Well, I have to celebrate every NSV that comes along (thanks Sanday for making us aware of that phrase!) because I'm sure not getting any scale victories!!! According to my dreadful scales, not only did I not make the 2x2 challange, but I gained a pound.

Like 2cute, I'm ready, ready, ready, for the Christmas Challange. I I will promise to do better journaling this time.

PS: 2cute, are you looking for a place for graphics, or are you wanting a photo album so you can share your pictures of family, etc with all of us? If it's for pictures, try www.villagephotos.com

hey everyone its been a few days, I've really been in my own world as of late. I haven't worked out since Friday night, I haven't really been paying attention to my food plan (though I'm sure I'm eating healthy since I only really have healthy food), and I haven't been drinking all my water. I think its just the overwhelming lost feeling of holidays, exams, studying - I've been spending a lot of time with relatives as well.

But as always, I'm ready to jump back on the wagon this week Its so hard when you have to work and study for tons of exams to pay attention to anything else. While my "want" highest priority is losing weight, my 'need' priority is passing my exams

I'll have to catch up on everyone a bit later since I don't know when my boss will be getting in Just wanted to stop in and let you all know that I'm still reading daily.

Nope 2Cute - can't say that I can beat the 76 points! I kinda petered out on the exercise thing! But, I'm with you all the way for the Christmas challenge! I am aiming for a perfect Santa List!! I did receive mine in the mail on Saturday! It kept me on track for the weekend minus the exercise! But, December 1st I take off running! I want this weight off NOW and I know it can be done! I did it once before I can do it again!!

Gail - glad to see you made it back and had a nice Holiday!

Thin - I am a maybe on the Spring Fling! It depends on my work/money situation! I am not working right now and haven't been putting much effort into looking wholeheartedly during the holidays. Not that there is much out there right now. I did send out a couple of resumes and have a couple to send out this week. One is working from home doing admin stuff for a local developer. That would be ideal so I wouldn't have to pay daycare!

Barbg - great job on the Turkey challenge!

Lucky company is fun to an extent - but very draining! Its nice to get back into a routine once they are gone! I'm so glad its Monday and Andrew is off to school! At one time I thought I wanted to be a stay at home mom but my little guy wears me out! I need to work at least part-time!


Andria don't rush your recovery! I know we get anxious and bored but take care of yourself so you don't have any set backs!! What do you do for work? I dont' know if I ever knew! But then again...my brain looks like a colander and it probably filtered through!

Chris - I know about families! John has a big family and someone is always feuding with someone! His one sister made a big ruckus at his dad's funeral last year and not many talked to her after for quite awhile. She never apologized to anyone to this day. Well, when we moved John called his other 2 sisters and 2 brothers and asked one brother to tell Kathy his new phone number. At Thanksgiving he called each one to wish them a good holiday and Kathy wasnt' home or didn't answer her phone so he left a message. DO you think she called him back?? NOOOO....but at least he was big enough to make the first call and he says now its in her court. What she does with it is up to her. Families, huh? The bigger they are the harder they fall!

Leanne great job on the loss! These ladies here are wonderful and supportive and give us the motivation to keep on trucking! If we didn't we would probably be gaining more and more! Every little bit off is that much less you have to take off next year. Eventually we will all make it to our personal goals!

Barb - I am jealous! I want a media room and a treadmill! In neither one of our houses did/do we have room for one! I would be on it all the time! I know people say that and then they collect dust..but seriously, mine wouldn't because i love to walk. Its just something about getting outside that I have a hard time with lately! I will get there again though!

Terri are you feeling any better? I wish we could keep that not hungry feeling all year long...just without the cold. I look at the way my sister eats and think no wonder she is so skinny. But I would be starving if I ate like that!

Gmalil - don't fret about the Turkey Challenge...just jump on the new Christmas Challenge and don't look back! Always strive for the future!!

Skittles - I'm not a makeup person either. Whenever I wear it I feel cheap for some reason. The only thing I wear daily is mascara and maybe some lip gloss or lipstick but it has to be something natural looking. No red hot, bright pink or coral that makes me stand out a mile! I am very conservative!

Well, I think I got everyone that posted on this thread! Now, roll call here, where is Sandy, Susie, Jen, Kerri, CD, Lisa and Kat and anyone else that filtered through my hopeless brain! Get out here and post!

So yesterday John had off and we did some Christmas decorating! We went to a tree farm and cut a fresh tree too! John hung up all the lights outside and wrapped the porch railings with green garland and lights. Put out the reindeer and hung the lighted snowman, santa and christmas tree! We will decorate our tree tonight when he gets home from work!

FYI - I had pics taken at my sister's at Thanksgiving so we will see how they came out! I have a few more pics to use up then I will have them developed! I need to get my cards going now too! I have finals coming up soon!

Talk at you all later! Michelle

Hi all! This is a drive-by post as I got a phone call this morning that my mattress inspector will be here between 3:00 and 4:00 this afternoon! EEK! That means I have to go clean the bedroom! It hasn't been touched in, I'm embarassed to say how long, and it needs work BAD!!!! Hopefully though, it will be worth it and Honey and I can get at least a discount on a new one and wake up without backaches in the morning! Wouldn't that be a treat?

I did not make this 2X2 challenge. I am only down 1 this morning, but at least it's 1 in the right direction. The scale is a really crazy thing though. I weighed myself each time I got up to P last night and I was UP until about 10:00 this morning when I finally crawled out of bed for good. What's up with that?

Well, girls, I'm sorry to post and run. I promise I'll get in here soon and do it up real nice. I really have so much to say (big surprise, eh?).

Love ya bunches!

Hi chickys,
I can only say a quick hello. I am sending hugs to all that need them. I am at work and it is crazy today. I need to catch up so bad here. I am not ignoring you guys at all. Just Evan has kept me on my toes and busy. Then with the holiday and the birthday and all....whew...I'm ready for a break.

I really want to try to get to the spring fling this year, and was so excited to get my map in the mail. I was wondering if it would be Detroit I would fly in to. I think my hubby is even excited for me, cause he keeps saying well if you or when you...lol

Is anyone up for sharing a room? Just a thought to keep costs down. In advance to let you know I snore...

Ok, be back later gators.

I'm echoing Sandy, its incredibly busy here at work but I'm doing fine.

I'm on program.
I'm drinking water.
I'm journaling.
I walked up and down the inner stairwell (5 floors) this morning and plan on doing that again this afternoon.

I am so ready for the Christmas Challenge.

As for the 2 lbs. in 2 weeks. I was running behind so badly this morning that I hopped into the shower and got dressed w/o giving any thought to the scale! So I have no idea how I did; however according to yesterday's scale I gained a pound. I need to fix my ticker.

One more day and I'll be free! Taking the visitors to the airport tomorrow! It's been a great two weeks, but I really need to get back into some sort of routine here! I have done NO Christmas shopping whatsoever...although, I usually don't start til December anyway....and most of it is done online. No malls for this crowd hating girl. Same goes for decorating...usually not until December. Good grief! Let me at least get all remnants of Thanksgiving out of the house. I can't get over how many people have their lights up, trees done, shopping done. I guess I enjoy the hustle and bustle during the actual holiday season! Last minute Lulu, that's me.

Actually, I was going to get my outside lights up today...my guests are off to Atlantic City for some gambling. I passed, said that it would be much easier and more convenient for me to flush my money down the toilet than to drive for 2 hours to throw it away on slot machines and roulette wheels and be buffeted by crowds of senior citizens **** bent on getting to the penny slots!

Besides, we went to the track on Friday...I made my gambling donation for the year there!

I'm sorry to report that I did not make either the 2 week or the Turkey Challenge. I know that Christmas will be better....

Gotta run...I'll be back in earnest tomorrow after I get the guests on their plane! Just in time for the Christmas challenge!

Oh...and? NICE PICTURE, 2cute!!! Love the card!

Consider it mentioned!

i have not recived my christmas challenge yet has it been sent ?

Hi Mary B.! Welcome to the group!

Speaking of Christmas Challenge...my husband just phoned me and said I've got mail...snail mail!!! I've got my Christmas Challenge! I am soooo ready for this!

SANDY! I forgot to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Actually, I'm still getting caught up on the posts from the weekend!

kat, you would have hated Target yesterday afternoon! Hubby and I almost didn't go in because we couldn't find a parking space!!! And all we wanted were some vacuum cleaner bags! There's a lot to be said for routine--I always do better (at anything) when there's routine.

Thank goodness my day is almost over with. Its been a h*llish day in the office. I'm going home to make some WW Penne Pasta w/Chunky Tomatoes. I haven't had that in a very long time. I'll post that recipe.

2cute i sent you my snail mail addy i am looking forward to this challenge
oh i had a nsv today went into the salvation army to get jeans ( wont buy new i am going through 2 many sizes ) and i am down to a size 18 from a size 26 i bought 3 pair of jeans size 18 with no elastic in the waist and all 3 fit the one pair i am not happy with they are the low on the hips and they feel like they are falling off but i got them on and zipped up and i could still breath sit and move with them on i was great
i cant wait for them to dry so i can show DH when gets home from work .
i decided not to dry them in the dry didnt want then to shrink on me .

Congratulations Mary B.! You're doing great!

2Cute, I got my Christmas Challange today - so we start Wed - hmmmm 2 days to EAT!! Just kidding.

You really did an excellent job!!! And such a "cute" card!!!!

Thank you.

Gotta go and exercise now.

Hi all! I'm still not here to stay. Yes, another drive-by post. Just wanted to let you all know that some dumb Bi^@H T-boned me and now my van has to go in the shop tomorrow. She has a suspended driver's license, no insurance and begged me not to call the cops because she would go to jail. Well, I called the cops so that they would write it up as her fault so the insurance would waive the deductible. Before they got there she drove off. Lovely!!!!

We were both ok, I guess I should say that, and no one was hurt. That's a blessing!

Ok, I'm outta here. Love ya bunches!

Thin: glad you are okay. Sorry you have to hassel with the accident things. It's a pain and expensive. You should have run after the other car - you could have held her for the cops AND gotten in your exercise for the day!!

Well, I am psyched for the Christmas Challange - but I herebye give notice that I will need a lot of pep talks.

Hey everyone

You are all so sweet to worry about me doing too much too soon. I promise I'm being cautious as all get out. Remember, my current job is night watch. I sit on my heinie for almost the entire night. This morning I sat in on a class to be another adult body (state regulations). There wasn't a thing to do, so I crocheted. Actually finished 4 granny squares in that time. I still have 45 of those to go for my munchkin's blanket. Halfway there! Too bad I don't already know how to put them together. I'm hoping to head back to crocheting class this Thursday for that. If I can get enough done, maybe she can show me a good border stitch as well. That should keep me out of trouble!

Thin, I am so sorry to hear about your van! Uninsured drivers get my blood boiling. The only two accidents I've been in have both been caused by uninsured drivers. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't waive the deductible. Grrr...

2cute, I don't think Adam checked the mail today. I wonder if I can talk him into running up the street. I want to see the card and picture!

Lucky, priming the pep talk machine! I'm going to need a lot of those myself

Mary B, wow, what inspiration you are! Jeans without elastic in the waist... do we have a wistful sigh emoticon?

Gail, chick, you really do sound ready for the challenge. I'm impressed!

Sandy, I wish I could commit to Spring Fling already. I'm betting you would be one hoot of a roomie!

Kat, I'm with you on the routine. I'm so far off my normal right now, and it does make things more difficult. I'm hoping the return to work will help me get back on track.

Michelle, good for you, getting started early on the challenge! And don't you love the smell of a fresh cut tree? We usually get tree tags and go out hunting trees on Thanksgiving day while the turkeys are cooking, but it just wasn't possible this year. Adam and one of my brothers are trying to work out their schedules so they can get ours cut sometime this coming week.

cd, good thinking, keeping only healthy foods around during the high stress times. Best of luck on those upcoming finals!

BarbG, I'm a firm believer that enough NSV's bring about the scale change as well, but you have to be losing inches for everyone to be noticing. Sometimes the scale isn't the best or most true measure of weight loss.

I've spent way too much time on here, but it was fun reading and replying. I think I got everyone who posted on this thread. If not, it certainly wasn't for a lack of trying!

Andria