Hello Chicklets...

ARUGGG ...... I am thinking of building higher sides on the "wagon" I keep falling off...this hasn't been a good staying OP week and I weigh on Friday.....I guess I will have to face the music but I sure wish Someone else could substitute for me at the scales!!

Again I find myself at a loss of words of response to individual posts. I just can't think straight tonight, I will try & do better next time...

Please know I care and am continuing to applaud and ecourage you all instaying OP.

Have a good rest of the night, I am mildly sick, sore throat and headache and so tired and achy....

Have a good rest of the night.....

Look at Trey's story everyone!!! How cool is this??

Click on the link!!

Trey's Story

Tina... that is AWESOME !!! I bet that made his day.
At first I thought.... WOW, those are BIG 11 year olds. LOL
I figured Trey just grabbed their ankle to tackle them.
That was sure nice of the high school players as well as the guy who wrote the article.
You are going to have to start a new room for Trey... with his own idols and photos with them.

Cubs WON !!! As well as the Red Sox

morning all

Good morning ladies!

Barb - I'm so excited for you on your cruise just days away. I want to go! I had my first pedicure this summer too. I loved how much better they do than I. Make yourself a promise that you'll get back on track as soon as your feet get off that ship.

Tina - Your son must be flying high! How fun for him. Did you talk to his teacher?

I need to get going. The dog was barking like crazy at 4:30 this morning so I had to get up and run to get him inside. His bark is so loud I don't want to keep the neighbors up. Then he was barking inside. I got up again, looked out on the deck and there was a raccoon hissing at him through the glass door. I finally had to put Bear in the garage and chase the damn thing away with a broom - all before 5 am. Now he wants to lay up.

Today is DH's birthday. I still haven't bought him anything. We were supposed to go out for his birthday to a special restaurant that he's talked about but now he will be gone all day Saturday taking kids to a band competition. Now on to Plan B for his gift (Plan B is I have no clue!).

Have a great OP day!

Good Thursday Morning Chickypoos!

Tina, the story on Trey was so good! I know you are very proud!

Terri, hello friend, good to see you this am.

Barb, a cruise!! Are you coming back??

Good Morning to you too, Mary

Hello Peek

Syn, I know what you mean about that wagon, guess what I ate yesterday? FRENCH FRIES!!! AHHHHHH! AND NO EXERCISE, BUT NOT TODAY!!! GOING TO GET MY BUTT IN GEAR!!!

2 cute, glad to hear you are hanging in there with us, we have all got to stick together! I am so grateful to you and all the rest of the wonderful gals here! you are all just the best

Well girlies, gotta run now, well not run, but you know what I mean.

Hello Friends
I thank you for your comforting words and caring. Yesterday was my grandma's funeral and yet I feel like I haven't had a chance to say goodbye. I was at the hospital when she passed away and saw her as she took her last breathe, I don't know if you understand but it was so heartbreaking not to be able to do anything as it was her wish not to be resusitated.
The issue I had with my aunts and uncles is that; My mom who was the oldest (journeyed to heaven 2/28/99) had seven children and 22 grandchildren, and makes up the majority of grandma's decendents. Anyway my mom had shown grandma more love and caring then her other children even though two of them lived with her. So when my mom passed away grandma was deeply sadden that she even said at a church meeting that "God took her only daughter who loved and cared for her". My sister's and I carried on this relationship with grandma, we are the one's who stayed with her on the weekends and cooked for her often, while her own children and their children were selfish and didn't do these things.
To make this story short, I knew that, 'that' part of the family would blame us for not being there for grandma, and it did happen the said these things to us. We kept our cool but also confronted them. I said my share of stuff to but in a way to say that whatever guilt we have of not spending time with grandma is something we have to face ourselves and not look to blame others. Anyway after that they (aunt & uncles) were bickering amoung themselves.
I stayed close to home and did much cooking for them though, it was the least I could do in grandma's honor. Things seemed to be better yesterday at her funeral, I guess everyone was working together and forgetting their differences.
I miss my grandma as she was the reason we did things together as family (my siblings) since my mom had passed away. Just one more note about my family, my mom was the oldest and did not have the same biological father as my uncles and aunts. So my siblings and I always got the feelings that we were not a full part of their family.
Sorry to bring this up but I just felt I should let you all know. And again I want to say thank you for condolances, you are much appreciated.

First off.... ignore the fact it's probably pretty big AND I look like a mean old hag.... I was gripy because dh insisted on taking the picture because he really likes my hair and I had no makeup on! For shame!

Anyways..... here's a new pic of the new 'do!

Hope you like it.

Oooohhh...nice 'do!

Dinner is on the stove-we'll be eating soon. Gotta get everything done before the game

Tina: What a nice article about Trey. And that was great of those H.S. players to spend time w/him. Love your new 'do!

Pam: Don't worry about the fries-just keep on keepin' on!

Syn: I hope you'll feel better soon. Just take good care of YOU, and you'll get back on track w/eating

Joe-ann: It's hard when your family is divided. I'm glad that everyone came together to honor your Grandma. As for what happened in the past, GOD already knows everything you've done for her.

Terri: Good luck with "Plan B". Whatever you come up with, I'm sure your DH will love it!

2 Cute: GO CUBBIES!!
A Cubs Red Sox series? It could happen!

Well Chickees, I am outta here! I am going to miss you all over the next week! Stay strong, Stay OP, Love Living!!! You can do it! I am sending goodvibes to you all!!!!

The bags are packed, just need to throw in a few things in the morning and figure out what to wear on the trip down . Have to make a few phone calls in the morning - Jeff actually has a conference call for work. Ugh! The airport shuttle is picking us up at 9:00am. We will be back on the 18th. For anyone interested, here is a quick summary of our cruise.....
Friday - Travel to Port Canaveral, meet up with my family and a group of Internet Cruise Friends.
Saturday - Board the Ship - Carnival Glory - set sail at 4:00pm.
Sunday --- Spend the day in Key West - planning on a trolley tour.
Monday --- Day at Sea
Tuesday --- Belize -- we are doing a snorkeling tour.
Wednesday -- Cozumel -- wandering around the city, shopping, mini-golf.
Thursday --- Progreso - Not sure what we are doing.
Friday --- At Sea
Saturday --- Return home. Back to the real world!

Mixed in there will be a lot of relaxing, gambling, going to the spa, ordering room service, seeing shows...... Can't wait! I know we are going to have a wonderful time!!!

I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful week! Don't forget about me while I am gone!

TINA --- Loved the article about Trey and loved the new 'do'!!!!

Pam --- I guess I'll come back. If I have to --- I have to work and make $$ so we can do this again next year.

Joanne ----

Terri -- You got it girl!! I am going to be right back on track when I hit dry land again!!! I did pack my workout clothes and shoes!! I will hit the gym on board at least 2 time --- trying not to set my goals to high. Happy B-day to your DH

Michelle, Kat, Natalie (anyone else?) --- We need to figure out our plans for the 25th.

I know that's not everyone, but I have to get some beauty sleep. I have a feeling I will not be getting a lot of sleep over the next week!!! I'll talk to you soon!

I love you guys!!!
Barb

Howdy, girls! Soooooo, where's everybody???? Sure looks a little ssssslllllooooowwwww around here, isn't it??? I checked in a couple of times today and geez, it was pretty dang dead.

I'm feeling better today. Not foodwise, that's for sure, but otherwise. This was one of the weeks to catch up with Dr. appointments that I've been putting off. I decided that I would make the appointments and THEN fill in the jobs, rather than trying to work in appointments after I had a full schedule. Gee, ya think??? Works alot better that way!

Andria: I hate when the post fairies eat 'em. It's soooo frustrating.

2cute: "I pray you will all love me... FAT or less fat." What the he!! was THAT??? Love you less???? Geez, don't know us too well do you??? You are a major part of the glue that holds this thread together. AND you are a major influence in keeping me sane and somewhat politically correct in my comments. Ok, so it doesn't ALWAYS work that way, but....

Terri: Exercising at 5:30 AM, OMG. You are one GREAT woman!!! I take it your DH is a band director??? I hope they have a wonderful time and do really well at festival. (do you guys call it 'festival' in your neck of the woods?)

Barb: Have a wonderful cruise. I'm sure it will be just wonderful!

J-ann: Gotta love the "woosh"!!!

Tina: Did I miss you with the shoe?? When I saw the eye doctor in the Spring, he said he saw something wrong with the retina of my right eye. I put off going to a specialist because I was scared to death that she'd say I needed surgery or something. Well, she was very thorough and explained that what the eye doctor had seen was my retina is missing a piece of pigment. She said it's just like the pigment in your skin. It won't cause any problems, it won't get worse. It may have even been that way since birth, there's no way of knowing. Boy, did I feel better. And to think I had put the appointment off all this time. Thanks for asking. * That article Ron wrote was great. I bet Trey really felt special when the high school boys took the time to greet him. How cool! * I like the new "do". I just wish you'd smile more. You look so cute when you smile. And boy can I tell the weightloss, even from your avatar pic to this one and the avatar pic isn't that old.

Katrina: Snap out of it, girlfriend. The holidays are right around the corner and we need to make some progress before then so we have some leeway for goodies come holiday time. You know, lose to gain, or something like that!

Homebound/Joanne: I'm glad you're getting back on track. * Don't we wish our stomachs would say "I told you so" BEFORE we eat the wrong stuff??? Wouldn't that be a good trick???

Mary: No, sweetie, you don't have the plague, but I can't pass up West Wing on Wednesday nights. It's one of my favorites.

Syn: Boy, I sure hope you feel better real soon. Sore throat and headache sounds like an early bout of the flue. Not good. Then you can't enjoy this wonderful Fall weather we're having.

Sandy: Hey, I like your new 'location' - "my house". That was creative!

Pam: My wagon needs higher sides too.

Joe Anne: I'm glad that your family was able to at least come together for your grandma's funeral. I've seen the death of a loved one really bring out the worst in people. It sounds like your granny was a wonderful woman and she would want you all to find peace with each other.

I had a regular Internist appointment today to get blood work done. Since she put me on the Lipitor and Glucophage in the Spring, I haven't been back. Gee, I wonder if the couple of bags of chocolate Halloween candy I ate in the past 5 days will show up negatively in the blood. Ya think?

Well girls, off to bed I go. Hope to see a little more action here in the next couple of days. Love to all.

Good Morning chickies,

Right back up on that horse yesterday!!! Got my exercise in and had a good on program day. no french fries...lol

Thin, glad to hear that your eye problem was nothing serious. I too put off appts like that, fearing the worst!

Barb, have a wonderful time!!! , is good exercise!!! Have a blast, and we will be right here waiting for all the details

Tina, great haircut...you look wonderful!!!

Joe Anne, this has been such a sad time for you, I am so sorry, I am so glad you are back with us, into our fold, and into our arms! you were always in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself! you deserve it

Terri, Katrina, and anyonelse I missed, have a healthful day!! Stay strong

Hey Friends,

I just came across this in one of my Yahoo Groups (Bethie's Pointed Recipes;Digest 1302): Thought I should share it with you all:

Don't Quit

When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down,
And you feel like the biggest failure in town.

When you want to give up just because you gave in,
and forget all about being healthy and thin.

So What! You went over your points a bit,
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!

It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change.
It's learning the skills to get back in your range.

It's telling yourself, "You've done great up till now.
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."

It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal.
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.

To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
if you summon the will to get back in the race.

But, often the struggler's, when loosing their grip,
Just throw in the towel and continue to slip.

And learn too late when the damage is done,
that the race wasn't over...they still could have won.

Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,
but facing each challenge will help you grow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint in a cloud of doubt.

When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit,
If you bite it, you write it....But don't you quit!


Today I have my weigh in at noonish, I am sure it won't be pretty!
I have had food issues most of the week *sighs* So I best bite the bullet and move on...I can and will do better this coming week!

Yesterday I had treated myself to a perm and I like it...it didn't make my hair look like cotton candy....and I am going to try a new positive habbit....Because of my feeling the fat uglies, I have not been bothering to apply make up on a regular basis...just a little blush and a slash of whatever old lipstick I can find....My new habbit will be to try and look at this face each each morning and tell myself I am still somewhat attractive and make up will give me some spark...NO MORE what's the use thinking for this aging hippy chic! lol By Gum...is my attitude showing? The little in me has to peek out once in awhile still...

pjkdreamer : Glad you doing good with the exercise and staying OP


Thin: so glad your eyes are ok, you can rise above the candy lapse...and yep, I imagine your blood test won't lie.

BarbPa: Bon Voyage and have a suoer time!

Homebound: You have a wonderful day, you sound like sucha nice person, thanks for the support.

AARUJG. the electricians are here and my power is about to be turned off...I need to stop here and for those I haven't responded to my apologies...Love to all...