Hiya guys, just stopping by quickly to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! :) I have a job interview today...actually 1 of 2 this week and I am nervous as nervous can get. Also, why is it when I start to watch what I eat all I can think about is food..ugh! Have a great remainder of the day. ~Leesa :dizzy:

Carol-I also found out recently that I couldn’t get on a helicopter over 250lbs. so I know what you mean. Most people when looking at me are clueless as to how much I weigh. I have always looked like I weigh about 50lbs. less than I actually do. That’s why everyone thought the picture of me in my gown made me look like I had lost weight. I wish.

Rat-I went to a conference like that once where there were hard candies out, and I ate so many that I burned a canker sore in my mouth. I think they do it to keep people hyper to pay attention.

Annie-I’m so sorry about the job. That just blows. They always judge us by our looks, and the funny thing is that every job I’ve ever had, I’ve done the work of two people most of the time. Someone is going to take a chance on you, and get a dream employee. Tell your hubby that I have had to make those kind of mercy runs, and have spent many an evening sitting and waiting for someone to come do a psych evaluation. I even had one try to jump out while we were on the highway. That’s not easy on the nerves. I hope he is doing okay.

Sharon-If I was to get on a horse, an Arabian wouldn’t do. I’d have to have a draft horse like a Clydesdale or maybe a water buffalo.

Peggy-How I handle my pants magically getting longer is that I sew elastic in the bottom of all my pants. That also helps keep snow and cold drafts out of my pant legs.

Donna-Family drama makes it so hard to be civil, and stay OP. I sometimes wonder if skinny people have the same kind of drama in their families, or if just us fat chicks. Do you suppose there could be a connection? We all seem to be such people pleasers, and then get angry by overeating.

Meta-You can always tell when something is serious if the doctor gives you the good stuff. I hear you about being out of touch with your body. I know I have been for a long time. I have trouble sometimes deciding what is a middle age ache/pain, and an actual injury.

Debbie-You’ve got to love having varmints under the house. My avatar right now is how I dealt with them. That was in the back. Under the house looked like the surface of the moon. At least I didn’t have to mow around the holes under the house. I’m not sure which was worse, the hole the gophers made, or the ones the basset hound made trying to root them out.

Battle-I’m not going to the store for a few days either. I went to Walmart today, and people were nuts with buying the candy. I saw a woman with an entire cart full. I wondered how much was for trick-or-treaters and how much was for her, and I wondered if in years past people in stores looked at my cart and wondered the same thing.

Leesa-Good luck with the interview.
I am off to do home work like a good girl, at least while he is gone and the house is quiet. I have to email my professor and ask him to provide midterm grades to the people who are paying my way. I guess they want to make sure they aren’t wasting their money before they agree to next semester. It has been awhile since I’ve gotten grades. I’m a bit nervous.

Just wanted to poke my head in quick. I ended up walking for an hour yesterday. I did a 30 minute walk today would have been more but it's windy here. Eating is improving but will be having pizza tonight but staying away from the candy.

Happy Halloween all. No candy for me today - hasn't been an easy day though. Sounds like we will all be glad when this is over. Good idea ladies to not go to the store for a few days until its all gone. Lots of food today at the office - oh how I some days wish smells weren't such a trigger for me.

Thank you all for your support on the salsa dancing. We will have a great time - may have him wear his steel toes boots so I don't hurt his feet when I step on them.

Seems I've bunged up the knee again so no exercise for the last two days - need to find something that doesn't hurt it - seems the yoga and walking irritate it. I actually do miss the exercise - remind me of that at the appropriate time.

Hope tomorrow is a much better feeling day for all of us - with the treat being the trick of staying OP.

Hugs,
Carol

Meta: Get well sweetie. I'm so sorry that you are in pain with your teeth. You are doing fine. Hugs.

Debbie: We are going to go to the Mexican Riviera. I would choose Alaska too but we are going with all three of my sisters and their families too and I got outvoted. lol. I'm so glad that you got your lotions etc for your reward. What scents did you get?

Battle: Great job staying away from the sweets. Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Leesa: I hope you had a great interview. I had one today too. They seemed to like me but they are not making a decision until 2 weeks from now. UGH! I need a job now. lol Good luck hun.

Catherine: Hugs. I'm happy to hear that you are getting some school work done. Do they trick or treat in Canada? I am really that dumb that I don't know.

Jessie: Great job on all that walking.

Carol. Yipee for you being Candy free today. YOu are doing so amazing.

Well, my interview this afternoon was great. We actually seemed to click. I will have to wait and see. Like normal there is about 40 people for this one job. lol. They won't be doing any deciding for about 2 weeks. I did send another resume yesterday and I got an email from the company saying they couldn't open it and to please fax my resume to them. I faxed it but I know it is after hours there because that is when I opened it. Anyway, it should be there first thing in the morning for them. They are hiring for 2 office managers positions. The pay is really, really good on those but again, we'll see.

We have had quite a few trick or treaters this evening so far and it is barely dark, 6:30 almost. My Dh loves to see the costumes. I think it is because when he was a boy he never got to do any of that stuf because of their religion. Anyway, he is manning the door and I am manning the dogs. lol.

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the evening.
Blessings,
Annie

Annie - we're going to the Mexican Riviera too - can't wait!

Happy Halloween gang...

Let me start by saying...dang I love candy. And it loves me. I am certain I used each and every flex point I had, and the remaining candy is going to work with DH. But, I rode the bike for 30 minutes....3rd night in a row. Still didn't want to do it, but tough noogies.

That's it for me tonight.

Take care and be well,
Angie

OMG, we just had such a dogfight here! Seriously, our 2 pugs were going after each other!!

Actually, it SOUNDED awful, but when they do this they seem to not hurt each other in the slightest. A fight for dominance I'm sure -- and these days, the "puppy" whose 2 1/2 seems to win more often. I HATE the fights. Nothing gets my heart racing more than listening to dogs I love sound like they're tearing each other apart.

anyhoo...
We stayed away from the house tonight to avoid candy temptations. I found out Halloween is a good time to get your hair cut!

Carol-I have a horrible knee, and the only exercise that has ever worked well for me is water aerobics. I just lived for it, and I will be allowed to restart again in 30 months (I’m not allowed to get a leisure pass to the city pool until 36 months after I became a permanent resident of Canada).

Annie-They trick or treat here, but I think most kids do it at the big mall. Last year at this time we already had a couple of feet of snow on the ground, so you wouldn’t have been able to tell what their costumes were under the parkas and snow boots. We live in a security building, so it hasn’t been a problem anyway. It’s just the candy in the stores that is the danger. My basset used to love Halloween. He always had his own costume, and we’d go off to the mall with boys. He always loved being around kids.

Angie-When I did a long “bike” ride once, I got a video tape of a bike trip through Ireland. It was from the bike’s perspective. I also got a big bike map for the wall to record my miles on. They have a whole series of tapes like that, bike trips, and rowing trips for people who use rowing machines.

I have had no candy today, and there is none in the house. That feels pretty good. I got caught up in one of my classes, and hope to completely get caught up with the other one tonight or tomorrow morning. That really feels good.

Happy HallOween yall!! I know this is a night when most are tempted. I walked with my teens lol...yes they still trick or treat! Hubby bought candy to pass out that I dont like..so I did good there. And I am drinking alot more water since I have committed to exercise.

Heather OMG about the dogfight!!!! That is just not a good thing. And it is very hard to break up!

Carol..good luck on the trip!! I know about the Hubby thing. They don't get it..they can't. Mine always says I just don't think about "you" being that size..LOl gotta love them.

Tonight has been really hard for me...I just want to eat and eat. I was going to my Mom's because she always has cookies, the Otis Spunkmeyer ones, but I didn't. I was going to make oatmeal cookies, had everything out and ready to put in the bowl, but put everything back. Then I was going to make pudding, but didn't even get started on that. I've had all my calories for the day...but I want more. So here I am. TOM ended a week ago last Monday, but for some reason, it's starting again today. My body is so whacked out right now, I don't know what's going on. So I sit and drink water.

Heather, it IS so awful to hear when dogs fight. I'm glad yours don't do any real harm to each other.

Annie, that sounds like it will be such a fun trip especially with your family!!

Catherine, yeah them rotten little critters are really bad. They even tore down our duct system under the house last year...1200 bucks later and it still isn't right. One side of the house is warm, while the other is just blowing cold air, and money down the tubes!! Hubby has got to get under there again and see whats up.

Battle, you're so lucky not to have the cravings!!!

Well, I should be able to handle the rest of the night. I'm going to let the dogs out, take a shower and go to bed and read.
Night all,
Debbie

Good morning! Thanks so much for all the sore tooth commiseration, and thanks as well for reminding me that 5 pounds IS a loss and nothing to sniff at.

I'm up .5 pounds again today for no good reason. lol We daily weighers have to have the steel to ride out the fluctuations, that's for sure. It's certainly not from Halloween candy, because I didn't have any. One absolute blessing of my work over the last 6 or 7 months is the complete elimination of food triggers. I still have the occasional emotional or whatever triggers, but there is simply no food left on the planet that will cause me to binge in the absense of some other issue.

This is a complete 180 degree change from the past. I bought my candy a couple of weeks ago and it just sat there until last night causing me no distress whatsoever. I have a ton left because I bought too much and our weather was horrible. This causes me no distress either. I'll just bring it to work and here it will sit in the community dish, you guessed it, causing me no distress. lol This has absolutely nothing to do with willpower or any particular strength of mine. It's a blessing of intuitive eating and I'm completely grateful, and have to remember how much of a big deal it is when I'm fretting about slow loss.

Annie - I'm sorry you didn't get the job you hoped for. That can feel very dissapointing in the moment, and job hunting can be such a tough thing. I know that every single major disappointment in my life has revealed itself as a blessing with time. It will all make sense when you find yourself where you're truly meant to be.

Catherine. Stop telling people you had two feet of snow at Halloween last year. You're making the country look bad! :) I'm in Ontario and I forget just how friggin *north* some of our major cities are. Most especially Edmonton. Someday when I have money to burn (dream) I'd love to travel to the northernmost reaches - Nunavut etc. It's an entirely different world, and I'd love to see it.

Peggy - I thought you might be interested to know that I completed my first two batches of soap! They are curing now, and will definintely be functional. However, I think I need to go to scent school. lol I think I'm really going to love the challenge of creating evermore beautiful, pampering and useful things.

Debbie - I'm LATE with this, but it's been on my mind. I'm glad you had some brief contact with your son. It's a step. Such a hard thing to be patient with. My only child is twelve (almost thirteen) and still 'mine'. The complications brought by the teen and early adult years must be so hard to bear sometimes. I can't image not being as close as we are now. Hugs and thinking of you.

Everybody have a great day!

Carol: Oh, I am so glad. You can tell me all about your cruise and what I should know. I hope you have sooo much fun.

angie: Good job on biking.

Heather: Sorry your babies are fighting. It shouldn't be too much more time before one of them is "the new king". I know my dogs went through that too and now it is pretty stable around here with the exception of an occasional growl fest over their toys. lol.

Catherine: Thanks for explaining about Halloween in Canada. Good job getting your school work caught up. Keep it up. What did you dress your Basset in? I'd love to see that. I want one so much. I think they are so dear little faces with long ears.

Cyn: You are making great changes with more water and more exercise. You are doing so well.

Debbie: Sorry that last night was a struggle. I hope it ended up being a better night for you.

Meta: Thanks for the words about the job. I know you are right. There will be a much better place for me someday. I just need to be patient and let it happen. lol.

I layed in bed last night next to DH while he slept and I watched a silly scary show called "Ghost Hunters Live". It was entertaining. I kept falling asleep around midnight so I finally turned the channel because I don't like to fall asleep right after something scary. I got to sleep in until 8 a.m. today! My doggies were not bugging me at all. This morning I am going to pick up Joel's venison. It is ready having been cut and wrapped. I am going to try to make it to the gym today too. I want to start November with a great day of exercise.

Hope you all have a great day and don't taste too many leftover candies.
Blessings,
Annie

Meta, I read somewhere where our kids are just on loan from God, and then they go out into the world and explore, dream, and live. We did our job by nurturing, loving, and teaching. I have to look at it this way in order to make it thru this hurtful time. Thank you for thinking of me. In time I hope he will realize what happened and come home. I did hear from him a week ago, and they were inquiring about the stuff they left behind and he was suppose to call and let me know when he would be able to get over here, but he never called back. My dil has sent 2 cards to my Dad only, telling him what a wonderful life they are having and they moved down south of us somewhere. No address, no phone number, no nothing. I figure it's just another way to keep the turmoil in our family because she was never close to my Dad in the first place, but that was the only one they were talking to when they left.
I guess the intuitive eating is working well for you. I agree with you on the daily weighers, I'm one of them, and it is hard to see it go up and down so much but I know I can't NOT weigh, so I take it in stride. Don't worry about that little ol 1/2 lb, it will be gone and more very soon.

Annie, ewwww spooky tv night!!! Glad you got to sleep in though. How many pounds of venison did you get? Have a good time at the gym.

I made it thru last night fine and doing great this morning. No trick or treaters, but I didn't think we would get any. Instead of doing the lid for the trash bin, I got out there and did some weeding so I can see my bulbs come up next year. It was cold, but I got over half of them pulled...then it rained so I don't know if it will dry enough to get the rest pulled today.
Have an OP day!!
Debbie

Just a quick hello.
Things are crazy at work.
Still lots of politics and it only promises to
get worse.
I've not been exactly OP, but better than before. I've lost 8 of the 12 pounds I'd gained. Not wonderful, but still going down. My goal is to weigh less in April than I do now. Losing anything in the winter is a major event since last year is the first winter EVER I didn't gain.
Sorry no personals.
My best to all.

Hello my peeps!

I have started personals a bizillion times and gotten pulled away by work.. geesh, they expect me to work at work?!! hehe.

I handed out gummy eyeballs last night to the trick or treaters.. I had about 40 kids. I saw a lot of spidermen. There was one tiny girl that was Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. She was cute with her ruby red sparklie shoes. Her comment on the way down the sidewalk was priceless "man, my feet hurt!" hehe.

I sat outside with the candy, and the dogs sat at the glass storm door looking absolutely cute. No barking or anything. They looked like pictures. Everyone oooooo'd and ahhhh'd over how good they were and how gorgeous they were.

Some kids at the house down the street made a "coffin" and were scaring the trick or treaters as they came up the walkway. There was much screaming and lots of fun had by all.

Sharon, I'm so sorry about your lousey internet. Bad spells sent! hehe.

Yay Battle, go go long pants!! I love it. I just started wearing smaller pants, so they are a little too short for me right now. I think I got all your TOM cravings this month! bleh.. hehe. Oh yeah, I used to do the bargin candy at 50% off.

Toris, you are doing great with your morning exercise. I can't do exercise in the morning. It takes too much coordination! hehe.

Donna, sorry about your nephew's ma being so psycho. You are right, we are not doormats!

Annie, w00h00 on scoring big time with the clothes!! I love great hauls like that. I need to get my butt to the local thrift store for more pants. The job you get will be the right one for you! Anyone who hires you will be getting a fabulous lady!!

Meta, get that tooth thingie under control!! I agree, 5 lbs in a month might not have been YOUR goal, but it's still fabbo.

Deb, I keep forgetting to tell you that I love those psychodelic slippers in your picts!! hehe. I miss my old bear claw slippers. I think a puppy of mine ate them. Ut oh about the rodents. That's not fun to clean up.

Wavies to Leesa and Cyn and Sandy~~~ Yay for walking Jessie! Ut oh GGG, don't be hurting them knees!

Catherine, guess what I got in my mouth the next day.. a canker sore. Bleh. I am glad you are home safe and sound and you are getting your school stuff taken care of.. be careful with that noggin of yours!

Realist, I got these icky looking gummy eyeballs to give out at halloween.. the kids love em! Just for giggles, I tried one.. BLEH! I spit it out. Good deal on riding the bike.

Heather, yeah doggies fight like that. More noise and posturing than anything. My old dog used to put the younger golden in his place all the time. Never had any blood. My current goldens are so close in age that they act like litter mates and sleep and love all over each other. They are so goofy!

Hugs to all and many sorries if I missed anyone.. I lub you all!

Ratkity

Donna, I figured out how to do my name in glitter!!!
Finally

Hi Hi Hi - at last my week is over - I think the dogs even know. For some reason it's been a long week for all of us. I am struggling with the iron monster. As a daily weigher I still need to see something happen. I understand the fluctuations but have much trouble with no movement. OK OK enough whining. We are 6 weeks away from our cruise and my goal is to lose 14 lbs. Someone mentioned losing 5 lbs in October so you know me - had to see where I was - I lost 8. I must admit I feel great with that 8 - certainly I wish it was more although I feel such a resolve that I have gained so much in this time.

Thank you all for the dancing encouragement - it will be fun. We'll see about getting some pictures to share. No more sidelines for me.

Battle - HOORAY for no cravings! I wish I was in your office - we had candy and treats everywhere.

Catherine - hope you are catching up on your rest and your school work. What an amazing life you are leading - an amazing life for an amazing lady. I need to check in to water aerobics again - I have done them in the past and really enjoyed them - thank you for the suggestion. I also love the long bike ride thoughts. I actually am thinking of getting hubby an X box or PS2 for Christmas so I can then get DDR for Valentines day - always thinking.

Annie - when do you go on your cruise - have you been before? this is our first and was so happy when we chose the Mexican Riviera - especially since we are going in December. What cruise line are you using? BTW how's the job search? New clothes to boot - you've had a great week - keep it up.

Angie - that's great that you rode the bike - even with the candy. I wish I could learn to use that tool. Seems I am either ON or OFF. And when I'm off I don't stop with just candy and I certainly don't exercise.

Heather - we have two big dogs that are each over 75 lbs and both think they are lap dogs. When one is in the role of lapdog the other takes on the fighter role - even dogs want what they can't have. We laugh that they are identical twins - even though one is a lab and one a labradoodle - one yellow - one black. Connected to each other like identical twins though.

Cyn - how cool is that that you got your exercise while out trick or treating with the kids. Yes - I think we all have great hubbies behind us.

Debbie - as I read about going to your moms - everything out to make cookies - I felt like the words were coming from my mouth. Glad you put everything back. 50 pounds - WOW - 50 pounds - FANTASTIC - gogogogo.

Meta - glad to see another daily weigher. Impressive behavior changes for you. As you look back did you see it coming or did you just wake up one day and see the change?

Sandy - great job on taking off the 8 lbs. Sorry to hear about the continuing issues at work. Just one more day this week and you'll be able to rejuvenate over the weekend.

RK - GUMMY EYEBALLS - YUCK. I'm so jealous that your dogs are so well behaved. We are making headway - they are both about 1 1/2 years old so hopefully by spring they will be a bit more settled.

Off to fix dinner - seems like a doggy conversation from me tonight - oh well, they're my babies and I'm in good company with all the dog lovers here.

Hugs to you all,
Carol

GGG, I was so surprised that my goofy goldens did the picture perfect posture (hehe) at the storm door. No barking, no whining. They were enthralled by the little strangers and that Mom was giving the strangers stuff. The kids saw the dogs first (the porch swing is off to the left, behind the cover of bushes). I could hear the kids saying "ut oh, big dogs.. but they are just sitting there". It was all too cute! My two are 4 and 5 years old and they are both about 85 lbs a piece. Both think they are lap dogs too!

Well, I have a full body of hives... yes, the big itchy whelts. I haven't had these in over 6 years. Good thing I have some strong meds for them. They always happen in November and my old allergist said it was environmental. I was so busy today at work! I thought I saw a hive early today, but ran off to the meeting I was late for... then another meeting.. then another. The day just ran on and on. Then I ran to the gym, did my workout and came home. Fed the monsters, and THEN and only then noticed that hives were all under my gym clothes. Bleh! This allergy med (adarax) is supposed to knock a horse down (makes ya sleepy). There must be a ton of histamine in my body from the hives cuz I'm not sleepy at all. These stupid hives start on my saddlebags and migrate to my thighs and rear. I don't mind those as much as the stray one on one of my girls!! ACK! hehe.

The good news is that I exercised, ate some brussel sprouts (fresh, today was the last day at the local farmer's market), and had just refilled the itchie meds (yay for being in date!).

Hugs to all!
Luv,
Ratkity

Annie -- I will actually be sad if the younger doggie becomes the alpha. Neither dog is really an 'alpha' all other things being equal. But the older dog is my baby and I personally will be said if he's not 'top dog'. It appears however, that I have little say in the matter!!! :D

Heather, sounds like you are Top Dog in your house. The older will always be the dominant. Very rarely does that position change. The younger one will continue to test the older, but even that gets "old" after a while and will quit doing that.

Hugs!
RK

Meta-My husband loves to tell me that Edmonton is the farthest north major city (over 1,000,000) in North America. We are enjoying a nice fall this year. No snow, lots of sun, and reasonable temps. Today though, it was WINDY. Gusts to 60, and walking downtown just funneled it right at me. Now if the wind is coming close to knocking me over, something is seriously wrong. We are expecting snow on Sunday morning.

Annie-My dog had matching baseball hats for every team my boys played for, plus boy scout hat, and he had a tux, and a Christmas reindeer suit. He took all his wardrobe with him when he went to his new family. I sure miss him, but he is getting to go to his favorite baseball field to watch his new master play little league. I knew when I heard he was getting to sleep in his bed, that he would be fine and happy, even if it made me sad. I just couldn’t bring him this north. He was used to Florida. They are great dogs, if a bit hard to train, and those ears are precious until you see a pair of those sticky mouse traps stuck to them.

I’m too tired tonight to write anymore. I’ll catch up later with everyone.

I hadn't heard that. Gives me some comfort... though I am wondering how long it will go on. The "puppy" is 2 1/2!!!!

Thanks!

Hi, HeatherI know it's upsetting but your dogs are unlikely to hurt each other very much, all that snarling, growling & scuffling sounds so much worse than it is. I had two dogs as a girl & they fought off & on til one died (of old age) it was just like an old married couple's bickering.xxxxxx
Ammi sent me a text SHE FITTED ON ALL THE RIDES!!!! So pleased for her, the weather has been very good too, cold but sunny. Alton towers is a few miles away from us but as the boys are at school we couldn't go over & meet her, which was a shame.
Catherine hope you head is ok now, how do you manage to bash it without noticing?xxxxxx
Azcyn, forgot to say how good your new hairstyle is!xxxxx
Valerie, are you ok? Hope all is going well with Gabe at the trainer's.xxxxxxx
Anyone heard from Lilion or Jillybean?
Wel nothing to add here, feel a bit sicky, was off-plan for two days, no idea why! Ok all day til 9pm-ish then made myself some sandwiches! Steve's on nights so I blame TOM & being lonely, lol. No more though, I really WANT to be 20 or more pounds down before Christmas.
xxxxxxsharon
ps Any tips on my tummy, it's so 'hang-y' my jeans are looking so weird with this 'thing' hanging down around my thighs? Tried hold 'em in pants(undies) just hope as the fat goes the flap will 'thin down' it wasn't so bad when I was bigger coz the fat held it up & out.

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this group just wanted to Introduce myself... i'm Lil, and am working very hard at getting my weight issues under control, I'm still figuring out diet and what I'm going to do, I'm leaning towards medifast but am currently following SB... anyways I just wanted to say hi.

Debbie: The deer that my DH shot was 80 lbs of meat. Right now my Dad's deer is in the freezer too and that is 74 lbs. Luckily we have 2 freezers and they are both pretty large. In what we call the "meat" freezer we have 1/3 of a beef too from June when we helped my parents cut up their meat. Now, I need to go get some chicken, fish etc. lol Then we'll be all set.

Sandy: Sorry things are hectic at work. I hope it gets better soon. Congrats on loosing 8 of the 12 you gained. You are doing great and are off to a good restart.

Rat: Sorry about the hives. Your furbabies sound so darling. I love goldens. Both of mine are 1/2 golden and 1 of them looks a lot golden.

Carol: Wohoo on your -8 pounds! Great job. Our cruise is NEXT December. Noth in 2007. We are going in 2008. It will be all of my 3 sisters plus thier grown children if they want to come and their families plus my hubby and myself and my favorite Aunt who is forever young. I have never been before. Actually I have never been on a real vacation before that isn't going to visit family so I am beyond thrilled. I think it is about time after 22 years of marriage for us to go on one. I don't know what cruise lines it is. My Sister Patty and her hubby Ken are vetran cruisers and are setting up the whole thing. The job search is going slowwwwww. I have another interview tomorrow, Saturday at Noon with a company that is hiring 2 office managers. I did write them a letter telling them, although I have never had the title, "office manager", I certainly have done the job of office manager. It got me an interview at least. My final application at the County also got me a job interview with the District Court next Thursday morning. I am not very hopeful honestly because of all the times they have turned me down. I heard from someone that they are very interested in giving "Native Idahoans" the jobs first. I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse. lol. I do know that coming from California living up here is not looked on as a good thing. People are not fans of California converts here because lots of them come and try to change the way things are ran here. I think change makes some of them very fearful. Some of the changes that people are wanting to make are just silly and I can see why they get irritated at us. lol. I do love Northern Idaho and I'm sure the more Californians that move up here the more that fear will diminish.

Heather: I hope your dogs are more like the other ladie's dogs than mine. My dogs did fight for the lead role a couple of times. Nothing serious. It just sounds horrid. My younger one did become the leader and I was sad too. Pepper is my baby. lol. She is content now though. The same thing happened when Pepper was growing up and we had another older dog. It really isn't that bad. Hugs.

Catherine: I was really laughing at the image of your pup with mouse traps on his ears. lol. Too cute. I'm sorry you had to make a choice to give him to a new family but I'm sure it was the right choice. I lucked out when we moved our dogs from CA to Idaho. It doesn't snow nearly as much as it does where you live and my dogs are not short so they hop over the snow. They also really love it too. They kind of go crazy when it snows running around in it and taking what looks like purposeful tumbles in it. So, snow turned out to be okay for them.

Sharon: I hope you feel much better really soon. Thank you for sharing that Ammi was having fun and able to fit on all the rides. It was a shame that you couldn't make it to see her.

Lil: Welcome. Everyone here is super. Don't feel overwhelmed to reply to everyone. Just reply as you feel like it. No pressure. I do want to invite you to the exercise thread. There is also no pressure there but we are trying to reach 200,000 minutes of exercise this year and every single minute we get added to that helps. All you have to do is go there once a week, daily, biweekly, really it is up to you and post how many minutes you exercise and add it to the group total. Some of us on there make a goal for ourselves for the month. Some of us don't. Anyway, Welcome and I'm glad you are here.

Blessings all,
Annie

Since I have been posting in all the other threads I thought I should at least pop into the main and say hi. I did really poorly on Halloween. I meant to buy one type of candy that I don't like and accidently got one that I do and ate way too much of it. The scale is way up at the moment and I feel like I keep sabotaging myself. It feels like I am running up an escalator the wrong way and if I stop for a moment I lose so much ground. Oh well. I am really hoping this dance class I am taking tomorrow (Nia) will help to re-inspire me.

Nancy -- Start again NOW! If you haven't yet, throw away the candy! It's all maggoty anyway! :lol:

Lil -- WELCOME! :wave:

Sharon -- Thanks for the update about Ammi! So glad she fit in the rides!

Annie -- Thanks for the doggie info!

Hello my peeps!

Sharon, thanks for the update on Ammi!! I know she was thrilled when she could do all the rides.. I bet she was one happy camper!!! Yay! Sorry, but I don't have any tips on the hangy tummy. I have it too. I'm also hoping it'll thin down some more in the next 30+ lbs. That'll be when I go for a tummy tuck.. yay!

Welcome Lil!! Just hop right in, these people are fabulous. I'm not sure if I'd still be losing after all this time without them.

Annie, you'll love the cruise! I did one in 1990 with the family and had a blast. My fingers are crossed for you to find the right job.

Catherine, I was laughing at the visual of the poor hound with sticky mousie traps on his ears. omgosh! I'm glad he has a new little master he can snuggle with.. those outfits sound fabulous! Of course, as a sewer, I should have known he'd have the best of the best. hehe. My dogs LOVE the snow. Buffy will jump up and grab limbs hanging down with snow to dump it on her brother on purpose. I watched her do it to him.. hehe. It was funny to watch.

Nancy, that maggoty candy is nasty!! I understand about feeling like so much work has gone into the journey to feel like one slip makes you lose so much ground. In reality, you haven't lost a lot of ground. Not in one day. Let that day go into weeks (or months like I did) and then it DOES make a big difference.

Heather, hrm.. when will your pup stop? Well, when he grows up hehe. I have goldens and they grow up at the age of 10 or 11! Silly puppies. It's just posturing. I love my goofy goldens as much as you love yours too. The two I have now don't posture at all. They play like littermates. This is the first time I've had two so close in age.

The hives are coming and going depending on how much time I spend outside in the wind. I have no idea what is doing this, but it's driving me nuts. Back to more antihistamine!

Hugs and Luv to all!
Ratkity

Happy Friday everyone

It's a gorgeous Friday here - the leaves are rustling, sun is high in the sky and made for a perfect morning with the pups at the park. Hubby went with us and we all enjoyed the morning - as well as the exercise.

Nancy - YUCK maggots - nice to see you.

RK - you scare me when you say they grow up at 10 or 11 - I was looking forward to this spring when they will be 2. They must touch each other - never to slow down until kennel time. I've never had hives but they sound absolutely horrendous - do they itch also - or just swell? Do the antihistamines give you enough relief?

Lil - welcome - I can only echo what the others have already said. I've only been here about a month and the support is unwavering. WELCOME

Catherine - how hard that must have been to leave your dogbaby - but how happy you must be knowing he has a wonderful loving youngster to share his life with. Watch out for the wind - sounds like it could blow you over.

I'm thinking soup sounds good - does anyone have a favorite recipe?

Hugs,
Carol

Hi chickies,

Doing a drive-by to tell you that I just came back from a shopping trip. All my dress pants in size 26 are unwearable, falling down my hips and dragging on the ground. I have one pair in size 24 and nothing smaller. I cannot believe size 24 is a little loose on me. I"m blowing right through this size and yet I spent years in it before. Go figure! I'm not complaining.

I came home with 2 pairs of dress pants in size 22 which are still a little too tight for wearing to work but I didn't see the point of buying 24s when they are already fitting a little loosely. I'll soldier through until the next size fits. I also bought 2 sweaters in size 2x. It was great, it was like old times, going to Marshalls and Ross and having a selection of clothes to choose from. The clothes I purchased are much higher quality than I have been wearing, as the higher quality clothes are now availble to me in Ross and Marshalls with careful digging through the racks....at bargain prices, cheaper than what I was paying with careful shopping at Avenue.

I'm pleased as punch.

Hi again all!

GGG, the hives are itchy and swell. Benedryl isn't strong enough at the recommended doses, so I take something called adarax. I get steriods too if the adarax isn't working right away. So far, I don't have to do any steriods. It's all very disconerting. The antihistamine knocks me out. I've slept most of the day. bleh.

My silly goldens are now as close as they can get to the gas fireplace. It has a glass cover on the fire, but I also have a very heavy screen in front of it so they don't fry their little golden tails.

Battle, you go girl!!! I love it that you are flying threw those sizes!!!

Luv,
Ratkitten

Hey, that is GREAT news about Ammi fitting on all the rides!! I'm so glad for her. Amusement park rides are one of my goals for next season as well, so I can really relate. Can't wait to hear from her about it all. Thanks for letting us know Sharon. :)

Nancy, doesn't it just completely blow when you have an eating indiscretion of several hundred calories that should add up to half a pound if anything, but your scale hits you soooo much harder than that. And it takes FOREVER to right. My little binge of nearly two weeks ago is STILL punishing me to some degree as I am still a pound and a half or so from my lowest low. I'm sorry you're feeling discouraged right now. I know hanging around here only helps, so I hope you're back lots and regularly.

Donna & Carol CONGRATS on your 8 pounds each! Donna WTG on tackling your gain with recommittment and results. Really proud of you. :)

Carol, you asked about the changes with regard to my eating. Thanks! It has definitely been an ongoing process that I am aware of as it happens. In fact, vigilant observation is part of the whole thing. I could yammer for quite a while, but the core of it is that 7 or so months ago I decided that I no longer wanted the willpower and self control over food that I chased for 30 years. I wanted something even better (to me) - an easy, natural, stressless relationship with food just like people who don't struggle with food and weight have without even thinking about it. To this end, I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it without judging my choices as good or bad, as long as I was physcially hungry. In the beginning, I ate (not OVERate) a lot of chocolate, for example. By that I mean I ate a little bit of chocolate, often. A small amount everyday for dessert for example, sometimes for both lunch and dinner. For me, familiarity bred...indifference? When I know I can have chocolate any old time I want and enjoy it without guilt and without physical discomfort (because I don't overeat it) there is so paricular siren song coming out of the Halloween treats.

It remains an ongoing process. I figure I eat up to 200 calories or so a day of mostly useless calories. A chocolate square after lunch and a small dessert square after supper etc. etc. I'd like someday for those calories to be replaced most days by healthier things, but I am willing - insistent even - for this to evolve naturally. I've learned that I almost always CAN trust myself to make good food choices without one single external rule in place. I've learned that given all the choice in the world my body and mind will 'ask' for healthy things much more often than not. I ate at work tonight, and had a handful of dates after my pasta rather than the mini chocolate bar on my desk simply because that's what I wanted to do. Completely free to choose the chocolate (as I did at lunch), but didn't. No struggle whatsover, so feeling like I was being 'good', just following the lead of my body and mind and spirt. It's been very freeing, and wonderful to surrender the reins in an area where I had previously been so out of control and so tormented.

Everybody have a wonderful Friday!

Battle, WTG on the clothes victories! I'm so glad you enjoyed your shopping. I love having sizes in my closet that are ever so close to keep me moving ahead.

Battle - WTG with the shopping - I wish we had Ross here although I must admit I love TJ Maxx and did some browsing a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by the selection and quality when I need some new things. It was actually hard for me not to purchase because it is so rare to find decent things in my size.

Meta - thank you for the info - I think the road I am defining for myself right now is very similar although I could not have been so eloquent with it. I will read and re-read your post often.

RK - take care of yourself - I bet your pups realize something is amiss with mom don't they?

Enjoy the evening all,
Carol

Hi Sandy, :woohoo: on the 8 of 12 lbs gone!!

Ratkity, I love my slippers too!! Last year I had lions but I noticed this year that most of them are coming out with me putting my foot in their mouths. I like em better when the face is facing out better. I saw the bear claw ones too, they have em in pink even! Better get yourself out there and buy some slippers!!
I bet your babies looked so pretty sitting at the door like that. Pictures.....pictures please!!
Sorry to hear about the hives. I hear they can be pretty painful so take care of yourself.

Carol, You'll have no problem losing those 14 lbs by your cruise time!!! I know you can do it!!!

Catherine, just picturing that dog with the sticky mousetraps is waaaaay too funny!!

Sharon, too bad you couldn't have gone to see Ammi and her family. Have you two met before? I know what you mean about the flap of skin hanging. Mine looks so awful and I have to wear tops that will cover it or I'm totally self conscience of it and feel like everyone is zeroing in on it. Ugh....I hope it thins down too!!

Hi Lil...:welcome:

Annie, sounds like you have enough meat to last you for a while!!! Yum!!
I got the pumpkin....I remembered you got yourself some and it just sounded so fall-like and smells even better. And they were 50% off right now so I got the lotion and the body wash. I also got some great coupons in the mail and one they gave in store, so I plan on going back and getting the one with fig (my fave) and try another new one. They all smell soooooooo good!!
Good luck on getting the county job...that would just be fantastic....great benefits!!

Nancy, a dance class sounds like so much fun. What kind of dancing is it? It seems when we get close to a major goal, (your 100 lb mark) we tend to sabotage ourselves. I wonder what we are afraid of?

Battle, that is so amazing how quickly you are going thru sizes!!! How exciting to be able to go to regular stores and see clothes in your size now. I can't wait for that day.

I got some tops from Lane Bryant catalog yesterday in size 2x. They are really a bit too large but I can wear them for a while. I hate sending stuff back and will be so glad when I can find pretty clothes in stores. I think I'm going to start looking for clothes in stores now too. Just hearing Battle going to stores and finding clothes has inspired me to get out there!!!
Have a good night!
Debbie

Hi everyone. I have a few minutes before I need to get started on my school work so I thought I'd check in.

BattleAx - You mentioned the after Halloween candy "on sale". That usually gets me every year too (and the after Christmas, after Valentine's, after Easter ;) ). One thing my WW leader told us was it's not a bargain if you have to pay for WW for a few more weeks to take off whatever you gained by eating the candy. :lol: That has always stuck with me. So I haven't bought any Halloween candy. But at work our office does a big party for the kids to come and trick or treat and this year we had buckets and buckets of full sized candy bars everywhere. I will admit I caved in. But I am back on track now. And as for your "long pants". I can relate to that. I am always glad to see that happen since I always have problems finding pants that are long enough. Even the tall sizes are sometimes too short. :mad:

Heather - That would upset me too to see my dogs fighting. Well, I only have one but I have a cat too. For the most part they get along. but I remember a few years ago I had found a little stray dog. And actually, she looked like she was mixed with a pug. She was the sweetest little thing and after trying and trying to find her owners with no luck I decided I would just keep her since she was so low-key and even-tempered. So I decided it was time to introduce her to my little dog Buster. Up til then I had kept them separate because Buster is not so low-key and even-tempered. ;) I was worried Buster would start a fight. Nope, that sweet little girl dog took one look at Buster and proceeded to kick his butt! Buster kept trying to run away but she would catch him again. I was horrified but somehow finally broke it up. No one was hurt, but it was really funny how quickly my feelings for that dog changed when she went after my baby! She did not get a home with me afterall. Don't feel bad for her though, a lady I work with ended up taking her and now she has a nice home where she gets to sleep in bed and be treated like a baby. She really was a sweet dog, she just needed to be an only child!

As for me, nothing much new to report. I am looking forward to the end of November when I take my last tests for the semester and will have a month off before starting up again. This weekend will be busy finalizing our group project we have to present next week, writing a couple of short case analyses, and studying for my statistics test. After this week is thru, the rest of the semester should be all down-hill. Neither of my finals are comprehensive, so that helps.

Other than that, my other activity is my boot camp class in the mornings. It's been going pretty well. Some days my alarm goes off at 5AM and I think "I hate this! Why I am doing this? I want to quit!" Other days everything is just fine. I have not shown huge results on the scale yet but for the first time several people have commented that I look like I am losing weight so something must be happening.

Well, am off to run a few errands now. Take care everyone. :grouphug:

BattleAx -- I didn't start this journey for the clothing options, but OMG, what a BONUS! When I was actively losing, I also would buy clothes when they were a wee bit tight, and usually within a few weeks, they fit! And the choices! Just wait -- it gets even better!

I've now had the strategy of buying clothes a wee bit tight backfire. I did that last spring and then gained weight and STILL can't fit in those clothes. These days, I buy things that fit as I'm not losing!


Xena -- That dog story cracked me up!! But I think I know exactly what you mean!

Heather - The candy is definitely gone! I took the little bit that I had left over in to work where I am not tempted to eat it. Next year it is only stuff I really don’t like – either that or I will go out for the evening.

Ratkity – That is so strange that you get hives this time of year. It also sucks that the one thing that takes care of them the best makes you want to sleep all the time. I wish Benedryl didn’t have that drowsy side effect.

Carol – Favorite soup? I am not much of a cook, so I love the ones in the boxes – either Trader Joe’s or Imagine Foods. The Trader Joe’s Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato is AWESOME.

Battle – That is so cool that you are into the 22’s and able to shop at the better stores. I can’t wait to be able to shop at Marshalls etc. again. Maybe I am there now, but I haven’t given it a try recently.

Meta – It is so true – I KNOW that there are 3500 calories in a pound and I know that I didn’t eat that much, yet the scale is up 5 pounds. Totally crazy. I know I just need to keep on going – it is getting there in the end that counts.

Debbie – That is great that the 2x’s were a bit large. I would send them back now and get the next lower size. You want to be getting things that are a bit too small for you now – not too big.

Deb – That is so cool that you are getting comments! Have you been taking measurements?


The class this morning was GREAT! I worked up quite a sweat and I can really feel my muscles, but the whole hour was so enjoyable I didn’t want it to end. It is called Nia (http://www.nianow.com/) and I would highly recommend it. It was very freeform and flowing and focused on multiple different aspects such as flexibility, agility, mobility, etc. The teacher also does a 90 minute yoga class afterwards and I think I will try and stay for that next week. I am seriously thinking of joining that gym so that I can start taking classes. They have several different locations near me and they have a pool as well in the one I went to today. I just have to work on my budget to make sure I can afford it because it isn’t cheap. However, this really is the most important thing for me right now – to be inspired about moving, so if I need to spend some money, so be it.

I am waiting for my landlord to get here to help me with a few things in my apartment. I am feeling really ticked off at the moment because 1) he is late, 2) when I moved in he told me the windows were in good shape and they are anything but! I have been trying to close the storm windows and have only been successful with about half of them. I also need to go buy sticks for several of the windows that won’t stay shut because they are missing pulleys (they are old style windows). I removed my air-conditioner from the bedroom this morning as well and I need to get that stowed away. I should get back to it I guess.

Hi all,
I've missed way too much to do personals. I just wanted to check in with you all instead of lurking about and being all quiet. Things aren't looking good with school for alot of reasons. I'm not doing well with my classes and if i don't pay 600 and something dollars they are going to kick me out and we don't have that kind of money. We're hoping that a student loan will come through in time but i don't think it will make it by the 8th. I've also been feeling down on and off again but that's just part of my issues. I haven't been exercising like i should and i was bad with the halloween candy. My dad never turned on the porch light when it was dark because he didn't feel like getting up and getting the door. My mom was helping me with my homework and he was supposed to be manning the door. Well since he never turned on the light we had a ton of candy left that had to be eaten. I have a weakness for candy. So that was just bad.
On the plus side i did loose 2 pounds. So maybe i wasn't too bad. Ok i'm gonna stop whining. I hope everyone is doing ok. Well i'm off for now.
~Carrie~