Check-In May 2008

[aklap]

Wow - it's been busy around the Al n Peg House!

We had the newspaper interview for the support group. The paper comes out on Weds - nope didn't make it this time. I suspect it'll be there next week. My Mom will pitch a fit that I didn't tell her. I want it to be a surprise

Peg needed a couple of stained glass pieces done for gifts. Her Godson got married last weekend and she wanted a piece for them. I made a small panel using diamond shaped bevel.

One of her co-workers is leaving [before the entire clinic shuts down on July 11th], so we wanted to make something special for her. It's a wooden jewelry box that I've designed a panel for. She likes antiquey type stuff and purple so I found an antique window and re-designed it. Her going away party is Wed. However, Peg has found MORE things for me to do.

May 25th Peg's family is have a reunion. Since her Aunt is dealing with a dying loved one, Peg volunteered us [myself, her bro & sis and their spouses] to organize this wingding. So...what does this mean for me - Al Franken? Right now - designing & printing 45 invitations and maps! Of course the Party planner wants the invites out the door - like yesterday!

Oh - add to this - Peg's SIL has been dealing with itchy rash and of course bathroom stampedes. Hmmm, sound familiar? She's had the biopsies for DH - negative. Last week she requested testing for CD - negative. She went to an allergist. The allergist is not ready to dismiss wheat as the culprit yet!! I'm impressed. She asked Peg's SIL to go WF for 2 weeks and see how it goes. Soooo...We've been counseling her on GF. She feels so lost and confused. Wed. night we had SIL and Peg's Bro over dinner - lasagna. Of course GF for her and me. NGF for Peg and Bro. Bro had to do a taste test. He said really like the taste of mine. The only difference in mine: black olives and just a sprinkling of cheese - and of course the GF noodles. SIL [who is 1/2 Italian] thought it was good. Last night they stopped over to pick up some stuff that Peg got at the store. We sample Glutino's Bagels and some herb bread that Peg made on Saturday. It was really good. The bagel was a bagel as I remember bagels to be. Peg's SIL said - "I can't believe how good I feel after a few days!"

For those of you just tuning in, Check-In is a chance to introduce yourself, let everyone know how you're doing, what you're up to, to touch base...something, anything, just let us know you're still around

The Check-In Time Tunnel
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[HadassahSukkot]

Hiho!! I got about 3 weeks to go before delivery if the baby comes on time.

I measured 'low' on my iron when we went to the dr and he told me what my lab results were from the week prior, so now I'm on iron twice daily in addition to my GF prenatals and folic acid. That would explain why I'd been so tired, cranky, had tinninitus cranking up on me again and was just plain miserable (besides being pregnant).

We've more or less set up everything we need to set up for the baby to come, and my Inlaws and DH's friends threw us a suprise baby shower last Saturday at our apt.

Other than waiting for the baby to become "fully engaged" and ready to go, I'm doing mostly ok. I have about 2 weeks of class and then two tests the first week or so of June, and Mom is coming to stay with us for 6 weeks in mid-May. YAY!

I heard about a Coffee/cake shop not far from us that has GF offerings, and I am about dying to go since my DH read the article to me.. and then he tells me about a pizzaria that has GF pizza and such in Frankfurt (45min-1hr from here)... and tells me about a restaurant in Karlsruhe, and I about died....! I wanna go to all of them, but somehow doubt we'll hit all three before the baby comes.


I dunno how often I'll be here considering all that will be going on, but I will do my utmost to update everyone once the baby arrives
Good news! Hospital has gluten free fare! YAY!
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[ostrich]

I'm so sorry about Peg's family, Al. Please tell her they're in my thoughts.

Oddly enough we're also dealing with a dying loved one. DH's cousin is dying from an odd form of cancer. Hospice has been called in, so I'm guessing it won't be too much longer. We've had a trip planned for awhile to fly out there in June. (Bought the tickets before gas prices skyrocketed.) It'll be interesting.

If the weather would calm the fark down I could get some painting done in the house. Right now we're dealing with freezing temps and storms. Ah well, gives me more time to pick out colors I guess.

We also bought a new car. We reeeeally needed something that could actually haul stuff, and I didn't want a truck. I have officially done my part to boost the economy.

All's quiet on the GF front. I've been scouring here and the rest of teh intarwebs to find more GF recipes. DH and I work opposite shifts now, so it has to be something that's quick and easy to throw together.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

[Fifi]

Well it has been about 4 months GF for me so far. I've had my ups and downs, but I'm still going. I must have accidentally glutened myself yesterday. Big D came back and the headache and just feeling depressed. I am having a plain jane day today no sauces or seasonings.. at least until my stomache feels better. On top of all this, my Mom's significant other of 27 years passed away and we think she has colon cancer but she won't tell us. I know if she didn't she would have definitely told me right away. She won't let anyone help her even though she has always been there for myself and my brothers and sister. I have decided that I can't force her to tell me so I will just play it her way. I am taking life one dy at a time. Hopefully now that it is getting warmer I will get more exercise. I really need to lose weight.

Thats all for me right now.

[kb9oyo]

WHOOO HOOOO! My husband who has been out of work for most of the last year got a good job offer yesterday!!!! If we can somehow make it to the first paycheck (and that **will** be a challenge!) we will survive. Now, we have to contact the mortgage company and see how willing to deal with us now that hubby has an income. Wish us luck and keep us in your prayers.

I do have a question that I came across yesterday. What are the chances that glucose syrup made from wheat is gluten free? Is it like alcohol and the distillation process knocks out the gluten or not? You are right, I forgot to read a label on something that I bought that I wasn't expecting to be a problem. Stupid me....I should have known better.

Sue B.
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Sue Beyer

[aklap]

It just so happens there is an article in the current GF Living asking about Glucose derived from wheat...

[Kathie]

Well this is month 3 of my new gluten free, cholesterol free lifestyle. I lost 15 lbs and lowered my cholesterol 50 points! The Doc says I am his diet poster child (no thanks to him, he just wanted me to take a pill, thank God it made me sick so I only took one and then hit the net and researched diet) I am missing all the baked goodies I used to have, but I have learned to eat oatmeal again.

DH and I have been going to Ocala National Forest and camping on the weekends to dirt bike (DH) and 4-wheel (me) as often as possible before it gets to hot. Now he is setting up the trailer to haul the Harley for weekend camping trips.

I am still watching the grandson, (26 months) here at the office while his parents work. I'm not sure if it keeps me young or is making me old before my time. I know I have significantly more gray hair now. That could be the two 16 year olds, though. One of which will start driving alone in 17 days. (You might want to avoid Highlands Cty, Florida)

My prayers go out to all of you with family issues.
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CD by Biopsy 3/25/88

[sarahceliac]

Hi everyone,

Wow! It has been a long.... time since I have visited here on the forum. I am so sorry that I was away for so long. I had been thinking about the forum and all the great people and info. that is available here. I missed the site and am back!!

Well, a lot has been going on since I was last active on the forum. My Celiacs is doing good, our daughter just turned 2 and does not seem to have noticible symptoms of having CD and I started my own business working from home! All is well on this end and I like the idea of doing this update so everyone knows how everybody else is doing.
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Sarah

[aklap]

[sarahceliac]

Thank you Al. I was glad to see that you are still the moderator of the forum. You truely do a wonderful job and you and Peg add so muc to this site. I never would have found out that that one brand of tator tots are GF, but you shared with us
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Sarah

[luvscowznh]

[nancw]

Mid-May is my 2 year GF anniversary, and 6+ months dairy, grain, corn, rice, yeast, soy-free. I feel ok if I take my probiotics and digestive enzymes. I can't remember the last time I was glutened. I got some CC from something at Easter dinner at the in-laws, but other than that I just continue to spend a ton of time, money and effort to eat properly. If gluten was my only food issue I'd be a happy camper. Thank goodness for Chebe bread mix, Enjoy Life chocolate chips and peanut butter!
I finally got my energy back from my pneumonia in February. Just in time for son's soccer>baseball>end of school year activities & busiest season ever at work. Whew - I'm exhausted just reading that.
Just had a physical and my doc is way impressed with my weight (down 15 lbs. from May 2007), cholesterol (down another 25+ points since May 2007 - 65 points total in 2 years), HDL of 47, blood glucose HbA1C (3 month average) is normal (formerly pre-diabetic) and coronary risk ratio improved dramatically. My PCP has been testing many of her patients for CD and investigating food intols with other just because of me! She uses me as an example of successful dietary changes to encourage her patients who need to make changes.
We had snow last week so I'm not terribly eager to do my planters with annuals, though we have a nice crop of lettuce and spinach going. I'll be growing lots of veggies this summer.

Be well everyone and good luck with those babies Hadassah and luvscowz.

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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[aklap]

[sarahceliac]

[isto]

Our computer crashed in the earlier part of the month. Stressful, since our income is derived from on-line business! But my husband got it up and running again last night. I'm feeling much better and a few of my pregnancy-related health issues have corrected themselves since leaving my job in april. I'm feeling much better and trying to get outside and soak up what little sun we are getting whenever I can.

School is mostly finished for my children, so that is another burden off of me.

We are doing lots of outdoor activities as the weather allows. Our tomato and pepper plants are looking healthy and will soon be able to be transplanted into the garden. My husbnad and sons planned a 3 foot wide strip of sunflowers across our front yard near the road. Should look nice and the chickens will love them come fall. Oops...didn't mean to say the "f" word!

Hope evryone has a great month!