Alternative Group (March 18, 2002)
 

Hey gals! I walked ~10 miles yesterday -- and boy am I sore! I'm calling out sick from work today (I've accumulated >60 sick days over the years I've worked there, and they don't pay me for them when I leave, so I'll be calling out as much I can get away with). I have school work to catch up on already -- isn't that awful? The semester started a week ago!

This is the week #1 school is supposed to notify applicants for 2002 entrance ... yikes, I can't wait ... when I went to take their entrance exam, the assistant director of admissions told us the third week in March, and I hope they stick to that (their catalog says "by April 1"). I got my official letter from #2 school about the $10,000 fellowship, and that has to be returned by March 29. I really never thought I'd get into #1 school, but I guess being accepted to #2 and #3 increases the odds I'll get in, plus being offered the fellowship, plus one of my professors who did recommendations for me told me, "don't worry -- it will turn out fine," and I keep wondering why he would say that so definitively unless he knew something, like he had spoken with someone at #1 school -- oh, also the dean of #2 school told me not to be so sure I wouldn't get into #1. Aarrghh!

I'm obsessing again, aren't I? But this is my whole FUTURE, it really is. I've spent the 23 years since graduating high school bullsh*tting around, and now I'm finally doing what I feel I was meant to do.

If only I was so obsessive over losing weight, huh? No, I shouldn't say that, b/c then I'd be sticking my fingers down my throat every time I ate. Better to be obsessive in a positive way.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, OP week!

Good luck Ruthie. It is so stressful having to wait, with so much riding on this.

I have a crocus in bloom, I planted them last fall. A gift of spring.

Equinox on Wed. Anyone doing anything? I'm going to go to an open ritual with my old group. I didn't re-initiate, but am going to go to the open ones this year...

March Break is over, and everyone is back to school. Yahoo!

Must get Evan dressed, we have to go to the bank. We have to pay for Morgan's $460.00 Quebec trip. Ugh.

Flower, I remember the aching legs I used to have when I worked retail... Hope you have really good shoes.

Bye for now,

Lois

Lamorgan-haven't found the perfect pair of shoes yet. I am currently taking 2 pairs to work and switching at lunch. So far that and using the foot spa at home is working. No blisters, and that I am thankful for! Sears has a pair of ked style black leather tennies I might get. We get 20 % off at Sears. (Sears owns us). I was suppose to have yesterday off, w/ the condition that I would get another day off this week. Nope, not gonna happen. So Tuesday will be my one and only. But 9 hours overtime sounds mighty fine!!!!!

Ruthi-today is mail day. You will hear something in time. :)

Well, to the rest of you-have a wonderful Monday. I will peek in tomorrow. I gotta go bathe and tame my afro!!!!! Sleeping with wet hair is a no no for me! ~flower

Hi Everyone
This weekend was OK although I been suffering a MAJOR toothache all weekend ( i lost a filling a while back I thought I would be fine ,HA what a mistake that was) so between taking my tylenol w/ codine for pain and n antibotic , I had to throw my DD her birthday party for which only 2 of her friends showed up .
My friend found out she was pregnant so she is inbetween excited and nervous her youngest just turned 3 (remember I went to a Bday party 2 weeks ago it was for her two children ) She is due Nov 21.. Funny thing is her friend that was at her two daughters party I asked her "Soooo when you having another baby ( her baby is 7 months ) anyway last week she took a home test and she might be pregnant also..I was told I was a jinx when it came to that..LOL.. I cant have anymore children so I guess I have that right to jinx everyone else...LOL
Flower you wasnt being mean about trying not to laugh. If it were me I know I would have laughed heartily especially when someone tries to act like shes "all that and a bag of chips" ( or as you called it premadonna)
I remember the tolls of retail.. I used to work at Sams Club.. I miss the heavy lifting I was so toned back then..
Ruthie... Your not obsessing at all.. Your 20+ years of a haitus wasnt bullsh*tting, it was getting life skills..Having some life skills does make you more marketable once your done school.. So you have the "one up" on those who just go right into school after graduating. ( in other words you know more about the outside world then anyone that jumps right into college)
LaMorgan I have nothing planned for the 20th. Like that is surprise, I never plan nothing I am at home all the time.. Have fun at your Equinox ritual.. (forgive me if I worded that wrong, I am never sure what the proper terms are)
Everyone else ..Hope your day is going good I will check in later
TAke Care
Sheila

Hello everyone! :wave:

:mad: from now on I'm saving my posts because I just did one and the site ATE it!! :mad:

Anyway... not much of a couch potato weekend. I went for a walk in the snow, installed a new towel rack and tp dispenser in my spare bathroom, took out my old towel rack and did some drywall patchwork. My new futon was delivered Saturday so I played with it for an hour...

2 pound loss for me this week - 3rd week in a row of 2 pound losses!!! :dizzy: I'm only 2.5 from my April 12th goal of being in the 230-somethings!!!

Flower - No, don't feel bad about laughing at the high 'n mighty flower arranger! The Powers that Be have a way of knocking people down a peg when they need it - heck, it happens to me when I need it! Your 10 miles has inspired me to up my measly 1 mile walk too. Thank you!

Wildfire - How scary for you about your daughter and her wild little friend! I'm glad it turned out ok. We have 2 missing girls in Oregon - friends that dissappeared a month or so apart out of the same apt. complex. Very scary...

Lamorgan - Crocus!! I wish I'd had time to pop my bulbs in the ground when I got done moving in October. Oh well, now I have a fall project I guess...

Nothing special planned for Ostara. I have some friends coming over. We never really do a formal ritual, our magick is mostly worked in the kitchen. :p

Have a great week everyone!

Terri :moo:

A-parently so
 

Being a parent these days is incredibly hard. My older daughter developed bipolar disorder when she was 13 and spent several VERY rocky years in all kinds of trouble. Once she was gone for three months ... she joined a street gang ... her boyfriend from that time is currently in prison for multiple murders ... Incredibly tough time for all of us.

At age 17, she got a false positive on an HIV test. Within several VERY anxious days, she decided to turn her life around. She knuckled down in her studies and even became a peer tutor in a couple of classes. She took a part-time job and did volunteer work for the Red Cross. And one day she told her dad and me that she regretted having wasted her time in school and wanted to make up for it by joining the navy and learning whatever she could through a four-year stint in the military.

She's in her fourth year in the navy and just reenlisted; she wants to make it her career. She's received a commendation for bravery for helping rescue Marines in a helicopter crash. During the rescue, she was injured -- tendons and ligaments ripped from their anchorings in her legs and ankles -- but she didn't stop what she was doing. (She's since been reassigned to new duties to accommodate what turned out to be a permanent injury.) Her ship's captain says she's "the toughest five feet of sailor the navy has to offer."

Even when things look bleak, don't give up!! What seems like **** on earth now could provide valuable strength to our kids later in life. And possibly to us as well.

Maybe that's good advice for my new healthier lifestyle, huh? Maybe, just maybe, it's possible that the failures I've had in the past are just going to make this new lifestyle all the more resilient.

Kim


P.S. Ruthie, best wishes on your college-acceptance wait! Here, check out this story before you make your decision: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...ion-Deals.html

And I can't wait to walk with you at San Diego! Here's a little tip: Within about half an hour of your endurance walks, put 4 tablets of Alka-Seltzer in a glass of water and drink up! It helps break up the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles and causes soreness. Use 6 tablets if you're doing more than 16 miles.

There are days I just hate being a student and today is one of them. I have a smart *** Psych teacher that had to be rude about a question I asked. I guess I was the blunt of her joke this week instead of the guys. I e-mailed her to aske her what was due and she decided to tell me...." I should look over my notes and my syllabus" the reason I was asking was because of something we talked about in clinical.... GRRRRRRRR let me stop now.

Ruthie - hope you enjoyed your day "off" so to speak.

Venus - All I can say is wow! That is a great story!

I am going back to studying so I can get through and work out!

I have decided I am going to try to get back OP! I have a little over 20 pounds to loose and I would like to do it before summer. Shooting for Mid-June! I have been stuck at this weight for what seems like for ever. I am going back to counting calories! and hopefully to exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Post soon,
Amy
176/148/130

Ruthie, hope the mailperson brings you good news and soon! I've been thinking of joining you in your 10lb goal. I've been on again, off again for a while now, especially with IBS getting in the way. I just can't seem to get that push I need to do it, though.

Lamorgan, a crocus! I've been watching for robins, but have yet to find one. Oh, that reminds me...I told you once about a large hawk I see near work. Hubby calls it "my" bird. Well, there are two, mates I believe, and with the help of a wonderful guy at the Peregrine Foundation we think they are Northern Goshawks. Near as I can tell, anyway from the markings, colorings, and size. I have been seeing them more regularly in the last couple of months. Absolutely incredible beings.

Flower, be kind to your feet! Buy good supportive, comfortable shoes. Foot pain/damage accumulates slowly, and reverses even slower if at all. I bought wonderful high heeled black boots for work this winter, and after wearing them for the last six months or so, I've discovered pains in my feet I've never had before. Especially the lower joint of my left big toe. These boots are comfortable...I can run around all day in them, but when I take them off, I get cramps in my feet for a few minutes. I didn't pay it any mind...but now I'm getting other pains even when I'm wearing different shoes.

Punkin, that is scarey about the two girls. They just think that nothing is going to happen to them.....and all too often it does.

Venus, your daughter seems to have really turned her life around. She really had some frightening things in her life...HIV, gangs...you must be very proud of what she's done after all that!

Amyjo, hope tomorrow is better for you!

Time to scoot....Punkin, how much longer 'till Friday? Terrible, but I live for 5pm on Fridays....

TTFN

Thanks for the link, Kim. It has been suggested to me that if I get accepted to the #1 choice, I should go to them and let them know about the $10K scholarship and ask if they can match or exceed it. If by chance I get accepted, I do plan to do that -- but I'll be working in a tough deadline and I won't be in much of a power position, but it can't hurt to ask. Interesting that that article mentioned schools being more responsive if there's been a drastic change in financial status; I would certainly think me quitting full-time work and my DD starting full-time college is about as drastic as it gets. I've been trying to get my mind right about all this -- I know that even if I don't get into #1 school, I have an absolutely tremendous and wonderful second choice.

I'm too tired to write more...

Ruthie ~ Girl it sounds like you have got it in the bag. Have you thought about call school #1 and seeing if they can tell you anything over the phone? March 29th is just around the corner, literally! You would call if it were regarding a job, so why not call about your application? I will probably go to Grad school at the same school I am getting my BSN from simply because the other Nursing schools in Mobile are not worth my time of day and the next two closest schools are in Mississippi and New Orleans. I might could commute to New Orleans but I am not sure I could manage that, and I am pretty sure I want to go- but I have to work two year before I can apply to grad school.

I would like to send you a contribution to your walk.... I lost a neice to leukemia two day before my daughter turned a year old. Karlee would of been 10 on March 2nd. If you would IM me your mailing address or what ever way I could donate I would appreciate it.

Flower ~ You should invest in some good walking shoes, like some reeboks or nike's if you can wear them to work. Standing on your feet all day is rough but it is even worse if your not "use" to it. Since I am back on my feet for clinicals and work my hips have been killing me. I went to the doctor, he told me I have congenital birth defect in my Right hip that is causing me pain (go figure) and fibro myalgia (again go figure) but what I was getting at is you should also invest in some good support hope to promote good venous return. I hate the things personally but they are great to keep you from getting vericose and spider viens and they help with fatigue. Oh and I agree with the laughing, I couldn't of contolled myself I would of have to of laughed right in her face. The older I get the harder time I have keeping my opinion to myself, it is really cleansing to actually be honest about how I feel and I would of laughed because it was funny not to be mean. I am one of those people who laugh if someone falls or does something stupid though!

Sheila ~ you should get that tooth fixed girlie!!!! Your going to end up with and abcess!

Well I really, really, really need to clean my house it is getting to be disgusting. I have an afternoon clinical. I am doing one day at a day treatment center for the mentally ill and one day at the orphanage here in town. I really think I am going to end up working with kids so I figure I would benefit from working with some "damaged" kids. These kids aren't the damaged ones the parents are. I have a feeling I am going to probably have a problem with this simply because I want to adopt and can't right now and these kids don't have anyone (you get the picture)....

I am up for a challenge guys!!!! I want to loose 20 pounds in the next 10 weeks but I can start with 10! (heck I could start with 1 in the right direction at this point)

Hugss!!!!
Amy
176/148/130

Hello everyone!

I did a bit of pre-tax return shopping last night (had some stuff on sale). I bought myself a new vacuum cleaner (a fancy shmancy bagless with all the fun tools - what can I say, I love housework):shrug:, a new bathroom cabinet w/ glass doors, new wood towel rack w/ shelf, 2 sage green shelves for my bedroom, and 5 shelves for my craft room. Time to charge up my cordless drill again!!

Wildfire - Friday would be just a bit more than 65 hours from now... :D

I better get some work done so I can go home and play with all my new stuff!

Terri :moo:

Hi Everybody :wave:
 

Well I am dealing with my TOM almost a week early... Jeeez sometimes I wish I would go thru menapause already and get it over with..
******WARNING : I AM GONNA CHILD GRIPE AND B*TCH NOW***
My 12 year old daughter is driving me crazy, first of all this morning she claimed to be sick she tried her hardest to stay home (no fever plenty of color ) so I sent her to school . She went directly to nurses office at school Nurse called home and I asked the nurse to check to see if she had fever (which she didnt) then I asked the nurse to see what my daughter would say if she asked her to drop off her homework to the teachers..(Daughter claimed she had no homework night before) wellll she didnt do her homework. So I told the nurse she is is suffering from "Ididntdomyhomeworkitis", anyway my daughter is still in school right now. BUT I am SOOOO sick and tired of the lies she has been handing me and the school.. She also claimed that she was harrassed thrown to the ground called a bunch of names had sexual things said to her she said she was threatened.. Now I know it was possible but things didnt add up. Like being thrown to the ground ( she was wearing a WHITE windbreaker and the ground was muddy , not a speck of dirt on the coat or her pants) she said when she was thrown she bumped her head hard on a rock(No redness or swelling anywhere on her head) no dirt in her hair either.. The cops were called just the same and even the police said that she couldnt ID the perpratrator after seeing every boys pic in the school..(according to DD it was a student from her school) The description of the boy was very very very vague..All she could tell me or the cops is that the boy was of Porta Rican ansectry..LETS face it where I live you see more of that ethnic description then you see caucasion people.. (please forgive me if I worded something wrong I am trying to be as Politically correct as possible, I DONT have any racist bones in my body,just for the record) I am really getting ticked and I dont have any idea of how to stop her bullsh*t.. If I do report her lies I am to blame for filing a false report , if I dont report her lies I am a bad mom b/c they may not be lies..She knows about the "boy who called wolf" story..Her father and I have been racking our brains to try to figure out how to solve this.. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:mad:
***************END OF B*TCHING NOW****************
Sorry to vent off but I just needed to. I dont have anywhere else to go with this ..

PUNKIN: Glad you got something out of your return.. With ours we got our apartment and freezer and fridge and washer plus a few other things.. I still need a new vaccuum and a new scale

As for the challenge I am gonna to get 15 pounds off by Memorial Day.. Although I wouldnt mind getting 60 off by then but I know baby steps

Thanks again for listening .. I hope I worded things correctly and didnt offend anyone , if I did please email me personally click here for addy
Take Care
Sheila

*********yeah!!!!!!!!************ My house is almost clean :)

Sheila ~ I feel your pain, I don't know if you were here last summer when MY DD "fainted" at school for the total of $26,000.00 :mad: and spent the last week and a half of school in the hospital. Still am not over it, but I still had a real problem with the Doctor- say that my child was not "mentally" stable and that she was crying out for help. You can only do- what you can do.... If you beleive her then you have to support her, if you don't then you have to come up with the right approach to handle the situation. (not that you didn't know that already) Hope it all works out, that crying wolf thing.... GRRRR If I hadn't told my DD that she had to be throwing up blood (which she tried to tell the nurse last year she was) or that she had to pass out (which I really doubt at this point she did) then I would not have had to cough up all the cash last year for her doctor bills. :( But I was sick of having to pick her up from school every time someone hurt her feelings. No one ever said raising kids was easy and I firmly believe I am getting paid back 40 fold for everything I ever did as a kid!

Got to go to clinical~

Hugs to you Sheila!!!!
Amy

Well, gals, #2 school became #1 school today. I e-mailed #1 to ask which day they would be sending the notification letters, and they responded that no decision has been made, and I will receive a notice the second week of April. Second week of April???? Meanwhile #2 school wants an answer on the scholarship by March 29! So I called #1 and explained, and this woman just about cut me off in mid-sentence, saying yeah this happens every year, they know our deadline, they can wait. :?: So I e-mailed the chair at the #2 school and asked their absolute deadline, and also asked for clarification about the four free credits that are also part of the fellowship. So this guy e-mails me back and says because they think so highly of me, he's giving me an additional four free credits -- so my master's there would cost me a total of a little over $10,000!!!! So I agonized all day over this; even though #1 school has so much prestige and a rich curriculum, #2 obviously really wants me there, plus the financial, so in the end I decided to just give up on #1 school, which is being very cavalier and kind of pissed me off to tell the truth -- I mean, this is my life they're di*king around with, ya know?

So this summer I'll be off to Boston!

I promise to respond to everyone personally later...

Ruthie, congrats! Now the planning begins! I bet it is a huge relief to have that decision made, and I agree....if the #1 school treats you so indifferently, who needs 'em! Go where you're wanted!

Sheila, I see you've got yourself a two-headed gila monster. Yup...around 12 is when mine first appeared. I don't know what to tell you that might get through to her. Those are some serious accusations she's throwing around if they aren't true. Honestly, what is going on with kids these days? I know we were far from perfect...but the things they do at the ages they do them....*sigh*...I'm right there with you.

Punkin, I like the way you think. 65 hours sounds so much better than days! :D

Hey, I actually had an OP day! I'm focusing in on 10lbs. That's all. One day at a time. I'm staying off the scale, too...until at least April 19, one month from now.

Terri, by the way, congrats on your continued losses! :) Sorry it took me so long to say anything! You're doing wonderfully.

Sheila, I agree with Wildfire, 11-12-13 are awful ages. The kids are starting to have the balls to act outrageous, but don't yet have the brains to know when to draw the line. Good for you not giving in to the homeworkitis complaint -- an illness my DD continued to have up till this year. I finally got to the point where I told her -- look, face your own consequences, once you turn 18 I will throw you out if you don't act right and respect me, and if you can't do what you need to to get your butt in college, you're not living with me. Fortunately it worked, but your DD is still too young for that speech. Just stand your ground and keep telling her what she's doing is wrong -- even when you think she's not listening, she is, remember that. Good luck -- and come here to b*tch any time .

Wildfire, good for you on the OP day! I'm looking for just one for myself...let's get busy, girls, spring is here!

Amy, I remember that incident with your DD. Glad you got thru it. I have PM'ed you with info re the marathon -- and thanks for donating! I'm up for a challenge too -- 10 lbs. by June 2. Let's do it!

OK, everyone, LET'S GET BUSY!! Time for a new season, a new motivation, a new plan ... we can do this! ;) :D

HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX!

For spring I've decided to come out of lurkdom--sorry about that, I haven't meant to be so unsocial!
Ruthie, that's great that you have the info you wanted! That feeling of 'pins and needles' is awful--I know you must feel so much better now.
Wow, so much is happening with everyones teenagers. I have friends who are just seeing the first indications of it and it's not pretty. I'm child-free myself but I had an encounter a few nights ago. I was working late and this teen conflict resolution group meets there sometime. I was in the kitchen and this young thing comes in and when she saw me her face almost slid off her head because she's used to no one being there! She asked if there was a phone she could use [as if she didn't know]. So she stood 6 feet away from me and made 2 calls. The first was obviously to her parents letting them know she'd gotten there okay, and the second to whoever she was meeting. And then she spins around and says to me "I'm out of here!" Why tell me? So I have no experience with this kind of thing but I know that my workplace houses this group and we're more or less responsible so I felt like I had no choice but to alert the leader of the group and he told me that he'd already had problems with her not showing up so he called her parents, etc. I remember so well being that age and thinking that I knew it all and nobody was on to all the stuff I pulled. It's embarrassing now! I wouldn't be that age again for anything even if I did have a skinney little weasel body!
Wildfire, that was quite a story you told the other day about restraining that girl! Yikes!
Punkin, I love that you're so handy and craft-y! [Come stay with me awhile?] How's that bagless vac working out for you? I've thought about getting one. How are they with cat hair?!
Venus, I'm glad you're back.
Lamorgan, let us know how the ritual goes. I don't have anything formal planned. It's raining here and the trees are being really sneaky--when the sun comes out in a few days they'll have leaves! The pear trees and redbuds are already blooming and horrors! the grass is getting greener and very soon I'll have to mow! Now when the hummingbirds make their appearance I'll know that spring is really here!
Flower, Take care of those feet! I recall working retail too--somedays I"d walk to my car in my stocking feet, I just couldn't bear to wear those shoes one more minute! But I was young and stupid then and wore heels all the time. What was I thinking?
I'll check in more regularly from now on. I'm in a good groove now as far as my program goes---it took me a few days to get over the shock of finding that I weigh 10 pounds more than I thought but I'm okay now!

Eydie

OK, I'll join in too. Luckily I was on program for breakfast, before I checked in here!

My daughter is 12, but a young 12 and so far life is still pretty smooth. We live in a small town, and I think that makes a difference. My friends in Toronto and Mississauga have more commercial issues to deal with with their kids... Here's hoping that things never get too crazy, but hey, I have 4 kids and they're bound to grow up some day!

Ruthie, that offer would be too hard to resist, congrats! What's Boston like anyway?? Never been further than Buffalo, Detroit or Bellingham in the US. I guess I'm just a border-gal...

My menses came around 4 days early, and today I feel very, very bletchy. Just want to crawl back into bed...

Wildfire ~ I love hawks too! We see lots of the red-tailed variety here, I think they look so cool when they are riding the thermals...

My next pay I'm investing in really good quality hiking/walking boots. I've worn out my good ones, wore out the crappy ones I got in November to get me through the season, and I have this fetish for really good footware. Strange, since everything else I purchase is used. I guess it evens out...

Well, must walk (some more) in the rain to the IGA to buy some soy milk and other stuff. We're looking after Evan's fried Kip for 3 days while his mom goes away somewhere warm...

Hello to everyone else I didn't personally say 'hi' to, and have a great

SPRING DAY!

:spin:Happy Spring!!!! :spin:

Amazing how a simple change of season can so dramatically change the weather, seemingly overnight. Last night we never even hit below freezing.... Time to plant soon!

Ruthie - Congrats on making the tough choice... The #1 school treated you like that on the phone, I wonder what they're like when you're actually there? They should care for their students (future or current) - not just give you the brush-off. Have a wonderful time in Baaahston and you'd better keep in touch!

Wildfire - :cool: Yes! One day under your belt makes the rest come a bit easier (you don't want to mess up "perfection"). Here's to a bunch more OP days! :strong:

Eydie - Yup, I'm a crafty girl. Actually I have an entire spare bedroom dedicated to it with 2 big tables and now my shelving (I scrapbook, stamp, crochet, paint, make cards...). I bought some blackboard spray paint for a 3x3 clip board a friend gave me. Did you all know you can spray your own blackboard????? Now gimme' some chalk! hehehehehe :devil:

The bagless vac is impressive - I got the Eureka Whirlwind. I just vacuumed on Sunday and last night to test out the vac after assembly I just zoomed around my dining room (not a used room) and the walkway from the kitchen into the den. I had a puff of "stuff" in the canister about the size of a golf ball!!!:eek: I was amazed that it pulled that much out of the carpet since I'd just vacuumed 2 days earlier! It was mostly cat hair and new carpet fuzz.

Last night I finished my house "tax return shopping". I went to WalMart and found 4 huge planter containers for my front and side decks and a huge jug of wildflower seeds. My stepfather's going to tractor over some "fertilizer" (aka horse poop) and dirt and this weekend I think I'll do some planting (and hammering, and installing and painting....) and possibly have my friends over for a late Ostara dinner. Crap, I'm becoming the Pagan Martha Stewart...

Back to work!

Terri :moo:

Hi my very bestest online fiends!!!! :)

Happy Spring Equinox. My b-day is Friday! I am in a chipper mood! I do wish I had 2 days off this week. I only had yesterday and my days are 9-10 hours each. My check will be wonderful.

I went shopping to Sears and not a single thing came home with me. Funny, the places I can get a discount at, there is nothing I want!!! I did buy a gothic dining room set. Second hand at Salvation Army. The chair backs are 4.5 feet tall!!!! Glass rectangular top. The chairs look like the Munsters met the Adams family. Iron w/ leather seats. Faux finished w/ a black base, gold and verdigree copper details. The seat backs are 4 thick wires. Completely comfortable but they look like something in an early electric chair model. I love it!!!!!!! It came with 2 bar stools too. We don't have a bar, so we are going to make a bar table for them for playing chess/card games at. We have the piece of glass already.

Well, I have to get my butt to work. I will be doing a solo ritual each night till my birthday. I need to get centered and reborn. (spring child that I am)

I got on the scale and realized I need a new scale. Just putting my feet 2 inches difference it varies by 25 pounds!!!!!! But I am in no hurry! :) ~flower

HI Everyone and Happy S P R I N G To youall!!
Well I am in a somewhat better mood although we are going to have snow for two days
I admit I been in a bit of a selfpiting funk.. I really havent been thinking to highly of myself (although I didnt run to any bad snacking) I decided to take the weight bull by the horns and fight it,since trying to be doing things the way I been doing them hasnt been productive..I have checked out a store online that is close to where I live (barnes&Noble bookstore) and they have the Leslile Sampson walking vidoe tapes I want for 20.99. Also I have to get my rear in gear on this house.. My ongoing saga with my daughter is on hiatus although I have to get tough on her.. I realized I was not a sweet innocent angel at her age, but one thing I didnt flub with was going to school.. ( I didnt start flubbing up school till I started high school at the age of 13.. ) But I need to reconnect to my inner teen so that I can remember how to be one step ahead of anything she does..Being married(among other things) at 16.5 made me grow up a little faster then most so that teen inside me hid a longggg time ago..
THANK YOU EVERYONE for letting me unload .Dealing with my heavy bouts with depression and having a two headed gila monster for a daughter ( My son I think is taking notes on how to push my buttons for futue referance) really made me want to hide away till it all blew over..
Spring is a new season so I have a better momentum.. Almost feels like a new year even though it started almost 3 months ago..Gotta end here DH is thinking I am rewriting the new testament
Take Care
Sheila

Flower ~ The table and chairs sound absolutely awesome!!! I love stuff like that. We collect some strange things (i.e. swords, battle axes, crests, dragons, wizards) one kids into it and the other kid is like flowers and kittens...Daylight and dark! It is a wonder that this household doesn't implode on itself...:)


I wish it would decide if it would rain or not :( I need to wash the pollen off of my truck... the yellow on the blue makes it this pukey shade of green!

I hate I have to work this weekend, I really need to work in the yard. We still have Christmas lights up outside :dizzy: I think that is why we never put them up because we know we never have time to get them down! I need to cut the dead off my heather it is sprigging out and the dead up top looks funny.

Gee! I just need to get off of this computer and go do something!

Flower I was going to tell you, I picked up some black slide on flats today at Wal-mart... They are made by earth shoes don't honestly know what they cost because I just needed some black shoes and picked them up but my point it I have been on my feet all day and didn't know I had on shoes. They have about a 1 1/2 heel and they are real cusshhy... As far as shoes goes most Wal-marts carry they same things you might want to check it out I know they were probably around $20.00... Just a thought~!

Hugs, It is 80 degrees out I have got to change into some shorts and go outside for awhile!
Amy

:lol: :lol: Pagan Martha Stewart :lol: :lol: Punkin, one of the requirements for when we finally buy a house is that I have a room all to myself for sewing and crafting. I'm restricted space-wise here and it's killing me.

Ruthie, you're on! 10lbs by June 2nd. I'm taking inspiration from you (and in turn, Venus, who inspired you) and setting my alarm for an hour earlier tomorrow. Now that it's light out earlier I'm going to try to form the habit of walking before I have to shower and get out for work. The downtown is very quiet here in the early early morning, and the lakefront is peaceful. I may not come back for work!

Eydie, glad you're back!

Lamorgan, someday I want to own some kind of hawk/falcon/BIG BIRD...many of them are protected, but I would adopt one that had been injured. I've always been in awe of them. We had many eagles near our bungalow (cottage in Ontarian) and I would sit in complete amazement watching them come into the nests nearby.

Flower, your table set sounds way cool!

Sheila, I keep telling mself that one thing I can count on is the passage of time. Eventually they HAVE to grow up! :D

Amyjo, you'd be right at home in my place....candles everywhere, dragons, swords, gargoyles, and some great Oriental pieces hubby picked up in Thailand, Du Bhai (sp?), Hong Kong, etc., while he was there with the Navy...samuri swords, statues, etc.

Another good day! 21 days to form a habit....19 more to go. I actually drank water instead of the diet coke I had on my desk this afternoon. I shocked myself!

Blessed Ostara! Happy Spring!

Wow, looks like a bunch of us are set for a 10-lb. loss goal. Unfortunately, yesterday I was still a sloth. You're all motivating me, though. Wildfire, I take it you're doing the 21 day challenge? I was debating it.

I'm jealous of all of you (except Sheila) talking about it feeling like spring -- it was coooooold here yesterday -- but at least it rained. NJ is having a severe to extreme drought (severe in the northern part and extreme in the southern). A good time to move, huh? There's that and the governor cutting the budget severely to extremely...

Yes, teenagers are a strange lot ... if they were adults and behaved like that, we would call them psychotic. My DD is staying at her friend's house for a couple days while the friend's parents and brother go on a short vacation (doesn't make much sense to me why they took the son out of school, but whatever). When DD asked me about it, I was kind of shocked the friend's parents would allow it, so I said DD couldn't stay there unless I talked directly to the parents, which I did and they were fine about it, although the mom said could they both stay here if they wanted, so I don't know if that was what they were angling for in the first place... At any rate, DD and friend are both 18, so if they cause mayhem no one can take me to court (that's been a huge source of anxiety for me for years, that I was liable for DD's boneheaded actions, and I am SO glad she's 18 now and responsible for her own self, and ironically enough I think for the most part it's made her more responsible).

Time to go walk. I've been a slug this week.

The wind is picking up here and I think we're going to get some snow... March is like that; pretty fickle.

I was out last night 'til 11pm and then couldn't get to sleep. That's hard when 5am rolls around.
I think I'm going to lie on the couch this morning and get a couple of hours of sleep.

First breakfast, though!

Have a good day to you all ~

L

Hey everybody!!!!!
I am in a great mood despite the fact my kids are total monsters.. The sun is shining and I have an idea I too can and WILL do 10 pounds by June2nd. I have to start taking Charge of this sch*tt !!!!! It doesnt come off by wishing it away..
I have done a bit of research.
Eat 3 light meals a day with 2 light snacks
I am gonna keep my sodium to under 2400
limit my caffiene instead of drinking pots and pots a day.
Keep my fats to 30 grams a day tops.
kep myself between 1500 to 2000 calories a day
Eat LOTS and LOTS of fruits and veggies
And dont eat or buy anything that has 6 grams of sugar per serving..
Keep control of portion size.
And drink water till my kidneys float!!!!!!!

To most of you that sounds easy but to me I hate eating breakfast lunch is just a passing thought but I eat at dinner time.
Basically the above mentioned is a diabetic diet. I had to go on that when I was pregnant with my last child . ( I was gestational diabetic) but I stayed on it after he was born . After he was born I weighed 317.5 (he only weigh a mere 10.4) by following that I got down to 286 within two months after my up and down Csection healed ( tranverse c-section I think it was called for which I wasnt healed for 2.5 months ) I didnt continue with that type diet only because those around me told me it wasnt good for me.. I have consulted a few nurses and a dietician at my doctors office and they all gave me the go-ahead telling me that it is perfectly safe to go by the guidelines of a diabetic diet..(One nurse asked me have I been checked for diabetes since the birth of my son, when I told her no she told me to REMIND my doc to check for that since I am in the high risk area since I am overweight and had history of gestational diabetes as well as my grandmom on my moms side was diabetic)
Also I checked out Barnes and Noble online and found out they have the walking videos from Leslie Sampson for 20.99 and I will be getting those since my hubby did put in overtime last night . I have a Barnes and Noble less then a mile away . The weather here today is GORGEOUS and BRIGHT and I am full of energy and I am in a really WONDERFUL state of mind today ..
:D :love: :spin: :spin: I have NO idea why I am in such a great mood but dang it I am gonna get my @$$ in gear TODAY and get moving with this new beginning !!!!! Also I am QUITTING SMOKING once again !!!!! I start that Journey Tomorrow!!! Wish me luck .. I want to be Healthy as a horse and Light as a feather and I know I CAN And WILL do this .. Cause all you ladies are great and motivational whether you gals know it or not!!!!
Will write more later .. And I promise to say something to each of you ...
Take Care
Sheila

Hello all...

Well, the pissy bug bit me this morning and I've been in a mood all day. Could it have something to do with the fact that it was 60 yesterday and maybe 30 today???? Maybe... all I know is that I threatened my Mom to leave me alone or I was going to cry... sounds like a hot bath night with a cup of tea with brandy.
We also have freezing fog and ice all over everything. My 60 year old stepfather, who's not in the best of health to begin with (emphysema) decided to take a header at Home Depot this morning, so he's in bed trying not to hurt like ****. I'm going to go home and just go to bed, start again tomarrow...

Sheila - I think your plan sounds excellent. It's very similar to what my best friend's doing and she's down 8 pounds so far and loving her freedom to choose what she wants to eat.

I have to tell you that I did walk my 2 miles yesterday! I doubled my normal route. It was a little harder - but the worst part was the wind! I actually have wind burn on my cheeks and forehead. Sheesh... I am having a hard week I guess. :shrug:

Spring had BETTER be here tomarrow!

Terri

Guys ~ The fact that obesity is up like close to 60% from 20 years ago tells us alot. I think that computer, television, processed foods and fast food has contributed to the increase. The scary thing is the fact that Type II (2) diabetes is so prevelant in obese people (raising at epidemic rates in kids) it ups the risk 10 fold. Births of children over 8 pounds and a history of GD increases your risk. An increase fasting blood glucose level and a 2 hour postprandial blood glucose increase in a good indication that you will eventually develop diabetes...

Fortunately like my blood pressure my blood glucose levels are usually LOW~ but the more overweight you are the higher the incident of diabetes. I am within the target range of my "height/weight" ratio... I am not a the weight that I want to be but I am below 25 on my BMI and compared to last year this time I am much more comfortable with my weight. Unfortunately I am having a really hard time controlling my bulimia at this weight than I did at my higher weight, because I just can't get these last 20 pounds off.

I talked to the director of Psychology at the school today, I am considering talking to my GP and getting him to prescribe the Medicine that I was on while I was in therapy and see if it will help at least until I reach goal weight or until I finish nursing school which will greatly reduce my stress levels~!~ I am so much more healthy now but I just want this layer of subcutaneous fat gone off of my butt, stomach and thigh :( which is where every woman has fat but I really don't like it very much! Well I have got to run~~~

Hugs,
Amy

I just reread this post if it doesn't make sense I have been at school since 8AM so forgive me~

Amy, if your BMI is below 25, are you sure you need to lose 20 lbs??? Maybe you should just focus on toning exercises for the areas you think are "fat." That will also take your focus away from food intake. I like the idea of consulting with your doc, though.

Terri, good for you doing your walk! Hope you're over your pissiness :dizzy: .

Sheila, I'm proud of your resolve to work on both your weight and quitting smoking. Good luck!

Lamorgan, that wind you described rolled in here last night -- it was incredible! All of a sudden around 8:30 the wind and the rain started. Now it's freezing -- and I didn't go out to walk b/c I'm a wuss about the cold.

My landlady died a couple of days ago. It's really incredible that she's gone. Although she had a chronic illness for years and years, she had a very sudden decline and was hospitalized like a week and a half ago, then came home to die a few days later. I feel so badly for her husband, and so helpless -- he lives downstairs from me, yet I don't know what I can do for him. They are having a "celebration of life" for her Saturday night, and of course DD and I will go.

I'm very tired today. I have a lot to do this weekend; I'm trying to put together a benefit concert for the marathon at one local bar and get a fundraising effort going at another, so apparently I have to stop in these two places to talk to the managers, which I'm not looking forward to b/c I don't go to bars anymore. But it's for a good cause...

Happy Birthday to me, I am now thirty three!!!!! Can't talk at all, gotta get to work. Just wanted to tell someone it was my birthday! I have no idea my next day off. Crazy. I do think I would be great mgmt material! I live at this place!!!! :) ~flower

PS/happy birthday to the other 17 of you who share my bithday on this site!!!!!

Ruthie ~ Sorry to hear about your landlady. It is sad to watch the grieving process even from the outside!

Well, as my BMI goes I am at a 23 and right in the middle of my healthy weight range. I would really like to get down to at least 140 which is what I look like I weigh right now to be honest. I carry my weight pretty well. The diet program I was on "eDiets" said I should weigh about 146/147 and according to my scales I am at 150.... which is actually 156 by the doctors scales at the hospital.. so another 10 pounds would hurt, and anothere 20 would put me in about a size 6 :) but I realize that may not happen (obsessive thinking) I am working to tone up the kids and I work out about 2 hours three nights a week. I guess really what bugs me the most is my legs I have huge legs muscular but huge.... and in turn I can't wear what I want. I have lost 2 inches in both thighs since I started my "healthy" life but I would like to loose 2 more and all I seem to be doing is bulking them up instead of slimming them down. :?: The top of my body doesn't match the bottom of my body if you get my drift.

These are my current measurement (March 2002)
Weight – 150
Waist 29
Hips – 39
Chest – 31
Thighs – left 22 ½ right 22
Calves – left 15 ½ right 14 ¾
Biceps – left 11 right 10 ¾
Size 8

These are my original measurement (March 2001)
Weight 182 (NOT MY HIGH WEIGHT)
Waist 31 1/2
Hips 42 1/2
Chest 36
Thighs 25 1/2
Biceps 11 1/2
Calves 15 3/4
Size 12/14

I guess I could just accept myself like I am but are any of us really satisfied with how we are? I am not. I am happy with the change and would really like to not gain any of the weight back. So far just a fluctuation up and down like 4 pounds, which I attribute to water.

Well that is it for todays diatribe...

I have to get ready to go to a blood drive.

Have You ALL Donated Lately?????? [COLOR=red]

Todays goal: Drink 64 ounces of water..... Stay under 1500 calories....


Hugs,
Amy

:hb:

:wave: Happy Birthday Flower !!!!!!!! :wave:

Hope you have a super super day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Flower!! 33 is great!

It is so dratted cold out there this morning, I felt like I was going to get frost-bite on my cheeks. Minus 10 celcius. Yuck. But it's March, and I don't trust March weather. Soon I'll be sitting on my porch in my bare feet...

I'm going to hide inside until it warms up.

I think that weight loss and finding that ideal weight is a very personal issue. My weight is still good, I've for the most part maintained since my loss last year, but my need for this site is part of my maintenance. A loss of 10 pounds for me would put me back at my low of last summer, where I felt really great.

I find that the WW mindset of 10% is a good one. It's hard to think of losing many pounds in a chunk, 10% is less daunting.

Sheila ~ I'm sending you good 'quitting smoking' energy!!! It's a tough addiction to beat. I've just passed my 4th anniversary.

I donate blood every 2 months, and I think the first Monday of April is my date.... :) Sometimes my blood iron level is too low, here in Canada your iron levels have to be at 120 to be able to donate. Sometimes I'm around 119... Have to eat lots of meat over the next week!

Bye!

Lois

Good morning and Happy Friday!!!

Yes, I'm over the pissy's - I went home last night and moved/stacked rocks lining my driveway for 30 minutes in 25 degree temps. Nothing like throwing rocks around to get out your aggresions!

:hb:Happy Birthday Flower!:hb:
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Ruthie - I love that he's having a celebration of life. That's what both my Mom and stepfather want (thank the Gods) and NOT a funeral. I think it's a beautiful idea... I'm sure your just being there is enough comfort for your landlord's husband right now. Feeling totally alone is the worst.

Amyjo - Do you know what the waiting time is for donating blood after a piercing? I had my tragus pierced about 6 months ago...

I better get some work done! Happy Friday again!

Terri :moo:

The Canadian Blood Services makes you wait 1 year after a piercing or tatoo..... Must be similar in the States..

L

Hi Everyone
I just got back from Barnes and Noble they didnt have the whole Leslie Sansone tape set I just got the 2mile Walk away the Pounds (High Calorie Burn) and I also picked up a "pilates" all in one workout..
Then I went to walmart and bought a scale and a set of three pound weights to use with the walking tape.. It recommends 2 pound ones but they didnt have them and due to my size I guess 3 pounds wont kill me..
I stepped on my new scale I weigh 265.5 That is the start at weight I am going to start with now..

:hb: Happy Birthday to you Flower :hb:

It is FREEEEEEZING here so I am glad I was able to find one of the tapes I was looking for .. Pilates (which for the longest time I thought had to do with blood) has things based on TaiChi Yoga classical and aerobic danceand precision sculpting.. Who knows I might have wasted 12.99 on that on I am not THAT Fit yet but I guess I can do walking one day and then try the Piltes the next..

No I havent given blood yet reason being I am scared ..Two my iron is a bit low due to not eating right so I am trying to fix that (ferrous sulfate pills make me sick as a dog when I take them)
Well I havent eaten yet today I been busy since my eyes opened it is now 2:30 and since I SHOULD be eating 3 times a day I really messed up today..

Now the smoking thing I will start THAT quit on Sunday night.. Hubby works sunday - thurs and when he is around 24 hours a day he smokes like a chimney.. It is easier for me to have a few nights of no DH when I quit since I tend to blow a gasket at him I promise to try to keep my smoking withdrawls off here

Congrats LAMORGAN on your 4th anniversary quit!!!!!!!!
Well gotta go and try out my tapes Talk soon

Take Care
Sheila

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm off on my walk in about 3 seconds...

Sheila - Congrats on quitting smoking this weekend. I quit when I was 21 - so that's what.... 11 years now?? Wow, time flies... I was one of the lucky ones though that could just put them down and never want to smoke again. I wish I was like that with food!

See ya all on Monday!!

Terri

Hope you had a great day, Flower!

I got a sun burn at lunch today. It is warm in southern NV!!! :)

Today was okay. A guy offered to give me b-day spankings. Lucky me huh? :) Work was fine. Tiring but fine. I am off to go eat at my favorite restaurant. Mexican. I love fish tacos!!!!! Thank you for the b-day wishes!!!! ~flower