Anagramatic, I'm hoping to retreat to a serene place (hike) today as well ... here's to serenity and less emotion! :)

Kaylets, thanks for the info. I want to check out that new WW plan also ... if you ask me, they should go back to the old, old, old exchange plan ... it made more sense, IMNHO!

Wsw, wherever thou beist, howdy!

Gotta hike.

Hello all!

I was reading one of my last posts about how I was doing ok on the phones...
Well, the volume increased on Friday and I became overwhelmed and now am behind .... I got frazzled and panicked... At one point, it looked like I had sent out 2 extra checks for $5000.00 to a client ...YIKES... I think I have such a fear becuase these are real live people's monthly pension benefits that my first instinct is to panic instead of think clearly.....

So... extra magnesium this morning to battle stress attack on my immune system... Dh is also dreading going into his job... Lots of drama there too...

Ah well...

Tried my best to not let it shadow the weekend... did get lots done yesteday mostly all in the kitchen but it was very nice to wake up to nearly 2 completely clear counters ( yes, the smaller ones but still...)

anyway....

scale was benevolent again this am...I know tonight's weighin will still be in the 150 range but w/ any luck the decrease will still show... I am very excited that home scale ( and nekkid !) shows I FINALLY went below the 150 mark...
Am hoping the new CORE choice w/ WW will motivate my system to drop the rest faster than I have the last 18 ( which have been since March.. gain/lose/ gain/gain/maintain.. you know the routine)

****
****
Need help! One of the beagles is SOOOO itchy! Went to the Vet a week ago... started her on doggy benadryl .. am also dosing her Vit E...even am trying canned dog food as she won't eat dry... we could only get her to eat cottage cheese... well, she now has scratched some places to open sores...
I dabbed liquied Aloe hoping but am now thinking maybe the doggie benadryl is not helping...
will call the vet but..............HELP!

*************

Thought of the day:


"Who can I make smile right now?"

----------------------------------
Today's Fast Session
----------------------------------

A couple days ago, I called my wife at work. One of her
co-workers answered the phone. Now, I like to clown
around...a lot.

Do you remember those guys who did the Budweiser
commercials that asked each other, "Wazzuuup?" Well,
remember the other Bud commercial with the "uncool" guys
who ask, "What are you doing?" in the nerdiest way possible?

Well, the woman who picked up the phone, I've only met
once for about 5 minutes. After she said hello, I didn't
identify myself at all. I just said, "What are you
DOING!?" in the uncool way. She said, "Who is this?"
Again I asked, "What are YOU doing?!"

All I heard was hysterical laughing and another woman in
the background saying, "Is that Mike?"

Later, my wife told me that my "victim" was talking about
it throughout the day... about how funny it was.

Now, I know it was only silliness, even mindless. But
don't we all need a little of that in our days? Oh, a lot?
I'm for that.

I remember in my book store, if a customer asked for a
specific book, and if I was close enough to it, I would do
a little soft shoe (with fake top hat and cane) over to the
shelf it was on, grab it and dance back over to the
customer, presenting it to them with a bow.

That used to floor people!

I had the biggest business of its kind in the world at the
time. And I think that giving people a little humor and
entertainment was part of it.

Hey, like it or not, we are all 'state' inducers.

Whenever we have an interaction with someone, even if it's
just a hello, we leave them with a definite feeling.

What do you think people feel about us when we're walking
around with a sour puss on?

No one wants to be around that.

Do you?

Do you go out and search for the complainers? If you do,
notice the topic of your typical conversations. Are they
usually centered on what's wrong, who said what rotten
thing, what someone had the gall to ask you to do? In
short, whining sessions?

Look, you are what you think. You get back what you put
out. If you put out cheerfulness, then that's how people
will treat you back.

Did you ever hear the centuries-old story about the old
man who sat next to the road and greeted people who entered
and exited just outside his small village?

When travelers came in, often they would ask what kind of
people were in the town. The man responded by asking them
what the people were like in the town they just left. If
the traveler said the people were terrific, the man told
them that he'd find the people in this town were much the
same.

If the traveler said the other town had horrible people in
it, the man said that they'd find the people here much the
same.

It kind of goes right along with another Your Day To Win
that talked about running from your problems. The thing
is, you bring yourself with you wherever you go. And since
you are what you think, the only way for you to escape your
problems is to change your attitudes.

If you understand that you induce states of mind in the
people that you meet all day, it brings it right to the
front of your consciousness, doesn't it? People respond to
you whether you like it or not.

To my way of thinking, it's better to bring a smile than a
frown or pity or disdain. Better than nothing either.
What the heck! It doesn't cost anything at all.

Just one person a day that you make smile will do
something amazing for them and...

...inside of you.

Try this easy exercise. I think you'll find it shocking.

Smile for 60 seconds straight. Just sit there and smile.
Don't do anything else. Take the next minute. C'mon, you
have another minute! Just sit and smile for one minute.

I'll wait...

Isn't it amazing?!

Don't you immediately sense an actual physical feeling
inside you the very second you start to smile? You did,
huh? Another thing you'll notice is, you can't do this
exercise without getting all kinds of great pictures in
your head, remembering fun times, etc.

The physiology of this is quite extraordinary. It's wired
into us. When we smile, we are literally programmed to
feel good.

If you thought that you had to first feel great to smile,
you couldn't be more mistaken. Smile first and you'll feel
great.

It's impossible to feel down when we are smiling. If
you're still doubting it, try it. Just try to get into a
rotten mood with a big dumb silly grin on your face.

You literally can't do it.

Now imagine what you'll be doing for other people if you
make it your mission to make at least one person smile per
day. The feelings that you're feeling right now as you're
sitting there grinning is exactly what you'll be doing for
everyone that you make smile...

It's kind of nice to think that you can do that for people
any time you want, isn't it?

And another question. what will those people think of you?

If you're up to the assignment, go make 'em smile!

Do it everyday and your life will change.

Mike Brescia-" Today Is Your Day To Win"


***************

FROGGER!!!! We're all with you! Royal Nursey is ready and waiting!!
Hope you are treating yourself like the queen you are!


KETTLE IS ON!

Morning! And thank goodness, it's Monday and a Fresh Start to a new week. I'm remembering somewhat abashedly that a week or so ago I was saying I had the stress eating pretty much under control. Well, not the last few days.

Yesterday was to be a "save" day but I ran into some peanut butter fudge (biggest weakness!) so today I have my work cut out for me but also feel like I'm going to be able to put last week's stresses behind me. Doing ok so far - of course it's only 9:06 :) :) :)

Congrats on the clean counters AND on the encouraging loss news. I'm working on the file cabinets again - a bit a day - so I'll have lots ready for the community shredding on Saturday and save us a lot of time not doing it ourselves. Took care of a nice pile already today, in fact enough for today. So it's on to something else.

hi all!

haven't felt too well recently, so have had to lay low. last thurs, mack the golden retriever, came to visit me. what a treat! he is so sweet(and huge)! i had a great visit with him and his "mommy" who is very interesting, and i thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her, while mack let me pet and fuss over him the entire time! he snuggled on the couch right next to me, and i loved it. it is so calming and soothing to have a furry buddy to pet. he was very good too. pretty funny watching him because he practically took up the whole couch himself!

have stayed op,even while feeling crummy, so pleased about that. haven't been able to do much exercising, but have stuck to what i could do. today, i was able to get back to full steam.

hi kaylets-congrats on the weight loss!

anagram- i always love the idea of fesh start monday too. there is just something so reassuring about it. i understand all too well about the stress eating. i too often think i have it under control and then i do it anyway. the only reason i didn't give in to it myself the past few days was because i was having a lot of trouble just getting around, so getting in to the kitchen wasn't as appealing to me as it usually is.

hi amarantha! and to all the remaining royals. have been thinking of you. take care, all.

Hello all!

I got carried away responding the most recent essay on the Skinny Daily Post...
( That's in one of the other categories here in the Forum ... I believe the very bottom of the "first " selections...)

Its official, the weighin last night showed the loss too...
I am motivated!
Am also very aware of how this summer I have shown signifcant losses on low humidity weighins....hmmmmmmm
Only a couple pounds but we all know how it feels when the couple are plus rather than minus...

Must run, will look in if I can...



Thought of the day:

"Because you cannot do it today, does not mean you cannot do it tomorrow"
--Ron Rathburn

Question of the day:

"If you could choose any three songs to compile on a disc to wake up (slowly) to every morning, what would they be and in what order?"
--"IF (2) by Eveyln McFarlane and James Saywell



Kettle is on!

Good morning :queen:s!

I'm in the neverending process of trying to get control of this thing we call life, get work, health habits and house all into some semblance of shape. I've let things slide and (have you heard this one before?) feel the worse for it. I pushed myself to go for a walk early this morning and feel like I reconnected a bit. I think I'm sorely in need of a vacation. Maybe I'll see if I can line up a week at a cottage next month...

wsw, sorry you haven't been feeling well, but what a triumph to have stayed OP throughout! I'm glad you enjoyed your doggie (and person) visitors. Are they coming again?

Eydie, the African Healing Dance sounds great! Sounds like something I could benefit from, too. I must have a look around for it.

Kaylets, I'm interested in the new WW plan, too. Coincidentally, I got an offer in the mail to return and only have to pay my weekly fee (no new registration or missed meeting fees) and am thinking I'll probably do it. There's just something about that weekly WI that motivates.

Anagram, that peanut butter fudge is evil! Chocolate/PB is my downfall. Never mind though, even having those days where you had stress eating under control is a triumph -- constant perfection would be wearisome, don't you think?

Amarantha, glad to see you in the palace again, and v. relieved to hear that you'll always come back.

Morrigan -- I KNOW!!! The flylady energy is a bit scary, isn't it! I joined once, but was overwhelmed by all the messages. Still, those tricks for getting things done are useful, aren't they.

Wildfire, how goes the battle with car/insurance issues? Hope you've fully recovered now. Did Sybill live through your extra couple of days off?

K -- just wanted to stop by. Feeling a bit uninspired and boring, but thought that was no excuse not to pop in and say :wave: Love to all! Let's make this a good one.

Wow - lots to keep up on. Nice to see lots of people back.

Starting over on Monday is great; the problem I often run into is the getting the wrong mindset about it. For example, pretend it is Thursday. If I get into the frame of mind that I might start over on Monday I am inclined to blow/binge Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What is working for me know is to count how many days in a row I can stay on program (whatever your program might be). For me right now it is 1500 calories or less.

Here are my results so far
M 8/17 been gaining and losing the same 5 lbs all summer
T 8/16 decided to start dieting - screwed up
W 8/19 good day
Th 8/20 good day
S 8/21 good day almost
S 8/22 ate way to much, stopped counting at 3000+
M 8/23 around 1300
T 8/24 around 1300 - and down 4 lbs from 8/17

Just keeping it going on a day to day basis is helping.

I understand losing the same five pounds over and over - been doing that with three pounds. Have been having some stomach problems - I think since they added a new med in June. Hungry every 2 hours - trying to work it out with lo cal stuff. But went to dr. yesterday and we've changed the med to see if that does it, if not he'll change another and if that doesn't work, it will be the old scope to look for ulcer or something. Hoping the new med does the trick.

Good day yesterday other than lack of sleep. And actually I start over EVERY DAY so here's to Fresh Start Wednesdy. Mondays just seem to have more oomph and less temptation for me.

Hello all!!

Oh my, can I relate! Sometimes just getting thru a meal OP seems tough!
Much less stringing a few days together...
For me, all I can do is all I can do... make the better choice ... and at least I know then, I've done my best... For example....
at work, for nearly a month, has sat a box of Salt water taffy...
I have been acting like I don't see it... for nearly a month...
Last Friday, when it appeared I had sent out an extra $5000.00 in payments, and I panicked... as soon as my coworkers left ... I walked by the box and my arm automatically jutted out and grabbed... and you know what, I didnt even enjoy the taffy... but I did it 2x more....
Till I said " Geez, this stuff tastes old and stale... Why are you eating this?'

Luckily, it didnt set me off on a sugar binge... but I think you get my point...

Anagram-- stomach upset is the worst...minimeals sounds like a very good idea... and I betcha it is the meds ... same thing happens to me often...

***************************

Thought of the day is a long one but I think worth it... I've seen it before but its worth repeating!

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
> 1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
> 2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
> 3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the
> second person.
> 4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
> 5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
> 6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
> 7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
> 8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
> 9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
> 10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
>
> GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
> 1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
> 2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
> 3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
> 4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
> 5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
> 6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
>
> GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
> 1) Growing up is mandatory; growing old is optional.
> 2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
> 3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down
> there.
> 4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking
> chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
> 5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to
> ask you the questions.
> 6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
> 7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.
>
> THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
>
> 1) You believe in Santa Claus.
> 2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
> 3) You are Santa Claus.
> 4) You look like Santa Claus.
>
> SUCCESS:
>
> At age 4 success is. . not peeing in your pants.
> At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
> At age 16 success is . . . having a driver's license.
> At age 35 success is.... having money.
> At age 50 success is . . . having money.
> At age 70 success is.... having a driver's license.
> At age 75 success is.... having friends.
> At age 80 success is.... not peeing in your pants.
>
>
> Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER
> forget the blessings that come each day. Have a wonderful day with many
> *smiles*
>
> Take the time to live!!!
> Life is too short
>
>
>
************************

KETTLE IS ON!

PS..... Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite?

Kaylets, loved your last post!

I'm hanging in there, friends. Still feeling a little off balance--honestly have no idea why 'cause life is good! Having a group of pals over to our house Saturday for a Greek feast. I try to get in a outdoor thing every summer and time's slipping by. [You're all invited, of course! :) ] Maybe I'm feeling a touch stressed about it, that good kind of stress, of course.

Arabella, I'll send you a post about the African dance video. Even though I know I'm not good at it at this point, it makes me happy!

wsw, your visit with the dog and it's keeper sounds great. I've said it once and I say it now, dawgs are the BEST! I say that even after I woke up to my dog's tongue in my mouth this morning. :lol: BLECH! [Isn't that what Lucy always said when Snoopy kissed her?]

Have a great day!

Yes, that 1st of September, back to school, fall, new season invigoration is always such a great feeling. But still a few days to go on this sprint and a few more to September so let's make them as good as we can. To quote the Empress: Hocus pocus, focus, focus (or on those lines).

I did dietwatch a few years ago and am posting the result below. I managed to get down to 148 lbs by Christmas. I am hoping for repeat performance. Looking at this makes me feel I can do it.

Date Weight Cal Fat Exer Cal Loss
8/4 200 1040 25 158 0.50
8/5 200 1178 28 216 0.48
8/6 979 13 250 0.55
8/7 198 1500 25 216 0.39
8/8 1085 28 108 0.48
8/9 195 2579 68 552 0.17
8/10 197 1156 38 195 0.48
8/11 195 1144 23 363 0.53
8/12 195 1519 14 144 0.36
8/13 194 1214 24 144 0.45
8/14 1126 37 278 0.39
8/15 191 1059 17 336 0.50
8/16 191 1210 34 477 0.50
8/17 190 1273 25 452 0.47
8/18 191 2092 89 361 0.21
8/19 191 1105 29 615 0.57
8/20 190 1177 24 175 0.42
8/21 191 1235 32 429 0.48
8/22 189 1365 40 404 0.43
8/23 1593 24 209 0.31
8/24 1399 45 202 0.37
8/25 1677 27 372 0.34
8/26 189 1600 36 404 0.36
8/27 1286 18 241 0.41
8/28 190 1345 38 202 0.38
8/29 189 1225 35 331 0.43
8/30 190 1055 46 336 0.50
8/31 187 1429 14 0 0.30
9/1 185 995 23 67 0.44
9/2 185 1073 29 101 0.43
9/3 185 1421 46 165 0.35
9/4 185 1188 29 0 0.42
9/5 186 1067 22 0 0.45
9/6 184 828 29 0 0.52
9/7 184 1085 19 0 0.45
9/8 182 1755 78 0 0.25
9/9 180 1445 33 0 0.34
9/10 183 1204 22 406 0.53
9/11 183 1336 22 377 0.48
9/12 183 1200 33 269 0.49
9/13 180 884 12 0 0.50
9/14 181 1063 34 0 0.42
9/15 180 1665 51 0 0.28
9/16 180 1353 63 0 0.37
9/17 180 1062 29 1347 0.84
9/18 180 926 30 0 0.49
9/19 180 1055 18 0 0.45
9/20 178 1123 40 0 0.43
9/21 178 1038 45 0 0.50

hello royal sprinters!

eydie-that was such a funny picture you presented of your doggie wake up call. it made me smile!

anagram-hope the new med. "does the trick," as you say.

arabella-thanks, i am feeling better, though have been stuck at home for the past half week so far, and sometimes that can be a bit challenging. i have done better with this of late, listening to books on tape, relaxation tapes, and remaining op, so pleased about that.

amarantha-glad you are pleased with new ww core plan and congrats on weight loss!

i am having more trouble giving myself betaseron injections for ms (every other night), which is troublesome, so need to start checking out some possibilities of getting help with this in future. i also need some more help with getting groceries, etc. and this is difficult to accept at times. i am making list of things which i do need more assistance with, so i can be proactive. i have a volunteer who will help with groceries, etc., but i don't like to take her up on it just because it means i am not as independent as i would like to be. it is time to be honest with her, though, about some of these things. well, enough of confession time. thinking of you all. hope everyone has a good evening.