Sugar Shakers - Sugarbusters Weekly Support Board 9/5 - 9/11

Welcome to Sugarbusters!

This is the Sugarbusters support board, where anyone following, or interested in following, Sugarbusters is welcome to come for discussion, and support. We hope you will become a part of our great group!

We try to have different themes for different days of the week.

MONDAY: MMM, or Metal Monster Monday, is when we weigh in, and post our progress. This is voluntary.

TUESDAY: Is tip day- we try to share a tip, or two to help each other.

WEDNESDAY: Is Wonderful Wednesday. On Wednesdays, we share something wonderful about our selves, or our lives.

THURSDAY: Is Thirst Day! A reminder to drink your water! Its a good day to share a recipe too! :)

FRIDAY: Is FF, for Friday funnies. Everyone needs a laugh on Friday!


You are welcome to post questions, vent frustrations, whatever, but please be respectful of others and their beliefs.


Please take some time to check out our extensive recipe boards. Our RECIPE BOARDS can be located at the link below:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/for....php?forumid=89 (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=89)

Look for our QUARTERLY RECIPE BOARDS to post your favorite recipes and to see the most recently posted recipes. Recipes from the quarterly boards will be archived in proper categories at some point.


We have SEVEN INFORMATIVE BOARDS!!!! Please take a few minutes to visit them! New information is continually being posted, so please make sure you visit them often!!! The boards are listed below as well as the link that will take you to the boards:

THE RECOMMENDED READING BOARD
THE TOOLS & TIPS BOARD
THE FOOD INFORMATION BOARD
MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRING THOUGHTS BOARD
MY FAVORITE SB LEGAL FOODS
SB 2002 BIO BOARD
SB 2001/2002 PHOTO ALBUM BOARD

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/for....php?forumid=87 (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=87)

We also have a SB WEEKLY EXERCISE BOARD that you can log your daily/weekly exercises on which is located on our weekly support board:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64657



NEWBIES: To post a reply, please hit reply and NOT new thread

CHALLENGES!!!

1. Get in at least 3 days of exercise...and POST it! (the exercise board was kind of lonely last week!)

2. Find a new legal food to try.

3. Drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water a day!

I posted this morning at the end of last weeks thread. Opps sorry. :D
Morning everyone. Happy Labor day!
I really enjoyed not having to rush off to work this morning. Just going to putter around the house today and get some chores done. Am barbequing chicken later today for Dh and I and Ds. Dh has to work tonight so we are just staying home.
Im not weighing until later in the week, so no weigh in for today.

Monet- Outback is one of our Fav resturants ! I love their grilled chicken ceaser salad and the strip steak. The steakhouse salad is awesome too but I have to get it without the sugar/cinnamon pecan pieces.

Well Im off to clean , clean , clean. Have a great day.
__________________

Happy MMM Labor Day!

I was either the same, or up a 1/2 pound...I weighed three times, and it was different each time. I don't believe the 1/2 pound down time...after two big meals eating out yesterday, and not getting in my walking from Tuesday to Saturday, plus a few slips on my 'rules'...like skipping breakfast, or eating too many grains, or eating in between meals...I did not deserve a loss. This week, I am determined to be better. :yes:

I will be back later. Time to go drink espresso with my hubby! :)

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY LABOR DAY!!! I wish it were better for so many, but I will continue to pray that all continues to improve for all of those evacuees.

I was here last week, and I jumped on to read a few times, but just wasn't into posting for some reason. I had such a heavy heart, with all the footage, and felt that my posts would probably reflect my mood. I guess I was a little selfish as well.....I felt I had to prioritize some things, and also was feeling sorry for myself because of my "relationship" with my family. People are coming together to help people they don't even know, and others are losing thier loved ones, and my parents aren't even concerned with saving our relationship. I'm so done with them!!

I am so HAPPY to hear that Missy is alright, as well as some of our other members. I really hope we hear from Laurie soon! Is there anyone else we haven't heard from in that area?

We have pretty much been prisoners in our home this weekend due to gas prices. I filled up my tank on Saturday a.m. at $3.07 per gallon; it is up beyond $3.20 at some stations here. It's amazing how something like this can affect us all. BUT, I have no room to complain; I have a home and my health, and my beautiful family with me. We will limit our driving as much as possible. It doesn't help that Britt's school is 45 minutes away. Oh well, we will get through this like everyone else.

I did get out Saturday a.m., and went to the gym, got my hair cut (which I desperately needed), and then went to Trader Joes and Sprouts. We might run out to get yogurt down the road sometime today, just to get the kids out of the house for a little while, but that will be it until tomorrow. I have plenty to do indoors (laundry, ironing, bedding, change out fishtank, etc....).

Britt has a chest cold, and I've had a little bit of chest congestion too.

Lane starts school tomorrow; she is getting excited. It will be nice to have those few hours on those days to go to the gym or run an errand or two.....that is when I am not in the classroom helping out.

Thanks to those of you who asked about me. I hope to get back to posting this week.

My eating has been fair; I was at 123# this morning, which is up from Saturday (121.5#). I will be back into working out this week for 3-4 days per week. My plan is to take Lane to the gym with me on Mondays, and then to go on Tues/Thurs when she is in school, and then go on Saturday too. I always eat better when I am working out too.

Gator: The sauce in the slow cooker turned out great! I think I would cut out 2-3 cloves, just because they kids noticed the taste too much. I personally liked the taste, but will cut it down next time (yes, I will make it again). I found most of the cloves and the bay leaf, but I couldn't find one of the cloves, so I told the kids if they found it they got a surprise :lol: . They never did find it, so it may be in the frozen portion out in the freezer.

Monet: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! I am glad you got to have a nice dinner out. Congratulations on all those beautiful years!

My DH is one of very few words, but I think this devastataion from Katrina has affected him too. On Thursday, he brought me home a vase of flowers (just because). It was a nice surprise.

Well, I better get going. I will check in tomorrow, and try to post some replies.

Have a fantastic day today, and a great OP week!!!'

Take care,
Nat

Woo hoo! We just got in from a very long walk. I posted about it over on the exercise board. It was a goal I had hoped to reach but never dreamed I would achieve it so soon.... I have over 7000 steps already today... When we got home, I just went straight into the backyard, stripped and jumped into the pool. It felt wonderful! :)

We have friends coming for dinner tonight, so I need to go plan the meal. I am thinking Mediterreanean. I may make tabouli and kibbe. I need to look through my recipes and decide...soon! :yes: I kind of feel like fish...so I might do that instead. Who knows? I need to peruse the freezer and see....

PANCHO: I was so glad to see your post. We are no substitute for your parents, but we love you and were worried about you last week. I am glad to see things are ok, and your mood was from the disaster and not any of us. Gas is about $3.20 here too...I sure hope it goes back down, but I will be surprised if it does. :( I don't have the problem you have of driving 45 minutes to school, though. When I was a kid, my father drove 60 miles to work. It took him over and hour and a half, and he drove a huge Chrysler New Yorker. I wonder what he would think of the prices for gas now? I hope here, the price of gas will spur the local government into doing a better job of public transporation. The Chicago system was wonderful...you could get anywhere you needed to go in a timely fashion. Here, it just plain sucks.

CINDY: I saw your post on the old thread...I thought about trying to move it here, but while I think I have those capabilities with my mod class, I don't know how to do it! :lol: I felt bad about not getting up earlier and getting the board started. I should have started it last night. Anyway, enjoy the holiday!

Oh I forgot this is Monday and didn't weigh. Well I'm sure it wouldn't be so good anyway. My eating the last few days hasn't been great. Its been such a nice pleasant week end. But tomorrow thank goodness I get a hair cut. I look like Harpo Marx. LOL... Listed a doll on ebay to sell. I love to collect baby dolls. Not old ones but the newer versions. I've loved them all my life. And enjoy having them. Much to my DH's dismay. It keeps our guest room crowded. Of course DH saids our house looks like a gypsy junkyard. I have way to much junk.

Monet- Its always so good to come here on Monday and see you've started the board for us. We're so lucky to have you do it. Congrads on the steps. Wow thats allot. Good job.

Pancho- I slacked off the end of the week on posting to. But I kept reading the boards and missed your posts. You're such a sweetie and I love reading what you write.

Cindy- Happy labor Day to you too. Its so nice to have this extra day... I love Outback too....

I've put in an email to Deb to see if she has Laurie's phone number...Keep your fingers crossed that she does.

I'll be back later

BOB

Good day everyone,

Hope everyone have a good WIM and also a good Labor Day. Dh and Jess is out at Home Depot so I took the opportunity to check in here. Baby is still not here yet and Wed will be my due date. Jess was born a day before her due date so I am predicting that Jr will be either close to his due date or after. Sighhh...hope he doesn't get too big for me to deliver. At this stage, he is putting on weight fairly quickly and I really have to watch what I put into my mouth and the "hunger" is not helping either. Anyway, I know I don't have to wait much longer and am so grateful that I am still feeling as good as I can be at this stage. I will keep you all posted when Jr arrives.

Dh and I do not have any plans for today except that we are thinking of inviting my new neighbor (only the husband) over for dinner because he is home alone today. His wife and children are up in TN visiting her families. I was thinking of making a simple stir-fry bean sprouts with carrots, onions, green onions and bell-peppers and a braised tofu with chicken dish for ourselves but if he is joining us for dinner, I will just add a shrimp dish. Not sure if he will be used to my simple dishes like tofu but I heard he is pretty adventurous...lol. Anyway....will see.

Few replies :

MONET : Thanks for starting the board and will definitely keep you all posted when the baby is here. Sounds like you are having a productive day. Happy Belated Anniversary. My 7th anniversary is this Thursday, one day after Jr due date :)

PANCHO : I have been MIA but tried to read the posts here as much as I can. I am glad to hear all is well. I know it is not easy thinking about your relationship with your family but you really can't do much for them unless they really want to change. You have done your part in trying to mend this relationship and the rest is up to them. We are here for you and so many people here care for you...including me :)

REST OF THE GANG : Sorry I can't do much individual replies but am thinking of you all. Some of your sports comments really make me laugh....have fun-filled season.

Julia

Here is the link for Missy's town http://ci.thibodaux.la.us/

I can't find a site giving info forLaurie's town of Meridian

BOB

Pancho--It is SO good to see you back. We were worried about you, esp. with the heart health problems that you have dealt with. I totally understand your feelings of gloom and sadness. I have those too, and my heart is just wrenched every time I see those people camping out in the convention centers in Baton Rouge and in Texas. I have hardly been able to tear myself away from the TV, and even when we were up in Gainesville on Fri. and Sat. I felt a small blanket of sorrow enveloping me. And I can see how all that can highlight the broken relationship your parents have with you. Just let that brokenness be a springboard for something wonderful as you reach out to others who also need a family. God is in the heart-mending business and has demonstrated that he uses bad situations to bring unsurpassed good. Maybe he wants to use you and your situation for that. :) All of us here really care about you; don't forget that.

My eating this past weekend was weird: at times it was so good and at other times so horrible! I am down 1 pound from last week, but still up one pound from my all time low, which I HOPE to reach next Monday. We left for Gainesville Friday afternoon, and had dinner at 8. Actually, we got to the restaurant at 8 and ate about 9! On Sat. the inn we stayed at served a lovely breakfast of waffles, fruit, egg casserole, etc. etc. We had lunch at a small party, and then supper at the president's box at the stadium right before the game at 6 pm. Now, I did great for breakfasts. I took my shredded wheat 'n bran and cut up fresh berries on it. Even for lunch, I had 1/2 sandwich on pumpernickel bread, with mustard, tomato, lettuce and roast beef. I slipped and had just a few chips. I even took iced tea, so I could avoid the colas. I had half of my husband's chocolate mousse at the restaurant, and had part of a dinner roll. :yikes: Where I went nuts was at the supper served at the box at the stadium. They had all sorts of goodies and I ended up having a small Hagan Daaz vanilla cup with whipped cream, a small (coffee cup size) choc. milk shake, a hot dog all the way, potato salad, and just "stuff" that I really did not need to eat. By the time I ate some of it, I wasn't really even that hungry. And there was salad there, with chopped chicken to put on it. I could have had iced tea, and even a small ice cream would not have been Horrible! But it was I was like one of those looters, just looting the buffet table and going crazy with all the food there. There was almost a disconnect between my ability to exercise reason with self control and my actions. And after the game, back at the inn, where everyone sits around and disects the game, I was even weirder: chicken wings, nacho chips, candy. I wasn't really even hungry. (All that fat must have sent my gall bladder into a tailspin! LOL) Since we are going up to Gainesville again this weekend, and will be going in future weekends, I need to figure out what is going on in my head. This coming weekend we will be going to several luncheons and dinners as they are dedicating the new law school at U of F. Sandra Day O'Conner will be the speaker. I will be somewhat at the mercy of what is being served. I know I can handle myself at breakfasts. Perhaps I need to take a good variety of snacks that will be satisfying and also "special" so that I will feel no deprivation and can approach meals with sanity. Any and all suggestions will be welcome!! :) I'm gonna have to go through some recipes to get some good ideas.

I did do a lot of walking on Saturday, getting over 20000 steps.

We worked in the yard this morning, cleaning up all around our koi pond where the lady palms and aluminum plant are starting to take over. So got quite a bit of exercise. There is always something to do in the yard, and the weeds seem to grow faster than I want to keep up with them.

BOB--That's a good idea about phone numbers. Thanks for being such a guardian angel for our group.

Jackie--We watched part of the Ky game. I was just sick when the QB did that last fumble. Poor Wildcats. They just don't know how to win yet, even when victory is within their grasp. The Gators used to be like that b/f Spurrier. A 7-4 season was really a good year. But the Cats have mastered roundball, and I am happy to see them being almost a perenial participant in the final 4 for basketball.

Cindy--Enjoy the holiday today. You deserve a day off!

Well, I'm gonna go. Don't have much else going on. DH is at the office catching up on some work, and may play golf later. I have a steak thawing, and hope it will be thawed out by dinner time.

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;43;119;0;1/c/165/t/120/s/173/k/cf64/weight.png

I am taking a bit of a break from cooking. Our friends called to tell us the will be 45 minutes late. I am not surprised...or annoyed. It gives me a few minutes to chill! I have over 12000 steps already today, and I did not even wear the pedometer all day!

Tom went down to the neighbors with a ladder. They have a fig tree that they put a sign up by every year that says, "Help Yourself". I want to serve fresh figs and grapes for dessert tonight. I am making Lebanese grilled chicken, an eggplant recipe I found on Recipezaar that sounds a lot like a moussaka, but not quite, and had great ratings, and tabouli. I made fresh pita bread, and will probably whip up some hummus too.

I only have about 30 rows to go to finish the afghan I am working on. I hope I get the chance to work on it tonight. :) I might even finish it, since the rows decrease in size, and go faster and faster....

I will try and check in before bed tonight! :wave:

This has to be quick....WE'RE OKAY!!! Without power for awhile, will give details when able. Just had to get on and let you guys know we're okay.

Yay! All the southern SB chickies are accounted for and safe :grouphug:

I've been thinking about y'all!

Mel

Yippie! :dance: THANK YOU, HEART for checking in! :)

As Mel said, all of our Southern ladies are accounted for now. :bravo:


Last night, our company stayed fairly late, so I did not get the chance to get back here. Dinner was Tabouli, grilled chicken breast on skewers, hummus, homemade pocketless pita bread (don't ask!), and a moussaka like casserole with eggplant and ground beef. I made poached figs for dessert. I did not over eat, but I definitely ate enough! :)

I need to work on lesson plans today. I am still vascillating between two elements...line and color. I really want to do color, because its fun, but line is more foundational and a better place to start. Decisions, decisions...

I am rather stiff and sore this morning. I am sure it is due to the 15,741 steps I got in yesterday! I guess I will have to do it again tomorrow, or Thursday. :yes:

I will be back in a bit...I need to go make some coffee and have some breakfast.

Good morning Ladies.

It seems so long since I have been on here. I was so anxious to get on here and see posts from Missy & Laurie. I'm so glad they are ok. Now to find out about Ashley (JackieO).

Eating this weekend was pretty good. As of Sunday the scale was staying at 75 which was down 2 pounds. Sunday we went to a party for the game and I really didn't eat too bad. 1 deviled egg, 1/2 c bbq with no bread, fruit salad. We had chicken wings and I had a few chips. Monday morning the scale is up 5 lbs. I was so discourage yesterday. My eating yesterday was all legal. steak and salad and 1/2 sweet potato, 2 brussell sprouts, 2 plain hot dogs for lunch and 1 egg and 2 pcs of bacon for bf. The scale had not moved this morning.

Got on the Tm this morning. Doubt that I will get my wts in tonight, we have to go to the funeral home after dinner. Maybe I will workout while DD is fixing dinner.

Susan, YOUR Tigers cost my DH some money this weekend. They messed up his football card. Better luck next week.

Bob, The tube was tuned in first thing to the TN game. My SIL is a BOF (big orange fan), even the dog wears a TN collar. Congrats on your win. And Lou isn't all they were hyped up to be. I thougt the Cats looked decent and gave them a good game. Thanks for the update from Missy. I am so relieved.

Monet, Hope you had a wonderful anniversary. Did you go skinny dipping? We are still missing JackieO in NO.

Gator, congrats on your win. I couldn't find out what was going on with the Gators. It's amazing how we lose all of our senses when we get around food. AT least you were still down a pound. How about a legal taco salad and take pita pieces or use triscuits. That is a little special.

Nat, Hope Lane has a great day at school. JackieO lived very close to NO. I think I have her cell number somewhere and will look for it and call her.
Toni, I laughed when you said your house looks like a junkyard. Saturday I was watching clean sweep (one of those makeover shows). This ladies how was worse than a junkyard. At least you collect nice things.

Ken, maybe Jr is waiting for your anniversary. I didn't think Drs. let you go long over your due date now. When I had kids you could go 2-3 weeks before they started inducing. Good luck and keep us posted.

Laurie, I'm so glad you are ok. We were so worried. Can't wait to hear from you in length.

Have a great day. Be back later.

Monet & BOb

In June of 2003, Deb sent out a list of email address and phone numbers of members that wanted to share this info. I have it printed off, but do not have the email anymore. My scanner is not working but I can compile a new list if you all need these.

Hey All, I'm so glad everyone is ok!! We went to Lula Georgia over the weekend to visit friends. I really wanted to stay home because of the gas prices, but Travis was determined. So I'm going to try not to drive much the rest of the week to make up for it. We had a wonderful time.

So now I'm dying to move out to the country. I love living in the city, but I want a garden, and chickens and a goat. I know! I'm crazy!! BUt who else do you know that lives downtown in a major city but spins their own yarn, makes their own bread.... I was born ofr the country :(

Jake, Selah and I are all getting sick. My lungs hurt, and I was sick all night. I feel better this morning. Jake is very congested and whiney. He also cut tooth #2 over the weekend. Thank God it's through!

I am invited to a wedding next month, and there will be some people there that I haven't seen in years. One of them is an X boyfriend that I haven't seen since 3 days before trav and I got married. (almost 5 years). I don't know if I really want to go because of him. I'm really embarased about my weight. Is that totally stupid. I would love to say I don't care what he thinks,but I just don't want him thinking 'Thank Gods I'm not stick with that one.' Although, that's about how I feel about him. I would have been miserable! So...... Do I use it as motivation to get my butt moving, and to get over the 'I hope I don't run into James' that I've thought a million times over the past 5 years. Or do I jsut not go and not deal with it at all.

Anyweay. I'm going to get the kids dressed and go for a bit of a walk. Maybe I will feel better.

Monet- You are such a social butterfly..

Heart- I'm so glad you are all ok!!!!

Pancho- I am so sorry about your parents. I pray that one day they realize that they are missing out on so much. God can restore any relationship. Don't give up and get bitter. Just remember who you are. You are wonderful. :bravo: for your DH. You deserve it.

Gator- Sounds like such a fun weekend!

Here is a reminder- If you would not mind, send me a private message with your contact info so we have emergency contact info. If you fall off the face of the earth, quit posting, expect me to call you! :)


Is anyone interested in trying to plan a get together? I of course, think we should meet in Atlanta, and go see Julia's baby! :)



JACKIE: Thanks for the reminder...I went and looked and I DO have the old phone tree list. Unfortunately, most of the numbers are probably no good anymore. Like Heartmom has moved, so I don't know if it is the same, Talitha's numbers have changed, etc. It does have a number of good ones on it though.

GATOR: I just had a horribly realization....isn't it the 28th that you will be here? If so, it is a Wednesday, and I have to teach from 9 until 3! Maybe I can come down after school? What does the rest of your schedule look like?

Monet,
Maybe you can help me.
I know you visit another low carb board. I need the nutrition info on the Atkins frozen pizzas. A low carb store still carried them but they were sold individually instead of in the box so there was no info on carbs, calories, etc. Any idea how I can find it? I have been to many Atkins websites and cannot find the pizzas.

Good morning all. Got to get ready soon for my haircut appointment. Kind of glad the week end is over. I've come to the conclusion I'm lazy. I got nothing done over the week end.

Julia- I'm so glad you're doing okay. I'm so excited for you. Can't wait for you to have that baby.

Bob- Thanks for posting the link. I'm so happy everyone is alright.

Gator- I just loved your post. I laughed so hard at your eating. I've felt just like that at times. It would be so hard to go to all the lunches and dinners and stay legal.

Monet- Good luck with your teaching tomorrow. I know you're going to do good.

Jack-K- You have to just be retaining fluid. I hope you drop some lbs. soon.

Talitha- I hope you all get well soon and its not to bad a bug. Just go to that wedding and have a good time. I've stayed home to long just because of my weight and I'm sure sorry I did.

Okay got to go.......

JACKIE: I will ask over on LCC. Someone might have the info. I will let you know.

Monet--I arrive in Atlanta at 4 pm. on tuesday and we come back to Orlando on Thursday around 1 pm. Wednesday is pretty much the main day I have in the "big city". We are staying at the Hyatt in Buckhead. where do you live in relation to there? Far? I know the traffic can be miserable in Atlanta. The only thing on my schedule is that we are having dinner with my DH's cousin either Tuesday or Wed. night. They are gourmets, so will want to go to some "foodie" restaurant. Other than that, I have no plans. I'll pm you with my phone #.

Thanks, Jackie, for some ideas for coping with a malestrom of food. Maybe pita chips and hummus would work. Although hummus is not particularly low cal. If the raspberries are tasting good, perhaps a box of raspberries to eat would be decadent enough! That would probably do the trick. That would be an indulgence that would not sabotage my eating. Again, I'll have to check my recipe books fo some lower calorie nibbles. I've also thought about changing my grace we say before we eat. Normally, we pray for a variety of people and things, but the simple "Bless this food to my use and me to your service" certainly would focus my mind on whether what I'm eating will be of good use to my body to be better equipped to be of service to Him. I wonder if the Lord blesses me with good health if I eat "junk" food??!! LOL

Talitha--If I were you, I'd probably let this wedding thing be something to spur me on to work hard at reaching my goal. This certainly crystalizes for us all how our weight so often dictates what we do or do not do. Sometimes that extra weight is like a little prison that limits what we feel free to do. So yes, I vote that you use it as "motivation to get [your] butt moving." Besides, with a pretty dress and only 30 pounds or so above your desired weight, you'll look great! :)

Toni--Hope your haircut tourns out just the way you want it. I'm trying to let my hair grow out a little, and it is a MESS right now.

Pancho--Hi.

Food today so far:
B. 48 gms. shredded wheat 'n bran with 3/4 peach and sk. milk.
L. 1 can field peas cooked with vidalia onion and 1 slice of crisp bacon. I know that this is too much "starch" but I can handle it calorie wise, and it was just exactly what I wanted. It was soooo good.
D. will be tilapia papiotte, (cooked in parchment paper) with fennel, tomato and onion. Green veggies, squash.

GATOR: When you know which night you are gourmetting it with the cousin, let me know. I am sure I can talk Tom into a trip to Buckhead the other night. We live outside the perimeter (OTP!) probably 20 to 30 miles away from the Hyatt.



I am working on lesson plans for tomorrow, and obsessing over it. There is so much I can do, I just can't decide where to start! :)

I found JackieO's cell # so I will give her a call a little later. Hope they have service wherever she is.

Heading home soon. It has been so boring today. Things need to pick up.

Toni, I have found the older I get, the lazier I get. Guess I'm wearing out. Hope you like your new haircut.

Talitha, hope you and the kiddies feel better soon. Go to the wedding. Let it be a motivational tool, but even ifyou don't lose you need to go. Plus at 175 you aren't obese and with the right outfit, you will be a knockout. Let the ex-boyfriend eat his heart out.

Gator, that wouldn't do it for me. My biggest weakness is salty things. Like the nachos. Fruit would not satisfy me at all. I would have to pray that I choked on the food.

Monet, I'm sure the kids will love you and you will teach them so much. Anything you decide on will be great.

Jack-k- You make me laugh!!!!

HOWDY GIRLFRIENDS!!

Today has been a better day for me; I am starting to pull myself together, and realizing that life is just what it is, and I am in control of myself (my happiness, grief, boredom, sadness, etc...), and most other things are out of my control. I will do whatever I can to help others and be a good person/christian. We donated $100 to the hurricane relief fund, but I was still feeling like I should be doing something else. We are housing some of the evacuees here in Phoenix, so I will try to get some stuff together to donate for them while they are here. I can't dwell on this "crap" with my family, so I am going to let it go. I know, in my heart, that I have done all I can, and that is all I can do. The ball is now in their court, and they choose to just let it sit. I am going to be happy and enjoy all of life's other blessings!!

My eating has been good so far today: BF: bowl of cheerios w/ blueberries & soy milk, Lunch: Wendy's chili w/ salad and flax chips. I will be eating some fruit soon. Dinner will be a beef stir-fry. I also had a mini snack size peanut M&M's...ooops!

I dropped Lane off for her first day of preschool, and then went to the gym. I got a good workout in. I have worn my heart rate monitor the past few times I've gone to the gym, and was pleasantly surprised to see that I typically burn between 400-500 calories per workout. I burned 419 last time, and 470 today.

I plan to go on Thursday again, and will walk/run the track on Friday while Lane is in tumbling, and go to the gym again Saturday (that will be 4 days this week).

Monet: Wow, you are doing AWESOME with your steps! Thanks for the kind words; you are all so great here!!

Toni: I just got my hair cut on Saturday, so I know how you feel; it had been about 10 weeks for me, and I looked like a mangy mutt. I'm sure you are feeling more light headed now, eh? Thanks for the kind words; I'm doing better today.

Ken: It is always so nice to see your posts. I CANNOT believe that you are at your due date already. Wow, where does the time go? Thanks for the nice things you said. I agree...I have done everything within my power to mend the relationship with my parents. I am going to let it go.

Gator: Thanks for worrying about me. My heart is still broken, and I get angry when I hear everyone turning this into a racist ordeal, and pointing fingers, trying to find someone to blame. It was a terrible, catastrophic force of nature, and we need to pull together, instead of letting it tear us all apart. Granted, a lot can be learned from this (how to handle such a disaster down the road), but enough is enough. I hope you see that all time low again soon. 20,000 steps??? THAT IS AWESOME. If you keep that up, you will pass that low right up.

Heart: SO HAPPY TO SEE YOUR POST!! I HOPE YOUR POWER IS RESTORED SOON, AND THAT YOU ARE ALL HANGING IN THERE!

Jack: I am sure the scale will go back down. You are probably holding on to some of that sodium. Good to see you back and posting.

Talitha: I am glad you enjoyed your weekend away. I hope you all feel better soon. Britt has a chest cold, and I got a little bit of it going on too. HMMMMM... what a dilemma on the wedding. I would have to say that you have a pretty young baby, and women tend to gain weight when they are pregnant. I think I would want "him" to see me happy and married with two beautiful children. Thanks for the kind words....I can only sit back and wait now and see what happens with my parents. I made my final effort on my dad's birthday (August 19). I called his work cell phone and told him that I loved him and that I missed "them," and that I would love to work things out. They never called me back. I have to put it behind me, and learn to deal with the loss now. I am going to tell my children that they moved out of town, and then I don't have to go into any of the details with my kids when Thanksgiving rolls around, or Grandparent's Day at school, and their grandparents aren't around.

Well, I gotta get some stuff done around here.

Have a great rest of the day!

Take care,
Nat

Monet, I just sent ya a PM with the phone tree list that Deb had compiled that Jack-k was talking about. Hope it helps!

Mel. nice to hear from you! Hope you have a great BD Thursday!!!! :)

GREAT IDEA TO HAVE A LIST OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS. WE ALL SHOULD HAVE A COPY. JACKIE, LET'S GET THIS GOING. HOW DO YOU WANT TO DO IT? EMAIL? I DON'T HAVE THE LIST , BUT WOULD WANT TO HAVE IT. I'LL EMAIL YOU MY INFO, AND IF EVERYONE ELSE WOULD DO THE SAME, WE COULD ALL HAVE WHAT WE NEED.

LAURIE....THANK GAWD YOU AND YOURS ARE OK. I WAS SO WORRIED WHEN I SAW THE PATH THAT THE STORM TOOK. HERE'S A BIG OLE :grouphug: DID YOU GET ANY DAMAGE FROM THE WIND?

Jackie..were you able to contact JACKIEO????? Girlfriend....I thought THE CATS PLAYED WONDERFUL!!!!! and yes, LOUISVILLE WAS NOT ALL THAT!!!! My GUYS WON, BUT COULD HAVE DONE BETTER!!!! We can only hope that both teams pump up for future games!!!

I'm getting ready to fire off an email to SHIRLEY to see how she is. SLIDELL is pretty much destroyed and I'm afraid her house will be gone. I'll let y'all know when I hear from her. Also, I'll call Missy again to see how they are doing.

GATOR....CONGRATS on the game....MY GUYS ARE RESTING UP SO THEY CAN SWIM INTO THE SWAMP!!!! Not sure if I'll be there, BUT....If I do, I'll let you know in advance so we can meet up before the game!

MEL.....COME BACK....WE MISS YOU!!!!!

MELF....EMAIL me as well with the telephone numbers...Saw another clip from Hammond...how are your friends...have you heard from them?

TALITHA...you go to that wedding and hold your head up high....You've got nothing to be ashamed of...we all change through the years...

TONI.... :wave:


SUSAN....WHERE ARE YOU??????


I'm off to get some things done....I'll check in later!

BOB

BOB, heard from SEF & her house is not as bad as it could have been. Thank God it will be repairable. Sending you the list via email. As I told Monet, it's an older list from a couple of years ago but it's a start. I had it & didn't even realize that Laurie's # was there.

I'm still watching the aftermath coverage & it's so hard to believe how bad it is & how slow FEMA is to get to some of these places. Thank God people are working & helping each other but I remember how it was to go 5 days without electricity & not able to prepare food. Had no meals available to us. I can only imagine what these poor people are going through after a week without assistance. Sorry ya'll but this is soooo distrubing to me. I see shelters in all of our small towns & the churches & people just pitching in to do all they can for those that are coming into our area & my heart rejoices for the help they are getting & yet breaks for their demise.

First and foremost...thank the powers that be that Laurie and Missy have surfaced!! We were all thinking about you big time!! :grouphug: Can't wait to hear your tales!!

Jack: Forget the Atkins pizzas...you should really try that quickie pizza in the recipe board!! I used a Soy Protien pita that I couldn't find one illegal ingredient on the package. I brushed on a little olive oil and then spread some Ragu (I know...I'm not Italian and sauce isn't my forte) on, some mozzarella and a few thin-sliced ronis and...IT WAS GOOD!!

Talitha: A couple things in common. I have been longing to live on a little farm since I moved here to a village in the boondox. Most of my daughter's friends live on farms and have horses and/or cows and other things. One friend's mom has horses, cows, and ducks, a pond where frogs breed, they have maple trees and tap the sap and boil it and make their own syrup...and the best part is their kids always have on their sh-- kicker boots and are always filthy dirty and have the best happy smiles on their faces. I'm just so jealous. They have acres and the cows just roam around and they milk them and drink it. AND, I also didn't go to my 20-year class reunion because I didn't want my old boyfriend to see me in my new...look? You know, it's just so silly, because everyone ages and shows it in all different ways. Some guys go bald (which I'd rather be a bit chunkier N E DAY then lose my hair!!), some women are gray and others have been abusing tanning beds and are showing the damage...what would be wonderful to see, actually, are the girls (and guys) that weren't too popular or good looking that are now fabulous looking and know it. Anyhow...I'm with you on not wanting to have an old boyfriend see you when you don't feel you look your best. One day my mom was at the grocery store with rollers in her hair and in line behind us was the boyfriend that dumped my mom just before she started to date my dad. :lol: I thought she was going to jump under the cash register, then she just put her chin up and proudly said hi as if she looked a million bucks!! ;)

Toni: :wave: I'm lazy, too. Big time!! I get so mad at myself...I'm such a procrastinator...

Monet: Don't obsess too much. It reminds me of when I started being a Brownie leader...DH was like, gawd, it's not like you're getting paid for this! But I would specifically not plan anything for the day of and the day prior to a Brownie meeting to be sure I had everything covered. Now, it's like, the day of a meeting I'm like, geez...wonder what we're going to do today... :lol: Well...it's not that bad, but much more lax, that's for sure. Good luck on your big day tomorrow...you're going to be a great big hit, I just know it!!

Nat: I've had some heavy doses of 'crap' to deal with in regards to my sister over the last few years. Actually, all of our lives, it's just gotten worse since I married DH and I don't think she's approved since we had our son before we got married, etc...she's a card carrying Dr. Laura disciple and ever since she's started listening to her, she's looked real hard at me and acts like I should be shunned from society because I was a single mom and made some choices in life she didn't agree with. Anyhoo...I've made some real progress in the last year in really not putting so much stock in what my sister thinks of me and once I came to a place where I simply don't care what she thinks anymore, not only am I more confident in who I am, but now we get along great! Well, maybe not great, but better than we have in a long, long time. For instance we were at her son's birthday party this weekend and my DH came along and we were all talking and getting along so well. I'm usually just invited to family birthday parties for my neices/nephews as a 'she's a family member' sort of invite. I'm never invited to social parties thrown for the heck of it, is what I mean. Anyhow...what my point is is that once you really come to a place where you don't let it bother you, you never know if things will look up. Having crappy relatives is the absolute pits. Nothing can crush your self esteem worse than having such close relatives stick their noses up at you. I feel for you, gal. I'm praying you rise above it soon, for better or for worse.

BOB: did you like Sahara? You know I'm a Matthew fan, but I have to admit he was sickeningly macho in that movie. I was near embarassed at some points...the over acting... What did you think of it?

In other news...DD started Middle School this morning. I walked her to the bus stop early before everyone got there. Our bus stop is a block and a half away from our house and I can stand on our front porch and watch her get on it's so close. There is a girl that lives by our post office (the one that I say I've walked to when I say I've walked a mile and a half!) and she has to get on the bus at this bus stop!! I don't know what it is about village kids that they are so denied proper bus pick up spots. We live a half mile from her old school and she's technically a walker to that school and I just don't like it, in this day in age with the weirdos out there, to see little kids walking alone that far on such a predictable schedule...know what I mean? THEN, I go to Watertown and get behind a bus that's picking up kids that live three houses from each other and they both get front-door service. Why they can't have a bus stop that picks them both up at the same time is beyond me when Megan that lives by the post office has to walk 3/4 of a mile to the bus stop in the village...specially in a few months when the temp will surely be minus thirty degrees!! :mad: I'll be at the bus stop with my van running for kids to sit in and warm up, THAT's for sure. Today, I stood discreetly behind DH's car, crying in my cup of coffee watching my little girl get on the big kids' bus. What a geek and I'm in such deep doo doo next year when my BABY goes to kindergarden. :eek:

Anyhow...now that I got that off my chest...DD's first day at school was a success!! She even made a new friend named Amber! I TOLD her that she may have to wait till Junior High to meet her 'best friend'. DD and Amber both have choir and the same schedule and sat together at lunch today with one of DD's friends from elementary school. DD says Amber is one of the quiet kids. :) So, DD took her under her wing and has made a friend out of her. My heart melts just thinking about it.

So, then DH finds out this morning at 8:30 again that he has to go to Vermont...AGAIN...for the week. I guess the problem is that some guys in Florida are getting laid (layed? SP?) off and they want to offer THEM the jobs in Vermont before hiring someone new for the position. There is also a position open in Boston they want to fill. :lol: The cost of houses in Vermont and Boston is so sky high...the thought of maybe living in woodsy VT or colonial, preppy Boston may be luring, but then they'll pick up a real estate book and after they scrape their chin off the sidewalk, they'll ask who's been smoking dope!! I can appreciate them saving those positions for people that are about to loose their jobs, but WE'd move to Vermont if we thought we could afford it. I paid NINE DOLLARS for a hamburger there on the waterfront at a restaurant for lunch. :eek: THREE dollars for pb&j for the kids. Beautiful place...fun people...but holy canolies...it's expensive!!

Anyhow...once they fill that job in Vermont, then I'll feel less like a single mom again...

Hope everyone has a great night...

OH...and I had to answer Monet's challenges...

New legal food I tried. Protien powder for my smoothies. I got the Walmart brand, but I had to start with something. Monet: what do you use? I mixed my smoothie today with a couple slices of cantaloupe...it was yummy! I've also been using frozen blueberries and frozen mixed berries. I can't remember the other challenge I wanted to answer...will get back to you on that...

See you guys later on...Kris

I'm so iritated. I didn't eat enough today. Now I'm STARVING at 10pm. I have about an hours worht of work on this ponch I am making for my neice tomorrow morning. I just have to eat something. I calculated my calories and they are under 1000!! I didn't even realize it!
So I'm going to have another protein shake afterall. I decided to make today the starting point and go ahrd core on the Figure 8 products until that wedding. If I can lose 10 lbs, I'll feel great. I know it. Trav and I are going to that wedding and we're going to love it.

This guy, James, was like my 'Christian Dream guy' for threeweeks of dating for him to try to jump down my pants. He was the singles pastor at a really big church!! I was devestated. Not what I expected.

Anyway. I'm going to get sexy for Travis, and James can just be jealous. I' so happy that I ended up with the right one!!!!

Tech- It may be a few years, but I'm confident that we will be out on a farm one day. Your mom sounds great. I haven't run into James at all since my wedding. I told him that I would never talk to him again if he didn't come to the wedding, because he had been really weird the whole time Trav and I were engaged. It was like he was still trying to date me. I told him he had to be there because I wanted him to see me with Travis. He hadn't seen us together once. We spoke several times the week before my wedding, and then he jsut didn't show. I've never talked to him since.


Jack- Ummmm, yeah...... now I'm REALLY embarassed. I should change my ticker. I'm back up to 195. Oh God, I'm so ashamed!!!

I spent all evening listening to James recount their antics at DragonCon and did not get any work done. Now I am feeling annoyed with everyone, and unprepared. I had to fix dinner tonight for my massage therapist...Tuesdays are Meals on Wheels nights...and of course I made a mess doing so. I had to unload and load up the dishwasher, and I really wanted to chill some. Dinner was chicken curry, brown basmati rice, and spinach and chana dal, with raiti (yogurt and cucumber sauce) and mango chutney on the side. I also drank a glass of Crianza and a glass of port.

I am going to sign off here and get in bed. I know I am going to freak out in the morning, so I better be well rested! :lol:

TALITHA: Go to the wedding, and don't let that creep have any impact on you now. Obviously, he doesn't deserve you, and he is going to know it. Just go, have a good time, and show him you did better than him. :yes:

TECH: Well, you know how rabidly anti-soy I am... I use Designer Whey protein. Its very good quality and every flavor is delicious! Vita-glo has a great price on it.

MELF: Thanks for the phone list...I posted that I had it. Its the same one, and I had forgotten that I had it, or I would have tried to call Laurie.

BOB: Susan has a fund raiser she is working on for the end of the month...she said she would be scarce until its over.

Sweet dreams!

Morning! I am showered, dressed and about to eat breakfast. I am nervous! I don't know why...I am usually so laid back. I finally made a final decision on content last night. What a dork I am! It was 11 and I was typing up the final plan!

I will let you know how it goes when I get home..but that will not be until after 3pm!

:wave:

So I watched 'Love, Actually' last night. What a great movie!!!!!

I'm on my way to the Farmer's Market. I'm feeling good about my eating yesterday. Now that I made it through one day I feelmore motivated. I'm just going to keep going!


EVERYBODY- I'm going to look so hot at that wedding! I'll pst some pictures. It's in October...


Monet- Good luck! I know you'll do amazingly well!!!!

Good Wed morning Ladies.

We are already one day ahead this week. I love it.

I called JackieO last night. She had evacuated to Kansas (has family there). She did not take it seriously and only took clothes for a couple days. She lost her brand new car and her home has flood damage on the first floor. Her office is damaged but she is hoping that she can get back there in a month. She sounded good and I told her to pop in if she could. The rest of her family was arriving last night in Kansas. She did tell me that the French Qtr was not damaged too badly. That is what I am most familiar with and relate to.

At least all the LA/MS gals are accounted for safe and sound.

I did manage to get my wt training in last night around 9:00. When we got home from the funeral home, DH wanted to take a walk. We only walked about 30 minutes (1 1/4 miles) and he was tired as he has worked 12 hours. So it was a short walk, but better than none at all.

BF: Q smart bar
snack: strawberries (maybe)
Lunch: salad from McDonalds or Wendy's/ Going out with a friend.
Dinner: Quiche and a salad.

Nat, I agree, you have to let things go and let time and God take over. You have done all you can. 400-500 calories burned is great. I notice my TM workout burns 100. Glad you are feeling better.

Mel, nice to hear from you. Wish you would pop in more often. we could use your wt training knowledge.

Bob, Monet is compiling a list, send your info to her. How is Kate doing? I am anxious to get more info on Missy. I thought we would hear from here if school started again yesterday. Keep us posted.

Melf, This is all so disturbing to me and I only visited NO about 5 times. I can't imagine how it is affecting you living there. It is going to take so long to rebuild the town. My heart goes out to all those poor people. I'm tired of the blame game. It was a huricane disaster and them immediately a flood ontop of that. It takes the gov a long time to move. We need to be dependant on ourselves first. I just heard last night that all the contaminated water going into Lake Ponchetrain could affect the oyster bays. I need to remind DH not to eat any for awhile. I beleive many things are going to be affected for a long time.

Kris, there is nothing wrong with shedding a few tears as the kids take those new first steps. Sometimes new schools, etc are harder on moms then the kids. Sorry you are going to be single for awhile. I know how you feel. DH has to work the entire weekend and I am already trying to figure out how to entertain myself. How sweet of your DD to take in the quiet kid. You must have taught her well.

Talitha, you go girl! That's the way to get motivated and get even. And no need to be ashamed, it happens to the best of us. Just another reason to get serious. That was a cute movie.

Monet, I forgot to tell you that I tried port last Saturday. A Dr friend has a BIG wine cellar and we drank 4 bottles of his "good" wine and 2 splits of port. I relaly liked it. That is good for me b/c I usually only like cheap wines like Zifendales. Good luck today. I know you will be a big hit.

Got to run find soemthing to do. Be back later.

Good Morning ladies:

I am sitting here waiting on the bugman to arrive. He s/b here sometime in the next few hours. Our bugs have been so bad this year. Hopefully, he can get enough "stuff" down outside, and cut the bugs off at the pass before they make it indoors. We've had some ant problems lately.

It is hard to imagine that we are still not in the height of Hurricane season. I pray that there is nothing else brewing out there that can cause any harm/damage to anyone!

I am going to try my new TurboJam program sometime today. There is a 20-minute learn/burn video that I am going to try. The moves seem a little funky and I've gotta try it.

BOB: Is Missy IN New Orleans or on the outskirts somewhere? I know they are doing mandatory evacuations in the city now. Is she able to stay at her home, or will she have to evacuate too?

Tech: Sorry your sister sees things differently. God didn't put us on this earth to judge one another, just to love one another. We all make our choices in life...some good, and some not so good, and we have to live with those choices. I'm glad you and your sister can at least be in one another's presence and get along well enough. I would have an easier time with all this if it didn't affect so many others. My children will never understand what happened. My sister wanted to renew her vows, but my parents said that they wouldn't be there if I was there. She also can't invite us to her kid's birthday parties if my parents are going to be there, because they are so immature, and can't put their selfish feelings aside long enough to allow someone else to enjoy their day. What I'd give ot only have a block & 1/2 to get my DD off to school. I am so glad your DD enjoyed her first day, and made a new friend. Hopefully, she will turn out to be a GOOD friend.

Talitha: I wouldn't care too much about what someone like that thought of you anyway. It's nice to know you ended up with the prize, eh? Have you ever heard the song, "Unanswered prayers," by Garth Brooks? It's a great song. Good luck dropping those 10#'s.

Monet: Good luck today; I can't wait to hear how it goes.

Jack: Thanks so much for the update on JackieO. I hope she can get back to some normalcy soon. We'd love to have her posting again....I always loved to read her posts!

I gotta go...the bugman is here.

Take care,
Nat

Dang I need someone to slap me around. My life is so out of control. I slept in again. I need to set my alarm and get up earlier. I slept the second day in a row till 9:20. I don't know whats got in to me. And my eating has been so sloppy. Hit or miss everyday. I've got things to do and now my day is messed up. Sorry I'm so depressing but thats how I feel today. Guess I'm go and hope my mood is better later....

Jack-k, thanks so much on the news from JackieO!! So good to hear that she is also safe.

Monet, sorry I missed that post. Now you have 2 lists! LOL Hope your first day goes well.

Poncho, I'm not BOB but can answer your question. No, Missy does not live in N.O. She's at least 50 or so miles west of it & last BOB said was that they had all power back except her internet connection so hopefully we'll be hearing from her soon. Their school system is back in progress there in Homa. Honma is also hosting many of the evacuees, as is most towns across our state of LA outside of the affected area.

I heard from one of my nieces today that said her brother, my nephew owned a trailer park in Venis, LA (below N.O.) & everything was pretty well leveled. Many companies are taking care of their employees until they can relocate them at other docks, etc. Much of the work in those coastal towns are involved in oil-field business. Such is the work of my 2 nephews that lived there.

On another note, I am doing a little better with my eating these days & maintaining within a lb of my weight. Plan to return to the gym this week & at least do the TM & the steam room. I talked to the owner/trainer at the gym this am & her son had totator cuff surgery so she is familiar with allot of the do's & don't & will be a great help to me there. Looking forward to getting back into it & that should help me get back OP with my eating also. I've been down for so long that I need the encouragment to get back in the swing of things. Depression is my worse enemy when it comes to weight control.

Oh, my gosh, am I tired! I have 9,834 steps already today, and I did not even walk farther than a couple hundred yards! :) I have been on my feet and going, going, going since 9am! I had a blast, but the kids were awful today! A few classes were almost impossible to keep reigned in. One class got a 2 out of 5 on behavior, which upset their teacher greatly. I was a little harder on them today then I ordinarily am, because they have to learn to behave properly for me before I can lighten up. So, you park the broom in the corner, so to speak, until about November, then you can go easier on them. I did one project on line with the k-2 grades, and another drawing project on line with the 3-7th grades. I hung up a lot of their projects on the empty bulletin boards, which pleased the headmistress greatly. I guess now, I wait to hear from them as to whether they give me the job or not. The few times the headmistress came and observed, she seemed pleased...so its probably now going to depend on my references. :)

I may take a nap, or something. I really need to chill. I have NO desire to do any cooking! :lol: I think I might throw a pork roast into the pressure cooker and just cook it until it falls apart. I may not feel like cooking, but I am reasonable certain my family is going to feel like eating sometime around 6:30 or 7!

JACK: I am SO glad you got in touch with JackieO. That is so sad that she lost her car and had damage to the first floor of her house. Thankfully, she is ok, and has a place to stay.

I know I ought to do more replies, but honestly, I am just beat! I will try to get it done later! :wave:

Happy Day to everyone.
Its been a beautiful week here so far. Eatings going well. Ive done so good, even through the weekend that I deserve a "good" loss :D . Ive been trying positive thinking and keep saying in my head... 205 205 205 205 ..thats what Id love to hit this week.
Ive got something seriously wrong with my finger. Its hurt now for a few months. Its just one finger on my left hand ( my middle one to be exact) and I dont know if its carpel tunnel( can you get that in a finger? ) or arthritis. I do type alot at work all day so thats why I was thinking carpel but I dont know. I think I may have to break down and go to the dr which I dread cause I know he will want to send my for a xray . This past year I started on the new HSA health plan ( high deductible, low premium one that earns interest and carries over year to year) but Im paying out of my pocket for everything until there is enough for my deductible so Ive been holding off having to go see the dr for that reason. Some days it hurts so bad it wakes me up in the middle of the night. And I have a hard time bending it or straighting it out all the way.
Two more days of work then we have the weekend. I only work two days next week and off the rest of the week. Im looking forward to that ! Dd and I are planning on driving to Indy one of those days . She wants to go to the mall there that they have a store they dont have here in Ft Wayne she wants to go to. It should be a fun "Girl" day.

Monet- glad to hear you had a blast today . Was this a trial run? Sounds like it would be very fullfilling.

Toni- I hope your feeling better. (((hugs))) to you !

Nat- Ive noticed weve had alot of bugs outside this year. I swear theres thousands of crickets and grasshoppers. I really need to go spray the perimeter. I did do one side of the house the other day . The one my bedroom in on because the crickets got up under the siding and were driving me nuts at night. Sounded like they were right in bed with me!

Jack-k & Monet- what is port? Is it a type of wine?

Talitha- Youll be a beauty at that wedding and we cant wait to see pics.

Kris- When my youngest went to kindergarten...that was the hardest for me. I got so used to him and me having the day together while the others were in school and I missed him so much. But I got used to him being gone and having that time to myself pretty quick though :)
I get protein powder at Walmart. I get the whey vanilla one. I love smoothies. I make mine with 1 cup plain LF yogurt, 1 scoop protein powder, splash or so of fat free milk, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries. Cantaloupe would be worth trying. Never thought of using it. Thanks!

Well Im off to get my lunch together for tomorrow and some things preperpared for dinner. Have a great evening to all !

Cindy: I'll need therapy when Kyle goes off to school next fall. :( But I'm also looking forward to getting a part time job at the school...hopefully as a substitute teacher. I can't wait to contribute to the family funds again. I'm still not fully adjusted to not earning a paycheck. Also, you were asking about port. It's a type of wine that is really rich in flavor. Someone described it as cough syrup and I have to say, I see what they mean. It's not horrible, but its a bit rich for my taste, so I mix it (or rather, water it down) with some diet 7up or ginger ale and change the whole experience all together. Port is legal on our woe and recommended booze of choice in the book. Not bad, but I prefer a good cheap zinfandel like Jack :lol:

Gotta go...the dog is barking at anything that moves in the backyard again.

Kris

Quick: Monet, I'm glad you survived your first day! Lights out...that always worked for me in Sunday School. Shut the lights off when they get rowdy and its like pulling the plugs on all the kids! They stop in their tracks and look around like...huh? Then you have about 30 seconds of their undivided attention to threaten menacingly and hope it sticks for the rest of the class... :lol: Hope next week goes better!!

GOOD EVENING EVERY BUDDY!!

I thank my lucky stars every day that I have EVERY ONE OF YOU!! As I sit here glued to this TV, I can't even imagine how these lost soles go day to day. I have cried, screamed and beat my keyboard to death. At every turn of the dial, all I see is death, and now they are telling the story of a Nursing Home and of finding over 30 bodies who evidently were just left...MY GAWD I CAN'T seem to pull myself away.

JACKIE...Thanks so much for the update on Ashley. A car is a small price to pay to be safe. Hopefully, she will pop in when she can.

I'm going to call Missy in a little while and check on her and Terry. They had a houseful so I don't expect her to get on here before her life gets back to some kind of normal. She has started back to school, or at least I know the high school started back first. She teaches grade school, and I didn't check her paper today. I'll report back after I talk to her.

MELF...so glad to hear that you talked to Shirley. Hopefully, repairs at her house will be minimal...her town looks pretty destroyed though. I hadn't heard too much about Mississippi and Alabama until this evening. The damage is unreal.

Monet ...I'm sorry I missed your first day of school. You'll do well and can't wait to read of your escapades!

Ladies, I'm sorry I can't get to everyone, but I've just got to sign off .

:wave: to everyone

BOB

I got a horrible splinter in my heel tonight. It took Tom 30 minutes to cut it around it to get a hold on it with tweezers. It was huge! like an inch long and and 1/8 of an inch in diameter. And that was just the piece that broke off in my foot! The one I pulled out when I first stepped on the wood was the size of a large nail! I have been hobbling around all evening. It is better with the splinter out..but still hurts! :(

Dinner tonight was boiled pork, green beans, and some potatoes. The juice from the pork was the 'gravy'. I thickened it with arrowroot. I also had a few grapes and a handful of macadamias.


CINDY: Port is fortified wine. That means it has a hard liquor added to up the alcohol content. It is usually an after dinner drink, as it is rich, as Tech said, and it is sweet. There are several kinds, Ruby, Tawny... I like Ruby. I also like Tawny though. :) I think I like them all! :)

Hello everyone,

This won't be too long. It's getting late and I need to hit the sack. I probably won't be able to post for the rest of the week as we are going back up to Gainesville tomorrow and won't be back until Sunday.

BOB--I know what you mean about the gripping scenes on TV. It's macabre. And Horrible, and all kinds of other adjectives. Thanks for calling Fruit/Missy.

Monet--Glad your day at school went well.

I had an OK day foodwise, except for one little slip, because I was Very hungry.
B. 1.5 scrambled eggs, 1 SGWW toast, 1 tsp. butter, honeydew melon.
L. 2.5 oz. lean roast beef on 1 sl. sgww bread, with horseradish. Leftover veggies from last night, more honeydew melon.
D. 1 crab cake, collards, steamed broccoli, small spinach salad with egg and a few bacon sprinkles, lo cal dressing. The slip up was a small biscuit :yikes: that they served at the restaurant where we had dinner. I was starved. I had a dab of butter on it.
Snack: 1 stick of string cheese wilth 1 pkg. of So.Bch. crackers. Actually, that was very satisfying, and I think the combination of cheese and crackers was "filling." I recommend it. The crackers tasted somewhat like Wheat Thins, and they come packaged in little packets, so you can limit yourself. One packet is 100 calories. All whole grains.

Gotta go.

Well, no tears this morning as when I got Shelley out the door, I looked at the clock and just as she was walking up to the bus stop, up came the bus. Earlier and earlier every day. First day it was here are 7:05 and then yesterday 7:00 and today 6:55. So, she's outta here tomorrow at 6:45. Oh, part of what's making her so late is the fact, did I mention that on her first day of school she got her monthly bill? Poor thing. Sent her off to school all hopped up on Pamprin. She wasn't sick, just a bit overwhelmed. Yesterday Ihad to strip her bed. Poor me. Her bed is a pain because she has a 150 stuffed animals on it and I just grudged through changing the sheets over the weekend. Anyhow...she takes for-everrrrr in the morning, in spite of me practically standing behind her and scooting her along nearly every step of the way. Once she gets this TOM overwith, I'm hoping things go more smoothly in the mornings.

So, Shelley's down 3lbs since I've been cutting her sugar. I've been allowing her PB7J sandwiches on white bread (with SF jam and pb), but in her lunches, I've included a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, a granola bar, baby carrots with ranch dressing, string cheese, diet iced tea in her water bottle, SF apple sauce, strawberries, grapes, triscuits and cheese. I may throw in a gogurt because she hates my concocted yogurt I make with frozen blueberries, etc. This isn't all in the same lunch ( :eek: ) but some of the items I may or may not put in her lunch, which, to me, is way more healthy than what they offer at school, bleh. Once she gets more used to her surroundings, I'll give her money to buy milk if she wants. I'm not so much telling her she's dieting, but making healthier choices is all...and making sure she knows that is shows :s:

As for me, I'm down to 161 and will change my ticker in a minute. I'm tired :coffee: ...this getting up at 6am is a real drag, but I'll get used to it. I used to have to get up earlier than this when I worked...I just have to adjust my internal clock.

BOB: I stopped watching the news all together a few days ago. I can't take it anymore. Although my hubby told me I missed my Matthew on Oprah saving stranded animals. THAT I would have LOVED to see!! :love: This hurricane damage is sooooo widespread. I saw on Shepard Smith last night a guy that lives in Waveport (?) MS and he was in his house/business when he felt like it was going to give way, so he grabbed his dog and jumped out the window into the water just as the house crumbled. His mom died in the hurricane, but he seemed to have a light-hearted, 'Well, it's not the end of the world' kind of attitude. "This is my house," he said, "and I'm just going to wait here until FEMA comes and helps me out." He was sitting at a table outside with some candles and tiki torches lit and seemed to be taking it all in stride. Ooppss...didn't I say I wasn't watching the news anymore? :lol: Well, I saw Shep and had to watch...he's so cute! :love: Jeez...my husband needs to stop going to VT for weeks at a time, I guess. I'm starting to become boy crazy. :dizzy: BUT, it would be nice if they would start showing more of the heart warming stories and less of the grizzly stories.

Gator: Have fun in Gainesville...are you evacuating from Ophelia or are you just visiting someone? I haven't checked the weather channel yet for an update on the storm, but it looks like it will be a bugger for Northeast Florida at the very least...maybe even coastal GA/SC. What a year for the tropics!!

Monet: Wow, how did you end up with that 2x4 in your foot!! Splinters can leave things behind, so keep your eye on it that it doesn't get infected. :(

Okay...need to keep moving, lest I get into a slump...talk to you guys later...Kris

Happy Thursday.

I am so :tired: today. I think I got up at least 5 times during the night. After watching all the news, I had bad dreams and would wake up so I would get up and go to the bathroom. SIL got home from work around 3:30 so heard the garage door, then the dog wanted out. I can hardly keep these eyes open. Plus I am starving.

Got 26 minutes of wt training in last night and my 18 minutes of TM today.

Nat, Every year we seem to have an ant problem. They are the tinest things, but theyare all over my counter and in my dishwasher. It takes weeks to get rid of them. For some strange reason, we did not have them this yar (knock on wood). Yes it is hard to believe we are just getting into hurricane season. I hear Ophelia is out there and good come ashore. Lets pray it doesn't.

Toni, don't be so hard on yourself, Some days our bodies tell us we need more sleep. And with your heart condition, you should listen to your body. You will be rearing to go with a little rest.

Mary, getting back to the gym will be a big boost to you. Luckily the trainer is aware of how to handle your shoulder.

Monet, those kids were probably testing you to see who was in control. Don't let them get the upper hand or it will be caos (sp) from here on out. They have to hire you, I'm sure you wowed them with your expertise.

Cindy, I'm chanting with you, 205, 205. I bet you see it next MMM. I have been wanting to go to that mall in Indy. We are coming to a Colts game later this month so I may get to shop a little. Port is wine, but I'm sur Monet can explain it in more detail.

Kris, No wonder I liked the port if it is sweeter. I don't like dry wines. Glad there weren't any tears today. Soon you will be glad she is gone everyday. :cheer: for her 3 lbs. that is great. Tell her congrats and keep up the good work. Have you looked into the the white wheat bread? I see it but have never read the ingredients to see if it is legal or not. I agree, Shep is a cutie. He has the most beautiful eyes. Fox news is all we watch. even O'Rieley. Congrats on your new low too.

Bob, I am glued to the TV also. Then I go to bed and dream about it. It is so sad. Yes, Ashley said the same thing about her car. Small price to pay, but it still has to hurt.

Gator, do you have your legal snacks packed for the game? Have a great time and hope you get the "W". One bisquit did not hurt you. It was probably in your calorie count anyway.

bf: mini ww bagel with pb
lunch: ? meeting my friend, she cancelled yesterday.
Dinner: ? we are eating out, salad and steak I think.

I'll be back later when this fog in my head clears.

Jack: I love Shep. He has this nice, kind of quiet calm about him and I love his 7pm show...it covers all aspects of what going on in the world, not harping on just one subject. Can you imagine emerging from the flood waters and having Shep standing there to help you...I'd think I had surely died and was in heaven or at least that I was deathly ill and was seeing things. :lol: I had a dream about him a week ago or so and he didn't have a shirt on. :dunno: Don't know where THAT came from... I guess I really do need my hubby home more... :lol: I like O'Reilly better on the radio than on TV. I listen to it while I wash dinner dishes in the kitchen.

Wow...I just looked at the Weather Channel website to see Ophelia and I don't like the southwest jog it seems to have taken. If that puppy cuts across Florida, not only will that be bad for Florida, but it'll pop out into the gulf and God only knows where it will head from there. I don't even want to think about it... :?:

I accidentally posted on the exercise board...

Hello everyone,

I hope you still remember me... I've been MIA for years now. Well, I checked back in, to find Monet moderator and Debbie missing. I hope she's still around!

I am currently in Slovenia and completely OFF Sb. I tried South Beach diet, and both of them together make lovely sense.

I am also 30 weeks pregnant, so that's it for the diet plan!!

Hope all of you are doing great, and I'll try to keep in touch.

Vesna

VESNA! How good to hear from you. Please don't be a stranger. Debbie is not still around. I think she got tired of moderating, and her absences got longer and longer. We miss her...and now and then, BOB will catch us up on what is going on with her.
I remember you did pottery...are you still? Are you doing any art? I remember you were back in Slovenia... you once posted a few pictures and they were so beautiful!

Well the old metal monster gave me a very nice BD present this am... I'm down 2 lbs which is the lowest I've been in MONTHS!!! Horrah!!!

Didn't sleep well last night. Read until 3am & awake by 7:15. Tried to get back to sleep but no position of comfort to be found so I got up & found the coffee my DH made before he left for work. He's such a dear.

HELLO VESNOID!!! What a nice surprise to hear from you! Sure do remember you from our meeting in Orlando. Don't feel too bad about being MIA. I have fallen off the wagon too & can't seem to find how to get back on. LOL 30 weeks pregnant?? Congrats! Hope all goes well.

JACK: I agree, the kids were acting like a was a substitute. They were pushing the edge to see how far they could go. I imagine it will not be a long term problem, since I am not the neophyte they were thinking I was...I have worked with children for 30 years. The one class I can bet will be on their very best behavior next week, as the teacher was so upset that they were so bad they only got a 2 out of 5 points. I imagine they will be angels next week! :s: (IF they give me the job, that is! :) )

MELF: :balloons: Happy Birthday! :balloons: I am sorry I did not know! (Can I put you on the list??) How nice of the Metal Monster to give you a loss for your birthday! :goodscale

MELF--happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to yooo-uuuu. Happy Birthday to you. :balloons:

Jackie--Thanks for the encouragement. I think you and I have similar exercise cycles. We both try to keep up the walking and also the weight training. I find that if I am faithful with the walking every day, I can keep things "manageable". I suspect that the biscuit was within Kcal limits, but it would have been nice to have been "perfect'" yesterday. It was just a couple hundred calories I didn't need.
Yes, I have my snacks ready. I'm taking some packets of the South Beach crackers and some string cheese, and some pre-weighed baggies of my shredded wheat 'n bran cereal for breakfasts, along with some fruit. It is actually the desserts that I'm most worried about this weekend, as we are eating at 3 catered meals, 2 of which are dinners/banquets. They ALWAYS serve desserts, which is my fav. food group. Maybe it will be pecan pie, which I don't like. Last night I was actually better than I could have been. Where we ate, they serve wonderful frozen brandy alexanders, almost like soft-serve chocolate custard--with a kick. I love them, and was just on the edge of succumbing to ordering one. But--I got my senses back, and declined. "Bless this food to my use . . . "

Hi Pancho--Hope today is really great for you. You sound so busy with all your activities with your girls.

Tech--Wow, that's early. I'm glad I'm past that stage of getting kids up at the crack of dawn. Actually, when my kids were that age, my DH got them up, because he is really good in the mornings. He and the kids had their routine, and the few times I got up to "get them off" I upset their peaceful morning start and routine. He even fixed them breakfast, and I trained them to fix their own lunch. Boy, I was bad!! However, I was the one who stood duty at the other end of the day. When my DH wanted to go to bed at 10, I would stay up late, helping with homework, talking with them about "stuff", etc. etc.

Hi Vesna, LOL, I bet most people on the board now don't know about or remember how and why you got the name Snotty Girdlehead. I can't remember my "name." That was a funny thing, wasn't it. Let's see, Slovenia, as in eastern Europe?? Are you there permanently?

Well, I'm glad I got to post today. I did my walking and have 5900 steps so far. Will do weight training right after lunch. Still have to pack and get the house organized. Our DD's fiancé, the one who is living here in our house, because it was either that or live with her ( :( ) (I don't know why he didn't rent an apt. for himself, like a big boy. After all, he is 35! ), had been "feeding our cats" when we went out of town. But he did a terrible job, and both times we came home and the dish was empty. So I hired an 8 year old kid in the neighborhood to take care of the cats. That's an example of why we are so concerned about our DD marrying this man; he is appearing to be undependable and irresponsible.

My DF is in the hospital. He is 89 and had what might have been a heart attack. He is very feeble and has had many health problems, but is strong mentally. I have been planning on visiting him in the Fla. panhandle at the end of the month, but may move the visit up one week earlier, depending on how he is doing.
Well, better get going. Need to make the bed, and get ready. Have a great weekend.
Tech--We are going to Gainesville because (1) my DH has business there: the law school is being dedicated and there are lots of events relating to that. He is a graduate of that school and has been active in the board of trustees there, and (2) the Gators are playing a football game there this weekend :).

Laura took me out for brunch. We went to IHOP. I had the Harvest Grain pancake combo, with two egg beaters, two bacon, hash browns, and two pancakes. Yep, I ate the hash browns, and yep, I put syrup on the pancakes. After we finished eating, we went to Brandsmart. I was not impressed. She said she wasn't either, but spent a lot of money on video games, and other electronic stuff. She is a bit of a geek. :) I looked at dishwashers, since we have decided to replace ours. We have threatened to replace it for a number of years, and finally decided to go ahead and start looking. I really would like a stainless steel tub one. We put a really nice one into our old house, then we moved, and had to leave it. :( I guess I will check out Circuit City since we have a gift certificate to there for over $100...that ought to help with the purchase for sure!

Now, I have to relate a really embarrassing event. I was hurrying to go to the bathroom one more time before we left this morning, and was chatting to Laura who was waiting on me. In my haste to pull up my britches, I knocked my pedometer off my waistband...and yes, you can probably guess where it landed. It was unbelievable to me but I think it bounced off the side of the cabinet, and plopped right into the toilet. :cry: Of course I fished it out, and the screen was blank! I doubt it is going to work once it is dry, but thankfully, it was only about $10 at Walmart, and actually a rather nice one for the money. I have another, but it needs a new battery and I am having trouble finding the right one. I thought of PANCHO, as the same thing happened to her. (NAT, forgive me for laughing back then...)

Ok, off to check on dishwashers a few more places.....

Good afternoon. It's been a crazy week. :) We picked grapes one day and made jelly the next. You wouldn't believe how wonderful a warm grape straight off the vine taste.

Hopefully next week will be a little better for posting.

Love and hugs,
Crystle

I don't have time for replies today, except for one:

Monet: :lol: :lol: :lol: :p ....back atcha! Mine never did work again; I had to buy a new one. I can't tell you how many times I've put my sunglasses on the front of my shirt, and bent down to flush the toilet, and they fell in. More than I would like to admit.

Today has been busy! I did the carpool today...dropped the 2nd graders and kindergartener off at 8 a.m. and then Lane and I ran to the grocery store before I had to have her back for preschool at 9 a.m. I then went to the gym and then picked her back up. We are now home for about 30 minutes, and then we have to take CheyAnne (our Golden Retreiver) to Britt's school for Show & Tell today. We then have to get back and make dinner and take baths before I have to leave (at 5:45) for a meeting at the school. Gheez....I hardly had time to sit today.

OH GUESS WHAT?????? I AM SO EXCITED....MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY REIMBURSED ME THE $915 THAT I PRE-PAID TO THE GYM IN JANUARY FOR THE THREE YEAR CONTRACT. I am out of there now. I am in the process of finding another gym, and have one in mind....I'll keep you posted.

I gotta go get some things together. I will check in tomorrow.

Take care & God Bless!
Nat

It's so nice to be able to read all your posts and then reply!! I am currently on another forum , babyfit.com, and they don't have this option. So you sort of have to write things down, or simply memorize who said what... anyway.

Monet, Melf, GatorGal - Thanks for the welcome!

Monet - Unfortunately I can't do any pottery right now. I moved to Celje, Slovenia and bought a really nice apartment there in the city center. I'll try to post some pics, when I get my hands on a camera ;) Is Deb still in Miami?

Melf - I am still SB at heart! lol! It is THE ONLY diet that actually works for me, though South Beach is very similar. The biggest problem is that Europeans are allergic to putting detailed ingredient descriptions on the food packages, so you never really know what you're eating!

GatorGal - lol I forgot all about that silly nic! My signature staid the same all these years, I'll probably have to update it.

I am currently 202 lbs and growing rapidly! I am all butt and belly. I feel like a strange two hump camel.
I was in a clothes store today and there were some girls trying on sizes 8 and 10... and they looked so TINY!!!! And then I realized, that was my size before I got pregnant! So I moaned about it and the shopkeeper (my friend) tried to console me by saying I wouldn't be pregnant forever.
It sure feels like it, though! I have 2.5 months to go and the baby is already at 3 or 4 lbs.

How did you girls handle the pregnancy?

Well, today was a bad day eating wise. Tell me, is there anything redeemable about chicken and biscuits with gravy and mashed potatoes for dinner? I had a diet coke with it. The chicken, I suppose was legal... :rolleyes: Oh, brother, at least it was really, really good. My parents took us out to dinner with my cousin Kim and her husband that are up visiting. I hadn't seen her since I was probably 10 years old. It was so nice to see her again. We all used to be really close when I was little and then for reasons that nobody can figure out, my Aunt completely cut herself off from the family. Didn't even go to my gramma and grampas funerals (her in-laws), so we never had any family get togethers after I was around that age. Anyhow...she's about 10 years older than me, but it was so nice to talk to her and get to know her again. THEN, thanks to my best friend in Rochester, who likes to teach my son how to say totally inappropriate things, my son says, matter of factly, "my mom's got blazin hooters!!" :fr: :faint: It's all my fault because when we were teenagers, my best friend and I used to teach her little cousin (who was about three at the time) how to say inappropriate things. Not swearing and things, just things that make little old ladies blush-type things. Things like, "my mom's got blazin hooters". :nono: I thought I would die. Of course, my cousin was laughing pretty hard, but I wanted to crawl under the table. So, that's my punishment for teaching little Dana bad things to say...it all comes back, doesn't it...

Anyhow...

Vesnoid: Nice to meet you. I loved being preggers and wallowed in having a wardrobe that allowed for an expanding waistline. Do you know if you're having a boy or girl? Any names picked out?

Pancho: Looks like you're knee deep into the busy school season!! And that's great about the reimbursement. Good luck finding a new gym!!

Country: I can honestly say I've never made jelly before. But I have a friend that makes strawberry jam in the spring. I'm going to take a stab at that next summer!

Monet: Sounds like your lunch was about as legal as my dinner! :eek: I don't know about that pedometer...I'd get a new one. Once electronic things get wet, they're all weird. Funny story, though!! :lol:

Gator: You're so lucky to have had an arrangement like that with your husband. If we wake up my husband, it's like waking a bear up out of hibernation! So, we have to be really quiet. He doesn't sleep very well, so when he falls asleep, he doesn't like to be woken up is all.

Melf: Happy birthday!! :hb: That's a nice suprise to wake up to a pot of coffee. I LOVE little surprises like that. A 2lb loss is a nice birthday present to yourself!! :D

Okay...there was something else I wanted to mention, but I can't remember it now, so I'll just sign off and go hang out with the kids.

Bye, guys!!

Howdy!
Got in a hour bike ride tonight with my dd. We are taking advantage of the nice weather while we can. Im sure biking season will be over soon.
We had this contest at work last month and got our rewards today and I came in second and got a gift card to the Outback so you know where we are going to eat this weekend ;) Thats dhs fav resturant. Ill probably get the chicken ceaser salad. I love it ! Theirs is the best.
Im going to hit the gym tomorrow after work ( my sixth day and goal for the week) and then I called my mom and asked if she wanted me to come over after and we could go through some more pictures. I feel so bad her being alone all the time. I wish she would do more but shes such a homebody. Im glad for now dh is working six days a week and friday night is his sixth day because if he wasnt Id feel bad leaving him here alone. We have been over there I think every Saturday either having dinner at her house or taking her out. Shes even going to go with us next Sat on our anny out dinner. And we are gladly having her come.
Monet- too funny about your pedometer. I remember one time my dad dropped his cell phone in the same spot. He was embarrassed having to call and get another one telling them what happened. They said it happens alot! LOL.
Happy birthday Melf :hb:
Hi to vesnoid!
Im off to watch big brother and relax before bed. Have a great evening !

:mad: Well, the bussing thing is driving me nuts with Shelley's school. First day, they picked up at 7:05, then 7:00 (which is when they said they pick up), then yesterday 6:55, then today at 6:48!! Yesterday, Shelley was just getting to the stop when the bus pulled up, so today I said, "you have to be outta here by 6:45 so you don't have to run!", so out she went at 6:46 or 7, I came in to get coffee and then to watch and the bus was already there!! I just called the bus garage to get the skinny and they are apparently all on bus runs, so I have to call back later. I mean, that's a very wide window of error to miss the thing and with me being home with no hubby, I'd have to get the little one out of bed in his jammies, change myself and drive her ten miles to the school because the bus driver is pushing the time. Anyhow...

Cindy: We still have at least two good months of good biking weather here...the BEST biking weather is in the fall, imho. We live in a really touristy area and now that all the 'summer' people are gone, its still warm and beautiful, but no drunk campers buying beer at the store and such. Outback is one of my favorites, too.

Good Morning!

TECH: I would be unhappy with the bus driver too. Here, the drivers are really regular...I think they sit at some stops an extra minute to make sure they are on time, and not early. 7 AM is bad enough, and each minute earlier is simply unacceptable. When daylight savings changes, its going to be pitch black out there, and to have kids having to walk to the bus stop...why, it borders on abuse! :yes: I felt that way about the high school bus here, and it stopped at the corner, about 30 feet from my the end of my driveway! Even with my flood lights on, the kids still were not visible. I had visions of all kinds of horrible things happening. We live in a huge metro area, and not a small village like you. There is NO telling what kind of crazies might be driving around at 6:30 in the morning here! Just the possibilty of some kid getting hit by a car in the dark scared me!

For all you Inquiring Minds out there....

My pedometer is dry and seems to be working just fine! :) Whew! :lol3:

Happy Friday Chickies!!!!

It was a short week, but still long for me.

DH has to work until 11:00 tonight and all day and night tomorrow and Sunday. I hate it. The only good thing is maybe I won't eat off plan. I will probably go to Kareoke tonight by myself. Most of my friends will be there and my sister. Beats sitting at home. I plan to go home and work out and clean my house before I go. Tomorrow I get my nails done and then to the bead shop to get some beads to make watches. I may visist a friends pool too.

I got my :wl: in last night and then after dinner I tookt he dog for a 1 mile walk. We even jogged a little.

I got an email from Missy (Fruit). All if fine. They are able to get on-line now so she should hop on here soon. No damage, they only lost power for 3 days.

bf: 2 hardboiled eggs
lunch 3oz tuna with light mayo, SOBE crackers, apple
Dinner: ?

Vesnoid, Welcome back. Congrats on your pregnancy. Do you know what you are having? IS this your first?

Melf, Happy Birthday, yesterday. What a great gift from the MM. Hope you had a special day.

Gator, it is sad when you have to ket an 8 year old to do a job a 35 yeaer old can't. I would be worried about your DD too. Sending prayers for your DF. Hope he is doing better. Have a great weekend.

Monet, IHOP is always your downfall. You need to stay out of that place.

Crystal, my uncle had a grape orchard in his yard (small) and we would pull the grapes off and pluck them right out of the skin into our mouths. Yummy!. It brought back memories.

Nat, wow you did have one busy day. That is wonderful about be reimbursed for the gym. I'm so glad for you.

Kris, shame on you :nono: You & Monet are the only 2 who hav every cheated. ha. At least it was good. Now get back on track today and hope you don't see any repercussions from it. I would call the bus depot too. That is crazy.

Cindy, Great exercise. I know what you mean about your mom being a homebody. My dad sat in the recliner 15 hours a day. Would hardly eer turn on the TV. He wasn't a talker so even if we visited, there was minimal conversation. it drove me nuts. Finally he got so lonely, he moved in with my sister. But he was the same way at her house. My mom was the dominate one in our house. It is a shame. Life goes on and she needs to enjoy it while she can. Maybe in a little while she will develop some hobbies or does she have any lady friends to do things with?

Got to get busy. At least I have things to do today. Be back later.

Well, my repercussions aren't showing in the form of weight gain...I'm down to 160...but they are coming in the form of...extra bathroom time, if you know what I mean. Heck, maybe this will cast me back into the 150's!! Always looking for the silver lining...

Okay...gotta help Kyle with a 100 pc puzzle. He's good, but not quite that good yet :lol:

Here is a Friday Funny...just for Jack-K:



A hillbilly was stopped by a game warden in Kentucky recently with two
ice chests of fish. He was leaving a cove well known for its fishing.
The game warden asked the man, "Do you have a license to catch those
fish?"

"Naw, sir, I ain't got none of them there licenses, no. You must
understand these here are my pet fish."

"Pet fish?" said the game warden.

"Ya. Every night I take these here fish down to da lake and let them
swim 'round for a while. Then I whistle and they jump rat back into this
here ice chest and I take them home."

"That's a bunch of hooey! Fish! can't do that! says the warden.

The hillbilly looked at the game warden for a moment and then said,
"It's the truth Mr.Government man, I'll show you. It really works."

"Okay," said the game warden, " I've GOT to see this!"

The hillbilly poured the fish into the lake and stood and waited.

After several minutes,the game warden turned to him and
said, "Well?"

"Well, what?" said the hillbilly.

The warden said, "When are you going to call them back?"

The hillbilly said, "Call who back?"

"The FISH!" replied the warden.

"What fish?" answered the hillbilly.

We in Kentucky may not be as smart as some city slickers, but we aren't
as dumb as most government employees.

Only have a minute, as we have to head out for Lane's tumbling class, and the day stays busy after that.

I wanted to mention to MONET....I was surfing the web looking for a weighted vest for my treadmill workouts and walks, and I came upon a site that has pedometer clips for $3.99. It is VKRshop.com, if you are interested.

I placed a bid on a weighted vest on e-bay, but there are so many bids on it already, I am sure I will be outbid. I will run to Sports Authority tomorrow to see if they have any at a reasonable price...they tend to be pretty expensive.

I'll check in later!
Nat

PANCHO: :lol3: Hey, its working just fine now! And everytime I have gone into the bathroom, I have CLOSED the lid before raising or lowering my clothing!

Kris, Man if alltha good food did that to you, I'm eating it tonight. The only time I got those good results on the scale was after a bottle of colon blow. Glad it didn't affect the scale.

Monet, cute joke. We Kentuckians also are the butt of stupid jokes. You should invest in one of those clips.

Nat, be carefulw iththose weighted vests. I have read that you shouldn't use a lot of wt when you walk, hard on your knees and ankles.

I got to change my ticker today. Down 1/2 a pound this week. I feel like I deserved more but anything is better than nothing. Now why wont the ticker let you do 1/2 pounds? Actually its 207.5 but it made it go to 207. Though that numbers good too :p

Dinner tonight was an ample bowl of hot and sour soup. I also nibbled on triscuits, chicken salad and had a handful of macadamia nuts. After dinner, I baked cakes for a birthday party tomorrow evening for a friend's daughter, who turns one. The cake will be a 3-d elephant, with a mini one for the birthday girl, and a large round cake for the big elephant to sit on. (just so there is enough cake!) I think they are expecting over 40 people...silly isn't it? :)

After that birthday party, we have another one to go to. I offered to make the cake, but he told me no. I was actually relieved. :)

The headmistress called me today to let me know that things look great so far, but she had to have one more reference before she could offer me a contract. She was waiting to hear back from the last school I taught at. As long as they don't tell her I was abusive, or fired for drunkeness or some such horror..I will have the job. Since I left that school in good graces, it should not be a problem. So, I am already plotting and planning for next Wednesday. Teaching art is so much FUN. Its great to get paid for it! :)

I have been knitting on a scarf tonight. I love the yarn, and the way it knits. I just wish it went faster! I went to a yarn shop today with a friend. The shop was really cool, and had all kinds of beautiful yarns, but nothing that tempted me enough to pull out my credit card! I think I am in much more danger at Hobby Lobby! :yes: The yarn at the yarn shop was $5.75 on up to $29 a skein! At Hobby Lobby I can get nice acrylic yarn for $1 up to $7. I am not a good enough knitter to warrant $29 a skein! :lol:

I guess I will go crawl in bed and then I can quit yawning, and just sleep! Night all!

:wave:

IT'S FOOBALL TIME IN THE SEC!!!

Good morning BUDDYS!!

Just heard from Missy and they are still pluggin along. We'll chat later by phone.

Ok, BOB has pulled herself up by the bootstraps and what a better way than FOOTBALL SATURDAY!

TENNESSEE IS OFF THIS WEEK...PREPARING TO SWIM INTO THE SWAMP NEXT SATURDAY!!

MISSY'S LSU TIGERS They've been through a lot this past two weeks, but THE TIGERS are playing ARIZONA today...GO TIGERS!

SUSAN'S AUBURN TIGERS are at home today and they are hosting MISSISSIPPI STATE Now this is a hard one for BOB..Got relatives who are GRADS from MS ST, but at SUSAN'S REQUEST... BOB HAS TO SAY... GO STATE!!!!...don't ask...it works for SUSAN!!! They are the 12:30p.m. game so she is already TAILGATING!!

GATOR isn't on TV this week...THE GATORS are playing LA TECH, and the GATOR FANS WHO AREN'T AT THE GAME HAVE TO RESORT TO THE RADIO!!

MONET....OK GIRLFRIEND IT'S UP TO THEM DAWGS!!!! TO STOP THE VISOR MAN AT SOUTH CAROLINA!!! They are playing in ATHENS AND ARE ON TV AT 5:30 p.m. on ESPN!!! GO DAWGS!!!

JACKIE....CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ABOUT THE CATS, BUT HOPE Y"ALL WIN!!! GO CATS!!

All times are EST...

Ladies, got to get to the Grocery...taking supper over to Jeff and Traceys...She still has her staples in from the C-SECTION...Matthew is growing like a weed already...Look out SEC...THE PAGES HAVE THE FUTURE
OFFENSIVE LINE STARTED FOR THE VOLS!!!

I'm off!!

BOB

BOB: Yep, you are off, but only slightly, and we have known that for years! :lol3:

We just got in from a walk, which I dutifully posted on the exercise board. :)

Breakfast was a protein shake, made with water, 1.5 scoops of whey protein, 1 T almond oil. I of course had my cod liver oil too. Yum! It actually does taste pretty good with the lemon oil in it...not at all fishy.

I got on the scale for the first time in several days, and was up a few pounds. I know it is water, and I am trying to figure out why I am retaining water. I just hope its gone and takes a few of its friends with it by MMM!

I have to make that cake today...I am feeling lazy though, and I really don't want to do it. So, I am procrastinating. I will try and get it done soon, so its out of the way. Then I can chill for a few hours before the party.

Thanks, BOB, for the SEC update. I hope its a good week for everyone, except of course, South Carolina. ;)

:wave:

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Dh is out cutting the grass, kids are cleaning their rooms and I'm trying to catch up on cleaning and laundry as we are leaving early next Saturday to go to Panama City Beach aka "Redneck Riviera" for fall break. I am really looking forward to it. :beach: We have absolutely no plans whatsoever and will just be on "island time" while we are there. Those are the best vacations..sleep when your sleepy, and eat when you are hungry! (within limits of course!) :hun:

Sean had his recheck for his cholesterol this week and it went up even though we've been doing "lowfat sugarbusters". :eek: I told his cardiologist that we have been eating chicken fish and turkey plus a lot of salads and veggis. She can tell that we are doing well, he has grown 1/2 inch and lost 2 lbs in the last 3 months, so combined that is pretty good. His b/p was 116/76 so that's better too. But his cholesterol went from 201 to 218! :?: She says that is the genetic form of the problem and not dietary. She put him on welchol. Apparently it is better for you to use than lipitor or such, so we will try it first before we pull out the big guns! Rachel also had her checkup and follow up bloodwork done to see if she is following in her brother's footsteps. She is 11 and has not had bloodwork sone since Sean started with all his problems, so it was time for a recheck. We'll see how that goes.


Tech- I think you were the one talking about your daughter eating pbj for lunch? I buy Natures Own whitewheat for my kids. They will not eat whole grain and I know this is not totally legal, but 1 sugar and 3 fiber per slice is pretty good (and it taste just like sticky normal white bread!)

MONET...I've been off for a while now, but I'm slowly getting back on track. I'll have no choice but to lose weight...went to PUBLIX and got nothing but spent $115!!!
Everything will go up and has already started to creep.

BACK TO THE GAME!!

BOB

Hey Everybody!!!!! Thank you so much jackK for calling to check on me. It really menat a lot. needless to say, things have been crazy around here. I am temporarily residing with my aunt in Kansas City and want very badly to return to New orleans. It still feels surreal..all that has happened. My life was so completely different just 2 weeks ago. My house got about 3 feet of water and some roof damage. No telling when we will be able to return..it's very unlivable. I am hoping to salvage some of my personal belongings on the 2nd floor, if the mold and mildew has not set in and ruined everything. My sister who lives down the street lost everything due to the mold. She originally got only 3 inches of water in her house but with no electricity and the humidity, the mold and mildew were rampant. I am trying to remain optimistic, but can't help but think of all my clients and how this may be affecting them (I'm a psychotherapist). The clinic where I work received a lot of damage, but my boss is optimistic that we will resume services in 30 days. Even if we don't have offices, people need to start getting back to normal. I don't care if I have to see them in a tent. I just don't know where I will live or how I will get to work (the carport fell on my car). Whatever the reason, hopefully this devastation will bring with it a chance for personal and community growth as we work to rebuild the city. I'm trying to stay focused and remain grateful. It's good to be back on the boards....Love, Ashley
P.S.- Sorry for all the typos and grammatical errors...I am extremely exhausted and don't have the energy nor the desire to be perfect...and I think that's a good thing.

JackieO: Gosh, how good it is to hear from you! I was very thankful that Jack-K was able to get in touch with you. I am so sorry about all you have lost...I can't imagine how hard it is not to be able to just go home. Please keep us posted on how you are and how things are going. ((((HUGS))))

THIN: Goodness, I can't imagine having to put a child on a statin drug! If his is the heriditary kind of elevated cholesterol, will the doctor allow you to try Slo-Niacin before you use statins? My husbands has always been elevated...up around 275 normally....but he uses the Slo-Niacin and it helps a lot. His stays around 200 now, which some doctors freak out about, and others don't. He has a degree in biochemistry and has researched the issue thoroughly, and feels like the 'new' normal levels for cholesterol are just a guess. He had a live test done, where they look at the heart and arteries and his were all clear- so he is wonderfully healthy, and just has higher cholesterol than some. :shrug: Try adding oat bran to what you fix...it helps too. I am so jealous of your trip to Panama City! We really did not get a vacation this year...and now that I am working Wednesdays, it will be difficult to get off for one. Maybe we can get off to the beach later in the fall...

What is slo-niacin? A vitamin? how much do you take? I think her big concern is he already run high blood pressure and it is easier to tell you who is not on cholesterol or blood pressure meds in the family than who is. This is widespread on both sides as well as diabetes. My poor kids get it from both sides! :eek: What do you use oat bran in, baked goods?

WOO HOO!!! HELOOOOOOOOOOO ASHLEY!!! :wave:

It's so good to hear from you...I'm so glad you're safe. Your house can be fixed and your car can be replaced, but we could NEVER do without YOU!! :grouphug:

I had to call SUSAN after that game!! WHEW!! I sat on my hands for about 5minutes pulling for MS STATE....just couldn't do it...it was to HOT A GAME!!! CONGRATS AUBURN!!!

Got an email from MISSY and she's still got a house full but 2 may be leaving! She was going to take a short nap and then get up to watch the LSU GAME She's doing good but she's very tired. They had to get up early to go down and stand in line for food stamps. They gave them to all the people who lost food. That's a good thing and I'm glad they got them.

MONET...YOU'RE NOT YELLING LOUD ENOUGH!!!! GET IN THERE AND PULL FOR THEM DAWGS!!!! THE VISOR MAN IS HOT ON Y'ALLS HEALS!!!

I'm off to recline...TOO MUCH FOOTBALL ON!!!!

LATER

BOB

THIN: Slo Niacin is a slow release niacin. Niacin lowers cholesterol for those who have the type that is heriditary, as it is often caused by a deficiency. They carry it at Costco.

Well, I see Georgia pulled it off. Its such a great feeling to see those wins! And against Spurrier! Oh yeah!

Go Dawgs!

We got in from the birthday parties a few minutes ago. I did not eat well...I had some chicken nuggets and a few veggies with a dill dip. I had one bite of cake and about three bites of vanilla ice cream. I think I will be starving by the time breakfast time gets here.....

Its time for bed! Good night! :wave:

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING TO ALL MY BUDDY!!

My HEART IS FULL We've heard from everyone now and everyone is SAFE AND SOUND!!!!

WHOO HOO TO MISSY!!! LSU PULLED IT OUT AND A VICTORY IS WHAT THEY NEEDED!!!! THOSE GUYS TALKED BEFORE THE GAME AND BELIEVE ME< IF YOU DIDN'T SEE IT, IT WOULD HAVE MADE YOU ALL FEEL BETTER ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON!

GATOR....WHOO HOO TO Y'ALL!!!! WE COULDN'T SEE Y'ALL DO IT, BUT IT COUNTS JUST THE SAME!!

NOW, LET ME WARN ALL OF YOU BEFORE MONDAY COMES....THE VOLS PLAY THE GATORS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 8P.M. THIS WEEK MAY OR MAY NOT GET UGLE BETWEEN THE TWO OF US....DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO EITHER OF US AS WE WORK OUR WAY TO KICK-OFF!!! ;)

I"ll be busy around here today, but I'll check in when I can....I did hear around 1a.m. that there was a TORNADO ON THE GROUND IN MIAMI...it was spotted on MIAMI BEACH and moved TOWORD DOWNTOWN..Debbie is SOUTH of DOWNTOWN, but I haven't heard on the news anything about it this morning. It must have played itself out HOPEFULL!

I'm off

OH...MONET....YOU MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT!!!! THEM DAWGS DID THE TRICK!!!!

BOB

OH MY GAWD!!! I almost forgot JACKIE....CONGRATS TO THE CATS!!!!

BOB

Good Morning! We slept late, as usual, and just finished breakfast. We had eggs benedict...two poached eggs, and ham on ww English muffins, with hollandaise sauce. Espresso, and then French press coffee too.

Tom has gone out to putter in the garden, and I just put in a load of clothes. I hate doing laundry on a Sunday, but I never got the chance to get to it yesterday. As nice as he looks in the buff, Tom still can't go to work without clothes! :lol3:

I plan to laze around today...do the one load of laundry, perhaps cook some lunch, and knit. Its cool out today, but I still may take a dip in the pool. We SHOULD go walk, but my knees are protesting today, so I may just take it easy and try and get in the walk tomorrow. I just took my Cod Liver Oil...which helps with the joints, so hopefully, it will kick in soon.

I plan to be really good today, so MMM is an encouragement. I need to go replace the batteries in the scale...though I am not sure if low ones weigh lower than full ones! :s:

I'm back from Gainesville. The law school stuff took up much of the weekend, but we were finished with all that by Saturday afternoon. Someone broke into our car on Friday night. My DH rode with someone else to the law functions, and I was the one who found the mess when I went to the car to go to the grocery store. Apparently it was just some kids who were looking for money, cell phones and stuff they could sell. They took all the change (about $3.00 worth) that my Dh keeps in his car for parking meters, and his sun glasses, a plastic container for trash, his cell phone hands-free cord, and a pair of binoculars. His glasses were prescription. We decided to look around the neighborhood to see if they ditched anything, and, lo and behold, they threw away his glasses (probably couldn't see through them!), the phone cord, the trash container. We lost the binocs and his change. We bought another pair for the game that night.

Eating was mediocre during the weekend, but I got plenty of steps in.

We got up early this morning and drove back so we could teach our Sunday school class. We are just starting a study of the book of Hosea, and I wanted to give a historical, social and political background picture of what was happening during Hosea's time. Makes it easier to understand the book.

It is good to hear from all of our Katrina-victim gals. Glad everyone is OK physically. Jackie-O, it was so good to hear from you.

OK, gals. Listen up. BOB is right. Part of our "tradition" between BOB and me is to needle each other before the BIG rivalry that takes place in THE Swamp.
Actually, BOB, from what I saw the last two weeks on the field, I'd put my money on the Vols. :( Our new coach is a nice guy, and came with a good record, from a lesser conference. He will be baptised into what big-time football is next week. Our team's performance the past two weeks leaves a lot of questions. It should be an interesting game.
Now--one interesting tidbit about the Vols that I learned from the policeman that came to take fingerprints off our car when I called to notify them about the break-in: There are 3 games in Gainesville where the police have the most trouble--LSU, UT, and FSU. But the officer told us that the Vols are the ones they have the most trouble with, and she used words sounding like "braw..ing" , drin..ing" and "figh..ing" etc. So, BOB, get some of your good friends up there in Ewe Tea land to come on down so that they can dilute the antics of them'uns that come. We've been up to Knoxville, and know there are plenty of good Vols there. Apparently they just are not travelling to the away games. I know that we will hear Rocky Top next Saturday night, a ton of times. Just hope they are not playing it at the end of the game.

Hope every one has had a good weekend and that MMM will be a good one.
Jackie-O. You are almost at your goal. You've lost a ton of weight. That's so great.

OH...GA...TOR........

My DEAR BROTHER, MY DEAR COUSIN, AND THEIR GROUP OF TRAVELING X-UT FOOTBALL PLAYERS will be arriving in GATOR LAND on Friday night. I'll tell him to try to keep the traveling crowd in line. I'm sure there are some Adults who are included in what the Officer said, but my guess is that mostly the Students (full of SWAMP WATER) are the culprits....I'm excited...I play ROCKY TOP more than once a day in my office for the SWAMPITES who work there. This week will build up and include either the SWEET END or THE BITTER END :s:

I'm sorry y'all had the problems with the breakend. At least they didn't harm you or your DH. The field glasses can be replaced. You've got to give that insurance a good work out every now and then!

I'm off again...

BOB

Jackie0- My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank God you're safe. But I feel so bad for your house and car.

We got in from church a little while ago. Tom is eating leftovers, but I decided to just skip eating. I was not all that hungry anyway.

James has a few friends over, and they are doing some photography techniques...like long exposure photos outside in the dark. I can't wait to see the photos they took today at the zoo! I am so delighted to see him doing something that uses his creative talents. :) I may even get him to do a portrait of me to use as my avatar!

Not much else to report...so I will bid everyone good night and sweet dreams! And good luck on MMM!