Good morning everyone! I wish you could see the beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine outside my window right now. Incredible...

Yesterday was good. I didn't get everything done I told myself I need to do, but that's okay. It will wait and, really, no one stresses about it but me.

Today we have a baby shower to go to and groceries to buy. I'm going to try to get to the gym before child care closes, too. Later I want to relax (still feeling snotsy with this cold) with a good book.

I'll need some prayers and good vibes about the shower. I had thought about just having lunch there and fitting it into my food plan that way. Realistically though I know that isn't a good idea. I need to avoid the refreshments completely. Since I backslid with my abstinence, it's harder for me. So I'll eat lunch before the shower and just have a drink while I'm there. I'll report back later and tell you how I did.

Okay, enough for now. I hope y'all are having a glorious weekend!

Later,
Christy

Christy - I think you have a good plan for the shower.

I'm doing okay. I got overfull at Chinese last night, but I didn't break my abstinence. I need to pray for guidance today re: knowing when to say when. I also have a cubic buttload of grading to do. Ugh. I really hope I get the librarian position. All the fun and none of the grading

This morning, my husband said it looked like I was losing some weight. I said thank you.

Gotta go get son up for work!

Jennelle

Hi everyone,
I did eveything except go to the gym yesterday. my legs were still sore from Thursday so I thought I'd better let them relax more. Today is beautiful. I'm going to get outside and do some yard work and wash the car.

I've been sleeping late the past couple of day's. Think my body lost a lot of sleep when I was sick. I did make an appoint to see an ear, nose and throat doctor in March. The earliest I could get. I'm so tired of having congestion in my nose and sinuses--then it tends to drain down into my bronchial tubes.

Hope everyone has a good good week end.

Hi ladies,

Well, I think today DH and I are going to be home buddies. I rented 2 movies to watch, too.

I did pretty well this week with workouts.

Christy: Good plan for the shower!

Jennelle: Got to love compliments. Good luck with the grading.

Ceejay: Have fun with the outside chores.

I'm sure I'll check in again later...

I will be back!

I have had a busy day already. Meeting, sponsor calls, and the like and I have to get a nap and a workout in. Nap first I have been up since 0500!

I love you all and hope your having a beautiful Saturday (in the 50's here, freaking shorts weather in FEB? in Omaha?)

Miss Chris

Hi all! Dan and I are working on our budget today. We went to a "Total Money Makeover" seminar last night. Oh man, it feels like another diet! We are so much in debt (lots of credit cards too) so we really need to do this. My dream is to be out of consumer debt. . .

I'm feeling some better today - it's hanging on longer than you would think with antibiotics. I think once I had to do 2 rounds.

Elijah is 9 months old today. He came home at 4 1/2 months, so this means that he's been with us as long as he was with his foster family. It's a big day! He's really ours!

I'm feeling like a stubborn little kid about my food plan. I don't wanna! I've been in control of eating, but think it's a very dangerous line to walk without having a plan.

OK, just had to stop in to say "50 degree weather is shorts weather?!".

Angi: Happy 9 months to Elijah! My first day of this abstinence started the day after he was born.

I really enjoy the meditations concerning average days. I am relearning how to enjoy a plain Jane day.

February 28 "Inner Harvest"
Hazelden Meditation Series

An ordinary day can be extra-ordinarily nice.

Recognizing and enjoying the unspectacular pleasure of every day
nourishes our spirits so that we do not crave an unnatural high.
Small satisfactions, routine accomplishments, and simple pleasures
make us feel good, when we take the time to appreciate them and when
we're free from the addictive behaviors that spoil them.

Believe it or not, when we're eating reasonably, even cleaning the
garage can be fun. But if we're not, nothing we do is likely to be
truly pleasurable. Even the most ordinary abstinent day can be quite
nice, especially when we remember to compare it with the days when
our eating was out of control. We no longer have to seek great highs
if we remember that what goes up must come down.

Abstinence puts us on an even keel physically, and Steps keep us
emotionally and spiritually balanced. When we are thus in
equilibrium, the ordinary events in our daily lives take on a special
luster.

*

I don't need fireworks today. Quiet satisfaction will be just fine.

We're home from the shower and I just have to tell you how completely blessed I am! I was fully expecting to white knuckle it, knowing full well that I totally suck at that. I had my OA coin with the serenity prayer in my pocket. When we got there, my friend's youngest son latched on to me as a playmate and kept me busy and away from the food. Then I volunteered to be the person who writes down the gifts and givers for the mom-to-be and while we were doing that, the food was cleaned up and whisked away. I love it! Talk about answered prayers...

Kat -- Enjoy your movie time. What 'cha watching? (Nosy Nellie here...) And you'd be surprised to know that 50 degrees is approaching shorts weather in my neck of the woods, too. Right now it is 58 and GORGEOUS outside. Could spring really be coming? Just yesterday morning we woke up to around six inches of snow on the ground! It was gone before lunch.

Angi -- Hugs about that consumer debt, honey! Been there, done that! As a matter of fact, DH and I have only been out from under a ton of credit card stuff for not quite a year now. It can be done and it is such an enormous relief when you've got it behind you. For years I had a panic attack when I sat down to pay the bills each month. I'll put your financial needs in my prayers!

Oh and happy nine months to Elijah! This is such a great age. Enjoy!

CeeJay -- Hope you're relaxing!

Jennelle -- A cubic buttload of grading?!?! I'm very visual and so now I'm picturing you with a cube for a butt. Hope you find some time to kick back on that cubic butt and relax before Monday. Sending librarian vibes...

Chris -- Not playing with the ball today, are you? Hope you get rested up!

Ellis -- Come out, come out, wherever you are! We miss you!

I'm off for now. Check back in later!

Christy

We haven't gotten around to our movies yet. I've been reading my book and looking at stuff online. DH has been playing an online game. We're going to watch a movie soon, though.

I rented Matchstick Men and American Splendor.

Oh - and great going, Christy!

GOOD MORNING!

I talked to Jenelle for a minute yesterday and then I went to take a nap aparently till about 1830, got up and ate and went back to bed till 0230. Every chance I have I have been playing with my new excercise ball. My sponsor told me I shouldn't watch the videos till I get bored with playing. Well I am making myself plenty sore playing with my ball, but I just giggle so much I can't help myself This morning I want to take my ball to the park and swing on the swings. My DH keeps saying silly things like this is not appropriate behavior for someone approach 32, and I say leave me alone Mr. Doo doo head I am having fun

It's like this balance I am trying to find. I have done lots of grown-up stuff lately like paying my bills, and having a serious conversation with DH about money and the future of our relationship. All my step work and stuff. I just want to play a little bit and since it has occured to me that I didn't play much as a child, very serious about my drawing, books, and puzzles. I just kept taking stuff on. I love my big blue ball and I love hugging it, it just feels right

Kat- Tell me what you think of American Splendor. I thought it was okay, but nothing special and kind of flat. I like Joyce and the clips of the real guy on Letterman.

Christy- God will always take care of you if you just let him. He sent you a little child now can I come over to play, would you do my nails please It's 45 F outside right now! I can't believe it

Angi- Happy 9 months to Elijah, it's really true lady YOUR A MOMMY! Worry about getting well right now and when your done kicking and screaming the food will fall into place. It makes me feel good when I make loving choices for my health and my body!

CJ- Feel better and keep doing all those great things to take care of you and yours!

Jenelle- Don't forget to stop and smell the roses this weekend, if you lived closer I would make you go to the park with me. We get our weekends (or days off) to recharge. If its just 20 min of silent meditation take that ME time!

Ellis- Well I know she is struggling a bit, but she will come back because she loves all of us.

Hi Miss Sarah miss you too!

MUCH LOVE TO ALL!

Miss Chris

I do love all of you!
I'm rushing off to pick up my little DS. He had a sleepover at my parent's place last night, and I MISS him!
I'm feeling a little bluesy, and I'm eating like there's no tomorrow, but I'm thinking of all of you and keeping you in my prayers (I did a quick read through, and you all need them. )
... hope to get back later...
xoxo ellis

Lurking and listening and sending prayers where needed! You are a great group of women!

Happy Sunny Sunday!

Just a quick (ha ha) note before we head off to church...

Chris -- Yes, God did send me a child yesterday and I will be thanking Him so much this morning. I think you should go to the park and play. I LOVE to swing. My DH is being a pain this weekend, too. I finally told him yesterday, "You have a COLD. Could you please get dressed and stop moaning and groaning with each breath you draw?!" Harsh? Maybe, but I've been exceedingly patient for nearly three days now while suffering from the same cold.

Kat -- I've never seen those movies. DH and I watched The Odyssey on sci-fi channel last night. I'm a sucker for anything Greek, Roman, or mythological!

((Ellis)) -- I'm going to say an extra special prayer for you. I'm sorry you're feeling bluesy and munchy. Drop by when you can, hon. You're a wonderful lady and we love you bunches!

Gotta run! BBL to check in when I'm procrastinating about school work!

Love ya,
Christy