Hey chickies..

Red - I really like that a lot. Bird by bird. :D I've learned too that even when I backslide like I have for the last couple months, I'm moving forward because I'm learning. I haven't stopped trying, I haven't given up, I haven't "failed." I can always keep learning, even if it's what NOT to do. As long as I am learning, I will make progress. I think it was the years and years of mindlessness when it came to eating that got me where I am. I make choices now. They may not be good ones, but they are mine, and I accept that. And I know the consequences. I don't beat myself up over it, because I know I haven't quit. I do know myself well enough to know there are going to be times when I only have so much focus to go around, and something will have to give. Now that things are getting so much less intense around here, I can start putting more time and focus into the working out and what I'm eating again. I do hope that at some point it won't take as much focus and thought to stay OP, but I'm fighting 43 years of bad programming, it might take a little while! :lol:

Happy - I'm so sorry about the infection! Does the dentist have any idea what might be causing them? I agree with you on the canned soups. *nasty face* I make a couple soups of my own which are great, I think Jolly's idea of making your own is a great one! I should start doing more of that. You know you won't get any argument from me about which is more important, laundry or mom time.

Jolly - I think it's great you're doing as well as you are considering the schedule disruptions and the worry over Chance. Hopefully very soon things will ease up for you, too.

I did not get on the treadmill this morning. The little headphones don't work, they only receive sound on one side and if anything in the world irritates the poo out of me, that's it. I'm going to pick up new headphones at Walmart tonight and tomorrow I will do my workout. At least I tried, I guess that some really small, rationalized, puny step in the right direction. ;) Today's food is good so far, though. No more junk from the vending machine, no more ice cream stops, I need to get back to eating right. I know I'll feel SO much better.

:wave:

Hello all.

A little MIA here from the weekend, but I have been dealing with lots of house stress issues! I’m going to be so glad when our fence and landscaping is done! Downside is that it won’t be until next year. Ugh, the trials and tribulations of new construction! I guess the good news is that it frees up more money to finish the basement flooring and purchase more artwork for the house. Always a bright side, even if it seems a bit dull.

I’m not down my 5 pounds yet, but I think I can scrape out a 1 or 2 pound loss this week. Stress has been a booger for me this week. Haven’t eaten badly, just not enough food and that is always an issue when dieting. Plus, the wisdom teeth are still bothering me, so soft food is also an issue. Blah blah blah…

Jolly: Hey, at least you didn’t gain this week! That’s something for as bad as you thought you were going to do. Glad Chance is feeling better. Keep Bat as long as you need him. I’m not feeling too violent these days….

Red: That was nice what you wrote. I was going to tell you that when I said I was racing with the other woman, I was kinda being sarcastic. You probably can get that from me reading my prior posts. I am a bit of a smarta**! My race is with myself and my aggressive goals. Although, if I don’t meet them, I am not upset, because I’m down about 50 pounds already from this time last year. I only have downward to go, and even if it’s .5 pounds a week, it’s still in that direction and I am happy! Good luck on getting to your 68!

Happy: Sounds like you had a nice time with your mom. I want to get more sleep this week also! Sorry to hear you are also having teeth issues! Sometimes I just have to wonder if dentures are the way to go? Heehee. I have about 20 more years before thinking about that!

Raven: Glad Artemis is in the new home. I am keeping my fingers crossed you will find cheap headphones and be able to get back OP with your treadmill. Remember, be one with the treadmill….c’mon, chant with me! Are you so excited about the new home for your horsies? I am so happy that happened for you! Girl, you schedule exhausts me! I’ll be glad when you can cut out some time from the horsie commute!

Okay, not much else going on here. Weigh in tomorrow, but I really am okay with whatever the scale says. I’m really noticing the inches going away, and my clothes are getting bigger again. Heck, a girl might have to go shopping….who, me? Nah! OF COURSE!

Have a great day!

Chach

Hey all. Good morning. I have been lurking, and listening to what you all tell me. And absorbing the kicks. Keep them coming. I realized I need to do some soul searching, as things get a bit crazy in my life. Ah well. When you stop learning, you are dead.

It is so good to have you all to talk to. It helps keep things in perspective. So, send some more fresh water my way. I will work on remembering that extra portions and junk food are not my friends. And just take one bird at a time ;)

Mornin' Chickies -

Splash, splash Jolly - catch some and drink it up cuz water's good for you :lol: Ah, if only we could reprogram our brains to run like the wind, barely eat and be so curious of the world about us that eating seems like an annoying interference with so many other distractions to tackle. I look at the 3 year old next door and other toddlers with such amazement. Not only do they have endless energy - of course their day consists of doing nothing but playing, but because everything is interesting, they have no concept of using food to cope with the world around them.

Red, I loved what you wrote in your last post. Thanks for the continuing flow of inspiration... :idea:

Yesterday I not only got a tooth pulled in the morning, but also had an eye doctor appt in the afternoon. I hate getting my eyes dilated - takes until the next day for them to clear up. Bad news is that I'm old and my vision will suck - no amount of Lasik will clear it up which is good because I'm terrified at the idea of eye surgery so if it's not an option, I don't have to consider it. I guess I'll just have to deal with having to check my legs twice when I shave them to make sure I didn't miss a spot since I can't wear my glasses in the shower :lol: Good news is that my eyes are very, very healthy. Mom has macular degeneration and I sure don't want to go down that road.

So we just plod along and do the very best we can, don't we? Gotta run now, lots to do at work today. Have a good one chickies, fight the good fight...

Hey Jolly, splashing some water you way. With Happy, you should be feeling quite drenched! Or at least have enough for your birdbath!

The fair was fun last night. Rode so many rides and had so much fun with hubby and son and friends. Dropped a bit of money, but we aren't sure if we will be able to go to the state fair as it's going to be a week after my surgery. Can I just say that I was wearing a pair of Levi jeans shorts that I haven't worn in over 8 years and I fit quite nicely into the rides? Oh, the feeling was amazing. I am an adrenaline junky, so to know my body is fitting so much better in the rides is great! Watch out coasters, here I come next year at Disneyland!!

Happy: I so agreed with your last paragraph. We do need to keep fighting the good fight and do the best we can. Your shaving story had me rolling! Heck, I don't have an eyesight problem and still manage to miss a couple of strips on my legs. I tried that new Veet stuff, and LOVE IT!! You might want to try it if you don't have sensitive skin.

Alright, weigh in tonight for me. Should be a good one. Not a great one, but a good one! I'll take any loss!!!

Take care and talk to you all later!

Chach

Hi everyone.

Just popping in real quick to say hi and :grouphug:

Raven, I am so excited for you to be able to move the horses.

Happy, hope your mouth and eyes feel better.

Chachee, that is so great about the rides. Hope the weigh in goes great.

Jolly keep on going with the water, and like you said, junk food is not our friends.

Red, I hope you get to have a little break and take time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Sassy if your still out there, pop in and say hello.

Hippy I hope you are having a great vacation.

Well the little guy is finally over his chicken pox / mumps. He is still on large doses of iron to bring up his immune system. Great to have him back to his happy self. Kristi's 15 today. Took her out for supper to Pizza Hut. Had a good time. Cody and her both dyed their hair black, so I have been trying not to stare and laugh at them too hard.

Must run and will try not to let it be so long before I post again, although I do read what everyone has to say, I tend to run out of time before I can post.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday.

Hi all. Good to hear from everyone, and thanks for the water. I need to keep pushing out the old water :) Well, I went out to eat with a staff today to a Chinese buffet. I hadn't planned for it, either the calories or the money. so, tomorrow night, I will eat at home, instead of going out as planned. I wasn't going out with anyone, so it is not a huge sacrifice, just a rescheduling. I also had a very light supper to try and balance out some of the calories. I am doing third shifts tonight and tomorrow, and think I did a pretty good job of planning for that too, so I wasn't tempted by tons of junk to stay awake. And staying awake is an issue. I went to bed around 7, so I could get a nap in before work. Got to work, and found out that the tornado sirens went off 4 times between 8:30 and 10:30. My apartment could have ended up on top of a witch in Oz, and I wouldn't have known.

Happy, glad you got the tooth pulled, and hope they can figure out why you keep getting the infections. I hope you feel better soon. I am actually checking out the laser surgery myself. Scares the crap out of me, but I hate not being able to see. Chachee, can't wait to hear how weigh in went. Let me know if you need Bat - but right now he is a big help for me. Lucky, glad your son is better, and good to hear from you. hope to hear more.

RAven, REd, Hippee, everyone - hope to hear more later. Have a wonderful day. One bird at a time.

Tweet friggin Tweet Chickadee´s!! i´ve missed you cheeps, errr heaps! ~laughing at her own punny~ i know that was awful....... but you know how i am when you toss me a word-play bone, and that was to easy Not to peck at ~cringes and thinks ooooooo its getting worse. sings softly~ give the girl a bone, this ol sassy comes rolling hommmmmmmmmmmmme....... here comes the bestest part........ i am not Rolling!!!! i have maintained a loss from the last time i posted. NO GAINAGE <~~ can you tell i am a little relieved here??!! ~laughing~

took the last of my guests to the airport yesterday. and as much as i love those *Peeps* (( last one........ we hope ~grinz n winks~)) it will be good to get reaquainted with my house again. i will post more tomorrow, just checking in on the Roost keep up the good work tweeties!!!!

sincerely,
sassy

p.s.

the above post was written by a severly tired and slaphappy woman

We had a really harsh storm last night, which derailed any thoughts of getting out to the stables. This morning I found out just how harsh the system had been when I found out a good friend of mine in N. Florida lost three horses during the night to a lightning strike. It's really hurting me on so many levels. For her, for her family, for the other 3 horses she has, and because it touches on one of my deepest fears for my own horses. I feel sick to my stomach. I can't even really imagine the hearbreak she's going through right now. One of the horses was Velvet, her first horse - she'd had her since she was 14. The same age my daughter was when we got Shadow.

So not a happy morning. But it does serve to make me appreciate each day I have the ones I love, be they 2 or 4 legged.

Hello Ladies!

Weigh in went well last night. Down another 2.2 to 222.2, and 32.8 lost. I think all the 2's from last night were a message from the big man upstairs. I remembered that when I first started this I just wanted 2 pounds a week. Well, I've been a little greedy this last while, and I think that was my reality check. Plus, I am not going to be in competition (in my own mind) with anyone else there. I was trying to "catch" the other lady who joined after me and was 5 pounds more lost. Well, lesson learned, because she lost 6 this week and got her 40 pound star. So, I got hit with a couple of messages and I am going to listen to them.

Having said that, my new goals until the end of the year are:

1. Lose 2 pounds a week.
2. Maintain on TOM weeks.

Yep, that is it. If I follow that, it would be an average of 6 pounds a month lost. It's slow, but I know it's attainable. Anything over the 6 a month is just a bonus.

Sassy: :D :D :D :D :D :D :D So glad to see my Sassygirl! I know you are busy, but please come back soon. We have all missed you. Just because you have a hubby now doesn't mean you can go away and leave your chickies!! Congrats on your maintain!

Lucky: Black hair, huh? What color was it before? Teenagers, huh? Is she doing any better? I know awhile back you were have some struggles with her. Glad to see your face around here also!

Jolly: Go ahead and keep Bat. I probably won't need him for awhile. He enjoys your crazy weather anyway! Boy, we should look at getting him frequent flier miles and then we could use them! :lol: :lol: :lol: People are probably really confused when they read about him, huh?

Raven: So sorry to hear about your friend and her horses. What devastating news. I know this had to have hit you hard. We're here for you if you need us! I know exactly what you mean about appreciating our loves ones more!

Alright, we are volunteering at the Air Show up here this weekend. Then, my friend who goes to WW with me has her bday on Sunday. I'm treating us to pedicures and lunch. Ah, relaxation! Just two girls having their nails done and a leg massage. Oh, sweet nectar of the gods! :dizzy: Hope they don't tickle my tootsies!

New week TOM, so I hope to maintain. Although, I could have them clip my nails really short and that would knock of .002 pounds, right??? Hmmm... :p

Have a great day!

Chach

Heh Raven, I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's loss. What a tragedy. There's nothing much I can say, I'm sure, to help you through this heartbreak. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Raven, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor friend. Good heaven, 3 horses all at once? How does something like that happen? That is just so very sad... and as you said, sometimes these things are a tragic reminder to make the most of every day and not take anything for granted... ever. :grouphug:

Chachee, congrats on the week's weigh in. I think you are very wise to stick with the slow and steady wins the race philosophy. How many times (too many actually) have I read about people who messed themselves up trying for too much too fast when if they had just stuck to a goal of 1 or 2 pounds consistently each week, that would be 50 - 100 pounds in a year's time. A year does go by quickly - look almost 1/2 of 2004 is over already. I've been telling myself too that just go for a pound a week. Steady progress, no getting all twisted in my knickers and off kilter. You are doing great, a real inspiration. Enjoy your day with your friend - sounds like such a wonderful day!

Hello new bridey Sassy. Great to hear from you again. So you mean you've been busy with wedding guests and not just out of touch because you've been rolling in the grass with the new Mr. Sassy :o :o :o :o :lol: :lol: :lol: Welcome back!

Lucky, at some time didn't we all want black hair? Tell me tho that your kids aren't doing it because they are following the "goth" trend - shades of Morticia Adams :lol: I suppose as a parent you just have to roll your eyes, bite your tongue and remember what you were like at their age trying to "do your own thing". It's gotta be tough.

Jolly, watch yourself at night - not sure but you are getting some doozers of storms up your way. It was dry here the night before but the lightning we could see up your way was something else. Tornado season seems awfully active up your way this year.

I was told by the eye doctor that my eyes are bone dry - a hazard of 14 to 16 hour days in front of the computer and not enough blinking. You should see me trying to get eye drops in my eye. I've missed a few times and lubricated my nose instead :lol: - obituary reads - goof that she is... she accidently drowned herself with her eye drops as she could not see where she was aiming. :yikes: Anyhow, I have been trying to not spend so much time in front of the computer. Was standing outside for a bit today enjoying the weather and I thought, you had better get outside more often each day, before you know it, the leaves will be turning and you'll be mourning the quick passing of another summer. It will be a perfect camping weekend - I kind of hinted to the husband but we have so many things that need to be done around here, especially since I was gone last weekend too.
Oh well.... sigh... :kickcan: :kickcan: :kickcan:

Oh Happy, your "obituary" made me laugh. You are too funny. Sassy, welcome back. Raven, go give all of your family a big hug. Red, how are things going for you? Chachee, way to go. I will keep Bat for awhile, if you don't mind.

I am so proud. My dogs have been taking such good care of me. My girl, May, is very routine oriented, especially when it comes to the all important FOOD. But she has been letting me sleep, not moving, not waking me up as I deal with third shift. Justin has been good too, but I swear he is channeling a 60's dope smoking hippee. He is much more laid back about such things. I actually feel human right now, except I also have the dry eye thing going on.

I don't have a whole lot else to report tonight. I am still working out regularly. Though, I have to admit, have been struggling with the weights. I have had to really talk myself into getting to the gym, so often don't have time to do the weights. I will try again tomorrow. Oh wait, that is today. Anyway. This is my last third shift, so I don't have to get home to bed. I am a firm believer that a body in motion stays in motion, and a body at rest stays at rest. So I try to get everything done I need to or can before going to sleep. I just don't have a lot of luck sleeping after a third shift, then tryign to wake up and be productive.

So anyway. Have a great day all, and talk to you later.

Hi Ladies,

Happy: Okay, so we have the eye drop thing in common. I actually "duck" sometimes when I see the drop coming my way. I hate messing with eye stuff. That was funny about your obit, though! I agree with you on the short Summer stuff. That totally holds true up here in Alaska. Short short Summers.

Jolly: I haven't been too good with my weights, either. Only one day so far this week. I gotta do my three times a week. I cut out my lunges, as it messed up my knee a bit and I like squats better anyway!

Okay, busy weekend for me. Probably won't be back until Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Chach

Two seasons in Alaska (take your pick here)

This winter and last winter.
(or)
Winter and construction season.

:lol3:

I'm still frazzled. I spent 4 hours on the phone with Beverly last night listening to her talk about her horses... not that I begrudge that time at all, I can only imagine the pain of losing three of my best friends at one time. And since I start to bawl if I even *think* about it, I try very hard not to. Think about it, that is. :tired: So dinner was very late, but healthy... lack of sleep, haven't gotten to the other Walmart to check for headphones, not sure if I'll have the money to spend on them anyway because of moving the horses. Which brings me to my ongoing anxiety about the move. *sigh* It's been raining and storming pretty much all week here. Bad thunderstorms, flood watches, blah blah blah. I.E. no horse time. *grump* And my bearded dragon is looking very, very boney and not good at all. He's only about 9 years old, so he's still young. I've had to start force feeding him crickets... which is messy and gross. ;) Anything for my lizard boy. I'm rambling. I'm not focused, I'm tired. I'll be really fine once we get the horses moved and they're safe in their new home.

Lucky - My daughter is growing out her hair from the black phase. It hangs down to her butt, and half of it is dark blonde, the other half is black. Looks like of cool, actually. <g>

Sassy - Good to hear you survived it all, and hopefully the dust will settle for you now.

Red - Thank you. I know it will take quite a while for Beverly to be ok with it, but I know she'll cope. Strong chickie, and as much as it hurts, she still has the other three horses plus her two children to focus on. That will help.

Happy - :lol: Thank you for the laugh. I'm blessed with being able to pretty much touch my eyeball, put drops in, or whatever without flinching. I'm a natural for contacts if I'd ever get in gear and go get my eyes examined. I wore them for a long time till my astigmatism got too bad, and that was way back when they didn't have soft contacts for astigmatism, so I just went back to glasses. Couldn't stand the hard or gas permeables. *scratch scratch* I think we all just need more hours in a day. That way you could get your stuff done AND go camping. *phwee*

TGIF!

the madness of it all. . . .
 

Hello people. Sorry to be silent. Things have just been insane with me again and I've lost my bearings. It seems like recently I seem to be able to walk the straight and narrow and then, bang!, suddenly I derail and everything flies off the track, crash, burn, utter wreckage.

Life seems insane. ****, it is insane. It doesn't help things to have the horrors of the world flung in my face constantly at work either. Not only the insanities of my workplace itself, the lack of management etc. etc., but the world, with the stories of all the carnage that is going on out there coming in every day. Since I'm on the foreign news desk we get the constant flow of reports from all the wire services of all the horrors. The pictures come in too and I can't take the killings, the beheadings, the disasters, the perversion. You would not believe the amount of stuff that comes in and is never really out there in the news. The news on TV is just a tiny bit of what you see at the office. It becomes matter-of-fact, but it's not matter-of-fact. It's like a horror movie but it's not make-believe. It seems that every day there is more unbelievable stuff going on out there. I suppose it's what happens to people working in hospital emergency rooms. They often say the highest incidence of alcoholics is police officers, doctors and journalist. I always thought it was the irregular hours, the deadlines, the stress of the work itself but now I'm thinking, maybe it's just the horror of the news, of the things in front of them that works on their psyches so they seek escape through an alcoholic numbing. Well, there are a lot of heavy drinkers and alkies around me but I'm not going to become one of them (though I had another drink till morning night out on Tuesday).

Anyhow, that's why I guess I find it so hard to stay on track, with my little world, my little wishes to lose weight, to eat healthily, to exercise. But maybe that's the microcosm of sanity I must cling to amidst the chaos, no? I often wonder why the good things happening in the world don't get written about. Why is it only the bad? I suppose if I didn't feel the insanity that would be the moment when I had actually become so myself. To still feel it is to be healthy.

Yes, well, I say I derail, but more and more it's kept more in bounds. Yesterday, though I had sugar I didn't then make a giant run of it or binge. Nothing of the sort. I actually stayed fairly within reason, finishing off the day with a giant bowl of watermelon and a bagel, strange mix, but two of my favorites. The exercise has gone the way of the wind, however, but even that, I'll get back. It's not like I do nothing. I have ridden once and I do walk a lot.

And you know, I've been using that bird by bird thing a lot when things overwhelm me. And they sure are now.

Well, I'll be back and writing to you all individually. This is Saturday and I have to go into the office again and we are so busy it's not funny.

The other source of major stress is my room, which is filthy. I'm never home to clean and when I am home it's the last thing I want to do. I've never been good about cleaning, would rather polish my riding boots and make my horse shine then do anything like housework!! I need to just have some downtime. Bit by bit, bird by bird. I'm going to make a chart and whenever I do anything to make this room more livable I'm going to write it down on there. Why is balance such a hard thing? I suppose it's because I live by extremes.

Well, Raven, I just wanted to say that four hours on the phone with your friend is really so sweet of you. That's what she needed to be sure. I do hope her other horses ease the pain.

Well, gotta go. Keep me sane people. I love hearing about all your goings-on and your humor is the best!

Ciao tutti.

Whoa, something's really spooky about this site... Red, the only way I can see your post is to use the Advanced Posting option. Just looking at the thread the regular way, the last post I see is Raven's.

Anyhow girl, please stop a minute and take a few cleansing deep breaths. While I can certainly relate to the crash and burn scenario and the difficulty of staying on the wagon (sometimes it feels more like the sin wagon than the path to righteousness... but I digress).

When you talk about the hazards of your line of work - constant exposure to the bad sides of life, I think more than the rest of us, you need some pleasant diversions. Things to make you realize that the world is not completely full of sucky, selfish, animalistic, :censored: :censored: :censored: 's - yah know? I know how get riled up sometimes with the things I happen upon, can't imagine how I'd deal with it daily as you do. Sometimes it makes you wonder if judgement day is just around the corner? Can it get any worse? Funny I was just talking about that with my mom last night. You have to wonder just how much further things can go in the toilet before they implode.

And yes, you are correct in your statement that you must cling to your routine, your patterns, your little microcosm of sanity and control. Because after all, is not the bad stuff mainly things out of control and outside of the boundaries of acceptability? Why do we only hear about the bad? Because - that's the stuff that makes the news. Human nature being what it is, we'll peek at a car wreck, even if we can't stare at it but we hardly notice the cars whizzing past us everyday in regular life. Raven rescuing 2 horses from being put down does not make news. Coming across a stable where the horses were abused, neglected and starving does make the news. :dunno: But as you know, it doesn't mean we're all evil and mean - you just have to look a little farther to uncover the good stuff. Girl, I do think you need a bit more derailing - we call it venting and it's good for the soul. Don't bottle it up. When you have these bad days, may I suggest an exercise? I got it from the Oprah show so don't shower me with eggs and tomatoes but I swear it works. It's called a joy journal. Before you go to sleep at night, put a favorite mellow song on the stereo and write down 3 - 5 things that made you glad you woke up that day. 3 things to celebrate life. They don't have to be big things - maybe your pants fit nice, it was a especially pretty sunrise/sunset, you made someone smile today, or a thought popped into your head from a time long ago and made you wistfully smile. I know this sounds so hokey, and sometimes you really have to think HARD to come up with 3 things, but I swear it turns your thinking around and puts you in a better frame of mind. And remember, sometimes just taking a good poop is a reason to feel good - makes you feel light and free doesn't it? :devil: I don't do this every night but when I sometimes get down on myself, I do this for a few nights standing (journalling, not pooping). We are kind, decent and good people - yah know? (and if we don't poop enough, that's how we wind up as real crappy people) :lol:

As for your messy room - I know that feeling too. My sister told me about a website called www.flylady.net over a year ago. You can look at it if you want but the jist of it is that 1) you need to get rid of the clutter in your life. Only keep the stuff that you love because "stuff" needs time and attention. The other main point is that you get overwhelmed taking on a task - it will take 4 days to clean my apartment!!!! So her point is that you break things down and do them in 15 minute increments. And you develop a few basic routines to keep things tidy. That too works for me. Let's say your desk has 3 months of mail, papers, things you intend to get to some day as well as who knows what on there. Set your timer for 15 minutes and start on the desk - separate into keep, toss, give away. And immediately file it if your going to keep it, trash it if it's not needed (no digging it back later). The only pile you can keep is the give aways and that you scoop up with you tomorrow as you head out the door. When the timer goes off after 15 minutes, you walk away from the desk and go do something else. The theory is that you can do anything for 15 minutes and having a set time limit keeps you from being overwhelmed. It's the old "how do you eat an elephant" theory - bite by bite. I swear, each night I do 2 15 minute sessions, clean the bathroom, clear the counter, do a load of laundry and it does help me stay on top of things. I'm not a neat freak but clutter does cause stress eventually - just another demand on an already too demanding day, right? So you have to break it down to manageable chunks.

You need a nice tub soak, a scented candle, a glass of wine and some relaxing music. Oh but wait, you're in Japan and baths are different there, aren't they? Well ... maybe you don't soak in a bubble bath but you do have tub soaks. Or maybe just a nice ride in the fields on your horse - no disciplined dressage lesson, just feeling the wind in your hair, being one with the horse and enjoying the sheer sense of flying that running on 2 legs alone will never get you.

I expect, demand, and will be sorely disappointed in you missy if you don't report back to us by the end of Sunday one 15 minute session that you did for just the sheer enjoyment of it. No guilt either.

Well, I didn't intend to ignore everyone else but it's almost 1am in my part of town and I have to get up early tomorrow, so I'll catch up with you later peeps.

Everyone try to enjoy a little bit of the weekend, ok?

And in response to your ciao tutti, well I just have to say ....

A wop bop a loo bop a lop bam bam boom
Tutti frutti, oh rutti, tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti, tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
A wop bop a loo bop a lop bam bam boom ... courtesy of Mr. James Brown, the self proclaimed hardest working man in show business

Hey all. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Red, I hope you take some time to do something nice for yourself. Happy, I hope your mouth is doing better. Raven, where are you???

I need to ramble a bit. I was driving home from my friend's baby shower tonight, and thought about the importance of choosing to be in the right place at the right time. I was craving chocolate ( a combination of lack of sleep, worry over the pony, and pms). So, I decided to stop and get gas, and a bag of M&Ms. Now, I did not need gas. I was not about to run out on the way home. But I was choosing to make it easier for myself to get junk food? This is nuts. Earlier today, I "decided" I needed a little something something to tide me over until the baby shower. Now, I had food at home. Could have grabbed fruit, yogurt, a v8. But instead, I decided to go pick up some cheese to replace the moldy stuff I got when I went shopping Thursday, and then see what looked good. Again, placing myself in the path of junk. I grabbed some taco dip, then grabbed a half gallon of ice cream, because it was on sale. As I was heading to checkout, a little voice inside my head was saying "putitbackputitbackputitback." So I did. A mini save. On the one hand, I put myself in places that make it easier to get the bad food I crave, even find excuses to get there. On the other hand, I want a better social life, but refuse to put myself in places where it could happen. Hmmm.

Why do I do this to myself? Why do any of us accept less than the best for ourselves? Not take care of ourselves?

I want to take better care of myself, and to value myself.

Have a good one all.

inching ahead. . .
 

Am running to do things here, for me! first today and then work tonight. Happy, I just wanted to say, thank you so, so very much for your words. They were such a help yesterday when I was feeling so down and overwhelmed. And I have checked out the Flylady and love it! It is giving me the courage to face this mess of a room as well and I know that will have a big impact on the rest of my life. The Flylady is like a 3fatchicks for the housecleaning challenged! It makes me feel like less of a loser about this part of me. I am trying to clean my sink, went out and bought all the necessary stuff but can't find the stopper to stop it up. Will keep looking and/or buy one if I can find one. I want my sink to shine, because, yes, as she says, I know it'll give me a sense of accomplishment and, more importantly, hope!

Thank you so much! I will write more later.

And jolly, that was no "mini save" when you put the ice cream back. That was a very major save!! I think it takes far more to make a late save like that than a more preventive one. That was like spine tingling stuff, a save when doom hung thick. Good for you. Wollop yourself on the back! Very interesting insights into the "putting yourself in the path of temptation" behavior. Yes, I do the same. And yes, why doesn't it work the other way? putting ourselves in the path of our dreams. Let's reflect on that and, damn it, DO something about it!

"Put ourselves in the path of our dreams." I like that. You are right, Red, why do we seem to run screaming from our dreams, instead of the other way around? I wish I knew.

Well, no save yesterday. I am so stressed out about the horse, and using that as an excuse to not care about anything else. I got chips, dip, and M&Ms yesterday, as well as pizza, chef salad, and a baguette. Does this sound like a healthy day's worth of eating for anything smaller than a sumo wrestler???? At the end of the day, I did manage to throw out what little junk food I hadn't already consumed, but still. I realize that I need to commit to myself everyday. To bringing out my best self, every day. So that is what I am doing.

Have a good day all.

Right now about the best I can commit to is not tearing out my hair or crawling under the bed and hiding.

On the upside, I was able to go out and get some protective leg gear for the horses so they won't gash themselves on the move. Less worry on that.

The rain is incessant. I think it's monsoon season. In so many ways it is making me crazy.

Thursday evening we move the horses. Here are some pics of the new place. The outside arena is fenced in now, but hasn't got the sand in it yet. The barn has the insulation panels up, but the rain is really hindering progress. There are pictures of his minis, and of Starla the potbellied pig, and of the all important roundpen!! Once I get the horses over there I'll take some pics of them.

I'll be ok. I will. Yep. :yes: :yikes:

Whew! Are we all "hitting the wall" in one way or another? I certainly have not had a good week/weekend, as far as eating has been concerned. I have been eating everything bad for me not nailed down. I realized this morning why, because it's TOM, but dang, what a piggie I've been!

I will probably use my "no weigh pass" this week at WW and chalk it up to pms. Ugh!

I have a great success to share, though. Went shopping for more work clothes that are cooler. I was able to get them out of the "regular" section in XL's, not the plus size section. I was very happy about that.

Had a nice pedicure yesterday and did a bunch of errands. I am getting ready to have a garage sale this weekend and hopefully make some money to use for the landscaping.

I don't have time to respond individually, but since we are all in the same place right now, we can "inch" along together, huh?

Okay, have a great Monday.

Chach

Checking in here before I shower and head to the gym. Isn't it usually the other way around? Nah, just in from riding, have been working on the computer as I reek of dogs and horses and a lot of sweat. Heavenly, at least the horse part! Not much action around here. Where is everyone. Is it a long weekend in the States or something?

I've been doing OK for the past few days I think. Gotta get tougher with the eating though. I don't count calories and then wonder when I don't see the fat melting off. Still, I've been off the sugar, which is always a good thing.

A thought that keeps slipping in recently, "Make each day your masterpiece." I'd read it somewhere and though it may sound ambitious I don't mean it like that. It's more, take hold of the day and make use of it. It's precious. I'm trying to do that. Not thinking of things as things I HAVE to do but as opportunities, chances to move me closer to my dreams. And, unbelievably, I have been somehow able to think more of my dreams recently. They seem like little ones, getting the look I want, being able to wear the kinds of clothes that express my personality, something of what is within. To me, to be able to do that would be so wonderful. It would make me feel so together, so confident, so powerful.

And I've been thinking of that and then trying to use each day to move me toward that. I'm hoping it's going to keep working, this resolve I feel.

Jolly, yes, putting ourselves in the path of dreams does sound pretty damn good. Why do we run screaming from our dreams, or at least, run trembling from them? Fear I'd say is probably the motivator. Fear that arises from many things, disappointment being a big one for me. Past disappointments, expectations that didn't pan out. Yes, I can see the staying stuck in the rut -- of my fat, my slobbish clothes, my unbelievably cluttered room -- staying stuck has perhaps been what I've used as a buffer against more disappointment. So yes, fear. What is it for you? Why do you run from your dreams, jolly?

Raven, hang in there! You can do this. Just get to the other side. Great pix. Love the pig. Sending you energy waves!

Chachee, you wanton woman! Eating everything that wasn't nailed down. What is a "no weight pass?" How often can you use one? Great going on graduating the plus size section. I bet that felt great.

Yes, let's keep it up, inching along in our own ways, with an occasional sprint thrown in, OK?

Right, gotta run. Take care all. Rest of you, come on down!!!

:coffee: Mornin' everyone.

The weekends seem to get away from me - so much to do and I always feel that I am behind in everything. **big sigh ** Speaking of long weekends Red, this one coming up is a long one for us with the 4th of July Independence Day weekend upon us. To me that's a measure that summer's half over tho that's not really the case. A sort of kick in the rear to get out and enjoy the nice weather before you blink and winter is upon us again.

And 4th of July also means BBQs and parties.

I am really trying well maybe not REALLY trying to get back in gear. What it is is that I'm making tiny steps and I need to take bigger, disciplined strides but I am fighting my stubborn, inner self. I am exercising, stretching, moving, drinking water and eating - better than slacking off but not at the intensity to see results. Then I get annoyed with myself and I call myself a lazy cow. It's time to get back into the planning and execution - don't THINK about it, just DO it mode of thinking. I'm starting to believe that one of the great mysteries of life is why it's so hard to get back on the :censored: wagon again. :headache:

Catching up...
Raven, the new field looks wonderful, I'm sure all the horses will love their new home even if the move is a little traumatic. Good luck, hope everything goes well.

Red, I think you are right about little things each day to get to your dreams. There is a tendency among us to want everything perfect and all at once which I think overwhelms us - is it self sabotage? Perhaps we are just an impatient lot used to instant gratification. The important part I think is to remind ourselves each day of the steps we took to get us to our goals instead of beating ourselves up about our failures (which are often more supposed than real). Keep pluggin away - **as she softly punches you in the shoulder**

Chachee - yay on the NSV with the clothes. :cp: :cp: :cp: The pedicure sounds just wonderful. I got some new bright nail polish yesterday. Now if I can reach my toes, I'll paint them - exercise and reward???? :lol: Hope your yard sale goes well and everyone offers you double what you're asking!

Jolly, I think one of the hardest things is that each day we have to start all over being good. If we could hang in there for 2 weeks and it would all be done with, we'd all be stick models. You do the best you can. Perhaps when you are feeling low, if you must give in to comfort food, choose 1 not many. And I say this from experience myself. I think they should make the M&M's snack packs all year long. It takes alot longer to eat several little packages than it does to grab 10 handfuls of the loose ones. Or tell yourself that if you're going to stop in the junk food store that you have to stand and look at yourself in the store window for 3 whole minutes continuously before you open the door. Anything to distract...

C'mon, the diet police are coming at us with their babooska's (head scarfs) and shopping carts and knock some sense into you bats. We'd better run from our secret little places of sin before they catch up to us.

Just for today try to be on the good side of life. 'k?

GOOOOOOD MORNING :D

Glad to see everyone is still here!

Raven, so sorry to hear about your friend losing here horses :( I think it's great that you talked to her for so long and helped her through a rough time.

Chach, great news on the weight loss and smaller clothes!! I can't wait until I can shop in the normal sizes. What a wonderful feeling that must be!

Jolly, You Go! Putting back that icecream! You are a strong woman!

Lucky, should I prepare for Jordan wanting to dye his black? HMMMM....I don't know about that :lol:

Happy, sorry to hear you are having trouble with your teeth and hope you are better soon.

Red, hope you are less stressed!

Vacation was wonderful! I did swim with the dolphins and I think that's the neatest thing I have ever done. They are so playful and friendly. I got to do hand signals and get it to sing, spin in the water and we danced together :lol: It was a sight to see!

Gary and Jordan went parasailing. They said it is the greatest thing they had ever done. They could see stingrays swimming around and the view was awesome. They were dipped into the ocean twice and loved every minute of it!

We saw dolphin shows, sea lion shows, etc....fed sharks and pet sting rays. They felt like a plush carpet. The dolphins feel like rubber on their back but like vinyl on their belly. It was an experience.

We spent alot of time on the beach and got alot of sun. Jordan's favorite part is riding the boogie board on the waves. We found some pretty cool shells and had a blast watching the sand crabs. They are so fuuny running sideways!

I'm not ready to work back into the same old routine but I have to. Vacation just seems to fly by but I guess everyone has to come back to reality.

Now I'm doing all of this laundry and preparing for the 4th of July. It's Gary's favorite holiday so we make a pretty big deal about it. We do our own fireworks and have a big cookout. It will be fun.

Better get back to the laundry. Have a wonderful ladies :D

Hi everyone --

Sorry I "went away" from the thread....still trying to get settled into my new house, plus my mother-in-law has been visiting so we're doing stuff with her -- she'll be here 'till middle of August, which is great because I just love her. I just can't get much done. And my old kitty's (17 years old) health started declining rapidly, and she passed away last Thursday. And one of my best friends in California who has been battling Stage 4 cancer for 2-1/2 years has now been referred to hospice. She's not interested in eating or drinking and she goes in and out of consciousness. Please pray for her. Her name is Patricia.

Thanks.

Hi all. Real quick post for me. Michelle, glad to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your cat, and will definitely pray for your friend. Hippee, glad you had a good trip.

Well, a huge worry is off my mind. The vet came out to check my horse again. He is not better yet, though he is on the mend. The good news is that she suggested I contact the manufacturer of the vaccine. I did, and they are going to help with the vet bills. Wow! This is a huge load off my mind.

Hope all else is good for you guys. Will try to talk more tomorrow.

Hello Ladies!

Red: A "no weigh pass" is one that WW gives each member. Their policy is that you have to weigh in to attend the meeting. Some weeks when you know you will not have a good weigh in and still need the support of the meetings, you can use your pass, pay for the meeting, and stay without stepping on the scale. I need that probably this week because of the hormones out of control, and my eating out of control. It's really bad this time, and a very bad TOM for me. I'll use it, get the support from the ladies I need, then move on. That makes next weigh in for me next Wednesday. Should be fine by then.

Hippy: Welcome back! Glad you had a nice vacation! Sounds like a wonderful time!

Happy: Okay, what is NSV? I have no clue what that means. (Probably something I should know, but don't.) Thanks, though, I think! :lol: Yes, bend over, stretch, and paint those nails! I'll count it for 15 minutes of aerobic exercise for ya!

Michelle: I'll be keeping you and your loved ones in my prayers.

Howdy to everyone else!

Chach

Jolly, we crossed posts! Yay on the horsie situation! That is wonderful!

Chach

Hi There ladies,
Nervous day today. My company has been bought by another and tomorrow is the official take over day. Rumor has it that there will be layoffs today - we already know that many of us will lose our jobs, myself included. So I sit on pins and needles. :stress: :hyper: :stress: :hyper: :stress: I am craving food and cigarettes (in the worst way) and all things bad for me. Guess I could use some industrial strength duct tape for the mouth :tape: and an intimate encounter with Chachee's bat :stars: This too shall pass, no???

Chachee an NSV is a Non Scale Victory - those little things that make you feel sooooo very good about your efforts. Sometimes we tend to measure our only means of success by the downward numbers on the scale. It's important to count those NSVs - such as fitting into a size you couldn't before - to remind us there's more to success than just a scale. So congrats on fitting into the regular XLs !!!!

Jolly, it's good to hear that Chance is on the mend and that you might get some help with the vet bills. Sounds like it was really touch and go there for a while. No wonder you were all stressed out. How long until he is back to par again?

Michelle, sorry to hear about your kitty - the stress just doesn't seem to end for you, does it? Prayers go out for your friend and a few for you too :grouphug: Enjoy your time with MIL and stop by a little more often, okay?

Hippy, vacation sounds like it was wayyyyyyy cool. Where did you go again? It's so hard to get back to boring reality when you've had a great time like that.

Raven, good luck with the move tomorrow. I'm sure you are running around like a wild woman - just don't stress yourself out.

Red - hope you are still off the sugar and finger painting your masterpiece little by little - too broad of a brush and too much pressure wrecks the painting. Fine dabs here and there bring it into focus.

Well, it's time for me to get busy and get to work - got to see if my password still works :yikes: I pledge not to smoke today no matter what happens...

Thanks everyone for the prayers and kindness.

Jolly -- I'm so glad to hear your horse is on the mend. And it must be a huge relief that the manufacturer of the vaccine is going to help with the vet bills. That's great!

Happy -- Gosh, I can totally understand how nervous you must be feeling. I was laid off from my last two jobs (before the one). I hope they at least give you a good severance package. The job market is opening up a little (at least up here), and you're just the kind of intelligent, highly skilled and talented person employers are looking for. I'll be sending you :goodvibes:

Thanks everyone for the goodvibes. I am much relieved with the horse situation. I don't know how long he will be out though. Depends on how long it takes for the fluid to come out, and the muscle to rebuild. Michelle, you are still in my prayers. Happy, good luck with the job situation. I can send you the industrial strength tape. Bat is already on his way back to Chachee, so she will have to forward him to you. By the way, did you feel the "earthquake" the other morning? Red, RAven, Hippee, Sassy, everyone - hope you are having a good day. Will post more later.

Hi All!

I'm in a good mood, considering the Scale Gods think it's fun to play a sick twisted joke on me! I kick it, it just looks at me like, "Hey, lady, not my fault. If you could keep your hand busy without pushing food down your mouth, you wouldn't hate me so much! Do you know how uncomfortable it is to have someone stand on you??". Sick and twisted! :lol:

Alrighty, on to my friends...

Happy: Ah, the light comes on. NSV...got it! I think we should all have to report one NSV per week. Mine for this week are my new XL's. Oh yeah! Anyway, I'll tell Jolly to divert Bat to you for a good workout. Just make sure he's home and safe with me before 5:30 pm next Wednesday! Wouldn't want to break a nail smacking someone/something around when it's time to weigh in. Paid too much to have them look all nice and pretty. Good luck with the news coming up at your job. I know this has to be stressful for you.

Jolly: Um, nope. Didn't feel it at all. Guess it was a 7.8 centered around Juneau. Must have just thought it was just me making the ground move when I was walking. Heehee. Earthquakes are so common up here, you really don't notice them after awhile. Had an awesome thunder and lightning storm the other night, though. Made me homesick for Oregon.

All kidding aside, my eating and exercise has been great since Monday. Minor mess up has cost me and I will let you all know how much. Last Wednesday morning at this time I was at 220 on my home scales before I headed out the door. I woke up this morning and was 224. Now, you might think it's not that much, but add on around 4 pounds and that is my total gain, as I weigh more at night. So, TOM combined with, quite honesty, out of control eating has cost me this week. Who can I blame? Myself. I was the one who ate the elephant ear. I was the one who ate candy bars at night. I was the one who gave into cravings I knew were controlable. It's myself owning my mistake that will take me two weeks to correct. A minor stumbling block on my weight loss journey, but I understand why. Bums me out as I wanted to be 50 pounds down by the time my mom get here. At this rate, it won't happen, but I promise to be close.

See, it's not only losing the weight, but controling yourself. I lacked the motivation to control myself this week and lost sight of why I was doing it. I can joke about the scale, but know in my heart how disappointed I am in myself for allowing my urges to control my behavior. Good lesson to learn, and I hope by sharing it helps others!

Happy Wednesday!

Chach

P.S. Raven, we need the new thread tomorrow!!!