WELCOME !!!

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

We chat on Wednesday and Sunday at 8:30 EST, 7:30 CST.

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

WELCOME!

Hi all! Just checking in with all my good friends. But, alas, I am not staying. It's is almost 1:30 AM here and I'm beat!

I managed to get my 10 "bank jobs", 3 convenience stores, 2 groceries, and 1 very special 'bank job' in the ghetto done. (boy, that was fun! ) And all without my mini van!

I hate to be gone so long and then come here and whine. (cheese to go with the whine, get it?) But I took my van in on Wednesday because I only had about another 140 miles left until it has 50,000 and my warranty will be up. I have some noises in the front end, the last time I got the oil changed they told me the transmission fluid was all dirty and I've had a decent oil leak for awhile.

So I took it in and the guy says he'll call me when it's done. I even gave him my cell number because I was going to be on the road all day. #1 Son followed me up there and Honey carpooled so I had his car to drive.

Well, I go about my business all day and I got home at 4:00. No message on the answering machine and I hadn't gotten a call. So I called the guy at the dealership, knowing that they close at 6:00 and he says, "I'll have to keep your van overnight, is that ok?" Well, yeah it's ok, but when exactly were you going to call me and let me know??? Anyway, I asked if him a rental was covered since it was warranty work and he said it was. I think that's why he didn't call me. He was going to wait until the last minute when it would be too late for me to go up and get a rental.

So I go up to Enterprise and I told them, "I took a mini van into the dealership and I DO NOT want to drive outta here with a skateboard. I want a decent size vehicle to drive." So they set me up with.....get this....a BIG a$$ Silverado 4 Door Crew Cab pick up truck!!! It has been a real driving experience, let me tell you!!! Just another lesson in "be careful what you wish for!"

So the guy at the dealership tells me he'll call me tomorrow (which would have been Thursday) to tell me about the repairs. Ok fine. Thursday comes and Thursday goes, no phone call. Well at this stage of the game, I'm not any too anxious to call him since he's paying for my ride. Soooo, I didn't bother.

Friday I get up. I'm off doing my 'ghetto job' (that's a whole nother story for later) and I keep calling into my answering machine figuring this guy will call anytime now that my van is done. No deal.

So I'm on the road and I call home at 3:30 in the afternoon, now mind you, I'm headed to do a theatre job at 4:40 and 5:20. There's a message from this dimwad that my van is done and they are open til 6:00. There is no phone number to reach him at. No time of his call. No amount I owe, if there is any. AND I have no time at this point to get the rental back, the van picked up AND get to the theatre job, not to mention that I have a load of stuff I had just bought at Walmart loaded in the back of the pick up.

So I made an executive decision. I went on to the theatre and did those jobs. Got out at 5:40 and called the dealership.

The idiot has left for the day. I get another, very pleasant guy on the phone and tell him, "look. I've had absolutely no communication with Mike from the get go. I've just gotten home. There's his message on the answering machine that my van is ready. I had given Mike my cell number so that he could contact me, but he didn't. It's 20 minutes to 6:00, and I've got a rental truck. Any ideas???" So he says, "keep the truck". "Well, ok then, but are you paying for it?" "Yup, we couldn't get ahold of you." So the dealership is paying $30 a day for me to keep the rental truck because they have incompetent, uncommunicative flunkies working for them.

BTW, did I mention that I have about 6 bags of stuff to be returned (errands I was going to run this week) in the back of the van. Along with a sack of potatoes and my toilet paper???? I didn't expect to be without my mobile office/storage shed for 5 days!

On to the ghetto story. I saw a 'bank job' advertised with a $10 bonus. It didn't have the address listed so I wrote the girl and asked where exactly it was. She wrote back, I mapquested it, found out it was what I thought was about 2 miles into the city past the Pointes (which is very affluent). So I go down there, and I'm driving, and I'm thinking oh, this isn't so bad. Well, then it got bad. The missionary church on the corner opposite the bank was having a rummage sale so every parking spot on the main street was taken and I would have had to walk about 2 blocks to get where I was going and just didn't feel safe doing that. So I drove down a side street and it was 1 house and then 3 empty lots, and 1 house and 5 empty lots. And I'm thinking, "well, now I see why they couldn't get anyone else to do this shop and they offered the bonus." Will I never learn????

I've just gotta mention the Omarosa thing from The Apprentice. Isn't that something about her claiming someone called her names and it's all a big lie. She was trouble from the get go and it's sure surfacing now. I'm so glad she's gone!

Ok, I'll quit my whining now! I was up tonight putting some more stuff on eBay. Honey went to his mom's and got her dress making maniquin so that I can display some of my clothing that I want to get rid of. So far I haven't put any of that up. But it's coming soon.....I can feel it.

Well, girls, I'm gotta hit the hay before my head hits the keyboard. But I do want to say Welcome Back to Connie, Terri, and Michelle. Gee it's good to see you guys. I've missed you. Everyone else, I've missed you too by not being here. There's so much I'd like to say to everyone, but just can't right now.

You all have a good night. Love ya bunches.

Mornin' chickies!

First, I just have to say WHY O WHY MUST EVERY HOLIDAY BE WALLOWING IN CANDY???? It's not even April and the store shelves are packed with candy. Both my Aunt and my mother have sent boxes of Easter candy. I am continually giving away or throwing away candy and it still seems to be in my house all the time!! I think most of you know my biggest weakness is Reeses PB cups. My second biggest is those dang Cadbury eggs, especially since you can only get them once a year. Well, I bought Cadbury Eggs (for the kids of course right? ) and then my Aunt sent the PB cups and there was a ton of other crap along with it in my closet. I couldn't stay out of it!! What the he!! is wrong with me??? ACK!! So after sucking down two of the Cadbury Eggs last night (and I've been munching them for a couple of days now) and having a terrible stomach ache, and yet knowing I'd eat another or tear into those PB cups, I had to put on my shoes, throw it all in the box, and take them down to the basement storage unit just to get them away from me!! Pathetic! But I am far too lazy to make the trip from the 4th floor to the basement for it, so hopefully they won't be a problem anymore....until Easter anyway. I am going to give most of it away to neighbors for their kids baskets. The only thing I want to put in the kids basket is a chocolate bunny. I'm sorry, but you HAVE to have a chocolate bunny on Easter. Other than that, I'm filling their baskets with dippy little easter toys, one big toy, and a book each. It just makes me crazy that junk food seems to be the biggest part of any holiday. No wonder America is fat!!!

Anyhoo, I got approved for my Abdominoplasty consult and I go on Tuesday. They got me in a LOT quicker than I expected. Usually the Dr.s and Hospitals are booked out at least a month, but with the soldiers still not back from deployment, I guess they're not as busy. So I am armed with maps and will leave two hours early to be sure I can find the Wurzburg hospital. I've never been there before and I want to allow some time for getting lost. And, if I don't get lost, I'll have plenty of time to check out their PX. I hear they've got good stuff LOL.

Anyhoo, I have a huge day of cleaning ahead. Guess I'd better get on it. I'll talk at ya later,
Jen

Good morning!

Poker night was fun. I was the first one to leave and that was at 1:30 am. I felt kinda bad (not that I had just won big or anything) but good grief, I'm not a night owl. I knew I was in trouble when one of the ladies said they had played to 7 am before. Crap, I got too bleary eyed to even know what I had. It didn't help that they are ALL smokers and smoke like chimneys. Not good for my eyes or allergies. Oh well but it was fun. These are some wild women though. Except for my friend - Harley owning, riding, tatooed, pierced, barely made it through high school, slept around, lots of kids, etc. kind of broads. Fun but I'm so pollyanny compared to them. Stupid thing - I feel inferior. And I know its because of my weight and because I haven't led a wild life because of it. Which is stupid.

I've only had five hours sleep and DH's GD is supposed to be coming over today. I'm secretly hoping she forgets. This is the one I went to NYC with. She's a sweetheart but she's a talker. Not sure my head can take it.

I have to go shower the smoke off because I reek. I tried to spray myself with febreeze before I got it bed but it was cold and wet I'm not sure that its appropriate to miss church because I was out playing poker too late.

Have a great Sunday!

BargG: Been there (in my past)

As I have reported in the past that I have been in a funk for some time. Also note I gave up caffeine about 8 years ago.


This quote is counting as my Monday Motivation AND my Tuesday Tip!!!

First of all...let me just stand up and for Andria!!! Working 70 hours in a week and still finding the time to go to Curves is fantastic! You are on your way, girl!! Congrats on the full time job!

Thin...woo hoo! Don't spend that $10 all in one place! At least you had your big *** truck for protection!

Jen...Good move, getting the candy out of the house.

2cute...are you sleeping off the baby sitting adventure?

Lucky...always raking. Well, if you're not shoveling. You really do need a big strong fella down on the farm there. You know...to help out with the <ahem> chores!

I took dh to the airport this morning. He's off to see his folks in California for a few days. We left around 6:15... I dragged the kids along, just because. Why shouldn't they see their father off? Plus I needed extra sets of eyes to read the road signs in the morning sun! Sure enough, dh wasn't out of the car 5 minutes, and I'm on the wrong exit road...the one that said, "Exit to NY & Points North" instead of the "NJ/Points South" one. Now, before you think I'm some sort of idiot that can't navigate without him to guide me...I must say...It was the sun in my eyes!!! I can't see the signs til I'm right on top of them and then it's usually too late! So, off we go, thinking, okay, we'll just turn around somewhere. Ha ha ha! We're not in some town or city here, just many interstates leading to and from the airport. I could have gotten off for downtown Newark, but then I'd be doing Thin's ghetto bank job....eventually I got into Jersey City, stopped at the first gas station I found, (why men have problems with this, I"ll never know!) got directions, and was back in the right direction, just like that!!! I did point out to the kids that they never would have seen that part of NJ, had I not gotten "lost," so I was just really broadening their horizons! Good mom that I am.

Okay, now we're off to church. Reluctantly, on my son's part....heathen!

I'm here.

Hey ladies -

Wow it felt so good to have cereal for breakfast, I had a whole five points worth of cereal and milk


Andria - I love hearing it when people feel so good about themselves. I want to join Curves, and would like to hear more about it (price, etc). Is it like a weight watchers program where you go weigh in? Or do you just pay the fee, and show up three times a week whenever you want? Is there a consultation? I know this sounds silly but I'm kind of a solo dieter type, and I just like to do my thing That's why I do Weight Watchers at Home. I find most of the women at Weight Watchers are there to lose like less than 50 pounds, and I'm sorry I can't relate as well to people who aren't in this for a LONG journey.

Barb - To answer your question:....well actually I CANT answer your question. I just saw Steel Magnolias, too ...Men don't seem to be worth it half the time. I always fight with my boyfriend about dumb things, and then he apologizes and it's all good.......until the next day or later on that night...etc. ....At least the making up part is always fun...ehem....

Thin - Your tales remind me of my jobs...I'll drive into a random city for a 30 dollar job with a ten dollar bonus...or sign up for a one time ten dollar job because it sounds easy, and then everything goes wrong and I end up spending over an hour there..usually looking for someone competant enough to talk to about the assignment I have to do. By the way, I assume you mean Detroit, right? EEeeek.

Jen - I'm the same way!! I feel so pathetic too...I have the worst time resisting cravings...I don't usually crave chocolate, I crave bread types...especially cereal...so what I'll do is, I'll have a bowl and feel like I've failed myself, and then end up having a second because "oh i've already messed up...."..It's a terrible trap..you made a good decision by hiding the candy.

Hi Friends
I am just checking in. Not much to report, cause I haven't done anything Oh well todays another day, I guess I can do my WATP tape.

Okay, I'm back.

I just had to share the cutest thing that happened in Mass this morning. We have a new pastor at our church, Father Leon. He's a little Filipino man, with the most sparkly eyes, he's just bursting with joy! (He recently replaced the most pompous, ponderous, pontificating, oh, so full of himself pastor that had been there for years) At the end of Mass, Fr Leon made the announcement that since St Patrick's Day will be celebrated this week, he had a gift for all those celebrating. He noted that Irish people have often observed that there are only three kinds of people in the world: Those who are Irish, those who wish they were Irish, and those who can sing "Danny Boy!" Since only the third applied to him, he sang Danny Boy for us! Very well, too, I might add!

I have a special place in my heart for that song...my husband and son are both Dannys. I always sang my son to sleep, as a baby, with Danny Boy. It was especially endearing coming from this short, round, little Filipino priest...my mother in law is Filipino. My children are mostly of Irish and Filipino heritage.

So that's my 'feel good' story of the day. Hey! It mad ME feel good!
I had to come home, dig out all my Irish music CDs in honor of St Patrick's Day and get them playing... We even have one that is nothing BUT Danny Boy, all different renditions! That one's playing now....

So, I'll leave with an Irish blessing for all...

May you always have:

Walls for the wind,
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks beside the fire -
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire!

I can't walk by this computer without popping in here...very distracting! But since nothing is happening here...I just wanted to say, cuz I don't remember doing so, WELCOME BACK, TERRI! I missed you! Your poker game sounds...well...educational! Interesting group there!

I know what you mean about that smoky smell...I HATE going anywhere smoky anymore! And I'm LOVING that so many restaurants and bars are banning smoking altogether. I'm even offended walking through the "gauntlet of smoke" (as a friend calls it) that you encounter, leaving most buildings. Ex-smokers are the worst, aren't they. Apologies to any smokers out there. mmm, not really! Do yourself a favor and quit instead of being insulted!

Lucky...I LOVE my coffee! Working nights, I probably drink too much of it, but according to your findings, I should be happy and healthy because of that! whew!

Allright...I'll stop monopolizing the thread...back to housework....

Hi ladies,

We made it to church although I had a hard time staying awake. Bad, Bad, Bad! The SGD apparently forgot that her grandpa asked her to come over to day and that she had said she would - and also hasn't bothered to return his call. While I am relieved on the one hand, on the other, I am a little disappointed in her. She's 17 and thinks she's an adult but certainly doesn't feel like she has any responsibility here.

I've had a short nap. We went to Ponderosa for lunch because I was too tired to go to the grocery store after church and DH admitted that he was too tired to cook. We were both good especially since we didn't have breakfast. We loaded up on the salad, had a small steak, baked potato and no dessert. No mac and cheese. Nothing else. And we'll have a light dinner.

Thank goodness for health insurance. I got the statement on the foot doctor payment. He charged $250 for this air boot thing I'm wearing. I almost freaked.

The neighbor came over and gave a bid on painting the kitchen and small bath. Its more than I expected because NOW he thinks the wallpaper should come off. DH doesn't agree but too bad. He got a $12,000 boat and I can have the kitchen like I want it. At least now, he won't have to hear me b####h about the wallpaper or that I can't go fishing with him because I'm too busy doing it myself. So with that planned for this week and the pieces of furniture I got yesterday, the checkbook has slammed shut on its own begging for mercy. Guess I'm done for the summer and its only March!

I can still smell smoke. I keep asking DH if I stink. Poor man. Must be up my nose.

Its great to have been missed. I was so bummed in the evenings about not being able to sit down and catch up with you all. DH even understood how bummed I was. You like me. You must really like me!

How about a poker weekend next year?

Kat & 2Cute - I'm glad to see that you're both feeling better.

Kat - I had to chuckle about your adventure this morning.

Thin - You're busy as ever. Thanks for the help in getting me back to boards.

Jen - A tad late but congrats on getting to the 100 pound mark and for getting approval on the plastic surgery.

Barb.G - Men just don't get it sometimes. Can't live with them sometimes, some days you can't live without them and some you just plain wonder what it would be like to try!

Andria - That is great about the job situation. Lordy though I'd be dead. about your success with Curves. I am seriously contemplating Curves after I get my foot healed - something to help me get the scale moving again. Keep posting success!

Barb - I'm so glad that things are looking up on the baby news. Just keep tackling each one with determination and resolve knowing that its getting one step closer.

I know this doesn't catch up with everyone. Welcome to newcomers and hello to those finding their way back too!

We're counting down the days closer to Spring Fling!

I think I'm going to go do some pilates or something. My body has missed all the exercise and I'm so ready to get back at it. But I don't see the foot doc until 4/2 and we'll see then!

Later chicks!

Hi guys.... I am not MIA .. I am just swamped here.
My grandbabies spent a couple of days with us... and when they napped.... SO DID I. I love them... but I am too fat and old to be a full time mommy anymore.

My daughter made it home from Michigan/Chicago too so I am busy with her.
She has decided to move to Michigan and get her PhD at the University of Michigan.
That means... for the next four years... I will get to see Thin and Susie at least once a year. It is a longgggg way to drive ... I think 14 hours ... so I won't be going more than once a year. lol

I spent some of my hubbys winnings and bought myself a new dining room set.
I never had a dining room before. Now I need to finish up the decorating there.
My mom gave me an antique dragon tea set and I have it in the china cabinet but need to decide what else to put in it. The room looks too crowded to me... but my family likes it. I will have to get used to it. It is pretty though.

DH, daughter and I went to the movies and saw Starsky and Hutch today.
DH said it was okay... but daughter and I loved it. We both love Owen Wilson... and Ben Stiller did a real good job too. I would recommend it.

Okay... gotta go cook. I know I need to do a few replies but I just can't right now.
I will try to get back soon.

Hi Ladies!
I've been lurking around all day, but thought I'd finally pop in to say hello! Hubby and I stayed up way too late last night and in turn slept very late today and have accomplished nothing. Well, I didn't expect him to - he is still rather sore and uncomfortable, but I didn't have plans of being so lazy today. I did manage to clean the kitchen and mop the downstairs floor.
I guess it's better than nothing!

Now I am watching Trading Spaces Home Free.

I hope you all have a great night!

Barb

Hey everyone

We just got back from a nice family walk. Everyone was wanting to play on the computers instead of enjoying this gorgeous day, so I bribed the little one to my way of thinking by pulling out some older looking apples from the fridge and telling her we would feed them to horses along the way. After getting her on my side, it was easy enough to persuade the other two, even if they only did it so hush her up! I really wanted to get outside. Spring has me in motion fever. I want to be out and moving! The sun is shining and everything is beginning to bloom. I want to get light and air and allow myself the same rebirth our earth is gifted with each spring. I'm feeling pretty darn good about life, can you tell?

2cute, you really have been a busy thing! You asked days ago about what made that wedding reception we attended so awful. It just came down to a total lack of organization. Someone had lost the programs and no one could remember what order everything was to go in. Then the bride decided to do a whole bunch of extra stuff that wasn't planned to begin with. Even the setup was horrid. They left almost half the area open so the bride and groom could have their dance. Well, that meant leaving the wedding line all the way at one end of this gymnasium and the tables, cake, presents, guest book, etc. at the other. It was very far apart and rather uncomfortable. Anyway, after an hour and realizing they were nowhere near tossing the bouquet or garter, cutting the cake or having their dance, we took advantage of a break they offered so everyone who had just come in could congratulate the bride and groom. We zoomed through the line and straight out the door. Probably the only other obvious mistake I can think of is that the reception proper began at 4 and the program portion began at 7. All the families had been there since much earlier that day, and their children were melting down, running around and screaming at the top of their lungs. It was too long for the little ones, and there were an awful lot of little ones around. Ummm... that turned out longer than I expected. Probably could have pm'd it to you, but it is all typed out now, and I'm not going back!

Terri, you are such an upbeat chick! I love your attitude and how hard you have kept working when others would have given up and tossed themselves down on a couch with a good book and a box of bon bons. Had to laugh at the kitchen vs. boat spending. Your DH really doesn't have much to say after that kind of expenditure, now does he!

Kat, I'm with you and Terri on the no smoking thing. Besides the fact that I'm mildly allergic to it, I hate people smoking in restaurants because it messes with the taste of my food. Thank goodness there isn't any smoking allowed in restaurants here! When I visit out of state, I have to remember to request seating as far from the smoking area as possible. And yes, I'm willing to wait longer for those tables. Also, we'll be doing a St. Patrick's celebration here as well. Grandma is Irish and my mom's b-day is the 17th. Reason enough for us to celebrate!

Joanne, hey, good to see you! Isn't the spring weather incredible in this part of the country?!

Melissa, Curves is more about exercise than weekly weigh-ins and all that. You do once a month WI and measuring unless they are running a special challenge or something. My membership costs just under $30 a month, and you can go as many times a week as you like. I found that I don't really lose any more doing 5 times than I do with 3, so I choose to do other activities on the other days. I like the chick atmosphere, even though I don't mind working out with men, and I love that when I'm gone a few days people miss me. Kind of like here.

Mary, good to know you are out there.

Lucky, do I sense a cup of coffee in your future? Sorry to hear things have been so difficult, but very glad to hear you are still hanging in there.

Jen, you are right. Every holiday has more and more candy each year. I still have See's suckers left from Christmas! Of course, I had forgotten about them until now... darn it all.

Thin, I have no idea how you accomplish so much in one day. Please promise me to write a book one day and let me do the editing or something? (yeah, I'm in it for the free copy! )

DH just served up dinner, that is why the replies got shorter and shorter. Sorry! Going to eat and then head to bed for a pre-work nap. See you all tomorrow.

Andria