Gosh, I hate viruses! I picked one up and have been pretty miserable most of the day. I was going to post pictures for Feline Friday and kept putting it off and off. Now it's almost Caturday! I guess I'll do my GiST and look on the bright side.
1. I didn't have any doctor appointments or other commitments today so I was able to rest and stick close to the bathroom.
2. If I'm not able to go to "The Winter Tale"--the Shakespearean play Kristin's drama class is performing this weekend--this evening as planned, there's another show tomorrow and I can go to that one.
3. Today was so comfortable temperature-wise! I only had to deal with my own body's bouts with chills and heat.
4. TB happily took my place and brought Kristin to the community college so that she could choose her fall schedule. She got a good one, all her classes together!
5. All of my ACOA-related books came in to the library and now I've got lots more material to help me work the steps!
Friday, May 7
Thursday, May 6
Thursday Thirteen #63: Hit songs of my teenage years
I was just thinking ... I was a teenager 40+ years ago and you know what's really scary? When I was listening to my music, there were other radio stations that played swing and other songs from the '40s and I used to think it was so ancient. I wonder if that's what the kids think about the music of the 1960s? Anway, here are my favorite songs from my early teenage years, 1967--my first year of junior high!
1. "Windy" by The Association--my favorite group in 1967
2. "The Happening" by The Supremes--and I loved the movie of the same name too. It was really dumb but hilarious: a mobster (Anthony Quinn) is kidnapped by a band of hippies and his family doesn't want to pay the ransom!
3. "A Whiter Shade of Pail" by Procol Harum--classical music always had some appeal for me and I really loved this song
4. "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie--I loved the tune and so did my father. I remember listening to it over and over so I could catch all the lyrics. I gave the lyrics to my dad and he'd turn the song up high as it would go and sit with his hand cupped over his ear to catch the sounds he could.
5. "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield--I didn't get all the lyrics then (I mean, I didn't try to get all the words and listen to them) but I liked the way it sounded. I didn't get what the complaint was about the song and why it should represent protest. Heh. Stupid kid.
6. "Come On Down To My Boat" by Every Mother's Son--this was just a fun song to me.
7. "Release Me" by Englebert Humperdink--what a soulful voice! I could listen to either him or Tom Jones for hours and hours.
8. "Up Up & Away" by the Fifth Dimension. This group was one of my favorites by the end of the year. They were very hip and their music was lively and easy to sing to.
9. "The Rain The Park & Other Things" by the Cowsills. Before the Osmond Brothers and the Jackson 5, there was the Cowsills. I had a big crush on several of the brothers. I think my favorite was Barry. His name jumps out at me.
10. "Soul Finger" by the Bar-Kays. I remember I really liked this song because it was so funky. It would come on the bowling bus radio (my brother and I were in a league on Saturday mornings and the alley provided transportation) and the driver would blast it.
11. "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane was another one (like "For What It's Worth) that I loved without understanding. Of course, I "got" it when the televised movie Go Ask Alice was aired on TV. That wasn't in 1967, though.
12. "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny & Cher. How could anyone not like them? They were so young, so in love and so hip.
13. "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen. The song came out after I saw the first Peanuts special on TV. We all loved it, especially the airplane sound effects.
Well, that was fun. I guess I have a T-13 theme for the next few weeks!
Wednesday, May 5
Good news from Dr. G
Today I saw my surgeon, Dr. Greenbaum. It's been just a couple of weeks over a year since I had my duodenal switch, the surgery that saved my life! Since then, I've lost over 100 lbs...from my highest point, 131 to be exact. Dr. G felt if I lost 40 more lbs, my weight would be in the ideal range. It would be awesome to get there so I'm working on it.
My weight's stabilizing but I'm still losing. He's not after me to slow down anymore though and I like that.
My diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol have resolved.
My liver numbers have improved to the point where he feels that's resolved too. Yay!
I thought my vitamin levels were low and that I should take more; he thinks what I'm doing now is fine and so are my levels.
I go back in 3 months and I'm feeling very happy about it all.
I'm getting there!
My weight's stabilizing but I'm still losing. He's not after me to slow down anymore though and I like that.
My diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol have resolved.
My liver numbers have improved to the point where he feels that's resolved too. Yay!
I thought my vitamin levels were low and that I should take more; he thinks what I'm doing now is fine and so are my levels.
I go back in 3 months and I'm feeling very happy about it all.
I'm getting there!
GiST #126
1. I am now officially registered for these classes: modern college math, physical sciences lecture & lab, Deaf culture, and creative writing. Wooohooo!
2. I found a place to anonymously vent my spleen and write about my recovery. It's hard to do that when you know family and friends can read what you wrote.
3. I finished a book I didn't care for all that much, The Last Days of Dog Town. On the one hand, it sort of wasted my time but on the other I followed through with a commitment to read it. I gave it more than a fair chance and stuck with it. Just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean someone else wouldn't love it.
4. I forgot to put the pork roast in the microwave but we have frozen hamburger patties. Plan B!!!
5. It's one of those "perfect" sort of days: sunny, low humidity, and a nice breeze.
2. I found a place to anonymously vent my spleen and write about my recovery. It's hard to do that when you know family and friends can read what you wrote.
3. I finished a book I didn't care for all that much, The Last Days of Dog Town. On the one hand, it sort of wasted my time but on the other I followed through with a commitment to read it. I gave it more than a fair chance and stuck with it. Just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean someone else wouldn't love it.
4. I forgot to put the pork roast in the microwave but we have frozen hamburger patties. Plan B!!!
5. It's one of those "perfect" sort of days: sunny, low humidity, and a nice breeze.
Tuesday, May 4
GiST #125
1. Today is Tuesday so it must be .... Lost night! Lost!Lost!Lost!Lost!Lost!
2. Tuesday also means fun because it's ... Cats On Tuesday!
3. I'm remembering happier times with my mother.
4. One reason I've been reluctant to remember those times is because of the nagging, negative voice in my head that says see? It wasn't all bad, was it? And you went and made her leave, bad, cruel, insensitive, selfish daughter that you are! I shared that with the therapist and she had a great suggestion. When I hear or feel that thought, I'll write it down and then write why it's wrong.
In this case, I will write: this is a not correct because Mom was being mean, rude, taking her anger out on me and said we were wrong to take her from her home. It was right for her to return to her home. That felt a whole lot better.
5. Although it was a busy, hectic, crazy kind of day I managed to get a few things accomplished I wanted to get done so I feel pretty okay.
2. Tuesday also means fun because it's ... Cats On Tuesday!
3. I'm remembering happier times with my mother.
4. One reason I've been reluctant to remember those times is because of the nagging, negative voice in my head that says see? It wasn't all bad, was it? And you went and made her leave, bad, cruel, insensitive, selfish daughter that you are! I shared that with the therapist and she had a great suggestion. When I hear or feel that thought, I'll write it down and then write why it's wrong.
In this case, I will write: this is a not correct because Mom was being mean, rude, taking her anger out on me and said we were wrong to take her from her home. It was right for her to return to her home. That felt a whole lot better.
5. Although it was a busy, hectic, crazy kind of day I managed to get a few things accomplished I wanted to get done so I feel pretty okay.
Cats on Tuesday: Munchkin's new condo
CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week, hosted by Gattina.
Munchkin: Look effurbody, a new vacayshun condo! It came in da male!
It gots a nice big entrance!
Lotsa sleepin room fur me!
Purrrfect! Iyam gonna takit!
Want more cat blogging?
Be sure to check out Gattina's blog and Blogging Cat Noos for all the latest!
Sunday, May 2
Letters I'm not mailing, GiST, and other memes
One thing my therapist is having me do is write letters to my parents. This time around, I'm not mailing them. I'd sent letters in the past to my parents, angry and detailing all the injuries they'd caused me. I didn't feel any better, mainly because they didn't react as I inwardly hoped. I sent two letters a few months apart about 20 years ago.
I realize now that I'd hoped when they received the letters, they'd come to their senses and apologize. Instead, their reaction was to write back and say something to the effect of "why are you bringing up the past?" and "we are who we are and aren't going to change." Boy, that really upset me! My therapist at the time asked mildly, "What did you expect?" Then we talked about why on earth my parents would react the way I wanted them to when they never had before!
Most recently, I felt angry with my mother for talking so negatively against my father when I was growing up. When they'd have a fight, she'd try to get my brother and me to take her side. I remember a few times saying to her, "Please don't tell me this stuff. I'm not a marriage counselor!" And she'd answer she had no one else to talk to. I felt guilty for not wanting to listen sympathetically but at the same time, I didn't want to know the things she told me and all of it made me sick.
It also gave me a skewed view of my father. I think I saw him as the bad guy and monster more because of what my mom said than anything else. When I look back and remember, my dad never did anything mean to me and he never hit or harmed me. That was my mom. Yet, I blamed him for things going wrong. My mom alienated me against my father.
Susan asked me to write a letter to both parents (separately) about that. These are letters that won't be mailed and I'm fine with that. That's what the first therapist said, too, that the letters shouldn't have to be mailed but I didn't want to listen. I wanted them to know and I wanted their reaction.
Now it's not necessary. Dad is gone and as for Mom--well, she didn't set out to damage anyone. My parents were both hurt in some way themselves and so they didn't know any better. They are and were of an age where you just didn't go get fixed because psychiatrists and therapists were for "crazy" people. It almost seems silly to write a letter that's not going to be mailed but I know it will help to get some of these feelings out. I can pretend I mailed the letter to my mom.
Grace in Small Things #124
1. I didn't have to drive anyone anywhere today! Kristin didn't have work nor did she have play rehearsal. I did take her to the bank because I felt like it and there was a charity flea market in the parking lot. Kristin picked up a couple of bargains!
2. The washing machine is still running! TB and Kristin have done a couple of loads of wash and so far, so good!
3. A thick coat of pollen is lying over everything outside but I'm indoors, windows closed and air conditioning running. I don't like running it this early in the year but it is very hot and we're saving our sinuses this way!
4. I got in a very nice nap this afternoon.
5. I found an easy recipe for chicken to try out.
Straight Out of the Camera Sunday
I posted this picture not long ago but it's definitely one of my favorites!
TB enjoys playing on the equipment with our grandson
Sunday Stealing: The Question Meme
01) Are you currently in a serious relationship? Yes, married
02) What was your dream growing up? I wanted to be a writer
03) What talent do you wish you had? I'd like to be more artistic
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be? Coffee
05) Favorite vegetable? Broccoli
06) What was the last book you read? The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan
07) What zodiac sign are you? Sagittarius
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where. Nope
09) Worst Habit? Procrastination
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? Not if you were a stranger
11) What is your favorite sport? Bowling
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude? Half of each
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? Strike up a conversation
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you? Lost my first husband
15) Tell me one weird fact about you. My fingers and thumbs are getting crooked
16) Do you have any pets? Oh brother do I ever!
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly? I'd invite you in
18) What was your first impression of me? Who are you?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary? Both
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? I'd get rid of the excess skin
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? Conscience
22) What color eyes do you have? Brown
23) Ever been arrested? No
24) Bottle or can soda? Bottle
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it? Go to Hawaii with TB ... well, I'd probably make sure we were all caught up first. :P
26) What's your favorite place to hang out at? Home. zzzzz
27) Do you believe in ghosts? Yes
28) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? Read
29) Do you swear a lot? Probably
30) Biggest pet peeve? When you have to ask someone to do something over and over and over
31) In one word, how would you describe yourself? Complex
32) Do you believe/appreciate romance? I think so?
33) Favorite and least favorite food? Favorite: Prime rib Least favorite: Liver
34) Do you believe in God? Yes
35) Will you join us this week for Wednesday Wickedness? (Bud has on a mission to make this Wednesday's most popular meme. Please play this week so I can stop promoting it.) Um, maybe? If I remember...
Unconscious Mutterings
I realize now that I'd hoped when they received the letters, they'd come to their senses and apologize. Instead, their reaction was to write back and say something to the effect of "why are you bringing up the past?" and "we are who we are and aren't going to change." Boy, that really upset me! My therapist at the time asked mildly, "What did you expect?" Then we talked about why on earth my parents would react the way I wanted them to when they never had before!
Most recently, I felt angry with my mother for talking so negatively against my father when I was growing up. When they'd have a fight, she'd try to get my brother and me to take her side. I remember a few times saying to her, "Please don't tell me this stuff. I'm not a marriage counselor!" And she'd answer she had no one else to talk to. I felt guilty for not wanting to listen sympathetically but at the same time, I didn't want to know the things she told me and all of it made me sick.
It also gave me a skewed view of my father. I think I saw him as the bad guy and monster more because of what my mom said than anything else. When I look back and remember, my dad never did anything mean to me and he never hit or harmed me. That was my mom. Yet, I blamed him for things going wrong. My mom alienated me against my father.
Susan asked me to write a letter to both parents (separately) about that. These are letters that won't be mailed and I'm fine with that. That's what the first therapist said, too, that the letters shouldn't have to be mailed but I didn't want to listen. I wanted them to know and I wanted their reaction.
Now it's not necessary. Dad is gone and as for Mom--well, she didn't set out to damage anyone. My parents were both hurt in some way themselves and so they didn't know any better. They are and were of an age where you just didn't go get fixed because psychiatrists and therapists were for "crazy" people. It almost seems silly to write a letter that's not going to be mailed but I know it will help to get some of these feelings out. I can pretend I mailed the letter to my mom.
1. I didn't have to drive anyone anywhere today! Kristin didn't have work nor did she have play rehearsal. I did take her to the bank because I felt like it and there was a charity flea market in the parking lot. Kristin picked up a couple of bargains!
2. The washing machine is still running! TB and Kristin have done a couple of loads of wash and so far, so good!
3. A thick coat of pollen is lying over everything outside but I'm indoors, windows closed and air conditioning running. I don't like running it this early in the year but it is very hot and we're saving our sinuses this way!
4. I got in a very nice nap this afternoon.
5. I found an easy recipe for chicken to try out.
I posted this picture not long ago but it's definitely one of my favorites!
TB enjoys playing on the equipment with our grandson
01) Are you currently in a serious relationship? Yes, married
02) What was your dream growing up? I wanted to be a writer
03) What talent do you wish you had? I'd like to be more artistic
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be? Coffee
05) Favorite vegetable? Broccoli
06) What was the last book you read? The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan
07) What zodiac sign are you? Sagittarius
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where. Nope
09) Worst Habit? Procrastination
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? Not if you were a stranger
11) What is your favorite sport? Bowling
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude? Half of each
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? Strike up a conversation
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you? Lost my first husband
15) Tell me one weird fact about you. My fingers and thumbs are getting crooked
16) Do you have any pets? Oh brother do I ever!
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly? I'd invite you in
18) What was your first impression of me? Who are you?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary? Both
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? I'd get rid of the excess skin
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? Conscience
22) What color eyes do you have? Brown
23) Ever been arrested? No
24) Bottle or can soda? Bottle
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it? Go to Hawaii with TB ... well, I'd probably make sure we were all caught up first. :P
26) What's your favorite place to hang out at? Home. zzzzz
27) Do you believe in ghosts? Yes
28) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? Read
29) Do you swear a lot? Probably
30) Biggest pet peeve? When you have to ask someone to do something over and over and over
31) In one word, how would you describe yourself? Complex
32) Do you believe/appreciate romance? I think so?
33) Favorite and least favorite food? Favorite: Prime rib Least favorite: Liver
34) Do you believe in God? Yes
35) Will you join us this week for Wednesday Wickedness? (Bud has on a mission to make this Wednesday's most popular meme. Please play this week so I can stop promoting it.) Um, maybe? If I remember...
- Creepy :: Kooky
- Links :: Hyper
- Sane :: Crazy
- Bun :: Bagel
- Visual :: Audio
- Remote :: Far
- Freaking :: Far ... out
- Curly :: Straight
- Saga :: Tale
- Different :: Same
Saturday, May 1
GiST #123
1. What a beautiful day!
2. Our grandson Little T, TB and I went to Smithville Park this morning and walked a different trail. We let T lead the way and he managed to get us back onto the green trail--where those "lovely" steps are! He has an amazing sense of direction and can remember how to get to and from places.
3. I had the energy to go up and down those steps. Boy, I needed it!
4. We have air conditioning so that now I can escape the heat and all the pollen in the air. My eyes are still burning.
5. Shared cheesecake with TB.
2. Our grandson Little T, TB and I went to Smithville Park this morning and walked a different trail. We let T lead the way and he managed to get us back onto the green trail--where those "lovely" steps are! He has an amazing sense of direction and can remember how to get to and from places.
3. I had the energy to go up and down those steps. Boy, I needed it!
4. We have air conditioning so that now I can escape the heat and all the pollen in the air. My eyes are still burning.
5. Shared cheesecake with TB.
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