Hi ladies,

Wow, this week has flown by so quickly. A blur between work being crazy and coming home to more frenzy here too. I've been trying to get stuff moved downstairs that my helpers can pack tomorrow night. The bummer about help coming tomorrow night is how bad the house looks now and I am NOT comfortable with people being in my house when it doesn't look its best. I know they shouldn't care but *I* care.

We had Merry Maids here tonight to see how much it would cost to have them come in and clean when we have our stuff moved out. That way I am leaving a clean house for the next family. I am having to recognize that I can't do it all. And as much as I hate paying someone for something that I can do, I think we're going to do it. They'll clean the blinds, ceiling fans, all woodwork, bathrooms, all floors, kitchen and probably do a better job than I. Kinda pricey, $296, but should be worth it.

We had inspection on the new place yesterday. It was really nice to get to spend a couple of hours out there during the day and not have the owners there. It is going to be so quiet out there duirng the day. Gads, spooky even at night. You won't catch me outside in the dark. I do hope that I enjoy living in the country again as much as I want to enjoy it. I am SOOOO ready now to be there. Two weeks!

DH is watching Ultimate Fighting championships. He didn't appreciate it when I made a comment that you'd think they would wear something a little more discreet than super tight white spandex that outlined everything. His comment was, they were CUPS. I know that but it didn't have to be so obvious that it was a large cup. He'd probably rather I go walk the dog now.

Sorry Thin for missing chat. 7pm is our dinner time. Plus I've been making many trips up and down the stairs hauling stuff. I did check in at 8:05 and no one was around.

Barb.G - Good job on making improvements in your choices. Every little bit helps. I'm with you, I feel so much better when I'm eating healthfully and feeling like crap from too much sugar stuff doesn't keep me from eating it. Dumb!

Lilion - on not gaining a few pounds. Like you said, time to get busy again doing what you know works.

2Cute - I am such a procrastinator too. And yes, it really drags down your spirit when you let it rule. I am so bad about that and it makes me soo depressed. Sometimes I have to force myself to work on projects that need doing. And its good theraphy when I am doing something "productive". Okay since several of us have admitted to being the Queens of Procrastination, do you wonder what link that has to our being overweight and out of shape?

Valerie - for your DH for doing the right thing for you dinner. Mine would have brought back what I *wanted* not the healthy version. I'll keep my fingers that you get some time at home.

Sue - You might have said this, but do you write manuals at home? That's a lot of work you've had to do lately! Sounds like your Mother's Day was really special and pretty much OP. Good job!

Ruth - Hope all the doctor stuff is going okay.

Who am I missing? I'm about braindead since I've been getting up really early these days. I need to go walk the dog and head off to bed.

to everyone!

Hello buddies, How are all of you? I have had a few days of the blahs. My blood pressure has been going up and down like an elavator. I have no idea what is going on with that. My next appt. with the Dr. is on the 13th of next month, but if this keeps up I am calling her.

Terri, something you said....you feel so much better on program than off...amen sister, me too. So why do we get off? Good question. I have asked myself that a million times at least.

I don't remember what the rest of you wrote, but I did read it! Oh yeah, 2cute, I go back and read the last post on the threads, so someone does see what you write.

Lillion, I know that you lost more weight Ok, so it was only .4 lbs, that is still a loss and I think I may hate you! You write about eating all kinds of things you shouldn't and then have the nerve to tell us that you lost. Ouch! I can just look at the darn food and gain...foul...no fair! Boo Hoo! You lucky girl. Glad to hear the shoulder is better. All of that sewing you will do would kill my back.

Hey, Val are you home?

Barb, How are things at the nut house?

Sue, Michelle, Michelle, Charlotte, BJF, Hope you are all doing well. Now, I hope I didn't forget anyone, but that is always a possibility. Sorry if I did. I know I haven't said hello to Thin yet, but that is coming.

Hi Thin, How are you? Quit working so hard!

Ok, that is it for now. Later, Ruth

Before I forget, does Joeanne write on this thread too, or just the main one?

We're on our way home - YIPPEE! Bill's driving and I'm sleeping... as you can guess. Simon is chewing my toes off, and Max is looking for a safe place to hide from Simon. We should be there by 2 a.m. Ahhh, my own shower. COuld anything else be so devine???

I'll be in for the whole week, until after Memorial Day, so for even 10 days or so. I'm planning on starting my home time with the killer workout classes tomorrow morning, and getting back on SB 100% for the time I'm home as well. Since TOM just left town, I have a clean weight slate to start my time off, and I'm going to see how well I can do in 10 days by being really enthusiastic about this program. I should be able to make some good contributions to the exercise thread.

I'm running this thing on battery so catching up on replies will have to wait, but I'll do it this weekend.

Have a lovely whenever you read this, and an OP day as well!

Thin - where in Michigan are you? We live in a nice, medium size town[edited].

Valerie - do you ever get to see any of the good parts of all these cool places you go - I adore Tennesssee in spring, or are y
you stuck with just roads?

Terri - I think that getting Merry Maids is one of the best thing you can do for yourself. You are entitled to some time without stress -since I started her, you've been fighting to get your life into order .

Don't I wish I could work at home! I commute to the next town over I'm the only writer in a company of about 200 engineers - we produce optical measuring equipment. They haven't had a real porofessional writer for about 10 yrs, so there is a lot that needs to be done. But I enjoy it, and it's fun to do something I'm good at.

Well, I made my water aerobics class yesterday, and today I worked out on the NuStep for about 45 mins. And I did a few minutes on the elliptical - I've never been on one before, and this is scary - but I'm determined to get into some kind of shape.

I'm finding trying to get into shape at my age to be really hard. I'm 57, and, finally, post-menopausal, and everything seems to be a lot harder. I'm only eating 1300-1600 calories a day, but not losing a lot, and my knees are way too bad for me to just go out and run. Lord, I hate my gut - I don't carry a lot in my butt, mostly my tummy. I have taken off about 3.5 inches off my waist, but that's taken 5 months! I do know that I haven't got anything better to do with my life than try to behave as though a were a 140 lb woman in good shape, but I have to admit - I have a lazy streak.

Krista is getting ready to go on her class trip - to Washington DC - we haven't heard anything about the possibility of a scholarship - we've basically spent DH's inheritance from his dad on keeping her in this school, and he's trying to find another job (he's been working 15-20 hrs a week, at a sandwich shop) and no one around here seems to be hiring a 60 yr-old. We keep saying that he just hasn't found his new boss yet.

Well, take care all. Tomorrow, I am going to work out in the AM.

Sue

Charlotte - I forgot to say - I really should have kept my mouth shut about basketball!
But the Pistons won tonight, so we'll see what happens. May the best team win!

Take care.

Ok, two shakes ladies and that's all I can give ya tonight. It's after midnight and my Honey is home from Mexico and I want to turn in before I'm a pumpkin. Last night/this morning, I crawled in bed at 5:20 AM, that is NOT happening tonight.

Next week is a much lighter load of jobs, heck, it will almost be like vacation!

Ok, let me go back to where I think I said I had to start over and see if I can keep up this time.

Sue: I went back and edited this post so my exact whereabouts wouldn't be here. Heavens! Wouldn't want some of my in-laws to figure out who I am and know what I say about them. I'll send the info in a PM

Valerie: I saw where you wrote you were loading in El Paso the other day. That's where Honey stays when he goes to Mexico. He hated staying in Juarez that one time and swore he would never do it again. You could have stopped at the Hilton and borrowed his shower. JoeAnne used to post with us here. She said she would check in once a week. I haven't been on the other thread, other than to look for newbies to welcome so I don't know if she's migrated over there or not. Heck, I can't keep up with ONE thread, let alone two or three!

Ruthie: Yes, ma'am. Next week, less work!!!

Terri: Sounds like moving is becoming a reality. First you go from the waiting game and then it seems like all of a sudden you're running your tail off to get everything done in time. I don't envy you at all. Moving is such a pain in the butt. Especially if you're a pack rat like me and haven't moved in 20 years. Oh how I dread it!

BarbG: It was good talking to you in chat the other night. Sorry I only get to do that when Honey is out of town.

Lilion: Sorry we missed you. But I have to say that next time we'll do it at 8:00 Central. Barb couldn't stay but a few minutes. I just never remember what's a good time and what isn't. Guess I should write it down, ya think? * CONGRATS on the loss. Down is down!!!

2cute: GOOD JOB on the OP days!! It will get easier and easier, I promise!!! Give it 21 good days, one at a time, and the new habits will be formed.

Charlotte: Sorry our teams are rivals in the playoffs. No hard feelings! What a nice Mom's Day gift: dinner, detailing AND clean-up. My kind of day....didn't have that kind, but that WOULD BE my kind of day!

BJF: Hope your mom continues to improve. Those in-house rehab places are just the BEST for recouperating from knee and hip surgery. Intensive therapy gets them up and going alot sooner.

Lesley: You're probably too busy having fun to be reading this but I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip. See you when you get back.

Ok, girls, that's the best I can do. I hit everyone that was on this thread and last. If I missed you it was because you weren't on either of these threads and I'm sorry. Please post again and I'll be happy to respond. My intention, and intentions are a good place to start, is to get in here everyday even if it's only for a quickie just to keep up.

Love ya bunches. I've missed you all.

Nothing much to report here. Had a good week, was able to eat pretty healthy everyday. Didn't get to exercise as often as I had planned, but I did do some. I really need to get the spare room cleaned up so I can get to the exercise bike and ride it when I can't get to the club. Hummmmmm... that would involve work.......

Mentioning that wonderful place... the drama this week was over shoe and socks!!! Because it is a medical office and we have a lab in house, it is in the lav regs that everyone working in the lab wear closed toe shoes (Yep no sandals allowed!!) So of course everyone in the lab revolted and said if we have this rule, then everyone in the office should have this rule. SO for years it has been the rule no open toe shoes, and everyone must wear some kind of hose or socks. For years it's been this way. SO in comes our new HR person saying that that rule should be for the Lab and Medical Assistants ONYL, office and clerical personnel should be exempted from t his rule.she wanted to wear sandals!! Sot rule was debated in the managers meeting about two weeks ago, but the jellybacked practice administrator would't make a definitive ruling and left it up in the air. So yesterday the manager of the LAB (who is the main one under the federal mandates) came to work in shoe that had a closed toe, but no back (which would pass the rule) BUT NO HOSE or SOCKS!!!! Heaven forbid!!!!! Bare legs!!!! What is this world comming to!!! After about half a day of everone in the office making comments and fussing about it, the lab manager was written up and made to go home and change shoes!!! So of course we couldn't get any work done for all the excitement!!!! And someone thinks I should leave all this excitement!!!!

Good morning ladies,

I'm going to post this and then hit the shower. We're going to Lowe's to buy kitchen appliances as we have to buy a new refrigerator (boo!) and stove so we're also replacing the dishwasher and microwave. DH wants all black and since he's the cook, I probably won't argue. I think we're going to Nebraska Furniture mart today too to get new family room furniture. We need to replace the couch and loveseat so coming to agreement on that ought to be fun.

Sometimes you have to be careful about what you pray for. I asked one Sunday school girl (she's only 21 so she's still a girl ) to help me and almost the whole class came over last night. I had expected 3 and got 8. These ladies are so awesome. I had said that I would provide pizza, soft drinks and dessert. So while one of them drove me to get the pizza, the rest got busy downstairs and packed just about everything while we were gone. Everything. Even my garage sale stuff that I had off in another area. I didn't even get to be there to see how they were packing or what was going in what. Plus they were going through all my garage sale stuff and checking everything out. It was like I was being invaded. They were doing it in great fun but still it was soooo overwhelming. I didn't have to touch a thing. They are a very tight group of ladies that have been together for a long time and have taken me in - except they are a manic group of very boisterous ladies that range from 19 to 50. They even stayed while we watched Finding Nemo.

The leader of our class is the associate pastors wife and she is so not a frilly girl and we get along great. She really liked the couch and loveseat and I said I was sick of it and going to sell it in the garage sale. She didn't know why I'd get rid of it (see the duck tape on the seat where its coming apart??). I told her to send her husband over on 6/2 and she could have it. I'm thrilled to give it to her because they have so little money. I felt kind of bad because here I am getting rid of stuff just because I'm sick of looking at it and they have are thrilled to get someone else's castoff's.

Yesterday was a very sad day at work. At about 3 pm one of my peer buddies came over to my desk and said "Gary just died". Gary is one of our peers and went home from work because he wasn't feeling well. He was standing there talking to his wife and dropped dead. He was just at the office and then foreever gone. I've worked with him for 18 years. We were all in such shock yesterday afternoon. I had just seen him in a conference room having a meeting with our boss and others. Apparently, he had not felt well earlier in the week and mentioned to someone that he had felt like he'd drank too much coffee and his heart was all jittery. I think he had even gone to the doctor. I'm guessing that it was a massive heart attack. He should have gone to the ER the other night when he couldn't sleep because of that feeling. That type of feeling is not to be taken lightly. Especially these days when so much of our lifestyles are sedentary and our foods full of fats - so many of us have the beginnings of artery disease that we don't even know about. He was in his late 50's or maybe early 60's and a little overweight but not much.

So while the ladies swooped in and were like a tornado in the house, it is what I needed to help me get over that shock.

Thin - Great to see you getting time to check in. You're working too hard if you're staying up to 5:20 am. You need to take better care of you.

Valerie - Woohoo! You're at home! I'm so thrilled for you. 10 days with your babies!

Sue - I've been talking to my doctor about the effect of menopause because at 45 I've gained fat right around my middle and therefore could be moving into perimenopause. She said that the weight goes right to the gut area. She also said that while we can lose weight it is much harder and not to beat ourselves up if we can't get to the goal level we want. I didn't find that to be very encouraging but I guess she was trying to be realistic - we might not be able to get rid of the belly fat as much as we want. However, from what I've read, it takes walking and lots of exercise consistently (just about every day) and cutting out the high-sugar carbs to get attack the belly fat. Which is the worse place for fat because of diabetes and heart attacks. AND YES, YES, YES, I am ready to get life back under control - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Ruth - Good to see a nice post from you too. Keep tabs on the BP and bug the crap out of the doctor is you have to.

I better go take a shower and get DH up and moving. Busy day ahead and need to stop by storage to start bringing stuff home for sorting and packing.

to everyone.

Oh my gosh, TERRI, I'm so sorry about your co-worker. It's scary, isn't it? and very sad! I'm glad you had that wonderful crew come in and make short work of your packing. I hope you can find your stuff when you want it - HA!

BARBARA - I don't think you could ever think of leaving that place. The entertainment value is just too high!

THIN - Your poor hubby! When you said he was going to Mexico I assumed it was farther in and in a relatively civilized area. Juarez is... interesting, and a little rough, being the largest border town in Mexico. It's where I got what I refer to as my "diploma" in Mexican bartering - it's a braclet I didn't really want, but I was no match for the shopkeeper at the time. Yup, interesting place, Juarez. I wouldn't want to be there after dark myself, but I'm told that they have some amazing 5 star restaurants. Hard to believe when you see burros going up the streets and the poor and addicts laying in them. Definately a place you want to have a knowledgable and trustworthy guide! I take it you pack him some toilet paper when he heads down there now - I'd never travel there without an extra roll or more - but don't flash it around - it's worth 25 cents for 4-5 squares. I guess they can't make TP out of cactus.

Sue, we don't get off the "Big Road" too much, but we've still had the privledge of seeing quite a bit. When we're in Salt Lake we've rented a car several times and seen the sights. I love that area! And we've lost the motor in the truck twice, so we've taken those weeks to drive around Yellowstone in WY, parts of Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. I'd love most to see more of Southern Utah. The sunrises and sets are beyond belief. I'm with you on Tennessee - the mountains and the TN river are just beautiful. We were pretty serious about moving there at one point, especially Eastern TN. The Virginias are gorgous, too.

Well, My Little (sis) had her baby on my birthday last Tuesday, and I thought that was kinda neat! It took her 25 hours of labor, but mom and baby Lavona are doing fine... too bad labor didn't last long enough for her to pick a different name, but oh well.

I home, and I'm ON PLAN in a big way! Doing the Exercise deal, eating right, and even getting my H2O so far. I can hardly wait to see what kind of results I can get in the next 10 days! Did the killer workout class this A.M. and was NOT loving it, but give me until next week. I even got to go see one of my horse girls in a show today, so that was fun.

I have GOT to get some sleep tonight, so I'm off for now. It's SOOOOOO good to be back!

Good morning ladies, Thought I would check in and say hello.

Nothing much going on here, how about in your neck of the woods?

I am as op as I ever am and the scale is as resistant as ever to move downward. I am seriously thinking of donating that thing to some needy skinny person. It sure doesn't do anything for me. I haven't had a slip up all week and that is a miracle in itself! I had high hopes of seeing a whole new batch of numbers in the 2s. Siggghhh! I will get there, yes I will!

My blood pressure finally got back to normal thank goodness. I tell you the truth, I think my youngest child ran my pressure up and down. I am so upset with her. I won't even go into it, but she is the one that recently left her husband. Children! ARGGGH! I shouldn't even have thought of that again.

Well troops, have a good restful Sunday. Take care, Ruth

Good Sunday Morning everyone.
I have been bed bound the last 48 hours. I hurt my knee and could barely walk. But hopefully the two days of rest was all I needed to heal.

Unfortunately.. this weekend my ENTIRE family went on a mini trip to our favorite State Park. We rent a cabin and just enjoy the outdoors. I had to miss it all. There is no way I could handle the rocky terrain. Heck, I could not handle my own carpeted living room. LOL One good thing about not going is ..... I was not tempted to go off program. I am on my first week and it is important to stay on program and establish new habits.
I do regret not seeing my granddaughters catching fish.

Some of you know that I moved my office from one bedroom to another.
I am REALLY enjoying new location. I have a view of my backyard so instead of looking at the street in front of the house I am looking at flowers, trees, and my hummingbirds. I have two hummingbird feeders in view from my desk. I LOVE my hummingbirds. I bought some new cushions for my lawn furniture. The design is tropical with hiabiscus. And I bought a real hiabiscus plant in the same color. It looks soooo nice. And I bought a bright yellow lawn umbrella that just makes you smile. It is too bad my knee has kept me inside this weekend... but sitting here is second best.

Terri ... how nice to have so much help packing. I am so happy everything is working out for you.
I am sorry to hear about your co-worker. It is sad to think if he had gone to the doctor he possibily could still be here. It should make me more willing to go the doctor myself. Maybe it will.

Thin... GET TO BED !!!! It is not healthy for us to stay up like that. I know I have no room to talk... but we both need to take better "care" of ourselves.

Ruth.. I am so happy your blood pressure leveled out. I know what you mean about our kids. It is so true... "They step on our toes when little and on our hearts when older." They don't realize how much it hurts us, even when they are grown, when they hurt. I hope your daughters life get better soon.
Thanks, I will remember you when writing the last post of a thread. LOL
I used to always do that too. Now I am lucky to get here at all anymore.

Valerie... so glad you get to STAY HOME for 10 days.
We did a lot of traveling when our daughter played competitive softball. Like you we did not get to see all the sights because we were playing ball ... but we saw enough to appreciate the beauty in each area. Tenn was BEAUTIFUL. I did NOT like the RUNAWAY lane for trucks who loses their brakes.

Barb ... I know your job is **** on you... but we find it very entertaining.
I love all the stories you share.

Sue... it is so nice you have a job you enjoy. That is the secret of a happy life... to find something you love to do... and DO IT. And the fact you can earn money doing it makes it even better.
Hope your husband finds a perfect job for him too.

I think that covers everyone on this thread. I don't get to do replies very often anymore. It just really takes a LOT of time. I end up reading each post 10 times when I do replies.
I am out of here. I hope everyone has a GREAT DAY !!!

hi everyone my name is donna and im 51 years old weigh in at 420, and am desperate for information about anything about diet and exercise, i can walk a little bit but to go distances i use a mobility scooter, i do 22 min. Kelly bliss sit down areobics 2 x aday, i tried yoga NO WAY TOO FAT i couldnt get up from the floor or cross my legs....do you think tai chi standing poses would be good for me ? what benifits would i get out of it........i eat 2200-2500 calories a day to lose 2 lbs aweek, i am apple shaped, what i did was x my weight by 7 an thats the calories u should eat a day and x your weight by 12 and thats what your maintaing calorie count is.......anyway thank u for hearing be out........your fried donna

hi Donna! this is a really good site with some very nice people to help support and give advice!some one should come along to answer your questions. i just wanted to say hello!

Hi everyone! It's another quickie, but at least I'm here!

Today is my baby's birthday. He's 25!! Man am I OLD!!! I think it's the first time I have not been able to see him on his birthday. At least I can't ever remember another year. Even when he was away at college, we always met him in Auburn Hills with his roommate and took them both out for dinner and took his gifts to the restaurant. I will miss "mushying" him. He's up at school for Alumni Day. His roomy came in from Buffalo, NY and they're having a good time so I guess that's all that matters. I did call him and sang Happy Birthday on the phone, which he pretty much just grunted to and said thanks. KIDS!!! We're going to dinner and then back here for cake and ice cream tomorrow night.

Honey's out cutting the grass. I think he's doing it twice since it was so long. He put Grub-X on it the Monday before we went to Niagara and then Tuesday morning he got up and put fertilizer on, also before leaving. Tuesday night it started raining her and it hasn't stopped. Even all the while he was gone this past week to Mexico it rained. Finally yesterday we had a nice day, but we were playing "showgirl" all day yesterday so no time to mow then either. I'm sure you've figured out it is VERY long.

Donna: Welcome to our little corner of the world. We're glad you're joining us. It sounds like you've got a plan for dropping the weight and that's the main thing. Next it will be sticking with the plan and that's what we're here to help with. If you want us to be tough on you, just let us know. We'll drag out Sarg and keep you on your toes. We had a gal here some time ago, haven't seen her lately, that had been confined to a wheelchair and is now mobile again. She started with leg lifts and scissor kicks in her bed every morning. Working up from whatever repetition she could start with and just building up more stamina as the days went on and the weight came off.

BarbG: What a HOOT! I think if they didn't have something to bicker about, they go nutts. It seems like it's always something. Well, I guess you can't say it's null!

Terri: I was so sorry to hear about you co-worker. That should be fair warning to not by pass any funny pains we have. Get them checked out. Better safe than sorry. How SAD! Appliance and furniture shopping sounds like fun........if you were alone!!! Try and have fun anyway. Maybe you can comprise, he picks the appliances and you pick the furniture. The girls from your church group sound like fun. I'm sorry you didn't get the pleasure of a hands on experience packing but I do understand your feeling of violation. When we moved to NC in '84 Honey's company paid for the packing. My girlfriend was over constantly and was a smoker. They even packed an ashtray, that I wasn't able to get to before them, complete with several cigarette butts. Ewwww! Found them when the box got opened at the new house. Will you be able to attend the same church once you move. I guess I may have missed how far the new place is from the old.

Valerie: Ok, First Off, Sorry to have missed your birthday last week so here is me....singing off key: Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Valerie! Happy Birthday to you! ....and many more! Ok, now that that's out of the way, CONGRATS on your new niece. * Yes, Juarez is more than just the armpit of the country, I think it's the crotch. Honey refuses to stay there again. That last time was enough for him. He doesn't mind the trek across the border every day. Besides, he enjoys the steakhouses in El Paso and the surrounding area. There's one he goes to, I think it's called Cattleman's, that The border of Texas and Arizona runs right down the middle of the restaurant. That's his favorite.

Ruthie: I'm sorry that weight is being stubborn for you. A whole week OP and not dropping any pounds can be very frustrating and more than enough reason to give up..............however, DON'T DO IT!!! Don't give up the battle. Try another week of being good and that dang scale is sure to move.

2Cute: I'm soooooo sorry you're missing your trip!!! That's AWFUL! I know how much you love going there. Hopefully you'll reserve another weekend later in the season and will get to go back then. * How is the knee feeling today? I know my trouble with injuring something is that with this weight it's so hard to let it heal enough before moving on. Everything we do is such a chore, even getting up and walking a few steps to the bathroom can re-injure a sore leg. Take care of yourself.

toofatforu: You are a woman of few words. Come and share with us. We don't bite!.......ok, well, not much!

Ok girls, see this? I'm keeping up. I can't catch up, but I'm keeping up. I suspect I might be able to do this. Mother Nature finally decided to grace me with her presence. Honey's happy, NOT!!! Poor thing. Out in the yard isn't the only place he's "mowin' the grass". Sorry, that was probably TMI.

I'm about to go curl up on the couch and watch two weeks worth of shows that are on the DVR. Most of them are the finales of shows we watch. I didn't want to watch them with Honey out of town and be stuck seeing them all again when he tries to catch up with them now that he's home.

So that's my story for today. I'll catch you all later. Love ya bunches!