Quick fly by check in again. Busy day ahead, but things are going well. It is just about my TOM and I haven't killed anyone or cried. Big improvment from last month. :D

Mauvais, I hope you're having a lovely holiday! :wave: Again, your party was great! :hat:

Tikanique, I was GREEN with envy when I saw Mauvais' new house. EVERYTHING is in place! You'd think they'd been living there for years! It's really cool and funky (except for the bathroom, which is lovely and serene. My house looks like we just moved in yesterday.
I'm going to post some kitchen renovation pictures... hang on...

Squeak, I think mine must be coming, too. I really should mark it on the calendar. It's been catching me off guard for 28 years. :lol3:

I KNOW there are new Alternachicks out there lurking... come in and say hello!

Den, where the **** are you? How's your hand, sweetie? :grouphug:

Hey! It's December. I have to get in here more often for regular chat. Weightloss chat is not my favourite subject these days. Shall we split the thread while the fair Mauvais is away? Do you want to do it, Ellis, or is that dangerous today? If you don't keep track of your periods, how the heck do you know if it's PMS or just general *****iness?

You'd better do it, Ruth. I don't know if I can manage to successfully "edit" twice in one day. :lol3:
I like that you know me so well... yes, I'm pretty *****y most times, eh? :rofl:

Listen, love... let's not be fretting about weight loss right now when you're not into it. January 1st will be here in no time, and then I'm going to whip your *** into shape. (I KNOW what you're going to say) Just enjoy the season... it's a rough time of year right now. :grouphug:

Feeling a wee bit blue? Here's a "Happy and Grateful" for you!
Be grateful that your kitchen doesn't look like mine! :rofl:

Hi girls!

Sorry I've been MIA this past week. I went to visit the family for Turkey Day. I had the worst lay-over in the Dallas airport - 6 hours! But I finally got there around 2AM. My adorable little sister was standing there half asleep. Then, her face lit up and she said, "My seeister!"

Then, we had Turkey Day blah blah blah. AND THEN! the Cute Boyfriend came up from the funeral! Thank goodness!!!! It was so good to see him again.

Well, these are the final weeks of school. It's so hectic I can hardly stand it but I can't wait for this semester to be over.

Over Thanksgiving I gained almost all the weight I lost. Sigh.

HI ALL!!!!

Jessica-I bet it will come off again quickly. Sounds like things are stressful now, so don't add to it by being too hard on yourself.

Ellis-HEY! Our kitchen looks worse and we aren't even renovating!!! (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but I think your stainless steel appliances are great, and I know the end results are going to be WONDERFUL!!)

Ruth-HI!! How is everything going? I'm not doing too well right now either, but I am trying to get on the exercise bike more often!!

Squeak-Glad you are feeling better this month!! I'm feeling *****y and I'm still 5 days away!

My hand is continuing to improve. I think I was expecting the strength to come back faster then it has. The tingling is gone, but certain movements still hurt, and of course I keep on doing them without thinking!! I was paying bills last night, and halfway through my hand was killing me. It always hurts to pay the bills, but not usualy THAT much!!! Anyway, I am trying to keep up with the exercises, and I can get out and DRIVE now which is helping me out emotionally. I'm helping to train my replacement (jewelry biz) but am getting aggravated about that. My ex-boss is asking for things to be done that the new person isn't ready to do, and that I can't do now. She tends to say, "Just do what you can." but then ask for too much or say, "Well can't you do more than THAT?!?" When I tell her my limits. And of course I am a wimp when it comes to standing up for myself. AND she is the best friend of my MIL's sister which further complicates things. (Sister believes everything ex-boss says, MIL believes everything sister says...) I mean, I thought I was dong HER a favor!!!

Okay, rant over!! Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Den, pull yourself together, girl!! Look after YOU, not your friend! If she doesn't understand and sympathize with your limits, then the **** with her. :mad: YOU are what is important here... not someone else's business!
(rant over... you know I only said that because I love you. :lol3: )

You are right! I just did 10 minutes on the bike (HEY! I HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE!!!) and realized the key word is EX. I left because I didn't want to leave her in the lurch during all of this (and some of the other reasons stated before!) and I'm feeling like I am still disappointing her. Mostly my problem, but she does expect too much. She wants an order done today, and the new person and I aren't up to it. She needs to remember that I started out from scratch too, and get in there and finish the order herself.

THANKS ELLIS!!! You know, this was SUPPOSED to be my time anyway...to heal and to start working on myself physically and emotionally.

Listen, unless you want a MAJOR dose of therapy from Mother Ellis, you'd better just stop and take a good look at the situation! You did NOT get your hand operated on for HER! You are not a robot, there to fullfill (fulfill?) everyone's wishes. (except for your DH's :lol3: )
I'm so proud (I hate that expression, but you know what I mean) of you for getting on the bike, sweetie!! 10 minutes is GREAT!!
Come on, girl... be STRONG!! :grouphug:

Den - Listen to Ellis! She said it all. :grouphug:

Ellis - your kitchen looks lovely! ;)

Jessica - I am glad you had fun with your family. Good luck in your last few weeks!!!

Ruth - Miss you! :grouphug:

I am here. Had an OK day yesterday. Just trying to deal with a coworker who I have no patience for. And I am learning no one else has the patience for this person either. I was talking with my dear friend here at work, and he gave me a great compliment (for lack of better word). He told me I have this ability to project a "F:censored: off, I think you're stupid" vibe/look. Which I am sure I have done to the annoying coworker. I am sorry, but if you have been on the same project for 3 years, you should know what you are doing by now. :mad: This person is only looking to position themselves to be a manager, and not learn the project or think of the big picture.

Sorry for the rant.

To off set that I am very grateful for my family, my nephew especially, and my friends, including the Alternachicks.

Oh, Squeak... :grouphug: I'm sorry you have to deal with idiots like that at work. It must be so stressful. :mad: Don't apologize! We're here to rant to each other!!
I love that you have "that look"!! I have it, too!! :rofl: It really throws people, eh? They THINK you're sweet until they get "the look", and realize you're concealing a backbone of steel. Keep it up, girl. ;)

Idiots abound! I have "the Look" too. Somebody once told me I had a loudmouth face! Hang in there. Squeak!

Jessica, poop on the weight gain. It'll come back off fast - just get at it before it really gets rooted in! I did not do well in November either and December is going to be the real test.

Den, don't be an idiot! Listen to Ellis. You are too darned nice!

I've just lugged masses of wood to the back porch. When Jane comes to be with Harry, the two of them can move it into the house. The back room is cozy and warm now but I expect a warm fire in there when I get back from the Christmas shopping zoo this afternoon. Actually it won't be too bad as I'm buying groceries for the Christmas baskets that the Food Bank is doing. More baskets are needed this year - so sad!

Have a sunny day in every way!

Ruth-I think I just got "the look"!!!!! :lol3: It sounds like you are doing really good work with the Christmas baskets. Things are lousy here too (and I'd say WHY except we aren't supposed to get political...) Friend's husband's union (electrical) has laid off 1200, and 6 of them commited suicide. Now 2 of the major 3 auto companies are shutting the plants down early due to poor sales.
At least the economy is improving!!!

Squeak-GOOD!! Clark thinks I have that look, but no-one I'm GIVING it too seems to get it....either I am being too understated or they just really ARE that stupid!!! It is tough working with incompetent people; they just slow you down.

Ellis-Shucks... :o I have completed 3/4 of an e-mail telling her the order couldn't be completed (new person called in sick and isn't ready to do that stuff yet and I CAN'T.) and to tell her that I don't mind helping out a BIT but that this is ME time. Just need to close, but after being assertive but not nasty SO FAR all I can think of is, "SO BACK THE !@#$ OFF!!" I saved the draft and will come back to it in an hour when I cool off. (Too bad you three can't come here for "coffee therapy"!!!)

Ruth - you are the busiest retired person I know! :)

I am very glad to know (but not all that surprised) we all have that look. :) I inherited mine from my mother.

And speaking of "the look" I had to dig this up. This is the "I just woke up and I hate you" version. The boy loves this picture. He took it a little over a year and a half ago. I think I had been awake for less then 5 minutes. He thought he was being funny. :lol:

>I KNOW there are new Alternachicks out there lurking... come in and say hello!

Heya! I was lurking, occasionally posting, and just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a pagan and a worker-owner of a solar installation cooperative, so I think I qualify as an alternachick; although if there was a "neo-hippie living the dream" group I might end up there. :) I have a wonderful DH, two neurotic cats and a half-greyhound dog. I love to cook, especially Indian, southeast Asian, and Japanese food. I have PCOS and the attendant weight gain issues, and I'm pretty new to dieting. (Eat less? Are you nuts?) I'm enjoying one thing about this process - I've been exercising 6 out of 7 days a week for the last three weeks, and I'm really starting to feel great! Hopefully my pants' size will reflect it, too.

I have never been told I have a look that encourages morons to go away - I'm kind of jealous! How do I cultivate one?

Looking forward to reading you all!
Kim

Kim, for the look, I'd suggest studying the look on Squeak's face (see above pic). :lol3:

A solar installation cooperative!? How cool! I'm dying to have some panels on our house. I'm actually going to build a Trombe wall panel next summer for one of our cold back rooms. I'm pretty excited about it!
Yeah, you're TOTALLY an Alternachick. :smoking:

Welcome Kim! :wave:

Hey Ellis, Hi Squeak,

Thanks for the welcomes. Solar is neat - your wall is a product I'm unfamiliar with, but I'm assuming it's a passive solar room heater, yes? We deal more in electricity generation and water heating but it's all good. We're getting a lot of calls from folks who were really put out after the events of Nov 2 ('nuff said) who are looking to make a difference any way they can. All I can say is, "sure, we can help you!"

Ciao!
K--

Hey all can't beleive it is December... It has been cool here, not like it has for you Northern Folks but it got in the 30's two nights in a row. We have had to put one of our dear cats out in the yard(due to inappropriate tinkling on the carpet) and then resorted to bringing her in due to the cold the past two nights. She is adjusting pretty well for having never been outside in her life til this past weekend- but Having a brand new house smelling of cat urine isn't an option. It is horrible and I feel bad, but the other options were not near a nice as having her in our backyard- so far she has ventured as far as the bottom of the steps.

Ellis your kitchen looks like our old house did while we were rentovating it... it gets scary sometimes. You get up to go get something to drink and then turn back around and go back to bed because the sight gives you the heeby-jeebies.

Den- Writing bills hurts :) yep it does... wait til January and the Christmas bills start rolling in. You do need to take it easy on your wrist though. DH lost his job back in July due to corporate restructuring- was a small office but there were a couple of guys there who had in 20 + years, were DH had over 7 years. DH is still temping but at least he has found that- there is one guy who hasn't found work yet. It is scary. It is hard to see the economy improving.

Ruth - how did the Christmas shopping go? I went with my mother yesterday. we finished most of hers and I am almost through have about 6 gifts left to buy- have most of the clothes boxed up and ready to wrap (yuck).... is there a rule that kids can't wrap their own christmas?

Jessica - glad your home safe and that cute boyfriend made it to save Thanksgiving.

Solar - Nice to have you around... I don't post alot - I mostly lurk but these are some great gals.

Well hope everyone else is doing well.... Off to get ready for work.

Squeak - My boss actually put in my review that I have in uncanny ability to tell any client what a dumbf*** he is while making the client feel that he was happy to learn how not to be a dumbf*** from me. :) I think it's the great survival instinct that the working world has taught us - we can't actually come out and say it but we sure know how to convey it. OH! ALSO - you are hot! One sexy cutie with those glasses! Shazam!

Jessica that's great! And thanks :o

Kim - that sounds like interesting work!

Happy Sunday Chicks! :wave:

Originally Posted by solarmama:
- your wall is a product I'm unfamiliar with, but I'm assuming it's a passive solar room heater, yes?

That's right. :yes: There's a diagram of it here:
http://www.bagelhole.org/article.php/Housing/361/
It looks pretty simple to make.
That's great that more and more people there are looking for alternatives, Kim!!

Amy, how's it going with your cat? I'm sure she'll be fine. Cat's are pretty hardy. :yes: We have a lot of city cats (well, obviously they're city cats :lol3: ) here who seem to be out all winter. At least three of them sleep on our verandah. :)

DH is cutting the hole for the sink right now. And the dishwasher is all hooked up! I'm NEVER renovating another kitchen. Never. :nono:

Mauvais, are you back? Did you have fun, hon?!

Boo hoo! Mauv came to California and I didn't know!?! Bummer!

I am soooo tired. Today, I learned why I hate group projects! In Cultural Anthropology, I found out that NOBODY did our powerpoint presentation. The guy that was supposed to do it was like, "oh yeah, I forgot. I've never done it before so I was putting it off." Being the obsessed person I am about my grades (and being on an A/B border in this class), I took it from him. I got it done but then I had to start on my other anthro final (which is ridiculously long). I have been working on this crapola since 3 PM (my time). Sheesh!

I can not WAIT for this semester to end.

Hi all,

Been hella busy - Jess, just read what your boss said in your review. THAT is hilarious! You got skills gerl!

Welcome Kim,

Hey everybody else!!

Tiki

Hello everyone! :wave:

I am back from my trip to California. It was really nice but I am not sure I would want to live there - it is just so different from where I live. I think if I lived there I would have to live near the mountains :)

They were having unusually cold weather there according to the locals so I was glad I had a couple of sweaters with me and my gloves.

We had a great time and the people were really nice. I didn't have time to go to Disneyland but did make it out to dinner at the Downtown Disney area and picked up a few Jack Skellingtonitems for my collection.

Welcome Solarmama - you are definitely an Alternachick! :lol: I love the fact that you work with solar energy :)

Ellis- I would be really interested in your project as our two back rooms are cool too and I would like to do something about that in a more natural and energy saving way.

Welcome back, Mauvais.
I don't know about Ottawa but we have freezing rain at the moment. The dogs and I are going to have a long nap and hope Spring comes soon! :( Stop it, Ruthie. *****ing about the weather is a sign of old age! The schools are closing early and so is the Sears catalogue outlet! What is the world coming to?

Originally Posted by Ruthxxx:
Stop it, Ruthie. *****ing about the weather is a sign of old age!

Nonsense! It's simply a sign of being Canadian!! :D ***** away, darling. I'm right there with you!

I just got back from taking Mom for her mammogram. The roads are bad, and the freezing rain is really coming down.

Mauvais, we'll build them next summer in our backyards. ;)

I feel like eating something really big. Like a turkey dinner. :( Maybe I'll throw a packet of **** Goering in the microwave...

**** Goering? I remember him from the Nuremberg trials! I didn't realize he was still alive!

Originally Posted by Ruthxxx:
I didn't realize he was still alive!

He's not. He's in my freezer.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - Sounds a bit like Jeffrey Dalmer!

IT was pouring down all day in Detroit - then cleared up and turned REALLY sunny and warm for about 30 minutes. Now the clouds are already coming back in. I'm ticked because I left my coat in my car when it was pretty so now I have to run to the car in the cold when I get off work.

On a good note, I'm going to a cool consignment shop when I get off work. I need a dressy outfit to wear to a dinner dance with the guy.

Tiki

That's Nasi Goreng ellis! :rofl:

Hey maybe we can just knock down the fence and build a communal organic vegetable and herb garden and live like pseudo hippies in the middle of the city!

It's freezing rain here and as I was standing in the grocery store parking lot I looked at Kevin and said " Ah, I love being Canadian!" :lol:

Tiki- sounds like things are going pretty good with "the guy" :D

Now, don't tease me about that, Mauvais. I know your parents call it by the same name. :lol:
Okay, on the hippy thing, but no peeing in the backyard.

Tiki, did you find anything at the consignment shop?

I stood today in the freezing rain, talking to a friend that still lives in the South and said "Damn, what did I do to deserve this?"

Consignment shop had some cool stuff, if you are good at digging around. I am not, so I left empty handed. I did find a nice dressy suit at the mall instead. Tomorrow I have to go to Vicky's to find a sexy, blue cami to go underneath. I love being a girl!

What in the heck are Nasi Goreng's?

Tiki

Michigan... yeah, you may as well be living in freakin' Canada, Tiki. :lol:
Nasi Goreng is a rice dish. It's amazing, and pretty healthy, too.
http://www.indochef.com/page06.html

And Bami Goreng is the same thing but with noodles instead of rice :)

Hi all,

Quiet thread this week. Everybody seems to be focused on the last weeks of the challenge - WHICH IS GOOD! I was in a rush this AM and skipped breakfast so I'm going to grab some eggwhites from the caf downstairs before it closes.

I need to make sure I eat clean today, cause I'm attending a dinner dance tonight and who knows WHAT the food choices will be. The cute guy is attending as well so I am SUPER excited. I get to see him in a suit.....I love how men look in suits.

Tiki.

Yep- it is nice to see a guy in a suit - I actually really like that "eurotrash" look of a turtle neck or mock neck fitted shirt with pants and a blazer :D

The dinner/dance was way cool. The guy fit in well with my friends - we all had a good time. There was this one lady there that took advantage of the open bar and before 8:30 was dance/grinding the wall, laid on her back on the dance floor and tried to either breakdance or have imaginary sex and topped the night off by falling out of her chair. With the exception of my group, the entire attendees were age 43 and up and conservative. I don't know WHERE this woman came from.

On the food end, I skipped the noodles and cheddar potatoes, had green beans, salad and roast beef instead. However I did have 3 glasses of wine - (which is a lot for me) but was nowhere NEAR how tipsy the other lady was. And I won't even go into detail on what she wore, but there is a definite reason why super breast endowed ladies should wear bras if they are wearing stretchy velour tops with a slit almost up to the center of the breast area.

Tiki.

:lol: There is one at every party!

Sounds like you had fun! :D