Hi Cerise!
I think you've set very reasonable goals for yourself and I'm with you all the way! Thanks for sharing with us.

I'd forgotten that we share the same birthday--we're practically twins!
:lol: Except for that 12-year difference and all....!

:queen: Punkin, I feel sure that painting the carport is just not going to be as satisfying as ice cream, but I wish you luck! :)

Guys, I'm amazed and uplifted by the resiliency of New Yorkers ... not to disparage the greatness of citizens of all the other cities in the blackout today, but New Yorkers, you must admit, have some cause to feel some anxiety when their world gets a sudden jolt. It just amazes me to see them walking by the millions in an orderly fashion across the Brooklyn Bridge (not sure where they think they're going, but any port in a storm, I guess) and larking about eating snacks in Times Square. It's just uplifting! :balloons:

Arabella: If I could see the smilie screen I'd put the crossed fingers one in for you. Good luck on your interview.

I'm going on reduced workload and taking some time off, while still covering meetings, etc., for a week or so. On Saturday I'm attending a seminar on, ahem, romance novel writing!!! Sorry our Round Robin didn't seem to get off the ground, BTW! That was a fun idea, Kaylets.

Sorry for being too scattered to reply to everyone ... bad headache ... too much heat ... gonna take a nap!

Favorite food as a child was ... EVERYTHING! Actually, I hated food until I was five ... I was badly underweight and they put up little charts and tried to get me to eat and I didn't want to ... then I had tonsils out and that was the start of it all ... :sigh:

So many good news items since I've been AWOL. Wood Nymph, how marvelous, fingers crossed even if it doesn't seem necessary. Congrats on Ramon's job - hope he loves it as much as Cerise loves hers. And good luck on the program, Cerise. And Amarantha, how great is that seminar going to be! Reduced workload for a while sounds good and healthy too.

Sorry, Kaylets, that you seem to be blackclouded at work. So frustrating. I too have been watching some of the pictures of New Yorkers streaming in the streets. How vulnerable we all are.

Frogger, what is aderall?

And Punkin how determined Mom is, glad you're helping her at the drink table. And your ice cream is well needed. Understand about all the stress. This is one time I can't say "been thee, done that". I have to say "am there, doing that". Weight has gone up somewhere between 3 and 5 pounds. MUST STOP! I really thought I'd been eating in a healthy way except for the disastrous birthday weekend. Not as much exercise maybe though I've been making it to the pool, etc. Can just stress make your body hold on to calories just in case it needs them?

At church tonight, asst pastor was talking about our responsibility to take care of our bodies. A good little talk aimed right at me. He wasn't advocating any one thing to do, of course, as he mentioned we're all different. But it seemed a good reminder to me of that old saying that we have to take care of ouselves if we're to be able totake care of anyone else.

Fave childhood food: probably mashed potatoes but I also loved cream cheese esp. with barrel molasses. No calories there, eh? But I didn't really start gaining until I was 36 or so.

Rich or poor? Well, I'd probably break even. Mostly I try to be/say nice, nice but then I have these impatient, cranky days.

You're right, Ceara, this getting older is a pain. But there are compensations (well, really the best one is grandchildren but there are a few others). So hang in a few more years. Wood Nymph, from my vantage point, 48 is great! I was AWOL during the posts on aging, did see them and despite my experience on the subject, decided I won't depress anyone. Y'all will do better with it than I have because you're all GOING TO BE SO HEALTHY.

Speaking of age, Mom (mine, not Punkin's this time) is deteriorating rapidly. Then suddenly she'll have a little improvement again before more deterioration. Not looking real good. However, if she makes it to the end of the month, she'll be 87. Sometimes the wicked sense of humor is still there (and she knows it!), then other times a blank stare. Have to say, I have great siblings though I think we're all exhausted already (well, at least I am).

My fun these days is doing little things to get ready for shower DSis and I are planning to have for her future DIL at the end of the month. Always good to have a positive thing to look forward to. I so enjoy reading about the positive things in your lives. And Wildfire, what's the word on DD? Is she adjusting to her new environment?

anagram-adderall is used to treat ADD (attention deficite disorder)

That BLASTED Atkins Ad!!!!:mad: Enough already!

Anyway....

We were lucky to have our power restored at 8:30 last night. Just a few blocks east, however, they were in the dark until the middle of the night sometime. I had to go in to work yesterday for a meeting, (of course! What great timing!) so I was there when the power went down. I left almost right away, before businesses closed, and it still took me over 2 hours to get back to Burlington. It's usually a 30-40 minute drive in rush hour. Then I didn't know where DH was because the phones were dead at work - they have a battery back up, but the switchboard only runs for a couple of hours before it dies. I had to walk down the hall to my apartment in the PITCH black (no windows in the halls!) and unlock two locks to get into my apartment. It was all very eerie. I was so glad to see DH arrive at 7:30pm. Someone had mentioned that yesterday was the anniversary of the end of WWII, and I wondered if it was terrorism again. Was very glad to hear it was not.

DH got up and went to work this morning, but the power is still out there, so he is back home. We aren't supposed to use any major appliances, including the A/C, and there could be rolling blackouts lasting up to two hours. It's going to be a scorcher here, today, too!

And just to make it all even more wonderful, our maintenance guys shut off the water in the building to do repairs to a unit. :rollpin:

I am down 6lbs. :cb: Most of it was water gain I couldn't shake after eating very salty pizza last week, and it took most of the week to lose the excess water with the humidity here. But I was SO happy to see the scale finally move.

Anagram, very sorry to hear your mother is declining. :grouphug: DD is doing well, actually. She is settling in and says she likes being there. My sister is on vacation this week and next, so that helps. She says DD is doing as told so far, helping with meals and housework, etc. Early days, yet, though. :crossed:

Amarantha, romance writing! How fun!

Arabella, er...what time are you serving dinner for this parade??? That sounds yummy! :T

Cerise, your plan sounds totally doable! You might even find that with all the walking you get quicker results than you expect. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Ramon! Sounds like you two are all set now. I'm very happy for you that the move has worked out so well. :cp:

Punkin, give your Mom hugs from us! :grouphug:

zadie, way to go with eating OP! It is possible, with just a little planning.

Ceara, I empathize with having to switch to a new system. We did it in March and are still working out bugs and trying to get things running smoothly.

:wave: to anyone I missed!

Hello,
Another day at work. Actually today will be very low key. Once again I am one of two people in the office. That is summer I guess.

I am doing well. Survived the temptation of fettuccini alfredo last night, which in my life is a major victory. It was even homemade.

I get paid next Wednesday. I am so glad. I was out for long enough that I fell far behind. This will only be for one week of work, but it is a full 40 hours. I told everyone with a July or August birthday that I was changing their birthdays to September 21st, by which point I will be caught up enough to actually get people gifts. I have been in school induced poverty for so long I won't know what to do with myself once I have regular and sufficient income.

After reading Cerise's long term planning I am itching to solidify my long term goals. Hmmm.

It's Friday!
 

Hello there all you wonderful laides :wave:

Yes, I know I have been gone too long! It has taken me the last few days to read all the post I have missed, WOW.
There is a lot going on. Can't reply to all of it now, must pack for another weekend away.

I will say that I am starting a 6wk challage on tuesday at the Curves I work out at. I hope it will jump start my losses again. I am actually down 1 pound this week, but I have been around this same number for 2 months(I know better than going up and up)

Anyway, I must tell you that Punkin and I had a blast :D And take it from me, she looks fabulous in her new clothes!!! :bravo:

Just wanted to check in with you all, it is such a pleasure to hear about you. Sending :goodvibes: :grouphug: and :crossed: for those who need it!
I will catch up with you all in a few days, going to Clearlake this weekend to see my dad and pick up DD from a week-long stay.

BoBeena

Happy Friday! :cb:

I have to share yesterday's NSV! I carried in a 25 lb. bag of kitty litter into the house and got the twisted need to know what I weighed carrying it :s: so I stepped on the scale - kitty litter in tow, and found that I'd almost have to carry another 25 lb. bag to get to my highest weight! :cb: What an eye opener! I couldn't believe how heavy I felt walking up the stairs, how squashed my feet and whole body felt carrying just one bag - how must I have felt when I had the weight of 2 bags on my body?? :faint: No wonder I was tired all the time!

:wave: Hi Bo-Beena!!! Miss you oodles!

Arabella, enjoy your family visit! And not that you need it, but good luck with the phone call tomorrow. It sounds like it's just a "let's make it official" kind of call. :cheers:

Amarantha, you're not supposed to make me want to eat ice cream instead of paint my carport! :nono: :lol: S'okay though, because I have neither ice cream, OR house paint - so I shall do something else... :chin:

Anagram, I've heard that stress can make your body hold on to weight - something to do with adrenelin levels, but I forget now. My thoughts are with you and your mom - wicked sense of humor, eh? I think I'd like her! :devil: :lol:

Wildfire, I'm glad you survived your evening! I can't imagine... for some reason power outtages kinda scare me. Maybe too many horror flicks as a kid - the power always seems to go out in the slasher films! :lol: Good to hear DD is doing well with your DSis - too early to hope for a changed child?? :crossed:

Zadie, a low key Friday is what I've got planned too - enjoy 'em while you've got 'em is my thought.

Have an excellent weekend everyone! :wave:

Terri

Hello,
I am having a vaguely icky day. I talked to my boss about when I would be set up for health insurance and, although she is setting it up, I found out that the final decision about whether I will have a job after I pass the bar will not be till next week. I just want to know. My boss wants to keep me but she will be gone for the next two years. We have the funding. That means it is all about workload and organizational mission. I just need to know so I can start actually looking for work. Which blows becuasee the market sucks.

Ok. Done whining.

:yikes: Punkin, I keep TRYING to make you eat ice cream and you just keep REFUSING!!! :) (Good job!! I was just testing you!! :jig: ) :bravo: on the NSV as well!!! You're doing fantastic!!!

Bo-Beena!!! :wave:

Anagram: Sorry you are going through this with your mom ... thinking of you ... I've been through this and it's very hard ... but I know you're staying strong and will make it.

To all, mentioned and unmention, sorry for not replying all round, but I'm needing to go to sleep, which is actually a good thing, as I don't sleep often these days! :) :wave:

Good Morning, everyone!

Just passing thru to say hello. Anagram, I'll be thinking about you and your mom.
I'll try to catch up tomorrow.:)

Hello,
I ahve the new scale blues. My boyfriend through he broke my cheesy digital scale and went and got a new scale. He got a very nice accurate, sensitive scale that does not change your weight just by shifting your balance. However, on the new nice accurate expensive scale I weight 6 pounds more than on my old cheesy scale. So...instead of having 20 pounds to goal suddenly I have 26 pounds to goal. EEEk.

Oh, zadie k---I feel your pain. Same thing happened with me at the doc's. CRUD!:( I just want to get down to where I thought I was!:lol: Such is life......

Help!!!
It has been a terrible few weeks. I finally broke the 90 lb mark I actually got to 91 and now Im sure I have put back on4 or 5 lbs in the last 3 weeks. My biggest problem is Im having trouble finding something that is satisfying my taste buds. It doesn't seem to matter what I try I just can't seem to find it I have tried the foods that are good for me and the ones that are not. I start off having a good day and then fall off the wagon. I'm really starting to feel a little panicky about this because this is the first time in in 18 months that this has happened and Im so afraid I can't get it under control. I was on vacation last week so I didn't go to my meeting and I didn't go to the one the week before because I had a bad week but I convinced myself I was to busy getting ready to go on vacation to go. Up until now I have only missed one meeting in 18 mths and that was when I was on vacation last year.
I know I haven't been around much lately but I really do need your help, I don't want to go back to where I was and I only had 17lbs to gt to goal left.

Dollar alert
 

Dollar my dear, you're doing WONderfully!!:cp: Huge congratulations on hitting the 90-lb. mark!

I'll leave it to more experienced/successful Losers to help you through this on a practical level, but please remember that I believe in you and your strength. I know it's a bit of a cliche, but the fact that you've lost 90 pounds is testament to that. Pull out your little victories from the past (your weight loss journey so far must be full of them) and savor them, and get through this with the Losers' help!

Nothing terrible's going to happen. I know the fear of losing ground that has been so painstakingly gained, but that's not YOUR story, sister!:nono: I know you can beat this!

Sending you joy...:dance: :p :sunny: :joker: :hat: :cb: :D :grouphug:

Dollar, Fear of success seems to be a common theme when losing weight. I know that it is for me. When i'm doing so well, so close to my goal weight, something happens. It's like a get too cocky, I panic, and I lose ground.
"This time" [how many times can I say that? as many as it takes!:D ], I'm trying to be painfully aware of the things that trip me up.
Always keep in mind how far you've come. You're doing splendidly now, because you're aware of it and can do a bit of detective work to see what's at the bottom of it.:mag:

Thanks for the support it is what I need, I will strive to be here more often as I did in the past.

Dollar, it's great to see you here! Believe me what you're going through is a normal part of the weight loss game. You're doing wonderfully, the body and mind ALWAYS (IMNHO) react this way ... the more you fear going back where you were, the more you start to feel burnout with your long struggle, the more your body takes time to adjust ... it's to some degree biology ... your body and mind just need time to adjust ... it takes a LONG time ... in the meantime, just hang on to the fact that you are 90 pounds from where you started and THAT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO GAIN BACK ... so if you go up a few pounds temporarily, where's the fire!? It'll all even out if you stay nice and calm!!! :)

Wildfire, I'm so glad your ordeal is over ... what was that maintenance guy THINKING turning off the water after you guys had just been through a major blackout! Sheesh!

I posted this on the 21-day thread but my romance writing seminar turned out to be writing for social change, which (sorry) I'm not interested in, having paid my dues writing serious stuff until the cows come home and now wanting to have some fun ... I stayed anyway and it was rather tedious and confrontational. Should have stayed in bed!

Sorry for the short answers ... I'm kind of back to feeling that I can only handle one thread at a time but I miss everyone on here.

I'm starting a new 21-dayer today, crashed last night, weight the same, which is good because it was up midweek, so that's my on topic thing for today!!! :) Going to really push to meet that Labor Day goal with my new 21-dayer!

Later, gators. Have to work today.

Amarantha, I meant to tell you that the event I had to cater was one of those 2-day county planning meetings. I guess if you're heavily into local politics it's okay, but what I heard sounded so dry and boring. I kept thinking, 'this is what the Empress has to sit thru?' Bless you, dear one....It's no wonder you'd turn to the comfort of Krispy Kreme from time to time!:lol:

Hello,
Still holding strong. I am doing well eatingwise, but gosh, I am having trouble sleeping. I guess it is work anexiety.

Just got off hte phone with my father. He reroofed his garage this morning. What a net, it is so hot out. He finished for the day though, so at least he has the sense not to work when the day is at its hottest.

Went and saw the play Nickeled and Dimed. It was very good, although a bit simplistic, which I guess is the same problem that I had with the book, but I agree with the message. The acting was excellent.

At any rate, I need to go forth and get stuff done, little as I want to. It is so hot I would rather sit arround and do nothing.

Happy Sunday!!
 

Hello, my dears.

...and to cap off our move to Seattle, my friend in MI sent me some Ginseng Tea scented, stone-shaped little amber and creme colored candles as a housewarming gift! Mmmmm. Caaaaandles. :hb:

God, ZadieK, you are always reporting in with triumphant eating habits! What's your secret? Man, I hope work stuff smoothes out for you before you lose too much more sleep. Is it the hired/not yet hired thing that's getting to you?

Amarantha, thanks a million times for your encouragement and many thoughts on my counting calories dilemma. It's so overwhelmingly confusing, listening to you, who's lost 100lbs counting the :devil: calories, and listening to SIL, who's the picture of womanly strength, a personal trainer, has a degree in nutrition, but who hasn't been fat a day in her life. Drat! :bomb:

I've come to some peace about it, though. For this 21-day block, I'm gonna stick to just limiting portion size and eating only to satiation (and obviously making healthy food choices) and see if I get results. If not, hang SIL and I'm counting calories the next block!! :soap: And I'm gonna exercise my butt off, of course.

Punkin, your kitty litter story was so inspirational, it almost made me a bit weepy. Geez! You have dropped a serious, serious load off your precious feeties!! :hyper: I am so proud of you! It's funny, I'm about 90 pounds overweight, and I can't actually lift that at all! Isn't that the weirdest thing? :chin: Fifty pounds is about how much I can lift before things start pinging and popping in my back...

How's Muther? Are the anti-nausea meds really making her feel less yucky after chemo? That'd be such a relief, I'd think. Is she still sore from her tumble off her horsey?

Anagram, I'd sure like to meet your Mom. I'm always very, very drawn to others with a bit o' naughty in their sense of humor! I wish rest and joy for you, and really, really good time with your Mom. :yes: Your and Punkin's experiences are making me call my darling Mumsies a lot more often. Thank you for sharing your life and helping me in this way...

Wildfire, how's DD? Tell me, is the name "Wildfire" indicative of any...traits that run in the female side of your family? :lol: Just curious. It would sure be a perfect description of MY temper! :hot: I'm glad your power outage is over for the moment! I'm so sorry to hear that you were alone for so much of it. Can't your Apt. managers put in emergency battery lighting in the hallways? Geez.

Arabeeeeella....How did your call go? Did it already happen? :callme: I'm on pins and needles here...

OK, I know I've missed some of you, but the dishes beckon. Mission for today: blast some music that makes you feel incredibly good. I've got "Adeimus" up in the red levels on our stereo right now. Do it! :drill:

Much love to you all...:encore:

Hello all!

Anagram- Am so sorry to hear your mom is not doing well--
Please know we are always here for you and that this is the safe place to vent- and vent and vent....

Empress- Maybe we still can get the round robin off the ground and sorry your seminar wasnt what you hoped for.

Computers are back up at work but now the refrain is " Are you caught up yet!?!" GRRRRRRR...........
AND THEN...
We've been down at home! Did you miss me??

We had the help desk on the phone so many times they recognize our voices!! But whether the blackout, the worm, or what ever-- we're back!

Yesterday am we had another family issue. We don't have the whole story but we do know DS is without a job again. DH saw the work uniform earlier this week and when it couldnt be produced yesterday, we knew something had happened. The version we are getting is: "a loud disagreement w/the bus boys regarding tips ". DS is blaming everyone (including us) rather than himself.
And is outraged that DH has told him the "Daddy ATM" is empty. DS argued that " big weekend plans" would empty his pockets and we should cover his expenses till the next job turns up.
Instead, DH told DS that the locks had been changed and DS would be leaving the house when we left and not coming back into the house until we returned.

Perhaps this sounds harsh to some of you. DS has has lost many jobs for many controllable reasons. He has a history of letting us pay for "gas and cigs" inbetween each job while he sleeps till noon and "hangs out" all night.
And is not shy about telling DH that this is what a "real father would do to help out a child".
By the way, DS is 23 years old.

DS will not consider any 12 step meetings as " I don't have a real problem" yet cannot pass a drug test for a job.

So, DS is outraged that we expect him to find a job rather than sleep all day and will not give him any money. He keeps telling us he is "good for it " although we have seen nothing since last December. I won't even list what he owes us above and beyond rent ( and we know rent is a lost cause anyway).

So, because DS cannot tolerate how "unsupportive" we are, DS decided "I'm staying out all night then".

I've said this b/4 but I just have to say it again---
I will never ever say, "Well look how they were raised" -- Both DH and myself have worked all of our lives-- even gone to work sick.

Our mistake, allowing this to go on too long--
but we did think DS had finally "matured" when he was at one job almost a year.

Sorry for going on so long... but I appreciate you listening!

In fact, Frogger, I am very familiar w/ Adderol. Just wish DS was taking it--- about 7 yrs ago, a doctor told us (in front of DS) that as long as he smoked, taking it would be a waste of time. That the nicotine counteracted -- True or not, I have no idea. But it exactly what DS wanted to hear since " I don't need that stuff anyway, there is nothing wrong w/ me, its just everyone else".
Frogger, does your DH belong to an adult ADHD support group??
I am convinced that this a major key for DS but he has to decide this for himself.
All though, we do see that DS drinks Mountain Dew and coffee now and I believe he's getting some of same benefits as the ADHD medicine but of course, on a much smaller level.


**********
also have a Thought for the day:
Only you can help the sun rise each morning,"
---Joan Baez

Question of the day :

"Do you prefer your tea hot or cold?"
********************

Going to see what's been posted the past couple days!
Take care all!

Fly-by Postie:

Hello, Wonderful Women! I got definite notification on the job, it's mine! Yayyy! And MIL left today. She was supposed to go last night, but her flight was delayed twice and then finally cancelled --- after she'd gone through security and we'd returned home. We had to go back and wait for hours for her to get a voucher for her flight today, and then get up pre-dawn to get her to her plane this morning. I'm exhausted! I was very excited about the job yesterday, and I'm sure I will be again as soon as I've got a decent night's sleep.

Love to all -- I'm thinking about you all, even if I don't have the energy to write a decent post :yawn:

Hi all, Im having a much better day today, as a matter of fact I haven't eaten anything Im not suppose to. I haven't actually counted my points today but in writing but I know I have stayed on track. Tomorrow I will go back to journaling now that Im felling better about things.
sorry Im not up to date on everyone but I sure will try to stay up to speed. I pray that all of you and your families get through all your challenges that you are facing.
Well I have to run I can smell my supper so it must be about ready. Take care all.

Yowza! Fly-by as I keep napping instead of working. Just two more stories to go, though!

Eydie, yup, those are the kind of things I cover ... planning meetings, councils, school boards, with some profiles and the like. Usually we don't have food, though ... the boards sometimes have food when they retire to executive session, but we (press and staff people who sit outside and wait) don't see any of it ... which is a GOOD thing, especially if it were catered by you because you're the :queen: of cooks and you really MUST stop making those cookies, unless you decide to market them and retire rich ... maybe the white chocolate/cranberry ones you used to talk about? :cookie:

Ah, I digress!

Arabella: :bravo: and congratulations on your new job! You deserve it and you'll be wonderful at it!!! :cheers:

Kaylets: Sorry ds is giving you fits again. Since I am childless (unfortunately), unless you count Old Dog, Silly Cat and the Budgie Boys, anything I say would probably not be too helpful. The closest thing to comfort I can think of is that he's only 23 and has lots of time to shape up ... and you know, most people do grow out of these kinds of behaviors. None of what you say sounds harsh to me ... if my horoscope today hadn't told me not to give people advice when they are only venting, I'd tell you what I would do if such a situation occurred!!! :devil:

QOD: Since I moved to Arizona, I prefer cold tea, coffee, everything! :)

I gotta go finish work! :wave:

Kaylets is back!
 

Kaylets, I DID miss you!

I'm also childless, by choice, but as someone who was 23 five years ago, do what you have to do, lady! You raised the kid and I daresay you did a damned good job, now it's time for you to mother yourself and let DS learn the hard facts of life. Ramon and I had to - we had married by age 23 and moved to Texas with no family down there. I say this while remembering with gratitude the generous Christmas presents and "help" from our parents when we've moved or the car went down for the last time. :o We're still paying them back.

I'm glad that you and DH are being firm and I sincerely, anxiously hope that DH didn't get his feelings hurt by what DS said to him. :( I just got out of a job with a 25yo guy who still lived with his parents, spent his paycheck on his jacked-up truck and $180 sunglasses (I wish I were exaggerating), and didn't actually work at work. Your son won't be that guy, Kaylets, because you've given him boundaries. I'm proud of you, and soon your great genes will come to the fore in DS's personality and he'll grow up a little.

Sermon over. :blah: I'm glad you're back.

Congrats Arabella!
 

Arabella, I am so excited for you! Its so great when people who work hard get the rewards they deserve!!
YAHOO!!

Empress- Thanks for the encouragement... again I am finding that just putting things in writing do help-- and finding out many parents go thru very similiar circumstances does help.

Dollar-- Isnt it amazing how quickly those old habits jump up as soon as they think we're not paying attention?? Just try to think of this as a "heavy traffic" part of your journey- you will get there, you can even see your destination- You ARE DOING GREAT!!
Keep smiling-- you're AMAZING!

Cerise- I also compare myself w/ everyone else and have to force myself to stop-- The first time I joined WW''s was in highschool when I felt "enormous" next to the size 0's -- when I see those photos now!!! I try to remember that - I wouldnt try to force my feet into shoes two or three sizes too small, and if I'm really honest, I wouldnt want to live their lives either. Most of the people I know have just as many problems or more ...
You're still healthier now than before and you are only going to improve... I think you're AMAZING too!

in fact, all of us are ! Punin, Bobeena, Eydie, Wildfire, Dollar, Zaydie, Scooby, WSW, Frogger.... we are wonderful- we are clever, funny, inventive, flexible, thoughtful......

In fact,
Regarding the Round Robin-- if we posted right here, BUT marked the subject line so we knew that the post was the "novel" would to differeniate (sp?) the novel from regular posts? How many of us are interested in trying our hand at this little excercise??
Any ideas on how we'd know it was our turn??

I'm tired tonight-- think I'll log out and get things ready for the am

Take care all!

Hello chicklets!

So, here I am on the last eve of freedom. Back to work in the morning and entering the gates of ****, with no return ticket in sight for at least four months. Our fiscal year end is August 31st, and around the second week of September I'm starting a new position so I'll be learning the new job during the day and working overtime evenings and weekends on the fiscal year end. I insisted, however, that it be PAID overtime or it wasn't going to happen. :nono: They need me, so they couldn't argue it. As much as it will be tiring and stressful, the extra money will make it worthwhile. So if I'm scarce it's because I'm working, but I'll try to send a postcard when I can. ;)

Kaylets, you know I know all too well how you are feeling with DS, as I went through it with my first husband. You just want to shake him and say "grow up and take responsibility for your actions", but it would fall on deaf ears until he wants to hear it. You and DH do what is best for the two of you, because you can't do what is best for DS. He has to be the one to do it. :grouphug: I know I won't have time for the Round Robin, but it would be fun to see what the rest of you come up with!

Cerise, do what you feel is right regarding the calorie counting or not. Try it SIL's way and see if you make any progress, if not, then count 'em! It's all trial and error. I've done lots of different things, and I know I do better if I keep track of everything somehow, otherwise my guesstimates are often way off! You're right about the "Wildfire"....I have the Campbell temper...slow to burn but once it ignites, take cover because no one is safe! :flame: My grandmother tells me I'm JUST like she is and that's why we butted heads so much when I was younger. She's one dynamic lady, so I'm proud to follow in her footsteps. DD seems happy at my sis's, and my sis got a new kitten yesterday, so she's ecstatic about that. We'll see how she gets along when school starts and she has to get down to work. Oh, we do have emergency lights in the halls, but they only last for a couple of hours because we don't have a generator.

Dollar, glad to hear you're back in control! Keep going! :bravo:

Arabella, was there ever any doubt you'd get the job? :cp: Show 'em what you can do!

Did I see BoBeena pop in? :mag: Hi! :wave:

QOD: I like my tea scalding hot and strong enough to walk across. :D (I've been known to burn guests.)

Gosh, it's 7pm already! Better get lunches packed so I stay OP and iron clothes, etc. I'll post when I can, and you all take care of yourselves! :wave:

Hello,
Just stopping by to catch up with everything.

Arabella - congrats! Most excellent.

Kaylets - I am another childless one. I do hang out at a coffee shop that is populated by 12 steppers, and I think that one of the consistent things for most of them is that they untimately had to make a choice to get clean. Has DS expressed any interest in school or any particular career path? 23 is such an unfocused age for some people. Very frustrating.

QOD: hot. I think iced is ok, but generally hot tea of any kind black, green. oolong or herbal. Coffee in my world is also hot, and iced coffee is a big yuck.

Cerise - yes the not hired/hired thing is really getting to me. I figured it out today and even if I am not hired I should be ok till November, so the preasure is off a bit. As to my eating habits, I think it is one area of my life that I am able to exercise a good deal of controll and so I concentrate on that. I think that whether you calorie count or just say "no more junk" whatever works for you and feels good is the program that you should follow.

At any rate, have a good evening y'all.

Yo! Methinks we need a night owls' club for insomniacs on this board! :s:

Warning, this is mostly off topic, overly lengthy and rambling, but I DO need to stay away from the kitchen, so if you don't mind ...

I'm done working but can't sleep and I seem to have a sinus infection or something. If there were Krispy Kremes within a two-mile radius my challenge would be over before day two, but as it is, I'm cool.

Worrying about getting to all my destinations tomorrow ... haven't been out of the house today but just saw on the news that there are long, long lines for gas out there and supplies are running out before people get to the pumps. A pipeline broke in Tucson. Inconvenient! I keep trying to remember how much gas I had in the car when I secluded myself in the house to write about 24 hours ago! :) This must have happened several days ago without my noticing (can you tell I'm a reporter?) because on Saturday several convenience stores had all the pumps closed and Walmart had signs on their pumps that you could only pay with their shopping cards or cash ... all of which caused me to drive out of my way to buy gas, but being braindead by nature I didn't really have a "duh" something's-funny-with-the-gas moment.

Hmmm. I am going waaaay off topic here ... the heat's back ... we had several gloriously cool days and the dang heat's back and I'm asking myself why I ever moved to this oven that is called a state and thinking about cold chai, of which I have none in the house ... :yikes:

Better go to bed, the fridge beckons!

Thanks for letting me vent!

As if you had a choice, you poor things! :)

Marvelous Monday!
 

Hello all!!

Empress- Hope you were able to sleep peacefully- I hadnt noticed anything about a gas problem your way but the news is still focused on the blackout.....
but I have distinct memories of gas lines in the late 70's- Not fun!

Zadie- DS used to want to be a Computer Support person but
has not passed the certification test ( took it a few times). He chose to leave school b/4 he did pass and now that seems to be a forgotten goal. Part of the other issue is that DS is my stepson and only moved here when he turned 16. Now that I look back, many many things were already in motion then but both DH and I thought we could be the "Changing Force" in DS. Meanwhile, DS, thought his father's house would be a great place "not to change".

In My Humble Opinion, the biggest mistake divorced parents make is offering the kids a choice in where to live. It gives this "escape hatch' type of mentality rather than "learn to deal" mentality. I believe it's an option that shouldnt be available--
Too bad I didnt know this when DH and I got together-

But enough about that...
Today's thought is:

"Say little and do much"---
Shammai

Today's question is :

"Do you shut the light off or turn it off?"


Take care all!

Arabella got the job! Hooray!

Kaylets, I'm sorry to hear that there's still all the weirdness with ds. It's sooo frustrating dealing with people who just don't 'get it'---it's maddening! It makes no sense that he'd blame you and his dad, but your ds has been able to make it work somehow in his mind. He's going to be really embarrassed about that someday----soon, I hope!

Wildfire, Good luck with your new job! I'm sorry, refresh my memory--what will you be doing?

I'm late---off to work!

Yo! Fly-by postie as I'm late getting started ... going to yoga class and working tonight in mountains ... car has lots of gas and I'm hoping I'll be able to get some in the rural areas ... Kaylets, I've only seen this on local news sources ... the Arizona Republic reports there may be more shortages still ... the nearby convenience stores to me have their pumps closed ... wonder if they're hoarding so they can charge more later ... dunno, this looks to be a pain given my job involves traveling, but I don't know what it's like in other parts of town ... gov says there's plenty of gas and they're fixing the Tucson pipeline ... that's all I know about it but it's making me kind of nervous ... p.s., I don't live in Tucson ... didn't know my gas came from there!!! :)

Later, gators!

Howdy,
I am having a super crappy day. I went to a meeting all the way across town to find oout the the meeting had been cancelled. Then I got back to the office to find out the I had missed about 8 emails from my boss saying that some people did not have the information about the conference call I am trying to coordinate. Turns out that soem epople had their email throu new york and were not getting any messages on Friday. So then there is a message from her to the group that basically makes me look like a dunderhead. So then I resent the friday message. This all when I am barely hanging on to the vague possibility that I may have a job after the meeting on Wednesday.

Rant done. :(

Happy Monday all....

Super tired this morning from staying up late figuring out how to extricate a 2" scorpion from under my bathroom sink. :yikes: My cats were going crazy in my bathroom - I thought it was just a spider! Thank God for bag-less vacuums with extendable hoses - I gave the scorpion a ride outside in the canister. :spin:
Then, I couldn't sleep until 1am because I had to make sure there wasn't anything else even vaguely resembling a scorpion in the whole house... :dz: Don't know how it got in the house - I have a couple ideas, I'm just thankful that the cats and I are ok.

A little stressed this morning too - mom had to go to into her treatment center this morning for some urgent care. She's been keeping food down, but has been "sick" (don't need to give details do I?) and really, really tired for almost a week now. They pulled her in for IV fluids and to do some blood work. Hard to see her so upset though - I guess that's where I get it from - I get weepy when I don't feel good too. :^: And yea, on top of it all, she's still bruised and sore - using her right arm a little more, but not much. When it rains it pours - somebody building an ark yet??

Zadie, I'm sorry you're having a crappy day! Why does it seem like things go wrong like that *exactly* when you need them NOT to?? I'll keep my fingers :crossed: that you get good news this week still (it is this week right?).

Amarantha, see how you are!? Tryin' to make me eat ice cream.... :nono: :s: I heard about the AZ gas problem when I talked to my dad last night - our gas prices have gone up $.30 in 4 days - he said the pipeline is why and I asked how a pipeline in Tuscon would affect the gas prices in OREGON???? #&#%$(@)*^& money grubbing #$&@**%& price fixing #%&*@ gas companies #&% grrrrrrr....... :mad:

Dollar, I agree with Amarantha's advice, you didn't lose the 90 pounds in a week, or even a month, you're not going to gain it all back that fast either! But I understand your fear. You sound like you've refocused, which is excellent, remember we're always here for you. We won't allow a long term back slide - a pound now n' then is normal though!

Re: Eydie and Amarantha's conversation about the boring topic of small town politics - please, I beg of you, come to one of our board meetings!! Guaranteed entertainment! Last month one of my mom's friends had to be held back. He was about to go over the table after one of the board members. Another member was turning so red you could see his pulse in his forehead - my mom only asked him to explain the content of an email he'd sent to her... :shrug: :lol: Personally, I'm *dying* to bump into one evil woman who's been writing slanderous complaints about my mom - somewhere, anywhere, trust me, I don't need to hit her to hurt her.... One director has been turned in to the police for spamming porn to the head of Parks and Rec, etc. and so on... They may be "grown ups", but they sure ain't grown up! The most recent "event" was when one of the BM's tried to have my mom, and other members of her horse club arrested for "malicious threats" supposedly made *5 months ago* and he's just now coming up with the complaint. :rolleyes: The Sheriff already told him "try again, they've broken no laws that YOU can prove". WHATeverrrrr.... Where's Judge Judy when you need her??

Cerise, ooooh don'tcha just looooove candles? Makes the house feel so warm n' home-y. Can't wait for the weather to turn a *little* cooler so they really feel like a treat! :flame: Hard to burn candles with the ceiling fan going!

Kaylets, I'm sorry the DS stuff is ongoing... No, you don't sound harsh at all - matter of fact, I was thinking "well, if the 'big weekend plans' were going to empty his pockets and he's now unemployed, I'd be rethinking them 'big plans' if I were him" - but then, that's me... :dz: I think you and DH are doing exactly what you need to, 23 is old enough to learn the facts of life. Hang in there, he's GOT to get this lesson one way or another.
I also agree about the issue of having choice in which parents you live with - I used to go to my mom's when I wanted to go do something without being interrogated (always for my own good, now I know). Lucky for me I was always responsible, but I can see how it would've been easy to use her trust to the extreme and do things my dad would've NEVER allowed.

Arabella, congrats on the job!!! :dance: :bravo: :cheers:

Q o' the day - easy, I "turn off" the lights. Switch off doesn't sound right to my west coast ears. :chin:

Loss o' the week - down 1.8-2.0 depending on Sunday or Monday's weight ;) Either way I can officially celebrate 50 pounds off o' my butt! (and hips and thighs, etc...) :cb:

Toodles,
Terri

Yo! Punkin, sorry to hear your mom's under the weather again ... good that she's getting looked at! Hang tight! About the scorpion, I didn't know you had 'em in Oregon, when I see one here I freak out ... you were brave to get it out all by yourself ... I'd have called the fire department! :)

My board meetings have some pretty wild going's on, but not as wild as yours! Remember the job offer I had in Bend? Maybe I should've taken it ... :)

qod: I turn lights off and shut off the power! :)

Amarantha, yes, you should've taken the job! Bend has interesting goings-on too like the move to outlaw ALL scents in public places (God save you if your gum smells minty!) and the summer's hubbub about Bend's new bus system initials spelling out BARF.

I try to avoid Ranch politics - I hate doing nothing because then I feel like they're getting away with murder. But getting involved is useless too because they're a bunch of corrupt "Bubba's" that will do it however the **** they want to anyway... :dz:
It's frustrating, we just keep saying they're old and have to die someday (isn't that awful??).

Anywho, I also forgot to post that with this week's loss I'm at my Labor Day Looser's goal! 2-oh-somethin'! :cb:

Mom's doing good. She called a while ago and said she was dehydrated, her blood counts are really low and they called her in an antibiotic - then told her such is life on chemo and to quit pushing herself. One of these days my mother will learn to listen to what her body's telling her! :mad: :nono: Sheesh!

Terri :wave:

Outlaw all scents in public?! :doh: You gotta be kidding? That's a joke, right? :)

Glad your mom's ok. Dehydration is bad ... can you buy her a fancy water bottle as a gift (and then nag at her to keep filling it up)? Walgreen's and Border's have neat stainless steel ones for about $20 ... when I had mine everyone commented on it ... but then I lost it and haven't had a chance to replace it.

Are they giving her steroids to build up her strength?

Tell her we are all rootin' for her! With Punkin for a daughter, she must be one gutsy lady! :wave:

Hello all!


Feeling much more positive this am, thanks again for the support-- DH and I had the evening to ourselves and a chance to compare and reflect.
We know there will always be family or friends who totally disagree with how we are handling this situation but then again, none of them really have to live with it daily.

----
I am an online WW user and recvd an Email with some info about the Flex plan-- Did anyone else receive it??
***
Punkin- Sometimes crying is the only sign I recognize that I am overwhelmed. I'm so sorry your Mom is having such a miserable time of it. Sometimes you just wonder if only there was a way they could give some of these treatments while folks were knocked out.

To everyone who's having a wild, crazed, stress filled time--
This too will pass-- We will get thru it---

Empress- saw a piece of the 100 snack list- going to send it to DH at work, he's low on motivation lately- might just help--



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Thought of the day :

"They say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
---Andy Warhol

Question of the day :

"Is your favorite outfit the one you look the best in?"


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Take care all!