Hubby took off for a three week teip today to see some relatives in Va, Fla and La. Also some old Navy buddies. His dad is driving part way with him and then they will meet up again to come home. I am sure I will miss him, but it may be a good thing as my sister who just started W W is coming to stay here with me. So with 2 of us doing the program maybe I will shed the other few pounds I gianed.

Sharon......I fel so sorry for Papa. He is such a sweetie. I am glad you are respecting his wishes for no Chemo. We went through the feeding tube thing with my brother also and it was not an easy thing. It was remarkable how much I learned about caring for a cancer patient when he and his wife both had cancer at the same time. You sure are busy with the taxes now. But that's good as it wil help keep your mind off things. I may send you a picture of us at Chrissy's. It is with Papa and Jerry. If I remember I will send it.

C.J....Watch out. I think Sharon still has that uncle that she sends after people when they get out of line. Was Louie his name?

Sherry...Welcome back from New Orleans. Glad you enjoyed your trip. Can you imagine what security will be like at the Olympics if tit was that tight at the Super Bowl? It is a shame that our country will never be the same again.

Carolyn....Wish there was a aquasize place here near me. I love water aerobics and think they do lots of good. Guess I wil have to settle for my gym.

MaryKay.....Sorry you have to work so hard and so many hours. Do you get a vacation from your job?

Judy...I saw your area on T.V. with the ice storm. You are right. It looked like a war zone. We had some heavy wet snow that really did a number on our evergrens. Hope they bounce back. We tied some up. You were very lucky to have kept that gas heater.

Jo....I hate driving in the snow too. But I have to admit I feel a little safer since I have my 4 wheel drive vehicle. I still take it slow and easy though. My hubby will be driving from here to Pittsburgh today. Hope the weather in that area is good.

Chrissy.......Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound and a winner. Didn't you just love that place? I wil be waiting to hear from you when you get back in the groove of things.

I too would like to know where you get those cute little name things from. Is it a site? Love to all....

Hi Ya'll...........

We have snow here today so the Schools were closed.It was so nice to have this day off.After having to go back in yesterday after that trip with no sleep, I was ready to have a day to do nothing!

I posted a LONG post last night and dummy me hit the wrong key and lost it!! I was so mad and too tired to start another one!

About my test results: I do have a cluster of ulcers in my stomach.They have sent my results to a specialist in CA. She wants to make sure that they are no tumors or cancer of any kind since I was so close to having cancer in my eophagus 2 years ago.As soon as I hear back from her I will let ya'll know.Thanks for asking.

About the BEADS!: Nope I didn't have to show anything for those who asked! LOL!!! I got plenty of them but when they saw my friend & I, they just threw them at us! Guess they didn't want to see these "tired old sagging boobs!" LMAO!!

Sharon~~~~ I KNOW you must be so tired from working H & R Block this time of year!! It's crazy huh??! Also, having your Brother there to take care of must add stress.Please try to slow down & take care of yourself! I love & miss you too! An e-mail is on the way to you tonight. {{{{ Sharon }}}

Judy~~~~ Sorry to hear aout the ice storm damage! Thats horrible! But at least you didn't get the damage like some others did.Can you send me the pics too? When I get done here posting, I'm going to do my new BIO so you can get my e-mail address there.Thanks! Also....about the clip-arts.I just go to the Web, type in Clip-arts and start looking! There are TONS of sites.If you need more help, let me know & I'll help you.

Sandi~~~~Try not to worry about hubby being gone for so long.I know it will be hard because just the 4 days I was away almost killed me!! I missed him so much!! He must have missed me too because he can't keep his hands to himself!! LOL!! If the nights get rough.......hold HIS pillow tight. I took hubby's pillow with me & it really helped!!

Chrissy~~~~ I don't know you very well but I wanted to thank you for taking care of your FIL,Sharon's Dad.I know that it means so much to her to have your daughters there working & being able to keep an eye on him.I know it must put so much stress on Sharon.I know you've done so much for her & the Family and I do know that they appreciate it.You're very special Chrissy.

Peggy~~~~ Thanks for asking about my test results.Now...what about yours? Did you get your results? You WILL get those 13 1/2 lbs. off!! Just work on it 1 pound at a time! Keep smiling!

CJ~~~~ You crack me up! You never know when you'll "poof" right in!! LOL!! Thanks for missing me! You're a real sweetheart! Did you notice that "Wild Sharon" thought I had to show my boobies to get beads????? She must have done it!! Reckon? LMAO!!! Have fun at the cabin this weekend!!

Jo~~~~ I'm like you.....I wanted snow but now it must go!! I didn't want this much!! Good thing I work for the School, when they are out, we are too!! I'm so glad that the Patroits won! I'm always for the Underdogs! Hey, about those pounds....REMEMBER that when you work out, you GAIN muscle & muscle weighs more! Have ya thought of that?

Sylvia~~~~ Are ya back? How was your trip to Mexico? Let us know all about it!

Mary Kay~~~~ How are you? Are you staying OP? BTW, what plan are you on? While I was in New Orleans, we didn't eat much or sleep much.We are calling it our "New Or"weans Diet!" LOL!

Carolyn~~~~ I laughed so hard when you posted telling us about the chicken crockpot recipe.You said it was in WW then added (Weight Watchers!) LOL!! You didn't want me to be looking in my Woman's World did ya? LOL!! I wished that we had water aerobics here! I'm so jealous! I love the water.

Sam~~~~ How's your pregnancy going? Post soon and let us know how you're feeling.

To anyone I didn't post too~~~~ I didn't mean to forget you.This brain is TIRED!!

Love to all....
Sherry (Sher-Bear)

TGIF!!! Hoping to get out of here a little early today. I think I deserve it after the week I've had!! Everybody, all together now: Aw!! Poor Jo!!!

Watson was sooooo good at the vet last night. I know he hates it but he really behaved himself getting shots and having blood drawn and even having all his nails cut. Of course, Rich had him in a head lock the entire time and I had to hold his mouth open for the vet to check his teeth, etc. However, we found out that in the past year, he's .... ready for this ... gained 8 pounds!!! He's officially too fat!! Well, like mother, like son, I guess. So we finally get home and what does dear Rich do? Give him treats for being so good. Hmm, do I sense a theme here?

Meanwhile, I found myself "starting to" get on the scale this morning and stopped myself. I guess I don't really need to know. I do know that I was good yesterday and plan to be good today. That should be enough to give me good results at weigh-in on Saturday, don't you think? I'm still hoping to hit the 40 lb. mark by next weigh-in (2/16).

But enough about me...

Sherry, let us know about your test results when you get them. Sounds like you're in good shape!

Sandi, I know you'll miss hubby but I also know that Rich would never leave me alone for 3 weeks because of what he might come home to. What a great opportunity to "clean house". Anyway, be sure to take some "me time".

CJ, thanks for starting up the bio thread again. I'll get there soon, I promise. Not that everyone needs to hear all about Jo ... again!

Have to go now. It's Friday which means I have to finish all the projects I was supposed to be working on while the boss was out of town. It's amazing how "unmotivated" we mice can get when the cat's away.

Talk to you all later!
Much love, Jo.

Hi Ladies!!

I sure do miss you all.

You wouldn't believe how busy I have been. Sharon's father is back into the hospital. He is so very sick. My heart goes out to Papa. I love him as if he were my own father. Don't know as of yet what is wrong with him. I am washing clothes right now and will be heading out the door soon to the hospital. He is at the hospital where I work, so I have an advantage there to be nosy and find out quickly what is what. He is a very sick man. I have been very stressed out about all of this. It seems like Richard's father has consumed my life right now. My husband loved him so much and I will help him as much as I can. My trip to Vegas was OK. I don't think that I will be one of those that will be going once a year, but I enjoyed myself. As I can see Sharon told everyone what I won! Thanks Sharon. CJ....I have lost 14 pounds already!! I think being stressed out about Papa too that I really haven't eaten much. Just to let you know to update my whatever you call it! LOL

Just wanted to post to say hello to everyone! Can't address you all, don't have the time, but I miss everyone and when things settle down a bit I will post more.

Take care...
Love, Chrissy

Hi!

This has not been a good week as far as weight loss goes. I didn't lose any. I just haven't felt motivated. Lent starts on Wednesday, so I plan to give up desserts and candy until Easter. That may keep me on track!

Hope everyone has a good weekend. I'm looking forward to watching the Winter Olympics on TV starting tonight.

I like the graphics that many of you use in your posts. I'll have to give it a try.

Trish

Just checking in to wish everyone a great weekend. I am off to an out of town family wedding tonight. It will be a late night tonight. We have a 6 hour drive and can't get away until 7 pm. On top of that, there is a time change, so we lose an hour. It truly is bad timing for us. Normally, we could get out of town by noon, but our work schedules this week don't permit that. However, one of the kids is driving with us, so that adds an extra driver tonight. I am hoping to be the quiet little mouse in the back seat eating healthy munchies. Do you believe that one? ....Anyone wanna buy a gold watch? LOL

I have been stewing about what to wear to the wedding to show off the weight loss (especially for the snooty sil). I saw a dress at Christmas that I was going to buy, but decided that I would wait until I got back from Christmas vacation and buy it in January. Well, in January I went to get the dress and it was not there, so I assumed they had sold out for New Year's. However, I was at the mall today, the dress was out on the rack for Valentine's Day and was marked down from $140 to $10. You never saw anyone move so fast in all your life. Yes!!!!

I am not sure what is happening to me. I have been very good and OP all week, but the weight just seems to be going up and up and up. It looks like about 4 pounds this week already. I started on some hormones last week and am now wondering if there is a side affect to them. With what I have been eating and the exercise that I have been doing (don't faint, I really have been exercising), I should not be gaining like I am. If I don't show any improvement by Monday, I will need to call the dr. and find out 'cause I am just not going to gain the weight back. At this point I am still OK, but only have a couple more pounds to gain before I am back in the overweight category. I'm definitely, NOT PLEASED!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I will check in on Monday and let you know how the weight loss has gone. Take care, everyone.

Luv,

Evening gals ... just got home from dinner and thought I would check in here before settling down to a good movie with hubby. I just got done posting my journal and the updates - let me know if I have anyone's wt wrong.

Well, did not have good news at WI (that's weigh-in for Sherry - lol) - was up 2 lbs!!!!!!!!! I'm hoping it's just water wt and will be gone next week ... Sorry Sherry for the WI funny but everytime I think of WW and you thinking it was Woman's World I crack up!

Peggy: Don't fret too much on the gain - my bet it is the hormones you are taking. Have a great time at the wedding.

Trish: Good to see you! Can't stay away from us can you? lol

Sherry: Good to see you are home safe and sound and you had a great time! Let us know your test results as soon as you ahve thme ok? We love you girl!

Sharon: Whoo hoo! good going on the wt loss. You'll be passing me up pretty soon if I don't get the lead out! lol

Chrissy: glad you had a fun time in Vegas ... and congrats on the won $$$$$.

Well, sorry girls, but have to go ... but I'll be back soon.

Love, CJ

I am passing this on to you, It's definitely working for me--I think I have found inner peace!


I read an article that said the way to achieve inner peace is to finish things I had started. So, today I finished two bags of potato chips, a chocolate pie, a bottle of wine and a small box of chocolate candy. I feel better already!



PS: Of course, this isn't for real! Gosh, if I ate all that I would be sooooooo sick! I just thought you would get a kick out of it!

Love, CJ

Hi I know Judy and Jo was asking about some of those clip arts we use with our names on it. Well for my part sometimes I go on different sites, one of the fat chicks one though. And I have found an email friend that had some really cute ones. So I asked her for some personalized ones for me. So she sent me different ones, including some holiday gifs as well. I know there is like a print shop as well that you can make our own. Some of the dolls with our names on them are called Dolz I guess. Hope this helps some of you with that question. I am not sure what is the name of the software to make it, but maybe CJ knows of it, cause she has the same email friend and I know that is where she gets some of hers from the same person. So for me I just put the gifs/graphics that I collected someplace and than click on where it says browse and pick one to use.


Hey CJ what is you take on all of this. Can you explain anything else? I am not as techinal as you so maybe you can explan it better. OK guys will post when I have a few more minutes.

Love you, Sharon

Hi Ya'll........

This hasn't been a good weekend.I've been so depressed.I guess I'm just tired of being overweight,washing clothes & cleaning every weekend!! Sometimes I feel like such a failure.I stay OP for a few days then I go off the wagon.Why does losing weight have to be so hard?!

I didn't mean to start my post out by sounding so disfunctional but today I feel like a tired, old, fat maid!

Sharon & Chrissy**** I'm so sorry to hear that your Dad is back in the hospital.Please take care of yourselfs and I'll continue to pray for him & your Family.{{{{ Hugs }}}}

Sandi**** How are you doing with hubby gone? Did you try hugging the pillow like I suggested? Hang in there, you'll make it!

CJ**** I loved the article on "inner peace!" Thanks for sharing it.As always, you know how to make me smile or laugh!

To all the others: Take care....hope you're having a great OP weekend.

Luv,
Sherry (Sher-Bear)

HI all ... I'm half way out the door (not the bath) but wanted to post real quick ...

the program Sharon is talking about is Photo Shop Pro 7 .. I have it but am still learning how to use it! I go to my daughter for help when I need something "personalized" cuz she is a pro on that program.

Judy: I did send you a calling card with your name on it - did you get it? Just save it and when you post, go to browse and click on that picture.

Sherry: I have to thank you in advance for the clips even tho I have not seen them yet ... sounds wierd? I just got them and have not got time to look ... hubby calling me, gotta go.

Be back later ...
Love, CJ

GOOD MORNING!

CJ, I did get the calling card that you sent to me, Thank You very much. I love it!

Sherry, Thank you so much for the clip-art names! I feel sooo special now! LOL I spent most of the day yesterday searching the web trying to find some of the clips like those, but nothing I found even came close. They're beautiful!

CHRISSY, don't stress out so much that you get too thin. You had already lost all the weight you wanted to lose. I'm worrying about you girl. Love you!

SHARON, so sorry about Papa being back in the hospital. That's probably the best place for him now. He can get round-the-clock care there and Chrissy can pop in and check on him all the time. I know your plate is full right now, don't over-do, take care of YOU!

Now is the time for the buttkicks to start! I have lost 11 lbs. but it's beginning to get really hard to stay with it! I'm determined but my modivation is wavering a little. I keep getting those newspaper inserts advertising pizza, and have you noticed that at the supermarket you have to walk past the bakery and deli to get to the fruits and veggies? I'm being torchered at the grocery store! LOL

The ice and snow have sure played H**L with my kitchen floor. How, you ask? I have five little yapping dogs running in and out the pet door tracking muddy footprints all over it! I can't put it off any longer, today I have to try to get it all cleaned up!

I bought two baby gates for the two doors that go into my new carpeted area. This weekend I learned how to use a hammer and screwdriver all by myself! I got the gates installed without any help from anyone! I am so proud of myself. Now I can keep the animals confined to the kitchen and my computer room. They're not happy about it but I sure am!

I ordered some drapes off the internet for my computer room. They were on clearance and I wasn't sure what I was gonna get, but they are beautiful! Kinda wish I had ordered them for my living room too. Those custom made window-treatments are verrrrry expensive. You'll notice I said window-treatments? "They're just not doing drapes this year, my Dear", or so I was told by the lady doing the work. LOL

My yard still looks like a disaster area. The neighbor across the street cleaned up some of it before he got hit in the face with a wood chip kicked back by the chain-saw. He took the week-end off so his wife could doctor and baby him a little. Hopefully he will start again today. Sombody could have a heck of a lot of firewood if they will just carry it away! My poor trees!

Time to get dressed and get started on my daily chores. My respiratory problems keep me from doing a lot. I work in spurts of a few minutes at a time, so it takes me all day to do what others can do in an hour or two. It's not enough to be old and fat but I have to gasp and pant too! LOL

Hugs, Judy

OK, last week, I was little miss weight watcher. I counted my points and stayed within my range. I wrote down every little bite I took. I drank rivers of water. I got on my treadmill and walked and exercised. I ate plenty of veggies and had healthy stuff like skim milk and whole grains. And then I went off to weigh-in on Saturday morning like a good little girl.

And had GAINED 2 lbs.!!! I was so upset that I left the meeting, got in my car and cried all the way home. I did spend a couple minutes with my leader and we tried to figure out what I was doing wrong but I'm just so frustrated. I told Rich I was quitting WW. I mean, I can GAIN weight without paying $12 a week and going to WW meetings. I'm just so lost. I don't know what to do.

I'm seriously wondering if I can be happy at the weight I'm at now since I don't think I can lose any. I just don't know what to do. Even if I follow the program, I don't lose weight. My leader made a few suggestions about changing my menu (adding a little more variety) and changing my exercise routine (alternating treadmill walking with aerobics, etc.) but I'm really at a loss here. I just don't think it'll do any good.

I'm scared now. I worried over this all weekend long and even today I'm torn between wanting to eat everything in sight and never wanting to eat again.

Sorry for venting at you guys but I know that you'll understand and forgive me for my whining.

Love you guys.
Jo.

Jo: I just want to say DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!!!!! You have come to far to just throw it away - don't give up. You are just going thru a bad period right now ... and I know how you feel. You have done so well so far. Look at me ... one year and I lost 14 1/2 lbs but in the last couple weeks I too have put on 2 lbs and I don't see how either ... and yes, I could quit WW and not go to meetings but I know that I would eventually gain all the wt back and even tho it is not much it is more than it was when I started! And listen to you - you have already decided that nothing will work even before you try it! For Shame my dear Jo! Maybe you are trying to hard right now. You are worrying excessively ... maybe you should relax a little, but still follow the program of course. Maybe your body needs to stay at this weight for a little while before it starts losing again. You have lost 37 lbs girl - so don't give up! YOU CAN DO THIS! They say that stress can keep you from losing wt so maybe you are stressing out so much trying to lose that you are defeating your purpose! Just a guess. I say to just try and relax, keep couting points, do your exercise, go to meetings, and don't worry if you do not lose for a while. Jo, it will come off. I'm telling this to you but I think I am also giving myself a "pep talk"! Don't give up Jo. YOU CAN DO THIS!

OK, that is all I'm going to say now. We love you - you'll do just fine. I know that when you calm down and think about it you won't be able to quit. You will be ok.

Love, CJ