Good Saturday Morning Ladies, thank you for all your kind wishes with regard to my aunt and her situation. Yes, it has been a long, intense two days. Set up and funded special account from which to pay only her bills. Just got off the phone with a number of utilities, explaining why her bills haven't been paid in months, and transferring all future bills to my attention. Thank goodness that these folks have Saturday morning hours! Monday will bring more running around with aunt business, but I am so glad that we are finally making some progress. I tried to explain the bill payment set up in very simplified terms to her, last night. Of course she didn't understand and just became angry, beligerent and accusatory (of me stealing her money). I didn't get into an argument with her because it would do no good. I just steered the conversation away from the topic. And I will pay her bills no matter what she says! Oh, but ladies, she did try my patience last night. I took her out to dinner last night and all she could say was how I had gained weight and how terrible I looked. Funny, she can't remember the day, month and year, but she can remember how to really insult me. She was always a tiny thing and (when she had all of wits about her) she would always insult and belittle me about being fat. I know, I know, this is not a nice lady, but family is family. Can't pick 'em. Also, I can't let her suffer. Darn! Well, yesterday, I was on the run for the entire day and half the night. Dinner was at California Pizza Kitchen and I don't know the points for the Thai Pizza (but I will look it up). I know that ate too much though. Anyway, today it is back OP for me and it will be a relief to have part of my structured little life back. You all have a great weekend. Cindy

Geri, thanks for the support and nice praise for my weight loss, girlfriend. No, my aunt currently lives in her own condo unit. We check in on her several (3) times a week and take her out for dinner. An assisted living center would be ideal for her, but I don't think that we are set up to transition her to it just yet. We will be getting her in-home, home-maker services - cooking, cleaning, companionship. We previously set up this service for her, but she sent away the homemaker that we had arranged. Now, hopefully, she will understand that she can't do that beause the alternative is assisted living in a new place. Ugh! I hate giving this poor woman an ultimatum that she really doesn't understand. Geri, despite the hardships at this time, I am feeling better that things are finally rolling along. Glad that you enjoyed Billy Ray! You take care.

Bunny, welcome back. Sounds like you had the most wonderful trip. glad that business is doing so well. Good job on getting DH to cooperate. I know that he really want to help you.

Lilacglitter, thanks for the support on the weight loss and for my aunt. Yup, it's been a tough few days, but the weekend is here and I can rest a little and get caught up with my own household chores. Did you have a great time with your friend on Friday night? Your idea for roasted chicken and dessert sounded yummy! Nice going! Have a good one.

Well, its sunday evening, so I am catching up with you all. I have been for a walk today in the park! It was lovely. It was only about an hour (and a good long time was spent sitting under a tree at the top of a very steep hill!!!!! )but I felt very refreshed. It rained buckets while I was out and so I was soaked to the skin, which was a laugh, and when I got in I was so cold I had a bath......so it's now officially winter here..... .

Friday night with my friend was good, and I enjoyed preparing the food, although she was late and it got a bit spoiled . I went about 4 over on points as I had a big portion of dessert! So it's stir fry veg tonight.

Bunny (or should I say Oprah!) I would love to come and be your chef if I got to walk the trails between meals!! That is a very flattering thing to hear for me! I do love cooking so much, playing with colours and textures and flavours. It makes the ww plan quite interesting as it is a whole new set of parametres for me to cook around.
I sympathise about your husband not really knowing how to be properly supportive to you. It sounds like he simply needs to learn how to be helpful - perhaps it has not occured to him that it is hard for you to sit and watch him eat the type of food which helped get you heavy in the first place. But good on you for tackling it with him and talking and getting him to begin to understand! That will be a major bonus for you.

Cindy - Oh your aunt sounds difficult. I felt furious on your behalf when I read about her going on about your body Miserable old bat. She is very lucky to have such a loyal and dutiful neice. Holding our self esteem in the face of such an onslaught (from people we want to approve of us and love us!!) is such a battle. But everytime you hold it you strengthen it - you are worth respect, love, health, joy, peace, bounty, passion, beauty, power and blessings. No matter what a crotchety and bitter old lady may think. Maybe she missed out on some of that herself.....but that is not your responsibility. And good for you for getting back OP. As for the Thai Pizza - look up the points, write it down and move on!

Geri - I was really pleased for you that your bottom fitted in to the seat at the concert! I simply hate it and get so sad and feel so left out when I cant fit seats. At college I have to get there early to get one of the bigger chairs (I could ask someone to move later, but.....oh really, I dont think I could face that). At our cinema the seats do just fit my bum, but to get in to it I have to push past a sort of plastic drinks holder thing they have stuck on the set, which means I get bruised thighs. . I am going to australia for my holiday later this year, and I am hoping to have lost enough inches to fit comfortably in the seat for the 24 hour flight....... So well done on that!! And from your post you seem to be really making some good choices (apples - 'comfort me with apples for I am sick of love' as it says in Song of Soloman! Yum!), and planning ahead, which is such a big part of it all.

Love to everyone else!!

Hello ladies!

As usual, its been a busy few days. I'm trying to get my rear end back in high gear to get the house in order. I've been working on the rec room/office so DH can finally (maybe??) get my desk put together. More rug shampooing and hauling boxes.

I've been doing fairly well OP. I would like to think I should do well on Monday WI but not going to hold my breath. I leave town Tuesday noonish for Cedar Rapids, Iowa and coming back late Thursday night. Just a small trip for work.

Cindy - Great for you to have a 3 pound loss. Especially with all the trials you have been facing with your aunt. Hang in there for yourself.

Geri - Busy as ever you are! Thanks for the recipe. I found the skinny cows in chocolate peanut butter. YUUUM. I had to laugh when I found them at the grocery store last night. During our move when it was so incredibly hot, I had run up to Osco for something and picked up this package of ice cream sandwiches for a "treat". I wasn't really paying attention to WW then but did note that the pkg said "98% fat free". I didn't read the label; just ate and enjoyed them. To my surprise, they were skinny cows!! So now I enjoy them even more!


Lilac - I laughed pretty hard when I read your definition of skinny cows. Actually that's what I think of some women in WW who need to lose 7 lbs and are whining about how they pigged out on 3 oreos that week. Then I chastise myself and try to allow that their struggle is just as hard (haven't convinced myself of that yet ) Your dinner sounds wonderful. I'd invite myself over but its a bit too far to drive!!

Bunny - Good for you for standing your ground on the polish saugage. It is so hard to stay OP when DH's don't help you slay the food dragon. I'm going to have to check out your website to see the goodies! Glad you had a good and safe trip. Welcome back!

Hope I didn't miss anybody. Have a great OP Sunday and be strong!

Hi Ladies,

I'm trying to learn some of the colorful stuff so if this ends up looking like a rainbow, I apologize in advance. It's going to storm here soon so I'll type til I can hear thunder. I went to the YMCA today and signed up for aqua jogging and a 1 yr. membership. Hopefully this will keep me more and more active. I've got to see if I still fit into my swimsuit or if I have to order a new one. The classes start the 2nd week in Sept.

GERI: Great French Fry recipe. Can't wait to try it. Sounds Yummy!!! So Glad that you didn't have "seat troubles" at the concert. A friend of mine's son is playing Single A baseball (1 level below the major leagues) right here, in town, but as much as I want to go see him play I don't think I'll quite fit into the stadium seats. I should go over when there's nothing going on and check it out. I don't want to pay fora seat then end up standing for 9 innings.

LILACGLITTER: A trip to Australia is SUPER INCENTIVE! Keep on walking and pedali an stayoOP and the plane will be fine. You know, we'll all want to hear all about your trip.

OOPS ...THERE'S THE THUNDER. I'll finish up later.

I've been on WW for 9 weeks and have lost 13 lb. I was pretty proud of that until I saw that J-Ann has lost over 30 in the same time period. Oh well, this is the best I've done on any diet in ages and I'm really enjoying it. I even like journaling because, not only does it keep me on track and honest, but if I have an especially good week, I can check back and see what I did differently to make it better.
I'm one of the gals who has to have a little extra protein and also more mini-meals. I have over 100 lb to lose and I don't expect it to be fast.

OK, It's stopped storming so, I'm back!

WELCOME LINDA! I was really lucky to have a FANTASTIC start on my weight loss journey. 13 lbs is a super loss. Don't put it down. Every oz. is one less that we have to lose later on. From your introduction I'd say you're doing a GREAT JOB journaling and staying on program. That's all anyone can ask for. Glad you've joined us. Visit with us again soon. We're here to applaud your progress and especially to help you over any ruts that try to trap you along the way.

TERRI: I found the Chocolate Peanut Butter Skinny Cows in a little market where I didn't expect to find anything low fat. What a surprise. They had mint Cows too. I LOVED you defnition of Skinny Cow. It reminds me of a few ladies at my meetings too.

CINDY: CONGRAT"S on your 3 lb. loss. Well Done!!! Sounds like you're getting Auntie's life and your's back under control. HURRAY!!! You are being a saint {{{hug}}}.

BUNNY: Welcome home. Is the car unpacked yet?? Glad DH is coming around. It's always easier if we get support at home.

Well I know I had something else to write about, but it's gone now. You all have a great OP evening and a marvelous Monday!

Hi everyone! Gosh, I didn't mean to be AWOL yesterday. Guess the day just slipped away from me. I left the house for a job at 10:30 in the morning and after stopped by a friend's house that was nearby. We gabbed for awhile and then I went to Walmart. I had spotted that they had alot of their perrenials on clearance and I have been wanted to put a perrenial garden in in the front yard so that I don't have so much flower planting to do every year. I've been picking them up on clearance when I see them so that this project doesn't cost me a fortune, or at least it won't seem like a forturne when it's spent a little at a time.

My food is improving. I needed to spend yesterday and today really focused. When I tallied my journal on Friday I was over for the week by like 35 points. That's alot to try and make up, but I have to say, if I hadn't journalled it, I wouldn't know what I need to do to get back on track. Soooooo, YEAH journal!!!!

Just got finished making a pot of taco soup and I also have a pot on with oriental onion soup. I still need to make a couple of my favorite 1 and 2 point snacks, but that will come after I finish here. You guys come first!!

Cindy: Good job, keeping the faith! Be strong --- it's not always easy!!! [[[hugs]]] Your aunt and my dad sound soooo much alike it's scarey. Well actually, not scarey. Now that it is over, I find it easier to help console others going through my situation. My 2 best friends are dealing with the dementia too. One with her mother, the other with her MIL. The money issue: big time dementia related response. My dad was absolutely awful about money. He would rant and rave and bang the walls in the apartment screaming at my mother about her taking all of the money. She was so afraid they were going to evict them. And being downright ugly towards people, I think that's part of it too. My father never was that way during his life though, just when he took sick. My cousin who is a nurse and dealt with the elderly on home visits always said, "the personality a person has when they are young is just magnified when they get old." I think that's true with dementia patients too, but I also think some of their behavior is completely off of the person they once were. I think dementa brings alot of surprises. At any rate, you are doing well. Just make sure to take care of yourself!!

Terri: Sounds like your unpacking is coming right along. And all that shampooing is hard work, so you must be burning a ton of calories!!! * Have a fun trip. We'll miss you! * Ohhhhh, I wish I could find the chocolate peanut butter Skinny Cows. I love peanut butter cups and I bet they would be wonderful!

Lilacglitter: We have those darn cup holders at the theatre too. What are they thinking? They take a narrow seat and make it worse by adding a cupholder! We do have one theatre here though that is heavenly. They put in stadium seating (tiered, in case you don't have that there) and all of the armrests can go up, making loveseats so a couple can sit closer. That's the way they advertise it. What it says to me is my BIG butt will fit in it comfortably! I love going to the show there! * When do you head to Australia? That sounds like great fun. Here's to fitting in the airline seats. Mine in October for San Francisco, you're to Australia!!!

J-ann: Yes, it is a bit of a rainbow, but very pretty. I don't have the patience to hit all the codes, so you all will have to put up with boring black ink for the most part! * Congrats on your new commitment to the Y! That should get you more active! * You really should go to the stadium and see what kind of seats they have. These at the Knob were stadium looking, but they only had little stubby arm things coming out from the backs so you had plenty of 'spill over' room, if ya know what I mean? The seats in our basketball stadium are so narrow and with solid sides on them that there is no way I fit. DH and I went to a Reba McIntyre concert there several years ago and there was no way that I could fit, so we gave up our seats and went way up in the 'nose bleed' section where there were folding chairs for those who accompany wheelchair patrons. I felt real bad for my honey, 'cuz we went to see Reba for him and then he was stuck way up there with me.

Well, girls, I guess I need to go turn off that onion soup. It should be pretty well simmered by now. You all have a good night.

"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Xerxes

Its a beautiful day in my neighborhood. Just the right amount of cool, not too humid, birds singing, bees buzzing. All is right with the world. We got up later than usual this morning (6.30 am) and wandered off to our local flea market. Not much to buy, but good conversations with our favourite folks there. The low level economic depression that's moving into our area of the universe has hit flea market folks hard. One of our favourite vendors is having to struggle to make the rent; another is talking about selling her shop (if she can!) to be able to afford her husband's medical care. The flea market was fully rented last summer; this summer a third of the spots are empty -- and the number of empty spaces in increasing. New lay-offs, migrating south because of the weather, living in tents (really) to make it through the year. Life there is harder than usual now. It reminds me how blessed my family truly is. So we went hiking (again) this afternoon. It was a longer, steeper hike than I prefer really -- but good. My lungs got quite the workout, but there was a picnic on the other end, so alls well. Tonight we prepare stuff for shipment because tomorrow is a buying trip and there will be no time for such work in the morning.

Geri - Oriental onion soup? Did I miss a recipe? Sounds divine. My all time favourite soup is egg drop -- followed by a nice hearty chicken noodle. Oh -- or my mom's Manhattan style clam chowder. Yum. Oh -- and French Onion soup. Did I mention that I'm a big ol' soup fan??

J-Ann -- The rainbow was very cheery. I'd known you could do colours, but haven't had the creative urge yet. I'll enjoy looking when someone else breaks out in colour instead for now. We did indeed unpack -- yippee -- hubby does all the work and I settle in and begin photographing things when we get home from such trips.

LindaBC -- I eat little meals all day long, too. I find that I need a bit here and a bit there to stay satisfied and fight the urge to snack inappropriately (made harder since my favourite office supply firm began shipping M&Ms with each order - yikes!).

Terri -- Hope your trip goes well -- I always enjoy traveling (even for business) though I guess it does present its own special staying-on-program challenges, eh?

Lilacglitter -- Your posts always make me laugh. Its wonderful to read your thoughts. Truly. We took a hiking trip last year 'round what I call Ecsher Mountain -- because, like those stairs of Ecsher, the darn thing seemed to continually climb, even when it appeared it just had to go down hill now. Indeed, when we finally rounded the last, last, last this-is-the-top-I'm-sure-of-it curve and headed down (sweet relief) it began to pour and the trail became quite literally a creek. Clay and mud mixed to mean we slip-slid our way down to our car where chills and a light fever awaited us. We've never gone back. LOL!

I gotta take off now -- I'm sure I've missed folks -- yipes. Y'all are delightful -- inspirational -- and the only dang reason I'm going to weigh-in tomorrow (delaying my buying trip by hours) is because I want to be able to come back and say I did go like I was s'posed to.

Hello again.

Linda: I'm sorry I missed you earlier. Welcome to our humble thread! We're glad to have you joining us. 13# is very respectable! Don't degrade it! You're doing great! Please come post often so we can get to know you. I too have more than 100# to lose, way more. So let's work on it together!

Bunny: How did you know we would yell if you didn't do your WI in the morning? Just kidding, but it really does start the week off well. Let's see about the soup. I made it once before and actually measured the ingredients, this time I just threw it all in. Here goes:

Oriental Onion Soup

3-4 bunches of green onions, sliced thin
1 pkg. bean sprouts, rinsed
1 large can Swanson chicken broth
Soy sauce
Ground Ginger
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

Pour can of chicken broth into large pot. Pour in Soy Sauce until the broth is darkened. Add onions and seasonings. Simmer for about a 1/2 hour to soften onions. Add bean sprouts and simmer for another 1/2 hour.

O points
Makes 4 servings: 1 1/2 - 2 cups each

It tastes pretty good to me. I hope you enjoy it.

Just a quick check in tonight to say Hi to every one

I have been op today....yippeeeee I am definitely feeling better since starting this. Tonight I got home in the car, parked, and had to lean over to get my bag which I had thrown in to the passenger side foot well...........and as I got back up again I thought 'that was easier'. What motivation! A lot of it is drinking so much water I should think.

Had pasta and sauce for tea tonight, which is one of my fave meals. I did not get in until 9.15pm as I had an evening meeting, so pasta and sauce just about does it when I need something which is going to be ready in 3 minutes flat!!! The points are quite high, but I chose the tomato sauce, which in our supermarket is just 2 points for the whole tub, and I only had three quarters of the container of pasta, which was actually enough. I am going to have the rest for lunch tomorrow. So I stayed OP!! I feel very smug.

Special welcome to Linda....and I think 13lbs is brilliant too. It is very dangerous for us to get comparing with each other I think. Everyone's body is different ! Hooray for that!! Although of course we all want a miracle cure..... . I once knew a very wise person who was fond of saying that the word 'miracle' comes from the same root of 'mirror' - ie its all about our perception of things - so a miracle is just a change of perception!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY J-ANN

And love to all the rest of you - too tired to talk to everyone tonight - its been a long one

New thread

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...&threadid=8618

here! Post there -- 'cause this ones about to go to two pages, okay?