CCRRMM 2004 version 2.0
 

Well, we lost a few zillion posts, but it loks like we are back in business. Thought I would get things up and running, so to speak.

**she walks around, picking up scattered items and sweeping debris into little piles
 

Hey ladies...

I feel so traumatized...now I know what would happen if I lost 3FC for good, right? What a nasty shock to find out that we've lost posts and new members.

Never mind - they'll get on again.

Thank you to the 3 sister for what must have been a harrowing few days of frenzied work.

Avanti, ladies! We shall prevail. In the meantime, I have copious amounts of gas from eating way, way, WAY too much food in the last few days (no doubt because 3FC was down) and am not fit company for this thread. Signing off...

I concur with Cerise about the trauma. I checked about every hour yesterday to find out if we were back up.

The worst thing is that I think we've lost Seattlejo. New members got destroyed...

I'm actually trying to call her workplace right now, but IF YOU'RE LISTENING, Seattlejo, PLEASE GET BACK ON THE FORUM AND RESTORE YOURSELF!!!

Everyone else check in soon, too, OK?

Was it something I said?
 

Hello, hello :queen:s of the Realm!

Geez I hope it doesn't mean I've got to put my new stats into the sig again. :eek:

Reporting in on two perfect days: lots of water, 9 servings fruits & veggies, two exercise sessions, no nasty white stuff. It's brilliantly sunny here (if frigidly cold) and I'm just going to take a break and walk the mile or so out to visit my mum.


Zadie, thanks for getting us started again! I could hardly believe that I just renewed my commitment and the site went down. Trying not to take it personally, though ;)

Cerise, that's great that you have a way to contact Seattlejo, anyway. It really is traumatic when we get attached to people and then they disappear, for whatever reason.

Here's hoping everyone finds their way back! Let's make this a good one -- love to all...

Rawr!
 

Morning all
I'm busy busy today with work, so this is going to be fairly quick.

So very glad the site is back. I was worried that the site was gone for good :-( I restored myself first thing this morning, but i think because I am new I cant create new threads yet.

I'll recreate the walk to NOLA later.
Oh, and if anyone wants my email incase the site bites the big one again, it is [email protected]



Whew, now where is everyone else?

Whew!
 

Hi guys! Glad to "see" ya! I imagine that such a crash is a major disaster. Kudos to the 3 for getting it up again so fast!!!!

Hopefully the rest will wander on in...a few sites were wonky yesterday...including the Yahoo mail...I only know this because of people at the library, not my personal use.

Reporting that Day 3 is halfway through...2 days under the belt...with you O Brave Arabella, the :queen: of full disclosure. I'm still hiding

Ceara

Was crushed when i got on and read what happened. Thanks to the sisters for their prompt attention to getting it all back so quickly.

Actually i had tried yesterday but the county library system went down just as I sat down and started to sign on.

One more example of how we will not be deterred.......Got here Sat. Problem with dh's one medicine (long story esp. when I only have an hour at a time here) but think all will be ok.

Have walked/exercised 65 minutes so far since Monday not counting the hour and a half in WalMart and the hour in Target as we gathered stuff for our "new home". First couple of days lovely, colder today.

NOT relaxed yet. I think I've just been wound so tight it will take a good while. BUT have been having some good food days, water good too but not quite there yet (unless you're judging by potty trips - don't think I could take any more.

Have been feeling homesick much to dh's chagrine. Today he said we'll go home if I want. But you and I know it's HERE I've been homesick for so now that I've touched base, all will be well.

Okay, big group hug all around! It's weird but I feel such a sense of reunion. I missed you all so much!:)

And yes, showers of blessings on the 3 sisters for getting things up and running so quickly!

I'm happy to say that I feel completely back on track again, and it feels so good! :D I love the new year!!!!:hat:

Hi neighbors!
 

Glad the castle is still over here after the fog lifted!

Gosh, you know, all those New Year's Challenge posts totally disappeared, and Golly, I can't seem to remember who won!? Wasn't it us Cowz over here in the pasture?? ;)

:lol:

KiwiCow

Darling Kiwonk
 

Moooooo.

Like Eydie, I'm revelling in seeing everyone again after such a short absence. Seems silly, but get yer jollies where ya can, I say.

Wildfire present and accounted for! Oh my GAWD I missed you all! Just when I get back in the diet swing, it all falls apart!

We should make an emergency contact list just in case something like this ever happens again. Then we could at least send out an e-mail to meet in a Yahoo chat or something.

Just popped in to say hi, have supper cooking. Will be back later.

HELLO ALL!!!

When did we come back up?? I checked at 5 pm EST time and didnt think we were back.....


YES, some of us do have each others emails, but YES lets get everyone's ( if you like....) at least even if you would rather not share, take the list so one of us can be contacted.

These things do happen as all of have experienced other places and in fact, I think last year similiar crash here on 3FC.

So, last night went to a farewell dinner and ordered Eggplant Parmigiana and drank hot tea. We did order a large appetizer platter that had 5 types of appetizers... other folks either drank one or two mixed drinks, expensive beer or some ordered and shared bottles of wine .... then... about 4 folks ordered dessert. There were about 18 of us there... naturally we paid for the "honoree".... ( here we go... the point finally!).... the waiter brought the bill to the boss and he announced "It divides to $35 a piece"...... I know this is customary in many social groups to split the bill this way but if you are obviously not spending what only perhaps 1/2 of the grioup is spending... ( That many didnt drink) how is this polite ?? Never mind justified...

I didnt want to embarrass the honoree who would have probably offered to pay... but if this is the only way this group socializes outside the office... I will have to make an appearance and leave b/4 ordering or show up after the food is eaten ....

Another "new" coworked asked me about it today ...she was very upset... Our trainer ( who had not been able to go due to the flu)
said we should have asked that the bar tab be kept separate, that this is how this group does things...

Any thoughts???

Arabella!! How's it feel?? bet you already feeling more like yourself!

I'm going to take a shower while its available and stop in later.

KETTLE IS ON!

Kaylets, unfortunately you'll have to chalk this one up to being a learning experience. However, I would have NO problem in the future saying something like, "Please keep the bar tab separate, as some of us don't drink and can't be expected to pay for those of you who do." Or just ask that YOUR bill be separate. You could even make up an excuse that you may have to leave early and don't want to inconvenience anyone. When it's a large group like that you'll end up paying way more than you spent yourself and that isn't fair. You have to speak up or order more than anyone a few times and let them pick up the difference to even it all out!

anagram, hope you managed to straighten out your DH's medication? Sorry to hear you're feeling homesick....hope that will pass and you can relax and enjoy.

Hi Kiwonk! Hope the herd is intact and no one wandered into the sheep pasture....you know how vicious those sheep can be! :D

No sign of Amarantha yet? wsw? Punkin? Frogger?

I think I'll go to WW tomorrow night. I joined on a Friday because I was off work, but they don't have any evening meetings on Fridays. Saturdays there are morning meetings, but people bring their children and that will just make me angry, so I'll go tomorrow night. I've been very good this week, exercised every day, but my scale is NOT moving. I've never had big losses for my first week, but still....:shrug:

Yes, Wildfire, you're right... I was thinking all of that even as I was handing the money over.... honestly, this is the first time I've bumped into this type of bill divison in a long, long time. ALmost 15 yrs... I figured that other style was finished....


Yes, was wondering the same about the Empress....

Wildfire, you and Arabella are making smoke !! I know you must be feeling more like yourself now too with a few days in a row!
Too bad we forget that "oh, thank you" feeling our bodies give us when we first get on a "cleaner" program....

Ok... shower felt wonderful, time to press some clothing out for the morning....

And DH's got apple crisp in the oven!

Hello all!!

Running late this am.... so cold outside it really was hard to get out of the warm bed... Sure am glad DH insisted on the remote starters for the cars last year! Makes such a difference!!

Dh's trying to get On Program too.. its only been since Monday and he's seeing a big scale drop....men... it just falls off them...GRRRRRR!! :)

*************
Thought of the day :

"Find a need and fill it"
-- Henry J. Kaiser

Question of the day :

"What do you think of today's weather forecast?"
**************

Take care all!
Kettle is on!

Thursday! Already!?
 

Hello loves,

Wow, a lot has happened since I was here last! Many "kudos" and "well done"'s to the 3FC sisters for their tireless work in getting us back up n' going! What a job it must've been... :faint:

My house kept me from posting. I started having a heat problem Sunday night in the midst of below zero temperatures - not that there was no heat, but that it wouldn't shut off. After running for 2 days straight and after the techs showed up, it's fixed. I have a mini panic attack when I think of what my power bill is going to be next month! :fr:

THEN, as if the above wasn't enough - I lost water in my house on Monday. My well house wasn't frozen so the best I can figure is that it was a pipe under the house. Either way, I've been without running water until 6am this morning. The combination of warmer temps (ha, warmer, it was 26 degrees) and little foam blocks inserted into the vents under my house yesterday did the trick...

Anagram, that is so sweet that you're homesick for us, not "home" in the typical sense! I hope you're having fun in Florida, enjoy the weather!!!

Kaylets, what happened at that dinner was just wrong! I can't believe that the drinkers didn't offer to pay up a bit more for their share... geez! I agree, next time, either squawk about it, or come late and leave early.

Ceara, isn't it amazing how fast this week went? With it being the first full week in 2 weeks I figured it would draaaaaag, but it didn't! :cb: Friday here we come!!!!

Wildfire, enjoy the WW meeting tonight! I miss going - there's a meeting locally, but you all remember what THOSE people are like... :rolleyes: No thanks.

Eydie, come over here and rub some of that "on track" on me, purdy please????

Arabella, congrats on your perfect days piling up! :cb:

SeattleJo, I'm off on our walk to NOLA!!!! I'm a mile along.... shall go sign up next! :tread:

Cerise, are you getting any of this crazy weather up there??? I've got 3 feet of snow in places! Waaaaaaaah, I wanna go to the Baaaahamaaaas!!!!! :rofl: (that's not me laughing, that me havin' a temper tantrum a 2 year old would be proud of!).

Well, off to get some workie done so that tomorrow, oh, so beautiful Friday that it will be, I can be a bum.

Smooches,

Terri

Hello all!!

Got an email from the Empress... she saw the page up and then when she went back, couldnt get on....

I told her we've been calling for her...

Somebody turn the porch light on will you... I know she'll be here any second and I don't want it to look like there's no one home...

I think I'll get the kettle fired up and might even on put an apple crisp on .... its mostly apples anyway and smells so good as its baking!

Think my midriff is finally beginning to flatten. Not much but enough to notice when you tuck in your shirt..... and... the panty hose doesnt roll anymore either....
hmmmmmmmm

ok! time to eat supper and get some bills paid!

KETTLE IS ON!

Going home finally!
It's been a rough day here and boy am I tired! I tried getting to the site earlier but couldnt.

I'm counting WW points like mad, and am doing a fairly decent job of it. We're not going to talk about last Saturday, because its wiped from my mind. Now to get someone to take me to the mall tomorrow night so that I can weigh in. (No scale here at home yet)

Glad to see the participation on the walk, hopefully I'll get to the gym tomorrow and get started on my portion, I also have an award or two to give out for that already..

Ok, better update later, all of you have been in my mind, I hope you are doing well.

In a foul mood today.
 

So don't cross me, GOT IT???

Just kidding - the work here at work that was pissing me off is done, so now I'm just experiencing residual grumpiness. But I'm still not feeling all that talkative...anybody mind if I'm brief today (try to hide your hanging jaws - yes, I CAN be brief)?

I was sitting at my desk, pondering the fact that I think I've gained some weight over the Season - me feet hurt, my bras have all but given up trying to support my jublies, and I just feel...fatter.

I don't usually feel fat. I usually feel much lighter than I look, but you hit a weight threshold, you know? Where you suddenly cross a thin line and you feel icky and your feet hurt.

I was sitting there thinking, "this isn't ME". But then, I'm making this fatness "me" by eating way too much lately. Overeating has become "me". Ergh. I'm concerned, of course, since I start WW this coming Tuesday, and I'm already seeing signs that I want this to be the panacea of all my weight struggles - "I'll just join WW, start exercising THEN and not before, and everything will be OK". Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So, I change the behavior that isn't me. Eating too much and not exercising. I know Eydie has talked about her lifestyle and habits have changed so that even her impulses a lot of the time are healthy. But you're taking an unfamiliar set of new actions - eating healthy and less and exercising - and trying to make it into "you"; your new norm. No wonder only 5% of us succeed. It's hard to even get my head around. But then, I'm not a clever girl... :D

So, this ain't brief. Just self-absorbed. Sorry, Chicks. I am reading your posts and enjoying being with you, though...

Fondly,

Hello all!!

Empress wrote me an email and can read the boards but without the quick reply feature, cannot post!!!!

I told her I'd cut and paste whatever she sends me. I'm also thinking if she sends to someone closer to her time zone, she may be "almost" posting herself.... at least till things sort themselves out....
Cerise, she mentioned you sent her a note... I know you'd do whatever you could... So... that's where we are....

For awhile, our Empress may have to "call it in" ....

She told me what she's done for NOLA so off I go....

But before I do....

Cerise, yes, I can RELATE!! when your bra is so eager to leave you it tries to strangle you so you stop resisting... And why oh why, do I always gain so I am sticking out of just one cup ??? So attractive!!!
So.... now what????
Sometimes we drive off the road.... It doesnt matter how we get the car out of the ditch.... Its just deciding that you want out of the ditch....
So, just use this as a reminder of why you wanted to lose in the first place... It is a shame we don't feel the clothes tightening around us as the food is still in our mouths but .......

Come on.... it could be worse... you could be glum and the site still be down...

I have a cup here for you... its your favorite... now lets figure out this bra thing and we'll make a fortune... We'll call then Sexy Cerise's.....


And Seattlejo.... I've a cup for you too.... I'd take you to the mall but I really dislike them.... isn't there a neat flea market around we could check out .....

off to NOLA

wsw, glad to hear you are feeling a little better. How exciting, this new condo of yours! What a great idea to have someone tape the inspection so you can view it later...will certainly help you plan your decorating, etc.

Cerise, luv, I went through the very same feelings just a week ago. They are important feelings, so don't try to ignore them. They are your first steps in getting on the wagon! I'll tell you, just one week really OP has made a huge difference in how I feel, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And you know something? I don't care if the scale doesn't show a great loss. I know I've made changes and they will result in a loss over time. So one meal, one day, one choice at a time, darling! You're going to do this, and we're going to help you! :grouphug:

Amarantha, I hope you can get this all sorted out. We need our Empress!

Seattlejo, hope your evening is pleasant after your tough day.

Kaylets, if THAT is not a NSV, I don't know what is!!! Flattening tummy and no pantyhose roll! WHOO HOOO! :dancer:

Punkin, hope the house problems are finally sorted and no more show up! We take our heat and water for granted, don't we?

Ceara, just what are you up to, missy???

Didn't get to a WW meeting tonight. The only one they have on Thursdays is at 5:30pm, which is too early for me. Guess I'll be there on Saturday with the screaming children.

Hello all!!!

I expect the Empress will stop by as soon as she can ... She sent me this :

"If you'd just post a howdy to the queens on
the regular thread as well ... I had a brutal meeting
and am braindead or I'd write something to post ...
yes, I think the email exchange by pm is a good thing
... wouldn't want to lose touch with you guys
permanently!"

------
So, I see the quick reply is back...lets hope that means the Empress will be too!

Here's a lttle something I enjoyed, wanted to share:
**************

Things To Do This Year

Smile more!

Pray more and worry less!

Listen more intently.

Be quick to forgive others and learn to forgive yourself.

Watch a child discover something new.

Whatever you do, give it your best shot!

Do something totally silly once in a while!

Don't gossip.

Take responsibility for all your actions.

Accept help when it's offered.

Make room for new friends.

Bury your prejudices.

Be free with compliments.

Accept yourself for who you are.

Encourage someone every day.

Treat yourself to something expensive or fattening occasionally!

Tell people you love that you love them.

Be generous not only with money but with time.

Call old friends and catch up on their lives.

Challenge your body and your brain.

Have a cookout in the middle of winter.

Look at the big picture and don't sweat the small stuff!

Be less critical of yourself and of others.

Volunteer for a good cause.

Don't look for someone else to blame when you are unhappy.

Remember that problems are just opportunities

In work clothes!

Watch the sunset and realize,

That just as no two sunsets are alike,

So are you a unique and beautiful creation!



Live your life this year in a way you can look back on fondly without too many regrets

And make this the

BEST BLESSED YEAR EVER!

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

Hello all!!

Hi WSW!! Feel better !! Keep smiling! Soon you'll be in a new place and you'll be a condo owner!!

*****************
Today's thought is:

"Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful"
---Annette Funicello

Question of the day :

"Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

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


Till later all!

Kettle is on!

Good Morning!
 

Back in business! Was anyone else unable to access the site all day yesterday? Doesn't appear so, from all the posts! Four days down. In the ongoing interests of full disclosure, I must admit to succumbing to a piece of mince pie with ice cream the other day when I walked out to my mom's. I was feeling wobbly -- don't know if it's an afternoon blood sugar thing, or what -- and a little sugar (possibly not as much as I had? :lol: ) seems to make me feel magically better. However, one suspects a glass of fruit juice or a half a banana would likely be a better choice. Oh, well. Onward! Just can't make digressions like that often, or this will not work. I've done perfectly otherwise. I do find that eating all those veggies and fruits makes a huge difference in how I feel. And I've gotten in the two sessions of exercise every day. One day it was just 2 20 min walks, but a couple of days have been a 15 min walk to the gym, 20 mins circuit training, walk back again and then an hour+ of tai chi. Today I'm going to do yoga (around 40 mins) as soon as I sign off here and then go for a walk later. I must sign up for the walk to NOLA.

:queen: Punkin o' Friday -- Happy Day! :cb: :cb: Anything special planned?

Cerise, my love, how I know that crossing the line thing! Never mind, we'll soon be crossing back in the other direction.

Anagram, how is Florida? How shocking that the site was down so soon after your arrival there! I love that we can all be in touch from wherever though. Seems like magic!

Kaylets, tucking in a shirt is one future thrill on my list! Congrats on feeling your flatter tummy whilst so doing! :D Loved the list!

Ceara, loved the visual of the heathens! I want some!

wsw, I'm enjoying your exciting move to the condo vicariously! How fun to have a new home! Is it far from where you live now?

Wildfire, thanks for the wise words about that doldrummy state that we go through between Off and On-plan. I guess it's something to make us feel uncomfortable enough to motivate us to change... Feels like inertia, sometimes but I think there's stuff going on below ground...

Seattlejo, I'm going to sign up for the NOLA challenge later today. Can't have all these multiple 10 mins going unaccounted for!

Empress Amarantha, we miss you!

Well, my dovies, I must get to that yoga! Love to all, mentioned or unmentioned -- let's make this a wonderful day!

Kaylets, that dinner thing would've had me seething for days! :mad: One of those 'live and learn' things, I guess. Regarding the question of the day: I love today's weather forecast! A nice gentle snow, pretty and serene---and I'm blissfully trapped here with my sweetheart. Ahhh...

And Ceara, you'll agree with me here---another great thing about these days is when everything's frozen, the dog's feet are easier to clean when they come inside. I admit it, we meet them at the door to clean their feet. If loving them is wrong.....etc.!:lol:

Arabella, congrats on your collection of perfect days. Reminds me of the old 21- day challenges--remember?

wsw, a new condo!!! I knew you were up to something! How exciting---details please.

Cerise, I still have those 'fat' days. Yesterday was our LOTR day---it's a committment for us to go see a movie, since it's an hour's drive to the nearest theatre--so we were gone all day. We went out for Thai food before going home and I had a nice veg-tofu curry with lots of coconut milk. I shudder to think of the fat grams, and then had a cookie as big as my head. I get home and I say to Garry "I'm fat". And he says "Wrong, you're just full". It may not sound like much, but it was really profound for me. He's so right---but it's so hard for me to let go of my 'fat head'.
Cerise, You're not doing anything wrong. I'm telling you, losing weight is a many-tentacled beast. You've got the body-image thing, the emotional thing, and the food pushers, the food cravings, social eating. As soon as you think you've got one aspect of it under control, something else rises up. Anyone who tells you this is easy is lying!!! It's so worth it to stick with it though. For me, it was 4 steps forward, 3 steps back--the whole way! I've said it before and I still feel rather sheepish about it, but I think it's important to say---It took me almost six years before I reached my goal weight. I wish I could've been one of those 6 month miracle stories, but there you go!:lol: You can do this, I know it I know it. And dig this, for all my good habits, today I want to be a slug because I didn't work out yesterday and I ate too much. It's a trick my brain plays on me--God knows why---but I'll haul my old carcass onto the treadmill, and I'll twist myself around doing yoga, and I won't want to at first but then I'll catch the joy of it again. Trust me.
Oh, and I want to throw in my idea for your line of bras to be called "Cerise's Peaches"! :lol:

Cerise , I know exactly where you are coming from. I felt that I was setting myself up for failure by waiting till 1/1 and making a drastic change instead of gradually. However I've come to believe that as long as you dont accept all or nothing as a mesure for success you'll be fine.

WSW, congrats on the condo again! Hopefully it will go smoothly through the inspection.

Kaylets, Thank you for sharing the list of things to do this year. I think I may print those and tape them on the wall next to my desk. :-) and congrats on the awesome NSV!

Eydie, you've got some great insight into fatbrain. Thank you forsharing.

Arabella, everyone is allowed abit of mince pie now and again. It seems that you are sticking to your program fairly well, so a little indulgence wont hurt. Keeping mindful of what a better choice is for next time is a good thing too.

Wildfire, good luck at the meeting tomorrow, its not always dealing with other peoples kids, especially when the meeting is to focus on you all and the changes you are making. Children can be a bit of a distraction.

Amarantha darling, hope to see you soon! We need our gracious leader!

Ok work calls, I'll check in later here and at Nola later.

Happy Friday!!!!

Soooo happy it's here.... :cb:

Ran begun to fall upon the palace grounds yesterday and is making the 2 1/2-3 feet of snow into a slushy mess. Driving on it is like driving on ball bearings - thankfully, it's just on our street that's bad, in town it's fine. Village life is returning to normal...

Arabella, yep, I had problems getting to the site yesterday too. Something about the page not being available - they're probably doing more work on it or sumptin.

Kaylets, in the "Things to do this year", I LOVE the line "Problems are just opportunities in work clothes". THAT is how I'm going to look at things now!!!! It's true - for all the "problems" I had this week, they really were opportunities for me to show myself how capable I am of handling crisis when I don't think I can.

WSW, :crossed: for the 26th! Great idea to tape the inspection too. Good luck and happy moving!

Wildfire, good luck to you too in handling that WW meeting avec l'infants. ACK!!!!!! Although, you know, if it's not a "Mommy and Me" meeting, you DO have the right to complain. That is why they HAVE the m and m meetings - so that others don't have to deal with kid noise when they're trying to listen to the meeting (very distracting!). Hopefully the kiddies will still be abed at your meeting time????

Cerise, I'm with ya. I'm feeling fat too. I admit, I have gained a few pounds over said Season, but I'm still down almost 50 pounds from my heaviest and I STILL feel enormous! I guess it's a good thing that I feel this crappy after gaining back about 8 pounds - less likely to gain back all 50 I 'spose, but I just feel like my gut is hangin' over everything I own! UUUUG!!!!!
Well, my slant board is in the back of my car, it came in finally. So, it's ab work time for me!!! :cb:

Q o' the day - weekend plans?? Nope, not really. Last weekend's semi-blah birthday weekend really makes me want to enjoy THIS weekend since I'll have movies to watch, food in the house and a good chance of some, albeit COLD, nice weather. We'll see....

Enjoy!!!!!

Terri
:queen: Punkin 'o Friday, and I do thus declare it FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

Hello,
A quick post for a busy day.

Amarantha - I think that you handeled things as well as you could under the circumstances. Sometimes people are reluctant to get the help that they need, but after a while when enough kind people ask, they will be receptive. So you are one in the line of kind people that are necessary for her to get to the hospital.

SJ - I am tallying things up and will post later on the NOLA thread.

Cerise - relate the the bra thing. I swear, the other day I thought I was going to be squeezed in half. As an irrational response I bought a pair of pants that in retrospect are too big, but at the time I felt like I needed to buy them that size. Oh well, maybe when I am having a good feeling day I will wash and shrink them, or maybe I will keep them for other larger feeling days.

punkin - I am gald the weather is getting back to normal for y'all. here it is getting betteer as well, after the days of sub zero. But still cold enough for them to built the ice palace for the winter carnival :) It is going to be huge and just a few blocks from my house. First one they have built since I moved here, so I am excited.

arabella - I also had problems getting on the site yesterday.

AAt any rate, howdy to all unmentioned. Must get back to this working stuff right now.

Amarantha's back!!!
 

Welcome back, my dear. I'm so sorry you got ousted for a bit there. I was glad to see your aqua-colored greeting on my screen.

I seem to have dropped my funk for now. Ramon kind of cured it. I snapped at him over something stupid, and then we were both snapping but in a sort of funny way, then we started chasing each other around the long partition wall that separates the kitchen and living room and squealing. Well, I was. Shrieking, actually. :rolleyes: I'm glad we're starting to take ourselves a little less seriously in the marriage...

Thank you all for your kindess in the last couple of days. I know we all know what it's like to feel...fat. Inside and out. I'm so glad to have people to share that with. :gossip:

Zadie, know what kills me about pants? You wear them for your few times and they gradually loosen and you think you're making progress, but then you wash them and you feel like a fat ******* again. Good thing the scale don't lie. Well, I guess that's not entirely true, either - your weight fluctuates due to other factors than just fat. Huh.

Amarantha (back to you), I think you did what you could and more than most for the girl. I was in a similar situation on my Greyhound trip when my seatmate lost $200. Gave her coat to someone to watch with the money - all she had to get her to Texas - in the pocket. Of course they took it and ran. Anyway, I gave her enough to eat on her 2-day trip to TX, but was tempted to replace all her money; she was so upset. Then I thought: you help people, of course, but then you also have to step out of the way after you've done what you can and let them live it through, let them learn the ropes just like the rest of us have to. And you can't help if they don't want it. You say "this is what I can do for you" and if it's not what they want, what do you do? Gift horse and leading it to water and all that. I don't know. Does that sound complacent and selfish and WASP-y? What do you think, Zadie? I really want to know. Anyway, A, I think you did good. Always knew you had a deeply compassionate heart.

QOD: going out with my sissy-in-law to see "Honey" and then I feel certain that we'll both get a hankerin' for taco salads and margaritas! Ole! Ay-ay-ay!!! Then it's back to church on Sunday. My attendance has been nothing short of abysmal.

Punkin, I agree with you about Wildfire's plight. I do like kids and they me (aah, everybody says that), but not when I'm trying to meet with the grownups and talk serious about a difficult change we're all trying to make. I'd get grouchy fast.

Yep, that 4 inches of snow here in downtown Seattle made things interesting for a while - saw a guy skiing down the street that goes past our apartment. They closed Boren (my street)down after I witnessed a slow-mo five-car pileup when cars couldn't stop coming down the hill. If you think people exxagerate when they say that Seattlites freak out and everything shuts down when it snows, think again. They do. It does. Wow. :yikes:

Dammit, Punkin, I'm sorry your b-day weekend felt kind of icky. So unfair. Shoulda sent you a candle or something - I know this great Partylite dealer up here. :D

Seattlejo, God, you're perceptive. How'd you know I was one of those sick "all or nothing" kinds? I hate it - fight it like a mother, but it's there. I can feel it. Thank you so much for pointing that out to me. Geez. Victory right now for me would be (something I've NEVER accomplished) just getting the weight-loss, healthy lifestyle struggle to feel...routine. Or familiar. Or habitual. You know? Get an "I can do this!" feeling when I try something instead of the familiar "you'll fail, you know. You always do". :mad: Isn't it GHOULISH what we say to ourselves without batting an eye?

Lovely Eydie, as usual, you say just the right thing to make me feel so much better. Anyone else notice this trend of hers? It's sort of a sick comfort to hear about someone I consider "successful" that still struggles from time to time. And I was also comforted to hear the timetable of your weight loss. 6 years. I read that, went "N-o-o-o-o!!", then accepted. OK, then. 6 years it is. Or 2. Or 10. Whatever. Let's just get to it.

I mean, what if I think "ten YEARS?!?", freak out, and quit? I mean, I'm going to get 10 years older (barring tragedy, God willing) whether I'm living healthy or not, right? Might as well try while I'm busy aging.

"Cerise's Peaches"? Y'all are some kinda freaky. :no:

'Bella, I couldn't get on yesterday, either. I was like "No. No, no, no, no." I thought we might have crashied again. I love reading about how good you're feeling getting back on track! Inspires me that I can feel good, too. I thought of you, actually on the way to work, when I chose to climb stairs to get out of the Metro tunnel rather than use escalators. That's a lot of stairs. See how you inspire? Also, your fruits and veggies kick inspired me to inquire about the local CSA program for this year. You know, the "Community Supported Agriculture" where you give "seed money" to local fruit/veggie farmers at the beginning of the growing season and then pick up a grab bag full of produce every week? Sounds very cool. I'll be up to my ears in fennel and rootabagas.

Kaylets, thanks for that cool list. I printed it for to digest it better over time. Speaking of the kettle being on, my mum gave me Twinings "Irish Breakfast" tea for Christmas; looseleaf, she hastened to assure me. It's very good. I drank it carefully at first, fearing that if a Scot drank Irish tea something funny might happen, but maybe my smidgen of Irish blood protected me. Whattaya think, Wildfire? I also discovered a taste for herbal apple-flavored tea. I'm drinking herbal teas to get more water in during work.

Wildfire, it was really you and Arabella in combination that inspired me this week. You both are doing splendidly and I could NOT, literally, do this without you. I start WW this Tuesday. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. :love:

WSW, how smart you are to have the inspection taped. Might very well save you some grief later, right? I hope so much that you're doing OK, improving in health a bit and all that. These are the times when I wish we lived near each other, but you have those kinds of friends, too, it sounds like. Whew. Thinking fondly of you always, dearest...

Frogs, have you been booted or something? Working too hard? Everything OK? Check in with yo' mamas soon...

THIS IS A FRIGGING BOOK!!!! I'm so very, very sorry. But I had a lot to say ("No :censored: ", you're thinking) and a lot of gratitude and love to share. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! Have I told you lately?

OK, before you die of sugar-shock, I'm off.

hi!

punkin-a (very) belated happy birthday to you!! hope this weekend will be a good one. my friend said the inspection went fine-just a few minor things, but looks like closing should still work out for the 26th. i'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed with all of this. i will have a lot of work to do on the place next month, but there is no rush to be out of my apartment, so i can take my time with getting the place ready for moving in.

hi seattlejo! i love the walking to nola thread you started!

hi cerise, anagram, eydie, zadie k., ceara! arabella-actually, "(almost) my" condo. is only about 10 minutes from here, so i know i will appreciate that short distance once i can start fixing it up. wildfire-i am finally letting myself think about how i will decorate. i am so used to having "apartment white" walls. i think it will be fun to put some color in there. kaylets- i love the list you posted. amarantha-so glad you are able to post now. what would the royal court be without our empress!

it snowed here today (not just the soft, fluffy stuff) and i wasn't able to get out. have to tell you, though, i was a wintery-weather wuss long before i ever had ms. i still have to lay kind of low for a little longer anyway, but there is something about knowing i can't get out even if i want to that bugs me. i think i'm just suffering from a little cabin fever---. can't complain though because the power is on and i am nice and cozy with the heat blasting away. i hope everyone has a good weekend. and to those of you mentioned and unmentioned-- i am thinking of you all, my royal friends. take care.

wsw

Hello all!!

Punkin--- Sorry you're birthday was disapointing... I've always wondered if the "holiday" birthday's do wind up shortchanged ...
so many other things going on... everyone is distracted... ..
I like to give myself gifts..... Are you doing the same???

I figure it this way... at least I know exactly what I want... !!


Empress-- what a scary situation... I would've been wondering every minute what was going to happen next....certainly sounds as though the woman was in some crisis...hopefully she will find what she needs....

Eydie-- As soon as I ready your post about how your journey taking so much longer than you expected.... I stared nodding my head..... and in fact, because so many of these life style changes evolve, it only makes sense that we need time so we can evolve.....
Again, the caterpillar change to butterfly...

Cerise-- I still like the "Sexy Cerise's"-- perhaps we can have some of our models wearing them in our Royal Calendar???
And thank Ramon for us.... he sounds as though he's just the right medicine for a glum day...

Arabella-- Wish I could walk to a tai chi class... Dh has been looking for one for months-- everything is during work, too far away, etc...

Zadie-- How's life treating you? Don't let them work the new lawyer too hard!

WSW-- Cabin fever... I can relate but today its so brutal....
Even sorting my underwear drawer sounds better than braving the temps this am...

Frogger--I know its as cold where you are as it is here... Bet that pizza oven is cozy!

Anagram-- Trust me... you DO NOT want to be experiencing this frigid, brutal cold... I am envious of your warm walks on the beach.

Seattlejo-- Ever find a scale?

Wildfre- I went to the link and listened!! Thanks! Any of those headhunters come up with anything promising yet??

Ceara-- What's going on?? Everyone being good to you? If not, just give me their number and I'll be glad to give them a call.....


Ok----

Time for tea---

But I have to admit I did a "morning musing" -- sorry, even I gagged on that one....

here goes....

A Discovery Challenge was on at 4:30 when I woke up....so there I was, under the blankets, watching .... Not exactly the point but it did remind me that

A: Its the choices all day long...
How what I eat now will make me feel later....If I don't enough now, if I eat a "trigger food " now.... or... if I eat something satsifying now how differently I will feel

B: What works for me may not work for you... and vice versa...
The challenge I was watching was one of the very first. If you saw it, you'll remember, one couple did not hit it off with their trainer... they felt overwhelmed and literally "fired" him... Instead, they made changes they felt they could handle and built as they became more comfortable and more confident.
And in fact, the comment that couple made:

C: The changes often have nothing to do with food..... Isn't this the truth????

Especially for me, I am realizing more and more how much of a "stress " or "comfort" eater I was....couple that with my "sugar allergy" and I was OUT OF CONTROL.....

Another challenger was unhappy because he didn't make a goal to lift 250 lbs six times BUT.... he had lost 32lbs, quit smoking, had started a work out program.....

D: If we are getting real about our bodies, we need to understand many of us are "conditioned" to believe that change is an overnight process....
Dr. Phil says it so well: " Set yourself up for success, not failure".....
And of course, look at WW's .... they tell us again and again...
start again each day..
Expect plateaus along the way...
This isn't a race...

*******

So, yes, sometimes, we see more things the 2nd or 3rd time.

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

Today's thought of the day is:

"The key to everything is patience.
You get the chicken by hatching the egg--
not by smashing it."
---Arnold Glasgow

Question of the day :

"When you use a pen, which color ink do you prefer?"

********

Time for tea.
KETTLE IS ON!!

Saturday! And I hafta work!
 

Time to get brave...
 

Gaze upon the Queen of Quirk and her royal consort, Ramon:

It worked!! Well, there's me, about a year ago. Keep in mind that that's a very flattering picture, and...that streak in front is now yellow, not red. Anyway.

Well, someone said it. They said: Cerise writes long posts. Everybody knew it, including me, but Ceara got it out there. It's in the open. *sigh*

Be honest, does anybody read long posts? I mean, I do, but maybe it's just too tough...sorry. At least you don't have to hear me chatter. :)

I'll write more later, but attaching this image has exhausted me and I'm going to read Harry Potter and finish my apple.

Love to all, and Ceara, I wish I could pet your doggies.

The meeting was as awful as I expected. I ended up sitting near the back as it was full, and when the meeting started there were still about 20 people lined up to weigh in. They were told four times to keep it down because those of us in the meeting couldn't hear anything, and then a woman came in with twin toddlers. Crying twin toddlers. My cue to leave! Couldn't hear anything anyway. I guess I'll have to lose a week's coupon and switch meetings to an evening one on Tuesday or Wednesday. I came home and told DH I'd only lost 1.4lbs, and he said ONLY? Considering we ate out for lunch three times this week and had pizza last night, and there was that donut I ate at work yesterday....so I guess 1.4lbs is good after all. I've never been one to have a big loss in the first week like others do. The most important thing is I'm losing. So, onward and downward! A fresh week lies ahead and I will give it everything I've got.

QOD: Fine point, blue pen. Extra fine if available. I like the scratchy noise they make on the paper.

ceara, the towels sound lovely! Was this what you were going to do that you had put off for a long time? I laughed picturing your doggie with snow frozen in her fur. Sounds like she had a ball!

Kaylets, nothing from the agency yet. I haven't really spent any time looking myself, either. I should do that this weekend.

wsw, you must be so excited about your new condo....have you given any thought to colors yet? Just 70 days until Spring! I'm a winter-weather wuss, too. Hate the cold, snow, ice.

Cerise, your Ramon is just the best! Tell him that, will you? On the "you'll fail again" self-talk, I'd recommend that you read Dr. Phil's book if you haven't. I didn't realize the things I was doing to myself until I saw there in print. I was reading and saying "I do that. Oh my god...I do that, too!" And now that I know, I stop myself. And I'm making this all about choices. I can choose the double cheeseburger or the grilled chicken sandwich, I can choose to lay on the couch or get on the treadmill....it's all up to me. No one else. Just me. There's gonna be times I choose the cheeseburger and the couch, but that's okay. I'm thinking about it now, not just automatically doing it. I hope with time, my choices will be mostly good ones. I happen to like Twinings tea, Cerise. You may see side effects of shamrocks sprouting from your hair, but otherwise you'll be fine. :lucky: That CSA produce program sounds very cool. Wish they had one here. That will surely help you along with your weight loss, having fresh produce to use every week!

Amarantha, you did what you could do. Many people would have just ignored the couple and not even offered to help. If they didn't want to accept your offer there's not much else you could do. If they were really in dire need of getting to a hospital, I'd think they would have jumped at the offer, not changed their minds. Something sounds suspicious about their intentions, but that could just be cynical old me. Sorry to hear about the work-related meltdown.

Punkin, if you get enough rain, all the snow will go away! Shall we rain dance? :dancer:

Arabella, congrats on a great week! One piece of pie certainly does not take away from that. Personally I have to work in a few treats or I'll fall off the wagon...right into an entire pie or cake or litre of ice cream. You're doing great!

Hello to anyone I've missed. :wave:

Think I'll spend the day cleaning and maybe make a pot of soup. Already have some spaghetti sauce simmering for tonight. :hun: