vickie, we've been getting all "the stuff" out of the house, too. the guys at the archery center are probably gaining a lot of weight. i haven't given a party in ages, but i do remember the strain it puts on you. even good strain is strain. get some rest.

rhonda, i hope you got to sleep at home tonight. i like your little jumping guy. it does kind of make us want to jump around when we're doing program, doesn't it? i love it!!

I'm off to bed chicks. I'm pretty darned tired. I'll be back in the morning to catch up and I'll have a new attitude to boot!

Sleep well!

Hi everyone,

Vickie - hope you are relaxing and resting after your big 'do' - I also love entertaining but it is hard work and quite tiring. We shall all join you back on plan tomorrow!

Angela - sounds like very good memories for your girls and that the gifts are not the central focus (as was at my sil's place!).

Rhonda - gotta love boxing day! At least my kids do as they drag mom and her credit card off to the mall - got a few good deals for the kids - like to buy clothes on boxing day as they are very very reduced!

The whole family went to the mall (2 pm-6:30 pm) and we were very tired afterwards - but not too tired for family movie night - and luckily 'discount movie ticket night to boot!) - we all went to see "Night at the Museum' very funny w/Ben Stiller!

I did have a good sleep last night - lights were off at 11:30 pm - and I slept in til 11:30 am! Can you believe it? I was one tired froufie! Did some cleaning up today and got rid of all the boxes, tissues, etc as cleaning lady is THANK GOODNESS coming tomorrow. We shall be out most of the day as little ds has dental appt at 11 am - then will probably take him to the science & tech museum (which he loves) which is right across the street from dentist office - that should take up most of the afternoon? and I relish the thought of coming home to a clean house (dd went to her dad's overnight and big ds working tomorrow)....maybe I can just sit and stare for a couple of hours before it gets messed up again?

Sandra - I am all for a new year/after the holidays plan as I can see losing weight before my cruise will be quite a challenge for me so I'm in!

Frouf

Good morning everyone -- back to work today. I must say, although I do love being home, its nice to get back to a normal routine. That includes my eating-- I'm proud to say I did wonderful yesterday on plan. DH even wanted to go to dinner to a pizza place that does not have alot of core options. We went, I got a garden salad with grilled chicken and lite dressing. No pizza for me! I had 2 pts last night with some sesame breadsticks. I did write everything down and counted my points.

I must say, I think I ate less food yesterday than I have since before Thanksgiving! So, today is day #2 and I'm going to go post my menu. I'm determined to be back to my last wi # on the 10th when WW at work starts.

Lets all rid our homes of the bad foods! We all can do it!!

Good Morning Chicks! I'm feeling a bit blue this morning because the holidays are over but it's a new fresh start for me. Can't undo what is already done so I'm moving on.

I have no plans today until I go out for dinner tonight. It's the last celebration for the holidays for me. I'm going to be as perfectly Core as possible. Jim and I slept late and are feeling a bit refreshed.

Frouf, I think our family is pretty middle of the road on the presents front. There are lots and lots of presents...none of which are outrageously expensive. We do make sure that we observe the more "religous" aspects and spend quality time with each other.

Paula, you sound determined. That will help me too, I'm sure. I can feel that my body needs major detoxing. It doesn't feel good.

Rhonda and Sandra, you both have excellent attitudes! I'm so lucky to be here to start over the year fresh with Women who can help support each other.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Jim and I have none and will stay home snuggled and watching movies like we always do. I was spoiled rotten (hmmmm....maybe we were a bit excessive) by Jim. I have many DVD's to watch. He bought me seasons 4 and 5 of Quantum Leap and another Season of Lois and Clark. My very favorite was a DVD of Shari Lewis and LAMBCHOP! I LOVED Lambchop when I was growing up. I'm not sure where he found it but I can't wait to see it. He also gave me some beautiful earrings and a sheet of 10 WW coupons. I won't list everything because now I'm embarrassed by how much he bought me. We don't have kids so we can spoil each other a bit! No kids to set bad examples for.

I'll be back later to see how detox is going for you.

Good Morning:

It's snowing!

We did not have a white Christmas and this is only the second snow of the year. It is barely snowing but it is snow, not rain.

I'm laughing at Vickie and Lambchop. One of my childhood favorites was the Cisco Kid and I received a DVD of his TV episodes last year. It's so amazing at how quickly you can be sent right back to being a child watching those DVD's. ENJOY!

Good for you Paula for being so OP and encouraging us to get rid of the non- core foods. I honestly haven't figured out how to do that with DH around. But, I do not buy junk and if he wants it, he has to shop for it. Since he doesn't really cook, I do get to control mostly what goes on the table.

I had the thought yesterday that this is going to be the last year that I WORRY about weight. I'm going to lose it, then all I have to do is maintain the loss! Don't throw snowballs , I know that maintenance must be the biggest challenge since so many people regain their losses!!

I slept a long time too, Froufy. From 11PM to 10AM. It must be the hibernating time of the year.

Take care all and have a good OP day.

Rhonda

Rhonda, I love your attitude. If you keep thinking that 2007 is the last year to be losing the same weight, you will do it!! Maintanace is very difficult, but I'm glad I'm struggling here and not still trying to break the 200's! My dh now eats more core than not, I will make him some rolls or biscuts with dinner when I make something I know he won't eat -- he won't eat rice or couscous. I tend to make core meals for my lunches and dinners are typically grilled or baked meat or fish, veggies and a grain or potatoe.

I find only making rolls for him and putting them on his plate keep me from nibbling. As far as snacks, he is a candy freek! I do buy him some treats but he keeps them in his workshop. I know where they are but its way too much trouble to go get them.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks Paula and Vickie...a good attitude really helps. It must be more than half the battle. Also, if the attitude slags, it's got to be OK to fake it

Vickie asked about New Years. In my adulthood I have appreciated quiet New Years. I did live in NYC for three years and went to Times Square, but normally, I like to stay home and away from the crazies on the roads. In my neighborhood here there is a tradition of banging pots at midnight to scare away the bad spirits.

So, we'll be here banging pots. On New Years Day, I'll have two friends over for a ham dinner.

Rhonda

new years? we're staying home. we won't even be banging pots and pans. we are going to sit in the hot tub on the deck and watch the fireworks in the valley below. (if we're still awake.)

i agree that attitude is a big part of weightloss success. right now, mine is good. (thank goodness!) we still have a few decadent items around but so far i'm staying out of them. if i just don't take that first bite, i'm all right.

rhonda, 07 is going to be my year, too. i feel it in my bones.

vickie, i'm glad you're more rested. i have one more celebration. i want a piece of carrot cake from golden corral for my birthday (jan. 9). today, however, i learned that gc is closing the last day of dec. we may have to go there in a day or so.

rhonda, you remember how i was with that carrot cake at golden corral. i need a fix!

frouf, i'm glad you're joining us for the "after the holidays plan." i don't think i'm going to w a today but i'm eating op.

a gf and i went shopping (new coat!!!!) and to applebee's for lunch today. we ate off the ww menu. life is good.

i'm tired, so i'm going to go watch tv for awhile. have a good day, everyone.

Hi All:

We went to see "The Good Shepherd"...it's full of suspense, a little long, but we enjoyed it. Then we went out to dinner at Swiss Chalet. Does this chain exist in the U.S? I can't remember. Anyway, I had chicken breast, veggies and salad....

I spent much of today cleaning closets and had great success. I wish I could get my house clean enough that I would let a cleaner into the house! Good for you, Frouf.

I wish we had a hot tub...what a wonderful place to spend New Years!

Good night all,
Rhonda

Hey all...at weigh in tonight, I was down 2.2! Yippee. I think having TOM finally over helped a lot. And I found out, since I'm a Lifetime, I just have to get to within 2 pounds of my original goal weight, and then I don't have to pay anymore. The best news is, since I originally set my WW goal at the high end of my range, I only have 2.8 pounds left to lose until I don't have to pay any more. Nice. I am still going to continue attending meetings every week, and plan on losing at least 15 more pounds, but it'll be nice to do it for free.

Unfortunately, I have a sinus infection (BIG surprise - not) but at least this time it's from my cold. My middle dd has a double ear infection. In fact, when the doctor looked in there, he said (and I quote) "Oh my!" So we're both on antibiotics, which tend to make me nauseated and icky-feeling. Oh well.

I'm off to watch a movie and fold a mountain of laundry. We have a family picture tomorrow with 16 of us. Should be interesting.

Need to change my tracker...later.

Angela

Hey Chicks! I had a loooonnng day. I was good but not perfect. Tomorrow I shall try to be perfect. TOM is looming and I feel as large and bloated as a cow.

Tomorrow we are off early to return some items for Jim to a store near Comiskey Park. I'm hoping there are some things there for him to exchange. If not, maybe I'll see what else he'd like. It'll take us about 2 1/2 hours roundtrip. This time, he'll be trying on the clothes before we buy them.

Rhonda, we don't have Swiss Chalet in Illinois. I'm so jealous that you cleaned closets. I need to clean out my paperwork and my closets. Perhaps that would keep me out of the food? How much snow did you get? We've had next to none here which is very unusual for Chicago.

Sandra, I LOVE the hot tub idea. I wish we had one. We'll be watching the Bear game and probably I'll be cooking. We'll probably have popcorn and maybe a taste of champagne. This year was rough for us and we are eager to toast the New Year.

Paula, we can do this! I'm looking forward to some more great recipes from you.

I actually have a taste for WW spicy chicken cacciatore. We're going out for dinner again tomorrow night so I won't be cooking again until Friday. I'm thinking that's what we'll have.

I'll try to pop in here in the morning before we leave to say Good Morning. Tomorrow will be a better day!

Angela, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You did great. How amazing is that for you to lose 2.2 through Christmas. I'm embarrassed to say that I know where it is. I'll be sending it off soon.

rhonda, that movie sounds good. i'm wanting to see the new rocky movie. if we go, it will probably be in a couple of weeks. we don't have swiss chalet in montana. no surprise there--there are a lot of restaurants we don't have. that's one reason we went beserk in texas. oh, well.

angela, congratulations!! and you won't be having to pay much longer either. both are good news.

vickie, tomorrow is going to be a great day. you and jim have a good time.

we were going to hot tub tonight but the wind's blowing and it's tooooooo cold.

did i tell ya'll i bought a jacket today? it's cute, light weight, and sort of girlie casual. (hard to describe) i'll probably wear it tomorrow.

Good Morning Chicks! I've been up since 4:45. I just couldn't sleep even though I'm tired. I think it's hormonal. TOM is still looming. I'm sure I'll be sleeping this afternoon. The store we are going to doesn't even open until noon so it doesn't make any sense to leave our house too early. We are going to eat lunch before we go.

I feel much more resolve this morning. I woke up thinking about Cindy. It makes me want to stop whining about how hard it is too lose weight. At least to an extent, I can control my weight. My poor GF is still struggling to come back to me. She's still on life support and the respirator although she has been more alert since Christmas Day. I woke up thinking about her this morning.

I smell coffee brewing which means I woke up my husband. Sigh.

I'll be back later.