[Eleni]

Just dropping by to say hello. Hopefully the rain will slow down today. I am tired of it. The news just said we have had over 8inches in 5 days. Last year we were slowly turning into a desert so the rain has been good. This is the greenest winter I have seen in a long time.
Our TOPS christmas party was nice. We also decided to sponsor / make our project/ whatever you call it/ a local spouse abuse shelter. We will bring donations in the first of the month (each month). One of our members will take it to the shelter.
It is important that we support each other in our weight loss journey but we should also support our community too. I was very proud of my ladies for coming up with this idea.
Hope you all have a good weekend and are all ready for Christmas. This is the most tempting time of the year. All those goodies are everywhere.Enjoy. Just don't enjoy everyday ,several times a day
I have a lot to get busy. I have so much to do. We are going to go see another CircusDu Solei tonight. This one is a different one that we saw and it is near here in St Petersburg. I am looking forward to it.
hello to all

[shortstack]

Eleni-congrats on the awesome weight loss, I don't think i've ever heard of that much in one week. That is great. Like sherri said, remember in the end it is you who is doing the work. We have a little snow, and not too cold. For the past 2 days though it looks like we are going to get hammered with something and don't.
Sherri-sorry i missed you the other day, i just signed off. I thought things might be busy,if you know what i mean. I did get your email, and wasn't sure about responding, i didn't want anyone else to read it.

me-not doing bad, i realized this morning that i've made my bed everyday for the past 7 weeks or so. The dishes, and the table is still a challenge. I'm not stressing about it though. I will get there. Also the girls at work are keeping an eye on the weight loss efforts that we have going on, and since oct. i've loss 14 pounds. Cool. I think i've hit a minnie platue, though, will get through it. Also i'm not bragging,or anything, but the other day when i mentioned the bills, the truck ect. going on, i made the statement that I thought God was trying to show me what the true meaning of Christmas is, he did yesterday. I know what the meaning is, just a refresher course. Sherri-remember when you got your sent to you. I had three of 's yesterday. The little ones were so precious. It's been a long time since i felt comfortable about doing what i did, but i saw the need in someone else. God actually told me to do some work. i'm not nuts, I just listen(sometimes) I wasn't affraid,(well at first, wasn't sure about it), and I did say, but what if something happens, God responded, what's going to happen. Anyone that accepts these little Children also accepts me. I did the deed, and i've thought about it, i want to do more of it. I have the fighting within, what about your son. My son is well taken care of and will be fine. Just wondering how the family would take it, (not mine, the other). Not sure what I can do for them if anything, and maybe that's all God really wanted me to do. So I will work on this and think about it awhile, and let God decide.
Christmas is really just about around the corner. Did some shopping yesterday, boy did it feel good. Just about got everyone done. Except those that I want to wait for after the first of the year. Didn't spend that much either. I kept my promise that i wouldn't by hubby anything, that was hard. I wanted to buy me something to, but will later. Well we have soccer, a tree to get, dinner at cousins today, and tomorrow is church, dinner at hubby's cousin. Busy time.
Love ya all, and thinking of you often

[lady06498]

Eleni,

We are getting a lot of rain here also. We got 10 inches of snow the other day. Wednesday night most of it is gone now. It isn't as cold today either. But it is supposed to be later then the rain will turn to freezing rain and mixed with snow. Yuck! Sure wish I was down there with you in so many ways.LOL
You are doing great. Keep up the great work. I think that is great that you are going to help out a shelter. Great thinking on your ladies part.
Glad you had a good time at your party. You are right we all need to watch the extra goodies this year and always.

Wendy,

I think that is great that you had angels. Have you decided what you want to do for them. Maybe just supplying them with a turkey and some fixins will be so welcomed. I know you would like to do more. You will find the perfect thing to do for them. You are a caring person.

Sometimes I would love to get involved and help the less fortunate. I know I am rich compared to a lot of people out there. We take what we have for granted and complain about it also. We are good aren't we so unappreciative of things.
I think it would humble us all to help out others that are unfortunate.

I won't be watching the twins afterall. One of them has a problem with her stomach and might need surgery. So the mom isn't going to be returning to work anytime too soon.
I did call back another lady that had called me and she has 2 boys one that is 3 months and the other 3 1/2 yrs. I will know this weekend if I am going to have them or not. I really need the money so I hope I get them. But I so wanted girls to watch. But it might do me good to have the boys. Then it would take away or at least help me in the fear of having boys around. I always said I didn't want boys because I wouldn't know what to do with them. So it might be just what I need. Time will tell. If I don't get them then I will put my ad back in the paper for next week.
Nothing else going on here. Still haven't finished my christmas shopping.

Have a great day everyone.

Sherri

[summer8386]

Happy Saturday Ladies! Hope the day is finding everyone having a good one!!

Eleni, WOO-HOO on your loss this week. It sounds like you are on an even keel with the food thoughts. Feels nice to be back in control, I'm sure. I too, am doing better. Maybe your {{{VIBES}}} are rubbing off on me. May the rest of the month be kind to us. My old KOPS Honor Society has donated to battered womens or childrens or homeless shelters the past few years. Makes most of us feel so much better. Of course, there are always some that want things for themselves {even though none need it} other than donating. Oh well.................at least our hearts are at peace knowing that we have tried to put a smile on someones face less fortunate. Good going for your chapter.

Wendy, You have done so good with your weight loss the past few months. CONGRATS!!!!! How did it go with Brandon's Dr. visit? Did he get off the phenobarbitol?

Sherri, too bad about the twins, but things will work out for the best....they always do in the long run. Did all the snow melt? We are long overdue for some more. We had a big snow at the beginning of Nov and then nothing more to really count. Of course, it is always so cold here that it doesn't melt much. We'd be in big trouble at the ski area's if it did. Have you been able to make it to Curves lately??

Me, I lost 5.5 Wed and I feel better about me. Last eve I had my work party and the food was WONDERFUL. Of course I ate too much, but I am not going to pass up a free evening. So many fancy appetizers, pecan encrusted salmon with dijon sauce and the dessert I won't even go into. Let's just say that dh and I were in heaven!!!! I haven't had anything that rich and delectable in years. Really needed coffee to help offset the richness, but had to wait 1/2 hr for them to put out more. DD watched her sister, so it was a lovely evening...........something we haven't done in, oh, I can't remember!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't do any dancing though. My knee flared up Thursday, have no real idea why but I couldn't lift my leg high enough [6 inches!!] to get in the shower yesterday morning [stubbed my toe!], so I knew things were bad again. Went to Dr, this time they drained it, and injected cortizone. I'm still also very tender on the other side where they thought I tore a cartiledge but an MRI showed I didn't.....so we're all a bit perplexed right now. I am really worried about having to move dd around. This just goes to prove that I truly need to get my excess weight off since I have to take on all of her 90#'s! The Dr told me to keep the knee iced last eve so I joked about that is why they had a bar set up at our party!!! Forget the drinks??!!!!.........Yea, RIGHT!

It is 2pm and dd is FINALLY awake, round 2! Round one was 5 am then she fell asleep and has stayed peaceful, so I wasn't going to interfer!

Love ya all, and have a good rest of your weekend. Try to stay on plan and don't forget to keep hydrated!!!!

TOPS {{{{HUGS}}}}}
Summer

[coco99]

Hi Ladies
How is everyone doing? Went Christmas shopping yesterday. Finished up. Well lets just say I quit. Boy has anyone else noticed how crabby people are now. I know yesterday. The stores were crowded. Trying to get around the aisles was terrible. People would be standing in the middle of them. You couldnt get around. Would say excuse me. May I get through and they would look at you like you was speaking a different language or something. Or just give you mean looks. So I would just smile at them and say thank you.
Now I need to get the stuff wrapped and cards addressed. YUCK!!!! I need to do some cards tonight. We are having our card exchange at church tomorrow. I want to try and do my baking next week. I am going to make pumpkin bread, cinnamon raisin bread, WW chocolate chip scones and chex mix. That is going to be it. I figured these were the lowest in calories then most things.

Eleni GREAT JOB. Way to go.

Wendy Hows Brandon. Did he get to go off his meds. Hope so.

Sherri How are you doing. Hope your belly is better. Sorry you dont get to watch the twins. But you will get some little ones to watch. And little boys arent that bad. In fact I thought raising my son was pretty easy. Take care.

To everyone else I'm thinking of you. Hope everyone is getting their holiday preparations done. I know this is a busy time of the year. But just remember to take time for yourself.
Need to go do my Christmas cards. And Frosty is on tonight so have to watch that.
A TOPS PAL

[lady06498]

Summer,

I am so glad that you had such a great time at the party. You really deserved a night out with hubby.
How is the knee since the cortisone? I hope it gets better soon. I know you worry as to how you will take care of dd.
No I haven't been to curves since nov. I can't exercise until my check up which is on monday. But I am having shooting pains again and pain elsewhere as well just like before. I am not too hopeful. Called the Dr. on friday to tell them about it. She said I might be getting ready for TOM. But already had it beginning of week and it was very little. She said sometimes when it is healing and you have your cycle right after it can get sore. She said just take the pain meds which I did today finally. I will know more on monday after my check up with the dr.. I hope everything will be fine. I don't want to have to go through that again.

I got a call from the other lady with the 2 boys. But she doesn't want to start work until feb. I said I need someone before then because I need the money. So I will put my ad back in. Told her to call me when she is ready to go back and if I still have the openings I would love to take them. So we will see what is planned for me. I hope to get someone else soon because I really need the money. It won't be until the first of the year until I start now. The ad will go back in next week thursday for 3 weeks. It is a weekly paper. I hope I get a good response this time like I did last time.

Coco,

That is great that you are done with your shopping. I had the same thing happen in Kmart today. People just don't hear you or don't want to hear you and the aisles are too small to get through to start with. I did most of my shopping online and through the catalog so I wouldn't have to deal with the stores. I only have 4 gift certificates left to get which I have to wait until next week because I am broke again.LOL Did some more shopping today. Will be glad when it is over.
I am with you girl. Megan and I are going to watch Frosty and Frosty returns. The return one is a new one for me. Never seen that one before. So she took her nap and is going to have her tea party while watching her shows. She calls a tea party eating popcorn and chips while watching TV.LOL
We bought 2 muffin tins today and we got some apple strudle muffin mix to make and give to my aunt and uncle and probably make some for her school party on friday. The one pan is christmas trees and the other is snowmen. She loves to help cook or bake.
Well I have to write in my journal then it is on the couch to watch frosty for the night.

Megan sings in the choir tomorrow at church for the christmas play. Got my video camera all set to go for that. Her first performance.

Have a great night everyone and continue to do well.

Sherri