I will keep your dear friend, Gwen, in my prayers :^: She is Blessed to have you in her life! How is she doing?

:bravo: for the weight-loss you have had in the last three weeks! Yes, I am on a plateau still... especially after all I had over the weekend into Tuesday... but I will feel better by Saturday. It usually takes me a good three days to detox. I too find it hard to get in all my water, but I am sure giving it a go! It is so very important.

How did your Bible Study go the other night?? Did you get your homework finished? I love the book of James! The book of WISDOM :)

Let me tell you all about my day if I may :D
It was a pretty laid back -NICE- day for Joe & I on Tuesday :) It began with a phone call of birthday wishes from my parents... it's always nice to hear from them :D Then we did some running around from place to place, we went shopping at *Bath & Body Works* (love that shop) where Joe bought me a candle, Body wash & lotion for my birthday... he wanted me to choose which one I wanted because there were so many new scents to choose from when he went to get me something on his own... I enjoyed them all! But the one I chose was *Creme Brulee* ("oh my goodness" yummy!!). There was also *Angel Food Cake* (yummy!), *Lemon Meringue* & *Chocolate Fondue*. These are not desserts ;) Well... I guess they could be, depends on how you look at it :love: :o :lol: Then we went to a Vitamin Shoppe & Target to do a little shopping, I didn't feel like going to a movie yesterday, just wanted to get out with Joe.

When we got home at around 4:00... Joe's sister, Annie, called me and sang *Happy Birthday* to me (sweet!) and then we chatted for about 40 minutes about our diets... she just got back from a month long vacation and is feeling really plump (she said that, not me ;) ) --- she is a tiny little thing too. Being yesterday was the beginning of Lent we both thought it would be a great beginning to the cleansing process from all the junk 'we' have eaten in the last two to three weeks. I am so glad :yes: I really do need to get back "on program" again before I am out of control! I eat way too many bad foods (nibbles here and there :ink: ) when I am feeling good / healthy and then it all catches up with me. I sure do have a food hangover from Tuesday though - can't seem to shake this headache I have had since Wednesday morning ( "where's the truck that hit me!" ), but it was FUN at the time! I wrapped everything up (all the sweets in my home) and threw them all in the spare-room freezer. Not to be touched till after Easter now... if even then. I am going on a *NO SUGAR* fast for the 6 weeks of Lent and am going to try to eat more fruit and veggies instead, in hopes that it becomes a great habit by then. And drink as much water as I should. I thawed out some shrimp to snack on yesterday (YUM!) & we had fish for dinner. I am looking forward to feeling better again! I'm not sick like before in my gut (yeah :cp: ) just feeling crummy from all the sugars :faint: Our dinner out was great! But am looking forward to cooking again... I always feel better. I went into more detail on the Christian Encouragers Thread about our dinner ;)

I got allot of nice things... ;) The pink sweater in the picture below is from my friends daughter, Lisa, & my friends, Mike & Peggy, got me a really nice black blouse and Joe got me the bath things I mentioned above & a cake, not to mention he took the day off :) My folks got me the Hallmark Card program a few weeks ago (they are always early) & my sister sent me a gift card for Michael's Craft Center & 3 ref. magnets in the shape of kitties to put pictures of my boys into :D It was a very good day :sunny: I do feel *very special* & *spoiled* with my Joe and wish it were this way for all married couples. He says to me often... that I had such a rough start to life - he is going to make sure I have the best middle & ending ;) He has done well by me and I am truly blessed :bubbles:

I have been on the sofa or in bed the last few days. I did get my office cleaned and I got several cards made for all the February Birthday's & Anniversaries before I got real sick (my bad gut). When I start to spasm in my gut like I do, all I can do is put the heating pad on my tummy to calm it down & rest. I am feeling so much better today and as each day passes.

I do hope that You & your hubby are feeling better... there's so much going around this time of year :grouphug:

How the exercising going with your friend? I wish I had someone to exercise with, but they all work and when they get home they are with their families. I hope it's working out for you :^:

Did you do anything for Valentine's Day together?
Joe came home with a dozen beautiful yellow roses and a DvD of the movie *The Notebook* (starring James Garner) for my gift. What a Beautiful *Love Story*!!! I love, love, love James Garner!!! I wonder if he's really as caring as he is in his movies?? I enjoyed him in *Ya Ya Sisterhood* too - another great movie (that I got as a gift from Joe)! Have any of you seen the movie *The Notebook*? It's sad, but at the same time leaves you with this "ain't LOVE Beautiful* feeling. I highly recommend the movie to rent or buy... you will watch it again and again!! So, to say the least, Joe & I had a beautiful Valentine's Day together :goodvibes

Our weather has been very strange... this past Tuesday it went up to 60* and today 18* with about 6 inches of snow on the ground. We did have a fairly sunny day today, just very cold. I am so ready for Spring! You?

I am doing okay with staying off sugar, no more headaches... but haven't budged on the scale :( I think I need to be more consistent with my exercise and haven't is all... once I get to walking on a regular basis again - I know I will see it come off again ;)

Hi Lbsbgone, How are you these days? Staying well I pray? :)

Yes, Joe took the day off on Monday - he had to use a vacation day though. Our friends had off also so Joe thought it would be fun to take off too, so we could all spend the day together and that we did. We went to breakfast together; then we went shopping and then caught an afternoon movie (perfect day for that, rainy). We saw the movie *Hitch* with Will Smith... cute movie. Then we all went to an early dinner together. I really paid dearly for the day out at restaurants, that's for sure. My gut cannot handle any of the butter they add to the veggies & meats (even though I asked them to drain it off). I was pretty ill the last couple days, but am much better today. I am totally intolerant of any dairy products or fatty foods. I try to steer clear of it all, but when you go out, it is very difficult. I am reading a book I bought last week titled *Patient, Heal Thyself* hoping it will guide me into a direction that will help me to feel well "all the time" and not just most of the time. He is Christian and believes in eating the foods mentioned in scriptures... God's Garden. I do hope that once I begin to change over I become well enough to do more and feel energy again. I am so tired of feeling tired. Right now I am looking into the foods and vitamins he mentions... they look costly. I'll let you know.

Have you begun your walks with your friend? I sure do with I had someone to walk with... ... It's a beautiful (but cold) sunny day today and it would have been nice to have gone outdoors for a walk. I don't like to go alone, especially in the cold. Maybe I will meet someone during the Spring and Summer when I go out. No one will go into the cold temps right now. The day didn't begin too nice... cold and snowy, but it cleared up and the sun popped out. It's still cold, but the sun makes it much nicer. Tea and a blanket always sounds comfy ;)

I haven't lost any more weigh --- I seem to be stalled right now. Maybe when I change over to the foods that are mentioned in the book I will begin to lose again... I HOPE! :crossed:

We got some sad news this morning... that a dear friend of ours has passed after a long bout with cancer... please keep her hubby, Jim, in your prayers. The funeral service is on Friday and my Joe will be singing and leading the choir for it. So very sad :cry:

Me... I was very ill there, Lbsbgone... I worried myself! But since I began the program today (the beginning of day #5 for me) I am doing much better. The program is not an easy one to do at all, nevermind the $$ you have to spend in food and supplements! I'm still not well, but I didn't expect to get better over night... I have been ill for way too long and according to this book I have it could take up to 3 months for the intestine to rebuild and heal. I just have to stay with the program. Maybe I will lose some more weight too! :flow1:

I WISH we had some weather like yours! But we live in Ohio and to top it off, we live in the snow-belt of Ohio! We got a bit over 18" of snow in the last two days and it's now only 8* here this morning! Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, is all I havta say! At least the sun is shinning :D

So... you leave in a week! Cool! :cool: I never pack till the day before we leave anywhere either ;) I like to have all my laundry caught up before I go anywhere... so all my favorite clothes come with me :) It'll be easier to do with just you going... bet you cannot wait! I am so happy for you and cannot wait to hear all about the fun you had :flow2: I'll say a prayer that you don't catch your hubby's cold! May I suggest you go get some *Airborne* at your local drug store and begin to take it... Oh, and take it before you go on the plane too (follow the directions on the label)! So you won't get sick from the plane and others who traveled ill... it really works!! I have used it and have two containers of it in my closet for whenever I need it again.

I'm so glad to hear that your kitties did so well at the vets :cp: