[chellez]

Yay! The London excursions are up and ready to be looked at. I'm going to unlock the thread on Sunday so everyone can start picking and posting their $$

4:45.... looks like its time to go home

[Nori71]

WOW! Thanks for all your work putting it together, Chellez.

[scgirl32]

I like the trip idea! The funny thing is that I've been telling my friends for a couple of weeks now that I need some way to get a private audience with the Queen so we can discuss our mutual love of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. When I decided to get my second (who I'm picking up on Valentine's Day!), my sister said "Who do you think you are? The Queen?" I laughed so hard when we went to see the new National Treasure movie and all of my friends quickly pointed out the corgi picture on the Queen's desk.

Anyways, thanks for organizing this fun-ness!

[kissingginger]

Hi everyone,

I'm off for 4 days skiing, and I'm not sure if we have internet there or not. My weigh in day is monday, so I might miss the deadline. If I can get on and post my weight I will, if not, it will just have to count as a "missed" weigh in.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Ginger

[Purplefirefly]

I like the trip idea, but am afraid I won't be able to keep up. I am having trouble finding time to post at all, and haven't even been reporting my exercise minutes the past couple days. This is a very busy month for us with 3 birthdays, Valentines, and field trips with the kids...plus kiddos being sick Sorry to be a downer guys, but I will try to keep up best I can.

Completely back on plan today, feel some energy returning and it's about darn time!

[onthetee]

Originally Posted by scgirl32

we can discuss our mutual love of Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

I love Corgis too. My sister got one when we lived togetherm, and Vina is still very attached to me, and me to her. She will be 10 in April.

Safe to say the Queen likes her dogs far better than her children. Better behaved and more photogenic.

[KrisR]

My latest NSV is the discovery of hip bones and collar bones! Oh, and fitting into those jeans, comfortably, that haven't been worn in over 10 years was sweet. They might not be real stylish but they fit nicely.

[One Fluffy Chick]

Erin / Anna:
I've been thinking of getting a Corgi. Are they very barky? I've had a poodle / terrier mix and a Chihuahua, but I want something bigger, but not huge, and less yappy.

QOTD:
My most recent NSV is the discovery of my collar and wrist bones.
My favorite NSV was being able to comfortably wear an old pair of jeans that had been hiding in the back of the closet for 4 years. Now, they are almost a little too big.

[zinkemomx2]

NSV QOTD: I was able to button my shirt without it gaping!

[scgirl32]

Originally Posted by One Fluffy Chick

Erin / Anna:
I've been thinking of getting a Corgi. Are they very barky? I've had a poodle / terrier mix and a Chihuahua, but I want something bigger, but not huge, and less yappy.

My corgi isn't "yappy" but she can be a barking machine at times. She barks when she thinks something is wrong. But two nights ago, she thought something was wrong because it was really windy outside and the bush in the backyard was moving around.

The trick with corgis is to remember that they are herding dogs. They're bred to herd cattle by nipping at their ankles. So, you've got a 25 lb. dog who thinks she can boss around a cow! Early training is crucial if you want a corgi you can control. I went through three levels of obedience training with Franny, and she'll stop barking if I tell her to (usually), she'll come when called, she knows not to use her teeth when she's playing, and she's used to being in "unfamiliar" situations (like around kids, near bicycles, in stores like Home Depot, at a nursing home, etc.). They're incredibly smart dogs, but if you don't train them and give them enough "good" things to keep them busy, they could be little terrors.

But I guess that's probably true to some extent with any dog... Of course, I'm biased. I love the little buggers so much that I'm getting a second one next week!

[GirlyGirlSebas]

I sure am ready for the weekend. Work has been stressfull this week. Not that I'm having a restful weekend....I plan on doing some early spring cleaning. My closets, dresser drawers and kitchen pantry are all getting out of control. My plan is to keep myself so busy that I forget to go off-plan!

Well, I'm one of those team members who has been struggling with the "blues" this week. After some thought about this last night, I came to a realization. I'm bored! Yep, this 40+ hours a week employee and full time wife and Mom is bored. I'm one of those people who always has to have a project going....usually, some type of home improvement or decorating project. This weekend, I'm spring cleaning. My next project is to do some painting in the bedrooms and I want to decorate the guest bedroom. And, my master bathroom needs some help. I'm already looking at fabrics and paints and I have a headboard in mind to make. We've also been planning our family vacation for October. We're thinking of doing a Disney vacation...if our budget will allow. And, I've been seriously considering beginning the C25K program so that I can run in a 5K this year. And, I've discovered that there is a chapter of a nationwide Christian runners group in our area. Yep, this is just what I needed! Something to make me excited about life again.

Originally Posted by practiceliving

I have a QOTD - What has been your favourite or most recent non-scale victory (NSV)?

Marianne, thanks for posting a great QOTD. Its very sad, but I realized that I don't have any recent NSVs. The biggest one that sticks out for me is one from about 4 months ago. I was finally able to put my wedding rings back on after 1 1/2 years of letting them sit in the jewelry box.

Michelle- Thanks for creating the challenge for us. I'm really excited to do this! And, I love London. I was stationed in England during my first two years in the Air Force. We went to London at least once a month. This is a beautiful city full of such interesting history and people.

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

[onthetee]

Originally Posted by One Fluffy Chick

Erin / Anna:
I've been thinking of getting a Corgi. Are they very barky? I've had a poodle / terrier mix and a Chihuahua, but I want something bigger, but not huge, and less yappy.

Vina is a barker, but only to alert. One of the things my sister taught her was to alert until she gave the command to be quiet. That way you don't have a dog who is frustrated because she can't be herself, but you don't have a 'barking machine' (which made my laugh, BTW. "It's like a laugh track for dogs! Get your barking machine today!")

Favorite corgi story. My sister married a man whose kids were 6,5 and 4 of whom they got immediate and full custody. Vina would try to heard the kids to where she wanted them. One day the littlest one was sitting in a chair in a room alone. My sister asked what was up. He said, "I don't know why I got here," but Vina was sitting at his feet. He did not even realize he had been herded!

[krjpy]

Well, I have to say that my afternoon yesterday SUCKED.

I had a parent Teacher conference with a woman who feels that since my son is not the perfect little Stepford Child, he is a bother to her. I rarely cry, but right now all I feel like doing is crying.

I am generally a stress eater, which I always felt meant I was an emotional eater, but I came home last night had a salad and some protein and didn't even want to finish the protein.

Looks like I am going to have to work really hard to get myself to eat to be OP, otherwise at this rate I am going to come up with left over food.

I did get up and exercise this morning. I refuse to let one ignorant woman ruin my 66 lbs of weight loss or the other 67 I have to lose. Nor will I let her hurt the feelings of my sweet loving son who has problems focusing in her class.

Sorry to be such a downer.

Chelle ... love the new challenge. I'll see everyone in London next week

[chellez]

Morning Everyone!

I got to start my day with some so I'm actually awake this morning! Had some yummy oatmeal and I packed up my lunch and still had time to finish my cup. Lexi behaved so well and went potty like she's supposed to outside and in a quick fashion. Usually I have to stand outside with her forever to get her to #2... maybe she knows today is Friday and wanted to give me a break.

No real big plans for work today. The phones are still in a tiff so that's throwing me really for a loop. The Tax Auditor is supposed to come back in today (probably later than what is acceptable) and finish up the audit hopefully. I need to get the accounts reconciled and taxes setup to pay next week. Then after that its just cleaning the office and a relaxing day with my new book to read.

I might work on the novel today if I get time. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to bring my leading lady into the story. I want her to shake up my vamp's world, but I don't want it thrown together.

I made the conscious decision (of course without consulting my husband) that once I get some free time I'm going to take some leisure classes at the local community college. Nothing pressing, just stuff to help me better my craft. Not only do I write, I love photography and art. So I have a goal for this year to take an art class as well as a photography and creative writing course. All this on top of the classes I'm taking at my current college... I'll be paying back financial aid forever!

Can you believe next Thursday is Valentine's Day? Where is my year going?! I asked Daniel what he's getting me and he said nothing. Guess money is really that bad for him. I was thinking about going online and ordering a dozen roses for myself and having them sent to my house with some made up guy's name on it. Make him think I have a secret admirer!

I'm really excited about starting the cruise challenge. I think I'm going to pick an ambitious goal and go for The Royal Treatment excursion next week. I know I can do it!

Sonja - My scale has the same problem of lying to me. Like this week I've been 197.5 all week and I'm betting that I'll get on there tomorrow and I'll be under that. It's something about weighing in on the weekends that my scale likes. Maybe its because I sleep until noon? You should get a white bull terrier! Then we can have fur baby twins! They only get 50 to 60 lbs...

Dee - How's your ?

John - Good for you working out on the bike during the show! I'm gonna be here to give you a big hug when you make your mini goal this week!

Jordan - The puppy is cured of roundworms (or as far as I can tell she is.) She's still having #2 issues so we ended up switching her food to a non corn based product like Erin had suggested. That cost me a staggering 42 bucks last night for a 30 lb bag of Nutro Natural Choice. I got the sensitive stomach AND skin formula so I'm hoping it kills two birds with one stone.

Cristina -

Erin - You sound like me talking about Lexi. I love my big dogs! I had a pitbull named Kujo 3 years ago when we lived in the apartment but we had to let my parents take care of him since it was against apt code. He's the most spoiled pit I know! And Lexi... she's just rotten and she's only 6 months old! She even has her own webpage!

Ginger - If you can't make it to weigh in its ok... Freebie Weeks are a great thing. At least you are taking the right way of using them instead of wasting them!

Theresa - Don't say that silly! As long as you can log on once a week you should be fine. Just jot down the things you did during the week and then post it all on one day. You'll be fine

Rhonda - I'm so glad that you are just like me! Busy bee with a project always on hand! I wish I could help you paint and decorate, that's always been a passion of mine is to be an interior decorator. If not that just to help on an HGTV show I still have to paint my fitness room this weekend and get the stuff moved in there. My biggest obstacle right now is finding a huge rug to put in there since its the only room with exposed wood flooring. Don't want to scratch it with my treadmill! I think the challenge will be interesting. I'm hoping a lot of the team participates but we'll see how that goes.

Kelly - OMG! I would have given that teacher a piece of my mind! That's the one thing that I fear in having a child is that Daniel and I have terrible tempers and mean streaks when we get heated. I'm really afraid I'm going to pass that on to my kids. Talking about it like its a disease doesn't help either. Did the teacher say specifically what your son was doing wrong?

Marianne - You haven't been talking this week.... you better not gain girl or no more novel for you!

QOTD from yesterday - Just happened to dawn on me this morning. When I stand and look down, my belly doesn't stick out under my boobs anymore.

QOTD for Today:

A lot of people say that when dieting & exercising, you have to sacrifice something in order to acheive your goals. Do you feel like you had to sacrifice something to get where you are in your weight loss today? If so... what is it?

I'd say that I had to sacrifice convenience for a more practical food approach. I used to eat lots and lots of fast food every day because it was quick and faster than packing a lunch or making a huge dinner. Now I try to pack my lunch everyday even if it is left overs from the night before. I also try to learn quick recipes so my entire night doesn't revolve around dinner. While I still eat out on the weekends and sometimes for lunch, I either adjust what I eat for the rest of the day/week, or I make sure I pick something sensible.

[onthetee]

Originally Posted by chellez

Make him think I have a secret admirer!


QOTD for Today:

A lot of people say that when dieting & exercising, you have to sacrifice something in order to acheive your goals. Do you feel like you had to sacrifice something to get where you are in your weight loss today? If so... what is it?

We admire you, and there is nothing secretive about it!

I have sacrificed my wind down in the evenings that I used to enjoy. A cup of tea and reading the paper after dinner while DH washed the kids was always a nice break. Now I use that time to go to the gym, which also is a great stress reliever overall, but not in the immediate way my evenings used to be.