Support Groups - CCRRMM 2004 version 2.0

Well, we lost a few zillion posts, but it loks like we are back in business. Thought I would get things up and running, so to speak.

Hey ladies...

I feel so traumatized...now I know what would happen if I lost 3FC for good, right? What a nasty shock to find out that we've lost posts and new members.

Never mind - they'll get on again.

Thank you to the 3 sister for what must have been a harrowing few days of frenzied work.

Avanti, ladies! We shall prevail. In the meantime, I have copious amounts of gas from eating way, way, WAY too much food in the last few days (no doubt because 3FC was down) and am not fit company for this thread. Signing off...

I concur with Cerise about the trauma. I checked about every hour yesterday to find out if we were back up.

The worst thing is that I think we've lost Seattlejo. New members got destroyed...

I'm actually trying to call her workplace right now, but IF YOU'RE LISTENING, Seattlejo, PLEASE GET BACK ON THE FORUM AND RESTORE YOURSELF!!!

Everyone else check in soon, too, OK?

Hello, hello :queen:s of the Realm!

Geez I hope it doesn't mean I've got to put my new stats into the sig again. :eek:

Reporting in on two perfect days: lots of water, 9 servings fruits & veggies, two exercise sessions, no nasty white stuff. It's brilliantly sunny here (if frigidly cold) and I'm just going to take a break and walk the mile or so out to visit my mum.


Zadie, thanks for getting us started again! I could hardly believe that I just renewed my commitment and the site went down. Trying not to take it personally, though ;)

Cerise, that's great that you have a way to contact Seattlejo, anyway. It really is traumatic when we get attached to people and then they disappear, for whatever reason.

Here's hoping everyone finds their way back! Let's make this a good one -- love to all...

Morning all
I'm busy busy today with work, so this is going to be fairly quick.

So very glad the site is back. I was worried that the site was gone for good :-( I restored myself first thing this morning, but i think because I am new I cant create new threads yet.

I'll recreate the walk to NOLA later.
Oh, and if anyone wants my email incase the site bites the big one again, it is healthyme@seattlejo.com



Whew, now where is everyone else?

Hi guys! Glad to "see" ya! I imagine that such a crash is a major disaster. Kudos to the 3 for getting it up again so fast!!!!

Hopefully the rest will wander on in...a few sites were wonky yesterday...including the Yahoo mail...I only know this because of people at the library, not my personal use.

Reporting that Day 3 is halfway through...2 days under the belt...with you O Brave Arabella, the :queen: of full disclosure. I'm still hiding

Ceara

Was crushed when i got on and read what happened. Thanks to the sisters for their prompt attention to getting it all back so quickly.

Actually i had tried yesterday but the county library system went down just as I sat down and started to sign on.

One more example of how we will not be deterred.......Got here Sat. Problem with dh's one medicine (long story esp. when I only have an hour at a time here) but think all will be ok.

Have walked/exercised 65 minutes so far since Monday not counting the hour and a half in WalMart and the hour in Target as we gathered stuff for our "new home". First couple of days lovely, colder today.

NOT relaxed yet. I think I've just been wound so tight it will take a good while. BUT have been having some good food days, water good too but not quite there yet (unless you're judging by potty trips - don't think I could take any more.

Have been feeling homesick much to dh's chagrine. Today he said we'll go home if I want. But you and I know it's HERE I've been homesick for so now that I've touched base, all will be well.

Okay, big group hug all around! It's weird but I feel such a sense of reunion. I missed you all so much!:)

And yes, showers of blessings on the 3 sisters for getting things up and running so quickly!

I'm happy to say that I feel completely back on track again, and it feels so good! :D I love the new year!!!!:hat:

Glad the castle is still over here after the fog lifted!

Gosh, you know, all those New Year's Challenge posts totally disappeared, and Golly, I can't seem to remember who won!? Wasn't it us Cowz over here in the pasture?? ;)

:lol:

KiwiCow

Moooooo.

Like Eydie, I'm revelling in seeing everyone again after such a short absence. Seems silly, but get yer jollies where ya can, I say.

Wildfire present and accounted for! Oh my GAWD I missed you all! Just when I get back in the diet swing, it all falls apart!

We should make an emergency contact list just in case something like this ever happens again. Then we could at least send out an e-mail to meet in a Yahoo chat or something.

Just popped in to say hi, have supper cooking. Will be back later.

HELLO ALL!!!

When did we come back up?? I checked at 5 pm EST time and didnt think we were back.....


YES, some of us do have each others emails, but YES lets get everyone's ( if you like....) at least even if you would rather not share, take the list so one of us can be contacted.

These things do happen as all of have experienced other places and in fact, I think last year similiar crash here on 3FC.

So, last night went to a farewell dinner and ordered Eggplant Parmigiana and drank hot tea. We did order a large appetizer platter that had 5 types of appetizers... other folks either drank one or two mixed drinks, expensive beer or some ordered and shared bottles of wine .... then... about 4 folks ordered dessert. There were about 18 of us there... naturally we paid for the "honoree".... ( here we go... the point finally!).... the waiter brought the bill to the boss and he announced "It divides to $35 a piece"...... I know this is customary in many social groups to split the bill this way but if you are obviously not spending what only perhaps 1/2 of the grioup is spending... ( That many didnt drink) how is this polite ?? Never mind justified...

I didnt want to embarrass the honoree who would have probably offered to pay... but if this is the only way this group socializes outside the office... I will have to make an appearance and leave b/4 ordering or show up after the food is eaten ....

Another "new" coworked asked me about it today ...she was very upset... Our trainer ( who had not been able to go due to the flu)
said we should have asked that the bar tab be kept separate, that this is how this group does things...

Any thoughts???

Arabella!! How's it feel?? bet you already feeling more like yourself!

I'm going to take a shower while its available and stop in later.

KETTLE IS ON!

Kaylets, unfortunately you'll have to chalk this one up to being a learning experience. However, I would have NO problem in the future saying something like, "Please keep the bar tab separate, as some of us don't drink and can't be expected to pay for those of you who do." Or just ask that YOUR bill be separate. You could even make up an excuse that you may have to leave early and don't want to inconvenience anyone. When it's a large group like that you'll end up paying way more than you spent yourself and that isn't fair. You have to speak up or order more than anyone a few times and let them pick up the difference to even it all out!

anagram, hope you managed to straighten out your DH's medication? Sorry to hear you're feeling homesick....hope that will pass and you can relax and enjoy.

Hi Kiwonk! Hope the herd is intact and no one wandered into the sheep pasture....you know how vicious those sheep can be! :D

No sign of Amarantha yet? wsw? Punkin? Frogger?

I think I'll go to WW tomorrow night. I joined on a Friday because I was off work, but they don't have any evening meetings on Fridays. Saturdays there are morning meetings, but people bring their children and that will just make me angry, so I'll go tomorrow night. I've been very good this week, exercised every day, but my scale is NOT moving. I've never had big losses for my first week, but still....:shrug:

Yes, Wildfire, you're right... I was thinking all of that even as I was handing the money over.... honestly, this is the first time I've bumped into this type of bill divison in a long, long time. ALmost 15 yrs... I figured that other style was finished....


Yes, was wondering the same about the Empress....

Wildfire, you and Arabella are making smoke !! I know you must be feeling more like yourself now too with a few days in a row!
Too bad we forget that "oh, thank you" feeling our bodies give us when we first get on a "cleaner" program....

Ok... shower felt wonderful, time to press some clothing out for the morning....

And DH's got apple crisp in the oven!

Hello all!!

Running late this am.... so cold outside it really was hard to get out of the warm bed... Sure am glad DH insisted on the remote starters for the cars last year! Makes such a difference!!

Dh's trying to get On Program too.. its only been since Monday and he's seeing a big scale drop....men... it just falls off them...GRRRRRR!! :)

*************
Thought of the day :

"Find a need and fill it"
-- Henry J. Kaiser

Question of the day :

"What do you think of today's weather forecast?"
**************

Take care all!
Kettle is on!

I can't believe it is already Thursday...time is just flyin'! Am happy to report 3 days back on the wagon, no slivers in my derrierre, and the scale is moving downwards rapidly....I'm still not admitting to where it's been...but it sure shocked me when I got on! A lot of it must have been the camel effect.

I bathed and blew out the 2 middle heathens....10 mos and 18 mos...that is NOT considered grooming(only in the strictest sense I guess) because they still look like big shrubs....hairy beasts they are. Now for the hard work, the actual shaping. The youngest babe is a delight...I do so enjoy puppies!

:queen: K I don't know what the weather forcast is...but at the moment it is not bad here...the light is out, the mud is frozen, it isn't too cold, there is no wind and 2 of the girls are out in the runs! The rest are in the yard...life is good on days like this. I intend to do something this morning that I've been putting off for some time...no not the treadmill although that would be good, but something else...more later.

So on that note, I'm goin'!

:wave: to all

Ceara

Hello loves,

Wow, a lot has happened since I was here last! Many "kudos" and "well done"'s to the 3FC sisters for their tireless work in getting us back up n' going! What a job it must've been... :faint:

My house kept me from posting. I started having a heat problem Sunday night in the midst of below zero temperatures - not that there was no heat, but that it wouldn't shut off. After running for 2 days straight and after the techs showed up, it's fixed. I have a mini panic attack when I think of what my power bill is going to be next month! :fr:

THEN, as if the above wasn't enough - I lost water in my house on Monday. My well house wasn't frozen so the best I can figure is that it was a pipe under the house. Either way, I've been without running water until 6am this morning. The combination of warmer temps (ha, warmer, it was 26 degrees) and little foam blocks inserted into the vents under my house yesterday did the trick...

Anagram, that is so sweet that you're homesick for us, not "home" in the typical sense! I hope you're having fun in Florida, enjoy the weather!!!

Kaylets, what happened at that dinner was just wrong! I can't believe that the drinkers didn't offer to pay up a bit more for their share... geez! I agree, next time, either squawk about it, or come late and leave early.

Ceara, isn't it amazing how fast this week went? With it being the first full week in 2 weeks I figured it would draaaaaag, but it didn't! :cb: Friday here we come!!!!

Wildfire, enjoy the WW meeting tonight! I miss going - there's a meeting locally, but you all remember what THOSE people are like... :rolleyes: No thanks.

Eydie, come over here and rub some of that "on track" on me, purdy please????

Arabella, congrats on your perfect days piling up! :cb:

SeattleJo, I'm off on our walk to NOLA!!!! I'm a mile along.... shall go sign up next! :tread:

Cerise, are you getting any of this crazy weather up there??? I've got 3 feet of snow in places! Waaaaaaaah, I wanna go to the Baaaahamaaaas!!!!! :rofl: (that's not me laughing, that me havin' a temper tantrum a 2 year old would be proud of!).

Well, off to get some workie done so that tomorrow, oh, so beautiful Friday that it will be, I can be a bum.

Smooches,

Terri

Hello all!!

Got an email from the Empress... she saw the page up and then when she went back, couldnt get on....

I told her we've been calling for her...

Somebody turn the porch light on will you... I know she'll be here any second and I don't want it to look like there's no one home...

I think I'll get the kettle fired up and might even on put an apple crisp on .... its mostly apples anyway and smells so good as its baking!

Think my midriff is finally beginning to flatten. Not much but enough to notice when you tuck in your shirt..... and... the panty hose doesnt roll anymore either....
hmmmmmmmm

ok! time to eat supper and get some bills paid!

KETTLE IS ON!

Going home finally!
It's been a rough day here and boy am I tired! I tried getting to the site earlier but couldnt.

I'm counting WW points like mad, and am doing a fairly decent job of it. We're not going to talk about last Saturday, because its wiped from my mind. Now to get someone to take me to the mall tomorrow night so that I can weigh in. (No scale here at home yet)

Glad to see the participation on the walk, hopefully I'll get to the gym tomorrow and get started on my portion, I also have an award or two to give out for that already..

Ok, better update later, all of you have been in my mind, I hope you are doing well.

So don't cross me, GOT IT???

Just kidding - the work here at work that was pissing me off is done, so now I'm just experiencing residual grumpiness. But I'm still not feeling all that talkative...anybody mind if I'm brief today (try to hide your hanging jaws - yes, I CAN be brief)?

I was sitting at my desk, pondering the fact that I think I've gained some weight over the Season - me feet hurt, my bras have all but given up trying to support my jublies, and I just feel...fatter.

I don't usually feel fat. I usually feel much lighter than I look, but you hit a weight threshold, you know? Where you suddenly cross a thin line and you feel icky and your feet hurt.

I was sitting there thinking, "this isn't ME". But then, I'm making this fatness "me" by eating way too much lately. Overeating has become "me". Ergh. I'm concerned, of course, since I start WW this coming Tuesday, and I'm already seeing signs that I want this to be the panacea of all my weight struggles - "I'll just join WW, start exercising THEN and not before, and everything will be OK". Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So, I change the behavior that isn't me. Eating too much and not exercising. I know Eydie has talked about her lifestyle and habits have changed so that even her impulses a lot of the time are healthy. But you're taking an unfamiliar set of new actions - eating healthy and less and exercising - and trying to make it into "you"; your new norm. No wonder only 5% of us succeed. It's hard to even get my head around. But then, I'm not a clever girl... :D

So, this ain't brief. Just self-absorbed. Sorry, Chicks. I am reading your posts and enjoying being with you, though...

Fondly,

Hello all!!

Empress wrote me an email and can read the boards but without the quick reply feature, cannot post!!!!

I told her I'd cut and paste whatever she sends me. I'm also thinking if she sends to someone closer to her time zone, she may be "almost" posting herself.... at least till things sort themselves out....
Cerise, she mentioned you sent her a note... I know you'd do whatever you could... So... that's where we are....

For awhile, our Empress may have to "call it in" ....

She told me what she's done for NOLA so off I go....

But before I do....

Cerise, yes, I can RELATE!! when your bra is so eager to leave you it tries to strangle you so you stop resisting... And why oh why, do I always gain so I am sticking out of just one cup ??? So attractive!!!
So.... now what????
Sometimes we drive off the road.... It doesnt matter how we get the car out of the ditch.... Its just deciding that you want out of the ditch....
So, just use this as a reminder of why you wanted to lose in the first place... It is a shame we don't feel the clothes tightening around us as the food is still in our mouths but .......

Come on.... it could be worse... you could be glum and the site still be down...

I have a cup here for you... its your favorite... now lets figure out this bra thing and we'll make a fortune... We'll call then Sexy Cerise's.....


And Seattlejo.... I've a cup for you too.... I'd take you to the mall but I really dislike them.... isn't there a neat flea market around we could check out .....

off to NOLA

hi all! i sure have been thinking about you. this is just a quick post to see how it goes. i am so glad the website is up. well, i am getting over bronchitis kind of slowly, but surely. "my " condo. inspection is scheduled for tomorrow. my good friend is going to that and will videotape it, so i can see it later, and if all goes well, my closing is scheduled for the 26th. yikes! i'm happy, but nervous about all this. i will catch up with you later. please know how much i have missed you all. take care.

wsw

wsw, glad to hear you are feeling a little better. How exciting, this new condo of yours! What a great idea to have someone tape the inspection so you can view it later...will certainly help you plan your decorating, etc.

Cerise, luv, I went through the very same feelings just a week ago. They are important feelings, so don't try to ignore them. They are your first steps in getting on the wagon! I'll tell you, just one week really OP has made a huge difference in how I feel, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And you know something? I don't care if the scale doesn't show a great loss. I know I've made changes and they will result in a loss over time. So one meal, one day, one choice at a time, darling! You're going to do this, and we're going to help you! :grouphug:

Amarantha, I hope you can get this all sorted out. We need our Empress!

Seattlejo, hope your evening is pleasant after your tough day.

Kaylets, if THAT is not a NSV, I don't know what is!!! Flattening tummy and no pantyhose roll! WHOO HOOO! :dancer:

Punkin, hope the house problems are finally sorted and no more show up! We take our heat and water for granted, don't we?

Ceara, just what are you up to, missy???

Didn't get to a WW meeting tonight. The only one they have on Thursdays is at 5:30pm, which is too early for me. Guess I'll be there on Saturday with the screaming children.

Hello all!!!

I expect the Empress will stop by as soon as she can ... She sent me this :

"If you'd just post a howdy to the queens on
the regular thread as well ... I had a brutal meeting
and am braindead or I'd write something to post ...
yes, I think the email exchange by pm is a good thing
... wouldn't want to lose touch with you guys
permanently!"

------
So, I see the quick reply is back...lets hope that means the Empress will be too!

Here's a lttle something I enjoyed, wanted to share:
**************

Things To Do This Year

Smile more!

Pray more and worry less!

Listen more intently.

Be quick to forgive others and learn to forgive yourself.

Watch a child discover something new.

Whatever you do, give it your best shot!

Do something totally silly once in a while!

Don't gossip.

Take responsibility for all your actions.

Accept help when it's offered.

Make room for new friends.

Bury your prejudices.

Be free with compliments.

Accept yourself for who you are.

Encourage someone every day.

Treat yourself to something expensive or fattening occasionally!

Tell people you love that you love them.

Be generous not only with money but with time.

Call old friends and catch up on their lives.

Challenge your body and your brain.

Have a cookout in the middle of winter.

Look at the big picture and don't sweat the small stuff!

Be less critical of yourself and of others.

Volunteer for a good cause.

Don't look for someone else to blame when you are unhappy.

Remember that problems are just opportunities

In work clothes!

Watch the sunset and realize,

That just as no two sunsets are alike,

So are you a unique and beautiful creation!



Live your life this year in a way you can look back on fondly without too many regrets

And make this the

BEST BLESSED YEAR EVER!

*************

Hello all!!

Hi WSW!! Feel better !! Keep smiling! Soon you'll be in a new place and you'll be a condo owner!!

*****************
Today's thought is:

"Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful"
---Annette Funicello

Question of the day :

"Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

*******************


Till later all!

Kettle is on!

Back in business! Was anyone else unable to access the site all day yesterday? Doesn't appear so, from all the posts! Four days down. In the ongoing interests of full disclosure, I must admit to succumbing to a piece of mince pie with ice cream the other day when I walked out to my mom's. I was feeling wobbly -- don't know if it's an afternoon blood sugar thing, or what -- and a little sugar (possibly not as much as I had? :lol: ) seems to make me feel magically better. However, one suspects a glass of fruit juice or a half a banana would likely be a better choice. Oh, well. Onward! Just can't make digressions like that often, or this will not work. I've done perfectly otherwise. I do find that eating all those veggies and fruits makes a huge difference in how I feel. And I've gotten in the two sessions of exercise every day. One day it was just 2 20 min walks, but a couple of days have been a 15 min walk to the gym, 20 mins circuit training, walk back again and then an hour+ of tai chi. Today I'm going to do yoga (around 40 mins) as soon as I sign off here and then go for a walk later. I must sign up for the walk to NOLA.

:queen: Punkin o' Friday -- Happy Day! :cb: :cb: Anything special planned?

Cerise, my love, how I know that crossing the line thing! Never mind, we'll soon be crossing back in the other direction.

Anagram, how is Florida? How shocking that the site was down so soon after your arrival there! I love that we can all be in touch from wherever though. Seems like magic!

Kaylets, tucking in a shirt is one future thrill on my list! Congrats on feeling your flatter tummy whilst so doing! :D Loved the list!

Ceara, loved the visual of the heathens! I want some!

wsw, I'm enjoying your exciting move to the condo vicariously! How fun to have a new home! Is it far from where you live now?

Wildfire, thanks for the wise words about that doldrummy state that we go through between Off and On-plan. I guess it's something to make us feel uncomfortable enough to motivate us to change... Feels like inertia, sometimes but I think there's stuff going on below ground...

Seattlejo, I'm going to sign up for the NOLA challenge later today. Can't have all these multiple 10 mins going unaccounted for!

Empress Amarantha, we miss you!

Well, my dovies, I must get to that yoga! Love to all, mentioned or unmentioned -- let's make this a wonderful day!

Kaylets, that dinner thing would've had me seething for days! :mad: One of those 'live and learn' things, I guess. Regarding the question of the day: I love today's weather forecast! A nice gentle snow, pretty and serene---and I'm blissfully trapped here with my sweetheart. Ahhh...

And Ceara, you'll agree with me here---another great thing about these days is when everything's frozen, the dog's feet are easier to clean when they come inside. I admit it, we meet them at the door to clean their feet. If loving them is wrong.....etc.!:lol:

Arabella, congrats on your collection of perfect days. Reminds me of the old 21- day challenges--remember?

wsw, a new condo!!! I knew you were up to something! How exciting---details please.

Cerise, I still have those 'fat' days. Yesterday was our LOTR day---it's a committment for us to go see a movie, since it's an hour's drive to the nearest theatre--so we were gone all day. We went out for Thai food before going home and I had a nice veg-tofu curry with lots of coconut milk. I shudder to think of the fat grams, and then had a cookie as big as my head. I get home and I say to Garry "I'm fat". And he says "Wrong, you're just full". It may not sound like much, but it was really profound for me. He's so right---but it's so hard for me to let go of my 'fat head'.
Cerise, You're not doing anything wrong. I'm telling you, losing weight is a many-tentacled beast. You've got the body-image thing, the emotional thing, and the food pushers, the food cravings, social eating. As soon as you think you've got one aspect of it under control, something else rises up. Anyone who tells you this is easy is lying!!! It's so worth it to stick with it though. For me, it was 4 steps forward, 3 steps back--the whole way! I've said it before and I still feel rather sheepish about it, but I think it's important to say---It took me almost six years before I reached my goal weight. I wish I could've been one of those 6 month miracle stories, but there you go!:lol: You can do this, I know it I know it. And dig this, for all my good habits, today I want to be a slug because I didn't work out yesterday and I ate too much. It's a trick my brain plays on me--God knows why---but I'll haul my old carcass onto the treadmill, and I'll twist myself around doing yoga, and I won't want to at first but then I'll catch the joy of it again. Trust me.
Oh, and I want to throw in my idea for your line of bras to be called "Cerise's Peaches"! :lol:

Cerise , I know exactly where you are coming from. I felt that I was setting myself up for failure by waiting till 1/1 and making a drastic change instead of gradually. However I've come to believe that as long as you dont accept all or nothing as a mesure for success you'll be fine.

WSW, congrats on the condo again! Hopefully it will go smoothly through the inspection.

Kaylets, Thank you for sharing the list of things to do this year. I think I may print those and tape them on the wall next to my desk. :-) and congrats on the awesome NSV!

Eydie, you've got some great insight into fatbrain. Thank you forsharing.

Arabella, everyone is allowed abit of mince pie now and again. It seems that you are sticking to your program fairly well, so a little indulgence wont hurt. Keeping mindful of what a better choice is for next time is a good thing too.

Wildfire, good luck at the meeting tomorrow, its not always dealing with other peoples kids, especially when the meeting is to focus on you all and the changes you are making. Children can be a bit of a distraction.

Amarantha darling, hope to see you soon! We need our gracious leader!

Ok work calls, I'll check in later here and at Nola later.

Happy Friday!!!!

Soooo happy it's here.... :cb:

Ran begun to fall upon the palace grounds yesterday and is making the 2 1/2-3 feet of snow into a slushy mess. Driving on it is like driving on ball bearings - thankfully, it's just on our street that's bad, in town it's fine. Village life is returning to normal...

Arabella, yep, I had problems getting to the site yesterday too. Something about the page not being available - they're probably doing more work on it or sumptin.

Kaylets, in the "Things to do this year", I LOVE the line "Problems are just opportunities in work clothes". THAT is how I'm going to look at things now!!!! It's true - for all the "problems" I had this week, they really were opportunities for me to show myself how capable I am of handling crisis when I don't think I can.

WSW, :crossed: for the 26th! Great idea to tape the inspection too. Good luck and happy moving!

Wildfire, good luck to you too in handling that WW meeting avec l'infants. ACK!!!!!! Although, you know, if it's not a "Mommy and Me" meeting, you DO have the right to complain. That is why they HAVE the m and m meetings - so that others don't have to deal with kid noise when they're trying to listen to the meeting (very distracting!). Hopefully the kiddies will still be abed at your meeting time????

Cerise, I'm with ya. I'm feeling fat too. I admit, I have gained a few pounds over said Season, but I'm still down almost 50 pounds from my heaviest and I STILL feel enormous! I guess it's a good thing that I feel this crappy after gaining back about 8 pounds - less likely to gain back all 50 I 'spose, but I just feel like my gut is hangin' over everything I own! UUUUG!!!!!
Well, my slant board is in the back of my car, it came in finally. So, it's ab work time for me!!! :cb:

Q o' the day - weekend plans?? Nope, not really. Last weekend's semi-blah birthday weekend really makes me want to enjoy THIS weekend since I'll have movies to watch, food in the house and a good chance of some, albeit COLD, nice weather. We'll see....

Enjoy!!!!!

Terri
:queen: Punkin 'o Friday, and I do thus declare it FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

Yowza, :queen: s! Amarantha hath fought her way through the dark forest just without the castle walls, scaled the parapet with great difficulty, fought the software enemies in the courtyard and is FINALLY the cozy great hall where all the royalty hangs out!!! Huzzah!

I just posted my NOLA miles and a thanks to Suzanne for getting this up and running again, especially the quick reply and a thanks to the noble :queen: K for relaying messages from me to the :queen: s within!!! Yowza!

:queen: WSW, SO HAPPY TO SEE THEE!!!! I'm so happy for thee on thy condo!!!!! Feel better!!!!

Guys, I be having a meltdown over work problems and must go resteth and once again find I must apologize for not doing personal replies ... just not functioning well. Will rest and then work on an owl I am carving for my brother and play my noble video game this night that obsesseth me and that I previously posted having stolen from my niece (was going to be her Christmas present, but I kept it).

Was depressed by a sad young woman who wandered into the convenience store where I stopped (to get a PB cup :yikes: ) ... she was crying and clutching her stomach and completely out of control emotionally ... she was mumbling her tale of woe while everyone just stared at her. I wanted to take her to the hospital and even followed her to the phone outside where her husband or boyfriend or whoever was making a phone call. I offered to take her to the hospital but asked him if he could get other transport there as, I honestly told him, I was frankly reluctant to go off with a couple who were complete strangers. She said they'd been thrown out of their house, she couldn't hold down any food for days ... I asked if anyone was hurting her or abusing her and she said no, but she wanted to go to the hospital. She said the hospital wouldn't help her, though, they'd just turn her away. I told her I'd go with her and make sure they didn't turn her away. She said yes, she did want to go. But when we got to my car (which was quite messy because I rarely clean it), she decided not to. Dunno if it was the mess in the car or she just didn't want to be separated from the guy ... I saw them on the street as I drove away ... she sobbing uncontrollably, he just looking at her. Dunno. Just made me worried for her.

Anyhow, not sure why I'm writing about that ... just missed talking with you guys!!!

:queen: SJ, thanks again for the NOLA thread!!! I'll be baaaack (Arnold voice)!!!!

:queen: Cerise, I'm in a crappy mood, too, and overeating!!!!! It'll get better, though!!! Om shanti! Thanks for emailing me during the blackout! I really appreciated it!

:queen: Punkin, sorry thou be in slush ... it's in the 70s here ... I'll send thee a nice gentle breeze from Arizona!

:queen: WN, I have succumbed to MUCH more than a piece of mince pie in the past two days!!!! So I think thou be doing fabulously!!!! Here's to better blood sugar regulation in 2004! :cheers:

:queen: Anagramatic, :wave: ... saw your post on the NOLA thread! You're doing great!

:queen: Eydie, I think the coconut milk they use in curries is actually quite low fat and healthy ... and even if it's lowfat, coconut milk is really good for us, despite previous thinking to the contrary .... at least that's what I've read! Anyhow, thy meal soundeth delicious!

:queen: Ceara: Congratulations on three days back on ye ol' wagon!!!! Your baby heathens sound lovely ... I adore wee fold o' the canine persuasion!

To all, mentioned and unmentioned, avanti! Glad we are back safe in the palace! Need a nap!

Hello,
A quick post for a busy day.

Amarantha - I think that you handeled things as well as you could under the circumstances. Sometimes people are reluctant to get the help that they need, but after a while when enough kind people ask, they will be receptive. So you are one in the line of kind people that are necessary for her to get to the hospital.

SJ - I am tallying things up and will post later on the NOLA thread.

Cerise - relate the the bra thing. I swear, the other day I thought I was going to be squeezed in half. As an irrational response I bought a pair of pants that in retrospect are too big, but at the time I felt like I needed to buy them that size. Oh well, maybe when I am having a good feeling day I will wash and shrink them, or maybe I will keep them for other larger feeling days.

punkin - I am gald the weather is getting back to normal for y'all. here it is getting betteer as well, after the days of sub zero. But still cold enough for them to built the ice palace for the winter carnival :) It is going to be huge and just a few blocks from my house. First one they have built since I moved here, so I am excited.

arabella - I also had problems getting on the site yesterday.

AAt any rate, howdy to all unmentioned. Must get back to this working stuff right now.

Welcome back, my dear. I'm so sorry you got ousted for a bit there. I was glad to see your aqua-colored greeting on my screen.

I seem to have dropped my funk for now. Ramon kind of cured it. I snapped at him over something stupid, and then we were both snapping but in a sort of funny way, then we started chasing each other around the long partition wall that separates the kitchen and living room and squealing. Well, I was. Shrieking, actually. :rolleyes: I'm glad we're starting to take ourselves a little less seriously in the marriage...

Thank you all for your kindess in the last couple of days. I know we all know what it's like to feel...fat. Inside and out. I'm so glad to have people to share that with. :gossip:

Zadie, know what kills me about pants? You wear them for your few times and they gradually loosen and you think you're making progress, but then you wash them and you feel like a fat ******* again. Good thing the scale don't lie. Well, I guess that's not entirely true, either - your weight fluctuates due to other factors than just fat. Huh.

Amarantha (back to you), I think you did what you could and more than most for the girl. I was in a similar situation on my Greyhound trip when my seatmate lost $200. Gave her coat to someone to watch with the money - all she had to get her to Texas - in the pocket. Of course they took it and ran. Anyway, I gave her enough to eat on her 2-day trip to TX, but was tempted to replace all her money; she was so upset. Then I thought: you help people, of course, but then you also have to step out of the way after you've done what you can and let them live it through, let them learn the ropes just like the rest of us have to. And you can't help if they don't want it. You say "this is what I can do for you" and if it's not what they want, what do you do? Gift horse and leading it to water and all that. I don't know. Does that sound complacent and selfish and WASP-y? What do you think, Zadie? I really want to know. Anyway, A, I think you did good. Always knew you had a deeply compassionate heart.

QOD: going out with my sissy-in-law to see "Honey" and then I feel certain that we'll both get a hankerin' for taco salads and margaritas! Ole! Ay-ay-ay!!! Then it's back to church on Sunday. My attendance has been nothing short of abysmal.

Punkin, I agree with you about Wildfire's plight. I do like kids and they me (aah, everybody says that), but not when I'm trying to meet with the grownups and talk serious about a difficult change we're all trying to make. I'd get grouchy fast.

Yep, that 4 inches of snow here in downtown Seattle made things interesting for a while - saw a guy skiing down the street that goes past our apartment. They closed Boren (my street)down after I witnessed a slow-mo five-car pileup when cars couldn't stop coming down the hill. If you think people exxagerate when they say that Seattlites freak out and everything shuts down when it snows, think again. They do. It does. Wow. :yikes:

Dammit, Punkin, I'm sorry your b-day weekend felt kind of icky. So unfair. Shoulda sent you a candle or something - I know this great Partylite dealer up here. :D

Seattlejo, God, you're perceptive. How'd you know I was one of those sick "all or nothing" kinds? I hate it - fight it like a mother, but it's there. I can feel it. Thank you so much for pointing that out to me. Geez. Victory right now for me would be (something I've NEVER accomplished) just getting the weight-loss, healthy lifestyle struggle to feel...routine. Or familiar. Or habitual. You know? Get an "I can do this!" feeling when I try something instead of the familiar "you'll fail, you know. You always do". :mad: Isn't it GHOULISH what we say to ourselves without batting an eye?

Lovely Eydie, as usual, you say just the right thing to make me feel so much better. Anyone else notice this trend of hers? It's sort of a sick comfort to hear about someone I consider "successful" that still struggles from time to time. And I was also comforted to hear the timetable of your weight loss. 6 years. I read that, went "N-o-o-o-o!!", then accepted. OK, then. 6 years it is. Or 2. Or 10. Whatever. Let's just get to it.

I mean, what if I think "ten YEARS?!?", freak out, and quit? I mean, I'm going to get 10 years older (barring tragedy, God willing) whether I'm living healthy or not, right? Might as well try while I'm busy aging.

"Cerise's Peaches"? Y'all are some kinda freaky. :no:

'Bella, I couldn't get on yesterday, either. I was like "No. No, no, no, no." I thought we might have crashied again. I love reading about how good you're feeling getting back on track! Inspires me that I can feel good, too. I thought of you, actually on the way to work, when I chose to climb stairs to get out of the Metro tunnel rather than use escalators. That's a lot of stairs. See how you inspire? Also, your fruits and veggies kick inspired me to inquire about the local CSA program for this year. You know, the "Community Supported Agriculture" where you give "seed money" to local fruit/veggie farmers at the beginning of the growing season and then pick up a grab bag full of produce every week? Sounds very cool. I'll be up to my ears in fennel and rootabagas.

Kaylets, thanks for that cool list. I printed it for to digest it better over time. Speaking of the kettle being on, my mum gave me Twinings "Irish Breakfast" tea for Christmas; looseleaf, she hastened to assure me. It's very good. I drank it carefully at first, fearing that if a Scot drank Irish tea something funny might happen, but maybe my smidgen of Irish blood protected me. Whattaya think, Wildfire? I also discovered a taste for herbal apple-flavored tea. I'm drinking herbal teas to get more water in during work.

Wildfire, it was really you and Arabella in combination that inspired me this week. You both are doing splendidly and I could NOT, literally, do this without you. I start WW this Tuesday. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. :love:

WSW, how smart you are to have the inspection taped. Might very well save you some grief later, right? I hope so much that you're doing OK, improving in health a bit and all that. These are the times when I wish we lived near each other, but you have those kinds of friends, too, it sounds like. Whew. Thinking fondly of you always, dearest...

Frogs, have you been booted or something? Working too hard? Everything OK? Check in with yo' mamas soon...

THIS IS A FRIGGING BOOK!!!! I'm so very, very sorry. But I had a lot to say ("No :censored: ", you're thinking) and a lot of gratitude and love to share. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! Have I told you lately?

OK, before you die of sugar-shock, I'm off.

hi!

punkin-a (very) belated happy birthday to you!! hope this weekend will be a good one. my friend said the inspection went fine-just a few minor things, but looks like closing should still work out for the 26th. i'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed with all of this. i will have a lot of work to do on the place next month, but there is no rush to be out of my apartment, so i can take my time with getting the place ready for moving in.

hi seattlejo! i love the walking to nola thread you started!

hi cerise, anagram, eydie, zadie k., ceara! arabella-actually, "(almost) my" condo. is only about 10 minutes from here, so i know i will appreciate that short distance once i can start fixing it up. wildfire-i am finally letting myself think about how i will decorate. i am so used to having "apartment white" walls. i think it will be fun to put some color in there. kaylets- i love the list you posted. amarantha-so glad you are able to post now. what would the royal court be without our empress!

it snowed here today (not just the soft, fluffy stuff) and i wasn't able to get out. have to tell you, though, i was a wintery-weather wuss long before i ever had ms. i still have to lay kind of low for a little longer anyway, but there is something about knowing i can't get out even if i want to that bugs me. i think i'm just suffering from a little cabin fever---. can't complain though because the power is on and i am nice and cozy with the heat blasting away. i hope everyone has a good weekend. and to those of you mentioned and unmentioned-- i am thinking of you all, my royal friends. take care.

wsw

Hello all!!

Punkin--- Sorry you're birthday was disapointing... I've always wondered if the "holiday" birthday's do wind up shortchanged ...
so many other things going on... everyone is distracted... ..
I like to give myself gifts..... Are you doing the same???

I figure it this way... at least I know exactly what I want... !!


Empress-- what a scary situation... I would've been wondering every minute what was going to happen next....certainly sounds as though the woman was in some crisis...hopefully she will find what she needs....

Eydie-- As soon as I ready your post about how your journey taking so much longer than you expected.... I stared nodding my head..... and in fact, because so many of these life style changes evolve, it only makes sense that we need time so we can evolve.....
Again, the caterpillar change to butterfly...

Cerise-- I still like the "Sexy Cerise's"-- perhaps we can have some of our models wearing them in our Royal Calendar???
And thank Ramon for us.... he sounds as though he's just the right medicine for a glum day...

Arabella-- Wish I could walk to a tai chi class... Dh has been looking for one for months-- everything is during work, too far away, etc...

Zadie-- How's life treating you? Don't let them work the new lawyer too hard!

WSW-- Cabin fever... I can relate but today its so brutal....
Even sorting my underwear drawer sounds better than braving the temps this am...

Frogger--I know its as cold where you are as it is here... Bet that pizza oven is cozy!

Anagram-- Trust me... you DO NOT want to be experiencing this frigid, brutal cold... I am envious of your warm walks on the beach.

Seattlejo-- Ever find a scale?

Wildfre- I went to the link and listened!! Thanks! Any of those headhunters come up with anything promising yet??

Ceara-- What's going on?? Everyone being good to you? If not, just give me their number and I'll be glad to give them a call.....


Ok----

Time for tea---

But I have to admit I did a "morning musing" -- sorry, even I gagged on that one....

here goes....

A Discovery Challenge was on at 4:30 when I woke up....so there I was, under the blankets, watching .... Not exactly the point but it did remind me that

A: Its the choices all day long...
How what I eat now will make me feel later....If I don't enough now, if I eat a "trigger food " now.... or... if I eat something satsifying now how differently I will feel

B: What works for me may not work for you... and vice versa...
The challenge I was watching was one of the very first. If you saw it, you'll remember, one couple did not hit it off with their trainer... they felt overwhelmed and literally "fired" him... Instead, they made changes they felt they could handle and built as they became more comfortable and more confident.
And in fact, the comment that couple made:

C: The changes often have nothing to do with food..... Isn't this the truth????

Especially for me, I am realizing more and more how much of a "stress " or "comfort" eater I was....couple that with my "sugar allergy" and I was OUT OF CONTROL.....

Another challenger was unhappy because he didn't make a goal to lift 250 lbs six times BUT.... he had lost 32lbs, quit smoking, had started a work out program.....

D: If we are getting real about our bodies, we need to understand many of us are "conditioned" to believe that change is an overnight process....
Dr. Phil says it so well: " Set yourself up for success, not failure".....
And of course, look at WW's .... they tell us again and again...
start again each day..
Expect plateaus along the way...
This isn't a race...

*******

So, yes, sometimes, we see more things the 2nd or 3rd time.

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Today's thought of the day is:

"The key to everything is patience.
You get the chicken by hatching the egg--
not by smashing it."
---Arnold Glasgow

Question of the day :

"When you use a pen, which color ink do you prefer?"

********

Time for tea.
KETTLE IS ON!!

Mornin' all...QOD blue or black, medium point and a FAT pen...I love writing with cartridge or fountain pens when I can...which is not often or practical.

Had a great day yesterday and went to bed early....one cheek off the wagon...some cookies waylaid me, but at least they were homemade, a gift, I didn't make them and they are gone!

I'm getting draggy....likely due to 3 weeks of TOM...what a royal pain! Should go take some vitamins or something.

The thing I did Thursday morning was sew....how thrilling they say....but it was for me. I used to do a lot of sewing, and intricate stuff...but I've not had the time or inclination. I started a set of towels for my friend as a wedding present and gave her the hand towel and washcloth on the day of the event and never finished the rest. Well I finished up the 2 bath towels and have only one washcloth and hand towel to go. What I'm doing is adding a strip of seminole piecing banded and piped...they look really sharp. Goal is to finish the other 2 by next Friday.

Oh yeah Eydie...from a dog point I live for snowcovered, frozen or dry days. Mine is compounded by beards. The 18 month old had snowballs the size of billiard balls frozen on her hock hair the day before Christmas. I had to pop her into the tub and melt them off :lol: But she'd had lots of fun in the snow.

Congrats on the condo WSW! And Empress, good to see that thine valiant battle with the foes of the world hast brought forth fruit and thou hast arrived! Peaches!! (snicker) Hmmm....

Will check in later as I have got to go and get dressed for work...:wave: to all and will continue this saga later....and you thought Cerise wrote long posts.....she does!!! longer and interesting!

:wave:

Ceara

Gaze upon the Queen of Quirk and her royal consort, Ramon:

It worked!! Well, there's me, about a year ago. Keep in mind that that's a very flattering picture, and...that streak in front is now yellow, not red. Anyway.

Well, someone said it. They said: Cerise writes long posts. Everybody knew it, including me, but Ceara got it out there. It's in the open. *sigh*

Be honest, does anybody read long posts? I mean, I do, but maybe it's just too tough...sorry. At least you don't have to hear me chatter. :)

I'll write more later, but attaching this image has exhausted me and I'm going to read Harry Potter and finish my apple.

Love to all, and Ceara, I wish I could pet your doggies.

The meeting was as awful as I expected. I ended up sitting near the back as it was full, and when the meeting started there were still about 20 people lined up to weigh in. They were told four times to keep it down because those of us in the meeting couldn't hear anything, and then a woman came in with twin toddlers. Crying twin toddlers. My cue to leave! Couldn't hear anything anyway. I guess I'll have to lose a week's coupon and switch meetings to an evening one on Tuesday or Wednesday. I came home and told DH I'd only lost 1.4lbs, and he said ONLY? Considering we ate out for lunch three times this week and had pizza last night, and there was that donut I ate at work yesterday....so I guess 1.4lbs is good after all. I've never been one to have a big loss in the first week like others do. The most important thing is I'm losing. So, onward and downward! A fresh week lies ahead and I will give it everything I've got.

QOD: Fine point, blue pen. Extra fine if available. I like the scratchy noise they make on the paper.

ceara, the towels sound lovely! Was this what you were going to do that you had put off for a long time? I laughed picturing your doggie with snow frozen in her fur. Sounds like she had a ball!

Kaylets, nothing from the agency yet. I haven't really spent any time looking myself, either. I should do that this weekend.

wsw, you must be so excited about your new condo....have you given any thought to colors yet? Just 70 days until Spring! I'm a winter-weather wuss, too. Hate the cold, snow, ice.

Cerise, your Ramon is just the best! Tell him that, will you? On the "you'll fail again" self-talk, I'd recommend that you read Dr. Phil's book if you haven't. I didn't realize the things I was doing to myself until I saw there in print. I was reading and saying "I do that. Oh my god...I do that, too!" And now that I know, I stop myself. And I'm making this all about choices. I can choose the double cheeseburger or the grilled chicken sandwich, I can choose to lay on the couch or get on the treadmill....it's all up to me. No one else. Just me. There's gonna be times I choose the cheeseburger and the couch, but that's okay. I'm thinking about it now, not just automatically doing it. I hope with time, my choices will be mostly good ones. I happen to like Twinings tea, Cerise. You may see side effects of shamrocks sprouting from your hair, but otherwise you'll be fine. :lucky: That CSA produce program sounds very cool. Wish they had one here. That will surely help you along with your weight loss, having fresh produce to use every week!

Amarantha, you did what you could do. Many people would have just ignored the couple and not even offered to help. If they didn't want to accept your offer there's not much else you could do. If they were really in dire need of getting to a hospital, I'd think they would have jumped at the offer, not changed their minds. Something sounds suspicious about their intentions, but that could just be cynical old me. Sorry to hear about the work-related meltdown.

Punkin, if you get enough rain, all the snow will go away! Shall we rain dance? :dancer:

Arabella, congrats on a great week! One piece of pie certainly does not take away from that. Personally I have to work in a few treats or I'll fall off the wagon...right into an entire pie or cake or litre of ice cream. You're doing great!

Hello to anyone I've missed. :wave:

Think I'll spend the day cleaning and maybe make a pot of soup. Already have some spaghetti sauce simmering for tonight. :hun:

This is hysterical! BUT TRUE!!
***************
***************
Jail for 'diet doughnut' seller


The "low-fat" doughnuts made a healthy profit
An Illinois man begins a 15-month jail sentence on Tuesday - for misleading dieters into buying doughnuts.
Robert Ligon, 68, repackaged normal doughnuts as "low-fat", saying they contained only three grams of fat and 135 calories, and were "carob-coated".

In fact, they contained 18g fat and 530 calories, and were chocolate-glazed.

Ligon was caught when suspicious customers complained to the Food and Drug Administration about how tasty his products were.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," Jim Dahl, assistant director of the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigation, told the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

"Science can do a lot of things, but we're not quite there yet," he said.

Ligon's conviction follows a three-year investigation during which his premises were raided and 18,720 doughnuts seized.

Officers found that for two years he had been turning a healthy profit, buying the doughnuts for about 25 cents each and selling them for $1.

'No complaints'

But Ligon's lawyer, Rick Halprin, said he was shocked at the custodial sentence.

"I've had people go to jail before, but never over doughnuts," he said.

He complained prosecutors had failed to prove the mislabelling had harmed anyone.

"They didn't bring in 10,000 overweight people," he said.

Ligon himself says he did not break the law intentionally and has never received a single complaint.


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From the BBC News UK Edition Jan 06, 2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3373739.stm



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:lol: :lol: :lol:

Cerise, you're beautiful!! And just how I'd pictured you, too. And Ramon is one handsome man....I'd say you're both very lucky! What a cute couple!

YES, I read long posts. I thoroughly enjoy yours, so don't you DARE stop being chatty! :nono:

cerise, thanks for sharing that beautiful picture of you and ramon!! ceara-sorry you have to work today. hope it won't be too busy. kaylets-it is still verrry cold here too. another day in the 'ole cabin for me with the tea kettle on. with the talk of cute dogs earlier, it reminds me that it would be nice to have one of my own now---well, or anytime. i have names and numbers for organizations which provide service dogs for folks with ms and even though my friends and little goddaughter keep asking me if i have have sent in any applications, i keep saying not yet. i love dogs, but kept thinking it wouldn't be fair for me to have one since i can't ever really give a dog a nice long walk or run and have no yard, but of course, service dogs are used to these kinds of situations. some of my not checking out this info. further i think also has to do with my not accepting that since my ms is progressive, things aren't going to get better in that area for me. i love dogs, so what am i waiting for? i will have my own little condo. soon now and at least if i get my name on a couple of waiting lists, i will know i am taking a positive step, so----i am "saying out loud" that i will look up some of those numbers today and request some applications. just doing that is kind of a big step for me. ok, so that's a positive step. on to the next positive step front, i am writing down my food again after letting it lapse for a few days. i just seem to do better when i do keep a food journal, so back to (or continuing on with) the basics which work for me. eydie-you are such an inspiration having reached goal weight and in the manner in which you did this. it was so helpful to be reminded too that you did this over a period of time and not overnight. you are a terrific example, eydie, of how sticking with all this hard work is so very worth it! hi wildfire! glad to hear too that you read long posts 'cause this one is pretty much one long run-on sentence. believe it or not, there was a time when i used to write well. thanks to everyone for being so patient with me and some of my "technical difficulties."

even while i've had bronchitis, i have been sticking with my stretching exercises and now i can work back up to more of what i had been doing previously. i am thinking of you all. take good care, everyone.

wsw

Cerise!! You are gorgeous! You're eyes are so sexy!! And so are Ramon's.......
And don't you dare try to limit yourself.......We won't allow it.


Wilfire.!! I can't even imagine! Did you get the Quickstart (??), the 2 week program w/ the dvd at least?? And did they give you a password for etools on the WW's site??? I know it must have horrible this morning but don't let it all be frustrating.... Lots of good info on the site and the boards can be fun too.... lots of opinions but hey... you know what they say about opinions......


Think I'll take a cup of tea up with me to my nap.......

If you are at all interested it is now 8 degrees outside--- 24 degress below freezing......

Off to the down comforter!

Darling lady, I hope when my time comes to bear a burden that I'm as brave and matter-of-fact as you. You are such an inspiration to me - when times get rough food control is the FIRST thing (well, it's a toss-up between that and emotional control) to go. And it stays gone until the problem is long, long gone. Not a very constructive way to live, and my problems and burdens aren't all that heavy.

I think we'd all love to know that you have a four-footed assistant, protector. Someone to love you through tough times and make themselves extremely useful during times of technical difficulties. Sometimes I think service dogs must be the happiest dogs on the planet. I know only one, Van, who serves a blind friend of ours. She lets him out of harness so we can pet himand he loves it, but his eyes are still on her, watching for a need or gesture.

Thank you for sharing this very important, very difficult life step with us. I feel honored to be present for it and honored to know you. Never underestimate your courage...

Hi all!

This is very exciting news WSW... especially since
A: You are now thinking of "My condo"

B: You feel you have come to a new place in your journey....

and yes, I can't phrase it better than Cerise... we are honored to be here with you!!

****

Seems as though when some of us are posting at the same time, our posts get bumped a little....

When I had written my last post, I was right behind Wildfire.

Interesting.

No big deal, just interesting...

Anyway...

Skating's on..

Wildfire, Congrats on losing 1.4 pounds! It's interesting that we all want to lose it in 5 pounds chunks, but 1 1/2 pounds is very impressive!

Cerise, WOW!!!!!! Girl, you are bee-yoo-tee-ful, and Ramon is downright dreamy...............sorry, I went away there for a little while. :devil: Thanks for the pic. Again, WOW. And keep writing, we read every word!

wsw, it's a huge step to send for the applications and I'm thrilled that you're doing it!

Kaylets, I heard about the donut guy too. reminds me of when Garry worked at a health food store and the owner sold these natural donuts as diet food; he claimed they had some exotic fiber in them and you could eat as amny as you wanted and not absorb the calories. He sold them to women by the case, Garry said. Sad.

Having some friends over for dinner tonight. She's vegan, so I made Tibetan burritos. I'll let you know.....

wsw, I think getting a dog is a wonderful idea! Especially if you can get a service dog....they are such wonderful animals. The Canadian Dog Guide training center is located here in Oakville, just a block from my last apartment. I loved seeing the dogs out in the yard going through drills, and even more to see them let loose with a frisbee or tennis ball for play time. They have such great dispositions. We often see them out in restaurants or stores with their "Dog Guide" training vests on so people know not to distract them. I know I would feel much better knowing you had a furry friend to keep you company and watch over you, especially after your scare a few months back when it seemed someone had been in your apartment.

Kaylets, I did get the Fast Track kit, but e-Tools are by subscription only in Canada. I'm not paying $17.95 a month to sign up.

Eydie, just what is in a Tibetan burrito?

As freezing as it is here, I am going to lace up my skates and attempt to not break anything. I'm hoping other people will think it's too cold out to spend time in an ice rink, thereby giving me more room on the ice. :yes:

...but I had to share an interesting SNV (scale non-victory) with you all, since that's why we're here.

I seem to have LOST 1.5 pounds over the holiday season. Apparently consuming .5 pounds of chocolate, cheese crackers, margarita cordials, etc. (stuff lying around the sodding office) agrees with me.

I consider it a SNV because I didn't work for it - must be a fluke, dehydration, empty stomach, lighter training shoes, whatever.

Still, can't help but feel a little thrilled. I didn't gain, though I have indeed felt puffy and fat and clumsy this winter so far. The "Oh, thank you" feeling my body will have after days of better nutrition and regular exercise will far outstrip the little "whoopee" I feel after gazing at the conquered scale. Oh, who are we kidding? I was prepared to find myself back up at 225...

AND, the fact that I weighed myself at long last tells you that I. Actually. Went. To. The. Gym. :cb: And spent some good time on the treadmill. Yahoo!!!

OK, this is truly the last you'll hear of me...at least for today. And thank you all for your verbal enjoyment of my photo. You're all lovely and wonderful and generous with your compliments. And, yes, I am the luckiest woman alive. I get to feast my eyes on The Ramon every day.

Briefly...

Wildfire, congratulations. Your husband is mad. Easy on your coccix tonight, OK?

You, too, Kaylets. Thank you for thinking my phrasing's good.

Anagram, miss you terribly. Envisioning you on a veranda with lush vegetation around you and a salty, warm breeze lifting your hair.

Eydie...I just....LOVE YOU.

Rest of you: love you too.

Have a spanky evening! :D

P.S. No one should worry that I'm either upset about posting long or thinking I should do anything about it. I couldn't, even if I tried. Indeed, this post was supposed to be an ultra-quick-get-on-gloat-get-off deal. I rest my case.

Cerise, you went to the gym? That is a HUGE step to getting back on the wagon! :cb: YAY for YOU! :cp: And you've lost 1.5 lbs? That's fantastic! :dance:

I survived skating. No broken bones, pulled ligaments, torn muscles, cuts, abrasions, etc. It was actually a little easier this time, and my feet didn't hurt as much. There were only 30 people there, too. LOTS of room to move. Did I mention there are two ice surfaces in this rink, each completely separate, but on the other one there are hockey players? :T Big hunks of men. I overheard a little locker-room talk when I was changing out of my skates... :yikes:...seems the two locker rooms share a heating vent...and yes, it's as bad as we always thought it was. :lol:

I'm loving that the thread is so active this weekend!

I am new to the message boards and am looking for some buddies to chat with. I am a lifetime ww 60lbs over goal. ughh!
Have been going to meetings for sometime but I haven't been to one in 2 1/2 months. Now I am 10lbs heavier. I am back on track and have lost 4lbs this week. I'm trying it at home for awhile with 3fc, dotties website, and the weight commander. I was on the ww general section and I seen where someone recommended this forum. Hope to meet some of you soon.
Becky:)




Starting weight 220
Current weight 216

Active! Wow, what a lot of posts! Still OP, and feeling less humungous, although tomorrow is WI and I'm apprehensive...

I'm just going to jump in before I'm completely lost. :eek:

Wildfire, didn't you and I get bikes last year at almost the same time? Yesterday I went to buy skates that DH had given me a gift certificate for. We've got a skating oval at the park a couple of blocks away from us, and are going to try it out today, -21 temp or not. I haven't skated for 25 years, although I did quite a lot when I was a kid. It will be interesting to see if I can still do it...

Cerise, thanks for the pic of you and your love. You are both really gorgeous and look like such a pair. Your spirits just shine!
And thanks for all those nice long posties -- always interesting, they are.

Eydie, inquiring minds must know: what is in a Tibetan burrito?

Punkin, how did your birthday slip by? We should have been celebrating the date that brought Your Punkiness to this universe! Well, just know that we do celebrate that, anyway! Here's a wish for a year full of joy and magic for you! :wizard:

wsw, how wonderful to get a dog! I think dogs are the most wonderful species. Their capacity to love is unparalleled, IMO. And your bravery at facing stupid reality is inspiring.

Amarantha, thanks for sharing the experience with the couple at the store. What a difficult situation that was -- I think you did all you could do, short of having special powers of magic.

Kaylets, that donut thing was a hoot! Of course, it immediately made me crave a donut, although I probably don't eat more than one of them a year. I'll have one of the "carob-coated" ones please. Oh, make it double-carob! :T :rolleyes:

With that, I think I'll prepare myself for the inaugural skate. Not sure they're sharp enough to skate on, not sure I can stand on them, but.... here goes! :crossed:

Love to all, mentioned or not!

Hello all!

All this skating talk and the bulk of my post will be about someone else skating...hmmmmmm....
so many coincidences everywhere.....

***
Enjoyed staying under the covers again and then watched the National Figure Skating on tape. Just could not stay awake last night...
The tape shut itself off somehow but luckily I did see both Sasha Cohen and Michelle Kwan...
I had to go elsewhere to confirm who won ( and I was right!) but never dreamnt the score be 7 perfect 6's!!!
What a role model! What an inspiration!
Initially when I first heard her long program music, I wished it was something else but the choreography and her style made me fall in love with an opera!!
It is so thrilling to see someone so accomplished continue to set new goals and meet them.
Could she have done the same routine at the Olympics and won?? Perhaps.. but I have to think no... I think her disappointments have made her come back stronger...

Experience....It can work for you or against you.
You can face what isn't working and make changes.... or you can get the same results again and again...
Remember that joke about Insanity?? Doing things the same way and expecting different results....

Michelle Kwan's many gifts include as Dick Button calls it "wearing her heart on her sleeve"... an openess, a connection with her audience. She shares her joy of skating and is uplifted by the response. Such an exchange!!

Wow.
**********
**********

Today's thought of the day is:

"Adversity causes some men to break: others to break records."
--William Ellery Channing

Question of the day :

"Do you take vitamins?"

**********
**********


Arabella--please post the IT humor link again, meant to send to to a few IT folks but since we went down... This time, I promise to save it!!
And I am so impressed you are taking yourself skating!

Wildfire-- You too! in fact, more than impressed, am outright envious as I am not graceful and my ankles turn when I try to stand ...

Got to hand it to both of you... you are making the most out of these freezing temps! And I am sure you there wasn't all the blood was moving !!

WSW-- As you know, I am an enormous dog lover and am amazed at how truly brillant some of them are. In fact, I think the blue tick is probably smarter than me but please don't tell her!
I say, get yourself on ALL the lists. And if need be, mention the incident a few months back... after all, what better reason????
Keep smiling... its going up 10 degrees today!! Might be able to melt some of the ice on the INSIDE of my kitchen window. ( not to worry, its just from condensation!)

Cerise- Is this the SIL"s gym??? are you still considering the Danskin Triathalon???

Ceara, Eydie, Empress, Punkin, Anagram, etc... how is life treating you??

Becky!! Welcome, welcome, plenty of room right here near the fire .... please, tell us some more about yourself! We have heard of your royal kingdom and are glad to you have come to join us!!
I have just finished brewing your favorite tea, so, lets have a cup and chat....


Will be back soon!


Have a good day everyone!

KETTLE IS ON!

Welcome, Becky! Glad you stopped by, hope you will stay a while with us. :wave: Always room for :queen:s of Royalty in our court. There are a few of us just getting back on track, so you've come at a great time! Pull up a chair and tell us all about you.

Arabella, good for you, getting back on skates! I was thinking it was 10 years since I'd been on them, but last night I was thinking wait a sec....I'll be 35 this year...so it's more like 15 years! :eek: I bet you'll do great! I was surprised how quickly I got my "skating legs" back, and last night I actually felt pretty comfortable on the ice. I've always preferred outside skating, so I am envious that you are going to skate outside. The ice is harder than that in a rink. I don't like the feeling of my blades cutting into the surface of the indoor ice. Grew up skating outdoors on a pond. I hope your skate blades aren't too dull, though...it's easier to slip and fall if they aren't sharp. Please be careful! Yes, we did buy bikes around the same time, and now skates!

Kaylets, I used to watch figure skating on tv all the time. My mother loved it. Haven't seen any in years now, but I do remember Michelle Kwan. She was just coming on to the scene back then, and was very good. Glad to hear she's continued.

QOD: Yes, I take a Women's vitamin from the health food store, and I take calcium and acidophilus.

Time for tea!

Becky, a big welcome to you :D -- we must have been posting at the same time! You'll love it here. We're a fantastic group (she said, modestly :o But, hey -- it's true!). And if it's any consolation, I've got 80 pounds to goal (and just was surprised to find that it wasn't 60 -- dang!) All we have to do is keep heading in the right direction and we'll get there :yes:

Kaylets, I'm with you. Dogs intelligence is different from human intelligence, but they're brilliant! Here's the humor link again:
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci942103,00.html I thought of you when I was compiling it, because it's kind of geared towards presentations. :)

Wildfire, I have returned with no broken bones! I skated for 40 mins, fell probably five times, but got up five times, too, and skated more. The ice was a bit too hard if anything, tending to chip pretty easily. I think my skates were sharp enough but next time I'll tighten them a bit more. I remember my dad tightening them until it was like Chinese foot binding...

Time for brunch!

Yowza, guys! It's my :hb: and I'll cry if I wanna ... 'ceptin' I don't, 'cause I'm happy I didn't gain any more of my December :dance: loss back. Still holding despite one of those eating kind of weeks!!!!

This post is going to be brief and probably miss answering a lot of what was said as we seem to be catching up with the conversation and I'm behind as usual. Just finished work for the week ... the story from heck and am going to make my lowfat chive biscuits and spray them with butter spray for breakfast.

Re healthy donuts ... it can be done, I've done it, but why bother? If one wants donuts, one wants donuts. Why not have ONE? Life's short ... it's the 10 I eat after the one that are the problem!!! :jig:

:queen: Becky, I'm sorry I can't see your post as I type (I'm on a different screen) ... you are as welcome as the flowers in spring, sure and begorra and here beith thy crown (virtually handing crown to :queen: Becky) .... please notify the palace management if there be anything thou needeth ... towel boys or anything at all! :)

:queen: Cerise, I loved the picture ... you look just the way I thought you did ... fit and slender ... I think the blonde stripe you say you have now must be a good touch ... and thy personal towel boy be veeery handsome ... om shanti!

:queen: Wsw, am so glad to hear about the dog idea ... especially, as someone already said, in light of thy recent scare. As you know, I am the proud companion to a :queen: ly canine myself and believe the only thing that really matters in life is the love of a good dog! :)

To all :queen: s who posted encouragement to me on my depression re the young couple, thanks. Dunno why, but it bothered me more than many bad situations that I frequently encounter. I also agree with (I think it was Wildfire, but am sorry can't see the posts from here and memory faileth) that it is dangerous to just pick people up off the street and drive them somewhere ... I don't normally do that (and since she changed her mind I didn't do it this time either) ... to be honest, I had a gut feeling she was being abused and didn't want to hear of her being a homicide or kidnap victim after the fact ... probably being too imaginative. Things don't usually get to me this much.

To all :queen: s, mentioned or unmention, I'd post more replies but am extremely hungry, having worked on the story from heck for three hours this a.m. ... I intend to find a career where I don't work on Sunday morning in future.

Later, :queen: Gators!

Ok Empress, Now you've gone and done it! Now I am really jealous! Both you and Punkin sharing a birthday month!!

Happy day to both of you... !!

What's the plan??


I am cooking and cleaning (this is just a 15 minute here) so must be off ....

Arabella: OUCH! any sore spots t his am??

Wildfire: Cannot believe you have to pay additional for the Etools..
sorry bout that. Hmmmmm

There goes the timer!

Later!

Hello !

Anagram posted on the NOLA thread but I am responding to her here as well so whe cannot miss ....
( don't mean to be so confusing!)

Anagram--

I have your Pennsylvania email address-- let us know if you have another..

Shall I compile a master list all and then share or is someone else ......???


DH and I ate dinner early so you know what the problem is now don' t you??

Yep... need to find something to do to distract my stomach...

That's really all it is.. just needing to find something else to do other than entertain my mouth....

So... guess I can get the clothes ready for the morning...

I'm gone for a day and a half and you all have been busy.

Becky, Welcome to the group! This is a great group of folks to be posting with!

Kaylets, I did find a scale, and am pleased to report that I'm down 6 pounds! :jig:
Between Christmas and the new year I picked up 5 pounds and I'm now very pleased to have them gone again, plus one extra. 20 more lbs and I'm to my first reward!

Cerise, Thank you for posting that picture! You are gorgeous! And Ramon is hunky hunky. :-) Making it to the gym o is quite the accomplishment! Wahoooo!!! :dance: I havent been able to get there recently at all. You are vegetarian, Arent you dear? I've got a great recipe for chili that we just made this weekend, black bean and mushroom. Its even a crock pot recipe.

Arabella, Congrats on the skating! It's a fantastic work out!

WSW, it sounds like you're being responsible in considering getting a dog, and it sounds like now might be the best time to get on those lists. A service dog would be wonderful, its one of those things i wish my mother had had when she was ill.

Wildfire, you have to pay for etools separatly? Why? I wonder about the costs in general that are attached to WW. I signed up for a one week trial of WW on the web and it was ok, but I think the PDA program alone is working fine enough for me

Eydie, is the Tibetan Burritor recipe from the Moosewood celebrates cookbook?


Amarantha HappyHappy Birthday! And congrats on not gaining over the holidays, its really hard. That in itself is a :gift: present.

I know I'm missing folks, just know that I'm thinking of you and reading you all :-)

Oh and thanks to all for the response to walking to NOLA, I'm totalling up mileage and posting now!

Amarantha, it's your birthday? And you didn't mention it sooner?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMPRESS!!! :hb:

Kaylets, I don't think anyone has started an e-mail compilation list. I'll PM my address to you.

DH and I wandered around the mall this afternoon. He bought me a game to keep me busy (while he plays Ever Crack!), Zoo Tycoon. I suppose it will give me something to do other than mindlessly surfing when I'm bored, and I don't have to kill anything in this game.

Lots to do to get ready for the week, as much as I want to deny it.

hi amarantha- happy birthday!!

cerise-thank you for the lovely things you said. i appreciate your support and warmth very much.

thank you all for your support. it means a lot to me.

hi becky-welcome to the royal court! pull up a royal throne and stay awhile. this is a great group of caring folks.

kaylets-it is still too cold for me today, but it is supposed to warm up here tomorrow and tuesday, and not a moment too soon, i say, although back to much colder again thurs. i plan to try and sneak out a little in the next couple of days. it was nice to realize i am saying "my" condo. now and letting myself get excited about the prospect. i plan to call another dog service organization during office hours tomorrow to request an application. it does feel like i have come to a new place in my journey.

arabella-dogs are a most wonderful species, in my opinion too. you skated---very impressive! i grew up in mn and at my school, we had skating on an outdoor rink for gym class and we could use it during recess. not being a winter person even way back then, i have to say i spent most of the time in the warming house.

hi punkin, ceara, anagram, frogger, zadie k.!

wildfire-congrats on the weight loss! so impressed with the ice skating. sounds like it was fun. must have been nice to watch those guide dogs frolicking in their yard when you used to live near the dog guide training center. i have seen service dogs and puppies on the animal planet channel, and they are always so sweet to watch.

hi eydie!

i have been sticking much more closely to my meal plan yesterday and today than recently and this is feeling good. almost brave enough to weigh myself tomorrow. hmm--we'll see.

hi also to everyone who may have been unmentioned. i am thinking of you all. take good care.

wsw

Yo, thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm feeling really focused and back on track and spent the afternoon sitting in my driveway carving a piece I'm calling "My Re-Emerging Smile!" :) Sorry if this is redundant because I also posted it on the NOLA thread.

It is pretty much spring here and I hope to start spending more time outdoors and more time carving and I hope to get off this 1.5 pounds that attached themselves to me since the all-club challenge.

Kaylets, I'd say to go for the email compilation by pm ... you have mine ... you never know ... if this site should disappear again, I suppose we could meet temporarily on a yahoo forum or something.

Wildfire and Becky, I live in the U.S. (well, you know that) and I pay for the etools on WW's site. Don't even really use them but am keeping the subscription ... I still use the Flexpoints calculator but I've modified Flexpoints a bit ... I limit myself to 5 AP's on any given day ... if I don't do any exercise, I use the Flexpoints for that ... if I've had a binge and am out of Flexpoints, I still add 5 to the basic 22 points WW says I'm supposed to have, because I think they are too low and I need to eat at least 27 points ... if I go over 27 points on a given day, I don't care. My body needs food to be healthy and I believe I will never reach a healthy weight if I'm exercising and working and feeling starved and deprived. I'm eating healthier than ever before and bullemia is a thing of the past ... I'm eating vegetables and fruit and brown rice and some lean meat and poultry as well as protein shakes and some sweets and other bad-for-you high glycemic things (biscuits). This is my manifesto ... I will exercise and enjoy food and I will reach my goal of 135 pounds by the end of this year. Amen.

Hmmm. Rambling, need to go take nap. Long day tomorrow!

Someone has been shooting a gun off outside and I need to find out what's going on. This neighborhood is a three-ring circus of crazy people.

amarantha- happy birthday!!!!

Hi to all. Just a quickie post as I am super busy.

Just wanted to let you girlies know I am still losing. Down 1lb this week!
The only bad news is my 'girls' if you know what I mean, are really sore. Must be TOM! Should have started yesterday. But we'll see. OK too much info!


I'll be back on around lunchie. See you then!

Amarantha, if worst comes to worst and something happens to the site, I can also create something small out on my server. You're at 22 points? Do you find it hard to stay full on a smaller amount? I guess thats where the AP come in dont they? I was just stressing out about the fact that I've made a couple of bad choices already this morning, but if i actually moved my butt this afternoon and did some walking, it would turn out ok. hmmm . Thinking thinking (btw where in AZ are you? I was in Phoenix 98-2000

Yeah bad choices this morning thats what happens when we plan our lunch at 6am. I wanted to be up and out of the house before 5:30, but i determined the best time to decide to sleep in is at 5 am when the alarm has gone off, the kitten is snuggled on you and your electric blanket is comfy cozy warm. I'd like to do better tomorrow, and maybe even make it back to the gym.
(mantra - 5am 5am 5am)

Anyways. good Morning and happy Monday ladies!

hi all!

frogger-congrats on the 1 lb. down!

i weighed in this a.m. and i am up 1 lb. from when last weighed. i will go back to weighing in weekly. again, another basic for me that works well, which i didn't do while sick, so onward and downward. hope everyone has a good day. take care.

wsw

new icon.. I've still got the picture of the real me around, on my profile page. This is an icon a friend drew custom for me. It's me depicted as a librarian. :-)

Frogger Congrats on the 1 lb, and WSW congrats on realizing what you need to change to fix that lb that crept up on your. Nasty evil little things arent they? Creeping little pounds like bugs or mice or something.

Ok going to work now.. really

Hola.

Ah, what a lovely morning it is. Seattlejo, didja catch the sunrise on Mt. Ranier today? Lovely, lovely.

Got caught in the ferry sheep again today. Garrr. Seriously, they're this group of pedestrians that get off the ferry, then stream up the hill into the business section of town (where I work) in these malevolent packs. If you hit a pack, God help you, because you're invariable going in the opposite direction, and even if you try to get out of the way you'll get glares, sighs, tutting and/or Starbucks slopped all over you. Goddang friggin' passive-aggressive gee golly poopeypants r-r-r-r-r-r-r :mad: .

Anyway. Put your happy face on, luv. :halffull: OK, good enough.

Hey, we got our new format back! God, the sisters have been slaving away, haven't they?

Seattlejo, saaaaay. That's a swell avatar! As a former librarian (well, circulation clerk and book restorer), I have to say that it's perfect for you! Sorry if you're a ferry sheep, m'dear. I'm sure you're not as stupid as the rest. :^: Well, not stupid at all, I mean. Oh, dear...

Congrats on losing the 6 pounds! Here, have a banana. :cb: You have a good recipe for chili? Ooooh, tellmetellmetellme...

WSW, I, too am tender towards cold weather and slippery conditions. I'm glad Seattle has come to its senses after that bout with snow last week, and is hovering around 40 degrees. Lovely. Ick, who wants to weigh themselves when they're sick? Phlegm storage alone can up you a pound or two. Have a good cough and weigh again... ;)

Hewwo, Fwogger. Congrats to YOU on the pound down. How DO you do it? Busy and all that. Sometimes I feel like I can only stay OP if my life is on a perfectly even keel. Jeez. :rolleyes:

Amarantha, prepare to be barraged with questions about WW stuff since I start tomorrow. Nah, I'm kidding. You just know your stuff, that's all. I don't suppose you have pictures of you or your carvings online anywhere...and Happy Birthday, darling.

Kaylets, darlink, I'm still on for the Danskin Tri, as they call it here. Turns out my future WW leader (starting tomorrow :hyper: ) does it every year, too, so we'll have lots to talk about. I got on the treadmill on Saturday and found out how much I can run...weeeee've got our work cut out for us.

I'm picturing you, Wildfire and Arabella gliding casually over the ice, faraway looks on your faces, arms loosely at sides (not windmilling, I mean) or reaching up casually to push away wisps of hair...reaching out occasionally to steady a floundering fellow skater - how'm I doin'? ;)

Wildfire, for some reason (I don't know, having nearly grown children?) I thought you were older than 35. I do apologize. Silly of me to assign your age based on your kids' - especially since I have a dear sister who's 20 with a 3-year-old son. You'd think I'd learn. By the way, I've decided to learn Erse! That's Scottish Gaelic, right? I was contacting Clan MacTavish to learn more about joining and was on their internet site, where there was a mournful bit about the fact that even most Scots don't know their own language anymore. William Wallace is spinning in his grave. So, I thought learning Erse would be cool - useful, anyway, since I haven't given up my teensy dream of being a smashing celtic singer. Who cares if I'm a Yank.

Arabella, I'm lucky in that I don't like chocolate (uh, I mean carob) on my donuts at all. In fact, I'm not a big donut fan. Lucky, huh? I make up for it with my unholy obsession with French Fries (uh, I mean Freedom Fries :no: ). Just kidding.

Alright, loves. Do have a lovely day. And if you haven't read Bridget Jones' Diary yet, do. Had trouble breathing, I was laughing so hard in parts. Here's a quote:

"It struck me as pretty ridiculous to be called Mr. Darcy and to stand on your own looking snooty at a party. It's like being called Heathcliff and insisting on spending the entire evening in the garden, shouting 'Cathy' and banging your head against a tree." -Helen Fielding

Har! Har!

Hello all!

Woke up with the alarm and about 10 minutes later, I began feeling like the room was spinning at high speed. Managed to force myself to "spot" a mark to slow things down but became very nauseous and sweaty.
About 30 minutes later, I was turning over in the bed and nearly had a repeat performance.

So........ I am able to keep coffee sipped very slowly down but I am wobbly.

BUT--- Priorities are everything! I did weigh in!!
And scale remains the same!

Hee hee.....

****

Today's thought is :

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
--Norman Vincent Peale

Today's question is :

"Where is your favorite place to sleep?"

***********


Went back to sleep after calling in to work, changing my voicemail there, etc, etc.. and slept like a rock. Woke up ravenous.... Figures, my appetite is willing to take on ALL contenders!!

Zadie! How are you anyway??? Cannot believe I didnt ask over the weekend!

Yes, I can imagine our skaters the same way....with just a "Glow" on their cheeks, and a crowd of admirers looking on appreciatively.....

anyway... Empress, I've seen a few episodes of Starting Over... how do these folks get chosen???
And I think I can relate to the career change thoughts... For me, completely unexpected but still, the thoughts are still coming....

Time for tea!

Well, belated Happy Birthday, Empress.

Have been scanning like mad but not done. Just thought I'd best post before I'm out of time and then see what else I can catch up with.

Kaylets, I'm picking up mail from the PA e-mail addy. Just don't have your email or other things available that are on my home computer. In fact, while this library method is g reat for most things, the time limitations are a pain now esp. when the thread is as active as it seems to have been this past weekend.

Uh, Cerise, it's a 14th story balcony, no veranda, but the rest is pretty accurate. Was pretty "cold" here the last few days but warming up nicely again and sunny. Reaching "relaxed" finally, I think.

Picking ds up at airport tomorrow he'll be with us two days, then next week will join dd and princesses at mouseland for a day.

Must go back to scanning and find wsw post re condo and cerise picture. This keyboard is about the worst I've been on in a while so kindly forgive if I don't do edits/corrections.

Also feel like I've lost the holiday bloat. Not being "perfect" but not bad either. Two problems: 1. I have no scale so won't be weighing until I go home. Being "unweighed" for two months can be good or bad. Hoping to make it good. 2. Eating out at least once every day, practically. Now that's good but then it can be bad if I'm not careful. I'm trying to be. Neither of these are complaints. I can never complain about not cooking. And a scale break can have it's good points too. Going to go by how the clothes are feeling.

So it's been nice being sort of in touch.......

Still couldn't find Cerise pic but must leave......sorry to have missed it and apparently lots of other things. I need my three hours a day for 3FC.

Yes, Seattlejo--it's the one from 'Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates'. Good eye! Do you read cookbooks like novels too?

Here it is, loves. Apparently these are ingredients forund in Tibetan dumplings, only in easier-to-assemble burrito form!

2 cups thinly sliced onions
2 tbsp. oil [I used 1 tsp.!]
2 tbsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. minced ginger [yes, 3!]
1 tsp. salt
4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
1-2 tsps. Asian chili paste
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups sliced seitan

Saute the onions in oil until just soft. Add garlic, ginger, and salt and cook 2 minutes. Add cabbage and cook until cabbage is limp.
Add chili paste, carrots and seitan, and cook for about 10 minutes until vegs are soft.

Divide the filling among 8 tortillas, roll them up, and place seam side down in baking dish. Cover w/ foil and heat at 350 for about 15 minutes. Then if you want top with Tibetan hot sauce:
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 c. chpped scallions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. tabasco
1 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Oh man, now I'm hungry. I think I'll have some leftovers..... :D

Eydie... did you have a chance to figure the points??

Looks pretty low ... the tortillas are at least 1-2 but everything else looks low....

Sounds tasty!

Eydie, I love cookbooks, I've got far too many in my collection and they have contributed to much of my waistline. I've got the Moosewood book on loan from the library right now, but am very much wanting to add it ot my collection. The burritos look interesting, what did they work out to point wise? I loved their carmalized onion gravy, I used it at Christmas since I was cooking for work.

Afternoon all…

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! This weekend was better than last, but I think no matter how great last weekend was I still would’ve found an issue with it. Just in that kind of mood after 3 weeks of gloom. I NEED SOME SUNSHINE!!!!!!!
Think I can get my Dr. to write a prescription for a trip to Cancun?? :chin:

Still socked in with freezing fog – 2nd day in a row, I tell ya it’s getting pretty durn old! If we’re lucky it’s barely getting above freezing during the day, so 80% of my snow is still around and what rain we did get just turned my driveway into something Michelle Kwan would enjoy… Spring, where art thou???? Here I go, wishing time away, AGAIN. :rolleyes:

This weekend was better than last, but still too cold to do anything. I did accomplish eating myself into oblivion though. I’m not proud, just thankful the ugly episode is over and that I actually feel like crap having eaten like that... when you actually ENJOY eating that way – that’s when it’s scary!

It was a stressful weekend though. My old kitty, who still lives with my mom had to go in for surgery on Friday afternoon – nothing big, just a semi-emergency major tooth cleaning and some gum work – but it was something else I wasn’t expecting to happen. Since I don’t see her every day I didn’t realize anything was wrong until my mom mentioned that she hadn’t seen her eating in the last few days (WHAT???). She’s ok though, she’d lost a little more than a pound and rang up a bill to the tune of $322 (ouch) which my mom is splitting with me since she’s “Grampa’s girl” (Ochoco looooves my stepfather). What we do for our “children”.
Then my mom called me for the cat carrier for a friend of my mom’s. She had to take a cat (thankfully not her cat) into the vet after finding it in her truck engine’s fan (trying to get warm no doubt). Thankfully(?) it lived through the experience, but if the owners of the cat aren’t found, it is probably going to be put down – for all I know it already has been. I haven’t, and won’t, ask. I don’t want to know. Mom’s friend couldn’t afford the $700+ bill to save a cat that wasn’t hers, that she wasn’t emotionally invested in (had it been her own, it would be different). I hope that doesn’t sound cruel… but to fork out SO much money when it’s not YOUR cat. I know she feels awful, but she banged on the hood (as we all do when re-starting our cars after they’ve been parked but are still warm). What else could she have done? (yea, rhetorical question… I feel so bad for her)

Anyway, on to the posties! So much to respond to…

Becky32, Welcome!!!! I too am a WW Lifetimer in pursuit of goal (again). Hope you enjoy hangin’ with our nutty little group! :crazy:

Amarantha, happy belated birthday to youuuuuuu!!!! :hb: Good to see you back!

Zadie, an ice palace?? I’m jealous…. All this snow n’ ice and no ice palace to be found ‘round these parts. Bummer!

Cerise, LOVE the picture of you and your dahling Ramon! You look just like I pictured you too, Ramon is quite the cutie too ;). Congrats and bravo’s for your pound down too! :cb:
Lastly, YES, I do read the long posts and Bridget Jones’ Diary is one of my favorite books/movies. One of my favorite terms came from that book, when she’s listing what kind of men to avoid, “#$%&-wits” still makes me giggle and sometimes is the ONLY way to define someone particularly annoying… :devil:

WSW, I am so excited for your move. It’s such a blast being able to say the place is “yours”. Maybe it’s a personal thing for me (my biggest fear is homelessness, not that I’ve ever been, I don’t know where it comes from – past life??) but having a place that is all yours is just the best feeling in the world. Enjoy it!!!!
I am also so thrilled about the idea of you getting a service dog. I’d seen an episode of “That’s My Baby” on the Animal Planet channel and there was a little of Labs born that were going to be service dogs. It was incredible to see them start training when they were just weeks old! One of my old massage clients (also with ms) had a St. Bernard service dog. He was really something, we used to joke that you were going to get help from that dog whether you wanted it or not! :lol: Seeing service dogs working made me want to train the next dog I get to be a therapy dog – like the ones that go into the hospitals to visit kids and elderly… Besides being helpful, they do wonders for your emotional state too!

Kaylets, I hope you’re feeling better! Thank you for the wishes too, thankfully my parents have always done a great job of defining Christmas and my birthday as totally separate celebrations. This year, with my dad misspelling my name, and lumping the two days together – well, it just got to me! >( And not being able to do my typical “self gifting” just made it worse – but I did buy myself Pirates of the Caribbean on dvd last Thursday, that was a niiiiice prezzie! :devil:. To “yo-ho-ho” with Johnny Depp and a bottle of rum…. Muahahahahaha!!!!!!
I watched the skating on tv too! That kid, the 20 year old young man who placed first, who’s only been skating some 4 or 6 years, Michael Weiss I think his name is?? Wasn’t he amazing?!?!?!?!? I haven’t seen skating that’s made my jaw drop in years (unless you count Brian Boitano (sp?) or Scott Hamilton – or the one who married Katarina, Ilian??), but that kid was incredible! Felt sorry for Sasha Cohen, she’s such a pretty skater but can’t seem to keep it together in competition…. She’s young though!

SeattleJo, big ol’ congrats on the loss!!!!! :cheers:

Anagram, miss you oodles! I can’t help but picture palm trees, sandy beaches and crystal blue waters now when I read your posts. Hope you and DH are soakin’ up some wonderful rays!!

Ceara, I’m sorry you had to work on Saturday, that bites! Do you get another day off instead then? :crossed: And what’s this about 3 weeks with the TOM?? Have you talked to your Dr. about this?? I would think that would wipe you out!

Frogger, yeppers, sore “girls” used to be my old sign that TOM was going to be swift and vengeful. Take some Midol now, it may not be pretty when it hits! Goddess bless Depo-Provera… TOM issues are just a vague memory now. I haven’t been “visited” since ’97. :cb:

Wildfire, kiss your DH for me ‘k? He SO hit the nail on the head with the comment about you “only” losing 1.4. ONLY???? Why I oughta…… :lol:
And yes, a rain dance would be MUCH appreciated!!!! :dance:

Eydie, I got your e-card! Thank you! I laughed myself silly this morning with the trampoline kitty! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! :spin:

Arabella, you’re skating too now?? Ok, now I’m really jealous! It’s really hard to strap on a pair of skates when you live on a DIRT ROAD! Gravel doesn’t tend to make the little wheels go ‘round very well!

So, today’s my first day 100% back on the wagon and not trying to convince myself that I was robbed of birthday goodies (thus, no excuse to treat myself to enough M&M cookies to sink a freakin’ freighter). I’m still feelin’ fat, but also feeling SICK of feelin’ fat and want to actually DO something about it, instead of the normal whine-fest I had been doing.

Onward and downward for me! Remember what the great (I guess he was great anyway??) Paracelsus said “The dose makes the poison” (aka, it’s not always what you eat, but the quantity!) and “Forget mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and DO IT. Today is your lucky day.” ~ Will Durant (may have also been great, not sure, but I like the quote!).

Muchos huggos,

Terri

Yowza, :queen: s!!! I'm on my way to mountains for a council meeting ... at least I will be on my way in a sec but wanted to check in here ... please again forgive me if I don't reply to everyone but consider thyselves replied to anyhoo!!!!

SJ, That would be cool if thou couldst create something on thy server for us if we go down again. Hopefully, that won't happen but stuff does, as thou knowest! :) Re my points, WW has decreed I shouldst start at 22 points, but that's way too low for me, so I use the flexies and APs to stay in the neighborhood of 27-30. However, today I'm just using flexies like crazy and am eating way too much but am still technically OP because of the flexies... I like Flexpoints a lot but it does lend itself to bingeing. Another point (no pun) is that I'm being careful to adjust my points to reach an average of 50 calories per point (I just do it mentally) as some items I eat add up to way more calories than that per point because of the fat and fiber ... but I don't believe there is really any good science (that I find credible anyway) behind the idea that fiber nullifies calories, so I'm really into the idea that a point is 50 calories ... so 30 points is a healthy 1500 cal, give or take. I used to just count calories but I really like using the points, as long as I don't believe that items with 165 calories is really 150 calories ... I realize this probably doesn't makes sense but am running late ...

Frogger: :cheer: :cheer: s and :cp: for the pound down!!! Huzzah!

Eydie: The "burritos" sound wonderful ... I need to try my hand at those ... I know since I've been doing a lot more cooking, my health has improved sevenfold!

Cerise: I remember the ferry (I lived in Seattle for a few years) but not the sheep! :) Om shanti! Thanks for the Bridget Jones quote.

Anagramatic: Thanks for the birthday wish!!! I've been enjoying thinking of thee on vacation ... and I think being unweighed for two months is really good for thee! It's best to take a break from that now and then, though I do believe weighing in is good (contrary to the anti-scale folks, I think it's just a number but a good barometer of how the land lies, so to speaketh)!!!

Kaylets: My fav place to sleep is the couch ... in fact I've slept regulary on the couch with Old Dog hunched up next to me for many years (I don't have a dh, as thou probably knowest, but as I've said, the love of a good dog be better than anything!!!)

Punkin: Thank thee also for the birthday wisheth!!!! I'm so freakin' glad it's over, along with Christmas and New Year's ... now it's full speed ahead toward a better life!!!

Guys, I have to go and I AM going to stop and buy a PB cup! Sometimes I think I'd be better off just keeping some in the fridge and just eating them rather than thinking about them all the time.

FORGOT THIS IS PRIA NOT DAY 12!!! Next month is going to be PB cup NOT month!

You bet!

Helloooo Lovies!

I had a sign tonight, wsw. I stopped at the mall after work and as I walked by one of the entrances, what did I see but a puppy in training to be a Dog Guide! Very dapper in his blue and yellow vest and trying oh so hard to pay attention to his trainer, but couldn't help sneaking a sniff at things here and there. I think you're meant to have a canine companion! :yes:

Punkin, 68 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!!!! Yes, I am counting! Sorry you had a crummy weekend and the snow won't go away. Glad to hear your/your mom's kitty will be okay, and totally understand your mom's friend's predicament with the unknown kitty. Some vets will do the necessary procedures to save a kitty's life and see if an owner turns up. If not, they hand them over to a shelter. Better that she tried to help him than not at all! Wasn't Johnny Depp fantastic in Pirates of the Carribean? :T I gave DH a kiss and told him it was from you. His reply was "I don't know who she is, but I like her!" :D Come to Toronto to visit, and we'll go skating at Nathan Phillips Square downtown!

anagram, send some sunshine to Canada, will you? Enjoy your visit with DS and your trip to Mouseland with the princesses! Sounds like fun!

Kaylets, hope you feel better! Any idea what it might be? Hoping it isn't the flu! :crossed:

Cerise, sorry you were trampled by sheep today. Maybe you need to get a sheepdog and a shepherd's hook? :shrug: Are you excited about WW tomorrow? Happy to report I did not need to windmill during my skating sessions. :rofl: I have to admit I was feeling rather smug :smug: on Saturday night, seeing some poor woman inching her way around the ice, clinging for dear life to the protective glass barrier around the rink as I glided by, thinking I could be SO much worse. :lol: Yep, I had my DD when I was 18. It's had it's hard times, but now I'm SOOOO glad I'm not approaching 40 with a 5-10 year old! When she's 18, I'll only be 36 and have a whole life ahead of me still. Yes, Erse is another word for Gaelic (Scottish or Irish)...it's a tough language to learn because the words don't look anything like they are pronounced and they all tend to run together! Ciamar a tha thu, for instance is "how are you" and is pronounced like "kimmer-a-hoo".

SeattleJo, love the new avatar! How was the rest of the day after the bad choices this morning? Did you salvage it?

Amarantha, I'm so happy you've found a plan that you like in WW, and that you are eating a balanced diet these days. :cp: Someone was shooting a gun off outside your house??? Good lord...what was going on?

Frogger, congrats on the loss! You're amazing!

Hellos to all...I'm off to the zoo...setting up a Yeti enclosure...:D

Hello all!!

Yesterday morning, whatever that was, is past so here I am in the middle of the morning routine.
Am wondering if perhaps an inner ear/balance "glitch" is the explanation.... all I know for sure is that it happened so quickly and had me spinning so quicky my first reaction was to yell for DH --- and keep yelling.

Interesting how we never act as we suppose we might in these "emergencies".
I always like to imagine I'd act like a Katharine Hepburn character...reserved, thoughtful... instead I sound like Peg Bundy... well, cleaner language but just as loud....

hmmmmmm.....................


*******
Today's thought of the day is :

"Expect a miracle!"---Oral Roberts

Question of the day :

"When is the last time you were photographed?"

********


We have had 2 days of above freezing temps, tonight is supposed to be brutal again... even DH finally gave in and started using Corn Huskers Lotion... he says that his elbows feel chapped... I belive it, my legs still feel tight and itchy...

Just found out that the Farmers Almanac didnt predict more snow than ever here this year BUT that it would be one of the coldest winters ever.....
Ohhhhh..... that makes me feel better.....

PS - we may get some snow tonight too but I really don't remember the temps being so brutal last year..

must go.. lunches not made...

Take care!
KETTLE IS ON!

Hello all!!

This is fun....I had some trouble w/ the music, hopefully you'll have better luck than me...
The slide show is very lovely even w/o the music:

http://duirwaighgallery.com/inspiration_trailer.htm


Enjoy!

;) Greetings, Royal Personages!

Monday, Monday. (ok, it's officially Tuesday now, but I started this on Monday :rolleyes: ) I'm down two pounds, which I'm trying to get excited about. I really hoped to have one of those "whooosh -- there goes 5 or so pounds" starter weigh-ins, thinking I was probably retaining water. Ah well, if I were to lose two pounds a week I'd be down 52 pounds by my birthday, and well below the goal of entering Onederland (ONE-way ticket, please! :yes: )

New vow today: no eating other than at the table when alone, and no eating standing up at any time. I think I did some "picking" last week that undoubtedly added up. This rule has really helped me out different times and I know it will again.


Kaylets, I have one sore hand (got to try not to "save" myself with them -- my bottom can take it!). I think I'd be inclined to go back over again today if not for the sore hand. My thighs are a bit sore too, but only in that "using different muscles" way.

Amarantha, why didst thou try to sneak thy royal birthday past the court? Let us send up a huge HUZZAH that ye were indeed born, and grace us with thy presence! Here's a wish for a stellar year, O Empress!

Punkin, one of us was channeling the other yesterday! I started out posting with the same song in my head...Hmmmmm... Johnny Depp. Uh-huh, he's definitely on the list... Not a bad choice to spend your weekend with :T I like that "the dose makes the poison." I was interested to see some mainstream support for homeopathy lately.


Anagram, 3 hours a day for 3FC would just about do it. Almost impossible to keep up!

Eydie, thanks for the recipe. It sounds great, and healthy. I actually managed to get DH and DS to eat spaghetti & "meatballs" (soy-based) last night. Glad to be able to add a healthy low-fat dinner to the rotation.

Wildfire, I agree that the dog-sighting was a sign. I firmly believe that we're being constantly bombarded with signs to help us find the way to go, but we're often looking the other way :yes:

wsw, there was something on the news last night about MS and vitamin D. Have you seen anything about it? It seems to be strongly supported for prevention, but a lot of people think it slows progression too. Here's a link: http://www.direct-ms.org/vitamind.html.

Frogger, hang in there! Here's hoping for a less work/more money situation. And less commute, too!

Seattlejo, love your sexy librarian avatar!

Zadie, how's it going?

Ceara, hi to you and those adorable heathens!

Well, my Dovies, I really need to go and do. Love you much, mentioned or not! Let's make this a wonderful day.

No ads!!!! No ads!!! Yay!!!! I just paid $15 bucks for six months of NO ADS on this site and they are gone already!!!! No ads, no ads, no ads!!!!

Hmmm. Ok, I'm ok now! :yikes: But I HATE banner ads and popups and popbehinds worse than root canals!!!! Well, maybe root canals are first but I really hate ads! :jig:

Thanks, :queen: WN for the :hb: ... wasn't trying to sneak it by y'all but every year I notice I forget my :hb: for longer and longer periods! This year I decided to tell everyone about it as, well, here I still am, growing ancient but still taking notice.

QOD: The last time I was photographed was when I was editing a magazine for a couple of years ... they insisted but the pic the newspaper chain (that owned the mag) photog took was awful, so I ended up paying to have a better one taken. I take pics of others, I don't allow others to take pics of me!

Gosh, I sound arrogant ... well, I kind of am! And, I'm sick of my profession and vow to get out of it as soon as possible. And I am sick of my employer, who doesn't seem to trust me and if so, what the freakin' heck am I doing there?

Sorry, venting. Cranky. Blood sugar low. Bought several pb cups (the honey peanut kind) and intend to keep them around and see if I can control the craving that way, so I'm going to have ONE with a low carb protein shake and see if that helps.

Reported my pathetic treadmill attempt on the NOLA thread!!! Wood Nymph, you are my heroine, which is not to say that I'm not doggin' thy heels and breathin' down thy neck trying to pass you up, assuming you are headed back to Atlanta for your second trip!!!! Here I come!!!! I'm a blur, well, kind of ... :s:

Old Dog going bumpity against my leg and sitting in pathetic "need hug" position ... gotta go!!!!!

Cerise , you know what is worse then Ferry Sheep? Market Tourists! My goodness! I went down there during Seafair last year and it was just wall to wall.Its a veggie Chili recipe, blackbeans and mushrooms, turned out fantastic and only 4.5 points per cup. Seems high, but its sooo healthy and so good. I actually froze the remainder in 1 cup bits for my lunches.

Amarantha, where do you pay the 15 $ to lose the Ads? I'd be more then willing to do that! Not just for no ads but to support them! I cant imagine they are making much off of the ads even. It makes sense what you said about pts btw. Since I had a loss on Sunday, I actually dropped down 2 points and its taking a min to readjust, or to fit in time to rearn my points. Thats the big thing. Activity Points!

Wildfire , I love the idea of counting down the days till spring, mind you after spring comes summer, and thats swimsuit weather isnt it? *teeth gnash*

Anagram, I'm glad I'm not the only one who cant always keep up! I love you ladies but we are sure prolific sometimes :)

Arabella Congrats on the loss! :dance:

Wildfire I know exactly what you mean about kids, but from the reverse view. My mom had me when she was 22, my brother when she was 21, and I loved the fact that she was a kid right along with us.

Punkin, how are you doing? Survive your first day back on the program? Just remember it becomes easier as it becomes a routine.

Zadie, how are you doing?

Ok ladies, I know I missed some of you, but I must head to work.

Re: QOD -- Over the holidays, I had to get a digital pic for my bio. I shall now attempt to upload it here for thine amusement... :wizard:

Ah, I guess I can't insert the image, but here I am anyway...

...and there's our lovely Wood Nymph. You are delightful to look upon, dear. Now I have a face to the shadow flitting through the woods. Honestly, you're a beautiful woman. Hope your DH tells you lots.

Thanks, Cerise! You are a sweetie! I was just going back to look at you and Ramon to try and work out how you inserted the image. But I see [IMG] code is off, so maybe that explains why it won't work for me.

Did I ever tell you guys I HATE THIS @&*$^%! job? Yes? Ok, just wanted to reiterate that fact. YELLED at this morning (yes actually yelled at) over the phone for something that was beyond my control. They made me cry.
Ya know, I took crap like this for 14 years from a step-father. Talked down to, yelled at etc. When I got kicked out the day after my 18th birthday, I swore I would never let anyone talk to me that way again. And here I am 4 years into this 'career' and they do it constantly. I'm getting out girls. I put in resumes all over and I hope someone replies. I'll take a pay cut, I'll take stuffing dog food bags with coupons, anything!!!

Frogger, is this the same job that requires you to spend half your life commuting? There's gotta be something better out there for you, and I hope you find it/ it finds you SOON! :crossed: I know that feeling -- not that I ever had a long commute, but when I waitressed the boss would occasionally yell at me, make unreasonable demands, be mean in general. Stuffing dog food bags with coupons sounds just swell in comparison :grouphug:

Seattle Jo, there's a "paid subscriptions" option now on the control panel to the left of the change profile screen (the list where I couldn't find how to turn my sig line back on)! It's under "miscellaneous" ... just click and it tells you all about it ... you can only use paypal ... you can pay for three months, six months or a week's trial. It made my screen very wide, though, so I'm viewing this at 90 percent and there are NO friggin' ads at all! You'll still get ads on the main part of the forum, the subscription is for the forum only, but I think the price is really reasonable since I'm on here so much. It's also nice to help support the sisters. I sound like a commercial, sorry!

Ok, guys, as thou knowest, I REALLY don't care for Dr. Phil (sorry, really, I know a lot of us do and that's cool and am not meaning to rain on anyone's Phil parade, but I don't like him). Anyhow, I sometimes watch the weight loss thing and posted a few months ago that I liked his idea of giving one of the women who was obsessed with trying a new variety of Doritos a bag, signing it and dating it and telling her he wanted to see her with the unopened bag everyplace he saw her ... the idea was so she could realize she had power over the Doritos ... I saw it as a kind of teddy bear thing ... if she turned the bag into a talisman of sorts, she'd gain the control ...

Well, ok, after eating ALL BUT ONE of the FIVE honey PB cups I brought home to try to quell my craving for PB cups and my always stopping on the way to a job and having PB cups (much to the detriment of my weight loss and nutrition plan), I am adding a new PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO MY PRIA NOT JANUARY CHALLENGE!

I have taken that last friggin' (sorry I keep using that word) PACKAGE OF TWO HONEY ROASTED PB CUPS (y'all KNOW what brand it is, but I won't say it) and put it in a baggie (so Old Dog won't smell it and also 'cause it's Arizona and it might melt) and written today's date on the baggie and I AM GOING TO CARRY IT EVERYWHERE I GO (more or less) for the rest of the PRIA NOT CHALLENGE! And I am not going to eat it until February 1. So I'm actually forgetting about the Pria's as their magikal powers don't equaleth the monumental magik o' pb cups and I'm embarking on the CARRY MY PB CUP TALISMAN EVERYWHERE AND DON'T EAT IT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1 CHALLENGE! I'll report each day on this thread thusly:

CARRY MY PB CUP TALISMAN EVERYWHERE AND DON'T EAT IT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1 CHALLENGE: DAY ONE!

Frogger, I hate my job, too! I've been making a list of careers I might be remotely good at or want to do and I'm going to explore them all. I'm also asking people for suggestions to add to the list ... it's something to do while I hang in on the current career! Sorry thou feeleth down, though, but glad you are also exploring the idea of getting out ... life's too short to do what we don't want to do ... stuffing grocery bags with coupons is one I hadn't thought of, though! :)

Frogger, yell back, quit, whatever, but BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Defend yourself at the top of your lungs if you have to...picture yourself as two people when you're attacked; one of you is the wounded one getting beaten down, and the other one of you is the ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO WILL STAND UP FOR YOU RIGHT THEN!!!!

Or, smile sweetly and put strychnine in the well. Whatever works for you. Please don't let them get away with this...

Sending out my absolute strongest wish that you find something choice within a week, and baby, I BELIEVE that wishes come true.

I'm right behind you, and if you want an injection of Super-Duper-*****-O-Rama, call me up.

**breathing kinda hard, here. Trying to calm down. I'm afraid my temper got the better of me there.**

Phewf. Got so mad for Frogger I killed the thread...

Hello all!!

Arabella!! Your photo looks gorgeous!! You don't look as though you have any weight to lose at all!!! I always carry so much in face, neck, chin (s)....
You look great!

Frogger!! I know you are asking every person if they're places are looking for help.... Hey, you're talking to the customers calling at the Pizza place right??
Maybe you could ask them too!! No, just kidding... but I sure would make sure eveyone knew I was looking and would do ANYTHING....

Cerise... Now, lets talk... I thought the "Super Duper" title was one I have here on my mantle!

OK, Kaylets. Can I have Megab*tch, then? Please?

They made our Frogger cry? WHAT??? How DARE they! :mad: Do they not know they are dealing with Royalty here? OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!! Don't let them get away with it, Frogger. Whatever happened, put it all in writing and give it to your Human Resources director. Yelling is simply unprofessional in the business world, even though it does happen. You don't have to file a complaint, but get it in your file in case you ever need it. You just never know. And I'd be happy to do a stiletto tap dance on the offender's forehead. :s:

Arabella, you look mahvelous darling! You are beautiful and very wood-nymphish, with that apparent quiet gracefulness your picture conveys. Thanks so much for sharing!

I had an appointment with the VP of the high school this morning to register DD for the Feb. semester. She wasn't exaggerating, he IS the biggest *** on the face of the earth! Talk about a power trip...looked at me with a "how dare you!" glare when I questioned him on a few things. All I could think was "if you walk around on a power trip this large, you must have a very small :censored:". Took all my strength not to tell him so, too. Called the Superintendent of High Schools at the School Board afterwards, to voice my concern that he has labelled my daughter without even knowing her (he is new to the school this year) and I feel he is not going to treat her fairly. She told me to let her know if anything happens.

Was it National ******* Day today? Darn, I forgot to buy cards. :D

Weighing in tomorrow night even though I was just there on Saturday. The whole switching meetings thing.

Kaylets, glad yesterday's illness was short-lived. Talk about cold! It's going to -30C with the windchill tonight. Brrrrr. Hey, maybe we should all drop by anagram's for tea? :yes:

Hello to all...:wave:

Yes, I 'm ready for a roadtrip...lets go !! But first, I think a ROAD TRIP is in order.... let's get ourselves to Froggrer's employer and set them straight!

This type of behavior is unprofessional, unacceptable and WILL NOT BE UNANSWERED!!!!!!!!!
Who's with me????

Wildfire... Kudos on not reminding the VP of what he's trying to prove otherwise!! Your phone call to his boss was a very classy move.

****************
We have a storm expected this evening....
My car is ready except I am going to carry workboots and heavy sox out this am...
Still have that Snow Country mentality.. rather be safe than sorry ....

*******
Today's thought of the day ;

"There is a giant asleep in everyone.
When that giant awakes, miracles happen."

--Frederick Faust

Question of the day :

" Would you like to go to Mars?"

*********


Time to switch to tea .... Rasberry Zinger sounds good....

KETTLE IS ON!



PS- Empress, was wondering what is happening w/ the PB in the bag.....
I don't know how you are doing it... I wouldn't been able to make them last long enough to get into the house much less carry the last one around ......

And in fact, as much as I like Dr Phil, if I was that girl w/ the Doritos, I would've just left them w/ him .... that wouldve been the only way I could make sure that bag wouldn't have been eaten.
For me, the same strategies that worked when I quit smoking do not work w/ my "can't control foods".... I walked around for months w/ a pack of cigarettes I never touched because I was chewing the gum.....


Anyway....
Frogger.... is it a right or left at the light???? We've got your back!

Frogger, may your new job make itself known SOON! Wildfire's right, you should never be yelled at. Document everything!

Wildfire, Nat'l ******* Day! Haw! :lol:

Amarantha, Lately I've been afflicted with the desire for PB cups, must be that sweet salty thing I crave. I dare not have the first one though, I like them too much.

Seattlejo, will you share the recipe for black bean-mushroom chili? It's hard to find a veg. crock pot recipe. Maybe you know a web site?

Anagram, I'm so envious of you there at the beach. I'm feeling a powerful inclination to go---saving my pennies.....

For those who asked, sorry I don't know the WW points for the Tibetan burritos. I don't know the mysteries of Weight Watchers!

Arabella, congrats on losing 2 pounds! And thank you for the pic! You have the same energy as that pic I saw of you a few years ago [in your Babette incarnation], very "French"! ;)

Time's a' wastin'---off to work!

Hand me one of those "Fresh start" cards, and a "No guilt" one, too, wouldya? Crashed and burned yesterday. Ah well, tomorrow is another one. OH. That would be today, wouldn't it.

Thanks to all for your kind words on my pic.

Nat'l A**-kicking Day -- let's have that legislated! Love to all!

I'm thinkin' I want to go back to bed! Quite grey outside.

:queen:Arabella...there you are! Beautiful classic lines...really nice pict. Nice to see ya!

My computer has a cold...DH has been working on it....again... :( . There were no dropdowns in the processing programmes...I mean there were but you couldn't get to the files 'cause the minute you dropped 'em down the 'puter froze! :dizzy: Most frustrating as I had 2 meeting this week and needed stuff...I thought. As you see I survived without 'em. This board chair thing is a challenge!

:queen: Frogger I'm sorry to hear someone yelled at you...how dare they! :mad: Was it a customer or a supervisory person? Document in either case...(union hat on now) I've had patrons (that's what we call them) yell at me, usually for overdue fines...which are really beyond my control...I don't make the policies just enforce them...with a lot of latitude in some cases... :lol: I had an older gentleman on the phone the other day who seemed to be of the impression that I as a librarian could show him how to load programmes on his home computer and teach him how to use them and the net!!! Someone had told him we do that stuff in the library. He was quite snippy until I found him a possible solution...in Ontario the kids have to have service hours before they can graduate from high school...so I suggested that he call the school and see if they could suggest a young person to help him with this and...voila...a happy camper. But it was a little tense there for a bit. Me load programmes :dz: !!! :rolleyes:

:queen:WSW how's the condo stuff going? That must be so exciting for you!
:queen: Amarantha, the pria and Pb NO :queen: Happy belated :hb: :wave:
:queen: Seattlejo I also have a friend who reads cook books...she'd take 'em outta the library and never make a recipe!
:queen: Wildfire I hope DD has a great term! Inspite of her VP from ***....dom! Isn't that a neighbouring land far, far away?
:queen: Eydie! How's the modified job? Any new stuff in the kitchen yet?
:queen: Punkin...we are half way there...I hear you on the kittie...what a hard decision at any time!
:queen: ZadieK...have you gotten the snow there yet...gloom and doom here on the forecast...but I've not seen it falling from the sky...further east yes...they closed a 4 lane highway for hours yesterday just an hour from here...multi pileup due to icy conditions.
:queen: Anagram...how is Florida?
Welcome to :queen: Becky32..hop on the wagon and pull me back up will yah? My seat belt failed!! AGAIN!

I think I got most everybody! :queen: Kaylets...no to Mars...Alaska yes..

I hope I missed no one else....and I am leaving the most prolific to last!
:wave: to :queen: Cerise. Seen any sheep lately? That is one of the reasons that I hate the mall...beside the small parking spots and just on general principles.

I'm quite admiring of all you ladies who have braved the cold and crowds of the ice rinks and have skated! Kudos to you! My skates are AWOL, I recollect lending them and never getting them back...what else is new? :rolleyes:

Anyway I must be off...have laundry and dogs and stuff to do before I go to my paying JOB.

Ta-Rah!

Ceara :wave:

Thanks for all the good vibes girlies! I have off tonight from my 2nd job, so I'll be checking my home email to see if anyone has replied to my resumes or called me up. Don't worry, I AM NOT going to take it anymore!!! BUT, I do need to have something lined up before I jump ship. You know bills and stuff like that!
So, I'm just sitting here doing nothing today, because I don't feel like it. I may tidy up my cube and take some personables home with me this evening.

I'll check back in around lunchie. Tootles :D

ceara-no, it was my boss. Actually she used to be my direct supervisor, but now she's a project manager who's over all of us. I directly report to someone else. It's kinda like that movie Office Space. Everytime something goes wrong I hear about it 3 times from 3 different people.

Yo, guys!!! Here's my personal vote for quote of the century: "if [he] walk[s] around on a power trip this large, [he] must have a very small ..." ~ :queen: Wildfire

Om shanti, :queen: Cerise! I would like some of that super-duper-b****-o-rama! Where doeth a poor warrior empress goeth to findeth it!? Is it available at Walmart?

:queen: Frogger, hope you feel better ... please reread the above from the wild flame lady!!! :)

Re PRIA Not, I'm dropping it as it's not an issue for me anymore ... re keeping the PB cup in a baggie and not eating it ala Dr. Phil and the Doritos ... forget this! Don't try it at home! It doesn't work! I got stressed sitting in the car waiting for a meeting and that PB was gone before I noticed it!!!

I'll think up more challenges later ... very busy week and I'm driving all over the state tomorrow so am taking day off ... will be back later to add to NOLA tread and to answer the QOD, which I forget since I'm on the wrong page to see it right now.

Later, gators!

Morning morning.
I'm not going to be able to respond to everyone right now, gotta get to training in a second however:

Amarantha what was the Pria Challenge? too bad the PB challange didnt work out.

Arabella thank you for sharing your picture with us! You are gorgeous! True Royalty my dear :-)


Frogger, good for you on the day off, bad for you on them making you cry! I'd say we hunt them down and.. and. well I wont say what, this is Polite company right?

I'm having total issues trying to get to the gym this morning. I did not make it up at 5am like I intended, Instead, I slept in till 6:20. Didnt matter that I had my clothing laid out, my lunch made and my bag pretty much ready to go. Sleep was what I wanted and got.

Ok, thats it for me. As far as the Chili recipe I've included it below. It's from Eating Well, a new magazine on the racks at my bookstore. I'm really impressed with it. They had an article on Crock pot cooking this month, but not every recipe was Vegetarian.
Points work out to 6 if you only count 5 grams of fiber, 4.5 if you count all of them.
Next time I make it it will be spicier.
Black Bean Mushroom Chili

Serves: 10
This exceptionally Full bodied vegetarian chili develops complexity from meaty mushrooms , tangy tomatillos and a subtle layering of spices and chilis. Dried beans need to be soaked overnight before going into a slow cooker. Once the beans are tender the chili can gently bubble for several extra hours adding flexibility to dinner's schedule.

1 lb. black beans -- dried, and
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup mustard seeds
2 tablespoons chili powder
1.5 teaspoons cumin seed -- crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
2 mediums onions -- coarsely chopped
1 lb. mushrooms trimmed and sliced
1/2 lb. tomatillo (about 1/3 cup) -- peeled, chopped (
1/4 cup water
1 can 6 ounces tomato paste
2 tablespoons chipotle pepper -- chopped in adobo sauce
1 1/4 cups grated monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro -- leaves only, chopped
2 wholes limes -- Sliced

Soak beans overnight in 2 quarts of water.
Drain beans and discard soaking liquid.

Meanwhile combine oil mustard seeds, chili powder, cumin, cardamon in a 6 quart dutch oven. Place over high heat and cook until spices sizzle, about 30 seconds.
Add onions, mushrooms, tomatillos and water. Cover and cook , stirring occasionally until vegetables are juicy, 5-7 minuts. Uncover and stir often until the juices evaporate and vegetables are lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes. Add broth, tomato paste, and chipoltes with sauce. mix well.

Place the beans in a 5-6 quart slow cooker, and pour the hot sauce over the beans. Turn the heat to hig. Put the lid on and cook until the beans are creamy to bite, 5-8 hours.
To serve, ladle into bowls Garnish each serving with cheese, sourcream , cilantro. pass lime wedges at table.

Makes 10 servings of a generous cup each.
Per serving 311 Calories 10 g fat 20 mg cholesterol 13 g fiber.

Mornin' ladies,

I'm going to TRY to be brief... you won't believe what I did this morning - I either broke my wrist (?) or severely sprained it. :rolleyes: I was walking out to my carport and my foot found some ice and down I went - of course using my left hand to brace the impact on my hiney (why? it has the most padding) and anyway, I heard the "crunch" and felt the "ouch" and thought the "oh crap". I don't have insurance so I'm going to play it by ear as to having it checked. I've been wrapping and icing, but it's still pretty painful - but all up and down my arm, not just my wrist, so it's starting to look like "good news", that it's just a sprain.... whoa is me!

Seattlejo, thank you for asking if I'd survived my first day! Yes, and so far 1/2 through day 3 I'm doin' ok... :crossed:

Amarantha, I love the Dorito idea too. I was given a home made truffle around Christmas, I stuck it in my purse, and couldn't believe it when I found it a week later - I'd FORGOTTEN about chocolate!!!!

Frogger, I'm so sorry your boss treated you like that! Last time I had a boss who made me cry, I handed him the keys to the office and left - no notice or anything. The look of shock on his face made up for the fact that I wouldn't get unemployment for quitting! No one has the right to treat you like that, especially in a professional setting - good luck on finding something new, and SOON!

Wildfire, I'd *love* to go to Canada! :cb: What's this about a Yeti in your zoo? :lol:

Ceara, I hope your computer's feeling better soon!

Kaylets, how's the vertigo? I had that once for a month, same symptoms as yours, then *poof* it just suddenly went away one day. Weird. I hope it's warming up your way too - my lotion of choice this winter has been Neutrogena body lotion, no cracked or itchy winter skin this year!!! :cb:

Arabella, hang in there dahling, you could be saving up for a monster loss next week! :yes:

Q o' the day, I'll pass on mars for now. I am lucky enough to get to talk to a lot of people at JPL in Pasadena (they lease vans we maintain) and we service their vehicles in a parking lot called the "Mars Playground", where they tested the rovers. Cool huh? The couple I got to call for service were all SO excited last week and fun talking to! But me? Go to Mars? I don't even like flying on THIS planet!!!

Cerise, you can be the mega-b$&@ if you'd like, but I believe it's a title that can, and is, passed around from time to time! ;)

Toodles for now, must away and rest wrist (say that 5 times!)

Terri

Ok, what's with the clowns? Hasn't anyone seen "It" by Stephen King?????? Clowns are baaaaaaad!!!!!! :fr: :eek:

No more clowns!!!!!!!!

T

Feeling frowny today, a bit.

Work related - one problem after another, unhelpful supervisor, etc. No one yelled at me, though.

I refuse to use clown smilies. I hate clowns. Where's the sulky, spoiled, complaining, whiney smiley? Oh, yeah. :stress:

OK, on to posties:

Punkin, darling, when are you going to get a break? I'm not comfortable with the fact that you heard a "snap" when you fell. *shudder* Still, doctors are notoriously useless when it comes to healing wrist fractures. I know that from experience. I remember your vertigo thing, this summer, wasn't it? You concluded that it was your body/blood pressure getting accustomed to your new lower weight, if I remember right. Kaylets has indeed been losing...perhaps she's suffering from the same thing. I know I'll have to give up the Megab*tch title eventually, but for now it's still mine. :s:

Seattlejo, I can't wait to try your new chili recipe. Maybe even Ramon will like it (he's not really into beans of any kind). This weekend, though, I'm only using tried-and-true recipes on my houseguests. My cooking's shaky enough without adding the stress of trying to impressively nourish our friends with a new recipe.

By the way, I hear you on the flocks in Pike's Place Market. I've lived here for 6 months now, so I can utter "bloody tourists" under my breath with impunity when I there and I'm just trying to buy green beans for dinner. THEY are in a mob around that ridiculous fish-throwing place. Also, we musn't forget the Convention Place Hordes - mostly men in suits who'd rather die than let you pass. And they're in a convention (duh), so they're in little get-to-know you cliques, blocking the sidewalk.

I can see that I'm in the sort of mind where I'm complaining about absolutely anything and everything. Wow. And now I'm complaining about complaining. :dz:

Changing gears...

Dear Amarantha, Om Shanti! Love to Her Dogness.

Oh, Frogger. I agree with Wildfire and Eydie. You are on steady moral ground in your right to not be yelled at. Remember that if it happens again, because you're perfectly entitled to say "Please don't yell at me". Or, "I won't continue this conversation if you continue to yell at me." I'm still ordering a great job for you from the Big Candy Machine in the Sky.

More later, dears. Must work now.

Just two quick things:
sprained ankel :(
got violently ill, possibly food poisoning.

A longer post is forthcomming tomorow.

This has not been my week at all.

Om shanti, Cerise, I used to live in Seattle, so I know the area you are talking about, but I didn't remember the name of it ... well, no, since you've described the choices, I don't wanna be any of those MEGABs! I wanna be the kind we have here (well, one of the kind we have here) with cowgal boots, a hat, red hair and an attitude like a rattlesnack ... oh wait, I already AM that MEGAB!

Oh, well. We have lots of tourists here as well, but they aren't called that ... they buy houses and stay all winter ... long topic so I'll shut up.

SJ, the Pria NOT challenge was just a personal one for me ... was counting off the days I didn't eat Pria bars, as they were a trigger for binges for me ... I did 12 days but haven't bought anymore.

The chili looks wonderful ... I have a crockpot that I might try it in. I've never thought of mushrooms in chili but it's a great idea.

Maybe we could do a future CCRRMM thread addressing trigger foods ... we could each choose one and "bag" it and carry it around for 21 days or something ... it could be after the NOLA challenge and maybe usher us into St. Pat's or Easter.

The time is passing, guys, and I intend to get this freakin' weight off this year!!! Let's keep our great attitude going. We're all doing great.

Punkin, sorry about thy encounter with an Ice Monster ... glad it's only a sprain but that's a pain ... this is why I don't live where it snows or freezes. Glad I never took the job in Bend, though it soundeth like a neat place in the summer.

QOD: YES!!! I would LOVE to go to Mars and be a wise woman of a tribe of colonists from Arizona! What a great end to my life that would be ... not contemplating suicide, just thinking that by the time this expedition got to Mars, I'd probably be quite elderly and would doubtless not return to Earth in my lifetime ... I'd have to take Old Dog, the cat and the birds, too, and hopefully, there'd be a fantastic (if elderly) gentleman with dark muscles rippling under his spacesuit who would fall madly in love with me during the long journey to the Red Planet ... of course, when we got there, the change in gravity and some unseen element that scientists don't know about yet would cause both of us to regenerate into hot young things and we would quickly add to the population of our little group of colonials ... all of whom would be geniuses in their own right who would give us unconditional friendship and we would all discuss history, philosophy, cooking, textiles and the meaning of life during the long Mars evenings (no movies there, no Walmart, not even a Nordstroms) and ...

Well, yes, :queen: K, I would like to go to Mars.

"The Martians are us!" ~ Ray Bradbury

Bye now.

...still not quite me, but I discovered that the reason I'm in such a tizzy today is because of PMS. It's unmistakable, since I've also got the bloating, gas, lethargy and the more obvious signs. Isn't it wonderful to find out that your grouchiness is hormonal, not your fault, you're not a bad person? It makes me feel better, since so much of feeling bad for me is feeling bad for feeling bad. Get it?

Nevertheless, I read through the previous post and was astonished at my negativity, so I went through and deleted the most offensive bits. I was tempted to leave it, to give you a true taste of me in a bad mood, dears, but this thread for me is more about lifting loved ones up and less about letting it all hang out and being a grouch. I do think we should feel free to vent, but I was just sniping at the world in general (and I left some of it in) because of a hormonal imbalance, and venting wasn't what I needed. Sorry if I've disappointed you - if you'd like to be the recipient of a full-on, selfish, sulky PMS-induced rage session, let me know and I'll PM you. I'll PM S you. :dizzy:

Zadie, poor thing! It's doubly bad, since you can't run to the bathroom on that ankle. Hoping your violent sickness will abate very soon and your poor anklie won't hurt much.

Oooh, Ceara are you FREEZING yet? People in the pictures from the East look miserable. Poor things. Stay warm and maybe give your computer a thick muffler and some tea.

Arabella, no kind words here on your picture. All true. Brutally honest. You are empirically lovely. Just the facts, Ma'am. I'm with you on the crash/burn yesterday. Another sign that I was about to experience the Joy of Being a Woman - I ate an entire, yes, ENTIRE package of spaghetti last night. Oh, the shame.

Eydie, yeah, I'm curious too about your kitchen at work. Any modifications yet? Are you able to cook in it?

Kaylets, your Road Trip rampage made me laugh my head off. You' crazy, girl!! Time to get little "vigilante justice" going for 3FC. Bet Wildfire will help...

And Wildfire, my first day of WW, yesterday, didn't go so great. Well, it was my first day of meeting, but I didn't count points. Started that today. I seem to have blown through a lot of them...ah, well. Inauspicious beginnings are always encouraging for me. Things tend to last more when I've not started with a parade and such. Quiet, unassuming habits worm their way into my life more easily than loud, showy ones. Shocker if you know me at all.

Anagram, miss you. Come see us soon. Can't you get yo'self a laptop and a modem? Hmmm? Or do you strive to keep your vacations unplugged?

Love to all, and hope I haven't dragged anyone into my seething morass of Grouchy Womanhood.

Hello all!!

Hmmmmm TOM .... let the fun begin... I wonder if I am off schedule too .... very broken out and appetite just barely under control....

Empress... perhaps we can get you on the list for Empress of Mars.... after all, Royalty will be needed....

And sorry, I have enough trouble monitoring the bag I keep my lunch in much less a bag with food I can't eat.... the blue tick would have it in under 10 minutes anyway... just for fun...
Unless of course, it was dog food... and come to think of it, that might be the only thing I could carry around safely !!
I just do not have that kind of control.....

I'm sorry... what are thse simiiles?? They look like some imaginings from a wild drunken party......Chickens w/ green fireman hats?? I give up... Are they boneless chickens at least??

Dr Weil was on Larry King and a caller asked about Vertigo....He suggested gingko bilboa to increase blood circulation in the neck. I was laying down, and do have an old neck injury ...might have pinched something w/o realizing...
We'll see if there are any reoccurences.
Do not take any medications so I don't think my problem is the same as Q Punkin but then again, I really don't have a clue what happened to me!
But I am fine now !

So, they have us freezing on the news, huh?? My dad says in Fl they make a point of showing crummy weather there ... h e says it makes them forget other complaints.... go figure... Not sure what they can show me other than earthquake, mudslide, etc... ok ... it could be worse...

Ok ...

Zadie! Please be careful... oh geez... how did this happen...
Food poisioning?? SOOOOO soorrrrryyyy... had that once and thought I would never get better. saw the doctor twice...
Hope someone is around who can bring you tea and broth.....

******

Frogger! Keep smiling... there is nothing as sweet as saying " I'm outta here"
and when they say " Do you have a job ?" and you can say " Sure do... and a much shorter commute, the hours are perfect and I'm getting the money I want...." they will immediately assume you are getting more money...well, if my calculations are right... if you find something closer to home, you will be SAVING money on gas, tires, etc, etc... NEVER MIND ...YOUR TIME.... driving can be very tiring...

As tempting as it might be and trust me, I have bitten my tongue thru more than once on this one.... don't tell the current employer you are looking...
If the boss is combative, it could make matters worse. You are right, you want to leave when you are ready ( If at all possilble)....
Keep smiling... just read an article on how employers get so numb when interviewing that even someone asking them a few friendly questions made the applicant memorable...By smiling and interacting, the employer could begin to imagine the applicant in the job.....interacting w/the other coworkers...

And just give us the word, as soon as this snow passes, I am ready for a Road Trip... I know Cerise will ride shotgun.....


Time to get clothes ready for the am...
West Wing tonight on NBC.. 9 pm Eastern Standard Time



Think I'll have a cup of tea too.

And by the way, I havent seen licorice tea anywhere.... hear that its very tasty...anyone finding it in their stores?

RIDE shotgun? ****, I'll CARRY the thing.

Ick. I hate licorice.

Black licorice I'm assuming... milder than ouzo, not as strong as Sambuca...
hmmm......


Queen of Friday... I realized during my shower I didnt mention your tumble

"I'll tumble for you..." ok... toooooo 80's!!

anyway.... I'm hoping from the keyboard activity that you really didnt break anything... tomorrow might be very interesting...
Sorry!

and yes, I do the same thing-- try to brace myself so I don't fall on the most heavily padded area... Interesting isn't it....
*********
Cerise.. whats for supper??

Hello dears,

Today started off with a bang. DH was to drive to our plant about 1.5 hrs north of us to do some network installations with a new server. (He's an IT nerd.) So off he went in his car and off I went to the office in my own. Shortly after I arrived he called and said he was home, had been in an accident. Some idiot cut across three lanes into a left-hand turn lane in front of DH and because of the storm DH couldn't stop in time or avoid him. The whole right front quarter panel of his car and wheel well is gone. *poof* He picked up the larger pieces and threw them in his trunk. He spent all day dealing with police reporting center, insurance, body shop...looks like the car will be a write-off because the repair will cost more than the blue book on the car, but we'll know more later.

Punkin, I hope your wrist isn't broken! I'd feel much better if you had it looked at. You can get a flight to Toronto for $350 to $500 CDN, round trip. So when are you coming? :hyper: Did you know there are 16km of underground tunnels beneath the city filled with shops and restaurants? You can shop for days and never go outside! The Yeti are not working out well. They are quite miserable creatures, wailing and complaining and hurling themselves into heaps on the ground. It's in Zoo Tycoon, the computer game hubby bought me on the weekend. Really a neat game...you build your zoo and set your prices for admission and concessions, etc., and have to look after all the animals. Very cool when the allosaur got loose from the dinosaur pen and the Dinosaur Recovery Team took off in the helicopter to nab him before he ate anyone. :lol: I'm having fun with it.

ceara, nice save suggesting the student to your elderly caller. Great idea for the community service hours! Hope your computer recovers...isn't it scary how much we depend on them? :comp:

Frogger, hope you find something on the job front. :crossed:

Yes, Eydie, how is the work situation for you these days?

Amarantha, glad you liked my thoughts on the VP. :lol: Sorry to have exposed you all to my twisted little way of thinking. Nice try with the PB cup, but I have to say it never would have even made it into the baggie if it were mine.

Seattlejo, kudos to you for even trying to get the gym before work.

zadie, oh no! How did you sprain your ankle and get food poisoning? You poor thing! Can we get some of that food to go....directly to Frogger's boss? :s:

Cerise, you can come here and PMS all you want, dear. :yes: If you need to be a grouch and let it all hang out, then by all means, do so! You bet I'll help with a little vigilante justice...great stress reducer, and I'll finally have somewhere to wear my black leather bustier. :jig: WW will get easier as you start recognizing the points in food you eat regularly. You won't have to look every single thing up because an egg is two points and will always be 2 points, etc. You're on the right track, just give it a few weeks to find your groove if need be.

wsw, any news from your world? Feeling better? Condo? Dog?

Didn't get to WW tonight because of the storm. Took 2 hours to get home after work and I didn't want to go back out in it! I think I can stop in tomorrow after work and just weigh in even if I miss the meeting.

I'm off...here's to a better Thursday! :wave:

Hello all!

Wildfire! Wow and am so glad DH 's ok... stinks about the car but am gald he's
ok!

We really only had a true dusting for which I'm grateful but the temps are supposed to remain only in the low teens all day.... I will bring that blanket in the car w/ me today... to carry into the office!! My desk gets a brutal draft and I do not do well in the cold....

******
Today's thought of the day :
"Giving opens the way to receivng."
-- Florence Scovel Shinn

Question of the day :
" Which to do prefer....too hot or too cold?"

*******


Have a good one all!
KETTLE IS ON!

Good Morning!

Wildfire, your heart must've stopped when you first heard about DH's accident! So glad he's okay.

Cerise, nobody here thinks any less of you for saying anything. Get that out of your head---why should you be more evolved than the rest of us poor slobs? Of course I'm never afflicted with PMS---heavens no.... ;)

zadie, are you feeling better? How about you, Punkin?

Kaylets, I've found licorice in some blended herbal teas--usually the ones for colds or digestion.

How are the workouts going, Arabella? I've tried a couple of different things this week and I'm so sore. I have a friend who loves having sore muscles--I hate it!

Thanks for asking about the kitchen at work. Progress is being made. New sinks; did I tell you that we have to have a totally seperate little bar-type handwashing sink? That ate up a bit of counter space, but had to have it. Now the waste water has to be monitored for 2 months before doing anything else. At this point I'm not doing any real cooking. :mad: Just assembling things still. I have a reception this morning and one on Sunday. Speaking of which, I need to get moving! It's all good; everyone enjoys it, but I miss the satisfaction of everything 'homemade'.

Good morning all.
I have good news, and I have bad news. Which do you want first?

Bad? Ok

Won't be leaving this job for a while (I don't guess)

Ok, now the Good?




Ready?

Really? :D

OK OK.




I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:eek:

Yes, yes I am. A little tadpole for us. Can you believe it? Lose almost 60 lbs. and end up preggers. Took a home pee test yesterday because I'm 4 days late and I threw up after my salad lunchie yesterday. I thought either I've got the stomach flu going around or I'm pregnant. (At least I don't have the flu! ;) ) So I went to the pharmacy and bought one. It didn't waste any time giving me the + sign. So now I have to find a OBGYN near me and get a blood test 'just to be sure'.

But on the downside, I guess I'll be staying at the job a little longer. I don't see how anyone would want to hire a pregnant lady.

Frogger!!! :) :eek: :D :D :D :cp:

:grouphug: CONGRATULATIONS!

Is DH excited? I'm excited for you! It is nice to have some good news...all these broken and sprained body parts in this neighbourhood these days. And not incurred whilst skating! :s:

Just a quick postie...wanna keep up the good news so won't burden with my bad stuff at this point....'cause some of it is still only suspicion on my part...and no person who lives in my house is involved. So..

Eydie...how exciting that the kitchen is evolving. Any time line on the return to "home" cooked? I mean that only in that obviously it is cooked from scratch, but is it in a home? In my case a nut house.... :dizzy:

I'm assuming body temp for QOD... too hot because I tend to dress in layers and can shuck off...it is hard to add clothes if you've no extras ;) .

I like the new format...you can go back, insert the cursor and add smilies...didn't used to be able to do that...had to know the codes...

Seattlejo...am gonna copy and paste that recipe and try it...wonder if it will work with canned beans...you know for those last minute Charlies...like me!

OH CER-I-I-S-S-E. (please imagine best mother calling tones there) Can I hold your gun? HUH? huh? Actually I thought you'd say you'd shoot it for her....my dear friend in the States has a DH who is a bit of a gun nut...the first time that I found out that he keeps a loaded pistol in the couch (they live a little rural) I almost Sh*t a brick! I'd been sitting on the couch! On that gun!!! So now I ask where the gun is before I set my keister down. :lol:

:wave: to all....I have to get off line...could be some not good calls coming in shortly.

TTYL
Ceara

Congratulations Frogger!! Wahooo!

Hello,
I am feeling much less wonky today. I can walk (kind of) and I am no longer sick. So all in all pretty good strides.

Frogger - congrats on the tadpole :) Incidently, it is illegal for potential employers to even ask if you are pregnant or have kids, and it is certainly illegal for them to not hire you becuasse of your "delicate condition". The only exception is if it is a job using dangerous chemicals that pregnant women should not be exposed to. That said, like all kinds of discrimination, it is awfully hard to prove becuase the employer can always say that there is another reason that the prospective employee was not hired.

Wildfire - I am so glad DH is ok. Gosh, winter driving is a pain.

cerise - a little righetous anger can be a pretty good thing.

punkin - how is the wrist doing?

well, i will check in later. my boss is in town right now. todya is her last day in the office this trip. i like having her arround, but i get really stressed out.

Mornin' one and all and Happy Friday eve! :cb:

Wrist is still very, very sensitive, but there was never any bruising or swelling so I assume it is indeed "only" a sprain. Either way, it's a pain to not have a left hand when you're left handed... I have a removeable cast/splint on it (received from my days as a massage therapist) and if it shows no improvement, or worsens over the next few days I'll have it checked - but it's already a little less painful than it was yesterday.

Typing works ok since I have one of those ergonomical keyboards, but after a few minutes it starts to burn, so I'm going to make this as short as possible!

We're all gonna be Aunties!!!!!! :dance:

Momma Frogger!!!! Congratulations on the tadpole!!!!! :cb: :bb: :cb: :cheers: (that's apple cider for you, not wine!) I'm SO excited for you! Now, you need to take good *emotional* care now too - if that $#%(& boss lets into you again you need to somehow put an end to it - stress isn't good for you especially now!
Do you know, when I worked for WW the number of times I saw women lose weight and immediately get pregnant (either on purpose or not) was amazing! It's like your body says "oooh, I feel so good and healthy!" and everything else just clicks perfectly. When I lived in CA, one of my neighbors was a WW class member of mine, she had a 12 and 14 year old, lost 50 pounds and had a surprise pregnancy - and blamed me and WW!!! :lol:

Cerise, actually, I was referring to a bout of real life vertigo - in the sense that the room spins even if you haven't moved. I had it about 7 years ago and it was awful! Apparently it's something in your inner ear that goes temporarily haywire, but almost always resolves itself within weeks. The blood pressure drops creating temporary dizzys I don't consider vertigo - just a free ride! :spin:
About the noise I heard when I fell yesterday, I've been talking myself into thinking it was actually a noise from the ice... :shrug: I broke both bones in my left arm when I was about 9 years old (skate boarding) and broke a bone in the center of my right wrist when I was about 12 (rollerskating) - the bone break in the center of the wrist is closest to what this feels like, and IF that is what I actually did there's nothing they can do for it anyway, 'cept splint it and not use it (ditto for when I broke my foot 9 years ago). Advances in medical science my foot... (no pun intended!)

Zadie, OMG!!! I hope you're ok! Make sure you get as much fluid in you as you can, food poisoning can be deadly! I'm sorry about your ankle too, talk about bad timing! Like Cerise said, how can you run for the bathroom???? :eek: Check in as soon as you can!

Amarantha, I like the idea of a 21 food trigger challenge. I wonder if being forced to confront a binge food in that way might take some of the power out of it. For instance, in October my goal was to NOT buy or eat any Reese's PB pumpkins. I didn't eat or buy even *1*. So when Christmas came around, and now Valentine's Day - the trees and hearts don't even appeal to me. You may have something there, let's do it!

Kaylets, Culture Club????? I LOVED them!!!! Now Karma Chameleon is going to go through my head all day... Sorry, I haven't seen any licorice tea either, but like Cerise, I also wouldn't have been looking for it either. :p

Wildfire, Thank God DH is ok!!! A crumbled bumper can be fixed, you can buy another car, but DH can't be replaced! :no:
The zoo game sounds hysterical! D'ya know, "My Guy" keeps saying he's afraid to come to Oregon because he's afraid of Bigfoot?? :lol: Like they're running around rampant or something!!!! Ooooh, whatta hoot!

Ceara, ok, worried about the "bad stuff" and "not good phone calls". Hope everything's ok??

Well, so much for being brief. Must away, work becons and if I wanna have my typical loafin' Friday I should get something done!

Toodles,
Terri

Yowza, hello everyone! I have three hours to kill before meeting with my publisher and then am going to drive another hour to do a late meeting ... as the person I came down here (two-hour drive) to interview wasn't there, nor was the quilt I was supposed to take a picture of ... but they brought that in so I have a pic but no story. So I'm stuck in this town all by myself and on somebody else's computer. This needs to stop.

Venting, and I'm not deleting it ... Cerise, I didn't see anything out of order on your previous posts and you don't have to feel you don't have the right to vent ... I personally enjoy your venting ... so vent some more because it's good for all of us! :) Om shanti!!!!

Zadie, hope you feel better soon ... I liked your advice to Frogger about discrimination ... it exists but it isn't to be tolerated!

CONGRATULATIONS TO :queen: FROGGER, who will soon be joined by a royal tadpoll ... how do you spell tadpoll? Anyway, that's great ... take care of thyself!!!! Yowza!!!

Punkin, glad thy hand feeleth somewhat better ... BTW, I have certified massage therapist on my list of potential careers ... I wonder if I am too old to go through all the classes, etc., and start a career and I wonder if I'd like it and be good at it?

Again, I can't find the QOD ... gotta go wander now ... if only there were a mall in this town. Sheesh!

ceara- DH is very excited. He's all smiles wanting to call everyone we know. I called him into the bathroom to look at the test and he's like what does it mean???? Is that second line supposed to be there? I told him only when your pregnant. He smiled really big and gave me a big hug. Then I ate too much dinner and got sick. Awww, expected motherhood.

P.S. If you're keeping score, we've been married 8 months this saturday. LOL

Darling Frogger, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :cb: :dancer: :cloud9:

You are going to be a BRILLIANT mother! I'm so happy that you're starting a family with your DH! Is your Mom excited for you?

Zadie's right - nobody needs to know about your pregnancy if you choose to continue to look for other work. Oh, I'm so happy for youuuuuuuu... :hyper:

Dearest Amarantha, thanks for your assurances about my venting postie. I can get pretty vicious when I'm not feeling myself, and I felt like the...oh, I'll PM you. No use in tantalizing the other :queen: s on how vicious I can be if I refuse to share it. ;) Your intereview subject stood you up? Poor lady. Does that happen often?

For the record, I think you'd be a SPLENDID Massage Therapist, and I think your work, while strenuous on your hands, would be restful for your soul (not to mention, you wouldn't necessarily have to travel much). Your personality has a perfect combination of strength/assurance/centeredness for the job, IMHO. Go for it!

Punkin, poor baby! You seem to have broken a lot of things! I haven't broken anything but a minor wrist and, well, yes, I did crush a vertebra in my neck, which is pretty serious, but I'm perfectly normal now. Mostly. Chronic neck pain but totally manageable. I was never in traction or anything. Just wore a Cervical collar for a looooong time. Anyway...I'm glad your serious about immobilizing your wrist for now. Saves pain later on.

Zadie, I'm glad the violently sick part of your troubles is easing off. Are you at home resting or what? Hope your Leif is being very, very compassionate. Thanks for that reminder about workplace discrimination. You sound so...lawyerlike! In a good way... :D

Ceara, what's going on? Tell your sisters all about it. Speaking of gun nuts - I found out that my brother and SIL keep a .22 pistol in their closet for intruders. Couldn't believe it. And in my last job in Oregon, one co-worker brought one of those Glock guns for another co-worker to borrow since the latter was narc-ing on some suspected drug dealers in his neighborhood. Yee-ikes! :yikes: Boyoboy am I glad to be working in a nice, respectable professional office now.

Ouch, Wildfire. Does your husband have any whiplash or anything? Must've been pretty frightening for both of you. I'm sorry your DH was the victim of idiocy. I'm SO glad he's OK. :^:

Eydie, aren't you sweet? Thanks for letting me be me. I'm still not feeling up to snuff - I'm pretty touchy and stuff, but I hope it goes away very soon. I'm glad things are moving forward for your kitchen situation, though very slowly. It must drive you mad not to be able to cook. Cooking is such a satisfying, wholesome, almost sacred service, and I hate to think that you can't do it for now. :crossed: for the wastewater scrutiny!

Kaylets, I had the most marvellous tea last night at a bistro. "Woo wang" or something like that. Have to get some for meself. It's herbal, non-caff.

OK, loves, getting to work. Love to all!

(how you doin', Anagram?)

Hello all!

I saw the posts this am from work but couldnt respond as I'd havent reset KayletsI yet ... and I was wishing I didnt have to wait till now...

Congrats and Best Wishes Frogger!! Its so wonderful when new parents are so excited !! Sending you big (((((((((((((((((((((((CONGRAT HUGS))))))))))))))!!!!!

Try not to wait on the doctor too long... Be careful with yourself...

*****

As for those of you in Sick Bay... glad to hear of most of you are recovering ...
Fluids and rest, rest and fluids....Ceara-- you don't mean that the food poisioning was not an accident do you???

YIKES!

*****

Still seeing us on the news??? I'm not complaining after I saw what was happening in Boston, Maine, etc...

I brought an afgan to work with me-- no kidding, the office is brutal sometimes... and I said to myself.. maybe you should think about that knitting machine again...

ok...

things to do...

KETTLE IS ON!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Frogger!!! A little prince or princess to add to our Royal Court! :bb: So you'll be having a September baby? Oh, how exciting! :cp:

Cerise, how was your second day of WW? I weighed in on my way home tonight and I was down 0.2lbs. Yippee. And I thought I was doing so great, showed a 3 lb loss on my own scale this morning. :dunno: Hope the PMS lets up soon.

Amarantha, sorry about your wasted time today. What a drag! I agree, I think you'd be a fabulous massage therapist. Go for it!

Punkin, glad the wrist does not seem broken, but please take care of it! Happy to hear you at least have a cast to put it in. I didn't know that Bigfoot lived in Oregon! :lol:

anagram, come out from under that palm tree and visit with us!

ceara, hope whatever is going on isn't too serious! :?:

Zadie, glad you are feeling better!

Thanks to you all for your concern regarding DH's accident. He was lucky and didn't suffer any injury as the impact was at a rather low speed. He found out today that the body shop found parts for his car so we're hoping the insurance will approve the repairs. It is a perfectly good running car, purrs to life even after not being driven for weeks on end!

I'm off to plan a trip to my beloved east coast. :dancer: Not until June probably, but I'm going to do the research for a weekend with my best childhood girlfriend.

Stay safe and warm!

hi seattlejo-love your new icon!

hi wildfire-so glad your dh is o.k. after the car accident! the puppy in training to be a Dog Guide you saw at the mall recently must have been pretty cute to watch. i have now called one more organization to request an application, so my baby steps are getting a bit larger on that front. congrats on the weight loss!

arabella-congrats on the 2 lb. loss! thanks for the link. interesting info. loved seeing your beautiful picture.

frogger- i'm so happy for you! congratulations!!!

hi ceara!

punkin-sorry you hurt your wrist. hope it heals quickly.

hi eydie! thinking of you.

zadie k.-sorry to hear you sprained your ankle and got food poisoning. not fair! hope you feel better soon.

kaylets-glad to hear your vertigo has not returned. hope it remains that way. hm--licorice tea does sound good. i haven't ever seen it anywhere either.

hi amarantha-all the driving you have to do for your job makes me tired just hearing about it. it must be challenging.

hello anagram-thinking of you and hoping you are enjoying the time in that florida sun.

hi cerise!

i finally got a chance to catch up on your posts. have been getting a few more things done in preparation for closing on the 26th. also started physical therapy for my back yesterday. the p.t. seems very nice and looking forward to doing this twice a week for a month. have been doing well op. last night, a friend came over and needed a sympathetic ear and wanted to go out for dinner, but since i had already had mine, i offered to go with her, but just not eat. i was proud of myself for not "pretending" i hadn't already had my dinner and scarfing something down. instead, i was there to give her support and listen, and i stayed op. believe me, there was a time when i would have had that second dinner without a second thought. definitely a nsv for me. well, i hope everyone has a good evening. take care, all.

wsw

Yo! Thanks :queen: s for the input on massage therapy ... I am going to look into whether I can find a part-time school program to learn more about it!

Wildfire, sorry I missed the post about thy dh's accident and Ceara also sorry I missed out on the gun discussion ... hope all is well, both with Wildfire's dh and the gun situation ... a couple of nights ago there were a lot of gunshots in my neighborhood ... not sure if I posted about it ... couldn't find out what happened ... this neighborhood is a mess, sociologically and criminologically speaking.

Punkin, thanks for responding on the trigger food thing ... I'd thought of waiting until Mardi Gras be over with but the number of pb cups I ate on the road yesterday convinces me that a trigger/obsession food 21-day challenge is desperately needed the dreaded Valentine's Day season where there's twice as much candy in circulation as normally ... from my standpoint, anyway ... I am going to post it on a separate CCRRMM thread and hope that's ok with everyone and that the rest of this club forum thinketh not that we are taking up too much room ... just meant to be a food related thing that any CCRRMM can participate in or not ... it's not meant to compete with the NOLA walk, which is so motivating us to get out and get going ... I know I wouldn't have walked yesterday at all if it hadn't been for the NOLA ... and I thank SJ again for starting it up!!!! Yowza!!!

Cerise, pm me if thou wisheth to talketh!!! Om shanti, kiddo!!!! :wave:

Yes well a lot of people would say they both aren't but to me they are. The one causing me the most immediate pain is that I have to put down one of my girls today...Katie. The diagnosis is not precise but the gut feeling is cancer...there is a build-up of fluid between her ribs and the outer lung walls...this causes laboured breathing and is not treatable...in fact cancer in dogs is just not treatable....they don't respond to radiation or chemo like people do and if the prognosis is not 100% recovery why destroy their remaining quality of life? The fluid does not show sign of infection but is consistant with cancer...the cells that is. So....

The second and probably more important in most people's terms...and mine is that my 95 year old grandmother is in the hospital with something that she likely picked up in the nursing home because another lady (who is now dead bye the bye) came to the table hacking and coughing...as is her RIGHT????? According to the nursing home. I guess Typhoid Mary had rights too....Anyway the hospital isn't too helpful....gramma kept taking off the oxygen mask because she didn't like it etc....my grandmother does NOT like to be bothered by anything....and because she can talk, the hospital workers were honouring her complaints after all it is her right!!!!...her oxygen levels were under 90 which impairs lucidity and rationality but that's OK Right? ARGH!!! My mother has POA and gramma has a living will...but at this point if she beats this her quality of life would be good...if she were a vegetable I and my mom wouldn't be so upset with the hospital.....I just hope mom has the gonads to fight them. My grandmother has been like that her whole life...a passive resistor. That sounds cruel but it is true...if she didn't wanna she'd tell you and she wouldn't. My first response was restrain her so she can't take it off...no that's cruel...but it is OK for her to turn into a vegetable due to low oxygen.

Anyway...I'm expecting my truck to fail, my other dogs to runs off and my girlfriend! oops! husband to leave me....dark humour there.

Oh yes my dear friend's husband is also in hospital because his oxygen levels are low and he can't seem to keep down food....they need to build him up before the chemo bout...he's got an infection somewhere too....

Gotta go I think the furnace has a boo-boo. Actually likely a vapour lock.

Toodles...that was the guy in Peter Pan who lost his marbles...I think I can relate!

Ceara

Ceara, I'm so sorry about thy dog ... can only imagine what you are going through ...

And how awful that thy 95-year-old grandmother is in the hospital because of what seems like preventable carelessness on the nursing home's part ... it may be true that the poor lady that died had rights, but couldn't the home have been a tad more careful that the infection didn't spread ... 95 is too old to get an infection like that ... hoping it all comes out ok ... and for thy friend's dh as well ...

Sorry about the furnace if it's broken ... mine's not worked since 1997 ... never replaced it as a space heater suffices ... I hate furnaces and sympathize with thee if thou needest to get it fixed.

I posted the 21-day challenge thread if anyone wants to do it ... won't hurt my feelings if no one bites ... just an extra thingie ... I'm not going to eat any candy for 21 days! Period!

Ceara, I'm so incredibly sorry to hear about Katie. That's one of the hardest things ever. Hard to make the decision and then missing her---I'm hoping you have some time off to process it all. A couple of years ago we had a dog that was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and we held onto her as long as we could, and it's never long enough. I always feel moved to say this, corny though it may be, "better to have loved and lost"---and I'm sure Katie was loved and she loved every minute of it!

About your Gran, that's a hard one too. We're kind of going thru that with Garry's mom. The truth is she's not as strong, alert, etc. as she used to be-but she thinks she is or at least she tries to snow us all into thinking she is. We want our loved ones to retain their dignity and independence, but when is it wise to step in? If you figure it out, please let us know!

I'll be thinking of you, wishing you a peaceful heart, and a relaxing long weekend, I hope!

By the way, for anyone interested, Susan Powter is going to be on the Wayne Brady Show today. I'll be tuning in for that one!

Confession is good for the soul.....I haven't been doing so well lately. Way off program. :( I've simlpy been eating TOO MUCH. Actually had a mini-binge at the reception yesterday with a pesto torte I'd made. My weight is up 4 pounds and I'm so embarrassed, since for a brief shining moment I was at goal. I'm not out of the woods yet. I know that it's my fear of success that holds me back, I know it beyond all doubt.

Susan Powter, what ever happened to her? huh. I'd tune in but I'll likely be no where near the TV.

I'm about to declare today as a no program day for me. In a few minutes I need to go buy donuts for the trainees, I'm meeting Cerise for lunch (which will be easily OP since its the two of us.) However tonight I've got a date with my sweetie at a little fancy restaruant I've been dying to try. I want to savor and enjoy the moment, not be counting points of it all.
*sigh* Oh, and I was up 3lbs last night. That might be because I was using a different scale. I'm trying to tell myself thats ok, and I just need to get a scale at home for consistent use. We'll see

I am going to the gym tonight, but thats only for a brief workout and a chance to shower/blowdry get dressed nicely before we go out.

Sorry guys busy today, no personal responses. Know that I'm thinking of all of you and hope you are all ok.

Darling Ceara, I can't tell you how deeply I feel for you. I don't know what I'd do if I had to say goodbye to a beloved animal friend. I don't know how I'll survive B'Elanna and Simone's moving on someday. My most caring thoughts are with you today - I know your dog friends feel well-loved by you, and are grateful for their time with you on this planet, for all they don't say it much.

I'm also deeply sorry for your Grandma. It's so hard to decide between preserving a loved one's autonomy and dignity and keeping them well. Why do those things seem to be in conflict so much of the time? I'm hoping that she gets excellent rest and care today, and that you do, too.

And I'm sending good thoughts to your friend's husband. Here's a big (((((HUG)))) for you, dear. Be good to yourself today.

Well, it's Friday. Happy? Donno'...

This will be brief since I'm on my way home - the total impact of my lack of grace hit me this morning and I'm sore from head to toe now, in addition to a gimpy wrist. :rolleyes: Wake me Monday mornin' k?

Ceara, I'm so very sorry to hear about your dog. I lost my lab Sheeba to cancer in '89 and it was awful... and so hard to remember that it *is* an act of love in saving them the suffering. You'll be in my thoughts all day. Also because of your Granma (when it rains.... huh?). Someone should be smacked for allowing "Typhoid Mary" her "right" to infect others - I mean, sheesh!

Wildfire, yup, Bigfoot hunters regularly prowl the area from BC down to our Oregon forests. Thankfully, there's been no real proof yet!

WSW, you did an awsome thing by being honest about dinner!!! I admit, I've "forgotten" dinner in the past - when no one else knows it's reeeeally easy to do. Bravo you!!!! :cp:

Amarantha, I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but when I had a 70 year old guy in massage school with me! You can do it!!!!!

SeattleJo, I agree, enjoy your dinner. One dinner didn't get us here, 10,000 dinners, bad choices and snacks did it! Enjoy, then hop back on the wagon - one will be by every 30 minutes starting at 7am tomorrow. ;)

Eydie, I'd think setbacks are a normal part of maintenance... it couldn't be possible for it to be smooth sailing 100% of the time. Brush off and hop on the above mentioned wagon - again, stopping by your location every 30 minutes.

Everyone, I'm outta here for now! Have a great weekend!

Terri

Hello all!

Friday evening.

Ceara- Our dog had a stroke, didnt know us, parlyzed mid body to legs....
Intellectually, we knew it was best....still, very, very hard. I am so sorry.

**************
Its still bitter bitter cold here. My appetite is screaming... I just kept pouring hot tea, hot cocoa, more hot tea, hot soup, hot tea again, big bowls of hot soup ( Veg w garlic!) for dinner....
And now I am so sleepy I can hardly sit up....


If you have a chance, today's Skinny Daily Post is pretty good IMHO.


Good night.

hi all!

ceara- i am so sorry to hear about your sweet Katie. what a huge loss! i am sorry too that your grandmother is in the hospital, and on top of it, that it may have been preventable. it certainly is hard to deal with knowing when to preserve dignity and when to take that decision out of a loved one's hand in order to protect them. i am sending good thoughts your way. please be sweet to yourself.

seattlejo-hope you have a nice dinner with your sweetie.

kaylets-it is cold here tonight too, not like in the northeast, though. i look at the pictures of all the ice and snow and it makes me shiver!

i am hangin' in there and keeping myself honest by writing in my food journal, etc. i wouldn't mind a bit if the scale would move a little in the right direction, but i have to remember that if i keep at it, the 'ole scale wil eventually start moving again in the right direction.

hi punkin! and to all the rest of the royal court. take care, all.

wsw

Thanks for all your kind thoughts. No it never is easy...I've lost dogs to cancer before, it just never gets easier...

Gonna go to bed...have a 21 day challenge to meet...gotta check in there

Thanks again

Ceara

Hello all!!

Ceara - Meant to say something about your grandmother last night .....
This situation is one I dread .... Its very difficult to know there is little that
can be done for our loved ones when they are so ill.
The rules of the hospitals are very frustrating...
I for one believe our loved ones know when we are there at the bed or even thinking of them....
I am thinking of you, sending warm, loving energy....

I know I speak for all of us when I say we are the arm around your shoulder,
the tightly squeezed hand, the kiss on the forehead.....
*************

*****
Today's thought of the day :

"Live and learn"

Today's question of the day :

"What was the most suprising thing you learned recently?"

*********







Dh got up regular time, I was amazed when I woke up at 7:30....
Its about 15 degrees warmer and its amazing how much warmer the house feels!!
Another lesson in perspective!!!

Starting to feel the deadline for approaching for my Toastmaster Speech Contest....I have about 4 themes but since I have a 7 minute maximum, I have to be very succinct... I will be judged on presentation, preparation, grammar, body language, was the message easy for the audience to understand, etc...

I always find it easier if its a topic of personal interest.... but then again, the most important element IMHO, is what's in it for the audience...
If the audience isn't with a speaker, the speaker may just as well not show up....

On the other hand, if the audience feels a connection with the speaker's message, the energy created can light the night.

I firmly believe, this is the real secret of our thread, the WW's boards, in fact, any message board where folks are expressing being honest.
The act of sharing is a gift from the poster... and we, the readers are the receivers.... and even if only the connection is that we feel gratitude for the gift, we feel honored and uplifted.

But here on the boards, we cannot applaud or smile our appreciation.... we must post
our response....

But the connection is still made!!
We can light up the night!!


******
As long as we are making the best choices, we are doing the best we can!!
And by sharing our journey, we are reminding ourselves and others that we are
more alike than different....

******

hmmmmm....sometimes I can just go on and on! :lol: :lol:


KETTLE IS ON!

Hey, Punkin, thanks for posting that about the 70-year-old in your massage school! Actually, I needed to hear that ... I was talking it over with my trainer yesterday and think I may really go for it ... am going to make an appointment with the certified massage therapist at gym to ask her some questions, if she'll let me. There are several good programs here that may be feasible. Dunno. I am drawn to the idea!

Wsw: Glad to see thou beist hangin' in there and YES, the scale will move in the way thou desirest in time ... never doubt it! You are doing great!!!! How's the condo situation going? :wave:

Ceara: I just posted a successful day on the 21-day thread and congratulated you, Eydie and (modestly) myself on a good first day!!!! We are the Dream Team of Demon Food Slayers!!!! Here's to a successful Saturday ...

Kaylets: I like it when thou goest on and on ... joke, I don't think you go on and on at all; I think your posts are really interesting and to the point ... I admire thee for being able to get up and make speeches ... I hate doing that ... good luck on thy one coming up ...

QOD: Every day is so suprising, it's hard to say ... I'll think of something and get back to thee!!!

MY CLOWN IS GONE! :( Who killed the clown?!!!! :rollpin: I know it wasn't any of thou but seems to me I DID hear some anti-clown sentiments posted on this board! :s: (That was a joke, not meant to give any offense to any contingent of anti-clown folks!)!!!!

But I liked the clown! :(

Gotta work and do stuff now! Will be back with a NOLA update soon. I think I'm almost back in Atlanta!

Darlings,

I read through the posts, but don't really have the heart to do a real one myself just now. My son is having some kind of mental episode. I don't know what the problem is, although it really seems like a bipolar thing. Last Saturday morning when we got up, Matthew was already up. Seemed he'd been awake just about all night. He said he'd had trouble sleeping and decided to try to use the time productively. So he spent the night thinking about every problem he'd ever had, every mental block or obsession that had ever held him back, every troubled relationship he'd ever had. And got up with the intention of setting all these things to rights. He seemed normal, just a bit loopy in a way that seemed congruous with sleep deprivation. The same continued for a few days. He was very positive, cheerful, helpful. But then at some point through the week he started to become incoherent. Still I don't think sleeping a lot. Last night was the worst -- I really couldn't communicate with him. I gave him OTC sleeping pills and he said he slept through the night, but is still tired. He's better than last night but not normal. I don't know what to do. If he's not better by Monday, I'll make an appointment with the family doctor. I'm a little leery of trying to get him help from the medical profession, because I think they're sometimes too quick to medicate, but at least our doctor isn't a pill-pusher.

Anyway, that's what's going on here. I had a couple of days trying to soothe myself with food around the middle of the week, but now I've lost my appetite and am just trying to make sure I get some nutrition. I wasn't exercising much either (we also had windchills in the -40s, so that's part of the not exercising, anyway). Today I decided I would go to the gym, and do some yoga. Must continue to look after myself as best I can, or I'll fall apart.

We're going to dinner at the house of a friend who's a psychologist tonight, so we should be able to get some advice.

Lots going on on the thread...

Frogger: :balloons:

Ceara: :grouphug:

Thanks for that note about sharing, Kaylets. It helps to be able to tell someone. I know people go through these things in life, but it sure seems to take all my energy just to try to get through it.

Love to all!

Wood Nymph, hang in there ... hopefully, thy ds is just going through a normal period of self-discovery or some heavy stress ... it does sound like sleep deprivation to an extent but I think you have a good idea in talking to your friend who is a psychologist and to consider getting ds to the family doc. It really can't hurt, though, I know what thou meanest by not wanting to get him into the hands of a pill pusher ... it will likely sort itself out, don't worry too much. As thou knowest, life is tough for the young and they go through these things ... maybe it's a good sign ...

Hello all!

Arabella, I sent you a PM... also an email... I forgot to say you are in my thoughts and all of us are here for you.

*****

Went out to pick up some meds for the dogs and the difference of 18 degrees in temp is amazing.....
We have a storm coming in this afternoon... appears to be small but there is supposed to be ice too...yum, my favorite...


Did finally find licorice tea in my local grocery store by Stash....pretty reasonably priced compared to the other teas... Tried it w/out Splenda first but with made all the difference.

Dh and I are going to the vegetable store b/4 the storm comes in. I am thinking I'd like to try some recipes tonight and could use sweet potatoes.

Till later!

Oh, migosh. So much going on with our royals.
Wood Nymph - so sorry to hear of this episode with your son. Hope things are calmer now. But still seems like some investigating to be done. So many things can go off in our bodies and affect our heads.Hope all the health problems are waning and glad for all the good news.

ESPECIALLY the impending motherhood of Queen Frogger. aren't you especially happy now that you've been eating more healthily? I'm sure the court will find some way to work out a challenge re your health and weight challenges as we move along.

things are warmish today but cloudy. Had finally reached the point of relaxing a bit and enjoyed visit with DS. A little foggy headed today (and the last couple). Like fighting something off - or maybe just a migraine.

Could get a laptop I guess (dh suggested one). But things were just so overwhelming for a while I just couldn't take on another challenge and this route had sufficed in prior years. Of course, I didn't have the royal personages then.

Anyway, am trying to keep up and thinking of all of you. Know I've missed a lot, esp. personal replies but I'll be up to form when I get home. In meantime am trying to enjoy every day with dh and appeciate all the good things in my life. Forgot to bring my week's total miles to post on that thread.Noted the 21 day challenge but problem enough to keep up with this thread. would be on that one if I were at home. Does hard candy count? I've had no other in the last 15 days so could probably do six more easily enough. Even had no Ice Cream for more than a week but some Klondike slim things found their way to my freezer (of course, when ds was coming - he ate none, I've eaten 3).
Heading off to a mall this afternoon. Beach walked this a.m. Can report progress getting my head straighened out a bit, exercising, relaxing.
Take care all, it'll be a while as library is closed Sunday and for MLK holiday.

My goodness, seems our little court is all upside down with everything going on!

Ceara, I'm so sorry to hear about Katie. As much as you know you have done the greatest kindness for her, it is a hard burden to bear. Take comfort that you gave her the best life she could have had and that she knew she was loved. She will be waiting for you. :grouphug: Hope that your grandmother recovers quickly from this illness she got from Typhoid Mary. Very unfortunate, the whole thing.

Arabella, hope your friends may be able to give you some insight as to DS's behaviour. I'm not a fan of the medical profession either, but if your doctor is a good one it might be best for DS to see him, just to talk about what is going on.

Punkin, how are the aches and the wrist? Hope you are taking full advantage of the weekend and lounging about the Royal Sleeping Chambers.

anagram, a laptop is an excellent idea! You know, if you don't want to purchase one you could always lease one for the time you are in Florida. :yes:

Cerise darling, how is the WW going? I was horrible yesterday! Don't know why I thought I could bring pizza home after work (as we do every Friday) and only eat one piece. :dunno: Trying again today, though. Even went out in the snow and messy roads to buy fresh salmon for dinner. :T

Anyhoo, I'm off to chat with my dear friend. I honestly don't know how I got through that year and a half without him. Life is much brighter these days.

Take care, all.

Yowza, it's good to see the wandering Anagramatic today ... sounds like you are very busy but happy! Maybe leasing a laptop as Wildfire suggests might be a good idea ... I wonder if it'd be expensive? Anyhow, I'm glad to see thee. Re the 21-dayer, there are four of us doing it to date, as :queen: K hath lept into the fray as well to defeat the Bad Food Demon!!! :rollpin: Everyone is choosing their own demon to challenge themselves with ... candy seems high on a lot of our lists!!! So hard candy would only be candy if thou deemest it candy for thy challenge ... we are sending for the Bad Food Police candy expert to get a ruling for Kaylets on whether Godiva or Belgian chocolates constitute "crappy candy" ... :s:

We'll I am tired from all this healthy eating and walking to NOLA and such!!!! Will arrive in Atlanta in a few days and hope to see some of you'all there!!! We've not heard from the intrepid SJ today but again thanks to her for the neat challenge!!! I swear I was only going to do 30 minutes in the gym and I thought of the NOLA challenge and added another 20!!!!

Not sure if I'll weigh in tomorrow or wait a week as my jeans feel tight. Will think about it later, Scarlett! Avanti!!!

Hello all!!

Another lazy morning taking my time to get up... everything outside is so quiet because of the fresh snowfall, it was very easy to take my time getting up.

Then, DH had a great breakfast nearly made...
I suggested homemade waffles as I thought we still had some in the freezer. We didn't so DH made fresh... we also have fresh raspberries which he heated in water and splenda for the topping.
With the tofu scrambler and 2 waffles w/ the raspberries, a 7 pt breakfast but so satsisfying. It looked pretty, tasted great and I know it will stay w/ me.


***********
Today's thought is :

" Use what talents you posess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those who sang their very best."
--Henry Van D*ke

Question of the day :

"Do you use pennies?"

*********

Till later!
KETTLE IS ON!
Kaye

Yowza, I did get on and thanks to the NOLA and 21-day challenges, I'm down 1.5!!!! It may be a fluke, but I'm taking it!!!!

On day 3 of my candy not thingie ... wow, feel really better ... finished work (up at 5 a.m.) and will have a little exercise in for the NOLA later ...

Homemade affles sound good :queen: K ... I find making everything possible homemade has had a big impact on my weight loss and health ... except I don't know how to make waffles ... I always have too many pennies so I generally tell the clerks to keep or donate 'em!

I'll be back! (Arnold voice)

Refuse to edit "affles" to "waffles" ... :s:

Arabella, please keep us posted on what's happening with your son. My best friend's sister was recently diagnosed as bi-polar and it was a wild ride for the family because my friend's sis thought her behaviour was totally normal. What did your friend have to say about the situation?

Hi Anagram! :D I love those Klondike Slim-A-Bear things--really not bad calorie-wise, as long as you don't eat the whole box!

Kaylets, so envious of your breakfast. Sounds wonderful!!!

Ceara, how are you?

Amarantha, I took some of my homemade Xmas cookies out of the freezer last night. Granted they're whole wheat, reduced fat and all that--but hard to resist and we were eating too many. Providence sent me a saviour in the precious form of my hound Jubal. I heard something in the kitchen this morning and he'd gotten into the container and was eating them as quick as he could. Yep, got them all! Oh well, less calories for me and Garry!

Love to all! Wish me luck today; I have another reception at work.

Hi All,

The situation with my son deteriorated last night. Three of his cousins were with him and took him out to emergency and they admitted him. No real change yet, we went to see him today and I guess stayed too long. He was pretty good for the first part of the visit, but then wanted to come home and was angry, told us to stop confusing him.

On the way out, a very caring male nurse said that shorter visits would be better, that he would be overstimulated by longer ones.

I'm just absolutely shattered. I know that it's good he's getting help. To be honest, I think he was far beyond a state where talking to someone would do any good. My hope is that this will turn out to be a fleeting, one-time episode, brought on by stress and exacerbated by not sleeping. I will keep you posted.

Still no appetite, just trying to get nourishment and good nutrition and that's about all I care about. Continuing to exercise. We were supposed to go to a party today, but I decided there was no way I could do it. Just puttering around the house, doing laundry and cleaning up a bit. Always makes me feel a bit better to do that.

Kaylets, thanks again for the PM.

I'll keep you posted. Love to all!

Arabella, I'm so sorry this crisis with ds is taking place, but maybe deterioration isn't the word ... seems there might be some real progress now that he's where he really needs to be right now ... in the hospital where he can get the medical help he needs and they can get to the bottom of what may be, as you say, only a one-time thing. It makes sense what the nurse said about shorter visits, but it is very hard on the family. I'm thinking about thee, was going to pm but I can't find the icon again. Glad you are just taking it easy and trying to eat well. This'll sort itself out but it's hard to go through, especially when it's thy child, whatever his age. Stay strong, Wood Nymph!

Wildfire, I love they new avatar. Wanted to say that I thought it sounded rather enjoyable to trek through snow and buy fresh salmon. Not much snow trekking going on around my neighborhood! :hat:

Eydie: Sometimes I think our dog pals are angels in disguise, sent by Artemis (or spiritual focus of thy choice) to save us from bad choices and loneliness ... I hope thou received my email about thy birthday card, BTW ... I didn't see it until days later but now I'm picturing thy Jubal opening a Tupperware container and scarfing cookies with a manic gleam in his canine eye while keeping an ear cocked for the fuzz who might descend on him at any moment from the other room and end his glorious feast! :)

Hello all!

Have had a good day On Program--did some walking thru BJ's, up and downstairs doing laundry and etc, filled 2 bags of too beat up to give, sell, etc.
But I need to chug water and tea as I somehow am low today....

Arabella: Please remember this is the safe place. You are always welcome no matter how you feel. This is the safe place where venting, complaining or even peel- the- wallpaper blasting will go nowhere else.

For as enlightened as we think we are, its still galling that we feel we have let our loved ones down when they need some kind of pyschological help. But if they were diabetic or had broken their leg, we'd feel no guilt about seeking outside help....
Not that I wouldnt keep an eye out! I still am as cynical as I was before...
but sometimes the only choice is to find someone who has had more experience than we have.

---

Empress- I know you are thrilled with the loss!! Congrats! I saw a woman doing the plank for one minute ( which was her goal) and she was exhausted once the minute was met. Your routine is tough! Look how far you've come from when you wrote to us about your Walking Poles!!

--
Eydie-- So the dog was doing you a favor?? Here, it would be me fighting the dog!! Who am I kidding, I would've defrosted the cookies in the microwave last night!!

---
Wildfire-- the Empress mentioned salmon, sounds great.. somehow I missed that post...

hmmmm.......

Football has been on all afternoon here. DH is rooting for the opposing team as he likes to be the devils advocate at his job. He will be able to needle his coworkers play by play.
Yikes! Don't these guys ever grow up???


started the first draft of my speech. I need to work some more.

Later!

Hand me a Fresh Start card will you? And a No Guilt one, too. Guess that .2 loss is bugging me, because I've been off kilter since. Back on track tomorrow! Haven't really gone way off program, but probably have eaten more points than I should have. Cooked a chicken in my rotisserie tonight, and we had all the trimmings...potatoes, stuffing, green beans...and I didn't measure anything!

Arabella, glad the cousins knew to take your son to the ER. As tough as it is, you'll have to put some faith into the professionals on this one, and hope that they can find out the reason DS is behaving this way. Sending all the good vibes I can muster to the Island! We're here for you, luv. :grouphug:

Kaylets, the waffles sound scrumptious! Even better that your DH cooked them for you! Does he give lessons? (to other husbands)

Amarantha, congrats on the loss! :cb: I went surfing this morning and found several avatars that I like, but this one suits my Wildfire persona. The salmon was great, and well worth going out to get. I make a mustard-dill glaze to put on top when it's cooking.

Eydie, hope the reception went well. Give Jubal a pat for me for saving you from the evil cookies! :lol:

I finally did my taxes for 2002! :write: Figured it was time to cash in on that refund.

Time to gear up for Monday, as much as I am fighting it. It will come regardless, might as well be prepared.

:wave:

Kaylets, the plank is an awesome exercise ... seems to hit every single muscle in the body, but especially the core. I've built up to 60 seconds, working to a count of 100. I alternate these with rope crunches and then stand up and do punches in the air, then go to floor again and do downward dog and child's pose. I thought yoga was just for relaxation, but this routine really works for strength.

Thanks for the comment on how far I've come! :) I think you are right, but we've all come a long way and I know we will all reach whatever goals we have this year.

Wildfire, thy mustard-dill glaze soundeth good. I love dill in omelets as well as in herb biscuits ... I need to stop making biscuits! Or at least I need to change them to whole wheat flour and I don't think that'd be very good. Oh, well! WW says my low fat biscuits are 5 points ... they are 200 calories, so I say that's 4 points and I win! :)

Well, I came into my office to surf the web and Old Dog hopped on the couch in the living room but as soon as I closed my office door, there she is, whining outside, so I gotta go. Later ...

Hello all!!


Empress- You may be suprised at how whole wheat would taste... we don't make biscquits but the waffles were ww pastry flour...
I didnt realize the plank was a yoga pose... everyday I learn something...

Scale is up 1 lb this am... I suspect TOM as I mentioned earlier.. Face is clearing but feel other symptons...Initially I was disappointed but what I have been walking to NOLA, banned CC for nearly 60 days ( funny how I joined a challenge I'm already doing.... Well, I did mention the Cadbury eggs, didnt I?.) The point is, I don't think its because I ate too much.
Thinking this new group of women I've joined at my job may be influencing my cycle....
Interesting how biology shows us who is leader, who is follower no matter how independent we pride ourselves......

Everyone here at my house works today. Although I anticipate a light day at work because of no mail delivery.

Made real progress with a first speech draft... I can visualize certain sections and even think I might have an ending....
Need to start rehearsing w/ DH... Sometimes I think he gets as nervous as I do...


(As she lifts her tea cup to toast)
Here's to a gentle Monday my friends.
I am thinking of all of you today. You are an inspiration to me.

*****************

Todays' thought of the day :

"All the wonders you seek are within yourself."
--Sir Thomas Brown

Question of the day :

"Do you like to play Scrabble?"

******************

KETTLE IS ON!

The Awakening

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out enough! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he or she is not Prince or Princess Charming and you are not Cinderella or Cinderfella and in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of *happily ever after* must begin with you and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact you are not perfect and not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self approval.

You stop criticizing and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties, and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the beliefs you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, where you should shop, what you should drive, how and where you should live, what you should do for a living, who you should sleep with, who you should marry, what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with, and in the process you learn to trust your own knowing.

You learn it is truly in giving that we receive, that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a *consumer* looking for your next fix. You learn principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then, you learn about love, romantic love and familial love. You learn how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man or woman on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn just as people grow and change so it is with love...and you learn you don't have the right to demand love on your terms...just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely...and you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact you will never be a size 3 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you *stack up*.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK...and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want...and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his or her touch...and in the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

You learn your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul, so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn, that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn anything worth achieving is worth working for and wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time, FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn no one is punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It is just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state ~ the ego. You learn negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to building bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and to make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and with faith by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

~Author Unknown

************************

Good Morning All,

Thanks, everyone, for the support. It really does help, which is why I keep coming back. I spent the day cleaning and sorting stuff out yesterday, along with crying. Feel a bit more positive this morning. I do think, mostly at least, that this will turn out for the best, but I'll be glad to find out more.

I'll go to see him this morning. My mom wants to come with me. Think I'll bake him some cookies, take some magazines and etc.

Good news: 4 pounds gone this a.m.

Sorry to not send out individual responses -- I am thinking of each of you individually though, very fondly, and with a great deal of gratitude for having such a wonderful group of friends! Love to all ... let's take this day and make it the best we possibly can.

Wood Nymph:

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thanks, Kaylets! Isn't it amazing how you can feel those virtual hugs and kisses. right through all this distance and technology!

Oh Arabella...am keeping you and your family in my thoughts....especially DS :grouphug:
And Congrats on the :dance::dance::dance::dance: gone to the land of excess baggage! :encore:

:queen: K...I think I NEED an Awakening! Enjoyed that...thanx.

:queen: Eydie...I am OK....I took another hit on Saturday morning...my dear friend whose husband has multiple cancers was told by the chemo doctor that he has 3 months (the wife was told not the patient...I don't know if he knows yet)...which is likely optimistic...however I'm still workin' on a miracle for her. Unfortunately the news came early in the morning...7:30...when I was getting ready to leave for the show...I made it to the site and in the building 20 minutes before ring time with a lot of help from my friends....with dogs that had been combed and groomed the night before. Ah well the breed is supposed to be unkempt. The good news is that the 17 month old won the points....she did it for her Mom...'cause that's who died the day before. Odd how things go, isn't it?

But I'm back on track now...got a seatie belt here :queen: Wildfire...grab on I'll fasten it around both of us!!!! It has an unfastenable catch...just let's get it done up and we'll be stuck!!!!

:wave: to all the :queen: lie court....gotta go and take down the Christmas tree....although I could just leave it up for next year :s:...NOT!

Ceara

Howdy everyone,

Rain, blessed warm (well, 40 is warm 'round here) rain is falling... :cb:

Down a bit more than 5 pounds since last Monday - the first week back on the wagon is normally a goodie. Still, almost 14 pounds from where I was at my lowest :rolleyes:. I know, quit complaining, I could've waited until I was 54 pounds from my lowest to do something.... I'm learning.

Arabella, please feel a virtual hug from me too. I'm both sorry and thankful for the turn of events for your son. Of course we'd wish for nothing to have happened at all, but since it did, I'm SO thankful that his cousins had the presence of mind to take him to the hospital. Please keep us updated and take extra good care of yourself - I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you. :grouphug:

Kaylets, isn't "warm" a funny term? Most people think warm is in the 80's but around here after a week in the low teens, mid-30's is tropical! :cool: Bundle up out there!

Amarantha, :bravo: on the loss!! I think you'd be a great massage therapist solely on how I feel about your people skills. It's 50% touch (which is mostly learned, but also a little intuition) and 50% non-touch. How you talk, relate, listen, etc. to the client is almost more important. I met a lot of people who couldn't care less about the massage, they wanted to be face down, feel annonymous and talk about stuff I shouldn't really know - almost like it was their therapy. It was probably the best job I've ever had, getting to work in the Napa Valley, meeting people from all over the world, hearing their stories, etc. I wish you tons of luck - and wish I was closer to reap the benefits of those mandatory practice hours you'll have to do!!!! :D
(oh, and *I* killed the clowns! Eviiiiiilllll clowns! :devil: )

Wildfire, love the new avatar! :chin: makes me wanna change mine now....

Ceara, I got goosebumps when I read your post about the pup who's mom you just lost got the points! Yes, things do work in odd ways. But if we believe our loved ones who've passed help us, is it too far a stretch to think it could work the same in the dog world? :shrug:

:wave: WSW, Eydie and Anagram! AND EVERYONE!!!!!

Well, must end this now, the wrist only cooperates with typing for so long before it starts screamin'... :dz:

Terri

I have discovered a new munchie snack that may have been around for some time, but we just found it...Cheerios Honey Nut Crunch mix. According to the package, 1/3 cup is only 1 point. IMO, 1/3 cup is NOT enough, but 2/3 cup for only 2 points is great!

ceara, thanks for buckling me in! So far, so good today! So sorry to hear about your friend's DH. How heartbreaking. Congrats on the doggie win.

Arabella, congrats on the loss! I hope DS was in good spirits today when you visited.

Punkin, congrats on your loss too!

Cheers, Kaylets!

Now where is Cerise? Cerise get your hiney in here and post! What's going on, luv?

Frogger, how is our mommy-to-be?

wsw, how are things with you?

Hello to everyone! :wave: Monday's down...just three more to go until Friday!

hi all

arabella-sorry this is such a rough time for your ds and you and family. i too am sending you a virtual hug and lots of good thoughts your way. congrats on the 4 lbs. down!

ceara-sorry about the news regarding your friend's husband. that is so sad. congrats on the win for your dog!

hi punkin, amarantha- congrats on the weight loss!!

hi eydie! kaylets-hope your speech is coming along well.

hi wildfire! love your new avatar!

i just wanted to check in and say hello to all. cold is definitely relative, but to me, it is verrry cold here. it is supposed to stay pretty chilly for the rest of the week, so i remain bundled up. i had my 2nd physical therapy appt. today, which went well. i'm op and glad it has been going well. my hands aren't working so great right now, so i need to sign off, but know that i'm thinking of you all and will finish catching up on the posts. take good care.

wsw

Ok! I swear I am still here. Lunch with Cerise on Friday was wonderful! Cant wait to do that again darling! I've been busy all weekend with assorted things but did manage to get in 2 gym workouts, and an extra 30 minute walk so I'm doing a-ok.

Wishing you all well, I promise to catch up tomorrow!

Hello all!!

Appetite roaring last night-- finally ran to bed w/ rosehip tea just to put a stop to it... extra grapes, apples, yogurt, lt ww toast.... hmmm... do you think maybe my lunch was too skimpy ???

Live and learn.

*****
Today's thought of the day:

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside awakens."
--Carl Jung

Today's question of the day:

"Do think Pro Games ( football, baseball, etc) are sometimes fixed?"

******

Time is out... take care all!
KETTLE IS ON!

Brother John

Brother John entered the 'Monastery of Silence' and the chief monk said, "Brother, this is a silent monastery, you are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so."

Brother John lived in the monastery for 5 years before the chief monk said to him: "Brother John, you have been here 5 years now, you may speak two words."

Brother John said, "Hard Bed."

"I'm sorry to hear that" the chief monk said. "We will get you a better bed."

After another 5 years, Brother John was called by the chief monk.

"You may say another two words Brother John."

"Cold Food," said Brother John, and the chief monk assured him that the food would be better in the future.

On his 15th anniversary at the monastery, the chief monk again called Brother John into his office.

"What are your two words you want to say today."

"I Quit." said Brother John.

"I'm not surprised," said the chief monk. "You've done nothing but whine and complain since you got here."


:dizzy: :o ;)

Hi all!!

Well, the mommy to be is sick as a dog. I can't figure out if it's the baby or if I'm finally catching the super flu that's going around. I'm just SO TIRED and very cold. All I did yesterday was sleep. Not stomach sick though. And I'm eating like a :ink:
I'm up a pound. I miss my loss reports :(

Still undecided about what to do with this job. DH was wondering if maybe we should switch rolls for a while. I've been working the fulltime job (plus this new part time) and he's been only working a partime job. He's wondering maybe if he went back to electrical work full time, and I could just work my partime job (thus getting rid of the stress from the one I LOATH). Just wondering if that would work and if I would be covered medically and all. That's a big concern for me at this point. I really want to get rid of this job, but now I'm afraid that I won't be covered anywhere else. :(

Well, I'm a posting fool this a.m. ... now I'm running outta time ... traveling today and hope to get my workout in later because am determined to get caught up with work tasks. Just wanted to touch base here ...

Frogger: Maybe thou couldst cut hours to just enough to get insurance ... if thou leaveth the present employer, it might be hard to get thy pregnancy covered in another place ... but mayhap current laws would prevent them from denying thee ... dunno ... been awhile since I worked in insurance ... happily, I never intend to do it again. Also, wondering if thy physical symptoms are related to thyroid ... just came into my head when I read the description. Just take care o' thyself, pls!!! :wave:

Wsw: Picturing thee cozy and wrapped in a quilt but sorry it's cold where thou beith ... it's chilly right now here but when the Arizona sun peeketh over the horizon, we'll be comfortable again ... unless it's another cloudy day ... I dinna move to this oven they call a state to see clouds, guys! :) Glad to hear thou be doing well and OP!!!! Stay safe!

Punkin: Thanks for the input on a massage career ... I've not had time to do much research this week but am really considering finding a program ... I was thinking that I'd like to work with older people ... dunno, though! Precontemplation stage, I guess. Dinna know thou be from the Napa Valley ... I have strong ties there ... funny how small a world it beith ...

NOW WHY DIDST THOU WANNA GO AND KILL MY CLOWNS!!!? WHAT DID THEY EVER DO TO THEE?! :?: Am I going to have to petition the sisters to restore life to the nice clowns! ? Nice clownies, never hurt nobody, nice clownies, nice clownies, nice, nice, nice ... :devil:

Wildfire: The crunchy snack thingie soundeth good ... didst thou make it or is it sold in packages? A one-point package would be great to carry in the car!!! Thanks for the idea!!! :wave:

Kaylets: I loved the Brother John story!!!! Funny!!!! Thanks for the ideas about whole wheat flour in baking ... I think I'm going to start using maybe a half and half mixture for awhile ... I need to do it!!! QOD: I'd doubt if the big games are fixed exactly but wouldn't be surprised if there is hanky panky with the betting process in some way! :0

SJ: Wanted to thank thee again for the NOLA challenge ... envy thy lunch with Cerise as she always seemeth such an interesting person to talk to ... echoing thy wish she wouldeth post!!!

Om shanti, Cerise!! :s:

Wood Nymph: Report in when thou canst, please ...

To all, mentioned and unmentioned, avanti!!!! Yowza!

Quicky postie, must away to the pile o' billing to be done!

I've been TOLD to start taking some Fridays off, to use up my 2003 vacation time I still have left (over a week). So, I shall occasionally be :queen: Friday, in absentia, Dutchess of Vacation.

SeattleJo, I'm so jealous you got to lunch with our Cerise! Next year when I'm up your way we'll all 3 have to get together! Cerise and I killed a couple hours on the phone, we're definately birds of a feather!

Frogger, wow... it could be either hun. I used to have a 2 hour commute to work in a vanpool and I sat next to a woman who became pregnant - she did nothing but sleep the entire trip in to work during her 1st and 3rd trimester (the 2nd she was buzzing all over the place, completely hyper and chatty). I think DH's idea is a good one too as long as you're covered insurance-wise.

Kaylets, I'm convinced that the colder it is, the more your body says "feed me!!!!". Hey, we feed our outside animals more when it's cold to help keep them warm - it's probably some instinct from the caveman days that when it gets cold some obscure gene kicks in and says "eat or we'll die!". Evolution, it's a crazy thing! :rolleyes:

Amarantha, yuppers, Napa Valley girl here. Even used to have hot air balloons land in my high school's football field in the morning. Totally didn't appreciate the beauty of the place until I was much, much older though. Still kinda miss it, but not the crowds, or expense of living there.
I'm sorry, I killed your clowns for 3 reasons - Poltergeist, It & John Wayne Gaisey (sp?). Clowns are CREEPY!

Aaack, gotta run, may be back later!

Terri

Where are you at Punkin? You all are welome to join us anytime. I promise I am not trying to monopolize the Cerise. (That said, she is as awesome as she appears to be.)

Frogger, I think working part time might be a good idea. At least hubby is working part time When I first got married Rob lost his job and I had to cover for us for a good year or so. But really with a tadpole coming, you'll have other things to do with your time other then working two jobs and stressing yourself out.

WSW, I'm sending warmth your way! Good for you to remain OP! It's really hard when its freezy outside and you start thinking of comfort foods.

Wildfire, Love the new Icon! The honey nut crunch stuff sounds good too. I made the mistake of getting trail mix. 4 pts per 1/4 c. And i have it at my desk at work, so it makes it hard not to munch on. Is the crunch stuff cereal? or?

Kaylets i love the story, thanks for sharing! What is WW toast?

Ok ladies, I really must do some work today huh? Cerise darling, please come post, i dont want people to think I'm a Pervy Axe Murdered. A Pervy Elf Fancier is quite enough.

Yo SeattleJo,

I'm in central Oregon, between Madras and Redmond. Portland is over them thar mountains and about a 3 hour drive northwest, just to give you an idea of my distance from you guys.
One of my best friends is moving to White Salmon later this year, so I figure eventually I'll be able to take a bit of a vacation (dare I say that word??) and head over to Seattle. I haven't been there since I was 13 (uh gee, uh um, like 10 years ago??? ok, fine, more like 20 years ago... :dz: ) I'm long past due fer some fish tossin'.

Terri :wave:

Sorry, didn't even finish the scanning and my time is up. So I must be off with just a "Hi, all" and spec. thoughts to Wood nymph. (Couldn't find the pm either - me?, library computer? who knows).

Yay Anagram its great to see you pop in!

Punkin, I didnt realize you were so close, I'm sure at some point I'll finally make my way down south. We've not been South of the Washington Border since our move from Arizona.

Hi Ceara! So sorry to hear the news about your friend's husband. That's so hard, so I hope you had some joy at your pup's winning. Pictures?

Hi Anagram--I'm so flattered that you drop in to say hi! :)

Seattlejo-- cool that you and Cerise had lunch together. Details!!! Was it your first meeting?

Frogger, take care of yourself, girlie!

Kaylets, loved the bro. John story--a classic! And I adored 'the awakening'---wish I'd written it. It was perfect and just what I needed to hear at the time.

wsw, hope you're staying cozy. It's mighty cold here too!

Amarantha, I'm enjoying the no-candy challenge. Do chocolate-covered strawberries count as candy. I'm going to make an executive decision and say no they do not! :D

Wildfire, I heartily approve of the new avatar too!

Yikes! I pulled something in my back today while doing yoga. I think I bent just a bit too far back! Nothing that a soak in a hot tub won't cure, I hope!

hi anagram! good to hear from you.

frogger-sorry you are feeling crummy! hope you're feeling better a.s.a.p. it would be great if your dh's insurance would cover you so you could go to part-time. in any case, take good care of yourself.

hello eydie. hope a soak in the tub did the trick for your back. ouch! take it easy.

hi seattlejo-would love some of that warmth from your neck of the woods. it must have been nice to get together with cerise. i like seattle. haven't been there in years (since i moved away from ca ong ago), but used to enjoy getting up there.

amarantha-actually, i am sitting here with a throw around me as i write. i kind of look like whistler's mother right now, but whatever works!

hi to everyone in the royal court! i still haven't lost any weight in this past week. i can revert to that magical thinking that because i am doing the right things, the scale should reflect it. back to reality--. i am continuing to hang in there and will not use an uncooperative scale as an excuse to eat more. i ate dinner, stayed op and exercised today, and that's how it's going to stay for the rest of the evening! i am closing on the condo. on mon.-less than one week now! i think i'm finally more excited about all this than nervous---well, at least right at this moment, anyhow. tomorrow, a friend is taking me to home depot to start looking at some paint colors, which sounds kind of fun. i am really doing this! i am glad i will be able to take my time to get it fixed up before i move in or i would be even more nervous about everything (if that were possible!) well, i am going to make some hot tea and snuggle in for the evening. hope your evenings are pleasant. take care, all.

Darlings, I'm sorry I haven't checked in sooner, but I had a 3-day weekend with houseguests, so I didn't check the computer once. I also went straight off program for Friday - Monday. Wish I'd warned you that I'd be AWOL. Wish I'd also declared that I'd go off prog. for the long weekend. Lo siento, senoras.

I had a l-o-o-o-vely time lunching with Seattlejo, though our time was too short. She is as engaging and witty as she sounds, ladies. And cool.

I'm up 1.5 pounds at my second WW weigh-in, not a surprise when you consider that the weekend visit of our friends turned into a delightful food tour of Seattle. No regrets.

I'm sorry not to respond with one of my accustomed novels, but I have a tremenjous amount of work on my plate right now and have to actually do it, but I read and adored you through all of the posts, and will talk more tonight.

Arabella, thinking of you especially today. And you, Ceara.

Just a quick update: I had a talk with the psychiatrist today, who says that there's no need to stick a label on Matthew at this point, maybe if he had several episodes, but since this was the first and possibly only one, that's how we'll look at it. He's on an anti-psychotic for a bit. He was allowed out on a pass this afternoon, and will be again tomorrow and will likely be released on Thursday.

My husband says he's quite willing to spend a male-bonding (at last!) time with Matt while I'm away (I'm off to Boston again on Sat, returning Weds.). I feel excited to leave now, happy and confident that everything will be okay while I'm gone. Meanwhile I will get a break from the whole thing, plus a break from housework, cooking, laundry, etc. Things are definitely looking up!

Love to all!

Arabella, glad to hear the outlook is improving with DS. You must be very relieved, and I'm sure the guys' weekend will be a good thing for both of them.

Cerise, no apology needed! I was afraid you were having trouble with the WW program and didn't want to post about it. Glad that isn't the case, and I bet you'll see a loss this week as all that restaurant food is usually high in sodium, making you retain water. At least it sounds good, right? :yes: Drink LOTS of water to counteract it.

I'm SO jealous that Cerise and Seattlejo had lunch together! I would so like to meet all of you, and I still think we should plan a get-together somewhere central. Just think of the fun we could all have together!

Seattlejo, oooh...trail mix...:T LOVE the stuff, unfortunately (as you discovered) it's high in points. :( Details on the crunch mix for you and Amarantha:

It's Cheerios brand, sold in a resealable 200g foil bag, and contains honey nut cheerios, corn chex, wheat chex, honey nut clusters, round pretzels, and square pretzels. 57 calories in 1/3 cup, 1g protein, 1.6g fat, 10g carbs, 125mg sodium, 25mg potassium. I bagged it in 2/3 cup portions for easy snacking. DH brought it home for me, isn't he a doll?

Eydie, chocolate-covered strawberries do not count as candy! The fruit cancels out the chocolate! Take care of that back! Into a hot tub with epsom salts! :drill:

Punkin, how's the arm?

wsw, wow, you close on Monday? I'd be absolutely LEAPING about with joy! I'm so happy for you! :dance:

Frogger, I hope if it's some bug you caught that you'll be over soon. No fun! Time to make some calls and find out the ins and outs of your insurance coverage. It would be best if you could work part-time during your pregnancy, of course.

Kaylets, great joke! How about some tea?

:wave:

Hi anagram! :wave:

Hello all!!

Sure could use a snow day or holiday or.... no??

Alright then, we won't have this Wednesday back again so.....

Here we go Wednesday, Here we go!!

(with enthusiasm !)

Here we go Wednesday, Here we go!


****

Arabella-- Glad the news re DS is more optimistic. Especially since you have your business trip.... Try and remember all your nutrients .... We want you strong.

Everyone else... sorry, I'm late again... I am sending you all good energy!!


******
*****

Thought of the day :

"We are the choices we make."
-- Meryl Streep


Question of the day :

"How many tattoos do you have?"

*********


KETTLE IS ON!

Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite???

****
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.

But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.


She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness.

"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.

They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.

The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.

"Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware -- beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT ~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

You won't get any big surprise in 10 days if you send it to ten people. But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on.

Thank you, my friend. . . .


*****

Arabella, I'm happy things are looking up for you and DS, good that it was atended to so quickly. Have a good trip! What fun things are you going to do there?

Wildfire, the mix sounds really good! I'll have to look for it.

Kaylets, no tattoos-----yet! I must admit I've toyed with the idea. Something small though--no scorpions curled around my boobs or anything. Wow, there's an image, huh? :lol: [No offense to anyone with boob-scorpions, of course!]

Well, I, for one, am intrigued by the concept of scorpion boobs ...

Up early to work but left all notes at a newsroom far, far away ... a coworker was rude to me yesterday and I got mad and left abruptly, leaving everything up there ... so I might as well go to gym early, since I skipped yesterday altogether.

:queen: Punkin, hate to inform thee I've requested 3FC to return the clown :yes: ... funny, no response as yet ... could it be that everyone hates the clown but me :chin: ....

:D

:queen: WN, I'm also happy for thee that ds' situation seems to be improving ... hope thou enjoyeth Boston and there's no snow! :)

:queen: Wildfire, thankee for the crunch details ... going to look for it, today!!! And, yes, I've oft thought thy dh sounded nice!

:queen: Wsw, picturing thee as a youthful and lovely Whistler's mother ... and I, for one, hope thou never giveth up magikal thinking! :) Magic be all around us, though sometimes we don't know it when we see it! Hope thou haveth fun picking out colors!!!!! What color scheme be thou considering?

:queen: Thanks for being on the demon food NOT thread with me! I posted a message to thee yesterday.

Also wish to thank Ceara and Kaylets for signing up to be Demon Food Slayers on the 21-day challenge as well ... it's really helping me get control of eating and I appreciate having fellow :queen: ly comrades in DF slaying!!!! Yowza!!! :cb:

:queen: Cerise, soundeth like thou hast had a lovely weekend and thou be right to have no regrets!!! Life's too short for any regrets at all and the 1.5 pounds be likely water ... I've likewise been off program but am going to shape up soon anyhow!!! Om shanti!!! :wave:

To all other :queen: s, mentioned or unmentioned, avanti!!! Off to gym, since I can't do any work!

Punkin, I'm only kidding about being mad about people not liking clowns ... but I did ask for it back!!! :)

Ok Kaylets darling you have me crying at my desk with that. What a beautiful story, hearwrenching and true.

I've got a quote of the day for you guys this morning
" Always look ahead, there are no regrets in that direction. " From the Proverbial Cat Calendar.
I think this is true about most anything, but also fits into our dieting. Don't obsess over the mistakes you have made, don't angst over that bowl of ice cream, instead plan on how you are going to do it differently next time. Think about your triggers and how to avoid them.

Mind you, I think that obsessing over cooking/food is part of my problem. So how to obsess about not obsessing?
Ok. going to go dry my eyes and get back to work. *hugs* and energy to all you lovely ladies

Mornin' all,

Wrist is doing much better this morning. I think part of the problem was trying to work with the brace on - my fingers were starting to go numb! It puts a lot of pressure on my wrist and I don't need any help with carpal tunnel thankyouverymuch, I have enough issues with that without the brace creating more! So, I'm only wearing it when there's a chance I could over use it, or hurt it again (driving, walking outside, lifting, etc.). I'm going to look for one of those ACE bandage type braces this weekend. I will survive!!!!!! :cb:

Oh, and down 2 more pounds, but Monday's still my official day! :dance: :dance:

SeattleJo, I'm the same way. I moved from CA and haven't been anywhere except back to CA since. No trips to the beach, or Portland, or any sightseeing... That's why I'm kinda' excited about my friend's move - somewhere new to go!

Eydie, yes, chocolate strawberries are considered a FRUIT! They're SO healthy they cancel out the chocolate. 'Least that's what I believe... :shrug:
Hope the soak helped your back - doing better?

WSW, oooooh paint shopping! Fun!!!!!! I'm doing that this weekend too - looking for a nice fleshy/warm peach for my guest bathroom! I looooove having all those little painted pieces of paper stuck on the walls! Enjoy!

Cerise, thank you for checking in! Not that we thought SeattleJo was an axe murderer or anything.... :fr: I'm glad you enjoyed your company!

Arabella, I'm SO happy things are looking up! Enjoy your trip!

Kaylets, ya made me cry. Your Wednesday Message was SO sweet and really made me think. It's true, people will remember how you made them feel more often than what you said. Something to chew on today...

Q o' the day ~
I used to have 2 tattoos. Had them both removed because of a stupid man (aka the ex husband). Both were on my ankles - outside of the left, inside of the right. One I'm glad is gone (heart with wings, picked off of flash on the board - yaaaawn) and the other I wish I still had because it was a reminder of the best times in my youth - a little music note that I got at Sunset Strip Tattoo in Hollywood, CA in '89. In the late 80's I did a lot (a LOT) of hair-band following and that tattoo was my "proof" of my times in Hollywood. I do have plans to get another one someday. It will be very well thought out though - because now I know removing tattoos is far more painful than getting them!

Well, must away to do something that will pay the bills! :wave:

Terri

Kaylets, I made my lowfat herb biscuits with half whole wheat flour and they're great ... thanks for inspiring me! Can whole wheat brownies be far behind? :chin:

:nono:

Amarantha, I've seen recipes for whole wheat brownies. No clue what they'd be like, but it sounds interesting. Of course you could just leave the flour out... (Flourless chocolate cake mmmmm) but then thats not healthy

arabella-glad to hear things are looking up for you and ds!

wildfire-thanks for your enthusiasm regarding my-almost condo. today, my friend took me to look at some paint colors and it was fun! i really am starting to get a feel for what color scheme i want and could picture "my stuff" in there.

amarantha-i agree with you that magic really is all around us. i was reminded of that today, when i had a lovely lunch and paint perusing morning with my friend, who is my best friend's girlfriend. she was telling me how her friends, some people i've never even met, told her they also want to help with fixing up, painting my place. i have so much to be grateful for and so many good friends. there is indeed a lot of magic in my life.

kaylets-loved the story.

seattlejo-really like the quote. i know how important it is for me to do this, though not always as successful in this area as i would like. i'm a work in progress.

hi ceara!

hi punkin-glad to hear your wrist is doing much better today. congrats on being down 2 more pounds!

eydie-how's the back feeling today?

hi cerise! glad to hear you had enjoyed your 3 day wekend with houseguests!

so far, so good with being op today and did o.k. out for lunch too, which is sometimes more challenging for me. thinking of you all, my friends, mentioned or unmentioned. take good care of yourselves.

wsw

Kaylets, I didn't get to read your story till this afternoon. How lovely! I so appreciate this "service". It's a loving act from you to us!

Ceara, thinking of you, and your friends. Be strong.

wsw, thanks for the remider that magick is all around!

Seattlejo, I'm a big-time food-freak. I'm always food-obsessed. The trick for me was becoming obsessed with healthy food, seeking it out at restaurants and cooking it, etc. Hey, it's even what I do at my job. How ironic is that?

Congrats on being down 2 more pounds, Punkin!

Think healthy, svelte thoughts, everybody!

Darlings, I wish I could talk to you more, but reading your posts has taken all my free time from work, which isn't much. I'm going nuts this week...

I'm thankful that I have a little time to read your posts, because (as the rest of you have no doubt found on weeks like this) they sustain me and give me a feeling of normalcy, goodness and peace. Even the sad ones. Thank you for being here for me and for each other.

I'm staying OP for now and am grateful for the 1.5 pound wake-up-call. Unfortunately the weekend hit our wallets even more sorely than my weight. Never mind. Come Friday this will all be over.

Much, much love,

Happy Hump Day! Two more sleeps 'till Friday!

Weighed in tonight, down 1 lb. Looks like I'm going to have work for every ounce! Oh well, I am NOT giving up. :nono:

QOD: I have one, a jade green tribal dragon in the middle of my back. I'm thinking I'll get my Campbell tattoo when I reach goal.

Just a fly-by posting, just got in and I'm starving! :hun:

hello all!

Server went down for about 45 minutes this am so here I am here...

******
Thought of the day :

WORRYING
does not empty
TOMORROW OF ITS
TROUBLES

*************

IT EMPTIES
TODAY OF ITS
STRENGTH



Question of the day :

"Are they rubber bands or elastic bands?"

******


Deep Thoughts (Part 11)
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a work station.....
Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?
What hair colour do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?
Why do banks charge you an "insufficient funds fee" on money they already know you don't have?
Why is it, when a door is open it's ajar, but when a jar is open, it's not adoor?
Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it.
Why is lemon juice mostly artificial ingredients but dishwashing liquid contains real lemons?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?". She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice?"
Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
How do blind people know when they are done "wiping?"


:^: :^: :^:

Wasn't on yesterday because I spent my day waiting on a tow truck. I now no longer have a car (at least for a couple of weeks). My transmission needs to be rebuilt. This car is only 2 years old bought brand new. I can't believe my freakin luck lately!!!! It's going to cost $1200 of money that I don't have. And I'm not sure how I'm going to get to and fro to both jobs. No one lives near me so I can't bum a ride to the office. Boss is extremely upset ("how come there's always a problem") It's not my fault. I just want to cry!!! :cry:

Morning Ladies!
It's Thursday and I have a weekend packed with social goodness, lets just hope I can stay OP! I didnt weigh in end of last week and am a little annoyed by that. I'll have to get out to the mall and weigh in on Saturday morning. (Yeah we still dont have scale if you can believe it. I was set to get one this week , but hubby said I could by the software I've been wanting, so i got that instead.

*hugs to all* ok working now.

Kaylets, thank you so much for sharing the deep thoughts, they'll have me giggling all morning.

hi all!

kaylets-that quote really spoke to me today. good reminder for me. wildfire-congrats on the 1 lb. down! woo-hoo!

a quick hello to the royal ones! have to get ready to go to my doc appt. (just one of the regular check-in ones.) some months they all seem to schedule in the same month, so this is my 2nd to last one for jan. and then i should get a reprieve for another few months, or so i am hoping. my insurance card sees more action than most credit cards, i think. oh well! take care, and those of you in the deep freeze zones, stay warm.

Hello, dearests.

Frogger - I'm so sorry that you got such a horrible response from your boss. I honestly don't know what you could possibly say to such a terrible person that wouldn't put you in even worse standing with her. I, of course, would be tempted to use profanity. Remember your rights, love.

Still going nutters at work, dears, but am still happy to see you every day. Still OP - I'm a bit scared of weekends, though, to tell the truth. That's when (a.) I'm at home lurking around and drawn to the fridge, and (b.) Ramon and I get our urges to eat out.

Love to you all,

Vent: ISP was down or something this a.m. because of storms and then the day got so chaotic ... it's been stressful for the past few weeks on the workfront and today my 21-day challenge went down in a blaze of glory after six candy free days, BUT I'm starting the count over again tomorrow (as I posted on that thread) and hoping to catch up with Eydie, Ceara and Kaylets (the Bad Food Demon Slayer Team) as they reach their 21-day goal ... and anyone else who joins us ... maybe we can just keep a running 21-day challenge going for awhile ... there's something about that 21-day thing that's hard to do but very effective in solidifying habits.

No exercise today at all to put on the NOLA! :( Bad day all around. Eating too much. Blah! Sigh! Dark damage and confusion! :shrug:

I'm going to skip weighing in this Sunday ... think I need a hiatus from that!

:queen: Frogger, sorry about thy car fiasco! :stress: And really that remark from thy boss telleth the story of why thou needeth to send out the resumes. How insensitive!

:queen: Kayeletsi, I also love the quote you posted ... good thought! And speaking of which, the deep thoughts were hilarious ... but thought provoking ... interesting question about why glue doesn't stick to the inside of the bottle ... I never asked myself that before (because there's no air in the bottle?)

:queen: SJ! I'm really going to go for the whole wheat brownies this weekend ... have to work a lot at the paying writing, so that'll be the perfect escape ... hmmm, but flourless brownies would be fudge, methinks, and that would violate my 21-day (restarted) challenge of no candy!!!! Or would it ... I mean if they were brownies ... :smug: :chin:

:queen: Wsw: That is so nice about the people who want to help you fix your place and you don't even know them ... yup, magic is in action in the universe. I'm convinced of it ... good luck on thy doc appt.

:queen: Wildfire: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE POUND DOWN!!!!!! :cheer: WTG!!!! :hb: :cp: I know how thou feeleth about having to fight for every pound, but we all will make it to our goals ... however long it takes!!!! I'm glad thou be not giving up, because that makes me want to not give up either (sometimes, like today, I DO want to give up, but that never lasts)!

:queen: s, look how long we've been posting on this board with weight, fitness and other goals and look at how many we've actually achieved ... A LOT!!!! We are not perfect, we are not 100 percent ... and bad stuff keeps happening to us, but HERE WE STILL ALL ARE!!!! I would say we're invincible (or close)!!!! WE WILL SUCCEED!!!!

Huzzah! Amen!

To all :queen: s that I scurvily skipped in replying, please forgive me and consider thyself replied to ... I am beat and canna type n'more, lassies! :wave:

Frogger, awww man! Hugs to you, my friend.

Cerise, courage, girl! Is there an end in sight?

Kaylets, thanks for your deep thoughts! Hmmmm....[that's me thinking! :lol: ]

Seattlejo, I too am being the social butterfly, and it's all about food, baby! Today we had all 3 meals out, and 2 out tomorrow. Hope to hunker in on Saturday and Sunday!

Amarantha, Yes indeed! We've all come so far--we must never forget it!

wsw, Ceara, Wildfire, Arabella, and all other royal personages, greetings! :)

Frogger.... I am so sorry you're transmission died... Oh man! I hope by time you read this post, you've figured something out.....Here's a big
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))
with a kiss on the forehead for you.


****
Yes, Empress, you're right!! ITS TRUE!! See how crafty and cunning these candy folks are....FLOURLESS BROWNIES... sounds lo carb doesnt it???
YIKES!! WARNING! WARNING! WILL ROBINSON!!
Don't forget what happened to me last December! I couldnt get off the sugar roller coaster until nearly St Patrick's !

It's just like that man in Illinois who was relabeling donuts as WW lo fat....
which they were NOT!!!

In fact, thank you very much my friends, I think I have hit on my topic finally...
after a couple drafts... I am going to speak on Marketing ....especially... the "healthy, lo carb, lo fat, new, improved, our menu will fit your diet plan, here's a coupon too, JUST GET IN HERE, GIVE US YOUR CASH and hurry up and EAT IT FOR GOODNESS SAKES, so, you'll hurry back now!"

In fact, perhaps I'll start it something like this:

"This must be the best time to be alive. We are the happy recipients of medical, mechanical and intellectual discoveries. More of us are more educated than at any time in recorded history.
........

Have to keep working on that one.....



Yikes, look at the time.....

speaking of marketing.... anyone look at the nutritional values for the new Snicker "Energy Bar" .. Think its called the Marathon.....

Glad so many of you enjoyed Deep Thoughts...

Think I know where some more are.

okay, you guys are the best! I was a little unerved after yesterday's Toastmaster meeting as I found out another competitor has stepped forward... and she is outstanding... very good.. in fact, won for our club and two levels higher for the humor contest. I heard her speak all 3 contests and she is good.
But..... you have given me motivation and inspiration....

I will presevere....


WSW-- did you tell us the paint colors??

Punkin-- are you sure you didnt break anything in your wrist? That sounds bad!

Cerise-- Keep your chin up! Here's a nice cup of tea...

Eydie- I asked on the thread for your brand of ff creamcheese... never tasted a ff that didnt taste like paste...

Wildfire-- What's new?

Ceara- Sending you love and a big hug.

Arabella- Wonder if you find Boston tropical compared to PEI....
and here's good thoughts re your DS....

Ok all!

Is ER a rerun tonight?

Hello all!!

14 degrees this am! Coming home from work last night felt like summer becuase it was nearly 8 degrees ABOVE freezing, now this am its 18 degrees BELOW.......

Sure love my remote ignition starter for the car!


Plans to have lunch at a brand new Panera bakery/cafe near the job.
Their website lists all the nutritional values so I've narrowed my choices....
My stair climbing buddy and I are spending our quarter a stairclimb money.
Think some other coworkers are joining us as well.


*******

Thought of the day :

Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself as he will never cease to be entertained.
--John Powell


Question of the day :

"What made you laugh at yourself last?"

******


Need to unload things from the car in case folks wind up riding with me....


KETTLE IS ON!

Deep Thoughts (Part 12)
Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
How is it possible to have a civil war?
If God dropped acid, would he see people?
If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too?
If you ate pasta and antipasta, would you still be hungry?
If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?
Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song?
Where are we going? And what's with this handbasket?
If the "blackbox" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole damn airplane made out of that stuff?
Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
If all those psychics know the winning lottery numbers, why are they all still working?
Should crematoriums give discounts for burn victims?
If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have a "S" in it?

frogger-sorry your boss was such an insensitive jerk and of course, about your car situation.

amarantha-my doc appt. went ok yesterday,thanks, but she gave me a pneumonia vaccine and my arm is not too happy this morning!

kaylets-i am leaning towards some color schemes with warm tans for bedroom and some blues for kitchen. i love bright colors, but not sure if there is anyplace that would accomodate those. still looking at different colors/color schemes, though.

a couple of friends are taking me out for dinner, so i need to get my apt. cleaned and get to my p.t. appt. staying op and doing my exercising, but this cold weather is making it challenging to move around much (ms-wise.) have had to use the wheelchair more this past week than i would like, but at least i have gotten out several times. i hope everyone has a good weekend. thinking about you all, mentioned or unmentioned. take good care.

wsw

Good morning, darlings! I feel like such a nonety on this thread this week. Poop. Still, I enjoy reading about you (since I can read and stuff envelopes at the same time). It's nice, actually, that it's not so much about me right now. I enjoy being sort of a "transparent eyeball" among you instead of the one who writes a volume at a time. I'll get to that this weekend. ;)

wsw, your color schemes sound great. Do your bright colors! Ramon and I are going to paint our kitchen Mexican-style, with red, yellow, robin's-egg blue and kelley green. Bedroom's gonna be deep cobalt, I think. I LOVE living in an apartment building where you can paint the walls!

Frogger, still thinking/worrying/hoping for the best for you. I hope that you have an opportunity to reveal to your boss how discourteous and destructive her attitude is. But then, I hope you do what's best for you and Junior and DH, too. Damn. I'm just hoping for some mercy thrown at you from On High.

Eydie, you make me laugh. You too, Kaylets. Thanks for the deep thoughts, and picture yourself blowing Miss Competitive Toastmistress out of the water.

Love to all, sorry for the gross neglect of the rest of you. It's not that I don't care...

My $0.02:

Amarantha, I make everything with whole wheat flour and find it works for all. Unfortunately, I can't even tolerate much of it, but everyone else likes it. One thing to remember is to use a bit less of it than you would white flour, and in the case of something like brownies, be sure not to overbake. I heard on the radio one time that the special flour for bread machines is higher quality than the other kinds and works better for everything than regular flour. I bought it a few times (even though I don't have a machine) and it did seem to be true. Hmmmm.... I could go for a brownie right now :T

Kaylets, the last time I laughed at myself was a couple of days ago. With all the stress and anxiety of the past week, I haven't been really on the ball. I was cleaning the lint filter on the dryer, took out a big wad of dryer fluff and caught myself starting to cram it into the hole for the screen. Guess I was just going to throw the screen itself away...

wsw, your colors sound lovely. Hope you can use them!

Just wanted to pop in before I head out tomorrow. All ready for my trip, and definitely ready to think about nobody but ME ME ME for a few days (at least in terms of looking after them).

DS seems well, like his old self. And it will be good for him and DH to spend time without me. All is good :) I'm taking the laptop, and supposedly there's a high-speed connection in the hotel, so I may be able to check in while I'm away.

Love to all, mentioned or not!

Hi, Royal Ones - so happy to hear of so many losses; I'm feeling a bit thinner myself but then I'm an optimist.

Ceara, hugs! Wood Nymph, so happy things look better - sounds like such a tough time and hope it's one and done. So happy you're w/us more, Wildfire. Mix sounds good.

Frogger - I too am urging the Powers to give you a break. I know too well the feeling of "what next" and urge you to hang in against all insensitivity and futility. The sun will shine again, hopefully soon.

Empress, sounds like you've had a run on irritation and insensitivity yourself. Sunshine soon for you too.

wsw - sounds great. And any "brights" make a great accent w/ your tan walls theme. All so exciting.

Cooler here today (only getting to 60, pardon me). Dh off getting bloodwork. I'm a little more unwound but am appalled that even my ocean is not working its usual miracles. And we're gone from home 3 weeks already. It'll soon be time to start thinking of the northward trek but it's only 12 degrees at home at the moment so I'm considering myself blessed.

Hi, SJ, Cerise, Punkin, Kaylets - ah, that felt good.

Good morning and happy Friday everyone! :cb: :bubbles:

Well, I hadn't even sat in my chair for an hour before I had a freakin' meltdown at work. Tears. How emBARassing! Sheesh... I'm just a bundle of pent-up stress. Still. My mom's been telling me to take some time off for weeks and I had already decided to take next Friday off, but methinks I'm going to have to break down and actually take some TIME off. I have a week from last year, 2 weeks for this year and 3 years of never-used sick time. Think I can spare more than A day???? :rolleyes:

Kaylets, your deep thoughts had me laughing this morning. Thank you!!!! I really needed them (esp. the one about shooting tourists! :lol: )
I also think your topic is an excellent one. I've seen a commercial for a restaurant who's touting an "approved" menu for a diet plan I won't mention. When a *diet* becomes so powerful that suddenly a plethora of companies start to change it makes little red flags go up for me. This diet isn't new, it's just now more popular. As a nation we've been overweight for DECADES, why haven't they changed their menus to reflect better general health?? You didn't see TGIFriday's start an all-grapefruit menu when that diet was popular did you??? Noooo, because grapefruit is cheap, meat isn't. :chin: Maybe there's the answer....

Offa' the soapbox! Nothing against low-carb - really! But what about the rest of us watching our health/weight that aren't following low-carb. Why the massive change for *one diet*? Ok, really, I'll shut up now.

Cerise, it is FRIDAY! :cb: I hope it's an easier day for ya, and that the weekend doesn't drag you into the evil food ways of yore.

WSW, enjoy your dinner out with your friends! Your colors do sound great - you're going to have SO much fun when you start decorating!

Frogger, ok, that just sucks. You need, no, deserve, a break! I hope there's some yet to be found good in all of this.... you've earned it!

SeattleJo, no scale? I'd die. I'm a scale addict.... maybe it's good that you don't have one! :lol:

Amarantha, I think it's good to take a break occasionally, being ever vigilant wears on ya'. Smart that you're restarting your candy-free 21 days. I still need to get over there... :chin: (can I give up Jr. Mints for 21 days????? :shrug: )

Wildfire, congrats on your shrinkage! :dance:

Zadie, are you still out there?? How's the food poisoning and ankle doing? Please check in when you can!

Q o' the day - this morning. Post-hysteria I went into the kitchen to get some water. Yesterday's glass was full so I dumped it into the sink. In my enthusiam to dump it out, I sloshed a full glass of water all over the counter, down my front, down the cabinets and all over the floor. Yea, I laughed. It took me outside myself to see that my "drama" only caused me more trouble than had I just emptied the glass normally....
I kinda feel like the splash of water was like a "WAKE UP!" from the powers that be - lesson learned.

Last night I watched an interview with a man who wrote a book on survival (I think it was Lawrence Gonzales?). It was basically about any life or death situation whether it's cancer, being held at gunpoint or being lost in the wilderness and who lives, who dies and why. It was really eye opening... but the reason I bring it up is because recently it was mentioned here about how humor gets us through tough things. This guy did a study of hundreds of people who survived something that many don't and the biggest thing he noticed was their sense of humor. They had a way of laughing at themselves, at life and the situation even when it could kill them. It was a way of putting things in perspective, a buffer and allowed your emotions to calm enough for reason to kick in.
So now it's official. A sense of humor could save your life. :yes:

Have a great weekend everyone,

Terri
:queen: Punkin o' Friday do declareth it FRIDAY and demands we all break out into dance :dance: :cb: :dancer:

Punkin, if a sense of humor saves your life, then you're gonna live long and well.

Actually, that goes for all of you. Kisses all 'round!

Hello all!!

Ceara, saw your post on the 21 Day... so sorry for you and your friend's loss.
and yes, its eye opening to see how family reacts.

**
Lots of new thoughts for me the past few days... on the WW's home page, they post an ongoing thread as a teaser to draw folks in... the title was "Costly Free Food", all you can eat places, office "reward" breakfasts, lunches, etc, etc....
Again and again, posters referenced " I can 't help but think of the food going to waste... I don't want to appear ungrateful..."
And of course, you know me... had to add my 2 cents....
Suggesting that if we were given something we couldnt eat for medical reasons or allergies, we wouldn't think twice... I also suggested how would we react if a basket of cigarettes were sent from a vendor... would we take up smoking??
and I've been thinking and thinking....
about the real costs of "Free food" ... about whether this "All you can eat" mentality is linked to caveman "eat when you have it" and are these marketing geniuses playing that song for all its worth too????

And are employers happy to bring donuts and sandwiches and pizza in because its a cheap drug to distract ???

YIKES!!!!

Am I standing on the edge ? I wonder.


************
The Thought of the day :
"The game of life is not so much in holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well."
-- H.T. Leslie

Question of the day :

"Do you feed the birds?"

***************

Kettle is on!

Ok, :queen: s, I need to continue working and already lost one post this a.m., so I'll be brief (really) ... thanks for all the support here on my feeble attempts to cook better ... Wood Nymph, I really don't like whole wheat anymore either, but when I was a kid, I loved it, so I'm thinking it may be a taste I can acquire ... it's really a lot better for my poor beleagured blood sugar which is reacting to stress very poorly these days ... I have lots of work related stuff to say but there's a reason right now that I can't post it (drama :queen: ) ... howsomever, I am not on program but NOT eating candy, so I've just created the Better Blondie Bar ... these are less than 2 points and healthier and don't taste bad. Old Dog is hoping for one as soon as they get cooler.

I shall bore thee all with the recipe, such as there is one:

1/2 cup self rising flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 T. sugar (should have used turbandino but used forgot and used table)
3 T. sugar free maple syrup (any kind that's 10 calories per 1/4 cup)
1 eggbeaters cup (equivalant to two eggs)
1/2 scoop Designer Whey Praline Vanilla Protein powder (or whatever)
Several sprays of a zero cal butter spray

Stir until shiny and dense. I baked these at 350 for 12 minutes on two sheets of nonstick aluminum foil formed into a little pan and sprayed with calorie free cooking spray in the middle of the oven and cut into eight squares after cooling a little.

Promising.

How do they taste??

They're delicious ... very light and cakelike ... I was really going for a dense chewy blondie but these are workable. Wondering if the sugar content is too high ... would be good with brown rice (low glycemic) or honey (lower than sugar, anyway) or just cut the sweetening in half altogether. But I need something sweet if I'm going to give up candy.

Ok, back to work! :)

Hmmm. I think these are basically a madeline type thingie!

Ok, three in a row ... was wondering if anyone else is experiencing a rise in obscene spam that is picking up on words or ideas they've just posted on this site ... I have all sorts of privacy and spam protection but it's not stopping it ... and it's repeating things I've posted here, almost instantly in some cases ... anyone else notice this or am I paranoid? It's only recently that I've gotten any spam at all that got past the blocker ... you know I don't really mind insurance ads or whatnot in my inbox but filth and obscenity really bother me! :mad:

Food for thot :p . I do get a lot of spam but hadn't noticed that it was linked to here...although this is the only forum I belong to....I get a lot of body part enhancements...with strange spellings and punctuations, and anything addressed to ceara I delete right away. I don't need viagra or its relatives yet...Dh is fine and I've not got the pertinant equipment...of course the email I use is S-O- antiquated that I can't block subject stuff....it is a symptom of carrying a sword you know...:lol:

I have an appointment with an ob/gyn on Tuesday...5 weeks of this is enough and as I said to my GP...if you were bleeding from your p***s for this long you would have done something! After he killed himself laughing, he agreed and voila! Pays to have an in with the guy...So I am to be assessed with possible surgery if appropriate. At least this guy will do a hysto if necessary...none of this "Well this area is too high statistically in that type of surgery and I can't do it" mentality. Like do you have to have no red blood left or what?

So amidst dr's appts and people in hosp (Gramma is home finally) and people & my dog dying my life sounds like a C & W song...I should get Cerise to sing it for me...after the Blues!!!!

Love you guys....can feel the vibes!

Ceara

Ahhhhh. I just woke up an hour ago. Yes, at the obscene hour of 1pm. Geez. I'm keeping hysterical self-reproach (my grandmother, for instance, is turning in her grave) at bay by telling myself firmly that I needed it. And indeed I did.


So, here I sit with a lovely breakfast in my tummy (edamame, vitamin pills, and my favorite: oatmeal with raisins and milk and honey. The ultimate comfort food), "Chocolat" soundtrack playing, my favorite coffee (what kind doesn't matter as long as it's French-pressed) in my favorite mug on my favorite mug-warmer (humankind's best invention to date), my second glass of ice-water almost gone, and you. The week from ****'s over and you helped sustain me. Thank God the company lets me check in on you during the day. So, there's a list of things I adore in life. Do I sound like the world's biggest nerd or a true Epicurean? I think the latter. Epicureanism's a big thing with me. I'm the one you see in a restaurant closing my eyes with every bite. :lol:

I've stayed OP all week so far. Can you believe it? This from the woman who hates food journalling. WW points-counting is keeping one thing in my life Under Control, and the feeling of having my eating going so well has really kept the week from being impossibly negative for me. The only thing that doesn't resonate with me with WW is the fact that I'm an aspiring whole-foods eater, and a lot of cherished foods for WW veterans are low in points but heavily processed. It's just a little more challenging, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting less to eat because I want to eat real food, not fat-free cheese slices and sugar-free fudge bars. No offense to those that eat that food (hey, I still eat the odd Twinkie - I'm by no means cured!), and I won't completely abstain from it, but it's a food choice I made a long time ago and I'm desperately trying to make a real habit in my life. I'm glad that eating less has brought into focus the fact the I want the little food (or so it seems to me right now) that I eat to be as nutritious as it can be. I was hoping that food-journalling would help me in this, and it seems to be working. Anyway, sermon over.

Kaylets, your thoughts are just exactly what has been bothering me lately. About free food, and why we don't eat the foods we don't eat. I was grappling with the free food thing at work during the holiday season. As soon as I saw the email: "chocolate from [insert vendor name here] now in the Trading Area." I would think that I'd better get over there and have a piece. Just because it was there. :rolleyes: Will I ever learn? But then, I'd remember what I think you said once, that totally abstaining from the candy dish (or whatever) was easier than taking a taste and then trying to stay away after that. It helped, but then I'm not against having a piece of chocolate if it's good quality. I think it's good for you. It also helps that I'm a total chocolate snob - I won't eat it if it's not fine. No M&M's for me. More epicureanism to brighten your day. About the Foods We Won't Eat thing, I'm mystified by that. Why don't we just say "those cookies aren't good for me" and leave it at that? When I find that a food's not vegetarian, like it has beef broth or rennet or gelatin in it, it's like turning a switch in my head. I won't consider eating it, and I don't even want it anymore. Why can't I be that way with French Fries? Or Twinkies? They have absolutely no redeeming qualities...but I love to eat them. Crap. :mad:

Amarantha, I'm going to try your Blondies-cum-Madeleines recipe. I think I'll even get a Madeleine baking tin to put them in. Except that I've never used protein powder and will have to Buy a New Kind of Food (always hard for me - I haven't even tried cooking with seitan yet). For an Epicurean, I'm a real :chicken: . I always DO try new things eventually, though, so I'm not a total loss. Thank you for the recipe, dear.

Punkin, Light of My Life, thank you for reminding me on Friday that it was Friday. It's hard to remember when you're in a working frenzy, isn't it? I'm sorry about your meltdown. It seems like you have a lot of emotional goings-on at work to deal with (people, I mean) along with just working hard. Sorry if I'm stepping on your toes here. It's different when you're not, well, close to your co-workers. You can sort of go back to your cubicle, mutter "dick" or whatever about the person who's bugging you, and it's over. Not so when you're close to those you work with. I'm not saying your environment is unhealthy or anything, but it HAS to be more challenging sometimes. I know! Come see US! We had guests over to our little apartment last weekend, and they said that they had a restful, restorative time with us, so it's proven. People who come see us are guaranteed to feel better. This is a serious invitation, you know. Well, to all of you, really. :D

Dear Anagram, I feel the way you seem to on vacation sometimes. Kind of a desperate, panicked, "this isn't WORKING" feeling - it's inevitable that you're not 100% in a state of mind to "drink in the peace", enjoy the ocean, and restore your soul thereby all the time. You're still living, for Pete's sake, and living means being stressed out and grouchy sometimes. Not that I believe for a second that you're ever grouchy. :no: When you're feeling not-so-great, just remind yourself that you'll be back to "restore the soul" mode soon enough. Uh, great. I'm telling a someone ELSE how to relax. That's rich.

Arabella, your dryer story made me hoot with laughter. Believe me, love, I was worrying along with you about your poor son. Must've scared the **** out of all of you, including him. You know, I seem to remember times in my youth (ahem. I can FEEL everyone bristling, since I haven't even hit 30 yet), I mean my teenager-hood, periods of prolonged hysteria, for days at a time, when I acted like a total nutter and my parents DID make me talk to a counsellor (or a pastor, which they thought was a better idea :rolleyes: ). I think normal folks all have periods of unbalance, and that's part of what makes us sane for the rest of the time. Meltdowns, we call them. I usually have them right before I have my TOM. :chin: Have an AMAZING time to yourself, dearest.

wsw, your friends sound absolutely wonderful. It puts my mind at ease that you seem to have a community around you that you can rely on. I'm willing to bet that they think their help is little payback for the priviledge of knowing you and spending time with you. I mean that. :love: You have a giving heart.

Eydie, reading your posts has (literally, I think) kept me sane of late. Hugs to you, and thank you. :dizzy:

Frogger, I'm still thinking about you. Hang in there, darling.

Ceara, I'm going to the 21 day thread after this to see what's up. Hope you're OK, love.

Uh, Zadie? What's happening? Everything cool? Just busy?

OK, dears. Sorry for the novel. I seem to have dispensed with a lot of unsolicited advice, too. Hmmm. Delete? Naaah. You know me. Don't take me too seriously. I sure don't. Take it or leave it or just ignore it and be yourselves. That's what I really want for all of you.

Kisses,

Arabella, I'm so happy that your son is feeling more like himself! Who knows why we humans do the things we do? Goddess knows I've had moments where I wanted to go screaming into the night. Wow. Now there's a visual.

Dear Ceara, thinking peaceful thoughts for you and your friend. You're a generous, kind woman and I'm proud to know you.

Amarantha, that's pretty creepy if you're being 'quoted'. Let us know what comes of that. I haven't had anything like that. And thanks for the blondie recipe!

Kaylets, yes, we feed the birds. lots of little juncos, cardinals, and some alarmingly BIG crows show up--and the occasional greedy-gut squirrel! Loved reading your thoughts on 'free [?] food'.

Cerise, I keep you sane?!?! You may be surprised to know this, but I don't think I've ever heard that before! Anyway, thanks! :)

zadie, wsw, Wildfire, Ma Frogger, Punkin, Anagram and all---HELLO! :D

Brrr....cold here tonight. Just for fun, me and the old fool are going to sleep on the air bed in the living room in front of the heater like a couple of dawgs! Pajama Party! :lol:

Hmmm, thought I'd just get on the computer and work a bit but here I am at 3FC, not working. Imagine that! Never coulda believed it!

Cerise, lots of vegetables and fruits are really very low or free on WW, though. I just discovered that it takes two clementines to make a point ... I was counting them a point each. So that's lucky. :) But I kind of agree that a lot of things people (me, in the nutritionally deficit past) eat tend to be low points but overprocessed. Re protein powders, lots of these have animal products but I used to use a really good one made with soy ... the name of it escapes me, though, since it's 1 a.m. ... I think I should come see thee as I believe I'm having a meltdown also. I think they used to call this a nervous breakdown ... usually mine are short, but ...

Ceara, hope thy appointment with doc finally gets you into a better place healthwise! Re spam, it seems if you're getting things with "ceara" that it does relate to this site, unless you're using the name on other forums as well ...

I'm not saying any actual obscene avaricious spammer lurkers out there are reading the forum and culling words to use in evil spam ... just that their software is scanning things that are typed here ... I haven't noticed from other forums I've been on except for Yahoo things.

I really despise spam ... also with some of this garbage, I never really see the point ... it just has a lot of ugly words thrown together, not a message to buy anything ... I guess the purpose is to verify that an email address is real ... I try not to open anything like this but the email program opens it automatically sometimes ...

I'll stop ranting now!

Guess I can sleep after all.

Punkin, hope thou be feeling better by Monday ... get some rest ...

I don't feed the birds here as they are too fat already! :)

To all, mentioned and unmentioned, I'm going to bed (again) but saying avanti to thee all the sameth! :wave:

Hello all!!

Storm is still expected this evening so DH and I plan to be part of the first wave of folks grabbing "The Essentials" ....
That makes me grin....ever notice what folks buy when these big storms are coming in??
Don't get me wrong, I get caught up in the frenzy sometimes too but I've never figured out why chips would be as essential as diapers or bread or eggs...
Guess its just what I said, a frenzy for most of us.



******
Thought of the day :

“Things we do for us die with us. Things we do for others live for eternity.”
----Norman Vincent Peale

Question of the day :

"Have you ever been snowed in somewhere other than home?"

******


******

Punkin-- I hope you do use your accrued time.... I can understand liking to have a "cushion" of time, I have some myself ( love a job that lets you carry it to the new year!)....but on the other hand...

I wonder why we are so driven not to take the time.... Don't get me wrong, I've been in situations where literally things would not get done ( ie. when I was a Manager for newspaper deliveries... too often you get a message, " I quit...come get the list"..)

And after a time, I began exhibiting severe symptons of what today is called IBS... Which can make working out of your car very dicey .....
Long story short, my employer's response when I had to call out was always, " Will you be in tomorrow??". When I finally gave my notice, as I just couldn't keep up the pace anymore, within 4 hrs, 3 other folks were assigned to "cover" my territory. In other words, he had known all along that what I was doing more than most would do.

It took me a few years to realize I was as much to blame as the boss. I still hate to say, " No, I can't handle that responsibility". I have to force myself today to think of myself as a coworker.... Why do I expect less from others is a mystrey too.... I am getting better but still have to remind myself often that if I was a pro athelete, everyone would expect me to rest, relax, regroup......

Interesting....


Need to come back in a few....
take care
Kaye

Kaylets, I know someone who works at a big supermarket and she swears and declares that when a big storm is predicted folks come in to buy milk, bread, beer and ice cream!!! :lol:

TRUE CONFESSION! There was a time, long ago, when I thought I'd be snowed in, I'd go to the closest store and stock up on junk food: Chocolate bars, bar-be-que chips, and Swiss rolls, etc. Who was that person???? Glad she's gone!

Hello all!

Didnt mean to be gone so long but my stomach became very nauseous while we were out. I went to bed once we were home again and slept nearly 3 hours. I awoke to freshly baked wheat bread. Its amazing how my stomach feels just fine now! :0 :)

Even the dogs are begging for some!

Dh's annoyed because altho he oiled the pans the bread wouldn't come out..
I cut the last 2 loaves in half and than seemed to do the trick...

So, not a balanced late lunch at 2:30 but was delicious. Luckily, ww treats me miles better than white bread so I'm safe from out of control bingeing.

Cerise- I know lots of the WW's board posters focus on prepackaged meals, snacks etc... but just as many work the system to their preferences. Looking back, I can't believe how long it took me to appreciate how filling, satisfying and economical home made soups are. But then, our Q of Friday talked about soups from the very first. Part of my problem was that I had this idea that they needed to simmer all afternoon on the stove. That's nice but the real key IMHO, is the "next" day soup ... when the flavors have had a chance to as Emeril says " Get Happy".
Just this week, Dh's "perfected" sliced apples in cinammon and water "steamed" in a small pan on the stove. We've been having them w/ 1/2 a waffle and cool whip.... In fact, I wonder what you and Ramon might come up with it to share with us!!

Speaking of your soups Q of Friday, I seem to remember a pea soup...
Do you use dried peas?? I have as well but for some reason, never seem to see the peas in the store with the other dried beans....

Empress, I have had my share of spam but now that I have the service I do now, much seems abated... I believe the big outfits were so inundated they have their own filters or they wouldnt be able to handle the volume. I have never had anyone use anymore than a "sign on name" ... I've never had what I've written be used in a spam... Again, as someone else said, I've recvd spam for things I never have discussed here nor will I personally ever need.
The biggest deterrent supposedly is to just delete from your in box... if you
click on "click here to be removed from list"... it proves to the sender that your address is a live address.... Many of those "click here " boxes are just to prompt you to help them figure out if its a live address.

And yes, sometimes the spelling is atrocious but I think that is to get by the filters....

But Empress, I just realized, you gave me a perfect hook to start my speech!!! Everybody hates spam mail!! Everybody knows about it too!!
Oh, you are the best!!

And here I was feeling like a slug because I didnt do much work on my speech today... I guess I can say, I've been researching!!
:)!!!

:s:

WSW-- Its getting so close now for you!! How handy to be able to move things into the new place at your own pace. I've never been so lucky... the closest I've ever done is to have things in a storage bin and then pull things out of the bin at my own pace ...( and please don't ask how long that took!)

Eydie-- How goes the remodel at work?? Just think, you won't even be able to recognize the place when they're finally done!!

Wildfire--What's new your way??

Zadie-- We miss you!

Frogger-- Am thinking about you!

Anagram-- Enjoy-- I know it got chilly where you are but there is snow on the ground and more coming... mixed with Sleet to turn to ice! Although, I can appreciate that you might be getting tired of eating out.... But do you miss doing the dishes?? :dizzy: :dizzy:

Arabella-- how's the trip?? Do they know their in the precence of royalty??



Who else am I forgetting... so sorry, I know as soon as I click submit I will remember....


Kettle is on!

My trip thus far:

I was supposed to leave yesterday but plane delays and cancellations kept me on PEI. Checked flight status before leaving for scheduled 8:35 departure and saw there was an hour delay. Checked again before leaving for new departure time - supposedly, the flight was scheduled to leave on time. Got to the airport, only to find that the flight had a further delay until 11:30, too late to make my connection in Halifax. Rather than spend 8 hours in the Halifax airport I decided to fly out today instead. It took the ticket agent an hour to make the arrangements (I know not why). Went home and tried to salvage something of the day.
Today:
Got to the airport at 5:50 a.m., got on the plane at 6:15 only to find there was NO HEAT! This in -23 (about -9 F) weather. We could see our breath in the air onboard, water was frozen, etc, as well as soap in the washroom and even the little towlettes. My toes were almost totally numb (but for the pain, of course) by the time we landed in Montreal. Then getting through customs was so slow it meant that I almost missed my flight. Discovered that ticket agent yesterday hadn't booked my changes properly. Got on just as we were scheduled to take off, but that didn't happen for another 20 minutes because ... there was NO HEAT! Bah! Wonder if it was the same plane, bet it was...

Got to the hotel room, achy from schlepping my laptop through airports so I could work. There's a T1 connection, but it wasn't working, so my first hour here was spent with a guy from guest services and tech support. All to find that my laptop doesn't have the requisite Ethernet card (although I thought it did), so I had to find a dial-up number. And now I should have been working, but feel so crabby and achy I'm having difficulty making myself do it... :rolleyes: This is not the trip I planned! I think I'm going to go down to the little store in the lobby and see if I can't treat myself to some painkillers!

Sorry to bend your lovely ears with my tale of woe!

I'll try to be more positive next time!

Anyway, having finally gotten an Internet connection here, I guess I should get some work done, so that all the shlepping of laptop through airports & etc will not have been in vain.

Arabella! Don't they know they are dealing with a royal personage? And please tell me you are in a warm room w/ steaming hot water in the bath??

Sorry about the computer connection issues....

OH FOR PETES SAKE!!

Is there room service available?? or at least a kettle or coffe pot or microwave to make something hot at least to drink !

I am horrible when I'm cold... its would be the perfect way to torture me...

sending warm vibes
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((WARM)))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Kaylets, thanks for the warm thoughts! Yes, the hotel room is lovely and warm and I treated myself (well, on behalf of the company) to a nice buffet as soon as I got rid of tech support. Painkillers are starting to kick in, got a little work done and I'm okay for the moment.

Good luck with your snowstorm (hope you get a nice snow day!)

Hi all,

What a frustrating day. DH and I went to the mall to see the travel agent about our Vegas trip at the end of March. As we were going up the escalator I spotted a great cheetah print top in the sidewalk sale, so I went over for a look, took the top and a slim black skirt to try on. Both too BIG! What do you know, I found a boutique with REAL sizes. Nice saleslady got me the smaller size, and for $34.00 I got the outfit that would have regularly cost $130.00. :cb: We did a little wandering, then as we passed the Danier Leather store, DH said for me to go in and not come out until I found a jacket. (I've been wanting a new one for some time.) Tried on several but just wasn't in the mood or something, and nothing looked right, so I passed. He found a gorgeous brown single-breasted lambskin jacket suitable for spring/fall weather...and get the price...$200.00 regular $850.00!!! All this was fine, then came along the annoying saleswoman (again). She had already asked us twice if we needed help and I had politely said no thankyou, we are just looking and we will let you know if we need help. This :censored: would NOT leave us alone! Finally I had to say in a rather firm voice, No THANKyou, we don't need any help. She came back three more times! And the place was mad busy, not like she had no one else to help. She just saw the possibility of TWO jackets being sold. She then proceeded to tell the cashier twice that she had helped us, so she would get the commission on the sale. I told the cashier that the jacket should go in the house account and that we don't appreciate pushy salespeople. Geez Louise! Take the hint already! Well, the cashier did credit the pushy one's account, and I am going to write to the head office about it. I did retail, high-end retail, for several years, and you just don't treat customers like that. If they say go away, you bloody well GO AWAY and make yourself available IF they ask. You can be sure I'll never buy from that store again and I intend to make it known, dammit. DH has given me a rain check to use at any time I find the jacket I want. I plan to wait until I've lost at least 2/3 of my weight (30lbs or so) so the jacket I do get will still fit when I reach my goal. Which I fully intend to do. :yes: So I'm holding out for the full length black leather coat! Which will NOT be purchased that particular Danier store.

Ok, rant over. I feel much better now. :) Good thing I did that here and not in my e-mail to the head office.

We did groceries today, too. I'm making some zero point soup tonight and I'm going to freeze it in individual ziploc containers to grab for lunches this week. Also going to try some 2pt pineapple carrot muffins. Hope they turn out well. I've discovered I'm not eating enough during the day, most days only 8-9 points, then when I come home after work I want to eat anything that isn't nailed down. Hey, did you girls know the biscotti from Starbucks are only 2.5 points for the WHOLE cookie? :yes: Great treat with a coffee.

Arabella, you poor thing! I can't imagine how cold it would be way up in the air with no heat in the plane! I'm surprised they were allowed to fly like that. And then computer troubles to boot...I say help yourself to the mini bar courtesy of the company! :devil: Glad you're safe and warm now.

Kaylets, it's sad but true that some people can't imagine being without junk food for a day or two during a storm. I suppose it's the whole 'comfort food' thing...stay inside where it's warm and cozy up to a bag of Doritos and some Rocky Road ice cream. :lol: Yes, I've done it on occasion, too! :ink: Great ideas for your speech! Will you share with us when it is complete?

Amarantha, I hate spam too! I have noticed in the last few months it has been cut back drastically in my hotmail account. I used to get upwards of 60-70 per day, now I only see about 15-20 a week, so Hotmail must be doing something about it, finally. It all lands in a junk mail folder in my account, anyway.

Cerise, so nice to see a long post from you again! I missed your chattiness! Sounds like you had a lovely morning. Congrats on staying OP all week! I don't rely on the prepackaged entrees or treats. I don't like aspartame, and I find the frozen meals low quality in taste, not to mention the questionable sources of what they call meat. (Sorry if that's too graphic) I have made my own frozen dinners, though, when feeling ambitious, and they are very convenient to grab on my way out the door to work. I just spend a couple of hours on a Sunday and make a dish or two that I like and freeze in individual portions. I nuke 'em at work, and I know what went into them and how many points they are. You can also do this with regular meals if they are four portions and you and Ramon only eat two. Pack up the rest for lunch or freeze for a dinner later in the week. WW is a little challenging for me because I can't eat a lot of fruit or veggies with my weird gut, but I'm managing. You'll find ways to make it work for you, too!

anagram, sometimes when I go on vacation I get vacation anxiety. That "okay we're here in fabulous wherever and we only have this much time to do all these things and we have to do it all and enjoy every second of it" feeling.

Ceara, :lol: good for you for making your doctor take notice! Keep us posted about the possible surgery.

Punkin, take some time off! :drill: Come to Canada....yeah...that's it...nice winter vacation....we'll shop and skate and shop and shop....;)

Where is Zadie?

wsw, sounds like you have great friends there. How is the arm after the vaccination?

Frogger, how are you feeling?

If I've missed anyone, hello! :wave: I have to go divide up that bulk pack of extra lean ground beef and get it in the freezer.

Arabella, what a nightmare--having no heat on the plane. I was afraid as I was reading that the next thing to happen was you'd have no heat in your room--very relieved to hear that your'e toasty. :goodvibes

Wildfire, I love cheetah print anything! Bet you look great! [now that i think about it, I don't own cheetah-print anything--what's up with that? I do have that dog bed...]

Snowed all day yesterday and today we're supposed to have freezing rain. I hope we don't lose electricity. This kind of weather makes me want to EAT! And yesterday I did---still measured and counted calories, the only good thing is I kept it under 2000 calories. Have to do a little better today.

Hello!
I am back. It was a very tough weeek both at work and at home, but it is nice to be back. I am actually in a good mood, but it was an everything that can go wrong will kinda week. Our furnace died on us and it was very cold (like low of -18 and high of 0). We have the woodstove but... Next a friend of mine was in a very deep funk becuasse she has depression problems and her sister tried to kill herself by running her car into a tree and her parents are getting a divorce and she was very sick and her apartment heat would not kick in. So I had to do some rescue missions. Then we ran low on wood, so we had to go out with the chainsaw and cut some. We have a stack of slab wood in nine foot lengths. It is not too hard, but it takes some time, and in weather like this, it is none too fun. And my foot still hurts. And one of the precious kitties was sick (he is much better now).

Today it is warmer and it is snowing. I think this will be a good week.

Now I get to go back and read all of the wonderful posties. :)

Morning ladies! Sorry to do a monday morning driveby again, but I've got a lot going on today. I'll drop in at lunch and log our miles for NOLA and give you all a proper update, I promise.

But anyways, Just wanted to send Happy Monday Morning thoughts to you all.

You know what I like about mondays? It's a fresh week. Any mistakes from the week before are forgotten.

zadie, you did have quite the week. Glad this week's looking better for you! :)

Hi Seattlejo! I like Monday too. Clean slate time!

I just shoveled snow for 80 minutes. It was hard work but I just went into 'John Henry' mode until it was done. Garry too. It's sort of a ridiculously ambitious thing to do because we have a really long gravel driveway. What were we thinking, but 'tis done! I love thinking of all the calories I must've incinerated! :D Poor little charred things!

What a great visual..... We always say " need to burn calories..."
I feel some great ideas coming from that one....

well, I am very pleased to announce, after 2 weeks of "maintaining" I finally saw a drop of 1 lb. Now, I know 2 weeks hardly constitutes a plateau to some ( Empress ;) ) but I am still impressed with myself....
It is more fun to see it go down.

I can't stick around much tonight-- we have back to back storms coming thru and becuase I am so unfit in the area of strength training, my bad shoulder is sore and very fatigued. I even had to go into the ladies room at work and do some shoulder rolls and elephant trunk moves ( you bend over and swing the arms from the shoulders) .... Interesting, just imagnining doing those excercises now has relaxed the whole area considerably... hmmmmm ...... of course, I am also relaxed here on 3FC, drinking Vanilla tea .....

Anyway...Dr Phil had some nutrition experts on tonight.... and this is one I never heard before but made SOOOOO MUCH sense when I heard it tonight...

Plateau buster tip: Make sure you get enough rest..... Sounds like something we've heard a thousand times before except never about weight loss.... The reason is this: When our body is fatigued, the body craves sugar.......
Hmmmmmmmm....... so again, I am suprised to find out something I knew ALL ALONG!!

Anyway, my friends.... Off to the showers...

and Cerise, yes, that's all great info about making more than one meal at a time.. its so much easier to know something healthy is waiting for you on those crazy nights....In fact, Dh and I had more of the chili I mentioned we made over the weekend ( with the curry spices??) tonight but as we were eating dinner, we were cooking down cabbage for tomorrow's dinner...

Seattle Jo! I called your name out in traffic this am! Did you hear me??? I didnt mean to forget you !! You are my cruise director!

Kettle is on!

Hello all!

had to defer to getting out on the roads as there was no way of knowing where ice was or wasn't..... Luckily, I encountered none... on the roads at least-- there is a shell of ice everhywhere that salt or chemical has not been touched.

*******
Thought of the day :
"Pessimsim never won any battle"-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question of the day :

" What is your favorite item to find on sale?"
*********



Take care all!

Good morning, Glorious Queens!

I'm so sore from shoveling yesterday,but I'm working it out. Did a bellydancing video this morning that's ideal for getting all those little crunchy kinks out. Snowed in again--actually iced in. I'm not complaining, it just means I'll have to watch my pennies, 'cause I don't get paid if I don't work.

Kaylets, congrats on dropping a pound! Keep going!

I've come back down to 136 pounds--that feels really good. I was afraid that I was losing my nerve there, and couldn't bear to be at goal. How weird am I? :dizzy:

Hello,
So, i got my new drivers liscence yesterday adn they made a bit of an error. They put down the wrong weight. It is funny because I was fairly honest about my weight on the form and now they put down the weight that I wished I was at on my liscnece anyway. O well, that is an incentive I guess.

Eydie - I am there with you on the snow shoveling pain. We live on a corner and got up eaarly today to shovel ourselves out. We got about 6 inches yesterday. Today is a reprieve, but very cold and then...more snow.

Kaylets - congrats on breaking the mini plateau.

QOD: hmmm. I am very frugal so I tend not to buy stuff except for food, so I would say blueberries. Although I am thinking of buying a sofa, so I could use a sale on sofas right about now. Right now our only seating in the living room is two small wooden chairs which is a little too austere.

well, my work is calling.

hi all!

it is cold, snowy, and icy here too. my closing was supposed to have been yesterday afternoon, re-scheduled for this afternoon, and that was cancelled as well. actually, it was not only because of the weather, but additionally, because the "package" sent from the seller (who is in another city) is missing in action and they're still hunting for it. the closing is going to be at my apt., so i wouldn't have had to worry about getting out. oh well. my friends took me out yesterday to get the certified check, so i am all ready on this end and just waiting to see when this can be scheduled again. my friend got me out yesterday in the snow and ice in my wheelchair, and as always, was so kind and gracious about it as though it were no big deal. i really am so very lucky in the friend department!

kaylets-congrats on the weight loss and breaking your plateau.

i have been stuck at the same weight for far too long now, though some of this is from my not having been diligent enough on my food plan. i have been in the past week, so maybe next week will reflect something positive. well, thinking of you all. take care, and keep warm.

Hello all!

We are in the midst of an icestorm.... just occured to me we could lose power..
hmmm....

Think I'd trade the ice storm for shoveling .....

WSW-- you must feel very gifted to have such understanding friends....
Except for DH and family, I can only think of 2 or 3 friends I could expect the same... I hope I am as good a friend in return to them.
I was looking at your stats in your signature line and am so impressed. You inspire me!! You're NO EXCUSES Mentality is so uplifting... Thanks for sharing with us !
I know it must be frustrating that the closing keeps getting rescheduled ... We were hounding Fedex at our office for some "important" documents ourselves.... perhaps you're pw is in the same terminal in TN I imagine our client's documents are as well. It is ironic to me how for all our ideas of how "advanced" we are, that Mother Nature can still put us in our place!

Wildfire- You asked if I would post the speech.... hmmmmm...... would that be imposition upon the Royal Personages?? Most often, I do "rewrite" as I'm speaking but if I do win, an outline will have to be "officially" submitted....


Remember a conversation about making a list of email addresses to share ??
I have one new one and a few from about a year ago....I did get an ok from the Empress and Anagram... I have been hoping for an "ok" from the other "regulars" .
Perhaps I can make this simpler.... Is anyone opposed to having their email address shared???

Eydie-- Mexican soup sounds promising... thanks for posting the recipe....


Well, if we are going to lose power, perhaps I should take a shower now and get tomorrow's clothes ironed. Although, I imagine wrinkled clothing would be the least of it.....

Anyway... TO THE SHOWERS!

:queen: s ... I've been enjoying some good food discussions on the 21-day demon food challenge and I've proposed over there, although as a 21-day countdown, I think it's not really super effective, as we all need to set our own timeframes. So I posted a proposal to end that thread and start a new one that just says "CCRRMM Demon Food Challenge" ... as a place for the CCRRMMs to just set food challenges, report on our menus, food related issues, whatever is related to the food we are taking in on the journey ... both Demon Food and Angel Food (not cake) ... the NOLA thread being about exercise and the main thread being about support and well, it's the main room in the palace ... but food is the third part of the equation and for me at least, it's been really helpful to go to that one thread and find a food discussion and recipes and Eydie's menus and Kaylets talking about whole wheat flour and being able to bore everyone with my biscuit fixation ... if no one objects, I'll start the new thread tomorrow ... so please let me know if this offends anyone! :)

Ola, :queen: K!!!! Congrats on the :dance: down ... actually, I don't consider this a plateau ... I consider it a loss in the right direction! :cheer: :cheers: :cp: After a certain amount of weight loss, it's hard to lose anything (don't I know it) so you've done a great job! Have a banana!!!! :cb:

I'm enjoying my hiatus from getting on the scale ... feel I've eaten a lot in the past two weeks and I don't intend to let a gain sidetrack me ... might even wait another week ... but getting antsy to see where I am ... hoping for at least a maintain when I do get on.

:queen: Wsw ... sorry thy closing got delayed ... when I bought this house, they kept delaying it for five (count 'em) months! :s: They got so sick of me yelling at them, they finally got it done! Hopefully, your's will go smoothly and swiftly!

:queen: Zadie ... that's kind of cool about the weight on thy license being thy desired weight ... that really is an incentive ... the universe seems to be trying to help thee make thy wish come true, so thou cannot fail!!!

:queen: Eydie ... congrats to thee for reaching down to 136 again ... thou be staying in a good range so all's well!!!! Yowza! :cheer: :cheers: :cb: :hb:

To all, mentioned or unmentioned, huzzah and hoorah!!! I need to take a nap with Old Dog who is doing her happy dance against my leg to call my attention to the fact that she exists! :wave:

Hello all!

Am here early as rode w/ DH. Its refreshing to be here so early....every thing seems fresh and clean....

Storm wasnt as bad as it could've been so I'm grateful....
Am hoping our other Royal personages on the East Coast don't need to travel or have conditions similiar to ours here.

Empress-- Your food thread sounds good.... You're right...its tough trying to find a challenge that fits all of us as we all have specific needs..Interesting how so many "experts" are beginning to say the same thing .... Meanwhile WW's has been offering the same philosophy for awhile...


Anyone see Dr Phil yesterday regarding addiction and specifcally the young lady with an Ephedra addiction of 11 yrs??? Again, its amazing what marketing will neglect to mention-- for instance, ephedra blocks iron absorbtion. The woman only knew because she had so many medical complications....even needed a transfusion at one point....
And where was she buying them ......??? Gas stations....
Think the Ephedra might be a good "hard core" example for my marketing speech....


******

**************
Today's thought of the day :

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
--Will Rogers


Question of the day :

"How many places have you lived?"
******************


I do have a hot cup of tea right here.

KETTLE IS ON....

QOD Hnmm..1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11....houses. Places 1, 2,(cottage in summers) 3,(London), 4,(Amherstburg) 5,(Swan Hills) 6,(LaSalle) 7,(here).

Am emerging from the fog...yes storm wasn't as bad as the doom and gloom sayers were predicting...musta been a slow news day...sorry Empress A...but sometimes I think the media get bored and wind us up...or try. I'm not too windable these days. Some of our roads were a mite icy, but I live in Canada for Pete's Sake!!! We GET SNOW! And I'm really tired of being told to be careful out there by the radio stations...wadda they think we do...drive the Indy?

Am going to get onto the treadmill and then go off to my dr, appt...which they kindly moved to this am due to the icy roads :s:

So will try and catch up later....good to see you all...where's Cerise? and wsw it is GOOD to have great friends....I agree. We are all the richer for them.

Ceara

Kaylets, yes, you have my permission to share my e-mail address with the rest of the queens! :)

wsw, I remember our closing so well. I was so excited and nervous and punchy. So many papers to sign and then I went to our new home. Ahhh, it was sweet!

Ceara, is your treadmill working any better for you, or is it still slipping?

Amarantha's right! There's a good thing going on with the 'Demon Food' thread--I'd love to see you all there! :D

Hello one and all!

Due to a snicky internet connection, I may, or may not, make it back on this week. Either my ISP is up to something OR that damn worm (which I've already received, thank God for PC-Cillin) is bogging the systems. Either way, on Monday I waited 38 minutes for the 3FC page to load... and it never did. :rolleyes:

Wrist is doing better. Still pretty sore, but I'm up to lifting a full coffee cup (amazing progress really) and the tender spots aren't as painful. Of course, still taking it easy using it, still wearing a brace at night and soaking in epsom salt. Bless the person who invented THAT stuff! Hot bath with salts... :faint: pure bliss!

Given the iffy-ness of connecting, I'll try to make the most of this post!

Kaylets, yep, you can share my email addy (privately of course ;) ) to the royal personages here!

WSW, I hope your missing paperwork shows up soon! Good luck on the move, I'm sure you're SO excited!!! :cb: You do sound like you are blessed with great friends. :yes:

Ceara, would it be right to wish "luck" at the Dr.'s today? I'll be thinking good thoughts for ya, hopefully they can get your "workings" all straightened out!

Cerise, yes, it would be much easier if I could be really pi$$ed at my co-worker, but that dang "love your mommy" instinct always kicks in. :dz: S'okay though, she's easier to work with than a LOT of people I've worked with in the past. Of course it took a looooong time for me to mold her to my way of doing things. :devil: Now that she does what I say, we get along just peachy! :lol:

Eydie, hey! I don't see anything wrong with sleeping on the floor in front of the heater! Now, if you circle a few times to find that comfy spot, I may start to wonder though!

Wildfire, I got frustrated just reading about your experience with that sales lady! :mad: How maddening!!!! You're right, after going through all that, why would you *want* to shop there again? Who needs to be accosted? Shopping's supposed to be enjoyable!

Zadie, glad to see you back! I was getting a little worried... guess the food poisoning and ankle are all doing better?

Arabella, I can't imagine no heat on a plane! I freeze on flights when there *is* heat! DH and DS's time together went good?

Amarantha, spam has recently become my enemy. I went for yeeeears without it and now I get an average of 50 a day. That may not be many to some, but from 0 to 50 is ridiculous - and some of it is SO offensive (and I'm no prude!). Anywho, don't know where it came from, if it was someone lurking 'round 3FC then hexes on them for daring to violate the privacy of our palace!

Well all, guess I should quit tempting fate and send this post off before I'm disconnected, never to reconnect again!!!! Smooches to all and happy weekend if I'm not back!

Terri

Yowza!!! Hi, :queen: s ... thanks for the input on the food thread ... I will do 'er and call it the CCRRMm Demon Food Buffet Challenge ... the buffet is an idea of Eydie's ... so we can have a separate thread for discussing only food, recipes, etc., etc., menu posting, anything having to do with our challenges Demon Foods and Angel Foods (NOT CAKE :nono: ) ... the Palace Food Police have cancelled the 21-day challenge by imperial edict ('cause the empress wants to eat pb cups) and in its place is the buffet challenge ... any CCRRMM or passersby be welcome to talk about food or post their personal food challenges in whatever fashion whatsoever, notwithstanding and quid pro quo with no liability devolving upon the palace!!! Huzzah!

Punkin, hope thy computer woes be over soon so you can get back here!!!! Yes, from 0 to approximately 50 obscene spams a day is what I've been experiencing also ... even with my ISP's spam blocker and my privacy software turned on. And some of the stuff does carry words I've used or that relate to 3FC ... this isn't necessarily any person out there lurking and sending us stuff ... I think it's just their evil spam programs are picking up on the new forum maybe? Dunno! :chin: I agree with thee, I'm no prude (far from it) but I object to seeing mindless filth in my inbox every morning ... I tried talking to my ISP and they said I'd have to set up the spam blocker to block everything not in my address book, but I don't want to do that either because sometimes I get unexpected things I want to see. I've also reported this stuff through one of the "report spam" sites, but it seemed to make it worse, so I don't advise anyone to do that. Can't these people get a real job? Sheesh!

Seattle Jo, I've really been enjoying the NOLA challenge ... what do you say to keeping it going after Mardi Gras ... thou couldst start a new thread with a new starting point and destination ... I'll do my report later ... didn't feel up to much at gym today so intend to do small exercise options throughout the day, since I'm not working today.

Wildfire: I missed thy post about the saleslady ... will find it later and read it, but how dare ANYONE give thee a hard time ... don't they know thou beist a :queen: ... what's the matter with these commoners ... off with their heads!!!!

Ceara: No apologies necessary !!!! :s: Sometimes the media (of which as thou knowest I be a hoping-to-get-out-soon member) DOES get bored ... but we are pressured a lot to do report the doom and gloom ... also if we didn't report it, people would yell at us for that ... we are danged if we do and danged if we don't ... I need to get out! Yowza!

Since I can't, right at the moment, quit my job, I decided to dedicate my life, such as it is, to woodcarving ... finally found a class that fit my schedule starting next week ... maybe when I retire, I can sell carving tools or something! :doh:

To all, mentioned and unmentioned, avanti! Please visit the food thread so's we won't get lonely!

I'll be back! (Arnold voice)

Good morning, sweeties.

:yawn: Wish I were in bed instead of at work, listening to my colleague talking about her upcoming trip to Fiji. Gruff.

Sorry I've been scarce, darlings. It hurts me as much as it hurts you. Our company's moving down 4 floors in a few weeks and that's a world of bother you just can't believe. Since I'm Office Services, the mentality is "Aw. Our move won't be so bad. Cerise is here!" and indeed that's why they hired me. Makes me j-u-u-u-u-st a bit nervous. At least I don't have to pack anyone's offices, though there's been plenty of complaining about that one. Dodged a bullet there. Phewf.

So, ummm. I lost some weight. I'm down to 209, and have hopefully left the two-teens behind for good. I started WW at 211.5, gained the first week (the Week of the Food Tour of Seattle) up to 213, and this week found I had lost 4 pounds. All of you who assured me that all that eating out caused severe water retention were right, I guess. I seem to have lost a lot of water, though my face is definitely thinner, too. Thank bloody God for spouses. I never would have noticed (I observed that I'd been looking happier of late but didn't link it to weight loss :rolleyes: ) except Ramon saw my picture on my soccer membership card and was like "Uh, honey - you've lost a LOT of weight". Huh. Well, I was at 225 this summer. So, great! 16 fluffies into the ozone! :dance: Thanks, you guys, for all your encouragement.

Please do share my email with the group. I'll PM ya, Kaylets.

QOD: (in chronological order) WA, Burundi, WA again, Iowa, WA again, Zaire (Congo now), WA again, Zaire again, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Illinois (college), Texas (ugh), Oregon, and WA again. That's...ten, right? Huh. Seems like I keep coming back to Washington. I like it here.

Eydie, excellent news that you're back to 136. :hyper: You got to goal then got a bit of a scare, didn't you? But "maintenance" means staying within 6 or 7 pounds one way or the other, right? So, normal stuff for you. You're doing everything maintenance people have to deal with - small gains, still tweaking eating habits, etc. I'm so proud you're really doing it. Congrats on finding new muscles shovelling snow. I always feel like a bit of a butt-kicker when I shovel, especially when I'm removing snow from my parent's roof. Except when I get into it too much and knock loose shingles around.

Ceara, I'm glad you're not too traumatized by the storms. I imagine you're still feeling a bit "rumpled in spirit", as Anne Shirley would say, from all the hurts you've been dealing with lately. Still thinking about you and hoping for joy for you today... :smug: *that's not a smug face, that's a joy face, by the way.

Kaylets, I wanna read your speech! Well, I want to hear it, but this is the next best thing. Puh-leeeze? Your thoughts recently on "free" food and such have stuck in my mind, though I did pontificate on them at length on Saturday. Eating food because it's there and it would be a shame not to is one of my worst eating problems. Thanks for your help with it, dearie. And I'm SO glad to see that you've dropped another pound! Have another banana! :cb:

Amarantha, I thought about you yesterday. There's a guy in Weight Watchers who absolutely canNOT pass by Krispey Kreme without buying donuts. I told him about your struggle and your Herculean effort to bake a good-for-you donut that satisfies. The WW leader suggested strongly that he drive home by a different route. I suggested that he, as a last resort, go on a sugar-free kick for a while to bring down his sugar tolerance. Since I have a low tolerance for very sweet things, I don't even like donuts that much. Lucky me. Wish I had a low fat tolerance, too, so that French Fries made me gag. Sigh.

wsw, you really ARE lucky in the friend department. I'm sorry closing's been delayed. It must be frustrating for you. I agree with Kaylets - you've lost a **** of a lot of weight, and your body must be going into "hey. Enough is enough!" mode. She'll be resigned to weighing even less soon enough. Hang in there! :D

Whew, Zadie, what a week you had! Your friend seems to have been hit with a lot all at once. It's so sweet of you to go on rescue missions. It must have meant the world to her, to know she's loved more than she knows. Hope your world levels out a bit more. You're shovelling snow on your ankle? :nono: Naughty Zadie.

Wildfire, if you go into that store again, carry a flamethrower with you for that salesperson. You do have one don't you? I hate pushy salespeople. Once I was buying lotion at Victoria's Secret and this salesperson kept trying to make me buy two bottles (they had that 2-for-a-better price sale going on). Finally I was like "don't push me" (yeah, I really said that! :lol: ) and she backed off. That's about the grouchiest I've ever gotten...

Your cooking is inspiring me. I've realized that I'm going to have to get a lot more proactive about making my meals and freezing them, instead of going to the store and trying to find food that is 1. Ready-to-eat, 2. Healthy, 3. Not Processed, and 4. Organic. You've got to laugh at yourself, right? If I want food the way I want it, I've got to make it. And I think keeping low-points muffins and things around will keep me from wanting other naughty stuff, not to mention the fact that I can always use another whole-grain serving in my daily nutrition. Thanks for your help and suggestions, dah-link.

Arabella, I sincerely hope that you're having an excellent time this week. I was horrified to hear of your first day! I didn't think they'd dare take a plane up that had no heat! What about the elderly passengers? Were the flight attendants good about supplying what they could to keep people comfortable. Not much they could probably do, come to that. Ick.

Anyway, enjoy yourself, luv!

Anagram, enjoying your breeze/ocean/sunshine/lack of ice on the ground? I hope so...still fondly imagining you strolling along sandy beaches with white pants rolled up to the calves. ;)

Punkin! House behaving? No leaks or anything? Tomorrow's your Friday, right? You have Friday off, right? Are you coming to see me for that restorative vacation you'll soon be taking? :D

:wave: Seattlejo, darling! Whoa, I need to get to the NOLA thread and catch up...

Frogger, how's it going, dear? Sending you a hug... :goodvibes

OK, ladies. Let's win one for the Gipper today! (whatever that means...) :)

Just time enough left after reading quickly to get off a comment or two.

One - the condo has a lot of mirrored walls and doors and I am not at all able to fool myself about being thin - as I sometimes am wont to do when things are going well.

Two - it dawned on me recently that the amount of weight I have lost is approximately the weight of the younger princess. Now I can still lift this kiddie but barely. But there is NO WAY I could carry her around for more than a step or two. And yet I "carried" the equivalent for more years than I can bear to think.

Don't know where I am weight wise - have had only the occasional run in with cookies, etc. Know I'm not losing but probably maintaining which is hard enough on vacation. Have finally felt "relaxation" catch up with me. I spent a lot of time sorting out "headwise" all of the events of the last year and a half and think I've got the head twisted back to a-ok. Still have more than a month to enjoy with occasional ups and downs. Enjoying the romantic part of being on vacation and beach walking etc.

Feel so bad for the cold & bad weather (esp. for my compatriot, Kaylets). It's cold here today but that's 55 for a high and certainly bearable as sun is shining brightly.
Sending out SPRING vibes to all. (Hear those birdies twirping?)

I have a temperature gague thingy on my computer. It is currently -5 F out. This is the high temp for the day. I had to run home at lunch to make certain that the fire was going so that the pipes would not freeze. As Leif said, the pioneers did not have to worry about frozen pipes so they could just let the house get cold if they were going to be gone for hours at a time. Of course they also did not have insulation like we do, so I suppose it is a bit of a wash.

anagram - wow, you have lost a whole small person. really puts things into perspective.

cerise - congrats on your loss. it is also nice that it was noticed by more than your scale.

QOD: well, there was Madison, WI; Coloma, WI; Des Moines, IA; Stevens Point, WI; Austin, TX; Minneapolis, MN and Saint Paul, MN. So seven different cities. I agree, Cerise, texas merits a giant ugg.

Amarantha - I lke the food thread free form idea. I will definately check it out.

Punkin - I also get loads of junk email. It did happen rather fast. I know some people who had to change email ddresses to avoid the garbage email. Fortunately I only get junck on the personal account and not on the work email.

ceara - yes, we also have the "well duh" type warnings about the weather. I figure people who cannot handle the weather move south and those of us who are left do not need to be warned every time it snows or gets cold. I do find it funny though that it is big news when they have temps of 0 in boston or snow fall of a foot in new jersey, while our bitter cold and the two feet of snow in duluth did not make the national news. But we are just the slack jawed yokels in flyover-land :lol:

Ok, now back to work.

Cerise, big congrats on releasing those pounds into the wilds! Hmmm, soon it'll be time for you to post another pic. That reminds me, in your last pic that was a rather unique seating arrangement! Details please!

zadie, hope this week is better for you. Stay warm!

Punkin, hope to hear from you today. Is it just my imagination or have we been missing Frogger and Wildfire for a few days? :(

Anagram, I don't know how you do it, but you do paint a picture. I can see you and the man now enjoying yourselves and putting last year far, far behind you. I'd love to see a pic someday to see if it matches the one in my mind. Anyway, enjoy, my friend!

Have a great day, everybody!

Hello all!

TOM arrived this am so I wound up showering both last night and this am..

And except for the breakouts.... I am nearly craving free... and those are manageble.... Have I figured the secret out?? Beats me... I'll let you know next month if I still am "sympton free"....
And just for the record, I guess I will be 90 with breakouts....

Zadie-- Many times when our weatherman is talking about our temps, they show what's going on north of us.... and always, the inference is that folks are tough, mentally and physically strong, and yes even creative to thrive with such cold winters. Personally, both my parents are from the Midwest, my mom's people the St Paul and Chicago areas, my dad was born in Eau Claire, lived also in Duluth, Tomahawk and then Chicago too.... They're both in FL now.... but for years I remember my dad standing on the back porch in a tshirt watching the snow come down around him. Why was he doing that you say?? Probably because it was the only place he get find some peace and quiet since of the 10 of us, there were only two males.....

Cerise-- I will post what I can of the speech... as soon as I find an opener...
I always think I can come up with a great hook.... its the hardest part for me...
Thanks for reassuring me that I wouldn't be imposing.
It's tempting to talk about "Free food" but I do have to remember the audience are also the judges... at least in these early rounds... just today, another Toastmaster made some comments about "If its free food, than you know already its good".... when I asked what was being served at a meeting we're both attending....
Also, it was interesting for me to watch folks this am.... the boss brought bagels as a suprise.... 4 women had just finished their breakfast at their desks... and 2 got up and had bagels....I noticed of the other two, one looked to see what I was going to do ... and I just picked up my cup of tea and said ( to myself, I swear!!)... "I don't like bagels enough to start a binge".... If they were Krispy Kreme, I might have had to white knuckle it but as I said at the beginning....I'm starting to wonder how much of a connection btwn sugar, prcssed carbs and TOM symptons....
The other thing that came to mind today was I keep saying that last year's holiday fudge had me binging until Valentine's Day... if that was really true, why did I get a bag of choc candy as a birthday gift from my coworkers in July??? I must have been constantly falling off the wagon....
Struggling because I kept trying to "just have a little".... Now that I finally understand that I just cannot have a little....its really is getting easier...

In fact, during the meeting this am, I noticed someone have a bagel and then 30 minutes later, get up and take another....AND I really thought I was watching myself....(and then by 11ish was really cranky!) and later, after lunch, about 3, noticed she ate one of the big choc bars....And again, saw me.... and for years didnt understand it was the carb only breakfast that was doing me in every time....

Anyway....enough about me!!

*****
*****
I have news from Anagram! This is what she wrote:
"So, ok, we haven't been at 80 degrees since the second day here but 60-70's not too bad either.
Missing my daily contact!---- Anagram"

She misses us!
*********
*******

And we miss you too!

And Frogger! and Wildfire!

Yes, Wildfire, I've bitten my tongue about retail help as I probably would have not been as polite as you were.... Good for you about telling them w/ the house account... Let them know who they are dealing with! (even if they don't do as told!)


Ok all.... must take care of some chores....

Kettle is on!

hi all!

well, my closing took place today at 12:30pm! i am officially a condo. owner. my friend and his girlfriend were here for the signing and then said we should go over there to take a look at it. (i figured they would be going back to work aftewards.) instead, they had a surprise celebratory lunch ---and brought some paint to try out on the walls and cabinets. it was so sweet of them and fun. it was also the first time i was able to get out (because of the ice) since mon. when they had taken me to the bank. i got such a kick out of it all! i think i am going to like this place. it is still pretty icy here, so i can't get out on my own steam yet, but hopefully later next week i can begin to pick more colors and pick out carpet. i think it will be fun decorating. the actual packing up and moving is another story---certainly not something i look forward to, by any means!) it has been a couple years since i moved last and at that time, i could get around much better on my own. i'll have to plan well this time, so i can make the most of my energy. listen to me going on and on! ok, all this is by way of saying i am very happy about my new little place.

since i have to get a lot done in a short period of time, in addition to being very organized, i will really need to be diligent about my food plan. i know how easy it would be to use this high stress time as a good excuse to get lax with my food. i did fine today. last night, i wanted to eat everything not nailed down. i didn't, fortunately, and stayed op, but saw the writing on the wall. i also am going to plan out my meals for the coming day, which i don't always do, but i think it will help me stay on the straight and narrow. i am also committing to keeping up with my food journal. ok, so i have "said this out loud" in an effort to stay on track.

well, take care, all. even though i didn't respond to you individually, please know i am thinking of you all.

Congrats WSW!!! This is wonderful news!! Small bits, small bits... if 15 minutes at a time is too much, make it 5 --- The one good thing about a move is that it always motivates me to let go of unneeded possessions. Especially, the closer I get to the deadline. Perhaps I will pretend I too am moving...maybe it will motivate me to get rid ... It seems as though some of this stuff just appeared here on its own!

So, tell us more>... how many rooms is the condo?

and the other thing about moving... or at least in my experience, I would stop buying "on sale" food so I wouldnt have to move it...

So, are you a contempoary or French country or minamailst kind of girl??

I give up... I don't even know what category I fall into!

Yo! :s: Hello, :queen: s!!!! Made myself hungry writing about blue corn muffins on the food thread and have to go to bed and read if I wanna stay strong in my three day 21-day food demon challenge ... so brevity be my watchword right now ... brutal day but sooo pleased with my mini challenge going well ...

Wsw, congratulations on thy condo deal going through ... what an exciting time for thee ... my crystal ball saith it'll all go smoothly and thou'll be settled in seemingly no time ...

Zadie ... I'm glad thou told us about the minus-five temp ... kind of puts Arizona back in perspective for me! Heavens!

Cerise: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 16 :dance: s jettisoned into the air space over Seattle and never to return!!! Thou be doing fantastic!!!!! My crystal ball also saith thou will do very well in moving thy office to its new home because that IS why they hired thee and I'll bet they be glad they did!!! Om shanti!

Also missing Anagram, Frogger, Wildfire and all others who are amongst the missing lately! Come back to the palace when thou canst, :queen: s!!!

Ok, I will just share this story of Old Dog because I don't really have anyone here to tell it to ... hmmm ... ofttimes I call Old Dog "The Mommy" because she's always herding me and the cat around ... today she came through like a trooper when the Silly Cat slipped out of the door to the garage and disappeared ... I hadn't known I'd left the door open (it's an open garage and my cat is never allowed outside ... she wasn't allowed outside when my brother had her and she's never been outside except when she escapes now and then) ... I just brought some groceries in and the SC was gone and Old Dog was looking worried ... I told Old Dog to find the cat and Old Dog (like the shepherd mix she is) zoomed out the door, unearthed the cat behind some boxes and chased her back into the house ... I gave everybody a treat and have been praising everyone ever since! :)

Thanks for listening! Need to go lie down! Later, gators![/color]

Anagramatic, there you are! :wave: I like thy visual about losing the weight of your youngest princess! Yea! Thou hast done so well on thy journey!

Cerise, forgot to respond to thy Krispy Kreme message ... both bits of advice that were given are very good ... of course, since I drive all over the county (and it's a big county) there's really no set route that I could change to avoid the evil KK's as they are EVERYWHERE these days! :yikes: I really agree that abstaining from sugar for a period of time is the best way to conquer the demon ... it does seem to work ... I don't believe that it's inherently wrong to eat sweets and I don't do low carb but there's no doubt in my mind that, especially at my time of life, eating simple sugar combined with fat (aka commercial candy and donuts) simply leads to bingeing. I think I can prepare my own food from scratch (including candy and donuts, although I haven't gotten that far yet) and not have a problem if I use healthier ingredients ... I also read in Vegetarian Times (that's a really good issue) that a recent study showed a trend back toward cooking at home from scratch and that people who do this weigh less ... no surprise there.

Sorry, this should be posted on the food thread ... but I'm on a roll.

I can't see the QOD ... was it about our least fav cities? I'm confused ... don't you like Texas, Cerise? I love Texas! It's just like Arizona only they don't have saguaros.

Ok, bye! :)