My Neighbors Like Me!

I wrote in a previous post that I had been going to an exercise class in our neighborhood pool in the mornings, but because of a medication I'm taking causing sun sensitivity, I had to stop going. I was really disappointed, because even though I know all the exercises and can do them alone in the evenings, it's SO much more fun to do them with the group.
One of the ladies told me at cards last night that if I'd come at 6 tonight, she would exercise with me. I went and ALL the women were there, and even three of their husbands! They didn't want me to exercise alone. Some of them even came after doing the water exercise this morning. I was blown away. I told them how grateful I am. We all did over an hour of exercise and had so much fun! They are all coming back tomorrow!
They also asked if anyone had plans for the 4th, and none of us did. We decided to all get together at the clubhouse/pool and grill Saturday. They said any family visiting was also welcome. So we can have a cookout and swim or whatever. I'm so HAPPY. :-)
I've spent most of my life isolating, and now I find out how much fun having friends can be!

Summer Stuff

Summer is going back so quickly. My mother-in-law is coming today for a ten day visit. I have an OA meeting this morning, and then I'm picking her up at the airport this afternoon. My husband has taken vacation for most of the days she will be here, but couldn't get off today. We booked ourselves for cards tonight and tomorrow. I hope she's not too tired from the trip. They have to have groups of four, so if she declines, it will mess up the numbers. My husband says I worry too much.
I've been exercising at the pool, and have gotten a bad sunburn, even with heavy 85 SPF sunscreen. I finally put two and two together and found out that one of my medications is the worst for sun sensitivity. Everyone kept saying my arms didn't look sunburned, but looked more like a chemical burn. So I guess that makes sense. I've been taking aspirin and putting on burn gel and it seems to be helping. One lady in our exercise class was stung by a wasp last week when it floated by. Ouch.
I'm still going to OA and have lost 12 pounds. That is the amount my doc wanted me to get off before I see him again in August, so he should be happy. I hope to lose quite a bit above that before then. I'm going on a cruise in November with my son and it would be nice to have lost enough to have to buy clothes that fit. :-)
I did buy a bathing suit in a smaller size, because I was afraid I wouldn't find any bathing suits in the fall to buy. It's cute and just seeing it in the closet makes me motivated.
My husband is losing from the fallout of my eating program, the way I'm cooking, etc. I admit I do feel resentful when he orders big fried dinners at restaurants at times though. He can cut back a little and still lose. It takes more effort for me.
My son and his finace are coming next weekend for the 4th. My daughter and the wee one are coming next week. My granddaughter is growing like a weed! I'll post a pic with this post.
A lady from OA said she uses the Biggest Loser cookbook and makes meals for her family--that they are simple ingredients and the kind of food people actually eat, not fancy fancy stuff. I think I may order one on payday and check it out. Although I do like the fact that my husband is now pretty much convinced that eating out is as cheap for two as cooking. I don't want to blow that idea by cooking a lot. :-)
Our favorite cheapo buffet here in town had a 78 rating when we went there last week. We didn't see it going in, and almost didn't see it going out as they had a potted plant in front of it. I have mixed feelings about that. On one hand, I don't think I'll die from a 78. I've seen some of the things they count off for, and they are stupid. I'd hate to see what most home kitchens would get rated. But then there is that big fear that you'll get food poisoning and have been warned. ha. But like I said--it's a cheap place to eat. Maybe they'll get their rating up soon.

Sanity in the Storm

What a week! I can't believe it's just Wednesday.
I went to an OA meeting Monday, and someone asked me where I grew up, and it got around to my grandmother, and I burst out crying. You know...one of those "Why am I crying? Where did this come from?" cries. They all just loved me through it and let me talk, although I didn't know what to say. I kept telling myself not to be embarrassed, it's ok to cry. When I came home, I didn't immediately want to stuff the feelings back down with food, which is a big thing with me. I've been working this program since May 13, and except for one insane day have been "abstinent" from overeating. I'm using a free program online to track my food called Nutrawatch, and I send it every evening to my sponsor. I go to meetings twice a week in person, and do some online meetings. I'm journaling...that's huge. And I read OA and AA books (AA is the same program. You just have to substitute "FOOD" for "ALCOHOL" and "Compulsive overeater" for "alcoholism". Same program. Same message. Same thing.
We went to play cards Monday night. We'd been playing about an hour (my team was losing big time) when the power went off and the hail started. At first it sounded like regular hail, which in Alabama is a common thing in spring and early summer. Then it started sounding like someone was throwing baseballs at the windows. People were running back into the closet. I wanted to see, but I was afraid to stand too near the windows. I tried a peek but it was raining in sheets and there was no visibility. When the hail stopped and the rain let up a bit, we came home. Of course, the power was off all night until 130PM yesterday. All our frig food thawed out. Our freezer food was ok though. I called the insurance to check the roof and told them about losing the food. They said they don't cover food unless the power is out 48 hours. Great.
Then I called the utilities and they said several telephone poles blew down on the street behind us. Our fence in the back also blew down, but it belongs to the association so it's not ours to fix.
Saturday I took our dog to the groomers and the girl was new...She cut him pretty badly on his tummy. When they called us to pick him up, my husband went, and said they said they "knicked" him. Well, it was deep and he was whimpering and shaking. We had to take him to the emergency vet, and he cleaned it up and glued it closed, put a collar on him and put him on antibiotics. We had this $128 bill....I thought we should take it by there and talk to the groomers about it. My husband, who is a wimp like me, said let it go. But I needed to feel like an adult with a spine, so I did some slow breathing and went. I was nice. They apologized. They said the girl who did the grooming cried when she saw what she had done. I told them even the vet said it was just an accident. I told them I don't want anyone grooming them again but the owner lady. They said fine. And I offered to let them give us the vet bill in free grooms. They agreed to that. So I left there feeling like I'd worn my big girl pants for the day.
I'm still going to the pool to walk. We were going to start an aerobics class in the pool yesterday but the storm messed that up. Maybe next week.
I've lost nine pounds. I feel so much calmer and saner. That's all folks.

New Daughter-in-Law to Be!

My youngest son is engaged! Here is a pic of the two of them together.



Here is the pic of the ring!