Alternative Group (Oct 14th 2001)
 

We are a group of non-traditional lifestyle individuals. We are partnered, single, widowed, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, Muslim, gay, bi-sexual, bi-colored and straight. We bask in our diversity and unite in the same goal of losing weight. If you are relatively open-minded and accepting of ALL walks of life, please join us.

Hello. Happy weekend everyone. You must all be living the good life bacause none of you have been very social these days!

I didn't get on the scale today because...I forgot. If it isn't first thing after I go potty, forget it, I don't do it. :) Silly huh? But yesterday It said I lost 2 pounds. It's about time! I was almost ready to throw it threw the window. I walked 12763 yesterday if anyone is interested! :dizzy: I think I may take a break today and start over at 1 mile. Why? My hips and knees are a bit sore. I don't want to kill myself. I have walked more each day for 10 days straight. I don't have time tomorrow to do it so today is a good day to reset it. I still have a goal of walking 5 miles without a break. And my first weight goal is 169. That way I will be just considered severely overweight instead of obese. :o Like it matters. But I will feel better. I am 188 now.

The Mayo Clinic on Healthy eatting has a different food pyramid. It focuses on most plant based foods. Under 250 pounds, your goal is to eat 4 veggies (you may have unlimited), 3 fruits(unlimited too), 4 carbs (wholegrain), 3 protein/dairy (I like this because I have soy cheese and never know if it is a protein or a dairy), 3 fats and 75 sugar calories plus one serving of activity each day. It is roughly 1200 calories. If you really go overboard on your fruits and veggies...it may be more calories but not too much over. I will let you know how I like eatting this way. And if I see any progress.

I had planned on going to the outdoor swap meet but I don't feel like wakeing Chris up. Maybe it will be a day of home. Laundry and dishes still need to be done before my work week starts again tomorrow. (neverending) ~flower

Good morning everyone! The moon was sooo cool this morning, almost completely dark, just a tiny sliver of crescent showing at the bottom. So wonderful to walk under.

I have homework this morning, and laundry to do. It's incredible the volume we have of laundry. Let it go for 4 days, and it's piled to the ceiling.

My daughter is having a hard time adjusting to middle school as well. Not writing down what she needs to hand in, and a very tough teacher. If it isn't done, she gets a zero. She is floored that this teacher is so tough, after her older brother did so well with the same teacher for 2 years in a row.

She is really going to have a tough year, charm is not going to work with this guy...

I think grade 7 and 8 are wickedly hard on the kids with all those hormones raging through them.

Lam

Hi LaMorgan! I'd say hi to the rest of you, but you aren't around! What is with that? Ruthie-you've been so quiet lately. I know you are very busy, but stop in and say hi. Amy. is school running you ragged? Wildfire? Come out and play! Where is everyone else??????

I am doing good. I am following the mayo clinic's food pyramid. I am not use to 3 or more fruits a day. This will be interesting! I did get my minimum 4 veggies in. I had one too many carbs yesterday but I did everything else good. The scale had better reward me again soon. I thought I could loose 2 pounds a week this month. I just don't get it. I am excersicing, watching my diet, no soda or desserts.... My good behavior will catch up soon...

Work is fine. I was a bit bored yesterday but I think that was because I was tired and was a clock watcher. Grif's medicine helped him sleep through the night, but of course I woke up every 2 hours because he hadn't made any noise! I can not win! I had a really yummy drem. (Don't tell my boyfriend!) :devil:

That's all here! Everyone, post me an update! `flower

I'm letting the stress of a micro-managing meeting-crazy boss get to me. I'm eating more than I should and in the form of sugar mostly so my blood sugar is all over the place. This is embarrassing that I let her have this kind of power over me. I've got to rise above this--maybe invest in a big jug of rescue remedy!
So that's what's happening with me. I wish I had something inspiring but there you are. I know that I should journal to get to the bottom of all this but I'm really resistant--so that means that I really have to bite the bullet and do it.

Flower, I feel bad b/c I haven't been posting and you've been so faithfully posting, and you're doing so well on your program. The truth is, the postings in this group have all dwindled, and it makes me feel more wary of posting, since the content of my messages is after all about personal stuff, and if I don't feel part of a real community I feel like I'm just hanging my sh*t out there for no reason. Does that make sense? It's not fully rational, but that's the way I've been feeling. I will start posting more, I promise.

I took the GRE (grad school SAT) on Saturday. Last week and the week before were so stressful with everything I had to do that by the time I finished the GRE, which was the last of all the stressful things, I literally felt like I was going to pass out. Of course I didn't sleep AT ALL the night before, and I got up at 6 to get ready, so I was tired and drained and I just felt like I needed a blood transfusion. But I'm really pleased with my scores -- I got a 540 in math, which is like a miracle; a 660 verbal and a 670 analytical. That puts me in the 39th percentile for math, 93rd for verbal and 77th for analytical. Pretty damn good. Thank God that's over with!

My car broke down AGAIN. I had to throw another $200 at the damn thing.

I have a ton of typing to do. I decided to study first tonight and then type instead of the other way around, so I'd better get started. The good news is I'll make back the car repair money and more this week.

I will be back, I promise.

Hi Flower! I'm still kicking, just haven't been online much. I think I've finally gotten past the pain of this IBS flare-up. *knock on wood, fingers crossed, salt circles....the whole nine yards* I think work is finally starting to return to normal after the sale of all shares to the new owners. The long-distance audit is coming to a close, the new budget is in final stages...I actually had a few minutes to clean up my office today. I went out on the weekend for a first look for a ballgown for our formal Christmas party, and found an outfit that I love, but I want a new leather jacket this year, and that dress that I'll wear once costs as much as the jacket I have my eye on. Practicality may win this one, as much I would love to have the dress. I have a dress in my closet from a few years ago that I haven't worn to a Christmas party yet. Strange, I am back down to the same weight as when I bought it, but it fits me differently. Obviously, I need to get back to those ab crunches. :eek: I've decided I'll try it on again in a month. If it fits, I'll wear it, otherwise I'll still have a few weeks to find a new outfit.

So, that's really all that's going on with me. I'm loving the season, watching the trees explode into vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and bright golds. I had one of those rare moments after work today when I was out walking...fading light, softly falling rain, and a sudden flutter of leaves swirling to the ground around me. Ah, to bottle those moments....

The next few weeks will be busy with hubby's birthday on the 22nd, Samhaine and our 3rd anniversary on the 31st.

Ruthie, hope things are going to settle down some for you soon. Too bad about the car repair....just when you think they're running great they do that to you. Sounds like you did great on the tests! Sorry I've not been posting...I don't want you to feel you're posting just for the lurkers.

Hi Lamorgan and Goddess!

Let's get this going again, girls! Amyjo, sheila, Linds?....anyone else still with us?

I am here! I have been lurking... I have been too tired and too busy to stop and make a meaningful post and too be completely honest I really need to be studying now and not on the computer but it keeps calling me saying Amy.... Amy :)

We finished MIL's pond expansion today.. the last thing we have to do is winterize our pond and get the fish and plants out that may not make it through the winter.. other than that I am planning on not doing too much for the rest of the fall/winter other than gettting ready for the holidays and I have a March of Dimes Project I am about to have to start working on. (I have got to learn to say No! I am too busy but I have "sure use me" written on my forehead!

I have gotten back on track pretty good for the last week. I have decided to not take any more money to school with me other than what I have to have to buy a couple of diet soda's. (That way I will not stop by Sonic or the Yogurt shop on the way home) I have taken my lunch the past couple of days and I feel much better I am eating much more in tune to my dietary needs, instead of my stress needs. I actually went to the gym 3 days last week along with working in MIL's yard all weekend. So I am feeling pretty good. If I can just stay focused with all of the stuff I have to do with school!

I don't see me reaching goal weight by November now but maybe by the end of the year... Who knows :( I will get there! It took more than 12 months to get my rearend in this shape it is going to take more than 12 months to get it out of this shape ... whether I like those facts or not!

Hugs to all,
Amy
176/148/130

Yeah, just 12 hours later and the gang is all back! Yipee, horay!

Ruthie-I don't mind personal stuff on this thread. I think sometimes that is the best thing about this thread. It is the personal sh** that got us fat isn't it. If we don't sort though it, it will never get resolved, and we will never get fit! But I do agree, it is awkward talking to yourself in posts...Wondering if "friends" have read your news or if it is just strangers judging you.

Can you believe I have had a minimum of 4 servings of veggies for the last 4 days? That is 16 + servings of veggies in 4 days. Probably more than the whole month of Sept combined! They are pretty damn tasty too! I do hope the fiber over load doesn't give me unwanted side effects sometime in traffic. (Where is a potty, now!!!) My boss fed me lunch at her house. She made us Lean Cusines, spinach salads and fruit. And it was bosses day and she fed me! That is why I got her a card, bunch of gum and stocked the fridge with bottled water.

I am glad I decided not to do my booth for Pagan Pride day. It is now a Pagan picnic instead. There are legal issues with the city. There will be a lawsuit brought up for discrimination. But you would have thought the committee would have told us before today that we wouldn't be doing booths. It would have been Sunday. I was waiting to see what was going on before I told her I wasn't going to participate. There were 46 other booths other than mine anyways... Owell.

I feel good about my program. I am not sure if I will make the 8 pounds gone by Nov 3rd but I am sure trying!!!! ~flower

I know, I know. I just posted last night!!! But just wanted to share. I got on the scale this morning. I started getting serious on Oct 3. 14 days ago. I have lost 4 pounds already! Thats 2 a week! Yipee! I have 4 more to go in the next 2 weeks. I think I can do this! ~flower

Flower, the fiber queen! You're doing great!
Ruthie, are you still doing the food journal? If you are could you direct me or start a new thread. I want to post there--it helps to be accountable and put it all out there.

Well, that's it for me--Im taking a nap! I did breakfast and lunch for 46 people today and cleaned up after. Believe it or not I don't want to think about food the rest of the day!

~~Eydie

Congratulations, Flower!!!! You're well on your way to that 8 lb goal! :)

Goddess....46 people???? You deserve a nap!


Having kind of an "ick" day. Ate okay...bagel for breakfast, soup for lunch, eggs for dinner. Would really like to go for a walk but it's so COLD here today! Snowed just north of TO today! Might just veg tonight and read my Canadian Living magazine that arrived....something in it about a bone-building workout.

I've decided I am going to get back into a shape that will allow me to wear that dress in my closet to the Christmas party.....and I have the perfect embroidered silk slingback sandals to wear with it....I won't have to spend a cent!

How is everyone else doing?

Flower, veggies are the best! There are very few veggies I don't like. I haven't been eating enough of them myself lately. Congrats on the loss!! You're right, you can do this.

OK, Goddess, I'll start a new food posting thread. And you guys are all welcome to join me there! I don't anticipate I'll be able to stay in my points range for the first few days, but I've got to get back OP. And exercising. I have been a slug. Everything I do these days is just all about the future -- that's why I'm working so much, and so focused on getting into grad school, and so on and so forth. It's like now doesn't exist, it's just the prelude. I have to focus that way in my weight loss efforts too.

Time to get back to work. I just got bored and had to stop typing for a bit.

recipe request from a lurker
 

Hi Pagan babes & etc!

I lurk here pretty frequently - not sure if I've ever posted, although I've crossed paths with one or two of you elsewhere. I was wondering if the person who posted a soup recipe (red lentils, sweet potatoes, & swiss chard were in it i think) a while back has it easily accessible. Pretty sure it was here. It sounded so good! I, as usual, thought I would remember the details but, of course, didn't :rolleyes: I went looking through the threads but couldn't find it... If it's not easily accessible, don't worry about it -- I'll just improvise and see how it goes (definitely wouldn't be the first time)

Have a great day, All!

xo
babette

Hey Babette. Boy are you lucky I'm a packrat! Here you go -- this is from vegkitchen.com.

CURRIED RED LENTIL SOUP WITH SWEET POTATOES AND GREENS
Serves: 6
Both nourishing and sublimely satisfying, this thick soup incorporates
fall's first sweet potatoes with seasonal greens. If you can‚t find red
lentils (available in specialty food shops as well as natural food
stores), which cook to a warm golden color, use brown lentils. The soup
won‚t be as visually appealing, but will taste just as good.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup chopped red onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups water

1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed (or substitute brown lentils)

2 large or 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

2 teaspoons good quality curry powder or garam masala, more or less to taste

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon each: cinnamon and nutmeg

6 to 8 ounces Swiss chard other fall greens

Juice of 1 lime

Salt to taste
Heat the oil or margarine in a soup pot. Add the onion and garlic and
sauté over medium heat until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the
water, lentils, sweet potatoes, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer, then
simmer gently, covered, until the lentils are mushy and the potatoes are
done, about 20 to 25 minutes.
In the meantime, wash the greens, remove their thick mid-ribs, then
slice them into narrow shreds about 2 inches long. Stir into the soup
along with the lime juice. If the soup is too thick, adjust the
consistency with a small amount of water.
Continue to simmer gently until the greens are just done, about 10 to 15
minutes. Season to taste with salt. Serve at once, or let the soup stand
for an hour or two, then heat through as needed.

Thanks, Ruthie!
 

Okay! This time I copied the recipe into a recipe folder (created in its honour!). That soup just sounds great -- and incredibly healthy. I make some lentil and other bean soups relying on garlic and spices for stock flavour and I'm always impressed by how tasty a stock can be without using any meat-based or artificial junk for the broth. Much appreciated!

xo
babette

Thanks Ruthie! I'd lost that one too--it sounds really good. Indian food is my current favorite these days. This looks like a recipe that would lend itself to crockpot cooking too. :)

Somebody let me know how it comes out if you make it!

I'm having Thanksgiving at my house this year, and normally we split up the food and assign it to three groups -- me, my sis, and my parents. I'm the only vegetarian, but my sis has been eating veggie lately and my parents normally eat very little meat anyways. So I'll be on the lookout for some exciting vegetable and grain recipes.

I still ate like crap yesterday. I got paid this week, so I'll go do REAL grocery shopping, not just dribs and drabs to tide us over. I'll make sure I have enough good stuff to get me thru the next week. That's one of the keys to staying OP, I believe. I have to get re-started, b/c I really let myself gain during these past couple of weeks when I had so much stuff crammed into a short period of time. I was just eating for energy.

By Gawd, today's the day I get back on track! [I mean it this time!] I haven't been binging or anything--just making bad choices. Maybe because I've been working [cooking] so much lately I don't feel like dealing with food too much when I get home.
:dizzy:

Going on a 'field trip' today to one of those big supermarket-size health food stores to stock up. I'll let you know if I find anything new and exciting!

~~Eydie

Okay, want to see something scary? Go check out the fast food guide on page one of this site. I had seen it before but it has been updated and it has several of my favorite items. Why did I become 200+ pounds. Well, several occasions for lunch I consumed 1200 calories. (That was just a med soda, a ranch crispy chicken sandwich and an onion ring from Carl's Jr. ) It isn't a huge meal. Panda Express's chicken and spicy chicken has 200 more calories and 15+ more fat grams than the fried orange chicken. And orange chicken has no veggies! Add another entree and a serving of chow mein and a soda and we have another 1200 calories. So very scary. You are what you eat! ~flower

Helllooooooo
 

Sorry I know I havent been posting , actually I been house hunting.. (Real house not a mobile home) Nothing final yet but I hope to be living in the white mountan region of my state this time next year..
Last weekend we went up there and was just browsing around looked at a few houses ( prior to getting pre qualified) and we saw some that needed work.. Now I have the pre qualifications and found out I cant get some real NICE ones ..Next weekend we plan on going up to look at more.. One I want to look at the most is a 5 bed room 2 bath gambriel with 3 car garage ( 3rooms will be bedrooms 1 guest room, that 5th will be workout room/ computer room)
We have plans to go up to the mountains tomorrow all day shecking out the scenic veiws as well as walk around the town we want to move into.. Just to get a feel and layout of the town.. ( small tourist type town thier Sears looks like a mom and pop store) At least I know they are a civilized town ( They DO have a full size Wal*mart :lol: )

As for weight I am at plateau again I will take measurements again soon.. To be honest my mind has been in houseland and not real focused on my weight..

As for smoking I messed up again.. :nono: ( why do I bother trying??) I will get a handle on it .. I will quit.. ONCE AGAIN :mad:
I am really ticked at myself for being that weak...grrrrrrrrrrrrr :cry:

Well I will end here I have alot to do before tomorrow

Sheila

Shelia ~ honey, What I would give for a 5 bedroom fixer-upper... We bought a small three bedroom 2 bath in 1998, it is 1300 square foot. We out grew it in like a week :)... I graduate in a little over a year and once DH's car is paid for we are opting for like double or triple the space. I know that we aren't in the position that your in as far as living conditions(our quarters are close but it is just us, not our whole family) but by the time our kids hit adolesence(they already can't turn around in their rooms) and we want some peace and quiet (all of the bedrooms are on one end of the house) we have to do something. I want to get all of our credit cards paid down and at least one car paid off so that our debt to income ratio is alot better than it is now. They would probably laugh at us if we tried to buy another house right now! And my school loans aren't going to help anything. :dizzy: But, if God willing and the creek don't rise we will be looking within the next two years.... I am wishing you good fortune, that you will have the home of your dreams as soon as possible.

Flower ~ I know now that half of my problem was not have a CLUE what the calorie content of stuff (ie. fast food) was.. then not knowing what a portion of anything was- when you get yourself down to 1200-1500 calories a day instead of meal, you tend to lose weight......

I have to run. Will post soon,
Amy
176/146/130

Hey grrrrls! :D

Sheila...got all my fingers and toes crossed that you'll find a super house to make your home! I love redecorating, and would be in pure heaven to re-do a fixer-upper! Have fun! (I'm so glad things are turning around for you.)

Now....seems like we all need a kick in the behind here. We've all been on-again off-again for some time. Flower is doing marvelously and I'm about to join her.

I tried on that evening dress that I would like to wear to the Christmas party. It's a very formal event at the poshest golf & country club here, Glen Abbey. Tiger Woods played the Canadian Open there this year, so you get the idea. So, this dress I have is straight, fitted silver lace (not a frilly pattern, more like a crochet look) with a black lining. Right now, if I suck in my gut it looks fabulous. And those Nygaard silk slingbacks had hubby drooling this morning when he saw me in the outfit. *L* I'm going to do my best to drop ten pounds and get into whatever shape I can manage in six weeks. Here's how:

I found a basic, sensible workout plan that I'm going to follow. You can see it here: http://goodhousekeeping.women.com/gh...s/81drop11.htm And I'm going to eat sensibly, planning my meals ahead of time and get my water in. If anyone would like to join me I'd be thrilled to have you!

To get me going, I needed to buy some hand weights. Off we went to Canadian Tire (department store for those of you in the States that aren't familiar) to buy some vinyl-dipped hand weights. I went for the 7lb ones. Five was too light, ten seemed like it would be hard on my hands and I have enough problems with them now, so I took the 7lb ones. Here's the beauty of it...they came to just over $18.00 for two....and I had $13.65 in Canadian Tire money, so it only cost me just under $5.00 to buy them. :D When you shop at Canadian Tire, they give you their "money" based on a percentage of what you spend. It can later be used as an equivalent to cash on your next purchase. I think it's only about 1.5% of your purchase, but if you collect it, eventually you have enough to make it worthwhile.

So, anyone up for a six-week challenge? Please, please,please, please, please, please???? :^: :^: :^:

I'm off...have a glass of ice water and 100 crunches waiting for me.

You guys might find this interesting especially if you eat out alot....


http://www.ediets.com/myediets/resou.../diningout.cfm


Amy

Sure Wildfire-I will join you. I peaked at it. Gotta read it in detail, but it looks way doable. I want to be at 169 by Xmas. Your dress sounds gorgous! Family is home, gotta run! flower

Good Morning!
 

Sheila, I remember so well when we were hunting for a house. It's without a doubt one of the most emotionally draining things my husband and I ever went thru. A home is such a basic, emotionally charged thing. I would never want to be a realtor! We didn't fight or anything; it's just the constantly getting your hopes up, wanting the 'dream house' but having to be realistic, etc. [If we had our house built we probably would've killed each other though--I can't imagine that stress!] In the end, we found something absolutely perfect for us and it was all worth it.
It's not a stretch that you turned to the comfort of a smoke---searching for your home, your castle, your den is just plain stressful! There's no doubt in my mind that you will quit though!

Wildfire, the dress sounds dreamy...And I'd love to do the challenge. The 2 women that were my local buddies have pooped out on the whole thing--too bad--and I miss the support. I'll check out the plan!

I don't know guys, sorry to be a party pooper, but I can't keep doing my program like a graph with a few peaks and a whole lot of valleys in between. Do you know what I mean? It's got to be a consistent thing for me -- I'm either OP, moderately off program, or it's a one-day free-for-all (like Thanksgiving or my birthday or something). So no more mini-challenges for me -- my whole damn LIFE is one continuous challenge!!:lol: That doesn't mean I'm not with you, though; you've got my support 100%, and I know that goes both ways.

Sheila, jump right back on the wagon! You know you can quit, b/c you've done it before. The more you try, the better your odds of succeeding for good. You can do it!

My biggest challenge right now is getting myself exercising. Anything below like 70 degrees is cold to me, so I have a really hard time getting myself outside in this kind of weather, even though I know I'll warm up once I'm walking. I am also starting to develop a kind of fat agoraphobia -- I find myself avoiding social settings or leaving the house b/c I feel "too fat." Only one thing to do about that! I really don't like using my exercise bike too much, but with the cold weather coming, I'm going to have to either use that or use the treadmill in the gym at work. I have to stop making excuses for myself.

My p/t job had no work for me again on Friday. However, the week before I made about $275, so I guess I can't complain. (Plus, when I average out my billing since the end of August, I'm making about $200/week.) If this keeps up, though, I'm going to have to ask them if they can train me for other types of work. I am trying really hard to save for the future. At this point I plan to be out of this apt. by July 1 of next year, and I really hope I can quit my sh*tty job in May. So I'll need a good chunk of cash to get thru June, finding a new place and a new p/t job, moving, getting DD settled at whatever college she'll be at, etc., etc.

Flower, if I haven't said it before, and if i had it bears repeating: you are my IDOL!!! You are eating so much veggies!!! And doing so well on your program! And remember -- even if you're not immediately rewarded by your scale, you will be. That's one of the reasons I had to stop going to WW -- I felt like the weekly WI were punishment, not reward! You are doing great and I am really, really proud of you.

OK, girls, let me get this day started. I slept way late this morning and I feel like I'm behind already. Later!

Flower and Goddess, I'm glad you're going to join me! The workout seems so simple, at first I thought...this is a no brainer....I could have come up with it myself. But I didn't. I figure if I can follow this for six weeks and start to see some results, it will inspire me to keep going. And it's something I know I can handle. It isn't so intense that I'm going to burn out quickly. I've done my cardio (at 7am, no less!). I went for a BRISK walk for 40 minutes. My abs are a little sore from yesterday, so I'm only going to do 50 crunches today along with the weight routine. I'm adding the crunches in on my own because my abs is the part of my body that I dislike the most, and that needs the most work. :eek:

Ruthie, I understand completely how you feel. I really didn't think you'd be interested because we've discussed this sort of thing before, and I know your view on how your program works best for you. :) The exercise thing is my biggest challenge, too. I love being out this time year....once I'm out there and warming up from moving. But if I plant myself on the couch and think "it's cold out", it doesn't take much for me to talk myself out of it. It's good that you're planning already for the upcoming changes next year. I think we may be moving around the same time, hopefully to a house, but if not to another apartment. A lady on my floor just moved out yesterday...her rent was going up 10.5%!!!! No way am I paying that kind of increase. The owners of these buildings just lost a court case for charging illegal rent increases, but it took two years for it to finally settle. Most people are just paying the increases, not knowing the laws, or moving out. Amazing what the owners are doing to people.

Ok, girls....time for the rest of my workout. Then I have to go grocery shopping for Bill's birthday dinner. His birthday is actually tomorrow, but we bowl after work and don't get home until almost 8pm, so we're celebrating today. I'm buying a very small cake so it won't be hanging around here all week.

TTFN

Ruthie, I know exactly what you mean. I realize that to maintain my weight loss I have to exercise and watch my diet for the rest of my life. And that's when I feel best so it makes me wonder why I ever deviate from the plan! ['the plan' being consistent workouts and a low-fat veg. diet] However, my program needs a good goosing! I don't know how closely I'll be following the workout plan but I really want to feel enthusiastic about the whole deal again and hope I'm not jinxing it but I think I'm getting there! :) I'm making the curried lentil soup today--it's been simmering in the crock pot all day. I'll let you know how it turned out!
My big challenge comes tomorrow with those miserable staff meetings. After sitting there for 4 hours listening to the boss drone on and on I usually want to dive into a big bucket of cookies! So wish me luck....!

We [me, the husband and the dawg!] went for a long walk and it was just glorious. The fall colors are a bit past their peak but still beautiful! I love fall!!!
:)

GREAT SOUP, Ruthie! The only thing I didn't have were the greens but it still turned out really good! It has a nice afterburn--just the right amount of spiciness. Thanks again! ~~Eydie


:) :) :)

Oh good, Godess, I'm glad the soup was tasty. I will put it on my list -- I just do so little cooking it will have to be a weekend project! (It's amazing my daughter survived childhood, I have so few domestic skills, especially not cooking!) I will dust off my Crockpot and make it in that, too. Maybe it will make it into the Thanksgiving lineup...we're still searching for new and different recipes. My BIL wants to make a lentil loaf. That's all we have for sure on the menu, except for turkey!

Oh girls, I forgot to tell you the terrible thing they did to the big yard next door to my building...they essentially clear cut it b/c they're subdividing the lot to put up condos (none of which I knew about it till today). They cut down at least a dozen trees, leaving a bunch of sad stumps and a mountain of sawdust. It is so sad. A bird crashed into DD's window yesterday, probably disoriented from losing its home...I wasn't home but fortunately she had the presence of mind, and compassion, to call the local animal shelter. They told her to wait and see if the bird recovered from the shock, and in fact it did and flew away. At any rate, now instead of having a little miniature forest next door, I can see from my BR window straight through to the next street, and anyone in the house on the property or in that yard can see into my BR window. Very sad, and it looks completely different. <sigh>

Ruthie-so sorry about the loss of your minature forrest. I know that is why you liked your place!

Guess what girls? I lost 2 pounds!!! I am to 184! My Nov 1st goal is 182. I think I can do it! {my "." is sometime in the next week}

~flower

Ruthie, that really is sad--it's amazing the devastation that can happen in such a short time. You'll most likely see more disoriented wildlife for a while.

Flower--that's great about losing the 2 pounds. Must be all those veggies! You are an inspiration!

I didn't succumb to stress eating before, during, or after the staff meeting and I'm so happy. A small thing but it feels like a big breakthru for me--if I did it today I can do it anytime! ;)

Go Flower! Go Goddess! What an impressive group! So far so good for me today ... I'm cooking dinner now. TTYL.

Ouch
 

Boy, is my body letting me know I worked out yesterday! Not as bad as it usually is after my first time back, but I feel it here and there. Like my triceps....try throwing a bowling ball for 30 frames with sore triceps! :eek: It's a good kind of sore, though, you know? Today is my day off from the weights, and I'm counting my bowling as my cardio. I'm going to do my crunches, though. Did 60 yesterday, sounds like a good number for tonight.

Flower, you go, girl!!! You're melting away in front of us! :)

Ruthie, sorry to hear what they've done with your green space. All in the name of money. 'Tis a shame.

Hey, did you notice we're having a blue moon next month? And that Samhain falls on the even of the full moon? This is just the recharging I've been needing.

Gotta run...need to do a bit of laundry and those crunches. ;)

Have a great day tomorrow!

Man~ that weekend wasn't long enough! Monday came toooooo soooon!

Flower ~ you are doing soooo good. Sounds like you have found your niche! Yeah for you!!!


Goddess ~ Glad you kept your self control!

Guys! I am back on track but there are days that I really wish I could find some magic pill to make it all go away. I was watching a show on "E" the other day about Plastic surgery and Liposuction. OH my gosh I wish I had the money to suck the last 15 or 20 pounds off! It would be so much easier!!!!!! I know anything worth having is worth working for but it is like I get 5 steps ahead to fall back 6!

I am so tired, I don't feel like exercising- we had a class today on sleep disorders and I was a prime candidate for sleep studies, which I don't think my insurance pays for, but I can sleep 7 -8 hours and not feel like I have slept 15 minutes.... I can sleep 10 hours and feel like I didn't sleep at all. It just isn't normal ... I sit down to study and fall asleep and that doesn't work really well when I have 2 or 3 tests to study for and I can't get past page 1... :?: I am not really sure what to do, I just tried a new Gyn, and I don't want to sound "drug seaking" to him and my GP is just so, Hmmmm well I don't know... what do you think? (duh he is the Doctor- he is suppose to do the thinking right?) DH is like you are such a bumm all you want to do is sleep but he just doesn't get it... I don't want to sleep this much I am just that friggin tired. This isn't like a depression tired- when I was depressed I couldn't sleep.. I would just lay there completely exhausted and unable to sleep. This is what is was like when I was pregnant.. (which I am not) it is just like my body could completely shut off at any moment.... Any suggestion? I am open for opinions!

Well I have griped enough for one day... off to hit the books!

Amy
176/146/130

Hey, Amy. How long have you been feeling this way, anyway? My advice is go to your GP and say what you think is you feel like crap and you want him to work you up. If he's still acting stupid about it, find another GP. I don't think it's something to bring to a gyn unless there are indications you need a specialist. (And don't worry about seeming drug-seeking -- they're supposed to know when someone is just after an rx, and if they can't tell the difference, get a new doctor.) I am a big supporter of patients being their own advocates; you really have to be that way these days.

OK, now I'm going to complain. I have new neighbors downstairs -- the lovely elderly woman moved, and now this couple lives down there and I swear they throw shoes at each other all night :lol: . That made me laugh just reading it. Anyways, that's what it sounds like. They are also door SLAMMERS, I mean S L A M M E R S, but I already talked with the husband about that. What are they throwing around down there? It's just not normal! They also play their TV kind of loud sometimes.

Anyways, I'm trying really hard to ignore it, but it's a shock to the system after so much quietness from downstairs. That poor old lady ... only once in a while I heard her TV really loud, but since she was older, I could forgive her that, since I thought her hearing might be bad. But these people are THROWING stuff!

But here's the real problem that's been gnawing at me all day...the secretaries in my office have been going on day after day, all day long, from the moment I get in, about anthrax and terrorism and now poisoned candy and so on and so forth and they're really driving me out of my mind. I tried telling them not to worry about things they can't do anything about, like anthrax, but now they act as though I'm the enemy. I just can't tolerate hearing about this sh*t all day long. One of these chicks is really taking an attitude with me, too, which wouldn't bother me except sometimes I'm wonder if they think I'm one of "them." It's a really difficult situation. From the beginning, I tried explaining Arab culture and Islam to them, to help them understand, and now I kind of wonder if it's backfiring on me.

Thanks for listening. I'm kind of generally irritated tonight! This too shall pass:) .

Oh, and Wildfire, what's a blue moon?

Amyjo, just a thought, but have you had your thyroid checked? I complained to my doctor this summer about the very same thing as you're experiencing, and she wants me to have my thyroid checked. I just have to find the energy to haul my behind to the lab for the bloodwork. :o I literally drag myself through each and every day, watching the clock so I can go home and rest. I'm really pushing myself to do this exercise plan, hoping it will result in more energy. I really do need to go get my bloodwork done.

Wildfire, we were posting simultaneously ... I am hypothyroid (profoundly hypothyroid) and believe me, there's no exercise in the world that will give you energy when you're not taking medication. It's just not physically possible. Anyways, that's a good thought, and Amy should definitely see her doc.

Oh, Ruthie....boy can I relate to noisy neighbors below! That's why I moved the last time. Two young guys with a stereo that filled (and I mean filled!) their living room, played so loud the dishes in my cupboards once bounced right out and smashed all over the floor. Landlord said, it's not so bad....so I said, here's my notice. It is completely frustrating and stressful to have to put up with someone else's noise. We listen to music with headphones in my household, and I won't even vacuum on the weekend until after noon.

As for the goings on in your office, I don't know what to tell you, other than I'd like to slap that chick upside her head for taking an attitude with you. I've had to distance myself from the discussions in our lunch room several times because people are obsessed about the anthrax thing. Yes, it's horrible and serious and something we should all be concerned about, but spending every waking moment worried about it doesn't do any good. Really, what we can as individuals do to control it? We just have to have our wits about us and use caution if something seems out of the ordinary. I don't know a lot about the Arab culture, as I really don't have anyone close in real life that I could talk about it with, but I would like to know more. I think every culture has something to give to the world, and if more people could see that we'd all get along better.

Hubby's hanging out over my shoulder, so I'll continue this tomorrow.