Yes, the three hour time difference makes it work. It's like I never left the east coast.

Newleaf: I always thought I was doing something wrong because all the tests I've taken show me almost equal on the introvert/extrovert portion. A counselor recently told me it just means there are times I get my energy from being around people, and other times I need to be alone to recharge.

Cruise: wow, there's no way I could handle that schedule. Training classes at 7am when I started my current job meant being up at 5...almost killed me!

LC: I KNOW you can do it!

It's soo hard to keep up with the personals...everyone seems to be doing so well! In response to the questions/comments about my son moving, he told me a few hours before he left. Found time to visit his father first but not myself or his sister. Unfortunately he wasn't raised by myself, he spent his teenaged years with his father. He's been homeless both while living with his father and since he's been out on his own. He's very intelligent and has a great work ethic, but absolutely no life skills. At least while he was here his sister and I are around to bail him out if he gets in trouble - not that he would call anyone other than his father (who won't help him). So I am worried, but I've had to let go and let God with my kids more times than I can count!

As for being on track, lol, what is that?! I have been horrible the last few weeks...getting back into the exercise but keeping up with the food has been a disaster. Not only am I not eating enough calories or the right foods again, but I've been bad about doing what I need to keep my blood sugar level - which explains yesterday's crash. I'm finding it hard to get to the food store when I need to, or to get to the stores that have what I need on a regular basis. That's been the only real downside to riding the bus. Looks like today is going to be a pajama day, tons of rain!

I did an hour on the TM. I was watching the National Body Challenge which was inspiring but the walking was B-O-R-I-N-G-!!!

Now I get to go bake a cake!

Petra, 100lbs in nine weeks. I wouldn't have thought that was possible! I don't like the controversy and compititon of shows like BL, I'm so non-competitive that I can't understand it. Why do people have to go home, just pick some people and help them all???

Reg marriage: I look back at some of the guys I dated before Hubby and think 'we were so wrong for each other, what was I thinking???"

TLC, I put the dog outside just in case I dropped the weights. As I'm doing the swinging I was thinking 'if you let go, which would be cheaper to replace, the picture window or the TV"

Cruise, just for you I took the time to write out the Bloomin’ Onion recipe. I really, really loved it. I can see making on for myself and eating it for dinner. I put the recipe on my blog instead of a direct link because I had a few comments about it. I hope you like it. http://apps.mariesdogs.com/blog/

Lamb, you made my morning earlier when I read your comment. I too like looking at my ticker. Some days I just wonder how it moved so far to the right. To be honest on the morning muncher, if I don’t eat until 10:00, I don’t munch in the mornings. I don’t have trouble not eating in the morning. BUT if I have breakfast, morning munchies attack. Since breakfast is so important and I have the slowest metabolism, I don’t mess with not eating breakfast. And big congrats on the success of your 2nd marriage. It really is a partnership that should be fun. And without a doubt you can do the half marathon. Because if you run some and walk the rest it is so much farther along than not doing it. And if you only make it 5 miles, it’s still five miles more that day and every mile in training is so much more. Go for it chickie!

Petra, ok, you’ve mentioned being a doctor and my interest is piqued. Do you specialize? I thought of you last night while watching Grey’s Anatomy and wondered if any of it was even remotely accurate. My guess is no but heck I can dream. I too support animal charities throughout the year. I got started with the US Humane Society after Katrina roared through your region. I know people need charity but I’m so much into animals and their safety, I wanted my $$$ to go there. Now I’m torn between continuing USHS or the adopt a husky rescue that saved my Sasha’s life. I’m guessing both will be supported. I also support my animal behaviorist’s “very expensive hobby” – Badger Run Wildlife Rescue. I toured her facilities with her once and was amazed at what she’s done.

And Petra, I completely agree the rate they lose weight on Biggest Loser can’t be healthy. I admit I’ve never watched it but the headlines make me cringe. I just read an article about the Tapeworm Diet. Yuck and double Yuck on it. And it can’t be much more healthy than what Biggest Loser does.

Newleaf, that is a big bummer you didn’t know about the deduction. But now you do so you’ll always be motivated to adopt a rescue. I’m relieved kitty is doing fun after his hunting expedition. Explain to him that he’s to catch the rat, not the rat poison.

WLW, I am so sorry about your son leaving and in such an abrupt way. This is going to sound really corny, but I usually find a song that’s fitting to the hurt and obnoxiousness when my dear children rip my heart out. One was Rod Stewarts Reason To Believe when child basically moved out in the middle of the night – the day I’d had to put my Goldilocks to sleep. I was raw from losing my golden, and then bam, off the kid goes. It was so fitting. I think of that time whenever I hear the song. Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive comes to mind. And Kelly Clarkson’s Gone fits with what DD’s ex-partner did in Sept with my beloved DGS. I don’t music really helps me as I’m very into lyrics and dancing to the melody to lift my spirits. I hope your daughter brings you comfort through this. Maybe she can help you get back on track and help you through all of it.

Penguin, way funny on the weighing options of window versus TV.


Tomorrow is my dermatologist appointment for the mole on my back. I also made an appointment with my co-worker’s chiropractor for Friday for help on the facet joint. It isn’t getting better. I’d prefer going to a PT but I’d need a dr. referral for that and (don’t read anymore Petra), I hate going to the doctor. It’s a waste of money to be told what I already know is the problem and then longer for the referral. The chiropractor I don’t need a referral with my insurance. I’m getting close to the border weight – 140.8 this morning. Since TOM is around the corner, I’m thinking the border, back and forth, will be extreme since TOM will play with my mind too. But I’m getting close.
Marie

Marie-yes I have a specialty-actually two. I'm double boarded in internal medicine and psychiatry but what I do is basically I'm a geriatric psychiatrist/geriatrician. In fact, I went to a nursing home today and saw patients. All my patients have psychiatric problems and if they have medical problems-I take care of them too. That's sort of how that works. As for the referral thing-my doctor has this phone tree when you call and one of the options is to leave a message if you need a referral. You don't have to go in and pay the co-pay to get a referral. That sounds like a scam.

I made it to pilates class tonight. I'm feeling good about that.

Morning ladies.... just wanted to pop in before I leave (6:05am flight). I'm sure I'll check in several times over the next couple weeks but wanted to wish everyone continued success.

I really wanted to be in the 130's before I left but it didn't happen. This morning I was 140.6. I'm expecting a 5-7 lb. gain while I'm away, hopefully no more.

Marie thanks for posting the recipe; got it bookmarked for when I get home.

Marie: thanks for the song suggestions! I actually do "song collages" on myspace, putting together song lyrics and pics. It's been a great form of therapy for me in the past. Two of my favorites are "Stand Back Up" by Sugarland and "I Will Not Be Moved" by Natalie Grant.

I'm not as stressed by the situation as I would have been in the past, done a lot of work on dealing with my grown kids and their issues. "When Parents Hurt" by Joshua Coleman is an awesome book www.whenparentshurt.com. I came across it in the library a couple of years ago and was thrilled, told my counselor somebody wrote a book just for me!

So now I'm off to get my hair done, woke myself up at 4:30am and couldn't get back to sleep. Need to get back on track by doing some food shopping and planning my meals again. Eating 2x a day is NOT the way to go when you're prediabetic! Not sure how I slipped back into my old bad habits but I need to get it together. Today is my last day with the doggies from upstairs. I have figured out why they're overweight, daddy may have restricted their diet but all they do is lay around and sleep! I bring them outside more than he does, but not sure that's an improvement since they get a treat every time they go out : ) Hope y'all end your weeks on a great note!

Morning all! My busy day today.

WLW, Love Natalie Grant! I've discovered the more I try to lose weight the heavier April gets. If I don't eat everything on my plate I feed the rest to her. Ooops!

Cruise, Grrr. So very close on the weight! Kinda makes you wonder why our bodies won't co-operate a little more! Have a safe flight.

Petra, So basically what your are saying is that you have all your paitnets bases covered, LOL. My Quilting Buddy is a Phyical Therapist, she works in a local hospital and a nursing home; I get the impression she likes the nursing home better, less variety in patients but less trauma all around. I get a lot of good exercise advice from her.

TLC, I hope you are back to your chipper self soon. Let us know if we can help!

Marie, Hubby is slow to wake up in the mornings. He doesn't like to eat breakfast here bacause his stomach isn't awake yet, LOL. Some mornings/days it does feel like once I eat I have broken a dam and I keep wanting more and more. Hope your appointments go well.

Back later...

Was reading through the personals and today am just grateful to be among you - we all have our bugs and our challenges. Yet on top of it, we've placed our health and well-being ... in many cases, so that we'll be capable of giving EVEN more to friends, family, animals, work, and our passions. HOW COOL IS THAT? To quote DS10 - "Mondo!"

I had a NSV last night, following a day of eating that was not quite where I wanted to be. I was feeling grouchy and disappointed in myself (hit the vending machine for a bag of Cheezits - which is absolutely my top no-no "food"). Was feeling vaguely nauseous after dinner - probably due to artifical color and trans-fat overload- , had to take DS10 to swimming, and the little voices in my head were absolutely screaming at me with ideas for excuses to not get in the pool myself - not feeling good, meet is Sunday - should rest, gonna hurt something, too tired, need some personal time ... I'm sure you're all familiar with them. From somewhere inside, something rose up and roared "STFU!" And then it was quiet. And I swam.

Penguin-I like to refer to myself as one-stop shopping, LOL

ICU-you crack me up but good for you for getting in that pool. I have days like that too!

ICUWishing good job quieting the demons... I'm proud! I wasn't quite as strong as you last night...

ICU: lol, way to go!

update: now my son says I may be expecting another grandchild. I told him their best option under the circumstances (both homeless and unemployed) is to give the baby up for adoption. he's rather p.o.'d at me for the moment.

Good Morning Friends! Today is a great day. I am down 2 pounds! I am doing the happy dance!

Stitches out yesterday. Everything is doing well. My incision is just under my ear and down the side of my neck. When looking at me head on it is just barely noticeable, now from the side that's another story but I'm OK with that.

WLW, sorry about the problesm with your son. I think your advice is very good. Wish more people had the guts to speak that to their own kids in this situation. Hopefully he will come around!

ICU, I am also a cheez it lover. I could eat a whole box. I have not had any in over a year! Great job getting past the monster and into the pool!

Cruise, Have a great trip! Stop in when you can!

petra, You should feel good about getting to a class! It's hard to make time these days! We are all so busy!

GivTLC, Here's a . Hope things get better!

Marie, how did your appt. go with the dermatologist?

Patch, I'm with you on the TM, Boring!

Lambchop, Yes! You CAN do this!

Newleaf, Hope you are stronger today! One day at a time!

Gotta get to work! Have a great day! It's Friday!

Geez-what an ordeal with the website over the past couple of days. Hope everyone is doing well. I had a rough day at work yesterday for some reason. 3 new admissions-normally wouldn't have been so much but for some reason it was. Our nurse practitioner came and helped me out. Sometimes the families are as much work or more than the patients-and we don't get to bill for that, LOL. I had really wanted to go to a yoga class last night but I got home so late that just didn't fit in my schedule. I also had a whole pile of errands I needed to do and didn't get any of them done. Got a couple done this morning and the rest will have to wait until next week-oh well.

I am going to a yoga workshop tomorrow. Should be interesting-it's a spirituality, mixed with postures workshop. I'm not completely sure how it all works but I'll tell you about it after I go.

The other big news-my scale said 229.8 this morning. It appears I have made it out of the 230's or at least the trend in that direction has started. It's the first time I've seen a 2-2-something on the scale. Friday is my "official" weigh day so I won't change my ticker again until next week.