Vix, I'm praying for you girlie.

Can you do a container garden?

Congrats! Me too!

I totally understand! I am sorry.

I don't think you need the prayers, the way you have been studying, but I will send them anyway!

this is the first thing I have read of hers. She is such an amazing writer.

Also, about the quilts. One for me will suffice

I'm always in a rush lately....just wanted to stop by and say hi before I head out to the gym. I'm not as sore as I thought I would be today, but today is my recovery day and I'm just supposed to do some treadmill walking today for 45 minutes. I was going to take a hike today, but of course the weather SUCKS!! I seriously want to move, I am so sick of the endless crappy weather here. I'd love to move a little further south, but with my New York accent, I don't know if I'd fit in. For some reason, we aren't the most popular people in other states. LOL....I know they LOVE us here in PA. Not really.

Anyway, have a great day ladies. I'm dying to do some personals since there is so much going on, but I'll save it till tomorrow. I can't believe this is the last weigh in of the challenge. I'm still at 184, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow I'll wake up to a 183! If TOM messes this up for me, after all my hard work this week....I'm gonna be pissed! grrr.

I'll be back later, or tomorrow.

vix - Good luck with your test. I can imagine how nervous you would be.

kgood - That reminds me it is time to back everything up again. I am horrible about things like that. I really should stay on top of it more as the kids are using the computer now and DS likes to see what all he can click on. There aren't going to be any icons left on the desktop soon, lol.

SoontoB - I'm another amateur quilt maker. The first one I did was a queen size for our bed. I hadn't sewn anything since junior high home ec so that was quite a learning experience. Since then, I have done a few smaller ones for the kids, a curtain topper for their room, and crib sheets. I really enjoy it but I hate having to put everything away every time as I don't have enough room to leave things out. I think my next project will be a new quilt for our bed. Someday.

Well I need to go make homemade pizza sauce for the freezer and then get ready for my run. Have a great day everyone.

Always looking for a good pizza sauce recipe....please post. I plan to can this year. (snorts with laughter at her own misguided ambition).

Missing--
I have a vision of your doing the My Fair Lady exercises so that you can move someplace warm..."The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains."

You could move the southern Florida. The majority of people I know with NY accents are currently living near Ft. Lauderdale or south!

hey, everyone! My weekend went by so fast, I can't believe hubby is about to be leaving and things are going back into another week here. I am excited to take my final pictures tomorrow...is everyone else doing that so we can all see the progress? I'm anxious to see if there is a big difference in me... I can never tell it though friends have commented recently.

DD is off with MIL again last night, so I had a really nice evening with hubby and my son. I actually got to read a little bit while they played the DS together (Mario brothers addicts). I'm feeling good today and ready for a new week.

As the challenge winds down, I just wanted to post how enjoyable it has been to be on a team with all of you. In varying degrees, we have grown emotionally and shrunk physically. It has been exciting and beautiful to watch you all transform.

Ditto Anna!! I feel the same way.

Hmmm, about the quilt. Maybe when my kids are grown! LOL!!!!!

Zink, yep, precisely one of the reasons why I choose to not begin a project right now. Nowhere to leave all my things. Martha Stewart had a cute cute cabinet thingy you can build tho that looks like a big tall armoire but when you open it a desk folds out and there are shelves with little hooks, etc to hold everything you need. And when it's closed it's disguised very well! I want one!!!

I lost a pound! I'm at 201 again. LOL. At least that is 2 lbs less than when I started this challenge tho. If it weren't for staying on here, I would be much larger to start out Just Beachy. I'm sure I'll start it under 200. Haven't had any cravings lately so should be purty easy.

Can't wait to dive in again and start dropping lbs. I am a little freaked out because alot of my 'skinny' clothes fit me now and I will have to buy some new stuff I'm sure when I get into the 180s even. I'm saving all my quarters and dimes in a counting jar now. I have over $139.00 in there now. They are both the highest amount per coin to take up space in my jar.

Kinda dumb to save them at all because DH is a coin collector of all kinds of coins, new old etc. He wants to buy them from me when I'm ready, LMAO!!! He needs to just hand over the money now then! Ha! Just kidding, I am not ready to buy things yet anyway. So I guess I'm just saving them for him. Imma spend some from our income tax refund on myself anyway. Making him buy some things for himself too, needs shoes, etc. He's just another kid of mine, you know!

Anyhoo, was gonna say that Martha Beck is one of the advisors for Oprah's show when she has that type of issue on there. Great psychologist. Don't think she is a psychiatrist. She has a column in O Magazine which I get every month. I love reading her stuff. Makes soooooo much sense. Her's and Suze Orman's columns are my faves. But there are other great ones in there each month too. I save lots of them because there is such good stuff in those magazines!! I have to get her books and read them too!

Well, I guess Imma get off here and go get some work done. If I stay busy I don't overeat plus I tone up my body, right? I have to remind myself of that on days I just don't wanna get up and move! No couch potatoing allowed!!!!

Hugs! Selina

Open to awareness

"Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best we can. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding."

-- Myla & Jon Kabat-Zinn

Why do we want to become more aware?

If we remain unaware, we:
- repeat the past,
- remain stuck in relationships,
- live superficial, literal and one dimensional lives,
- lack experiences of love and beauty, and
- have limited connection to others and the universe.

With awareness, we are fully involved with life. Awareness is sensing deeply and sensitively for what really is. To do this, we need to approach the present as totally new. When we can be open and attentive in each moment, we begin to free ourselves from the conditioning of the past and the suffering that it so often brings.

"If moment by moment you can keep your mind clear then nothing will confuse you."

-- Sheng Yen

Here is the original.

I usually quadruple it. Here is my version
2 - 28oz cans of tomato puree
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp basil
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp savory
1 Tbsp sugar

Medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes stirring often. Cover and allow to cool. Supposedly keeps 3-4 weeks in fridge but I always freeze mine in 12oz serving right away.
*If you have a splatter screen I suggest using it so your kitchen doesn't get painted tomato red. Unless you like that color of course.

Hi Bluesers,

Just wanted to drop in and let everyone know that I'm doing well. I'm still on-plan, but battling a horrible cold. Also, my oldest baby...my 15 year old poodle, Cody...passed away on Friday. I've not felt much like chatting, but I miss you guys. I haven't turned to food for comfort, so it looks like I'll actually be able to post a loss for my official weigh-in tomorrow. I'll check back in sometime tomorrow. Is everyone gonna keep chatting with us until the next challenge? I hope so.

Rhonda, I'm so sorry about your dog. Hope you feel better soon. I plan to keep chatting in between challenges. Once I get started it's hard for me to stop!

OMG....If you would have told me a few months ago that I would come to care for and open up to a bunch of other women on a weight loss forum, I would think you were crazy! Now, the first thing I do when I come home is check my blue team chat to see what's going on with everyone. I know I don't always do personals, but I honestly read all the posts and it feels so nice to hear about everyones victories, struggles, families, pets, books, recipes, hobbies....everything. It's like being part of a big family. Thanks everyone.

Awwwwww Girlfriend, I am so sorry about your doggy. I hope ya feel better soon.


Ditto that!

I don't have one, but what a great excuse to paint the kitchen. "I know, honey...l just cannot get it off the wall. I turned my back for just a second. But look at these lovely paint chips."

Holding you in the light. Fur friends are family, and their absence is painful. I am so sorry.