good morning, ladies. i'm up early getting ready to go to w a. i'm ready to lose some more pounds. one thing my doctor said to me yesterday that made me feel extra good was, "are you where you want to be now?" and another, "if i had a cigar, i'd give it to you." this is the man who was so tough on me last january saying things like, "you're overweight and out of shape. i want you to have off 40 lbs by january 07." he told me yesterday that he keeps talking like that to his patients and every now and then one will listen. i'm really glad i did. i have to confess it still took me 6 months to get started losing.

i have to tell you right now i'm enjoying being 60. all the good health news and curtis being extra attentive after his foot in mouth episode tuesday morning. life is good. i don't think he'll ever tell me he's glad i was born a long time ago again.

rhonda, curtis watches chick flicks with me some, too. i think guys like them. (well, not always) he even likes the queen latifa movies. and those mama's house type movies.

kathy, the chf worries me, too. he told me that if i had any problems to call him. i am going to be watching the scales. he said i'd prob gain a pound or two. if much more than that starts hopping on, i'll be at his door. wow! that is odd about the lady and the missing guitar.

rhonda, i'm sending you well wishes whatever you choose to do. and--congratulations on getting those dvd's out. sounds like you're going to have a productive day. (your chili sounds good, too.)

okay, i may have to get my crockpot out, too. you girls are inspiring me. i am going to the store later to get some much needed core foods. have a great day, everyone.

Afternoon, friends!

Sandra, on such great news from the doctor! You're so inspiring. I told DH about it and he said that he needs to do the same thing too. He's on way too much medication to be 28 years old.

Rhonda, good luck with the job situation. I hope that everything works out the way you want.

Kathy, I hope that you are enjoying your weekend! It is gloomy and dreary here too.

Speaking of that, I woke up this morning (well, actually last night but I was too out of it to tell) with a UTI!! I've never had one before but I've been reading up on it and it is definitely what I have. Do you all have any experience with this? Sweet DH went to get me some cranberry tablets and juice and I've been downing them. I'm already feeling quite a lot better. You think that means it's okay for me not to go to the doctor? I REALLY don't want to go to a UTC today. I hate those places!
My only worry is that we have been off the pill...paranoia that I might be pregnant and worried about what that would mean for a UTI. But I guess I can't worry about everything!
DH has a gig tonight but I don't guess I'll be going with this pain and constant need to pee.
Good news--two of my co-workers are starting WW. One of them is going to go to a meeting with me next week so that we can get the stuff. We may not keep going, but I'm at least going to get the new info and get down to business.

We got some sad news this morning. Aaron's uncle died, I guess last night. He had been sick but we thought he was getting better. So I suppose we'll be traveling sometime this week for the funeral.

I hope that you all have a great day! I'm off to pee again.

Hi All:

Melissa, go to a doctor. Sorry, I know you don't want to hear that. The cranberry juice will likely help but once an infection takes hold you probably need medical attention. Drink LOTS of water.

I spent the afternoon with my ex's niece and her daughter who turned 6 this week. I took them out for a late lunch. It took at least an hour longer than I expected and I haven't done much work on my report. Oh well, there's tomorrow.

We're going to a friend's house with another friend for dinner and a DVD. We take turns choosing the movie and I'm not sure what's on tonight. But, it will be fun no doubt.

Have a good evening everyone.

Rhonda

Thanks Rhonda...why do these things always happen on the weekend? If I go, I'll have to go to Urgent Treatment (where I've gotten horrible treatment before). Of course Monday is a holiday too so I won't be able to see my doctor until Tuesday if I wait. I guess I'll wait and see what tomorrow holds since everything is closed now. I'm feeling better than I was earlier but still having pain.

Melissa, if you can't get in anywhere for 2-3 days, see if DH would go get you some UriStat. It's sold over the counter and will help with relieving the pain and burning. If you've caught it early enough, it might help to the point of not needing any other treatment. It won't cure an infection, but is good temporary relief. The cranberry juice is good for putting acid in you to fight the bacteria. It needs to be real cranberry juice though, not cranberry juice cocktail or cran-grape, etc. And keep drinking lots of water. Okay, that was my 2 cents worth. I've lived with these things for my entire life so I feel your pain.

I had an epiphany earlier that I simply must tell you all about. It is actually something you probably know, and the same advice you would have given me if I had asked but here goes ... so Judd and I went to the store earlier and when we got back, there was a call on the caller I.D. that said "U.S. Government." Hmmm ... no message though. Very odd. And it was a local number. I fretted and worried all afternoon, and then just now went to pick up my cell phone, and there was a missed call on there from the same number, like one minute after calling the house. No message.

I got on the internet and searched, and finally found that the call had come from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (formerly Carswell AFB) in Fort Worth. So I called Shaun and he said no, I'm here and alive and all is well. I asked if he was taking care of a few things that he had been working on and he said yes. The only thing I can think of is that someone from Whiteman AFB is down here on business and called just to say hey. They only have my cell number, not Judd's. I did ask Shaun if he had ever given anyone my number and he said he probably put it on some paperwork for an emergency contact, but they wouldn't be calling from the JRB for that. In fact, they only deal with reserves out there.

Thanks for staying with me. Here's the epiphany: so what is the worst thing that can happen if it WAS bad news? Or something about Shaun, something he should have done or needs to do? What's it to me? I mean, sure I'm the mom but he's 29 years old and has to take care of his own issues. I'm tapped out when it comes to doing the mommy thing with him. You know me though and you know I'm still going to worry about the calls until I find out what it was about, but I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with Shaun.

Well, now. That wore me out so i'm going to go peel some potatoes for dinner now. Be back in a while.

Thank you Kathy, I really appreciate it. I might go get the UriStat. It's definitely much, much better than it was earlier!
Glad everything was okay with Shaun.

Hi All:

Kathy: I didn't know about UriStat...one of the good things about aging is that the number of those infections decreases!

The call was from me and Frouf. We were in Ft. Worth checking out the TexMex places to eat and just thought we would call and say "hello." Now, you don't have to worry about it any more!

We watched American History X. Wow, what a challenging movie. I recommend it. But, go in the afternoon and be prepared to be drug through every emotion you have about every social problem there is. We all told our friend that she can't pick any more movies like that for evening viewing.

Dinner was meatloaf, potatoes, green beans and salad. I did well. I had a taste of the potatoes, but mostly ate meat and salad. I've forgotten that I promised to post a meat loaf recipe. I'll do that tomorrow; too sleepy now

Good night all,
Rhonda

Here I am - finally a chance to check in!

Rhonda - congrats on the possible new and EXCITING job! Hope it all works out for you. That movie does sound 'pretty deep - I too pretty lighter viewing! So did you do any of the dvd's?

Kathy - so are you enjoying watching the rain? Are you alone now? (despite not having picked up rhonda and my phonecall! teehee). Was the salad yummy?

Sandra - I am so proud of you for getting off the meds - what a great feeling that must be! I am hoping that if I am able to lose more pounds I can get off the bp meds as well.

Melissa - hope you are feeling much better and don't need to visit dr or get more meds! And it's always nice to have company on the ww program - at least you will have all the latest info at your fingertips!

vickie - hi if you're lurking!

Paula - what have you been up to this weekend?

Angela - where r you?

So last night was 'chauffering night' as dd went bowling w/friends and then to her dad's - ds and I went to pick up bday gift and to Starbucks for a treat! (for him - just coffee for me ).

I managed to do another 30 mins on the treadmill this morning - and finally finished watching 'South Pacific' - don't you just love happy endings? Not sure which dvd to watch next - maybe Carrousel? I barely rememeber it!

Had my hair appt today - nice cut and no more gray roots! Next (pre-cruise) appt already booked where the highlights will be redone! Then off to the mall - dropped off pants to be shortened - bought some new makeup, a couple of bras for dd (2 for 1 special at sears but alas I could find nothing suitable!), then home for dinner - I was RAVENOUS when I got home - let myself get too hungry so I did inhale my dinner.

Dh and I went to see Dreamgirls tonight - I loved it (dh not a big fan of musicals but he managed to sit thru it). I love motown music especially - and the singing (and acting) in this movie are excellent! Yes I had popcorn and expect some 'salt' poundage tomorrow. Planning to do another Richard simmons dvd sometime tomorrow - just not sure when - still need to get groceries and finish up on the laundry.

nitey nite

Frouf

Hello Chicks! I've been checking in periodically to make sure all my chickie friends are doing well. My life is still pretty much in chaos and I'm trying to make peace with the lesson I've been given to learn all my life which is that I am NOT in control. I'm a planner by nature and this has been a lesson I have been given to learn over and over again. I'm sick at the moment as is Jim. There's lots of cold and respiratory ailments sweeping the Midwest.

I'm doing nearly perfectly on program with still not much exercise. Since we've been sick for the last week to 10 days, we spent much of yesterday trying to put away Christmas decorations. The tree is still up and fully decorated! That's for today.

Cindy continues to struggle and is my main focus at the moment. She is truly my hero the way she continues to fight.

I hope you all continue to do well and I promise to come back here and become the perfect Core cheerleader again as soon as I can. It made me feel wonderful to know that you miss me and are thinking of me!

Be well and happy!

I'm here and OP, just busy. It was my oldest daughter's 8th birthday this week, which is a big deal for us. In our church, 8 is the age that they can get baptized, so I've been planning a baptism program and getting all the details together.

I turtled (stayed the same) at weigh-in last Wed, but since TOM started Thursday, I'm not surprised.

It finally snowed here yesterday...not a lot, but winter is officially here.

Vickie, I agree, there are a lot of respiratory things going around here in the Midwest. I'm trying really hard to avoid the latest, since it comes with a very sore throat. Not my cup of tea.


I'm roasting a duck for dinner tonight. On a wild hair a while back, I bought a duck, so we'll see how that goes.

Melissa, I hope your UTI is continuing to go away and that you feel better.

Later ladies, and Vickie, I'll keep you and Cindy in my prayers.

Angela

Vickie, I'm glad you checked in and am sorry that you and Jim are still sick. Like Angela, we're having so much illness here too, both in our area and in our town. Judd missed two days of work last week with it and probably should have stayed out all week but there was just no way he could have done it with the work schedule right now. I think he's starting to feel better. Many continued prayers for Cindy.

Our tree is also up; it was due to come down last weekend but since Judd stayed in bed from Saturday morning til Tuesday night, it didn't happen. I'm also hoping for today. The only things on my list for today are to take everything out of the fridge and clean the shelves, organize and throw away and replace it; and do the rest of the laundry that I didn't get to yesterday.

Have a good day, all.

good morning, friends. i apologize for not posting yesterday. i hope all of you are having a great weekend.

melissa, i hope you're feeling better. i had a uti once that put me down for over 2 weeks. i even passed out in the emergency room. take care of yourself. if you're not careful, they can lead to pylophrinitis (sp?). mine did. i ran extremely high temperatures and had convulsions. now you take care of yourself, podna. don't follow in my footsteps there.

i went to w a yesterday then ran errands, cooked, shopped, and then spent time time with curtis. we had a good day. i also visited on the phone a long time with a gf from texas.

today we're "hanging loose." i'm doing a lot of cooking. i love to cook on days like this (snowy and cold). i may stay in sweats all day. curtis got dressed cuz he had to shovel the drive/sidewalks.

i had an NSV today. yesterday i bought a pair of junior 11/13 grey sweats ($3.00) for mickol. i tried them on a few minutes ago and they fit--very snugly--but i got into them. they are the 3/4 length with a little gathering around the hem. i think she'll like them. they'll prob be loose on her.

rhonda, i'm glad you're sleeping better. i agree with you about not watching "heavy" movies, etc.... close to bedtime. we try to watch light shows. (now confession) last night we watched "grendel" on scifi till midnight. it was a bit gruesome but was so poorly made it was comical so i don't think i'd count it as "heavy."

kathy, sounds like you're having the same type weekend we are staying in warm and cozy. it's hot chocolate weather, isn't it? i hope those were your friends calling to say, "hello."

rachel ray cooked with ww pasta today. while cooking she talked a lot about it. good stuff. i'm making a ww lasagna (core) later today. before i do that, i'm pan grilling walleye for lunch. i may make a chicken bruschetta (sp?) later. i like to have foods on hand for lunch even though i am retired. it's good to just "nuke it."

last night i made a "creamy w/o cream broccoli soup. i liked it. i don't think curtis was wild about it but he ate it. i'll post the recipe later in case anyone wants it.


i hopped on the scales this am and was up to 166.5. my cardiologist told me to expect to gain a couple of pounds after coming off the diuretics. my weight should level out soon.

have a super sunday, friends. i'll be back later.

Hi All:

Vickie: thanks for checking in. We are all thinking of you. Do you know the expression "Man plans; God laughs." We have to "plan" but also have to realize that it can mean nothing and all change in the blink of an eye.

I slept in, skipped breakfast and had chili for lunch. I now want to take a nap and that is exactly what I'm going to do. It's grey and snowing. It's not the first snowfall of the season, but it's a real one.

I did the WATP three miles yesterday and I have plans to do it again or go to the gym today...but, FIRST, a nap!

Rhonda

A nap sounds good to me too! Was up at 7 am - going thru my pre-cruise itinerary in my head - and packing up my carryon yet again! I can't really decide what luggage I'm taking yet so I am weighing several options - too bad it is keeping me awake!

Scale up a bit this morning - and no doubt this will continue as I just finished up the LO popcorn we brought home from the movies last night!

And today is also cooking day here - after breakfast I went out to do the groceries and came home and have been cooking ever since.

Made a home made chicken soup (w/matzo balls which little ds loves - yes I had a big bowl with 2 of them myself!), also made another huge pot of spaghetti sauce - and it is delish if I do say so myself. Left some in the fridge and froze 3 containers for future use (I know big ds will eventually find them and will be THRILLED!). And I am about to take the roast chicken out of the oven - for dinner or whatever (and I made chicken salad w/the LO chicken from the soup as well). Kitchen not too bad looking but needs a bit of a cleanup pretty soon.

Dh on the treadmill and soon to take little ds to his bday party and run a few more errands for me as I just don't want to go out again! Just want to relax. And yes I have a craving for bbq chips so i bought a bag and shall indulge a bit - decided it is best to take care of this instead of letting it blow up into something bigger!

Rhonda - congrats on your exercising - good for you. I hope to do one of videotapes this evening - not sure which one yet!

Kathy - good luck with the frigde cleanup - I chucked a few things out today as well! Dh NOT very good at 'circulating' stuff!

Melissa - hope your are feeling better and not having any more pain.

Sandra - what a skinny thing you must be - soon you and your gdd will be sharing clothes!

Angela - good luck with the baptism details! Glad to see you are hanging in and I'm sure you will show a loss next week when TOM is gone!

Okay chicken is calling me - need to take it out, cool it off a bit and somehow squeeze it into my already full fridge! (never get a side by side fridge!)

Frouf

i don't understand this. guess i'm getting old. vickie and angela, i totally missed your posts this morning, and i thought i'd looked carefully to see if you two had been here. i was very very excited just now when i saw that you'd both posted. it's good to see you. i have been missing both of you.

vickie, i hope you and jim are feeling better. this weather's probably not helping. i am sooooo ready to have our back. i need you.

kathy, i didn't realize judd had been that sick. i guess he's all right now. did he have fun last night at sundance square? i'll bet it was cold.

rhonda, a nap sounds good. i have been burning my candle strongly all day. i made the lasagna and some taco soup. i will pan grill the fish for dinner tonight. the chicken b can wait till tomorrow. i have the watp tapes, too, but i've never done the 3 miles. you are inspiring, my friend.

kathy, i need to clean the fridge, too. ours is located in a place that keeps me from being able to pull one drawer out all the way. that creates a problem sometimes.

frouf, you have cooked a lot more than i have today. i have never had matzo balls. are they like meatballs? wish i were skinny. even though i was in those sweats, i couldn't wear them in public. the world's not ready.

angela, to dd. congratulations to you for turtling. you know that's really a loss with old tom visiting.

gotta go. i may take a nap. i might even venture onto the in a bit. who knows? the day is young.

have a good one, everyone.