Again true enough--

however, I do often endure NHK JAPAN BROADCASTING-- one of our worst, boring clients--

did you know the Japanese really say, "Ah, so?"

Jeanne, such an exciting time in your family's life! A wedding and a job, with a smaller dress size to boot?!? How wonderful!


Congratulations to Jill on the job

Another day of class for me and the work at the pool. Class was good but my brain is tired. No work out, since I didn't drag my butt out of bed.

Not much else. Need to go work in my classroom tomorrow. Then I want to take a couple of hours for just me!

As in "Oh I see" ?

Good morning.

congrats Jeanne on all the good stuff! The smaller dress is a bonus, yes? You look amazing and make me want to work hard now that I feel better.

Yes, I said BETTER. Thank you Jesus (oops hope no one reports me!) for my health. Marla I remember when you were going through hell trying to get drs to correctly diagnosis you and prescibe the correct meds........or worse yet when you were waiting for health ins to kick in.

I am trying very hard not to mar my happiness with feelings of anger at the 5 doctors that never even thought of the Hpylori. Of course I also must say, I did not put any of this together.

They never would have found it and I would still be sick as if I had the flu each and every day, if a simple phone call by me had not been made.

"Hi, I am going in for a colonoscopy on Monday. I have been nauseas (sp) every morning. Doc threw in the endo as an after thought ( I think there was a divine hand in that)

They took a biopsy of my stomach lining and it freaked me out! I thought OMG what does he think is in there/???

Well it was my gift from above. I am feeling better everyday. I really think the inflammation from the infection running through my body has increased other things (NOT saying it's name refuse )

Anyway. Walked farther and faster with each dog. Used the elliptical. Walked at lunch around the building. Felt so well this week (after 24 hrs of Monday in the bathroom) That seems to be the turning point. My body said Good Day! to the bug.

I wish I could express how happy I was to walk the dogs yesterday afternoon. My words escape me. The sky was bluer, the clouds were so white and fluffy. The water so placid. < me. must have looked like an ijit to people passing!!

Well I am off to get dressed for work! Must do 7 days of work in 7.5 hours so wish me luck!

WOOT WOOT!! SO happy for you Jill!

you may get a friend request from Skully. I have been friends with her since the beginning. she may be moving to WA and wants info. she is also an awesome motivator

Morning. I wish I was still sleeping, but good morning anyway. I intended to get up and go swimming this morning. It really wasn't easy. I was tired. I told hubs that if I was going to go swim that I needed to get up now, he snuggled closer. Way to encourage me there buddy. Seriously, he's been a little like a needy little kid lately. I don't do needy well. It went from being just us to the whole family back with my brother here too. All the attention he was getting is no going elsewhere.

Like I said the other day, nothing but little irritations from all these people! I guess I'm missing my alone time a little bit too. Oh well. One more day with my brother here. Heading to the beach again today. The weather has been pretty crappy all week. Yesterday it rained all day. Down pour rain. Wednesday it was beautiful here, left for the beach, it was pouring by the time we got there, we stuck it out, about 45 minutes later the sky cleared up. It wasn't really sunny, but we got in 3 or so hours on the beach.

Marla. I have been thinking about your comment about Nathan the other day, I don't remember it exactly, but something along the lines of your heart going out to him because for him life is hard. Sometimes I wish mine did more, but it's so dang hard. He doesn't make it easy. He's a damn grump. Probably even more than hubs. His mannerisms and actions get under my skin so bad some days.

He doesn't ask for anything really, yet at the same time makes constant comments about how he's slighted and everybody else gets more. That sounds weird, I know. He could need stuff and not ask for it, but as soon as somebody else gets something, then he suddenly is slighted, because he didn't get it too, whether he needs it or not.

Tuesday after we went out on the boat, I took the 3 oldest to the outlets. Ian had been telling me that he needed new boxers, his were too small. So we went into a store that sold Hanes and I was looking around. I didn't see what Ian wanted so we were getting ready to leave. Nathan was standing there with a pack of boxers in his hand. He shoved them in my face without actually saying anything. I didn't know what that meant. I thought he was saying those would be good for Ian. I told him that's not what Ian wore. He's like, "I need some too!" Well, did you say that? Talk! Communicate! His social skills are ****. Then the pack in his hand was size small. The kid is 6'2" tall. He's skinny, but not a small. So that brought on him insisting that he needed that size. I walked away and said we'd look elsewhere.

We went into the Jockey outlet. Ian found what he wanted. Nathan decided he needed some there too. Whatever. They were expensive. I didn't even argue. I told him to pick 2 pair- they were like $10 a pair, dry fit material, he thought they were gold. So he walks up to me with size XL in his hand. From small to extra large in 5 minutes? He thought they looked small, probably because they were folded over at the sides on the hanger. This is the kid who half the time picks up a shirt and I guess assumes it's his size or thinks everything is the same or made just for him? I really don't know. He never checks. Just picks up what he likes and buys it. Hence how the last time I took him shopping we ended up with an extra small tshirt from American Eagle. I can't believe I didn't double check because I know how he is.

I can't help but shake my head. Simple life skills are so hard for him. Talking and communicating with people is even harder. I've often wondered if there is something there. Aspergers type stuff? I really don't know and if there is, it's not that severe. More annoying. It would be easier to feel for him and try to help him if he wasn't so blinking mean and nasty most of the time. He's got no energy to do anything. He's like a big old slug. Even at the dinner table. Most people sit forward over their plate, kinda hinge at the hips. He might lean forward to take a bite, then instantly slouches back in his chair to chew. Drives me crazy! I shouldn't have to repeatedly tell and almost 17 year old to sit up a the table. Like everything else, his dad just ignores it.

Even as frustrating as Nathan is, the way Tom has chosen to deal with him is even worse. I think he feels sorry for him. That is not helping. He coddles and does things for him that he needs to do himself. Nathan had no interest in getting his permit to drive. I know I talked to you all about that. Tom practically did everything for him and pushed and pushed so Ian wouldn't get his first. Ian asks to drive all the time. Tom has to force Nathan to take him places and practice. He never asks. The kid needs a job. We talked about how after he got home Tom would take him around and fill out applications. Instead, Tom is trying like crazy to get him a job at the golf course. Nathan has done nothing to get this job. I asked one of their friends the other day if McDonalds was hiring because her sister works there. Nathan later told me he was NOT working there and sort of looked at his dad who mentioned the golf course again and said the guy he needed to talk to wasn't there the night before. I was pissed and made a comment about just sitting back and letting his dad do all the work. It frustrates me that Tom handles things the way he does. This kid needs a push. I realize that. Otherwise, he'll never leave. However, a push and doing it for him are two different things.

Sigh.... ok, my 'slight irritations' needed vented. LOL.

The weather with the rain and humidity and crazy has my sinuses feeling like somebody kicked me in the face. I don't even want to get out of bed!

Lori, sorry you're so frustrated. I think you may be right that "something else" is there with Nathan. I can't imagine that it's fun for him being the way he is. I feel bad for him and for you. Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is when you have a kid who isn't "getting it" and seemingly deliberately makes things harder for themselves because they won't do the simple things that would make it easier for people to want to be around them.

Jeannie, so glad you're feeling better! Feel free to let Skully know I'd be happy to be her friend.

Jeanne, congrats to you and your sons! You have to come to Seattle to visit now!!! I had never heard of Adobe Creative Cloud until yesterday, but the head of the publishing company suggested it as well. I checked it out briefly yesterday, and I think it may make more sense to do that. I need to spend some time comparing my options. First, I need to read the six pages of the agreement he wants me to sign and send back. He's an attorney and I'm not, which makes me a little bit nervous. My gut tells me this is a good thing, but I'd be foolish not to be careful.

Hello and good morning to all of you! I have a lot of work today, so I'd better get rolling.

Hello, and good morning right back at you, Jill, and everybody-- Jill, read all that fine print, Missy. Although, me? Legalese fine print = Greek. I could read it 500 times and still not understand it.

Jeanne-- first, I neglected to comment on your picture-- I am so proud of you. Your transformation and continued commitment to your health is so wonderfully inspiring. And I will forever continue to be humbled that you found us inspiring, and stayed in the shadows for so long. Thank you, once again, for coming out of hiding and being such a friend to us all. Exciting times in your family-- happy for you!

I was thinking of all you triathlon girls yesterday. Keith and I were sitting at the bar in Outback Steakhouse having dinner. (no wait for tables when you hit the bar....) And we were watching the Ironman competition on TV. Seeing those people swim first and foremost gave me the funniest claustrophobic feeling. They had a camera under the water, looking up at these swimmers with their heads under water. Suddenly, I felt like the walls were closing in. ha. Dope. The swimming part terrifies me.

But I told Keith about my 60yo fitness pal in Boston training for her first sprint tri. As always, he is amazed by you group of ladies, and thankful I have you for friends. We both agreed that a sprint sounds like enormous fun-- and that maybe, some day, life will chill enough for us to consider them. For now, not possible.

Jeannie-- my beautiful friend-- I can't put into words (go figure) the feeling seeing you happy and positive once again. You know my feelings on doctors-- they suck. Marcus Welby, MD or Gregory House, they ain't. They're a bunch of clueless, senseless imbeciles who simply had good test taking skills, and could remember answers to tests to pass medical school-- ha. Did I mention my loathing for their profession??

I got into it with the doctor the other day. There is a new vaccine the FDA recommends-- "Gardisil." They're pushing it onto girls beginning at age 11, to prevent cervical cancer due to HPV. All 11 year old girls are now strongly encouraged to get this vaccine in case they become sexually active, blah, blah, blah. And now, the FDA has recommended it for boys.

I won't get into too much detail on my feelings on this matter-- but in a nutshell here is my view. If my kids get a sexually transmitted disease in high school, it's going to be an immaculate transmission - and I don't think the Holy Spirit has HPV. I know I'm not with these kids 24/7, but we keep a pretty tight rein on them. And we said "No." That behavior is for marriage. And when you marry, if you want to get this shot, go for it. At the time you're supposed to be sexually active, take all the precautions you want-- but I'm not giving you protection against something I told you was forbidden. These are the rules. They're for your safety. Here are the dangers. Make wise choices.

So, at Aaron's physical the other day, the doctor told me, "I see on his chart he's already gotten the Gardisil." Um, no, he hasn't. I have never signed a consent, would never sign a consent. Turns out she was wrong, but then told me all about why the FDA recommends it, blah, blah, blah-- you know, a robot regurgitating that which it was programmed to regurgitate.

She then asked me, "Can I ask you why you're opposed to it?" Big mistake. "Sure you can....." And off I went.

She responded by handing me the flier of information of why it was so important. I responded by turning and putting it in the trash. I love doctors.

Lori-- actually, my words for Nathan were simply, "I have a burden for that child." And not because life is so hard for him, because I don't believe it is. My burden is, quite simply, because of what you share about his parents-- parents meaning Tom and his biological mom. She allows him to sit in his room rather than dealing with him. He allows him to sit in his room rather than dealing with him. The lad, by his sullen behavior, in my opinion is screaming for SOMEONE to deal with him. And you can only do so much, and I'm so proud of all you do for him.

I'd like to accentuate the positive from yesterday-- we brought home copious amounts of goodies from our Six Flags trip. In rather typical fashion, although I'd packed a feast for an army, Keith HAD to spend money and get buckets and buckets of KFC. So, we brought home a feast of goodies. Plus, I had some ice cream already in the freezer.

Yesterday I abstained from...um... lemme see-- the Chips Ahoy and the...um.... Ice cream. Well, clarifier on the ice cream-- I got myself a serving, and didn't like it....which stunned me. So, I gave it away.

Those are my only positives-- the negatives outweigh them, as do I, no doubt.

Jeanne-- your words to Jill ring in my head this day, about the consistency. I've maintained my current weight for a year. That's with days here and there of incredible diligence, and days of throwing all caution to the wind in my YAD moments. But, what would I see if I had the consistency of good, clean eating? Well, I intend to find out. This morning, I aim to embark on a mission. From this day until Thanksgiving, I am going to chart faithfully all that enters the hole in my face. While I am not vowing to give up sweets, I vow to consider what my day holds and plan them in.

In short, I plan to simply put into practice that which I know to be key to any success. At the end of three months, my weight may not have changed, but I'd bet dollars to, uh, donuts that I'll still feel better and look better. The time I have to exercise is still something that is not always mine to control. But what I put in my mouth is absolutely within my control. So, my mantra has been, "That which we can control, we must." Not "should." Must.

So far, so good this day-- I've had Raisin Bran with almond milk-- measured and logged. I'm going to leave my base at 1500. I'm really not burning a ton of exercise calories, so I'll consider eating them back if I have a huge burn. Beyond that, 1500 it shall be.

Let's see what happens.

Need to scoot and get typing. I'm working on the private files for my friend, so I have no deadline looming-- but still, I want to return file one today.

Have a great day, all--

Jill, congrats! See, I was right!
Marla, congrats to you, too!

Lori, it'd be great if you could make Nathan open up to you. For instance tell you what is it about the Mc Donald's job that he doesn't like. If you want him to open up, though, you have to show him that you understand him. Get a little bit in his shoes. I know it's easier said than done...

I have good news: it's FRIDAY! , so wishing you already to enjoy you weekend (I probably, as usual, won't have time to check in).

OH, yeah, and one other thing-- Lori, I detest "needy." I legendarily have crashed and burned with needy.

I'm getting better, simply because there is so much of it around me-- for me personally, it took getting my eyes off of me. I'm here for them.

I'm not suggesting that's you or your solution, but it helped me.

Although, it still irks me.

Jeannie,

I have to tell this story because it shows how much you and the BT means to me. Yesterday, biking home from the beach, I was having a little pity party because of the nausea I had while swimming. "Oh, I'm not going to be able to do the Tri, I've told everyone, I'm a failure...blah, blah, blah, blah." Then I thought of the BT and particularly of you. I thought of all the health problems you've had and how every day you seem to find something good you can do or feel to keep your spirits up. I thought, "Man, I'm taking a lesson from her - I can get through this and I'm not going to let it get me down. I just have to stick to it and wait for the sunrise."

It was reading your posts that initially that led me to this team and I thank you for it! You are an amazingly strong person and so honest with yourself and us. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. It brightens my day and I wish you all the best because you are the best.

Jeanne

Marla,

I've tried to think this through very carefully because I 100% believe in families making their own decisions about these things. And it is not my place to tell you anything about how you and your husband should parent your children. But you explained your reasoning and I see a hole in it. I'm going to tell you what I see but don't even feel the need to respond to me or tell me what you've decided or are doing. I acknowledge that it is not my business.

Your reasoning assumes that your children might be engaging in premarital sex of their own free will. But, as we all have learned, children are vulnerable to sexual predators and no parents are perfect enough to be provide complete protection from seduction or attack. God forbid, God prevent, that you or any of your children should ever have to face this but we all know that it's a possibility, even if a small one. This is not like pregnancy which could be turned into the blessing of new life. This is a risk of death. For that reason alone, I would consider the vaccine worthwhile.

That's all I'm going to say. More than anything, I admire the thoughtfulness and concern that you put into your parenting and I think your children are blessed to have such love.

Jeanne

Jeanne-- you are a good friend. I appreciate very much the courage of any friend to address a concern they have when they feel it's not their business-- but I made it your business by sharing my business. So it's all good.

And you're right-- I hadn't considered, necessarily, a sexual attack. I believe we do a fairly decent job of protecting against that, as well, with the buddy system. Kids aren't even allowed to ride their bike around the block alone, et cetera. I'm comfortable with our position regarding shots for them.

However, perhaps for Faith, now that she'll be heading off to college, out of our "circle of safety" it wouldn't be a bad move. Perhaps naively, I think she's committed to waiting for marriage. If she doesn't and contracts a disease, oh, well-- you knew better. Deal with it.

However, I do see your point-- rapists don't honor such things as girls waiting for marriage.

Food for thought.

Thank you.

Also edited to add-- I had thoughts of my Sarah yesterday when discussing these shots-- she's now living with her boyfriend-- um, I'm sorry-- I meant "fiance." I don't know anything about him except he was engaged to his girlfriend for five years, and she dumped him a month before he rebounded to Sarah-- when he was 19. He admitted to "not walking with the Lord" during his relationship and engagement....whatever that means. I hate that phrase. But, I can fear the worst, obviously-- and hope Sarah is being wise about her female health.

I doubt it, though.

Coming completely from a medical perspective, I do not think this particular vaccine has been tested long enough. There have been numerous cases of girls getting sick and some deaths related to this particular vaccine. I am not sure if anything has been reported when given to males. Another factor is it is only prevents four types of HPV out of seven and two of those (which Gardasil does not prevent) are the most lethal.

http://www.vaccineinjuryhelpcenter.com/gardasil-related-death-numbers-could-be-rising/

Now coming from personal experience. I was diagnosed with HPV (one of the most dangerous strains) and had to undergo a partial hysterectomy at the age of 32. I did not sleep around. It doesn't matter, if the person you marry has had more than one partner, they could be a carrier and not even be aware of it. Mind you in my case everything worked out great. I had completed my family and was not particularly attached to having a monthly period. One can never be too careful when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases and even if you are, it doesn't guarantee you will remain unscathed.

Even if the vaccine was available for me at the time, I would not have gotten it until more long term testing was done. I also refused it for my daughter and son and did not want them to be guinea pigs. Now that they are adults and if they wish to be inoculated they are welcome to do so. Just my 2 cents.

Have I mentioned lately how very much I love and adore this team??

Back at you- Marla :

Okay-- so my freelancing today has paid me $95. My company would have paid me $36.

Not bad.

Heading grocery shopping--

ciao.

Just lurking but had to comment. Jeanne...congrats on all counts. Will it be a big wedding? You look awesome! When your kids are in a good place it makes life all that more great!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Happy for you Ms. Jeannie! You deserve only the very best life has to offer

Marla,

I got so worried about your kids' health, I forgot all about yours!



This is great! Keep it simple. You know my mottos: "Only do what you know you can do for the rest of your life" and "Focus on today, let tomorrow worry about itself." I'm full of 'em

Jeanne

Marla. Needy makes my skin crawl. It doesn't matter what mental state I'm in. I hate needy. Hubs is driving me crazy right now. Called on the way home just to breathe, tell me about the traffic situation and ask me the same canned questions I get asked every day with the same responses when I give my canned responses. ARGH! Then every question that man asks goes like this, "Did you take that movie back, or no?" EVERY question ends with an "OR NO?" Why does that drive me crazy? Can't you just stop at the question part? I think I need a beer. LOL

You crack me up-- here's your beer-- and I'll join you.

Happy for good control and mindset so far today-- I don't have an abundance of calories for dinner-- but enough for a bratwurst and some salad-- which is cool. Possibly even a bun if I want-- but I think I'll abstain.

If I hit the gym tonight, all the better.

Survived grocery store without the standard partaking of what the kids open. "Mom, I'm hungry. Can we open up the Pop-tarts?"

That lovely mental part that plagues us is strong....so far.

Keith tends to do the "or no" thing sometimes-- and I think it's their way of letting us know that "it's okay if the answer is no." On my end, if I don't hear an "or no" on the end, I know he damn well expects a yes.

I never thought about the "or no" part. You're probably right - I'll have to listen for it. But I hate the question right from the start. If I did it, then I'll tell you. And I REALLY hate being asked more than once.

After 30 years, I still wonder if I'm made for marriage. Too independent, too idiosyncratic and WAY too cranky.

Jeanne