I feel like when I come in here I'm apologizing for not posting like I did in the beginning. I am thinking about all of y'all and hoping everyone makes it through the holidays on program and if not I hope not too much damage is done. For me, some days on program are outrageous and other days okay--foodwise that is. I get frustrated with myself when there are too many temptations around or just too many Christmas Luncheon buffets to go to that I cannot get out attending (not that I would like to do that--after all it is Christmas and I do like the people I work with). My WW center is closed on Saturdays until the first of the new year--which is my day to weigh in on so I'll be weighing in on Thursday morning. Saturday morning I was relieved not to have to weigh in; however, this morning I feel like it would be pleasure--I look forward to this Thursday to step on the scale!

cd, first of all I'm proud of you for going to get that check up! I know going to the doctor can be so intimidating. I'm so happy for you that you're making such great progress in the weight loss department! THAT is wonderful. But gosh...I'm sorry about you losing your college funding. I work at a university and I'm charge of doing putting through stipends/tuition funding for my department's graduate assistants. I know how it can be devastating. I sincerely hope you'll be able to work something out so you can stay in school.

2cute, ohmygosh--you have to take presents already?! Bless your heart.

gmalil, I've never eaten goose before. Not because I didn't want to but because I've never been offered the chance!

Which reminds me what happened yesterday morning. My oldest grandaughter (4 1/2 years old) spent Saturday night with me. For breakfast on Sunday morning while she was eating her waffles she kept watching me eat my pink grapefruit. I offered her a taste. Oh what a terrible face she made! I asked her if she would like another bite. She said, "no thank grandma" so politely. Bless her heart.

thin, sorry not to be around much but I absolutely positively do not like my home computer. My new one should be arriving tomorrow. Merry Christmas to me!

BRB

Okay.

I'm back (I'm at work and had to do something else quickly.)

MaryB, I agree with you about tracking/journaling food. I track. For good or bad. Its probably the most important tool we have to successfully lose weight. I'll check out the recipes.

skittles, my grandaughter and I watched Princess Diaries 2 on Saturday night--a very cute movie!! I enjoyed it alot. We popped low-fat popcorn and settled in for the night to watch movies. Of course now, my 4 1/2 year old grandaughter wants to be called Princess Amanda now. Money is always a good present--green goes with everything. I take it y'all are getting a new house? Congrats!

Barbg, I wish I knew the answer! So easy to put the pounds on but so gosh darn difficult to take them off! I'm sure its the sodium content. All I cant tell you is to drink a lot of water...but not while you're swimming in it!!! Do you have the latest Weight Watcher magazine--January/February issue? It's one of their best--its been a great motivator to me this past weekend.

Work is calling me again. Grades are due today and the courier will be here soon.

CD - for being down 22 pounds. That has to feel great and so motivating to keep working at it. See - you CAN do this. And you ARE!

Leanne - for your loss too!

I got to take the afternoon off. Which is good because one of my staff irritated the crap out of me this morning. Last time I looked, I'm the one being paid to make decision - bonehead or not. She gets irrate and indignant on a regular basis and I usually am able to ignore her. After all the stress some of us in the management team have had to endure all year, I had no humor for her outburst this morning.

So, I left at noon and went out to the barn. Didn't feel guilty about leaving the dog and DH behind one little bit. It was very windy, the sun was shining, but it was colder than they had predicted. I rode anyway. Cherie apparently couldn't get a sitter as she wasn't out there. But I got old gimpy Ginger out. She acted like a big horse's a$$ the whole time. The girls kick the crap out of each other in the barn lot but heaven forbid I try to ride one without the other. A$$ or not, I got in a good hour ride. I did want to put a boot in her butt when we were back and she was all relaxed at the hitching rail. Like she didn't have a care in the world.

Now I'm home in time to watch Oprah. Wow, its been a long time since I've been home first. The dog isn't even bothering me. But darn, DH will be home in 40 minutes.

I better get to working on the cookies and finishing the Christmas cards. DH is buying stamps this afternoon and the cards will be going in the mail. Sorry they are late. Especially to Leanne.

I took two banana breads, two mini pumpkin breads and a few danish cookies to leave for Cherie at the barn. She's been taking such good care of the girls.

Chocolate crackles need bakin'!

Later girls.

:snf:

hi all spent the day shopping again i will be glad when christmas is done maybe i can stop shopping i can honestly say I AM DONE I am not buying anymore gifts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am worryed about weight in In the morning i just dont think i did very well i know i will not make my goal of 217 by christmas Oh well i will make it someday hopefully soon i am not going to let it get to me as long as i know that after the holiday i will get right back on program !!!!!!! I am figuring as soon as christmas is over Sunday I will go right back ON PROGRAM i do not go out on new years and most of the time we just sleep in the new year and this year my daughter 15 is going to a girl friends so she wont be home to wake us up . Of Course i might not sleep well with her out on New Years but she is going to a good friend and they are all good kids (I am not just saying that because it is my kid) and they are staying at her house so they will not be out on the road or running around i guess i have another year or so to go before i have to start worrying about her out and running around on the new year

Hi all, End of semester kept me so busy I didn't really know what was going on. Man problems are solved--I've decided I'M not speaking to HIM. (Thanks 2cute, skittles, and all who offered support on that.)

BarbG, I don't know about you, but one thing I notice is that when I do have bad days, they're usually around PMS time. So I think the bad day is compounded by water retention. When I lose it always seems to be several pounds at a time.

I'll probably be offline until 2005. I'm traveling to Ohio, to my mother's new home (my childhood home, her home of 40+ years, sold recently, something that had to happen in the wake of my dad's death a little over a year ago). Then, I have to go to Philadelphia, where I hear it will be FRIGID, to a work-related conference (between Christmas and New Year's, can you believe it?) Then back to Ohio, then back home. No idea when or where I'll have internet access on my route. S0--

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANNUKAH, HAPPY NEW YEAR, and HAPPY WINTER to you all.

Good luck to everyone staying OP. My goal is to be no heavier when I return in January than I am now.

This is a fly-by post. I am exhausted. These holidays are wearing me down - especially since DH is recouperating and of no help.

CD - Congratulations on the loss and the positive attitude!!! Keep up the great work!

Congratulations CD !!!!
I am soooo happy for you. Losing 68 lbs in 2005 is totally doable.... and I think you have the commitment to do it too.

Gail ... always good to hear from you.
Yes.. I need to return gifts ALREADY. LOL
I did get new gifts bought today. I think I actually like my new gifts better than the original I bought.

I have decided I am not going to take the original gifts back to get a refund. I have decided to donate them to a local charity to give out this Christmas. They were nice gifts... and I KNOW some little girl (and her mom) are going to be sooo excited to get them. When my husband was a child ... he remembers the year when his only gift was a shiney new red tricycle from the Salvation Army. He always buys one and donates it to the Salvation Army every Christmas. I have donated toys many times... but nothing this nice. I could not afford to in years past. I am grateful that this year I can. We have been very blessed this year. You never know.... we may be broke next year. LOL

Terri... glad you got to go riding today. Great exercise... but also great stress reliever.
Chocolate Crackers ??? Never heard of that.

Mary ....
Mary... that made me laugh. I know exactly what you are saying. That decribed me totally.

Angela... what kind of business schedules a conference between Christmas Day and New Years ?
We will miss you while you are traveling. Peek in when you can.
I am glad you made a decision about your exboyfriend. There is nothing worse than indecision. I am sure everything will work out for the best for you.

BarbPA... hope your hubby gets feeling back to normal soon.
This year I about FAINTED. My husband wrapped gifts for me last night.
He refused to wrap his own though. LOL I had to brag on him to our kids.
Men are so funny. We have been married 35 years... and this is the ONLY time he has wrapped a gift. He got the kids to wrap my gifts over the last 35 years.
Any way... You would think he was a SAINT because he did it this year.
I had a few hours of "unappreciation" this morning. I thought why does he get sainthood from the kids when it was "I" who shopped, bought, wrapped all the gifts for 35 years with no halo put on my head. LOL I am glad I am over my poutting. LOL I hope Santa didn't see it. LOL

Need more singing going on in here.....

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog,
And we'd begged her not to go.
But she'd left her medication,
So she stumbled out the door into the snow.

When they found her Christmas mornin',
At the scene of the attack.
There were hoof prints on her forehead,
And incriminatin' Claus marks on her back.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now were all so proud of Grandpa,
He's been takin' this so well.
See him in there watchin' football,
Drinkin' beer and playin' cards with cousin Belle.

It's not Christmas without Grandma.
All the family's dressed in black.
And we just can't help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been around much lately, as I took off work on Friday and I don't usually go on the computer on the weekends, but I am back. I went to WW on Friday and was up 8 pounds since I last went 2 1/2 months ago!!!!

Anyhow, it could have been much worse. Unfortunately, I haven't been so good the last couple of days. I am trying to get myself together again.

Yesterday, I had my ultrasound appointment. Thursday, DH has his appointment for his semen analysis, and then next Monday we meet with my doctor to hopefully get the results of both tests. I am hoping for the best and hopefully with the help of some medication, we can get a pregnancy rolling.

2Cute: Sorry no pic of Andrew, but as soon as I can figure out how to use my digital camera and send the pics, I will.

BarbPA: Glad to hear that everything went well with DH. Fingers are crossed for you two.

Thin: I read the whole trial story and am so happy to know that the good guys win sometimes.

To everyone else have a Happy Tuesday!

Susie

I guess I am not the only one busy busy busy.
I just had to take a 5 minute break.... and hoped to get to do some reading here. Guess not.

I can't belive I am still NOT ready for Christmas. My living room and kitchen is a MESS with wrapping paper everywhere. I am going to go wrap 5 more gifts... then pack it all up. Any late gifts will go into gift bags.

I am sooooooooo happy I am not having Christmas dinner at our house.
At least I don't have to worry about cleaning the house.

Today I was suppose to go out and finish my shopping. 3 more gifts.
But I can't stand this mess another day. I have got to get it CLEAN !!
What good does it do to decorate your home... to mess it up with wrapping paper, boxes, card tables, etc.
It is suppose to get FRIGIDLY COLD here tomorrow... but I will just have to suffer through it I guess. I AM GOING TO GET THIS HOUSE CLEAN TODAY !!

I just realized... I don't sound very festive do I ??
I am going to have to focus on happiness of the holidays and quit stressing that everything isn't going to get done. Hopefully the new skinnier me next year will be more organized. I can't wait to meet me.

I guess I will continue singing a solo here....

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog,
And we'd begged her not to go.
But she'd left her medication,
So she stumbled out the door into the snow.

When they found her Christmas mornin',
At the scene of the attack.
There were hoof prints on her forehead,
And incriminatin' Claus marks on her back.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now were all so proud of Grandpa,
He's been takin' this so well.
See him in there watchin' football,
Drinkin' beer and playin' cards with cousin Belle.

It's not Christmas without Grandma.
All the family's dressed in black.
And we just can't help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig.
And a blue and silver candle,
That would just have matched the hair in Grandma's wig.

Hey everyone! I haven't disappeared just been really busy, ladies. I haven't been doing well dieting but I'm not doing badly either. Had a few more sweets than I should've the past week, but it's not the end of the world. Just not hungry after eating that stuff, so it's been a trade off. Still drinking all my water. Sucking at going to the gym, but I'm doing other things in place of. Hopefully after the holidays everything will be back to normal for me! I can't wait, either. Ready to jump back in on this head first (or is feet first safer? :P)

CD: Congrats on your weight loss, sweetie! I bet you are Soooo stoked now!! Keep at it, you can do it.

I'll be back to reply more later!! oO(hopefully!)

Hi there! I'm back! I haven't read the last two threads yet, so I'm not up to speed here, other than everyone is busy doing the Christmas shuffle!

Our trip was nice, mercifully short...the way trips to the in-laws should be! I managed to not only not gain weight, but I actually LOST 1.5# while I was gone. Gritting teeth and seething must burn a LOT of calories!

I have to run...need to unpack and tidy this place up, like I said I would while hubby is out taking care of the cars. If he sees me leisurely clicking away at the keys, while he's jockying cars back and forth to Jiffy Lube...

I'll be back later, when I have more time and when I've caught up on my reading.

BTW...it was great getting so many cards in one shot! Mine went out today, so...they're coming!

later...

I got it cd! and kerri and Leanne' s all came yesterday!
thanks to all of you!
2 cute, I guess the mess is part of the whole 'xmas package', but I am with you! I started packing my wrapping things away last night, leavig enuf in case Santa neds to wrap something for me.
I think I am through baking except i want to make that pumpkin pie with phyllo dough and I HAVE to make rum balls before dd gets here! but I can't find that recipe, so have to go search the internet.
and Kerri, I am right there withyou eating too many sweets, and i didn't make it to Curves today, because I am waiting for repairmen and County Inspector to give the final inspection on the new house...seems everybody wants to get their things done all of a sudden, and all at once.
Must get back with it!
ttfn

Popping in to say hello! I am busy and exhausted and ready to go home. DH is feeling a little better but still not up to doing much. Hopefully by Christmas eve he feels up to buying me a gift or two. If not, that's ok because he gave me a great gift just by going through this surgery again.

Have a great night! I'll talk to you lovely ladies later on.

Barb

Oh good grief.





I thought, my gosh how morose, Thin is posting pictures of dead people.

Thanks, Thin!

P.S. 2Cute, I just yelled at DH that the cookies he is eating are not CHOCOLATE CRACKERS but Chocolate Crackles. That reminded me of your comment earlier today. C*R*A*C*K*L*E They are a yummy chocolate cookie that is rolled in powder sugar then baked and it crackles like crackle paint. Thankfully they are leaving the house tomorrow for the MIL's.

I'm off to bed! Oops, have to bag up the shortbread wedges first. That also is yummy and is leaving the house.