Good Morning LL'rs:

I can't believe I'm first here today to start the thread! Everyone must be sleeping in. It's a rainy dreary day here in PA - we soooo need the rain so I am not complaining!

I am going to a birthday party this evening for a friend. I'm making an appetizer to bring so I have to come up with some good idea. Other than that I don't really have a lot going on today.

I finally heard from my college DD around 7 pm last night via cell phone. They are keeping those incoming freshman very busy. They took them all to an outreach event at a children's home where kids go for protection away from abusive parents. They did some cleaning and painting, etc. Later last night while I was reading post I saw her come up on AIM and sent her a message and she got mad. She said, "Mom, I love you, but I hope you are not going to be bugging me while I'm at college." I guess I better not IM her anymore! I guess it's a good thing that she is busy making friends and not lonely talking to me all the time. It's is hard to let them go.

I hope you all have a good stay. Stay OP!

Well I have a very busy day ahead of me, I have to run to Target and Lowes this morning. Got to pick up some bday presents, school supplies and some other knick knacks. Then around 2:45 we have to leave to go to Steven FIRST REAL football game and it will be after 9pm before we get back. Tomorrow we have 2 birthday parties to attend then get that grass cut before all that rain hits us on Monday and Tuesday. I am actually back down to where I was before vacaton so I am back to 22 lbs thank heavens, now lets just keep it off!

Ok I am off to finish getting ready and get my butt in gear!

Hope everyone has an awsome day! Hope you have an extra good day Teri!!!

Well good morning my fellow friends! I have a lazy day - again cleaning the house running some errends and doing some budgeting with the $. I have ained some weight and have been totally ashamed about it. So ashamed I havn't been around- I didnt want to be negative here. I had been so good and was losing and been so happy that when I started going off plan and gained I was ashamed of it. So thats where I've been. Ive been here at home sulking and eating all the junk food in sight even at the party last night. I am resommiting to the plan as well as making a chart for myself to mark off each successful day I completed the plan and exercise. So there you have - I am back in action and nervous. I dont know why but I am. I'm afraid of failure again. And it seems like theres a pattern I cant break. I always fall off the wagon and later find another diet I want to try and same old cycle. Well this time I 'm sticking to this diet and adding in new exercise dvd's. Going to try pilates. I'm buying online today and it wont be here for 2 weeks which gives me 2 weeks to get my diet straight again and be ready to add that in when it comes.

I do want to say Im sorry for "leaving" for the time I did. I know we are a team and if any of you left when you were down I'd say stuff like "What were you thinking? Thats why we are here to help each other when we are down and lift each other back up"

So I do know. And want to thank you all for you YIM it really made me feel loved and want to get back to the site here.

Love you all!

Hi Dani -- good to see you back!!!

I have a feeling I will sts yet again this week. It is incredible! I must be snacking too much. During the day I am fine but evenings I think I must snack too much.

I did two workouts yesterday to try to make up for some of the calories but I am sts! I think I need to be strickter with myself!

I will be busy today so I may not get a chance to check in.

Have a great day!!

Hi everyone and welcome back Dani.....

It is true that when we fall off the diet, get stressed out we pull away from here and this is exactly where we need to be....I've done it too. Don't feel bad just jump right back in...never give up and we never gave up on you don't think you can lose us that easily. We still have the whip!!!!

Well, Anita I probably will be STS also....pigged out on the dreaded PIZZA last night and have a dinner out tonight....just hope I'm not UP!!!

Terri, I hope you feel better .... hang in there. I'm sorry it is being so rough on you....stay strong, it's hard but try to stay positive. Many prayers being sent your way.

Laurie good on the 22 lbs. Watch the birthday cakes, they will sneak up and grab ya!!!!

Phyllis

Dani:

Glad to have you back. Why do we stay away when we fall off? That's when we need the group even more.

OK, I am here to report I totally got off plan today and I am now mad at myself. I went to a birthday party and tasted all of the goodies. I am so mad because I told myself that I would be good. I even ate before I went, etc. I just can not seem to control myself in a party setting. Does anyone have any advice for that??? I really need to find a way for it to work for me. There will always be parties and eating out. I want to be able to go and not feel deprived AND not go off plan. How? How??????

AAAAARGH! I ruined a perfectly good OP day!

Anita

Anita when I am OP and doing good and dieting( which I havnt been the last 2 weeks) I always bring a water bottle w/ me and I try to drink most of even before I get there - and refill it. This way I dont have those tiny rinky dink cups I have a water bottle and when I do indulge I drink water between every bit or two so I will really feel full and still get to indulge and then you wont want as much. And if you do eat that much you'll get a tummy ache and wont do it again - because a lot of sweets always makes my tummy ache. But drink that water. Eating before you went was good too.

Karen..tears came to my eyes and my heart sank for you when I read your post about you IMing your daughter..don't take it personally!! She is just testing her wings.....and maybe her roommate or others were nearby the puter and it just simply embarrassed her?? Anyway...I can relate to your feelings!! My oldest is out on his own..lives about 2.5 hrs. away and I dont hear from him at all...he will just show up..last time I saw him was July 4th...He's just growing up!!! Anyway...deep sigh.....hang in there!!

Becky: Thanks for the encouragment and your words of expereince.

Karen, you're most certainly welcome!! Oh and by the way!! After reading your posts about the awesome birthday cake and how grandly you described it..I went to food and wine magazines webpage and got the recipe for that wonderful cake!!! Thank you...I think I will try it out for my sisters birthday in October! YUM!