First, Welcome Michelle! Good to have ya here!

Shelley--I'll bet you're so glad it's SUMMER! Even though you're still at work, things have to be a bit slower, right?

Dee--Send ALL of that rain MY WAY!!! Our farmers are really having it tough this year! A lot of them haven't been able to plant yet (and it's kinda getting late) and the ones who have already planted are having to water almost daily because it's so DRY!

Sherry--congrats on the new car! Sounds slick--don't get any speeding tickets :) I hope you have fun working fan fair.

Ramona--how's my fellow Arkie? I'm sure you're stressed, too, with work and family issues. I hope things are better on the family front. I may be down your way soon. Stewart wants to go camping during the 4th of July week and I suggested the Russelville/Danville area. It's so beautiful there! He wants to go to the Buffalo River, though, and maybe float. We'll see! He has an Uncle and Aunt in Russelville, so that'd be a free night's stay (in a house. with a shower. :) ).

Gayle--I feel for you with all those doctors appointments. So far this year I've only been once, and that wasn't because I was sick--just sick of being so darned fat! I went around a month ago and got a prescription for Xenical. I've just really started "dieting" again this week. Since I've moved back home my mom has been walking with me. She helps keep me at it! I was so tired last night that I had just about decided not to go when, at eight o'clock, the phone rang and she was like, "Are we not walking tonight?" Of course I went.

My mom needs to walk. She's been really stressed out lately because my oldest sis has moved back in with them. My sister has been in a very unhealthy marriage for, well, ever (18 years). She has totally taken care of her family, including my BIL, who is a recovering alcoholic and has very severe mood swings (almost to the point of being bi-polar). My sister is the one who has always held the jobs that have paid the rent, put food on the table, etc. Now, my sister is having a hard time (it doesn't help that she is very overweight and has no self-esteem) and instead of helping her the way she helped them, her family has pretty much abandoned her. The bad thing is, there's no way for US to help her because she's hurting so bad. She feels used, and I can't really say that I blame her.
Even though my BIL has filed for divorce, my 17-yr-old niece (who'll be 18 next month) keeps calling my sister wanting to know when she's going to get a job again so she can give them money again. It makes me sick! My sis is so emotionally distraught right now that she can't even go through one day w/o breaking down and crying. Sigh.

Anyway, you all can see why I haven't been posting lately, just too much stress to share. It makes me feel bad when I come and blow off steam to y'all.

Hello to Janice, Vicky (if you ever lurk) and Carol. If I have forgotten to mention anyone, I am truly sorry! I'm just on a break at work and wanted to stop by.

Cheryl-Has your sister ever gone to Alanon? I might help her think more about being good to herself and not being everyone else's mother. I really feel for her. Tell her that she is invited to the Floozies at anytime! Wouldn't it be great if you could meet up with Ramona for awhile? That would be so exciting for you to meet each other.

Cheryl, will your sister join in on the walks? Exercise can be a stress reducer and maybe it will make her feel better to chat with you & your mom while walking. Also, how about taking her for a new hairstyle and makeup? If she can look better, maybe she will start to feel better about herself. I went thru **** in a destructive marriage until I had the strength to pull away, it was the best decision I ever made. Thank goodness she has made the most difficult step, now if she will only stay away and continue to focus on herself. When her kids call, she needs to stand up for herself and tell them she is going to stop supporting them and work on supporting herself. Please tell her I kinda know what she is going through and even when things get as dark as you think they can get, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I applaud her for having the strength to say "enough is enough". She is welcome here anytime.

Shelley and Gayle,

Both Mom and I have invited Carla (my sis) to walk with us, but she is not interested. She has been walking with her 11-y-o DD, who is the only one who would leave the "city" and come to live with her in the country. I've never thought of suggesting Alanon to her. That might help. Thank you for that suggestion. As far as the make-up and hair-do, I have thought of asking her to do a "spa day" with me, including hair, nails, etc., but right now with the move and all I can't afford it.

On a brighter note, since I've moved back home, Stewart has been a real gem! A couple of nights he's even cooked supper for me! He's helping with the laundry and, so far, he's been really patient with me wanting to spend time with my family. Him being so great (knock on wood) coupled with being able to walk with Mom at night has made being home so much better than I was expecting! Plus, I've enrolled in two classes next Fall to pick up working on my Master's Degree again! :)

Did I tell you girls that Mike told me that he can't work all these hours and worry about dinner?????? Well, I told him that he had better get something that I can put in the oven and press the bake button. Patty made dinner last night-scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, toast. Mike tried to tell her how to scramble the eggs correctly and she said that he wasn't making dinner, and she knows how! He told her that he didn't mean all the time. Anyway, tonight Becky called and asked what we are having and I said that nobody took anything out for dinner. Well, she was upset with me because I didn't take anything out. So I quickly thawed a couple of pork steaks and put some potatoes in the oven and we will have mixed veggies also. Mike said he would put the pork in to bake, but I told him that I was broiling them and that I would do it!! I guess I am going to be forced to learn how to cook. I don't have to enjoy, though! Anyway, thought I would let you all know that I am no longer the lucky one whose husband does the cooking. We'll see how long this lasts. If he complains, then he'll have to start again!

Shelley, toss a roast in the crockpot and cut up some veggies, toss on top, season with whatever you can find. I usually use a small package of lowfat onion soup mix powder...sprinkle this on top of the veggies and meat, add about 1/2 to 1 cup water, just enough to moisten the powder and then walk out the door. Your dinner will be ready when you get home. Take the broth if you want, place in a saucepan and once boiling, stir in a sauce made of a small amount of cornstarch and cold water. You now have a seasoned roast, veggies and gravy. I buy a large package of frozen chicken tenderloins, crockpot once again, when done, I cool and dice the meat, I can then use the meat for several dishes such as salads, chicken taco's etc. I like to dice the chicken, then toss in a sprayed skillet, add season salt and lightly saute just long enough to turn the chicken golden brown, I then make each of us a large plate of mixed lettuce, brocolli, tomato etc. and add a serving of the chicken in the center. It's a nice refreshing and filling salad for summer. My family has learned to love salads and sandwiches!! LOL!

Cheryl, maybe you, your mom, your sister and her daughter could have a "girls night" or spend the day together. Go out to a movie and then go back home and give each other manicures and facials. Stewart sounds like he is really happy to have you back home!!!!

Helloooooooooo, can I come over and play????!!!!

Sorry to be gone so long, just way too many excuses have made it way too easy not to post.

First, welcome to Michelle and anyone else I may not have welcomed. I hope you will always enjoy posting here and feel you can come to us with anything that you need help with.

Sherry, congrats on the new car! I bet you look like one sexy momma. Hum, I could be a little partial since I drive a black Grand Prix also!!! hahaha Anyway, ENJOY!

Shelley, I guess I didn't realize that you didn't like to cook. I don't mind this time of year because we have a huge garden full of fresh veggies and I just pop fresh squash, new potatoes, broccolli, etc. into the steamer and sometimes grill a steak or chicken to go with it. Slice up some tomatoes, cucumbers and Vidallia onions...yum, yum!

Cheryl, it would be so great if you and Stewart came here over the 4th. We will be home and I would love to meet you somewhere, even if it were just for a quick hello! If you decide to float the Buffalo, you better call first. My son went last week and it is pretty low. If we don't get quite a bit of rain, you will end up carrying the canoe instead of floating! Please let me know if you decide to come this way. I wonder if I know Stewart's aunt and uncle???

Dee, how is Dez? I was reading about her condition. It sounds so very painful! I'm glad you were able to go on a nice weekend holiday. You are such an adventuress!!

Debbie, how are things going with you? How is James doing? I hope you are having a nice summer!

Gayle, you are doing such a fantastic job in the weightloss game!! I am so proud of you! Maybe I missed the post, but what are you doing to get such fantastic results?
I'm so sorry that you are having to take care of so many sick people all by yourself. I know you must be absolutely worn out. I pray that you will be blessed with some respite soon and that you can find some much needed YOU time. Love you!

Janice, so good to see you post again. I hope you reach all of your goals!

Well, I didn't have a blood clot in my leg, however, the veins in that leg are basically collapsing. The doctor says it is due to my being crushed by a vehicle several years ago. Eventually it will mean surgery to "strip" the veins. Until then, it is support bandages to force the swelling down and an order to lose weight. Well, you can guess what has happened. As soon as I heard that I immediately began to eat everything within reach. I don't know what is wrong with my psyche. My mentality is all screwed up when it comes to weighloss and my health. I really need your support and suggestions. I had hoped to walk at lunchtime this week, but I've been working on a sexual abuse case all week and I haven't had a spare minute. I've been eating in my office, which is terrible. Also, my warrants clerk is quitting and the replacement, who is supposed to be training, is not working out very well at all. That has me totally stressed out because it could jepordize our rights to maintain a national crime information center terminal. Without that, I'm dead in the water. I can't run any criminal histories or even get a DL photo, which I have to have for investigative purposes.

We are having an estate sale this Friday and Saturday of all of my mother's things. I've been carefully packing French Limoges china and and other priceless antiques for the past three weeks. It is all going to be moved tomorrow to a building downtown. I hope that we have a good group of antique dealers, who will appreciate the items that we have for sale. My dad is getting married in three weeks.

Rick is still having a very, very hard time accepting his brother's death. He goes to the cemetery every day and seems to dwell on it every waking minute. I'm really worried about him, and I don't know what to do to make it better. I know it has only been a month, but I thought he would be a little better by now.

Okay, that is pretty much my life since I've been AWOL. To all the other Floozies, I hope you are having a wonderful summer and that the angel of peace and happiness is surrounding you with loving arms. Take care everyone!

Ramona, so nice to hear from you! I think of you often!! I hope the sale goes well... I know this is very hard for you, but I also know you love your father and you want to see him happy.
Our Hospice here offers berevement sessions and a monthy luncheon for anyone who has suffered a loss regardless if the person was a Hospice client. Maybe Rick might enjoy attending a session or two to try and sort out his feelings of losing his brother. I pray he soon finds peace.

My FIL suffers from chronic Emphysema and it is taking a serious toll on him. We now have two parents requiring more care then we expected. I am so happy we chose not to move!! Mom seems to be getting better, just in time for dear FIL to start suffering more. I'm finding it very hard to fit my walks in...

Have a great day!!

Thanks, ladies for the suggestions. Patty made tacos last night. It's hard because I eat differently from the rest of the family, and Mike always prepares separate side stuff for me. He and Patty will eat all foods, Becky and I are more careful. I'm going to try the crockpot thing.

Ramona-Now that the dr. has ordered you to lose some weight, it should be easier. I know if I am told to do something, I will do it. I'm surprised that if your veins are bad that you can walk as an exercise, though. Does the dr think that's okay to do? I hope the estate sale goes well. Also, remember your dad is doing what makes him happy. You just have to pretend that you are happy for him.

Shelley, I feel like all I do in my "free time" is cook!!!! Mom follows a low calorie-low fat/no sodium/heart healthy diet which I still need to be careful...I can't used canned stuff like veggies unless I get the no salt added kind. I'm use to using ketchup, mustard etc. to season my food because it's low calorie, but I can't use that stuff in mom's meals because of the sodium. So....... I prepare her meal, then mine, then the rest of the family!!! I do sometimes prepare the same thing for all of us, but my family is very picky and will not eat certain "good for you" foods such as rice etc. I wish we had enough money to hire a cook and maid! Heaven!!!

Hi Ladies

I am just checking in to let you know that I am still around. It is nice to see so much action here. I have been in bed since my physio on tuesday. My back has been really bad. Thank goodness it is abit better today. I got up and did my swimming today dispite how painful it was. Sorry I can't reply back to each one of you but I can't sit. Time to lie down again. As soon as I am up to it again I will post.

Gayle, thanks for the suggestion, I will mention it to Rick. I hope you can get some rest this weekend!

Shelley, my doctor didn't tell me to walk. In fact, I find it very difficult these days because my leg swells even worse and it starts going numb. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do.

The sale went pretty well today. We cleared about 4,000 dollars. Everything was priced at dealer prices rather than wholesale, so the people really got good deals. Tomorrow we will mark everything down, except for a few selected pieces that are too valuable to let go that low. I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes.

I'm going to hop into bed now. Good night all...

You can tell I'm tired! I meant everything was priced at dealer prices instead of RETAIL, not wholesale!

Good luck with the sale Ramona!!!

Where is our dear Shelley??? Watching the cooking channel???? LOL! Just had to say it Shelley!

Sher, are you enjoying the new car???

Dee, I hope you feel better soon... hopefully they can do something so you are not in chronic pain and discomfort.

Cheryl, great job on the walking!

I am down more pounds this week!!! I had 3 weeks of only losing a pound a week, this week I dropped 4!!!!! No secret here to losing, just journaling (a must!) watching calories and trying to get movement in throughout the day. I'm even having 1 cup of light ice cream each night. I only hope I can continue at a decent pace...

Wishing all my Floozie friends a great weekend!!!!

Gayle-That is awesome! I had to run in water on the streets this morning. Our driveway is under 6 inches of water, and the subdivision we live in has streets part way under water. I had to dodge the snakes and the fish, not to mention the cars splashing by. I really needed to go 10, but only made 7. If it doesn't rain today, it might be better tomorrow.