Morning all! Vickie, I hope everything's going well for you. I can't imagine drinking that much plain smoothie, much less a barium one!

Kathy, those doggy steps are a good idea, I think. When our oldest cat was a kitten, he couldn't get up on our bed, so he'd sit beside it in the middle of the night and meow pitifully until I picked him up. Those stairs would have helped then.

I've been faithfully Core since Tuesday now...I've got a challenge coming up next weekend though, on our overnight trip my sister set up. She made us reservations at a great restaurant, and gave us $$ for dinner. Here's the link to the menu, if you all want to help me choose what I can actually eat. We don't do restaurants very much at all, so I'm kind of at a loss.

http://www.interl.net/~wick8013/menu.htm

Anyway, I've got a pile of dishes and loads of laundry to do, so I'll be on my way. Hope everyone is having a great day!

(And Melissa, your goal is a great one!! Keep us posted. )

Angela

Thanks Angela.
It looks like the steak, salmon (pts for lemon butter), chicken quesadillas (pts for tortillas only, that's pretty cool that they serve it w/ff cheese and sour cream), or the catfish (pts for breadcrumbs). It doesn't look like too bad of a menu, if you can avoid the fried strawberries! And if you try them, you must report on what they taste like! It sounds like a very nice trip for you guys though.

Kathy, I think your scale is possessed.

i just typed a long post and lost it. something about server being too busy.

grrrr!!!

vickie, i'm wishing you the best today. i hope you find out what the problem is and get on the mend.

kathy, "bless" those scales. they must be defective.

melissa, this is your last day to work this year!!!!

frouf, where are you?

we're just hanging around the house today. we compete in league tonight. lazy day for us.

sorry this is short. i will go see if it will post now.

Hey Chicks! I survived. It was very unpleasant but it's over. Honey Lamb took me out to breakfast afterwards. I was surprised that I was hungry but I was. I'm an emotional eater. I was sick to my stomach before the test and very hungry after. I didn't eat Core but I ate very healthy. I had to get dog food and then Jim brought me home. He's running other errands. The barium is going right through me (I know.....TMI) and I needed to be close to home. Evidently, it has the same stuff in it that is in sugar free candy that you aren't supposed to eat too much of. Probably won't have results until next Wednesday which means my Doctor won't have them until Thursday. At least the test is over. I'll try not to fret about the results. I'd like it to be just something that a pill can cure.

I actually thought of all of your during the test. You made me smile if you can believe that! I had to hold my breath for 35 seconds at a time and I distracted myself by thinking about what my goals/challenges would be for the new year.

Kathy, your scale cannot be right, although ham can really have a bad affect if it's really salty. I guess you and I will both be drinking alot of water today. I've got to get rid of the iodine and you've got to get rid of the salt. Bottoms up, GF!

Sandra, good luck in your competition tonight. Do you feel ready?

Angela, what a fabulous gift! I'd either have the NY strip steak with a baked potato or the Salmon steak broiled dry with a baked potato. I'd order FF sour cream and maybe FF cheese with my baked potato since they have it for their other dishes, I'm sure they'd let you have it for your potato. I've eated salmon grilled dry many times. Because it is such an oily fish, it doesn't get dried out. In fact, it gets a little charred and crispy and is yummy to me. I'd bring my own FF salad dressing. If you don't want to do that, they often have balsamic vinegar and olive oil. You could have a wonderful all Core meal. You'll have to let us know what you decide to have.

Melissa, are you at work again? Ugh. I hope they let you leave early.

I'm off to read the other threads.

Vickie, I'm glad you survived it! Drink, drink, drink! I've had that stuff before and if you don't get it flushed out, it'll set up like concrete in your guts. Also TMI but I think we're all past being embarrassed about the delicate subjects! After all, now we're trying to get Melissa pregnant!

My scale is trying to demonstrate to me the importance of not weighing daily due to fluctuations! I can't make it understand that it has the ability to either make or ruin my day.

Microwave repairman finally came, only a day late, so I guess that's not too bad. I'd like to recommend to AHS that they stop using these people. We've never had this kind of horrible service before (but they've also never sent this company).

I wasn't hungry at breakfast, so I had a slice of cheese and a little piece of turkey. I'm making pinto beans on the stove now and they smell good. We're out of potatoes so I'll have to make a trip to the store later.

Kathy, I have that problem too. I love to weigh every day, but I've learned not to let it freak me out when I know I've been good. You know it's the ham, so try not to let it make you crazy. Just drink your water. I think your turkey and cheese for breakfast was a nice choice....a little protein and a little dairy. I'd definitely tell AHS about the company. If you don't tell them, they'll keep sending them out on calls. You can make the point nicely by asking them not to send them to you anymore. They'll get the point. AHS doesn't want people not buying their policies anymore without giving them a chance to fix things. Who knows...maybe they'll give you some kind of kick back.

Sandra, sorry you lost your post! That's frustrating. And I hadn't thought about the fact that this is my last day at work for 2005. Now if only I didn't have to come back for 2006. Have fun tonight!

Vickie, We're so proud of you! I'm glad that you felt like going out to have breakfast as well. Pamper yourself a little bit today. Put your feet up and relax! And yes, I've been at work since Wednesday. And I have to stay till 5pm. But at least I'm off Monday!

My advice is practice, practice, practice.

You guys are too funny!

Angela

Vickie, aren't you glad it's over? All the best on the results. There are lots of pills for lots of things out there. (dh is a pharmacist).

Angela, I've been ordering filet mignon with baked potatoe as well as grilled salmon. I think core gives us great choices. Have fun!

Our company arrived safe and sound and it is so wonderful to have everyone in the same city. The little ones are almost 3 years and 19 months, and they play so well together. That is a grandma's joy!

To everyone out there, have a wonderful day.
Saundra

vickie, i'm glad your tests are over. you sound in good spirits. it is amazing how we all depend on each other, isn't it? it's like we are "old friends" who are there for each other all the time. this is league tonight. it's not a big competition. i am ready, though, and eager to shoot. i'm debating on baking cookies to take. i'm the only female there so if baking gets done, it's by me. i won't be eating any for sure. i had my 3 day celebration and it's over. now i'm not only back on track to lose weight but back in training for archery--no sugar.

curtis and i have problems with portion control. we've overdone those sugar free goodies and have suffered. i know what you're going through today. do you have any tums? that might help.

kathy, i don't like weighing either but i catch myself doing that a lot. are we gluttons for punishment? my problem with an unwanted results is i often give up. that's something i need to work on correcting for sure. keep chugging that water.

melissa, vickie is right. practice on this a lot.

saundra, enjoy your company.

Well here I am - safe and sound but somewhat depressed - not doing well eating wise - I feel like i have nothing to look forward to. House is a mess, kids not helpful enuf - I feel like the maid around here. And just plain out of sorts - of course my eating is bad again and my exercising is slacking so I have dug myself a little hole and I sit here trying to find a piece of the blue sky (of course it's pretty grey here with all the ice and snow anyways!).

Vickie - I am VERY PROUD of you for having survived those nasty tests - I know you are very glad it's all over know and I am praying for some good results for you.

I also LOVE your pic with that trophy thing (I was wondering what that was in your new avatar!) - you look AMAZING (as does Honey Lamb) - glad you got to enjoy yourselves!

Kathy - Hope you are feeling better and are safe, sound and very damp and not inhaling that icky smoke! Sounds like a flu to me too? Do you have a fever?

Melissa - guess you and Aaron are off practicing somewhere?

Sandra - good luck with your upcoming archery competitions!

Angela - that menu looks great - I agree with either steak, salmon or prime rib? and I insist you try the fried strawberries and report back to us!

Saundra - yup - we are still digging out of all that ice! Main roads were not too bad but side streets were like skating rinks! I think we are expecting snow for New Year's eve! Glad your family made it there safe and sound.

Vivian - congrats on getting back to where you were - and continuing the "battle".

Best news is a new baby in the family! Dh's niece gave birth yesterday around noon - healthy baby boy, Jackson, 7 lbs 4 oz - and ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE (we went to the hospital last night to see them - and I got to hold this warm rosy bundle of baby - I was in heaven!). If you recall we were very worried about "mom" due to her heart problems (and she's only 32!), so they did not let her push at all - basically pulled the baby out of her - meaning some major stitches and pain for her - but in the end all was well and that's what matters. I actually think they are leaving the hospital today if possible.

I was also intending to go into work today (as we would have gotten off early anyways) - but for some freaky reason I woke up at around 3:30 am and COULD NOT GET BACK TO SLEEP! Wandered a bit, lay on family room couch (til dh came to find me) - back to bed, no luck. I was lying there worrying about work and everything - I did fall asleep around 6:30 am - but was in no condition to do anything let alone drive to work at 8 am - so back to bed til around 11 am!

I am in a foul and cranky mood tho - and want to continue eating everything in sight? Not sure what the problem is? Just feeling depressed about life in general I guess? No plans for New Year's which I think is bugging me - feeling very unloved and unwanted? Dd going to dad's for weekend (and to gf's for nye), big ds going out of course which leaves me dh and 7 yr old? Maybe dinner and a movie - if we can find one appropriate for the little guy? Called my gf and left message about coming over if they have no plans - but her dh is a bit of a recluse - not very sociable so it's looking doubtful. I almost want to jump in the car and drive to Toronto to be with my gf there - but I know dh won't go for it and it is a long drive esp with potential bad weather (5 hours each way).

Off to do some banking today - and take big ds to buy some home theatre system for our family room - yes he is getting this refurbished pioneer system and also claims he will be getting and PAYING FOR satellite tv - (ya I keep asking if his next semester's tuition is paid? hmmmmmmmm)

...and it sure doesn't look like we're going anywhere (found a really good deal to Cuba leaving on the 6th!). Dh just starting a new contract so can't go anywhere and then there's the whole guilt thing about spending any $$. No luck w/cruise yet anyways - still on waiting list - so that is also a write off.

...and did I mention how messy the people I live with are?? I am having trouble keeping up with just minimal laundry and kitchen cleanup - let alone any other projects!

Frouf

frouf, i don't know what to say to cheer you up. just know we're here for you. curtis and i will be home nye, too. we'll prob be asleep well before midnight. (does that help knowing i won't be kicking up my heels either?) right now i don't even know if we'll have any wine. we will prob have some black-eyed peas and cornbread sunday, though. you you're supposed to eat b e peas on jan 1 so you'll have a prosperous year.