Not alot of time to talk right now. I just wanted to say that I am very pleased to see Tina almost back to normal. What exactly is normal, anyway.

Kids can be so annoying sometimes. I told them to leave me be for a few to read and type and of course they all require my immediate attention when 2 seconds before that they were just watching tv. Oooooo. Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome back Tina.

Hey...Happy Friday!

Day 4 is going swimmingly. I haven't exercised yet...so EASY to let that slip! But I will before I go to bed. I will use my Kathy Smith Strength Training-whatever-it's-called tape, maybe get a walk with the doggie in. I'm just waiting for dinner to come out of the oven. Oven "fried" fish...I'll post the recipe if it's any good, certainly was easy to prepare.

I just had to tell you all how much I appreciate reading each and every one of your stories...we're all so different and yet...not so very different at all! It's good to have a place to come to, to vent, cry, scream, rant, but especially to support and care and laugh...with people who understand!!

Thanks for being here!

Gotta run...hungry boys coming in the door!

Good evening to everyone! Boy what a day! I am pooped. Besides TOM I had dgs today and was cleaning house at 5 AM so I could get done before he got here at nine.

His mom had her surgery consult this AM and then a job interview this PM so he was here most of the day. I took him this afternoon to the mall and we rode the carousel, then I bought him his favorite ice cream and topping, strawberry with M and M's, Nonny DID NOT have any, I did get just a regular soft pretzel though but it went into my cal for the day. We came home and his mom was back so they went home fairly soon after that. He decided he didn't like the way I had my entranceway decorated, so he promptly moved everything on the floor baskets, quilt rack and the like, to other areas of the house he thought more fitting, then redecorated the area with other things he found downstairs. I had to redo everything after he was gone!

I heard on the news this evening that the vials and powder they found ARE deadly chemicals so I guess the illegality of the war is not in question anymore. The weapons inspectors were in the building where this stuff was found 9 times they said and never found anything. This guy is pretty slimy and on top of that, they have found an Al-Quaeda training camp in the Baghdad area, along with 3 car bombings now so there goes the notion that these people are not terrorists! They said, France etc didn't believe it but what else is new?

Sandy: I watched a TLC I think program about crab fisherman in the Berring Sea. Good gracious, I know that area of the world is very stormy, but does your husband have that kind of danger when he goes out on the East coast?Do they stay out for days or is it day to day fishing? By the way, is that friend that went into the ocean A-OK now? We never got an update.

Well, I need to go and check my other threads. My cat is actually being good right now. He is sitting here right beside me watching me type and nuzzling my arm.

Donna

(oh yes, I did a Sandy. I weighed myself again this morning and had DH weigh again too. I wanted to see if the scale is fairly accurate. Dh is the same both days so at least it is fairly accurate. Donna is....another 6 lbs lighter! Whoooppeeeee!)

Donna: The weather does get rough here, but nothing like in the Bearing sea for the crab fisherman. They are in a class all by themselves. That is the MOST dangerous job in the world. My hubby goes about maybe a mile from the coastal waters at the most. But the seas on windy days are rough in places and roll your boat around like a little play boat in the tub with a kid. I have been on the boat when the bow is going into waves and the stern is coming out of water and let me tell you I was praying to have my feet on dry land again. It's not that bad when your on the boat itself, but when you can see a boat beside you or behind/infront of you, you really get a view of what the water is doing to the boat and you get scared. My hubby tries not to go out on windy days, as it is a risk. But when you have traps out you have to do what you have to do. I mean if we have a hurricane coming, which sometimes we do, you have to go out and move your traps away from the ledges and stuff or you will loose them for sure and at about $80.00 per trap when they are totally rigged with rope, bouy and stuff well you don't want to loose them, it's a costly replacement. And yes my hubby leaves at about 5am and is home usually by 5 pm or so when he is fishing. Hope that gives you a little insight on what a lobsterman does. Someday maybe I will go out with them in the summer and tape some of it and send you a video tape of a life as a lobsterman.....kind of a documentary of the life of it and then maybe you can mail it to the next person and so on from the thread that would like to see it. I think that would be kinda neat for all of you to see.

Well, you all know what a scale queen I am......today the scale showed a 2 pound loss and I was excited, but can't officially count it till next Thursday, and I wasn't gonna report that to you all but I was just bursting to tell.....cant keep my mouth shut.....LOL

Hugs to you all,
Sandy

Hi all got my hair cut today short it feels 20 pounds lighter.
Caatch you later

morning all where is everyone. No one has posted since last nigh.

Hey, I'm here...

I have to nap shortly...I was waiting for the chimney sweep guys to come. Unfortunately, they looked nothing like "Bert" and his men in Mary Poppins...more like Charles Manson, minus teeth. I think the head one (Charles) was pissed because he couldn't sell me a new chimney liner for $1385.00, complete with a discount for booking today. "Hmmmm, no, I'll just take the $45.00 cleaning as planned...but THANKS for the offer!" I replied.
You could tell that he was really mad. hee hee

I have to take just a wee nappie before I can face the day...maybe just an hour or so.

Isn't that a wonderful story about the Iraqui lawyer who informed the Marines and helped them find Jessica Lynch when she was held prisoner? I waffle between not watching ANYTHING on TV, but I'll read whatever I can get my hands on about the war. Very upsetting, but I'm proud to be an American and proud to be on the side of the "good guys." Do you suppose that the Iraquis who are hiding chemical agents in schoolyards feel that they are the good guys?

Have a great Saturday all...

DAY 4 CHALLENGE: NO CHEAT MET EXERCISE WAS MY DAY OFF

Good morning all! I am sitting here like a good little girl eating an orange and drinking my water.

One of our dear friends (I actually met her on this board three years ago) had her mil pass away this morning so we are pretty sad about that for them. On top of that, the cat tore through the house last night and got into the trash and tore it all out (I had cleaned house yesterday!), the dog somehow got into the cat litter and got the clumped stuff all over the bedroom including in our bed EUWWWWWW! Now you know that put me over the edge! I have really bad cramps, hot flashes and a backache from **** and we had to move the clunker out of the garage and reposition it now that I have it all cleaned out so we could park the Grand Marquis in the garage so now my back really hurts. SOoooooooo, I am a big fat grouch and I want to clean carpets this AM and I have to get to the mall and get a walk in today sometime.

Sandy: Thanks for the info. I applaud your husband for doing such a hard job even though I am not a lobster eater! I am sure it is an interesting life though. I guess it is a good thing he married someone who likes seafood, huh?

Mary: We would love to see your new do. I love having short hair. Sure makes it easy to take care of and exercising is more comfortable too!

Well, gotta go help dh put suitcases in the attic (we moved them from the garage).

Donna

Hi Guys !!!!
I am just peeking in while my daughter is in the shower. Can't stay long. We are going to garage sales as soon as she is out.
My visit with my parents went well. Now I am in OKC with my daughter.
I have to brag a little... well actually a LOT.
Not about me but about her.
She has graduated college and is now working on her Masters.
She competed for a scholarship to get her PhD. and SHE WON !!!
It is called National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship.
She will recieve $27,500 per year for living expenses ..PLUS FREE tutition at ANY college of her choice !!!!!
WE just found out she won last night !!! Another benefit of this is....... any college of her choice will accept her since she qualified for this award. I am soooooooo PROUD !!!!.

Okay... I hear the shower has turned off.
I better get off of here. She will be embarrassed if she knows I am in here bragging on her. But I just want to yell it from the roof tops!!!!!!!!
Oh yes... we went out last night to celebrate and I stayed on program !!!! NO turtle cheese cake for this girl.!! I am going to be a WINNER at losing.

2cute: What a nice thing for you and your daughter. That is so great!!!!! Congrats on raising such a wonderful bright child.

Hugs to you,
Sandy

because I haven't been a very good posting chick lately.

I WAS going to read all the threads I have missed and post after I did dishes this morning. Well, just as I was about to put my hands in the water I saw one of the llama looking at me through the window.

So, frantic call to my nephews to fly over and help me get him back in his pen.

Once that was accomplished I started putsing around outside. It is sunny and 32 - Minnesotans can't pass up a nice day outside!!!!

Anyway, I was on a rush into the house to unload and reload the washing machine when I decided to take a break and at least say "hi" to you all.

Shoot - dryer just went off...BRB

Here is my new news!
Could you hear me screaming last night???? I got a call for a second interview on that job I have had you all praying for!!!!! I was pretty sad because I hadn't heard from them and was sure I was going to be disappointed. When I got home there was a message to meet with them next week and that there is a second job they are interested in me for....


THANK YOU, one and all.

but, please keep up the good work for just a little while longer.

Time for my break to end and get back to work. I want to get things done outside today so I have time to clean inside tomorrow and read all your posts.

What terrific news all around!

2cute: Please convey to your daughter my good wishes and congratulations! Mom must be busting her buttons! Good for you too about avoiding temptation!

Lucky: Staying away is not allowed. You need your friends more when it is not going well than when it is! Oh, I said a little prayer for you before I posted and I am so excited for you regarding your second interview! I know you will get this job!

Well, just wanted to peek in. I am heading to the mall to do my walk. Wish me luck, I feel like crap.

Donna

I am so excited even though I am chastising myself for doing something I get on Sandy about. I was cleaning the bathroom this AM and stepped on those scales. I am now down 82 lbs and only have 15 to go to be below 300. I am ecstatic! I have not weighed below 300 for almost 20 years. I was so jazzed that I zoomed around the mall even though I felt really lousy. I kept thinking how great it will be to break that barrier. I know you guys probably think I am nuts, but to be nearly 400 and be within the 299 reach means more to me than I can explain. I am promising myself, that I am not going to put my big feet on those scales until next Friday though! I am however up in the clouds and so will probably be able to stay with my challenge just from this alone.

For those of you having a rough week or month, pick your chin up off the floor, put a big smile on your face and commit to a NO CHEAT WEEK! Do not worry about this other challenge. Just get strong and determined that this next week is going to be great. You are going to stay OP and get that exercise in every day. Every lady that is OP for the whole week gets a gold star! You can do it ladies. You are the strongest group of ladies I know.

Have a great weekend and talk to you later.

Donna

I'm here.....

I've not fallen off the face of the earth.

Skinny people say, "It's easy to lose weight. Just stop eating."

Hmm, what a concept. I've never thought of that one before.

DO NOT POST HERE! GO TO "300+ And Ready To Try Again....#311"

God Bless America!