Merry Christmas 2012

I love getting together at my Sister in Laws and Brothers home for Christmas Day dinner. I traveled early this year the 2 hrs West and North to my home town. My brother invited me to attend his church on Christmas Eve with them and go afterwards to his Mother in Laws for a get together with her family. My sister in law asked me to bring my gifts so I could exchange them with my brothers family. My sister and her husband were joining us on Christmas Day for dinner and we would do their gift exchange Christmas Day. It worked out well -less confusion. This is our second year without My sister in laws Father and we miss him. We miss my Parents also, who stayed in Florida for the Holiday. Christmas Day, we had 2 little tweens that belonged to my younger nieces' gentleman friend. 8 and 7 year old girls, they were wonderful and just made my Christmas. We usually sing Christmas Carole's and even have  music for the words and bells. The little girls, almost asleep on there feet, stayed for one song. JINGLE BELLS. It was wonderful full of laughter and love. I hated to see them leave for the two hour drive home. I brought a sugar free jello low fat cream cheese low sugar fruit cocktail desert. It turned out well. I was able to meet the next day for a little shopping (sales) and lunch, all in the snow. The next day meet with some HS girl friends for a last minute dinner. It was a nice visit. But now I am home and my little house is still decorated just the way I like it. Today I went back to my gym for the first time in 5days -I lost 2 lbs. Oh Thank YOU Jesus !

Merry Christmas To ALL and To ALL A Healthy NEW YEAR 2013

Favorite Things

OHOOO I just love Christmas Pins and Scarves-well I like all scarves and pins but especially Christmas -and I only buy used or vintage and Yard Sales and Thrift stores -I get a kick out of knowing some lady passed her Christmas Pin to me to wear.

 I just pulled a Christmas Tree pin out of my collection and I must never have worn it before because the clasp was on upside down and did not line up =LOL I now know why it was on sale. 

OH well maybe I make it into something.

 Ideas?

Christmas Letter 2012

OH my I swore I would never write another Christmas Letter and went to Alaska last year for my 60th birthday and sent a card with a picture. Everyone (except my BFF) liked it but so many asked me where was my letter? I thought no one did letters any more? Saturday Night Live does skits about people who write Christmas Letters. Then I saw this cartoon on Facebook that I loved and decided oh well why not. So here it is:




 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year To ALL

John with his new niece

Here I am writing another Christmas Letter. So now I am 61 and the world may or may not end at the end of the year. I am ok with either outcome, not that anyone asked me. Hope this year was wonderful for you. It was for my family. My Best Friend welcomed the arrival of a new niece. My nieces Heather and Rachel, are healthy and seem happy and have nice men on their arms and they all have decent jobs in this economy. My brother Tom, turns 60 in 2013, he and Karen are doing well.. My sister Deb and her Barry are also doing well. My Father is still riding his bike back and forth to the mailbox. Mother said the Canadian neighbors brought them Thanksgiving Dinner this year. I thought that was hysterical –Thanksgiving is such an American Holiday. My parents are the old ones now on their street in Florida.

Dad , Robin and Mother

Ernie loves being retired

During my annual Florida visit, I was able to go to Sarasota and visit my retired friend from Penn State and experienced a drum roll on the beach as the sun set. That was a first for me and what a HOOT. Another first was going to Washington DC with the friends of Avalon Library Trip and touring the Library of Congress .I could have spent the week there. It was awesome. My college roommate Bonnie and husband Paul celebrated the marriage of their son and invited me to be there. It was wonderful and so beautiful. I hosted a Girl Cousin Reunion and we went on a Whale Watch off Cape May. Weather was beautiful and we had fun ! Yes, we did see two whales playing with some dolphins and fishing for their supper.

 All the way to Alaska last year and never saw any whales. LOL

Toni, Deb,Kelly,Robin, Laura

To those of you I haven’t seen this year –know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope 2013 is a Joyous one for ALL of You and Your Families.

GOD Bless and Be Well.

Alone on Thanksgiving By Choice

So here it is, my FAVORITE Holiday -Thanksgiving -with all good memories and I find all my good memories are tied to food. That being said, I wonder why I am having such a hard time with today?

At Grandparents 1955 I was 4,the last time I was a normal weight

I have resumed the healthy eating style that I must maintain for the rest of my life. I am back again on Nutra System Diabetic -already I am seeing good blood sugar control but........I am so newly on this diet plan -no my life long healthy eating plan -that I can not visit anyone today. The smells alone will make me weak in the knees and start my belly rumbling. I know some people can just take a little portion of everything. I CANNOT. Maybe some day but not this year.

 I am alone -with my Thanksgiving parades and food commercials and Black Friday sales/ My other addiction -shopping. Have to turn off the TV. So I planned a DVD -checked out prior to this wonderful holiday (DVD is Emma by Jane Austen and I fear it has affected my writing voice :) . Sent my Godmother a Fall Flower arrangement and talked to her only to find out most of my cousins will not be there and the venue was moved to a second generation cousins house. Wonderful new tradition. Good thing I didn't surprise them and show up. LOL The surprise would have been on me!

The only Good thing about being alone today -is ah ...not being on the road driving. Because right about now I would have been on the road. sigh Anticipating the wonderful smells of Thanksgiving.

Then I really reproach myself for American Woman and Men are serving OUR County, away from their families and loved one -not because they have eaten to much all of their lives -but because they are SOLDIERS. How selfish am I.
 I am also thinking warm thoughts for the Family's who have lost everything to the fury of the storm Sandy and the volunteers who can be around food this year and are helping to make an American Holiday less traumatic.GOD BLESS them ALL.

Ok so this Drama Queen's life will change for the better and enough of this self pity -I am so Thankful for all the Friends that would have welcomed this over-eater into their kitchens and homes today.

The worst part is I have done and keep doing this to myself . I was on this diet before and lost and gained it all back. Now it is a life long healthy eating plan.


 I will be better by Christmas and my Brother and Sister in Law's Traditional Healthy Family Dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Trick or Treat in New Jersey -November 5th 2012

Post Hurricane Sandy -

Our Governor declared that Trick or Treat night (begging night down south) would be postponed until Monday Nov 5th. Some Parents were upset-those that didn't use the delay to explain compassion for fellow children who lost everything even their costumes.

 I was not going to open my door -I am on the new way of eating thru Nutra System and I am no good around all that candy. I use to give out money -the kids seemed to dislike it and I switched to candy then I switched off the lights . I just could not be bothered. But this year -when so many of our little ones in New Jersey are so devastated  -I decided to open my door and turn on my Light. 

Our area had little damage -maybe some branches down -we were so lucky. But now another Nor"Easter with high winds looms over all of us-arriving in two days .  Ok, I admit the pictures and the collections of EVERYTHING has left me a little sad also. I use to love Halloween

It is only 6:45 and I turned off my light no kids for the last half hour ( total 45 in all)-but the ones I had were precious -I love the way the family gets all dressed up with the kids -One young family came up and I gave a two year old and and baby in his Mothers arms the 50cent piece I handed out this year, when the Father said "I remember coming here as a kid and always getting a fifty cent piece".

Was he right ? Did I do that ? I have been here 35years so I guess that is more than enough time for him to grow up with his own kids. 

It made me smile !!!

Trip to the Library of Congress

When I asked people if they wanted to go on the great price day trip I found to the Library of Congress -some actually asked where it was? or in Washington DC? Hello do you know of another? Needless to say most said NO. Most reasons were acceptable but the ones that said "Boring"  I seriously wondered why we were still friends? I love my eclectic group of friends, but as I grow older they are becoming less age appropriate. I have let some move to Facebook and added some that are more like what I want surrounding me as I walk this scarey aging path. Still I search for that 'everything friend' as I continue to do things solo and fulfill my Bucket List and journal about it in this blog.

The Friends of the Avalon Free Library (never did find out what the group was exactly) ran the bus trip to DC. It was a good price for the 3 hrs down and back in a nice clean bus. I realize at 61, I no long enjoy long trips in heavy traffic. Let someone else do the driving. It was $60.00 and I asked my parents for the money for my 61st Birthday Present . They were delighted. They enjoy giving us money for our presents but feel hurt if we don't share the joy of what we purchased with them. Fifteen years ago my Mother would have joined me. I learned about the trip from a new member of the Avalon Free Library Writing Group.

I was the first one at the parking lot. But a few early birds soon arrived, then all came at once and  we watched for the bus. I went to some of the cars and introduced myself, but none were the leaders. Later I found out most were Avalon resident snow birds and this was the last trip before most went south for the winter. It was a nice group but only about 23 people, so we all spread out in the Senior Travel Bus. it was nice I sat up front in my own seat. We had two co leaders. it was their first time leading a group and they did a wonderful job.

The Bus Group and leaders walking up Capitol Hill.

Of course I forgot my hiking stick -which is usually in the way and hates going though metal detectors. The bus left us off at the bottom of Capitol Hill (where the Inauguration Platform is being built) we then had to walk up the hill past the Capitol further up to the Library of Congress. All the bus group walked except me, I opted for the shuttle bus, it was just to far and steep to start the day without knowing how much I would need to walk. Inside we started the tour with an excellent movie (the screen could have been a little higher because all the benches we the same level).

Library of Congress Art

The tour leader was so knowledgeable I was in awe, but I noticed right away that the steps were everywhere. She walked with a cane, so we rode the elevator that was working that day. I was grateful, this was a standing and walking tour. She has a sort of voice amplifier but it was still difficult to hear her. I asked if their were headphones that we could rent and do the tour ourselves (I wanted to stay the whole time in the Library) she said no but they had an application you could download to your phone and use your own headphones. sigh I don't have that kind of phone. So I went to the Thomas Jefferson collection under glass and then followed the group thru the tunnel to the Capitol.

We all walked the tunnel to the cafeteria in the basement of the Capitol ( it was just ok) Unfortunately, we had to walk down stairs. A few of the group reminded me to hold on, the white marble steps had not delineation at the ends and none between the last step and the white floor. I was very careful and should have taken the escalator and elevator. Right in front of me , a woman from our group slipped and fell and hit her head on the floor, cracked her head and had to go to the hospital for stitches. If I never see blood on a marble floor again, it will be too soon. Wow that shook me up.

The Capitol from the top of the Library of Congress/ Thomas Jefferson Building

After lunch we (now about 13 -other had wandered off or ridden in the ambulance or just to shook up to go on) took a tour of the Capitol. This time we all had headphones keyed to our tour guide. It was sooooo but better, The volume of visitors and group going thru on a Tuesday was staggering and yes I did the elevators at all times. It was very well organized. I took some pictures, went to the gift shop, bought two pens as gifts and then rode the shuttle back down the hill. Yes, I should have walked but I didn't.

The long bus trip home was uneventful, we stopped at a rest area for half an hour and I ate the healthy lunch I had packed for dinner -it worked out fine. We were back but 8. The woman and her sister that fell apparently was doing fine after some stitches and her daughter was coming to get them and bringing them to her house in the area.

The Free Shuttle back to the Bus

I had a wonderful time and could do the same trip every year -I just would like to spend a couple of days in DC -the bus ride was long.

The Doctor Visit

The Dr Visit was in the same building in which I attended the lecture. A small waiting room with a large almost empty display case full of  barriatric  supplements. I gave my name and put my co-pay on my credit card. It took a while I had all the paperwork filled out -I was a half an hour early.
The first thing I noticed about the waiting room were the chairs had arms and were extra wide seats.

I turned around to take a seat and saw John from my gym. It was nice to see a friendly face and one I had been asking questions and talking with. He had his pre surgery shorts with him, he wore six years ago. Initially he was 421lbs. They were pretty large. I wondered if I would have a similar pair six years from now? I would be 67 and thin? Better yet healthy? We talked a bit then , they called John in.

I waited and waited then Jessica, the medical assistant -very very thin and not in scrubs, called me into the inner sanctum of the office. She welcomed me to the Weight Loss Center and asked me to step on the scale. It was a small step onto a large scale with handles. Are we noticing a pattern here? Everything is scaled to a morbidly obese person. More than 100 over weight. I am not.

She asked how tall I was . I said 5'7 or 5'9. You see all thru school I was 5'7 then at 49 I had my stroke and I was measured at 5'9.  Weird.  I was 5'9" . I now realize when I filled out all the initial paperwork to attend the seminar I must have put 5'7". "Then, she asked, what kind of surgery option I wanted? I said I did not know. I had thought Lap band before the lecture. But now I was thinking maybe the permanent stomach surgery -that is what I wanted to discuss with Dr O."

She took my blood pressure and asked me about my medicines and said the Dr. would be in shortly and left the room. I got no emotional feedback from her , very  clinical. It was a really long time and I was about to go back into the outer waiting room - the room was closing in and I was getting more nervous. I said a prayer to God to help me decide which of the four surgery options to choose.

Dr O came into the room. I was sitting in the chair , reading the material they passed out at the seminar. I stood and shook his hand and introduced my self. He had an ok handshake, not as strong or weak just average. The kind of handshake that comes from a person that has not made a commitment yet. I think I sub-consciously knew then. I got on the table and he sat on the round rolling stool. He said he remembered me from last night and I kind enough to laugh at some of his jokes. I said Thank you (for remembering me). he opened my file.

Then he said that my BMI -Body Mass Index -weight /height was not high enough for surgery. My insurance would not authorize it. That they were not doing this surgery in the US below 34, they were in other countries but not here. I am not a candidate. I was stunned. I though maybe I was a poor risk medically for surgery,but not fat enough?  I then asked about his weight loss program? and he said he used two types of pills and with my medical history (ie heart attack) they were not an option. He said this was a good thing and he could recommend his Nutritionist. I said no thanks, I lived an hour away. Then he said: 'sorry sweetie', but he didnt want to waste my time, (or his) when he could not help me.  I once again Thanked him. He left the room ahead of me and he told someone to take me off the schedule. No one met my eyes on the way out. John was at the counter and I said Good-bye to him.

I left the office in shock.

I now realize it was the mistake in my height that allowed me to get this far in the process. I was never fat enough -sick enough YES , fat yes ,but not enough for elective surgery. I also may call back for the Nutritionist name and make an appointment. It is a male and I didnt like the many many female Nutritionist(s) I have already seen . It isnt that far, I guess. It is still sinking in, I need to put this experience in perspective. I just need a couple of days to redirect "my life goes on attitude".

I also realize, God sent me my answer. Now if could just let me in on his plan for me?

Yes ,my sense of humor is still here.

Weight Loss Seminar

Tonight I attended the required weight loss seminar -2 hrs of dire statistics -I also took the web seminar on line prior to this in person lecture -I didn't have to attend the second one -but I know me -and i do not always 'get it' -first time thru. The room was small and about 20 people were there, some were support people. I didn't think anyone was to fat to move. I guess not so much the 100 lbs overweight but rather the 'or morbidity factors',was in play. I think i was the only woman 'apple shape' . All the men were and carried their weight in the belly, like an apple. I asked some questions but i found after 2 hours of sitting and watching a small wall power point with the Doctor lecturing -I was wiped out. I could not remember what my questions were. So I will ask at the initial visit. Driving home in the dark (and I no longer see well in the dark) was not fun.


I DO NOT want this surgery -but i actually felt like i was going to cry when he said we may be off the medicines and the insulin.

Alexander Onopchenko, MD, FACS

Logistics may be a problem -the operation is in Atlantic City main city hospital -I haven't map quested that yet and I can not drive myself. But first things first. Am I a candidate ? My health history is not ideal. So next step is the Dr O appointment -tomorrow. It is in the daytime and the same place as the lecture. At least I know how to get there.

Medical Director and Bariatrician
Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness
AtlantiCare Physician Group
2500 English Creek Ave
Building 800
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ  08234
                                                     (888) 362-7690

Destination Wedding

This weekend I had the most amazing time at a destination wedding (my college roommates youngest son)-well not on foreign soil but I was in three states before I arrived. smile The first Ferry was at 7:30am -I am about 45 minutes away -so I had to leave by 6:30 am. I got up at 6:15am -needless to say I made the SECOND Ferry. To my great delight -I found myself in the middle of a tri-state motor cycle rally heading to Ocean City Md -same as I was . The Ferry crossing was like a parade with out Fire Trucks and HS Marching bands. Everywhere I looked was a feast for the eyes -beautiful bikes and colorful riders with their ladies. The amazing part was the age of the men -middle age, And Tattoos everywhere except hands and face. These are sheet metal workers , teachers and accountants passing as every day people but not so secretly bikers! What a HOOT!

Motorcycles to the right/ left /center about 90 going over the Ferry to Delaware

Our friend Sunny was going to meet me at the Ferry =but since I was an hour late (yes I called) she ran into traffic. Because we later found out in was also a Triathlon on the same roads. LOL now that was a mess. Waiting for her I  was able to speak with two ladies awaiting their biker husbands. They were from Mays Landing and normal lovely ladies that rode on the queen seats of these hugh bikes. Sunny and the bikers arrived together. We all took off south. They were so sweet I do hope their weekend was just as wonderful as mine.

Room 1005

Sunny dropped me off at the Clarion Hotel -one of the high rise buildings in the land over built sea shore that is Ocean City , Md -one of the ugliest citys on the coast. Why any one would want to stay in a city like this when a short trip North you could have Cape May County Beach towns? Oh well.

The 5:00pm wedding was west of the city at a Country Club /Golf course Beautiful weather the ceremony was held outside, while a Harp and Guitar played. No reception line ,guests mingled for appetizers as the gentle music and beautiful scenery  surrounded us.

Emily and Steven

The DJ played Motown for dinner -just a few of us were dancing in our seats -friends of the parents. LOL After the cake was cut the dancing started and the music got louder and faster. We left about 10 pm. My friend and her husband were the last to leave at midnight.

Bonnie, Sunny, and ME

The next day Sunny and her sister Sally and I decided this was the best motor cycle tryke for us -outside of Cracker Barrel on the way to Cape May Ferry in DE. The wedding was wonderful but how Steven and Emily got 10,000 motorcycles to give them a parade? I will never figure out !!!!!!    LOL

Numbers

Yesterday I found out my Hemoglobin A1C was a whopping 12.5 (normal is 5.5) -well. I called and moved up my seminar date to September and My initial visit to the day after and My primary care Dr to the day after that -once I find out all the consults I need to have;  I can get moving -already have an appointment with the EYE retina specialist from Wills Eye at the end of that week -that just happened to work out. He will be not so pleased with the A1C numbers. I am indeed a walking stick of sugar -not in a good way.

The Beginning

"Today is the first day of the rest of my LIFE" Remember when everyone was saying that? Well I made a big decision today to get some surgical help with my Health problem which is really my weight problem. I secured a place in a weight loss seminar and made my initial consultation with the surgeon. Hopefully, all the things I will have to do before surgery will be accomplished by the end of October.  I will keep this blog as a log for me to document my progression. Am I terrified? -YES - Am I determined? -YES To the point I am ready to take on the debt, just to be healthy.

Ten Things that make me HAPPY

7/6/2012 9:12 PM  by rl simpson

My creative writing group has a HAPPY Theme going this week –I am blocked –I have nothing – happiness endearing this is NOT. So I decided to list the things that make me HAPPY in hopes of some good prompts for the future–so here goes:

1/ A good POOP –Americans don’t really talk about poop but every living thing poops and I am happiest when I am regular. Where can we go from here, you wonder –I wonder also?

2/ The smell of pine and woody scents –I know but that and lavender are my ‘happy’ smells. I wonder why?

3/ Loosing weight –even if it is a pound or an oz. I gain weight if I breathe and wonder how people loose and keep weight off and still seem to be nice and normal and not cannibalistic which I seem to become at any given time, during a diet. See number 1 .

4/ Food –I don’t want food to make me Happy and tell myself this is a sick happiness –but I like some food and anything having to do with bread and pasta, makes me happy.

5/ Being retired –this makes me happy –to sleep in and not bother with going to bed at a decent hour –I think I am no longer decent –I do miss the money –but finding free stuff to do is sort of fun / vanity shopping however is not.

Now I am out of ideas except for number 10 –that does not make me Happy and I have to dig a little deeper.

6/ My friends make me Happy. Also my Family, well sometimes.

7/ I make me Happy –I crack myself up all the time with thoughts and crazy ideas.

8/ AFTER going to the gym makes me happy. Not going /getting ready /going there and doing the exercise –that is very difficult –but the endorphins released after a short 30 minutes workout–are ok.

9/ The five Senses make me happy /Hearing =MUSIC =music all kinds makes me very HAPPY even if the music is sad and I cry –I still love the sound of it  /Music makes me Happy// Sight (Vision) = the colors of the Earth and colors people have blended and white clouds against a blue sky or a black dog walking across a green turf farm on a sunny day= makes me Happy/// Touch =I love the feel of a new baby’s skin and whiskers on a mans face and fresh sheets on my bed and silky fabric and leather and my Mothers hands = make me Happy/// /Taste – most are foods –crunchy, smooth, chewy and doughy. I think maybe ALL are food textures –that make me happy.  Smells –ah my favorite sense, bread and coffee and tea and summer and fall and winter and spring smells make me happy.

10/ Knowing and Accepting my belief in GOD, makes me Happy –it is every part of my list, every part of what makes me…….ME.