Unfortunately DH forgot to unset the alarm, so we awoke at 6 to a stirring rendition of our national anthem. And being a little sleepy, DH found it hard to turn off, so we heard quite a lot of it. He went back to sleep, but I decided to get up. I love being up by myself in the morning. It's my favorite time of the day - I think I'm going to train myself to wake at 5 just so I can have a blissful early hour to myself.

Eydie, thanks for the report on HP! I LOVED the first movie - MAGIC! - although I didn't read the book (I'll save it for reading to my grandson). I saw it on tape. I think it's definitely a big screen movie, so I'll try to talk DH into it.

Punkin, I likey your update too! It's such a treat to see that banana there! Congrats on your Curves attendance. You are kicking butt!

Senamay, picked the right group. We're going to do this thing! We'll keep moving on relentlessly through the holidays, getting slimmer and more gorgeous as we go.

Wildfire O' CB, I have to admit that cold enough for snow qualifies as cold for me right now. Need to make that adjustment!

Amarantha, I am so sorry that you're feeling depressed, although I'm glad you're tranquil and OP. Lately when I feel a bit depressed I've tried to take it from depressed to sad, which is somehow better. I like to listen to some sad music and mope around. I'm trying not to be depressed, because I think it's too passive and for me at least leads to sublimation (push all those bad feelings down with food and more food). I've been OP for 2 straight weeks now, after the scary Halloween binge. Never want to see anything like that again!

Kaylets, I'm a big fan of getting ahead of chores, too. Makes them seem so much easier. DH and I were just saying that we think Thursday evening is a good time to do the shopping so as to leave the weekend freer. When I prepare dinner ahead of time, I actually feel like someone else made it for me. Heavenly!

Scooby, me too! I love cake and ice cream. But I just realized that my favorite healthy snack would have to be lobster . Um, yeah, like I keep it on hand for those snacky moments I adore working with guys too, not that I don't like working with women, but men... uh-huh. Right, tho, programmers are a breed unto themselves.

Splashie, congrats on the 2 more pounds gone where the bad pounds go! Fantastic! I'm "relosing" too - this time, though, when we get back to where we were, we'll just breeze on past those old numbers like they didn't exist

Tipper, hope you had a great time at your Christmas festival. Sounds like a lot of fun and such a nice annual ritual. Including, of course, the cherry strudel. Send me some, wouldja?

Anagram, hope that your husband-cooked dinner was good the other night. You need to learn not to feel guilty. Just enjoy! I'm trying to train mine to cook 2 or 3 times a week.

Dollar, hope your grandson is feeling better. Those things are a lot of work when they're well - when they're sick it doesn't even bear thinking about!

Let's make this a fabulous day, All. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hello All!!

The storm began and it was SOOOO easy to just stay under the covers even though we were wide awake.

House was so quiet that when DH finally went down to make coffee, a mouse streaked right by him. We had suspected something because the dogs have been looking behind the sofa ( yes, this one is strong enough to force herself back there-- I guess she's a Super Beagle), up and down the basement steps, along the baseboards-- you get the idea--Well, not really a suprise since the weather's changed -- but it will have to go one way or another.

And speaking of dogs, Aramantha, yes, this one will bark at anyone within her vision--( as the other one watches!) but cats just make both dogs crazy when they have the nerve to come in the yard!!

Hello Senamay!! No matter what's going on, someone is bound to be sharing a similiar experience, if not all of us!!


I'll be stopping back in all day to see who stops by--

Here's the thought of the day:
"We create our lives a thought at a time. And sometimes, it comes down to changing a thought such as "Why did this happen to me?" into "There is a divine plan and there is a reason for this, and my choice is to create the most positive reaction I can." -- Dee Wallace Stone

Cook the clementines for how long? And not sure how much" just a bit "is? I love marmelade! Can you do the same w/ Tangerines?


and am glad today's thought was thoughtworthy! For myself, it was a big reminder regarding ALL the aspects of my life-- which all somehow reflect back food, doesn't it?

Saw early morning Saturdany news and was amazed that a plastic surgeon was being interviewed to "explain" what's happening to Michael Jackson's nose job!! No, not about his court case, but about the "bump" on his nose. Amazing!

Punkinseed- been meaning to ask where you get your canteloupe! If it makes the wildlife dance with joy it must be good!

ITS REALLY STORMING OUT!! COLD SHEETS OF WINDY RAIN!!!!

Where's the sweats!!

¡?¬?4, 2 p.m., all's well except Amarantha's procrastination gene has kicked in and she's not very far along in this weekend's deadline. Getting everything done EXCEPT the paying work! Oh, well!

Kaylets: I just cook the fruit until kind of soft but not too much and just use sugar to taste. You don't really have to cut the fruit or anything unless you want to. I use mandarin oranges this way, too. In fact, I think mandarins and clementines are the same thing actually. I love marmelade also and one of the stories that goes with its name ... that it was created for Mary Queen of Scots when she got seasick and called "Marie est malade!" (sp? I dont have any French so don't know if I've got the word right! ... It is French for "Mary is ill!" So when I was little I used to pretend I was Mary Queen of Scots whenever I ate marmelade. Of course, things went badly for her in the end, but she must have enjoyed the marmelade.

Haven't heard about Michael's nose.

Yesterday heard a long public radio interview re obesity research ... seems they haven't got very far with it ... no surprise there!

Old Dog is going bonkers again, so better go. This a.m. before dawn a car pulled up on our property and sat there and I got mad and yelled at them to get the **** off and Old Dog has been barking insanely at everything all day. 'Fraid I created a monster.

Got to work! Bye all!!!

How odd, I typed "Saturday" as the first word in the above post and look at what posted! Hmmm.

I have been moving slowly myself--

Getting some things done but lots of breaks in between!

We found an Organic Tortilla at the Grocery Store today, few varieties, we tried spinach/vegetable- They are all made w/ whole wheat and no cholesterol. 110 calories each and they are a good size- Fairly large- A pleasant suprise.

Making a pot of Lentil Soup for dinner- Its so rainy and raw soup seems just perfect. Now if I just had some muffins to put marmelade on!

I just signed on to 3FC for the first time yesterday, and saw the challenge. It's a bit late to get started, but I thought I'd dive in and solidify my goal before you all.

I'm starting at 179 today - by Thanksgiving I'd like to be 175, the weight I keep telling my husband that I am! Somehow, rounding down has made me feel better!

So - there it is - hopes for 175 by Turkey Day! Thanks for all the inspiration I've gathered from reading your posts on this thread.


Cheers!
Cybele

Hi all
Well I feel that I know you well, since I have been lurking since August..2002 and you are the first forum I've ever joined. Time for new changes I think. I enjoy your witty reparte and finally I'm gonna join.
Since I have a whole year to lose this (our TG is next 2003 October), I feel quite secure in saying I think I could do 2 LBS...will do the dreaded scale thingy tomorrow...all strikes against me ...that time has arrived...and will provide facts then...oh boy...what a giant leap!!!!!!
The 28th right?

Hello !

Hi Ceara!
Nice to have you on board!

DH and I have done pieces of chores all afternoon- its like one of those oldfashioned handheld puzzles where you need to move three things to get the 4th where it needs to be and on and on--
But -- we are starting to see progress-

Time for some asprin !

and my book- I'm reading a parallel biography of Sitting Bull and George Custer- Might sound dry to some but the writing is in a very conversational tone and I'm enjoying it.

Be careful out there tonight!!

Pass one of the No Guilt cards, please. I have had one of my worst food days in ages and am feeling sulky about it because I know there was no good reason for it.

Had a great and busy day. Social outings are one of my big downfalls and it was true enough today when I had two that involved food. I understand that and when I mess up somewhat there, I don't sweat it. But tonight, at home, and almost alone (dh was watching football in another room), I had my first binge in I can't remember when. I feel like an errant child and I am much too old for that.

So, turkeyettes, it's back on the wagon tomorrow AGAIN. I do feel I'm better off with an occasional treat so I don't go bonkers and I'll be refiguring some stuff again. I really thought I had gone far past the point of wasting calories on the kind of stuff I ate tonight. I should have joined our one dinner companion in having cheescake tonight. I'd have probably had fewer calories and of a much better quality and taste.

Glad to see all Turkeyettes progressing and welcome our two new companions. Also glad to see you got so many other things done today, Amarantha. Nothing helps one get more done than having something else to do that must be done.

I woke up at 6, which was not bad after the exercise I got yesterday. This wood nymph did a 3-hour hike through some very hilly woods. I was just about done for by the end of it, don't think I could have managed another hill! But then in the evening we had arranged to have dinner and then go out to see a friend's movie playing at a film festival here and we walked another 2 miles on top of all those ones through the wood. And I spent an hour cleaning the house before we went. (where is the dang "pat self on back" smiley? O well, I guess this one will do ) I did have a few of DH's fries at dinner, but I suspect that I should be ok.

This afternoon our son is coming over to discuss the possibility of coming back to stay with us for a bit. I hope that it goes well. DH is not enthusiastic. He has a lot of valid concerns, and I think they need to be addressed, but I just hope that no one gets upset.


Amarantha, hope you beat the binge demon last night. It's so hard when you're dealing with these triggers, isn't it. And those urges can be so overwhelming. My last one was awful, just wouldn't let me alone, with the End-of-month stress. I think the only way to truly beat that one is to try to avoid the stress. So that's my plan for this month.

Anagram, isn't it weird the way you can feel so on-top of this thing that you'll never slip up again and *well, I can anyway* lose it completely? I know what you're talking about with the cheesecake. I think when I feel a strong urge for some treat, the best thing to do is to get something wonderful and eat it in a controlled situation (for me this is sitting at the table). Here's your no-guilt card:

Welcome, Cybele! After Thanksgiving, we'll just roll along to Christmas, shedding pounds all the way!

Welcome, Ceara! You picked a good spot. Wow - I never tell my husband what I weigh, because 160 is my goal, which is in the healthy range for me, and he thinks a woman should weigh about 130

Kaylets, don't chores seem almost impossible sometime. So frustrating! It always makes me think, well, this is why I don't get around to doing the dang things.

Let's make this a good one, Turkettes!

Hello all!

Fell asleep over my book last night so I've been reading since 5:30 -- By the way, I said the book was comparing Custer and Sitting Bull- its Custer and Crazy Horse,- Don't know how I did that- !!

sitting here in the quiet house reading, I saw a tiny movement near the door- yes, DH is right, we have a tiny mouse - It was so near the door I opened the door for awhile but of course, he had flattened himself behind the desk and I couldnt leave the door open long- Sorry guy, going to have to put the traps out !

CNN is showing a special on the newest drug problem, a form of PCP using formaldyhyde which many of the users think is NOT PCP and safer--one 15 yr old dealer was asked "what would you tell someone who's never tried it?" - The dealer said " DON'T TRY IT- Its a constanct chase for the first high" - Meaning, of course, after the first time, using again will never feel as good a high.
Never mind the real dangers if not killing outright, causing permanent brain damage such as schizophrenia and stroke.

That one phrase " Chasing the first high" really caught my attention this morning. Although I've heard it used before, this morning, I visualized chocolate when I heard that dealer say it.


Babette: Sounds as though the "men" need to communicate. Its a new concept I've tried--and I have been pleasantly suprised by the results-- Good luck-- sometimes just a deep breath is all you need--
And let me turn on the APPLAUSE light for all that walking !!!

Anagram- The No Guilt Cards are still right there on the table, take two in case you misplace the first!! There are plenty cards for everyone!! Maybe the cheescake would've been great-- maybe not- cheescake can be so frustrating! Don't forget to stop back in if you feel you need a hand getting back up on the wagon!
Ooops, I just realized Arabella gave you one too, that's ok, now you're all set!!

Aramantha- Thought of you last night as I was "channel surfing"--
One station was showing a college football game at some school in AZ. Coincidence? Ordinarily, I wouldnt have heard anything the announcer would've said about football.

Not that there's anything wrong w/football- its just not for me!!

I'm sure many of you are familiar w/ today's thought -- it seems perfect for today:
"Fear less, hope more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things are yours. " Anonymous