Man, I can tell it is that time of year again. The time when I get too busy to sit down and do anything on the puter besides from paying bills. I hate that I can't go back and read everything but I am going to try to keep up from today. I will be out of town this weekend so I know I will miss a few more days.

Angie that is insane. I know my brother is still having problems with his son too. He got kicked out of school at the end of the year so now he has to re-do it next year. He got kicked out too but of course he is right back at home. I think they just think they are all big and bad but when it really comes down to it they need their parents. Of course, there is now way that they would admit that. That would mean they are not a tough kid. I hope she comes around and you be sure to stand your ground. You are the parent and your other kids need you too.

I have a busy day today at work but I didn't have to go in until 11:30. So, I got my exercise in and now I need to take a shower. I am going to try to hop on tonight and see what you guys are up to. I have been spending my evenings watering the yard since it has been so dry. We REALLY need some rain here.

Wow, Angie... My heart is just breaking for you and your daughter. When kids act out like that it is usually a cry for help. Like Kempy said...they would never admit it, but deep down inside they know they need you. One of the most loving things you can do is stand your ground when it comes to discipline. If you say you are going to do something...do it. It hurts like **** to carry it out...but in the long run it's for the best. It's interesting...but my daughter called me on my cell phone last week right before I went into a meeting. (She's 18). I was a little put off that she was interupting my important meeting but she said this..."Mom...I am at the mall with my friends and I just wanted to call to thank you for not taking crap from me." I said, "What???" She went on to say that she had watched an exchange between a mother and a daughter where the daughter was doing what your daughter did last night...only in public! She said..."I felt sorry for the mother...but at the same time wished she would have not taken it from her daughter. I am just glad you didn't take crap from me. I love you." Needless to say, I hung up and just bawled like a baby. She was my toughest kid too from the time she was born. Stubborn! There were many times I thought I was going to crumble and just let her do what she wanted to do. But, through the encouragement of friends, I stood my ground and it paid off.
Angie, I know you are a good mom. Hang in there. I will pray for you. Promise.

Now...for my drama.... My husband and I are still struggling. But...the Lord must have known exactly what I needed. I had a lender make a business call to my office yesterday...and long story short...she was able to give me the name of a licensed counselor for free and she prayed with me. I could hardly stop crying. She had no idea what a "God appointment" it was. My husband does not know that I am going in for counseling (tomorrow at 11)... All I know is that I need help. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement.
I exercised this morning. It felt good. I just need to get my eating under control. I am heading up to Dallas to spend a couple days with my best friend and get my butt pill tomorrow. So...any serious eating changes will happen after that.
Dips...what's the lates on your BF??? Is he treating you nice?
Hope you all are doing well...
Claire

Good morning ladies... it's a hot one today.

Angie, I'm so sorry you have got to get through this teenage angst, but I know you can do it. I know my sister went through some bad stuff my niece daughter (the one that just graduated), and it eventually came down to my niece moving in with my other sister, like what you mentioned--not exactly the same circumstances, but very similar. You called Brit's bluff and now she knows she can't put on all that bravado w/out you coming down on her @ss. I would be shocked as heck too if my kid took that attitude with me and started to throw punches. Hang in there girl, I'll be praying for you guys What does Jay think of all of this going on???

Claire, I'm glad you got to talk with someone to talk through your issues, that always helps. Chatting w/someone online is good therapy too, but there's nothing like talking with a real live person. I'll be sending good vibes and prayers for you too. Enjoy your time w/your friend and I hope that butt pill does wonderful things for ya

Kempy, where are you gallivanting off to this weekend?

Well, I have a bit of a rant as well today I guess. I went for a walk early this morning and usually use the spare key we keep hidden to get back into the house. Well, when I got back home, the key wasn't in the holder where it was supposed to be. I call my sister and she says my niece took it the night she slept over, to get back into the house. Well DUH! We keep it hidden AT the house so the family can use it--why take it with you and then forget to put it back? I was so IRRITATED that I called and woke my niece up and made her come over and drop it off. THEN I take Michael to the store to get some breakfast things, when we come back, my other sister is waiting at the house with her daughter--apparently to drop her off so I can watch her....no one asked me if I would watch her...she just assumes that since Michael is on vacation too, I would watch her. Well! I drove right on by and went to the office instead--ditching both of them at the house. I know, that was rotten of me, but it was more rotten of my sister to just assume that I would do the babysitting duties--forget it! I know, evil aunt ...

But anyway, my little complaints are nothing big, just had to get them off my chest.

LadyT, how was the first day at your new job? Come on, spill!

I gotta run and get some work done, have a good one.


I'll be back later to post results of my weigh in--I am dreading it!

Hi everyone. Boy, there's really been some drama these last 24 hours.

Angie, my heart goes out to you. How old is your daughter? I thank God I only had one episode like that with me son. When he turned 18, he was going through that trying to figure out his future thing. You know, finding himself. He got a little greedy with me & got really mean, and tried to push me. I locked myself in my room and called my husband. In the meantime, he's outside cussing me out. I didn't speak to him for a week. He knew on his own that he really screwed up with that one. By the grace of God, nothing like that has ever happened again. My daughter is almost 15. She's getting a little mouthy and moody, but (Thank you, Lord) she hasn't tried to hit me. But then again, she's a weak little thing, and she knows I can take her. I'll be praying for you, Angie. Oh yeah, about the flex points, you don't have to eat those. Those are there for you when you need the extra points for special occasions such as BBQ with cake and stuff like that, outside of your usual daily points. If you don't use them, that's okay.

Claire, don't you love those God appointed moments. I hope that the couseling you receive is godly counsel. I know that there's a church in my town that gives free counseling. When someone is wanting that, I always refer them to that over the secular counseling. I'll be praying that the Lord bring you and your husband closer with each passing moment.

Noelle, your sister is pretty bold. My sister and I used to babysit for each other, but we always asked if the other was available first. I think you did the right thing. Did your sister see you drive by? If she did, I'm sure she got the hint.

Now for my evening last night. My dad called me at 10:00 p.m., which never happens, so I knew something was wrong. My uncle (Mom's brother) passed away yesterday. There's eight kids in my mom's family, and he's the first to pass on. It's really sad, and my mom is really sad. My uncle was a very happy man. I choose to believe he died doing what he enjoyed, farming & watching the crop crow when his heart gave out.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a better evening. for everyone.

Hello to LT, Kemp, Dips and everyone else. for all of you.

Hey Everyone... After reading everyone's post I will have to agree with CW that it's been quite a day. It's usually on those kinds of days I emotionally eat. Today is no different. I had fries for lunch and bacon cheddar wedges and an ice cream bar for dessert. Gosh, it looks even worse when you type it out. I need to get a grip on the eating.
I tried on my suit that I wore last August and laughed my head off... Keep in mind, I was a size 6 last year in August and now I am a 10 at best. I actually had a spare tire. In all my life I have never had a spare tire. I never gained around my waist or abdomen. Now...I guess it's the only place for the fat to go since my hips and thighs are full up.
Hopefully, what this doctor tells me will help me move in a direction that is more positive. I need to do something.
CW...sorry to hear about your uncle. I will certainly pray for your entire family. I am also praying for you too Angie and Noelle as well. I am with CW...pretty gutsy to just assume you would baby sit. Good move on your part for driving right on by. I would have done the same. I don't think it's mean...I think it gives her something to think about.
I am also waiting to hear about your first day, Lady T...and anxious to hear how everyone else is doing.
Tomorrow is a new day!!! Right??
Thanks for being there for me.
Claire

Just a quick post because today is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Only a 1/2 day at that.
I'm all packed and ready to go. All I have to do today at school is cover some of my books and turn in my keys. The kiddos leave at noon and I hope to be able to leave at 1pm.
I did want to share something. Yesterday one of my students (one of the biggest troublemakers) asked if he could sign my yearbook. I said yes and gave it to him (silently hoping that he wouldn't write something inappropriate). After he left, I read what he wrote and it nearly made me cry. He wrote 'thanks for being a great teacher this year and thanks for not giving up on me'. What a great kid inside. He has changed the past month or so and I even called his parents a couple of times to tell them that he was doing awesome. (I also told his dad that I wish they'd sent this twin to school earlier and kept the other one at home. His dad nearly dropped the phone because he started laughting so hard).
I'll post more later.
Have a great day everyone.

Cal

Hey guys. I just got back from weigh-in and I knew it would not have changed. I am still at the same place I was 3 weeks ago. This is so frustrating. I am so close but I am still so far away. I am not giving up saying that my body must be happy here b/c I still look so fluffy. I so have a good muscle base due to all the years of heavy weight training but the fat is just refusing to move. I feel better knowing that I can fit better into my clothes but there still is a section of my closet that hasn't seen daylight in too long. Gosh, I really need this to change!

Noelle we are heading over to the beach for the weekend. We are tired of working on the house every weekend so we made plans to relax. We usually take vacation at the end of summer so now that we have already gone we are lost without something to look forward to. I guess I should be glad my nephews are old enough not to be left with me. I have a feeling my siblings would be using me since I don't put in lots of hours.

CW I think it is great that we have our own WW person on our thread. I hope you don't mind if we pick your brain from time to time.

Claire I gained alot when I got married too. I actually freaked out when I thought about what I usuaed to weigh when we were first together. Holy Moly, I thought I was fat too. I can only dream of being in a 6. I was not in that even when I was 20. How tall are you by the way? I am 5'7".

Angie I am used to seing you first thing on the thread, what are you up to today?

Cal you are going to have so much fun. I know you will take lost of pics and I can't wait to see them. I have a client who just go back from France. She said she will never go back but at least she went once in her life. That is so sweet when bad kids actually show they are good inside.

Ok, I need to put away the groceries and do some sort of exerice.

Hi ladies, just a quickie as I need to grab a shower and then head off to work.
My sister did not show up this morning so I think she got the hint

I weighed in yesterday and gained .8 of a lb....small miracles eh? I was really shocked since i thought i had done so much more damage. Haha, I got to eat all that bad stuff too! Still I am up 2.6 from my "lowest" weight this time around. Time to get serious again and do some @ss-kicking.

Kempy, I looked at my WI card yesterday and realized that I have been around the same weight (give or take 2-3 lbs up and down) for the past 2 MONTHS--so don't get discouraged. Enjoy the beach!

Cal, that is so touching that your student wrote that to you. He will probably remember you for the rest of his life Have fun on that awesome vacation! I am so jealous!

Claire, size 6? Hehe, I haven't seen that number for over 11 years! Hope your doctor visit goes well.

cw, I am sorry to hear about your uncle. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. It's never easy to lose any family member, especially those you were close to.

Angie, how's it going w/Brit today? Hope you guys are doing alright.

Julie, are you on a family vacation? Miss you!

Hi to LadyT, Red, Cherie, Dips and everyone Gotta run.

Here is a pic of my niece at her high school graduation on Sunday....what a brat!

Hello Ladies...

I actually had started a letter to you all and then got sidetracked. I came back and deleted it by accident...so I am starting over.

I had a rough start to the morning in that my husband and I had another "discussion". It wasn't encouraging...let's just leave it at that. I was glad that I would be seeing the counselor today. We had a 2.5 hour appointment. There's good and bad to report. First...I am not going nuts. That's fairly good news. I felt like I was heard and that the things that are concerns of mine are truly valid (this is coming from a male counselor...so I feel confident). The bad news is this...his schedule is full. So, he would have to refer me or us out should we decide to go that direction. Meaning...we would have to pay $$ to get help. That ain't gonna fly with my husband in that he is not crazy about the whole counseling thing to begin with. So...I guess I have some thinking to do...and a mess of praying.

Cal...what a testiment to who you are to get such a wonderful thing written to you. You are blessed!

Only 2.5 hours and I am outta of here to go see my best friend in Dallas and see the butt pill doctor. Can't wait!!!!

Thanks for all of your thoughts, concerns and prayers. You all are so kind!
More later.
Claire

Wtg...Noelle on the smaller weight gain. Don't let it fool you though... I don't know about you...but I would weigh myself (in the past) for weeks with no weight gain...thinking that my eating wasn't effecting anything...then BOOM one day I would suddenly gain 5 pounds. It's like it's a water balloon that finally bursts once it gets beyond it's filling point... Know what I mean. All that to say...is get back on the horse...go for it...and keep that from happening! You can do it!!!

Kempy...I am 5'7" too... I gain all my weight in my hips and thighs...well...now also in my abdomen. Like I said...it has no where else to go. And, let's be honest. A size 6 today...was the size 8 or even 10 of yesterday.

Noelle...must have missed the pic when I was typing... That cracks me up! Thankfully, my daughter's graduation was the shortest one I have gone to in my life on earth. yeeeeha!

Congrats to your niece!

A pic of Rory the graduate with the family... my oldest/eldest(?) sister on the left, my other niece, the graduate, her mom (my sis right above me), my baby Michael, my #3 sis, and me on the right.

So do ya think me and #1 sister look alike? Features-wise? I don't think so, but a lot of people tell me so. Maybe if I lose another 50 lbs, I can look more like sister #6.... darn I hate those skinny girls

Claire, I'm sorry you and the hubby are having difficulties, but such is life eh? I really hope you can work it out. I'm happy that you have a counselor though. My husband and I have "issues" every now and then, and went through some rough stuff last year, but we have worked through it . I hope you find someone who is reasonably priced (if you have to pay for it) but more importantly, one who will listen and help the both of you heal. I know how difficult it can be to even find someone professionally...I tried looking last year on my own and called numerous offices and came up with 0%--nada phone calls returned... I'm praying for you

As for the weight gain...I know!!! Great analogy--the water balloon thing

Hey guys I have been landscaping in front of the bakery all day. We also remulched my shrubs out front and a few flower boxes. I am going to be so sore in the morning.

Puddin is having another attack of diarrhea. The store didnt have her food in stock so I had to switch her to adult formula so I had to fight with the new vets to give me the meds because they wouldnt see her til Friday afternoon. She would have been dehydrated by then!!! So I argued a bit and told them what was wrong with her was the same problem she had the last time I was there and I wasnt going to wait for her to get sicker. They gave me her meds.

Okay I got to get some more stuff done. I will do individual replies in the morning when I have more time. Luv YA!!!

Oh my goodness! A girl disappears for a bit, and look what happens!!! Ya'll have been having a rough week!

Noelle - You aare beautiful!!! And your family is too!! I'm glad you went and weighed in on Tues, and that the damage was not too bad. Now you can look forward to getting back on track. Really, maintaining your loss is not such a bad thing, right?

Claire - I hope you and your hubby find the help you need. I don't think there is anything more frustrating and difficult than when you are having relationship issues. A for you and sending good vibes in your direction. :

Kempy - Keep at it! You'll get there! If you're building on a base of muscle you are very lucky, there is that much less for you to do. Have fun at the beach!

cal - How was the last day girl?! I hope you're ready to go, 'cause you're goin'!!! Have fun!

cw - So sorry to hear about your uncle...

Angie - Gosh, what a time you're having. I don't blame you one bit for turfing Brit. That is unacceptable! I hope you're OK!!!

Thanks to ya'll for asking how the job is! So far, so good! It's oretty busy and demanding, and since a lot of it is somewhat unfamiliar, it sure does seem like a lot of hard work, but I think it should be good!

I'm off to watch the hockey game, have a good one ladies!!!