Evening ladies!

Jennifer - thanks for the good vibes because I got on the scale and there is a lot of daylight to the left of 175! Woo hoo! I'm probably between 171 & 172 but I didn't just stand there and stare at the lines. I prefer to just wait until I see that its 170 straight up and down (or I'd settle even for a smidget to the right of it!).

My birthday is August 8th and I'm pretty psyched about the possibility of leaving the 170's behind by then. Enter the new year on a high note, you know?

Did a little soul searching today...

My eating was pretty light today, mainly because I was so stressed at work. I was busy work wise, but also upset because a budding friendship that I thought I had I found out is not meant to be. I was a huge misjudge (a word?) of her character. It upset me because there are so many cliques at work and she is not a part of one either and its hard to make really meaningful contacts / work friendships where I work. So it was a little depressing. The huge lesson for me is that it is not important the NUMBER of friends you have, but the QUALITY of those friendships. I don't have a large circle of friends that I always hang out with or go shopping with or anything like that. But I do have long-lasting friends (one of my best friends I've been friends with for over 20 years but she is long distance). And I have a few really good friends that I can talk to about anything, even though we are not the hang out kind of friends. We have been there for each other through thick and thin and I'm confident that we will always be. So I questioned myself, I know that I'm blessed with good friends, so why did I extend myself to this person at work even when I saw red flags? Am I that desperate? How pathetic is this but I think the only answer is that basically I'm lonely.
There is an article in this month's Prevention magazine about overcoming emotional eating. They suggest that you apply the People Solution, which is basically turning to people as your support system instead of turning to food for comfort. "Why you overeat: Emotional eating is only a symptom. The true source of your weight challenge stems from a hurtful void or emptiness in your life. It stems from a hungry heart. In the past, when you overate when you were not hungry, food helped fill a void or numb a pain. Food made you feel supported and comforted."

What makes me feel that void? To be honest, its my husband working a lot of hours and not having the run-around-with type of girlfriends in my life. So my goal is to no longer use food as a temporary pain reliever. A shift has got to occur deep within me to turn to other sources like to actually call my friends when I'm feeling that loneliness instead of planning what will be the perfect time to eat a piece of pie, which sadly I have done - timed the eating of said pie at the exact time in the evening when I was bound to start feeling lonely! So that's one alternative - make a phone call. The other thing - and this is where you guys come in as part of my People Solution - come to 3FC's!!! So I say all of that to say that I'm so very glad that you all are here! But the bottom line for me is that until I get a handle on the emotional eating no "diet" (which I'm glad to say I'm not on) will ever work. The emotional part will still be there waiting for me.

Sorry this is so long! I'll probably be back later because it seems like I had some other revelation today that right now I'm just not remembering.

Michelle

hey chickies! Well, I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm like a chickie possessed I had committed myself to the bike when I got home from work. Well, once again, it was POURING when I was leaving the office. Mad dash to the car, I was still soaking wet, got to be damp for the entire ride home, which took 3x the normal amount of time because roads were flooded, and frankly, the blue-haired old people who live in this god-forsaken state can't drive if a drop of rain hits their windshield. Needless to say, I had some frustration to get out.

I rearranged a playlist on my iPod for the bike- I've got about 5-6 different playlists, just to make sure I don't listen to the same thing over & over & get bored. Loaded, got changed into leggings, sports bra & tee shirt, and hit the pedals. I was going to make sure I got 5 miles in, but then I said 30 minutes, and looked & said nah, let's go to 10 miles....and then next thing I know, I'm hitting 18 miles and 59 minutes of major fricking cardio & legs! What athlete took over my body? Or under this fat am I hiding a triathlete????

The slowest I went was between 80-85 rpms, and the fastest was breaking 100-104 rpms. I can do that for about 25-45 seconds, and then drop back into the high 90s. 18 songs, 18 miles, just under 1 hour. Kick butt. I'll post the song list, but I think Lucy will be the only one who recognizes some of these. And yeah, you can laugh if you want to about the few pop songs.

1. My Immortal- Evanescence
2. Let's Get it Started- Black Eyed Peas
3. Polyamorous- Breaking Benjamin
4. Dirrty- Christina Aguilera
5. Fighter- Christina Aguilera
6. Caught in the Rain- Revis
7. Blackout- Hed(PE)
8. Somebody Told Me- The Killers
9. Broken- Seether feat. Amy Lee
10. Oxygen's Gone- Die Trying
11. AM Radio- Everclear
12. Volvo Driving Soccer Mom- Everclear
13. Stacy's Mom- Fountains of Wayne
14. Miss Independant- Kelly Clarkson
15. Nothing To Prove- Caroline's Spine
16. The End Has Come- Ben Moody feat. Jason Miller
17. Cold- Crossfade
18. Middle of Nowhere- The Blank Theory

Now, I'm calling it an evening, and I'm going to veg in front of the TV until I can't keep my eyes open, which will probably be around 10:30, since I'm so set on exhausting myself lately.

Lisa- glad to see you are ok & didn't get hit that badly with the storms. And nice save, sharing the biscuit, and giving your little guy the hash browns. Kick butt, girlie! If you have any problem with those links, or the pages, let me know & I can fix them. Hope you have fun with them!

Lucy- no relatives from WI that I am aware of, but yup, Polish, and German. I'll bet we're related. Or just sharing a psychic bond from all these challenges If my abs start to hurt after your 2 million uber-debilitating crunches, I swear, I will come kick your butt!

Julie- sorry to hear about DD fussing like that. I'll bet she's not getting her recommended weekly Jen hugging, since you've been so busy with VBS. She'll settle down...I hope! And way to go on another dip in the scales. The walking counts, for sure, so add it to your tally! LOL. Hope you have a less hectic Friday, and weekend.

One more day until the weekend chickies. Anyone have exciting plans?

Oops, missed you Michelle, while I was typing. I know how it can be at work...you want to have someone you can talk to & have some kind of friendship with, but sometimes it's more effort and hassle than you really need. Like my shadow, who is the biggest pain in the butt, and often times isn't much better company than being by myself. (((Michelle))) I hope you know you can always come here & you'll have all us chickies to talk to & share with.

Hi!! Just a quick evening check-in. I rode 10 miles on the exercise bike. It was really hard. I have such bad TOM cramps that I kept having to stop and double over! Yuck! But, it's done. I didn't go at the pace I did last night (it was like pedaling up hill!). Just a moderate, consistent speed.

Jennifer - Umm...or is it Bionic Woman now?? LOL, only kidding chickie! You rock on your exercise. You left me in the dust tonight!! I got tickled when I looked at your song list. I feel like an old granny not knowing the titles. Although, I am the worst about knowing artists and titles. DH will play the song he is telling me about, and I will say, "oh yeah, I DO know it!!". Just love Stacy's Mom song! They contacted me to play the mom in that video, didn't you know?? Ha!! DH likes that song too. We have a son named Spencer, and DH sings, "Spencer's Mom has got it going on....".

Michelle - I REALLY enjoyed reading your post. And I second Jennifer when I say that I hope you feel you can just join right in here. I have felt that lonely feeling you are describing, and it is not fun. ((((((more hugs)))))) to you!

Julie - I think the tiredest I have been at a job has been when I taught VBS. My kids are doing it this week, too, and they love it!!!! I have such fond memories of attending when I was a kid. We used to march in and do a little assembly each day. And I still remember the songs we learned and how much I loved the crafts......good memories!!! Glad you are well .

Oh, BTW,
Lucy - I am reading a book about Castleton, an island off the Washington coast. Is there really such an island? It sounds gorgeous! I WILL get to Washington State some day. DH has promised me. Although I may be 80, but still.....

Have a great evening, all!!!!

Good morning all

This will be quick, as it is before work and I usually don't sign on before work because I don't allow myself enough time to.

Jennifer - thanks for the encouragement! I got your IM and probably could have caught you while you were still online but I spent too much time trying to figure out how you had done it! I am almost completely internet illiterate! I have so much to learn! Anyway I felt a little better after reading your IM.

Anyway I'm planning on a good food day. I'm saying no to the 2lb bagels that the coffee club offers at work on Friday's (maybe a SLIGHT exaggeration there). Instead I will have my 2 special k bars (90 calories each) and hazelnut flavored coffee. I packed lots of fruit so I'm all prepared for snacking today!

Well I'm off. I would love to go-online at work and come here to 3FC's but I'm afraid that my boss would think I was visiting some pornographic website or something, which of course is grounds for immediate dismissal. I love you all, but I NEED my job !!! (I'm pretty sure he only gets a list of the websites that we hit, but not an explanation of what they are.)

Have a wonderful day ladies!

One more thing! I noticed that it looks as if I don't want to accept emails. How do you change this in your profile? I don't see the option anywhere, but I'm probably just missing it. Thanks.

Quick drop in!!

Hello everyone! I didnt go to sleep until about 330 am! My baby didnt go to sleep until about 2 am, so I woke up early about 6:15 and guess what... up gets my daughter too! So... no exercise as of yet! I need to go to Walmart, but i know she will decide to take her nap at that time! I know that I SHOULD tell hubby to geth those sides.. but that will only turn out to make me look bad as usual. He'll somehow make it seem twisted that i don't like his friends or I don't want them over or some kind of way. I almost always have an attitude when we are all together.. and it always looks like it's because of them.. but my hubby acts an a*s when they are around... he 's always trying to prove something like he has as much as someone else... But WE DONT! At least not the 4 wheelers, and boats, and motorcycles... but who the **** cares?!? As much as he wastes on other things, he could have them.. but then it would always be something. Why do men feel like they have to compete with someone? Don't they have men that (like me) Don't give a da*n what other's have and I don't! Or could care less what people think!! Oh well, anyways:


Everyone .. I promise to comment when I get back!! I have to go to Walmart before it is too late! I‘m leaving the sister here.. She doesn’t like to go there with me anyways! CLEARANCE!! I can‘t pass them up!!:

BTW, this is something I got in an email today, thought it was kinda neat!


Here's something to keep in mind when you're tempted to have a "treat" that's not on your plan—estimate how much activity it will take to work off the indulgence! To figure it out, remember that a one-mile walk burns approximately 100 calories. With that in mind, check out these examples:

Food

Calories

Miles of Walking

Cheeseburger

359

3.5

French fries, large

578

5.7

Soda pop, 16 ounces

201

2

Potato chips, 8-ounce bag

1217

12

Ice cream (vanilla), 2 scoops

290

2.9

Cheesecake, 1 piece

257

2.5

Chocolate bar, 1.5 ounces

223

2.2

Beer, 12-ounce can

117

1

As you can see, the old adage of "a moment on the lips, forever on the hips" rings true! While no food is "off-limits" on the plan, remember that it is a whole lot easier to eat calories than it is to burn them. So choose wisely—and plan to add a few extra miles of walking to your workout when you splurge!

HI everyone,


Oh the struggles our men put us through - AAGGHH!!! DH has been home all this week doing an on-line project for work. Anyway yesterday morning he cooked BACON and this morning he cooked BRATWURST. I can't wait for him to get back in the office. Of course I couldn't resist and counted it toward my calories for the day, but all that extra fat doesn't help matters.

Yesterday we had to run in the commissary to get a couple of groceries (finally got the Splenda back in ) and I made the mistake of going in hungry. While shopping I thought about getting a bag of cheetos but it was 320 calories so I put it back. Instead I ended up getting some almonds and boy was that a mistake. I had *a bunch* and it ended up costing me HALF A DAY'S CALORIES - wow those nuts sure do pack them in, and there's the fat thing again.

I've been hungrier than usual the last couple of days and I think it's TOM related, but thats still a week away.
Here's a question for you all: when do you notice TOM affecting your eating - a week before, a couple of days before, the day of, etc. Also, does it make you want to eat less, more or just certain things? If certain things, what - chocolate, red meat, valium ???

Well things are looking up on the homefront. I made it through the first week of my workout DVD's - feeling pretty positive about that. The weather is finally breaking (knock on wood) here, today is very comfortable and I can see that big yellow ball in the sky. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, YEAH. Yesterday I won tickets to see Santana in concert at the local renaissance castle on the 24th - YIPPEE, and tomorrow we are going out for my birthday dinner - sushi. YUM, I can't wait.

I'm always trying to drink more water but sometimes I just don't. When reading Jaymi's post about the Kool-Aid, I remembered that I used to make that years ago before I quit using Nutrasweet, so I made a 'jug O lemonade' for the weekend. It's not the same as drinking water, but Hey, it's better than diet soda

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Yesterday was a very good day. I ate a grand total of a peach, toast w/ a bit of peanut butter, a salad, a slice of pizza (at that church picnic I was dreading - they were having a kids night, which was good because they usually just have hot dogs and hamburgers!), and a cup of air pop popcorn. I not only played tag and parachute games for an hour and a half with 3-12 year olds (I think that should count as exercise!), but came home and did 20 minutes on my bike. Forgot the crunches, though. :-(

I'm looking forward to today because my new client is Fed-Exing her photos so I can start scrapbooking for her. That's great diet wise, cause it keeps my hands and mind busy - I admit it, I eat when I am bored!!

I even drank 48oz of water yesterday! (Disguised as Crystal Light...)

Question for y'all - how often do you "weigh in"? I used to check daily when I was dieting, but I found that frustrating, because I tend to fluctuate weight wise - be down 2 pounds one day, but back up one the next, even following the same diet and exercise. It's probably just water weight changing, but it's hard to stay motivated when the needle keeps swinging back and forth! Now I'm trying to do once a week, but it's hard to wait when I want to see if what I'm doing is working! How do you handle it?

Have a great day, everyone!!

Rysa

Jennifer -- That's a pretty rad playlist!! I can't believe you have revis on there... nobody -ever- knows who they are!!! GOOD JOB on that biking, girlie!! I bet we are related -- my dad's adopted, but we know his parents were polish immigrants who escaped from a camp during WW2, and somehow got to the US, and had like 15 kids and got them taken away as they had no money, but we don't know what else he is! Other than that I'm Irish/English allll the way! If I killed enough people right now, I'd become the queen of England -- related to the family. ahha!

Lisa - I don't think I've ever heard of a castleton... sounds more east coast than west coast. It's possible, tho, as the san juans have like, 250+ islands in them, half of which are still not named! You -must- visit, if nothing else, San Juan Island and stay at Mar Vista Resort -- my absolute favorite place in the entire world, by far. It's got a whale watch point and the J & K pods swim by it almost every day, 2-3 times a day, from June - September! It's breathtakingly beautiful there!

Broad - I think I'd take a valium anytime, anyday. My TOM doesn't really give me cravings, as much as the smells of things make me nauseated. Such as: any type of fish or shellfish, especially salmon and shrimp (Which i absolutely LOVE); the smell of bacon; grass clippings; meat in general. I basically want to just eat chicken noodle soup for my whole TOM and drink OJ & mountain dew. But as far as the time goes? Um... my TOM does what it wants to, I guess, so it kinda varies. I think most women get the same kind of thing, though, that it's the few days before that they just have those weird cravings & whatnot. Also... I could not possibly BE MORE JEALOUS of you for getting to go see SANTANA!!!!!! AAAH!! *pouts* Take meee!!

As for me... today is the hubby's birthday, and we're gonna head to the beach somewhere and goof around, then go bowling, and then tonight is girls' night here!! WOOOOHOOO!! I'm off, however, and altho hubby doesn't know it yet, he's getting the pair of bikes for us tomorrow that he wants so bad! (he didn't want me to just get his because then I wouldn't have one & we couldn't go together!)

Anyway hope you guys all have an awesome day!! WOO!! HAPPY FRIDAY!! Keep up the rad work, chickies!

Hi Everyone! I'm fairly new to the 3FC boards and when I saw the thread about the challenge, I thought what better way to get to know people. I started earlier this year at 292 pounds and have lost 70 thus far, now weighin in at 222.

I have a vacation coming up aftr Labor Day so have really been kicking my exercise and eating into high gear to get into better shape between now and then. My goals are really simple actually. They include:

*Eat less
*Move more

Of course I'd love to see the numbers come off in terms of inches and pounds, but if I can continue to stay motivated between now and then, that is good enough for me.

Look forward to being a part of the challenge!

Can I tell you how many times I've come to the forum today, tried to start an entry, and then been forced to stop, mid-stream & lost it all? LOL.

Today is officially "Sore Buns Friday." Heck with casual Friday- I want a day where I can come in here with an innertube full of ice for my aching tushie. I apparently am still too stupid to realize that 18 miles of pounding my butt, even with that towel folded on the seat, is going to jostle things, and leave soreness, until I have no more excess butt.

Because of "Sore Buns Friday" I skipped my workout this morning. I'll probably do the WATP DVD this afternoon, and spare my butt. Then my thighs will kill from 4000 knee lifts. Man, am I a whiner today or what? I think I need to find something else to incorporate to keep challenging myself, cardio-wise. And no running, or jogging.

Today, at a glance:

Breakfast:
1 strawberry Zone bar
1 4oz cup fat free cottage cheese

Lunch:
3/4 cup ditalini
3/4 cup chili
1/2 oz fat free (just checked the bag) shredded cheddar
1 4oz cup pineapple tidbits, drained

Afternoon exercise:
at least 30 minutes of cardio
upper body weights/resistance bands

Dinner:
TBD- most likely chicken breast & veggies.

That's pretty much it...I'll be back tonight to update after whatever I do for exercise. Crapola- it is starting to rain AGAIN- 3rd time today. Ugh. Another day I'll go home soaking wet, it seems.


Michelle- we're all in this together, so any time you need an ear, you know where to find us. I'll do what I can to help with the computer stuff & make it easier for you- I remember starting out & being so lost! LOL @ porn sites- I had found 3FC accidentally while doing a search about 2 years ago, and I remembered the name. When I searched for it, you'd be surprised what else turned up on the search! Yikes!!!! Even if you can't peek in from work, you're with us in spirit!

It'a s Jaymi sighting! Hi chickie! That's a great list- I've got to print that out & add it to all my notes & stuff. Dang- are McDonalds' fries really worth the walk to there & back to work off the small fry???? Hmmm...I better say no, or I'll be craving them later!

Abroad- at least almonds contain good fats- it's not like you had french fries or potato chips or those cheetos. My PMS food cravings usually start 2 days before, right when things are starting to get tender. And I crave simple carbs- chocolate, sugar, bread- all the things that spike blood sugar. An old PMS comfort food was peanut butter & jelly, and a glass of chocolate milk- covering all the bases. Now, if it gets that bad, I'll have reduced fat peanut butter on wheat bread, with sugar free jelly. Instead of chocolate milk, I'll savor 1 or 2 hershey kisses...letting them melt in my mouth to make then last longer. It usually lasts about 3 days, and then once I start, it eases up. Day 3 of the cycle on & I'm ok.

Rysa- You even scrapbook for other people? Now you have me thinking I should do something to track this weight loss journey, instead of just using my journal here at 3FC. I should go check your ebay listings. Can you say "Buy It Now?" As far as weighing, I'm anal retentive, and totally type-A personality. I weigh every morning. Usually stumble out of bed, pee, strip off the nightclothes, and weigh. I keep a pocket calendar with my toiletries there, so I can record the #, and then get ready for my workout, or shower, depending on the day. Is it excessive? Maybe for some people. I like to have the data- I don't go through the roof if I fluctuate a pound or 2 over a number of days. It lets me see body trends- I know now that I start to gain PMS weight about 8 days before it actually starts, so I know the blip up on the scale isn't real "weight"...and if I see a loss, or it staying steady during that time, that I'm still losing. Whatever works for you, if it's once a week, twice a week...just don't get nuts over little changes & you'll be okay.

Lucy- ok, that's it. I'm claiming you as a long lost cousin, or something. Apparently music taste, HTML coding, CSS abilities, and total geekitude is an inherited trait we share. So, now you can't get rid of me, cousin. And I totally expect to be invited to the launch of your own clothing label. Got it? Good! Happy Birthday to Mr. LameDuck!

Bodyshakers- Welcome to the group! I can't say enough about the chickies here- they are all such wonderful women- I am in awe of the collective group. Glad to have you aboard! 70 pounds is amazing! Great job!

All right, chickies- 1 hour to kill till quitting time....have a wonderful Friday!

Hi everyone!

First of all Rysa - I am into scrapbooking too and I find it amazing that you do scrapbooking for other people! I am so horrible about keeping current with my own pictures! I haven't done a page in my book now since the winter. Its kind of the thing that I do when I have to stay inside a lot. I go back & forth with how much I weigh. I tend to become easily obsessed with the # on the scale so I have to really watch how often I get on. What I find is working best for me these days is to get on with really no degree of regularity, but stand on it just long enough to get an idea of how much I weigh, not to get the exact #. So for instance, when I weighed this morning I could see a lot more daylight to the left of 175. Now in my mind I know it could have been maybe 171-172 but I'm content just knowing that I'm moving away from 175. Now when I get on and its touching 170, I'll probably stand there for a good while to bask in the glory for a bit

Lucy - what I wouldn't do to be near a beach right now! I'm so jealous! Have fun with your hubby!

Bodyshakers - welcome and congratulations on 70lbs down so far! I love your simple motto -eat less & move more. That's it in a nutshell. Nothing faddish or crazy. Just what works. Of course we all have in mind a # that we would love to see by Labor Day, but if we eat less & move more, our bodies will respond and we'll be healthier as a result of our efforts, no matter what the scale says on that day. You should do very well by Labor Day!

Jennifer - Woo hoo! for sore buns Friday I need to be doing something to have sore buns I tend to shy far, far away from my bike because of my tooshy issues My husband and I always intended to get gel seats to make the ride easier but we ended up losing interest in our bikes long before we could go make the purchase!

I may peek back in later, but if not then have a good nite all!

Phew! But I am glad it is over! I know i posted yesterday, but I don't even remember what I said in it! I exercised every day except yesterday (unless you count the walk at Walmart, which I have no idea of determining how far it was!) including today. My miles are nowhere near Jennifer's, but I am at least moving! No miles pedaled, sorry to say.

Tonight we went to "Parties in the Park" here in our town! It's a park that is gated off and they sell beer and other misc. drinks and food and there is a band that plays! The best part is that it's free to get in! I had a Bacardi Slush kind of drink and a veggie/chicken kabob to eat (supper!) I am drinking a Mikes Hard Iced Tea (they aren't that great, but I had a couple left in the fridge and thought "What the heck") Tastes good tonight and I'm feeling ok about it! Just have to cut down on the carbs tomorrow and suck down the water!!!!

DD is out in the yard playing with the neighbor girl. The are blowing bubbles! Hubby is in bed for the night (he's up at 3:30 am for work, so it's like midnight to him!) so I had a few moments to myself and thought I would read and write here!

I have been trying to stay with the food program this week, but I'll be honest...it's been a little difficult with my schedule! I'm pretty sure that starting tomorrow it will be better. Last night kind of fell apart as I didn't have time to eat supper so I ate a cupcake and some goldfish at VBS and came home and ate some chicken strips from ARby's! It was protein but lots of fat and breading too! Eeeuw!

So this morning I did better with Food
B-1 cup Smart Start, 6 oz. milk, 1 moz. cheese stick, l SF/FF Latte
L-McDonald's grilled Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad & water
Snack-About 2-3 cups Popcorn (movie style without butter)
Snack when I got home-Zone Bar
Supper-Grilled Chicken Kabob! (yummy) and 1 Bacardi Slush!

Water: 16 oz. before I left home
40 oz. at work
none since!

Exercise: 1.75 miles WATP


It's great to see some new people ont his group!

Michelle, I liked what you wrote and it rang true to me, so thanks for that!

Rysa, I weigh in (on a Dr. Scale at work!) once a week, but "weigh" on my scale almost daily here at home. It isn't accurate (although it weighs about 5# less than the one at work!) I don't count the home weigh or any inbetween the "official" weigh in on Tuesdays, but sometimes I just "need to know" for accountability (like when I overdo it on a certain day!)
Hope that helps!

Jennifer, as everyone else has said, you win the award for most exercise this week! OH, and BTW, I do know that first Evanescence song "My Imortal"! But you are right...the rest I don't recognize! I'm sooo out of touch! I want you to put together a workout routine for me with songs that your HUBBY likes, ok???? I'm buying an MP3 Player for my birthday (I have $60.00 gift card from Circuit City and I'm asking hubby for one for my birthday!) Poor tushie!!! Don't be so mean to it! I plan to do at least 10 miles on my real bike this weekend! Maybe more! Tomorrow morning, if it's nice, I'm hooking up the Burley to my bike and Kaleigh and I are going garage saling around the neighborhood! Probalby won't be much exercise, but it will be fun!! She's much better tonight, BTW, as we spent a bunch of time with her...both of us together...she likes that! I think Daddy was neglecting her while I was away at VBS!!!! Shame on him! I have officially declared Wednesday nights around here to be "Family Night", so no 3FC or TV or anything but spending quality time together on Wednesdays!

Lisa, yep! I'm tired and it has been a long week! Working all day and then doing VBS 3 days this week was a lot. I was involved in "Drama" and was so much fun! Last night we cleaned up which was waay more work than I really wanted to do, but we had fun doing it! It was a great week! We had over 80 kids one night, but averaged about 70 each night! That was great for our church!

The rest of you, Happy Birthday if you are having one this month or have one coming up! Lucy, tell hubby he was born in a good month!! Mine is next Sunday and I plan to hang out at the beach, too! Hope the weather is good! There's a little lake that connects to Lake Mich. with a small channel that is fun to go to and the water is warmer than Lake Mich. We went there last year on b-day, but I must say that I look MUCH better in a swimsuit this year (MAYBE I will post a picture of me in it soon, I have some "color" to my skin now!)!

Hope you all have a great weekend! I plan to do some more cooking and healthy eating and move around a lot this weekend! Wish me luck on Sunday...I am going to be the Liturgist at our church and I have never done it (at this church) AND we have a new pastor as of 2 weeks ago....he's changed the format of the service all around! YIKES!!! I guess I still remember how to read, eh?!!!

That's it for now! You all rock this week! Hugs!
Julie