If you have 50 or more pounds to lose, jump on in and join us! You'll be sure to get a warm welcome. :)

Patti, a huge *congrats* on making your ten percent!! You have done so well on the program, and in record time too. Enjoy your new keychain!

Texaslady, yes, this weather is strange! We're not getting the severe weather you did, but it's nice and cool now, after a hot and humid weekend. I like your idea about roasted poblanos with the fajitas; will have to try that! And no, haven't found a housekeeper yet; we'll keep trying, though. I wish we could have gone out for our picnic too, but the weather just didn't cooperate. We'll have to shoot for the second annual reunion, then!

Janet, another tornado, how awful! I'm so glad you weren't actually *in* this one, this time, though! Have a great time bowling; haven't done that in ages, but it was always fun. I had to resist the snack bar, though, as I love hot dogs.

Carol, so glad you're feeling better: Re: asparagus, I did something different this time: I roasted it! Read that in a healthy cooking book. Sprayed lightly w/olive oil, cut in 2" pieces, 450 degree oven for 15 minutes. It really brought out the flavor! Then I combined it with an unusual multicolored pasta, fresh mushrooms sauteed w/Pam, and a light alfredo sauce made from a mix with skim milk. If I do say so myself, it was really, really good.

JOYce, congrats on your .8 loss! And it's great that you're feeling so much better. Good thing you saw your doctor!

Saara, I'm so glad you're planning your trip; can't wait to meet you. Sure hope you can make it down to Texas on your way to California! And who knows, you might still get placed in the program; sounds like they're just a little slow with it this year. With your great qualifications, they're probably just looking for the best place for you to go!

Liz, have you tried anything different for breakfast? I just thought of something: at Sam's Warehouse, they have these energy bars, 4 points, but worth it. Fast and portable!

Have to run; stayed late at the office, and dh just called wondering what we're fixing for dinner. (Easter leftovers, of course!) Hi to Rebecca, Nancy, Nancy in TC, and Kendra; have a great op Tuesday evening!
Regards,
Jan

Boy, it sure is quiet in here.........

Patti - Looks like we were posting at about the same time yesterday. HUGE CONGRATS on reaching your 10%! I am doing a happy dance for you!! You are so motivated and are being so successful. Fantastic!

Jan - It got pretty chilly here last night - was only about 50 when I left the house this a.m. - and to think it was 92 just 2 days ago! Was it nippy at your place, too? But the sun is shining and I am sure it is wonderful outside right now. I guess its a good thing I don't leave the office for lunch - I would be sorely tempted to just keep on driving and not come back! :lol:

Better scoot before someone sees me posting from my workcomputer! This hump day is nearly over - the rest of the week is downhill!

Good Afternoon Everyone!!

Just got back from my meeting today and am very happy to say that I lost 1.4! Yeah hooray!! Everytime that dratted scale goes down, I do my happy dance! Good thing I am the first one there, usually! :lol:

Patti- YEAH HOORAY!! YEAH HOORAY!! Congrats on the 10% keychain. You are kickin' butt girl! Keep up the great work!!

Texaslady- Just got my pictures back today and I have to say that yes, I can see the difference. My face is thinning out and I am thinner across the shoulders. I just look better and I feel better, so even if I didn't see the shocking wow-me difference, I can tell that I am doing the right thing! And by comparing pictures, I can see the difference. Its been worth every minute!

Guess what? We are actually having spring weather. No lie! It is 57 degrees, sunshiny and just a beautiful day! I think we might just have some nice days. I wasn't sure for a while there, we were in the 30's the last couple days and we got into the teens at night. Now I am happy to say that most of the snow is gone and we have sunshine!! Spring has sprung...

Okay, but I better go! Hi Everybody, keep up the great work and I will talk to you all later.

Rebecca :cool:

Hi everyone! I hope your Wednesday was a good one.
Rebecca, congrats on the 1.4 pound loss!!:) I'm glad the pictures verified the results of your hard work too! Would you believe your weather is warmer than mine? We had hard frost warnings last night and again for tonight. I can't believe I actually had to bring my plants in from my patio this late in April! We'll be back in the 70's by the end of the week, though.
Joyce, way to go on the .8 loss! I'm so glad your cough is better. Just be sure not to overdo- that stuff can come back at you real quickly if you aren't careful.
Saara, Easter Sunday snow!!! There's nothing pretty about 5" of the white stuff this time of year, in my opinion! :lol:Birds and flowers- that's what I want to see! I hope you are wrong about your placement and that as Jan says they are just slow in finding the right place for you. But I'm glad that even if that doesn't work out, you plan to try to get to the states! if you do, be sure to get to the vicinity of our nation's capital so we can meet!
Patti, HOORAY for you!!! :cool:Not only 10% down, but getting there with such a big loss! No wonder you were doing the happy dance! How nice that you have such supportive coworkers- I know from personal experience what a big help that can be! And your supportive coworkers are all males, which is even beter!!
Texaslady, you sure have had some wide temperature variations in the past few days! From 90's on Sunday to 50 today! You may be right about the torso track- I know you have significant back problems yourself. I just get so frustrated about not being able to exercise or walk a lot- it makes it so hard to get this remaining 20 pounds off. And I too have been lazy about points and journalling, which is bad. Is the cranberry-apple tea what you were drinking at Jan's? I just recently tried some too and love it! And one last thing- what on earth is poblano???
Jan, thanks for the asparagus recipe- it sounds wonderful, and I printed it out! You are such a wonderful and creative cook! I never thought of roasting asparagus. What creative things did you and dh do with the Easter leftovers?

I got some cute pix of my little sweetie at Easter- after I get my copy of the ones my dd took too, I'll post a couple of them. He's growing up so fast!
I've got to run. Hi to everyone, and have a good Thursday.
Carol :wave:

Rebecca, 1.4, wow! That's great! Am also doing the happy dance for you ... Glad to hear that spring weather has finally arrived for y'all! Are you planning some outdoor activities now that it's warmer?

Texaslady, today was gorgeous, low 70's, nice and cool this morning for my walk. I know what you mean about playing hookey; sure wish we could have done that!

Carol, can't wait to see the pics of your sweetie from Easter; let us know when they're ready! Re: the leftovers, we did a pasta thing w/mushrooms, zucchini, diced tomato, garlic and smoked turkey; made the leftover grilled veggies into soup for lunch. I think I'd better watch portion sizes better, though, as I had a .4 gain at ww today. May have been the different scales, as I went to an out-of-town mtg, but I can't count on that. Not a huge setback, but a warning! Will start keeping a more exact journal this week.

Hi to Janet, JOYce, Saara, Liz, Patti, Nancy, Nancy in tc and Kendra!

Regards,
Jan

Hello!
Congrats Patti! 10%!! good for you. I will get mine someday, I know Iwill!
I want to see Carol's famous happy dance!

what a day I have had! and all good!
first i went to see a surgeon, I was sure that I was going to have to have some major reconstructive work done, but the surgeon disagreed with the doc who sent me there, so I will not have that done, and will go back to the other doc for another opinion. WHEW!! Major relief!
But in the midst of fearing that I would be laid up for a few weeks, I resigned from several duties...am taking a back seat role instead of leadership. I think it will be good for my health!

After I got thru there, I came home just in time to see my granddaughter arrive with her family. 6 yr old great grand is on my front page of my website this week. He was so amazed! I just scanned some photos from his trip to Disney, I want to get a couple of them on the page for him to see tomorrow. he thinks I am magic! :D
We've had such fun getting acquainted, it has been 4 yrs since I have seen him !! But it will not be that long again!

doing my own happy dance for a wonderful day!
:)
please forgive me for not greeting each of you... in a rush!
~~~
:wave:
Joyce

JOYce, what GREAT news about the second opinion! And I think the side effect of anticipating the worst, i.e. letting others carry the ball for a while, will have a great influence on your mission to become healthier. You truly need to back off from doing too much for everyone else, and focus on your own needs for a while! (Or longer! In my humble opinion, having been down that road a few times too...) I am definitely doing the happy dance for you, my friend! :) :) Let this be your year!!

Hi to everyone! Tomorrow's Friday, TGIF, but today was "So Happy It's Thursday" day I'm afraid. ;) Stayed OP, but it wasn't easy; just one of "those" days when you feel like you're running against the wind. What was it Texaslady said, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger"? I think you said it was a line from Steel Magnolias? I need to rent that movie ...

ttyl, Jan

50+ lbs
 

I am a newbie! But I had to log on & tell someone I made my 10% last night! It was 23 lbs. so it was a BIG 10%!

I would like to hear sucess stories from others who have similar lbs. to lose!

Hi everyone! TGIF!!
This is the weekend of my friend J's inauguration as college president, so my dd and I are looking forward to tomorrow's "hoopla"- and there is a lot of it! My son in law isn't going- babysitter plans fell through, and since the festivities are honoring my dd's godmother, she and I will attend and he and my exdh and the little guy will keep the home fires burning.Only fair- when J's son got married, I stayed home to babysit so dd and her dh could go- now it's my turn! J and I have known each other since I was 1 year old and she was two- so obviously I know her family too, and look forward to seeing them. I haven't seen her mom or her brothers for probably 25 years!:eek:
I went to Trader Joe's today after work to stock up on staples like Kashi Good Friends. Jan, I thought about you while I was there- they have so much neat, different stuff that I know you'd love and make such delicious good use of!!! Different salsas, veggies (frozen and fresh organic), baked goods, sauces, types of seafood, etc.
Hookedonstamps, welcome to our group, and big congrats on your 10%!!!Keep up the good work. Tell us a little about yourself.
Jan, I just knew you'd been creative with those Easter leftovers, and sure enough, I was right!!:D I'm struggling right now too with portion control- which is why I'm stuck at minus 97 pounds! But you're so close- it won't be long! Just think- when after have your surgery you will probably at least briefly be "too thin"!!!! Won't that feel wonderful!?!
Joyce, how wonderful that you don't have to go through that surgery!!! I'm so happy for you! Enjoy every minute with your great grandchild!!!
Texaslady, today was my last regular day going to Virginia, so I waved extra long and hard to you on the way! Did you see me? :lol:
Janet, dear Janet- you started this thread but haven't posted in it! Where are you, my friend? How was the bowling last weekend?
Well, there's chores to be done- gotta run. Hi to everyone I missed. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. I'll talk to you later.
Carol

Hi girls & WELCOME, Hookedonstamps! We are always so pleased to have someone stop by! We hope you will hang around a while and maybe stay! Congratulations on reaching your 10%. Patti of this group reached hers this week, too!

Some of us have been around here for a while. I have lost 75 pounds over about a 2 year time period, but I have only been on this board about a year. I still have 35-40 pounds to go before I reach WW goal. Tell us a little more about yourself. We have girls on here from their 20's to their 60's - a great age group! I am 56, divorced for about 15 years, and have one daughter who is getting married in Oct. Another reason for me to get off my duff and get the scale moving downwards again!

Carol - I know that you are going to have tons of fun at your week-end! I saw you waving! :wave: It was so clear and beautiful here that it was easy to "see" you! Have a wonderful week-end and tell us all about it on your return. If you haven't seen some of these people for a long time, they probably won't recognize you now that you have lost nearly 100 pounds! I can't wait to hear about their reaction.

Jan - hope your Friday was better than Thursday! Now it is almost time for me to split from the office for the long Friday drive home. Oh well, at least I don't have to come back tomorrow! We are going to the Astros baseball game tomorrow - they are playing St. Louis. Should be a gorgeous day for baseball in the new "open" stadium. Hope you have a restful week-end - you have been really burning these past couple weeks!

Joyce - That is so terrific about your not needing the surgery! I agree with Jan and think that if you will cut back on some of your "extracurricular" activities, you will give yourself a chance to recouperate! Its hard to let go of the "reins" when you are used to holding them all by yourself! Let your friends & family help...... I know they will if you will ask them too. How's Linda? Do you see her much? When is Melissa's prom?

Gotta go and wrap up things on my desk. Everyone have a great week-end!!!!

:wave: Hi everybody!
Welcome hookedonstamps !and congratulations! My 10% will be a big one too.
I WI tomorrow, I haven't been able to check on my home scales because they got hidden behind some bunkbeds that got removed from dh's "office". DD was supposed to take them this week for her kids, but didn't have her truck, so there they sit.
I doubt that I have lost any, I have been taking antibiotics that require I eat when I take them, to avoid upset stomach. Not very condusive to being OP! :( this too shall pass, and back OP very soon!
Thanks Carol! I had a totally awesome time with the great grandson! what a joy he is! We both hated to part company today when they left....but agreed to be penpals. He is learning to write, so is taking it as a challenge.
The girl's plane comes in late tonight, so we are about back to normal. I'm anxious to hear about their visit with their sis in OK. They haven't called at all...I finally called them this morning, just to make sure they were coming home! :lol:
DH will start back to work on Monday. He thought he was retiring, at least for the summer, but they made an offer he couldn't refuse! :)

Hoping everybody has a great weekend.
:wave:
bye
~~~
Joyce

Hi texaslady! We must be on the same wavelength today, posting at the same time!
Melissa's prom is on the 12th of May. they are having it an equestrian center of some sort, complete with carriage rides etc. It is the same day as the ladies tea at church, which I was going to be very busy with, now hopefully othes will be doing most of the work there, and I can help Melissa get ready, not that she will really want my help! :lol:

Linda is fine, they are on the way back to Colorado again to visit an uncle...she is a traveleing lady!

Carol I know you will have a great time at the innauguration. What fun to see old friends after so long!

bye again
:)
:wave:
~~~~~~~~
Joyce

about moi!
 

I hit my 10% yesterday. I weigh 213 now. I want to be 160. Seems like alot but I lost 23.2 in 8 weeks!

I am from UT. I am barely 30 with 2 kids & a dh. I am going with my parents who are also paying for my WW! What a gift...a whole new life!

I hope to find a place to share my sucess!

Welcome to the group, Hookedonstamps, and a huge congrats for reaching your ten percent! (Isn't that keychain nice?) Have you already noticed differences in the way you feel and the way your clothes fit? How terrific of your folks to treat you to the program; you're so right, it really is a whole new life. When I started two years ago, I was heavier than your starting point, and now I'm 163, close to goal. It's amazing how much better I feel, both physically and mentally. Hope to see you often in the posts; this is a very friendly group, very supportive, and always glad to have new members!

Carol, have a great time at the ceremonies today! What a great honor for your friend; I know you're proud of her. And you should also be proud of yourself, you know; I'll bet you look just terrific in your new outfit! Maybe you could post a picture for us?

Texaslady, looks like the weather is shaping up to be really good for your weekend plans; enjoy the game!

JOYce, good for you, hand over those reins to someone else for a while! So glad you enjoyed your visit with your little darlin'; that is so cool, that y'all will be writing each other! Good luck at your WI today!

I'm heading to San Antonio to get some med supplies for Dad; might attend a second WW mtg and shop for a some new clothes. I'm down to a few t-shirts from Sam's (medium! :) ) and 4 pairs of different color khakis from WalMart. The "smaller" sizes I'd had in my closet are now all too big, and my college wardrobe (last time I was this size) was all jeans anyway.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Hi to Janet, Saara, Liz, Rebecca, Patti, both Nancies, and Kendra! Drop in and say hi; it's been a little quiet in here lately!
Regards,
Jan

JanetMae:

Wow, it is great to hear your story. I have never been a size medium. That would be fabulous!

Been to San Antonio and had a great time about 2 years ago!

Any Utah members?

Good morning...just a quick check in to let you know that I lost 1/2 pound at weigh in this morning..:)

The girls got home almost on time last night, they had a great time with their sis in OK, but are glad to be home in sunny California. It was pouring down rain last night, but I think the sun will be out when they decide to get up today.
Have a great OP day!
:wave:
bye
~~~~~
Joyce

Way to go, JOYce! Congrats on the half pound lost! Sounds like you're happy to have the girls back from OK; glad they had a good time. Remember your promise not to volunteer for any more work, now, ok? Keep focused on your journey; you're doing GREAT!

Stamps, thanks, it has been a really long time since I could wear a medium anything. It feels great! All through this long journey, though, you'll find yourself amazed at how many good things and surprises come your way. Breaking 200 was *such* a psychological boost; I think Texaslady and I did that nearly together. Each time you go down a size, or find you can fit into something you haven't worn in a long time, that's another "wow" moment. Or you'll get up from a sofa and realize you didn't have to push off with your hands. Or like yesterday, reading clothing ads, I kept looking for sales in women's depts before it occurred to me that I'm size 12 now, not 24. (Aiming for 10, though.) And if I can do it, I know that you can too! Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to San Antonio; it's an interesting city, though not much fun in the summer heat. Re: closest members to Utah, that would be JOYce in California most likely; someone tell me if I'm wrong on that? By my count:
JOYce- So. Cal
Carol- Maryland
Janet- Mississippi
Patti - New Orleans, LA
Saara - Finland
Liz - New Jersey
Nancy- New Jersey
Nancy TC- Michigan
Rebecca- North Dakota
Hookedonstamps- Utah
Texaslady & Jan- Texas
Kendra - PA
Someone correct me if I'm wrong! Gotta run ... hope everyone's having a great op Sunday!
Regards,
Jan

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had an enjoyable weekend.
Ladies, the inauguration ceremony and celebrations for my friend were absolutely wonderful. She is obviously held in such high esteem by her colleagues and the students at the college, and rightfully so. She's an amazing person. The ceremony was most impressive, and the party and dinner afterwards for her friends and family were such fun! I saw people I hadn't seen in many years, including J's mother and brothers. We had cocktails at the rewly remodelled President's House provided to her by the college- it is absolutely gorgeous. The dinner we had was wonderful- couldn't count points because I have no idea what I was eating in some cases :lol:, but it was a wonderful 4 course meal followed by a sinfully delicious dessert, and tomorrow's another day! The dinner was followed by a fireworks display on campus- which we watched while leaving for home, because it was already late and we had a 1.5 hour drive. I wonder if the college realizes how lucky they are not only to have J as their president, but to have had her amazing teaching and administrative skills at their facility for the past 27 years. I took 2 pix of J and my dd, but no other photos- too much going on. Anyhow, it was a wonderful celebration, and I feel proud to have been included as one of her honored guests.
Texaslady, how was the Astros game? I hope you had fun!
Joyce, congrats on the 1/2 pound loss!:) I'm glad your girls got home safely. I know they must have been glad to get home! How nice that you and your great grandson will be "penpals"! My dd told me yesterday that she had come across a letter her grandpa (my dad) had sent her when she was about 16- she enjoyed rereading it so much all these years later!
H.O.Stamps, how thoughtful of your parents to pay for you to go to WW!!! What a special, thoughtful gift! I am 55, separated almost 6 years and have a 32 year old married daughter and a 16 month old grandson who live nearby. I started WW in Oct 99. I have lost 97 pounds and have about 20 to go, I started wearing a size 24 (sometimes 26) and now wear 12 to 14 depending on the style, and "large" is too big. It's such fun buying mediums and size 12's!! Not to mention how much better I feel physically!!Worth every struggle along the way! You're doing great!!
Jan, how did the shopping trip go? You mentioned you were also getting some meds for your dad- I hope he continues to do well. please give him and your dh my regards.
Saara, the college where my friend is president has exchange students from a number of different colleges including Finland.
Janet, WHERE ARE YOU???
Well, I'm sure I've bored y'all quite enough, so I'll close for now. Hi to everyone, and have a good op Monday!
Carol :wave:

Carol, What a fantastic day to remember!
I think it is great that you enjoyed your 4 course dinner, knowing that today is another day.
It's is so neat that we can occasionally enjoy some sinfully delicious dish, knowing that we don't have to feel totally deprived of good things!
:smug:
I thought of you with your little sweetie, as I was enjoying my little great grandson...what a JOY!

I'm so pleased with a bargain I got! My neighbor was having a yard sale, disposing of some things that his mom can no longer use, and he was selling an electric cart, just like my mother has been looking for!
My sis is coming down next week to pick it up. Mother will be able to get to the activities at the Assisted living place where she is living now, so much easier than now....which hopefully means that she will participate more and meet more people. :D

Jan. we need to name your our Official Historian! You are so good at keeping track of our statistics!!
Thank you!
BTW, my girls changed planes in Utah, both coming and going to OK. :lol: guess that doesn't count.

TTYL
:wave:
~~~
Joyce

Thanks for all your replys. What inspirations! I went to Lonestar Steak House this weekend, had steak, bloomin' onion, etc., and still stayed under my points. That is why this program is great!

I need a shorter name, eh?

Can't wait to hear about your weigh ins! Mine is Thursdays.

Thanks to all again!

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was OK, I worked and didn't do much else, so I got some rest too... which is good since next weekend will be parties after parties starting Firday and ending Tuesday... Tuesday is the May Day, which here is something like Labor Day would be for you guys, except that I think our May Day is a bigger deal. It still is the 'worker's day', but since in these post-modern days there isn't that many factory workers anymore it has become more just a crazy party day, especially for students. My roomie and I are hosting a party at our house on Friday. I'm also working almost every day, so I don't know when I'll have time to sleep, I guess next week... on Saturday I'll go see an opening of a play my ex-bf codirected w/ a good friend of mine. It'll be a busy weekend.

This week I'm taking a class by a philosopher from UCLA. She's really great, a huge inspiration! I'm thinking of maybe taking a few book exams on philosophy over the summer, if I feel like it. We'll see. Next week I'll be taking another short course by some visiting professor. It'll be about borders, comparing the US-Mexican border w/ German-Polish and Finnish-Russian borders. This is something that should also be very interesting. But I'll tell you more later...

About the exchange: still no news. Carol, I think that your friend's university wasn't in this ISEP program. I know I could've also looked for a place independently, but there's always so much more work, I just thought this would've been the easiest option for me. And maybe even the chepest too. But I guess it wasn't meant to be. Well, I can always apply for a post-grad places later, right? (If I still feel like studying after I get my master's done.) And I WILL come and visit. Also I have to look into the possibilities of doing an internship in the States, someone from here was just in the Finnish UN Embassy for several months last fall. Those are also hard places to get, but I can always try...

well, I'd better go home and clean (nope, my computer still doesn't work...), maybe I'll even get some old clothes from the attic and see if they fit... I think I have some cool spring and summer clothes. It's still not warm, maybe 40-50, but it's getting there... Have a great day everyone!!! :love: Saara.

Hi Ladies,

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! I'm hoping for any kind of loss tonight. I've stayed OP but yesterday I had boiled seafood and I know I'm holding some water. I am going to drink as much as I possibly can before I have to go tonight to try and get rid of most of it.

Thanks for all of your kind words on my 10% loss, I'm still so proud I can't stand it.

I went to get my hair cut (oh - ok -- and colored!!) and I always hated sitting in front of that big mirror looking at my double chin which always seemed to look worse in that mirror. Well this time I could barely see it and my hairdresser said he could really see a difference. That made me feel pretty good!!

Jan - that asparagus dish sounds wonderful. I've never tried to cook them fresh before, but I love them in the can. Do you have to blanche them or anything before you put them in the oven? Or do you just clean them and cook them? I steamed 2 artichokes last week and they were wonderful.

HookedonStamps - Welcome! This is a great group. I'm fairly new myself and they have all welcomed me with open arms and hearts!! I also LOVE rubber stamping!! I also do dry embossing and scrapbooking. You are in a great state for it too! I know they have some great companies out of UT. Congrats on your 10%, it's a great feeling isn't it!!

We have our church fair this weekend and I can't wait for my niece's act in the Lip Sync contest. She is 11 and has been in it every year since she was 5. She has done some hysterical things. One year she was half woman and half man and did Elton John and Kiki Dee singing "Don't go Breaking my Heart". Year before last she had a little Monica Lewinski hair cut and she wore a beret and had another student dressed like Bill and did "Wedding Bell Blues" - (you know--- "Billlllll, I love you so, I always will, etc.....). That was really funny!! This year she is doing - WOMAN (I can bring home the bacon - fry it up in the pan........) It is really fun to watch.

Well, I have go on a bit too long here!!! I'll let you all know how I do. Thanks for all of you support ladies, it means alot.

Patti

Ok, here I go again...third times a charm...right?

Good Morning Everyone!!

Patti- Good luck at your weigh in. I am sure you will do great!! And good luck to your neice, sounds like she is a joy! Can't wait until mine is old enough to do stuff like that, right now she is just 9 months old. :)
And also, hooray about being at the hairdressers, I know that I hate looking at my reflection, it is getting better, but I still see all my faults. Oh well, soon I will see the "new me"!

Saara- Have fun rummaging through the attic for clothes. I can't wait to do that and find "new" clothes that were too small that will now fit! Fun, fun!!

JOYce- Congrats on your loss! And also on a great find at your rummage sale, I am sure that your mom will be glad that she can get out and meet new people.

Hooked- Shortened your name a little bit. :D Great job at eating out, that is always a hard time. Good job, keep up the great work!!

Remember when I was telling you guys how nice it was here? False alarm. Yep, it snowed all day yesterday. We got about 4-6 inches. One of the towns about 15 miles from us got NOTHING!! Argh!! At least we didn't get it as bad as some of the other places in the state. And then we hear that the weather people are predicting the high 70's for Wednesday. My husband said it isn't everyday when you go from snow to putting in the air conditioner. :lol:

I am finding myself in a funk that I can't seem to get out of. I know success is within my reach, but I keep sabatoging myself. I keep wanting potato chips...I dunno, sounds silly, but that is what is keeping me from feeling like I am on a rise to the top. Everytime that is what I want, I try to have popcorn instead and I don't feel satisfied. I am going to have the chips for lunch and see if that helps. I sure hope it does...

But all, I better go. You all have a great day, keep up the great work and remember that we are ALL success stories in the making.

Rebecca :cool:

Nawlinslady:
Great to see a fellow stamper! I love scrapbooking as well. No pics of me in there yet...I must look good first!

I am running the first ever County & State fair scrapbook competition so if you have any Utah friends, send them my way. If now one enters, I'll die! (Or gain weight!)

I hate to post again so soon, but I have to see if my pic showed up. If you don't see a pig under my name, it was a "no go"!

Good morning!
Patti! if you like asparagus out of a can, you will LOVE fresh cooked!
I just clean it, break off the tough ends, and put the spears in a baking dish, top with pats of Brummel and Brown (original recipe calls for pats of butter), and bake in oven for 30 minutes at 350!!Delish!
More recently I just microwave them with 1/2 cup water for a few minutes in a WW steamer thing I got a long time ago.
I really need a haircut too! I agree about that dreaded image in the mirror, I had forgotten! :p
We'll see!
Your niece sounds like quite the little actress! What fun! enjoy the fair!

Saarao, good to hear from you! What a bummer that your puter is still on the fritz!
Sounds like you have quite a weekend coming! be careful! OH! I forgot!!, I was young once and could party all weekend! :D Have a great time!
Have fun looking for your smaller clothes!
May 1st is a happy day. Our first child was born on that day 44 yrs ago!
And I remember as a child, riding down the country road on my bike with my sisters, to hang paper baskets of flowers on doorknobs! Aaahhh memories! :)
guess I better go take on this day, I lazed in bed too long this morning (just kidding, can one ever laze tooo long?)

Enjoy your OP day!
:wave:
~~~
Joyce

WOW, Stamps!, Your competition sound like quite an undertaking! How exciting!
I used to do a lot of stamping, have a lot of stamps, and I think I have done 2 whole pages in the scrapbooks, no, 3! I did 2 in classes and one on my own. :D
Sorry that your pig didn't show up.
:wave:
~~~~
Joyce

Rebecca, sorry you've got the blues; but I know you'll soon be feeling great, you just have such a great attitude! Re: the chips craving, would a baked potato help? Potatoes are very filling, and just 3 points for a pretty large one. Salsa makes a great 0 point topping, too, or that fake butter spray. But you're right, sometimes a craving just won't go away until you have a little of whatever it is.

Saara, sounds like you have a busy (but fun!) week ahead of you! Is your roommate going to cook stuff for the party y'all are giving? I usually have problems staying op when I give a party; I hope that's not one of your problem areas too. But if it is, something that helps me is to give away (in baggies), freeze, or throw any leftovers that I really like. Otherwise I'll graze on 'em for days! That seminar on borders sounds fascinating; it seems kind of strange, though, to think of y'all up in Finland discussing our little corner of the world! Since you work at a video store, you might want to see the movie "Lone Star," which is a very thought-provoking look at the border culture in Texas. Also, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez," based on the Amerigo Paredes book "With a Pistol in His Hand," offers insights into the history of this culture. (Much of that story happened here in our county.)

Patti, good luck at your WI tonight! I'm sure you'll do great. Re: the asparagus, I just cleaned it, cut it, sprayed it lightly w/olive oil (you could use Pam) and roasted it. Haven't had an artichoke in ages; thanks for reminding me, will have to try one again soon! What color are you using on your hair? Is it a change from what you had before? That's great about your hairdresser noticing the difference; that must have felt really good!

Stamps, wow, I'm impressed; it must have been hard to stay OP at a steakhouse! Good for you! You know, I still remember how shocked I was to see that l'il old t-bone steak in the WW booklet, marked "4 servings." No way, I thought! There's a local steakhouse that serves on huge platters, and even then the steak actually falls over the edges. Even the "small" sirloin I used to order (and finish!) was probably 6 ww servings. Then we'd have fried okra, loaded potato, etc. with it. Yikes!

JOYce, how wonderful that you found that electric cart for your Mom! I know she'll be thrilled with it. Assistive devices can make a world of difference for older people with disabilities; I know my Dad's life wouldn't be the same without his low vision aids.

Carol, your weekend sounds fantastic! Fireworks, even, wow! And your being able to attend, I'm sure made it so much more special for your friend J. Re: the shopping, got a new belt and 3 shirts, some pool toys (next weekend we're going to the beach w/Dad), some garden stuff, and some birthday gifts and such for relatives. Not a whole lot, but it was fun having a day to myself like that. And thanks, yes, Dad is doing very well; I was just picking up routine prescriptions and supplies for him.

Guess I'd better get back to work! Hi to Janet, Texaslady, Nancy, Nancy in Tc, and Kendra!
Regards,
Jan

Hi ladies!

Carol - What a wonderful week-end you had! Anybody do a double-take at your fantastic weight loss? I am so glad that you and your dd got to attend. I am sure that made it even more special for your friend, too.

Rebecca - SNOW! In late April??!! Do you know it was 75 degrees here this morning BEFORE daylight? What a difference a couple thousand miles makes! :)
You know I find when I have a severe craving that I just can't shake, I go ahead and have a portion of whatever it is and just be done with it. I think the trick is to give myself a good talking to beforehand and make sure I understand this is NOT the beginning of a binge -

Jan - I don't know. I don't just 3 shirts is going to get you very far......... And a belt! Ha! I cannot even REMEMBER when the last time I actually purchased a belt! I guess when I do that is when I will know I have truly arrived at being thin! Congratulations. I have a friend here at work who recently moved her Mom here from Arizona and she had a real vision deficiency. I thought about your Dad's vision aide that he wore during our visit, but I didn't know what it was called. I suggested she might check it out for her Mom.

Patti - You just hang in there. You have done so well! I am sure the WW scale will cooperate with you! :) What date is your son's prom? I know you told me but I have a bad case of C.H.S. :lol: Such a fun time for the Seniors!!

Joyce - Congrats on your loss, too. Every little bit helps, doesn't it! I know Melissa is getting excited about the prom. I hope you will be able to share in a bigger part of it now that you have cut back on some of your many other activities. Afterall, our kids (and grandkids!) grow up so fast - we shouldn't miss a minute of it!

Saara - Well, you are in for a big week! I didn't realize May Day was just a big holiday for you guys. Don't party TOO hard and keep your eye on the ultimate goal! Hope you turn up lots of goodies in your attic! Like Jan, its hard for me to think about you sitting in Finland studying our Texas/Mexico border problems. We sure seem to have enough of them. Jan's movie suggestions were really good, too. I hope you have those movies where you work and can watch them. Will give you a jump start on the discussion.

We had a beautiful day for the ball game on Saturday - too bad our Astros took such a beating from the Cardinals! But it was so nice outside and they even had the roof "open" on the new stadium. After 30 years of games in the Astrodome, I had forgotten how nice an open-air game can be! Sunday I spent most of the afternoon with my dd looking for drapery fabric for their new house. It still looks like they may actually close on May 1 - just a week away now. They are just waiting for everything to be processed by the various agencies and for all the pieces to come together.

Gotta go - about time for me to close up shop for the day. Will check in again later.

Hi everyone! We are having summer here- it went up to 90 in parts of our area today. The pollen count is outrageous- 750 for trees. I have this love/hate relationship with spring- I love the season, but my allergies sure don't! :)
Joyce, I'll bet your mom will really enjoy that electric cart!!! How nice that you found such a bargain! I'm glad you are relaxing and "lazing" the morning away a little- it's about time!!!
Saara, how many points in a May Day party? :lol: Have a good-but safe!-time!!! Your upcoming seminars sound interesting!
Patti, good luck on your weigh in! If you like canned asparagus, you must try it fresh. I usually steam mine in my microwave, then put "Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray and fat free parmesan on top. I could live on the stuff! Your niece sounds like a sweetie!
Rebecca, don't let the blues get you down- this too shall pass!!! Spring is just about here, despite your snowfall! Have you ever tried the Lay's "WOW" potato chips? The fat free ones that are 1 point for 20 chips? I like them, and they satisfy the chip craving when I get it. I know they say some people get gastric symptoms, but I've never had any problem from them.
Hookedonstamps, you'll just HAVE to tell us your name or give us a shorter nickname to use for you!:D Didn't see a pig under your name- try again! Good luck with the planning of the scrapbook competition.
Jan, I had never tried salsa on a baked potato- I don't do salsa usually- but it sounded so good that I brought out the jar of salsa you gave me and put it on my baked potato for dinner tonight- and it was wonderful! Thnks for the suggestion! Sounds like you had fun shopping- but Texaslady's right- aren't you going to wear anything WITH those blouses?? I KNOW you must need smaller pants too- even if you do have a new belt!!:lol: Where will you all be going to the beach next week?
Texaslady, I'm glad you enjoyed the game. How exciting that your dd may go to settlement on her house next week! They must be tickled to death!
Janet, I know you are lurking- now you need to post!! We miss you!
Hi to Liz, both Nancies and Kendra. Come on back, ladies!
I've got some calls to make, so I'd better run. Have a good evening, everyone.
Carol
Well, I've got to run and make some phone calls.

Morning everyone!

I hope that you guys did not think I have left. I have been having a really interesting life lately but I try to at least log on and read the threads very quickly so I can keep in tune.

Had a bad case of poisen ivey last week. I usually get it a little, but I woke up Monday morning and one of my eyes was swollen. Of course, I played the martyr and tried to go to woek. By the time I got there you would have thought someone had punched me in the eye. I had to leave and go home and by the time I got home the other one was swollen. I went right to the emergency room, peering through the slits of my lids. There was a little guy who had broken his elbow sitting across from me who turned to his mother and said "mommy, she's scaring me!" I felt like saying, "you should see me when I wake up in the morning"

Have been really trying to stay on track this week. Did the run to Trader Joe's and got those delicious Kashi go-lean bars. I bought one of each flavor to try. Some of them are very sweet but very filing.

Hi to everyone, and congrats to everyone who lost.

Have a great day

Hi everyone! Looks like we've run to two pages, so meet us over in #59!
Jan