Awwe SAMI, I am so sorry you are in such pain with your kidney's... what is wrong exactly??? Are you being treated with meds (I hope!)? You are in my prayers also for a full recovery!

Glad to hear you decided on Gateway... my family really likes theirs. And dummy-me... I totally forgot about Target. They DO have nice camera's there too.

*******


Today, I am met my girlfriend for grocery shopping (at around 9:30) & then we went out to lunch. We didn't go yesterday or last week because she pulled her back out at work and has been laid up for almost two weeks now. This was the first time getting together in that amount of time. I had to really bundle up - it is so very cold! Only 15* right now, but the sun is out - that's makes it a bit easier to bear. It did stop snowing finally (got almost 11"), but it looks as if we are in for another storm over the weekend... hope it isn't too bad.

Joe & I got some real bad news last night... one of our close friends from Tetelestai (a passion play we did for 17 years) passed away from a heart attack yesterday. He went for tests earlier that day & came home. His wife was at work and she tried to reach him all day to find out what the results of the testing was & couldn't reach him. When she got home she found him cold and very dead in his favorite chair. So darn sad! They weren't that much older then us... maybe by 10 years. All I know is that it's too young to die! So we'll have another funeral to go to this weekend.

God Bless!
SunnyD

Hi MICHELE, You posted just before me and so I didn't see you till I was finished

Snow Angel's??? Afraid NOT! Wayyyy too cold for me!

Congrats on your 11# weight-loss!!!!!!! I bet that feels so good!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!! I am slowly coming down again too, but I won't beel better till get below 200!! I cannot wait to see 19something, anything! You are doing a wonderful job!!! Keep up the great work, Michele.

I am glad for you that all went well at your farewell party - that is such a nice feeling. And you have not burned any bridges with anyone - God is so good, isn't HE? It sounds like you are well on your way to a New adventure in life! I wish you only the very best!

You keep on truckin'
Luv's
SunnyD

PS>>> Michele, I haven't been getting your Daily Devotion's
Have you been sending them?

Have been keeping up with all the posts - everyone seems to be doing ok.

Gary: I do like the picture of the radio that Sunny posted -- Angie does have good taste!!

Sunny: 15* - that is better than what we have been getting up here in Canada - we live real close to the Washington State border but we have had a string of 7 days with it being minus 34* celcius - let me tell you that is cold. It has warmed up considerably where it is now around minus 5 celcius so it is not to bad - but sure am looking forward to the spring and summer weather.

Went for my walk this morning - getting close to my 700 mile goal. Today is day 16 of food plan. I did 14 days and then the next phase is for 21 days. But I am going to do the 14 day one over again - basically they are the same with the exception of the bread and potatoes. I am working on keeping those out of my food plan as much as possible. In 14 days I had potatoes only once and bread only 4 slices so that was not bad - I am going to continue on this way because I feel so much better. And just making changes such as from 2% milk down to skim milk, changing cereal from corn flakes to shreddies or oatmeal makes a change also. Will be getting weighed again Monday or Tuesday depending on when I can get to the scale due to my hubbys work schedule.

Just cleaned out our clothes closet - do this every January - it now looks rather empty but it sure gets full by the end of the year even when it seems like we are not buying a lot of clothes.

I also was able to go today and purchase 2 new pair of pants - down in size from last time. Felt good. Next month am going to see about getting some new tops -- hubby agreed that if every month I am down 5 or more pounds that I could 'treat' myself with some type of clothes -- so I am really going to work on it!!

Well it is now 1:20, have done my walk, done some shopping, cleaned up the bedroom closets, hubby and son have gotten the upstairs tv up and running, and we have the roast in the oven for dinner. I am looking forward to walking on my treadmill this afternoon -- next month we will be having a fellow come out and rewire some lights for us in the family room, then we will get the primer and start the painting!! Also looking at getting new cutters up as ours have some holes in them and when the snow melts and then freezes we are having ice on the driveway - not nice. But things are looking up finally!!

Well, should run, am feeling a tad hungry so am going to go and have one of my prepared salads.

HAPPY WEEK-END LADIES

All is well here EXCEPT Angie and I have colds now. Nothing serious just runny noses and sore throats. Not enough to hurt my appetite! Just finished putting all the stuff in the crock-pot for a beef stew-- not sure when we will have it, they say maybe some rain and coolness here on Monday but today it is in the high 60's already and absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside.
All alone for a little while-- Angie is taking my step-daughter to the train so she can go visit her cousin for her cousin's 16th birthday, my son won't be back from Hawaii until 2 am Sunday, nephew at his mom's for his friday night visit and of course my daughter is down at school.
Thanks for the compliments on my stereo, it isn't a top of the line stereo for these days that's for sure, not nearly as good a sound as our real one, but it sure serves the purpose Angie got it for- so I could listen to my old records from the 70's-- the bonus is that it looks real nice in our living room too.

SAMI I hope you are feeling better by now. Still waiting for those pictures I just know you will get time sooner or later on your new computer just as soon as those kids get tired of it or not. Is the big rush at work all done now until the next big buying season?

SUE Sending sunshine as fast as I can!! Any new job leads?

WILMA Well dear, how did the bathroom lessons go? From experience here I can tell you the lessons NEVER end You should hear it around here when the kids PLAY dad-- quite comical-- they are just kidding-- I think. Of course they play me a lot bossier than I really am-- I think!

MICHELE So glad to hear the last day at your job went well-- what a great lunch too!! Just love going to the beach fish houses here on the coast and eating fish and vegetables-- so healthy and good. The Atkins diet really seems to be working for you-- 11 pounds GONE say bye-bye!! There sure are a lot of fast food places and manufacturers making low carb meals now-- even Lean Cuisine has them. Good luck with those boys you hottie!!!!!!!!!!!

SUNNYD So sorry to hear of another loss for you and Joe. Were the test your friend went in for his heart? How sad for the wife to find him like that. I am going to send you some sunshine too! We have plenty here now until Monday. I love your 50's kitchen-- my daughter worked a couple of years ago at a 50's diner (chain) called Ruby's-- just love to eat there-- patty melts, cheeseburgers and fries--- and soooo good for you too! You are going to be in the 90's in no time girl!!

SPROUT You too! are going to get some of the sunshine I am sending! (I hope)-- I have a few friends that live in Washington, Sequim and Benton City-- been a cold year for them and I am sure yours is harsher! My goddaughter is in the Navy and from Washington-- when I picked her up from the airport after Christmas she was saying how nice it felt to be where it was warm-- she has only been here a few months-- anyway I was freezing! that day it was in the low 50's and windy!! You will probably be at that 700 mile club by the time you read this--- or closer! Tell your husband to get a second job cause Gary says he'll need it to buy PAY for all those new clothes EACH month this year!!!

ANGEL Thanks for the prayers for my goddaughter. As always your entire family are in my prayers. Sorry to hear of those pesky virus things-- Angie takes care of all that here, she changed from the first Norton we had to the new one and she had trouble, now she has Macafee I think. I don't understand it-- Sunny said the norton pro one is the way to go but I know you understand computers very well so I am telling you 'nutin How is the house and settlement coming along?

JUDY Waiting to hear from you. Hope all is well and you are just busy.

Well I am going to take it easy the rest of the day and relax and try to get over this cold-- tomorrow will be a tough one for me-- church (that's the easy part!!!) then 2 football play-off games--- it's not easy watching 7 hours of football-- it's not-- no really-- it's not Of course it would be A LOT easier if Angie didn't have that how can you sit ther for 7 freakin hours watching football EYE on me

ANGIE will be getting up early in the morning, 4am to go help out at the marathon we have every year-- the one she and I did a few years back-- she wants to train for another one but I..... well..... how do you spell L-A-Z-Y?? Anyway she helps another friend of ours check in all the runners gear they want to leave until after the race-- should be a great day for a marathon-- perfect weather!

You all have a nice week-end with your families and tell them to be good to you 'cause you DESERVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN HIS CARE- Gary

Hello I hope everyone is doing well. I woke up in a lot of pain today and by this afternoon I couldn't take it so I went to the Dr and I have a bad kidney infection. He said my white count was real high and red count was high. So I hope now I will start getting better. The reason I didn't go to the Dr in the first place is because I was hoping I could drink a lot of fluids and get over it because antibiotics are very hard on my tummy!

Michele-It sounds like you are on your way to a new life! It is scary to make such a big change but you have all of us here praying for you! And things at that job ended on a good note that makes you feel even better! I got my camera at Target it is a canon it was 199.99. I love it! Start watching Target will start clearencing all of the camera to make room for the new models. So you will be able to get a nice one for very little if you just wait.

Ez-My mom still has a 8 track player! She use to have a wind up record player that was fun to play with but she lost it in the fire years ago. I am glad Ron is doing well. I have taken your advice with my DD and her teacher and I talk often. And I have to sign that I have checked her homework out everyday. With the daily note I let the teacher know when she had a bad night and when she get in trouble because she doesn't want to do her homework. It has made a big diffrence! We are working together and holding her accountable!

Wilma-Thanks for your prayers. I dread the next few days because I know this med. will kill my stomach! And this med you can't take the zantac with so I will have to make sure I am very careful what I eat!

Sunny-I have my next camera picked out also I want the canon digital one that has changeable lens. It take lens from the auto focus (which I have several). Right now they are 900.00 on sale so it will be a long while.................... before I can afford. (you are so right about the digital eating batteries)

Sprout-How are things going for you? You have been in my thoughts and prayers. When do you go back for tests? How is your son doing? I pray things are going well.

Angel Lover-I am praying that your SIL gets home safe and sound. I sounds like things are getting really tense over there. Have you gotten any news on a settlement yet? I pray it comes soon.

Sue-Is it any warmer yet? I was Icy here today. When is your trip? I pray you have a great time.

Got to go your in my prayers,
Sami

Good Morning to all,

I read the last couple days of posts and I am; so glad I am in (sunny), mostly mild California. LOL I whine when its below 40. But I can't imagine being where its soo cold. It will take me a while to get your names straight, but I would like to be part of this forum.

This is my second time around for Low Carbing. I learned a lot from Atkins, but am modifying my woe this time around. Been reading SBD and also "life without bread" So far I am down a total of 7 ponds in 2 weeks of being on plan. I am recently retired from my job, working in a state mental hospital. But started working part time this week. I enjoy posting but do tend to get behind sometimes.

Its just about time to get ready for church, this is my Sunday for nursery and helping dil out with her SS class. We had a great speaker last week Ron Carlson anyone heard of him? I hadn't until pastor started talking about him coming to speak. Very good info.

In His Love,
Nasha

WELCOME GARNET!!!! So good to see someone new join us. I am on the SBD... I began in July losing 16 lbs. but then went wayyy off during the holiday's. Just began again on Tues. this week and already feel so much better and have lost 4 lbs. of the 6 1/2 I gained over the time period of Thanksgiving till this Monday. I also do Curves 3x a week & just started back on Tues. - WILMA and the others here were very encouraging to go there and I have really enjoyed it. MICHELE (Mitchypoo) is on the ATKINS if you want to compare notes and EZMONEY (Gary) is from California too.

Enjoy your warm temps, because we are at 20* right now and expecting more snow (we have 12 " now) & our low was at 7* And don't you worry about keeping up at all... just post when you can - it's so good to have someone new join in. No pressure here.

*******

I am not usually on the net on weekends but snuck in here while the hubby is having a bite to eat...

Hi everyone!!! We have to go to a wake today for our friend, Mike Smith. He was only 66 years old and died after his heart stress test. He came home after the test and felt tired... so very sad and he will be so missed! He was a great guy! He loved music and theatre and was very talented & a child of God.

Well, I really must be going... I will catch up more tomorrow after I get back from the eye Dr's if I can see It's at 10:00 tomorrow - so say a prayer everyone that there are no changes in my left eye - that will be good news.

God's Blessing for everyone...
Have a very RESTFUL day in the LORD today!
SunnyD

PS>>> SAMI, I thought you might have a kidney infection!!! Glad you went to the Dr. Hope you feel better real soon! That is so very painful.

HI LADIES-

Well Ron (my nephew..info for our new member Garnet5) and I just got back from church. Angie is still at the marathon, she left a little after 4 this morning. I probably would have stayed home from church today because of my cold but Ron had to acolyte-- so glad I went, felt better and we had a Pastor speak on Muslims. He is from POBLO-- People of the Book Lutheran Outreach-- his family has sung and spoke at our church before-- very interesting and fullfilling work they do for Christ!

Just vegged yesterday watching When Harry Met Sally ( for the umpteenth time-- one of Angie's favorites) Forces of Nature with Sandra Bullock aand Ben Afleck-- I will watch ANYTHING with Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts!! and then Goodbye Girl with Patricia Heaton and Jeff Daniels on TNT-- liked it too-- couldn't stay up for Sleepless in Seattle-- another Angie favorite... OK mine too!! I am a chick-flick kind of guy

Just getting ready for the football games to come on. My son and his friend got in from Hawaii around 2 am-- I heard them come in but didn't get up, my son is still in bed (on Hawaii time still) but his buddy left early to go surfing, really big waves here right now-- the kid probably only slept 2 hours-- ah.. to be 22 again!

Had my beef stew crock-pot over pasta last night-- pretty good-- never had a recipe for beef stew over pasta before-- real easy-- brown stew beef with flour and season salt and a few cloves of garlic. Put in crock-pot with a few cut up carrots and celery, a couple of onions, tablespoon of worcestershire sauce, cup and a half of BBQ sauce, can of diced tomatoes and a cup and a half of beef broth-- cook for 7 to 9 hrs and serve over wagon wheel pasta. Not too bad and easy too, it is more of a BBQ beef taste though than regular stew.

Well better help out around here with a load of laundry or something before the wife gets home Just kidding! No! Really!!! I am never in trouble with her Never

Have a great day- Gary

Today is a good day - and it is only going to get better from now on.

As of 10:30 this morning I have completed 700 miles walking at our rec plex since Jan 2/02 - that is 2 years, 19 days. Now you have to remember that when I started this walking program I would go from the parking lot to the inside of the building and have to sit down due to the pain in the hips and being out of breath - about 500 feet. The rec plex is marked - 1 lap is 820 feet = 6.5 laps = 1 mile. So after sitting I would do one lap taking just about 15 minutes to do it because of the pain in hips. I am now doing 7 laps (1 mile) in 25 minutes - quite a bit of improvement I would say. I know my doctor is very happy with this.

As for the weight during this time I only lost 16 pounds as I was still not really in tune with what the food I was eating was doing to me. At my last weigh in for 2003 I noticed something I did not like - not proud of at all - I had gained 15 pounds in the year when I was supposed to be working on losing it. So I decided that I needed to 'get real' and do something as this weight is really reducing my length of life and my quality of life.

So I recorded my weight for January 1 - nothing to be proud of as it came in at 270. After a lot of praying, and listening to Christ for advise, I decided on following what Dr. Phil had to offer. I looked over his Rapid Start Plan and noticed the following: (a) no bread or potatoes for 14 days (b) some of the veggs in his sample menus I just don't like. So I decided that I was going to do the following: (a) no bread or potatoes for 14 days (b) the veggs he suggested that I didn't care for I exchanged for veggs I did like using his food guide to get ones that were equivelent in value.

I am now doing this plan again - Dr. Phil's plan after the 14 day one is for 21 days and it allows bread 13 times and potatoes 3 times but I have decided that I am going to stay on the 14 day plan. I must confess that yes, I have had boiled potatoes 1 times in 19 days - about 1/4 of what I normally would have had, and I have had some bread - 6 slices - but the desire to have it for snacks or just to eat and eat and eat of it has gone. In fact the last time I ate the bread I must say I did not enjoy it at all.

So what would I have for breakfast? This morning, after walking for 1 mile with our friends, we went for coffee - I had bottled water and 2 scrambled eggs - that's it. After we finished this I wanted to get in one more 1 more mile walked so that I would have my 700 miles so hubby and I went right back to the 'track' and I did it - so it was 2 miles walked today. We will be doing it that way from now on so that I can get in 2 miles each day. But getting back to the breakfast - I never thought eating just 2 scrambled eggs without toast or hashbrowns could be done - but guess what it can and you don't feel so bloated after!!

Anyway, after our walk of 1 mile and before our 'coffee break' I went to get weighed. And I must say at this time that I have a big smile on my face - last week I after weighing I though - if I could lost 1.5 pounds I would be delighted. Well I DID IT -- 1.5 pounds this week also -- this makes 5 pounds gone in 19 days

If I was to keep up with just losing 1.5 pounds every week this year do you realize how much that would be at the end of the year. 78 POUNDS !!!! So if anyone tells me or you that 1.5 pounds is not very much or that 5 - 7 pounds is not much for a month when you have a lot to lose - don't believe them - it is the only way to go in order to lose it and keep it off - and without having to much sagging skin!!

Anyway I am feeling very blessed, I believe that I have 'got it' as Dr. Phil would say. I do believe that with the Lord directing me to follow this very sensible outline of how to eat (notice I did not say diet as it is not one) that I will be able to lose what I don't need and regain some of my health!!

Ok now that I have rambled on and on - how is everyone else doing!!