Terri, your memories of your Dad had me teary. You'll always have that. He's a Yankee fan my kind of man.

Jen, you are on the ball. Already making a Christmas list. I like your idea. I just make a list & cross the names off when I'm finished with them. I wrap as I go along cause if not I'll forget who gets what! Every year I say the same thing that I'm going to start early. It never happens.

I feel alittle embarrassed to say this but since I didn't do well this week with staying OP I'm not going to WI. I got on my scale & I'm up 3 lbs. I don't know why I even bother rejoining cause I always do this. I just feel like a loser(in a bad way) when I go there to hear them tell me I'm up. Then you always hear them praising the person either before you or after you that lost & how well they did, yada, yada, yada! I don't know guys I have no idea what's wrong with me. Maybe I'll get over this negative attitude before the day is over.

Jen, thank God your test came out normal. That was very thoughtful of you to pray for Terri's dad at your bible study.

Dianne, did you leave yet?

Zoe, Sandy, Ruth, hope all is well.

Have a great day everybody

Love,
Es

PS check out the YIKES face. Too cute

Terri,
Your story about your Dad has me in tears....you have such wonderful memories of him, be sure that he will look that way to your kids too, in spite of them not knowing him when we was younger and healthier. Our parents are so much a part of us, and always will be. We pass that on to our kids thru stories and anecdotes. And the truth coming out about the bet!!! too funny, he sounds like a great guy.
I've been talking alot to my Aunt Ginny, my Mom's only sister, and the only one left....she just told me yesterday some stories about my Mom which I've never heard. It is so thrilling to find things out, no matter how late. I'm getting together with my aunt at the end of the month, and am going to bring her some pretty journals, in the hopes that she'll write down the stories for her kids and grandchildren.

Es,
NOTHING is wrong with you!!! I've had a not so good week, in fact I will be hoping for a maintain. We've just got to be positive. What can we do to help each other? A challenge? A bet? I know I could use some more motivation, something concrete.

Janie,
What good news you received! Thank God. You definitely deserved the wine and dessert. And there's no baseball strike! I'm happy all the fans get to enjoy a full season.

My christmas notebook has really been a lifesaver. I would forget who I had bought for, would never have ideas. Now by recording it all, I don't panic. I also write down how much $ I've spent on each person, so it keeps me in control....well, except when it comes to the grandsons

We're having an absolute gorgeous week, and it's supposed to be a great weekend, sunny and in the 80's. This will be our final hurrah for the summer in the pool. We're having a bbq tomorrow, can't wait to see the boys.

love,
~Jen

Hi

I'm feeling a bit more positive than this morning even though it's only 4:20 PM & I've already had 21 pts. I walked on my treadmill this morning for 30 minutes. I'll probably do another 30 minutes for more pts.

Jen, thanks for not making me think I'm a weirdo. It's just that I see other women do so well & I wish I had their motivation. Thank God I like to exercise. That helps me alot. Maybe we should think about a Halloween challenge. If you're game let me know. From Sept. 1st - Oct. 31st. We'll post our losses here every week.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3 etc.
Enjoy your bbq.

Terri, you made big bucks on your garage sales!! Geezz, if you were my neighbor I'd say let's get together & have one.

Janie, those 2 glasses of wine were just what you needed. I probably would have drank a whole bottle. Kidding! I don't drink anymore because of my hepatitis.

Well ladies, enjoy this Labor Day weekend.

Terri, hang in there Buddy.

Love you's,
Es

Where are all my buddies?

Hello my wonderful friends! I say friends since you all are....and the proof is in your posts, still saying hi to your old pal Zoe while I just lurk, read and pray for all of you, your joys as well as concerns. You all have been on my mind and in my heart.

I suppose that I don't even have to tell y'all that I've been so, so, SO bad with eating. I haven't been on the scale but I know it's bad. I will get on it in the morning. My first hurdle was that I started doing the Atkin's diet along with Greg. He loves that eating plan and loses so well with it. So I thought I would go along with him and do it too. Well, it was 3 weeks of suffering, wanting all the things I couldn't have, the things that I could have on WW. After 3 weeks of it, I gave up and gave up on any type of diet all together. I also had some medical stress in my life too. I wanted to post here about it, ask for your prayers but I just couldn't do it. My doctor wanted me to go for a colonoscopy and I've been putting it off for months. I was afraid to know. Don't worry, not because he thought something was wrong but because my mom had colon cancer and her dad, my grandfather, died from it. So I finally went and all looked great. Whew!! I was paniced! They found 1 polop but he said that even though biopsies are normally done and will be done, it looked 'normal' to him. I go tomorrow morning for my follow up. With that out of the way, I am ready to lose this weight and enjoy a thin and fit body while I'm still a FAB 40. I went to the mall today to look at all the great sales going on. Well, there is nothing better than trying on clothes to open your eyes and push you back into being OP!!!! So after I got home, I opened up my WW cookbooks, read some success stories and am even thinking that I need to attend meetings rather than do it myself. So I'm back....I'm back.....I AM SO BACK!!

I hope everyone had a great long holiday weekend.....BBQ weekend, huh?? YIKES! I promise to be back and talk to you's guys later.....and will weigh in tomorrow morning...no matter how bad it is.

With all my love to you all,
Zoe <><

Happy Labor Day to everyone,

Zoe! It was sooo good to hear from you! It must have been very difficult to have the worry about the test hanging over your head....now you can relax.

It seems that we're all in the same predicament.....have lost or are losing our motivation.

Es, a Halloween challenge works for me In 9 weeks we could accomplish a lot. I'll post my losses each Sunday. Anyone else interested?

Joe and I are relaxing, the house is quiet, the kids all went home about an hour ago. We had a great visit, spent yesterday in the pool. The boys were so much fun, I can't get enough of them.

Now I've got to hit the books, lots of work to do.

to Terri, Dianne, Ruth, Sandy, Janie

~Jen

Zoe, welcome back Buddy. We missed you. We all have been struggling. Believe me there have been lots of times that I feel like giving up but I know I can't. As much as I struggle I believe one of these days I'll reach my goal. Thank God your test came out okay. My Dr. said when I reach 50 I'll have to get a colonoscopy! Glad to hear you're getting back on track.

Jen, I'll be posting on Saturdays. We need a push & I think this challenge will help. After debating with myself about going to a meeting I finally did it. I figured what the heck, good or bad I have to go. I was up 3 lbs.!!! I already knew it. So here's to our Halloween Challenge.:

Zoe, stay with us. We'll help eachother.

Terri, how's your Dad?

Hi Janie, Dianne, Sandy & Ruth.

Till tomorrow.

Hugs,
Es

Terri,
I can't believe how much money you made at your garage sales. We made about $100. It was also about 100 degrees out. I think I've had it for garage sales. I'll just donate the stuff next time.

Es,
I'm in for the Halloween challenge. I did well on our spring challenge and now am almost back up to where I was in January. I will be posting on Wed since that is my WI day. Let's go girls

Everyone,
I still have to go to the surgeon Wed for a second opinion on my lump but I am very optomistic. There has been no change in the white patch on my arm.

Have a great day,
JanieD

Hi buddies.
WELCOME BACK ZOE!!!!!!!!!!!!
We missed you! You will do great! I am so glad you got the Colonoscopy. I understand how scared you were.

Es,
You are SO NORMAL! That is always how I was. Lose, gain...
I still am. Just keep going. Just think what you would be if you didn't try. I know I could be close to 300#.

Thanks for the kind words about my memories of my dad.
Jen,
That is great about your Aunt. Memories are never too late.
I just heard something about my dad. My dad was a trumpet player in his own jazz band (He played New Years at my grandpa's (mom's dad) night club in 1952- That is how my mom and him met).
His 33 yr. old brother Phil who played sax with the Tony Pasteur Orchestra in 40's and 50's and his wife who was a singer (With Rosemary Clooney) were killed by a drunk driver in 1958. My Uncle Phil and Aunt Lucy came down to the night club to perform when they came home to visit from New York where they were living and older people in Shadyside are still talking about it.
I heard a record that my aunt made right before she died and it was GREAT. She was on her way up. So sad. From the moment my dad found out about his brother's death he put his trumpet away and never picked it up again.
I never got to hear him play. He never mentioned anything about music again. I never heard him talk of Uncle Phil and Aunt Lucy either.

JanieD,
Good luck on the 2nd opinion.
I made the money cause I always had a few bigger things. The baby clothes were the big hit. I threw nothing away. I had TONS of little girl things.

TTYL,
Terri

Terri,
Your stories about your dad are so touching. I hope you are writing it all down.

At my garage sale I had tons of baby and little girl stuff and very little of it sold. I am taking it to a local consignment shop once I find out where they moved to

ZOe,
Welcome back. We need your beautiful self here. We all missed you!!!!!!!!

Everyone,
I WI this morning and gained .5 lb. That will teach me to celebrate. My mom & dad are coming on Sun, so I will not have much control over what I eat for a couple of weeks. Anyway here's to the Halloween challenge. It is 8 weeks away and I want to loose 6 lb. That should be possible.

Have a great Hump day. I let you know how the apt with the surgeon goes.
-janie

Terri,
what an awesome story of your family! it's a shame your Dad gave up on his music. Janie's right, I hope you're recording the story for your children.
there was a piece my Mom used to play on the piano, Joey found it for me, and I cried when he played it over the phone to me....talk about sentimental! that's ok...it means we have BIG HEARTS!!!

Janie,
good luck at the dr...let us know. Garage sales are such an "iffy" thing....you never know who will want what. You'll do great in the challenge!

Well, I got on the scale, gained 1 lb.....now I'm 9 pounds away from my 10 lb. goal. . That's ok. I'll shoot for 10 lbs. by Halloween.

This class is already stressing me have to go study for tonight.

later,
~Jen

Hello my girls!

ZOE GIRL - WELCOME BACK SWEETIE! Just take it one day at a time, we all go through this struggle and sometimes its easy and sometimes its a B---ch! We'll just support each other along the way and we'll all be just fine.

Terri - the memories you have of your dad are really beautiful. I can really say that since I didn't grow up with a dad and although I say I can't miss what I never had - through the years I've watched Alana and Willie and they have a great relationship and I guess I did miss something. I hope your dad gets better and makes more beautiful memories for you.

Hey Jen - how are you girl? How is school? And how are your beautiful grandchildren?

Es, mi amiga - You are perfectly normal - like I said to Zoe, we need to take it one day at a time, sometimes, one hr. at a time How is David doing and how is little Katrinna (sorry, I probably spelled her name wrong!) - she must be getting big.

Hi Janie - Glad to hear that your results were good. How is Ellen?

Hey Ruthie - How is school?

Well, we took my baby back to Binghamton this weekend I felt bad because she wasn't feeling well and I hated leaving her. I was so brave though, I was saying "its not as bad this year, it was worse last year when you left for the first time", Yeah RIGHT!!! - When I got home and looked in her room, I started crying like a baby! Oy vey, we never outgrow our children, that's for sure.

I am looking forward to this friday, my last day at work for 2 weeks and a day. Willie and I leave for the cruise this Sunday. Our best friends have decided to go with us, last minute and just made the arrangements the other day. They were lucky, there were only 5 cabins left! It will be nice to be with people we know - but we're not gonna be together 24/7 - willie and I want to have our own time alone too

Oy, I always write a novel when I've been away a few days - imagine when I come back from the cruise Okay, I'll close for now, I missed you guys and will write again before I leave.

Hugs,
Dianne

Hi

Dianne, I was wondering where you were. I was starting to worry. I'm so happy for you.(cruise) I know you're going to have a great time. Karinna is as cute as ever. She looks just like her mom. David is fine. Thanks for asking.

I'm looking forward to our challenge. Should we start another thread or post here? My 1st weigh-in will be Saturday.

Jen, have you had any time to exercise? I've been walking on my treadmill every evening. I need those activity points for my snack.

Terri, do you still order the Baker's Cookies? I'm thinking on ordering them again. They are so good & filling. What a story about your Dad. How's he doing?

Janie, .5 is a teeny weeny weight gain. You'll lose that & more by next week. So nice that your parents are going to spend time with you.

My buddies, I will be back tomorrow. Have a nice evening everybody.

Love,
Es

Hello Bud's

I did it....I signed up for WW. I just couldn't do it on my own so I decided that I really do need the meetings. I weighed in at a very high number.... But I'm just glad that I got there. I can only go to Saturday morning meetings but wanted to get signed up NOW. Greg kept saying "just go Saturday" but you know, I could do some serious damage if I waited unitl Saturday morning. I mean, that's 3 days away! So I'm once again "legal" status and ready to go. Of course, I have so many things coming up next week but you know, I am ready to face them all.

Dianne ~ lucky you, a cruise. We've been on quite a few cruises and are planning one for the beginning of 2003. I surely have to have lost weight for a cruise....I mean, all that food! What ports? Where do you leave from. Have a wonderful, wonderful time!!

Es ~ Please listen to your Dr and have that proceedure when it's time. I was a nervous wreck about what he'd find as well as the proceedure itself but you know, it was nothing. As for giving up, I was feeling like I just didn't care if I was a fat or not but you know, I really DO care. Thanks for your kind words.

Janie ~ my thoughts and prayers are with you as you get your second opinion.

Terri ~ what wonderful memories for your family. Cherish them.....I don't have too many happy memories since my parents were divorced when I was only 10. I remember alot of yelling. Anyway, I'm thinking about you and your family.

Jen ~ 10 lbs by Halloween is SO do-able. You can do it. I am shooting for at least 15 myself so let's hold hands and forge ahead. I have a good feeling about it this time. :

Well, gotta run. I need to plan out tomorrows meals. I am going to do this right this time. I hope I didn't forget anyone.....If I did, I'm so sorry. I'm out of practice. Have a wonderful Thursday.

Patti and Zoe <><

Janie,
That isn't bad. You will get it off.

Thanks Jen,
Thanks. I should write them down. My mom was a spoiled depression kid. She actually had 2 bikes. Her dad immagrated from Italy and he was a self made man with night clubs and everyone drank no matter how bad it got.
My dad had 1 skate. Not 2 but 1. His brother got a bike from an uncle but the uncle didn't give the other kids one.
My kids eyes got big when they heard of the 1 skate.
That is so sweet about the music. How long did you cry?
1 pound isn't bad. You will get that off girl.

Thanks Dianne,
Have fun on the cruise. I don't want to ever think of Brittany leaving. I hope she still does what she wants to do. Go to the university by our city.

Es,
No. I haven't ordered them in awhile. I was trying to cut down on carbs. I have been thinking of doing it lately though.
My dad is still confused. He is strong everywhere but his heart.

Zoe,
Thanks. Good luck with ww. You will do great!!!!

TTYL,
Terri