DREARY THURSDAY

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING TO ALL FROM ME AND HOPE!

This little bear was very aptly named, as she is giving us all hope that she might be able to survive in the wilds (albeit, with a little help from her human friends) as a very young and abandoned cub. Apparently she is learning many bear behaviors all on her own-----things like how to forage for wild foods, how to stake out a territory, and more-----all on her own with no mother to show her. We who are following her life's story are learning right along with her.

Kath, I sure hope your swollen face is getting better now, and that you can avoid whatever it was that caused such an alergic reaction. Stay away from your gardening for a while!

Mandy (my daughter), Joe, and a friend of theirs and I sat around the first campfire of the season last night, watching the stars and satellites go overhead. We decided to call it a night just in time, as the skies seemed to instantly close in and torrential rains began falling. It was midnight before I got to bed, and my alarm went off at the usual 4:30----not much sleep for me. I am debating going back for a couple more hours of snoozing and being late to school. I may just do that. I am out in the trailer having my morning coffee, and they and their two huge dogs are sleeping in the house.

I hear my bed calling me, and Molly is keeping it warm for me----this will be a late morning for me.

Stop by and let us know about your plans for the day----coffee is hot!

[asirimarco]

Good Morning All - and a very good morning it is. The Humidity has finally gone a way for a few days and it was wonderful yesterday aft and so far today - but both heat 90+ and humidity are supposed to be back in force by the weekend - shoot.
Got the paint to paint my laundry room - it might keep until fall - it's not that I'm too lazy to do it .......it's just too hot.
My oldest son's birthday yesterday he is now officially older than me - he's 52 - egad where did the time go.
Today the contractor will be back to finish screening in the back deck. That will be so nice - we've got a couple of ceiling fans for out there too.
Soos - bet you are getting real excited now - or aprehensive - cheering and weeping - It's surprising how soon you can adjust.

[Nasoosie]

Well, my conscience got the better of me, and up I got for school on time! I so hated to get out of that warm sleeping bag and step out into the rain and cold and drear. Molly had to be dragged out, as well, as she HATES wet ground and grass. I took off from here early yesterday afternoon, so I decided I might as well get my butt here this morning.

It was fun spending some time with Mandy and Joe and Kyle, but tonight will be an extra early bedtime for me! Four hours of sleep won't cut it for a long, boring day. I printed off a bunch of crossword puzzles today, in case I am needed for a relief proctor again as I was yesterday. I would hate to have spend a day at this time of year in ISS, although, I guess it's better than being out-of-school suspended during exam week.

Mandy helped me to plan where all the rigs will be parked this summer for the GTG.....she had a good idea about getting whatever they use to mark the fields for sports games to draw out approximate parking spots, once it is determined all who are coming and what size rigs they all have. She says there is plenty of room for all the ones I know about, plus some extra spaces.

Happy Thursday to all!

[Redetotry]

Yes it is a good morning here too as the humidity is giving us a very short break according to the weather forecast. I should be doing housework while it is cooler but vacuuming sounds too dull and I want to get out and go!
Soos whoever is taking the pictures of Hope has a great camera.

[dayspring39]

Good Morning Ladies, I can see this morning the swelling has subsiding a bit... it goes down during the day... we will see... I still look like I have been in a fight...

Oh Soos! Hope is sure cute... maybe I should name my rig Hope... wanted to take my daughter Jackie and Sekana for a camping night or two but Sekana loves the pool here so that is out...

I got most of my bedroom moved around now it is taking the bed apart so I can get to the bins under it and clean under there... heaven only knows what is there... I have some Christmas presents to hide away under there... bet there are dust bunnies there that need to be eaten by the big machine...

Coffee is good this morning... I got a heavy box from the ups man and I wondered what on earth was in it... when I opened it there was another sizable box inside and another smaller one... I opened the smaller one and there was a large blue/green coffee mug inside... hmmmm what was in the other one... I opened it and WOW there was the biggest supply of Amaretto International Dairy Creamer I had ever seen... When Ameera (my granddaughter) was here this spring just before my sister's death I had said I could not find any of the Amaretto creamer anywhere... she looked in every store in the Grand Rapids area and found nothing then her husband Mike found some on e-bay... these are the single serving size... wow I sure am loved by those wonderful grandchildren...

Off to get some more coffee and wonderful creamer...

Hope you all have a super day...

Kathleen

[Liz]

Woohoo! I just got back from my LAST doctor's appt. until October. My cholesterol #s are normal.....even better than normal! Don't know if it was the new diet or the statin drug, or more likely a combination of both. When asked, the dr. said to stay on the statin..."for now." So maybe there's hope I can try it with diet alone ....will ask again in October. By then, I should be able to come off the Plavix the cardiologist put me on for 6 months too. I hate to have to take so many meds.

Hope everyone has a safe, healthy day!

[AlmostThere]

Morning,
I actually see it's partly sunny right now. Not sure how long that will last as spotty showers are in the forecast today.
We set yet another record for low daytime temps. Our high was 57! The low over Montana and Idaho is stalled and
the cold air from Alaska is funneling down here. They forecasted snow in the mountain passes!
Nothing much planned for today. I have put off doing housework as I'm into a book that I started last weekend while
camping. I'm not overly fond of the book, but it does hold enough interest to allow me to finish it. It's by Jodi Picoult
and I don't think I'll buy any more of her books as I've checked on Amazon some her other writings and they are all
similiar. I would really love to find an author I enjoy. Guess I need to visit my library soon.
Ok, thanks for the Hope update, Soos. Also glad you had a great visit with your family.
Kathleen, I hope the swelling goes away soon. Such a mystery.
Wishing cooler weather for those who need it and sun for those of us who are cold and soggy!

[OutandAbout]

Afternoon ladies. Weather will be dry for the next week (good news) and hot 97 ish with a heat index of 105 plus (bad news). The wet weather will stay north of us and go into Arkansas (bad for them). Not going to do much outside except spread some weed killer, then tend to that after they are dead. I did buy some reflectix to use on the front windows as they face west. I'm hoping this will cut down on the heat in the afternoon and help the AC. The shades just can't keep up with the sun and heat. It works for RV's, so will find out about houses. Linda

[Bethers]

Liz, that's awesome news. I guess having to wait, wait, wait for this final appt so you can get on the road wasn't quite so bad when you got good news. Glad your appts are over and things are good and you can finally get your summer trip on the road.

[Nasoosie]

Woohoo! I just got back from my LAST doctor's appt. until October. My cholesterol #s are normal.....even better than normal! Don't know if it was the new diet or the statin drug, or more likely a combination of both. When asked, the dr. said to stay on the statin..."for now." So maybe there's hope I can try it with diet alone ....will ask again in October. By then, I should be able to come off the Plavix the cardiologist put me on for 6 months too. I hate to have to take so many meds.

Hope everyone has a safe, healthy day!

YAY, LIZ!!!

So what has your diet been like to get those great levels? Which statin drug are you on? I, too, diet, and take the statin drug, Crestor, but my cholesterol levels are still high. Perhaps after I lose another 10 to 15 pounds the readings will be better, I am hoping. Which reminds me, I need to schedule another blood test appointment to check on those levels.

Happy trails to you, and I look forward to seeing your pics as you meander along!

[Liz]

So what has your diet been like to get those great levels? Which statin drug are you on? I, too, diet, and take the statin drug, Crestor, but my cholesterol levels are still high. [/b][/color]

I use what is called the TLC diet for high cholesterol, recommended by the American Heart Assoc.. Here are some links for more info:

http://www.healthcastle.com/TLCdiet.shtml

http://nhlbisupport.com/chd1/S2Tipsheets/foodgroup.htm

http://nhlbisupport.com/cgi-bin/chd1/diet2.cgi

Basically, I am eating more "whole foods": fresh or frozen fruits & vegetables, whole grains in cereals, bread and pasta, lean meats...mostly fish, chicken, turkey. I read all labels on processed foods and buy only those with no trans fat and no or very low saturated fat. I also look for low sodium in processed food. Nuts, like almonds & walnuts are good in moderation as they add healthy fats.

When I started following this diet, the pounds started to drop off. I lost 7 pounds and am now at an "ideal" weight for me, according to the dr. So, if I continue to lose, I'll start eating more often....more of the "good foods."