Hi All - sounds like a mixed day for us. I had a great day - even tried a new recipe for dinner tonight - which is something for me because it's usually grilled chicken or fish with a salad and veggie.

The weekend coming always makes me a little nervous - I work 4 ten hour days - which is great - but puts lots of that boredom out there. I bought an antique rocking chair that needs refinishing so I hope to start on that. Very tough to eat with varnish remover on your hands. And, I promise myself I will exercise before the weekend is over.

Lori - can you at least get outside in the backyard and get a bit of fresh air? I promise you it will make you feel so much better. I echo what Rat said - be very careful self-medicating.

Have a great night,
Carol

Hi everybody,
Just need to vent some. As you remember, I told you about the fiasco with my dil and son and how they moved out. Well all's been quiet unitl a week ago when my dil decided to send a card just addressed to my dad because that's the only person they are still talking to. They told him how blissfully happy they are, how they finally got into a place of their own, (after living with her parents for the last month) and how they are going to try for kids now. She did this just to rub it in our faces as she never really had much to do with my Dad anyhow.
Then yesterday, I get an email from her mother asking me to set up a time that my son and dil can come over and get the rest of their stuff that they left here. I can't believe these people. They come here, yell at us in our front yard, cuss at us, and then on behalf of my son and dil, email me to give them their stuff.
First off, it hurts terribly that my son is hiding behind his mil, it hurts that he lets my dil get away with this, and hurts that he didnt keep a balance between the families.
We were hoping that they would just go live their lives and leave us alone, but since they moved out from her parents and have their own place now, she has to start more drama with us.
We aren't a storage facility, and when they were moving out, I asked my son what should we do with the stuff they were leaving...he just replied, craigs list.
So that is what we did and what we couldnt sell, we gave as donations.
Her mother says that she doesn't normally get involved, then why is she doing this for them, instead of telling them to grow up and talk to us?
It has unsettled me so much, I couldn't sleep, and I know this is the reason I've had such a bad month weight wise, and when I finally get back on track, they have to start stuff up again.
I don't feel much like doing personals tonight, and I'm sorry. But just know that each of you are in my thoughts.
Debbie

I'm so sorry to hear about this latest drama, Deb. Hang in there! I don't have any inspiring words to say, except vent away! I'm here listening and giving out hugs.

Luv,
Ratkity

Thank you Carol and Rat!

Um.. I go outside.. yanno.. when I feel like it. I'm in the middle of the woods here so I don't worry about someone seeing me. Right now I feel a little crappy. I think it's caffeine withdrawal. I'm down to 1 cup a day from 2 pots.. and I crashed that. Two days ago I drank 2 pots... the next day I had one cup.

As far as self medicating. I guess I'm self unmedicating. I gave up a lot of rx's. I'm just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. My doc is away right now, but he's always trying to figure out a solution to everything... and he's got my latest blood work from a week ago waiting for when he gets back. If he's alarmed, he'll call.

The insulin, lasix and crestor is the last of it. The weight has begun to come off. Don't think I have a death wish or anything.. cause I don't... but... I don't want to live in this condition any longer.. so either I lose this weight, or I die trying. If I stay like this, I'll die soon anyway... so I'm feeling strongly about going proactive with a solution.

Thank you!!
Be Blessed!
Lori

Hi all,

Well, I am feeling better. I was still down to 353 this morning, and I am soooo hoping it stays in that vicinity. I would take 355, but prefer less than that. I want to keep this going....even if the kick was from the flu.

Other good news....the lay-offs happened today...and I am still employed!! Yahoo. And even better, DH had an interview for a FT job today that he thought he would really like, and he thinks he may get it. They seemed to love him. He should find out by Friday!! It pays better, is closer to home, and he will like it. Happy Day!! And our 4 year wedding anniversary is this weekend, so it seems we will have a lot to celebrate (I hope).

I think the new carpet should be in in a few weeks, so then the house will be put back together. And then let the exercise BEGIN!!!

On to a few personals....

Deb, I am so sorry. You don't deserve that. We love you here, and you can always come and vent.

Ratkitty...you are fab...I think I need more details on the Mexico thing, I like rules. Truly, I do. No thinking out of the box here.

Annie...could you be more busy? It is great you are taking advantage of your "year of health". I don't think I could be as dedicated to it as you. You are a miracle.

Futurelegend...as someone who works in a biotech company with the true intent of helping people, sometime meds are needed. My father is a diabetic, and my grandmother died from complications of diabetes in her 40s. My father feared the meds for a long long time, because he saw his mom struggle with the unpredictability of the meds. Well, he has walked his way into health, but will take the drugs forever. And he feels so much better. If you can get off the drugs, great, but be careful. (Sorry for the lecture.)

Gggirls...welcome and thanks for the great attitude.

BattleAx...you really are doing well. You are consistent, and that's to be admired.

Wow, there are so many of us now, hard to list everyone. You are all fabulous, keep up the good work!!

Angie

Sandy -- I don't know what I did to help, but if I did I'm glad!

Deb -- this whole thing with your son is such a trial! I have no inspiring words!

Lori -- Did you say you were eating only 500-800 calories a day? If so, it's no wonder you feel crappy! That's not enough for a thin person, and larger people burn more calories doing everything! Of course, maybe that's not what you meant. Either way, welcome!

Rabidstoat -- Good to see you posting!

As for me, I'm in the 5th week of the term. It's crazy busy but I'm doing my best to keep up with the work. That seems to be the sanest way to manage my eating -- don't let the stress get too high...

I wish I had time for more personals...

debbie - sometimes people suck, even when they are related to you. i would box up what you have left and drop it off wherever you know they can get it (if you know thier new address, thier MIL, wherever.) maybe when they see that you arent going to play into thier games, they will stop. be the parent. not the friend.

Debbie, so sorry that things are STILL awful with you dil, she needs a slap or three! Being serious though I'd email back telling her mum you can drop off what is left of their stuff & why the rest of it got given away/sold & leave it at that. Your dil is obviously trying to get at you with the 'life's perfect' thing, with her can anything be perfect? Will she ever be happy? probably not! The best thing is to act graciously which will make her fume & your son proud of you rise above it, he will come to his senses the more of a b*tch that she is & you behave like the caring lovely person you are.xxxxxx
Battle are there any agencies or charities which might be able to offer you advice/help on the mum/sister front? Evenif they can only offer some advice or listen & understand your predicament it might help you. You never know they might be able to solve or at least help you to solve how to care for them without leaving/giving up your life & career.xxxxxx
I felt quite awful the other day, almost fainted taking Aiden to nursery, turns out I SHOULD'NT be doing any STRENUOUS exercise on this diet!!! Ok I walk 30-60 mins each day but tried to do a salsa & toning dvd too, I did too much so it looks like I won't be doing my 1,500 minutes this month after all. It won't stop me exercising but I will go slower & just do the toning bits, I was leaping around like a loony on the dance bits & my poor body was suffering. The thought of fainting when I was taking Aiden (4years-old) was too scary, there's no telling what might have happened, I don't want to risk my son's life for the fact that I want to exercise! So slow & steady, once I'm allowed food I'l step up the exercise, promise!xxxx
Catherine, funnily enough Ammi was talking to me about her & Daren renewing their vows as Star Trek characters at some point. The bright lights of Vegas don't do anything for me but the Grand Canyon & other scenery out in the desert would be nice to see. Steve would never dress up, it was hard enough getting him in top hat & tails for our wedding! Though once I'm down to a 'normal' size we want to renew our vows but where & wearing what I have no idea! So pleased the meal went well, did anyone 'hit it off'? lol xxxxx
Gotta go do some ironing, sigh....
xxxxxsharon
ps Annie & Valerie how are you both?

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick message, to let you all know that I am still around, and still doing well, just REALLY busy. Mind you, it is 'good' busy, which always helps. I am almost finished my two week break between terms 3 and 4 and I have had a lovely break. We have had a little rain, but also some BEAUTIFUL sunny days as well. Tomorrow we are expecting 29C/84F and Saturday is supposed to be 32C/88F. After a cold, wet winter, this is just GREAT!

Hubby and I have been to some gorgeous parks over the past few weeks and Neil has taken some fantastic photos of wildflowers and other types of plants. We have framed some and have also framed some of our holiday photos from a couple of years ago. We are designing a picture wall and it looks terrific so far.

I have been busy with Chorus work. I passed the auditions for the first two songs and everyone said I did that fairly quickly, but I have been practicing quite a bit, which helps of course. I have the audition for the choreography for 'Red, Red Robin' next Wednesday and if I pass that I become fully registered with the chorus. It will then be VERY busy for a few months preparing for the Christmas performance and mini performances throughout the city during the Christmas season. We have to 'pass' each song before we can perform it in public, so I have a LOT of work to do before I can perform. I am absolutely loving it though and feel as though I am well on the way to going to the Internation competition in Hawaii next year.

This term at school will be quite hectic with reports to write, but I LOVE Christmas, so Term 4 is always fun for me. I am going to REALLY miss this group of kids after having most of them for two years. It looks as though I won't be in my own classroom next year, but will be working half the week as an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) specialist and the other half teaching music to the junior grades. It will be the first time in my 25 years of teaching that I haven't had my own class. I am looking forward to the change, but I also know I will miss having my own 'babies'. Pathetic aren't I?

Well, I WAS going to make this a short catch-up message, but once again have gone on a little more than I intended.

I read here every day, but don't have time to write very often. I am actually behind a few days on your messages, but hope to catch up soon.

I am SO happy to hear about those of you who have seen progress in the weight loss journey and I offer huge hugs to those who are struggling. I am helping a friend at the moment and I told her the other day that I totally believe that this journey is 80% mental, 15% food and 5% exercise. That is what it seemed like for me. I had to BELIEVE that I could do it and then I had to be COMMITTED to the process and I had to TRUST myself to do the right thing and keep trying, no matter what obstacles got in the way. The rest fell into place as I went along. If I could bottle this mental 'adjustment' I am sure I would be a VERY wealthy woman.

Good luck to you all and please try to Believe, Commit and Trust!

Take care,

Zelma

I'm sorry you're having all this unhappy stuff going on Debbie. I'm thinking of you. All you have control over is how you handle yourself and the situation despite the wallowing in the mud that seems to be going on in the other quarters.

Zelma...so nice to hear about your singing. I envy you and Catherine as I love music immensely and would love to be able to sing. Sadly, I can't. Like really can't.

Everybody have a great day!

Yes.. actually I did that for 28 lbs. I began to gain and stuck with it but when I gained 5 back I moved to 1000 - 1200 cal and all protein and I've lost the 5 and a couple more. I took a little shot of novolog for a cup of coffee this morning out of paranoia and I'm sorry I did.. It knocked me back out of ketosis. Tomorrow I'll know better and get back on losing. My blood sugar went from a waking 158 down to 118. Still.. much better than before!

Oh.. ps.. normally I kept it to around 1500 calories for several years and I gained. The gain started when I started the insulin 2 years ago.

For the first time in years, I'm under 280 lbs. I pray the Lord keeps me on this track and keeps the pain down enough to continue the interval training.

Thank you!
Lori

I'm doing much better today, and thank you for your encourging words and ideas on how to handle the situation. What I've decided to do, is not even answer the email. If my son wants his things, he will have to contact me and act like a man and not hide behind his mil's apron strings. I always thought we could communicate, but for some reason he thinks we can't. So I'm trying to make him realize that he has to talk to me if we are ever to get past this. After they get their things, and if they don't want any more contact, that's fine too. It will just be a great loss for the grandchildren when they have them because David will have no one from his side of the family, but if that's what they want, so be it.

On a happier note, my husband brought home some corn stalks, so we can start decorating for the holidays. I love this time of year!! All the trees are turning their beautiful colors, and the rains have started. I just hope we don't get the winds we did last year, man, they were awful and we were without electricity for 5 days. Not fun!!!

Lori, just make sure that you check with your doc about dropping some of your meds!! I would be scared to death to completely go off of them because you could have withdrawals or a hard time going without them completely. That could be the reason you are feeling crappy, and probably the caffiene withdrawal doesn't help either. Take care of yourself, we need you here!!!

Angie, that's great news that you still have your job!! One less thing to worry about huh? And hopefully your hubby got his job too!!

Heather, take care of yourself and take time to smell the roses!

Luan, thank you for your input and I would probably do just that, but, I don't have an address, I would never go to the in-laws because of what happened when they were here. Normally I would be the more giving person, and we have been, but unfortunately it doesn't pay off with these people. So really, I have no where to take their things.

Sharon, you're right about the "perfect" life going on. it's bull! I won't have her dragging HER mother or MY father into this. They don't need that in their lives, and my son and dil need to grow up and see that they can't treat people like this. And I knew it was a way to get to us. I can tell you, she's not done with us yet. She will just keep picking and picking, and I know that, so it makes that part easier to deal with. When they were living here, I could almost tell you what she was going to do before she did it, although tracking my IMs was way beyond what I thought she would stoop to. She wanted us out of David's life, that is what she got, so get over it and leave us alone. That's my attitude....and I'm stickin to it!!
Pleasssssese take care of yourself!! That must of been awful almost passing out with your little boy! The exercise can always come later.

Zelma and I'm sure you will get into the chorus in no time!!! Just the thought of being able to travel to Hawaii and sing is an awesome reward for all of your hard work.

I'm off to go eat my breakfast. And then to go decorate!! just love this time of year!!
Debbie

Oh wow, 500-800 calories a day! That can be a snack for me! *cough*

I went to the doctor today, after my friend goaded me into keeping my appointment, and she's adjusting my medications some. I'm lowering one (because raising it did nothing, but the lower level helped my anxiety) and a different one for my depression.

And, I made it out to Trader Joe's today! It's about 20 miles from here, so I haven't been, but when I used to live in DC I had one nearby I went to all the time. It was as neat as I remember. It's good for lazy cooks like me, too. I loaded up on a tiny bit of refrigerated food (my two long-missed favorites: hummus rollup and Greek salad) and got a lot of frozen meals for work, the various bowls they have and some Mexican foods. Plus I got some 'throw it in a pan' stir fry dinners.

Maybe new food choices will drag me out of my fast food rut. I also made 'homemade fast food' earlier this week -- my own hamburger and baked fries. That's a lot of cooking for me, I used the oven AND the grill.

Hi everyone,

The scale is being unusually nice to me, and I am down 3 lbs. today. Yipppee! Sometimes the pounds melt off with little effort, and sometimes it takes weeks of consistent hard work to see a loss. I'm delighted at how much better I'm feeling.

This weekend ougtta be interesting. I'm going to a Raclette event. Raclette is a half giant wheel of cheese that is melted over a fire, and as it melts, you scrape it off. Raclette is eaten with boiled potatoes, cornichons (little pickles), and a few other little goodies. One can't do this without also enjoying some nice wine, and finishing the meal off with fine chocolate. I am going with a plan and will report in when it is over. Send thoughts of moderation my way! I know I can do it.

Gggirls: good idea to find something to keep you occupied over the weekend.

Debbie: I am so sad that this mess with your son and DIL continues. You are handling it beautifully. I think you are doing well by not answering the MIL. By not responding to the call for drama and entangelement, you are handling it the best possible way. Hugs.

Also want to say on getting back to basics, I don't track my calories online. It is much easier for me to write them down as I go through my day. Having been obsessed with food and weight for many years, I know the calorie content of just about everything, and don't even need a reference book. I can estimate pretty well. I would carry a little book around of calorie counts just as you are doing if I didn't have it all memorized. Being dependent on the computer and having to log the info online is more of a hindrance than a help to me.

FutureLegend: Welcome! I'm impressed with the effort you are already putting into your plan. That said, I dunno, I'm no expert, but I have had no long-term success in surviving on very low calories. I hope you can find the balance that works for you. Same with the meds--I'm a little leary of making changes in meds w/o a doctor's involvement. I spent many years in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries (not a medical professional) and had access to a lot of information and medications over the years, but even still there are only so many conditions I'd treat or manage myself. Be careful, 'k?

Realist: Yahoo on remaining employed! Take a breath, in, out...there you go. Safe for now. Glad the scale is being your friend. Keep it up!

Rabistoat: Welcome! I love Trader Joes. There are two in my area, but neither is very convenient. Two more stores are slated to open soon, very close to where I live. One is within walking distance. I'm THRILLED.

Heather: Glad you are able to manage the stress level to the point that you are able to stay with the general plan. Keep it up!

Hi Luan!

Hi Ratkitty!

Hi Meta!

Hi Zelma!

Hi whoever else is here and reading!

Have a great on plan day.