worthapenny - you cant have family traditions when you dont have a family to be traditional with.

Carol- unfortunately, i didnt get a call from her. its ok. shes got a lot of family stuff going on.

Luan- Become part of the big brothers/big sisters program. You would be a wonderful mentor for a little sister. You could start new things with someone. You must something that you would enjoy sharing?

Thanks all for the concerns of our flooding here. There is a possibility of rain today. I hope not. Was sunny but is turning a bit cloudy now. That is so not cool. Well, younger daughter lost 2 lbs. and older gained 2 lbs.

Afternoon all!

GGG, well the chili is a quadruple recipe in a humongous stove pot, so it's not really a lot of jalapenos. The all day simmering also reduces the pepper heat.

Speaking of hotness, debi, watch out for those sweet banana peppers!! growing them along side jalapenos will make them hot too. Dunno why. My dad found out the hard way. Some were sweet and some where HOT! hehe. Thanks for the weight loss kudos I've been at it 4 years. This is the longest I've been consistantly trying to eat healthy. There's ups and downs, but then again.. I just described Life! hehe. That's all the philosophy for today

Heatherdw, good to see you again! Mixing it up is what my body needs. There's no one diet or calorie/carb/protein combination that has been magic for me.

Cyn, yay for your gym determination!!!

Debbie, hahahaha I say the same thing about levels above basic. I accidently will step on the higher levels (I think I've worn out my pad and the buttons are touchy). I say exactly "are they serious?!?!" and have a fit of laughter. Captn kitty is having a hard time picking food up with his tongue. Odd, but that's his dilemma now. Seems I have to get him something with all his nutrition in juice (babyfood) or hand feed the baby. He got shrimpies today.

Penny, gratz on your releases! I hope your older's gain isn't too disappointing for her. Tell her and the younger one that I'm proud of both of them!!

Hugs and Luv to all,
Ratkity

Hi everyone,

I'm still having a super-hard time and have decided to strive for maintenance for a while. My entire routine has been upended, and I have to gain some equilibrium before putting any additional pressure on myself.

With my new job comes many challenges I haven't had to face in a long time. The constant supply of cakes, cookies, catered lunches, and party leftovers, along with all the lunches and dinners out are challenging me. While running my business, I had gotten somewhat used to the challenges of going to business-related functions and parties, but now that I'm an employee again, the old habits and mindset I had when I used to work are back. I don't know why it's different, but it is. It's like I have regressed to the time before I started my business and new lifestyle.

Now, when I come home from work, I have the same thoughts of making myself a huge plate of pasta and eating the way I used to when I came home from work in my previous incarnation as an employee.

Only, this time I know I cannot afford to fall back into old habits for the long term. I cannot keep the pace of my life if I do.

So step one is to just get some baseline of routine and control. I have to figure out how to fit exercise into the new way my days are structured, and make it routine. I have to get some sort of routine going with eating, and having some low-cal dinners readily available to grab when I get home. When I'm comfortable, I'll notch it up bit by bit until I'm back to where I was before all the changes.

I'm not giving up.
----------------

Ratkity, what's this about a beau? Do tell! Not too long ago you were shying away from romance!

battle_ so good to have you back. I understand the change in your life.I am having trouble with not babysitting as much as normal.It so easy when i am not tied to the house to go out to eat for lunch. Hubby is always wanting to eat out. Be sure and drink your water and know you are doing what is best for your health. You have came along way and your body may just need a little rest! We will be here for you anytime!!!!
hugs
debi

Hi ladies. Fly-by post here, as I am waist-deep in boxes, bags, etc. I finally moved back out on my own and I have to say that I have missed it more than I realized! I should be back around more, as I finally have my pc up and running at home.. but hopefully not much until I'm unpacked

Take care ladies, and I hope you're all having a fantastic weekend!

*blushes a deep total shade of red and stammers to Battle* well, um, he's not so much of a Beau than a Toy of some sort. Nothing serious, but lots of fun!

Hang in there Battle, maintenance is a good goal. I don't do well when my routine is up-ended. Job changes and family stress are big things to deal with! Lordy, I hate the never ending donuts, cakes, etc at work. I've not done bad recently. My nemesis is the crunchy cookie. I've done well staying away from them. While doing that, the rest of the stuff just wasn't interesting. Odd, huh? We are so much alike, I know that you will take the steps you need for you when you are ready (and not one second before!). Meanwhile, perhaps a description of your favorite place in Europe would be great to hear! pluuuueeeeze?

Hugs and Luv,
Rat

Brandnew,

We posted at the same time!! w00h00 for moving on your own! I'm glad you checked in.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Fun is good, Rat! Enjoy yourself.

My trip was spectacular. My first base was Basel, Switzerland. My friend took me all over Switzerland. Probably the best day was went we went deep into the Alps, past the usual tourist spots, to some of the most beautiful sights imaginable. We climbed up the side of the Eiger mountain. Well, I got about 2/3 of the way up and started wondering just how crazy I was to be wearing dress shoes and carrying a purse up an enormous mountain on small, shallow, steep, unsteady steps that were almost straight up in certain areas. A tiny slip would lead to certain death--to say nothing of losing the postcards in my purse. http://www.caingram.info/Eiger.htm

Another fave from that base was going to Colmar, a charming town in the Alsace region of France. http://www.ot-colmar.fr/index.php?lang=en

On the second half of the trip, my base was Konstanz, Germany, to visit other friends. http://www.galenfrysinger.com/germany_konstanz.htm


I know these friends from the US, but one went back there to live permanently and the others were on an extended visit back to their home town. The best part about this trip was seeing my friends in their native countries, seeing where they grew up and went to school and spent their time, and experiencing the life of a local.

Ratkitty I read your kitty was not feeling well in the earlier blog.....Hope he is doing better.
Battleax Wow it sounds like you had an awesome time!!
Brandnewme Congrats in moving to your own place..
Diets are a constant struggle to make the right choices....I had a great weekend camping over did the walking a liitle bit on Saturday .....Walked for 90 min in total .......Lol had major hip pain in bed that night... I think I better slow down and go back to 60 minuites ..(lmao) The mind wants to walk but the body says ouch ouch ouch!! Especially when I forget my sneakers!!

Ratkity, you said he had a tumor right? Is that around his mouth so he can't eat? Poor baby! Give him lots of love!!

Battle, Good to see ya!!! O boy, it's so hard to deal with a new job and eating. All those goodies floating around the office. I feel for ya!! Just take baby steps. That's how we all had to start and so many times have to go back to. Just glad that you're here and you didn't give up. Hang in there!
Your vacation sounds like heaven! The sights you got to see with your friend being your guide, I'm sure you really got some of the not to often seen places. What an experience.

brandnewme, glad to hear that you're happy now in your own place. I remember having my own place to do whatever, whenever I wanted. It'll be great to have you around more!

I sorta vegged out today. I did do laundry, but the rest of the time I was crocheting or admiring our lovely yards. I do so much love it when they look this good.
It's back to rain in a couple of days. Blah!
Debbie

Debbie We all need to veg out some days! Good job in taking care of yourself!!Way to go keep losing those pounds!

Battle-I'm where you're at, just trying to maintain around a swirl of insanity and upheaval.

Evening!

Battle, wow! Those mountain pictures were spectacular!! hehehehe about the purse. Forget death, save the purse! What an amazing trip. It was great you had friends to show you their favorites and then have great company to boot.

Debbie, Captn's tumor is under his lower jaw. He can open is mouth, but I'm not sure if the tumor is affecting his tongue. He's not crying or anything, just not picking up bits of soft food. He's just licking the juice. Of course, he could be just getting senile too. His latest was wanting to get in the kitchen sink to drink water in a bowl. I'm indulging him, of course. BTW, vegging is good! I puttered around the house and couldn't tell you what I did until I went for a bicycle ride.. hehe.

Catherine, you and Battle just continue to do what ya need to do to get through it all. Just don't forget to post and let us know the crazy things going in your lives. Everyone else's life is always more interesting than mine!

Hugs and Luv,
Ratkity

GRRR....I was all set to do some sewing. I had the machine set up, everything cut out and pinned together and even had a new bobbin ready...then i went to thread my machine and the presser foot is missing.Mom borrowed my machine for months and just brought it back and she thinks maybe the foot fell off.........hopefully i can pick up a new one for cheap. I looked thru my attachments and the zipper foot is missing also. NO Sewing for me now.
debi