Actually, I have so much catching up to do, I'm just going to start the thread and then go back and read... I'll report my 2-week challenge, which is a 1/2 pound loss. Not too bad, I guess, for having been completely AWOL.

Hey gang... Gosh it's getting late... So I'll try to be concise. I didn't exercise at all last week, and I didn't keep track of my food. I didn't gain anything, though, so even though I lost a week's time, I feel a little gratified in thinking that perhaps my habits are actually changing.

Unfortunately I'm also sick, sick, sick. Saturday a.m. I was awakened by this incredible noise in my ear, like a jet plane taking off inside my head. Turns out the tube the doctor put in there to allow me to hear after months of being blocked earlier in the year dislodged itself and was rattling around in my ear canal. The doc was, of course, out of town, and told me to come in Monday a.m. Luckily on Sunday the tube came out of its own accord. Meanwhile, however, I've developed flu or bronchitis or something--a dreadful cough that just won't stop.

At least I didn't get sick until after Thanksgiving. The guy I'm crazy for (I need to give him an acronym... he's not a bf, since we're officially Not Dating Right Now, but I don't just want to call him my friend, cause, you know, Dating or not, I'm crazy about him... anyone have a suggestion?) Anyway, The Dude of My Dreams invited me to go with him to some friends' house for T. dinner. I didn't eat the rest of the day, and I was moderate at dinner, but had a little of everything (except the chocolates, but including the champagne). So I was a pretty good chickie, except for not exercising all week or really keeping track of food.

Today is OP so far, eating-wise, and I'll see if I can make myself exercise when I get home.

Leanne--Great job, hippy! Sorry I fell out of touch.

Gail--Your trip sounds great. It has rained here every day for a week, I think. I really envy you.

cd--Hey, you know, I've been either a college student (mostly part-time while I worked full-time) or a college prof for, oh, gosh, like, almost 20 years now. (Sheesh, I'm old.) One thing I've found is that there's always a minor crisis--exams, papers, whatever the next deadline is--and I finally had to tell myself I had to find a way to do those things AND take care of myself. I KNOW you're actually doing that, but you just sounded like maybe you needed a little pep talk.

Thin--You did the right thing to report that driver. Glad you weren't hurt.

Andria--Take care... I'm thinking of you and those granny squares.

I've been doing so poorly ;( My friends begged and begged me to go to this Pizza Buffet today, and I really refused until the last minute where I gave in. I really wish I hadn't. I feel horrible (physically) and it was a waste of money. I really don't think I ever want to eat pizza again, I just have to remember how horrible it always makes me feel - especially after eating healthy foods for so long. I didn't work out tonight yet again because I'm feeling so horrible (not to be gross, but I'm almost certain I'd puke if I did).

I just have to remember times like this! My will was so strong until I realized I didn't really have any food to eat so I got lazy. If I can remember how horrible it makes me feel physically I should be able to not to do it. I mean at work I always go to the same smoothie place and buy the same yummy Ceaser with no dressing. I love it love it love it, I could live on it I swear - yet I still give in to unhealthy foods I don't like all that much. Oh well, I'll learn.

Andria - I'm glad you're doing well, and I think its great you're making a blanket/quilt. I remember my grandmother made all of us quilts a while back and we loved them to death, but they got ruined and she was too tired to make new ones Saddened us greatly.

Lucky - I think we all need pep talks! I will be as peppy talky as possible, because I need it as well! Team work!

Thin- I'm glad you're okay! Sorry to hear about the accident Hope it all gets settled nicely on your behalf.

Mary - Congrats! I can't wait for that day where I can fit a smaller pair of jeans Hoping and praying !

Kat - I wish I could put up christmas lights outside! Thats the main thing I miss about living at my parents, is putting up decorations outside. Here at an apartment about all I can do is put something on our door

Gail - congrats on staying on track!

Michelle - a fresh tree! Oh man, you people and your great christmas adventures I don't get any snow, We don't have any nearby fresh trees (probably not within 1-2 hour driving time, I don't have a house to decorate the outside of Just make sure you're all greatful you do! I miss it!

Angela - I hope you feel better! Really, I've never let exams affect me this way, I've never been stressed like this - but these exams do determine whether I am expelled or not, so they're very detrimental. But I'm trying I've actually worked out and dealt with my weight more than I've dealt with homework and studying - which is why I'm so paniced now

Well I hope thats everyone, thats all I remember, and if I missed you I apologize :P I love you all, and I hope you all have a great day tomorrow staying on track.

I'm posting early this morning--I woke up at 4:30am with an awful cramp in my leg. So, I've given up on sleeping--its 5:45am. Now I've gotten rid of the cramp (by walking around in the house) and here I am.

2cute, thanks for the Christmas Challenge chart (cute!) and the Christmas card with your picture! It is so nice to put a face with a name. You've put so much work into the challenge--you're so creative. This is just what I need (the Christmas Challenge) to get to the first of the year when I officially join WW again (I'm waiting for their January special of no registration fee). I can't wait to get started. In fact, TODAY will be a "pre-Christmas Challenge day".

Thin, I'm really sorry to hear about your accident--so glad you were not hurt. You did the right thing by calling the accident in to the police...but of course, you know that.

LuckyLadyBug, I'll give you all the pep talks you need!

Andria, for 24 days I've promised myself to stay on track no matter what. I want to end the year on a positive note where my weight is concerned.

Angela, congratulations on the 1/2 lb. lost! Delaware has had a lot of rain in the past year and I hope its not a sign that we're in for a wet and snowy winter. I wouldn't mind the snow so much if I didn't have to drive in to go to work--I'd be happy sitting home and knitting. Possible acronym for the guy you're crazy about: DMD (dude of my dreams). You say y'all are not dating; however, it sounded like y'all just had a date! Good job on the eating...but gosh...now you're sick?! I haven't been posting here long so I'm in a perpetual state of "catch-up" and it sounds like you've had a terrible time of it with your ears. I hope you're feeling better today and I hope the doctor can do something for your ears also. If you don't mind me asking--what do you teach?

cd, but pizza can be a healthy food! But I really don't like eating at buffets--way too much temptation! And my college's Christmas staff luncheon will be a buffet on the 14th. Thankfully, its a small buffet. A very very very small buffet: soup, garden salad, three sides, and a chef to stir fry pasta, veggie, and meat/seafood in a your choice of sauce (marinara or alfredo), and I can choose fruit salad instead of the yummier cakes and pies. Its going to be challenge though. Perhaps the Christmas Challenge will help keep us both under control!!

Its a little after 6:00am so I guess I'll jump in the shower and start my day... It should be another "fun-filled, action-packed" day at the office today. Tonight is my knitting class--I'll be finishing up my felted tote project. I'm eager to see how this thing turns out because I think the straps I knitted are too short.

I've noticed the ticker factory has some Christmas tickers now. I need to change mine and I will for the Christmas Challenge.

Good morning Chickie Poos!!

Gail - how about for that Christmas Luncheon at work you save all of your 35 flex points for that just in case you have a weak moment? That way you will still be on program and can enjoy yourself at the same time. Use your allotted points for your meal for the day and then your flex points to enjoy the rest!! Sometimes I will even have a very small point breakfast and use some of those left over breakfast points too! Did that make sense? I usually allow myself 8 pts per meal and two 4 pt snacks. On the days of a party I would eat maybe a 5 pt breakfast and add those extra 3 pts to my lunch for 11 pts and then start ticking away at my flex points so I can still enjoy the meal and not feel deprived. Sounds like you have some good choices though, chose a broth soup and the marinara, I know you know that and its so easy to say it but when its right there in front of you>>>>>>>>>

CD - decorate the inside of your apartment for the holidays. Get a small tree to put in your room, I got a table top tree with the fiber optic lights and put it in Andrew's room, get a wreath for your door, and if you have a window get a small strand of lights to put around it. Make it festive and get yourself in the holiday mood, its great for lifting your spirits and lifted spirits help you succeed! We can all succeed in this journey! And on another note...I know how you feel after eating at a buffet that you really didn't want to....its hard to control it when its in front of you like that....when I lost the 97 lbs before I got pregnant with Andrew I allowed myself to eat anything I wanted after I weighed in on Thursday nights, mcdonalds, chinese food, pizza etc etc etc. The funny thing is the mcdonalds made me sick and the one thing I kept going back to was the steamed shrimp and vegetables at the chinese restaurant next door to WW. My taste buds changed...I just wish they would do that again now!! I'm finding it so hard to lose this time around! Its just so slow!!

Angela....hope the doctor was able to help you out there! That noise must have given you a headache??

Thin - glad you weren't hurt! Its quite an experience being in an auto accident! I had one in my life where the girl hit me because she was trying to go around a bunch of cars that were letting me out of a parking lot. She didn't run though....but we had to go to court...in PA they have points on their licenses and she must have had a few because she had an attorney. My car got fixed and her insurance paid for it and I didn't have any medical expenses so I let them give her a lessor fine. She was on her way to pick up her daughter at school and didn't want to be late! I hope they find the girl that hit you...did you get a license plate number?

Well ladies, I must get my hiney off of here because I have to jump in the shower! I have a job interview this morning at 9:45...so keep your fingers crossed! Its down by my sister's house about 15 miles from here! I'm not sure if I want it or not..I was kinda hoping for unemployment to come through and working under the table for my realtor friend! But the ad said bonuses and great benefits so I will check it out. Maybe I won't get it and won't have to worry about it!

Babble babble babble! I'm getting good at that lately huh? Rest assured...I will be back!!

TTFN Michelle

Good morning ladies!

I finally have my laptop back and its functional. It doesn't look the same as when it left so I have to reload stuff. It almost seems like a different version of XP. The geek was here at 7 pm for a "dropoff" but he couldn't get the internet to work. I kept asking if he wanted me to go down and reset the wireless router. No, that shouldn't be a problem. Oh, okay, but its what I have to do sometimes. I finally went down and turned on the computer downstairs and that PC wasn't getting internet either. So he comes down to reset the router. It still wouldn't work and I finally had to say, take the check and I'll make it work later. I was tired and cranky. I had worked until 6 and had to stop by the store. I really wanted to say, stop putzing around since you don't know what you're doing and get out of my house. But I was nice. Its working this morning so it was just the cable service. Like I tried to say.

It is not nice being back at work yesterday. The boss informed us that we have to have our areas staffed until a minimum of 5 pm to answer auditor questions and if the auditors are working until 8 pm or later, we're to be there. At least through Christmas. Sorry but I have a life to live. And so do my staff. I'll be in trouble before the year is out.

We're getting the silent treatment from the MIL. She and DH had gotten into another small argument on the phone on Friday when he tried to explain the financial jeopardy her youngest son has placed her in. He purchased a $30,000 truck in her name, on her credit, and didn't explain to her what he was doing. She just signed papers she didn't know what she was signing. We've been trying to explain how he's dinging her credit by not making payments timely and that if he doesn't pay, she does. DH also tried to explain that the lender and the insurance company can consider it fraud since she doesn't have a driver's license and he's using it for a business. She just gets mad at DH and acts stupid. She actually told him that she doesn't trust that he wouldn't do the same thing to her if he didn't have me. He's afraid to let her silence go too long because what if she dies? What a pain in the ***.

We have a dusting of snow this morning. Should make the morning commute a treat. And more snow coming. I'll probably be snowblowing tonight in the dark. I need to tell the neighbor how to get to the snowblower.

Thin - I'm glad you were not hurt. That sucks about her driving away. Did you have her license number? The lady that backed into me is denying it and turned a claim in on my insurance. And told her agent not to turn my claim in. I'm now letting State Farm fight for me. What a bit%%. What is it with people?

Lucky - Enough said!

2Cute - Love the pic. I'll do my best on the challenge but work will make it a struggle.

Kat - I do so much better when I'm back in my work routine. I get so lazy when I'm at home. I prefer online shopping too!

I've done my weights and stability ball work this morning. I'll have to do my cardio work tonight while I watch TV. My goal is to earn a min of 5 activity points a day this week.

Have a great day!

Hello Ladies

Well, Let's see I will start with the bad news. The bad news is, I didn't make the 2X2 Challenge. It's not even worth me reporting my Turkey Challenge points. I had about 12. I know I was very bad. But I have received my Christmas Challenge in the mail and am ready to start fresh tomorrow.

The weird news is, I ate my tooth. I had had a root canal and they put in a temporary filling. And I wasn't able to go back cause I had the surgery this year and couldn't afford it. Well, the filling fell out and I was eating something and when I swallowed I noticed that the back half of my tooth was gone. So I am off to the denist today, which I should have been off a couple of months ago to get the cap done. But I forgot all about it.

Now for the good news, which to me is really great news. My hubby and I are buying a house. Sunday we drafted an offer, yesterday they countered, to our advantage even, and we put down the earnest money last night. We close before Christmas. Merry Christmas to us. This is our first house. So we are soooooo excited. I just can't wait. I can't wait to get away from our neighbors too. This is going to be awesome. So keep your fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong.

Woo Hoo!!!
I'm buying a house! I'm buying a
H.O.U.S.E.!!

I can taste the rainbow! I'm just a little excited.

Thin, Sorry about your accident, glad that you are ok though.

Michelle, Good Luck on your job interview.

CD, I noticed that I really can't do buffets anymore, I just can't eat that much in one sitting to make it worth paying for. I am very glad about that.

Mary, Way to go with the Smaller Jeans, You Rock!!

Chris, I like what you said about family and holidays you are sooo right.

2Cute, I got the challenge, and you are just 2 Cute!

Terri, 2X2, it's just so much easier to type

Well gotta go to work. Everyone Have a wonderful day. My tip for today is.

Take time for yourself. Even if it is just 5 minutes out of your busy day. Take time to focus on what you want, write it down, and breathe. Let in some good energy and wash out the negative stuff.

Love ya'll
Skitt

Well I have semi-good news My mom made appointments for checkups (eyes, blood tests, physical). I'm excited because I'll finally be able to see my weight since I started this website. 360 is what I weighed around June/July (I have the exact date somewhere). I'm really hoping for some kind of loss. The only thing is that I'm worried about the doctor's reaction. The last time I went to the doctor's I was (from what I recall) around 326 or so and that was my highest... so even if I'm down 10 pounds from my real highest (360) to them it'll look like I've gained 30+ and haven't done anything to help myself. I guess I could just tell them right? I'm afraid that it will make me feel upset and unmotivated if after seeing weightloss they just see a huge amount of weightgain and comment on it.

Well anyway, that will happen December 20th, so my goal is to do even more and do awesomely until then so I can have absolute confidence in losing even at least one pound (hopefully more!).

Gail - I feel the same way about buffets! I hate hate hate them. This place is solely a pizza buffet (well theres a little salad bar, but its horrible).. and I hate going because all you do is gorge on pizza. I know it can be healthy but they don't really have healthy kinds there. I had spinach pizza, bbq sauce pizza, and a few others. Oh well - I just know I'm not going to do it again. Anything that causes me physical pain I'm determined to eliminate out of my diet - I started with Bacon bits (soy) and I think I can do pizza

Michelle - I'm definitely in the holiday mood! My room mates and I have been playing Christmas music constantly (one of our local stations has an online website that's playing xmas music 24/7) We plan on decorating the inside of our house - want a real tree (though we're worried about the cat trashing it), and we're gonna put a wreath on the door :P I guess I just miss putting up lights on my parents' fence and house because I was the only one who did it I guess we can do a lot more at the apartment than I'm thinking of.. thanks for the suggestions! I think my tastebuds have changed, I really don't find myself aching for fastfood, pizza, fried chicken, etc like I used to.

Terri - Sounds like you've got a mix of good and bad news! Glad your laptop is working, hope things with your MIL work out (I can understand the fear of silence when death could be looming nearby), and congrats on sticking on track!


Skittles - CONGRATS! My sister and her hubby (and many other relatives) have been trying to get their own homes for some time now, I know how much of a struggle it can be! Thats awesome news.. I can't wait till I can afford my own home and decorate it and do nearly anything as I please

Alright, back to my work!

Tuesday Tip - I recently wrote about this in my journal - forget what everyone says about only losing for yourself! Lose for yourself FIRST and foremost and most importantly, but after that - lose for whatever you wish!!!

I am doing this for myself, I want to be healthy and happy and sexy and so on, but you know what.. I also want to make my family proud, my friends and co-workers astonished, past bullies and crushes intoxicated - the list goes on! I don't care what the reasons are after you make sure it is definitely for yourself most importantly, so long as it is determination, motivation, and happiness that those reasons give you.

Congratulations Skittles on that new house! That is a fantastic Christmas present! Now...about that tooth...was it tasty?

determined to succeed, families...don't you just love 'em?! I've seen advertisements in my area about The Geek Squad? Do you recommend them?

Michelle, do I say good luck for that job interview? Sounds like you're not really all that sure about it...but perhaps it will be something you really want and if so then...GOOD LUCK! Thanks for the advice about the buffet--I'll certainly save those flex points if needed...and I do use them occasionally although I try not to.

Okay...time to work!

....ooops...I knew someone would come in here and post while I was typing away...

cd, I understand your nervousness going to the doctor because of your weight. Are you keeping a food journal? If you are then take it with you and sit down with your doctor and discuss your food plan. Then he/she will see that you are trying to lose weight and get healthy. Perhaps your doctor will have some good advice to give you concerning your food plan, exercise, etc. When you go for your appointment I'll send you positive vibes. That buffet sounds like CeCe's (sp?) in Virginia Beach. That restaurant is a pizza buffet restaurant and I tell you that is the worst pizza I've eaten in all my life and my father-in-law loves going there! And that salad bar! Just awful. But does that stop me from eating pizza there? Oh nooooo...

Gail - it is CiCi's I wasn't sure if they were nationwide or not! It is the worst isn't it! The only thing that gets me is the variety, where else can you find spinach pizza, bbq pizza, ranch dressing pizza!? ;P Those are my favorite kinds.

Andria Scoot over, is there room in your bed for me? Ole Alvin gave me his cold Just what I needed. I went to the club yesterday and walked with mom and sis then instead of doing my regular advanced WA class, I opted for the easier ABC (all body conditioning) It was a good water class, lots of stretching,core work, and balance work, but it didn't get my heart rate up. But I didn't feel like I could handle that. I went on to work and left about 2:30 and came home to bed. I'm not going to exercise today.

The loose waistband inspired me to put up my summer clothes and get out my winter ones.It should be against the law to have as many clothes as I do!!! But I'm a notorious pack rat and I haven't changed sizes for about 15 years, and I love to shop, so... (and there is still thoses clothes that almostfit that I keep holding on to...

Thin: sorry about your accident. glad your not hurt.

CD: Ohhhh to be young again... you've got your whole life ahead of you, I'm so proud of you wanting to take control of your health and weight while you are young. My DH & son's are Scrooges, and I almost never got to decorate the outside of my house, but once you opened the door, it was a different story.

Skittles: How fun.. A HOUSE!!! I'm excited for you!!!

MIchelle: Good/Bad luck on the interview! It might be just exactly what you want and need, or it may be a dud, but I hope it turns out to be the right thing for you, either way!

Whoooo I hit a wrong button and almost lost this whole post

Terri Here in Dallas, they are called Geeks on Call, and I've used them a couple of times, but not really impressed with them. Of course they are better than I could do, or I wouldn't have called them in the first place

Everyone else Have a great day, and get ready for the Christmas challange. I've got to go to the grocery store tonight to sstock up on OP food! Also I've gotta get busy hunting Santa to keep everyone in line for the challange!

THAT'S IT! cd, I didn't know that place was a chain! Then I know exactly what you're talking about! I swear my fil loooooves that place and I told my hubby last Friday when we were on our way to his house that was the one place I didn't want to eat dinner that night! We ended up at the Golden Corral instead...which is another buffet. What is it with my fil and these buffets?!

Good mornin' Barb.g! I love your pictures! Is there a specific website you use?

GailR No, there is no specific website I use, I'm totally addicted to looking for new and different site and pictures. One day I hope to learn to make my own, but in the meantime I just have to use the ones I can. The only thing is I have to be careful not to snag copyrighted ones, or to direct link to any of their sites, I like to stay out of trouble whenever I can!!!

My favorites are the signature sites that let you pick the signatures yo want and then add the name or colors etc you want.

Quick Hi to you all. I miss posting again. But life with Evan and Alexis has been wow busy....I can't believe it. Now I am on my way out the door again to take Evan to counciling. Then bball practice for Alexis, then then then....gosh is there no end?

I did get my mail from 2-Cute and I was so happy. Thanks...

I also got my snail mail from Thin and I smiled when I saw the map. Even hubby did.

I am glad you were not hurt in the accident Thin, I hope you got the plate number like Michelle said. I hate uninsured drivers!!!

Hugs to everyone and sorry I don't have time for better replys.