Shelley--I agree, it has been slow around here!! But, Gayle will be back when everything has settled down at her house. Dee will be back when she gets back from her trip (pampered princess that she is) and everyone else will at least CHECK IN SOON---I hope!!!!!

I know that Carol and Debbie have moved to another forum (although I wish they'd pop back in, too). I'm really worried about Sherry and Ramona--it's not like them not to be in contact AT ALL! They usually at least check in.

Let's see, that leaves our Vickster, Doni and the "newbies" (Who really aren't that new anymore--does that make them "oldies?"), Janice, Suzy, Erin, you know who you are. Maybe it's time for a roll call!!

I went to Memphis with a friend today for her yearly doctor visit. After the dr., we went on an abbreviated shopping trip (abbreviated because I have a test tonight in my lit class). I let her pick out my clothes--she picks things for me that I would NEVER pick for myself, and that actually look good on me--which she totally enjoys. I wound up spending $270-ish. It would have been more, but there was an iffy shirt that rang up at $114. I was already undecided on it, and when I saw the price it made up my mind It was some "label" and it had elaborate bead-work on it. I just couldn't see myself spending THAT much on something that may or may not be worn!!

Suzy--I am SO proud that Travis is getting to come home, but I am so WORRIED about all of our other soldiers that are being sent into that combat zone (when I don't really think our "help" is being appreciated anyway--but that's political and I won't go any further than that thought).

I'm thinking of a new diet plan. Hmmmm..... Let's rephrase that to say the same thing, but more realisticly: I'm planning a new way of eating. I'm still in the food-buying phase of the plan, but I want to start within the next couple of weeks. Basically, it's just a daily menu for me to try to abide by--no calorie counting (after the initial start) and quick and easy foods that I can eat at work or at home (while Stewart is enjoying his steak and 'taters) without feeling deprived. My goal is to lose 4 more pounds by the end of March.

Anyway, need to go study for my test!

Later,
Cheryl

Cheryl-Have you tried WW Core? It's great, with no counting. I haven't been doing too well lately, but for the most part it is wonderful. I wouldn't have shelled out that much for a shirt either. I have a problem with over 30.00 for one! I guess I'm just plain cheap. I used to spend 100.00's on clothes. Not anymore. Of course, that doesn't include purses. I'll spend over 300.00 on a purse anyday!

Cheryl - It sounds like you have a plan. It will be great to make an eating plan totally on what you like to eat.
Suzy - I am so happy for you that Travis is still coming home. I bet you can't wait.
I went back to the Specialist yesterday. The medications (anti-inflammatories) I have been on for the past six weeks were not working. I had an assessment done that showed 97 percent of my muscles were inflammed. He gave me a cortisone shot in the arm, it is amazing how much better I feel this morning. I hope it keeps inproving. I have felt like a major whinny for the past little while but I just hurt so bad.
Summer is coming and I need to get back on track with my weight before we open the pool. I feel like a whale right now.
Hope everyone checks in soon.

Hi Everyone.......I am home.

I don't have time to read all the posts that I have missed but I can tell you I missed you all.

I had a wonderful vacatiion. Lots of walking on the beach, people watching and a course a few drinks for all my friends.

I don't have time to post a long one.

Gayle my condolences to you, Steve and his family.

Hope you all have a great day.

Welcome home Dee! I'm glad to hear that you had a good time on vacation, but it's so good to have you back...we have missed you!

Janice ~ I'm so glad to hear that the cortisone shot has helped you to feel better! It must be such a relief to be feeling a little better! Has the doctor made a diagnosis of any kind or is he just treating symptoms at this point?

Cheryl ~ Your eating plan sounds a lot like mine. I tend to eat pretty much the same things day to day, so I figured out the calorie counts on a few different breakfasts and lunches and snacks and stick to those. Then for dinner I make the meat, potatoes and veggies (because Tim won't eat "diet" foods). I just watch the portions and eat extra veggies instead of a lot of potatoes or pasta.

I've been on the WalMart clothing budget since I've been through so many sizes in the past year. I just can't see spending a lot of money on clothes that are going to be sent to Goodwill in a few months because they don't fit anymore. Of course I'm at home most of the time or working at our sheet metal shop, so I don't have to be dressed to impress anyone!

Shelley ~ That's my problem when I have ice cream in the house...it just keeps calling me until I've eaten the whole 1/2 gallon! I don't keep it on hand anymore, but if I really want some I'll go buy a single serving container instead.

Yay, Dee is home!!!! Welcome back!

Janice-Maybe you need pain managment. At least the cortisone is helping. Don't worry about the weight until you get your health back.

Suzy-The yogurt is gone now. Back to being OP!!

I think one of the worse things for me when I try to stay on program is Doug likes his sweets. If I could just not have them in the house I would make healthier snack choices. Anything sweet calls me in the night.

I'm back girls, but drained. I am emotionally & physically exhausted. I'm not sure how much more I can handle taking care of ill family members. The same day we buried FIL was the 1 year anniversary of my mothers collapse and long road to recovery. I don't want to be a downer, but I want you guys to know I may not be able to get motivated right away. From the past 1.5 months of eating junk food/hospital food, I also gained 5#. I did hear from Ramona. She had read here about my FIL's passing and wanted to offer her support. She didn't mentioned anything about the happenings in her life right now. Thank you to each and every one of you, for your love, prayers and support, it is greatly appreciated.

Gayle I am glad to hear that you are posting. I think you need us all right now. You know that what you weigh to us is not why we love you. When you are ready you will lose weight. Take a break and pamper yourself a bit.

Janice I love sweets too. I can't keep them in the house or I would eat them. Why not ask Doug to keep them in his trunk of the car or at work. That way you aren't tempted.
Pain is hard to live with. I am glad that you got some relief from the shot.

Suzy I might have asked you before but I forgot......duh What kind of sheet metal shop do you have? Larry worked with sheet metal all his life.


Shelley you make me laugh when you talk about being cheap with your clothing but being able to spend $300 on a purse. You are to cute!

Cheryl I think that when we try to lose weight that we need to remember that it is a life style change so chosing to eat what we like is important. It you hate tuna why would you eat it everyday? You got the right idea. It is all about portion size of what we like to eat.
That is neat that you let a friend pick out an outfit that is out of your comfort zone and you liked it.

We arrived home to some sad news. Larry's cousin was killed in a car accident. He is only 32 and was married last august. He is the one I taled about a couple of years ago that was the teacher that got ran over trying to stop a car from running over some kids in the school grounds. He had broke his pelvis and shattered his leg. He was in the hospital for 5 months recovering. He suffered so much to have this happen so soon. The funeral will be on friday. The family is expection a large turn out. He was well liked in the school and his church. There was three articles written about him in our paper. Goes to show how many lives he touched.
Larry is quietly grieving. He only has 9 cousins total on both sides of the family. With the grace of God the family is getting through this time.

Dee, I'm so GLAD you're back!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about Larry's cousin. That is so tragic, especially considering what he had just gone throught. I hope his wife has plenty of support at this time. Take care of Larry, as well.

Gayle, I'm glad you're back, too. Thank you for touching base with us. My, you've had a lot happen in the past year. Just remember to take care of GAYLE while you're watching out for everyone else.

HEY RAMONA!!! GLAD YOU'RE LURKING!!!!!!!!!!!

Love all my floozies--
Cheryl

Dee-Please give my sympathies to Larry.

Gayle-You really need some time for Gayle. I hope that you are able to do that soon. I love you, and it doesn't matter whether you are OP or not.

I went to Olive Garden last night with the girls from the office. I had the soup and salad. About 2 hrs. later, I ate everything in sight at home. My weight is way up too.

Shelley it sure is hard to maintain but maintainance is up and down. I gained weight on my trip too but I am still at a weight that I feel comfortable at. I would like to lose a couple a pounds so I have room to go up a bit. I don't want to keep moving in up. I am sure that you feel the same way. All you have to do is be on program for the week and jog a bit more and you will be down.

Cheryl Grant's wife Christie has a lot of family and friends from the church that are helping her through this tragic time. It is tough. The funeral will be help tomorrow with the reception at the school.

Well it is lunch time and Dez tied up my morning so I better get hubby his grub.

Shelley ~ Good for you for getting back OP! The snow is melting and spring is coming, so I need to get back out to the track and start walking again. You can start nagging me about the exercise and I'll keep on you about the ice cream.

Gayle ~ Welcome back...sounds like you could use some time for yourself to rest up and recover from the last few months.

Janice ~ I try and keep snacks that I can have for when Tim gets out the cookies or ice cream. Fudgecicles are one of my favorites...they are only 60 calories and they taste good!

Dee ~ I'm sorry to hear the news about Larry's cousin. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Larry.

Our sheet metal business is a small one...just Tim and our oldest son run the shop, but we do hire part time help from time to time when things get really busy. We do just about everything...duct work, chimney liners, stove pipe, and all kinds of custom work. We also do most kinds of heating...woodstoves and wood furnaces, forced hot air and boiler systems. One neat thing that we just built (there was even an article in the paper about it) was a time capsule for our town's bicentennial coming up this May!

Ramona ~ I'm glad to know that you're here reading even if you aren't posting. You and your family remain in my daily prayers and I think of you often!

Suzy-I eat tons of FF/SF fudgsicles. I always keep them in the house. I don't even count points for them. They have 40 calories each.

Gayle-Thanks for the website you emailed. I've seen it before, but didn't know there were pictures on it.

Dee, so sorry to hear about the death in the family. It is always difficult, but so much more so at such a young age and totally unexpected.

Shelley, I think Carol sent me that site if you are referring to the neighborhood thing. You do so well maintaining, you have such control, everyone is expected to slip up now or then. Try not to be so hard on yourself.

Cheryl, I shop at Walmart most of the time!! LOL! In fact, over the past few weeks, I needed a couple of outfits so I headed out to our mall. After several stores, I ended up back at Walmart.

Janice, I hope the cortisone continues to give you relief. Maybe it will help being able to get in the pool this summer.

Suzy, my, you have some talented men in your life. Working with sheet metal is challenging I'm sure. The capsule sounds so cool!

I've been busy sorting through stacks of bills, mail, laundry, dishes.... went back to work this week too. Steve had his appointment with the specialist this week and is scheduled for eye surgery the 20th of April. He can have one eye done now and the other one later just depending on how fast it progresses. I was signed up to help with a MDA fundraiser the through month of April. I contacted them and told them I can't help at this point. I have neither the time nor energy needed to devote what I can to the project. It seems like everyone is staying OP and checking in. Hopefully, I will be back into the swing of things before to long.

Wishing everyone a nice weekend!!