Lack Luster

That's me this week. Lack of Luster, Lack of Motivation, Lack of Energy, Lack, Lack, Lack.

Weigh In Wednesday was extremely lack luster. I had anticipated at least a decent week, and was truly thinking I'd have a loss....after all, I'd had 2 days of flu-like stuff. To say Wednesday was disappointing was an understatement. I'd gained!! Not a little, a LOT. I was up 3.1#!!! How I managed that is a complete mystery to me. I have no explanation for it. I am baffled, and also a little depressed. To my credit, I did not turn to a bag of Cheetos to erase the memory of the gain. That, in and of itself, was a great victory for me.

After reading Jack's blog the other day, I began to wonder about my blog. I'd never thought about how many responses I get, or how many followers I have. Apparently, I am lacking the desire to really knock the blogosphere on it's ear. I'm just plodding along in my own little world. I assume people read my blog once in a while, cuz I do get comments now and then, and that has always been enough for me. Now I wonder, should I be more concerned with my lack of readers and comments? Nah!! I love all of the "Popular Kids" blogs, I read them religiously. I comment when I feel I have something to say. But Jack made me think about my own blog for the first time since I've started blogging. I'd say, by comparison to the "Cool Kids" I have a fairly lack luster blog. It's fun for me, and it is serving its purpose, but it certainly isn't the bee's knees. I'm actually ok with that. Is that normal? Should I be striving for more and better?

On the bright side of being Lack Luster, I don't have to moderate my responses like the real bloggers do. :)

I am in the process of reviewing a product sent to me this week. It is a tart cherry drink from CherryPharm.com called CherriBundi. Since I've had a "bug" this week, I've not had a chance to taste all three flavors, but when I do, I'll be reviewing it for all of you. I'm anxious to try them all. I think my innards are ready to experiment now. So, I'll get back to you all when I'm done with the samplings.

Lacking Luster, I'm off to peruse the Cool Kids' blogs.

How I Spent My Earth Day

Today was Earth Day, and as part of doing something "earthy" I planted my herb garden, pepper plants....AND, tempting the gardening fates, I hung my tomatoes!! May 15 is the magic date for planting tomatoes, but I can't wait that long. I'm hoping that getting a jump start on the season will provide an extra early crop. We'll see. I want bragging rights in the neighborhood.

As part of this gardening project, I included the lifting, walking and bending over as part of my exercise for the day. As for the "not so green" part of the day, I had to run to the store to buy an extra bag of potting soil. Seems that taking out all of the strawberry plants in my tomato planter took a considerable amount of soil out as well. So I did have to take one extra trip to get the job completed.

Since taking the strawberries out I'm trying to decide what to plant in the top of the tomato "Thingy". I have 3 (soon to be 4) pepper plants and one stray dill plant. I'm thinking of putting in radishes. Ed loves radishes, and the CSA usually has only a few each week. The planter isn't really deep enough to try carrots or any other root crop, so maybe an early lettuce could work. Any ideas?? I'll pick up the seed on my next grocery shopping trip, as I want to remain as green as possible while doing this project. Looks so nice to glance out the kitchen door and see herbs just waiting for me. Gives me all sorts of new ideas for yummy concoctions for dinner.

Yesterday was Weigh In Wednesday, and I remained the same as last week. I was really hopeful after having done reasonably well over the tailgate weekend. I suppose I shouldn't complain, as it could have been (and has been in the past) much worse. I refuse to believe it was the M & M's I stole the other day. :) Other than that, I'd been doing quite nicely. I even lightened up a strawberry shortcake last night. Using Stevia to sweeten the strawberries and fat free angel food cake for the shortcake. The strawberries needed a little sweetener this time for some reason. Generally, they are plenty sweet all by themselves.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Earth Day as much as I enjoyed mine.

A Drive By Chew-ting!

It never pays to brag too early!! Last night as I was putting away the last remnants of the tailgate, I took the leftover bag of M & M's down to the freezer. On the trip I decided that one or two wouldn't kill me. Well, it was more than one or two, but not a great deal more. Just enough to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not a sweets person by nature, but for some reason an M & M nibble caught my fancy. So I had a quick drive-by "Chew-ting" on my way to the freezer. It's over now, and no one was hurt. I cannot explain why I wanted an M & M, because unlike most women, I'm not a chocolate eater. And, I don't really like desserts or sweets all that much. These little drive-bys remain a mystery to me. Luckily, they don't happen often, so I don't think I'll waste too much time worrying about them.

I was delighted this morning when I found that I could do a little dancing without the stabbing pain from earlier this month!! So, I turned up the music and had a little fun. I didn't overdo, but just knowing that I can do this without crippling myself was a wonderful surprise. Slowly, but surely, I'm getting back into the things I used to do. I'm trying to exercise caution while easing back in, so as not to overdo and end up back where I started. Patience is a virtue, I'm told. I am anxious to get back to the program, but I really am being careful. Slow and steady, right?

I got an email from my CSA farmer yesterday telling everyone that there may be a few spears of asparagus for delivery in a week or two. Just knowing that the deliveries may be starting made my day. This year he's added bok choi, and parsnips to the farm, and I am a huge fan of both, so that was something I was particularly delighted to see. I've suggested parsnips two years in a row, so finally we're going to have them!! Squeaky wheels...and all that. Pays to beg, I guess.

Weekend Review

As you may or may not recall, Saturday was the first tailgate of the season. All went very well, and I really did stay in the neighborhood of what I had planned. There were around 25-30 of us at the tailgate, and I do believe a good time was had by all. The kids had a wonderful time, and enjoyed all of the kid food we had for them. Lots of "junk" too, but I skillfully avoided that....save one small rugelach treat. As you can see, my favorite boys are ready to roll out the food and fun!

Breakfast with the family on Sun. morning was on track, too. In the past, I have treated myself to a little "heartier" breakfast after a game, but this weekend I decided to keep it simple. I am very hopeful that my good behavior will be rewarded come Wednesday.

I was all set to get my herb garden in place this week, but the weather has taken a bit of a turn, as it often does in the Midwest. The nights are getting down much lower than I'd like, and I'm too darned lazy to cover things up every night. I guess I'll wait. It is always advised that we not plant tomatoes until May 15, at the earliest. Last year I jumped the gun a bit and the plants were none the worse for wear. This year, I may heed the advice.

By the by, the Amberjack we grilled the other night was wonderful!! Although it is not a really good looking color to start with, it is a flaky, white fish after it's cooked. I'll be getting it again when it's available. To be able to see what it actually tasted like, I didn't make a sauce or salsa to accompany it, just lemon pepper. Really tasty. I'm anxious to find some new fish this week, too. It isn't as easy here in DM, but once in a while I am surprised and delighted at a new arrival at the fish "place".

Doin' A Little Math

After yesterday's post, I decided to check and see how I've really done with my Moron's Challenge. I had to look up the date of the post, which was Feb. 4. That makes today the 10th week following my bold proclamation. Up and down, and all over the town went my weight. However, after 10 weeks I have lost 8.2#. Not quite the 10# my plan proclaimed, but respectable anyway, in my opinion. Beats having put that back on again!! Right? Right!!

I am now hopeful that with an improved back and knee, I'll be able to resume a regular, if somewhat modified, exercise program. And of course, with golf season heating up, I'll be on the links as often as possible as well. I really do think the 1.8# that I did not lose during my ten weeks of the challenge may be due to the difficulties I was having with sciatica, no cortisone in my knee, and general malaise. Soooooo, since I am now perky as the dickens, the sky's the limit!! Well, at least the 2nd floor of the house should be possible. :)

Since this weekend will bring a few challenges with it, I'm going to make a real effort to use what little good judgement I possess and eat sensibly. Tailgating is always fun, but troublesome for someone on a diet. Since our grandson wants fruits, and lots of them, I'll try to stick to those items. I will have healthy options, so I will give it my all. The mac 'n cheese that I make is anything but healthy, so I'll stay away from that (well maybe a little taste), but I will account for it in my overall caloric count. Since it's a walk to the stadium, up the stairs, and back from the stadium, I'm counting the walking as mild exercise which will walk off the nibble of mac 'n cheese. Please don't tell me that this won't work, I'll be heartbroken. :(

Tonight, we are trying something we've never eaten before....Amberjack. Apparently, it is a fish that is similar to halibut, firm and steak-like. This is the first time I've seen it at the market, and the fish monger talked me into it. Looks like a slightly tanned halibut, so I'm anxious to give it a whirl. The same guy talked me into Barramundi several months ago, and we loved that, so I'm hoping his suggestion this time will meet with the same success. I'm going to go online and see what preparations I can find that might be interesting. Whatever I decide to do with it, I'll be having my favorite grilling delight alongside. Grilled pineapple with just a hint of Cajun or Creole seasoning on it. That is my favorite dessert when it's grilling season. My mouth is watering in anticipation.

The Moron's Pound

"Any moron can lose one pound per week", remember that proclamation? Well, today is Weigh In Wednesday and I lost .8# this week. I am calling that the "Moron's Pound. Not quite the real deal, but close enough. Given my lack of exercise (I'm told I can't count calories used in whining as exercise) I'm not totally disappointed. Not the full pound I'd hoped for, but perhaps after my haircut this morning, the other .2 will be gone.

I have to say, that the last two days have found me feeling a bit perkier. Still have a twinge or two in the hip, but overall, I'd say I'm back to where I was. Now I must re-energize my exercise program. With the arrival of Spring, I have drug out the baskets that will hold my herb garden, and the contraption that will house my upside down tomato plants. The strawberries I planted in the top of the tomato "thingy" look fairly good, and have some new growth, so I am hopeful that there will be more than the 8-10 berries I harvested last year. I am going to count my garden building as part of my exercise program. Hauling potting soil, lugging plants, etc.....that can double as doing weights, right?

I am happily compiling the list of the herbs, tomato varieties, and kinds of peppers I want to grow this year. This time of year is always exciting to me. Plus, it will only be a few short weeks before our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share deliveries will begin!! Barring no lousy weather, I'm anticipating some young, tender greens, asparagus and spring onions. We've been promised that the kohlrabi crop has been minimized this year!!! Hallelujah!! When all is in place, I'll try and post a few pictures.

One small downside to Spring around here....ALLERGIES!! Des Moines has been ranked as the 5th worst city in the country for allergies. So, at least we're really good at something. :)

I really, really love Spring! Everything begins to renew, and I'm going to renew myself and my health journey. I have all Summer to perk myself up, and get that one pound per week goal back on the right road. A "Moron's Pound" once in a while isn't going to deter me, I am hopeful it will make me work harder the following week. After all, a semi-famous old woman once said, "Any moron can lose a pound a week."

Piece by Piece, Bit by Bit

My body is giving up bits and pieces on a daily basis now. :( Oh poor me. The back and knee are in pretty darned good shape at the moment, but someone, somewhere decided that this condition was not to be tolerated. "Let's give her something else to bitch about" was the decree!! And so it was. On the fifth hole of golf, on a lovely Sunday, not a care in the world, playing well, enjoying friendly chatter, and just plain, old fashioned havin' a good time....POP! There it was a pop of some sort on the top of my right foot. Ouch! Oh poor me!!! Needless to say, I complained immediately, received an adequate amount of sympathy, but was told to suck it up and keep playing. Which, may I add, I had planned on doing anyway, but my husband and our friends thought this might be a ruse to go into the clubhouse to watch the Masters! (They have adult beverages in the clubhouse, so I'm sure they had that in mind, as well.)

Now, I am trying my damnedest to take this little glitch in stride, but I have to admit, these nagging little things that keep happening are starting to take their toll on my good nature. I admit to being crabby, so believe me, all this stuff is starting to wear thin. I don't want to start having to get up in the morning wondering what's gonna fall apart next. Getting old is really getting suckier and suckier!! However, as my friend pointed out, this new pain certainly took my mind off of my sore, bruised butt. Guess there's always a positive side if you look long enough, and hard enough. :)

This morning at the chiropractor, I mentioned my bruises, received an appropriate amount of sympathy, then made him try to fix my foot. I told him he owed me that much. :0 He did an adjustment, but thus far I'm not noticing a great deal of improvement. Gotta go get another gallon jug of BioFreeze, I think.

In spite of everything else, my food and exercise has been pretty darned good. I did sample a couple of fried artichoke hearts yesterday, but didn't go overboard. This coming Saturday will be a tailgate opportunity!!! It's the annual Spring Football Game for my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers, so we'll all be going to the game for food, fun, frivolity and football. This is the one game each year that all of the kids and grandkids get to go to, so the tailgate is centered around kid food. It is so much fun, and this year will be particularly fun as it will be our grandson's first Husker game. He is very excited. He wants strawberries and yogurt for the tailgate. Smart kid, huh? Obviously gets that from his grandmother.

A Rare Saturday Post

I just had to tell you about my deep tissue massage yesterday! I will spare you the pictures (there are none) of the bruises on my hips, my butt and my thighs. I cannot tell you how happy I am that I opted for only the 30 min. massage!! Ed is beginning to wonder why I continue to do this to myself. I have two bruises the size of the palm of my hand, and several other half dollar sized ones. "It does feel better, though, doesn't it?" I was asked. What was I to say? Apparently I have a considerable pelvic tilt to the right because my right leg is shorter. This is what seems to be the root of all my evil. That and one of my vertebrae in my sacrum has partially fused to another. And my sacrum tilts to compensate for the other tilt. Well, it was just a morning of pure delight!!

Even with my new "look", I feel pretty good. I'm not going to admit it to the chiro, or the masseuse, but I think things are, in fact, loosening up. We'll take it for a test drive this afternoon when I go to play golf. Fingers crossed.

I'm still pretty well on track, but I did take a "day trip" yesterday with a few adult beverages with dinner. I'm saying it was pain management, but since there really isn't any pain, I'm imagining that the bruises really, really hurt. I forgot to include in my bio, that besides being old, fat, and lazy I am also a bit of a liar. Well, no body's perfect. :(

Happy Weekend to ALL!!!

Never Brag Too Soon!!

Yep, it's Weigh In Wednesday, and yesterday I posted all about my almost perfect week. Well, Karma did kinda "nibble" at my butt. Didn't really bite me, but did put me in my place. I did lose weight, 2.4# worth, but after regaling everyone with my stellar week, I had anticipated just a trifle more. Lest this sound whiny, I am NOT complaining!! Just sayin' that I was hopeful for a smidgen more of a loss. But I know, a loss is a loss, is a loss. I'm perfectly ok with 2.4#. After all, I did at one time in the not to distant past proclaim that any moron could lose one pound per week, then proceeded to gain regularly for 3 weeks. Now, after two weeks of losses, I'm feeling like a real smarty pants.

I resolve not to let this 2 week success roll go to my head. I am feeling better, I'm watching my foods, and I'm out and about more. Even tho' cooler weather and overcast skies have returned, I am still attempting to remain in a "sunshiny" mood. Today is my deep tissue butt massage, so that is taking a little bloom of my rose, but I'm sure it's going to be beneficial. My last whole body deep tissue massage was ok, except for the excessive number of bruises I had running up and down my spine. Hubby Dearest, was quite shocked to see all of them, and was glad I don't wear revealing tops, as he was sure he'd be questioned by someone about the abuse he was inflicting on me.

Best event of the day....a visit to my eye Dr. I have been having trouble reading with my old glasses, and my distance vision has diminished. At first I was really worried about this because I thought I had just been to the eye Dr. not too long ago. Well, we've been here in DM for 3 yrs, and I've never been, and when I looked at my records, my last exam was 5 years ago. I can now understand why my vision seemed to have changed. I am anxious to get some hip and happenin' new frames....plus I'll be able to see better, too. Not sure which is the bigger deal. :)

So, after 2 weeks of doing the right thing, I'm ready to stay on this path and continue my journey in a happy, healthy frame of mind. I feel as tho' I have finally turned a corner......hope I don't run into a wall!!

Dare I Brag A Day Early?

Well, I'm going to anyway. Karma be damned!!! My past week has been one of my best thus far. My mood and my food have been really good. My Greek inspired Easter dinner was simply wonderful. Ok, in keeping with my total honesty promise, I did have some strawberry shortcake for dessert (I KNOW it's not Greek!), but I did not indulge in the whipped cream everyone else heaped on top, and my strawberries were sweetened with Stevia. Plus, the shortcake was the sugar free Angel Food cake they had sitting next to the strawberries. So, I'm thinking I was not really so very far off of my caloric plan. I even accounted for my glass of wine to go with the racks of lamb.

Barring a real fall from the roof, calorie wise, today, I am anticipating another good Weigh In Wednesday. I remain hopeful.

Today I awoke with a little twinge back in my calf and my butt. It is certainly not severe, and it's not really a bother, but after several days of not having it, I'm a little disheartened. I'm hoping once I begin doing my "walk about" today I'll be getting rid of it. Tomorrow is another deep tissue massage concentrating on my butt, so that should be interesting. Never have I done anything like that before! I have to admit, I am actually a little massage phobic. I have never been a big fan on being touched by people I am not close to. I'm working through that, I guess. Growth is part of this journey, too, so guess this signals a little growth for me.

I am just so happy to finally feel positive about my journey again. I feel able to do the things that need to be done, and enjoy doing it. It's a lovely change from the previous few months. Amazing how a positive attitude, and a body that cooperates, will turn a lousy week into a successful one. I am going to do my best to continue with this positive new ME. I think I could grow to like this person very much. :)

Positively Giddy!

I really am positively giddy with delight!! I slept without pain, I woke up without pain, I played golf without pain, and I'm still wandering around waiting for today's tee time without pain! Ok, so my bad knee is a bit on the "wobbly" side, but with my knee brace strapped on, I'm ready to roll. I am so darned happy, I can hardly stand it.

That, coupled with the fact that I've been behaving myself food wise, has lifted my spirits enormously. I didn't realize how really down in the dumps, crappy I felt, until this fog of pain and dreary weather lifted. Yipppppeeeeeeee Damned Skipppppppeeeeee!! I'm feeling like a whole new person. Oh, yeah, I'm still a fat person, but at least now I can move around and work on remedying that situation. I think I've done well this week, so I'm now planning my Easter dinner to accommodate the calories that are acceptable. At the moment, I'm planning a Greek inspired dinner centered around a rack of lamb, and a tomato/cucumber/feta/olive/onion salad. I think I can make it all work, because we've added a round of golf to our afternoon activities. I can work off at least one or two calories that way!

I go again to the Chiropractor today for another spinal decompression, but I really don't feel as tho' I'm in need. I'm gonna go a time or two more and see what happens, but I feel so darned good I'm tempted to just get on with life. I don't suppose an extra adjustment or two is gonna hurt, so I might as well go ahead and do it. And, to be honest, the spinal decompression feels really good, and very relaxing, so it's kinda nice just lying there being "stretched". I'm only 5'4" now, but I'm almost positive I'll be around 5'6" or 5'7" when I finish this pulling compression thingy. I'm counting on it, as a matter of fact.

A happy byproduct of this new lease on life, is the new found energy I now have. I actually feel like doing "stuff". I've put things off recently cuz I've felt so lousy, so now, slowly and carefully, I'm adding things back onto my "to do list". Feels good, believe me. Even tho' I profess, proudly, to be lazy, I still like to be able to do things for myself. Now I'm feeling as tho' I can do those things, and not pay for it the next day with pain and stiffness. Hallelujah!

Everyone have a very Happy Easter Weekend. Whether you celebrate Easter, or not, enjoy the weekend!! I am certainly going to, for a change! :)

Finally!!

At long last, I woke up this morning without the horrible pain I've been experiencing in my back, my butt and my calf. It was a wonderful surprise. I also cut down on the medication I was taking, so I'm hoping this is a good sign that I'm on my way to recovery. I have slight twinges now and then, but the excruciating pain is gone. (I hope verbalizing that doesn't prove to be a problem.)

Plus, in spite of myself, I managed a successful Weigh In Wednesday! I actually lost 3# this week. And as is usually the case when I'm successful, I wonder what might have been if only I'd not been limited by the sciatica. Is that what they call "Looking a gift horse...."? At any rate, I have been very conscious of my food and the exercise I could do, so I'm more than delighted to see that it paid off this week. Feel kinda like a kid getting positive reinforcement.

Feeling perkier than the dickens has prompted me to contact my golf buddies and see if anyone is thinking of hitting the links this week. I would very much like to at least get out and try a few holes. I'm well aware that I might not be ready for all 18 holes, but a swing or two here or there, would do wonders for my melancholy mood. Temps in the 70's and maybe 80's have me chompin' at the bit to get out and about doing something out of doors. After the chiro today, I'm planning a walk. He recommends that after I have the spinal decompression, I remain active for at least an hour afterward. I think a walk in the great outdoors fits right into that recommendation.

In anticipation of the lovely day ahead of me, I have even donned my shorts and a golf shirt!! Can't tell I'm anxious, can you?

I can also feel the excess salt in my system slowly dissipating. All of that sitting around, and not being able to move freely, really allowed water buildup in my body. My feet and hands felt like little Easter hams. Fortunately, I am losing that excess water and can really tell the difference.

I'm anxious to get moving again in a normal fashion, but I'm going to go slowly and do it little by little. I am certainly not ready to have a repeat of the sciatica problems any time soon. The weather has improved, my back has improved, my mood is improving, and life in general is looking good. I'm anxious to resume my healthy journey, the way I originally intended to do it. Oh, I'm sure there will be more bumps in the road, after all I'm old, but I'm still excited to get busy and resume my "real life" again.

Dare I Hope?

The past two mornings have seen a great relief in my sciatica!! Dare I hope the end is near? I actually feel semi-human again, and am very hopeful that I'll be able to resume my regular schedules again. I am partially convinced that by playing Dr. on the Internet, I found that the medication I use for restless leg is also an anti-spasm, anti-seizure medication. Dr. Me thinks why not try these little jewels on this particular problem. AHA!! Since I've begun using these drugs, I've had steady improvement. I will have to be very careful because these are narcotics and could be dangerous. But for right now, they are a God Send!! I assure you, I will be careful using them, and will begin weening myself off of them VERY soon.

I've been able to monitor my foods, and even the little bit of exercise I've been able to do. The weather has turned delightful, so I'm ready to get out and walk about. I do have residual effects from the drugs (they make me slightly drowsy) so I have to pick and choose my walking times carefully. I am even giving serious consideration to a trip to the golf course for a few practice swings. That, my friends, is REAL progress. That little picture up in the corner is the golf course, and I'm anxious to go and reacquaint myself with it.

I told Hubby Dearest that the only positive that has come out of this mess has been that I've caught up on all my reading, and that now we must go to Barnes and Noble for a restocking of the shelves. Needless to say, he was delighted.

It's hard to explain how much one misses what one cannot do. I'm basically a really lazy person, so one would assume I'd be happy to lie around all day bemoaning the fact that I cannot get things done. Not so, it drives me crazy. Getting enough energy, and being pain free long enough to get just one task completed it absolutely the pits!! Bending over to fold clothes just about killed me the other day. Yesterday, I did it without incident!! That is how I am measuring my success. Baby steps, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.....and I can hear everyone saying "Be sure it's not an oncoming train". Fear not, I'm going slow, but marking my progress and being thankful for it.

The Prodigal Pound-Part II

Well, it's Weigh In Wednesday again, and I sent the Prodigal Pound packing!! And also sent another .4# with it! Back to a net .2# loss over the last month or so. My "Any moron can lose a pound a week" theory has been torn asunder. THIS moron found out it wasn't as simple as I'd professed. Admittedly, I've had a few challenges in the exercise department, but I still can't help but believe I can do it. I haven't given up the fight, that's for sure. I have been fairly pleased with my food program. I've been taking care to journal daily, and prepare new things in new ways to keep myself interested. Hubby Dearest has been very good about accepting the concoctions I've been trying out. :) Having made some caloric adjustments due to the exercise issue, I think I'm doing ok. Having grilling weather returning to our fair city has helped a great deal!! My favorite grilled pineapple with Creole seasoning has brightened our dinners of late.

My sciatica has not improved significantly, so my exercise has been sporadic at best. When I am awakened with the leg pains at 3 in the morning, I do go down to the main level and walk around the house for about an hour. I have been meaning to put on the pedometer, but I can't find it in the dark. I am wondering if replacing carpet can be considered a medical deduction? At any rate, during my walks, as I get a bit more limber and the pain subsides gradually, I stop at the stairs and do a few stair steps (10 on each leg). I get about 3-4 of these done every other "lap". The walking does help, but I'm still not walking outdoors for long periods of time. I still feel just a bit uneasy about getting too far from home and not being able to hobble back. I'm only out and about on the walking path for 10-20 min. The golf course is opening today, so I'm am working diligently to get my "kinks" worked out. Right now, there's no way I could play a round of golf. And, of course, you know that is something I am anxious to do.

My chiropractor is working hard to help, but I'm not getting the results I'd hoped for yet. I may have set my sights too high, but I was hopeful I'd be having some relief by now. I've had one session of spinal decompression, and today I'll be having a deep tissue massage, then on Friday, another spinal decompression. Acupuncture will be the next step, if one of these next two sessions aren't helpful. Hopefully, one or both of these things will UN-GUM me. I still can't get over being told I'm "really gummed up" by the Dr. AND....tomorrow is my appointment with the orthopod for my cortisone shot. I'm going to ask him about my sciatica as well. I am hoping to schedule my knee replacement tomorrow, too. I know the wait is about 7 months for this Dr., so I'm hoping to get by until the week after Thanksgiving.

I am also going to make an attempt to catch up on my blogs. I've not been able to sit for long periods of time at the computer, so I've read some of the blogs on my Crackberry, but answering or commenting on that contraption is not easy, so I just read and remain silent. I'm back down at the computer now, so I'm hoping to be a bit more communicative.

The Prodigal Pound

Yep, the Prodigal Pound returned for Weigh In Wednesday. AND, he brought a .1# friend with him. While this isn't the news I had hoped for, it is certainly better than I expected. As I've mentioned, this week had not been my best ever, so I was expecting a weigh in disaster, and quite frankly, I'm not all that displeased with having gained 1.3#. Never let it be said that I set my sights too high.

I did get out yesterday for a "waddle". I wasn't able to set any land-speed records, or work up a good sweat, but I did manage to get a refreshing 15-20 minute walk knocked out. It was a slow, steady, short but sweet mood lifter. Just being outside again was delightful. Now, after another day or two of moderate temps, we'll be back into the 30's again, and possible snow on Sat. So, I'm glad I was able to take a stroll yesterday. I'm off to the chiropractor today, and I'm finally getting a good haircut. The haircut should be good for getting rid of that pesky .1#!!! If I can manage another walk after my appointment, and the drizzle lets up a bit, I may take another walk outside. Gotta take advantage of the opportunity when it arises.

Speaking of my chiropractor, I am really, really hoping that after today's session I begin feeling some relief. My mornings are absolutely horrendous, and I'm tired of not being able to do anything without pain. I want to be "UN-gummed" damn it!! It's getting to the point that even sitting in a chair hurts. There is not a position that I've found lately that I can assume and feel comfortable. It's the pits!! Only positive in this situation is that with all the back pain, I hardly feel the knee pain at all. :)

Hocus Pocus!

I'm out of focus!! In almost every way possible. I have been a very remiss blogger, I've been lax in my food journal, I've been terrible about exercise, I've paid no attention to my water intake, and in general, I'm much crabbier than usual, too!!

My blogging intentions are always good.... I'm going to sit down and read everything, and comment as often as possible. But recently, I can't stand sitting still long enough to do a good job of that. I've tried using the Crackberry, but I'm not skilled enough to make that work efficiently. I am reading blogs with the Crackberry, but commenting is rather complicated for my techno-challenged self. I may have to break down and get a laptop, particularly if I'm going to get my knee replacement this fall.

My trip to the chiropractor yesterday was interesting, to say the least. I think he might possibly have broken my butt "massaging" it. The pain, as he continued to press harder and harder, was almost unbearable. Then he worked on my "Bladder Meridian" (or something like that) with some acupressure. I had a moment of calm when he used the Cold Laser, but then it was back to the torture chamber for the spasm in my calf muscle. As we were ending, and he was trying to get back into my good graces, he said "Boy, you are really gummed up." I assume that is a technical "chiropractical" term, right? But seriously, GUMMED UP??? Could he not have used something that made it sound as seriously awful as it feels? Oh, and just to "loosen" up said gum, he sold me some Magnesium tablets. Apparently Calcium tightens muscles and Magnesium loosens them.....therefore, I should be feeling relief momentarily. LIAR!!!! This morning was the absolute worst morning yet!! Hubby Dearest happened to still be here when I made my way downstairs in tears. He asked if I really thought this was going to help, and all I could mumble was that I had hope!

Regardless, I am determined to get out for at least a short walk this afternoon. We are finally having moderate temps, and I'm tired of walking laps around the house or using the dreadmill. I did wander out to the deck for a moment or two yesterday, just to get some more fresh air.

I do apologize for the whining tone of recent posts, but I simply cannot get loosened up and am tired of feeling crappy and crabby. I am, however, going to try and be more positive, and work myself back into a groove. I certainly appreciate all of the blog friends I've found online, and hopefully, I'll be back in the game very soon. Until then, please accept my apologies for being a big baby.

What Is It About Mondays?

What is it, anyway? Mondays always seem to bring out the doom and gloom in me. It's a drizzly, overcast day, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. But I think it's the fact that yesterday was a wonderful, sunny, warm day that I let pass me by. I was having too much trouble with my back to walk very far. Hubby Dearest suggested we take a stroll, but I was simply not up to it. Now I'm regretting that decision. Even a slow, short walk would have been a morale booster, I'm quite certain. I've even bowed out of our MeetUp luncheon this noon. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything until my back, butt, thigh and calf feel better. I'm off to the chiropractor this afternoon, so I I'm hoping for additional relief. I also plan on purchasing a gallon or two of BioFreeze. I might also have to look into getting a portable ice maker, our refrigerators' ice makers are not keeping up with the demand.

Speaking of ice....I have a new fashion forward look. I fill my largest ice bag, strap in onto the small of my back, secure it with a wide ACE bandage (left over from my first knee surgery), and can then move about, if need be. I'm leaving my windows closed lest my neighbors get a glimpse of this new "look". It does feel good, so I guess I shouldn't care about how it might appear to others. But, me being a slave to fashion and all (NOT!!) I'm staying out of sight. :)

Aside from my maladies, my weekend was pretty good. Hubby Dearest returned from the UK bearing gifts!! Always a lovely way to return home, in my opinion. I love Duty Free shopping, so I gave him a list. He did very well, I must say. Even managed to find Tower of London, and Big Ben snow globes for our granddaughter's collection. What a guy!!! Since he had been eating the wonderful array of fish over there, he was ready for something different. So Sat. we had my Greek Chicken Salad, and on Sun., I gave in and did BBQ ribs. I behaved myself, but today I'm finding that I'm retaining water. My feet and hands seem to be a bit swollen. I imagine that part of this problem relates to my lack of movement. Then yesterday I read that one's water consumption should equal 1 oz. per 1 pound of weight!! Dear Lord!! I want to hydrate, not go swimming! A person could drown in that much water! I think I'll stick to a more sensible amount.

"Keep A Movin', Dan"

With apologies to Marty Robbins, I'm going to adopt this phrase as my own. Although my name is not Dan, the keep a movin' part is certainly directed at me. After my visit to the chiropractor yesterday, I came home feeling pretty damned perky. I had my adjustment, my BioFreeze, and my instructions....sit in straight chairs, no overstuffed chairs, no couches. If I use BioFreeze, don't use ice. If I use ice, put it on my back while lying on the floor with pillows under my knees. No heavy lifting until I return again next week, and no strenuous exercise until then as well. And, no matter what....NO HEAT!! So, ok, now all that's left is just walking around, I guess.

My afternoon went splendidly!! I wanted an miracle and it felt as tho' I'd been given one. I was feeling such relief, and yet I did not do what I normally would have done....which is overdo. I behaved myself, knowing that when I went to bed I'd be feeling better than I had in over a week. I was really looking forward to lying down without shooting pains in my butt, thigh and calf. All was well until 4:45 this morning!! I was awakened by the shooting pains I had become so accustomed to this week. Dad Gummit!!! I got up, took my Aleve, took a quick, cool shower, applied the BioFreeze to the offending area and made my way to the kitchen. It was then I decided to just "Walk it off" as we used to tell the little leaguers. After about 1/2 hr of just simply walking in circles around the house, pausing at the stairway to do a step or two, I felt things loosening up. Well, well, well, could this be the secret? No other exercise is advised just yet, so I suppose that Marty Robbins was right when he sang "Keep A Movin', Dan". So move I shall.

I would very much like to take this show on the road, i.e. an outdoor walk, but it is hazy, cooler and rainy. That, coupled with the fear that I'll get a good distance away from home and have an attack of pain. I know....BIG CHICKEN! I do hope to get outdoors soon, and have the kind of enjoyable walk that I've been waiting for. I have 3 more sessions with the chiropractor next week, so I'm hoping each one will bring more relief. I'm looking forward to Cold Laser Therapy, which I was told is really awesome. I'll let you know. While I'm there, I may decide to do acupuncture for weight loss as well. Heck, as long as I'm being poked, prodded and adjusted, and lasered, why the heck not?

Ok, Ok, I'm Going!!

First, let me thank everyone for their kind comments on my current "predicament". Today has brought a modicum of improvement with my sciatica. I'd particularly like to thank DrDave for his sage advice. The ice packs seemed to have alleviated a little of the excruciating pain. I even had a pretty good night's sleep. Thank you DrDave!! I only wish you lived in Iowa, I'd be at your office in a heartbeat!

Even tho' this morning I was much better and the whole "gettin' ready" process went much more smoothly, I made an appointment with the chiropractor for this morning. Having done that, I realized that this meant I must now shave my legs! I'd been putting it off because of the pain in my back and legs. Well, the old Lawn Boy made it thru the thicket, and I'm ready to go. I am looking forward to the relief. Just need one miracle to go, please.

Yesterday was a simply horrid day, foodwise. There is no sugar coating it, I was BAD!!! I was feeling so lousy, and hurt everywhere, so I just plain gave into almost every temptation. Some old habits die hard. Self pity is a powerful motivator, and I gave in way, way too easily. I'd like to say I didn't have the strength to refuse myself, but that was not the case. I just plain screwed up!

If not for the rain, haze and sogginess around here, I could be out walking....once my chiropractor makes me all better. The walking path is clear, but full of puddles, the lawns have appeared, but are soaking wet and matted down, but I'm hopeful that Spring will be sprung very soon. Sadly, in this neck of the woods, Spring brings the floods, and many roads in the area have already flooded over. Luckily, we can get where we need to go without any problems, but many people just a few blocks over are not so fortunate. Right now, as long as I can get to the chiropractor I'm a happy camper.

Good News, Bad News

Bad news first....my sciatica is worse today!! Instead of just being a problem for about an hour in the morning, it came back last night for prime time. Did get a little sleep tho', so that was a nice bonus. Came back with a vengeance this morning, and it took 45 min. just to be able to do more than hobble to the bathroom, let alone get downstairs to do anything productive. I do believe that per DrDave's suggestion yesterday, I am going to have to go to a chiropractor soon. The small problem is finding my window of opportunity to drive. The difficulty is on my right side which makes driving somewhat problematic. Doesn't seem right to keep a friend "on call" for this problem, so I'm waiting for the right moment. There is a really good chiropractor near us, and he takes walk ins, so when the time hits, I'm all over it. (Hubby Dearest is in England, so he is of no help with this problem.)

Good news now....the often debilitating pain in my butt, thigh and calf have taken my mind off my bad knee!! I can hardly even tell it's there!! It's my right knee, too, so I assume the sciatica is masking the pain I usually have in the knee. When it rains it pours, isn't that what they say? At any rate, the whole exercise plan is kinda on hold for the moment, so my dietary needs have to be more focused. With the flu-bug thingy I kinda forgot that. I was concentrating so hard on staying hydrated, I sorta forgot about eating properly. High calorie, high carb, and bland was the menu. Those were also the easiest to prepare. Yes, I'm well aware I took the lazy way out.

Weigh In Wednesday did not produce the results I had assumed it would. I figured with my "bug" and the issues that came with it, I'd be looking at a lovely loss this week. Instead, I had only a 1.2# loss. I did have a few Propels for hydration, and some chicken noodle soup last night, so perhaps a bit of extra sodium has retained fluids. Who knows? At least I didn't gain weight being sick.....that would truly suck.

The snow is melting, and I can see my walking path!! (At least parts of it.) I am anxious to get out and take a little stroll around the hood again. Temps have been fairly mild (in the 40's) so it would be completely doable if I could walk more than 20' at a time. Rains are in store for us this week so, the flood watches and warnings are beginning. I have the lumber ordered for the ark! The ground is so soggy, the runoff is going to be pretty severe according to the experts. Selfishly, I hope it doesn't delay the opening of the golf course!! I hope to be up and walking and swinging a club very soon. Just one more reason to get my butt ache cured. :)