Ok going to try this again....Monday Monday. doo doo doo dah doo doo....

Friday night at Leanne's was fantabulous. The vodka, water and lemon, splenda was wonderful. I ended up adding an orange squeeze to one along with the lemon, it was tasty also. Then we made it with Meijer brand rasberry lemon water, and it too was good. Too many good things. lol

Saturday was spent washing and waxing my car. Cleaning house, laundry, getting nails done, then grilling out talipia and fresh veggies for dinner, which I might add this is day 3 of being OP. I rock. (excluding alcohol, hehe)

Sunday folded the last of the towels, finished up on the house, baked chicken tetrizini to take into work at CVS at 11, worked till 7pm. Came home and played on the internet.

Shad...the drink was delish as state above...and you are not short you are height challenged. lol Work work work...I just know our commune will be success with you there.

Chelle... hope the back is not giving you too much trouble. Bariatric way of eating follows:

Protein first
veggies second
fruit third
Little or no bread or starch
NO SUGARS, can use sweetners.
Now I could not have alcohol the first year after bariatric, I imagine you can have it now as I can,
No caffeine...but I cheated and had 1 or 2 caffeine drinks a day
Drink 60 oz of water a day
exercise...I didn't, but I did walk quite a bit.

BTW...in 3 weeks Leanne has lost 8 lbs and her hubby 15 lbs. I can really tell it on them too. She said her joints do not hurt near as bad and not as tired all the time FYI..Leanne has RA..arthritis, pretty bad.

MELLIE...I am so sad you are not up to par. Here are some very big hugs coming your way and some of Chelle's good feeling endorphins. Some of mine too.! Love you sweet sista.

Happy...thanks for the chat last night. It takes me a while to figure out who I am chatting with cause 3FC names do not match your real names. lol

Ceejay...hope your world is sunny today!

Laura...speaking of weather..the humidity is terrible today...we are supposed to have a warmer winter this year according to Farmer's almanac. Hope so. Only 202 days til spring. lol

Better get this posted before it gets zapped again.

Love and hugs,

Oh and Chelle...no starchie veggies..corn, potatos, peas...etc.

Good morning all.

Ceejay - I never did stay up late enough to check out the sky on Friday night, but the fact that it was a hoax makes me feel like I didn't miss much. What Shad said about Mars appearing red occurred to me as well. Sounds like you had a nice b-day. How was the pizza??

Mel - So sorry about the cc probs. I hope you can get it straightened out so it's not hitting you and Jen so hard. Now I'm recalling that I need to talk to my bank about some change in the overdraft protection they've been warning me about in their statements and website.

Shad - Sounds like between the workout one day and all the cleaning, etc. the next, you worked it out. But being active will keep certainly keep you strong. I need to give myself a pedicure this week.

Happy- Sorry your ad-avoiding tactic wasn't a solution. I'm sort of glad you didn't trap a possum - they are nasty. But I guess racoons are too. Bf & I stopped on our dogwalk yesterday to talk to a neighbor and he was telling us his dog got skunked. Umpteen baths later (and it is numbered in the teens), there's still a skunky smell in their house. I think I read that the skunk population is growing. Please don't let our doggy meet up w/ a skunk!!

Hellos to Annie and Michelle!!

Weekend was alright, but I was having that heavy lung feeling. I was thinking I might have actually had a touch of a chest cold, and with this borderline asthma, I'll always feel everything in my lungs.

Saturday was one BE workout and then breakfast w/ a friend (I had cherry crepes - 2/3 of the plate, which didn't have whipped cream and that's okay cuz I sure don't need it!). That was followed by picking up my re-soled Birk sandals. Stopped at the market and discovered in the spice section one lonely bottle of chai spice, which I hope to add to my tea and create my own chai lattes at home. I just haven't found a chai tea bag I truly like.

In the afternoon, I sat outside reading w/ the long forgotten mister attachment to our hose - that felt nice. In the evening, bf was out at a fest I didn't want to go to. So I laid out my pj top pattern and cut it out while I half-listened/watched a Hallmark channel movie and an episode of House. I finally used my new electric scissors and they work like a charm!

Sunday was a lazy morning, then a Walmart trip, then a b-day party for our friend's one year old. Evening was a dog walk and grilled sausage and corn on the cob. Yum.

The admin is out today, so it's quiet by me. I brought my workout gear today, so I'll get one cardio session out the way today.

Have a good day everyone. Now let me see who snuck in...

The sneaker inner was Annie!

Didn't have any vodka lemon juice this weekend - I had red wine. The humidity is awful, and I think we're in for about 3 more days of this. Hope the almanac is right - last winter was sucky.

Keep forgetting to post my NSVs from Kings Island....I could fit into the rides with room to spare and the fanny pak I wore, I had not worn in 4 or 5 years, it had an extender on it. Had to take the extender off and make the belt smaller. Happy Dance!!

Laura...yeah same weather here, humid then supposed to get cooler by the weekend. Should be a pretty weekend.

Hi everyone -

I'm working from home today because the tree guys are here taking down all the cracked and loose branches so they don't wind up squishing us or the doggies. On Wednesday, my doggie Doppler has an eye appointment to see if he can have cataract surgery. And on Thursday, I'm getting an injection in my spine. Friday is only a 1/2 day at work as the office closes in the afternoon, and then a wonderful long weekend.

The back has been pretty sore all weekend. I had traction on Friday and that helped for awhile. I just gotta keep making sure to keep my tummy pulled in and my pelvis tucked under. Hard to explain...but if I do this all the time or as often as I remember....I just might someday get my muscles strong enough to hold my spine in proper alignment, which will alleviate some of the pain. I just keep wondering why the h*ll I let myself get this heavy. And why the h*ll I let my stomach get weak...why the h*ll I didn't get fitter earlier in life? Oh well, it's never too late to get my body in shape (I hope).

Ceejay - I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend! Bummer that Olive Garden wasn't as good as you hoped.

Laura - So sorry to hear about your continued foot problems. I hope the visit to the foot doc and a new orthotic can help you. Good for you for keeping up with the workouts! You and Shad are the exercise now! A friend of mine's doggie got skunked over the weekend too and after umpteen baths, still smells a bit skunky. It truly sounds like you had a lovely weekend. I love reading outdoors. Dang, why did you have to mention corn on the cob...I was just thinking that I could do Annie's Bariatric eating plan....I forgot about grilled corn on the cob. Oh well...one ear of corn every few weeks shouldn't hurt me too bad. Enjoy your cardio workout at the FC! It's humid here too. Supposed to be cooler/dryer by the weekend. I agree with you...I hope Annie's prediction for a warmer winter is correct. Warmer and MUCH LESS SNOW, if you please. Is it too late to put in my request to Mother Nature?

Shad - What a crazy busy weekend working in the yard for you, and moving furniture and scrubbing floors too?! Good for you for pampering your dear feet after a long day! As for our height, my friend...we're just vertically challenged. I also say...I'm not fat...I'm just vertically challenged for my weight!

Mel - I, too, wish there was something I could say or do to make you feel better or make your situation better. Sending you lots of and prayers, my dear Worldly sista. I hope you're able to work out something with the cc company so they can leave you both enough to live on.

Happy - Sorry to hear you're having such trouble with the ads. I noticed that the ad you mentioned for certain products at the BullsEye store does take much longer to load. Opposums on your porch...we get them in the yard sometimes. I don't mind them or the raccoons when they are in the front yard, but when they get inside our fenced in backyard and can mess with my doggies...then I get the hose and chase them off.

Annie - Thanks for reposting the bariatric eating plan. Your Friday night cocktails sure sound yummy. You do ROCK for staying OP! I'm very impressed and inspired. Sorry to hear your friend Leanne has RA. That's an awful disease. We have a dear family friend who has that. It's so debillitating (sp?). I had starch with my breakfast...so I will start this plan from lunchtime today on. Thank you so much. I hope, hope, hope I can lose weight as quickly as your friends. Congrats on your many NSVs at King's Island

Well, DMIL and I have been watching the tree guys work. They're not totally eye candy, but not bad either. And it's interesting watching them monkey up and down the tree limbs. One things for sure...DH and I will have lots to clean up this week. It would've cost at least twice as much to have them haul it away...so we're going to take care of that. Luckily, there's stuff I can do without hurting my back and I don't mind working in the yard.

I'm going to run to the store on my lunch hour so I can get bariatric approved food. I suppose I should wind up this post and get back to work.

Love and hugs to all,

Chelle...you can do it....frozen veggies over canned veggies. Too much salt in the canned. If you need help with any of it, let me know how I can help....Hopefully it won't be so hot when you get around to gathering your tree junk.

Hi all, going to try and tear through this as I was about to post twice and people came and talked to me.

Annie- was good talking to you to. Although I am confused a bit by your comment. Did you not know who you were talking to at first? Parsley and butterflies. Actually I plant it in containers so I can monitor them more easily. Did learn this year much to my surprise that the caterpillars are very fond of dill weed. However that has a very short growing season so I wouldn't bank on that. I plant 4 containers of flat leaf parsley and 4 of the curly parsley. They seem to like the flat leaf better. No matter how much I plant, I run out of it as it seems the more there is there, the more eggs the parent butterflies lay. We had the most babies at one time this summer - 26 I think all at once. You will notice the butterflies flitting around the parsley. Then if you look closely you will see a tiny yellow colored egg on the leaves. Just one, scattered here and there. It looks the size of one of the tiny pills inside a Contac cold medicine capsule or slightly smaller than the round sugar decorations you put on cookies and such. After a few days the egg will get transluecent and then a caterpillar will emerge. It starts out literally about this big __ It grows quickly as they are simply mindless eating machines. Within 2 weeks they turn from a small black dash to a green caterpillar with yellow and black markings. They get Godzilla sized quickly and then you can see how they will eat up your parsley. We tried putting sticks in for them to pupate on but I guess nature tells them what to do and where to go as most of them disappear. I understand they don't taste good to birds so I don't know where most of them disappear to but now I understand why they lay so many eggs. We must have had over 100 caterpillars in the last 3 years and have probably only seen 4 actually make it to butterflies. There are parasites which get in the cocoon - those killed all the ones we wintered over last year. We found one this year that I supposed just didn't have the strength to make it out of the coccoon. He died half way out. But it is fun to watch the guys. Just plant at least 4 plants, or as many as you have room for. They eat all the leaves but if you leave the stalks, the plant will regenerate. Have fun!

Congrats Annie on fitting into the seats on the ride. What a great NSV and how good that must feel. You are now in a better position to ride in an airplane too - provided you have any incentive for that! I don't miss flying any more. Don't plan on it anywhere in the near future.

Michelle - hope your yard gets cleaned up. I'm sure there will be alot of picking up after the tree guys leaf (- a pun - ha ha ha). Yeah I know I always worry about loose limbs breaking off in the wind and putting a hole in the roof or catching one of you. Completely understand you worrying about the pups too. Hope surgery is an option for Doppler. I know what you mean about keeping the core tight and why did we let ourselves get so out of shape. I think it snuck up . And bad eating habits. I eat better now than I ever have. Just too big of portions I imagine. You will get there tho. You have great determination. We are pulling for you!

Mel - hope this week brings better news and the g-men get their mitts off your moulah! How very aggrivating. I am wishing good things for you my friend I don't understand how these people can keep taking away what little pittance you have to live. I mean I know it's wrong what they do with Ritchie but this isn't child support. I hope you can get things straightened away today.

I think the bariatric plan is sound but I honestly do not think I could stick with it for the long term - probably why I shy away from even considering surgery. Thanks for shaing tho Annie. I can see why you would drop the weight quickly AND feel so much better with all that sugar out of your system. I really think there is a relationship between sugar and achy bones and joints.

I think my blood sugar has plummeted after lunch. I have a really bad case of the sleepies right now. 'scuse me while I crawl under my desk for a few minutes. zzzzzzzzz

Laura - I hope Coal never meets up with a skunk. We had some roaming the neighborhood about 10 years ago. Sure did affect my nightime smoking habit! (I didn't smoke in the house but would sit on the front porch). I'm not sure you can ever wash them completely. Kudos for going to the gym after work. I'm sure you'll find a good time for you. I did like the Lipton Chai tea but I don't know if they make it any more. Didn't care for other brands. I wonder if you can mix your own spices? I have to think it's simple, common stuff.

Shad you sound like your usual busy self. I'm tired just reading about you. Seems like you need a vacation. Yes I know vacation and working go hand in hand. But when is the last time you took a break?

Ceejay - sorry you didn't care for Olive Garden. Hope you had a nice birthday.

I'm way past lunchtime. Need to get back to work now. Take care friends.

Michelle - Sorry about your back pain over the weekend. Hope the spine injection brings relief! Take it easy with the tree trimming cleanup project.

I'm sure everyone on this thread has been at the point where they've asked themself (or berated themself) as to why they let their weight get out of hand. I know I have. Today, with my feet in pain after my 30 min. cardio session on the treadmill, I again asked myself that question, because the extra pounds aren't helping my feet, that's for sure. And while I was in the market by the pharmacy on Saturday, I was about to pass the BP machine when I remembered that my doc told me to take advantage of these machines to monitor my bp. It came up high at 148/97 (I recorded it in my datebook) and I berated myself over my excess pounds and my crummy diet. So you're not alone here! Let's motivate ourselves and each other to fight our physical battles with healthy eating and movement! We can do it!

Yes, Happy I knew who you were, I just mean usually I get confused as to who I am chatting with...lol My brain does not go from site to site well...i.e. 3FC to Facebook, espcially with the name changes.

Are the catapillars the same as the ones that get on tomato plants? Those big ugly ones? Green with dottiness?

Laura...guys your post is kind of like, if we always do what we did, we will always get what we have always gotten. Change is necessary....I wish there was some magic pill we could take for weight issues.

I mean guess your post, not guys your post, sheesh...thinking about Chelle's tree trimming eye not so much candy,.

Happy - Thanks for explaining about the butterflies and parsley. I'll do that next year. I'll plant a few containers for them. Monarchs do make it this far north, because I've seen them. Just never planted parsley or dill for them. That was a good pun about the tree guys leafing. DMIL and I went to the grocery store on my lunch hour. And I've got to run a couple errands after work. Due to the heat and humidity, we're having a respiratory advisory day...so DH doesn't want me to pick up any branches or do any yard work today. Thanks for the vote of confidence about my weight loss. I can definitely do this. If Annie's friend can lose 8 lbs in 3 weeks, so can I. I've got bad eating habits in terms of convenience foods, portion sizes and a major sweet tooth.

Laura - You are so right. It's high time I quit the grumbling, and the b*tching, and the whining and just get and stay motivated to do this. A healthy active life with less pain awaits!

Annie - Those tomato caterpillars are NOT your friend. They are actually called (in CA anyway) tomato horn worms due to the horn on top of their head. They are truly the ugliest creatures alive. I've seen them as big as 6" or 7"...no exageration. They can kill a huge healthy tomato plant overnight. Definitely gotta kill those suckers!! As for a magic pill...please sign me up. I'd like one that has no ephedra (can't do that with high BP), and one that doesn't cause the runs, and oh yeah, one that's fairly inexpensive. Not too much to ask, right?

Afternoon ladies of the world.
I'm back at work and have finally gotten caught up for my 4 DAY week end.

Laura
For most people, exercise is suppose to bring down the blood pressure. It seems to raise mine. I walked at the community center in Paragould with my aunt and uncle on Saturday before we went to eat lunch. I had to sit down after the 7 to 8 lap because my heart was really pounding. They have a bp machine. Before I started it was 148/67 after it was 153/72 pulse was 72 before and 88 afterwards.

I'll be back later to comment.

How did we get this way??? Well let me state the facts as I see them.

Once upon a time there was this kid - of the female variety. She spent all day out of doors playing with the neighbours kids and riding bicycles, horses, pigs - anything that moved really, climbing hills and mountains, playing in the ice, snow, mud, rain, sun and mist. She had chores to do every day, feed the chooks (chickens to you lot) bring in washing, dry the dishes. This was in the time of the Ark mind you when you didn't have dishwashers or automatic washing machines or fridges which make ice in 19 different sticky flavours - but I digress.
Between this kid, her brothers and sisters, the neighbours kids, and the neighbourhood kids, there was around 16 ozs of fat and flab between them - and that was only because Di's mum was part Maori and everyone knows they get fat.
Enter the teenage years and the boys in the group grew leaner and taller and went off to play footy and cricket and soccer and basketball and they grew beards and hair and became absolute PIA's but still less than 16 oz of fat.
The girls grew soft and round and curvy - or at least most of us did and some - probably most played one sport per week and spent the rest of the time under the hairdryer, in the shower or trying on dresses, shoes, hats, and trying to do something fashionable with the hated school uniform.
Then the girls became adults - and as adults we put away the childish things and thought that our bloke was just the bees knees and everything was done for him! (Geez, was I ever that stupid!) and when the kids came along and money was short and mortgages long, we didn't eat well and usually ended up feeding off our kids left overs - they didn't have an ounce of fat, but the mum sure was collecting some. Then came the time of 'THE OIL CRISIS' and times got tough and mums had to go back to work and life got into the fast lane and fast food which was normally once a work became - Stuffit, I don't have time to cook - this kid has Karate and this kid has Scouts, and then there is band practice, swimming, more scouts, committees, football, cricket, soccer, lawnmowing, housework, school activities and looking after the 'MAN of the HOUSE' who had it real tough because he had to go out to work!
The girl who used to be and who used to have a wardrobe of 30 dresses, matching underwear and shoes for every day of the week and every occasion, now had a couple of outfits, 1 pair of shoes and a pair of sneakers, and gardening/slash painting clothes all of which were 6 sizes larger than what she used to wear.

And I guess it just carried on, and on, and on. Now the kids have gone, it is time for that girl again, but where is she??? I guess I just have to go on exercising and eating right. Who knows I might meet up with her again in the gym, on the riverbank or in my kitchen. God bless - wherever you are kiddo.

Having said all that. I now have them lining up at the door to talk to me. That makes a change in this place. I'll be back for personals.

Parsley and dill are for swallowtail butterflies. I know you have them up there. Not sure what the monarchs like to munch on. Or more specifically their babies but I can sure look it up.