Found my breath, so . . . here we go again!!
 

Heh there people, making some time here to get back to you all, after that mega message. :rolleyes: It wasn't THAT long though. I think we've got a lot of talkative people on this thread and I, for one, enjoy it. Hope everyone else does! Angel26, I'm sorry I mistakenly thought it was your father who had the stroke. I see now that it was your father-in-law. How is he doing?

Angel26, thanks for the hopes that things work out for me. I sure hope they do too and actually, if I must say so myself, I kind of enjoy the thrill of insecurity. When it's over money I don't really mind. To me, money has never been of much importance. I mean, I need it, sure, but it has never been something by which I've measured myself, my worth or success and SO many people do. Maybe that's why I never have much of it! :lol: Heh, I hope your money worries work out too. Major cuts in income translate to stress because they mean big changes in your life. And what a bummer with the child support drying up. But just maybe this is about things being shaken up for the better. If you're looking at a career change you have opened the window to bigger and better things happening for you. Keep the faith!

Yeah, I'm packing the muscle on again. And this time I am going to get the fat to come off! Because if I don't I know what's going to happen. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. Talk about looking like the Hulk. This time, however, I'm not alone (years ago I was). Now there are a lot of women at the gym who compete and seeing the weight they're heaving around and, because they're ripped, they're not very big. In fact, they are tiny! So, I look at them and I realize a lot of me must be fat, otherwise why would I be so much bigger. But you know, so much of being strong is about attitude and this even holds true with when you put on actual muscle. You feel strong, you walk differently, you talk differently. I mean, the mind and body are one so it's just common sense. So, even when you're not that big you act and seem BIG! It's easy to start feeling like a hulk when actually you're not.

Good luck on your studies. I would think you would know a lot about real estate if you've been in the field for a while, even if you didn't have your license. The math and law I found very interesting. All the jargon. I think you'll have fun and will no doubt breeze through your exam.

Oh, and I hope you feel better with the headaches. That is definitely from the lack of caffeine. Caffeine is horribly addictive. If you can bear with the pain it'll be gone soon but going cold turkey with caffeine if you have a busy life can be sheer ****. But you're doing your body a big favor (in the long run). It may not seem that way now though. Sugar withdrawal can be debilitating as well, perhaps more so. People have been known to be knocked flat as if they had a bad case of the flu and so. Sugar is not the sweet thing people like to think it is. The processed stuff we dump in our bodies is not natural at all. It is pure chemical, manufactured and it wreaks havoc on our bodies. Go natural if you can. Wow, I'm getting a craving for sweet cherries, pineapple and watermelon right now! I'm going to hit the supermarket soon!

LKBAngel, as I said before, congratulations on your weight loss. You ARE doing it and pretty soon you're going to break through that psychological barrier of 200. I'd put my nose to the grindstone till then at least and then after you break through the momentum and mental/emotional boost you're going to get from that will push you along. I don't know about you but these mental barriers are no little thing. I have my own about 60 kgs. The numbers don't matter, whether it's 200 lbs or 100 lbs so don't think that has anything to do with it. In fact, the barrier for me is probably even up to 65 kgs because I haven't seen that in years. 60 was probably the lowest I can remember (before that it was in lbs and so it's like it's no longer real to me). I think you start to define yourself by numbers, especially when you've been around a certain number for a while. And then, it becomes harder and harder to even think of yourself as being different than what you are now. But once you break through, your mind expands and opens itself to all these new possibilities. Until then, people can tell you, you can do image training galore but something's not registering. Inside, somethng's going, "Huh?!?! I'm not reading you here." So, keep it up, Angel, you're going to start FEELING those possibilities soon.

I liked your thoughts on Dr. Phil and especially the Big Bird part! That was too funny. I love it when people make the analogy so ridiculous looking that you're forced to see the ludicrousness of it all. I can say I get my most inspiration from my cat or from the flowers outside my room for all that matters. And I'm one of the first to say, "OK, whatever works for you, kid." But I do get bothered when others don't offer this same "to each his own" attitude. Then again, when something bothers me I try to do a reflection to check if there are areas where I am acting in a similar way. You usually can come up with something. It doesn't mean the others were justified in their intolerance but it at least lets you understand it and be compassionate about it. Same song, different dance.

One more thing, you asked about meat and depression. Now, I've been a vegetarian for years and years and I could give you a flippant, "I'd sure be depressed if I ate meat," but no, in all fairness to our meat lovers I won't. But I will say, that yes, most definitely yes I would say it's very possible for you to have become depressed from eating meat, or from any food for that matter that works that way for you. Now, I would say it would be most unlikely for you to get depressed from a grapefruit or bowl of lentil soup (homemade, no chemicals, no sugar). But meat, for one, is highly acidic, as is sugar, alcohol and dairy products. When the body is in an acid state it is not healthy. It's all about keeping it balanced. The other thing is that meat can contain just hordes of chemicals and antibiotics. So, if you are sensitive to foods (many people are and never realize it) then it's very possible that the meat tipped you into a depression. Our chemical balances are so fragile and especially that of a woman's. The best thing I did for myself was start listening to how my body was reacting, like a detective or a research scientist I started experimenting with different foods and reactions. This can be hard to do because you have to keep other factors out of it. I found that I am highly sensitive to certain preservatives and MSG and they almost immediately give me sharp headaches. Depending on your physical state though the effects can be different. Anyhow, keep that analytical mind in the forefront and look into these things. But I'd say, don't dwell on the feelings eithers. It could be something else, and wondering, why, oh, why?! may just make it worse.

rainbowmyst, It's good to hear from you again. I was worried as you've always been one of the most talkative among us. You sound very busy on the homefront and having a talented daughter (who obviously takes after her mother!) makes it all the busier to be sure. "Dont Cry for Me" is a very difficult song to sing isn't it? I'm not really familiar with it but am sure I'd recognize it if I heard it. I just know it's famous. I am so bad with names. How is your fast coming along now, after those difficult times you went through, with the clash with your friend and so. Is the weight still coming off? I hope so and I wish you lots of luck and strength!

losinginillinois, Hi to you too, another person busy on the homefront. I'm glad to hear the woman who ripped you off is being made to come to terms with what she's done. I really couldn't say too much for the benefits of our penal system but maybe it'll cause her to wake up. Good luck on getting back on track once things have settled a bit for you. We'll be watching for you!

hello everyone... sorry i have been missing in action. I have just been so busy lately, and since I type realy really slow, I dont have much time to post. I try to read as much as i can between work, but I havent had a lot of time to do much of anything. I Just wanted to check in and let you know that Im alvie and well. and still staying on my diet, drinking all my water, and exercising. :-)

I am on instant messenger at work and can be reached like that if anyone else has MSN or AIM...
my msn id is [email protected]
my aim Id is miescalante


I hope that you are all doing well.. I will try to get back to regular posting soon.

Hey Everyone!

Rainbow- You sound like super mom!!!! Thats great!

Mia- Hi Nice to see you!

Red- I know what you mean about getting off the fat.... I know that I have alot of muscle in my legs but until the fat goes away they just look big!

I am looking forward to the career change. I hope I am going in the right direction. It feels right and everyone around me goes "Oh yes - thats you!" I am also excited about it.... I havent been excited about work in a while.....

Well I went and saw the play Les Miserables last night.... it was fabulous! We went to La Luna's for dinner which is an authenic Italian Resturant and is so good.... needless to say the diet went bye-bye last night.... but I did get on the scale this morning and havent gained anything.... it will probably show up in the next couple of days.....

I am getting my water intake back up again.... I drank about 60 ounces yesterday.... I used to drink a ton of water and I just have to get back in the habit.

Took my one cat, Romie (which is really now my neighbors cat) to the vet yesterday because he has been voiceless for about 4 days and sounding awful.... he has had allergies in the past
but it hasnt lasted this long...... so I took him to the vet.... there is a new vet at the clinic and he was an idiot!!!! I dropped Romie off at 8:00 yesterday and told them to call me when they looked at him. That i had to pick him up between 3-4 because we had plans.... no one ever called.... i go by at 2 and was told "oh welll he will call you around 4:30" and I was like no he wont.... he hadnt even looked at the cat.... then basically said he didnt know what was wrong and wanted to do blood work which he could have done that morning had he called me!!!! Ruled out diabetes and kidney failure....but couldnt rule out aids or lukemia.... altough white counts were fine.... I said what about allergies... he said "oh well it could be that" then I also said what about teeth issues "oh well it could be that since his gums were swollen" I was having to tell him things and was getting very angry.... finally I told him to give me some antibiotics and if I needed him I would come back.... NOT.... I am now finding another vet!!!!!

Anyway, I am off to work!

Have a great Day!!!!

Hello Ladies,

I posted this same thing on the Jewels Within thread so instead of rewriting it I just did a little copy and paste, I did want to share with everyone because I need the support.

I have to take my 2 year old to a pediatric cardioliogist tomorrow, those words are scary, she has a heart murmur and I was told that shes fine they just want to be sure. Her doctor said something about the flow not sounding quite right. Now that the time to take her is almost here I've been driving myself crazy with what-ifs, like what if the dr. just didn't want to worry me and is waiting the ped card. to do that. I swear if that doctor didn't tell me something I'll go to his office and raise all kinds of ****!! Of course it could be nothing, because from everything I've read heart murmurs can occur quite frequently in kids and go away on there own. Then again it depends on the type of murmur it is. See how I'm doing this to myself. I am praying that everything is fine and I'm just doing the overly worried mother bit. Which is probably all it is.

Anyway, I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Angel

This is my girl :)

http://members.aol.com/aajdesign/katie2.jpg

Hoping for a good report!
 

LKBAngel, I'm out the door here and can't write but I wanted to just jump in here and say I'm hoping for the best and a good report for your little girl. She is beautiful! Yes, this is probably nothing and even if it is, you'll all make it through OK. You all have my prayers! Be strong!

lkb angel-

I know how scared you are.... You and she will be fine...

You will be in our prayers and thoughts!

lkb Angel -- Don't worry. From your description this sounds like a precautionary exam.

You and your lovely daughter are in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

Rainbowmyst

Good Morning Everyone!

LkB Angel- Hope all is well with you and your daughter today!!!!

Mia, Beth, Red, Orange, Rainbow and Lavender - I hope you guys are having a great day!!!!

As for me- I have lots of things I would love to see accomplished this weekend!

I have got to finish reading my reading assignments for my real estate class that starts October 1st. I have to finish the 1st reading assignment for the Dr Phil's Book Club that starts Monday, I have a car to wash, a closet to clean, and a house to clean up.... all so much fun dont you think???? Actually reading is fun for me although all the laws in real estate can put you to sleep...zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I havent gotten on the scale for a few days and am interested to see how I have done.... havent decided if I am going to go to WW tomorrow or not... havent really been following the plan lately been doing to south beach thing more although I always hate just having part of the program materials in case I want to follow it later on and if I stop now and go back later they will just give me the infor that I already have.... i know I am crazy but I like having all the info.

Hi all,

Heres the update on my daughter. Turns out she has a normal heart murmur and a trivial valve PS and the doctor suggested she may have Noonans Syndrome. The heart conditions may be a result of the Noonans Syndrome, which is from all I've read since returning home, a condition that can affect growth and development among other things, there is very little information about it on the net that I have been able to find. The extremely good news is that none of it is life threatening, and she can lead a normal life even with all these conditions affecting her. The next step is a echocardiogram (spelling?) which won't happen until 2006! He says that because of her age right now he wants to wait until she can be still for it, because right now she would have to be sedated. I'm not sure if I'm willing to wait that long, so I will be talking to a few more doctors. Anyway, right now, she is happy and here and thats all that matters!!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

LKBAngel

LKB - I am so glad to hear about your daughter.... you will stay in my thoughts and prayers but it all sounds good!

Quick not for now.... Talk more later!

LKBAngel, just wanted to pop in to say I'm glad the report seems rather positive. I'm glad to see you're going to get second opinions and that you are immediately researching things on your own. You're really something, Angel. Way to go. We're all thinking of you and your daughter. I hope you feel you're not alone. All my best!

Good Morning Everyone!!!!
 

I hope everyone is well!

Slept late this monring. 10am..... I havent slept that late in I dont know how long! It was kinda nice but my back starts hurting if I am in bed too long....

Well I had pizza last night for dinner... but only had 1 slice so that was good and also a glass of regular Coke... boo....

Got on the scale this morning and still weighed 205# which is down 2#s in a week.... lost it all in one day though but I figure if I kept it off all week then it wasnt just water weight....

When we got done eating pizza I made everyone get up and help me clean up.... I am tired of being the maid and with a hubby, 17 year old and 15 year old they can help! So we were able to get the house (except the bedrooms) cleaned up in 1 hour..... it is something that would normally take me all day to do by myself.... I think this is going to be the plan in the future... now my saturday is free to do other things....

I get to clean out my closet... oh yeah.... then I have lots of studying to do for my real estate class that starts in October.

How is everyone else doing????

Red- How is work going? And the weightlifting?

LKB Angel- I am so glad to hear about your daughter. That is really great!

Rainbow- Is this the weekend you turn your dining room into a resturant? If so I hope it all goes smoothly!

Mia- How are you doing? I used to type real slow also until I started posting on these boards and chetting online.... it speeded up my typing considerably.

Beth- How is the house coming along? Is all the testoterone driving you crazy yet????

DoILookFat- Are you still on board with us?

Lavender- How are you doing on the other side of the water? Has you cold gotten better? Have you found that other place to stay yet?

Orange - How are you doing? We miss you!

PyePye- How are you doing? We miss you also!

AM I missing anyone? I hope not!

I am off now. Talk to you soon!

my weekend posts ;)
 

Hello Everyone,

Turns out after finding an email list (listserv) of people who children have Noonans and getting there opinions on the situation I'm in that waiting three years to have the echo done is not a good idea, and also the fact that she MAY HAVE Noonans is not sitting well with me either. The pulmonary stenosis that she has is something that he thinks is wrong but can not verify without the echo and if that is what it is then she needs to be monitored more frequently than every 3 years. I'm really ticked off about this, because he made everything sound okay when in fact waiting to find out is not the appropriate action. I tried to get the cardioligist on the phone the other day to discuss this with him but had no luck so I'm going back to her doctor and expressing my concerns to him, and if he doesn't do anything then I'm going to find someone who will.

I did find more information on Noonan Syndrome and it can cause more problems than I initially new so I'm worried and there is no way I can wait 3 years to find out.

Anyway, sorry for dumping this on everyone, but I have been talking to just about everyone for support and because I'm to the point were I would just like nothing better than to have a good cry, but there isn't time for emotional break-downs. Its just plain easier to type and share, if that makes sense.

On to other things, my diet has suffered this weekend. I'm somewhat of an emotional eater so I've been doing alot of eating, I know I shouldn't but just can't seem to help myself right now. I'm going to try to get back on track today.

Rainbow~~You do sound like a wonderful mother, and you have given me some great ideas for when my girls are older. I bet it is a lot of work but great fun too!!

I know this isn't quite the same thing but my kids are still young, but for Halloween I always ask my oldest one what she wants to be about a month before, so I can hand make her costume. This year she wants to be a butterfly so I know that will be a fun costume. Last year she was a princess, so I made everything, dress, hat, wand (because she wanted it) and we even decorated a bucket to match her outfit for trick or treating. It took a lot of time but it was fun!! We also carve pumpkins and last year we did Shrek, he turned out really cool. We have also done scooby-doo. I'm letting my middle girl go this year also but she can't quite tell me yet what she wants to be so I'm thinking maybe a ladybug, because I call her my ladybug often.

I guess thats about it for now, I'm not looking forward to stepping on a scale today, but I will anyway, wish me luck!

Thanks for listening to my problems!!

LKBAngel

sw: 230
cw: 216
gw: 175 (for now)