Yeah, Cassie doesn't help much with her bills either. I'm glad he's healed. That was one long battle. Our Vet doesn't accept payments. Cash/check/or credit card please! He does good work though so we don't complain. I have to take care of my babies. I know you feel the same way.

Ours probably wouldn't from anyone else, but they say we're their best clients! We've had so many wacky cases that sometimes they don't even charge anything at all! His first surgery where they did the "face lift" on his tummy was no charge. I think the doctor ended up writing some sort of paper on it. He said there was no precedent for that surgery and he just had to wing it the whole way. They are good people and friends too.

Hi all -

Fellow dog-lovers, I think we should be able to put them on our health insurance. I know you can buy special insurance for pets, but I want to just add my dogs on my regular insurance. Recently my Shilo has cost us quite a bit with a simple infection, teeth cleaning and checking her ears. Poor thing is losing her hearing, so we're considering a high-end shock collar. Supposedly the better shock collars have a low setting that will get the dog's attention without shocking them. Since she can't hear us when we call her, we're thinking of training her to come to us when she feels the collar tingle.

Kathy, your son is in my prayers. I'm sure he'll feel much better once the car is fixed and he's had a few weeks on the new job under his belt.

Cindy, you talked about WPAs and APs. I agree with the WW leader -- I had the hardest time figuring out what to do with them. I still don't use APs, even though I exercise regularly. What I find is that I eat as much as I want of core food. I've been using WPAs for eating out, drinking, occasional treats and junk food. All these things are part of life, so I'm glad to have the points to account for them; I could see how a very strict diet would omit them entirely. I'm extremely pleased that having to count points for these things forces me to make choices. I'll pass on a lot of things because they're just not worth the points. Still, most of the time, I find that I don't use the all of my 35 WPAs.

Angela, I have similar issues with my dh. He's overweight, on meds for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Heart disease runs in his family. If I tell him to eat better and exercise, I almost guarantee that he'll commit to the couch and cheeseburgers. I've been thrilled to discover that he's been secretly going for a daily walk with our dogs for the last couple of months. I never told him to do it, but I've been working out consistently since March and I'm thinking that maybe that encouraged him. I don't know what to do about his eating habits. He claims to be doing Atkins, but he has his own version of it (Scottkins) that eliminates everything but pork, chicken, cheese, bacon and red meat. I cook core, so a lot of the time he'll eat McDonald's double cheeseburgers. I've offered to do a diabetic version of core so he can eat with me, but he insists on sticking with Scottkins. Except when he cheats on Scottkins to get pizza or cookies.

I hope you find the secret of getting your dh to eat better, 'cuz I surely would appreciate some advice.

Cher, you crack me up. Dog-pounds!

Vickie, enjoy the pool. I don't know if it would make for good swimming weather, but I'm praying for a break in the heat this weekend. I have a 14 mile run/walk on Saturday morning, and I signed up to do a 2 mile walk on Sunday for the "Race to the Taste" of Chicago. 85+ degree weather will make this miserable. And definitely try some new recipes. It puts adventure into eating well.

Melissa, you hang in there girl. Your job is not your life -- it gives you the money to live your life. Keep looking for a better opportunity, but try not to let a miserable job stay with you when you walk out the door to go home.

Sandra -- were you the person with the cornmeal burger bun idea?? I had a cheeseburger on a cornmeal pancake bun last night and it was sooooo good. OK, the bun was a little strange, but it tasted good and I could enjoy a cheeseburger on a bun that was 100% core. One thing -- would you post the "bun" recipe on the recipe thread? I couldn't find it last night, so I did it from memory. I'm thinking that the cornmeal bun would also be good with a southwestern grilled chicken breast and a little avocado. Or with sloppy joes. Yum!

Linda, I had to smile about your kind comments. Thank you.

I am going out to dinner and a play tonight with a bunch of ladies from work. We're eating at the Macaroni Grill. They have a "sensible fare" menu with a couple of core choices, plus they have a 'pick your pasta' option where you can decide what you want on your pasta -- and they have whole wheat! So I think dinner will be fine.

The challenge will be Sunday's summer festival -- the big daddy of all summer fests -- Taste of Chicago. I go every year, I know what they have, and it is NOT core. I've got about 32 points to spend, but I think that the frozen chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake dipped in chocolate (oh yes, they have it and it is spectacular) alone might take up most of those points. My brilliant plan is to get everything I want, but only have part of it and throw the rest away. I guess we'll see how I do with this idea.

Everyone have a great day. TGIF!

good morning. i did wi today and turtled. that's a surprise since i had my "devestation day" earlier in the week.

cindy, i normally allow myself up to 5 waps per day. that way i don't have to worry about "have i had my 35?" if i go under 5, that's good. if i don't, i don't worry. ww said 35 per week and i'm holding them to it. (of course, devestation day was disastrous. i'm just blocking it out of my mind and having my up to 5 waps all the other days anyway. that's the only way i can mentally deal with a lapse. i don't have those lapses very often, but they can lead to long term binges if i'm not careful. so? blanking them out of my mind helps.)

vickie, i have highlights and a new short do, too. i changed stylests 3 months ago. i think that if this new stylist won't listen to what you want, you should change immediately. you've been through (and so did i) putting up with someone who didn't do what was best for you and you don't need to go through that again. as to the highlights--if you're not happy with them, go back to this stylist asap and let her know. if she won't do something about them, then i'd make the change. her job is to please you and make you look your best. i changed from a ponytail to ultra-short and am loving it. i use my fingers to "fluff" my hair. i was afraid that i'd look like a small head on a big body but that's not the case. most folks tell me i'm looking younger, too, and that's definitely a plus. let us know what you decide. we all want you to be happy and are here for you all the way.

dh is at the door (again!) i need to go practice shooting. i'll be back later. vickie, that banana pudding recipe is posted under a "pie" recipe. melissa made the suggestions for turning it into banana pudding. i'll look it up when i get back. sorry for being so preachy today about your stylist. it's just that i just went through the same thing and had to change stylists. i know how you feel. we pay good money for our "do's" and want to be proud of them.

i too agree that junk is a part of life and to omit is setting self up to fail. i must admit i earn alot of ap's and its a good thing bc i basically use them along w my wp's on weekends bcx theres just stuff io cant give up like bagels, pbj, burgers fries pizza and icecream so i use my weekends to eat those things and whjat i find is a slight gain early in the week that then disappears.

Thanks all for the kind words. Back at work today and nothing gets done on a caseload when you're gone, so it makes you want to call in dead! Oh well, I get paid decently and have great benefits so it's all ok. Just overwhelming at times.

Sandra, I missed the story of what was wrong with your feet. Bad feet can make life so miserable. They are so important, and we often take them for granted! I can remember having plantar fasciatis (sp?) and I walked around for a long time like I was stepping on glass. Glad that's done with. I hope they find at least a quick fix to get you through your tournament next month.

Terry, I think I spell my name that way because I'm left handed. You know we do things backwards!

Cher123, IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS FOREHEAD?????!!!!! Yee-owwww!! I'll shut up about mine being in the top, back part of my head now. I would just go around the bend about that. And trust me, it's a short trip some days.

Katpo, your poor son. My prayers are out to him. If my son had that grandma, I'm pretty sure I'd have a PPO against me. What a hag! Guess she doesn't want to reflect on any possible part she might have played? Not that parent's are always responsible, but we do need to check ourselves first before we blame others. Or at least I do. Congrats on the Spurs beating our Pistons. What a series! The Spurs deserved to win.

Vickie, I agree with the others. Your stylist works for you. My girlfriend that's a hair dresser does mine kind of that way all of the time. She lightens it to very light blond and then tones it to the color that it's supposed to be. It can certainly be done.

I fell off the core wagon yesterday, but back on today. Have a good one all!

Sandra, you weren't being "preachy". I asked for advice and I appreciate it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. I may call her tomorrow and see what she has to say. She may tell me that the color will fade in a bit.

Have fun at Taste of Chicago, Terry. You deserve it. With the way you exercise, I'm sure it will be ok. I'm thinking that stuff would make me sick at this point. I've basically been doing pretty much all Core since the end of September. Almost 9 months. Time flew.

BTW, I said I disagreed with Cindy's Leader because I thought she told Cindy that we shouldn't be using ANY points on Core. I got the impression she thought we should be satisified with Core foods and not buying other stuff. I don't use all 35 as a general rule either.

Well, I'm off to the pool. Still haven't reach GF who is supposed to be having dinner with us at 4:30.

Here I am checking in at lunchtime!

Vickie - boy could I just dive into that pool right now! Just back from a 45 min walk in the blazing heat (ya they told me there was a breeze - just forgot to mention it was a hot breeze!). A bit red-faced and hot now, but I DID IT! Drinking lots of water to rehydrate.

As for the highlights - mine were too pale yellow blonde and I wanted them golden so they put some kind of a "toner" on them - maybe 10 mins or so, and that was it - they were way better than before and I made them write it down for next time!

Kathy - my thoughts are with you and your son - hope all goes well for him.

Cindy - I would not at all hesitate using wpa's for those little extras - that is what there are there for! I use them on a daily basis for the things I can't give up - like cream in my coffee (altho I have switched to light 5% cream).

Sandra - how are the tootsies feeling? Turtling is not a bad thing in my books (says the frouf who is dreading sat am weigh in and would be THRILLED to turtle this week!).

Melissa - I agree w/the other ladies - you definitely want to start looking around for a job that is more suitable - there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and hating to go to work! You deserve to be happier about your job!

As for high cholesterol - my dh has borderline high cholesterol as well, and while he is not really overweight he could lose about 15-20 lbs - he did lose them a while ago low carbing with me - but of course has regained them and I know that being at home and off of work is stressing him out and he is a HUGE chocoholic - which doesn't help. He is VERY AGAINST taking medication for the cholesterol and while I am in general agreement at this point I am telling him if it will "save" your life you might need to consider taking it. He wants to "fix" it with diet and exercise - however he still does not eat that healthy and rarely exercises so his "plan" is not working. He is to go get bloodwork redone in July and I guess the dr will discuss the results w/him and if they are not better I would strongly encourage him to take the medication!

Terry - good luck w/your run and the eating challenges! I am also heading into a bad week. Going out for afternoon tea on Sunday - presume there will be cutesy little sandwiches and cakes - so this will be hard - not sure what my strategy will be. Also we have two graduations next week and I am going out for both lunch and dinner on wednesday (how did that happen?)....so will have to be choosing carefully.

Angela - we also have central air - and my van has a/c as well - so I don't mind the heat - as long as I can get out of it...ha ha ha. The back of our house has a southwest exposure so our family room/kitchen gets loads of hot sun - we keep the shades drawn and honestly without the ac we would never be able to cook or eat in the kitchen in the evenings.

Latest dd rant: so now she is upset cuz she is trying to be good (like doing her OWN LAUNDRY WHEN THE HAMPER IS FULL?) and I am not noticing but specifically lots of arguments last night cuz 2 of her friends are being allowed to miss school this morning to go shopping for "accessories" for their grad dance? What is with these parents? Ya - they are in the last few days of school and not doing much, but tomorrow is saturday - what is wrong with shopping then?

So I am the mean old mom cuz I did not agree to her missing school to go shopping - and furthermore she has no $$ anyways so I assume I would have been financing this excursion? The rant continued this morning as she followed me around whining and complaining and saying she was not going to school today! So I said if she really wanted that 3 friend sleepover this evening she might want to think very carefully on her behavior and decisions. It was up to her I said - if she wanted to have that sleepover tonight she should really get herself ready and out of the house! We had to leave early anyways (dh drove me to work to take my van in), but no call from the school so we can presume she went - but not a happy camper!

I am really looking forward to tomorrow as I get my HAIR CUT AND ROOTS DONE - and I will look and feel human again!

Also need to lose about 1 lb by tomorrow to at least stay the same - so ladies - START BLINKING!!!

Frouf

Thanks Terri. I wasn't sure anything could be done about it at this point.

Thanks for the advice, Frouf. Stand your ground with DD. She'll forgive you some day! Here's some early ones for tomorrow !

Grab your suit, I'm going in now!

What's turtling?

Froufy - these are for you.

Sandra, it's good to put a bad day behind you. I agree that binges can be deadly, 'cuz they can lead you to a cycle of guilt, trying to compensate for the binge, failing to compensate, giving up and binging again, and so forth. Your plan sounds so much healthier. It happened, it can't unhappen - so leave it in the past and continue your eating plan without letting it affect you.

I follow an exercise plan for the marathon from a trainer on the internet. With a training program, if you miss a session, you tend to want to make it up. The trainer says not to. If you miss, you miss. Don't try to do more or work harder to fix it. Just aim to be consistent from this point forward.

If you're feeling philosophical, you could turn this into a general rule for life. Okay, okay, I'll stop now.

Happy weekend everyone!

Hey Girls -

Thanks for the input on the 35 weekly point allowance.....and yes, Vickie - that's what my leader insinuated - that we should be satisfied with CORE foods...I am going to talk to her about that next week. That is one of the reasons I have switched back to WW and the CORE.....that I CAN have those occassional treats....the brand on the granola bar is Nature Valley and they are a chewy bar....come in almond for 3 pts and peanut for 4 points and they are AWESOME.

Went to Red Lobster for lunch today and had two cheddar biscuits, so will count the points...but had a salad, flounder w/broccoli. Dinner tonight is pizza (my family is visiting for the weekend, but think I will just eat the toppings after the biscuits!

Greetings to all of you!

Hi everyone:

I'll blink for you, Froufy, if you'll blink for me. I just want to get rid of whatever I put on last week. Any actual loss will be...well, I was going to say gravy, but that's not quite right, is it?

Dh's "wound" was in the middle, although right up by his hairline. He still felt pretty conspicuous for a while, though. Don't feel too badly--when I was in the grocery store yesterday there was a woman behind me who had three bandaids on her face, including one right across her nose. I guess she lost an argument with her cat or something.

I have to disagree with Cindy's leader, too. I can see cutting back on the WPA's if you aren't losing and you're sure you are being reasonable about portions, but they are part of the plan. In fact, they are the reason I'm doing much better at this than I did on South Beach.

Cher, here's some blinks for you too!

I'm off to dinner now. Niece/Nephew and Great Niece Nephew are coming to swim afterwards.

Well, probably it is good practice to stop before you are stuffed no matter what plan you are on, but I don't think all food is equal. It's theoretically possible to stuff yourself to the gills with lettuce, but if you did you probably wouldn't do much damage to your diet.

I'd say that points are points and if you have enough left to eat the whole can of soup, then how you feel afterwards doesn't really matter that much. The comfort zone is critical, though, to the Core plan precisely because we aren't counting points for Core foods and can easily go overboard. So, strange as it sounds, you did eat too much according to Core, but not necessarily according to Flex. The reason that can be true is that you have to look at it in terms of your whole day or week, and not just that meal. On points, you know what you have used and what you have left. On Core the only thing holding you back is paying attention to how much you really need to eat. Does that make any sense?