Oh Paige - You brought tears to my eyes with the photos of your beautiful children. You are so blessed! That is completely where I want to be in 6 years. I think your trip sounds wonderful and trip to the grand canyon will be a wonderful experience for you all!!!

I have had quite a week girls. I did not make it to work out tonight because I am so stressed that I stopped at the ABC store for tequila, triple sec and margarita mix. DH & I have had quite a time tonight sharing work stories, venting and sharing our troubles. It was good for us and we REALLY need the midweek time-out from REAL life. DH has gone for take out, but I was well under my calorie limit today due to lack of time to even eat. I ate my small lunch standing up discussing interlibrary loans today.

I needed to check out a bit this week. I am still hopeful that after TOM I will see a loss but I am a little less obsessive since deciding that I am very happy with me right now - for once in a LONG time!


Julie - Congats on your big loss and major milestone!!! It sounds like you are feeling very positive about things - CONGRATS!!

Marie - I hope your painting went well. Did I mention that DH ran a painting bix before and is painting for the summer? I know all about this stuff and it can be a major pain in the process, but such a reward in the end.

Kim - I'm glad your week is starting of well and I hope you have gotten into some kind of groove with what works for you. I think you are figuring yourself out and we're here for you no matter what!

Lori - I need a day off. I think all I am doing is working my a$$ off and planning for vacations. I cannot wait until my PTO kicks in and I can spend it. Come on July 18!!!

I'm off to watch LOST. Goodnight ladies. See you tomorrow!

Good Evening Chickies!!

Sorry I was MIA today, it was my early morning and I'm trying a new routine at keeping up with the house. I figured what better time to start, since I spent all last week giving it a good scrubbing! It does help to go through ever day and just plain old pick up. It keeps the boys a little more aware that they are dragging crap where it don't belong!

Paige, congratulations on the graduation!!! I was one of the few parents excited at kindergarden orientation (everyone else was crying), now their going to be finishing 2nd and 5th grade. The time really flies.

Julie, congratulations on the 3lb loss, the best week I had was the first, with a 4lb loss (probably mostly water) I know where Wexford is, I worked in Cranberry Twp. for 2 years over at Verizon Wireless.

Marie, it dosen't sound like DS #2 is going to go to far, he may be your only guest in your guest room !!! I had a sewing room at our old house and it was nice to not have to put everything away to make room to eat dinner!

Kim, glad your back on track!!! Keep up the pace, that's too funny that you feel like your cheating. I'll be honest, I've learned something from every diet plan that I have ever been on, and I must say I still combine some of it.

Kerry, I'm right with ya for a drink! I've had to really lay off the booze the past year, I was suffering bad with hang overs that would last for days. With working full time, I can't afford to lay around like that! My friends all complain that I'm no fun any more, I say what, just because I'm not dancing on the tables and getting us all tossed out, I'm no longer any fun???? Oh yea, and I'm not so loud that the biggest chick in the bar isn't going to kick my butt any more?? I would attract these jolly green giants that always wanted to kill me.

Oh, well I'm going to hit it, I'll check in with you all tomorrow!!!

Well, I haven't been doing very well on my eating yesterday or today to be honest with you. I have been exercising 1 hour each day though. I guess I felt I had some "catching up" to do after the deprivation from my carbs for 2 weeks. I'm really going to seriously try again tomorrow. I've decided to count WW points again since that is what worked best for me. I lost the first 17 pounds that way, and it really wasn't that hard either. That way if I have a bad day, I do have those flex points. I'm staying off of the scale until June 5th too. As long as I don't weigh, I'm still 149, huh? Tomorrow's a new day, and I've gotten myself psyched up about it. My vacation is the last week of June and I would love to see 143 by then.....no more binging, hopefully. I'm a little ashamed about it, but I'm thinking about going to an OA meeting tomorrow. I looked it up on the internet and it shows there is a meeting tomorrow night where I live. I'm a little embarrased so I don't know if I'll go or not.

Paige-I hope you get that laptop. Then you'll be able to all the time. Your son is absolutely precious! It sounds like you guys have a fun trip planned.

Marie-I'm all about working the 3 days/week (I work 3 12 hour night shifts). I love it. And I do believe that painting does count as exercise. I would count it anyway. That purple sounds really pretty.

Julie-Congrat on the 3 lbs.

Kerry-Thats wonderful that you are happy with you. I would love to be at that place. I have to pray for forgiveness at times for my self-loathing. I know, I have issues. Thanks for your support.

Lori-You brought back memories of my drinking days. I definitely don't miss the hangovers.

AND AF showed up to make it worse. My aching head and belly! I had to stop on the way to work to buy advil. DH had taken it all for his back and didn't tell me. But I made it and I'm here. Now I just have to survive the day. No more tequila for me for awhile. I guess that's what I get for turning to the evil booze for comfort after all the stress at work.

I am going to keep trying to lose, but I must say that I am happy with the way I look and feel right now. I can see my hip bones and even my tummy seems to have shrank some. I hope to lose more, but this is a good size for me. I'm looking forward to going to the beach

Well I'm going to try to get some work done. I'll check back in later.

Had kind of a crappy evening last night. My husband was working so I had to pick up our son from the babysitter last night, then I had to go pick up our dog from the vet because he had surgery. He had a fatty growth on his chest and his teeth were a mess. Poor thing lost two teeth while they were cleaning them, and has an inch and 1/2 incision on his chest

When I called to see when I could pick him up the girl said he was still a bit groggy and to come after 7pm. Well that was at 6 and I was about 40 minutes away, with a hungry 2 year old So I did what most people would do...I stopped at the closest fast food restaurant to my destination...my son wanted a baked potato and I tried to order something healthy for myself, without going off plan, so I got a bottled water, and a salad...not bad right??? Wrong! I asked for the plainest salad they had. I got fried chicken on it, corn and beans, and a load of cheese...WHERE'S THE LETTUCE?
The little lettuce that was in it was on the verge of rotting ewww! So I picked out what I could eat and waited until I got home to eat the dinner that was on my menu. My son would not even eat the chicken!

Lori- Good luck with your new house cleaning routine! I wish I could get one down! Hubby is pretty good about helping out, but our two year old is right behind us to mess it up again I don’t know if you are following the Powerball but I think I am going Cranberry tonight to pick up a ticket!

Kim- There’s no reason to be embarrassed about going to OA. They are there to help, and the other people that are there are in the same boat, otherwise they wouldn’t be there either

Kerry-tequila, triple sec and margarita….it’s been so long not so much because of my diet, but it’s weird, ever since I had my son it makes me sick when I drink. I start sneezing, and my face actually swells…and I kinda feel nauseous. I never experienced anything like that before I got pregnant, but the last four or five times that I had a drink this has happened to me. So I have not had a drink in almost a year now.

Paige- Your kids are adorable! They do grow up wayyyy to quick don’t they?
Looks like your son had a nice graduation. Love the little cap and gown!
Disney Land is California and Disney World is Orlando…one of my best friends is a travel agent We’re going to Disney World in November. I can’t wait! It’s one of my favorite places to go and that was before we had a child!

Marie- How’s the room coming?


Good morning all….Sorry for my earlier rant . But it is so hard to eat out when you are trying to watch! Thanks for letting me vent.

Kerry-Hope you're feeling better now.

Julie-Sorry about your crappy night. You can vent to us anytime.

Well, I woke up feeling so good today. I've stayed within my points and still have 8 left. Southbeach is a quicker weight loss, but WW is a lot easier and more fun. I've decided not to go to OA. I'm going to a step aerobics class instead at 6:45. I love those! Believe it or not, I just got a phone call from someone I haven't talked to in a while. He was asking me out. I said no, but it still made me feel good that someone was interested. He's not really my type though.....a little goofy. I'm probably a little goofy too, though, lol. Hope you all have a great day!

I've taken a few minutes each day to check the thread, but haven't had time to post. The office move has made this Chaos Central, and I've been too frazzled to do anything at home but space out. I had a great time at the baseball game Tuesday evening, although I did not eat like a woman on a mission. Lots of walking and going to Curves, only one 'perfect' day so far this week (today's already not a winner). In a couple opf weeks I have a follow up interview for a job I think I really want, so I'm very excited about that! I am weary of listening to myself gripe about everything.

I have lots of thoughts about your posts, but will have to do personals over the weekend.

Keep making good choices--judy

This will have to be quick, CSI season finally tonight!

Kim, I'm glad your doing better today, I was worried when I read your post, girl you've got to stop being so hard on yourself. WE ALL FALL DOWN! Pat yourself on the back for springing back into action and forget the down part!

Julie, maybe I should run to Cranberry too, I forgot about that! Everyone at work was going crazy the next day calling home to check their tickets, man was it funny! I didn't play on that one, so I found it more amusing than the ones who were checking their tickets!

Judy, glad your still hangning out, I hope you get the new job! At least I think that's what were hoping for, right? Well I know this is right, I hope the move starts to get better!!! We'll be glad to chat over the weekend when you have an inch on sanity left.

Kerry, oh the dreaded head ache and tummy ache, I don't know how you didn't call off work!!!! I keep a spare bottle of advil in my desk at work, my DH is great for putting empty bottles back!

Ok, I'm going to run, 10 mins to get lunches packed, I think I can do it!!!!
At least tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! Love those weekends!

Good morning
It's rainy yucky morning here. They say it will clear by noon so I hope I can get my afternoon walk in today! Not too much going on here. No more rants today

Judy- I hope you get the new job!

Kim- good job going to step aerobics and staying within your points! Don't feel bad about losing weight a little slower...you are more likley to keep it off the slower you lose! Way to go

Kerry- How is your hangover?

Lori- I missed CSI last night...I heard it was suppose to be a good one!
I already got lottery tickets last night...in cranberry my office pitched in so we have 45 chances...maybe next time I talk to you guys I will be a millionaire

Have a great weekend!

Went home early yesterday and napped a bit and then woke up for dinner and the finales for OC & CSI. Both were great!

I ate just awful yesterday trying to nurse my headache, but I don't care, I got to feeling better in the end.

I am SOOO glad it is Friday! We're really busy here so I don't have much time, but I wanted to say hello and that I am feeling better.

I'll check in later.

I just love FRIDAYS!!!

Well I just had a very slow boring afternoon at work, sometimes that is way worse than being busy! I made myself a cup of coffee and put on my work out outfit to stay in the mood! My mother, I could ring her neck! If I get like that when I get older just shoot me now and put my family out of their missery!!!!! I know I hate waiting on other people to help me, but I understand that everyone else works and is busy too. Not my mom, she wants everything done yesterday, drop what your doing I made plans so come help me right now! Or says she wants help Friday and then calls 10 times to remind me I have to help!!!! I'm not sure if it is really to remind me, or so she dosen't forget herself! I'm seriously dreading her retirement this year, she'll have all the time in the world to think about moving her furniture around. Good thing I started lifting!!!

I have to tell you this, it was just to cute. Our school give certificates out for free meals at Ponderosa for perfect attendance every 9 weeks. Well the kids have them and are dying to go. Last night my youngest son said he would like to go so that I could eat. What do you mean by so I could eat? My oldest son almost fell over, he said did ever see what mom puts in her lunch? It's more than you or I could eat for a week! I guess he might get that impression coz I don't always eat what they are eating, but too funny anyway!

Kerry, glad the hang over is all better! I seriously feel for ya, the last time I hugged the porcalin god was one to many times for me!

Julie, wasn't it a crappy day!!!! Hope that Cranberry ticket pays off, oh we forgot to mention the Hawaii trip. When Kerry was on a roll with her job and I can't remember what all else, we made her buy a lottery ticket and promise to take us all to Hawaii for a week if she hit! So if you hit be prepaired!!! I'm going to pick up a ticket myself too so that will have to go for me too! The worst part of the joke Julie is that I've never flown before in my life, so I was going to leave a month early to drive cross country then get on a boat!!!! Ok, enough about all us chicks taking over Hawaii !

I'm going to work out! Chat with you all later!!

Hi everyone, It's weekend and I love it. Work was busy as I tried to fit all the work from my days off days into the couple that I did work. So there was no posting for a while. I've stayed mostly on track and haven't been hungry. Exercise is still way off but then again, my asthma is so bad at the moment, I don't think I could exercise if I wanted to. With all the meds I take, one would think it would be better under control. But spring allergens make it worse.

We're going to open our pool this weekend. DH put the solar heaters up and started filtering it. But we still have the winter tarp on it so that has to come off. Once it does, I get to maintain the pool over the summer (my pool, my job). I love to vacuum it out in the sun. It's so peaceful surrounded by mountains. Anyways, maybe summer really will come to Oregon.

The craft room is coming along nicely. The walls are all painted and DH and I started to take the big kitchen counter that was just replaced and put it in there for a big working space. It is going to be so cool.

Judy, good luck with getting the new job. My fingers are crossed for you.

Lori and Julie, what's the big deal with getting tickets in Cranberry? My two friends at work and I buy one ticket that we'd split any winnings. So far we've matched one number as our best ticket. I'm not holding my breath, but if I do win a third, you guys can plan on Hawaii. I definitely like that plan.

Kerry, it is so cool that you are happy with your body. Great job. I definitely am not at that point, but I do remember what it's like and its a nice feeling.

Kim, I hope you enjoyed your step aerobics class. I can understand your reluctance to go to OA. I'm not into the group thing and it takes time. My support group is you ladies here.

That's it for now. I'll talk with you later.
Marie

I am feeling more like my old self after sleeping FOREVER! Marie - I too have been seriously drugged with asthma/allergy meds and I think it might contribute to some of my energy levels waning considerably. I think this may be my worse allergy season in years. I'm dying for my health insurance to begin on June 1 so that I can afford a nasal spray. I'm hoping that will make a huge difference.

I am happy to report that after TOM has departed I saw a 2 lb loss this morning! I thought that might be the case since I was SO bloated waiting and waiting for it to show. (we need an eye roll smiley here) During those brief moments I always hope a little that she won't show for another 10 months or so but alas that is not the case. I'm happy with a couple more lbs gone and hopeful that my time for growing a big belly is approaching.

We had a low key Friday. DH bought new shoes which made him really happy. He's like a little kid with his new kicks. And he got a deal so he got 2 pair for $60. I keep telling him that someday he won't be able to wear sneakers all the time and he just scoffs at me. Me with all my heals looks at him and says - time will tell buddy! I love that guy, but I worry when reality sets in for him how he'll handle it. But in the meantime he has two years of school left.

We're hoping to go see the final Star Wars this weekend if we can get tickets and get in. Maybe tonight. Other than that it is bright and here all weekend so I'll be lounging in the sun working on my tan. Filling my skin with color makes me feel thinner. Don't ask me why, but it always has. It also contributes to me feeling better about myself.

I hope you ladies up there are having some better weather and WAY over there as well. Spring has turned to summer mostly here with temps nearing 80 most days. We're thankful when it dips into the low 70s. Oh the joys of the south (another eye roll).

Judy - I want to wish you all the luck and in the world for getting that job. I have everything crossed for you to get the GREAT call that changes everything

I hope you girls hit the lottery since I can't afford tickets to Hawaii. We're still planning a vacation but probably not that far. Possibly a cruise (anyone done that here?) or just a trip to Miami to party a bit before we start ttc again and get back to school in the fall.

Well that's all for now. I'll be back to check in on you ladies. I hope your enjoying your weekend!

Good afternoon chickies,
It's sunny and beautiful out, but I'm inside browsing my options. DH mentioned getting a new car and I lost control. I need to get off here and get a grip! The children insist that the A/C needs to be on, but I'm freezing! I'm not sure what I'm going to do today, but I know one thing, it will revolve around cleaning! I'll be mad tomorrow when it rains and I spent most of today in the house, I just hate when I do that! So I'm going to get up and go do something!!! Oh the Cranberry thing, I think it was last year somebody bought a powerball ticket in Cranberry and hit really big (I think over 200 million) but anyway they didn't come forward for awhile, making everybody recheck their tickets. Small towns, were such dorks !!! Ok, I'll be back later this evening!!!!

Its the weekend!!! I hope everyone is enjoying the day. I went to WW this morning for WI and I lost 4lbs!!!! So that was minus the 2lb gain from last week and another 2lbs. Considering that TOM is here with a fury, I think that is pretty good!!!! Wooo-Hooo!!!!

Last night DD had a family cookout at her preschool for the last day of school and I lost my good sunglasses that DH bought me 2 years ago for Christmas. I think I lost them down by the stables while they were riding the horses. I went back 2 times but...they are gone. So I went to Target and bought some cheap ones then I headed over to Walmart. They love to see me coming!!!! I am suppose to go to a bridal shower today and a farewell party but I think I am going to skip out of the bridal shower. We had a shower for her 2 years ago at work and then a week later they cancelled the wedding. So they are having a shower for her away from work this time. I just have two much to do before I go to a friends farewell party. He is moving to New Mexico in June.

Kerry- Don't worry your time for that big belly will come!!! Right now enjoy this time to do all the things you won't get to do for awhile!!!!!

Marie- How nice to have a pool!!! We had a pool growing up, but our yard just isn't big enough and the neighborhood pool is just around the corner. The good thing is that the kids can swim at grandpa's house for 3 weeks while we are in Arizona.

Hope everyone else is having a great day.