:carrot: :carrot: Well I don't belive it you are still here Shad. I was here about 3 or 4 years back. And you were such a great help. I have just come back on the net. Can you fill me in on what you have been doing. Last time I heard from you, you were doing your son's garden, and going on a trip,somewhere can't remember. Sorry I am Mary from Auckland New Zealand ran a takeaway, and taxi biss.Please let me know how ouy are.

Well for goodness sake. I was only thinking about you the other day. I met up with Suzi in Aus in Sydney who is also a NZer from Auckland. I don't think Suz was around when you were on board.

Quite a few of the 'old' folk are still here. We chat on a thread called Around the world with the friendly chicks. You may remember Teel from England and Happy2bme from America. Perhaps you should go on over and introduce yourself, although you will be very welcome on this thread.

Welcome back it's great to see you. Love to know what you are now up to.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ly-animals.jpg

A very happy 4th of July to all America.

I'm home. Drove the entire distance in one day - silly me. I was absolutely exhausted at the end of it, but I was so keen to get home.

Since then I have re-acquainted myself with the gym, and started spring cleaning the house. There's a lot of stuff going out. We keep all these things thinking that one day they will be useful, but I have now got to the stage where if it doesn't get used within 6 months - out it goes.

The gym is going well, I have started slowly and will work up to where I was. No point in trying to kill myself to get rid of these kilos.

Cat - go to the SBD thread and ask the question. The girls there are very handy with their advice and substitutes.

1day - good to hear of you going to the gym. What are you doing there? Weights and/ or cardio? We will have to compare exercises.

Nita - hope this house works out for you. $50K is a lot of money to save. You will be a busy person if you get this place - what with packing and cleaning and driving over. Good Luck. Hope it all happens soon.

Time to go watch some mindless tv. I'm quite pleased with myself today. I have achieved what I set out to do - well more or less. And I haven't binged from the fridge. That's a plus after yesterday. I was disgusted with myself. maybe going to the gym helps. I certainly haven't felt very hungry all day! What is with that?

Hello Ladies,

MaryL - we would love to have you join our group.

Shad - Welcome Home ! I just signed up for the gym. I went on saturday and work with one of the trainer supvervisors. I'm just getting back in the routine of going to a gym and will probably do some cardio and then split the upper and lower body. I went on saturday and haven't had chance to go back. This is a very very small gym, the new one is in the process of being built.

Cat - have you looked at the Kraft web site? I think they have some info on SBD. This site also has some good info.

As for me, family came over for the 4th had a cookout. This time i didn't go overboard with all the appetizers, tried to keep it simple. Also went to Jenny Craig and had my first weight in, lost 2 lbs. yea..

Thanks for the tip, Patty.

We were supposed to do patriotic stories, so I did a bit of Martin luther King Jr and the Montgomery bus boycott. Went over pretty well.

Kickin' us up to the top.

RE: Back in the saddle, again...
 

Hey Girls,

Good to see everyone posting again. I think I may have been off the auto delivery message system, but am not positive on this. Last week I was in training all week. It was no fun. They had us in a middle school cafeteria. We were expected to sit at lunch tables on benches for 8 hours a day, for 4 days in a row. You just never know what to expect, huh.

I'm working on my summer classes I am taking and they are not really interesting at all, which makes it difficult. School finance and special education law, no fun.

I'll do my best to post more frequently. Best to all.

Hello Ladies,

Mooz - Even though .50 is not much it all adds up. Sending you will willpower dust to help you:dust:

Hal - OMG, how do they expect you to sit on a hard bench for 8 hours. I'm sure the bordom and the aches starting setting in after 2to 3 hours. Have you had time to relax on your back porch? I have really enjoyed mine these past few weeks. The bugs start to set in around 7pm but I light my citronella candles.

Going to go to the gym tomorrow and hoping to just take it easy this weekend. OH, forgot to tell you all I"m going to my 30 year reunion from my 8th grade graduation class. It's next month and I"m all excited to see everyone. Think I can lose 30lbs by next month. :)

hi, all
 

Just feeling very impatient about everything.

Was it a message that today's Sunday School lesson was on patience?;)

Hi Everyone,

Boy you ladies sure have been busy posting--it's really enjoyable reading all the posts. Well the house deal isn't going very well--we are down to two choices--one is a duplex condo and the other is a single brand new home. The condos are new as well. There is only one problem the property taxes in PA are outlandish. Would you believe $3700 and $3500 per year. Here in Phoenix we are paying $1710 per year. It may be that we will be forced to stay exactly where we are. The only problem here is I cannot go back and visit unless I pay someone to come and stay with Gene, and I may just have to do this. It would sure be a lot cheaper than buying and selling our present home. I told my daughter today it would be great if I could just transplant my home back there.

I have made three trips to the Slender Woman gym and the last two times I have been the only person exercising. It is amazing because when I think about going I really am fighting it, however, after I do the circuit a couple of times I really feel great. The program they gave me to follow is way too much protein for lunch and dinner--6 oz. I really need to talk with the nutritionist on Wed. because their program is not really spelled out. They say all fruits are one cup unless otherwise noted. Well they have raisins listed without anything next to it which would lead one to believe you can one cup of them. Wrong--do you ladies agree with me? Also, they don't list watermelon or sugar-free jello. So I most certainly have a lot of questions come Wed. I believe the woman has me on a 1400 cal. per day program.

Well I paid my money and I am going to take advantage of working with a personal trainer--supposedly this is free.

Well I had better get moving.

Take care all,
Anita

Hello Ladies,

Cat - The man above works in mysterious ways. Hope your feeling more at ease and patient.

Nita - Sorry to hear that things are not working out on the house. Don't give up though. Take advantage of the nutrionist they are offering and of the personal training. A personal trainer cost around $ 49 dollars a hour. I know watermelon has lots of sugar but I think on Jenny Craig you can have 1/2 cup portions.

As for me not much new is going on, still trying to get into this habit of exercising. Tonight I walked the dog and got on the treadmill for 20 minutes.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Nita--I'll keep praying that you find a house back with your family. Surely that would be better for you and Gene both. Here in KS and in some states there is a Homestead Exemption that allows a lower property tax rate for seniors. You might see if PA has anything like that. Raisins just like fresh fruit--yikes!! 60z meat might be OK if it's very lean. I know most plans allow only 4 oz but I think some of the low-carb plans allow more. WTG on the gym.

Patty--WTG on walking the dog and using the treadmill both.

I can tell I've lost weight, but haven't had the courage to WI. Meanwhile, I've put together the beginnings of another chapbook--more peace and justice poems. (Will PM to anyone interested.)

Hello Ladies,

Cat - Didn't even think about the homestead exemption. I know we have them here for everyone who homesteads and your right some cities here have a better exemption for the elderly. PM me your poems when you get them finished.

As for me just trying to stay out of the heat. I believe it got to 100 today and with the heat index not sure what it got to. Planning on getting on the treadmill tonight.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Aaagh,
Thought I had posted yesterday but must have dreamed it!!! :dizzy:

I've been pretty busy over the last couple of days. Had to take Miss Puss to the Vet for her annual check up. She is healthy and within a good weight range (lucky for her, she doesn't seem to put on much weight. Wish I could say the same). Chased her round the house to put her in her cage. She yelled loudly all the way out to the car. The neighbours popped out to see who was being murdered. Got her into the boot where she quietened down for a while then started up again. I put the Elvis CD on and sang LOUDLY along. She gave up for a while until I got her to the Vet who got a speech about the treatment received. She was quiet all the way home. Maybe it was Elvis exerting his charm????

I've also been painting and cleaning and gardening as well as going to the gym and doing a couple of favours for some friends. Last night I went to the Lone Star Steakhouse with DS2, G/F and her family for her birthday celebration. Ate too much but it doesn't seem to have affected the scales too much today. Thank goodness. Gym is not taking this extra off very quickly I'm afraid. I can only hope the inches are melting, but fear they are not. The roll around the gut is not pretty and is not moving.

Tomorrow I go for the dreaded boob squish again. It's that rotten time again. I will have to miss gym and therefore Body Balance class in the morning but I think I can still get to the gym after the squish.

I just have so much that I want to achieve before going back to work on Monday. It has taken me all week to get the information to know where I am going and who I am supposed to connect with. Grrrrrr. I was a bit short with the agent today. He promised me the info by Thursday and I had to ring him for it. Grrrr.

Anyway, time to move along. My friend Chris from Japan is going on holiday next week. She will be spending Saturday 22nd with me before going home to NZ to stay with the family. Time for me to plan mine I think otherwise I won't be going anyway next year either.

See ya.

Hmmm no body doing much here!

First day on the new job today. Yes my little holiday is finished. Went off alright although I thought I was about to go to sleep at the end. Got hotter and hotter and then this bloke (he must have been all of 12 1/2 by the look of him) took a segment of which I still have little idea if he was speaking English or not. Interesting bunch at the induction - almost a case of spot the Aussie. Nzers, an American from SoCal, a Dutchman and a German and the token Indian. The other two girls were Australian I think. Neither of them spoke much so I didn't get to work it out. Then off to the office to do yet another induction, this time on the computer. Then a wander around the floor (level 24) and told I will probably be working downstairs!!!! :faint: do I have to do this all over again tomorrow???? Anyway I may just go back tomorrow since they don't have a seat for me or a computer - even tho I do have a logon. But they told me not to come back before 9.00. It's hilarious. I gather tomorrow is going to be reading the documents, more reading and then if I get through that some more reading. Such fun.

And that is about it really. I think I need to have an early night. I'll catch up tomorrow again .

RE: One month from today....
 

One month from today I'll be a few days into my 15th-16th year of teaching. The years are flying by for sure. I began teaching mid year, thus the two year anniversay

I have a close friend that recently lost 40 pounds following a shake diet, supplemented with a daily meal which was usually a nice salad with crab and/or shrimp. She has been frugal on dressings, and crackers or croutons. She is now where she wants to be, and says she looks at food differently. She and her husband just returned from a trip to Mexico and the way she described what she chose to eat was really interesting to listen to. Her shakes are a homemade version of different types of protein powders, malt, 1% milk and splenda. Mix them up with ice and drink with a straw, and not bad at all. Naturally, with the heat of the summer on, this diet is attractive and I am trying it. I've only done it a week now, but can tell it is a good plan because I even wake up with more energy, always a good thing.

My transitional program for the new freshman class runs Tuesday through Thursday next week. I cannot get into my classroom this week because the janitorial dept has it torn apart waxing the floors. No stress. :dizzy: I'll try to get in on Thursday, enjoy tomorrow and just work really hard the end of the week. I'm doing as much as I can from home, and trust me there is much that can be done here. Always something.

I'm going to make crab stuffed mushrooms tomorrow for my meal. I"ll have a green salad with a fresh lemon vingarette. I've learned how to whip them up from scratch, and they are so much better than bottled dressings. I'm still looking for the recipe I'll use for the stuffed mushrooms, they just sound good.

Shad: So Keith Urban and Nichole Kidman really did it, huh? Wild? I was flipping through a People magazine today while I was standing in line in a store and saw a picture of them out on a walking trail together. Entertainment Tonight showed them coming out of a gym together, so they are staying healthy together in Nashville. I hope it works. I was in a 4 day training a few weeks ago, and we were expected to produce a unit plan that would be comparable to a short novel. They only had enough computers for about half of us. Go figure. As luck would have it, most of us have lap tops and brought them in to us. Amazing... this was the same training they planted us in a middle school cafeteria on lunch benches for the entire time. Oh my back. :mad: I have a brother that is an executive chef with the Marriott hotel here, and Lonestar is his favorite steak house - you have good taste.

OneDay: Yes, I am enjoying my deck tremendously since I have been working at home with my on line class. I sneak out during the day for a few minutes of fresh air and relax. Nothing like a pretty area to be able to kick back and veg. Speaking of which I need to go water the flowers this evening. It is so hot, I water morning and evening to keep them going. Rocky needs a bath so bad, I think I am going to break down and put him in the tub. Evidently the new groomer stays booked. We are on first call for a cancellation, but have been waiting a week on that. Good luck on exercise, me too. I saw a clip on dieting today, and this doctor was saying the two things that increase metabolic rate are physical activity and protein in the diet. I have never heard the protein thing. He said to eat lots of lean protein.

CatLover: I'd love a copy of your Peace and Justice poems. Let me know what I need to do, OK? Good for you sticking to your eating plan. It is so hard. I am doing lots and LOTS of self talk. It helps. I feel so victorious the morning after a good eating day. :cheers:

Nita: How are you doing? You know, I have a good friend in Atlanta that spend almost 3 years looking for the right house. Atlanta is huge, and he looked at different counties, but ended up with just what he was looking for and at the right price. It is really difficult to try to do what you are doing from a distance, so try to give yourself some extra time, and you never know. You may want to consider using more than one agent. If they know they have competition, and you are serious about making the purchase your options may increase and quickly. Word out on the housing market is it is slow now, and that is unusual for this time of year. Bargain. :lucky: May the luck of the Irish be wit ya.

Mooz: It is SO nice to see you posting again. How are you? Tell us about your art work!!! What are your children up to lately? How is WW going?

Well girls, I'll honestly do my best to report in more frequently. I do so very much enjoy reading your posts and stories. I hope everyone is having a great summer, and losing or maintaining those weight losses!

Shad--so what is all the reading about? Technical stuff, or some content-oriented?

Which reminds me, we have a thrilling 2-1/2 hour less on taxonomy Thursday. That's the way our content is arranged. It almost makes being on the phones look good.

Cut walk short--awfully hot, and the dog is old, too. Heat warnings all the way until Thursday night.

Night, all.

Hello Ladies,

I was out of pocket the last few days. Went to San Antonio to celebrate my mom's 75th birthday. We had invited all of her sister's (6) and brother to lunch along with their spouses. Some of the cousin all taged along, in all around 40 people showed up. It was really good to see everyone and she was very happy. I made a promise to her sisters that I would do my part and bring her back home more often.

Needless to say I went off the diet with all the celebration but tomorrow is a new day.

will post more tomorrow.

RE: Sunday morning...
 

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't been posting lately, things have been pretty busy here at my home. Gene started rehab last Monday and he went on Wed. and Thurs as well. These physical therapists are great and really gave him a lot of attention. The appointment lasted two hours each time. He is going to continue on Monday and has several exercises to do at home.

As far as the house hunting goes, we have definitely put it on hold to see if Gene can get back to where he was over a year ago, and I would be able to leave him for 10 days or so to see the children. He is working very hard and hopefully this will be come a reality.

I believe last time I posted I let you know I had joined Slender Woman which is very similar to Curves. I only lost 1 pound in two weeks so this last week the nutritionist went over my eating very diligently and decided I was eating too many carbs and too much fruit. They also agree we should have six oz. of protein at lunch and dinner. Since I need to get moving to take Gene to therapy it gives me a chance to go over and exercise while he is there. Ironically enough when there are new people there it gives you a chance to try other things. After I lose 5 lbs. they will give me an appointment with a personal trainer.

One thing I have been making are turkey burgers. I get the very lean Jennio turkey and add oatmeal, celery, salt (just a small amount), pepper, garlic salt and enough fake egg to make the patty's. I then fry them in a teflon pan. They are really very good and don't even taste like turkey. The other item they want you to eat are veggies--they say two cups at each meal--but I try and get in at least 1-/2. Yesterday and today I used the fake Smart butter and about tbs. of sour cream. I decided if sour cream and butter taste good on a potato perhaps it would do the same for veggies. Gene, who doesn't like veggies, decided the sour cream really made a difference. I also have to write down the time I eat and I also have three snacks per day. After a month or so they said this wouldn't be necessary. Supposedly this keeps the metabolism working at its best. I will keep you posted of my progress.

It is great having all you nice folks in my life.

Take care,
Anita

Morning all,

Quick note as I am very busy at work and haven't got too much time any more these days. I have started working on another project and they are probably going to send me to Weipa on the northern tip of Queensland, Aust for about 6 weeks to do training. I was hoping for something closer to home but it appears not to be. I must make the most of the time I have left. Poor ol' pusscat will have to go to a Cattery for the time as DS2 will not be able to look after her much. He is moving back to his house with his partner and child, they will be doing renovations in the house as well so there won't be space for puss.

Nita, I hope the therapy works for your DH, you deserve to have some time off and you can then make some decisions as they come to hand. Good luck with the Slender Lady biz.

Not much to report here. Still going to the gym but after putting on the weight in Wollongong, I am having the devils own job getting it back off. I'm feeling disillusioned. I've eaten well, worked out frequently, don't snack, given up a lot of things I enjoyed and still nothing. I'm going to try a new personal trainer and see what happens. If that doesn't do anything, then I don't think I will renew at the gym next time around. I've just renewed for this year.

Betta go do some work

Shad--too bad about all the effort. But you know even if it doesn't show up in wt loss, you ARE healthier.

Well. folks, looks as though DH will need another surgery on his neck. When they did the first one (2years ago, was it?) the dr said that there was another verterbra with problems. But then he'd been doing so well lately--not using his cane at all, for example, good dr reports--that we though all would be OK. Then he started having a lot of pain and poor balance problems--and looks like we're in for it again.

Prayers, please.

RE: The weekend is here....
 

Hello Ladies,

I can't believe how fast this summer is going by. Last week I got a new laptop at work and I have been busy trying to figure out what keys do what. Luckily they gave me my old keyboard to use, so now i'm up too speed. It's been so hot here, and we're having such a drought. I can still only water 1 day a week and it's a monday, so I have to rush home from work to water. Well my whole neighborhood waters that day and the pressure is so low...Hopefully the water dept is hearing our complaints.

Hal - I've always heard that lean protein is good for dieting. Sounds like those shakes are doing you good. ARe you eating veggies/fruit? Blackie is doing ok with this heat, I think he stays indoors until I come home.

Cat - Will keep your husband in my prayers. Keep us informed when he has the surgery.

Shad - I hope the personal trainer is able to help you. Is Weipa a big town or small? I will have to look up on internet. I'm sure pusscat will voice her opinion when you send her to the cattery.

Nita - I'm glad the physical therapy is helping Gene. I'm sure it has to be very frustrating for him. Hey 1 lb is good. It's a loss. That is good that you were able to visit with the nutrionist.

Mooz - hope your doing ok. Hope to hear from you.

greetings
 

Thanks for all the good words, thoughts, prayers.

I have gotten several books on low glycemic eating. I suppose it would help if I read them, and even more if I put them to use;) .

DH doing better in some ways--less pain. But a lot of trouble walking (sometimes, and others he's OK).

DD had said she would take him to KC to see the neurosurgeon, but she would have to get up very earl after working late, and he was worried she would wouldn't do it. So DS volunteered.:carrot:

Can someone do us a new thread for August? I think we need one--and I doubt I'll learn how now.

RE: Fill In The Blanks... You know the answers!
 

Good Monday Morning Movers and Losers!

It was a hot weekend here in central Kentucky. We did have a nice surprise of some unforcasted sun yesterday - which is always a blessing in my book. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more relaxing than the sound and/or scent of a fresh summer's rain, but weeks of dark, dreary days get old.

I spoke with a college friend over the weekend that was so supportive to me during the losses of my parents, and niece these last few years. He lost a high school friend, of which he was very close. She was married with 2 children (one still in high school) and he says she died very unexpectedly of a
blood clot to her heart, and was pretty much instantly gone. We have had long talks over the years, and as I shared my strength through adversity because of my faith, he shared he wished he had my faith. We spoke briefly about it last night, and he is in a sad place right now. He said he visited her family about once a week for the last few years since he moved back from Houston. I purchased 3 condolence cards a few weeks, ago, and strangely I will be sending the third one out today to him. I've heard the wives tale about how deaths come in 3's and ironically, they have.

I wish I could be jumping up and down in celebration on how all of my classwork is done, my apartment is 'spring clean' shiny and I am getting my lessons together for the new school year. Instead, I am still scrambling to finish one class, will take an incomplete in one (entirely my fault), my apartment needs spring and summer cleaning, and I have yet to finish a unit I will be teaching the other teachers on next week. My plate is still full. No calories on this one! LOL

Cat: Thank you so very much for the poems. I really enjoy reading your work. I have the new Neil Young CD titled 'Living With War". You would enjoy the lyrics of these songs. I don't know how to start a thread, but that does not mean I cannot learn. I'll look. If anyone else knows, please volunteer! You are lucky to have the support of you children. I saw something on the Today show last week about pain management and 'just dealing with it'. For folks in serious pain, this is not a good plan - I think. I don't deal with pain well, and thank my lucky stars.

OneDay: Rocky story here... He got his mini bandana off of his neck the groomer placed on him last week. He was so excited it was off he literally stood on his rear feet and threw it in the air with his front paws. He has such a strong personality, he is a sweetie, but you already knew that! ;)

All the best to Nita, Shad and Mooz this first week of August!:D

Hal--glad you liked the poem. I've heard some reviews of the Neil Young and excerpts and it does sound very good.

DH goes to the neurosurgeon tomorrow . . .

RE: Wzzzz Up!
 

This forum is closed. Look for #19 by Cat.