WELCOME !!!

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.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

We chat on Wednesday and Sunday at 8:30 EST, 7:30 CST.

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

WELCOME!

Good afternoon friends. I did get to sleep from 3am -10am.
I only need 6 hours as a norm.... so I got an extra hour of sleep.

Terri... I am glad everything is working out better for you and dh.
I try to live by the theory to never discuss religion or politics. Those seem to always lead to angry discussions. LOL And when you think I am such a people pleaser.. I don't like to anger anyone. LOL
I have a oneliner that helps me let others have opinions I don't agree with...

Everyone has the right to be wrong.

That one line has saved me from frustrations more times than I can count.

Barb... boy ... you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I do think that Thin made a good point. And since they basicly told you it was up to you to decided.... they must be at peace with her staying.
Maybe you can just cut a few hours or something. When doing that ... tell her it will probably only be temporary since you will be having a lot of time off in the future.

Kat... I loved your "I am giving up gluttony for Lent"
I really liked that one.
I am glad your daughter did such a great job in her play. I would love to see that show too.

Thin... I have a simple mind... I am easy to please.
Maybe it is the fact that not many long posts have been written recently... I don't know. I am now curious myself... LOL I guess I will have to go back and reread it myself. LOL But no matter what reason I enjoyed it... I did.

Okay ladies .. it is Thankful Thursday.
SANDY... you ALWAYS post on Thankful Thursdays. Get busy girl.
Ladies .... no matter how your food is ... it is time to be thankful..
Lets hear it from everyone.

i am so thankful for my husband. yesterday was our 4 yr. wedding anniversary. he was definately a God send to me and my daughters. so thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you for my wonderful husband.

Sorry, 2cute, but you WERE last! I started my #495 before you started yours, but I'll go back and erase mine.

Here's the post I wrote on MY #495, I transferred it over here.

Hi everybody! Nothin' much shakin' here this morning. ('cept for my fat! and heck, that's not even really shakin' because I'm sitting here at the computer) I know, TMI!

I should be doing so many other things, but alas, here I am. I do need to go out in a bit and return my leather ottoman. I don't think I told you. Honey and I went and got new family room furniture for Christmas. Well, we got a sofa, love seat and an ottoman. But the way our family room is spread out, if I use the ottoman no one on the sofa can use it. If someone on the sofa uses it, I'm outta luck. So New Years I convinced honey that we needed a second ottoman. We went back to the store and their "New Year's Sale" actually was more expensive ($75 more expensive) for the ottoman that what we had paid for it 6 weeks earlier. Argh!!!!

I know, this story is getting longer by the minute, but now that I'm started.....anyhow, we went ahead and bought the second ottoman because I was afraid that 1. the price would go up if we waited any longer, 2. we would kick ourselves if we just didn't buy a second one, and 3. if we waited the colors of the leather wouldn't match. So we ordered another one and had to wait until now to have it come in. So we went last week and picked it up, brought it home and the wood trim on the bottom was just a mess. Not one little scratch, but really chewed up. There was fabric hanging out the side. I was soooo pi$$ed! $550 for an ottoman and it's a mess! So I called right away and told them this was not acceptable. I was not going to have some service guy come out and "fix" it, for that kind of money, I wanted a good one. So the new one is in and I have to go back and exchange the dang thing today.

Whew....aren't you glad I'm done with THAT story????

Barb: I'm so glad that last night worked out better for you. * Your hubby is in my prayers that his appointment goes well today. * That's a really tough one about your co-worker. A thought I have is that you might do well to try and protect her job because with all of your appointments coming up, you may need someone there that can pick up for you when you're out of the office. Just a thought.

2cute: OMG, you have more ambition SICK than I have WELL!!!! I can't believe that you won't be laid out flat all day today after all that stuff you worked on last night. Please rest some and take it easy. * I'm so glad you won the bid on that dress. I bet you are really excited. That is certainly one more thing you can cross off your to do list. * I went back and read that post you complimented and I sure have no idea what you found so entertaining. You must have just been desparate for something (anything) to read!

Terri: Goodness, sweetie, you DID have an awful night! As opinionated as I am, I try not to talk politics (in most circles) except of course "local" school politics. Then you can't get me off my soapbox. I consider myself an "independent" so I can vitually pi$$ of anyone on any given day! Better to just not open my mouth. But, if you think your hubby needs a good run for his money let me know and I'll give it my best shot in April when we all meet up.

Katrina: Sounds like you had a great time last night! It must be really cool to see your daughter on stage. I do like that it was a charity event as well. How nice. * Have a great time tonight. You've really got a busy, entertaining week going. Glad to hear you're doing well on plan as well.

Well girls, time to really get something done around here. You all have a great day. Love ya bunches!

Just found an article on eDiets about the tax deductibility of weight loss programs. Given that it's tax time, I thought I would post it over on the Article Thread. Go take a look.

Hey Chickies - What's Happening???
I am in my jammies, getting ready for my favorite TV evening!!!

DH is STILL at work, as usual - I hope he makes it home in time for Survivor! He went to the oral surgeon today ---- DH is now breathing a big sigh of relief. The Dr. doesn't think the tissue looks too bad. He is still doing the biopsy, but doesn't think it's anything to worry about. DH also has to have 3 teeth removed! Luckily he is managing to do it 3 days after the other procedure so he is just going to take a week of "vacation" from work.

There is going to be a guy from Dh's work on Super Millionaire tonight. We have heard he makes it to the hot seat. They taped the show yesterday. His name is Jonathan. We'll see!

Thin & 2Cute - Thanks for the advice on the co-worker situation. That is pretty much what I was thinking. I am hoping we can reduce her hours and keep her on the payroll on an "as needed" basis. I've got to do some major thinking on this one. I kind of have 2 bosses - one of them knows that Jeff and I are trying to start a family and going through all these treatments --- I only told him because he's the one I have to let know when I am out of the office and I was starting to take a lot of time off, so I wanted to be honest. I did ask him to keep it confidential. I did not tell my more senior boss - which of course is the one asking me to make the decision on my co-worker.

Audrey - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
(a day late) I hope it was a wonderful one!


Yay! DH just called and he'll be home shortly!
Have a great night!

Love to All!
Barb

Hey everyone

I am so tired! Got called in last night to work at job #2 and then worked job #1, and I was about to drop. I got home ready to take a good nap and was reminded that eldest daughter had an awards ceremony for Youth Community Council (Thin, you would soooo love this program ) As my mama would say, "No rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need it."

The dinner/awards program was really cute and I ended up meeting a caterer who is looking for someone to do hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Not a bad evening's work there.

I'm struggling with eating right now as well, but it is more from an aspect of not knowing when to fit in a meal. When the normal time for that meal does come, I just don't want to eat because I'm too tired or whatever. I don't think I've done much in the way of damage, but I do want to get it all back under control.

I thought I had told everyone what this job was, but I guess not? It is the old one I applied for and the guy blew me off for a second interview. I'm doing night watch at a youth treatment facility. It is quickly turning into a job I am really enjoying.

I would love to write more, but I fell asleep twice writing that last paragraph. Guess the body is saying now is the time. I'm headed to bed! Wahoo!!!

Andria

Wow... if it gets much slower in here ....
we will be reading backwards.
I don't know if that is funny or not.

I have not accomplished much today.
I have my sister coming tomorrow for the weekend so I have to get busy cleaning.
I have been sleeping in the guest room because I cough so much at night... so I had to wash bedsheets and disinfect everything. I can finally sleep in my own bed again.

Barb ... I am so glad your husband's dentist appointment went so well.
My husband smoked for years... but only chews now. I HATE IT !!!!
I fear for him and so your story hit home for me. I knew the fear you both had.

Thin... so sorry for the cross posting. LOL I read your original post in the old thread and then it was gone and replaced with "Stop do not post here"
Great minds think alike.

Audrey... BELATED HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!!
It is so nice to have you pop in .... wish you would post more.

Andria... There is no rest for you ??? or do you not need it ???
I vote you don't need it. I hope you get a good nights sleep.

Okay ladies... I going to go make up the guest bedroom. I have paperwork laying all around it.

Hi ladies!

Yeah, its Friday! DH had a trip last night so he didn't get home until 10:30 and not to bed until 11:30 so I'm a little tired today. The dog and I had a nice evening. We played in the back yard which was mostly me sitting on the deck steps trying to get him to bring his ball and him mauling his ball and rolling around on the ground. As long as he's happy. Yesterday was his 3rd birthday. Mama forgot to buy him a doggie birthday cake!

I spent the evening working on putting together drawers to the nightstand we are assembling. DH has to buy a mini sander so we could sand the edges so they would fit into the grooves. What a pain in the butt! But I've got two one and one to go. But I ran out of sandpaper. Argh.

DH and I are fine. He called me at work yesterday morning and was still being a bit of a butt. I was in work mode of not taking any crap so I basically told him if he would shut up and actually hear what I was saying, he'd realize I do believe in the same things but not in the same way. His response - well, you've never said that before, I didn't know you felt the same. If I only had a board to reach through the phone. Just goes to show that the guy who wrote about Mars/Venus is not wrong. Our brains are just wired differently.

I could have sworn that when I checked in yesterday that Thin had started a thread and posted first. Then later on, the thread was by 2Cute and she was first. Am I hallucinating?

I taped Survivor and CSI last night so I haven't seen who got voted off yet. We'll watch it together tonight. I watched Friends and The Apprentice instead. There is only two (Troy and Amy) who might be qualified to be CEO. The others act like a bunch of babies - making excuses and blaming others. I guess if they acted like grownup business people, the show would be boring.

Andria - I think you had told us - but I couldn't remember. Sorry! That does sound interesting. Sounds like you're working around the clock! Be sure to get rest so you don't get sick.

Thin - I too enjoy your posts - even if you think they are nothing special. Please, don't get DH all wound up!

Barb - So glad that the other doc didn't think there was anything to worry about with the tissue. That has to be a huge relief for your DH. Also, glad to see that you two are settled down and communicating again. That is a tough situation at work. It is hard to separate the personal feelings from doing the appropriate thing for the company. Perhaps the correct thing is to keep her own to back you up so that your job is covered and that helps her too. Good thinking!

2Cute - It has gotten quiet. Sometimes that is not a good sign - which means that people are struggling and don't want to post about it. But that is when we need to be here most. Hopefully people are just busy. I'd post more if I could post from work. Looks like you're feeling much better. Guess that shot in the butt was just what you needed.

Okay, I better get my butt up and moving around. Have a great Friday!

P.S.

I am going to live with Kat. She does the most fun things - Broadway plays, Bruce Springsteen and now Rod Stewart.

Kat - I am jealous! Have fun!

Good Morning Gals!
TGIF!!!!! Just had some breakfast and now I am getting ready for my work day - sitting here in my pajamas! I am going to the gym during lunch so no point in getting dressed or showered yet.

I need to have a productive work day. I have not accomplished as much the past couple days as I need to. I am ready for the weekend! Not much planned yet - need to run some errands, buy a few things for around the house, catch up on TV shows we recorded, exercise, plan food for next week.

Terri - I'm glad I didn't pop in here last night to talk about Survivor. After you watch it let me know what you think. I had a good laugh over it! Good to hear things are better on your end with DH as well. It was just a tough week in general! If you go live w/ Kat I am joining you both! I could go for all the fun that she is having!

Andria - Wow, there is never a quiet moment for you. I hope you try to squeeze in a little time to relax - we don't want to see you wearing yourself completely out!

2Cute - I know what you mean about it being sloooooowwww in here.
I am fortunate enough to be able to pop in several time a day, just due to my work and I am always looking forward to a mental break from work to see what everyone is up to. Lately I've felt like I am talking to myself --- along with a couple special friends! I'm sure it's nice to be getting back into your own bed! My spare room is in desperate need of cleaning. I still have all kinds of Christmas gifts and wrap and gifts I've already bought for next year all over the bed.

Okey Dokey - Gonna dig into work!
Later Gals!

Barb

Howdy All!

I am waiting for my ride to weigh in, so if I disappear quickly you will know why!

I haven't been around much, sorry about that...I do read frequently and just need to try and keep more regular with the posting...

It is almost like Spring here..Should get up to 50 degrees today and that is something for Feb in Iowa!

OOps, Ride is here..I will let you know how the weigh in went later....

Have a good day!

Hi girls, I've beem trying to read but just don't have the time to post, things are crazy at work right now. Our company was bought out by another company and things are going to move fast not sure what position I will be moving into, considering they do things very differently. We all had to have interviews and I'm sure some people will lose there jobs, Foreman's and Superintandants (sp) but I'm pretty sure I'll have a job, either as data entry or adminstration. I really don't want data entry, it's shift work 7on 7off, 12 hrs days, Would love my days off but don't want to sit in front of a computer all day doing the same thing. I have been doing administrative work since July enjoy it, keep your fingers crossed.
The weight loss had seemed to come to a stand still. The first week on SBD I lost 8.25lbs, then nothing the next 2 weeks, and then I started just eating healthy and adding back in some grains and carbs, but not at supper time, and the scale seems to be moving again. So I'm looking forward to this next week weigh in, I didn't get to TOPS this week, I was sick and couldn't leave the washroom, ( maybe that's why the scale started to move).
I'm not sure how much I'll be around in the near future, considering I don't have a computer at home and I don't know where I'll be working from, and they might not have access to the internet. I'm can't wait till they come back and let us know what's going on, hate waiting around, continuing what I'm doing when it really doesn't matter, because they don't use the same programs as us.
I'll try to sneak in as much as possible.
Tata for now.

Duckie... so happy you and Syn peeked in. It doesn't take a long post to just to let us know you are still around. I have my fingers crossed for you
Sorry to hear you were sick.

Barb... I HIGHLY recommend you take a day this weekend and organize your guest room. It really does FEEL GOOD to have it clean. I am always for "feeling good"

Kat... sounds like you are having a slumber party... cause if Barb and Terri are going to move in ... SO AM I !!!!!!!!
You do have so much fun !!!

Terri... Glad you and hubby has finally worked things out.
MEN ... Who can figure them out?

Okay.. that is it for now. I did not get much done last night... so I have to work double hard today. Have a FUN FRIDAY !!!

Hey everyone

I'm conscious! No, really. I slept the entire night and slept in a teensy bit this morning, and I feel vaguely human again. Little bit groggy around the edges, but that can be fixed easily enough with a workout.

More details on the job since I can stay awake long enough to finish a paragraph without a short nap... The place I'm working for has been calling me in a lot more than I thought, thus the lack of sleep and time for posting here. I arrive at work after the girls are in bed (all girl facility), catch up on the events of the day and take over for whatever area they want me to start in that night. We rotate every hour between three areas, which really helps to keep you awake. The best time is morning, when we wake everyone up and get their day going. I'm not a sadist, I just really enjoy the interaction. I got to finish cooking breakfast for them the other day, and we were really enjoying ourselves.

I guess I see a lot of my roots in where these girls are now. I didn't get into drinking, drugs and sex like some of them have, but the root of it all is based in pain and low self-esteem. Watching them heal is a bit of a balm for my own soul, if that makes any sense. I guess I'm hoping to unlock more of my own issues and come face to face with my low self-esteem at the same time. We'll see what happens. I like their approach. It is based in doing the right things right now, instead of waiting for all the healing to happen and then getting around to the right things. They do it all at once, and the circular effect makes sense to me. It is like reversing the spiral taking them (me) down a drain and giving the potential to spin off into an ever-expanding universe.

I got enough sleep, and I'm beginning to wax poetic. Be grateful I stopped where I did, because it was getting much more sappy. I'm going to finish getting dressed and making my lunch so I can get out the door and off to Curves and then work!

BTW, Thin, you inspired me. If you can get out the door to Curves as busy as you are, I knew I could do it yesterday. Did my workout on the way home from the jobs. I felt so much better afterwards.

Andria