Hi, :angel:s, :hug: sorry the weather is yuk for you at the moment Marie dont, let it dampen your spirits though it,s not an excuse for comfort food;) it is good you learnt what not to do and that :devil: cake YUM = 5 MILE WALK , PAIN :tread: , Quiltmama hope your feeling better I remember that burning feeling oh so well, it,s the pits, and I agree with Judy don,t stress about the exercise thing you don,t have to go all out, little things count to any movement is good like get up to change T.V. channels instead of using the remote or do some jumping jacks a couple of times during adds or put on your favourite CD and go nuts who,s to see you I do this sometimes its a good work out without feeling like exercise its fun and it helps relieve tension:) housework, ironing, walking to the letterbox to get the mail all these things add upat the end of the day the form of exercise is not important its the fact that you move that makes the difference :flow1: :yes: we are all on this journey and with each others love, understanding and acceptance we are making it closer each day to our chosen destination :cheers: I got hubby to bring me home a double cheese and bacon burger last night from :mcd: I ate half of it gave the rest to hubby I wanted it at the time but it didn,t taste as good as it used to I followed it with a watermelon and passionfruit yoghurt which I enjoyed more than the fat go figure:D I have lost another kg (2pounds,)so this week I like my scales :goodscales :thanks: Marie I live to study I,m doing a Business Management course at present just started so not to much of a headache yet:dizzy: well I,m off for a :coffee2: BYE FOR NOW :wave: STAY FOCUSED, BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES, TAKE CARE, :goodluck: HEY TIRED HOPE YOU WELL IF YOUR OUT THERE MISS YOU, BLESSED BE....JULIE

Hello everyone and how I have missed being on here. Thought about going on a few times while away but then something was always going on. I had a super time the kids are great. Such great people! We enjoyed ourselves and really made up for the time we all had been apart. My daughter inlaw took off a few days one week then my son took the following week off. So we spent some fun time together. They kept us busy with sightseeing, dinners out, barbeques with friends in our honor etc.. I did some snorkeling first time ever how cool that was. A little tricky at first. I also did a lot of hiking and mountain rock climbing to water falls and natural pools. I swam alot and we stayed in a cottage that was huge with all the luxuries available. They ensured that we went all over Maui. I have a wonderful tan and wish it would stay for awhile. I didn't worry too much about what I ate as I was always active. Being at the beach some mornings at 6:45. Also got up to see the sunrise at the crater at 4:00 a.m.. Crazy but beautiful very cold up there about 11,000 feet up. The roads in Maui are never ending with twist and turns. We saw sea turtles, whales etc. I did love the area. I drove more different vechiles throughout the trip. The kids always made sure I had wheel their so sweet. We drove my sons 4x4 alot and with his plates people treated us like we lived on the island sometimes I was able to get the island discount. It is for folks of course that live their. I ended up with some new jewelry and a few special pieces the kids purchased me as well. I took around 600 pictures too. I have them on a cd and my daughter whom is a photo editor is going to check them over before I print them. I loved my new camera we had gotten from the kids for christmas. It was a lot of fun to use. Well I am going to start my healthy foods and intakes today. I started off with white toast as it was all that was in the house. I heard my boss didn't do much of my caseload so it will be a busy week I will pay for taking a long vacation. BUt I don't mind.
Julie welcome back and I do remember you. Glad your doing so well and look forward to learning from you new tips etc. Sweet pot. sound great. I am going to review some South Beach info. today. I use some of it as a guide. A friend had a heart attack right before we left and he had followed A PROTIEN DIET. Not so safe needless to say. Now the doctors say very limited red meats.
Talk to you all soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yaay, Carol's back:beach: I was thinking you'd be gone a little longer. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. I hope that you're able to hang onto that vacation glow for a few more days.

Jules, congrats on losing that kg! Passionfruit yogurt sounds yummy, but it's a new one for me. Maybe it's an Aussie thing. Bacon double cheeseburgers are all too familiar, though:devil: . Good for you, not inhaling the whole thing. I find that if something's in front of me, I'll finish it all, even it I'm full or if it's not all that good.

Marie, if you're still in a cleaning mood, come on over to Washington--i have loads of laundry and scrubbing to do!

Quiltmama, I hope you've gotten some rest and that you're feeling better.

And Freda, I hope that your week has gotten off to a good start.

I'm doing well and feeling very motivated. The nicer weather certainly helps. My weight hasn't budged in a while, but I can look at my hips and thighs and see progress, so I can wait for the numbers to catch up with reality.

Be well--judy

Hey Carol Welcome Back
 

GOOD MORNING :angel:S, hope your all well :hug:s, Carol it is good to see you back it sounds like you had a lovely holiday it sounds like you had a GREAT time catching up with kids and friends, my DH and I have been looking for a place to go for a much deserved holiday we were looking at Hawaii and you make me want to jump on a plane and go right now :beach:, you AND Judy both have good memories, I,m pretty easy to forget;) I don,t think you,ve done much damage in the diet department as you say you kept pretty active, sorry to hear that your boss was slack on your caseload hope there will not be to many headaches to deal with but by the sounds of things it was worth it. Hi Judy :thanks: for the congrats, I really need it as all my hubby says these days is that I have lost enough he doesn,t want me to lose anymore, but as I told him this is for me not him, he is insecure about my weight loss he thinks I,m going to run off with someone else:dizzy: I think its silly sometimes the way men think I,ve never been a person that cares what a person looks like I think if your beatiful inside that is what shines through, if someone is only interested in what you look like then I feel sorry for them they could be overlooking alot of lovely people that could inrich their lives, I don,t know about the yogurt its Fruche, Yoplait had just a watermelon no fat one which was yum but it was for a limited time, so then I tried the watermelon and passionfruit Fruche which is just as nice 98% fat free OHHH and I know the feeling about eating all of something thats in front of you if it had of been potato chips or cheesecake it wouldn,t of stood a chance I wouldn,t of given it to hubby I would of fought him for it :stars: :rofl:. Hi Marie, hope your doing well and enjoying your break, don,t forget to drop in and say hi to us here. Hi Quiltmama, hope you improving and that:devil: infection is on its way out. Hi Freda how are you doing I hope nothing was said to scare you off, hope you come back to say g,day. WELL THAT,S IT FOR ME I,M DOING GOOD SO FAR:carrot: BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE, BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES, BLESSED BE....JULIE

Afternoon chickies!!! Welcome back Carol. You were very missed but I'm thrilled you had a great time. I was a little worried since my sister was in Hawaii the first week of your vacation and it rained every day. She did not get a tan. So I thought of you. But she also said that she was on the "wet" side of the island and that there was a "dry" side. I don't know which island she was on but if she knew it had a wet and dry side, why would she stay the wet side???? Glad you did better.

Judy, good for you seeing that your body is changing. I know mine is and I don't give a damn what the scale says. Seeing that I banished it from my bathroom, I don't know what it says. I just want to eat healthy, exercise and be a good person. That scale is never going to dictate my mood again. So.... good for you in ignoring it's blatant ignorance of your weight. :)

Jules, I love you. I've always heard the g'day on the Outback restaurant commercial, but never was it aimed at me. It so cool how different our English languages are. You're opening a cool world to me. I just love g'day!

Day one of spring vacation - being a slug and a walker. Mainly a slug, but DH and I took the doggies around the 3 mile block and I'm exhausted. I definitely am handling the hills better (I don't take breaks on the way up anymore - even DH commented that I was getting in better shape), but it's still WAY harder than the 3 mile WATP. Regardless, I did it and my dogs had fun. Overdid it with my Alaskan Husky (she's got severe hip dysplasia and arthritis) so I had to give her pain meds. She hit her limit at 2.5 miles but I certainly couldn't carry her the last .5 mile. So we slowed and she made it. Then I gave her medicine so she'll be out of it all night. But I bet if you ask her, she would have gone regardless of whether or not she'd be in pain afterwards. She loves to go for walks. I wish I loved it as much as my doggies. :)

Eating - doing good. Healthy choices in balanced, normal proportions. I'm not overeating and taking small helpings. I realized after the cake disaster that only I can serve my portions. I eat whatever is given to me regardless of whether I'm full or not. Clean the plate club life member. So after Friday, I will only serve my foods. Then I'm responsible for the portion and I know I won't overtake too much. So I think I'm at a new stage of enlightenment.

TTYL.
Marie

G, DAY, ladies:hug: how are you Marie, have a few spare minutes so I,d thought I,d drop in and say hi its funny how our everyday lingo seems different to others that aren,t from downunder:) to us its just slang some of it a bit more colourful than others;) its good that you and Judy see the scales as the :devil: that they are, I found out a long time ago that it is what your clothes tell you and your monthly go around with the tape measure and how you feel in yourself that gives you a better idea of how your doing and how every inch lost is a little ripper bbecause like they say muscle weighs more than fat, if your sweating bullets after your workouts regardless of how much or what sort of exercise you do then you know its working:yes: well better go by the sounds of all the noise my dogs are having a barney with the dogs next door, BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE...JULIE

Well everyones doing so good I am so excited. The motivation is running high on here and thats good for all of us. I am getting into the groove as well. Needless to say when I was away in Maui I ate what ever and didn't worry as my activity was so strong it didn't bother me. But now its time to buckle down and start to be more careful. I have a wedding in May and that will be my next event to look great for. Also the kids are coming home hopefully. My son is building a home for a lawyer and needless to say it has to be in move in condition by June 1st. So we are in hopes he can make the wedding. My first day back at work went well I am working on catching up.No real disasters while I was away. That always helps. I need to catch up on seeing clients though. Thats not a biggy gets me out of the office in the afternoons. I have made a schedule and a plan on how I will get to see everyone. Well I went to the store and stocked up on good choices for the rest of the week. That always makes a difference when things are available to us. I think that yogurt sounds great also Julie. I haven't seen it around here yet. Marie you enjoy that spring break. They say scales aren't the best measuring tool. I do think losing inches is much better I always say I am going to measure myself but don't get to it. But my rings, clothes and looks tell the truth I think. I will attempt that white square in a few days. Tom cam to visit while I was away. Thought I had gotten rid of him for good guess not. Needless to say I hope he leaves for good soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I was on the edge of the rain forest we would get some rain but drive a bit away 15 min. no rain kind of cool huh? Everyone said I looked very relaxed and rejuivanated. Screwed up that word!!! Hah HAH! My highlights really lightened up and I have a lot of blonde now. I hope to go for a walk after work today. It will be a good weather day here. We are starting spring and working up to the 60's this week. My spring flowers are showing up.Quiltamama hope your feeling better. Some how I missed Freda on here welcome to the site. Hope you'll enjoy our little group here! Judy the memories will be with me for a long time I hope. I have taken so many pictures. I am going to frame a few for the office. When things get crazy I will try to put myself back in Maui soaking up the sun and freshness of the ocean view! Keep up the good work girls we can do this. We are gaining more control daily of our efforts to make positive changes for ourselves. That is important to keep in mind! Off to work!

Morning everyone. Day 2 of the spring break and I am enjoying being a slug. For breakfast I had a slice of homemade bread and it was delicious!!! I love Sweet Oatmeal Bread. Yummy!!! I have been doing really good with my foods thanks to some friends pushing me back on track on another thread. I just love 3FC. Exrecise is easy since I embraced WATP DVD. Today is a 3 mile walk but not outside on the hilly roads. That was way hard yesterday. I was nearly passed out the rest of the day. But then I was so thoroughly chilled fromt he wind that I just wanted to be under a blanket the whole day. So today I'll walk inside and not get cold. It's yucky and gray here. But I did get up early enough to see a wisp of blue in the sky beofre the gray totally took over. So I know that htere is blue sky up there somewhere. Well, today is going to be exercise, knitting, drawing and being a slug. I do love vacations!!!
Marie

hi
 

Hi again everyone, Sorry I haven't been on in awhile! I had to work the weekend, and after those 12 hour shifts i'm just too tired to even look at anything but the couch! Monday I had to baby sit with my grandkids. Again today also, but they aren't here yet! Love then to pieces but they take your every moment! Did terrible with food at work! Someone is always bringing something tempting in and sometimes I can say no and sometimes I can't! But I am getting very choosey. I take one small nibble and if it's "not worth the calories" I don't finish it. I can just hear my mom in the background saying "how wasteful". But better wasted than me wearing it! And I know what you mean about finishing what you eat! I can't sit down with a bag of anything. That is a sure sign for me to finish the bag. I get a serving out and put it in a seperate plate. And put the bag away. If you have to get it back down it gives you time to think about what you're doing.


I am beginning to learn every one, reading the posts, so please bear with me. The Hawaii vacation sounds wonderful! Sounds like it was so much fun! But, any where with your family is fun, don't you think?

It's getting a little warmer here in Michigan. Yesterday we took the grandkids to the park for a couple of hours! They needd to get out and run awhile and had so much fun. Of course they didn't want to come home even after a couple of hours! But papa and I had had enought! I'll be so glad to see spring after this long winter. The weekend was cold, we had another snow. Sat. morning the roads were ICE. Lots of accidents. We get an ice storm every March, I just always hope I don't have to work that day!

Take care, Freda

Freda, I totally agree about not wanting to waste my calories on foods I don't like. Last night, DH made me a chicken breast with a slice of peppeer jack cheese. It'd never had pepper jack cheese and after 2 bites I decided I didn't like it. So I peeled the cheese off. Had 1 bite of the chicken and it was tasteless. So I gave it to the dogs. My exact words were I wasn't wasting my calories on it. Told DH that he cooked the chicken perfectly I just didn't like the cheese. If I'm going to eat, it's only going to be something I like. Regardless that my motheer would also say how wasteful! :)

G,day:wave: you helpful :angel:S, I agree totally about only eating what I want and not wasting my cals on what I don,t Freda it is good you are getting the hang of this I,ll only eat a nibble of this :devil: food and if you don,t like it you don,t have to feel guilty about not eating the whole thing, OHHH how I remember my MUM those words YOU MAKE SURE YOU FINISH EVERYTHING ON YOUR MY GIRL, :dizzy: BOY that sure did stick in the noggen, even now if we go out to eat I always feel guilty if I leave anything more words of wisdom from mum JUST THINK THERE ARE OTHERS IN THIS WORLD WITH NOTHING TO EAT AND YOU JUST WASTE IT :) but these days I would rather me have less waist instead of scoffing everything on my plate and feeling guilty about that later on;) :D G,day Marie, I am sure glad you are enjoying yourself, you sound like your making the most of it in spite of the weather, its good your back ontrack we all need a shove sometimes or even others motivation is good to I know if I,m feeling a bit like saying why worry about the last few kgs who cares then I come here and the congrats I get for another kg lost helps me keep plodding, Carol glad it wasn,t to stressful at work, I know you will be OK and even slimmer than you are today for that wedding so don,t give it anymind, Judy good to see your taking more notice of your body and the way it looks and your clothes feel instead of listening to the scales, well I,m not doing to bad eating within my cals range and I gave myself a big pat on the back yesterday, when I really decided I had enough of having clothes in the back of my wardrobe that I didn,t fit into anymore and telling myself they shrunk I hadn,t grown just wasn,t working anymore I pulled out a skirt that was my favourite about 10yrs ago long black pencil skirt with buttons up the front and I promised myself I was going to keep going this time until I got back into that skirt well yesterday I took it out and I took a deep breath and thought why not try and see how much further I have to go well it not only fits again but it is loose, I was wrapt that is so fully sick, which broken down means awesome great :carrot: sorry for going on but I was thrilled and all DH could say was thats good honey but anyway I,m proud of me thats whats important. Well take care be good to yourselves, bye for now:hug: BLESSED BE....JULIE

Girls we are really showing some improvements in changing our habits. Good for you all. When we get choosy or take smaller amts., decide after taking something its not worth the cals these needless to say are great changes! Hurray! I indeed need to get into the swing of being home. Its a bit different being back at work and stress eating etc. I will get a handle on it after all its only been 2 days today being the 3rd. So let today be it for geting on track. I do okay for breakfast and lunch but dinner not as good and a few too many cals. So today I will track it and maybe for a couple of weeks. I lost a client yesterday whom moved out of county. I was a bit stressed as its not in his best interest but more of a financial advantage for his family. That is not a great situation and I know it. I wish him luck but it was kind of sad. We had worked together for 5 years and he had shown such improvements and grown into quite a nice young man. Oh well I can't control everything nor fix it all. This time though I hope I didn't give in to quickly. He tends to make impulsive decisions and then regrets them later. This time I won't beable to help him out. I signed off from him eff. today. A bit sad but they will have a new client for me with in a week most likely. Their just #'s to some but real folks to me. Oh well must move on changes happen all the time. Someone else will need me just as much I am sure. Today it is sunny and bright outside and I plan to walk the lake this evening. Got to get a grip here on my goal. So exercise and intake journal are on my agenda.
Freda I also have grandkids. 4 of them 9 yr. boy, 4 yr. old boy and 2 little sisters 5 and 6. They are so happy to have us back in town. We are keeping them overnight on friday. Grandpah has it all figured out their all excited. I will get them something special to do or pick up a new movie. There so cute.
Marie great time to relax from stress do your own thing and your drawing how's it coming. Are you going to take another class? I like are but drawing isn't a strong point for me I wish it were. I went to a few galleries during my Maui visit. Lots of great local stuff. It was fun seeing the different artist displays.
Julie I think my dad was related to your mom's way of thinking with finishing food. Congrats on fitting back into your skirt. That is a great way to measure you inches lost and wt. gone. I felt a bit fat in some of my pictures. I guess more abs exercise are in order other wise felt not so bad. I am glad to beable to keep my hair fixed since I got back. In Maui it curled and waved and just took its own look and not always so good. But the kids said thats how it is here so I went with the flow. Well off to work and will try to keep up my good spirts today and move forward. Thanks for listening girls this is a good outlet for all of us. Stress reducer for sure.

Morning everyone.Things are going good. I took sometime yesterday and listed a couple items on EBay. 2 were my frist WATP DVDs. Since I got the 5 mile advanced one, I thought I'd sell the other 2. The 3 miler went with a buy it now so I'm going to send it out today. I also listed my Card Studio program from last year. I bought the new one and already have a bid on the 2005 version. YEAH!!! Buckeroos for me. :)

Yesterday was a bad computer day!!! Last week I had to rebuild DH's computer. Kept restarting part way into loading Windows. Rebuilt it and everything was fine. I thought it was because I'd installed a wireless network adapter. So it was working. Then yesterday, I wanted to scan a picture so I had to install the scanner. Blew the entire thing up again. Kaboom... I finally realized it hadn't been the wireless adapter, rather I had unplugged (and threw away) the printer hooked to that machine on the same day. It's a parallel port printer and it was way confused. I rebuilt it 3 times yesterday since I kept trying different methods of installing it. Finally I gave up. The scanner isn't attached the the computer has been rebuilt. FOUR times total. I hated computers yesterday. THEN!!!!! I was installing Quicken (from the original CD) and the CD drive kept spinning, then there was a large bang. Doggie flew over to me and I looked around - no pictures had fallen off the walls. I pushed the CD drive door open and a million little pieces of what had been my Quicken CD fell to the floor. To say the least the CD and the CD Burner were destroyed. Called DH and told him to buy a new Quicken on his way home from work since ALL our financial records are on it. Well, now Quicken is installed and the records have been restored. I had two drives in the computer and the DVD burner still works. It was so strange. To say the least the day was NOT relaxing. Today will be better.

Okay, thanks for letting me vent. BTW, I am typing this on DH's computer since it is happy as a lark now.
Marie

And JULS!!! Way to go on the skirt!!!:carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

Happy Dance!!! You go, girl!

Hi, all! Just a quick check-in, I have several deadlines but I am procrastinating....enjoying my workouts and eating on program so far this week. Will do personals after I get at least one project completed! In the meantime, I love all the energy I get from everyone on this thread, and thank you for being here.

:grouphug:

judy

sorry guys, I've been an absentee. Too many things going on in my family have kept me too tied up.

Welcome back Carol and hello to everyone.

My diet is still going good. WHen I went to TOPS this week I'd lost 2 lbs for the week. Frankly, the last couple of weeks have been so tiring and depressing dealing with family members and illness, I've not even had too much of an appentite. I've tried in the couple of days I had a bit of break to distract myself in planning some quilts and other things.

While reading through all of ya'll have been so busy, I feel like I've been standing in place. I've been dealing with tons of stress dealing with my step mother and trying to help her deal with my father being in the nursing home. Some days she is good about it and others she is not. Also, my uncle my fathers brother is in a total panic attack about my father being so ill and also their sister. This was found out recently, she has brain caner and they've sent her home to die. She lives about 3 hours from here so I'm going there today to see her and my cousins. I've got my food planned to take so food wise I'll be ok, and I got myself a good audiobook for the drive up and back so that won't be so bad either.

I'm hoping we can get some things accomplished and settled with my father and get my life settled down some so I may be able to focus on getting a place in my life for some exercise.

I've missed you guys and sorry I haven't at least been popping in. so glad you guys are here and it sounds like everyone is making good changes and focusing on new life style changes.

I went out to dinner with my TOPS group on Tuesday night, the first time I have, and I was very proud of myself. I got a slice of roast turkey, small piece of fish, green beans and a salad with fat free dressing, and about 1/4 of fat free sugar free yogurt. The place was cafeteria style all you can eat and I really stuck to it and didn't even feel bad about not getting some of the other choices.

Quiltamama you sure have had a stressful time of things happening. Know that my thoughts are with you. Non of those things are easy fixes but I am sure you will handle them the best you can. I can tell from all of your comments and input on this site that you are a very special person , kind and considerate of others. Your help to others during these trying times will benefit them and yourself more than you will recognize yourself. Good luck and know we all care. If you need to vent this is the place everyone will understand and support you that is how this site is. Congrats on the wt. loss and during hard times its not so easy to make the best choices for yourself but don't forget you need to stay healthy for yourself and everyone else.
Juls your skirt fitting was such a great idea I used it last night for a spring skirt for today. I didn't try it on last night just ironed it but this morning to my surprise it fit well. It is one which I wore last yr. but was a bit tight. It fits better and gave me a real boost today to continue my journey. I did get back on track yesterday and felt pretty good about that. I did eat a yougrt which had too many calories I purchased the wrong one their so tricky. After I added dried blueberries to it and ate it for my evening snack I read the cals oopps! Too high too late oh well! Better next time. All in all it was a better day with choices. I did notice that my hunger when I come home for work is on a high. So today I will eat a afternoon snack todays choice is a Kashi bar on 150 cals. We will see how that works. I remember I had that issue before.
The robins are singing and sun is shining what more reason should I have to go for an afternoon walk today.
Marie I wish I had your computer knowledge. Your really good and I could use someone to teach me more. I have a scanner and never even have used it. I will promise a picture of Hawaii soon. I am having the pictures edited by my daughter the professional. As long as she offered I figured why not. She is a bit slow though. I got on her last night as I would like to print some off soon. I left my camera plug at my sons. I might just ck into getting another one how much could a little plug cost?
Judy your a busy gal good job sticking to your routine and good eating it will continue to pay off. If we just continue with out lapse we will all do great! Good things are in our future just waiting for us and we will all be much better off hopefully with our health too!
Take care and have a great day I am off to work soon. One more day!

G,DAY :angel:S :wave:, hey Quiltmama :hug: all my prayers and wishes are with you with all you have going on you still have a positive attitude which is amazing in itself I agree with Carol we are all here for you as you are for us for the good times and the not so good, a BIG congrats on the 2lb weight loss:cp: :dancer: see you can do it without even trying what,s that :listen: 2LBS their sculking away NEVER to return, hey Carol it feels good when you try something on that hasn,t fit for awhile and now does and fits perfectly doesn,t it:hug: a small victory in this battle called the bulge;) I agree yogurts are confusing there are that many out there here we have yoplait no fat which is also low cal which is great I use the plain variety when I do a strogganof instead of sour cream and DH can,t tell the diff, hope your daughter get,s your prints done for you soon, G,day Marie YEH the skirt I wore it yesterday and DH didn,t even notice I made a comment about it later and all he said was oh yeah I thought it was new :dizzy: definately wrong place to go for compliments :shrug: :dunno: good luck with your selling on ebay you sound a wiz at fixing computers I barely know the basics but then I have trouble flying a microwave:?: now your DH,s is happy you will have to work some magic on yours, hey Judy keep it up GIRL stay on track try not to work to hard and don,t look at it as procrastinating more like your just adopting a more laid back attitude;) well it sounds good anyway, BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE, REMEMBER BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES, :grouphug: :cheers: TO US ALL WE ARE WINNING, BLESSED BE...JULIE

Hi Everyone, sounds like every one is on trach today! Inspires me to keeps going.

Quiltmama, Sorry to hear about your father. It's always sad when we have a family member ill. And your Aunt too! Prayers!

Mmarie, I would love to be a computer expert, instead of the ignoramius that I am! How did you learn? Classes?

Jules, YEAH! Wonderful feeling, trying on something that was too tight and find that it fits!

Cacmsc, Have fun with the grandkids this weekend! I baby sit with mine 2 days a week while my son and DIL works. We love the time we get with them!

I took the dog for a long walk this morning so got most of my exercise in. I still have the weights to do today also. I don't mind those at all. I just do my routien while I watch TV.

Go make it a good day, Freda

Hi All, it's been a busy morning. I walked 3 miles first thing, then I surfed awhile, then made the baby blanket I started a couple days ago. Good news, DS, GF and DGS decided to still go to the coast and they just left a ocuple minutes ago. I'd been playing with DGS for the last hour. He's so cute. He's starting to smile and laugh. This is the stage I really start to like babies. They're so cute. I have several new pictures so I'm going to update my webpage this afternoon. In the meantime, I'm rebuilding my laptop. I'm going back to Windows 2K with it. It has only a 10 Gb hard drive and XP is taking too much room. Windows 2K is a bunch smaller. So It's almost rebuilt but all the programs have to be reloaded. So much fun!!! BTW, I took a few college programming classes but my degrees are in counseling. Found I liked computers better than counseling so I quit that. Most was just learned by logic and the fact I "usually" love computers.

Overate a little yesterday but it was a choice. I really wanted steak since DH burned ours on Christmas. So we made a nice dinner for the 4 of us and this time he grilled them perfectly. Twas yummy!!!

Carol, great for you in having the skirt fit comfy. That is a fabulous feeling.

Freda, I bet your doggie is way happy. My pups love a long walk but the hip dysplasia with my Alaskan makes it a once or twice a week event. DS and I took out the jogging stroller I bought DGS and put him it this morning (they're going to use it at the beach). Looking at him in it made me want to take him for a walk. I love walking!!!

Quiltmama, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sure is strange to be the caregiver for parents, isn't it. My mom isn't doing too good and when I fly back the Miinnesota, that lesson of how fragile they're becoming gets reinforced.

Jules, too funny about fishing for compliments from DH. My DH would never think to say I look good or bad in an outfit. He will tell me a sweater that I've just finished looks nice. That's about all the farther I get on that track. :)

Well, I will chat with you all later.
Marie

Dashing back through again, trying not to lose the habit of checking in even when things are really busy. Quickly: Freda, you're just like me. If I have bag of something, I'll eat the whole thing. I am learning to use little snack bags to make my own single-serving bags.

Quiltmama, congrats on taking extra measures to keep the stress from settling around your hips! I admire you for not pigging out at a buffet. I'm trying to avoid places with buffets altogether, 'cuz I always feel like I need to eat my money's worth:?:

Marie, you have been awfully patient, waiting three months for that steak!!!

Carol, congratulations on fitting into that skirt. This weekend I will be going through my warmer-weather clothes. If I've lost a lot or a little, either way it should be good motivation for the next phase.

Jules, thanks for your kind words but "laidback" isn't exactly how I would characterize myself right now, more like "crazed"....

Gotta go. Keep it up, ladies, you're all doing great!

judy

Freda and Marie in Family CIrlcle there was an article on walking with your buddy (dog). It was quite interesting. I am going to the shelter soon to start my journey to look for a new dog. I will also think of buying one else where but would like to maybe take one whom needs a home, time will tell. I don't think it will be a puppy. To easy for my husband to fall over etc. not knowing to be any better etc. Oh time will tell not in a real hurry. But would like to train the dog to camp with us this year.
Juls sometimes hubbies just don't have a clue. God help them! But I also felt pretty darn good in my skirt. Good for us! I will be looking into a few new work clothes this weekend. Just sick of all my old stuff. Maybe I can add a few new skirts in. I have a few new tops alread from Hawaii.
Judy good luck with your clothes. I am sure you will see a difference. You have been trying so hard go and reward yourself something new for spring. Wish we could shop together how fun that would be! I will let yah know what I buy. I read that watermelon color is in. I saw a cute watermelon skirt with a white lightwt. shirt in a mag. Really cute! I think I need one! With my dark tan that would be nice.
My highlights turned really blonde while I was away. Now I need to touch up my roots I guess I am going light for the summer months. Changes are sometimes good for us all.
Well the afternoon snack helped yesterday so I wasn't so straved when I arrived home. I am trying to stay within my cals 1400. Not so bad if I eat healthy actually can be a lot of food. But at anyrate I have to figure out some healthy evening snacks. Last night I had 1/2 of a skinny ice cream sandwich on 65 cals. Go figure the hubby had one too. I didn't tell him it was diet he just ate a whole one! Hah hah! See we need our kicks once in awhile.
The scale that little white square thing I hide in the closet came out today its up 1lb. not too bad for a 2 1/2 wk vac. eating what I wanted. But its time to take a serious look and move that number. I set a mini goal of 2.5lbs. by Easter I will work on that. Scheduling myself for early morning gym visits next week. Take care gals guess this is kind of long sorry!
Quiltamama hope you know our thoughts are with you!

hi
 

Good morning all

Good morning all,

It's going to be another beautiful day here in Michigan! I'm taking advantage and going for another long walk outside! Got to get out there soon thought, we're supposed to get some of those April showers later. I know it's going to rain and I have the sinus headache to prove it. I should loan myself out to the weather station! I can predict rain much better than they can! Think I should apply? How much money do you think I should ask for?

Marie, Steak sounds yummy! I don't make it much in the winter, live on it in the summer! Just so easy to throw on the grill. Got to watch those portions but other wise, it's not bad.

Judy, I've been going through my clothes close too! Mayve you and I and Cacmsc should go shopping together!

cacmsc, We're planning a shopping trip. Want to come along! I've heard that coral shades are in for spring too. I don't look good in orange or pink shades, I have too much red in my complexion, but a skirt would be ok! I jsut got my hair streaked for spring too! I'm getting blonder and blonder as i'm getting grayer and grayer! Good luck with your search for a dog! Our had died a few years ago (hubby and I both cried for months) and we finally, after about a year, decided we wanted another one. And I wanted to find one that needed a good home too, so we adopted one. He's a little Shih Tzu and he's adorable. We didn't care what kind we got, we love them all, he's just what came along.

Make it a good day, Freda

great news on the skirt, that sure lightened my day. I know what that feels like and I can't wait to get there, maybe in another 10 pounds I will try on some of my older clothes that I haven't been able to wear in two years. I know it gives you a big lift and a ton of confidence. My day was a busy hectic and sad one. Drove about 4 hours north to visit the aunt with brain cancer. Her kids are not telling her what is wrong or what is going to happen. I don't agree but not my call.

I did grab a sub at a sub shop when I got back into Mobile, AL where my dad is at in the nursing home, and took him one too. I made mine turkey with no mayo but did get mustard. That was dinner the rest of the day was normal so I hope I didn't go to far over the days calories. I'll be burning up some calories today doing a major house cleaning as my aunt is coming in tomorrow and we are into quilting together so that will be fun.

Yogurt. Yep Yoplait is my favorite at the no fat 100 calorie one. I make a strognoff recipe using no fat cream cheese, and do it in my slow cooker. I've also used chicken and curry and used the no fat cream cheese and it was really good too. It's great because I put in the slow cooker and ignore.

Can't wait to see the pictures of Hawaii. I'm so ready for a vacation, the hubs found one for cancun, 5 days the same week as our anniversary. We have some logistics to get worked out but maybe we can take it. I just hope it doesn't mess with my diet and I would like to lose another 10 pounds by then.

This was a red-letter day: I did my first "bridge walk" of 2006, and it felt great. I've been waiting for the nice weather so I can go back to my 50-minute walks from Arlington Cemetary to my office in DC. And although I didn't get everything finished up at work this week, I just finished a major project and my boss is very happy--so I'm happy!

Hope you all have lovely weekends. I have a long to-do list, including taxes:o but I will also go sandal-shopping, which I love to do.

Keep it going, ladies! We're all doing great.

judy

G,day, LADIES well we all sound like we are on track eating wise, sorry your day was a bit of a bummer, Quiltmama you sure have your share of woes I agree with you about your Aunt not being told but like you say its not your call maybe if they don,t tell her then maybe its not really happening you know what I mean a bit of denial on their parts which is understandable we all wish it was happening to someone else in these situations which I,m sure your no stranger to :hug: I hope you have a lovely time with your Aunt quilting I would love to be able to do that I,m crafty but not a sewer, your ideas on using no fat cheese sound Yummy I like to use my slow cooker to so convienient just throw everything in and set and forget, next dish I make that calls for sour cream (substitute yogurt) I,m going to give your idea a try, Judy sounds like your doing good, you inspire me with all your walks and exercise usually after reading all of you guys posts I get on my bike and go for a ride which is great keeps me motivated something I need alot of when it comes to exercise:dizzy: :p Hi Carol your right hubbys don,t have a clue but I know I look good 74kgs and counting down and I know I,m gorgeous :lol3: hey watermelon sure is in I,m eating it in yogurt and your wearing it;) good luck on you dog search and the one that is right for you will find you if you go to the shelter there will be one there that will just look at you and ask you to take him home he is rather quiet and needs love, Hey Freda sounds like a good idea you couldn,t do any worse than these weather people these days I think they just put their heads out the window and guess and say rain MAYBE or sunny patches MAYBE as far as chargeing goes I would say could could get the going rate hey they get it for getting it wrong most of the time:?: you sound very upbeat and the feeling is catching yes I will make today a great day thanks for the tip,:), G,day Marie I sure envy you and your computer knowledge but I,m learning as I go along like you say some of it is just common sense I was pleased with myself yesterday I solved a problem for my hubby he was trying to scan an old photo for this booklet he is printing for a customer and he was using a high resolution setting and it kept coming out fuzzy so I thought being a photo of at least 35yrs old drop the resolution down lower and it worked and he is suppose to be the genious ;) :D OK FIRST A 3MLE WALK THEN A SURF :carrot: you go girl doing great fully sick, I agree babies are the best and they are even better when they are grandbabies, WELL THATS IT FOR ME I,LL CHECK IN LATER ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, TAKE CARE BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES AND REMEMBER YOU TIME EVEN IF IT IS ONLY SOMETHING YOU DO JUST FOR YOURSELF FOR 10MINS ITS IMPORTANT, BYE FOR NOW, BLESSED BE ...JULIE

Good afternoon, my chickie friends. Well, we're at the end of my spring break week. I'm really sad to see it go. I don't ever want to go back to work. 'Tis a bummer come Tuesday morning I'll have to go. There's some talk about increasing my contract from 200 days to 260 days. I'm not so sure I'd like that. I think 12 weeks off a year is a good thing. :)

Today, I finished a drawing I started yesterday for DS2 (the one in the military at tech school). I was looking at my doggie photo album (missing my dearly departed Teddy Bear) and saw a picture of Bugsy. She was a husky we had for about a month that was very good - we'd gotten her as an adult. Turned out a gruff voice male abused her and our neighbor set her off. We saw a lawsuit in the making so we brought her back to the Humane Society (cried and cried) with the agreement I would support her till she was adopted - which she was. Anyway, this was about 8 years ago and DS2 and her had bonded quickly and DS2 just loved her. Sinnce she wasn't with us long, we have very few pictures (5 to be exact). Well from one of the small ones, I drew a big picture of her for DS2. I sent it out today since I finished it this morning. It turned out so nice. I know he will love it. I'd told him I was thinking of doing it and it was a "please do it now". So I did good.

Jules, good job on fixing the scanning resolution. Computers are easy if you can think logically.

Judy, way to go on the walk. Just how far is the bridge walk? With the cherry trees in blossom (hopefully) and spring springing somewhere (since it's not here), it would be incredible. I loved Washington and visited often when we lived in Hampton, VA. And great job on finishing the big project.

Carol, good luck on your doggie search. Bugsy was the only time I didn't get a puppy and the heartbreak from having to return her made it so I couldn't do that again. I hope you find the perfect doggie needing a loving soul since you certainly are.

Freda, I lived in Minnesota for a good chunk of my life and whenever I here of the midwest (Michigan included) having beautiful weather when we should have it here in the further south desert, I get very cranky. It's not fair, I cry!!!! Enjoy the weather for me. My huskies just came in and I petted their backs and they were wet - I assume it once again drizzling outside. Boo-hoo. Hope your walk was good.

Quiltmama, totally agree with you on your aunt. How unfair to not be told what is wrong with you. If she's coming over to quilt, it's pretty apparent she's not totally incapacitated. That just isn't fair. I'm proud of you for following the wishes though. Good luck and my prayers are with you.

Well, off to some other threads. Love you all!
Marie

Freda I also had a Shih Tzu mixed with minature King Arthur Spaniel. She was a love and it killed me to put her down. But at 16 she was suffering and hated the cold just shivered so. Well needless to say she will never be forgotten by any. When the kids would date she would sit right between them and the date. My daughter inlaw loves the story of how she tried to get back next to my son and Katie growled and let her know no way! It was cute! The shelter was awful the dogs barked and growled lots of pit bulls and rots. Not cute little Katies. There was one cute doggie but she had been adopted already. One was dropped off by an officer someone had shoved it out the car. He was cute but too big, too much energy for me! I want small cute and cuddly a little lap dog. Shopping oh I bought a pr. of jean capris and a pr. of blk knit capris to workout and relax in. Fashion Bug go figure!
Quiltamama hope you get the break to go away. Your right on the money with your tohoughts on the aunt. But its their mom and you could only say if it was you would you want to know? I had a client who's brother took his own life and they weren't going to tell my guy his brother had died. I said he understands more than you think. Did they think he didn't hear them talking. After a bit they rethought and together we told him. He had a right to know but in a not with as much info. Good luck with that not an easy situation. My brother has a condo there he doesn't share it but he goes every year and loves it. A break is in need you have so much going on. Sometimes getting refreshed is what we all need. Subs aren't so bad if whole wheat is offered grab it. The bread is the biggest problem. But once in awhile yah just have to do it Being careful somewhere else will balance it all out.
Judy hurrray for you! Up hill is never easy but how good did you feel inside that makes the difference? Your doing great keep it up. Rain for today here tom. will be a lake walking day 4 miles!
Juls no doggie there for me at least not yesterday. They weren't happy and I don't blame them but I will ck the paper. I am not in a hurry just starting to look. Isn't it funny how we all are into the spring wardrobe. Guess it was a long winter. In the cold weather I first start out with enjoying sitting in front of the fire with my knitting or a good book.
The little ones 3 stayed over last night. I enjoyed helping them make some necklaces and braclets. Then the played and settled down to a nice movie and popcorn. Grandpah slept downstairs with all the kids and their sleeping bags. Its cozy with a nice woodstove and grandma took her bed smart lady huh? I will make pancakes with blueberries on the side. My sister inlaw also came out to stay and get out of the city. So we have our own hotel and all our guest are lovely, kind and sweet. My sister inlaw has r. arthritis really bad and has a hard time with doing somethings. She will be moving in late this year we are remolding the garage with a bedroom, sitting area w/t.v. space and a small bathroom. She will take her meals with us for the most part. We get along well and she is good with the kids. Together it will be a good thing she will have her own space as we will. Then the fact of helping each other will make it easier for all of us. My hubby gets into doing something he shouldn't at least if he falls and is hurt someone will call me etc... It will give me piece of mind to say the least.
Take care girls oh and wish me luck I am taking my sister inlaw to the casino. Not to spend a lot but to ck it out. She has never been. While I play a bit she will ck the stores etc.. Then we will have some coffee or lunch? I need to watch my cals...... I plan a grilled steak, mushrooms and baked potatoe later. For card night some healthy snacks and one bloody mary to go!
Have a great day. Marie sorry you vacation is ending. Another will come soon time always flys.

Carol, I hope you have good luck at the casino, you deserve it! I envy you your relationships with your extended family. How wonderful to take in your SIL. I haven't lived in the same town as my family since I went away for college. The day may come when I need to go back to help care for my mom. I'm close to my mom and sibs, but since I'm not that fond of Ohio and have enjoyed not being embroiled in the extended family's "issues," I'm not looking forward to living there again.

Marie, I know your son will love the picture of his doggie. How nice it must be to be artistic! I'm not, but I really, really appreciate those who are. My "bridge walk" is close to 3.5 miles, depending on which route I take once I get to the Lincoln Memorial. Most of it is non-stop, but once I get past the memorials and Constitution Blvd., I zigzag as much as possible to avoid having to stop for traffic lights. The cherry trees everywhere are in full bloom and all the tourists are ecstatic. Other trees are just starting to blossom, and the tulips are beginning to come up...I love spring!

Jules, I'm so glad you're back, I think you are genius, no matter what the hubby might say. And I'm sorry to hear that Aussie weathermen aren't any better than they are in the USA.

Quiltmama, I hope you're enjoying your time with your aunt. I agree that it's hard to participate in deceiving someone else, but you are doing a great thing for your aunt by helping her do the things that she enjoys while she still can.

Freda, I love shopping for clothes, as long as I'm somewhere that has lots of good-quality plus sizes. But except for shoes and bras, I hope I don't have to buy many clothes for this summer. I been holding onto lots of nice clothes that I was able to wear a few years ago. On Sunday I'll know if I can squeeze into any of them. If I can't, I will give them away. It's annoying to have so many clothes and still have nothing to wear!

judy

Hey Judy, even if you don't fit in them this Sunday, you might want to give yourself a little more time beofre tossing them. Cherry blossoms. Mmmmm. Can you take a picture and post it here??? I just loved the blooms in Washington. We have snow today. I'm wearing a jacket over my knit jacket in the house, I was so chilled. I want spring.

Carol, wow, a hotel. You are such a generous person. The pancakes sound delicious.

Today I pretended it was spring and I highlighted my hair. Gone is the drab winter dark blonde. Pretty streaks everywhere. It looks really nice and outdoorsy.

I started my April walk with a 3 miler today. My goal is 75 miles for April. I did 75.2 for March so it'll be about the same except one less day. BTW, my March goal had been 54 miles. I blew by that. :)

DS, GF and DGS will be back today. I've enjoyed the alone time with DH. Empty nest sounds so inviting.

Well, I'll chat with you later.
Marie

Hi Everyone, Our wonderful, warm weather is gone! We got a thunderstorm last night (I thought it was supposed to be an April shower) and it took the warm weather with it. I still went for a walk outside todya, but had to wear a coat! Oh well, spring is just around the corner.

Quilt mama, I agree with you, anyone should know their diagnosis and decide what they want to do with their life! I don't think that is a decision some one else should make, even your children. And, legally, they aren't allowed to. A Dr. cannot even give your diagnosis to any one else (kids included) without your permission. And Yoplait is my favorite yogurt too! Love the peach. Have you tried the NO PUDGE brownies? You make them with yogurt and I use the cherry or peach. YUM!

Judy, It' will be awhile before I will be able to wear them, but I bought a new pair of sandles too. Guess we're craving sun! Can't wait to get a pedicure and get my toenail painted a pretty spring color! Your walk sounds so lovely! I love to walk outside in the spring and see all the flowers. To walk under a cloud of cherry blossoms would be so enjoyable! I might even be able to walk 50 min too!

Jules, You're right, grandbabies are the best! I enjoy mine so much. I think I am a much more relaxed grandparent than I was a parent!

Marie, Always hard to go back to work after you've been off awhile, isn't it? I get my routine down and then have to change it again! I'm such a creature of habbit! Now, if I could just form a few more good ones!

Camsc, We always look forward to new seasons, don't we? I, too, was looking forward to the fall and winter and sitting in front of the fireplace and reading. I love to read and usually have a few books going. Right now I have one i'm reading, a book tape in the car and another book tape that I listen to when I walk! I do have to be carefuland not listen to 2 books by the same author! Can get very confusing!

Have a Blessed Sunday, Freda

hi and good morning. The aunt that came over was a different aunt then the one that was sick with brain cancer. But I did enjoy it. We didn't actually get to quilt, but she's very interested in doing some things in her quilts like I do in mine. I will often use an embroidery blocks as an alternate block in a quilt. I'm in the process of making a baby quilt, and the theme in the room is sail boats. So I'm doing that and was doing that yesterday and she was fascinated by watching the machine do it.

I made a gumbo, with chicken and turkey sausage, I ate a small bowl so it was not too much food, but still filling. I thought she was going to stay the weekend but she only stayed the day.

I'm still not exercising, have never found my mojo, but I'm sure running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Now that is a big bummer. I don't think my life will settle down to a routine for a while, with so much going on at the same time. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though because my father, and aunts and uncles are all elderly and I have a bunch of them so it would just be normal for several of them to all get sick at the same time.

It really does stink, but it is a fact of life. Sure makes me appreciate life a bit and makes me forget about my personal woes and aim for taking better care of myself.

Wow, someone else that uses embroidery with quilting. Quiltmama, the quilt I made for my bed has 5 counted cross stitch panels. There are four corner pansy blocks and the center block is a big bouquet of pansies. I made it about 6 years ago and after so many washings, a few the of seams are coming apart. I figured when it's a goner, I'm ripping it apart and taking the embroidered blocks out and put them in a new quilt. They took WAY longer than the quilt did. :)

Freda, at least you got a taste of spring. :) I'm wearning a heavy sweatshirt today because yesterday I tried to pretend it was spring and froze the whole day. Live and learn. :)

Yesterday I made the back of the sweater that I'm stitching for my sister. I love my knitting machine. It's so fast. Then this morning after I exercised, I stitched most of the right front (all but the ribbing which has to be done by hand) while I cooled down.

Well, I'll chat with you all later. Today is Nascar, so I will be working on a drawing while I watch. If I don't I fall asleep. The round and round of the cars makes my sleepy. :)
Marie

G,DAY :angel:S :wave: :hug: it is good to see your all in high spirits, Carol good luck at the casino and good for you for making such a warm and welcoming place for your SIL I,m sure she appreciates it and you for your caring to you sure are a loving person;) Quiltmama your quilts sound more and more interesting I do cross stitch to Marie never thought of putting it into something like a quilt, hey Freda PUDGE BROWNIES sound yum if you have the time I would like the recipe :thanks: Judy for recognizing my genius, I guess hubby is just jealous but after all he is a male so I should make allowances and I,m glad to be back to :hug: I missed all you ladies when I was away for so long even the ones I have just met are important to me well just a quick check in for me not doing to bad I got of the train at an unscheduled stop last night platform CHOCOLATE ATE ABOUT 500 CALS OVER daily allowance so I,m going to work it off today they say it takes 3 days for whatever you eat today to turn into fat so if I,m lucky it will leave before it arrives:rofl: :woops: :ebike: :wl: hey I can only hope , well BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE, BE GOOD TO YOURSELF AND REMEMBER WE ARE COMING ALONG FURTHER EVERYDAY, BLESSED BE...JULIE

Hello all I just lost my letter darn! Oh well casino was fun won about 30 played it off only lost a total of 20 of my own cash. It was a few hrs. of fun and a bit of laughter. You guys give me a lot of credit. My SIL is a good person she deserves to be treated good life has been tough for her. I guess I like to give of myself as the reward of feeling good is payment enough. Working helping others it my regular job ensuring others get a break or what they should or could have out of life. Working with developmental population has taught me well never to take things for granted. Thanks for all your support and caring. Your a great bunch of girls. So nice to have a place to feel so comfortable.
You girls quilting make me realize I should get going on the grandaughters quilt. Thanks for making me think about it. I went to buy some new curtains for my livingroom today. Can't wait to change a few things around for spring.
Judy you should hang onto your favorite clothes with all the changes and lifestyle habits your building its got to pay off soon. Keep going hang something up and keep it out as a reminder soon you'll be in it and thankful for it.
Marie your break is almost over but you have done some fun stuff and look how organized you are.
Juls keep up the good work you are a motivator. I hope you stick with us forever! Thanks for you uplifting ideas and sharing your thoughts.
I wish Maureen were here again too.
Take care girls oh I did my 4 miles around the 2 lakes today while the weather was good. Suppose to change for a few days I guess. I like it sunny it gives us a better outlook on life in general.

Good Morning Ladies, hope you all had a Blessed weekend. I did well, ate right, exercised. But, can't report a weight loss today. I guess these last few lbs. are going to hang on for dear life! Guess I'll just have to show them who's boss. But I did go shopping and bought a new pair of capri's this weekend, size 6, and I have to take them back because they are too big! I know it's just sizing, but I want to find that guy who designes LEE and kiss him on the mouth!!!

Quilt mama, Don't forget that you need to take care of yourself to be able to take care of others. We are good at taking care of other people but so poor at taking care of us. Try to find some time to take a walk or get some type of exercise every day, even if it's just for a few minutes a day.

Marie, Those few days of warm weather we got have gone away! We probally won't see any more warm weather for awhile. I do hope it warms up some for Easter. I always have an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and They love it. I just want the weather to cooperate!

Jules, The No Pudge brownies are from a box! Don't know if you have that brand there, but they are at the grocery store. They are low cal, made with yogurt, and GOOD when you just NEED that bit of chocolate. Hope you can find them.

cacmsc, Glad to hear that you didn't loose too much money at the casino's and had such a good time! It's just good for the soul to get away and have a blast sometimes! Hope your SIL enjoyed it too! Sounds like she needs some laughs. You guys are ANGELS for helping her. I am beginning to get the spring cleaning bug too! We cleaned the basement over the weekend. We took a big load to the salvation army. We need to take a LO more! Where does all this stuff come from? I think it mulitplies like bunnies. Speaking of which, we have a couple in the back yard and I think it's mating season. I saw them out there chasing each other yesterday. My little dog sees them and wants to go out too. He does all the time but it's usually just with the one. They chase each other! It's hilarious! He has never made any attempt to hurt her or even get too close.

Have a good day, Freda

I got a late start on going through the closets yesterday. A few things do fit better, but I'm still a few pounds (and a couple of inches around the thighs) away from where I need to be. Not bad, not great, but progress.

Freda's rain is heading in my direction, so that means good-bye to the famous cherry blossoms. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, take at look at the Washington Post. Their photographers are a little more talented than I am: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...t/gallery/2006.

Off to a co-worker's good-bye lunch. The food is good and hearty (soul food), but I am visualizing a big plate of spinach or greens and grilled fish.

Be well--judy

Hi all, I officially have 12 minutes left of my time off. Today didn't start off very good. I was in a very blah mood. I didn't want to do anything and basically didn't. At noon I forced myself to exercise and voila, the blahs are gone. Unbelieveable. After I exercised, I scrubbed my shower, picked up my craft room, played with baby, cleaned my kitchen and vacuumed the whole house. It's amazing what exercising will do. Funny thing was I was dragging through the entire 3 miles - yawning and cursing. It really is an amazing thing.

Judy, the link didn't work for me, but brought me to a search page and "cherry blossoms" brought up the pictures. They are so pretty. I hope lunch goes as you visualize.

Jules, I've never heard that it takes 3 days for extra calories to turn to fat. That's pretty interesting. I didn't eat sparingly yesterday but did tons of exercise so I think I was fine. I try to balance my exercise and food intake on the same day. Sure would be cool if I had 3 days. Like buying on credit - oh that's right, I go in debt with credit. :)

Freda, wow a size 4 is what you're going to get??? That's fabulous. You have done so great.

Carol, sounds like you had fun at the casino. $20 for a couple hours entertainment isn't bad at all. Almost the price of two movie tickets and you probably had more fun. :)

Well, I will chat later.
Marie

Freda good for you glad the clothes fit loose. I am a size 10 on the bottom and never will be a 6. I feel good in a 10 and if I have to go to 12 I blame it on the designer can't be me!~
Judy progress in any form is a great step closer to your goal. Don't think of it so lightly. You have worked hard changing habits sure isn't easy for any of us.
I started my spring cleaning the closet also. Its in progress!
Marie sounds like your enjoying that baby. They are fun! My grandson called tonight and wanted to stay overnite. I said not during the week. So I have him saturday evening. He was so cute he started off by saying is grandpah sick. I said no why then he asked he is only 4 how quick they learn.
Today I had a good eating day and stayed within my calories. I did journal my intake it makes a difference. When I am off balance that is the best way for me to get back on track. A little soul searching for the cals to add up right and I can eat a lot if I choose correctly. I like that 3 day window girls. Nice line of thinking!
No exercise today rainy here. My hips are sore from my walk at the lake yesterday but it feels good that way I know it was worth the effort put forth. I am going to walk or go to the gym on tues. Hopefully it doesn't snow they were threatening it. Oh no! Spring is here! Gas prices have sprung along with the regular spring. Isn't it awful? We are at 2.69 and up around here. Yah just can't get ahead.
Take care girls.