Quicky post for a snowy day. My main exercise is keeping up with the snow.

Amarantha - I agree that parts of texas are quite nice. There were two things that gave me the big ick: I lived in a really bad neighborhood and the house got broken into a couple of times and we did not have air conditioning and it was over 100 for two weeks in a row. I was really young and dumb back then.

We went grocery shopping last night and there was no one at the store becuase of the game and the snow. It was excellent beucasse usually Sunday shopping is a madhouse.

Amarantha - I am childless and planning on staying that way. My little cousins asked me about it beucase according to them I am still a kid until I have kids of my own. Which is scary becuase I have a cousin who had a child when she was 18 and so, according to the little ones, she is a grown up and I am not. and congrats on the lower numbers

Ok I must get some work done.

Was only kidding about Texas, Z (not about liking it, but it didn't really bother me if anyone else didn't ... ) ... I hear thee about the summers w/o AC, I lived in Arizona five years without it (the first two years, I had swamp coolers, but they stopped working the third year). It's only been in the past few years I had window AC units put in ... one in the kitchen and then a year ago in my office ... still gets hot in the house but it helps. central air is just too expensive for me ... actually my mom lived in Texas during WW II (dating myself here) and told me she hated it big time ... dunno, I'm really drawn to the place, though. Maybe I was conceived or something when she was there ... don't think so, but I suppose it's possible!! No, I'm way too young!!!!

Thanks for the congrats and the input on childfree by choice ... yes, it's scary to think some folks believe that just by the biological act of childbearing, an 18-year-old can be elevated to the status of adult (no offense to 18-year-olds, as many ARE adults, it's just that I believe maturity or lack thereof doesn't have to do with having kids ... in fact, I'd say many folk would be better off if they didn't have kids ever because I've seen too many bad parents in this world ... actually I hate to say this but I've seen more bad parents than good ones ... I think folk should have to pass parenting classes and have psychological testing before they can conceive and bring some poor child into the world to perpetuate their lameness ... where did that come from, sorry, not bitter, really)!

K, sorry thou be not feeling too perky ... it's Monday ... hopefully, Tuesday will look better ... I'm just trying to hide out today but people keep asking me to do things ... why are they bothering me when I don't want to work? Hope you get to come home soon.

Re the Sendak quote, it sounds like my father (who had really severe emotional problems), who kept saying: "There must be a better way." There never was, for him, but I'm determined to make a better way for myself!

QOD: Actually, I don't say 'lose' and 'loose' the same way ... dunno how to type the sounds but they don't sound the same at all to me?

Anyway, guess I'll go hide some more!!! Bye!

Except for Monday, which was never good anyway....

Long day.

I applaud those of you who have made the choice not to have children. I would have been among you had I had a choice all those years ago, but that's a whole other story. Even now, because I remarried, I get the "when are you two going to have a baby" comments...uh, how's never? I can see the finish line, why the would I start over??? I may be crazy, but I'm not insane!

Amarantha, do you get the WW e-mails? One of the recipes today is herbed biscuits...I thought of you immediately! I made some banana-chocolate chip muffins from one of the WW cookbooks, and because I made 12 instead of 18 they work out to 4 points each, but they are a good size muffin, and worth it, IMO. Hey, you're down to 151 lbs?? That's six pounds, isn't?

I say lose like "looze" and loose the same way as goose, with the S sound. QODs: Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and get up at the same time every day, except weekends when I sleep late until 7am or so.

Kaylets, I crashed last night, too, watching HGTV in the bedroom with Peppy the kitten curled up under my chin. I had one of those mornings, too.

Arabella, are you back home from Boston?

zadie, sorry about the furnace troubles. Why must they always break when it is 20 below?

anagram, how are the palm trees and sunshine? Sure could use some of that warmth here!

wsw, your colors sound lovely! Very peaceful. I'm a big fan of neutral colors, and you can always add color with accessories. Good choices!

frogger, how is the tadpole?


Eydie, thanks! I wallowed for a couple of days, then climbed back on the wagon. Love the scarlet suit!

Hi ceara!

Cerise, where art thou? Did I congratulate you on your amazing loss? If not, congratulations!!

And hey, Punkin is in absentia today! What up with dat?

Did I miss anyone? if I did!

Off to the other threads, then to search for Flower (anyone seen her lately?), then the treadmill, then the shower, then ironing, lunches, maybe throw something in the slow cooker for tomorrow....it never ends.

Hello all!

I feel good this am.... ice storm warmed up to be just a storm... Speech is really coming together ( DH gets a medal for listening patience on this one!)
and I think my hairdresser FINALLY gets it!!

I promise I will post the speech .. I am very interested in your opinions....
I'm a little shy because so many of you are professional writers but I do value your opinions!

*****
Thought of the day :

" A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
-- Herm Albright

Question of the day :

"What is the longest you've grown your hair?"

******

KETTLE IS ON!

Frustration level...HIGH. Tolerance level....LOW. Makings for a bad day...ICY DRIVEWAY! Argh!

to all... you are doing great..hope to join you this day.

Haven't seen Flower for a while...'nor Frogger either...was she logging on at work? That would explain that one. YO YO Dee either...we've lost a few and gained a few...

I'm with you Wildfire on the lose and loose....aren't the same at all....the vowels are very different. Hair...high school down my back of course.

Gotta go...drink some water and finish my programme...and maybe (be still my heart) walk for more than 8 minutes on the treadmill!!! DH is trying another fix

Ceara

Icy here today. I may go to work this afternoon for a while. Luckily, there's not much going on that I have to cook for, so I'm just making 'busy-work' for myself this time of year.

Glad you're feeling better, Kaylets. My hair used to be so long, had a ponytail that hung all the way down my back. I guess I had some romantic idea about having long hair, but I'm over that now. The shorter the better--for me anyway!

Wildfire, I remember Flower! Haven't seen her here in ages!

Ceara, good luck with the treading!

Have a good day, everybody! I'll check in later.

Hello All!
The tadpole is making me very very sick.

Car is still not fixed. But I had to drive into work today in my mother's car (which by the way is a huge caddy and makes me car sick to drive it). Because I just 'HAD' to be here today according to management. To do what? I've been sitting on my arse since 6:30 doing nothing. I'd rather be doing that at home.

G'morning, dearests. Back from a wonderful weekend with my parents, brother and SIL. We laughed a lot, and the only two bummers were: 1. I ate too much and didn't journal at all, and 2. We had to leave for home during the Superbowl and I missed the halftime show.

Why did I eat so much, you ask? Aaah, you know how families are. They have waffles for breakfast - eat a lot, then can go for hours without eating until the next large meal. Meanwhile, the waffles were so high in points that I ate only one and was hungry an hour after, wandering through stores with my mum. We got home (I was grouchy with hunger by then) and she had bought vegetable lasagna for us specially, so I had a slice, contemplated journalling it, then said (sing it with me, you all know the song) "Ah, screw it" and ate myself into a coma for the rest of the weekend. And today's weigh-in. Never mind. I had a very convivial time with my family - ate and drank and laughed a great deal. The only thing I regret are the handfuls of chips I ate because I was off-program and I could...

My poor friends back East, when are you gonna get a break with this weather? It sounds extremely inconvenient. No injuries or hypothermia for you to report, so that's good. I'm glad you're in Florida, Anagram.

Frogger, I'm starting to hate your manager for your sake. And I'm sorry the tadpole's not letting anything stay down. It's one of those prenant-women conundrums I've never been able to fathom. How do you get the calories and nutrients to your kiddo if you're unable to keep food down? Anyway, sending you strength and patience and a strong stomach...

Eydie, your track suit sounds really cool. Ramon and I (wsw, you listen in too) are now seriously contemplating painting our apartment and have chosen some pretty bright stuff (despite sage warnings from tiresome people who remind us that we'll have to paint over it someday). We decided that we're SICK of neutrals - we're going to put color everywhere and let the headaches begin! Naw, it won't be like that. But we're not buying neutral stuff any more. Color!!!

Ceara, sorry about your frustration levels today. Poor thing. Maybe treadmilling will joggle some of it out of you. Sometimes it helps for me...

Kaylets, I can't wait to read your speech. I am by no means a professional writer, but I'm avid reader who is keen to be delighted (bad writing aside). The perfect guinea pig. Isn't it lovely to have a hairdresser who gets it? I've had some that couldn't put their preconceived notions of what my hair SHOULD look like away and give me what I bloody well wanted! One had the temerity to tell me that I have a "very short neck" and anything below my chin would make the situation worse. I told her as coldly as I could that it was short because of a compression fracture I endured when I was 12 and I would grow my hair as long as I liked. Which leads me to the QOD: my hair is the longest it's ever been - down below my braline, but layered all the way up to my chin. Very bushy. Call me Hermione and I'll kill ya.

Wildfire, poor baby. Let's you and me crawl back onto the wagon with hunkered shoulders and commiserate. Punkin, hand me that butt-super-glue. That way falling off (or jumping off) will only occurr if I tear my *** right off. Actually, not a bad idea... Nooo - the only thing balancing my belly is my ***. Guess I'll keep it where it is for the time being.

I'm also childless-by-choice. I do love children (well, OK, everybody says that) and am always so proud of mothers-to-be, but I've never thought I'd be a mother, not even when I was a kid. My MIL is starting to drop hints. Ironic, since I'd think she'd had her baby-fix for a good long time (Ramon's younger sister got pregnant with her son when she was 16, had him at 17, and now she and her son, 3 years old now, still live in my in-laws' house along with the father of the kid). I ask you. My brother doesn't drop hints at all. Since he's in med. school and can't be expected to father children yet (though they want them) and Ramon and I aren't doing much of anything career-wise, he mournfully asks when we'll make him an uncle. Often. Had to get a bit shirty with him this weekend. Strangely enough, my parents are the ones who don't give me trouble about it. I do adore them.

Amarantha, I'm afraid it was me dissing Texas. The people, not so much the land. I love the meadows and wildflowers and flatness and the iron-hard sky in the summer. We like Texas. We disliked the people in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, probably because I had a very un-congenial workplace to deal with and it tainted me. It's an unfair attitude, I know, and I do remember the place fondly, but I still think that the stereotypes that surround the people of Plano and Denton are grounded in absolute truth.

Your story was cute, by the way. Things will change, my dear. Hopefully in our lifetimes. A lot of prejudice is born of the fact that our family is our little world and is therefore our "norm" for many years. Exposure kills prejudice (at least for a thinking mind), and that boy has been "exposed" to you. Good thing he met a kind, centered, strong single woman and not a defensive, crotchety and insecure one. Just by meeting you another male of our species has been set on the right path.

"Underworld" finally came in the mail today. Love that movie...

Right, I'm off to work. Love to you all!

Just got back from weigh-in at WW. I'm down another .5 pound, great considering that I fell off the wagon this weekend. Trying not to think about what I could have lost if I'd stayed OP.

I'm having some major, major beginner's luck here, people. People aren't lying when they say that at the beginning of your weight loss, you lose it like crazy. Savoring the moments while they last...

CONGRATULATIONS, CERISE, for sending that half packing!!!! Keep going! I posted a response to thee on the food thread!!!!

Hmmm. I sort of know how you feel about a bad experience with people in a place leaving a negative feeling for the place itself (if I've got that right). When I moved here, I had some quite negative interactions at the first paper I worked for and I think that has colored everything I've felt about people here and at subsequent jobs. Was just thinking today that I need to get out ... am thinking about moving to NOLA at some future date ... just thinking about it, not sure ... I need a life where I don't feel I have so many enemies ...

If that sounds paranoid, it kind of describes my present mood.

Kaylets, I'd like to read thy speech as well. You are brave to speak in public ... I hate it ... can do it when I have to but don't like it ...

Gotta go folks, later ...

Hello all!

I have the best draft still at work ( I thought it came home...sorry) - I will post tomorrow....

My weighin was the same but I am very excited for those whoo have lost....
Empress... is it true?? 6 lbs down?? WOW!!

Interesting thought on lose and loose.... never heard the vowels pronounced differently.... I 'm familiar with a soft s and a harder z sound in the s but goes to show you.....


Take care all... I have to rehease a bit.

KETTLE IS ON!

Er, no, K, I only lost a pound in the past two weeks ... six would be nice, though!!!

Somewhere I think I was rambling that by my figures, I'd gone down 27 pounds from last February 1. At least that's what I'd written down in my pre-body-for-life journal. I'm confused, actually, because I don't think it was that much ... but dunno ... I think I lost 13 pounds from April of last year to January 1 and I lost some in January ... so 27 doesn't sound right, but anyway, I'm getting where I'm going and that's what count! Some of the confusion may be that when I briefly did Curves in March, they weighed me in about 10 pounds heavier than I thought I was ... oh, well. I know where I am now, anyway.

Here's an approximation of how I hear (and I guess pronounce) lose and loose: To me it sounds like "lew's" and "luce" ... hmmm, never heard it any other way ... yes, that's very interesting.

Ok, bye!!!!

Hello all!

Thought I was feeling very confident and relaxed till the 2nd cup of coffee....
Decided not to finish the 2nd cup... am on water or decaf .....
till tomorrow at least...

Am going to do my best to keep breathing and remember that no matter what happens, I'll be ok.....
YIKES.... whos' idea was this anyway!?!?!


*********

Thought of the day :

"My mother used to always say, " The older you get the better you get, unless you're a banana."
--Rose Nylund in the Golden Girls


Question of the day :

"What is your favorite lunch?"


*************


KETTLE IS ON!

Quick drive by post. My sister got into a car accident last night in her almost new car. plus she is 7 1/2 months pregnant. Fortunately she got checked out and everything is fine.

Work has been a little hectic. Almost had to go inot court for an emergency hearing. Now, you have to understand that I NEVER go to court. But it was for a good cause.

Congrats to all the losers. Excellent. Wish I could say the same only I am really not doing so hot with the whole weight/health thing right now. But I think I am going to do a major relaunch. So here it goes. I am going to lose 8 pounds by spring. That is just about a pound a week. I really just need to focus and get back on track. I am itching for spring and started dreaming about biking to work. Sigh.

At any rate, much to do before I get to leave for the day.

Hello all!!


Here is the speech I promised.....

I am very interested in your thoughts as I need to use it again.... I won but because I tied w/ first place.... the other contestant withdrew as she had competed last year and wanted me to have the experience....

I was very nervous but must have done pretty well to tie.....

The dots and capitals are to express emphasis... Its hard to write it in an animated style.


"Its A Learning Experience"
>
>
>
> What a time to be alive...

.I've always said if I hit the jackpot, I'd become an archeologist as I love to imagine what it might be like to live in another time, but if you want my opinion, this is the best time ...
So many exciting things
In the last 100 years we've gone from Model T's to SUV's
We've gone from the Wright Bros at Kitty Hawk to the Rover on Mars

> We are really only moments away from learning what the next wonderful scientific breakthrough will be. Western Medicine is finally learning with Eastern medicine and are working together as "Integrated Medicine'..
>
> But for all our scientifc know how and brillant technolgy, we have yet to learn the secret of fountain of youth.
> But not for lack of trying I might add....The dollars spent to keep us "young" are mindboggling.
>
> For myself, Birthdays came and went and I've never understood the "Over the Hill" controversy.... Turning 30 felt just like 18, only smarter, 35 same way, even 40.... ok, so not like 18--- maybe like 25---But STILL smarter!-
>
> But then.....the lesson began......I began noticing....I would hear a song on the radio and have no idea who was singing much less what the words were....and more and more clerks were calling me "Ma'm"...
>
> AND then...... came the birthday when there were MORE candles than cake......
> and I began thinking .... thinking and watching myself as I've went thru my " age crisis"....
> I passed thru all the stages .... 2nd guessing the years of extra hours on the "career path" , regretting time wasted .....
>
> wondering where the time had gone....
>
> And I've learned that that getting older has lots of advantages:

> For instance,
I've learned that getting older saves you a lot ot time.... I can buy cigarettes and beer and get into "R" rated movies without being carded....
>
Its a real time saver!

> Life just keeps getting better and better.....
>
> I also learned that getting older is saving me a lot of money....
. My old clothes are back in style
...and my furniture is "retro" or "shabby chic'
>
I'm saving a lot of money!!

> Life keeps better and better!
..
>
> As you probably know, as we age, we lose brain cells..which is very handy..
. Now my supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
>
>
Every day I learn something, most days many things.
>
>
> And many times, its a lesson I didnt expect to learn.
> Every day is a learning experience.
>
> *
> "And then 2 weeks ago, in a Toastmasters Officer's meeting, one of our officers said something that crystalized all of my thoughts of the past 3 years. She said, " I can only be a better me"
>
> I couldn't tell you unless I check my notes what else was discussed because I can only remember the sound of puzzle pieces clicking together when they fit. And once the puzzle was together, the view was amazing...

> What I saw was this:
>
There is nothing I can change about the past.

> There are no mistakes, only lessons.

> Its all a learning experience.
>

> So as I said, I think this is the best time to be alive and I don't plan on missing a thing....
> I can't wait to find out what we've found on Mars and I already wondering what will replace Plasma TV

> The party store might say I'm over the hill but I say,"Its really 18 with 32 years experience."