Catherine~ :lol: I never thought of it. Maybe that is what happened after all... nah, didnt feel the pain till I got out of the pool... I can resist the food at work. My co-workers are great, they don't even let me know. We have two ends of the office. One is where I sit and the other is where they put the food. Working evenings in an office and someone brings yummies almost every night. Rarely I even know about them now. They all know that I am dieting and can see how far I have come. It is like when I quit smoking... they wont allow me to cheat *L* I dislike my job but love my co-workers...

Brenda :wave:

Hi Everyone!

Just popped in for a quick read.

As I moaned about a week or so back, the scale is still on a stand still, but I guess it is a good thing it didn't go up 'cause hubby took me out for my birthday and we spent the weekend at the casino gambling, eating buffet foods, drinking and being lazy! What fun!!!!

So it's a new week, onward and downward! And I have to tell you my new addiction is ruby red grapefruits! They take forever to eat, they are filling and they are yummy!

Hang in there everyone!

Jane

Hello everyone! Just a quick post. I should be working. Like that's anything new.

I was pretty OP yesterday and today I managed to oversleep and still squeeze in 10 minutes on the horrible elliptical. Not even enough to work up a good sweat, but between the dogs making me nuts, lack of sleep, running late and the fact that the batteries in the thing had died and I couldn't read the display, I thought that 10 minutes was pretty good. I even ate healthy so far today. Wonders never cease.

Ammi, I think that it's a really good idea to consult all of your siblings (unless you have one that's just a pill and you don't think should have a say) and then do what the majority thinks, paying attention to what your mom would have wanted. In the end, it really isn't that important where a person is laid to rest, although it is a comfort to have a "place" to go. My own parents graves I used to visit regularly, for no reason. Then when I married it dwindled down to twice a year, Christmas time and Mother's day or Memorial day. Now that I live farther away I'm somewhat ashamed that it's more like once a year now, or maybe somewhat less. But it really isn't that important, I miss them and remember them no matter where I or they are.

Breathless. My own brother and I are not that close. I can really see him doing exactly like your brother did. It would really bother me too. Unless you think he'd never forgive you, I'd be strongly tempted to take him up on that offer, take the urn and bury it like she wanted! What's he going to do about it once it's done?

Ahh family. You can choose your friends, but not your relatives. Seems odd how you don't get a say in choosing what people end up with the most influence on your life. :rolleyes:

Hiya there everyone, just a quickie - Ammi welcome back and wow your amazing weight loss continues well done on the loss and its so great to have u back xx

I am so so tired from my long shifts this week. Got on scales which say no loss but I don't beleive them! I feel much slimmer especially in my uniform which used to feel sprayed on. So 'whatever' to the scales!

Got to do another 12.5 hour tomorrow in this really busy medical admissions unit. Wish me luck, I have a big blister from Mondays shift.....

well done on all who have lost and be back soon x x x x x

Well, I actually came on today to report no weight loss again, and ***** and moan a little. Usually I can stay pretty positive, but man, all the time? :?:

Anyway, I didn't gain right.?! But then I read Catherine's post and OMIGOD, I think I laughed untill I peed!

Catherine- Thanks so much for your latest post. I am still laughing and I think the sound of crunching scales sounds like sweet release. You are great and real which is hard to find these days.

I hope everyone has a great day.
Carolyn

Hi Everyone!

I worked all weekend and got a lot done, but it has come back to haunt me because now I just want to go home. I'm tired! It's a double edged sword between opting to get a lot done in the peace and quiet of the weekends and then having to keep up the pace the next week.

Ammi and Karen - Your posts about your Moms really moved me. I lost my Mom in December 2003. She was 58 and died of lung cancer. She was my best friend and the person I loved most in the whole world. Fortunately, we didn't have any internal fighting about how her funeral and burial should be handled, but I know that is common in families.

Karen - I'm so sorry your father did that. I am sure it really broke your heart. Just remember this: Sometimes I go to my Mom's grave to "visit" her. Then I realize, that's not where she is! She is in heaven and is riding on my shoulder as my guardian angel. The location of burial doesn't matter to her anymore. They say that funerals and grave sites are more for the family than the deceased. I believe that to a certain extent. Just try to make peace with it as best you can and know that your Mom loved you and will be there for you everyday, regardless of the location of her remains.

Ammi - The same comments I gave to Karen, I also offer to you. Somehow, we still think that our loved ones who passed will have some feeling after they are gone as to how their remains are handled. That's not true. Call your siblings and talk it through with them. She really loved her brother and Australia, but she loved you and your siblings too. I didn't know your Mom, but I presume that she would have been as happy to be near you and your siblings as she would have been next to her brother.

As for me, I weigh in on Thursday. This will be my second weigh in. I lost 6.2the first week. I hope I see some results this week, because the liquids are pretty hard. I am doing well though and staying on plan.

I'll pop in later tonight and see what's up. Have a good day, everyone!

Lisa

Ammi - Here's another thought . . .

Maybe your aunty could sprinkle half of her ashes next to your brother's grave site and then could send the rest to you and you could sprinkle them in someplace special near you and your siblings. That way, she would be at home in both places. Just a thought!

Lisa

Hey everyone-

Wow this thread is flying by! I have been so busy with everything I haven't had a chance to post. DH has been feeling sort of sick. He has to go Friday to get his arm looked at for melanoma. His regular doctor was really worried that it looked like skin cancer. And then also Friday by cat Alex is having major stuff done and will have to be under anesthesia for a long time. (which is dangerous for his age) So just a lot to worry about right now. Just a lot of things have been going on since we moved! But I have to say during all the stressful stuff I have been doing good with eating! I haven't had a soda in a while now. And I am hoping to see a loss when I weigh at the end of the week. I can't even remember the last time I weighed! I just wanted to take a break from weighing everyday!:lol:

AMMI-I am so glad to see you back hun! And that is so wonderful that you loss more weight!:hug:

ANNIE-YAY you won! Get you something nice with the 20. :)

HEATHER-I saw you got down to a size 10! That is awesome!

And everyone else who has had a loss congrats!:cheer2:

Well I hope to be on here more so I can keep up with everyone more!

Hope you all had a good day!:hug:

Howdy Y'all!

Still wondering whether I will start going to the gym again this week- its been so hard with upset tummy and stacks of work. I think I will put off going hardcore untill monday :p I know everyone says that but I'm determined to prove everyone wrong! :D And next week its back to the way I should be living, no excuses. Too bad cause I am a professional excuse maker. I gave hubby his bday pressie yesterday because I was too excited. His bday is April 10th how bad am I. I got him an HDD media player- and loaded it up with almost 100 DVDs, about 8,000 songs and at least 300 photos for the automatic slide shows. (Its like an external harddrive that plays whatever on the tv) Yes, he was speechless! I built it myself so he better well be :lol: Anyways, I better get to these personals before I waffle too much. Wishing everyone strength and happiness today!

Catherine- That's it. I'm going to fly over there and hike it. :lol: It sounds awesome, I am trying to look up that physician fellow online to no avail. My super web-sleuthing powers are being seriously cramped by the blingy bling music they are playing at work atm. Hey, that's good about the situps, you definately know your stuff and I'm glad you won't be injuring yourself, had me worried there for a sec! :) You are a very witty writer. I would buy your book :lol:.

Ammi- LOL don't get me started. I have a list as far as the eye can see as to what cheesy item I should have first at easter. Maybe you can help me decide- tossing up between slice of pizza and welsh rarebit :lol: Does this thing even exist in Wales? I sure hope so otherwise they would be missing out. I haven't cheated so far! By miracle! heheheh. Also my advice about where to choose the last resting place at your mom- what makes sense to me is where she was most at peace during her life. I'm sure you and your family will make the right decision, hang in there. :hug:

Lisa- Good luck at WI! :carrot:

Breathless - I'm sorry that happened to you, i can't tell you how betrayed I would feel, good for you for being the bigger person and turning the other cheek. :hug:

Annie- WOW the good news just keeps a-flowin'!!! You are so on a roll right now its not even funny! Keep going!! :cheer:

Brenda - Hmm, I don't call working all those hours, working out, and cooking healthy meals lazy! You definitely deserved the day off, it's just a shame you didn't get to sleep in. Will you be having another day off tomorrow? It might help your pulled muscle heal quicker if you rest it...yay a legitimate reason to rest your butt :)

Patti - I am glad that you had such a good time with your sister, how did you go with your food while she was with you?

Karen - thank you for sharing your story about your mum with me/us. I can't understand why your brother is so adverse to your mum's ashes being buried in the plot next to your dad. She's had the cremation he persuaded her to have, so what harm is there in burying them now? I am sorry that he's being so stubborn.

Catherine - gosh that must have been quite traumatic for you hubby as a young boy having to see his mum in a straight jacket. I guess he hasn't had a simple life thanks to her, and she's still causing problems. I can't believe she managed to get the hotel staff to put her call through to your room on your honeymoon. It's such a shame that he has to have any contact with her at all, but needs must I guess.

Thank you for your input about my mum's ashes, I'll write a bit more about it at the end of my post.

Peggy - when you have that week away you may not be able to find much to eat that you would consider a healthy option, but just remember that even if you do eat naughty things just make sure you eat smaller portions. That's bound to help.

Jane - hello and a belated welcome to you, I don't think I've said hi before. Sounds like you had a great birthday, and hey if you can't forget your diet on your birthday when can you!! I am glad you had such a great time.

Lilion - good for you for still working out on your elliptical even though you slept in. I went on the elliptical in the gym today and was determined to do 15 minutes straight. Unfortunately at just on 10 minutes the blinking fire alarm went off and we had to go out. So I did the 10 minutes then another 5. I am so annoyed I couldn't do the whole 15 in one go. Oh well I'll try again on Thursday.

What you said about where a person is buried is so true, between what you and the others have said it's really helped me know what I think is best, but I need to speak to my sister still. I couldn't get hold of her earlier. Thank you for your input.

Em - thanks for the welcome back. WOW a 12.5 hour shift, that must be a killer, I don't know how you manage it. I hope it goes OK tomorrow and that your blister doesn't give you too much grief.

Carolyn - sorry that you are a bit down about not having a loss. You have to remember that if you are doing everything right then if you don't see a loss there has to be a reason like fluid retention etc. You just have to keep on with the good work staying OP and those scales are bound to show good results sooner rather than later.

Lisa - thank you for your input about mum and her ashes, I have definitely decided what I want, but need to confirm things with my sister when I can get a hold of her. I will write more about that in a mo. I will say though that I just don't like the idea of halving her ashes, don't ask me why, because I know a lot of people do split ashes, but it just freaks me out. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Good luck with your WI, I am sure you will see a good loss just like Sharon did on her second week WI. Your diet sounds so difficult, I have to give you kudos for being able to do it, I know I couldn't.

Michelle - am I remembering correctly when I say that last year you had tests for skin cancer and they turned out OK? I am sorry that hubby is having to have similar tests now, and I just hope that his test results will come back clear like yours did.

Sorry about your kitty needing surgery too, I hope all will go well, but of course I know how stressed you must be feeling now. Good for you for staying OP and I hope you see great results when you weigh at the end of the week.

Chimi - you are as bad as Daren and I, we always buy gifts early and really struggle not to give them to each other early. I am not surprised you were so keen to give hubby his birthday gift especially as it sounds like you put so much work into it. I am not surprised he was speechless.

Yes we do have Welsh Rarebit here, and I agree it's stunning. Still after Lent as I am a huge pizza lover I would have to say yep go for the slice of pizza as your first cheesy treat.

Thanks for the hugs, I am sure that we will make the right decision, I am just itching to speak to my sister now to discuss it all.



Well after all the helpful comments from you all I have really given it some thought, remembered things mum has said in the past and I do think it will be best for mum's ashes to come over here. Although she loved Australia she always thought of Wales as home, and I am sure even though it's very true what Lisa said about it not really mattering to mum now where she is buried, I like to think she'd be happy coming 'home'. I also believe that it's just mum's body that will be buried, or her ashes scattered etc, that the life of her, her soul, is in heaven and at the end of the day that's what I have to remember.

My sister's son was cremated and his ashes buried under a rose bush in a cemetery. Mum was very close to him and was very sad when he died, especially as he killed himself. Perhaps my sister would want mum's ashes to be buried with his, and that would be ok with me too. That's why I need to talk to her about it. Other than that I would be happy if we scattered her ashes, but have no idea where we would do it. So yes, definitely some sibling chatting needs to happen. But at least I know that I would like mum's ashes over here, so no more turmoil trying to make up my mind. Thank you all again for your input, it really did help a lot.

I am off to bed now, but I'll 'speak' to you all tomorrow,

Hugs,

Ammi

ammi it sounds like you made a wonderful decision .. i hope you can soon have some peace of mind

Ammi - things here are awesome. im still at home with my grandmother, but im working 15hour days plus going to school. so im rarely home. other than working on a new tv show and the cute new boy, things here are, well, normal :)

Annie: I'm sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you. The way Medifast works is you get five Medifast meals (oatmeals, soups, puddings, shakes, etc.) a day plus one lean and green meal that consists of about seven ounces of salad. I am not sure if Medifast is something insurance companies pay for, but my doctor is looking into that. If not, I am just going to use part of the money I have for my monthly food budget to pay for it.

I weighed this morning and I have some good news. I lost 11 pounds, so I am down to 511 now.

Ammi -- :hug: I think it sounds like you're making a great decision and honoring your mum's wishes. It's hard to know what to do sometimes, but you consulted your heart for an answer and usually that's the best.

Peggy-I spent half my life living a lie. I’d tell doctors that I didn’t know why I was overweight because I just didn’t eat that much. I’d tell myself that too. I’m convinced that we are as sick as our secrets. I owe myself the truth. It makes me so much more whole. I may never get to my goal weight, but it won’t be because I’m hiding stuff from myself.

Brenda-You are lucky to have people in your life who don’t sabotage you. I’ve been surrounded by them all my life. You know how some people make themselves feel better by putting you down. My family would make themselves feel better by being able to put me as the black sheep. At least if my husband sabotages me, it is because he doesn’t know any better, and I am slowly educating him.

Jane-Grapefruit is something that I have never been able to stomach. Now I can’t mix it with my medicine, so I have an excuse.

Emily-When I used to hike a lot, I used duct tape on blisters. I’d put a bandaid over them first, then the tape. It is so slippery that it cuts down the friction that caused the blister in the first place.

Lilion-I agree about not being able to pick your relatives. I’ve told himself that if he wouldn’t be friends with his mother if they weren’t related, then why should he feel guilty if he doesn’t want to be her buddy when she acts like a harpy.

Carolyn-If you want to visual it further, I was driving an antique VW campervan in bright yellow, and laughing manically the entire time. The women in the apartment that went by were all cheering. I guess scale hatred is universal among women.

Chimmi-If I ever finish the thing, I will definitely sell you a copy. I have to get to some kind of weight near my goal though. No one will buy a “diet” book from someone who’s still above 300 lbs.

Ammi-at least it sounds like you are nearing the end of one road before starting down an even longer one. At least it sounds like you all aren’t fighting about it. That’s a gift.

I’m feeling better, but really weak. He’s so apologetic for giving it to me. I may be able to get some serious mileage out of that.

Ammi - I think you made a wise and very loving decision!

Lisa

way to go Tarra that is a wonderful weight loss!

Hi chicks!
I missed a days worth of threads due to my work schedule but wanted to pop in and say hi!! congratulations to all the losers this week:) and to those struggling, dont give up.
AMMI: so glad to see you back, you've been in my thoughts. kudos for keeping up the wt loss/excersise.
CATHERINE: you are too funny! i have been visualizing the van running over the scale and your manical laugh, and i have just about brought tears to my eyes!!
Well, tommorrow or thursday(my choice) is my weigh day,. i am looking for a loss as i have been good. the contest is over next week, but my "work" is far from over. if my team remains the same, we will still get a cash prize. cross your fingers for a loss! i hope everyone has a great day! Hopefully i will be able to post some good news and some personals tommorrow.
take care!

Terra: That is an awesome weight loss. Congrats. I was wondering where you scurried off to. lol. Glad to see you back here. Thanks for telling me about the Medifast. I am going to an optifast seminar on Thursday at the surgeon's office. I don't have to go. I just want to see what it is all about.

Ammi: I think you are making a wise decison. When my mom passed away she passed away in Missouri where she was living and she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at her favorite spot on the Pacific Ocean. She said in her will that Annie and Terri, my younger sister, know where it is. So, My sister Patty had her cremated and shipped UPS which is so illegal if they knew what we were doing. They shipped her ashes to Cypress CA down by Disneyland and there my sister had someone split my mom's ashes into 6 heart shaped glass containers and left some in the big Urn that she had picked out. We had a ceremony planed for Easter weekend about a month after she passed away and it was so somber until nature played a role. I don't want to offend anyone or bring bad thoughts to anyone but it actually turned out way better than I could have imagined. I think you should do whatever you and your sister feel will honor her memory and at the same time bring you peace. Hugs.

To all the loosers, Congrats, to the sickies, get better and to everyone else hugs.
Blessings,
Annie

Ammi- Awww thanks darl, I always try to make it exciting and mind-blowing for him and trust me that's hard. Last year I made him a neon sign with his nickname "heavy-duty" LOL. The year before I "made over" his balcony with astro turf, a barbecue, live palm trees and a camping table and other trimmings from ikea like a tea light lamps. It gets harder every year!! The problem is, good secrets are so hard to keep!!! :lol: OK i will take your advice and go for Pizza!! Good one!! I have to admit though, the very next thing will be the rarebit :devil: . I admire you guys, I would never have given up chocolate- I would have no chance of success and would have been smited for sure :lol:

Catherine- Are you seriously making a diet book! When I wrote that I meant any book, cause I think you are SO funny... Also LOL scale roadkill.

Tarra - WTG!!! :cool: keep up da good work!

AMMI-Yes I had to get some tests done for melanoma. I still need to get a good bit more checked but I was told to just watch them. That is why I thought this was all crazy. I had a scare with it now my DH may be and my cat has it??!! It just seems so strange.
And I just wanted to say I am happy you all came to a decision about your mom.:hug: :hug:

TARRA-WTG on losing 11 pounds!:bravo:

CATHERINE- I hope you and your DH get well soon!:hug:

KYMBERLY-Good luck at your weigh in!:) :goodluck:

Have a good day everyone!:hug:

Tarra WTG on losing 11 pounds!!! Great to see you posting again.xxxxx
Mechelle, sorry about hubby AND your kitty, I hope both aren't serious & get better soon.xxxxxxx
Chimichanga, WOW you are talented AND imaginative!!! ok, I could do the astro turf, but no electronics!!! lol I have trouble wiring a plug & switching the pc on!!! Next year how about turining up at his work in a mac, with nothing on underneath!!!! lol by then you'll be so slim & gorgeous!xxxxx
Ammi, big hugs, I'm glad you made a decision about your mum, at least you & your sis will be close by, rather than the other side of the world. You've had such a hard time with this & you're still losing weight & being strong & supportive to others too, YOU ARE REALLY SPECIAL!!!!xxxxx
Annie, glad you got the $20, whats your next 'destination'? how about Wales to Derbyshire?lolxxxxxx
Xena, great to 'see' you, glad you're busy rather than ill or depressed, I always worry when regulars don't post for a while. Hope the tests go well & you're enjoying studying again.xxxxxx
Luan, WOW what a busy life you lead!!!! All I do is housework & look after my boys, how boring at the side of you life! I'm so jealous!!!xxxxxx
Well TOM is due, but I feel great, apart from a little tummyache. My weigh ins are now Fridays & I allow myself an extra bar as a treat, I can't have them the rest of the week as for some stupid reason they 'make' me want to keep eating!
Lisa how are you doing, in ketosis yet? It feels great, apart from the bad breath!!lol I'm having to take meds to make me 'go', I'm having trouble with that but otherwise I'm really loving it & not half as hungry as I was. Have you found some flavours that you really like now? Hope the scales have a HUGE drop for you!xxxxxx
bye for now,
xxxxsharon

Hello All,

Well my Cousin rang and I have finally had all my questions answered. My mum passed away on the 5th of February of congestive heart failure. Her funeral has actually taken place, it happened on the 8th of March! I can't believe it went ahead without me even knowing about it, but it does help that I know now that with mum's ashes coming over here I will be able to give her a little send off myself, with my family of course. So it's all very real now, and I am feeling pretty blah, but I shall pick myself up again and start giving thought to a memorial service for her etc. Thank you all for listening yesterday and again today and for all your advice about what to do about mum's ashes :grouphug:

Luan - wow 15 hours days, you must be exhausted but in a good way. And what's this about a cute boy, I must have missed something while I was away. Do tell all!

Tarra - I don't think I was here when you first joined, so a belated :wel3fc: from me. I am amazed at the amount of weight you have lost, that is really brilliant, and congratulations on another 11 lbs down. You must be thrilled!

Catherine - I am glad you are feeling a bit better, I hope it won't be long until you are back to 100% well.

Heather - how is your hubby doing now, how long will he be hobbling around on his crutches? Is he driving you mad yet :)

Kymberly - I hope your team moves up in the comp, or it not, definitely stays in the same spot, it will be nice to get a cash reward for all your hard work staying OP and exercising. You are right that when the comp finishes you must still stay on track, what will you use as another great incentive, any ideas?

Annie - I was wondering how they would ship mum's ashes over here, I guessed it wouldn't be a normal delivery. I hope it's not going to be too expensive for my Aunty to get mums ashes sent here, I really don't think they are going to recoup much of their money from the sale of the lease on mum's place and my sister and I don't have savings we can offer. So I just hope it's not too expensive. I might do some research on the Net when I am done here while I wait for that phone call. Thank you for telling me about your mum and what you did with her ashes.

Chimi - wow you sure do know how about great gifts, I love what you did with his balcony, that must have been such fun? I bet you organise some great parties too like for 40th birthdays etc? Any tips, I have Daren's 40th coming up this year and am stumped for ideas on what to do, keeping in mind it will just be me, him and the kids celebrating the event.

Michelle - my memory isn't as bad as I thought, I am glad I didn't get it totally wrong about you having had the skin cancer scare yourself. I didn't realise that was what's wrong with your kitty too, how very odd that you, and hubby have got to be tested, and that your kitty actually has skin cancer, it's not as if you live in a country like Australia where the incidence of skin cancer is really high. Well my friend I hope and pray hubby will be OK, your skin stays cancer free too, and that your kitty will pull through his surgery with no problems :hug:

Sharon - sounds like you are really getting in control with the diet, and I am so glad you aren't so hungry anymore. How long do you have to cope with the bad breath, I guess Steve won't be wanting lots of kisses for a while :dizzy: Can't wait to hear how your WI goes on Friday. It's so weird to hear you say that your treat will be an extra bar when before your treat was a curry or something! You are really doing great sticking to this diet, I am so happy for you!

Ok I better make a move now, my sister should be home from work now so I am going to give her a call. Take care all,

Hugs,

Ammi

Ammi -- Glad to hear you have news of your mum (though it's too bad about the funeral). Planning a memorial can be sad, but also healing. Good luck!

Hubby is getting better. It was quite a bit of work to care for him at first, and he was in a lot of pain, but he can hobble around now okay. From how quickly he's recovering it seems it wasn't a stress fracture but more likely tendon or ligament damage. He was actually a pretty good patient and it's been nice to have him around!

Ammi i am glad you finally have the answers to your questions about your mom. now the healing can begin.

How is it that I've not posted on this thread at all yet this week? Oi!

Anyway, giant hugs to Ammi :hug: It is so great to see you back and posting again, and you know I wish only the best to you and your family.

Man, it's not even 10am yet--today is going by very slowly for me so far.

Oh, I found the engagement ring I want. I found it at 3 different stores, but none of them have it on their websites. I have literally looked through thousands of rings online, and I can NOT find a picture of the ring I want! So frustrating--and for whatever reason, the stores will not allow me to take a picture of the ring (which I don't understand AT ALL). Anyway, it's white gold with a round diamond in the middle in a 4-prong setting with a square-cut sapphire on either side of the diamond, but they are tilted so they are actually diamond-shaped when you look at it instead of square. There are also 5 small round channel-set diamonds on each side on the band, and there's a bit of a design in the gold on the band as well. I like it because it's different from the usual engagement rings, and I really didn't want all diamonds, so I'm pretty excited about it. Now it's just a matter of decided what diamond to getto put in the setting and who we're going to buy the setting and the diamond from.

Hello everyone

I've been to busy studying for boards to post but I do come here to read and get support and help me feel more OP, funny, but my Sesquecentenial Vanity Liscense plates on my car say optimistic (spelled differently though because of the 7 letter limit of course) I look forward to reading Annie and Catherines posts Catherine keeps me laughing and Annie you seem like the sweetest person in the world. As far as what I am doing now....hhmmmmm still sitting here looking for employment feeling like such a loser and not in a good way. I haven't lost any weight but haven't gained either so thats a possitive thing. I took my Boards yesterday and sitting here dying of curiosity to know if I passed, I won't know til Thurs. or Fri. I didn't feel good about it while taking it, I went in feeling OP and not even nervous...that was a strange feeling for me..now that all is said and done I cannot get the questions out of my head and whether I answered correctly and doubting myself big time right now about if I passed....Jeeeesh giving myself a headache over this...lol. I've got to put my mind to more constructive thinking like exercising the stress away. Well I hope all is well with everyone and thanks for listening to me....

hey everyone

well it serves me right. Everytime I call in sick and I am NOT I freakin get SICK! I am eating sparingly but running to the bathroom quite a bit. On the bright side I should have a decent weigh in on Friday LOL

Just finished planning my menu for the week...Think I will grab some crackers and head off to bed with my electric blankie. Maybe that will fix the aches. At best, I will sleep till its time to go to work *L*

Brenda :wave:

Annie – Congratulations on winning that race! That is so cool. I agree with Catherine - get something naughty! :devil:

Karen – I can’t believe that your brother was so brash with your mother’s remains. Unfortunately people can behave in really weird ways when they are grieving themselves and not understand how their actions hurt other people who are also grieving. You can see that so clearly in families that lose a parent and the spouse gets so wrapped up in their own grief that they almost forget about their own children. I really hope you are able to reconcile things with your brother now that some time has passed.

Catherine – Sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. That sounds like a great idea to help other people out with their immigration process once yours is fully through. I briefly considered immigrating to Canada and decided against it due to the difficulty of the process. It is definitely the one government bureau with the least accountability, because the people it services aren’t voters and can’t complain to their representatives.

Peggy – Traveling can be really difficult, also depending on who you are traveling with. However, often on trips you do a lot of walking and if you don’t go crazy, then it can balance out pretty well.

Brenda – Your office sounds so supportive. That is great that they hide the goodies from you. Luckily my office is small enough that we don’t get much food brought in. I do the buying of the office supplies and make sure to buy things I don’t like all that much. Sorry to hear you are feeling sick!

Jane – Now that you mention it, I think I will have to grab a grapefruit next time I am at the store. I can’t remember the last time I had one. The ruby ones are so tasty. If you did a bunch of eating out with your hubby then no movement on the scale is a good thing – good that it didn’t go up! I am sure that it will head down again very soon.

Lilion – I hope the home improvements are going well. I keep telling myself I will try and wake up before work in time to get some exercise in, but it doesn’t happen. Good for you for getting even 10 minutes in.

EmilyMay – It sounds like work has been brutal for you. Glad to hear you still sound so chipper.

Carolyn – Moan away! It sucks to be doing everything right and not have the scale move. However, I am sure you will see it go down very soon!

Lisa – It is great to hear that you are hanging in there and doing so well. Hopefully this weekend you won’t need to go into work.

Michelle – Sorry to hear your DH might have melanoma. I hope they are able to test it and find out soon. That is also scary about your cat. I will be sending :goodvibes: your way on Friday.

Luan – I meant to tell you before that your new beau is quite a cutie! It sounds like things are going great for you.

Tarra – I don’t think I added my welcome before. Congrats on being down 11 pounds – that is amazing! You are SO CLOSE to being out of the 5’s! Have you set a reward for yourself when you get there?

Ammi – I am really pleased that you were able to talk to your family and come up with a good solution for everyone. I feel the same way about my mother’s soul – that it isn’t tied to where her remains lay but that she is off somewhere on the next step in her journey.

Kymberly – My fingers are crossed for you for your weigh in tomorrow! I am sure you and your team will do great next week. No matter what you are all still winners for having made great progress.

Chimi – You are an amazing present giver! Now I know who to ask next time I need an idea. :) The Astroturf on the balcony sounds really fun!

Sharon – It sounds like you are doing so well with your new plan. I would definitely expect to be really hungry all the time.

Heather – I am sorry to hear you hubby is still in pain, but at least there is the bright side of having him at home. Oh, and the spa thing sounded fantastic! That is so great that you treated yourself like that.

Jill – I am glad you found a ring you love, but that is so disappointing that they won’t let you take a picture. When you do get it we definitely want to see!

Julie – How long will it take to find out if you passed your boards? The waiting must be agonizing! Exercising is definitely the most constructive way to deal with the stress.



I am doing pretty well right now. I feel like I am really back on track with everything and feel really strong about what I am doing again. It feels so good! I am a little concerned about going away this weekend to visit my parents (I was supposed to go last weekend and couldn’t because of snow). It will be somewhat emotional because they just sold their house and will be moving in about a month. This is my last chance to visit the house I grew up in (where I was brought home from my birth to). It will feel really weird to not be able to “go home” any more, although I know in my heart that it is the people and not the place that really matter.

I picked out my glasses on Sunday and can’t wait to get them in. They are really different from my last pairs – much more subtle. They only have wire on the top part of the frame, although the lens had to be on the larger side than the ones in my pic to fit the bifocals. As soon as I get them I will take a pic.

Well, I am supposed to be working today so I had best get to it. Happy first full day of spring everyone (except Chimi and Zelma, and in that case happy first day of autumn).

Nancy~ good to hear that you are back on track. It is so easy to fall off the path but so darn hard to get back in the right direction :hug:

Brenda :wave:

Chimmi-I’m about half finished with a book tentatively titled “the laying in bed diet.” It’s not really exactly a diet book. It’s more about how someone could get to be the size I did, and how I climbed my way out of it. It’s unfinished, because so am I. I don’t know how the story is going to end yet. I don’t think of myself as being funny, just cranky. My mom didn’t really have a sense of humor, and my dad was an Irishman, but he only told really corny jokes. We did pull a few practical jokes, usually on nuns or priests. I spent a fair amount of time Murphy Oil Soaping the pews in church in penance.

Michelle-I’m feeling better, but I still made him go for ginger ale this morning. He of course brought the regular 200/cup stuff, which I won’t touch. He has a book launch this afternoon, so I’ll have him take them back tomorrow. He didn’t do it on purpose to sabotage; he’s just clueless most of the time. I think it’s on the Y chromosome. Were you guys living under a hole in the ozone layer up there? Ammi’s right, that would make sense if you guys has been in Australia. I knew a family once that all got skin cancer at the same time, and they found their microwave had been leaking.

Ammi-I’m at that in between stage between “too sick to care” and “well enough to function.” I’m looking around at things that need to be done, and mad that I don’t feel like doing them. I’m glad you are starting to find out the things you need to. Having a memorial for your family there is a great idea.

Jill-a lot of ring designs are copyrighted, that’s why they won’t let you take a picture. Once you own it, they can’t stop you. As for the diamond, I highly recommend Canadian. They are very pure and white, and you know they aren’t conflict diamonds. They etch polar bears on the bottom of them.

Julie-I haven’t worked since 1992. I had a boo-boo to the head, and kept forgetting my client’s names, so the Bar asked me real nice if I wouldn’t mind retiring. All that money and time invested in an education that I can’t use. I have definitely felt like a loser many times, but you can’t think that way. There’s a niche for everyone, and yours just hasn’t come yet. When I took the bar exam, I was convinced I had passed as I left, but as the weeks went by, I was more and more convinced I had failed. When the day came that the results were finally going to be posted, I couldn’t bring myself go to over and look. They posted at 9am, and my mom kept calling, finally at 3pm, she just drove over and grabbed me and took me to the Association. I couldn’t get out of the car, so she had to go look. They post on a Saturday on the outside of the closed offices. She went up the steps and started doing this crazy dance. That’s how I learned I’d passed by watching my mom make a complete fool out of herself on the steps of the Bar Association.

Nancy-I may not be able to vote or complain, but my husband can. Our Member of Parliament is a personal friend, and with himself just being awarded the Order of Canada, you’d think that would light a fire under them. Not so. They keep all their procedures classified so they can work without much oversight. There is a new minister of immigration, so there’s hope that she’ll clean up some of this mess. They named her after an Immigration appeal judge was caught with his pants down with an immigrant that was before his court. At least our MP is allowed to actually talk to our immigration officer since we aren’t. They have to respond to MP’s within 5 days. He actually took the tracking number of our mailing so he could know exactly when they received it. If they don’t finish my stuff soon, I’m just going to explode. The waiting has become sadistic. 14 months and counting for an uncomplicated case. I’d understand if I had a criminal background, or used to work for Israel intelligence or something like that.

I remember that last trip to the house I grew up in after my mom sold it. The doorframe where our heights were marked, the garage where I used to hang out with my dad, the big tree we all loved, but blocked the sewer line with roots ever year. Just remember that you may be losing the house, but you get to keep the memories.

Hi ladies. I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for your support and kindness, and the occasional kick in the butt that I need. I'm feeling a bit better and will definitely try to post more.

Hi Sharon! I don't know if I have gotten into ketosis yet for sure, but I must be approaching it because I am not quite as hungry. I still do get hungry though. I am sticking to this 100% and I have found two soups, one hot cocoa, and two puddings that I like, so that gives me variety everyday. It is still hard to keep having the same old stuff, but I guess it will get better in time. Today is Day 14 and tomorrow I go for my WI. I'll let you know how I do.

Take care everyone! I'm going to a play tonight, so I won't be posting tonight, but I'll fill you in tomorrow after my WI. Talk to you guys later!

Lisa

SHARON~Thanks hun. :)

AMMI~I am so glad you have gotten all of your questions answered.:hug: Yeah usually skin cancer is not a big deal. But if its melanoma which starts in a dark mole or freckle it can be really deadly. And actually sometimes the sun has nothing to do with melanoma! A lot of people get it in spots that are not even touched by the sun. But the sun does play a big factor. We used to live in Louisiana all of our life. And boy was it always hot and sunny. DH has had so many sunburns! With regards to me and melanoma I have a rather big birthmark that I have been told to watch my whole life. So I have always had to "watch" it. When I thought I had melanoma the first time I did a lot of research on it. But yeah I for sure didn't get any sunburns in Barrow, Alaska! Just couldn't bring myself to go lay out in the sun when it was 10 degrees outside in the summer!:lol:

JILL~That is great you have found a ring you want! I hope you find it soon.

JULIE~Good to see you post!:)

NANCY-Thanks hun! I hope you have a good visit with your parents. And for sure show us a pic of your new glasses.

CATHERINE~I hear ya about the Y chromosome! :lol: That is so funny about living under a ozone layer. I know we never were really out in the sun there. Way to cold most days even in the summer. Although the sun did shine 24/7 for 5 months. Like I told Ammi above I think some of the scares with melanoma come from getting a lot of sunburns growing up in Louisiana. They say even a sunburn as a child can show up way later in life and turn in the melanoma. Sort of creepy! But I try not to obsess over it. Just watch and get stuff checked out for sure. I hope you guys continue to feel better.:hug:

BRANDNEWME~I am glad you are feeling better.:hug:

LISA~Good luck on your weigh in!:goodluck:

Ok well I am off to give the cats a bath. (God help me!) They HATE getting a bath. Allie the little one howls like she is being tortured!:lol: I have been cleaning like crazy to keep my mind off of Friday. I hope you all had a good rest of the day! :hug:

Hello All,

Well I spoke to my sister and she is very pleased that mum's ashes are going to be sent over here. I am surprised that she doesn't want mum to go along side her son, I guess she has her reasons. Plus she doesn't like the idea of scattering the ashes, so I guess we'll get a plot in a crematorium for her. I know mum had no preference, so I am happy going with what my sister wants. We'll just wait now to know for definite when mum's ashes will be sent and then we can start looking into things.

Heather - I am glad that hubby is getting better and that he didn't actually break anything. Still tendon or ligament damage is so painful, poor guy. I am glad he's been a good patient.

As for mum, I don't think we'll be having a big memorial, just a nice and simple send off before her ashes get put where ever they are going. My uncle might like to come and say a few words but as mum wasn't at all religous she wouldn't have wanted a big religious type 'do'. I hope my uncle will be OK with that as he is a preacher!

Patti - yes you are right, having some of my answers can now allow for a bit of healing, but I won't be 'right' until mum's ashes have been interned and everything is settled.

Jill - thank you for the welcome back and for your lovely words.

That's wonderful news that you have found a ring that you love, it does sound very unique and beautiful. I love Sapphires especially black ones. When I get an eternity ring it's going to be diamond and black sapphires. My engagement ring is just a solitaire diamond.

Julie - hello and a belated :welcome: from me. My goodness there have been a lot of new people start while I have been taking a break. I am sorry you aren't feeling positive about how you did on your boards, but I always hear that if you think you haven't done well it probably means you have. I wonder if that's a myth or a truth. Either way I hope you get the results you want.

Brenda - I am really sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well at all, and it seems that even though you are sick you aren't going to take another sick day off. I hope you don't feel too awful when you go to work. Sounds like a bit of immodium might be called for.

Well one good thing is that as long as you don't over indulge when you feel better then by the time you weigh on Friday you will probably hit your 100 lbs lost mark!!!

Nancy - I am so pleased to hear that you are feeling so good about things now, do those things include your being OP and setting things straight in your personal life? I am guessing so.

That's a shame that your parents are having to move from your family home. I moved around a few times when I was small so I didn't form any particular attachement to any of my homes. I should imagine that if I had I would be sad not to be able to go there anymore, so I am hoping that you don't get too upset this weekend during your last visit to your parents there. Daren's sister bought the house that he was born and brought up in, so it's kind of cool for him that he can still go there after all these years.

Catherine - I know you are going to carry on losing your weight and you will be able to carry on writing that book. I still reckon you should do it in two parts so that the world can read part 1 now and learn all that you have to teach through your experiences. Part 2 will be a best seller too with everybody wanting to see you when you've reached your target weight.

Brandnewme - I don't know if I missed a post about what's been going on with you lately, but I am glad you are feeling a bit better and will try to post more.

Lisa - good luck at your WI tomorrow, I can't wait to hear how you have done. I am glad to hear that you are feeling slightly less hungry now, just think at the end of another two weeks you should be feeling a lot less hungry and the diet will become that much easier.

Michelle - it's scarey isn't it to realise that sunburns as a child or young adult can play a big part in getting skin cancer when you are older. I am very lucky that I have an olive complexion and very rarely got sunburned, and I used to do stupid stuff like put that coconut tanning oil on to get tanned, so I was lucky not to get roasted!!

Good luck bathing your cats, I hope you don't get as wet as them!

Well I guess it's time I was heading off to sleep now, I have a date with the gym tomorrow and want to be wide awake for that, can't fall asleep on the treadmill lol it might be fatal :dizzy: Take care all and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Jill-You can buy polar diamonds where you are locally. I wouldn’t buy online either. In New York, guys carry millions of dollars worth of diamonds around in their pocket. So it might be worth the trip up, just bring a baseball bat. The small ones little leaguers use are easiest to hide under your coat.

Lisa-I wasn’t on a liquid diet of any kind, but when I started out, I basically ate the same thing everyday. I didn’t have to think, and I was able to begin to see food as fuel, and not as a hobby. It kept me out of the kitchen most of the time, where I have trouble, and it ended up being quite comforting.

Michelle-I’ve got some of those moles that I have to watch carefully too. I’ve heard that it is all about the sunburns you get as a kid, and growing up in Oklahoma, light complected, and red to blond hair, I had plenty of those. I had my foster sons covered in sun screen every time they stepped out of bed practically.

Ammi-Maybe I should call the book, “the incredibly shrinking woman.”

I couldn’t get up the energy yet to do any exercise. I hate being sick. I’m watching Coronation Street on CBC. I haven’t watched a soap opera since college. The British ones are a wicked indulgence like Monty Python. I never got to see them before moving to Canada.

YEA!! I guess you can tell I passed my boards....

Ammi -thanks for the welcome and you were right about what you said, I think when you "think" you did bad it usually means you didn't, anyway now I can redo my resume and send them out saying licensed LPN instead of graduated LPN. I found out that the places I've sent resumes to didn't even look at them if you weren't licensed...would have been nice to know that then I wouldn't have wasted my time. They will be hearing from me again now though...lol.

Well I'm just really excited and had to tell everyone I know of course throught the day, after all the stress lifted off me I actually had a good day. It was a drizzly 50 degree day and I played outside with my Grandson quite a bit we got damp out there and he got his bath...of course he knows after a bath at g-mas it's ICE CREAM time, don't worry I don't let him follow my bad habits I at least have Sherbert and Edys Slow churned 1/2 the calories the kids like it so thats fine with me...I have a trampoline and he loves to jump thats what we did most of the day...I just watch him... I don't know what would happen if I got on it. Probably tinkle with ever jump....LOL.

I hope everyone has a good night

Good Evening Ladies ...
 

:wave: Happy First Day of Spring ... even had rain today; so, it feels like Spring here; and that's unusual for our area in March.

AMMI ~ Condolances on the loss of your mother; am glad things are getting straightened out. When mine passed, we were so far away and didn't even know she was sick; it was a shock to us all. It seemed like a whirlwind dream then, but with time, understanding comes. And, welcome back ~ all of these ladies are so very fond of you, and it's easy to see why ...

REBECCA ~ So glad you popped in again. I am very happy to hear that you are feeling better. A little encouragement goes a long way; and so does a gentle kick-in-the-butt from hen house mothers, like HEATHER. Maybe we could get her to adopt us ... hehe!!! ;)

AND TO THE REST OF YOU LOVELY LADIES ~ Glad to hear you are all doing well, for the most part. There are so many of you; I even tried writing down all your names and came across over thirty, I think ...

Heather, Ammi, Annie, Catherine, Lisa, Nancy, Sandy, Jill, Mechelle, Brenda, Rebecca (BrandNewMe), Chimi, EmilyMay, Erica, Anne (cheeky), Tarra, Laverandel, Sharon, Lesley, Karen, Xena, VAl, Zelma, Luan, Jane, Julie, Donna, Lilion, Patti (2fat4u), Cassie, Kymberley, Carolyn, Peggy, and Litchick! If I forgot some, they haven't been around for awhile. ;)

Hope you all have a great OP week ~ a fellow encourager ... Rosebud. :hug: