Wheelieshel's World

this and that

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:42 GMT

Been a couple of weeks since I blogged. I am terrible about sitting to write although I am forever on the computer.... um thank you Facebook games you have sufficiently sucked me in.

Anyhow, I finally feel half way human and decided it was time to do an update again.

My clothes are starting to catch up with my weight loss in that I am soon going to be able to order things like PJ's in a 1x size. Thank you Lord!

I had a goal to lose 30 lbs by my birthday in January 2010. I am hopefully going to make it as I am only 5 lbs away from it! Yay!!

Honestly, I haven't really even put much effort to it. I think it has much to do with the small changes I've made. I cut the amount of fast food that I eat tremendously down, incorporated eating veggies- um, never used to eat one at all, now I cannot get enough of them. Of course, my lymph therapy has helped quite a bit as well to reduce the fluid swelling in my body.

I still have a long way to go towards optimum health but I am on my way!

I had a goal to pay off by September 500 dollars I had left on a particular debt. I made that goal. I had a goal to buy me a new computer. I made that one as well. I'm finally starting to pick my hobbies of scrapbooking and genealogy back up.

Mom and I went to the beach on Monday. I got to sit out on the pier. That was the first time I was able to do that since I went in the wheelchair in 1985. It occurred to me that many of my friends that have like challenges as myself often did these things, so where does turn when they want to find information on how to access something? Why, their good friend Google!

Yes, I googled myself to a place on the pier at Carolina Beach! We didn't stay there long prolly only 1/2 hr or so because we took off for the aquarium, but it was so nice to do that. I plan to go back. My photographer friend has promised me another photo shoot when I get more weight off and will take me there to do it on the pier. She loves outdoorsy photo shoots! It's her thang!!

I'm still trying to find accessible AND affordable housing. Not that living here is overly terrible, but things could be better and for heaven's sake I am 41 years old in another 6 weeks and well, it be nice to have my own life.

My upcoming goals at least by the end of January is to be UNDER 200 lbs. I am only 3 lbs from that now. I know I can do it if I set my mind to it.

I need to start putting money away for my trip to Ohio this summer for the Spina Bifida convention. New luggage needs to be purchased.

Thankgsiving and Christmas are coming and it's the first year in many that I am actually looking forward to it. Some of the drama in my family of origin seems to have died down. I think much of it has to do with the fact that the nieces and nephews are all pretty much up near driving age or soon will be save two of them that are still in primary school, and therefore they are doing their own things and there isn't as much time for them to spend SO MUCH time together that they cause conflicts between one another. Small miracles.

Planning to implementing much of what I have learned in the Ultramind text this coming year. Getting better supplements, rest, and off gluten as much as possible are first steps.

I am so tired of modern medicine I cannot express it enough! It is definitely a suck me dry institution if you ask me.

Well, that is my update for the present. Hopefully I will get better at posting every few days. Darn facebook lol!

Getting back in the swing of things

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:56:56 GMT

Well, as is typical for me after a few weeks or months, I fell off the blogging wagon. What a shame too, as it really does help keep me focused and a place to let go of everything that tends to consume me at times.

First off, it seems that I have been terribly sick forever. It started as a chronic fatigue flare. That finally dissipated, then I got a sinus infection that I am still battling. One, I might add, caused me to have similar symptoms to that of my neurological issues with my shunt the drain pump if you will in my brain that drains spinal fluid.

To that end, off to the neurosurgeon I went. He assures me I am not having shunt failure but that I need to see a ear, nose, throat physician. That's hopefully being worked out in the upcoming future.

The good news is that I was able to get weighed again. I am down 22 lbs since February 09, from 223.6 to 201.4. This was amazing to me as I haven't really tried to even attempt to lose weight this year with so much going on.

I am attributing much of it to date to my therapy for my lymphatic system that pulls fluid out my lower extremities. At the same time, I am challenged and excited to see what I can do if I honestly put for the effort again.

July 1 Wrap Up

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:47:14 GMT

Well despite the fact that it seemed like today was going to be a very difficult day, it actually did not turn out too poorly. I gave my attendant the afternoon off so she could go to the beach for the day with her family. I mostly stuck to my food plans for the day. I did go over 1 starch serving, but all in all I am pleased.

It seems to help using at least loosely, the food plans on the Richard Simmons website. Exercise was minimal, I did do 50 crunches while I was resting in bed. I drank all my water as well as two glasses of tea. I found the major source of my pain and eliminated it- no seriously I was having elimination issues (or actually NOT having them and therefore was feeling rather toxic and in much pain).

Tomorrow I plan to have as good a day. My Mother and my Dutch Aunt - Tante Jonny- are taking both my youngest nephew Jake (4), and Tante's grandson Syl (3) to a child's water park about an hour from here. I'll have the day to myself until my attendant Laura arrives @ 3:30. So I'll exercise, eat right, and do some personal chores such as laundry and be sure to get my journaling in.

I received this evening an order I placed last week for a pant suit from Catherine's. It's a brown denim pant suit with a orange/reddish colored top. It looks really nice and I am happy with it. Even though I am working on weight issues I am not afraid to purchase clothes because NC does not have but one real season and I lose weight VERY VERY slowly.

Mid to End of Year Goals for 2009

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:56:45 GMT

1- pay off the last 500 dollars I owe on a line of credit- that's due to be done in Sept.

2- save $1000 by taking the payment from the line of credit and applying it in savings.

3- start an exercise streak like our Pom Pom and say I exercised everyday for the next 180 days.

4- lose 30 lbs by my 41st birthday on 21 January 2010

5- complete the scrapbook of my dad's pictures.

6- continue to explore possible alternative living opportunties as it is increasingly difficult to continue to live here.

7- Learn to more fully use my Food Mover.

July 1st Meal Plans

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:49:35 GMT

Breakfast around 8/8:30A

2 Item Waffle, (fat-free) Toast and top with margarine and syrup.

1 Tablespoon Margarine, (reduced calorie)

1 Tablespoon Syrup, Pancake
1/2 Cup cantaloupe cubes
1 Cup Milk

FM Windows: 2 Starches, 2 Fats, 1 Fruit, 1 Dairy

Lunch 1:30/2P

3 Ounces Chicken, (white meat, no skin)

Mix chopped chicken with Honey Mustard.

1 Tablespoon TBS Honey Mustard.
1 Item Pita, (6 inch across)
1/2 Cup shredded lettuce
1/2 Cup Peppers, Bell, green (raw)
1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese- 1 oz

FM- 2 Proteins, 1 extra, 3 Veggies, 1 Starch.

Dinner - 5:30/6PM

1/2 c. Spaghetti with Meatballs and 1 slice of Garlic Bread FM= 2 Starches, 1 Protein.

Evening Snack while watching television about 8PM

Fruit smoothie: 1 Dairy, 2 Fruits

French vanilla yogurt
1/2 c raspberries
1/2 c blueberries

Weight Loss journal prompt 7/1/2009

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:38:40 GMT

You've made the decision to start a new health based change in your diet and lifestyle.
rite out some of the reasons behind this great decision. What inspires you to begin? Was it a good desire or the result of an unpleasant experience? Writing out your thoughts on the matter will help you to solidify some of the internal thoughts motivating you. If you must, begin with a simple list of pros and cons and work from there.

Oh yes!! Most of my decision comes from a place of pain. Pain from the loss of
my best mobility. Pain in the fact that because of weight and disability issues
I am not able to be as active as I want or need to be.

I am hoping that with weight loss that I will regain some of that mobility and
have more options open to me. And that will make me more free to change other
things in my life that are the real roots of my discomfort, frustration, and
unhappiness. I cannot live this way anymore. I feel so stuck both physically
and emotionally. I am desperate for a change.

The hardest part is going to be pushing against the pain when my body wants to
conspire against me like it has all of this week thus far. Perhaps I do too
much somedays and others I don't do enough, and I need to try to maintain as
often as I can anyhow given my current circumstances, the same level of activity
from day to day.

Changes overall need to be made in my life, but health and weight issues are
definitely a hindrance to the process and progress that needs to occur.

Today's meals and exercise

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:16:22 GMT

Breakfast:

Honey Nut cheerios with 1% milk, 10 oz of Sunny Delight juice

Midday Meal:

4 oz of left over BBQ beef ribs, baked potato with ICBINB spray, peas

Evening Meal:

YTD- yet to be determined.

Lots of water

Exercise:

Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies 1"

June goals

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:12:42 GMT

Well, the first several days of June have not been good. I spent them in bed with a chronic fatigue flare. Finally it seems to have passed.

Today is a planning day. Meals, exercise, projects. Perhaps I should say this is planning weekend as I don't forsee getting everything organized that I have wrangling around in my mind.

My intent is to plan at least 2 weeks worth of dinners for my Mom including the market list. Breakfast and lunch tend to be pretty standard for me so I can fill out the menus aftr dinners are created.

I also need to plan exercise routines for at least 2 weeks.

I want to get back to genealogy and scrapbooking as well. I am saving to purchase a new computer also so I can get my genealogy backed up.

These are just the topics I need to start addressing. Part of my plan is to sit and formulate a specific plan for each topic but that's going to take some doing.

Sat, 23 May 2009 22:42:32 GMT

I haven't taken the time to post for a few days and I can tell it. Lord knows, I need to post often to get the "lint" out my mind!

It's been a pretty good weekend so far. I was able to sleep quite late for once. I did my exercise routine. Today I chose to do a half hour of Richard Simmons, Sweatin' to the Oldies Volume 3. I have to work up to being able to do more. Food has been fair but could stand some improvement. Water has been good today.

I'm hoping before the month of June is over that my Mom can run me over to the hospital or rehabilitation center so I can see where my weight is at now. I have to be weighed to include the wheelchair since I cannot stand. I roll up on a wheelchair scale and they subtract 30 lbs from the total they get to accomodate the weight of the wheelchair.

I've decided that the easiest way for me to deal with losing weight is to always look at the last number. Hopefully I've lost weight since February when I was weighed at Duke and weighed in at 223 lbs. But for the sake of explanation right now I am going to assume I've stayed the same, and as example, say that my first goal would be 4 lbs and get me to 219. Then my next goal would be 10 lbs, to go to 209. Then another 10, to get to 199. The point is to always get the last digit to flip so that it goes lower and as it goes lower the 2nd number flips after awhile, and then ultimately the first digit will as well.

Too, on a different note, I've decided that once I get paid again, I'm going to order a scrapbook kit. I have hundreds of supplies but right now it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. It's easier to just order a new kit so that I can get my Mojo going. I am finally ready (I hope) to complete Daddy's album. He's been gone almost 2 years. Gosh, I miss him so. More so than I ever thought considering he was never a real active part of my life until I was an adult and then he was sporadic at best.

But God does amazes things in relationships, and we made peace with one another, and I truly believe he made peace with the Lord as well and came to know him before he left his earthly body. The years we were in relationship were not easy, in fact, they were downright difficult, that's what happens when you have a mentally ill parent. Dealing with his mental illness, homelessness, and alcoholism over the years, I often thought will these cycle of addictions and troubles ever let up. Dear Jesus, will it ever end? And then suddenly within a matter of 60 days, it did when he was diagnosed in the final stages of lung cancer.

The twelve years were over and suddenly it all felt as if the entire relationship between us was developed, brought fruitful, and ended in the span of a week. It's still difficult to go down past the hospice facility where he passed away. He was only there two days. He'd found a friend that took him in when we first found out he was dying, but then the friend was not willing to do what was needed to have hospice in his home, etc after a few weeks, so it fell to me to find him an inpatient facility. Thankfully, the Lord provided one right across town from me. It's only one of two in the state of North Carolina. And it was right in my front yard. Talk about God providing!

I truly think that Daddy wouldn't have cared if he died in a motel or on the street somewhere, but his love for me convinced him to go to the facility, for my sake.

Oft times I have lots of outsiders make comments along the lines of why would I put up with him and why would I go to such lengths to take care of him when he didn't do the same for me when I was a child. Simple, because I love/loved him. And because Jesus commands it.

A few months before all of this stuff happened, our church was doing a study on a book by Rick Warren. The book is entitled "The Purpose Driven Life". And the first sentence in the book starts with " It's not about me". I don't think I've ever had a book impact me so profoundly. To know that we all have a purpose. And that purpose is to fulfill the Father's work. And most importantly, we ARE our brothers keeper.

Despite the chaos in his life and all that I had to go through being in relationship with him, I can honestly say I miss him more than I ever thought possible. Particularly, when we're just a couple of weeks from Father's Day. Sometime the week of, I'll go to his final resting spot and place flowers next to his headstone. I've been doing this for Christmas, his birthday, and Father's Day for the last two years and will continue to do so for as long as the Lord allows me to be able to do so.

I think Daddy's the reason I've been able to get almost completely out of debt, finally able to work on my weight issues, taken a new self care interest. Because even though Jesus says it's not about me, He also says that taking care of me allows me to be the best vessel to commit to his work.

Fri, 22 May 2009 04:08:41 GMT

Created by MyFitnessPal - Online Calorie Counter

A little about Me

Sun, 17 May 2009 04:19:02 GMT

I suppose a good way to start a Live Journal is to tell a bit about me.

I am 40 years old
I am not married
have no children
I'm in a wheelchair, but wasn't always, I went into it at age seventeen.
I have a birth defect called Spina Bifida, laymen's terms, that's open spine
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Politics from Saint Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, NC a small liberal arts college
some of the things I've accomplished include: being named Child Ambassador for the March of Dimes 1979 @ age 10
Being selected 2nd runner up 2004, Ms Wheelchair North Carolina Pageant
I'm currently on a mission to lose 88 lbs in 2 years. I am using the Food Mover program by Richard Simmons (http://www.richardsimmons.com)
my hobbies include genealogy, scrapbooking, and rubber stamping
I am working on membership applications for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Colonial Dames Society
I am named after my father's mother and my nicknamed Shelly is derived from the poet Percy Byshee Shelley
My Richard Simmons friends call me "Miss Blueberry"

Trying Live Journal

Sun, 17 May 2009 02:48:10 GMT

My friend Heather suggested I try a Live Journal Blog. Here goes nothing Heather!! Thanks for recommending it.