I'll say a special prayer for you tomorrow Dee! I hope all goes well and that it helps. I go for blood work tomorrow...just one needle, so I don't feel as bad about it now! :wink:

Eating while everyone is here will be easy! My brother-in-law is recovering from a stroke and is on a "low everything" diet. He's lost 40 pounds in the past 6 months and is doing really well, so basically I will just keep cooking the same way I have been.

Dee- Prayers and hugs for you this morning.

Dee, I'm thinking of you!!

I have new pictures of Jake, which means you all need to be watching your mail boxes

Darlene is a very sore and tired Princess. Just checking in to let you know that I made it home. I am going to bed.

You have been on my mind all day Dee! I'm glad to hear that all went well. Now rest and tomorrow will be a better day!

Dee-Prayers to you! I'm glad to see you are home. I haven't tried Aquafit. Is it a very good workout? They have it at 6:PM today, but I just can't decide if it would be hard enough for me to try. I really like to sweat and get out of breath!

I'm glad you let us know you are okay. Hope you are feeling better this morning. Take care - Janice

Hey girls I am doing great. The pain level is almost nil. I feel fantastic.

So where did everyone go? It isn't contagous you know.

Just 115 days left.....

I am sticking to writing in my journal. I can't believe that even though I am not really trying to stay under my points for the week journaling just makes it happen.

How is everyone else doing on their new habbits?

I can finally go back to the Y and have a shower.....ahhh yes. Now for someone to peel off all the bandages. Did I tell you guys I had 19 needles. Only 8 of them were epidural needles, the other ones didn't hurt as much. I needed to have my IV put in 3 times. That usually sucks but I knew that would be nothing compared to the needles that I would soon be getting.

I just have to share this with you guys. As I think about it it brings tears to my eyes. I was scared and saddened that I had to go into the OR without Sally knowing and praying for me. She would always want to know what the time and day and she would light a candle and say a prayer. I am sure that she probably prayed all day til she heard that I was ok. A lot of people that she knew thought that she was closer to God that anyone they knew. She was like my mom but closer and more like my best friend. Anyways as I was getting prepared in the hospital I felt at peace and wasn't scared. Prayer really does help. I know that some of you prayed for me and I believe that you comforted me and gave me peace. I even felt the presents of my angels around me. I knew that I was going to go through this fine. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much for the prayers. You really don't know how much it means to me.
You gals are the greatest.

So happy your feeling better Dee! I didn't light a candle for you but I did pray for you several times throughout the past few days. I hope you continue to find continued comfort!

Found this and wanted to share! 100 ways to lose weight!


1. Walk to work.
2. Use fat-free milk over whole milk.
3. Do sit-ups in front of the TV.
4. Walk during lunch hour.
5. Drink water before a meal.
6. Eat leaner red meat and poultry.
7. Eat half your dessert.
8. Walk instead of driving whenever you can.
9. Take a family walk after dinner.
10. Skate to work instead of driving.
11. Avoid food portions larger than your fist.
12. Mow lawn with push mower.
13. Increase the fiber in your diet.
14. Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.
15. Walk kids to school.
16. Get a dog and walk it.
17. Join an exercise group.
18. Drink diet soda.
19. Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.
20. Do yard work.
21. Eat off smaller plates.
22. Get off a stop early and walk.
23. Don't eat late at night.
24. Skip seconds.
25. Work around the house.
26. Skip buffets.
27. Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
28. Bicycle to the store instead of driving.
29. Take dog to the park.
30. Ask your doctor about taking a multi-vitamin.
31. Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.
32. Use vegetable oils over solid fats.
33. More carrots, less cake.
34. Fetch the newspaper yourself.
35. Sit up straight at work.
36. Wash the car by hand.
37. Don't skip meals.
38. Eat more celery sticks.
39. Run when running errands.
40. Pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games.
41. Take wheels off luggage.
42. Choose an activity that fits into your daily life.
43. Park further from the store and walk.
44. Ask a friend to exercise with you.
45. Make time in your day for physical activity.
46. Exercise with a video if the weather is bad.
47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving.
48. Keep to a regular eating schedule.
49. If you find it difficult to be active after work, try it before work.
50. Take a walk or do desk exercises instead of a cigarette or coffee break.
51. Perform gardening or home repair activities.
52. Avoid laborsaving devices.
53. Take small trips on foot to get your body moving.
54. Play with your kids 30 minutes a day.
55. Dance to music.
56. Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office.
57. Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
58. Walk briskly in the mall.
59. Choose activities you enjoy and you'll be more likely to stick with them.
60. Stretch before bed to give you more energy when you wake.
61. Take the long way to the water cooler.
62. Explore new physical activities.
63. Vary your activities, for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
64. Reward and acknowledge your efforts.
65. Choose fruit for dessert.
66. Consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all.
67. Take stairs instead of the escalator.
68. Conduct an inventory of your meal/snack and physical activity patterns.
69. Share an entree with a friend.
70. Grill fruits or vegetables.
71. Eat before grocery shopping.
72. Choose a checkout line without a candy display.
73. Make a grocery list before you shop.
74. Buy 100 percent fruit juices over soda and sugary drinks.
75. Swim with your kids.
76. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low-fat seasonings.
77. Remove skin from poultry before cooking to lower fat content.
78. Eat before you get too hungry.
79. Don't skip breakfast.
80. Stop eating when you are full.
81. Snack on fruits and vegetables.
82. Top your favorite cereal with apples or bananas.
83. Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.
84. Include several servings of whole grain food daily.
85. When eating out, choose a small or medium portion.
86. If main dishes are too big, choose an appetizer or a side dish instead.
87. Ask for salad dressing "on the side".
88. Don't take seconds.
89. Try your burger with just lettuce, tomato and onion.
90. Try a green salad instead of fries.
91. Bake or broil fish.
92. Walk instead of sitting around.
93. Eat sweet foods in small amounts.
94. Take your dog on longer walks.
95. Drink lots of water.
96. Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.
97. Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.
98. Walk to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing or calling them.
99. Carry your groceries instead of pushing a cart.
100. Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower.

Dee- I am so glad that you are feeling good. You went through a lot but it is worth it. Sally is still with you and looking after you, please believe that.
I am doing okay on staying on program. I lost 2 pounds this week.

GREAT JOB JANICE!!!! YIPPPEEEEEEE!!!! Send the weight loss fairy my way please! LOL!

Yesterday was a hectic day here. My daughter-in-law (North Carolina) was in a car accident. She is ok, just a bump on the head and shaken up (sore today). She was on her way to an OB appointment...actually turning into the parking lot and a truck hit her in the rear passenger side and then pushed her into another car which smashed the drivers side of the car. All in all she was very lucky! The air bag did not deploy (for some strange reason?). She's a tiny little thing, 5' and normally about 100 pounds, so she has to sit way forward in the drivers seat. If the airbag had gone off no doubt that it would have injured her or the baby, so we are all very thankful today! Travis has been in NYC working security at the UN General Assembly this past week and was due to leave Saturday night, but they released him last night so that he could go home and help take care of things there, so all is working out ok.

Dee ~ I'm so glad that all went so well for you and that you are feeling so much better!

Gayle ~ What a great list! I'm more partial to #97 than I am #100, but something tells me that I'll be doing a lot more shoveling than I will be walking on the beach over the next few months!

Janice ~ Woohoo! Good for you!

Suzy-I believe someone above was looking over your DIL during that accident.

Dee-I'm sure Aunt Sally was with you during your procedure and is still with you during your recovery, as we all are!

Janice-WooHoo on the WI!!

Gayle-Thanks for the 100 tips.

Heading to the gym for spin class.

Suzy, thank the good Lord above, everyone was ok! Liz had an accident 3-4years ago, basically just a major bump, but enough to deploy the air bag. She had serious chemical burns all over her arms. It was a horrible experience for her and myself as being the wound therapist. She still has scares. Thank goodness the air bag didn't deploy and DIL & baby stayed safe!