hi, chickies. i have been working in the yard for over 3 hours. am i sunburned! got a lot of flowers planted in one rosebed by our hummingbird feeder/our swing in the back then weeded, pruned the rose garden, and 4 rosebeds. whew! i'm going to the podiatrist in a minute. my face is beet red but i don't care. i'm not putting any makeup on. i don't know if i'll go to water aerobics today or not. i probably won't have the energy. but i feel soooooo goood.

got to go. i'll be back later to read all your posts. hope you're all having a glorious monday.

Hey Chicks! Here I am for a short break while Jim does the kitchen, bath, and laundry room floors. I've still got to clean my hutch in my kitchen, the outside of the refrigerator, and the top of the stove. Then I have to clean the sink in the bathroom and I'm done! Woo Hoo....a nice clean house for the surgery recovery. I'm thinking it'll be at least a month before I can deep clean again. Until then, it will just be wipe up cleaning to keep it looking as good as I can.

We learned that Jim is the first surgery on Wednesday. We have to be there at 6:00 am for a 7:00 am surgery. Fortunately, the place is about 5 minutes from our house. I'll probably want to leave a little early so I can go get a cup of dunkin donuts coffee to take with me. I guess I'll need a book to read also. The surgery is likely to take 2 hours and then the recovery will take another 2 hours depending on how quickly Jim comes out of the anesthesia. Then I'll bring him home and go fill any prescriptions he needs. The scheduler said that sometimes they go home with a pain pump...whatever that is. His shoulder will be packed in some kind of cooler. Kathy, I imagine he'll look like the baseball pitchers look after they pitch. They said he'll probably want to sleep in a recliner for a couple of days because it will hurt too much to lay down. I can tell Jim is really dreading/regretting that he has to have this surgery but there is just no living with it anymore. I told him that I'll take good care of him.

Ok, I'm off to see what you all have been up to.

You mean he goes home the same day? When my dad had knee replacement surgery, he was in the hospital for almost a week! I was thinking this was shoulder replacement, so if I'm wrong that could explain it, but still ... hmmm, now why am I thinking that? Okay, what kind of surgery is it?

Woohoo on the sparkling clean house! I know that's a good feeling to get it done!

I'm thinking that maybe it's because Curtis had shoulder replacement? Otherwise, I'm losing my marbles.

Angela, your daughter is precious! I'm sure that I'd have been giggling right along side you. What is your new avatar? Saundra made a great point about the other snacks besides just fruit. I made those wonderful blueberry muffins. I'm going to try to make them with peaches too. Whatever it takes.

Melissa, it stinks that the shelf is giving Aaron so much trouble. Time to call in the reinforcements!

Saundra, I'm so glad you had fun. You and Frouf almost make me want to travel. We haven't heard about the shopping fun yet, have we? I am really happy for you that you were able to let loose a little over the weekend and use some WPA's. I know that you normally don't use them and it's good for you to see that you can use a few and not gain weight.

Niki, I'm sorry you couldn't get the Catherine's one day sale. I think you still managed to get alot of stuff for your money. The website was probably overloaded with everyone shopping the sale at the same time. I was on quite early Sunday morning.

Frouf, I hope that DH is done scratching and that you can now breathe. Your allergies sound pretty significant. I hope you're feeling better. Silly DH! I would have been pretty grumpy that he couldn't keep track of his appointments and he's not even working. But, at least you'll get a great dinner before you go to the concert.

So Sandra, I'm not clear on what will be happening. You are staying in your current house and doing renovations or will you be staying in your town but moving to a new house? I see your temperature thingy! OMG, were those flowers from your garden?! I wish I lived near you. My yard is just nekkid compared to you.....except for the gorgeous peonies that grow in the spring near my birthday. My Mommy's favorite flowers!

Kathy, you aren't losing your marbles. Curtis had shoulder replacement. Jim is having a repair of a torn rotator cuff and they are also going to shave down a bone spur that is causing the problem. It is same day surgery. They are doing lots of them here now. He starts PT on Thursday and goes back to the doctor on Friday. We don't know yet how often the PT will be. The scheduler said, though, that he might not be able to shower for a week. Yuck!

Yay! I'm caught up.

Oh yeah, and I did not weigh in again today. It seemed like a good time for true confessions. I know it's not what is best for me. What's best for me is going to the meetings. Anything I say will sound like an excuse. So I'm not going to make one. I'm following the program. I'm not sure why I'm not making going to meetings a priority. I guess I figure that everything else to prepare for Jim's surgery and his recovery are more important for the time being. I must finish my exercise though before the Fourth of July.

I hear you loud and clear on that one! It's only an hour, and even with driving time probably less than two hours. You and I both know that Jim could be by himself for that long (and might enjoy the break! ;) ) Now here's what irks me: I don't even HAVE driving time. They come HERE! I do have to take an hour out of my workday though and that means being here for 10 hours that day. Lately I haven't been able to do it. It also stinks to pay for something you're not using (like my gym membership!). So you are correct ... anything I say will also sound like an excuse and I really don't have a good one.

:chin: The $68,000 question. I wish we all knew why we do things we're not supposed to, and don't do things we should. We could solve a lot of problems if we did.

I'm thinking we'll both secretly want a break by next week. He's already a trifle crabby and it can only get worse. I understand why he's upset but it's no fun. That's why I'm trying to convince myself to go next Monday. If he has therapy, I'll try to make it so that I can drop him off and then go to my meeting. They are right around the corner from each other.

I DO need to do it for me!

I'm sure he'll miss me though!

Gotta go finish cleaning! I'll try to pop back in later when he goes for our Chipotle.

I'm letting him pick where he wants to go for dinner tomorrow night. He may choose his favorite prime rib restaurant not too far from where I grew up. He can't have any food or water after 10:00, so I'm guessing we'll be in bed by then. I'll have to get up at 4:00 in order to be ready to leave by 5:30 on Wednesday morning!

Vickie, you're a busy gal with lots on your plate. It will be so good when the surgery is over, and Jim is on his way to recovery. I know that they'll be some rocky roads ahead, but think of the "big" picture.

Oh, btw, Bernie and I took apart the fridge this morning, and it's Vickie Clean.

:rofl: I haven't done the inside of mine in a while. Maybe I'll do it while we are stuck here at home with Jim recuperating.

Thanks, for the support you guys. I'm trying not to fret or whine!

*Vickie clean* hahaha I like that one...
I will be thinking of Jim on Wednesday Vickie. Hope you saved yourself something to do while Jim sleeps and recouperates. Your going to need to be busy so you dont worry yourself sick. Take care of yourself too.
Frouf,,,Burton Cummings was in our neck of the woods two weekends ago but I couldnt make it..dh was working. bummer... I would love to see him.
Angela,,out of the mouths of babes..hehe too cute.
Sandra I cant see your temp thing either but I can never see Angelas pics either...wonder why?
ok I cant remember who posted on the previous thread ...CRAFT desease.. but i know you all gave my dd good thoughts..so thanks everyone.

Vickie, you might feel like you're fretting and whining, but to us you are organized, prepared, determined and ready to take care of your Honey Lamb! I'm sure he has never ever in his life been cared for the way you do! :hug: You're both made for each other.

Now as to him wanting a break by next week, you're probably right. Sick (and recovering) people tend to be cranky for some reason. Myself included and I can get sworn statements from everyone in my family that I was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to live with the first few weeks after my accident. I think the dinner out tomorrow night is a good one.

Saundra, your fridge is Vickie Clean!!! :rofl: I love it!

I'm going to look at Sandra's posts and see if her temp thing shows up. It does on my work computer.

No! Now isn't that something? I can't view it on the laptop and there's not even a little red x or anything. It's just plain not there. WEIRD!

I wonder if there's some sort of browser setting that disallows viewing of linked urls or something.

Vickie, my avatar is a screenshot from World of Warcraft, that computer game I play. It's too tiny to see much, but my character is the one on the right. The one with glowing hands is my husband. He was getting ready to portal us to a major city. :)

Anyhoo, I'm with everyone Vickie. Go to your meeting next week and give Jim and you some space. Plus, it'll be good for you both to get your minds on something else for a little while. You're so good at taking care of other people...what would you tell any of us to do if we were in your situation?

And, I'm proud to report I have stuck with my menu plan all day long. That's a first for quite some time. I guess technically I deviated slightly - my strawberries were bad, so I had a peach-banana smoothie instead. :lol: I have to say, Froufie Roast is indeed to die for. Wow! It's definitely good on pork as well as beef, I am sure. It's so flavorful and moist! Wherever did you get the recipe, Frouf?

My sister is in Canada now...her hubby is on a business trip, and since they both work for the same company, she tagged along. But she's up near Calgary, I belive, so nowhere near you Ottawa folks.

Time to do our Family Home Evening lesson now (once a week, we get together as a family, have a short scripture lesson, activity and treats). The kids really love it.

Later ladies,
Angela

i'm back from water aerobics. i got 4 hours of exercise today what with all the planting, weeding, hauling in the yard and water aerobics. i am exhausted, but i feel good about what i accomplished.

saundra, congratulations on your friendly scales. i'm proud of you.

congratulations to you, too, kathy. those scales may keep on moving down. maybe your body/mind needed to just relax with it.

and more congratulations to vickie. i am amazed at all these good reports todau/ totally impressed.

nikki, are you still feeling all right? that bouquet was super heady and made both of us light headed when we drove over to take them to mil.

angela, i can totally relate to what you're going through. be careful. that's what got me 50 lbs overweight again. are you going to meetings every week? i wish i had. good success to you.

frouf, i bought some flowers (perennials) to plant in one rosebed around the birdbath and for edging and filler. most of them are pink. girl, you have influenced me.

vickie, the pain pump is wonderful. i had one when i had my foot surgery. it works wonders. be sure to keep us posted. they may hook him up with an ice pump. you may want to call to see. if so, make sure you have bags of ice on hand. that cold really helps.

right now, (might change in a minute or two) it looks like we're going to look for land around hamilton . if we find "the" piece of land for us, we'll buy it, put our house on the market, and move. those roses are mine. i have over 100 bushes. them and the honeysuckle together create quite a fragrance. you can get drunk just being in our yard. well, not quite.

vickie, we're not sure what's happening either. night before last we decided not to move but to do a little fixup here and there. then yesterday curtis was gungho again.

kathy, wish i had a sparkling clean house.

melissa, i'm game for the challenge if ya'll decide to do it. i think it would help us get a muchneeded spark.

patti, how was your weekend? when are the dd's coming?

i'm off here to go watch tv with curtis. i am honestly exhausted. the water aerobics was super strenuous today with a lot of exercises for the arms. it was good. i can tell i'm not making much sense here so --night night.

Sandra I was sneezing all day from that bouquet, but they sure smelled good(lol)
:D
I am getting the kiddies in bed, will try to get back to catch up, if not have a good night and i will come back in the morning.

Well I am behind as usual! ;)

Vickie, I second what everyone else has said, including the fact that you aren't whining and you can unload your emotions on us anytime! :D I'll be praying for Jim Wednesday morning (and you too :) ).

Kathy, the scale was down again eh? I'm quite impressed! :D

Sandra, your flowers are so beautiful. Will you move them with you when/if you go? That would be a job, wouldn't it!? :bravo: on all of that exercise today. I'm so impressed that you went to water aerobics even though you were already tired. Good going gf.

Angela, congrats on keeping up with your menu plan today! I'm so glad that helped you. I need to take my own advice as well. ;)

Saundra, I'm so glad that you had a good weekend. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm hoping to get a week off of work at the beginning of August. No trips probably but lots of relaxing!

Well chicks I need to find something to pack up for lunch and then get ready for bed. We just got back from walking. Good night!

I decided to change my "reunion goal" to a "baby-making goal." There is no way in the world I'm going to make that goal by 7/22 and it is around where I would like to be before I get pregnant. That should be motivation, right? ;)

Good morning everyone, sorry I have been MIA for a while. I have a lot of catching up to do. We decided on a house to buy last week so we are trying to pack and get stuff ready for a yard sale. I was doing just fine until I cleaned out the basement on Saturday and got really sick. I ended up at the urgent care on Sunday and in bed all day Monday. I had to miss work last night but I feel much better today so I will be able to go tonight. I will then be off until Sat so maybe I can get a lot done. Have a great day everyone.

Good morning Paula, glad to hear that you're feeling better.

I just came on to say hi, and hope that your day is a good one. I'm off to work now, and will be there all day.:)

Good Morning Chicks! I'm here having my coffee and trying to wake up. I slept ok just not long enough. I tried to go back to sleep but my head started racing with all the little things that I need to get done today.

Thanks, Patti! We can use all the good thoughts and prayers that we can get. How IS your DD?

Kathy, I can't imagine you being impossible. You're always going SO out of your way for everyone!

Angela, I'm POSITIVE that I'd give you all the same advice about going to my meeting next week. I can already feel myself being a little crabby so it might be a good idea! Of course, TOM is looming again but I can't let that affect things. Last month it was 2 weeks late. Congratulations for being on program all day yesterday. I'm glad to hear the Froufie roast rub was good on the pork tenderloin. How long do you cook pork tenderloin per pound? I always dry them out so I stopped making them. I worry about undercooked pork. I love your family night idea.

Wow, Sandra! I hope you're sleeping in this morning. Your body got quite a workout yesterday. I'd be sore! Thanks for the information on the pain pump. I guess it's something that stays on him until the Doctor takes it off? I'll keep good thoughts that your move/non-move work out whatever way will make you and Curtis the most happy.

Thanks, Melissa! All prayers gratefully accepted! I'm scared. I'm sure he'll be great, but anesthesia and surgery always scare me. It's wonderful that you got your walk in. Honestly, that's more important for you than being on here talking with us. I love the baby making goal. ;) Much better than a reunion goal!

Paula, I'm sorry you were sick. I was wondering where you were. How's your program going?

Oh, Saundra, it stinks that you have to work all day! I hope your not going to be with that nasty mean Leader.

Ok, Chicks. I'm going to go post as much of my menu as I know right now. Jim still hasn't picked the dinner destination yet so I'm kind of at his mercy for the moment. I'm not going to make him paranoid about Core right now.

I'm sure I'll be back later to check in.

Paula, you'd better tell Craig that you're allergic to housework! Do you think something in the basement made you sick?? I hope you're better.

Saundra, have a good day at work. I didn't get here until 8:00 due to an accident (not mine, thank goodness!) on the freeway.

Now I need to go put my stuff in the fridge, take pills, eat breakfast and start working. Never ends, does it?

Unfortunately! :dizzy:

I love it--allergic to housework! Excellent plan, Paula! :lol: I'm sorry you have been sick though. Congrats on finding a house!

Vickie, you are one strong lady and I know that you two are going to get through this surgery/recovery with flying colors. How are you feeling by the way?

Kathy, glad to hear the accident wasn't yours. Have a good day!

Saundra, hope you have a great experience at work today.

Well I better get to work too. I haven't done anything yet this morning. :o But I'm going to make up for it this afternoon, I have several appointments with clients. Have a great day everyone!

Oh, and I was half-kidding about that challenge...but it might be quite motivating! :D

Kathy and Melissa, what a drag that you both have to work. It cuts into our chat time.

I'm not great but I'm sure it's just a bit of stress. I'm off to make my final list for today which includes cleaning the outsdie of the refrigerator which I didn't finish last night. Cassie has a bath appointment this morning and we have to take care of the pool chemicals. This will be the last day that Jim can help me with the cover. We may never get into the pool this year. I'd hate to think that I spent around $700 to open and keep it running for nothing.

Good morning all! I am feeling full of resolve this morning, and am geared up to lose this pesky 10 pounds! I'm grocery shopping today, so I can stock up on Core goodies. :)

Vickie, I looked it up, and for a 2-4 pound pork tenderloin, you should roast it at 325 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. I also worry about undercooked pork, so even though my pork was only 1 1/2 pounds, I cooked it the full 1 hour, 15minutes. It wasn't dry at all, but I think that may have been because of the rub. Either way, it was delicious.

Time to go referee dishwasher unloading...

Angela

Thanks, Angela! I always like getting it straight from the folks who have actually cooked it. I'm glad you are motivated. Good Luck. I'm going to be good too and not eat from emotions.

Vickie, I think the pool would be a great place for you to unwind and "get away" on your own for a few minutes this summer. I know you'd feel bad swimming without Jim, but I bet he wouldn't mind. He could dunk his feet in. :)

Angela, :cheer: go, go! :D I just remembered that I have a pork tenderloin in the freezer. I will have to try the infamous Froufie recipe!

Hello everyone.

Oh boy, I have had a couple of busy days. The girls seem to be adjusting well, I however have yet to get things done that need to be done. Like putting their clothes in a dresser, rearranging the room so that they have their own night stand for their stuff.

Food wise, I am on target. Although I woke up sick to my stomach yesterday and felt like I got hit by a bus. So exercise was non existant. Today, I feel better but still running to the bathroom. At least I can eat today. I know it is stress and not getting enough sleep that is causing me to get sick. I am sure it will work itself out as I get things organized.

Stress...if we did not have it in our lives, what would we do?

Well, I have to go. I will talk to you later!

hi, chickies. i'm leaving in a few minutes for another doctor's appt. will they ever end? my friend called earlier and asked if i'd go to water aerobics tonight instead of this afternoon. i think i will.

melissa, i won't be taking my roses. they will be one of the selling points for this place. i may get more later. i'm not sure. that sounds like a good goal to me. we have to be realistic. that's why i changed my 4th goal to an exercise one. looks like it will be my first successful goal here.

paula, first i am glad you're feeling better. second--congratulations on finding your new home. i am very happy for you.

saundra, you have a weight watcher's dream job. i always thought i'd like to work for ww so it would help me stay op.

vickie, i had a pain ball that was attached to my foot that stayed on till the doctor took it off. it kept me from having pain. i'm not really sure what the pain pump is but am thinking it's the ice thingee. if so, they will show you how to put it on and take it off. don't let it scare you. it's really simple. surprisingly, i'm not sore today. i'm wondering if all the stretching at twc took care of that.

angela, you are a steel magnolia. you're going to get back to goal soon.

wendy, i hope you're feeling better--and less stressed. congratulations on being on target. guess we have to have our stressful days so we'll enjoy the better ones more.

gotta run. i'll be back later.

Hey Chicks! I'm home from more errands and lunch. I ate Core and I'm proud of myself. I really want to stress eat now but I'm not going to let myself. Jim decided that he wants to go to our favorite Italian/Core restaurant. We'll probably have a filet. Yum!

Cassie had her bath and looks great. We've taken care of the pool chemicals. Jim will have to let a little water out since it will rain for the next couple of days. We're hoping that I won't have to let the water out myself. If I have to, I know I can. Jim will just have to supervise. He's watching 24 now (season one and the last two discs). I'm supposed to be typing a list of questions for the Doctor and a note for the dog walkers who will come here tomorrow morning to walk Cassie while we are at the surgical center. Almost everything is done and I feel like I've done I all can to be organized and ready to go.

Let's see what you all have been up to while I was out.

Melissa, I think you're right about the pool. I love to be in there and I'm determined not to let the summer go by just because Jim can't swim. It's a great stress relief for me and I know he won't mind. He's the most unselfish man that I know.

Wendy, I hope the stress ends for you soon. You are doing a wonderful thing. Congratulations for staying on program. I'm sure you'll be rewarded at the scale.

Sandra, you sound like you're enjoying the water aerobics as much as I enjoy my pool. I'd be sad to leave all those beautiful rose bushes, but I know what you mean about being a selling feature. I remodeled the entire kitchen in our old house before we moved. I'm sure it's what sold the house. I don't care what kind of pain relief they give Jim as long as it works. Thanks for the reassurance. Some of those things are intimidating.

Sheesh. Kathy must be really busy and no Frouf either? Time for me to go type questions and instructions!

vickie, could you do some water aerobics in your pool? if you'd like, i'll tell you some of the things we do.

I'm home from a good day at work. It was quite busy with the life timers getting in their June weigh in. I'm working alone, so it's very pleasant, but sometimes a little boring during lapses.

Vickie, sounds like you're ready for tomorrow. Please wish Jim well for me, and you guys have fun tonight. I think the pool will be a great place for you to relax. Now, if the sun will only come out for you.:)

Sandra, looks like you are having some hot weather. It's just awful here, raining cats and dogs. You sound so happy with everything, and that is good. You're exercise activities are very impressive, good girl. I'm sure that your house will sell when the time comes, it sounds magnificent. Can't wait to hear about the final plans for the new one.

Kathy, I guess you had a busy day at work, hope you're on your way home now.

Melissa, I love your challenge, sounds great to me. You too, should be home for dinner now.

Wendy, that was a great oatmeal recipe, thanks. I just have to find my hand mixer for the egg whites. Sounds like you're very busy, hope it calms down soon.

Paula, when will you be moving? It must be exciting for you.

Frouf, how was the concert? Hope you're dry.

Bernie's working till about 6:30 and I have to pick him up. I hope he'll want to go out, cause I'm too tired to think about preparing dinner. Guess I'll go watch the news.

saundra, i hope you get to go out for dinner tonight. i'm thinking salad for us. i get to add another 60 min exercise tonight. i weighed this am and weighed the same but i think i'm looking a tiny bit smaller. maybe i'm toning.

:cheer: Go Sandra Go! :cheer: You are definitely going to reach your goal.

Sandra, that's great! I'm so glad that you're enjoying the exercise.

My morning weight was 143.4. I am doing the "eat every 2 to 2-1/2 hours" thing so I won't get hungry, and it's all whole foods (but not totally Core). Anyway, points / calories are still within my range ... and tonight, I'm 146.6! Now tell me WHY??????? I won't worry until tomorrow morning, but if it's still up I'm going to be mad.

And after a day full of eating, I'm not really hungry tonight so maybe I'll just drink some water.

kathy, i think our body weight just naturally fluctuates. have you tried weighing just once a week? can you do that? i know sometimes i need to weigh often but othertimes i can weigh weekly. don't know why. it just happens that way.

melissa, this will be the first goal i've met. i'm pretty excited. has the next goal been decided?