God Bless America!

[B]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!
__________________

Yep Kat....back to normal!! Last minute Michelle is my nickname...wait..that was my ex-husbands nickname for me....I think we'll get rid of that one! I am a procrastinator though!! I do my best work under pressure! I had 3 weeks to do one exam and I still haven't finished it all yet. I did finish my second one tonight. Tomorrow I will finish the first one and start on the paper. I am beat now! Had a busy day! I still need to finish up the film so I can have it developed and get my cards out. I cleaned off the counters and table today in the kitchen so I can take pics for my mom and dad to see, I already did the livingroom...I WILL get my cards out this week! I promise! Its that dang job getting in my way...I'm thinking I should have not taken this job and kept the unemployment until after the first of the year! Oh well...I love my job so far so maybe its a good thing.

OK...I babbled enough for now...I'll be back at some point tomorrow to try and catch up with you all!

TTFN Michelle

Michelle ... thanks for starting the new thread. For someone as busy as you, I really appreciate you taking that extra time. You sound like you are just too2busy.

As most of you know from the last thread... I have company. I should be in bed but we put an old Rock Hudson and Doris Day movie in called "Lover Come Back" and I fell asleep in it. I woke up at the end... and was all alone. My sister went to bed. Well ... that nap was just enough to get me in here. LOL I put my sister in the other bedroom because I have this one such a MESS !!!

Our visit is going good. Remember me telling you how I dropped her cake. Well .. I salvaged the part I caught. So I sloppily frosted what was left and we stuck some candles on it. I wanted to use it even though it looked BAD because my granddaughters made it. My sister was very happy with it. It is the first birthday cake she has had in like 15 years.

Anyway.. I am going to do some replys now.

MaryB... I would AVOID all concerts on that date FOREVER. I am so glad you were not involved in that accident.
Thanks for the info about heartburn. I do not suffer with it.. but my husband does. Well.. come to think of it.. he hasn't either since doing low carb.
Glad you had such a nice day with your daughter and neice.

Susie... I am sooo PROUD of you. 4 days in a row. That is more like the Susie I knew way back when. I am happy you are back.

BarbPA ... Don't ever apologize about talking about you and running.
I LOVE it when you talk about YOU. Sometimes I think we worry too much about repling to every little thing said. It is nice.. ..I agree... but certainly not neccessary. Tell us all about your Holiday Party !!!

Barbg... I got your Christmas card today !!! I LOVE YOUR NEW HAIRDO !!!!
I think it makes you look younger too.
I also LOVE hearing you talk about your health club. I truly "feel" the goodvibes you feel. : It makes me want to get back to swimming too.

Skittles... "What goes on inside my head every day"... yes, I can certainly relate to that. LOL I can think myself to death. LOL That is why I like to fall asleep with the tv. It stops me from thinking.
I would love for you to post a picture of your quilts you are making on the picture thread.

Thin... glad you made it home safe and sound. I think we were all hoping you would bring one of those COWBOYS home with you. Gotta love em.

Joyce... glad you enjoyed your experience at Curves. I have one less than 2 miles from my house. I am just so afraid to go. I can barely stand any length of time. Even getting up from a chair requires me time before I can walk. Keep me updated.

Gail... I appreciate you and everyone else who is soooo busy ... yet still take time to post. It takes a commitment from all of us to keep this thread active.
Thank you.

CD.... I am sorry to hear about your breakup with your boyfriend. {{HUGS}}
I know it will be hard some days... but hang in there. Life does get better.

Kat... I think you were a fly by. LOL Is your daughter home for Christmas break yet?

Andria, Leanne, Angela ... I think I have replied to your posts already.
If I missed something... sorry.

Okay... if I missed anyone from the last thread... sorry to you too. I tried to get everyone. My next post will be all about ME and no replys. LOL

Chris.. That was sad about your friends anniversary of his family's car wreck. We never know how long we have. I am always saying to be grateful for each day you have. I loved the song you chose to start a singalong... but figured we should finish the other first. But if we don't get anymore response on this song... we will go back to yours.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Help to make the season bright ....

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

2 cute, what a good grandma you are!! salvaging the cake your granddaughters made! theymust have been very proud. I'm glad you are having a good visit with your sis, TREASURE your time together. I lost one of mine to Cancer 2 years ago.
I did enjoy my Curves workout! I too am apprehensive about getting on and of the machines, i will just make sure noone is right behind me to begin with. ALSO I can't stand a long while, but that doesn't matter with this workout.
I have to get their schedule 'in my head'! I didn't think about them being open on Saturday..just had MWF in my head a s my goal. i got up yesterday early for a Red hatters PJ breakfast party at a local restaurant. was lots of fun! but when I came home, my sil was leaving and told me she was going to Curves...I should have hopped in her car and gone with her, but didn't want to go in my purple bathrobe!
I did win a prize at breakfast for the most Xmas-y hat!
I am realizing that I was already talking myself out of going to Curbves Monday morning. I have to have a dental crown prep at 11, and have PT for my shoulder at 8.. but have decided that I can go straight from PT to Curves and still have time to get home and freshen up and get back to the dentist on time. Will probably be a real good thing! i am dreading the dentist!! I hate having to get the impressions done. the workout might take care of my nervous energy!

i have Xmas cards and pictures all ready on my table, just have to sit down and get them addessed and sent. sooon!

I still have to get some packages wrapped and mailed! must do that this week for sure!

OOPS! time is flying...must get ready for church!

I simply haven't had the time to post lately. Trying to get everything done before we leave on Thursday:shopping, decorating, cleaning, (hah!) packing, (well, thinking about packing, anyway) Gotta work on that one today, seeing as I'll be working tonight and the two nights after that.

This holiday season is just whizzing by...I'd like to say I'm going to get my cards out, but it probably won't be before Christmas! I was thinking of working on them on the plane. We're having family pictures taken in California, so I could possibly send them from there. And, speaking of cards...did I miss out on the list? Miss Moderator? Anyone?

Another reason I haven't been around is that I just haven't 'felt the love' lately. Since the drama of a week ago. That nobody's supposed to talk about. That seems to hang over this thread like a dark cloud. Lots of people reading, not as many posting. I'm not sure how to go about getting back to where we were, in a seemingly happier place, but I hope we can find our way. I've been posting here for three years now. I've made friends with, even MET some GREAT people, shared things that I don't share with just anybody. This board is a part of my life. I don't want to lose that.

Anyway...I just felt the need to get that off my chest.

So, yeah. Back to basics. Making a list. Checking it twice. Probably been much naughtier than I've been nice! Going to try and salvage what's left of the Christmas Challenge. Didn't weigh in this week due to <close your eyes, Tony> TOM. I will weigh in before I leave. I need to at least NOT GAIN while I'm gone, though stress eating may be a factor, staying with in laws!

Gotta run, I have half a Christmas tree decorated. Must get more hooks. where the heck to they all go?

Have fun with what's left of the weekend!

13 days til Christmas!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright ....
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.....

This is just a drive-by as well. Still trying to get back on track. Only half of the decorations are up. No shopping is done. YIKES! Whose great idea was it to go on vacation in DECEMBER???? Oh well. I'll do the best I can.

Katrina: I'm soooo bad. I sent out all the lists on November 25th. Unfortuneately, I addressed your PM to Katrina, not Katrinabgood. Oops. You should have it in your hot little hands now, I just resent it. Sorry!

Gotta run. I have two Target's to do today. Then on to decorating another tree and dinner at a local steakhouse. See you all later. Love ya bunches!

Hey Everyone!
We are back home and exhausted. The party was a great time last night. We met up with a dear friend and her hubby and sat with them at the party. Drank way too much wine . Didn't overdo it on the food. The Idol contest was great. They had 8 people perform and we had little voting remotes. The winner was a you guy that played keyboard and sang "Tiny Dancer". He was great and won $2500. After dinner we mingled with friends and danced the night away. At first I didn't want to get on the dance floor but then thought "what the ****, why I am sitting here?". So I got out there and had a blast with my friends! We got to bed about 1am. I didn't sleep well because of this horrible cough. It's not too bad during the day, but the minute I lay down it gets bad. This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and just got home.

I am planning on going to get some new outside lights and redoing one section --- I apparently have one bad strand it keeps blowing out all the lights. So, I am pulling them all down and starting over! Grrrr..... so frustrating, but I want my lights up!

Tonight's TV has me very torn.....EAGLES and SURVIVOR! Hmmmm....I think we are watching the Eagles and taping Survivor.

Well, off I go!
Hugs to all!
Barb

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright ....
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.....
And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,

Sorry I haven't been around to post - I am so deeply into my thesis it's all I can think about. I am extremely stressed, not eating right, yesterday was the first time I exercised in about 4 days, I am drinking the water and journalling, but its just not good enough. Just feeling disgusted with myself at the moment, and feeling like my thesis is a lost cause etc. Sorry to be a downer.

WOW !!! It was great coming here this afternoon and finding so many new posts. My sister just left. We had a nice visit... I hope she feels the same way. :crosssed:
We were both in a lot of pain today... we must be going to get a change in the weather.
It was almost commical wathcing us trying to stand and walk. WE BOTH hurt so bad we could only stand. LOL We both are in need of losing a LOT of weight. Her less than me.... but she too is immobile due to her weight.

BarbPA... your evening sounds WONDERFUL !!! Dancing..... oh how I used to love to dance. I wish I never gave it up for my husband. He HATED dancing. I am sooooo PROUD of you for getting out there and enjoying life. I regret not doing that more. I regret I allow my husband to influence me so much. I am not the person he married. I have become someone that is not me. Does that make any sense?
Anyway... thanks for letting me live vicariously through you.

Joyce. My sister has cancer too. Well now she is in remission, but she has lived through three reoccurences of cancer plus mulitple other complications due to the cures.
I remember your photo in your RED HAT. I think of you everytime I see something that applys to that group... and that is OFTEN. You find it everywhere.
I agree... I too hate getting impressions made for a crown. I am sure a workout at curves will help.

Kat ... I don't feel a dark cloud at all anymore. I have learned from my mistakes and have happily moved on. I feel lots of love in here still. I think it is slow here as much because of the busy Christmas holidays as anything. We are all busy. I will be MIA some this next week because I have NOT bought a single gift yet. I am running out of time.
Join in the sing along and it will hopefully help lift your spirits in here. Sounds like you are going to have a GREAT CHRISTMAS !!

Thin.... you may have to cut back somewhere on your Christmas decorations. You are such a busy gal. You need Santa helpers to help you get everything done.
Enjoy that dinner tonight. PS... I hear you got your first snow.

Leanne... I hope you get your thesis done soon. I hate to see you so stressed.
I am very disappointed in myself too. I am having to "fake it till I make it" to keep me from throwing in the towel. I do soooooooo GREAT for 10 days... then blow it right before weigh in every time. Grrrr Two days ago I could not wait for weigh in... today... a whole different story.

Well ... I said I was not going to do replies again... but I was soo happy to see the posters I just had to share my JOY. LOL

Thought I might as well finish up this song and let Chris or someone get a new one started.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright ....
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow ..
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.....
And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Chrismas to you

Leanne I hear you loud and clear! I have been eating out of control the past 4 days too! Maybe because I have been procrastinating with my 2 final exams and the paper I have to write all before midnight tonight! Stupid me huh????

I did finally finish both exams now I just have the paper to write! So off I go to do that now!

TTFN Michelle

I'M BAAAACK~!! You'all, thats a yankee y'all, are gonna be sorry now! LOL

I finished both exams AND my paper, which was about Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Can you tell it was a Business Ethics class? And the other one was Religion and Philosphy! Kinda like history...sucks for me! History and I don't get along at all! I will probably end up with a C in that class!! Whatever it takes to get a passing grade, C is passing!

OK I need to go pay attention to John now, he has been home for a couple of hours now and had to go get his own dinner! Talk at you later!

Love you guys, hope more of you come out and POST so I have something to read now that I have all this time on my hands!

TTFN Michelle

hi all
good morning i HATE MONDAYtried to talk DH into it being Sunday and since we had are coffee we could go back to bed and nobody would know and maybe we could talk everyone in to believing that it is Sunday for some reason he did not think it would work and that the kids on my bus would most likely love the idea but the parents wouldn't go for it ..................don't know WHY ( as i pout)
OH well Dh is off to work and i am getting ready to call my 15 year old so she can get ready for school . I don't know why i am not more ready for this week just don't want to do anything still have to but up the Christmas tree have not done any baking and just don't feel like doing any i am tired for shopping but i am looking forward to Christmas brake from work we have a full week off plus 1 day YHAaaaaaaaaa . I think some of my depression is due to the fact that i have missed my ww meetings so much lately oh well hope that my week goes better and maybe after i get going i will start feeling more UP if you know what i mean well i am babbling and i have to go get the kid up or i will be late (OH WELL) Sorry for being so negitive this morning

Hello all,

Happy Monday to ya'll. I'm in a good mood today. The person I picked from the first episode of the season won Survivor. In fact the two people I picked were the final two. I was sooo happy.

Anyway, it is motivational monday. So Everyone get up and get moving. Let's do the Can Can. We are women, we can do anything. (oops Sorry Tony) We are Women and Man,
WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE SET OUR MINDS TO!
WE CAN ACCOMPLISH OUR WEIGHT GOALS!
WE CAN MEET OUR EXERCISE GOALS!
WE CAN CONTROL WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR MOUTHS!
WE CAN DRINK OUR WATER FOR THE DAY!

I CAN YOU CAN WE ALL CAN CAN!




BarbG, You are already a member of club mom and didn't know it, You must be Sleep Surfing.

Mary, No Complaining, you're going to have a week and a day off. Just keep looking forward to that.

Everyone else, don't have much time to post must get ready for work. Sorry

Also, has anyone heard of the group TOPS. It is an organization for weight loss. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

tata, Get Moving,
Skitt

Good morning ladies,

Its weigh-in day for the 2x2 challenge. Don't forget to weigh-in and get started on the next challenge.

I propose that the next 2x2 be a 2x3 and end on 1/3/05. That gives everyone an extra week to recover from Christmas eating.

I also propose that this group make a commitment to losing a collective 300 pounds in 2005. There are the 2x2's and 2Cutes monthly challenges to help everyone stay focused. I personally am tired of hanging out in plateaus for so long. I've lost 11 pounds this year and had wanted it to be more. Must not have wanted it enough.

As far as motivation Monday, Skit said it all.

Terri, I think that the 2x3 is a perfect idea! I agree totally about the plateaus!!! I have been hovering between 291 and 288 for several months, but I am HAPPY to report that I met the 2x2 challages, and now weigh in at 286!!!

I have a busy week coming up, A big annual bunco party tonight, a church dinner at my house tomorrow (I might add that I have a stopped up sink and waiting for the plumber) A party Wednesday, that I'm debating about wheter or not to go to, a cookie swap Saturday and a family Christmas party Saturday afternoon. So help keep me motivated everyone!!!