Alternachick chat October 2 +
 

Good morning everyone :yawn:

Darn, I think I suffer from "SAD" - I just can't seem to get up in the morning for the past week and have been late for work twice! :eek:

It's going to be a busy weekend - I have a belly dance party to go to on Friday night, it is DH's birthday on Saturday and then we are going to our friends' place for supper on Sunday. Phew! When do I get to rest?????

Sound like a fun weekend Mauvais!

It has been too cold to get out of bed this week. It is only 37F (about 2C) out. Where did fall go???

Found out that I get to visit the boy when he comes home at the end of November. It will be almost 5 months since we saw each other. His sister has been asking when I am going to go visit her. :lol:

Gotta go do work. :p

:mouse:

I'm with ya, I was gonna try exercising in the am but so far no go. It is just too warm and toasty to get up out of bed early for exercise :lol: So for now the evening will have to do.

Mauvais sound like an exciting weekend planned! Have Fun

Squeak bet you can't wait to see your friend :D

Yeah Squeak- you get to see your boy soon! :cb:

It is about 3 or 4 celcius here in the mornings -my building has not turned the heat on yet so it is freezing in my apartment in the mornings. I even dug out my sweaters yesterday and wore my thin velvet scarf and leather gloves to work this morning BRRR! :eek: Must find my furry hedgehog slippers tonight! :lol:

Already SAD
 

Yep. I'm doing the SAD thing already, too. It's not cold here in Seattle, but the fog has rolled in like it means to stay. Well, it is chilly, but I don't mind that so much as never seeing the sun.

I thought I had more time - I need to gear up for fighting this. Sun lamps, hot choc. in the house, favorite CDs close to hand, herbs for the bathtub, new books and most importantly, get back to the gym! This week (uh, and last week) I've already started the "I'm too tired, I'm too down" form of getting out of exercise. Has to stop. People have told me that regular, vigorous exercise is the only way they stave off total insanity during the winter. I do the SAD thing hard, but this is the first year I've made plans to fight it.

Anyone else have good SAD-fighting tips?

Best treatment for SAD? Move to San Diego. :)

Very funny Jessica! ;)

Wouldn't work for me though - as Shirley Manson from Garbage once sand ....."I'm only happy when it rains" :lol:

Then again I do love crisp sunny autumn days.

Glad to know I am not alone! I am not diagnosed by a doctor, just self-figured. The last 3 years have been rough. No windows at work doesn't help either...in the winter, it is just cracking daylight when I go in, and dark when I come out. I have crying fits, I feel despair, and just am in general like a bump on a log.

Cerise, I have never fought it either, but I plan to do similar things this year too! I want to buy a sunlamp, but I'm not sure what to buy. There is a Verolux one that is advertised in a magazine but it is something like $175. Surely there is a more reasonable one! I'd like to get one for home and one for work.

I think I might try at night, more lights on in the house, and I might use suntan lotion as aromatherapy! I have a sound maker that has ocean sounds. Maybe going to the tanning bed for small amounts might help too. I don't want to get cancer in the process, but if I could take short jaunts, would it help? Trying to fool my senses into remembering the beach...that is where it is the warmest and the days are longest in my memory.

Maybe getting some large indoor plants would help?

Jessica, I HAVE thought about moving! If I could pack up my whole family, I'd go!

Sflake - I love the fact you even think about getting up early to do that! :)

Mauvais - Headgehog sleepers sound adorable!!!

Cerise - I am all for a warm bath with great smelling bubbles & a good book. I am also partial to warm apple cider. Not sure what else since I get unhappy in the middle of the summer just as bad as winter. :shrug:

Though Jessica's idea would work too :lol:

Jennifer - No windows either? Yuck! Though this way you can't see the rain or snow either.

I am very happy about getting to see the boy. I miss him. The only thing I don't like is that he doesn't have more friends and doesn't want to stay in CA for the week because of it. Now I definately need to fit back into my jeans soon, I need clothes to wear when I visit!

Now where is everyone else? Ellis? Den?

Ruthxxx - How is Harry?

I'm hibernating!!! I really do think I am part bear!! I love cooler weather, but more like 60 to 70 degrees (F) It is in the 40s here right now!!! I was up late last night baking cookies with DS16, who has Octoberfest in his German class today. German spice cookies. Had to try one to make sure they weren't poisonous.....(actually they were REALLY good!! I'm glad he got them all out of here is all I can say!!)

ummmm....that's Hedgehog slippers Squeaker, not sleepers :lol: although if I could find those too I would buy them - I love hedgehogs!

My slippers look like stuffed toy animals and you put your feet in them so it looks like you have hedgehogs for fee- cute but kind of weird. My DH bought them for me for Christmas one year - they are really warm and comfy. :cloud9:

I would actually like to have a pet hedgehog one day - they are so cute, but then again :chin: they should probably be left to the wilds instead of being domesticated.

Um, yeah those too Mauvais. :lol:

Oh I miss my little sister sooooo much today. I got an e-mail from her and I forgot how absolutely hysterical she is. She makes me laugh. We didn't get along too well when we were little. She was moody, emotional, and introverted. I was the opposite. My parents ignored me (they weren't being mean, I just talked non-stop so they were never worried about me) and they fawned over her (I mean, she didn't talk! Of course they were worried). We were still sisters and shared a lot of stuff but we weren't friends. Ever since I left home, she blossomed into this incredible woman that I adore and the best of friends. Ever more heart breaking? She looks up to me! Wow! The girl her would sit on her and refused to play monopoly with her.

I hate that I live 7 states away from her. When she visits, she cries constantly (I told you she was the emotional one) and I miss just hanging out with her. Sigh!

Sorry, I guess I'm suffering from SAD (Sister Away Depression).

JESSICA, you said something one other time that made me think we were alike, and darnit you've done it again. You and your sister were just like me and Suzanne! She was moody and introverted, and I was outgoing and funloving! :D Only difference is that I'm the emotional one. Yep, we didn't get along when we were little, either. It wasn't until I was a teenager that she actually liked me! Then she corrupted me, so maybe she didn't like me even then! :lol: I'm pretty sure she likes me now, though.

Seriously though, I'm sorry you miss her. :(

Awww thanks Jennifer! I'm glad I'm not the only one that didn't like their sister in the beginning. :lol:

My favorite story about my sister is that she is NOT a morning person. She is STILL a royal pain when she wakes up. Both my parents knew it too, so they would make ME wake her up. Sooooo (remember, I was a pretty evil kid), I would go up to her room and say, "Amanda!!! Amanda!!! Dad bought Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast. You better run down, I think there's only one left!"

And she would tear off down the stairs.... of course.... no doughnuts. She would get SO mad! But she was up! Funny, she fell for that A LOT! (You would think she'd learn).

My sister and i weren't close either. As a matter of fact we fought A LOT!!! We are closer now, but I'd still like to be closer! I'm hoping that now she has adopted her son we will move in that direction.

I have always been close to my little sister, but admittedly pretty jealous. I was the moody, introverted one who skipped school, and she was the perfect angel who got good grades and did everything she was supposed to, so she got all of the attention, and I always resented that. Now we have more of a relationship, though, and it helps that we belly dance together. We get a lot of good conversation on the way to the studio and on the way home, and I feel like I'm starting to really get to know her. Although I do still envy the relationship she has with my dad, they're so close, but between him and me it's always been awkward.

About SAD, I was diagnosed with clinical depression in the winter when I was 15. In the spring, it seemed to go away, so I went off my meds. The only time it comes back is at night or on dark, gloomy days. So I think I may have been misdiagnosed, but I'm not sure. I know that I don't feel like I have the energy to move, I don't care about getting anything done, I don't feel like smiling, and I feel completely gloomy and sapped. Sun lamps help a little, but nothing beats natural sunlight. *sigh* I'm in for a long winter!

My sister and I are VERY close. She is my best friend. Our parents died in the same year when we were 17 and 18 and I can't imagine getting thru a day without her. Although we couldn't be more different people, like night and day. And boy have we had our share of fights. But we are always there for one another no matter what.

I truely believe she suffers from SAD. And depression is a part of MS. So I wish that she would talk to her Dr. about meds but she is one stubborn :censored: I jsut got her one of those tan in a can thingys maybe that will help alittle but you're right I think we are in for a long winter.

Oh my gosh... gone for three days and I'm LOST!
I'll catch up with all of you later, but:

Squeak... glad to hear you're going to see The Boy. Please don't lose your head. I love you. :grouphug:

SAD? Huh. Tell me about it. My depression drugs definitely help with it, but I still get a whallop of down-time with this type of weather. Although I could say the same for very hot weather... :D
Cerise, try to get out of the house, even in this weather. A brisk walk will do you the world of good.

Den, I hope you only ate ONE of those cookies. ;)

Gotta run... love and hugs to all...
:grouphug:

YUP!! ONE, and a bunch of chocolate covered almonds.....oog.....

Oh, no! That's what I ate yesterday, too! (found a bulk food store)

Hey, one of the reasons I take my dance class on Saturday mornings in the fall/winter is so that I have a reason to get out of bed and get my butt in gear -otherwise I would be sleeping until noon or 1 p.m. and then be mad that I wasted the day away. :D

Squeak - have you got a long distance relationship?

I did good today, until dinner came along. Rice...about a cup - or a cup and a half of it, with japanese sauce on it... I have completely sucked at eating since Rob has been in Holland. Loneliness? Or is it just that the cat is away??

Tomorrow, another hour on the treadmill!

It's amazing how many of us are affected by SAD....yep, me too. Have any of you tried full-spectrum light bulbs? I swear they help, at least I've convinced myself that they do. I put them in all of my lamps when winter starts rolling in. What a naturopathic doctor told me to do is to let the light from these bulbs directly hit your eyeballs each day (several times a day if you can). That means no glasses, contacts, etc....just naked eyes. So I sit each morning and evening with naked eyes right next to a lamp with the full-spectrum bulbs....don't look directly at the light of course, but just let it reach your eyes. I have no windows where I work either, so once winter sets in I pretty much don't see the light of day.

Sisters.....my sister and I are very different from each other too, and we weren't friends growing up either. She was always the social butterfly, outgoing and gregarious, the "pretty one", and I was responsible, more introverted, the "smart one".....and we each resented each other. We fought all the time....I'm surprised we're not both bald from the hair-pulling fights we used to have!! But we are closer now....I think not living together helps! ;)

Squeak, I don't mean to pry (so you don't have to tell me if you don't want to), but who is "the boy"? He sounds like someone very special in your life.

I've been away from the board for a while, and I really did miss you guys!!! I've had some significant stress in my life these past few weeks, and just didn't have the energy or time to stop in here. Remember our discussion of toxic people a few weeks ago? Well, I've come to the conclusion that my toxic person (who BTW is also a toxic person to a lot of other people at work too) is seriously mentally ill and needs some help. The past 3 weeks at work have been :censored:, partly due to a major project that was being implemented, and partly due to Miss Toxic Waste. She pulled some major crap that seriously affected me and another coworker. Our manager and Human Resources ended up getting involved, and it culminated in a meeting with the Toxic One, me and the other coworker and HR, where she basically said that what she did was wrong and she doesn't know why she did what she did. She did say that she is working on changing some behaviors. Maybe this will be a positive thing in the end, but it has not been fun at all these past few weeks. I almost quit my job, then decided that I wasn't going to let her drive me away, I can't give her that power over me.

Anyway....I'm back!! :)

Welcome back Twodog! Sorry things haven't been wonderful. Good luck with the Toxic one. It sounds like there maybe some hope. And you are right about quiting!

Welcome back Ellis!!!! Did you have fun on your trip? I love you too. :grouphug: All the stuff last year will prevent me from getting in over my head again. :p

Jennifer - It is easier to eat OP when someone else is around.

Mauvais - What's wrong with sleeping until 1pm? I can't anymore but that used to be one of my favorite things to do. :)

Den - Did DS bring any of the cookies home? Or at least promise not to make them any more?


Sis#1 (23) and I never got along until just over a year ago, after her son was born. We had a few fist fights, and lots of screaming matches when we were teenagers. She has mellowed quite a bit. Sis#2 (16) and I have always gotten along. Probably because we are 9 year apart.

The boy is my best friend, who was my ex-boyfriend first. But we also had a fling last year, that lasted longer then we had actually dated. It didn't end very well. But our friendship is too strong and meant too much, so after a few rocky months, we became close again. In July, he moved across the country. I hate that he is that far away. I also know if he lived closer and we were both single (which we are), we would have a little something going again. I also know we will never end up in a long term dating relationship. The distance is too much, and we want very different things out of life.
We do care about each other a great deal. We also miss each other a lot. We talk on the phone, email, or are on IM almost everyday. We have only known each other for 4 years, but it feels like forever sometimes.

Good morning. I figured I'd better get my butt in here before you kick me out and I lose my Alternachick status.

Life is not particularly exciting these days but I am trying to make the best of it. This afternoon I go to a Red Hat Society "tea" party - usually martinis in china cups! When you reach a certain age, you really don't give a frass about what people think so it should be fun. Some of the members need lessons in not giving a frass but I'm working on it.

Catch you later.

Ruth-Sounds like fun!!! I am imagining tea cups with martini stems on them!!!
Do you wear purple or red hats? I'm learning to not give a frass, and it really is liberating!!

Squeak-DS DID bring some home, and we also have some batter left in the fridge!! EEK!! Well, tomorrow I am BACK on TRACK, so it is now or never for that batter. If it isn't baked today I am throwing it out!!!

2Dog-WOW! What a mess!! At least it all had the right outcome. It is really bad when those types manage to convince the manager that they are right!! At least she was told to back off. You are right about her being ill too. Some people can't seem to help themselves, but that doesn't mean that YOUR life should be messed up!!!

Jennifer-If you knew what I had for dinner last night you would feel virtuous. SERIOUSLY!!!

Mauvais-That is what I do!! (Sleep in and then feel like I wasted the day.....)

Ellis-TOMORROW, YOU AND ME, BACK ON TRACK.:drill:

Me too, Ellis and Den! I am vewy afwaid!

Sounds like a great time Ruth. :) Have fun!!!!

Step away from the cookies Den!!! :drill:

Squeak-HAHAHAHAHA!!! You SHOULD be saying, "STEP AWAY FROM THE POTATO SALAD!!!"

Ruth-THAT'S ELMER FUDD TALK!! We BOTH need to get to Onederland!! You are very close to getting back there too. LET'S GET GOING!!! Enjoy that martini 'cause tomorrow you'll only be allowed to have the OLIVE!!!

Den, throw out the goll-darned cookie dough. :drill:
Ruth, what have you got in YOUR mouth!? Jube jubes?
Tomorrow we are going to eat well! We are NOT going to let crap destroy our health. (well, more than it already has) We are NOT going to allow our moods to dictate our moods! (did you get that? because my husband is a social worker, and I can get him in here...)

Ruth, how was the Red Hat Society? I hope you had a hoot. :)

Twodog, we've missed you, too! Hang in there with your job... you're right not to let that B have power over you. I do hope that things change for the better, hon. :grouphug:

Jennifer, why isn't Suzanne there controlling what you put into your mouth? :D

Thanks, Squeak, we had a very nice time. Oh... we ate at the most wonderful (expensive) restaurant. DH had melt-in-your-mouth prime rib, I had wicked scallops, the bread was home made and I almost died when I tasted it. AND THE SOUP!? OH MY GOD! The BEST soup I've ever had.
I don't trust you. I think we need to send you a chastity belt. Those hormones will be raging, and who knows WHAT will happen when The Boy comes down. :yes:

Sisters... my sister and I fought like anything when we were kids. In between playing Barbies and building tree forts together.
She was the younger, bubbly, popular, fun girl. I was the studious, chronically depressed bookworm who just wanted to be left alone. (funny... I was always jealous of her outgoing personality, even though I did NOT want to be that way myself!)
Now... we see each other fairly often. We have a lot in common despite our different personalities. She lives about six blocks away.
This will sound weird, but I'm very protective of her, and I love her more than anyone. She's the apple of my eye. :)

mmmmmmm Potato Salad. :T Step away from that too Den. Just mail it to me

I am glad you had a good time Ellis. :)

And I promise no more then what happened last time we were alone together will happen. :devil: I promise no running around the house naked, at least. We will be at his mom's anyway, so there is only so much that can go on.

Tomorrow I am back on the stick. I am starting South Beach. I FINALLY read the book, so I'll be seeing a lot of you over there!
I have been walking an hour a day, as brisk as I can do it. If not for that, I'd be horrified to weigh after this last week. I'm actually disappointed in myself. I thought I was SO independent, and I've been reduced to a chubby little girl since Rob has been away.

Squeak...when do you go?


Does anybody know of a good interent radio station? I've been watching/listening to videos on Launch@Yahoo, but it has gotten to be where they play commercials every 2-3 videos. 30 seconds to a minute each. Anybody have suggestions? Music is fine, I don't need videos. I usually just run them in the background anyway.

Jennifer, when I'm in the mood for something not on my mp3 list, I go to Winamp radio (www.winamp.com). You have to download Winamp if you don't already have it. I have "classic" winamp rather than the "winamp 3" that's the most current version, because I got so used to classic that winamp 3 was too complicated for me. (Too many buttons!) :rolleyes:

Ellis ~ I am also very protective of my sister and she is the older one. :)

2dog~ :grouphug:

Jennifer ~ See ya on the beach :D

Squeak sounds like you two have a very special relationship :)

Navi :wave:

Good morning! Eat your hearts out - Gail is here cleaning and my house is partially sparkling! She hits the kitchen next which means lunch is always late or very simple on Gail days.

The Girls and I walked down for the paper this morning and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous morning! If it weren't for managing two dogs on a double lead, I'd take pictures to share.

I am definitely on track so far today with food, Ellis and Den. I am into being nice to me and made a caffe mocha for breakfast with lite hot chocolate mix and coffee. Luxury and only 24 calories and 2.6 carbs. Use a half packet and then pour in the coffee. Nummy! Hmmmm....maybe I'll have another one. I just realized I did not eat breakfast this morning! Harry shocked me by getting up at 7:30 instead of 9 and my breakfast was forgotten. Does that mean I can have a pack of jujubes?

My son will be 40 on Wednesday! I can't believe I'm old enough to have a 40 year old son! Crap!

Happy Monday, chickies.

Ellis, as Squeak's cyber granny, I agree that she needs a chastity belt. I'll check out my tickle trunk for an old one. Otherwise, we'll have to get creative and make one. Can you weld?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

I'm back on track so far, need to stick with it better this time.

Ruth-That caffe latte sounds GREAT!! and I have the stuff in the house to make it too!!! YUM!!

Squeak-SORRY, IT'S GONE!!!!! (Just make sure you use protection, okay?!?)

Okay, Ellis, Ruth and Jennifer....THIS IS IT!! Let's get going!!!

Cafe Latte, cafe latte... MMM. My mom gave us an expensive espresso/latte machine last year for Christmas, and my son fancies himself a coffee expert now. I may have to ask him to grind some beans and make his poor ol' mom a nice big foamy mug. I have several flavours of the DaVinci SF syrups, too, to doctor it up.

I'm new to the board here, and posted a bio to intro myself. I considered joining in on the Oct. challenge, but to be honest, I don't want the pressure. LOL It's all I can do right now to just try to make good choices from day to day. (Minute to minute?) I was doin' general lowcarb for a while, but have since moved to SugarBusters type low-GI diet, because I felt like I *really* needed to add back some "good" carbs to my diet. So far, it seems to have helped a bit, but I'm a slooow loser. Ah well... I was 240 at my highest, and am now down to 206, hoping to reach 160. I'm on coumadin (blood thinner) after a pulmonary embolism in May, but it seems not to cause me any trouble, thank heavens. I also have PCOS, which is a PITA! <g> One good note -- my blood sugar has dropped about 20 points, on average, and I'm no longer "this close to bein' diagnosed as diabetic." Yeehaw.

I'm chilly today, although it is actually not all that bad out. About 54*... I love this time of year, though. My birthday is coming up in a few days (the 15th) and I've always felt lucky that I got to be born in my favorite month. <g> All I need to do is go pull on some thick chenille slippersocks and a sweatshirt, and I'll be set for the rest of the day.

Ok, I resolve that for the rest of today I'll choose foods that I feel good about eating. I'll make some baked chicken for supper, steamed broccoli, and a loaf of homemade whole wheat bread, of which I'll have just *one* slice, not half the loaf! LOL Tomorrow, I'll worry about later...

Nice to meet you all!

Lene'

Hi :wave: welcome

You girls are too much :lol:

Jennifer - I think a few years ago I used to listen to MusicMatch.com. I think you need their software to listen to the radio stations though.

Navi - There you are! I thought we may have scared you away. :lol:

Sounds like you had a wonderful morning Ruth! I like having a cyber granny. My last grandparent passed away almost 2 years ago. A tickle trunk does not sound like somewhere you would put a chastity belt! :devil:

Ellis, Den, Ruth & Jennifer - YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :drill:

Welcome Lene! :wave:

And hellos to Sflake, Mauvais, Twodog, Harmony, Jessica & all of the other chicks!!!

I promise not a whole lot will happen when I see the boy at the end of November. While we make sure we both have a good time, we don't do anything that can wind up with us pregnant. We may both be very horny adults, we aren't stupid. :) I am really just looking forward to the cuddling while watching TV, and maybe a little kiss. ;)