Welcome back Lisa - sounds like you had some busy and interesting times! Glad you are back on track and joining us again!

Angela - I think you are being very wise and diligent to watch yourself so carefully - you are very inspiring to all of us! The weekend away sounds great!

..and it sure sounds like everyone is enjoying their new gifts! Fun!

Vickie - hope you have a great day - and really hope you are NOT SICK!

We are all still in our jammies and lazing around. My back is hurting a bit today - too much sitting around and maybe a little too overzealous on the treadmilll yesterday?

Today is still a stat holiday here but the stores are open and the sales are on! Both (older) kids have been harassing me to GO SHOPPING (they just love shopping w/mom and her credit card!). So if we ever get dressed and out of here we might just head for the mall? It's actually raining here today - very weird weather - let's just hope it doesn't all freeze over!

Might actually go and buy myself a new coffee maker as you know mine died - dh has not had time to check it out yet - but even so - i can probably return the new one if he fixes my old one sooner than later!

My brother just called from Florida - and it was nice chatting to him - told hm to expect something in the mail as I finally got the DVD I got for him on ebay - which is a very old movie (1980) which was filmed in Montreal when we lived there and he has a very small part in it - too funny! Will try and get it in the mail tomorrow.

Already completed floor exercises - would like to treadmill today as well (hopefully the back pain will subside?) but maybe only 20 mins or so!

Later,

Frouf

Hey folks. I don't feel well today but have any symptoms other than I feel sore and tired. Wonder why?

I slept until around 11:00, got up and took a shower, washed and dried my hair, put on makeup (trying to look and thus feel better?) ... and came to sit in the recliner. Judd was gone. I made my breakfast (egg and turkey sausage) and got a Pibb Zero. I was proud of myself not having a coke. Well, then in he walks with a big coke for me! I hated to be an ingrate so I'm drinking it. He had gone to Dallas to the American Airlines Center (home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars) and had bought me a Mavericks fleece pullover. It's really nice.

Since I'm not hungry today, I think I'll just edit my menu to eat Cheerios or Special K or something like that. At least I'll get in a little bit of nutrition. I should also go get a big glass of water to dilute this coke!

I'll be back in a little while. Hope everyone is having a good day. Vickie, feel better.

Judd just told me to call and make an appointment for the body wrap. I'll be sure and let you know when it is and how it goes. This should be interesting!

I'm going to go ahead and go buy my Christmas cards now. It's the only after Christmas shopping I need to do. I bought a sweater this morning from jcpenney.com (with a $10 off $10 coupon code -- sweater was on sale for $14.99 minus the $10 coupon plus shipping, so I think it was like $11.xx shipped). I have a ton of paper from last year, and don't need bows or tags or anything ... just cards. Maybe I'll go ahead and address them now! That'll help out for next year!

i'm back now. we left this am to go train. we were going to look for travel trailers but everything was closed. oh, well. we'll look tomorrow.

welcome back, lisa. wow! you've had a lot going on in your life. it's good to see you here again.

vickie, i'm sorry you're not feeling well. i'm glad you decided to cut down on your activities today and are taking care of yourself.

angela, the overnight stay sounds fabulous. what a great gift idea!

frouf, congratulations on exercising. i never hit the treadmill yesterday but plan to today.

kathy, i hope you get to feeling better. your fleece pullover sounds cute.

we'll just laze around the house the rest of the day. it's cool and rainy outside--high 30's. sure is different from a couple of weeks ago.

Lisa, forgive me for not greeting you! It seems as though you've had quite a time these last few months! I hope it's all under control now. And OF COURSE you're welcome!

I bought 4 boxes of Christmas cards and am addressing them (for next year) now. I'll be ahead at least that much.

We hit 81 degrees today. Is that crazy or what???

kathy, i just talked to my son on the phone and he was telling me how hot it was. that is something, isn't it?

next year!!!!! i am impressed.

LOL! I am also impressed. I got the family done and then thought ... hmmmm, what if some of these people move during the year? I stopped addressing and started working on the list.

And Sandra, I am a big ol' ingrate. I just realized I never thanked you for your Christmas card! I was so surprised to see it! It'll go in with this year's packet. I have saved every Christmas card we've ever received, and they all get stacked up neatly and tied with ribbon each year.

This is a quiet evening; both girls are at work and Shaun is ????

Judd is watching football because this is the end of fantasy football. He is ahead and has essentially won for the season. It's something like $80 but he said he would use it for my body wrap. I tried to make an appt. but they're closed on Monday and Tuesday, so I'll be calling Wednesday morning. Now I'm getting excited to see what it's all about!

Okay - believe it or not I am all SHOPPED OUT - and my poor credit card is wiped out (pun intended) ha ha ha.

We finally left home around 2:30 with the whole family in tow. Dh dropped me and kids off at the mall (big car lineup to even get into the lots), and he and little ds went to Future shop (he wanted to use his $75 gift certificate for ipod accessories).

Kids and I hit all the "cool" stores: big ds got 1 pair of jeans (american eagle), nice shirt & jacket top (banana republic), boxers at the Gap, puma hoodie, blazer and fleece top and pants at old navy, and his favorite purchase a fabulous down filled snowboard parka/winter coat - with big fluffy hood (and he was esp impressed wtih the ipod pocket on the inside for his new "toy"). Coat was a good deal - on sale at $199 and 30% off! Dh got some really warm gloves and a couple of shirts. Dd got 2 pairs of jeans and a cardigan sweater and warm hooded sweater.

...yes I also splurged a bit. Found some very nice black dress pants for work (I am embarrassed to say the old pair I have been wearing for at least two years now are worn in the 'thigh' area) at Talbot Woman - still expensive on sale - but I will wear them for a while (on sale from $220 to $149)...and 16 woman's petite - so no need to hem them thank goodness. Other buy was a simple long sleeved v-neck t-shirt - half price!

My feet are just recovering from all that walking and luckily I wore my runners and left my boots at home. We did end up eating at the mall - and I was STARVING!

Had the chicken soulvaki plate - 2 skewers of chicken, greek salad, rice, pita bread and garlic dip with a diet coke. Then kids wanted cinammon buns so we got a four pack to share (I had 1/2 a cinnamon bun as well!).

I am wondering whether or not I should walk on the treadmill a bit - to work off some of those extra calories - dh says he's getting on - but all I see is him wearing the heartrate monitor strap and writing on his laptop! hmmm (says he is warming up the strap!)

Kathy - hope you are feeling better and I am very impressed on yoiur early start to next year's cards!

Sandra - also cool and rainy here - but boy I could sure use some 81 - send it my way Kathy!

I am just sitting here realizing there is no way I can walk on that treadmill - I am just bone weary and tired - I even think my roman tub is calling to me - is that even possible? I am not really a "bath" person, but once in a while I do indulge - I think I have one of those fizzy bath boms somewhere - and of course there are already some candles around the tub waiting to be lit!...hmmm not a bad idea? Will let you know if I make it into the tub (gosh I hope it's clean!)

Frouf

Hey there chicks! I am completely exhausted but just wanted to drop in and say hello since it has been TWO WHOLE days since I've been here and I'm going through withdrawal symptoms. We've had a great but busy few days. My eating has not been great but BETTER THAN THE PAST. At least that is something, isn't it?
My mom and I went shopping today and got some fantastic trees. I bought a 7 ft. pre-lit tree for $17!! Now, I'm sure it's nothing like Vickie's tree, but it's pretty darn cute for $17. I was thrilled. Also got some paper, cards, bags, tags, etc. I could have done triple but had to restrain myself.

Vickie, hope you are feeling okay. Sounds like you've had a great holiday!

Frouf, I hope that you didn't hurt your back. You should definitely hit the bath.

Lisa, glad to have you back!

Sandra, I am so impressed with you staying op. You are doing AMAZING. And yes, I see that ticker almost to 189!!!

Kathy, believe it or not I thought about addressing my cards as well. It hadn't occured to me about the moving thing...glad I read your note. I can't wait to hear about the body wrap.

Angela, I'm with you. I've decided I just need to do core and get over myself.

OK chickies, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow!

Yesterday was a bad program day for me. I don't think I ate anything Core except for sauerkraut. I had a run in with some Polish food, including the best kolaches EVER! I'm done now but must get back on the wagon. I've got some tests to do today so I'll be in and out.

Not feeling worse, still just kind of cruddy.

I'll be back later.

Morning all! I'm weighing in today, and I'm a little nervous. Let's just say I will be wearing the most lightweight clothes I have. I'm pretty sure I won't be over my lifetime goal, but TOM is hovering on the horizon, so who knows!

Dh is having a huge computer party here today. I also need to clean up all the Christmas stuff...the new toys are just kind of sitting around. I feel the need to organize.

Vickie, good luck with your tests...I hope you find out what's going on.

Angela

Vickie, good luck with the tests today. Don't worry about yesterday. You're still doing great. : for weigh in!

Angela, you too! : I think it's great that you are going to weigh-in. Have fun cleaning house. What exactly is a computer party?

We are going to drop off our car to be looked at (re: starting!) and then we are going to have lunch with some of DH's family from Arizona. I don't want to eat anymore! I'm planning on getting a salad right now, but we'll see how my resolve is by the time I get there.
Slept in this morning but I still just want to lay around the house today. Haven't had a chance just to hang out around the house since I've been off. But DH's brother is in from MD and the other family from AZ so he wants to see them. I told my family I would drop by today and I have a great-grandmother (who has literally disowned everyone in the family except me) who I must go see today as well. Sigh. I just want to stay on the couch. But I guess that's not an option!
Everyone have a great day!

Morning Chickies,
Today I am lying around Melissa,,its been go go go here for two days and its time to stop and relax. I even have a new book to dive into. Christmas was great,,,got spoiled. My dh bought me a digital camera...Ive been wanting one. Got to spend lots of time with family and friends yesterday but its time to get back to reality eating wise...holy cow its so easy to get off course. I have three days to get rid of *junk* from my *trunk*, it wasnt pretty. Had every intention of staying good...christmas eve was good but by christmas dinner ohhhh and then continued yesterday. I feel it in my body too... Got up this morning and grabbed my oatmeal first thing....then mostly veggies and fruit the rest ofthe day. Got rid of all the goodies laying around,,,theres a few in the freezer but I wont be tempted by those....its the chips and candy that was out. Cant have that stuff around. I have some laundry to do today and thats all.....
the couch is calling so I better go see it...haha
have a great day everyone

*Vickie goodluck,,thinking of you!
Frouf, I saw the malls on tv last night and wondered if you were in one..haha
Kathy and Melissa, addressing next years already..WOW Im impressed.
Good luck on the weigh in Angela,,,
Sandra, the weather has changed here too,,,almost rained yesterday..whats up with that I dont know??We've lost some snow but I still have lots to send anyone who wants some....its free too~
ok ttyl

Well, I'm back from weigh in. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, that's for sure. But I have changed my tracker accordingly, and am back ON PLAN as of today.

We had a good meeting, although there were only about 5 of us there. I'm betting the next few weeks will be significantly busier!

Melissa, I call it a computer party...the guys and their friends and their friends' friends get together at our house and play computer games over our LAN connection. They go till all hours of the night, and vast quantities of food and Mt. Dew are consumed.

I'm off to continue cleaning house.

Angela

Well here's to another relaxing and lazy day? Gov offices are open tomorrow, thurs and friday - I have not yet decided if I shall go into the office yet- maybe Friday (cuz we'll probably be let go early? ha ha ha). dh gone to the diefenbunker (he volunteers there at the ham radio station). DD is on her best behavior - cleaning up and such as she wants money to go shopping w/her friends today.

I even got "breakfast" in bed , well at my desk - oatmeal, sliced apple, milk and 2 freshly baked chocolate chip cookies - okay I should NOT have eaten the cookies (esp as my scale is up today!), but they were still warm from the oven! (bad froufie). I did do my floor exercises altho my back is a bit sore today.

Melissa - welcome back - sounds like you had a great time - and even had some time to hit the sales!

Vickie - glad you enjoyed your day - you sound like you are back on track. Good luck w/the tests - let us know how it goes.

Patti - yup that was me - loaded down with bags with 3 children around me asking for things! ha ha ha

I am wearing my new disney t-shirt right now (x-large but not xx large!) - pale grey with writing on the front (mrs. incredible in small letters) and purple navy big letters that stay "stretched to my limits" - - how appropriate is that?

I did have my bath last night - and it was so lovely - got some candles lit, found my bath bomb and let it fizz away, put on my michael buble tape, and brought up a 1/2 bottle of white wine and wine glass - need I say more? I slept like a baby and my skin is SO SILKY SOFT! - I didn't dare shower this morning for fear of wiping out the effects so I actually bent over and washed my hair using the tub faucet! I just love that soft skin feeling and I am going to head over to Lush sometime soon to get more of the bombs (and they come in various amazing scents). www.lush.com (I think I shall next try the one with the rose petals inside which will float around in the tub one the ball melts!) - oh now - this one's for me! http://ca.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/21...nd=00003:upd=y

Turns out I am driving dd downtown to go shopping w/her friends - which is where the LUSH store is located so I shall get myself a couple of treats!

Otherwise just trying to maintain the 'household'

frouf