for Donna. I am so sorry for you all.

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

Monday morning. I have to hang out at home until 1 o'clock--or whenever the inspector comes to look at my lease car, which is due to be turned in at the end of August. I can't wait to get rid of that car. Wa-a-a-y too expensive, and not fun to drive. (This was my husband's "dream car"--but the lease was in my name, so I couldn't turn it in when he died.)

Donna, I'm so sad for you and your family. You've been aware of problems before, so this probably isn't a big surprise. You've done a great job of staying connected as well as you could with the grandkids, and perhaps you'll be able to provide a measure of stability now.

Mary Kay, you're having fun, I know, with your decorating choices. You'll be happy with the ceiling fan option in years to come. And isn't it just like a guy to go for the audio technology?

Peg, your "retirement" schedule is breathtaking--a combination of work and fun. I'm still waiting for life to grab me by the throat and tell me what to do next. I'm sure this lazy streak isn't going to last much longer. Sounds like you are definitely a Shih Tzu mom-to-be. Keep us posted.

Alida, how was the Ameristar? I have yet to visit a casino in KC. My friend is curious about the Isle of Capri--simply because that neon flamingo is so in-your-face every time you cross the Paseo Bridge. Hope your work week isn't too strenuous.

Hello to everyone, especially Shelley. The hot summer is definitely setting in in Kansas City.

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


My Fitday Journal

Morning!

Barb, crossing fingers that your lease car passes even the most finicky inspection.

Donna, I'm so sorry to hear your son is fed up, but I'm hoping that whatever happens will turn out to be best for their kids. What a difficult situation for everyone. So cook and love, but that's what you do so well anyway.

Peg, you and bff have had misunderstandings before. I just know that you will work this out. Meanwhile you're making me tired with all your activities!

MK, I'm not sure I understand your comment about wood floors and dogs. Scratching head, here. Your color choices sound lovely, though! I hope you'll give us pictures as things progress.

Heather, same for you! We want pic-chas as your new home is built!

Alida, Monday and back to work for you, darn it! Yes, how was the casino?

Shelley, you know we're missing you!

And Judy, what's up in Texas?

Rachel, as always, thinking of you as you live your life in so different a sphere.

I'm enjoying a day off by cleaning and yard work mostly, although I have some silver jewelry components in the polisher downstairs. Funny that when there's less time, I get a creative urge, eh? I need to make a hospice visit, too. It stinks that gas is so expensive that I actually consider that when I take hospice assignments.

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

Yesterday afternoon we had the sad job of moving my ds. Somehow he got the idea that we had offered to have him move home...which is fine by me. Dh has some issues. I guess when things go rotten it's always home that seems the safest. So, he's here now along with his Bassett Hound. My furkids aren't too sure about this but he's a nice dog. I don't think he'll be staying long though she's already called and wants the dog back. (gee, she got the house and the van and all the furnishings!) We sat outside last night and talked for hours. He did most of the talking which is good cause he tends to keep everything bottled inside him...just like his mom. Things haven't been good between them for a long time but he just kept trying. She's very spoiled and wants everything her way and he let her get away with it. Now he's just had enough of being belittled and treated like crap. She's in shock that he actually would leave...the kids are a mess...so is ds. I don't think I've even let it hit home yet that they have split up. The kids kept calling him last night begging him to come home so he's going to see them today. (so, I'm without a car...this is going to take getting used to.)

I'm off a running for a very busy Monday. Oh...I'm down 6 lbs. now..WOW!

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

Oh my, Donna. Big hugs for you and your family. Lots of changes for all of you, now and in the future.

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

Well, the doofus is me this time. Yesterday, I was pretty dang irritated when that car inspector hadn't showed up by one o'clock. Then I looked at the calendar. The inspection is TODAY. Oh well. I took the car to the carwash (which I should have done in the first place), and it looks much better today. I'll think of something else to do at home while I wait...and wait...and wait.

Donna, you're in my best thoughts. I watched the movie An Unfinished Life and remembered that a bit of it was filmed near your house. Seems like you're surrounded by all kinds of drama. I think the worst heartache in the world must be watching your kids feel pain when there's not a lot you can do.

Brenda, my sweet niece has a problematic pregnancy, and is now under the care of perinatal Hospice. Isn't that a wonderful idea? I admire your commitment.

As for the gas crisis--part of it has to be phony, cooked up by politicians, the media, and oil producers (not foreign ones, either). The truth is, Americans are totally spoiled by not paying what others do for fuel, and now we are being squared up with reality. I'm not sure there's a "recession" either. It's more like a correction. But I sure hate what's happening to the investments I have to live on for the rest of my life. This will be an interesting election year.

Well, off to Bible study. And then home to wait. I may be back with more political musings if I get bored.

Take care of you.

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


My Fitday Journal

I lost a long post last night, so I'm trying again.......... Last night's post started with, of course, another big hug for Donna! I am so sorry for all the trauma in your lives right now. I especially have concerns for Mikela. Now she has "lost" a 2nd dad. She will certainly feel abandoned. I hope soon that your family can develop some peaceful resolution to the situation. Is there any chance that your DS will get his kids?

Barb, the economics teacher needs to comment on your statements above. Whether by exogenous circumstance or by correction, we are in a recession. The depth and length is yet to be determined. The stock market is now officially a bear market having dropped the requisite 20%, the unemployment rate is at 5.5% (which used to be considered and OK number but is now very questionable) and the GDP has declined for more than 6 months. All are indicators of a decline in the business cycle. However, as the word "cycle" indicates, things go up and then go down, and eventually go up again. Yes, we have been lucky that we have not had oil and gas prices equal to the rest of the world. That's the free market at work. Much of the "crisis" is caused by govt and politicians and even the press. You are correct, it will be an interesting election year........... and I'm not excited about any of the choices.


Now I return to more mundane things. I feel like a blimp. I need to get my mind right, eat right and write down or track what I eat, and I need to get up and do something. Yesterday was probably the first day since school was out that I did nothing. We got home from Dallas around noon and I took a nap and was a bum for the rest of the day. DH has a couple of computers to repair as well as possibly going to check on his dad (fell last weekend and broke two ribs). I think he will be doing that tomorrow. Still on my TO DO LIST for the remainder of the summer -- about 5 weeks is

• do some touch up painting which will include some major work on cabinet doors. We replaced hinges and with the extra thickness caused by the new paint and the slight difference in the hinges, the doors are going to have to be cut down.
• possibly paint another room
• make a drill team costume for my friends 5 year old
• make monogrammed baby blankets for my nieces twins that will be born sometime this month

Humm, seems like there is more........... right now though, that is enough. At any rate, I need to get up and get after something.

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

Judy, I think that's quite enough for one summer, considering all the things we plan on that just come up as we go.

Barb, I'm drawing a big breath, thinking of your niece. The hospice I volunteer for also has a pediatric team. Unfortunately, hospice for babies/children is not usually covered by insurance , so this team is one of several dependent on fundraising and we provide pediatric services without charge. This is honestly one area of volunteering I absolutely could not do.

Waiting for the car inspection seems like a good opportunity for meditation The car wash was an excellent idea, too.

I have plenty of housey things in store today, as well as the hospice visit I didn't do yesterday. Dh is buying parts for his car and replacing the tie rods will be his project this week. Sounds hot, greasy, and miserable to me and I'm expecting some colorful language

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

Good morning. Sorry I've been ignoring everyone...one day I will write the next episode of "Days in the Life of Donna". lol

My ds is now living at our house. When all the kids moved out we turned one bedroom into my craft room..one into dh's computer room and one into an exercise room. We got rid of all the beds! So, he's sleeping on the floor and doesn't seem to mind. We have a blow up mattress that's very comfy but it's hard on his back. He's not sleeping much anyway. He's left her with the house, car, furnishings..in fact everything. He got his clothes in garbage bags and that's it. She's even managed to get the bassett hound back from him. His cell phone is going off constantly and she won't stop text messaging him....not once has she told him she misses him. Yesterday he went there to see the kids...the boys especially just don't understand and won't sleep and cry all the time. When he got there...she went to bed cause she didn't sleep the night before. Correct me if I'm wrong here...but if she is so devestated like she says, and wants him back...wouldn't she stay up and try to talk or show him how she wants to change? I'm really wondering if there is any chance they will get back together...and I'm soooo worried about my grandkids. He's bringing them to our house for the weekend. He really is an awsome dad and I wish he would get custody. I also found out that when he was at work (working graveyard shift) she used to leave the kids home alone sleeping and go to the bar.... if I had known that I would have gone and taken them!! All kinds of stories coming out now.

Dh is not doing well with ds back in the house. I think he's jealous of any attention that I give to my kids. This morning ds was going through his clothes so I went into my craft room and cleaned out some space in the closet for him...dh wanted to know why. Come on...the man can't live out of garbage bags. Every time ds needs to use my car he just freaks out...doesn't like lending out vehicles. I'm the one who makes the payments..besides how in the heck is ds supposed to get to work that's a half hour away. Talk about being caught in the middle.

I've lost another 1/2 lb!!! That makes 6 1/2 now. I can feel it right where I wanted it to go...around my middle. It's finally working and it took going back to induction to do. Only 14 1/2 more to go.

Barb: Yes, the movie was filmed just about next door. Wasn't it a good one? Now there is another one being filmed. The fellow that finds all the spots for filming is coming to talk to my boss Thursday. They want to park 100 cars in our parking lot here at work. As long as I can get my car out I'm okay with that (when ds doesn't have it that is)

Judy: With all that you've been doing lately I can understand why you would want to take the slug award yesterday. Good for you! I know you get the summer off...but doesn't it fly by fast?

Brenda: I'd stay out of dh's way when it comes to car repair. But, you are lucky that he can do it. I use the services of the mechanic here at work...otherwise nothing would get done on my car. Was the air blue?

To everyone else....a big HI. We must all be a busy bunch.

My flowers are really popping now. Lots of colour. It takes over an hour of hand watering every night but it's worth it. Can't wait for the coneflowers to bloom. I've put them right next to star flowers so it will be pink next to purple. Should look good.

Okay, I probably have about 5 minutes before the boss shows up so I should get my butt back to work. Thanks for being her guys and letting me vent.

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

All projects in which my DH participates elicit colorful language.

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

Judy, I almost forgot that we have a bona fide economics expert on board here! Thanks for the explanation of recession in real terms. Any way you look at it, it's a pinch for most people.

Donna, I'm glad you can find a pony in the middle of all that sh*t--but I wouldn't recommend your current weight loss plan: stress and chaos. Still, enjoy your slimmer middle, your blooming flowers, and everything else you can do to bring a lighter feeling to these days.

The car inspector came, but didn't really give me any information. I'll have to wait until he files his report, and then negotiate with the dealer. I'm glad I got an early start.

The anticipated rain finally arrived, in buckets. A good day to read a book.

See you tomorrow, my dears.

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


My Fitday Journal

Well, baby blankets were the winner for the day. I bought blue minky dot and pink minky dot fabrics that will both be backed with brown satin. The nursery is pink, blue and brown. Blankets will be bound in satin blanket binding to match the minky. When the babies come, I'll embroider their names and birth date in brown on the binding. Now, all I have to do is get them ready for the embroidery.

My other project for the day is to cook a surprise dinner for the next door neighbor who gave us all his grass sod when his new driveway was poured.

Barb, please send the rain south. keeping the above grass alive is really hitting my water bill.

Big hugs to everyone........... and especially you, Donna.

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

Oh Donna!! I'm so sorry to hear this. I saw later that you posted that she leaves the kids to go to the bar? What is at the bar that she HAS to be a bad mother and have? Sounds like she is choosing something over her kids and DH? Hope it's okay to say all this as I feel we're friends but do you think she has a drinking problem? Take care sweetie. This has to be a lot of stress on you too with that Big Mama Heart of yours.

Passing through here. Thursday we sign our paperwork on the house!! Yippee! Been relaxing since Saturday the 19th DH and I will need to work in 30 hours a week on our home building it around the kids. It's going to be a busy year but I know you'll understand if I come in to visit when I can.

__________________

Good morning!

Miss a few days and ... "stuff" happens.

Donna, I am so very sorry. I think these things are always a shock when they really do happen ... even if we have a whiff of their possibility. Remember the little tiff your son had with you? Well, that's over. He has come "home" where he feels safe. I am also sure he will find his own place pretty soon, once the shock for him is over, too. I went through the same thing. Left my 1st husband and went home. Shocked everyone, including 1st husband. That was a marriage that should never have been. At least there were no children involved.

Someone mentioned Micayla losing a second Dad. Is your son her step dad? Maybe I am mixed up.

Oh, Donna ... my heart goes out to you. But if this separation is meant to be, it is much, much better for your son.

Barb, the casino was fun. We saw "Iron Man" and really enjoyed it. We ended up down $50 for the evening, which is pretty good! How long was your lease for? You are talking about the Jaguar, right? Oh, what a beautiful car! I would certainly hope they expect a certain about of "wear and tear!"

Hospice for moms-to-be? I have never heard of that. Is it more of an "intensive care" place for women with difficult pregnancies?

Peg, I am sorry to hear you had a tiff with your BFF. As someone else mentioned, you have had them before. But Best Friends are just that ... and weather the storms. Thank goodness your DH didn't do serious damage with that fall.

Brenda, LOL about getting the creative urge to design some jewelry now. And tie rods? sounds very involved and messy.

Judy, your poor DFIL. Make sure they watch for pneumonia, OK? With broken ribs, it may be hard for him to take a deep breath. My Dad died ... about 6 days after breaking some ribs in a fall ... from pneumonia.

Mary Kay, your colors sound beautiful! Pre-wiring is so easy to do during construction. But as someone said ... leave it to a guy!

Berta, how's everything? Enjoying your family?

Heather, it will be a big day when you sign the papers for the house! Go out and celebrate!

Has anyone heard from Rachel recently?

I have had a touch of stomach "flu" the last few days. I am tired of it already!

One day this week, money from Social Security should magically appear in my checking account. In spite of any recession and high gas prices, Bob and I feel comfortable for the first time in years. Knock on Wood. We are also having a new driveway poured in a few weeks. Yea!

Open Question: I will be replacing our dishwasher, stove and above-the range microwave this fall. Any recommendations?

XXOO

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

Stay away from Frididare brand. It has really gotten low end. We have Whirlpool and Kenmore appliances. I'm pretty sure that Kenmore is made by Whirlpool. Definitely go with stainless steel. White and black are cheaper, but stainless is the "color" of choice now.

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