Decisions

I've made a decision not to do any more Disney blocks.  I have so many right now that I made and was not able to get signed.  I will take them with me, and hopefully get the signatures I need.  Also I have some blank blocks to take so that if I see characters whose signatures I don't have, I can have them sign a blank block and add the appliqued picture when I get home.  And I think I will buy or make an autograph book so that if I run out of blocks, I can still get the signatures and then transfer them to a block later.

So what to do next?  I think I will buttonhole stitch the Be Attitudes blocks that need that done.  And maybe cut and put together some of the background blocks.  There is embroidery to be done on most of the blocks.  Do you embroider before or after you quilt the blocks?

I did nothing yesterday.  In the morning I waited for the FedEx man to bring our new phones.  He finally showed up at 11:00, with only one phone.  Seems that Verizon entered a zero amount when they submitted my order to the credit card company, and so it was declined.  I was livid, and gave both Verizon and the Credit Union a piece of my mind (not that I had a lot to spare).  Then Kris and Mary and their kids showed up and spent the afternoon with me.  It was a nice excuse not to do anything, since I had a headache, stomach ache, and nausea from the increased dosage of Vic.  Today, I feel pretty good, and love seeing the low numbers that I'm now posting.  So, this morning I'm off to the sewing room and will hopefully accomplish something before my new toy phone arrives. Hope your day is great.

My Relationship with Vic.

A week ago today, the doctor introduced me to Vic, my nickname for my new medication Victoza.  My numbers had been consistently high, I was waking up with headaches, I was grouchy and hard as I tried, I couldn't get my BS numbers down.  So it was time for me to meet Vic.  Vic works by slowing down the emptying of your stomach, thereby causing you to not feel hungry.  The medical community has had good results with it in weight loss as well as lowering BS numbers in diabetics.  So, how is my relationship with Vic going?  My numbers this past week have been pretty consistent, but now they're in the 96-l05 area.  I haven't been hungry, and find I am unable to finish my dinner.  I had one low number of 73 in the early part of the week, but I think that was a result on not adjusting my eating times to Rod's overtime.  We normally eat dinner at 5:45, but with the overtime, we aren't eating until 7:15.  I now have a snack at 4:00, and that has helped the nausea as well.  The nausea has pretty much disappeared, and I'm really glad of that.  I have only had a headache one morning, and don't think I'm as grouchy.  And, yesterday, I opened the door of the sewing room for the first time in weeks.  I had forgotten how messy it was.  I was a good girl all week - no sneaking what I shouldn't have, increasing my vegetable intake and cutting back on bad carbs.  So, last night, Rod took me to the local custard stand for a treat.  I had a small hot fudge sundae on strawberry ice cream.  I figured it was a good thing - strawberry ice cream, fruit.  Whipped cream, dairy.  Nuts, protein.  It was so good, almost like a chocolate covered strawberry.  Don't know if Vic minded, but this morning my FBS was 106.  Let's hear a big WAHOO, and promise it won't be an incentive to start "cheating" on Vic.

Today, Vic and I move on to the next step in our relationship as I move up to the next dosage level.  I will be monitoring my numbers very closely to make sure there are no serious lows.  And so, it looks like Vic and I may have a long lasting relationship.

What to do???

Part of Farmer's Market quilt

It's definitely time to rekindle the friendship with my sewing room.  It's a certain disaster, but with a little pick up here and put away there, I think I can have it up and running in no time.  But will should I do first?  Maybe I should work on my Be Attitudes quilt.  I was way ahead of my friend Cindy  when she started to make her quilt, but, for sure, she has passed me up.  Perhaps I should play catch up.  But then, maybe I should work on my Farmer's Market quilt.  It only needs borders on two sides and it's ready to sandwich and quilt.

Disney quilt blocks so far

Or, maybe I should make some new blocks for Disney autographs since our trip is just about 2 months away.

Sampler Quilt

But there's this sampler quilt that is so bright and that only needs borders and it's ready to sandwich, and it's been calling my name.




So maybe you can help me decide.  Vote for which project you think I should work on first.

Day 2

Yesterday was day 2 of my new medication.  I was a little apprehensive about doing the injection.  I had done it in the office under the supervision of the diabetes nurse, but this time was by myself.  I had no reason to worry -- there was a pamphlet with pictures and everything enclosed with the pen.  I followed my meal plan, and two hours after breakfast, my blood sugar was 118 - a number that I've not seen for some time.  Dinner time is usually 5:45, but since Rod started working overtime yesterday, we didn't eat until 7:00.  By dinner time, I was very hungry and realize now that, while Rod is on overtime, I will have to have something small to eat between lunch and dinner.  Dinner time didn't go very smoothly.  Halfway through the meal, I became very nauseated.  The nausea just seemed to get worse, and finally I just quit eating.  I took my pills, and thought I would really be sick.  The nausea subsided about 9:00.  This is one of the side effects that they warned me about, and it should disappear within two weeks.  I usually have a snack before bed, but last night didn't feel hungry.  I did, however, have a small glass of low-fat chocolate milk (one of my weaknesses).  This morning, my first number was 118.  Hello - I've not had a morning number below 135 in quite some time.  Am I excited?? Oh Yea!!  The medication changes are definitely something I can live with.

Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

It's a song that my dad used to sing, but I need to apply it to my life right now.  I had such High Hopes (another song) for that 4 hr. body diet.  They practically promise a weight loss of about 20 lbs. the first month; the possibility of going off diabetic meds within a few months, and doing all this with little exercise.  Suddenly, after my dr's appointment, those high hopes were dashed to the ground.  Suddenly, I don't have to worry about my clothes being too big before our trip to Disney.  There's no chance that I will be thin enough to ride the Haunted Mansion ride.  And I will continue to take all the meds that I take now, but with an injection added.  And I won't have one day a week that I can eat whatever I want.  All in all, it's pretty disheartening.  But, I need to eliminate the negative.  So here goes!

What promise does returning to my diabetic eating plan hold?  I love warm applesauce, now I can continue to eat it.  I love cantelope, I can eat it.  I won't be making booty-tooty music constantly since I won't have to eat all those beans!  I won't be eating spinach and lentils for breakfast (a somewhat disgusting thought, to be sure).  I won't feel deprived when my family is eating a baked potato and I'm eating lentils.  I will know in my heart that what I'm doing is the best for my body.  Hopefully, if I concentrate on reducing my blood sugar numbers, the slow and steady weight loss will follow.

When I was much younger, I was a Richard Simmons fan.  I had every Sweatin' to the Oldies tape that he made.  And I remember that Richard used to say that we shouldn't call it a "diet" because it contains the word "die".  But rather, call it a Live-t because it will enable you to live a more healthy lifestyle.  So today, I am concentrating on the positive.  Today will be the first day of my new life.

But then again . . .

maybe they are.  Rod and I both had dr. appointments this morning.  His dr. was on time - mine wasn't.  As I was going back to the room, he was coming out.  He got a really good report, and doesn't have to go back for six months.  Lucky duck!

My appointment wasn't so good.  My last fasting blood sugar was 175 (way too high), and my A1C was 7.5.  It was very upsetting since I had gotten my A1C down to 5.5 at one point.  I had gained seven pounds.  I had been thinking about using the diet in the 4 Hour Body book, but decided to check it out with my dr. first.  With the diet in this book, you eat no carbs, no fruit, no dairy. That leaves only protein, veggies, and legumes.  But the weight loss is supposed to be amazing.  But with those numbers, the dr. decided to start me on Victoza to supplement my other oral meds.  Victoza is a relatively new injectable for use by Type II diabetics.  It works with your other meds to lower blood sugar and helps with weight loss.  And I received an definite and vehement NO for the other diet.  I was told that that type of diet could really mess with my numbers.  I was told that I need a well balanced diet to keep my body healthy.  And I was given some new books and charts to that end.  So, maybe it wasn't so bad.  But I know that the time for action is NOW, no more messing around.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Mondays aren't always bad!

Sometimes you need Monday to recover from the weekend.  It was a whirlwind.  Saturday morning at 9:15, we had to be at the school for Krissy's performance with Rising Stars.  Rising Stars is a drama/singing camp that she has participated in for the past two years.  This year's performance was especially enjoyable because they did songs from the sixties and seventies -- just my time.  Left there, drove home for a potty call and a cup of coffee, and then to the softball field for Krissy's first game in a tournament.  They lost!  Back home for some tylenol, and a short nap to help alleviate the headache I had developed, and then to Bubby's baseball game.  Gosh it was hot and muggy with no shelter.  His team was the away team and so they were in the dugout where there is no pavilion.  After Bubby's game, we headed to Costco and emerged $284 poorer.  Back home to put things away, and Rod suggested take-out for dinner.  Sounded like a good idea to me.  Mary and family came to pick up the items we had picked up for her at Costco and the kids (and Mary) convinced Pappy to light a fire for s'mores.

Yesterday, we cleaned up the deck and ran the sweeper on the carpet.  Rod cleaned the living room and the kitchen, and Pat ran the sweeper.  Pam and I cooked the side dishes to go along with the ham that was in the smoker.  Mary brought German potato salad, and Kris brought deviled eggs.  Pam and Pat brought a cheesecake assortment for dessert and also made a blueberry pie.  Then after dinner, Izzy talked Pappy into a fire for s'mores.  My mom came out for a couple of hours, and we had a really nice day.

Today Rod and I have dr. appointments for check ups, and then hopefully we can take some time to just breathe.  Have a good week.

Good Morning, Friday

I'm so glad to see you.  Although I'm not sure why.  It will be a whirlwind weekend -- not exactly what I look forward to.  Granddaughter Krissy has a play/concert at 9:15 am on Saturday (who chose that ungodly hour?) as the finale to her Rising Star drama camp.  Then she has her first game in a softball tournament at 11:00 am, and about 20 miles away, Bubby has a baseball game at 2.  While we are out that direction, we have some items to pick up at Costco.  Then Sunday is Father's Day and we're doing a late dinner.  So I should have time to catch my breath during the day on Sunday.  I haven't been to the sewing room for a few weeks (shame in me)  and it must be thinking that I am a deserter.  Don't fret, my favorite room, I shall return.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

It was a Zoo-tiful Day

After many days of indecision, I finally made up my mind and went to the zoo with the kids and grandkids.  The weather was the best - sunny and not too warm.  Rod loaded my scooter into the car on Monday night and the twins, Bubby and I left for the zoo at about 9:20 am. on Tuesday.   George and Kris and their family were going along, and after loading Bubby's wheelchair into the back of the truck, left with us.  As good as I am at reading a road map, that's how bad I am at reading picture maps -- that of the zoo is one such map.  We headed to where we thought the polar bears were, but ended up at the sea lions.  We made the best of my map reading.  I do realize that we are all about natural habitats for the animals, but you don't see a whole lot.  I was, in fact, a little disappointed.  Our zoo has one camel -- I mean really, we couldn't have two?!!  We have one rhinoceros -- ONE.  When we were at the zoo a year ago, there was a sign stating that the zebras had been transferred to another facility to "make room for more endangered species of zebras".  Well, still no zebras.  There were 2 black bears, one spectacled bear, but no brown or grizzly bears.

We do, however, have elephants.  An entire herd of elephants.  For only $10 (note my sarcasm) you can have a picture taken with the baby elephant -- they take two shots with your camera.  And they even let you pet the elephant.  And people were really all lined up.  But the picture turned out really nice.  The tall girl is stepdaughter, Jessica.  And we also have tigers, and got to watch the mom playing with three cubs.

The cost of food was outrageous.  George and Kris got 3 hot dogs, 3 orders of fries and a small pizza and the bill was $40.  We got discount tickets from our credit union, but still tickets for Kris's family was $32.  Same price for tickets for Mary's family since Kris's friend Allie went along.  But here's the kicker -- Jimmy came at 2:30 to meet Mary and the kids.  And even though the zoo closed at 6:00, they still charged him the full price of $14.00.  So, it was a nice but expensive day.

It's Hump Day

We've arrived half-way to another weekend, but it's gonna be a busy one.  One of our neighbors is getting married on Saturday, and we'll be attending that.  But first, we need to have blood work done and do a little shopping (wedding gift).  Sunday I'm hoping to do some sewing.  I've been taking a break since the Saddle Up quilts were finished, but I'm ready to dig in again.  I don't get the kids until lunch today, so I may try to clean up a little in there.  You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks!  Nope, I didn't put anything away when I was done with it.  I try, honest!  Mary Poppins would be telling me to make my room "spit spot".  So today, Mary Poppins, I will try to put everything in its place.

If I don't come out by lunch time, send in the rescue dogs!!

It's Monday. . .

not surprising.  Bad things always seem to happen on Monday.  What happened last night could have been a bad thing.  But thanks to my bladder, it turned out OK.  It makes you wonder, though, if we're not ready for a home!!  You know, one of those so-called "senior moments".

Let me introduce you to two of my best friends in the whole wide world -- our coffee pots.  Although we do use the Keurig several times a week, most of our coffee is made in a Revere percolator like this one.  Rod's family always used one of these, and we got our first one as a wedding gift.  We've had to buy one or two since then, but it's what we like.  Rod is in charge of making coffee.  He makes the best coffee. I think it must go back to when he worked as a short order cook at Eat-N-Park.  Back then, he was called a "grill boy".  He was working there when we got married, and I can assure you, he was no boy!!
But I digress.  When my bladder demanded that I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom to avoid embarrassment, I could smell something strange.  Couldn't figure out what it was.  My nose followed the smell, and I followed my nose.  And there it was. . .  our beloved coffee pot still on the stove and the burner was still on.  I rushed to the stove and turned off the burner, thus rescuing our "friend".  The coffee, however, was not salvageable.  It didn't even smell like coffee.  Seems that we went to bed last night and neither of us realized that the coffee was still slowly perking.  So, this morning, I am grateful to the bladder that makes demands at some of the most inopportune times, and to the Keurig for stepping in when it was so badly needed.

I'm Still Here. . .

I've just been taking a break from sewing since the Saddle Up.  I've downloaded some new embroidery patterns and purchased a boxcar full  little bit of fabric.  I'm hoping to make some bibs.  Jake is on solid baby food now, and someone told him that you are supposed to blow raspberries when you eat.  A bib protects him . . . maybe I should make a couple for myself.

This is the latest photo of my little charges.  I love this picture - I see these smiles most of the day when I'm babysitting.  How can you not smile when you're looking at these two?  

Catch you later in the week.