Welcome all to a thread full of wonderful women taking on the responsibilty of raising a family and trying to take care of themselves too. We look forward to a new day with members, new and old! Please feel free to jump right in and say hello!

Here is a little bit about who we are ...


MichelleRae: Michelle sahm to Taylor 8-25-01 & Teagan 10-13-03 Married 2 years to Zhaun. Plan I'm following is a combined WW and South Beach Diet.

Spryng: 24 y.o. married 6 years. Kids- Ava 4, Bubba (aka Joseph) 3 & Tanner 1. Currently on ww, hit goal in April.

Mompen: Penny 24 y.o. Happily Married & SAHM Momma to three active boys, Hunter 5, Nicholas 4 & Andrew 19 mo. Taking what I learned from WW & South Beach is my way of life.

Sydsmom: Kristin SAHM to Sydney 09-27-01, married almost 2 years to wonderful dh Began Weight watchers mid-July

Cindi: Mom to 6 boys & 1 mean girl. Plan.. No diet for me! Portion control, exercise & lots of water (most days).

Chubba: Geri..Mom to two boys, Will (3) & Tony (1)..married for 4 years to a great guy..following Dr Phil most days!

Ricci sahm to two boys 4 and 5, married 7 years, doing ww

Jill: SAHM of 1 daughter, Bayley, born 9/19/03. Currently trying to lose some of the baby weight I gained with her & need some extra support to help me do so.

Melissa: SAHM of 1 girl (4) and 1 boy (2). Currently watching what I eat and exercising 4-5days a week.


Deana: SAHM of 3 boys and 1 girl. Counting calories, exercising, and drinking lots of water.

Chris: SAHM of Tiana, Kayla and Nicole: ages 11, 5, and 2. Married for 5 years. I live in Billings, Montana. I'm a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer and trying using WW Flexpoints to lose weight.

Gretchen: wife to Matt, Mom to Sean (15) and Jeremy (11). Just starting out with no diet plan except reduced calorie. I'm also a Curves lady!

Roxy: married (21yrs) 4 boys, and 6 girls, have to get serious after last baby. Doing the low-carb thing, drinking lots of water & more exercise.

Stephanie: sahm of 2 boys Timothy(7) and Jack(3) and a new baby girl, Ella(8 months).

(bobsgal) Stephanie: 27 yo SAHM to Brandon(2/18/98) & Kayla(10/20/00)Married to Bob(2/12/99) Work part-time at Home Depot. No specific plan- just exercising & watching what I eat

Morning ladies! I hope you don't mind that I started today's thread. Kids schools are 2 hours late this morning so I have a little time to do it.

Jeniqua - great to hear from you.

Tabitha - sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Nyquil? Ugh, I hate that stuff.

I will be taking Jeremy to school then heading off to Curves.

Thanks everyone for your advice re: my taxes. I think I will just take them somewhere like I always do and avoid the hassle. It's just too bad I wasted $40 on the stupid Taxcut software. Live and learn.

I hope everyone has a wonderful morning. Wish me luck in my weigh in.

Good Morning ladies!

Sorry I didn't get back here yesterday. Crazy day, as usual!

As far as the taxes go.....go to www.irs.gov click on the Free File, click the gray box "Start Now", go to Turbotax.com, click gray box "Leave IRS site" and create a used ID. It will walk you through each step and Federal filing is free to all tax filers! State will charge you or you can skip the state return and do it on paper. I've been doing our taxes all along and have about 6-8 other people that come to me to do theirs for them. That's why tax season gets me in even more of an uproar .

I can't wait to get our refund because we are getting the house reroofed, a couple windows fixed and the storms sealed good, I get to finish remodeling the bathroom and then pay for dh's hunting trip and maybe a vacation for me . I would be happy with a day trip to the casino and dh said I can take one, but my friend is planning on about 5 of us going somewhere with a beach and I keep thinking, "me in a swimsuit?!? talk about having the beach to ourselves after I scare everyone away ". If I'm going that far maybe I should get one of those bikinis with the thread up the butt???

Well today, dd has preschool, dh goes back to work and I have to go talk to the grocer about getting us good prices on the food stuff for our banquet on the 19th for Cub Scouts. Tomorrow is taking boys to Walmart for new shoes and stuff I need for the house. I have made it to Curves twice this week and plan to go this morning again! WI here on Mond, there next Friday.

Cindi: Sooooo glad you enjoyed your boxes, glad to help. Been there, done that so I understand completely. Enjoy!

Jen: Glad you are feeling better! Hope ds is okay today!

Michelle: Hope this scale stays dry !

Gretchen: on your WI today!

Mel: I feel so lazy when here you are going to the gym everyday, but I am soooo proud of you, you are doing awesome. Hope the doc can give you some answers and maybe find a solution to the stall.

Penny: Hope things are going great with Michelle! LUK

Kristin: Work with a cast?!? Are you nuts?

Tabitha: I know what you mean about the friend, seems like all the people I know only call when they want something. I quit answering the phone when they call!

Chris: Good job staying out of the candy!

Geri: Where are you? Hope everyone is well there!

Ricci: Hope RJ is getting better!

Jill: Wtg on your presentation!

Roxy: Congrat to dh on the PO job! Have fun at Walmart!

Sorry the personals are so short, dh is up, dd is whiney, and ds is tieing up the bathroom. I'm off to Curves very, very soon!

Will try to check in later.

Can someone please post a link or site for the article on Splenda. I use it all the time. Thanks!

TTYL

Good morning!

I trust everyone slept well last night? Thanks for starting the thread this morning Gretchen! Is it bad weather again for the school children by you? I'm sorry to hear that you lost $40! That stinks.
Some of you wanted a link for that article on Splenda that Michelle posted
here it is http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...566#post768566 it is very interesting! I didn't actually think it was natural however, I thought it was "safe" because they say pregnant/nursing women can use it and children. So? What's the truth????
I am down 1.5 pounds this week, so that's okay with me. I'm not a speed loser. I can live with that. Slow and steady.... I might be a little MIA this weekend because dh is starting that new job and we have to soundproof (yeah right!) and darken that room in a hurry! He starts Sunday night at 11:00. So we go to church, come home and eat and then he goes to bed and wakes up for work! I think this is really going to change our lives for a while. The post master said he is going to do everything possible in order to get him a full-time position asap. He means it too. they are short right now. So, maybe this won't be for very long I hope! I will get personal a little later when I have some little things under control. TTYL

~Roxy

I did want to tell you something exciting that happened to me yesterday. I can't imagine how I forgot to mention it. My vacuum cleaner caught on fire while I was using it! It started smoking and I could see orange sparks where the handle swith was! It sure stunk. It was probaly an act of defiance, thinking it was overworked or something!

Good Morning Girls!!

Well I hopped on my scale this morning and lo and behold it said 204.6...I got on and off about 10 times just to make sure LMAO!! I couldn't believe it but I'm not saying anything until Sunday! OMG I'm so close to onederland!! I can almost taste it!!

Is anyone willing to take my short survey on stem cell research? I need to conduct a survey for my paper for my research writing course, it would be really appreciated! Send me an email at [email protected] when you email me just remove the NOSPAM part thanks girls!

Mel are you working your butt off already? I can't wait to hear your weigh in!!

Deana, I can't wait to get our refund either isn't tax season fun? lol Next year we're planning a vacation to circus circus in Las Vegas but we aren't totally decided yet.

Roxy good morning lady! WTG on the 1.5 lbs down!! That's totally awesome!!! OMG I can't believe your vacuum caught on fire!!

Well ladies I need to make some charts for class I'll be back later!
Love to you all!!
Michelle

duh I knew I forgot someone....

Gretchen good luck on your weigh in I can't wait to hear!!

Okay where the heck is everyone!! I just finished my charts for my paper and thought there would at least be another new post but none....Get up girls!! Yooooo Hooooooo!!!!!

Hey ladies,
I am down 1 lb. this week. Roxy, I must not be a fast loser, either. Hey, it's all good.
OMG - your vacuum cleaner blew up?? Mine is overworked, for sure. German Shepherd fur really clogs up a vacuum.

Thanks for the article about Splenda. I think it's kind of unethical that they are marketing artificial sweeteners to children. Have you seen those commercials? Kids get enough junk without all that, too. I give my kids a diet soda once in awhile, but I don't think it's a good idea to think that anything processed should be part of a kid's regular diet. Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I really do try to give my guys healthy stuff. I know that weight problems and high cholesterol runs in both of our families, so they're doomed!

Deana - how was Curves today? The ladies at my Curves are always rearranging the place. Today they were hanging up stuff everywhere. It's like they get bored. LOL! You go girl on that bikini purchase! I think we should all post pictures of ourselves in our bathing suits at the end of the summer this year. We're gonna be hot!!!!!

Well, I'll check back with everyone tomorrow. I think we're going out to dinner tonight with the kids. Sean has a date tomorrow night. What a stud. LOL...

Okay, okay! I'll post something.
I went on that IRS site to see all about it and I have to say there are alot of choices in preparing and filing for free! I have my receipt for wallyworld and the taxcut but I am going to return it and pocket the difference. I will probably just mail in my state, since I don't get anything from them anyway. They can wait on me. I just want to get this overwith as soon as possible so ds#1 can apply for his financial aid for next school year asap. This makes life so much easier when it's done early. Well, that's as interesting as my like seems to be, except for the vacuum on fire, I don't really have anything going on. Now I have to buy another #@!*&^$#%
vacuum! Better get those taxes done! I have to go and get everyone, prettied up and smelling good so we can leave. Feed Marty (Mr. I'm nursing on borrowed time now that I have teeth!) and make sure I'm ready to fly, when my prince pulls in the driveway. TTYL probably later this evening! Have a great OP Day!

Hey there moms !!! When is mothers day? I need a break! LOL! I am so tired today, just worn. down I think. Dh is going to the hunting and fishing expo with his buddy tonight so me and dd are staying home for a girls night Should be nice. I am so excited, I don't have to work ALL WEEKEND! I am off until Monday! WHo-hoo! Remember how I had 3 birthdays in one week last month....umm. ssoo..yeah....we have 5 invitations for birthday parties in February....2 of them turning 4, and 2 of them turning 5 !!! I am going to go broke...and one turning 10...the 10 year old is the only boy too! I Am so sick of buying little girl toys, I am running out of ideas! LOL! I am making blankets for the family members though. Doing good on South Beach, just finished some cottage cheese. dh has lost 3 lbs already and I have only lost one....but tom is here in full force. I hate how fast men loose weight! GGrrr....The good ole ankle is doing alright. I am doing my exercises for it like a good girl. It is pretty painless as long as I keep the air cast on, its when I take it off (like I am suppose to for 2 hours a day) that I can't take it!
Well shoot, I intended to get personal, looks like G-ma is up early for lunch, need to get in there and see waht she wants. pudding, jello, oatmeal, cream of wheat, that is about all she eats now..and she doesn't get out of bed anymore, this is why I can still take care of her in my condition with the ankle fracture. Sorry to ramble on about my boring life! Hope everyone has a great day! I will be on later tonight at my own house (yay!) and maybe chat a little too after dd goes to bed! TTYL! Michelle, I would love to participate, just gotta wait til I get home!
TTYL !

Hi Gretchen!
Are you insane?????? Pictures of ourselves in bathing suits!!!!!??????
If I were to get on one of those dental floss jobbies... you all would think I'm naked. The strings would just disappear into the valleys that are my skin, I would look like a huge Shar Pei in a bikini! Wait a minute I'm getting a mental image...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HH! No! The world isn't ready for that. I am laughing though, I have to quit before I hurt myself! BBL

Hey Flyby from me. I am going out to the school to volunteer for a couple hours. Bayley is sick again! ARRRRRRR I knew that stinkin plaything we went in last weekend would get her sick or maybe it's the daycare at the gym. Anyway didn't get to the gym today cuz she's not feeling good. I plan on going for a long walk and getting my lunges in when I get home. It's supposed to be warm here again so it will be nice. Anyway I'm having a hard time with the water lately, I don't know why. Most of the time it's no big deal but it's like my body is on strike from it lol! It's gotta be TOM it does some wacky things sometimes. I'm going to go get a big bottle after this so I can't start guzzling and then maybe my cravings will subside a little. Well sorry not to get personal but I need to get going. I'll be back later today! HAve a great day ladies!

Oh and Kristin, I'm up for a chat tonight!

I for one am not going to worry about the Splenda thing with having chlorine. My husband's police academy drug class said that if they put chlorine in Sudafed, then the drug dealers couldn't use it to make methamphetamines anymore. It's harmless and make the Sudafed useless for illegal drug purposes. The government won't make Sudafed change..

I'm doing good today. I ate a biggeer SB breakfast so I don't have the shakes. Feeling really good.

Our carpet is getting installed on Wed. Then I can look for a new couch. We have been thinking about a sectional. I want to make some tables out of wood and use the left over ceramic tiles on the top. That would look awesome. Anyhow this weekend will be busy. We have to get everything done in prep for the carpet.

My mom is feeling better today with the added iron in her system and her progestrone. So she actually went to work. Now we just pray that the biopsy results come back clear of cancer.

Well gotta check on the kiddies. Kayla, Nicole, and Kyle are playing in the sandbox. My sister took Samantha to preschool and will be back in a bit.

~chris

Hello Hello Hello. I'm here. SOrry, I haven't posted all day. Now I have to play catch up and dd wants my attention. So, I have to make this quick.

Michelle, congrats on the weight loss. You must be stoked!! WTG girlie!

Roxy, congrats on the weight down. Slow and steady is fine with me too. As long as it's steady...

GRetchen, I think you said you were down a bit this mornign too. Congrats to you too.
Sorry, If I'm not getting everything right here. I read through everything throughout the day. I hope I'm remembering correctly.

Kristin, I know it stinks how much and how fast men lose weight. If we lose one lb in a week they lose 3-5. That's becuase they have so much more muscle mass than us.

Chris, Glad you mom is feeling better today. I guess you just need extra food yesterday. Glad you don't have those shakes.

SPLENDA. About that splenda stuff. If you go to their website it tells you how it's made...I think or it used too anyway. It's not like they POOR in chlorine to take off the calories, but they somehow attach the chlorine ion's to the sugar which alters it's state. You have to remember that chlorine is in our drinking water. It's what makes it safe to drink. It's an element that occurs NATURALLY in our enviorment. It is used in many medicines in hospitals and more. WHen people here chlorine they think of BLEACH. It's not bleach. I have to read that article. But before even doing that I wanted to states some facts, that probably aren't stated in the article. Of course, I will go read it now. But here is a website that has much useful info about chroline and it's many uses.

I know some of you can't tolerate Splenda, but just like many of us can't handle of natural things. Like lactose in milk. Or peanut butter. I know it still gives me the jiddeers because you never know. But we all have chlorine in our bodies, so that makes me feel better. Also, I think anything in moderation, NOT EXCESS, is probably ok. If you have one or two packets a day. Ya know. Anyway, here is the site for you all to read.

http://c3.org/chlorines_everyday_uses/index.html