Cottage-enoy those dance class years, sometimes it can be time consuming. My DD danced ballet/tap/jazz from age 5 until she was 13. I look back and am very thankful that I was able to provide that opportunity for her. Maybe if the car smell doesn't go away, go get your interior detailed by a pro shop, tell them the specific problem and I bet they can get it out.
Jandaman-Good luck with your negotiating! I'm in a profession that has very little power to negotiate any kind of monetary changes. Things are very straightforward for our raises, just a percentage each year based on what corporate feels they can afford. They do try to stay within the geographical norms for this area, otherwise they fear nurses will go down the street to the next hospital.
Ruth-Hope PT went well for you. That knee will get better. You are like the bionic woman now! You have been rebuilt, can you make that fun sound when you run now? One of the nurses I work with had both her knees done at the same time. It took her about 2 months longer than she thought to recover. She does water walking for strengthening. Enjoy the snow melting and the arrival of spring.
Kara-I hope your babies are all feeling better now. I'm glad you had time for your run before they awakened. Your running is an inspiration for me to keep exercising. My mind goes--"if Kara can run all those miles, I can keep going on the treadmill." Someday I hope I can run again, but I have to get my weight down more first. Is Tom still there or has he headed to Florida yet? My BIL just got back from Iraq and he is now at CentCom in Tampa, his family is still at LeJeune in NC. He had about 2-3 weeks home before heading to FL. Thanks to Tom for his service!
Nessa-I have learned good things from your posts. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Sorry to hear about your DH's accident. Very scary! Glad he didn't have worse injuries. The soreness from the seatbelt may take awhile to go away. I had that happen once from a 10-15 mph accident and my chest felt bruised and sore for about 2 months. When you are able to get back to the gym, I bet you will feel so much better. WW can be successful, I work with a couple women who did it, I think their committment to exercising has a lot to do with their success. One does Curves and the other Yoga/gym combo. You can do SBD and WW. Some people find the meetings in person and weighing in helpful.
TK-Aloha! My fav thing in Oahu was driving around the island on Kam hwy in a convertible just being amazed at the sights. Around each curve I was in awe of the beauty. I also loved being served steamed white rice and macaroni salad as the 2 sidedishes with most meals! (sorry SB'ers) Lomi Lomi Salmon---yummo! Opah, Wahoo and Ahi oh-my! I love-love-love the local, fresh fish! Feel better!
Weezle-Welcome Back! Hope your BF is feeling better. Glad you are past the orange leaky problems. I'm kind of surprised they didn't do an ultrasound first to rule out ovarian cyst before putting you through a CT with contrast. Appendicitis and Ovarian cyst are two of the rule out issues that can cause similar pain and an ultrasound can look for. Maybe your symptoms just made the doc think it was something else??? Sorry you had to go through all that.
FluffyK-I remember in the not too distant past that we were on dial up and it was horrible. We went cable, then Fios and haven't gone back. Hope your day is productive for your learning!
Gonna -HUGS...the sadness will come and go. My mom passed away 2 years ago and I still have days/moments when I cry for her. I still miss her terribly. When she first passed away, I cried every day. I really hate that I can't pick up the phone and call her. My DH's dad passed away when he was 16, that was 40 years ago, he still has some times when he cries and misses his dad. It is ok. You will grieve in your time and in your way. Look to your friends and family for support. Think of the happy times.
Schmoodle-Good job on phase 1 this week, you are strong! Old boy's networks are soooooo hard to change or even get your foot into their door. If you can take it, staying on the committee and being the one with a more open mind may help. On the other hand, if it is causing you stress and not helping your community then do what is right for you and your family. Have a productive work day.
Kim-Hiya Kim! Have a productive work day, hope it all goes smoothly for you.

I am doing not much of anything today. I worked long hours the past 4 days so this is a rest day. The new pup kept me up and down last night. DH is ready to kick him out of the bedroom. He is an 81/2 month old Weimaraner named Bogart. He was a marine's dog. The marine was deployed and didn't have a home for him. We adopted him 2 weeks ago. He is beautiful with bright, dreamy eyes-they still have blue in them. We start puppy obedience classes next weekend. Our older dog-almost 10 year old greyhound is beginning to tolerate the pup. I need to start packing up our house. We will be moving in 2 months and I haven't done much yet. It is amazing the amount of "stuff" that has accumulated in 4 years here.
Have a great day!
Karla

Yikes, the morning just runs away with me! I had a student in here for almost three hours this morning (no wonder I'm so exhausted!) and I only had a tiny bit of breathing room before two more showed up in succession. Yikes! I'm glad the center's being used more, though. That's good.

Hope everyone's having a good day--it's supposed to be 50* today so I decided not to wear tights with my skirt. We'll see if I regret that when I leave work today! DH and I rearranged our weekend plans and are just going to stay in a cute little town upstate. He'd like to leave right after I get out of work, so I'll have to skip my workout. He says we can go for a swim when we get there. We'll see how much of a workout that is...

Beautiful Nessa, I'm so sorry you're feeling down. Hon, between Brian's accident and your injury, you definitely have a lot on your plate that's going to affect your decision making. This isn't the best frame of mind to try to make a change in your diet. After I gained back some weight last year, I felt that maybe it was SBD that was the problem, but when I really thought it over, I realized that the issue was my feeling deprived from other things and using off plan food to compensate. I've made some changes to how I use SBD (a much bigger focus on protein, allowing more fruit and starches) and I'm finally losing again (since last August). It really helped me see what Suzanne and Jennifer are always reminding us--it doens't matter what plan you are on. If you work it because it fits with your life, you'll lose weight. Period. No plan is magic and no plan works for everyone.

Crap...I have to run to lunch. I'll finish this post soon. to Gonna for dealing with so much!

Thanks you guys. Yall sure do know how to make a girl feel better. You gals ROCK!

Nessa sorry for what you are going through - thoughts & prayers for you & Brian

Nessa- You are NOT a failure-you are an inspiration to many of us!!!
I, too may join WW next week as a former life member and weigh in once a month. But I will still follow SB and/or whatever works.
I still check in with these chicks all the time, just havent been posting because I feel like a failure. I ate a donut today after my whole wheat muffin and a sm fries after my healthy lunch. So I know its not true hunger, just cant get motivated.
Do not let one comment (or even lots of them) throw you off track. Losing weight is one of the hardest things to do IMO. Look inside (as I need to do) for some motivation. Keep giving advice whether that person likes it or not-we are all in the same boat. keep smiling-youre gorgeous!!!!! Mo

I'm new to this board, but I just wanted to say what a kind and supportive group you are for each other. I'm really glad I joined : )

welcome... they are a great bunch of gals... i disappear for them for months on end and yet they always welcome me back with open arms....

Nessa, I so agree with everyone else. You've had so many "distractions" lately to deal with. Just a suggestion, but how about just treating yourself to a "fun day" all to yourself? Go get a facial, manicure, whatever! You've been busy taking care of everyone else that you really need some "me time" to regroup. I'm sure also when the weather gets great, that will help too. (I was having a case of the "blahs" till our weather got perfect...it really brings on a new outlook)

You are such an inspiration, but even inspirations can have down times. Just know we are all here for you!!!! You really helped me so very much when I started SBD and I wish I could hold your hand through this rough time.

"fun day" Maybe thats what I need.
After my morning GYN appt and talk of my turning 50 this summer
and her talk of the average age of menopause being 51 or so, I got down
and turned to those donuts and fries. Tomorrows a new day, Ill get better.
And find something good about turning 50!!!!

So, I'm taking a poll. IF you had a little extra money- how wouldyou spend your
"fun day"? Give me some ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAnative, 50 "ain't so bad"!! I'll be 53 in September and I swear I feel better than I did at 40. (and I look better too!)

I started going through menopause in my late 30's. (it sucked) I finally finished all that stuff and when I was 49 had to have a hysterectomy and went through it all over again (double sucked)

I love being "older". No more little kids to take care of! (my own anyway) I also realized within the last year that I needed to make more "me" time. I spent years taking care of everyone else (well, I still do) and now mornings are for me!! (I get up at 4) I work some, then exercise, then a long hot bath along with scrubs and masques etc, then take my time with make up, hair etc, then a nice breakfast and I'm good to go by 7...then the rest of the day is for everyone else. I do love my mornings!!!! When summer hits and I'm out of school, I get to add a little morning gardening to my "me time". Being off of school this week has given me glimpse of a great summer to come.

Let's see. I would be in San Antonio - breakfast at Mi Tierra's, get my nails done and a pedicure and then hit the McNay for a few hours - then off to La Madeleine on Broadway for a late lunch - then off to North Star Mall for shopping until heading to the SBC Center for a Spurs game. (Where they would hopefully slaughter the Lakers). Finally I'd end it with some drinks and appetizers at Alamo Cafe. It would definitely NOT be an on plan day!!

OR

If it were the right weather, I'd head to the Comal River for hours and hours of floating followed by dinner at The Grist Mill in Gruene and then seeing my fav lady Stephanie Briggs sing at Adobe Verde.

OR

If I had DH with me, it would be shopping in Gruene, with lunch at Gruene Coffee House, more shopping, dinner at The Grist Mill and then drinks and dancing at Gruene Hall. If it happened to be Willie Nelson in concert - I think I'd float off to heaven right then!

i'm 48 i really can't wait for 50... 48 is stupid. of course my DH is only 37!

thanks guys i'm doing better.. and you all are gems

i get manis and pedis all the time... if i had extra i'd get a massage and a facial.

Nessa you sound like a fireball - thats great to look forward to 50 - you get better not older

Aw, Karla. You're so nice! Tom's been in Florida for over a week now. He was only able to be home for a couple days before he had to head out. It's better for my weight that he's gone, but the rest of me just wants to be with him!

Laurie, have fun on your vacation! I'm sure you could work up an exercise session with some swimming. Maybe your husband could chase you around the pool?

Hi Mo! Haven't seen you in awhile! I don't understand why everyone gets so upset about menopause? Think about never having to deal with your period again! Yay! It's like being in labor and thinking about the beautiful baby you'll have at the end...makes the uncomfortableness worth it. I have no clue what I'd do on a fun day. I feel guilty leaving the kids for an hour and a half, so first I'd have to get over my own issues with treating myself to something! It would probably involve sleeping in. And a beach.

Nightmere, we're glad to have you, too!

Nessa, you crack me up..."48 is stupid"...too much!

Connor hasn't thrown up in five hours! I think he's better. He asked to take a nap this afternoon, so I actually have all three kids in bed. WHAT?! So I logged on here!

Kara

hey kara-it's not really the menopause things-its just getting older in general! since being on pill forever, i dont have much of a period. the desire (and patience) of having kids has never really been there. So, as I read of your busy life and others with kids, i have great respect, must be a hard yet very rewarding responsiblity. My husband, who's a young 45 has a son in high school that I 've known since he was 7. Great, great kid esp for a teenager. maybe I'm bored-this job is going down tube, theres nothing to do all day. You'd think i'd have plenty of time to exercise and prepare healthy meals. so, I will give that a shot (again) We did get to go to beach (and yeah felt old around those spring breakers) last weekend, very fun. And this weekend to some friends we met on a cruise, they have a ranch near Bushs outside Waco TX with a real log cabin for us to stay in. shes a vegetarian like you, and fixes great side orders while every one else is grilling steaks. So I will look forward to that. and then of course Fiesta is coming-I will have to figure out how to party and eat on SB plan. I'm sure it CAN be done!!!

Okay, I'm back...for a minute before heading home. But I totally agree with Cat on Nessa's need for a "me" day and on 50 being AWESOME!!! I'm nowhere near it yet, but I'm SO looking forward to it! I'm always seeing 50+ women on Oprah talking about how they've finally figured their lives out--they don't worry about impressing people--they're full of wisdom and insight and JOY! I think there are tons of things to be happy about being fifty, SANative! Check out Oprah's website and I bet you'll find plenty!

Nessa, I know few of us are lucky enough to have a doctor that is associated with lots of alternative medicine professionals, but if you do, take advantage of it! If not, see if your doc (or a friend) can recommend a good therapist, just for a session or two. I have a friend who's getting over surgery and is depressed about the lack of movement. I can see how you'd feel that way too and from what I hear, it's very common. Just take care of yourself and stay away from rash decisions until you feel more centered. As for that jerk who chastised you, give THEM the boot! (at least that puts it to good use, right? ) Hon, we ALL know that we can know the right things to do and still not DO them. Right, chicks? You can give great advice even when you aren't following it. You do give good advice and I hope you don't stop just because you aren't feeling like you're working hard enough. I felt that way too when I was maintaining but wanted to be losing my last 20 or so pounds. Now that I'm about 15 pounds higher than that place, I'd LOVE to be there again!!! So give yourself TONS of praise for maintaining for this long!