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HI Guys:hug: :hug: ,
How has everyone been doing? I am starting a new diet plan that is custom made-I came up with it myself:joker: . I decided to eat some kind of whole grain cereal for breakfast (like oatmeal) with a piece of fruit and include a serving of dairy at each meal. Then for lunch, a frozen dinner, since I have enough of those in the freezer to put in my will for my children and a salad. For supper, a salad or fruit, 2 cups of other vegetables and then a small portion of whatever I'm making for supper. I did some once a month cooking the past 2 months and my big freezer is full of non diet, but really good, food. I am not willing to toss it out, so decided I better learn to live in the real world. I have eaten this kind of food since I was a child and I am probably always going to go back to it. I might as well learn to make peace with it and just figure out what a portion size is and how to eat it without pigging out. Oh, I'm also exercising again. I start with Body Flex, just to get my lungs going and because my chin seems to want to be part of my chest these days and then struggle through a mile of Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie. It is a struggle too, I'm just so out of shape.
Speaking of that, I better go pop in a tape and get to that. Hope you guys are doing ok, TTYL, Nikki

Hi Everyone:
I know what you mean about the chins Nikki:) I have been noticing my own
face looking longer these days.:o
Have you guys ever hear of Gold Standard Protein Powder? I was wondering
if I should buy it. I thought maybe I could eat Breakfast, Lunch and have
a shake for lunch????? I really have to do something. The commercial I keep hearing on the radio makes it shound great. The price on the web is out of this world though. I really wonder if its any different from the old Metrical that use to be around in the 60's and 70's. I always hear eating at night isn't the greatest, yet that is when I really feel like chowing down. I know a big part of my problem is the stress this lady puts me under. She is one :devil:
Ali, we are suppose to get about 4-5 inches.
Talk to you guys later.
Anne.

Hi guys,

I too am hoping to get back on track again. I have started counting calories, points, you name it, but never seem to last more than a meal or two. I need some.. :dust: I've decided to eat my normal breakfast, which is a whole grain cereal, fruit, & FF milk, have a diet frozen meal for lunch, then a regular supper, just watching portion sizes, and I've decided not to eat it after supper if I'm not hungry. Lacee and I are walking just about everyday. It's not a long walk, about 25 min., but that's about all she can take. I haven't the heart to leave her home.

Anne, it sounds like Sat. will be a good day to curl up with a good book. I have never heard of that protein powder. It's a shame you can't buy just a sample to see if it works. I remember Metrical, I was on it for about a week. If I remember correctly, it didn't taste very good.

Nikki, it sounds like you've got a good plan in mind. Yes, we do have to make peace with food. I read somewhere to think of food as fuel and not pleasure. How is the exercising coming along?

Have a great day.
Ali

HI Again,
Anne, I've never heard of that powder either. I've never been able to stay on any diet drink diet for any length of time, have you? I just can't stick with it. Now, if they really did taste like a chocolate milk shake, then maybe I could do that easier. Still, day after day of drinking that would get old too. But, I do know some people that have been able to do it.
I eat a lot at night too. I stay up so late, waiting for the old man to go to work. By 11pm, I'm starving, so I try to at least eat something that is nutritious and light.
Ali, it's going to be nice here today, in the upper 40's. In fact, we are going to have a few days like this. I've got spring fever real bad and can't wait to get out in the garden and plant something. I think I will go out and at least clear off some of the old dead plants. Maybe I can get a small area ready and plant some lettuce and spinach next month.
TTYL, Nikki
OH, forgot to mention, I read that in a month or so, Walmart is going to start selling their own brand of Splenda. It will be a lot cheaper than Splenda. Just in case anybody uses it.

Nikki,
Thanks for the heads up about Walmart selling its own brand of Splenda. I use Splenda all the time. A throw back from my SSize days. ;)
TTYL,
Ali

Good Morning Everone:
I will have to check out our Walmart for the new Splenda Nikki, thanks for the heads up:D Speaking of body flex, have you guys noticed Greer is back
on TV with commericals. I also see here very often on our Shopping
Channel. I will say this, I felt one heck of alot better when I was doing
Body Flex and managing my weight better. I am so stiff in the morning
you would not beleive it. Its the weight of this gut straining my back:o
Night eating is like a pacifier effect:bb: the more you eat the more pacified
you are until you begin feeling these physical symptoms.
I need more:running: :yoga: :ebike: and less:bb:
How are you guys today?
Anne.

Hi Guys:D ,
Anne, the biggest problem I have with BF is I get bored so quickly. The other day, I did the old version, where you get on the floor. It was a lot harder than the one in the chair, I should do that more often. Greer isn't on our shopping channel anymore and I've not seen any infomercials with her either. The shopping channel here has all her cd's and exercise stuff on sale, really cheap too.
That Walmart Splenda won't be out for at least a month, but it is suppose to be so much cheaper.
I just finished shopping at Walmart and saw that Paul Newman now has organic oranges and lemons. They were a little more expensive than the other citrus, but when I picked up the bag of oranges in my cart to see how much they weighed, I realized that a few had mold on them. So, I ended up getting the PN oranges as they looked fresher.
Well, better run, ttyl, Nikki

Hi!

Our internet service was down this morning. DH called our internet provider and we were the only ones without service. They sent a tech out and he replaced our old modem with a new one. We're up and running again and hopefully no more problems.

I really should start doing the BF again, even if I just do the gym bar. At least that way I'm doing some strength training.

Nikki, that's great Walmart has PN has some organic fruit. I'm buying free range beef now that I read what the meat industry is putting in our meat to keep it pink. :stir: :yikes: I was making pasta last night for supper and I was going to use a store brand pasta sauce that I've in the pantry for a long time. I saw High Fructose Corn Syrup in it, so I put it right back. I'll be throwing it out because I will not be using it at all.

Anne, like Nikki mentioned, Greer hasn't been on TV for a long time. I'm wondering if that controversy hurt her and her come back wasn't as big as she thought it would be. Once the weather gets better for you, you can get out and do some walking. :running: That's one thing I like about living down here, I can walk anytime. In the summer when it's beastly hot, you go out in the coolness of early morning. I've been taking Lacee out just about every morning. She loves it so much that it keeps me motivated.

Take care and have a great evening.
Ali

Happy Saturday Everyone!!!
I am always so releived once I get out of work:stress: I was alseep by
7:30 I was just so done in.
Took Toby out this morning and we have a few inches of snow that has
fallen overnight!!!
Nikki: I have been eating oranges and grapefruits like crazy lately. I went
years without eating citrus, now I can't get enough. I wonder if you crave
an item when the body needs specific nutrients?
Ali, glad you got your computer fixed. Where would we be without are
PC's!!!!
Have you guys heard the new Barry Manilow record? I heard him singing
Love is a many splendard thing on Martha a few days ago. I know its been released in the States earlier this month for Valentines Day. It is being released here on Tuesday and I am going to buy it. Just love 50's music.
Walk the line is coming out this week too on DVD. I have been waiting for
that one!!
Have a really great Saturday. Talk to you later.
Anne.

Morning Ladies,
Anne, I am craving citrus too. I do think it's because we need something that we crave stuff. Last night, I ate 2 oranges, but the organic oranges are on the small side. The lemons he was selling were gigantic though.
I don't follow Barry Manilow, but I don't really keep up with any music anymore. I was so glad when the girls moved out and I could hear silence, that I never listened to music again, unless Marty turns it on.
He wanted to see Walk the Line. We are going to the big city today and will stop to see a movie if there is anything playing that looks good. I was hoping this was still playing, but haven't checked what is. We go don't go to the movies but once or so a year.
Ali, I'm glad your internet is back up. I'm so use to having this thing to use, I am lost when it's not working right.
Yesterday was a bust for me as far as eating goes. DH started his 3 days off and we overindulged in eating and drinking beer. The weather was so great, it was sunny and 63. Today, it's turned cold though.
TTYL, Nikki

Hi guys,
We are having a beautiful day here and we've got the house wide open. There is such a wonderful breeze blowing through. I started out in a pair of jeans, but put on a pair of shorts later on.

Anne, I really think that when we crave something, it's what our body needs at the time. How does Toby like the snow? :snowglo: I haven't seen the new Barry Manilow CD yet. I like his music. A couple of CDs that I have are Rod Stewart singing old fashion romantic songs. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of them. I saw an ad on TV for Michael Buble (?) I think that's his name. OMG, is he ever good. I'm going to look for some of his CDs. I honestly don't listen to music very much, but I do like to turn it on when I'm preparing a meal or cleaning up the kitchen.

Nikki, I like peace and quiet too. My MIL has to have the TV on all the time. Whenever we would visit them in FL I would drive me crazy. :crazy: I would like to see I Walk the Line too. Hope you get to see it. If you do see it, let me know how it is. Thanks. I looked at what is playing at the movies while my GF is here, but nothing good is playing. She & I used to go to the movies a lot before I moved.
I hear you about the eating. My eating is off whenever DH has the day off. Glad that the weather is starting to get warm again for you. Enjoy the warmer temps. :sunny:

Have a great Sat.
Ali

Hi Guys Sunday Already!
When I took Toby out this mornng he wanted to sniff every square inch of
snow.
My brother is coming by at 7am this morning to take my mom, my sister and
me to the cemetary. He has been doing this every couple of months or so
because my mother likes going. Its amazing , this huge cemetary and my
dad and grandparents *moms parents....are in the same lot. This was
totally a fluke. So she visits my dads grave, walks over visits her parents,
walks back to my dads again and we leave. We are only there for about
15 minutes total. I just hate driving through those huge iron gates and going down that long winding road, my stomach sinks every time. but..... If it brings her comfort I'll keep making the sacrifice. She would be really upset
if I didn't go.
Ali, you should look up that Barry Manilow CD on Amazon. You can listen to
a few of the numbers. He sings unchained melody, I absolutely love that one
by the Righteous Brothers. My mom loves those Rod Stewart Albums you are
talking about too. She'll love this new CD, I'm buying it on Tues.
I am pretty diverse in my musical tastes, love Stones, Who, etc. but I still
love the oldies and listen to them often. I even like some Madonna and
and Country Hits too. My DH listens to Tom Waits. This guy sounds like a
croking lounge lizard. I don't know exactly why he likes this guy, but every
Saturday he drags out this guys CD's.
Hi Nikki, how are you? How Sugar doing these days?
Talk to you guys later.
Anne.

:D Morning Everyone,
We went and got some building supplies yesterday. Most of the windows (at least we ordered them) and then front and back door. The doors I wanted won't fit our opening, so I ended up getting my second chose. But, I'm far from disappointed. When we got home, the first thing I saw was our old, broken up doors and I will be glad to have any thing to replace them. They are so bad, they are actually disintergrating where they stand.
Ali, we didn't see a movie. First we went to Menards, then Home Depot, then Menards again, then back to Home Depot:scooter: :bike: :running: . In between, we had lunch at Old Country Buffet. It was still breakfast time and I really went overboard with what I ate:hungry: . It was good though.
We decided to build a screened in porch out front rather than extend the house out. It will cost less and we can finish it much faster. I don't mind remodeling the house for another 5 years, I don't want to do it for 10 though. I would like to just enjoy being comfortable rather than just dreaming about it. We are going to make it so it's almost a four season room, by putting up plexiglass over the screens in the winter time. Since it faces south, that should bring in a lot of solar heat and make it fairly decent out there on nice days anyway. I told Marty I don't care if the house stays the same size, I've lived here for over 15 years like this and it's been fine. We survived it with 2 teenage girls, I think we can handle it with 3 cats. We both figure the cats will go wild over having a screened in porch to lounge in all day. I plan on putting the treadmill, exercise bike and gazelle out there, plus have one end with a couple of lounge chairs and small table. It will be 11x24, so will be big enough for that I think. Exercising out there will be much more fun. In the winter, it should be fairly cool and in the summer, nice and breezy.
Sugar is a terror. She is still dealing with some intestinal issues. She bullys the other cats something awful. I was planning on tossing her outside when it warmed up, but the other day, she saw Tony (the outdoor cat) through the basement window. She went completely nuts:tantrum: . I don't know if she would survive him, as he won't take what the inside cats are. In some ways, she is getting a little bit better, so we're hoping she will out grow some of this really bad behavior. I would like to say that she doesn't potty on the floor anymore, as she went an entire month without doing it, but last week, she did go once on the floor. I'm glad I'm going to replace all the carpet. By the time we get to remodeling the interior, she will either have to have improved a lot, go outside or find a new home.
Anne, I have mixed fillings about going to the cemetary. I don't go very often, maybe every other year. I never really know what to do there, cause I don't believe my parents are there. I mean, I know their bodies are there, but they are not. I do believe they're in heaven, so going to the cemetary is not important to me. The girls like to go on Memorial Day though, so I do try to go when their schedules let them. Since it's an hour from here, we don't get there very often. We ususally drive around our hometown and see the old house, visit a few places I use to take them when they were babies and then have lunch. It makes for a nice, nostolgic day out.
Hope you are having a nice weekend. I am going to make some bread today. I've been making all our bread lately. Today, I'm making 4 loaves (just as easy as making 1) and then freeze 3 for later. I found that it tastes just as good as fresh.
TTYL, Nikki

Good morning,
It's raining this morning and we had some real gusty winds come through. Haven't seen a weather forecast, so don't know when it's supposed to clear up. :rain:

Anne, I used to visit the cemetary where my parents are buried and put flowers up on Mother's Day, Father's Day, and their birthdays. I really feel awful that I'm down in FL and there is nobody to put flowers on their graves anymore. :( Thank you for telling me about being able to listen to a few of Barry Manilow's songs on Amazon. I do have one of his CDs, but for the life of me can't remember what it's called. I've seen the play Mama Mia quite a few times and seem to play that CD quite a lot. I love the music.

Nikki, it sounds like you had a very productive and busy day yesterday getting your doors. Glad that you found something that you like. I bet you can't wait to get started. The porch you want to build sounds awesome. Being on the south side of your house will be great because it will be so warm in there during the winter months, especially if you're having a mild winter. You could possibly enjoy it year round. I think Sugar will get better as she gets older, she'll quiet down some.

Hope you're enjoying your Sun.
Ali

Hi:wave:
Yesterday, I spent most of the day baking. I experimented with one loaf and made it 1/2 wheat and 1/2 white. It turned out ugly, but was very good. Next time, I'll try all wheat. I used honey instead of sugar. I'm not sure if you can use splenda or not, since the yeast needs sugar I think. I'm going to have to visit the splenda site and see what they say.
I also made some deviled eggs. I got a good deal on 2 1/2 dozen eggs and now have to use them up.
It's getting so much nicer here. They said this coming week, it will be in the upper 50's and low 60's. I plan on getting out in the yard and cleaning off some flower beds and gardens. Crystal has several beds that need cleaned too, so I told her I'd come over and help her with that.
I hope Sugar gets better, but I doubt it, as it seems to be her personality. When she sees any of the cats sitting in a place she wants, she will jump on them, and keeps attacking until they run off. Then she sits down in the spot. Very rude kitten and such a bully. The other cats are so sweet compared to her.
Well, better get a shower and get my day going , have a good one, Nikki

Good Morning Ladies:D
Can't believe its Monday again and I am back in this place:dizzy: Did either
of you guys happen to see the Womans World issue this week about
Kristie Allie? WW gave you the cheap way of doing the Nutra System plan.
I went straight to the grocery store and bought the pre-packaged foods
for myself, my DH, and sons James and Sean to give it a whirl. I eat
300 calories for breakfast 1/2 cup all bran, 1/3 cup bran buds 8 oz. skim
milk for the cereal and 2 eggs whites. For lunch I have tuna, raw veggies
and tomatoe juice. My snacks are yoghart in the afternoon, a grapefruit
in the morning, I will eat a frozen dinner for supper and I am still able to
have a snack of my choice (even a hostess cupcake if I feel like one) and
the grand total of calories is as best as I can do the math 1400-1500 calories
spread throughout the day. What do you think? Sounds like its worth a try.
She looks like a million bucks and shes in her 50's so she must have all the
hormonal problems slowing down her metabolism too. To me this sounds like
a great idea.
How are you both doing? Nikki, sounds like your weather is great. Our is still
pretty darn cool at the moment.
Anne.

Anne,
That sounds like a great plan. Kirsty Allie has always been so gorgeous. Just a real knock out. I think she is funny too, although her show, Fat Actress wasn't for me and I didn't find much humor in it. She does look great, but I think most Hollywood people make regular visits to their plastic surgeons to help them keep looking like they are 25. I would too if I had the money. Nikki

Hi everyone,
We got our income taxes done this morning. We'll be getting a refund and I am thinking possibly a new kitchen sink is in order. We wanted to change it when we moved in here, but never seemed to get around to it. I keep cleaning it with bleach, but the yellow stains just don't seem to come out very well.

It's a nice sunny day, but a bit on the cool side. It's supposed to warm up as the week goes on, being in the 80's by Thurs./Fri.,

Anne, that plan really sounds great, and Kirstie Allie really looks fabulous. I'll have to check out Women's World this week. Went into Amazon to listen to Unchained Melody on that Barry Manalow CD. It's really great. I have to buy that CD. I'll be going shopping during the week when my GF arrives tomorrow so I'll get it then. Thank you for telling us about it. :thanks: How much snow did you get on Sat.?

Nikki, went to Walmart this morning but didn't find any PN organic oranges or lemons. But, I did buy a bag of PN organic baby carrots. They also had some organic grapefruit, but they weren't PN. Why don't you make some of SS egg crepes with some of the eggs, they freeze very well. They make a fantastic lasagna and you can cut them up and use them as noodles in soup. Do you have her Fast & Easy cookbook? The recipe for the egg crepe lasagna is in there.

Gotta go finish cleaning the house, as my girlfriend is arriving tomorrow. I vacuumed a few days ago, but I just want to run the vacuum over the carpet & floor one more time.

Enjoy your day.
Ali

Morning Gals,
Ali, I hope you get a really nice sink. What do you have in mind? Crystals bathtub is procelain and we have bleached it several times, scrubbed it with comet and let it set on there over night, I can't remember what else. We can't get it white. I bought some rust remover spray and she is going to try that. I don't know if it will help any. I'm thinking she will have to have that tub resurfaced eventually. It's her guest bath though, so not as important as her master bath.
I am dreaming of a day when I can get a new sink too. I would like to have a really nice faucet this time, no more Walmart specials. It will be a few years for that however. I also informed Marty that I want granite counter tops. My counter tops are so tiny, it would not cost that much and it would really make the kitchen pop. He ususally lets me take care of the details, he just figures out the big designs.
Ali, have you tried any of those organic carrots yet and if so, do you think they taste any different? The oranges are absolutely different. They aren't uniform, the skin is full of orange oil and it gets on my fingers (I like it though), the peel reminds me of what peels use to be, rather than peeling off easily in one piece, they are more like a real orange. They do tastes different, but I can't describe how.
I'm taking Sugar in to get spayed today. I hope that will settle her down some. If not, then I am going to introduce her to Tony gradually and let her be an outdoor cat. She would enjoy it much more anyway, as she loves to chase, hunt and stalk things.
TTYL, Nikki

OOPS, forgot to say, thanks for the suggestion about the egg crepes. I do have that book. I have never had success with making them. I think, it's because my stove is electric and it's harder to control the heat.
I will probably make some biscuits and fill them with eggs and sausage, then freeze. They are great for instant breakfasts as they only take 1 1/2 minutes in the microwave to heat up. It's something the old man can do when he gets home from work and is hungry. It has saved us a lot of money too, not running to McD's for the same thing.
I might try this batch with turkey sausage, eggs whites with only a few yolks and see how they turn out.
TTYL, Nikki

Good morning :coffee:

I'm on my 2nd cup of coffee and will have breakfast shortly as I feel like I'm getting hungry.

Nikki, my egg crepes don't come out all that great either, but I figure they're going to get mooshed up anyway in the lasagna.:lol: One afternoon I caught an episode of Everyday Italain on the Food Network and she was making egg crepes. I printed out her recipe on how to do it. Your biscuits, eggs, & sausage sound delicious. I haven't had the carrots yet, but I will let you know how they taste. I got them for a snack for DH & I to eat on the way to the airport to pick up my GF. Her plane doesn't come in until 6:30 and we don't know when we'll get a chance to eat supper. We will eat at the airport after her plane lands. The sink I'm thinking of getting is made from some sort of accrylic (sp?) and it's white, it also comes in black. I saw the sink I wanted in Lowes. I would love to get a new counter top at the same time. The one we have now stains very easily. I'm always putting Soft Scrub on the stains and rubbing it with a little brush. I think Sugar will calm down a little once she's spayed, Pepper, our :devil: cat did a little, but it was more noticeable when she got older. Good luck to Sugar today.

Anne, hope you have a good day at work today. :hug:

TTYL,
Ali

HI!
Ali, did you eat the carrots and were they any different? Bet your having a great time with you GF being there. Have fun!

It's not getting as warm as they said it would today and it's cloudy, so that will keep it down some too. I guess I'll stay inside. I have too many other things going on anyway. I am letting Sugar stay at the vets until this afternoon. They always tell you to keep the kitty's calm and not to let them jump. Like that is a possiblity. I figure if she is in a small cage over there, it will help. I know that the big cats are really enjoying this time without her, they are acting like their oldselves again. When she gets home, I'm going to keep her in her room for a few days to try to keep her calmer and also, there isn't anything to jump on in there.

Anne, hope things are going ok with you. I got your cute poem this morning about the flu, thanks for sending it.

I started to exercise again this morning. Marty is trying to get back on track too, so that helps. It's hard to be positive when your old man is being negative. It's always better to be on the same page.

TTYL, Nikki

Hi!
Just got back from shopping. Both of us are rather tired. :dz: Last night we stayed up until 12:30 am gabbing and we were on the road this morning around 9:00.

Nikki, I did eat some of the carrots and they were good. They tasted the same as non-organic carrots, but it was nice knowing they didn't have any pesticides or anything on them. Sorry that it didn't get warm like they said it would. Will it get warmer towards the end of the week? It got to around 80° here today. I guess by now you've picked Sugar up from the Vet. How is she doing? That's great your DH is on track with you, it really helps having someone else dieting along with you.

Anne, I too got your cute poem. Thank you for sending it. How was work yesterday for you? Hope you're having a good day today.

Take care,
Ali

Hi Guys:
Would you beleive after getting that nasty email from :devil: it turns out
we didn't post anything incorrectly:censored: I have be toying with the
idea of complaining to H.R.
We did not even get so much as an apology from:devil: The problem with
complaining is this. First of all it inflames already tense working conditions
with this woman. Secondly so many people have complained over these
last three years and nothing is done. This organization stands behind its
managment no matter what. Sometimes I think it takes more out of you
than its worth. This woman won't change and thats for sure.
Nikki, hope Sugar is feeling ok. Krammer is going on Monday for his little
nip nip and tuck. My mom and sister are hoping like you that this settles
him down abit. I haven't had Toby done yet because his behaviour is fine
so far. My husband hates the idea of that surgery. He seems to take it
so personally:lol:
Aleka, glad to hear you and your GF are having a good time.
Did either of you guys watch Larry King last night? It was a tribute to
Don Knotts. They had Andy G. on and Ron Howard.
Talk to you later.
Anne.

Morning Guys,
Sugar is doing fine. I don't really know if it helps females much or not. I do know with males, it does as it decreases their desire to want to mate or run away and find a female. Less hormones raging and they pay attention better too. I think they are easier to train, because their minds aren't on one thing. It probably will help Kramer alot. My husband was the same way, Anne, when we had the male cats done. Afterward, he realized how much better cats they were though, so even if he's not for it, he understands it.
I took Sugar to a different vet. She discovered that Sugar has 2 other kinds of bacterial over growths. So she sold me a couple of antibiotics and hopefully, she will be healthy from now on.
That's amazing about :devil: . That's true about management defending them. Laura has had a bad experience at Walmart because she complained about some people that she had to cover for when they took their breaks (they would take 1/2 hour breaks instead of 15 minutes). Not that she cared how long they took a break for, but she had to cover their area and hers too. Well, that started a long battle between them and now, the woman that hates her the most is going to be her supervisor. Fortunately, she just got a job working at the snack bar, so she is more than happy to be moving out of that department. It's fewer hours, but she can get off at 9pm instead of working until 11pm.
Speaking of good news, her husband got a good job at 3M. He starts on the 13th. We are all so relieved. They have really struggled the past couple of years since the companies they worked for downsized and let them go. No more traveling out of town to work for either of them.
I hardly ever watch Larry King. I think it's because he's on so late and I'm usually half asleep by then. That must have been a touching show to watch though. I really liked Don Knotts.
TTYL, Nikki