Up 2 lbs.
TOM here with a vengeance.
Left eye messed up now.
Dreading Passover as is gets closer daily.
Can I go back inside for 6 more weeks?

Anne: Hugs to you.

Debimitch: I bet your yard looks amazing. I can't wait until the snow stops and I can start to garden safetly knowing my plants/flowers will make it.

Debbie: It is so beautiful today and supposed to get to the 60's but tomorrow and as far in the near future as the paper/TV weather goes, it shows......SNOW!!! Okay, enough already. lol.

Catherine: How very exciting about your book. Congrats on getting your testing done.

Walrus: I hope you finish the project with time to spare. Good news that your foot is healing too.

Sharon: Welcome to the recluse club. lol. Hope you feel better very soon.

Johnnie: Okay, there are enough of us having this keeping people at arms length thing that we need to do something about it. Hugs.

Julee: I hope you are feeling your wonderful self again soon.

I am so excited. Along with Testing for the County job on Monday the 21st, I have an interview with the local JR. College on the 23rd. I was so hoping for an interview there and they called at 7:00 this morning to set one up.

During our yard sale on Saturday an elderly couple came and bought a couple of jackets that I had for sale. The man asked my DH if the enormous jacket his wife was buying for herself, was his old jacket. MY DH said no and I said it was mine and this time last year I couldn't even zip it up. They started talking about a group for weight loss, health and exercise they lead at the Senior Center and asked me to come on Friday, tomorrow and tell my "Story" so far. I feel weird about it because I am still quite far away from my goal weight but my DH thinks I should go and maybe I can encourage someone there. I am seriously considering going. DH thinks I should take my scrap book that I have been working on as well. Also, I got a thing from Avon, as a representative, that I can join a 30 day study that Curves and Avon is doing on weight loss and exercise for free. I am going to join that for sure. Anyone else that wants to do it that isn't a rep can do it for $30 for the 30 days I think. When I did Curves before I did loose 30 pounds and lots and lots of inches. It will be interesting to see for free.

Well all I hope your day today is as sunny as mine is here. Drink your water, move your bodies and eat for fuel.

Blessings,
Annie

Catherine, is your book out there for sale already?? Good for you on getting your final done. I'm sure you'll have a great grade on it.

Walrus, I hope you end up getting your work done on time. It sucks to get behind on things. Good news on your leg though. You'll he running around in no time.

Debi, I forgot what 75 feels like. It's just suppose to get colder and colder here. We might even get lowland snow this weekend. If we do, it will break the all time record for having snow this late in the year.

Sharon, I'm also going to join up with the "no social club". We live so far from people and the ones that do live within walking distance, I don't know if i want to know them. I think they're druggies. Anyhow, we just have to put ourselves out there and see what happens. We can't be hurt any more than we already have been by people's comments, so what the heck?
I hope your terrible migraine passes soon. Those things are just awful!!

Julia, ours is May 30th. What do you do to celebrate? Have any great plans on going away or anything? We might go to Seattle and do some stuff and spend the night. Not sure though.

Johnnie, O thank you!! Those are sooooooooo pretty!!! I can feel the warm breezes already!

Julee, just take it on the chin. That's about all you can do at this point. This too shall pass.

Annie, o go for sure and tel your story!! I think it's great that they want you to come and encourage people to lose. Your journey is one that should be told, my friend. Just think how you can go and inspire people and give them hope. Maybe this is what you're meant to do, become a motivational speaker and travel.
I agree, enough with this weather already.

Nothing going on here. For some reason my ankle has been hurting me. It almost feels like its' going to sleep, you know the prickly feeling? I know when I was a kid I had cracked one of my ankles, but I can't remember which one. It's hurt ever since the 5k.
Jim has the karaoke contest finals this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed that he wins something. I guess there are prizes worth over 1000 bucks for this thing. It's called a "suicide" contest. You just pick a song out of a hat and you have to sing it whether you know it or not. Should be interesting.
have a movin' and groovin' day!
Debbie

Annie - I would encourage you to go - at some point you will tell this story - this would be a good group to start with. You also never know what doors it may open. I certainly understand your apprehension though.

Sounds like there are a lot of May anniversaries around here - our 16th is May 2.

I want to join the recluse club too - during summer I will use up all my social outings for the whole year.

Sharon - my migraines have not been quite as bad this year - although today it is awful - weather is changing (watch out Debimitch - it's coming your way). the only thing I can really say is it may have to do with my exercise. I'm so happy to see you!

Back to the office for my.

Hugs to you all,
Carol

Annie, I totally think you should go -- look at what you've achieved! I think you're amazing and would love to hear about your journey, so I have to imagine that others feel that way, too.

Carol, good news about the migraines -- I get them, too, but I haven't noticed them decreasing -- more exercise!!!

I was feeling all virtuous about not giving in to snackland last night and then realized that, duh, here I am again, no lunch, no sleep, no exercise, and asking my husband to being home some caffeinated bevvies so that I can stay up late tonight. Phooey. Well, little steps, right? I think I'm going to make myself go to yoga tonight -- I've been looking forward to it (we had to skip last week) but freaking out about the project. I'm hoping it gives me a little perspective -- and some activity!

Thanks for all your kind words -- this leg hasn't beaten me yet!

Hello all,

Well, finally, I feel like it's spring. The pool is warming up (tomorrow will be fantastic), and there's a big clump of daffodils that opened up in the back as well. It's funny, but at the moment it feels closer to summer than spring (23C/73C). I'll take it though. I've either had a low energy day, or an extremely lazy day. I did the Costco shop this morning as well as two other small errands and even did my first hour on the treadmill before lunch. Then I just felt like I was out of gas. I did a few things outside and procrastinated for a while before I finally made myself get on the treadmill again.

Debbie - our tulips will be a while (unless it stays this warm). They don't seem to do well in this garden. The clumps always get smaller, then eventually die away. The last place we lived they actually increased in size. We've been talking about whether we'll replace them where they aren't coming up. The problem is that we both love tulips. However, we sometimes go from cold to warm weather (even hot) and some years they just don't last. You're right - that is a good deal. I suspect if I could get the same deal I could probably talk her into growing more. I remember once buying 150 assorted bulbs for probably 20 or 30 bucks many years ago. It was a mixture of larger bulbs and smaller ones - it made a wonderful garden. And yes, the pool guy showed up... although it was a 3 day event. Sorry to hear about your ankle. It's annoying when your body doesn't do the things you want it to do. I sometimes forget that I'm still over 300 lbs, but my body reminds me. The karaoke contest does sound suicidal! Wish Jim the best of luck.

Catherine - congrats on that first copy!

TheWalrus - Oh, I've had those kind of periods at work, with deadlines that can't be moved. Somehow we always managed to accomplish the bare minimum to survive. I hope you find a way to make your deadline.

Sharon - if you ask people who know me, nobody would ever think I'm shy. However, if they all think back to when we first met, it was unlikely I made the first attempt. Once I'm comfortable with people I can be a little too chatty at times. At that point they would laugh if I said I was shy. I really am though.

Julia - well, you're right, half a small bag is better than half a jumbo bag. Did you get rid of the other half a bag?

Texarkgal - thanks, although not working at the moment has a lot to do with it. Once I start working outside more it will likely decline a bit. Hopefully I'll be doing enough other things that will make up for it. I do it mainly because except for that regular exercise I would be completely sedentary.

Julee - I know you want to avoid it, but I'm guessing that you can't actually avoid Passover. Like everything else, it will pass.

Annie - I do think that you should talk to the group. I think hearing from people who are going through the same struggle could help. I think that came up before, about trainers who have lost weight being perhaps a better choice. I'm not sure, but I think I'd rather deal with someone who had struggled as opposed to someone who never did.

Carol - I don't know if it will help, but I started taking liquid Advil for minor migraines a couple of years ago. Someone at work started me on them, and if you catch them early enough it seems to keep them at bay. It used to be so bad that only a cold dark room helped. I tried feverfew as a preventative once, but it wasn't effective for me (although other people swear by it).

Well gals, I think that's it for me tonight. We had pizza tonight (a nice thin crust one I keep in the freezer for the 'I don't feel like cooking' nights). It's a nice meal, but I'm a little hungry tonight for my evening snack. That's rare really, but I suppose that means I should go have it.

Had a good day again outside....didnt do much work today. I played more with the boys but to be honest i think they enjoyed digging in the dirt better. One of the boys told his dad " I work day" not bad for 24 months.They are really starting to talk and it amazes me stil to this day.
I got a little to much sun today. Its ok dont have to worry about sun tommorow...CAROL IS SENDING ME HER YUCKY DAY.lol
Went to the grocery store and got a few things...decided if food keeps getting higher we will have to stop eating. Gas is over 3.40 a gallon here. Its just getting out of control!!!
I was looking back at my notebook today this is week 12 for me dieting and looks like i have been basically on plan all but about 4 days. NSV for me!! I have missed a few to many days of exercise...but overall great I think.

Well i think im heading to bed early...its been a long week and i need to get up and get a few things done before the boys get here. Daughter is starting to bring home college stuff tommorow and i have no idea where we are going to put it!!! I need to spend an hour in her room and reorganise it to make room for more....
youngest daughter room is still so clean and neat. She has been doing great keeping it that way!! im really proud of her.
have a good night everyone and thanks for being such good friends!!
debi

Hi Peeps - how's everybody?

This morning I went to a seminar at a big downtown law firm - was on the 29th floor - wow was it great to see everything greening up - what a view. Good thing they gave take away materials so I could have something to reference - construction law is just so stimulating. We watched a storm move in - yes Debimitch - it's headed your way. I had forgot there are benefits to working in a large firm and downtown. I promptly forgot it when I got back to my office just 2 miles from home.

Anne - thanks for the liquid advil suggestion - it's been some time since I've had a really bad one - when I was a kid they actually gave me 2x prescription strength naproxen - it worked wonders. Now I try very hard to not be stubborn when one is coming on and go ahead and take something at the onset so it doesn't get horrible.

I'm tired tonight - think I'll find a coupla pups who need a nap too.

Hugs to all,
Carol

Anne and Carol: I totally ditto the liquid Advil for migraines. I've also had good luck with Excedrin, though my brother says that it triggers his...

Wow what a rude awakening...we had a earthquake 5.4 . It was at 436 am. I thought hubby was rolling around on the waterbed. He had not slept much the last few nights. We sleep upstairs so it kinda freaked me out. I ran into the hallway and daughter met me there...she was scared also. I came downstairs and i found things shook around a little..I have dishes in built in china cabinets and a few have been knocked down and our 25th anv plate is sideways. this is by far the hardest one i have ever felt. Its was also the longest. I live on the new madrid fault. It actually crosses my county .They are saying this is the largest since 1968. I remember that one...i was 4 and i was sitting on my grandmother bed and playing with her coffee can of buttons and they were jumping all over the bed.
I stayed up and thing i will be able to get those things done before the boys get here. Dishes put away and laundry going.I also need to mop the floors.
well have a great day everyone
debi

Morning Peeps - I didn't feel the quake but the dogs did - boy did they whine. There are a lot of people on the news saying they felt it here too. Debi - that has to be scary.

I'm off to the office (YES - it is my day off)

Lata,
Carol

Morning all!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm going out of town for the weekend and won't be around -- play nicely as usual! I'll be back Monday afternoon!

Debbie: I will be rooting for your Dh and the top Karaoke prize! Sorry about your foot. Hugs.

Carol: I think you should join the recluse club. We have just about enough ladies to join that it will turn into a "Social Club" instead.

Walrus: Hi there

Anne: I am soooo jealous of your pool. Have a long swim for me today. Hugs.

Debimitch: I think waking up to an earthquake is one of the worst ways to wake up. I used to feel them when we lived in CA and hated waking that way. Your heart just races. Great job on 4 days on plan. I am so proud of you.

Heather: Have a great and safe trip out of town.

Well, I am wide awake and planning on going to the gym to have a good long workout. Today is my normal weigh in day and with TOM and all I am down 1 pound. I'll take it. lol. I am soooo close to my next goal and sooooo not patient to get there. lol. Hopefully next week I will zoom past it. I called the nutritionist at my Dr.'s office and talked with her yesterday about how many calories I should be trying to get in every day now that I am almost 8 months out of surgery. She said between 1000-1200 would be a good target right now. I think I am pretty close on most days but I am definately going to start keeping better track of it so I can know that I am there. Honestly I think most days I have been around 800 or so and maybe that is what is slowing down my weight loss so much. I also spoke to the Therapist and told her about some of the issues I am having. She said since I have been on my journey for a year now I should come to the other group for those that are out more than a year. I am grieving probably, just like my dear friend Carol mentioned, grieving for the weight that once protected me. I am really having some difficulties giving myself credit for how far I've come. It is very easy to me to sincerely congrats to all of you when you loose weight and have NSV's but to think that I have lost 237 pounds and how great that is for me just isn't clicking for some reason. My therapist thinks it is because then I will have to face the fact that I was 510 pounds. I think I have faced that. I think I know that I was that large. I just want to be less severe and hard on myself for a bit. I want to have the eye of the tiger, so to speak, back like I did when I first started to loose weight. I just don't quite know how to get there. I'm feeling better and more hopeful just unsure of myself and hoping to be able to appreciate the hard work I've done to make myself more healthy. Maybe it is time to take my own advice and go back and read journals etc.

Well, enough about my feelings. Sorry for that. Hope you all have a wonderful day full of water and op thoughts.
Blessings,
Annie

Annie-I sometimes won't tell people how much weight I have lost, because I see their eyes start to do the math, and then they get really big. It is so hard to believe I was ever that large. It is something of my nightmares, and I don't want to remember. I have to force myself at times. I keep a picture of myself in my wheelchair in my wallet to remind myself. I've lost very slowly. You've had to get used to a huge change in a relatively short amount of time. It may take you the rest of your life to process it all. We carry so much guilt and blames with us, the missed life opportunities, the damage we have done to our bodies and relationships, and just the wasted years sometimes. The first thing I had to do was forgive myself. That was the hardest.

Carol, how's the head today? Hope the migraine has passed and your back to your great self!

Walrus, did you make it to yoga last night?

Anne, if you go to www.tuliptown.com I think they have an order form for tulips and they will send them to you at the right time for your area. I haven't looked this year yet, but hopefully they have a good deal like they did 3 years ago.

Debi, is your daughter graduating from college or just coming home for the summer? Have fun with those little boys. O boy! An earthquake and that was a nice size of a one too. Have you felt the aftershocks? Over by the Oregon coast, they've been having quite a few in the last few days. When we lived in California, we got so used to them, if we were in bed, we would just ride them out. I guess they are common here in Washington and I've only felt one so far. They make a big deal if they are 2.0's which is so funny compared to the size magnitude California would get.

Heather, be safe where ever your travels take you.

Annie I like the idea of the recluse club turning into a social club. Pretty good!
I hate that your in a place where your doubting yourself and can't see how far you've come. You, my friend, are awesome and have done so well in your journey. I didn't know that we could possibly go thru a stage of grieving. That's pretty interesting. I think it's a great idea to go back and read journals to help you remember what all you've gone thru. And don't EVEN apologize for telling us your feelings on here. That's what it's all about. We help each other thru the tough time and rave about the great times.That's what friends are for. So you take care and just know that even if you can't see it now, you've done so well and will continue to do well and be the hot chick you've always wanted to be.

I had my weigh in today, and I lost 2 lbs this week which brings me to 70 lbs, officially....again. Hopefully this time it won't go back up and I will get to my mini goal of 275 at which time I will take pictures again.
Not much else going on so I guess I will go make my breakfast.
Have a great water drinking, moving, OP day
Debbie