Summerrrr- sorry you are not feeling well. My TOM showed up Saturday along with my MIL. I felt so blessed!!!! And this one is a doozey.....cramps and all that wonderful stuff. Feel better. How about some sugar free pudding or something like that for a comfort food?
And you get my award for diplomacy. Glad you worked it out! Believe it or not, my evening with the inlaws was a diplomatic move to attempt to establish some normalcy for everyone. (imagine, my MIL normal?! what was I thinking!)

Ok, gotta go........see ya
G

Ginger glad that you survived the visit. Sounds like you are keeping yourself busy. That is great that you walked to and from work this morning. Keep the good work! I bet it will show up on the scales. I have TOPS tonight and hope to have a great weigh-in!
Summerrr sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Hope all goes well for you today and you start feeling better. Sounds like you have a great game plan for when you go to Fla. As for your dh not getting it, I think it is just a man thing! LOL It was great to go hang out with friends for a change and not be in charge of kids or talking to people on the phone. The only summer school they have around here is for high school kids. I don't want to work them, since they think they know it all or are lazy. I think next year, I will just try to get a seasonal job somewhere, just to get out of the house and my dh and I won't be at each other all the time. Things have been really better between the two of us. So that is a good thing.
Miss Mermaid, hope your son is feeling better today. Hope you enjoyed your visit with your friend today!
Well I better go and check on the kids. They sure are quiet now.
Chat with you all later.
Kerry

Gals: I thought you would find this info helpful!

Bikini belly busters — 10 ways to improve abs
Try these easy, simple tips from ‘The Abs Diet for Women’
NBC News video

Tips to tighten that tummy
July 26: Dave Zinczenko of “Men's Health” gives TODAY's Natalie Morales tips on how to get rid of a jelly belly.
Today Show Health

Updated: 12:50 p.m. ET July 26, 2007
It's bikini season — which means it’s time to get your body in shape. Need a little motivation to get fit and toned for the season? David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of “Men’s Health” and author of “The Abs Diet for Women,” shares these simple and easy-to-follow tips:

Getting a flat belly and concrete-hard abs isn’t just about the hope of landing a modeling gig or a lingering stare. It’s also one of the surest signs of good health. Study after study, in fact, shows that people with smaller waistlines live longer than those with bigger ones. While it’s true that you can’t turn a landfill of a belly into a thin one overnight, you can use these smart strategies and quick tips to get a beach-ready body in no time flat.

Eat more than you think
When some people go on diets, they tend to think they have to starve themselves. But the truth is that dieting isn’t about deprivation and starvation; it’s about eating enough times throughout the day to keep your metabolism moving — and your fat burning. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, for instance, found that those people who ate four or more meals a day had half the risk of becoming overweight compared to those who ate three or fewer times. My recommendation: Three meals and three snacks of foods with good nutrients, like protein, fiber, calcium, good fats, and whole grains. If you’re ever hungry when you’re on the Abs Diet, then you’re doing it wrong.

Power up early
For a lot of people, it’s as easy to fly past breakfast as it is to flick past America’s Got Talent. But the truth is that jump-starting your metabolism goes hand-in-hand with jump-starting your day. In one study of nearly 3,000 people, researchers at Harvard University found that those who ate breakfast every day were 44 percent less likely to be overweight than those who didn’t have breakfast.

Live a little
Though I don’t advise cheating if you want a successful marriage or successful IRS audit, I do endorse you cheat if you want a successful diet. One meal a week, have whatever you want. Psychologically, it will help prevent you from chronic ab-ruining binges — because you know you have a reward at the end of the week. But it works physiologically, too: Research has shown that an occasional cheat meal actually speeds your metabolism.

Lift a little
Some women may be as afraid of weights as certain stars are afraid of prison. But one secret to getting a flat stomach is through adding lean muscle all over your body, which will help you burn fat for a long time, even after you’ve finished exercising. If you do it the right way, it will give a long, lean and sexy look, not the bulk of Hulk. A recent Ohio University study found that a short but hard workout had the same effect as longer workouts. The way to do it: Circuit training, which means you work one muscle group one after another with little rest in between.

Wander the halls
I’ve got nothing against e-mail, IM, and comfortable desk chairs, but you need to find ways to get up more, move more, and burn more. An Australian study found that workers whose jobs require more than six hours of chair time a day are up to 68 percent more likely to wind up overweight or obese than those who sit less.

Do this move
While you’re burning the fat on the outside, you should also be tightening your abs on the inside. Here’s one Pilates move that can tighten your belly. Lie on your back with your legs extended along the floor. Raise your left leg toward the ceiling, with toes pointed and hands at your sides, palms down. Hold for 10 to 60 seconds. Make a small circle on toward the ceiling with your left toes, rotating your leg from your hip. Keep your body as still as possible by tightening your abs. Do six circles, then reverse direction for six more. Repeat with the other leg.

Sweat it out
While there’s nothing wrong with long, steady runs or swims for improving your cardiovascular health, research shows that more intense cardiovascular exercise — called interval workouts, where you alternate periods of high-intensity and low-intensity work — are more effective for burning fat. One Canadian study found that people who did this kind of exercise burned more fat than those who exercised at the same speed. I recommend one or two short sessions a week.

Blend this
Smoothies are the ultimate abs food — like a trip to Dairy Queen — because you can pack your blender with good-for-you ingredients that will satiate your stomach and please your taste buds. Try dumping these in a blender and having it for a meal or snack: 1 cup 1% chocolate milk, 1 banana, 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons chocolate whey protein powder, and 6 ice cubes. And take your time while watching it whirl. A Penn State study found that people who drank yogurt shakes that had been blended until they doubled in volume ate about 100 fewer calories a day than those who drank shakes of normal thickness.

Dress down
This time of year, you spend a good amount of time thinking about how much clothing you won’t be wearing. But consider this next time you’re flipping around in your closet: According to a study by the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, wearing comfortable clothing to work may boost your daily calorie burn by 8 percent.

Know the emergency drill
If you need to look as hard as a suit of armor, say, right this very minute, do what some models do just before the cameras click. Do a series of fast crunches (or push-up and squats). That forces more blood into your muscles, and more blood flow equals more tone.

Hope you find it helpful!

Thanks, Summerrr for posting that. I will have to give that Pilates move a try, and then go to the chiropractor! How did your day end up?

Kerry- hope the TOPS WI goes well! Let us know how you did.

I am so tired.....did swim for awhile with Dd. Maybe that is why I am so pooped.
See ya tomorrow!
G

Spent most of yesterday with a headache that I couldn't get rid of. Finally went to bed at 8:30 in an effort to make it go away. Woke up around 4 with backache from being in bed so long. Headache was gone! Today is our Saturday, dh is off from work! Going to cook him breakfast as I think he is finally awake! Eating yesterday was ok. Let make sure I don't blow it with this breakfast I'm cooking!

Hope everyone has a good day!
Summer, interesting article. Whooooo for comfortable clothing!
Kerry, glad you are free from that job again! What kind of work does your dh do?
Ginger, send me the dates that you were "considering" ....I just have gotten my oldests drumline schedule for August...... MomtheTaxi is going to be very very VERY busy! I don't know.

take care,
meeee

Evening Ladies,
Summerrr glad you stood up for yourself. It sure does feel good when you do doesn't it? Are you feeling better after your bout with your TOM yesterday?
Miss Mermaid, hope your eating was good today. Sorry to hear that you were feeling well yesterday. As for my dh, is not working anywhere at the moment. He draws disability social security. When he was six months old he had a stroke and it damaged the right side of his body. He did work for Kenworth for several years. Then his ex-wife wanted too much child support and he would have only worked for $80 every two weeks. So he went back to drawing his disability. He is able to get a part time job and still get his disability. He had one at the city pool until the manager and his friend told him that he had to cut the budget at the pool and let him go. So he is waiting to hear from some applications.
Ginger I only had time to go run into town long enough to weigh-in and come back home. But I did lose 2 1/2 pounds. So I was pleased with that. My dh decided to get drunk on his birthday which was Monday and I had to take care of him all day yesterday. On top of that his one son got lost on us. He asked to go to the neighbor boy's house and they took off and went to the woods to ride their bikes. So I had a nice little hike up this steep hill and into the woods looking for him in a pair of flip flops. I was never so glad to hit the pillow with my head last night. Did you have to work today? If so, did you get your walk to and from work in? What route do you have during the summer?
Well I think this little chickie is going to go and hit the sack early tonight. We had a birthday party to go to this evening. The heat, mouthy kids and me just didn't mix very well this evening. I will chat with you all tomorrow. Have a great evening!
Kerry

Morning!

Summerrrr- congrats on joining adulthood. Gee, I have known you for a while- had no idea that your family structure was that way. I know many who have had similar situations, and with the large age gap in my family, I often wonder if there will be similar in my household. Anyway, you have done so much with yourself, and turned into a wonderful human being. I hope that your sister finally sees that. You have to choose (which you have done) not to accept others nonsense that you are still a child. If others choose to remain in the 1960's of their evaluation of you, it is their loss.

Kerry- congrats on your loss! Gee, I can say the same for you- I had no idea about your history (actually Dh's either). Now knowing even more about the why's of what happens in your household helps me put it in perspective. And thru it all, you are a great woman too!

To the last but not least wonderful woman here.......Ms Mermaid. I will PM you once I get the time. Off to a hair appt this am- my one thing I do for me.
Hope the lousy headache and bachache are gone. Did you enjoy your "Saturday"? Hope it was great.........I really do.

Got a 1 mile walk in this am. Crum, it is hot. I hate hot weather.
My eating was ok- did great until late and then, did some stupid stuff. But I had 5 ap's for yesterday, so perhaps I am ok..... I stepped on the scale and it was not pretty. Oh well.

Gotta go....have a great day!
Ginger

Morning Gals,
Just a quick note before I head off to the hospital with DH. When he was drunk on Monday night and Tuesday, he hit his head. He is complaining of headaches and has a goose egg on the side of his head. So I finally convinced him to let me take him to go and get it check out today. So I hope everyone has a great day! I will check back in with you all later. I will keep you posted.
Take care,
Kerry

Well we just got back from the hospital. They said that it is just bruised and that it is healing. So that is good news! So now I can go and finish mowing the yard. This evening we are suppose to go to one of the neighboring fairs to see my dh's friend in a horse pull. So I guess it is like a date, since it is just me and him. I will chat with you all later. Hope everything is well with you all.

I did get my workout in by finishing the yard. It was a very hot day out there. Maybe it helped push me harder to get it done in 30 minutes. I am off to go take a shower now. I had to cool off a little bit. My dh had the nerve to tell me I stink. How rude! LOL Check back with you all later.

Went to the doctor.... not strep.... on new medication for migraines. 5 day headache is gone after 3 hours on bed with new pill! viola!

now I'm behind with everything. Must drag fat fanny up and go forth! Glad to see that everyone is moving and doing well! Kerry, Congrats on those pounds lost! You must be a saint! I would have been tempted to give that DH of yours a lump on the other side of his head! Telling you that you stink after doing the yard! Nerve! Gin, no PM about that trip yet! I'm sure your hair is looking beautiful! Did I tell you girls that I've given up coloring my hair? I have many natural, um, "highlights" now.....someday I will grow accustomed to looking like my mother. YIKES! Summer, welcome to adulthood! Yahooo for standing up to sisters! Hope you have remained energized by your confidence boost! Mannnnnnnn, is it hot outside today. Returned from teh doctor and have been in my bedroom ever since... I must DO something now that my head is feeling better! Type to you all later!

take care,

GOOD MORNING people!
My DH "accidentally" woke me up this morning as he left at 6:45 to find out what we will be having for dinner tonight. NOW, I'm wide awake and not ready to move. I worked last night in our attic (my ongoing project!) and I made noticeable progress!

In a bit I will be meeting a gal who I give all of the boys outgrown clothes to! She has 3 boys! I've been doing this for many years! I love that the clothes get more use and she seems to love to receive our hand-me-downs! Knowing that it is going to those 3 kiddos allows me to part with some of our "treasures" a bit more easily!

Kerry, glad to hear that your dh's injury is healing and doing better! When do you have to return to school? Tell me about that Leslie WATP workout that includes jogging.... I've wondered how / what / etc... ??

Ginger, your last post made me smile! You always make me smile! I'm going to try to prevent a headache today by taking an antihistamine (as recommended by my doctor.) So, headache free, I've got to be up and doing! I will be taking the boys to visit my parents this morning! Did I tell you girls that my mother is going to have both knees replaced the DAY before I must go back to work? NOT the best timing......and it has me both worried and upset..... My sister is also a teacher and has to go back to work the day OF the surgery... so, um....

Summerrrr, as always, it was a pleasure to REALLY talk with you! Altho, I can't believe that you had the NERVE to say that I have some southern accent! HA! Can ya'll believe THAT?! LOL You should HEAR southern and it isn't lil ole ME! DH's pizza last night was outrageously wonderful! I ate 1 slice more than I should have.... BUT no meats! AND I didn't have any snacks or binging after eating in an attempt to make up for it! He makes a smaller pie with whatever I want on it.... Plain cheese was my request yesterday..... (and NOOOO, I didn't eat the whole pizza! BUT I could have!) (Actually, my eating yesterday was fairly good!)

Well, I think I'm going to get ready to leave to give those clothes away and when I return, I will already have shoes on..so I may as well just go ahead and see if Leslie is still excited to see me! I find it so darn hard to fit in exercise.... as always! My mom will be calling soon to see what time I'm heading over.... SO. My day is gonna be FULL! Hope yours is full too... and with good choices and control with your intake! Move your fannies, girlies!

(and I DON'T have a Southern accent! )
take care,
meeeee

Mermaid: Welllll girrrrrllll, youuuuu suuurrrre doooo haaaave a southerrrrrrn aaaaaccent! But, I must say, I understand everything you say, unlike some very countrified people I've heard. I know there are some very thick accents in the deep south which are completely tough for northerners to comprehend. You just have a cute twang to yours. Up here in CT, we enunciate very clearly, don't you think unlike my Longgg Islanddd neighbors! My school secretary has the most obnoxious accent. She is like a caracature. My old aide had a Brooklyn accent that I would try to imitate. I wish I had a cute accent like you, Mermaid. What does Ginger sound like? Does she have a NY accent?

Mer: I can really relate to your friend receiving the clothing. When DD was a baby, a well-to-do woman from church gave us her daughters' clothing from the first 3 years of their lives. Some was junky and quickly got donated to Good Will, but the majority was gently worn and from beautiful stores like Gymboree, Gap, and Hannah Andersson. Each outfit had matching printed socks or tights, hats, etc. We were soooooo grateful. She was thrilled to clear out her attic. They moved, and unfortunately we didn't benefit from their hand-me-downs after that. You really are doing a wonderful thing for that family.

Ginger & Kerry: I hope you are enjoying this spectacular summer weather.

My eating and exercising is on track. DD is having a friend over to swim today.

I have an awkward situation that I'd like to run by you all. About a year ago when DD was in cheerleading camp, DD introduced me to a set of twins she had befriended and their mom. The mom and I spent a couple of days watching our daughters cheer, became acquainted and fast friends. We had some fun play dates during the summer. When fall came, we had a couple of play dates, but many were cancelled because of one or both of the twins getting sick. These girls got sick a lot, and they got weird stuff, not your run-of-the-mill colds and viruses. Whatever they got, it was a rare illness. They never made it to DD's birthday party or the play date we planned for Christmas break. My new friend and her DH did make it to a holiday party, and we had a great time together. In the new year, my new friend confided in me that they were having serious money problems. I told her about mine and we bonded over our personal stories. The thing is, she and I would talk about very personal things, would get really close, and then she would become unavailable to me. She wouldn't return phone calls or emails for weeks. Then she'd have some crazy excuse and we'd get together again. This kept happening during the school year. In June, my friend and the twins came over for lunch and to swim. We had a blast and two weeks later we attended the twins birthday party. Again, lots of fun. Midway through the party, I started to feel like my friend was becoming stressed. When we were done with cake, everyone was relaxing with drinks while the kids played. She didn't say so, but I felt like she wanted everyone to leave. So, I went to her to say, "Goodbye," and she seemed relieved. Nobody else got her mood and stuck around. Since then, we spoke only once. She said they'd be available by mid-July to get together. She was going to have to turn in her car and would no longer have transportation. Her husband had his truck for work and she could walk to her job. I offered to come to her for "get togethers." I tried so hard to be supportive. Since I spoke with her in the beginning of July, she is back to not returning phone calls or emails. I don't know how to be friends with someone who runs hot and cold like this and shuts me out. She confides personal stuff, I try to be supportive, and then she disappears. Part of me wants to write her off. Part of me wants to try to understand. But I don't understand. This morning at 9am she sent me a forwarded email with a prayer in it. I read it 30 minutes after she had sent it and forwarded it to my friends. I quickly replied to her hoping I would catch her at her computer. She didn't respond. I called her, but the machine answered. What the heck am I supposed to do? HELP!