Morning ladies. Yep, it's a new month. March, with that whole lion and lamb thing going on.

Today is gym day. I'm sitting here in my sweats ready to go (after work).

Claire, you could use a spicy mustard to rev up the turkey, like Grey Poupon, or French's makes a spicy mustard. I love it. What about tuna with low fat mayo? I use 5-lb weights a couple of times a week. (I'm an American Idol addict, heh heh.)

Take it easy.

Wow, March already!

Arzu--I believe Anastasia was a Twentieth Century Fox movie. A lot of people confuse it, though (just like a lot of people think Ice Age is a Disney movie--nope!).

Marge--thanks for starting the new thread! You're so good about the gym...my gym membership ran out, and I didn't renew, so I am gymless

Well, I'm trying my best to flush some of this water weight out of me. My scale says I'm up 5 pounds, but I know that can't be REAL weight, ya know? I cut way back on calories yesterday (less than 700), but my scale still said the same thing today as yesterday morning Time to drink more water!!

Hello ladies...I am back!

Vegas was a BLAST! We're definitely going back, maybe next year! There's so much that we didn't get to do that we wanted to do!

We toured many of the hotel/casinos. HOLY COW! Some of the buildings were absolutely outstanding like The Bilagio and the Venetian. I also liked some of the "classic" ones like the Mirage and the Stardust.

We also went to Hoover Dam one day and Mt. Charleston the next. We did lots of walking everywhere!

Gambling report: I spent $60 playing video poker and roulette and ended up tripling my money! Then I blew about half of that on souveniers and a little more gambling, so I ended up staying the same money wise...oh well!

And man...talk about FOOD! Our hotel had food round the clock. We managed to eat a big breakfast, no lunch and a fairly decent dinner. I hadn't weighed myself in over a week, so I was worried. Turns out I weigh the same as the last time I weighed in. Shocking!

I wrote some more about sleeping in the apartment for the first time on my blog. (Thanks, Kimberley, for your comment today.) I was telling a friend who is a nurse about my symptoms, and she thinks I could benefit from seeing my doctor regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Never really thought about it...I guess I thought it was just for soldiers in combat or police or firefighters.

Diet wise, I am not back on track. I'm either eating way too much or way too little. Right now, it is the latter. I am NOT hungry at all. I'm too uptight to eat, really....

Whew, looks like I wrote a book! So sorry gals! I'm headed to the FEbruary thread to see what you all have been up to for the past week!

Write books, Marge. Books are good. I always loved getting big, juicy letters from friends. And I adore a thick novel.

The dental appointment was a piece of cake because it was just a thorough cleaning and the rest of the exam begun last week. The dentist has a little camera he used to get close-up digital shots of my teeth, and he was able to show me the problems so I could see them for myself. He's hopeful that removing the old fillings, cleaning everything up and sealing it over with temporary crowns will give my nerves a chance to regenerate and heal. He'd rather go that route than just do root canals on them both.

Okay, all well and good...But terrible sticker shock here. It's going to be $2160! I had NO idea how expensive dental work is now. This isn't something I can just let go, because this last week has been awful except for when I've taken Vicodin, and I sure can't keep doing that. The secretary pointed me toward a third-party medical credit company that offers 18-month no-interest financing, so that's how we'll have to do it.

So, tomorrow I get two crowns. I'm not going to shop around for prices since I'm not likely to save more than a hundred or two and I know this is a good dentist.

You know what's nuts? Our insurance is the preferred dental option, the highest of the dental plans offered by Howie's company. They will cover 80% of a root canal, but only 50% of a crown. Pthbt.

I'm looking forward to not having this pain, at any rate!

Kimberley - we must be on the same wave length.. the bad kind.. I went to the dentist today. He hurt me.. my teeth ACHE like you wouldn't believe!! And this was just a cleaning! I can't imagine what a crown would be like!

Jen - WB! Sounds like you had a good time

Okay, I had planned to reply to you all... but my teeth ache THAT much. I'm going to go take some ibuprofen and try to sleep! Goodnight!

-Aimee

Must be something in the water...Jeff gets a root canal tomorrow morning at 10. This tooth has been nothering him for MONTHS, so I am glad he's finally getting it fixed.

We're driving down to my sister's in Va Beach this weekend because Saturday is Jackie's 6th birthday I'll make sure we pack Jeff a pillow and some pain relievers for the 4-hour drive

Well, my calorie restricting and water guzzling has paid off--my scale said 277 yesterday morning, and this morning, it says 272 What an insane difference in only a day, but I'll take it! That puts me at a half pound loss from last week

Hi gals!

The dental stuff MUST be in the air! I have to get a crown done--going to cost me $900! Dang!

Jill: WTG on the loss! That calorie cycling thing seems to work for you!

Marge: I loves me some Idol too!! Fell asleep toward the end though...oh well...as long as I can see Taylor sing, that's all I care about!

Further update: I tried to neutralize the soot smell by cleaning with a strong scented cleaner and using air freshener. It helped a bit.

I was able to get some sleep last night. I used some Vick's under my nose to help keep the smell down. I still feel tired today--I guess it will take a while to catch up on sleep.

My appetite has yet to return, but I can afford to miss a few calories. In the meanwhile, I'll sustain myself on Coke Classic and cheese crackers.

Today I am choosing to focus on the good things that came out of this tragedy: the feeling of love from all my friends (cyber and IRL), and becoming even closer to my beloved Alan. In our relatively short time together, our relationship has survived fire, hurricanes, exes, job changes and moves. He has been my solid rock throughout this. I am so thankful he is in my life.

Will catch up with you all later!

That's a lot to have weathered, Marge.

Well, I'm off to the Land of Nitrous Oxide and Novacaine.

It's quiet around here today. The dentist visit went really well - what competent people they are.

Howie and I are really struggling with getting back on plan. Doggone it, it's so hard. I'm up a pound this week. Aaaargh. We once again have comitted to eat well this next two days, knowing that will give us momentum. I know a big part of it is the fact we're kind of drifting together with no set schedule while he's off, both feeling depressed about several issues in our lives.

Gooodmorning! I have a little time left to my morning

Kimberley - it IS pretty quiet eh? How's the teeth? And do they have you on some strong drugs.. you've been calling Jen by Marge's name. Heh, we gotta get you off those drugs my dear!

I've been struggling a little bit with my diet lately, I gotta get on track a little bit, because I want to be ready to go once I get to Seattle. On the note I better go find me some breakfast before I have to go to work!

-Aimee

Hi ladies!

Kimberley: Boy those drugs can do a number on you, can't they?? That's okay, I think I knew you meant me instead of Marge!

Sounds like we're all struggling a bit diet wise. It's really strange--I still don't have much of an appetite, especially when I go home at night. I've dropped about 5 lbs since Tuesday, which isnt bad...not the best way to lose, though. When I DO eat, it hasn't been good things--regular Coke, a whopper jr and onion rings. Not great choices...

Hope everyone out there is doing okay!

OH, jeez...yeah, sorry Marge & Jen. Actually I haven't been on anything stronger than ibuprofen since yesterday afternoon. What's my excuse??

Howie and I walked an hour at Dawes arboretum, just got home. I should feel really pumped, but I still feel blah. I know it's a cycle in depression and it'll get better. I could use some sunlight, chicas!

Sorry I haven't been on in a while.

Kim - I can't believe the dentist costs so much! Good thing I didn't have any cavities...

Marge - Thanks, but I hate Mayo! I may try the mustard. Does any know any low-cal cheeses? And you're an American Idol addict, woohoo! I have a lot of the songs the contestants sang - the ones I like . I have:

Ayla - I Want You To Need Me
Ayla - Reflection
Ace - Father Figure
Ace - If You're Not the One
Chris - Hemorrhage
Chris - Wanted Dead or Alive
Elliot - If You Really Love Me
Elliot - In The Mood for Love
Gedeon - Change is Gonna Come
Heather - Hero
Jose "Sway" - Reasons
Lisa - I'm Changing
Mandisa - Cry
Paris - Wind Beneath My Wings
Patrick - Come to My Window
Top 24 - Take it Easy
Taylor - Easy
Taylor - Levon
Bucky - Thunder Rolls

BTW, = my favs (notice that they are the only people whose songs I have for both weeks so far).

I love America's Next Top Model and Lost, too!

Okay, to everyone, I would like more ideas for lunch (something to be added to turkey or something totally different but low-cal).

Okay, that's mainly it...my mum's birthday is on March 5th .

Hey, Jen! Welcome back! The last time I was in Vegas was about 20 years ago, wow! I had a friend that grew up in Henderson. I remember going to Hoover Dam, and having fun at a couple of the casinos. I love Taylor Hicks. I think the guys are great this year. (and re the trauma, it can't hurt getting a little help, that's a lot to go through.)

Kimberley, that dental bill truly, truly sucks. Man, for me it's tough enough to stick to a plan when everything is going well. When my bil died, everything went out the window for a few months.

Claire, not all cheeses are created equal calorie wise, swiss has less fat (cheddar has more). Goat cheeses are low. If you like soups, and salads, always good lunch alternatives. Whole wheat pitas stuffed with whatever you like (veggies and chicken or turkey).

Yeah, it's wierd, Jill, the water weight for me can make a big difference from day to day.

Aimee, I used to call my dentist back in California Dr. Sadistic because he always used to say: you don't want more novacaine, do you?? meaning he didn't want to give me any more. Luckily, the last couple of years I started seeing his associate, who was sooo much better, heh heh. Hoo boy, Seattle is coming up fast! bet you're psyched!

Good news, my aunt invited me to stay with her in Washington. She has two daughters about my age too (both married). She's the most interesting woman. She rock climbs, takes painting classes at the Smithsonian. Should be really fun. Today after the gym, Rob and I went and had Mexican for lunch, then I went to the Brooklyn Museum. I walked home in the cold through the park, it was actually really beautiful, with a dusting of snow. My feet are killing me though -- a long walk after working out in the gym. I agree that spending more time in the sunshine lifts my mood.

Have a good night, ladies.

I'm glad the dentists I've gone to as an adult haven't been stingy with the novacaine! When Dr. Musser saw me wince or flinch the tiniest bit Wednesday, he'd stop and ask if the tooth was "speaking to me" and if I wanted more novacaine. Third time was a charm, and I was good to go with no sensation at all.

I've done well with calories today, just finishing up a big salad with fat-free red wine vinegar dressing. It was more than I *needed* to eat this late, but it's better than the cereal and blueberries I was eating in bed as a substitution for the ice cream. LOL I'm at about 1515 calories for the day and had a bunch of veggies for a lot of that.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

I won't be so self-focused on my posts tomorrow, I promise.