Hi Carol and Quiltmama, sounds like we're all hanging in there. Quiltmama, babies? Is your brother going to be the father to twins? Do tell. At least he'll be here and out of Iraq.

Carol, your breakfast sounds like mine. But then the cereal just didn't hold me over and I got into some cheese puffs. Bad choice but I did it. At least I exercised again this morning. Some days it's hard to get up at 5:15 just to exercise. I'd rather be sleeping. Especially on a rainy morning like this.

Work is okay but I'm a little tired this am. Probably the exercise. I pretty much want to go home, roll up in my blanket and read a good book. I just "read" (listened to 4th of July by James Patterson) and now I want o listen to 5th Horseman - a continuation of the series. Work, yuck. Plus if I went home I'd be wtih my doggies.

but I won't go, I will stay and diligently work (I've got 4 computers working at the moment and 3 are doing my exports so I am working). Well, I'll chat later.
Marie

Oh am I glad its my last work day this week. Its been busy, demanding, stressful and almost over! I had a bit of a crazy day the client I lost last month has a new coordinator. I am pleased that he will be getting services. But in my heart I had to beable to share the history of the past year at least. The company policy is to forward a yrs. summary. Well I tried there is no way I could put the right touch on it. It just wouldn't spin so I asked for special consideration to send all my case notes. The rule has been bent to allow me. That ended my day a bit better. I guess at least I feel I am giving him a good start with knowledge for the new case manager. He will be calling me he has already told my boss he feels my client should of not moved out of his family care. That at least made me feel better in one way. Maybe I didn't advocate strongly enough in the end? Well l wish him well in any case. My job can get quite stressful. A friend told me last night what a good job I do and that made me feel better. I didn't go to food after work but to the lake for a 4 mile walk. That was a positive step for me. I am feeling quite good about my exercise. I haven't gone to the gym maybe on a rainy day. I plan to walk after work today in hopes to end a bit early. I wait for my friends somedays to get out of work. Today I may walk by myself time will tell. Already have 8 miles for this week. I plan on walking today and saturday to off set my extra EASTER calories. Preplanning!
Marie I am with you lets end this work week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like those corn curls too! Not too bad if we limit ourselves but in less I put them in a bowl my hand can't stay out of the bag. That should be something we do count them out put them in baggies. What a yah think. I used to do that with snacks that way the portion control is there. It can sure take a toll on the hips if we eat too many. All our long miles gone down the toilet. Easter Menu: Oh I am still figuring it all out. I keep changing it a bit. In any case I think buffet style we have too many to try and sit at the tables. If its nice out they have enjoyed dining out there. So I am going to make it as simple as possible. I have to ck the weather out. Hope it is nice for the little ones to have their hunt in the yard.

Good Morning everyone,

Pink, glad you decided to join the group! i know you will like it here!

My computer has been down for awhile, couldn't get it going again! Where is a computer expert when you need one! But it's up and running for today.

What does everyone have planned for Easter? Traditional dinner? What are your traditions? Are you planning some low-cal dishes?

Take care and everyone have a wonderful day, Freda

Carol, I like what you said that all our miles are down the toilet. That's a great way to look at it. Sometimes I think that my mind plays the game that well you've exercised so you should get more food. No, no, no Marie, you already eat plenty of food. I will have to think about the waste of getting up early if I keep overeating. Good thought.

Freda, aren't computers wonderful??? I have to admit I don't like them nearly as much as I used to since I now spend my workdays in front of them. Then my family wants their computers fixed. My mother calls me if she has a computer question at the drop of a dime. Hmm, I wonder why I don't like to answer the phone.

I got up early to exercise and I think that it's probably a good way to start my day. I've been questioning whether it's worth it, but now I realize I'm in a lot better mood in the mornings. The other drivers aren't driving me nuts so I'm not as irritated. so I'm going to keep on doing it. Though today I promised the doggies a walk after work since it is supposed to be our first full day with sun in 6 weeks. It's nice out. YEAH!!! Snow and rain due to com back tomorrow but I will enjoy it till then.

Chat with you all later.
Marie

Typical of my day--I lost the long message that I was sending a few minutes ago, arrrgh!

Welcome, Pretty and Lesel! I hope you get half as much encouragement as I've gotten from the cheerleaders on this thread, they are all awesome! Just seeing Jules' lively posts perk me up.

I have been off my game all month. I didn't eat poorly while I was away, but I did eat more bread than I normally do, and I lost it over a plate of brownies on Saturday. Its good to be home, but now I am sick with some nasty sinus thing. I haven't done much working out, and won't today either--besides the cough, sneezes and headache, my head is a bit woozy. I wanted April to be a big weight-loss month for me, but I will be doing well if I don't gain anything this month.

Marie, I like to exercise in the mornings, too. I hope that the sun is shining on your walk today.

Freda, I will celebrate Easter by doing my taxes and watching the Sopranos. So far I have successful eluded the chocolate bunnies and eggs.

Quiltmama, you must be very excited about seeing your brother and the new babies!

Gotta go, see ya later--judy

Judy hope your feeling better soon. We all fall off how quickly we pick ourselves back up is the important thing. I have also been eating more lately the increase in walking has gotten me all mixed up. I have to get a handle on it so it works or it will be in the toilet lots of effort for change and down the drain. I haven't lost any wt. according to my scale but I think inches are going away which muscle does weigh more. So I don't know I am a bit frustrated I think. But I am going to keep exercising and try harder at adjusting my intake accordingly. I am taking a apple to eat before or after my 4 mile walk. I heard something crackle in my knee yesterday after jogging up a hill. It is a bit swollen and sore behind my knee. I had surgery 5 years ago new ligament laced in and repair to my minuskis? oh really messed up that spelling! So I hope I haven't screwed anything up. I kept walking there was no choice figured I might walk it out. I was right in the middle of the 2nd lake. APPOX. 2 miles to go! Motrin 800 mg. helped when I got home. Yesterday I reached 12 miles for the week so far. I plan on saturday doing 4 more if my leg is okay. Marie we will show some changes on the scales with our walking eventually it has to show up don't you think? I do notice a difference in my clothes and how they fit. But the lbs. would be nice so less bad carbs and eating healthy. Easter will be tough but its only one day. The next day and the days after are what will count. Fridays are my scale days. So I have charted them into my journal. I will move that scale this month down some how.
Freda for Easter I have decided to have a buffet. Easier with 20 people and throw away plates. Tradition is having it at my house for the last say 12 years. Ham,scalloped potatoes, brussel sprouts, broc, green salad, pot. salad, kielbasa, homemade rolls, carrot cake, lemon pie, pumpkin pie, bunny cake and of course appt. ahead of dinner my niece is bringing some. Needless to say not a cal. free but a little of this and that one could becareful. The children will have a easter egg hunt in the yard. We have about 200 plastic eggs with change or candy in them. Each child can only get a certain amt. of eggs so its fair. I have a gift also for the kids. They get a little something from great gram and my sister as well. It should be a fun day. I will miss the kids in Hawaii but will talk on Easter day. They will get some pictures of the kids gathering eggs etc... I developed some of my pictures and I am in the process of taking some enlarged prints of the star flower for my bathroom walls. I took some flower pictures knowing I wanted to use them to enlarge for the house. So its all coming together. Just hung new curtains in the livingroom and redecorated. It came out nice a whole different look. Spring makes me want changes.
Have a super day. I am off to have some fun with a couple of girl friends today. Few garage sales etc... Gotta get back to clean and bake.

Morning everyone. Judy, I hope your day goes better today. The way I look at a month without gain is a good month. Better if I lose, but good if I maintain. So set your sights on May and try again. You can do it. You've been doing absolutely great.

Carol, I'd like to come to your house for Easter. Sounds yummy. I love carrot cake and bunny cake sounds divine. Ham, though, I could live without. I'm not a big meat eater. Carbs in every way, shape or form, but not meat. Also, I hope your knee feels better. I do know about problems mid-walk. Yesterday was gorgeous out (more snow starting this afternoon) and after work I wanted to take the doggies on the 2 mile block. After huffing my way up the hill, my shin started to dart pains through it. I just kept walking, what was I supposed to do, sit in the middle of the road? I was pretty sore last night and just veged out. 5 miles in a day is just too much for me, especially when 2 of them are basically mountain hiking. today the yucky weather is supposed to come back so I think I'm safe in just the 3 miles I did this morning.

Have a great Friday!!!!
Marie

Happy Cambodian New Year! I realize that it's also Good Friday, but I thought it was interesting that it's a special day for other folks for an entirely different reason.

I'm feeling better this afternoon than I've felt since Tuesday, just congested and a bit tired. I almost worked out this morning, but thought better of it. I miss working out, and hope to ease back into it over the weekend. I've been eating more this week (and just had good-bye cake and ice cream with a colleague ) so I need to head to the grocery store and stock up on my usual fresh produce. My frig has been on a diet for a few weeks, since I've been out of town a lot.

Carol, I have bad knees (and had one 'scoped' twice). If you're feeling some soreness, you might consider having it checked out now, so that you can build up muscle or whatever, and not feel like you can't do your long walks. I used to have to ice my knees after long walks, but luckily, that hasn't been a issue for several years. I hope you have a great weekend--an Easter egg hunt sounds like fun!

Marie, thanks for the encouragement. I'd really wanted to build up some momentum this month, but it's just not in the cards. Life is that way sometimes. If this is all I have to complain about, I am a very lucky person! I'm focusing on getting better, catching up on work and chores, and centering my energy after so much traveling and rushing around these past few months.

Jules, Lesel, Freda, Quiltmama, Tired, Pink and all you lurkers, hope you have a great weekend.

judy

Good morning everyone,

Judy, hope you're feeling better. Just concentrate on getting better right now, restock the fridge, and aim for a better week. We all have times when we just have to do the best we can!

Marie, 5 miles!!! Wow, more than I could manage. You are doing great, just don't over do and hurt yourself! Bet the Doggies were happy though. I took my little dog for a walk yesterday but it was hot out (80 here) and he wasn't used to going that far and his little legs just gave out. I had to walk home with the addition of carrying a little dog in my arms!

cacsms, I agree, I think everyone seems more hungry right now. Think it's the changing season? Your menu sounds yummy! We are having the traditional dinner, but with just the few of us we can't have a HUGE dinner! Too many leftovers! And most of those are going home witht he kids! I want nothing left here to tempt me!

I broke out the shorts yesterday for out warm day and went for a long walk! I hope I can do the same today but I don't think it's going to be quite so warm,

Everyone have a wonderful, blessed Easter, Freda

Oh Freda, you're making me jealous. Eight degrees. That sounds like heaven to me and you got to wear shorts. The green eyed monster is me. It started, then stopped, snowing a few minutes ago. There's a big snow storm coming our way. So sad. Freda, the doggie story was funny. When I've taken my doggie for a walk and had a puppy, I'd have to carry the puppy for part of it. Now if I had to carry one of my doggies, I'd be flat on the ground in cardiac arrest. I have big doggies.

Judy, you're one hundred percent right - if all we have to worry about is our weight, we are indeed very lucky. I appreciate the change of view on that. Life is pretty darn good. I hope your starting to feel better.

I didn't walk this morning. I might exercise later and I just might not. March 25th is the last day I didn't exercise so I won't feel too guilty if I just play bum today.

We made cheese blintzes for breakfast today. I found a recipe (actually I combined 3 recipes to make the one I made) and decided I wanted to try to make them instead of driving to town to have them. They were delicious. A little pesky to make, but wonderful. And I got to use strawberries from my last year's garden to top them. Much better than store bought.

Well, I guess that's about it. I don't have big plans for the day, but I think I will listen to a book on my ipod. Talk to you all later.
Marie

G,DAY s, SOOOOO MUM Judy I didn,t mean to Lurk you sound well and your doing great on your walks and I agree if weight is our biggest worry then we should really remember and be thankful for what we take for granted everyday and appreciate it especially ourselves I know I for one don,t give myself enough credit for what I can do and have accomplished, so I think we all should give ourselves a big pat on the back and a and when it comes to clocking up those miles walking Judy and Marie and Carol you to Freda you guys can sure Judy I hope your feeling better nothing worse than feeling crook, Marie you cack me up please don,t carry your doggies and please do share your recipe sounds yum, Carol hope your knee is feeling better so you can get back into your walking Hey guys ENOUGH already everywhere I look I see food MENUS all sounding healthy of course and all this exercise people will start to talk are we suppose to be on diets or something Quiltmama 2 babies twice the excitement I remember when my eldest daughter had her twins 5yrs ago, birth is just so fully sick awesome I can,t wait until my baby she is 20 now has hers in 4mths, OHHHH boy I do ramble before I forget PINK always room for more you sound like fun hope you stick around for awhile, Hey Lesel hope your well don,t forget we are here, well I had A WONDERFUL EASTER A COUPLE OF MY KIDS CAME FOR A VISIT but I did put on a kg (2lb) but it will be gone by the weekend don,t like unwelcome visitors, well I,m off catch you all later take care be good to yourselves, BLESSED BE...JULIE

Marie the shin thing my friend had last wk. too. I think sometimes over doing too soon at least in her case. She has learned to enjoy walking and was going almost everyday. But not warming up at all sometimes the hills will get us too. I found myself having problems with shins when I was using too high of an incline on the treadmill. It hurts like heck! Hope your better soon. My knee is better a bit swollen after my busy day yesterday. But I need to walk today I over ate this weekend too much junk food. The carrot cake was awesome great recipe and you can make the lighter calorie version. I will do that one next time. But it was a hit not my curry pineapple dip thats a never again dip. Marie that breakfast sounded wonderful. Yummy! I have a few strawberry plants in the garden. Spring is here in my area we have been able to wear are sandals and shorts already. The easter weather was great started off cloudy but changed to sunny day for all. The kids had fun runny around the yard to gather eggs. Funny how times change now the older kids hide them for the little ones and then take pictures. Its great to hand down traditions. This marks 11 years of egg hunts in this house with everyone. At any rate I over ate this weekend and today I better start in with watching myself or I will be in a mess. I am planning on walking at the lakes today after work. THe other girls are busy but I will go myself. I have packed a lunch for work. Sent home lots of leftovers for others. Still have plenty no cooking for days. Moms lemon pie and sweet maple rolls were wonderful. She is slowing down at 84 and it scares the heck out of me. I love my mom and can see her age catching up to her. Its tough. I need to spend some more time with her. I am always doing my own thing. Time to reconsider some of my time and taking a little for my mom. Just stopping over or taking her places etc. She is a sweetie and time is a precious thing. Well enough of that!
I plan on getting on track this week. Really paying attention to my intake. Since I started to increase my walking I also increased my intake. Now that isn't goign to get me anywhere I figure. So time to get it all figured out and take the right route. Hows everyone else doing? Am I alone with when yah increase yah eat more? Oh! Yah fix one thing break another! Oh well today is a new beginning right. Monday and all!
Have a super day everyone the sun is shinning!
Carol

Good Morning All,

Hope everyone had a good Easter and managed to avoid TOO many pitfalls! I did pretty well, I think. Went for a long walk in the morning, did my weight training and didn't eat TOO bad. I did have a piece of chocolat cake that Sonia brought for dessert! I was hoping she would bring some other kind, since chocolate is the only one that temps me! But, i made a baked sweet potato for me and that helps curb my appetite for the rest of the stuff.

Marie, I know what you mean about getting asked for advice. My family calls me for evry medical question! My niece even called me one time to ask me if I thought she was having a heart attack! I was supposed to diagnose her over the phone! Son't be too jealous of our warm weather, it's come and gone again! I always have a book tape going too! What are you listening to now?

Julie, You have twins in the family too? That is so awsome, but I don't know how any one takes care of 2! I sure give them credit! 1 is so hard! Were you able to help your daughter with the twins? Just get in some extra exercise for the next few days to get rid of those unwanted visitors!

Cacmsc, Hope your knee feels better soon! Hope you are able to go for your walk today. Don't over do and injure it again! My grandma is 97 and she is such a special lady too, like your mom. They have to be pretty strong people to still be here! I love spending time with her but don't get to nearly enough since she is 600 miles away. So, if yours is close, consider yourself blessed and take advantage of it. I know we hope they will be around forever but one day we will lose them!

Seems that everyone'sappetite is picking up! I asked my husband and he said he had been eating more than usual too! Think it's the weather?

Ok, today we have to walk away those pounds! Freda

Morning everyone. I hope you all had a great Easter. I had a nice day. Quiet day. Actually, I made pizza for dinner (homemade crust and all). DH and DS had a good time skiing/snowboarding yesterday. They had a really good time. It was just me and DS's GF and DGS here. They were in their room watching movies most of the day and I listened to my book on the ipod. Freda, I'm listening to James Patterson's The 5th Horseman. I love that series. I have about 1 1/2 hours left. After I cool off and shower, I will finish listening to it. I just finished exercising, clocking another 3 miles. I think I'm going to blow by my April goal of 75 miles. I did take Saturday off and that was sort of nice. My dream for life would be to eat whatever and how ever much food I could and never exercise. To me, that would be heaven. Just lots of time to play and eat. Okay, that does sound bad.

I had trouble with food this morning. I reheated the cheese blintzes for breakfast. I was so good. I cut them in half and put them on a small plate so that it looked like lots even though it wasn't. Ate happily then did some morning stuff. I was sort of sleepy and had the munchies. So I had two oreos. Not too bad 90 calories. But that didn't stop the munchies, so I at my lunch at 9:00 this morning. Now, two hours later, I'm definitely not hungry or munchie. So hopefully that will last. I figure mid afternoon I'll make myself a strawberry yogurt smoothie and I should be okay. But boydo I hate when I just want to eat.

Jules, I will print out the recipe later and post it here. There are places to cut some calories but the first time I made it, I wanted to make it full version. Things like using fat free ricotta instead of regular.

Carol, I completely agree about eating more. Since I started exercising, I must have increased my portions because I'm not losing weight. All clothes fit the same. So now I have to get the portions smaller again. I hate that I slowly let them increase over the days. I need to be more vigilant.

Okay, I should be off. I will be back later with the recipe.
Marie

Gosh I've lost so much time the past week, but in spite of all that has been going on, I've maintained on my diet. First, the red cross paper work was started to get my brother home from Iraq on Monday, then the waiting game began. The doctor said he would deliver the babies the very next morning after he got in and we all prayed she would make it.

He got in on Wed night very late, and they still scheduled her for a 7am delivery it was 4 weeks early. The boy was born perfect and wonderful. The girl, we knew would not live very long and the expectation was not more than a few hours. She did survive 2.5 days and it was so very hard on them, she died Saturday around 2pm. Then of course Easter was the next day but the mom and baby boy went home so now they can enjoy their new family and the time my brother has before he has to return.

I've had a case crazy munchies going on and have tried to maintain by eating things that I could count the calories and holding off as long as I could.

While reading all of your post, I see I'm not the only one with that problem. I just thought it was the stress and everything else.

Today has been better and I'm glad Easter is over and I managed to survive it.