The "D" Word

I wonder why I find food so comforting? I absolutely HATE what it's doing to my body, but apparently not enough to stop overeating. Growing up, I was thin. I'm sure part of it was the good ol' gene pool, as both my parents were thin - for awhile. Part of it was also controlled by my mother, who didn't allow us to open the refrigerator door until we were...hmmm...I'm not sure when we finally got that privilege. But we didn't really care. I don't recall ever feeling extremely hungry and/or deprived of food. We kept busy, mostly playing outside as we were also not allowed to "run in and out". The other neighborhood kids were all outside too so it was fun. We rode bikes, played tag, jumped rope, ice skated, etc., and pretty much hated it when we were called in to eat.
The weight gain didn't catch up to me until I turned 40. I guess I should be happy about that as I have many friends and relatives who've struggled WAY before 40. But if you never struggled with being overweight until 40, then you also never had to contend with the "D" word.
I finally tried the "D" word. One of the first ones I recall involved eating this nasty cabbage soup. It totally sucked. Basically, no "D" has ever worked because I have no will power. I was, however, successful with Weight Watchers, shortly before my daughter got married. I wanted to walk, not waddle, down the aisle, and therefore, was highly focussed and motivated. I lost 20 pounds. But Weight Watchers is a "way of life", and who wants to eat like that the rest of their life? I totally wanted to strangle the people who showed up at meetings saying they were having trouble consuming their points. Plus it just sucks that some of the best foods ever are off the charts in points. Potato salad: 1/2 c. = 7 points, Pecan pie: one slice = 12 points. The list goes on and on. Not to mention alcohol at 2 points per one jigger drink. Needless to say, I gained all my lost weight back.
I tend to carry my unwanted weight in my stomach. My butt will actually fit in size 10 pants (sometimes), but my stomach needs a 12-14. I try to hide it by wearing loose fitting tank tops with a jacket or unbuttoned shirt on top. Lately, I'm only somewhat finding comfort in that if the tank top is black. That's not good. I've invested in "Spanks" and "Flexees", but they're hot and not conducive for potty purposes. I'm running out of options and I'm totally frustrated.
I should add that I do exercise - some. I play golf weekly, walk my dog daily, and participate in weekly pilates, and a stretch class. I've even utilized an eliptical trainer for 1/2 hour 5-7 x wk, but it made no difference, so I've not been as diligent with that lately. There's a trainer at our gym, but he charges $65.00 an hour. I hate the thought of paying that, mainly because I've taught excercise classes and know what to do.
What I'd love to do is go to a fat camp, like "The Biggest Loser". I'd never qualify for that show because I'm not fat enough. Maybe I need thereapy for the "D" word. Overeaters Anonymous - that's what I need as I'm just sure it's an addiction.
HELP!!

Something I never want to have to do again -

Yesterday I attended a memorial service for a friend's 4 month old grand-daughter. Talk about sad - thank goodness it was just a memorial service, and not a full fledge funeral, with casket, etc. Supposedly, she (Kristen) died from SIDS. An autopsy was performed with "inconclusive" results. My friend kept Kristen every Tuesday & Thursday. Kristen's mom teaches. She died Friday while at the babysitter's. The sitter had put her down for a nap, and when she checked on her, she wasn't breathing. Can you imagine? How awful, for everyone! I also knew Kristen's mom as she once in awhile plays BUNCO with a group where I play. I felt connected to her because she has a 3yr old boy, and I have two 3yr grand-daughters. My daughter visited me last Mother's Day with her 3mo. old 2nd daughter, and we made a BUNCO appearance so I could show her off. Kristen's mom was maybe 3 months pregnant at the time, and SO hoping for a girl. And when she got her wish, she was just thrilled. Just so very sad. Hence, my title -

Jury Duty aka Productive Pile Reduction

Several weeks ago my husband got a jury duty notice in the mail. I shouldn't have laughed because I'm just sure that's why I received one several days later. I actually had to report before he did and my day was today. Having experienced the selection process in Tulsa, I grabbed "piles" from the kitchen counter and stuffed them in a bag. I arrived at 8:30AM along with at least 300 other potential jurors. The jury assembly building was once a church so we sat in pews, 7 people per pew. And there we sat, and waited - and waited - and waited. At least I had my "piles" to keep me busy. Finally they started calling names for one of 3 scheduled trials. 54 names were called as potential jurors, and mine wasn't one of them. Whew! More waiting ensued. Around 11:45 we were released as the other 2 scheduled trials settled out of court. We were told we wouldn't be called again for at least 3 years. Woo Hoo!

Photo Test

I'm testing my ability to upload pictures. If this works, the first picture was taken at the M&M store in New York City. The second was taken in Washington, D.C.
Both were in celebration of my sister's 60th birthday.

My Colonoscopy Experience

Yesterday I had my first colonoscopy. It's not something I ever wanted to do, but my doctor had been suggesting it ever since I hit the big 5-0. As posted earlier, I finally caved in after knowledge of my niece's cancer, and my visit with Alice. I don't know the results yet, other than I did have polyps. I go for a follow-up visit in about a week. My husband told me that if they found polyps, they'd recommend another colonoscopy in 3 years, vs 5. CRAPPOLA!!
It's not that the procedure itself was bad, it was drinking the make you poop solution. First of all, you can't have anything to eat the day before, which is a challenge for us 50+ non-fit group. I actually played in the dirt to keep my mind off eating, and if you follow my blog, you know how much I enjoy that. At noon, you take 2 pills that are supposed to make you have a movement from 1-6 hours later. Therefore, you don't dare go anywhere just in case you're a member of the 1 hour later group. Then at 6:00 PM you have to start drinking a liquid solution that you can flavor with your choice of cherry, orange, pineapple, or lemon-lime. You have to drink the entire jug - which I'm guessing was 1/2 gallon, but felt like a gallon. The flavor didn't help much, as it was just a hint. I think next time I'll divide the solution and change out the flavor, as I got pretty tired of a hint of my choice - pineapple.
My movement didn't start until 7:15PM - right at the start of American Idol. It was a challenge timing those bathroom trips during commercials! The trips lasted until 10:15 when I decided to go to bed and hope I awakened for the next movement, as I had no "Depends" in the house. I made it through the night with maybe one or two more movements, and yes, I made it to the bathroom. I still was "moving" in the morning, when I was scheduled for the procedure at 8:30AM, and could SO relate to Dave Barry's commentary on a colonoscopy when he referred to flowers not being enough to compensate for the possibility of squirting on his doctor, who happened to be his friend :-)
I had to be there an hour early to register and take care of vitals such as blood pressure, temp, and insertion of an IV. Yikes! I didn't know this! I had a horrendous experience with insertion of an IV during my challenge child's birth and I've hated the thought ever since. But it went okay - the nurse was nice and listened while I revisited my bad experience. She paid attention and utilized an extremely small needle to find an appropriate vein. And then I waited as I was #6 in line for the procedure. I flipped through 3 magazines: 2 Southern Living and 1 Rachel Ray - all containing wonderful food recipes. Talk about torture!! The least they could do is supply you with losing weight magazines, don't you think?
Finally, my turn came and went. It's that quick, once they put you under. Amazing. I came home, expecting to continue as usual. But I took a nap, not something I ever do. It was weird, but I wasn't allowed to drive and didn't feel like doing anything else. It must have been needed.

1725 miles later - Part 2: Tulsa

A week ago today I was in Tulsa, OK. I've lived there twice. The first time was from 1980 to 1986. I lived in a neighborhood where I was the youngest stay at home mom on the block. The neighborhood had coffees once a month so I got to know many of the other neighbors. It was great. They actually still have the coffees, although many have moved and/or died. I've continued to stay in contact with a few, usually via Christmas cards, and now, occasional emails.
The second time I lived there for 11 years (1995-2006). My kids graduated from high school there. However, I worked during most of those years and didn't get to know as many of the neighbors. I was a public school speech pathologist and carpooled for 6 years with another teacher 40 miles to Okmulgee, OK. We got to be good friends. My other good friend was my daughter's former boyfriend's mom, also a teacher.
I also have a daugher and grand-daughter in Tulsa. This daughter has always been my "challenge child" aka "my mother's revenge". Yes, I was a challenge, but in a different way. I was strong willed and stubborn, but capable of being self sufficient. This daughter is strong willed and stubborn, but not totally capable of being self sufficient. She's a constant worry, and I've shed many a tear over her - a whole nuther posting.
I always enjoy going back to Tulsa. But unless I get a hotel, I don't really have anywhere to stay. Both my carpool friend and daughter's former boyfriend's mom have moved. I've stayed with one of the former neighbors before, but she stays busy so I'm not comfortable asking last minute (a week before). I won't stay with my daughter because she's got another couple already living with her - a whole nuther posting.
So what's wrong with getting a hotel room? Why am I so cheap that I don't want to shell out $100.00 a night for a room? I really can afford it. But I just hate paying that amount to sleep in a bed and take a shower. I could do SO much more with that money. I'd rather buy something or give it to my kids than spend it on a room. So when my Little Rock daughter and I went to Tulsa, we spent Friday night at her friend's house. Saturday night she and her friend attended a bachelorette party. I felt compelled to find somewhere else to stay, as her friend's husband was probably not going to be comfortable hanging out with me. Even though I would have disappeared for most of the evening, it would have just been awkward.
Fortunately, my husband has hotel points. I called him and he was able to find a room at a Holiday Inn Express. My challenge child and grand-daughter spent the night with me. It worked out well.

1,725 miles later . . . Part 1 -Little Rock

I just returned from visiting my daughters and grandkids in Little Rock and Tulsa. I spent most of the time in Little Rock where I cooked, cleaned, painted, did laundry, and shampooed carpets. That doesn't sound like fun to you? I actually enjoyed it. It's WAY better than playing in the dirt. I don't mind cooking when I know there are people who will eat what I cook. Both my daughter and son-in-law work and they have two daughters, ages 3 and 1, PLUS another one in the making. Needless to say, work and the girls keep them very busy - and tired. Therefore, it's fun for me to help out by providing meals and helping with the numerous other chores associated with raising a family.
Not to go unmentioned is the fun of being around the grandbabies. The 3 year old has had a lot of attention and can be "testy". She's smart, and knows how to play her parents. Her motor and intellectual skills are advanced so it's very entertaining to watch her move and speak. Today she came home with a picture of an elephant eating a peanut and proceded to tell her mom that her daddy has a peanut on his "gina" (long i).
The 1 year old is simply fun to watch. She doesn't demand as much adult interaction or attention as the 3 year old. She's one to just sit back and observe her unique personality.
There's a possibility that this daughter and son-in-law could be moving. Therefore, I painted a spare bedroom, the nursery, and the hallway. I don't mind painting. I'm not sure why. I'm good at it. I prefer to cut in vs roll. I don't like getting the walls ready with spackle and sandpaper. It's similar to getting dirt in my fingernails - ugh.
Let's see, I also mentioned cleaning and shampooing carpets. Cleaning is not high up on my list of favorite things to do, but for some reason I tolerate it better when it's someone else's home. Shampooing carpets is somewhat gratifying because of the immediate result difference. Too bad it doesn't last that long, especially in heavy traffic areas. How stupid is it to put carpet in those places to begin with?
So much for Little Rock. Maybe tomorrow, Tulsa.
PS: I hate doing laundry - anywhere (but it's still better than playing in the dirt)