Ruth - There you go.

I'm off to exercise and then get ready for Sunday school. We're moving the round pen from Richard's to DSS's today and I will get time with the horses. Woot!

See ya!

Hi all -

By the way - this is all going to be off topic -

I haven't posted in ages, so I don't know how many of you remember me, but I could definitely use some collective wisdom.

HISTORY: I have been a single mother since my husband committed suicide in 1986 when I was pregnant with my now 19-year-old daughter. My other daughter is now 26 and has been out of the house for about 4 years. Alyssa (19-year-old) and I have always been really close - she has had a lot of emotional problems and has been on antidepressants since she was about 10, when SHE was suicidal - so we have been through a lot together. Especially since she has been about 15, we have done EVERYTHING together - eating out, movies, shopping, watching TV, etc. She is my best friend. I work at home doing medical transcription and my few friends my own age live about 50 miles away, so my daily interactions with my daughter are often the only human contact I get.

Anyway - Alyssa now has a 27-year-old boyfriend who is trying to convince her to move in with him. They have only been dating for about 2 1/2 months. We just moved into the rental house we're in last May - and one of the reasons I decided to move here even though it was too expensive for us is that she said she would help me pay the rent, and that she would be living with me for at least a few more years. Well, now it is only about a year later and she is seriously considering leaving. I am HEARTBROKEN!!!!!

This is a continuation of the previous post - I didn't know how to make the space to post longer -

Anyway, do any of you think there is any way I can convince her to stay with me? Partly I am concerned that she isn't ready to begin living with this guy - heck, I still have to wake her up so she will get to work on time at least once a week. But I know that the main reason I don't want her to move is selfish - just thinking about it for the past few days has me so depressed that I'm crying off and on throughout the day, I can barely get my work done, and I am having a lot of trouble sleeping. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS HOUSE ALL BY MYSELF! She is the center of my world, and cooking for her, buying her things she likes, spending time with her is very important to me. I know I can't stop her if she really wants to move as she is 19, but I feel like I'm losing my mind - I just can't bear another loss. I lost her father, I haven't seen my older daughter and grandchild in 2 years, I got laid off from 2 jobs in the last few years, then last year I lost my house due to work problems - I guess it's pathetic that I'm so dependent on her - Lori

Hello everyone, It has been a while since I really posted, or it seems like a while. I have been oh so busy....going! I can't tell you how good it is to be able to go when you get ready without having to feel responsible for someone else. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mother, but when that is a 24/7 it gets very wearing on your mind and body. She is enjoying her stay with my sister, and all is well. We have begun to notice some periods of senility now, which really depresses me. She has been so sound of mind and body until it is just a shock to see that clever, quick mind getting confused. It will just break your heart for them. I realize that I won't have her much longer and I know there is no way to prepare for that. You are never ready to say goodbye to loved ones.

Terri, Thanks for starting the thread. I really should take time to learn to do that. I hope you are feeling better about things. I was distressed to see how many of you are down in the dumps. It doesn't do a lot for our fight with the weight, does it? I think I am one of those people that just LOVE to eat no matter what is going on!

2cute, Hon, I hope you are feeling better also. Just come and tell us your woes and you will feel better Hopefully.

Lilion, Geez, Wy? Have you made the decision to stay put? I have moved so much in my lifetime, I would probably pack and go just for the h___ of it. Not really! years in the military and living with a serviceman father had us moving every year or so for as long as I can remember. I have too much stuff now! No way would I want to have to move, besides which I am getting to darn old to start over somewhere else.

Thin, I forgot what you were writing about, but I hope both of your friends are doing well now. Your hubby was going somewhere, is he home now? Second honeymoon time!

Lori, I am so sorry you are going through a rough patch right now. Our children are never ours forever. You know? It was meant to be that they move on after a time. I am not qualified to give you advise, but I hope you can learn to accept what is inevitable. I hope that things work out well for you and your daughter. If she really wants to go, I doubt there is anything you can say to change her mind. I will keep you in my prayers.

Valerie, you are in my prayers also. The financial thing is what finally broke up my daughter and husband. As I have said before he was a good man, he just didn't have any common sense when it came to spending money. She just finally gave up trying to keep going in that situation. I feel for you. I handle the finances in our family, always have and always will. My DH would have us in the poor house in no time. He would disagree with me however.

Leanne, How is the arm? I hope you will be able to come and post soon.

MTM, darn, I don't remember what you wrote, but hope that you are doing well. I will get back to you when I read the other thread again...the memory is not perfect

Patti, I wish I had your motivation for exercise! Count me lazy! Are you feeling all right otherwise. I am sorry you had to go through treatment. I hope you are doing well now.

I think I may have missed some of you, and I will have to go back and read up to see. As for me. I am hanging in there at the same weight! Not up and not down. DARN! It is my fault though. I keep putting things in my mouth that I shouldn't. This post if probably full of mistakes, but I am not proof reading, so just correct them in your mind.. I will try to get in here more often now. Be good and be wise. If you can't be one at least try to be the other.
Ruth

thanks IWILLBE i am doing really well and get better and better everyday... now if i can win this battle with my weight i would be happy!

Hi I'm new! My name is Kristen and I just love the flow of this board! Hope you don't mind me jumping in here. I am 41 and need to lose lots and lots of weight. We just finished up our second infant adoption and now I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old keeping me busy all day. I need to drop this weight before they can run faster then me, and that looks to be soon! We just booked a trip to Disney in October and I would really like to drop some weight before then to make it easier to walk around there.

So, hello!

you will love this board it is very inspiring to me!

Ok, here's the long awaited, ThinThinker finally comes back......again....post.

Sorry guys, I really do get here to read and then have no time to post. Story of our lives, I know. It's already 12:45 AM here, but since Honey left this afternoon for Mexico, it's only me and my cat....and I haven't seen him all day. Snoozing is my best guess, because that's what he does best.

I was going to go to bed and then I figured, why put this off any longer. The thing is, I read, and then have to re-read in order to do replies. It would take less time overall if I just wrote the dang post when I was here the first time.

Spent most of the afternoon watching TV being useless because I was back and forth in the bathroom constantly. Don't know what's up with that, but I finally took some Imodium and I've been potty-free for several hours. I know, TMI, sorry.

The last few days were spent doing nothing particularly fun. I felt pewney on Thursday too so I had to move all of my Thursday jobs into Friday so I was pretty busy. Did my normal "showgirl" stuff Saturday while Honey helped his dad get some cabinets from Home Depot. He took my new truck because no one else has a vehicle to haul stuff in. Found out that my new truck isn't as big as my old mini van. Oh well, it did the job.

Kristen: Hi! Welcome to our little corner of the universe. I hope you'll write more soon and let us get to know you. It sounds like you really have your hands full with two babies! Goodness, you should be able to get lots of exercise chasing after them. What plan are you trying to follow? There seems to be a little bit of everything being practiced here. I'm sure someone is following the same thing you are.

Patti: Glad to see you're keeping up with the exercise. Did you mention what food plan you're following?

Ruth: It must be VERY different not having your mom to tend to all day long. I'm sorry to hear she is losing it a bit. My mom pretty much just forgets that I've told her something......and that's happening ALOT. My father had Alzheimer's so I'm always on the lookout. I think mom's problem is more that she doesn't hear and doesn't pay attention to what is being said. We went and got her new hearing aids over a month ago and the one needed to be shipped back and she still hasn't gotten it. I don't know what the hold up is. Guess I better check. Honey actually just left this afternoon, he'll be back Good Friday afternoon...late.

Lori: Hi there. Of course I remember you. I think the last time you posted you were trying to influence your daughter to give up the boyfriend. Guess that didn't work. I really don't know what to tell you. Probably the more you try and talk her out of him, the more she will be attracted to him. I know that's not what you want to hear. The truth is, kids grow up and move away. I lost both of my boys last Fall when they bought houses of their own. I see them both being lonely. The "baby" has alot of friends so he is out several nights a week. But he has no girlfriend, he's living alone and I see him being lonely. #1 Son doen't have many friends so he's alone even more. It breaks my heart that they are off on their own, but I know that the reality of it is kids need to move on. * BTW, you can just write and write in the reply box. It will let you type as much as you want to.

Valerie: Awwww, sweetie, BIG [[[hugs]]] I'm sorry life is not the best right now for you. I manage the finances here but I could so easily get us in trouble. Heck, I probably have already gotten us in trouble but I keep transferring the credit card debt from one card to another that offers 0% so that's what's keeping us afloat. I'm making little strides at paying it off, but we should never have gotten here to begin with. I hope you're able to figure out exactly what you want to do and then pursue it. You deserve to be happy.

Terri: BIG [[[hugs]]] to you too! It certainly seems like life is crashing down in your direction. I'm hoping that someday soon you'll get some real good news about any one of your dilemas. It's so hard to work under the circumstances you're in. In the late 80's, Honey worked for General Dynamics and times were rough. Everyone was jumping ship like rats on a sinking vessel. It's not pleasant. Keep your chin up. Better times are on the horizon.

Sandi: Welcome to our spot. We're glad to have you joining us. Tell us about yourself, your life. Our lives are like an open book. All you have to do is read the threads to know us. Write often. It will be no time before you feel right at home.

BarbG: Did you get your taxes done yet? We went Wednesday night. Actually, we took the boys to see our tax guy too. They figured with the mortgage interest and other deductions this year that they would pay one time to have them done. Now they'll know what to look for for next year. I'm happy to say we are ALL getting a refund. Not paying is a good thing!!! * I can't believe they fired the new guy already! Geez, couldn't even make it a week?

Lesley: I'm glad you shared about the dietician. I can't get in for diabetic education until June and they suggested that maybe I see an outpatient dietician instead. Maybe that's NOT the best idea. *You'll have to tell us all about your vacation to the Greek Isles so that we can live vicariously through you.

Hey 2cutie: Are you in town yet? I'm betting you are and you went straight to bed. Hope you didn't get in any of that nasty weather while you were driving through. I know they said Tennessee and you weren't near there, but you still could have hit some coming through. Hope to talk to you soon. Sorry you were feeling so bad. I'm hoping seeing your daughter will have lifted your spirits right up.

Sue (KristasMoM): Glad to see you stopping by. Hope you'll decide to come back and stay awhile.

Charlotte: How cool is that??? WANTING to exercise? I can't even imagine. To me it's still the big "e" word.

Lilion: You poor darling! BIG [[[hugs]]] to you too! I can soooooo relate to the Wyoming story. Honey has always been the chief earner in the house, but in the early 90's I was really coming into my own in home marketing. I had had a really good sales year the previous year and then Honey comes home and drops the bomb that he wants to move to North Carolina for his job. I was about bullistic! As it turned out, long story short, we moved. Had to promise the company he wouldn't quite for at least two years. A year and a half later, they had had all the expertise they needed from Honey training someone else to do his high salary job and they let him go. Looked for work for 5 months. Couldn't break into the job market down there and we finally sold our house (after I had spent 3 months down there, just me and the two kids that were 4 and 6 at the time), packed up and moved home. Hope you guys get it figured out. Scary stuff.

Leanne: Hey girl, how are you doing? How's the arm? Did you end up with surgery? Hope you're healing.

Michelle: I wish you'd check back in. Miss ya.

Well, girls, it's been almost an hour and I think I've done my thing for tonight. I hope I caught up with everyone. If I missed you, I promise, it wasn't intentional. I really do need to get some sleep though. Love ya bunches!

Good morning ladies,

I'm rushing around much too much for a Monday morning. I have to be at work early. I'm spending the next two days in Leadership training.

I'm having trouble with the laptop since I spilled a little bit of cappuccino on the outside of it. Some must have gotten to the power switch but I thought it was only on the outside since it was closed at the time. I'm having trouble with it not wanting to turn on or turning on and turning it self right back off. I managed to get it going this morning so we'll see how it goes. I may have to take it to Best Buy to see if they can fix. I certainly am not in the mood to buy a new one.

Not much new and exciting. We got the round pen moved and set up again down at DSS's. I had planned on spending time with them but the realtor called at 1:30 to say that someone wanted to show the house between 2:30 and 4:30 and it was a 40 minute drive for us. I raced home to tidy up and we decided not to leave for two hours with the dog. We just went out on the deck to read the paper. They were in the house all of 5-7 minutes. I could have stayed down with the horses for all that.

While we were setting up the round pen, the horses just ran and ran all around us. Even, old girl Ginger was doing her fair share of kicking up her heels. The boys ran with their tails straight up and nostrils flared like they were stallions. Cheyenne was running like she was gliding across the ground (I think that is flat-kneed). It was good to see that they were glad to see us and have such a good place to run and play. No bleeding. No limping. Only a little maiming with bite marks so they are doing well.

to everyone. I must hit the road or be late for class. And I think they charge you if you're late and give the money to United Way.

Have a good OP day!

Thin, I relate!!! I just finished reading and no time to do replies. Tonight would be a good chat night for me. any others available tonight? other than that, Wed after 8:30 CDT or anytime Thursday night.

I'll try to find time to tell you my CAT story.

Well, I don't want to be late for the circus, so I'd better get ready!

Thinthinker,
my meal plan is i drink 2 meal replavements drinks a day(mine is calledOptimal) and i eat only one meal a day which on some days it is a lean cuisine or weight watcher meal or some times i cook veggies and or eat either some chicken or hamburger meat. this is working really well for me. i have lots of energy now and usually i only snack on either popcorn .or lowfat foods like a fat free pudding or carb freedom ice cream which takes care of the ole sweet tooth. this has been by far the easiest diet i have tried.

Good Morning Ladies!

Monday, Monday! I hate Monday! I'm soooo tired still from the weekend. But the weekend was okay all things considered.

Saturday was my 6th anniversary. DH, once again, failed to get me even a card. In all fairness to him, we did - like last year - say we weren't getting each other anything. (Last year we went to Vegas the following week, this year we had plans I'll mention in a minute.) BUT - He also has heard me b!%@# for a YEAR about not getting me a card LAST year! He KNEW I'd be getting him one - that's just a given. AND I even pointed out some roses in the store a month or so ago and rather pointedly remarked that a ROMANTIC man would buy his wife the same flowers as they had at their wedding for their anniversary! And still I got ZIP! Clearly my husband is an idiot.

We spent the day running back and forth to our rental property trying to get the damage from the last tenant repaired. Have I mentioned The Trailer From ****? DH bought a mobile home before we married. It's way too small for us to live in and we can't sell the freakin' thing since we owe more against it than it's worth and it's on a rented lot. So to defray the cost, we rent it out. Defray - not cover. We pay $155 on lot rent and $240 on payment - the last tenant had been my secretary (later got fired) and she only paid $200/mo. When she paid. The last 5 months or so she was just paying the lot rent. I was SO NICE to this WITCH! She's now moved out and literally ruined the walls in the living room...it looks like she sprayed soda or something on the walls and never tried to clean it up. And she had a dog - against the lease - that put a HOLE in the wall 8" wide! So we are trying to do repairs. The new tenant also works in my office. Her rent is $300 - so we'll at least lose less and I HOPE she'll both keep her job here and pay me! I HATE being a landlord.

Anyway, we quit at 4 p.m. and got all gussied up for our evening out. We had dinner reservations at a wonderful restaurant we'd had recommended. It was the most intimate setting I've ever eaten in and not terribly expensive. Then we went to the Isle of Capri Casino - another place we've never been - and played for a few hours. DH lost $100 at Texas Hold-Um. I lost all of $17.50 at Blackjack. HA! I LOVE blackjack! So we basically spent 3 hours doing separate things at the same place...but we had a great time. Then since I was tipsy and still wide awake we did some late-night window shopping after at a "adult" store! That was SO funny! Unfortunately, since it was 6 hours since our last meal we were hungry and the only thing open on the way home was McDonalds - so we ate nasty, greasy fast food. It's funny, I'd been craving a McD's burger. Eating it wasn't nearly as pleasant as I thought it would be.

Anyway, by the time we got home, let the pup's out to play a tad and got them and us back to bed it was 3 a.m. We got up Sunday, ate, dressed, picked the boy up at the sitter and then went to DH's parent's for "Easter". I ATE ALL DAY LONG! It was HORRIBLE. There were brownies and cake and pie and pudding and I ate and ate and ate! I was completely out of control! After everyone being SO shocked at how much weight I've lost. I must have taken in 10,000 calories! Once we got home I still had some office work and DH still had homework so it was really late by the time we got to bed...again.

Anyway, that was my weekend! Now you know more than you ever wanted to about it!

On to more important things:

Valerie: I'm so sorry about the marriage problems. I'm sure I've mentioned before how neurotic I was about $ when DH and I married...all steming from husband #1. I SO remember the feeling of being trapped - and it's a scary feeling! I wish I could do or say something to help. But all I can do is . You know, as much as you dislike the truck driving - it is at least a marketable (and fairly good-paying) skill. And with your friend's support too, you won't be all alone. I hope all goes well for you. As to WY - there's nothing WRONG with WY! I've been there-I like it. Geysers, Mountains, Antelope, Wide-Open-Spaces - what's not to like? But - with only about 500,000 people in the WHOLE state - there's not a lot of need for lawyers! And I've done this child-support stuff for so long I'm not sure I remeber how to do anything else! And all the government atty jobs are in the capital - which is over an hour from any of the prisons - which is where DH would work!

In short - we'd lose my job for a $15K pay hike for him. Not gonna happen.

Terri: Glad to hear the horses are loving the new place. I so wish you were also in a good place...but it sounds pretty dismal. And, like with Valerie - all I can do is I'm sure that the job market will have another spot for you though. If I had my life to live over again - I probably wouldn't be a lawyer. But then, if I weren't a lawyer I wouldn't have lived where I did when I met my ex. If I hadn't met him, I wouldn't have DS. If I didn't have DS I wouldn't have met my friend Tracy, who introduced me to DH, who...despite his failings in the anniversary card department, is the best thing that ever happended to me! So, you see, I try to remember that everything happens for a reason. I'm sure that other opportunities will come your way and that life in the long run will be as it is meant to be. Still, for now, here's another .

Thin! Your DH should go to Mexico more often! It makes you come see us! Seriously, I love it when you get to post nice, long, chatty posts! As I said above...I suspect WY is a dead issue. Your post makes me even more sure of that! What an awful move that turned out to be - having to move then move again!

Patti: I always say I don't think I could do the meal replacement drinks. To me a drink is a beverage - you have it WITH a meal! Still, if it works for you - WTG! Your exercise it a wonderful example to us all!

Kristen : Hope you like it here! You will have to share photo's of those babies! I miss babies - mine is 11 now - his B-day was last week!

Lori: Of course we remember you! I'd wondered where you went! I'm afraid I have no advice at all about the situation - although I'd make her feel guilty as heck if she sticks you with a house you can't afford on your own!

Ruth: I remember when my father began to get forgetful. The worst part was when he thought I'd offered to let him come live with me and I hadn't. It hurt him so - but I'd never made the offer because I was single and living in a condo on this huge hill - nothing but stairs and hills and no one to check up on him. But I felt as guilty as if I had! He never got TOO bad though - so perhaps you will be as fortunate with your mother's memory.

Barbara: Taxes! We hired an accountant this year. Best $200 I ever spent! Turbo Tax was OK too. One thing I know for sure - I'll never use another "Tax Firm" like Block or Jackson-Hewitt! I've never heard a good thing about any of them!

Charlotte: Here we are! All the nice long posts you wanted! I think it's great that you wanted to exercise away your stress! Very healthy thinking indeed! WTG!

Sandi : Come tell us more about yourself! We don't bite - except a donut every now and then!

Michelle: Where are you??? Come and visit when you get the chance!

2cute: Hope your mood has lifted and your heart has lightened! Did you have a good visit? Inquiring minds want to know!

Leanne: You typed to us with bones grinding together - let us know how they have knitted! I'm becoming concerned what with the impending surgery being your last post!

Well, I think I actually got everyone! Not that I said much to some...but I tried. If I missed you - I beg your forgiveness! Now I really must run. These posts take me way too much of my morning! But you wonderful ladies are worth it! Have a wonderful, healthy, OP day...and say a little prayer for my flagging self-control!

Lilion you are such an inspiration to me with your great weight loss. the meal replacement drinks are tasty and you do get full and the longer you have been drinking the less and less food it takes to fill you up . i love them and i do have have my occasional weekend splurge but this is so great i reccommend it highly.! i cant wait til i can say i have lost 87 pounds ! you give me such hope!

ps you derserved flowers lol!poor hubbys they just cant win can they!