Dieting with Obstacles - PHYSICAL CHALLENGES ~ December's Monthly Thread #004

WELCOME EVERYONE ~ this thread is for anyone with any kind of physical challenge like SB, CP, MS, PK, Lupus, Osteo, Arthritis, Rheumatism, or any other condition (whether genetic or acquired) that causes physical limitations and/or difficulties.

Please join us in this special thread ~ to give support and encouragement; and share ideas, or just chat with one another ... Rosebud.


*** IT'S TIME FOR OUR NEW MONTHLY THREAD ***

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:D HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYONE :D

:flow1: HAPPY DECEMBER 1ST LADIES :flow1:

:flow2: WOW ~ I actually remembered to start a new thread at the beginning of the month this time. YEAH ... that's a sign to me that my clarity of thought is improving! That means my short-term memory may have found it way back home again ~ lol!

WELL, our temperatures have dropped down drastically overnight, to -27C and it's a very crispy cold that seems to freeze your skin and everything else within seconds. The hook on our furry babies leash gets frosted up within minutes of them being out there; needless to say, they did their duty, and then came right back to the door to come in again ~ LOL! Don't blame them!

A lot of people couldn't get their vehicles started today; so we have decided to take our battery out of our car and keep it in the house from now on. When we need to go somewhere, we'll just pop it back in; and away we go. Despite the cold, we had a lovely full sunny day; but that only brought it up to the -15C range. We decided to just stay home and hibernate.

PURPLE ~ hope your trip goes well this week; good for you getting out there for a walk. And that's so nice of your sister to encourage you like that. Every kind of victory counts; I also have lost one size on my top again. I also have a lop-sided kind of body; I am one size smaller on top than on the bottom, but that's not too bad.

We had pita pizzas for dinner; and I did get a bit of dancing in tonight. We picked up some large red and white candy canes with lights inside to put up on our building. We tried them out and will put them out tomorrow; hope it is warmer for DH. His shoulder healed up nicely, but he keeps irritating old injuries (this time his lower back). He's a real going concern; I have my hands full ~ lol!

UPDATE ON UNCLE TOM ~ heard from my Aunt today; and she said that they are determined to remain optimistic that not only will Tom get treatment and recover, but they are praying for a full healing! Apparently, his specialist seems optimistic too. He certainly has a lot of prayers going up for him; and they send thanks to everyone who is lifting them up in prayer. She said that they cannot express in words how much all the prayers and support means to them ...

Well, that's all the news I have from here right now; it's getting very late, and it's that time again, to say good night. Take care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

Hi Ladies and good afternoon,

wow is it December all ready just beginning to wonder where the months go. The older you get the fast they seem to flight by. I can remember as a child that Christmas and my birthday seemed to take ages to get there. But now they seem to come upon me in a flash. Gosh am I really another year older I hear myself saying it does not seem like five minutes since my last one ;)

Went for a walk this afternoon and spotted a rainbow then we had a short shower of rain for about 5 minutes and then we had a double rainbow. It was beautiful it is a long while since I have seen a double rainbow. It was not there for many minutes but was glorious to see. We walked to the local shop today to get a loaf of bread and a litre of milk. So the walk did two things get some groceries we were short of and did our daily exercise. This walk was one of the easier ones for me where I felt reasonably OK which is nice. But now I have the lift because I have done it. I have put the oven on now ready to preheat it now to cook a vegetable burger for tea. I still have to prepare some sandwiches yet for tomorrow (trip out to do delivery) as I am useless in the morning so it is no good leaving it to then to do. But just have not got round to it as yet. May do them as tea is cooking as I have to wait 25 minutes for the burgers to bake in the oven. The only thing I will do in the morning is make a couple of flasks of coffee. I have to make a couple of flasks as I can not life the big ones when I am in the van. Each one holds approximately 1 pint.

Been quite organised today and managed to do my Christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards for birthdays in December. Don't think I have ever done them this early but I have to do things when I remember otherwise I forget. I did them whilst watching a bit of television so the task did not seem so bad. But you can guarantee I will have forgotten someone to make a card out for. I still have plenty of spares for such holes in my memory which is like a colander.

ROSEBUD :~ Glad your Uncle Tom and Auntie are still remaining positive about the cancer diagnosis and that the consultant is also. A positive attitude goes a long way, medicine can only do so much. So the will to recover will hold him in good steady during his treatment.

Gosh that is cold -27c it is a temperature that I have never experienced so I have difficulty imaging how cold it must be. -8c is the lowest I have had or there abouts. I don't blame your furry babies being as fast as lightening doing there business whilst it is that cold. All I would want to be is wrapped up warm and in a nice warm house at those really cold temperatures.

I know what you mean it is like having a big kid you have to watch out for them as they think they are superman or 21 years old. So hence they pull muscles or worse as they did not think. I have a DH who needs and eye kept on him as he has dodgy shoulder which can be very painful to him and he can aggravate it.

Glad to know that I am not the only one with a strange shaped body. At the minute My top is bigger than my bottom. I am in UK size 20 bottom and in 22 to 24 tops. I seem to be losing my weight in strange places. But we have no control over that. :congrat: on going down another dress size that is a great achievement I am so pleased for you. Nice to know that your healthly eating is paying divends. Enjoy your new NSV you deserve it. :carrot:

Well must go and do tea my tummy is rumbling. Bye bye ladies. I hope Mo and Val are well and I am thinking of you both.

:wreath: HELLO LADIES ~ It's snow again today and we got about 8 inches this time; pretty soon we are going to be buried in the white stuff ~ haha! We just stayed home and hibernated today; DH put up the candy canes on the side of the house and they look pretty cool, I think!

DH didn't feel up to going and getting a big tree for outside, so we decided on the lighted candy canes instead. So that's all done for this year; and now all we have to do is the indoor stuff, so that shouldn't be too bad.

PURPLE ~ you beat me on getting my Christmas cards out; I'll be starting tomorrow on mine. I forgot to pick up the stamps, but I can get them ready and then we'll send them out when we go in town this week. Yes, I was the same size on top and bottom until recently, when I went down one more size on top; but maybe the bottom will catch up later ~lol.

I'M trying to up my indoor exercise this winter; dancing x 2 week; walking 3-4times week (trying for daily); store/mini-mall walking 1-2 x week; ski-walking x 1 week; plus my upper body aerobics daily. This is my proposed schedule: it is flexible and I don't always get everything done exactly as I hope becuz I have to go by how my body feels on any given day, but it is certainly a good target to aim at ...

HELLO TO VAL AND MO ~ hope you ladies are well and had a good weekend.

WELL, that's all the news from here for now; so take good care, be back to gab again soon, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:tree: HELLO LADIES ~ Well, I am convinced now that we are indeed living at the North Pole; we have had a wee blizzard here for most of the day, and we now have drifts of snow about 3-4+ feet high ~ lol! If this keeps up, we'll be completely buried by February ...

As you might guess, we stayed home today; but DH is getting bored becuz he has to rest his back for a while, and he wants to go into town early in the week to avoid all the 'mad shoppers' -- last Friday, there were even traffic jams in the grocery store parking lot ~ lol! We'll have to see what the weather is like first.

Well, I think I need to start a new reminder list becuz I didn't get any of my Christmas stuff done today; just the usual house chores, meals, the books, and such. I hope I can muster up some ambition before the week is over. I think I'm going to get DH to pull out the inside decos tomorrow while I work on the Christmas card list, for starters.

I hired someone to shovel our deck and pathway, so Dh can rest his back; he's starting to feel better. He irritated an old injury (muscle pulled away from the bone), that will take a couple of weeks to heal, that is, as long as he takes it easy; but he is getting very bored, with not much to do. I told him that he could help with more housework and stuff; but he just suddenly disappeared into his den to watch some more Christmas videos ~ haha!

PURPLE ~ hope your trip goes well; and make sure you rest some when you get back. Maybe you can get some more shopping in while there too.

HELLO TO VAL AND MO ~ you ladies must be really busy these days; we haven't heard much from you lately. Hope you are both well. Got any special plans for the holidays this year??? We had thought of travelling, but the weather is so very bad; that has 'knicked that idea in the bud' for us!

ANYWAYS that's all for now; be back tomorrow, and do take very good care of yourselves ~ your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:clause: Hi Ladies :clause:

I am a right early bird for me to be coming on here to type a post but I am up early to go to hospital this morning for my MS clinic appointment. I will come an post on here again later if I have a spare moment or two. I really was wiped out yesterday after getting up with the birds to go to do a trip to Hull. Unfortunately there was no time to go shopping in the shopping centre but I would have loved to have a couple of hours to go around somewhere different. Found yesterdays delivery place really easy so trip went off without a hitch.

I did a small walk yesterday morning on my own when DH was picking up the van from the hire company. After walking a very short distance I realised that I should have brought my walking stick :o So chose to go back a different way as it had metal railings all the way back virtually. So my lesson was learnt I can not walk as far without my walking stick as I thought. I have been so spoilt as normally my DH comes practically everywhere I go when walking any distance that I forget that my legs don't do what I want them to do.

ROSEBUD :~ Wow 8 inches of snow I have never seen that much snow fall. Apparently in 1947 we had a freak winter snow fall and Mum and Dad remember the snow being very deep up to the hedges in the fields. But the most I think I have seen is 4 inches of snow. Here in the UK apart from maybe isolated hills or parts of Scotland or Wales then we get not very extremes of weather it stays at really in the day time from the temperature of about 10c in winter to about 25c in Summer so not a really huge temperature difference. At night it will drop in winter to about the lowest at around -4c to 15c in the summer. So we have very different weather to you. Wise decision to hire someone to shovel snow from pathway to save DH back.

Excellent plan for your exercise regime during the winter months. I fully understand that on certain days our bodies are not willing or able to under take exercise. Or sometimes our day to day activities just do not allow for exercise that day like us yesterday because of the trip to Hull. By the time I had done that plus come home and cooked a quick meal the last thing I wanted to do was do any exercise. Besides there are not alway enough spoons to do such activities on some days so you have to be sparing with them.

Up until resent months I was always bigger on the bottom than the top. So hence trousers and jeans would be in a bigger size than blouses and tee - shirts. Oh well I have to be grateful that the weight is dropping off steadily and understand that I can not put in requests into my body to lose weight in specific places as nice as that would be :D You have to accept your body will lose it where and when it decides rather than where you want it.

Well I did not manage to post this post this morning as time ran out on me, I think I did not type quick enough :rofl: So I have now had my visit to the MS clinic this morning. Firstly I have been prescribed amantadine it is also know as Symmetrel. I am not sure what the name used overseas are. So I hope that it is of some use with either name. It is used for many things but I will be using it for fatigue I hope that it will give me a few more spoons each day. If I find this is not working after a few months or that I have any bad side effects then I will change to another similar drug. I will start the drug tomorrow morning as I thought it was a bit late in the day after midday to start it.

The second thing I discussed was an earlier MRI scan that I had had done. I asked where the plaques (scars) were. Well the list of the plaques was quite extensive as there was something like a 6 page report on all the plaques and where they had been found. I have multiple plaques ( sometime also know as lesions) in the brain, neck and torso part of the spine. It is not often that they do the lumbar (lower part of your back) as it is very difficult spot the plaques so I did not have scan of this area of my spine.

I asked if now they were able to tell what sort of MS I had this is because there are numerous categories that MS is put in. I was given the diagnosis of progressive MS which means you do not have any defined attacks or relapses but just a gradually deterioration over time. It was not any real great shocks as I had worked it out for myself but now I have a medical confirmation to back up my thoughts. Even though it was not a great shock I still feel a little sad that I am never going to feel any better than I do now. But in my heart of hearts I knew that was the case a few years back. I have much to be grateful for and have been blessed in so many other ways.

Well time to get tea under way as I did not have time to do a cooked lunch with going to hospital we just had a sandwich and banana for dinner. So it is a cooked meal for this evening. We are going out this evening so I will take no rocking when it comes to bed time tonight ;) Bye bye ladies :hug:

I tried to reply last night but I'm having computer problems at home.

Firstly - I'm sorry to hear your news Purple - I'm assuming you mean secondary progressive ms. Feeling sad is more than normal :hug: It's never a happy thing to have bad news officially confirmed. I know you aren't on interferon - but I'm pretty sure some progressive ms patients are trying the 'new' IV drug tysrabi. Is it available to you/something you would consider? :hug: It sounds like a somber thing to have each plague described to you - I havent asked that question just yet. Please let us know how the drug for fatigue goes.

Rosebud - your Christmas decorations sound nice! So it just keeps snowing eh? No sooner had I posted that 'it wasnt -40 yet' and we had nearly a week of -40 without the windchill. I just bought a pair of muskrat fur lined mitts yesterday to keep my hands warm! Is your DH doing better today? Old injuries are frustrating - I had to go back to my chiro because after a good 3 weeks my knee started being a pain again.

I am finally getting close to having benefits like health and a RSP with my job. My first year was just a contract - so I had to pay the annual deductable for my MS injections... but this year I think I will be covered by work.

Our general manager was recruited elsewhere so our office has been busy - and as a thank you our board of directors is adding a thousand dollar bonus to our next paycheque.

That's all the news I've got. I'm going to do a christmas email this year instead of cards. Suprisingly, there arent many early 20's young adults sending cards to each other. ha ha

take care Purple, Rosebud and Mo!

:rudolph: HELLO LADIES ~ Well, we woke up to snow drifts about 4.5 feet high; we had to knock part of one down to get to our main bird feeder, but by this afternoon, it was blown in again. Right now, it is blowing more than snowing; just moving what's there around ~ lol! The temps are supposed to drop tonight, and the snow ease off for two days, until Friday; that is, if their predictions are correct!

PURPLE ~ I agree with VAL; I know that you suspected a lot of the results of your tests, but we all know from life experience that confirmation of illness is still difficult to hear. We definitely send mega-:hug:'s your way. Don't we all need some :hug: sometimes? I think so ...

I am glad that they are trying something to help your fatigue; it would be nice for you to have a few more spoons each day. Sadly, my friend with MS just lost her mother; just found out last night, so they are on their way home to the funeral. DH said, 'As if she really needed another stressor like grief right now'. That's so true, but she keeps working towards her goals; and has managed to stay on some level of remission for quite a while now. I hope this doesn't set her back any ...

I remember when she went for her scans; it was a very difficult time for her, esp hearing about what to expect in the future. My step-mother has been put on some kind of meds for fatigue recently as well; I think she may have used up too many spoons over this past year surviving two different kinds of cancer (tumor and bladder). We are so blessed to have her in our family, so we are praying that the new meds might give her some more energy.

VAL ~ it's nice to hear from you; glad work is progressing so well. Yes, I have worked for gov agencies in the past (have an idea of how things work there). It is good that you have some special kind of mittens to keep your hands warm. It seems hard to find some down here these days; my warmest ones are knitted with soft felt liners. It's even hard to find a decent hat that covers your whole head; they seem to be making them for little people (like kiddies).

I have to reign that Dh in; he keeps wanting to dig his way thru all that snow; had to limit him today. He pays for it each time: any idea why men are so danged muled-headed??? Hey, that's quite a nice bonus right at Christmas time; there's all your Christmas shopping and more: but don't forget some for your savings account too! Now, don't I sound like a gramma or something ~ haha??? :D Whenever I get some extra money, a wee bit goes off the top, right into savings for a rainy day! ;)

WELL, I guess that's enuff preaching for today. I got a bit of ski-walking in this morning; couldn't stay out too long as the winds were fierce, but I was glad to get some done this week. We had turkey casserole for dinner tonight; easy and yummy.

HELLO MO AND FAMILY! Hope you are having fun decorating your new house and getting it all spiffed up for Christmas. Be back soon to talk again; take good care all, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:shocksn: Hi Ladies :shocksn:

Well just a quick pop by before I go off shopping well that is my intension but know in me I will end up typing an essay :rofl: Seems I can not help myself when I get typing I lose all track of time.

Thanks so much for the hugs regarding the diagnosis of the sort of MS I have. I feel a lot better this morning about the whole thing I think I just need a little time to take it in and process it. I kind of figured there was no reason to be so sad as this emotion did not achieve anything as it still would not change the fact of what I had and never will do. No good thinking about what ifs or maybes regarding my diagnosis you will send yourself "crazy". I did not ask about whether it was primary or secondary progressive. Although I fit the clinical picture of secondary progressive. I at the very beginning did have little attacks or relapses and I would gain virtually every back that I had lost. That happened for about I would say a year to 18 months. Since then I have not had any defined relapses just a slow deterioration that gradually creeps up on you without really knowing. It is only on reflection you realise that you can not do something or walk maybe as well as you did.

DH did well at cards last night when we went out he got second prize of bacon and eggs. I did nothing I was more like booby (lowest score in the house) material :D DH and I played together after the main whist session has finished. There is something then called a minature where you play for 6 hands and you stay with the same partner for those hands. DH and I managed to win 2nd prize for that the prize is just a small amount of cash.

ROSEBUD:~ Very sorry to hear about your friend with MS who lost her Mum a very sad and stressful time for her. Lets pray that this event does not effect her health and she can mourn without having added difficulties in her life.

I hope that your step~mums medication works for her. I can understand how draining it must be fighting cancer not once but twice. You must put all your energies into getting better leaving very little left for anything else. When the fight is over and you are given the all clear you are absolutely drained you gave your all in the fight so now you need a helping hand to get you back on the right road.

Hmm men there a breed unto themselves and can be so pigheaded. I wonder if it is taught to them at school when we weren't looking ;) My DH can have his stubborn streak and you can not budge him for love nor money once his mind is made up about something.

VALPAL :~ Very few people are often any medication for MS due to the expensive costs. If you really fight then you might get it like a lady I know but I have never been offer anything like that. Not that I am adverse to taking it I will be willing to try anything that makes you feel a wee bit better and maybe slow the disease down. With the NHS (national health service) you do get free health care but the real limitations comes with the restriction of expensive drugs. So it is something I can not change so I except that for my free health care I have a pay off that I may not get everything that is out there on the market.

Sorry to hear that your knee is giving you pain again, lets hope the chiropractor gives you some relief. Finding warm cloths is always difficult for adults seems to be easier for childrens clothing as Rosebud said.

Must shoot time to shop :hug:

:ginger: HELLO LADIES ~ Well, we had a lovely sunny day today; it just perfect for a day in town Christmas shopping. Yesterday, we spent the day decorating the inside of the house; and this morning I cleaned the adjoining hallway (I do this every Christmas) as I like everything to look clean and smell fresh. Now I just have to find someone willing to push a vac around out there ... hmmm, any takers???

My feet and legs are throbbing tonight so I had to have a two hour nap to give them a rest. But, I got a lot of stuff done today! I went to do my Christmas cards the other night and discovered that I didn't have any cards left. So, I picked up a bunch today and the stamps to go with them. Poor Dh hobbled around, but finally found a bench to rest on while I shopped.

We ordered him a back support wrap that should give him some relief; a friend of his recommended it to him. I also finally ordered that ERGOMETER exercise machine (a mini-bicycle for the arms); should be in early next week, so I'll let you know how it is. I did manage to find some mittens today; I hope they are warm enuff for our temps though ~ lol!

PURPLE ~ you have a great attitude about your MS; this is probably going a long way to help you stay well. We are very spoiled here, but I am so grateful to be in this country for the fact that we have so many medications, and special drug plans that make it possible to get the latest meds for our ailments. In our province, most meds for disabled persons are paid for by the gov (except for a nominal fee per prescription; $2.00). For the rest, there are private and public drug plans available; ie. a gov drug plan that you pay a partial fee every three months and you can get all the drugs you need no matter the cost. Maybe your country will catch on to some of these innovative ways to help their people soon too!

Well, I just wanted to come in and let you know what we've been up to. We still have a bit more decorating to do inside; and now I can get to work on those cards and wrapping gifts. HELLO TO VAL AND MO ~ hope you ladies are well and enjoying the excitement of the Christmas season. Take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:snowglo: Hi Ladies :snowglo:

Did not manage to get on here yesterday as we did a trip for my DH brother. It was not a planned trip but one of his workers who was going to do the trip had hurt his back and was unable to do it. We went to Birmingham which is approximately 40 miles from where we live. We went to the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) the site is huge there are umpteen different car parks which they lay on buses to take you to your destination. There are 9 different arenas which are used we were going to arena 6. The first big shock was we had to pay a deposit of £50.00 ($102 Canadian dollars) which would be redeemable if you had made your delivery in 1 hour. Oh my we were very close, firstly we were sent to the wrong area which did not help. Then when we found the right area there where so many vans in the loading area. The delivery was to the clothes show live and to a stand run by the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention to Cruelty of Animals) they had 32 bean bags all with fake animal furs. So we got the deposit back with 6 minutes to spare. Good job I had my bankers card on me otherwise we would not have been able to pay. My DH brother did not know that there was a charge. In fact they thought we were joking as my DH has a wicked sense of humour. On the return journey I unfortunately had a huge attack of trigeminal neuralgia in my face so we had to stop at a service station to have a bite to eat so I could take medication. Not been that painful for sometime. Seems to be more settled today.

Braved all the Christmas shoppers and finished my Christmas shopping today. So all that is done now just have to wrap the presents in the next few days.
Gosh was really pack in town but it was nice to see all the decorations up.

ROSEBUD :~ I am afraid I will not be offering to hoover (vacuum) anytime soon. I really need to get round and do some proper cleaning of the home ready for christmas but just not got myself into gear as yet. Maybe I should volunteer your DH to keep him out of mischief :D

It would be nice if they looked into something like the schemes you have for health care. I still have to pay for my prescription of something like £6.80 ($13.87 candian dollars.) for every item you have. But I have a prepaid prescription for 12 months which is a one off cost or now just come in is a 10 month standing order to spread the cost. It is nearly £100 ($200 canadian dollars) for a year. But it is worth it when I have 8 different items on my prescription now. Some people are exempt from payment if they had certain illness, over 60, war vetaran, pregnant, and very low income. I do not qualify as I have a private pension from when I was working as nurse and that is included as income.

It would be interesting how the ergometer machine works so will be watching this space. Well time to start a bit of tea else it will be bed time ;)

bye bye ladies and take care all :hug:

:candy: HEY LADIES ~ We had a blizzard out there tonight; it starting snowing around noon, but slowly picked up thru the day. They called it 'SNOW SHOWERS' ~ haha! :rofl: More like 'WHITE OUT' or is that 'WIPE OUT'??? But we sure hope there were no accidents; that's a good time to pull off to the side of the road ...

I just stayed home this morning while Dh went shopping for my Christmas gift; I asked for a digital camera. He managed to get one for 40% off; good deal. Can't use it just yet; it's been wrapped and put under the tree! Ah, shucks!!!

PURPLE ~ :D Talk about 'Deja Vous' ... you must have pushed the reply button twice as your post came up twice; you can delete one by going on advance, I think! Not to worry though; we didn't see a thing ~ lol! ;) Glad your trip went well; sorry you had a painful relapse, but glad you had some meds to help give you relief. I take something when I can't bear the pain anymore too, then I lay down and rest. Dh had to do the same, as he's been sleeping since 7 pm, but he just got up, and is having a coffee and a tylenol. Do I need to say who shovelled some snow tonight??? :rolleyes:

My aunt says that they did some more tests on my uncle to check his colon/intestines and they came back 'all clear', now they are going to check his prostrate again too; these are the cancers he had before. The docs say the cancer in his lungs is the same kind that was in his colon before; but they can't understand why it is there; it's a mystery. My aunt says they are feeling much calmer now and are very grateful to everyone for their prayers.

:wave: HI VAL AND MO ~ have a great weekend!!! I made a start on my cards, got bored; and came on here and forgot to get back to it; my, I'm naughty this year. Oh, well, will start again tomorrow, maybe; haha! Well, that's all the news for now; just wanted to check in. Take good care all, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:candy: Hi Ladies :candy:

Well what a wet morning I have woken up to today it is only fit for ducks so it looks like I am going to get wet when I do my exercise today :rain: I should not complain compared to you ladies it is really nothing.

DH and I are buying clothes for each other for Christmas as the way we are going down in sizes it seemed a wise thing to do. DH is looking for warm sweater for those cold days outside and another pair of jeans. He has enough shirts and t~shirts to open up a shop :rofl: He is the Imelda Marcos of shirts it is a family joke about how many he has.

Had a friend and his son come round for coffee this morning. So our dog was on :cloud9: as he simply loves children. So he had a little play mate to throw his ball. We are going out tonight for meal at our friends house. But had a low calorie lunch to let us have a few extra calories to have for our meal tonight without to much damage to the waist line. I had a beauty comment from a lady the other day where we play cards. Gosh your still losing weight you look so glamorous. Well I fell 10 foot tall and gave me motivation to carry on down this healthy eating journey. I have had a little stall for a couple of weight but I have not gained anything but I am losing inches so that is fine by me. I think my body is just catching up with all this weight loss. Well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it :D

ROSEBUD :~ Thanks for pointing out my double post which I had not noticed I must be as blind as a bat :bat: Do not know how I managed that i am sure I could not do it again if I tried. ;)

Great news about your Uncle Tom that the cancer had not spread to previous sites he had been diagnosed with cancer. Even though we have made many advances in this area I still feel there is much more to know. Like how your Uncle Tom cancer in his lungs is the same sort that was in the colon but is unexplained by medicine so far. I am sure as the years go by that we will know more and more about this disease and how best to treat certain types. The best words though would be that any cancer had a cure which would be such a wonderful thing to hear. My grandmother also had cancer of the bowel which left her with a stoma for 17+ years and also skin cancer. But she was such a strong willed lady who took no nonsense I am sure this held her in good stead through her diagnosis like your Uncle Tom.

I do not realise how lucky I am I have never in my life had to shovel snow. If we do get any snow it is never around long enough or enough of it for that matter to consider shovelling snow. I do not envy you having to shovel snow but do take care not to do yourself a mischief

I hope your DH is a little better today after yesterday having to take extra medication. I alway carry around with me extra medication. But with Friday being a non planned trip I did not have drink or a bit to eat to take my medication. I can not take them without food as it makes me feel so sick for hours. I even have morphine tablets for a real bad emergency not that I have ever taken them but I have been close a few times but just in the nick of time the other medication have kicked in. But when you are waiting for it to kick in it takes an eternity or so it seems. I know it isn't but when you are in acute pain then it seems an age to take pain medication to work.

Fingers crossed I do seem to have a slight benefit from this Amantadine medication that I am taking but at the moment I am taking one a day rather than 2 which I will increase to next month.

Going to Manchester on Monday which is about 70 miles away from where we live to do a planned trip to pick up something for BIL for his work as worker still has a bad back. Then off to Wales on Wednesday.

Yesterday stopped in at the book shop to see if Mary and Tony (owners of the store) had anything for me. In the end I found 2 brand new books and 7 second hand books and that cost me £17 ($34 Canadian dollar approximately). When I have read those and take them back I will have credit at the shop. I also took about 11 books back that I had read. So I have plenty to keep me going for a few weeks now.

bye bye ladies must go and wash up some dinner pots. :hug:

:shocksn: HELLO LADIES ~ Well, we had a beautiful sunny day, and no snow; yeah, a break for a couple of days 'til early next week, they say! We just stayed home today and did inside stuff; got my indoor tree up and the lights on it so far. Tonight, I did about a third of my cards; came on here for a wee break ... hehe! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it too! ;)

PURPLE ~ 'Can't spell for toffee' ... that's a good one! :D I think we all have that problem at times; I tend to type too fast and have to go back and fix up my inversions (ps/ht) and such. That was a nice compliment you got from your friend; and NSV's count just as much as SV's do! My, you have a busy week coming up; hope you have a good trip(s). Maybe it is good that you don't have a pile of snow, as you are on the road a lot!

My DH and yours have one thing in common; they BOTH have enough shirts to start a store; Dh has enough clothes in general to start a store. He actually told me not to buy him any more clothes recently ~ haha! The only thing he might need is 'long-johns'; I got him two sets this year, and he was tickled pink, or should I say 'red' (one set is grey and the other is red; so cute; he looks like one of Santa's elves). ;)

:wave: HI TO VAL AND MO ~ hope you ladies are feeling well, and getting all your Christmas shopping/preparations done. I'm hanging in there; didn't buy any of that junk yet. I'm trying to decide what my Christmas Eve treat will be this year; it's usually something made of CHOCOLATE!!! That's one of our traditions ... to have a bit of chocolate at Christmas; DH likes those Chocolate Balls wrapped in foil. Sorry, guess I shouldn't be talking about all that stuff. :tape:

ANYWAYS, just wanted to check in tonight; take good care all, and talk to ya soon, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:elf: Hi Ladies :elf:

Good evening ladies, it has been a dry day today so the ducks are out of luck :rofl: but it has been over cast all day. This is a quick stop by this evening but not lots of time, I have taken my night medication early. This is is because I have to be up with the larks. We are up at 5am because we needed to make sure I was back for a doctors appointment in the evening. Nothing special at the doctors just my annual review of my medication that you must have by law. Most it is 6 monthly review but if you have a chronic condition then that is extended to 12 months. Will also order my medication to tide me over the Christmas period so will need a sack to carry them ;)

ROSEBUD :~ We went out to friends yesterday evening for a meal she did a beautiful meal. We had home made butternut squash soup with leeks coriander and ginger i think it was. Then for main course she did chicken wrapped in bacon stuffed with cottage cheese with chives and fresh bell pepper slices. Served with steamed vegetables and some roasted ones. For dessert she did poached nectarines in diet lemonade with ice cream (skinny cow). I declined on the ice cream as I love stewed fruit just as it comes. It was a beautiful meal which was relatively healthily but tasty.

In the last few months I have had increasing problems with spelling even the most simple words. Thankfully spell check sorts most of my errors out. Often I have the letters jumble up, I know the word is wrongly spelt but can not spell it right for the life of me. Maybe the plaques in my brain could be situated in the speech, language or writing section of my brain hence the trouble I have. Good job I have a sense of humour as sometimes the way I say words has changed take the word Moscow. In England we pronounce it moss co, we do not say the W it is silent. Well I had people really laughing when I decided one day to say moss cow. Another day I was trying to say the word sheet, but it came out as sh*t I was so embarrassed but was able to laugh it off none the less. Fortunately I did not offend anyone otherwise I would be very hurt. Sometimes I struggle for the word and so I end up going round the houses to try and describe the word I want. I have great friends and family who are understanding and are very helpful and don't take it all to serious.

Well Mr Rosebud dressed as an elf :elf: well that made me smile just the visions of it. Well he might look like an elf but if it keeps you warm on these cold winter nights then they are very good indeed.

My mind was drawn to the thoughts of food over Christmas. But this year I will not be buying any of the chocolate or any other junk you can name. Our only treat this year will be a slice of my dads Christmas cake Christmas and boxing day. It is just a fruit cake with no icing and decorated with blanched almonds. So not too damming on the waist line but a nice treat never the less. No doubt my mum with come with us on our daily walks she usually does as she enjoys it. We now go different routes so she will see the area around us and the housing estates.

Time to run as it is getting late now. Hello to Mo and Val hoping you are both well. :hug:

:wreath: Well, we had another beautiful, sunny day today. It was perfect to get some more Christmas cards done and I decorated my Christmas tree as well. We had a nice baked Chicken dinner tonight with roasted veggies plus baked apples (yum yum) ...

PURPLE ~ Have a good trip this week; that sounds like a really nice dinner that your friend put out for you; good and healthy too. Oh, I will have to have at least a wee bit of CHOCOLATE, as I'm not into fruit cake myself. My mother used to make lots of them for gifts year ago; she remade one recipe for the fussy eaters of our family.

Some of us never like the wax fruit, so she went back to the original way of making them and just put in the basics of raisins, coconut, and nuts; sometimes some pineapple. I do like cranberry-banana loaf cake with pecans; that's nice too. One of my mom's most admired loafs was lemon loaf; simple but nice to freeze.

I think your theory about your spelling is probably accurate; my sis says the same as you (thank you, Spellcheck). It good that you keep a sense of humor about your condition; they say that laughter is the best medicine!!!

DH and I were discussing that topic just this morning; I heard that 15 seconds of hardy laughter is as good as 3 minutes of cardio rowing. And did you know that the body cannot tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughing? So, I made up a song, and I practice it until I am laughing for real ... Yah, seriously ...

:D Yah, it's called the LAUGHING SONG; it goes HA-HA, HA-HA; HA HA HA; HA-HA, HA-HA; HA HA HA; HA HA, HA-HA; HA HA, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
:rofl: I dare you, go ahead and try it, whenever your down; and you'll be laughing in no time! OK, now you are convinced that I'm wacky! HAHA!

:wave: HELLO TO MO AND VAL ~ hope you ladies are well. VAL enjoyed your 'I HOPE TO DO LIST' over in that other forum. ;)

Take good care ladies and talk to ya soon; your silly friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:rudolph: Hi Ladies :rudolph:

Today first thing this morning it was raining and blowing a gale. But as the morning went on it has turned out to be a lovely sunny day. It is cold but you expect that for this time of the year.

Went to Manchester this morning to pick up some netting to put the polystyrene balls that fill the bean bags. The journey up North was not too bad at all there were little patches of dense traffic. We arrived at the destination and parked up behind the building for the deliveries section. Then when DH come to start the van there was nothing. It appears that the starter motor has gone or something is stuck in the starter motor. Fortunately the male workers came out and gave DH a hand to get the van started by pushing it up a hill and letting it go. Thankfully it started so we kept the van running even when stopping at services for a bathroom stop. We just had to go in separately into the services. But at least we got to BIL work unit.

Went out for lunch with BIL today at a pub that we have never been to before. Gosh it was cheap. I had chicken curry with rice. There was loads so I just ate about 1/2 of it. It was not the healthiest choice in the world but at least it was not chips (fries)

ROSEBUD:~ Right the men in white coats are coming to take you away :rofl: I am not certain whether this phrase is used in your part of the world. It was always said with tongue in cheek if you had said or done something silly or crazy. The men in white coats were going to take you to the psychiatric hospital. It is a wonder I have not been carted off long ago ;)

Yes there has been been documentation about laughter being beneficial to your physical well being and also mental health. There is a film based on Patch Adams ( film by that name also), starring Robin Williams and it shows how he treats his patients with humour (laughter therapy). I suppose it is not run of the mill treatment and some doctors remain sceptical. If it was not something that is conventional treatment then some are very unwilling to embrace alternative therapies. It would be nice if alternative and conventional therapies worked more closely together. In that way patients are in a win, win situation with all the different therapies to try, if one is not beneficial then there are many others to try.

I think I will be early to bed tonight as I am feeling quite tired now. I don't do 5am very well ;) Once upon a time I would think nothing of it but now it is like torture.

Right time to go and make a coffee, and feed my furry baby. Hi to Val and MO :wave: Bye ladies :hug:

Hi Ladies :)

So the holiday season is making life busy over here. Work has gotten busier and busier and I recently became a board member on the local community foundation - we have a nest egg of funds and give out the interest from our invested nest egg every year to community projects.

I found a place to walk in doors finally. I havent been able to use my stationary bike pain free with my knee -- but walking isnt a problem so I go to the local swimming pool mezzanine floor and walk short laps by myself.

Purple - sorry about my confusion earlier... for some reason I though England had free health care etc. The woman who had my job before me (I was her assistant) mentioned something about her thyroid medication being covered when she lived there. Government regulations undoubtedly get wonky I'm sure though... That curry rice sounds good. I had a low fat curry butter chicken on friday - do you have Indian food very often?

Rosebud.. your laughing song is cute lol are you okay? Hows the winter treating you? Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I bought a 2 foot christmas tree a couple weeks ago for our hours. We dont have a bunch of decorations otherwise -- but I did buy some snowflake shapes with LED lights to decorate our windows facing the street. I'm glad you enjoyed my list. Some of the things are kind of shallow but after being knocked on my butt for a year with the ms diagnosis/coping/ever lasting flare up I had a lot of time to think about the things I wanted to accomplish when I'm ambulatory. Your list was a good start too - I'm going to need something more comprehensive like that eventually. Montreal is a beautiful city :) You'll love it.

I dont know if I mentioned it here.. but I recently bought a phototherapy lamp to treat the S.A.D I've suffered from every winter I've lived here. It's made a huge difference... I dont remember ever being my boppy self in December!

One of my old roomate from college is coming up north from vancouver next week. She is shanghai-nese /chinese and she's never been this far north. It will be a nice christmas :) which reminds me - I've got to call a rental agency for a car...

yay for december :) take care all

:candy: HELLO LADIES ~ we had a beautiful sunny day; so went shopping to miss the crowds. Found Leslie Sansones' WALKING OFF THE POUNDS dvd set; the only one in the store for only $9.99!!! Nice Christmas present for me and picked up some old country movies/shows for DH.

VAL ~ Dh got me a digital camera for 40% off last week; it's wrapped up under the tree. He got me something today too, but don't know what it is yet. I only have to get Dh a few more things, as soon as he gives me that list I asked him for ~ lol! We have a four-foot tree which I decorated yesterday; we put up garlands and a few other things indoors; lots of ornamental stuff.

Outside we have red lights across the roof, a 11-foot cross on one end with white/clear lights, and a set of four large candy-canes that are blinking again (I thing when it gets too cold they stop blinking). Today we picked up a 3 foot Angel for only $3.00 at a second-hand shop (what a deal: new she was $37.00 plus tax).

I am feeling better than I did two years ago for sure; today I had a bit of a queezy stomach; think it's a wee bug, but in no time, I started to feel better. Got out and visited, shopped and that took my mind off it; works most times. My anxiety has improved immensely over the last year, so I guess all my self-therapies are working!

Oh, I do have my days or moments now, shall we say, but I immediately go into therapy mode and rest or whatever, as needed. That may mean taking some meds (last resort), lying down, doing mental imagery, singing songs, listening to music, dancing, meditations, reading positive works like the Bible (Psalms helps most), even any kind of distraction, like coming on here can help. BTW, have a good time with your friend next week; that should be great fun!

PURPLE ~ glad you got home safe from your trip; sorry you had troubles with your vehicle, but those nice guys were there to help you out; GOD bless their kind hearts! Rewards in heaven! That's what we say whenever anyone does us a favor. Be sure to rest up now, as you have a second trip this week. Hope your DH can get that van looked at so you don't have any troubles like that again.

HELLO TO MO AND FAMILY ~ hope you are well dear; I know that you are busy and have a full life. Say hi to ERIC and your DH for us all here!

WELL, gotta run for now; it's past my bedtime; take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:hohoho: Hi Ladies :hohoho:

We had a sharp frost today all our lawns were whited over. It is nice outside but rather cold to say the least. Just got back from doing the weekly grocery shopping. To top it off the stores heating system had broken so it was just as cold inside as out. So no hanging around I got what I wanted and off I went.

VALPAL :~ Yes health care is free. But there are things you have to pay for which is a prescription but that is a set price regardless of what it is for each item. Plus dental care you pay a reduced price to your dental treatment. If you were paying for it privately it would have been heaps more. All hospital treatment is free. So if you fall ill then you will be treated for free no matter how expensive it would be. You can get heart bypasses or transplants for example all for free. So there are limitations to having a free health care system is that you may not get access to all the best drugs there out there. But most of us accept that is the case and are really grateful for the free health that we get through out our lives should we need it.

I would imagine I have Indian food maybe twice a month as I am fond of the spicy taste. Although I have varied tastes I like Chinese as well. I do try to make low calorie versions of our favour dishes.

So glad that you have got the phototherapy lamp for SAD. They are brilliant and I have seen great results from this. It always amazes me that how successful it can be and how much more so than other forms of treatment. So pleased that you are feeling the benefit and are much brighter in mood.

I bet you are looking forward to your old room mate coming up to see you. It is always nice to catch up with friends after a period of time apart. I hope you and your friend have a great time.

Yes like you when I was diagnosed my priorities in life changed. I now have the philosophy grab life as you never know whats around the corner. Simple things gives me the greatest pleasure now, before I gave them no though and did not appreciate things. So you enjoy doing things that you though might never be possible anymore due to your diagnosis. It makes them all the more special believe you me and you will gain so much pleasure and happiness from them.

Gosh you have been busy of late with your schedule as a board member. It is good that you have such input into the community. I don't think I could ever do anything like that. I am not very confident person, so to me that would be very daunting experience. Although I admire you greatly for your strength to do this task and be so involved.

Congratulation on now losing 60lbs that is a great achievement and one to be proud of. According to your ticker you have passed the half way mark now to be out of obesity. Wow your doing so well keep up the good work.

ROSEBUD :~ That sounds like a great walking DVD that you have bought, which will be ideal for those horrid weather days. Excellent way of getting in your daily dose of exercise. Some good presents for your DH that should keep him out of trouble and stop him aggravating any injuries ;)

You picked up a great bargain with the second hand fairy. Sound like your house is really beautifully decorated.

Great arrange of self therapies you have there to cope with the pain that your condition gives you. It is great that you use them and find some relief from them. I like mental imagery therapy to help me relax. Pain killers are my last resort. Unfortuately I am on a great deal of pain medication for my face as it was really difficult to get it under control. I wish it was not the case and did not have to take any.

Yes the van is a bit dodgy at times. Unfortunately BIL has just bought his own little factory which was costly plus then altering things need to make it work for there bean bag business. So funds at the minute are short. I am sure after a few months they will get themselves back on their feet. I know that they will buy a better van when the funds get more flush. But in the mean time the van is a fixer upper until such time.

Time for me to go and have a rest on the bed as I am feeling tired. bye bye :hug:

:tree: HELLO LADIES ~ Just a short visit today. We had a very good day; and I felt much better, thanks. We just had a light sprinkle of snow today(about 2 inches). Stayed home to put up more decos, wrap gifts, and do some sorting, so that things are better organized for next year. Dh went to town to run some errands and he picked up that ERGOMETER mini-cycle; haven't had a change to try it yet. Dh says he is going to put it together for me tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes ...

MY angel is beside our tree and she looks lovely. We put our 4-foot tree on a small round coffee table that Dh made many years ago for our livingroom; and it's just perfect for it. Dh picked up this handy cord for the tree and angel that has a switch on it; should have gotten one of these a long time ago. My, they are handy; just have to flick a switch now to turn everything on and off. :D

ANYWAYS, time to go for my late tea, then it's off to bed; so, take good care , your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:ginger: Hello Ladies :ginger:

Yesterday was our first one of our Christmas whist drives. There was a beautiful buffet laid on. I did allow myself one treat at the buffet one slice of cake. Otherwise I just stayed on plan. I just had a sandwich, it was a far cry from last year :o I have another Christmas drive on Thursday this week and again I will try and be good and allow myself just one treat. I have been walking every day so that should help and staying on plan otherwise. At this time of the year it is a mind field of food that is just so ladened with calories.

ROSEBUD :~ When you said you had just a light sprinkling of snow I just envisaged like the dusting of icing sugar (confectioners sugar) on top of cakes. Not 2 inches now that to me is a heavy snow fall, thats the difference between our countries and the amount of snow we get and how we measure how much. If we had 2 inches of snow we virtually come to a standstill and cars get abandoned and roads impassable. We are just not geared up to dealing with snow.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Be good to know how the ergometer mini cycle goes when it is assembled. Spent a bit of time this morning making a fruit salad. Nearly all the fruits were fresh except the tinned mandarin oranges and pineapple. Though they were in natural juice. I have added kiwi fruit, pears, apples, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and blueberries. Roll on summer when the price of fruit is much cheaper in the winter it is so expensive. We have had some today and then stored the rest in the fridge for tomorrow.

Right time for me to get a move on did not realise it was that time. Going out very shortly and nowhere near ready as per usual ;). Hello to Val and Mo :wave:. Bye bye :hug:

:rudolph: HELLO LADIES ~ We had a very good day; started out with 'SNOW SHOWERS' (haha) and was replaced with sun for most of the day. They had predicted snow storms all day, but GOD changed his mind for us ~ LOL! We didn't get everything we planned to do today, but we did get a lot done and Dh is so pooped that he has 'hit the hay' already.

We got his back support belt, and he just loves it; he says he can really notice the difference, and he is feeling much better. I did a wee bit of snow pushing today, just off our deck and the fellow we hired came and did the rest tonight. I hope I won't suffer for it tomorrow. :^:

We are all finished with the tree and indoor decos and such; I re-organized them all today, and then we put the boxes and extra stuff away. Our living space is starting to look somewhat normal again ~ lol! I just made a quick dinner tonight cuz we were late; it's one of DH's faves, a family recipe called 'Creamy Mac'. I know the low carbers wouldn't touch it, but I measure the pasta very carefully on a scale now. We also had a veggie and salad with it. We have pasta only once a week, and usually it's spagettini; but we do like to change things up a bit now and then.

PURPLE ~ :congrat: to you for losing over 80 lbs, wow before you know it, you'll be at 100 lbs. You are passing me, and you are doing very well. It has to be those daily walks. Some days I overdo it, then for then day or two, I am so sore. And, then I forgot to do my weigh-in this month, as I was so busy this month. I am now in my water-holding TOM, so I think I'll wait til that's over, then weigh-in then. We also forgot to set up the EROGMETER, will try for that again tomorrow. Things will be settling down now for a while, thank goodness!

VAL ~ :congrat: For losing 60 lbs; you're over halfway now, I think. You are getting there, bit by bit. Everyone in our building has a stomach flu; the kiddies are chucking up all over the place, sorry for the graphics ~ lol! Now I know why I felt so sick on Monday when we went into town. It's official: it's the flu ... dang. Thought I was over it; seems, this one keeps coming back, or at least, it's circulating around our complex a lot.

HELLO MO and family; less than two weeks til Christmas. Dh can't believe how fast this month is flying by; it's becuz we are so busy. It is very noticeable that as you get older, time whizzes right by you ...

Well, that's all for now ladies, talk to ya soon; take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:gift2: Good Morning Ladies :gift2:

Beautiful day today with glorious sunshine. We had another sharp frost this morning all the lawns looked beautifully whited over. I could not help but laugh at my DH misfortune, I know I should not laugh but I did. He went to kick our furry babies ball to him ( football/soccer ball) and it unbeknown to him was frozen solid and he nearly broke his toe. He said it was like kicking a concrete ball. It was a wonder I did not do it but I kick it less now as I lose my balance so easily now without trying to stand on one leg whilst I kick it.

Going out tonight to play cards, this is another Christmas whist drive so again there will be goodies on offer :o So trying to good and not go too overboard. At this time of year all our places that play whist are having their Christmas drives so naughty goodies are on offer tempting me. I have 2 more to go to and steer the mind field of calorie laden foods.

ROSEBUD :~ Thanks for the congratulations on my weight loss so far. I have had a couple of weeks of stalling and no movement in the scale I have threatened to :kickbutt: to the scales :rofl: I have not gone off plan so no reason why this should happen but that is in the hand of a higher force when my body decides to lose those pesky pounds. It is hard to keep DH motivated at times as he is losing those pounds very slowly now. If I cut his calories he goes raiding the fridge so I have to stop where they are for the time being. The only way I have though I could lower them is give more lean proteins. He gets a bit discouraged at the moment as weight is dropping off me and not him as fast which is understandable. I do try to be supportive and inventive with food to keep him on the straight and narrow and stop us slipping back to our old bad ways.

Never heard of creamy mac please enlighten me to this recipe. Funnily enough i am cooking pasta, like you carefully measured out not to go overboard. Having Bolognese today for dinner it is cooking on the stove at the minute. We have pasta occasionally as well , but we have swapped to the wholemeal variety which is suppose to be a little better.

Yes back supports can be of great use. My dad had one especially made many years back. The best way I can describe it is it looked very much like a ladies corset with all the bones in it. It may have looked strange but if you were going to do anything like gardening it was a god send in protecting his back.

I sure agree the older you get the more time seems to whizz by without you noticing. Sometimes I wonder where time has gone to and I seemed to have only done a few things. I suppose the older we get the tasks take that bit longer than they did 20 years ago say.

Best weigh yourself after TOM as that is never very flattering on the scales, you are shocked sometimes how much weight gain you can have at this time. I know it is only our bodies retaining water and it will disappear shortly.

Had a bit of a unplanned late night last night. Was already for bed and then on television there was a programme from my home town. It is where a failing restaurant is turned around by a top chef. It was nice to see something from where I live now.

Well must get a move on as the pasta is nearly cooked. Bye bye ladies :hug:

:hohoho: HI LADIES ~ Well, we started off with a cold night; a bit of snow during the night (about an inch), but tonight we had more of those 'SNOW SHOWERS' or 'WHITE-OUT' as we call it. All the shovelling was for naught and the drifts have come back. Yesterday, it went south and tonight it went north ~ haha!

TODAY, we did housework this morning and this afternoon went to town to pick up a few small things that we forgot earlier in the week. We also went out for coffee; and picked up some certificates for gifts while we were there. We went to a 'dollar store' and picked up some adorable glass angel tree ornaments (for gifts too), gift bags, and a few lovely classical and jazz instrumental Christmas Cd's that we have been playing all night!

THE ERGOMETER ~ we set it up and I tried it both ways; for my arms and feet; wow, gotta watch how long you use it at first, as it works your arms and your shoulder muscles at the same time. And I was pleasantly pleased that I could use it for my legs too; have to watch that knee though. As soon as it felt strained, I stopped. I'll start off slow and work my way up as my muscles can handle it. So far, I would say it is one of the best pieces of equipment I have found yet; and the price was very affordable.

PURPLE ~ I sure know the frustration of plateaus; from what I can see around here, this is very common once you have lost a bit of weight. You are doing very well to get such a steady loss; sorry to hear about your recent plateau. It seems to occur somewhere from 50-80 lbs for most people here.

PLUS, I think it is key to just keep on going, and not let it hinder your overall journey; as this is not a temporary measure. We must continue to eat in a healthy way for the rest of our lives, or we won't keep it off. As you told me once (I think it was you), plateaus are a good training for maintenance mode later on.

NOTE ~ You know, when I lost weight before, I didn't weight myself hardly ever; I just designed my plan and went to it. I do find the scale a bit discouraging at times now. Before, I didn't know when I hit a plateau, becuz I just kept on eating well, and I went by my clothes sizes and my inches, not by my weight at all. It just seemed to work better for me that way.

THIS TIME ~ it is a bit different becuz I am making food for two people and I do have to consider my spouses like and dislikes; but he is very supportive. He is only 130 lbs, and doesn't need to lose weight, but he is getting the healthier fare and so far, likes everything I have put before him. And, I am trying to create a menu plan that we can enjoy all the time; we don't want to be raiding the fridge all the time simply becuz we are hungry.

MOM'S RECIPE FOR CREAMY MAC ~ fry xtra-lean ground chuck with a chopped onion while your pasta is cooking (we use elbow or rotini); drain any fat with a spoon. Add seasonings like 1/2 tsp black pepper and garlic powder + 1 tbl onion soup mix, 1/2 cup water and 1 can cream of mushroom soup; simmer til bubbly. Drain your pasta and stir into the sauce; this dish makes about 3 or 4servings in a bowl. You may add veggies to this dish or serve them on the side. We only have this about once a month and it is a family comfort food; not one to eat every day.

ANYWAYS, that's all the news for now; take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

hi!

Rosebud - oooo a new digital camera you'll have to post the specs of it after Christmas. I love taking pictures of nature all year and a digital camera makes it so easy - you should have lots of fun with it :)

heh heh I have my days too. I'm not a big believer in Cognitive behavioral theory (not focusing on it) as a way to cope with things because I prefer to examine why I'm feeling a certain way and what incidents 'got me to that place' but sometimes ya just need to escape hey? I especially like summer for that... I can find a nature path somewhere and just walk by a lake and forget things. I'm trying to remember what you mentioned you do for activity over the winter but I cant remember for the life of me! I'm looking forward to Christmas holidays too - I'm taking two full weeks off work!

Purple I used to have Indian/Chinese and especially Japanese and Thai food when I lived in Vancouver. It was nice to such diversity at our fingertips. The closest thing I can find here is a low fat version of butter chicken as a frozen meal but I havent found low fat naan bread yet. What low calorie versions of Chinese food do you make? Sounds like it would be delicious!

I decided to study communications and political science at university.... and I had to take a public speaking class!! I still cant believe that I had to give a 16 minute speech (along with several others) and be critiqued immediatly after by my peers. I guess what I'm saying is I can relate to being a little bit more withdrawn. It is hard to be involved sometimes, I have gotten remarks like 'wow you're pretty slow'.... and some people just seem to like to talk down to me. Sometimes it just comes down to my own pride... I would rather be slow, talked down to and function in their world to prove to myself and to them that I can do it with MS. I think you may be selling yourself short -- to be a nurse takes a lot of knowledge and experience that would be appreciated on something like our community foundation. We actually have a former nurse (who grew up in England too) as our past president.

Thank you for the congrats about my ticker weight. I think I'm going to re-adjust them when I get to 250... I found the tickers keep me pretty motived I like to move them lower on WI days.

Now that I'm permanent staff at my office I qualify for health benefits... but the quote I received today included 'critial illness, life and disability insurance'.. and then goes on to say MS is a critical illness so....... hopefully i can still get some health benefits without being forced into buying ridiculously overpriced health insurance. I cant fathom paying 100 bucks a month for life insurance at 23! I'm kind of angry at insurance brokers in general for basing their quotes on research that says as a person with MS i'll be dead in 35 years. The entire situation gives me a headache!

Anyways.. I'm sorry to ramble so long! I'm around :) I hope all is well as the holidays get closer! Hi to Mo too :)

:wreath: HELLO LADIES ~ we had lots of blowing winds today, but it was sunny all day nevertheless; and that's fine with me, but it was way too cold to go outside with the winds, so I just stayed in today.

ODD thing happened last night after we went to bed; we heard one of our furry babies growling and growling in the living room. So I went to see what was the matter, and she was pacing back and forth looking at the angel beside the tree ~ haha! She's so smart, she thought it was a little girl that shouldn't be there! I had to go lay it down and let her sniff it and touch it, while telling her it wasn't real; then she was happy and scooted off to bed ~ lol! She's a terrier and what a good watchdog too.

VAL ~ in the winter I usually do more indoor stuff; on good days only, and if I am feeling well enuff, I try to do a bit of ski-walking if I have a place to do it. Sometimes we get snowed in a bit, but sometimes the parking lot is clear enuff. That's about all I can do right now; I have to do a bit of many different things as I have problems with old injuries and pain in my legs. My lower back doesn't like sand or snow, so I have to stay on fairly even (level) ground.

The cold and snow came earlier this year than others; and DH has noticed it too. I think as you get older, the cold affects your body more. We may try to go to the Center that was just built and check it out on a nice day. It's a huge complex; and just touring around it, will probably be a good stretch of the legs for me.

LIGHT THERAPY works for a lot of people in the winter; we have lots of florescent lights in our home and I know that this helps us a lot. On sunny days we open up our blinds full way; we put up new ones this year and they let in a lot more light than the old ones (these are white), so we will be sticking with these from now on.

I WILL TRY anything that works for me, VAL. Our family has suffered many losses, and our health has given us a lot of trouble. I think it is imperative to focus our attention, our time, and our energies on the positive; and that includes associating with positive people. We have made some huge changes over the last while, and can now see the results of that.

NOW, we are focusing on our health as #1 major importance; and spending more time with our families and our good friends; socializing more; and trying to help others in small ways whenever we can. Focusing on others, keeps our minds busy and we can heal ourselves, while helping others at the same time. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

:wave: HELLO TO PURPLE AND MO ~ have a good weekend ladies.

WELL, that's all for now; I will come back and chat again tomorrow ~ take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:snow4: Hi Ladies :snow4:

Did not get to come on the site yesterday as I was out the house from 10am to 10pm so by that time all I wanted to do was go to bed. I went to my sisters for a couple of hours and then on to mum and dad.

It was cold last night and today is overcast and slightly foggy so not a very nice day. I have already prepared todays vegetables for our evening meal. We are having a sandwich at around midday today as I did not get up so early this morning, in actual fact went back to bed for another hour or so as I felt so wiped out. Feel better now for that nap.

VALPAL :~ For my lower calorie version of two Chinese dishes are sweet and sour and lemon chicken. Fortunately I have found in the local supermarket they have a low calorie sauce to make each. I some time use vegetable to make sweet and sour vegetable. Other times I use chicken or turkey. I of course still have a small portion of each of these but it is nice to have a different dish. I have reverted to brown rice and I find that a little more filling. I like naan bread also but if I really fancy it then I will cut a naan bread up into small portions and cook. So at least I get a taste of them and it satisfies my craving. I don't do these so frequently but nice for a change.

That is great that your doing a course on public speaking and showing everyone that MS is not going to hold you back. Also break peoples preconceptions of what MS is and what a person can do. For me the sky is the limit you go for it and prove everyone that it will not hold you back. When I was doing me nurse training to up grade from enrolled nurse to staff nurse I had to do a teaching session for 30 minutes in front of at least 6 people. Yikes for me that had me in so scared and I hated it. But afterwards the examiner said to me have you thought of going into teaching as she thought I was good at it. I love teaching on a one to one basis but more than that I really don't enjoy it.


It never entered my head until you brought the subject up getting life insurance if you have an illness or disease such as MS. It shocked me to here that they had the life expectancy as 35 years for a person with MS. That to me is very incorrect as most people with MS will live a normal life span as anyone else. There is only a small percentage of MS have the sort that give rapid deterioration and early death. The more I think of this the angrier it makes me feel. I am like yourself giving yourself the best chance of health with having much better food choices and dropping our weight to a more "normal" range. I am realistic that I may never achieve what is suppose to be my range for my height. But I figure that any weight loss must be good for us not just people with MS.

Like yourself my ticker help keep me on track and I like to be able to move it down on weigh in days. It is as if I can have something tangible to see regarding my weigh loss. I have a trouble with my body image I still in my head have my old "big" self. Even though I can see in the mirror that my body shape has changed. I don't know how long it will take for me for my mind to catch up with my actual body shape. I suppose a while as for as long as I can remember I have alway been big.

ROSEBUD :~ It made me smile when I heard you tell us of your furry baby deciding that the angel shouldn't be there and things to her were not right. They are so clever and pick up on things I never would think about. Our dog remember where we put his ball at bed time. If I have put it in a draw he sits besides it and he keeps looking at you and then the draw. It is his own way of telling us where it is. At mum and dad if his ball has not been put out for him on his arrival. Then he sits by the draw in the kitchen where it is stored when he is not there. For me it is so nice to have a dog they are comforting and give so much pleasure with their antics.

Time to go and make a sandwich and a cuppa. bye bye ladies :hug:

:present: Hi Ladies :present:

Well I am a lucky bunny DH taking me out for lunch today which I jumped at the chance. I got to pick the venue and I have decided on a place is has a sunday lunch. But the main reason I have chose that place is that they serve 4 vegetables and plus potatoes. So I can fill up on vegetables and have a small quantity of meat and potatoes.

Firstly we are going to the computer fayre which is about 1/2 mile up the road from us in a sports centre. I normally sit in the cafe and have a coffee and read my book.

I think after todays dinner a good walk will be in order to try and work off that lovely dinner. It is chilly today but not frosted over so I imagine it is the wind chill that is making it so cold.

Must go and get my shoes on and be off. Catch you all soon. :wave: Hello to Rosebud, Mo and Val hope you ladies are well.

:ginger: HELLO LADIES ~ We had lovely sunshine today; it went down to -35C last night, but it has stopped snowing. Yesterday, I did some ski-walking; the wind was cold, but I didn't want to pass up all that sunshine.

PURPLE ~ I didn't get in to post yesterday as my day was busy too, like yours. Dh went to look at a second-hand snowblower, so I did some house cleaning and the last of our local Christmas cards. In the end, we decided against buying it becuz it was older than we had first thought. The fellow we had hired is supposed to be moving in January, so we'll wait and see if he does or not.

VAL ~ I agree with PURPLE about the insurance life expectancy figures; I know people older than that who have MS. I don't know where they are getting their info from but it is obviously flawed; I have two friends with MS who are in their late forties+ now (one is holding steady, and the other is in total remission at present).

HOMEMADE CHINESE ~ I also like to make my own homemade Chinese dishes; veggie stir-fry is our favorite with chunks of chicken breast or strips of lean steak or pork. We usually make it with sliced mushrooms, celery, sweet peppers, onions, and bean sprouts; but you can add broccoli, cauliflower, kniblet or baby corn, chesnuts, and sweet pea pods. A little broth with soya sauce and cornstarch is all you need; or you may make it sweet with pineapple chunks.

OPTIONS ~ I used to buy breaded chicken breasts; heat them in the microwave as a side dish instead of chicken balls. And of course, serve it with brown rice; sometimes we still mix ours with white (50-50). I love the crunchiness of the brown rice and it is more filling. We had that with chicken tonight for dinner; a Sunday mainstay for us.

NSV ~ I'd luv my ticker and scale to go down ladies; but it just isn't dropping by leaps and bounds these days. Becuz my weight-loss has been slower than I had hoped, I decided to measure myself instead. I didn't realize that it had been seven months, and I have lost over 12" in total. The one I am most happy about is my tummy: I lost 3.5 inches there alone ... yeah!

GOOD NEWS ABOUT TOM ~ (message from my Aunt) she says TOM's most recent tests show that Tom's cancer has been halted, and is not spreading anymore. Plus TOM is sleeping all through the night again; something he hasn't been able to do in four years, becuz of pain. She is so encouraged by all our prayers that she is asking everyone she meets to pray for TOM; and they both sends thanks to everyone for your prayers.

WELL, that's all the news I have from here right now; time for tea. HELLO TO MO; hope you and yours are well. Take good care, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:tree: HELLO LADIES ~ We had another beautiful sunny day today, but it was very cold; I think GOD saved all the sun from the fall for now becuz He knew how cold it was gonna be. We had a busy but very productive day; got our gifts out in the mail and a few errands done as well. I did laundry and other stuff around the house; Dh is still putting up the odd deco around the place.

LAST NIGHT, I had a three-hour adventure trying to bath both of my furry babies. They are getting old, and me and the floor almost had more water on us than they did (I was drenched). They used to love getting baths, but they have switched now. The momma now hates getting bathed and the daughter likes it once she is in it. Afterwards, I dried them with my hair dryer on the low setting; they seemed to like that though ~ nice and toasty warm. They got spoiled in the summer having baths in the lake; now they have to readjust to the sink again ~ lol!

We just have a few more gifts to pick up and wrap, then we'll be done for this year; I'll be glad of that, for sure. Dh wanted to go tonight, but unless I have a rest in the afternoon, my legs just don't like all that walking around later in the day; I do better mid-morning/early afternoon. Maybe I will have more energy tomorrow.

Well, that's all the news from here; not much going on, just the same old, same old. The extreme cold is putting a damper on things; Dh says the roads are almost empty (people are staying home, I think). We were also surprised that the stores weren't that busy compared to other years. Just one week 'til Christmas Eve ...

ANYWAYS, take good care ladies; hope everyone is well. Your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:tree: Hi ladies and good afternoon :tree:

Well I could not come on here yesterday and post because we had nationwide outage with my broadband provider. It was still down gone midnight so by this morning it was up and running so they must have worked through the night to fix the problem. Oh my was I lost I do not realise how much I use it on a day to day basis.

ROSEBUD :~ :congrat: on the inches lost that is great, your scale or ticker may not be shifting but you must be putting on muscle with your exercising and toning up your body. I am really pleased that you have something tangable to see how well your doing. It gives you encouragement to carry on with the regime and your doing the right things.

That is some postive news about Uncle Tom. It is a big relief to him being able to sleep through the night now being pain free at night. Thanks for filling us in on his progress I was wondering how it was going and it is positive that the cancer has not spread any further.

Your furry babies hate bath time, that rings a bell my hates it with a passion. Maybe as he gets older he will love it ;) mind you he is nearly 9 now.

Got to run as I have many chores awaiting and I haven't tackled them :o Bye bye ladies :hug:

:rudolph: HELLO LADIES ~ We had another cold, but sunny day; I think that is a record, but by tonight we have some light flurries again. We were gonna go shopping, but Dh has decided he wants another tool instead of a bunch of smaller presents, so we are gonna wait until Friday to go to town.

PURPLE ~ DH told me that last night on the news they said England was having a major storm and outages. They said you had snow in some places and people's homes were filled up with water, and some basements were even caving in. I thought that was why you weren't on yesterday; I hope your home didn't get much damage. Dh's brother called and said that down south got a big dumping of snow too; guess everywhere else is trying to keep up to us ~ lol!

We just did stuff around here today; we had a good rest trying to overcome this wee bug that we caught, it makes you more tired than normal; so I got a good rest this afternoon. We had liver and veggies for dinner tonight; Dh likes liver a lot and I wanted something different for a change.

We are having friends over for dinner again this year; they usually come in between holidays or on New Year's Eve. They will let us know exactly what day they can come. Some people have more than six parties to go to; my friend was telling us about some groups that we could join for fun that I didn't even know existed. They play games, have lunches and potluck dinners, give away prizes and such, and some do crafts and special projects too. We are going to look into that; sounds like fun.

I did weigh myself and lost about half a pound; 317.2 from 317.8 ~ haha! Oh well, I am just so happy about all the inches I have lost, but DH says that this is a sign that I am still losing. I just have to figure out how to get down a few more pounds; one book I was reading today, said that it recommended increasing my exercise verses eating less, becuz the body might not want to let your weight go down if you eat too little.

I am still looking for ways to cut back. I read an article on ediets.com that suggested that if we want to treat ourselves or have different snacks now and then to have one serving of things like nuts, popcorn, protein or fiber bars, fiber muffins, poppycock, dark chocolate, and other specialty low-fat high-fiber snacks. I like Quaker's Caramel Rice Cakes with a bit of peanut butter; it's like you are eating candy almost.

I adjusted my apple crisp recipe this week by just sprinkling some Blue Menu Granola Cereal and a handful of raisins over the apples, and baking them as usual. I am saving lots of C's on the fat and sugar, but it tastes just as yummy. Every bit helps I think.

I am using my Ergometer (mini-cycler) every other day; and finding it pretty easy. Later on, I will increase it to daily once my muscles get used to it. I am going to start using my WOTP tapes this week; I was going to wrap them up, but decided to start using them now as an early gift to myself.

HELLO TO MO AND VAL ~ Hope you ladies are well and having some fun over the Christmas holidays. Many people are going to dinners and parties all through this week and next. Take good care of yourselves, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:brr: Hi Ladies and good morning :brr:

Well our weather is nowhere as cold and horrid as yours Rosebud but still remains chilly, but it is December so have to expect weather not to be so nice. Was speaking to mum this morning she had not heard either about the bad weather we are suppose to be experiencing. Although it would answer why our INTERNET went off the other day. So in answer to your question our home is safe and so are we. In the summer we did have wide spread floods and many homes were flooded out. Acquaintances of ours who live in a bungalow were flooded out. They had to evacuate their home and lost so much. They have only just moved back after months of being out of their home. Even when the water subsides it takes months for the property to dry out. It is a big thing to have happen to you and this couple are in their 70's I would say. At that age it must be doubly difficult to deal with

ROSEBUD :~ Sound interesting some of the groups that you may join, it is a great way to make new friends. I find it useful when playing cards it helps take my mind away from some of the pain. So using diversion therapy I think it is called so your mind has something else to focus on apart from the pain. For my DH and I it is also good as we are in each others company 24/7 so speaking and interacting with others gives us something to talk about that the other has not heard. You will have to let us know if you join any of these groups.

Good news that you have lost 1/2 pounds that better than putting it on. Although you body has lost many inches so that is showing that your toning up your body. It is very true that if you drop your calories to low that your body will think it is in starvation mode and will hang on to you body fat as it does not know when the calories are to increase. Just the bodies natural instinct to survive. I at the moment eat approximate 1800 calories a day, odd days more and odd days less but overall that what it pans out at. The heavier you are the higher the calories you will start at. I think at the beginning I was on 2000 calories which seems a lot but when you think I must have been eating maybe double that most days to be putting on the weight at the rate I was.

I am always on the look out for snacks that come in around 100 to 150 calories. It is nice to have some sweet snacks for the times when your sweet tooth craving kicks in. That way when you want something sweet you know what to have without blowing the calories. I like nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts which I have a tiny portion but enough to satisfy me.

Anyway you can tweak your recipes that are your favourites to be healthier either lower in sugar or fats is a good thing in my book. I sometimes look on here for ideas. Although there are some I can not make as the ingredients do not exist in the UK.

Good for you using the ergometer and breaking yourself in gently. That is the best way with exercise. If you do it gradually you will find it will become part of your daily routine.

:wave: MO and VAL, hello to you both well, It is such a busy time of the year with shopping, parties and cooking to name a few.

bye bye must run got to do some hoovering (vacuuming) to get the dog hairs up (never ending task ;) with having furry baby) :hug:

:present: Good morning ladies :present:

Well steadily getting prepared for Christmas just a few jobs left to do now I think. Then on to the cooking of the gammon this weekend. Also Sunday/Monday I will be making a jelly, with yogurt and crushed strawberries it tastes really yummy and seems like it must have heaps more calories than it does. Mum and Dad with be staying over Christmas and will be coming Christmas eve to us.

It still remains dreary and cold here. Someone has stolen Mr Sunshine from us ;) It is remaining dry so that is one thing so walking is still possible. The gritters ( lorries that put salt on the road when ice is forecast ) have been out quite a few times in the past few weeks. They prevent many accidents though the salt on the road soon makes your car dirty. Our car was put through the car wash yesterday as it was absolutely black it is suppose to be silver in colour :D

Going out this lunch time to the works lunch ( DH brothers works) he has paid for everyone which is a nice gesture. So it is a 3 course lunch today. Then a Christmas whist drive tonight. So busy schedule today.

Don't know whether all this cold damp weather we are having at the minute but DH has a bad shoulder at the minute so I am applying spray and painkillers when necessary. I would imagine it is from an old injury which is now arthritic so this type of weather often is painful to sufferers of that condition.

Today is my usual weekly weigh day, I wanted to share my good news, I know the amount lost means nothing to you but as you know we use a slightly different weighing system of stones and pounds. Well I have now lost 6 stones which is to you 84lbs in English ;) So I am really pleased to share the news with you, my own Christmas present to myself. Never did I think at the beginning of this journey that I would get so far. But with all your help and support it has kept me on the straight and narrow. So a big thank-you to all of you. Well onwards and upward, ( well downwards ;) ) to my next target of 7 stones lost (98lbs).

Hello to you all you ladies such a busy time of the year to do everything you want to do. :wave:

bye bye for now time to go for my meal.

:cheer: :cheer2: :encore: :cheer: Purple congrats!! Your hard work is getting you so far! Thank you for showing me that it can be done :) You have given yourself a great Christmas gift!

Rosebud losing inches is wonderful! My weight loss has slowed for the last month... but I am still dropping inches and it is so encouraging to see. All you have to do is keep doing what you are doing :)

Merry Christmas ladies, Mo too! I am headed out of town to my parents house with my Shanghai-nese friend tomorrow morning so I'll be back later next week. Happy New year too :hug:

:rudolph: HELLO LADIES ~ I have been really busy lately too; and had some family things to deal with. Even though it is Christmastime, life goes on and people need help desperately to deal with tragedies that occur in their lives. Have been spending mega-hours on the phone trying to comfort, console, encourage, support, and pray for those who are in need at this time. For those of you who believe, I would appreciate prayers for my brother who needs some help and peace of mind right now.

We went to town to do the last of our Christmas shopping today; got lots of walking in too. Boy, it was sure crowded today; but we got to see a lot of people we haven't for awhile and wish them a Merry Christmas too.

PURPLE ~ :bravo: for you, losing 6 stone; I know that was an important goal for you. Like VAL, you are encouraging me to keep going despite these stalls and plateaus that I keep hitting. I am keeping the faith though, that I will figure it all out, that is, how to get that scale going downwards again. Thank you for keeping us all encouraged by your hard work and success. That is so nice to have your parents come over and stay for Christmas.

VAL ~ hope you have a nice visit your friend and your parents, and a very good Christmas with them all as well.

MO ~ have a wonderful weekend and Christmas celebration with your family as well; hope you are well. We haven't heard from you in a while.

Well, I'm off for a tea, then it's time to go to bed; I just wanted to get in here and check in. So take good care all, your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:tree: hi Ladies :tree:

I am up at the crack of dawn and up before the little birdies ;) Neither of us could sleep so gave up at 4.30am . Today we are doing a delivery down near London. Knowing that the traffic would be busy we hoped to get down there early to beat some of the Christmas traffic.

ROSEBUD :~ Thanks for your congratulations on my 6 stone lost. Although I would have never have done it without you ladies I know that and I am so grateful that you have been there for me and supported me through this weight loss journey. It is not always an easy road to travel this weight loss journey but it is sure easier with a few friend along the way who have health issues and know just what it is like to travel along the same highway. My DH is great and I love him to bits but he does not know quite what it is like unlike the ladies on this thread.

Best wishes and prays for your brother at this time when he needs some peace of mind and I will have him in my thoughts . Christmas we must remember for some is not a joyous time but a difficult period in their life. Last Christmas my DH sisters MIL had not long lost her husband very suddenly and unexpected. This is still not an easy time for Violet especially as the Christmas before when putting up the Christmas decorations she had though privately and for no reason I must enjoy occasions like this as you never know how long Dave (her DH) will be here. She now will not put up decorations in her house in case she has a thought like that again about a loved one. We will be going to see Violet on Thursday the day after boxing day to help her along this difficult time. She is such a sweet and loving woman. The ones we refer here as salt of the earth. She would do anything for anyone. Then Violet this year lost her 7 year old German Shepherd very suddenly from a strangulated bowel. So that really was hard for her as it was a reason to get up in the morning. Violet has now got another German shepherd to keep her company and it has done wonders for her.

VAL:~ I have been wondering how your visit went this your old college room mate. Although I am looking forward to you telling us about your time together and catching up you have done. It will be a busy time for me next week with my mum and dad here so I could be MIA ;) Thanks for your congratulations I like I said to Rosebud could have not done it without you ladies to encourage me and support me along the road.

MO:~ Again I know this must be a busy time in your life with Christmas shopping and all the trimming that go with this occasion. Although I am ready already to here about Eric's Christmas morning opening his presents from santa. It is such a magical time for young children at this time and it is great to see their faces.

Bye must dash time to go ladies :hug:

:tree: Thanks for all the good thoughts coming our way; and may you all have a wonderful week, as well!

A restaurant in our town is putting on a free Christmas dinner for those who have no invites or family to spend the day with; I hope this becomes a yearly tradition that never ends ...

PURPLE ~ prayers for Violet that she can find some peace and comfort for this Christmas; so nice of you to go visit her. I used to love the times that a big group of family and friends would get together for that special day; the more, the merrier, I say!

Take good care, ladies ~ your friend :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:

:wreath: Hi Ladies :wreath:

Just got back after an afternoon and evening at friends. Pretty shattered now but really enjoyed the time spent there. Just popped by as I really do not think I will be able to stop by in the next few days. I have my parents up for about 5 days so will be kept busy and out of mischief;) Unfortunately today I have not been very good with my food I well and truly fell off the waggon. So good job I am cooking for the next few days so I can stop myself from all the naughty goodies. Mind you I have tried to not have anything in the home to bad but healthier treats like raisins and sultanas.

So would like to take this opportunity to wish you ladies a merry Christmas and hope you have a nice time where every you are in the world.

Right time to go to bed for me as I am needing matchsticks for my eyes to keep them open right now.

Goodnight and bye bye ladies. Catch up with you soon :hug:

:wreath: MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES!!!

We went out last night to see THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ; THE TREE OF HOPE; and to an evening CHRISTMAS SERVICE. We enjoyed it very much, but Dh was glad to get home, as we still had a few gifts to wrap, and the stockings to fill, and he was very tired, but we didn't get to bed until 2 am, so now he is in bed early.

PURPLE~ don't worry about one day; it will 'even out in the wash', as they say! I'm having my Christmas dessert right now with my evening tea (blueberry pie) to spread the big C's out over the day. Last night, I did have my treat of chocolate: a very small, actually mini nugget bar with almonds. Glad you had a good time on your trip; and have a nice, relaxing week with your family. Thanks for popping in!


HELLO TO MO AND VAL: hope you ladies are well and having a wonderful week with your friends and family. Take good care, your friend :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Hi ladies

Just had a little time spare so I thought I would pop by. I hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas however you spend it. We have a very simple affair which suits me just fine. I have had my little treat for Christmas a little slice of christmas cake and it was all that more special as I have had so little cake over the past months. Although overall my calorie intake is not too bad at all. Thanks Rosebud for your words of encouragement. I was beating myself up for having no will power but I have forgiven myself and moved on. It is all part and parcel of the weight loss journey, nobody said this road was going to be easy ;)

Going out tomorrow to Violets so quite looking forward to it. Will also see other family members tomorrow DH brother and sister and their children. Well I say children when one of them towers over me at the age of just fifteen. Goodness knows how tall he is going to be, his brother is also tall around 6 foot tall. Although they have different fathers.

Well time for my bed. Come on soon when I have a spare moment or two

:ginger: HELLO LADIES ~ We had a good CHRISTMAS DAY too! We did end up having a turkey dinner at home after all; Dh's back was bothering him so much on Christmas Eve that he wanted to stay home. We had turkey with dressing; a mix of carrots, turnips, celery, and onions; plus new potatoes with skins. One plate was filling enuff for us; our tummy's must be shrinking ~ boy, that makes me very happy!

TODAY we are having the last of the leftovers. We certainly got some nice stuff for Christmas this year; we are very blessed and grateful.

PURPLE ~ we are going to have to take our little SWEETIE to the Vets afterall. That goosebump she had on her belly started to shrink, but over the last couple of days has gotten bigger. We decided to wait til tomorrow becuz of the holidays. Poor thing, it is getting sensitive to touch, but she cleans the spot. We are praying that it isn't something too major as she is so dear to us; I am almost scared to find out. She stills acts like she is Ok, but every now and then she wines for a few seconds like she is trying to tell us something is not right.

This thing appeared so quickly that it took us by surprise; and we have had so many things to deal with our family, but now I don't want to wait any longer. I don't want the poor darlin' suffering needlessly, she's so good. I sure hope our Vet isn't away on vacation. We have to go out of town to take her, as we have no Vet in our town.

ANYHOW ~ gotta scoot for now, as dinner is ready; be back later, ladies. Take good care :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Happy boxing day! I'm in too remote of a town to get anything good in stores BUT i went online and found some great deals... 50% off with free shipping :)

How was everyone's christmas? Mine was great! And my visit with my friend went really well Purple - thanks for asking :) She came on the 17th... and I worked mornings for a week, then did running for the rest of each day with her. After 4 days I was in a desperate need for more spoons! I dont like taking it easy I know its in my best interest so i've been 'paying for it' for the last week with next to no energy :| The pictures are here: http://twuca.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012477&l=d26e3&id=180500192 (hopefully that works?)

She left tonight. So I've got over a week of time off to recooperate and get back 'on track'.. had a couple days there where I didnt keep track so much but it was worth it and I know I'll make up for it :)


I hope all is well!

:tree: HELLO LADIES ~ had a good day today considering that a flu or cold keeps coming back; had nausea and mild headaches: just general yuckiness, but I get reprieves every now and then.

Hope I'm feeling better tomorrow becuz we have to go out of town to take our SWEETIE to the Vets; he was still on holidays, but is going to come in for the afternoon for us and a few others, I guess. Well, we just don't want to leave it too long; she is still pretty spry for her age, but I can tell she is concerned about the lump herself.

VAL~ went to see yours pics; thanks for posting them; I think I see your friend, you, your brother, and maybe your Dad in them (not your mom though). You live in a log home with quite a nice view; and yes, it does seem like it is very far north. Do you live in the town proper or on the outskirts?

Glad you had such a nice time with your friend and family; hope you didn't get too pooped out. Good thing you have another week off to recuperate. I also had a few treats, but small ones (tried to keep a cap on them); but my tummy didn't appreciate some of them one bit. Dh thinks it's becuz we are not used to eating stuff like that anymore. I can definitely tell that my stomach is shrinking; one good plate or bowl seems to fill us up much better than before, and I am so glad about that.

I spent a good part of the day wrapped in a comfy with my girls and reading; it definitely made me feel better. I am also going to go to bed early tonight so that I can be good for the trip tomorrow. If you want to read a true, funny story about my life, read the last post I made in FAITH-BASED Support Group Forum: in the CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGERS thread.

HELLO TO PURPLE AND MO~ take good care, your friend :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Hi Ladies

Today my parents went back mid morning, I feel I have spent a few more spoons than I normally do so feeling somewhat drained this morning. I tend to want to do everything that everyone else does and keep up and pay the price later. Not actually the best policy in the world but I think I will always be somewhat like that.

I really do not want to do any cooking today so trying to think of something simple and easy that gets me out of there as quickly as possible. I normally love cooking but the energy has just drained from the tank.

I really enjoyed our Christmas together and it seemed to pass very quickly. Yesterday at violets seemed to fly by. Yikes the dinner that was cooked was massive there was so much. My tummy has shrunk and now I can not eat as much as I once did but I am not complaining that is a good thing. With my years of over eating it was stretched now it is shrinking back to somewhere like normal size i hope. I hopped on the scales this morning and after my week of little treats and dropping of the waggon I thought i would have put weight on. I sighed relief when I saw I had actually dropped a pound so that was more than I could have hoped for so really pleased. Hopefully I will get back to my normal routine of eating more healthier and that will be better for me.

VALPAL :~ Thanks for sharing your photographs of family snaps and views. wow it looks beautiful the scenery and I have never seen snow like that. I like your friend have never stood on a frozen lake. For that matter I have never seen one. I can not remember every having a white Christmas since about the late 1970's or early 1980's so it is a long time for us.

I know the feeling of keeping up with guests you seem to give everything whilst they are there and won't given in. Only it does catch up with you in the end. Glad you have some time off to recuperate and recharge the batteries. That is so important to getting yourself back on track.


ROSEBUD :~ Aww poor baby with her lump on her tummy I hope everything goes OK at the vets. It is a worrying time for you and your DH. It is really hard when anything is wrong with them and you feel so helpless as there is so very little you can do for them.

Sorry to here that you are under the weather and feeling poorly yourself. I hope you recover quickly. On a more positive note good news that your eating habits over the past months have now affected how much you can eat. That is a good thing and can only have a benefit to our bodies in the long run. I understand how foods we used to eat now do not sit well. After falling off the waggon last Sunday I had tummy ache for hours the next day. It was like my body telling me that it did not like the rubbish I had given it. I suppose after months of good wholesome foods I can not cope with junk food thus protests.

Well enough of putting of the inevitable of going in the kitchen ;) and I must get something done. Bye bye ladies it has been nice to catch up with you all I have missed not coming on here to keep me in order :D :hug:

:wave: HELLO LADIES ~

Well, we had a nice day with some sunshine; always looks nice with new fallen snow. We had a huge bunch of birds here today. We didn't end up going to the Vets afterall cuz they called and cancelled the appt, so we just stayed home. I did some housework and got some rest; really want to get rid of this flu bug once and for all, if I can.

The Vet did pass along some suggestions of what it might be from mild to severe; I had an idea myself that they didn't say, but they agreed it might be (I suggested an infection called Mastitus). Anyways, they suggested I call a visiting Vet who comes to town only once a week from the city; guess we'll go that route then. I am also going to try and get her some vitamins to boost her immune system.

VAL ~ Dh also looked at your pics today; it was then that I noticed your little messages. I had wondered about your beadwork design; kinda looks like a pointsettia plant; good for you learning how to do your native crafts. I have always admired those talents, and the patience of those who do them.

I am going to have to learn how to use my new digital camera: maybe take a good look at it tomorrow. Dh also got me a photoprinter to go with it. Using the camera is probably easy; it's setting the computer up and transferring the pics and all that other techy stuff that I have to learn yet ~ lol.

PURPLE ~ glad you had a nice time with your family; you and VAL used up a lot of spoons between you. Now you'll have to take some time to rest up. I managed to get back on track well today; I was very careful to count my treats and to incorporate them as my snacks so they wouldn't make too much of a difference for me. I sure hope I did as well as you; good for you to even lose a pound over Christmas; all that busyness must have made a difference. Time does 'fly' when you are having fun with family and friends.

:DBoy, Oh boy, we haven't heard from our MO for such a long time; I hope she is doing well and totally mended from that accident she had late this fall. Hope she will come by and drop a note sometime after all the busy festivities of the holidays are over???:^:

ANYWAYS, that's all the news from here right now; glad you ladies had such a wonderful Christmas; ours was quieter than usual, but some of our guest came down with a bad flu and so did I. We are still having company on New Year's Day, that's why I am resting up as much as I can now. Take good care, your friend :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

:wave: HELLO AGAIN LADIES ~ Well, we got a pretty huge dumping of snow during the night; gee, we could go broke with all these snow-shovelling fees. And the birds were here in droves again today; how much fun they are to watch, and our squirrel or chipmunk was here too for a short while.

I made a huge pot of turkey/veggie/sweet potato soup; we had that for our lunch and I had three large containers to put up in the freezer too. Dh loved it too, and that's a plus; he esp liked the sweet potato in it. Just took it easy today; doing just the normal daily stuff. I try to keep the weekends free for fun and relaxation; and do most of the bigger house chores during the week. It's a nice arrangement for us.

Not much doing around here; we did have an invite to another turkey dinner, but didn't go becuz of my flu, but I am feeling a bit better each day. They have enuff health problems and don't need another flu on top of them. I think Dh went to bed early tonight; he was watching some movies that I got him for Christmas. I got him some good funny shows as well; old comedy TV series like the Beverly Hillbillies and such; he loves them.

ANYWAYS, sorry we didn't hear from anyone today; but I do hope you gals are getting lots of rest after your busy week. Take good care, your friend :hug:ROSEBUD :hug:

Hi ladies and good morning

Just a swift flying visit as I am desperately trying to catch up on my housework hence why I did not stop by yesterday. I have managed prior to Christmas to get so far behind on the laundry like never before. But after a mammoth effort of six loads of washing I have caught up, just the ironing to do today.

On Friday after my parents had gone home we decided to have a later walk in the dark to see all the pretty Christmas lighting. We were just at the top of our road and boy did it start to rain. I have been caught in the rain before but this down pour had me drenched in 5 minutes. When we got home we went to the bathroom put towels on the floor and took everything off. Just about everything was wet through. My DH said his shoes were like the titanic. So we had to dry all our hats, scarves, gloves, coats and clothing plus the towels that had been on the floor.

Well as I have told you I have long hair on Friday I also fell upon a great site for long hair and they have good ideas on hair care and styles etc. I have been tending for months to put my hair in a braid as it was really the only thing I could put it in ( I have thickish hair and waist length) as the bun I knew was looking very untidy and I did not like it very much. I have been seeing people on the site with much longer hair than myself and how they put their hair up. They have on some posts step by step with pictures instructions. So I have now a whole new repertoire even if some will need a little practise ;)

ROSEBUD :~ I hope you soon feel better and fully recover from the flu. It can take a long time with something like that to get over. I think the older we become the more it takes us to recover from something. Then we have the added difficulty of our own physical challenges which don't help matters.

Sorry to hear that your vet appointment was cancelled lets hope you can get an appointment soon with the city vet. I do not realise how lucky we are to literately have our vet on our doorstep. Only 5 minutes away maybe 10 in busy traffic. She mays such a fuss of him he thinks he is in seventh heaven. Although when we are in the waiting room he makes such a sound like we are murdering him. I think it is all the other smells in there of other dogs and cats for that matter that overload him and make him so excitable. When he has had 2 operations in the past at another vets (we moved so hence moved vets) we had to come and collect him early as he was driving them nuts. He was sitting howling after coming around from the operation. After several hours of that they called us (he was out of danger then) to take him well he shut up the minute he saw us. So he was home sick poor thing.

I love soup we had the last of our soup we made from the turkey last night. I love home made soup, it is much more tasty (and healthy) than shop bought. At friend a week ago she had made celery and potato soup. That was very nice and tasty.

Some of the old film and TV shows seem so much better than what is put out today. So I can understand your DH enjoying his present you purchased.

Well much run ironing is beckoning. :wave: MO and VAL. bye bye :hug:

Hi ladies :)

I'm glad the picture link worked. Do you have a link to your thread in Christian Encourager's Rosebud? There are sooo many subforums on 3fc but I would like to track down your thread to check it out.

A photo printer sounds great! Data transfer for the camera is pretty automatic now.. all you have to do is plug the cord into the computer and into the camera and your computer will pretty much take it from there. And the beadwork design... a Cree elder passed it to my mom.. I think it was originally a star or something. I modified it a little and used less traditional colors so it really isnt anything... just my 'first try'. It's been snowing every day here too - the sign of 'warm weather'... I even got to go for a walk outside yesterday:)

[Purple Do you french braid your own hair? I used to have long hair and do french braids on myself but it's hard to keep the arms in the air for so long. I'm trying to grow my hair to atleast my shoulders for this summer.

Personally, I'm having trouble breaking through the '260' barrier here. I'm basically half way out of obesity - wearing a size 20... which was the size I wore when I was in high school 'at my smallest'. It's like my motivation is leaving because part of me thinks this is as good as it can get. It'll be interesting to see how the next few months go.

I'm headed back north for new years because my brother has a couple days off and we will spend it with our parents on the reserve. Happy 2008 ladies. Have a healthy, happy new years :)

:wave: HELLO LADIES ~ just a quick one cuz it's very late. Had a very busy day. Spent a good part of it playing with my new camera and put some pics in my PC, but now I have to learn how to put them on here; am asking around for advice for thumbnails.

Had a good on-plan day; I am trying a new strategy that I heard from GLORY87 ~ I am going to try to PLAN TO BE ON PLAN, or in my case, PLAN TO STAY ON PLAN. Today, I thought about that a lot.

VAL ~ that link is ... http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124945&page=25 ... the post number is #374 for the funny true story; hope you like it. I wish I knew how to FRENCH BRAID my hair; it looks very complicated to do, esp for oneself.

PURPLE ~ WOW, that's a lot of laundry; glad you are getting a handle on it. I try to do one or two loads every other day throughout the week, so I can have the weekends free for fun stuff. It also spreads it out for me; but sure grateful I don't have all that ironing to do.

VET ~ we live in the north where things are pretty spread out, so we don't always have the same services that the south or larger centers have. Some day that may all change, I hope. The travelling vet doesn't come to town 'til next Thursday if he isn't still on holidays; I hope that it is just a goosebump or an infection at the very most. She's hanging in tuff, sweet thing.

Well that's all for now; gotta get some shut-eye. Take good care, your friend :hug:ROSEBUD :hug:

Hi ladies.


I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all :newyear: for 2008

Phew laundry done and ironing done, well till next time ;) Manage to catch up with housework with steadily plodding along. Think we are going to have a nice night in front of the television tonight watching casualty and holby city (British medical dramas ) we have so many backed up on the DVD player and have just not got round to watching them. I tape them religiously every week and now we have a back log :o

VAL :~ I wish I could French braid my hair but I can not do it myself as it kills my arms and secondly I seem to have more thumbs than fingers :D Although I have had it done several times professionally in the past but many years ago now. I think the worst stage when growing your hair is when it is not long enough to put up but it is long enough to get in the way. You look like you maybe going through that stage at the minute. Really since I started work as a nurse when I was 19 I started to grow it. Then I had perms and layers put in. Then when I decided I did not want perms or layers it has taken years to grow the shortest layer out. But now it is all one length eventually.

I think we all have a point which seems difficult to break and we end up on a plateau. Please don't get discouraged think of it as maintenance for the future. Take body measures of yourself maybe your dropping inches rather than pounds. If that is the case it might take a while for your body to start catching up and losing the pounds. Keep us filled in regarding your weight loss journey. I am starting myself to tread in the grounds of being the lightest adult weight that I every was. I find that scary and exciting at the same time. The nice thing is shopping and taking those smaller sizes to the counter to pay and feeling so proud that how far you have come.

ROSEBUD :~ Normally I pace myself better with housework but with feeling so exhausted I just fell so far behind. But now I am on amantadine twice a day I feel heaps better. I get two good bursts of energy which allows me to get a lot done and not feel wiped out. It is great reading post on here as they give you tips and advice. Especially people who have already done it and have trod the same path we are treading at the minute. So know the pit falls and easy way to do things.

Time to put the kettle on a do tea as well as it is getting that time. Bye ladies catch up with you soon

Hi Ladies

HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2008 to all. We had a quiet evening in with a mammoth watching of prerecorded British medical drama's. Only got another 40 programmes to go on count up last night :o might watch a few more tonight if DH is not too busy.

Our new year was brought in with a whole host of fireworks people set off now. This was never the case until 2000 and that is when lots set off fireworks to bring in the new century. Since then fireworks have stuck.

For this year it bring the Olympics (summer) from Beijing in China, as I love athletics and most of the sports that are played here. Hmm not sure what time difference is but I imagine I will have some bizarre hours watching finals live. The same could be be said for you in your particular countries.

I found out yesterday that a British series that I like is coming back on the television for a second season. The programme is called Torchwood it is a spin off from Dr Who. Again another programme I like by the way. There was a Christmas special on Christmas day which was an hour and half show (no adverts) and it starred Kylie Minogue as one of the characters on the show. I enjoyed this special and I can't wait till the series starts later in the year.

I hope that our television channel the BBC sells a one off drama called Ballet shoes which was showed this Christmas. It was adaptation from a book about 3 girls who were orphans who were adopted by a eccentric explorer. It is set in the 1930's era. If you have ever watched any of the Harry Potter films you will see two character from that show. Emily Watson (Hermione) and Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley uncle to Harry Potter).

It looks quite dull and dreary outside today. I hope that the rain stays away and we have a chance to do our walk in the dry. We have not yet had a walk today we normally seem to go in the afternoon around 3pm.

Bye bye ladies :hug:

Hi Ladies

Went shopping today for the first time in two weeks did not do any shopping as such last week apart from pick up some bread, milk and bananas as I had enough food in to last. It was busy today in the shop but certainly warmer than last time it was freezing last time in the shop as the heating system had gone on the blink. Apparently we are in for a cold spell for the next couple of days as we have winds coming in from Siberia. So it is feeling rather chilly outside so will have to wrap up extra warm today when we go for our walk later this afternoon.

We booked our holidays a couple of days ago whilst my mum and dad was stopping. This is where we go away together for one week of the year to somewhere in the UK. This time it is on the Welsh border so no doubt we will have a couple of trips planned into Wales itself. We had some money taken off the holiday for booking early and also because I complained about the accommodation of the last holiday not being up to scratch we were given £50.00 in vouchers off any holiday up until 2009. So today I mailed them to the company as per their policy. I had to use special delivery which guarantees next day delivery by 1pm and insures good up to the cost of £500. It cost over £4.00 to take this type of post but I wanted some insurance with have those money vouchers inside.

:wave: Rosebud, Mo and Val I hope that you are all well. Time to go and make a cuppa. bye bye :hug:

:wave: HI LADIES ~ WOW, been so busy lately; it's very late, but I wanted to get in here and wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

PURPLE ~ We had a great time with our company; it was a lot of work, but well worth it. Still trying to get over this flu; this was a little different than the last one: hope it doesn't last much longer. Had a two-hour nap this aft and that helped a lot.

One of my sisters and her hubby are gonna try to come up here this summer and so we hope to rent a friends cottage for us all; we went to see it this summer and it's really nice ... it's a lovely log cabin in the woods near one of our favorite lakes. If it all works out, we will take some pics to share.

Will try to get in tomorrow to start a new thread for January; it's a bit late tonight. I just got off the phone with family; this is a busy time for me. We will be taking down all our decos soon as well. It's been very cold here too: down to -24C and lower becuz that's on the building and out in the winds, it's more like -34C.

I also got some shopping done on New Year's Eve and errands that needed to get done; things were a little more rushed this year for us. Things should slow down for us from January til March though.

Well, as my uncle wished us ... we sure hope that you all have a SUCCESSFUL AND GREAT 2008 ! Take good care, your friend, :hug:ROSEBUD :hug:

:coach: NOW HEAR THIS ~ we are on the move again ...


:nono: STOP ... DON'T POST HERE ANYMORE ...


Please go to the new PHYSICAL CHALLENGES JANUARY'S MONTHLY THREAD #005 -- see you there ... thanx

:hug: ROSEBUD :hug: