Hi Chicks
 

just popping in here quickly.....I have been kept busy with other things that I haven't really been online that much this past weekend! I am sure that I will be able to get online on Monday since Tommy is going to be busy all day pretty much.

we went over to my sister's house on Saturday night and had some fun! we had pizza for dinner, and then went into her basement and played some pool. It was a nice night to be had by all! we talked some about my dad's party but mostly it was about what was going on with us. I did find out though that she has the Carmen Electra Strip to Fit workout dvd's and that she likes them. SO, I am thinking about bagging the TurboJam and just getting those ones instead! I have been wanting to get them since I first saw them, but I was wayyyyyy to self conscious to even attempt to try them out then!

Popping in to say "hi." It is still cold and snowy here in the mid-west. Yuck. Actually, yesterday warmed up and then today this. Just spitting snow, but freezing out there.
I went through the kitchen and put all the "no-no" stuff away....DH has chocolate, so I put that in a baggy and gave it to him. :) I just have no will power if the goodies are sitting out. If it is in the cabinet or drawer I can resist. (mostly) Sooo, I am trying this AGAIN. We walked yesterday and I am hoping to WATP today. Gotta iron first however.

Sassy- I hope your uncle recovers from his heart attack. It does give one a wake-up call though. My family is fraught with heart trouble and blocked arteries. Reading your post brought it all back to my attention. I am wishing you luck with your journey and hopefully the Dr. will give you good advice. You can do it and we are here to help! If anyone ever needed help it is me...so I will be shouting out at you for myself. (the pep talk I give others rings in my ears and gives me hope) Make sense?

Mindee- Sounds like a good time at your sister's. The grandkids miss our pool table. We didn't bring it here since we down sized. I have never seen the stripper workout, but doubt I could get this body going around a pole...hahaha.

Susan- Loved the poem to Gabby. Wow, she is growing up quickly. Hope you are enjoying the zoo and all that walking. You are doing great with the losing....you passed me on the way down. I went back UP. Egads!

RK- Loved the socks you did for your DH. They looked so warm. And the scarf from the yarn you got for Christmas.... What a clever son to buy just what you love.

Cristina- You are certainly reading a lot. I love to read, but just haven't gotten into another book this week. I have a Nora Roberts book to start. I used to write down the books I read, but haven't lately.

Francie- Hope you had a good time in Seattle.

Okay ladies...need to go iron. BB soon...

hello ladies....how are you all doing

nothing new on this end, just enjoying some yummy macaroni and cheese that Tommy made. I had to deal with some "issues" for my dad's birthday party. my mom had told me aunt that we were doing it on the weekend of the 16th instead of the weekend of the 2nd.

Sue~ Thankfully with Carmen Electra's workouts, you don't have to get up on a pole. Thank goodness!

SusieQ~ How is the zoo? I agree with Sue, you are doing great with your losing weight! I need some of that to rub off on me!

Just a quick hello ladies...

Been on the computer too long and I have things to do! Will spend more time here tomorrow.

Have a great day ladies!

just a quick one from me for now.....I have to go and get dinner started for us since Tommy has a Lodge function tonight.

things had gone down hill with my dad's surprise birthday party. my third oldest sister threw a hissy fit because two of the other sisters are planning on taking our families to the Woodward dream cruise the weekend that she has available. we have already put off going to the dream cruise the past two or three years because of the same sister that threw a hissy fit. so, my sister katy, the other one that is taking her family to the dream cruise said that she would put together an impromptu party at her house before my dad and one of my younger sisters goes to Texas for my grandma's birthday party.

I am taking my President's Day floating holiday tomorrow and watching that grandboy. I am so wrapped it's not funny. Hubby is too. We went to hubby's grandad's 97th bday on Saturday. It was fun seeing everyone. I can't believe I didn't take pics!! Heard some really sad news today. The grandbaby of a coworker that was born Jan 24th died this morning of sids. So sad, makes me worry about my little one. He went to the cardiologists appt last Friday--the hole is still there and they gave Teri & I some things to watch for but they are thinking like the peditrician that it will close shut on ot's own. He goes back in 3 months to keep an eye on it.

Hope everyone has a good night!!

Mindee--Teri was looking at Carmen's dvd's--she has started doing her post-partum workouts.

Cristina--Hi there!!

Sue- I am like you--I can't keep goodies in the house.

Sassy--hugs to you--hope your uncle recovers..

SuzyQ--Happy Birthday to Gaby....

Katy--love Hubby's socks and your scarf!! You really are looking good!!

Francie--hey there girly!!

Goodnight Girls!!

Jules- Hello lady. That is one beautiful little boy! I wasn't aware that he had a hole in his heart. Is it VSD, or did they give it a name? My DS was diagnosed with VSD as an infant and we just watched it...thought he would outgrow it as a little guy. It never bothered him at all, but he was 16 before it totally closed up. As I said...never gave him any grief. He was 6'4" in high school and probably 165 pounds. Now he is about 100 pounds more. Always very healthy.
But...I know you always keep on the look out for signs of stress. Like we moms and grandmoms do with all the little ones.

hello ladies....just flying by real quickly.....nothing really new on this end. just relaxing some since Tommy will be home soon. He said that it was snowing in some areas on his way home, so I am sure that we will be getting some snow coming our way!

Jules~ It is good to hear from you! I can't believe that Dominic is getting close to being six weeks old! Teri looks great already (from the pictures i have seen on your myspace page), I don't think she needs the work out tapes! She looks amazing for just having a little one! I will send some prayers up for little Dominic that every thing closes like it should.

Sue~ It is good to hear from you! How is your mom doing? Are her meds still working?

Morning chickies....Sunny today, but still cold. I have put on a pot of ham and beans since DH loves them. I love the smell. :)
We just made plans to go back to the riverboat tomorrow and spend the night in the hotel. Mom is feeling so much better and wanted to go. We decided it would be far better to have a room so she can rest if needed. She hasn't been anywhere except the Dr. for so long....
Her new meds. seem to be working well. We wanted to wait until she had been on them for a week, just to be sure of no side affects before we took her out of town. So far so good.
DD in CA called and she has been offered 2 jobs..isn't that the way it goes? She has been out of work and looking avidly for 6 months. Now I hope the company she goes with doesn't fold. The last 2 jobs she had folded. (I keep teasing her about putting them under) One was a huge international law firm and it went bankrupt.
DD here has a family full of sickies...all having terrible colds or broncitis. I told her to stay away. :)
Okay, I am off to fold laundry. The never-ending laundry!

Good Morning!

Sue - My ex made some lima bean soup w/ ham. I love it, I could eat that all day. I am glad your mother is feeling better!

Mindee- Your family sounds so muck like mine - lol. What is a dream crusie?

Sassy - I am so sorry about your uncle!! I will keep him in my prayers. My step dad is ill and his doctor wants him in for surgery on his heart but he refuses. So, I guess he is home exhausted not able to do much and my mom is just supporting him in whatever decision he makes. I would be crushed if anything happened to him, he is such a sweet man. Good for you on your healthy decisions for eating and checking in w/ your doctor!

Jules - Sad about your co workers grandchild. I can't believe the Dominic is already 5 weeks !! wow....where does the time go??

Cristina - How are you?? I meant to say that it was nice of you to go with Char wedding shopping.

Katy - Swim night ??? argh.....lol

Hi to Francie and Michelle!! I hope I touched on everyone.

I am down to 163.5...so I changed the ticker anyway.....it makes me happy to do that...and ya, I could also go out and get a life - lol

The zoo was great, just to walk around and be out in the warm sun.....gives me hope that winter will end someday!!!

Better run, will try to catch up more tomorrow!!

Hi all!

be careful what you wish for... a few weeks ago I lined up some freelance writing work, writing children's literature reviews, and I also put out feelers to do some test knitting for a yarn company. I didn't know when or if either would pan out, and as of today I have a book to review and yarn on the way for a project! Now I'm gonna be busy! It will be a good kind of busy. I pursued those opportunities because it would mean getting paid for something I love to do already - read and knit!

My sleeping issues have improved to the point the naturopath said I did not need to schedule a return visit! Yay- I graduated:) I promptly celebrated by drinking a cup of coffee and eating some cheese :dizzy: I'll be good from now on ;)

Susan- maybe I'll see you at swimming tonight - let's hope M doesn't bring any more cards - ugh - oh - thank you for your RG feedback - I'm pretty sure J will go there; I was pretty impressed by the school, and going with the neighborhood school will be more convenient than the alternatives.

Sue - have fun on the riverboat - that sounds like fun and I'm so glad your mother will be able to enjoy it

Jules- Thanks again for your comment on my blog - that's so sweet! So sad about your coworker's grandbaby - every parent's nightmare, isn't it. Sounds like you are all on top of everything with Dominic

Mindee- I'm sure your dad is going to love his party - whenever it happens.. too bad there has to be drama, but I guess that's what siblings are for, lol

Sassy - so sorry to read of your uncles heart attack - how's he recovering? I'm glad you and your DH are getting checked out and getting healthy.

Cristina - hey! Hope you are having a great day!

I went to my first pilates class today. Didn't feel like much at first, but as the day went on, my aches and pains in my back and leg were noticeably better. I will definitely be taking that class again. Hopefully I'll get a bit of a walk in at some point today...the weather is great here.

Have a great day, ladies!

Hi Chicks.
 

hello ladies....how are you all doing?

I am just scooting through here quickly, since I am going to get to bed sooner then normal so I can get me and the kids on a better suiting schedule....especially now since Brandon is going to be going to school. So, I wrote out the schedule that I want to get us on, and I am hoping and crossing my fingers that I can keep to it 100% enough to make it something that we won't need the sheet for anymore! Plus, I want to make it so that we all get the proper amount of sleep that we need to function. Tommy has told me over and over again that I need to get to bed sooner because he sleeps better when I am in bed with him (and vice versa).

nothing else really going on......Tommy has to work on Wednesday and Thursday.....and then Friday my in-laws are coming over to watch the kids so we can go to Brandon's IEP. Then Tommy will drop me back off here at the apartment, and then he will take the van in to get worked on.sometime this weekend we will be meeting up with one of my best friend's (from when I was younger) aunt. she is pregnant and just found out that she is having a girl. tommy's oldest brother's wife just got an infant carrier and asked me if I know anybody that could use it, so I asked my friend's aunt and she said that she could use it. then who knows where else we will end up. then my in-laws will be back bright and early Monday morning, so that me and Tommy can go to court for his ticket that he got from the accident. which reminds me......do you think we should take the pictures of the damage to the van with us? what about our little folder of stuff from the accident and when the lady called us?

Sue~ That sounds like a nice trip for your mom! I am sure that she is going to love it! And that is great news to hear that her meds are working!

SusieQ~ A dream cruise is where all the older cars have a *day that they can cruise up and down the main road here in Michigan just like they used to do in their glory days. And I say *day, because it has become a week event starting the Monday before the cruise actually happens. People park their motor homes on the main road and live there for a week so that they have prime seating for the Saturday event.

Katy~ How did you hear about reviewing the children's books? Is it just something in your area? I would love to do something like that since it would give me more of a feel about what kind of books are out there for kids these days. Plus, I could read them to the kids to see what they think of them and see what their reactions are.

Sassy~ Great job on the saying no to pizza! I really need to get my booty back in gear! I had to buy smaller underwear because my size 9 and 10's were getting too big. I put on one of my new pair of size 8's after my shower, and they were telling me in a not so nice way that I needed to get back on track!

Good Morning -

Sassy - Awesome on the pizza!! I love pizza too and it is so hard not to be tempted by others especially munching away. Thanks also for the wishes for my step dad, he is so stubborn, I wish he would do what the dr's suggest.

Mindee - Thanks for the explaination on the *dream crusie, I thought you were going somewhere on a boat. It was "Hey, I wanna go too!" lol sounds like fun! Thinking of you especially on Friday w/ Brandons IEP!

Katy - I didn't make it to swimming. I did kind of, didn't stay.......I took Gab and we dressed down and when her father arrived I handed over the bag and said "I have to go pick Becky up from a friends"......I just couldn't stand to sit there w/ him. I was going to ask him to pick one day (T/Th) and I would take the other one. Being around him is not a good thing for my mental health (shhhhh - lol ) ugh. No more cards from him and icky "I will always love you" barf aroma's.
GReat about the children's reviews and knitting! You are a great writer, did you once say you were a teacher? I thought you had....:dizzy:


Critsina - ok, I miss you , where are you??

Hi to Sue, Michelle and Francie!!

I had some oat meal and a slim fast for breakfast. I felt a tad annoyed that Rach and her friend ate my last 2 banana's last night. Her friend is always there and I can't afford to feed them, especially when they eat my fruit. Argh......I made them grill cheeses last night. I was close to tears when I saw the peels in the garbage.. lol.....I must be losing it. I just really wanted a banana.

k- better scoot!!

chat later...have a great day!

Just stopping by to say HI...

I'm around Susan...not really in a talkative mood so...just been lurking and reading. WTG on the 163 though, that is awesome! Did I miss something about a card from the ex?

Anyway...take care ladies! Maybe I'll be in a more talkative mood tomorrow. Love ya :hug:

Hi all - time for a quick post before I'm off to balance the checkbook and pay bills - woo hoo

Cristina -Hope you are feeling ok; it's alright to not feel chatty...glad you're still checking in :)

Susan- I think I saw your backside as you were leaving last night, lol! I won't be there tomorrow. DH and I have worked out a trade-off, which is helpful. I feel like I'm doing alot of chauffeur duty lately so it's nice to have a break. Yes, I was an elementary school teacher before I had James....have a master's deg. and everything. I hope to get back into it when the kids are older, but it is a stressful and time consuming job. DH is a teacher also, and we thought it would mean a real stressed out home life if we both worked full time with small children. I wanted to do something where I could make a little $ and work from home...so these jobs seem to fit the bill. It's not much work and not much money, but it's a step.

ETA: Thank you for your nice comment on my blog - made me smile!

Mindee - I thought the dream cruise involved a boat, too. Portland is a river city, so maybe that's why I jumped to that conclusion. I connected with Publisher's Weekly through a friend who is also a SAHM and a former teacher. She gave her editor my name, we spoke on the phone and voila'... If you want to look at the reviews, they have them online...publishersweeklydotcom.

Sassy - good job on turning down the pizza! That's a hard one for me, too. I love pizza, but it doesn't love me...waaa

Today has been less busy, thank goodness. I had a massage this morning, and now Leigh has a friend over to play. So I'm off to do bills, and get some reading in.... have a great day everyone

Hello ladies....how are you all doing?

well, it is 3:22pm, and I am online because I have three, yes 3!, sleeping kids! I think Brandon is getting sick though. he is taking a nap, and the only time he takes one is when he isn't feeling good! Marissa has a cough, so I am sure that we will end up at the doctor's office either tonight or tomorrow night. I gave her some medicine and laid her down. It feels weird having all three of them sleeping since it doesn't happen that often! so, it is giving me some time to get on here to do some searching. I am thinking about reassessing my goal weight. So, I am doing a search to see what different sites seem to have as an ideal weight for my height, and then I will go from there.

ok....now two of them are awake, but they seem to be in happier moods. So, it looks like we are living in Mindee's house of sickies (instead of the Disney Channel's Mickey's House of Mouse).

SusieQ~ Thanks for thinking of us! I have a feeling that every thing is going to go great at the IEP! Now, if only I could get the same feeling as far as the court date as well!

Katy~ Thanks for that bit of information. I will have to look more into it. I am going to be going crazy once Brandon goes to school and I will be sitting here staring at the walls when Marissa and Logan are sleeping and Brandon is at school!

Back Again -

I just got my foot stepped on by a bunch of teenage loons at the library. That is what I get for sitting next to the *sign up* station, pissed me off! lol

Cristina - :hug::hug: as long as you are around, hope to chat tomorrow!! :) As far as the card thing with the ex it was something I mentioned to Katy at the pool on Valentines day. Gab's father had sent a card saying "I will always love you" made me puke. lol - jk. It made me unconfortable. My mom thought it was just his way to express his fond memories of me *snicker*....regardless......I just, ugh, wish he would go focus on his other daughter for awhile. lol

Katy - You recognized my backside, eh? I was wearing a pink sweater and I think a maternity shirt. lol I was.....it was a cute shirt that I found but as the day went on I started craving spanish rice and ice cream all meshed together. I should have told the Ex I was pregnant by McDreamy, that would shut him up for a bit. haha Enjoy the bill paying! :) You're welcome on the comment!! It is a great picture :)

Mindee - How tall are you??? Wow on all the kids taking naps at once, my girls never did that!!

I just was checking in again before I go get Gab. We have homework tonight and getting to bed early - with the holiday weekend my unemployment doesn't come until the morning on my debit card - I soooo want some $$! Have to go pay my power bill first thing and tuck half the rent away for the first....after that I will be broke again. lol....close!

Had chicken tenderloin w/ cottage cheese and pickled beets for lunch - found it was cheaper to buy a bag of chicken instead of cans of tuna at $1.59 a can...I think the bag is 5.99 and gives me a weeks worth of chicken. blah - blah

k- adios!!

back again as well......

SusieQ~ I am 5'3 3/4", but I just say 5'4" because it is easier! We buy the Kroger (not sure if you have one near you) brand of chicken in the bag. we only buy them when they are buy one get one free......however, the last time we needed chicken, we bought it at Wal-Mart since it was a dollar cheaper!

well, no need to go to the doctor's office or prompt care with Marissa. I have identified the culprit that has invaded the house of sickies. Marissa woke herself up out of a nice sleep with.....dum dum dum.......the barking seal cough! My little princess has croup! I gave her a breathing treatment using the albuterol for the breathing machine and her face got all blotchy. So, I am going to call the pediatrician's office in the morning to see if we can possibly get her an appointment on Thursday night. (thankfully Tommy doesn't work on Friday!)

Good Morning -

Mindee - awww, :bb:poor Marissa, I hope she feels better!! I bought Kroger last time I went to Winco (Wal-Mart is clear across town) I liked it but I think Tyson had more of a taste to it. It was good though and it beats the tuna cost!!

I just was checking in, still TOM and feeling rather pissy this week. I am surprised McDreamy is still talking to me - lol. Went and paid the power bill now I need to get some groceries in the house, so will chat later!

Hope you all have a great Thursday!!

susieQ~ I am due for TOM soon.....can't pin point exactly since she likes to pick an chose when she wants to come. but I am sure that she will be here soon..... Marissa is doing better today.....she still has her cough and isn't really sleeping that much during nap time because she won't stay in one spot with her head elevated.

Good Morning -

Mindee- See, I always thought TOM was a guy. lol Thinking of Brandon and his speech appt today! Cross fingers you make some headway :)

Weighed and I am down another pound, so pleased about that and it is Friday! Thank goodness, it seems like a rough week with the hoilday, TOM and little money. I think I will pass on a night w/ McDreamy and stay home and read a book. Probably do something tomorrow night with him, I really want some *me* time and Gaby and Rach will both be gone tonight.

Ate a banana, slim fast and a scrambled egg for breakfast - probably do the tenderloin for lunch and broccoli, I love broccoli.

k- that is my update! Chat at you all later.

hello ladies....how are you all doing?

well, the IEP went exceptionally well!! Me and Tommy are extremely pleased with everything! his teacher and his speech therapist are great! they even do OT (occupational therapy) in the room with all the kids, twice a month. Both the goals for the teacher and the speech therapist, are dead on and they are excited to meet Brandon and get it all started! They have his start date as Monday the 25th, but they said that it usually takes transportation five school days to get him fitted into the route. But they will call me and let me know what time to have him ready for the bus. He is in the morning class, and like I mentioned before, they can't wait to meet him! His teacher was telling us about some upcoming field trips that she is planning. One is to take the kids to the zoo in the spring time and the other one is to take them bumper bowling in April. The zoo trip, they will be not riding a bus, but the parents will be transporting so that the parents get one on one time with them. (Tommy is excited about that trip)

His teacher did say that if we want to send a snack in for his birthday that she prefers that it isn't the store bought cupcakes with an inch of icing on them. She did say that the first thing she does with the kids when they get off the bus, is they all take turns going into the bathroom and using the toilet. (So that is a BIG time bonus!) The teacher sends home a Monday folder with basically what the weeks plans are, but she also will send home a daily note to let us know what he did while he was there, so that it will help us in asking him questions about what he did. But she said that we will need to send in some pull-ups, wipes (for him), wipes (for the classroom), money for snacks, money for milk, extra clothes, and I think that was it. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday is regular milk during snack time. Wednesday is juice during snack time, and Friday is always chocolate milk during snack time!

Marissa is doing better.....somewhat. She has now started with a runny nose and she got up from her nap and was saying "owwwwww" when I laid her on the floor so I could get diapers. So, we are going to take her into prompt care so that we can make sure that it hasn't progressed into something more then Croup.

SusieQ~ Or shall we call you the incredibly shrinking woman? Sounds like a great idea to have some me time since Gab and Rach won't be there.

oh yeah....Tommy went to a meeting at the temp agency that he is going through, and they informed him that the company that he was working out, got rid of all the temp agency employees. So, he has to call back on Monday, and they will try and get him back into a place that he was working at before. The company didn't even give the two ladies in charge at the temp agency a reason for getting rid of them! So, now let's just hope that court goes great on Monday!!

Hi Gurls!!
 

Sassy~ That sounds like my DH when Brandon soaked my phone with spit. He had a friend of ours come over to check on me.....and then I had to explain to Tommy what happened. (Mind you I was also pregnant with Marissa, AND they had just had a double murder happen not too far from where we live)

Its me again...........
 

Good Morning!

Mindee- Yay, to Brandon going to school, how fun. Gab did 2 years at Headstart and loved it, especially riding the bus. I am glad Marissa is feeling better :) :hug:

Sassy - Beware of women that focus on abs. lol Great for exercising!! I freeze just reading the weather you are having, it is so summery here in the 50's, even brought out the capris!!! :) I think it is ok to *splurge*, I am going to do it tonight with McDreamy - yum to cheesebread :D

So, I saw 160 on the scale this morning - how freaky is that?? It was very stable at 161 though so down we go again, think that is 2.5 for the week - yahoo! I can't wait to see 159!! I had a slim fast and banana for breakfast. I read last night until 4am. I finished Undomestic Goddess, it was a good read and I enjoyed it. I crawled in bed at 7pm w/ a glass of cold water, a glass of wine and 5 ritz crackers - along w/ the book. That was my HOT Friday night and I loved it!! It felt good to just chill and not have kids running around wanting me to do something for them.

I fell asleep at 4am and woke up at 8:30am - went and got Rach from her friends and a cup of coffee - doing laundry now. McDreamy called and we chatted,I guess we will get together later on....so that is my weekend so far!

Chat at you all later!!

:wave:Hi to Cristina(I misssssss you!! :)) , Katy, Jules, Sue, Francie and Michelle!!:wave:

Hello ladies!

Sorry for being away so long...I didn't realize how long it has been...just been in a mood, not sure if it is the weather or what..but I do need to get out of the house for sure.

SUSAN...I just looked at your ticker and wow! WTG missy! 160 is great! One day I will be there, lol. I see about the card...what the heck was he thinking? Who wrote Undomestic Goddess? It sounds familiar.

SASSY...WTG missy on the exercise! I am proud of you! :hug: :carrot:

KATY...WTG on the jobs! Sounds so cool, and doing something you love to boot!

MINDEE...you guys sure have had your share of the colds haven't ya? I think we have too. I told V to say away from me...me and daughter had it but he has it worse..has a horrible hacking cough. Woohoo, school for Brandon! He will love it!

HIYA SUE, JULES, & FRANCIE!

Nothing much going on...sticking around the house the last week because of this nasty weather...really get in a funk and don't want to do anything, but exercise, lol. And read...which I have done a little. Anyway...hope everyone has a nice weekend! I'll be sitting at home exercising and reading, lol. Another icky day in the land of oz.

Funny :)
 

I thought this was funny enough to share...lol


SALEM, OR—Local resident Steven Bertram is "fed up" with girlfriend Alicia Maas' incessant need to do stuff, a visibly frustrated Bertram reported Monday.

According to the 31-year-old maintenance technician, Maas, 29, regularly insists that the couple engage in an endless series of activities, things, and events, at various times of the day, despite the fact that Bertram would often prefer not to do such stuff.

"Just yesterday she was going on and on about how much she wanted to see a movie," said Bertram, noting that he had, after repeated requests, taken the demanding Maas to a local cineplex only two months prior. "How many movies does a person need to see in a year? Sometimes I just want to relax."

Though he and Maas have dated for almost two years, Bertram reportedly did not recognize the severity of his girlfriend's near-chronic dependence on getting out of the house and doing stuff until six months ago, when she insisted the two attend a free outdoor concert in their neighborhood. Since that time, Maas has asked an estimated 11 times to be taken to dinner, 17 times to go grocery shopping, and, on 20 separate occasions, has expressed a desire to go on a meandering walk without a fixed destination, purpose, or time limit.

The precise number of incidents, Bertram said, is difficult to determine, as Maas has oftentimes enlisted him in activities without first asking, including initiating seemingly pointless conversations lacking any definitive context or subject matter, as well as making plans with coworkers, family members, friends, old roommates, the people upstairs, and acquaintances Bertram does not know.

In addition, an alarming majority of the activities Maas suggests involve standing up.

"I don't know if I can live like this," Bertram said. "On Saturday I was excited to sit back and watch some TV, and then she reminds me that [Bertram's best friend] Jeremy [Durst] is having his birthday party, and so next thing you know, I've got to get up, throw some pants on, and hang out with people all night."

"For once I'd like to do what I want to do," Bertram continued. "She always wants to go somewhere or look at something."

Bertram said that for several weeks he attempted to deflect Maas' demands or otherwise dissuade her from pursuing activities outside their one-bedroom apartment through a series of complex excuses—including a feigned lower-back injury—but met with little success. Recently, he has tried to compromise by purchasing an XBox 360 and several multiplayer games for the two to use together, as well as upgrading the couple's Netflix account to allow five DVDs at a time.

Maas' obsession, however, has shown no signs of abating, and on Sunday she volunteered herself and Bertram to walk their neighbors' dog when they go on vacation next week.

"That's three more nights ruined," said Bertram as he toggled between the popular website eBaumsworld.com and a game of online poker. "I could literally be doing anything else, but instead, I'll be walking a dog. I don't need to always be doing stuff, and especially not stuff like that."

According to behavioral psychologist Dr. Michael Greer, though Maas' irrational compulsion for doing things is extreme, it is by no means uncommon.

"Alicia is exhibiting all the classic signs of what we call 'active behavior'—an impulse to engage in unnecessary and often prolonged outdoor movement that is most commonly found in females," Greer said. "Though we cannot be certain, these habits seem to stem from an innate desire to not be doing nothing."

Added Greer, "All available research indicates that this type of unstable behavior is most disturbing when it occurs early in the morning, after 10 p.m., on weekends and perfectly good vacation days, or before one has a chance to finish the third *******ed disc of the second season of Lost."

Despite repeated attempts, Maas could not be reached for comment, since she was out at the gym or having coffee with a friend or some ****.

omg, omg, omg :dance::dance::dance::dance: it is our Cristina!! omg....you have been gone forever!!
It seems like that anyway :dance:....

:bravo::dancer: on getting into the 170's!

Sophie Kinsella (??) I think that is her name ,,,wrote the Confessions of a Shopaholic books, I think Francie was mentioning the books, so I picked it up. Funny and I look forward to her other books.
McD just says Mike needs to get a girlfriend. I don't think I wish him on anyone...haha, I know - I am pmsing.

anyway - thanks! I just am eating a lot more chicken and laying off the bagels, that is the only thing different I am doing.

Laundry almost done!! Great to see you back and posting :) !!

Ha! thank you Susan for noticing my ticker! I forgot to mention that I was down a pound and in the 170's-FINALLY! Never thought I would see them.

Going to have to see what the book is about for sure! Even though I have a stack I am trying to get thru...decided no new books until I finish the stack, lol. We'll see how long that lasts, lol.

Cute story, lol! Thanks for sharing it!

Have a great night with McDreamy whatever you guys do!

Hello ladies....how are you all doing?

nothing new on this end.....not only is Marissa sick, but both Brandon and Logan have started with a cough now. So, since we have to go to court on Monday for Tommy's ticket from the accident, I am going to make a doctor's appointment for all three of them so that we can get them all on the road to happiness! And so that Brandon is 100% better and ready for the bus and school! He is going to have school pictures taken sometime in Spring.....(as long as they do the preschool classes)

Cristina~ Congratulations on getting to the 170's!!!!

SusieQ~ Thanks for posting that story! That was funny!

Sassy~ That sounds like me doing any kind of exercises! I know exactly which exercise you are talking about! Have you seen if your On Demand has the Carmen Electra ones? Ours does, and I have been wanting to try them out, but haven't yet. I will be getting to them though now that Brandon will be in school, and it will give me some time to do them!

Good Morning !

I didn't weigh this morning, didn't want to see the damage from last nights dinner.

Mindee- I don't know how you do it w/ 3 little ones. I hope they all feel better soon. Sweet about Brandon and his school days, I love grade school and everything it involves - except homework. lol

Cristina - Of course I would notice your ticker!! You have done awesome these last few months!! I just got a notice that Shopaholic & Sister is in at the library, so I will have that to read. McD gave me Kite Runner and I started it a little this morning, suppose to be good.


The *date* w/ McDreamy was good. We went for a hike at a place called Tyron park, woodsy paths and peaceful. After that we went to the store and he picked up groceries to make dinner. I felt so domesticated. He asked me where the cheese was in the store....silly man...I mean it is our neighborhood store, does he not know where the cheese is???? lol
He made pasta - and I don't know what it is called - the tunnel shape kind that you stuff w/ different cheeses?? Anyway - he made that w/ salad....he asked if I wanted cheesebread and I said no...I was trying to be good.His son had made a chocolate pudding pie w/ cool whip and oreo's.......I didn't have any of that either. I must have been staring at his plate though because he asked "do you want some Susan???"...and I weakly said "I want an oreo"..so he plucked one w/ his fork and gave it to me.....yum. lol

So, we had a nice evening - kissed and said "I will see you next week"...lol. I think we have it down pat. haha

I woke up and had a slim fast w/ banana again. anyway - my goal is 159 by next Friday!! Cross fingers.....

chat at you all later!! Hope you are having a great Sunday!

hello ladies....how are you all doing?

nothing new on this end.....getting ready to watch some Nascar soon! The kids are still coughing so, I will make sure that we get them into the doctor's office tomorrow. I am not sure if I mentioned this but, when we were in the IEP for Brandon, I was looking around the room, and the speech therapist gives them "homework" to do. I am not sure if Brandon will get homework or not, but I was really excited to see that since it really reassured me that he is going to be getting the help that he needs.

We had gone over to my sister Beth's house yesterday. (she is the sister that threw the hissy fit about my dad's birthday party) But every thing was cool. She told me that she had to laugh when she read the part in my email about not being nervous or anything about my oldest going to school. She told me that when her oldest daughter, Koryn, went to school, she didn't even get a kiss, hug or bye mom! Koryn was just ready to get on the bus and to go! So, that made me feel a little better!

SusieQ~ That is great about your date! Was it mostaccioli noodles that he used? Or rigatoni is another one like that. You will have to let me know how Kite Runner is. I am on another board that has a group for book nerds as they call us on that board, and every body has mentioned reading Kite Runner and said that it was good. You are doing amazingly well with your weight loss! Now, I need to get a swift kick in the butt to get on track!

I do have to say though, that even with TOM being here, she brought three pounds with her, but one has left........so I am happy about that!

Mindee and Susan- fwiw I thought The Kite Runner was excellent! You're gonna need some hankies at different points.

Cristina- wtg on your loss! I am just barely below 180 and it was hard work, so I have walked a mile, so to speak. You are doing great!

Hi to everyone I am not getting to at the moment, (sorry) I need to get some knitting done, then its Oscar Oscar! I need to fill out my ballot..

I worked out for two hours at the gym yesterday and I worked for two hours at the school for a garden work party - all moving dirt -I'm gonna be very sore!

Have a great evening everyone..I know this won't happen, but I'm putting down Juno for Best Picture! If it does get an upset victory, you can say you heard it here first people!

we have court in the morning, so we are going to take them hopefully tomorrow afternoon! I am going to mention to them when I call that we had taken Marissa into prompt care Friday night and that we were told to follow up with her pediatrician if she isn't getting better. She isn't getting worse, but she still has her cough and every thing. And now with Logan and Brandon getting whatever she has, I just want to make sure that it isn't something that could turn into some thing worse like pneumonia.

also, while we were watching the Oscars, Marissa was playing around on the floor. she was doing an army crawl, or as I told Tommy, we have an inch worm on our hands! she was so cute! she would lift her butt up and then use her arms to drag herself forward until she was flat on her belly, then lifted her butt just to do it all again.........and she was gaining speed with each attempt at moving! right before we put her to bed, she got on her hands and knees and moved a couple spots and then she laid on her belly to move a scarf that was in her way. so, it won't be that much longer before she is extremely mobile!!!

Katy~ you are doing great on your weight loss as well!!!