Good morning!

It's February 1st. One month gone, 11 to go! Although we call this the tracking thread, it's really more of a fireside chat. All the seats are warm ... so join us and grab a chair.

(Note to Peg ... here's a clean slate)!

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

OK. Let's see is I remember what went on at the end of January ...

Peg, CRS. I had forgotten you were down to one car. How could I forget that? I can see how that would make you feel, especially if his need-the-car stuff seems more important to him than your need-the-car stuff. Also, I am wondering why you can't rotate Sunday mornings so you are able to go to your church once in a while.

TALL kitchen cabinets would be wonderful for you!

Funny how you are still thinking "Eastern Time." And speaking of time, I believe this is the year that daylight savings time starts earlier and lasts later. I got a note to that effect from Microsoft ... on how to change the computer.

Judy, hang in there, hon. Before you know it, it will be Easter (or Spring) BREAK!

Brenda, I haven't been to Lowe's just to look around in ages. Pre-made counter tops in decent finishes? Sounds exactly what I need.

Hope your dental visit went well, without losing a bunch from your wallet. Sigh for the good old days when I had real dental insurance. I lost a crown about 6 months ago and have put off seeing the dentist because I know a new one is around $900. Now it is starting to give me twinges. So I will probably need a root canal. Sheesh. I wish it would wait until we get the hearing aids paid off! I'll have to check it out in the mirror to see if it will show too much if I just get the darn thing pulled out.

Shelley, did I see a little energizer bunny running around your house? Good for you! That darn heel, though. Have you made up your mind yet about cortisone?

Interesting that BIG meds could alter my breathing pattern and perhaps cause the snoring. But actually, I do not take anything at night on a regular basis. Couple of times a month maybe a pain pill for my back. You mentioned Benadryl ... and I did buy some thinking it would help dry up my sinuses and help the snoring issue ... and you say it can make it worse! Back to the drawing board. Amazing how wonderful Bob is about this. He is willing to sleep in the guest bedroom. I offered to sleep there, but he insists he is OK with it. Oh! Peg, he does have ear plugs. He says they don't help. I guess I am really LOUD.

Barb, how did you do yesterday with the snow? Did you bus? I hope so! I left work about 2 PM and I am glad I did. Driving was very bad, even though the snow was not deep. I used side streets and avoided the highway. This weather is really affecting the business. Can't wash windows or install film when it's so cold! Boss is thinking of laying off a few guys for a few weeks. She had me check out unemployment to see if they can claim it. Ends up they can for a temporary lay off.

Terry, how about a picture of the kittens (and MeeToo too) before they leave?

Was it Donna who mentioned a "used wig" shop? That sounds like such a good idea! My friend who had chemo for breast cancer bought a wig and it just sits there now that she is cured and has her own hair back. Gosh, she hated wearing that thing! She said it was very uncomfortable. Her daughter, who also had breast cancer, preferred caps and scarves.

Donna, Survivor is on the calendar! And yes, it's next week. I heard that the challenge losers get nothing and the winners live in "luxury." Sorta what they are doing on The Apprentice. Seems to be a tad unfair. We shall see.

Did I miss a post? Your boss is off this week? HOORAY! Definitely a time a leave early!

Rachel, was Roger in DC to check out the contract? Did he come home with it in hand?

Ah, you are the QUEEN of kitchens! LOL about drawers. How can a kitchen not have DRAWERS?

Berta, WOOHOO on five pounds gone! In spite of the jackets and the cooler weather, it sure sounds like you are having a great time there!

~~~~~~~~~~~
My hearing aid is fixed and ready to pick up, but the snow kept me from going to get it. If it's better this afternoon, I will do it today. HOORAY!

Everyone, have a wonderful February 1st. XXOO

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

Alida, good thing you beat me to the punch this morning, 'cause I would have forgotten to start a new month. Wow. February. Already. Mother Nature reminds us that it's still the dead of winter. We "only" got about 2 inches of snow yesterday, but it is treacherous. There were a couple of huge pile-ups on the interstates around KC. DH, who was nonplussed last summer by my decision to sell a car and ride the bus, is now thinking I'm a genius of foresight. Temps are going to continue dropping down into the single digits clear through next week. Brrrrrr. I shoveled last night while the stuff was still nice and fluffy.

Shivering may burn calories, but winter makes the body pile on extra padding. Gotta be that. It can't be that I've got an appetite like a bear, and while I can see the calories in Fitday, I can't seem to decide what not to eat. If I don't have my OMM with cream cheese, I won't be fit to live with.

Thanks, Alida, for the clean slate. I need that, too.

There's a reason I hang out at another huge LC forum (where there are thousands of members, and always a lot of conversation). So many people there are coming back after losing and then REGAINING humongous amts. of wt. I've done my share of yo-yoing (though not with LC--yet), so I keep the fear of starting over smack in my own face all the time. That's important when maintenance feels like running as fast as I can to stay in one place. Which is what it is. Losing weight (or not losing, or losing slowly) is terribly frustrating. But maintenance is just plain relentless. And I'm always asking myself if my preoccupation with it verges on the insane.

Ah well. Enough whining. I'm happy with my life, and my weight management issues don't seem to be interfering with social relationships or anything else important. It's just something I do...for me.

I caved to the Chadwick's catalog (talk about relentless marketing!) and replaced my shredded old knockaround sweatsuit with a pink velour (yeah--you guys made me!) hoodie set. As long as I'm cocooning, I might as well look cute and dump those slobby ol' sweatpants.

Okay. All about me this morning. How about you? Catch ya later!

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


My Fitday Journal

Quickie fly by..
Everyone be careful out in this weather. We got freezing drizzle and ICE...now it's snowing...not an expected significant amount...maybe an inch or 2 for the metro. We had 3 fatality accidents yesterday after this icing stuff started. So very sad.

I had a sleepless and miserable night. Couldn't turn the brain off, and DH was ZZZZZZ-ing rather loudly...LOL...all this snoring talk jinxed him for sure! Anyhoo...
I'm hitting the second cuppa, then a OMM for me, then if the tax people are open, we may run over to their office(not far) and get that little chore outta the way!
Then DH and I have our wellness checkups today. Then, I think since I have been such a good little material girl...LOL...it will be a dinner date night (if the snow isn't an issue).

I'll check in later this afternoon. All about me to, this morning!

(((hugs and love!)))
later, chickadees!
S.

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Hi all, a quicky...

Thanks for getting February started, Alida!

DH came home after giving a smashing presentation (the reason he went to DC in the first place) and he bought a flugelhorn!!!! - somthing he has been trying to find for a year or so - (actually trying to find the right one, which he did, in MD)... he did not, however, get a contract. He called the office there to see if he should come by to look things over - but was told that there really wasn't any reason to, since they didn't have anything for him yet. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Today I will place the Bob's Red Mill Order (68 pounds of stuff), and the 220 volt vacuum cleaner, microwave, toaster oven, and blender, and maybe the daVinci syrups, too - they won't go bad.

weighed in yesterday at 153, still very focused on low carb and exercise - walked this morning with Mom. Am not geting the water I should - will try for that, too.

.... guess this is all about me, too! I'll check in later - kisses - R

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







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

Oops, just a minute...I have to pull down the blinds cause the sun is blinding me. hehe Sorry, just had to get that in there seeing as it's usually me complaining about the snow. I shouldn't get so smug though...we have some forecasted for Sunday. I'll just enjoy this while I can and then whine later. Sorry the rest of you have such crappy weather...been there.

I did my good deed this morning and feel very good about it. When I got to work one of my drivers flagged me down before I parked and pointed out 2 little puppies running around the parking lot. I was furious. I know where they live and it shouldn't be running around on the Trans Canada Hwy. They were only about 6 weeks old! I put them in my car and drove down to where they were from. The owners had their back door open as soon as I got there. I just walked up to them and said "do these belong to you". They said yes and thanked me profusely. Then I told them that they didn't belong out on the highway and if they didn't want them they should find homes for them. That was when the other 2 puppies popped their heads out of the house. The dog house that is....these babies were left outside. I know farmers are used to leaving their pets outside, but these are babies and they were just shivering they were so cold. Some people! Now I know that I'm forever going to be watching the parking lot to see if they've come back.

Finally another 1 lb. gone....back to 160.5. I know where I've packed it on too. The tops of my legs. And...it's from not walking. This just sitting on my very ample butt has got to stop. I'm thinking Saturday if it's not snowing, I will get out and go for a very long walk. Afraid the furkids will have to stay home..they are too pokey.

Rachel: Does this mean that you aren't going to Armenia now? I think I must have missed something in one of your posts. If not...what about all this stuff that you have ordered. Or is there some other posting in the wind?

Alida: What a nice long post this morning. You musn't have slept in. That's interesting that meds can cause you to snore. Dh has a terrible cold and crashed in front of the tv for about 2 hours last night. I had to turn up the volume to hear what they were saying. Poor guy really gets terrible colds. He had TB as a kid and of course his lungs aren't what they should be. That's always where the cold settles.

Boss leaves this afternoon. Once he's gone, I'll spend some time paying the bills I brought with me, then do dd's income tax. Might as well spend the time doing some of "my" things. Guess I should throw payroll in there or I might have a few angry guys.

Barb: I'm so glad that you aren't driving in the crappy weather. Wish we had busses here for when the roads are bad. You just keep on taking them until Spring comes and you can bring the Miata out.

Peg: I can remember when we only had 1 car too. It was a Camaro and we had 5 kids. That was fun packing them all in. I had to get up at 6 to drive dh to work then go home and get the kids off to school, do the housework then make dinner for them all to warm up later. Then I drove to work for 3..he took the car home and came back and got me at 11 p.m. We did that for 4 years. This was when we first got together and had his kids and my kids and all the bills from his first marriage. I never thought we would get out from under it all...but we finally did. I sure do appreciate having my own car though.

To everyone else

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

Oh, you guys! I'm just out of bed and still in my jammies, having my cuppa. I'll come back when I have some time to hang out. Slept 11 hours last night! I can't tell you how good it is to be able to sleep long when I'm having the little pains of Fibro. As you know, there is an element of Chronic Fatigue in all of this, so to be able to get uninteurpted sleep is jut wonderful. I wake up pretty refreshed, and in a good mood.

Lots of errands today. Dh only brought home one doll from Peru. Don't know what he was thinking, we have five little grandkids who expect a little something when Papa travels. So, we are going to the World Market today to see if we can fill in some with items from Peru! Other mundane things to do like groceries, etc.

I am claiming 185 now. I keep seeing it pretty consistently these days. My body is doing the same thing it did last time I was faithful to this WOL, that is see sawing two pounds or so up and down, but consistently losing if I eat more cals and carbs one day and then hunker down the next. Kind of crazy, but that's the way it is!

Well, off to find a pic of dh on the computer. He took one into the church yesterday, but they need it electronically. Imagine that!

Oh, thanks Alida for starting this thread. Good to have a clean slate!

You guys all be careful out there in the snow and ice! I'm so sorry that it is so bad for you. Seriously, no seriously.

See ya later,
Peg

Donna, no no no... we are still on for Armenia - they are just taking a LONG time in the negotiation of the contracts (it's a USGov't problem but the contractor firm isn't much better). We have been assured over and over that it's just a matter of time - so we are still in the waiting...

Peg! 185 - just keep up the good work - this is great news!!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







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

Okay, kids, if you're having a so-so day, and need a quick pick-me-up, this is another place you can go besides here. How can you NOT check out a site called Cute Overload?

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


My Fitday Journal

Oh my goodness, I feel almost like an intruder, it's been so long since I have posted anything of substance. I'm sick of cold cloudy weather and rain. We have only had sunshine on one day in over a week. As DD said early today, "Cold pretty days are a lot better than cold wet ones". At this rate all the lakes will be filled up again soon. We shouldn't have to worry about drought conditions for a while. As for other news, it's just the same old same going on. I get up, go to school, battle for a copy machine to have materials ready for tomorrow, come home, do some homework, cook dinner, call my dad, watch TV and go to bed. Get up tomorrow, repeat and on and on. It's been much more interesting to read of all your situations than to rerun the sameness of mine. I must say though, we are enjoying the new TV......and Barb, to answer your question from a few days ago, we will only be having DH and I here for Super Bowl. DH is serious about his games. He doesn't want interruptions from other bystanders. That's fine with me, I can make a few dips and finger foods and then do as I please. If it's a good game I'll watch. If it's boring, I'll do something else.

Alida - I got the Microsoft message about the time change, too. I'm all for it! I'm glad to hear that your hearing aid is ready. I hope you had the chance to go get it today.

Barb- Glad to hear that the bus is working out for you. We have very limited public transportation. I would have to walk a mile to the closest stop, and then wait for who know how long to catch a bus that has a very limited route. I also found it interesting that you can pull up a file that says how many active document that you still have. Between those and your own line of card, you have been quite an asset for Hallmark.

Brenda- Ok, I checked the 10 day weather in Chicago again. It's brutal. I have a friend that has some nice lined dress gloves, so that issue is settled. I may go pick up some tights to wear under my pants. I swear, I do not know how you people handle all the cold weather.

Berta - I have decided that even with the cool temps that you have been having, you are one smart cookie for getting out of the winter weather. We used to have a home in the mountains of New Mexico. We always thought that we would like to live there year round. I can tell you now that it is quite fortunate that we never did that..... I would be climbing the walls.

Donna - Yours is the second story I heard today about mistreated pets. A girl I work with said that her next door neighbor leaves a lab out all the time. He doesn't have a dog house or anywhere to get out of the rain and cold. On the other hand, a man that works in my dept had to put his dog down today. He took both today and tomorrow off because he knew he would be such a basket case. He is a single guy and has had the dog for 16 years. He is a mess about losing his pet....... as many of us would be, too.

Peg - Oh my goodness, you have had lots of things going on! I think you made the right decision on the apartment. I really worried about both of you and the stairs issue. This year and for the next few they might be fine, but for the long haul, it's not ideal. And, as for the car. Tell your DH to get out and find himself another truck. Enough said.......two vehicles are a necessity for independence.

Rachel - another day and no contract. You are the resident pro at dealing with stress, that's for sure. I need to learn a few roll with the flow ideas from you. At least you will have time to remember the things that you may have forgotten. BTW, you aren't the only one that has back tracked on the scale. The winter blahs has me looking for comfort foods.

Time out..........Grey's Anatomy is on............

Ok, I'm back.......and of course it was another wonderful installment.

Shelley- So how did your day go Shel? Did you get the taxes done? I haven't even gotten all my documents yet......still missing some 1099s. Since we bought the TV, the flooring got put off for a while. I would really like for the return to get filed.......I'll use whatever refund I get to apply to the flooring we selected.

Terry - I think I would have to agree that 5 cats is a few too many. However, after taming the kitties, it is going to be hard to give them up. Foster parents -- whether for children or pets are people with a special gift. Ok, here's my question to you. With that many cats, you must have some serious shedding issues. Lexie may shed worse than any animal that I have ever seen. How in the world do you keep it under control and get it off everything in the house?

OK -- all you snorers try to stay on your sides, and all you who are sleeping with a snorer, find your good ear plugs. Sleep well everyone.

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

This is scary......... I was last last night and no Barb and no Alida this morning. Maybe Barb is sleeping in a little for her day off. Maybe Alida is just sleeping later, too.

Have a good Ground Hog Day everyone.

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

Happy FRIDAY morning!

I swear the time passes faster as I get older. Where did the week go?

Judy, it was so good to read your post! Same old here, too. We are not having a Super Bowl Party, either. I hope there's a good horse commercial from Annheiser-Busch (sp?). I love those. They are my favorite.

Brenda, a friend sent me this:

A friend of my daughter's boy friend called them to relay what happened as he was walking into Soldier Field for the playoff game. He overheard a New Orleans fan arguing with a Bears fan. The New Orleans fan said, "We deserve to win. We had a hurricane." From out of nowhere, a female Bears fan goes, "Get over it. We had a fire!".

Rooting for DA BEARS. Although Bob thinks this is Manning's year. Sigh. I Hate the Colts.

Barb, yesterday ended up be a fabulous day! Warmer and SUNNY. Is the cold stuff still going to hit the fan today though? Yup. I just looked at Accuweather.com. Looks like 30's by the end of next week though.

A PINK sweat suit? Fabulous! That's reminds me. I could use some new sweats, too. That is one thing I do need. I am wearing an old grey pair with a hole in them. Grey is so blah, too. Stores should start having sales on the winter stuff soon.

Donna, I hope you gave those people with the puppies a good piece of your mind. I HATE people like that. Animals are people, too.

Rachel, SIGH on the contract. I've heard of a flugelhorn, but what the heck is it?

Peg, how wonderful to get a looonng sleep! And congrats on the 185! What was your lowest weight -- or what is your target weight?

Got up late (after my big TV night last night). So, I have to get my day going. I got my repaired hearing aid yesterday and it's so wonderful!

Murphy visited son Mark. He's the one that just got the new big flat screen TV. But yesterday the transmission went out on their van AND the back window on the convertible got smashed. Don't know all the details yet, but they are going to use my car for the weekend. Fine with me. Not going anywhere that I know of!

Have a wonderful day! XXOO

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

Good morning!

Judy, glad to see you back, I understand same thing, same thing.. nothing to exciting around here... just gray & cool. Looks like the 75 degrees for today has dropped to 62 forecast.. but, better than the cold tundra of KS.

Barb, Cute pink velour sweats... I bought pink last year, but not velour.. didn't think I needed anything that warm

Peg, you are doing good with your weight.. it sure is a struggle, but well worth it. When will your new place be ready?? Drawers... weren't you the one talking about drawers? When I redid my kitchen I didn't put enough spacious drawers in and I sure wish I had.

American days yesterday, the dart team I was on won first. I my partner and I did great in shuffleboard.. we won 3 out of 4 games.. lost in the next to the last play off. It was a fun day and not too bad temp. wise. Today some are playing horseshoes, that may be a little chilly. DH is playing pool this morning and horseshoes this afternoon and I shall just play lazy... that's and easy game!!

Have a good day friends and pray for warmer weather for everyone!!!!

this might help...a pic of a flugel horn. almost has the sound of a trumpet.

http://www.musical-instrument-repair...flugelhorn.jpg

back later, kiddos

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Right you are, Judy! I slept in for a while this morning. Actually, I woke up in the middle of the night with a nasty sinus headache, and battled that for a while. So "sleeping in" was simply compensatory time. I talked myself into going to the gym BEFORE breakfast, so now I'm enjoying my cuppa and cereal and social time.

The Ground Hog WILL BE seeing his shadow in KC today, for which we are grateful. Yes, cold and sunny is better than cold and rainy/snowy. But it doesn't take a ground hog to predict six more weeks of winter.

You're right that these days are just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. It occurred to me last night that this time last year--and in several previous years--I was teaching a class at Baker. One evening and one Saturday morning a week for four weeks. No wonder this January seemed a bit empty. I haven't missed the stress though.

Alida, so glad to HEAR about the hearing aids! Woohoo. Those things are fine technology, but kinda delicate. Funny football joke. Well...unless you're from New Orleans.

Berta, we'll have to see how you stack up against Donna's dh in darts someday. Congrats on the win.

A newspaper article this morning referred to a man who got hijacked yesterday as "elderly" at age 73. I'm thinking--WAIT A MINUTE! That's not "elderly." My dh isn't even close to elderly at 73. Boy, am I in for a reality check one of these days.

Peg, World Market sounds like a creative solution to the gift situation. Even better than schlepping stuff all the way from Peru, actually. I tend to forget that you are two time zones away--as is Donna--when the daily postings drop in. I like thinking of you still in your jammies while I'm breaking out the tuna for lunch.

Shelley, Teel, Donna, Rachel...who am I missing? Keep on keepin' on.

P. S. Shelley--thanks for the update on the flugelhorn! Reminds me I haven't gone any further with my horn-playing ambitions. Guess that was a passing fancy that hasn't "took" yet. Teel's marimba lessons are fun to imagine.

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


My Fitday Journal