Evening Everyone!!! Great news!!! DH is letting me go with DS and almost DIL back to Mt Shasta to go skiing tomorrow. Both are beginners but I think I'll disappear for a few runs on my own. I was supposed to stay home with DH to watch DGS but alas, I snaked my way in to the trip instead. Oh me bad.

Judy, 30 pounds over two years is fantastic. Penny is right, you're more apt to keep it off. And you're not settling, you'll keep going. Took me a while to get a grip on the idea that it doesn't matter how long it takes me. I know I still get temporarily angered by the evil scale, but it doesn't last. I'm so happy that I've lost 40 that it helps keep me in perspective. Besides if we weren't trying to lose weight, what would be doing??? Gaining weight, so you're way farther - probably 60 pounds farther.

Penny, oh the joys of duct tape. On the two leather side chairs (not the cat damaged recliners) Kodiak flipped over the arm rests and ripped the underside (considerate boy seeing that I could hide that). So I put layers and layers of duct tape on them, sealing the padding back up and he can't get through it. BTW, Kodiak boy also destroyed the matching leather couch. Ripped it to shreds. Boy, DH was really mad. Me, I didn't like how it looked in this house and was sort of thankful. But don't tell DH that.

Carol, Penny and Judy have given you great advice. You let bear sleep with you once you've taught him that it's okay to be a pest at night and that he can get into your bed. (Boy did that sound bad...). Don't do it. Move his crate to another room and shut your door. If you can't hear him whine, you will be able to break the getting up habit. If you need to, turn on white noise in your room to help mask his whining. At 10 weeks, he should be sleeping through the night. I'm thinking the longest any of my dogs lasted was about 2 nights. You'll have to stand strong and teach him that you're the master not him. Good luck!!!

I did go snowshoeing and did take Goldilocks too. We went about 3 miles then came home and ordered Goldie iditorod booties so the snow doesn't stick to her feet.

TTY tomorrow.
Marie

Had mostly a good day. Tonight I went to my daughters and helped her take her two trees down and put her decorations away. She has been working long hours and hadn't got it done. It only took about an hour with both of us doing it. I gave in and had a pepsi and 1/2 of a small bag of chips at my daughters while we watched Desperate Housewifes. Didn't I just say I wasn't going to eat in the evening. Other wise I did well. Got my water in and walked for 1 hour and did 35 mins of weights.

Marie, I think surgery is a good idea if you want it. With doing weights my legs are good. Plus I do a lot of walking. My arms though tighter by doing weights still need improvement. I'm hoping that as I'm able to lift heavier weights that they will get even tighter. My stomach is my worse area, it is droopy, crunches have not helped. Enjoy your skiing tomorrow. You need to take advantage of the snow while it is here. So is your DH going to watch your DGS while you ski? I have one DGS who is 6.

Carol, Neat idea of putting dips inside colored peppers. I think soaps as gifts is a great idea. I know it is something I would like to receive. I journal my food. I don't keep track of calories most of the time but I do check the calories from time to time. My meals basically consist of 3 oz of protein, 1 carb (multi grain bread)serving or 1/2 cup pasta, or 1 cup cereal, 1-2 cups veggies, 1 fruit, 8 oz milk. Limits on sweets and fat.

Judy, What magazine was Jared in? I bet he is making good money too. At the mall the only healthy food to eat is Subway so I often have one. Congratulations on the 30 lbs. I agree with everyone that slow is better because it is more likely to stay off. A hobby like knitting keeps your hands busy. I find cross stitching relaxing and it is a great food distractor. I should get out my cross stitching . I have a few projects that need finishing.

Penny, We used to have a duct taped chair caused by our cat. Dont have any cats at the present. We have a small dog a ****z-zu/pom cross. Ha ha, it blocked out my word I guess because they consider it a swear word. The dog is a s-h-i-t-z-zu/ pom. He is well behaved and the only damage he did was when he was young, he loved to chew on runners. He is almost 15 so mostly sleeps and hardly any teeth to chew with. He sleeps on top my husband when they both nap on the couch. He is not allowed in our bedroom and knows not to go in there.

Here is to a good Monday.

Well girls I didn't get your advice til after the fact. Bear did sleep in my room until his only visit out for the night which was 2:30 then I put him back in his crate he slept til 7. Tonight I will just try him back into his cage and see what will happen. We have freezing rain today and just a yukky day outside. If it clears up to be safe on the roads I am taking the grandkids to see The Museum movie. Suppose to be really good and maybe for lunch?? We'll see. Right now Bear doesn't want any part of going outside it is a shove out the door for both of us not really wanting to go. He does make me move a bit more daily I have to say. That has to burn a couple of cals. I am back to my wt. before the holidays thank goodness. Thats pretty good for Jan. but still want to get back down a few lbs. Then I will feel like its really moving somewhere. Judy good for you losing 30lbs and keeping it off that is so great. Marie and you together is 70lbs. plus the rest of us. That is wonderful CONGRATS if we all lived closer we'd have to throw a party! Meanwhile its CONGRATS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Linda I am so glad you found your way back. I track my intake because otherwise I add things in thinking oh I have room and don't also portions can be an issue for me. I did eat an omelet for breakfast today with green peppers and a pania roll toasted. I am all done til lunch except for a cup of tea later on and some bottled water. I am having leftovers for dinner tonight I roasted a chicken and think my dinner will be a salad with chicken and chick peas etc. in it w/olive oil and vinegar dressing and spices. I have to pick up some more grapefruit I enjoy having the sour taste no additives etc. Marie good for you going out again to ski.. Here you'd have to slide in the mud down the mountain side. Oh we do have some man made snow I guess but not good here this year. I actually thought maybe I would try to skate in the city one day. Got to get my daughter D to go with me. Great exercise to say the least. When I get off here I am heading to the treadmill and bike to exercise. I need to utilize my resources available in my home for today's weather can be no excuse not to exercise. Well I think my friends fell off the rocker to exercise haven't heard from them but I can't let that stop me. I did make some brownies yesterday and got into some of them naughty I was but now I will pack them up some for the hubby and take the rest to the grandkids. Linda I read that story to about Jared. It is in my Diet 2007 Better Homes and Garden mag. Special Interest Publications. You might beable to get it on the internet under the title The Subway Guy with Better Homes search? Check it out the mag. is expensive I think. But I get mine through my hairdresser added benefits. Well take care everyone eat smart, eat well and move more! This week I hope to be a lb. lighter. Even if I only lose 1 a week I will feel better and reach my goal.

Morning everyone. I'm just waiting for DS and almost DIL to wake up. Supposedly we're leaving by 8:00 so they have 1 hour and 22 minutes to get up and out. I do know they packed the car already last night. My skis, boots and bindings were out of my craft room. I already packed my clothes and soon will make the 3 of us lunch. Yes, I know I'm their slave - but they did pack the car and they're driving (save's me money not driving my Durango). Already braided my hair so I'm set.

I was a busy bee this morning. I bought a new used digital camera. I was starting my search of small and cheap but it escalated. You all know me and toys... I have an Olympus Digital and I bought another (a little better than mine but I still love mine). Anyway, it's water and dust resistant so that I can take it skiing, snowshoeing, rollerblading and out by my pull. The reviews were excellent on it and it has a fast shutter lag time (much shorter than most). That was important because the camera will be used for action shots and digitals lag about 1 second or more from pushing the snap picture button. Always lose the action piece. So this one is half that - it should be easier to time. Now I have to tell DH I went over my $50 budget by $150. Oops... I got it on ebay and it was a good deal.

Linda, my DGS is almost 11 months and the 3 of them currently live with us (as well as my DS who's 20). DS1 and almost DIL are fulltime college students and we're biding time till they graduate. DS graduates this June and almost DIL graduates in December - then they will be moving away. Sort of looking like Seattle might be their destination. My chickie friends here know that I'm counting the days (which is exactly 11 months from today). I love them and my beautiful DGS but living with too many adults is hard. They rearranged their space and now spend more time out there so that's been good. My other DS is starting college (after military basic training and tech school this past year) in March. He'll probably live here the entire duration. But the military made him grow up and he's not abusing the privilege of staying here rent free. Ah, the story can go on and on...

I track my food with a software database (lifeform) so basically I count calories. I'm very active so I go for about 1600-1700 calories per day. I know what you mean about the tummy problem. Mine sags and jiggles but I can hide it from the world. The chin/neck I can't. My legs look awesome (who'd have ever guessed) because I walk/jog a lot (hence the returned ability to ski and snowshoe).

Carol, you might want to do tough love with bear and make him sleep elsewhere. He's definitely trained for his nighttime excursion and tough love will only break it. Good luck on the home exercising - I like it because I have no excuse of why I don't exercise. BTW, let's both lose a pound this week's weighin on Friday.

Penny and Judy, I hope your Monday is fabulous!!!
Marie

Marie, I hope you're having fun on the slopes today! It's in the mid-sixties again in DC, but I am at work for a while this afternoon, since I was downtown anyway for a morning appointment with the shrink. I wanted to talk about my problems visualizing myself at a healthy weight. Typically, she wanted to delve into my history of abuse. But we finally got back around to what I wanted out of our time together--and I got a push to do some journaling or other ongoing work to prepare myself mentally for how life might change, and not let fear sabotage my progress.

Carol, congrats on getting back to your pre-holiday weight. Maybe you need to schedule another trip to Hawaii, that seemed to be great incentive for you last year!

Linda, I've never been crafty like the other women on this thread. I tried cross-stitch many years ago and wa bored to tears, but I think it was because I bought cheesy beginner patterns that wouldn't look like anything you'd want to keep around once you were done, anyway. I'm not terribly fond of wearing knits, beyond really nice sweaters, scarves and gloves, but I like the look and feel of some of the yarn I've seen. Maybe I'll find an inner textile artist in me somewhere, and you can say that you knew me when...

Penny, thanks for sharing the sclerotherapy injection info. I think I would need the laser surgery to zap these enormous lumpy veins into oblivion. Apparently it isn't nearly as painful as it was years back (which is why they started doing injections instead), and doctors have been smarter helping to get insurers to cover the costs.

Okay, enough stalling. I need to tackle a few little projects and head out again. Enjoy the rest of your day!

judy

Marie - I should really take lessons on how to get the most out of my digital camera. My DH bought me a fairly good one, but I just point and click. I'm sure there are lots of features on it I haven't even used. Have fun on the slopes.

Carol - I like Subway too. I only have it occasionally, but it's probably one of the least unhealthy 'fast food' options. It's great that my nutrition database has all the Subway items in it so it's easy to figure out the calories. There's also not much in the way of additives, so long as you don't have the deli meats. I like the grilled chicken. I'll have to look for the BH&G magazine with the weight loss stories - I can never get enough of success stories!

Linda - Your puppy sounds adorable. My DH was picking up some stuff from a farm implement place the other day where they also breed pomeranians. He said there was a wave of about 30 poms rushing towards him barking their little heads off. They wanted all to be petted. Not great guard dogs but they let you know when someone's coming. They had electric foot warmers for them to sleep in and two fitted in each one - that would make a great photo! It sounds like you have a good plan and are doing plenty of exercise. I find that I have to keep "remotivating" myself with a lot of self-talk. I tend to conveniently "forget" that I've changed my way of eating so I need to refocus quite often.

Judy - Boy, you're still having a heat-wave over there! I bet the blossoms will soon be out on the trees at this rate. Visualizing can be very helpful. I have a photo of myself on the fridge where I weighed about 150. It helps me to stop and think sometimes before I grab something out of the fridge that I shouldn't be eating. I also have used food to squash down feelings and have some issues in my past that I think have contributed a lot to my being overweight. At least now I know why I do certain things and knowlege is power!

I have just booked a trip to England in September to visit my family. Mum and Dad are both 85 and it's been 5 years since I last visited. I'm a bit nervous about going as I don't travel well due to my leg circulation problems and my IBS, but I figure they're not getting any younger and may not be with us many more years. Fortunately, they are both in good health, physically and mentally. This gives me another incentive to lose some more weight to make traveling more comfortable. They live in a retirement place and don't have room to put me up, but I've been very lucky to find a B&B right around the corner from them.

A busy day makes me want to grab something quick and fattening to eat but I resisted and had a great day. I was doing my aerobics and the power went out but I was almost finished so got in 67 minutes. Walked for 1 1/2 hours at the indoor track. Not enough water today but it is early evening so I will get in a bit more.

Marie, You have a house full. Both of my girls left home at 19. None of mine live at home and only one came home again. She came home with her husband and my grandson. Her husband had got a new job and they were moving to a new city. The furniture was on a moving truck and they were ready to go. My daughter had given up her job to move.. They had given him his hours and found them a house to move in . MY son in law got a phone call the morning they were leaving that they changed their mind about hiring him. No jobs and no home so they moved in with us. My daughter
got her job back in the next few days when they could schedule her in again. My son in law got a job a couple of weeks later in another city and came here on the weekends. He lived in his car there was no rentals. There were still no places to rent around here either so they lived here for 3 months. My daughter and I get along well but it was nice for us to have our privacy again. They are doing well now and live close by. Son in law has another job and is home every night and my daughter works while her son is in school so I don't have to look after him as often. My youngest daughter lives with her boyfriend and they also live close by. She says she is never getting married or having kids. Sounds like a great camera you have.

Carol, I will see if I can check out that magazine on line or find it in a store. The Museum movie is good, we enjoyed it. I can't remember the name of it either lol. My memory is getting bad, yikes.

Judy, I knew Judy when They have such pretty wool in the stores it makes one want to knit. I can do the basics of knitting but my tension is terrible so my attempts at knitting ended up with crocked results. I'm a bit better at crocheting, mostly baby blankets and a few bed blankets. Done some baby booties and mitts. Pass some of that heat over here, I'm cold. I have trouble visualizing myself at a healthy weight because I don't know for sure what I think a healthy weight for me is. My new doctor said I was only 15 lbs over weight but for most of my life I weighed 126. So when the doctor said 155 was okay it seems to high of a weight. I'm striving for 145 for now. When I look in the mirror I still see fat, I don't really see my weight loss. I have pictures of myself as I have lost weight. When I look at them I can see the loss. I have trouble believing that I can maintain a reasonable weight. It is so easy for me to fall in to my old habits again.

Penny, the funny thing about our dog is he rarely barks. He makes a low growling sounds when he wants in or out of the house. When he wants a treat he stands by his bowl or by the cupboard and makes the same sounds. He barks when something scares him or once in a while at a person he doesn't know. Most of the time he is quiet. Now is the time to book trips as they have some good deals. Your parents will be happy to see you. Think positive on the flying and you will do well.

Going to take a hot bath and read.

Marie Seattle is one of my favorite places that my DS and DIL lived. Oh nice place to visit they lived on the island so beautiful and the city. Good choice for them and you to visit. Hurray for at least one night. Bear had to go potty around 12:30 I never heard from him again til 6:30 this a.m. I only hope this continues I can deal with this. He is all Dad's today I am off to work. The hubby has figured out how to gate him in the main room. Its easier for him to keep track of him. I added up my cals yesterday to around 1550 a bit higher but with working out and did I sweat. 30 good min. on my treadmill at home. I do need to have music or a t.v. so time passes by quicker. Bear tried to get on with me it was pretty funny. I figured I am okay and we had popcorn at the movies The Museum movie was cute and the DGK's loved it. Judy I know how hard it is to go talk with someone and be open about our life and problems. But I am so glad you did this is a big step and you deserve to be happy you should have it. You go girl and reach for what you want its reachable! Oh how a trip to Hawaii would make me so happy. But I am planning a big wedding with around 140 guest for my daughter and that walking down the isle is an incentive. Knitting wow that a girl keep going a fancy airy scraf would be a good beginner project and look great afterwards. There are some wonderful yarns out there. You can make scrafs on big needles and they work up fast or smaller and not be so airy. Let me know how its going I am working on my sweater from months ago but 3/4 done. Penny my favorite sub at Subway is veggie with lots of hot peppers. Yum! Penny can you fit me in your bag England oh how nice. My mom is 85 as I have mentioned before. Today we are going to the doctors to see a specialist she has a kidney stone. They may opt to not do anything doesn't seem to bother her yet. Linda busy days make you want to eat more I have an apple I keep in the car for my ride home. Also having dinner in the crock pot on those busy nights help a lot. Eat more fiber too it helps to keep us filled up longer. Wow you make my exercise look so small in comparison with yours! Good job. But too much will do me in and I need to just ensure I get to it more often like everyday would be good. My friend is back with me exercising one had to give up due to her knee problem til she goes to the Dr. Bear is going to be a barker when someone comes over he is already at 10 weeks old starting this its pretty funny to watch. We are enjoying him and as he sleeps better like last night I will love him even more. I can't wait to walk with him around the lake. I need to start him on his leash as now I just take him out and he stays right with me. He responds to his name already such a smart little guy. Oh sorry for talking about him so much. But you have all been great on ideas etc. and I appreciate it all.
Sounds like we are all very motivated to make some good choices. Eat smart, eat well and move more til later!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm here--today was like a double Monday! Just saying hey in case I'm too pooped to check in when I get home tonight...

judy

Evening everyone. Penny I hope you'[re doing okay. I read about the storm in Portland and the school closures, icy roads. I definitely thought of you. We have the south side of the storm and my son said the roads are very slick. I will make sure I leave an extra bit of time tomorrow morning for the commute to work. Congrats on the Sept trip. More motivation!

Judy, I know about double Mondays but I was SO tired from skiing twice this weekend and snowshoeing I basically didn't do anything. I'm thinking tomorrow I will be paying for that. Good for you for taking charge of your mental health. You know I'm a big proponent of the mental helath field even though I cold turkeyed all my meds. They sure helped me whne I was the lowest. I haven't used my light therapy in a few days since I was gone Sunday and Monday morning and this morning I tried to sleep in.

Yes, I slept int which means I took a day off from exercise. First on since the beginning of November. I planned to exercise after work but on my way home I realized that it had been over 60 days without a break and I decided that was overly obsessive so I've played with DGS all evening. I was the babysitter while DS and almost DIL were at school.

Linda, wow your SIL was treated horribly by that company. That's horrible what they did to them. Probably a good thing he found out they were scum early on.Your other daughter and the no marriage, no kids made me laugh. When I was 18-19 I swore the same thing. Then voila along comes DH and the no marriage promise flew out the window. Then the no kids did too. I'm not a real big "baby" type of person. First diaper I changed was my 1st son's in the hospital. He was the first baby I'd ever held. But wow, he just stole my heart. Other then my 2nd son and now DGS, I still haven't held other babies much. Tonight I even changed a diaper... Since my Golden seems to be sick, the poopy diaper was nothing compared to the yard I pooper scoop. Yikes that was disgusting.

Carol, I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to tough love with my doggies. They know and I do too. But one thing I've realized is that when I'm inconsistent with Kody he runs roughshod over me and that I'm making matters worse by being consistent.

Oh funny story from last night's doggie training. Kody and I were doing our walking and he was strutting his stuff, showing how much he'd learned. Then this other alpha dog lunged at him. Kody responded so my leach correction and walked off with me. The other (not as well trained) do lunged again and bit at Kody's hip area. That was it, Kody was MAD. I had to drag Kody away (he was winning by the way). It sort of spoiled the evening. Then as I was leading Kody and Blizzie fromt he building another lady came up to me and said how beautiful my dogs were. She had a big dog like a doberman. I thanked her and then she said "They are so well behaved!" I stared a the lunatic and then pointed to Kody and said "This is well behaved???" and she said that she had a husky at home and understood and yes he was well behaved. It was too funny!

Okay, food wise I'm fine today. Better than Saturday and Sunday when I was munchy. Yesterday I was really good - no hot cocoa at the ski lodge. This morning's weigh was the same as Friday. I'm hoping for a loss on Friday if by chance the munchie monster can be kept at bay. And of course, no exercise today. But at 5:15 tomorrow morning I'll be at it. I noticed this morning I was pretty out of it for hours. The exercise actually wakes me up and get my brain functioning in the morning. And tomorrow is early off to take the doggies walking before the sunsets.

Well, take care!!!
Marie

A quick visit tonight. Had a long and stressful day filled with meetings. I was exhausted and made poor eating choices tonight. I had to put a stop to it so I went out in the freezing cold for a walk. After a 1/2 hour I was cold but it also stopped me from eating more by doing something positive.

I'm heading to bed

Judy I second that on it being like a double Mon. It was crazy and I only poured in 5 hrs. due to taking my mom to a dr's appt. She has to have one more test on the 25th. I still think for 85 she is doing great. I only hope to be in such good shape if I ever reach 85. As I told her the body does wear down a bit its normal at your age. I took her grocery shopping as well. I am so used to running in and out it took a bit of patience thats for sure. Oh well and work was nuts. I even took paperwork with me off the clock to the dr's while waiting its a time to catch up. Still doing okay on the intake front. Wed. is my exercise so tonight I will hit the treadmill after dinner time. Oh Penny our roads were a bit slick last night the girls and I started off for a little trip and turned around it wasn't worth it. So I stayed home and made homemade chili and ate my fat free jello with fat free cool whip. Marie the doggie slept from 9 -2 were getting better then potty time burr its cold outside and with my jammies on woo! I hope this stage will be behind me soon. The hubby feels my SIL and I try to keep the little guy to busy let him have some time to figure out the world. He might be right. Yesterday he kept him in our Adirondacks room blocked in so he knew what he was up to. They had a wonderful day together some real bonding time. I think he really loves him. Cute story Marie I liked it. Darn doggies.
Linda don't feel alone that happens and you at least redirected yourself instead of continuing. Sometimes I know it will be a thought of oh well I already messed up today and you continue to eat etc. But you should be proud you at least caught yourself. Its not easy trying to re teach us on better behaviors. I have to say dog training isn't either and at least they have a trainer we are like free willy learning and teaching ourselves to improve. But all in all we are here and that says something for everyone of us. So lets keep moving thanks for sharing. I had a crazy thing to eat yesterday but really tasty. I took 1% cottage cheese added in my serving of fat free jello, 3T. cool whip lite, and 1 apple for a crunch cut up with peel on. Mixed it all together it was like a salad dessert and quite tasty and super low in cals I say ck it out girls. I think I am on to a lower than 100 cal. tasty dessert. Last night I touched base with the groom's mom. We had a nice chat and booked my daughters shower for May 6th. The theme will be Cinca De Mayo. She and the groom love Mexican food. So if you have any great ideas please share them we all want this to be fun and good. Gee its been over a week for me being good. I think its working I feel great do need to take more water to work with me though. Not looking for a dress for the wedding til end of March. Hopefully I will be thinner by then and a bit closer to my goal. Come on its gotta happen. EAT SMART, EAT WELL AND MOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda - Stress is one of my biggest problems preventing me from staying on track too. I think it is for all of us who are struggling with weight issues. You did the right thing to walk it off. Just getting away from the vicinity of food helps. The trouble is when we eat out of stress, we add extra stress in the form of guilt! Sometimes it seems like our brains are on autopilot. I think of it like my conscious self needs to talk to my unconscious self. I've learned a lot from a book I read 'Entering the Now' by Ekhart Tolle. It's about living in the present moment and how we need to get in contact with our sub conscious selves.

Carol - It's good that you're able to take your Mom to her appointments. I'm sure she really appreciates it. Your cottage cheese concoction sounds good. I often have low fat cottage cheese with a Dole tropical fruit cup mixed in for breakfast. A good mix of protein and carbs with very little fat.

Marie - That confrontation with a dog must have been a bit scary. Big dogs are very strong and if they really want to go at it they will. Kody showed great control of his natural instincts. I'm glad someone else isn't all that gaga over babies! Of course I loved and cuddled my own son and I'm sure I'll do the same with any future grandbabies, but I've never had strong maternal instincts towards babies in general. Funnily enough, I hate to admit it but I prefer my kitties! They give unconditional love and affection, are cute as heck and use a litter box .

Judy - I hope your double Monday didn't lead to a double Tuesday!

I was battling the munchies yesterday as we were snowed in with 4"-5" of unexpected snow. It was a nightmare on the roads and I was glued to the TV watching all the storm coverage. It's a miracle I didn't go way over in calories as I seemed to get up and look in the fridge every ten minutes. Luckily I didn't have too much in the way of comfort foods in the house. When I feel like I'm getting out of control in the afternoons, I sometimes have my dinner (or most of it) at about 3:30pm - 4:00pm, then just have a small snack for dinner. I did that yesterday and it helped. It's still around freezing and I'm again in a quandry about the meeting that I rescheduled from last week when we had the bad weather. I rescheduled everything for tomorrow but it doesn't look good. I'll have to decide by this afternoon whether to cancel again. Why don't they have a smilie of somone pulling her hair out?

Hi everyone, just a quick note tonight. I'm exhausted. I got up to exercise - 2 miles walking, 1 mile jogging and the ab lounger. Worked all day except 1 hour, then took the doggies on a 2 mile walk. Then it was babysitting time. I'm babysitting on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Tuesday afternoons for a short bit. With DS1 taking 6 classes (a doulbe overload) and almost DIL starting student teaching and going to class, I'm the designated sitter. DGS is currently taking a nap. So I cleaned the kitchen, made tomorrow's lunch, logged my food and exercise and came straight here. I usually save 3FC for the last of the 10 or so sites I go to, but I skpped straight here because I'm going to zone in front of the TV until DGS wakes up.

Penny, glad you're okay. We had icy roads, but that's it.

Linda, way to go on the walk instead of eating. That is just AWESOME!!!

Carol, one other doggie question? Are you stopping bear's water early enough in the evening so he could make it through the night??? I should have asked you that long ago.

Well, off to watch yesterdays American Idol. It's much better on DVR so that you can fast forward through the icky parts.
Marie

Had a much better day today. Got up and walked before work which is a change for me as I'm usually so slow moving in the mornings. Had to go for s sinus xray today. Food was good, joined hubby after work and we ate at the mall, I had a 6 " sub. No snacking tonight. Afterwards we went grocery shopping and I bought more fruit and veggies to have on hand to snack on. Now hold me to it that I will eat them. Sometimes they just sit there and the thought of eating veggies turns my stomach. Lots of times they have ended up going bad and being thrown out. Tomorrow I'm planning on having chicken and veggies for breakfast. I want to change things around a bit and see how I like it and how I do with it.

Carol, I'm more prepared with my food, all I have to do is reach for healthy stuff, now I just got to do it. Carrying a apple in the car is a good idea, I also like carrot sticks to munch on. Even if I'm out I can always have a few things with me so I don't resort to the vending machine. Weddings are a lot of work but they are also fun. I really enjoyed my daughters which was 7 years ago. Weddings do put a crimp on the finaces though. Even though my daughter paid for her own wedding, we still had the expenses of new clothes, new shoes. Paying for my youngest daughters bridesmaid dress, getting hair cuts and hair styles and for me a color. Buying a expensive wedding present. Having out of town, company so stocking up on food and drink. Shower presents and the shower costs. It seemed like there was always something that came up that added up to more money being spent. I used to be a couch potato and about 5 years ago I started exercising 3 times a week. I have very slowly built up from there.

Penny, I will look for that book from the library first. Way to go on avoiding the munches today. Stay safe from those storms. Hopefully your power doesn't go out. I know someone from your area and their power went out with the last session of storms. She said the schools were closed and she didn't have to go in to work. So she is having snow days at home.

Marie, Wow you have had a long streak of exercise going there, very impressive. Thankfully Koday wasn't hurt by the other dog. Shows how well he is being trained by you. One year I babysat my grandson 5 days a week. It got to be too much and I felt like his mother. I potty trained him, fed him, played with him and put him to bed, plus cleaned their house and did laundry. I was starting to feel like I didn't have a life any more. When she changed jobs and they were both financially secure, they still expected me to look after him. I put a stop to it and she was mad for a bit but found someone else for the summer. Now that he is in school, she adjusted her hours to work just when he is in school. She also picks up 2 kids after school and looks after them for a few hours. She really likes kids. There would be no way I would look after other peoples kids all the time. I like kids but I like my freedom too. I like being a grandma but on my terms lol.

Judy, Hope your day went well.