Serves him right!

Punishment of the Iron Clad Panties.... gets um everytime!

You are just to damn funny.

I'm not gonna grip. Yesterday DH and I got the tub faucet in our bathroom replaced. That involved a pretty thorough cleaning of the laundry room after we moved the washer and dryer.

Today was my last day of work. I got to flirt with TWO very cute guys. Came home and DH and I moved the freezer and stove and cleaned behind both. Then we moved our bed and cleaned. It is a VERY large cedar and it hasn't been moved since we put it together in May '04! We've always cleaned around it. Then we took down all the curtains and cleaned those. Then we disassembled the windows and gave them all a good washing.

I was much lower on both my sodium and calories today than I expected. I say today was a good day.

Dixie -

Girlygirl - I hope the decongestants help and you get your walk in. I'm probably not going to make it out tonight but I did lots of squats washing those windows.

What a cheerful post! I feel all happy now.

The next two days are supposed to be gorgeous. I am putting in beds for planting like you would not believe. We will probably have two or three nights of frost before mid-May, so no plants yet. Most of what I am growing will be edible, so that helps me justify the cost. I would love to do everything with beautiful pavers and teak, but this is supposed to save us money, not cost a ton.

The thing that is killing me right now is that strawberries take a year to produce. So I will spend a chunk of change on those plants this year and still have to buy preserves or at least the strawberries to make preserves. I also am getting some thornless blackberries for free, but I don't know if those take a year to produce after transplant.

I did not get my run in (shocker). The kids wanted to go out, and I knew when I agreed that my run was not going to happen. So DH is taking the offspring to swimming lessons tomorrow, leaving me with lots of time to hit the road, even though it will still be pretty chilly. However, I will be able to do 5 miles walk/run without feeling guilty about being gone too long. And the inevitable lifting, hauling, shoveling and spreading that will be the rest of the weekend will burn a few calories and keep me out of the kitchen!

Sweet dreams!

Well, I feel stupid. He'd gone over to my BIL to help him fix his system after BIL got off work, and had told me so earlier in the evening. I don't think he's lying because my SIL sent me some pumpkin walnut bread and new baby pictures. I was sleeping and he'd woke me up, I thought he said he was going to the store, he says he'd asked me if I needed anything from the store while he was out. When I woke up later, I guess I remember the "store" part. So, I'm taking a wait and see attitude. Still leaning toward leaving if he can't find a way to deal with the stress.

Don't feel stupid, honey. It is not like you jumped to this conclusion without a pattern already having been established.

Whoooohoooo!. I just got back from my walk/jog. 1.7 miles in 25 minutes. That means I did 14.7 minute miles. I broke the 15 mark for the first time. I could have went faster but there is a rather large stretch on our road that is solid ice still and I had to slip and skate across that twice. Hopefully it will melt soon.

I am also extra excited. I just got done baking a cake. It will be a strawberry jello cake and I used the diet Sprite in it and the calories and sodium will both fit in my day. A giant 1/12th size piece is under 300 calories and 325 sodium. I also have some fresh strawberries for garnish. YUMMY!

I am jealous of everyone talking about your gardens. Our yard consists of either beach sand soil or rock. I would have to do raised beds and there just aren't funds for it at this time. Someday...

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hey everyone! Sounds like all kind of stuff is going on in here...hard to keep up with you guys. I hate when I work 12 hour shifts because then I'm so out of the loop when I come back on here. grrr, work. Anyway, hope everyone is doing well and feeling motivated. I had my first "date" with simon, MY personal trainer today. OMG... I LOVED IT!!! I am a total spazz, but I loved it anyway. I worked out with free weights for the first time and IT KICKED MY BUTT!! I felt so cool being on the "other" side of the gym with all the weight lifters. At first I felt a little insecure and nervous that people were looking at me. Then, I gave myself a little mental talking to and decided to not care. Like my daughter in the NAVY says....I decided to go "balls to the wall". I just let everything go, and focused on the lifts and exercises. After the hard work was over he showed me some stretches and I can't describe the experience....it felt so peaceful and wonderful. I honestly can't explain it. After all those hard lifts to just sit and stretch....I don't know if it's endorphins or what...but it felt AMAZING!! I am as sore as **** right now and to top it off I got my period RIGHT before I left for the gym. I meet him again on Wednesday, and he gave me a list of things I should do for exercise the next 3 days. Tomorrow is 45 minutes of easy cardio like walking outside or on the treadmill. I have a feeling that's ALL I'd be able to do anyway! I came home and ate a big chicken burger and salad and now I'm ready to curl up with the book Chellez sent me and take some motrin. I hope TOM doesn't put on water weight because I really want to make it to 183 for the last weigh in. I was 184 this morning and 183 would be 20lbs. lost during the challenge. I am determined to be down to 165 by my brother's wedding in June...or at least close to it. We'll see. Okay, I'm off to the couch and the motrin. Have an awesome day.

Hey ladies - grip all you like! I agree --better here than at the snack cabinet. It was just an observation and everyone seemed to be on the same page.

Today's been a good day. I went out with DH last night and ordered the grilled fish and veggies. It kept me on plan and that felt good. But the desserts were calling my name, but luckily he didn't order any, so neither did I. It seems to be a cleaning day for a few of us. I'm doing major toy overhaul at my house and donating lots of stuff. It's just too much STUFF!@!!!! I feel like I am drowning in toys.

So hopefully by the end of the day, things here will feel fresh and clean (for 2 minutes anyways)!

Cheers,
Ginger

I've missed alot also.

((HUGS)) Dee. Sorry chicka. You're strong and know what you need to do for you, I'm sure. Or will in time...

Had to LOL at your text message Anna!!

I honestly cannot gripe much about DH around the house - I still manage it to from time to time though! Yeah, he folds the towels differently than I do and he never quite remembers where everything goes out of the dishwasher, doesn't see what I need him to do without me spelling it out to him (duh!)...but he does it so I don't have to - overall I'm happy with our arrangement.

Lisa - sounds like you rocked the gym!! I absolutely love my gym and trainer also. Dh and I went together this morning and had a great time also. He's crazy with what he can do though. Insane core stuff...

Rhonda - hope you feel better soon. Allergies are killing us here also.

I'd love to put a real garden in here this year, but don't know. I'm so busy this year. We moved here in October and there isn't already a "garden spot" - it's a big backyard, but I'd have to start from scratch working compost in...DH isn't really into yard work, so it'd just be me building it. Maybe I can hire someone to do it? The girls loved the gardens we had in the past - especially the tomatoes and peppers. I'm thinking to maybe till an area for a least some tomatoes and basil, zucchini and peppers. I did just sign up for a local CSA box of organic produce regularly starting next week, but it'd be nice to have more...

I hit 249.2 on Thursday. Was at 249.8 this morning. Started AF this afternoon, so am hoping that something else will drop off before Monday when I'll record my final weigh in!

Made totally yummy potato soup tonight. Could easily overeat on it. Not going to.

I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon. DH got on the treadmill! He did an HOUR and was even running intervals. I think he got up to 6.6 at one time. He was really slow starting though so he only did 3.27 miles and that averages out to 18+ a mile. I was MUCH faster, haha. I am really proud of him though. The only exercise he gets is load/unloading the semi and that is either forklift or pallet jack. He has never been the voluntary exercise kind of guy.

After I came home from the doctor and was telling him about my blood pressure he even took his. Whenever I comment on not eating something because the sodium is to high he asks me why am I feeding it to him then if it is so unhealthy? Um, maybe because he only eats a dozen things, over, and over, and over again. I've tried to introduce variety into his diet but have pretty much given up. Maybe if he sees me making a lot more positive changes he will jump on board.

P.S. I saw my lowest weight in over three weeks yesterday and today wasn't far off. I MIGHT be making progress on the scale again, whooohoooo.

I had to work 1pm-10pm today. This morning my mother wanted me to see if I could burn a DVD for her. Well 3 hours later I had a newly reformatted computer. Yippee. (sarcastically) I gotta remember to back up photos. Luckily most of them were on my husbands laptop but there are a bunch from my new camera that I've lost. There were cute ones of Aiden in the snow. I may have gotten lucky and not removed them from my camera. I was so upset by the time I finally got everything working that I forgot to check. My husband kept trying to be funny the whole time and all I wanted to do was to cry and hit him. I'm unnaturally attached to my computer. I feel lost without it. I was trying to use his to look up a solution to my problem but I really don't like it. Its a laptop. I think its neat to think you can take it anywhere but I hate the keyboard and the touch pad and the OS on it so he can keep it. I hope by the end of the next challenge I'll finally be in onederland. I don't remember the last time I was there. The only time I ever remember being under a 200 at like 180 was like a freshman in high school. My most wanted goal is to not wear plus size. I'm on my way into 18W so hopefully by summer I'll be in a regular 18 since there is quite a gap. I'll log off now. Tomorrow I have to work at 6am. Every other weekend is like this. It kills me.

Talk to you all later.

zinkemomx2- that is what I am hoping for too, that he will see my improved ways and that will motivate him, and it has a little. I know that has to be an AWESOME feeling to see him on the treadmill for an hour. The bf picked up one of the biggest looser dvd's today at Target, and suggested we buy it, now he would NEVER do a workout video before, but he loves Bob and tried one of his workouts last month on ON DEMAND. Hopefully, he and I will love this DVD together.

Calling for prayers- I need everyone's prayers on Monday morning for my test. I am still studying and have put about 130 hours in of studying in the last 10 weeks, I would estimate. I am not nearly as stressed as I was earlier in the week (it was doing me NO good to be like that). Now I am nervous but trying to relax. For, example I did some breathing exercises on Friday night and listened to some yoga music today as well. Wish me good luck, and pray. This is a test for only 5-10 % of people passing each time.

Anyway, I am going to post a .6 lb gain this week, I have no more freebies. What does everyone think about that? I am not a quitter, but if we have a chance at winning the whole thing, I don't want to let the team down. Anyone have the stats? I am closing out at 5 lbs lost, which is about average for me (2 lbs a month ish). I totally plan to take it up a notch after this test, all 'balls to the wall' as missingmyerica's Erica would say.

Omg! You all crack me up! I can't even remember all the things I wanted to reply to..lol. Even tho I have almost no idea what you all are talking about at a given time, I love coming and reading your posts. I love the silliness!!!

I have some good days then some bad ones. I can't believe I've maintained as well as I have. I only hit 194 after being sick several days. So when I gained some right after to about 196 or 197 I may've just been getting back to normal, was probably dehydrated. Then I just ate too much for 3 weeks and now I think I'm 202. Not too bad I guess. Still down 43 from August, which I lost during last challenge mostly. Only 1 pound less than when we started this time! That sucks but at least being here with you all this time around has helped me not gain it all back!!!! Yay!!!!

I'm getting reeeeeeally excited. My lowest ever as an adult was 179 and stayed there a day or two, lol. Since 8th grade I've been over 200. I was about 252 when I graduated high school. So it'll be interesting to see what I look like under the 179. 177 is my first goal, then I would really like to shoot for being a size 10, not sure what the weight would be. my mom is about 145 at that size I think. I would think a 10 is doable. Probably make a goal for 147, that would be a loss of 130 lbs!!

Rhonda, I take Claritin or the generic one, but it has to be 24 hour-D. If you have high blood pressure you aren't supposed to take it. I hafta have it. My doc has me on it indefinitely. Thank God my BP is always low, like 120/75 or so. Hope you feel better!

Chelle, I hope you did get some FAQs up bc I wanna read some! Can't wait to get started! How do you find time to really read all those books?! You seem to have so much to do already! LOL!!

Congrats to everyone who has been exercising, or drinking their water, or eating more veggies, etc. Way to go!!!

One more thing, have any of you ever had Sleep Paralysis? If you don't know the name, you can Google it. It's when your mind and eyes wake up but the rest of you doesn't. It is called Old Hag syndrome sometimes. I never knew other people did it and didn't know there was a name for it until I got grown. I'm having it alot lately but I know it's because the time changed and I'm getting less sleep, plus not keeping regular sleep patterns. I'm really tired because even having that happen makes me more tired. I hate it!

Blah. Imma go nite nite now. Hugsssssss, Selina

Oh Anna, I wanna read that too. I LOVE Martha Beck. She is so smart!!! And seems just so sweet on top of that. I always wanted to be a psychologist so I really look up to her.

And about the quilts, no way! LOL! They are hard! Fun and neat but hard. They took me over 30 hours each, probably way longer than that but that long I'm sure. And that's not buying all the stuff, etc. I also didn't do as many stitches as I think they should've had. I see my mistakes now when I look at them.

I'm proud of those tho and have since cut squares out of our old clothes, like clothes we wore in our first years together, sort of a memory quilt (cut those before our kids were born). Haven't had time to begin it! Now I am thinking I should add some from the kids' old clothes too! LOL.