Thanks for the support guys. Hubby is slipping on the house thing, go figure, now I can't even get mad at him because there's some major things started last night with his daughter. Looks like she'll be coming to live with us which isn't a bad thing. She's almost 17 and a good kid so she can pretty much take care of herself. I usually let her Dad take care of the parenting stuff.

Hope - I agree, caretaking is very important it's just been really hard lately

There's been a major change and we can't decide if it's for the best yet. Things are so unsettled now, all of our routines have gone to pot and that makes it very hard to plan anything. Unfortunately spending so much time with my family means we end up eating out and doesn't leave me with much time to exercise. I had my weekly weigh in on Sunday and hadn't lost a pound like I usually do. Everyone says "At least you didn't gain..." but not losing that pound makes me feel like I did.

Thanks girls for the encouraging words...The retreat was good.

I am right now reading the house that cleans itself and it has a lot of good things...it talks about changing the house to fit your behavoir...Like if your husband leaves his trash sit by his chair in the room then put a small trash can there...if the kids leave their stuff right inside the door after school then put some type of storage there to hold it...Instead of spending the next 5 years nagging and trying to change them...life isnt worth it...

So I got thru the steps so now I need to go back and start them and then I can move onto part two...kinda excited about it cause I desperately need to do something...I am what she describes as the perfectionist/ all or nothing cleaner...I either have to do it all to every detail or not even bother cleaning at all..LOL

Ok well I had more to say but kids are needing my attention...LATA!!

momof4, that sounds like a very interesting and creative-thinking book, and sensible! kinda along the lines of 'if something doesn't work, why keep doing it that way'. I know easier said than done..that it does require thinking about the problem, thinking of solutions, then having to make those solutions reality.

Today is the last day of my crummy winter job, big yay. I can't do the happy dance though...because yesterday we learned that a friend in Ohio, a dear man, was killed Sunday on his motorcycle by an 89 yr old who was exiting their driveway. I've investigated flights to go to his service on Thursday but its just too expensive for us. I know this friend would not want me to wallow in shock and sadness for too long.

well to everyone.

That's a good idea Mom... but I really don't want to put a laundry hamper in the living room and there's already a dishwasher in the kitchen. Bleh.

Vermont, yay, the job is over. So sorry to hear about your friend. I worry about that all the time with df riding his bike.

I'm off for the next 2 days thank goodness. I'm beat and I SO need to clean the house. I was in the mood today but I had to go into work at 1pm. I hope the mood doesn't fade tomorrow...

Yep, I'm in no mood to clean the house- at all. Why does that happen? I've only got 3 hours now till I have to go to class and then I have pool. I am in the mood however to eat something sweet...

I don't know why that happens! but it does, doesn't it. "jeez, if only I didn't have to go to work now, I'm totally driven to tackle that closet now!!". That is me, all the time

however today was Day 1 of my almost 3 weeks off and I was good, I got my car's oil changed and snow tires off; I worked outside cutting down little trees (treelings, I'd call 'em) and clipping back bushes, and raked, and then washed our motorcycles, and vacuumed the living room, and worked out, and didn't eat too much. I guess I'm in an 'up' phase

thanks for the about my friend, hope4me! I investigated flights and they just were too pricey for me I know the wife will have lots of people who can make it to his funeral tomorrow, so I hope she doesn't mind that I'm not there. I'm pretty sure she will be pretty occupied and won't notice. I kinda hesitated telling about it here, knowing your DF rides..never want to be a gore-crow or pessimist or scare anyone.

hello to everyone else

I finally got some cleaning done today. I would have done more if I hadn't had to do my taxes. Yeah, I put it off till the end. I'm even getting money back but it still didn't make me do it any sooner.

I've struggled with my eating the past two days also. Today I found myself just eating one thing after another and I was afraid it wouldn't stop. No exercise either. I chose the house cleaning today instead. I've got to get back on the straight and narrow tomorrow and try not to beat myself up about it. Easier said than done.

Vermont, sounds like you are on a roll! Good job!

I think I'm talking to myself again...

I'm still kinda struggling with self-control. I'm finding it hard to turn down anything, cupcakes, pizza, etc. I had brought a healthy low cal lunch today to kinda make up for too much stuff yesterday and our district manager unexpectedly bought us pizza. I was in the back and had eaten a bite or two of my raisen bran I had brought for breakfast when in comes the temptation. What do I do? I ate 2 pieces of pepperoni. I ended up fitting this into my calories today but again they are on the high end of what I allow. That makes 4 days of pushing it to the limits and getting a lot of the calories from less that healthy foods. Nothing is off limits to me but I like to get the majority of my calories from healthier stuff. It also cuts down on my cravings if I do so. What's worse is I hadn't worked out on wed and thurs, making me feel worse. If there's anything good to say, I did spend my lunch hour walking today. I think I actually did 2 miles just around the back of the stores and parking lots.

I'm trying to focus on the positives but it's scary when you don't feel completely in control.

Gotta work all weekend, y'all have any plans? Miss you peeps..

hey hope!! just the motorcycle and the little hamster here I guess I'm sorry you've got that out-of-control feeling, that is not good is it. I do see positives though, you are 'pushing your limits' instead of going leaps and bounds over them. And you made the decision to walk during your lunch time. I know you want to do better, and I'm sure you will!

Oh and I'm with you on the tax thing, I mailed our taxes on Thursday morning, DH refuses to do them any sooner, I guess as a protest or something I don't like shaving the time margin so slim though, especially - case in point - I got a flat tire on the way to taking them to the Post Office!

I was a little bummed that when I went to a Goodwill store, I had to buy jeans in a larger size. All I can tell myself is 'I'm trying'. Being out of the winter job and all the sugary carby temptations is 100% helpful though. And that I can eat something small, healthy and satisfying when I'm hungry instead of having no choice than to have to wait 5 hours, or have something quick and bad.

:hugs: to everyone else!

good afternoon Went to a friend's party last night so a little ahem, hungover today. i did work out yesterday because I knew I'd be in no shape to do so today. Hope everybody's doing good. This has been my first weekend off in almost about 6 months, pretty kewl!

The motorcycle, the hamster, the motorcycle, the hamster...

Buddly and Momof4, I know you're lurking!

I rushed home after work today and made 2 pans of brownies with pb chips and a pasta salad for luncheon at work tomorrow to raise money for an associate. I worked out and did 3 loads of laundry, cooked dinner, and washed the dishes. Now I need to get in the shower and sleep fast so I can be at work at 6am. Kinda sucks.

Vermont, good for you, you deserve a night out. I had dinner with a friend and had a margarita, even skipped the salt and was up 1 1/2 lbs this morning. Something about alcohol always makes me gain, at least temporarily.

Aunty Jam, how's it going with hubby's daughter living with you? Is he keeping up with the housework?

good morning

overcast and kinda cool here, 50 degrees, but at least it's not raining or snowing. I got the vacuuming and working out done early. I'm trying to keep quiet because older son is having to work nights and he has to try to sleep during day. I'm not too inspired to do much, if only there was some sun I'd do outdoor yard work but I don't know. Why don't I have strong drives to do things? oh well.

Hello to everyone

Hi everyone
sorry I haven't been around, been rather scattered.

Congrats on the great grades Hope, you are doing so great.

Holly sorry about your friend. Cute picture there. Reminds me of "Ralph and the Motorcyle" by Beverly Cleary Love the mohawk!

Aunty jam when will your husband's daughter move in? That will be a bit of an adjustment. (as I state the obvious )

Things are just trucking along here. Thankfully we've been having some really nice weather, it sure does help.
DdB's boyfriend went back to England on the 10th, after being here for a month. Now she will be going over there May 8th till June 10th. I'm being quietly nervous as I know she is have some major anxiety as she's never flown before let alone out of the country. She leaves tomorrow for a week in Seattle, but with that trip she is driving and taking a train with friends. Busy girl.
Last Monday I went down for my sleep study. My mom went with me and stayed in the hotel while I was at the hospital. We had a really nice trip. I haven't gotten all the actual numbers on the study, but the tech said I had quite a few episodes. I'm not sure what will be happening next, but I feel better knowing there is a reason why I am always so tired and can't seem to get anything much done. I always thought I was just lazy, but no, I've just never had a full nights sleep (My mom use to listen to me breath when I was really little to make sure I would inhale again, so this has been a life long thing)
We got a new manager at work and my goodness. She has only been there for three weeks and its bad. She was managing another store that was having a lot of staff problems and the owner wanted to figure out if it was the staff or the manager. I think she may have her answer as a lot of our good crew are wanting to quit, the work climate is not very pleasant right now.
With the nice weather I'm trying to get out walking more regularly. I'm going to have to start packing a stick as last night two chows came out and one tried to take a chunk out of my dog. And then this morning a lab chased its owners out of its driveway and then went after Max. Max is on his leash and is a big woosy. So there I am with Max's leash in one hand and a lab by his collar in the other, rather stuck. I let Max go and walked the lab up his driveway part way and then managed to get Max and pick up all 50lbs of him and walk up the road aways to get out of the labs "territory" before I could put him down. My back hates me right now. Thankfully neither of these incidents broke skin on Max. I just wish people would keep their dogs in their yards.

wow, sorry about the novel I guess I needed to talk. I better quit now.

Take care everyone and enjoy the spring. Hard to believe April is close to being done.
K

here--real quick
took teens to a drama competition sat. for the first time and they took runners up in their category...so that was awesome...you can watch them on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xS9G9RWfGE

Did the food for my cousins 20yr old daughters funeral. I didnt know her very well at all so I helped do the food so no one had to worry bout that..

working still on the house book..getting ready to go take pictures of the house so I can go thru the steps and work on each area!!

sorry cant catch up right now!