My life has been so crazy, I have not had time to journal at all. I am so glad you liked it.l

I saw a number this morning that I don't think I have seen in a year and a half. Very happy. This is what comes of being too busy to eat!

oooooo nom nom nom. I love that stuff!

Good morning ladies! I'm happy to report I hit all my daily goals yesterday, and today's not looking too shabby either!

I'm stressed about finances right now though... things are WAY tighter then I'd like!!! That's kinda how it is in my life though - if I let one thing go CHAOS happens all around me! It sucks. I have to get back in control!!!

Ok - One moment at a time (facing a full day is too much right now!) But I WILL do this!!! One of the things I'm looking forward to of this challenge is the const=istency and organization of it... I NEED THAT! A BIG THANKS to the TEAM LEADERS!!! For all that you do!!!

Thank you.

I can just see the infomercial now...

Hey, everyone. Just got caught up reading the thread. Yikes, it moves fast.

Plurking, huh? Like I need another Internet addiction... I'll have to check it out, some time.

Had a good couple of OP days. I hope you all are, too.

Hey Everyone. Just checking in. Not much going on with me - kinda boring actually. I have to go to my granddaughter's birthday party this weekend but other than that the weekend should be mine. Of course I'll probably end up cleaning out the closets and getting rid of some "stuff" that seems to accumulate at my house. Have a good afternoon and I'll check back in at some point over the weekend.

Hi everyone! Just checking in. I am going to visit my inlaws this weekend. I made sure to pack workout clothes and my mp3 player, so I will at least be able to go for some walks while we are there. I am going to go shopping tomorrow--I can't wait! I could use a few more new shirts, I hope to find some bargains!

Boy is this place quiet today...Well, I have a midterm tomorrow and I just got my book in the mail last night...I have A LOT of catching up to do!!! My bf is on a family trip, that leaves me with the remote and some peace and quiet. I actually dragged myself out of bed at 5am and worked out this morning. I have been yawning all day from it, but I know I did a good thing. I am going to hit the gym tomorrow too then off to get a pedicure before going back home to tackle the aforementioned midterm. Maybe I will catch a movie with my mom or something in the evening. Anyway, I will try to stop in and say hi, if I don't...HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

--Misty

I'm hoping it will stop raining at some point this weekend, I'd like to go for a bike ride.

I had more drinks in the last 3 days than I'd had in the previous 159 days total. I'm drying out now.

I hear you on the stress and money issues too, you are having a great attitude about it though! That's what counts.

Jo - I hope you enjoyed your drinks!

tee--HUGE on the low number, that is awesome! I miss the regular journal most days as well, but the morning pages have become a habit pretty much. i mostly use them to write out what's "eating me" that day and how I plan to overcome it, that's extremely helpful to acknowledge the possible emotional problems and be aware of them...I have not binged as much since doing this, it's working! I am so proud of you...you have made so much progress since I last talked to you

Mandey--The Writing Life is a book tee recommended two challenges ago, it is focused on journaling but also gives other strategies and ideas for weight loss. I am SO SO ready for normal routine again, Monday cannot come fast enough.

Enygirl--did you hit your goals for yesterday?

Laurie--I need to clean out closets myself, that can be a form of exercise if you lift and bend a lot, right

mj--have fun shopping!

blue--lots of luck for your midterm...I do not envy you at all! That was the only part of college I hated.

I am doing well here, just a very busy weekend getting the kids all ready for school. They are super cranky because I've been getting them up at 6 to get into the school routine, and it is not going smooth they are SO cranky today, hopefully better tomorrow.

zinke - I know it's late, but good thinking on taking your stretchy band to the playground. Keep it up. You'll see the improvements even if you don't know the exact weight that you're lifting.

Jessica - thanks for the backdoor Cubs rooting. We'll take whoever we can get if it helps us get to the pennant. As for the tattoo, I just have to wait 'til I'm back in Chicago to do it. I don't want some Californian accidentally making my tattoo look the Oakland A's or the SF Giants logo.

Rain Dancer - back in my college years, I discovered that most Coloradoans (and other westerners) were either Cubs or Braves fans. I thought it was weird, but I guess when you don't have a team, you have to pick one from somewhere else. Welcome to the Cubs fanwagon! Pleased to have you on board. Refreshments will be served momentarily.

modcat - yes, it would be awesome if they won the World Series. I'd definitely get a tattoo for that! I was born and raised in the city - in the Hyde Park neighorhood around the Museum of Science & Industry. I loved that place. Went there at least twice a month when I was a kid. Then, I lived in Colorado for 10-ish years, and now I'm in San Jose trying to create that circle of friends I had in both places. It gets harder when you get older to get that darn circle going it seems, at least for me. Funny, I would've thought SC was humid being on the coast and all. And, tell your surfer hubby to watch out for sharks.

Purple - thanks for the suggestion, but I think you mis-read my post. I was up 5lbs in one day after taking a step class. Then, the 5lbs didn't budge for 4 days. It was just a bit weird, and frustrating since I was doing all the right things.

Marianne - thanks. Fluctuations that are up by 5lbs are just plain ol' mean, though. But I persevered and did not say "Self, the damage has been done, you're up 5lbs through no fault of your own, so let's go to Popeye's." Instead I continued to make good food choices and exercised like normal.

Tee - I've missed your little nuggets of motivation and common sense since I fell out of the last challenge. Congrats on your weight loss. It doesn't have to happen during the challenge to mean something. And, hey, are we ever gonna play Scrabble online? Huh, huh, are we?

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to personally reply to all of my personalized posts.

Oh, and for anyone with asparagus and parmesan cheese. I got home late from work the other night and really wanted a green vegetable. Weird, huh? Anyway, a little cooking spray, several spears of asparagus, 1 Tb of shredded parmesan cheese (not too much people, this is asparagus with cheese, not cheesy asparagus ) and 8 minutes at 400 degrees later, I had the best side dish ever. The asparagus was crunchy and the nuttiness of the parmesan was lover-ly. Yummy! Can you believe I never had asparagus until I was in my late 20's. I don't think I was exposed to more than 10 or 15 fruits and veggies as a kid. Now, I'm trying to add a new one each week. Who knew I liked plums? Not me, until now.

Oh, this has gotten even longer. Sorry, I'm shutting up now.

Oh, last thing, I promise. Really, I do.

Send good dancing and rhythmic thoughts my way today. I have a belly dance performance tonight at a local restaurant. We're only on for 10 minutes, but I'm performing in 2 of the 3 troupe dances.
Luckily, I've performed them twice before so I hope I don't trip over my skirt or pop a coin into someone's dinner or worse, have a "Janet-Jackson-costume-malfunction" because the girls are front and center.

Big, small, young, old, short, tall - I totally recommend belly dancing to help you love the body you've got. I am never happier than when I am belly dancing. And, on the super plus side, not only does it count as exercise, but it's a great workout!

I am exhausted. I've spent 10 of the last 12 hours rearranging, cleaning, assembling, sorting, etc. The good news is the kids have their own rooms. I still have some odds and ends to find homes for and two closets to finish cleaning out. I have NO clue what to do with some of that stuff. The kids might not get their closets for a few more years. I am hurting already so I know I got a good workout moving all the furniture.

wow...where is everyone?

zinke--how sore are ya today? I love doing big projects like that ... anything organizing and arranging I just love. It's keeping it arranged that I have issues with

fluffy--how did you do, no goofs I hope? You are so brave, I would never be able to dance in front of people. Heck, I've been stressing because my daughter is cheering this year and I will feel shy to cheer for the football team like everyone else...I worry too much about what others think or if they will hear me yell...stupid, I know, but I watch bold people like you and wish I could be that way.