Welcome!
 

fool4fotos: :welcome: to the group! So happy you posted! :hug:

Chelainabear: Sorry to hear that you had a rough time the other day. :( Your fast food trip could have been much worse. At least you only got 2 small things. On a more positive note, so happy to hear that you LOVE your new job! What population of women do you work with? It sure sounds interesting and rewarding. They are lucky to have you there. LOL on your "little crush." I would be the same way. :o Thank you for your encouragement and reassurance about my son's college search. Your ideas are great and I will let you know if I have any specific questions as the year progresses. I appreciate your offer to help! :) Way to go on your 2 mile jog and 80+ oz of water! :carrot: I hope you are enjoying your "sister date" at the movies right now. Movie theater popcorn and candy is SUCH a HUGE trigger for my cravings and temptations, too. I often stay home when the rest of my family goes to movies, because I know I can't (or won't) resist the temptations there. :( It makes me sad sometimes, but I see it as part of taking care of myself and knowing my limits.

Hannah: Thank you, too, for your encouragement with my children's school transitions! I know that it will feel better once school actually begins. It is the fears and anxieties and "what ifs" before then that have me worried, especially since the prinicipal at my daughter's high school has STILL not returned my calls! We really need to meet to discuss logistics (of getting her books from room to room, etc.) ASAP! She will need help with things like that and school starts August 20th! :fr: So happy to hear that work was much better on Monday! And a huge CONGRATS on being OUT OF the obese range on the BMI!!!!! :broc: That must feel wonderful!!! :D I long for that day!

Fi: Glad that you took a much-needed BREAK from the BERP to check in with us! Hope all is well with Oscar & Nenu! I meant to ask you before, how is Oscar doing these days? (I remember he was sick before you got him.) Good luck with letting the kittens explore their surroundings while Grace is there. She will LOVE the little kitties, no doubt! :love: Best of luck tackling your dining room, too! It sounds like you are making PROGRESS, and that's what it's all about! :D

Amy: So sorry you had a scare with Snickers that cost you over $100, but happy to hear that he is okay! It sounds like you've met 2 good stylists. That must be a relief. What are you going to have done on Saturday? I hope all goes well. I'm sure it will and you will look beautiful! :hug:

I got in a late-night workout on the treadmill last night. Then, we were in the car most of the day and into the evening going to Pittsburgh to my daughter's endocrinologist there. It is worth the drive because that doctor is THE GURU on Spina Bifida and growth. She found that my daughter was growth hormone deficient awhile back and has had her on growth hormone therapy for some time now. Her/our goal was to get her to at least 5 feet tall, and today, at her follow-up appointment, she surpassed that by a little bit!!! :carrot: She is still short for her age (compared to the general population), but tall compared to others with Spina Bifida. Thank God (and I have)!!! :D I hope to get in a workout of some kind tonight. I am proud that I did really well with eating low carb on the road all day today! :D

Waving HELLO to everyone! :wave: Hope all is well!

Chelania bear - I'm glad that you like your job. Movies are bad for me too. I love the butter. Great job on the 2 mile jog. I was impressed with doing a 30 min walk. I've been so sedentary lately any exercise is good I guess.

Fool4fotos - welcome. Hope you enjoy it here

Hannah - congrats on the BMI:carrot: I can't wait to get there as well.

Amy - I love guinea pigs. I am glad your little one is doing better.

Fiona - I may be silly but what is BERP?

As for me, I've been doing well with my low carb eating. I actually feel better eating less carbs. Not as sluggish in the afternoons. Cooking for the rest of the family is difficult though, they want to eat the way I used to. Even though that was only a week ago, I feel like it is longer. :)

Sorry, Lauranya, to be cryptic in my reference to the BERP. It stands for Big Entropy Reduction Project. It's the acronym I've been using to refer to an enormous house decluttering endeavor that kicked off on April 18th when our kittens were born, and is just now drawing to a close... finally!

I'm a collage artist, but I've only been one for four and a half years. No one explained to me when I started out that because collage artists have to collect paper, they also have to work very hard to prevent their living space from turning into an episode of "Hoarders." My house was an unholy mess—just about every room of it—because of my newfound obsession.

When I realized we were about to get our third consecutive pair of oriental shorthair cats, something clicked inside of me, and I became strongly motivated to bring some order into my and husband's world. So for the last nearly four months I've been working like a woman possessed—40, 50, even 60 hours a week—to make space for our new kittens to run and play. =smile=

Thank you for the "Welcomes" :D

Love how open everyone is on here. I will join in more on everyone's personal situation in time. I'm here to support as well as be supported.

Today will be quick as I have an interview that I'm extremely nervous/anxious/sick to my stomach about. I have been out of work since Jan this year and after having an initial interview yesterday, I'm certain this is a perfect match for me. I have a web interview today at 1 pm CST. I will post again afterwards and let everyone know how it goes.

There is a certain level of desperation to return to work in general since I know not working is adding to my weight problem.

Kathleen: The girls I work with are ages 12-21 (they can be in extended foster care, which runs from ages 18-21) and they all have behavioral issues, which is why they're in the group home. It will be a really rewarding job, because you get to make direct impact on a young person's life.

Lauranya: Keep up the good work! The first week does feel like a long time, but you got through it an it'll just get easier as your changes turn into habits.

So I had a littttle more popcorn than I originally planned, but I had a diet soda, and didn't keep eating once I got home. I weighed in today at 261, which is great, all things considered :) I've got a full day of 'health and safety' training today, should be fun!

Hi there...
 

I hope everyone is having a good night. I'm tired and ready to go to bed. I think I'm going back to C, the hairstylist I went to before. I was going tomorrow but I'm going to have to reschedule.

Tomorrow I have physical therapy, I like the cute and fun therapist but I'm sore afterwards. Maybe after that I will do some things around the house.

I went to WW tonight. I really like this meeting! The young leader, H is very funny and energetic! Plus, I have a crush on one of the meeting members. He's cute and very funny! :)

Have a good night!

Amy

Amy: Sounds like you've got a lot of fun and cute people around you ;)

So at my doctor's appointment on Monday, she prescribed me Citalopram, but also had bloodwork done just to make sure that some of the symptoms I'm having aren't caused by something else.

She called me back the next day and said I need to come in for followup on my blood work, so I'm afraid she found something :/ I've had a lot of weird health issues so I get nervous about test results. I'll find out on Monday, so I'm probably going to be anxious about it until then.

The first two days on my new meds I only took half a tablet (I think they're 20 mg each) but since I started the full onces, they've hit me hard. I've been kind of detached, and my teeth keep chattering really bad. I'm not sure why, but I'm going to give it at least a week.

I didn't eat that well today, but I didn't eat much either. My appetite has been almost nonexistent lately, I feel like I'm just eating out of habit today. And I walked a couple blocks to get lunch and then back to my training after.

All in all, weird day. Weighed in at 261, so that's good. I really hope I'm at 260 or lower by Saturday.

off the wagon.....
 

I am at the lake for the next two days with two of my best friends. I decided tonight that i would go ahead and eat pizza (carbs) and snacks. I have been craving pizza lately and i have to admit that it tasted great, but i feel overly stuffed as i lie here in bed. Yucky feeling! I have not really lost any weight since starting low carb eating two weeks ago. I had lost two lousy pounds but gained it back. It doesn't help.that TOM is here. I usually retain about two pounds around then. I should have lost weight before tonight, though, with how strict i was being with low carb. It is so incredibly frustrating how weight loss RESISTANT i am!!!!! ::( i
am going to make an appointment with an endocrinologist to help witb my thyroid. And i might switch to a different bipolar med to try to help with weight loss. Something obviously needs to be changed.

Lauranya: i hope your interview went well. Please post as soon as you can to tell us about it.

Chelainabear: i sure hope and pray that everything is okay with your health. It is always scary when they want you to come back after bloodwork. Please keep us posted. Sending you a big hug as you wait until Monday. :hug:

Amy: i was surprised to read that you are going back to your original stylist. Didn't he mess up a few times? The main thing, though, is that YOU are comfortable and happy with whomever you choose!

Well, good night!

Chelaina,

I hope that you feel better or contact your prescriber regarding not feeling well. Thanks, yes, it is fun to have a crush!

Believe,

No, I'm not going back to that stylist, I'm going back to the one who fixed his mistake! Thanks for your concern.

Good night!

The more healthy I get the more bizarre the world seems
 

The interview I had yesterday was one of the most crazy experiences I have had!! The business is a medical equipment repair company whose corporate is in CA. This would be a repair branch in St. Louis. I didn't have the heart to tell the lady I was speaking with via webcam that I was not interested even though I wanted to. For the first time in my life I'm hoping I do not get offered the position. I walked into a semi vacant office space. Didn't think much about it at first, then asked the gentleman who was there if they were just moving in and starting an office in St. Louis. He tells me they just fired all the existing staff as the location was not making money and are starting over with new people. THE ENTIRE OFFICE!! He is a traveling manager with the company and is just visiting to "clean house" and set up the new operation. His honesty was surprising and I got the feeling when the lady on webcam asked me if I knew what the company's "situation" was and I proceeded to tell her I had been talking to Pete and he filled me in, she was not completely pleased that he had been so honest.

My mind it completely consumed with this situation. I need a job in the worst way and after this I have lost my trust that people (businesses) are what they say they are. If it wasn't for Pete, I would have no true idea what I would have been walking into. I just don't understand how every single person in that office would have warranted being let go. IMHO, if the company would have been taking care of their employees/business the situation would not have happened. After talking with my boyfriend last night he also agreed that if offered I should turn the position down. It just sounds to shady. Another flag...the salary posted in their ad, was much lower than she mentioned in the interview. I didn't call her on it as I already knew I wouldn't be accepting anyway.

I do believe that honesty is the best policy, but as this situation was unfolding, I was curious as to how much I would find out by sitting back and just listening. They are to be making a decision today and there were several applicants. I feel terrible about the whole thing and so gave in to one of my favorite craves..Chinese food. Up 1.5 lbs today. I'll get over it and will do better today after this whole ordeal is behind me.

Kathleen: I'm sorry about the difficulties losing, I'm sure we can all sympathize :( Don't lose hope though, your hard work will pay off!

fool4fotos: That does sound shady! I'm glad you're choosing to walk away from that opportunity, it doesn't seem very safe.

I made it to 260 today! :dancer:

It was my goal to get there by tomorrow, and if I keep up the good work today, it looks like that might happen. It's only 6 lbs from my highest/starting weight, but it's progress.

My next mini goal will be to get to 250 by the end of August :) I won't be too bummed if I don't get all the way there, but I think I can do it if I work hard enough.

I'm determined to make today and tomorrow good. Today's payday, and I only work 5 hours, instead of the 14 I was originally scheduled. And tomorrow I'm attending a concert festival with a friend I haven't seen in a couple years :) I'm gonna have a hard time staying away from the VIP cash bar though.

Thank you for the support Chelainabear! I'm trying to see for face value and not second guess myself. Congrats on beating your deadline!! Your an inspiration for me today. I'll run twice as long in honor of your victory :D

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I granted myself a complete and utter day of rest, most of it with the kitties sleeping curled up against me. I really needed it after the long stretch of crazy days I'd just been through: frantic BERP activity before we left for New Jersey, the trip itself, the positive but challenging hours in our bedroom with the little ones, the super-frantic BERP activity downstairs to get ready for letting the kitties out of the bedroom, and the Big Day itself, when Grace came over and Oscar & Nénu explored their new territory.

We had a grand old time on the Big Day (Thursday). Grace and Bob and I were all three in an elated party mood: that's the effect that those two little balls of orange fur had on us. Grace, who wants to be a vet some day, is very eager to learn about cats, because her family just has a dog. Her eyes were wide open, and she was completely enraptured by everything the kittens did. Bob, whose mood has been markedly improved by the advent of our new fur-kids, was in fine form, regaling Grace with all kinds of funny stories about biology—everything from giant sloths to extinct whales to his own research. (I haven't heard him talk about his science since he lost his job at NASA!) I was so mellowed out, I wasn't in the least bit in teacher/mentor mode with Grace—which was wonderful, since she got to see another side of me.

And a big part of how all three (five) of us felt was the house itself. Grace first started coming over here about 1/3 of the way into the BERP, so she definitely saw the place when there were books and papers all over the living room, including piled high on one of the futons, and when the dining room was so full of crap you couldn't walk into it, and she got plenty of glimpses of how chaotic things were elsewhere in the house. Something about all the gleaming wood floors, the colorful rugs, the fact that the kittens could explore underneath things without getting all covered in dust... it made us all high! I was in such a blissed-out state I decided it counted as a Very Special Occasion, and allowed myself a small piece of cheesecake after my Greek salad for dinner. That's the first time I've had sugar since my birthday in February!

And then a day of rest. Today is another day of rest, for the most part, but I did spend about two hours going through one of the last remaining "mystery" boxes: 99% of its contents went straight into the recycling bin. I'm afraid I'm still too weary for personals, but I'm wishing all of you a nice summer weekend.

Trying to regroup!
 

Well, my friends left the lake early this afternoon (Saturday), and then my family came up to the lake. I ate LOUSY with my friends BOTH days. :o :( Today was better, but I plan on being completely back to low carb tomorrow (Sunday). I did get in a decent walk with my hubby (and pups) earlier tonight. I also need to get back into serious and consistent exercise beginning tomorrow. Not seeking perfection, but I know I can do much better with exercise than the past week. EATING well, though, will be my MAIN focus.

Amy: Sorry about the misunderstanding about your stylist. Glad to hear it is the one who FIXED the mistakes! :)

fool4fotos: Your interview does sound like it was bizarre. Glad you are trusting your instincts and not taking the position if they offer it to you. Sounds like an odd atmosphere/situation there. Don't worry too much about indulging in Chinese food. You will get back on board in no time! :hug:

Chelainabear: CONGRATS on reaching your mini goal..... EARLY!!! :carrot: How was the concert festival? What music? Hope you had a great time! :)

Fi: Happy to hear that your Big Day went well! It sure sounds like you are enjoying your little fur babies! Glad you took a few days of rest!

Hello...
 

Hi there...

How's everyone doing? It's a beautiful day here, I'm just relaxing in the park. I've been a lot more tired lately. I'm bummed out because my ankle surgeon and I spoke and he thinks I need ankle surgery. I'm getting another opinion.

Believe,

Thanks for your concern. I was going to go back to that stylist but the receptionists are such obnoxious snobs, I can't stand to waste my money there. There are 2 salons that I'm debating between. I'm not sure yet. How are you?

It's such a nice day here.

Take care.

Amy