WOW! Kristen-this is truly your lucky day! I hope you win big with the lotto!

I am finally getting over this flubug-Angie I hope you are feeling better!
So far the scale has stayed the same since my w/i where it was way down after I'd been unable to eat for a day. I'm hoping it stays true til friday when I go in!

Liza- I hope MM is adjusting well and you are enjoying your time with her. How are you doing with POP since she's been back?

Joni- how is everything with your job? I hope it's not effecting your LAWL enthusiasm! I know that stuff can be stressful. I know someone else was going through something similar but I can't remember who?!

Juliemarie- I love your vietnam photos! What a beautiful baby! And I love her nursery! Good luck learning Sign language-I've seen a few kiddies here and there signing and it sure is helpful!

Pearl- now I remember it was you going through job troubles-how is everything going? have they sold the bowling alley yet? What a thing to have to worry about- I hope it works out for the best!

Nicole- so good to see you back! what precious pictures! I hope everything works "out" (pun intended) for your son!

Lettie- good luck with your busy week and your financial struggles. My Dbf is going through some career changes and there have been some rough times, but somehow it has always worked out, I know it will for you too.

Jillian-how is life now that you are home? It's always hard to come back to work! I know you have a trip to RI coming up, hope it goes great! Nice work losing weight on vacay...I need to get my workouts in this week but haven't felt up to it with this flu bug. I finally bought the Biggest Loser workout DVD but haven't gotten to try it yet!
Where's DebTN?????

Kim-I know summer seems too short! Are you a teacher? I'm start back to school (as a student) in less than two weeks and can't believe it!!! I have been loving my summer job and the absence of stress....not for much longer! Hope you have had a nice week back.

Renee-how are ya? how was the beach?

Boo's Mom-CONGRATS on the job offer!! I'm SO glad it worked out for you!

Amy-WELCOME! I struggled with hunger for about 3 days on the program. Then it was gone! I just kept telling myself, "this too shall pass" when I would be going to bed hungry...and of course it did! You will be fine if you just stick to it right down to the letter!

Hi Tina, Dan, Liz, Lynn, everyone! Hope it's been a POP day!

Oh, boy, did I just get the wind knocked out of my sails! I was packing and going through a bunch of photos that had gotten stuck in a filing cabinet when I came across a picture of a 4th grade student from about 6 years ago. I'll never forget about 3 years ago when I saw on the news that he had been killed. His estranged father had broken into their home with the intent of killing J's mother. When J and his younger brother (ages 12 and 11) had tried to defend her, their father had killed them all. I was absolutely devastated. J had been a tough kid, but I had absolutely adored him. It was the first time I had ever lost a former student. A few days later when I saw the report about the funeral, it was just as hard. I had just given birth to DD and couldn't attend, but seeing his pallbearers - all his age and wearing their football team jerseys just broke my heart. Seeing J's picture tonight just took my breath away. I tucked it away in a safe place and reminded myself to cherish every day that I am blessed with.

Juliemarie - I must be tired...I was reading your post and thought this said you were playing Clay Aiken CDs to help Josie sleep....this makes sense now that I've re-read it!
Nicole - Hope Maggie Mae is still her beautiful champagne color! Good luck with the floors. I finally got to look at the latest pics...OMG..all your kids are gorgeous...and now that mama has a new digital camera...look out! I couldn't help looking at the 21 lb watermelon and think...geez...I need to lose JUST one of those and I'd be so much closer to goal. Loved the butt cucumber (never heard of such a thing) and reference to Lea Ann's beer butt chicken!

Kristen - I am so thrilled you found your rings...amazing outcome on DH's ring. Don't you just have to wonder how it got there??? I had a little episode at home tonight with super glue and perhaps you might want to consider buying a tube to permanently apply your rings!??

Amy - thanks for asking. So far the job is still around but everything is in limbo while the acquiring company does more fact finding and finalization of the contract. I still have to sit by the phone and be available, but the work has come to an almost stand still. I find myself cleaning a little bit around the house and taking some online classes offered by my company when the spirit moves. I could get used to this kind of job (no work and full pay)...It won't last!

Felicia - that story gave me chill bumps and is so sad. Seems like once a week lately there is a story on the local news about a family murder suicide. You are so right...we need to cherish each moment; each day.

Wow Felicia, what a tragic story. I can imgaine how it affected you. Just reading it took my breath away. I'm sure packing has been such a trip down memory lane for you, and it always hurts to come across the tough memories. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the father then took his own life, how could you live one more minute knowing what you had done? If not, I hope "justice" was served. I am so thankful for my loved ones and always pray that those who desperately need help get what it is they need in order to stay sane.
On a lighter note, I cannot wait to see pictures of your new place once it's unpacked.

Joni- No work and full pay sounds good to me! It's so nice you can be home as well. I really hope this new acquiring company treats you well!

Ok..here is my sign language and child story: I was a deaf education major in college and when DFS came to live with us and he wasn't talking I took on the task of teaching him some signs, and his developmental therapist has also tried to teach him some too. and in true fashion of this sweet child...HE REFUSED TO SIGN! Now he knows the signs...and uses them ONLY when it works for him. He is something else I'll tell you!

If you haven't turned on the news you probably aren't aware that a whole bridge collapsed in downtown minneapolis today. My husband would have been on that bridge at the time of the disaster but got a craving for white castle instead! Praise the belly bombs!!!!!!! My husband is alive

Okay, I got awesome news!!! After being very disappointed on Monday, because I had my WI and I was above my starting weight (remember I'm a newbie...), I went to WI today, and I have lost 3.8 lbs since Monday! WOW I am so excited now!

Amy, I am glad your husband is o.k. , Doesn't God work in mysterious ways?!

I live in MN too and have talked to several people that were on that bridge earlier today. Praise the Lord your husband is okay! It is such a horrible disaster. So sad.

Oh crap.......I hope Wendy is ok.....and Michael. Let us know please

I am not going to do one of my long winded posts today.....but wanted to take a moment to say to all the newbies. I have been away for well over a month, and have not had the time to get to know you all, but we are all so glad you are here You really can do this.......

Ok, I have to run to go finish making my tomato paste......a new endeavor, but I HAVE to do something with the 200 tomatos (not even exaggerating) on my counter

Goodnight all XOXO

Nicole - Don't know if you have freezer space or not, but one of the BEST tips I ever got for tomatos is to wash them, cut the stem out (mine were salsa tomatoes) and freeze them in a freezer bag. When you need tomatoes for soups, stews, sauces... you just slip however many you need out of the freezer, hold under hot water and the skin slips right off. "Fresh" whole tomatoes! I even vacuum packed mine after they were frozen and they keep great.
Okay, probably said all that and you don't have a freezer... oh well.
Hugs,

I came on here to see if Wendy had checked in...I sent her a PM and will let you know if I hear back. I think she lives near St. Cloud (vs St. Paul), but not really sure....

Hello Everyone

Ive been MIA pulling lots of extrahours at work....
This mornin me and my DS went to WI this morning and I was told that we are going on the new FREE TO LIVE Plan with the plate...so looks like I too will be reading the posts very carefully....as I will be starting it next week in my COD...Wish me luck!

Hello to everyone as i am not caught up at all on posts! And I hope we end our week with great losses! We are headed back camping this weekend and next weekend...

On a positive note... since June I have gone from (ugh) size 26 down to 22 thanks my lucky stars!!

Anyways gang stay strong and Be all you can be ..POP!!!!

Felicia - It's such a shame that those things happen. It's just heartbreaking to hear about all the tragedies in our world and when you hear about children being involved it's just so much worse.

Morning all.. Let's hope today is better for all of us...

I accidently grabbed the regular yogurt on my way out the door this morning, so my breakfast was a bit more caloric than usual.. That Blueberry Activa is tasty stuff!!

Way to go Mizzt!!! Such a great feeling when the old clothes are too big...

Way to go Kimberly!!! Those first few pounds lost make all the difference in the world.. They let you know that you CAN do it if you apply yourself and stick to the plan.. There will be ups and downs, but you can't let them get you down!

Felicia - such a sad story.. I can't imagine what that must have been like to go through. But it's good that his heroism lives on through your memories.

Ok people.. Go out there and be one with your POP!!!