Summer Starters 9/01/05
 

Another new month and we are still here! Anyone is welcome to join our group and the question is what challenge would we like to set up for ourselves for the month of September. Since it is the first, we need to make a decision today and then see what we can do to meet that goal we set.
Melissa

Hi All in September, the most beautiful month of the year.
Below is my challange suggestion from the previous thread.

How about 4 lbs each and a minimum of 10 hours of exercise for the month. That's 30 minutes 5x a week or some combination.
And for those of us who use fitday.com, how about entering everyday, including exercise.
I think I can do this.
Laura

Happy Septemeber everyone...and hope you're all starting off better than I am :( It's TOM and I have serious cramping and huge headache (for 3 days now). Was up at 6AM to drag sleeping babies to the gas station, where I waited in line and paid $30 for half a tank of gas. Got Allie off to school and went to the grocery store...almsot rear ended someone on the way (never sense someone is moving and go forward without actually looking up :o ) I have never caused an accident in my life, but that was close and made me want to go home and go to bed. Ty fussed all the way through the store but I did NOT buy ANY sweets at all...not a one and I'm proud of myself. It's been years since I shopped completely healthy. I am setting myself up for no slips, and with the price I paid for gas there's no extra money this week to eat out so I should do real good, even if it kills me lol

Well, after putting away all the groceries I am now ready to go to bed and take a nap. I have to go to walmart and pick up pictures and get Allie's glasses adjusted after I pick her up at noon...I'm hoping I can sleep an hour and wake up and magically the day will be better. Does that ever work?

Can't wait to hear from everyone on our new thread here...new beginnings ladies, a great fresh start for all of us that have started to struggle. :) We can do it... no matter what challenge we set!

My personal September challenge: meet my mini goal of 10 lbs.

Theresa

i think 4 lbs and 10 hours is a good goal. i think i could handle that. although i would like to lose more.. nothing wrong with exceeding the goal :)

I'll try any challenge decided on all though exercise is tough with my schedule. But I will try!!!! I had a thought about the hurricane victims, my DH and I both have a lot of good clothes in boxes because of our weight loss over the last year. These clothes are all in new condition, I had been thinking about donating them to a church but now think maybe they could go to some of these people who have lost everything. My job sent volunteers to give relief to one of the hospitals but my DH is disabled and I couldn't go. I guess I just feel that I should do something to help. Has anyone heard of an organization taking up donations of clothing? Please let me know.

Theresa- there must be something in the air--I had 2 TOM in August also, the second much worse than the first. Hang in there it will go away and a few pounds with it!!!

I have to work this holiday weekend so I won't be as tempted by all the cookout food! I think the rising prices they are predicting is really going to force our family to eat out less and eat at home better. We are cutting back now to try to keep our expenses lower. I guess I'm going to have to start cooking more!!

A new month= a new start. No dwelling on the past (unless it's to remind yourself you did it then, you can do it now!!!) Good luck everyone.

Laura -Your challenge idea sounds good- I am up for anything because a challenge will keep me motivated.

I am so excited with a new month and a new challenge.

I am trying to look on the bright side of high gas prices.. was looking at used Bike ads last night and thinking hmmm maybe it's a good idea to get a bike.. although we live so far away from the stores it maybe wouldn't work to ride bikes for shopping, but we could get to the library and the park. and it would give us something to do when theres no extra money cause of gas prices. So that would be good exercise and would help with the pounds going off. Hubby is already looking at a scooter (lol) and he is investigating propane for the one car we have been rebuilding.

I am seeing the dentist this afternoon and am not a happy person about it so... if I just need fillings ok But if I have to have one back tooth pulled I won't be real happy..although that means hubby can cook and I can milk the "ohh it hurts " ...

MIL just called and said with so many stations being out of gas- disney would be put off for a few weeks-(they get year passes every year and go all the time) but they are taking the kids for the whole weekend
Saturday, Sunday and Monday WOOHOO!! we won't know what to do! (well yeah we will ) :o: But peace and quiet for 3 whole days... oh my goodness-

Have a good day all and to echo everyone else: we can do this :cheer:

Misty-I would call your local charities or red cross. I am sure they all have outreaches for the disaster.

Looks like the general consensus is to each lose 4lbs and excersize for the month and it sounds good to me. I am going to need to shop around for some kind of tape cause the weather here shortly will be mush and yuck and I don't want to drag the girls out into it everyday.

With gas prices the way they are, we as Americans may just have no choice but to get more fit. 3 bux a gallon is just ridiculous!

I was right about the water gain-2 of those pounds are gone along with TOM. He is such a pain I tell ya and I feel for those dealing with it twice in a month. Once most of the time is one too many.

Ok ladies-our goal is to lose 4lbs for the month each so that is about 100lbs for the group. Can we do it?? YES WE CAN!!!

Melissa

Yay! New thread!
 

It's so fresh! :lol:

I'm down with the challenge too--I just edited my signature to include a way to track my exercise and pounds. Still working toward my Labor Day challenge too! I've got 7 more pounds to go for my mini goal by 10/15 when I have to be in a swimsuit around our uber-fit friends, so I better have 4 pounds gone by the end of the month! I must remain optimistic about this because I really want to feel comfortable in that dang ole hot tub!

Kayelle~caught your last post on the older thread and your exercise put in yesterday was impressive! Your observations on the treatment you now receive from others is right on. Since my loss this time around hasn't been that dramatic, I haven't noticed anyone treating me differently, but a few years ago when I lost the first 30-so pounds the difference was amazing. I got a little bit of shape to me instead of just being round and got lots more attention esp from men--that's how I met my husband! :o But what irked me was that one of my (now former-) friends kept calling me a skinny mini (SUCH an exaggeration!) in really mean tones and accused me of being more superficial. She was heavier than I was at my highest weight and she refused to do anything to change her habits but also continually whined about her weight. We are no longer friends and it's not because of lack of effort on my part. Now in retrospect it really ticks me off, b/c it's been hard work for me to recommit myself (several times now) to being healthier and I worked hard to get that first bulk off, only to have her (and a couple of others, though to a lesser degree) undermine my efforts by mocking me and turning her unhappiness back on me. Of course I was more superficial! I cared about the way I looked! But that feeling of personal power after I dropped that weight was more important than my new look and I think people were responding to that too.

My husband is the only one after these first 8 pounds to treat me much differently and when he commented on it the other night, I was like yeah--this is the weight I was the night we met!

4 pounds and 10 hours sounds like a good goal for the month. I hope to lose more than that, but like Cadwell said, there's nothing wrong with exceeding the goal! ;)

Melra, sounds like the friend was extremely jealous...she wanted you to be fat with her, but good for you to keep on going and get back to it. Don't let anyone EVER tear you down like that. You have us here to counteract that now, so don't listen when the jealousy starts to scream your way.

The challenge is on it seems. Feels like a good goal because it's 1 lb. a week and that's not obsessive. Let's get moving, ladies :cp:

Theresa

I think that it is very attainable too and will give lots of us that extra boost when we lose more than the pound. I know for me it is going to be the excersize thing that will be hardest for me. I guess I will have to watch of freecycle for a treadmill. This arthritis makes it hard to do alot of those machines at least at this weight but walking I can do in spurts. My goal is to be at 215 by Sept 30 and I think I can do it.

Kayelle my ex was just like that. He griped and complained all the time about my weight and when was I going to do something about it-blah blah blah and then the minute I started cooking healthy he crabbed about it and would be bringing me home all my favorite treats. He would get mad if I wouldn't eat them. I finally just said forget it to myself and quit trying at all. When I had lost 70lbs 9 years ago, many people treated me differently than they had when I was heavy. I also noticed that the customers that came through my line were more open to me than they had before and the kicker is I was the same person there was just less of me is all. I am curious to see what happens this time around.
Melissa

someone said something about clothes ect for the people in New Orleans. In freecycle they gave the address where you can mail clothes and blanket ect too. They are moving a bunch of people to Texas

Reliant Astrodome
1 Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054

4 lbs and 10 hours I can do that. Gonna try for more because I get weighed on the 11th but will be the 12th, cause thats a Monday. So my goals will be the same but will be from 11th to the 11th. I'm hoping I lost or will lose that last 4 lbs so I can get to 260 and maybe 250 by Octobers weigh in on the 11th. Good Luck to everyone on their challenges and goals.

Good afternoon ladies! Hope everyone is having an op day! So far, so good for me-put the last piece of cake in hubby's lunch, so it's not tempting me today!

The challenge sounds great, not too much, can probably pass it now that I'm actually getting some exercise. For August I lost 3.5, with almost no exercise, so I think I can handle 4. :crossed: Challenge for myself is no soda, 4-24 oz bottles of water and 30 min/day 5x/week. I know I can do this! Biggest problems for no soda-races tomorrow night and the fair all weekend. I did decide to not make anything for the chocolate contest at the fair, so I'm not taste testing anything!!:tape:

Mistydreamer-On one of the morning shows today they said to call your local Red Cross about donating things other than money. Brett Farve(football player with lots of family down there)said that the things they need most are things they can use immediately-water, food that doesn't need to be cooked, toiletries, diapers, formula, clothes, shoes, etc.

I remember watching a news show after the tsunami that was showing trucks full of stuff that was donated and there was a LOT of "stupid" stuff! High heeled shoes, winter jackets(temps were in the 90's), evening dresses :dizzy: They shouldn't allow people just to send "junk" that can't be used! It takes up space when useful things could be sent.

Well, I'm supposed to be cleaning house :mad: Why me???? No one else has to clean thier house!!! Why can't I have a maid? :rofl: I'm okay-really! I just wanted to sound like my girls! But I really am going to clean the house so I don't have to worry about it much over the weekend. Hope everyone has a great day!! I'll try to check in again later!

Check out today's Garfield cartoon... :lol: http://toons.today.excite.com/client/exc/ga/

I think I'm going to have to print it and put it on the refrigerator! :lol:

fancyfrog~You're doing great! Good decision on the cake--you should be proud of yourself for resisting! That soda self-challenge sounds like a good idea. I felt a lot better after I cut back on soda. I still want one, but I've noticed that the sugary-ness of it is just too much now. Drink lots of water before the races and it might help. Good luck! :D Once you start racking up your exercise minutes AND ditching the soda, you'll be dropping right and left! :D

Just fyi-Somewhere on this forum I saw a signature quote that went something like "What can I do today that I will be proud of tomorrow?" and I have gone over that question so many times and I really think it has helped me stay on track. Even little things--like knowing that I'm doing okay but also knowing that I would be really proud of myself if I did a little more or pushed a little harder... well, I just think it's been a big motivator. I'm more critical of me than anyone else, so if I can do something that will impress myself (!) then it's hard for me to avoid. Just sharing for y'all! :)

Here's to a new month and a challenge - I'm in for the 4 lbs. and 10 hours of exercise!

I feel so badly for all of those poor people affected by the storm - I've donated money, and have been praying for them, but just feel that it is not enough... :cry:
I can't even process the whole thing... just so sad.

The worst we have to deal with here is snow/ice storms - you won't here me complain about those ever again!

Good Luck to all on our new challenge!!!!

Hi everyone!

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread!

My goal for september is to lose 2kg and to become passionate about exercise again - because right now the motivation has definately slackened off! Just have to take things a day at a time I suppose and keep trying!

Good luck with your goals everyone! I know we can do this.

Blyss*

Don't mind a bit and welcome to the thread! We also send out a weekly email with our weight loss ect and just keep it between us instead of the public forum. If you would like to be included, please PM me with your email addy and I will get you into my address book.
Melissa

hey everyone!

well I had to have a back molar pulled and some fillings done so I am kinda blah feeling.. :(
it wasn't too bad - the dentist was good- didn't feel any needles, pulls or drills but visits to the dentist are never fun.. I've got more to do in the next few months.. (scaling, cleaning, etc... ugh)

I had a really hard time with giving up my diet coke and Diet Dr. Pepper but I had to caffeine is not good for me- we stopped drinking soda and went to seltzer with flavors- it has no salt no calories, no nothing except bubbles which I missed when I gave up soda. we buy the Canada Dry lemon lime seltzer or another brand around here is La Croix lemon flavor. the flavor and bubbles helps me when I miss a soda.

^ I know I feel so bad for all those who were affected by Katrina. My one boss lived in the St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans for 8 years -did mission / ministry work there and that area was totally destroyed. I know that relief workers sent by our and other associations/states have set up and are feeding 3 hundred thousand a day..I can't imagine feeding 300 people or even 3000 let alone 3 hundred thousand.

Suzymc thanks for the cartoon. and thanks melra for the quote it make a lot of sense.. and is a motivation

Thanks everyone for support! :grouphug:

Hello All
I like the challenge a lot cause it can work for those who just have a little bit more to lose and it's harder to lose a lot each month, and it good for women like me who have more to lose and if we lose more thatn 4 lbs, that's fine.
My DH is going crazy over tomatoes. Every meal must be based on them, cause there are so many and they are so good. So breakfast today was an omelet with tomatoes and basil and cheese. He had a tomato sandwich for lunch. Supper for him was ravioli and tomatoes cooked down with basil, and you guessed it, a salad of tomatoes, peppers, feta cheese. I had the salad. This will last till tomato season is over in a couple of weeks. Then our tomatoes come from far away and they usually are miserable so I will be doing tomatoes for a while. It makes him happy.
Local peaches are also terrific right now.
I just love the summer and fall, but the snow and cold are just awful. This winter I want to be thin. I would like to have enough money to be able to leave for a month and come back in March when it's almost over. We have friends who are here in the NE from May to Oct and in CA from Nov thru April. They do spend 2 weeks here in Dec cause Xmas wouldn't be right without snow. They have a beautiful house in each place. I really like that. It will never happen for me, but I can dream.
Laura

Welcome aboard, Blyss! Someone mentioned measurements and reminded me this is the 1st and I have to take mine again. I did it, and OMG I have been stressing out that I only lost 3 lbs. in August...but the measurements really put what I"ve been doing in perspective. That 100 miles of exercise really paid off:

Chest down 1.5 inches
Waist down 2 inches
Hips down .5 inch
Thighs down .5 inch
Calf up 1 inch (muscle maybe???)

Rest was the same, but in all the big parts of my body aI have gone down. I seem to be losing more on the top first, which would be why I haven't dropped a pant size yet...was wondering why! This has been so motivating and I can't wait to measure again October first. Can't believe I almost forgot to do this...duh! I am just thrilled about the 2 inches off the waist :D I'm hoping for more next month though.

Theresa

Sandi..OUCH sorry about the teeth. Give yourself some rest then get back to it. Maybe it will keep ya from eating bad things!

Laura, I want to be thin this winter as well, but am thinking more towards next summer. I would like to be able to buy the little summer dresses and cute shorts and such that are sold in the regular women's sizes. I want to enjoy clothes shopping again, not dread it. For winter, I have some old jeans that I used to just LOVE and I want to wear them again. They are a size 16, so we'll see. Keep going, you'll look great come winter!

Theresa

:smoking:well good luck to everyone, and to thoose who lost inches and :goodscale pounds whoooohoooooo

I have thought about my goals and its hittin Curves at least 3 times a week aiming for 4, at least 4 walks a week (3km) each aiming for 5, the first night I did the walk took me just about an hour like 55 min, two days ago i went and it only took me 40 minI'm hoping I can get down to 1/2 hour before weather gets bad and can't go anymore. It get freakin cold here, I figure I'm good for walking till about end of October begining of November so need to save up for that treadmill, :tread: oh yes and STOP THE PEPSI ......
I quit pepsi about 2 years ago for 3 weeks and lost almost 15lbs that stuff is bad, I know if I quit :crossed: it the weight will come fast specailly with the exercise This time it will work

Hi Blyss! Great to see we have another on board! I was struggling with the exercise too and now I feel like I'm doing much better--i just had to push through it for a bit. Good luck to you!

Theresa~I'm thrilled about your inches lost! Congratulations!

I updated my signature for the running I put in tonight. whew! I was seriously sweating afterward, but I'm glad I did it. I think I probably only ran a little over 1.5 mi though--i ran outside and took a different route than usual so I'm not sure.

I haven't tallied up my calories, but I'm fairly certain I went overboard by 100-200. Yesterday I was actually under 1300--not sure how that happened, b/c I felt full all day. So I'm guessing and hoping that both days average out.

Thanks for the welcome everyone! You're all so wonderfully supportive.

Melra - Yep i've just been trying to push through it this week at the gym. Even though I've soooo tired I've just been making myself go - which has been an achievement even if I haven't been working as hard as normal. I'm joining the aquatic centre next week so hopefully some variety will help!

I'm really excited about reaching my goal for the month!
Blyss*

Good Morning everyone! Welcome Blyss!! :grouphug: This is a great group, everyone is very supportive. Well, I got a jump start on the challenge(see tracker). I figured since this was my long hour weekend at work I'd better get my time in beforehand! I won't be able to exercise til monday after I wake up!!!! My goal for this winter is to be able to wear an outfit I saw in Spiegel's catalog for Thanksgiving which happens to be my birthday. The largest size it comes in is a 18 misses so that's what I'm shooting for. My DH says I can buy the whole catalog as a reward :love: I'm not really following a set diet like Atkins or South Beach. When I did Atkins 3 years ago I ended up losing my gallbladder. :yikes: Doc said it was because of the diet being so imbalanced. :censored: That has scared me away from whatever is the new craze. I basically try to keep my calories under 1300 and limit my starches and sugars. So far it seems to be working. I try not to think of myself as being on a diet. I just look at each meal and ask myself What would be a healthier choice? I always seem to sabotage myself when I say I am dieting!! I know this group will exceed this challenge. :goodscale :tread: Good luck everyone!! :cheer:

Hey Pals!

I'm in, too!

Been using a LOT of excuses in the past couple of weeks. This will help me. Those you us who are in financial straights can and WILL make it. At least WE are not dead or locked up down south.

I am in radio up northeast, and right now the best 2 things to give are Blood and Cash. Food and clothing will be distributed soon. The best place to go to on the web would be fema.gov or to The American Red Cross.

I think that sending clothes, food and books - especially kids books through ages 18 - would be very helpful and I think that these organizations along with your state representitives office would be good places to find out where to send everything.

I'm happy we're all here and safe.

Bring on that Gazelle!!!!

Radiodoll

good morning!
Blyss glad to have you here!

Mouth is a bit sore and I have to eat soft food for a day but that's ok.
Chick fil a is catering lunch today for all the volunteers and workers with the dental bus and in the office. I called and said please send soup LOL maybe not the best for calories but I will live.
We are ending up having 2 BBQ's this weekend Sunday and Monday Sunday is at our place so I can control food and Monday is at inlaws and I can bring my own healthy stuff and no one will care.

The kids are going to Grams and Grampa's Starting tonight... for 3 whole nights ... (I'll miss them but they are only going 2 miles down the road) we are planning a real ;) exciting weekend (cleaning off the back porch and cutting grass and yard work) and going thru rooms and getting rid of "I can't get rid of that even though I haven't played with it for a year" items..although my hubby is a romantic type and has been known to surprise me on occasion.
So what's everyone else doing this holiday weekend?? I hope having a good time- I am going to enjoy my 3 days off. and I have a half day today so thats not bad but I have to go grocery shopping....ARRGH!I have made a list and will stick to it and only to the list.

MistyDreamer- Diet is a four letter word :censored: :lol: the minute I tell myself I am on a diet I binge and Panic and basically lose my control over food..

I want to be able to wear a size 14 by Christmas so I can get a cute Christmasy dress. last year target has awesome dresses for the holidays and not one over a 14.. :( and summer.. :lol: all I want for summer is to wear a bathing suit in public and not feel funny about it. I haven't wore a bathing suit in public in years.

Radiodoll, you are right. We all still have our every day lives in tact, we are so very lucky. and I am so very thankful as well that we were not in that mess, nor none of our family and friends. I need to stop watching CNN because it is starting to depress me. But I just get so caught up in it I want to sit here and cry for those people.

My hubby is out in the truck, coming up from Florida, and he says the gas prices are starting to fall in Georgia and South Carolina. I'm going out to get the girl from preschool and will see if they are down here already...yeah!

Theresa

Theresa- I wish prices would fall here too! they say we may have to start rationing gas here in Fl - Flashbacks of 1979 (for those of us old enough to remember )
We have started collecting school supplies for those who are relocating to areas of florida - and are putting their kids in school- I can't imagine losing everything- homes, jobs,family.. we have 3 families now in the area who lived in Miss. and lost everthing -their homes were destroyed and all they have are clothes and a few pics. we have helped them with food and donations etc..they say they won't go back.. but of course we get hurricanes here too.
Be careful who you donate too- we get some weird calls here wanting $$$ and they are not legit charities. The red cross and Salvation army are two you know are real
I am off to eat soup
Have a great weekend all!

I am so jazzed to see everyone so excited and willing to dig in for our challenge for the month! The last of the water gain for me was gone this morning so now I am back where I was supposed to be and can work on getting to my September goal. We never do anything for the long weekend so it will be business here as usual unless Mom calls and wants us over on Monday. Kids are still so small and no way would I go camping by myself with the kids-just something about feeling safe with a fella around. I will more than likely try and get my son ready for school to start on Wednesday. If I can get Dad to pick up the lumber to repair my fence, then I will at least start mowing the lawn while he is gone and that will be some excersize for me. Shot hoops with my son for a bit last night-he thought that was so cool-lol. With all the errends and the girls empyting out dressers and closets, I need to get things put back yet again! I will be glad when they get over this stage.
Melissa

macdeez~Happy Birthday to you over the weekend! Enjoy yourself!

Welcome to the new member and hello to everyone else!! Sounds like everyone is doing wonderfully and also I think the challenge is going to be a great motivator to all.

I've been doing ok with exercise. Managed an hour of walking yesterday and an hour and a half today because school got out early. Calorie intake has really probably been lower than it should be for the past week at least. I have just been so busy all the time and I am finally past thinking about food all the time so I haven't been eating much. I am feeling so good about my lifestyle changes right now. It all seems to be habit lately and it's just been easy to stick with it. I keep worrying that I'm headed for a big binge because that's what's always happened in the past, but really I just don't even have the urge to overeat right now. It's a good feeling, that's for sure. I just hope it stays that way.

Will be heading back to school soon for our son's first varsity football game tonight! I am just a proud mama today and so excited for him. Our high school has 3 football teams, 9th grade, 10th grade, and varsity. Normally only juniors and seniors get to play on the varsity team(my son is a sophomore). He got the word yesterday that not only will he be a starter for both offense and defense for the 10th grade team....but he also gets to suit up and play varsity! He is so excited and nervous! I am really so happy for him but worried about injuries like any mom would be with a kid getting that much time on the field. Keeping my fingers crossed that he has a safe and successful season. He has worked his tail off in practice so far and spent so much of his summer in the weight room so he really did earn this.

Happy Birthday early, Mel! Enjoy that one piece of cake and have a great day! My Mom's birthday is today and my daughter's is on the 18th.

I also just feel sick when I watch the news. I can't even imagine what it's like for all those people. I am so thankful that I don't have loved ones down there. The people who do and are waiting to hear from them must be just sick with worry. How terrible.

I am amazed and stunned by what is happening in the Gulf. Can you just imagine being in the stadium. Bush and Co should be ashamed since they cut funds to maintain the levies, recinded legislation to protect the wetlands, which drain the water, and clearly appointed an incompetent to FEMA. He had to be told by CNN that the people in the stadium had no food water or sanitation. Secretary Rice played tennis and went to the theatre in NY Wed, and Cheney is on vacation. We did better helping the tsunami victims than our own. Luckily Americans are kind and raising to the occasion, but it is too late for some.

The oil companies will benefit. I paid $3.60 today. It cost $51.00 to fill my car. I will really be thinking now about whether I really need to go somewhere or whether I can combine trips. We live way out in the country and it's 10 miles to a supermarket, about 20 to a strip with lots of stores, so I will have to think before I go. This is such a small sacrifice in view of what other Americans are doing. Especially those with loved ones in Iraq, or Katrina's path, so I shouldn't be complaining about money. I am ranting and I apologize to anyone if I distress you. I just need to say it.

This is the longest I have ever stayed OP, with just a tiny nibble here and there, but nothing really serious. I really do think it's our group that keeps me straight. Thanks to everyone.
Laura

Well I am counting all the housework and yardwork I did today as my excersize. I swear I hardly sat down all day today. My kids I have determined are just pigs but I love the little piglets! Did awesome OP today and I am determined to at least hit my goal if not exceed it this month. Get out of the twenties and into the teens!

Gas prices here are terrible too. Almost 3 bux for the cheap stuff a gallon so needless to say, my trips all count right now and I do the loop thing.

I am so anxious to see how we all do by the end of the month. I suppose I should get my kids in the tub and then I am calling it a day. My tv night with sci-fi. It is just about all the tv I watch anymore and my angel cross stitch picture is just about half done and I am anxious to see that project finished. I have enough patterns to probably last me the rest of my life. I go for new glasses next friday so that will help me see again.

Keep up the good work!
Melissa

hi everyone. so much to catch up on, has it it been that long since i checked in :?: i have been reading all the internet stuff about katrina so i haven't been here i guess. it is so terrible. when i heard an email on the radio the other day refer to the people leaving the gulf coast "refugees" i just started crying. i can't even walk through the grocery store without thinking how lucky i am that i can have fruit or bottled water, as much as i want, and people from the city where i was born have nothing, if they are still alive even.
well i had some good news.. i heard about my aunt who left n.o. yesterday and is safe. but her family lost their home (it was right next to a broken levee) and their 20-year-old parrot.
everything laurab said is right on the money. i am 2000 miles away from the disaster area and gas at a station here jumped 16 cents in 4 hours to 3.19. it is getting to the point of total theft. and the government is totally lagging. where are their priorities? i saw this in an article.. "in addition to 500 buses, let’s get 500,000 bumper stickers that say, “screw fallujah. save new orleans.” really!
anywho, sorry for the rant. (getting off :soap: )
i'm glad everyone is o.p. and committed to our september challenge. i continue to find ways to incorporate ice cream into my diet :devil: today it was mcdonald's soft serve. their nutrional info is very confusing, but i think without the cone it was 100 calories. but who knows :?:
welcome to the group blyss!! i am so happy about how fired up you are about reaching your goal :D