Good Morning All! I won't be on much today, if at all. I'm having some what I think are bad side effects from my medicine. Just don't feel much like talking. I hope you all have a great day and hang in there with your program. I'm certainly going to try to do the same.

Alas Sandra - no Aleve in Canada! I used to have some (which my mom had brought back from US but obviously run out now!). I am stuck w/advil or tylenol - and caffeine I guess?

Vickie - sorry about the medication side effects - hope you are not feeling too badly and are able to have a great day!

I am up and about and so far not feeling badly - altho I know I did not get enuf sleep.

Went to see King Kong - an AMAZING movie - very well done - altho quite long too - I think they could have done without some of the animal/insects attacking scenes - seems they were only put in for the special effects capabiity - otherwise tho a great movie - very well acted!

Had a cafe mocha before the movie - needed that caffeine for the headache - and we shared popcorn and diet pepsi (and I was actually hungry). Also had a good dinner before I left! (steak, sweet potato, peas).

As for the cruise - looks like a go on dh's part - for some reason I am hesitant and not sure why? I don't feel excited? My manicurist/salon owner friend told me she was going and asked me to go along - we are not super close friends obviously but like each other - she is a bit older and more "elegant" than I? but lots of fun.

Dh does not know them at all. So given this sailing date - cabins are going fast! Dh wants to go in a balcony cabin - and I don't blame him - right now no insides left (which as kathy mentioned are the cheapest and she's right as you don't spend much time in there). There are only outside cabins left - most w/obstructed view.

The beauty of the balcony is I JUST LOVED having breakfast out there every morning - delivered by room service...and at night it was amazing to go out there in my jammies - and see the stars and the vastness of the ocean. Very serene and romantic.

It is also our anniversary on january 17 so dh has convinced himself that this should be our anniversary celebration. Of course still need to get childcare for little guy and arrangements for the older two as well.

so the question is - do we go on this particular cruise date? or just pick another date (and balcony cabin?) and go for it?

The good news is I am committed to my "5 weeks to cruisetime" regime" - realizing that a) none of my clothes will fit me and b) I need to be in better physical condition for all the walking and touring I hope to do. So eating propoerly is a definite goal and is exercising.

I have decided on a twice daily routine - in the morning I will do some floor exercises (which I did this am: 40 stomach crunches, 20 leg lifts each side, 20 inside thigh lifts each side and 10 pushups) and also 30 mins of aerobic activity - either treadmill or dvd/exercise tape.

I need to get back to onederland at the very least (and I am at 211 as of this morning!!!!)

Wish me luck!

Frouf

Frouf, good luck. I know you can do it. I say you should book a cruise every 3 months to keep yourself on program if that's what it takes!

I'm off to get on the treadmill for the first time in 2 1/2 months. I'll have to take it real slow as I feel awful, but have been told that gentle exercise will help the cystitis AND the side effects. I really would just rather lay down on the couch and feel sorry for myself.

Hey, guess who's still in bed? Lordy, I am LAZY! I just leaned over and grabbed the laptop and then covered back up. I might be all alone today and that won't hurt my feelings a bit.

Judd just left to go on the Toy Run with 45,000 other motorcycles. He'll be back around 4:00 this afternoon. The girls are going to a cousin's for Christmas on their dad's side, and Shaun will probably stay in his room all day. With no car, there's not a real big chance he'll be leaving home today. I'll invite him to go to dinner with us.

Scale was back to 150 this morning so I'm a little relieved. It might not seem like a big deal but I sorta worked hard to get into the 140s and hated to see 150s again. Maybe in a few days I'll dip below 150 again. If so, I'll do what I can to stay there.

I still don't have a firm idea where we're going for dinner but hopefully they'll let me have some input. If not, and if we have to go to the hibachi place, I'll have miso soup, shrimp and vegetables and won't eat the rice.

Vickie, I wish you felt better. Everybody else, have a good day. I'll try to come back in a while to check in again.

Morning Chickies,
Frouf sounds like the Cruise is a go then?? Im jealous.....never been on one, but would love it. Im like Vickie, if it keeps you OP for the next couple of weeks,,,go Frouf go Frouf go Frouf!
Vickie, sorry this weekend has been bad for you,,,,,,,and your prob worrying about Christmas next weekend. You sound like you have a great Dh there, and im sure he would be glad to do anything you need doing still. When he offers take him up on it and dont you dare feel guilty!! One good thing, you have been wanting to get back on the treadmill and now you can..and it may even help you,,double yeah!!
Im off to church here this morning,,,dont really feel like going though and its been on my mind all week. Our minister is leaving us in Jan to go to another church and there is problems now with some parisheners about his going away party... were trying to keep is simple (we cant afford anything large we are a small church) but some want a huge blowout....its causing lots of stress and headaches. Not the way we wanted to send him off.......Im trying to stay out of it but its soooo hard.
I better get going,,,,,ttyl

Vickie, I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well. Way to go getting on that treadmill even though you don't feel like it. That is a major NSV.

Kathy, rest while you can! I think after this week you deserve to lay in bed for a little bit.

Patti, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles at church. As a person who has left a church ministry position, I can honestly say that he would probably rather leave with everyone being positive than with a bunch of disagreement, regardless of whether it's a big party or small one. But I know that's hard to achieve in church sometimes!!

Frouf, it sounds like this cruise is going to be a great motivator for you! That's really great. Your exercise plans really good too. I might just copy you. I think it will be great for the two of you to get away and have some time to be romantic.

Well I am home from church. I just went to the worship service and then came home. I'm feeling much better than I did yesterday, but still just kind of cruddy. My head is slowly de-congesting so that is a good sign I think. I guess I just got a good ol' cold or something. I'm hoping to feel better because we need to go shopping this afternoon. I decided not to order that purse for my mom online, as I am too afraid that it won't get here by Friday. But there is a place in the mall that sells the same types of things so we're going to go there. It will be more expensive, but I'll have to see how much. There are several other little things that we need to get as well so whenever DH gets home and we have lunch we'll probably go out for a little while.

{{{{{vickie}}}}}

frouf, if you'd like a bottle of aleve, pm me an address and i'll mail it for you. girl, i have to tell you you're making me want to take a cruise with a balcony. curtis and i went to hawaii for a month a couple of times. the second time we rented a condo. we had our own lanai and would breakfast out there each morning. then at night we'd watch the sunset. very romantic. i'll pm you information on that if you'd like to look at it. the website will give you a virtual tour. we were right on the beach in maui. we were on the 9th floor and couldn't tell there was anyone else anywhere near. just a thought for a future frouf adventure.

i am proud of you for your commitment. no matter what weight you are you are a beautiful woman and will have a good time on your cruise.

vickie, i hope you're able to exercise today afterall. maybe that will give you some much needed relief.

kathy, it is a big deal. you've worked very hard to get back into the 140's. you're doing very well and should pat yourself on the back. if you can keep your weight where you are through the holidays, you'll be able to lose easier after the first of the year. just hang in there and keep that positive attitude you have.

angela, it's not easy to plan something when so many people are involved in the say so, is it? i hope all goes well. that's good advice you gave vickie. i second it.

melissa, i'm glad you're feeling better. have fun at the mall today.

did ya'll see my tracker? it's still moving. i'm all smiles.

Sandra, you go girl!!! You're doing so GREAT! Attagirl!!

45 minutes on the treadmill at between 2.0-2.4 mph. No relief yet but I expect it to take a while.

Go Vickie,,,,,did it feel good to get back on it??
Sandra look at that little chickie go....

i'm still all smiles. thank you all so much for your support. i just did 30 min @ 2.0 mph. i'll do another 30 min after a bit. life is good.

vickie, congratulations on doing your treadmill. i hope you're feeling better.

Wow, pages and pages to read through!

I have no advice on the cruise - I've never been on one, and am not sure I'd want to. I get motion sick, I sunburn easily, I hate salt water, and I'm slightly claustrophobic, so maybe not the best vacation for me.

My brother, sister, dad and I sang today at church. We did a medly of "What Child is This?" that my sister arranged. I think we did well...we got lots of compliments.

We have dh's big fancy work Christmas party to go to tonight. I'm wearing a cute velvet dress that's very form-fitting. I feel like showing off a little. Actually, I purchased a "supportive undergarment" (aka girdle) yesterday, just to smooth things out a little. It helps.

Well, I'm pretty much done with christmas shopping. I got my grandma's package shipped with hardly any pain and anguish, and now I just have to wrap everything. We're giving the dd's their own computer this year, complete with lots of new games, so we will have to get it ready and install all the games before then.

I'm off to rest before the party... Later!

Angela

Congrats to you Vickie for biting the bullet and getting back on that treadmill - I know it was hard for you - but you don't give up - which helps all of us stay inspired!

you too Sandra - way to go on the consistent exercising! And you would definitely love that balcony cabin - I just wanted to chain myself to the rail on the last day and throw the key into the ocean! What a wonderful feeling being spoiled every morning - and to be honest I think it also helped in the eating department. Instead of going to the big buffet and pigging out on all sorts of things - we checked off what we wanted on the paper menu provided in the evening and hung it on our door with a delivery time.

I usually ordered hot oatmeal, decaf and a fruit plate - and sometimes a muffin as well - which is probably less damaging than all the stuff on the buffet! We would set it out on our little table outside and just enjoy the view - be it the blue ocean or whatever port we were arriving at - I can't say enuf about how lovely this was! Also a nice spot for an afternoon read or a pre dinner glass of wine....ahhh the life....

Anyhow - stll lots of planning to do if we're even going - first order of business is daycare for little ds and if that doesn't pan out - well we're not going anywhere!

Angela - have fun at the party and your dress sounds lovely - hope you can manage the evening in the "undergarment".

In fact I almost forgot we are off to a party as well - a chanuka party - which starts in about an hour!!! A pot luck - I have been assigned a fruit platter - which I got at the grocery store no less! (looks very yummy). I need to eat something before I go so I don't pig out too much - we all know there will be lots of greasy fried potato pancakes to feast on so I must be watchful.

Time is running out so instead of cooking something I might just have a bowl of cereal and milk! The best news is I am proud to report that exercise session 2 has just been completed - yes I did 30 minutes on the treadmill (3.0 mph at 1.5% elevation!) - how amazing is that? So far I am on track with my 'cruise countdown program'. Need to jump in the shower, make myself presentable and eat something before we go (luckily it's in the neighborhood - like 5 mins away!).

Bad news is I am unprepared for tomorrow - need to get some kind of lunch and snacks going so I don't get off track! Only other upcoming challenge is lunch out on Wednesday at a russian restaurant no less!

Later,

Frouf

angela, how about a photo of you in the little black dress? we'd love to see it. you know we're living goal through you right now.

frouf, i am impressed. 3.0 mph and 1.5 % elevation! i do 2.0 mph keeping my treadmill flat at the same time. i did do 2 miles today. i did 1 mile at a time. that worked for me. your cruise is sounding better all the time. i'll also live through you.

Sandra and Frouf, congratulations on your exercise!

Angela, have fun. I'm sure you'll look stunning.