Thanks Rhonda~ I looked it up and it's about 250,000 miles from the Earth to the moon....do you think we could make it before the end of this challenge????? I'm up for it!

The other good news is that studies vary on whether it is 21 or 28 days days to make or break a habit. So if we can keep each other at it for a month, then we will already have put ourselves in a position to be daily or 5 xs a week exercisers.

My first instinct is to Hate On the "parents" that let their Poor Babies get in such lice infected shape - something cutesie like "There's a special place in **** for them . . . " etc . . . the older I get though - I lean more towards pitying people with thoughts like "What a shame . . . What a miserable shame to be that kind of parent."

The exercise challenge motivates the heck out of me . . . and even tho' I barely watch - the whole Biggest Loser thang is in my mind daily.

I'm up for the moon or wherever you gals go!

Just no more negative numbers! ROTF! How embarrassing!

WOW I am a HUGEMONGOUS BL fan I didnt even know about this forum! Hi everyone! I am definitley subscribing to this one!!!

Hi Kimberly!

Tina, I'd love to see us go for the moon!

Hi Bluezers!! I have to do paperwork .. again! But wanted to stop in. Thanks for the sweet comments about us fostering. We just really feel for the kids and want to help them heal. Many come to us with some wild behavior problems (some caused by the grief, most by raising themselves) for the most part but we just stay very consistent and usually in 6-9 months u see a difference. It's pretty neat to watch them blossom into who they should've always been but weren't yet because they were stifled by the state of their little lives.

I pity the parents a little but when you see up close how the kids have suffered, plus being the ones who have to help them unlearn some strange things and learn normal things like how to bathe, it's hard to feel for the adults involved (I really just feel adults have choices, kids have none). (I have to do bath class for most of my kids because it's foreign to them. I'd run water, they'd get in and just get back out. It seems that no one ever said (to most, not all), "Wet your washcloth, rub the soap on it, lather it up, wash from head to toe, rinse off, etc.") I'm not exaggerating.

And they usually don't want to learn so many new things. We have to try to coax them, then threaten to ground them sometimes just to get them to listen and learn the normal things. The majority of these parents don't even show up for visits, 1 hour every two weeks and it's not important enough. Or they show at 1 out of 5 of them. And some, when they do show are all made up, hair, nails, etc.. sitting with their new boyfriend, whom they never introduce to their children (this happens more than you know) and are rude to the kids about the new clothes they have on. Not to mention rude to the kids, saying it's their fault they are in care. Have you ever heard anything more ludicrous? Mostly it's like they are just their child's sibling, which does suggest extreme immaturity. But yet they have 5 kids. It can be really hard to watch them blame their kids and we have to comfort the kids after the visits because they are so upset by the way the parent behaves. (Aud, I so agree to pity the whole situation. I have a case now where the mother and grandmother and grandfather are all positive for cocaine and cannot get the child back because they refuse free rehab/parenting classes/etc. How else could the mother be when her parents are doing it????!!!???? It's just something else! I think the only hope for the child is to be adopted by someone and go on to lead a normal life and stop that cycle. Very sad.)

Ah well, usually we feel we helped them b4 they leave our house. That's our goal. And I'm happy about that part. I won't have the energy to do this forever, but at least I can do it for now.

Ok, I did it again! I wrote way too much. I don't mean to but just happens. I'm just very passionate about the kids and all that. So let's change the subject! LOL. Are we going to the moon? I haven't had time to exercise and I am looking forward to Nov because I have so much LESS to do then! My son's bday is in 11 days, and that involves tons of family spending the nite since they live far away. So the house has to be clean and beds all changed, etc. Very hard to keep up with when you have 5 kids all under age 6 and a husband who is working so much and I basically see him a little while on Sunday! But I manage it. We see them on kids' bdays mostly. And Christmas, which I love. Can't wait for it to get here. I love just staring at the tree at nite. Awww.

Ok, I love Christmas too! I better change the subject again! I'll write forever about that! LOL.

Big hugs, I'm getting off so I won't write more~ Ha! bye! Congrats to all u movers and losers. We'll be looking mighty hot at Christmas time~ Ok, gotta stop or I'll talk all about how I love wrapping presents, and shopping for them and giving them... and.. and.. and...

Mind blowing . . . just mind blowing, stbfchick! I LOVE reading your Posts btw - have enjoyed many over my "morning" coffee and bedtime water!

I'm enjoying getting to know all our Bluesers . . . such a variety of gals/lives - the Internet can be a wonderful thing! Just knowing you're out there making such a difference gives me hope for ALL of us stbfchick!

LOTS to do here to get ready for my BABY - whose turning 10 Friday - having a party for the class at the Y and then a sleepover for the girls' Saturday . . . tons of cleaning to do as well. DH just ain't got it in that dept.

Better get rested - ttyat!

Morning Chickadees!

Well it's Thursday already! Only 3 more days til weigh in for me! I'm hoping that the WW center will still log my weight since I already weighed in on Monday. It was only cause I slept in Saturday! I hopped on the scale this morning at my place to confirm that I'm losing. Looks like I'm back to my post honeymoon weight which means I've hopefully lost 4 lbs in the past 3 days. Guess that's what getting back on plan does!

Well I'm trying to counteract this lethargy with some caffeine in the morning other than coffee. I went to Wawa and grabbed my usually huge evian water and a 20 oz diet pepsi so I can get some umph in my morning. I guess my only rule is that I can't drink the DP past 9 am cause I'll be nursing it all day and never drink my water! Lets hope this works!

The housing situation hasn't really gotten anywhere between Daniel and I. We got a call from an apartment complex we looked at before we decided we were broke that has a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment finally available. Daniel of course is interested. He can't make up his mind to save his life. Last night in bed he was saying we could get the apartment for each other for Christmas (because of all of the deposits we'd have to pay). Our lease ends at our current place on December 5th (I know right before Christmas!) so we really need to get moving on something so we can pack! We pretty much ruled out moving in with his parents cause we'd be forced to get rid of our cats.

I'm going to attempt to go back to class tonight! I really don't like this term or the classes I'm in. I guess I'll have to suck it up and just get over it.

If you ladies want to fly to the moon that is fine with me! I'll make a new thread whenever you want and notify the other teams that we are going to work on our own thing!

Well I have to get moving, I have some homework I have to catch up on then I have to start working on my marketing project. I have to do a survey but I've yet to think of a topic. You guys will fill it out for me right? TY in advance!

I'll come back and do personals later after everyone has woken up!

I had a total brain fart and forgot to post my menu for today! Must keep to my promises!

B: WW Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla & a glass of milk (7 pts)
L: WW Chicken Fetticuni & a cup of yogurt (9 pts)
S: 100 calorie pack chips ahoy crisps (2pts)
D: A 4 pt WW meal with some veggie sides (4 - 6 pts)
D: a WW ice cream

I still have my emergency Special K bar from yesterday! I was a good girl and didn't eat it although I should have.... I was 3 pts under yesterday!

Ok now I'm really going to work on homework!

Hi everyone,
Just got to change my Avatar chick. It was so rewarding! Can't wait till I can change it to a 50lbs lost.

Selina, I'm so sad for all those precious children. I just can't comprehend treating a child like that. Thanks for all your hard work in making a difference in their lives! Also, Congratulations for getting out of the 220's. I'd love some details on what it feels like to be that weight? That's were I want to be by Christmas. Any wonderful changes that you've noticed?
Aud, good luck with all the party stuff. I had my turn last week when my daughter turned 11. Unfortunately it caused me to go off my OP streak of 20 something days. Too much stress (12 screaming girls) and too many yummy temptations. But the beautiful thing is I got right back on after a few days and somehow still lost a bit of weight for the week. (Thanks to exercise )

Hi Blues!

Well, I am feeling quite refreshed now as opposed to how I was feeling at 6:00 this morning. I was feeling so drug out, so I asked Hubby if he would get up with the girls and get them off to school. He said 'yes' so I was able to get another 3 hours of sleep. Have I ever told you guys how much I love that man! And, my morning weigh-in shows a nice little drop (I saw the 220's!). My official weigh-in is on Monday, so I have extra motivation to stay on-plan for the rest of the week. And, the knee feels so much better this morning. Yesterday, Hubby went to Wally World for me and picked up a knee support "thingy." I thought I might have been able to get on the treadmill if I supported the knee, but it wasn't going to happen. The support comes in "one size." Yep, you guessed it.....the "one size" is not XXL. But, with the knee feeling better today, I'm going to chance the treadmill. I really miss my workouts.....I never thought I'd ever hear myself say that! Today, my focus is calorie counting. I have to keep myself in check as I'm allowing extra calories to sneak in each day.

Selina - I love reading your posts...so don't worry about them being long! Considering that a lot of our team doesn't bother posting at all, I'm glad you're taking up the slack! (hint hint....MIA team members...we'd love to hear from you, too!)
Aud - I love reading your posts, too. I get the impression that you'd be a hoot to hang out with!
Michelle - I'm so glad to see you back on-plan. And, I'd love it if you'd go ahead and create a fly-to-the-moon challenge. Sounds like most of us want to do it.
FitN2008 - Congratulations on changing your avatar. 45lbs!

Hope everyone has a great on-plan day! GO BLUE!
Aud -

Good morning ladies! How is the weather by you all? We have really high winds right now, and it looks like it might storm again! It must of rained pretty heavy last night, but I didn't hear a thing! I sleep like the dead! So yesterday was good, my dinner was yummy, and my night was relaxing, so I can't ask for much more then that! Today I'm going to help in Mattie's classroom, and then tonight I'm going shopping with my SIL! I need to get out of this house!!! I am not a coffee drinker, at all, but I am enjoying some hot apple cider! I love it this time of year! I feel so grown up with my coffee cup! I should really try to get on my treadmill for at least 30 min. today! Dinner tonight is going to be potluck, since I'll be gone, but I'm going to have a salad with all the toppings! Well that is about all for me today, have a great day ladies!

Rhonda- So glad to hear your knee is feeling better! Take it easy on the treadmill today, maybe only do 30 min. to start with and if you feel good later you could do another 30 min. What a nice husband you have! 3 extra hours of sleep is a lot...no wonder you feel great! CONGRATS on seeming the 220's!!! Keep it up!

Selina- I have to agree, I love reading your posts, it always puts things into perspective for me! When I feel lazy or whatever, I always think of all that you do and never complain about it! Like I've said before your a special person, and those children are so blessed to have been placed with you! I mean we take things for granted like knowing how to bathe...it just blows my mind!

Aud- October must be a busy month for a lot of us...I have two sons with b-days in October, and I know Selina has one and you have one....Hope he has a wonderful party!

Fitin2008- Congrats on getting to change your avatar! Keep it up!

Chellez- 4 lbs in 3 days, girl you rock! I would fill out a survey for you, just let us know what you need done and when! Your plan looks good today, keep it up! Hope the moving thing resolves itself soon for you....I know how stressful that can be, believe me! Have a great day!

Everyone else have a fantastic day!

Hi all, just a quick check-in. I'm feeling bleh this week because TOM came yesterday. I only get it 4 times a year because I am on Seasonale, and I love only getting it 4 times a year, but I still hate when I do get it. Cramps and feeling icky is always part of it, but at least the cramps aren't what they used to be.

So about weight when it's TOM . . . I lost 3 pounds last week according to my crazy scale. That hasn't happened in a long time, it's usually 0.5 to 1.5 pounds so I was happy about that. I was 150.3 Monday morning. I was 151.4Wednesday when TOM started - I'm not sure how I gained a pound in two days - is this normal for when TOM comes around? I've never really paid attention to if I weigh more during TOM because I only get it every 3 months now. Anyone have any ideas about this? I hate my scale but it usually doesn't flucuate that much within 2 days.

Nova - Most women gain 1 to 6 pounds of water weight during the TOM. I'm assuming the body is trying to compensate for the lost of "materials" (I'll just say that cause it sounds nicer )

Well its about 4 and I ate my emergency bar I was going through a little phase when it started raining and I needed sugar. So that puts me with a few points for dinner.... Lucky me all of my Smart Ones are like 4 points each.

I really wish my wedding stuff on eBay would have sold. Anyone want any red or white silk pomanders? I need to get them out of my tiny apartment!

Selina - oh man.... I'm getting emotional reading about all those poor little babies..... must think Christmas.... must think Christmas. Ok I'm good I think. I wish I could put up a tree but because my cats LOVE to destroy anything I love I can't do that. So no Christmas decorations again for me this year.

Aud - Tell the baby we wish him a happy birthday!

Fit - Congrats on 45 lbs! I can't wait til I can say I lost that much!

Rhonda - I have issues with my knees popping and grinding. I haven't gone to the doctor only because I know its hereditary.... not to mention I HATE doctors. Sometimes I have a hard time on treadmills because of it but ellipticals are the worst pain ever for me. I don't know what I'm going to do about walking since its going to get cold soon. (Of course as I say that its almost 80 outside)

Tina - you sure do like your !'s. I think we are about to get storms tomorrow but it hasn't rained here in weeks so we really need it.... when people cut their brown lawns they are kicking up all sorts of dust. I just don't like rain cause it makes me tired and lord knows I don't need that. Speaking of which to answer your pregnant question (which almost made me go to Rite Aid last night) I don't believe I'm pregnant because Daniel and I take the PO method. I know... i know... TMI! I just threw away a bunch of coffee cups I never used.... I should have sent them to you.

I finally got my homework caught up and I'm heading to class later.... someone write back so I'll have something to do other than fall asleep in class