Alternative Group 12-04-01
 

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.

for my pagan friends....
 

Okay I don't mean to over look anyone as we are a melting pot of cultures and beliefs here...but I thought this was cute and wanted to pass it on to some friends who would enjoy it!!!


A Visit From The Yule Spirits
by Richard De Angelis
'Twas that night before Yule, when all 'cross the heath,
Not a being was stirring; Pagan, Faerie, nor Beast,
Wassail was left out and the altar adorned,
To rejoice that the Sun King would soon be reborn.
The children lay sleeping by the warmth of the hearth,
Their dreams filled with visions of beloved Mother Earth,
M'lady and I beneath blankets piled deep, had just settled down to our Solstice sleep.
Then a noise in the night that would leave us no peace,
Awakened us both to the honking of geese.
Eager to see such a boisterous flock,
When we raced to the window, our mouths dropped in shock!
On the West Wind flew a gaggle of geese, white and gray,
With Frau Holda behind them in Her gift-laiden dray.
The figure on Her broomstick to the North sky made it clear,
La Befana was approaching to bestow Yuletide cheer.
From the South came a comet more bright than the Moon,
And we knew Lucia would be with us soon.
As these Spirits sailed Earthward o'er hilltops and trees,
Frau Holda serenaded Her feathery steeds:
"Fly Isolde! Fly Tristan! Fly Odin and Freya! Fly Morgaine! Fly Merlin! Fly Uranus and Gaea!
May the God and Goddess inside you soar,
From the clouds in the heavens to your cottage door."
As soft and silent as snowflakes they fell;
Their arrival announced by a faint chiming bell.
They landed like angels, their bodies aglow,
Their feet left no marks in the new fallen snow,
Before we could ponder what next lay in store,
There came a slow creeking from our threshold door.
We crept from our bedroom and were spellbound to see...
There in our parlor stood the Yule Trinity!
Lucia the Maiden, with Her head wreathed in flame,
Shown with the radiance for which she She was named,
The Lightbringers eyes held the joy of a child,
And she spoke with a voice that was gentle, yet wild:
"May the warmth of this household ne'er fade away."
Then she lit our Yule log which still burns to this day.
Frau Holda in Her down cloak stood regal and tall,
The Matron of Solstice, the Mother of all,
Under Her gaze we felt safe and secure.
Her voice was commanding, yet almost demure:
"May the love in this family enrich young and old."
And from the folds of Her cloak showered coins of pure gold,
LaBefana wore a kerchief on Her silvery hair;
The veil of the Crone who has secrets to share,
In Her eyes gleamed a wisdom only gained by spent youth.
Her voice was whisper, but Her words rung the truth:
"May health, glad tidings, and peace fill these rooms."
And she banished misfortune with a sweep of Her broom,
They then left a gift by each sleeping childs head,
Took a drink of our wassail, and away they all sped.
While we watched them fly off through the night sky we laughed,
At the wonderous magick we had found in the Craft.
As they departed, the Spirits decreed...

"Merry Yule To You All, And May All Blessed Be!"

Flower, that was fantastic! I haven't seen it before.

I'm just about to have dinner, and will be back to post on the food journal afterwards. Day three done! (and the scale is moving down again, but I'm not officially counting it until Sunday)

Hey gals. The scale is moving down for me, too -- I just haven't been eating that much, for one reason or another. I met a guy online who is incredible and we hit it off like no one I've ever known before. Trouble is ... I'm self-conscious about my weight, so I've been putting off meeting him, even though he lives reasonably near me. He says he doesn't care if I'm overweight, but it's cool if I would be more comfortable waiting till I've been on my fast for a while. Ugh, I hate this. What should I do? I really do want to meet him, and I know rationally that if the weight made a difference to him, he's not the kind of guy I'd want to know, but it's just the courage it would take to meet someone I like as much as him and worry that he would be disappointed with me...what do I do????? :dizzy:

Winter semester has started, so I'm off to hit the books while I can.

Hey Ruthie! Good to see you! I say go and meet him. If he wants to meet you, it's because of the you he's gotten to know online, regardless of appearance. How many things have we put off in our lives because we want to wait until we lose weight? For me, far to many. I understand how you feel, wanting to look your best when you finally meet him, we all can relate to that feeling. If he's truly the guy you think he is then he'll like you no matter what size you are. If he's not, then it's his loss. Let us know what you decide, either way.

I say go for it! I hear a sparkle in your voice. I am sure the sparkle in your eye is blinding too! He won't notice a few pounds, besides if he is as great as you think he is, wouldn't it be nice to share the holidays with someone new??? But be comfortable with what ever decision you make and remember you need to live now, not just when you make it to goal!!! We want to hear all the details when you do meet him!!!! ~flower

Hey, chicks, thanks for the words of support. I decided the same as you last night and we are meeting for dinner next week. Aaaaggghhh!!! :eek: Isn't it awful when we can't take that socialization out of ourselves, that we're supposed to be Barbie? As much as it pisses me off rationally, I can't get it out of my head. The other thing I can't get out of my head is fear about the whole thing, just b/c I've had such bad experiences with men in the past -- I just keep waiting for him to turn out to be unacceptably deficient in some way or another (married, or a secret addict, or a psycho, or something else I haven't even thought of). I am praying, though, that he will just turn out to have the normal human foibles just like me. He is just so exactly how I described the only guy that would ever be acceptable to me in the future, after marriage disaster #2: Muslim but American, well educated, good profession, excellent sense of humor, and as an added bonus he seems to really understand my way of thinking (which is a little off the beaten path). So yes, Flower, I do have a big sparkle in my eye, but I am also terrified. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey Girlies!

I am dead tired, eating horrible, and stressed to the max.... I had my math final yesterday, you could only miss 3 questions and pass, I missed 2 - you have to make at least a 90 on the final to pass the course so I made a 93... talk about the skin of your teeth :( I have the day off and then I have 4 days of tests.... My house looks like a confirmed disaster area and my scales are stuck at the same number :( again....

I went from 148 to 141 and then I jumped back up to 146 and holding :( I really am tired of fighting my scales. Kevin and I started walking again at night about a week ago and I should be able to go the gym during the holidays at least 2 times a week.... If I decide to keep my membership the only time I will be able to go the gym is on Friday, Saturday or Sunday for the next year because my schedule is going to be that screwy during the week so I am thinking about canceling it.... it is $33.00 a month and I haven't managed 2 times a month since May...That is a lot of money.

Ruthiee ~ I am with the rest of the pack... you shouldn't let the weight keep you from doing something that could change your life.. I hope dinner is wonderful...

I am going to clean house, I think... If I don't do it today I might be shoveling it out next Wednesday when I final get through with my tests.... I hope that everyone is well!

Hugs to you,
Amy

Amy-anytime I feel stressed the next few weeks, I will think of what your life is all about right now and I will be able to relax. I do not envy you at all!!!!Hugs!!!!!! It will get easier someday in the near future!


I have been so grumpy the last few days. I haven't quite figured it out yet. I am really short tempered. I think it is cause everyone is so damn busy doing stuff for the commercialism of the season that they are nippy and nasty and down right rude. I am trying to forgive and forget but I am not being able to relax at home. Time for some aromatherapy!!! Doesn't help that I work at a college and everyone is stressed about exams.

I went to the store after work yesterday and I forgot to get my cash back from the cashier. If that register is over 10$ I will get it back. Yeah right, it's gone forever. I hope karma bites them in the butt if someone pockets the overage.

On a better note, I had no problem getting out of jury duty. Work doesn't compensate pt employees for jury duty and it would make a hardship. She thanked me for being poliet and organized and she wished me a Merry Xmas. She was so nice! What a terrible job she has.

I am almost done writing out my holiday cards. Remember if you would like an old fashioned snail mail greeting from me, you must pm me your address. I am one who actually likes writing old fashioned letters. Since my grandma died, I haven't written much.

I had a nice visit with my dad last night. He brought over gifts but they were wrapped so they are put away till I get the tree up. I think I will do that on Sunday. He forgot their new winter jackets. He'll ups them to us when they get home. (Yeah, another big expence I don't have to pay for). I made an appointment for my car tune up on Friday morning. And as soon as I do my cards, my current to do list is done! That is a wonderful feeling and it does wonders for my waist line. I don't snack hardly at all when I am not avoiding chores!!! ~flower

Ruthie-good for you! I am proud of you!!!

The register came out even. Surprise surprise, but after talking to the front end manager, I got my 10$. I was as sweet as pie, and I told them it was a shame that she didn't come up with an overage because that ment someone pocketed 10$. She told me to bring in my receipt and she'd give me the 10$. Karma is working for me lately!!! Yeah!!!!

:yawn: Hiya.

Finally finished decorating the tree. I don't do a lot of other Xmas decorating because we live in an apartment, so no one really sees the outside like they would a house, and we don't get visitors since my uncle is the only family I have here. We go to his place on Christmas day.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna manage to do my nails and have time to do fancy party hair for our formal party on Friday night. I help our HR manager with party details and we are always trying to get things done at the last minute. Tomorrow night I'm staying after work to help her wrap the gifts and finish seating arrangements, place cards, name tags, that kind of stuff. Cinderella had it easy! ;)

Flower, glad you got your money back AND got out of jury duty!

Amyjo, as tired and stressed as you are, remember you have to look after yourself! When things get this hectic, remember...food, water, rest....you need them to keep going!

Ruthie, you go, girl! I hope he turns out to be Mr. Wonderful! Will be sending good vibes your way.

I saw we had a new member post to our last thread. Was it Sion? Sorry, it's been a long day and I'm not sure. If you're still with us, welcome!

Bedtime for Bonzo. :yawn:

Had our first day of xmas programs at work yesterday and it was fun but I'm exhausted! One more night and then a hospice tour on Saturday and it'll be done. Last night I ate so much fudge and this morning I feel ick. Craving water and salty stuff!!!! I did so well last month--gotta get that groove back.
Is it just unrealistic to think you can lose weight during the holidays?! What do you think?

Ruthie, DO IT! Have you 2 exchanged photos at least at this point? Maybe you could introduce yourselves by degrees---so it wouldn't be such a big thing when you meet face to face? Oh, I just love fresh romance!!! :D

Good morning! I don't feel as sorry for myself after reading the exam schedule of amyjo... I only have one tonight, and I feel so out of the study loop. I haven't decorated yet, I'm waiting until this weekend. Good for you Ruthie for moving out of your comfort zone!

It's been so mild here I don't feel the rush of Christmas coming. It's warm like early autumn, and wet, wet, wet. I feel as though I'm in Vancouver again.

Winter will hit with a vengence, but it's been great for delivering papers.

This year I think I'm going to do some baking for the teachers gifts and friends. Most of my friends don't bake and I really want to keep Yule low-key. (Low cost too)

Lam

Sion-come post again.

Where is everyone today? I may not get a winter break afterall. They may have me work over the holiday. But they must tweak my contract in order for it to happen. As I am speaking to so many friends via holiday greetings, I found out many people I know have lost their jobs since Sept 11th. LV is still over 8 % unemployement. We aren't bouncing back. Tourism has been hit hard. So sad. I am thankful for my pt job. I will hate commuting but I found a perk with the new location, wild kittie cats. :) It is in a plant nursrey/greenhouse. The mentally challenged employees will take some getting use to. They water good.

Well, I finished my to do list this week. My last thing is to take my car in at 9 am tomorrow. So first thing, I clean out the garbage in the car. GRab some magazines and plan my morning in the waiting room. I don't mind. As long as I don't have children to entertain. Chris is off, so he has them! :) I may finanly read my oprahs.

Hope to chat with you all tomorrow. ~flower

Morning Guys!!!!

Thanks for everyones thoughts.... I am almost there :) During finals is a really bad time to try and diet but I did really well yesterday. I am still on E-diets mostly because I have to report my weight once a week and because they have reallyyyyy good low cal recipes. I also started posting back to Fitday. If I have to write it down I will not eat it.

Weighed this morning and the scales say 142 (yeah right) 4 pounds in 2 days is not likely unless it is allllll fluid which I did drink about 100 ounces of water yesterday but still. I hate scales!

Well guys I just thought I would pop in and say I am alive! I have a test at 10AM and then I have the weekend off (haha) and then two more test :^: I will survive! I have to work at the senior classes graduation Saturday AM and then I have a baby Shower Saturday Afternoon so I don't expect to get too much studying done.

Flower~ Congrats on not having to take off for the holiday's! Sounds like they really like you!

Hugs to you all,
Amy

I just stopped in to say MORNING! I have to go take my car in to be serviced in an hour. I do hope they are speedy. I don't mind waiting but I hate waiting all day! There is no shuttle service at this dealership. I could take the bus somewhere, but it won't kill me to wait!

I splurged big time on goldfish crackers and chocolate mint icecream last night. Two dairy things...interesting. I must have not had any in quite awhile cause no gas or tummy ache. (I did take my Lactaid tho) I should have gone to the store and picked up a lower calorie icecream. This was a store brand chocolate mint. Guess it is better than Hagan Daz.

Anyways, no more news here. ~flower

Hey chicks. How's everyone this weekend? Wildfire, how was the big holiday party? Amy, I feel for you with the exams. My worst time was the beginning of this past Ocober, when I had midterms, a paper due, the two jobs, and I was cramming for the GRE's. Awful! But what a sense of accomplishment when I was done. Now I'm kind of smooth sailing as I finish my degree. I do, however, have a writing test in january for one of the grad schools I applied to, so that will be stressful. Looking over everyone's posts, there seems to be a pervasive feeling of stress and an inclination away from the healthiest thing we might be able to do. But January is coming, girls, a fresh new start!

OK, as to my big story -- THE GUY -- yes, Eydie, we have exchanged photos. But...it's hard to explain, but we have mutually decided to put off continuing this friendship until his situation is a little more settled. He is doing what I did last fall and winter (until I got my own place Feb. 1) -- sharing an apartment while being separated. I know how that is, as my DH and I had an arrangement where we took turns sleeping on the bed or the sofa, we had an agreement about paying the rent, and we had separate social lives, meals, and everything. However, being on the other end of it makes me really uncomfortable, and so we decided to slow things down until he has his own place. So we'll see...in the meantime, I will be starting Opti Fast and doing all the other important things in my life, so time will tell how THE GUY will fit into all that. I will keep you posted.

Girls, we were on the bottom of the page! This isn't exceptable! :)

Anyways, I have no time to post. I am off to fill out an application for Circus Circus wedding Chapel as a florist. I have no idea if I will get an on the spot interview and audition. (Audition=doing flowers for them to inspect) So please think good thoughts for me. I am so nervous and I may only see Human Resourses today!!! Imagine if I knew if I had to talk to someone. My boss has given me her blessing and some pointers!!

More later on today. Gotta go to work afterwards. ~audri/flower

The circus circus job was filled. :( But I got to apply for the Rio today too. So all hope is not lost.

Gee, where is everyone?

Just a quick note...my official weigh-in yesterday, one week into being back OP, and I'm down 3.5lbs. Still working on that 175, though.

Just too tired to type tonight, but I'll catch up tomorrow and fill you in on the party.

Hey everyone.... Tomorrow is my last final for the semester.... I have been cramming in as much about Anti-infectives, Endocrine Drugs and GI Drugs as I can into my tiny little mind. I am about ready to blow!

So far I know I have 3 A's (Health Assessment, Math and Clinical) I have 3 more that are up in the air... one is an 89.4 grrrr I hope she is nice and rounds it up (keep your finger crossed) the other I don't have the final grade yet and tomorrow I have to make an 80 to get an A on the test and she is suppose to have like 12 extra credit questions on the test so... I think that one is in the bag...

Food was good for 4 days and bad for 2... (not reallllly bad, but bad enough) ... Got to hit the hay....

Hugs to you!!!
Amy

Hey. I'm really sleepy this morning, and I don't have a lot to report, but I, too, wanted to contribute to keeping the thread afloat! I've lost about 5-6 lbs. since Ramadan started. I had hoped to be down to 150 by the time I start Opti-Fast -- not that I was using Ramadan as a diet tool, it's just a question of how much one eats in the evening -- a lot, and you'll stay the same or gain; a little, and your weight will tend to go down; but the fast is still for God's sake, not mine. At any rate, I might just get down to 150, we'll see. The past few days I have been laying on the sofa and eating my troubles away. Got to stop. I guess it's a good thing the clinic I'll be going to has a mandatory group session to discuss food/eating issues. I guess I need to 'fess up that without a cigarette in my hand I do have issues around food. Two of my closest friends just quit smoking -- yay! I feel that I need to show them that the weight you gain can be lost, even if it's a lot and even if it takes a while to lose. One friend is a repeat quitter -- she and I quit together, on November 15, 1998, but she went back to smoking. At any rate, I am realizing that I need to learn to live life without ANY "vices" at all -- I need to be able to maintain my serenity without food, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, men, or any external device or substance. So if there's any good to come from my weight gain, it's learning that.

OK, I'm getting deep now -- but that really is how I'm feeling these days.

Amy ... you go girl. Eyes on the prize, that's what I've been saying all thru school -- it will be so worth it in the end. Congrats on the A's you've gotten so far!

WF, good for you on the 3.5 lbs. down. If you don't mind my asking, how far are you from that goal of 175? And yes, we all want to hear about the party (me especially)!

Flower, DH and I stayed at the Rio when we went to Vegas to get married ... good luck on the job hunt.

OK, I definitely went on longer than I intended. Actually, I think I might still be asleep, LOL. Chat with you all later.

Good morning... I'm needing to make some WW soup, to fill up on. Made Biscotties yesterday for gifts, today I'll be drizzling chocolate on top to make them look pretty... yum.

Staying on top of the season, not getting into a panic this year about gifts. Since my parents died, it's been a struggle not to feel as though I have make up for them not being around... Purely a commercial feeling but a hard one to fight.

The kids are taking their own earnings this year to buy for one another. This is a new thing and it's been gratifying to see how happy they are about this...

Since it's been colder out I've felt less like drinking water, it's a real effort. I need to find my WW cup that has the measure on it to see what I'm really drinking.

I feel rather dull, boring and frumpy. Must be tired...

Off to make soup.

L

I have an interview at the Rio (human resources) on Thursday 9 am!

I realized today that Christmas is just two weeks away. That, and I haven't bought any of the gifts that I need to get in the mail. So, here it is 9:30pm and I just got home....I left at 6:30am....that's 15 hours ago! No wonder I'm tired. Of course, I bought gifts, but not all of the ones I have to mail....so I'll be out again tomorrow night. No rest for the wicked.

Flower, good luck on the interview...got everything crossed for you! ;)

Amyjo, good luck on the test tomorrow! I hope you have some time off for Christmas now.

Lamorgan, I'm trying to buy gifts on a budget and remember that, for example, a four year old child does not know I spent only $9.99 on that adorable plush puppy handpuppet for her....she will be thrilled with having a gift to open and I will get to watch her eyes light up as her new friend comes to life in her hands. Or that my world-travelling uncle who can buy anything in the world (literally) that he wants will actually use the Starbucks gift certificates that I bought for him and they're easy to pack. ;) It's more about substance than flash this year for me.

Ruthie, congrats on the weight loss! Honestly, I think everyone out there has food issues of one kind or another. We just happen to be more conscious of them. Don't mind you asking at all...I was 178 on Sunday, and was still 178 this morning. Shopping blew my diet today...I was starving and had a burger. (passed on the fries, though)

The party on Friday was great! I didn't pay any attention to being OP that night, but I ate light during the day. You just don't get this kind of meal anywhere, anytime, and I was going to enjoy it! It is a HUGE buffet....starts with bread/rolls, green salads, pasta salads, potato salad, seafood salads, then two canoes filled with lobster, shrimp, crab (yes, I said CANOES), then roasted or steamed veggies of every kind imaginable, several rice dishes, turkey stuffing, turkey or beek gravy, prime rib or turkey carved by the chefs.....and after all that they turn your attention to the dessert buffet....cheesecakes, pies, tortes, fruit salads, pastries....way too much! I was amazed...some of the women were up for seconds and thirds like they were not going to eat for another month! I ate a reasonable plate, sampled what I liked, had a piece of an amazing cherry chocolate cake for dessert, and was pleasantly stuffed. :) I got lots of compliments on how wonderful I looked, and hubby and I showed off a little on the dance floor. It was a really, really, nice evening. We both won door prizes....he won a playing card set with three decks of cards, dice, dominoes, poker chips, and a book with instructions on over 20 games. I won a beautiful velvet advent calendar with a snowman theme. The only downside to the evening was a bit of a disaster when they were clearing the buffet off the dance floor....a four tiered steel cart that they'd loaded with the food and dishes from the buffet collapsed sending everything crashing to the floor. After it was all cleaned up and they were drying the floor, I had to laugh.....the last time I'd worn that dress, the restaurant we were in caught on fire. :D One of the waiters had placed a candle too close to a planter box filled with silk plants and it went up in rather large flames. Now this time a crashing cart full of serving dishes.....not sure I'll wear it again....you know what they say, third time's a charm! I hate to imagine....

Well, I'm at the point of not seeing straight, so I'm off for the night. Wish me luck shopping tomorow....I have to get this stuff in the mail!

LOL! Can I borrow that dress when I go to my in-laws on the 22nd? May make the evening a little less dull! :s:

I'm off today for a visit to Salvation Army to take a peak at what they may have in the line of cosy clothes for me and my eldest, we are rather low on warm things. I lost weight since last winter, and REFUSE to wear my bigger sweatshirts and he grew. I think I turfed a lot of my clothes...

I need a day off from being home, my children put me through the wringer this morning getting ready for school, it's red and green day, and finding red and green items in the mound of dirty laundry in the hall was not a pretty picture.

I'm thinking about Swiss Chalet gift certificates this year for my mother-in-law, $5 Chapters gift certificates for the kids cousins, Biscotti for friends and teachers, and so on. We are on a tight budget, with 4 children... Our spending is much more careful this year, with no random buys. Morgan is still enjoying her dollhouse, so I was thinking this morning that fimo would be good, so that she could make some fimo food and dishes...

Anyway, need to throw some clothes in the dryer and have a shower!

B*B

L :D

Lamorgan-how is the house search coming along?

My nephew decided to run away yesterday after school. He finally came home at 9. This time the police were looking too. He is such a monster child. Mine look like angels in comparision. The reson he ran away? He is mad at his parents for making him go to a shrink earier that morning. (He has major anger issues) He is only 10!!!

Well, I have been stress eatting. Not a good thing. Luckily there isn't much junk in the house. I had several handfuls of tortilla chips yesteerday..

Bad flower. Today is another day. Tomorrow was suppose to be my last day at the college til Spring, but I will have to work Monday since I am taking tomorrow off. That's okay, she needs me on Monday. Finals day.

Morning guys~ can't stay but a sec. Finals are over and I have to shovel my house out now. :) I am still so tired but I have ten thousand things to do including getting back OP.

Ended the semester with 5 A's and 1 B :( final grade was an 87 but a B is a B.. (note to self... can't expect the best grades if you don't study)

I have to run....anyone have any homeopathic cures for a killer yeast infection? I don't want to go to the doctor and the OTC stuff isn't working.

Hugs,
Amy

I'm coming down with a cold and have to go to the dentist this afternoon, chipped a front tooth a couple of weeks ago. :(

My energy is really low, just sitting here drinking some tea, thinking about what I need to accomplish as opposed to what I want to...

I'm not looking for a house, must be someone else... I love looking at houses though, they hold such energy, the older the better!

Wow ~ I'm lucky to have the kids I have too. So far no major hurdles for them, other than shyness, and ADH in my 3rd child. Lots of energy in him, but creative and positive. Anger issues are hard. My friend's 14 year old is having trouble at school (grade 9), he's been skipping classes and I know she's going to have a lot of challenges with him.

Cross my fingers.

Anyway, must go melt chocolate for the biscotti. (Biscotties?)

L

Well hello???? Is there anyone OUT there? (pink Floyd)

What is up with everyone? Not in the diet mood huh? I am gonna be happy maintaining this month. I am trying to be health conscience. I made tacos last night with turkey breast-shredded. I topped them with fresh salsa, ff beans ff cheese and lettuce. I did eat hard shells but only 2 smalls. I also had a small piece of red velvet chocolate cake. It was cold here yesterday, I felt the need to bake! :)

I had my interview at the Rio. It went very well. He wants me for a position not yet listed so it is gonna be a nerve wracking 2 weeks to see if it materializes. But it was very cool being asked to do something I hadn't applied for. (Floral Decor-BIG party props) My dream job. I am so glad I made an off the wall portfolio instead of the prissy manacured ones that everyone else has. Each picture I put in had a theme, only the last 3 were normal pages. I didn't want to leave out that I could make regular stuff too if needed. He loved it! The interview with human resourses took a 1/2 hour total including a personality test. He spent an hour and a 1/2 showing me the parties done since they opened and told me to introduce myself to the staff ect... So if he can find the budget (they were in the process of making a 2002 budget, and if they get approval from hr) I will have a wonderful job. It will be 40 hours. They pay you for an hour lunch and they pay for your meal too. Full benifits after 3 months. And it is just a bit off the strip so 3 different freeways can get me there. Non rush hour 15 minutes travel time. I would have a wonderful holiday gift if this is a go!!!! He said I would know by Dec 28th. He emailed me a thank you that afternoon! So now I am nervous to open my email instead of picking up the phone! :)

I lit a blue candle last night for hope. I had already lit the green one before the interview! :) I will try to relax for the weekend. I am sure Monday will be the earliest I hear anything. He said he would update me as they pass the hurdles. I think I am out of the running for the flont floral clerk job. He said I would not like not creating... (But I really need any job)

Anyways, think happy thoughts for me okay? I would be wonderful at this position!!!! ~happy weekend everyone! flower

I don't know, Flower, it's a circular thing ... I don't want to post if no one else is posting, b/c I feel like I'm talking to the air, but of course if everyone else feels the same way, then no one posts! I hate talking about personal stuff and then having it just hang there.

I'm leaving in about 5 minutes for my first appointment at the Opti Fast clinic. Today I have to fill in a kajillion forms, then see the doctor, have an EKG and lab work, etc. Wednesday night I meet with the nutritionist, whom I actually already know from work, which is cool, I think. Then on the 29th I meet with the clinic coordinator and pick up my "product," as she calls it (which I hate, but whatever, it's her clinic, not mine). I'll let you know how it goes.

I've been maintaining pretty steadily at 152, which does represent a 6-lb. loss since about a month ago. I think I said before I'd love to start Opti Fast at 150, but we'll see what happens. My preliminary decision is to do this for no longer than four months. Once I'm doing it, though, I may need to readjust my plans. Financially and psychologically, though, I just don't know if I could go longer than that. OK, time for me to go -- talk to you later!

Sorry, sorry, sorry!!!! Things have been so busy here I haven't had time or I'm just too darn tired to post. I have e-mail that's two weeks old I haven't replied to yet, too! *bad Wildfire*

I sneaked a peek on the scale this morning and it said 176! Not official until tomorrow morning, though, so I'm gonna be careful today! No salty food!

I managed to get one package and some Christmas cards in the mail yesterday. The other two packages are going to cost me a fortune to send express post, but it's my own fault for procrastinating on the shopping.

Tomorrow I have a Christmas brunch to go to at my uncle's place. My aunt is such a fabulous cook it'll be hard to stay OP, but I'm going to try. Last year she had six different quiches, salads, homemade breads, tortieres (meat pies), and an entire dessert table. I'll have a little bit of what I really want and pass on the things that I could have anytime. My favorite is the champagne and orange juice they have while socializing before the meal. Have to find something Christmasy to wear. A new sweater might be in order. :s:

Flower, I SO hope you get this job! It sounds terrific, and like something you would really enjoy doing. I'll be lighting candles for you, too!

Ruthie, hope today goes well at the clinic. What day are you planning to start? The 29th or January 1st? I think it's good that you're establishing a time frame, even if you might adjust it as you go. Not the same thing, but when I moved here, my uncle told me to give it two years and see if I could make it work. You don't know how many times that ran through my head during those first two years. It kept me from packing and heading back east many times. When I reached the two year point, I realized he was right...I was settled and things were going well. I no longer wanted to go back east. So, just having that "four months" in the back of your mind will assist your determination to give this program a go and see if you can make it work for you.

Lamorgan, how did the dentist visit go? Oh, and yes, the dress is up for grabs! I fear an earthquake or typhoon if I wear it again! :D (and that would be something in Canada!)

Amyjo, those are fantastic grades!!! Don't you dare be down on yourself for one B!

Where is Summer? And Eydie has been MIA, too!

It was Sheila who was house hunting. I heard through a mutual friend that she is well, but no luck on the house yet.

Hey Flower, from your diary entry it sounds like this guy is plenty interested in your having the job. Best of luck--it sounds like you're good at what you do and you enjoy it. I love it when people get their dream job!

Yeah, things are slow here. Sorry I abandoned the food journal. Want to start it up again? I'm willing. I just had a very busy 10-day run and couldn't check in as much as I wanted.
I've got the next couple of weeks off and I'd be crazy not to get myself back on track again. I have a golden opportunity, I know.
So I'm struggling along, doing pretty well--just have to watch those portions!

Flower, I forgot to say before -- but everyone has reminded me: good luck with the job! I wish you the best.

I was at this Opti Fast clinic for like three hours today! I had to fill out a bunch of repetitive health questionnaires, which was annoying; and a long psychological survey. Lots of questions about my current and past eating habits and weight loss history. Those questions are hard to answer b/c the weight gain is recent; I think before quitting smoking my weight went up and down like most women's does, but nothing as drastic as this. And I am a healthy eater -- I just binge eat sometimes, and snack in the evenings, and that's something I'm becoming more aware of, and hopefully the group session part of this plan will help me with that. I still don't have medical clearance b/c the doc needs to see my lab work. Hopefully this week I'll know for sure. Oh, in answer to your question Wildfire, I plan to start on the 29th.

Eydie, I'll start with you on a food journal tomorrow.

I did okay at the brunch. I had a small piece of quiche, a small piece of tortiere, just a bite of chocolate cheesecake, and tea. Oh, and one orange juice and champagne that I made last over an hour so I wouldn't be refilled! That's all I've eaten so far today, and plan to have soup or something light later on. Not hungry for dinner.

Ruthie, so there is a slight chance that you could be turned down for the Opti-fast program? Oh gosh, I hope that doesn't happen! You've been preparing for this and sound ready to do it, what a let-down that would be! Keeping fingers crossed for you!

This year I don't plan to say "it's the holidays, to heck with the diet" like I normally would. Christmas day is going to be my day to choose what I want, but other than that I am really going to try to stay OP. Still 176 this morning.

I have a cross-stitch calling my name to get it finished for Christmas, so I'm off.

Okay, I admit it. There's this childish little sliver of me that's jealous that everybody else can have loads of green and red sugar cookies, gallons of eggnog, and every other holiday treat. The truth is I can't and it's best to just not start with such things.
Compromised by making some low-fat biscotti and fat-free brownies that I dressed up with Christmas sprinkes. :D ;)
Yeah, I don't want things to fall apart just because it's Xmas! I'm eating all good stuff but for some reason my portions are bigger--gotta be more aware of that! And my water consumption is a bit off too.
Garry and I went for a walk in a nearby town today and looked at the Christmas decorations; that was fun. I've got to get into a good christmas groove---anybody have any ideas that don't involve lots of food?! :lol:

I don't know how cold it is in your neck of the woods, but to a vegas chick, it is freezing out! It turned up the thermostat 2 degrees and I put a log on in the fireplace! I had to leave my cozy bed at 6 am to take Grif to the lab to make sure he didn't get a reaction to the TB test. Then at 8 am we went to the outdoor swap meet. My favorite spray paint artist is there! He makes surreal sci fi paintings in just minutes! Next time we go, I am getting one. I go a 3$ carved ornament for the tree, a star with 2001. My mom got the boys 8 pairs of socks each. Chris got himself a pair of sunglasses for 5$. Grif got a hot pretzel. (a bribe to stay in his stroller in the freezing weather) Riley bought himself a pair of sunglasses too and grandma got him jerky. Cameron talked grandma into some magic trading cards. I saw several Pagan booths. Very unexpected. It was fun. My idea of holiday shopping. Yesterday we braved an outlet mall to go the van's store to get Cameron a new skate boarding helmet. (gift-he was out skateboarding) I finished Cam up since we had the opportunity. We also went to the regular mall. Getting in was easy, getting out was a major challenge!!! I just ran into Mervyns to pick myself up some short sleeved mock turtlenecks. On sale for 6.99. If I should get the job at the Rio, I will need shirts that are inexpensive, yet look good and cover my tattoos. (no tats showing, some t-shirts show my fairy on my back) I am going to assume I have it. POSITIVE THINKING!!!!

So I got a lot of walking in the last 2 days. I put the ornaments on the tree last night. I am trying to get thru my mountain of laundry. Tomorrow is my last day at the college working for awhile. I am thankful for the holiday break. It will be nice to stay home and organize and clean. I want to plan menus out for the next month. I want to make Griffins room more fun for him. Then I have a week of visiting relatives. That I am not looking forward to. But it is part of the season I suppose. Couldn't we pick a day in another month instead of cramming a years worth of visiting in a 6 hour visit??? NONSCENCE!!!! Chat again tommorow! ~flower

Hey, all. Yeah, Wildfire, the fast is risky enough that you really need to be sufficiently fit before you start it, and they continue monitoring labs throughou the duration (weekly). I'm mildly anemic and my sodium and chloride were slightly low, which is weird. The doc wouldn't directly answer me as to whether or not that would rule me out. He said he wants to see the labs. I still also have to have a urinalysis and a total metabolic profile. I'll fax him the labs I do have tomorrow, and have the remainder of the tests done, hopefully also tomorrow. If he says I can't do the fast, yes, I will be VERY disappointed, but I know it would be because it would be dangerous to my health. My back-up plan might be a Slim-Fast type of thing -- or they might let me do a modified Opti Fast. We'll see what happens.

Hello everyone. It's raining today, had to deliver (mildly soggy) papers this morning, rain dripping down my neck, wet mittens, and my new water-proof boots chose to leak. (The fault of some very deep puddles I couldn't see in the pitch dark!) I feel as though I'm back in Vancouver,it's been so wet. Water is seeping in the basement through the cracks in the walls...

Heading over to the school soon to help with Evan's Kindergarten class. It's going to be a busy week. Finishing up all the bits of the seasonal stuff, with Morgan's birthday on Friday...

Blah. I hate being so busy. I slept so badly last night, all I want is a nap...

Good luck on the job, Flower! And the lab-results, Ruthie! And for the rest of you ~ have a great day!


L

(Next day)

Forgot to mention that my dentist apt. went well, no drilling necessary, he cemented a new piece on and as long as it sticks; all will be well! If the piece falls out then we're talking drilling etc....

:)

healing thoughts required
 

Griffin was bit by our family bassett hound. In the face. It required 60+ stitches done by a plastic surgeon. 2 different hospitals. Lots of tears. Many hours. Can you light a healing candle or say a prayer to wish him the speediest recovery? His face is so swollen today and he can't see out of his right eye due to swelling. His mouth won't close all the way today either. It looks like the word HI carved on his face sideways. It is so sad. My poor beautiful baby. The dog has been impounded by animal control. Quarintine for 10 days and then I guess put down. I will not allow her back here. And you may not addopt an animal who has bitten in this state. Very sad... ~a very wilted flower