Starting WW

Yesterday I took the plunge and joined Weight Watchers on-line. I plunged so fast that I did not realize there wasn't enough in my Paypal account to cover it (about 60 bucks for 3 months, not bad) but that's okay because they just took the balance (about 17 dollars) from my bank that is linked to Paypal.
It's just one of those deals where if you don't just DO it, you NEVER do it.
So far, I'm glad I did. I love the points tracker. You just look up something and type in how much of it you ate and it deducts from your daily points. I start with 27 daily points, plus I have 49 for the week extra.
I like that you can eat whatever you want if you are within your range. You just have to measure more carefully. No diet is going to work with me if I can't have my coffee in the morning. It only means that I have to stop dumping in sugar and pouring on the creamer. 1 T of sugar and 2 T of creamer works just right for me.
I also like that there is no consultant involved. I really wouldn't want to have to deal with another human being here. It's much better to me to be on my own.
I have already made myself a little index card to keep in my wallet for fast food. Mike and I love to hit Taco Bell once a week after work on Saturday. My usual taco and tostado would be about 10 points. Not bad! I need to work in lemonade, too, since I despise diet soda. It would just come out of the weekly 49, probably. And maybe I have to bring a cup to measure it out? This diet might make me look silly, but it better make me look goooood in a few months! Technically I am about 50 pounds overweight but I could lose 20 and look good. Frankly, a 50 pound weight loss would look ridiculous on me, despite what the charts say!
I forgot to post that I went to the doctor on Monday. Sat there almost 3 hours before she took me in, but I was very, very impressed with her. I have a muscle spasm which is near the sacro joint so maybe that is the deal and not sacroiliitis. Whatever, I just hope this round of medical stuff works.

Remembering Patrick

It's funny how little things will set off your memories and sentiments. I have the Create channel running. There was a quilt show on. I don't quilt so I was checking out the channel guide. Then I heard: "Albuquerque, New Mexico" and "Old Town." So, of course, I had to watch.
And I got somewhat teary-eyed. Patrick's been gone about 11 years now. But I have such fond memories of visits to the Southwest that he loved so much. There was a lady who did a take-off of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for a quilt. Think: five turquoise rings instead of five golden ones. Patrick would have been blown away by something like that. I can imagine his voice as he marveled at such a beautiful representation of the Southwest.
He really was enthusiastic and appreciative of art.

Michael off to SC

Michael stopped by this morning. He made himself some eggs and I made bacon for him. Mike is driving him (well, as of now, he already drove him) to the airport for a flight to South Carolina. The weather is beautiful for flying. It's been pleasant here, so I hope that means it won't be horribly hot down there in the South. Michael is attending a friend's wedding over the weekend.
Nick had a few freinds spend the night. They were in the living room this morning while I was on my laptop and I was getting such a kick out of listening to them. They're really funny and nice kids, too. Which is good, since Nick sometimes stays out until 3 a.m. or so. Yes, he's 21 but you still worry. I'm glad he has a good group of friends.

Netting on my gazebo

Jamie was nice enough to help me finally put up the  netting on our gazebo--or whatever you call those 10x10 things. We never even got it up last year so I'm happy that I'll be enjoying the deck, without too many bugs flying around, for a few months.

Clothesline

I really like to hang wash on the clothesline. It's an old-fashioned thing, I know, but it gives me happiness. Especially when I use cute little bird clothespins that I got from a catalog.
A friend made me the clothespin bag. It was black but has faded in the sun.
Shadow Dante always does the "Happy Dance" when he sees me coming upstairs with a clothes basket. He knows it means we are going 'out.'
Of course, when I tried to get a picture of him, he bolted. He's camera shy. Melody the cat came by to investigate.
Work was easy this morning. I only go in for 2.5 hours. I'm on a more steady schedule now that Dr. A is done with her Master's Degree class. 3 nights, 1 morning and one evening. I can live with that, although I would like to not work at all.
The spending money is fun though. Lets me buy things like that bird clothespins I'd feel guilty about otherwise.

Better today

I feel somewhat better today. At least my stomach doesn't hurt as much as it did. Damn meds and their side-effects.
I got on the Wii today for a little bit but it's 28 calories I wouldn't have burned otherwise. I've also been writing steadily in my mystery novel again. I might actually finish it someday.

Pain

I have a condition that is either "Sacroiliitis" or  "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction" depending on which doctor you talk to. It is a very bad localized pain in my lower back that is NOT sciatica. Sometimes it feels like someone is stabbing me with a dull knife.

I have had shots in my spine and physical therapy. I've even gone to chiropractic, God save us. Nothing helps. And I can't take naproxen because it hurts my stomach. I was very sick (to the point where I went to the hospital for 3 days) years ago with stomach pain and it finally turned out I had an ulcer. I'm sure the anti-inflammatories gave me that.

So I get all excited when I see a  new medicine made for people with joint pain who also have stomach problems--only to find out from Dr. B that it's been recalled. But it's basically just naproxen coated with omaprazole. So she gives me a scrip for the meds separate from each other. I took the Om. for a few days as per instructions before I started with the Naproxen.

The combo didn't upset my stomach but unfortunately gave me a terrible case of constipation. I did some research and it turns out both meds cause this problem. So much for that idea. I'm about to give up.

I called a new doctor that Dr. B said might be able to help me, but can't see her for 2 weeks. Meantime I just don't know what to do. I'm f-ing sick of this.

Pool Party for John Joseph!

John Joseph is six years old this week! He had a big party in the backyard with a bunch of his friends. I don't think he was ever out of the pool!

Noreen made hot foods like sausages and peppers and baked ziti. There were hot dogs and hamburgers, all kinds of chips and snacks (in big baskets), potato salad and cole slaw and more. And two cakes!

I bet he'll remember this party for a long time. It was a perfect summer day!