Life is Great!

Life isn't just good ... it's great!

I've had a great weekend. Today I feel like I'm on top of things. I'm actually going to get some makeup on in a minute (my husband will be thankful for that), get dressed and work on fixing dinner for this evening. The only minor complaint that I have is my lower back is really sore. I had back surgery years ago and it's kinda flaired up. I used an ice pack last night and that really helped take the inflammation down. I think it's because I've been sitting and laying down more that it hurts.

One of you asked about the smells of food and if they make my hungry. It's really hard to explain but I'll try. While I was in the hospital I wasn't around anyone who was eating or cooking so I didn't smell or see food. When I got home I saw visual images of food everywhere! I was shocked at how many food commercials there on on TV in just an hour segment. Count them next time and you'll be surprised. Every food commercial I would see would trigger a memory of those foods and I could taste and smell them in my brain. Then I would groan and say, "Oh ... I can't have that anymore!" It's really a feeling of loss and a little bit of depression as you are going through this. I also had stomach pains due to the surgery and I couldn't tell if the pains were hunger pains, surgery pains, or drinking too much water pains. So, I don't think I was hungry. The food was just triggering emotions and sensations in my brain.

The next day was a lot easier being around and seeing food. And yesterday was a piece of cake. Well, not literally ... I didn't have any cake. But I was introduced to my first solid food. I think that helped the brain a lot! I now get to have 2 ounces of cottage cheese and yogurt. It was absolutely divine and tasted so heavenly. I made it last for 20 minutes! I'll be able to introduce string cheese, deli meats and pureed soups next Wednesday. Still only 2 ounce portions total.

The hard part is remembering to drink my water throughout the day. I'm supposed to be drinking 16 to 24 ounces of water a day. I keep a measured water bottle by me and sip on it when I remember. Just for fun I got on the scale yesterday and weighed just in my nightgown and I had dropped 11 pounds. It was almost frightening. That has NEVER happened to me before. My stomach is still a little bloated. I'll weigh myself tomorrow night and take a picture of me in the same clothes I was wearing last week and report my loss then.

O.K. ... enough about me! How are you enjoying the new in-color bundle? I received all of the ribbons too. They are delightful and I've had fun playing with the new stuff. I recorded two new videos which will be appearing on UStamp with Dawn and Friends. I had a good friend do the recording and editing for me. You will enjoy them. And it was sooo much fun talking to you via video once again!

Well ... enjoy your day and have a Happy Monday! I've got to prepare a talk for Sunday's lesson.