good morning everyone!

being away for a few days has its advantages. besides getting in some much enjoyed rest and relaxation, i had a lot of fun with some old friends and was able to stay very much in line with my daily calories. that in itself made this trip even more worthwhile since it feels like another notch in the i can do this for a lifetime belt i would like to wear. i never felt deprived, i didn't feel self conscious about measuring or logging and it was easy to do. the one component that was difficult was keeping up with drinking the water. we were in the car a lot so i backed off drinking. a small glass of wine one night in the hot tub, coffee in the mornings and one iced tea were the only other drinks i had besides water, so i did well with those choices as well. it was just a matter of not drinking enough. we did have internet access too, so i was able to log my food as usual. that was great not to fall out of that habit. i had loaded the desktop trial version of ck on to my laptop, but it is different than the website. i didn't have time to load all my custom foods into it either nor figure out all of its idiosyncrasies before i left for my trip. i decided whatever i can do with it will be enough. thankfully, i didn't even need to use it because i was able to connect to the website without a problem. of course i didn't have time to read blogs or forums until i was home again yesterday afternoon.

i did play 6 holes of golf yesterday. i hadn't picked up a golf club in 3 or 4 years. i was rusty on the first hole, but after that it felt great to be playing. my form needs a lot of work, but i was able to drive the ball a reasonable distance and in the direction i wanted it to go. we were playing something called best ball to speed up the game. that means that everyone hits a tee shot and then everyone hits their second shot from wherever the best drive landed. after the first hole, i was best shot for the next 5 holes. we had to stop because the rain began to fall fairly hard and we were running out of time. otherwise, i could have easily completed 9 holes and maybe more. my stamina was great and i didn't feel any aches and pains. ralph is already anxious to get me back out on the course again! actually, i am too!

so how am i feeling these days? well all systems are still go and i just feel terrific about that. in fact i saved the best news for last this morning. i spoke to my cardiologist yesterday afternoon to get the results of my nuclear stress test and everything is fine and dandy!! blood is pumping normally and smoothly through my heart so drum roll please he took me off the plavix!!!!! That's one medication down and 3 to go!!! i know most heart patients eventually come off plavix, but it does require some good behavior and lifestyle changes to get there. i don't think i would have gotten there if i hadn't buckled down in april to lose weight and get healthy. i started down the path, but ck (and this community) has kept me on track. thank you. thank you. thank you.

i am headed out to long island this afternoon for lunch with some friends (i can’t wait to eat home again!!) so i am still not back to my routine completely. i will be back sometime this evening to catch up with some more blogs! meanwhile i leave you with these words.

thank you
simple words
not said enough
to those
who make life better
who do nice things
who show kindness
who make a difference

thank you
two words
that when spoken aloud
and from the heart
mean so much more
to the receiver
than the giver
because it is the only
reward they seek
for a thoughtful act
or a supporting hand
or a kind word

thank you
for everything
everything you do
everything you give to me
without blinking an eye
or stopping to think
it's just in your nature
to be kind
and uplifting
and i want you
to know
that your goodness
does not go unnoticed
and will not go unrewarded
at our journey's end
because He knows
and He will never forget
the love you show
to all you meet

thank you
for your friendship
for being there
when i need you
for listening
when i just have to talk
for hearing my words
and just understanding
for your advice
when i need counsel
for your silence
when comfort
is all i seek
for your shoulder
when tears
are all i have

thank you
from deep in my soul
for holding my hand
and making me stronger
than i could be
alone
for the laughter
you bring to me
and the wisdom
you share
when i can't
hear reason
in most people's word
and the fortune
you bring to me
just by being my friend



thank you
said with fervor
meant with conviction
spoken with love

photo: i am pretty sure that when this photo was taken (circa 1956) was the last time i wore anything this red and if you ever doubted that i have blue eyes and naturally curly hair, here is more evidence...