Woke earlier than the alarm this morning feeling great. Walked with friends then ate some protein Special K and blueberries. Picked up Mom and went swimming. Now back home it’s laundry, bills and church work. Off to work in a bit. Stephen will be in town today at noon and asked me to meet him at Zorba’s for a salad.
Stephen & I had a nice lunch. Back at the office I had two cookies. At home neither of us wanted soup because it was still warm outside, so I had some popcorn (only 110 calories) and a smoothie. Light dinner.
Thursday September 18, 2008 Phase Two Day 150:
Great day so far. Woke up and went to step class. Back home, I ate oatmeal and watched an adventure of the old TV series Robin Hood. Had an 8:00 appointment to have my teeth cleaned. It wasn’t bad at all. Talked to Dr Lukins (great dentist) about removing the spot on my front tooth. I am so happy - he said it could be done relatively easy. When I stopped by the bank I saw a fruit vender and picked up some peaches and avocado. Dropped a few at Mom’s then gassed up and washed the car. Oh yea, I also got the oil changed. I just love running errands. I know – weird.
Now at home I need to get some church work done so I grabbed a peach and came up to the computer…….Went in to work late today because we have an afterschool nutrition program that will keep me there late. My step instructor, Larry, mentioned this morning that his annual American Cancer Society fundraising BBQ is tonight. The BBQ is at his family business in Tipton (almost to Tulare). I called Blake & Sara to see if they wanted to meet us there. Sonnet was free so we all had a nice dinner together. I ate….a lot. It was good tri-tip and luscious creamed red potatoes and of course salad, bread and green beans. They offered cookies for dessert and I had two.
Friday September 19, 2008 Phase Two Day 151:
I am sugared up again. I know this because I took part in a clinical study this morning. This is the data: whenever I de-sugar myself, that is to say cut drastically back on sugars then have something very sweet, the effect on my system is not very pleasant. My stomach will cramp and I usually have to run to the bathroom. This morning after walking with my friends; Doug came out to the car with two doughnuts left over from seminary. They just happened to be maple bars – the best of all doughnuts. I decided to have one. Now, I had planned to go to the store for a couple things right after walking, so in the back of my mind was the thought that this doughnut will hit my sugar free stomach and I will be hurting and desperately hunting for a rest room right about the time I am perusing the aisles at Green Frog (which, by the way, I hardly ever shop at because it is too expensive, but if I need something quick I will stop in). This is where the results if the study come into play. I had no unpleasant symptoms at all. This can only mean one thing – I am not de-sugared.
Now, anyone who reads this is probably saying to himself or herself, “She thought she was de-sugared? She is delusional!” To which my response is, “Yes, I am delusional”. Only this morning I was laughing with friends about not realizing how erratic I eat. After reading my last Pigs to Twigs entry, Stephen commented how bad my week was. The only thing I can say is, when I am having cottage cheese and cantaloupe, or berries, or a dinner of soup and a smoothie, or tuna & crackers for lunch, I think I am eating well. I know I have treats here and there – I even lament about all the excuses I find to indulge. I write it all down and chastise myself for excessiveness, then wake up and have cottage cheese with cantaloupe again which makes me think I am hanging in there. What is funny to me is that I actually thought that doughnut was going to hit my stomach like a sugar bomb. When I review the cookies I have had over the last few days and the ice cream; logically I see the folly of that thought. What can I say – I think I will stick with the delusional theory.
I have been up at this computer all morning! It is 12:40. I came home from the store after walking, put the milk in the frig and came up here to type. I can’t believe how the time flies. Needless to say I won’t be going into the office today. Now I am down the kitchen and get some protein Special K – I am hungry. Then I guess I will take a shower and head out to pick up Stephen. We are going to the temple tonight and stay over for stake temple day tomorrow. That means we will probably have dinner in the temple cafeteria tonight. You know what that means……Custard! Love it!.....Sure enough we ate in the temple cafeteria. We both had prime rib, salad bar and custard. Unfortunately I also had two chocolate chip cookies.
Saturday September 20, 2008 Phase Two Day 152:
Today we were in the temple and appropriately so. Today is the 29th year anniversary of the day we received our endowment. I saw Lawrence Taylor there today but of course, Betty is gone from us now. Betty was my escort to the temple on September 20, 1979.
Our day began with a nice sleep in and breakfast in the temple of eggs, bacon and custard. The chapel session was wonderful followed by the 11:30 endowment session. Stephen & I had cafeteria duty so after the session we hurried to work. I served hot food and Stephen was in the kitchen washing dishes. We had no time to eat lunch but just enough time to dash back upstairs to catch the next stake session. After we were through we went down for dinner. I had a piece of chicken, salad from the salad bar and ……can you guess? Custard. At home, I ate a granola bar and a frozen smoothie as we watched Scarecrow – an old Disney series that came in the mail.
Sunday September 21, 2008 Phase Two Day 153:
Happy Anniversary! Today is our 29th anniversary.
Stephen was up at the crack of dawn and off to meetings. There was a card waiting for me when I woke up. It was cute. I ate protein Special K before left for choir. The choir sang at church. They are so wonderful. I took my anniversary card for Stephen to church and gave it to him between meetings. I substituted in nursery today. It was fun but very active. Wow – so many kids. At home, I had crackers with turkey & cheese and a peach. I made a yummy chocolate cake and some lemon bars to take to Taunie’s tonight. I called an emergency meeting of the Walkie Talkie’s after Taunie called last night to say she was back in town and packing up her house. Wow – talk about closing a chapter. We ate and talked and enjoyed one another’s company for a few hours. I ate chocolate cake, two lemon bars and a lot of tapioca pudding.
I came home to find Stephen asleep on the couch. He had not even gotten home from interviews before I left at 6:00. He had a long day at church. We came up to the computer together to check blogs and email, but someone called and needed to stop by so he is in an interview right now. I had a cup of soup when I came upstairs.
Monday September 22, 2008 Phase Two Day 154:
Walking, Swimming and Special K for breakfast is a great way to start the day. However, there is more to this day to explain.
OK, what haven’t I talked about – Friday I saw two red bumps on my face by my left eye. What are those I wondered? As the day progressed, they began to swell a little and itch. Bug bites I guessed. I picked up some cortisone cream Friday night to help with the itching. Saturday at the temple they were looking funny so I tried to cover them with makeup. By Saturday night, they had swelled a little more and I looked like I had a dark circle under that eye. Sunday morning I did my best cover-up makeup job and went to church. When the Walkie Talkies met that night at Taunie’s I received advice to go to the doctor. So….this am after swimming I called and got in to see the doctor….are you ready….shingles! Yep, shingles, a strain of the varicella (chicken pox) virus has laid dormant in my nerve system until now when, voila – it decides to pop out. Shingles can be brought about by stress or a low immune system. Knowing my recent life, I vote for stress. Let’s revisit September 5th when I recorded news that was the cause for the edits in my journal a few weeks ago.
“I have some shocking news…That is what Stephen said to me last night. We had been talking in bed then we read and said prayers like always. I reached up to turn off the light and he says, “I have some shocking news.” I asked him what it was. He said, “Blake is thinking of enlisting.” What! As if I could roll over and go to sleep now!!! He then proceeded to tell me Blake had called him earlier to get his opinion. They talked for a while. Of course, I was asking Stephen all kinds of questions that he did not have the answer to. Things like, When - right now or when he finishes school? How long has this been in the works? After about the fourth or fifth question I told Steph I wanted to call and see if they were free for dinner tonight. I called Blake (by then it was 10:30pm) and told him what his dad told me right before I turned out the light He started laughing. I told him I want to meet for dinner to hear what his plans and goals are. I am actually excited to hear his thoughts. So tonight we will be in Fresno for dinner…….
Had a wonderful evening with Blake & Sara. During dinner we talked and listened to Blake. His dad gave him some good points to ponder based on his own military experience. I found out anything he does will be after he graduates, phew! I will ever thank my Heavenly Father for sending Blake to us. He is a special boy and has been his entire life. I am grateful we are exceptionally close. One of the reasons I like the movie, ‘The Work and the Glory’ is the close relationship depicted between Maryann Steed and her son Nathan. They connect. Blake and I connect. Before we left, he asked his dad for blessing and received wonderful council. Whatever he chooses, we will support him.’
I would say that might be a source of stress in a mother’s life. In the subsequent weeks he continues to gather information and will be taking the army aptitude test this weekend to see what options are open to him. Nothing is decided yet. I have learned over the years that my children’s well being, stability and happiness is never entirely disconnected from my own. Lately, I have also had Tiffany on my mind and praying especially for her with the challenges she is facing at this time. Nothing insurmountable, but challenging just the same. I would not be completely honest if I did not add to the mix, concern for my own tight finances. The consequences of expenditures we have made are coming home to roost. Of course, this is all just conjecture as I try to explain my puffy, red, itching shingle face.
The good news is I do not have to worry about work for a few days. This means I can help Taunie. When I picked up my prescription, I joined Jami at Taunie’s for box packing. I ate a pocket sandwich, egg roll, some leftover cake a lemon bar while over there. Not so good. We spent the rest of the day packing. Our Hubbies, Stephen & Ernie joined us at Taunie & Allen’s at dinnertime. Allan ran to El Pollo Loco. We ate grilled chicken breast, steamed veggies and salad. That sounds very good but I added to that a bunch of grapes. Even that would not have been terrible but after the Larsen’s left, Taunie broke out the ice cream and I brought out the cake. Oh boy. Very bad day.
Tuesday September 23, 2008 Phase Two Day 155:
Normally a weigh in day but I am on my period so all bets are off. Of course, yesterday’s disastrous menu would not have anything to do with it. Sonnet came over and we had a bowl of cereal. She weighed the same – said there were too many parties this week. Now I am off to Taunie’s to pack…..Oh my, I am tired. It is after 4:00 but I think we got the house packed. They fed us a lunch of KFC chicken. I had chicken, biscuit and beans. Later we had cake and ice cream. The good news is that the cake is all gone. More good news is that I will probably have more of a normal day tomorrow with my food choices all under my control. OK, so food choices are always under my own control, but I mean I will be the one putting food in front of me – not someone else.
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