And for Zumba; I love you girlfriend!

Zumba I like, no I LOVE your Manhattan idea! -- My DH will be home for 17 days between Christmas and New Year and you gave me an idea!!! I have been wrecking my brain what to get these two kids that have everything.... there is nothing they want. I asked them to give me a Christmas list and they could not come up with anything. -- I just spent $300 on a high end teenager store for some clothing for my son, he said just tell me to check my closet on xmas morning...lol...I was going to give some $$$ to them, but a trip may be a great idea! Something that they are not expecting. -- They expect their annual ski trip out west, therefore that is not really a gift...lol!! BUT NYC would be! Or Florida. -- NYC would be a "working" trip because kids need their passports (Finnish) renewed and we could do a few shows, go act goofy on front of NBC studio with big signs etc. -- I am getting excited. Thanks Zumba!! Maybe you and I could meet up and do some retail therapy??

DITTO THIS

Sum, we do trips in place of gifts a lot, for the same reasons. Plus, as zumba said, those gifts are the ones that create memories -- moreso than a sweater LOL

Zumba - hang in there. Maybe you could get some Luna bars (or something like those) to keep in your purse so you've got something to eat when you are so busy!

Hello all! Hugs to everyone, special shout out to Zumba!

I've been doing my physical therapy, exercising my leg, and catching up on doctor's appointments I wasn't able to take care of while in a cast.

Still not on track, although things could always be worse. Clocking between 1400-1800 calories per day, when I need to be between 1200-1500. Feeling annoyed that I can't do fat burning cardio yet. I've been pushing myself hard, and am sore by the end of the day, which I know is not good.

Anyway, I just needed to make my mark here to symbolize to myself that I am still committed to weight loss and good health!

Have a great day, everyone!

Zumba, wishing you the best through your tough times, moving sucks, you'll get through, stay strong.

Leeh, there are lots of emotions tied up with holiday baking for me, I couldn't give it up, a long time ago I had to make the decision and stick to it that baking is for holidays and really special occasions and those treats are mostly for others. We freeze a lot of the cookies we get from others, there's nothing finer than a Xmas cookie later in the winter when you're not inundated with sugary stuff.

Guac, good job/good luck with the PT, I like your "making your mark to symbolize your commitment"

Guac so glad you checked in! Hang tight, chica, you'll get there!

Hello! I've seen at least one of you in another area. I'm newly posting, although I've lurked on and off for quite a few years.

Ah, holiday baking. What can I say? I love baking, but I'm glad I have no time right now. Although I am a bit of a food pusher in my office right now. We're having a holiday decorating contest, and I feel like my group needed cookies to help out. I had a hard boiled egg.

Keurig people might like one of those cups you can use with your own coffee in the Keurig. The Green people like them too, as they leave you with less waste.

Happy last night of Hanukkah!

Hi everyone, I've been missing the last week but I'm back! There's been a mild saga but all is well. Last Saturday I was feeding the baby and noticed a brand new, black mole on my toe. It was regular but had black/blue parts to it and generally looked scary. I have had a childhood in the sun and although I've been very careful for the last 20 years I didn't wear sunscreen or many clothes as a child! I have quite olive skin and I have quite a few moles but haven't had any new ones for ages and my old ones are fading somewhat. Generally, you're supposed to stop getting new ones by your 30s. Skin cancer in Australia is huge and melanoma is very nasty and aggressive.

Anyway, given my tendency to over react I showed DH, who was really worried but tried to reassure me saying that if my toe needed to be amputated it wasn't an "important" one and I'd still be able to run. He organised a dermatologist review on mon who agreed it looked dodgy and removed it and sent it to the lab.

I spent the days waiting for the results thinking about all the things I wanted to do with the kids and how I'd taken watching them grow up for granted and reflecting on how petty most of the things that I normally fret about are. I also did a lot of laundry!

Anyway, I found out today that all is well. Pregnancy can apparently result in new moles so it was probably just that. It's a good reminder about sun safety though. My children have very olive skin and while I always put sunscreen on for swimming I'm back to reapplying the 50 plus twice a day and insisting on rash vests in the pool.

I haven't been able to run all week- the nurse said to give it a week's rest after the biopsy and while I thought it was looking ok yesterday I decided it was probably not worth aggravating it before I knew whether or not I'd need wider margins taken (which the dermatologist thought was very likely). I never lose my pregnancy weight without running and I haven't this week though I haven't gained any either. I'll do a nice big hill run tomorrow.

When I had my appointment the doctor was running late (and I was an add on anyway) so DH looked after all four kids for about two hours (with a feed break for the baby). He booked the big V operation the following morning.

Sorry about lack of personals but I'm on my phone.

Kate

chubbyMummy I'm so glad all is well with your toe! I know someone who had melanoma on her nose; quite scary. I've had more breast cancer and ovarian cancer biopsies than I can count... I know what it's like. And especially the waiting. Funny re your DH and V.

Welcome, mezmerelda!!

156.9 this AM. I'm feeling good but vigilant.

Hello everyone
Tonight is the dreaded dinner at husband's boss's house. She is a tiny little Celine Dion wannabee who makes me feel like a clumsy elephant. It doesn't help that I have self-esteem issues around being a home daycare provider and she is a successful career woman. I always feel inferior. I go to these things with dread, eat like a bird so people don't judge me (I know it is in my head) and then go home and binge because I feel like crap.

Awwww, leeh, it'll be alright... Good luck tonight and try to enjoy yourself!

Chubby mum I am glad that your mole turned out to be benign. I just had 22 of those suckers removed last year.

Leeh I know the feeling. Try to enjoy yourself.

mezmerelda

guacamole How is the boot treating you?

Heidi Woot on your new low!

to Keli and Mrs S.