August 18, 2008
Pardon me, was I missing?
Apparently I haven't been blogging. You may have noticed this. I did not. Because of the blogging in my head thing, I guess.
Where have I been? Busy with things. I got the bedroom painted and one coat of trim on done in there.
And then ... The Grand Lunar got sick. He's had a bad sore throat -- so bad he couldn't eat much and couldn't even drink much. He went to the doctor because, honestly, who has sore throats that bad that last more than a day or two? But the doctor said it was "just a cold" -- slim consolation when it won't go away. Although now, a full week-plus later, it seems to be getting a little better.
But the doctor also said his blood pressure was too high. We've been skirting that issue, made some half-hearted (or short lived) efforts in the past, but mostly living in denial. Apparently blood pressure doesn't respond well to denial. Go figure. So we've gone back again to the healthy eating, focusing on some exercise, and reading about health and stuff. In addition to Dr. McDougall's "The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart", I've been reading a book called "The Salt Solution" which I found at our local library when they didn't have another book I wanted. I also requesitioned one that I might buy if I like it, not specifically for hypertension but reportedly containing good McDougall-like heart healthy recipes, "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" by Caldwell B. Esselstyn. The good news is that hypertension - in nearly all cases - can be controlled by diet and exercise and lifestyle choices. The harder news is that our tastes and habits need to change. But the benefits are more than just lower blood pressure, but also moving towards a healthy body weight, protection against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and more.
So this "just a cold" has, in some ways, blown into a much bigger thing, but I think it'll be good, in the long run, getting us back on track.
In other news, our house is being painted. At the very end of the CollegePro season, so they're a little short staffed. I'm trying not to be nervous that they'll all quit and go back to school leaving things half done. But so far the change is nice. Here's a sneak preview of the house when they had just started a section on the front. Note, too, my lovely hibiscus in bloom.
I could actually show you more -- they finished the first coat on the front of the house today -- but I want to wait until they're done with the white trim and both coats of blue.
Whatcha think?
I like it.
**note** apparently my captchas have gone missing. The Grand Lunar is going to upgrade my blog software ... stay tuned and feel free to email me in the meantime ...
Posted by Kim at August 18, 2008 5:39 PMI fixed your CAPTCHA.
Posted by: Dale at August 19, 2008 10:54 AMGorgeous! Lovely paint, pretty flowers! We're having hubby health issues too. I know it would be improved with proper diet and exercise, but (isn't there ALWAYS a but?) packing for a move and scrimping on every penny necessitates the cheapest and easiest food available. Yuck.
I haven't read "The Salt Solution" but hope it's not one of those that advocate getting dietary salt as close to zero as possible. I agree there is a dangerous amount of NaCL in our diet, but zero would be worse because sodium balances potassium, you gotta have both in the right proportion to be healthy. There, my eighteen cents. ;)
Posted by: Peggy at August 19, 2008 12:44 PMI can't wait to see the after picture Kim! I've got to get back to exercising and eating healthier as well. I really hope the Grand Lunar is able to get his blood pressure down!
Thanks for commenting on my blood today. I always appreciate your imput and comments.
I hope your feeling well in your pregnancy! I can't wait to see what you're going to have ... a boy or a girl!
Posted by: Daisy at August 19, 2008 9:47 PMI meant commenting on my blog ... not blood ...LOL!
Posted by: Daisy at August 19, 2008 9:49 PMDO NOT IGNORE THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ISSUE!!! THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF MY STROKE!!!
I tried the denial game too, that's what landed me a $45,000 hospital bill and thousands of stroke victim jokes.
Please, if you listen to only ONE THING from me, please listen to my advice about the BP.
Grand Lunar, THIS MEANS YOU! The world cannot survive without your deadpan humor and lively wit. Besides, who would keep Daniel in the realm of reality?
Get drugs to lower it at first, then once you get your habits changed and your doctor is happy with the change in lifestyle and menu choice, then you can consider weaning yourself off the meds.
Trust me, it's a bear to type anything if you have no or limited use of one hand.
Ok... I'm off my soapbox now.
Posted by: Frantically Lost Jack at August 20, 2008 8:06 AMThe blue paint sets off your hibiscus so nicely!!! I love my hibiscuses-- or would it be hibisci? Anyway, I have 4 of them, thanks to the previous owner of our house who planted the garden which I now (attempt to) care for. Each is a different color-- white, light pink, bright pink, deep burgundy. ANYWAY-- love that white hibiscus against the deep blue of the house.
Posted by: 40winkzzz at August 21, 2008 2:58 PMI like the blue paint, rich and attractive.
To the Grand Lunar: I have been on Diovan for hypertension for several years. The biggest thing that has reduced high blood pressure for me is exercise, which I hate, but it works. Our bodies are so similar, I'm not surprised to hear about your hbp. Let me know how I can help.
Posted by: Linda at August 21, 2008 7:58 PMpaint looks great! i never realized that hibiscus looks so much like rose of sharon. very pretty. hope you are able to get things straightened out health-wise and what is a captcha?
Posted by: marcia at August 22, 2008 11:18 AM
