Osteo Update Time

For those of you that are new to my blog....I was diagnose with osteoporosis (sort of) in January. You can read about my experience here and here.

Just a little update on how things are going. When the new Holistic MD told me what he wanted me to eat and not eat, I was more than a little concerned. My diet was not nearly as bad as a lot of people, but not nearly as good as it should have been. He was asking a LOT for me to eat mostly whole foods as in fruits and vegetables, no wheat and no dairy. I need my Starbucks Chai Latte and pizza!

Then I needed to start walking 30 minutes a day. I was already walking a bit, but NOT 30 minutes every single day of the week! I don't have time for that.

Next I started seeing a Physical Therapist one day a week. She wanted me to do about 20-30 minutes of Pilates for osteoporosis at least 5 days a week. Where was that time going to come from?

Needless to say, it was a bit overwhelming. HOWEVER.....those of you that know me, know that I never say never. I dug in and guess what....the diet isn't really a big deal, the walking has become pretty enjoyable and the exercise is challenging and I love a challenge!!

I guess what I am trying to say is that things are going really, really well. I have no idea what it's all doing for my bone health, but I would think they would be staying the same or getting stronger rather than weaker and that is the goal.

The way I managed to sort it all out and not freak out was to look at it in smaller parts rather than as the big whole major life change that it was. It took me a while to figure out the diet and then to adjust to it.

I do my PT in the morning because that way it's done and there are no excuses when I get home from work. The walking....I am wearing a pedometer every minute of every day for a program we are doing at work. I have to walk 7000 steps every day. Most people walk about 3500 during the course of an average day and guess what......a 30 minute walk equals almost exactly 3500 steps! I get my 7000 easily every day. Some days I have 8000 and I've even hit 9000 a couple of times!

I was never trying to lose weight, but I have. My pants are all getting baggy and people are commenting on how skinny I am. I don't really want to be skinny...it's better for people with bone loss to have some meat and muscle on their bones.....but I will say that I feel awesome!

So, my words of wisdom....if someone like me can have words of wisdom is this....when you have to make a major lifestyle change....break it down into small sections and do it in baby steps. Success can be yours!

Water, Water Everywhere

We got a "bit" of rain Wednesday night into Thursday morning. I couldn't get to work my usual way because the water was just too deep across one of the roads I take. I went a different way and this is what I saw. This is normally a small creek that runs around the perimeter of a golf course!

See the soccer goal down in the water? This is a retention area across from where I work. The kids use it for soccer practice. There was no practice last night!

The rain let up just in time for me to take my lunchtime walk. This is one of the parks I pass by. You can see the real pond behind this newly formed "lake". I'm sure there was no baseball practice either.

This is the pretty pond that I always walk by. It was really high and all of the shoreline trees and bushes were well into the water.


This cute little robin had just pulled his lunch from the dirt and was having a wonderful time with it. I watched him for a while and snapped a couple of pictures. Then I turned around and went the other way so I wouldn't interrupt his meal.

Okay, can anyone tell me what on earth this is hanging from this evergreen tree? I have never seen anything like it. You can see little purple berries and then the entire tree was covered with these globs of wormy looking things. Honestly it gave me the creeps. I didn't want to get too close for fear they might start moving or jump off the tree onto my face like some science fiction movie. What on earth are they???

This is the road I couldn't get through in the morning. I decided to give it a try after work and it was still pretty bad. I thought about turning around, but other small cars were getting through so I gave it a try. It was really kind of scary. I felt like I was driving through the middle of a lake.
This picture is out the passenger window where the pond really is. The water was racing across the street to the lower land on the opposite side.

This is the side it was flowing to. There isn't usually water there. Isn't that crazy?

I have this thing about flooding. It is so sad and my heart aches for people whose homes flood because floodwater is so nasty. Everything gets ruined and it's just heartbreaking...but I am also just amazed by how it looks.

And this was just wonderful. There isn't usually water here either. There is a marshy area back a ways, but never water up by the road. I was so excited to see this guy and even more excited that there were no cars behind me and I could stop and get a picture of him. Isn't he magnificent?

The next few days are supposed to be sunny and dry so everything will be back to normal soon.

Far Away Family

Every time I see Tresa I take a couple of pictures of her to send to Matt out in Colorado. We always do one against a light colored wall, so he can really see her tummy growing.

I knew that this was going to be a difficult time for him. He loves "family". It will be hard for him to be a long distance uncle.

The baby is due in late September and Matt will be here in October to run the Chicago Marathon and then he's always here for Christmas.

After that, they can use web cams until he is home again.

Do you use a web cam to keep in touch with family and friends?

Harley....the BAD Cat

This is Harley...Tresa and Chris's cat...one of their cats. Their other cat is Casey and they call Casey their "good" cat, and Harley their "bad" cat. Harley cries a lot.......during the night...early in the morning....and very, very loud. Harley knocks things over, jumps up on things, jumps at the wall, jumps at things on the wall that only he can see, he eats things that aren't meant to be eaten....and then gets diarrhea.


I love Harley, although I have never been there in the middle of the night when he decides to tune up his vocal chords either. I personally think Harley is just a playful kitty that needs lots of love and attention. Tresa and Chris would love for us to adopt Harley from them......but if they wanted us to do that...why on earth did they tell us all of the terrible things he does? That wasn't very smart.

I would love to take Harley, but Maggie doesn't strike me as the kind of dog that would like cats....except to maybe grab, toss around and chew on. So, for now Harley will have to continue to be the "bad" cat.

Oh Baby!

Okay, so I made my first purchase for my "not due to arrive until September" Grandson. Are these not just the cutest little things? Of course, I didn't find these darling little camoflage socks at Walmart or Target....oh no, I found them at a little boutique in Chicago on Saturday! I think this could be trouble!

A few weeks ago, Tresa was in the same boutique and saw a darling little boy outfit. At the time she didn't know if it was a boy or a girl, so she didn't buy it. Well she bought it Saturday! Isn't this darling?

Look at the precious little owl!

I really think I am going to get myself in BIG trouble.....but my thought is that if I buy something every week or two now....I'll have a nice little collection of goodies when the showers start to roll around. Not sure what my excuse will be after he arrives and I'm still buying something every week or two!

Happy Birthday To My Baby Boy!

Today is my youngest son Matt's 27th birthday. It seems almost unfathomable to me that he could be turning 27 today. Happy Birthday Baby Boy! I love you so very much!

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

A very Happy Mother's Day to all of you that have been blessed with children. Happy Mother's Day to all of your moms......whether they are here with us or whether they are only here in spirit.

My mom has been gone for 12 years now, but my heart still sings when I think of her.

Then I have my daughter....with a little baby boy growing inside of her....the love she is already feeling for that little boy...the things she is already doing to nurture...the things moms do.

Whether you will be celebrating today, or reflecting today or just spending this day doing what you normally do...make it the best day ever. Do something nice for a mom you know and do something nice for yourself as well!