Xena, they're not integrated. You can get a version that's integrated for Palm Pilots or etc, but the online one doesn't integrate with the one on your pc.

Sorry ladies, not up to doing personals today. I apparently have a stomach bug and nothing (including water) is staying down today.

brandnewme - Darn it. Thanks for the info though. I really appreciate it! Hope you are feeling better soon.

Nancy - Sorry you are feeling blah, but good news you are back to 319. You'll be in the VFT (virgin fat territory) soon.

Julee - Wow, almost 100 pounds gone. Way to go! HAve fun at Disneyland.



OK, time to stop procrastinating and time to start painting that bathroom. It's not going to paint itself!

Mel, OMGoodness! I haven't been forced to be in the Atlanta airport in over 12 years (don't travel anymore much)...now I don't know that I ever want to.

Kayle – I’m sorry you are not feeling well. Depression is just SO horrid! I have lived with it my entire adult life…and it only gets easier, in my experience, if you keep working on self-awareness and spirtuality - at least those are the things that work for me.

Amy – I don’t know about my life being any more interesting than yours. Let’s see: wake up at 5, work out from 5:30 to 6:30, get ready for work 6:30 to 7:30, leave for work at 7:30, commute for an hour, get to work at 8:30, work from 8:30am to 6 pm (sometimes go grocery shopping and to the bank while running errands for work or while taking my lunch), commute home for about 30 minutes. That leaves me from 6:30 to 8:30 (my bedtime) to make dinner, catch up on emails, feed the cat, clean the litterbox, put out my clothes for the next day, etc. etc. etc. I just would do more personals if I didn’t have to commute that blessed 1.5 hours a day! ROFL

Oh yeah, and I totally get the having to eat before you pass out or make bad choices. That is why I have a ton of food at work I can eat if I get hungry before I get home for dinner: popcorn kernels, cereal and soy milk, protein bars, a variety of fruits (either bananas or apples or whatever’s in season) – all of them quick and easy to grab right before getting in the car. I also sometimes have all my meals at work. I’m serious. I’m trying to not eat 2 hours before my bedtime which means, I can’t wait to get home to have dinner. So, I sometimes bring my lunch and dinner to work and eat them here. By the time I get home, I don’t have to worry about making dinner. It doesn’t always work that way, but I’m hoping I will be more consistent with it.

And, you mentioned popcorn. Do you know how to make air popped popcorn in the microwave without any gadgets? All you need is a paper bag! It’s so simple to do and it’s so much healthier that all those chemicals in the prepackaged microwave popcorn (especially the “fat-free ones”! I try to eat food as close to its original form as possible). Anyway, you can add some spices to the popcorn after popping it, but I don’t. I LOVE plain popcorn. So, here’s how: for a small paper bag (the kind people use to take their sandwiches to work) put 1 tablespoon of kernels in bag, fold top of bag to keep corn from coming out, place bag in microwave on its side, start popping! The time in your microwave will vary, depending on the brand of kernels and the microwave. I usually stay close and listen to the pops. The start slow, then get faster, then slow down. When they’ve slowed down, that’s when I turn microwave off. Easy, cheap, uncomplicated, healthy! What else could you ask for?

On the subject of lingerie, my first G/F was never into lingerie either. And I am so in love with frilly, lacy, sexy things! I hated it that I would buy these things and never get the right reaction! I took it personally for a long time, then I realized it was about her tastes, not about my body. And I guess it can go both ways! My last b/f was really into girls wearing sexy, VERY high-heeled shoes and as much as I am into LOOKING good, I cannot stand being uncomfortable. So, he rarely got his wish, which I’m sure bummed him out…but I was like “hey, YOU try walking in those when you wear a size 10 double wide, weigh 360lbs and have a bum ankle!!!” He never did complain much after that! ROFL

My current g/f is very much into me wearing sexy things. In fact, I have several hundred dollars worth of custom corsets and waist cinchers that I wear frequently when we dress up to go out– we both really enjoy it when I wear them; I particularly like the way they feel (I know people think they are uncomfortable, but I never found them to be), and how much support the steel boning provides, but that’s another story. So, the other day we’re in the middle of talking about work and she says “By the way,” And now, she sounds a bit alarmed so I’m bracing myself for some whopper or another (did that huge job get cancelled? Is our next progress payment from customer X delayed?), and she says, “You’re not going to get rid of all those corsets once they don’t fit you anymore, are you!?!” I couldn’t stop laughing! I promised her that when they no longer fit I’ll find a good seamstress and have them taken in. I guess I lucked out having a g/f who likes it when I wear lacy bras with bows and pearls and embroideries and stuff (oh god, I cannot believe I just admitted to that!) and who could care less about the size of the heel on my shoes.

On a less frivolus subject, I decided to change therapists. I stopped seeing my old therapist at the beginning of Feb. cuz she was really getting on my nerves. I figured out after a couple of months that I’m not ready to STOP therapy, but I need to work with someone who specializes in eating disorders. There’s stuff I was not getting from my old therapist that a specialist will be able to give me. A few months ago I heard this therapist speak at a thing on young girls and body image/eating disorders and I liked her. I gave her a call this week and I took a couple hours off work today to go see her. I liked her more and if we can figure out the money thing (she costs TWICE as much as my old therapist did!), I’ll go see her on a regular basis. I’m excited about this and scared beyond words. Let’s hope it all goes well.

On the exercise front, I woke up this morning at my usual time but chickened out about going to the gym. I've been working out at home on my bike but I'm trying to have T, and Th be a gym day so that my body gets some variety. But there's something that I am scared about in terms of the gym - haven't been able to beat it still. So, I thought I could do one of my tapes intead...and then remembered I no longer have a VCR! I have two ways of playing a DVD, mind you, but NO VCR! So, I didn't work out this morning. I figured I was nervous enough about seeing that therapist today so I just took the day off.

OK then, I think I’m all talked out! Though I think I'll stop by Target on my way home tonite and buy myself a VCR.

Sparkles and giggles,

Hi all...

to answer a couple questions... the airline was AirTran (first time I ever flew it... not sure I will again.... although it was probably more of an issue with the Atlanta airport... maybe.... but then.... maybe not)
Ironic how I have NEVER lost my luggage in all the years I've traveled--and, as you see, I fly quite a bit. And... I've now lost my luggage TWICE in the past month. hhmmm... both from Orlando... hmmm...

and yes, the first airline did end up doing a nice job on the repair of my bag that got damaged.

Kayley -- so sorry you're feeling down. I wonder if it has just a little to do with "coming down" from the buildup of the weekend and the total excitement of your weekend that you anticipated for so long and turned out so great ... I know it's not all that, and I'm certainly not intending to sound like I'm minimizing anything. I just know that sometimes the emotional highs can be hard to balance with the "after effect" of not having it to look forward to anymore. Hugs to you, babe! and you you, Nancy...and to anyone having a blah time right now.

Zelda--- sorry I missed your birthday ... Happy Belated you hottie!

MariaLucia... I'm so going to try the popcorn.... I guess I always knew you could do that, but I've never actually tried it. And... I feel like I'm a pretty confident and self assured person, but when it comes to my body, I'm a total insecure mess... I can't WAIT to have the self assurance like you do and try on some fun lingerie. Good for you! ANd yea, that you have a g/f who loves it too!

To EVERYONE else -- sending big vibes for good things in your lives!

WI today.... was a bit disappointing... stayed the same. Was disappointing becasue I snuck a peak at the scale on Tuesday and I was 1.5 down... but on official day back up to match a week ago. grrrrrr..... but TOM came today so .... maybe there's hope that I can blame that. I can dream.

Sorry no time for more for now.... will check in again soon!

Stay strong....
Mel

Kayley--I'm sorry you're still feeling down. I really hope you start feeling better. PM me or message me on myspace if you wanna talk. Aw! Andrew doesnt know what he's missing! Curves is basically a circuit. Its a big circle of machines, w/pads between each machine. You're at each "station" for 30 seconds, then you switch. So you go machine, pad, machine, pad etc. On the pads you run in place or just move however you want. The machines use hydraulic resistance, kind of like pistons. Each one works a different muscle group--arms, legs, back, torso, etc. So basically you get your cardio and also your strength training. You go around twice, stretch, and you're done! It takes 30 min total. I really like it because there's no guesswork. A little voice comes on and says "change stations now" every 30 seconds. Each machine is totally easy to use and they all have instructions in front of them if you forget. I really like it. You're lucky not to have much for eyebrows. I have an appt to get my little "caterpillars" waxed tomorrow, thank goodness!

Mel--Oh, that is a nightmare!! Ug! Isnt it funny how when you are in the situation you think "this **** will never end" but somehow it does and you are able to laugh about it? Erm...maybe a little? I'm so glad you're home now and get to be home for the weekend. I dont travel much--I've actually only flown once, and that was before 9/11! But I've heard tell of these nightmares people have. I'm glad its over now, whew! I'm sorry the scale didnt show any change. Stupid scale! But I think you'll be seeing more of this after TOM is over! Stupid TOM!

Luan--That's awesome! I'd love to see he and Willie Nelson together as I love Willie too! Isnt Ryan Adams like some huge alcoholic or something? I've heard a lot of his live stuff and he always sounds smashed.

Sharon--Nat lives in KC, so I'm going there to see him. All my immediate family lives in Nebraska, just like me. I laughed at you saying you wish you could use the loo w/o any interuptions. You know what we used to do to my mom? When she was in the bathroom we'd open and close the door in rapid succession and yell "FREE TICKETS!! Free tickets to see mom use the bathroom!" We are SO lucky to have made it to 18, let me tell ya. My mom was really tolerant. Now, me--not so much. My sister's kids used to walk in on me in the bathroom when I'd visit and I'd yell "get out!!" Brats!! on child-minders!

Zelma--, I really hope we can work it out, too.

Crockett--He's a cutie! I always love drug dogs! We had to get "sniffed out" when we had shakedowns at the prison I used to work at. It was all I could do not to pet them and say "who's a good dog??" But alas, they were doing thier jobs, no distractions!

Brenda--Snow?? That's nuts! I was thinking today how weird it is that just 2 weeks ago I was digging my car out from the 14 inches we got, and this week I've had my windows open almost every night! Crazy Nebraska weather, I tell ya!

Xena--Good to hear the fence is finally going up! Yahoo!! What color are you painting your bathroom? And I'm never annoyed at learning something new, so no worries!

Julee--Hey, that flower girl dress sounds like a good deal! Good for you, bargain girl! Disneyland sounds awesome! I've never been but always wanted to. But yes, I need to drop some more lbs before I attempt that! Sorry to hear about the +2, but sounds like you are taking it well. And it probably is TOM, anyway.

Nancy--UG, I hate days like that! I hope you're home now and curled up and enojoying your evening! I'm sorry your loss wasnt more triumphant for you, but just wait a couple weeks--you'll be down more weight and then you can be happy about it again!

MariaLucia--Oh, your new therapist is a she! I shouldnt have assumed --I referred to her as a dude in the excercise thread! OOPS! I really hope she can help you. It sounds like she is better trained to help you with the specifics of the demons you face. I'm glad you found her. Finding the right therapist can be a bear. My last 2 therapists dumped me, pretty much. Ah well. All your lingerie sounds awesome. I love stuff like that. I can never bring myself to spend the money it requires to buy good lingerie for myself (as you know, plus size stuff is more expensive that skinny-minnies!), but maybe I will start. Nat suggested that I take the extra money I am making by working overtime and spend it all on myself. I dont really need it to survive or pay bills, I'm just doing it so I can have certain "extras" ya know? And that sounds like as worthy of splurge as any, so why not? I've actually never wore lingerie in front of him before, I'm not sure he'd know what to do w/himself if I did! Well, I'm sure he'd figure it out. Hey, thanks for the tip on the popcorn! I'll totally have to try it! I know what you mean about it being processed, especially the fat-free kind. Ingredients aside, I always feel like I can taste some chemical-y stuff in there, and always feel like the fake "butter" creates like a film in your mouth. Ick! Your days sound hectic! I'm surprised you have any time for yourself, much less to come on here and post! I'm impressed at how you juggle it all, including diet and excercise!


As for me, today was good. I had a low point breakfast and lunch so I had 20 Points left for dinner! I had a Mr Goodcents sub for dinner, and didnt even have to dip into my Flex Points. I had an Italian sub w/swiss cheese...It was good mmmm!!

I was able to go to Curves after work w/o eating dinner first tonight, yay! I ate 2 oranges this afternoon (not at the same time ) and that seemed to tide me over ok. I also didnt have that sick pukey feeling while excercising, either because my stomach wasnt so full. My friend at work asked me if I want to start going to Curves together right after work once our schedules change. We are going to be working the same shift so that will work out great. And this way I will have to get used to going to Curves right after work because she'll be expecting me to! Cool.

I'm doing laundry tonight and getting all packed up for KC! Fun times! Tomorrow I get off work at 6 so I probably wont leave town till around 7, but I'll still be in KC by 10-10:30 which wont be too bad.

I hope everyone has a GREAT Friday and a relaxing and fun weekend. I wont be back till Sunday night, but I'll be sure and get caught up then!

Imagine, if you will, the worst possible thing that could happen while painting a room. Know what it is? You guessed it! An entire paint tray full of red paint fell off the ladder and all over my bathroom, primarily down my pristine glossy white door (well, formerly pristine white door....now a smeared pink door). So I just spent the last hour or so trying to mop up this horrible mess. Fortunately only a couple of drops got on the hallway carpet and I was able to get that out with soap and water. The bathroom floor is linoleum so that came up pretty well. It's my door that is ruined. It was smeared with red paint and it was impossible to get it all off. Now it is stained pink. I thought I would be smart and try fingernail polish remover to get the remaining pink stains out. Why I thought fingernail polish would only remove red paint and not white paint is question for the ages. So, yeah, I removed some of the red paint along with the white paint. So now when I finally do finish painting the bathroom I get to repaint my door to. Good times.

Kayley...this hug's for you. When you're feeling down, just think to yourself, "Well, at least I don't have a streaky pink bathroom door." Just a little giggle to maybe cheer you a bit. I feel for you, girl.

MariaLucia - I had no idea you could do that with regular popcorn. Here I was thinking there was actually something "special" about microwave popcorn. I can't wait to try this. And, as you said, it will be good to avoid all the salt and fake chemical butter flavoring. Thanks for the idea! I am interested to hear how you like your new therapist. For several months I have been thinking of doing just what you did and finding someone who specializes in ED's.

Mel - I am sorry you were disappointed with a maintain at the scale this week. I bet if you stick with it this week you will be rewarded for it next week. Hang in there!

Violet - That is so great you are going to have a workout buddy to go to Curves with. Not only she help you be accountable but I bet it will be more fun too! Great! Oh, and you asked what color I was painting. Red. I was excited about it. Somehow, I am not so much anymore. I am sure I will feel better about it tomorrow. Maybe.....

Nighty night, all you fine ladies (and any gents who might be lurking )

Lillion--I think the time change is most of my tiredness too. I don't ever remember it affecting me like this but this is absolutely kicking my butt...but as I said I've also been doing a lot more running around than I usually do. So maybe it's the combination of those and throw in some allergies lol....I just can not seem to get enough sleep or get up in the mornings.... I hope I get over that soon!!!

Kayley--I'm very sorry you are feeling blah today. Hugs I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Ammi--big hugs I'm sorry you have been down as well.

MariaLucia--Thanks for the tip about the popcorn, I am going to have to buy me some to try that with. I like the taste of popcorn, but I can't stand salt and it is ALWAYS salted, and my father, if he makes any, makes it the old fashioned way in a pan of crisco...so I can't eat that...and I've never liked microwaved fake butter too much salt stuff...So I am looking forward to trying it.

And, your lingerie sounds marvelous. I love that kind of stuff, but I've never actually splurged on any...maybe someday. But there's no one to wear it for but me right now LOL so I can't really justifiy the expense.

Zelma--Happy Belated Birthday!! You look absolutely gorgeous!! And, does your husband have a twin LOL. What he said in your card was the sweetest! I am glad you had a wonderful birthday.

I hope EVERYONE has a wonderful day tomorrow and a terrific active weekend!!!!!
_______
As for me, today was a little more normal, so I am keeping this short so I can get to working out soon and try to make up some time.

I ate OP today, which I pretty much have been, even in all the rushing, so that's a good thing. I just took my measurements, and I haven't gained or lost any inches...so not a huge surprise with not being able to get a decent workout in but....Anyway...as I said, I am going to keep this short.

Okay I decided to stop typing this and workout before it got too late so counting 20 mins I did at school today that makes my total for the day 90 mins. Maybe a week of that will make up for the days I missed. I feel really good.

amy - hes an alcoholic and has a tiny painkiller/heroin problem which keeps him from playing a LOT of the time. its annoying. hes canceled twice that i had planned on seeing him. if he backs out this time im gonna track him down and cut him.

Ok...time to rant about AirTran. You might remember them as ValuJet...who once crashed a plane into the Florida Everglades. I flew AirTran once and only once and here is why.

One summer, I made plans to drive from Atlanta to Buffalo with my grandparents who were heading up there for the summer. We used to make this trip when I was little and I loved it, so it was like old times, except this time I got to drive. I was going with them for our Family reunion, but in the meantime I got 4 days alone with my grandparents. So we drive up..no worries, family reunion, no worries...and that night my grandfather died totally unexpectedly. he was driving home and had the feling that something was wrong, and pulled over the the side of the road and with his foot on the brake had a massive coronary and died. My brother and grandmother were in the car.

I had purchased a 1-way ticket back to ATL for about $59 on the internet...nice bargain fare. So the first thing we had to do was get my step-sister up to Buffalo for the funeral...mainly b/c she needed to bring funeral clothing for my parents, neither of whom are off the rack shoppers. So I go online with AirTran (it's now about 1:30 am) to book her a flight for later in the day. They say that if you need to book same day travel call they 1-800 number..which I do. The 1-800 number isn't open 24 hours a day. They also do not ffer "bereavement fares". If you can't be accessible when people ned to book a flight,...it doesn't much matter how cheap your tickets are.

But see, that's not all. Being Jewish, my family was planning to "sit shiva" which is a 7 (or so) day mourning period. The funeral was on a Monday. My ticket home was on Tuesday. I wanted to change it to Thursday so I could be with the family. When I called AirTran back to change my flight, they wanted to charge me a $50 change fee and the difference in the price of the ticket, which was another $125. I kept explaining that it was for the funeral and that this was our religious transition and so on and so forth. My parents had no problem changing their flight on Midway...

The agent with whom I was speaking finally said to me"I don't see what your problem is..why can't you just take your normal flight home?" I got her supervisor at that point and after carefully using the words "lawyer" "Anti-Defamation league" and "anti-semites" in my sentences, they sort of apologized for the insensitive remarks and agreed to just charge me the $50 change fee. I later filed several more complaints with various agencies.

On the flight home, I was a mess. For $25, they offered an upgrade to "business class" which meant a larger leather seat up front and 2 drink tickets. I just wanted quiet and privacy. I was sitting in the very front row, where 2 flight attendants were having an ice fight as the passngers were loading and we were getting ready to take off. Every 4th ice cube or so hit me. They never acknowledged this or apologized. Then, during the flight, one of the attendants put his soda can on a ledge and when we hit a tiny air pocket it spilled all over my pants..waking me up. I was handed 2 napkins. Again no apology, no offer to clean it, no nothing.

I have no love for AirTran. The Atlanta airport is actually really great and very business travel friendly.

Wow...what a vent that was.

I wore brand new shoes to work today...sexy 3" heels that I got at Target. The balls of my feet are so swollen but at least I looked cute. Flip flops tomorrow for sure!

Good night ladies...sleep well.

Julee, what an awful time you had with the airline, doubly so that you lost your grandfather, it is awful that you had to bring 'antisemitism' into it too, any bereavement is terrible for those involved without having to struggle with unsympathetic beaurocrats (sp?) The behaviour of the staff on the plane just adds insult to injury, I suppose you were too upset and worn out at the time to complain to a senior member of staff.
Violet/Amy if you had been mine you wouldn't have made it!!!! its worse in a way though as usually Aiden is crying or they are fighting and I have to hurry in case they get hurt, at least your mum knew you were ok. Enjoy your visit with your guy!!!!
Zelma it would be lovely to ask a mum to keep an eye on Gareth but he's Autistic and won't take to 'new' people, also I don't know any of the mums as Gareth went to a special nursery in the next town, but thanks for the thought.
I am really down, not just coz of the creche/college stuff but we are seriously overdrawn at the bank, £300-£400 is 'missing', I write down all that we spend and its making me ill, we have to wait for the statement to arrive BEFORE we can discuss it with the bank!!! His stupid bank 'don't keep records of transactions once they are sent out'!!!!! We have money in savings accounts/investments BUT i FEEL LIKE A FAILURE how can I have messed up like this? Luckily Steve didn't do his nut and was calm & ok but I am SO worried, is my accounting wrong, am I going crazy, forgetting to put stuff down ?my memory is getting really bad and that's a worry too, my grandma went senile from 40 onwards so I'm panicking about that.
Sorry to be so moany, I TRULY HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, and I'm including myself in there too.
Maria, those corsets sound wonderful, trouble is if I had one all the fat from my tummy would hang under the bottom of it!!!!
xxxsharon

amy~ What did you do at the Prison? I hear ya on the want to pet and love on the drug dogs,, BIG NO NO!, but afterwards I would make up for it,,,LOL...Take Care

Sharon - Just a quick note. The 'missing money' happened to us just recently and we worked out that a cheque that we had written LAST NOVEMBER had only recently been sent off from school (it was for a book club order) and had only just cleared. Somewhere along the line we figured that that cheque amount had already come out, and were stumped for a while. We weren't due for a statement for a while, so had to sort through a few things, until it finally dawned on me that the amount which we were out seemed very familiar, and fair enough, it was the EXACT amount of that cheque. I have decided to pay for book club orders in CASH in the future. Could this possibly have happened to you do you think? You are probably better at keeping track of money than we are, but it was just a thought.

Sorry about Gareth having special needs that would make it difficult for him to be looked after by a parent. Have you thought about asking his teacher if she would mind if he sits inside for a few more minutes in case you are late? I have had autistic children in my class before and I don't think that I would see this as an abnormal request. Really you are just letting the teacher know that it is a 'possibility' that you could be a little late - not a LONG time, just a little - and hopefully he/she would be understanding. I used to watch a couple of kids for 10/15 mins after school until their mum got in from work. She would buy me a little gift at the end of each term as a thank you. I didn't expect anything, but it was a lovely thought.

I'm just throwing ideas around here, so I may not be offering anything useful to you at all.lol

Good luck with finding where that money has gone. I ALWAYS stress about money.

Take care,

Zelma

Well, y'all know about my "rule" regarding treats. I can have one treat a day (though I never have that many treats a week) only if it's a single-serving size.

Well, for a couple of weeks now I've been craving a cookie. Do you know how HARD it is to buy just ONE cookie that is also a REGULAR sized cookie? I mean, "technically" those huge coffee shop cookies are a "single-serving" since it is only one cookie, but c'mon! I know better than that! A cookie that is 5 inches in diameter is NOT a single serving.

Does anyone know where a girl can buy ONE cookie (2.5" diameter max)? I know if I buy a bigger cookie I won't just want to eat half and throw the rest away. And forget about making a batch of cookies and only baking one and leaving the rest of the dough in the freezer - the darn thing would just call for me in the middle of the night.

Any suggestions?

Hi Maria Lucia--

Is there a Subway near you? Don't they sell cookies that are actually normal sized cookies? It can't hurt to check it out either way. Good luck.

Hi Everyone

Just a quick hello. I came by to check in and say hi. I'll talk to you all later.

Vicki