Vann~My fave author is Sophie Kinsella. She wrote my fave book ever, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Theres like Shopaholic books, plus she some other funny books out. Her stuff is chick lit. And ya..we're moving sometime this year. Only thing, we dont know where to yet. We had to pick orders again..it sucks.


Cristina~The book is called, Undead & Unwed. It was pretty good. I read the whole thing on sunday, lol. I'm halfway through a new book called, The Chocolate Lover's Club. Its pretty good.


Tammy~I hope you feel better soon!!


Jane~I hope Neal feels better soon!!






Nothing much is new with me. We had so much fun in Seattle. We bought some stuff, & saw the movie "Jumper". I picked out my birthday present, lol. The sucky part was that when I took my wedding band to get cleaned, the chick told me that one of the diamonds was loose and it came out. So it had to be sent back to NY to get fixed. It should be back in 2 weeks. Now I'm just walking around with my engagment ring, lol. It was funny cuz we got up to go to at 8am, and we left at 3pm. We were so tired, that we fell asleep on the ferry. Then we got home around 5, and went to sleep..and didnt wake up until 6am on sunday!!! Well, we basically just slept on and off all day sunday. It was a very lazy day, lol. We cleaned again on monday though. I now have 6 bags full of clothes to wash. Joy.

Anyways..I shall go to bed now. Hope everyone has a good week.

Good morning ladies!!! I was not on much over the weekend...and I will be back later. HAve a great day!

Good Morning Ladies!!

Jules--I was in your neck of the woods shopping at Hagerstown Outlets on Sat. We needed to return a few things from xmas. But I was just started to feel like crap and barely made it through most of the stores. My dh was disappointed as he is a shopaholic. The man has more clothes that I have. He realized how bad I was feeling and we headed home after a few hours. How's little Dominic. Are you enjoying your day with him?

Vann--I agree with Trish....one lb is one lb lost and it's to be congratulated!!! Good luck with your WATP video. I also love to stay at the casinos but I'm too cheap to throw away too much money. I'll play the slots a little but every time I throw that quarter in I start thinking "that could be a pair of shoes...hmmm.....I never win"

Trish--I'm happy that you have found a plan that works for you and it does make sense.

Sassy--I hear your concern about the Heart Attack scare. Both dh and I had really high cholesterols about 2 years ago and we made a pack to not worry about dieting (he doesn't need to diet, he's tall and thin) but to start making real changes in our diet in general. We switched to all whole wheat products including pasta, increased the fruits and veggies, cut out as much as we could of hydrogenated foods, started to go much lower fats, very little fried, started using ground turkey instead of beef, ate the heck of our 100 cal foods and our cholesterols plummented in a little over 6 months.
Making those changes helped me start dieting without a major shock in my food choices. We still plurge at times but overall, I think we both eat so much heart healthier now.

Mindee--I love hearing about your kids. I recently looked at the "over 50" thread here on 3FC and they have a rule that you can't talk about your kids, grandkids, aches or pains, etc. I thought, how boring. They want to keep it at diet and exercise only. Let them keep it to themselves!! I might do some mac n cheese tonight. I need some comfort food.

Marti--I kept my tracker to try to keep me accountable but, if you noticed, it did't move at all during the holidays. I was too ashamed to add the lbs that I had gained

Jane--How is Neal??

Christina--What's up with the wedding plans?

Hugs to Ellen, Francie, Sue, Shannon and anyone else I might have missed.

Well, I went to the doc yesterday and I have pneumonia I was put back on antibiotics, steriods and codeine cough suppressant. Feeling a little better today and have to call the doc back today to give him an update. He wants me to stay out of work all week but I really don't have the vacation time to take. The hospital no longer gives us sick days off per se. They wrap the time into your overall vacation time to try to deter people from using it cause you see it as vacation time and not sick time. Sneaky huh!
I need to save my time for my eye surgery so I might suck it up and go to work on Thur and then I have 3 days off after that to rest. Not doing too much besides surf the web. Trying not to do impulse spending on-line in my boredom. Going to take a nap and just try to rest because dh started complaining of a sore throat and cough and you know what that means....if he comes home sick, my resting days are over. Men are such babies when they are sick.

Update on my mom stuff. My stupid brother took her out of the rehab center because she was complaining and took her back to her house. Mind you....the woman couldn't walk on her own, was wearing diapers and needed assistance for everything and now he claims that she is doing all her own cares and he left her alone!!! She had a friend stay the first night and I've been too sick to help out. I'm going to call and see how she is in a few minutes. He actually took her out against medical advice and didn't even get prescriptions for her new meds so she will be back to uncontrollable Parkinson symptoms in a matter of days.

Hope everyone is having a great day. I think I'll take some codeine and fade into a nice sleep

Hello Ladies

Just passing through today. Watched the Rachel Ray show, did any one else.? Interesting. I would like to know more about the 4 day jumpstart, but still not going to buy the book. It is too expensive even on Amazon.com it is a $49 +. So I will just do what I am doing.

I got a call from my sister late last night and my Daddy had to take our step-mom to ER yesterday. She had a pen (sp) stroke. Daddy found out she hasn't been taking her meds so he will have to supervise that again. She is a sweetie and I don't know what he would without her. He cried with me on the phone this morning because he doesn't want to loser her. He said felt like he did at that same hospital with Mama when he got the bad news and we lost her. I prayed with him and I think he felt better when we hung up. He is a minister and he is used to being there for others to comfort them. He has many good Christian friends and his Pastor to be there for support. I think he just needed to hear from us girls. My baby sister in GA will call him later today and I told him that I'll call back tonight to check on them. I feel for you Tammy and others here going through things with your Mothers etc. He was always a Mans man and so strong being there for us girls and our Mama. Now it is so hard to see him like this. I remember him being there for me when I had my fears every time my deceased husband would get sick and go into the hospital assuring me all would be okay. And then how he took over helping me with the details etch and comforted me when my 1st husband of 1 1/2 years and then my DH of 31 years passed away. I definitely know how he feels. He doesn't want to go through all that again of losing a mate. DH I have now lost his wife of 31 years a few months before I lost my DH of 31 years. We were blessed to meet each other 2 yrs later and marry. We both have that feeling of not wanting to go through losing a mate again, but not wanting to be the one who leaves the other. So I hope that the fact that I could talk with my Daddy in the same type of situation helped comfort him with the fact that I understand and he is not alone. It is just hard with my being here in SC, my baby sister being in GA and he is back in TX. I am just thankful my other sister and her daughter live there and of course all our blessed friends who are like family are there for them. Mom has childre but they fight all the time and cause trouble which doesn't help her. Sometimes I think my sisters and I love and care for her more than her own children do. Oh well, enough of that.

Tammy - I hope you get well soon. You take care of yourself. You and your Mom are in my prayers.

Jules - I am sorry to hear about your coworkers grandbaby. I went through that once when I had my own Registered Child Care in my home. It is a very shocking and devastating experience because there is nothing you can do. My heart goes out to them and my prayers. Dominic looks so cute. I told DH about his little heart. DH worked in NeoNatal ICU for almost 20 years as Respiratory Therapist. He has seen a lot of that and explained it to me. He said that the doctor can fix it if it doesn't close on its own, but it usually does close on its own. We will keep him in our prayers for it to close without surgery.

Jane - How is Neal?

Mindee - What is the latest with Brandon? I tried to catch up on reading message, but I may have missed the latest. Has he stated school yet?

This turned out long for a fly by so I will just say Hello to all those I missed and I am thinking of each of you even if I didn't mention you by name. Hope everyone has a good day.

Hugs,
Trish

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.

Patty and Tammy...I am sending prayers your way for your Mom and step-mom. It is so hard to watch a loved one going down hill.

Okay, I am off to fold laundry. The never-ending laundry!
__________________

Hi ladies,

Vann - YAY for the 1# gone. Think of it as 4 sticks of butter, and you'll see how much it is - nothing to sneeze at. I like WATPs, too. My minds wanders while I'm doing it, though, lol.

Trish - darn it, I meant to watch the RR show, and see the women who started the FBD. It sounds interesting, kind of what Dr. Oz says - stay away from saturated fats, and eat good ones. Hope your stepmom is better, and tht your dad is better with it now.

Sue - my sis and her DH go to Vegas and Tunica all the time. They are high rollers and get everything comped. Me, though? I don't gamble much at all. I'd rather spend the money on something tangible, lol. YAY for your DD, getting 2 job offers.

Sassy - glad your uncle is ok. Yeah, something like that can be a wake-up call for us.

Mindee - how's the party planning going?

Marti - the furniture sounds so nice! So does the canoe. You and James will have lots of happy time in it this summer. Is your back better?

Tammy - it's admirable of you to take care of the little one with no regard for yourself. Bless you for that. Sorry you have pnuemonia, though! Online shopping can be so addictive, especially for someone like me who has such limited shopping choices in this area! I just bought a Spanx smoother and will wear in at Katie's reception. Hope you're feeling better.

Jules - how was your day with Nic?

Francie - your trip in Seattle sounds like so much fun. I've never been on a ferry, and would love to do that some day.

Ellen - hi

Cristina - Katie says thank you very much for sending the wedding card. That was so sweet of you!

Thanks for all the concern good wishes for Neal. His steroids have kicked in, and he's feeling a little better. Marti is right, I have been so stressed over this, and have felt so inadequate to help him. My eating is bad, and I know I'm only overeating as a comfort thing.

TTFN,

Quick "hi." Wanted to say that I am glad Neal is feeling better Jane. I am sure you will get right back on track when things calm down. What is Spanx?
Going to be gone tomorrow and Thurs. That is, if it doesn't dump lots of snow on us.
I managed exercise today on the stepper and it was easier than I remembered. Maybe I was more determined. lol. Food was not too bad either. Baby steps.....but at least in the right direction.

See you in a couple days...ya'll behave.

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!

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!

Marti~ Yup it is time to plan her birthday party already! She is going to be the big 10 months old on Sunday. I can't believe that she is going to be a year old in two months!

Francie~ Have you ever read any books by Brandilyn Collins? My mom gave me a book of hers called "Brink of Death." I haven't started it yet, but I was reading the acknowledgments at the beginning of the book, and from what my mom told me, it is a story based on something that really happened. It is the first book of two, I believe. I can't wait to start it, because I have a feeling that I am going to get so into it, that I won't be able to put it down!

Ellen~ How are you doing?

Tammy~ I have been in groups like that as well. I don't feel as comfortable in those kind of groups as I do in the ones, like you ladies, where I can mention anything and I can get feed back if I need it or advice if I happen to need that. How is your mom doing?

Trish~ I actually did watch RR, and if you go on her website and join her Club RR.....you can sign up for a chance to win her give-aways! I just went on there and signed up for all the recent ones....including the Flat Belly Diet book! I am also going to check around here locally to see if they have the book and for how much! I in fact put a reminder on RR on Monday after seeing the preview for Tuesday's show so I knew that I wouldn't miss it! I will keep your step mom in my thoughts and prayers during this time. The latest on Brandon is that we have his IEP this Friday, and we will know more about where we stand after the meeting. He will be starting school before the end of this school year, but as for which day we don't know that yet.

Jane~ My new avatar is a picture of me, with my new hair cut, smiling! I had Tommy take it on Tuesday afternoon. As soon as he took it, I looked at it and went "man, I look like I am 300 pounds with this little tiny head." To which he responded with "well, if you are going to be critical about my photo taking, then I am going to stop taking them." The party planning is going well. We actually picked a date and time.....so now we just need to get invitations and send them out. But first I have to make sure that Brandon is sticking with his Monster Jam theme. He has gotten into Diego recently, so I have a feeling that he will be switching to Diego instead of Monster trucks.

Vann~ How are you doing?

Hello ladies...

Just a little past midnight here...waiting for hubby to come home before I go to bed.

Next week is vacation. Will be finishing the bathroom (finally) and helping my sister move. (I'll get my "new" furniture then)

I'm in pain. I've never had both sides ache at the same time. Just pitiful really. I hobble in both directions. My body feels 150yrs old! It doesn't help that I sit all day at work. So I'm constantly getting up to walk to try and ease it a bit. Not helping. I got my walk in today. It was on a slower speed, but I got it in. I don't want to make excuses for not exercising. Of course, if I was in unbelievable pain I wouldn't do it.

Francie--Glad you enjoyed Seattle. My Uncle lives there. He loves it. I need to visit someday....always wanted to see Seattle just never have.

Tammy--Oh I'm sorry that you have pneumonia! We've been seeing a lot of that here in Oregon. Well, I've seen the positive results of it anyway....take care of yourself and don't over do it at work.

Trish--I'm at work when RR is on, what is this jump start about? (besides jump starting a healthy life) Does it sound a lot like what Jane mentioned Dr Oz?

Sue--Sounds like fun going to the Riverboat. I'm happy your mom is feeling well enough to want to join! It would be hard only taking trips to the doctors all the time. Hope you don't get snowed in and have lots of fun.

Jane--I'm so happy to hear that Neal is feeling better. A gal at work had to get a steroid shot for some ache in her hip. She said it was sore for a bit but now it's much better. I'm sure he'll heal quickly in time to dip you during a dance at Katie's reception! I'm so excited about the canoe! We'll be using it that's for sure. I was surprised that they had only used it 3 times.....but then it dawned on me.....they have little ones!

Sassy--My back isn't what really aches. It's the butt bone (near my hip area) all the way down to my ankles. Right now I really feel it in the back of my thighs. I feel like I've been beat w/a baseball bat! You're going to do great w/the weight loss. Keep up with watching what you eat, saying no to pizza (how do you do it!?)and you'll start noticing the difference in no time!

Mindee--It's always fun to see what little ones are into these days. My niece who just turned 5 had a Hello Kitty theme and my nephew loves Spider man. For my niece, my sister rented this place that I had NO idea even had parties! It looks like a big warehouse. They sell outdoor playsets, the huge wooden things, and inside they're all set up for families to look at....but.....kids can also play on during a birthday party. Pretty neat. Although I thought it didn't seem right to see kids climbing on one that had a "sold" sign on it!

Hello to anyone I may have missed. Well sitting up has caused some throbbing to shoot through my leg so I'm going to go lay on the couch like a potato! (Now really....where did the saying couch "potato" come from? )

Have a good night!

Trish & Tammy~I hope your mamas will be okay. :hugs: I'll keep them in my thoughts & prayers.

Sue~Spanx is totally awesome!!! You basically just put it on, and it slims you out. I had one, but I dont know where it went. Some people say that they're kinda expensive, but I bought mine for 30 dollars at Torrid!!! I heard they were coming out with a bra that doesnt give you back fat or whatever. I just havent been able to find it.

Sassy~Ya, Jumper was good. Dh really liked it. I didnt really like the ending though. Hayden Christenson is H-O-T-T!!!!!! LoL!! Yay for saying no to the pizza!!!

Mindee~What is the book actually about? I feel like I've heard of it, or seen it at the store, I just can't remember..

Marti!~It sounds like you need a massage. Hope you feel better soon!!



All the mom talk got me thinking about my own mom. The 2 year anniversary of her passing will be in May. I never considered a life where she wasnt there. And its hard to believe, that I've lived 2 years of my life without her.

Anyways, I made the decision to go get a blood test done to see if I have PCOS. My regular female doc is deployed, so I'm stuck with a male doc, which I hate. But I've been putting this off for too long!! I need to find out why I haven't been able to get pregnant. Oh ya, my weight is now at a standstill. I've been at 196 for awhile now. I workout and eat right, and I'm still here. It doesnt make sense to me.

We went to bed last night after The Biggest Loser, and I woke up at 3am!!!! It's 5am right now, so I'm gonna go clean the kitchen and do some more laundry. I did half a bag yesterday, lol. Hopefully I can take a nap later today without messing up my entire sleep shedule.

BBL

Good Morning Ladies!!!

THe good news is I made it to the gym this morning...the bad news is I did not finish my workout because I got really nauseated. I don't think I am getting sick, feel pretty good otherwise. I think it is hormonally related...bout halfway thru my cycle, so that is prob what it is (TMI) Off to rest and do some laundry...hoping to get it all washed and dried, but may not fold.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Morning ladies....

I'm still stiff as a board! Will this week ever end? (Usually last about that long)

Francie--Getting yourself blood test to have yourself checked is a good idea. I hope you get answers to your questions. As for the massage....that sound wonderful, I should tell hubby that it's desperately needed.

Ellen--You went to the gym, how ever long you stayed doesn't matter....you went! That better than I've done since I got the membership! I still haven't gone by myself. But really need to, I need to get myself a routine. I'm going to try and start next week when I'm off work.

Good morning to the rest of you.

Well work is backed up and I'm not in next week (except Friday) so I need to get ready so I can get in early and try to catch up.

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Hi Ladies

A quick fly by today. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers for my step-mom. I talked to Daddy last night and talked to her for a moment. I can hear the fear in her voice, probably more of an uncertain feeling. Daddy said the doctor said that there is a scar on the brain that controls the equilibrium, but he has a medication to help heal that. We are blessed that she did not experience any paralyzing any where. The doctor is going to put her into therapy starting today to learn how to stand and walk again. He didn't know at the time if it would be as outpatient or what. Her rehab will be done at the other hospital and they are very good. Thank God for telephones... especially cell phone so I can keep up with them daily.

Jane - Glad Neal is better. Hope he will continue to get better. You will be able to get back on track. As for the FBD diet, actually, except for the 4 day jumpstart, it is not much different in results than the SBD. I figured it wasn't worth the money to purchase it.

Mindee - I intended to tell you that I liked your new hair cut. I can understand about the way you feel about a picture of yourself. I don't like pictures of me. DH took one of me for a before picture and I was going to have him put it as an avatar here, but haven't done it. Just haven't decided that I want to see it all the time. I am glad things are working out for Brandon. I am praying for him.

Hello and to Everybody else!!!

Have a great day!!!

Hugs,
Trish

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

So, it looks like we are living in Mindee's house of sickies (instead of the Disney Channel's Mickey's House of Mouse). Marissa started last night with a hacking cough....and today it continues, but she is still her happy little self. Brandon took a nap today, and he only does that when he is sick. Although they were up at 7am this morning. But they have been sneezing lately....so we will either take Marissa to the doctor's tonight or tomorrow. With my FIL coming over on Friday with my MIL, I want to know what we are dealing with before hand, so that if it is something contagious we can get her on some antibiotics so he won't be able to catch it. My MIL said the other day that my FIL hasn't been breathing that well lately. So, I mentioned it to Tommy when he called me at lunch time. So, I will see how he is feeling when he gets home.

Marti~ I hope your pain goes away soon! I have heard of places like that, but I didn't realize that they rent the warehouse out for birthday parties! It does sound like it was a lot of fun for the kids! We are planning on having their party here at our place. We were trying to see about doing it at a local buffet pizza place, but since Tommy has court on Monday for his ticket he got from the accident, and since we can't predict how much money we are going to have at that time, we just figured that we would play it safe and have it here.

Francie~ This is what is on the back of the book as for an introduction so to speak:

Annie Kingston moves to Grove Landing for safety and quiet - and comes face to face with evil.

When neighbor Lisa Willit is killed by an intruder in her home, sheriff's detectives are left with little evidence. Lisa's daughter, Erin, saw the killer, but she's too traumatized to give a description. The detectives grow desperate.

Because of her background as a courtroom sketch artist, Annie is asked to question Erin and draw a composite. But Annie knows little about forensic art or the sensitive interview process. A nonbeliever, she finds herself begging God for help. What if her lack of experience leads Erin astray? The detectives could end up searching for a face that doesn't exist.

Leaving the real killer free to stalk the neighborhood.......

I will do a quick search to see if I can find anything else on the book! I didn't find anything relating it to any real life case....but it has gotten great reviews. I am going to look around to see if I can find the sequel to his called "Stain Guilty" I believe.

Ellen~ You are doing great with your gym visits! Keep up the awesome job!

Trish~ Thanks for the nice comment on my hair cut. I love it! I wanted something shorter, but I didn't want to go drastically short right now since it is still cold. So, when it starts to warm up some more, I am going to probably get it trimmed shorter. I love putting my picture for my avatar because it reminds me as what I am working for.....and it inspires me to get on trucking along to get the next after picture on here. Thanks for praying for Brandon!