I didn't sleep very well last night, tossed and turned. Then this morning the phone rang and I woke up right before I was about to get shot in a dream. It was kind of scary. I think I need a new bed! And a bigger bed! A double isn't big enough for two people and two dogs. My husky mix, Toby, always insists on jumping up in the middle of the night and curling up behind my legs. Dogs. Gotta love them.

Trish: About the ex dilemma. Let me tell you what happened to me. Last year, a high school ex called me out of the blue and told me he wanted to apologize to me for treating me badly at the end of our relationship. I hadn't heard from him in 11 years and I was floored, but really appreciated it. I had always been puzzled about how things ended. I think a little bit of hurt stayed with me, even after 11 years! But his phone call ended up meaning a lot. Although I haven't spoken or heard from him since, I'm glad he did it. So I think you should email your ex!

Angie: Thank you for sharing your story about your mom. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. My mom is my best friend, too, and she had breast cancer but beat it. For a while, though, we didn't know whether she would. It's such a scary thing to go through.

Bridget Jones's Diary opens in the theater this Friday! But it's the night my b/f's off and there's no way he'll go with me! I want to get some girlfriends together, but I hate to leave him when I hardly ever see him. Sigh. I might have to wait until next week.

Well, I gotta go. Need some lunch!

YES!! he was called CArrot top and stuff. my brother in law's brother Keith is a redhead too and when I go out with them both I make jokes about me being the minority. I hope I have a redhead baby tho if I stay with b/f b/c I think he is very beautiful. I am scanning a pic of us both on the weekend for you two to see (don't tell him!!). We also tease them about the rest of their body hair colour constantly!! "is it true what they say about redheads?" and that they have the devil in them. I think both b/f and Keith do have the devil in them...trouble makers!!!

Ginger, eh? I'll have to try that!!

I also love the bagpipes, I want them at my wedding (much to my b/f's dismay). We have started "hypothetical" conversations about what we want at our pretend "wedding" - funny how when we feel "safe" like its not that real, we can talk like that together....oh well.

Yes, why DO they sit with their legs spread eagle?? Enigma.

Belle

so we think they have a huge packet?

re bridget jones the film. it's already out in london and everyone i know that has been to see it (male or female) has really enjoyed it. i hope to see it this weekend (we'll see if i can get BF to agree!).

Hello! Jeez, it took all day to get my taxes done. I’m really worried they are wrong, but at this point I don’t care. I know that sounds awful, but I’m sick of worrying about it. I did stay OP yesterday but was at the top of my range. It was the Chex Mix at the candle party last night. At least I didn’t go over!

The weather actaully cleared up rather quickly. Almost all of the snow on my driveway melted so I didn’t even have to shovel. There are lots of places where the power is still out though. It was such a heavy wet snow that the power lines just couldn’t take it. My parents power has been off since 2am yesterday!

Stacey: Thank for thinking of me! I’m with you and Kay. I didn’t do anything with my hair before my wedding. It was so hot and humid the day of, my MOH curled my hair like 3 times and it wouldn’t stay. I was sooooo mad! A week after we got back I had about 5 inches cut off! I loved it, but now since I’m growing my bangs out I figured I’d grow out the rest too. I actually like not having bangs (well, they are still bangs, just really long and annoying!) Humidity? Well, as you can imagine we have almost none here and complain when there’s even a little. I die when I go anywhere that does have some humidity. In a way I’m spoiled to live in a dry climate. I’ll tell you what though, dry skin sucks!!!

Belle: What’s done is done, don’t agonize over it. I agree that the whole ex-situation sucks big time, but I was thinking: If you keep obsessing about the phone calls and keeping track of things like how long they’ve been apart, is that maybe casing some of the strain on your relationship sometimes? He obviously cares about you and we know how much you care for him. You’ve come a long way in dealing with the situation, maybe it’s time to take another small step and let it go a little more. Maybe I’m wrong, but I get the impression he is getting better about the whole thing?

Kay!!! WOWWOWWOWWOW!!! Congrats on that loss I can’t believe you are only 2.8 from Goal. That’s huge. Keep it up. How did football go? You are doing so wonderful on the not smoking! Keep it up

Sarah: Yup, DH did come home early, but not as early as he wanted to.

Ali: I think maybe one of the reasons being slimmer makes you feel talk is b/c you are proud of how you look now, which could make you have better posture and hold you head high! I know I feel that way sometimes even just being halfway through my loss.

Kim: Don’t despair! At least it’s a loss! I only lost .6 this week, but it IS a loss! Just stick with it, I know you can do it.

Angie: All I can say at the moment is that I’m crying as I type. Thank you for sharing your story.

Jen: Girl, you are making my mouth water with the nachos! That sounds so good, I may have to try it this weekend!

Trish: On the apologizing thing? I’m honestly on the fence on this one. Sorry! You should have seen Nestle playing in the snow! He tears back and forth across the yard and gets snow on his nose. I took a couple of pictures. I think he loved having me home. I’m glad I was too b/c I have 2 candle parties on Sat and DH is working.

Kirsty: Sure, sure you know other words *evil grin* I love hearing you ‘talk’ too! It cracks me up. I’m thinking hubby and I need to go out for Happy Hour Friday night. I really want a LIIT!! My best friend and MOH’s husband wore a kilt to our wedding. He put on a tux shirt with it and it looked really sharp!!! My dad told me from the time I was little that he wouldn’t wear a tux to my wedding. He didn’t even wear one for his. I knew he wouldn’t but I still took every opportunity to give him a hard time about it. He looked sharp though in his fancy suit! To go along with what Belle said about ‘gingers’; I’ve believed from HS that redheads are ‘evil’ All the ones I’ve known have had some type of major personality quirk and it just turned into a joke with my friends. No offense intended to anyone!!!

OK, have to go to lunch with co-worker, boss and big-boss. Gr. I hope they have something I can count pretty easily. Going out to eat just isn't fun anymore b/c I stress out over what in the world I'm going to eat What sounds really good is some baked/broiled fish wihout a cream sauce!

Yeah, I was OP last night! I stopped at my max plus earned exercise points. DH made dinner - scallops and rice dish, pretty good and only 5 points by my estimation.Teh recipe says 8 but with only rice and scallops having points, I don't think it is possible. The rain has stopped for now so it will probably be rather humid the rest of the day. I hope it dries out some for the weekend. I am really hoping to plant some flowers! My garden looks so empty!

Brenda - I am glad that you stayed home yesterday. Sounded like a really bad storm. Glad you got through your taxees too, yuck! How did lunch go? I agree with it sometimes not being worth eating out!

Angie - thank you for sharing your story about your mom. My mother died of colon cancer almost 3 years ago (May 11th, Mother's Day) and it is still hard for me. I was also with my mother when she dies. I am glad you were able to be there. My thoughts are with you as it approaches 1 year. P.S. you are doing great!!

I hate communal showers. I haven't had to use one since camp in the 8th grade. I don't want people looking at me and I don't want to look at anyone else either, yuck!

Ok, sorry this is so short. I better go.

Sarah
194.4/164.8/153

Angie and Sarah ~ Thank you for sharing your personal stories. You are both so strong. I can't say that I know how you feel, so I won't. My father was diagnosed about a year ago (a few of months before my wedding). Fourtunately he is apearing to be cancer-free now, but the fear was almost too much for me. Actually that was when I gained back the weight I had lost the first time on WW. My Thoughts are with you.

BTW angie ~ Your girls are beautiful and make the baby fever a little stronger for me .

Brenda ~ good luck with the lunch. I hope you thaw out soon! Football was so much fun! We lost of course, but I had a good time. I was able to play the entire hour without getting winded. I'm counting it as "high" for activity points.

Belle and Kirsty ~ I had a music class with a bagpiper once. He was awesome! I love that instrument. He even explained how bagpipes were outlawed for a time because they we're considered a weapon of war. Aparently the volume scared the enemy!

Kim ~ I am with you on the sleeping thing. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and just couldn't fall back to sleep. Yuck! I have to drive 4 hours tonight and I don't know how to make it.

Trish ~ Sorry to hear about your friends. I'll keep them in my thoughts. It is true that we should all live our lives to the fullest. Too many people in my line of business are wrapped up in money and work and never take the time to enjoy life. To top that off they look at me like an alien when I tell them that work is not my life. Oh well. As far as the ex goes, I think it wouldn't hurt to email him. I am really good friends with a HS ex now because he finally told me he was sorry about a year after we broke up.

Jen ~ I really am craving those nachos now! That is a good idea for a dinner!

Welcome back Lola and Lori
Lola ~ You sound like you are really getting the hand of leading WW. Good for you!

Lori ~ You should be so proud that you didn't get fries! I was bad last night and did get the fries. I did play an hour of football first and gave half to the DH.

Stacy ~ The Maundy Thursday dinner sounds great. I think me and my family should start the same sort of tradition. We usually only go to a Mass, but I like the idea of celebrating with the same sorts of food. Have a wonderful evening.

Hi to all I've missed. I'll be back on Monday, so have a nice holiday if you are going on holiday.

Thanks again for all of the smoking support. I went out drinking last night after the game and passed on the smokes. I really wanted to cheat, but then I thought about how I would let you all down if I did!

Talk to ya'll later!
Kay

I hate them I hate them I hate them!!! Always have, always will. I am 100% bourgeois Englishwoman, my body is for me and mine ONLY. My body is my castle?! And in Spanish swimming pools all the changing rooms are communal, which is nightmare city. Eek, I'm all antsy just thinking about it.

Well, today is Easter Thursday and Madrid is pretty much closed down. Not many shops or things open, although I have tracked down a couple of convenience stores where I can replenish stocks if necessary (I always worry about running out of food, which is so bizarre, I mean, I'd understand if I'd lived through famine or something, but ...) It is great weather though, so I've been sitting in the park, looking at the mountains and reading.

Bridget Jones! Blokey wants me to save it and watch it with him, he even says he's going to read the books ... I think it's more of a night out with the girls film, but since Idon't know any girls here ... Just went to see 'Bread and Roses' before I came here ... it's Ken Loach's new one. Fantastic. Totally recommend it, as I do anything by Loach. It's about 2 Mexican cleaners in LA, immigration, workers' rights, dignity, anti-globalisation, and there's a cute love story too. Really makes you think about stuff.

Anyway, I have to go because I'm starving and I will be tempted into an evil cake shop if I don't go straight home. WOO HOO! to all the losers, enjoy your Easter Eggs, and have a fabby weekend. See you next week!

hugs,
Lolly
xxx

I was the "other" answer on the poll. At the gym, I only shower and change if I've been in the pool (otherwise I do it at home), and I just shower in my bathing suit so I don't have to strip in front of anyone! Then I'll usually change in the bathroom. I wish I wasn't so embarassed for other people to see me.

I failed miserably at a healthy lunch. I went to Subway and had a meatball sub. I don't think those are very good for you. I think I'll go to Dottie's site and investigate. Grrr ... and I want to get under 180 by May 12, when I have a wedding to go to! That's four weeks. If I can lose a little more than a pound a week, I should be able to. But I've been hovering where I am for so long that it's hard to be optimistic. I'll try, though.

I don't want to do any work today. But I must

Haven't read the posts since I last posted, but wanted to let you gals know if you go to www.msn.com today there's a bunch of stuff on Bridget Jones diary (movie), including a list of 'Britishism's' Lolly, Kirsty -- kind of funny that they had to make us a little dictionary to be able to figure out what the heck you guys are talking about! I will read and post later! Tah Tah

Hey, About BJ.... I keep forgetting to post this. But I have been seeing the little previews for it and you can definately tell the Renee gained weight. If anyone has seen her recent movies, she is gastly skinny, I mean really skinny!!! I can see why she flipped out for gaining weight, but honestly, she looks healthier at the higher weight!!

Also, has anyone seen the Pepsi commercials with Britteny??? I think she looks like she has a big butt in those skimpy jeans she wears. Just my opinion. Does this make me a fashion police?? Belle... you are the style expert!! Tee heee

I am tired of work today... actually everyday! I want to play hooky like I would if I was in college! Expect the weather here is crapppppy! Rain and high winds. AND, the water level is so high they said last night it is the highest since 1965. And all the flood gates are open on the dam and the water is gushing out... I drove by today at lunch. We are supposed to keep getting rain all weekend. I hate the rain, but really hate the wind. 45 mph gusts. I don't know why I have even spent the time doing me hair the last 2 weeks. I look like crap every day!!!

OK, enough of my antics!

Hello all. Well, I did ok on lunch and I have avoided tax season treats all day!

Angie and Sarah: Your families are in my thougts. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Kim: my dining out book says that a six inch meatball sub in 11 pts. Hope that helps.

lolly: I also at time am afraid I will run out of food. That is crazy, I know, but at times I get worried that we won't have enough to go around. I also have never been without, so I don't know where this fear comes from.

Kay: You did so great...not smoking when out drinking. If you can do that you can do anything!

Brenda: Don't worry about your taxes... I am sure you did great. I hate tax time and how much money we always end up owing. I think I need to have more taken out of my paycheck as we always end up owing since my hubby and I are in different tax brackets if we would file sep (we can't as we are married and in teh long run do better to file joint) Does this make any sense? Anyway, back to my original point "I hate tax time." but I am sure glad we have the services that my taxes pay for so I guess I should stop complaining.

Kim: scarry dream!

Belle and Kirsty: I don't think I have ever seen an actual man in a kilt...I mean Mel Gibson on teh big screen but not a real live person. Well, maybe in a parade but that does not count I don't think.

lola: congrats on the leader thing. I bet you are great. I have never seen any issues in my WW group with thiner people etc but I think your solution is a good one.

Lori: I know how frustrating place hunting can be...I hope you find a great place soon.

To all, thank you all for your advice on the ex. I am still a little on the fence, but you all make some great points. I am not sure who I am doing this for, but I guess it does not have to be done right away if I go that way.

On the Bridget Jones issue, I am seeing the film this weekend with my mom and sisters. Should be fun. Oh, did I tell you all I read the second book and loved it even more than the first...but i really wish there would be book three where she becomes a smug married. I am still a little irritated with Reene (is that her name) anyway, the chick that plays Bridget and her weight issue. I hope this does not ruine the film for me.

Ok, must get back to work. Talk with you all soon.

Trish

Brenda: I saw the same thing, my homepage is MSN and I got a kick out of it! I think I might try those new terms....
getting back to work, have a great day.
Kay: Way to go on passing smokes while drinking. I still crave them when I'm at a bar!
I agree with Trish, I liked the second BJ book, better.
See ya!

We must have been posting at the same time. Funny you should say that about Britney and the Pepsi ads. When they first ran that ad during the Oscars, I was in the kitchen getting a ...drink..that is it. Anyway, my hubby calls me to come quick. He kept saying how huge her behind looked in those jeans. Then he got all mad that she is so young and they use her that way...or maybe that was me. Anyway, I agree!

Also, you are right, Renee did gain noticable weight, but was way too thin to start with. Maybe in hollywood reality she is "fat." and that is why she is acting the way she is...but in the real world the added weight is right were she should be. What a messed up world we live in when Hollywood is alowed to call the shots.

Ok, got to go. Trish

To all the people with cancer surviving family members... You must stay strong!!! My mom has been disgnosed twice. Now, as of last week she was told she has severe osteoporosis in one hip, stemming from the effect of chemotherapy. She is a fighter. She has also dropped below 100 pounds and is fighting to gain weight, but it is nearly impossible. Again, because of Chemo, she lost 2/3 of her stomach and part of her intestine. NOTE... same precedure that Carnie Wilson had, and Carnie will have the same problems. The difference, my mom didn't ask to have her stomach taken out. She can't eat much, she is on a low fat, low sugar, low everything diet because many foods make her sick. I worry all the time about her. She is young... 55, and should have to deal with this. The first time she got cancer she was in her late 30's (I was in HS). She owns her own company (where I work) and will not let this set her back. I admire her greatly. My biggest fear was that she would never see me get married. I used to cry about it. Then I worried that she would never see me have children... thank God she did. Now I just worry... mostly because of the recent problems!

Sorry to vent (well, not really a vent), but everyone sharing their stories made me tear up, so I wanted to share mine too!

Thanks

I got an apt! No more hunting! I'm soo excited...
I'm trying the veggie calzone recipe tonight...hope it's good
I too have lost a parent-my father died two and a half years ago-we were very close and his death was hard on the whole family...I miss him everyday-there are so many things going on that I wish he could see...I just take it one day at a time...

The British-isms are cool to me...but sometimes i need translations too!
Bye-I WI tomorrow-I'll keep everyone posted...Lori