Hello all!!!

Sorry I haven't been on lately. I have been busy getting everything ready for the wedding. I'm getting so excited!!!!
The pastor finally called on Saturday and we meet w/ him on April 10 to write up the ceremony. We're also getting our marriage license that day since they are good for 60 days here in VA. Friends here at work are going to help me make bows for decorations and help out with making boutinerres also. I still have to find shoes before I can get my dress hemmed up!!! (And I have to find someone to hem it up too!:p

Good news about the house as well. FI mom called the mortage company and told them we will close in May, she and his step-dad are closing on their new house the end of june. They will rent our house back from us for a month while their house finishes. I'm excited about that too. I just hope we can afford a house. Oh, and I'm getting a raise! $20 a paycheck (weekly) so that should help a little.

Will be posting pictures tommorow of my finished toss bouquet that I made myself and possibly bows if we make any today. I'm trying to get a picture of me in my dress too so you ladies can see.

Weighed in this morning just because I had a second and still weigh the same. Hoping for a 2lb loss this week. Seems to be my goal here lately. Will weigh in again on friday morning to see how I did.

Guess I had a me post today as well.
How is everyone else doing?
Hugs to all!!!!!
I'll check in later on if I'm not swamped here at work.

I have placed another set of cards near the No Guilt and Fresh Starts cards. These are "No Guilt for Me Posts" cards. "Me Posts" are, I think, part of what we're about. Me Posts are great stress relievers and are much preferred to eating for stress relief. (MMM - bread w/honey? sounds like a stress reliever.

Weighed in - no loss, no gain. I am certainly plateauing and need to change something. However, don't plan a major push even if it means not making my Easter goal (I can't see how I'd make it now anyway). Dh will be going to hospital next Wed. for a procedure on Friday and hopefully to come home that weekend. So I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing and hopefully a bit more but no major changes, pushes, etc.

Sorry DS is still not seeing the light, Kaylets. I'm sure he is feeling stress - but also not able to see he's causing same.

Frogger - don't remember mention of house before but I just may have a blank spot (or several hundred). Sounds exciting. Any progress on transport?

On wrong screen to see earlier posts - will respond to those later today. Must get in gear.

Bright spot - I am forcing an amaryllis in my kitchen and expect it to be blooming (two blooms) by Easter. Also I have forced a bouquet of forsythia and that's brightening up my mantle. If Spring won't come to me - -

Actually it's supposed to be really nice today. Good day to have the locksmith coming to work on back door. (Long story - seems like the house decided to go through a rebellious period and I'll be working the rest of the year to get things repaired, replaced, etc.)

Sorry I haven't posted. I went to CA for 3 days and then I came home and had to clean house. Now, griffin has what sounds like croup. Not fun. I am gonna be having to play mom/nursemaid all day. I would rather be excersicing! It's amazing how good excersicing can sound when faced with such unpleasantries! Punkin-did you find the cat???

Flower = hope griffin isn't ill too long - as I recall he's very young and it's even more distressing to have a young'un ill.

Empress - glad you're semi=back. And glad you're liking your new gym. Hope it's not making those muscles too sore. But as long as you're feeling good about it, I guess they're ok too. How's that Promotion Talk coming along?

Kaylets, I remember that snow on Easter too. I even think I remember it was April 6th (but that may have been another year). It was a real surprise. Love dried pineapple. Problem is I could never stop at five pieces.

Punkin, sounds like you're getting a TON of exercise and lots of nice things to enjoy in the process.

Wood nymph, I thought your trip was only to be four days. Are you back and lurking?

Eydie, love your "dish soap" program.

Hope your technical difficulties give you a break soon, wsw.

Wildfire, where be thee?

Ceara, dollar, hi!

Cold and clear this morning....
looks like it snowed a smidge last night. Funny thing is the weather people are saying it's supposed to go back to being really nice in about 10 days - right in time for my company from CA!!! :cb:

No kitty. We looked and called all day yesterday. Everytime one of us took a work break we'd look. I called the Humane Society for my Mom, also notified our vet. I printed out a picture and made a 'missing' sign for our post office. I don't think she could do it without getting upset. My fingers are crossed, but I have a feeling she's gone. I finally had my first cry about it this morning...

For the question today - it all depends on how big the bowl is!

Amarantha - I'm so glad to see you semi-back. You were missed during your hiatus.

WSW - Congrats on your loss! I hope your technical difficulties are improving rapidly.

Kaylets - Sorry about your son again - you "mememe" post here all you need! About your son's "stress" - ask him how much more stressed he'd be if you didn't let him in the house *at all*. He thinks he's stressed now??? Sorry...

Frogger - Well, you've got all kinds of good stuff going on for you! I can't wait to see the pictures!

Flower - I hope Griffin is feeling better soon.

Anagram - I thought I saw you at Plateauville. I've been staying there for oh, 6 months now? Hate the place and plan to move soon - shall we pack our bags together??? ;)

Going to take some of my stress and hurt out on my front yard today if I can shake this headache...

Terri

I'm up for packing together, Punkin, because at this rate I sure won't make our mutually scheduled "Freedom Break" on the 4th of July.

Got a new garden tool yesterday and tried it out this a.m. It's a long handled weed-ho that worked great. So I hope to go out and really break it in later this p.m. (depending on arrival of locksmith).

Now going to print out our tax return so we can get that signed and off. One little step at a time........................

At this rate I'm not going to be "free" from the 200's either. I'd be happy to just be in the 2-teens by then!

I have resolved that after my company leaves 4/15 I'm going to start packing to leave Plateauville. I *hate* having to be extra watchful when I have company... I have been maintaining, which is better than gaining, but it's time to pack up n' leave this place...

Terri

i'm witch you. I hope to at least maintain. Esp. while dh is in hospital (treacherous time). Then on the Monday after the Easter weekend (which also includes the older princess' 7th birthday party), I must be ready to go at it. In the meantime, I'm going to be doing some "research" into what might help me shake it up again. OF course, I wouldn't mind if what I've been doing all along would miraculously just start working again. After all, I am still in the Spring Renewal mode.

Kaylets, as much as I'd like for someone to hand me 40,000$ I don't think I could handle eating a bowlful of crunchy, wriggly crickets. Blurp! But thanks for putting that scenario in my head!:D

Frogger, looking forward to seeing your photo!

Punkin, I'm so sorry that you haven't found your cat-friend. Don't give up hope just yet--anything can happen. We had an indoor cat that had gone missing for 2 full weeks. Then one morning, she reappears on our doorstep screaming for food and she's never stopped eating. She's 17 years old and the fattest cat you've ever seen! Expect a miracle.....:)

Anagram, if you start plotting your food strategies now for your husband's hospital stay you'll likely come out of it unscathed. When my dad was in the hospital I packed in a shameful amount of food, and I lost weight!

Second "good" day for me. 4 miles on the treadmill, and 1/2 hour bellydancing video. When I can get all the coins on the coin belt chink-chinking at the same time, I know I've got it right!:lol:

No crickets for me, thanks. I can't remember when I've been in a fight, except maybe w/dh and neither of us wins those. I don't mind if people sing happy birthday to me in a restaurant but, somewhat like Amarantha, an entertainer in a club in Bal Harbour once came over and sang to me during his act. I sat there like a slug just wishing he'd go away. Then he urged me to sing along (at that point, it was La Bamba) and I DIDN'T KNOW THE WORDS. Always looked nice in old movies when the singer sings to someone at a table but no, no, no in real life. Spotlights and all. Seemed to last forever. Dh got a kick out of it but he was just sitting off to the side watching.

Good day today.

eydie-thanks for the encouragement! believe me, every pound off for me is like pulling teeth, so it really means a lot! hope the food journaling is going well. good job on all the exercising!

punkinseed-sorry the kitty is still missing! i'm sure that must be tremendously rough on your mom and you.

amarantha-nice to see you back, or semi-back, or whatever--. your posts are always a pleasure to read.

kaylets-not surprising you're so busy at work and having to go through all this with your ds. seems like there is never a good time for having to deal with such tough situations. hang in there!

frogger-glad things are going better for you with your wedding plans and your good news about the house. congrats on your raise!

anagram-thanks for thinking of me. hope your plateau breaks soon. sounds pretty smart to just hang in there and not make any major changes, or pushes. you have a lot to deal with regarding your dh's health issues, tests, and procedures, etc. that must be very hard.

ceara-know this is old news for you, but glad your play was a success!

flower-hope your child is feeling better soon.

hi also to wildfire, dollar, arabella, and anyone else i may have failed to mention. thinking of you all! take care, wsw.

Ta da Thursday!
 

Hello all!!

TA DA!! I will take a bow or two and admit that I am impressed with myself-- Must have thought about leaving for the day a dozen times since Monday and yesterday till almost 3 was the best reason to "suddenly feel ill". Powers that be decided all of my work should be audited b/4 it leaves my desk. So I am trying to remember every detail and the music just kept getting faster and faster. I didnt even go to my Toastmaster's meeting ......
Finally I decided, " Whatever they find, at least, I'll know instead of finding out later that I've been doing it wrong"-- Was the busiest day yet for me this week and it wasnt until 3 before I could see that I had a chane of meeting the deadline. ( I'll leave to your imagination the SOS messages I recvd regarding other filings that kept interrupting me too).
I'm not sure how many documents/orders were audited- about 45-60-- and ......... only 3 tiny errors..literally, client typos that I ould fix in seconds-- I had missed seeing them but had not caused them........
Over the course of an hourr was told 5 or 6 times, " This is very good--" ---

So, how do you like me now!!!! Whew! So at least the new trainer has proof that although she is convinced my initial training was " bad" -- she is having trouble finding errors now.

So, thanks Anagram, I'll take a "me card" and another bow...

TOM is showing symptons too-- Stress related?? Wonder what makes you say that?? ( hee hee)--

Thought I posted to you all last night but I see it didnt take.

I'll catch up w/ you all soon so please don't feel left out now....

Anagram- My best to you and DH-- Hospitals are extremely tough for the patients but doubly so for the "spouse"-- Maybe an exemption is in order?? Just make your best choice and go with it-- I am sure you're not going to be sitting next to his bed w/ a big cardboard box full of cheese fries, right ?? And so what if you are?
Hospitals always seem so dry to me, maybe just to make sure water goals are met and jus to what you can w/ food??

wsw-- 4 lbs is amazing-- good for you!!!! so glad to see you're feeling better!

Today's thought is:
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mohandas Ghandi

Today's question is:
"Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want to be your dinner guest?? as your close friend ? as your lover? "
Question 48 from The Book of Questions, Gregory Stock, PHD


Take care all!

How shall you celebrate the first Thursday in April??

Kaylets, you're the queen! The secretary where I work was audited last year and I know that it was really stressful for her--what an understatement. It sounds like you moved thru it a lot more gracefully than she did!

Hmmm... today's question. Anything goes, right? [Oh the deep darks I'm revealing about myself!] As my dinner guest, I'd like to have the Buddha--maybe pick up some tips on how to be more compassionate! As my close friend, I'd like to hang out with Oscar Wilde; he'd be a lot of fun, I think. And as my lover, I can't reveal that 'cause it would make me look like a truly twisted freak. Suffice it to say to Punkinseed, we can share him!!!:devil: :lol: :s: :lol:

Spring renewal
 

Glad to have you checking in, Wood Nymph. Was concerned and now I see with good reason. Hope you feel better soon. Neither carp nor crap is any fun.

Had done a long post earlier and it seems to have disappeared into 'puter netherland.

I too think it would be great to have Springettes together for a dinner. What an idea! Other than that - Theodore Bikel - I've always liked him - nothing profound - just think he's so multi talented and has had an interesting life. Friend - maybe Mother Theresa so I'd learn compassion. Lover - I've got the only one I've ever wanted.

Going out for a runaround today in nice weather. Checking out a new golf course that's to open this weekend, I think. Walking in a community park near the course. Eating out. Running errands. I'm not sure I have a wild bone in my body as these tame things are great pleasures for me.

Kaylets, I'm sure you'll eventually be well rewarded for all this auditing, testing, etc. and yes, I'm really proud of how you're getting through all this stuff. Multiple non-scale victories.

Been stewing a bit lately about some (birth) family situations about which I can do little except change my own reactions to same and think some of that may relate to my "plateau" (as well, perhaps, to weight problem as a whole). So that's one clue towards ending lack of weight loss. Remember, M.E., YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD. YOU CANNOT CHANGE PEOPLE. YOU CAN ONLY WORK TOWARDS BEING THE 'YOU' YOU WANT TO BE. (REPEAT AS NEEDED UNTIL IT SINKS IN ONCE AGAIN.)

Happy Friday eve!

Ok, so what's with the annoying Adkins pop ups when we're trying to post?!?!? GO AWAY! :rolleyes: (nothing against the program, everything against having my screen hijacked while I'm trying to type!).

Anywho... hoping for a quiet day. I've been reading about how the war is affecting people - either feeling depressed or extremely tired for no apparent reason. I fall into the later catagory. Just wiped out... So far no word on my friend's son's deployment - no news is good news I'd guess.

Eydie - Thank you for telling me about your cat - it does give me hope and I told my Mom about it. I will expect my miracle - until my Mom gives up hope, I won't either.

Kaylets - Wow, that's stress with a capital "S"! Sounds like you passed with flying colors though - so nah-nah-nah on them!

WSW - Harder on Mom than it is me - I still go home to "my girls". Keeping our fingers crossed that the little grey bug is out playing wild kitty somewhere.

Arabella - Anagram's right, neither carp nor crap is good. Take good care and feel better soon!

Ok, Kaylet's question...
~For dinner, I'd invite Dr. Wayne Dyer (motivational speaker)
~For a close friend (besides the amazing ones I have, of course), I'd want "my guy" - and I mean that in the geographical sense - if he were closer I think, if nothing else, we'd be great friends.
~For a lover... well, since it looks like I'd have competition with Eydie *and* Arabella (sheesh what is it about Alan Rickman? - nevermind, I *know* what it is!) I will dare to be different and take Alan Cumming - and have Alan Rickman on stand-by - like a little Alan sandwich... :lol:

Must skeedaddle,
Terri

hi all
 

I cant wait til friday...actually tuesday. Im going to florida on tuesdsay for a week...

I havent been around...think i have been a bit of a funk. Feeling really spent and exhausted. Luckily havent gained any weight back..however havent lost any. I think im mentally used to the weight im on so i cant get the motivation to push it off.

Pumpkinseed im sorry to hear about your cat...yea i would be going freaking crazy however my co worker cat ran away for a 2 weeks and came back...a little beaten up but he survived. And is doing well. He still tries to run out of the house if he gets the chance. And the female cat gets all pissed off at him when he does that.

So i have been dating a little bit..going just ok. A little scared...you know its so hard to tell when a guy is playing you or not. Oh well

Talk to u all later. i miss you guys

Sheryl

hi everyone!

i'm hanging in there op. last night was feeling a little touch and go in that respect, but in the end, decided not to give in and am glad about that. i had a meltdown the other night about my "technical difficulties" and how they really affect my life and it made me sad. also, i hadn't really previously stated out loud much about how it makes me feel emotionally.i talked to my closest friend about this the other night. he was very understanding, kind, and patient with me, as he always is. (he is a platonic friend.) i've still been feeling kind of raw, but more accepting (well, a little more, anyway!) of how things are, rather than how i would like them to be.

arabella-i hope you're feeling better very soon!

scoobysnacks-good to hear how you are doing. hope you have a great time in florida next week. staying the same and not gaining any weight back is a big victory in my eyes!

kaylets- you certainly have reason to be impressed with yourself!

--and hi to everyone else. thinking of you all. take care.

HI

WSW god i think we all experience technical difficulty. just realize it will pass . That is how i deal with my rough spots in life. Im glad you have a good friend to turn too.

Day is almost over....cant wait. I went to lord and taylor today and bought a coat for like 30 bucks..that was very exciting. And the fact that i could buy a large and not an extra large felt so dam good. HOwever i ate indian food while i was at the mall and i originally going for salad...sometimes those tastors really work...oh well. Im lazy so im making my brother take me to the gym again..having trouble doing it on my own. Thank god for him.

Talk with you later

Scooby, so good to "see" you again! You'll have to tell us all about your dating adventures. Also, I've thought so many times about your 'pound a week' program---that's so reasonable and do-able. I remind myself of it whenever I'm tempted to do something drastic, like one of those silly 'lose 10 pounds in 2 days' diets.

Punkin, "A little Alan sandwich"!:lol: :lol: Sounds delicious!

Hoorah! Arabella's back!:)

wsw, I'm glad that you have a close friend to vent with about your 'technical difficulties'. I feel a little sheepish asking this, because it reveals that I wasn't paying attention--but could you share a little about what you mean by that?

Anagram, who's Theodore Bikel? Again, I'm revealing my ignorance!:D

Weigh-in tomorrow morning! I'll let you know....

Hmmm. I can't see posts I've missed from this screen so I'm not sure what the question was about crickets exactly, but I wouldn't eat them for any amount of money.

On the question as to who I'd want to have dinner with, not sure if this fits the spirit of the thing, but the answer to that for me is I always want my older brother as my dinner guest, though that doesn't happen often.

Best friend ... I don't want anymore of those!

Lover ... Where to start?

Anagram, I'm taking you up on the no guilt for me-me posts ... they're all I can manage right now ... hope dh's procedure goes well.

My gym ratness is going well, but had two days of extra meetings and binges, back on track by saving up some snacks for just before and after tonight's meeting.

To all losers herewith enscribed, hoorah!!! :) Keep up the good work and to all plateauville residents, it's a good place to visit for awhile and even if we get stranded, there's always the Metabolism Garage around the corner.

I have no idea what the above means, just really tired ... this post doesn't sound like me or any of my 72 personalities ... perhaps there's another one in there I don't know about?

Hmmmm.

Wood Nymph, Punkin, Wsw, Dollar, Kaylets, Anagram, Frogger, Eydie, Flower, and everyone or anyone I failed to mention: :wave: :grouphug: :)

hi all! hope everyone is having a good evening.
scooby- i bet if felt good to buy a smaller size, ----that's great!
kaylets- i like the thought for the day. as for the question:hmm, i would want charlie rose as my dinner guest(because i like his eclectic group of guests on his show. i'd also like to be a guest at one of his parties, with the chance to talk with a lot of the guests he has had on. i would like my close friend(s) to be the wonderful, smart, irreverently funny, and comapassionate ones i already have; and as my lover, i would like the actor who plays ian thornhart on the soap opera, port charles (don't know his name.) what can i say, i don't mind watching a show with characters who are vampires, etc, with such a cute actor on it as he is!
punkinseed-just as i was reading your post, as a matter of fact, one of the pop- ups you mentioned appeared!
eydie- what i mean by my "technical difficulties" are my physical and cognitive problems /symptoms which i have due to having ms. they vary in intensity at times, and some, one, or all, may be acting up at once, and include: trouble with walking (from numbness,weakness, pain in legs), manual dexterity loss, blurred vision, problems with speech, and memory ("short term memory problems with retrieval of info."-basically meaning, i am much better now at remembering/using info. i had learned prior to the past few years before ms, than i am now; also, i read much slower than i used to, and i am much less organized now than before, blah, blah, blah---!!). i walk with a cane; and at other times, have to use a walker, or wheelchair. actually, what "melted me down" emotionally the other night, was the cognitive stuff. i was having trouble with my speech, and and having to deal with just how disorganized i am now (when i started to get my tax info. together). that just seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back. i have been the least accepting of these changes. sometimes, basic tasks, such as filling out forms, for example, may feel difficult for me now (when in the past, it would not even have been an issue.) i also used to be categorized as "relapsing-remitting," but now am officially, "progressive." it wasn't a surprise to me to hear that very recently from my neurologist, since in the 2+years i have had ms, i have never had a remitting phase, but have only gotten worse. it was just hard to hear that out loud from my doc. ok, now that i have written a book, i hope i didn't overload you with info. in answer to your thoughtful question! hopefully, though, some of this makes more sense about why i can't often respond to individual posts, though i would very much like to.

well, take good care of yourselves! all the best, wsw.

Hello all!
 

Friday eve! Sigh!!

Hello Scooby! Glad to see you!! GOOD DEAL on the coat!

wsw-- I can only imagine how it must be -- I am glad you have come and joined us . Perhaps I will better understand- I don't know how I would act if it was me-- Sometimes we imagine ourselves in a situtation, and then when it happens---- I was even suprised at my reaction on one occaision-- Imagined I'd be brave and stalwart and then was neither.
And yes, if you don't mind sharing more details-- I've just put a fresh kettle on and I know everyone is ready for a chat if you are.
Sometimes, we don't realize how much we have in common for the longest time---

Anagram- Meant to ask you what color Amaryillis you're forcing??
They are such a big flower!
I'm happily watching my baby dwarf fruit trees bud and am thrilled they really did make it thru last summers drought and this wild winter.

Tulip leaves, hydrangea buds, but no sign of the Iris yet. Its really too early.

I don't know who this Bikel gentleman is either.
And I would like to have dinner w/ Mel Gibson. What was the rest of the question??

Punkin, 2 other people on my Good Morning email list also asked the same thing, "How big a bowl?" And so far no one has said they'd try it- only one suggested maybe for 40 million.
Initially I imagined a small bowl and thought I could do it.
But wondered what I'd think after trying a few.

Empre are you familiar w/ Brown Rice Syrup? DH found a company on line called Suzanne's Specialities and they offer rice syrup w/ fruit flavors. They call it Rice Nectar- Marcrobiotic, sweetner, gluten free-

I will have more info on it soon, expect it will be on their web page
Dh bought some flavors so I guess we are going to experiment!

Time to pay some bills and run a bath--

Take care all..

Eydie, Arabella, Frogger, next time, I promise, you will have my undivided attention!!

Yo! Another disjointed odd post. Back from the meeting finally and braindead, plus sinus infection giving me troubles ... just received the book I ordered on Berlin woolwork of the 19th century ... for some esoteric reason this is a topic that fascinates me.

Kaylets: I LOVE brown rice syrup (actually, I thought we'd talked about this, but maybe it was Arabella), although I don't care if it's macrobiotic ... my understanding of it is that it is a complex carbohydrate, as opposed to a simple carb such as sugar ... it is thusly (theoretically) sweeter than syrup yet absorbed like a complex carb, so it satisfies longer and doesn't spike your insulin ... those little packets called "Energy Shot" (and similar ones) are basically just a shot of brown rice syrup. It is wonderful in smoothies ... but keep in mind that it's as high in calories as honey ... however it is healthy and totally wonderful ... I like to eat it right out of the jar (but don't get started doing that!!) ... it ranges from light brown to dark brown in color and some people (not me) think it tastes like molassas. But it really just tastes like brown rice syrup to me. It is great in smoothies!

Wsw: Have you read the mystery novels of Stephen White? If not (and if you like that genre), you might enjoy them. One of the main characters has MS.

Later ...

Fabulous Friday!!!
 

Hello all!

The first Friday of APRIL!!

TA DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Empress: Yes, I remember the discussion ( vaguely) but of course, since I wasn't finding anything in the stores ---- the lesson didnt stay with me. Just very recently we found Barley syrup but didnt really know what to do with it. Now that we have the Rice Syrup here in the house, ( and one of them is CHOCOLATE!) --will have to get busy. Tried the Rasberry last night, spread very thin on bread -- very pleasant AND did not not the "MUST HAVE MORE" taste in my mouth when I woke up this am. There are seeds in the rasberry but it is definitely a syrup rather than a jam. But I really am starting to see the possibilities used CAREFULLY--. OH BOY -- that smoothie machine is in for a work out! Thanks for the refresher-- Much of the "whole foods" world is very new to me and I appreciate you 're help!

Arabella- I do remember you were researching low glycemic programs ..... I can relate so well to that White Sugar Scream ....found that even Honey can do it me just this past week. Perhaps you've a recipe to share??

DH and I are now on the search also for Whole Wheat Pastry Flour-- Its interesting to me how the stores here are so far behind so many areas for whole foods. Evidently, there isnt much demand. The Trader Joes here had no flours or baking supplies at all and the coop isnt much better.

Scooby-- I am so impressed that your brother is your gym buddy!
Is your mom still going to??

Today's thought is:
"Know that you yourself are a miracle." ---Norman Vincent Peale

Today's question of the day: "If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?" Question 72 from The Book of Questions, Gregory Stock, Ph.d.

And did I tell you that for about 100 yards on one stretch of highway nearby someone planted about 1000 daffodils?? And nearly half of them are blooming?? They get full sun all day of course so they're ahead of time. What a treat!


Punkin-- Is the deck done now?? Any news on Mom's missing cat?? Hope all goes well that way.


How shall we celebrate first Friday in April??
Ok my lovelies, kettle is on!!

Working on the spring renewal thing!
 

Good Morning, Springlings! I've been working at feeling better, and I am a little less fatigued, sniffly, and achy today. I started back to tai chi class this week, which I hadn't been going to since the fall. I've tried to do a set every day on my own, so I remember the moves, but you really learn so much from a good instructor. And I work A LOT harder in a class than I do on my own :rolleyes:


Anagram, I've got an amaryllis (it was a Christmas gift that I eventuallly got round to potting up) blooming on my dining room table right now, 4 huge red/white blooms and a second stalk with the same just about to open. They're huge and gorgeous, aren't they! I had some brave pansies about to put out a couple of blooms, but then everything froze and they were gone.

Kaylets, everything seems to keep leading me back to the same type of diet, whether the focus is low glycemic index (or low glycemic load, a new, better-worked-out version that explains, for instance, why carrots are just fine - which the old system denied, although I never believed it for a second :no: )
or now, thinking that yeast overgrowth may be my problem (I hate feeling like I seem like a hypochondriac!), the diet always seems to indicate lots of veggies, some fruit, judicious complex carbs and protein. Next week I'm going to do a herbal detox that includes a diet along those lines and I hope to feel like a new woman by the end of the week!

I'll take the chef - I like to cook, but .... EVERY NIGHT???!!!! I don't remember signing up for this!


Empress, I must seek out this brown rice syrup. It sounds as if it would really satisfy and that a little bit could probably be worked into my diet plan.

WSW, thank you for sharing the information about your "technical difficulties" - I understand your frustration! I'm sending positive energy your way. We're honored that you post - never feel bad for not addressing us individually. :grouphug:

Eydie, I'm still enjoying "Bring a torch, Babette-Arabella." It's a real self-esteem booster for me! How did your weigh-in work out?

Scooby, congrats on not gaining weight while in funkdom. It's so great when we dig our way back up out of the pit, but :rolleyes: so often when I get back up into the sunshine I'm casting a bigger shadow. :(

Happy Friday, :queen: Punkin! I've been enjoying your "What is it about Alan Rickman?" Ah, yes! :lol:

Let's make this a good one! Love to all, mentioned or unmentioned! :)

Happy Friday all! :cb:

It's April, and it's snowing... IT'S SNOWING!!!! What is this all about???? Oh, it's because I have company coming next week - I know it is... this happens every freakin' time. I hope Mother Nature's having a good chuckle over this - I'm not! :dz: Yeah, it could be gone and 70 degrees by this time next week - but why snow now??? I don't get it...

Feel like carp (thanks Arabella). I woke up feeling headachey, achey in general, and the real kicker - hot. Mind you it's lik 58 in my house because it's SNOWING outside and it got cold inside overnight. But yea, I'm hot - and not the good kind... Carp...

Still no cat... don't even want to think about where she is or what she's going through. My imagination is far too vivid.

WSW - I can't even imagine how frustrating it must be for you to experience the changes in your body like you are. I remember after my Grandmother had her "near" stroke, she came to live with us and it was so frustrating for her to go from completely independant and able bodied to having to adjust to a new way of living and speaking. She recovered quite a bit, but you could still see the frustration when her body didn't do what her mind willed it to. I'd guess it's a similar experience for you? I have heard there are some amazing new studies being done for MS though - maybe you'll benefit from some?

Kaylets - Yea, there is a price to those bugs, but it's pretty high - not the 10k though, it'd be much, much more - and can they be chocolate covered????
I doubt the deck will be done. It's supposed to snow for the next couple days and right now we've just got the framing up. My stepfather was ill earlier this week (he's got RA, colitis, emphysema, etc....) and we didn't get anything done. Now I'm not feeling good. It may get done if the weather clears up.

Arabella - Ok, the obsession with Alan Rickman. I can't tell you how happy I was to find out I wasn't the only loon who found him amazingly attractive. Matter of fact, my mail today should contain the copy of "An Awfully Big Adventure" - yet another obscure AR movie I'll own. :lol:

For the quezzie of the day - Let's see, my house is always clean (it's just me), I am (or was in CA) a massage therapist, I love driving my own new car and I'm already organized and don't need a secretary, so I'll take the cook. I love to cook but I'd *love* for someone else to do it for me, freeze it all and have meals for months!

Toodles for now, gonna go crash on the couch!

Terri
( :queen: of Friday, Dutchess of Decks and Imperial Highness of Interior Design)

yay friday
 

Hi All


Yes the pound of week program would work if i would not eat all the pound back once i lose it...i tell u i mentally dont think i want to go lower...which so sucks. Yes, my brother is amazing he is truely supportive. I dont know how i would of done it with out him. I tell him he could do this as a business..just how positive he is and geniunely caring about everyone. I wish i could find a man like my brother. Oh well! My mom i dont know she does not disclose her weight. Even though she is cute mommy. I miss her and dad but i will see them in florida..so that will be great.


WSW, im so sorry....i didnt realize that u had ms. I saw a movie on it and it does not look like a fun one to have. Im so so sad. You hang in there. And if you need anything please let me know. You always will ahve my support. I have a belief things are meant for a reason however i think i use that strategy to justify what goes on. Cause i cant imagine why horrible things go on except to pretendthere is a greater plan.


Eydie- you can do a pd a week. I am going to start doing it this week. Anyone with me on this challenge? I have to say i have lost over 90lbs and i could never have imaged a year ago i could be where i am now. I am thinking about joining a basketball leaque a year ago i couldnt walk down the street. So my advice is take it slow and it will come off. There is no rush.

And a awesome thing is that its friday and the weekend is almost here...i hope the sun comes out..snowing in april seems so unfair. However im glad it was not to big of snow.

Talk to u all later.

What is this "yuck" that seems to be travelling through the thread? One after the other of us seems to be going down for the count.

wsw - thanks for sharing the "tech diff.". I had fairly good idea. I have RA and have had to do lots of adjusting through the years, the biggest of which is "this isn't going to go away" like a cold. Fortunately, I've been in a semi remission for a bit and if I can stay there through all the s..... going on, I will be amazed. I too mind the head thing but in my case that got a bit better when they put me on thyroid meds.

Wood Nymph, Empress, scoobs - so nice to have you posting. Hope all feel better (best) soon. My amaryllis red (orangy)/white. I've had it many years, usually put it outside in the summer to bloom but needed it earlier this year. Have had it many years. Some years it does not bloom but I think I have the hang of it now. Bro who gave it to me eons ago says just still having it alive so long is a plus.

The Bikel reference is more a sign of my age. He is a folk singer and actor. He had the role of the Captain von Trapp on the stage version of Sound of Music and was the Russian Captain in "Hunt for Red October" plus a whole body of work. Never a top "Star" but certainly around a lot (though not much lately). I loved the fact that he could play so many instruments and speak so many languages when I first heard of him. Seemed so intelligent. Saw him twice in person once to talk to (make that babble). He seemed such a genuinely nice person. That was early and hope success didn't change him.

Hey Scoob, I'm taking you up on that "pound-a-week" challenge. I CAN do it! WE CAN DO IT!

Anagram, what is "RA"? Interesting point, about the things that won't ever go away. Makes me think hard about why we (I, that is) suffer so much with things, like excess poundage, that we totally have the power to overcome. This is my point to ponder for today...

Your Punkiness, hope you're feeling less like carp soon! What an excellent day this would be to find Alan Rickman in your mailbox, hmmm? That voice.... ;) I wouldn't really fool around on him (not to mention real life DH, of course) with Brendan Fraser but -- in fantasyland, anything goes, am i right? :D

wsw, thanks for sharing with us. My aunt has MS and she says that the worst thing for her is the unpredictability of it. One day she'll be okay and the next day she'll have all sorts of things go wrong. I saw a something on TV the other day about MS patients being helped by tai chi.

Amarantha, thanks for stopping by. Always a pleasure!

Anagram, I love amaryllis'! They always seem so bold to me!

Kaylets, thanks for the tip on flavored rice syrups--hadn't heard of those. About your question: for me it'd be a toss-up between the housekeeper and the masseuse.

I love to cook--maybe I could come cook for Arabella and Punkinseed. Of course, the 3 of us would spend most of out time swooning over Alan Rickman. Oh heck, we'll just have to invite him over!

Punkin, is snow normal this time of year in your neck of the woods? Spring's really popping here--DH is out tilling the veg. garden.

A pound a week--I'm with you, Scooby. No change at my weigh-in this morning. Still at 146 no matter how I wriggled around!

Off to the treadmill!:D

happy friday, all!

arabella-thanks for your kind words. so glad to hear you're feeling better today.

punkinseed-hope you feel better soon. snow--yuck! my a/c has been blasting here today, and i'm rather happy about the need for it! thanks for your support. there certainly are clinical trials and a lot of on-going research in ms, and i am hopeful.

amarantha-haven't read any stephen white, but enjoy mysteries, and will check him out. thanks for the tip. i love to read!

scoobysnacks-thanks for your kindness and support. i'm one of those people, too, who believes things happen for a reason, even though sometimes it may be challenging to figure out or accept whtat the reason may be. i am inspired by your large weight loss too-over 90 lbs-wow!! that's terrific!!

anagram-i am sure your ra must have involved lots of adjusting over the years. that kind of pain must be very challenging. glad to hear at least that you've been in a semi remission for a bit, which i certainly hope continues for a long time!

if i could have one service, it would definitely be a cook. would be nice to have someone cooking nice healthy meals (and cleaning up afterwards!) all the time.

i got out early this morning and took care of some errands while it was still cool and lovely. i am going to grab a quick nap and then do some exercising. thinking of you all. have a good weekend. take care, all!

wsw

pd a week
 

Well Eydie 142 sounds amazing..i wish i could get there. Oh well one day at a time.

Cool Arabella. Awesome. I bet if we work as a team we can do it. My weigh in dates are monday. So this monday we should all weigh in and get what we are. Then we will focus on just one pound a week.

So i am dating this guy..he lives out of town. I only been on one date with him...but im like so swept away by him. And i hate the feeling of being so vulnerable. And im sure its not healthy. I mean im not obsessed with him and he wants to go out again when he comes back into town in 3 weeks. I feel like chasing him a little but i enjoy it. I mean i wrote him some fun emails sometimes.

I wish i did not get so taken by my emotions. OH well part of life i guess.

I think the negativity is coming from the yucky weather. NO sun shine...sigh

Oh well check in later.

hi eydie-yes, i'm with your aunt--the unpredictability of ms can be quite challenging. i got a book on tai chi as a gift a few weeks ago and it seems like it would be so gentle and relaxing. i have been thinking about checking into a class, as a matter of fact. think i'll take a look at my book again too. happy treadmilling!

:lol: Eydie, it snowed during our 4th of July parade one year - I've learned there is no "typical" or "normal" weather in central Oregon. You get what Mother Nature gives ya' and it can, and often does, change every 15 minutes...

If it had been a "normal" winter, yes, we'd be about done with snow by now, but since winter was pretty much non-existant this year I guess the Old Man is figuring "better late than never"?

All I know is the damned storms make my head hurt :mad: and there's nothing I can do about it but shake my fist at the sky.

Hoping the weather channel is right and this time next week it'll be 70,

Terri :cool:

Scoobs, what a great weight loss! And Kaylets, the daffodils sound wonderful. The drug store on a corner near here has planted a hill of them and it's one corner where I don't mind waiting for the light to change.

Arabella, RA is rheumatoid arthritis. The fatigue bothers me as much as the pain sometimes. I did take part in some clinical trials and sometimes had extra relief. I've now been off what I call the "bad" medicine for a year. It's really been helpful in stopping progression but has god-awful long term side effects as well. I was able to go off it once before as well. and they're always coming up with new things. Accepting that you can't do what you want when you want, etc. has been the hardest part. And there are times, I seem almost "normal" and then there are the other times. Diet, exercise are also most helpful as they are with most things.

Anyway I did get to the pool today. Have been walking which I so enjoy (there was a time when I could not). But every so often I just have to do the water thing.

Going to a baby shower tomorrow. Will have to be really careful foodwise of course. I felt "thinner" today so stepped on scale just out of curiousity. I was down .8 since yesterday. Now we know that didn't happen. It's just that demon scale. How an inanimate object can figure out my weigh in day, I sure don't know.

Punkin, I held off telling my kitty story because it has some bad parts but since it has a good ending, maybe it will help your Mom out. My Mom had a tomcat named Sooty (he was all black). He was an indoor/outdoor type. He disappeared at one point. Mom was heartbroken. One day after literally MONTHS, someone called Mom and said they thought her cat had just been hit by a car. My youngest bro was at the time a teen, checked it out, was devastated. Brought Sooty home, buried him (with ceremony). Two days later, the REAL Sooty walked in as though he'd been out for five minutes and none the worse for wear. For the rest of his natural life (and it was long) he was even more arrogant and mysterious than ever. The story has become one of those "family legends". Sooty RULED and in a way, he still does. So I hope your little feline shows up soon, however mysteriously.

I guess I'd opt for housekeeper. I do have a woman who cleans for me but "housekeeper" might involve more. I don't like to cook any more so that's tempting but with dh's restricted diet and me trying NOT to eat, I don't think we'd do a cook justice. I like to drive myself most of the time and a massage a week (or month).....would probably do me and could me more easily arranged. I'm fairly organized and my own personal secretary. Oh definitely Housekeeper.

NKow if I can just stay awake to watch SVU tonight.

Friday!
 

Hello all!

Just sat and scrolled thru the thread some and realized that I must have missed a page-
wsw --Thanks for sharing wsw-- didnt realize you had already "shared" when I asked this am- I believe its only natural that MS could get you down. I don't think any of us could deal with it any better than you. And I really hope I could show as much grace, style and courage as you do. I don't know if I would.

But am glad to hear you enjoy reading-- I am trying to get some pages read with my bath every night now. My tastes in books is like my taste in music--very eclectic but I demand excellence!
Perhaps we enjoy some of the same authors? For years, a favorite of mine was James Michner. Have been rereading Chespeake some lately.

North of us in Albany there is a major ice storm yet here we only have misty rain.

More family"fun" - -- DS thought up a brand new "victim" routine. Didnt think it thru though, very transparent.
Calculated to get sympathy and cash at the same time. First tried it out on me last night before DH came home. I wouldnt bite though. He told me he had been robbed at knife point ("from behind"). Then told his father on the phone that he had been struck with the knife from behind on the back of his head and robbed. ( of $5.00). This happened about noon time in front of the KFC which is on a main shopping route, hundreds of people must have been driving by. Much less, the KFC is next to a big garage and a Goodwill. DS says he didnt call the police because " I didnt see who did this to me". ( There is not a mark on him nor is he complaining of any ).
Then this am, when DH had $5 for busfare for DS, DS is upset "You know what happened to me yesterday-- I have nothing left. Don't you have more than that $5." Luckily, I was gone or who knows what I would have done.
DH's day got to work tense and stressed which made the whole day the same.

Then this evening, DS is hinting around that the dealership gave him a key but can't guarantee it will fit his car but offered a locksmith much much cheaper than the one he talked to. DH told DS the key better fit because when you don't have money it doesnt matter how much cheaper. In other words, we're not paying this time. That DS is going to have to figure the car issue out himself. And the cigarette issue and whatever else he wants. DH could not be distracted or sidetracked, he said his piece , DS interrupted a 1/2 dozen times to say" I'm not going to say a word" ( ?!?). DH is in bed drained.
Of course, now, DS is traipsing around the house like its his because his father is asleep.

Meanwhile, I'm being advised we should get DS to tell us what kind of drugs he's doing otherwise things will start to turn up missing. This is especially frustrating to me as I have been sharing w/ this individual for years and this advise makes me realize, she hasnt understood what I've been telling her for years.
Why does she think the locks have been changed ?

DS is a legal adult and cannot be "signed " in for treatment without his consent.( unless he's a danger to himself).
I also believe, until he decides to get clean, there is no point.
Its quite obvious whatever he's using is something he can stop fairly easily for a few days or so. Or at least, his body will let him stop. Mentally, I am sure he's missing it. He's eating and sleeping -- We see no crack, coke or IV drug withdrawl symptons. We are sure if we offered DS a drink, however, we'd be very popular but all we have is Spring water.
How do they say it? 90% is "Stinkin thinking" --



On a day like this, the masseuse sounds wonderful. Otherwise, the housekeeper would do just fine.

Thanks for letting me vent-

Simply Saturday!
 

Hello all!

Just looked at the newspaper and there are a few yardsales advertising "rain or shine". DH is still waking up but maybe we'll venture out. Sometimes its just the distraction.

Arabella: been meaning to ask you how the new work opportunity is shaping up. Do you think this is something long term ??
And I am glad to hear carrots are "ok" again- that was silly wasnt it??
http://www.suzannes-specialties.com
is the website where DH found the ones he bought, but when I did a google search, found many companies-- I also keep hoping to find a store carrying these products too. Perhaps someone in your area does.

Am playing Jesse Cook this am- I forget which one of you introduced me to him.

Scooby- I never knew you had lost almost 100 lbs!! I am impressed !!! WE WANT DETAILS!! Who, what, when, etc .....
Good going!!
Dating is always confusing. Don't even understand why we call it "Dating"-- (?) -- But I guess I can how a relationship is like weight loss-- it takes time, moment by moment building to a bigger result. We are anxious for the "result" but only make things tense if we try and force things.
Unlike weight loss, relationships often are NOT meant to be.
All I know for sure is, when I was not looking is when "it" happened.

Today's thought of the day is:

"If you want happiness for an hour-- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day--go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month-- get married.
If you want happiness for a year--inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime-- help someone else.

Chinese Proverb

Today's question of the day is:
"Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted? "
Question #2 from The Book of Questions--Gregory Stock, PH.D.


How shall we celebrate the First Saturday of April??

Kettle is on!

Well if there's one thing you and DH could use this weekend, I'm sure it is distraction. Hope things go well....and DS sees some light soon.

This gloomy, wet, cold spring day, I am going to "celebrate" by going to a baby shower - new life is so "spring". It will probably take 45 minutes or so to get there, I am sure I will be the "elder statewoman", etc. But I WILL enjoy myself and I WILL NOT overeat. Right? As far as it looks now, my sister and sil (grandmom to be) and I will be the only reps from Daddy's family. I've met Momma -to-be two brief times but don't know her yet as well as some of other nephews' brides. So maybe today's my chance.

Felt "thin" again this morning. Demon scale showed another pound down from yesterday. Now I'll take it anyway, time, place I can get it but cannot get it to be down on weigh in day.

Well I'm off to an appt. Wanted to wear "spring" today but too cold. I'll have to console myself that I've worn "old" clothing the last few days and all are fitting nicely, thank you. I figure now I'm as "young" as when I last wore them as well as the new size.

Have a goody, all!

Kaylets, you and DH are doing the right thing with DS. It's hard as **** and stress beyond belief, but it's right. I don't know if I ever told you about my first husband. Wonderful guy, very mellow, built like Arnold....but made one stupid decision when his brother offered him crack "just once, to try". Well, it only takes once with crack. Crack depletes the brain of a chemical we need to function, and until the crack is completely out of your system you brain doesn't start to reproduce the chemical on its own. So, I've been through everything you're experiencing...the begging, the promises, the fresh starts, the can't survive without it speech, the stealing, the stories, the lies, the worry, even detox. It was a drug counsellor who said to me once that I was young, pretty, and had a future ahead me...what was I doing with this guy who was addicted?...and that while he was making bad choices I needed to make choices of my own, good choices for me. It pissed me off at the time, but after a few more months of life the way it was then, I remembered what he'd said, and it was my lifeline to get out. That great guy of mine had turned into someone I didn't know. He'd lost all kinds of weight, went from Arnold to the 99lb weakling, didn't care about his appearance, would sell anything to get the money for drugs...it was really awful to see. His mother would pay off his debts because he'd tell her the dealers had threatened to kill him. She couldn't see that she was enabling him, and did so for years after I left.

No, it doesn't have anything to with how they are raised. At some point, they make a decision and it's all their own. It's just too bad that we have to live with the consequences of their decisions. You and DH stay strong. :grouphug: