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

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!

Barbg ... I had to steal your cute Happy Holidays until I can find some of my own.

I am glad several of you have recieved your Christmas Challenge before it started this time. I pretty much just stuck to the basics. I figured Dec is such a busy time.

Don't have time to post now... we are putting out Christmas decorations and I hid away for 10 minutes to come check up on my cyber friends/family.

Kat! I know exactly what you mean - I have a visitor staying with me at the moment and havent been spending as much time on the computer, and I have done so much more than I usually do!

Its 'interesting' trying to stay on track while having a visitor (my friend Ken) here and doing beach bbqs, visiting common friends for early christmas parties (I think everything had alcohol in it apart from the meat!), and other socialising things. I don't think I've been too off-track for the last few days, and this morning (Sunday) I'm heading to the pool for a session of deep water walking (and taking Ken with me). I have weigh-in tomorrow at the dieticians, and I would so like to have lost this week - not sure its going to happen though!
Anyway - {{hugs}} to anyone that needs them at the moment ... I hope you are all having a fun "silly season" so far!

Leanne

Good Afternoon Ladies!

Well last night was 10 year high school reunion. I of course knew no one. He was part of a very small class maybe about 60 people. So there was about 40 people there all together, people and their significant others. I didn't eat much I did wear makeup though and I really don't wear makeup. I just thought that it would make me feel pretty. And to be honest it made me more uncomfortable because I didn't feel like myself. All in all it was a fairly good night.

Kat, That is sooo cool that you got to skate at Rockefeller Center. I would be on my butt most of the time.

CD, You are always inspirational. I think of you daily, and tell myself if you can exercise twice a day I can do it at least once. I always enjoy reading your posts, you are so open and honest.

Thin, I got the map! I can make a nice trip out of this. My sister lives in Toledo. We can take the ferry over, go to the fling, drive down to see my sister, and drive back. This will be fun.

Sandy, How nice of your hubby to buy you exactly what you wanted for your birthday. How did he ever know?

2Cute, no Christmas challenge yet, but look how long it took me to get it last time. I really have mail.

Terri, sounds like you had a real heart-wrenching day. Thanks for sharing that, it reminds me of things in my past that I should think about sometimes. on the food. I love the clothes thing too. I have the same thing. Can't get rid of them until I know that I can fit into them again.

BarbG, sorry you are having such a hard time right now. I wish I was near you so I could help you decorate. I love decorating for Christmas, but I have evil Syd so I cannot do all the things I want to do. I just have my little tree that I put up, way up on the shelf. I decorate after Thanksgiving and leave everything up until Epiphany, that way I enjoy it for much longer.

Mary B, You'll make the teens by Christmas. With 2Cute's Christmas Challenge, and Terri's 2X2 Challenges, We can all reach our goals by Christmas.

BarbPa, How ya doing? Hope things are good with you.

Lisa, How are you doing? I hope things are good with you too.

Chris, Oh are your kids adorable. I could just eat them up.

Kerri, hmmm Broccoli and rice with jalepenos, that sounds very interesting. I might have to try that.

Andria, you have every right to vent and be angry with this person. However, dh should be the one to get really angry with her, and just cut her off. We don't have to have negative people in our lives. Just because we are related to them doesn't mean that we have to be miserable. We have to do what is best for our health, sanity, children and life. Some people are vampires. They feed off of the positive energy that they drain from others by drowning them in their negativity. But no matter how much negativity is directed towards you, you don't have to accept it. Negative energy is 200-400 percent larger than positive energy. That is why when there is one negative person in a group they can pull the whole group down. However, positive energy is stronger than negative energy. If you say that your energy is stronger and tell yourself to neutralize the negative energy being directed at you, it will flow right off you. Killing them with kindness really does work But until dh builds up his positive energy and no longer lets her negativity hurt him, he will always be a slave to it. I do wish you all luck and will send some positive energy your way. Along with angels to protect you all.

Boy, I rambled there didn't I. Well to anyone I missed,
Hello! I think I am getting a cramp from all this typing

Love & Light to you all
Skitt

I just finished 30 minutes on the spinner. Now I need to go upstairs and blow my nose. But it counts as 5 points of activity.

I should run up to the mailbox and see if I got anything fun in the mail!

Skittles - I love the 2x2 name! That's what we'll call it from now on.

Andria - We must have posted about the same time earlier. I'm soooo sorry about the MIL situation. Makes mine look like a prize. You have good reason to be angry. And the worst part is being angry and not being able to do anything about it. So come here and rant because it does help.

Kat - You've been a busy girl with the visitors! Life will settle down soon - Christmas is less than a month away!

Okay, I should go upstairs now. I've pretty much abandoned DH this afternoon. I need to go to the store for his dinner. I'm eating soup and a sandwich. With this cold, food doesn't sound good. Not even healthy food.

Goodnight!

Leanne... I was going to ask you about celebrating Christmas in the summer in Australia. That sounds soooo weird. LOL Christmas here is always hoping for SNOW. LOL
As the song says... "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas".

Skittles... I am sooo glad you think you will make it to the Spring Fling. I am very excited to meet all the ladies who did not make it to the last one.... and to see those who did ... again.
I mailed your Challenge earlier than the last one... so hopefully one full week will get it there in time. We still have until Dec 1st before it starts.
I agree with your post to andria.... Negative breeds negative... but Positive CAN over power it if you FOCUS and stay focused.

Andria... We had to seperate ourselves from my MIL for awhile long ago. She became an alcoholic... and we refused to let the children see her drunk. Well ... since she was ALWAYS drunk... it caused a problem. We told her we loved her and she had to live her life to please herself .. not us..... BUT... we would not let the kids see her drunk. The choice was hers. She was hurt and mad in the beginning... but ... she would stop drinking for a half day for us to bring the kids to her. We always did when she called sober... but she would shake almost uncontrolable. It was very sad to watch.
Talk about rambling... I am definitely rambling now.

Terri... you definitely should have your challenge by now. You are one of closest to me.
I am sooooooo PROUD of you !!!! Have I told you lately.... I admire you very much !!!!

Okay... that is everyone from this thread. I am going back to watch the Notre Dame vs USC football game. PLEASE send up a prayer for the Fighting Irish !!!!

I missed a whole thread! Hard to keep up with you chicks!
but always enjoy reading yor posts when I get to it.

It has been a busy few days with DD and DGD visiting from Washington...they are packing for an early departure tomorrow.

Thanksgiving went well. I didn't have any MIL probs, I AM the MIL now.
I hope my dear DIL didn't think she had probs with me! We had 13 here for dinner, and I did well with my food. no seconds! and felt satisfied but not stuffed!! DGD and DD and I went to the Boise mall after lunch Yesterday for some shopping, wasn't too bad...but only got one gift purchased. I've GOT to get with it!

Now it is time to get ready for Christmas, my very favorite...but ALAS...my things are still in storage I hope to dig out enuf to do a nice job for the first year in our new home. the front porch is not finished yet, so can't be puttin up lights. Maybe I will do some interior lights. I didn't get out of bed in time for the early bird Xmas tree sale yesterday, so am still tree-less.

Thin, I got the Xmas list AND the map! thank you!
and 2 Cute, I got the Xmas Challenge! I failed miserably on the Thanksgiving challenge.. but am determined to do better in Dec!

It's always such fun to get mail from cyber friends! and to remember that I am not alone in this battle of weight!

Happy Sunday too,

I've already had a good day. I got ready to go to Church this morning and when I put on my suit skirt (that I wear about every 3 or 4 weeks) I was very pleasantly supprised to see how loose the waistband was. While at church someone asked me how much weight I had lost, said I was really looking good. ( I hated to tell her that I hadn't lost any, but...) then she asked if I was still trying to loose with my friends from OK! ! I assured her that I was, but that you were from all over, we just all met up in OK.

After we got home ole Alvin actually put up my outside Christmas decorations! Will wonders never cease?

Just a quick post to let everyone know I am home now. We had a great time visiting the parents down in Virginia Beach. Ate some good food. Drank a glass of wine. Got some walking in. Went to a fantastic and very crowded crafts show with my Mom. We came home yesterday but I've been on the go ever since. This morning Wayne and I went with my oldest daughter and her husband on a tour of the Nemours DuPont Mansion and what an estate! It was just awesome!!!

I need to do catch up.

OH! Thin, I received your Thanksgiving card and map in the mail. Thank you very much! Wayne wanted to know all about Spring Fling II and I told him as he looked over my shoulder at the map and said that when he's sent by his company Daimler-Chyrsler to Detroit he stays in Sterling Heights. He may be going again this spring but don't know when--Daimler Chrysler sends him to classes for a week--he's an electrician--works on robots, etc. at the plant. I asked him what he thought of my chances of flying into Detroit for the get together and he didn't say much but I'm not taking that as a no...or a yes either--just too much on our plates right now to think that far ahead with his Dad going into the hospital in January. So I may not know whether I'm coming until up until the last minute and I'll have to have more info--like where I'm staying; how am I getting from Point A to Point B (airport to where I'm staying). Stuff like that. I haven't received the Christmas Challenge stuff yet but it will probably arrive within the next couple of days. I'm glad for the challenge.

I'll come back in later to do catch-up! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Hey Chicks!
I have so much to catch up on! Just popping in for a quick Hello! DH and I have been busy with yard work, putting lights up, running errands --- stayed away from all busy holiday shopping hot spots!! Still doing lots of research on the home theater and finishing the basement. We are going to be putting a pretty big chunk of $ out on this and want to do it right. It will really increase our home value and will make us happy! I have already said there must be a good spot for my treadmill and a TV! Gotta have my priorities!

Food has been less than perfect, but tomorrow is a new day! I'm also going back to water aerobics tomorrow night - I am almost over this horrible rash I had on my neck. The Dr. said it was a bad eczema flare up. I avoided the pool for about a week to let it heal.

So much to do still, I better run! Have a great night! Talk to you tomorrow.
xoxox
Barb

Hey everyone

Guess what! My supervisor from work called yesterday to set my work schedule, and I bullied, wheedled and cajoled my way back to work starting last night! What a huge relief. It wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but I toughed my way through. The only real problem I ran into came from swelling. My foot was so huge by the end of the night that Adam could barely get the sandal off. Bending my knee was almost impossible. I'll work on that tonight and spend more time with it propped up, and also make sure to begin doing that earlier in the night.

There were a couple more successes yesterday, but one huge one was getting my food all logged. I haven't been doing it since surgery, and it felt really good to write it out.

Thanks everyone for letting me rant yesterday and not being all judgmental. That meant a lot to me. *HUGS*

I haven't slept much yet today, so going to try and get in a nap right now. Talk to you all tomorrow!

Andria

My company is gone - I am exhausted. I need another 4 days to recoup! We played Trivial Pursuit one night and my nieces and nephews were surprised at how much I knew!!! They haven't figured out yet it's because I have lived throught a lot of it!!!!

I have a lot of reading to do here I see.

I haven't exercised since last Thursday and food was so so. As I mentioned - my SIL came through with not so good tasting food so I didn't eat much!!! Which was a good thing for me - NOT everyone else, but I was okay with it.

Well, I had better get ready for work tomorrow and Desperate Housewives.

I am so ecstatic today ... after visiting the dietician I know I have now lost 39.2 lbs (or 17.8 kg) which takes me past the 10% mark - woohoo! It seems like its taken me such a long time to get there, but when I look back, I have lost 4.8 lbs of that since I've been on this forum - and I only joined during this month

I can't wait until I get to the 20 kg mark ... its only 2.2 kgs ( around 5 lbs ) away for me now

Good early morning.
Been up all night trying to figure out how to make a sight for you to see some photos.
Making progress.

Leanne... congrats on the SUPER weight loss. I am sooo proud of you.

Lucky... Desperate Housewives.... LOVE IT.
I knew that was the housewife that would get killed this week. They need all of the young ones. LOL Us "old" ladies are always the first to go. LOL

Andria.. don't push yourself too hard .. to soon. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

BarbPA ... sounds like your new Media Room will be great.
Good idea to make sure you can have your exercise equipment close to the tv.

Gail.. just remember what the boy/girl scouts would say about the Spring Fling....
Always BE PREPARED.
Just put back $10 a week if you can. So in 20 weeks you would have $200 saved up.
Thinthinker puts her change in a jar and that adds up quickly.
If for some reason you can't come... then you are still $200 ahead.

Barbg... Isn't it great when your clothes are getting TOO BIG !!!
And having others notice your loss.... can't get much better.
Stay focused Barb... I know you can reach your Spring Fling goal.

Chris... always good to see you posting.
Yes.. we all have different family situations... but learning how to make the best of them is what recovery is all about. Sometimes we need to let go of the past... other times it is dealing with the present... and other times it is NOT predicting the future.

gmalil / Joyce .... I too am looking forward to the new challenge in Dec.
I did okay with the Turkey Day challenge... but have blown it since the day after.
I do GREAT on the big day... then suck the rest of the weekend. Grrr
I am glad I get to make a frest start on Dec 1st.
Yes... I know... don't wait until the 1st.... DO IT TODAY !!!!

On to another topic ... We got our outside lights up and going.
I got about 75-80% of the inside decorations up too. Well.. my dear daughter did.
Bless her heart... she is ALWAYS sooooo good to me.
She was the one who did most of the work on my Xmas Cards I sent everyone.
I came up with the ideas, the words, the photo ... then she figured out how to get it done.
I was surprised no one mentioned the card or the photo. No big deal... just surprised.

NOTICE !!! ... Everyone has a 24 hour notice to get their count in for the Turkey Challenge. As of today... Barbg is in the lead with 76 points. WAY TO GO BARBARA !!!!!
I need to know if anyone else can beat her numbers. ??? I have heard from several of you ... but not all. I will officially end that contest Monday night. We will then start anew on Dec 1st with the next challenge. Hopefully everyone will have theirs by Wed.
I will be posting a new thread for the Christmas Challenge on Wed.
Be watching for it. It will try to cover anything I missed and give more details.
I can't wait... I am really looking forward to starting this new one... with new bonuses.