WELCOME!

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

Please feel free to jump right in with us.
And be sure to check if there is a second page. We don't want anyone to miss any posts.

WELCOME!

Alright..........I've heard from Baylee (although she may be other wise detained) right now. ( I think I've been hanging aroud Kat too much) and I've heard from Kat. Miss Lucky, where are you? Don't make me have to get out the torture devices! We said we would do this and we WILL! Gee, kinda early in the post, don't you think Tina? I guess I am just SO pumped up from yesterday, I want everyone to feel the way that I feel.

I also want to tell you guys about another success. I've been needing some skirts to wear to church and things like that. I have a TON of sweaters, but no skirts to go with them. I have a dark brown one, but I want a black, navy blue, tan & white or off white one. We were at Walmart the other night and I saw a off white skirt with a slit up the back.......very nice. But, when I grabbed the ticket on it, it was an XL. Size 16-18 My first reaction was NO WAY. But it was made out of sweater-type material, so I figured it would give, if you know what I mean, so I thought, "what the heck" and went to try it on in the dressing room. And believe it or not ladies, it fit. Now granted, it was sweater-type material, so it DID give, and it was a little tight in the stomach area, but I would wear it with a long sweater anyways. That sucker went right in the buggy! I do not even know the last time I've had anything in the buggy for me that started with a 1. Nice feeling.

Speaking of nice feelings, I am off work today and dh was up getting ready for work this morning and before he left, he leaned over and kissed me bye and said, "I wish I could stay here with you today." And as he was walking out the door, I heard him say, "Very skinny girl". Now I have never been skinny in my life and will never be. That is not my goal. But that is his way of telling me that he is proud of me. What a man.


Kat: You had me laughing my butt off with your last post.........as usual. I didn't mean to turn wishy washy on anyone. I think we all need a good kick in the butt every now and again, but I wouldn't dream of offending any of you for anything in the world. I just kinda feel like we're all close enough now that we can speak the truth when we need to. I love you girl!

Baylee: Sorry to interrupt you......... I know your busy with your man now, I didn't want to leave you out and let you know, we can do this thing together!

Tonya: Two pounds is absolutely fantastic! I am glad that the old layoff bug missed you this time and sorry that the old sick bug did not. I hope you feel better. {{{sending Tonya a hug, some o.j., a warm blanket & some chicken noodle soup}}}

Mary: I know you said "2cute" on your post, but I also know you were congratulating me. Thanks so much. I don't come here to brag......that would never be my intention. We have been fighting this ol' weight battle for so long, this is where I gripe, complain, share, & celebrate. I share the things with you guys that I can't share with others, because you understand. Thanks for the congrats.

Sara: Here is a (standing ovation) for you! You are one of the biggest reasons, that I have continued to stay OP. Your unwaivering strength, upbeat posts and amazing support keeps us all going. What a motivation you are. I hope to follow in your footsteps and I believe I am on my way! I am glad that you finally got that first call under your belt (not glad that someone had to call however). The next one will be even easier.

2cute: I know that you have been being an lately and that wasn't for you. I am very proud of you and let me tell you something else. I know that you are a very private person and I have always respected that, I hope. To know that you are stepping out on such a limb, makes me really feel good. I know what it means to have your trust, and it is an honor that we have earned it. I think we have all been hurt or discriminated against at one time or another because of our weight and it does make one close off themselves sometimes to keep from being hurt. Please know that we will never hurt you because you are one of us. NO, not the overweight............one of the spectacular people. We are all wonderful, loving, gracious people. If there is one thing, just one positive thing that I could find from being overweight, is that it causes me to be sympathetic and less critical of others. Perhaps if I had never of been overweight, I would not be as compassionate. It is amazing to me that some people can be so insensitive to others feelings. I have always raised my boys to not make fun of people, because there is always something that someone can find wrong with you. Geez......got a little off track there, didn't I? Just know that I love you and am humbled by your trust.

Steph: So good to see you sweetie! I've missed you. Thanks alot for your unconditional support and I hope to see you more often. I was hoping we'd get a lot more pictures in the cards too, but oh well, the only card I've gotten so far is Mary's. I will be sending mine out this weekend.

Alright, I know that's not everybody, but I have worked on this post forever, and don't want to sit in front of the ol' puter all day.
I would like to mention however, that I went out to my mailbox today and the only thing I got was a stupid phone bill.

Please postman...........send my 3FC cards my way...........

Have a wonderful day ladies and I will check in with you later tonight!

Wait!
Oh yes, wait a minute Mr. postman
Wait!
Wai-ai-ai-ait Mr. postman

Mr. postman look and see (oh yeah)
You got a letter in your bag for me (please please Mr. po-o-o-stman)
I've been waiting such a long time (oh yeah)
Since I heard from those girls of mine.

There must be some word today-ay-ay
From my girlfriends so far away...
Please Mr. postman look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me.

I've been standing here waiting Mr. postman
So-o-o patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Saying "MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR!" to me.

So many days you passed me by-y-y
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter

Mr. postman
Mr. postman look and see
You got a letter in your bag for me (oh yeah)
I've been waiting such a long time
Since I heard from those girls of mine!

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
You gotta check it and see, one more time for me.

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
Mr. po-o-o-stman, oh yeah (wait a minute, wait a minute)
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better!

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah (Mr. postman)
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah.


Perhaps you're wondering WHY my silly, sleep deprived arse is not sleeping! hmmmm...me too. My mother called just as I was crawling into bed. She comes up this way to have her hair done, so she was supposed to meet a friend for lunch first. The friend was apparently late getting home from running her errands, so my mother thought something happened to keep her away. Instead of going shopping or to the library or get the car washed or any other of the million things available to do, she called me to come hang out here. (She RARELY comes here.) She knew that I was in bed, knew I hadn't slept, and came over anyway. At 10:45. Her appt was at 1:30. Now before I am accused of being a callous, cold hearted female dog, let me just state for the record, that, had her friend been home, I never would have even known that Mom was in town. Even if she had only come up for the haircut, she would not have called me...not even to, perhaps,inquire after her grandchildren. Which is too bad for her, I'm sorry to say. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother, because she is my mother. She's just not always the nicest person.

Okay, so I may be a little bitter...but that didn't stop me from scampering out to my mailbox after she left!!...in my socks, no less...they're all soggy now. I DID take them off. In case you were wondering.
Much to my dismay...*sigh* no cards today. Hence, the song.
Okay, I'm going back to bed now. Wake me up when the Christmas cards arrive.

PS...I'll bet you're humming that song now!

Hello,
Got my first card yesterday, Sara your beautiful, you look really good, hubby must be so proud, still waiting on the other cards, I shouldn't talk though, I still haven't got mine sent out yet. By the end of the week for sure.

Tina, you go girl, 9lbs in one week, (did you forget to eat), That is awsome, I wish I had your motivation, I seem to have fallen into a big slump, I'm eating anything and everything in sight, like this morning I had a hotdog for breakfast, I don't know what's going on, I feel like crap, but I can't stop eating, and I really do feel hungry all the time, at least I think I do. What are you doing, are you following WW, maybe i should start again, I just hate the journaling, and looking up the points, I just don't seem to have the time or patience. I want to be 100lbs lighter by next christmas but if I don't get my act in gear I'll be 100lbs heavier. Why is this so hard to do, why can some people, click and lose the wait while others have such a hard struggle, when am I going to have my moment of truth, and get this weight off. I want to be another Sara, ( hope you don't mind )

So who's all done there Christmas shopping, not me, I haven't even started, yet, hubby get's paid on Friday, and I get another check next week so in the next to weeks I need to get shopping, I love shopping, don't get to do it much, but when I do, I really enjoy it, mind you I don't like to go shopping with hubby, he's always rushing me. I'm having a really hard time trying to decide what to buy for my parent's I guess I should just ask them.

We had freezing rain, here this morning, so I got to come into work late, and now it's getting kind of cold out again, so by the time I go home the roads will be icy again, maybe I'll just have to leave early as well.

Well gotta go, hope all is well

Off to pick up hubby from work! Outta time!

I updated my journal. Check it out!

Sara
270/166/150

Hi girls! You'll have to pardon me for not replying tonight. I feel so $hitty! Have I mentioned to you how I think there ought to be a drain plug for Mother Nature like having an oil change??? Yeah, I think I probably did. Oh well, pardon me while I whine! I would like to suffer from PMS, but heck, I can't tell when Mother Nature is coming or going anymore. It's crap to get old!!!

I got my cards mailed today, except for Baylee's who was a little slow on the up-take!!! Yours will go out tomorrow, sweetie, I promise. I don't remember if I told you about my little WW project from a few weeks back, but I enclosed a copy as a surprise. (so, if I told you about it, then it won't be so much of a surprise, but what the heck)

Here is #11 from the Family Circle article (can you believe it's December 11th already?):
Play together. Sitting around the dinner table with your family can lead to lots of mindless noshing and eating out of boredom. To fight the extra calorie intake, suggest that the whole family do something active together instead. Ice skating, bowling, dancing, visiting a museum, caroling or playing indoor minigolf are some great winter activities your family might really enjoy.

Hey, is anybody chatting tonight. Didn't see any mention of it. Guess since it's already 5:45 EST, that 7:00 EST might be a little soon to try and get something together. I'll be around for awhile so I'll try to check in there. Did you guys see the note from Suzanne about the 3FC's chat????

Gotta run for now. See you all later.

Hi Ladies,

Time seems to be flying lately. I was a busy, social "Bee" all weekend and paid at WI - up 2.5 lbs. I'd guess it's a combination of shrimp scampi at a great restaurant on Friday (no I didn't follow my rule an ask for a "to go box" before I dug in ), Wine on Sat. (WAY MORE than I usually drink too!) a fantastic turkey dinner with more friends on Sunday, and those evil appitiesers (sp?) that were within my reach all weekend. Of course, at my meeting someone suggested holding your drink in the had that you normally use to grab food. GOOD IDEA ... as long as that glass holds ice water!

I've got to keep this short but CHEERS to TINA and all the other losers. The rest of us will do our best this week to get back on the "DOWNSIDE" next week.

Gotta go wrap presents tonight and review the list to see what's left to buy.

My mailman was so sweet today...he left me two more cards!!! So far I've gotten one from Sara, Mary, Kat and Lucky! Lucky I love your pics!!

Gotta get to bed...I was in a coma last night...never heard the little guy crawl in bed with us last night...for that matter I never even heard the BIG guy crawl in bed last night! I was exhausted and still am!

I'll try and catch up with you all real soon! And Tina...YOU GO GIRL! 9 lbs is awesome! You and Sara so inspire me! I wish I had it in me to get this weight off again!!

OK TTFN Love you guys! Michelle

Tina Here is me!!! Celebrating you!!!!

I don't think I will post much because it is all "whining" and "complaining"....food has been terrible, no exercise...found out I wil be cut 4 hours a week OR MORE. I CAN NOT live on that !!!! Taking a DEEP breath ..... okay....I will get through all of this.

Thanks, 2Cute for your sweet post.... and Tina, I need big time.

I think I will email out my resume to a couple places....you all wrote a lot and I have to re-read to absorb it all.

Hey guys! It's just me, hopping in for abit. I sent all of you that I had an email adress for out an email today with a link to my aol photo album of my family. For some reason, thin wasn't able to view the photos, and I'm not sure if any of the rest of you had problems either, so I have another site that you can visit, or any of you that I didn't get to send an email to because I didn't have your email address, here's what you do to see the photos.

Type in your address bar above........... www.myfamily.com. We all go there anyways for Chatterboxes, but I have my own site there called the Burger Clan. To keep some of the confusion down and having to invite everyone in, I'm just going to give you my username and password, so you can go in and look at the album if you'd like to. When you get to the site, type in TinaBurger20 in the username field, then in the password field type aol123 That will take you to the main page and click on All Photos, so you can see them all. I like to click on "Slideshow" and you can just click through each picture. I know there is no way I could include all these pictures in my cards, so this way, my cyberfamily here could get a glimpse of my family here. Hope you like them

Love you guys!

Okay, 2Cute, you can't fool me!!! You said you were protective of your address - I figured out why - you are really George Clooney and you don't want me to know!!!!!

I could get to your pictures from the email, Tina. Great....except I think my cat is cuter!!!

Okay what's the deal??????? I wasn't sending a picture until 2Cute "shamed" me into it by begging (sort of) and now the rest of you didn't ...... Do I have to come after you

Thin I know what you mean about Ms. Nature. Losing income and starting menopause (I think) is sending me into an emotional pit. WAIT.... time for yet another DEEP breathe.

Yesterday I went to lunch with two friends...we try to get together once a week. I had planned for that BUT at 4:45 another friend called and wanted to get together but last night was the only night we both had open until the middle of January, so off to dinner I went. Stuffed is the word for yesterday. Tina where are you and ??????? I might have to have to ride me, kicking my butt to get me up to Sara and your level!!! All I can say is HELP

Wait til you hear this! You girls will be SO proud of me...I think...anyway, I am proud of myself! Last night, at work, they had a Christmas dinner for the night shift. Some of the bigwigs come in, and they serve a HUGE feast to all the employees. There are chafing dishes filled with the following: garlic roasted baby red potatoes, (which I usually adore) string beans almondine, ratatouille, seafood scampi, stuffed chicken breast, roast beef, rice pilaf, not to mention Caesar salad, antipasto, rolls, and OH, dear Lord, the desserts! Petit fours, cheesecake, pumpkin pie, amaretto chocolate mousse cake and fresh pineapple, strawberries, melon, grapes...oh yes, eggnog too! Well, I must say that I was remarkably in control and had the following: (of which I ate about half) Salad, lots of green beans, a little ratatoiulle (sp?) some seafood, a chicken breast minus the stuffing, and fruit. (I'm glad that I only had eaten a salad for dinner at home.) I stared at the petit fours and thought, "well, maybe just one. They don't usually treat us this well, so I may as well take advantage of the situation." {{Which, by the way, is what most people did..it was utterly amazing to watch people GORGE themselves, just because it was free!}} I thought about it a second, and decided that I didn't really want dessert and passed on by!! I couldn't wait to get home and tell you all!

I have to run, my son is waiting for breakfast...then I have to get over to my sister's house to wait for the building inspector for them. I'll be back later...

PS...Tina, your pics are great, what a beautiful family you have!
J-ann, good to see you!

Really leaving this time...

Okay everyone, my cards are in the mail as of this morning. Looking forward to getting more in my mailbox. Have a busy day. Taking the kids to get pictures done, and my son has his first holiday concert at school tonight. I'll try to pop back later.
Steph

Hi everyone! I have so much to do and here I am having conversation and water with my friends. Bad me!

I've been headed down the sinus infection highway again this week. And my head feels like it's ready to explode. With that AND Mother Nature, I'm a real mess! I've been doctoring with some left over anti-biotics (ok, all you medical types out there, don't have a hissy about saving left-over meds) that were in my medicine cabinet and some allergy/sinus tablets. I'm actually surviving, but need to hit the store for more Kleenex. I'm sitting here at the computer in a sweatshirt and jeans and I'm frozen to the bone. I really can't stand being sick and I don't have time for it at this time of year, especially. Ok, done whining.

Here is installment #12 in the Family Circle article:
Make time for mealtime. "It's especially important at this time of year to plan healthful meals," says Reichenberger, "and to make sure you don't skip them." Inevitably during the season, occasions will pop up where you're given the opportunity to consume caloric treats that you hadn't planned to eat -- such as butter cookies a co-worker brings in to the office or a tray of homemade fudge that a neighbor drops off. But by filling up on low-calorie, high-fiber foods during regular meals, you'll have an easier time keeping portions of these kinds of sweets under control.

Duckie: Well, honey, I'm glad you're all moved in, but my gosh, plumbing problems right off the bat? You poor thing! [[[hugs]]] I hope that is all fixed by now and things are starting to dry out a bit. * The ah ha moments come for people at different times. I had one about 4 years ago and it lasted for about 10 months and then vanished. I've been waiting for another one ever since. Don't know what the trick is to get it going again, but I wish I knew, I'd bottle it, sell it, and be on my way to being a millionaire!

2cute: Hope you are having a safe trip. We're trying very hard not to talk about you while you're gone. * I do have to say that you bugged out on me though, you were supposed to send me ideas on how to have FUN with these three poops I live with and you promised that everyone else was going to rally ideas with you. Then you take off out of town and no one is cooperating! Hurry back and whip these girls into shape for me. Pleeeeeese!

Katrina: God Bless Mothers! Aren't they fun sometimes! In my case it's MIL's, but hey, same difference. well, maybe not same difference, but you know what I mean! * I am so proud of your behavior at the Christmas dinner. Good for you! Don't feel all in control? Ready to take on the rest of the holidays? OUTSTANDING!!!

Mary: Oops, that's right, you could have known where Marine City is. But usually people from the Grand Rapids area don't have much of a clue out this way unless they have relatives. I only know where it is because DH has an aunt and uncle that live up there.

Baylee: Yeah, I got it about the attic. I wish my mother would pitch some stuff before she decides to leave for the great beyond. I would be happy! I am going to have tons of stuff to go through. The other day she was talking to my cousin about something that was in the news about a month ago. She told my cousin that she would send her the article. After my mom left, I looked at my cousin and said, "you know the scary part in all of this is that she still has an article from a month ago!" Like what the heck was she saving it for????? * Boy, that guy must have been good to charge $250. Do you want to talk about it??? I'm waiting for the particulars on the cruise. Did we win yet???

Sara: So you got baptized on the crisis lines. Was it everything you expected. Easier or harder to deal with?

Tina: 9 pounds is just awesome! You go girl! Good for you!!! * Enjoy your 4 day mini vacation. I like the sound of your plans! You should have told DH "what the ****, honey, call in sick". It might have made your vacation a little more........FUN!!!!

Tonya: Congrats on the 2 pounds down! That's great! * Sorry to hear about the lay-offs. Hopefully you will fly under that radar for a long time. * Hope you're feeling better.

Steph: Glad to see you checking in more often.

J-ann: I liked the idea of holding a glass in your 'grabbing' hand. But you're right, unless it's ice water, you could be in big 'point' trouble too.

Michelle: Let's hear it for sleep! Hope you're catching up on yours.

LuckyLadyBug: Oh gosh, the lay-off hit you! Sorry to hear that! * And MY cat's the cutest!!!

Boy, I feel like I've been here for hours preparing these responses. Well, by golly, it HAS been hours. Hope you all have a wonderful day! 13 days until Christmas.....and counting!

Quick post...I got some Christmas cards today! Michelle and Lucky...Thank you! Lucky, you fox! I love the little montage! You've inspired me to pick out a few and do the same...the many faces of Kat will be coming soon to a (e)mailbox near you! (hopefully your own!)

Now...question...do you have a scanner and created that yourself or take it somewhere and have that done??? I have to figure out how to do this. I keep telling dh to take my picture with the digital camera, so that I can post one at our site, but when he's ready, I'm not. (meaning no makeup, little sleep, scary hair) When I'M ready, he's nowhere to be found. Tomorrow I should have something to post, we're going to get our Christmas tree and usually take a family picture then to put into our Christmas cards.

It's a beautiful day, I'm going to hang my pine roping around the windows, my wreaths and get the #@&*%&$ Christmas lights up once and for all...ho ho ho!

Thin, I'm working on that dilemma for you! Do you mean, come up with something fun for YOU to do, or something that you can drag the men kicking and screaming along to?? Oh...and I am a member of the medical community and firmly beleive in hanging on to drugs...(well, not the ones from 1984!) I HATE going to the doctor...if I break down and actually go, I hoard the stuff in case I ever need it again! But, I'd say anything pre Y2K has to go!

speaking of going...going...

I'm gone!