Big Hugs to you, Alida. You're surrounded by much love and many prayers, so I can't imagine anything for you but a perfect outcome. Go get 'em.

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

Alida......... much love and good wishes. May everything go perfectly!

Rachel, I want to travel with you. I'm always the one that reads the back story in the travel guides.

I haven't given much more than a cursory glance at back messages. I got bombed with a last minute project about 3:00 this afternoon. Much time was spent trying to knock out a quick fix. And then.........I ABSOLUTELY HAD to watch the end of Gray's Anatomy.

Tomorrow is another day......... I'll try again.

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

Alida,

...this is a quick note in case you check in this morning... I have been thinking of you so much both last night and as well this morning - I am sending you much love and positive energy and wishes for a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery time... you are with us all in our hearts...


much, much love - Rachel

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







(the horn is in honor of DH!)
Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings fightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes

Alida, loving thoughts and prayers rising with the morning mist. Hope you had a lovely spa day yesterday, and will carry that relaxed feeling through the day today.

Peg, thanks for letting us know you're not in danger of a washout. The images on the news have been alarming indeed. And the rain isn't over yet. Judy, your part of Texas has its weather terrors, too. We're reminded again that there are a few things our sophisticated technology can't do anything about. (Oh...and there's a big asteroid headed our way in about 2036, just in case we didn't have anything else to worry about.)

The five "confirmands" who made their faith statements for the Session (elders) last night did very well. I was impressed with their seriousness and honesty. In fact, having had this glimpse of their hearts, I'd like to spend more time with them. They'll all be on my radar screen in the future, even the ones who decided not to do confirmation at this time.

Meanwhile, the youth director seems to be having a life crisis--not unusual in a newlywed with a lot of responsibility on her plate--and it looks like I'll have a chance to do my Wise Woman thing with her. I remember how stressed I felt at her age (early 30s). As Linus (Peanuts) once put it: "There's no heavier burden than a great potential." That applies to young adults as much as to children.

Well, enough philosophy. Life has more practical concerns, as Judy will attest. I think we should all take up gardening. Planting things and making little patches of beauty all around, or harvesting things to eat, must be good for the soul. Donna, Teel, Shelley, Peg--all you green-thumb gals, go for it. Alida, did you find a good spot for the rock(s) and the saint?

I have a few peonies that grow by grace, and I'm taking them to the office.

One more day, ladies. Charge!!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Alida, I see you and Barb are online Good Morning to you both!

Had to wake up a little early to see you off in style, Alida. You go, girl!

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

GOOD MORNING!

I slept in because without coffee, I am definitely without sunshine in the morning!

THANK YOU all for your love, prayers and good wishes. I will try to get back to this computer as quickly as I can. Tonight? Tomorrow?

As for Grey's Anatomy -- I watched the tape then I did catch the 2-hour finale. Ah. So, who's she going to pick? My guess is the vet. And the reason is after they had sex and Derek asked Meredith "What does this mean?" they did not have time to explore the answer because it was at that minute that what's-her-name came in and said Izzie needed her because what's-his-name just died. Derek has Addison, but the vet has PLANS. Just my two cents!

When I check back, I want to hear what all you other GA fans think!

Off to take a shower and GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.

Love you all. Talk with you soon!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

You are in my thoughts and prayers today Alida. Here's to a speedy recovery.

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

I'm back. I have no idea where I am with the posts though.

I had a terrible weekend as far as eating goes. I hit a high of 159 yesterday and if there had been a bridge close I would have thrown myself off. It's my fault though. A half pound of that was gone this morning, so I'm really pushing the water.

Alida: As far as Grey's Anatomy goes...I'm hoping she goes to the vet. It's just not going to work with Derek. I think it's just a physical thing. I was just hearbroken when Denny died. He was such a sweetheart.

No, I didn't get the new birdbath. They were sold out already when we got there before noon. Then we found out, when I asked for a raincheck, that most of the order had broken in the truck on the way there, so they decided not to get anymore in. That's okay, I'll find one somewhere else. I did manage to find a hummingbird vine though...just have to find somewhere to plant it now. I'm running out of room.

We are hitting high temperatures here and breaking records already. It's supposed to hit 34 C (100F) here today. That's the way it goes here....one day you're freezing and the next Summer hits. Knocks the heck out of you trying to get used to it.

This weekend we are hitting the trail for our first baseball camping weekend. The motorhome is all cleaned and ready to go once I get the fridge packed. I've begged off the ballgame on Wednesday so I can catch up on laundry and yardwork. (and watch the final episode of Amazing Race). I'm sure hoping the weather keeps up so it will be real enjoyable to sit and watch the games.

Terry: Dd has all the seeds planted now. She was so worried that she had planted too many. Silly girl...she has a lot to learn about flowers....there is no such thing as too many. I hope she has success with everything.

Barb: We broke down and went back to the old food the dogs were eating. Just bought the "light" version. They were losing fur terribly and just not eating. This light version they are gobbling up. So, I'm just measuring out what they get and they get no more than that. We'll weigh them again on Wednesday and see what's up. It's just not fun having a dog that has constant diarrhea!!

Peg: Has your weather smartened up so you can get some planting done. I sure hope so!! Nothing like a little patch of colour where you can sit and have your morning coffee to make you feel relaxed and happy.

Shelley: Still no computer I guess, but we're all thinking about you, for sure.

Ilse: Still hasn't posted...anyone know where she's hiding?

Judy: What did you think of Grey's Anatomy? Glad you finally got to sit down and relax.

Well, better get back to work, fax machine has been ringing like crazy calling me with more work. Does it ever end? Have a good one, girls!

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

I'm baaccckkkk!

Wow. What a great surgery. I have to compliment that Surgery Center. Everything ran like clock work. Surgery was on time. According to the doctor, he cut me open and the lump just about fell out all by itself. I think Bob said the surgery only took about a half hour. We were there at 7 am and I was home, DRINKING MY COFFEE by 10:15! Very little pain, but then, aren't pain pills great, or what?! And you know what? NO HIP PAIN either! Finally! I may have to ask the doctor about these pills. I don't want to become a pill junkie, but these pain pills are really good. I went up and down the stairs, exclaiming to Bob, "Look pa, no pain!"

I will see the doctor next Tuesday for stitch removal. My ear and jaw area are numb, but I was told to expect this. No biggie.

And my spa day yesterday? Barb I really can't rave enough about this place. If you ever want a special experience, I recommend Par Exsalonce. First, I am taken to a special changing room and given a locker and a spa robe with slippers. There are showers in the room, along with any Aveda product you care to use. Everything is very subdued ? decor, lighting and soft music in the background. Then I was escorted to a "rest" room. Four luxurious leather chairs with a little copper foot bath to soak my feet while waiting for my masseuse. Here, there are filmy curtains as "doors" and candle light, along with a fountain in the middle of the room for a little water music. Ah. The the massage. 75 minutes of bliss. The massage tables are even heated! After the massage, you can take a shower (again, all Aveda products to scrub/wash your body and hair) with hairdryers to dry your hair (with, you guessed it, Aveda products to style your hair). I bypassed this as I was going right home after my pedicure. The pedicure room has reclining leather lounges. I got a foot massage twice, with different products, then a paraffin wax treatment. All in all, a wonderful experience.

Again, THANK YOU! for all your good wishes. They sure worked!

Love to all and "see" you tomorrow morning!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

WOOHOO, ALIDA!!!!

So very glad you had such a positive experience and are HOME!!! Did you have your coffee? Absolutely delighted to hear from you!

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

Oh Alida, I am so glad to hear that you had a positive experience. Medical issues have been less than positive (to say the least) here lately, both with my family and with friends. I am so glad to have one friend that had everything go right!

So, what's happening in my life..........
-It's the last week of classes
-Exams start Monday
-Couldn't tell you what color the top of my desk is
-Good Friend's mom passed away this morning. I helped her write the obit this afternoon.
-Favorite Neighbor is having breast cancer surgery this week
-DDad has a UTI -- but whatever antibiotics they gave him must have been strong. He sounded much better tonight on the phone.

I'm still hanging in.........Thanks for hanging in with me.

**Note to Barb.........each of the friends above are getting one of your cards. Neighbor with cancer gets "The Miracle" and friend whose mom died gets "The Bridge". Special people deserve to get the best cards.

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

Alida comes through with flying colors!! So glad things went so well. And hey--the painkillers could be a bonus benefit going forward.

Judy, thanks for the update, as disheartening as some of it is. Thanks for choosing my cards--there's something about knowing there's a real person behind those thoughts. You owe yourself a spa day as soon as possible.

It's past my bedtime already. See you in the morning.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

WhooHOOOOO! Alida! I'm so pleased to check in and read your great report. I hope your recovery is as smooth as butter, too!

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

Oh Alida! Yours was a great post! The horror stories always abound - so when a good story comes along it is just so encouraging. I'm so happy for you! And the spa experience sounded like heaven! Oh I'm just so delighted that this went smoothly - bless your heart!

...and sounds like those pain pills are really something! :o Have you ever tried Pain Free (Peter Egoscue's book)... This book was recommended to us a number of years ago from a friend who is a long time tri-athlete. After years of meds and chiropractors, etc? he used this book/method and is fine now. DH has also used this method and found it very successful (as has my mother and a number of other friends we?ve recommended it to).

It is a very simple set of stretches that ?re-align? the body (shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, etc?) it doesn?t take much time and judging from the Amazon reviews and many personal stories ? seems to be quite successful.

Just a thought!

Judy! breathe, breathe... we ARE hanging in there with you - believe me! I just yesterday received the packet from the Washington office that contained your WONDERFUL CDs am listening to one right now

I also received Shelley's note with the pictures of us all at dinner and in the hotel room... I was awash in fond memories! (and you all now have a better picture of how "out here" we are! And why the instant gratification of forums and email is so important to us!!)

Peg, glad to hear you are not under water - neither is my DSis, but she says that after weeks of rain she's about bouncing off the walls with the 1+ year old and a 3.5 year old at home all day... I can only imagine.

I'm trying to get motivated to walk this morning... I'm not feeling like it at all and may not. DH is working late into the evenings (2-3am) trying to get my hard drive replaced (I'm on the laptop)... and I don't sleep well without him in bed (is that goofy?)... so I'm feeling a little groggy this morning.

I am back on plan, I have to be for the next trip...

Shelley - hope you are back soon! and that your kitchen is coming along smashingly!

Donna, Brenda, Terry, Barb...

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







(the horn is in honor of DH!)
Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings fightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes

Wednesday morning. Early breakfast before spinning class. I'm not sure yet which works better--cycling on an empty stomach, or trying to get a headstart with some cereal and coffee. I can usually manage to eat about an hour ahead of time. That promising weight loss during induction has now become the "new old plateau." In other words, toggling between 132-135. At least I'm in the better half of the "decade." If the Fitday numbers (calories expended) were really accurate, I'd be a stick since long ago.

Rachel, it's hard to imagine being so far away. However, I do remember when I lived in NZ as an exchange student in '63 having NO contact other than snail mail with my family for eight months. Talk about cutting the apron strings! It wasn't the worst culture shock in language or lifestyle, but the absence of intimacy was more stressful than I care to remember. Guess what? I gained thirty pounds. The beginning of lifelong yo-yo-ness.

Alida, a good night's sleep I hope?

Everyone, good thoughts for the day.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal