Jen's post:

I've had this kind of bouncing around in my brain for a few days but wasn't sure if anyone would be interested. I think that this challenge has been a huge success, everyone has been really motivated to try and get those 3 points everyday. I personally would love to see this go on every month. What I would really like to do is send the person who gets the most points a small gift, maybe $10 max just as a small prize. I don't mean that I would do it every month though since it was my idea I am willing to do it this month. All those who would be willing to contribute a prize could give Sandi their names and every month she could pick someone's name out of a hat as the person who is willing to supply the prize. The person she picked would be responsible for getting the address of the top points person and sending them a small gift. I think it would just be a nice little surprise for that person for all their hard work. We would all have a chance of getting something, just a matter of getting those points.

What does everyone think?


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Jen.. I like your idea..
I think it's a good idea to reward the winner!

How about this? Since I seem to be broke lately How about we label the winner the "queen" - and shower her with gifts - recylced or home made gifts.
(we did this in my MOMS club) - the gift would be worth no more then $1 MAX. - and we would strongly encourage the "prize" to be free!

here are some examples:

a card
coupons - (anyone here with a baby would love those diaper coupons you throw away anyhow)
a poem (maybe one you wrote or found on the net)
a magnet
stickers
a picture your child made

what do you think?.. just tossing the idea out there!

Hi all,

Just wanted to tell everyone hello, and I hope that you all have an awesome week. Only a few more days!

The prize idea is cool .

Okay.....

Bye-bye

Good morning - and I really mean it! Gorgeous weather again today so dh and I are going off to a park for the day. (Sorry, young'uns, that's one of the few benefits of being older and retired.)

PLUS I lost a whole pound this week, finally breaking through the ten pound barrier and seeing the 230s for the first time in a good while. Am I in a good mood - you bet?

Another bright spot - I had mentioned somewhere that my baby sister has lost 40 plus lbs since the beginning of the year. I was going through my stash of clothes I'm saving for when I lose looking for 18/20s for her. Lots of 18s - few 20s - think I blew right by that size. Anyway, I tried on a 20 and got into it. I would not wear it yet as it's still tight so it goes to her to try (might be too big for her); however, I GOT INTO IT so figure the time will come.

Either prize direction is ok with me. I am not crafty and like little craft things. Perhaps a coupon winner could specify a category of coupon she'd like and we could all do like a "coupon shower". (I am the daughter of the Coupon Queen and I know she'd like that one - at almost 86, Mom cuts coupons out and sends them to everyone she knows will use them = only occasionally grumbling "where were these when I was raising eight kids and really could have used them".)

Anyway I hear dh pacing restlessly so I guess he's ready. Hope you all have a really good day!

I really should go to work today and get some supplies ordered, but I've been in a real funk since Saturday. Granted, it's TOM week, but this is an unusual depression for me. All I've wanted to do is sit in front of the TV. The weather appears to have broken in the midwest as well, so I might try and lift my spirits with some good ole fashioned hard work, and go play in the dirt outside. Today is also going to be an OP day. I haven't been off much the last few days, just a few too many shrimp last night (hey, it was free, and they were huge!), but I'm way down on my fruit and veggie consumption, and my system is paying for it.

Just a little whining there.....this too shall pass.

I think the monthly points winner prize is a great idea - while I'm not a coupon girl, I am a craft nut, and would be happy to contribute.

Okay girls,
I'm going to drag myself out of this slump no matter WHAT I have to do.

Good things:
*I went shopping with mom and sis last night, we had a REALLY great time.
*I tried on a pair of size 18 jeans at walmart AND THEY FIT!!!!! They were tight, but man, I was soooo excited! Walmart jeans no less!! My sister bought a pair of pants that was 3 sizes BIGGER than she normally gets, and I was fitting into a size 18!
*We've found a GREAT temporary solution for Oreo, and it was mostly Free!! Mom and Dad had decided to purchase a huge crate for her to stay in if there was going to be thunderstorms to prevent damage to her and our house! But they were WICKED expensive. Well I talked to my landlord yesterday, and he had one in the basement we could borrow, that was the PERFECT Size!! So Mom just bought Oreo a special orthopedic crate mat, which will help her hips, and so we are all set! Great solution!! total cost: $45. Total savings: infinate damage to our house, gone! yay!
*Greg apologized this morning for being a dork last night without me having to say anything!
*I've lost 99% of the water weight I gained! I'm feeling MUCH better.
*Mom bought me new good walking/running sneakers last night, so now I have no excuse!
*I revised my final weight goal, so now I have less than 100 lbs to lose! Do you know how good that feels?? It feels GREAT!
*I packed a low point b-fast and lunch today, and already have a low point dinner planned!


So I'm on a roll. Tons to do at work today, so I don't know if I'll be back, but girls, I am SO ready to do this!

Jen - I love the gift idea, but I'm with Dana. Lets be creative and send fun things in the mail to the "Queen" for the month. Is anyone uncomfy giving out their address?? If so, I suppose everyone could give Sandi (or me!) their email addresses, and we could send out the "winners" home address via email, that's much safer.

Ya'll are talking about the awsome weather. Haven't seen any of that yet. It's still over 100, and now is monsoon season, so it's humid as well.
Had an OK week so far, really just hanging out at home.
How's everyone else doing?

Slimdown - thanks for pasting my other post on this thread, I'm a computer dork

I'm glad the idea is going over so well. The only problem with the coupon idea is that a lot of them can't be used here in Canada. I've seen a lot in US magazines that are only for use in the US so coupons might not be good for us potential "Queens' living up north. I do think it would be very cool to get a whole bunch of cards from my 3FC buddies though. My only thought is that people might not want to do it month after month, that is why I thought a different person each month would be better. Also only one person would be getting someone's address. But hey it is up to everyone, I'll set up a poll and we'll let that decide.

Take care all.

It was 50 degrees last night, I had to close windows and throw extra blankets on the kids, I'm in heaven!

DD LOVES Kindergarten, no tears (from her) she just loves it. It's a big relief, as a kid who hated school and was tortured every day, it's nice to see my DD making friends and being so outgoing and funloving.

I've exercised 3 days in a row and kept up with food almost 100% on Plan. Water was good 2 out of 3 days. I'm not very motivated right now just going through the motions, hormonal slump, I think, should be over in a day or 2.

Watching you ladies in the ON Plan challenge with lots of admiration....
You are the loosingest folks on the boards.

Tug, tug, tug, BA! IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB PULLING YOU OUT OF YOUR FUNK. BUT JUST IN CASE, HERE'S ANOTHER TUG. oomph! (that's my exercise for the day)

And I forgot about the need for addresses for a coupon shower. BAD IDEA - WITHDRAWN.

Well the interview I went to was GREAT! The company I would be working for goes to the houses of new parents and parents of pre school children and takes there pictures in there homes. They bring in the back drops and use props that are the childrens. Then (my job) about a week later some one goes into there house with a big group of finished picutres and the parents purchase what they want. I am so happy about it. They took picutres of my girls and they were great.

I think that the "Queen for a month" would be great. I do think it would be better to e-mail the addressed rather then to post them. But it sounds like a blast!

Ba, Great for you. I'm so glad that things are turning around for you. Sounds like you will be back in track in no time!

Well that is all for me,
Bella23

OK, life is finally slowing down for me. The last week was VERY crazy. My 5 yr old started Kindergarten (he loves it), I started babysitting part time for little miss picky and my husband had knee surgery. It's hotter than the sun outside and I'm tired of being cooped up in the house all of the time. But it looks like the end is near. With the monsoons, we are starting to have a little cooler weather, Mark and Shelby are starting to get along better and the DH is finally walking without the crutches.
I am down to a new points range in WW and I'm just finally starting to not exceed it. For a while there I was really beginning to think about just quitting.
I think that the worst part of this lifestyle change, is that my DH who east WORSE than I do (fast food almost every day) has lost six pounds in the last three weeks. I'm at 11 pounds for the same time period and I am working really hard at this.
Hey debbers, I just realized that you are from St. Louis. I was born and raised there and boy do I miss the midwest!

I wanted to take a moment and let you all know I have not left this group I am having a very bad bout with my lower back. This is the first chance I have had to let you all know what is up. My weight is stable but stuck due to the inability to exercise but this to shall pass. When the pain lets go of my legs I will be back here full blast as usual. Bless you all and keep up the good work.
Pam

Hi all!! Seem to be feeling a little better today. Thank goodness, I hope it keeps up!!! I have my 20 year class reunion for GRADESCHOOL this weekend. Some of these people I really haven't seen in 20 years, should be interesting.

Gbo - sorry your not feeling well. Hope you get better soon.

muelledk - What kind of knee surgery did your husband have? My MIL is having knee replacement at the end of the month.

bella - That job sounds very interesting. When will you find out??

SunDrop - Good job staying on plan even when your not totaly into it. I think that's what it really takes. (Didn't Dr. Phil say that somewhere in one of BA's posts?) You really hit on the head when you said that you were coming out of the honeymoon phase. That's exactly what happens.

BA - Great news about them jeans!!!

debbers - Did you get out there and enjoy this gorgeous weather?

anagram - great job on breaking through the 10 lb mark!!! You go girl!!

Jenniffer - I think it's awesome that you realize that you are going to be a real hotty When you lose the rest of the weight. It sounds like you have a healthy self image.

jiffypop - Did you get all that laundry done?!?!

snowball1 - Congrats on the new puppy!! I love goldens.

Tamara - Your not a bad mommy, your a mommy. Happens to the best of us.

Zap - Sorry things are so rough right now. Good things must be up ahead!!

jkfla - Good job on being OP!!!!

Jen - So how is the prize thing looking?

slimdown - Did you get your tapes yet? Can't wait to hear what you think of them!

Hi there to Dyan and anyone else I missed!

Must go to bed if I want to keep feeling better!!