Hey Gals - With the holidays upon us how you do plan on staying On Plan? Also if you are on facebook I started a christmas cookie recipe exchange. PM me for the link. For me I plan on preparing only cookie doughs that can be frozen. Then I can take them out to bake and take to an event with none sitting around tempting me. I have not found a solutions for savoury foods. Although many recipies can be altered to be healthier. Cookies not so easy to do. LOL All tips welcomed!

Hi Peeps - boy is it good to be back home! Even though Kansas is next door I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz - there's no place like home. There's also nothing like the warm embrace of my DH at the airport and the flapping tails of two very excited furbabies to know how very loved and lucky I am.

My day started with the annual well woman exam - well every 8 years is annual for me - we agreed this time to every two years provided the results are good. I left there with a snoopy bandaid from a tetanus shot, a flesh colorored bandaid from a flu shot and a silvery glitter bandaid from bloodwork. All of this followed by a yellow bandaid from the last injection in my knee - I felt like a kid today with all the bandaids. On a very positive front my knee feels like new and the injections last an average of one to two years.

Annie - is it too late to say you aren't willing yet to do the endorsement? I never could do Oprah or anything like that - even if it meant free plastic surgery. It would horrify me to think of talking publicly about my weight if it involved my previous weight being discussed in pounds. Have fun shopping with your friend. I have a similar trip planned with one of my nieces since apparently I can't buy clothes that fit. She is more excited than I am I think.

Debi - hugs to you as you are packing. Remember you have done a wonderful job and she has accomplished this because of the strength you have given her over the years.

Julia - its so nice to see you posting again. I've missed you!

Jacquie - it's also nice to see you posting again. It helps me when I am feeling anti-social to attempt to post - it also gets me motivated.

Toni - how was your WI today? Have a nice time with your DD.

Melissa - welcome back! Great support from this group. I look forward to getting to know you.

I am actually looking forward to a weekend of cleaning both inside and out. I love the holiday feeling the is starting to fill me and hope to extend the spirit of thanksgiving to those I love.

Move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE.

Hugs,
Carol

My weigh in went well, I did not gain and I was happy with that. I stayed right where I was last week, what we call a "Turtle". I decided not to keep leftover pasta in the main fridge, just the back fridge where I won't see it umpteen times a day.
Daughter called about 4:30, they had just left so they should be home about midnightish.

Weigh in was good..loss of 1.4lb so it brings me to a new low of 228.
WE have everything she is taking this round loaded into the moving van. At one point her her future husband looked at her and said "HUN we should have bought a bigger house" I think he was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of her stuff..She has bought pampered chef for years to have for her home someday. Now we get to wash it all and put in cabinets.
We are heading out about 9 this morning and are praying to get it unloaded fast.I plan on working on cleaning the kitchen and bath before unpacking...i want to make sure its clean.LOL
So far im doing much better than i expected with it all...i only teared up once last night..i think i am more overwhelmed with the work i will have to do to get things back in order here after all her stuff is gone.
Can anyone explain to me how dust can get under a bookcase that sits on the floor??????
hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and getting in the holiday spirit.

dgramie: I can explain..dust bunnies are evil!! LOL Plain and simple! Hope you wont get to teary eyed today..

As for me..I have my first party tonight! For those of you that are new..or forgot..I sell Slumber Parties stuff. I am excited..and nervous! Will let yall know how it goes.

I am going to do some house cleaning this morning..I really need a maid!

Toodles all.

Hiya Peeps - how's everyone this wonderful Saturday?

We have been busy getting ready for the holiday here both inside and outside. I think Thursday morning we will just need to give it a quick onceover. DH will do that while I am cooking.

Water class was great this morning - she was making up for us not having class next week. My niece didn't go this morning and one of the other class member was talking with me (which meant I didn't work as hard). When she learned of my weight loss she made a big deal of it to the class. I am so uncomfortable with this type of spotlight. I was glad when it was over.

Tonight we are heading out for dinner with friends. We are hitting a place I haven't been before so I don't have a "house favorite" and should be able to make a good choice - Italian is not usually much of an issue for me.

That's about it from the cool midwest today. Hope you all enjoying your weekend.

Move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE.

Hugs,
Carol

Purple-I’m working on a masters in theology. I already have two bachelors and a doctorate, so I have basically become what my mother was always afraid was going to happen—a professional student. Between being middle aged, and having had a brain injury, I just don’t learn as fast as the 20 year old seminarians I spend all my time with. I suspect that it’s good for them to have me around though.
Annie-Some people are just jerks. That photographer will never accomplish anything with his life that matches what you have done in just a couple of years. You should tell them that they need to find a new photographer because if he is going to do work for them, you aren’t the last one that he will photograph. He could be responsible for someone relapsing.
Cyn-$800 for a fan belt??!! I’d get a second opinion. That’s kooky talk.
Carol-Next week is my last pool class until January. Pool is closing for maintenance. There are only 3 pools in all of Edmonton that have ramps to get in and out of. The rest of the facilities are accessible, but not the pools. The other one on our side of town is also closed at the same time for maintenance. That wasn’t good planning on someone’s part. The other pool is on the complete South side of town, and the classes are at 7pm. It is about an hour, one way on the bus, so I’m not sure how many times I’ll make it there. I’m not sure why, but it seems that every time I get started really well, something like this happens to slow me down.

I turned in my big paper on Thursday. The next day he sent everyone an email that because so many had requested extensions, he would accept them 2 weeks from now. Oh well. I’m glad I’m done. I have a small assignment due Monday, and then a larger paper December 8th. After that, I only have one oral exam, and then I’m done for the semester. As long as I get at least a C+ in both, I don’t get kicked out of school. Even then, I suppose I could pull the gimp card, and ask for re-instatement. We’ll see. I may have bitten off more than I’m capable of this semester, but won’t know for probably 6 weeks to two months for sure.

Hi everyone,

I have been so busy since Thursday night. Busy doing misc. chores. lol.

Carol: Glad that you had your wellness exam. I hope everything comes out perfect my friend. It is so nice to be home and have a loving hubby and furbabies to greet you. I am considering not doing the endorsment as a matter of fact. At least until I feel more comfortable with it or with a better photo. I had fun shopping. I hope you have a lot of fun too. I will tell you about it below with all the other chicks.

Toni: I hope you are enjoying your visit with your daughter.

Melissa: great job with your calories. I have to ask, are you the person when you were here before that got a new little puppy? I think it was a small one? If so, how is your little puppy doing?

Debi: How did the move go? I hope you were not too sad. Hugs and great job on the weight loss.

Cyn: how was your first party?

Purple: I think it is smart to bundle up.

Catherine: Great job getting the paper in on time or ahead of time. I'm sure you will get great grades.

My shopping time with my friend was fun. We went to Torrid and I honestly couldn't find anything there that I just had to have for the prices so, we went down to Lane Bryant. I tried on a pair of their "right fit jeans" and I love them. I bought some black ones and they are a size 16!! I gathered a bunch of tops in size 18 to try on like I always do and my friend April said, "nope, you need to try on some 14's". She kept telling me how tiny I am on top. I relented knowing that they wouldn't fit me but I was the one surprised. I bought all of my tops in a size 14!! I never would have thought I could fit into a 14 let alone have it be the size I need. It was thrilling and nice to have someone I trust with me. There were a few things that she said don't look good on me and I didn't get them. One shirt she loved on me and I almost didn't get it but I went ahead. The shoulders are cut square and it is very flattering but I am not used to wearing things that show my figure. My DH is thrilled with all of my choices and loves them.

I picked up my Nintendo Wii Fit from layaway and did it. It said I am obese, no surprise there. lol. I did Yoga and I have never done it before. Can I just say holy cow! It is kind of hard. All day on Saturday I was wondering why my sides and tummy are kind of sore and then it dawned on me. Yoga! Holding those poses for such a long time. LOL. I am thrilled with it and am planning on trying to do it daily. DH is at the dump right now but when he comes home I am planning on setting him up on it so he can do it too. So much fun. I did see a game by Jillion from the Biggest Looser that is for the Wii fit board. I think I will see if Santa can bring it to me for Christmas.

Well, that is about all the news from the chilly Northwest for today. lol. I hope that you all have a wonderful op week and lots of people to spend Thanksgiving with that you love.

Blessings,
Annie

Evening all,

This week went responsibly well weight wise. No exercise (oops), but I have lost about 3.5 pounds so far, but I weigh in tomorrow. In order to hit my BMI less than morbidly obese by end of the year, I need to hit 321.0 by tomorrow (to stay on track). I hope I don't blow it at Thanksgiving, but I also don't want to feel deprived. We will see how it goes. AND I am going to put together an exercise plan for December, because a plan helps me greatly. Work has definitely gotten busier, but I understand that my job requires it, and still want some health. So, I will find a way to make it work.

A bit of good news, I fit into Lane Bryant size 7 (right size) jeans this weekend. I am needing some new pants, because mine seem to be falling down my rear. With that being said, I didn't buy any. Nor did I buy any shirts/coats, although I found a lot that fit (biggest size). I want to "earn" new clothes. We are really trying to impose a tight budget, so...I don't feel like I should be buying clothes. DH is FINE with my buying clothes, but I am not. Oh well. I have told myself if I hit 316 by December 11th I can get a new pair of jeans and a new top, because we have hit Christmas party on December 12th (not at a fancy place at all), and I would like to look nice. I do have a decent top I think, but pants...not so much.

Annie - Congrats on getting into a 14. Woohoo! Rockstar!

Purpleorc - You have done great. Nice to see you posting regularly (unlike me).

Catherine - Congrats on your many degrees. I didn't care for school, but it offered me a challenging job that pays the bills...well.

Carol - Welcome home.

That's about as long as my posts get I think.

I will post my weight tomorrow on the board. Soooo hoping I make 321.0....although being in the 321.something should be ok.

Take care,
Angie

evening chickies..

Well my first party was last night! At first I was so nervous..when I started I literally could feel myslef loosing breath as I talked. I know it was nerves. About 3 products in I was fine. The ladies laughed and said they had a great time. The "script" I had been writing for it was out the window. We make 40% off our sales and the party was 230.00! Not bad for a 2 hour show. NO bookings but that is ok. They will come in time.

We cancelled our YMCA memebership. It went up again. Feeling the money crunch, and not going that often it just wasnt worth it.

This week I am glad its a short week for work! I have wed and thurs off. Fri will be a 1/2 day.

I am making my list for Thanksgiving. My brother and sisters family are coming and that is it. So the menu will be short and simple.

I took a sneak peak on the scale tonight. Not good. Up over two pounds from last night. No clue why. Sodium wasn't too bad today. Didn't eat over calories or fat. Quite irritated. I was so optimistic earlier, a little defeated tonight. Oh well.

Well, took me 20mins to catch up on your all's msgs! WOW! you all have been busy!

Got the call from my Army son.......his orders are in.....he is going to Germany! He will graduate his AIT training on Weds and be home thursday.....for how long we don't know yet....his orders say he has to be in Germany by Dec 29........so we are hopeful that he will be able to stay here till he has to go! His gf is kinda sad that he is going overseas....means she can't just hop on a plane and go see him like they have while he was in AZ! I think they may decide to get married soon so that they wont have to be apart.....he did tell me that if once he goes to Germany and he finds out his unit is going over to Iraq then he would more than likely want to have a justice of the peace wedding...........he said he didn't want to go and something to happen and her to never have been his wife.........WOW that is hard to imagine, think about let alone type out!! I can't worry about that for now I'm just thrilled to have him home for awhile!

our oldest son is going with his fiance to her parents house for thanksgiving this year........we get them for christmas!

DH took a tumble down the stairs to the basement.....banged up his bad ankle.....hit his bad shoulder......and ended up landing on his forehead! He is ok just kinda banged up & a little dizzy.....I think he should of went in to the er......but you know guys.........he's at least able to walk on his ankle now.

I'm feeling a bit better............still got some stuffy nose etc....

Two days this week of work WWWWOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOO!!!!! uhhh can you tell I'm excited!??????

Talk to you all later