Age 50+ Daily Chat #1
 

Hello, :wave:

Please join us here as we discuss our weight loss efforts, as well as our daily lives. We share support, friendship, and accountability.

So pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable, and jump right in! :cofdate:

Hi ladies,

Here's the new thread, so hopefully those who were staying away because they had no current craft project going on will feel free to jump back in.

Linda - I like to start a garden with seedlings, too. I guess I'm impatient! We do start veggies like lettuce from seed, of course. Ahh, the image of homegrown produce is so tantalizing!

Ruth - yay for you, getting back to the weight your ticker says! I'll have to ask Neal about some raised beds for the garden. Sounds like a good idea!

Trish - what have you been up to? Hope you're keeping nice and warm.

Carol- how are the light switch covers coming along?

Katie just walked in, so I'll chat with you later. :)

This thread is a great idea, Jane, thanks for starting it!

My cross-stitch is sitting in it's basket beside my chair, but it's been sadly neglected since I've been engrossed in this darned jigsaw puzzle.

I have an extra long weekend this week, and thought today would be a good day to go to Trader Joe's, being a weekday. I forgot that there's that 4-letter word snow in the forecast for the weekend, and the store was jammed packed with shoppers. It was totally insane! I managed to get everything I went there for, though, and then some, too, but it's nice to be out of there and back home again. :eek:

So the laundry's all done and put away, I've dusted and vacuumed, did a 40 minute workout, and have a houseful of groceries. I'm set. :D Now I can play the rest of the day.

What's everybody up to today?

Hi all,

Linda - our snow is supposed to start today, with rain first. We are forecasted for only a couple of inches, so that's not too bad. I am usually the one loving the snow, but this year, I'm really ready for Spring. Anyway, the grocery stores will be mobbed today, but Neal is picking up a loaf of bread and some oranges on his way home from teaching. (He's retired, but fills in for a semester here and there as needed.)

Hello to anyone reading this. :wave:

Our dinner last night was so nice! We sat around the table talking for a long time, and the children had plenty to say, lol. I asked everyone individually what was the best thing that happened to them so far this week, and got some funny answers from them, lol. Btw, I'm happy to say I stayed 100% OP.

Today I have a full-blown cold, and feel sort of miserable, but wanted to pop in and say hello. Have a good Friday!

I'm sorry to hear you're suffering from a bad cold today, Jane. I hope it doesn't hang around long and you get to feeling better soon. I hope you can take it easy today and just curl up and sip hot tea all day. :hug:

I had to run out to pick up a few things I forgot at the store yesterday, and get gas. Why do people get so crazy when it snows?????? A woman almost ran me down in the crosswalk in front of Wegman's, and I had to wait in a line at the gas station for over 20 minutes. I should have just said the heck with it, but Jake insists I keep a full tank of gas when it snows.
I'm about to make a nice pot of chickpea & lentil stew for tonight's supper. I'd love to make a loaf of homemade bread to go with it, but I better scratch that since I don't know how to limit myself with it.

Hi all,

Linda - looks like just you and me. :shrug: I feel pretty decent while I'm on meds, but can sure tell when they wear off. People around here go crazy, too, when there is a big snow coming. Like they might be isolated for weeks on end, or something. :dizzy: Your stew sounds very good. I like to add lots of hunky tomatoes to mine, and I bet you do, too. I hear you about the bread, and know I wouldn't be able to leave it alone, either. Sure does sound good, though, lol.

Hello to anyone else reading this. IS there anyone else reading this, lol. :D

We got around 2" of snow last night, but there is ice under it in some spots. I love seeing the fresh snow on the fir trees. So pretty! I had planned to just rest today, but need to get out and get an anniversary card for Katie and Clint. The date just slipped my mind! It's been 2 years for them now.... time flies!

Have a good weekend!

Hi Jane and Linda I'm here just busy, but not sure I'm getting anything done. Hope you two are staying warm. Linda I see you are in Philly so you are getting the snow. Being from the part of TX who never get much snow, I loved it when I moved here. This year it didn't seem to have the flare for me. I am tired of the cold and ready for spring as well. Jane, it looked like the snow missed you right? However, I think you just may get the next one.

We just got the rain and it is really cold. But I'm always cold especially when trying to get my water drank for the day. So hard to do when it is cold any way. I should have made me a low carb stew. Didn't think of it. You girls stay warm. I seem stay wrapped in my snuggie as much as possible and sometimes even have to add a blanket. Couldn't be my age, you think?:dizzy:

I ended up doing the Metabolism Miracle Plan. I've learned it isn't really a diet so much as it is teaching the body how to handle the carbs. The weight will come off, but it is a long process while the body heals itself. I am on Step1 finishing up Week 1 tomorrow. Start Week 2 Monday. Step 1 is an 8 week program not too much different from the 1st 2 weeks of SBD. During this time the pancreas and liver is on a vacation giving them a rest. Then slowly re-introduce carbs in Step 2 which I'll follow until I get to my goal weight. In Step 1 5 g carbs are eaten every 5 hours and Step 2 11 - 20 g every 5 hours. I wasn't going to do this but the health benefits are so good that I felt that I needed to do it at my age.

Well, that is what I'm up too.

Y'all have a nice week end. We will get to go to church tomorrow:carrot: They had to cancel last week because of snow and ice.

Great to see you, Trish! We did get snow - about 2" of it! The plow has been past my house twice, and I plan to go to town tomorrow to get the anniversary card. When you said you weren't going to do this, did you mean the Metabolism Miracle Plan? YAY for you, making it through the 1st week.

Ruth, Carol, Marie, JoJoJo, LindaH, and all others - how's everything going for you?

Neal is off to an auction dinner and I didn't want to go to that, so I stayed home. I know the kinds of food served at that type of function, and I know it would be a real challenge that I don't need right now. We try to do what we gotta do to stay OP, right?

Toodles for now,

Hi everyone! :carrot:
Gosh, it took me a while to read all the posts I missed over on the other thread and then I got to the last page that said Jane started a new post. :eek: Yikes! I was lost for a little while, didn't think I was going to find the new thread. Glad I found you guys!! :cb:

Thanks Jane for keeping this going!! :cp:

I don't quilt but,.....I have made two "Quilts in a Day" by Burns/Barns? and had fun making those. The things you girls do with lots of pieces, I'd be so lost. I still enjoy listening to everyone talk about their quilts. I love going to the quilt show they have here once a year.

Jane-- Got the switch plates finished and the lady wants them. They will be going to Canada. I just varnished a single switch plate that I based black and then I added a vine with pink roses on it. Turned out pretty cute. Kinda "shabby". Will list it in my booth next week.

Working on a Spring sign now for a repeat lady who enjoys my style. I'm painting Daffodils for the first time. Hope I can do justice to the sign. Will add bumble bees with their little trails.

Have a lady who would like some special pins for her quilt sewing group in SD. Another lady wants more ornaments for guests at her B&B. She gives them an ornament when they leave....they're small enough to fit in the luggage. How sweet is that?

One of these days I have to start on new ornaments! Working on more than two things at the same time makes me. :dizzy:

I'll do anything to keep painting if it takes my mind off snacking. Since I'm home all day it's hard to stay out of the kitchen. I've been doing good though on my plan and schedule 3 meals and 2 snacks, plus all my water.

We joined the YMCA last week, and I've had so much fun taking the water aerobics classes, plus I added 2 days last week of swimming laps. :swim: If I miss the class, I do my own movements in the water. Had a walk through yesterday to learn the beginners weight machines. Thought it was time for a little resistance training. Just trying to tone and make a little more muscle. Got to do all we can, right? Hoping that going to go to the Y at least 4 times a week, will help me lose the last few pounds.

I'm below what's posted, but have to go in and move my little bee to a bit less. Yippee!! :broc: :broc: I keep :moped: along. A little at a time.

Some of you are having pretty cold days and lots of snow. Stay warm and drive safe. We're getting rain today, but should be gone by tomorrow afternoon. Saw the news last night and there were some bad mud slides down in the canyons where they had the "station fire" this past summer.

I'm ready for the spring too! I can't wait to buy some annuals for the flower bed. But we don't do that till April usually.

Nice to visit and read all your posts. Enjoyed all of them! :cheer:

Carol

What I meant was that at first I wasn't going to do the Metabolism Miracle Plan because she says if you are awake during the night you should eat a little something because the liver dumps carbs equivilant to a muffin every 5 hours when a Metabolism B doesn't eat something. I didn't want to get in the habit of eating during the night. However, now that I understand how my metabolism works I feel it would be stupid for me not to learn to work with it instead of against it. I don't want to be a diabetic and have all the problems that goes with it so I decided the smart thing for me to do is to do the MM plan and learn how to prevent ever having it. I've learned that my Daddy is borderline diabetic and has been most of his life. He works to keep from being a diabetic. My babysister does South Beach and my other sister had Lapband surgery in December. I've decided that we all are probably Metabolism Bs and I'm sure my Mama was. I'm just thankful they have found out about the 2 metabolisms. Now I know why Weight Watchers didn't work for me. It is great for Met A's, but me being a Met B Weight Watchers made me hungry all the time thus all I wanted to do was eat. I am thankful that now we have a WOE for both metabolisms to lose weight and be healthy.

I had planned to do SBD, but changed my mind to do MM because of the 8 weeks of giving the pancreas and liver a rest. I felt that I needed to do that especially at my age. Otherwise I believe they would have both worked for me.

Happy Sunday to all,
Trish Thanks for the info on MM. I've never heard of it before. I did a search on it and will read the long article from the author as I go through my day.

Noticed that you mentioned W Watchers and it took me one and a half years to lose 25 pounds. I wrote down every morsel that passed my lips. Was on 18 points. I finally did reach goal, but what a struggle I had!! I was always thinking about food. I maintained for about a year, then gained it all back after Dr took me off my estrogen do to health issues. I gained it all around the middle.

Now I am on the Fight the Fat Loss Code by Wendy Chant and I have lost 15 pounds, but I have to lower my carbs even on that plan. Seems like every time I eat a carb......I have a gain. I'd take a "maintain", but the scale always goes up the next day. Hmmmm? I must be really carb intolerant.

Just trying find a plan that works for me. Feel great not eating the carbs and do get in exercise 5 days a week. We just joined our new YMCA last week. Love the water aerobic classes, and the lap swimming. Learned the beginners machines on Friday, so will start those this week.

I'm trying to figure out how to get down a few more pounds and maintain the rest of my life. Sure tired of losing the same 40 pounds!! :rofl::rofl:

Carol

Hi ladies,

Trish - oh, I see about the MM way. You're smart to do what works for you. Sooner or later we will get to our goals, and I sure hope it's going to be sooner than later, lol. I have been overweight most of my life, and I am sick to death of it. Right now I am in a very good place mentally to lose. Btw, did you get more snow?

Carol - I'm so glad you found us. We enjoy your posts as much as you enjoy ours. The black switch plate with the vines and pink flowers sounds so pretty! Again, I envy you so much for being able to tole paint. I'm sure you'll have no trouble with the daffodils, although I imagine they would be very intricate to do. Speaking of WW, I used to mod over there. I had lost a lot of weight with it, but then gained it all back after handling maintenance poorly. I am on the wagon again, counting calories. I do try to eat mainly whole foods, and complex carbs.

Linda - I read elsewhere that you fell on the ice, and I sure hope you aren't too sore or bruised! Have you ever soaked in Epsom Salts? It sure takes the soreness out after a fall like that.

Hi to anyone else reading this. :wave:

I had my first weigh in yesterday, and I am down 5 pounds, and was ecstatic! Although I have such a long way to go, I am concentrating on only 1 day at a time.

I just have to say that I love checking in with you ladies everyday. Your personal comments to me mean a lot. :grouphug: Together, we will make our goals, and handle maintenance!

Toodles,

Hi Jane, Carol and Trish! :wave:

Jane, congratulations on being down 5 lbs! It's so hard to lose weight this time of year when boredom tends to settle in and we're stuck in the house so much.

Trish and Carol, that's wonderful that the pounds are melting off for you, too! By the time summer comes around, we should all be looking nice and trim. :)

I haven't strayed from my diet since New Year's, but the weight doesn't seem to be coming off as quickly as I'd like. It seems I work too hard for such a small reward. But I'll eventually get to where I want to be, and at least I know I'm doing my body a lot of good by eating right and exercising. And I've sure been getting an added workout shoveling all the snow we got over the weekend. We ended up with a grand total of 23.5 inches, and another big snowstorm is supposed to hit us on Tues-Wed. I think I've had enough for this year, thank you very much.
I did have a nasty fall on some black ice in the driveway this morning, and went down hard flat on my back. I think I'm OK, although my lower back was sore and it was hard to lift my legs to go up steps. But I finally took some Advil and took a nap on the couch, and now I feel pretty much back to normal, so all is well.
It sure has been a quiet weekend without the usual hustle and bustle of having the grandkids here.

Jane CONGRATULATIONS on the 5lbs lost!!!!:carrot: I am excited for you. No we didn't get any of the snow or sleet. They say we will only get rain Tuesday from the storm headed this direction as it is mostly going north of us.

Linda I'm so sorry you fell. I pray you are okay. I have such a fear of falling that I would not even go out to the mailbox to get the mail. DH had to do it.

Carol Hope you find what works for you whether you continue with the Fight the Fat Code or MM. We all have to find our own path to weightloss.

I agree that weightloss does seem to come off slowly, but I just pray that this time it will come off and stay off. Oh how I would love to make my goal and stay there this time. Others have done it so why can't we do it? We can!!! We just have to be patient and keep doing what we know works for us.

It is so nice Jane that we can all have a place to come and share with each other even though we may all be following different plans. That is so nice.

Good night Ladies.

Good Monday morning, Ladies! :)

It's a bitter cold morning and there's lots of black ice lurking out there. I have a hair appointment first thing, but I'm going to call first to see what the roads are like out there. She has a shop in her home, but lives on a side road back in the woods. I hate to cancel, as my roots are starting to show.
I was hoping this next snowstorm would miss us, but it's looking like it's heading our way for tomorrow night and all day Wednesday. I only hope it's our last snow for the year. :crossed:

Let's make the most out of this Monday!

Hi all,

Linda - glad you are ok after your fall. Advil seems like a lifesaver sometimes, lol. You have been so faithful staying OP, and now that you're near your goal, you know those last pounds just don't want to leave. I hope you can make it to your hair appt. but not if it's too slick outside. Nothing is worth a broken arm or hip. Would it cost too much to get a taxi and have the driver walk you to the door?

Trish - I'm like you - done with being this heavy. I'm not even trying to be a skinny minny, just at the weight I was in my early 30s. I'm glad you like having this place to post. I do, too.

Carol - hope you're having a good Monday.

We've got another snow storm headed our way, so I'm going to call my eye doctor and see if I can pick up my new glasses today instead of Wednesday. They are ready, but I generally don't like to make appts for Mondays.

Neal bought a 2nd-hand tractor yesterday that has a snow blade on it, so he'll be loving his new toy when the snow hits, lol.

My food journal is all filled in for the day, and I am feeling so much better since I've been eating healthily and riding my bike again.

Later, ladies!

Good Morning Ladies,

I couldn't sleep night before last and didn't even go to church because Tony was feeling bad all week end with his stomach. Docs didn't find anything, but he still suffers with it some time. I guess I made up for the lost sleep last night. Had a hard time making myself get up. At least I know this had nothing to do with MM though. I don't take meds much and I took one Benedryl before I went to bed and it always makes me feel this way.

I am excited that I am in week 2 of the first step of MM. I lossed 2 lbs this week. It should be real weight since I was already doing low carb and had lost 3 lbs for the month of January. Just tired of losing recycled lbs so hopefully I will be able to go on down. I decided this if I could just lose 1 lb a week that would be great. No more trying to do anything fast although the temptation is there. 52 lbs in a year sounds very well to me, if I could lose that much. 3 lbs last month doesn't necessarily make me too hopeful for 52 though. I switched from coffee to tea today so that I will still get the caffiene but not so much and I don't drink sweetner in my tea so will be cutting back on that as well.

Linda I thought of you when I heard that the snow is headed your way. Hope you are able to make your appointment. I've got to call my lady tomorrow to see if I can get in next week for a perm. I'm pushing it to make this perm last that long. I like to wait 3 months but can't make it to the last week of this month.

Jane I see you are going to get the snow as well. I always love the snow, but wasn't too impressed this year. I think because it didn't snow enough and didn't look as pretty as usual and then it stayed around too long. Wouldn't mind a really good snow that covered everythingm but I'm ready for spring this year. Is the tractor Neal's Valentine's present? I always let Tony pick out his. Although I do know he needs a lamp of some sort over his piano. So I will be looking for one for him. I find it easier to pick out his own toys so he is never disappointed. His DIL fusses because David never likes what she buys him. I told her that I heard that his Mother always let Tony buy his own and I just carried on the plan when I married him. Come to think of it I guess I used to do the same thing with Bill. I ended marrying two men who love their stereo/video stuff and it has always been easier to let them choose. I spent time buying clothing, colognes and stuff like that.

We are headed to NC to Costco today. We get our tomatoes there and I have 2 left. Will eat out at Sonny's. I can stay OP when I eat there. I eat meat no BBQ sauce and 2 orders of green beans. Good thing I love green beans as I eat them a lot when we go out to eat. Some places that is the only thing OP.

Carol, lurkers and others :wave:

Have a great Monday Y'all... NO BLUE MONDAYS allowed!!!:dizzy:

Hello ladies,

Trish - Benedryl does the same thing to me - knocks me flat, lol. YAY for your loss! :cp: We are headed in the right direction, my friend. Like you, I'm in no rush. One pound a week would be just fine by me, because it just doesn't come off the way it used to in our younger years. I never thought of calling the tractor Neal's valentine present, lol. Actually, I got him another set of thermal shirt and pants to keep him warm while he works in the shop, and a big Hershey's Kiss, and a bag of Nestle Crunch minis. Neither of those candies will bother me. Well, the Kiss would, if I took one bite, I'd want it all, but he will have it gone in no time, and I won't be tempted. I eat green beans a lot when we go out, too, and never get tired of them.

Hello to anyone reading this. :wave:

We got about 3 inches of snow overnight, and it's still snowing hard. Our appt. with the tax accountant was today, but I called and rescheduled for next Tuesday. No need to get out if we don't have to.

Yesterday at the eye doctor, she saw white spots on my eyeball, and is sending the photos to a colleague for a 2nd opinion. If needed, she will refer me to a specialist out of town. I am trying to stay optimistic. Somehow I am a very positive person in general, and especially for others, but not so much for myself.

Stay warm and OP today! :grouphug:

Good Morning Ladies,
Jane-- Hope you're staying warm with all the snow you're getting. We're suppose to get rain this afternoon and maybe.....just maybe a little snow later on tonight. The kids will be excited if we do and they might get a snow day out of it.

My daffodils came out great and actually look like daffodils. LOL Now to put together the sign with stenciled bees. I think it will make a cute Spring sign.

Today I'm working on 10 pins for a special order for some quilters in SD. Just got the order a couple days ago and cut the hearts yesterday. She needs them by March 1st. I cut a stencil of a sewing machine for the center. Will do one pin first, and see if it turns out. Then I'll do all the others at the same time. Mass production, here I come!

At least I'm keeping busy and I don't have time to think about snacking. I use to love to bake cookies. I'm a baker at heart, but had to give it up for a while......I eat what I bake. Darn! My motto is....If I see it.....I eat it. So I can't have the sweets around. Having ice cream in the freezer just doesn't do it for me, but I do love home made cookies and scones.

I've been maintaining within 6 oz all week, one of these days the scale will drop.

Went to the Y yesterday and did laps for 30 minutes, then "range of motion" for 20 minutes. Got in a good workout.

Today is the hair dresser. Lunch with a friend and pick up a few groceries and then home for the rest of the day, have hubby light a fire and pray for snow. hehehe

Everyone have a great day! We made it through Monday! We're on a roll!

Carol

Hi ladies,

Carol - did you get some snow after all? The sign sure sounds cute. Does it have words on it? Your day yesterday seems busy and fun, too. Lunching with friends is always a brightener. I love having the fireplace going, but the winds we're having would suck the heat right up the chimney.

I'll be staying in again today. It's just too cold and windy to go anywhere, plus, I really have no reason to get out anyway. There is some mid-month paperwork needing done, then I want to get some photos from my camera card sent in to Walmart over the internet. I love being able to do that, then pick them up when I'm in town. Very handy!

I found out yesterday that we get to have Caylin this weekend, and that just made my day! One thing we'll do together is decorate a sturdy bread crumb can that I've saved for her. We'll have fun with that!

Have a Happy Hump Day! :)

A quick flyby here. Got up and went to BSF meeting this morning and it is cold. No snow or rain today. Infact we're supposed to have a beautiful weather the rest of the week but very cold and the wind gusts of course make it colder. I had intended to go to a fellowship with my group after the meeting but had to run by the house real quick got in the house and decided it too cold to go any where so stayed home.

Carol The signs sounds nice. You are very talented. I understand about the baking. I don't do that any more either. I used to bake a lot when my kids were little and then one day I realized I was the one eating the most of it so quit making all the goodies. Now DH has his stash that I don't even look at and I only buy the things I'm allowed and very little of it.

Jane I know you are looking forward to having Caylin. I know you will have a lot of fun.

Y'all stay warm. Catch ya later.

We're getting one heck of a blizzard right now, but I'm enjoying being snowed in for now. I may have a different opinion, come this time tomorrow. Between the snow we had over the weekend and today's snow, so far there's about 50" on the ground, and it's not supposed to stop until around 10pm tonight. :dizzy:
After my shower this morning, I put my jammies back on and am going to be a complete slug. I did do 30 minutes of aerobics on the wii first, though! I told Jake I'd go out and help him shovel, but he's been out a few times and said there's not much he can do with it coming down so hard, and it's windy to boot. Our son will be around with his snowplow eventually.

Jane, I know you're looking forward to your weekend with Caylin. What are you going to use the can for? Your grandchildren must just love going to Grandma's. :)

Hi Carol and Trish! :wave: I hope you're all having a great week!

ETA-

Trish, we were posting at the same time! Want to trade weather?

Hello ladies, :carrot:
Jane-- Nope, no snow. We were all praying for a little bit too. My daughter was bummed! Oh well, there's still a chance for March. Suppose to be nice for then next 3 weeks.

Haven't decided if I'm going to add words to the sign for not. Have to play with it a little.

I finished one of the quilters sewing pins and sent a picture to the lady who wants them. Just got notified that she loved it and do all of them the same way. So I'll be painting 10 more tomorrow just like the one I painted today.

Earlier a lady in Canada wrote and let me know she saw what I listed where I sell, and would be very happy with two of those, so I have that to keep me busy besides the daffodil sign.

Focus....pins first, then sign, than light switch plate covers. You girls who quilt or craft, have never seen a room so messy, I'm sure of it!! It's awful! :rofl: Well maybe you have. :D I told my dh, I don't really work on all of them at the same time, but when the paint is drying on one, I go to the other projects and do what I can, then go back. No time to waste. But sometimes I do like "closure". :cp:

How old is Caylin, Jane? What are you and Caylin going to make out of the bread crumb can? Pencil holder? I used to make the best baby doll beds from the large oatmeal containers. I'd tape on the lid and cut a hole on one side that would fit the baby doll. I'd cover it with either material or paper. Made the best little rocking beds for my baby dolls. Was fun to make with the grand daughters too. We kids had so much fun thinking up ways to have fun back in the "old days".

We send out photos to Target and they so such a great job. Just pick them up when we go past. Can't get any easier.

I love working puzzles, but they take so much time, I only do that on the special holidays now. We all have fun putting one together before the dinner is done. I always said, no finished puzzle, no dinner and the girls believed me, so they worked real hard to get it finished. :rofl:

Having lunch with my daughter tomorrow. I'm picking up something and taking it to the high school where she interprets. We're eating in my son in laws office. He's usually out on campus. I miss our lunches together, so thought since I do this with a friend once a week, I'll do this once in a while with my daughter too. I miss our times together. But she had to get something more permanent than subbing. Had to start thinking of the 3 girls colleges coming up in the next 2-4 years.

She loves to scrap her photo albums, but since she started work, there hasn't been any time for that. She also plays the piano at night for the local plays. Most of the time I talk to her when she's in the car going from one place to the other. But she loves her job and loves the piano, so scrapping is put on the back burner for a while.

Had another maintain today. Somethings going to give one of these days!
Carol

Good morning Ladies!

I'm just taking a short coffee break from digging out. I think it's going to be an all-day job. Good workout, though!

Carol, you may have already answered this question, but do you sell any of your crafts on etsy? All of your crafts sound so interesting, I'd love to see your work and it would be fun to buy something of yours. We used to make all kinds of doll furniture and stuff from oatmeal boxes and other things. I still like to encourage my grandchildren to use their imaginations to create things out of whatever they can find around the house. They can come up with some very interesting creations, lol!

Gotta run for now, BBL!

Good morning, ladies,

Trish - actually, all 3 of Mary's girls are coming this weekend after all. I offered to take them, since Jason's boys will be with their mom, so Mary and Jason can have a nice Valentine's weekend. It was purely selfish, though, because Neal and I miss the girls so much, lol.

Linda - I just can't even imagine that much snow! Do you have any idea when you'll be able to dig out? About the can, well, I'm going to let her decide. We can cut a little slit in the lid, and call it a bank, or she can just use it for her small treasures. She may have a better idea! The fun part will be watching her decorate it. We're going to wait until just she is here, w/o her sisters.

Carol - I used to have a nice craft room, until I turned it into a guest room for the kiddos, and yes, at times it was a holy mess. Well, not so holy, lol. But as you said, sometimes it's only practical to have more than one project going at a time. Caylin is 6, btw. Have fun at your lunch today with your daughter. Sounds like a very inventive way to get to spend time with her. Since Mary has moved, I don't see her nearly as often as I'd like. She's often at work when we pick up the children. My other daughter, Katie, comes over a lot now that she lives so close, and I really enjoy her visits.

Hello to anyone reading this. :wave:

Today I have to clean the house, then later, Neal and I are going out to eat with friends Kathy and RIck. They spend weekend time with their grands, too, so that's why we meet on Thursdays a lot of the time. I'm going to try another one of Applebee's 550 calorie meals. The steak one is very good! I do wish they wouldn't overcook their veggies, though.

Have a good day! :)

I cannot impress enough on all of you the necessity to have a colonoscopy. My closest friend (beside my husband) was just diagnosed with colon cancer and is facing chemo, radiation and two surgeries. This is one of the most preventable cancers there is.

I insisted my husband have one and he reluctantly agreed. The gastroenterologist removed 3 polyps and called him that evening. He told my husband that although they were benign, all three were pre-cancerous. I am so grateful that they have been removed.

I've had 3 and having my fourth tomorrow. Today is the crappy part. LOL

Jane, we're just about all dug out now, and dug out just enough at the end of the driveway to get a car through. Dustin will come by with his snowplow to get the rest of it for us, but he has to finish his commercial customers first. We're always last on his list, but at least we don't have to pay him. ;) When the township plowed the road overnight, they left a 4' high pile of ice chunks across the end of everyone's drive. It makes it difficult for those who absolutely HAD to get out and go to work this morning. Luckily, Jake and I both have the option to stay home. Enjoy your dinner at Applebee's this evening. I really like the shrimp with ww penne on their 550 or less menu. And enjoy your weekend with your granddaughers!

Theresa, I had my first colonoscopy a year ago. I was really apprehensive and scared about the procedure, but it wasn't so bad at all. The only unpleasant part was the prep the day before, and that wasn't all that bad, either. I asked for the pills rather than the liquid stuff, which made it so much easier. Good luck with yours tomorrow.

Hello ladies,
Linda, I missed my water aerobics today. Bummer! Will make it tomorrow, but my daughter and I had a nice lunch together.

Then I went as a visitor to her classroom for about the whole period. I got to watch her sign to her student. I sat in a desk in the front as if I was a student.

I never sold on etsy. I sold on ebay for about 5 years and painted in the afternoons after work. I moved over to Bonanzle last September. Trying to "get known" all over again, but I enjoy this site better. I have a few customers that keep coming back and they email me and we chat. I'll pm you the site address. Don't want to get in trouble.

Don't you just love playing around with the oatmeal boxes and things that can be recycled? It's so much fun making something out of nothing.

After lunch I ran to Joanne's and Michael's, so I'd better get in and do a little painting on those pins. I played to much today.

Hope everyone has plowed out by now!!! I can't imagine what you guys are going through!

Jane--Hope all is OK with your eye!

Chat later,
Carol

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would do a quick one here.

Carol - So glad you and your daughter had a good time together.

Jane - So glad you are going to have the girls. I know how much fun you have with them. You and Neal have a fun night out.

We didn't get any snow out of the last bunch just a little rain. We are supposed to get some out of this new system headed this way. Suppossed to get snow/rain mixture Friday and Monday, but it isn't supposed to stick. Not much going on here. I'll get out in the morning and go get some things from the store before it all hits.

I've ended up on SBD. Mostly because I can't do the 5 grams every 5 hours which isn't a problem the first 8 weeks so much as it will be when I will have to eat every 5 hours in the future. Right now I eat pretty much like I did on SBD Phase 1 so I decided why not just go with it. I plan to progress on into Phase 2 probably Sunday. I was reading SBD info today and learned that I could move to Phase 2 if I'm having no cravings. I haven't had cravings since I've been on low carb. Strange, I hadn't planned to do this just seemed to go into it.

Linda, Theresa and others reading here :wave:

Y'all have a great Valentine's weekend.

This will be my 4th colonoscopy. I had a very difficult time drinking all that horrible stuff and next time, I will request pills. I didn't know one could take pills. They were never offered to me. Maine tends to be behind the times.

I'm tired, weak and dehydrated, but soon this will be behind me. (no pun intended)

Hi ladies,

Teresa - hope you get a good report today! I know I should schedule a colonoscopy for myself. Now that I know they have pills for the prep, I might actually do it.

Linda - I hope you're all dug out by now. My son is a professional lawn care/snow removal guy, and is busy busy busy right now. I did enjoy my evening out. I got the steak, which although a tad overcooked, was still very good. I felt so happy walking out of there, knowing I was still OP.

Carol - at first I was thinking Joanne and Michael are your kids, lol. I haven't heard from the eye doctor yet today.

Trish - I wondering if just counting calories would work for you, with a focus on complex carbs, and other tweaks to suit your lifestyle? Just a thought. I sure am looking forward to having the girls later today.

As I mentioned to Linda, I stayed OP at Applebee's and felt good about that. The others got big plates of food, but I kept focused on our trip with the family to Florida, and how I want to be much lighter by then.

I'm do a lot of waiting today... waiting on the doctor to call, waiting on the electrician to show (something's wrong with part of our electrical service), waiting on the kids to get here. In the meantime, I've been doing laundry and getting other things taken care of before the monkeys get here, lol.

I won't be here much this weekend. Stay warm, and I hope each of you get to spend Sunday with someone you love.

Another quick one here. Got up and went to the store. We are supposed to get more snow than they originally said and is supposed to hit sometime this afternoon. So got back into the warm house.

Jane Actually, after trying different things SBD just seems easier for me to do. In fact I'm already on it, but will be on Phase 1 from now until March 1st. It is so similar to MM and so much easier to do that I just went with it. I can do this without even thinking about it much. Linda had explained to me a while back that is lowfat rather than fat free. Don't know why I thought it was fat free. I've read a lot of what other SBD people eat and I can do it without a lot of thought. That is the main thing for me. I want something I can just do, live with and not have to think about it all the time.

Well, got to get busy. I see a lot of people are having cold weather and snow everywhere. Y'all stay safe and warm.

Jane: Thanks for your well wishes. My colonoscopy had excellent results and I won't need another for 5 years. They will have to give me pills next time.

Do not postpone a colonoscopy. The test itself is a snap.

Theresa Great news. Glad everything went well for you. 5 years is good. DH was told he has to go back in 3. May be different for men. Now you can relax and have a nice Valentine's.

Patty: My husband has to return in three years because he had three polyps and the doctor said that all three were the kind that can turn to cancer.

What with my girlfriend facing chemo, radiation and two surgeries for colon cancer, it's a darn good thing not to ever postpone. My doctor told me this morning that colon cancer is the third most prevalent cancer there is and is so very preventable.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

We went out for breakfast, and Jake installed a book holder on my exercise bike for me today, but otherwise it's going to be a quiet day here. We babysat two of my grandchildren yesterday so my son and DIL could enjoy a night out, and that was a lot of fun. My 2 year old grandson, Tyler, is quite a comic for his age, and kept us laughing with his antics. He's in the process of being potty-trained right now, though, and it was pretty exhausting making sure he got to the bathroom in time, but at least there were no accidents.
We're supposed to get another couple of inches of snow tomorrow night. I guess it's not time to put the snow shovels away yet.

Good Morning ladies,
Had a wonderful weekend getting a lot of painting accomplished.
Weather was just gorgeous yesterday. We should have been BBQing.
Spent the afternoon with dh parents and played cards and had a light dinner of Chicken and Dumplings and salad. We skipped on the dessert!
I've been maintaining for too many days, have to focus to get the scale to drop.
Everyone have a wonderful Monday!
Carol

Hi ladies,

Trish - how's it going on SB? Did you get much snow?

Teresa - YAY for your good report from the doc! :cp: How's everything else going for you?

Linda - Jackson is being potty trained now, too, and is doing pretty good. He'll be 3 in May. I bet our grandsons would have a lot of fun together!

Carol - BBQing?? I'm jealous! We have a wind chill of 3 degrees here in southern Indiana, and more snow! Good for you, skipping dessert.

Hi to anyone else reading this.

The weekend was so much fun with the kids! Have to admit, though, the quiet house was welcomed by last night, lol.

When my eye doctor called Friday, she said I do need to see an ophthalmologist. I have spots in the vitreous, so she made an appt. for me, on Wednesday. She didn't give me a hint as to what is wrong, but did stress the positiveness that I can still see though that eye. I'll be glad to know just what is wrong.

We got more snow, and although it is so pretty, I'm ready for Spring!

Have a good day. :)

Good Afternoon,

Jane SB/IE combination is working out great for me. Seems to be exactly what I need to be doing. Of course the difference is that with SB you eat snacks in between meals to keep from being hungry, but being an IEr I only eat the snacks as I need them. Finally got things down to eating foods I like that I can have not eating anything just because I think I should. Yesterday was a little off, but it doesn't count as a slip because it was planned. Works for me.
Yes, we did get a beautiful layer of snow and still have some in places. The nice thing is we were able to get out to go to church yesterday and last night. We had a chance of some last night and this morning, but we only got the rain. I'm glad because I need to get to the beauty shop tomorrow scheduled for a perm. I too am looking forward to spring.
Sorry to hear about your eye. I don't know what that means either. Tony has floaters, but they didn't seem too concerned when he had his last check up. I read or heard on tv that floaters are a sign that you need more Vitamin A. I got him some Beta Carotene to take instead of A since we have A in our multiple and I know you can get too much of it. Will have you in my prayers that it won't be anything too serious and fixable.

Linda, Carol, Theresa and all :wave:Hi there.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Carol, I did get your PM, and thanks for all the info. I will definitely check it out. That is great that you managed to skip dessert! It's getting easier for me to resist it, too, even though I used to hurry through the meal so I could get to it. My son and DIL brought some luscious looking desserts from Cheesecake Factory over on Saturday, but I wasn't even tempted to have a taste of anything. My desire to shed these extra pounds is finally stronger than any temptation.

Jane, your eye doctor sounds pretty positive about those spots in your eye, which is encouraging news. Our grandson will be 3 in mid-July, so they're pretty close in age. I bet they would have a terrific time together! As for BBQing, we grill outside all year around. But a wind chill of 3 degrees would tend to put me off of standing outside, too. :brr:

Trish, I'm glad you're finding the SBD/IE combo working well for you!

I managed to get home just before the snow started sticking and making the roads slippery. We aren't supposed to get much this time, between 1-4", but I'm glad to be home where I can better appreciate looking out at the snowscape. I sure will be happy to see the end of this month.