Ancient Celt weighing in....
 

Empress O' Mine, I think you would have to be intentional if you want to offend me, because I do not offend very easily. Truly, people have to be pretty nasty to make me made ;) I know what you mean about this not being my problem, and it really isn't likely to end up that I do much to deal with it, esp. because DH would likely think I should be here rather than there. However, I think I might be inclined to go over to help otherwise. I just feel like there's no one else who could do it as easily as I could. Overdeveloped sense of responsibility, I guess from being the eldest of 8 kids. Just now, I've got a number of people close to me that have problems -- I have to frequently remind myself not to worry about them. I literally say to myself: I refuse to worry about that. And it really works. I can think about various situations to try to come up with solutions, but just absolutely won't waste my energy fretting over these things.

Thanks for the info about where you'll be at 5:30 -- it will help me focus during meditation. I'm going to try to focus on each of us individually and also collectively, and I think specifics help.

Kaylets, I apologize for my abundance of conflicting info -- I had said 7 or 7:30 Eastern, and then copied the little chart. And then this morning, you and I must have been posting simultaneously so I didn't see your post until after mine was online. So -- I'm going to be doing my meditation at 7:30 Eastern tonight, and then will do it again Thursday night.

Hope lots of us can make the meditation time! My idea, for anyone who missed it, was just to take 5 minutes where we could simultaneously meditate on our collective health and well-being and weight-loss efforts.

Kaylets, zills are the little clickie things you wear on your fingers to make music while you dance.

Arabella, what a sweetie you are to offer to take care of xmil but I guess I'm a bit with hubbie. Although if she were always kindly to you, I can see it. Kaylets, you're right about seeing people behave differently in that kind of situation. In our case, dh's younger bro, whose earlier life had lots of wastrel aspects, turned out to do more than I ever would have expected to try to give his mother what she wanted. we were 200 miles away and while we contributed, it was the other 2 brothers and their wives who carried the day-to-day. And carry it they did. It was just in the last few months that she REALLY needed nursing home care and was still so vocally against it. To the point where one nurse threatened to turn the family in for neglect or something like that. Unfortunately, there were then problems between the wives, etc. and to this day while the brothers speak when they happen to be at the same place, mostly they do not. Each will ask dh if he's heard from the other (and he does) but they have almost no contact. We were also often in the middle during that difficult time as well (including other family members, the caretakers MIL fired regularly, etc.) but that was still the least of it. While I did offer (for dh's sake) to have her move in with us, he felt since she didn't want to leave her own home she certainly would not want to move 200 miles away. If she were or had ever been a pleasant person, I'm sure even that most difficult time would have been somewhat easier. And I don't mean just for the caregivers. I think a lot would have been better for her if she had been more flexible. Her own sister later had a situation where she needed nursing home care and came to feel much better there though she, too, had fought it earlier. She didn't enjoy her health situation but did appreciate the care and entertaining distractions, etc. that she had.

I guess what I'm trying to do is remember for when I need it what I've learned from these experiences. I know everyone likes to have some control in their lives but I've already talked to my kids about all this stuff so they need never feel guilty if the time comes when I need more care than they can reasonably give me.

Anyway, I'm really more up today than the above sounds like. Am somehow feeling better on this challenge than I was on the last week or so of the last one. Probably nothing to do with :lucky: s - probably more the thought of the 60 degree weather we've been promised for Saturday.

Will do the five minute mental hugathon this evening. Will see what impact we have on one another that way.

I guess there were two posts while I was posting as well because there they were when mine came up. Almost missed them.

Anyway, Wood Nymph, I too am the oldest of eight and it has been a lifelong battle not to think I can take care of everyone. Kaylets and I had this conversation back when I first hooked up with this interesting group. For years, Dh was very accustomed to coming home and finding a note that I was hither or yon trying to solve problems for this one or that one. I have always appreciated his patience and support. There were so many of us and so many varying problems. I think I've sort of retired now though but it's hard to realize they mostly do just as well without me.

hi all!

arabella-great idea for the meditation. i will be doing this too this evening.
i am having an ok day food-wise; could be better though. oh well, it's better than it was last week, so i'll take it. i'm going to do my exercise shortly. hope everyone has a good afternoon. take care, all.

wsw

Ok, let's try this again - I was 3/4 the way through my post early this morning when my PC-cillin captured a virus and hung up my system. Granted, it didn't infect me, but I ended up loosing everything I was working on... :rolleyes:

Eydie - Bellydancing! What a great idea! I bet it'll trim your waistline like crazy.

Arabella - Offering up support with your exMIL is wonderful. Personally, I don't think I could be in the same room with my exMIL without wanting to strangle her. :devil:

The trip, aka "Terri - the West Coast Tour '03" - I leave on Friday of this week 3/14 for CA, fly to Yuma AZ on 3/15, fly to L.A. on 3/18, back to Sacramento the same night and drive back to Oregon on 3/19. Back to work on 3/20. With the 1,000 mile round trip drive, 4 planes, 3 states in 5 days - anyone else wanna go???? The weekend following will be spent in my pj's, watching movies, and....not....going....ANYWHERE! :nono:

Kaylets - I don't have horses, my Mom has 3. We never ended up with any rescues. The idiots that had them gave up custody so they could be adopted out and on March 1st, 125 horses were adopted - only 15 didn't find homes and they're being placed in temporary homes for now. The colt was aDORable! So soft and little! The 180 pound English Bull Mastiff that lives there (and of course that I had to love on) was bigger than him! Lots of babies coming now - I've seen some calves and kids around.

Dollar - What an inspiration you are! You are SO close to goal and I bet you *can* taste it! Wow.... I guess I should get to work - being envious isn't going to make me loose 90 pounds!

Amarantha - Ohhh, extra money is always nice!
Curves instructors - oh, don't get me started. I took phys ed and nutrition in college and was (am) a certified massage therapist (CA requires anatomy classes) and one of the things my "instructors" at Curves were trying to show me was plain *dangerous* and I told them so (sitting funny in the oblique machine). Do what makes you feel good - smile and nod at them if you know better. To work at Curves you need no physical ed training or anything, so I take what they say with a large grain of salt...

Anagram - Thank you! Zills.... I'm playing on online Scrabble game with a friend and needed a "Z" word! Hehehehehehehe :devil:

Lastly, had quite the little bargain day yesterday. Found an outfit to wear to my business meeting in L.A. next week. The Coldwater Creek outlet store was having a huge sale and I got a $129 jacket for $38 and a $45 pair of slacks for $9. All I need now is a top to go under it (found one at WalMart I think...). Now all I need is a birthday prezzie for Pops and I'm set!

Ok, time to 'save' and 'send' before something happens to THIS post!

Toodles,
Terri

hi ladies

yea it took me a while and found my way with a little help from a amarantha.

Life is ok. Im very tired though..that is alway difficult. I really have not reason to be tired.

So working on this new diet ....its called a pound a week. My brother came up with it. He is trying to get me and my mom to lose a pd a week. Every week we have to weigh in however i weigh everyday and at the end of the week i have to report to him. He is just the cutest brother! Anyways so this is kind of getting me back on track eating healthier...however 2 slices of pizza probably did not help. :jeno: However it is the best pizza in the world..so well worth it:bravo: I will just have to work it off tonight....:dance:

I feel spring coming and i have hope! Its going to be in the 50s sometime this week!!:cb:
talk to u later

Hope I spelled it right, Punkin!

What a great family idea, Scoobs - nice bro.

Tuesday evening
 

Hello all!

Dollar-- SO GLAD TO SEE YOU!! I am so amazed at how far you've come !! And you are getting close!! Pretty soon you're going to have to run around in the shower to get wet!!

Scooby- glad you've found your way!
And the plan sounds great ! Maybe you can share tips w/ mom too!

So, I enjoyed our 5 minute tonight! At first, I thought I'd leave the tv on but realized that was just plain silly.
It seemed longer than 5 minutes didn't it??


Take care all!

Yo!
 

Well, Amarantha be back from a very negative trip BUT the positive side of it is that I did not have a binge on the drive home!!! So that is good!!! Ended eating day at 1870!

Scooby: Thou hast arrived!!! :wave: What a nice brother thou hast! I once was on a pound a week challenge ... you may remember my theme song for that: "I will lose a pound this week! I will lose it as I speak! I will lose it as I sleep! I will lose a pound this week!

Punkin: Actually, thy trip soundeth fun to Amarantha, if I didn't have to work! Don't forget to go to Dateland and have a date shake in Yuma! Thanks for sharing thy experiences with Curves. Your advice is good and I intend to follow it! I do think they ought to have more training for the staff ... with the number of people that go in and out of there, it stands to reason someone is going to get hurt eventually.

Arabella: Amarantha felt thy focus of energy at 5:30 ... thoughts of health and fitness and weight management literally floated through the Arizona high desert to reach me as I drove! And Kaylets, I "saw" thee turn off thy tv and think of health and fitness while drinking tea ... and felt the good vibrations of all of thee who were meditating en masse. That was a good idea, Wood Nymph :queen:

Anagram: I thankfully have never had that compulsion to take care of anyone at all (except Old Dog, Silly Cat and assorted budgies), but I hope you remember to take care of you, too! :)

To all, named and unnamed, avanti and au revoir. I am braindead!

Ah, Wood Nymph and all, I benefitted from the meditation period. Was thinking of each individually and it took me longer than five minutes (I wasn't on clock).

A date shake sounds great and worth flying to Yuma for. Sorry you had a negative trip, Empress. but congrats on the low caloric intake. I didn't take care of myself - that has been a relatively new experience and I'm not sure I have the hang of it yet.

Yesterday I noted a second Curves relatively close to me. A friend told me over the weekend she is doing the Curves thing and enjoying it. Am mulling possibility of at least a tryout.

I am almost never up and on before Kaylets. Feel like I should have a quote for her. But the best I can do is "Good Morning, All"!

Wacky Wednesday
 

hello all!!

Anagram! how are you this am? We expect warm temperatures and have misty fog because the air temp is warmer than the ground!

Always something!

I've been up but was distracted by an email from a friend and probably bored her to tears w/ my long reply.

So, here I am!!

Here we go Wednesday, here we go!!

Frankly, I am starting to think Curves sounds like a gimmick. Of course, I have never been there and have no business saying this but .......Phony science burns me up. :s:

Have a quandry all-- Remember last weeks issues on the job??
I am seeing that I am gaining more confindence on a number of levels and do see that its a real help in not being "overwhelmed"

A friend from previous job told me about an opening in her unit b/4 all this began and I sent her an old resume about 2 weeks ago. I 've yet to send an updated resume. The job is a little over an hour away , starting at 9, ending at 5:30, except when overtime would require staying later. The bulk of it would be dealing w/ same software as previous job ( which is why she wants me) and similiar job function. Evidently, she passed my resume to HR as I had a voice mail yesterday requesting I call back to do a "phone interview". BUT -- everyday I see gas prices getting higher-- and cannot imagine that this position would pay that much more to offset--

But don't want to shut the door----

Any thoughts??????????????????//


Today's thought is:

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone"--Bill Cosby


Take care all!


PS- Anyone up for Thursday meditation too???

Good Morning, Chickies!
 

I enjoyed the meditation last night, too. Such an interesting exercise, focusing on sending energy to people I know online. It felt great. In a Reike course I took, the leader emphasized that it is very beneficial to us to send energy towards others, because we don't use our own energy but merely channel the energy of the universe, so we have that flowing through us. Oh, she also said that we should only practice on the willing, so if anyone doesn't want to be a focus, just let me know and I'll leave them out of my meditation. It's really like prayer as much as anything.

Definitely plan to do it again on Thurs. :) :goodvibes:

Kaylets, I would send an updated resume. There's nothing to lose in getting more information. And you could ask about the travel -- maybe they WOULD offset the cost. Can't hurt to find out!

Anagram, you're right -- most situations would work themselves out even if I stay out of them. I have a lot of difficulty staying out of stuff sometimes, esp. where it concerns my son. I definitely have control issues, as in I feel the need to control things that I shouldn't. Work to be done there, for sure! I remember seeing a book with the title "I Don't Have to Make Everything All Right" or something to that effect and it was a bit of a revelation. The serenity prayer is helpful!

Amarantha, glad you received the vibes well! Mmmmm.... that date shake sounds fantastic! I've got to look for a recipe.

Well, I have been on here long enough and I really should get some work done. Let's make this a good one, Girlfriends!

Creamy Date Shake!
 

Good morning everyone!

I wasn't able to do our meditation because at 4:30 I was driving - I did look at the clock and think of you all though! :yes:

Amarantha - The date shake sounds yummy... I'll have to keep my eyes open for Dateland!

Kaylets - I'd definately keep your options open for the job. Gas prices aren't going to be like this forever (I don't think anyway, they always go back down, even after '91).

Curves... yes, it's gimmicky in the way that it's a new/different way to work out. My biggest beef with them, at least in my center, is that they have the place staffed by 50-70-something year old housewives that think they can offer exercise advice because they watched a video tape. That's just wrong. Not the age part, no, not at ALL, except they come from a generation where you bounced when you stretched, and God help you if you broke a sweat - you're working too hard! In my center, their attitude about exercise comes from an outdated point of view and it's a little annoying, but I ignore them. The fact that most of these women haven't exercised in forEVER, then start working at Curves and think it gives them license to give advice is just plain scarey...
All in all, I miss Jazzercise like mad - if they were local, I'd be outta Curves before you could say "change stations now".

It's supposed to rain the rest of the week, guess I'm not gonna get my car washed for my trip... oh well, it's just gonna get dirty and buggy anyway! 3 days 'till liftoff!

Toodles,
Terri

What prolific posters; I still haven't read them all!

I really feel good about last night's meditation. A few months back there was an article I read in 'Health' magazine, I think, about a woman's experience of using her morning walk as her time to send out prayers for her friends and family. I was very touched by it at the time, and wanted to start the practice but it got lost in the shuffle--but after last night I think I might give it a try. What a great way to start the day! [thanks agin, Arabella!]

Still having some difficulty getting back on track as far as eating. Starting tomorrow I'm going to keep my food journal here again. I've been doing way too much "tasting" at work---maybe I should spit it out like wine tasters do. Hey, I've done it before!:D

oh geez :dizzy: I wrote most of a great long reply yesterday, then forgot about it and ended up erasing it....so, in short.

Eydie - I bellydance too! Love it!

Punkin - Score! on the outfit :) Is your trip all work, or do you get to play a little too?

Scooby - what a great plan, and what a great family!!!!

Hello WSW, Hottie, Dollar and everyone else!!

So, I didn't do too bad yesterday, however didn't achieve any rewards either. Will be trying double hard today. So far been busy w/ house work and such.

Kaylets - I totally agree that it never hurts to ask.... if they really want you there they probably will work w/ you to make it worth your drive. :) Good though that you are becoming more comfortable at your curent position. Did you ever get to talk w/ "the boss"?

I'm so sorry ladies that I missed the meditation. I don't remember what I was doing... but I was probably in the car driving... not paying attention to the time. Thursday for Sure!!!!

Re: Curves - I've been wanting to check it out for awhile now, if I do, I'll take it w/ a HUGE grain of salt. Thanks for all of the insights.

:?: Date shakes... I don't know.:lol:

Ok, here's to a good day!!

-W-

hi all!

i have not been too stellar when it comes to my food. i thought i was back on track, but the end of yesterday and today were definitely not my finest moments. oh well. i have still kept up with exercising and that's something--actually very good for me. tomorrow is a clean slate and i plan to go back to writing down my food, which seems to help me. i hope everyone has a good evening! take care, all.

wsw

Hi Girls.

I'm hanging on by a frog's hair. The latest in the teenage daughter saga involved her leaving a nasty note that said she was leaving home, not being able to find her, missing person report with the police, no sleep, found her the next day and convinced her to go home and tonight she's gone to stay with my cousin for the rest of the week (March break here) because she hates us, I'm a *****, I've ruined her life, and we are completely unfair. :rolleyes:

But for tonight and hopefully the next few nights until she comes home, it is peaceful here. I'm going to enjoy it, just wanted to let you all know I haven't jumped ship, just been otherwise occupied.

Wacky Wednesday!(evening)
 

Hello all!

Well, not one person has told me NOT to pursue the other job.
Everyone says turn it down after an offer, if the offer isnt good enough. And I guess if ALL of you are saying the same t hing.....how can I resist..... besides which, if I don't persue it this route, if I decide I can't stay at current job, I might not care how long the drive is.

MissW-- Boss called out Fri and Mon, and was knee deep yesterday and today. But I plan on emailing him in the am asking to be put at the beginning of the list.

About 2:30 the nice, even day became WILD but I managed to keep up w/ it even though it was nip and tuck right up to 4:57.

Big shots coming thru the job tomorrow, so I went and found a pair of black dress pants to replace the flapping ones I've been wearing. Amazing how different the mirror looks when you wear the right size!

I'm calling it a night. DH's job is now very tenuous- he works in a steel mill and they use natural gas to melt the steel. Price of gas has quadrupled but the price of the steel doenst reflect the increase. Also, the truck companies won't come and pick up the steel because they want more to compensate what they have to pay for transportation fuel. The plan now is to shut the mill down for at least a week--

and it looks as though I might have a "phone interview" in my car tomorrow as I don't have a private office. I am hoping, they can all me back after I get home but at least, I will try and call them tomorrow per the voice mail they left me.

Anyone belong to BJ's?? They have a "magazine". This month there are articles about health ( coupons for candy bars but what are you going to do) -- One of the articles talks about how stress is fear of the future. That those who live in the moment are less stressed. Hmmmmm.......

Good night all.

Take care--

PS
 

Wildfire, we posted at the same time.

I am so glad you found her. I can only imagine what you were thinking.

You are being tested ---tested and pushed-- > Yes, I agree, enjoy knowing she's safe and sound these few days. Because I'm afraid you are going to have make a decision come the weekend.

This isnt easy. My thoughts are with you. I'm sure everyone here feels the same way.

Treat yourself really well tonight!

{{{HUGS}}} wildfire! I wish you didn't have to deal with a definate daughter! I will send some good energy your way...Keep the faith my friend!

I am around and I check everyones post, but nothing much to say. Today was a trip in the City. I think my to buy list is accomplished for my house. Now to tackle my to do list!!!! I am so happy to have patio chairs for my back yard.

I am doing great excersice wise. Now, eatting can improve but it is 100% better from this time last week! PROGRESS!

I tried to find some spring clothes today. What a laugh. It will have to wait till I am in Vegas. I will go w/ an empty suitcase if need be. I am dog sitting for my dad and tonight is the first night of 10. My cat refuses to come down my BIG tree. I hope I don't have to go get a ladder come morning. Yes...she will stay up there all night if she won't budge. I am too tired to drive.

Terrific Thursday!
 

Hello all!

Running late this am-- Misplaced my glasses, at least I know exactly where the "spare" pair are.

Yes, Empress, this is exacttly my point about the commute but I don't want to be wondering later..........


Today's thought is:"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential"- Sir Winston Churchill


To today's best choices!!

Good Morning all!!!

Sorry I haven't checked the boards in a while. I've been so busy with work and with the wedding! Saturday is our 1 year engagement anniversary. We've actually been together 4 years.
I still have so much to do for this wedding!! I didn't realize how much work I was in for!

I'm happy to report that since the first part of february, I've lost 15lbs!!! And I'd like to welcome a new member to my family!! My new scale!!!!!!!! It's so much better than the old scale. As of yesterday it said 219 as opposed to my old scale which had me stuck at 224 for weeks. I was thinking, I couldn't possibly weigh the same, none of my pants fit anymore. They are all falling off of me. I'll get an "official" weight to you guys tommorow.

I have an appointment this evening to get my hair "fixed" from the color fiasco a week or so ago. It just keeps getting worse. Dark brown here I come!!!

Have a good day!

Wildfire, how are you holding up? You must've been beside yourself and felt the full range of emotions. Must've been so scary, and then you probably wanted to throttle her! I can't imagine....We're here for you--let us know what's happening.

Flower, what sort of workouts are you doing?

Amarantha, 3 pounds gone! Excellent! Elizabeth Smart's return is miraculous. I saw an interview with her father a few minutes ago and the sweet man couldn't stop smiling!

Oh, and what's this about having the occasional high-calorie day? What's the logic behind that? [sounds good to me!]

Kaylets, anything new about the job or job offers? You're a hot commodity, girl!;)

Frogger, 15 pounds!!! You are the queen! What are you doing to have such a dramatic weight loss? Reveal all!

Have a great day, everybody. I have the day off and this is going to be 'spa day' for me. Healthy food [back to measuring and weighing], lots of working out, a home facial and for the love of all sacred, a manicure--before these cuticles wrap around my entire body!:lol: But now, that 1/2 hour bellydancing video! Time to think slithery thoughts.....:devil:

Marching onward.
 

High calorie day, did I hear? Well, I took care of that one yesterday. :rolleyes: I'd been doing great, but then it all fell apart in the aft. Don't quite know why, fighting a depression, but -- go figure -- the binge didn't fix it!

Also, I noticed yesterday that I seemed to be making progress. Is this self-sabotage again??? This whole thing is so complex!

So, today I vow to do those things that work (healthy food, exercise, me time , etc.) and get through this. I've already done yoga and tai chi, will go for a walk after lunch.

Wildfire, how terrible that must have been for you! Oh, the stuff with our kids is the absolute worst isn't it? Sounds like you're coping well. Remember to breathe!

Eydie, your spa day sounds wonderful! I think I should plan one of those for myself sometime soon. A spa afternoon in any case!

Frogger, WTG on the 15 pounds :eek: You're going to be a beautiful bride -- and so soon!

Amarantha, 3 pounds gone! Fantastico! I admire your counting the calories on the higher calorie days. I usually just let it all slide.

Punkin, have a great (and safe) trip if I don't see you again before you go!

Ah, let's just take this day and do the best we can with it. Love to all!

Hi all. I am really trying to stay away from bread and sugar at breakfast tim e. I eat a bowl of cereal and I am twice as hungry an hour later as I was before I ate it. So today was turkey keilbasa w/ veggies stirfried. Yummy! Sure beats a slurpee and banana bread-my favorite.

As for working out. Walking has been the majority lately. I am walking my dads 100 lb dog this week. What a workout!!!! I am walking normally btwn 20-100 minutes. I am doing situps, small weights and a lot of stair climbing. I have stairs and go up and down over and over if I can't get to leave the house. Silly but it is making a difference. I asked Chris to put my stationary bike put back together today. My gym will have to wait till more is unpacked in t he house. It will stay in the garage but there is so many boxes still in there!

Hello everyone and happy Faux Friday!

Yes, it's not *really* Friday, but it 'tis for me since I'll be 1/4 the way to CA by this time tomarrow!

Quite the week for shopping for me - it's made me feel pretty good about myself. First the jacket and slacks - the jacket was too big and I had to sprint outta the dressing room for a size smaller (slacks fit first try) then yesterday I bought a black blouse and black bra. Now, bra shopping is normally hellish - I grabbed the blouse and 3 different bras in different styles to try - can you believe they ALL fit???? I just had to pick the most comfy... I'll be going back to buy 3 more when I get home! :yes: Oh, and the blouse fit first try too! Amazing.

Got an email from "my guy" this morning wishing me luck in my meeting in L.A. next week and saying he had no doubts I'd do great. Very sweet...

MissWashu - No, other than my short visit with my Dad in Yuma on Sunday & Monday, it's a business trip, then home. S'okay though because a few weeks after I'm home I'm getting "invaded" by my CA friends who're coming up to stay for a loooong weekend with me!

WSW - Yes, the exercise does count for something! The eating will come around...

Wildfire - OMG! I'm so sorry about your daughter. It probably is a good thing she's going to stay out of the house for awhile.

Kaylets - I was just going to say, that if your current work situation is that bad, then yes, you probably wouldn't mind the drive! I commuted to SF for 4 years. Leaving for work at 6:20am and getting home around 6:45pm. It was hellish, but it was better than where I had been - and something better did eventually come along so that I didn't have to commute anymore. Nothing's forever.

I agree too that stress is a fear of the future. Not knowing what's in store is one of the things that always freaked me out - but like Amarantha, I've (with faith too) learned that what's meant to be, is what's gonna happen and try not to, well, stress. I used to be so bad I'd make myself physically sick. Thankfully, I seem to really embrace my changed beliefs, because normally the thought of flying and this huge meeting would have me running for the bathroom. :eek:

Flower - Is the kitty still in the tree?

Amarantha - Yes, I actually gasped out loud when I read on Yahoo news about Elizabeth Smart. I thought for sure they'd find her bones years from now or something. What a true miracle that she was found in the way she was. Again, what's meant to happen - does.

Frogger - Awsome scale! Congrats on the loss too! :cb: I bet it does feel like the wedding date is zooming up on you. It seems like the closer you get to an event, the faster time goes!

That's all from me for now. Take care all and if I'm not back today, I'll "see" you all next Thursday!

Terri
( :queen: of United Airlines, big boss o' the business meeting, and primary driver of new car to CA)

Hello all!
It's only been 3 days since I last posted here and it's painfully obvious that I need to post more often! LOL I am going on vacation next week-will be away from a computer for 5 days--withdrawal and YIKES! LOL

Hey to all of you: I read so much, all my information is muddled, but glad to see everyone is hanging in there and making progress.
Kaylets WOW! I am SOOOO happy for you-you made it into the 160's!!! that is PHENOMINAL! I have my first goal as OUT of the 200's! I can't WAIT for that!!

I have still been eating out with co-workers, but I have them going to better places (like Wendy's and Subway)-I am learning that I'm not the only one who is wanting or needing better eating habits! I also have been bringing more food with me to work--for 'snacking' I am finding that I am actually eating a lot (meaning frequently) yet I still keep losing. I think this must be a "key" for me! I'm glad I've found yet another tidbit that works for me-maybe it will for someone else, too.

I am proud to say I lost another pound as of today (my weigh day is Thursday for some unknown reason)...I have been eating lots of veggies/fruits and still drinking lots of water. I have begun (just the last few days) using weights for my upper body and working on crunches. I still do the cardio, but am incorporating weights now.
I have increased my fiber and am enjoying how "full" I seem to stay, although my calorie amount is not horrendous. I feel good about my progress so far. I know it's slow-going, but when I read all of your posts, they are so inspiring that it helps keep me motivated and reaching for my personal goals!

I do have to say to Eydie....belly dancing sounds FUN -what a different way to get some cool exercise! FUN

Happy Thursday to each of you! We are "this close" to Friday!! :D

Kittie came down out of the tree several times only to get spooked and go back up. She is outside hiding somewhere. I wish she'd come out so I could bring her in the garage at least. She would be safe, warm and comfy. She's probably napping in a nearby shed. At least I know she knows how to get away from dogs and get down trees. :) She is an indoor/outdoor cat since day one. I am not worried about her.

Oh good Flower, glad she's self sufficient enough to take care... My 16 pound Maine Coon is an indoor/outdoor too and I don't worry about her either (at 16 pounds, what's gonna mess with her?).

Ha, indoor/outdoor, sounds like carpeting, not cats!

Hottie - Yea, we're a chatty bunch! I'm with you on the withdrawl - I'll be gone 'til Thursday of next week and I'm already dreading it... although I know on Thursday I'll have lots of time to sit and read!
Congrats on shifting the food places with your co-workers too!

I'm outta here - the power's already gone off twice because of the wind!

See you all next week!

Terri

hi ladies! today has been better for me with the food; still not quite where i was recently, but definitely going in the right direction. i went back to writing down what i ate today. eydie- your 'spa day' sounds very relaxing and pleasant. i hope you enjoyed it. i had a partial one myself. i received a gift certificate for the day spa near me (for a birthday present last week) and i used part of it up on a manicure this afternoon. it was great!) i had the "spa manicure" with extra lotions and hand, arm massaging and this neat peppermint mask which felt so good on these poor dry hands of mine. i felt so pampered--it was wonderful! i have enough left on the gift certificate to have 2 more manicures and i've already made an appt. for next week. i feel so decadent!

punkinseed-hope you have (or had-by the time you may be reading this) a good trip! hottie, amarantha, and frogger-congrats on the lbs. lost! wildfire-that must be/have been so stressful worrying about your daughter. so glad she's safe, at least. kaylets-sounds pretty smart to keep all your options open regarding job offers. good luck with the interview and whatever you decide to do. flower-glad to hear the exercise is going well. hi to ceara, dollar, scooby, arabella, and everyone else. hope you all have a good evening. i do read all your posts and enjoy knowing how you are all doing. if i don't respond to each of you individually very often, it is only because i sometimes have trouble with blurred vision and some typing problems (manual dexterity not so good at times) due to ms. i want you to know though that i am thinking of each of you and wishing you all the best-always. take care.

wsw

Good evening all, Im still playing catch up here trying to get back in touch with you all. So I have decided what my goal for the challenge will be, I had a bit of a set back this week I went up 1.2 I was a little disappointed, I have decided that I would like to get to the 92lb mark by the end of this challengeso that means I have to lose 6lbs I think I can do that. I go back to the doctor the 25th of this month and Im really hoping he will take me off my blood pressure pilss altogether. Im down to 20 mg of the meds he has been taking them down 10mg at a time but Im hoping to convince him to let me stop all together we have been working on this since Sept.

I really hope that I make this challenge I seem to have fallen just a tad short on the others but I will give it a good trying. Im starting a get fit class on the 24 it is only once a week but I should be able to do the work out at home as well. nce the weather improves i will be able to get back to my walking, I have been using an air walker during the winter but I haven't been on it for the last 3 weeks because I was so knocked off my feet from the cold I have had all this time and I didn't want to miss any work so the exercise was on the back burner which is too bad because I had worked myself into a nice little routine. Well I have to run because I need to clean the humidifer for my grandson for bed i'll be back soon.

Terrific Thursday!!
 

Hello all!

Well, go figure! The "Big phone call" was to a general Human Resource mailbox. I wonder if I misunderstood my voicemail, perhaps they were asking me to call to arrange a phone interview.
I thought about calling from my car by cell phone but wasnt sure how long they needed so tried from my desk when most of the dept went to the cafe for breakfast snack. I asked for the woman who called me but was immeaditately put into the general HR voice mail. So I told them I was interested but had no privacy at my desk and that I hoped they call me at home . So we'll see.

DH and I were able to meet for supper, me on the way home from work, he was on the way bowling. We both had Home Style Tofu. He likes his firey hot and spicy- not I . I wanted something different than the usual "Buddhist Delight".

DH says I looked exhausted and I think part of it is the rain making my sinuses swollen. But there's no point in forcing myself to stay up so I'm going to run some dishes thru the dishwasher and call it a night.

Take care all-- Punkin-- We miss you already!!

Wildfire - stay strong. How difficult it must be. Hope dd's self destructive stage ends quickly and that cousin is able to help her sort out some thinking while she's thee.

Safe trip, Punkin - we'll miss you.

Kaylets, figuring out all these job moves IS exhausting. Hope you get lots of rest. Would hate long commute myself but as P. said, nothing's forever.

Also congrats to those who had the weight loss payoff this week. I'm still all over the place and am (I hope) stay off scale for a while. I peeked the day before weigh in and was 213 and feeling good. Weigh in day I was 215.8 again and this morning 214. So I think I'm going to use the Pants-o-meter for a few days or until I lose enough to stop this scale silliness. Bought a new outfit this afternoon and pants size turned out to be a great improvement. Also, through a series of store sales, coupons, and a buy 12, get one free card, I got both (Dunner) for 21.60. I figured out I need three things yet to be sort of set for spring and well into summer so I'll just concentrate on those over the next weeks. this was an "extra"

Anyway, again I'm far behind on reading posts (and I don't think I was away very long). So to all unmentioned yet, have a good one and at least I'll be reading all if not responding individually right now.

Wildfire...check in to say you are dealing with this okay. My kitty came home! She is hiding in the garage. I have a small kitty dog so she can come in if she feels like it. I unpacked a lot in the garage today. I am wiped out!!!! I walked 45 minutes too. My inside house is a mess. Tomorrows project!

Yo!
 

So much to catch up on, but I need to go to bed ... another high cal day, but a bit less than yesterday. Please excuse the following if it is rambling or if you've heard it, which you likely have but typing keeps me from eating and this is more interesting than the town council meeing story I was trying to write.

Eydie: Re high-cal days ... it's an old idea but lots of people seem to think they invented it ... (actually I invented it ... not really, but I used it back in the good ol' days when I actually lost 100 pounds) ... there are various WW people using this maverick program they call "The Wendy Plan" or variations thereof ... where they eat different point levels on different days ... a popular mag publicized Wendy a few months ago (Woman's World) and there's a website. Bodybuilders now call it "overfeeding" ... in the old, old days, they called it "calorie cycling" ... Body for Life calls it a free day ... and they all think their way is the only way it can be done ... anyhoo, I digress, basically, it's just that proponents of this idea (including me) think the metabolism adjusts itself to a certain calorie level if one consistently stays at that level and that's a major reason for plateaus ... but if eat low cal for, say, two days, then eat more on the third day (or whatever), the body says, "Thank goodness, she's not starving, we can rev the metabolism up to normal again."

Variations of this really do work for most people and it worked great for me when I was losing a lot of weight. I did it every week and kept spreadsheets averaging my total weekly calories (still do) and overall the averages were the same as on weeks where I ate level every day ... but I lost more weight on the up and down weeks.

But at some point this started to backfire and it's gotten harder and harder to go low after I've gone high ... I just keep going high!!!! :)

And so it goes. Today's calories: 2680. I'm sure I've gained the three pounds back and I'm extremely tired from the change in exercise programs and I must work all weekend ... oops, digressing again.

Punkin: See you on Thursday! :wave: Enjoy Yuma ... it's really a nice place. Yes, I think it's a kind of miracle about Elizabeth though I feel for the emotional damage she's likely to suffer for years from the trauma of her strange ordeal. I've heard all the news reports and talking heads, including those who liken this to Stockholm Syndrome, Patty Hearst, PTSD, etc.

Wsw: No worries re not being able to respond to each and every post ... we all suffer from that as it's true we are a chatty group. It's kind of understood, IM (not humble) O that when we are talking, we are talking to all!!! :)

Hottie: CONGRATULATIONS ON ONE BAD :dance: OUT THE DOOR! :cp:

Well, must go bead now and then sleep. I've become obsessed with square stitch (also called "false loom stitch" and a couple of other names) and am making a bracelet with an old, old rose pattern, except mine look like tulips. I am using delicas ... cream for the background, pale pink for the flower and I added a lavender stamen for good measure, green stems, and pale yellow nymo (bead thread). This looks so much like loom work but there's no setting up of the loom and no warps to deal with.

Ok, I really must stop posting so many bead things and will shut up.

Wildfire: Hope all is well with thee and DD!

Bye all!

Fabulous Friday!!!
 

Here we go Friday, here we go!!!!!

COLD here again this am, sky was inky blue and stars twinkling. Wind must have been blowing all night.

I feel more rested this am and am relieved as I was afraid of a virus. Hmmm, we always think everything but stress don't we??

Oh no, did I forget about a meditating last night? Maybe not, we didnt discuss it again did we??

So here we are on Friday-- And our Queen of Friday has gone to survey her charges in Yuma and to visit w/ her Royal Dad.

We shall carry the Friday Banner as best we can without her! I have put the banner out on the porch so the breeze catches it. Its still under the overhang so I think its safe but we can see it thru the bay windows and everyone on the lake or the opposite shore can see it too.

So, kettle is on, I'm making your favorite!! Hot off the press, NO GUILT and FreshStart cards in Spring colors! Has everyone grabbed a life preserver???

Come on in, pull up a chair, positive energy seems to be in every corner!!!

Today's thought is:"People who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"



To today's best choices!!!

Ah, seize the day! Invigorated at the moment (since reading posts) and hope to make it a good one. Sun out, still cold but SUPPOSED to be in the 40s today and warmer over the weekend. That's warm enough for an outdoor walk and so it's on my schedule.

I subscribe heartily to that hi(gher) calorie theory because my metabolism tanks easily. Like the Empress, I oft forget that I've had that high day and redo it, just to be sure.

Good one, all!

mornin' all