Ups & Downs Support Group: May 2014
 

I'm here. I thought I was going to have the all-night kind of insomnia, but now that it's pushing 1:45 AM, I'm fading fast. I did my usual 600 leg lifts tonight. I ate only a quarter-cup of muesli, instead of a half-cup like last night. That's a good sign: keeping the carbos to as little as humanly possible.

I have nothing else to report. Greetings, everyone! We're the Ups & Downs Support Group: May 2014. Greetings and good night. =zzzzzzzz=

Good morning, thanks Kathleen for establishing the May thread :)

Fiona I hope you got to sleep soon after posting that!

Another day of dreary light rain and low thick cloud cover, at least it's supposed to get to 60 as opposed to barely 50 yesterday.

I saw Coffeeshopgirl posted yesterday, it is good to see your name again here! :)

Hope everyone has as good a day as you can :cool:

*edit to add my workout for today, 40 min. of cardio/lower body torture :D

http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/work...Lower-Body/hf/

Wow, it is May already. Seems like this year is just flying past!

Had a lazy afternoon yesterday. Meant to work in the yard, but for some bizare reason is is 45 degrees here right now. Was 80 three days ago, and will be 80 again by Sunday, but it is a little chilly for yardwork right now. I probably should have exercised, but oh well. After I finish the 30 days of sugar free (at 14 now!) my next goal is to get back into yoga and walking.

Hi there,

I hope everyone is doing well, I can't believe that it's May.

I started logging calories on my fitness pal, I was under my calorie limit yesterday! Now, I have to do today.

Hi to everyone especially Holly and Coffeeshopgirl.

Take care!

Amy

I made it here! Almost posted in April's thread though lol.

For the past few days it has been rainy and cold. Today it is sunny and 70 degrees. Spring is back. I am going to make sure I get outside today to go for a short walk.

I have checked out the airport's website. It has helped a little. The airline I am flying on is not listed on the map. I'm not sure what gate I'm to go to either. How do I find out what gate? It is not on my intinerary. In a few days the airport thing will be over with and I will be with my mom in FL.

Hello!
 

Trish: Check in at your airline desk when you get to the airport, and they will give you your gate # there. Focus on being with your mom in Florida and try not to sweat the airport too much! Hope you get outside for that walk today! Sunny and 70 sounds good to me. :sunny: It is overcast, rainy, and a high of 57 degrees here today.

Fi: Hope you got some sleep last night! :hug:

Holly: Dreary and rainy here today, too, as it has been all week. :( Come on Spring!!! Where did you go?!?

MonteCristo: CONGRATULATIONS on 14 days sugar free!!! That is awesome! :D :broc: Keep up the good work!

Amy: Good luck logging your calories into MFP! It is a helpful tool.


I weighed myself on April 28th and it showed I was DOWN 3 pounds. Then, after working out every day since then and eating pretty healthy, I am back UP those 3 pounds today (3 days later). :?: I hate daily scale fluctuations!!! I just want and need to LOSE weight ~ once and for all!!!

Hi again,

Thanks Believe, I have to log some more calories. It's quite an eye opening tool.

I find weighing myself every week is better than every day. I haven't been weighing myself lately but I'm still debating about getting a scale.

Take care!

Amy

Hey everybody!!! It's May,YAY!

Vermont- I do miss my bike a lot. :/ Your helmet sounds cool! Love the bullet holes!

Ibelieveinme2- When I think about it, it really is a short time. It also feels like it's been a long time. Hard to believe that six weeks ago I was with my daughter, holding her, and being as much of a doting mom as I possibly could... I get sad when I think about it too much, but happy to know where she is.:angel:

My appointment went well. I was completely cleared for all physical activity. Yay!:lifter::running::strong: I also had a general physical today and got a clean bill of health. :D

We got our pictures in the mail today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:carrot::goodvibe s:cb::angel: SHE IS GORGEOUS in them!!!!!!! They were done in black and white and edited very well. It diminished a lot of the discoloration she had in her face. She truly looks like an angel.:cloud9:

I weighed in this morning at 185lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!:carrot: Oh yeah!!! :D I couldn't be more happy! Got an awesome weight session in at the gym as well.

Tomorrow is Friday. I have to pack for our trip home to visit our parents as well as go grocery shopping, finish some laundry and hit the gym one last time before the weekend. Won't get any workouts in this weekend so I will have to watch my food intake closely. Then Monday I'm back to the 7am-3pm grind. :( This means waking up at 5:45am.... So not looking forward to that...:(

So I'll probably get a post in tomorrow, but most likely won't get back to posting until sometime Sunday night. Just wanted to let everyone know why I'll be MIA! :D

Good morning, everyone. Happy May. Lots of showers, no flowers (yet). I'm hoping to see sunshine again.

Had a good appointment with the doctor yesterday. :D She was pleased that I've lost 10 pounds of pure fat since my last monthly visit. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased about that, too. I'm to continue with the program, as is, for another month.

I am continuing to up my workouts gradually. I'm up to 60 minutes a day. I couldn't deal with going to the gym in gray, dank weather yesterday after work, though, so came home and used the elliptical and my husband's Bowflex. I have a hard time figuring out how to exercise effectively on the Bowflex, so usually I avoid it in favor of the circuit machines at the gym.

Amy: I have been using MyFitnessPal to log my calorie intake, water, and exercise. I like that the site syncs with my Fitbit, so my steps and activity level are automatically recorded and I get immediate feedback on the impact of my workouts in the little message that says, "You have earned 'x' calories today from working out.' It really keeps me informed and helps me stay on track. I also like the feature, when you finish tracking for the day, it tells you what you'll weigh in 5 weeks if you continue on the same track. It is totally the kind of feedback I need. :)

Sabrina: I'm so glad you're happy with the photos of the baby. Congrats on the clean bill of health and registering weight loss. Stay focused on the positive. Enjoy your visit and don't think about Monday until the alarm goes off Monday morning. :hug:

I'm still struggling with feeling down. Had a couple of experiences at work yesterday where I was treated very disrespectfully by co-workers. One was a woman who opened the window behind my desk when I was not there. When I returned, I closed the window. She snapped at me, "You have something against fresh air?" I told her, "No, I have something against damp, cold air blowing on my back all day, making me feel stiff and sore." She harumphed and when she did condone to speak to me, was very snarky the remainder of the day.

The other incident was in a meeting with a woman who treated me with contempt and open disdain, as if my opinion (which was solicited, mind you), was utterly insignificant. It wasn't pleasant. She's an extremely negative and unhappy woman who believes in stomping on anyone and everyone just to spread her toxicity. Honestly, I don't know how her domestic partner puts up with her.

So, I'm trying to not focus on those episodes, though I do anticipate repeated bad behavior from the first woman today. It is Friday. It is payday.

Hi everyone :coffee2: VTMom - Thanks for thinking of me & mentioning me in your post :)

I'm honestly feeling very weak right now with the stress that is going on. I can't talk about it in detail, just that I can only handle so much anxiety. I'm trying to work it out, but there's only so much I can do.

Looking back at my hierarchy of weight loss, I know I need to be in a decent (non-anxiety ridden) frame of mind before I can get back on track. I hope this stress will be over with soon so that I can get back to feeling safe emotionally and physically.

Glad this thread is still here - I think this is a really helpful community and want to thank you for your support :)

:hug: :coffee:

Sabrina: So happy that you received the photos and really love them!!! I know you will treasure them always. I keep my photos and other momentos from Sean in a pretty box with angels on it. It has been way too long since I've pulled it out. Will do that soon! Have to be able to shed tears without looking like a bullfrog if I have to go somewhere afterward! :lol: Even after all these years, my heart aches when I smell the little clothes he so briefly wore and hold them close to my heart..... missing him. :cry: I ask him to pray for us often and ask God to hold him close and give him a hug from his Mommy. It is unbelievable how much I miss someone who I knew for such a short time. But he will always be my baby and I know that I will hold him again one day! :angel: That is a comfort.

worththeeffort2: Sorry that you are still struggling with feeling down. Those women at work sound like CRABS!!! Do your best to ignore them and don't let them steal your joy!!! :hug: YAY for a good appointment with the doc and being down 10 pounds since last visit!

Amy: I agree that weekly (or less) weigh-ins are better than daily. The daily fluctuations drive me crazy, as I mentioned in yesterday's post.

coffeeshopgirl: Sending you a big hug for all of the stress you are dealing with right now! :hug: Remember that this will pass eventually and all will be well. Prayers for you. Hang in there! :hug:

I have worked out the past 4 out of 5 days. :carrot: Want to keep the trend going. Will get in a walk with the dogs later. Food has been good. I am trying to work on leaving food on my plate at the end of meals. I am so used to being a clean plater, which isn't good when trying to lose weight. I think we are going to our lake house this weekend, so not sure when I'll check in next. Thinking of all of you and wishing you well! :wave:

In about 72 hours I will be in the air. And soon my fearful part will be over.

Over the last two days I ate less then 800 calories a day. I'm getting Indian food tonight as a treat and it will last me through the weekend.

Happy weekend everyone!

a quick check in to say HI and I will address all later this evening :D
http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/work...and-Core/hv/my workout today was 40 minutes of HIIT cardio and core work and the rest of the day was; cleaning out a linen closet (kind of :devil:) trying to find a caterer for a fundraiser this August; returning a garden rake that snapped in my hands :mad: but got a free replacement :) mailing defective Sharpies back for replacement :dizzy: bought 3 pairs thrift shop capris in 3 DIFFERENT SIZES (a 12, a 10, and an 8!) :?: raking IN THE RAIN with new rake because today's weather is truly "if you don't like the weather, wait 2 seconds and it will change" .

Sorry I havent popped in for a bit. I have been having severe stomach pain (the type that makes you buckle over its so bad)
Had an ultrasound Monday and today my dr told me I have a ventral hernia the size of a football. He said that they don't usually operate on hernias so large but that I for sure need surgery as the hernia is wrapped around all my vital organs especially my bowels (which would answer why I am severely constipated and only go about once a week and thats with help) sorry tmi I know. He was going on about all the complications this hernia could cause. Needless to say I had a bit of a breakdown. I am scared to death. How I never knew I had this is beyond me.
My eating is bad too. I am in starvation mode trying to make up for my week long binge a couple of weeks ago. I know this is totally destructive behavior and will try to start eating healthy again tomorrow. Mentally I am spent.
Sorry to be such a downer. I am trying my best to think positive to no avail.
I read what some of you are going through and I feel so petty.
Again sorry to be so negative. I will survive.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
hugs
Judi

:coffee: Good morning, everyone. I am having my coffee and computer time before getting on with the weekly "Paying of the Bills" routine. Thank God in the last round, we had more money come in than went out. What a nice change that was!

I am happy as all get out that we are finally in the weekend. I plan some meditative exercise this weekend that will help me get back into the zone of ignoring my co-workers so they don't make the same kind of emotional they did on me this week. Yesterday, my rights to opening or closing the window directly behind my desk where taken away. Believe it.

For the good of the greater group, who say they are hot, I cannot close the window if I am cold and have a damp breeze blowing on my back. It's stupid. I know. I'm not upset about it any longer, since I'm working to be Zen about the whole situation. I'm going to dig through my closets this weekend for a couple sweaters that I can take in to layer, if needed, from now on. Yesterday, I was able to relocate to another workspace in the building to work on a specific project. I may also issue a request for my workspace to be swapped with one of the women who wants the windows open wide, so she can enjoy the damp breeze and I can be away from the draft.

Interestingly, I felt a strong drive yesterday to head to the gym and workout hard in order to vent my frustration. I view this as a success since my old habit was to binge on sugar to kill my emotions. So, I kicked it on the rowing machine, in circuit training, and finally for a mile of walk/jog intervals on the track.

good morning!

Sabrina - enjoy your weekend away! So glad that you received your treasured pictures of your angel daughter :angel: and CONGRATS on such a good doctor's report! :cb:

worththeeffort2 - I am MAD :mad: at the co-worker who was so dismissive to you, and at the one who is such a crybaby that she had to have your rights to your window taken away! But I think it is great that you felt the need to hit the gym and work out like a boss :D and SUPER YAY for more money IN than OUT!

Hi Amy (Seabiscuit) - way to go on being UNDER calories!! that is fan-tastic :D

coffeeshopgirl - really sorry about your current anxiety..and yeah we don't need that when we are trying so hard to make good changes for ourselves. we are here for you :hug:

Kathleen - congrats on working out, 4 of 5 days! sorry to hear the scale is being rude to you (down 3, up 3, what the heck!) If you go to the lake house this weekend, I hope you have a wonderful time :)

lilturtle eating less than 800 calories is not much!! hope the Indian food was good :) and your trip is so soon now!

projectjudi - oh my gosh that does sound scary about the hernia!! how soon do you have to deal with this?? :( :hug:

Monte Cristo - - congrats on your sugar free days!! that is a huge accomplishment. Besides obvious sugar, do you have to search for hidden sugar like in ketchup or wheat english muffins? Sorry about your abrupt change in weather temperature, our REGULAR temperature lately has been about 49 and no sun :(

Lisa (Ohiofreespirit) :wave: Hi and how are you doing :)

Fi - - Hi Fi, you must still be working away with the BERP :D Have you been sleeping alright?

Hi Hope I'll still say HI in case you are reading :)

I am almost beyond discouraged about our stupid weather, spring just is NOT coming this year I guess. Day after day of heavy cloud cover, sporadic rain, temperatures barely reaching 52 as a high..I've had almost 3 weeks off and have been out on my motorcycle TWICE. I've just done some raking outside but half the lawn still looks like crap :( back to work fulltime next week and THAT is when it will start to warm up! what...the...heck...:devil:

Also WAY overate last night, just because the chicken thighs I made for dinner were so darn good :devil: and becase I just wasn't feeling any will power at all. I was discouraged at the wide range of sizes of capris I ended up buying, the 12's were nicely loose but I wish the only size that fit were 8, and there was a 10 in there too. I know that truly the only thing that matters is inches/size, but I do so love seeing a size 8 fit instead of 12.

Have a charity fundraiser calcutta/raffle to go to this afternoon evening, it's a motorcycle crowd :cool: so that's always fun. Don't know what I'm gonna wear..and have to deal with my hair, just got it cut/highlighed on Thursday and I still don't know how to deal with it (blow dry straight down with straight down bangs as the stylist did, and I feel like a weirdo? or fluff it a bit, as I still try to re-live the 80's? :rofl: )

oh this was my exercise from yesterday, 40 minutes of HIIT cardio and core

http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/work...g-and-Core/hv/

Hey if I started an exercise thread, would anyone else post in it?

Hi there,

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. I went over my calories yesterday and I would have today too if I logged my overeating this light ice cream that I bought. It's tempting to overeat, that's something I struggle with and this seemed like a trigger/binge food.

I have to get going, have a great day!

Take care!

Amy

I am writing from my phone at the lake, so will be brief.

projectjudi: That is awful about your hernia!!! :( Sounds so painful and uncomfortable. I am just glad they found it so you can get it removed and feel much better. I would be scared too though...... but you will be okay..... actually much better when that horrendous thing is removed!!! Try to focus on that if you can. Best of luck and prayers to you! :hug: I hope you will get back to healthier eating soon. You can do it!

Trish: Thinking of you as you prepare for your trip on Monday. All will be well..... all will be well..... all will be well!!! (Repeat to yourself.) :hug:

Will post to the rest of you later from hubby's computer! Take good care everyone! :)

Sorry I didn't check in yesterday: I have been working very long hours on the BERP, like 10 hours a day, but the progress is slow. Going through magazines and scientific journals one page at a time looking for useful images to clip is definitely going to be the slowest part of this project in terms of visible results. But the end of the clipping part is in sight. Next I need to clear out an area where I'm hoping Bob will build a nice-looking piece of cat furniture—not one of those things you buy in a store that have cream-colored carpeting on them, but something that will resemble a very simple, modernistic apartment building for cats, except made of nice wood with a nice finish. (Bob loves working with wood and is especially good at stains and finishes.)

Anyway, sorry to go on about that when others, like poor Judi with her hernia, are really suffering. I've been sleeping well: 10 PM to 6 AM for two nights in a row. It's because I'm doing physical labor all day. I think my right arm, especially my shoulder muscles, are going to be outstanding by the time this project is over.

But things aren't going so hot back in my home state of Texas, where my mother has Alzheimer's and started throwing tantrums in her special "memory care" facility, so she's been on a geriatric psych ward for two weeks. My sister is the family member who has to be there when this sort of thing happens, and she's all stressed out & angry about it. She took it out on me over the phone, and I wound up breaking down and crying. Then my sister hung up on me and I kept crying the whole rest of the day, not getting any work done on the house.

My family of origin is so horrible. I mean my parents were. They both physically abused me when I was a child, but I intervened to protect my little sister from all of that: I was six years old when she was born, so I was old enough to get between my parents and her and take the blows myself. My sister and I were very close all through her grade school years, but then I turned 18 and went to college 1400 miles away, and she massively resented me for doing that.

And that's basically been the story ever since: we build a fragile truce, she gets mad at me and it breaks down, and so on ad infinitum. She doesn't want me down there in Texas helping take care of Mom, though. (My dad died in '07.) She thinks I would make the situation worse. She thinks all these crazy things about me because my parents bad-mouthed me in her ears so convincingly for nearly 40 years, she's effectively brainwashed. =sigh= She sure can hurt me bad over the phone. She did it today. My eyes are so puffy from crying, I can just barely see out of them. I'm just hopin' to be able to get back in the saddle tomorrow. Normally Sunday is my one day off from the BERP, but today was blown to pieces by my long bawling jag, so I'll have to forgo my day of rest this week. I just hope I can sleep tonight. Sorry for all my rambling. I'll stop writing now and not subject you nice people to any more of my crap.

Fi: Great to hear from you, but I am so sorry that your mom is basically in a geriatric psych ward and your sister had you in tears much of the day. :( None of you has to apologize for sharing any of your hard times. All of us have rough times and we need to be able to share BOTH our ups AND our downs in this group. Each of our struggles are different and unique, and none matter less than others, especially to the one going through the difficult time. So vent all you want, everyone! Share your ups AND your downs and we will be cheering for each other through it all!!! :cheer2: Fi, that is horrible that you were physically abused as a child and that you were forced into the position of "protecting" your little sister when you were just a child yourself. :cry: I am so very sorry that you had to grow up in that environment. Tears for Little Fi..... :cry: .....and a big hug for Big Fi! :hug: You are truly a SURVIVOR!!! Embrace and celebrate that fact. :hug:

worththeeffort2: I sure do hope you can swap workspaces with someone else who WANTS the cold air blowing in on them! Hope you are getting around to those meditative exercises that will allow you to be more at peace in your work environment.

Holly: Sounds as though you are busy as a bee! I am at the lake house now and having a wonderful time, thank you. Sending you :dust: to resist your own yummy cooking!!! :lol: Try not to sweat the overeating too much and jump right back on board. You have been doing so well! Our weather in Ohio has been crazy, too. Can't wait until it stays consistently warm. Hope you had a great time at the fundraiser with your motorcycle crew! I'm sure you looked wonderful! :D

Amy: Thanks for checking in! Remember when using MFP that it is a tool to HELP ~ not shame ~ you on your journey. It's all about PROGRESS and not perfection! You can do this! :)


As I mentioned, we are at the lake and I got a lot of exercise in today. Walked with my family and also with our dogs and took a bike ride around the islands with my hubby! I love it when exercise feels FUN!!! :D Food is always a challenge up here, but I am doing okay with it. Yep, just okay.
Seems to always be room for improvement with me in the healthy eating and/or smaller portions department. :dizzy:

Fiona: I'm sorry to learn about the abuse you suffered as a child. Please know your experience is not uncommon among survivors of childhood abuse who protected their siblings, then escaped when presented with the first opportunity. I'm sorry your parents created a toxic environment for both their children. Perhaps, at some point in the future, you and your sister will be able to heal and build a more stable, loving, and supportive relationship. I hope so.

Today, I staged a purge in the house. A friend of mine is going through a difficult time and will be incurring major medical bills in the coming months. Her family is preparing to so a number of fundraisers to help defray the expenses for her. Since it is time for spring cleaning, I took advantage of the opportunity to gather some stuff together to donate to the cause. My husband and I just finished loading two big boxes of books, a box of household goods, and a large bag of clothes and jewelry into the back of the car.

It feels SO good to clear unneeded clutter out of the house. It feels so GOOD to pack a bag of clothing that is still in perfectly good condition but is now way too large for me. It feels especially good to know that all of these items will go to a cause that supports a friend in time of very serious need. I hope they get a lot of other donations and that this first fundraiser makes a lot of money for the cause.

Hi there,

Thank you again to everyone for the encouragement!

Judi- :hug: I'm sorry about your hernia, hugs. A relative of mine had a hernia, had surgery and now he is doing great. Think positively!

Fiona- :hug: I am very sorry about the Alzheimer's, another relative of mine has it and it's sad. The Alzheimer's Association is a good resource. I'm not sure if they have support groups.

Believe- thank you for those kind and encouraging words, I needed to hear that!

Worth the effort- I agree on getting rid of clutter, that's what I'm about to do in a few minutes, I keep getting rid of junk because I'm moving. Less is more!

Take care everyone! It's a beautiful day! Now, if only spring allergies would calm down.

Amy

Hello!

Fi - I am so sorry to hear of the terribly upsetting phone call. It is so hard to understand HOW parents can abuse their own children..and how that affects the dymanics of siblings. You were a hero to your little sister! at way too young an age though :( what a responsibility. And now to have that sister have the ability to 'get' to you :( really sorry.

worththeeffort2 - I am sorry to hear of your friend's medical troubles, but what a good friend you are to immediately help :) and what a bonus when it precipitates getting items out of the house that will then go to a good cause! win/win :cool: Oh and especially saying 'buh-buy' to those too large clothes!

Kathleen - HOw great to make exercise FUN! :D It must have been nice weather for you to be able to walk the dogs and bike. Yay! Yes I had a very good time at the fundraiser, ate very little but drank 6 Coronas :devil: and as I am the reigning 2013 Miss Crossroads Motorcycle Rally Queen :cool: (yes I brought my sash and tiara in my purse :rofl: ) I got to pull the last 5 big ticket numbers from the drum. I also got a great consolation prize, a Biolage box of shampoo and conditioner, and our motorcycle rights group pooled money to buy another ticket, and won a car wash kit, value $50.

Amy - Hi how is the moving / packing process? Hope it's not too much of a pain. Oh I also find it so easy to 'overdue' on something like lite ice cream..tastes so good, it just makes me want more. Hope your calories are good to you today. I"m glad you've had some beautiful weather but i hope your allergies don't bother you too much.

Hi to lilturtle, Ohio, Chelsea, Monte Cristo, projectjudi, 1life2liv, coffeeshopgirl, and Hope

today was 45 and rainy AGAIN. I remember a science fiction short story of a place where it rained 364 days of the year; one day of the year there was sun for one hour, that's how it feels here :rofl:

Hi Holly,

It's great to hear from you! My allergies feel a bit better now, thank you. I have a prescription nasal spray that the doctor called in.

I was working away at packing, I need to get back to that. As my high school advisor said, "(I) am the Queen of Procrastination!"

Ok, now I want to get this box packed before dinner!

I hope you get some sunshine soon!

Take care!

Amy :)

I really appreciate the things you guys said about my rough childhood and the role I played for my sister. And you know what? I just got off the phone with her: she called me, to repair our relationship after what went down yesterday. What a loving thing for her to do...we are back on wonderful terms with each other, and my sweet sister, Lee Ellen, is the one who made it happen. I'm very tired right now and I need to crash, but I just wanted to y'all about that. =smile=

That's wonderful, Fiona!

Have a good night everyone.

Amy

Yay!!!
 

Fi: I am so happy to hear that your sister called to repair your relationship! Thank you for sharing this good news with us. Hope you will sleep better knowing all is well with you and your sister. :)

worththeeffort2: You are a good friend to get right to work on donations to benefit your friend who is going through a difficult time. And purging (your) house is something I am working on right now, too. I have been working periodically with a professional organizer, because it is very difficult for me to organize and get rid of things for a variety of reasons. So I applaud you for doing it on your own, with help from your hubby! :)

Amy: Good for you for taking the time to get rid of clutter as you prepare for your move. How ironic: we are BOTH "Queens of Procrastination!" ;) Hope you can get your allergies under control soon. Those darn allergies sure can make you miserable. :(

Holly: The weather wasn't great (cool and very windy), but we made the best of the DRY, partly sunny day at the lake. It is so much fun to walk and ride bikes up there, especially with my hubby and our little family, which includes our 3 dogs, of course! :love: Glad to hear that the fundraiser was fun and (it sounds like) exciting! I am so impressed that THE reigning 2013 Miss Crossroads Motorcycle Rally Queen is a member of OUR group!!! :D You are one popular chick, Holly!!! :cool:

Trish: I will be thinking of you tomorrow (Monday). Praying that you will not experience too much anxiety and that all will go well for you! Have a wonderful time with your mother! :hug:


I have battled a migraine :headache: the past couple days, but ~ thankfully ~ still managed to have a great time at the lake. It is so relaxing up there..... and NO CLUTTER!!! :D Waving hello to everyone! :wave: Please check in when you can!

Judi - I am sorry to hear about your hernia. I would be scared too. But you can get it removed. That should help. I'll be thinking of you.

Fiona - that is great news about your sister!

I'm terrible at addressing everyone but I am reading along.

Today is my flight. I didn't sleep last night. I'm really nervous. In less then 12 hours it will all be over. I overate this weekend too. I've been so good. I did lose 1 1/2 lbs between Tuesday and Friday. Not sure how the weekend affected it. Next time I post it will be from Florida.

:hat: ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! :celebrate: No guac and chips or margaritas for me! Instead, I'm declaring my independence from fat and my observance of today will be to hit the elliptical later.

Fiona, it's great news that your sister called to apologize for her behavior and make up with you.

The forecast is for sunshine some of the day today. I have an eye appointment this morning so will be clinging to my darkest pair of sunglasses since I'll be getting dilated. The upside to that is that I won't be going to work today so can do my workout later this afternoon. Truly, it seems that my life has gone from revolving around food to revolving around when I can schedule a workout.

Wow Fiona, I had similar parents and an older sister - when she went away to college I was a little afraid fending for myself, but I would have killed for loving protection like what you gave. Unfortunately, the abuse had turned my sister abusive to me. Its nice to see the opposite happening here and I'm glad that things are better between you and your sister.

Hi Everyone!

Had a lovely weekend...weather was absolutely perfect, so I spend both Saturday and Sunday outside working in the yard. Planted a couple of trees (Japanese Maple and White Dogwood) and started a batch of dwarf mondo grass. Then I cleaned out a couple of flowerbeds at my Dads and did some weedeating. I'm a little tired today from all the work, and I busted a couple of knuckles, but all in all it was a great weekend.

good morning chicks!

Fi - that is so wonderful, your sister did that, so glad you told us :) And you are probably back to BERP-ing today :D

lilturtle - best wishes for the flight!! and we look forward to a WARM and SUNSHINY :cool: post from Florida!

Kathleen - so sorry about the migraine! :( I do hope it is gone by now. Have you told us the 'flavors' :D of your dogs? 3 is a herd!

Amy - did you get that box packed before dinner? :D (not nagging, really!)

worththeeffort2 - hope your eye appt. is routine and don't forget the-->:cool: Regarding the issue of working in a workout, that is truly a big thing to do but it will be so rewarding to have exercise a regular thing to do..like not "am I going to work out?" but "when am I gonna work out" :strong:

Monte Cristo , you are the yard queen!! I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and got so much done! your yard will be a sanctuary.

Hi to pixellate, who posted with concern to Fi :wave:

Hello to Ohio, Chelsea, projectjudi, 1life2liv, coffeeshopgirl, and Hope

It is not raining at the moment, but it is gray and such low-lying clouds..gloomy. However the weatherguessers :D say sun tomorrow and Wednesday. I had planned to start my summer job on Wednesday, but I ... just... might... postpone to Thursday, so I can enjoy a nice day!

Hi there!

Believe,

That is funny!! :D. How are you?


Holly,

I worked on the box, thanks, but it's not quite done. Maybe I'll finish it tonight.


Monte Cristo,

I love trees! They sound beautiful!


Have a good day!

Amy

worththeeffort2- Visit home was great! Much needed! Today went well at work. THere was a fiesta and even though it wasn't for me, it still felt like it. Everyone missed me. Nice to hear that. Got lots of hugs!

Ibelieveinme2- Aw, that is wonderful! We have a box as well that we have several things in. Of course it is in her room. We haven't changed anything. I sometimes go in there to feel closer to her. It helps. I made sure to take picture of her with me to work to put on my clipboard. I work at a desk that is shared with other shifts, so I can't have a picture frame or anything, but my clipboard goes in my own little cubby so I know it is safe.

Vermont- Thank you! Sorry for the gloomy day!

First day back at work today. Went pretty well. Lots of hugs and welcomes. Was nice. I'm tired now, bedtime for me!

aw how nice!

and I suck because I skipped your name in greetings ---> embarrassed face! :^:

so nice you can have a picture of your angel at your work :hug:

I goofed!
 

Well, today we took a road trip to Pittsburgh to my daughter's Endocrinologist there. I had a stomach ache all day and was REALLY CRAVING chocolate. So.......... on the way home, at a restroom stop, I bought one of those "Whatchamacallit" candy bars that used to be one of my favorites. I haven't had one in years and periodically crave one when I see them in the convenience stores. Thinking that maybe it would help my stomach settle down (seriously!), and STILL craving chocolate, I ate the whole thing. I must admit that it was good, but not nearly as good as I had remembered. So I did make a mistake by buying and eating the candy bar, but I learned a valuable lesson for the next time I am craving something: It doesn't taste as good as I imagine it will taste. AND I am now reminded of the saying: Nothing tastes as good as being THIN will feel! However, since we were on the road all day, I just sat in the car. Uggggh, I feel FAT tonight. :(

Trish: I was thinking of you today. Hope all went well and that you are now in Florida relaxing with your mom! Enjoy your time there! Please post as soon as you can to let us know how things went at the airport. Sending a big hug! :hug:

worththeeffort2: Love your line that you "are declaring your independence from fat and (your) observance of today will be to hit the elliptical later!" Good for you! Nice way to switch up the Cinco de Mayo holiday to make it healthy! :D That is awesome about your life now revolving around your workout rather than food!!! You are on your way! :) Hope your eye appointment ~ and your workout ~ went well!

pixelllate: Happy to hear from you again. Sorry for the abuse you suffered, too! :( So sad. Please feel free to chime in any time! Thanks for supporting Fi! :)

MonteCristo: Your yard must look lovely! Yay for perfect weather and yardwork as exercise! Hope you didn't overdo it!

Holly: My migraine is finally gone today, thank God! My pups are: a 10-yr-old male Brittany (Spaniel) ~ red/brown and white ~ named Griffin, a 4-yr-old black male Cocker Spaniel ~ named Lucky, and a 1-yr-old white female Clumber Spaniel ~ named Lucy. Lucy, still a pup, is a real handful! Love them all to pieces, though! :) I am posting photos of Griffin and Lucy below, but I have tried for over an hour to post one of Lucky and it won't let me! Arrrrgh!!! Frustrating!!! :dizzy:

Amy: I am doing okay, but I'm frustrated that I can't be consistent with healthy eating and small(er) portions. How 'bout you? When do you move? How is the packing coming, my fellow procrastinator?!? ;)

Sabrina: Glad to hear that you felt really welcomed back to work and got lots of hugs! :hug: So nice that you have a photo of Isabelle on your clipboard at work and her room to spend time in when you want to feel close to her. She will be watching over you always and you will always be her Mommy! :hug:

Hello to Everyone Else! :wave: Hope all is well!

Hi everyone :coffee2:

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers. Your support is what makes me keep coming back here :hug: . I just keep telling myself that I'm doing the right thing and that everything will be ok.

Hope all is well.

Hi there!

It's a beautiful day here!

Believe- thank you for your cheerful message! I am almost done with that box! My friend is going to help me pack this weekend. I move June 11.
How are you?

Holly- how are you doing?

Coffeeshopgirl- it's wonderful to see you!

I'm off to volunteer at my local hospital. I'm saying an early goodbye because I'll only have about 5 more days volunteering there as of today, I volunteer once a week. Take care!

Feeling a bit down today. Apparently my Dad and his fiance had a little spat, and she contacted me all emotional and freaked out wanting me to talk to him for her. I mean really, do I have a sign on my forhead that says "free counselling". I'm sick of everyone needing my help. And my family wonders why I'm perfectly content to be single...like they set good examples of relationships! My dad asked her not to contact him for a couple of days, and she wanted me to be a go between. Yeah right. I told her no obviously (not getting dragged into that again). She gets all dramatic about how much she loves him and only lives for him and wouldn't be able to make it if he ever left her. Gag! She is SO childish. This is not what I expect from a 45 year old woman. I want my dad to be happy, but honestly, the more I know about her, the less I like her. I already have one should be grown woman in my life that acts like a teenager (my mom), I certainly don't need another. And this is making me crave sugar like crazy...not even one thought about sugar after the first few days, and now at the very first sign of family crap I want to dive headfirst into a giant chocolate frosty. :(