Hi everyone,
I thought that since spring is around the corner, we needed a lift to get out of the winter blahs.....and hope no one minds that I've tweaked our name just a bit!

Am seeing the dr. on Monday to have the stitches out and xrays taken...and hoping he'll give me the ok to take showers.

We had a wake to attend in the late afternoon yesterday; of course while we were out, the human resource director called regarding the job. This was after waiting all week for a call! She left a message saying she'll contact me over the weekend and looked forward to speaking with me. I'm hoping that's positive, right?

Okay, all you little lost lambs....time to come home! Es....Ruth....Zoe...Janie...

HI to Terri, Dianne, Sandy!

~Jen

Good morning everyone:

Jen - That sounds VERY positive - saying she looks forward to talking to you -since no one giving you bad news is gonna look forward to talking to you (hopefully ). Good news about your foot too - you must be dying to get in the shower. P.S. The new name is

Well, I gained .6 this week, even though I exercised every day. But, truthfully, I didn't do well with food this week. There were a couple of farewell parties at the job and I had a couple of pieces of cake and then willie and I went out to eat twice and I didn't make the best choices. So I have to realize that exercising is terrific, but its not a miracle replacement for not eating well. I know if I hadn't done the exercising, I probably would have gained a lb. at least.

I was a little disapointed but then I look at the half-full glass and know that I'm 11 lbs. lighter than I was a few months ago, I feel great and I think I look good, too. So, I'll just be more careful with the food this week and continue the exercising. I'm still motivated and that's a good thing

Alana's home and we're gonna do some shopping today. Also, I'm checking flights, etc. for Puerto Rico. We are planning on going the last week of July through the 1st week of August and now my sister is interested in coming with her son, so we'll be able to get a place with more bedrooms and just split the cost, which is

Hi to Terri, Es, Donna, Ruthie, Sandy, ZoeGirl and Janie. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hugs,
Dianne

Good Morning All

Jen, How are you doing? Did the stitches come out, and have you heard anything more about the new job? I like the new name for our group, hope we get energized for spring. It looks like we are getting a new burst of winter for the time being, we expect about 10 inches of snow tonight.

Dianne, I had a small gain this week also of .4 lb. I am trying to take stock of what happens when I have a gain. The chief reason for me is that I have not been using the tracker, and had too many restaurant meals where the portions are too large. But I think if we stay focused, we are all heading for our goals. You have done really great with the exercise, and finding our balance between food choices and exercise seems to be what it is all about.
(This mini lecture- peptalk is directed at myself mainly )

Talk to you all later, taking Greg to school

Sandy

Jen,
I hope you got good news today.

Dianne and Sandy,
There will be many maintains and small gains in our lifetime. Think of it as life. SH** happens. Love that bumper sticker. You know how to lose and you will. I am glad we have learned not to give up at minor set backs. If I did I wouldn't be where I am now that is for sure.

This Saturday we are leaving for Pigeon Forge/Gatlingurg, Tenn. We will stay until Wed. Bruce got a beautiful place with a pool table and a jucuzzi. It is all wood with huge long windows and a real long stairway. Can't wait to hike. I love the Smokey Mountains.
I saw Starskey and Hutch. It was so funny. I loved the show. Starskey was my guy. He was so funny. He aged well but I can't say the same about David Soul (Hutch).
He was the pretty boy too.

I got the job! The call came yesterday morning while I was at the dr., so the game of phone tag continued another day.
The benefits are quite good; I'm very pleased with the salary, which is more than I was at when I quit my job 3 years ago. I'll be starting on the 31st...only two weeks of freedom left!

The stitches came out yesterday, they took xrays (actually my son did) and the surgery did the trick, it looks good. In the films I was able to see the pin, it is inserted through the tip of my middle toe, then about 3 inches down into my foot plus there's a pin that will remain in my foot. I made the dr. wrap it so I can't see it sticking out, I get queasy. The dr. will take the pin out in 3 weeks, soooo it's 3 more weeks of wearing this huge robo-cop boot then I'll graduate to gym shoes!! Yessss, can't wait.

Dianne,
Don't forget your theory...life has a way of getting in the way. You've done very well, and those 11 pounds are gone! outta here! You're doing great with the exercise.
That's cool about your sister and nephew joining you in Puerto Rico; you'll have a wonderful time.

Sandy,
Did you get socked with the snow? At least Spring begins Saturday.
The minor gain will be behind you, don't lose your motivation; and that was a good pep talk you gave!

Terri,
Have a great trip! Joey and Iliana went to the Smokey Mtns. last October, he loves it there. It sounds like you'll have a great place to stay; the jacuzzi will be so
I loved Starsky and Hutch also, can't wait to see the movie! I love Ben Stiller's movies. Meet the Parents was so good.

We're having our annual St. Patrick's party on Saturday, there will be 19 of us, and most likely everyone will stay overnight. Now we can also celebrate my job.

Have to go vote.
~Jen

Jen on your job and the stitches coming out and everything looking good! What are you going to do during your last couple of weeks of freedom?

Terri, have a great time this weekend! It sounds like a wonderful getaway and please take pictures.

Sandy I too benefited from your "pep talk". I gained a little during my Bahamas getaway but it is coming off already but still is frustrating to know it can just so easily fall back how it was. I hope you will be spared of the snow. I myself want Spring so bad!

Dianne, your trip sounds wonderful too! Can I be a stowaway in your suitcase and come along? I'm glad you looked upon your gain knowing it won't stay that way and look how far you have come! I have to remember your words as well.

I am sorry I have not been active on the thread. I am getting closer to my surgery date and it couldn't come any sooner. I am not getting attiquate enough sleep at night because the pain of it wakes me up then my sweet dh snores which doesn't help me fall back into a good sleep. I can't remember if I told you all but I have tennis elbow that I have been bothered with since last summer. I have had two cortizone shots and now will have surgery. It's outpatient and the success is very high.

My Dad and his wife are getting a divorce. It makes me sad that he will be alone.

Well, taking my sunny disposition outa here!

Hello to all!

Donna

Here is the addy for our cabin. Click on pictures and hit ammenities on the left hand side.

http://www.oakhavenresort.com/cabins/17.html

It has a wrap around porch with swings and rockers
and a screened in porch with a huge jucuzzi and a pool table inside with a spiral staircase.

Jen,
Congrats on the job. That is awesome. I am so glad those stitches came out. That will be cool. Have fun at your party. You guys always sound like you have fun. I hope Britts and her family stay close by.

Donna,
I hope everything goes ok. That must be painful.
I am so sorry about your dad. I hate when the ones we love are sad.

Brandon had no cavities!!!! YAY! We just got back from the dentist.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!!![/COLOR]

Jen - congrats on getting the job Sooooo . Is it going to be full time or part time? So happy for you. Now, as to the whole explanation re: the pin(s) in your foot, well, my son Steven has a saying for things that make your stomach do flip-flops...........are you ready??? Okay, here goes............he says "that makes my butt cheeks crunch"!!
Oh and yes, you're right, my favorite saying is "sometimes life gets in the way", however, I think I like Terri's saying "SH** Happens" better!
I have to say I never thought those words would come out of her mouth

Terri - The cabins look great - I love the high ceilings. You guys are gonna have a great time and you'll probably get lots of walking in too. Enjoy! And congrats to Brandon on no cavities - that's great!

Sandy - thanks for the pep talk.... I'm okay with it though. Like I said I lost 11 lbs. and that's a good thing. I'm continuing with the exercise and trying to make better choices this week, so hopefully I'll have better results at this week's wi. If not, I'll keep on truckin' and eventually go in the right direction. I'm not sweating it.

Hey Donna - Sorry to hear about your elbow, that does sound painful. When is the surgery? Good luck!

We're still checking various places in Puerto Rico to stay this summer. Sometimes, I think we're looking at too many sites and getting confused. You see, we plan on staying one week in the country and one week closer to San Juan area on the beach. So, we're getting inundated with e-mails etc. from various places. Decisions, decisions

This Friday I'm taking off from work - its Willie and my anniversary - 25 years together, 20 married and we're just gonna go to the city and chill.

Hi to Es, ZoeGirl, Ruthie and Janie. Hope you are all well.

Have a great day everyone!

Hugs,
Dianne

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Dianne,
Bruce went to Puerto Rico to judge the international Science Fair and he loved it. He wants us to go back. Enjoy!!!!!! Happy Anniversary on Friday.
You should hear my real mouth. You'd be shocked.

Tomorrow we are going to see the Harlem Globetrotters! I saw them in the 70's with Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal. I loved them. The kids are so excited.
Pinch Pinch to all of you who aren't wearing green.
Have a good day!!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!



Joe and I are having Reuben sandwiches today, since we're cooking the big meal on Saturday.

Terri,
Gee I never realized there were so many OTHER things to do on St. Pat's Day those are some great suggestions.
The place you'll be staying at looks wonderful. Are the kids on spring break? What a great time you'll have!

Donna,
When are you having the surgery? I've heard tennis elbow is very painful, no wonder you're having sleepless nights. This is the best time of year to have it, you'll be healed and feeling much better by the time summer comes.

Dianne,
Having to explain the pin in my toe gets a mix of reactions. My brother works in a hospital and told me that many people react with a comment of "it makes my butt tighten" and we were when he told us that, as we had never heard it before. But, apparently it's quite common! I'll stick with the flip flopping stomach!
The job is full-time, which will take some getting used to after being off 3 and a half years.
Congratulations to you and Willie enjoy your day together.

HI ES!!! and RUTH!!! and SANDY!!! and ZOE!!!

~Jen

Hi Gals

We did have our corned beef and cabbage yesterday. Mike is Irish and Dutch on his Mom's side, and totally Polish from his Dad. Usually the Polish cooking prevailed in his family, but on St Paddies day, we are all Irish here!

I worked out extra time at the club yesterday, trying to earn some activity points. I usually do lots of ab crunches thinking about losing that belly. But now I will try more butt crunching and aim for cute glutes.

Gotta go take Greg to school again. I will be back later!

Love ya all,
Sandy

This looks like my place to be. I'm 47 and want to be thin by 48!!

I'm starting WW with my first meeting this Saturday. I gained 75lbs while pregnant with my first son in 1999, still haven't lost it. I used to be such an exercise fanatic, I would really like to get back to that mode. I don't have the energy but I'm hoping to find it.

I had my 2nd son, Ryan in Jan2003, thank goodness I only gained a little more than 20 lbs & lost it immediately. Whew!

I have tried Atkins, South Beach, & this is my 2nd time with WW. My main weaknesses are pizza & Coca Cola.

I can't remember.....is coffee allowed on WW? I can't go without my caffeine! if it is allowed, any ideas to make it tasty without half and half??
I use Splenda to sweeten.

What a great group. Have a great day!!

Hi Karen.
WELCOME!!!!!
This is a great place to be. I did the same. I was at goal in 85' before I had my first and I lost the weight I gained with her but not with the boys in 91' and 93'. I finally rejoined in 2000 and lost 60# and am still working on keeping it off. It is tough but it is a lot easier with these great girls. My husband is Bruce and we have been married for 22 years and I have 3 kids ,Brittany,17 Brandon, 12 and Bradley, 11. I have a 3 year old dog named Tanner. We grew up in Ohio but moved to Fl. for 13 years and now live in Madison, Alabama. Tell us a bit more about you.

Hi Sandy. Never had Corn Beef and Cabbage. I think Bruce has some Irish but I am full blooded Italian and the most we ever did for St. Patty's day was where green. I did go to St. Johns Catholis School and we were the fighting Irish. Does that count?

Donna,
Good luck with your surgery. It will be so nice to have that annoying pain gone.

We are going t the Globetrotters tonight. Can't wait. I am taking a 2 point kudos bar so I won't be tempted to have concessions. Maybe I will take 2.

TTYL, Terri