WELCOME

We are a group of people who are working together to lose our excess weight.
We are on different plans and are of different sizes.
We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday..... Weigh ins / Wacky/ Way to go Wednnesday
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

Please feel free to jump right in with us.
And be sure to check if there is a second page. We don't want anyone to miss any posts.

Good morning friends.

Kat... I am with you.
Quote.... Come on gang, let's boldly go where we need to go! Down the path of healthy eating, self-love, happiness. Let's rejoice in this new day and make the most of it
I am right beside you.!!!!!

Lucky... I need that padded room.
Yes... how did you guess... I am a full pledge caregiver.
That is also part of my shallowness. I have some extended family members who want me to take care of them and I DON'T want to !!! I raised my own family...and I don't want my relatives moving into my home even though they say it is only for a short tiime. How do you tell relatives... I care about you.. but I don't want to live with you.

Okay.. onward and upwards. It is Thankful Thursday.
I am thankful for second chances... and third, fourths, etc.
I am thankful I don't have to ask relatives to take care of me
I am thankful for my husband... who takes great care of me.
I am thankful for the nice weather we are having. 65degrees
I am thankful for computers.

Got to run now. Let's all join Kat and BOLDLY go where some of us have never been. Let's eat healthy today, Let's drink plenty of water, Let's replace a sedintary life for an active one.

Okay... I have a question to ask.
Have any of you had to deal with relatives wanting to move in with you.??
I offered to let a person stay with us a few days while she looked for a job. That offer is still sincere. BUT... I got an email saying she wanted to take me up on my offer to let her stay with me "till she got on her feet".
This sounds like more than a "few days" to me...
it sounds more like a few "Months".

This is one of my "shallowness" problems. I don't want her for even one month. I don't even want my own kids back for a few months. I feel sooooo shallow... but I like my life ALONE.
I get stressed with all of these trips to visit my own parents... I just don't know what to do????
I know this is shallow of me... and I feel ashamed... but I cannot live with this person on a daily bases for months. (She asked me to find storage unit for her stuff)

My offer was to come for a few days and look for a job. Then go home and if she finds a job... then come back for a couple more days and I would help her find an apartment. My offer was never to let her move in until she "got on her feet". If she is that financially strapped... she should stay living with her own mother. I can just see ALL of my relatives sending their kids here for months. (We have had my husbands family ask us for their kids too.... did it for one.. then got more calls to get their kids jobs)

I know that is probably a false FEAR... but I am truly fearful of that. Once you let one stay... then you are obligated to all of them. I want to be helpful... I really do... but not long term.... just for a short visit while she hunts for a job. (Been there.. done that... and I don't want to do it again)

I don't think there is an answer to my problem. There is no nice way to say I want to help on a short term thing... not longgggggg. There is more to this story too.. but I think I have probably said too much already.

Can anyone HELP !!!!
Am I being tooooo shallow??
It is my husbands home too.... he does NOT want her long term .... and neither do I.

Here is the kicker.... this is the sister with cancer. I think she wants me to "make" her daughter "grow up". Trust me... you can't make this girl (woman) grow up. (Maybe this is a sincere attempt but I if it were sincere... why isn't she hunting for a job at home)
I am still sincere with my offer for a few days or a week to hunt for a job... but just not longer. HELP !!!! I don't want to hurt her or my sister. I don't think there is a way not to.

(Next time someone will post so I could have replied to you all instead.)

Hey hey hey...

I feel like a hypocrite, telling us all to venture boldy forth and then I ventured myself right into bed! It was much needed sleep, though...I got so little of it the day before....so NOW I can forge ahead...I'm having a lovely lunch of turkey and mixed salad wrap, some WOWs and skim milk. going to cut the grass when I'm done here...then putter around outside, watering, weeding, etc...It is a heavenly 74 degrees outside, finally back to Spring again! Yay!

2cute...there is NO WAY in the world you are being shallow...it sounds to me like you have made a generous offer and are trying to avoid being used or taken advantage of. If I was you, I would stick with the original offer and not some open-ended arrangement! Listen, these people have no problem trying to insinuate themselves into your home...be just as pushy by protecting your privacy and the sanctity of your home. Say, "here is my offer, I'm afraid it's the best I can do." You don't owe them any excuses or explanations. I have learned the hard way that it is best to be quite clear in any arrangements of this sort...you've GOT to have a defined length of stay, (preferably a very short one) if, for no other reason, than to give you a day to focus on, knowing that they will be gone! ( Speaking from bitter experience? Yes I am! ) AND...if they get insulted by you setting limitations on your most generous offer, TOO BAD! Maybe is will discourage others from treating your home like a youth hostel...

Whew...I'm done, can you tell I've been burned?

Okay, who's next? Step right up...I've got all the answers in the world for everyone but myself!

Baylee...how are you? Your reply to 2cute was so thoughtful and so nurse-y and caring, I'll bet you are a wonderful nurse! Your patients are lucky to have you!

Lucky...umm...don't the chickens have to be de-feathered anyway before we can eat them ? Sounds like they are eliminating the middle man!! I love chicken! Tell me something gross about ice cream or cookies instead...

Mary...your son is 31 years old? He IS spoiled! Time for you to un-spoil him! Just say no! (Maybe he can go live with 2cute too!) That jam cake sounds HEAVENLY! Care to post the recipe?

Malia, how is your lovely secret garden? I'm glad you got through the training unscathed. Relax, watch some SpongeBob.

Tina, back to normal shifts again? Then get back HERE, woman!

Thin...and where are you, young lady? You can only take SO MANY showers!

Theresa, if I remember correctly, today is tonsil day...hope your son is feeling better soon! (I ALWAYS wanted my tonsils out when I was a kid...just so I could get the ice cream every always talked about!)

Michelle...how is the company? Any words of wisdom for 2cute? Sneak away and come see us...tell us about your little man? I love re-visiting the toddler years, vicariously, through your stories!

Duckie and Susie, come out come out wherever you are!

OK time to get out and practice what I preach! I'm going to have a wonderful day! What's left of it, anyway!

love to all...

K A T R I N A !!!!!

I am soooo happy to see you. I was afraid you guys all started a new group and were hiding from me. I searched all the other forums trying to find where everyone was hiding.

Thanks for your support. I teach my own kids that sometimes you have to do things that others won't like. You have to just accept it and move on. But it is easier said than done when it is family. Thank you so much for your input.

Baylee... I agree with Kat... Your caring and nursey advice did influence me into going to the doctor. It was one of the deciding factors. I too think you must be a wonderful caring nurse. You are the best !!!

I want to second everything Kat said to everyone.
I want to second everything Kat said to everyone.


Kat... I just love reading your posts... even when they aren't the only one. LOL I feel so silly being so excited about one post.
Okay you guys... I will find you... no matter where you are hiding.

Just a quickie! I am off to bed...

Food is WAAAAYY off!! And I have no desire to stop eating right now! But after the weekend I am going to starve myself! LOL
I feel like a glutton!

Andrew was the biggest BRAT today acting up in front of my parents! He was showing his independence! He is sooo tired tonight he just went right to bed with not a word! Little angel...when he is SLEEPING! Which is where I am going now!

2Cute...let me sleep on that one! I will think of something to help you out!

Everyone else please know that I am thinking of you all! Just busy with out of state company!

Love you all!

Michelle

2Cute you are not shallow...because if you are so am I! And I agree with everything Kat said.

I do understand the obligation that if you helped one you have to help them all - so - don't help the first one. Oops....did that sound shallow?

I expect people to treat me like I would them and I wouldn't dream of asking someone to let me live with them - so they shouldn't ask me.

Kat the featherless chickens were that way so they could lay eggs NOT to be eaten. They claim that with feathers they get hot and that affects their egg production. Who knew!!!!

It's 10PM and I haven't eaten anything today but a protein bar. I just ran out of time. I think I will go to bed - NOT panic - and plan to start tomorrow off with breakfast.

Any BIG plans for the weekend?

I must be realllllllllly lonely since here I am again.
Or... I could be procrastinating AGAIN !!!!!
I think it is a combination of both.

Lucky... I saw those chickens too. GROSS !!!!!
But I have to agree with Kat.... tell me something gross about HOT bread and butter, homemade pie.

Michelle.... if your son is anything like mine were.... he will always make you look like a liar too.
If I say he loves green beans... he wouldn't eat them.
If I said he never touches my fine china.... he will have one in his hand. LOL Kids !!!!! Believe it or not.... these are your best years. LOL LOL

Okay... I guess I have procrastinated long enough. Time to get back into my kitchen. I really really do want it clean for the weekend. We don't have any big plans. Usually we always do something on long weekends... maybe I will talk my husband into buying me a pool. LOL (I really do miss my swimming)

Hello all
It's about time to get ready for work I have worked all week this week. Food hasn't been good I ate with my aunt and cousin yesterday. Aunt Grace made chickenand dressing, peas, boiled corn, rolls, tea, and my jam cake which was great but not low cal.

My son is spoiled he lived with my parents a lot when he was younger and daddy spoiled him. Give him anything he wanted. He's really a good boy. Doesn't do a lot of running around doesn't do drugs but he is lazy. I am saying no . I am making him get a haircut or else. He doesn't live with us he lives in a little trailer next door but he's here every day to eat an use my computer. I know I have contributed to the problem but it is the mother in me. Well I have bent your ears long enough hope all of you have a great day.

The American Legion is having a Memorial day service at the court house and a picnic afterward. I have to make potato salad.

It's me again...hi 2cute! I guess you and I will be holding down the fort while everyone is gone, doing weekend-y things...I have absolutely NO PLANS...and that suits me just fine. I'll get some stuff done around here, finally...too many half-finshed projects hanging over my head...not done because of weather, or mostly lack of time. I'm off til Monday night...supposed to be til Tuesday, but they screwed up my schedule...blah blah blah. I got a call last night at 11:45, from the nursing supervisor asking me why I thought I was off last night...(nice, huh?) I repled that I'd already worked my 4 days this week and I'm not looking for any extra time right now, but thanks for asking! grrr... DH has said that I can quit if I want to. On one hand, I shouldn't even have to think about it...buh-bye! On the other hand, what would I do? Be a happy homemaker? (I don't know how) I have worked in this place since I was 18 years old...(soon to be...ulp...45) The time for me to be a stay at home mom is long past...ohh the guilt I felt when my kids were little...going off to work...at least we worked our shifts so that one of us was at home while the other one worked...very little baby sitter time needed...on the
other hand...I could do whatever I wanted to do...find a part time job doing something I LOVE...on the other hand, I'm not qualified for anything!...on the other hand...(I have a lot of hands!) I'm thinking of learning medical transcription and/or medical billing and coding so that I can freelance and work independently...but I'm going to get the hospital to pay for those courses first...they will too...So many things to ponder! I do love knowing that if things get too weird over there, I CAN tell them to p*ss off, I'm outta here! So that keeps me going!

Well, introspection time over...sorry to inflict it on you guys, but I get some of my best thinking done on this board...I guess having a captive (literally) audience helps...

I'm off to pay some bills...do some yard work, finish the laundry...wait a minute! I'm going to WAKE THE KIDS and have THEM do the chores... Nah, I'll let them sleep...I'm enjoying the quiet too much!

Fair Warning....I'LL BE BACK!

Kat... I can't think of a nicer person to spend my Memorial Day weekend with. But... I think we are going to go see my parents Saturday morning and maybe Sunday too. But I will be home early Sunday because I am babysitting so my kids can have a life.. since they know we don't.
I agree with you.... I do a LOT of healing here with my writing.
I am going to give you all a break for awhile and NOT post about my ongoing sagas. I am even tired of hearing about it.

Mary.... I understand where you are coming from. Kids.... if only we knew the perfect way to raise kids. Oh yeah, There is no perfect way.
Enjoy your weekend and I hope you come and join Kat and me a few times. We NEED you.

Today is FUN FRIDAY !!! Hmmmm... what can I do for fun??
I don't know if I will get it in today... but I am taking myself to the movies this weekend. I "almost" got my husband there last night. I had the car door open and one foot out the car and he backed out on me. Well.. I am going with or without him.
I love you guys... I better get to work. I have been procrastinating all night.

It's 9:38PM and I just got inside. I put a pizza in the oven. Partially because I am hungry and partially because it will heat up the house some. I know, don't complain because it could turn to 100 degrees just like that....

I was mowing and then raking. I even built a fire and raked by fire light. Okay, so I am getting sick. I just want to get this lawn around the house all raked up !!!!!

I will be here too Kat and 2Cute. I do have a ton of things I should do, company Saturday for awhile, graduations Sunday and Memorial Day stuff Monday but will be at home dashing in and out.

I was thinking of making that Cabbage Soup diet soup. NOT to go on that diet (not healthy) but because I do love cabbage and maybe it will help keep my calories down.

Kat is medical transcription and/or medical billing and coding very difficult? The jobs around here are very scarce and I do not like mine. I have noticed that medical positons seem to be the way to go....wondering what you think? Do you have to go to school full time?

So, 2Cute you be careful....long weekend, barbecuing....things could happen to you!!!! The nursing home called me because someone asked to take my Dad out. Well, this guy is an alcoholic so where do you think they are going. I, of course, said no so now I, once again am the witch daughter. People are just so dumb sometimes....sorry to tell you this but it's true....

Lucky... glad to see you are going to be here too this weekend.
I know you probably won't believe this... but I NEVER thought of myself as accident prone... untill I had all of you guys point it out to me. Now I am surprised anyone would go anywhere with me. LOL LOL

Raking by firelight sounds sooooo cool.
I miss doing all of my own yard work. I miss just being outside.
I am coming to the conclusion that it is not just my fat that prevents me from doing stuff. It is the combination of fat and OLD AGE. I could do it fat.. or I could do iit old... but old and fat is a barrier I can't seem to beat.

Years ago I was going to become a medical transcriptionist.
They told me I was "required" to take the medical terminnolgy class before I could sigh up for coding.
Sooo I took the 6 month class for terminology.
When I completeed it.... I went to sign up for the 2 week class for coding. The teacher quiit and they would not have it offered for a minimum of 6 months. Grrrrrr
I never made it back.

Before I forget... I heard from thinthinker. Her aunt did die.
She will be MIA for a week or more. She needs to take her mom to the funeral in another state... Plus she has soooo much work she is trying to get done before she leaves. She won't be back till Wed-Thursday... and even then she will have catching up to do so I don't expect her till next weekend. Hopefully she will find a minute or two to just drop us a note that she is okay.

Okay... So far it is Lucky, Katrinna, Mary, and ME who will be here this weekend. Who else is hanging with us???Let us hear from you. Great time for you lurkers to join in and not feel overwhelmed.
See you all later.

Hi everyone,

I finally feel rested after the training fiasco. I've been sleeping at odd hours. Got into my crafts at night and looked at the computer longingly before nodding off once again. To tell you the truth, looking for my crafting supplies half buried my computer. Two guesses on what I'll be doing this weekend? Yes, you got it...cleaning. I haven't been eating as well. And exercised three times this week. I was on plan yesterday, but went downhill today. But didn't have chocolate for a week. A star for that.

By the way, the garden is thriving nicely. It's been truly scorching hot and I've been watering every morning. The solar lamps recharge batteries during the day and at night turns on. It glows perfectly over my ferns.

On the crafting project... I had a sudden urge to make drawstring bags for my stuff. I cut cotton florals and sewed a square on the front of different material like gingham or plaid. On the square I stenciled butterflies, stars, and wrote a word describing what's in the bag. Like for my papers to be filed, I wrote...Life. For my computer stuff, I wrote....surfing. It sounds crazy, but it sure got my mind off of this past week.

What's in store for this weekend. Tomorrow, I'll go to the swap meet for tropical flowers. We'll go to the graveyard and dress it up for memorial day. I'll need to do my passport tomorrow too. Sunday, my mom is going to Honolulu. So it'll be Mikey and I. I hope to introduce him to the beach. We'll see.

Have a great Saturday. Take care of yourselves and drive safely.
Malia

Here's a picture of Mikey and I at his first birthday party last Sunday.

Hello all Hope all of you are doing good.
I have to work 3 hours today then I have to buy food for the week.
I'll be here off and on this weekend. not going anywhere but the American Legion thing on Monday.

have a good day see all of you later