Sami: You're so right. People can be so mean. I'll keep your friend and you in my prayers.

Sprout: I'm going to use some of your snack ideas. THanks!

Michele: Don't knock yourself out about your WOE. Look at it as bump in the road. Get over it and carry on!

GAry: Hope you're doing well!

A good day to all of you! It's up to -10C here today. Downright balmy!

Sami~I just have to tell you that your friend with the knee problems, please advise her to talk to HR. It should be handled with WC, and she has rights as an employee. They cannot threaten her to not have a job. In most states, as far as I know, they HAVE to keep your job available for 12 weeks. They have the option after that to terminate. I just hate employers who treat people that way. She should go see HR because it needs to be documented to protect her. And HR has to tell her the employment laws in your state or they could be in big doo doo. There are organizations that will help her to know what they can and cannot do as an employer. She'll have to investigate a little. I'll pray for healing and that her employer will quit treating her this way.

Marilyn~interesting articles. Thanks for taking the time to do that! I have hypothyroidism. Actually my thyroid "died" they said. This happened right after i was married. I had symptoms for atleast a year, but it was gradual and that is common. The only reason i went to the dr. is i thought i was pregnant. It had shut down my menstrual cycles and the dr. started asking me a bunch of questions and i had almost every symptom. They thought i had a tumor on my thyroid but determined i did not but had a virus that settled in my thyroid and was non-functioning. For who know how long? The great thing is, most of the time you take the pill, thyroid replacement and start feeling normal again within a couple weeks. I went through some stages of losing hair while getting the dosage right.

Getting more snow today! :) Might as well enjoy it, huh?

National Day of Prayer!
 

Good morning everyone
 

Another good day here. It is cold even though it seems milder. It is - 12 out but seems warm after the cold spell we have had.

Did my walk today -1 mile making my total now up to 716.5 since January 2, 2004. Taking the day from Curves but will be doing my walk and Curves tomorrow morning. For now I am doing Curves 3 x a week - planning on doing it Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. First will walk 1 mile and then do Curves. On the off days I will still be doing my walking. I have only had 3 workouts with them but feel the difference already - so it must be working.

Hubby still sick but last night he slept better, not coughing all night. But he still looks pretty sick. Another 6 days of meds yet to go - all this week with him being off - no pay - so today he called in and asked if they would put him on 1 week pay for next week starting Sunday - at least that will help a little. And it will give him more time to recoup before going back out on those trains.

It has been 1 week since we make changes with son - still not really seeing any major change. He will be 16 on Saturday - want to graduate so he can get a good job but refuses to do the school work - perfers to sit and waste the time away. So we have not done any school at all this past week as I have no intention of being stressed out with him sitting there saying one thing and doing another. And he says he doesn't want to work for any spending money. Unfortunately the law says that at age 16 should he not want to do school we can't make him, and we legally can't make him go to work either. The law says that we are legally responsible to feed and clothe him till age 19 so he could in reality refuse to do school and refuse to work and we would still have to support him. Bummer!!. But we have given him an option: We will continue helping him with his education ONLY if he gets a part time job that will give him his own spending money for entertainment and to purchase his clothes. But until he gets this part-time work there will be no school, no entertainment (going to the theatre ect) and absolutely no TV as those are special previledges that have to be earned. We informed him that if he wants to stay in his room and lay on his bed and read every day for the next 3 years when we then have the 'right' to ask him to leave that is ok but that he is to remember that that means no tv for 3 years. Also told him that when we are out of the house, he is to be out of the house due to the fact that when we are out he would go to the computers or watch tv which he has done in the past. So far he is content with doing 'nothing' - please pray that he will see the light soon as even this morning he said to us and our walking friends 'I am going to get my grade 12 and get a good job' then left to go for a walk rather than apply for some part time work!! Teenagers - they just don't get it do they!! It is going to be really interesting to see how long before he gets it - hopefully sooner than later. Informed him that from June 15 (end of school) till September 5 (beginning of school) I will not homeschool so that if he wants to graduate with his friends he better hope to it. At the rate he is going in September when he should be starting grade 11, he will still be working on grade 9 math - making him 2 years behind and just about impossible to complete all the courses to gradutate on time.

But it is a good day, feeling pumped re my health, and am not going to let things like teenagers get me down anymore.

Sami: I'm praying for your friend with the knee problem. She needs to look for some help in making sure she gets what if fair due to what happened.

Tip of the day from Dr. Phil - Beverages!
 

Top 10 Beverages to Avoid

Research shows that many of us don't factor the calories we consume through drinking into our daily total. When you drink your calories, you consume them much faster than you would if you ate them, which causes insulin, a fat storing hormone, to rise more quickly.

Tip: If you are drinking a smoothie type of drink as a meal or snack, choose a small one that is made with plain yogurt rather than juice, have them add fiber (berries and flaxseed meal or wheat bran) and some whey protein so that you get a balance of carbs, fat and protein, and be sure to sip slowly.

Avoid

1. Beer
There is a reason for the term "beer belly."

2. Coffee Drinks
Those foo foo drinks are loaded with calories, mainly from sugar, and also contain caffeine.

3. Smoothies
Again, lots of calories and usually high in sugar.

4. Juices
Did I mention sugar? Eat fruits instead.

5. Sodas
Contain sugar, salt and caffeine.

6. Diet Drinks
Contain artificial sweeteners, sodium and caffeine.

7. Mixed Alcoholic Drinks
Contain sugar and alcohol — especially crhme alcoholic beverages. The sugar and saturated fats will be immediately taken up by the body and stored. How many times have you tried to exercise after a cocktail? Never.

8. Sports Drinks
Should only be consumed after grueling exercise.

9. Sweetened Teas
They're loaded with sugar.

10. Flavored Waters
Watch out for sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Hi ya!
 

I got a new mouse, and it works so good, no ball on bottom its optical so no spinning it to get it were it needs to go, great job all you curvers. Here is my prayer!
DEAR FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE THIS DAY, LIVING HERE IN AMERICA WITH ALL THE FREEDOMS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED. I PRAY FOR OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS THAT ARE PERSECUTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM THE STAMINA AND FORTITUDE TO CARRY ON WITH YOUR WORK TO STAY STRONG IN THEIR WITNESSING.THANK YOU FOR MEETING THESE PEOPLE ON LINE THEY HAVE BECOME FRIENDS AND ARE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME, A PLACE TO COME AND TALK, VENT, ASK FOR PRAYER, AND UNDERSTANDING. I ASK THAT YOU PUT A HEDGE AROUND THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, KEEP THEM SAFE, STRENGTHEN THEM IN YOUR WORD AND GIVE THEM A CLOSER WALK WITH YOU. I PRAY FOR OUR GREAT NATION THAT A REVIVAL WILL BE KICKED OFF THAT SWEEPS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY BRINGING BACK MORALITY AND DECENCY. I PRAY FOR OUR PRSIDENT AND OUR GOVERMENT, THAT YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM, AND FOR OUR SOLDIERS ON FORIEGN LANDS. PLEASE KEEP THEM SAFE, BRING AN END TO THE WAR, AND A PEACE TO IRAQ. I PRAY FOR WISDOM AND QUIDANCE IN ALL THAT WE DO. STRENGTHEN US IN YOU! IN JESUS NAME, AMEN

Continued-
 

I am reading a great book, called safely home, its fiction and about the persecuted in China. We whine and think we have it so tough, they can be killed, or imprisoned for just owning a bible, or teaching a child about
Christ. How sad. E.Z. thanks for the sunshine! Sami- by all means bring your pillow, after all e.z. is carrying it right. Hi to everyone else, pray those sick are better. See ya!

From Angie
 

:) Thought this was interesting and you might like it.

Thursday Night
 

HI GALS

Quick tonight-- Went to daughter's tennis match today, she got to play doubles- won 8-2! But missed step-d's soccer game a 1-0 loss against the top team in league, son went and said she played well! Had to pick up nephew from youth group on the way home from tennis so I missed the soccer.

Go to the sites on The Passion! Angie and I sent- way cool!

SUNNYD I have a 27" Panasonic that Angie got me a few years back-LOVE IT-- the BIG screens are way too big for my house. Cute helper for Joe- thanks for the yorkipoo pics.

WILMA Glad weather better. Stay Curvey!!!!!!

MICHELE and SUE Thanks for the prayers for the day.

SAMI- Prayers for your daughter and

SPROUT Thanks for the info and you are totally doing the RIGHT thing with the boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will EVENTUALLY tire of his situation of "doing nothing" or he will have to go EITHER way you have to demand respect! And you are!!

Well Ron needs the computer- asking prayers for a dear friend (47) who has only a few days left here on this earth with cancer- Vince. and for my daughter and her tennis team who are going up north friday,for the wedding of their team captain from last year,-prayers for a safe trip.

Thanks Gary

Hi everybody...
I'm feeling better...but, still not great. Wanted to check in & let you know I've been reading posts & praying. I did pray yesterday...& thanked the Lord for all of you.

http://www.geckocountry.com/images/army1.jpgHave very impportant prayer request. Of course, all are important....my SIL is officially returning from Iraq on the 10th (Tuesday). It is very dangerous for them to fly out of there. Please remember him in prayer especially Monday & Tuesday. I imagine Monday is the day he'll be loading on the helicopter, which is what I worry about the most.
My daughter & grands are so excited! Only 3 ended up being on the list to come back early. The others in his unit will be returning within a month, though. He had to go ahead of them a year ago to Iraq to prepare for them...that's why he's coming back early...same reason.
His dad gets to come home for Valentine's Day, because he's in Kentucky in training. After that he goes straight to Iraq. Remember ALL the military & families.

I'll try to post more later. Take care. http://www.geckocountry.com/images/gba4.gif

I don't know what happened to the last week !!
 

Wow I guess I have been busy. LOL Right now I have been working every day while learning my new "part time" job.

Well, my DD has started her new job. she has worked this whole week. It isn't as structured but everyone seems relaxed and does a good job. We are waiting to hear what area she will be teaching in. Her preference is toddlers.

I have 2 children Shawna is 36 and Seth is 31. He is married to Tina and I have 5 grandkids. Russell is 10 and in 5th grade, he came with Tina when she and Seth got married. It was so cute they made him part of the ceremony. They have 4 kids together Braeden 7, Kenny 5, Autumn 3 and Amber who is 8 months.

I have been divorced for over 25 years. I am single, raised my kids on my own. We are pretty close

Yes I drove bus for 11 years. All ages since it was in a rural area. The last 3 years I also drove special Ed. I was one of the first in our area to do that. One of our mechanics painted as a hobby and when I quit to move back down here to CA he painted my bus for me. What a great remembrance! I loved the driving we lived on the Olympic Peninsula and the area is sooo beautiful.

We moved back to CA in 86 and I returned to my other career of being a Psychiatric Technician. Thats my title. LOL I worked in a State Mental hospital. I worked there until I retired last November. Yeah !

Love you family pics! I take terrible pictures so I don't have any reight now send but will try soon to send some.

My dd sings just at church. that is so neat for you guys. I make a joyful noise and thats about it. LOL

well as far as my weight goes I haven't been doing too well. I am stalled and haven't been journalling, or drinking enough water. I am sposed to weigh tomorrow and we will see And I am reading up some more on the SBD.

Nasha

Safely Home
 

[QUOTE=doitforme]I am reading a great book, called safely home, its fiction and about the persecuted in China. We whine and think we have it so tough, they can be killed, or imprisoned for just owning a bible, or teaching a child about Christ.

Sue,

I just finished that book. By Randy Alcorn?? What an eye opener, huh? I had a hard time putting it down.

Nasha

Update for start of February 2004
 

I have never felt better. This year, as far as my general health, has
been the best since I was diagnozed 3 1/2 years ago with cancer. Up
until this January I have been 'playing the game' of 'saying I am
ready to get healthy and then doing nothing to obtain better health.'

Actually I guess I did do one thing - January 2, 2002 I started
walking regularly. And as of today I have walked 717.5 miles. I am
very proud of this because when I started I could not walk 500 feet
let along a mile - without serious pain and unable to breath. No
problem at all with either now.

This year I have stepped up to the line, with Christ right in front,
beside and behind me, admitting that I do have this serious problem,
and that I am now willing to do whatever is necessary to 'take care
of myself.' I am no good to myself, my hubby or my children, let
alone my extended family or friends, if I am not in the best health
possible.

There are a lot of programs out there for 'losing weight' - but think
about it, when you lose something, such as a scarf, don't you go
looking for it because you want it back. Out of all the programs out
there there is something good about every one of them when you really
look at them. But I believe we have to be selective about what we do
that affects our bodies. We have to think in the long terms as to
what these programs are doing for our optium health.

Out of all these 'man made programs' I must say the one that gives me
the most 'peace' is the one outlined by Dr. Phil. The reason I do
feel more at peace with what he has to say in his 2 books, and also
on his Weight Loss Show is that he is not stressing 'a diet'
but 'life changes - getting in tune with who you are and where you
are at and how you can improve yourself.' I see in his books that
all that he says can be applied to pretty much all areas of your life.

So after much consideration, much praying and asking for direction
from my Lord and Savior, I have been directed to have the following
in each of my hands (a) in one hand I have my Bible - God's inspired
Word that will give me very sound direction for all aspects of my
life; (b) in another hand I have the 2 books by Dr. Phil that give
some sound advise (keys) on how to help get my 'thinking' to where it
should be. Daily I read from both, first from the Bible asking for
guidance. Then I read some from one of the other books to see if
there is something there that I can use to help me in practical every
day life.

I have made some changes and I believe that down the road I will reap
the rewads from them. What changes have I made and will be making
during the month of February 2004:

(a) Have decided that bread and potatoes really don't have to be
a 'big' thing in my daily life. I have pretty much eliminated them
from my daily food. Yes I have had some potatoes since January 1 - 3
times actually. And yes I have had some bread - believe it adds up to
8 slices. But I have turned these foods over to Christ asking that
they now have the power over me as they have had in the past. And
low and behold I have been set free of them. And I have since then
found that peanut butter and jam have had a strong hold on me also.
Since January 1 2004 I have not purchased either peanut butter or
jam - and no one in my family (hubby and 2 teenagers) have suffered
from this change.

(b) For February I looked at balancing out my food intake. I have
come up with the following outline that I have been trying to stay as
close to as possible since February 1:
3 proteins to be eaten spread out during the day - perferrably 1
protein at each meal.
1 starchy carbohydrate to be eaten in the morning
4 non starchy vegetables
2 low cal dairy - if I do not consume these at a meal I use them for
my snack
2 fruits - if I do not consume these at a meal I use them for my snack
Raw vegetables - I keep these washed and cut up and put into zip lock
bags enough for 1 days worth of eating and usually use them for
snacking on - also in tossed salads.
So far this food plan has worked well for me - don't feel hungry and
I am getting a proper balance in all areas.

(c) Exercise - this is a biggy. As mentioned before I started walking
for exercise back on January 2, 2002. I have now walked 717.5 miles
and am very pleased with this. But when looking at walking for losing
weight I realize now that I need to do more than 2 miles each day. I
have tried to commit to working out on my treadmill at home and on
the free weights that I have (2, 3, and 5 pound dumbbells) but I have
found that I just could not seem to get motivated to do it regularly.
So back to my knees I went during December and January to ask for
wisdom. And I was given an answer. I was directed to go to Curves
(which by the way was founded by a born again Christian). It is
ladies only for those that don't know about it. It takes 35 minutes
to do the circuit and that includes the warming up and cooling down.
All that is needed to get in shape with this program is a commitment
of 3 x per week. February 1 (Saturday) was my first workout and I
have completed 3 more since - Monday, Wednesday and Friday (today). I
am feeling very good about this - more energy just from this past
week then I have had in a long time. And just so much better in my
spirit nowing that I am on the path that Christ wants me to be on.

NOTE: At Curves they weigh and measure you when you join. They then
do this 4 weeks later. As mentioned I have now had 1 week behind me
using this service. Today I took a sneek peek - their scale says that
I have lost 1/2 pound since last Friday. When they measure you they
measure the bust, waist, hips, tummy, thighs and arms. I took a look
today at my bust, waist and arms and remeasured at home - and if my
measurements match up with them then I have already lost 3 inches
just this week.

How am I feeling? Great. Do I believe in working on making life
changes rather than 'weight loss DIETS' - yes. Do I believe that
Christ can and will direct you to the proper life changes you need to
make - YES. Do I believe that you have to be open to listening and
willing to doing what is presented - YES.

As Jeremiah 29:11 says
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

And as 2 Chronicles 15:7 says
But as for you, be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be
rewarded.

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless all of the ladies at this
site greatly.


Your sister in Christ
Marilyn


***717.5 miles walked since Jan 2 2002
***4 pounds released since Jan 1, 2004
***20 pounds released from heaviest record weight
***4 workouts completed at Curves