July Journal

Sun, 7/25Dad came over again so I could change his bandages. His poor eye looks like he went 7 rounds with Ali. It is really bruised all around the eye, and the eye itself is very red. The incision site looked real good though, no swelling or anything.
It has still been very hot here this week. I only walked about 20 miles, and most of that was done on the treadmill. For some reason 3 miles on the treadmill seems much longer than 3 miles outside. I guess the difference is the changing scenery. That and the fact that after walking so far, you always know you have at least that far to walk back before you can quit. It is so much easier to just climb down off the treadmill, especially when you have kids throwing questions at you and the dogs trying to walk with you. Distraction, distractions!! We went to the pool again on Friday and spent about 4 hours in the water. We also went out on the boat Monday and swam in the river for about 1 1/2 hours. Keep the faith ;)
Tues, 7/20Trying something different for me exercise. Have been swimming instead of walking. Don't know if it will shake things up, but I am giving it a try. Actually, I have been swimming in addition to walking. Just not getting upset if I miss a walk as long as I swim that day. The weather has been much more conducive to swimming than walking. The humidity in addition to the heat makes it so bad that you can break a sweat as soon as you step outside the door.
My brother is in the hospital having a shunt put in due to a kidney stone. It is bigger than a quarter and too high up in the kidney for them to zap it and try to break it up. They would just go ahead and remove it, but his white blood count is up too high for that invasive a surgery. They are putting in the shunt and giving him antibiotics to combat the infection. They are hoping that in the meantime the stone will drop low enough for them to zap it.
My dad goes back to Good Sam Hospital Friday to have stitches removed and more cancer taken off. The doctor has at least 3 or 4 more places on his face to take care of, and then will worry about any other spots
Oh yeah, on the diet front; eating hasn't been too good lately, water so-so, exercise very good. I just need to get the three things together. Keep the faith ;)
Sat, 7/17Well, after a week of pleasant temps in the 80s, we are back up into the 90s and 100s. I have walked the last two nights. Thurs evening wasn't too bad. Last night was a killer. It was still in the mid to upper 80s at 8:00. Tonight will be even worse. Still walk 2 miles, just take longer to do it in this hot weather. Been eating okay. Didn't do as good on the water yesterday. Only 60 ounces instead of the usual 80 - 100. Keep the faith ;)
UPDATE:I just got back from walking. My friend didn't show up again, so I varied my routine. When I walked I would run up the hill, around the back of the bleachers, and down the hill on the other side as I completed each lap. Did one mile like this. Then I did what the track team calls toe lifts. I stood on the edge of the bleachers and raised up on my toes and then lowered my heels below the seat. Did this 25 times. Then I went up the bleachers, across the back and down the other side 5 times. I came home because I had drunk all my water and was sweating like a farmer putting in hay. It is still almost 90 degrees here. Keep the faith ;)
Wed, 7/14My dad came over and I changed the bandages on his face from his surgery. It didn't look too bad being only 2 days post-op. He is pretty bruised, but no sign of infection or inflamation. I could not believe the size of the incision the doctor; then after looking at it closed, I realized that it was two separate incisions. He goes back Friday. Some lady he knows from the Golden Agers is going to ride down with him.
I have been having a terrible time sleeping the last couple of nights. I go to bed at 11:30 and sleep til about 1:30. Then am awake til around 5:00. I have tried to stay awake and go to bed later, but ended up falling asleep in the chair. The thing is, after I have been up for a while, I don't really feel that tired, but am bushed by 9:00 in the evening. These sleepless spells seem to correlate to my ovulation time. I guess I will have to talk to the doctor about it. This has been going on for the last 3 or 4 months.
Have been doing real well with drinking. Drank 96 ounces yesterday and 80 today. Found out I have to stop drinking around 9:00 so I don't have to get up too many time during the night. (That is not why I can't sleep. I never have to go when I first wake up, only after being awake for about 20 minutes or so.)
I took Jai to work with me today. I am so proud of her. She worked really well with the kids. Just jumped right in and help push wheelchairs and transfer kids to the changing table when it was time to change their diapers. She really enjoyed herself and the kids enjoyed having her there. She is all ready to go back with me tomorrow. This was a totally new experience for her and she handled herself really well. Some people, especially teenagers, are so self-conscious around handicapped children; but Jai seemed to take it all in stride. Several people told me what a great job they thought she did. She really did herself up proud. Keep the faith ;)
Tues, 7/13Things are pretty much the same around here. The temperature has dropped to a more manageable level. It has only been in the 80s, not in the 100s like it was for about a week. I have been drinking water like crazy - well over the 8 - 10 glasses recommended for a day. I swear that I slosh when I walk. Have been making pretty good choices eating-wise. Now I just need to get the exercise going on a regular basis. Keep the faith ;)
Mon, 7-12I had gone back up to 242 pounds. I weighed myself this morning and I was down to 238. I'm not sure where those four pounds went, but I am glad they are gone. I have started using WW123 again. It has cooled off, so I have been able to walk without the worry of heat stroke. It had been up around 100 - 102 with a heat index of 110 - 115. This morning it was only 68 when I got up. What a difference a week can make. Well, off to shower and get ready for summer school. Keep the faith ;)
Sun, 7-11Have had a pretty busy weekend. Spent most of yesterday clearing out the flower beds. It has been so hot here and they are asking us to conserve water as we are under drought conditions. As a consequence, most of my flowers died, but the weeds flourished beautifully. Today was spent doing laundry and cleaning house.
We had our first steamed crabs of the summer yesterday. Some friends we know went crabbing and brought us the leftovers cause their son stay with us during the week while his parents work. He doesn't actually live here, he does go home for supper, but comes back and spends most nights and the next day here with us. (I guess I am more or less babysitting for free, but at least Timtoe has someone to play with his own age. Now if only I could find a 14 year old girl for Jai.)
Right now I am here alone. Jai is at Cat's house, Joe and Yobo are working, and Timtoe is at Chip's house for a while. They should be back soon. (Chip is the kid who stays with us during the week.)
Don't know how you would count the weeding and cleaning as exercise. Had a terrible weekend eating. Ate some of those Caroline BBQ potato chips. They are too good. Keep the faith ;)
Fri, 7/9I started this earlier, but got interrupted. Will try this again. I did pretty well on the eating front today. Didn't get enough exercise. Chased around one very little hyper girl at summer school today. This child flits from one thing to another, hardly every lighting in one place for more than 1 minute at a time. She doesn't even sit still long enough to eat her snack. What a trip. Keep the faith ;)
Wed, 7/7The heat has finally broken. It only got up to 94 today. That is 7 or 8 degrees cooler than it has been on the previous 3 days. It was even too hot to go out on the boat. Yesterday when I went to sub in summer school, we were in an unairconditioned room. It was so hot I started feeling nauseous. I haven't been eating too much because it has just been to dang hot. I have been drinking plenty of water due to all the heat, though. (Have also been running to the bathroom a lot.) I haven't stepped on the scales since Monday, so don't know how I am doing. Keep the faith ;)
Sun, 7/4 Happy Independence Day. A little late, but better late than never. We just got back from the fireworks about 30 minutes ago. We were out on the boat and got so close that we could feel the concussion from some of the salutes. We also put our suits on and went swimming. We had to, or else we may have melted. It is very hot here. It was in the night 90s and is supposed to hit 100 tomorrow. I haven't braved the weather to go out and walk. Hopefully this will break soon and I can get outside again. Keep the faith ;)
Sat, 7/3Another Saturday, another day of cleaning. I need some time to myself. Haven't had five minutes peace since school let out. A friend of Tim's spends all week here instead of staying home along while his parents and brother work all week. I don't really mind, but they can get a little rowdy sometimes. My husband doesn't understand why I want time alone. He can at least go into his room at work, shut the door, and everyone leaves him alone. I got to our room, shut the door, and the kids come knocking to ask my some question that could wait, or they let the dogs in the room with me and they are jumping all over the bed. I am going out this afternoon no matter what. My time alone will probably consist of going to the store and getting those curtains for the bedroom that Yobo and I agreed on, but at least I will be alone. Enough complaining, on to other things.
I am in desperate need of motivation. I am back up to 240 pounds. My friend hasn't answered any of my calls about walking. Jai goes with me, but she jogs way ahead of me and then waits for me to catch up. It just isn't the same. Guess I will have to get used to it. Keep the faith ;)
Thurs, 7/1I can't believe it is July already. Where has this year gone? I can't wait til this weekend. Can you believe Yobo actually has off til Tuesday? We will go see fireworks about 3 different times. Once will be out on the boat for the Havre de Grace show. That one will be the best. The only thing is that Joey has to work all three nights we will be going. It seems to bother us more than it bothers him. I believe dad may go out on the boat with us. He did last year and really enjoyed himself.