morning all..

Annie: you are very brave! And how exciting for you!!

Yesterday was a pretty good day with the food. I brought a granola bar for a snack instead of running to the vending machine.

At work we decided when we get out "new room" we are all going to bring in a variety of fruits and veggies for us all to share all week. I swear if they are there I will eat them. It is the "brining them in" that gets me. So we figured with us 5 and 3 more people and if we all bring just a little we will stay clear of those nasty vending machines!!

The gym didnt happen again..:( no excuses just lazy.

Tonight me and a couple of friends are going to applebees...That is a big no no for me...sooo I am going to try and keep it light!

Remember to take a moment of silence today all for the 9/11 victims and their families....

Toodles

We had another article published in the Edmonton Journal. Here's the link if anyone wants to read it. http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...1-0103bfc09ecc It's the worst kept secret that I do the writing. He's a good scientific writer, but his stuff reads like stereo instructions. Everyone likes to kid him that his writing has sure improved since he got married.

Carol: Hugs and thanks.

Debi: Great job on the eating and exercises. Nothing exciting happening today. lol.

Brenda: Super NSV!

Rat: Hugs hun! I feel the same about 9/11. When I wrote the date down this morning I stopped and prayed for the families and our country again. I watched a movie called Flight 93 the other day and I was honestly in Awe of what those people went through and their bravery. So humbling.

Cyn: Sounds like your guys have a plan for work snacks. Great job.

It is 10:14 here and I am off work. I am planning on going to a thrift store in Coeur d' Alene to see if I can find some pants that fit me. I am really needing jeans all of a sudden. Mine are falling off me and look like clown pants all of a sudden. I don't want to buy new ones if I can help it. Hopefully the thrift stores will have some. I am also thinking about going for a swim but not sure if I will have time to or not.
I hope you are all enjoying your day and moving your bodies.
Blessings,
Annie

OK - where's everybody at?

Was a great day today although I'm getting very tired of the clouds and rain. Supposed to end on Tuesday.

Annie - you are so welcome - big ole hugs.

Actually big ole hugs to all - I hope you are all safe and well.

Carol

I'm here reading lurking.......grades need to be put in and we have a new gradebook system and it keeps messing up. Tried to login from home to input grades well.......that didn't work.

I finally caved in......I picked up some yarn for the other Asst in the room to make her baby a blanket when she gets here.......I don't "feel" like crocheting one for her.....but I know if I don't she will be hurt seeing as how I made one for the Teacher in our room. I have been looking through all my patterns and even went online to see if I could find one that inspired me...........well nothing really did..........so I will make a simple pattern I have memorized "1, 2, 3 pattern" (for those that crochet count out the chain multiples of 3 + 1, then do single, double, triple repeat to end chain 1 turn. thus the name 1, 2, 3) It makes a cute little bubble and its simple to do no written pattern needed.


Bernice

new
 

Hi all.

I just joined here and thought this would be a good forum for me.
I've done a bunch of dieting but never managed to stick to it or keep the weight off. But now I've had enough and I'm ready for change!! I'm so glad I came across this site, as i hope it will be able to inspire me to stick it through the rough patches!

So my plan is to watch my calorie and fat intake while taking Alli ( has anyone/ is anyone taking this??) I'm also trying to get myself into a routine of doing cardio at the gym. As well as meeting with a personal trainer twice a week ( so far one session and my muscles have been hurting for over 24 hours! but I'm told its a "good" pain..ha!)

i guess the only thing I have left to say now is, All of your stories on here are inspirational and I am hopeful that I can eventually be a person on here who is doing as successful as all of you!

Hi everyone, well I'm STILL OP!!! Shock, gasp, lol. Exercised and walked too the last couple of days, isn't it weird I didn't WANT to DIET but now I 'forced' myself to I'm enjoying it? I get on the scales in a mo, must alter my tracker to the correct starting & present weights.
Carol I'm so sorry for your family losing the baby, whether it was 'expected' or not they must be devastated.HUGSxxxxxxxxx
Annie, WTG on the 'suit', even if it felt scary/upsetting it shows you what you've achieved so far for your health and happiness. I hope that your talk helped the people understand & sets them on the road to a heathier life. So glad you're enjoying work too.xxxxxx
Catherine, I didn't read the article but you must be so proud.xxxxxx
I baked a Denise Austin recipe for apple muffins yesterday, first time for muffins from scratch, LOVELY, but can anyone tell me what CANOLA oil is please? I used sunflower oil & it worked fine, 80-100 cals each...mmm. Will post the recipe later if anyone wants it. I had no muffin tins so made 24 in tart/mini pie tins rather than the 18 in the recipe, they've all gone already!!!lol Will be making more today as our apple tree is LOADED with apples.
LOST 3lbs since Monday, pretty happy!! Gotta take the boys to school now or they'll be late.
Welcome star xxxxxx
xxxxsharon

Just passing by ... :) Sharon, it's rapeseed oil, I think.

Canola is grown here. It's got very pretty yellow kind of flowers. It is also outrageously cheap here.

morning all

BERNICE: I crochet!! That is the exact blanket I am working on now!! I actually love that pattern!! And it is so simple to remember..hehe


Sharon: apple tree? oh how lucky!! If I even thought a tree like that could grow in this Arizona heat I'd plant one and cross my fingers.

Well...last night me and my friend went to applebees and met our other friend we had not seen in about 2 years. It was so much fun sitting there chatting about old times. I only had one drink and it was happy hour lol. But I didnt want to over do it. The food was okay..and I usually love applebees. I think I was way more into the catching up then the food.

Got home pretty early and my sons XBOX had arrived. Poor kid has been waiting since his b-day in July to get this. They are so dang expensive..we had to save some money for it. I like playing the guitar hero on it lol

Well it's friday and I am sooo happy. Work has been getting on my nerves..lol.

Hope everyone has a great day..and remember to smile even when its easier to wear a frown

Toodles

Morning Ladies,
I am feeling good today...already jumped 20 min on minitramp and got laundry put away and more going.
Im am praying the scales hold till tommorow ..i liked what i saw this morning even with Tom here.:O)
Daughter will be home this afternoon so i get to see her "rock". I guess we will start making list of things we need to do. I am really excited and its sure got me moving on the minitramp. I want to look so good in those pictures!!

I want to thank each and everyone one of you who has helped me on my journey. I still have a long way to go...but i have came so far!! I looked at the picture today of my heaviest and am so thankful im not there anymore!! Its so much easier with wonderful friends to hold your hand on your journey.

Good Morning Peeps - Happy Friday!

I hope all of you in the path of Ike are safe - please take care. Ike is to give us 8-10 inches of rain here in the midwest by Sunday - or so the weather folks are saying today. I cannot imagine being near the coast when these storms hit.

Debi - great job on the jumping. You will look beautiful in the pics - the bride will be proud.

Catherine - glad to hear you were back to the pool.

I'm going to venture out in the rain (I'm sure I may melt) for a new pair of dress pants - hoping for a nice clearance rack.

Move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE.

Hugs,
Carol

Hi Chicklets,
Things are going fine here. I haven't been posting because I've been making beads and painting birdhouses. Busy busy!
At night I'm still having a problem with my eating, but I WILL get it under control when the BL challenge starts! I'm really looking forward to it!

Hope everyone is having a great day and as Carol said, for those of you in Ike's path, take care and even for those of you who will get all the rain, that still can do some damage so you take care too!!

bye!

Hello my Peeps!

I am heading out for some weekend fun with BikerMa at an organized ride near Richmond VA. Don't worry if I'm MIA for a few days! I'll have the laptop, but you know all the energy my Mom has.. I might be too worn out for posts. I'm looking to absorb some of my Mom's energy while I'm around her :)

Hugs to all my crafty folks! I love hearing all about blankies, bird houses, beads and canning stuff.

Hugs and Luv,
Rat

I'm here...just sort of doing a lot of thinking. Everything is fine and I am reading along. But I am here.

Happy Friday evening all,

Bernice: I can crochet a little bit but nothing where I have to read a pattern.

Star: Welcome. Sounds like you are off to a very good start. I'm looking forward to getting to know you.

Sharon: Woo hoo and congrats to you on another -3!

Cyn: Good job eating/drinking at Applebees.

Debi: I will pray that the scale is as good to you as you are hoping.

Carol: Any luck with the new pants?

Debbie: I tried to go on your site to see your beads but there was something wrong with it. I will try again another time. Hugs.

Rat: I hope you have a blast riding with your mom. Be safe.

I just baked a double batch of cookies for Joel. His cookie jar has been empty all week long and I needed to fill it or at least put some cookies in it for him. I tried a new recipe that I had cut out of a magazine a while back. They are oatmeal, banana, chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. I ate one and they tasted good but, I am sick now. That will show me to eat sugar. lol. I'm glad to know that my tool, (gastric bypass), is still working. lol.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to be warm and sunny here. To anyone in the path of Ike. Hugs and I'll be praying for your safety.

Blessings,
Annie

Hi Julee:

I have been thinking about you lately. I bought an exercise equiptment like the gazelle called a "Cloud Walker". I like it a lot and have been able to do it at a quick speed for 15 minutes at a time so far. Have you been able to use yours yet? I hope so. Hugs.
Blessings,
Annie

Hi everyone, I'm a calorie counter and have been stuck at the same weight for a month 1/2. I'm frustrated and need to throw my scale out the window.

How's everyone doing?

Hi guys,

Today wasn't the best day, or perhaps I just didn't do well with the day I was handed. I have been losing consistently this week (down about 7+ pounds so far). I was drinking lots of water, walking regularly. I was eating ~2000 calories. I keep saying was, and I should say am. But...that leads to today. We got an announcement at work today that is showing us big changes coming. More stress, some job fear, etc. I personally am not super worried about my job, but worried about other things work wise. Also, my antibiotics seem to be working....yay and boo. Seems to be rough on my stomach, if you know what I mean. A few other misc. other things going on, but nothing tragic. And yet today I am just blah. I had an intentional binge dinner, after quite a while of being a good girl. I bought three chicken fingers, chips and dip, and donuts for dinner. Actually a piece of cake as well, but I am stuffed, so I am making DH eat it. I probably had two servings of chips, and 3 of dip. And two donuts. Yep, I am a :ink:.

I am supposed to walk today....and I am not going to. I have just decided, and it's probably not the best decision, but one I am owning. I am supposed to get 4.8 miles in this weekend, now I need to do 6 to make up for tonight. Not sure about it...but if I don't do it, I will do it Monday. And that's ok. I had a bad day (decision wise)...and it's ok. Because I will make better decisions from now through the weekend. Baby steps.

I am PMSing...perhaps that is doing it to me. Or, it's just me.

Apparently I came here to ramble. Sorry.

Angie

Annie - yes I bought new pants - size 20. I think you transferred some of your emotion from the other night to me. When I put on the 22 and they were too big I must have looked at the tag a zillion times. The 20 is a little snug for a day or so. I also had substantial discount coupons from Lane Bryant and Catherines so I go pants and 2 shirts for less than $30 total. When I got home a dress I had ordered for the upcoming wedding was here - I hit the jackpot today.

Angie - sorry you had a rough day - but you didn't throw it all away. Acknowledgment is the biggest step. I also did not walk today and we were to go for Mexican tonight but tornadoes are all around us - not sure now what the dinner plan is. My plan has been upset and that can trigger things for me. I'm glad I'm working with my trainer in the water tomorrow. I need to get some miles in this weekend.

Debbie - glad to see you post - been wondering about you - I must have missed the site for your beads - can I see?

Off to watch the storms.

Hugs,
Carol

I have been gone a while, sorry for not checking in like I promised I would do. Thanks to everyone who complimented my progress pics.
I have been having a rough two weeks with food. Emotions and hormones say "Eat" and my weak will says "okay" sometimes. Not all the time but more often than is necessary. I know this is not going to be a perfect journey because I know I am anything but perfect, but it feels so disappointing to give into sugar and/or just a mind craving. I think a lot of my craving comes from wanting comfort, food was that for me for a very long time and it failed too many times to really comfort but I still have that old reaction. I have years of habit to unbuild, years more to build new habits. Thanks for all your support, even though I may not do personals, I listen to your words by reading them and join in your struggles as well.
I had a no gain/no loss week last week at my Friday weigh in, this week at today's weigh in I had a loss of 3 pounds. Letting go for one day on my birthday turned into 3 or 4 days of reckless and impulsive cramming and I am finally feeling more like myself.

Hi Annie, O sorry you couldn't get onto the site. Maybe I gave the wrong address. Did you try http://wuddlefuts.etsy.com ?
I haven' heard of a Cloud Walker. Sounds interesting.

Ratkity, Have fun with your Mom. She sounds like a little tazmanian devil. Always on the move!!!

Julee, good to know you're still here with us. We miss ya when you don't post but totally understand how you feel.

Here we go again, good to have you here!! Yep, sometimes I want to throw mine out too!!

Angie, we all have those kind of days. All we can do is pick ourselves up and start again. Take care.

Carol, take care!! All of you with the tornadoes and hurricanes are in my prayers. Stay safe. I wish you could all come to my house til it was over. Sure you can see my beads. I posted the address in Annie's personal. Thanks for wanting to check them out.

We went to the Goodwill today and got an Ab-doer for 12 bucks today. I'm hoping with the treadmill, weights, and the Ab-doer all staring at me, I'll get up and actually do some movement. All of you who exercise, I really admire you for your determination and commitment. I hope to someday get there and be loyal to it as you are. We went and got healthy foods to start the BL challenge. So I'm set. There's no excuse for not losing weight now. I have all the tools I need, just need to get my head in the right place.
Off to karaoke tonight. Be safe everybody!
Debbie

Here we go-Don't throw your scale out, run over it. That's fun. I've also used a sledgehammer. That was okay, but I think I enjoyed running over it laughing maniacally the best.

I haven't owned a scale for years, I get to obsessed if I have one in the house.

Good Morning,
I had a good weigh in..no a great weigh in!! I am 236.6 so I lost 3.2lbs this week. It also puts me past my halfway point.
I think the only reason I had such a good solid loss was exercise. I have used my minitramp faithfully this week.

Hiya Peeps

Debi - great job! I have scale jealously - you are doing fantastic! Keep up the great work.

We had a great workout in the pool this morning - I need to get some miles in today.

Hugs to all,
Carol

Debbie54: I booked mark your ETSY site...does it do well? I make crafts always looking for a place to
sell them. Also do you have the link for TBL challenge?????I would love to join this before it starts.

Shootingstar: Welcome to the group!!

Tonilight: Great pics!!! You can really see the progress!

Julee: Miss your posting!

As for me..I have deticated today to cleaning. My house is a mess!! I want to try and get some sewing in too maybe this evening.

Toodles...

I am off to the stadium to work a football game. I hadn't been allowed to do that much this season, but there's a wedding at church, and many who are in the wedding party or attending are also the ones who mainly work the games. We volunteered to miss the wedding and go over and get everything ready so those coming in late won't mess us up in food prep. I have promised to go easy and sit down as much as I can, and not lift anything too heavy. We'll see.

Debi, that's a great weight loss for the week!! :woohoo:

Cyn, I just joined Etsy about 3 weeks ago and have already had 8 sales. I figured that was pretty good with all the other people that make beads. What I did, is go in there, and look at all the other people making what I make, and see when they joined, and how much they've sold and checked out their prices. It's alot cheaper than listing things on ebay. You list each item for 20 cents, and then I think they take a small percentage when you sell something, so it's really not that bad. Plus practically everything there is handcrafted which makes it on a level ground for all. The store you set up is free too. Once in a while I will list something on ebay though, just so I can get the word out that I'm on Etsy. Give it a try! It's sorta fun.

Catherine, have fun today but don't overdue!!

Today the kids are coming over for enchiladas and a game night. Last night was karaoke and one of the people we know over there had had a double bypass. She was singing at a place and had the heart attack right there while singing. if it wasn't for her boyfriend, she would of died. She's not heavy at all and seems pretty active. You just never know when you'll get striked down. All the more reason to lose the weight, if I haven't done too much damage to myself already.
We also found out that my dil in lying to us about where she works. The friend that had the heart attack saw dil working at the convalescent hospital where she was after her attack. I don't understand why she is lying to us, but we aren't going to say anything. Things like this always have a way of coming out. What's really sad is the fact that my son feels he needs to keep the lie going for her. Just don't get it.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Take carea all of you in Ike's path.
toodles
Debbie

Hey all,
well, imagine this. . . . . . water in the basement! Who would've thought. I am done pumping for now but the rain is to continue. I have to run to town and get some groceries then will go down and do some more if needed. Well scales is nice today so we will see what WI tomorrow brings.

Debi-great weight loss!!!!

Catherine-good luck at the game!

Cyn-how's the house cleaning coming along??

Carol- good workout in the pool, keep going girl!

Annie, my young daughter wants to bake cookies, I thought about sending her over to your house. Girl, you are always baking! We have to bake some cookies for a party tomorrow, so I guess I better get to town to buy stuff! Still, wish I could send her over to you! hehe She is full of energy today!

Hello to all the readers!!! We miss you posting!

I better get moving! All have a great day and stay dry! If you are near the hurricane, stay safe. My husband is in Dallas and says it is rainy and windy! All take care, Penny

penny& carol and anyone else getting rain from IKE...please dont share to much with me..i really dont want a wet basement!!
I am enjoying my daughter being home..to bad she has to go back today. We did make a list of guest for the wedding to get an idea.
hugs

Debi - I wish Ike was to blame for this rain - that's not until tomorrow night and we may not get any rain from it. This is just part of a big ole storm system that can move on any time - right Penny?

Penny - I absolutely could not bake cookies - I am amazed at you and Annie able to handle it. They (or cookie dough) are my favorite food group. I'm glad to hear the peek was good - have a great WI tomorrow. My peek is a stay the same right now.

Catherine - no overdoing it although a few frozen hot dogs would be OK - after all gotta get exercise right?

Rat - hope BikerChick is having a great time with the energizer bunny BikerMom.

Debbie - don't you just hate the drama that lying creates. A co-worker went through that with her SD - to a point of now there is no connection at all - it was baaaaad - she just kept spinning the web until it caught her and no has cost the relationship with her dad too. Unfortunately the SD's hubby also lied to them - hugs to you.

Toni - great loss! Scale jealousy - just kidding but certainly scale envy.

Prof Heather - ready for school next week? I'm going to try your elliptical hint next week.

Scallops on the grill tonight - what would go nicely with them?

Off to make soup.

Hugs,
Carol

Annie:

The Gazelle is still staring at me from behind the couch. Still.

Nothing new here. Spent most of last night watching the news about the train wreck. Thankfully (to the bst of my knowledge) we did not know anyone on the train...but it was about 7 miles from where we live and know the area well. Such a tragedy. Then I watched 20/20. More tragedy.

I have work the rest of the weekend...events tonight and tomorrow afternoon as well and then tomorrow night DH and I have tickets for Brian Wilson. It looks like I am off to another funeral this week. last week was my rabbi's MIL and this week is is my dear friend's mother. Her daughter is also the president of my youth group and she and I are very close. So much sadness.

We've been treated to phenomenal weather the last few days so that was nice. I have missed sleeping under the covers all summer. I know it's going to get hot again in the next few days but I am enjoying this while it lasts.

Best,

Julee

Hi everyone!

Well, things have been ok with me. I too think of cookie dough as a food group and made a whole meal of it on Thursday :( I am sitting here now thinking that there are about 6 dozen cookies right now in the freezer along with fresh rolls and cinnabuns. I tried to keep myself busy this week. Too bad it was all with food although most of it escaped my grasp, other than the cookie dough of course :)

Hubby is working tonight and I am just waking up from a nap. I am always exhausted on Saturday nights. I am thinking on having some pepper slices and taziki dip so I can have a crunch and head back to my room. There must be something on TLC tonight to watch and do some more knitting :)

Good Morning!
Well, WI I was down 3.5, YEAH! Still raining off and on but did not have to be up all night with the basement! So we went to town yesterday and got baking stuff but haven't made yet. That will be real soon this morning. She will be getting up shortly. I am not a big cookie dough person so I will do alright with that. Hubby is, but he is not home. I had a very short night, I think I am going through the no/little sleep again like before. It has got to be stress related for me no other reason. I am going to try and get some exercise in today and work on water and protein. I have a couple of parties this afternoon for candles and home stuff, so I will eat good there. Not worried.
Girls were having attitude and drama last night, so they are getting no computer this week! Maybe their rooms will get cleaned up! It is a wonderful thought, right. Well, breakfast of something is calling as didn't care to eat much last night. Not sure I am really hungry today yet, but I need to.

Catherine-how was working at the game? Did you get a chance to sit down much?

Carol- I agree storm, do NOT want to see what IKE will bring today. Hope you are keeping things dry. That is cool about new pants and dress!

dgramie-well, was the list bigger than you thought when you started putting down names? Mine usually are huge. I am going to have to start one for sons wedding in August? He has already mentioned that she will be wanting it soon! Any pointers?

Debbie54-Well, how did it go with the dil and son last night? Good night? Did you still make the enchillada's? That sounds good.

Well that is it for now, will check back later. I am still feeling in a "lost" kinda mood.
Penny

Here's the recipe for the (Denise Austin) Apple muffins. I made 4 dozen yesterday (YES4doz!) they are SO good and can be frozen too!

Double-A Applesauce Muffins

Makes 18 muffins

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups whole-grain pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1 large egg
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium Golden Delicious apples, grated
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup currants

To Make:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat 18 muffin cups with cooking spray. (Don't use paper liners.) In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, egg, brown sugar, and oil until smooth. Stir in the apples, applesauce, and currants.

Pour the apple mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cups, filling them nearly to the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until springy to the touch and lightly browned. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Per muffin: 100 calories, 19 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 2 g total fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 3 g dietary fiber, 115 mg sodium

I was amazed at how fast they rose BEFORE they were even in the oven! Be careful though as they are so nice it's hard (at least for me!) to get control of portions!
Just eating a turkey bacon & wholemeal sandwich for 'lunch' I wasn't OP yesterday for the simple reason my tummy was so bad I daren't eat anything til 7pm, but I made do with lots of water. Thankfully I'm ok today, a bit tired but I'm OP, & staying busy. Still no TOM, but keep getting cramps & swollen boobs but then nothing happens, anyone had this happen to them? I feel so weird just stoping like this. Looks like I'm getting to be an 'old lady!!
xxxxxsharon

Morning peeps - I posted a Biggest Loser weigh-in schedule for anyone who would like to use this forum for WIs like we did last time. It was great for me too see. Hope you will join me.

Morning all..

CAROL: I didnt participate last time can you explain what we are suppose to do? I would love to have been part of the challenge but I didnt sign up in tmie. :(

Well I got my kitchen and 1/2 my living room done before I pooped out yesterday. I was scrubing cubbards and pulling out fridge and all so my kitchen is sparkling again. I did the dusting and sweeping in living room..then its like I was exhaused. I swear when I was thin..I could clean and do evrything in one 1/2 a day...now I just get exhausted.

I watched a show on Discovery Health yesterday..It was about a lady Jackie I think her name is..that had the surgey and lost weight. She started out at 627lbs..and I think by the end of the show she was down to 385. It was sooo sad. :( She was a sweet ladt, seemed that the whole town loved her. I don't know how old the show was, but I hope she is on the road to recovery.

The kids made brownies yesterday..that is a big no no for me. BUT they put frosting on them..which I dont like..and then baked sugar cookies and crumbled them on top...let me tell you...that was the nastiest thing I have evr tried to eat lol.Good thing too!! So needless to say I had one bite, and the rest went in the trash lol

Today I am going to work on my grandmas flower garden quilt and watch a few movies.

Cyn - last time we just posted our weights weekly with a little chat. Several of us couldn't keep up with the main BL thread. It was nice for me to see the weekly WIs. Just copy the dates into a new post and edit weekly - hope you join in - no rules - just update with your WI.

I survived the evening without resorting to "difficulties." The key is to get there so early, that I can lesurely get things organized, and get the steamer full of hot dogs (it holds 150 at a time) and the oven full of burgers (it holds 200 at a time). That way when everyone else starts showing up an hour later, instead of standing around, they go right to work wrapping hot dogs and burgers. If things are ready, no one has to come to the back looking for stuff, it is in the bin waiting for them. They just about ate us out of everything. We ran out of hotdog buns, so I just made more corndogs. We sold over 1000 burgers, 500 hot dogs, 400 smokies, 300 footlongs, 500 corndogs and 22 lawn and leaf bags full of popcorn. Those bags hold enough popcorn to fill 20 of those huge tubs of popcorn. That's $80 worth per bag that costs them $4 to make.

I worked a movie theater during the original run of Star Wars in the 70's, and we never sold that much popcorn even when people were lined around the block. Granted, our theaters didn't hold over 50,000 people. We found out that we sold twice what the rest of the concessions did. When things are cooked and ready, and the bins are full so that the orders can be filled quicker, leads to shorter lines, and people go for the short lines. The key is to know when it's time to put in more burgers or fries. It takes 20-30 minutes to get them ready, so you have to start ahead of when you need them, and I seem to be good at figuring that out. After everything was up and running, they were content to have me sit and direct traffic, and I can wrap things and fill popcorn tubs sitting. They made about $20,000 last night, and our church gets 10% of that, yeah! The lady in charge of the concession for the company asked me real nicely if I could come back for the Halloween game. It will be a Friday night game against one of our rivals, so they're expecting a big turnout. So we'll do that one too I guess. I sure am tired, and my back has decided to sue for separate maintenance.