Hi guys...

I'm just starting a new thread and enclosing a link to a web page I got in my mail--its pretty d*mned funny. Sick, but funny.

The *new* American Express Ad

Thanks Kat for starting the new October thread. For any newbies out there, we are a small group who encourage each other with weight issues and other life issues as well. Anyone who wants to join, please just hop right in, okay???

Well, I finally did it - I am back on track!! I had a talk with my daughter and DH asking if they were ready to support me again, and after getting their positive input, we all sat down and watched the Dr. Phil motivation tape. As a past member of OA, I know I have to take this one day at a time. DD is making a list of things she and I can do together and individually when we are tempted to overeat.

I went to my first meeting of Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group last night. DD went, too, since she spends so much time with her Grandma. We felt very welcome there, and already got some useful info.

How's everyone else doing?? Bye for now.

Jana

Jana, sorry to hear about your dealing with Alzheimers. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. Glad to hear that you have a support group available. You know if you need to talk, we are hear for you!!

It is wonderful that you ARE getting back on track. I keep wondering what I'm waiting for!!! Good luck, hopefully I'll get my act together and be right behind you. I guess right now, I've been concentrating on being happy and enjoying those around me. My best friends husband was killed in a motorcycle wreck in June, another friend's husband is dying of cancer and then there was the tragedy in New York. Life is too short to be unhappy, so I guess I'm just trying to enjoy each day as I live it!!!

Well, the good things going on in my life are: I made a C in biology (with a 25 point curve). I really wish I'd done better, but I'll except the grade anyway I can get it. I'm determined to do better on the next one!!

My husband has gotten a great job with Fed Ex. He was with his last job for 13 years and with the one before that 10 years. He doesn't make changes easily, but he is more than willing for this change. His current job hasn't given him a raise in 3 years. He has been at $13.00 an hour for 3 years. He starts out at $16.71 at the new job. His top pay in the next 3 years will be over $23.00 an hour. If he does well with the job, it should guarantee that I don't have to work during the next four years that I'm in college.

Well, I better get to bed. I only have one class tomorrow, but I've been volunteering my time helping out at my friends company. Since her husband died, she has kept his paint and body shop open. It doesn't make money, it's just holding its own, but she hates to shut the doors. So I answer the phone 3 mornings a week, while the regular secretary goes to school.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Ruth

Where is everybody? I hope you are all doing okay. I'm still not on track, but I know that eventually I will get there. My children have finally moved out, so things are calm at home. Now I'll try to mentally get where I need to be in order to set some goals and accomplish them. Wish me luck!!

Ruth

Ruth, sorry about your 2 friends' hubbies. It's really nice of you to help out at the body shop. WAY TO GO on the C in biology!! And I'm really happy for your DH getting the better job. Things seem to be going your way!

I lost 5 pounds last week, and am still on schedule this week. I feel strong about it right now and pray that the feeling lasts. I keep hearing Dr. Phil's voice saying "You don't have to like it, you just have to GROW UP and do it." There's a lot of truth in that. But a person still has to be in the right frame of mind.

The October weather is so wonderful here in Indiana. We've had cool temps and sunshine, which is good walking weather. The crops are all in except the late soybeans, and the men who rent our land have been planting winter wheat. The harvest moon is poetic.

Have a good day, Featherweights, and take care.
Jana

CONGRATS JANA!!!!!! WOOOO!WOOOOOO!!WOOOOOO!
Keep up the great work!

I'm still at my all time highest weight, something over 200, in the teens I think. (I no longer own a scale )
I did start a Morris dancing class yesterday though--LOTS of skipping, hopping, jumping, and arm waving, so it cetainly counts as exercize, plus its fun to boot.


The school was trying to recruit me as a bus driver, so I'm contemplating fitting in a third job, and then dropping the nursing home come January...I think it could work.

I hope you are all well and enjoying the last of the grand weather before winter truly sets in. We actually had snow the other day--*shudder* Luckily, it was too early for it to stick.

Hope you're enjoying the dance class. It sounds like a lot of fun. I am trying to think of new goals for myself that don't include my family. I have nurtured others for so long, that's it's hard for me to think of myself as a seperate entity.

I'm still on program but didn't get weighed due to Aunt Flo's visit. No reason to depress myself over some water weight.

Hope all others are doing well. Where is everyone? Well, have a good day!

Jana

I like the dance class a lot, though I quickly determined that I have to get some better shoes. I wore my nursing shoes, which are fabulous for standing and walking for hours on end, but which do absolutely nothing if you are hopping and jumping--especially with over 200 lbs piled upon them!

My ten year old came along and laughed at mom--she said I was always behind (surprise...the others have been doing this for years now and I just began) and looked pretty silly. I honestly don't care. Morris dancing tends to look a little silly anyow.

I wish I knew what I weighed...Paul has my scale and has never returned it, despite disliking it. I doubt I'll ever see it again. *sigh*

Oh well. The weather has been gorgeous. We still have a drought, so every bit of rain helps, but the days have been warm and sunny. How have the rest of you been?

Wow! I'm short and sassy again. Kat, you sound in pretty good spirits, I'm glad that you are enjoying your dance classes. Dance a little for me, will you?

Jana, keep up the great work. Good luck in finding something for yourself. I really can relate. Last May I went on my first vacation by myself. I went to visit a relative without the hubby and it felt great. I was also able to forget all the worries that my children seem to hand me!! At home my getaway is to work on family genealogy. I sometimes stay on the net for hours. I guess it's kinda therapeuic in its on way.

Glad to hear that you are still having great weather. Louisiana was rainy a week ago and now it is in the 40's at night. That is cold for us. Next week we will probably be in the short sleeves again.

Hubby's job is going well. Although I was worried last week. He was trained his out of town supervisor. Maurice is a mechanic, he has very few computer skills and his new job entails lots of data entry. Everything from his time card, work orders, purchase orders, everything goes in the computer. So needless to say he was terrified. This week is better and he is catching on. I told him it would take time, but he'd get the hang of it. Now he looks at it as a challenge, he'll be okay now.

School is still going strong. I'm litterally aceing all my classes except biology. Most of my grades are anywhere from 90 - 100, except in biology.

Well my printer just quit. I made my mother some flyiers for housekeeping and sewing alterations. I finally broke down and bought a publish program, I've always put it off because I didn't know how easy they would be. Easier than I thought.

Oh yes, my grandson made the A/B honor roll. I am so proud of him.

Talk with you later,
Ruth

Ruth,

If its not too much trouble, and if your spouse wouldn't object, my car has been possessed by evil spirits *wry smile* and I could use some insight as to what it might be.
The other day when I got into my car after a trip to the grocery store, I put the key in the ignition and the starter (without my even turning the key to engage it) started cranking nonstop. I pulled the key out and the starter still cranked nonstop. If turn the key to engage the starter the car does start, but it only will shut off in gear (drive or reverse). I obviously have to leave the key in it. Now I have to leave a key in the ignition at all times, and use a second key to lock the car up. I also have to use the emergency brake whenever I stop the car and lug a 20 lb block of granite to chock the wheel with.

A woman at work thought the timing had jumped a notch. Another friend of mine thought it was a short in the ignition, and still another thought it was the starter. I have NO savings anymore and am now faced with the prospect of driving like this until my taxes come in in Feb. Vermont is very rural, so a car is a must. I also can't afford a car payment now, or I would simply replace it. My fear is that this will progress and I will have to carry a wrench and disconnect the battery every single time I stop the car. Not a pleasing thought as winter is setting in.

At any rate, any words of wisdom would be helpful.
Otherwise, I am slowly catching up on my rent and am now down to $820 in arrears. The electric bill is almost paid off, and I'll be able to start on the phone so I can have a phone again. Dance class is a blast (and one heck of a workout--my heart about leaps out of my chest after extended practice of some of the steps.) I'll need to get some black sneakers that are fairly lightweight and have a lot of spring to cushion the shock of all the hopping and jumping I do. Its fun to know that this approx 215 lb body can do this and keep up with the skinny folk that have been doing this for years.

Hi Kat, I sent you a separate message, but I've also talked to my husband since then. He says that if your car is a Ford, that they have a recall on some ignition switches. He said to call Ford to see if your car is included in the recall. It will be a free repair if that is the case. If your car is not a Ford let me know what the make and model is.

Ruth

Hi Featherweights!!

How's everyone doing? We celebrated my son's 30th birthday last week, and that was fun.

Ruth - congrats to you and your grandson for your good grades. BTW, about every 6 months, I go to a nearby, bigger town and stay over one night and shop, and loaf around in the hotel room. It feels so good to not be responsible for anything while I am gone.

Kat - glad you are catching up on the bills, and hope your car is a recall so you don't have to pay anything. I am really proud of you for staying with the dance classes. Before I had a scale, the nurse at my doctor's office would let me weigh myself for no fee whenever I wanted. I bet most doctors offices would do the same. It's worth a try.

Have a good week, and take care!
Jana

Well, maybe we should start calling ourselves the 3 Musketeers!! Currently there is only 3 of us here. It is amazing that this thread has lasted this long. I know I probably spent a year away from it. Needless to say, I'm glad it is still here. I may not be on track, but I know that if I do make that step, there are good friends here to help!!

Jana, thanks! I've noticed that I really do have a more positive attitude about myself lately. I feel that if I can conquer this educational mountain that I'm climbing, surely the I can tackle the food demons!!!

Well, hope you two have a good week. Kat, I'll check everyday for your reply. Hope my hubby is able to help in some manner.

Ruth

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, my car is a Ford, but it is an older model--1992 Ford Escort LX-E to be precise. *crossing fingers, eyes, toes, and legs in the hopes that my car is amongst the recall vehicles*