:wave: Hello Plump girl from Southern California... Here is the thread I told you I would begin for us ;) Do you know that I am originally from California... too cool that you would search me out to be your buddy :) I am from the desert - 29 Palms - have you heard of it?

How are you doing today? Feeling any better? I do hope you are. What food program have you chosen to go on? Are you married?

I am sorry I didn't get back to you sooner then this, but I was plum tuckered out from hosting the evening bible study last night and we were up and out of the house at 8:00 this morning. The study by-the-way was a total success, if I do say so myself :D I was sooo concerned that we wouldn't have enough seating for 14 people --- but it all worked out beautifully. The Lord has a way of working things out... doesn't He :smug:

I do hope to hear from you again... please know that you are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Hi Lbsbgone, Yes, my father is a retired Marine officer and he met my mother in 29 Palms... I am their first born ;) I grew up all over the U.S. but was mostly there in 29 Palms. I still have some family living there not far from the base.

I used to weigh 235 lbs. at my heaviest years ago & had lost over 95 lbs. I kept it off for almost 8 years and then after some deaths and trials in the family I went to my old ways of comforting myself with food... it didn't take long in finding myself back up to 216 lbs :o So... ... I began to walk again that I may get this weight under control before I got all the way up to 235 again, in the year and few months I have back to walking and just recently really watching my diet I have dropped 27 lbs. and feel that I am well on my way to reaching my goal.

You can do this too, but it takes daily talks with our Lord for strength (& to yourself)... you have to look at your food program like you are making better choices for your health and well-being, not that you are depriving yourself... just that you are making better choices. I have tried just about every diet, but the best program for me is to go *low fat* *no caffeine* *no dairy* & smaller portions 6 times a day & getting off of sugar as much as possible (I use Splenda). I have had many surgeries after a pretty bad auto accident in 1976 and now cope with severe IBS flare-ups if I don't stick with this food program... when I make good choices I have very good days. Basically am doing this on my own at home and with the support of my hubby & all my buds here at 3fatchicks. I try my utmost to stay upbeat because it does help so many others, and in that process, it does help me to keep going each day too.

Can you tell me a bit more about YOU???

Good Afternoon Lbsbgone, How are you feeling? Is that headache leaving you yet?? I am very concerned as I expressed on the CER's thread.

So you don't watch any TV? I am sorry to say that I am hooked on allot of programs --- I am a big HGTV & CSI fan and they have three nights of shows. I don't watch soaps - haven't in about 5 years now, just stopped watching them, but I do enjoy a good Sherlock Holmes show like CSI and a couple of the reality shows like *Survivor* & *American Idol* Joe & I sing at our church in a small group and so we enjoy Idol and the singers that are good on there. Anyway... enough of me trying to justify my TV watching ;) :lol:

How have you been sleeping lately? You doing any better? I find that I sleep better during the summer when I am outdoors more during the day --- I garden allot during the Spring & Summer into the Fall and it keeps me very busy. During the Winter I don't sleep as well... waking up several times. In fact, I woke up this morning at 2:30 and have been up since. Maybe I will sleep better tonight.

What do you do for a hobbie? I enjoy making my cards for friends and family, they take allot of my time, but it's fun! I also enjoy taking pictures with my new digital camera.

Do you know how to post pictures?? I'd sure enjoy seeing you and your pets :) if you don't mind sharing...

Good Morning Lbsbgone!

I am so glad to hear that I brighten your day... you made mine by saying that. Thank-you ;) If I can bring some Sonshine into someone's life it bring more joy into mine :smug:

My how the time just seems to get away from me! I usually don't post often on the weekends, but this time I got all caught up in some early Spring cleaning I began on Monday and just haven't been on the computer long enough to post - just checked in once in awhile.

How have you been? My goodness you live in a very small place from your description... I don't know how you do it. I give you allot of credit! I need space... I too took care of my FIL - he has since passed, but I did it for about 6 years... he was 87 when he passed on two years ago now. I use to go over to his apartment and do his laundry, did some cooking and cleaned for him & helped him with his finances. But his last 3 years he was in a nursing home and they cared for him & Joe & I visited often. They took such good care of him too. We could not have done it... he just needed too much care with his meds and all. Is your FIL in good health?

Oh my goodness... Current! I use to order from them all the time, but haven't since I have begun making all my own cards. Now you have given me the urge to check them out again :) ;) I enjoy their products allot!

Yesterday I started sorting, packing & cleaning at around 9am and didn't finish till 7:30pm, but I sure got allot done :D I have been sorting through old boxes trying to figure out what to keep and what not to and that isn't easy for me --- I hold on to everything. But I thought while I was in the mood I would begin to do it. It all started with me buying new bins for the Christmas Decorations and now it's gone into major cleaning and sorting. I must say... it feels pretty good (now) to purge things I would use or look at again. So... while I still feel this way I want to finish up ;) Well, I really must be going... I have another very full day ahead of me and need to get started.

So good to hear from you ;) Sorry you lost your post again... now that I write in my e-mail first (just as if I were sending one off) & then just do a copy and paste to the forum when I am finished - I don't worry about that anymore. I lose the post all the time here too, but then I just go back to my e-mail page & do a *copy and paste* again and 'tah-dah' ~ not nearly as much frustration. I think they are having problems at this site, allot of people have been losing their posts lately... :( Wishing you luck.

I am so very sorry to hear about your Dear Friend dying of cancer - what is his or her first name? I will be honored to add he or she to my prayers, either way I will do that, but it's always nice to say their name in my prayers. On that note... Lbsbgone? What is your first name (if you don't mind me asking ;) ) - mine is Donna... but I enjoy being called SunnyD ;)

I have been sooo very busy too... but have gotten so much done & it feels so nice!

Joe & I had our friends over yesterday to watch the Super Bowl... what a nice day we had! Especially since our team (The Patriots) WON! :D

Have you ever begun one project to find yourself up to your neck in another... it's like a Domino effect :dizzy: It all began with us buying storage bins on Monday for all my Decorations... Joe had the day off for our dental appointments & we went shopping afterwards. Tuesday I began cleaning things up to store them and then went into another project and into another and I had to get it done so things would be in my hallway or in my living-room... I am still not finished, but gone enough done for the moment to give it a week or two of rest before I begin again. I also had a deadline today to e-mail everyone with the music lists - I am in charge of selecting music for the musicians at our church for each month and I was way behind in getting started. But I did get it finished and even got it done for next month too! So now I am all set till the end of March :D What a relief! :^:

Joe & I also got our taxes done Thursday night too - so I was so brain dead by 9pm. We mailed that off Friday morning - nice to know we'll be getting a bit back this year. Oh... and I had to make a couple cards too... a friend is moving and another is ill. That took me a bit of time to do too... I enjoy embellishing them.

I still haven't paid my bill's this week! :p I usually do that each Thursday, but with so much to get done this week I have neglected *us*. I will squeak in a couple hours today... I have too!

We went out to dinner with our friends Saturday evening to celebrate my 48th birthday together... we always have the best time out with them!! We went to Longhorn steakhouse :T My birthday is actually this Tuesday and my hubby is going to take off that day too :smug: We will probably catch a movie out being it's going to rain and then that evening we are going out to dinner together at our favorite family restaurant... you know the kind of place where everyone knows your name ;)

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:

Thank you so much... I am doing so well today, I only pray it continues :smug:

The grocery store might have the *Airborne* but I am not sure... all I can tell you is to give it a try & if it's not there go to the drug store. It's hard to come by here with all the colds coming on with our weather and all. So that's why I got two when it come in again.

I use to like doing bill's (crunching numbers & such), but lately haven't liked doing them, but it's something I took on when we got married and have done it for almost 30 years ;) I started to get them done this morning, but will have to finish tonight --- I got busy sorting through paperwork & magazines that have been piling up on me. Joe has a practice at our church tonight with the choir, so I'll finish up tonight while I watch my favorite shows.

I hope your friend feels better... I'm sorry to hear she isn't doing well. Hope you get in your walk ;) I wish you could send some of your weather our way too :sunny: We still have at least 4 - 6 weeks of this kind of unpredictable weather. I am so anxious for sunshine & warmth, I love working in my gardens.

Yes, Joe is very supportive of me... he just picked up a couple more bottles of supplements I needed to keep going. I don't know what I'd do if I were all alone in this... it's important to me to have that support. He calls me a couple times a day to ask how I am doing, sweet. He said he isn't worrying, he just wants me to know that he is thinking of me :) God Bless his heart!

You sound like you had a nice trip... you gotta tell me all about the fun parts ;) I can imagine you have allot to catch up with... it's the worse part about a trip - catching up with yourself and chores :^: Come back as soon as you can and tell me more :)

Thank you so much for asking about me! So far, everyday has been a better, healthier day :flow1: I am still not up-to-par yet, but so well on my way :D I am on Day 15 of the program and I am really beginning to see some good results... my skin is softer and not so dry, my hair looks shinier, I feel like I can "think clearer" during the day - not feeling so exhausted through my day. I am definitely getting more done in my day now :D I am excited! This is working for me :) All the stuff I had to go through in the beginning has now been well worthwhile :goodvibes

Joe & I had such a nice weekend... we went out to breakfast with Mike & Peggy (our best buds) on Saturday morning (I ate before we left & just had my tea there); then we all went grocery shopping. We got home at noon-ish and I had to type up some things for Joe's Choir (Easter Celebration). then at around 4:30pm we also went out to dinner :hun: with our pals (our monthly dine out together :) ) and it was great, because we found an Italian restaurant that is willing to work with my food program... the chef actually came out and spoke with me! I can't believe I ate out and didn't get sick that night or the next day :D We'll be going back there again sometime soon! I had Chicken Marsala - but he broiled the chicken breast (no seasoning, he let me do that) & served it with the Marsala Wine Sauce & mushrooms on the side (no butter, he used very little olive oil instead) & steamed veggies (no butter). All served with a veggie salad (no cheese) and the oil & vinegar on the side - then I can control how much Oil is ON my salad :D Oh and one slice of their Italian bread (no butter)... too yummy to turn away :T

Sunday we went to church and then came home and just enjoyed a quiet day together reading the Sunday paper and catching up with some taped shows I just couldn't stay awake for, but didn't want to miss. It is gonna be very busy for us (mostly JOE) the next two weeks with Palm Sunday and Easter just around the bend. Joe has meetings & practices all this week - I'll be going to one of the practices on Tuesday (for our group), but most of my work will be typing & making photo copies of what Joe needs for his Choir. It's always so hectic two weeks before the holiday's (Easter and Christmas mostly). But... ohhhhh soooooo Beautiful when it all comes together.

Today I had some e-mails to catch up with (to my family) and then I had to begin my cleaning & laundry... I'll get that finished tomorrow, I am plumb tuckered out right now. Lately, anytime between 8 and 9:30 is a struggle to stay awake! :tired:

How are you doing Lbsbgone? Soooo... .... What are you planning for Easter? What's for dinner? ;) Are you going anywhere or staying home?

Getting in your walking still? Staying well? :crossed:

It sure does sound like you had a great time with your family... I bet that you miss them allot during the holiday's huh. Especially now that you were just all together. Me too... I miss sharing the holiday's with my family. I have Joe's family here and they try, but it's not quite the same, you know.

I am sorry I wasn't on sooner to know of your DF's surgery the other day - I do hope that all went well for her! :^:

Lbsbgone, you should really think of doing some sort of exercise on your own when you don't have your DF with you... I know it's not easy, but you would feel so much better if you went for a walk - maybe if you played music while you walked, that would help. I know that when I walk in the mornings to music it makes all the difference in the world! I seem to get a better workout :D I hope that with this new beginning (all NEW beginnings after Easter ya know :smug: ), you will find some time to go out even if it's for 15 minutes ;) I am encouraging you to :goodvibes


Joe & I sure had a nice day!! We went to church @ 7:30am and got home at around 11ish. Then we had a brunch together. Then we just chilled out... Joe took a much needed nap with his pal (Zeppe) and I had a chance to catch up with some magazines that I have saved and wanted to read through. Then... after Joe woke up, we decided to go for a drive just to venture out for about 40 min. and took a short walk in the park - it was still that damp cold, so we didn't stay. Then we came home and I put together our Easter meal that I prepared the day before: the Lentil Soup, the Marinated Lamb Chops (done on the grill), and the Rice, Basil & Parmesan-Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes... it all came out so good! :T Joe was like... "Would you make this again? Before next Easter" :lol: It always thrills me me he enjoys a meal I have taken so much time to cook up. Then we watched a movie I bought at Wal-Mart for $5.00 titled, *Music From Another Room* with Jude Law... it was a nice romance story... Joe liked it too :) I do have some pictures that I will share with you all later of our decorations and our dinner :D

Joe's music program went Beautifully too! He was so pleased with the choir and the celebration was just beautiful! I was beaming... I am so proud of him and what he can do! People just love him! What a wonderful way to begin the day of Christ's Resurrection :sunny:

Well... it's time for me to get on the T-Mill this morning (I'm late) even though I'd rather not :p I must burn some calories off from the goodies I enjoyed yesterday :o Joe bought me a few Dark Chocolate Eggs (you will see them in my pictures). I did have one (they are big), but I will enjoy the rest in smaller bits. He said he wanted to have something for Easter in our candy dishes... right... :lol: Oh, we also colored a dozed eggs together yesterday afternoon --- FUN!!!