Hi all - just a quick flyby. Birgit - audiobook sites:
My favorite is Audible.com - if you love audio books, it pays to join - the memberships are a much better value.

Of course Apple has their own store

Classics in mp3 format (free) - audiobooks.org

More public domain (free) - librvox.org

If you Google audio books, you will find a bunch more too!

I will be back to chat in a bit

Laurie

Rosey - LOVE the moose pictures! Thanks for posting them.

Lynn - glad you are back - we missed you! Glad you had a good time too I love Cabellas (we have one in MI). I love the Durham area too. We drove there to pick up a tuba for our son. It is just over the mountains from TN. (Mom and SF are in Knoxville)

Freda - we actually had no school yesterday - ice and rain. But today was lovely. It was the first day that I have gone to work and it wasn't dark outside. It felt WONDERFUL to see the sun. I'm thinking I might make it to spring after all

Karen3 - LOL, it is amazing how much the computer and the Internet have changed our lives. I really wonder if I would have been this successful losing weight without all of my computer aids (Fitday, Audiobooks, Exercise.tv, ordering DVDS online, and of course - MOST important - 3FC)

YoYo - LOL - our dog is the same. He is a big baby, but he is so enthusiastic when he plays that he scares people - particularly the neighborhood children We have to keep him fenced in, or he wants to join all of their games.

Em - I DO find that my weightloss stalls if I don't eat enough. I didn't really think that it would happen to me, but it does. Eating MORE really does work. It is scary, but I am working on it too.

Linda - Hi to you too! Hope you are feeling better! How is Blizzard doing?

WoodLily - nice to meet you ! I am new to GGs.I look forward to learning about you

Gayle - AMEN to that sunshine

Doing fine here. Step-father is still in the hospital, but Mom thinks he is doing a bit better. It is hard to be this far away when your parents are ill. I'm thankful that my brother is there. I'm also very thankful that we were able to get tickets to go over spring break. Only 25 more days

Anyone have experience with dinner cruises? My business trip to Chicago next week includes a dinner cruise. I've never been on one, but having been on the Navy Pier in the summer, it seemed like everyone was dressed up for the cruise. But, I'm not sure what would be the best attire in the middle of March. My wardrobe is miniscule right now since I am waiting until goal to shop.

I would appreciate any experience or ideas you are willing to share!
Thanks!!!
Laurie

I haven't had a potato for two months. The Irish Potatoes I was talking about are candy -- pure sugar, butter and coconut, rolled in cinnamon. But it wasn't sugar I was craving, it was EVERYTHING. If I didn't put those English Muffins away quickly, I would have had three of them. Now, that's still only three points, but, really! And I had egg salad in the frig, I made enough for three days -- it was gone by 2 pm! I did have an extremely light dinner that night to make up for it, but I think I'm going to forego the FPs from now on!

Yep, Philly, those potatoes are evil!! (but yummy) When I finally understood the "chemistry" of what potatoes, white rice, white pasta and flour did to me, that's when the weight started rolling off. We use to have at least one of those for dinner every day. Then I'd bake in the afternoons and didn't understand why I was starving just a little while later. Then I'd eat anything that couldn't run away from me all evening! I'm talking boxes of cheese its and bags of chocolate on top of what I'd already eaten. Since I've started the WOE, those "starvation attacks" have dissapeared along with nightly horrendous heartburn. (I've come to the conclusion that it was white flour that caused the heartburn) I also have not had any sinus problems either and I used to live with them. No colds, aches etc. It's really amazing.

I tried a great recipe yesterday. We really enjoyed it. I used very lean stew meat instead of the sirloin. The dipping sauce made a ton, so today I'm going to grill some chicken and use the rest of the sauce on the chicken and some WG pasta with parmesan cheese. yum.

Busy busy day today. After work, I've got to start getting this house all perfect for my daughter's arrival tomorrow night. (Like she's the queen, right..she was the main mess maker when she lived here!) But I want it to look all perfect when she gets here at least.

Hi Laurie,

My DF helped me buy an MP3 player while I was in NC. As soon as I get mine set up - maybe tomorrow - I will take advantage of your advice. Thank you so much.

Lynn

Good Morning GG's, It started snowing again yesterday and we have a new blanket of white stuff covering what ever tips of green might have been trying to poke through. The one nice day was just to remind us that spring will eventually come.

I agree with several of you that mentioned that they don't lose if they cut the calories too drastically. It's a fine line between eating enough and cutting enough calories to lose. I'm still having problems finding that happy medium. I do make an effort to eat healthy and high fiber.

WoodLily, Hi, haven't met you yet. Look forward to getting to know you.

I so agree with the technology things. Who would have dreamed we would have all these things, and learn to depend on them so quickly. We were out looking at new TV and they showed us one that you just insert the camera.video recorder chip into and it shows the pictures. This could have been out for awhile, but new to me. What will they have by the time our grandchildren are grown? Boggles the mind.

Gotta run, I'll stop back by later, Freda

morning y'all....That front came thru and damped down the fire but still smells. Fire on the marsh can burn underground until we get a hurricane like rain. Need the burns just hard to live with.....Our Northern trees are blooming. Saw dogwood and redbud lighting the woods yesterday.

Cat...Boy do I agree with you on "White" stuff. That is basically why on South Beach the first 2 weeks are tough. You eliminate all white flour, potatoes, sugars, and bread. The first few days are agony and chravings abound. Once you detox it is much easier to say no and not miss sweets. Used to eat pepcid like a snack. Tums were a food group.

Think I'll leave early for St Petes and spend some time at the Salvador Dali mueseum. Hate the weird shapes but love the color.
Always said I had an artist/musician in me who can't get out.

Take care of yourself, eat heathy and hugs. karen3

Good morning, Everyone -

Hoo boy - the weather outside is frightful! Everything is covered in a layer of ice, my driveway is a skating rink. Just to get from the front door to the garage I had to put crampons on my shoes to get out to the car without risking my tush. No question of my walking to work today! Luckily, VT towns are incredibly proactive about keeping the roads plowed, salted and sanded. Gotta tell ya, though - it sure is pretty. Trees, bushes, mailboxes, cars - everything is encased in an inch thick layer of sparkling ice. As long as we can keep the electricity going, it's pretty enough to enjoy. Of course, if we loose electricity (and more importantly - the heat that's associated with it), the charm of all that beauty will be lost I'm afraid. Fifteen or so years ago, I think, this entire region was hit with an icestorm that caused unbelievable damage and some parts of the Northeast were left without electricity for well over a month. Linda, I'll bet you remember that storm up in Nova Scotia, huh? Hope that's not happening again...

Laurie, that dinner cruise sounds like fun. The only dinner cruise I've ever been on was a company holiday party, so of course everyone was dressed up because of that. I think basically you'd just want to wear whatever you'd wear if you were going to a nice restaurant. Do you have a "little black dress?" Paired with either a jacket, jewelry and/or a pretty scarf you could make that fit almost any occasion. Get one that fits you now and that you feel pretty in, and when you hit goal in a few months take it to someone who can alter it for you.

And thanks for the info on Audible.com - I will definitely look into that

I'm bummed that I still can't walk to work, i.e. exercise. I suppose if I were really committed to this exercise thing I could find alternative ways of doing it - but let's be honest, I'm not gonna. I'm working from the premise that the lousy weather means that God is telling me to "relax and take it easy." How do y'all think THAT'S working for me?? Seriously, I do have to get back into the exercise routine - but it's just soooo hard... whaaa, whaaa, whaaa...

Wishing you all a good day,

Hi there . . .

Here we are again -- another inch of fresh snow on the ground overnight -- but this one is due to get frozen on there by the ice storm that is supposed to be hitting us this afternoon -- looks like it will be a good day to stay home. Another good reason to stay home today -- found out yesterday I've got an infected tooth and started on a round of penicilin to calm the infection down enough so that can do a root canal procedure, and (as often happens with antibiotics) got a little bit of runny tummy syndrome going on. Other than that -- nothing new in my world -- just hope the ice doesn't knock out the electricity.

Hope the rest of you are having a good day . . . see you later . . .

Oh yes indeed I remember that storm BIRGIT and PEI already had one of those a few weeks ago. So far NS has been pretty lucky -- hope the luck holds. Good luck to you too, Chickie . . .

Hi GOLDEN GIRLS -- wow I feel like I am the new comer here instead of one of the originals LOL. I am trying to not turn my computer at home during the week and can only steal time at work to report in -- I really want to catch up with everyone and will do my best. I loved when I was on here daily and could keep up with what is going on with people - the good, the bad and the wonderful hints.

I am now working on day three of being good -- and I am noticing now that I am owning the numbers on the scales that my clothes are fitting horribly. Talk about mind over matter -- when I had myself convinced I was still in the 230's my clothes felt not bad - now they are tight and I see all the lumps and bumps when I get ready to shower - big sighs. Back to the grind again - I guess as Dr Jeff said last night on Biggest Loser there is no cure for obesity I just have to learn how to live with it and control it the best I can.

Welcome to Em and Patti -- looking forward to getting to know you better.

Gayle, Freda, Lyn and Yoyo - thanks so much for the welcome back -- its good to be here.

Lauri - thanks for the links for the audio books - -hopefully I will get myself an IPod soon and I can get back to listening to books while I am on the treadmill. I found that a great way to catch up on books and workout at the same time - I can't read on the treadmill (my reading glasses fall off LOL)

Welcome back Lily and glad you are home safe Lynn.

Joanne

I made it through the first day and stayed away from the pantry between meals.
Now on to DAY TWO.
Thank you to everyone for the welcomes. I hope to keep up with my posting as I know it really helps to be accountable.
It is snowing here today as well Freda. I am sure glad we don't have your ice storm Birgit. The snow is beautiful if you don't have to drive to work in it.
Cat and Philly, I am also very sensitive to white carbs and eliminated most of them from my diet about a year ago. Last summer my dad and another close relative found out they had celiac disease and went on gluten free diets. My doctor told me that since I had stopped eating the worst foods they wouldn't be able to do the blood test that detects it, but would need to do a biopsy. I chose to modify my diet and now make sure everything is wheat and/or gluten free. I also noticed immediately that my heartburn, acid reflux, bloating and general feelings of feeling "blah" went away. I guess I am a lot less irritable too (so they tell me).
Take care everyone - stay warm and safe. Hope you feel better soon Linda

Hi Everyone!
I just wrote a note to our local paper about the flu season. I'd like to post it here for a wake up call you everyone.
With the flu season in Minnesota, I’d like to tell everyone to wash their hands. I’m not just talking about in your homes. Hy-Vee is the first in the area to provide wet wipes to clean off the handles of the grocery carts. Thank you Hy-Vee!
(Have you seen the rust spots on the seat where little kids sit in the cart? Guess where the rust comes from?) Do you put your produce and groceries there?
I would like to see anti-viral wipe stations in all the public stores.
Another thing that bothers me is where women put their purses. Public bathrooms have no shelves, so we put our hand bags on the floor. Guess what’s on the floor? Feces, urine, germs, etc. When women go to public places, restaurants etc., where do they put their purses, on the table where everyone eats and on the countertops when they get home. I think if everyone was more conscious of washing their hands, washing the bottom of their hand bags, not touching handles in bathroom (use a paper towel) we would not have the outbreak of colds and flu in Minnesota. I would like to see more concern in general in our town to keep the spread of flu and colds to a minimum. To wrap this up, PLEASE everyone carry a container of wet anti-viral tissues and use them when entering our public places

Hi, just popping in here for a min to catch up on the posts. Bobbi, I agree with all that you've said, especially the hand washing. First line of defense ya know. But most people don't wash their hands correctly. They wash their hands and then reach up and turn off the water with their clean (not any more) hands. Please get into the habit of using a paper towel to turn off the water. Freda

I agree