Good Thursday afternoon ladies, it poured buckets of rain this morning and the streets looked like flowing rivers. I felt as if I could have used a boat to get to work this morning! Was hoping that the rain would have cooled things off, but it still felt warm and very humid at lunchtime. Ugh! Today, I had a delicious crab salad for lunch which was a very special treat. Didn't drink enough water though, (but the day is still young, or so I would like to think). Am heading out the (office) door soon to accompany aunt to the hospital for some more tests. We're slowly getting the hang of the hospital thing. Gotta run now, but you all have a good OP day. Cindy

Geri, nice going on beating the PB Parfait devil. That is no easy task! Oh, I know that you will enjoy your trip to San Fransisco -- it is one of my favorite places for vacation. Hope that you are enjoying your day off in the cool of central AC!

Ellie, keep up the great job that you are doing. I am impressed by your committment to write every bit that you bite. It is the key to your success.

j-ann, congrats on another 1.5 pounds lost! Woo hoo, lady. You are on a wonderful downward roll. Keep that great "losing" streak alive.

bunny, nice going at the McD's! Fast food is not easy to master, but you did just fine! Keep up the great work!

Maggie, glad that you found a good ISP for your trip. Say, your committment is showing! Glad that you will stop by the board while traveling. I'll enjoy hearing your "news" from the road!

Brenda, isn't it exciting to see the slim new you emerging? WTG Brenda. You worked hard for that figure so stand up and give yourself a round of applause. You done good, girlfriend!

Terri, you hit the nail on the head -- having your tools in place so that you can make the good choices with less effort. You are doing it the right way. BTW, pat that good dog of yours on the head for me!

Well, hello everyone - I am new here, and following a bit of lurking yesterday I thought I would jump straight in, as you look like a crowd who wont bite (I am very high point anyway...!!)

I am writing from London in the UK. I feel excited to be talking to people from all over the world - especially the USA and Canada. There are lots of things you talk about that we have completely different language for ('trailer' is caravan, and I dont think we would have jelly on toast - 'jelly' to me is the stuff that comes in red and green and you have at childrens parties with ice cream.
It is very exciting to me to have this support.

I started weight watchers this week and I weighed in at 261 lbs (that is 18 stone 9 to us in the UK). I am 5 foot 2, and therefore have about 125 odd lbs to loose. I am a bit nervous of the prospect...but day by day. You women inspire me!

Today in London is strange as a bomb went off about 150 yards from my office, at about midnight last night. It was the Real IRA the police think. No-one was killed although about 7 people went to hospital for treatment. It is such a shock when it comes so close. The bomb was in a car parked outside a couple of pubs, near burger king. Of course it would have mostly been young people out at that time. Such a shock. I am working at home this morning to avoid the traffic conjestion, which is complete gridlock as you can imagine.

But London is not always like that!!!!! Its wonderful usually! This is just a blip! I had to tell you all as it was so close to me this time.

So I look forward to getting to know you all. Bottle of water in hand, here I am!!!

Good morning!

My allergies are awful this week. Guess all that dirt I stirred up moving has put them into overload. Makes me want to sleep all day. I didn't even have the ummph to take the dog for his walk this morning. He'll be miffed.

I'm still hanging in there OP. I've been journaling and making better choices. Although the first week back to really being OP, I'm usually really hungry. So I've been having trouble being satisfied and staying under my point range; I'm bumping the top every day. Funny how that works because in a week or two, I'll be fine. (I hope!).

Geri - Yesterday I was so wiped out, I chose to nap on the couch after walking the dog and taking a shower instead of my morning post. Those PB parfaits are a fav of mine too. I had one the other day but fortunately I don't drive by DQ so I won't be tempted. Those things are killer! Your soup looks wonderful, thanks for sharing! Your trip to SF sounds fun. I was looking through Cooking Light yesterday and they had a spread on the Napa Valley. Maybe you can make it up there; it looks beautiful. That and the Sonoma Coast. What fun to plan!

bunny - I love the sausage mcmuffin w/egg at McD's. Although the points are too high for what you get. Its hard to make myself order something different. Looks like you made a tough situation work in your favor so that's half the battle. Good for you!

Maggie - Thanks for the good wishes.

Lilacglitter - Welcome to the group and good luck on your journey with WW. We're here to help and offer support in whatever life throws at us. Although not sure if we know how to support bombings! That would freak me out. Its good that no one was killed. Looking forward to your posts.

Cindy - The heat is awful here too but with no big rains. I'm getting a little cranky about it too. Sure makes it hard to feel anything but totally sluggish. Hope the dr visit went well. Hang in there!

Ellie - How to you make your smoothies? I read about them from others. Maybe I need to try that.

J-Ann - We'd love it if it were only 88 degrees right now! We're more like 98 and heat index of 114. Congrats on the 1.5 pound gone. Little losses add up to a big one so great job!

Got to run. Need to print out some camper confirmations and hit the shower for work. I'd love to sit here all day in my jammies but the boss wouldn't like that.

Have a great OP day and be strong!

Hello everyone! I am in the pink today!!! I had a bunch of jobs to do at the mall after having breakfast with my cousins and my mom this morning. I got out a pretty light blue cotton sweater that I have (I don't wear light colors often.), put on my string of pearls (because the neckline on the sweater is low and I needed a necklace), put on my little pearl earrings and my blue jeans and hit the town! It felt especially good when my cousin asked where I was going 'all dressed up'. When I went to the mall, I held my head up, I smiled at everyone, and I chatted with people in the elevator (you know, like folks do in the south -- friendly!). And ya know what???? People smiled back, they chatted back AND I felt good about myself for the first time in a long time!

Cindy: You get to be blue today. I saw on the news about all the rain and was hoping you weren't flooded out. I'm glad that your aunt is cooperating with you guys taking her to the doctor. See, my dad wasn't. We had to do silly, sneeky things to get him there. It wasn't fun! Keep your positive attitude. It will get you through! [[[HUGS]]]

Maggie: Ok, you get to be green 'cuz you always post in green. Sorry you lost your post. Doesn't that frustrate the heck out of you. Glad to see you found your focus this week. I love the little fairy. I wonder if that's small enough to use under your name. I could steal it and replace my little devil!!

Lilac Glitter: I bet you can't figure out why I picked purple for you?!?!? Welcome aboard!! It's so much fun to meet people from around the world. And I do love the different terminology that you have for things. When I was in England years ago, they wanted to throw my luggage in the 'boot'. I couldn't for the life of me figure that out until the guy opened the trunk of the car. * Glad you have decided to join us. We don't bite, but it was nice of you to warn us that you are too high in points anyway. I hope you'll make yourself a regular here. I look forward to getting to know you.


Terri: You get to be red, because your nose is probably a little red from the allergies kicking up. Good for you staying OP. Journalling really helps, doesn't it??? I am doing much better now that I have gone back to it. If you have some really special places that we shouldn't miss in San Fran or some hints that we should consider, please, pass them on. I'd really appreciate it.

Well girls, I am usually not this colorful, but I was feeling really good today so I thought I would do something different. I even splurged today and bought myself a perfume set at one of the department stores I was at. If you haven't tried Estee Lauder Pleasures you just have to smell it. It is wonderful! And now I am the proud owner of cologne, bath gel and body lotion. YUM!!

You all have a great evening. I need to get some mail together and then make some dinner. I found a recipe for clam chowder that I want to try.

"Curiosity is the beginning of success."

Sneaking in a quick post while waiting for MIL and her DH to come over for tacos.

Just had to say how your post made me smile Geri. I felt good for you feeling so good for yourself. And definitely loved the colors.

Maggie - When are you making the big transition again? We'll miss your posts since you won't be available as often. I don't envy your sorting and packing. But what fun to be planning such a change.

Okay guys, where do you find those pictures? I used to be computer literate but somehow am not anymore.

And Geri, if you like the clam chowder, please do post!

gotta run

I'm capping my dreadful, really awful, no fun day with a wine cooler and a bath with candles and bath beads. Its been a long, darn day and good riddance to it. LOL! On the plus side -- I weighed in 3# lighter & I stayed OP all day (even with the wine cooler I'm anticipating later this eve). Tomorrow's bound to be more fun -- which should make staying OP easier still. I must say -- I just LOVE the sugar free Jell-o jello snack thingies from the refrigerator aisle at the grocery. Yum!

Maggie -- I didn't even realize McD's served ham. I've always just like the sausage biscuit but the biscuit is absolutely not worth the points. *groan*

Thinkthinker (Geri?) -- you must have been a vision. I think that a pale sweater with pearls sounds very snazzy -- and looks like it was just what the doctor ordered, in any case. I can almost picture it.

Determined to succeed -- I'm always hungry. Always -- so I'm having to find the low point snacks that help fill me up in between the other "meals" I have each day (like air pop popcorn and those Jello snacks I mentioned up there and celery sticks and two slices of high fiber, lo-cal wheat bread and what not). Seems like I eat all day long like this -- but it sorta-kinda makes it so I don't feel hungry all the time.

Hi Ladies,
It's a warm evening, rain all around us but not here. As soon as I get the dogs and cats settle in for the night I'm off to a nice cool shower. Have been O.P. all day but need more water so after the shower I'm gonna fill my water bottle and enjoy a long, cold, drink of mother natures finest.

Tomorrow will be a busy one for me. Have to find a Fedex place and get a tracking test entry off to Canada, then I plan to visit some old friends at a dog agility trial about 1 hr away from home. I'll have to remember to pack lunch or I'll be eating sausage sandwiches, french fries and lots of other greasy stuff I don't need.


"Remember the cooler ...remember the cooler". My Mantra these days.

LILAC: So glad you joined us.Hope we hear from you often.

BUNNY: Sorry you had a lousy day. Think happy thoughts ..tomorrow will be better. Enjoy your wine cooler. I love them but my face turns beet red and I get the sweats even thinking about wine, in any form, in the summer. I save it for when I come in from outdoor in winter. Warms me up quicker than tea and only takes 1/2 a wine glass to do it. It's a shame my body reacts like this because we have so many great wineries nearby, in the Finger Lakes region and I love tastings. Most of the time, though, I elect to be the designated driver on our tours because I just can't drink more than a tiny bit without hot flashes <G>.

MAGGIE: Love your Pixie too. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the smileys <sp> to work much less moving avatars around.

GERI: Love those colors!! Made me grin from ear to ear when saw your post. Thanks!


Gotta run,

HI EVERYONE:
WELL, TOMORROW MORNING IN WEIGH IN FOR ME.. WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW I DO.. AM ANXIOUS SINCE I HAD TO WRITE IT ALL DOWN AND HAND IT IN TOMORROW.

TERRI: - I BUY THE SMOOTHIE MIX FROM WW. I LIKE BOTH THE VANILLA AND CHOCOLATE. SOMETIMES I ADD A FRUIT TO IT LIKE A BANANA OR STRAWBERRIES AND IT IS VERY SATISFYING AND FILLING FOR ME AT NIGHT. I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE THEM.. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS AN IDEA HOW TO USE THEM, PLEASE SHARE YOUR IDEA

LILAC: WELCOME ABOARD. YOU WILL ENJOY THIS GROUP

MAGGIE: LOVE YOUR PIXIE ALSO. TRIED TO ATTACH A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT IT DIDN'T COME UP.. WILL TRY AGAIN THIS MESSAGE AND SEE IF ANYTHING SHOWS UP...

GOTTA RUN: WILL TALK TO YOU ALL TOMORROW. EVERYONE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK..

BYE FOR NOW ELLIE

Well here we are on Saturday morning. Thanks for all your welcome messages - its making it easier for me to really step up in to this challenge.

Can you believe that my friend talked me in to buying a bicycle yesterday!! It is only a cheap second hand one, and a bit rusty. But I love it! It is light blue with flowers on. I managed to go about 7 yards on it - I could ride a bike as a child, and used to play on it constantly in the summer....but that was 30 years (and 200lbs!) ago! Anyway, off to the bike shop later for some new brake pads and a cute basket for the front, and I will be off to find somewhere very very very flat to practise.

Later today BBQ with posh north London friends - how to stay OP with that???!! I am hoping they will do some salads and low fat type things, but there is no guarantee with it at all. I am going to make the no points soup for tonight.

Geri, I laughed

when you said about putting stuff in the boot. You really need to worry when men start passing comment about your fanny though....

Bunny - hope your bath was good....one of my fave passtimes especially after a 'nobody told me there'd be days like these' day.

J-ann and Maggie - I am having probs with the avatars as well. i emailed 'help' about it yesterday. J-ann, you might check the 'edit options' thing, which gives you the choice of enabling smilies...maybe yours is turned off there? Just a thought.

Love to everyone else as well. I am now off to swing by my office and check its still there after the (totally weird not to say scarey) fact that it was bombed yesterday. I am still reeling from the shock really. As I said, I work about 150 yards from where the blast was (it was at midnight so i was not there and neither were my colleagues), but the police cordoned the area off yesterday to do forensics. So far I have only seen it on the TV, and somehow it does not seem real. Sorry to start my 'posting life' here with something so completely bizarre! I dont live in a war zone, really! I am just glad no one was hurt.
Have a lovely Saturday everyone, and enjoy the summer while we have it!

The Journey (a poem by Mary Oliver)


One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.



xxx

HI EVERYONE:
HAD MY WEIGH IN THIS MORNING AND I LOST 3.2 POUNDS.
WOOHOO
I AM SOOOOOOO EXCITED AND IT SURE IS MOTIVATION TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON.. HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE.
TALK TO YOU SOON. ELLIE

We're at 27 posts so I'm going to start this bright Sunday morning off with a new thread.

DO NOT post here. Go to 'Countdown to 250...August 5 and beyond'

See you there.