Boy is it hot here in california. Last time I checked about 2:30 it was 106. Fortunately it is dry, but YUK!!

Didn't do much today because of the heat. Usually it doesn't get this hot until July. Not looking forward to July if it is this hot now.

MY hubby is taking me to dinner and a movie tonight. I am looking ofrward to it very much. It is one of the ways that we have time to ourselves right now.

BOB I watched Behind Enemy Lines last week. I'll be courious what you think. I work around military everyday and could relate to some of the scenes. Enjoy yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Deb- I had a great birthday. We will get together with the extended family tomorrow for a BBQ. I am looking forward to that. I enjoy family time together. Hope it cools down a little more though. Hope you feel better tonight. I know what it is like when you don't feel good and have to be around food.

sef - Your Friday funnies were great. I don't know if you like hummus but I use it on my pizzas instead of tomato sauce. I spread a layer then top it with peperoni and cheese. Pop it in the toaster oven and it is great. Also, We got our tickets for our trip to New Orleans. We will be there the Sept.6-12. I am hoping that we can get together sometime during my visit. We will be staying in gonzales near our friends. I will let you know more details later.

Jack-K - What do you do? I can relate to stress on the job. I work for the navy in protocol. All the VIP's that come to our navy base we take care of. It has been very busy. It seems everyone want to come visit the desert. We are a very unique base. I hope it slows down for you sooner that July and you can get some rest time. Thanks for the suggestions.

Countrymom4him - How big is your yard?? That is alot of mowing. Here in the desert you can get your mowing done in about 15 minutes. Our grass areas are very small. Some, like us, do not have grass at all.

Well everyone have a great weekend...

Cyndi

Good evening. Just thought I'd pop in and see how its going....Just made a delicous taco salad for dinner... Yummy....

Nancemeister-OOOOO a cherry festival that would be my favorite. How fun to look at pictures of your future town... I hope you get to go there soon...

Beth- Ahhhh for your son. Hopefully it will be better next year... Yep you almost made a butt of yourself....LOL how fun!!!

TVthatsme- congrads on hanging in there!!! Good luck to your DS.

Debilli- Oh wow you are doing so good. I can't even imagine sweating like that and walking that far.... Oh you must be so proud of your daughter. It gave me chills up my arms to see how well she did her pledge all. And the awards. Great going, I've never know anyone with perfect attention.... Thank you so much for posting the recipe for the crustless quiche.

Red1- Now that has to be hard to cook for that many people and stay OP. I have enough just cooking for DH and I.... Hope you do fine and are able to adjust...

CountryMom- Sounds like your exercise is going good. I have two casset tapes on breatheing by Dr. Weil. I have trouble with that.. The mowing is hard stuff and when its so hot... OO eee be careful...

Jack-K- I hope we do keep going down together. That would be so fun...

Sef- Glad you warned us about the pizza sauce. I've never made them out of pita bread....Will have to try that...

Bob- I hope you continue to feel better......

Have a great week-end

213/186/130

Hello everyone,

I thought that I was computer literate but after this week trying to send messages to this site I am beginning to wonder! I even had a computer specialist try to figure out the problem...but no luck. So I am trying something different again. Let's see what happens.

Breifly until I know this works...

You folks are wonderful. So encouraging to others and to me.
I started SB on Sunday and have stuck with the program and exercising each day with only minor slip-ups. Not to bad so far.

We went to dinner the other night and the desserts came. I felt like I was in a movie with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. I was the devil saying...Oh just one slice of cake will not matter....you all were the angel saying...NO...NO...NO..with one of you saying...the satisfaction of that dessert can not compare to the satisfaction of feeling slim. Thanks for giving me a new frame of mind!! I did it...no dessert!

I rode with my husband to New Orleans for him to handle a ship in that port ... I even passed on the beinets with the powdered sugar.

Hats off to those of you who lost a few pounds this week.
More hats off to those of you who did not lose but continue sticking with SB and exercising!

My thoughts and prayers have been with those of you who have had surgeries, illnesses, etc. Keep smiling...Life is good!

Well, until I know this is up and working I am not typing any more.
Have a nice evening!
Gumbo

A very early good morning everyone. It's 1:47am here in Austin, Texas. I have to hurry. My hubby just stumbled out of the bedroom and asked when I was coming to bed. At least he mumbled something close to that. I promised in just a minute.

I have not been OP today. It's been a productive but hectic day. I have tomorrow's breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals already figured out, so I should be back on the wagon tomorrow.

For everyone who asked, the inspector will pay for the spoiled meat. He just hasn't accepted that fact yet. He will. He admits to pulling the plug on all the appliances to test the electrical system, but insists he plugged them all back in. Apparently he plugged all but one back in.

Jack K -- The sweet potato fries sound delicious. At what temperature did you cook them? As for skinny dipping, my son thinks it's totally gross (he's 11years old), but my daughter asked if she could join me (she's 12 years old). She's now a devoted fan of swimming in the raw.

Debbie -- Take all the bragging rights you can get. Your daughter sounds like a great kid. Give her an extra hug for me. As for my BIL and the DQ, he does know I'm on this diet. He's also the one who sneaked corn starch into one of my legal recipes because he thought the sauce was a little thin. He insists that he used so little that it couldn't possibly mess up my diet. He's staying with us because he's relocating from Dallas and doesn't have money for his own place yet. Apartments are a lot more expensive in Austin then in Dallas. I swear, if he doesn't cut it out or find another play to stay really soon, he'll find my foot up his posterier.

Red1 -- Congratulations on the future grandchild.

Gumbo -- Sounds like you're doing a great job with this WOE. Keep it up and remember all of us here whenever you're tempted to eat anything illegal.

That's it. I'm wiped out and going to bed. Not even one single "smilies" because I'm too tired to put them in.

Good Saturday Morning,

Before I get to excited, I want to try this again. Hopefully I have found a way to reply to you wonderful folks!

Heading out to the garden before it gets to hot. My tomato plants are getting so large they need to be staked.

I got up early and exercised. Today is day 7 for me. I am down 4 pounds. My pants yesterday were much looser. Feeling Good!

Have a nice week-end everyone!
Gumbo

Hey Gang!

Well, I'm finally feeling good enough to sit at the computer for any length of time. I had to go back to the doctor yesterday because one side of my nose was bleeding a little more than it should have been. Well, I should have taken 3 demerols before that visit - he started to clean out my nose but I think he was ripping my brains out through my nose! I have to go back Monday to get the splints out. I'm hoping that since he got a good bit of crud out yesterday that Monday won't be as painful. I know now that I will take 2 demerols before I head there Monday! I was actually crying on the table. The only funny thing was this: the doctor that was working on my wasn't the one that did my surgery. He asked why I was writing everything down, etc. So, I told him about the vocal cord surgery and he asked why I wasn't talking at all. I told him that Dr. Zeringue told me not to. He said that I can talk some but not to over do it. Well, when he started ripping my face out through my nose I said F*&K really loud! HAHA! He said - awe…now we are getting some words out of you! And he giggled at my word choice! That was pretty funny!

I've been constipated since my surgery - does Demerol cause constipation? I've NEVER had a poo problem! I took a laxative last night and I'm hoping to be cleaned out real soon!

My weight is the same 239. I'm happy with that being that I haven't been eating on plan. So, as long as I don't gain any over these 2 weeks - I'll be happy.

Here is my attempt to catch up…..

BETH: Great picture! Isn't it fun to go shopping when you are feeling good about yourself? I love being able to shop for new sizes. I'm not going shopping again until I'm in an 18. Can't wait!

DEB: Girl - you are such the bargain shopper. I have a question though…I can sometimes find good deals where outfits are dirt cheap - but I never like them! Do you like the deals you get a lot or do you like them cause they are cheap and then you say…I can grow to like this for $2.00! HAHA! I just can't ever get that good of a deal on something I really like! As for the no talking - can't talk until the 18th of June! That's a long time without talking!! I thought about talking to a friend of mine that is an attorney. I don't want to sue - but we should be able to get the money back that we paid for the procedure being that it wasn't done. BUT - that doctor had a stroke some time ago and hasn't been practicing - do you think his records are still available? How long do they have to keep those? Sorry to hear about those feet! I like the Thorlo (sp?) socks they have extra cushion in them! They are kinda pricey - but worth it in the long run. WOW! Look at your Lauren! That is fabulous! I know you are very proud of her! Give her big hugs from all of us here on the board and tell her how proud we are of her!

BOB: Glad you are feeling somewhat better. Take care of yourself my friend! I want to go to the movies next week. I want to see the YaYa Sisterhood movie. I'm gonna go even though I can't talk yet and I risk seeing people I know. I'll just bring my notepad along with me just in case I run into someone! I've been watching some movies at home too - what else can I do!?

HSMAMA: I can't believe that they didn't plug your freezer back in! I would be so pissed off! I think that he would be reimbursing me for some damaged food!! I would check into that my friend!

SERENE & TRANQUIL: Great pictures!! Y'all look fabulous!

JACK-K: I do sweet potato fries too. I sprinkle the sugar free cinnamon sugar on it - devine!

NANCE: Girl - as long as you act like the youngster that you are you will never feel old enough to have a HS kid!! So, just tell yourself that you are a young spring chicken and that's what you will be!!

GUMBO: Looks like you've figured the board out girl! Way to go on the 4 pounds and passing on the beignets! That's hard to do! I love them!

Ok ladies - I feel like I'm getting a little dizzy. I don't think I have spent this much sitting upright since Tuesday. So, I'm gonna run!! See y'all later!

Missy
284/239/170

Well good news ANOTHER 1/2 POUND GONE!!!!! I now weigh 252.5!!!!! I FEEL GOOD, NANANANANA {{James Brown}} 3.5 more pounds and I know I will feel really good! It will mean below another zero mark.

Hope all stay OP and enjoy the weekend. I have a lot of things to do today.... house things, and then I am having Serene over for dinner with Deb's crustless quiche, a movie, and I want my house to be in perfect order

Take care, Sabrina
272/252.5/157
SD: 4/1/02

Howdy! Man, I can already tell it's gonna be hot today. I have a date with the lawn mower again. As for how big my yard is..I'm not sure. We live on ten acres and we have a portion fenced off for the yard. It usually takes about 6 to 8 hours of mowing time. I don't think it's that big but it does take some time.

Fruit...I am so sorry that your doctor bout ripped your brains out. It sounds painful just reading about it. But it's cool you can start talking a little. I truly don't know if I could be silent. I'm a chatter box in person.

Toni...Thanks. I am being careful. The other day I fried my back. So I reckon today I will wear a different shirt. We are also gonna grill a brisket. That's if I can start the fire. The chief fire starter is at work this morning.

You are doing so good Gumbo! Great on passing the dessert.

Well gotta bolt for a bit. Have a safe fun weekend.

Love,
Crystle

235/155/135

And a lovely Saturday morning it is here in North Alabama

Youngest DS plays game 3 of his tournament today... Keep those fingers crossed!!

I decided yesterday after much deliberation (and some shopping) that I'm ready to go back HARD CORE on this WOE like I was to start with. I lost so much of my weight in the beginning, and then I started getting more lenient with what I ate... well NO MORE. I'm FULL FORCE as of today... no more 'well this is MOSTLY legal' for me!! I did so well with my salads, tuna, triscuits, and WATER to begin with, and I know I can do it again!!! I'm sick of being between sizes and departments in the store. The plus size stuff usually stops at a 16, but the STYLES I want are in the juniors which stop at about a 13... so size 12 HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!!

I'm doing great so far... had an omelet, and some shredded wheat cereal for breakfast... I'm up to about 700 calories so far and it's 10am... I'll get my 1500 in yet!! Salad with tuna for lunch... and I think I'm grilling burgers for dinner... but probably do turkey smoked sausage for me... gotta watch the FAT after eating an omelet with real eggs

WATER IS MY FRIEND...I LOVE WATER...WATER IS MY FRIEND...I LOVE WATER...WATER TASTES LIKE CRA...I MEAN WATER IS MY FRIEND...I LOVE WATER

ok... off to drink some water and get some housecleaning done and a walk in before the 3pm ballgame!!!

Bye Y'all

PS - someone asked me where I got my avatar... it's a little teeny tiny picture of my tattoo... I got tired of using the Celtic knot/cross that the site had, decided to use MY OWN!

I'm hustling to get a post in because Dan the Man is in the shower and we are getting ready to head out to the Cherry Festival!!

Beth Why does that not surprise me about you being a flirt.I could see it in your eyes! Must be that black irish in you! I want the close up picture of your eyes that the eye Dr. took! Bet your color(s) are cool! Thanks for weighing in for me, I'm sure I'll sleep much better tonight!

Deb Spinach quiche sounds delicious! I'll be thinking of you today when I find a "U-pick-um" farm today!

Red1Happy Belated B-day....did you do anything fun? Hey, I'm hip to Scrap in a Snap and already have the information, thanks anyways, but ask that DIL if she would like a pen pal....someone that can ask ALOT of questions about her neck of the woods. I went on line to the Humguide (for Humboldt county) and there are only 2 ads for penpals, and one was a guy looking for some kinky stuff, and they other was for debt consolidation...not very encouraging! We will get together soon! It will happen!

Jack-k Thanks girlfriend...you made me feel better! I always love your posts!

SEF I love you dearly, I love your post....but I would like to put in a request....could you consider another color to post in? Maybe something just a little darker??? Can I ask that with absolutely no intentions of hurting your feelings? Pretty please?
With agave nectar on top?

BOB Just finished watching "The Others" last night...we'll compare notes after I know you've seen it! Glad you're feeling better! Skeeter must be taking good care of you!

Fruit Glad you are alive and well. Sorry about your experience with evil doctor. I've had one thing done up my nose, and I know EXACTLY what you are taking about...hurts like a ....
well you know! Yes...any pain pills cause constipation, so increase your water, fiber to survive through it. Other than that, how did they surgery go? To early to tell? What have you been eating?

Okay....dan is pacing the bedroom floor...time to get....I'll report later how many pounds of fresh fruit I consumed! Have a great day!

Good morning everyone. Here it is Sat. and we've made it through the week. About half way to WIW. I walked a mile on my treadmill this morning. Set my alarm so I could get up and get it over with before my DH got in from work. Just finished when he drove up so it worked out great. I made me the best taco salad last night for dinner. I'd made some refried beans from left over pinto beans we'd had for dinner a couple nights before. Anyway it was filling and yummy...

Debilli- Hope your dinner turned out well and you got to feeling better. I'm dying to try the Outback Steak House and will in July. My sis is taking me away for a couple of days for my birthday and thats one of the places we're going to hit... I sure got a chuckle out of your story about the UPS man, I'll bet he was really getting a kick out of your cussing...

Red1- Oh my gosh 106, I forgot which part of Calif. you live in. Hope you have good air cond.

Gumbo- Good for you having a good week. Each no makes you stronger and after awhile you'll be able to just not even be tempted because you don't eat those things anymore. It seems when we sample a bit here and there that we get into trouble, or tell ourselves just a little piece isn't going to hurt. I hope someday I'm able to have and occasional treat but when you've got a ways to go is not the time... Well for me its not. Because then you're in a constant battle with yourself. Do I or do I not. Its easier to say no and thats that..

Fruitloupe- Oh my gosh my nose hurts just thinking about it.... I'm so sorry that had to be painful... Funny how those few words can slip out so easy. I hope Monday isn't to bad for you and you have a real speedy recovery. I know its hard to stay OP when you've had stuff like that done to you. Thats unless someone would have a chef to cook for them..... I think pain medicine is constipating. I know usually after a surgery you can have trouble in that dept.... Hope it all gets right soon cause thats so miserable.

Tranquil- Oh my gosh you're so close to going to another number. Wow you are doing so good!!! Let me know how the quiche comes out. Lucky you and Serene being able to support each other and taste new meals together...

CountryMom- Thats allot to mow and hope you get it all done today, drink lots of water!!! Yum a brisket sounds good and I have done one in a long time...

Hope everyone has a great Sat......

213/186/130

Hello everyone!

Wow, I am sure impressed with all of the walking andexercising that everyone is doing. Keep up the good work! It is making me feel guilty enough that I will probably start back this week!

I am sure enjoying getting to know so many nice people in this group. Now I know why Tranquil goes to the computer first thing every morning to see what has been posted. It is addicting!

Thanks for all of the nice remarks about the pictures of Tranquil and me. I consider it a great compliment that we could be sisters as I think she is so pretty! Our drivers license pictures really look a lot more alike than ones posted. It would be a wonderful blessing to have a sister like her! However, I guess our friends are the family we chose aren't they? And yes, we had a great time at Epcot on her birthday. The French waiter was very attentive, had a good sense of humor, which only added to him being so handsome! We both did some drooling that night!

Toni48, You are so right about the waiter in the pic being very yummy Tranquil and I both said the same thing plus more that I probably can't write here! A little fantasy never hurt anybody! I totally agree that the only reason to lose weight is for ourselves and no one else. Or course, I have to admit that I wouldn't mind seeing the ex-2-b do some drooling when I am the NEW ME! He can tell I've been losing weight but won't dare to say so.

Nancemeister, I had my pictures developed at Walmart and put on a CD. I don't have a scanner right now either. That way you can attach them easily to email and share them. It only costs a few dollars more in addition to getting the prints. Walmart also keeps them online at Walmart.com for 30 days after they are developed and can be easily accessed that way also.

Debelli, thanks for letting me know how many calories I should consume. I have no idea of how many I have been eating. I have been trying to listen to my body and eat when I feel hungry. I will try keep up with it just so I can find out though. I would love to come for a visit with Tranquil. That would be lots of fun!

Tranquil, good job on the weight loss! You will catch me quickly with the way you are losing! As we have discussed many times, my shoe size is larger than yours because I am taller! I can't wait to have dinner and watch a movie at your house tonight. We always have a good time! It will be great to spend some time away from home and the ex-2-b! He is always at home with his "precious" and won't go anywhere! "Precious" is what I call his laptop computer! Yes, there is a story there!

There are many more posts that I want to reply to but am out of time for time. I love the great support here! It has sure helped me stay OP this week.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Be back soon!

Wendy

Good Afternoon All

I thought it was time I checked in again to report how things are going. It's been at least two weeks since I have been on the board and I miss you all. I was kind of extra busy for a while, what with working, playing and a few things on my mind that I had to deal with. And the longer I left it the harder it was to get back on.

Things are much the same here. I have decided to stop obsessing about losing and concentrate on maintaining. Which is all I have done for the last 9 months anyway. I am staying mainly op, with a little cheat here and there. Still trying to keep the starchy carbs down. I usually manage to keep it up for a week or so, by having them in the morning only, then have a day where I will increase them. These are days usually when I feel I need them. It hasn't made any difference to the weight, still fluctuating up and down a couple of pounds. Although I must say on the days that I have increased the starchy carbs I find that I have been feeling more hungry in the evening, so obviously it is not a good idea to do it too often. Oh, I almost forgot to say that I have been trying to keep off the scale - I've got it down at least to every second day. Maybe I should work at getting it down to once a week. I've been afraid not to weigh daily in case the weight creeps up, but then sometimes when it is up a pound or so I get p....d off and eat something I shouldn't or if it goes down a pound it's almost like a licence to eat a bit more. Does anyone else have these feelings?

I've had a good eating day so far to-day. I had oatbran cereal made with milk and fresh strawberries for breakfast and herring cooked on the barbecue for lunch with a cucumber salad and raw cauliflower. Will be having a fruit snack soon, either fresh or out of a can, haven't decided yet. Haven't had too much water yet to-day, have to work on that. Have had two cups of coffee with cream with a little agave added.

I've taken up another activity for the summer. I started lawn bowling last week. Just wanted to have something out doors for the summer although I will be continuing with the badminton too. I've only had the one game of tennis. May try for another game when I can get a few people together. We decided it's too much running around for singles, maybe it would work better if we play doubles. Anyway it's worth a try. I have yet to use the new tennis racket my kids bought me for mothers day.

Fruitloupe - Hope you are feeling better. Glad to hear you now have permission to do a little bit of talking - it must have been very hard to keep silent. Hope your next visit to the doctor is less painful. Any narcotic, including Demerol, usually causes constipation. I am surprised the doctor or nurse didn't warn you about it. Try and get in lots of fibre and water, this will help. If I ever have a problem I find that prunes work like a charm. And they are SB legal. If adding fibre doesn't work then you will need a laxative of course.

Deb - Congrats to Lauren for doing so well at school - you have every right to be a proud mama.

Nance - Sounds like you are determined to move to Ferndale but I thought you said earlier that you had to wait until the kids were out of school. Maybe I have missed something. We must have passed through there a few years ago when we took a trip to Arizona and the west coast. We travelled all up the coast from Monterey into Oregon and stayed overnight in Eureka. I really enjoyed that trip. I loved Montery and Carmel. I have in-laws in Oregon and we paid them a visit that year. On the way we almost ran out of gas in the Oregon woods. It was scary. The gas was getting lower and lower and no gas stations around. Then we came to one and it was closed. Anyway we managed to get out of there before running completely empty.

Sef - Thanks for the funnies. I have to go back and copy a few.

I see we have quite a few newbies. I would like to welcome you all and hope to get to know you soon. This is a great place for support and friendship.

I hope everyone is having a good Sugar Busting weekend.

Bye for now.

Marie.