We posted at the same time, Annie! I understand not wanting to exercise a bunch while TOM is about. I do the same thing. You are so close to 250! w00h00!!

I have an eye appt for Thursday. I can't stand having headaches, so I'm gonna get that taken care of quickly. I am lucky that I don't get migraines and feel for anyone who gets them.

Hugs!
Rat

Annie- Your day at the park sounds fun! It sounds like you got a lot of walking in. Good for you!! Sorry you hurt your neck. YEAH! on the WI. You are doing so well! I am proud of you girl!

Jess-I agree with Annie, try some videos/DVDS/tv. That is kinda how I started. I have some DVD's that I started with and just inched into the y membership and getting a treadmill at home. I have had a bike for 2 years and am finally riding it alot! It started out really slow though. This week has not been the best yet either as it is so hot outside. Hubby needs to fix the tension on the stationery bike so I can't even use it inside. Going to the Y is hard too as it is 25 minute drive. Gas is so expensive I have a hard time justifying making a trip just to exercise. I should as I am worth it! HA! HA! So just start slow, you can do it!

DMPLS-glad the furbabies are doing well!

Catherine-Yeah on hubby home! I know how it is with the laundry. Every week hubby comes home it is the same way. At least he uses a laundry bag so it stays semi-sorted.

Girls are doing well- I see FLOOR!!!

OOOOOOOOo Johnnie......nah nah nah nah nah nah!! :rofl: It's really nice here. Just the hi 70s. Cloudy in the morn and burns off to a really pretty day. Sorry for the rest of you who are suffering in the heat and humidity. I really do feel for ya.

Debi, If you want some more blackberries, come on over. We're loaded with them!! Our whole property is surrounded by those darn things. People here are trying to kill them, there are so many.

Catherine, so glad Himself got home fine. Have fun with that doc pickin' your brain.

Annie, woohoo on the pounds gone!! Yep, 250 is sooooooo close for you!!! How fun to have a water park so close to you that you can go so often.

Hi Ratkity, Penny, Julee, and the rest of the gang! :wave:

My brother and fam will be here on Thursday so I have to get my butt in gear and start cleaning this place. I still have half of the veggie garden to clean out and one more flower garden, then mow the lawns and weedeat. Tomorrow is carpet cleaning, rearranging furniture and then mopping and waxing floors, laundry and all the rest of the fun stuff that goes with having people staying.
We'll be taking them to Seattle on Saturday, to go to the Pike Place Market, watch them throw the big fish, the original Starbucks and the underground tour and then to an Italian restaurant. It should be a fun day. I don't know what other plans we have for them, but we'll think of something. Jim's going to have all next week off too, and on Tuesday night at one of the casinos, they have a stage that you can go up on and a full band to back you up for karaoke and then Wednesday morning we will go crabbing with the kids. It should be a fun week! I just worry about the eating, but I'm trying to find things that won't be too bad.

Hope everyone is having a great day and try to stay cool for those in the horrid heat.
Debbie

Good afternoon all,

My goodness, it's Monday afternoon and we're on page 2 already. I keep trying to keep up but I'm not sure where the time has gone. This week is supposed to be rainy, which means I'll be inside more. However, I also note that it's now getting close to late July and I've got math prep work to do for school in the fall. That's what you get for going back to school 20-some odd years later - make up work! I also figure since I'll have less time in the fall I'm going to get into the cooking and try and make sure that the freezer has some ready-made stuff for Sept. Most of what's in there now is divided up raw meat. That's not a good choice for a quick meal.

Carol - hope you're having fun at your seminar. It's funny but lots of people hope for good food at them. I think my opinion of what good food is has changed.

Debi - We've cooled down today but it is humid as well. Sorry about the bra. The only suggestion I can make it take it off when you really don't need it on. :)

Ratkitten - I understand about the comfort food. Mine are weird. If I'm just not feeling good I want pasta with tomato sauce. If it's an upset stomach I want lemonade and peaches. I know, very strange.

Bernice - sounds like you had a fun (but quick) mini trip. New Orleans must have been pretty warm though. We were there last May and had a gorgeous (maybe low 80s) day. Talking with a local though I realised that we were lucky since it's usually hotter than that and more humid to boot.

Penny - AC is so nice sometimes. I love this time of year with all the fresh fruits and veggies around. That's a pretty good thing that she works at a farm market.

Johnnie - I try not to complain about the heat too much since I whined so much this winter. I could do with a touch less humidity though.

Catherine - have fun with the brain doc!

Jess - I wouldn't worry too much about water retention. I used to find that around TOM I might go up as many as three or four pounds. The good thing about that is you go down the same amount afterwards. I did a lot of walking, although lately I've been lifting weights as well. I discovered that I like throwing heavy weights around. :) I still walk a couple of times a week though, it's a great exercise. Don't hit the treadmill too hard though. I started with 90 mins a day (too much) and all I got for it was sore knees). Walk Away the Pounds DVDs are pretty good, and I don't know about your library, but you can sign them out in ours.

Julee - that's interesting work you'll be doing on Thursday. Have fun (but not too much)!

Annie - isn't it amazing that drinking water keeps you from retaining more? I've known it for a long time, but it still fascinates me. I hope you reach the under 250 mark soon.

Debbie - oh company. No, don't get me wrong, I love when people come to visit. We had a small neighbourhood party on Sat. night. You seem to do almost as much work as when people come to visit. Good luck on the food choices while out and about.

Well, it looks like the sun has decided to shine for a bit. So I should go out and check the plants (although it's unlikely anything needs water) and maybe have a swim. Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

Hi Ladies,

I had a great day of laundry. lol. I did bring in the big rubbermade tubs of too small clothes for me and tried them on. Guess what. No longer too small and they are size 18's and 20's! That was awesome. I am doing laundry on bunches of them now and it promted me to go through my closet again and drawers and get rid of the too big clothes for me. I have a huge back end of things in my car to donate to the women's shelter. I won't be able to do it until Thursday though because I have to take my hubby's truck to the shop tomorrow and I will be riding my bike while he uses my car for until Wednesday afternoon. There is a recall on his truck speedometer. Need to get that replaced while it is still under warrenty.

I rode my bike again today. DIdn't do my usual 4.6 miles. Did only 2.5 but that is okay.

Penny: :)

Debbie: I hope you have a wonderful time with your family coming. Sounds like you have tons of things to keep you busy.

Anne: I love your idea of getting things ready in the freezer for when you are too busy to cook. Good luck with that.

Well, I'm off to check on some schooling myself. Thinking about Physical Therapy assistant and also about personal training.

Blessings all,
Annie

Evening Ladies

Carol - Glad you had a nice weekend. Enjoy your seminar.

Debi - I have not had any chaffing so far this year. Knock on wood. ;) In the summer I usually use anti bacterial soap for body wash and dry off very well. Gold bond sensitive areas. I also carry diaper wipes with me to freshen up during the day and sprinkle a little more powder.

Ratkity - Hope your horrid headache has vanished.

Bernice - What an awesome mini vacation. I haven’t been to New Orleans and would love to go some time. The last long trip I took with hubby in the truck was to Galveston. I really like it there. it’s the beach baby in me. The more water to swim the better.

Penny - I love the market. Very envious of all your produce! Who hoo to kids cleaning with out a cattle prod aimed at them!

Johnnie - We had another humid day. Mind you not high enough to make me sopping wet all day long.:(

Catherine - Did ya get your spring cleaning done b4 hubby got home? Glad he is home safe. When the doc is done messing around in your brain do you feel ok? I can imaging how taxing all these appointments can be.

Jess8 - I know its been quiet here. But there is so much good weather to enjoy. Like Rat says little changes. Easier for long term success and for winning over the family to new healthier ways.

Julee - Love your plans for Thursday.

Annie - Boo to the nasty ride. I did one with dh at darian lake when we were dating. Impressed him and never did it again. It was so horrible that when he went to look at the lovely pics they take of you I ran to the washroom for a private cry! And AWESOME job on your release!

Debbie - The plans with your family sound wonderful. I am envious. Really have the itch to travel but we are working on saving to buy a home next summer.

Anne - You inspire me to keep busy in the kitchen and try new stuff. Thanks. Are you still planning on going to Stratford?

A few things. Had a crappy weekend with hubby,. He was all moody again. Then I got my finger stuck in a ratchet that I was helping him tighten on a load of steel. Was thinking I would lose the finger nail. But so far so good. Keeping the dressing on it so that the kids remember that it is sore! And this morning I discovered I had no clean shorts or pants so I dug out a summer skirt that I have not worn since Summer 03. It is 3x and fits! So tonight after the kids are in bed I will check out a few more items that have been hanging around too long!

No major head shrinking today. I think he is regrouping. I did get all my cleaning done except the bathroom. They are going to be installing the new disabled toilet this week, and I expect a big mess after that, so I'm going to wait to get it all at once.

I'm all ready to start my sewing for fall. I am designing (in my head) a new layered coat kind of thing. I'm also making a new laptop sleeve for going back to school. It's also time for new hat and mittens. I'm going to hardwire my trapper hat with headphones like Bula makes. I'm also making a round padded case for my new yoyo. We all have to have priorities. Everything else is done around here, so I can concentrate on my sewing, so I can get the decks cleared before school starts. I'm doubling my course load this fall from 3 to 6, so I want to make sure I've got all distractions out of here. My head injury has made me have trouble concentrating when other stuff is bothering me. I literally can't sew or study if there is dirty laundry. I will sometimes go and study in the lounge at mall, surrounded by noisy kids rather than try at home. I can block out that noise easier than I can my internal nagging, and boy can I ever nag myself silly.

Just thought I'd do a few more personals before going to bed. I really am going to try and keep up this week. :)

Annie - that's fantastic about the clothing. I've been waiting a while before trying some of my smaller clothes on but today I noticed that my shorts are starting to feel loose. And considering they're elastic waisted that's pretty good. I think personal training would be a great career (I thought about it myself). Good luck with what you decide.

Julia - yes, I will be going. I'll have to double check where we're meeting, but why not? If your plans change do consider joining us. Sorry about the finger - I have a lovely burn on my upper arm this week. Wasn't paying attention when moving a pan (and didn't think it was that bad until hours later when it was too late). And congrats on fitting into the smaller skirt as well!

Catherine - sounds like you have lots of sewing to keep yourself busy. I used to sew, but was never particularly good at it. My aunt in Scotland is fantastic (she used to design clothing for a living). I always thought I should have asked her for lessons when we were visiting.

Well ladies, I'm off to bed now. Tomorrow's tasks will include some shopping, some cooking, and oh my - another attempt to get the cats to the vets. I wasn't around to describe last week's failed attempt. Let's just say that we've got a strategy, however, I don't hold a lot of hope for us winning. :)

Hi All!

Just popping in to say hello. The day has been kind of hectic today so I haven't had a chance to post like I wanted to. But I wanted ya'll to know that I was thinking about you.

I discovered over the weekend that sugar free pudding is loaded with a ton of salt! The vanilla kind I picked up to make at home had 450 mg's for a 1/2 cup and the chocolate had over 500 mgs. Naturally I didn't find this out until AFTER I ate a serving (you'd think I would be smart enough to look at the box first. Oh well). So now I'm downing the water trying to flush out the salt before tomorrow's weigh in. :dizzy:

Well, signing off for now. DH is hollering that he's tired and wants to go to bed. Not sure why he can't go by himself...maybe he's afraid of the dark. :dunno:

Hugs everybody...hope you have an awesome day!!

M'Chelle
:carrot: (you just gotta love a dancing carrot)

The trip was great! Just wish my ankles or kankles as my BIL called them! LOL would go down completely!!!

As far as the aligator........I think it tasted almost like fried clams.....but then again I only had two itty bitty pieces since it was fried!.....liked it though!

Hello ladies,
Well gold bond is great stuff..I am much more comfortable today!!I dont usually chaff so it was a new experience for me. I usually stay inside when we have a heat index warning.LOL

Do you ever feel like family or friends try to derail you weight loss journey?? I had something similar happen yesterday. Kinda bothers me!

We are suppost to cool back down today. Only be in the upper 80s and lower 90s. I should be able to take the kids to the playground today.

annie_ congrats on the 18/20 :O) YOu amaze me!! I inspire me!! My brother goes for his first med work up on thrusday for his gastric surgery. HE is so excited! He is barely able to walk at this time..he has alot of back problems that his weight is only making worse.Im praying he has the sucess you have had!! Keep him in your prayers!

anne_ go try on those clothes that were to small...its the best feeling in the world, when they fit !!

catherine_ enjoy sewing..send us pictures of your creations. I want to see the layered coat. I need to get some sewing done before Im back to babysitting fulltime. I want to make a few little dresses for my grandbaby to have . She is due in oct and by spring I plan on having her a whole wardrobe full of clothes..little sunsuits and stuff.I have also thought about making her baptism gown.

debbie_ you crochet? I found a babyblanket online..Its fleece with a blanket stitch around it and then a shell stitch worked into it. Its really cute.I will send the link to you in you want it. Im going to get the stuff tommorow to make it.

carol_ how is the seminar??
julia_ great job on the smaller skirt! I wore a short skirt last week when i went with hubby to the dr. It hit me right at my knee. I had to really watch how i sat. Gosh i got use to the skirts around my calves..and i didnt have to watch how i sat in them.LOL

Bee- I hope you have a great weigh in today.

rat_ hi

julee_ hugs

dmpls_ hugs on the kankles...hubby gets them when his glucose is high. I have only had them a few times..but once was on my sons wedding day. You can even see them in the pictures. Keep drinking that water!!

penny_ you are worth the gas!! I understand we have to drive to do anything around here. Its about 20 min to the gym here and i cant justify it either..but i dont have an excuse not to go to the basement and hit the weights again. I think I will start back lifting when school starts back and im back to kidos full time.Looks like i have them most of this week and most of next and then back at it full time.

Hope i didnt miss anyone..sorry if i did!! Hope everyone has a wonderful day

Julia: Woo hoo on the skirt fitting. Were you able to find any other treasures?

Catherine: I so love to hear about the clothes you are going to sew. I brought out my sewing machine the other day and made a swim suit a bit shorter in the straps over the shoulders. It is a suit someone gave me in an 18 but it is stretched out on the shoulders and that made it a bit better but I should have actually put it on and measured it because it could use some more. lol.

Anne: Try on the Clothes! Good luck getting your kitties to the vet.

Mchelle: Wow. I didn't realize that sugar free pudding has so much salt in it either. I will have to be more careful. Thanks for the heads up.

Bernice: Keep drinking the water and soon your ankles will look like new again.

Debi: Good luck to your brother. I will keep him in my prayers. What is his first name? Pm me if you don't want to write it on here.

Ratkitty: Hi girl. I missed you last night when I posted.

Well, I rode my bike home from the car dealership and it took me 25 minutes. I am riding to my meeting and back tonight so that will be about an hours worth or riding. It should be a good workout today. lol. I have ironing to do and it should be a good day for that as it is cloudy and possible rain coming. I am watering the yard just in case it doesn't rain.

I hope everyone has a wonderful op, water drinking and bootie moving day.
Blessings,
Annie

Anne, how was the sunshine? I hope you enjoyed it and it stays sunny for ya, just not too hot!
Yes, company is fun to have, but it's also nice when they go home. :lol:

Annie, have fun on the bike! Sounds like you've been putting some serious time on it. Already in 18s and 20s huh? That's fantastic!!! I think you would be great at either the physical therapist or trainer!!

Julia, hooray on the skirt fitting! I bet you'll find more things that will too. Hope hubby gets in a better mood soon

Catherine, the layered coat sounds interesting. You have to take pics so we can check out your inventions. Do you have all your yo yos in little covers?

M'Chelle, that's pretty surprising that jello pudding would be loaded with salt. Ya just never know.

Debi, yep, I crochet, but not during the summer. Too darn hot. I have about 3 blankets started, but they can wait til it cools down. The blanket you mentioned sounds interesting. It sounds like your grandbaby will have lots of cute clothes to wear. She's going to be one lucky baby growing up with a Grandma who can sew.

Gotta head out and get the bed ordered and pick up the carpet cleaner.
Have a great day!
Debbie

Just for fun I looked out last week's attempt to go to the vet (I had put in on my blog)....

After lunch it was time for the vet visit. Grabbed the easy to catch cat (Gus) and put him into the bathroom. He doesn’t mind much, in fact if you don’t leave something blocking the door he shuts himself in. The little, freakishly fast cat (Shadow), now he was a problem. This is a cat that eats anything and will follow you anytime you have food that he thinks he might like. He will knock the bigger cat away and take his food whenever possible.

So, not planning ahead, I grabbed a piece of turkey (which he ate more than his share of at lunch) and tried to lure him downstairs to where the cage was.

“No sorry, I’m sleeping. Just leave it on the floor I’ll get it later.”

Well, he didn’t say that, but that’s what he was thinking. He was up underneath the dining room table and I knew if I tried to grab him it wasn’t going to work. I should have brought the cage closer at this point. He finally decided to get up and at least lick the turkey. I figured he looked drowsy so I’d take a chance. I picked him up and started slowly down the stairs. About two steps into the journey he freaked out (neither of them like being carried, trust me, I’ve tried to get them used to it). A short struggle ensued and I eventually caved and let go. I’ve been scratched to bits onces before and it’s not fun. He did bite me once but that was (partly) my own fault. See, we used to take the old cats on a collar and leash. So, I quietly put the collar on, he went nuts, and afraid that he would hurt himself I tried to take it off. See, all my fault. :)

So, down the stairs he went, through the family room and up onto the bar. I got a little too close and he jumped down the back of the bar and tried to escape up the stairs. My mother thought it would be a good idea to block his escape… so into the crawlspace he went. At this point I gave up, canceled the appointment and let Gus out of the bathroom. Shadow spent the rest of the afternoon in the crawlspace, although once he smelled dinner cooking he managed to sneak back upstairs so he could get his share.

Oh yes, and after dinner, Gus locked himself in the bathroom just for old times sake. I’m quite serious about this. He’s stopped sleeping in the bathrooms since we made it impossible for him to lock himself in.

----

So today will be attempt #2. If it doesn't work I'm going to leave it for a couple of weeks!

I had a lot of questions about the coat I'm making. As a pear, a serious practically Christmas tree shaped pear body, coats are so hard to buy. If they zip up around my hips, they are so big on top and the arms are too long. If they fit me on top, I can't zip them. At my largest, I had a mans, 5X coat that I had to shorten the arms, and split the sides up like a poncho almost, and put a shorter zipper. That was okay for the occasional cold weather in Florida.

Here in the frozen North, that isn't good enough. I bought a nice down parka before I came up, that just did fit, and gained weight after getting married, so it sits in the closet. I survived the first winter with a hoodie and waist length jacket. Last winter I went with hoodie and down vest, and liked that better. When it was coldest, I just kind of dealt with it or stayed home. That's not going to be an option this fall because I'll be going out to the campus more often, and I can't miss a class because it is too cold.

So, I'm going to make a vest, and a zip up hooded jacket, both out of polartec 200, and a hooded jacket out of a coated supplex. Each will be two-four inches longer than the inner one. The arm holes will be larger to accommodate the inner layers. Basically, I want to be able to wear vest on cool days, jacket on cooler, vest and jacket on cold, with the rain layer on raining or snowing days over the top of whatever I need underneath. On really cold windy days, I want to be able to wear all three comfortably. I'm still working out some of the design details. I've got my pattern cut out ready to alter. I buy to fit my top part, and then alter the bottom. That's much easier. I think I've decided on slash pockets, elastic cuffs, and maybe a bungee drawstring at the bottom hem of the jacket, but not the others.

I will let you know how it goes when I actually start cutting. The fleece came in the mail yesterday, so I'm ready to go materials wise. I just need to clear my mending off the table to have room to start cutting. I swear he needs a full time tailor to follow him around. He came in yesterday with a large slash cut across the front of a shirt, and had no idea how it got there. I expected his intestines to be hanging out at the least. It was an enormous cut. I wonder how much kevlar costs a yard. I think he needs to wear battle gear as quickly as he rips through stuff.