We have sunny weather today - much better than all the rain we've gotten the past two nights. My blood sugar continues to stay within normal limits - thankfully. That was one of my goals for having this surgery - to get my diabetes under control. The weight loss is painfully slow so far - I want it to come off much faster. I'm following the recommended diet religiously and measuring everything that goes into my mouth. I am still in mourning for what I can no longer do - chomp into a big juicy burger from somewhere - anywhere - wouldn't matter. Likewise a big juicy Reuben at Cecil's Backroom in St. Paul by St. Catherine's University - absolutely the best Reubens one would ever want to eat. Those days are now gone - at least for the time being. Right now, I am thinking I will never be able to approach a meal from now on without looking at the size of the portions and adjusting downwards, especially in restaurants. Here's an idea - ask the waitress for the proverbial doggy bag when she brings the meal and put most of it in there for home later and just leave what I can eat on the plate. Here's another tip: when with someone you know doesn't like the big portions either, ask for two plates and order one dinner/lunch. My daughter and I did that a few years back on a trip to Atlanta and Savannah, GA - worked like a charm.

Here's a tip for women who experience night sweats because of a "broken internal thermostat"- there are some pajamas out there that can "fix" this issue. They are the most comfortable PJs I've ever owned. The fabric is luxurious and feels absolutely wonderful against your skin. It is designed to absorb heat as well. They come in all sizes too and some fashionable colors as well. You can find them at www.goodnighties.com. Give 'em a try and see for yourself.

Now to compliment those great PJs and truly make your sleeping experience complete - especially for you menopausal women - try a Buckwheat pillow. These pillows absorb the heat and absolutely mold to any part of your body you desire. This pillow has increased the quality of my sleep for the past 13 years. My Motto, "You can have my first born but nobody, NOBODY, touches my pillow". That pillow has been everywhere with me - always. You can find these wonderful pillows at www.buckwheatpillows.com. Between these two items - the pJs and the Buckwheat pillow - well - it is just like being in heaven all night long.

Tomorrow I go back to work - back to the grindstone - as they say. It will be a bit of an adjustment, what with the dietary requirements every hour or so. But I have a small refrig and microwave oven there so it should not be too difficult. I'm feeling better every day, my mood is improving each day as well, and I even have more energy now than I did three weeks ago. I need to exercise on my Resistance Chair consistently every day in order to maintain and improve on this. Onward and upward - Tikki