Two more rooms to go, and the entire house will be clean and put back together. The catch is that the two remaining rooms are my sewing room and study (office). Talk about saving the worst till last!
But it does feel really good to have my entire first floor livable again.
Linda and her friend Joe came yesterday and did a lot of the heavy cleaning, scrubbed the bathrooms, cleaned the floors, dusted everything I hadn't, which was a lot.
They're back on the regular two-week schedule. I took all my blogging friends' good advice and decided I'd keep them, at least for now. Till somebody finds a cure for fibromyalgia.
Tonight is WOW Bible study night, and it's my turn, along with my friend Lori, to provide dinner. I had thought I would make beef stew, but with the fibro flaring like it is, I don't feel like doing that. So I got three large Stouffer's lasagnas and three large bags of salad, and that's what I'm fixing. Lori is going to provide bread and dessert.
More bad news yesterday. I went to my doctor last week to have my cholesterol checked. Fran in the lab called me yesterday with the news that both my cholesterol and triglycerides are up and that Dr. M wants me on Zocor. So now I have one more drug in my medicinal arsenal. I'm going to hit that insurance gap soon if this keeps up.
I have learned that stress can cause one's cholesterol to go up, and I've had plenty of that this past year. But I know that I also haven't been eating right. So I'm making a resolve today to change my diet. Lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Oatmeal (hold the butter, brown sugar, and cream) or Cheerios (no honey nut, just plain) for breakfast, and much less pasta, bread, and ice cream. I'll miss the pasta, but I really like veggies and fruit, so I should be able to do it. I want to get those numbers down and get off the Zocor as soon as possible. Which might also get my blood pressure down and allow me to get off the Atenolol.
Sophie here could probably benefit from a healthier diet too. Fewer treats at least. But that would be a neighborhood effort since almost all the neighbors keep treats for her--and she knows just who they are and where they keep them. Sometimes she even goes next door and knocks on the door because she knows Ashleigh keeps those fancy pet store treats shaped like hearts. They taste like peanut butter but don't stick to the roof of Soph's mouth. Yum yum, says the black dog.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 10/15/2009, Loribelle said ...
You're going to clean your sewing room? NO WAY!! ;-) I love the way Soph is laid out on the bed striking a pose!
Let's work together on that change in diet! After our chat this morning I'm feeling the same way!
Yummm...can't wait to have some of that lasagne for dinner tonight!! (tee hee)
Love you buddy!!
On 10/15/2009, Jan said ...
Your bedroom is gorgeous Susan and the quilts are stunning, as is Sophie :) I'm so glad that you chose to go back to having the housework done! It's a wonderful gift to yourself :) Hope that new meds work and the best of luck to you on that new resolve! I need to jump on that same band wagon, as my cholesterol is off the charts. I take Lipitor and I also take the Atenelol. Here's to a healthier year ahead :)
On 10/15/2009, k&c's mom said ...
You have such a cheery home! Asking God for the cure for fibro or your healing: which ever comes first.
On 10/15/2009, Pat said ...
I take Atenolol for heart rythm, have for years. My new med is for bp - diovan. As my good friend in MS says, we just put on our GBP and deal with it. Got to have bp checked soon, but it's come down some. Thank goodness for good helpers, too. My top-to-bottom house cleaning of 3 weeks ago has gone to the pits; thinking of getting my help back too. My diet could definitely use improvement! Thanks for the challenge!
On 10/15/2009, Mary said ...
Don't think I've been her for a visit in a while, but want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog very much...both what you say, and your beautiful quilts. In reading that you're changing your diet, I have read up fibromyalgia a little, and found that the best arsenal against it is diet, so glad to hear you're changing some bad habits. I'm dealing with something...perhaps kidney stones, or something else...so far, tests don't show anything, but I decided to start self medicating with proper foods, both adding healthy ones, and eliminating those that are suspect...like chocolate, sugar, which includes "white" things, like pasta...more fruits and veggies, and really important, cutting down on stress. You have had a very stressful year, and its bound to take its toll on your body, but by making changes, I really hope that you will find a stronger and healthier YOU in a very short time. Glad you're getting help with housework, too. My mom told me "you only have one body, so take care of it".
God bless,
Mary
On 10/15/2009, Pat said ...
PS That's BGP, not GBP... Anyway, I'm always reminding myself to put them on. You're doing great - keep up the great blog, great attitude; you're an inspiration to me! Sophie is beautiful, too!
On 10/15/2009, Pam said ...
Good for you keeping the cleaning ladies for a while - sometimes just getting on top of everything makes you feel so much better. When the house is a mess I always feel out of sorts as well.
That is exactly how I eat my oatmeal - butter - brown sugar and cream. I don't know if I could eat the oatmeal as just oatmeal. I think mostly I love oatmeal because I love butter, brown sugar and cream -LOL
On 10/15/2009, Nicole said ...
Your bedroom looks like a fabulous retreat. What a great feeling to have everything spic and span!
I will go right along with you and try to eat healthier. Since I have been on my own during the week I have not bothered to eat right. Chips one night, pizza another. It is not good for me!
On 10/15/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Hi SUsan,
Your bedroom is lovely and so tranquil! I love the quilts and that you have room for a bookcase, too. Alas, we were so taken with the woods and land here, we settled for small bedrooms and small closets and that's been hard to live with.
More power to you as you tackle the difficult rooms and the diet overhaul. You'll feel so much better on a healthier diet and as you look around your clean first floor.
I applaud your wisdom in listening to your body when is says no. Your friends in the WOW group will enjoy the lasagna, salad, dessert, and good fellowship.
Hugs, but very gentle so as not to hurt you!
On 10/15/2009, kayellen said ...
Hi Sophie!! You look so cute:)
Wow!looks great Susan!
I need to clean out my clutter too!You have inspired me...I think my closets need it the worst!This weekend I will start with mine:))
Hope I won't get swallowed up by my junk! lol
Share your scarecrows!I want to see them:))
Take Care,
Kay Ellen
On 10/15/2009, sara said ...
Good for you for making changes to your diet! Your bedroom looks fabulous and tidy, by the way. You have great furniture in there.
I'm trying to shed a few pounds and cut out excess white flours and sugars too.
On 10/15/2009, Donna said ...
Your bedroom looks so neat and comfy! I think stress upsets our entire systems. Since Amber passed away I have lost about 10 pounds. I do not want to cook things she loved because it's just too hard right now :( My two cats even miss my cooking. They love chicken and know they will have some when I cook it!
As for the medication I think we all have to take something eventually. I have a drawer full of meds I take!
Hugs,
Donna
On 10/16/2009, niki said ...
Oatmeal is the ticket. I too had the cholesterol problem and stick to oatmeal for breakfast (except for Sundays of course). I microwave it with apples, dried apricots or cranberries, whatever is on hand. It tastes great and has brought the numbers down.
Also, I wish Sophie lived next door to me. I would keep those treats for her. It would be great to have that little, black dog stop by for a visit.
On 10/16/2009, CarlaH said ...
Hi Susan, good work the house is looking good. I think that as we get older most of us seem to suffer from high blood pressure and cholesterol - I'm taking medication for both - every once in a while I try to do the diet change but after a while fall back into the same bad habits. Let's all resolve to take another stab at a healthier life style. Enjoy the results of your hard work and just think about all the goodies that are waiting to be discovered in your sewing room and office.
On 10/16/2009, Rian said ...
Soph looks like she's plotting her next move. Dogs have such wonderful facial expressions. Yesterday I had the garden hose out and Riley begged to eat the water. He just goes ape for the hose! I usually hold it down low and he can brave the stream, attacking it and biting it. But I accidentally-on-purpose squirted him (he gets wet during the game anyway) and you should have seen the looks he gave me later. He had "how could you" written all over his face!
On 10/16/2009, Lisa D. said ...
Stress? Oh no, you don't have any of *THAT* in your life! Take care of yourself Susan. Your bedroom is beautiful, by the way.
On 10/23/2009, Valerie said ...
Love this room featured above !
I should be doing like you but we are into renovation work and I'm waiting until we 're done with the current stage.
Sorry to hear about cohlesterol but yes stress can induce a significant increase. Make sure you cut on meat & eggs (egg yolk).
I've recently been diagnosed with gluten intolerance and have to give up on our oh-so-good French bread (I found gluten free pasta though) & I'll miss, but I' m sure WE can do it, can't we ?!
Take care Susan, I hope you're enjoying your quilt retreat !
On 08/23/2010, RamonGustav said ...
Do you have ideas which worth millions but you lack the necessary capital to put your idea to test?
On 09/24/2010, Music_master said ...
I think you are not quite right and you should still studying the matter.
-----
