Annie:

When I got my braces off I spent about 2 days licking my teth...they felt weird indeed...and I loved it. It also took me yars to get back to eating things like corn on the cob...just because for 2 1/2 years I couldn't and it was strange to try again. Congrats! It will change your entire face to not have them there.

Nothing else much going on...it's morning and it's overcast and humid now which means awfully hot later. Slept with 2 fans on last night and loved being cold for a while. I didn't get under the covers until probably 5 am but then when I woke up I was sweating...and I HATE that.

Bernice, sorry to hear you didn't get the job. There must be something bigger and better for you down the road. There's a reason you're where you are.

Annie, just take me with you and then we can both float, and we can talk instead of each of us thinking about the other!! Great idea huh? You did really well at Curves. Makes me want to go even more now. So how do the teeth feel? All sparkly clean and in alignment? I bet your smile is going to dazzle everyone!!

Catherine, glad to hear you made it thru the signing. That must be an amazing feeling to know people want your book. I hope you don't sell out before I can get a copy though.A murder mystery huh? Sounds interesting.
Enjoy yourself at the mall and get yourself something special, you deserve it!

Debi, nope, you can keep you humidity, that stuff can really get to ya. Today it's at least not raining,...yet.
I'm glad you didn't let yourself get down because your friend didn't notice. You're doing just fine and soon everyone won't have any doubts that you've lost, they'll be able to see it. When we went to that birthday party at our friends a couple of weekends ago, she didn't notice if I did either, and that was 70lbs gone!! I just don't think they pay attention or their jealous.

Julee, ew, the heat sounds just awful. Is it worse than other years? The weather up here sure is. They're still getting snow in the passes which is extremely rare for this time of year, that's only at about 3500 feet!

I actually got up and put my shoes on and did 7 laps around our driveway. I think it's like 1/10th of a mile around. I hope to get up each morning and do that before I do anything else and try for more laps each day. I just slap my MP3 on my head and take off. Felt great. It's still cloudy, but no rain. I think that's the only way I'll get out there and do exercise, before I start thinking. At least it's a start. I'm getting pissed at myself because I do things to mess myself up, and I'm at the point where I need to slap down my inner child and be in control again. So here's hoping once again.
Hope everyone is having a great day
Debbie

Catherine: I am so proud of you for how you handled all the attention. Hugs.

Heather: My teeth look wonderful but they hurt. lol.

Bernice: Sounds like you are where you should be for this time in your life. Hugs.

debi: I bet that Rat is right about your friend seeing you for you and not for the weight. Hugs.

Julee: My teeth do feel so smooth and white but they look big. lol.

Debbie: Congrats on the 7 laps around. What a fantastic plan.

Carol: Hi there doll.

Well, I actually felt like I learned some stuff today at work. Kind of enjoyed it. My supervisor/trainer will be at a meeting from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. so I will be on my own looking at accounts etc. I am kind of happy about it. I will study things a bit more without her over my shoulder.

I did get my braces off this morning and am now in a retainer that I have to wear for 6 months 24/7!!!! I'm sure it will be better soon but they hurt big time today. I haven't had one single thing to eat. Only one protein shake this morning. Not good but kind of necessary. I couldn't get to any protein powder at work and would not eat anything that was real food so, gotta go and make a protein shake now.

Blessings all,
Annie

I went to lunch with a friend today and I got oogled by the mailman. My friend and I were sitting and enjoying our lunch and covnersation and the mailman aslaving the restaurant when he looked over at us, smiled at me and told me I was beautiful. I know I blushed and I said thank you and he said it again. As he was walking away he turned around 4 more times to look at me and smile (I was sitting next to the window). Awkward...flattering..and awkard...but it was nice to have someone tell me I was beautiful today.

We got a small reprieve from the heat...only about 87 today and it's time to crank up the oven and start dinner. Snapple has some new juice based drinks....Kiwi Pear and Noni Berry...1 bottle is 20 calories...rather tasty. It was a nice break from water for the moment.

Back to work tomorrow....lovely. At least I can run the A/C in my office all day without having to cry over the bill.

Wow Catherine you are an Author! Congrats!
Way to go smart girl 7 laps around the driveway in the morning! Wish I could be that ambitious in the morning!
JuleeCee ...Nice compliment to be admired by the mailman! The only one that oogles me is the dog and thats only when I am eating (lol)
Having quite a struggle! Still up 4 lbs...It is depressing me! But on the positive side walked for 40 minuites today.
And I met a girl at my work that just started...And she lost 120 lbs. She showed me her picture of before...She looks like a different person today..And she told me that she had many struggles ......... And it is probably my increased walking that has made me gain that weight...But I am still so frustrated by it!! Oh well I better let that 4 lbs go!! talk to you all tomorrow Angels cheer:

Hi All - I forgot to mention on my fly by this morning that I "released" .75 pounds this week. I'm so happy after the whoosh last week.

Tonight I had a salmon burger for dinner - I'm not a fish eater but the box said no fishy taste. They were fantastic - DH grilled for me while he grilled himself hamburgers. I had it on the 100 calorie pepperidge farm white whole grain bun. It was wonderful. I wasn't sure what condiments to use so I used 1 t of light miracle whip and 1 t of sweet pickle relish. Next time I will not hesitate to dress it like a burger. I found these at Sams - 10 in a box. I had gone looking for the turkey or chicken burgers I have found there before - what a great find!

I worked out extra hard tonight since I will be at the lake on Thursday and missing my class. I did 60 minutes on the treadmill - 3.5 miles and then 20 minutes circuit training. I also made a promise to myself that I will walk on the treadmill when I get back on Friday.

Annie - I'm glad you are enjoying some independence on the job. I always hate it when someone stands over me - I need to learn in my own way. Hugs back at ya!

Need to run get gas and visit the ATM before dark - hugs to you all,

Carol

Wow...i sure miss checking in during the day. My MIL is here and the day went ok.
We found out we are having a grandaughter!!!! I am so excited!!! Not that it really mattered to me what the baby was..but its nice knowing i can buy a few girly things.She appears to be perfect and healthy and very active according to the nurse! :O)
MIL goes home tommorow and nephew is coming...I just hope he doesnt get bored with us.LOL
I kinda ate a bit much tonight...hubby grilled steaks.
have a good night everyone
debi

I survived the mall. I went wild. I bought a few things at the dollar store, and even got some new yo-yo strings. I splurged on some water socks for the pool. Since I'm not walking with a crutch anymore, I feel a tad unsure on the slippery tile. We got taken out to dinner by a couple who couldn't make it to the launch yesterday, and wanted a signed copy. We had Nigerian FuFu, which is a kind of soft potato dumpling that you roll into balls, and dip into this oxtail and okra soup. No freaking idea how many calories to write down for that. Now, I'm settling in to sign books that are going out tomorrow. I needed to mow, but it rained, so shopping on a rainy day is good too. It's in the 50's here, and getting colder. We had to turn the boiler back on. If it starts snowing again, I'm going to run away from home.

i seriously hate my family. like seriously. they all suck. i dont know how i ended up with the rediculously short straw when it came to family, but its not fair.

lets start with a mom who is one phone call away from a restraining order..

or my aunt who cant be a parent and thinks its fun to scream at the top of her lungs at 6 am (she and her 2 ******* kids live with us)

cousin 1 is 19 and thinks he owns the place. he does whatever he wants whenever he wants. has people over at all hours of the night. has a bed in the garage so he can have sex with his girlfriend and is generally a worthless piece of sh*t. im extra pissed at him because he messed up my bike and i offered to pay HALF to get it fixed and he doesnt see that he has to. after bending the wheel because he put 2 truck fenders ontop of my bike.

and my younger cousin who talks back to everyone and wont clean up after himself

i live with my great grandma (and the afore mentioned a**holes excluding my mom) her daughter and son (my grandma and uncle) wont do ANYTHING to help. her health is deteriorating after her stroke a few years ago. my uncle has basically said to not call him at all, but shows up on mothers day and christmas and stuff like that and brings her all kinds of stuff she cant have like cocacola - she gets addicted to it and freaks out if she cant have it.

and my grandma is just oblivious to everything. ive asked if my great grandma could could come stay with her for a little while because she really needs 24 hour supervision, but doesnt want to go to a home, but she cant be bothered to put her 2 chocolate labs outside so a family member can be taken care of.

i swear my family is so damn selfish. i just dont get it.

Luan - hugs to you! Boy do I hear ya!

Catherine - so tell me what you use yo-yo strings for? I don't remember ever wearing one out. I'm glad you got some water socks - we don't need you falling again.

Heading south - everyone have a great day!

Julee: It is so nice and I agree awkward when a stranger compliments you. You are very beautiful though. Nice to see others notice it too.

Angels: I'm sure that the 4 pounds is water weight. Glad that you found a friend at work where you guys can support each other.

Carol: Congrats on the "release". I also did some "releasing" but just back down from 264 to 262 again. I will have to check out the salmon burgers. I buy the turkey burgers and I bought chicken and buffalo ones too. Have a great time at the lake.

Debi: Congrats on the Grandaughter!

Catherine: Did you enjoy the FuFu? You are so adventurous when you eat all of the exotic food. I am such a chicken. lol. It snowed here yesterday!!!!!! I was so upset to see it but luckily it didn't stay on the ground.

Luan: Hugs, Hugs, Hugs.

Well, Off to my last day of work before I fly to Long Beach tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I drank my shake and also 32 oz. of water already this am. I'm off to a great start on that. So before 8 a.m. and I have 52 oz. under my belt, so to speak. lol.

Blessings all,
Annie

Good morning everyone!

I just got back from a walk in the park . . . better weather today, so I did the full 5 miles. I managed to stay fully on plan yesterday, and am off to a good start today . . . so maybe I'll hit my calorie deficit goal for the week after all, despite a slow start on Sunday and Monday.

dgramie -- I've had the same experience with friends . . . I think they really do just see beyond the exterior at some point

debbie -- glad your weather warmed up enough for you to get outside - ours cooled off after some storms, so it's bearable now. I'm like that too sometimes - I just have to put on my shoes and get out the door before I start thinking too much

annie -- congratulations on your great month at curves, and enjoy that pool - it sounds wonderful

Catherine -- glad to hear the signing was so successful . . . and I've gotta admit that I'm also curious about the yo-yo strings

Heather -- glad you enjoyed the spa . . . you've gotten me motivated to make an appointment

Bernice -- sorry you didn't get the job you wanted, but it sounds like you're very much needed where you are

Cyn -- glad the carpooling is working out

Luan -- sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. I have a close friend staying with me on an extended basis and we're having some serious issues, so I understand how difficult it can be to get some perspective on problems with someone when you're around them too d*** much

Julee -- congratulations on the compliments from the mailman - it's so nice to be noticed when it's done in a respectful way like that

Carol -- congratulations on the "release"

Just a quick note before I run...if you are also looking for nice lean alternatives to red meat, try ostrich or emu if you can find them around in stores. Slightly gamy but nicely flavored and VERY lean.

Happy day to everyone...and Luan...HUGS.....sadly we don't get to pick them.

Luan-I haven't spoken to my mother in over 4 years now. I can't visit because she lives with a pedophile who says things to me that my father would have killed him over. My mother in law got our first wedding canceled, and then tried to have me deported. My husband's youngest sister swindled him out of $200,000 on a house deal, and in order to get at least 10 cents on the dollar back, he had to agree to never be in the same room with her. He violates it, and she can sue us, so he didn't get to go to his aunt's or his uncle's funeral's in the last 6 weeks, so I definitely understand about difficult family. If it makes you feel any better, in the years I did family law, I saw very few Beaver Cleaver families. Most were just like yours.

Annie/Carol-I needed the yo-yo strings for my yo-yos. Fireballs take a special kind. I wanted the colored ones, but they only had white in stock. You wear them out by actually using the yo-yo. It's good rehab for my bad shoulder. Using the little elastic bands are boring. Everyone needs some whimsy in their life. Besides, yo-yos can make pretty good weapons against mashers at bus stops, and I also use mine as a gavel when chairing women's meetings. I do like being memorable. When someone says "who?" I want them to say, "you know that large woman with the yo-yo." Today I'm doing more traditional. I've got my Duncan Imperial out.

Julie-Don't forget Buffalo. That's lean, and not at all gamey.

I was going to say Buffalo too! It's very yummy and very lean!