[HalGal]

Doughnuts have never been a problem for me... but let's talk about chocolate. OK, we don't have that long. If I were to indulge in National Doughnut Day, it would be a cake doughnut covered in powered sugar. LOL...

Our temperatures are bordering the upper 70's again today, for the 3rd day in a row. Nice stuff. Good for walking outside, and enjoying the beautiful fall colors. I've been pushing myself to do some daily stretching, stationary biking and walking every other day. A little at a time. My self confidence is at a all time low, on overcoming my weight problem. Who knew... time to buckle down. In the mail Thursday came a free WW registeration card if I do it before December 3rd. They only meet one day a week in my town, and I would just have to say I'm leaving school on time that day (Tuesday). It is important, and I plan to do it. I know several of you guys go, and enjoy it. I spoke with a school psychologist during a training day yesterday that said she followed WW to lose her baby fat after both babies, and she looks great. She said she was dilligent, and never cheated. She looks great.

So... If you guys get FitTV, Marilu Henner has an interesting new show on that airs weekly. This week she demonstrates macrobiotic cooking - bascially whole foods free from mostly meats and extreme foods (sugar, alcohol, unnecessary medicines - first time I've heard this part). Anyway, she does her research, evidently has 4 or more books out now. I read one she wrote about 5 years ago. She promoted a dairy free diet. I shopped and tried it one week. This is something that would have to be gradual, because I found dairy everywhere, I like dairy, and found myself off her plan in 2 days flat. The book was good, very interesting.

OneDay: I ended up picking up food for dinner twice this week, but it was at the end of both 13 hour days, and I just could not see myself cooking/cleaning when I got home, and it was getting late to even eat dinner - 7:30P. I did a curbside pick up both nights and got grilled fish and veggies. They give you a small loaf of bread - which I never eat. The second night Rocky actually got up on a dining room chair, snagged the loaf which was larger than he - and came running with excitement. I laughed to myself, but told him to 'give it up' - which he did.

Shad: That is funny about drawing lots of pictures in place of language. We should develop a mini set of flash cards for travel in foreign lands. Huh... maybe that will be our way to get rich. The purple lavendar sounds heavenly - and it suppose to be relaxing. Sounds like a great trip so far. How was Chris's itching - was it just an allergic reatction to something? Getting sick while traveling is never a good thing.

CAT: Your days sound like mine... too long. Take time for you. I need to take my own advice! You know, folks don't want to think, trust me as an educator they just don't. Fast food, fast thought.

Nita: Journaling is important. I remember when the folks on this tread journaled relentlessly. I have not in a long time. If you have to write it down, will you really eat it. Good idea. Hope your week was a good one.

Mooz thanks for the jokes via email, THIN I know you are lurking!!! Write in as you are now past due in the posting department! Miss Ya!

[HalGal]

Go to the top of the forum page, and read this post by one of the administrators of this forum. You are in for a surprise.

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Hello Ladies,

I can't believe I missed National Doughnut Day! Went to b-day party last night had lots of fun. The girls there were friends from high school.

Hal - did you all get any storms? Our weather has been very warm this weekend too. I'm so ready for fall. Hey you do great when you get take out, ME i tend to stop at fast food and pick up burgers or if's a restaurant i got for the italian ones. Your makeing good choices. YGG!

And yes i read that post you said too and I google myself and found my posting. I guess that's why they advise not putting any phone numbers on here. Luckily when I do talk about work, it's not anything I would not tell my boss. He know's we're overworked and stressed. So i'm ok there.

Hope everyone is having a blessed sunday!

[Nita]

Hi Everyone,

For some reason I had to enter my password again and I haven't been getting e-mail alerts. Oh well I guess that is something I can get over.

I did weigh in on Saturday morning and I lost 1 lb. And I firmly believe putting my scale in the garage had something to do with it. I am still going to the gym three times a week for their aerobic classes and I do seem to be toning up. I also believe it is helping my bowling because I have more upper body strength.

The weather here is finally awesome. It goes to 80-86 during the day and in the morning it is 60 or 63. I am busy doing alterations and making Christmas gifts. Like I stated before working in my office is the best of both worlds. I not only do not eat food (other than maybe a sliced apple) but it takes my mind off of any problems I may have at the moment! I believe I am finally able to brush off my children's problems because I definitely have no control over the situation.

CAT -- Great job on your weight loss. I know this is a slow process but we have a better chance of keeping it off.

I am working with Gene by encouraging him to pick up the two-pound weights which I always have on the table in the family room and working with them. This is what it probably takes--my getting involved with his fitness routine.

Well I had better get moving--today is gym day again and then I will come home and work again in my office.

Take care all,
Anita

p.s. Shad -- Thanks again for sharing your adventures!

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Nita - WTG on your 1 lb loss. A pound is a pound. And your right, you will probably have to encourge Gene to pick up that dumbell and do some exercises with it. That is great that you are already working on Christmas gifts.

As for me another busy day at work. Going to balance checkbook and do some things around house.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[Catlover777]

Busier and busier at work. Still, I am pleased by how good my Spanish is getting to be. Fitting in physical therapy (did I tell you my shoulder is acting up again?) is another problem.

Oh--I am telling stories Sunday in Spanish. I sure hope people come.

Chin up!

[Nita]

Good Morning Ladies,

This is going to be a "great" day, I just know it. The first thing we have to do this morning is take Gene to the urologist to get his tube changed out. And then I get to go bowling. I did go to the gym yesterday and sometimes I really don't want to go, but I know it is very important that I stay healthy. For some reason I am not as energetic as I usually am, but I get these days now and then. Since I will be on vacation this week, I am going to try out the Yoga class. I will let you know how that goes.

Hopefully all the rest of our group is having a really great day!

Take care,
Anita

[Shad]

Hi - I am back.

Had a great time, but a bit fuzzy round the edges at the moment. So will keep this short and sweet. Photos are uploaded but I probably won't put them on the net until the weekend as I need to do some bits around the house. Back to work tomorrow for the last two days of the week.

In the meantime - here's a photo to keep you interested.

[[email protected]]

Good Afternoon ladies,

Shad - I didn't see a photo. Glad you made it back home safely. Hopefully everything as house was in order. When you get a chance tell us about your adventures.

Nita - Hope everything wenk ok with taking Gene to doctor. Hope the yoga class works out well for you. Your so right about staying active. I think it's great that you went to the gym even when you didn't feel like it.

As for me, another busy day. Taking a vacation day tomorrow, need to pack up halloween stuff and put in attic. Might try and get a massage in.

hope everyone is having a great day!

[Nita]

Hi Ladies,

Welcome home Shad. It doesn't seem like you really were gone very long!

The trip to the doctor with Gene went well and he convinced the nurse to let him come back in six weeks vs. 4. I did manage to do the whole Yoga class, but I thought it was really hard. However, I can see where you learn to breath correctly and to stretch all parts of your body. I may go back again next week, I will have to see how I feel tomorrow. Afterwards since I am on vacation I went bowling again and didn't do too well but at least I was with friends and it was fun. All of a sudden I have this urge to give up on this dieting and just accept myself the way I am at this moment! It just seems too hard all of a sudden. I think I am having one of those pitty parties today because I am thinking how great it would be to be where my children and grandchildren are. The fact that I cannot go and visit them is making me unhappy. And I am not sure Gene will ever get to the point where he can manage on his own for even a week. I know I have a lot to be thankful for because at least I can come and go pretty much as I please and one of my best friends here cannot do the same. Her husband had his leg amputated due to diabetes about six weeks ago and she pretty much cannot leave him for any length of time.
Take care all
Anita

[Shad]

Morning all,
Quick catch up as I am just about out the door to the gym. Lots to do around the house and the heat and humidity are making the weeds grow twice as fast as normal.

I was away about 12 days in all. Not that long, but we packed a fair amount into it. I have loads of photos to upload and then I will tell you all about my holiday.

Catch up soon.

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Hello Ladies,

Had a packed filled weekend. Took friday off and ran lots of errans. Took my car to shop and have it looked at. My car was leaking transmission fluid and luckily it was just a small and inexpensive leak. Don't know if I had mentioned, but i'm going to buy my sister's SUV. Her's is a 99 and mine is a 97. I think I can sell mine what i'm paying her for her's. She gave me a good deal, so I also ran the 99 one up to shop and got oil changed. Today i was busy cleaning out both SUV's, so I can put a 4sale sign on mine. Cleaned house and files rest of weekend.

Shad - looking forward to hearing about your adventures.

Nita - I know there are days when I feel like giving up to. But we can't, maybe take a day of rest? I think the yoga would be hard too, but like you said it helps with the breathing and with the stretching.

Cat, Mooz and Hal - Hope your doing ok. Drop if you get a chance.

[HalGal]

Good Monday evening girls!

What a rainy, dreary day. We certainly have had interesting weather these last few weeks. Tomorrow we are due to have our high temps once again reach the lower 70's. This is vey unusual for mid November.

You guys know what a music fan I am, and especially country music. I am excited to see the live CMA (Country Music Awards) from NYC tomorrow night. I have Larry King Live on tonight with live interviews with Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Barbara Mandrell... all big favorites. LOVE music.

I had a quiet weekend, taking it easy. I guess I was preparing for yet another week of fast paced excitement. Tomorrow I'll begin my day at our career and technical center making a classroom observation of a younger teacher I am mentoring. Then, off to my classroom to finish the day. I have a meeting after school with the folks from a teaching strategy we have been using for the last year and a half (at a 6 figure cost) with my team. Then, it is off to another meeting (45 minute drive) to meet with legislators to discuss the future of educational funding in our state. Our state government (as most in the US today) operates at a deficit and it is difficult to fund much less make much need improvements to our programs. If you take a step back,and look at the history over the decades of educational funding and decisions it becomes pretty clear where our priorites are. With that said, you just go and do what you can, say what you can, and trust that it helps in some small way. This meeting lasts until 8P, which means at the best I'll be home by 9P.

I'll have to make a point of spending some extra time with Rocky tonight! Bless his heart...

I am doing well with my diet, and exercise - remaining ever thankful for the ability and opportunity to work on making things better. This week I plan to each a few meals using beans. High fiber and good carb.

Shad: I cannot wait to hear details about your vacation. You know me, I want to know about your favorite foods! )

OneDay: You are SO smart, taking a day to prepare. I think it is a wise decision to do this. Good luck selling your SUV, I bet you will sell it quickly.
What kind of new SUV did you get? I have a Jeep Liberty and it has been a good SUV. Mileage is not a huge problem.

CatLover: I watched a movie called 'Spanglish' this weekend. It was cute! I bet you would enjoy it if you have not seen it. How is your shoulder? We never appreciate good health, until problems arise, huh. I have a shoulder than occasionally hurts, and I empathize with you - ouch!

Nita: You know, I immediately felt bad for you friend, but then found myself thinking quickly how lucky she is to still have her husband. Life deals difficult cards and it can be so hard to understand why. Trust me, I know this. You are right to be appreciative of all you have. With the reduction in public services due to cuts in public funding - unless you have personal bucks - it is a lonely road. So much for living in a land of democratic lifestyles. It is a green back lifestyle, which any of us can tell you rather quickly. Kind of negative, but very real.

Well, I miss hearing from both Mooz and Thin. I hope all of you have a great week. Only a week until Thanksgiving. Do any of you have special things you prepare for the holiday?

All the best!

[mooz49]

Hi chickies ........ sorry I have been away so long ...... I have been busy painting. There are 2 exhibitions coming up and I am trying to get 3 paintings into each. One of them is opening tomorrow night and I did get 3 in for it. Keeping my fingers crossed that I sell something. The paintings for the second exhibition have to be ready for the Sat after this weekend.
I have now lost 7.5 pounds at WW and tonight is weighin again. It is a struggle to keep off what I have lost never mind losing more but I do feel so much better for having lost what I have so I will struggle on.
I will read through the recent posts and try and catch up with all you gals.
Have a good day all.

Think I will go see what words of wisdom RAlph has to offer today ...... it's been so long since I have visited his site also!

What you make it
You can speculate and guess and theorize and envision, and all those things have their place. Yet you will not know for sure what you can and cannot do until you step forward and make the effort.
There are many things that might go wrong, and many obstacles you likely did not anticipate. Yet you must not allow the possibility of those problems to stop you before you even get started.

When something comes up that you didn't plan for, you can learn from it and make adjustments. When a difficult challenge arises, that challenge brings with it the opportunity for even greater value when you choose to persevere.

Everything that is easy and guaranteed to succeed has already been done. Real accomplishment comes from doing the things that no one else thinks you can do.

Lift your eyes up and see the objective at the end of the path. Then lift your feet up, one after the other, and take the first few steps along that path.

Accomplishment is not what is reasonable or practical or certain or without controversy. Accomplishment is precisely what you decide to make it.

-- Ralph Marston

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Hello Ladies,

Mooz - Good to hear from you and congrats on your 7.5 lbs loss. YGG Hope your able to finish your paintings in time to enter the exhibits and are able to sell something. Let us know how it goes.

Hal - WOW, you have a busy schedule. I hope your legislators listen to you all. Something has got to be done about cutting funding in the schools. Way to go for keeping your eating and exercing in check. I have not done to well this past few days. Next week is a 3 day work week and of course it's my birthday weekend, so that will be nice to have off during my b-day.

My sister's SUV is a 99 but has about 30,000 less miles than mine. This weekend i was busy with cleaning up both vehicles. OH, and some good news. I met a guy about a week ago, he's younger than me 39 but we really seem to get a long. I'm was so worried about my weight, I almost called off the date. But we met last wednesday and have been talking everyday, even when he was out of town he called me. He asked me out again, so we'll see where this goes.

Cat - started looking over this medicare prescription plans for my parents and it is definitely a headache.

Hope everyone is having a great day!