Hiya Ladies~

Jana~ oh, yes I do love the feeling of elation-it is a wonderful feeling. I was afraid to get ont he scales because it is or should be the week of TOM and normally the week before I gain a couple of pounds which could possibly explain the gain last week-completely forgot about that. But with the way TOM has been it may be a no show. OUCH! A herniated labia-egads! At least she knows now that it is not cancer. That must be a load off her shoulders. Enjoy playing with your grandbabies today.

Susan~Again I know how ya feel. Dating can get very complicated. I always felt like something was wrong with me-the reason guys didn't want to go out with me. But discovered it wasn't me but them. It had more to do with a ready made family and their ex'es, among other things, of course some of them were just jerks period. It is just really hard. But I know you will find that special one, and maybe Alex is it. Real Estate is a good field to get into, you can basically make your own hours.

Kat~WTG on the inches & body fat lost. Keeping my fingers that you make your goal of being under 200 by May-graduation.

Marti~that is such a sweet story about you and James, aaaaawwww. I do think that people know when they meet "the one"-you just know in your heart when you look into their eyes. And what a supportive ex, that is cool. My friend is just in a mess with the ex and I don't think either see the damage it can do and does to the kids. Glad the finals went fine. Glad you get to spend some time with your brother.

Angie~hope you are liking your first day of work. Let us know how things went.

Kayecee~how did the trip to the dentist go?

Hi Katie, Rita & Shanna

Well, I got on a little later than usual today, had some errands to run. Took some shoes back to the mall for Vince-they have been sitting here for almost three months. Then went to Hallmark and the scrapbook store. I shop at Hallmark so much I get certificates all the time and of course have to spend them. Of course this one was just $3-hmmm slacking off there as they are usually $5-15. Didn't do any damage at scrapbook store, just needed to find a sheet of stickers to finish off a page. I need to to Michaels tomorrow and find an Easter Wreath for the door, or stuff to make one. Glad it is over by Wal-Mart-grocery shopping tomorrow. They just opened this new store Feb 28 and I haven't gone in yet. I am sure it is the same as the old Michaels just bigger. Okay, I need to get busy and send my angel e-cards. I was caught up until today, so will do about 5 or 6 days today, possibly more. Take care ladies.

Jana,

I've always disliked the numbered threads, even way back when we first renamed ourselves. Can we at least change the thread title to something like "General Chatter-March 04"? The original title wasn't meant to be offensive, just playful.

I saw a nutritionist today and she suggested that one reason I'm stalled in terms of the pounds is that I almost never eat breakfast and that I may not (at 1700 cal) be eating enough, causing my body to hold onto every last ounce like my life depended upon it. Its worth a shot, so I actually ate breakfast today. Now I'm off to the gym with my kiddo.

Hi Ladies,

Marti - I look forward to your e-St. Paddy's day card! About the closet in the office, why not hang a curtain over it? You could get one of those 81" sheer types at Walmart for less than $10, and voila! no visible mess! Just a thought...

Susan - I am really proud of all the healthy choices you have been making lately, and that you are teaching them to your daughter. Bet she never has a weight problem. Hope you enjoyed your walk today.

Rita - we had very light snow but none of it stuck, thank goodness! I just love snow from November til early February, then I dread it, lol.

Cristi - are you talking about Hallmark Gold Crown point rewards? It's been a long time since they sent me any at all! I get mailings, but no reward $$. Why is that? It is so sweet of you to do the angel cards. Knowing that you went through the same thing probably really helps the women.

Kat - No problem with the joking around, we know what you meant, lol!! As for the date system instead of the numbers, I got a PM from a JL saying how much easier it is to keep up by using a number, and I agree. We don't always know the date but we can count, lol!! And we have to keep the threads reletively short for those of us who have slow servers. We could call it General Chatter # Whatever, if you want. How would that be as a compromise? Your nutritionist has a point - you may not be getting enough calories! I know that on WW they say to eat as much as you can, pointwise, and still lose, because then maintenance is so much easier.

I took fresh strawberries over to the grandkids. The girls were too little for them last year, because of the allergy risk, so they hadn't had any whole ones. I got some on sale at Walmart, and they knew what they were because of their Strawberry Shortcake stuff! (They ended up with stained lips, but not a drop got on their clothes.)

My back feels soooooo much better! I basically did nuthin' today and loved every minute of it!!

Jana

Good Evening,

My chance to have some adult conversation before I start working.

Wow, Cristi. You are a crafty lady I drive by Michaels but never have ventured in. Today I drove into a JoANNs parking lot by mistake and saw some sewing kit advertised on sale. That is as close to crafts as I get....lol
I DO love Hallmark!!! Never have spent enough to receive discounts.
I think it does take a special kind of man to want to be with a lady that comes with a bulit in family.
Just to add about Alex. He does seem like a devoted father.He drives over 300 miles((round trip)) every other weekend to pick up his children.This last weekend he had them and today he went back to spend the day with his daughter in her school. I was kind of impressed with that and it was his ex wife that moved away- though he seems to be thinking what is an answer to all the travel.
Anyway, he has been on his own for 2 1/2 years.

Blah,blah........men.

I did spend some time in researching about real estate, excited about that!!

Oh, Jana...........I enjoyed my walk, thanks
I took Gaby to a Burgerville and ordered her chicken strips and apple.They had that in replacement to fries, thought that was really great. Gaby ate the apples first, she liked them a lot.

So,you got dressed Marti?? lol.......Rachel called me at 7:30 to come do her hair in a braid.So, I dragged my sorry arse outta bed and made it over there in 50 minutes, just in time to take her to school. She didn't care about the braid anymore. ....lol
Trying to get away from going over there every morning- exhausting.

Rita- Thanks for the Bio!! Hope you are having a great day.

How are you feeling today Kat? I don't really like breakfast but kind of have to force myself to eat something.
If it was a bagel I would be happy but trying to get away from that also.........life just ain't fun anymore....

Had some yummy fish tonight with a tossed salad.

Ok........best get to work.

Hello to everyone

Evening ladies--

Well yes...I did get dressed and I actually ventured into the public!! But let me tell you....I am having such a time with cramps today that it's doubling me over at times. Spent a lot of time on the couch trying to nurse them. Took some IB Profin and that didn't touch it. Oh well....part of being a woman I guess.

Went up to Eugene with James today...he had his interview and I had him drop me off at Walmart while he did that. Spent an hour walking around!! Turned in some film....boy....I don't like how I look!! I really need to get my putooty in gear and lose some weight!!

Does anyone here ever think how tiring it is to have to "watch" everything you eat?? I've been thinking that today. "gotta watch how much of this" or "how much of that" "is that good for me?" "should I be eating that?" It gets tiring!! And then you have all these diets out there trying to wheel you in...such as the Atkins diet and WW and so on.....not that they are bad...they do wonders for people.....but I'm thinking...Geez...how wonderful it would be to just NOT think about it and be healthy!! And be able to ENJOY what you put in your mouth!!
(can you tell it's that time of month?????)

Jana--I want to clear out the closet so I can make it into an area for my scrapbooking. Kind of make it my little office within our office!! That's my idea of coarse. But if I don't ever get through those boxes....I will be getting something to cover it all!

Susan--That's pretty nice to go to a place that will replace fries with an apple!! My daughter loves apples. She usually likes having melted peanut butter with it to dip the slices in. Good protein too. You're going to reach that weekend goal...I can just feel it.

Kat--Someone told me the same thing about breakfast before. I'm not sure who though.....while working at Sony...I ALWAYS made sure I ate breakfast before leaving...not only did it keep me from feeling like wasn't starving for lunch..but it kept my energy up through out the day. If I skip lunch or dinner...I don't feel as deprived. I need to make sure I start eating breakfast more....I kind of slacked off on that.

Cristi--I'm sorry to hear about your friend and her ex. I am very grateful that Thom and I have remained friends.....apparently a lot of his co-workers can't understand it...since I'M the one who left...but he (so he says) always let's them know...that I left for a good reason. Strange....

Rita--Be careful shoveling that snow!! Nothing like having back issues. Just the other day I spent an hour or so weeding around the house.....that night I thought my arms were going to fall off!! I think I need to use those muscles more often!!!

Katie, Kayecee, Shanna, Angie---hope you're all doing ok. Pop in and let us know how you're doing. Kathy...hope you decide to come back and join us. Skew...please join us here on the chitchat thread!!

Ok ladies...I'm going to nurse myself.....take some more Motrin...you all have a goodnight and I will yap with you all tomorrow.

Marti

Hi again,

Yes,Marti. It is a pain to watch everything I eat. Would love to just be *normal* and have never had a weight problem....lol

I don't mind though. It is kind of fun learning what is healthy, and trying new recipes. I would just look at it from an educational view.

Thinking you should have Burgerville down by you?? I thought Burgerville was a western state thing. I know they are based in Vancouver,Wa.
Was surprised to see slices of apples in lue (sp?......is it a word??lol)) of fries.Also, I wanted to add that their chicken strips weren't greasy.I went by the menu so fast because I was just ordering for Gaby but they do have lo carb items and different salads.

Anyway, better get back to work.

Hope the Motrin works

Hi everyone.

What a busy place this is. Thanks to you all for the welcome.

Just jumping in really quick just to say hi. I will try and stay a bit longer tomorrow.

Kathy

Hiya Kathy!!! I see you posted as I was writing that book. This does get to be a busy place at times. I find myself having a hard time to keep up with everyone sometimes. But it is a fun place to be and the ladies are GREAT!!! Take care and hope to hear from ya tomorrow. Nighty-night

Good evening ladies...
its late I should be in bed but need to fill you in on my first day.
It went great. I work in a call centre with a few other women. Theres alot to learn about beer...*sigh
Rehearsal was good...
Marti, I loved your story...very sweet. Motrin is great for cramps and bleeding... And yes I hate watching every morsal that goes into my mouth.

Susan, your such a good mommy. And Alex will be a lucky man if things progress farther....

Jana, good to hear your back off your back...lol mmm Strawberries...yum!

Cristi, like you Im up late but usually watching tv. Tonight Im doing laundry and checking emails.

Kat, YAY!!! I wish I was you right now!

Ok I need sleep,,,

Im sorry I didn't get my green cards out...Ill send out Easter cards hows that?

Angie

Note to Kayecee----

Did you change your e-mail on us or is it so full that you can't receive anything....just worried because I sent you an e-card and everything before that has Poster failure (or whatever the message reads) I don't want you to think I left you out!!

SO......if you ever get back online let me (and the others) know.

Marti

Katie - thank you for the card, and Happy Anniversary to you! Hope you have a great day.

Cristi - awww, the ecard is so cute with the puppy!! Thanks for that! I never thought about checking my Hallmark account on-line. Thanks for the tip.

Marti - thanks to you, too, for the ecard! Very cute!! Yes, sometimes I have a feeling of... well, sadness, that I won't ever be able to just pig out again. But instead of thinking that I lost a "friend" (because I did use food as comfort, like a friend), I tell myself that I am the one in control now. And when I can take only a small portion of something, I put another small portion in the fridge for lunch the next day. That's my way of getting seconds, lol. Hey, I gotta do what works, right??

Susan - Alex sounds like a good father and I can't blame him for trying to do something to avoid the long drive. I could only wish that fast food places in Indiana would offer an apple! As you know, I take an orange with me to avoid fries! It is also an effective air freshener in the restaurants, lol.

Kathy - glad you stopped back in. Send me a PM w/your addy when you are comfortable with doing that, and I'll put you on the list of people I send cards to. Don't forget to fill out a bio if/when you want...

Angie - I thought about you a lot yesterday, wondering how your first day was going. But I figured with your personality, it was probably going just fine. Glad to know it was!!

Hi also to Rita, Kat, Kayecee and anyone I may have forgotten!

Well, the salmon recipe was not that great. .... but Neal and Katie are good sports to be my guinea pigs, lol.

Today I'm going to court again.... ....not for myself this time, but as support for a friend who is trying to get custody of a 13 y/o child. The mother is a druggie who shouldn't have a dog, let alone a child, but it will still be sad. And I want to stop by the hospital to see the friend who had a hysterectomy yesterday. Yikes, all my un-cyber friends seem to be having troubles!

BBL,
Jana

Well, I had an appropriate breakfast today...a wedge of irish soda bread with butter spray instead of real butter, a bit of milk for the protein, and a cup of tea.

I hope it works because I felt like I was piling on the pounds by eating at 9am. *sigh* I normally only eat twice a day...once around 1 or 2, and then a late dinner between 7 and 8. Now I have to head out to the "Senior Salute" at Norwich--in essence a one stop shopping checkout for graduation...its when they get my contact addresses so they can track me down to shale me down for loan money, order caps and gowns etc. I'm only going to order a cap and academic hood though, since I'm using my beautiful cotton choir robe instead of their cheese polyester gown. If they don't like it, tough noogies! I don't have money to waste and I do use my choir gown all the time, so why not just wear it? At any rate, I'm going to scoot because I also have to shovel out the car before I'll be going anywhere.

Good Morning,

and

Happy St Patricks Day!!

Curious about the court thing you are involved with Jana. Any thoughts on what I could do to get Gabys dad to give up parental rights? Just a thought that went through my head. He certainly doesn't pay child suppport. My mom thought I could go after his social security?
Anyway, he has been involved with crank since he was 17, now 48.Haven't had much contact with him in a year and look to keep it that way....lol

VERY sweet that you brighten childrens worlds, Cristi. Have you ever thought of stamping??

Along with everyone else, nice to have you posting Kathy! I haven't been here long but the ladies here have been so welcoming, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Kat- Irish soda bread?? Kind of like sourdough? I never heard of it, just wondering what the taste is like? Hope you have a good day and that you shoveled out...lol Suppose to be nice here in Portland.

Thanks,Angie!!! Rachel & Rebecca give me a hard time. I never feel like a good mom with them.Gabrielle is different, I just feel like I am the mother that I want to be. The older ones give me a lot of guilt and make me feel like if I love them, I would buy them things all the time.
Glad you had a good first day on the job!! You are super whatever you do

Kayecee........we miss you!!

Happy Anniversary, Katie. Hope it is a wonderful day for you and your husband.

Shanna,,,,,,thinking of you!! Hope you are getting dressed for the day ((teasing)) ......come post, might make you feel better. I know I would feel better hearing from you.

Rita & Marti.........enjoy the day!!!!!

I better go. I have to get my walk in. I bought curlers for my hair and tried them this morning, made a slight improvement.....need to keep working on it.
Have a meeting tonight at work . I am taking Thursday & Friday off !!! YAY.....going on a field trip with Rachel tomorrow. Need to figure where Gabster is going....opps.....lol

Drink you water!!!!