You are stronger than I am LOL. If the snake wasn't enough, his diet would push me over the edge. I just have Logan and Josh left. Logan wound up going down for his nap early and Josh does most ok, but I need to wash his hair for him so will wait until the girls go down. I think this is the only night of the year no one argues about bedtime.

Congrats on the gym Laura! I joined one a few years ago and had a trainer and they are very helpful. I wound up quitting because my back was hurting so bad and my hips not realizing at the time it was the arthritis and now getting away is impossible.

I think if he had known I was wanting him here, he would have come and watched the kids for me. He really has no clue what it takes money wise to raise the kids. I had told him last time he was here, that it would cost him 1500 a month if he had a live in and I think he almost had a heart attack at that one. Just daycare if he drove local would be 1000. That is one of the main reasons I don't get a job outside of the home, adding the other two, would be almost 2000 a month so I would work for free and also not be able to pay any other bills or feed anyone. I am basically considered foster care for the kids and Jason is getting an awesome deal which I think he realizes. I still haven't started the letter to Katy-I just don't know where to start or what I should say or not say.

While I am excited for the weekend, I will be glad when it is over so I can start to focus on me again.
Melissa

Melissa- Maybe when things are easier for you, sometime soon, you can look into it again, because this place has water classes for people with arthritis. I'm sure other places have it too. I have arthritis in my right foot and left big toe, but it is a different kid of arthritis, because it was caused by injuries. I think that's much easier to deal with.
Maybe you can start the letter with-Dear Katy, I love you, always have always will, no matter what. And one day, when things are better, you will have a life that will allow you to love these 3 wonderful children, everyday, all day.
Is that too mushy?
Laura

I got a letter from her today. She sent it to my mothers house so I had her read it to me over the phone. She had a gal come from the Four Square Church and she prayed with kate and gave her a bible. It was a very nice letter and she thanked me for taking care of the kids and said she wouldn't want them anywhere else. She still says she is pregnant so it looks like sometime next year I will be moving again since there is no way I can fit 5 kids into this house but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I guess there is a possibility that if she pleads drug related that they will put her in rehab instead of jail? I am not sure how that will all work but it looks like we should know more on the 30th of the month. I just truly pray that she means it this time and she promises that I will see my daughter back soon. No your letter isn't too mushy at all and I will be saying those things when I write her back. I was just so glad she got a bible. She wants to be reunited with her husband so I will be praying God prepares his heart and will take her back when she is clean and sober. I am going to tell her too that I couldn't make the bread this year because it wouldn't be the same without her-who would eat all the squishy parts so I could have the crust?? I will have a house full tomorrow so I may not get a chance to post. We wake up tomorrow as if it was Christmas morning so I know I will be busy playing with the kids and then everyone will be over and my Odessa will be spending the night with relatives from Jason's side of the family and Amanda, Logan, and I will be going there on Christmas Day.

I have wanted to do those water arobics before. I think they have classes at the pool at Forest Park through Snohomish County. It is just so much with all the kids. I basically go grocery shopping and go to dr. appointments. Logan is due again on the 6th and josh has a med check on the 3rd. Ok I guess Odessa just had an accident so I better go deal with that. All 4 kids are crystal clean now-Logan figured out how to splash so he had a heyday!
Melissa

Melissa- I know you won't read this till tomorrow, but wouldn't it be wonderful if she really hit bottom and is ready to turn around. Do you really think she is pregnant? If she is, and she turns around, maybe sometime down the road she can come live with you and the kids and you can be a family together.
Would Jason want tp get back with her? It sounds like he is gone alot. Will he want Logan and a new baby that aren't his? Maybe you could get a 2 family house,so you could be right near the kids.
I am fantisizing for you. So let's throw in winning the lottery, which is my big fantasy.
By the way, I was reading the forum thing the other night and saw that some chicks call OP off program. We summer starters call in on program. I don't want to talk about off program. DH bought a new cookbook and has filled the kitchen with pecans and cheese and crackers and it's calling me, but I will resist.
Laura

I am hoping it is bottom. She is talking about rehab and a half-way house. It will all just have to wait until she is released-IF she is released. Jason and I had talked about buying a duplex and I hope he is saving some money like he is supposed to. I am saving change and put 10 a month away myself. I wish I could save more but with diapers, formula and groceries-yeah right. I hope that down the road that Jason can forgive her and they can be a couple again. Logan and the new baby aren't his but I know that when my parents married there was already me and my brother and if you ask my Dad how many kids he has he always says 4-he did that even when we were growing up. I like On Program better since it is positive and I am looking forward to having normalness again.

The kids were all up early and I have hardly seen hide nor hair from them. They are all busy playing. I better get going here again. I still can't find the livingroom floor and I have the second table to set up. My wonderful Dad brought it for me this morning.
melissa

Kayelle, send me the link, I wanna see the pics!!!!

Melissa, I really hope Kate gets straight, but even so it's going to be awhile before she'd be prepared to take on the kids again, and could be trsusted to do so. Hang in there, the future will come out one way or another.

Okay, there's way too much to respond to everyone and I'm off to make cookies for Santa with the kids...just popping in to say MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

Let's not change our OP...that will just confuse a dumb blonde like me

Theresa - I PM'd you the link. You know it's funny how we have perceptions of how people look without ever seeing them. For some reason, I was really surprised when you said that you're blonde. I don't know why, but I think I always subconsciously picture people with brown or black hair. Maybe since mine is dark brown I think everybody else's is, too? Weird.

Melissa it does sound like she is ready to make some changes. I hope and pray that she follows through and gets her life straightened out. The duplex idea sounds like a wonderful solution. When we bought the house we live in now, we added on and moved my Mom into the new part. She has her own living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining room. The only room we share is the laundry room, but if she needs anything we are right here for her, and if we need anything she's right here for us. It's been an awesome living situation for us. She wasn't ready to leave the farm but couldn't take care of everything by herself, and this was my childhood home and there is nowhere I'd rather live. The bad part of it is that once my kids are out of the house, if my mom ever decides to move, we will be left with a huge 8 bedroom house with just my husband & me. We have talked about fostering or adopting but that is a few years off yet and I don't know what we'll end up doing.

How is your day going, Laura? Have you been able to stay out of the goodies your husband brought home?

Everybody else...HI!!! Hope you are all enjoying the holiday weekend!!

Food has not been great for me already today. I got up and got in a good workout right away but then I just kind of fell apart food-wise. I am just trying not to make myself sick. Yesterday I made oreo balls because my whole family loves them and they are a Christmas season only thing for us...but I absolutely love them and haven't been able to stay out of them and they are FULL of sugar, fat, and calories. NOT a good thing in them. But they are so rich and taste so good. Then I made some bread in the breadmaker because that's another thing I only do at Christmas time so of course I had to sample that as well. We also have ButterBraid (a locally made pastry that is just amazing) in our freezer that we bought through a school fundraiser. We always get up really early on Christmas morning and bake it before the kids get up so we have a special breakfast (another Christmas-only tradition for us). So I already know tomorrow will be another difficult day. At least I have managed (so far)to make myself stop before I feel sick. That may be the best that I can hope for this weekend. Monday I will have to get myself right back OP so I can feel normal again. I like our OP=on plan. Changing would confuse me, too. (and I'm not blonde!)

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Well I am a bit irritated. It is now 130p my time and no one is here yet. I had to put Amanda down for a nap and both Odessa and Joshua are beyond help waiting for them. It was almost noon and they hadn't even left yet. I guess my spin is that he hardly sees them because he is on the road and I guess I feel he should get his butt here and spend the time with his kids instead of off visiting till all hours and bowling. Can you tell I am irritated???? He said last minute things but holy crow he had time to go bowling. Ok I am done griping for the moment. I guess I am just a bit jealous since they get to have all the fun and I am stuck with all the responsibility of things and sometime next year I will have another kid to take care of too.
Melissa

Oh Melissa, I'm sorry you were let down by Jason. He sounds like a big baby today.
I was thinking about Kate and a new baby. Do you think if you told her 5 kids were too much for you, and you need her to get straight and live with you and help take care of everyone, it would help her turn around? It is time for her to stop being a baby making machine and start caring for them too.

I blew today in every way, We wanted a nice quiet day, cleanup, get some food, exchange gifts with3 friends, read relax etc. Instead oldest son called in the morning, 8 o'clock and we chatted. He said he was tired and was going to nap. I called him back at 1 and he didn't answer, cell or house. He always picks up. I called 10 times, all afternoon, slightly hysterical, stuffed on cookies and ice cream. Finally DIL called to say hi from her cell. We had a bad connection, but she called to say they were going to Xmas Eve dinner at her cousin's. All was well. I don't know why he didn't answer all day, but clearly I was crazed for no reason. I do this too often. My head hurts from so much sugar.
Kayelle- The photos are wonderful. Thanks for sending them.
I wish I could do for my mom what you've done for yours, but she won't leave NYC. She has lived there all her life and won't move to the boring country.
Have a lovely Christmas Eve everyone. Jan 2 will be here soon.
Laura

I am still hoping the pregnancy is a false alarm. My Odessa is off spending the night and it just feels plain weird not having her here in her little bed. They didn't show up until 330 today but it was a nice time and the other truck driver couple they brought were very grateful and kept telling me thank you for having them and everyone loved the meal so I am glad I could be a blessing to someone else. Heaven knows me and the kids were very blessed this year. I want to wish everyone the Merriest of Christmas's!
I blew it today bigtime too Laura-too much to even talk about. I don't feel sick or anything but I know I had more than I needed and some things I didn't need to eat at all. One more day for me and it is time to get serious and get moving that ticker down again. I set aside two of the gift certificates just for myself. Part of me feels selfish for it but I am going to need some clothes shortly.
Melissa

why are we waiting till Jan 2? Why not tomorrow? It means getting thru New Years Eve, but so what? I want to be OP tomorrow. I feel so out of control and fat.
We are off to Xmas morning Christmas at DIL's family's diner. The diner is closed and they make breakfast for family and some close friends. The kids are in their PJs and it sweet and cute, but my newlywed son (5 months) and DIL have been fighting and the marriage is rocky and I don't know where it is going.
When you have 4 kids, it's hard to have everyone doing good at the same time. Oldest son and youngest son are unhappy right now, 2nd son and daughter are doing good. My problem is that I worry too much about their issues and it stops me from doing or getting what I want, like eating when I hear them upset keeps me fat. It's easy to say what to do, (stay out of their problems and don't eat) but hard to do it.
I hope Christmas Day goes well for everyone.
Laura
Laura

Merry Christmas everyone!!
I tried to post last night but my computer froze and by that point I was not ready to retype everything.


Why is it we work so hard and slave over food - cooking and making things so "right" and then 30 minutes later the food is devoured and everyone is done and we are left with TONS of dishes??

I ate way bad yesterday and will prolly eat bad today. i ate too much and foods one shouldn't eat (under any circumstances) Spinach dip with 100 calories per tablespoon - all kinds of mayo foods ( tato salad & slaw) chocolate & cream tarts -cheesecake. cheese dips and chips.. ARRGH i was really mad at myself last night and then thought ok think of it as a slip - it doesn't mean you gotta keep eating BAD from now on. Just go back to what you know is right.

Melissa- of course keep a couple certificates for you - you can't wear clothes that don't fit!

Kayelle - i 'd really like to see the pics- you are such an inspiration to me!

Laura- 1st congrats on the gym - I find if i eat too many sugars or processed foods i get a BAD headache along with other bad symptoms.
Laura, I am Restarting Dec. 30- but until then i will eat carefully and try to make an OP plan that really works for me along with exercise- i really want to lose 15 pounds by Feb. 21 .that is my mini goal for now. My problem is that i am lazy-I know what to do and how to do it - now i just need to have that motivation and DO IT. I am the only one who can do this so i need to stop letting myself down and do something for me. See below why i am starting on Dec. 30.

Theresa- I always pictured you as a redhead- (not that it matters) but you are so "sassy" and i mean that in a good way - i just thought she has to be a redhead! Kayelle is right, our perceptions of other are different than what we finally see!
Maybe MIL will take some pics today and i can do a before pic, during pic and after pic.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day with friends and family!

p.s. I am not sure if this is allowed to post or not- i'm not advertising or posting a link to it so if i am wrong i apologize to the mods & this site. - But has anyone heard about the great body challenge? it's 8 weeks of free tips- exercise, food plans recipes etc.. and info from discovery health- i found it on their web site. and since it's free i plan to sign up- sounds like fun - you can't register till Dec. 30 but it's my new years "present" to me


Merry Christmas all !
Sandi

I know I am going to at least get my ducks in a row tomorrow so I can start either tomorrow or Tuesday depending on how together I am. I know I am tired and I think it will be a late day again today. I guess there is a flood watch at exMIL's so there is a slim chance that Josh will get stuck out there. If josh wants to come home though Dennis will get a canoe if he has to-LOL. I am sure it will all be fine though and so far, Josh is planning to spend the night. I am down to 2 kids and I can't get over how quiet it is here. It got quiet with just Odessa gone. They will be here between 12-1 to come and get us so I figured I would get some laundry done while I am waiting. I got them all packed up for the day. Logan even slept until 8a today! That is an absolute first for him.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Melissa

HI Ladies! I hope everyone had a great day with family and friends, OP or not! I definitely was NOT! I agree with Laura, tomorrow is back to OP, I'm not waiting till Jan. I will be at Curves first thing in the morning after inlaws leave.
My inlaw gripe for the holiday-my inlaws claimed sickness, then went to the casino instead of church where my 12 yo, Caitlyn, was performing bass with the youth band for the first time! OH, but they won $150, like that makes up for missing her performance?
Kayelle- I wanna see too! You are my inspiration!
Theresa-I, too, pictured you a redhead, like Sandi!
Sandi-I entered the body challenge last year but didn't have anyone to do anything with Maybe we could join as a group?

Well, here is a poem I found, made my hubby crack up!!! Thought you'd all like it!!



Month after Christmas

Tis the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

~ author unknown ~


HUGZ TO EVERYONE!!!
Kathy

I hope everyone had a great day!

Mine was filled with food food- more food and NO self control
I am back OP tomorrow too- at least eating wise- i already cut up oranges and grapefruit for breakfast and i am doing a 1 day eat nothing but good for you day. I am going to spend this time gettting together and getting back on a schedule. i really feel I need to be organized and this will help me be prepared for any last minute changes in my schedule. I am gonna be retentive and make schedules for the weeks ahead.
i go out of my way to do anything for everyone BUT leave myself behind when it comes to taking care of me. the house will not fall apart and the kids will not suffer if i spend an hour a day when they are doing homework or playing so i can exercise. Until the other car is running so I have to exercise in the afternoons- can't get everyone ready and hubby to work and get in an hour in the a.m.

Melissa- hope the flood issue worked out ok.

Kathy -loved the poem it is so true! I am going to check out the BC - i really have no idea what the specifics are -but am willing to be a partner or part of a group-
I figure anything to help with exercise advice and diet can't hurt. I get all my motivation from my summer starter friends- But it's a challenge and I LOVE challenges! I think I can be a bit competitive ( hubby says no... not you.. with heavy sarcasm in his voice. ) Shame on your inlaws!

My inlaws got me a really cool digital fancy super duper scale for Christmas.
and fancy rechargeable toothbrushes? (i asked my FIL if he was trying to tell me something. ) Oldest daughter got me all the Biggest loser books and DVD but they are still being shipped.. Should be here by jan. 4th. Also got goodies - hubby & I didn't buy for each other as we put that $ into our anniversary fund, Feb 17 will be #10 for us. we want to go away for 3 days and i'd rather put $ toward that.
The kids had a great day and I did find out my BIL is bringing back his son next week but they have another family member who is willing to keep him- at least he didn't have to spend Christmas in a homeless shelter or in DCF custody.

back to water and OP tomorrow! Scarlett may say tomorrow is another day but i am saying why wait- keep putting it off and it'll never get done!

See ya'll tomorrow!
Sandi