Chit Chat #50
 

WELCOME to the Jaded Ladies! :wave:

This is a very warm and friendly group of ladies who talk about everything. Who also provide daily support in our everyday lives, as well as our walk towards a healthier lifestyle.

We would love for you to join us! :cofdate:

Jana

Happy Memorial Day Ladies!

Is your flag out??

Cristi - where are you, my friend?? It has been too long since you posted last, and momma hen is starting to worry. :?:

Angie - glad you had fun with your mom. Pansies are annuals around here, too, and die off as soon as it gets hot - they hate heat.

Sue - Yay 2# down!! Did you have bad weather last night? We sure did! And in Darmstadt (near Evansville) a tornado touched down right at the end of the block by family members' home. Luckily, they were spared.

Susan - Yay for 1 1/2 down for you!! You never said when the position will be filled? Soon I hope, for your sake.

RosieKate - we also were looking for a church w/open communion, and the one we went to yesterday has it. It is an Epicopalian Church, with a small congregation. They all made us feel very welcome, and I liked the service. I was reared Catholic, and Neal was reared Lutheran, so it is kind of in-between the two. Hope you are feeling better today.

Marti - how's your weekend going? Hope you are having fun with your family.

A big hello to all the others... :wave:

Well, the party was so much fun, then I paid Katie and Kayla to wash all the pots and pans and crock pots (3 of just those!) Today I want to soak up some sun, play with the grandkids and then watch movies. Totally veg out, lol.

BBL,
Jana

HI! My name is Jen. I've posted my bio, so now I'm "locked in" to be a regular here. I've read through your bio's and some posts. This sure seems like a great group. I may not be able to post every day though. I hope that is all right.

A little about me, I'm an RN, gained weight in nursing school (1995), up to 190. Worked on losing weight after graduation, slowly. I was down to 125 in the summer of 1999. I've gained about 5 lbs a year since then. I'm now fighting to get under 150 again. I would be ecstatic to be 140. My clothes would fit well, and I wouldn't have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe. Not to mention, 125 is a little thin for 5'9"!

My weakness, especially this time of year, is ice cream. I LOVE IT! What I need to do is concentrate on fresh fruits and veggies. I love strawberries. That is what I did back in 1999! So, here we go again. I also need to get off of my butt! I'm very good at finding excuses to not exercise. I "try" to walk everyday, but trying doesn't get you far!

Here are my pledges for this week:

1. I will eat at least 6 servings of fruits and veggies every day.
2. I will exercise, in some form, 5 days this week.
3. I will drink my 8 glasses every day.
4. I will clean out the spare bedroom for an exercise room on rainy days.

Jen
sw: 152
gw: 140 by June 30

Morning,

Welcome Jen :) I will go read the bio, wonderful to have you here!! Speaking of ice cream.....there is a Ben & Jerrys close by and my co worker has photo copied free 1 scoop coupons that are good until Aug 04.....lol.
I have about 50 coupons , was going to use them with my daughters. I swear!!! :)
I have been getting this oatmeal flavor, figure that is a healthy choice.

Anyway, no I said the position was open until the 4th of June- Jana.....lol, between you and Marti.....geez.....hit ya with a wet noodle or something.....

Church on my end was really good. There is a basketball camp coming up that I inlisted the girls in.

My dad gave me a computer but I gave it to the girls.....he has others, so hopefully I will get one of those. He also has sewing machines....go figure. Why an AA counselor needs sewing machines....maybe they were teaching that if they gave up drinking they could learn how to sew?? Look fashionable??? lol

Going to show him a unit this morning, has a 1 bedroom , which he needs. Afterward head over to Shari's for lunch.

I guess that is it.

Best to you all........and welcome again Jen!! :)

Well I'm back.....

Jen - a big welcome to you!! :wave: Glad you decided to join us. We're a crazy (but fun) bunch. I also am 5' 9" although my goal weight is a lot higher than yours. I too think 125 is too thin, even if you have a small frame. So how did you lose down from 190? Have you tried the Blue Bunny fat free, no sugar added ice creams? For a smoothie, I use 1/4 cup of vanilla ice cream with 3/4 cup milk and any fruit with a sprinkle of Splenda in a food processor. Very yummy! We grow our own fruits (and vegetables) so I've been freezing whole strawberries on a cookie sheet. Then keep them in a gallon baggie. The coldness of them is what makes the smoothie thick. Cherries are just now ripening, so they are next on my list! Can't wait to read your bio! Anyway, post when you can, even if it isn't everyday.

Susan - get the wet noodle, I can take it, lol. At least the end of it is near so we can start getting confused about something else. :D Hope you and Shari had lots of fun today.

Cristi - okay, I truly am getting worried now! Please check in....

I didn't get to play with the twins and the baby today. Mary and Dale took them to see his parents, can you believe the audacity of that?!? LOL!! But Gina brought out her 2 and I snuggled on them. I also hoed the sweet corn, popcorn and cabbage. I feel so good that my back is well enough for me to do that!

Back in the morning...
Jana

Just got back from the IL's - had a nice family get together for Memorial Day. We put out our flag and James ( my 7 yr old son) and I have had a few nice talks over the weekend about what it means to remember those who died in combat. He and I watched the tribute on 60 minutes last night. All they showed were the faces of all the casualties so far in the war in Iraq. He said that if he were to die in a war it would be because he was protecting someone - out of the mouth of babes.

Welcome Jen - I'm still a bit of a newbie and have found this to be a great group of people. The support has been helpful as I have been stuck at a plateau and have been trying to get jumpstarted again. I also like to garden, but do not have 9 cats ( wow) However 2 kids give me enough to clean up after :)

Jana - glad you liked the new church, it's great that they made you feel welcome. Sounds like you grow quite a bit of your fruits and vegetables. I'm slowly adding more every year. Nothing like homegrown tomatoes, IMO.


Susan - oatmeal ice cream sound so good right now! I was so good at the in-laws. I ate lots of fruit with dinner and no chips, and politely turned down dessert. Boy, I could go for some Ben and Jerry's! But, I'm not. I'm here posting instead, then I will go to bed and read a book. I'm reading Under the Tuscan Sun and I'm just about done, then it's on to The Time Traveler's Wife

Is anybody else reading anything good right now? I'm always in the mood for recommendations. I belong to a book group which keeps me busy, but I love to read. Keeps me out of the fridge at night :lol:

TTFN
RosieKate

Hello Jen and welcome!
There are two Canadians,,,I being one of them.


I don't know how these pansies are growing...and spreading all over the place...I planted one lil plant last year in the back yard and now they have taken up a meter of flower bed.
I went to see Hidalgo (SP) the long distance horse racer,,,a true story about Frank T Hodgkins. I like movies like that...
Angelika and Lori both have interviews with my work now,,,that will be 4 of use from Pennington's working at the beer stand..lol
I went shopping,,,bought a pair of jeans,,capris and 3 nice summer tops..
had a moment this morning...*sigh I do that some times,,,,not sure if you all have noticed I do get fuddled up every so often,,,today was one of them. I had to change my top 4 times today. Got tooth paste on the first top, deodrant on the second spilled coffee on the third and stained the 4th with hair dye. Tanner is now back to normal....lol Hair color that is.
I watched the game tonight so the Flames lost,,,again.
I painted the entrance into the house yesterday,,,plus all the trim outside. House is looking good.
Have been reading an awesome book by ERica Spindler,,,called Fortune.

Jana,,,my mouth watered when you talked about your smoothies...mmmm if I wasn't so lazy I would make one right now but Im tired..Im going to have to go buy some protein powder to make my smoothies...cranberry juice frozen strawberries...YUM!
well night all
Angie

Evening ladies--

Been having issues with the computer and for the life of me, I forgot my password!! Can you believe it? (still don't know it, but it remembered me by the time our computer stopped messing up!)

Had a great weekend with James. Only had a day and half with him but it was a good day and a half. Yesterday we went shopping for a bed frame OR a treadmill. (I want both of coarse) Since there was a sale on bed frames in Albany at a store that is going out of business, we went for that. We found a beautiful Mahogony Sleigh bed frame....for only $470. Originally $1000. So we put money on it until next weekend when they'll have in the store. I hate spending that much on stuff, but it was just beautiful. And we want to start getting nicer furniture for our house.

James says we'll get the treadmill in a couple months. (no problem, I can walk my butt around the neighborhood!!)

Colored my hair today. My own color,,,,nothing different. Just wanted to "wash that gray right out of my hair!" :D And it worked. No gray popping out until next time I need to make a trip to the store!

OMG......I forgot to do this first-----

Welcome Jen!!! :wave: So glad to have you here. You will find us to be a bunch of chatty gals! I have the same goal as you for weightloss...only difference is that I'm barely 5'1".... I'm not going to say that 125lbs is too thin, because it's really hard to determine that without looking at you. Some people look great at that weight, and others it does look too thin. I hope you enjoy our little neck of the woods!

For you Portlanders.....James is on his way up there tonight...will be there all week until Sunday night. So if you see this handsome fella working on the trains...that's my man!! :lol:

Tomorrow night, Jhanai's choir has a singing program....a tribute to the Beatles. She's been practicing and will sing to me over the phone and when she's over, she pops in the CD in my car and that's all I hear!! (I go to sleep with the beatles singing the "Yellow Submarine") :dizzy:

Well girls, it's late...I will do individuals tomorrow.

You all have a great night...(you're all probably in bed by now!)

Take Care
Marti

Morning ladies--

Quickly posting before I need to leave for school. Something is going on with my settings......

I collapse all the other forums and when I get out of one, they're all back to where it started! Plus, I have to keep on logging in!

If only those were the issues I had in my life. :D

Ok...I need to wash up and get going. Need my cup of coffee for the morning. :coffee:

Chat with you all later on......

Marti

Morning!
 

Morning (again) ladies--

Where is everyone today? Catching up from a long weekend??

Went to class this morning....really had to drag myself out of bed since James and I had been staying up until 3:00 every night!! (so bad!!) But I managed to get into bed last night at 11:00 but laid there until way past 1:00....so much running through my head!

Anyway...on to individuals!

Jana--Were you having twin withdrawals?!! You poor thing! At least you had someone to hug and love over the weekend. :) I'm going to have to try the smoothie you mentioned! Sounds so good, and it sounds like a great breakfast!

RosieKate--I find it amazing what little kids will say sometimes. How neat that your little James feels the way he does. I'm sure it's frightening though to even imagine him when he's older going into war. Hopefully he'll choose not to go into the military. My brother (who is now out of the military) had so much to talk about after coming back from Iraq. I'm so thankful that he didn't get hurt considering that he was on the front line of it all when it all started!! He's 6yrs. younger than I am and I remember changing his diapers as a baby. So I'm protective over him!!

Susan--Oatmeal Ice-cream?! That doesn't sound too good to me. I love oatmeal, but only as breakfast. I don't like it in cookies and I can't imagine it in Ice-cream! :lol: But this is coming from a gal who likes fish tacos!! :D

Jen--Once again welcome. Don't worry about not posting everyday. We have few girls who post when they have time. Sometimes we panic though and wonder where they're at! :D (Kayecee!! Cristi!! where you girls gone off to?) I like your pledges for the week. Would you like to come over and clean my spare room so I can workout in there too?

Angie--Boy...did you have a day with your tops!! I want to go buy some flowers to put in my front yard. We have something growing in there right now, but I think they are too tall for the front area. I don't even know what's growing.....(I didn't plant them) last summer I pulled out a bunch of bulbs, and there are still plenty left!! I believe they are yellow. I really want to pretty up the place. James and I had sprayed (ok...it was James who actually did it) some weed killer on our front lawn...we don't have grass up there...just weeds. It got the crawling clover, but not the dandelions!! So next weekend we plan on attacking those.

Hello to the rest of you girls!!

Well tonight I will see Jhanai sing...her last program before school is out. Hard to believe that she'll be in the 5th grade next year! Where is the time going??? She's very excited about her field trip this Thursday. Her dad isn't looking forward to the long drive up to Portland on a bus full of 9 & 10 year olds!! :lol: I think he's brave to do it in the first place!

Been wondering how long my grandpa plans on being away!! He told me a week...should have been home on Saturday...but with the Memorial Weekend I'm sure he decided to stay a few extra days. Must keep watering the plants.....he's attempting to grow popcorn! Love popcorn..so if it turns out, I will be chomping down on that stuff this fall!! :D

Alrighty....I've wrote an awful long post. (making up for those who haven't posted this morning!) :p

I will check in later.

Marti

Hiya ladies,

RosieKate - Yay for all the control you had at IL's. :cp: That can be hard, I know. I just finished reading Flirting with Pete by Barbara Delinsky. And although I had sworn off all Danielle Steel books, I am beginning The Dating Game soon.... I think that's the name, lol.

Angie - it's nice to have your friends at work. Makes it much more fun. There is never any end to laundry anyway, so what's a few more shirts, lol. I told Mary what you said about needing one of her daughters and she said there are days she would let you have all 3, lol.

Marti - I'm lookin for a second hand treadmill. I had one but gave it away to my son when I got plantar's faciitis in my foot. But first, I have to make room for one, and that is the problem. The only space available is in the playroom, so that seems to be where it's going when I do get one. I like to watch TV while walking so I tape up movies and series. Your bed sounds gorgeous, by the way, and you got a real deal. Have fun at Jhanai's program tonight.

I got all of my ironing done this morning. Cotton campshirts sure do feel good, but they are a pain to take care of, lol. Right now I'm waiting for Madison to finish a nap, then she and I are going to Walmart.

Be good,
Jana

Hi Jana--

About the treadmill, Sears has some on sale...a real nice one for only $299 orginally $700. There are others that are on sale also. James kept asking me which one I liked and I kept pointing to the cheapest (they all do the same right?)...and he would keep telling no, you want a better one......so why ask me? Just get what he wants!! :lol: But I thought it was so nice that he wants to get one for me. We plan on putting it in our office room until our extra storage room is cleared out. (not sure when that will be) Eventually we want to make that a workout room. I've been feeling spoiled.....plus I have a hard time spending money like that!!


Time for the dogs outing......wheres the leash!? :D

BBL
Marti

I'm baaaccck...
 

Hi Ladies~

Sorry for being MIA for a few days, just been busy, busy, busy. Friday evening went shopping for things for the deck and front yard and a ceiling fan. Boy, never thought finding a nickel ceiling fan would be so hard. But we found one. Ended up getting a couple other things as well. Saturday we did a little work in the front yard before the bad storms hit so stayed off the computer. Tornado's missed us but we got some pretty bad wind, lost our tree we just planted in the front-snapped it in half. We did get the front yard finished, planted two trees, maples-I love the color of the leaves in the fall. After planting the one, we thought we should have planted two, so went ahead and did. We stained the deck, what a job! We got it done pretty fast, but it was a lot of work, and there was three of us doing it! Anyway, like I said, a very busy weekend working around the house. Of course now I have to catch up on the inside!

Jana~sorry for worrying ya. I checked in Saturday morning and there were so many posts I didn't have time to respond to everyone, but I should have said Hi at least. Glad your party yesterday was fun.

Marti~about the treadmill, I too feel they all do they same. We bought one at Wal-Mart for a little over $200, I think, can't remember for sure. I am cheap when it comes to certain things. But it has a few things on it. All I am concerned with is that it works! :lol: It tells how many calories you burn, how fast you are walking, of course the mileage and a few other things that I don't concern myself with. It has several settings also, but I like it. Your bed sounds nice. I love the sleigh beds, but can't have one. DH is too tall. We are wanting to get a new headboard sometime. I've never cared for one because I like a lot of pillows on the bed and I lean them against the wall, but now after years of not having one, I am wanting one. Hope you guys have fun tonight at Jhanai's concert!

Angie~thank you for the card, that was sweet of you. I have had days like your shirt day. Hope it gets better for ya.

RosieKate~I am reading a book, in between the South Beach one, but can't remember the name of it! That's terrible! I think it was called Going Home?? I need to get back to it, it was just getting good. I have too many I want to read, but not into it right now.

Susan~I have to agree with Marti about the oatmeal ice cream, sounds kind of icky. I love oatmeal, and oatmeal raisin cookies, and have even been known to eat raw oatmeal, but I don't know about ice cream. But now you have me wondering...I think I will have to try some. Haven't had much ice cream though. When I do, it's usually something low-fat, fat-free, or frozen yogurt.

Hi Jen~a big WELCOME to you! This is a good place to be-the ladies are wonderful!

CONGRAT'S to all the losers this past week! You ladies are doing a fantastic job! :bravo: I didn't weigh in this past Saturday. All the talk about TOM here, I think you ladies jinxed me! LOL I haven't had a TOM since Dec. and BOOM! Surprise! So wasn't about to get on the scales. I hope that (TOM) is not a regular occurrence! :lol:

Anyway...had to run to the library this morning to return some books, then off to the scrapbook store. I ran out of glue Saturday evening so got a few extra things while there. Then went next door and bought a couple pair of thongs (flip flops). Now I need to get off this thing and get some cleaning done. Did a little this morning before leaving, just need to get a couple loads of laundry done.

Take care ladies and have a good one. :wave:

Hi all. Another neebie here. I don't really know how this thing works, but I'm gonna give it a shot. I just turned 32 last month. I'm 5'10". 190 lbs. I would love to be 140 and have tons of energy to keep up with my kids. I'm not sure how to get started. I've tried ALOT of diets. I have lost on them but it always comes back with a vengence. I think I just need some encouragement and maybe someone to pry my butt out the chair...LOL. Any advice?

Just added my signature. Wanted to see how bad I screwed it up........LOL. Can't seem to get my picture to work so why would this....LOL

Baby's napping, so I have time to post a little -

Welcome SugarPlum! I've been posting here for a few months and this is a great group! You've come to a good place for support. I can relate to needing some help getting the posterior in gear, lol. One thing I have learned from years of trying get to and stay at a healthy weight...diets don't mean a darn thing if the lifestyle doesn't change as well. I used to get my weight down, then just go back to my old eating habits - and then of course it all would come right back. I'm focusing on making small, but permanent, changes. The 21 day challenge thread here has been very helpful with that ( Thanks Marti -for getting it going!)

Marti - check out epinions on those treadmills. I have found that you do get what you pay for with those things. If it is not motorized, eventually the walking band (the tread thingy) starts sticking and it gets very difficult to get a good stride going. When we were snowed in, I went a little nuts and ordered a folding stepper. It does the trick for those days when I can't get outside and it folds up, which I need as our house is small and I can't really dedicate a permanent spot for a large piece of equipment.

Jana - I can't remember the last time I got out my iron :lol: We are casual to say the least. I did get outside this morning and hang three loads of laundry on the line - now that the rain has gone away for awhile.

Christi - am in awe of everything you got done this weekend. We really need to stain our deck, and do other DIY home improvement, but it's waiting until DH is done with school - two more weeks. Then he gets to start the "honey-do" list. My TOM hit me pretty hard this weekend, so I stayed off the scales also. I felt so bloated, couldn't bring myself to do it.

Thanks for the book ideas, ladies - I keep a running list of recommendations - I use the library alot! I also just picked up a bunch of books at the used booksale at James' school. So i am set for awhile! One of the books is called Motherhood made a Man out of Me I liked the title so much - didn't care what the book was about!

James and I made it to OMSI yesterday and the Titanic exhibit is pretty good. Everyone gets a ticket at the beginning of the exhibit that looks just like a ticket to board the real Titanic, with the name and class of a real passenger. At the end of the exhibit, they have passenger lists of people who were saved and who died. Both my son and I had tickets of third class passengers who died. James was describing the exhibit to his grandpa and said " Basically, if you're third class, you're dead". Marti - Jhanai should have a good time this week. I can't believe the school year is almost over.

Have great day everyone!
RK

Here I am again.....

Finished a take home test for math. Just love those take home test. (Of coarse I waited until the last day to do it!!)

Welcome Sugar Plum!!! Glad to have you here!! I agree with RosieKate....it has to be a lifestyle change rather than a diet (I'm still working on that) when you use the word "diet" it tends to put a burden on you...at least for me anyways. I think that if you just change things you eat and add more exercise you'll see results. I started watching my portions again, drinking lots of water and I'm trying to be more active. It has worked for me before and I know it will work for me again! As for the avatar....I have no idea how to work that. Made my husband do it for me. :D It was always too big and he managed to shrink it to size. How he did it is beyond me. I'm ready for a new picture...getting tired of seeing my face all the time! Signatures are easy. You can change it anytime....(which I do it seems) Wish I could have been of more help! Hope you enjoy our little corner!!

RosieKate--Love the comment from your son!! How funny. Only little ones would word it that way. All the treadmills we looked at were motorized. Had the heart rate options and all that stuff. Very nice selection. I have to wait for a couple months to get one. Will be nice when I do. Books......I haven't read a book in awhile. The last one I read was "Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz. Was a good book. Actually scared me in spots! I like to read all kinds of books. I tend to read more of the horror ones...not sure why. But there are times that I enjoy a real racey romance novel!! (I better find me one for the days James is away!!) ;) The book I read before that was "The one minute millionaire" It was a book we had to read for class. I couldn't put it down!! I was amazed at what this woman went through to get her kids back. It's a true story. She had her kids taken away by her in-laws (her husband passed away)...and the only way to get them back was if she would be able to make a million dollars within 90 days....no borrowing. Worth reading and gives you idea's to make money and how to do it.

I believe I'm going to go out and trim my roddy (spelling that right?) bushes. I have a lot of dead leaves and it doesn't look to pretty.

I will check in again when I start getting lonely and want to venture into the kitchen!! (this place has saved me many time from there!!)

BBL
Marti

Afternoon,

Welcome Surgar Plum what a cute name :) Hope you find some friendly support here, pretty sure you will.

Hey again to Jen!! Would love to hear more about you.

Shari's is a restaurant Jana,.......not a person, lol. I took my dad TO Shari's. I had an eggs & sausage with some cottage cheese and a slice of tomato. That is their low cal fare........instead of hashbrowns, I guess.It was yummy and a great change. Enjoyed time with my father. Think I have him taled into moving , he really needs more room.

So, you are planting popcorn- Jana?? That is sooooooo cool. It comes on a plant or something?? lol I don't know.

YIKES, boss is coming!! Better go........:)

Good evening! :cool:

I have a few minutes to spare this evening, so I figured I'd spend it with my new gals! Thanks for all of the warm welcomes! I knew I picked the best group! :D

I've done pretty well today. Yesterday, well, I gave in to the ice cream demons! :devil: But I did work out on my stair stepper yesterday. Today I did my weights and took the dog for a long walk, or was it that she was walking me? Strangely enough, I feel more guilty when I don't walk the dog then when I don't walk myself. I have definately stuck to the meal plan today. I even have enough left over to have a snack before bed. If you eat right, it is alot of food!

Rosiekate - I like to read the books by Robin Cook, but they are medical mystery/thrillers. I guess that's the nurse in me. I haven't read one for awhile though. Maybe I should look into that.

Marti - I hope you enjoy your daughters singing program tonight. I would love to come over and get your spare room into shape. Mine has been a "kitten nursery" for the past 4 months. (2 litters) and I am done now. My youngest is 6 weeks old, and she is just starting to mingle with the pride. Now the room is MINE, MINE ALL MINE.

Angie - I have had some days with my clothes, but yours really takes the cake. I would have just gone back to bed after all of that!

Susan - Oatmeal ice cream sounds wonderful. Two of my favorites, starch and ice cream. I wish we had that here, wait, no I don't!

Jana - Your smoothie sounds great. And yes, I have tried the Blue Bunny ice cream you mentioned. I'm not allowed to buy ice cream and keep it in the house. I eat it all, ALL of it in 1 or 2 days. And that sugar-free stuff, in great quantities, causes a ton of gas and abdominal pain. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! :eek:

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day at work. I am a "Homecare Lead" for shift care at a home care agency. What that really means is I'm a supervisor/case manager. I have 35 staff and 23 clients right now. We are hoping to hire 4-5 more this month to take on more clients. I have a waiting list. Anyway, I have been sharing a 10x10 office with the lead for the peds shift care. She is the glass is half empty type of person. I could stand it for 5 months, but I'm done. I'm tired of hearing complaints and gripes all day. I have bad days to, but geez, get over it. I'm sure she's mad at me now. Whatever. But I'm moving to my own office, well, cubical. But it's just me! So who cares. At least I'll be able to hear myself think! But I'll spend the morning packing up my desk, file cabinet, etc and move in the afternoon. At least I'll have my desk cleaned out for the summer!

Man this has gotten long. I'm going to go rest a bit before bed.

Jen :smug:

Hi Jen :)

omg- you get your own office space too!! Ain't that the coolest?? I still need to go to Office Depot and pick me up some cute things for my office. I wanted color file trays........just HAVE to have them.

Right now though I need some black ink for my printer.Supplies have not come in , also I need a binder for my Voyager stuff.....they have a bunch of icky ones that look like they have seen better days.

Also.....the secretery left this African American picture behind.....I thought it was of a college graduation but looking closer it is of a funeral.They are all in a line going up a hill..........never did notice a coffin before.....umm, kind of gloomy, might take that down.

The oatmeal ice cream is really very good!! After all this IS Ben & Jerrys!!!

I took the girls yesterday and got a flavor with almonds, chocolate chips and coconut.......wonderful. I bought Gaby a Cherry Garcia.......yummy......her lil tongue of course can't lick as fast as mommy's and I offered to help her.....lol
Becky was Strawberry and forget what Rachels was......anyway, might go again tonight.

Hope you have a good night with Jhanai, Marti!!

I work alone tomorrow in the office from 8am to 5pm......going to take off the evening shift and go see Rachel at school, she is getting some award.

Better get! :)

I'm back!! (not shocking news is it? :dizzy: )

Jhanai's program was fun. Although, there was band there that sang four song first---I'm sitting there thinking...I came here for the kids!! But I got over my impatience!! Then, they had a mother/daughter duo.....the mother got up there like she was the greatest singer.....(her daughter was much better!) but it was a nice little song...They sang "When I'm 64"

The program lasted much longer than they usually do. Usually it's half an hour...tonight it was almost an hour and a half! But I'm home now and can relax and go to bed somewhat early.

Jen--How ya doin'? Good job with sticking with the meal plan. I've been doing ok. Really trying to watch my portions and the types of foods I eat. With the weather getting warmer I should be drinking more water...but that hasn't happened yet! Don't ever worry about long post......that's what we're here for...to read them!! :)

Susan--It's fun seeing your kids get awards in school isn't it? Jhanai received one tonight for going through Choir the whole year and not missing any rehearsals...(she'd have to be extremely sick for her to want to miss one!) She was quite proud and told me to bring it home and get a frame for it!! :lol: So I guess I'm stopping at Wal-mart tomorrow!

Hope everyone is having a good night.

I better get off of here and let the dogs out. Pesky little butts!! :D

Talk to you all tomorrow....

Marti

Hello everyone,,,,
Welcome Sugar Plum! This is an awesome place to hang out...these ladies have become some of my closest friends.

Today was a good day,,,a one shirt day...ha ha ha
I went and hung at Angelika's , traded fitness books. Called up my old boss, who has quit Penningtons too, and chit chatted,,,we have plans of going for walks,,,we live so close to each other.

Jana,,,I bet she wouldn't mind taking a break from 3 lil ones under the age of 2 every so often...lol
Marti, I have had weird computer things happening with mine this past couple of days too.
Susan,,,Ill send you a pic of me for your desk...lol
Cristi, good to know your ok....hate that some of you live in tornado areas.
Rosiekate, I felt so horrible watching Titanic,,those poor people...dying cause they were third class.

I got the best news tonight....*smile
my realtor called to say he found the perfect house for us...ya right Ryan...well he did. Actually we found it. The house we had made an offer,,,then another offer was given and we had to drop our offer,,,remember that house 2 weeks ago? Well those peoples financing fell throu so its ours again! I will have enough room to get a tread mill...right now I can't even get another pair of shoes...lol
ok I lied...I threw away 2 pairs this weekend and a chair.
well I need to get to bed,,,night all
Angie

Hi all you chatty ones!

Marti - there's nothing wrong with being spoiled.... I admit that I am. But Neal was single for a long time, and said he learned how to treat a wife by watching his friends mess up. Hope you find a nice frame for Jhanai's award.

Cristi - wow you have been busy, and I'm glad to see you back. Sorry Aunt Flo found you again.... actually I gave her your address so she'd leave me alone, lol.

Sugar Plum - Welcome!! I do WW (at home) while following Dr. Phil's advice about less processed foods, etc. I also drink lots of water, and have smaller, more frequent meals. Well, 3 meals and two nice-sized snacks a day. Try to find something that is do-able for the rest of your life.

RosieKate - I just love the smell of clothes that have hung outside to dry. Especially bed linens. I also use Epinions! I recently was checking out smoothie makers, and decided to just keep using the food processor I already have, lol. Saved myself some $$, lol.

Susan - yeah, popcorn starts as a seed in someones field! It is very similar to sweet corn and feed corn (for animals to eat) but the kernels are hard. Neal has grown it all his life, and the taste is much better than store-bought popcorn. There is a small iron shucker thingy that strips the kernels from the cob... wanna help with that? What is Rachel getting an award for?

Jen - if you have read our bios, you know you're among the biggest group of dog lovers at 3FC, lol. Glad to know you are one, too. I read Coma by Robin Cook back in the late 70's and it scared the bejeebies out of me. He sure can spin a tale! Like you, I also have little tolerance for negative people! There were two of them on a church committee I chaired, and they just about drove me bonkers. They found the darkness of every situtation and so I left the committee to avoid knocking their heads together, lol. Wanted to recapture the Christian spirit, lol.

Angie - oh, I am so excited for you! When will you know for sure that you get the house?? Glad yesterday was a one-shirt day for you, lol.

Had coffee with my son unexpectantly this morning. He came out to bring some firewood to the stack, and so we visited on the back porch for awhile. It was nice to talk with him by ourselves. Nothing against everyone else, but I love to spend time with each of my kids with no one else around once in awhile. They tend to be more open, or something.

Going to Walmart for groceries later today, a day early. But tomorrow is Dale's outpatient surgery on his shoulder, and we'll be watching the kids til they get back from the hospital.

Have a good one,
Jana

good day sunshine...
 

Good day sunshine... :sunny:

Hey Marti, now you've got me on a Beatles kick -- guess what I'll be listening to today? :D If James wants to spoil you a bit and get you a better treadmill, then let him. At the risk of sounding sexist, guys tend to gravitate toward better made tools and techno gadgets that might cost a bit more, but will ususally work better and last longer. Bells and whistles you can do without, but you want a treadmill that's sturdy and will last, and you will enjoy using.

I am sick today :( sore throat, earache, no voice, and since I work on the phones all day, I had to call in to work.

Welcome to Jen and Sugarplum! This is a great bunch... :balloons: very supportive :grouphug: and VERY chatty! :blah: :gossip: :blah:

Angie, great news on the house -- I hope this is the one for you! Sorry the Flames lost. Tim and I stopped following the series closely after both the Red Wings and the Sharks were out. Being from Detroit and California, we were hoping that at least one of them would make it to the end. We saw Shrek 2 this weekend and loved it! Puss in Boots was hilarious.

Cristi, you have a three day weekend and you actually get stuff done around your house. I have a three day weekend and I run away out of town. No wonder I'm not very productive! Glad the tornados missed you, even if the wind attacked your tree.

Jana, smoothies are a big hit around here, too. My kids love them. I buy different frozen fruits at Trader Joe's -- pineapple, mango, mixed berries, peaches -- and we just try different combos. I ususally use OJ and sometimes throw in frozen banana chunks.

Susan, I don't know if B&J make anything that doesn't taste good. I bet they could make spinach ice cream taste good...well, maybe not... :lol: I have pints of their Cherry Garcia and Half-Baked frozen yogurt in my freezer right now.

Hi to everyone else :wave:

My middle son, Michael, graduates HS on the 9th. Wow, such big changes...I can barely remember what it was like to be just starting out, your whole life ahead of you...he's been living with his dad, but will be moving in with my husband and me sometime before fall for a while so he can get a job up here and get enrolled in community college.

Lake Tahoe was beautiful!!! :love: We went on a sailboat cruise of the lake, lounging on the deck, listening to Jimmy Buffet, drinking Mai Tai's -- and Tim said, "Congratulations, baby...once again, you have planned the perfect vacation." :D And -- I can't believe I did this -- but we took the Gondola at Heavenly to the top of the mountain. I am so afraid of heights! It was terrifying, but so much fun. There was an observation deck halfway up. The city of South Lake Tahoe looked like a postage stamp. I asked the girl at the snack bar if they had any Valium for people who didn't have the nerve to go back down. :rofl: I got pics, if I can just figure out how to post them...and I bought postcards to send, but forgot to bring your addresses with me! Doh! So those will go out in the mail today.

OK, I'm going to make some tea with honey for my throat. :coffee: Talk to you soon...

Katie

Good Morning Ladies~
 

You ladies have been busy little bees...it is good to see all the posts.

Jana~thank's alot! :) Don't want anymore visits from Auntie Flo! Hope everything goes well tomorrow with Dale's surgery. And enjoy your time with the grandbabies.

Marti~glad you enjoyed Jhanai's program, I bet she was great! Would love to hear her sing. And yes, there is nothing at all wrong with being spoiled. You are lucky to have such a sweet man. I think we all are!

RosieKate~I am telling ya, we did have a busy weekend and I am definitely feeling it today. Not as bad as last night though. Of course too, I forgot to use sunscreen and my neck, feet and head are burnt. Haven't heard of epinions, fill me in please. I think I know. Just don't spend as much time on the 'puter as I used to. Isn't that sad how that works, the Titanic? I have seen the movie a zillion times I swear, and read a few books, and it is just so sad, but I bet the exhibit was cool. I have always been fascinated by it and anytime there is something on about it I will watch it.

Jen~haven't read anything from Robin Cook in a while but do love the books. Have a couple if I ever get around to reading them. I seem to read more in the winter than the summer. I would rather be outside doing something than inside when the weather is nice.

Angie~CONGRAT'S on the house! I hope everything goes through and you get it, when will you know for sure? Have you guys had any offers on your house as of yet? Keeping my fingers :crossed: for ya. Yeah, I have never actually been in or even seen a tornado but they are a little scary.I have been in my share of earthquakes, and they too are scary. I hope I never do see one, a tornado that is. I think they can be worse than earthquakes. There was a woman who was taken out of her mobile home by the one the other night, there was actually about 5 that were cought on video. Two guys, tornado chasers saw a person coming towards them, they said it kind of looked like a zombie, they way she was walking. Of course they didn't know it was a she. When she got closer she was covered in blood from being tossed around in the air. Luckily she lived, she is in the hospital doing fine. But if they hadn't been there she would have been dead, scary stuff.

Susan~I think I have seen that picture you are talking about, I don't think it would be so bad, gloomy. Of course in an office, I don't know. I would want everything bright and cheery, lots of knic knacs and family pictures. Of course I am obsessed with angels, so I would probably do angels if I had my own office space. As it is, our office I put Vince's stuff on the walls, picture of him river rafting in Colorado, his hunting stuff, a big stuffed fish he caught and had mounted :lol:, etc. and just added a few of my little knic knacs, and of course my table and scrapbook stuff. Enjoy your evening, let us know what award Rachel gets.

WELCOME Sugarplum! Glad to have ya aboard.

Hi to everyone else, Katie, Kathy, Kayecee, Rita, Suetalks and anyone else I may have forgotten. :wave: Hope you ladies are fine-we are missing you.

Well, normally I do Wal-Mart on Wednesday, but have decided to take in a show. DD, DS#2 and I are going to go see The Day After Tomorrow. Saw the previews when we saw Man on Fire and it looked good. I'll let ya know. Will make a trip to SAMS when DH gets home. He wants to get a haircut and we need to stock up on a few things. Okay, I best get going and get ready. Didn't mean to write a mini-novel. :) Take care ladies and have a GREAT day!

Well, Hi Miss Katie! I completely forgot you went to Tahoe! Glad you guys had a wonderful time, of course how can you not at Lake Tahoe?! Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, hope you get better soon.

Yeah, I would have loved to go away for a three day weekend...but...I am in such a hurry to get things done around the house, make it all purdy and be done with it. I told Vince after we did the deck, not it feels like home. He laughed and said is that what it took to make it feel like home? Well, no, but when I looked out on to the deck there was nothing, it didn't look good. We stained it, bought some new patio furniture, a big pot of flowers and now it looks finished, it looks like someone lives here. :) To me it is like an extension of the house, which it is, and needs to look nice also. Anyway, we did get a lot done. The only thing we didn't get to was the garage door opener which Vince is going to tackle this evening.

CONGRAT'S to Michael on his graduation! Don't they just grow up too fast?

Well, I really need to get going. Just wanted to say Hi to ya. Guess we were posting about the same time.

Bye ladies :wave: for now...

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da......
 

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on, bra, La-la-la-la-la life goes on!!!

(can you guess which song is stuck in my head at the moments?) :lol:

Only a two more days of school...then three days of finals and I'm finished!! I'm just too happy about that!!

Stopped at the store on my way home today. Had bought some strawberries the other day and wanted to make some shortcake.....now I can. Bought some cottage cheese......light lunch and dinner today. I don't like making a "meal" when it's just me! So I'm saving money by not having to shop too much!! :D

Angie--Congrats on the house!! I hope you get it! I will keep my fingers crossed for you. And I think it's great that you're getting together with friends to walk. I have been talking to two of my friends who moved to the same town and I am and one of them doesn't know the town well. So I told them that we could start walking and make it like a guided tour!!

Jana--How nice to have been able to have a private morning chat with your son. I used to love getting up and talking with my grandma (this is when I lived with her back when I was 18) Always has our coffee and talked about everything. I like to have my moments with Jhanai right now too. She's growing so fast so I want to enjoy every moment with her. This weekend we are going to see a movie...I will let her choose...either Harry Potter or Shrek2....She may want to wait for Harry Potter since this is the opening weekend and it will be crowded!!

Katie--Your trip to Lake Tahoe sounded wonderful!! I envy you!! I miss being there. James and I have talked about his first vacation...(long ways off I know) but we had idea's of places to go...I think I want to add that to the list of possiblilities!! A BIG congrats to your son Michael for making it through school!! It doesn't feel that long ago that we were all graduating does it?...and now our children......(Can we stop time for a little while!!)

Cristi--Enjoy your movie. James and I have talked about going to see "Day after tomorrow" but we just haven't had time yet. I've been watching a lot of movies from the satellite! So far I've seen "Sweet Home Alabama" "Legally Blonde" "Fried Green Tomatoes" "Coal Miners Daughter"....all good movies that I haven't ever seen. I guess I shouldn't be watching so much late night movies...that's why I don't ever want to get up in the morning!! :D

Thank you all for thinking I deserve to be spoiled. I have to say.....I have never been used to being pampered or treated so wonderfully ever. It's nice.

Well if you all could see my dogs right now...You would see that they are dancing around wanting to go out. So I better get going.

May check in later
Marti

Hiya ladies,

Angie - aww you sweetie! Thanks for the card - it made my day.

Katiecat - hope you're feeling better. Your vacation sounded so beautiful and relaxing.... Neal and I will have to put Lake Tahoe on our list of places to visit once he retires.

Cristi - Just give Aunt Flo somebody else's address like I did, lol. How'd you like the movie and who stars in it? Speaking of which...

Marti - Shrek 2 is a MUST SEE movie either now or later. I want to see it again to catch some of the stuff I probably missed the first time around. I've never read or seen any Harry Potter stuff, but my Katie likes all that. She uses words I don't understand, lol.

I got two crock pots ready for tomorrow with roasts, potatoes and carrots. One for my house and one for Mary's. I know she won't want to cook after being at the hospital for who-knows-how-long. And I won't want to either, after being with the 3 musketeers all day, lol.

Be good!
Jana

Hi ladies~

A quickie here...just got back a few minutes ago and I am a little pooped. Luckily SAMS wasn't busy at all so that was good.

Marti~hey, those are some good movies. I have seen them all and liked them all. I love the part in Fried Green Tomatoes where she rams those girls in the parking lot. Of course I like Kathy Bates, she is funny.

Jana~gotta love crockpots! I don't use one a lot during the summer, but love soups and stews in the winter time.

Jen~a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! :hb: :gift: :balloons: Hope your day was a special one.

The movie was okay. I must say the special effects how ever they did them were awesome! I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5. I guess I thought it would be better, not sure why. :shrug: It was kind of weird because it was about the weather and when the storm started it was also storming outside. I didn't think we were supposed to get any bad weather today but as we were leaving the black clouds were moving in. Anywho...have a good-evening all. Almost forgot Jana, Dennis Quaid, Sela Ward, and Jake Gyllenhal (sp??) were the main actors in the movie.

Happy Birthday Jen!!!!!
:hb: :cb: :hat: :gift: :hb: :flow1: :balloons: :cb: :balloons:

Happy Birthday Jen
Have a wonderful day.....
Angie

Katie, congrats on Micheals Graduation! I can't even think about Brandon graduating...
Good to know your trip was wonderful...I am scared of heights too...went to Banff, and did the same thing you did,,,I was even thinking of walking down the mountain I was so scared.
Ya once the Red Wings left I just lost any interest I had in hockey,,,but with our city literally insane with it...hard not to notice,,,its called the Red City...there is 17th ave which is now called the red mile...lots of spray painted Go Flames Go all over...

Jana,,,my mom and I do that,,,go sit out on the deck and relax...talk Its hard with family around all the time, we are the only women in our lil family. Your welcome about the card,,,I had bought them awhile back before Easter...

Cristi, I want to see that movie,,,day after tomorrow,,,plan to sometime soon. I shouldn't talk,,,my area has had alot of touch downs in the last few years,,,getting pretty scary around here too. 5 yrs ago on July 14 we had one touch down in a camp ground...killed alot of people. Really horrible.

Well we have a second viewing from a family who looked today,,,they are wanting to come back tomorrow to look again...the pink house may be mine! Did I mention that? making the guy live in a pink house? Im not going to get excited...relax,,,breath. I will not jinx myself.
Today was another 1 shirt day....lol

I bought Monte a BBQ for fathers day,,,plus a silver suitcase with all the untensils ....he should like that.
Well off to bed I go...night all
oh ya I did finally finish the Erica Spindler book,,Fortune...awesome...I give it 4.5 out of 5 eggs on the 3FC rating....lol should say egg whites...healthier...ha ha ha
Angie

Jen, so sorry I spaced out on your B-day.... go get the wet noodle from Susan.... I can take it, lol.

Hi y'all :coffee: I'm enjoying my coffee before I take off onanother busy day. DH is off today to squeeze in some doctor appointments, so somehow that translates into more errand running (?) One of life's big mysteries :dizzy:

Other than that, the weather's been great, so I've been hanging lots of laundry and working out in the yard. We've declared war on the buttercups in the back yard. I've been pulling and pulling, and hubby is getting out chemical warfare today.

Jen- Happy Birthday (late) Sorry I missed the big day - hope it was a good one. I read Coma when I was 15 - it was so good, scared the you-know-what outta me!

Angie - hope you get your house sold soon - Keeping my fingers crossed for you - Our 3FC mantra should me "Think Pink" all day today to send house selling vibes your way.


Marti - I put One Minute Millionaire on hold at the library. Sounds like a pretty quick read -what an interesting story. I'm a blackbelt tightwad - I look at it as paying my salary as a stay at home mom - so I like reading stuff about financial management as I'm kind of where the bucks stops in this house. Hey, I just saw Under the Tuscan Sun w/ Diane Lane and I give it a thumbs up! If you liked the movies you mentioned on satellite, then you would like this movie. I told DH "Be nice to me, man, or I'm picking up and moving to Tuscany" ;) I'm finishing up the book which is also good. The story has pretty much nothing to do with the movie, but is still pretty good, IMO

I can't remember who was asking about epinions - anyway epinions.com is a site where you can look up something you are thinking of buying and see what people's opinions are of the product. I bought a folding stepper after checking it out through epinions. You can also do the same through Amazon, as they are selling lots of stuff these days, not just books. When we bought our cell phone, I checked out amazon and epinions for customer feedback and it was very helpful as phone plans are very confusing.

Hope everyone has a great day
RosieKate

Good Morning~
 

I'm back again! :lol: Thought I would take a quick peek to see if anyone has posted before I get off for the rest of the day. Was looking up a few things.

Where is everyone today? :shrug: Hmmm, I must have scared everyone away. Okay, I am going now so you all can post! ;) Have a good one.

Hello I'm home!!

Just got back from school, had to go meet with my advisor and then pick up some feeder fish for our eel......now I'm finished running around. It is very nice out today and I'm so glad since Jhanai and her dad left for her overnight field trip!!

RosieKate--I just gave that book away!! I could have sent to you!! When you read it.....the pages that are outlined in purple is the story...the other half is how to manage.....(I think anyway since I didn't read that half!) Tell me what you think.

Cristi--You check in for the last time today? It's not even noon yet! Ok..for us west coasters anyway!

Jana--I too forgot to ask about Dale....hope he's doing fine. I'm sure he's doing so much better getting into this knowing that he doesn't have Cancer.

Angie--I agree with RosieKate.....Thinking Pink!! Sending good luck your way!!

Ok..this is a quick one for now, I have to figure out some homework that is due by 2:00....if it's not done...oh well!

BBL
Marti

Hiya! Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. You guys are so great. I've only been here for what, 3 days? Like I said before, I picked the best group!

Yesterday wasn't all that out of the ordinary. I went out to dinner last weekend with my BF. He also gave me my gift then. But since I'm on call for work this week, until Monday morning, I hate to do to much, I'm sure to be interrupted with a page. The best part of my birthday, I moved into my own office. It is very small, but all mine. I did take myself to Panera Bread last night for some take-out. I had the Strawberry Poppyseed salad (boy was that good) and vegetable soup, all for about 350 calories. And I stopped at that darn ice cream parlor and got some frozen yogurt (195cal) so that sure beats a piece of cake! But the soup must have made me retain some serious water, up 2 lbs today. NO SOUP FOR YOU! (soup **** flash back!)

I took my dog for a short walk this evening, but that sun sure was warm. She must've been cooking. I guess I will have to start walking her in the morning before work from now on, until fall.

Jen

Makenzie and Madison picking cherries....


(This picture has been edited out by Jana)


Sorry the pics have been so huge, but I don't know how to resize them! Be back later with individuals.

Jana

Hiya ladies,

RosieKate - would your buttercups be the same as dandelions? We had to battle those like crazy this year... they were running rampant all over the countryside. I don't remember ever seeing such a massive amount of them and commented to Neal that since the cicadas are supposed to be in the billions, maybe they feed on those, lol.

Cristi - you're gonna be all tan when we meet and I'm gonna be all pale! Not much more than a month now...yippee! Btw, I took your lead for having a new signature.... what do you think? Does it look okay? I really like yours.

Marti - ohmygwad... did you say an eel.... as in a long slimy snake-type fish?? ((shiver!!)) Is it a pet or what??? Just don't put it on a taco. :lol3: (For those of you who missed it, Marti eats fish tacos.)

Jen - YAY for the new office. :cp: Must be nice to be away from Ms Doom, lol. I do remember the soup **** on Seinfeld. That episode was hilarious!

Dale's surgery was today and all went well. The doc told Mary that he (Dale) has a lot of arthritis in his clavical that will be a problem later. But at least the surgery is over.

Neal and I had a ball with the kids today. (See above photo :D) They also picked some strawberries and the first ripe tomato of the season. I just love all this fresh, healthy food.

Chat at ya tomorrow!