Annie-When I got below 400 for the first time, I jumped up and down on the scale and broke it. I’m glad you had more restraint.

Cris-What I used around my dog’s eyes was baby shampoo. The no-tearless kind is pretty good for dog faces. I had a basset that like to rub his face on dead fish washed up on the beach. I had to come up with something, or give up playing kissy face. I had a childhood friend who didn’t develop asthma until he was 30. He had been working at a hair salon, and the exposure to the chemicals brought it on. He actually died of an attack, so please have it looked at. You might need a nebulizer or something.

Heather-I’m a Yankee fan, and listen to every game over the internet. My dad grew up in NYC and became a fan when they were still the Highlanders, so I grew up listening to the games with him. Since I never actually lived in NY, I never got into that whole rabid anti-Sox thing. I loved going to spring training games when I lived in St. Pete. It was only $10, and the stadiums are smaller and more intimate, so you really get close to the action. The yankees seem to have gotten into that mind frame that they can win every game. When that happens, it can be contagious. I never thought they’d go for wild card this year, let alone challenge for the East. I don’t think they have the bull pen to catch the Sox, although the new kid they brought up, Jaba Chamberlain is really impressive. I’m not sure that Gagne has enough left in his arm to be the closer that the Sox were looking for.

Debbie-Your dog likes manure for the same reason that mine used to like rolling on old dead fish. They are silly, and know they will get a lot of attention from us if they do it. Bad attention is as good as good attention to them.

Realist-I have often wondered if Bartman had to leave Chicago. I’m frankly surprised that someone didn’t kill him.

I’m in the last lap on the crazy final essay. I had to stop for the day because it just started sounding silly. I still haven’t weighed. I try to wait until I’m in a certain kind of mood. I can get mad or even despondent if it hasn’t gone down, and if it has gone down, I can go nuts and think it is okay to cheat because I’m doing so great. I have to really space my weigh-ins out, but am thinking about it. I’m getting ready to go to Toronto in a few weeks, then Ottawa in October, and about half of November will be in Banff. I don’t like to travel. There’s all the security stuff, and worrying about fitting in the seat. I have sewing to do that I can’t seem to get to. If I’m not in the right mood for that, I just mess it up. I think I’m afraid to sew because of the altering. It is complicated, and brings back memories of when I had to add to the pattern every time I made new clothes. I don’t have to do that anymore, but it is like a ghost in the room. I think I am going to sew something fun first just to get my feet wet, maybe a new winter scarf with a little pocket for my mp3 player. I saw a picture of one like that, and thought it might be fun.

Debbie: I love dogs, but sometimes their idea of fun is definitely not fun for the humans! Rolling around in poop is not on my list. Ew! Lol

Ratkitty: Thanks for the props. I appreciate them.

Cris: I hope you feel better. If your cough isn’t getting better, you may want to go back to the doctor. It must be so hard to get through the day coughing all the time.

Annie: I am waiting for you to come back with official confirmation on hitting your huge milestone. You know it’s coming—if not this week, then next week. I am going to scream in delight for you.

Catherine: I am looking forward to the day when none of us have to have all these fears and anxieties about things like clothes and travel.

Realist: When I set out on my new eating plan, I knew one of the biggest challenges would be to figure out how to manage the social and business eating I do. I had to find a way to deal with restaurants, banquets, entertaining, etc. I don’t have the luxury of staying home. There’s no one at home, not even a goldfish, so if I am ever going to talk to others on a social basis I’ve got to go out or invite people in. And I have to work, and work is such that it involves a lot of socializing and functions….with yummy food and good wine at every turn. It’s either the lure of free food or the desire to get my money’s worth that I have struggled with for years, but I have been reframing what it is to get a good value….kwim?

I’m ok with slower weight loss if it means I can learn to consume the food in moderation.

so i weighed in this week. only one lb loss in 2 weeks, but, a loss is a loss, so i will take it. in feeling better. i couldnt be on crutches because of my skinned elbow, bruised ribs and bruised shoulder. otherwise, i probabally would have.

so i just popped in to say hello. nothing exciting to report. things are surprisingly good for once in a long time, with the exception of not having a day off for the next 2 weeks, and my 10 year reunion at the end of that 2 weeks. i dont think im going, but i havent decided yet.

im also looking for an apartment, so thats fun. blah.

*hugs*
Luan

Catherine -- I thought I remembered you were a Yankees fan. I did grow up in Massachusetts and absolutely get the mentality that there are two teams to root for: the Red Sox, and whoever the Yankees are playing. :)

I fear you may be right about Gagne, yet the Sox had a great bullpen already. If you want an unbeatable team, combine the Yankees offense and the Sox pitching...

Oh, and Bartman did, indeed, have to leave Chicago. Poor guy was only doing what thousands of other people would have done (reach for a ball in the stands)...

Ugh. I can't sleep. I've actually been working for the past hour! :(

I actually found a great support site for army wives and girlfriends so it has helped me to feel somewhat better. But what really did it for me was receiving my first letters from him yesterday. I now know he is okay and that was what I was worried about most.

I hope to start walking to work soon. It's been a little too humid for that lately. It'll be a great way to get in exercise.

G'morning all,

Yankees? Sox? Ok, I know that's baseball, but who is Bartman? I'm guessing it's not from the Simpson's movie.. hehe.

Catherine, when I'm writing a big document, I get squirrelly too. Hard to describe... it's like the writing goes on forever and ever. I'm doing one now at work. Good luck on the rest of your essay!!

Like Battle, one day I won't have to worry about security and traveling and all those fears that go along with it.

Luan, glad you are feeling better. Yay for minus pound! Just a FYI, when you are injured, you retain water due to inflammation. Expect a big loss as soon as all your bruises start to fade. Good luck on apt finding.

Well Wyllenn, at least you were getting work done at 4-5am.. ew.

Speaking of sleep, I'm still doing well wearing my cpap to sleep. I believe I am seeing a difference that I didn't see when initially wearing it. Keep in mind I've had this thing for 3 years (haven't worn it this past year). My bp has dropped and just took it at 114/76.

Well, off to work! Luv and hugs to all!!

Luv,
RK

Good morning girls (and John!)

I have to admit that I am like Wyllenn in that I love my Sox...and whoever the Yankees are playing! I try not to be that way...but just something about losing to them for SO long...

Funny story though: We went to a Sox/Yanks game at Fenway last year and as we were making our way through the concourse to our seats, I saw Bobby Abreau walking toward us. I pointed him out to my son who was walking with me (the postman and DD were a few steps ahead of us). Just as he passed us, the postman turned around and said "Here comes Jorge Posada"...so I pointed him out to my son as well. He was kind - saw me pointing and gave my son a small nod and a smile. I have to bend over a bit to speak to my son since he's shorter than I am (for now!) and as I stood straight again, I was smack dab in front of Derek Jeter. Literally, he was about to walk into us. I was startled and said "Oh! You're Derek Jeter!" at which he just kind of smirked and side stepped us. Now, my family decided that I was just a little too excited to see Yankee players up close and I've spent the last year trying to live that down. I made the mistake of telling a friend at work about it and the next time I went in, my office was plastered with Yankees stuff! I kept one Jeter poster up and it confuses people when they walk in and see all the Sox mementos and the one Jeter poster.

As for Eric Gagne...I don't know what to make of that situation. I have a hard time figuring out why the Sox front office does what they do sometimes. He was not signed to be the closer, he was signed to be the set up man (along with Okajima) for Papelbon. Everyone was surprised that he agreed to any position besides closing. Now some of the analysts are saying he is not doing well because *subconsciously* he wants to be the closer. Oy vey.

Wyllenn - have a fantastic time at the games! My dream, (when I win the lottery!) is to spend the summer traveling to all the parks. Wrigley is at the top of my list!

As you can see, get me talking about baseball and the Sox and I can go on forever! Sorry to bore those of you who are not interested!

Catherine - thanks for the suggestion about the baby shampoo - I didn't even think of that! I am actually using a nebulizer a couple of times a day while I have the cough. It's borrowed so we'll see how things go after this all clears up, whether I need one of my own on a regular basis or not.

Battle - thanks for the good wishes.

Tea - glad you found a support group and got the letters. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for both of you. Hang in there.

Peggy - I loved your post. 'nough said. heehee!

Hope everyone has a great op day!

Cris

Cris -- I love Wrigley. It reminds me of Fenway. But I don't get there often because it's tough to get to. Cellular Field is actually a much easier trip. In fact, from the Western Chicago burbs, Milwaukee might be the easiest park to get to!

I loved your Yankee story... just goes to show that we go all bonkers when we recognize people, even the "enemy"!

Hi everyone,

I couldn't sleep last night, and at 4:00 I jumped up and tried on a pair of size 24 summer cotton crop pants from Target that I bought 2 years ago, thinking I'd be able to fit in them with just a little effort. Never happened, and I forgot about the pants. This morning I could get them all the way on, but they are a little too tight to wear out. In a few weeks, they should fit. Lucky me, I live in an area where the warmest months are September and October, so I can wear them this season.

I am so close to my first big milestone of getting under 300#, and so very close to fitting into size 24 pants that I can taste it. I am completely focused on these two victories.

Who would have thought that I would be thrilled to fit into the biggest size most department and discount stores carry in their plus sizes. But here I am. I know I have a lot of company out there....and it makes all the difference to know you are here and facing/faced the same issues and challenges.

Thanks for being here.

Shoot...I was up early this morning too trying on old stuff. Whats up with that? :dizzy: I am wearing a denim jumper that has some handpainted flowers on the bodice of it today, that I bought at a huge Fair in 2001 that fit me for like a week. Granted the girls are snug, but it is not skin tight and I have been complimented on it today.

Enough about me! :o;)

Girl YOU are doing GREAT!! Keep on doing what you are doing because its working! Oh and this will make you feel better. Target carries size 26...I know because I have worn things from there in that size. LOL!

Enjoy your day!!

I remember when I was in college and first discovered Lane Bryant. I had been chunky in HS but could still (sort of) shop in regular stores... when I discovered Lane Bryant I could have wept with relief for having somewhere to turn. Well part of what spurred me to lose weight this time was when I couldn't even fit in any clothes from Lane Bryant any more -- nor from most of the conventional sellers. I didn't know where to turn and was very depressed.

I have often said that I was able to avoid consequences and thereby continue to eat as always because I sewed. If I had to buy everything in a store, the expense of constantly buying larger clothes, and then not being able to buy anything, would have forced me to do something sooner.

Thanks all. Actually doing well this week i'm just in charge till boss gets back which is tomorrow. I'm just tried I think the heat from last week and OT on monday just catching up with me. I did how ever walk 3.5 miles yesterday which is my longest walk yet. I did it in under an hour and 15 mins which is also my best time so far beating my 3.3 walk which was done in 1hr 30mins.

The hardest thing is staying constant I can't seem to keep habits good ones or bad ones lol. I think its part of my ADD cause I'll be going along great guns and then the next things its HEY look a squirrel... and I'm off doing something completely different. I do and I don't even know I did untill much later and yeah... Its fustrating to say the least.