Day Eighteen

So the Weimar journey comes to an end. Graduation last night. During the day, Kim texted me to say they were bringing another guest.  I wondered who it could be. Surprise!  Leah hitched a ride and came for the celebration!!  I was the only participant who had guests, so it was lucky I had enough to go around.

So we all know this isn't the end of the journey, but the beginning of another phase. Learning to keep up the program at home will be the real adventure.  So keep watching for periodic updates, right here. Love you all.

Day Seventeen

Well, down to the last day.  I repeated the treadmill test this morning, and doc said I walked 5 seconds longer than the first time.  Big progress, huh?  But, I didn't get AS tired this time, and my blood pressure recovered fairly quickly, so it really is progress.  After the test, I rode the bicycle for 25 minutes.  I wonder how much credit I get for the treadmill exercise, since I didn't walk outside today.  The weather was really nice; everything looks clean and green after the rain.

This afternoon we went back to the farm and the farm manager talked to us about some of the practices they use.  He showed us how they set up their drip irrigation system which was very interesting.  He also talked about some of the particular soil amendments they use.  He told us about their philosophy of using the same elements and minerals to grow their crops that occur in our bodies.  It makes the food more nutrient dense, and therefore more healthful.

Tomorrow is my last appointment with the doc to see how much weight I've actually lost, whether or not my cholesterol is improved, and any other results from the blood work.  One more foot bath and one more massage.  Kim, Rabbit, and Greg are coming tomorrow afternoon to have supper and attend my graduation.  Then Thursday it's back to Valley Acres.  Puppies get ready for lots of hugs and treats!  Grandma get ready for a new and healthy caregiver, and don't worry--I won't take away your cookies or your Mounds bars!  Love you all.  Good night. 

Day Sixteen

Happy Labor Day.  It's rained here almost all day.  Can't have a better holiday than that.  Although, I guess Weimar doesn't know it's a holiday.  We just went about our usual activities.  We had our blood drawn again this morning so we can see if anything has changed in the last two weeks.  One of the things I am eager to find out is whether my cholesterol is low enough without my medicine.  The doc said today that I can discontinue one of my blood pressure meds and watch to see if my pressure stays below 130/80.  He's leaving it up to me to decide if and or when to discontinue the other.

I had Nicole's next-to-last hydro therapy and massage treatment today.  One more on Wednesday just before I leave.  It's been nice!  Thanks, Nic.  I've lost a few pounds here, but I don't know whether it's enough to notice yet.  When I talked with Mom a few days ago on FaceBook she said she thought I looked thinner--was she kidding or serious?  The doc said this morning I looked more cheerful.  I thought I was always cheerful.  Anyway, you will have to decide for yourselves when you see me.

I told Kim this afternoon I will have to get up when she does to do all my chores before breakfast.  I have stretches, strength exercises, walking, checking blood pressure, and then cooking my beans for breakfast.  Sounds like a full day before I even feed the livestock!  How many of my occasional bed & breakfast guests want to join me for a lovely breakfast of beans and toast, oatmeal, ground flax seed, and fresh fruit?  You can have some some nuts with your oatmeal, and if you are really nice to me, I'll give you almond milk to moisten your flax seed. For lunch we can have a zucchini burger, and some nice potato salad (not Grandma's potato salad, but tasty nonetheless!).  I won't be joining you, but if you want supper, you can have some nice lentil soup and a slice of whole wheat bread.

Well, have a good evening, and stay tuned.  The Weimar experience may be ending, but there's a lot of fun still to be had.  Love you all.

Day Fifteen

Three days left!  I think I'm starting to get it, but I don't know whether I'm ready to be on my own.  For sure I am ready to come home.  I miss Grandma, and my own bed, and my puppies, but am I really prepared to do this by myself?  It's kind of scary to think about.

It's been hot here the last couple of days--well, high 80's, which as all y'all know is too hot for me.  I walked the 1/2 mile loop this afternoon about 5:30, though, and it was really pleasant.  I sat on a bench to rest, and the breeze was cool.  People say it's quiet at our house, but it was really quiet there.  I sat longer than I needed to for rest, and just relaxed.

I was up early this morning to do laundry, and since the laundry is right across from the gym, took the opportunity to do my 20 minutes on the exercise bike.  So I did really well with my exercise today.  I have to repeat the treadmill test tomorrow or the next day.  I wonder whether or not I'll see any improvement.  I don't feel like I have really come very far on the exercise front.  I do have periods of time when my back doesn't hurt and I am thankful for that.  My feet (ankles) may be some better, but are still quite troublesome.  I'm definitely going to set up something so I can keep doing the hot and cold foot baths.  I think that helps, and for the first time in a long time the skin on my heels is not so dry and cracked. 

It seems like I should have some more exciting news to report, but I don't.  There was an outing to the Placer Gold Mine today, but I decided to stay here and finish laundry and work on homework.  The description said there would be extensive walking and standing.  Standing is one of the hardest things for me and wears out my back so quickly.  Also the air conditioning in the bus isn't working, and thinking of riding in there for 30 minutes each way wasn't appealing.  I think in the end they took a van, because there weren't too many participants.

Well, keep on keeping on, and I'm looking forward to talking to all of you in person about this experience.  Until the next time, Good Night.