Way Over 40 # 68
 

Hi Everyone: We were getting pretty long again. We had a busy weekend, with meetings at church, and then our small group here at our home. We had dinner together this time.

Barb: I'm Jealous. I liked Flagstaff, and I could stand to see the Grand Canyon as many times as I could. What a magnificent place. I think it changes everytime you see it, colors, and shadows, etc. But I could never ride the mules to the canyon floor. :eek: :fr:

Siwa: Hopefully you'll be back to a normal schedule, before you have to have your surgery. Sounds like you really had a wonderful trip.

Kate: I suppose by now your DS and girlfriend have left, and you are getting back to normal. Glad you didn't get a sty. They are so awful, and so uncomfortable. Our Christmas music is coming along fine. We have a neat song this year called the 'Christmas Boogie'. The group is learning that one before some of the others, because they like it so well.

Alice: How is the fake tears working?Hope that you are not having dry eyes anymore. Any snow up your way?

One thing about living here, we don't have to buy Halloween candy, since we have no trick or treaters. No kids at all. So no temptations from that score, but Thanksgiving is soon to be here and that is a whole different story.

Candice: Hope you'll get some dryer weather, to help with the Fibro. I know that you will always have a soft spot in your heart for your dog, but also you know that you made the very best decision for her and for you.

Hope to 'see' you all tomorrow. Going to have a nice massage in the a.m. :) :wave: Ann

We had SNOW!!! yesterday. only about and inch or so but still.........Better the snow than 104 degrees and walking around in the sun so I won't complain too much. Foot surgery on Friday and on Sunday I got an urinary tract infect so I'm on antibiotics for that. It may compromise my ability to have the surgery. Shud find out today as the pre op physician and surgeon will be talking it over. I had this planned so well and now may have to wait.

The good news was my weigh in yesterday. I only gained 1/2#! I can't believe how well I do when away from that darn refrigerator and cupboard. Always knew that my biggest problem is keeping busy enuf to stay out of the kitchen. Problem is, much of my work is in the kitchen.

DH says now that he wants to return to Egypt for the wedding. That is my new motivation for losing more wt. I've seen the fancy gowns the guests wear to weddings there and I want to look fabulous in a glittery gown too so I must lose some more. Just 6 months to go.

ANN--I've also been afraid to ride the horese/mules at the canyon but in my younger days we did kike to the bottom w/backpacks and camp there. the walk back up took 8 hrs vs the walk down taking only 4 hrs. it is beautiful tho.

The kids have gone. They finally got off late yesterday afternoon after a delay in their flight. Chicago was having bad weather and then they cancelled the flight to Col. Springs so they had to go to Denver instead. Luckily they could get someone to pick them up that late. It's quiet without them. It was hectic while they were here between cooking and trying to do lots of things. We had a conference day at work today so I got to ease back into everything slowly.

Ann: Lucky you....no Halloween candy to entice you. We only had 9 kids and 3 bags of candy so there is still some lurking in the cupboard. I ate my share though:o and am trying to stay away from what's left.

Candice: It's a natural thing to be having a hard time. The loss is too new yet. Give yourself some time. Have you found all your Christmas gifts? You'll be all wrapped and ready and the rest of us will still be shopping...at least I will.

Siwa: If you ever decide to go to Niagara Falls, you'll have to let me know because maybe we could get together. It's not that far from me. Oh, the "s" word:yikes: we haven't had any that has accumulated yet. The wedding in Egypt will be a good incentive to keep you losing. How has your DH been doing? Hope that your surgery won't have to be postponed.

Barb: We went through Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon a few years ago. I was content to look at it from the ground above. DH and DS went for a helicopter ride over it. Sad to say, I'm not much of an adventurer. Hope that you're having a good time.

Alice: Cold and damp here today. The leaves have really fallen. I'm ready to get back to Dr. Phil. I've been eating so much and feel so uncomfortable. Haven't even gotten to Curves in a week. How are you doing?

Take care all.

Kate

Good news! the surgery is on for Friday. Wait a minute. Since when is surgery GOOD news?? Well, you know what I mean. We voted today for mayor, council members, school board and a school referendum. The current mayor lives just around the corner and is runnng nearly unopposed. I say nearly cuz the guy running against him is running just because he discovered the incumbent was running unopposed. Not a very exciting election this year. Can't say I really care who wins any post. I'm apolitical all the time but sometimes I do care who wins.

KATE--I will certainly let you know if/when we decide to visit Niagra Falls. DS is doing wonderfully, thanks for asking. He's changed his life 100% and is sticking to it religiously. Only wish I could be so strict w/myself regarding food issues.

Thanks for your kind and encourageing words gals, I really needed to hear that right now. I keep thinking there was another choice even though I know there was not.

My eating has been good for the past few days, eating peanuts and raisins instead of any "junk" but staying within pts.

Cleaning yesterday really made me hurt but I'm better today, just had to rest. So damp and cold here, not looking forward to winter at all and I'm sure not going to see Siwa and her snow :lol:

Haven't dug any Christmas gifts out yet but am working on my cards. I realy want to start baking now too...ut ooooooooooo :D

Hi!
 

We've had a lot of rain since Sat. so that the ground is saturated. We had unseasonably mild temps, but it's gotten a lot colder and the temps for the rest of the week don't look very promising. After it stopped raining yesterday afternoon DH & I went out and put some stakes in the ground at the edge of some driveways on our street so DH & our neighbor will know where the culverts are when they start plowing. It was very raw out and my hands got so cold they actually hurt. I had work gloves on and there is no warmth to them.

Barb, hope you're having a good time in Arizona. We flew over the Grand Canyon when DH & I went to Hawaii for my 50th b'day. Can't believe that it was 5 hrs. ago!:eek:

Siwa, glad that your surgery wasn't postponed. Surgery is something you'd like to have over with. That's good news about you only gaining 1/2 lb. Hope you're feeling better. Has the snow stuck around or has it melted?

Ann, the fake tears is working great! My eyes don't feel scratchy like they used to. We never have kids on Halloween so I don't have to buy any candy either. A friend of mine, who usually has a lot of kids come to her door on Halloween, told me that the only kids who came were her grandchildren.

Kate, glad you had a good time with your DS and his girlfriend. I hate that when flights are cancelled it turns things into a nightmare. That's good they were able to get someone to pick them up late. We're having the same weather as you. I haven't picked up Dr. Phil yet. I know the book is not going to do me any good sitting on a table.:^:

Candice, it's good you've started on your Christmas cards already. I usually wait until the last minute before writing mine out. Some of our stores are having fantastic sales that I'm taking full advantage of, so some of my shopping is done too.

Hope you all have a good day.
Alice

Hi everyone: So glad that I don't have to deal with snow anymore. And that raw weather. I have turned into a real hot house flower. :D:

Siwa: Glad for your sake that your surgery will go as planned. It would ba a big disappointment, when you have made all your plans. Will be thinking about you on Friday.

Kate: Canceled flights can be a hassle or sometimes a blessing in disguise. But people just get so 'testy' when they have to hang around airports.

Candice: You are so organized, Christmas cards,and presents. I can't ever seem to do cards until after Thanksgiving. And presents - I don't wait until the 23rd but I am never one of those who seems to get things done early. It is much easier, now that we just send gift cards to the grandkids, since as teens you never know what their tastes are. Do you plan to send us all some of your yummy cookies? Then you won't be tempted to eat too many. :D:

Alice: Glad that your eyes are feeling better. Cold raw rainy weather is miserable, but gues it is better than snow.

Barb: HOpe you are having a great time at your convention.

See you all tomorrow, I hope. This weekend will be a busy one as we have our Fall Festival in our clubhouse, crafts,and games and breakfast, bake sale and lunch. A busy day. Ann

Siwa, just wanted to pop in to wish you good luck with your surgery tomorrow. After it's all over with, relax and enjoy being waited on. :queen: I will be thinking of you.

Have a good day everyone!
Alice

Oh my gosh!!!!! It is 15 degrees this a.m. Yikes, it's only November not January. What's going on? I still have yard work to do today--digging up some dahlias and elephant ears and lots of cutting. The cutting can wailt til spring but I like to do it in the fall cuz one can't always count on having nice days in the spring.

Today is DS birthday. We celebrated yesterday by going for an afternoon movie (Runaway Jury) and then a late dinner at a Japanese tepanyaki type restaurant. We had to split it cuz DS had training for a new job. He has gone from NOT working for 5 months to now having 2 part time jobs. Is it cuz he's growing up (22 today) or is it just a fluke? I'm going with the fluke theory until proven otherwise. He has even accepted a job in which he starts at 7 a.m. and he's definitely NOT a morning person. He likes to stay up til 3-5 a.m. I'm not complaining by any means, I'm just trying to understand. His 1st part time job is at Dairy Queen and the 2nd is Toys R Us. The Toys job is seasonal so it won't last long--perhaps thru January--but still....... Who can understand kids (young adult, included)

Thanks for all your well wishes on my surgery tomorrow.

Hi all,
I'm looking forward to the weekend and maybe relaxing a little bit. I might even try to talk DH into going to a movie. I went to an AARP driving class two nights this week from 6 to 10. Those were long days, but the insurance break made it worth it.

Siwa: I'm glad that your surgery didn't get postponed. I'll be thinking about you Friday. I'm sure you'll be glad to have it over. Let your family wait on you for a few days. You made me remember with your garden talk that I bought some bulbs that I never put in. I'll have to search for them. Your DS sounds like mine...a real night owl. Mine has a job interview tomorrow. They do amaze us sometimes when they're so ambitious. I'd like to inject my DH (and me!) with a little of your husband's motivation. That's great that he has been able to change his lifestyle and stick with it.

Ann: Your fall festival sounds like a busy time. I think you need some of our "crisp" weather to go with it:devil: There's a possibility of snow here this weekend. Are you still following SB? Going to Curves? I haven't been in over a week and expect it will take a bit to get going again. I feel so stiff.

Alice: Glad that your eyes are feeling better. What's happened with your cottage? I heard about a good book today. Did you ever read Tuesdays with Morrie? The author's first name is Mitch, but the last name escapes me. Anyway, he just came out with a new book. Something about five people you'd like to dine with in the hereafter. My friend said she cried so much while reading it. I've really been missing my reading time. I'm off on Tuesday so maybe I'll spend the day in bed reading:o

Candice: You are so organized! I try to do my Christmas cards right after Thanksgiving. It's gotten to be a little bit of a chore. My handwriting is getting so bad that I hate to look at it and I usually write notes in the out of town cards. I'd love to be able to type everything out. No cookie baking til December:nono: You're getting way too far ahead of us:) Will your DS get home for the holidays?

Barb: Wondering if you're heading back home. Hope you've enjoyed your trip and that you won big in Las Vegas. I'd like to know someone that did that!

Tomorrow night is grocery shopping night.....I plan to get lots of healthy things to eat.

Kate

Just a quick hello. By now i'm sure that Siwa is hurting abit, maybe alot.
Kate: I go to Curves 3x a week usually M.W.F. And we are still on Phase 2 of SB. My DH is doing better than me. But I just think what I would be if I wasn't doing any sort of program. I just intend to stay healthy.

Got all my t-shirts painted for the sale. My quilled cards done, and now I just hope I sell some. Tomorrow is set-up day, and I promised some sugar-free apple pies for the bake-sale so tomorrow will be another busy one. Once Sat. is over I think I can breath for a while. I'll check back to read now and again. Ann

Not yet, Ann, but tomorrow will not be my best day ever. I'm planning on being home by 1:30 and feeling well enuf to eat dinner.

I was able to do lots in the garden today. I brought all the water plants in and washed them. I cut down all dead plants and pulled out the tomato plants. Now it's up to DH to bag everything. I even found lots of parsley and some mint too so I brought those in. I was really surprised that I got so much done today. I'll be able to sleep tomorrow for sure so I knocked myself out today. I finally feel like I'm back to my daily routine, just in time to upset it again tomorrow. It takes me so long to get back in the groove after a vacation.

I'm a bit concerned about not being able to exercise for quite a while. It will make losing wt even harder but I'm still going to try. I hate to think that I will have to eat even less than the little I'm eating now. It will be worth it to have a beautiful foot tho.

Talk to you all in a few days. I plan to use the lap top when I'm feeling up to it. The main puter is on the lower level and I plan to take up residence in the kitchen for a few days.

TGIF!
 

Ann, your fall festival sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck with selling your T shirts and cards. It sounds like you will be having a very busy day. Let us know how your day went.

Kate, I have seen that book about the five people who you want to dine with in heaven in the USA Today best seller list. It looked interesting. No, I haven't read Tuesdays with Maurie. About the cottage. I can't remember what I've posted and what I haven't, so please bear with me if I'm repeating myself. We do have a buyer that has put down 2 hefty deposits, and hopefully we will pass papers on Dec. 31st. We have to have the lot surveyed, as the buyers need to know where the boundaries are so they have an idea what they can and cannot do re: a new septic system, and if/where they can dig a well. The surveyor told us he couldn't do it until the end of Nov. We talked to him recently and he knows the situation we're in, so he said he would try to get to it next week. But, he is far behind because of all the rain we've been having. Thanks for asking. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't have any measurable snow!

Barb, hope you won a lot of money in Las Vegas.

Hi Candice..Siwa :wave:

Have a great weekend everyone.
Alice

Lizzie..apple pies..yummmm!

Siwa..hope you did not over do before your surgery..they say you should go into any surgery well rested! My cat nip and purple cone flower are blooming again!!!!!!!! this crazy weather, now it is freezing!

Katey...How did you do with getting healthy things to eat?

Alice...Good idea about the stakes and I hope your hands have warmed up:D Mine are cold just sitting here typing..gotta go make some Hot choc to warm me up!

Made this tonight and it is excellent and you do not have to worry about leftovers tempting you;)


adapted from Cooking Light Aug 1997
Cobbler for two
quick and easy to put together!

1/4 c all purpose flour
1/4 c sugar (I used splenda and it was great)
1/2 tsp baking powder (not soda)
dash of salt
1/4 c skim milk
4 tsp reduced calorie stick margarine melted (used brummel&brown in a
tub and it worked great)
cooking spray
1 c fresh berries (blue/raspberry/blackberry) (I used frozen) or other fruit (peaches
are divine)
my addition: dash or two of your favorite spice (nutmeg or ginger are
nice)

1. preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Add milk and
maragrine stirring just until the flour mixture is moist. Divide batter
evenly between 2 (10 oz) custard cups coated with cooking spray. Top
each with 1/2 c fruit.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until lightly browned and fruit
topping is bubbly.

Yield: 1 - 2 servings

with splenda - 4.5 points for entire recipe ( fiestaware cereal bowl
works ) or
4.25 points for 1/2 recipe made with sugar.

Hi: Well the Festival is over, and I'm pooped. Did quite well with my cards and shirts. I think the whole affair was a success. My thinking is we probably cleared about $1000. Not Bad. Our Social club treasury can use it.

Will check in tomorrow. This is going to be an early night. :yawn: Ann

Hi all,
Did any of you see the eclipse last night? It was a very clear (and cold!) night here so it was great for viewing it.

Ann: That's a pretty good profit for one day. What designs do you do on the tee shirts? A lady that works with me takes painting classes and does some great things. She did a denim shirt with snowmen that was so cute. Hope you had a chance to rest up.

Siwa: Hope your recuperation is going well and that you haven't been in too much pain. How long before you'll be able to be up and around? Maybe you could do some simple exercises. I got my bulbs planted yesterday.

Candice: I did well with my grocery shopping. I got out of the store without buying any snack items:D: Bought salad things and lots of fruit. I think we can do quite well this week. The cobbler recipe sounds good.

Alice: Hope that you can get the surveying done next week:crossed: I'm sure that will be a big load off your mind. Talked to a friend today and she's lost 11# in 3 weeks. She's following Dr. Phil! Gotta get back to it.

Barb: Are you home yet? How is your mother doing?

Have to get back to my laundry now...it has really piled up:( Take care.

Kate

Hi Gang, . Well we made it home, but not to the Grand Canyon. When we left Flagstaff Monday Morning it was lightly snowing and by the time we got about halfway up the mountian it was snowing hard and freezing and we passed a really bad accident where the car had left the road and overturned, and being the hot weather Texans that we are, we turned around and came back. ended up going SOUTH into the mountians to the little town of Sedona and had a great time. It's truely one of those "tourist trap" towns with millions of little shops and art galleries, etc, but it was fun. We at lunch a a cute little resturant that overlooked the mountians. It was a fantastic veiw.

Vegas was Vegas, what else can I say. We stayed at the Mirage this year and loved our room. The casino was more for the professional type gambler than for the tourist who were watching their money. More 5 Dollar machines than 25 cent machines. Then they tricked you with some 5 cent machines, which really turned out to cost about 2.15 every time you pulled the handle. I didn't win hardly anything, DS won enought to keep playing until wee hours of the night, and ole Alvin finally fo9und his game. It was Casino War and it was played just like the kid's game except you had to bet 10.00 a card. Anyway he ended up coming out with the same amount of money he started with after 3 days. Not me!!!

SIWA: Hope your surgery went well and you are feeling fairly good.

Katey & Alice: I read Remember When by Nora Roberts/JD Robb while we were gone, and we listened to 4 audio books along the way.

I have got to get back into the weight loss mode or Christmas will be here before you know it. I haven't been as systematic as Candice, but I have been planning ahead some. I told Alvin on the way home that I've decided to have the Weight loss surgery, and he didn't argue with me, so I can't use him as an excuse any more. I have really been considering it, but just can't seem to make the commitment that I know it needs to be sucessful.

I haven't mentioned work recently, but things are still going crazy in that area. We made the decision no to buy the other company that would have cost us about a million dollars. We did decide to try to buy company #2 (the one that had been our supplier, then our competitior, the one that has all of "our" molds. to make a long story short we heard while we were on our trip that our SBA loan has been approved, so things will really get crazier when we start up manufacturing our own parts! So much to think about!

Mom is doing great, in fact today she told me she is ready to start back to the health club walking tomorrow. Another reason for me to get serious about this weight thing again.

Well by now you are probally tired of reading, so I'll end. Hope everyone has a great week.

Barb..good to hear your mom is doing better and sounds like you had a good trip.

I'm, off to bed was digging through Christmas stuff and didn't stop to sleep! Gotta run to town later so gota catch some shut eye!

Katey..the cobble recipe is really good!!!!! Dh wants it every night! I ad a bit of extra spenda over the top when it is cooling since my fruit is tart!

Hi,
I made it to Curves today. When I got done, my legs felt like they weighed a thousand pounds:p Serves me right for not going for two weeks.

Barb: Sorry that you didn't get to see the Grand Canyon, but glad you enjoyed Sedona. Sounds like a town I would like to visit..I love to poke around shops. My DH will only do that for a short while. Congratulations on your new business acquisition! A lot more work I'm sure. Will you start manufacturing after the holidays? That's a big decision about the weight loss surgery. You've seen how well your DH has done so you have firsthand knowledge of what you have to go through. Glad your mother is feeling good.

Candice: I don't know how you do so much baking and still stay at goal! I want to switch metabolisms with you:lol: Did you find all your Christmas things? I'm thinking I might go out tomorrow and do a little shopping. It will probably be busy though.

Siwa: Hope you're starting to feel better.

Looking forward to my day off tomorrow. We all should spend some time thinking about our veterans and those who are serving our country now. God bless them!

Kate

Happy Vetrans Day all.....
 

It has gotten really cold here. I don't believe it's gotten very far out of the 30's these past couple of days. I am back into my winter jacket.:( Sat. morning we had a snow squall come through which left a dusting on the ground. But, it quickly melted.

Went down to MA on Sun. to visit my cousin. We went shopping and I got DH a couple more Christmas gifts. She & I are gearing up for our NYC trip in about 3 1/2 weeks. Neither one of us can believe that the time is almost here!

Barb, sorry you didn't get to go to the Grand Canyon. Sedona sounds nice. I like poking through small shops like the ones there. Glad you made it home ok. Having weight loss surgery is a major decision to make. Which type of procedure will you have done? Glad that your mother is doing well. Congratulations on buying the new business. With them already using your molds, you're one step ahead. Good luck with your new venture. Did you like Remember When? I do like Nora Roberts and have read all the books she has written as J D Robb.

Candice, hope you got a lot of rest after digging through your Christmas stuff. I saw a mall advertising that Santa arrived Nov. 8th. Now...that is too early.

Ann, glad your festival was a success. Hope you got some much needed sleep.

Siwa, how did your surgery go? Hope you're feeling better.

Kate, congratulations to your friend! That's impressive. Is your friend using his eating plan? That gives me the incentive to get back to Dr. Phil's book. Now, where did I put it?? :lol:

Enjoy your holiday.
Alice

Hi everyone on this Veterans Day. A good day for remembering what we owe to all the many Veterans.

We are having good weather. A bit rainy yesterday, but today is a good one.

Alice: I'm so glad I don't have to even think aabout cold and snow. :cp: How is your camp sale progressing?

I got a shock when I got on the scale. I have been so good saying with the plan and I've gained. I don't really understand why. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should, so that maybe part of the problem. It is so irritating. :mad:

Barb: I agree with the others that considering the weight loss surgery is a big step. Knowing what Alvin went through, you have some idea about what it would mean for you. I guess I'm thinking I would be sure my Dr. thinks it would be the best for your health, before taking that step. Keep us posted, okay?

Kate hope you are enjoying your day off.

Siwa: Hope the discomfort is going sown from your surgery by now.

Candice: What's new?

Have a great day all. Ann

I had a pleasant surprise today....I got on the scale this morning which I haven't done in a while. I've only gained 1# since the last time I weighed. Considering how I've been eating I'm thankful and now have a renewed determination. Of course I'm wondering why it feels like I've gained 10. I think I've been eating too much salt and am bloated. I exercised at Curves and plan to go again on Thursday. I don't like Wednesdays...we reverse the circle...I am a creature of habit which probably also plays into why it's so hard for me to lose weight:(

Ann: Don't get discouraged about gaining. You know that you've been doing everything you need to. Maybe you've just reached a plateau. Maybe varying your daily calorie intake, high one day then low the next, would help. I read someplace that it will sometimes fool your body. I do think drinking lots of water helps too. You probably have cut down without realizing it because it's not as warm as in the summer.

Alice: Yes, my friend is following Dr. Phil. I've dusted off my copy and have started reading it again. I'm almost at the end, but I'll need to go back and refresh myself. Glad that you had a good shopping visit with your cousin. You'll have so much fun in NY. It is hard to believe that December is almost here. They had Christmas stuff up around here before Halloween:yikes:

Guess that's it for now. Take care all.

Kate

I found most of my Christmas gifts and they are now all over my sons room in little piles! He is not coming home for Thanksgiving so I do not have to rucus to clear it out. Now I can see if I am short any gifts.......then need to get them wrapped and ready to mail.

Katey my metabo is shot. I have to really work at staying at goal. I will go up a few then really stay with the program till I get it off. It is not being able to be active that is the killer for me. If I could work out everyday and be as active as I needed to be I would have a much easier time! Baking is relaxing for me and in the winter time it warms the house up since DH keeps it so cold!

Wonder how Siwa is?????????????

Alice..winter jacket ..oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!A font is going through here today with high winds and we have dense fog right now.

Lizzie...how discourageing but just keep plugging away...It is the long run that counts.

Wednesday morning...
 

We had some snow yesterday afternoon and the ground is white. They say it's supposed to warm up today, so hopefully they are right and this stuff will melt.

Ann, sorry about your weight gain. I'm sure it's only temporary and you will see a loss soon. On one visit to my Dr. last year, when I was on WW, she told me that I would have stalls and weight gain along the way. About the sale of the cottage, we are still waiting for the surveyor to come, which hopefully will be sometime this week. One of the RE agents called Mon. and said that the people who want to buy it are still hanging in there. So, they do seem very interested.:crossed:

Kate, gaining 1# is good news. I like those kind of surprises. :s: Didn't get a chance to pick up Dr. Phil's book yesterday, hopefully will be able to today. I'm going to have to go over it again from the beginning because I've already forgotten what I read. I know he said not to, but I skipped ahead to his eating plan. It does appear to be sound. Have you taken all the quizzes? I think it was right after Labor Day that they started putting Christmas stuff up in some stores.

Hi everyone :wave:

Have a good day!
Alice

According to the weather bureau we should be gearing up for a very stormy day tomorrow. They're predicting 2-6" of snow, winds over 50 mph and whiteouts. Hard to believe because today has been in the 50s, almost 60! Crazy stuff.

Alice: I need to go back to the beginning of Dr. Phil's book and do the quizzes. I've only done one. As I reread I'll do them. I was like you...after my gf told me how much she had lost I jumped ahead to see what the food was. Eating has been going well so far this week:D How's it going for you?

Candice: Must be you're sending the high winds our way. Did you have any damage? It's nice to have a room to spread stuff out and wrap without having to pick up each time. This year I'll be able to do that in our back bedroom since I finally got it cleaned out:) I think you always sound very active! Does your other son live at home?

Hi Ann, Siwa, and Barb:wave: Hope things are going well for all of you. Take care.

Kate

Hi,
 

We are gearing up for a nasty day today. We have had a lot of rain come through overnight. We're supposed to have 60 mph winds later this afternoon and we're supposed to get snow showers. They say that up north, towards the White Mt. area there maybe some accumulation. I've got my fingers crossed that we won't see any accumulation. :crossed:

Kate, I didn't get a chance yesterday either to reread Dr. Phil's book. Had an awful lot of errands to run so that I don't have to go out today when the nasty weather hits. Fri. I will have the day to myself, as DH is going away for overnight. I can sit down with Dr. Phil, hopefully with no interruptions other than letting Lacee in and out. Eating has been going well for me too. Are you planning on using Dr. Phil's eating plan?

Candice, I think we were posting at the same time yesterday. I think your winds are heading this way. Isn't it nice having a spare room to keep all your Christmas gifts in? I have a spare bedroom where I keep all the gifts, except DH's, and I love it. One draw in the bureau in the spare room has all my wrapping paper, some bags, tissue paper, etc. and a smaller draw has all my ribbons, tape, etc. It's good for me because the bureau is the right height for me to wrap without giving me a backache.

Siwa, how are you feeling? Hope everything is going well for you.

Hi Barb, Ann :wave:

Have a good day! :balloons:
Alice

Here I was expecting to come back to a board just full of postings that I'd have so spend several minutes reading. Is everyone having a dry spell or what? My surgery went well and I'm one week into an 8 week recovery. Not much pain at all but the boredom!!! I'm just about stir crazy. I've pretty much taken up residence in the kitchen. DH brought in an easy chair so it's comfortable but..........there's nothing to do. I'm reading and watching TV and making crafts. Still I need more. I also don't like being waited on. I'd much rather do things myself but I can't always do it. I'll wear my special shoe for 4 weeks and then probably graduate to a tennis shoe for 4 weeks then I may be back into regular shoes. That's my left foot. The right foot had just a little surgery--a different special shoe for 2 weeks, then tennis shoe or any other shoe that doesn't hurt. Enuf about me.

We had 60 degrees a couple days ago and then snow the next. Today it's only 36 but sunny and pleasant looking outside. I saw the elcipse from my kitchen perch. I sat here watching it go dark and I loved it.

BARB--It must take lots of thinking to decide to go ahead w/gastric bypass surgery. Take your time and what ever you finally decide will be the best decision for you.

CANDICE--That cobbler recipe sounds yummy but I won't be trying it for a while. I'm really concerned about my wt while I'm unable to move cuz I'm still hungry but I must be burning next to zero calories. My boredom has led me to eat when there's been nothing else to do.

ALICE--Good thoughts going your way regarding the sale of your cottage.

Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts. I love it.

Kate-Alice: How different is Dr. Phils eating plan from WW or the South Beach program? It seems that it can't be a whole lot different. I never did buy the book.Just sticking with the south Beach and modified WW low carb. They are very close. I think I wasn't drinking enough water, and so retained more and that made the weight go up. :mad:

Hi everyone. Talk to you tomorrow. Ann

We're still having high winds, which is to last the rest of the day into tomorrow morning. So far...so good with our power. :crossed: We didn't get any snow, just a few snow showers. It is snowing the farther north you go, but not very much farther.

Siwa, thank you for sending good thoughts my way. We think the surveyor or someone has been down to the cottage to do some preliminary work, as there are some little flags where some of the boundaries are. Hopefully it will get done soon. It can get boring not doing very much while recouperating. When I was recouperating from my hysterectomy I couldn't lay around too much, I was always up and about until I got tired. Sometimes I think I overdid it. But, I did like being waited on for a change. :s:

Ann, I think Dr. Phil's eating plan is somewhat similar to SB diet, without having to go through Phase 1. Basically, you replace foods made with white flour with foods made with whole wheat. You limit your carbs to 2-3 serv. Fruit is limited to 2 serv., also with dairy. Fats are limited to 1 serv., you can have regular salad dressing, but the serving size is smaller than if you chose low/non-fat. Proteins you're allowed 3 servings.

Kate, did you have a lot of snow and did you lose your power? I saw on a weather map that your area was getting snow and very high winds. We've had a couple of tree limbs come down and when they hit the ground they embedded themselves into the ground so that they were standing upright. Hope this storm wasn't too severe where you are.

Hi Candice, Barb :wave:

Have a great weekend everyone.
Alice

Since there's no wife/mother to do the grocery shopping we were running out of food. So.....DH and I went shopping today. It's a good thing he was good at math and computers cuz he'd make a lousy wife. Can't shop worth a darn. Only 3 weeks til I'm in tennis shoes and then I can do more normal things again. It was good to get out and add a little diversity to my life. Just for a change we're going to eat Chinese tonite and I'm looking forwerd to it even tho it looks like I've gained 2-3 lbs already. I worked so darn hard to take those lbs off and they come back on like nothing. I need to work on my craft projects more cuz I don't eat when my hands are busy. I'm making flower angels for my friends who attend my Christmas party. They're really quite cute. slik flower w/stem cut off--glue wood ball on for the head---spanish moss is the hair---ribbon legs and feet dangle from inside the upside down flower. I'm using different kinds of flowers--roses, peonies, tulips and some unknown flower. They will be sitting on the plates at the table when my lady friends arrive. They have gold thread coming out of the heads so they can be used as ornaments.

I've joined a (red hat) book club and I'm reading fiction for the first time in a very long time. We're reading "Five Quarters of the Orange" by Joanne Harris--who also wrote "Chocolat" I'm not really enjoying the reading or the book but I like the ladies who are in the club so I thought I"d try it. I just would rather read non-fiction. I don't like the fact that I'm spending all this time reading and I'm learning nothing. I can understand people reading just for entertainment but that just not what I want to do. We'll see how the discussion goes next week. I also don't like analyzing books. That's why I never liked humanities classes at the university but I took some to satisfy requirements. I think we're going to take turns recommending books so I'm hoping to stay in long enuf to have my selection read. It will be non-fiction, of course.

I heard that there was bad weather all over to the east of me and it seemed like it would affect all the rest of you. Even to the west of me the weather was not good. All that hail in CA. Hope that it's not really as bad as the news showed for all of you.

Alice: sounds like Dr. Phil is a lot like WW except for the whole wheat. I guess the bottom line is in order to lose weight we just hvae to eat less and be sensible.

Siwa: Glad that you had a chance to get out. It breaks up the cabin fever feeling. Don't worry, you will get rid of the excess. It does come on so darn quick. I did find that the weight I gained was a lot of water weight. I have got it off again, as I started drinking more water again. I just retain fluid if I don't drink a lot of water. Strange, isn't it.

We are having cooler weather now. 50degs this morning. but it warms up nicely during the day. Really nice weather.

Hi to everyone. Have a nice weekend. Ann

At our age it is just plain hard to be thin so we must settle for healthy;) went to the craft mall and they have a new booth with cookies...bought some pumpkin ones...I ate too many! But I did walk 4 times this week even with my painful hip!

All your wrapping set ups sound wonderful....I have to keep my sons room ready just incase so I have to be tidy.......just no room in the house for much.....my other son does not live at home thankgoodness!

I would like to get my lighted hosues out this year but not sure I can handel the running up and down the stairs or that my arms will hold up. I have not had them out in about 4 years! I love looking at them and setting them up but hate taking them down and putting them away.

Our winds have finally died down and we didn't lose our power. It's still pretty chilly, but it's supposed to warm up eventually.

Candice, are your lighted houses the Dept. 56? I started collecting the New England Village houses and accessories. We haven't put the village up in a few years, since we got a new TV. DH made something out of plywood that went from one window, angled into a corner, over the TV to the other window. Our new TV is larger than the old one so the plywood doesn't fit anymore. I really miss it because I liked to turn the light off and just have the village lit.

Siwa, glad that you were able to get out. You will start losing again once you get back to an exercise routine. It is a struggle. I can remember being able to lose 2 lbs. a week, now I can gain that much in 2 days! :(

Ann, Dr. Phil also has acceptable and unacceptable food lists. You don't have weigh, count, or measure anything. He suggests you visualize your plate separated into quarters, 1/4 for protein, 1/4 for starch, 1/2 for veggies, or if you don't want a starch, 3/4 for veggies.

Kate, hope this storm is over for you. Hope it wasn't too bad in your area.

Have a good day everyone.
Alice

Hi all,
The storm started here Wednesday night with winds and thunder storms. Thursday the winds were really bad all day with rain in the morning and changing over to snow. We got about 3". We got out of work early, but I came home to no power. It was out til 9:30 that night. We were lucky though, some people are still without power. We had a young woman in a neighboring town that was killed while driving to work when a tree fell on her car. So sad. You just never know.

Siwa: Glad that you're up and around. I know what you're saying..we work so hard to get weight off, but it sure does come back on quickly:( I agree with Candice - we need to strive for healthy. It will be better when your foot is completely healed. Your flower angels sound very nice. How many do you need to make and when is your party? What will your guests be doing this year?

Alice: I love the lighted villages. I don't have one, but a friend has the Dickens village. They start setting up before Thanksgiving because she has such a large collection! Glad that the storm wasn't too bad for you. Hope this isn't a forecast of what the winter will be like. Glad that you noticed some action around your cottage.

Candice: You are the cookie monster:lol: That's great that you were able to get some walking in this week. Have your DH get the houses out for you and then you can set them up. How is school going for your DS? Is he feeling better about it?

Ann: Alice gave you a good summary of Dr. Phil's plan. The bottom line is no matter what you decide to follow you need to stick with it! Glad that drinking more water has worked to take off what you gained. That was a simple solution. Your temps sound good to me!

Barb: How are things in Texas? You're probably busy getting things settled with your new business. Have you started back walking with your mother?

It's a quiet weekend for me because DH is working on storm damage repairs. There are all kinds of sales going on at the malls, but I'm content to just be a homebody. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Kate

I don't know how those preganat women who are on bedrest for 3 mos can stand it. I'm so bored that I can't even explain it. I'm doing things but it's not the life I'm used to. Looking forward to graduating to a tennis shoe. I went grocery shopping on Fri but I think it was too much cuz my foot hurt all day Sat. It was suggested that I use one of those mechanized cart to shop but I thought I could do it on my feet. Didn't feel any pain or problems while shopping but the day after......WOW. I learned my lesson. I'm reading, watching TV, crafting but those are all sedentary activities. OK pity party is done now!

KATE--The flower angels are really cute. I'm making 14 of them and 8 of them are for my friends. The others I'll hang on my tree and let my nieces and nephews choose the ones they want. I'm not making them for myself. I just enjoy crafting items like this so I'm happy to give them away. This year's party theme is "nostalgia". I plan to show photos of this group from all the years we've been together--that's nearly 30 years. I want to put together a slide show on our big screen TV, complete with titles and fancy imaging. Don't have a date yet but usually the 2nd week in Dec. I heard that your area was hit by the storm. Glad that you didn't feel it too much.

CANDICE--I know how you feel about your Christmas village houses. I don't have those but I do have plenty of decorations and every year I feel less and less like using them. It's kind of fun putting them out but the putting away job is awful. I think it's an age related thing. I like the way things look all decorated but I see the work when I look at it too. For several years I've been saying that some year all we will have is out 3 foot artificial tree and one box of ornaments and I'll still be happy. So far my family hasn't believed me.

I't a dreary, drizzly 40 degree day here today. Tomorrow I get to have an outing--going for mammogram. When I mad the appt several weeks ago I figured that if my feet hurt then it would be good to make a pain in another part of my body to take my mind off my feet. LOL Aslo going to Jenny Craig to find out how much I've GAINED. Home scale says about 2#.

ANN--You're always so busy with various projects. It's a wonder that you have time to read for pleasure but you seem to cuz you're often talking about your current reading.

I forgot to mention that we've finally established a selling spot on e bay and have actually sold a couple items. DH sold a calculus book for $25 and DS sold a group of beanie babies for $2. We also listed an anchor hocking snack set which did not sell. The snack set was an unopened wedding gift. I figured if we hadn't used it in 34 yrs we probably wounldn't in the next 34! Now I want to look around the house for more items to TRY to sell. We didn't charge a handling fee but just asked that the buyer pay actual shipping. It was fun to watch for bidding. The bidding did not begin until the last day.