aw... thank you for checking in with us!!! you don't have to say anything Lisa I think you are strong and brave to even be able to type a little here I hope you can feel all us us pulling for you!!

Kathleen...so sorry to hear of the tension in your family, that is awful. Everything seems manageable if one is 'getting along' with the spouse, and just about horrible if not I hope so much the therapy helps your son, and the family counseling helps the fam!!

purplecow - congrats on your losses!!!

Coop, good luck with the next job..you are a conscientious person to feel bad about leaving your current position but yes, you come first Booo to queasiness, but yay to decreased appetite, right

Hi catinhat, EasySpirit, and Rin!

Our new out-of-state neighbors are having their phone and power lines buried, which means same for us. They of course pay for everything BUT it involved excavating hugely on our property, having people come into the house and down into the basement, which upsets the dog (and me) the noise was SO irritating all day yesterday, etc.

Now the phone co. has to get to our 'box" which is on the back porch, which has become a dumping ground NOT by me, but from son and husband over the years. I even did a major clean out there a couple years ago, I mean multiple TV's , vcrs, broken stuff, all kinds of crap. I worked so hard to get it manageable, now its back to crap again, so bad that the phone guy can't get back there!

I have to get it clear by Wednesday and I am SO full of resentment about this. Resentment because I do not put broken or old stuff back there, resentment because physically I am the only one who can do it now. I am in a poopy frame of mind right now but I just waited til husband left for work, and am gonna put on gloves, a hankerchief over face (dust protection) and 'go to town' out there. I can't do anything with stuff today or tomorrow, but Monday it will go to the Reuse/Recycle/trash station. Wish me luck

pics of yesterday's excavating, today it is all filled in, and they seeded and put hay down.

Hello everyone.

Lisa, my mother passed away in November; we had Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I believe I was numb. I had heard that the first year is the hardest because you celebrate "the first" holiday, birthday, etc. without your mother. Well, we were so numb, that the second Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed much harder to all of us, if that makes any sense.

I did not rely on my mother financially, but I relied on her for advice about many things. And, she would come sit here to wait if I was having a repairman or a delivery; she was happy to take my dog when I went away; she hemmed any clothing that needed it for me. Sometimes I will try on an outfit, and just not buy it because of the hassle of going to the seamstress to have it hemmed.

Losing your mother is really tough, but you will get better, you will adjust to life without her, and you will enjoy life again.


Kathleen, thinking of you and hoping things have eased up a bit for you. I pm'd you.

Purple Cow, congratulations! That is GREAT!

Holly, I understand your resentment completely, but you will have no problem clearing off that porch - think of it as exercise! Put on music and get to it. After the way you cleaned outside, this will be easy. You should make that area into a DO NOT ENTER zone for the rest of the family!

Hello to everyone else.

Monica (aka EasySpirit)

Hey Monica, that's cool we know your true identity and thank you for understanding about my resentment..I often wonder if I am too self-centered about things like this. But I did go out there bravely and worked on it for 3 hours, then hit an impasse, I need help with something large, so our older son will help tomorrow. But I filled my trunk with boxes of household items and electronics which will be donated no charge; box of scrap metal, maybe .50, couple broken fans maybe $2, and bags of garbage which are a flat fee.

Well the back porch project is ALMOST done There is still a very crammed corner of tools/Christmas stuff..but the main part is DONE! a wide clear somewhat neat (for an old covered porch) space for the phone tech. I do have before/after pics but i am so embarrassed at the Before pic, but you are all friends so maybe I will show what I dealt with.

Put a bunch of stuff at the top of the driveway for free, usually people will take it all eventually.

Very glad I am not sore at all today that's always a good indication of at least some basic fitness for everyday life.

HI to everyone Lisa, I wanted to tell you, that I was going through old posts here, and I saw the pic of you, your Mom, and Lisa together Your Mom looked like a sweet lady and it's always cool to have the "3 generation" pic of strong women

Another sunny day today but the clouds and possible 3" of snow overnight maybe it won't be that much, however much comes down, it is sure to melt soon but its no fun to see at this point!

have a good day chicks and I will check in later

Good afternoon friends Everyone must be busy

We got a good 2" of flippin snow today I know it will melt in a day or so but ugh it's no fun to see. Just yesterday I was outside in the sun and 50+ degrees.

Did these two workouts today, the Shelley Dose lady is a she-beast I love her enthusiasm and energy and the pounding beat of the music. My hair was in strings after doing this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSVX...dex=67&list=WL

and the next was the continuing of the 30 Day Beginnner's HIIT Challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB83...QBa9EOagLyoRHB

I've been procrastinating on a couple things, and I should know, I should really just do them, it always make me feel better about being a little in control.

Hope everyone is doing OK

Holly - well done for the clearing! Sounds like a good workout in itself agree you should make it a no entry zone!

I am doing well at losing weight just now, starting to notice clothes feeling loose again. It has me feeling positive, despite having very little to be positive about. Something strange has happened with my job offer, I'm not sure what to do and need some advice, but don't know who best to talk to...

Hello, everyone.

I am back on the sugar-free wagon; I am going to a friend's retirement party in June and want to have the winter weight off by then.

Kathleen, I hope all is going well - I pm'd you.

Hi ladies,

I wanted to stop in and say hi. I'm having a really hard time posting on my boards. I wish I could explain it but it's hard to put into words. I don't want to stop posting but it's really hard for some reason.

I tried working for Hallmark yesterday but my back just couldn't take it. It was a lot of bending and lifting and I have a terrible back. Part of it is because I'm out of shape but part of it is my lower spine is not good. I've gone to plan B and now have an interview on the 4th of May, for a Home Health Aid job.


I hope you all have a great Friday. Much love to all.

thanks! YES no entry unless permission given

congrats on dropping weight!! I'm sorry to hear about the unsettled job offer..?

congrats on being back on the sugar-free wagon!

well I am so glad you could check in with us Lisa Hey it's OK, I remember when YOU held this thread together, posting daily without anyone else, it's OK for you to fade back if you need!!

so sorry to hear of your back pain best wishes towards the alternate plan.

and HI to everyone else

Well the stupid snow finally melted all away yesterday yet it did not get over 45 degrees...and today it stayed darned cold til about 1 pm, when I made myself go outside and cut down some more trees, that warmed me up then I dug up some clumps of daylilies and put them in places where I needed them.

I have been enjoying my time off SO VERY MUCH Some days I don't accomplish anything except my workout and I am OK with that!! because other days I'm in overdrive.

Still eating too much but am doing at least a 30 minute HIIT cardio workout (5 min warmup, 20 min. cardio, 5 min stretch) and some days I'm inspired to try this lady Shelly Dose, she's on youtube and I LOVE her workouts, she is so energetic, smile-ly, and has pulsing pounding beat music that is SO fun to work out to.

Haven't been on motorcycle for over a week because its been too $*&6@*! cold! even today, with sun but barely 60 degrees, that's too chilly for me. I'm not as hardcore as I used to be, I guess.

Still haven't researched new recipes for summer job because as soon as I start reading about pastries, cakes, etc. my stomach starts growling! really. and then I'm afraid I'll binge on something. Yeah maybe time to find a different occupation

that's what's going on with me Have a good day!!

Snow and cold here too! Whatever happened to Spring? It's nearly May!

Have developed a nasty pain in my gums today, spreading pain through half my face. Typical of it to come on a Friday - my dentist is closed til Tuesday...

Hope everyone is keeping warm and well

Lisa - I like that you try and check in. I know it must be hard....

Holly - Keep posting. I'm sure we're all reading, just can't check in.

Everyone else - Hi!

Weight continues to fall off. I'm enjoying being in control of something in my life even if its just food. Lead my life too long reacting and letting things happen. I'd like to take this new found control and spread it into other parts of my life. I ask myself why i can finally control my diet, but I don't know. Maybe its the right time or maybe watching the pounds fall off is my motivation. I'm visiting my parents next week for a long weekend with my daughter. They will be proud of me because they hound me about my weight.

Thanks All!

Hello Everyone! I have been reading along but really had nothing new to post. We are at our lake house for the weekend, so my son went home to our main home. He will come back up here when we go home tomorrow. This has been the case the past 3 weekends. I miss him like crazy, but I have to admit that the distance seems to be helping everyone to calm down and get along better. I still worry about him a lot and think he has a lot of work to do on his mental health and he needs to make better decisions with how he spends his time. I am trying not to nag him when I do see him briefly or talk with him, but some of his decisions are just questionable right now. Mostly, I miss him and pray for him and hug him tightly when I do see him. That's all I can really do for now.

Lisa: I am so sorry you are still going through such a rough time. And too bad that the Hallmark job didn't work out. I am confident that you will find a good job as a home health aid again. Hopefully it will be someone way less demanding than your last client. Maybe it will be therapeutic for you to take care of someone again. Best of luck with your interview on May 4th! Please let us know how it goes. But please don't feel pressure to post here. As Holly said, you have held this group together and I am so grateful to you for that. Just post as your time and energy allows. And you can just say "hello... I'm still around and checking in" if that's all you can muster up. Or just "hi!" Above all, please take good care of yourself! You matter! ❤

Holly: You are kicking some serious butt with your yard work and your workouts!!! I am in awe of your energy and determination! Please send some of that my way!!! I am so happy that you are enjoying your time off. Hope your weather will permit you to get out on your bike again soon!

Coop: Congratulations on the weight loss! That's what this group is all about after all. Please feel free to bounce the job offer situation off of us here... or not. We are in your corner and hoping for the best for you!

purplecow: That is so awesome that the pounds are falling off!!! Interesting that you aren't sure how this came about. Please do share any insights that come to you with us. I am so jealous and wish I could get control over my eating consistently again and see the pounds fall off as well. I am still holding out hope that I will get there!

catinhat: Are you okay? We haven't heard from you in awhile. I am hoping everything is okay with your job and on your farm. Please check in when you get a chance!

Waving hello to everyone else! Hope all is well with everyone!