Hi Everyone,
I heard we are planning a trip?! Wouldn't that be something? What fun. Hey, I'm game. I don't have a lot of time to take of work due to being new, but maybe we could work something out sometime? I'm in Ohio and I've went to Niagra Falls, Canada last year for vacation. I love to go places..so...really, wouldn't it be something?

I had a pretty good day at work today. I closed 8 claims...that felt good. I still have a lot of area to work on when making the calls, so I feel polished about the product and how to solve the claim and such, but I guess that will come with practice. I'm going to see if my co-worker, who has done a lot of training with me, will sit with me for an hour or so tomorrow and help me through the calls. We can use a "splitter" and both of us hear the conversation, but the caller can't hear my coworker talking to me..that way if I get involved in something that I don't know what to do..he can prompt me.

It was like a spring day here in Ohio. It made me think about how I want to be in the low 200's..so that I can wear those wispy blouses and such.

I had a great walk at the Y. I went all along to my workout tonight. DH has a cold and my workout partner went out to dinner with her DH for her b-day. So it was just me and my cd player. I pulled out an old Bon Jovi cd and went to town. Also did my upper body. I told myself that I could have a rootbeer float tonight after I got done with the workout..but to tell you the truth, I didn't want it when I got home..so I'll just bank those calories.

Jodi: You are doing great with the workouts and I love the part about seeing the children huff and puff...lol!

Holly: Down 2 lbs! Look at you girl! Great job.

Girlie: Glad you got to watch your show and you did the workout!

Suzy: You do excatly what I do. I think about how everyone here has something that they just seem to be able to put in there plan so well, and I try to copy it. I think that's how we become successful at this weight-loss journey. You are approaching exercise the correct way, so continue on with it just the way you are. I loved what you said about how helping someone else helps you. I feel excatly the same way..always have..not just in the area of weight loss.

I used to visit this little old lady in the nursing home. I met her when my grandmother was there. She asked me one day as I was on my way to my Grandmothers room to stop in and see her. So I did. My grandmother eventually went to live with my Aunt, but I continued to see my friend, her name was Bertha. I would go see her every week. I loved visting her. I could just talk and talk to her about anything..she loved to listen (can you all believe I'm a "talker"...*giggle*). She and I had a very special friendship for almost 12 years. She died at the age of 98. She had never had children (not sure why), he husband had been gone for over 30 years and she had done so many interesting things in her life. Her husband had some sort of job in Washington DC and she had been everywhere. I loved hearing her stories. People always thought it was so nice of me to visit her..I tell you, she gave me much more than I ever gave her. Thanks for letting me share that with you. She wasso special to me, and I think about her a lot.

Well..I'm headed to bed. I probably won't be able to check in until Friday morning. Weigh-in is tomorrow (and so is school)

Susie
__________________

Hi Everyone,
I heard we are planning a trip?! Wouldn't that be something? What fun. Hey, I'm game. I don't have a lot of time to take of work due to being new, but maybe we could work something out sometime? I'm in Ohio and I've went to Niagra Falls, Canada last year for vacation. I love to go places..so...really, wouldn't it be something?

I had a pretty good day at work today. I closed 8 claims...that felt good. I still have a lot of area to work on when making the calls, so I feel polished about the product and how to solve the claim and such, but I guess that will come with practice. I'm going to see if my co-worker, who has done a lot of training with me, will sit with me for an hour or so tomorrow and help me through the calls. We can use a "splitter" and both of us hear the conversation, but the caller can't hear my coworker talking to me..that way if I get involved in something that I don't know what to do..he can prompt me.

It was like a spring day here in Ohio. It made me think about how I want to be in the low 200's..so that I can wear those wispy blouses and such.

I had a great walk at the Y. I went all along to my workout tonight. DH has a cold and my workout partner went out to dinner with her DH for her b-day. So it was just me and my cd player. I pulled out an old Bon Jovi cd and went to town. Also did my upper body. I told myself that I could have a rootbeer float tonight after I got done with the workout..but to tell you the truth, I didn't want it when I got home..so I'll just bank those calories.

Jodi: You are doing great with the workouts and I love the part about seeing the children huff and puff...lol!

Holly: Down 2 lbs! Look at you girl! Great job.

Girlie: Glad you got to watch your show and you did the workout!

Suzy: You do excatly what I do. I think about how everyone here has something that they just seem to be able to put in there plan so well, and I try to copy it. I think that's how we become successful at this weight-loss journey. You are approaching exercise the correct way, so continue on with it just the way you are. I loved what you said about how helping someone else helps you. I feel excatly the same way..always have..not just in the area of weight loss.

I used to visit this little old lady in the nursing home. I met her when my grandmother was there. She asked me one day as I was on my way to my Grandmothers room to stop in and see her. So I did. My grandmother eventually went to live with my Aunt, but I continued to see my friend, her name was Bertha. I would go see her every week. I loved visting her. I could just talk and talk to her about anything..she loved to listen (can you all believe I'm a "talker"...*giggle*). She and I had a very special friendship for almost 12 years. She died at the age of 98. She had never had children (not sure why), her husband had been gone for over 30 years and she had done so many interesting things in her life. Her husband had some sort of job in Washington DC and she had been everywhere. I loved hearing her stories. People always thought it was so nice of me to visit her..I tell you, she gave me much more than I ever gave her. Thanks for letting me share that with you. She was so special to me, and I think about her a lot.

Well..I'm headed to bed. I probably won't be able to check in until Friday morning. Weigh-in is tomorrow (and so is school)

Susie
__________________

You just never know....
....what will happen next. DS had a great morning again. DH did not. He has a wretched stomach virus which makes him unbearably grumpy. I am surrounding him with thoughts of love and staying the **** outa his way!

I had a good day in general yesterday. I enjoyed watching the end of Cold Mountain.
I was nominated to sit on the school council by other parents. I went on Tues night for a meeting. I will probably do it. It was nice to be with adults talking about admin stuff. it uses a part of my brain I haven’t used in a looooong time. I am nervous about the social aspect of it and putting myself in a positon to be targeted by other parents.

SO....I am kidless today. Both mine are in school, the others stayed home. I will finally go and do Grandma’s hair. I am excited about the uninterupted housework I can get done. ( I know, Freak!)
I finally had a great sleep last night. Yippee!

Okay off to shower, clean the upstairs and off to London to do G’s perm. It’s her 95th Bday in 2 weeks. Gotta look smashing!

Good morning ladies.

I'm all for a road trip LOL! It would be hard for us to decide on a place to meet. Two of you live in Ohio and I have family in Columbus. Also, my mother lives in Philadelphia, and DH and I have always wanted to go to Toronto. I think some day we defininitely should try to plan something for the future!

Holly:
Yay for your nomination.That would be really cool! I can understand you feeling self conscious about it - but the nominated you for a reason! And as you lose weight and get more in shape, it really helps with the way you feel others percive you too!
I'm glad you got a great sleep in - that's one thing I don't get lately. I was asleep by 9pm and wake up at 4.45a...that's enough sleep, but I woke up around 2.30a to pee and I had trouble getting back to sleep, and had a dream full of anxiety which left me waking up feeling very unrested.

MyChoice/Susie:
With all the "Sue's" around here, I have to think of you by your screen name! Thank you for telling the story about your special friend. I am sure you gave her so much more than you think! I bet she looked forward to the days when you would see her so much! Did she pass away recently? I really bet you helped her through what was probably a lonely time in her life! Good luck with school and good job on the walking - I'm sure you'll have a great weigh in as well as you've been doing. And root beer float - that's really great that you passed it up! **hee hee*...Bon Jovi!

Holly:
Whoo for being down two! I need to get back to 230 as well. I can't wait to be out of the 230's. Weighing in on Sunday.

Jodi:
Great job on the walking! And your poor DS...I don't have kids yet but I love to be around little kids. They have such tender hearts. Heck, I have almost cried at times when DH and I leave my softball games in the summer. I always want to do well. Part of me working out now will leave me in better shape for the softball season which starts in April!

As for me-
Doing okay. I did my 65min on the elliptical today. It's not hard to do at all and I've never even contemplated stopping early. It's more like trying to stay busy for the hour by watching my stats and making sure I'm keeping a good pace up. By the time I hit 40 minutes, I'm good and kick it up a notch to finish hard. I'm still making 5 miles in that 65 minutes, but it will be a while before I can do it in 60 minutes. I'm just going to work on keeping up the workout and I'll probably take Saturday off, go in on Sunday and work out and weigh in. I'm hoping I have good results. I peeked a couple of days ago and was down to 234, just one pound, but at least it's a pound and that's good to me.

QUESTION/PROBLEM
Okay, I have a question/problem that's a bit TMI but maybe I can get some help. From all this cardio I've been doing, I've gotten two blisters this week where my thighs rub together. Anyone else have this problem? It's so embarassing, I get them occasionally and DH helps me "drain" them. Do you think putting some baby powder down there before I work out will help? The thing is, they don't seem to bother me when I work out. It's late in the day when I find them. It seems to be more from the pants I wear during the day and the way the pants rub against my upper inner thighs. This will be one benefit from losing weight - the skin down there won't rub together so much. *sigh*

Hey everyone, Just a quick post.I have an old abrasion on my eye that didnt heal right and I had to have my cornea
shaved and all the dead tissue removed so I am not seeing well yet. cant really see well enough to read all your post but i'll be back as soon as possible

I miss everyone. BIG HUGS

hello everyone!
the week is almost over thank goodness! i need another weekend! what am i saying? i need a long vacation! too much to do in too little time and i am just not ready to extend my day with more work hours yet, it is my option so i will keep going at this pace as long as can and hopefully just about the time i am ready to fall over work will slow down wishful thinking!

mychoice- good for you going to the gym and doing your workout without your buddy. and for passing on the float! i love your story about your friend she sounds like she was a very special person.

holly- i hope DH gets feeling better soon! men can be awful when they are ill. congrats on the nomination!

girlie- great job on the pound!! and the workouts! you just ROCK! what position do you play in softball? my DD loves softball, she has been playing since she was 6. she will play on her high school team this year. she plays 3rd base and center field, she is a good power hitter too. i was never much of the athletic type growing up so it is a lot of fun for me to see all my kiddos when they play their sports. honestly there are times when i want to cry at the end myself! as far as the blisters go, i don't think baby powder or cornstarch would hurt. hope they feel better soon!

debbie- sorry to hear about your eye surgery, hope you get well quick!

to anyone i missed have a great evening!

Late check in today ladies. How is everyone doing? I hung in there fairly well today. Kept myself busy, focused on moving more, ate ok, and am feeling better since starting a healthy new year.
Debbie- I hope everything goes well with your eyes and you are back soon. I will be thinking good thoughts for you.
Girlie- Ouch, that must be sore. Baby powder might not be a good idea for an "open" sore. Try padding them up with gauze. You sure are doing great with the exercising if you are getting those.
Holly- GREAT JOB on the 2 lbs. Even when you are "not busy" you sound busier than me on a good day. HAHA. Sorry about the cranky DH. Hope all is well soon. At least your DH and DS are taking turns. What an honor to be nominated by the other parents. They know that you are a go getter and that they would be lucky to have you representing them and their children. Don't give it a 2nd thought if you want to do it. You'll do great!
Susie- Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing your story about your friend. When I was a young girl, probably from 8-14, my best friend was my senior citizen neighbor, Aunt Mabel. She was the greatest person I ever knew and I couldn't wait to get home from school to go over her house. She taught me so many things that I carry with me today. Thanks for making me think of her today.
Jodi- I can relate to your DS story. I have a very athletic, 9 year old, baseball lover who has trouble hitting now that the kids are pitching to each other. His team went undefeated last year and on championship day when everyone should have been celebrating my boy was sullen because he disn't feel he had contributed to the win. Breaks my heart to see them put so much pressure on themselves. Should be all about fun. Sounds like fun doing the tapes with the kids. Once I did Richard Simmons with the kids and it was very amusing.
Have a great night ladies.
Suzy

Hi,
I weighed in last night...down another pound! YIPEEEEE! I felt like it might be more, but I'll take it. I know I worked very hard for that pound...and I'm ready to start the week off again and work for another one next week.

Debbie: I'm sure everything will go well with the eye surgery. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. As soon as you can, let us know how you are doing.

Holly: What an honor to be nominated. That committee isn't going to know how lucky they are to have you. You have more energy than anyone I know!

Suzy: Sounds like you are doing well. I know those extra movements that you are putting in your life will greatly benefit you, so keep up the good work.

Girlie: I'd say the babypowder, would help to keep friction out of that area when you are working out. It won't be long and you won't have the problem.

Jodi: I'm ready for the weekend too! You have done great with your exercise this week.

Ok ladies...we are one week closer to summer, so let's keep up the good work..we want to enjoy summer is shorts, sleeveless tops and maybe for the brave...tank tops!

Have a good day.

Susie

Debbie~ I hope all is healing well!!!! Take good care of yourself.

Susie~ good for you!!!!

Jodi~ wishing you a restful weekend!!

Girlie~ when I rub and rash I use the zinc diaper cream cause it heals it fast. I have never blistered though.

Suzi~nice that you are feeling healthier!!!!

School bus time. I will add on.

I had a good day yesterday. I cleaned the upstairs. It gets so messy. I focus more on the main living area.
I went and gave Grandma a perm.Had a great visit. I stopped at Penningtons and bought a pair of pants( size 2x!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and 2 tops. I saw tons of really cool stuff but bought practical neutral stuff. I dont have much use for the cool stuff. I have a few funky tops and that is good for the 3 times I year I go out. 10 years ago it was the opposite. All my clothes were funky.When DS was born I didn't own a pair of track pants or runners.
I know I am always "doing" but I honestly never have a clean home. There are 2-8 people here every single day(and cats and rabbits). I cook 3 meals and 2 snacks about 360 days of the year. My Mom always tells people how "wonderful" I am and how much I do for others. I my mind, I ask, who wouldn't? But apparently all people dont. I have cared for and cooked
for both of of my Grandmothers. I help out friends in need.It just seems right for me. It bothers me when Mom goes on about it because I dont do it for the accolades.
Anyone who volunteers or helps out another person knows it is a 2 way street and the rewards are bountiful just in sharing that experience with them.

I ate too much before bed last night. I was really ,really tired but stayed up to watch ER. I ate a piece of chicken and some rice crackers.
I had a good sleep.
3 kids here today. we will go to the early years centre.
We have a hockey game at 9 tomorrow and then the kids are going to my folks ,at the lake, for a sleepover. I need to do the books for both DH and myself for taxes. We are both self employed . 2 years ago we paid a ton of tax and we are poor( income-wise) by modern standards. If we had taken out rrsp's we would have been okay. So I am on the ball this year.

Hope everyones day is going well. Have a glorious weekend!!!!!

Holly -
Yes, you are always so busy and must have a ton of energy. What I do must not be any comparison to you! I feel really lazy! How was ER? I was asleep by 9pm for once! Thanks for the diaper cream info. Hopefully in another month or so those nasty blisters will be gone forever!

Susie -
CONGRATULATIONS on the pound! Every single tenth of a pound counts, and you lost a whole pound. I used to think of it as too little, but as you said, you worked hard for it and you will work hard next week and the week after, etc. Soon those weeks add up! Also, I wanted to ask you about TOPS. What is a meeting like? We have a couple meetings in my city but they are all during the day. I would love to join because I like the accountability of a weigh-in, and they are not expensive like Weight Watchers meetings. I don't follow WW, but I was thinking of signing up for 10 weeks just so I could get an official weigh in once a week.

Suzy -
I'm glad that you are feeling good. I am too. Except for yep, the nasty blisters. It's so embarassing. But DH is so great about it. He fixed the bad one up last night and put in peroxide and it feels much better today. I don't want these ever again. I have a lot of just flabby skin in that area and I hope it goes away...although losing weight might just add more skin there. Oh well.

Jodi -
In my first softball season I was catcher...last season the coach put me at 2nd base and it shows on my legs, all the bruises! I'm on a co-ed team with people from my company and some of these guys hit these really hard grounders to me and they are hard to stop. But I'm a rough n' tough player and am always getting hit on the shins! When I was young I was a great hitter, but I tend to have trouble these days because I get so nervous, but last season I got on base pretty much every time. I'd rather concentrate on fielding now. I'm so excited about this coming season (practices start in March) because I wasn't working out much last season...so I wasn't in the greatest of shape - I would always get so winded by the time I get to first base. This season will be different!

Well, it's FRIDAY and I'm so glad I get to sleep in tomorrow! This has been a great week for me. When I got on the elliptical this morning I realized that I did 60-65 minutes on the elliptical every day for six days! That's over 6 hours of cardio for the week. What sounds better to me is that there was only one day that I didn't hit the 5 mile mark - so I'm at about 30 miles this week. I'm so proud...although it's not as hard to do as it used to be, I worked hard this week. I may not get in 6 days every week but I did this week and that is my success for the week. I feel great physically and mentally. Even if I don't show much of a loss on Sunday, I know I've worked hard.

I was running late this morning after the gym - I took an extra long shower today and fully washed and deep conditioned my hair - so I didn't have anything planned for breakfast. I was going to have another smoothie, but didn't have time to get it before work. So I made a cup of tea here at work and bought a bag of animal crackers from the vending machine to much on until lunchtime. I think I might start drinking a slim fast for breakfast sometimes, just to have them on hand for mornings like this. I have tried the vanilla soy version and it's pretty good. I could add half a banana and ice and blend it to make my own smoothie.

OK enough for now. It's going to be a busy day at work.

CD

Well, I made the big leap to join in the conversation, then didn't post for ages! How's that for showing off my behavior patterns?

Anyway, will be making an effort to post more often. Glad to hear there are a couple fellow lit-chix here! So inspiring to read all of your posts and know that this isn't impossible.

My big challenge is exercise: I just can't seem to do it. But I finally bought Dance Dance Revolution, and a treadmill is on its way to my house. So there's no excuse! Sadly, my main life activities are writing, reading, grading papers...all those sit-at-the-desk-and-snack activities. I wonder how I could make them active.

Girlie: Don't be too jealous of the college professor life! I've been so absent because I got slammed with mid-term grades (one student actually *cried*) and taking on another last-minute class. I'm feeling the overworked/underpaid thing big-time. Also, keep writing!!! We need strong female voices. Maybe you'll post some of your writing for us to see sometime? And on the blister thing: ouch! Have you tried spandex bike shorts or unitards under your sweats? Look for the kind made of that moisture-wicking fabric; I hear they help.

Girlie: If you're looking for super-fast breakfast alternative and want to get away from the Slim Fast (it's pretty sugary, I hear), check out some of the other meal-substitute shakes out there. I love Kashi and Kyoto shakes -- filling and actually nutritious. But my biggest saving grace: Clif bars. 250 calories, 5g fiber, 10g protein, all organic, loaded with vitamins, and actually delicious. They fill me up all morning. Check out www.clifbar.com if your grocery doens't carry them

hello everyone!
sonds like eveyone is well, i am relieved to be at home warm and cozy in my p.j.s already. just relaxing tonight. we got subway for dinner i had the grilled chicken on WW with FF dressing. it was really good. i did my work out 5x this week very proud of myself. just feeling pretty good about it all.

spores- hi! yes hop in as often as you can! good for you with the treadmill on the way! i am not real keen on exercie either but i am now giving it my best shot! it really makes me feel good after i am done. good luck with the video. you can do it!!

girlie!! great job!! that was fantastic you were able to get in so many miles this week, keep up the great work! sounds like you really like softball, i look forward to hearing about your season when it comes up! we can swap stories! if you can do 5 miles on the elliptical you should have no problem running the bases this year! great job!

holly- how nice you got to spend some time with your grandma, i bet her hair looks great! i've been getting tax stuff ready too uuuggg! i am hoping for a return this year though (fingers crossed). wasn't ER good last night? i just love abby i am so glad she is ok. i would hate to see her go from the show.

mychoice- yay!!! good for you girl!! great attitude for next week too keep up the great work!!!

suzy- good job getting more movement in your day, just small changes can make a big difference! arent boys funny? my son sounds just like that. always taking the weight of the world on his shoulders.

well i hope you all have a great weekend! if i missed anyone sorry!

Hi everyone! I'm exhausted...I can't wait to hop into bed in a few minutes. I just wanted to check in really quick - I don't think I'l be able to tomorrow. So DH and I went to dinner with his friend. His friend's favorite restaurant is what I call the "meat buffet" - it's a smokehouse buffet with mostly meat - grilled chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc. I focused on veggies and meat but I still overate and haven't done that in a while. Stinking buffets! So I felt a little guilty and my gym closes at 11pm on the weekends, so I coaxed DH to go with me and I did another 30 minutes on the elliptical while he swam. I feel a little better, but still a little bloated. I'm probably not going to the gym tomorrow to give myself a rest, but I'll have to drink lots of water and get rid of this bloating feeling before I weigh in on Sunday!

Spores:
Good to hear from you! You will have to give me some ideas of some good contemporary fiction to read. I love girlie reads. It's hard for me to find good fiction to get lost in. Maybe I'll make a trip to the library and find some more Joyce Carol Oates. I'd say she's my fav female writer, next to Emily Dickinson for her prose. My poetry is posted on my website: http://ivomitwords.diaryland.com - it's all mine, even the design ideas. And thanks for the info on breakfasts. Yes, like like Clif bars, and Luna bars as well. I've never tried the Kashi drinks though. I'll have to check them out. Sometimes, all I need is a big glass of Silk!

Jodi:
Glad that you checked in tonite! I'm very much looking forward to softball season! Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Girlie