If you have around 50 (or more) pounds to lose, this is the group for you! So jump on in and join; you'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

Patti, you're making me want to be in New Orleans right now, instead of waiting till September! Sounds like y'all had a lot of fun. Good for you, choosing the grilled salmon (one of my favorites too!) instead of something fried. And yes, you can pay for missed meetings and just keep on going, or if the missed mtg fees would be higher than rejoining, you can do that instead.

Merri, we're so proud of you for going to your meeting; so glad it made you feel motivated, too! Don't worry about the small gain; as Texaslady says, I'm sure you'll have that back off in no time, especially with all the exercise you do. I'll bet you'd be a great water aerobics instructor; what a fun goal to pursue! Keep us posted on that, ok?

Linda, great to hear from you again! We missed you. And you are once again setting a good example for us, by taking care of these few extra pounds right away and working your way back to goal, rather than letting things go. That's what maintenance and lifetime membership are about, imho. Re: the new program, it took 2 pts off the top of each range (we have to earn it back with exercise), capped the fiber at 4 grams (so you count it as 4 even if it's 7, say) and made certain starchier veggies worth points (carrots, onions, jicama, corn, peas). I'm with Texaslady; 123 worked so well for me, I'm sticking to that, although I have upped the points on a few really high-fiber items.

JOYce, all that walking (and in the heat, no less!) is sure to pay off! Sounds like your dgd is excited to be starting college. How wonderful that she turned to you for help, too! Did your dh get back from that last fishing trip yet? Did he have good luck?

Texaslady, that's a great idea; imagine the neat stuff we could find! You know, it's usually nice and cool (70's) in December down there; wonder if anyone is up for a Laredo trip between Christmas and New Year's? Congrats on getting your dd moved in; I can just imagine how hectic that's been. It's sweet of you to dogsit too; you're right, dogs can be so disturbed by changes, and by strangers coming in and out of the house. Granddog will be much happier with you during all that!

Guess I'd better get back to work; am taking a half day off this afternoon to take Dad to San Antonio for a checkup, so have lots of loose ends to tie up. Everyone have a great Wednesday!
Regards,
Jan

WHEW!..just had to get that out of my system!
I guess we experienced a rolling black-out this morning.
Before 6:00a.m., before time for alarm clocks etc!! thank goodness, my alarm clock shrieked at me when the power went off! I had to be ready to get the girls up, knowing that their clocks wouldn't go off! (Have I gotten used to lazing in bed in the a.m.??) It lasted just over an hour.
The only other rolling blackout that I know of in our town, was at rush hour in the afternoon, and it put out the traffic lights, on the other side of town, which really slowed things down.

Jan dh's last fishing trip was a 'bust' because of the trailer problems that sent him back home. he and ds went deepsea for a day, but all they got was barracuda, and gave it away. He is planning to go sometime in June, but I just saw that there is a hurricane down off Mexico, so I'm sure he will wait til it is gone.

texaslady, You are really getting a work out, getting dd's home ready!What fun!
I put the picture that was taken at the prom as well as a cap and gown picture on my opening page, so you won't have to search the whole site. .

O.K.! I feel better... and know that my friend the puter is o.k., so better go get ready for this day...someone will be here soon to give an estimate on repairing our roof,which leaks in light rains. this is a new roof that dh and ds put on about 7 yrs ago, but they can't find the prob...time for the pros.

Hi Linda!
~~~~

Joyce

Joyce - I was just reading the thread and had to drop in and say I'm sorry about the blackout. Your comment about the traffic lights really made me think - Can you imagine if the traffic lights went out in Houston??? My gosh, it would take me 10 hours to commute back out to the suburbs!!! I am at work and don't have your website bookmarked here - but I will check out the pics tonight at my home computer.

Jan - Gosh, December doesn't sound bad to me - that will be life AFTER the wedding and things should be back to normal, whatever that is. Let's see if anyone else is up for it.

Hi everyone. I hope you had a good "Hump Day". I only worked about 5 hours- yesterday was a 13 hour day, so I was trying to even out the hours a bit(we have a nurse on vacation). Then I met a friend for lunch. So that's been my day. Tomorrow morning is my consult with the surgeon. His office is less than a mile from mine, so I'll go to work from 6-9, then go see him and return to work afterwards. Long day. Friday after work is my first epidural steroid injection for the back/leg mess. Gee, who says I never do anything fun?
Merri I'm really proud of you for going to your meeting even tho you knew your had gained a bit! I think half the battle in the weight loss business is facing reality and taking responsibility for your actions- which you did like a champ! Plus, like Jan said, the time to go is when you are struggling! Water aerobics sound wonderful- boy, would my muscles and joints like that! Wish we had somewhere near for that!
Jan, it sounds like you had a wonderful time at Laredo, and exercised admirable restraint at that wonderful restaurant! (I still remember Janet and I with their wonderful tortilla chips!!!) Laredo between Xmas and New Years would be wonderful, but I don't know how do-able it will be from my end. Aside from the expense of Xmas and my sweetie's birthday being considerable, I have this concern about flying that far again in the winter. Anyhow, it's worth a thought, and I won't give up on the idea- sure would be fun!!! You didn't tell us what you bought while you and dh were there.
Joyce, now, don't you get carried away with too much walking in the heat so soon after your surgery!! I hear that some California realtors who are fortunate enough to have properties in the "no blackout" zones where hospitals, etc., are advertising that fact as a selling point, because home sales in other areas have been real slow due to the blackout possibilities.
Patti, I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner with your niece- and made such a healthy choice!How's the car repair coming? Have you recovered from the cost of the parts yet?
Linda, welcome back!! I keep asking Joyce about you! Good for you for getting back on track before the added pounds get away from you! I'll echo the sentiments of Jan and Texaslady- 1-2-3 got me as far as I am, and I'm not going to mess with a good thing that works!!! And I don't count my carrots as points!
Texaslady, I think if someone came up behind me and softly whispered "boo" I'd jump out of my skin at this point , but I'm hanging in there- thanks for all your supportive emails. How exciting that moving day is almost here! Are you and your granddog planning any special bonding activities over the weekend?
Kendra, how are you? Don't slip away from us now that you've come back!
Hi to Liz, Janet, Rebecca, Saara and Stamps(where are you, Stamps??).
Take care, everyone.
Carol

Hello, back to you! Thanks for your warm welcome when I posted for the first time in many moons yesterday. You're right; the welcomes (and welcome-backs) are always so warm.

I think that maybe I will go back to the old 123 program, because trying to stay within the lower points range (the new one they started at the beginning of the year) is really tough sometimes. I never did count fiber more than the first 5 grams, so that won't be different. I went to my WI this morning and much to my delight, gained only .4--and this was after not weighing in for a month and not being very careful with my points counting. I am imagining how it could be when I go back to tracking all of my points and walking on the treadmill again. Jan, thanks for your positive feedback, as usual--what you said about my still setting an example was a kind thing to say, and it made me smile when I read it. I have about ten more pounds to go til I am back at goal.

Carol, how are you doing? When I read of your concerns I also prayed for you, that things will come out OK. I have thought of you so often the past few days. May the Lord give you His peace. How is little Sweetie?

Saara, congrats on being accepted at the University in Utah. Good job. Utah has some beautiful scenery; I'm sure you have been told that several times, though.

Our dd graduated from California State University at Fullerton last Saturday morning. It was a wonderful graduation and a wonderful day. Her major was accounting, which according to her was a really tough major to have chosen. At the university's office they messed up her schedule last fall and told her she had to take a certain class, then she found out at the end of the semester that they had steered her the wrong way, and that she needed to make it up in summer school after graduation. She took it with a good deal of aplomb and will start the twice-weekly, 6 week long class tomorrow night. **Then** she will really be all through with schooldays! She does have tenacity.

I have read about your reunion in New Orleans -- what fun! Eat a begniet for me, will you?

Well, Carol, we must have posted at the same time. I am glad that you did ask JOYce about me from time to time because that was one of the reasons I started thinking about this group more and more, finally deciding to come back. My gosh, a 13-hour day yesterday--you certainly do work hard. Glad that today was only 5 hours' worth. Make it a great evening!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick post before I go to work again. I have so much to do, and so little time... I turned in my paperwork today, so now I have accepted the place in Utah. Now I have to get the insurance and the visa. I heard that the INS is planning to start collectin a $100 fee for visa applications, hope they don't decide it before I apply for mine. The $480 for the health insurance is enough extra costs on top of the program fee...

Well, I believe that Utah is really beautiful, as Linda said. And it will be great to be there during the olympics. But I'm already getting sick of everyone talking about this polygamy stuff... Everyone thinks that I will soon be someone's 4th wife or something. I know that most people are just joking, but it's not funny anymore when it's everyone's first comment when I tell them I'm going to Salt Lake City for a year. Luckily those people that know me best have enough faith in me not to even joke about something like that. Even my American "dad" just sent me an email warning. Gosh why can't people just be happy that I get this great opportunity to study abroad for a year. Sorry, I just had to vent a bit. I know that most people actually are happy for me.

Well, the weather here is back to warm and sunny again. I hope it stays that way.
I'm starting to feel like 2 months is going to be too short for all I want to do before I leave. I guess it's goign to be just party after party... lots of other people are leaving on exchange to, my roommate is going to Sweden for the fall semester and Spain for the spring semester. we're already planning a huge farewell party in August right before I leave.

About the december gettogether possibility, I don't know if I can make it. I think I'll go to California for Christmas, but I don't know how long I'll stay. My american "sister" has promised to save me her "buddypasses", hopefully there will be plenty of them, so I can make several trips during the year. I guess I can't really make plans before I'm actually in Utah and know more about the school schedule...

Well, have a great day!!! Saara.

Saara! What a busy time you will have!
Sorry about the stereotype that Utah has!
Just try to ignore it, is the best advice that I can give.
Enjoy all the excitement and anticipation of getting ready to leave! What a fun time!! (careful with all those parties!!)...(that is grandma speaking)

Carol, My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go to the surgeon tomorrow, I pray that he/she has good news for you!

Don't worry about my overdoing! I haven't walked since I bragged about it! I had to stay home yesterday, waiting for a roofing estimate, and today was Meals on Wheels day for me and Linda. I get a different kind of exercise...getting in and out of the car 9 times! It is a good workout, although brief. Linda drives and I deliver the food. it is getting back up to the 3 digit temps, so I need to do it early in the day.
Tomorrow, I am going to a china painting show, so that will involve some walking, although, not power walking.

I had a homemade, frosted brownie at Bible study tonight, and was offered another as I left, it was soooo tempting, but I firmly said NO , and left, I can still taste it!!! It was so good. But I mentioned the 2.8 pounds I lost, and came on home without it.

good night all.
~~~~~~~~

Joyce

Hi-
I don't have much time, but wanted to give you a quick update on my surgeon's visit yesterday. I'm scheduled for the biopsy Wed AM. It'll take about an hour or so to get the samples and is done under local anesthesia. If this is inconclusive he'd have to do a more involved biopsy in the hospital. He was neutral- said there's definitely something suspicious going on, but whether it's malignant or benign is impossible to tell without a biopsy. It'll take about 48 hours to get results after it's done. So, the waiting game continues. Kind of wish I weren't starting this back thing so I could keep myself real busy till the biopsy, but I can't (will have to be off my fet 24 hours after todays injection) so such is life. This too shall pass!
Gotta run. Talk to you all later. Have a good weekend, everyone.
Carol

Happy Friday, everyone!

Carol - I am so glad you reported in - I was really thinking about you yesterday. I know that Wednesday seems an eternity away right now and the waiting game is just awful. I am hopeful the injections will do wonders for your back - I know that would help your mood too! As I said, ex-dh had them and swears it was a miracle to be released from the back pain he had been suffering. Hang in there, girl.

Saara - OK - this is another "mom" speaking here - you do need to be careful with all those parties! I know that you know how many points are in alcohol - besides, it lessens our resistance to other temptations as well (meaning food!!!)! You have a good time but continue to practice the restraint you have had in the past and you will be fine. I am still SO excited for you! Don't worry about the polygamy stuff - its the same as everyone expecting cowboys and horses all over Texas. Sure, its there, but its not EVERYWHERE! And even if it was - you always have a CHOICE! You will be fine - don't let those others get to you.

Linda - Yep, I think sticking with 123 is a great idea. Staying OP and getting on the treadmill should have those 10 pounds off in no time. Better to lose 10 than 50 - that's for sure. So smart of you to know that! Congrats on your dd's college graduation. Its wonderful that so many of us either had kids who graduated or did so ourselves!

JOYce - Good for you on resisting the second Brownie! Doesn't it make you feel good when you have overcome a hurdle like that? That plus all your walking this week should produce positive results at your next WI. Keep on keeping on!! Sorry I forgot to check out your website for the pics last night. Was late when I got back from dd's and I bascially took a shower and went to bed! I will look at them this week-end.

My "grand-dog" and I bonded quite nicely, thank you! We always do. He played outside (I have a large fenced-in yard!!) and he so ready to crash - even though I went to bed earlier than his "mama & daddy" usually do. The only problem we had this a.m. was that I have a bad habit of setting my alarm early and hitting the snooze button multiple times. Well, everytime it went off he thought it was time to get up! When I didn't move he would settle down again only to be ready to get up again 7 minutes later! I finally just gave up and we both got up!

Time to get myself organized for the day! Hope everyone has a good week-end. Carol - you do what the doctor says and STAY OFF YOUR FEET for 24 hours after your visit today! Well, at least stay off them for as much as you can. I am thinking about you.

Hey gang...I've only got a second, but I wanted to say...Carol, you are still in my thoughts and prayers. I want to call you this weekend, but if you have to stay flat on your back are you even going to bother with answering the phone? I still have good feelings about your biopsy, and I'm sending good vibes your way. Good luck with the injection today.

Saara, that is wonderful about your Utah placement. I agree with JOYce's advice to try to ignore all the comments. There is a polygamist here in the states who has been on every talk show known to man defending his beliefs. He was recently convicted and is waiting to be sentenced. That may be one reason that the topic is so fresh on everyone's minds. I am very excited that you are going to be there for the winter olympics. I have never been to Utah, but from what I have seen in pictures, it is a beautiful state. What an exciting time for you.

I'm going to try to finish posting later, but right now I've got to get back to work...but I can't leave without saying hi to Linda. I had asked JOYce about you several times and had asked her to tell you hello. We have really missed your posts. Hi also to Kendra. We missed you too and are so glad that you and Linda are back!!

Well, it's off to work I go. More later....

Janet (Kudzu)

Thanks, Carol, for your thoughts about me during my absence. It is nice to be back, and I do think that in being back I'll start buckling down again (maybe tomorrow -- oops; I baked cookies today and have had 8 or 10 as of this writing...). This afternoon when dh and I were walking to an office where he had an appointment my jeans were beginning to feel looser again, but tonight my underpinnings are feeling a little *tight,* so I guess those cookies have settled in to stay for awhile.

Texaslady, your positive feedback was nice to read. Ten pounds doesn't seem like a huge amount to lose, although I have found that the last few pounds are really pesky. Thanks for the congrats on dd's graduation -- gosh, I don't think I mentioned... (no humility on my part) **she graduated cum laude.** Enough of tooting my horn for her; she would be pretty embarrassed if she knew I had put this on the net. That was so funny about your granddoggy starting to bolt every seven minutes when your snooze alarm kept going off! Hee!

Carol, you have an exemplary attitude. God bless you. I pray that you will have a good (and not too boring!) rest this weekend. I must have missed the details of this injection you had in your back. Had you injured it recently?

Make it a good weekend, everyone!

Good morning everyone! This is my second try at this- I had my post well on the way when I accidentally hit the "escape" key!
My back procedure went well yesterday- I'm a little sore in that area when I am on my feet today (which I'm not suposed to be anyway today, so no big deal), but other than that it doing fine. You should see how I've rigged myself up so I can be on my computer and still have my legs up and some pressure off the back!
Linda, huge congrats to you and your dd on her graduating cum laude!! You must be so proud!!!But, a huge on the 8-10 cookies!!! One or two, maybe, but not 8-10!! But at least you've got that out of your system! The back thing was an injury on top of a pre-exsisting proble. I have some degeneration of my spine (due to my Lupus, they tell me now) causing compression of a nerve root. I have loss of muscle strenth and some reflex loss in my left leg, which is why they are doing this series of stuff on me- hopefully to avoid surgery which I have no intention of having done anyhow. It was pretty stable till Feb when I was helping hold down a child while the doctor I work for drew her blood. The child's mom let her legs go, and I rose up and twisted suddenly to avoid a kick in the face, and then couldn't straighten or move. And thus the previous progress and stability went down the tubes! Now, aren't you sorry you asked?
Saara, I'll add my maternal wisdom to Texaslady's about the major partying! Not only the points, but the well documented and big time health risks associated with party binge drinking! Be careful! We don't want anything to happen to you! When do you leave- have they given you a date yet? What have they told you about your host family? They are so lucky to have you!
Joyce, good for you for resisting the second brownie! See, now you're the good example for Linda to follow instead of the other way round! How nice that you all do the meals on wheels- I know the 2 of you are a joy to the people you visit!
Texaslady, your poor granddog must have been exhausted after all the snooze alarm activity! That's a riot!
Janet, thanks for the good luck vibes- would love to talk to you this weekend if you have time! How are you feeling?
Well, ladies, I've run on long enough with this, so I'll just say "hi" to everyone I missed.
Have a great, op weekend!
Carol

Hi all!
I lost another 1.6 pounds this week!
I didn't get to stay for the meeting, I had to be a 'soccer gma' today.
dh is out deepsea fishing, so I had to go cheer-on Casie and her team... I did a great job, they won 7-0!!!
I thought of you saara, one of the mom's asked if I could take a German exchange student this summer...I don't think I could handle that along with all the comings and goings of family.
I'm going to go up to see my mom and sisters on Monday, have to sneak in a quick trip before all the graduation frivolities begin!

Now, I must put on my red face.. I drove 30 miles to the site of the china painting show yesterday, to realize just before I turned into the parking lot that I was a week early!!
I know exactly how to get there next week!
I came home and walked the antigue district, instead.
I found 2 little dolls, and then treated myself to a lunch at the Tea garden. I even did the antique store that has 2 flights of stairs, and walked them all! WHEW!!
That store is always fun for me, it was a Dept/dime store when we got married 45 yrs ago, and I remember some of the things I purchased there, like the red plastic cannister set with white lids!

{{{{Carol, }}}}good for you, for figuring out a way to stay on the puter and off your feet!!
don't over-do with the wierd gyrations! you might complicate things!!

Bye for now..
~~~~~

Joyce