It's sorta like the Special K challenge, I guess. I think it sounds very doable because I also love cereal. That's my dinner sometimes when I can't think of anything else to have. It seems like it would be a good change to shake things up.
hi, chickies. we've been busy today shooting and running errands. we stopped at dq on the way home. i got a 1 pt fudge bar. tasted heavenly!! i'm still doing great opwise. one day at a time--that's the way it's going to be for me.
vickie, i wish i were as perky as i sound. curtis and i just went to walmart. i normally have trouble keeping up with his pace. today it was impossible. i am moving very very slowly with this old tootsie. i guess i shouldn't complain, though, cuz i am moving.
patti, thank you for the credit but melissa's the one who started the challenge. i just jumped onboard. i like your challenge. i wish you the best of success.
melissa, thank you for the encouragement. i'm trying to do something different this time. the same thing kept getting me the same results. now why was i surprised?
kathy, there's always willie down near austin. also, he has a brother just west of grandview.
saundra, what a nice thing for you to say! thank you so much. you are very sweet.
angela, i haven't seen the cereal challenge. keep us posted on how you do.
Hey Chicks! I'm home and VERY tired. I went to WW and gained 2.2 pounds. Everyone missed me and was happy to see me back, especially my Leader. It felt so good to be supported that I almost cried. I don't even care about the gain except to try to stop gaining and get back on my program. I just wish I wasn't so tired. I cannot be getting sick.
I know I'm worried about Jim's not being able to eat. I brought him a slurpee on my way home. He still won't use the numbing gel like the Doctor said so that he can eat. I made him plain old Campbell's chicken and noodle with those straw like mushy noodles and he couldn't eat many of them. He just asked me for an omelet so I made him one. It had to be FF cheddar because that's all I had. I never dreamed he'd ask for an omelet. I came in here so I don't know how much he ate. I'm trying not to hover. BTW, the weight is literally falling off of him. At least he's keeping hydrated. I keep saying prayers and reminding myself that I do not have control.
I'm going to go spend some time with him. Maybe I'll be back later. It's a gorgeous day here. I have the house open and it feels great. I just wish Jim could enjoy it more. Maybe tomorrow!
That's right, missy! It's out of our hands. What a terribly hard lesson for control freaks like us! I'll be praying for you both.
Now about this gel. Is it icky tasting? Is that why he won't use it? I wonder if they have flavored gels for children that maybe you could get. It's worth a try.
Instead of pinto beans and brown rice, I ended up making ww spaghetti with broccoli, diced tomatoes and some very yummy chicken that MIL had brought over a few weeks ago (when she brought all those groceries). We put it in the freezer. It came from Costco in a large tray, and there were three packages with four chicken breasts in each package. We ate one of them the day she brought it, and it was lemon flavored. This one was mediterranean and it goes well with the broccoli and tomatoes. Judd was going to eat a Lean Cuisine but instead I made this and I think he must have liked it. Oh and watch for episode 2 of "Wheelchair Cooking". This one was even trickier but I made it just fine!
I'm having an unusually hard time with myself lately, being all emotional and introspective. Maybe I have too much time to sit around and think, maybe I'm tired of how things have been doing, but whatever it is, it sure is taxing. I had placed an order with Crossings Book Club last week and they arrived today. I got a new Women's Devotional Bible NIV, a bio of Sandi Patty (one of my favorite Christian music artists), The Purpose Driven Life and the accompanying journal. I'm debating whether to keep the PDL books or give them to Shaun. If I do, then I have to wonder if he's going to read them. I truly think they would help him, but of course it won't help a bit if he uses them as coasters! Oh what am I thinking?? The boy doesn't USE coasters!
I suppose I should go check on things in the family room before settling down for the evening. I'll be back in a little while.
Hey my busy little chickies - here I am back from our 'road trip' and trying to catch up on all the news!
Vickie - congrats on the new baby - both Sarah and you look lovely! I know it must be heard for your niece to leave her in the hospital - but she can focus on getting the nursery ready for her imminent arrival home!
Glad to hear that the omellette was a success! Hope Jim starts feeling better and eating more soon!
Wheelchair cooking? now there's an interesting concept. I am sorry I must confess a small giggle did escape my lips when I read about you tipping out of the chair (bad bad froufie). Glad you are focussing on managing what you can and leaving the rest in 'better' hands. And your ebay bargains are amazing- 3 shirts for $1? Are you kidding?
Coco - keep up the good walking!
Saundra - so what's up with this weather? I came home to find like a humongous pile of topsoil in the driveway - of course all soaking wet due to the rain this weekend - and did I mention all the DIRT/MUD on the front steps , on the driveway and some even made it into our vestibule/entryway (yes right after the cleaning lady's visit on Friday). I am not impressed, however I do commend dh for spreading the topsoil...also has grass seed to spread - and he even started preparing some flower beds for me - finally! Time to start my landscaping plans!
Melissa - are you almost all packed up? I bet you are super excited. Good luck w/the move!
Sandra - I am impressed with your dedication and I for one put my money on you to get into the 180's this week!
Now the weekend saga: Drive down was lovely and uneventful - nice sunshine until we hit Toronto - just a bit of rain. Hotel very nice except we had room near icemachine - ya I should have asked to be changed - did you know people get ice at all hours of the day and night? I also noticed we were all put on the same floor - and had visions of screaming little dancing girls roaming the halls and creating havoc all night (this psychic premonition did come true sat night - when I had to knock on the door of room 607 due to much giggling and running sounds of little girls. One girl said "i'll get it" - and I know she was too short to look thru the peephole? And she just went ahead and opened the door! I look in and see 6 little girls ages maybe 7-10? and I say is there an adult in here? and they say NO!!! - just like that!). I guess I did not look too threatening standing there in my red teddy bear nightie? I then see a women leaving another room down the hall heading this way - I ask if she 'belongs' to this room? Yes - well maybe there should be an adult here as the girls were running around)...and why in heck were they not in bed as it was midnight!
The competition - holy moly I have never seen so many false eyelashes, glittery hair and rhinestones in one place! The competition ran from friday afternoon to 6 pm sunday night - over 400 entries! So any time of the day or night (almost) if you wanted to watch you would just head over and get some entertainment! such amazing talent - of course there was one toronto dance school which had like 1/3 of the entries - and they were amazing! Walked away with most of the trophies of course - which was a bit unfair? They were definitely 'over represented".
Emily was okay - couple of meltdowns of course as I 'did not do her makeup properly' - of course had to blame it on me - and she ended up doing it herself. Her school did fairly well - with 1 first place and lots of ribbons and medals for the girls. Emily has one gold ribbon and one high silver! but was disappointed with this.
She was okay but still very self centered and selfish for the whole weekend and frankly I found it exhausting and annoying. And those backstage dressing rooms are tiny and hot and crowded - so I had to stay focussed and not go crazy as I tried to help her pin her costume and she was getting very impatient with me!
Saw my gf in Toronto for dinner both nights and stayed there last night (after a major meltdown in the car by dd!). Not fun! I think dd is so unappreciative of all she has and I am basically fed up with it? By the way the zen I got on ebay arrived the evening before we left so she was able to load it up and use it - I did remind her it was mine and I was loaning it to her.
I have since taken it away, did not drive her to dance class tonight and told her next saturday (another in town competition) I will drop her off and pick her up but will not stay with her? Why you ask? I told her I am NOT HER FRIEND. She cannot abuse and mistreat me and expect me to do things for her? I am ashamed and embarrased to say that I raised this selfish wicked child.
1) Dh makes a teasing comment upon seeing her ribbons - why don't I get ribbons like that? Her response: cuz you suck!
2) dh made a lovely roast for our dinner arrival. He put some green beans in micro to cook (7 mins) and I prepared some baked potatoes to go in after. Dd hovering around - makes a comment on 'why are we eating such gross food?" leaves a frozen lean cuisine on counter and goes upstairs.
Green beans come out - potatoes go in. She comes down a minute later and starts yelling about how dare we put the potatoes in - she was waiting for the microwave oven and while there was 7 mins to go for the potoates - too bad for us - she stops the oven and removes them? I put them back in - and say sorry - but we are trying to prepare our dinner and we did not know she was waiting for the oven.
I warn her that her behaviour is unaccpetable and I will NOT drive her to dance class tonight if she continues.
Well my meal is right here and I came down to put it in.....and I'm hungry. Well we are also very hungry. Too bad she says - and again proceeds to take the potatoes out and put her meal in, knowing full well the consequences.
At this point you can only imagine how I am feeling (more on this later) - I am livid but know that I will do extreme damage if I explode now. I just go upstairs and remove the zen (mp3player) from the computer (she was charging it) and put it in my drawer. (she later asks where HER zen is? excuse me? this is my zen and I have chosen to take it back right now).
Dh eats and has to leave (jamming) he is very disappointed due to lack of baked potato - and has no hesitation in tell me so? I get angry at him too now.
She dares knock on my door later to confirm I am not taking her? that's right? And I told her I am not her friend - I do not wish to speak with her - or interact with her - and will not be staying next sat at her competition.
She gets red faced and starts screaming at me - how she was good all weekend? and why am I being so mean? and how she needs me next sat and maybe I just want her to leave and go live on the street?
She has since been cocooned in her room - and I don't know what to do? I am so sick and tired of all of this - and it is really stressing me out?
I think I want to send her to one of those boot camp places? Not sure they have them in Canada? She has no idea how lucky she is and has no appreciation for anything? I guess I did not do a good job of raising her but I am hoping this can be fixed? She wanted to stay sunday night and we did (ends up crying sunday night that she wants to go home!). I shelled out over $500 this weekend, which does not include any of the dance classes, costumes, entry fees, choreography fees, accessories and makeup! I also took 2 days off of work and drove 10 hours to get her there and back? Where does she come off feeling this is her due? And demanding even more every time I turn around?
I know this is not a nice thing to say - but she is a wicked selfish child? And frankly if she left home I don't think I would miss her? Isn't that an awful thing for me to say? I am thinking of having her stay at her dad's for the summer? But of course she would view this as a punishment ( he lives in a small 2 bedroom apt - no computer!). I am wondering if this would make her realize what she has? Or is it a lost cause? Is she just a selfish teenager? and hopefully some maturity will help her realize her selfish ways? (I am trying desperatley to remember how I behaved when I was her age?).
I will be making an appt to speak w/her therapist cuz frankly I feel I am at my wit's end - and I don't want to say or do things that might cause more hurt and damage!
Frouf
P.S. oh ya - I forgot my bc pills at home - so after 3 days of no pills I now have TOM - AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not happy - bad headache, backache and feeling crummy - which probably explains some of the above?
Oh goodness gracious! I repeat, GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!
First of all, your lack of BC pills and the return of TOM does NOT excuse her behavior one bit! You were and are well within your rights to pull the plug on all of it -- driving here and there and spending money on an ungrateful spoiled child, to say nothing of the behavior at dinner!! That right there would have pushed me over the edge. I'm sure that I would have smacked the child across the mouth (which isn't the right thing to do, of course, but so tempting).
I really have no help to offer but just can't believe she's putting you thru this wringer. Bless your heart.
vickie, i am very proud of you for going to ww. you are back on track. didn't you feel good when everyone was so glad to see you at the meeting. you are a rock to us and to them. you are a very important part of so many people's weightloss journey.
i'm glad jim ate the omelet. that's great news.
kathy, you might try lying the books wherre he would find them. maybe he'd pick them up. you are doing some mighty deep thinking. i think we all need to do that every now and then. you have a good attitude and a fabulous sense of humor. you're amazing, girl!
frouf, i am so sorry for all the drama at your house. sounds like dd needs some help. i don't envy you your decisions.
Good night, dear friends. I'm just checking in before punching out for the day. I fell asleep a little while ago and was surprised to wake up and see what time it was!
I called my baby Kate a minute ago and it was wonderful to hear her voice. I miss the little toot more than I thought I would. She loves her apartment and is doing well, and her eyes are improved.
Good Morning Chicks! It is a gloomy, rainy, gray day here in Chicagoland. I can hear the wind and rain whipping outside. Jim had a bad night but was up early enough to get Cassie outside before the wind and rain started. She's quite fussy and does not want to go outside in those kind of conditions. Who could blame her!
I don't want to go out either but I must go out later. I think I'll get some more eggs and good cheese for Honey Lamb and a few other things I should have bought yesterday. Gotta keep nutrition in my honey. We also have to go to the LazBoy gallery later. We are thinking about buying new furniture for the family room. They are bringing in a piece especially for us since I told them I definitely would NOT buy a couch without sitting on it. They had the chair and it was GREAT! I have to make sure that the couch is comfy for me to lay on and watch TV. But.....at least my morning can be at my leisure. We have the cable guy coming again because our DVR box is not working reliably. They'll be switching it out instead of trying to fix it.
Now I'm going to go read posts and catch up with all of you.
Good morning chicks. Just stopping by to say hello. I hope that you all have great days.
I'm trying very, very hard to remain composed and not flip out completely.
Here's some willpower winks and good luck for us all!
Saundra, thanks for all the support! It means alot to me. How are things going at WW? I always think of you when I go to the desk after weigh in. Yesterday, I bought my Spring Season Pass. It's really cool. It costs $149 and it is good for all weigh ins between April 30th and August 26th. That's 17 weeks and quite a savings since weekly fees here are $10.95. It's even a savings over the 10 coupon sheet that I normally buy for $99.50. What I really like about it the most is that it is a coupon that gets stapled to your weigh in book and I do not have to mess around tearing out those little coupons every week. Wow...I went off on a tangent! What's planned in your life for this week?
Angela, I've seen the cereal challenge. I suppose you could do it with Core cereals, right? I may be doing that a few nights while Jim's tongue is recuperating. I would not be good at cooking a meal for one. I hope the girls and you are feeling better soon. How's your SIL doing?
Sandra, I have DQ here. I'll have to check out those fudge bars. Jim and I would both like them. I need a Walmart trip too but not this week. I have too much responsibility this week and we really aren't in danger of running out of anything. Jim could always leave me in the dust! He works real hard to make sure he doesn't leave me behind. It helps that we hold hands all the time. Yep.....we are one of those couples. We hold hands as soon as we get out of the car and through the store.........
Gee Kath, you're a control freak too? Another example of the fact that we were separated at birth! Your dinner sounds fabulous (although I don't eat anything with oregano in it) and I can't tell you how I giggled here to think of you creating a new Food network show called wheelchair cooking! Of course you are being emotional and introspective! You are stuck in a wheelchair and bed. It would happen to anyone. My vote is to not waste the books on Shaun. He won't use them and you'll just feel upset. Maybe he'll see you reading them and ask to borrow them. I think if you just give them to him straight out, he'll rebel. My GF has troubles because she's the one waiting to hear if her brothers' bone marrow matches hers so that she can have a bone marrow transplant. She's still waiting to hear if the transfusion worked. Unfortunately, the transfusions don't work forever. I don't know if the gel tastes bad. It is the same stuff that the dentist rubs on before the novacaine shot so I don't think it's horrible. He just doesn't want to touch his tongue, I think.
Wow, Frouf! It was exhausting to read about your weekend and your return home. I do NOT think you are reacting unreasonably to Emily. I would pack her up and send her to her father so fast that her head would spin. At the very least, I would call her therapist. Where on earth does she get off thinking she is entitled to everything? I'm just floored that she didn't appreciate everything that you did for her over the weekend and all the money you spent on her. Obviously, nothing makes her happy. I'd be tempted to stop trying. As far as the kind of kid she is......some of it is just her blueprint from birth. My Sister and I have been talking about this alot in relation to her grandkids. They both have very strong, distinct personalities that I believe will follow them throughout life. Now, we'll be able to influence them alot but much of it maybe pre-programmed. I sure would find a way to show her how the ohter half lives. No one as wonderful, sweet, and giving as you deserves to be treated this way. I'm sorry you were feeling crummy last night. I hope you feel better today. I think Emily is really testing you. I know it won't be easy but try to hold to your guns or you may have to give her whatever she wants forever. I sure would have had MY baked potato! On a happier note though, it sounds like your DH is feeling better. He made you a lovely dinner AND started working on your landscaping that you have wanted for so long. At least there is a bright spot!
Oh.....all of a sudden I'm starving. I'm off to make breakfast. I'll be back.
Good gloomy morning to you all. It's pretty cool and raining. It is suppose to clear up this afternoon.
DS is coming in to do the inspection today. He's lecturing in Montreal, and will rent a car to drive in and out of Ottawa. I assume that he won't get here until about 5:00. I hope it all goes well, but since the house is under two years old, I don't anticipate any problems.
Vickie, so glad that you went to WW yesterday. It's good to have the support of the group and how nice of your leader to welcome you back. Isn't it wonderful the you found something to nourish Jim? You are a thoughtful wife and are doing a great job of looking after your guy.
Melissa, don't freak out, it will all happen. Just think, soon you'll be in your own place. Wonderful!
Frouf, what can I say? I'm so sorry about your trip. It does sound like Emily has some major issues. My niece has a son from previous short bad marriage. He is eighteen now, but when he was a young teen he rebelled against her new husband and daughter. It was a very difficult situation, and he wound up in a group home for almost a year. I'm not suggesting that to be a solution for you, but just to let you know that these things do happen. Things aren't perfect at their home, but a lot better than before. No wonder you have a headache!
Kathy, the TV crews are coming in form The Learning Chanel. Hey wheelchair cooking, what a concept.
Sandra, you are so positive, and I will continue to tell you how delighted I am for you.
Okay, I'm going to WW to see if maybe my glasses are there. It dawned on me that I worked on the 13th and maybe that's where I left them. Wish me good luck.
I'll be praying for you both.
I fell asleep a little while ago and was surprised to wake up and see what time it was! 
for us all! 
