Hi Ladies!!!

I'm finally home from New Orleans!!! What a trip!! We all had a crazy time - a couple of my friends got arrested because they got too drunk and then one of them had 600 dollars stolen from them.... But we did go to Pat O's for the hurricane drink we all shared the humongo 3 gallon Hurricane - it was SO crazy!!! I ended up getting food poison half way through the trip it was nasty... I dont think I'll have a problem @ weigh in this week. We were all glad when our plane flew into Logan I'll tell you.... I just realized the next few weekends are going to be crazy with the 4th and all... well, I'll chat more with you all later... I have to unpack all my junk ugh!!!!

Good to be back....

Merri24

Hello Ladies! I'm back! :)
Dh and I had a great time in Arizona. I was one of the best vacations we've had! It was sooooo nice traveling just the two of us with no kids. :cool: Like a second honeymoon. We saw some beautiful sights and took lots of pictures. Unfortunately Arizona has summer monsoons which started a month early this year! We didn't even see one star. :mad: Oh, well, we saw some fabulous thunderstorms with beautiful lightning. Gives us an excuse to go back.

Carol - Great news about your CT scan! I was really worried when you said you had a suspicious area on your lung. I think a second opinion on the other matter is a good idea. Hope you can get that going soon. Sorry to hear about your beloved cat. We have a pug dog that is like a baby to us.

Jan - Hope you had a great time in San Francisco. You said you are having surgery on the 27th. What kind of surgery? Hope all is well.

Saara - Glad to hear you got the cheaper flight. Hope all of your other arrangements are working out as well. You must be terribly excited since your departure date is getting closer and closer.

TexasLady - Congratulations on the new job! Hope it works out well for you. It will be a new adventure.

Merri - Sounds like you had a blast in New Orleans. You've got to watch out for those hurricanes! (I speak from experience!) Are you sure you got food poisoning? Sometimes the very rich food here is too much for visitors.

I am going to weigh-in tomorrow. Hope I didn't gain too much. It is extremely difficult staying OP when you are traveling. All I could do was try to make the best choices possible and write it all down. I journaled everyday and tried to figure points. I didn't worry if I was way over points - I just wanted to always be aware of the points I was consuming.

Have a great OP day!
Beth
:wave:

Hi everyone! How was the weekend?
I went to lunch with dd, her dh and my little sweetie Saturday. It was less than restful :dizzy:- the service was a little slow, and the little guy got bored so we ended up taking him outside in shifts. Then today we went to an outdoor chuch service/picnic with the church where my dd is the organist. Again, not a lot of cooperation from the 18 month old (naptime=not a happy camper)., so we left right after the service.
Later on today my dd dropped little sweetie with me for a few minutes while she ran a quick errand- he was a happy camper again by that time :), and when she came back we took him for a long walk in the stroller. It was such a beautiful day- sunny, light breeze, temps in the low 80's.
Texaslady, the epidural steroid injections have helped a lot, especially with the leg symptoms. Hopefully it will last- and at last I can get back to some exercising. I leave for Florida this coming Friday, bright and early (as you know I'm a morning person!) and come back late evening on July 4th, so I'll have the better part of 6 days there. And you are right- the flying part is not the slightest concern- I just want to get away. I'm sorry you're getting so much hassle with the job change. I can see them being sad, but it would seem that your friends would be happy for you. I still have a gut feeling you've done the right thing!!
Merri, welcome back! Sorry you got sick on the trip! To be honest, your trip doesn't sound like something I would have enjoyed, based on all the happenings you recounted- but then I'm a lot older than you! Getting sick is sure not the most enjoyable way to not gain weight on a vacation, you poor thing!
Beth, welcome back to you too! It sounds like you two had a great time, in spite of the fact that the stars didn't cooperate! Good luck on your weigh-in tomorrow.

The lease on my apartment runs out 7/31, and I got the word on my rent increase- it's going up $80 a month! :eek: I'm struggling now to afford it without going back to working a second job (no longer an option physically), so after 6 years I'll be moving. My dd and her dh have invited me to move in with them for the next 6-8 months, so that's what I'll do until I see whether Florida is in the immediate future, or another more local move. Who says you can't go home again? My dh and I sold them the house when we separated 6 years ago. This will probably take some effort on all our parts, but I figure the burden of cooperation will be mostly mine- it's their house, and I need to make it work. It'll be fun to be there with the little guy, and I can help my dd out too- she has such a hectic schedule. One more stress- I hate the idea of moving, especially knowing I'll most likely be doing it all over again within a year. Oh well- you do what you've gotta do in this life!
Don't know why I ran on about that for so long- probably bored you all to death. Anyhow, hi to everyone I didn't address individually, and have a good op Monday, everyone!
Carol :wave:

Carol, I am so glad to hear that your CT scan results were good! I hope you hear soon from the ins. co.; surely they will fund a second opinion, that's such a wise thing to do. Wow, you have had a busy weekend! I hope you didn't overdo, though. I'll bet your dd is excited about your moving in with them; I know you take care of your little darling so often, that must be a tremendous help, and I know how much you enjoy it too. When you move, though, be sure not to lift anything heavy! -end of lecture-

Texaslady, congrats on your new job!! And I agree, it sounds to me like your present bosses weren't being very observant; like you said, even if you had pointed it out to them, it probably wouldn't have resulted in long term changes. I admire you for taking charge like that! Are you planning to go somewhere on your vacation week?

Saara, wow, you have been busy! The rock concert sounded like lots of fun. Way to go on not getting a sunburn; you'll be glad you took precautions, believe me! Re: the flight to Utah, have you tried online services like travelocity, biztravel, or expedia? Do they take reservations from Finland? I've gotten really good deals there, esp. travelocity.

JOYce, that's neat that you joined a challenge; I know you can do it! Way to go on ordering the tomatoes instead of the potatoes; like Carol said, steps like that make all the difference.

Beth, a second honeymoon, no less! How wonderful! And those desert storms must have been beautiful; I'm sure the stargazing can wait for your next trip. First time we saw the Grand Canyon, it was stormy, and we loved it; so dramatic.

Merri, so sorry to hear about your food poisoning! I hope you're feeling much better now? DId you hear some good music while you were there? I've never heard of a 3-gallon Hurricane; wow. How on earth did they serve it?

Re: our trip, we had a lovely time. Spent a few days in Half Moon Bay walking these beautiful beaches. Got to ride a horse on the beach, too, something I haven't done in so many years! I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy riding horses; I'd been way too heavy to ride for so long. We had fun in the city, too, walking, riding cable cars, shopping; even saw an avant-garde play we really enjoyed, a modern takeoff on the Trojan Women. I think I'm ready now to face Wednesday's surgery (a hysterectomy, Beth; no cancer, though) with a fairly decent attitude. Anyone know some good paperbacks I should read?

Hi to Rebecca, Patti, Linda, Janet, Liz, Stamps, and Kendra; hope all is well!
Regards,
Jan

Wow Carol! , that is quite a rent hike! You are so fortunate to have the opportunity to live at your dd's while you figure out what you need to do. It will be a challenge for all of you, but sounds like you can work it out. Won't your little sweetie be in heaven!!

Jan, Your vacation sounds delightful, how restful and relaxing that must have been for you.

My WI yesterday was disaster, a substantial gain!:(
But NOW is a new beginning, again..:(

I need to run, dh needs to get on line.
TTYS
~~~~~
:wave:
JOYce

Good evening, everyone! How was your Monday? We had another absolutely gorgeous day here! Too bad it had to be wasted indoors working.
Jan , welcome back. Your well-deserved trip sounds like it was absolutely wonderful! I can't begin to tell you how many years it's been since I have been horseback riding- I think I was still a teenager! You are in my thoughts and prayers for your surgery Wednesday! With your new slim body, I know you will make a speedy, uncomplicated recovery! Let us know how things go as soon as you can.
Joyce , I'm sorry to hear about the "substantial gain" this week, but kudos for going to your meeting and having the determination to get right back on track! I think (and hope!) my little sweetie will be a happy camper to have grandma around everyday!

I've begun the preparatory stuff for moving- last thing on earth I feel like adding to my chaotic life right now, but I don't want to put things like setting up a date for phone line transfers and the like until the last minute and find myself computerless when I move!!:eek:
No word from the insurance company yet on my 2nd opinion- I may not be able to go where my primary doctor and I want me to go, but we'll see. The waiting game continues.:rolleyes: Tomorrow I have a followup appointment with my orthopedic doctor- hopefully his exam will show that the epidural steroids improved things as much as they seem to have!

I'd better get to my chores, but I wanted to check in. Have a good Tuesday, everyone.
Carol

Good evening, ladies!
I went to my weigh-in today - I LOST 2.4 LBS.!!!!
:D I was really shocked to have lost after my vacation. I felt that I gained and just hoped it wasn't too much of a gain. I think that journaling the whole week (no matter what I ate) made a difference.

Carol - I think it is great that you will be able to move in with your daughter for a while. Should be great fun to be with your little sweetie every day. Hope all goes well with your doctor visit.

JOYce - Sorry to hear about your gain. It's good that you are determined to stay on track. Remember your challenge and keep your eyes on the goal! ;)

Jan - Glad to hear your surgery is routine and not serious. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers Wednesday. Have you ever read any of the Mitford books by Jan Karon? I have the whole series and they are my favorites. The Left Behind series are also interesting.

Hello to all that I have missed. Have to get off the computer now, dh is fussing that he wants time on. Have a great OP Tuesday!

Beth
:wave:

:)
 

Hi ladies!
dh is in bed, so I can finish what I started last night!
Yesterday was busy, I took Casie shopping for clothes for a 2 week trip she will take. She is going to particpate in a really neat sounding College Intro program at UNM. so she needed some new clothes. We had a great time, much to my surprise!She made good choices! Then we went to the Sporting Goods store and picked up her Lettermans jacket. She got letters in soccer and track. It is a beautiful jacket, and she is very proud. too bad it is 100 degree weather!! I told her I would know what was going on if I find the thermostat set at zero and icicles forming!:lol: :lol:
She will miss some soccer games and VBS, but she will have a great experience. They take classes for 1/2 the day and have work experience the other half.
I think I have 'flushed away' much of my substantial gain...hence proving it was h2o retention:^: WHEW!
so today was another busy day, taking her to Assessment for the program, and had to deal with a flat tire. dh expereinced it coming home on Saturday, we have had 3 tires in th elast few weeks with the seperating tread!! While they were Firestone, they were not the ones being recalled.:mad:
Que Sera`!
dh did the last soccer transport tonight, so I went out to dinner with the ladies from church... we went to a Japanese Teppan grill
I ordered chicken and only ate part of my rice, so think I did o.k., and I drank lots of water!
Carol, It sounds like you will be busy from here on out! Please don't overdo! We care about you! and you have come so far! I'm glad you think the injections are doing some good!
Beth Thanks for the reminder of the left Behind series! I don't do much reading, but want to do those,and I have a Book club offer here on my desk, somewhere:?: that offers those... I must find it!!
Hi to ALL.
Bye for now
~~~~~~~
:wave:
JOYce

Good morning, girls!

Jan & Beth - I am thrilled that your both had such wonderful times on your vacations! You know it is just so hard for me to realize that its nearly half-way through summer and that it is vacation time for most people!

Jan - I know that your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I am keeping you in my heart and prayers and, like Carol, am sure that your recovery will be quicker without all that extra weight! Let us hear from you as soon as you can. Do you have any idea how long they will keep you in the hospital? Will you in in San Antonio?

Beth - Way to go with that great loss - and on vacation EVEN! Doesn't that feel good to know that you were in control? I'm sorry about the rainy vacation, but I know that you and your dh enjoyed your time alone and the lightening shows. You just need to start making plans to go back again!

Joyce - I very much admire your determination to go back to the WW meeting even knowing that you had gained! See how far your have come? Sometimes our successes are NOT measured by the scale! Glad you have "flushed" away some of it already! How old is Casie? She seems a remarkable young lady - don't guess any of that credit belongs to you and your dh now, does it? Of course it does! It's been a few days since we heard from Linda. Tell her we are thinking about her!

Saara - Getting closer now. Glad you got the cheaper flight. I think it's wonderful that you and Joyce can meet while you are in California. Be sure to take a few pics for the rest of us so we can enjoy your visit together too!

Carol - Wow, what a change moving will be for you! I know you were concerned about this when we got together in March. I'm sorry that your predictions about the rent increase came true. My dd's apartment rent was going up $100 if they hadn't moved into the house. The house payment is only a few hundred dollars more than they were paying in rent. Since you have been living alone (and not always liking it, I know), it will be a big switch to adjust to a houseful of family again. But I know that you can do it and I also know you are so pleased to see your grandson on a daily basis and to help your dd with child care. I KNOW he is going to like that! I am so glad that you are getting away for a few days - I know how much you enjoy your little house. Is it empty now so that you will actually be able to stay there? I know that the thought of moving to Florida and away from your dd and her family must be a difficult - but we always must do what we have to do. You are a strong lady.

Merri - Wow, sounds like your New Orleans trip was pretty eventful! But, like Jan, just how DO they serve a 3 gallon Hurricane! (and don't say with lots of straws!):lol: Did you meet (or at least see) any of our good-looking Southern boys? Sorry about the food poisoning, but as Beth said, it may have been the richness of the food you were served. When we are not used to eating a lot of fat and cream sauces and grease, our stomach's rebel when we start poking that sort of stuff into them!

I will kind of be glad when this week is over. I really hate to leave but the thought of it is worse than the act - if you know what I mean. One of the partners (the one who wouldn't "share" his work) has never said one word to me since I turned in my resignation. I know he has been catching some heat over the whole thing - guess that's the reason. He just came by a little while ago on his way to the file room, and I saw him glance into my office. Guess he just wanted to make sure I was still here - like I am going to go "poof" and be gone! When I went to run an errand at lunch yesterday, I heard he asked the receptionist where I was!! It will be interesting to see if he attempts to "make nice" before I go on Friday.

I am not going anywhere on my week off. Instead, I will start on some of the wedding crafts which need to be done. The list is long and I need to cross a few things off. Will go over to my wholesale florist supply place today and pick up the ribbon and stuff so I can get busy next week.

Will go for now. I guess when I start my new job I won't be able to "cheat" and post from work. I am not even sure I will have an internet connection. :(

texaslady You are surely a gifted encourager! All of us on this thread are blessed to have you here! Thank you!
I guess this will be a busy week, cleaning out our desk and saying good-byes. I'm sorry about the partner who is being the way he is...there always seems to be ONE of them!!:s:

Jan Prayers are with you for your procedure tomorrow.
One of the new decals i got at the craft show on Saturday says
"FAITH is not believing that God CAN...it is knowing that He WILL"

I know He will take good care of you!

Beth You are an inspiration! I hope I do as well when I take my vacation!

texaslady Casie is 16, her sister Melissa is 18.
They are great kids! It hasn't been an easy life for them. They and their older sister were 3, 5, and 7 when their mom died. And it was not easy for them when they moved in with us 3 yrs later. We had thought that if we kept them for 3 months, that it would give our son a chance to get his life in order to be able to care for them....but 10 yrs later...:) here we are!!
Their maternal grandparents died shortly after their mom, so we are pretty much all they have.

Linda has been busy with company, she asked about you guys in an e-mail I got late last night.

What kind of wedding crafts are you going to be working on?
You won't go "poof" from us will you ?? you can keep in touch from home?

I must get going!
I need to take Casie for her mandatory TB test for this program she is in.

Have a great OP day, I plan to...and drink that water, the weather map shows heat all over the country!
~~~~~~~~
:wave:
JOYce

Hello all....

Well, I just had weigh in and lost 5 pounds - :D ... (Its even that time of month) But I hadnt been last week because of vaca.... Its amazing what a good food poisoning episode will do!! Now I decided I want to be under 200 by my Bday (July 14th)... Not pushing myself too much though. Have been having major problems falling asleep since I got back from my trip I can't figure out what it is.....

Texaslady Well the Hurrican drink was in about 2 1/2 feet tall glass and they set it on the table, but we had to stand up to drink it. They gave you tons of cherries and oranges on top of the drink so of course one of the guys we were with was hitting on every girl that walked by by asking them if they wanted a cherry... Unfortunately I didnt meet any southern cute men, but I think I was falling for my friends bf brother - but he was way too young for me.....

Carol To be honest the trip wasnt all bad - I think it sounds worse then it actually was.... I loved the little shops that were around and some of the people were super friendly which something I wasnt used to but liked very much!!! Hope everything goes well with the Doctors.....

Well, I guess this is it for now.... Hope you all are having an excellent OP week....


Merri24
236/206/145

Hello all....

Well, I just had weigh in and lost 5 pounds - :D ... (Its even that time of month) But I hadnt been last week because of vaca.... Its amazing what a good food poisoning episode will do!! Now I decided I want to be under 200 by my Bday (July 14th)... Not pushing myself too much though. Have been having major problems falling asleep since I got back from my trip I can't figure out what it is.....

Texaslady Well the Hurricane drink was in about 2 1/2 feet tall glass and they set it on the table, but we had to stand up to drink it. They gave you tons of cherries and oranges on top of the drink so of course one of the guys we were with was hitting on every girl that walked by by asking them if they wanted a cherry... Unfortunately I didnt meet any southern cute men, but I think I was falling for my friends bf brother - but he was way too young for me.....

Carol To be honest the trip wasnt all bad - I think it sounds worse then it actually was.... I loved the little shops that were around and some of the people were super friendly which something I wasnt used to but liked very much!!! Hope everything goes well with the Doctors.....

Well, I guess this is it for now.... Hope you all are having an excellent OP week....


Merri24
236/206/145

Beth, congrats on the 2.5 lost! And on vacation, no less; that's a real achievement. Thanks for the book reco; will check that out!

JOYce, sounds like y'all are still incredibly busy! That college intro program Casie is doing sounds like fun, and such a good way to prepare for the future. Sorry to hear about the flat tires; that's no fun.

Carol, I'm so glad the steroids have helped your back. That's a real miracle drug, isn't it? Good luck with your move; I'm sure it will all go very smoothly, as you are such a good planner. Sure hope you and my sister can get together next weekend; she'd love to meet you!

Merri, five pounds, wow!! Way to go! And re: trouble getting to sleep, it may be jet lag. That happens when you go west, and back east, like we've both done lately. Am having the same problem, and sleeping too late. (Tho' I have to get up at 5:30 tomorrow, dang it!)

Texaslady, your dh is so lucky to have you making the wedding crafts! I hope you will post some pictures of them for us, when they're finished? Re: tomorrow, yes, it's San Antonio, and I'll be home Friday night or Sat. Will try to post sometime over the weekend; have already set up my laptop over at Dad's on the bed tray. ;)

Thanks to everyone for your kind wishes and thoughts! All went well with the pre-op stuff today, so everything should be fine.

Hi to all, and have a good week!
Regards,
Jan

Good morning, everyone! Happy Wednesday!
Jan , my prayers are with you! I'm glad all the pre-op stuff went well. I'm glad you're set up at you dad's afterwards so you don't have to climb the stairs! I'm going to try to work it out to get to Homosassa Sunday to meet your sister- I look forward to it.
Beth , wow!!! A 2.4 pound loss while on vacation! That's great! I wish I could follow your good example and get off this plateau I'm stuck on! And congrats on the journalling- that's a tough thing to do while you are vacationing, but it's sure worth the effort!
Joyce , Sounds like your Casie is quite a girl too, just like Melissa! How lucky they were to have you and your dh raising them after their mom's death! Her college intr program sounds fun. Sorry about the flat tire- I can't change one of those- can't get the lugs off. Three flats in the past few weeks!!! Hopefully the old saying that things come in 3's is correct and you'll be done with that for a while!!!
Texaslady , I only had renters in January and February- the house has been empty since. My exdh checks it out and airs it regularly, though. Thanks for the encouragement- I used to think that I indeed was a strong lady, but I'm not so sure right now! Lately I seem to have this overwhelming urge to hide under a table and have someone take care of my life!:lol: It sounds like you have lots of plans for your week off! That was such a good idea, giving yourself that week break betwee jobs! What sort of things (other than the reception table arrangements) will you be making for the wedding? Don't forget, though, that the mom of the bride should be able to enjoy the wedding too!!!
Merri , 5 pounds lost!!! That's fantastic!:) I don't know if it was worth having the food poisoning on vacation, though, you poor girl! Did you buy any neat stuff in the shops on vacation? I hope you're able to sleep better soon!
Janet , how are you doing? Has the hectic work pace slowed down at all? Make sure to take time for yourself!
Saara , ho are the plans coming? Will you have access to a computer in your home in Utah? We don't want to lose you!!!
Patti, we haven't heard from you lately. How are things going?
Liz, Kendra, Stamps , I hope we haven't lost you all. Check in with us when you can!

My doctors appointment went fine yesterday, although I'm still on a 10 pound lift limit:( for at least 2 more months. My reflexes and the strength in my leg are considerable better, but still diminished.

I'd beter get my act together. Hi to anyone I may have missed, and have a great, op day.
Carol

Hi girls! Can't stay long. Just wanted to tell Jan that I am thinking about her and hoping everything goes just fine! That was a great idea about setting up at your Dad's - no stairs for a while, I'm sure!

Carol - OK - Looks like you WILL NOT BE LIFTING boxes when you move! Promise that you won't try!!! That's what your son-in-law is for! Will you have to put much in storage? I want you to have such a good time in Florida this next week. I hope you get to meet Jan's sister - that would be terrific. What a small world we live in!

Janet - Just where the heck have you disappeared to? We haven't heard from you in ages! Has anyone heard from her? Hope all is well.

Joyce - You and your dh are very special people to raise that second family. I know those girls have brought you great joy and its easy to see what a good job you two have done with them!

Beth - Well, now its back to the real world! *sigh* That's always the worse thing about a vacation - it always has to end!

Merri - I am so glad you had a good time in New Orleans. It is such a colorful city with an interesting history. I can just picture that big Hurricane - I am sure only a little would have "put me under the table". But I forget you are young - and I am .... not young! :lol: Anyway, speaking of young, just *how much younger* is that gentlemen you had your eye on? My dd has almost always dated younger guys. Her fiance is 18 months younger than she is. He calls her his "old lady" all the time. She is not amused! :D

Gotta go. About time to leave for the day. Count down is 2 days left here. I still have a hard time believing that I am leaving.