Evening everyone

I hope everyone had a good day. I did all my challenges/commitments but just barely and not with very much enthusiasm . . . I think I may have overdone it yesterday with the 40 min eliptical machine and then the 1 hour yoga class . . . and I didn't sleep very well last night . . . so it was a putzy, I don't want to do ANYTHING today. I didn't even want chocolate . . . I can't figure that one out.

Anyway, I am going to bed very, very soon (it's 8:40 now)

OK, pity party is DONE
Tomorrow I will wake up with an adjusted attitude

Hope everyone is hanging in there

Evening chickies!

Oooo...I'm so excited and nervous! Yesterday I had an opportunity just kind of fall into my lap.

After all the complaining I did late last semester about group projects and the people that don't produce, the one person that I worked really well with happened to graduate in December. She sent out an email to the student chapter of our professional association about looking for her replacement for an internship at Applied Materials. I don't know if any of you are familiar with that company but they are a VERY big deal in this technology driven valley. Any way, I contacted her and she was very happy to hear from me and told me to send her my resume. So I spent last night and tonight trying to get that in order. Mind you, I haven't looked at it in a long time and had some major revamping to do. I just got that sent out. I'm hoping that since she knows me, likes the way I work (actually said that I was the only one she trusted to get things done! ) I might have a leg up on the position.
I wasn't planning on looking right now, but I couldn't pass this up! How much better could the situation get???

While I have the so-called "transferable skills", I have no specific experience in this field. I really need to get an internship for future job hunts. Wish me luck!

Riley--Oh yes, that's me the old wise one! Stevia is a plant much like mint but much sweeter than sugar. It has nothing artifical, no chemicals. There is quite a bit of contraversy about it here in the states because the sweetner industry is threatened by it so the government refuses to give it the ok to be sold as a food additive. They compromised and let it be sold as a "supplement". I'd say most health food stores carry it, I know Trader Joes has it, but I don't like their brand of it as they put other stuff like maltodextrin or silica in it. Whole Foods also has the most natural types. It comes in a liquid concentrate or powder. I use the Stevia Plus brand that has a form of natural fruit fiber added called FOS and usually get it online since it's cheaper. My ex was diabetic and could use it with no problem as it has no calories and has no effect on blood sugar. Some people complain of a slight licorice flavor but either I couldn't taste it or was just used to it. I use it in anything I want to sweeten. You can bake with it too.

Lost--Yup, know exactly what you mean, and I love stringing cheese! Hey, at least you did your challenges, and like they say, just get the body there and the mind will follow! And boy, if you thought that was "long", you haven't seen anything yet!

Ruth--WHAT??? There's something else other than the computer??? LOL I would be in withdrawl if I couldn't have my computer!

Angela and Valerie --

Lilion--Yeah, i've always heard that about the doctor too, but unfortunately I already know I have no excuses!

Ok, off to the store, I have a clogged drain in the shower I have to take care of now ...Great...Have a good night everyone!

Well, I made some bad choices yesterday – pizza and breadsticks for dinner --- bad me!

So, it’s right back at it today. First, I did order the Walk off the Pounds video, so I will open it today and give it a try. I also ordered a resistance band from the Heart Association and it came with a handy chart! Exercise is so incredibly hard for me. I just need to commit to it, and do it everyday. It’s the only way to get this weight off and keep it off. Our weather is so cold right now! It’s painful to walk the doggie, but he’s gotta go out. I’m wearing so much clothing; he’s staring at me wondering when I’ll be ready to go out. Ha ha! It’s pretty out there though, with all the frozen trees.

Wyllenn – I’d like to be able to say that I exercise ‘most’ days. I tell myself that I am too busy, that I work too much to take the time, etc. Good for you!! And thanks for your honesty about ‘the munchies’. I think that’s what happened yesterday when I went crazy and ate crap. The long term goals sometimes seem so far off that I just want to cheat because it doesn’t matter, I have plenty of time. That’s screwed up thinking. I think I’ll set some short term goals to help along the way – I see others have done that.

Karen – I am enjoying the warm water! That was such a smart idea!!! I wish you the best of luck on the internship. It sounds like you are the perfect candidate. When will you know??

Chickies??? What’s NSV??? I keep seeing that term in posts, and it looks like a good thing.

Terri – I’ve been typing my posts in MS Word, and then pasting them – I was so afraid of losing all my musings. I saw somewhere some one had posted that idea, and it seemed quite wise. It helps with the spell check too!

Ruth – I think it’s great that you are cleaning and giving away ‘stuff’ that has been sitting around! Good for you!!!! Your post is not boring at all! It’s inspiring! And thanks for the will power dust!! I need it!

Lilian – It sounds like you had a great doctor visit, and he gave you some good news about the weight charts.

This weekend I will set up my exercise room in the basement! I will drink my water and exercise! I will plan to succeed with my food choices by measuring out the food I will eat for the next few days. Thanks to everyone for being here!

Patti

Hello everyone,
Been a crazy week here in Dallas. The weekend was icy and that sorta helt on all week. I ended staying home on Wednesday, it was sleeting when it was time to go and later I just decided I didn't want to one of the few there to do all the work and not get to do any of my own work. Bad attitude huh?

We've only lost one employee this month. Wonder what's wrong with everyone?

Food has been good, not great, but good. Exercise has not been so good because the weather has been bad of a morning. (That's the only excuse I can think of!!!)

Hope everyone has great week.

I thought I had better get my rear in here and post this morning as I am expecting house guest tomorrow. My sister and a friend of hers (next door neighbor...female) are coming to stay for ??. They didn't say how long. I love company but I like to know how long I need to paln meals, know what I mean? It is hard to buy and plan when you don't have a time line.

Karen, I DID have withdrawal symtoms for the computer. LOL! I would catch myself heading for the office to get on line and see what everyone was up to, then it would hit me....no computer! My SIL got it up and running again, bless his heart. I sure got a lot of things clened out in the meantime though. Not a pleasant way to pass time but productive.

Patti, thanks for the kind words. I have never thought of myself as inspiring. LOL! I wish it was inspiring in the weight loss dept.

Terri, are you frozen in? I am thinking of all of you that are in that area. I hope you have power and can stay warm. BRRR!

Lilion, how about you? Did you get the ice?

Barb, things are ok in the mad house huh? Sounds like it has quieted down a bit.

I know I am missing some people here, but I don't remember. I will catch up with the rest of you later.

Yikes, sorry Diane, Hi! How are you?

Take care, Ruth

Evening Chick-a-dees

Well, I woke up in a MUCH better mood today, sorry about whining yesterday . . .

Karen; thanks, there always seems to be someone who knows how you're feeling when things aren't so good . . .

Ruth; thanks, I'm fine . . . just a little sleep deprived, I think. Either way, I'm MUCH better today and even did a nice soak in the tub with some bath salts with patchouli and orange . . . soooooo nice

Everyone in the line of that storm, TX, OK, MO . . . stay warm and watch out for the snow snakes . . . we have them here in MN, but they may migrate that way since we don't have much snow . . .

Everyone have a super Sunday

Evening Ladies!

Been a busy Saturday here topped off with discovering that my refrigerator has conked out!!!! It's less than 5 years old and cost over $1000! All I have to say is Sears better be making housecalls tomorrow, because all my food is sitting out in the snow! Thank heaven's it's winter time or we'd have bigger problems than we do. I think I'll be cooking a lot of fresh veggies tomorrow and eating a TON of yogurt!

Sorry I can't hang around long enough to do any real posts. I saw some folks are losing! Congrats! I have to run now though - I'll try to bbl this weekend!

Morning everyone! Just in for a quickie.

S. Diane--I come from snow country and admit I didn't know what the heck a "snow snake" was! I had never heard that term I LOVE snowmobiling! We always just called them "snow cats". (a bit biased I know...but they were always my favorites) And let me tell you, the Canadians are even worse about theirs! A Gorgeous place to ride is in Banff, just north of Calgary.

Have a great day! I'm off to work.

Hi ladies,

It has indeed turned into winter wonderland. On top of the sleet that hadn't thawed yet, we now have six inches of snow. At least its warmer than it was earlier in the week. I have a picture that I took yesterday when it started to now. I will download those and post later.

I completely fell off the wagon last week. The freezing cold, craziness of work, and not feeling completely great all contributed to me being very lazy. I didn't exercise for four days. I just didn't feel up to it. My allergies/sinuses were all inflammed and I felt tired all week. Maybe it was the storm coming because I feel better today.

I've already done 45 minutes on the airdyne. I'm trying to be active today and getting some housework done. My housecleaner has not been very consistent this month and I'm getting a little annoyed. She is treating it as a "only when she wants a few bucks" kind of opportunity and that is not what was presented to her. So I'm doing housework myself. She's about to get fired.

I spent most of yesterday at work trying to get stuff done that I'm behind on. I brought stuff home too so I need to do some of it this afternoon. Hard to get motivated though. I could get motivated for a nap though.

I think I'll go vacuum the bedroom and do some of the ironing. I need to change the cover on the dog bed too. And laundry. Always something.

TTFN!

I'm embarrased to say that I didn't know what the snow snakes were, but I'm glad you talked about it, Karen That's funny!

It's been a good weekend food wise, I may even sneak on the scale tomorrow!!!! I made two completely homemade meals which is alot for me! I made venison chili and beef stroganoff. No seconds, just a good meal.

But I did not exercise, except for some short walks and some housecleaning.

How does the house get so dirty with only two adults and a fur person walking around? Oh well, I can consider it exercise maybe??? At least partially? My husband and I have been both working together to keep the laundry done, but the dust keeps coming back.

I didn't get the exercise room made up this weekend, but I can do that tomorrow hopefully! It's supposed to snow for the next few days so there won't be any outside walking for exercise.

Goal for the week: Walk on the treadmill at least 3 days - maybe even four!!!

Have a nice evening everyone!!!!

Lilion, sorry about the fridge, but like you said, at least it's cold outside . . .

Karen & Rileydog; hmmmmm, maybe snow snakes are a military thing, I learned about them when I was in Alaska, actually got bitten once or twice. I had been bitten by them before I went to Alaska, I just didn't know they were snow snakes. It only smarts for a few minutes, usually.

Terri; it's so hard to do much of anything when you're not feeling well. Get better so you can jump right back into the thick of things.

Well, I finished 3 of my challenges today (water, crunches and eat healthy) I still have six more days of exercise then I will make up some new ones.

you ladies stay warm, feel better, hang tough, and have a great week

Okay, what the heck is a snow snake?

Ok, now i'm confused...

I went and googled it and found a number of references to "snow snakes" as snowmobiles. I later went and looked for real snakes and a number of people said there was no such thing, but was meant to be a term for a low covered branch in the snow that one couldn't see on the surface (meaning it could attack you unknowingly). Others said it was a reference to a game played by the Inuit or Native Americans. It was also used as an excuse by truckers saying that the road was thick with snow snakes biting the tires so they just couldn't pick up any speed.

http://www.wyrdology.com/cryptozoology/snow-snake.html
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...0/zoo00246.htm
http://wiki.dumpshock.com/index.php/Snow_Snake

Hmmm...interesting. I suspect it's related to that creature they say their looking for on a "snipe hunt".

Oh you all are toooooooo funny

When you slip on the ice/snow and fall on you backside, that's when you've been bitten by the snow snake . . . Karen, you crack me up . . .

Good night
Sleep tight
Don't let the bed bugs bite
but if they do
hit them with a shoe
and tell them
"I don't wanna sleep with you"

Sweet dreams everyone

I actually found a website that had pictures of snow snakes but they didn't exactly look real. Indeed, it is a snipe snow snake hunt.

On that note.

Stop! Do not post here! Join us on the next volume thread! Remember, we start a new thread each Monday.