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Good morning! It's been awhile since I've had a spare moment to come and visit. I've missed everyone. Work is crazy...whoever designed "reports" should be kicked in the butt. I'm sure the big guys in Vancouver have nothing better to do that look at the stupid things. Sure makes a lot of work for me though.

Not much new around here. The snow is melting more and more everyday. I've retired my winter coat for a lighter one...yes, spring is slowly coming. One half of my front yard is now showing grass...dead grass, but better than snow. I even took the hose out on Saturday and washed my car. Funny how a clean car can brighten up my mood.

I'm sorry I can't stay longer...way too much work to do. I'll try to get back and chat later.

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

Hey, I'm here, too. Sorry for the MIA......I feel like Judy (running with hair on fire) even though I don't have as many reasons to feel that way. LOL @ Judy......Eagles "Get Over It" Yup.

I'm taking a one week class in Microsoft Office. School every day Of course I use Office for letters and such, but never bothered to learn all the ins and outs. I'm not sure how much of what I'm learning is usable in the real world, but having fun.

I'm keeping up with you all (barely). Keep the chair warm, ok?

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I am just popping in to tell you I have to pull a JUDY and not post as much as I would like for a few days. maybe this weekend. I have some Sister Work to do, plus some design work. Even with my days off, life seems hectic. I don't know why. SHELLEY -- welcome back to the land of the living! XXOO

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

Thanks for all your thoughts, gang. I do appreciate all your thoughts and good wishes on my ruminations. I am still ruminating and this topic is as good as anyone who wants to post (and that includes you lurkers!)

I love your thoughts, Barb. I have to admit that simply loving myself as I am is an idea that I have given a great deal of thought to lately. Two things keep me from doing it: 1. My natural tendency since I was 30 not to be content with how I look! (How sad, huh? Lots of psychological reasons, but none that make any sense at this time in my life.) 2. I have a very limited wardrobe at the size I am now. (I am 5'8" and weigh about 200. It is concentrated around my tummy and my "high" waist. I DO have a waist, but I can't wear a belt because it would emphasize the two rolls upper and lower.) Also, I DO miss the feelings that I had when I was 20 even 30 lbs lighter. I guess there is some truth to the fact that "pride goeth before a fall."

Shel: I, too, have tried to muster up some feeling for wanting to be "healthy" so I can live longer. I just can't go there. I have all sorts of excuses for this. I live with chronic pain because of fibromyalgia and arthritis in my fingers and my knees and back. While I know that exercise and losing weight would improve these things, somehow staying in bed (you KNOW that I don't stay in bed, don't you?? When I talk about staying in bed, it is in contrast to my dh who gets up at 6:30 a.m. every day whether he is tired or not. I get up at 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. That's when Otis wants me up.) and taking pain meds satisfies me in a way that working to be healthy doesn't, I guess. At least, right now. I mean, at least I am not smoking or drinking too much, or any number of other things that I could get into if I really wanted to abuse my body. Stupid reasons, I know, my dearest. But, there you are.

I see so many of the women here at the ofh who are overweight. Many of them have protruding tummies like I do. Not many are my height though. My height helps me hide my weight. (I've learned that a turtleneck, turned up at the neck, hides crepey neck! speaking of hiding) How about that? Also, though, there are a group of 80's and over women who defy all that you may think you know about age! They are up early to swim or walk. They watch what they eat, and as a group look about 60. Pretty amazing. I just can't see me being one of them. But, you never know, maybe I will get there.

Meanwhile, though, I went to Chico's this afternoon and got a darling black and white Zenergy pants set with a black pants with a white stripe up the side and a black sleeveless vest with white piping in the front. I bought a soft white T-shirt with long sleeves to go with it. I also bought a gorgeous couple of sweaters. One is in their latest ad, looks like a large fishnet with a band at the bottom. And, I got a lovely blue and white long sweater with a cord to tie at the top. So, I'll be set for the weekend. (the cheerleading competition?)

Good to see ya'll.
Peg

Peg, I was just in Chico's last week (when we had an unexpected extra day in Dallas). Normally I am more of a Talbot's/Coldwater Creek girl, but I saw some really cute things on my trip through Chico's Northpark store. Enjoy those new clothes. Something new will do wonders for attitude.

Love to you all. It looks like we could start a bonfire with all of us running like this.

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Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Hi guys,

Thanks, Alida...I'm nearly back to full power, I think! About time, eh?

My visit is a fly-by tonight as well. I did get to go to JCP to the home sale today. Scored some of the Chris Madden hotel line towels for the bathroom, a new mattress pad and sheets, both for the guest bedroom, a beautiful gold gilded mirror and metal wall art, again for the guest bedroom.
Then by sheer accident, I discovered what the color scheme for my kitchen will be when I do the wallpaper removal and paint job. It will be a brick red and creamy off white(quail egg) because I fell in love with, and purchased the cutest window valance with roosters! I know...very country kitchen-ish, but that's the usual way I do things...wait until the *rooster fad* is nearly over before I fall in love with them...ha!
Oh and I also scored the cutest pair of summer jammies...all pink and white and girly

Peg...I would like to also add this as it is fresh on my mind.
Remember I said, I've spent years not fond of my body image??
And my realization made me shift my focus more to the healthy side? Well, that is what it is....REAL-izing[or as Dr Phil says...GET REAL!] that I most likely won't have the killer body that we all lust after. That part of me is like Barb...heJJ yeah, I want to be physically attractive...flat abdomen, shapely hips, thighs, taunt and tight abs and upper arms....BUT I realize that wouldn't be very likely to happen even if I worked out at the gym 24-7. Why not?? Because my body, skin, muscles, etc are NOT that of a 26 year old and all the wishing, hoping, self loathing, crying, working my butt off, in the world isn't going to change that, yanno? Most likely extreme nip and tuck would, but I don't have $50K to bloww on my vanity. BUT...like I said earlier, if I approach my body image from the health & fitness standpoint, I am more REAL in my expectations, and that alone pushes me onward. Again, why, you may ask? Again, I think you, Peg will identify, and maybe some more of you gals will also...my *why active and healthy* approach is very plain and simple...I don't want to end up like my mother! By the time she was 52 or 53 years old, she was a train wreck...physically, medically, and mentally. She could not even stay on her feet long enough,(without sitting down) to grocery shop, so there was no way she could travel, go shopping or anything else that required gentle walking. As Scarlet said in GWTW..."as God as my witness"...I intend to be hiking trails in the Rockie Mountain National Park when I'm 80 years old.
Anyhoo...I just wanted to clarify that health and fitness do drive my desires to have a *beautiful body*, and heck yeah, I'd like all the slim, slitherery, sexy look to go with, but I *got REAL* several years ago, and I think I'm in a better place mentally for doing it.
OK...end of my thoughts...wouldn't really even bring a penney now, would they??? snort!

Bren...oh how fun, a MS office course. I would definitely benefit from one!

Judy...slow down! And whatever you do...do NOT pour a Marita on your hair!!! Drink it, girl!

Heather....did you find anything out today about getting a home??? We're dying on the vine here....

We are forecasted for freezing drizzle tonight and high probability of icing in the morning...ack! Tomorrow is Kassie's last set of shots, so I'll have to be out in it unless it's really bad.
And, the little darlin' has been a total pistol today. She has learned how to LEEP REAL BIG and jump onto the breakfast bar. d@mn!
I knew it would happen eventually, so that's why I stocked up on a couple bottles of clorox disinfecting kitchen spray and papertowels. We are now going to be in the *wipe it down a ka-billion times* mode around here!

Awww jeeeze....well so much for my fly by...what was intended to be short has turned into a novel! That's me....chatty cathy...

later chickadees,
(((hugs to all)))

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Shelley
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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!

Hey guys, just a quick note before I go to bed. The meeting with really well with the lady on the house. The waiting list is only about 2 years long to build your own house. The lady suggested we get a gas card because it builds credit. Really good idea! We basically have no credit she said which isn't a bad thing. So on Saturday DH will go to a home buyers class for 8 long hours to get a certificate to qualify for the waiting list. Exciting!

The thing I don't understand is that she said that we basically had a no credit score but we did have one overdo balance that my DH never paid about 9 years ago. So we'll end up paying on an upcoming tax return but wonder why it wouldn't count as a low credit rather then a no credit.

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Good morning, everybody.

Heather, I'm excited about the beginning of your plans to own your own home. It sounds like you and your dh are getting good advice and taking it one step at a time. I use basically one credit card for everything, and pay it off completely every month. NO interest, and a printed record of what I'm spending. It's very convenient. They call people who PAY OFF their credit cards every month "deadbeats" because the credit card companies don't make any money off of us.

I met with my financial counselor yesterday, and went over the investment numbers for my rollover 401K and other retirement moneys. The equities market is tanking right now, but I'm in a very good financial position, and can look forward to a comfortable lifestyle, as long as I don't decide to buy a tropical island or an expensive boyfriend.dance2

I'm keeping busy at the office, and smiling entirely too much.

Donna, it amazes me that you're seeing so many more spring signs than we are, considering the latitude. We are still in the deep freeze, and got a further dusting of snow last night.

Shelley, I did see the almost-complete eclipse of the moon. I got up early in the morning to see the one in August, which was visible from my bedroom window.

Well, gotta run. I think I'll take the bus today, just in case this snow isn't done.

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


My Fitday Journal

Going to be a fun one today. I'll need to go to my mom's work and pick up some baking supplies for a cake she wants me to make for Grandma today. I love to bake for other people because it makes the house smell wonderful and I don't feel the need to eat other people's food. No one will ask me to eat it tonight at her party either but appreciate my effort to be a part of the cake. I'll eat before going which they are used to. Mom usually has some veggies to munch on and I'll bring along my big bottle of water. Other then that today I need to buy some good socks to put in my exercise shoes. I worked so hard yesterday that I'm getting blisters on my toes! They have special thick toe socks that I'll get and maybe an exercise pant. I may exercise 5x a week, or more, but I haven't bought any exercise pants in years. Well, change that...did and they wore out so you can imagine what the rest here looks like. I've seen people with holes in their shirt at my gym so I guess I'm not the only one who goes there to workout.
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Barb - Morning! Have a good day at work!

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Good morning ladies. Sun is shining again so more ice and snow will melt today. Now, that's good news!

Barb: I usually say that if I can make it to February that's when the change happens. It very, very, seldom snows here in February. This is definitely an early spring but after the winter we had I'm not complaining. The willow trees have that yellow tinge to them which means the leaves will pop as soon as it warms up more. I'm even pushing it by walking around the yard looking for anything that wants to pop up...now, that really would be early!

Keep up that smiling too!

Heather: Good going on the workouts. I'm still plugging along every night but all I'm getting for it is sore knees. I'm not stopping though.

Shelley: Wow...you did some good shopping there. I'm taking dd into town on Saturday for some "girl" time. We always do better shopping without dragging dh along. lol

Peg: I've been following along with your ruminations. I see myself in so many things you've said. I am not happy with the way I look, but I do like many of the changes that have occured with my weight loss. I'm no longer scared to walk into a room full of people and automatically think they are talking about my size. I know I'm more confident but I will never be a leader. There is too much emotional baggage for that. As for having the body that I want it just won't happen,unless I win the lottery and can have plastic surgery. But even then it wouldn't change the damage that has been done emotionally by my past. So, I'll keep working at keeping my weight down and maybe one day I'll be happy with what I've done.

Brenda: I bet all of us could use that course. After reading your post I started to wonder how many programs I use that I just do the basics because I've never taken the time to learn all it's capable of. The answer is ... many. Wish I had the time to really learn about them. Good for you!

Alida: ((hugs)) to you as you do more sister work. I know it's frustrating for you but I'm sure it's appreciated.

Judy: Good to see you posting. You're right we'd have no trouble starting our own bonfire..maybe we should all apply for Survivor? lol

My weight is a yo-yo again. That poor scale has been up and down so much this past couple of weeks it's no wonder the spring hasn't broken. I have no idea if it's cause I'm exercising so much or what but it doesn't make me happy. I read posts by other people who have small cheats like I do and they get back on the bandwagon and the weight comes off...not me. If I have a small cheat the weight stays. That's how I've managed to pack on 13 lbs. Until I'm back to 153 I won't be happy!! I know it's just numbers but that's where I felt good so that's where I want to be.

I know I've said it before, but my boss isn't right! He has a meeting to go to with the "big guys" on March 6th. Yesterday he brought me the e-mails of his itinerary and told me to write him a complete presentation answering all the questions that were asked. That way he didn't have to think about answers. I also had to tell him he needed a haircut. This guy isn't a child...he'll be 42 on Sunday. He's also been told he can't have his drivers license for another month. (guess I stay as chauffeur). He only comes to work for about 3 hours and sits in his office and stares at the wall, or comes into mine and wants to talk about his surgery. He won't make any decisions and leaves it all up to me. This is the same guy that wanted to argue all the time? See what I mean about him not being right?

On the good front....dd will be 3 months sober on Sunday! I'm so proud!!

Okay, back to work. Stupid reports!!

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

Hey guys. Donna, I'm so envious of your signs of Spring! February is usually our coldest/snowiest month and we won't see the tinge of green on the willows until April. Ugh!

I'm ruminating, too. Sometimes too much....but I do want to mention this, if even on the run. When I think of each of you, and I do often, my mind never once goes to what you look like, what size you are, what body parts jiggle or don't. It never does and never has occurred to me to "see" any of you as your physical manifestation even though I know how you appear in pictures and/or in real life, and we talk about our bodies on a regular basis. Even in my mind's picture, there are no labels, much less judgments. The sum of who I experience you to be is so much more than that, and so little attached to a physical representation. I love each of you unconditionally. I wish I could say the same for myself. That's the ongoing journey.

Hugs to all

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Brenda: No wonder we all love you so much. Thank you.

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

Bren: Ain't it the truth???? Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!!

Love ya,
Peg

Looks like today is a day I need to give myself some of that "unconditional love." Can you say stress and exhaustion??? Quote below is from the Induction Junction thread.

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Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!