February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

[Rusty]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Good Morning,

I have just now arrived at work and want to say hello.

Star-I am glad you were able to move past V-Day and have a nice weekend. I admire your ability to move on and not hold a grudge, even when you've been hurt. It's a rare quality and I am glad you share the good and bad of your life with us. I learn a lot from you and always enjoy reading your posts.

Lav-I get it now. I really get it now when it comes to your relationship with YB. You have to detach yourself otherwise his negativity would consume you. As you said, you are co-dependent no more. Talk about putting on lbs.-I gained 13 lbs. between Halloween and NY, and just now have lost six of them, but ugh, the effort I have to put in. Stinks.

Dill-I must get the Blame Game, and I congratulate you on having compassion when dealing with your DIL. I know that it is really tough....you are a strong woman and I so respect your thoughts and decisions. Oh yes, unhung Monday mornings rock!!!

Pap-my plans for Methuen are falling apart. I will email you later.

Ok, off to start my day. Hope you all have a lovely AF Monday!

[papmom3]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

hydy ho Fabbers!
Yes, Lav, another 6 inches forecast for tomorrow!! I'm hoping it will start and end while I'm at work as I cannot afford to call out again. My sister had to come over to clean up my steps and walk yesterday-I thought my Number 1 nephew would do it but apparently she didn't want to wake him. I would let her try to dig out the oil pipe as it was behind 4 feet of ice and heavy snow. I'll have to call the company tomorrow and explain the situation. I also wouldn't let her clean up the dog run. Don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow nite. I guess kick some snow off the deck and put a baby gate up so they can't go into the run until #2 nephew can come by at some point.
Hope you got yourself to Curves!!

Rusty-oh bummer about Methuen! Keep me posted and if we are meant to meet we will!! Your birthday weekend sounded fabulous!! You have the best family!! Great job on losing those pesky 6 lbs. You are on the right track!!

Star-I'm so sorry you hubby was so thoughtless about Vday. You tell him he really doesn't want to turn into another YB!! He'll have us to answer to! exciting about a new computer!! I wish I could afford one. Between the broken keyboard, all the crap on mine I can't seem to cleanup, and I.E filled with bugs no matter how many times I uninstall and reinstall it, I can't use it to work from home and that is really frustrating. I'm going to take it in on Thursday for IT to look at it AGAIN but I have a sneaky suspicion it's not my laptop, it's their remote desktop application as my boss can't get in either and she's using a school issued laptop!!!!
Anyway, have fun setting it up! Good for you for taking this time to research and experiment with a new eat for life plan. I will guarantee that immersing yourself in this for the next few weeks will guarantee a shift for you that will last a long time if not forever. I am finding it easier and easier to choose the right foods. I feel better for the most part-not at all bloated and my weight is still heading in the right direction (albeit slowly). I am taking care to plan my meals for the day, whether at work or not. Good luck!!

Dill-sounds like you have a healthy attitude towards your DIL and are not getting sucked into her negative world. Your son and GKs are the most important concern for you now. She reneged all rights to your help and sympathy when she made her choices. Keep making an effort to take care of yourself as well oK?

I had a tough day yesterday. Had to take 2 benedryls the night before due to a rash that has showed up around both ankles that nothing seems to diminish. It was bugging me so much I couldn't stand it. I didn't sleep well and yesterday morning I was extremely out of breath with any exertion whatsoever. I had huge plans for cleaning and had to scale them back quite a bit. I felt better as the day went by but very fatigued and no energy. I did go to my sisters for dinner and that was OK.
I dropped my dad off at his new cottage and as I backed out of the drive I lost power steering and it overheated. I managed to manhandle it enough to park it on the side of the road (so my dad could get his car out of the garage and drive me home!!). We called AAA and it was towed to my mechanics about 5 miles away. I called them today and told them what happened. waiting to hear the verdict. Thank god I got my tax return on Saturday but have a bad feeling I'll have to use it for the car and not for the kids' dentals or my October vacation. Grrrr. Got home at 10:30 instead of 9 but had a good night's sleep and and feel much better today. Did the treadmill for 20 min and my weights as Cardiac Rehab is canceled for the holiday.
Now I need to get to the vacuuming I didn't do yesterday in preparation for hoarder friend to come over. We're having an afternoon of sewing and if she wants I'll cook dinner.
Have a great day everyone and stay warm! its -8 here today!!

[cyntree]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Hello all -

Sorry to be out of touch - my Mom went into Emergency with severe gastric pains on Thursday morning. My sister-in-law (who luckily works in my Mom's city during the week, and at the Med center where she was taken) got her to the hospital and has been monitoring everything. My brother drove up from his home to be with her over the weekend, and I've been trying to figure out when I should fly out to be with her when she comes home from the hospital. She has a tube down her throat, so I haven't been able to talk to her, but thank goodness for texting - it keeps us in touch, sort of.

So I've been trying to work ahead and get all my deadlines met and the house and dogs ready for Mr Tree to take over (not his native talent) and looking at how/when to get flights.

Sending love, and hope everything is going OK for you all - no time even to read back right now -

Will keep in touch when I can - take care all -

[papmom3]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Cyn-many prayers going out to you and your Mom. I'm sure it is nerve wracking not to be there but she seems to be in good hands and if she is texting, then she is on her way to recovery! Mr Tree will do just fine in your absence and so will the dogs. Please don't worry about us-just concentrate on getting out to your Mom.

:l :h

[dill]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Cyn, ditto what Papmom said and my prayers joining hers.

[Lavande]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Cyn, my thoughts & prayers are with you & your Mom as well. Sounds like your Mom is alert, that's great!

papmom, boy, this winter is one for the books!
In addition to the weather you have had one major hurdle after another dropped in front of you. BUT you have done a great job handling everything. You are winning

Rusty, I do still have some flicker of hope where YB is concerned. What I don't have are any expectations. I just cannot take any more major disappointments where he is concerned. I am protecting my boundaries, my life depends on that, believe me. I need open & honest communication with the people in my life, it's just kinder & simpler. I imagine letting your DIL know your boundaries is the best thing for you. And, letting her know the consequences if she chooses to ignore them. It's her choice - life by acceptable social standards or hit the door!

Dill, Amen does have a way of getting you to see things differently. YB is/was a pro at projecting his unacceptable thoughts & feelings on others. I really believe he was borderline psychotic when he left. He let his inflated ego take control, that's never a good thing
Amen's theory of killing the ANTS works!!!!! For years before I ever read Amen's books I tried to suggest redirecting his thinking but he wouldn't even try. He is trying now & for that I am grateful.

Tomorrow's snowfall is supposed to be 2-4 inches. I guess I'm grateful that it's not another 12 inches or more.

[Stargazerlily]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Wow, we had more snow too. Feb. 18, we are getting closer to March, light, more warmth.

Cyn, keeping you in prayer and your mother.

Dill, Daniel Amen is an author I have not read, I will have to look him up. I truly believe that we can fill our mind with different thoughts with intention and awareness, changing our experience. We have all been working on this, on our journeys. Hope you are having a good week.

Pap, dealing with the weather is a pain. I agree with Lav, you are winning in all your challenges.

Rusty, are you working a lot this week? Hope you are doing well.

Still struggling with the allergies, going off the steroids soon. I have to watch everything I eat, have been doing a lot of research. It is going to be hard to go out to eat, but that is the least of my issues. Any suggestions or related experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.

Have a great Tuesday.

[Lavande]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Good morning friends,

Thinking of my Mom today on her birthday. I still miss her, always will.

Star, a friend of mine developed severe midlife allergies to eggs & sunflower seeds of all things!
When we eat out she orders off the menu & most places are happy to oblige. For instance when we eat at Applebees she will order a plain grilled chicken & vegetables of the day - skipping all the sauces & possible allergens. I find something I like on the menu & ask them to 'hold the cheese' & avoid most salad dressings asking for oil & vinegar instead.
I hope you feel better very soon

Star, I think taking a probiotc has helped me boost up my immune system. Since I can't have dairy anymore I am no longer able to have yogurt or kefir. I take a capsule once or twice/day.
What Are Probiotics? Benefits, Supplements, Foods & More

OK, wishing everyone a wonderful AF Tuesday!

Lav

[dill]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Hello freedom fighters!

Rusty, The Blame Game isn't anything you can go out and get actually. It's just a game that negative people engage in! I think you are not the sort to play it!

Lav, you made a comment to Rusty about letting DIL know her boundaries that I think you meant for me. I have been very clear with DIL as to my boundaries. She never comes here to our home anymore because she often starts an argument with my son and uses horrid language in front of the children. No More! She only sees her children if she can get her mom or gmother to supervise visits because I flatly refuse anymore because of her behavior. Sadly, her mother and gmother are also refusing now because she behaved abusively towards them and they won't accept it anymore. She is really a difficult person and has a negative influence on everyone she comes in contact with. It's very sad. She has never behaved that way towards me personally, just my son. She has treated me badly in other ways. ...lying, stealing, things like that. I am sending strength your way on your Mom's birthday. I know how you are feeling.:l

Star, I do hope you get your food issues solved, and fast! You never did say if your new computer was a desktop or a laptop and if you'll be able to work from home sometimes. I'm just curious. I used to work from home when I was having to do paperwork. Very convenient!

Papmom, did the benedryl help you with the rash? Are you sure it was an allergic reaction? Benedryl makes me very sleepy. I only ever take it at night. Did you check with your doc about taking it? My doc says it is bad for folks with high blood pressure, so I rarely take it. Are you on BP meds?

It's so sunny and "warm" today! I love it! I'm seeing more of the ground as the snow melts. Yay!

[Lavande]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

You were right about that comment Dill - I was thinking of you when I said that
Chronically negative people can do so much damage to the people around them, I understand, especially the kids. Protecting the little ones is the most important thing. Bless you for being there for your son & the kids

My brains are a little extra scrambled this week - the keyboard on my laptop died & I'm using an old keyboard & trying to balance it on my laptop - it's making me crazy :H
I have a new keyboard arriving today & will have my Son-in-law install it the next time he is here. It doesn't take much to throw me off balance these days, honestly!

[papmom3]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Lav-thanks for the encouraging words but today I don't think I'm winning. The snow started 3 hours early-about an hour after we got to work and it's been going all day long. It is way more than the 6 inches forecast. They did let us go at 1:30 which was good I guess. Took me over an hour to get home. But that wasn't the worst part-the worst part was I had my dad's tin can of a car because mine wasn't fixed yesterday. As it turned out my water pump went, the transmission lines and fan clutch went and my one belt was destroyed from the antifreeze spewing out. It was $900 to fix so there goes my vacation money (oh and to add insult to injury, my extended 3 year/36,000 mile warranty I purchased with the car expired 2K miles ago and I never got to use it!! what the heck was I thinking buying something like that???). So, here I was tooling down the highway in this teensy tiny corolla, felt like I was sitting on the road it was so low! I had to put a pillow on the seat so I could see over the steering wheel!! All I needed was white/blue hair! :H. On top of all this, my rash is getting worse and spreading. And no, the benedryl didn't work at all. Nothing is working. It's now spread up my legs. I can't imagine what is causing it-could it possibly be my meds that I have been on for 2 months (or in the case of the Plavix, one month)??? I guess I need to call my doc tomorrow and see if they can see me thurs or Friday. I've never had a problem taking benedryl with my BP meds but I don't like to take it because it kind of makes the restless leg syndrome worse. My BP is wicked low now-consistently under 100/70 so I'm not that worried about the occasional dose.
So, today I don't feel like I'm winning. I feel like I am taking 1 step forward and 3 steps back. Nice tax refund gone, car starting to fall apart, body falling apart and can't catch up at work (unless I put in a ton of unpaid overtime which I won't do). And, all of a sudden I'm questioning whether I can continue with my wonderful PT job. Physically anyway. sigh.
On the plus side, and I am trying to see the plus side, my friend came over yesterday and we had a very nice afternoon of sewing. She confessed she bought another dog which is coming from Calgary in the next couple of weeks. Surprisingly I didn't freak out and get all over her. I actually was supportive!! Who was that person?? It's her life, she won't listen to anyone about the animals so why bother? I might as well just be happy for her. I won't be the one who has to deal with them all if something happens to her. So we had nice conversations, good sewing and I made us White Chicken chili for dinner which turned out quite nice.
No quilting tonite-store must be closed-no one answering the phone. I'm going to go make some tacos (heart healthy of course!) and relax for the evening and try not to scratch (or worry about the snow piling up!!)!!!

[Lavande]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Aw geez papmom
You do realize that we have ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL over that kind of stuff, right?
Sorry about your car & the repair bill & the snow, etc.....

We just signed a contract today for $11,500 to put new heat & AC systems in this house that is only 10 1/2 years old. Talk about wanting to cry
I will never be able to afford the luxury of a few days away, crap.
YB wanted to look into putting a geothermal system in here but shut up when he was told that would cost $29,000 - screw that :H
I can't believe that a heater only holds up for 10 years - that's sad.

Glad you kept your cool with your friend - you can't change her any more than I can change YB :H
Sounds like maybe you do need your meds sorted out. I don't think the Benadryl can do any harm, it's given in the hospitals more than you know. I take it every night & it doesn't affect my B/P.

Have a quiet evening everyone!

[Stargazerlily]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Good morning all...

Lav, I will look into probiotics, I need something to give me a boost, natural of course. I made a great dressing, avocado, little tahini, lemon juice and put it on my salad, it was gooood. I guess all the research I have done has been needed, I know what I need to know, I just need to do it. Staying home has given me time to rest, make better food choices, and calm down. I need this. Thanks for your support, it means a lot. Sorry about the heating system, nothing lasts thirty years like it used to. Ridiculous. Hope you have a peaceful day. I agree that there are so many things we cannot control, work on detaching.

Dill, I purchased a laptop, with touchscreen and windows 8.1. I like it. No, I cannot work from home but sometimes have work to do at home. I like learning new things, so this has been fun. Your DIL sounds so sick, so sad. Protecting the kids is number one. My good friend's son and ex-daughter in law are in prison for drugs, her first priority is to keep her grandson safe. He was so traumatized by the erratic behaviors and dangerous situations he was placed in that he went to counseling for a while and it helped. What helped most though is time and stability. You are a wonderful grandmother, thank goodness for your caring for your grandkids. I was thinking, we just never know what life will hand us. AF, we manage challenges way better.

Pap, so sorry about the car, that stinks. Wonder what the rash is about, they are just so uncomfortable. Take care of yourself.

Have a happy humpday.

[Lavande]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

Good morning friends!

Only too happy to share my health & foods finds with you Star
I have been dealing with body odd stuff for many years & it took me forever to realize what exactly was going on. I steadfastly refuse to go to any more doctors about this stuff. I am going to heal myself with the right food & supplements or die trying :H
Honestly, I am much, much better! I understand that if I choose to eat certain things I will suffer certain effects. It's a choice, just like with AL

There are weather alerts out for freezing rain this morning just north of here. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the roads will be OK so I can meet my friends for lunch. I really need a few hours out, feeling cooped up.

Have a great AF Hump day everyone!

Lav

[papmom3]

February Freedom Fighters ~ week 3

well, got an early appt with my doc this morning but no real dx. He's putting me on Pred which I'll pick up after rehab. Actually, I feel better today-I think the benedryl helped this time but I know the Pred will knock it out completely. He said if it comes back after I go off the Pred, we'll have to do allergy testing. He threw out a few ideas: latex which I've never had problems with before and aspirin. Again, never had a reaction to it but now I'm taking that small heart dose every day. I suppose all the heart meds have changed my body composition so I guess anything is possible. The wierd thing is that the woman who has the cubicle behind me also came down with a whole body rash last week. Hers started top down, mine, bottom (ankles) up. They attrributed hers to a new shampoo she specially ordered that was supposed to be very hypo allergenic as she has very sensitive skin. She refused Pred and is using a ultra strong cortisone cream which my MD said wouldn't help me. Coincidence? We'll see if either of us has a relapse.
So another sick day used-only 6 left. sigh.
More snow on the way-wonder if I should ask Neph #2 to get the snow off my deck? Will it really collapse?

Star-your new laptop sounds awesome! I so need to get a new one but it's at the bottom of the list right now thanks to my car. At least the car is working well and I'm appreciating the all wheel drive and traction control!!

Oh Lav- ouch! But, one can't go without heating and AC can one? Can you think of it as an investment? I desperately need a new furnace but can't afford it. Not sure what I will do when it craps out completely. Right now its running fine but only at 80% efficiency. You'll be toasty and then cool and hopefully it will decrease your utility bills a bit.

Off to rehab so I'll say so long for now.