<Now to catch up a little>


SAMI ~ CONGRATS on being able to stay on your program of counting calories I must admit that calorie counting has never been for me, but I have seen others (& now you) do very well doing it. Do you also have a set time for yourself for weigh-ins, so you don't become too obsessed with the scale? Ever since mine broke I think I am doing better Does that make sense? I just limit my portions and am drinking my water again Especially because I cannot eat too much right now - this attack has a positive side: getting me back on track. I am looking forward to your picture

GARY ~ How did those scalloped potatoes come out????? Boy-o-boy, the ingred. sure look great ! When I am all well again I will surely give that one a try. As far as my father goes... he has a long history of thinking only of himself, as much as we all love him. Yep---I do love him very much, but there are times (uh huh) when I don't like him very much. He is very accustomed to be catered to and not doing the catering. That was part of my worry. If I had been well, I would have gone off to the airport in a blink! But now my DS & DSI are providing my mother's needs Thanks for sharing your story You are so adorable! No wonder Angie likes you

WILMA ~ How's your program going? May I be included with you and SAMI ?? I want to begin again too I so badly want to see anywhere nears the 150 lbs I have a goal of by next Fall. That's when we are going to visit my folks again (planned anyway) and I so want to feel and look good when I go.

MICHELE~ I do hope that you are feeling better today... going back to work after a much too short a vacation has to be tough. Especially since we are heading into the holiday's! Bet you already have Christmas in the stores! If I recall you work for Target?

And as far as leaving Simba --- I am totally the same way (not surprised ). I have the hardest time thinking about leaving the boys with someone, even when I know they will be okay. I want them to miss me and to be good (only the lord knows what they would get into while I am not home ). So my trip to Maine next Fall will be my FIRST time leaving them since we brought them home...

Oh, I know what you mean about seeing that deer get hit! What an awful feeling!!!! I hate it when that happens! We were travelling in Nevada and saw a tortoise going across the road and I made Joe back the car up so I could bring him to where he was heading and he wouldn't get hit. I am sure when he travelled back he may have gotten hit - but at least I made the effort to make sure he was okay. And not long after... later that day I saw one go directly under the tires of a car - bummer! I use to raise tortoise when I lived in the desert... our pets. They are so cool. People don't realize the personality they have. You just cannot cuddle with them

Thanks JUDY ~ So glad you enjoyed the picture And I do appreciate your prayers more then you will ever know! The sun is shinning and it is so beautiful out (Cold! Only 40* this morning with an overnight of 35*---burrr), but I have to stay in and rest another few days. But I am still enjoying the stream of sun and the color of our tree's

SUE ~ I sure do hope that you had a wonderful 41st birthday !!! I thank you for being concerned for me - even when it was your Special Day... you are sweet!

SPROUT ~ Hope that you are okay?!?!? We haven't heard from you in awhile too. You working on that Dr. Phil program?? Thinking of you!

Hello ANGEL ~ CONGRATS! on reaching your goal!! Bet you look sharp in that new jacket Turning some heads I bet I just cannot wait to do the goal dance again. Got a picture???

Well, I must be going.
I have sat here much longer then I am suppose to.
God's Blessing for you all always!

HEY LOOOSERS <><

Well we made it through another week didn't we!! I just want to say how PROUD I am of SAMI for starting on her new way of living!! And how PROUD I am of the rest of you for praying for her!! She has had a lot going on in her life the last few months so to see her focused on her health is quite a happy sight.

My daughter called to tell me how she did in her match- FINALLY!! I have been waiting 2 days to hear from her.... sound familiar SUNNY? Anyway she lost 5-8 but had a lot of fun and she said she and her partner played well but got off to a slow start.

Picked the nephew up from school this afternoon and he wasn't coming out-- went in to check and he was getting the 3rd degree from his core teacher for todays behavior! She said he was doing so well but this morning he just couldn't keep from butting in. She also told me that holding him accountable on a daily basis with his daily report is working wonderfully. What I do is every 2 weeks I make a paper-- OK my daughter or Angie does-- on the computer for each teacher to fill in at the end of the day-- this keeps him focused on getting good remarks for the day.. PUNISHMENT if needed is NO TV for as long as I feel is needed. So far he has only lost the TV for 1 hour in the last 4 weeks. All of his teachers now (4) say he is probably the best kid in the class-- of course there are only about 14 in it so his odds are pretty good:lol!

MICHELE-- I am here! I just have been busy the last couple of days with the World Series and work. Angie went to her weekly visit (or every other week) to the chiro yesterday too. What exactly do you do or what are you training for in the ministry class you are taking? The numbers are dwindling for Lutheran pastors in our synod, it is sad to see. Our director of Christian education for the school and youth has had to go pastor several churches on a part time basis near the Arizona border in the last year. Hope your church is growing in numbers for training.

SUNNYD- In the 30's huh-- I guess I won't tell you it has been in the 80's here the last few days, chills down into the 60's at night though BRRR.. I almost had to start wearing clothes around the house.. almost. Glad to hear your mom is doing well. Sorry to hear of your dad's problem. Reminds me of something I heard not too long ago--- There are 3 kinds of people -- Those that when they walk into a room say "HERE I AM!" then there are those that say "Here I am! how are you?" then there are those that say "WELL there YOU are!" Sounds like your pops is the here I am guy.

SUE-- I hope you survived your double this week-end! They need you at church with the bulletin... plus at YOUR AGE I don't know if all that work is good for you

JUDY They don't have any drive-in's around here-- haven't seen one for over 20 years! Wow do I feel old! When we were kids they had one about a half mile from where we grew up, we used to sneak in and sit behind the concession stand-- then we got caught!! OOPS-- That sure was a great story on 9-1-1- thank you for sharing. Hey Matthew, what's cookin'?


WILMA-- Hope you wore the right shoes today! I am so proud of you for not giving in to the little setbacks in your new lifestyle! You keep fighting through them-- makes me and I know those boys of your's proud!! Who is the COMPANY this week-end? I am beginning to think you are the Martha Stewart of Canada with all the entertaining you do!

SAMI All I have to say is "OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Because you have done so well this week have a diet Coke!! You remind me of my brother and one of my good friends-- they are diet Coke addicts!!!

ANGEL-- How is the paper work going? Hope your DH gets some needed week-end help on the place! Those grandkids want Thanksgiving dinner

Well Angie isn't home yet so I better figure something out for dinner-- let's see, hummm-- OK-- PIZZA-- Na, I better wait. Have a great week-end with your families ladies.



Going to the Oktoberfest after second service at church on Sunday-- my EX-wife is bringing some of her boyfriend's beer he brews--- SOOOO GOOD!! Don't worry I am not driving-- my nephew will
SPROUT-- Did you see Dr. Phil in this month's GOOD HOUSEKEEPING?

MICHELE-- YOU CAN GET A DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR $2.60 at IN-N-OUT...hahahahahahahahh

Very funny Gary! Ha ha ha ha ha! This was a good burger but not one of those...

Fall has struck in So. Cal. The dew is on the roses!

Sunny~No, i don't work for Target? I spend too much money there but i work in a medical billing office and also a real estate/insurance office..... Glad you seem to be feeling better.

What am i still doing up?........

Hi everybody...I really don't like getting behind like this! I like posting to everyone...but, there's been so many ( & that's great!). Please forgive me if I don't reply to a post with a message to me...I'm really trying! I love all of you...don't know what I would do without this board!

Been really busy for a couple of days...felt energetic...that's VERY unusual...so went, & went, & went...while I could...not, I can't. Enjoyed it, though!

Answering questions....no Thanksgiving dinner at our house again, this year. But, we WILL all have dinner together somewhere. That's the important thing...We all will be here. (with the exception of SIL in Iraq)
Settlement...still haven't heard. Figure lawyer & Maytag Co. are bickering...so we're being patient.
Picture...I WILL try to post a picture soon...don't have a digital camera...I may just treat myself to one!

I've been praying for all requests...I come in quickly at least once a day & read all posts...just been too busy to post.

My requests: DH is down in his back...bad. This happens to him, sometimes. He WILL NOT stop. Goes on to work in backbrace. He lays floor covering...hardwood, ceramic, tile, carpet, etc. Is VERY GOOD...so in high demand, & stays behind. Which, is a blessing...we need the money. This is very hard work with a bad back, though. His helpers are trying to take the heavy loads off of him, but, still rough. He's gone to the chiropractor...won't go to any other dr. Please remember him in prayer.

Also, we're in a Praise-a -Thon at the tv station this week end. I'm supposed to help out...as well as sing...today, until midnight. Going to be rough on me...although I enjoy it. Say a prayer for me tonight. Be glad when we're back on internet. Maybe some of you can watch a little of the station programming.

Gotta go....everyone take care...have a great weekend!

I see Angie sent another picture of her roses-- at my request-- she took this one before work yesterday morning because it was so pretty with the little dew drops on the edges-- it didn't show up too well in the small picture though- sorry.

Have a busy day today! USC is on, UCLA, UNLV (my son has 4 friends playing for them) and the World Series-- how will I ever get it all done? HA! I know exactly how-- I just find something for Angie to do for the day that she enjoys.. let's see, hum, shopping? nope- she doesn't like that, hum... I don't know I'll think of something! She is out on her Saturday 5 miler, just me and her daughter talking about last night's football games-- My alma mater and my kid's upset the #1 team in the county (we are #8) and my step-d's school- the cross town rival tied the ex #2 team in the county (they were #2 until we beat them last week) her school is ranked #6 right now-- we have our yearly BIG Showdown between the 2 schools in a few weeks-- usually get huge crowds-- did I mention our 2 schools have almost 8,000 students combined? Any how I was on her case because she went to the game last night and came home and said that her team was going to lose-- she left too early! AHHH- my son and I just hate it when people do that--- last year believe it or not our team scored 15 points on 2 touchdowns and a 1 point kick and a 2 point run in the last 15 seconds!! and upset the #1 team in the playoffs!

Angie does have a soccer game to go to with step-d and she has to take her to get her hair done for the homecoming dance tonight-- I should be OK..

But then there is grass to mow... ah man!

Have a great week-end ladies.

Hello all!

wow, this thread has been busy lately - it's just taken me about an hour to catch up!. Nigel is asleep so I thought I'd make the most of it and use the computer while I can.

I've filled in 2 forms for jobs in Ireland and sent them off. I've got one more to do - then I will let you know if any invite me for interview. I've done the very best I can - I spent alot of time writing the 'supporting statement' - outling my skills, experience and attributes, I was quite pleased with the finished result, but I'll have to wait and see. I've also got someone else to write me a reference for my last job - the previous headteacher who I worked with for the bulk of the time I was there. I'd previously been putting the new headteacher - but I only worked with her for about 3 months, and most of that was focused on my ill health - meetings and monitoring etc. So I phoned up my old manager and she said she'd be happy to write me a reference - which is really good as she knew me a lot better and saw the positive things I did for the school. I feel happier and more confident now she is writing my references as I know she won't just focus on my ill health.


PRAYERS PLEASE! - I have given up smoking!. I have smoked for about 6 years and God has recently put it strongly on my mind to give up. I've been procrastinating about it for 2 months - but on Thursday I decided to take a step of faith and just stop!. I know God is right here with me and is helping me through it. I found the prospect of stopping very scary - giving up a 'prop' that I have grown to rely on - But it also made me a slave to it and now I am happy to say THE LORD HAS SET ME FREE!! .

My withdrawal symptoms have not been TOO bad - uncomfortable, but not unmanageable - I know God is giving me the strength to get through this. I'd welcome your prayers of support and thanks while I break free from this addiction.

Love Amanda xx

WILMA/ SAMI - well done for taking a fresh start on your weight loss. Me too - I've messed about for the last month and haven't lost any weight. I've decided to be a lot more disciplined and start calorie counting and writing everthing down - I find that monitoring myself that strictly is what I need to stay on track.
So good luck to us all! One more thing - Sami, isn't 955 calories a bit TOO low?. My doctor told me that it is dangerous to go below 1000 calories. I don't know how much you have to lose but my slimming magazines say:

14lb or less - 1250 cals
up to 42lb - 1500 cals
over 42lb - 1750 cals

I don't want you to starve or get ill!



ANGEL - Wow! 42lb's lost is absolutely fantastic. I hope I achieve that some day!
Prayers for your husband - hope he is feeling better, and good luck for the praiseathon - that sounds like fun!

GARY - Loved the pictures - I adore roses!. Good luck with the fundraising for your son's school trip - that's alot of money!

SUNNY - Sorry you've been having a bad time of it recently. I am glad that your mum is recovering well - I know how hard it is living far away from from your family , especially when you are woried about them. I hope you are feeling better and are fighting fit again soon. (((((hugs)))))

SUE - Belated birthday greetings to you!. I hope you had a lovely day.

MICHELE - Hope your back is better and you are feeling better now. The ministry training sounds good - I think I'd like to do something like that in the future.

JUDY - Thank you for sharing that powerful story from September 11th. It moved me to tears and makes me feel in total awe of God.

Sorry if I've missed anyone!

Love Amanda xx

My house is almost clean and I have a few minutes before I have to finish my dessert for dinner after church tomorrow. I'm making a vanilla torte that goes over really well. The house is empty other than me so I'm getting lots done. Feels great!!

Amanda: Great to hear from you again. I'll pray for you and the job applications you sent off. If you're supposed to move God will provide a way. CONGRATS on quitting smoking. I really admire you for conquering such a strong addiction. Keep us posted on how you're doing with that.

Gary: You are too funny! Me?Martha Stewart? I am the farthest away from her. I do love to have my friends over and they get really simple meals. Tonight it's sweet & sour meatballs and tomorrow it's baked ham and hash brown casserole. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really needed that. My company this weekend is a friend from grade school who is a missionary to the Philippines and is home taking care of her ill mother. She's speaking in our church tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to seeing her and catching up.

Angel: Praying for your DH. A bad back is so hard to deal with.
Big congrats on reaching your goal. I hope Ican say that soon too!

Sunny: We're all in this weight loss struggle together. It sounds like our goals are close to the same. Keep us posted on how you're doing too. I'll keep you in myprayers.

Michele: Isn't great to hear from someone you've helped and that they're doing okay? What a good feeling.

Well, the pudding is set. Now it's time to add the whipping creamand assemble my dessert.

Have a wonderful day!