Oh, that sweater is so cuddly and cute looking! You'd better get busy and make some for the dogs, too.

Judy, I think you owe it to your guests to taste the food for the rehearsal dinner. It's not like this is something you're gonna do every day. It's not the one meal that puts on weight, IMO - it's the steady diet that causes problems.

Peg, I hope your cough is on the way out. Coughing is so tiring - lots of muscles working when you cough. Be sure you are getting enough rest through this. Much as I might want veneers, I would have a hard time getting myself to actually do it. Like you, anytime I've had some elective medical procedure, I've regretted it and for the same reasons you mentioned - results didn't live up to my expectations, healing complications, etc. Still, people put so much emphasis on "perfect" teeth these days. To me, the super white teeth look kind of unnatural; but that's so common now, I think my teeth look dingy by comparison. Per my dentist, my teeth don't need whitening and he said there's some downsides to the procedure. Still, I think about it.

Donna, your shopping trip was a stunning success! The leather jacket sounds yummy - and I bet it really sets off your auburn tresses.

Though over fifty, I don't have any grey. My hair is dark blond with one natural white streak at the back. The white streak grew in when I was about 12; presumably after a blow to the head (I was quite athletic and even somewhat tom-boyish). Now days, I have a few highlights added to perk up the rest of the head.

I'm still in ketosis, but the weight is not rolling off (when did it ever?) My cheeks flush easily with a burning sensation when I'm in ketosis. If I get hot from exercise or from just sitting in the sun, my face turns beet red and people express concern - I guess I look like I'm about to have a stroke or something. It stays red for an hour or too, even after I'm quite cooled off. I've read about that flushing happening with kids on a ketogenic diet, but I've never seen anyone here report that effect. For no reason, I have rather pink cheeks tonight.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Good Morning! Since I'm procrastinating getting into the day, might as well enjoy your company.

Peg, first, 61 isn't "old" anymore. You've got many, many years to enjoy and appreciate having a great smile that reflects who you really are. It sounds as though getting veneers is something that would give you satisfaction (and perhaps healing) on many levels. As wise Judy said, most of us have sacrificed quite enough already. There is no virtue in sacrifice when it isn't necessary, and great joy in giving yourself permission to do something positive and life affirming just for Peg. Rest and get well!

By the way, the therapist I used to see occasionally, a woman I adore and respect and who is older than both of us by quite a few years, was getting invisiline braces when I last talked to her maybe three/four years ago. She was extremely excited about it, and being one of the most together people I've ever met, trust me, she'd say "DO IT!"

Judy, I respect the sacrifice you made yesterday in the name of scientific inquiry. I'm sure it was a difficult and arduous process to test each dish to see if the restaurant met your criteria. Wish I'd been there to assist you in your endeavors I love the idea of a rehersal dinner at a Mexican restaurant, though! To me, the best rehersal dinners are the more relaxed and casual ones. The best one I ever attended was one held at Lou Malnotti's--one of the famous pizza places here--with huge pans of Chicago style pizza, pitchers of beer, jugs of cheap wine, and little in the way of formality. It was a wonderful time that really broke the tension that seems to build up the last couple of days before a wedding.

TB, yes I think you are the only person I know who gets that reaction in ketosis. Our bodies are so individual, aren't they?

Oh, the hair thing! I have plenty of gray, but just can't bring myself to color it. I tried that for a couple of years, but the maintenance was such a chore and I'm such a "wash and wear" kinda gal. But I have plenty of other things I obsess about, trust me, and the time may come when I take the plunge again.


Have a good one, everyone!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Hi all!

My tail is still dragging! But, I had to come into work and stay here today to get stuff done in prep for Sunday. Everyone who hears me cough yells at me to go home. Sigh. I'd be hurt if I didn't know that they love me. I did go home early yesterday and simply "vegged" for the afternoon and evening. Had trouble sleeping again.

TB: I have hot flashes when I'm in ketosis. I have an olive complexion, so I don't blush easily or even show it much when I do, but I can sure FEEL it.

Donna, TB, Bren, Judy: Thanks for the advice on the veneers. I'm still thinking about it. If I weren't retiring in two months it might be easier to justify. But, it seems that my entire life is beginning to boil down to "will I afford retirement?" Of course, we have insured our future in many and varied ways. It answer to that question is a resounding, "Yes!" But, still there is a little fear about such a big step.

Judy: My daughter's husband had the rehearsal dinner at Mexican (in Dallas) before their wedding several years ago. It was a rolicking, wonderful good time when Margaritas, chips, salsa, and LOTS of food. Everyone had a great time. I'm marrying a couple in June who are having a softball game in the Town green on the day of their wedding! Then, after the game they are having a potluck lunch there on the green! The Bride's mother is having a coniption fit!

Well, back to work.
Peace, Peg
177.8 this morning!!!! Yay!

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
64-3/4 years young

Peg: I'd love to be at the baseball wedding. Sounds like that couple has it together and won't be spending the rest of their life trying to "best" the neighbours. I got married in Reno at one of those little chapels. It was my second marriage and we didn't want a big splash. So, we eloped. It was hilarious. You had to stand in line and when the minister yelled "Next", you just went it. You got married, a tape of the ceremony, plastic flowers, a tiny bottle of champagne, and two gifts for $30. As we were walking down the street afterwards, we were opening up the gifts.....I burst in laughing....I got a douche and hubby got a bottle of nyquil. I don't think we'll ever forget our wedding. Hope you are feeling better soon...I'm sure this is a virus and not just a cold. I still have the runny nose and it's been over a month.

I think I'm hooked on my walking tape. I've done it 4 nights in a row and I'm actually looking forward to doing it tonight. Maybe I'm sick? It's not that strenuous and I'm hoping it's toning my muscles. The massage therapist said I had no muscle tone in my arms from losing weight so fast so I'm working on that. I don't think she'll be happy to learn I'm using 2.5 pound weights though. I have to go back to her this Thursday for my second treatment so maybe I'll just forget to mention that little item.

It's a yuckky, rainy day today, but sometimes that's good. I know the ground sure needs it. Hard to figure out that with all the snow we had, the ground is just dust dry already. That's what we get for living in a desert I guess. It's not often we see rain, so I should probably just enjoy it.

__________________
Donna
238.5/166.4/150
I will see my goal weight again!

It looks like Barbecue may be one step ahead of the Mexican food at this point. He's not overwhelmed with the food at that particular restaurant. DS wants fun and casual --- and I'm inclined to say that it's his wedding, too..... he gets what he wants. If we go Barbeque, there will be keg beer and an upscale redneck atmosphere. (It is East Texas, you know. He's always kidded and joked that he's a redneck.)The baseball wedding sounds like fun.

Donna, your wedding turned out to be a great memory. What strange "gifts."

Peg, speaking of your daughter in Dallas -- when is the baby due? Will you be here when it comes? We will have to try for a meeting.

Bren, there's something about gray appearing in dark hair that is much more flattering than graying blonde hair. Gray dishwater isn't generally flattering. Actually, it's been so long since my hair was it's natural color, that I have no idea what it is....... that is past the gray roots that I see. I am really lucky that my hair is easy to color and I do it myself -- Nice and Easy. I have a new hairdresser (a former student) that works at one of the super upscale salons. She was quite impressed that I did such a good job getting the highlights and low lights in it so nicely............. Yeah right, $6 buck from the drugstore can work wonders. One of this weekend's projects is to apply a little root juice and regenerate my youth.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Peg, hope you are mending!

Donna, I agree, yours sounds like a fun wedding!

Judy, barbeque! YUM! That sounds like a good time, to me. Now if I were still in North Carolina, barbeque would be a whole pig, roasted in a pit in the ground. However, I highly suspect in Texas you'd have beef smoked in one of those humongous smokers that look like a small locomotive, LOL! Either way, sounds wonderful.

Judy, I guess I'm not so sure gray is that flattering on me any more. Right now it's in that in-between stage which I hope will blossom into an attractive silver as I age. I think the advantage of coloring when you are blonde is that you don't have to change the color quite as much as with dark hair. I am very happy to hear that you are doing it yourself so easily, because you look wonderful.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

We must all be having busy days! This is a drive-by to say hi to all and hope you all are doing well as we head toward the weekend. I am busy procrastinating on some chores and really must accomplish a few mundane things today, but I'll check in later to see what's new.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Oh, BC, yes, these are busy days!

I've been diddling with the idea of selling the house and moving into a townhouse for a year or two. In a rather desultory way, I've been trying to clean out closets, put up fresh paint etc. And, frankly, not making great progress, as I waffled on the sell/not sell question. Well, now I'm motivated to get this place on the market! I tackled the garage yesterday, which is so very much akin to cleaning the Aegean Stables! How I wish Hercules was here to give me a hand!

There's a city-sponsored Neighborhood Clean-up on Saturday where we can bring an unlimited amount of hard-to-dispose of debris - mattresses, appliciances, waste wood, concrete, old computer monitors. I spent most of yesterday bagging and bundling much the "gradu" from the garage and workshop - old papers, old screens, old wood, old lamps, broken stero components, old junk, even an old sink, and so much more. Alas, it's raining today and supposed to rain tomorrow, which isn't making this easier.

Some of the stuff is from my mom's estate. It was wrenching to come across a box of paper related to my brother that my mom had saved. He was a Dr. Jeckle/Mr. Hyde type - often in deep doodoo, but sometimes achieving merit. Then I found a box of papers I'd saved since college. Of course, I had to go through and read some of them before tossing them. My old sketch pad was there with the few good sketches I'd made when I took a drawing class. I gasped to see pictures of my old boy friend and other scenes from that era. His story ended sadly. The sketches weren't actually that good though, so I tossed them and felt - lighter, but a bit rueful, maybe.

The extra activity seems to be helping my waistline, as my waistband is getting looser. Weight is hovering around 139 for the last couple of days. Still eating an induction-style menu, but with unlimited green veggies. Whether it's from the diet, a change in medication, or just my frame of mind, I'm feeling much more energetic - not quite hyper, but one step down. I think I need to eliminate one of my two morning cups of coffee!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

teel: that sounds like quite the job you've given yourself. I'm not sure I'd like to be in your shoes. In my hope chest I have all the pictures that my kids did starting with kindergarten. (they are 30 and 28 now). Almost time I cleaned that out. But, I'm not sure I'm ready to emotionally get rid of that stuff. It's fun to see some of the things we had forgotten about though.

Gorgeous sunny day this morning, but they are calling for snow or rain. Get out of here! No way is it going to snow. I'm sure the weatherman is smokin something funny. I've got tulips up!! Besides, the boss is supposed to go golfing today which means I will have the day to myself and I've been looking forward to that. It's amazing how much I can get done with him not around.

I had my second massage treatment last night. I'm not nearly as sore today. It feels to good to have those knots worked out of my neck and shoulders. She says it's just from sitting at the computer all day, and I have to agree. But, if we like to eat and pay the bills...I guess I'll just have to keep working. lol

Have a great weekend everyone!

__________________
Donna
238.5/166.4/150
I will see my goal weight again!

TB: I'm a little worried about your post. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Not an easy decision, I know.

We're off to our Robert Burns party tongith. I'll take pics. If they turn out I'll post. My outfit looks smashing with my "flower" scarf on my RIGHT shoulder.

175 this morning. That's 10 lbs in two weeks on induction. I'm a little scared to add stuff now. Only 10 more pounds to go.

Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
64-3/4 years young

Hi Gang:

Here I am at writing time, and so thought I would catch up on my week!

Last night was our Robbie Burns party and it was one of the most boring times I've had in a long time. We went because the host is an acquaintance we enjoy being with. The party was at his "house" in Cambridge. Well, if you know Cambridge, there are no "houses." There are three decker apartment building (wood) that are crammed together on streets that are unexpectedly one way and all parking is reserved for residents. Because of the snow we have had there are huge piles of snow everywhere, making the streets virtually impassable. Cambridge residents call this "quaint." Irv's party was on the third floor of a three decker. A shabby apartment with about 20 people crammed in, none of whom I knew. All were drinking Scotch. Most were dressed in kilts. Dinner was finally served about 9:00. It was all carbs. At about 9:15 a bagpiper showed up and we had the whole ritual of the haggis and it was passed around. (Eeeew!) One nice thing, TB, was that Her Majesty's representative to the Crown, representing Scotland and Ireland, the General Consul to the United States was there. He is based in Boston. He was a character: probably 45 if a day, full of jokes, quite jolly. He brought greetings from Her Majesty the Queen. I was glad you had told me which side to wear my sash on. He WOULD have known. Though he was very gracious. For the most part, people fawned over my DH because of his job, I stood in the back or sat, waiting, please God, can we go? We left at 9:30. It was an hours drive home. An experience.

I saw the Dr. yesterday for my annual physical. She was pleased at the way I'm feeling. She was very familiar with the symptoms of my cold. Prescribed Tylenol w/Cod for the cough, and told me to use my inhaler (I have asthma too). I used it last night and it did quiet the wheeze. Basically, I'm much better. Sleeping well. Coughing less. Just really really tired from coughing all week. My stomach muscles are really sore from coughing too. She also talked to me about carpal tunnel and I was glad to get the info. She said that I look young, act young, and have a pretty young body. Good genes, I guess.

Managed another week of induction. Lost 10 lbs as of yesterday, though today showed a lb gain. I'm not surprised after last night's debacle. I'm going to continue on as I have and see if I can get these last 10 lbs off. I'm pleased that it came off so easily.

Judy: BBQ sounds like a good choice for the dinner. It sounds like it is going to be a great wedding. DD is due in July. Wonderful time to be in Dallas, huh? She hasn't invited me yet, but I'm just about to invite myself. I'll let you know. DH has been looking at tickets. So, he is making noises about going too.

Bren: what're you doin these days to keep busy. My Doc told me that knitting is bad for carpal tunnel. I said, "well, dang!" But, I am not going to stop. She just said not to knit "heavy" things. I think it would be fun to take a knitting class.

Donna: We've been in the 40's all week so everyone is talking about Spring. If you really imagine, you can hear the crocuses groaning awake to push through the snow. Tomorrow it's supposed to turn cold at night a maybe snow. (They are saying snow, but I'mm denying it) I'm so envious of your flowers.

TB: Let us know more about how you are. Does this "turn left" have anything to do with your moving? Just wondering.

See y'all later.
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
64-3/4 years young

Peg ...... 10 pounds in two weeks! That's spectacular. Congratulations. Last night's problem will probably be gone by tomorrow. Sorry the party was a bummer, but I bet you looked great. Funny thing..... remember when I talked about eating the Mexican food earlier this week? The next morning I was down to 140.5. It's stayed at that same level for the rest of the week. Go figure.

We have our spring break this coming week. It's actually a week later than most of the schools and just about all the colleges. I'm not complaining though, the later spring break is, the fewer days until the end of school. That's a big factor when teaching seniors. They tend to shut down after spring break and it's a daily battle just to get anything out of them. They think they have paid their dues and are entitled to be arrogant about it. We can normally keep the really good students contained until the end of the 5th six weeks. The final class ranking is determined at that time. In Texas, only the top 10% of the graduating class is guaranteed admission to the state universities. Our kids are overly concerned with class rank. Right now the battle for valedictorian and salutatorian will be determined by this six week's grades.

Teel, you have taken on a big task. There is a lot of satisfaction in cleaning out and getting rid of junk. I am generally NOT a keeper. Even at that I must go through this house every couple of years and have a garage sale to keep from being overloaded. There are lots of things that I wouldn't mind getting rid of, but DH doesn't see the need to purge them. He would never miss most of it if it just disappeared. Heck, I bought new lamp shades in January and he still hasn't noticed. As for all the things that came from your mother's house, I can definitely understand the situations there. We closed my dad's house and moved him to Plano about 3 years ago. My mom had been dead for 10 years when he moved. There were tons of her things left in drawers that he had not even opened since before she died. It was a huge task. It took DH and I a week, my brother and his wife another week, and my dad as he could for six months to empty that house. We had the garage sale of all times for the little town that he lived in. The five of us were exhausted after two days. We earned enough to pay the movers.

Donna, several years back I sorted the stuff that I had kept of my kids. I made a big brown envelope for every grade or two (can't remember exactly right now). I put report cards and awards and samples of art work etc. in each. I also completed scrapbooks (no not the fancy kind-- the more functional "old school" kind) for their school years. One complete scrapbook was dedicated to the senior year. It took a full week of my summer vacation for each kid. After it was done, we were all pleased with the results. Each kid has one box of "stuff". I'm sure it will never leave here until I die or move, but at least there is some organization to it.

Brenda --- Glad you jump-started more messages yesterday. It does look like we have all been busy. Whew......... this turned into a novel.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Whew! just finished hauling tons of junk to the Neighborhood Cleanup sites! This is the first time in the 21 years I've lived here that city has sponsored such an event, so we took full advantage. I spent much of Thursday and Friday sorting and bagging junk, and cleared a fair amount from in the garage, wood shed, and shop. DH helped this morning, though he was a bit cranky about it at times (he's a workaholic, chronically sleep deprived, which takes its toll on his outlook at home). Anyway, DH and I were the first ones there, at 7 am with our first load of metal debris. We spent the next couple of hours trotting out more junk and scrap metal. I felt like Hercules when I managed to shift a cast iron pedestal sink and stand on to our little dolly - ALL BY MYSELF!!! (DH was getting a bit too negative at that point so I didn't even want to ask him to lend a hand.) Unfortunately, the wood bin was already full by the time we got there with our load of scrap wood. We'll have schedule and pay for some extra garbage picks to get rid of that.

Donna, I'm glad to hear that the massage is helping with your workstation induced backache. Have you ever had your workstation evaluated for ergonomics? Sometimes, repositioning things can make a big difference.

Judy, it sound's like you'll have your hands full at school for the next few months. I can only marvel - I'll say it again, it takes a very special person to be a teacher (especially in this day and age).

BC, I hope all the chores and errands went well. You get extra points you know for tackling the mundane things, LOL!

Peg, my sincere thanks for your prayers and thoughts. They are much appreciated and I'm sure that played a roll in the strength and energy I've felt over the last two days. I've said a few prayers myself asking for good judgement, strength, and energy.

<begin rant>
This was a lovely, quiet tree-lined neighborhood when we moved here 21 years ago, but for the last 8 to 10 years, there's been constant construction. People buy up these little bungalows, knock them to the ground and build monster homes. There has been a construction project underway within 200 feet of me for the last 4 or 5 years. Right now, there are 4 rebuilds underway on my block. Three of them are directly across the street from me (I'm on a corner lot). Buzz saws and hammer guns and jack hammers compete with the leaf blowers from 8 in the morning until dark, and that activity carries on through the weekends, too. Trucks parked in front of my house all day and evening, driving their wheels over the curb, cracking paving and running over plants in my parking strip. The workers often leave trash around, and on breaks they sit in their trucks, get on their cell phones yak loudly to be heard over the noise. Two weeks ago, one of the workers dumped toxic flooring adhesive over the roots of one of my street trees! I'd spoken to the two of the foreman several times about the problems. I'm sure they tried to limit the problems, but the intrusions continued. Then, too, there are the clouds of dust that blow around and cover my plants, windows, and window sills.

Anyway, tensions are running high around here, probably due to the elevated stress caused by all the dirt and noise. I don't see anything changing in the foreseeable future, so I want to move to a nice townhouse development where everything is ~already~ built and the yard maintenance noise happens just once a week.
<end rant>

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Teel, sounds like a damn good reason to move to me. We often wish that we could move to a patio home with a back yard about the size of 1/3 my double garage. I don't see it happening any time soon though.

Along the same theme, DS is negotiating the contract on a home today. He found a great place. It was built in 1956 and only had one owner. When the lady died or went to a nursing home last year a contractor bought the place and stripped it to the studs. It is essentially a new house in an old shell. The neighborhood is very nice with beautiful yards and trees. DS would be living next door to the contractor's parents. He introduced DS to them yesterday. I think they are going to have quite a bit of say in who he sells it to.... and they want a married couple there. Since the sign had barely been in the yard for two hours before DS's fiance found the house, there's not been much "give" on the contractor's side. No let me correct that..... there hasn't been any give on his side. They are playing a little cat and mouse right now, but I expect it to be a done deal by tomorrow. DS is managing to do lots of those high stress life things in about 9 months time --- get a new job, get engaged, buy a house, get married. I would say that 2005 is a pretty big year for him.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Peg, it sounds like you still need to do some serious resting to finish off that cold of yours. Wow, sorry about the party, too, although I'll bet you looked quite fetching, if that's any comfort, and I'm sure your DH was in his element!

Glad you impressed your DR. You know, though, I hardly move my wrists at all when I knit, and they stay quite straight, so I really don't get how knitting could be so terrible for carpel tunnel. Of course one can overdo anything, but maybe I'm missing something, too.

Judy, good luck with the seniors! Funny, I don't remember much slacking off in high school, but perhaps it's just been too long ago. Woo boy, your son is really biting off a lot this year, isn't he??? I'd say though, he sounds like a wonderful and thoroughly responsible young man that you can be justifiably proud of, and I hope all goes very well for him. Including getting this new house. Let us know how it goes.

TB, I understand your frustration with your neighborhood. A lot of teardowns are going on in some of the wonderful old north shore towns here and there is a lot of outcry but not much to be done about it. A peaceful environment is worth much, and I'm with Judy, that you have an excellent reason to move. I remember that you've been extremely frustrated with this situation for a long time now, and I'm sorry that it is only getting worse. I suppose the "good thing" about this situation is that, should you decide to sell, you obviously live in a neighborhood considered valuable, and that should bring you a good price. Congrats on your cleanup efforts, and I wish you well, whichever way you decide. Myself, I dream of living someplace where I don't hear road noise and it's actually dark at night.

DH has finally been "moved" to start working on flooring "his" room. Well, at least most of his "stuff" has been packed and moved into the living room and dining room, and the computer network has been temporarily rewired. I've been chewing my cheeks trying not to b**** about the 4 month hiatus.

See you guys later!!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108