Morning everyone. I just finished a 4 mile walk and it was tiring. Now I'm almost ready to go back to bed. :)

DH bought a truck yesterday (cheap) because it has the motor he wants for his car. So after he pulles what he wants from it, he'll part the rest out. To say the least, he was happy and the shock of the vet bills were dimmed. :)

Judy, lovely hotel with wifi lobby access. Bunch of cheapskates. One little router and that's it. I wouldn't go back there again.

DH and I are hopefully going to go skiing at Mt Bachelor next weekend. I made hotel reservations and it'll only be cancelled if he can't get off work a few hours early on Friday or if my back doesn't stay almost better. I'm pretty sure I can ski with it the way it is. So I have hope.

Penny, you didn't adopt the greyhound? I bet they come pretrained. I do like when a real effort at adoption is made befor putting them to sleep. The number of doggies (and cats) that are euthanized is so sad. I had a co-worker who would adopt a puppy or kitty and then bring them to the pound a couple months later. Over and over - I very much disliked her because of that. So glad she's gone.

Anyway, food is on target and so is exercise. DH and I are making chili tonight so we can freeze the leftovers. I love chili!!!! So low cal and high in protein.

Not much else planned. A lounging day. :)
Marie

Penny I knew of a friend whom adopted a greyhound and he was pretrained and gave many years of loving friendship. Next time it comes around think hard! Unconditional love they give for sure. Bear is so much a part of our family in such a short time we have had him. I can't imagine not having him now funny how that happens so quickly. He is learning and so am I. In the a.m. he goes out for a quick potty. Then I take him in with me while I get ready for work selfish reason to ensure he doesn't poo somewhere else. Then out as soon as I am dressed to poo. Its working well I am not sure who is training who but as long as it is done. I have already shown him I am his boss. At least I am someones!
Marie wow on the vet bill. See we had dogs for years and no dental work now adays they have so much extras it gets crazy. I guess there are bones out there for dental? My son also brushes his big dogs teeth. Maybe I should introduce Bear into that. He would most likely chew it up!
I did pretty good in little Italy. I had a canoili for my lunch choc. covered and all. Then only bought some pasteshutes not too bad. I tried to jump back on board yesterday. Not too bad of a day around 1500 cals. Today I have prepacked some lunch stuff for work this week. Figured I will take it in and put some of it away so I have healthy stuff there. I made my rough oatmeal this morning it takes about 8 min. to cook but it sticks to your ribs forsure. Judy sorry to hear your computer wasn't so good there. At least you can be greatful for the one you usually use. Nothings ever easy is it? I have been starting my search fo r dress for the wedding nothing yet. Penneys is suppose to get more dresses in soon. I did at least get motivated in looking. I am going to start the little girls alterations this next weekend. There dresses I purchased last year but bigger and a great deal 120.00 dresses for 20 at a store going out of business. Sorry for them but our timing was great and they are beautiful. Then I have to figure out if I am having my daughters dress altered or if I am doing it. The hem needs to go up a bit and the train bussled up which I think is only a hook sew in place. Time is coming up quick. I have next monday off and looking forward to that. Well take care and Marie I think the scale once a week is better for me at least when I let it go with similar thoughts to yours some jumped back on the scale and I didn't notice it in my clothes wear. I wasn't too happy and still trying to get a little of it gone.

Happy Monday everyone-

I don't have time to reply to all the personals. I just wanted to check in . I had a rough weekend health wise. But, my bf surprised me with a comittment ring which he will replace when we are ready to get engaged. That was very nice. It is a nice diamond and white gold ring.

My eating has been good. I am pmsed though so I did not weight today. I will weigh tomorrow when I have more time. I just have to keep in mind that I will most likely show a blip in my weight due to pms.

Hope everyone is well
Nikki

Congrats Nikki on the commitment ring. You must be excited. I'm sorry that you weren't feeling well this weekend. Definitely want it better by the 14th now that you're committed.

Nikki, rawhides always kept my doggies' teeth clean but Kody has a sensitive stomach and so we stopped. We're restarting a week from Tuesday. The dental bill will probably about match this past weekend. DH sure isn't pleased.

I did the firming DVD and walked 4 miles today (before work and 2 after with the doggies). I also got my teeth cleaned and it's scarier - mine is cheaper than the doggies even if I didn't have insurance - which I do so that way I can pay for the doggies. For doggies they have to put them under to do it. I guess they don't patiently hold their mouths open. :)

Talk to you all tomorrow.
Marie

Nikki congrats my daughter whom is getting married on June 23rd had a comittment ring for a bit and now wears a beautiful diamond. Congrats before long you will be making wedding plans etc. You have been togethe awhile now and that says alot for comittment alone. Good luck and hey staying off the scale for a bit good for you. Hope it shows you a loss for all your hard efforts.
Yesterday I did a bit of extra food but it was at least healthy food. For some reason I just needed it at least felt I did. Today we are having lunch brought in as a coworker has taken another job elsewhere. So I will have my dinner cals for lunch and less cals for dinner. Some of my being hungry might of been from not packing a lunch of my norm. I had enough food but usually have more for the same amt. of calories all goes into the choice making. Oh its so cold out today! I was going to run around the town a bit to see folks. But I only have one scheduled visit and think thats it. We are in for a big storm NORTHEASTERN! Could be something like 1-2 feet. Not fun!
Marie good luck on the doggies front. Now I have been told to not give rawhide do to pieces possibly going into his system? What do I know about that nothing! Bear knocked over a whole cup of hot coffee from my computer shelf this a.m. Hopefully this isn't a start to his day. He put his big paws up there it slide and knocked it right off. Oh he is full of surprises. I baked cookies last night but they were the cheating kind Pillsbury roll outs which yah just cut, bake and frost. The little guy needed them for school V day. I figured I'd be less tempted than making mine from scratch. It did work I ate not a one. Well take care everyone and stay warm. I am going to make sure I try to write in all my cals today. Its hard when you order out but its pasta and garlic chicken with veggies so I will try to guess well.

Morning ladies-

Thanks for the congrats. Yesterday I got me TOM but still decided to face the scale today. I actually showed a 1 pound loss wooohooo. I usually gain 3-5 over TOM.

Marie- You must be so toned from all the walking.

Carol-Good luck with the lunch today. Also, eating more healthy food may not be so bad. Do you do calorie counting only? I forgot .


Have a good one ladies
Nikki

Waah, I'm sick:( . Nothing's worse than being ill while you're on the road. Yesterday's bad chesty cough has turned into a major sinus problem, complete with popping ears. We don't have any meetings this morning, so I will try to locate an urgent care center. I really don't want to fly up to Seattle this evening will all this going on in my head. I was too achy to work out yesterday and this morning, but I think I'm eating pretty much on program, so I still hope to not gain weight by the time I get home....Sunday morning seems so far away!

Nikki, congratulations! A commitment ring is very sweet.

Carol, I can't believe that you're getting even more snow! Be careful outdoors.

Penny, Marie, Suzanne, have a great day!

Judy - So sorry to hear you are sick - there's nothing worse than being away from home when you're ill. Be careful flying with a sinus infection. Maybe you can get some decongestants - they helped me in a similar situation when I had to fly with a head cold. Take care of yourself.

Nikki - Congrats on the commitment ring! Sounds like an engagement is around the corner! You must be so happy :cloud9:. Sorry to hear you were'nt feeling well, I hope you're feeling better.

Carol - Good idea not to make cookies from scratch! The store bought mix kind are less tempting. Luckily your klutzy little pup didn't spill the coffee onto your computer! Hope you don't get too much snow.

Marie - Good thing doggies don't need retainers like kids! It seems like the sky is the limit when we take our fur babies to the vets. One of our cats needed his teeth cleaning (went to vet for another problem and found out he had tartar build up). Of course, they had to put him under for it and we ended up paying around $250 for the visit. I don't think anyone has ever survived brushing a cats teeth though! :lol:

Suzanne - Hope everything is going well.

I'm feeling crummy today after only getting a few hours sleep (my IBS is acting up again). It's so frustrating because I never know what is going to trigger it. It's odd, but my arthritis always seems to flare up at the same time as the IBS. Probably something to do with inflammation. I'm going to a beginners class for Hatha Yoga today, so maybe that will help me learn how to deal with the pain.

Oh girls todays cals weren't so good. The lunchoen had a chicken pasta dish with a white garlic sauce and then the desserts were so tempting I had to have some. Now of course I regret my intake a little to late. Oh well suck it up I guess. So on wed. I need to be really super good. I am already planning on making some homemade veggie soup. We are in for a storm they say 1-3 feet over the next couple of days and winds 40- 50 mph. Oh lets hope not.. Sometimes their wrong this might be one of those everyone is panicing and running to the store to stock up on stuff etc. So far no signs in my area and they said around 3 pm then changed it til later. Time will tell. Hopefully it holds off the little guys all have their valentines day parties on wed. Well I need to be so good the rest of the week. I have been increasing my water. Oh how is favored cookie for us? I had a wonderful cup of choc. cherry coffee oh so delish! But how does it toll up? Is it awful for us/ It tasted sinful.
Take care and have a special valentines day I told the hubby no candy for me. I got roses from the kids.

Penny - I hope you feel better. I know what you mean about feeling crummy from not sleeping. My condition is also acting up and I'm not sleeping much. I have been reading though.


Carol- Good for you on telling hubby no candy.

If I get candy I will give it to my mom. I am still doing pretty good. Although I have not been able to eat reagulary the last 2 days becaue I have been on the run.

Nikki

Happy pre-Valentines Day chickies!!! Things are going good here. Sounds like Judy, Penny and Nikki all shared bad germs and the such. Pretty weird 3 out of 5 of us are sick. That's just not good ladies. Me, my back is actually getting better. On the 1 - 10 scale, I think we're down to a 1. Just every once in a while I feel it. Mostly when sitting in a boring meeting on hard chairs - this afternoon. Right now, no pain. :) YEAH!!! Skiing on Saturday I hope.

I did 4 miles fast walking this morning. Nikki, I think I'm toned but with all the jiggly cellulite, who knows. I do know I can downhill ski again without quad pain and fatigue. Major improvement. The last time I'd gone 3 years before was horrible. I'd sworn skiing off, thinking I was too old. No I was too fat!!! I'd been raised on skis and now it's so awesome to have that back. Walk Away the Pounds was the trick.

I hope you all rell better soon. Cupid should arrow you all with good health.

Carol, maybe it was something in the air - I munched like crazy after work. I'd been an angel till then. So my dinner? A protein shake. Not the best or tastiest, but I made my calories. BTW, I lived in Duluth, MN for 9 years - lake effect snow was unreal and mostly unpredictable. You all on the east side of the great lakes get it even worse. I definitely can sympathize.

Penny, I hope the yoga class is good. Wonderful job on trying something new. I try to like yoga, but deep down I know I hate it. I'm thinking of destroying my DVD and never trying again. Now that I've admitted my hatred of it aloud, perhaps I will :)

Well, Judy, I hope your ears survive your flight to Seattle. That would be so uncomforable.

Okay, off to do other things. TTYL.
Marie

:val1: Happy Valentine's Day ladies!

Marie- I tried skiing once. What a disaster LOL. It is awesome you can WATP. I have to figure out what type of exercise I can add in. I can't walk so WATP and aerobics are out. My back is also shot. Maybe the ball a bit in the next few weeks. I am afraid I'll lose the weight but look worse for flabby skin.


Today is going to be real hard. I am dying for a piece of chocolate. I am actually depressed I have none in the house. Don't know how I'll get through it LOL.

Nikki

Nikki for me I would have a little of something I really crave cause otherwise I would blow it completly eatting anything and everything but that and end up with way extra cals. Todays not been too bad and I just made a huge pot of veggie and beef soup not bad cal wise. It will be lunch and dinner today. It goes over real well in my house. I am going to make some rice pudding but will monitor my dish of it. I think it will be made seperate from everyone elses more spice some almonds and raisins. This will be our valentine dessert for the evening treat. I am trying to push water intake today also as long as I am home snowed in. We got around 10 inches since last night and more to come today along with bad roads and blowing snow at 30 mph winds I guess to be expected this afternoon. I am knitting my sweater in hopes to really finish it soon. I had to pull part of it out as I didn't read the directions closely enough and had too many sts. Oh well ! Nikki your doing well keep it up. Marie careful sking this weekend don't over do it with your back. I have had stiff hips again in the morning when I first get up. Wonder if its my mattress? It is only around 7 years old. Suppose there is some type of pad cover out there to put over it? If anyone has any info. let me know. I think this afternoon I will try to get in some exercise down stairs with an exercise video. Well hope everyone is feeling better Penny and Judy I wish you were near I'd send some soup over to you both. Todays travel is a bit bad I wouldn't recommend a trip here. Take care!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! :val1:
Carol - Don't worry about the slip up. So long as you are on plan most of the time you will lose the weight. I told my hubby not to get me any candy either. He got me a cute stuffed dog (at least I can't eat THAT!) I had a problem with my hips hurting at night and I realized that our extra firm mattress that we had preferred was the problem. I think as you get older and the joints get stiffer a slightly softer mattress helps. We got a new mattress with a puffy top and it's made all the difference. My hips never hurt now. Now, if I could get the rest of my body to cooperate! :lol: I hope the snow goes away soon, that's no fun.

Nikki - Good plan to give away your candy. I hope you're soon feeling better too. Have you ever tried yoga? I did it for the first time yesterday and it was quite enjoyable. It's good for me because it's slow and yet I got a good all over body stretch. There were only three of us in the class, so it was good to get a lot of one on one instruction, especially as I'm a beginner. The instructor said it's harder to learn from tapes as there's nobody there to correct your form, which is vitally important. :yoga: I can see how somebody could do more harm than good if they did the poses incorrectly. I've signed up for four more lessons. She also does accupuncture, so I may give that a try for my foot.

Marie - I can see how somebody like you who loves action sports might be turned off by yoga, but it's supposed to be great for firming. I'll let you know if it makes any difference! WATP is working great for you. If I can get my foot to cooperate one day I'll give it a try. I'm glad to hear your back is a lot better.

Judy - I hope you're doing ok with the cold. Sending good health wishes your way! :hug:

I slept a lot better last night. I've been eating a very bland diet, so that's helping. My DH is still out of town, so I'll be celebrating Valentine's Day with my DS who has kindly invited me to dinner (sushi) tonight.

Penny, it must be the OIT students/alumni thing with Valentine's Day invites. DS and almost DIL want us to join them for dinner tonight. We have to work it into their school schedule, DH work dinner, and DGS's nap schedule. I think it'll probably be a hit and run but it's the thought that counts. I got everyone a little present so I'm set. DH got me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and DS, almost DIL and DGSgave us boxes of chocolate (mine is M&Ms). I'll probably make cookies with them and no one will know that they're eating them. :) Clever aren't I?

Nikki, definitely try the yoga as Penny suggest, if you can. I understand the chocolate wants. I have .5 oz of M&Ms Dark every day. I'm having mine at the moment. I do love it and wish I could eat a 1/2 pounds instead, but alas, 1/2 oz is all I'm allowed. But as Carol said, it gets rid of the cravings.

Judy, hope you're feeling better and survived your flight to Seattle.

Carol, enjoy your snow day. Blizzards are so delightful... Actually you're lucky your power is still on. Last Blizzard I endured, we were without heat and electricity for days. Brrrr.

I did 4 miles this morning and I'm on track food wise. Tonight, who knows. But if I start off on track, then one meal shouldn't blow me by too much.
Marie