Jacqueline in KY

About Me

I have been a caretaker for the last 13 years and even more prior to that but for the last 13 years I have taken care of my Mother, who died from COPD in April 2005 and my Father, who had dementia and passed away June 7, 2011. Since I live by myself it is harder to cook for myself and also I have had weight loss surgery.

I am a medical technologist but no longer work, due to fibromyalgia. I loved my job and Chemistry was my favorite department. Maybe that is why I like to cook, because there is so much chemistry involved. Just like chemistry you have to measure and mix things to get the proper result.

I am a Christian and past lay leader in my church. I am also a lay speaker and love to speak at other Methodist churches outside of my home church. I have two sisters, both older, I might add :) ,a cat,

On August 7, 2008, I started a new life, no, I did not get married, I had weight loss surgery and had the lap band installed, which did not work, due to the fact the ARNP punctured my port, it was replaced but I never did start losing again, actually, I gained no matter what I did, so in January 2011, I had Roux-en-U Gastric Bypss Surgery (RNY for short). This has been the best decison I have ever made in my life. To date (10-1-11) I have lost 76 lbs. I know it is a low number and slow losing for this type of surgery, but I was told by my doctor and may people that have had revisons that we do not lose as fast as you do if it is your first surgery. Apparently this is true for most, but not all people.

I am a type 2 diabetic and prior to my surgery I was dependent upon insulin, I have not had to use my insulin since I had surgery. I also have hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and glaucoma, which I have had six surgeries for, and in Nov. '06 I had knee surgery which was very successful.

I love to cook, hate to clean and wash clothes, and want to learn to quilt, when I have the time to spend learning.

I am also a collector, I collect cookbooks, but this collection has gotten out of hand and now I want one from every state and that is about it. I am a big collector of Hallmark Christmas Ornaments and Nativity Scenes. I broke down in 2007 and purchased the small Jim Shore Heartwood Creek one and last year I got the Snow Babies Nativity. I use to collect Barbie dolls but I have found I am running out of room so I am was giving them to my cousins children. Now I have a great-niece, so my Barbies are being saved for her.

I use to love swaps and have participated in close to 30 swaps on Zaar, I can't believe it is that many. I need to slow down some. :)

My swap partners have been:
Chef #156034 Spring Easter Swap
Chef #240832 Magnet & Bookmark Swap
Chef #295691 Regional Swap
Chef #82616 Stocking swap 2006
Chef #139078 Holiday Ornament Swap 2006
Chef #104998 Salt and Pepper Swap 2007
Chef #62562 Valentine's Day Swap 2006
Chef #474322 BBQ Swap 2007
Chef #455641 Pamper Me, Pamper You Swap July 2007
Chef #397272 was my partner for the cookbook swap
Chef #392739 Fall/Halloween swap, 2007
Chef #177957 Cookie Swap, 2007
Chef #86072 The Stocking Swap, 2007
Chef #210188 Ornament swap 2007, she was my assigned partner
Chef #397272 ornament swap, 2007 we chose to do this ourselves
Chef #542839 the candy swap, I hosted this swap.
Chef #175727 New Year Basket of HERBS and SPICES Swap
Chef #157425 Raggedy Ann and Andy swap
Chef #705251 ABC Swap, letter B, hosting this swap, also.
Chef #227586 Easter/Spring Swap
Chef #233583 Casserole Swap
Chef #586469 C Swap
Chef #233583 DE Swap
Chef #478599 Bi-Annual Cookbook Swap
Chef #714863 Coffee & Tea Swap
Chef #92913 FG Swap
Chef #478599 Cookbook Swap, never received anything.
Chef #407677 Fall/Halloween Swap
Chef #269480 Ornament Swap
Chef #79997 HI Swap
Chef #535633 Spring '09 Cookbook swap
Chef #269480 JK Swap
Chef #678857 LM Swap
Chef #206747 ON Swap
Chef #667915 PQR Swap
Chef #269480 Stocking Swap

I have yet to participate in a swap that I did not enjoy. Sometimes I have a hard time finding items because I live so far back in the mountains, :) but I still enjoy finding things for people.