hours. I feel ok this morning.I did not go to my swim class

I told hubby I am on a self imposed isolation. My original idea was to not go anywhere and than once thinking about it, I will swim on Wednesday-there is enough chlorine in that pool to kill a virus! Thursday, I have my preop surgeon appointment and he will give my post op meds, I haven't figured out how to get those as I am not going into that pharmacy. DQ has a refill ready and I think I'll drive her and she can go in and get it. I also am teaching a gift wrap class at church on Thursday night and that worries me! A lot of those ladies have a lot of children, which to me equals virus hosts:).
I cancelled a free get a work out with a trainer. I'm not going to the gym! I will bike ride and dog walk for the next week.

I am not going to have to reschedule my knee surgery.It is suppose to be only a two week set back. I can't go forward without that setback and I want to go forward NOW!
I'm sure that if I needed to reschedule, I would not have it done until January, due to the surgeons schedule (hmo)

So, I'll be getting a lot of stuff done around the house. I did set one tree up on Sunday as I moved the furniture around and that tree was going behind the couch, so Cali can't get to it, I can't find the stand that snaps into it, so I have to unpack the rest of the tubs to find it!

I've started a notebook this year to write gift ideas down in when someone mentions something they want, I might start web shopping for some of it.
I also started my list and it looks quite different than years past. So far it has- a pair of padded cycling shorts, a high neck/back swim suit (trust me, I need it- need to keep the girls contained while gliding on wall push off)and a cookbook.
The cook book is actually funny. I check them out from the library, read them and never use them. I have a cart that holds all of my unused cookbooks.Hubby usually laughs when I say I want one. I do want a copy of the new Eat Clean Diet cookbook. I have actually made a few thing out of it. I do better printing something out. In the end though, it seems that I really just rotate the same type of dinners, is that bad?

Update on Cali the Cattledog- her back pack is a very interesting thing. The one I got at the yard sale was to small, so I walked her up to the pet store and got one that fits better. It has bigger pockets. The dog store is next to a grocery store, so we went in and bought two cans of soda. I put one in each pocket to put some weight in it. She turned into a calm puppy. We walked home and she didn't bark at anyone. She did go after some birds feathers that were floating in the air though. I've read that a pack makes them think they are working. Seems to work!

Stay healthy!

ear, weekend, shopping

I'm glad it is Friday. Its's been a long week!

Did I mention I fell last Friday? I hit me recently operated knee hard! Wedesday, the physical therapist checked it and thought I had torn my acl. Yesterday, I saw the ortho PA who when examining it laying down, din't think so, but as soon as she had me stand and walk in front of her, she heard the bone clunk and saw the kneecap moving-doesn't do lying down (why don't the listen). I have a preop appt with the surgeon next week, so we decided that I am going to do a workout every day till then- it will either loosen up the knee and help strengthen it, or make a tear more appearent (sp).
Getting the downers out of the way...a woman in my swim class is a nurse manager at one of the major networks in town. We got to talking and I told her about the nurse refresher class I was planning on taking and she told me, that place would not hire me. Even with 12 years of experience. It is not recent and it has been 12 years since I worked. She said they don't have a nursing shortage.....My friend works in HOUR at another hospital, and she is going to get me a phone number of their nurse manager so I can ask her if that is true their as well.
Plan B might be in the future- the community college has a 24 unit program for fitness and nutrition that prepares you for ACE certification. They also have a physical therapy assistant program. Maybe one of those with my nursing license would give me a different spin. (Hey also have a Veternarian nursing program- dogs don't chew you out when they don't feel good and thought to call for an appointment at 430 on a Friday, an hour before their flight leaves for a vacation :)...they might chew on me though.

Any thoughts about ears and swimming? My ears feel like they are full of water and one burns a bit. I bought some swimmers ear drops and it hasn't helped much. Does this go away once I'm used to the water ar should I get it checked? It is not painful.

Dq is babysitting the nephew today. I'm dripping her off as I'm trying to limit my exposure to any viral host. Knee scope in 2 weeks (unless other acl is a problem) and I don't want to reschedule for being sick! I want this done and over with asap.

Today also includes a Costco shopping trip. I went yesterday just for a jar of their organic salsa and found a Christmas gift for hubby, so I'm going back for it today. I walked the aisles yesterday just to see what new foods they had and found quite a few organic items with nothing added and the prices compare to non organic in the grocery store.
The weekend will be spent putting away halloween/fall decorations and pulling out all the Christmas stuff. My goal is to have the outside lights all put up before the knee scope (no,I won't turn them on till Thanksgiving night). I also have to find a creative way to block the Christmas tree from Cali. She will grab and chew on most everything. I had a fake pumpkin up on a table and came in the room to see her chewing it up. She is cat like- one day I found her on the kitchen counter. She is possesed! Although for the past few days, I have added in a lunchtime walk and that seems to be calming her down. I walk her in the morning and at night she either runs alongside hubby on the bike or another walk. I have never had a dog like her. She is very smart though. She knows the names of her toys and will go get the right one when told to get it by it's name. Mr. Moose was her favorite. She shredded him though. DQ hemmed some jeans last weeks so - knotted the extra fabric and she has been playing with that and so far the denim is holding up.
This dog needs a cow or goat to heard.

Have a great weekend!

macro, diabetes rant and stuff

I'll get the rant out first.
I watch Delivery Me on Discovery Health. I like the doctors and it is just how it is. Last night was a repeat and a mom had diabetes with out of control diabetes-didn't stay in bed at home so was put in the hospital for iv insulin. She was moved to the icu and one point and was mad at the doctor for putting her there. From what the show hinted at, she didn't eat or take her insulin properly on her own, show went on and she was moved back to a regular room where they did an amino and it showed her babies lungs were not developed yet, so no c section yet and she would need to stay in the hospital.
The nurses called the doctor to tell her the patient left- no one saw her leaving.
I got pissed! The whole time she whined that she had been there 9 days. I wanted to shake her, tell her to eat, take her meds and shut the heck up. She did not get it that she or her baby could die!
Yes, she was obese.
I got so angry because I knew if anything went wrong, she or her family would file a lawsuit against the doctors and hospital when it would be her own doing! People need to take resposibility for their actions in regards to their health. It is not always the doctors doing.....end of rant

Yesterday, I went to tar get to browse at magazines. I'm picky now as which to buy as the prices have gone up. My favorite home decorating mag is up to 7.99 and I don't buy it anymore. I did look at all the health and fitness types and came across the Nov issue of Oxygen. It really isn't my type- a good portion devoted to "fitness contests" (body building). What caught my eye was a good dietarticle on Macro eating. Same principle as the Crack plan, but with foods listed that I'm willing to eat. I bought it. Skimmed thru it last night and there is actually a lot of good info in the whole issue.

The article explains how to Cycle Carbs and is better than the book with their explanation of how to do so.
Just enforces to me, that when you are open to learning, the opportunities will present themselves.

Today, will be a filled day. It's physical therapy day at the 25 mile away place. The library out there has two books I requested. The pups vet is there too and I need to get flea pills and get an estimate for Malibu's blood work. She keeps gaining weight despite exercise and a diet doggie food, drinks all the time and has pee pee problems. So far, the vet thinks it could either be diabetes, thyroid or an adrenal problem and since the diet and exercise ahven't helped, it's time to look into it further.
Growing up, we had a dog that had diabetes and we had to give her insulin. I remember we had an emergency honey bottle that a few times my mom had to stick in her mouth and give her a bunch. I think veterinary medicine has come a long way since then though.
I also have a large 80's stereo cabinet in the back of my car that I need to drop off at a thrift store asap, before hubby decides he wants it for his mancave. My dad gave it to son the day my car died. Son got something elese in Utah, so this needs to go...today!
(My car was finished over the weekend).
I have my snacks packed and pepermint tea in a thermos, ready to go.
Oh, I read a flu prevention tip- it said since the incubation period is 7 days and the virus host is the throat_ gargle with warm salt water or listerine twice a day, to rinse the virus down into your stomach where it can not survive. With that said, I'm drinking hot herbal tea throughout the day

Terrific Tuesday

Sounds good. I'm all about positive thinking these days.

Cali decided her bone wasn't good enough yesterday morning, so she decided to try chewing on my cell phone, which is basically the only computer I use these day. She only was able to crack the screen. I do have insurance on it. DQ went and bought her a stocking full of toys from Tar get and within 15 min 2 of them were toast.

Vickie, I'm sorry I didn't see your question about the Eat Clean book until today.

I checked out the Eat Clean Diet workout book that has a dvd as it looked like a great book. I then saw that the author has both a plan and a cookbook books out and looked the reviews up on them. I have them on the way from the library and will tell you about those once I get them. I then saw on Sandrelle (spelling) ( the post you linked to) and saw that she also used these books.
From what I can tell so far by reading the reviews, and the small bit in the workout book, is no processed food, no artificial sweeteners etc. Pretty much the way we eat, so it got me curious.

While "swimming" last night I had a light bulb moment. I did fine while losing weight initially using Dr. P's plan (not to a t) and working out. Then I moved on to organics and whole foods, then I moved on to locally grown organics, humane certified dairy and free range eggs and gave up pork, almost all beef, except an occasional certified humane steak (pricey, so it's only when I find one steak at I price I'm willing to pay). Chicken comes from "Whole Paycheck "as they have local, free range, humane certified birds. I'm ok still with ground turkey as I found a brand with nothing added and Boards Head low sodium turkey on occasion ( I don't know why I'm not feeling the love for turkeys yet).

What I don't know how to do is make a plan for myself to loose the regained surgery weight eating these healthy foods, and I think, if I'm reading the review right, this might be it.
I really liked the way I felt with the Crack the Fat book, I decided I really don't like bread and can do with out alot and I felt much better. What I didn;t like about it was I was eating things I don't eat, just to be on it. I'm not smart enough yet in figuring out how to modify that to what I eat.

I also know that I did better with the increased protein. I need to review all sources of protein to know what to eat.

I have found several benefits at the Y since my class was moved to the "far away one" (5miles) It is bigger and has more offerings. They have a staff nutritionist that with a membership, you can see for $35. After I get the books, and if I can't follow along, I'm going to make an appointment.

They also have a post op knee and hip water class led by a physical therapist that is only %* for 4 weeks (8 lessons). I got the medical release to take it to my doctor.
What I'm finding now is I'm no longer afraid to try new things. I have wanted to swim for years, but never brave enough. My brother signed me up for the lessons and has registered us for a Tri in March-he even has a Friend who will run for me, so I get to bike and swim. I'm not afraid, I'm excited. Would I had ever thought I'd be doing this even a year ago? No?
I know I have said this before. The last time I hit 150 I was thrilled! I'm no longer thrilled to be here. I'm just doing something about it now. I put a picture up of a fitness model on my fridge. Hubby asked why-and my response was that will be me, to which I got a umhmm, I also got a "you can't do that" when I told him about the tri-well - that's all I needed.

Swimming makes me feel leaner-maybe it's the reaching and the fact that the teacher said most swim movements starts with core strenght. The day after swim class, I feel it. now I just need to make a complete schedule. Fridays will be Step night. My brother wants to take the novice one and won't go by himself. I now have a built in motivator!

My friend solved my xantham gum problem. (did I mention this problem?) I bought the gluten free flour and it calls for the gum, which is a powder< and a small bag was $14 and I wasn't payin that. Well i was talking about it and she said she had a bag that she had used as a trial for one of her sons and he didn't like it, so she offered it to me. Since we were on the way to the store for her to buy some pectin for freezer strawberry jam, I told her I had both, so we traded.

tonight, I am going to pre make some pizza crusts and have some for tonight and some for the freezer. I'll be putting red onion, red and green peppers and sliced tomatoe on mine and let hubby and DQ have whatever they want.

For some reason, today, I feel like Tigger bouncing along. I have a bounce in my step that has been gone for awhile! I hope it stays around!>>>>>I need to keep up with the pup

accomplished

That's how I feel today.
The fridge is stocked with precooked healthy items, ready to eat.
This morning was a cooking marathon. My plan was to be done by noon, but my dirty fridge was driving me and hubby nuts, so while the chicken was baking, I took everything out and scrubbed the inside- a few areas need a spatula to get the goo off. It is sparkly and organized.- finished by 1pm.
Yesterday, I made a crock pot full of pinto beans and hubby used all of them to make refried beans (not oil). Today I made another pot of them to have whole beans. I also made a patch of lentil stewp, a pan of chicken, oven baked. Brown rice (best rice ever!)And a loaf of Pumpkin Chai bread with fresh cranberries. I bought some gluten free all purpose flour the other day at Costco, it is mixture of 2 bean flours, paotato and tapiaco flours. I noticed after the time on the cracker diet, that I felt so much better not eating bread, therby not eating wheat. Costco had a 5lb bag for 6.00 and on the brands website a 6lb bag was 14.70 so, I decided to try it. The recipe was a vegan one but I used eggs instead of the egg replacement and it's pretty good. I had a slice and it did not set off any wants.
DQ likes BRC burrito's from ELL @oLLo Locco so now all the items needed to make them up are ready in the fridge. Tomorrow, I might make some up.

Costco also had 10lb boxes of nice looking sweet potatos. Grocery stores don't look like a new crop. I've been eating half with my breakfast and really haven't been hungry till dinner.

I didn't swim over the weekend. Friday night I went to buy candy and while I was walking to my car, I fell. Yes, I am a klutz! It was slow motion and I remember trlling myself to protect my head. The first thing that smacked the ground was the "bad" knee. It's swollen and something is loose. I have an appointment on Wednesday, but will call ortho dept in the morning. I didn't go over the weekend as ortho injuries all go to the ER with our HMO and I want my ortho doc to see it. I'm hoping it is just fluid that I feel moving around. I was able to ride my bike, so that is good.
I checked out a Eat Clean book and looked up some reviews on it. People either love it or hate it. The negative reviews are interesting to read, one said not possible since I was raised on. Casseroles. Some say too time consuming and "nothing good to eat" really all it is is no processed foods. I realized that I have come along way as 6 years ago, I'd be on the negative side.
Tomorrow is swimming. We will be working on breathing. I'm havinf fun! I did get some spray in conditioner to spray in hair before putting on my swim cap. I hope it helps keep the color in my hair.
Hope you have a great week!

not the class?

I had a lightbulb moment while getting ready.
I don't think my joint and bone pain that woke me up was from the swimming class-the muscle burn yes.
Yesterday it was 85 here. The day before I was in snow with temps of 29. Today it is 63 and sprinkling with a storm on it's way.
This is the same pain I had a few weeks ago with the last weather change...
I called hubby to ask him what he thought, he agreed he didn't think I'd be in so much pain from a swim class.

This is really going to suck if this occurs with every storm-one more reason to get rid of this extra 15lbs!
That and to be able to wear a Cowboys cheerleader uniform like the mom on O yesterday ( yep DQ, that's for you)

If you like tar gets C workout clothes, they have some online under the clearence section- I'm getting the running skorts for 7 and some sleevless tanks for 4.

total body w.o?

When I got home yesterday, I had a message from the Y that A spot opened up for the M/W swim class. Now I won't miss the last week due to the scope.
I took backyard swim as a kid, but haven't swam since. I don't remember feeling muscle burn. I do now!
I went down a class level. The info sheet said the first one was to overcome fear in water, but the 4 of us in the class are passed that, but can't swim the distance for the second level.
I really like the teacher- he is good at explaining correct positioning. I never knew that kicking comes from abs and butt, not the knees.
I had a lot of fun!
I am up now as I didn't take ibuprofen when we were done and my knee isn't too happy-
I solved the swim suit issue by buying a pair of mens knee length "jammers" on the swim shops recomendation, instead of the suit that is knee length- this way I can wear them over any suit and feel very comfortable. To me, they look like bike short.

-I'll finish this later, pain meds kicking in and room is now spining

middle of some where???

I'm in a very old motel in Ely Nevada, for a funeral.
My dad lived here as a child while his dad was gone to war.
During that time it was a mining town.
The mines are long gone and we have been trying to figure out why the town is still here.
There is snow on the hills. It's certainly different than what we left this morning!

Yesterday, I paid for the swimming lessons and got in the T/TH and wait listed for M/W. The surgery scheduler called and we scheduled my knee scope for the week the lessons are over, I will miss 1, but the Y said they will give me a make up voucher.
I was happy that I waited for the lessons to be done before having the scope!
Have a great weekend!