Hello,
Just wanted to pop in and say that I'm OP. It took a few days to get that sugar that I had on Saturday out of my system. You know, I felt out-of-sorts until this morning and I know that sugar contributed to it.

I received my Area Captian information yesterday to fill out. I'm really getting excited about being an Area Captain and to represent TOPS. I know that the best way I can do that is to get this remaining weight off my body and I'm looking forward with a positive attitude about it.

I did figure out an email address for my TOPS contact. Not sure if it will let me type it here but I'll try, it's [email protected]

I thought it was pretty clever, what do you think?

I just heard yesterday about a local job that I'm really interested in. I made a job change about a year ago and it has been very stressful. It's not turning out to be something that I like. This other position would use my Administrative skills and it presents itself as a higher than normal type of position. I've submitted my resume and was told they would be interviewing starting this week and I would be hearing from them. I'm hoping so. I'm ready to make a change to this job. I don't regret making the first change, I needed to do it to get me moving again in my job market, and change is good sometimes;I've learned a lot.

Well, I need to get back to work. Just wanted to check in.
Susie

Hi everyone,
I guess everyone is busy. I've had a good day I didn't make it to curves but I'll go in the am. I had to do inventory at work so I had a lot of walking.
B- 2 egg white omlete w/ ff cheese.
L-1/2c chicken and dumplings
D- ww meal and green salad w/ ff salad dressing

I'm thinking about doing ww-online. I may try it for a couple of months and see if I like it.

Susie: your TOPS e-mail address is creative. You did good. I never can come up with anything good.
Good luck with your job hunt. If you aren't happy there. You sure need to find someplace you will enjoy going to work. My job is very deadend and low pay but I enjoy (mostly) working outside, so it's worth it.

Hope everyone is well,
Later

Hello,
I had an awesome workout last night. I did the Pilates class; I'm really enjoying it, it's very challenging. Then I walked on the walking track for 35 min, then biked for 10 min, then did my 3 min on the stair climber-I went 25 floors. I will increase my time next week and try to increase my floor count by 2. That machine kicks my butt!

Food was OP yesterday. I'm working hard to have a loss at this week's TOPS meeting, I think the contest has got me motivated. I don't want to have to pay any money.

Today I'm going to see about getting a photo taken for the Area Captain application. I need a head shot and a full lenght shot. I've not had my picture taken professionally for years, so I thought I would look into it. I'm just going to go to Walmart and see what they have to offer. I don't want to put a lot of money into it, but it would be nice to have some professionally done.

Debbie: Did you make it Curves today? I used to think that it was important to make a lot of money and have a title at work, but I'm getting to the point where enjoying it has a lot of value to me as well. I"ll keep you posted on the job hunt.

Where is everyone? Come on..post up..we need you!
Susie

HI,
Everything is good. I have a cold this week. ds is over it and dd is sick, been home all this week. I am just so darned busy. It is all good but a LOT to organize and cope with. So many people count on me. I am really tired today. I am filling Avon orders to get out. I am working at the farmers market Sat mornings, which is good. I really want my business to do well. My sales are really high for a new rep.
My Mom was being a knob last week ,had to deal with her. Hockey is busy.The volunteer church "secretary" job is quite busy but it has changed the whole atmosphere there. I said I would set it up and organize it but am hoping someone will take it on. I am doing less with Sunday school.And then school council.
DH is feeling pretty neglected. It is DS's Bday on Sat( as you know). I will be setting up my booth at the market and then taking DD to B's and then taking 4 of DS's friends to adventures on Wonderland and then home by 3, go get DD, make supper, DS has hockey at 6, then we are going with both grandparents over to Tim Hortons for cake and tea. Most days are like this.
DS has been asked back to play net. He didn't want to make the commitment but the new goalie was awful and didn't like it. DS is more confident now and really loves it. His first game will be this SAT.All the parents from the team went to the coach and asked for DS!! Pretty cool.
I wish someone would do the housework. I dont mind all the cooking.
The new kitty is well hidden right now. And the quiet kids are here now, wait til after school. She is sooo pretty.

Love you!!!!

**********************It’s a GIRL!!!!!*******************************

DS and DD are the proud new parents of a lovely medium haired, golden eyed, calico tabby, ten week old kitten!!!!
Her name is Rainbow in keeping with their cousin’s calico named Rambo.DD thought Rainbow was more suitable for a girl.giggle.

Parents a kitty seem to be doing well.

Clyde is also doing fine. We are making sure he is still king of the household. We haven’t had a baby kitty around in almost 17 years.

By the way~ this was all DH’s idea but I did have Rainbow in a box and in the van and at the vet within a 1/2 hour of him suggesting it.

Good evening everyone,
I did made it to curves and had a great workout. I was busy at work. So we did lots of walking. I feel good about my activities.
B- yogurt, applesauce
s- sf jello
L- ww meal
s- 2 bite sized peanut butter cups.
D- ww meal, 1 c mustard greens.

Holly: Wow.. Saturday you are going to need some luck to keep everything going smoothly. In all the right directions...LOL. If anyone can do you can. You say most days are like that. ?? I'd get confused and leave a kid at the wrong place..LOL. Welcome to Rainbow kitty.

Susie: Fantastic workout. I think when I loose down closer to 199, I'm going to join the local gym. I love curves but I would love the pool and other neat stuff.

Annie: I hope you are feeling better.

Jeri: we hope to hear from you soon.

I did sign up for ww on-line. It's cool! I was getting bored so maybe this will keep me on track.

Debbie~ good for you for getting to curves!! Maybe most days aren't quite like Sat but many, a few a week anyhow, I am that busy every day but at home, on the phone or computer.....

boom boom boom!!!
That is my head. Holy sinus ache batman. Started last night. Woke with it this morning. I will be taking drugs.
I have 8 kids ALL day then DS too after school. YIKES!! Our neighbour is coming at 2 to help. It is suposed to be nice out!!! good.

Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day. I CAN do this.
2. Weekly weight. 229
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level.
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks. breaky, lunch,snack, went to bed no supper, wrap with cheese and lettuce
6.# fruits, # of veg. 1 fruit, 2 veg-not enough!
7. How many glasses of water. 5
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed. wrap at 9, bed at 10
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions.- didn’t
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life.- no thoughts today
11. Any really good events or feelings today. - definitely,Rainbow hid under the spare room bed all day, I dug her out after the kids went to bed. I put her in the litter box she went immediately and then ate and then played with every speck on the floor and jumped sideways....I LOVE kittens. We let the rabbit out for a run at night, Clyde and the rabbit play and then snuggle but he kinda lays there and whacks her with a paw every so often. Rainbow had the rabbit doing serious laps around the house. It was hilarious. ALL 3 seem to be getting along. Watched Martha-apprentice. These people are supposed to be experienced business people. I could run circles around them. This show is right up my alley.Ejoyable. I felt really crappy in the morning. You gotta love a job where you can lock the doors, put on the Doodlebops and go soak in the tub. lol. That helped a bit. I did get the Avon sorted ,bagged and bills written. DD was still home.I lost steam by 6 pm and took a nap. At 7 DS came with me to deliver Avon and stuff mailboxes. He had been in a great space the last week. It is a glimmer of how great he can be without all the anxiety. He declined playing goal for hockey this year cause the coach said that they needed to choose their position for the whole year. Sept in not a good month for him, he panicked and wouldn’t do it. Another boy wanted to try. He is not good and doesn’t like it. The other parents went to the coach and requested DS be asked to play net. It was quite an hoour for my boy. He LOVES playing goal and in a way 2 months as forward had shown him just how much. He will play net on Sat on his bday with all the grandfolks there. Pretty exciting!!

12. Overall, how did the day go. okay considering I am sick.
13. How can I improve for tomorrow. dont sneak chips from ther kids.

Hello,
Tonight is my weighin night at TOPS. I think those scales will be down. I'm going out to lunch with a friend today and I've already told her that I'm not having a heavy lunch because today is a weighin day and I know that I have to be careful what I eat at lunch because I've gone out to lunch before and I knew that I would be down on those scales and then I ate something that had me holding water or something and had a .25 lb gain. I'm not letting that happen this time! Our new TOPS contest starts tonight and I want to start out strong.

I got a call for the interview I've been wanting. It's set up for next Tuesday. I'm excited about it and I'm ready to go out there and show them just how much they need me in that position.

I've got my photo shoot scheduled for Saturday @ 2:30. I'm sort of looking forward to it.

Holly: I love kitty's too! I hope your cold is better.

Debbie: Good for you for joining WW on line. You are doing something that is a positive in your weightloss journey.

I've got to run.
Susie

Hi everyone,
I'm dragging. It's been a very busy day. I work 10 hrs except for my lunch hour I've been on my feet. Feet feel like a couple of stumps.

B-yogurt,applesauce
L- hamburger/mustard and sm order of onion rings
D- 1 c goulash

Holly: I love kittens also. I have 3 adults and 2 kittens. The momma cat hid her kittens and they are wild. We can pet one of them if he's eating but the other is so wild we don't even know it's sex.

Susie: You have been working so hard. I know you lost.
You are going to dazzle them at that job interview. You are so brave. I hate changing jobs. I was on my current job for 1 month short of 10 years. Then I worked with dh on the truck for 6 1/2 years. Now I'm back at the same old job. I'm not much for change.
You go girl (((HUG))).

Annie, Jeri and Girlie : HI! we miss ya'll.

I'm going to bed. Later

HUGS Debbie! Hope you feel a boost in energy today.
Susie~ were the scale gods kind??
Feeling better. No headache at least. I am VERY excited that all the kid will be in school and I have 2 little guys just for the morning!!
I am baking a cake this morning for DS’s Bday for his class. A hockey rink and then I have player candles. I will absolutely clean the darned bathrooms!!! EW! I will sort and tidy Avon supplies and file misc stuff.

Last night I printed off our bank statements since June and went through each month breaking down our spending.
We dont “waste” any . There is the odd thing that we didn’t need but ya gotta live a little and nothing was frivilous.
The monthy average beyond our daily living expenses and spending is $1000. Yikes. That covers car repairs, sports,babysitters,kids clothes,shoes, renovations.........
We had a bad year in 2004. Right now income is good but we are paying off a debt. Small debt but debt none the less.
I am not as worried as I was. I hope DH can work steady this winter. This has been a great job so far!!!

Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day. I can do this!!
2. Weekly weight. 229
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level. raking
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks. 3 meal, I snack/meal before bed
6.# fruits, # of veg. 1 apple, 2 c salad, celery
7. How many glasses of water. 8
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed. 10pm-pizza, bed 11-pm
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions. - ate because I felt crappy all day, I boght frozen pizza cause i could face cooking or the dishes, I munched at night to nurture myself.
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life. I am sick and everything is harder.
11. Any really good events or feelings today. yes~ the kitten is a spazzy blast. She hung around all morning even with 8 kids here.The day went well in spite of a horrific headache. Rainbow has been a wonderful gift to DS. He hates to be alone and play alone now he has a companion.Both kids are sooo excied to feed her and watch her.
12. Overall, how did the day go. okay
13. How can I improve for tomorrow. no freakin pizza

Good morning,
The scale gods smiled on me. I lost 2 lbs! I'm at 246.25 again. This is where I had trouble the last time...but not this time ladies, I'm going to be down again next week. I feel so much better about myself. I don't know why I feel better about myself. Maybe because I am an intelligent person, and I'm contoling my emotions and not letting them control me. (part of the TOPS pledge..I've been saying this line to myself alot!)

Everyone is asking me how I got going again and I can only say that I've decided to be happy in all things and not stress about those things I can't control. It all came to me when I was thinking about Oprah (my idol). She didn't loose weight and then get happy. She got happy and then lost weight.

I know this is all about what is in our minds. It's there that we defeat ourselfs. Granted, you have to take in less calories than you can burn in order to see a loss at the scales. We all know that, and we all know which foods we should eat. But knowing that is not enough. I'm reading, "The TOPS way to Weight Loss" and this is what I read last night. Tell me what you think about this.

"Weight loss isn't about the food. Getting people to lose weight bt providing nutrition information is like treating drug addicts by teaching them the chemical structure of narcotics. The information is very interesting, but in the absence of other very important variables-such as motivation, commitment, hope and belief-it's powerless to change anything."

Ladies, I challenge each of us for today to have hope and belief and put that behind what we know to do...it will change our lives.

Just being on this board shows that we have the hope...belive in it!

Debbie: How do those feet feel today? You should go have a nice pedicure every once in awhile..they feel so good!

Holly: Stay away from the pizza girl! Are you feeling better? I can totally relate to seeing that you are overspending more than you thought. When I added up what we have paid out this year in medical and prescription expenses I know understand why I always feel broke!

Have a great day ladies. Oh, my challenge today will to not overeat at The Olive Garden tonight. I'm reporting this in to you all tomorrow. Keep me accountable.

Susie

Good morning,
Where is everyone? I wanted to report that I did pretty good at the Olive Garden last night. My husband and I split the pumpkin cheese cake. I will admit that I was very full when I left and I know that I ate a little to much, because it was somewhat uncomfortable to breathe for about a 1/2 hour later. I came home and wrote in my journal about how that made me feel physically and what it did to my emotions about staying on track.

I feel ok with what I had, but I should have only had 1 breadstick, instead of two and I finished my entree and I could have taken about a 1/4 of it home instead.

It's ok...it's was a learning lesson.

Have grocery shopping on the list today as well as getting my photo taken. I also have laundry.

I better get cracking.

Susie

Susie: I never doubted you. 2lbs is a fantastic loss. I hope you have a good time today. I absolutely hate having my picture taken. I just have a bad body self image. I've never been comfortable with my self. They say to lose weight you have to learn to love yourself. I'm working on just liking my self. One step at a time.

Holly: I hope you are having a great saturday.

B- eggbeaters, sliced tomatoes, dry ww toast.
L- WW meal
S-2 hot dogs

Morning Susie, Debbie!!!!!

Lots going on in my head.
First this darn sinus headache that comes and goes but then when it is bad I toss in a tension headache from coping with the pain, OUCH!! Thank goodnees for drugs that take the edge off.
We had a beautiful day yesterday. I tried to have a good talk with hubby. DS had a perfect and wonderful Bday.
My Mom was not a knob.I am loving my cats. The laundry room now has two kitty apartments. The geriatric one for Clyde and the baby one for Rainbow. I am happy I dont have to go anywhere ar do anything for at least 3 hours and then after church I ahve the afternoon free.
Food has been so so. Good breaky and supper, awful lunch with the kids at the Gym place. There were no good choices. I felt too crappy to pack a lunch sigh. Who knew you could deep fry mac and cheese? Weird.

My day looked like this:
Got up at 7. DH was just leaving for the the hockey Trainers course.He will now be on the bench for DS’s team. Had my coffee, fed the kids and myself. We all got dressed. At 8:30 DS’s friend came( his folks were golfing). at 8:45 I packed the van and went to town to set up my table at the farmers market, drove DD to a friends house for the day, got home at 9:45am and Sis and BIL were waiting. They had bought a new couch and brought me their old futon. BIL and I moved that in.Gave Sis Mom’s Avon order. 2 more of DS’s friends came. Put everyone’s booster seats into the van and loaded in 4 7 yo’s. It was an enjoyable 45 min drive.We spent 5 hours at the jungle gym place. A year makes a difference. These kids were pretty independant. I sat and relaxed. Closed my eyes,rested. It was nice. I enjoyed not having to look at this messy house. Drove back to our town and dropped all the kids off. DH got home at 4. I popped some chicken in the oven. Their were left over potatoes and veg. I started cleanig house. DH sat and talked with DS and then cracked open a beer and watched TV. I asked him for help. He said no.I cried. He got mad. Then we discussed it.
Our views differ. I am not sure if there is a right or wrong.
I asked him to hear me out with out commenting and then I would listen to him. He interupted twice but we got through it.
My point went like this: We need $3000/month to live as we do.He earns 2/3 of that but his income fluctuates. I need to earn money to make up the slack. We have made choices together about my job to not compromise what we want for our family. That is all pretty good.I started the Avon biz to earn more $$ and because i like it. It is taking up time. It is in a building stage and I am not earning a ton but if I grow it well and I am: next year this time I will be earning thousands. DH stops working as much in the winter and every winter we struggle financially. So, as I see it my extra few thousand over the holiday season makes a lot of sense.The problem is that my time is well used and i run out of time every single day to do household chores and it it really depressing me. I am asking for him to help more.
He got defensive about me bringing up money and income. I said it is the reality. If you want me to be just a housewife and mother he either had to earn twice as much income or we gave up a lot, possibly our home and got an apartment in the city. He argued we live simply. Yes we do! Life is expensive. He argues that I am home all day and he is gone 10 hours a day. True but I am working at home. He says what i am supposed to do come home form work eat supper and clean? I suggested we do it together. He says relaxing is as important as the housework and it is also when he spends time with the kids. True again. I asked if he would at least take on the job of washing the pots and pans after supper each night it only takes a half hour. He didn’t answer. He said the reality is we are both really busy and there is not enough time to do everything that needs to be done so what is the point of being upset. There is truth to this. He was gone for 8 hours yesterday too taking a course to help DS’s hockey team, which again is monumentally important to our son’s well being.I am here all day every day. the clutter and mess is really getting to me. I went to bed early 3 nights this week because I am sick and sooo much didn’t get done. I know for a fact he sat and had a beer and watched TV. He did not step up and help when I was down. He told me to go to bed and rest. I knew I needed to so I did. Now I feel like I am being punished with extra work for being sick and taking care of myself. Why should I have to pick up his empty beer bottle in the morning and put it away before my kids start to arrive????He thinks I am stupid. This is how I feel.
Anyhow. The discussion is over. We heard each other out. Will anything change?? He didn’t hold a grudge so that is good.
At 4:45 we ate supper. At 5pm we left the house. Picked up DD on the way to hockey. DS played goal for the first time this year!!!! It was spectacular. All the parents were shouting and cheering him on. He made stellar saves against a really tough team. Out in the parking lot the other team was going on about what a great goalie our team had!!!!! my boy just glows when he plays net. He just LOVES it. it is such a funny thing that the only time he is ever calm in on the ice in the net. He gets this beautific smile after a game when he comes off the ice. All the grandparents were there to watch. Then we all went over to Tim hortons for birthday donuts. Hubby’s folks gave him a hockey sweater and my folks gave him a watch. It was all soooo nice. We were home at 8:30, kids into jammies, talked about our days and then to bed. I watched Trading Spaces,fed all the critters and went to bed.
I had a great deep sleep. No headache yet but my sinuses are full. DS is palying with some new toys. DH and DD and snuggles into bed together.
The other thing on my mind is the hand me downs from my family. We have quite a bit furniture from my parents and Sis. It kind of bugs me because when ever they are around they comment about visiting their old stuff etc. Thing is they buy really good expensvie stuff and then dont want it a few years later. What they consider junk is way better then anything we would ever buy or could afford.So they give it to us. Sometimes I feel like the poor pathetic relative and then others I think they are foolish for what they spend on new stuff etc. Why not take what they consider garbage? It is all about choices. I guess I wish they wouldn’t comment on it when they are here.
We are thankful and gracious about it. I dont tlike the comments about our “quaint” country life, how hard working we are, about my voluteering..... I cant tell if it is a dig and pride on their part. Really it is none of their business to comment on any of it.

Today I will eat well all day. I will take time to relax and I will get the downstairs cleaned up.

Have a glorious day!!

Good morning,
I'm in an awful mood this morning. I'm tired, my house is a mess because I was sick all weekend and couldn't do much of anything. My DH was suppossed to clean for me. Well, he about half did it. I recleaned the bathroom this morning. I'll take one room at a time each morning and try to get it back in shape.

Holly: I can relate to the cleaning thing and husband. Also, I earn more money than my hubby. He works hard and long hours, but then so do I and I am the one who takes care of the house, the checkbook, the laundry..he does the cooking.

Like I said...I'm in an awful mood this morning. Still not feeling well. It's a stomach thing.

I hope that tomorrow I'll feel like myself because I need to be upbeat and "on". My interview is tomorrow. I did manage to get a suit bought on Friday night before I stated getting sick.

I've got a lot to do at work today, and I might go home early. Talk to you later.

Debbie: I think you are a very easy person to like. Keep working on liking/loving yourself.

Susie

HUGS Susie, I hope you perk up today. Have a great sleep and dazzle them tomorrow!!! Men have it made!! LOL!

Hiya Deb!

I am feeling better so far today. Just 4 little people here. Going to storytime. the sun is shining. I am aiming for an OP day. Considering I was sick and the amount of candy in the house I didn't completely get derailed.LOL!