Yo! Brevity mode as I'm brain dead ... had computer crash, stopped journaling on the food/exercise thread for two days and fell off wagon ... that thread has really helped, obviously, since without reporting in daily, crash!

Arabella, yea, I've dumped Flexie and am back on modified BFL or modified EFL (Eating for Life), which is the eating part, updated ... Suzanne started an EFL thread in general diet plans and it kind of got me focused that this is how I want to eat ... but again, went crash, bang, zap, Friday and Saturday BECAUSE I didn't report in (couldn't)

[b]PUNKIN, calooh, calay, you're back to stay!!! Hooray!!!! In addition, please come and join us (if you wanna and have a work break) on the CCRRMM exercise/food thread and the CCRRMM Easter bunny sprint challenge, which is on the second page now but will be back on top in the a.m. because I'm going to post there!!!! You're women's group sounds wonderful ... some of us have been talking about the importance of finding that right mix of "sisterhood" and how we need that ... sounds as though thou hast found it ... feeleth not like the Lone Rangerette in thy non-C faithness, BTW; I think the diversity of spirituality this group seems to represent makes it one of the friendliest "diet" group around!!! SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!!!

Cerise, thanks for sharing a bit o' thy spiritual past ... someday I'll share more of mine ... also somewhat daunting ... but it's all been as it should be and running like heck to get away from it was what made me who I am today!!!

Kaylets, thanks for sharing the metabolism tips ... IMO they are all right on target and can't be said too often ... although I PERSONALLY think 1300 is too few calories for most people, especially if they exercise. Just a quibble, hope not to offend.

To all mentioned and unmentioned, I would write more but wrote a book, sorry, on the menu thread where we're only supposed to be reporting in and I'll get back to doing that tomorrow!!!! I am braindead and must hie to the couch!

Later ...

Hello all!

Any dislike this time change as much as I do?
Even forcing myself up at new 6 am was tough... and the idea of how much I hated the time change gave me lots of excuses....
"This makes you miserable anyway... sleep some more now, you're going to dragging Monday morning either way...." "Yada, Yada, Yada....."
but I know from many other time changes that I HAVE to get thru the worst of it awake and my adjustment really will be shorter.....

Isn't that exactly the same way I think about some of my weightloss choices???

For example-- The journaling on the weekend... for the longest time, it was fine with me to say:
"It's impossible for me to journal on the weekends"....
And I never took a close look as to whether my very slow weight loss was because of how many points I might not realize I was eating on the weekends....

but now that I also go to a weekly meeting ( And PAYING EACH WEEK !) I have more motivation to lose more than a pound a month...its not "OK" anymore to "Maintain"

What I did this weekend was realize that it didnt matter how I journaled, even if I wrote it on my hand till I got home... it was the idea of JOURNALING. So what if I listed breakfast and lunch at the same time of the day.... I knew at lunch I had eaten 9 pts and frankly, was suprised I had so many left...
SO.... wonder of wonders... could it be that some days, I am NOT EATING ENOUGH????

Puts an entirely different spin on things doesn't it??

Again and again, I see reasons why I need to keep relooking at how I do things, how other folks do things and learning what might work better for me.

Read a story yesterday about a couple arguing about eating turnips;
She had been raised on a farm up north where the tops of turnips were fed to the hogs, he had been raised elsewhere the the root had been fed to the hog.....

Who had decided what part would be fed to the hogs?? No one remembers...
Yet, this was how it was for each person....

The turnip story is a perfect example...
I have a similiar one from my own mother... Evidently, when we saw PopTart commercials, we would beg her to buy them. Keep in mind, I come from a large family, much less my dad worked at a very large Food company, with a very famous bread division. For the most part, Cereal, milk and toast was the uniform breakfast.....
Yet, we would see these commercials.....
My mother told us that "Only poor people eat those".....
Which made sense to me as I knew no one who ate them... and in those days, you wouldn't see folks eating them as "snacks" or part of their lunch.
Then, as the years went by and more and more "cookie" and "cake" flavors were added to the line, I began to see Poptarts in Vending machines, cafeteria selections, etc, etc. Currently, I work with folks who always have them in a drawer. I have tried them and do not enjoy them....
Preconception?
Probably.
I have started to think after pricing the Poptarts and tasting them that what my mother might have said to us was more like,
" I feel sorry for the poor kids who are eating those".....

Perception.

Interesting.


Today's thought of the day:

"There is one thing a man cannot change-- his parents"
David Ben-Gurion

Question of the day:

"Is it ketchup or catsup?"

****


Well, two cups of coffee down, time to switch to tea!

KETTLE IS ON!
Kaye

I don't normally hate the time change but I think today's will be rougher. Three year old could not fall asleep, finally when she started howling to the point of making herself ill, I broke down and called Mom at 11:45. By time she got here and whisked the happy tot back to bed and I got to turn in it was 1:00 new time. Somewhere in the middle of the night the 8 yo wakes up and (not knowing her Mom was in house) came over and crawled in with us. So anyway, I expect it to be a long day. And 8 is up now so must get with her. C'ya!

First my little pushy announcement and apologizing for always trying to push challenges, BUT:

"Lost half a pound towards my Easter goal and reported it on the Easter challenge. I'm going to keep that thread on the front page this week and hope that all who posted a goal will report in as it's our last week!!!"

Kaylets, we don't have a time change here ... we just stay the same all year round ... quite boring!

QOD: I like "ketchup" best but remain flexible!

Sorry for not writing more but blood sugar dropping and craving setting in for my pb ice cream ... it's my official BFL free day and I'm going for that ice cream that Anagram mentioned!!! Thx, pal!!!

Hello all!

My online weighin this am looks like I've stayed the same as last week's weighin...
We'll see what the meeting weigh in says tonight...
I feel a little bloated because my period arrived yesterday but really am more cold from the howling wind outside and tired because of the time change. BUT these are all just details!!
There are lots of us dealing w/hormones, weather and schedules.....
To top it off, I think it might be full moon too!
RED ALERT!!!
PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!

TAKE DEEP BREATHS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR DAY!

Remember to treat yourself gently today!

*****
Thought of the day :

"Judge a tree from its fruit; not by its leaves."
--- Euripides

Question of the day :

"Do you hang up if someone puts you on hold? "

******

KETTLE IS ON!

Fresh Start Monday ! And Full Moon Monday as well!

I'll be heeding your Red Alert, Kaylet - and wearing a sign around my neck alerting others they'd best give me room. Before I left my bed this a.m. I had decided to give myself a "gentle" day. So we were thinking in the same vein. Hope you can have one as well.

RA seems much better today so that's a good start. But have to "nudge" dh on two medical matters today (always requires a lot of tact, patience) and are awaiting latest bloodwork news (always a cross-fingers time). So I think that's enough to be uptight about and all other irritations, etc. will have to take their place in line until I can fit them in my schedule.

Recent QODs - We saw two movies while in FL - Calendar Girls and Cold Mountain. We don't get to movies often for some reason except while we're in FL. I don't sweat often but did the other week from that one hormonal pill. Almost never have sweat from external heat or even exercise - just hormone stuff. And yes, I guess I have hung up when put on hold, not often though. Now I'm more likely to hang up just trying to get past the dreaded automated machines. Once I've made it through to a real person, I'll probably stay on through even a long hold rather than start over. Now if you're talking about staying on through a long hold because the other party has answered their call waiting, I've hung up on those sometimes because I've truly thought the connection was broken and sometimes because I feel my time (as valuable as that of the other two parties involved) is being wasted. When the person calls back, I just say the wait was so long, I assumed the connection had been broken and that they'd call when they were finished with their "more important" call. If I had made the original call, I wait a while and if I haven't heard, I'll call, mention the "apparent cutoff" and that I waited to call so they'd have enough time to complete the more important call. Note I don't really have a problem with this very often - usually now mostly w/my daughter and that rarely. She normally just gets right back and says she'll call later and usually what the really good reason is. While I'm still somewhat irritated, I can usually recognize a good reason when I hear it. It also is true that I have some friends who have never mastered their call waiting and I have spent lots of time "holding" when in fact they have cut me off so it's sort of a tactic born of experience.

Let's do our best for this last week of the SPRINT!

Monday.... blech!

Yes, Kaylets, I hate this time change too. I came to work this morning and the clock on the wall said "5:30" (yes, that's a.m. folks) and I nearly died... Early to bed tonight!!

Had a massive blast this weekend. Goddess sculpture class was enlightening - I discovered a talent. I can sculpt. Pretty darned good actually, even surprised myself... Best part is that you can't eat when you're all sticky with Sculpy clay! Women's group was wonderful too. We held it outside (as it was a sunny 70 here this weekend) and right after we began a group of 4 golden eagles flew overhead screaching. Almost brought a tear to my eye it was so beautiful...
Oh, and the herbalist class is all but a sure thing now - just need my sign up papers and an "ok" to join a month after they've started!

Anagram, how goes the strange head pain? I used to get a sensation like someone was pulling a small handfull of hair - is it like that? I never did find out what caused it, but it went away. Take care of you!!!!!

Arabella, very trippy about your friend's neighbor. When my Gaggie told my stepfather and mom that "Larry had come to visit" we knew she'd be leaving us soon. Larry, her son, passed away about 5 years earlier. Very reassuring though to think that we don't really die alone.

Amarantha, congrats on the loss!!!! I have been trying (with not much luck) to avoid those evil PB eggs!!! Tis' the season unfortunately...

Cerise, you said the Alan word.... ALAN RICKMAN!!!!!!!! (Eydie, are you doing your Alan Rickman cha-cha-cha dance too?).
I'm sure there's a women's group near you - where to look will depend on what you're looking to get out of it. I was lucky and kinda "fell" into mine. There are a couple of us who've known each other for a few years, I lost touch (of my own doing during a hermit period I went through) and when I felt like rejoining life, they were not only there - but there were more of them! Having the right blend is not easy (esp. with women) but when you find it, it's magical. One time after a group meditation, one of the women and I (we were holding both hands around the circle) had somehow synchronized our heartbeats - it was SO cool. There's no such thing as an "accident" or "coincendence" - most times the right people are there when the time is right. Ok, enough metaphysical blah blah blah from me!!!!

Q's o' the day - It's Ketchup (and lots of it) and yes, I often hang up when placed on hold for longer than a minute. I don't have the time or patience to wait (and often MY phone is also ringing!).

No official weigh in today. I WISH my weight is what it said on my last post, but add 5 pounds and you're closer... but, "fun time" (is feeling this crappy fun??) is over and today I'm back on track. I didn't even feel the need to get outta bed and munch first thing this morning!

Toodles for now,
T

Good Morning, darlings.

Well, it seems that I have to always be without one of my senses these couple of weeks. Friday my (disposable) contacts were bugging me so much that I yanked them out mid-morning and pitched them - it was high time - so Lovely Springtime Seattle was a pastel blur. This entire last week I've been unable to smell, therefore my sense of taste has been impaired (I've lost a pound, I think. What's the point of eating if you can't taste?). My sense of smell was restored to me, but now I'm experiencing some lovely hearing loss - the Proclaimers show last night was LOUD. But very, very good. Ramon and I, musicians to the core, are now anxiously awaiting the return of our full hearing and vowing never to go to a concert again without high-grade earplugs.

So, The Proclaimers were a great, great show. Very tight musicianship. Wildfire, during their "Cap in Hand" number (you know, the good, Scottish "I-Can't-Believe-Scotland's-STILL-Not-A-Sovereign-Nation" song) all of us Scot-by-blood folks got very worked up. A wonderful time. I was up until 1:30, so I still can't tell if it's the time change that's killing me this morning or the fact that I only got to sleep for 5 hours. **blink** **blinK**

Anagram, did you like Cold Mountain? I had one friend who was absolutely horrified, so I went chicken and didn't see it. I read the movie script online, though, and it's...really violent, isn't it? I still want to see it, but I'm bad, bad, bad at the whole "this isn't real" thing.

QOD: I've never had too much problem with personal calls and being put on hold. If I get ousted by their call waiting I usually give folks 5 minutes max. If I call a customer service number or something I'm usually ready to queue up and wait my turn for a while. If a business calls ME and then gives me the "hold, please" I hang up immediately.

Anagram, best wishes with your DH's health nudges today. Ramon and I still use verbal bludgeoning to get our points across when we're urging each other to seek medical attention. We say it's because we care but we could surely be a bit nicer.

Amarantha, did you enjoy your free day?

All right, off to work.

Frogger, how's Tadpole, DH, and work? In that order...

Hugs to you, and happy Full Moon Day. ow-OOOOOOOO.

Hey, Punkin!!

I think what I'm looking for in a women's group is some good communing, some hearkening back to the Primal Woman, and some quality metaphysical time. Cool crafting wouldn't kill me, either. What I'd really like is to find some Scottish women who want to learn Erse together. That would be way cool, since I'm wishing.

Yeah, my "fun time" seems to be drawing to a close, too. My fun time was basically a WW backlash. I joined, realized why I absolutely loathe journalling, then went into "Hey! I can eat this and I don't have to write it down" mode. Not a pretty thing. I'm going to make an appointment with a trainer at the gym and bite the bullet - get going on a basic weight-training program. I'm going to give it a month, just a month, of really doing it right, regularly, no excuses. See how I feel. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do about eating. Since I've eliminated journalling as a possibility, I'm still weighing options as far as that's concerned, but I'm peacefully thinking that I'll get it right eventually.

Ciao!

Doing the quick round of posts.

Welcome back punkin! Nice to see you around.

QODs: I forget some of them but: ketchup, although I never use it. Saw Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind about a week ago, so that is the last time i was in the theater, although the international film fest started on Friday, so I will probably see many things in the days to come.

Not so good eating habits this past weekend. thank goodness for Wednesday weigh in or I would be in the dumps.

Some sprayed graffiti on our wood fence this weekend. Probably Friday night but we did not notice till Sunday. Sandpaper galore removed it, but I am really irritated.

Aside from that things are good.

And yes, the little old ladies are OK for the time being. Hoping for a more permanent resolution, but they cannot have their rent increased till at least June 1st.

The Queendom rejoices because Punkinseed is back! Showers of kisses on your dainty little head!!!!!
I'm so thrilled to hear about your women's group and want to hear more. I need that in my life too---some sisterly-goddess-y contact. I really long for it, but that's another can of big writhing worms! We'll talk, okay?

I've had a weird last 3 days. My interactions with people haven't been good, I mean they haven't been bad---it just seems to me that everyone is so invested in their own stuff that they can't fit anyone else in. No one listens--they just want what they want when they want it. Grrr....swinging wildly between feeling sad and mad
Oh well, all I can do is be my usual perfect self, right?

Cheers to the Brave zadie for defending the elders! I love hearing about your adventures!

Cerise, I loved 'The Proclaimers'! Had forgotten about them, good to know they're still out there.

Regarding questions: Ketchup absolutely. When I'm depressed I want tater tots [!!!] with loads of ketchup. I know that wasn't part of the question, but they're fresh in my mind as I've had to partake lately, for medicinal purposes!
And about being put on hold, I don't wait for too long--a couple of minutes at the most with business. With friends, it's 30 seconds--we have an understanding!

By the way, bunnies, no offense intended about my 180-turn from journalling, OK? Really - I'm just such a reactionary that the best way for me to control myself, change myself is in gentle, compassionate nudging. If I try to grab myself by the scruff of the neck (oh, god. Jung would have a field-day with me) and say "You WILL journal. It's the ONLY WAY", bet your bottom I'll knuckle down for a while and then bolt like a pissed-off rabbit (going with an Easter theme here).

I say this with the perfect knowledge that journalling is certainly an effective and rather necessary way to control portions. ****, it may well BE the Only Way. If it is, I'll sure as heckfire find out, won't I?

Hello all!

****
Thought of the day :

"This, too will pass."


Question of the day :

"What do you think of plastic surgery to make you look like a celebrity ?"

****

Very windy and COLLLLDDDDDD here ....
By day end yesterday, even coworkers were commenting on how tired I looked... this month's TOM is shaping up to be ALL the symptons, including lasting as long as possible..... oh well, you know what they say about plans?? Its a sure way to make the universe chuckle.....

Am wondering if there really is any truth that I have postponed the ending of menpause by losing over 50 lbs and getting calicum, etc, etc in.
Interesting....
Could not believe how bad the facial breakouts were this time.... even DH was amazed....flashback to highschool....


Question came up during WW's meeting last night so was thinking of ways to "keep busy" during holiday meals and the one that caught me off guard was " talk"... ( as long as your're not talking with your mouth full! LOL : ) )
How many of us leave a holiday gathering not knowing much more about what is happening w/ the other guests because we were so concentrated on eating???
Someone posted somewhere about how holidays only meant holiday food to her until she realized part of the reason she felt lonesome was that she knew how to interact better with the food than the people.

Sometimes I get tongue tied.... I like to have some questions "prepared" b/4 hand just to get conversation rolling.... sometimes its the simplest questions that get the most reaction.....
I'll never forget one time I asked someone if they'd buy their house if they had to do it all over again and how the whole room lit up..... and you know what, I don't even know if they answered me!

Anyway.....

Cerise...Not to worry... you will find a way that works for you...
More thoughts in that direction but I'll have to share later...

I'm late all and must hit the shower

To everyone! have a good one... and let's have two days of gentleness, what do you think??

KETTLE IS ON!~

I am up for many days of gentleness. Thanks for all of the support in staying with it.

The quote of the day is perfect for me. I'm still having the crazy head pains. I will be having an MRI tomorrow afternoon. The word aneurysm came up but I'm sure there can be other causes as well. Personally, I've had enough medically necessary surgery to never willingly undergo the knife for "beauty" which is very subjective at best.

I had planned a "free" day for Easter but don't think I'll be counting too tightly today either. Had a bowl of cereal at 2:00 when pains were keeping me awake. Eventually got some sleep fortunately. Also having arm x-rayed today as there are less intense pains there.

so please, those that are into praying, please remember me the next few days. And those that are into good vibes, I need a lot of those too right now.

But today will be a great day!!!