Hi all...cloudy and decent temps for January up here...

Kitty hope the meds are doing their job and you're better quickly...glad you went to doc too!

Erika... you are so strong!! You've had more than your share of stressors lately. Hope pup is okay...after my dogs turn 10, I am grateful for every year I have with them after that.

Sal, thanks for the occasional funny pics...they brighten my day

Things are moving along here in Reconstruction Zone...we have ceilings and walls again The taper is doing a wonderful job, and we should have the painters in next week. Then it's tiling, grouting, and putting things back together-Yay!!

And the cabin has the walls framed in We can't wait to go up there once it's under roof (and there's a working bathroom) to start helping out with installing cabinets, flooring, etc.

So things are calming down a bit...except for my health. On sunday I had an episode that landed me in the ER. Had tingling that started in one hand, then went to the other. I felt like I was going to faint (this happens occasionally when my BP drops). But then I felt pressure on my chest and I went into a seizure-type of episode, which I've never experienced. I was fully conscious, but couldn't stop the severe shaking of my limbs.

The ER did an EKG & blood work. The blood work showed an elevation of a clotting factor, so then they did a CT of my lungs to make sure I didn't have a clot. I had another seizure type episode before going in the tube accompanied by severe leg spasms (fun):roll eyes:

They transported me to the main hospital. I was told I was being admitted. I remembered a while after I got to the room that since I'm on Medicare to ask if I was admitted for observation or for full admittance. If it's observation, they only pay for procedures based on an outpatient pay schedule-they do not pay for the room or food.
They told me observation--and didn't I get the piece of paper explaining that at the ER?
Uh...no. So I checked myself out of there. I have a stress test scheduled today on an outpatient basis.

So all of you who are on Medicare-make sure you ask that question before going into the hospital-or you'll be stuck with a huge bill!!

Debbie, that sounds scary. Hope they are able to figure out what is going on. Take care.

Kelly - Hope the Z-pac is helping.

Thanks, guys....I do feel much better. Just have this lingering cough.

My grandbabies go to the doctor today for their first checkup. They're two months old now. They'll get their first shots today........boohoo . I remember when my boys got shots. I think I cried more than they did!

Debbie, glad your homes are coming along nicely. I wish your health was doing the
same. Feel better soon and don't do too much work on homes....pace yourself and
let the workers do their job.

Kelly, happy to hear that you are feeling better. Oh yes, that lingering cough..Ugh!

The construction guys were here today, to access the damage and repair. The Ins. co
OKed replacing floor tiles in basement, so they will do that and replace the drywall etc,
that was cut out, due to the water damage.

So I'm a happy camper. Just want it all to be done, so I can go back to my boring life..

For all!!

Morning everyone!

Kel, glad the abs are doing their job! I hated when my babies got their vaccinations too...hope they aren't affected and let mom and dad sleep

Sal, that's good news...water damage is so unbelievable. Glad the ins co is cooperating.

Had the stress test yesterday. I can't run on a treadmill so they chemically excite the heart...felt so weird. No news but I'm sure I did fine. On to the neuro next week.

The workers are done taping and sanding, and he primed the areas yesterday, so now it's on to painting!! Can't believe the good work and how fast they are tackling this project! It'll be a relief to have everything back in it's place

Have a great weekend all

Congrats barb and Sally on all your construction. I know several years ago when we family room redone we chose a contractor that was a scam. He 'worked' for about 3 weeks and very little was done. When we finally got the right people it was so amazing to see how quick it was supposed to be. We even had those drywallers that walk on stilts! The other guy is now in prison. We pick the worst people, DH's fault, to do things for us. The last 3 contractors, except the guys who had to finish the other guys mess, are all in prison right now for fraud. I think I am finally convincing Charlie to not accept the cheapest one or some one who just knocks on our door and asks if we need the house painted.

Am really having problems sticking to my diet. We got to talking about beans and cornbread tonight so after Charlie left for Karoake I went in the kitchen and fixed a box of Jiffy mix corn muffins. Left them in the oven for about a minute to long so I wasn't satisfied with them. So since my cravings weren't satisfied I went and got a pack of Charlie's triple chocolate pop tarts. But since that was earlier in the evening I was still hungry so I had my regular nutricous bed time snack.

Doydie, I'm back on the wagon trying to eat healthy again...I keep pecans and pistachios in the pantry for snacking, as well as cottage cheese and fruit. And if I need a chocolate fix, I make a cup of tea and get a couple of cinnamon graham crackers out and put a bit of strawberry cream cheese on some and nutella on the others. It's just enough to give me crunch, sweetness and chocolate without a ton of calories.
I'm also trying to be mindful of why I get cravings. Sometimes it's because I'm thirsty, so I will drink a glass of water. Thirst can mask itself as hunger cravings. And I am a stress eater-if I get anxious, the way I calm myself is by eating. That is very difficult, but I am resolved to take care of myself this year. I fall off the wagon occasionally, but I dust myself off and get back on.
When I reach for something that gets in the way of my goal, my mind says, "who cares?" I answer, "I do..." and stop myself. It's important to let that inner voice win!

It has been three weeks since I have had a diet coke. I have finally gotten to the point where I do not crave one. Been drinking more water, unsweetened tea, and lime La Croix. I have been trying to eat smaller portions and not snack on unhealthy foods. I have been less successful at that, but I am trying. There are so many good restaurants around here and I hate cooking so I have been eating out too much. And even though I usually only eat 1/2 to 3/4 of whatever I have ordered, I know it is still too many calories.

I have been really enjoying the nice weather this week. It actually reached 80 yesterday, and is supposed to break a record today of low 80s. Colder weather (what they call winter weather down here) is returning On Friday with rain and highs in the 50s.

Hi everyone-hope all out East are safe after that storm...

Barb, having great restaurants is a problem when you're trying to eat healthy. I would advise asking for a to-go container when you order your food, and when it's served immediately put half in it. That way you are controlling your portions, and also have some food for lunch/dinner another time.

think of how happy your liver and kidneys are now that you're not drinking diet soda!!

The reconstruction is moving along-painters are done with the first coat and will come and touch up after the floors are restained and varnished and the new carpeting is installed. The tiler is working hard in the bathrooms. We may have a second toilet and a shower (please Lord) within the next week or so.

My neuro appointment was unremarkable. He noticed increased weakness in my left leg, but no new lesions on the MRI so I'm still off of DMDs for the time being. Just continues to watch...which is fine by me.

Have a great day, everyone

Barb, I wish I could stop drinking Diet Coke!

I get headaches if I don't have the caffeine from the Diet Coke and I don't drink coffee. I probably should try to switch to tea for the caffeine.

Did you experience any headaches when you stopped the Diet Coke?

Congratulations on your eating healthier!