I thought Dora was on vacation?

Edited to add: Maybe not, I think I'm misremembering! Where are you Dora girl?

Done - Thanks for reminding me

My mother has had this 3 times. Twice she had to have surgety for this and once it unblocked after a couple days. They suck! And he is going to have to watch what and the type of food he eats. For example, mom is supposed to have all he veggies cooked soft, no raw, not popcorn, etc. They worry about the foods that you eat that you don't chew enough.

Thanks Rhonda!

Amy - Congrats on the new clothes and of course more importantly, congrats on the New size! I am so happy for you.

I thought she was too.

On a bad note, I ate a HUGE cupcake yesterday. I tokk them out to the camp where my son is because one of the boys out there (the youngest) was having his birthday yesterday and did it to celebrate. I didn't eat the chocolate one, by had a vanilla one, and I don't really even like cake, but I love Costco's cakes and that is where the cupcakes were from. My stomach still feels sick from all that sugar. UGH!

This morning's update on my dad is that the intestinal blaockage was caused by a "peach-pit sized" gall stone His gall bladder somehow has turned upside down, the stone broke through the wall of the gall baldder, then broke through the wall of his intestines and then caused the blockage. They tried to snag the blockage when they did the endoscopy yesterday, but it wouldn't budge. So now the surgery will entail removing the gall bladder, removing the bloackage, and repairing the hole in the intestinal wall. The doc in the hospital said this is a VERY rare thing, that he's only ever seen it once before Because of that, they will be keeping him in the hospital longer after surgery than normal to make sure he's okay before sending him home.

His surgery will be later this afternoon or early evening. Jeff and I will go down there tomorrow (we'll leave as soon as Jeff can get out of work, hopefully around lunch time).

Umm, I'm taking a freebie week for this week's weigh-in

Wow Jill, nobody wants to be a "medical marvel" in this way! It really is freaky what our bodies can do! I'll be sending positive thoughts to you and your dad (and whole family)! I hope they do the surgery as soon as possible!

Wow jill he sure knows how to do it huh?? I hope his surgery is ok. and you are too ... take care

Jill - well dang ... I guess no one can say that your Dad does anything half way. Keep us as up to date as you can, and don't worry about the Freebie, we all would be taking one too.

Jill-Hope your Dad's surgery goes well!

Jill - I hope all goes well with your dad's surgery! Let us know how things are going (and how you're doing).

So last night I did a time trial through my running clinic. Our instructor mapped out a 10K route and we were to run it at race pace in order to get an accurate idea of what our half-marathon race time will likely be. I was a little antsy at first as I'm not a fast runner and speed tends to wreck my legs, but I listened to my body and pushed as much as I thought I could.

My first thrill was that I hit the 5K mark at 32 minutes, one full minute faster than I've ever done it. I'm really curious as to what my time would have been if that had been my entire distance and I'd pushed myself more. I'm setting breaking 30 as a personal goal!

The rest of the time trial went well but I did "oops" on the route (I turned around at the loop when I was supposed to keep going!) so I accidentally cut my run short. I ran back to the start then turned around again (so mentally tough to do!!) to add in more distance. When everyone who was running and our instructor on his bike had met up we turned back, so I only ended up completing 8K but it was close enough to get an accurate idea on my time, which was 52 minutes.

I totally chickened out of the ice bath last night since it was cold and I'd gotten chilled, but my legs have been kind to me anyhow. I'm slightly gimpy today but not in pain so it's way better than I'd expected.

And one last thing to add to my monster post...I got on the scale today to see 196!! That's 3lbs down from 3 days ago. Total craziness with the crap I've eaten this week.

Wow Jill. That's scary. I hope the surgery is completly sucessful and that his recovery goes smoothly.

I do remember Dora saying that she was going camping.

So, my cul-de-sac looks like a motocycle gang has taken over! One of our neighbors rides a harley and apparently they must all be leaving for a ride this morning from his house.

Good morning, Bluesers!

I'm not feelin as on-top-of-the-world as I was last evening. I'm fighting a cold/hay fever/sinus issue that kept me awake for most of the night. I'm depending on caffeine to keep me going this morning. So, how do you handle exercise when you're not feeling well? Push through or let your body rest?

Amy - I'm sorry you're going through this bad time, but...try to think about this rationally...does the food really make anything better? Or, does it make the stress worse? I'm thinking about you.

Jill - Thanks for the update on you Dad. Be safe. I'll be thinkin about you, too.

Kim - Congratulations on your 3 pound loss!

I tried a yummy recipe that I promised to share. Many of you know that my family has been trying new veggies, grains and fruit. Here is a recipe using butternut squash. Yum Yum!

Pasta with Butternut Squash

Ingredients:
* 1 medium Butternut squash
* 1 Tbsp olive oil
* 1 pound cooked whole wheat pasta
* 1 tsp table salt
* 1 tsp black pepper
* 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
* 1/2 cup shallot(s)
* 1 Tbsp fresh sage
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans
* 1 tsp Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions
Squash cut into 1/2in cubes (8 cups).
Heat oven to 400; toss squash with 1/2 tbsp of olive oil, spread on cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake, stirring every 10 mins until slightly caramelized, 30 mins total. Take out of oven and set aside. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, drain well. Melt butter with remaining olive oil in saucepan over medium high heat until it bubbles. Reduce heat to medium low, add shallot, sage & dash of salt. Cook stirring until shallots are soft (2-3 mins). Turn off heat, add teh squash and pecans. Toss with cooked pasts and serve with parm. cheese

He he I was just getting ready to bug you for this I can vegan it out no problem - love butternut squash. nom nom nom

Thanks Rhonda!!

Hi Blue Team,
Yes, I have been on a couple of mini-trips, 3 days each, but that's not where I've been as far as this site. I've been brooding. Then, on the other hand, I've been feeling sheepish for feeling out of touch with the group.
Not having children at home, only working part time and being one to three decades older than most, I just don't seem to fit in the conversations here. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I'm not depressed. My weight loss is going well, I just haven't felt - I don't know - necessary??? here.
Anyway, it's me, not you. My dad always used to tell me "You're just too sensitive." I guess it's the Sicilian in me, I even cry at music!!! Forgive my pity party, when others are having serious problems. I'm just moody like that.
Weight lifting has helped, I lost 2.4 lbs this last week and looking to reach maybe 210 by the end of the challenge - maybe even single digits! Been to buffets and made good choices, I know I'm never out of the woods, but I'm feeling stronger and can see the beautiful meadow ahead of me. Onederland by my birthday, now there's a gift! Take care all, with special prayers offered for Nori's nephew and Jill's dad. And congratulations Kelly on onederland and Rhonda staying OP.

btw - Vix, I PM'd you.

later

Dora

Yeah Dora ... we can rename you Doraback, instead of Doragone.

Sorry you haven't felt as in touch with the group. My favorite dieting partner is almost 30 years older than me ... my mother. I have always loved reading your postings, so NEVER think that you have been unnecessary. You have done well on this challenge and I hope that I get the opportunity to be with you on the next challenge. We are all necessary, BUT anyone who has lost more than 10% in this challenge ... well that is truely inspirational

You an Josephine have been my inspiration this time around.

Yay, there's Dora! I'm so sorry you've been feeling disconnected. I think it has gotten quieter in the thread as the challenge is winding down (and Plurk addictions have blossomed! ), but your posts are always so full of great stuff, don't think you haven't been missed!

And you lost 2.4 pounds this week! WOW! That's just awesome, you've been doing so good, such an inspiration! Congratulations!

I read the update after I quoted this, but that is some crazy digestive mess. I hope things go well. It is never good if they say, "And just let me call the Discovery channel real quick...sign this waiver."

I think that you can NOT be mean, but be very clear with how you feel about the question. I would just say, "Why do you ask?" If they answer that they are worried, you can be truthful and say, "We appreciate your concern, but I really don't like to discuss it." If they are just being nosy, they will not have a good answer. It will be something like, "I was just wondering." Then you hit them with silence and maybe a little nod. Hopefully, they would get it.

Wow, they did not mess around, did they? Pic line and chemo off the bat! I hope they hit it hard and fast and that takes care of it.

I would rather hear over the phone. If they tell you to come in, you know the news is not good. Just give it to me, and don't make me wait.

First, you are a rock star. The whole blue team looks up to you! So happy for your Onederland success. Second, I had a children's meal from Steak and Shake today. I feel like barf. I understand.

We miss you when you are gone. Even if you feel like you don't fit, we think you do!