Vicki-How is the nukester? Those sticks were just crying out to you weren't they? They are ok, but the thickness of the cheese gags me sometimes. I scarf the hot wings! 16's....HIP HIP HORAAAYYYY! Way to go girl! I am shooting for 16's as a permanent size.

Amy- you never cease to amaze me with your test scores! Between your weight loss and your scores you are on top of the world kiddo.

I too am curious about the nephew. I know that being new I am probably out of the loop!

I am chugging right along. I did hit a rough spot last night and ate an extra piece of fruit so that I wouldn't dive into doritos or oreos or something!.

Wed:
Brk- 1/2 bagel, 1/2 tsp lowfat cream cheese, cup fresh fruit

Snack: fat free pudding

Lunch: 1/3 c diet conqueso with homemade baked chips (16)

Dinner: 1 1/3 c diet chicken waldorf salad, 1 c broccoli with butter buds

Snack: soft pretzel no salt no butter, mustard and a pear

72 oz water

Have a good day ladies and keep your chin(s) up!!!!!

Donna

Happy Friday everyone---

Amy--don't worry I'm not getting too mixed up in their affairs, they are back together again thanks to me. I told her he and I
had been talking on the phone and she got really mad, called him up and now they're together again. The thing that gets me is the way she said she would not take him back, she was happy with out him and all this bull and just because I said we had talked she called him. Guess she was afraid he was start seeing me but truthfully I don't want anything to do with him as a boyfriend/girlfriend just to be friends and know that we can at least be civil to one another if we see each other out somewhere.

How did the test go, well I'm sure. I know what you mean about the kids testing you, even though Chris is good most of the time he does try to test me once in a while. We are going to my grand niece's first b-day tonight and then Chris has a football game in Belair MD tomorrow afternoon so that will take up most of the day.

Vicki-how's Nuke and his classes coming along??? Bet you and hubby are out riding with the weather being so nice, well it was a little chilly last weekend and suppose to rain overnight tonight and little tomorrow early am but hopefully it won't rain all day cause I sure don't want to watch a football game in the rain and I know you don't want to ride in the rain.

Vic--how's it going hun. You're MIA again hope hubby didn't find out about the nephew. If he does will he eventually understand why you did it, sure do hope so.

Well I better go, talk to you guys later.

Deb

Good day friendz~
Don't have a lot of time as I have to get to work here in a few minutes but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and hoping you're all having a great weekend!
My nephew is driving me batty! As far as why DH is in the dark... well.. he is tired of bailing the world out. he said he was through doling $$$ for those who elect to screw their lives up with drugs etc. I don't blame him but at the same time find it hard to turn my back on family. My nephew took his own cast off his foot yesterday because he thinks it will heal faster.. I wanted to throttle him! he's now at the hospital waiting on Xrays to determine if he can start back to work on Mon. Hopefully he can!! I can only entertain him for so long! DH knows he's here now and hasn't thrown to big a fit. He doesn't realize I sent him the bus ticket, have paid for his motel room for 2 weeks (so far), bought his food and cigs. Should he ever find that out he will blow a gasket I'm sure. I've spent probably $700.00 on him since he's been here the past 2 weeks. Oh well... someday I may learn to turn my back.
My biggest regret about saving the day for everyone else... it leaves me no time to take care of the things I need to for myself. I don't eat like I should.. healthy that is.. I find myself eating junk and chocolate in stressfull situations. I don't exercise or drink the water I should.. alcohol seems to work better then the water when you're overloaded. I know that's stupid but where I'm at for the moment. Hopefully monday I will be free of the burdens of others for a minute! Yeah ..RIGHT! Another pain in the gazoo is the job he has.. it's concrete... and it is about 15 miles from here and starts at 6:30 am. He has no transportation and I can't afford a $20 taxi each way,every day so guess who will be getting up early til the first paycheck???? I'm finding myself getting very irritable.. can you tell???
I know I've done this to myself.. and "this too shall pass", but in the meantime it has me strung out and in need of a rest!
I better go so I can get to work on time. Life... what a concept!
I'll try to think "happy thoughts".. he'll be on his on SOON...

Don't let my negativity bring you down.. you're all doing great! I just wanted to let you know why I haven't been here like I should and that I AM still with you!

Big hug to you all~
Vic

Vic- Sweety, I know how very hard it is to let go but I think you are going to have to and probably soon. This kid/young man is playing you and knows he's got a good deal! Believe me, I know this one cause I been through it. My nephew experienced a trauma when he was sixteen (his dad blew his brains out in this poor kids bedroom). He quit school, drank and drank and coked and coked. His stepfather paid $10,000 to get him clean didn't work, he is now 35 years old, lives with his mom and stepdad still mooching, has to ride a moped to work because he lost his license due to a dui accident (one of many) has been in jail, goes on drug binges where he disappears for days and of course loses his job over it and on and on. I am not judging, but for heaven's sake just don't let him come between you and your spouse. Watch for the warning signs (more fighting between you and dh about this guy, YOU defending him over your husband etc) These are a couple things that could ruin your marriage and push you over the edge. I will say a prayer for all of you that things will get better.

We sure do have troubles in our lives that inhibit our desire to get ourselves healthy. I am putting all my best wishes for all of you into a big kiss and blowing it your way. You guys catch it and I hope you have a spectacular day. You are all doing so wonderfully! I am proud to be part of this group.

Love you all,

Donna

Hey Donna ~ there is a little more to Vic's Nephew's story than she said... It hard when she was faced with the situation she was faced with. I understand the tough love practice your trying to persuade here but I can understand why she is doing what she is doing.... I don't know if she remembers or not but she sent us the whole story in an e-mail she didn't post it so she might not want me to go into it, so I wont, but she is doing the christian thing by helping this nephew- I don't think he is openly taking advantage of her (yet)... just depends on how he handles this cleaning up.

Vic ~ Hang in there sweetie! You definitely need some you time! Once Darling Nephew gets a check under his belt, does he realize that he is on his own? Is he clean(you know what I mean) - do you have to worry about him blowing his check? Donna's right in an instance you can't keep this up for long he is going to have to stand up for himself as soon as possible. It isn't that hard to drink your water Vic.... Eating healthy takes time but water is easy! So if you don't do anything else for yourself drink your water.

Deb ~ Lordy girl, you live in your own little soap opera! Who needs TV when you have those two.... This guys kid does he live with them? Gosh I hope not!

Well we are working on Mom-in-laws pond expantion this weekend so my arms and back feel like I have been moving tons of dirt... no wait... I have been moving tons of dirt.... but it is going to be pretty.... Got to run! Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Hugs to all,
Amy
176/145/130

Please please don't see anything I said as a criticism to you, Vicki. I just know from experience that helping someone out for an extended period of time can turn on you. Please just take care of yourself well and I applaud you for taking this gentleman in. It takes a lot to take on someone else and their problems.

Amy-Thanks for setting me straight. I should have kept my big mouth shut. I just feel so bad for her because I have seen what can happen in my own life. Thank you for keeping confidences also!

Hope everyone is doing well this morning. I feel yucky but am at work anyway. Well, everyone take care and have a good day!

Donna

Good morning everyone! We took a trip down to New Jersey and then some this weekend. It was a lot of fun - here is the play by play. Now I need a nap!

Saturday morning I woke up at 4am. I couldn't get back to sleep. So I got up and showered at 5am. Then I was on the computer printing out directions and different things of interest that we might want to do over the weekend.

My brother called at 7am and was on his way over so I got hubby up. When db arrived, dh wasn't ready so we went to get breakfast and put gas in the car. When we got back, we ate breakfast and then left for the post office to pick up the GPS we had ordered. Then we left for Allentown, NJ. That's where dh lived until he was 14 and he wanted to go to his pizza place.

My db took over driving from dh after a couple of hours because dh wanted to play with his GPS. That's when db decided he wanted to drive through NYC so we could see the Manhatten skyline. So that's what we did. We stayed on the interstate all the way through and traffic was pretty good until we got to Staten Island. This was the first time I had ever been there so I don't know what the skyline looked like before, but db said that the WTC towers made the other buildings look small. From Staten Island we took the turnpike down to Allentown. We ate pizza at his pizza place and then he gave us the quick tour of town.

Next stop was 6 Flags where we had heard about a Safari where the animals come right up to your car. We arrived there at 4:10 and they closed at 4 so we had to wait until the next day. Then we weren't sure where we were going to go next. We decided on Atlantic City. I've always wanted to walk along the boardwalk there. We arrived just before sunset and walked along the beach for a ways until we got to a mall that was built out over the ocean. Then we watched the sun as it set down behind the skyline - it was beautiful. We walked back to our car and then left for Champps restaurant in Marlton, NJ. Dinner was very good. I think it's a good thing for my healthy eating that I don't live 15 minutes from Champps anymore. Their hamburgers and fries are so good! I was stuffed after that.

Next was a hotel somewhere on the way to Washington D.C. We started looking when we got to Baltimore. Then we hit a huge traffic jam. It was midnight! My db thinks it's because there was a ball game that had been played that night. On the way down to DC, once we got out of the traffic jam, we stopped at every exit and couldn't find any hotels. They were all completely full. So we decided to skip the DC tour and just head back north of Baltimore. By the time we finally found a hotel it was 4:30am. We slept in until 10:30 and then got up and went to the Safari.

The Safari was really cool. The meat eating animals were behind fences, but otherwise, the animals wandered around. We had camels and giraffes come up and look in the windows. Zebras and rhinos and cool things with curly horns were running next to us. Then, the monkey area was the coolest. They climb all over the cars. It was too funny! We had one swinging from our rear window wiper for a while. After we were done and got out to see if any damage was done, we noticed that one of them pooped on our roof!

We returned to dh's pizza place for lunch and then headed home. We got home around 10pm. Then we had to go gather our dog from dh's brother's house. Apparently he was being a troublemaker over the weekend.

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

- Vicki

Afternoon ladies, I'm going to try this once more. I posted this morning but lost it. Grrrrrrrrr

Vic--I wish I could say something or do something to make this thing with nephew better but I know I can't. Glad to hear hubby at least knows he is in the area but sure do hope he doesn't find out about you financing him. Just remember we are here when and if you need us and always miss your posts. Its so easy for us to give advice, knowing that what's said is easier said than done. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT!!! How's that grandson of yours doing getting big I bet, how old is he 2 or 3 right? I went to my great niece's 1st b-day Friday night and she was sooooo adorable just a happy little one. I also got suckered into watching her and her 4 yr old brother and 7 yr old sister but they are all so happy. I really don't mind as long as it doesn't interfere with my going to Chris' game and my nephew said he takes them to the local high school football game on Friday nights so that's cool. Now I just have to pray it doesn' rain on Saturday.
Chris' school is doing really well this year we have lost only 1 game and that was the very first one, only problem is Chris really doesn't get to play too much, in fact he didn't play Saturday at all.
He's just happy being able to say he's on the football team.

Amy--You ball of energy, always doing something. Thought you were mil's pond or did you and hubby stop because it was too hot?? No wonder you're down to a size 8, always doing something, school, kids, building pond maybe you some of the energy will rub off on me. I feel so tired and lazy and I know if I would get my butt in gear and start doing something I wouldn't feel so tired and lazy. I felt great when I was exercising..

Vicki--you're another one, so adventurous(sp) going through NYC, Jersey and down to Washington, DC. I do know that Cal Ripken who plays for the Baltimore Orioles was playing his last game ever Saturday night at Camden Yards and by the looks of the stadium Sat night its no wonder you couldn't find a hotel room. I'm sure people from all over travelled here to see him play his last game, watching the pregame and part of the game it was really a tear jerker at least for me. He was one personable guy, listen to me sounds like I met him before but "No" I haven't.
I was travelling down 95 south Saturday afternoon on my way to Chris' football game which was around Aberdeen, Maryland. I thought they said people were staying home but from the traffic going south I don't think so. May be they aren't flying or taking trains but they sure are driving and lines to pay the tolls coming back around 5 PM, boy am I glad I have the EZ Pass or else I would have had to sit for about 20 min in lines.

Donna-hope you're feeling better. I lost my post this morning when I did the back arrow so I could read what you posted and lost my whole posting, ediets I could go back and forth without losing the post I was typing. Oh well now I know better.

I think I'm going to send Gertie another email to see if I can get a reply back from her. I really miss her and hope everything is alright with her son. I thought she was going to follow us here hopefully she's just busy and will be back with out shortly. Amy, does she ever reply to any of your messages???

I did get a little exercise on Saturday, the football field was about 1/4 mile from the parking lot then when I got to the gate I didn't have my money to get so I had to go back to the car (boy that was a task and showed me just how out of shape I really am) to get the money then walk back down. Like I keep saying my food is ok as long as its not TOM which it is and I am craving choc like crazy but otherwise I really do watch what I eat. I just need to get up and exercise and I know I'd start losing again. Really wish you guyz were here to physically kick me in the butt to get me moving.

Well I guess I have posted long enough.

Food for today--

Breakfast--coffee and pretzels

lunch-water, small chili and small garden salad from Wendy's

snack--low carb bar and water

dinner-not sure yet

Bye friends, prayers are with you all.

Deb

You ladies do get around! All on the east coast looks like!

I am so glad you have had a great weekend.

Deb, I do feel a bit better. It is women stuff. You know that drill! I kept thinking yesterday laying in bed dying, men are so lucky, not only do they not have this crap BUT WE WORK NOW TOO! Where is the justice in that?

Really I am fine, about every quarter, I have a bad bout. My body wants to sit on the fence and deny me the end of menopause!

Well l better go, it has been nuts, nuts, nuts here today. I have felt like an octopus trying to get everything done and answer phones too.

Have a great day ladies. The sunshine is out here and it is beautiful today.

Donna

Good morning!

Deb - Aberdeen was where we finally found a hotel! How weird is that!? I was in the same town as you with in 24 hours of when you were there. I remember my brother saying something about someone's last day in whatever sport was playing that night. Can you tell how much I follow sports? LOL!

It was also a holiday weekend so I'm sure some of the hotels were full just for that.

Donna - The octopus reference gave me quite the mental picture! LOL! Thanks!

It's going to be a tough night exercise wise. I normally go to karate on Mondays because we have dog class on Tuesdays and the two in the same night is difficult. Well, karate was cancelled last night because of the holiday so now I have to go tonight to get my two nights a week in. Dog class is from 5-6 and since it's agility class, I run full speed at least 2 courses. The rest of the time we are walking. I'm wiped after this. Now tonight I'll have karate from 7-8 and the only thing that I can hope for is that it is an easy night of forms or self-defense techniques. I'm hoping for something that isn't cardio or muscle intensive. In either case, I will be sleeping well tonight!

Have a great day everyone!

- Vicki

Vicki--that is too weird you being in Aberdeen but if I remeber correctly you were there fairly late/early I was there between
12:30 - 3:45 PM. We probably passed each other on the way down, no guess not because you were eating pizza in Jersey during the time I was in Aberdeen. Sounds like you are going to get enough exercise with Nuke tonight without going to Karate.
Between you and Amy, where do you get your energy??

Donna-Yes I do know what you mean about the woman problems, I had a hysterscopy and D & C done around the end of June and I was doing ok for a few months but now the same symptoms are coming back. The one thing that is really bothering me is my stomach bloating, I get my period and my stomach goes down for approx 2 weeks, used to be down for 3 weeks. Now I have a big stomach for 2 weeks prior and little stomach 2 weeks after. To be honest I feel as if I am 10 months pregnant and we know that's not possible if it was I'd be rich!!!! lol

Vic--how's things going, you must be really worn out driving nephew around and working your night shift.

Amy--how's school going?? must be studying for tests this week and as always we know you will ace the tests.

By the way Amy, Vic and Vicki I sent an email to Gertie, hope I hear back from her.

I did ok until I get home last as far as food goes. My wonderful son wanted to get his haircut last night so he calls the Hair Cuttery to see how long the wait was, well they told him about 15 min so off we went. Well we get there and guess what, they were closed then my wonderful son asks me where this place was and I told him, well low and behold he called the wrong place. Turns out the place he called was about 15 min from our house and not the one he wanted so we go off to another place he goes in says its only a 30 min wait so I said ok. He's in there waiting and I decide to go to GNC health store and QVC outlet and after I go there I go sit with him well a 30 min wait ended up being an hour and half wait. I could have just strangled him but I also thought it was a little funny him calling the wrong place. Anyway we had not eaten and when we got home he made Joe Corbi pizza and I had a slice of it along with about 30 choc covered pretzels and 2 handfuls of choc covered raisins. I would have been ok if I didn't eat the pretzels and raisins. Oh how I wish I could do something about this chocolate craving at TOM.

So that's my long winded story about last night.

Food today--

Breakfast--coffee and low carb bar

Snack--pretzels

lunch-going out now to get it, hoping to buy a rotisseried turkey breast and some cukes.

Sorry for my long wind and Have a great day. The weather is beautiful here in Delaware.

Deb

Hey guys!

I don't think I posted yesterday.. to be honest I don't really remember but if I did Okay if I didn't welll..... Okay..

I came home from school yesterday with the intention of just cleaning my house. It was completely trashed....bathrooms were gross, the floor needed (need) vacuuming, furniture dusting, beds changed, clothes done you name it needed it... Well DS told me when I picked him up from MIL's after school he needed supplies for his "Presidential" campaign I told him fine but I was going home to clean house first. Well, got the bathrooms done, did the dusting and then hit DD's room wellllllll what started out as me straightening up so I could vacuum ended in me completely rearranging the childs room- it started with me yelling at her telling here I didn't have time to clean up after her and I sure didn't have time to move her furniture (which includes a single waterbed) I told her to get out of the room and let me finish because I had x,y and z still left to do... then I felt bad so I ended up re-arranging it out of guilt. I got through at like 8:45 and the kids bedtime is 8:30. Devon's campaign signs still werent done - so we headed out to Wal-Mart at 8:45, got his stuff and headed home. We finished his posters at 10:45 I was wiped out... I stayed up to hang up a load of clothes, put another in the dryer and another in the washer and remake our bed because I had stripped it in the process of cleaning... I fell into bed at 11:45 and fell out of bed at 7AM to go back to Wal-Mart before dropping the kids at school because I forgot double sided tape to hang the posters. I am still not through cleaning house. I went to the gym today... first time since Skylar got sick in May Yeah for me.. I feel like a cow I am up in weight this week, couldn't tell you why because I haven't slowed down.... Life stinks like that sometimes though.

Deb - We are putting around a 2000 gallon expansion on MIL's pond. The pond we built in May...her fish are out growing they are beautiful but she doesn't have anything to do but sit and feed them like 800 times a day so they are getting huge!!!!! and my SIL conned Kevin and I into expanding it for her. It is going to be beautiful but gesh! This is why my house looks like a tornado hit it - we are always doing something for someone else and never have time to do the things that need to be done- I have to make the decision between housework and studying (studying is going to when over dust)... This is the last pond for the year- we have built 4 not including our expansion last spring. School is going alright...I have A's in all but one class and I have a middle B in that one- we are at mid-semester so it is half way through! No Gertie hasn't responded to anything that I have sent her- I don't know what is going on.

Vicki - Sounds like you had a blast this weekend.. I wish that was the reason my house wasn't clean!

Donna - I hope you don't think I was fussing at you, I really wasn't... I have a tendency to play mother hen to everyone, please don't make a reason tonot make your opinion known... that is what we are here for...

Vic - Sending you good vibes!!!

Well I have pretty much had a pity party for Amy- so now I have to go finish cleaning my house. Will check in soon.

Amy
176/148/130

Just wanted to check in quick guys. I can't believe it but today is worse than yesterday! I only have a couple secs.

Deb- That's ok, you'll get past it. We all have those unbearable cravings for something. You are going good today and that is great!

Vic-Today I need octopus arms on my octopus arms now there is a picture! My desk has stuff stacked all over it. At least it is stuff that is all done and just needs to be delivered at my lunch hour.

I didn't tell you guys. Gosh I have been so busy I forgot and I can't believe I forgot this! I had found a way to get weighed and I have lost 5 lbs! Yipppppeeeeeeee

Gotta go love and kisses, Donna

Good morning everyone!

I'm really tired today. After 1 hour of walking and running at dog class and then 1 hour of karate last night I'm wiped! I learned that is something my body is not ready for so I will not do that again!

Deb - You are wondering about energy - I know that when I don't exercise I have much less energy and the more I sit and do nothing the lazier I feel. Once you get yourself up and moving the energy starts to come back. Get out there and exercise girl! I know it's hard to get started when you don't have the energy, but even a 10 min walk will help. The more you exercise and eat right, the more energy you will have.

Amy - You are doing great in your classes!

Take care everyone and stay strong!

- Vicki

Afternoon Ladies, well its hump day!!!

Well I diiiiiiiiiddddd it, I tao-baoed last night for approx 1/2 hr and also used my ab-doer. Was doing well until just now I had a bowl of ice cream with choc sauce, pineapple and choc morsels.
Last week was customer service week and they just had this for us today. Oh well, at least the rest of the day has been good!!

Amy--just love the American Flag and "NO" I was not offended.
I just love the emails you send, keep them coming.

Vicki-I know that if I would just start I'd get myself moving again and even though I did something last night I just want to be able
to keep going. Its just that right now its pre TOM and I feel like I am 10 months pregnant. People laugh at me but I feel like I can
actually feel my stomach getting bigger and bigger as the day goes on, then bam when I get my period I will be fine for a few weeks.

Vic--everything ok, prayers are with you. Sending you hugs

Donna-Way to go on the 5lb loss Keep up the good work.

Food for today--

Breakfast--Coffee and few pretzels

lunch-2 sm hamburger patties w/o roll and sm side salad from
Wendy's, water

snack-low carb bar

snack-1 1/2 scoops choc ice cream with pineapple, choc morsels
and chco syrup

dinner--probably chopped anti-pasta salad w/blue cheese and either Coors Light or Unsweetened ice tea (not sure yet)

Will talk to you guys later.

Sending Prayers and hugs to all.

Deb