Sorry Irish the way I understood your post it sounded like you were trying to hide from the doctors. Glad you are getting it looked in to. I am not claustrophobic but a closed MRI gave me the creeps. I felt a little panicky. I had to force myself to close my eyes and tell myself it was OK. I was still nervous. I had to keep telling myself I could get out any time I wanted with a push of the button. I would prefer to not do that again. I will be praying for a good report for you. Good luck.
We are having fish for dinner. My Dh is trying to convince me it should be deep fried. No way. I plan on doing it on the grill. He is having cod and my DS and I are having salmon. Yum. Probably broccoli or zucchini with it. Maybe some spinach.I need to decide soon I need to start cooking soon.
Good Luck Irish.
Pat

irish, my hospital let me put a wet washcloth on my forehead, and over my eyes once. maybe they will give you something to relax you. ask your dr. good luck.

My primary care physician will give me Valium as long as I promise to have a driver and he's the one that recommends I use the open machine in Traverse City. I talked to my friend Saturday and he can take me anytime as long as we use my car - his son has his a couple of days a week. I didn't tell him why I need to go to TC and need a driver. I'd rather not alarm too many people until I have a positive diagnosis. I had a MRI there a year and half ago and survived it. The techs were very considerate. I had trouble breathing twice, but convinced myself if I stopped the procedure, I'd just have to start over, so I made it. My reward was diner at a nice restaurant followed by a trip to JoAnn's. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

I haven't done much. My sunshine went away and my ambition with it.

Congrats to the oct winner!
Meanmom, I love your star quilt. Wow!
Irish, praying that all goes well with your testing.
I had such a good time in Houston. The quilts were amazing. Over 1000 vendors. Boy, did I have fun! We did a lot of walking but not near enough to make up for the wonderful food.
My tile guy is supposed to come in the morning to work on my kitchen backsplash. Lots to do to get things put away before then.
Have a good week, all.
[h=2][/h]

The MRI is this afternoon at 5:00. Is that soon enough for y'all? Those of you who are inclined to pray, please do. With claustrophobia, this is not my idea of fun. I have a 50 mile drive to worry - it's a good thing I'm not a worrier and my friend is very calm. I forgot to ask him if he can drive after dark since his cataract surgery. Oh, well, I will be able to drive if he can't because my body will assimilate the Valium very quickly. I wish I had known yesterday that it would be this soon. Oh, well, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas.

Eat clean, drink lots of water and move your body.

received my pretty FQ's for sept biggest loser. thank you every one. thx cindy

Praying for you Irish. I usually figure the sooner I can get it done the less time I have to think about it. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out. Trying to eat clean and drink lots of water. I am off of work tomorrow for election day. WOO HOO!

The taboo is regular green lettuce - change it out for romaine.
:thumbup:

The MRI went well. It's amazing what the power of prayer and a Valium can do. I even fell asleep for a few minutes. No sleeping through the second part. I was injected with a contrast dye and the table shook/vibrated periodically. The Dr asked that I call him the minute the MRI was done, but it was after hours, so I'll do it in the morning.

I can do that taboo - I like Romaine and darker lettuces, plus I have some new dressing. It was sold as spinach salad dressing, but I bet it will be good on any flavorful lettuce. But then I like iceberg, too.

I have a feeling I'm going to bed early. I'm sleepy.

YEAH!!!! I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!!!! I got my FQ's today for my October win!!!!! Love them all. My daughter thought I was a nut, dancing around the kitchen and touching them all, going oooooo & aaaaaahhhhh. She doesn't understand. DH did, he walked out of the room....I believe he was mumbling..."go sew". LOL. Thank you ladies!!!! The fabrics are wonderful, and the support you give is even better!!!!!

Well, off to bed for me. Doc in the am. See what he has to say about my gallbladder. It was giving me a bit of a fit tonight, but I muttled through. Hoping I can get this done between the holidays. I'll let you know what he says.

Again.....THANK YOU!!!!!!

Irish, glad your testing procedure went well, now let's see what the doctor says. Hope the news is on the bright side. We all know there's always something we don't want to hear - same for you CHQ with your gallbladder. My broken arm is getting better. I have the sling off today and can use the arm from the elbow down - do not try to reach for anything yet and nothing above my head yet. Went back swimming yesterday - well, it's an aqua arthritis class and we do lots of movements hands, neck, hips and legs. I can do most of the exercises, but really didn't do any of the arm reaching - that'll come later. Had to get back doing something - when I broke the arm, I stopped doing everything - except eat! Hopefully that exercise will loosen me up.

Kathleen I like that taboo. I can do that. It will be easy for me this week as we have so much spinach in the garden I am having stomach issues from eating too much. I have a big salad for lunch and sometimes one for dinner too. Or we have cooked spinach. My Dh and I have a running argument (joking) about what kind of lettuce to buy. I prefer either spinach or the spring greens mix. He likes either iceberg or romaine. I tell him since I go to the store to get it and eat about 90% of it we get to have my kind.
Irish I hope the answers from the doctor are good. Glad to hear the MRI wasn't too bad. Well I am off to vote, get my oil changed do some bank business and then hide in my sewing room for the rest of my day off:-)

WOW!!! I really was behind. First I was sick with bad ear/throat. So drank lots of hot water/honey/apple cider vinegar. Felt like I was swimming in it, but it really helps my throat. Then on Friday, Mom fell twice. So around 5 p,m. we took her to the ER. 5+ hours later, after being discharged and called back, yes she has a hip fracture and bladder infection. Took her back to the memory unit with meds and thought things were going to be okay. Got the call on Sunday, she no longer qualifies to stay in the memory unit and we will have 30 days to find a nursing home. Many tears shed, calls to brothers (they didn't do any good - one hasn't returned any of our calls). Yesterday not more than 2 hours after I learned that Mom should be placed BEFORE we go to Michigan, a nursing home called with an invite. It was a home that we had toured before Mom came to live with us. God answered our prayers. Does Mom know what is happening, No. So hard to make a decision like this for someone else, but I'm at peace with it.

CHQ, great work. So rewarding to be able to wear clothes that are now baggy. DH bought a candy bar for me because usually that's how I get through the "crisis", but this time I just put it away in the refrig and said "it's going to be bad for you - don't go there". So I'm slowly on the loosing side again. Will be traveling for the next 2 1/2 weeks so that will test my strength also.

I'm off to the basement to sew 4 sets of pillow cases as Christmas gifts for family in Michigan. Said I was going to take as many gifts along so that I don't have to send them later.

Irish, please take care of yourself. Thanks Cindy for all you do for this thread. Pam, thanks for Tues taboo.

Glad that the MRI went well Irish. I pray that it will show your true condition.
Congrats CHQ, glad you like the FQ's. Maybe someday I will be the winner. But I am a winner every month that I have a loss and no gain, so I am happy that my clothes are baggy. Though I am ready for the weather to get cooler, it was 90 here yesterday. My capri's are all too big, some way too big, I need it to cool down so I can wear some pants that fit better. I'm not going to buy more Capri's now!!!!
The Taboo is easy for me. I only use Romaine lettuce in my salads. My DH complains now and then that I don't buy Iceberg lettuce but I tell him that there is no nutrients in it and Romaine is better.
Yesterday I got my husband to help me sandwich 16 baby Christmas quilts that I need to have done by next Tuesday. My back is not happy and my foot is telling me I was on it too much yesterday. In a few I am going to start quilting these babies. My housekeeper is supposed to come today and they like me gone when they are cleaning, however with some extenuating circumstances (their 17 y/o daughter had a baby on Sunday and is coming home this afternoon) I'm not sure that they are showing up today at all. I will sew and then if they come I will leave for a little while when they need to do the floors but I can't be gone all day, I have work to do!!!

Thank you for all your concern and prayers. The doctor called - I am clear - no mold showed in the MRI and the blood work was good. He was surprised, but pleasantly so. I am refusing surgery until after my six months are up. During the outbreak of this same thing from the same lab in 2004, the last person to become ill was at 5 months post injection, so I don't want the joint opened until it's been six months. He agrees with me as long as I can tolerate the pain, so I'm I'm on cruise control until January. He wished me a good Thanksgiving and merry Christmas and we'll start the procedure's protocol in January. I felt I was clear all along and I know my body well, but it's disconcerting to have a doctor in your face saying you will die. It's okay. All is well that ends well.

Good to hear that Irish!!! Let's pray that you are still clear at the 6 month mark!!!

Just finished quilting the 4th little quilt. Ugh... my back!!!. I am just FMQing a large meander. Pedal to the Metal. I have so many to do!! The backings on the ones I have quilted are flannel but I am getting more lint from the Gutterman thread than I am from the flannel!!! I am surprised at that. I figured that the flannel would be linting like crazy but it's the thread. Easy to tell, the backing color is burgundy and the thread is green.

Pam, thanks for Tues taboo.[/QUOTE]
Everose - while you were gone, Pam passed the baton for Taboo Tuesday to me. I try to get it up late Monday or very early each Tuesday.

Boy you can really tell I've been gone!!! Vanogay, thanks for the taboo. As we travel that will be a big help with the veggies that I plan on eating. Irish, so glad things are looking up. Take care.

Got the call this afternoon that the Dr will sign the orders for Mom. Boy was I dence - I thought as soon as Mom had the invite it was a done deal. Nope. She has to have the Dr sign the order before she can be admitted. And since that Dr. doesn't make calls at this home, Mom will have to change Drs and probably clinics, which won't hurt my feelings.

Got all 3 pair of pillow cases done and also finished a Christmas table runner. It was from a tut from Missouri Star Quilt Co. It turned out so cute. But also got a new pattern from the quilt show on Sat. It is wonderful and hope to start on it in Michigan. (I think DH is taking a lathe to Michigan so I'm going to take my sewing machine.) When I get it back upstairs I will let you know what it is. A designer from my hometown in ND.

Cindy, the package arrived today and I'm ready to start playing. Thanks!

glad to see that the FQ's are arriving.

I also like this weeks taboo...........I prefer to get the spring mix with spinach.

Irish..... glad you did well with the MRI. Ready to hear the results from them.

Keep up all your hard work. remember you are in control of what you put in your mouth. BE wise in what you chose to do.

Irish glad to know the MRI was good. We had ham for dinner and it was delicious, but man was it salty. I am so thirsty. I have cut way back on my salty food so I guess I am more sensitive to it. I will have to stay away from the scale for a few days until the water weight goes away. I have decided to try new vegetables. I bought some red beets today, something I don't usually eat. Now to decide how to eat them. I have had them recently shredded raw in salad. They were actually pretty good that way.
Everyone remember to eat healthy, drink water and get your exercise.
Pat

Been MIA due to hurricane Sandy. Still no power starting day10 after losing power-no access to internet even at work until Tuesday. Hopefully we will get power back Thursday night but with a Noreaster on the way I am anticipating a delay. We had some damage to the house but can't even get someone in for estimates until the power comes back on. It's so cold in the house I slept completely underneath 4 quilts, head and all, wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under a really heavy sweatshirt, sweat pants, 3 pairs of socks. Even though the power company says they are working 24/7 we haven't seen anyone in our area. The trees were cleaned up within a couple of days but all the lines are still down and only one way in andout of the neighborhood.

welcome back B/S. sorry to hear about your damage. i see elect crews from mich are headed to NY. i imagine, it will be a long time getting back to normal. as i was looking at the damaged homes on the news, i was wondering how many of them that will have to have completely new wiring put in. and that there were be many of them that look okay, but will be declared 'unsound'. prayers are still being said for that section of the country. god bless.
cindy, yes, you mailed the FQ's sat. and mine arrived monday. awsome post office work.
romaine lettuce? gotta be a lst time for everything.

2nd full week at work and had to come home early today. it seems that I am battling with a stomach bug. UGH I hate this.

Wow we are 8 days in and I can't believe how fast this month is going.

SO what are some healthy sides we can add to our Holiday meals???? Lets try to share some of our recipes with each other.

I'm going to a culinary school Thanksgiving meal, so probably won't be many 'diet' foods there. One of our colleges has the school and they have meals every so often for teh public. We try to go to some of them when we can - and for the past few years, we have been going to Thanksgiving since it's just us - no family. Makes it a festive occasion - but diet? Forget it on thta day. That'll be my splurge date.

Everose - while you were gone, Pam passed the baton for Taboo Tuesday to me. I try to get it up late Monday or very early each Tuesday.[/QUOTE]

Yes and she is doing a great job!!!!!! She has come up with so many good taboo's. I have had my cataract surgery hope I don't have to have the other one done any time soon. But will if I have too. Has been very hard not to rub my eye. Also, had a few other procedures and office visits. Not to mention the 4 ft. of snow and doing without power from Mon. eve. until Sun. evening. Will post a pic. if I can figure it out.

I had 2 bags of Romaine lettuce in the fridg. H got it a couple days ago. and i didn't look at it. i've had it before. it's quite good. bigger, firmer pieces, more substance to it. am ashamed to admit how much i had for lunch one day. it just hit the spot with my fish fillets. luv gordons varities. 80 cal for one, or l60 for 2 fillets.

Snow Pic
 

4 ft. of snow and no power My tracker is under there and truck is the other vehicle. Car was right in front of the porch .

Oh my goodness Pam 304!!!! I love snow, and I remember the blizzard we had a few years ago. Eventually it does get old, and all that shoveling is no fun!! Warmer weather coming this weekend, hope things get better and it melts a little!!!

Well, went to surgeon. December 12th will be my surgery date. Gall Bladder is full of stones. Don't like the thought of surgery, but can't live this way for much longer. Doc said I'll be out 2-4 weeks so I timed it so I'm off for Christmas. Of course now I'll have to hurry up and get everything important done before surgery. Decorate the house, shopping, stocking up (DH isn't good at the shopping thing). If I get everything done hopefully I'll be able to come home and relax....and finish up my last minute quilting gifts.

CHQ, my friend had hers done laproscopically and was able to get around quite well after a few days. Of course, she couldn't have worked. Prayers for an uneventful surgery and recovery.

I just cut out an apron with a pattern, pins and scissors. It felt strange after so much rotary cutting lately. I am behind on birthday presents. #2 GD likes aprons. Her daughters' birthdays are being celebrated Sunday so this is good time to do her apron. The little girls are getting pianos. Won't the parents love me.

If you need a simple dessert, I made a two layer cheesecake in a pie plate today that was very good - I made a tiny one without the shell for me. the recipe's on the Kraft website.

I have two months to get my house clean enough so I can have surgery in addition to Christmas and a GS's basketball season. Either I will too busy to eat and drop a few pounds to I'll be stressed and overeat. Let's pray for the former. I don't care as much about the weight as I do about keeping my stress level down. My blood pressure was as high as my weight when I was at the Doctor's office today. Yikes!

Eat clean, move your body and drink lots of water. I'll post another one of those questions from the article I read last month in a few days. Take care, y'all.

I'm hoping that laproscopically will be my outcome, but the doctor told me just to be aware that if they run into any problems I may wake up with an incision. But I did make him promise to take good care of me, and he did. I really like him. He's got a good bedside manner, speaks so you can understand him (no big technical words), and he ain't half bad looking....LOL. Now I just have to make sure I take care of everything that needs to be done before I have the surgery. I want to get the house super cleaned and decorated, plus stock up on things. DH is great at taking care of me, but taking care of everything else, that's a different story!! Love him to pieces, but I don't know how he'd survive if I wasn't here to take care of him....LOL.

Well, I'm off to quilt some fabric for a project my quilt group will be working on tomorrow. I'm teaching them a basket pattern that I found and made. Can't wait to see all the pretty baskets they come up with!!!!

irish, apron. wow. i've gone to the basement several times with the intent to make me one, and get down, there and do what i had in the machine. etc. you would not believe how many blouses i have ruined over the years from using bleach in everything. oh no, on the blood pressure and wt matching.

CHQ-good you have a date, but sorry, you have to do it. lypo is the way they try to go. sounds like the surgeon is a good one.
snowwwww pam? wow. that looks like it could be michigan. but ole mother nature has been good to us the last couple years. 62 tomorrow, i hear.
i went out for dinner tonite, and can't believe how good i was. ordered a swiss steak, just for something diff, had like 1/4 of it, and brought the rest home. told the hubby he could have it for breakfast tomorrow. did enjoy the baked potato tho.

Susanna..........your FQ arrived. Sorry if I spelled your name wrong.

Have a busy weekend. Will be going out to a couple of quilt shops today, and possible hit Kohls so I can get some clothes that fit me. I wore a skirt this week that was 2 inches too big, didn't have a safety pin, so I ended up stapling it. UGH I love that the weight is dropping but I hate how it is affecting my very low income, it will be about 4 weeks before I get a full paycheck. I ad to leave work the other day with a stomach bug.......or the flu bug. LOL

Remember choose wisely in what you put in your mouth. Drink your water, eat your protein and veggies.

Have a blessed weekend. Stay warm......we have a cold from coming late tonight or tomorrow.

CHQ I had my gallbladder out laproscopically years ago. I was pretty much fine (able to sew) after a few days. It was longer until I was able to do cleaning etc. It has been 15 years and I still can't clean. Good luck. We need pictures of the basket.
No snow here. The weather has been up and down here. Freezing one day, 60 the next. No wonder my sinuses are a mess. My eating is up and down too. Good one day bad the next.
My DD and I are going to a craft show today. I haven't been to one in years. This is one that is picky about what they let in so hopefully there will be some interesting crafts there. I am cooking a turkey breast tonight so I am going to make a pumpkin pie.
Hope everyone get power back soon
Pat

I can't believe there are still so many people without power. The huge snowfall really complicated things after Sandy did her damage. We just had a light dusting one morning so we've been lucky. Looks like today is our last "warm" day. Too bad it is kind of rainy. I still need to clean up a couple of flower gardens and it would be nice to get the Christmas lights up.
Has anyone read the book Cruise Ship or Nursing Home (the 5 essentials to Maximized Living)? It has to do with diet (no sugar, no grains), exercising in surges and specialized chiropractic care. They say it is essential for good health to have a nice curve in your neck. I have no curve. They say that your body can heal itself of most things if those nerves in your neck get the energy flow it needs (along with following the diet and exercise). They do have a chiropractor in my area so I am thinking about giving it a try. I don't want to start the diet until after the holidays. My husband strongly encouraged me to wait until after the holidays. LOL But hey, if there's a chance of me getting rid of these frigging migraines it's worth a shot. Not to mention my neck pain, back pain, gastro issues, etc.
My tile backsplash finally got installed in my kitchen this week. I love it! I'll attach a pic.
Yesterday I had a little shopping splurge at the LQS that is closing the end of the month. She has 50% off everything. Enjoy the pics of all the yummy fabric!
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I got 2 yard cuts of most of them. I got 4 yards of the red feathery one because I think it will make an awesome jacket. And maybe a purse or tote if there is some extra.

MeanMom - if having my gallbladder out ruins my ability to clean, I guess I'll have to take that bullet for the team....LOL. Just as long as I'm up and quilting quickly I'm good!!!! I won't tell DH about the "cleaning" side effects...LOL.

Here is a picture of the baskets I taught the girls yesterday. I was so pleased, they each got one done, and one lady had 2 done and 2 more ready to put together. Once you get past making the first one, making more is a snap.
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This one is a fall fabric. I made my first 2 in Halloween Fabric. I've made 3 more in Christmas Tree fabric. Think I've made about 7 so far. I'm getting ready to cut out 5 more to make. The top of the basket ties shut to hide the contents. My Mom says they hold a couple dozen cookies, as she gave one away at her class reunion. I'm giving them as gifts this year with cookies inside.

CHQ I love the baskets. What pattern is that. I need several christmas gifts and am running out of time.
Does anyone have a tutorial for glue to glue my mouth shut, I can't seem to stay out of the junk food today!

CHQ, i like your baskets. nice xmas presents.

CQH........I would love to know how to get a hold of the pattern. Can you share that info please. thanks

Taboo Tuesday - sorry I'm late with this. Had a miserable night - felt lower than a whale's belly and even had the throw ups. I ate an ice cream bar wrapped in chocolate and I'm afraid I reacted miserably to it. SO, this week's Taboo Tuesday is NO Chocolate - no milk chocolate, no dark chocolate, no hot chocolate - sorry you're paying the price with me:rolleyes: I did weigh this morning as I always do and I'm down another pound - guess being sick has some advantages besides feeling miserable.

OMG are you trying to kill me with the taboo. I was just sitting here thinking of getting a chocolate caramel thing I made from the refrig. I guess I'm not allowed now. This will be good for me since I have been hitting the chocolate pretty hard since Halloween. THanks for doing the Taboo Tuesday.
Pat