Hi everyone,
How are all you Thinsters doing so far this week. I did pretty good Monday at my WW weigh in and lost another 1.2 lbs so I have lost over 42 lbs so far. I have been working on losing, but I am also so stressed about my Dad too.

I am going back to Michigan tomorrow. I will pack when I get this posted. It is my Dad's 85th birthday tomorrow, Valentines Day, Feb 14th. I just have to be there to help him celebrate it. For some reason Chrissy said he is really looking forward to it and I guess Chrissy has gotten him a cake and balloons and all of his family is going to be there with him. Chrissy says he talks of giving up and just wanting to die. So I want to go to be with him. I got some time off from H & R Block and will leave with my brother Jerry tomorrow morning. My brother from Florida will be flying in too. As well as my oldest daughter, Kelly, who lives in Indy will be going as well. She is student teaching and has a long weekend and has Monday off from school so I am looking forward to spending the weekend with her too. With all of us there we are sure to cheer Papa up.

He is still in the hospital, but wants according to Chrissy to go back to his nursing/rehab Senior Center at St. Johns. So maybe he can get back there soon. He feels confortable there and of course with my nieces Emily and Ellen working here and Chrissy's Mom/their Grandmother being there too it is just better and he gets visits from everyone all the time and enjoys that so much.

Chrissy said that he had another scope to find out why he still can't eat and is on the feed tube and I guess he has a couple of ulcers, one of them is bleeding and his esopagus is all inflamed too. So he is still not doing good and I sure hope they can at least let him eat soon. I also hope that my visit will cheer him up, as Chrissy say's he is really depressed and who could blaime him either? I try to call Dad every day and while he says he is doing good, I know he is just saying that so I don't worry about him, he has always been that way, trying to tell me things are alright when they are not. So I feel like by going I can see for myself and also to spend some quality time with him as well. He is such a good man and has always been there for us, being such a good Dad to us. Always providing for us and supporting us in whatever we want to do. I love him so much and when I see him I will give him the biggest hug and we will have some good talks about how much he means to me and so many people, who love him so much.

Sylvia-Your vacation in Mexica sounds like it was beautiful. I am so sorry you got laid off, but now you can be one of those gym rats like you wanted to be in the meantime. I know you will find something when the time is right.

Sandi-That would be so nice if you could send me that picture you took of you with Jerry and Papa and when you visited Chrissy. I would really love if you could send it. Thanks in advance. So how are you doing while Spence is gone on his trip? Keeping youself busy I'll bet. He will be home soon safe and sound. Good for you losing those 6 holiday pounds. HIP HIP HOORAY!

Sherry-Hey thanks so much for the cliparts. I was sooo surprised when you send them to me. I sent you an email back, hope you got it. I also tried to call you a couple of times, but you weren't home. Once I talked to your son Zach. Boy is he ever polite on the phone and he kept calling me Ma'm. I could sure hear his southern upbringing there. It sounds like you and your husband did a great job raising your kids. I will connect one of these days, maybe when I get back from Michigan. Wjhat is so bad about being SICK of Girl Scout cookies? I'll bet you won't eat a box again for another year. LOL Hey nothing wrong with that, I too have been known to eat a whole bag of Oreo's in one sitting and than feeling sicker than a dog afterwards. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Gail-Happy Belated birthday. I send you an email and a e-card as well. We all miss you so much and I am glad to hear from your emails that you are plugging along and that things are going good for you. Come back when you are ready, we are here for you.

Trish-I know you have been enjoying the Winter Olympics haven't you? I have watched them when I can. How wonderful that they are in the good old U.S.A this time. It makes them even more special I think. I'm sure you will do better weight loss wise with Lent. Just cutting out all that sugar is bound to help. Good Luck!

Peggy-Man that sure was a good deal to find that $140 dress marked down to $10. Man I would have knocked over people to get to that dress. Good for you losing those 5 lbs and kudos to you for signing up for that personel trainer, it will surely help you.

Judy-Good for you with the weight loss, way to go. Keep it up and you will be right where you want to be. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CJ-Hey CJ, glad you are not giving up the fight. You keep on going and next week will be a different story I'll bet. I am not promising anything, depending on my Dad, but maybe we can even manage a lunch again if I can. I will call you at least and we can take it from there and see what happens. Miss you so much.

Chrissy-I can't wait to see you again tomorrow. I know Em and El are exciting about me coming cause when they called me tonight, they were both so excited. I miss you guys but as much as I love seeing you, I don't like these circumstances at all. But hang in there and I will be there to help make some of decisions.

Jello-Oh sweetie, you don't give up the fight. I know you will fight this and keep on hanging in there. You have come sooo far Jo. Look at how much you have lost. I hope this pep talk from me and everyone else helps you because I don[t want you to resign yourself to quit. JUST KEEP ON PLUGGING ALONG just remember if you keep it up the scale will surely show it next week.

Well guys gotta run and pack and I will try to keep you posted or else Chrissy or CJ can if I can't. I will drive safely and will miss you dearly my friends.

Love you, Sharon

GOOD MORNING!

Sharon, take care, have a safe trip, and give Chrissy and family our love.

Gail, so sorry I missed your birthday! Hope you had a good one!

Jo, I noticed you are online right now. Probably posting, I'll have to come back in a little while to see how your day is going.

Peggy, with a personal trainer you will surely be in your bikini this summer! Work hard, you can do it!

CJ, take some time out from all the web site work and your tub time to post.

To everyone else have a good day.

Hugs, Judy

OK, I'm back. I'm feeling a little better about life. Thank you to all of you who sent support. Thank you especially for the email from that one of you. You know who you are! I've stopped whining and started breathing. I guess I knew deep down inside that I couldn't really quit WW. I'm just not smart enough to know when to give up ... thank goodness!

One thing that's helped is that it's Lent. I've given up sweets and desserts for Lent. I've regrouped and gotten back on track on WW. Oh, and I'm keeping my little fingers crossed and my butt ready to be kicked!

Sharon and Chrissy, I've been thinking of you guys and your family. Your dad's in my prayers every night. Please keep us all posted. Love you guys.

CJ, thank you for the pep talk. It really did help. I know how you feel when you say it's been a year and you've lost "only" 14-1/2 lbs. It's been a year and a half for me and for the past 6-7 months I've been wavering around 35 lbs. lost. I need to break this plateau and really get moving!!

Peggy, come on my friend. You and me, what do you say? If I can get back to it, so can you. I NEED you!!! I'm sorry you're feeling so blue. I get into weepy, funks like that too every now and then. It feels terrible.

Sylvia, sounds like you had a wonderful time in Mexico!!! I remember loving the walks along the beach at sunrise or sunset. Ah, warm weather!! As I recall, you can sweat off a lot of weight there! I'm sorry you came home to no job though. Good luck in your "gym rat" endeavours!!

Sherry, I have some Girl Scout cookies for you! Where shall I send them? Just kidding! Don't hurt me!! Mine are tucked in the freezer and Rich gets into them every now and then but I refuse!!! Lent, you know. I'm sticking to it!

Judy, I was picturing someone trying to stand with 100 lbs. of potatoes in their outstretched arms, thinking it was impossible to do that exercise! Then I read the rest of your post. Pretty funny!

Sandi, if I thought I could do it (weight loss) on my own, I might really quit WW. But I can't. So I'm sticking with the program. Gotta do it!

I have to go now. Have to write down my yogurt and banana in my WW journal and then down this bottle of water. Oooh, what an exciting morning I'm off to, eh? I've found and dusted off my Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies video tapes but haven't actually started using them yet. Hm, maybe tonight, I'll start bouncing around and shaking the walls at home. Rich is home today and tomorrow, sawing and drilling and doing whatever it is men do with power tools so it's not like I'll shake any more sawdust onto the floor than is already there.

Hope you all have a good one. Thanks again for all the support. But (I have to say it) I WANT SOME OF THOSE NEAT GRAPHICS FOR THE ENDS OF MY POSTS TOO!!!!! Pretty please?

Much love, Jo.

Well, I finally got up this morning. Yes, today is a holiday for me...they call it Reading Break. Don't think I'll be doing any reading today. LOL Monday is another holiday - Family Day. Hmmmm...I don't think the family will be home to visit, either.

Guess what - yes, we are working on the renos over the four day weekend. So far, I have stripped the varnish off the bathroom window and stained the cupboards that were already stripped. This plans for the weekend are to stain and varnish the window, varnish the cupboards that were just stained, seal the grout on the tub, lay the ceramic floor in the bathroom, add a new electrical outlet in the bathroom, finish the electrical outlet for the 'bedroom fridge,' and finally finish my closet so that I don't have clothes hanging all over the furniture. That's just my work. Hubby has his own set of duties. LOL

Just a quick post. I weighed in this morning because I won't be able to tomorrow. We're going back out to a "warehouse" type store for our kitchen cabinets. Well, some of them anyway. Can't fit them all in either car. Peggy, you're making me tired just reading!!! We're "almost" keeping up with you. The kitchen is gutted, the fridge is in the dining room and the stove is in the living room!! Pretty wild, actually.

Anyway, what I started to tell you all....
I LOST 3.2 LBS!!!!! I'm now down 38.8 and need to lose 1.2 next week for my 40-lb. star. Wasn't I the one moaning and weeping about my weight just last week??? OK, OK. I'm too much of a worrier, I know. The only problem is that I don't know what I did different this week than last week. But I'll just keep plugging along ... it's what ya gotta do.

Have to go. Boss is in one of his moods AGAIN. Only 3 more hours to the weekend!!

Now I'm gonna try this:

Jo - Way to go. Woohoo. I knew you could do it. Yes!!!

I didn't finish my last post because hubby was calling for some help to lift the oven into place. It was in the middle of the family room floor. LOL.

Hubby promised that he would treat me when I had lost weight. I asked for a trip to Thailand, but he decided to stay home and do some renos. Now this was a treat to lose weight for.

Anyway, it suddenly dawned on him this week that he had promised something special, I told him what I wanted, he ignored it (typical man thing) and now he's trying to kiss up. Soooo last night he took me to a Thai restaurant that serves Viet Namese food to make it up. Go figure that one out. Men's thought processes are just too complicated for me.

Pretty much blew the weight loss program last night, but I'm back on track this morning. Hope to still show a loss for this week and keep under the goal that I had set for Valentine's Day.

Thanks for starting the Easter challenge, Jo. You will surely make your goal. You're off to such a great start. Keep it up, girl.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Have to run now, the window staining is calling.

Bye,

Hello Friends.............

Is anyone home?????!!!!! I guess everyone is just so busy with the weekend.

I haven't been doing so well in the weight loss department! I do good for awhile then I SPLURGE!!!! I've got to get a hold of myself! Especially after looking at myself in the mirror naked! YIKES!!

Starting tomorrow.....I'm going to watch my fat-in take and portion sizes and continue to walk.I did exactly this last year and lost.It's just so hard for me to get motivated this time.But in the morning, I'm back full force!!

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day.....and it was our 15th Wedding Anniversary also. I got a dozen of Red Roses with an Angel Bear attached from my Hubby & boys.It was so sweet and they were pretty but I was thinking of all the things we could have done with that money!! LOL!! But I didn't tell hubby what I was thinking!! LOL!

Sharon~~~~ I'm sorry that I missed your phone call.My Son said that you had called.I'm been thinking about you soooooooo much!!! I can't wait for you to post so I'll know how your Dad is!! I was hoping that you would post from Chrissy's.Hurry & come home or post & let us know how things are.I Love & Miss you!!! {{{{{ Sharon }}}}}

Peggy~~~~ I laughed so hard when I read your post!! Sorry you didn't get the trip to Thailand but WOW...just think, You'll be getting a great "house make-over!!" It's ok that you got off plan last week but this week will be good...You'll do it!!

Jo~~~~ NO!!! I don't want those d**** cookies!! LOL!! I've finally got rid of those things!! What I didn't eat, the boys finished! Those Tagalongs are my weakness!! Good job for having a great weigh-in!! I knew you could do it!! You go girl!!

CJ~~~~ Are you back from the cabin? I sure miss you and things are so quite here!! We need you back to liven things up!! Miss ya girl!!

Sorry I can't post to everyone but I need to run to the store if anyone here is going to eat tonight.

Love to all....
Sherry (Sher-Bear)

Hi everyone,
I just saw Sherry's when I got on Chrissy's computer to check out the posts and so I thought I would quick post to let everyone know how things are going with my Dad, Papa.

Well he is out of the hospital now and back at the nursing home where Chrissy's daughters Emily and Ellen work, St. Johns Senior Center. His Valentine birthday party went well. When my brother, Jerry and I walked into the room there was a whole room full of people. Chrissy, Emily, Ellen, Dad's sister Aunt Rose and some of Chrissy's family too. Her sister Carol, her husband, Frank and their son, Anthony. My brother Skip came in from Florida later on that night. Dad was the center of attention complete with birthday balloons and a cake Chrissy bought for his 85th birthday. He was really enjoying himself and his face lit up when we came as he didn't know we were coming on that day as I told him that I didn't know if I could get off than, but would come soon after. But I just told my boss at H & R Block that I was going and of course they said, I should put my Dad and family first.

Anyways yesterday they moved him back to St. Johns Senior Center and he was alright the first day, but today when I went there he looked so sad and depressed and I just started to cry. Seeing him there with his head hung down and not saying anything and refusing to eat did something to me. I couldn't stop crying. He still has that darn feeding tube and I want that to go so bad and want him to be able to eat and it to stay down. The prevosid for his bleeding ulcer hopefully will make it possible if he would just eat a little bit. I know his stomach is like one third of what it was but I still would like him to eat if he can. At first he said he would eat on Tuesday, but than when I started crying he said he would eat tomorrow so I hope he at least trys to eat something. I just want so bad to pick him up and take him home to Indiana to let him live out his time in front of the TV, watching wrestling and old movies and westerns till it is his time to go. But with the feeding tube it is hard and because of the tube he has to wear depends, Chrissy says it is called the dumping syndome and that just goes with the feeding tube. So medically it would be hard to have him home without a nurse.

So guys that is it in a nutshell. I feel so guilty that I don't live here and am able to see him daily like I would like to do. Chrissy was trying to talk to me all day to let me know not to feel guilty and that she would take care of Dad, but why do I still feel so very bad?

I am heading home tomorrow evening. I am letting my brother, Jerry work one final time at his dishwashing job and than he will have to give his notice as he will be living in Indiana. But they his work want to give him a little farwell party. He was on leave from his job, but when I took him in to see his co-workers his boss asked if he could work one final day so everyone could say goodbye to him. So I will leave when he comes home from work. So I feel good that he can have this one last day there.

I love you all so much and will talk to you after I get home sometime this week.

Love you much, Sharon

I posted yesterday and evidently posted on the wrong one. I wanted to tell Jo, please hang in there. It has to get better, you can't continue doing so well and not get results. I have been in the same boat. There are times when I can justify my gains but many more when I can't. I went for blood work this morning. Last work was in August, my cholestrol was up, trig. were up. Nether was up much but all this work I'm doing and UP!!! I meet with the Dr. next Monday. I hope she can make me feel better because it really isn't happening here. I can't go off my meds but I can't stand this either.
Okay, I'm thru whinning for the minute. But I sure would like some answers. I will stay in touch in case any of you come up with a miracle. Meanwhile, I'll practice with those potato bags.
Good one, really good one! Carolyn

Okay while I'm posting telling Jo to hang on, her post pops up and she lost. Good for you Jo. Sometimes I don't understand this forum. Her post I thought was dated Sat. but didn't pop up when I opened it this morning (Monday). I think I'm losing my mind! (short lost) Carolyn

No, Carolyn, you're not losing your mind. I posted a few days ago then the next time I came in it wasn't there! I came back again later and there it was! Go figure!

My weight is going in the wrong direction right now, but I think I know why. I ran out of my thyroid meds and I'm waiting for a new mail order program my insurance is offering. A few days with a slow metabolism can really change my weight. I haven't changed anything so I know it's going to be ok as soon as I get my new prescription in the mail. (That's what I'm telling myself anyway!)

My DietWatch program has developed many, many problems! I can't get it to work anymore (problem with the servers, they tell us) I'm looking for another program like that, preferably one that is FREE. Any of you know of such a program?

{{{{{{{Sharon}}}}}}}, I know what you and your family are going through. Love you, Dear, hang in there.

Hugs, Judy

Whew! Hello??? Man oh man! It's Tuesday already! I hoped to post yesterday but just did not have one single free moment. I worked from 7:30AM until almost 8:00PM. Can you say "overtime"? Worked for about 5 hours on a proposal and graphs and drawings and scans, etc. that my boss wanted to fax out by 5:00. At 4:50, he decided he "wanted to go a different way with this" and started all over!! What a goofball!!!

Other bad news, I've been eating. And eating. And eating. I've discovered Health Valley granola bars. They're all low fat or fat free but it doesn't help when you eat 5 or 6 at a time!! Well, I guess it's better than candy or GS cookies. I still haven't had desserts or candy since Lent started. Hoping it will help. Still haven't gotten on the scale either. Guess you've noticed that I have no idea how I'm doing here!

The kitchen is completely gutted now. I think I told you that the fridge and stove are in the dining room and living room. We bought some cabinets on Saturday and the living room is full of crates. We were planning to get the preassembled ones we'd seen but decided we liked the other ones better. They have to be put together but we were able to fit them all in the truck in one trip and they cost a lot less. The place we got them is great! Compared to the ones we were looking at at the Home Depot, we saved over $1000!!!

Meanwhile, my biggest exercise comes from cleaning up after Rich. What is it with men and making messes?? Got to be a male thing, I guess. But I'm building big biceps trying to haul drywall and wood and big trash barrels full of "stuff".

OK, enough about me. Carolyn, I saw your post on the old thread and was glad to see you've caught up here! I agree that this forum does some really weird things at times.

Sharon, I'm glad your dad's doing better. I think of you and Chrissy and your family every day. {{{{SHARON}}}}

Judy, if you find a new program like DietWatch, please let me know. I poked around in DietWatch a little but never did really get into it.

I have to go. Just saw the boss come into the parking lot and I'm sure he's got more fun stuff for me today. I can hardly wait.

Much love to you all!
Jo

Gee it sure is nice to still have my sister around here. I feel like I am on vacation. I am beginning to feel a bit guilty as she does almost everything for me. Cooks, cleans and washes clothes. I may have to keep her and trade my hubby in. LOL
Poked something sharp by accident under my nail and now it is infected and hurts like heck. Went to the Dr. and had to get antibiotics.I think I may lose the nail. YUK>

Sherry........Happy Belated Anniversary. Thanks for the time you took with me the other day with the names.

Gail...A belated Happy Birthday to you. I will have to email you a card.

Peggy....A personal trainer should do wonders. I see a few gals at the gym that have them and they really have improved in a short time. What a bargain you got on that dress.

Judy...I also went to Dietwatch but it was a bit confusing to me. Of course it doesn't take much to confuse me.

Chrissy...Thanks so much for the Happy Birthday call. It was sooooo good to hear from you. I know how very busy you are with all that is going on in your life right now. Glad to hear that Em got a 4.0 at college. That is one smart gal. You best try not to have to be running so much to work, school and the nursing home everyday. You will get yourself sick. Congrats on the 17 pound loss.

Sharon.....I pray for Papa all the time. It sure isn't easy when we have to see our loved ones suffer like that. It was nice that Jerry's work had a little celebration for him. If he doesn't get a job in In. couldn't he get Social Security?

Jo....Keep on fighting girl Don't give up. It will happen if you really want it to.

C.J......Take a break from all the work you are doing on the websites and have a nice hot cup of pepermint tea and a hot bath.

Off I go to try to get gas in my vehicle. I know this is hard to believe but I have never put gas in. I think really I played dumb so my huby would do it and I would never have to pay.LOL. Love to all .....

Good Morning!

My scale is still at 249 this morning, so at least I haven't gained like I feared. Wish those thyroid pills would hurry and get here!

I found another diet program. I'm trying it out right now. It's called Diet Power, a one time price of $50. (no paying every month) It seems to offer everything that DietWatch does except maybe the chat rooms! DietWatch, give me back my money! You have been replaced! LOL

My daughter came by yesterday for a few minutes. Suggested that she might move back in here with me. I told her the rules have changed. No more laying in bed all the time and saying she's too sick to look for a job. She WILL get a job, she WILL help around the house, she WILL pay room and board, and she will NOT have her dog on my new carpet! She probably won't be back, OH WELL!

Was trying to get my printer hooked back up last night and I dropped it! Now I can't get the darn thing to print! Guess I'll have to go buy a new printer, would probably be cheaper than trying to get this one fixed. What on earth did we do before computers?

Hugs, Judy

Good Morning!

Where the heck are all of you?

My oldest daughter in California sent this to me and I want to share it with all of you . Tomorrow is my 60th birthday and I think the following is sooooo true!


Girlfriends

I have a new delightful friend, I am most in awe of her. When we first met I was impressed, By her bizarre behavior.

That day I had a date with friends, We met to have some lunch. Mae had come along with them, All in all ... a pleasant bunch.


When the menus were presented, We ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups. Except for Mae who circumvented, And said, Ice Cream, please: two scoops.

I was not sure my ears heard right, And the others were aghast. Along with heated apple pie, Mae added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, As if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I did not enjoy mine.

I could not take my eyes off Mae, As her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay, They ate their lunches silently, and frowned.

Well, the next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. My lunch contained white tuna meat, She ordered a parfait.

I smiled when her dish I viewed, And she asked if she amused me. I answered, Yes, you do, But also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, When I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, I am tasting all that's possible.

I try to eat the food I need, And do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, indeed, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was, She grinned, I've not been this old before. So, before I die, I've got to try, Those things for years I had ignored.

I've not smelled all the flowers yet, There's too many books I have not read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down And kites to be flown overhead.

There are many malls I have not shopped, I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway Hits, And potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water, And feel ocean spray upon my face. Sit in a country church once more, And thank God for It's grace.

I want peanut butter every day, Spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long-distance calls, To the folks I love the most.

I've not cried at all the movies yet, Nor walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair, I want to fall in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, Instead of having dinner. Then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner.

Because I missed out on nothing, I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse, Before my life expired.

With that, I called the waitress over, I've changed my mind, it seems. I said, I want what she is having, Only add some more whipped-cream!

Here is a little something for you all! We need an annual Girlfriends Day!

If you get this twice, then you have more than one girlfriend. Be happy.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL OF YOUR GIRLFRIENDS "Be mindful that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect."

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Hugs, Judy