Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[Pam in TX]

Welcome Kayan, always nice to have new members....

Was a good day.... ate on plan and have drank about 2.5 liters of water....

Had a wonderful breakfast with my dad.... just the 2 of us...

Went to check out a location for inlaws partywaas very nice.... you can see it at www.chateauonthecreek.com (hope it ok to post that)

Looks like it has been fairly quiet around here today....

[PsychoLoser]

Welcome Kayan. Your ice cream cravings sound like they are strong!! I like to think of myself being addicted to certain foods (chocolate frosting on anything, brownies, lasagna, garlic bread...) so that I know I can't control eating once I start-- so I stay away completely from them.

I used to live in Maine as a kid. We lived in Castine when my father taught engineering at the Maine Maritine Academy. I remember having midshipmen as babysitters! We would go into Bucksport for major shopping. My father was born and lived most of his live in Orono.

I also lost a lot of weight a couple of years ago on LC. I'm just starting to lose again after a major stall. Trying to drink a lot of water too. Good luck to you.

[sleepysue07]

Welcome Kayan:

I have a problem with ice cream myself. I have found a couple of tricks that work for me. First of all I steer clear of the isle where it is found-at least not on that end. If I must have something from that isle I send my husband or one of my kids. When I absolutely have a craving that I cannot resist and I do buy it,I only buy a pint. I will serve that pint as desert for my family after dinner. I will scoop it into tiny little custard cups making my cup the last and allowing more generous portions for everyone else. This means I usually end up with only about 2 TBSP's for myself. I have been surprised to find that this is enough for me. It is really only the taste and texture that I crave anyway. After I have finished my ice cream I immeadiately drink a bottle of water and the craving disappears every time. While I know that no "cheat" is good, a controlled one is better than an out of control binge.

What's done is done, please don't beat yourself up over this. Just determine to stop now.

Our Sherry has a great philosophy. She doesn't see it as denying herself anything, but see's it as giving herself the gift of good health.
What better way to love yourself than to give yourself health and vitality?

Good luck to you, and I know you can do it! We are here to encourage you, and you should find inspiration here as well. I know I always do.

Carolyn

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

Nothing really new since last night when I posted...

Sherry and Carolyn: very nice posts....

Other than church, not much else planned for today.... am hoping to get some work done in the garage....

Have a good day everyone.... Is supposed to be a beautiful day here, possibly reaching into the low 70s....

[kayan]

Morning everyone, Thank-you all for welcoming me. Several years ago I had a L.C.F. penpal from the Chicago area and it helped. The ice cream is always some form of chocolate or caramel mostly with thick gooooooy chocolate melt in your mouth chunks. I have such cravings that I find my car stopping in to a little store on my way home from work. This summer I did manage some of the time to talk my self into a diet root beer but thats hard to do when its -0 out.

But I did it once and I can do it again. Going on day 2 here bacon and an egg with coffee for breakfast. I even cut back on the amount of fiber fit that I put in it. I drink it black. I have 2 half eaten half gallons stashed in the lower part of the refrig. I am going to throw them in the garabage. Tuesday am. thats when the garabage is picked up. My mini goal is to keep from buying any for the next month. If I can do that then I will be (hopefully) back on track. A girlfrind and I have a trip planned to Atlantic City for the weekend of March 16th and I need clothes to wear.

Sherry, my nephew will graduate from Maine Maritine this year and my daughters boy friend graduated from there several years ago along with a good friends son. A very good school.

Carolyn, I can't have a little bit, That just does not work for me, Its alll or nothing. I thought after 6 years maybe that demon would be gone but apparently he was in hibernation.

I even tried Sherry's philosophy, of dont depriving myself and it didn't work I even tried to eat it till I was sick didnt work have done that 3 times.

But I know keep repeating to my self: Do what you have always done : get what you have always gotten:

My words of encouragement to all of you. It can be done I was a size 20 and now I wear a size 6 and have kept it off for 3-4 years. If I can do it anyone can BUT beware the battle will always be there. I think I will go sew and take my mind off it

I hope everyone has a good day I will check in oftenI know this will help me keep my focus with all your support

Kayan

[PsychoLoser]

Carolyn-- I agree that controlled cheats are better than out of control binges. There is considerably less guilt and less intake of food. I think controlled cheats will be an occassional thing once I get into maintenence. I don't believe life should be lived around "forbidden foods" (because of the deprivation it makes me feel) but I do know that I can't reliably control eating some foods. Make sense?

Pam-- Your Texas weather is beach weather here. It is so drab here, I'd love to trade days with you. My mood is usually better when it is sunny and warm. I then have more energy and motivation.

Kayan-- It sounds like your car has a mind of its own-hahaha! Chocolate and caramel are two of the foods I must stay away from, and I noticed that when I do, I crave them less. I think not buying them is the best choice. Then there's no struggle when you're at home. Did you say you were a size 6???? That's smaller than my goal size! Congrads on that accomplishment. How much weight did you lose, how did you lose it, and how long did it take you?? Inquiring minds want to know....

Well Ladies, the scale has moved again. I've lost one more pound. That makes 9 down. I'm sticking to the Kimkins and I am finding that I enjoy it. It just requires more planning than basic Atkins and getting used to the lack of condiments (cream, salad dressing, butter) and cheese.

I found a pair of black pants I liked at Macys about 2 months ago. I bought them and 2 other colors (without trying them on- assuming they would fit). After I took the tags off and hemmed them, to my suprise, I discovered that the other 2 colored pants were made a bit smaller and were too tight for the zipper to meet enough to zip up!! On Thursday, I got a wild hair and took a chance that they might fit after a few pounds lost-- THEY DID! That's a good feeling. I wore them to work on my "day from hell" and got through it because I kept thinking about accomplishing the goal of overcoming my dog-gone stall. :-)

Sue-- Where r u today (you usually check in early in the day) ??

Lets all have a good week ladies!

[kayan]

Yes I am a size 6 now for most of my life I was a size 14. I have been a yo-yo dieter all my life but the smallest I ever got was a 10 for a few months then gained it all back about 6 years ago Nov 2000 I fianally had had enough. Couldnt walk up stairs with out getting short of breath, couldn't bend and tie my shoes etc, etc, weight was over 210 I refused to get on the scale to really find out. I finally realized that I was headed for Diabetes as both parents are insulin dependent and I didn't want to go that route. I statred atkins and for some reason it worked and I have stuck with it this time. I still do atkins except for my binges with ice cream. I never weighed my self as always before I would get hung up on the scale and blow it if they didn't move like I thought they should. It took about a year to get the majority of the weight off my goal was 150. I could tell by how my clothes fit the over the next couple of years I lowered my goal till I reached a size 6 and have maintained this size for 3-4 years. I know it would be so easy to gain it all back. Thats what scares me now. I have to get this under control. My pants are tight and they have never been this tight. I also started a new mdeication to help with menopause symptoms and the med can make you bloated and aa reduce tolerance to carbs. As if dealing with menopause was not enough.

Sherry, I have looked at Kimkins but I need to have the fats to lose. You have done well losing 9 lbs

I have done well today and actually exercised 2 20minutes on the Nordic track. and I hate to exercise. The next 2 days will be a test for me. Tomorrow I work 9 .5 and on Tuesday I work 14 soooo probally wont get any in then.

everyone have a good evening and may the munchie monster stay asleep

need to get some super for dh and myself salmon and salad

Kayan

Do what you have always done: get what you have always gotten

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Ladies.

Kayan: Welcome. It's always great to have a new friend. Wow, a size 6. I've never been a 6. I will be happy if I reach a 10 or a 12. I've never had a problem with ice cream. I love it, but I have really sensitive teeth and after I eat it I'm in pain, so no ice cream for me.

I've been away from my computer the last couple of days. Very busy weekend. DD2 came home so we could get her brides maid outfit ordered for DD1's wedding. Contest was Saturday for DS. He did okay but being a perfectionist he was disappointed with the results. They score on a I, II and III basis, I being the highest. He got a I-. I think he was upset with the minus cause all the other Trombonists at his school got straight I's. They are all older than he is. I told him he's just a freshman and it will get better. He has another contest in two weeks. He's determined to play really well. There is a kid from a neighboring city who is outstanding. Actually he got first place. We stayed to hear him play. He's a year older than DS. He heard DS play and contacted him on myspace. The kid reassured DS if he wasn't so nervous he would have placed. That was so kind. So DS is going to work on not being nervous.

Sherry: I got ready for work Friday and grabbed a black pair of pants and they were just too big. I safety pinned them and wore them anyway. So I decided to stop at Ross on the way home and I found four pair all much smaller than I've been wearing and it was so much fun. I got them at Ross because they are very cheap and hopefully they will be too big soon too, but I had to do something. It felt so great to buy the smaller sizes. I even bought a pair of jeans that actually fits. Mine are really baggy now. I wore the new ones all weekend.

Carolyn: Enjoy the baseball while you can. I loved it when my DS played baseball and my DD's played softball. I really miss it now. It would dominate our springs and summers, but it was really fun. I loved getting together with all the parents. I volunteered doing membership for the softball organization for years. We travelled, albeit locally, meaning Oregon and Washington, but it was always fun. I was a soccer mom for years too.

Sue: I finally got started on the scrapbook project for DD1 I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I have so many things I want to include. DD2 was helping me sort items. She suggested scanning in multiple items that are similar, shrinking the size and arranging them artistically on one page on the computer. I may try that so I can squeeze more in.

I went to the driving range with DS today. He's trying out for the golf team in two weeks. I guess it's a pretty stringent tryout. He goes to one of the biggest high schools in the state and yet they only allow 12 on the team. He said so far there's about 20 who have expressed interest. The seniors are already automatically on it, so he's going to have to work hard. While we were there, we ran into two other kids who are also trying out. So anyway, I hit the ball better than I have in a long time. Perhaps I'm able to move my arms and shoulders around faster since I've lost some weight. Who knows, but it was great fun.

Hi Pam.

I'm sure you will all read this tomorrow since its really late here. Hope you all have a great morning.

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

What a day yesterday turned out to be.... The weather guys were way off... it was a chilly cloudy day all day....

Then learned that the son (20) of a friend was killed in a car accident on Sat night... He was a year behind my DS in school... and his mom and I have played in a bunco group for over 10 years...

Am taking the day off today.... Not busy, have a headache, and just need the time away to regroup...

Leslie: congrats to DS for doing so well... sounds like he is very driven and focused... I just got some information recently on digital scrapbooking... If you will PM me I will send you a couple of the links...

Kayan: Oh I love ice cream.... It has always been one of my favorite treats... You have done a great job on this WOE.... I have managed to lose quite a bit also.... Have gone from a size 26/28 to a 16/18.... Have been stuck here for a while now and I have wondered if the menopause factor was possible... I had a hyst last year and haven't lost anything since... I have a patch and have noticed that I am a little thicker around the mid section...

Carolyn: yeah baseball......... my favorite time of year...

Sherry: congrats on the smaller size.... WTG...

Sue: how was the trip to the farm? Hope you enjoyed your time....

Time for a refill on the coffee....... rainy and foggy this morning... DH and I are going out to dinner tonight for our Valentine's....

Hope you all have a great LC day....

[Suji]

Ooops, just lost my post! Darn it!
Hey all--long weekend. Messed up computer for 2 days due to damaged sectors on the disk, and tired to boot. The old commode in the MBR keeps running water into the bowl on and off and I need it to be quiet to sleep. So, I didn't very well. I am consoling my self with some mostly caffeinated coffee this morning!

We went out to the farm yesterday after a 2 week hiatus and DH managed to get all the ugly light boxes that had been surface mounted, inside the walls. It will look so much better--but what a bear. If I didn';t mention it earlier, the original walls were plank meaning no dead air space between to hide bulky things in, so he had to remove old plaster and lath and chisel into the plank somewhat to fit the electrical boxes in. I busied myself with packing wet plaster in around the conduits holding the wires that he also had to insert in the wall above the boxes (those had been external also--ugly!) and chipping old paint off the walls in preparation for more skim plaster next time. My last job looked really good next to this ugly mottled wall (imagine dingy yellow, mustard yellow, grayish, pinkish paint remnants all on the walls together with dinged up plaster and lumpy spots. YUCK! New white plaster is a major improvement. I'm doing the entry way area and up the staircase at the moment. I just couldn't face using paint remover on the window sills yesterday--so I didn't.

I can't recall if I mentioned that I went to Landis in an earlier post (checking is how I lost this one!), but I travelled out there Saturday and took two demo seminars--pruning and grafting of nut trees. I learned a lot, but there was no hands on due to time. However, the next seesion in March will be a hands on grafting and I am looking forward to that! It will be at the Landis Farm museum again, so maybe I will have more time than to shiver and take pics quickly of the exterior of the buildings!

We are expecting a snow or ice event (the weather guys always seem to think it will be one thing and it's generally turning out to be another and less severe). I was supposed to go to a Red Hat event that was cancelled due to a death in the family of another member and I am to go to a major luncheon for the Frederick Friends group which is held for all members monthly. That may be cancelled if the weather is bad--dunno, but it would be my first event of theirs--going to the Red Horse Inn. Something new!

I missed the lace makers guild to attend the Landis Farm thing, but my sis went and will help me with what she learned since we are doing the same patterns together. :-) I did start playing with my new cotton yarn making a (gasp) pot holder while trying to make my knit and purl stitches look as good as I remembered I could do in the pat. I look like a lowly beginner again in my results, but it's fun to make the hands recall the rhythm. My new friend who started me on the road again, may be coming by on Wednesday for another "knit in". Plus, there is a crochet refresher this Saturday in my sisters neck of the woods. Since I have to take Son3 down to fencing (my turn), we could do that together on Saturday.

Kayan, I don't think I will ever be a size 6--I don't really understand what size that is or if my bones are just set differently from other people's since the lowest I ever could get was a 9 (in a couple dresses) or an 11 and people began to look at me with worried expressions as being too thin. Maybe larger boned persons don't get down to those small sizes. The only thing I know of where I can identify as a lust to eat is those hazelnut centered chocolate candies--but I don't buy them for myself. They are a gift always. Can't stop eating them until the whole box is gone in one setting. Yikes!

Saw Son2 maybe a total of 2 hours as I was away so much. He spent the time here mostly with his GF. BUT he will be back for Spring Break in 3 weeks. :-)

That's about all for now. It nice to hear from all of you.

Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Sitting here sipping on my morning cup of coffee. Today my DH will have surgery for a double hernia. It's outpatient surgery, but will take all day. I can't wait to have him bedbound and on pain meds for the next couple of days (sarcasm).

Could not stay away from the scale. To my delight, though, I have lost another pound! That makes 10 total since 2/2. I don't feel hungry and think I can do this for a while. In the meantime, I am finally relieved to see that #$@* scale move!

Carolyn-- Great that your son performed so well. Exciting that you got into smaller pants. Its such a concrete measure of our progress!! I have acquired an expansive wardrobe since my big weight loss a couple of years ago- in fact, I don't think I now own a single piece of clothing that I had back then. It has been fun (not to mention expensive) to shop and enjoy the new fit of clothing.

Pam-- Terrible news about your friend's son. I think the loss of a child is the worst pain possible. I don't think most people ever get over the profound grief of it. My sympathy for the family. My girls have experienced the death of about 4-5 friends from high school. They have certainly have been given a heavy dose of reality about death at a young age.

Kayan- I understand your fear about regaining weight lost. I sometimes feel it too. I think we may always have to be vigilant. Its good that you are taking action at this time to hold on to the goals you reached.

Sue-- I bet you are exhausted from the weekend. It sounds like a labor of love-- and manual labor! Ha! Are you planning to live at the farm at a later date-- in retirement?? I heard we are getting a winter storm tomorrow-- will check the weather to see.

Battery is low on the laptop-- gotta go girls....

[Dreamcometru]

Good Morning ladies:

Pam, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's son. I just can't imagine what they are going through. My thoughs and prayers are with them. I always worry when my kids are out and about. I would love the digital scrapbook site info. I will send you a message. My scanner is kind of old. I got a software upgrade disk about a year ago for it. I'm hoping it will be compatible with my laptop.

Sherry: Unbelievable! Great job on the weight loss. I'm hoping I'm down a lb or 2 tomorrow when I weigh in. Keep your fingers crossed. My scale was NOT happy with me this morning. I'm upping my carbs, per instructions from the group. I'm thinking that has something to do with it. Not to mention I missed 2 days of exercise this week. On the list for upping carbs though are berries. I had strawberries, 1/2 cup of them. I felt so privileged.

Sue: I can't imagine the amount of work you guys face on the farm. It sounds like a great project though. So are you going to graft any trees? Is it difficult? If it works, what fun. I wish I could find the time just to rake the old fall leaves out of my yard so my grass comes in evenly.

I'm with you on size thing. I've heard it said there's no such thing as big boned people. I totally don't believe that. I'm 5'8" tall, towering over most people. And I, too, have gotten the "you're losing too much weight thing" in the past (well years ago). When we were going through things for my DD1's scrapbook, we found a bunch of old pics of me. Can't wait to get back to that size. In the study I'm in, the docs performed a dexa scan. It's a full body scan to determine bone density, muscle and fat density. I could see that thin body below the layers of fat. There were two layers of fat, external and dense fat (ewwww so ugly). But if you pushed all that aside and just looked at the muscle around the skeleton, I looked great. I know I'm in there somewhere because I've seen it.

I need to get to work. Have a great day ladies.

[Suji]

Hey Leslie,
I just wish Ihad your leaves! (compost, ya know). Yes, I plan to graft apples in March. :-) WOw, a dexa scan--wish I could see one of me! (Except I'd probably look like a slug: not much muscle tone!) Yes, the farm is a lot of manual work cuz we are DIYers--but I love the transformation and learning new things. I call it "changing centers"--doing something different from your everyday life. Done wonders for DH's skill levels!

SHerry--thanks for posing that question cuz I'm dying to know. I don't like fatty foods other than cured meats like sausage or bacon and it sometimes gives me digestive difficulties. But it seems to kind of work on Atkins (for me). Yet, I did lose in the past with a generally vegetarian approach (Fit for Life) too the first time I did it. Second time, not such great luck. Oh, and congratulations on the downward slope!

Pam--oh so awful about the child. That is a great fear of mine.

Hi Carolyn--so GLAD to see you posting again.
We still need to hear from Fern!

Sue

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Enjoyed my day off yesterday.... Managed to get some organization done in the garage, not finished, but at least started....

Didn't eat or drink much at all yesterday.... was so busy that I just didn't think about it.... then last night DH and I went out for our Valentines dinner... Wed evening wasn't going to be possible, so we decided to go last night...

Still not many details on the death of my friends son.... Have known this kid since he was in kinder... His mom is in my Bunko group... They have a daughter who is a jr in HS.... And you are so right.. I can't even imagine, don't want to either, going through that... We have had to deal with it way too many times with friends of our kids... My DDs best friend was killed the summer after they graduated from HS and she still stuggles at times with it... I think it is every parents worst nightmare...

ITA about people being "boned" differently.... Just look at people who wear the same size and look at the different body types.... Not all are like...

Sue: can tell from your posts that you enjoy working with the ground.... I can hear the love of it in your writings...

Oh my, just saw the time........ Gotta run start getting ready.... Sorry I didn't do more personals.... Will come back tonight...

[Dreamcometru]

Hi ladies:

Pam thanks so much for the scrapbook websites. I can't wait to get started.

It's quiet in the office today. My boss is at a hearing and the two other bosses are out of town. Hopefully I can get some work done! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

I took DS to his private trombone teacher last night for his lesson. He had a lot of encouraging things to say about the solo. DS is determined to get a high score on the 24th. DS felt a little better when he left. His friend from another school who has the lesson after his score was lower than DS's so that made him feel better too. DS told the kid who got first and is now his friend that he wanted to join the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble or Conservatory Orchestra. The kid said DS is good enough to join the Portland Youth Philharmonic and to set his goals high. My DD1 used to play in the Conservatory Orchestra. It was a great experience, but the Philharmonic is the big dance. So, he's going to try out in May. DS told me last night, this is his "sport" so to speak and he wants to be the best he possibly can. WOW, quite a statement from a 15-year-old.

DD1 is submitting her grad school app this week. She was psyched because a friend she works with got into the program last year and had not so good grades and really low board scores so she was encouraged. Her grades are excellent and she scored exceptionally high on the boards. We are all keeping our fingers crossed.

Okay, enough about my kids, can you tell they are my life? I guess I need to get my own.

Sue: We are buried in leaves each year. We have three tall oak trees in our tiny backyard. The neighbors have three humongous maple trees. We haul truckloads of leaves out every year. But fall is sooo beautiful and the shade in the summer is awesome. Our little lot would not have the ambiance it does without the big maple and oak trees. I can't wait to hear about the results of the apple trees you graft. We have a maple tree down the block that is two varieties that are very apparently different. It's like a grafting gone wild, but it's the coolest tree ever.

Have a great day everyone.

[Suji]

Hey Leslie, Pam, Sherry,

I am checking in late. We have a snow day, Son3 had no school and I had to drive 50 minutes west to attend the FF luncheon. I met a lot of really nice people who were interested in having me join their mini-groups for all kinds of doings (movies, lunches, crafting, stitchery, dinners out, dinners in, etc. etc.) There were about 75 people at the lunch, a raffle for charity purposes, a drawing for who gets to take home each table arrangement, various announcements... Usually there is a speaker, but as that person was to come from Annapolis, they dissuaded them from driving out in this bad weather.
Tomorrow, unless the ice is bad, my friend H. will be by to knit in the morning.

I wish any of my boys were into music. Oh, we tried, with drum, trumpet, viola, piano, etc but it didn't stick. THey would rather not be serious about the need to practice. I want to take music lessons now with something I've never attempted; I'm torn between strings or unusual woodwinds. I play piano and played flute in school.

Wow-- I looked at the tally of what I've ordered for the farm--lots underscored. I may need to buy a new shovel. Wonder when the deliveries for mushroom soil can begin? Last year I ordered 8 cu yds and prolly will do the same this year. I have aging horse manure for last years diggings.

I sinned at the lunch--it was $21 and I made a decision to eat everything so had a small roll, 2 small potatoes and the sorbet. I will live ( immediately began to get the carb shakes!) but if I whine about not losing anything this week you have my permission to push me into a snowbank face first! Back to strict eating. (roll eyes)

TTFN!
Sue

[Pcola Girl]

I use to post in here awhile back but I guess none of you remember me or maybe you do.
Just wanted to check in and see who all is here now and get to know you all again.
Still doing my low carb thing as usual and am down a few more pounds but thats all, a few.
Not much else going on with me, just the same old stuff most days.
Will see ya later.

[Suji]

Hi Mary,

I guess we don't get to know you since you don't stay long.
I'm glad to hear that you are meeting your loss goal bit by bit.

Sue

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Just a quick note to say hello....

We are having breakfast at work today so I have to get a breakfast casserole made.... Wanted to take something i knew would be ok for me to eat....

Cold weather again here.... Not as cold as what some of you have, but cold for here anyway.... and it is that wet cold that goes right through you.... Hope you stay safe and warm...

Leslie: sounds like your DS is growing up.... Isn't it amazing when they come up with these kind of statements.... Makes you stop and think "who are you"... I remember when our DS came and told us he was dropping football his senior year, so that he could focus on school... He decided that since he planned on getting married and having a family that he would need to go to college so that he could get a job to support them... This is a child who never talked about college and only talked of going into the military.... Neither of my kids played musical instruments, but both were in choir... Each of them competed and made state choir... then there was the solo and ensemble competions each year... DS has auditioned and sung the national anthem for various events around town... Sometimes I miss those days of such involvement in their school lives...

Sue: It is easy to get a big wishlist when catalog shopping.... Your luncheon sounds so interesting.... What is "FF".....

Sherry: How is your DH doing? A coworker had hernia surgery over the christmas break.... She was out of work for 3 weeks...

Mary: Nice to meet you... I don't think I was around here when you were here before... Anyway, welcome back....

[Dreamcometru]

Good Morning everyone:

Happy Valentine's day. What a cheesy holiday. I guess it keeps Hallmark in business though. My DH got me a beautiful plant for my office. I told him NO CANDY!

I had my weigh in at my group. I was down 2.9 lbs. We were told to expect to lose one to two lbs per week, and they were right. But the cool thing is I've upped my carbs considerably (including strawberries) and still lost. But, I guess I can look at it this way. I averaged about 35 per day last week. My total for the week was something like 245. That's less than the average person consumes in one day, so that's okay.

My DS made valentines for everyone. He left the house this morning with about 30. Good grief. He's so weird sometimes.

Pam: I too am really going to miss the band concerts, competitions, and all the other stuff the kids do . I really missed being a soccer mom, football mom, softball and baseball mom. But, it's time for me to move on to do some of the things I really want to do. DH and I are planning to move in about 3 or 4 years. We have a lot of things to take care of so we can sell our house. We are looking for a piece of property up in WA. So many things to do and think about other than chasing kids around.

Mary: Pop in more often. We would love to hear how its going.

Sue: Don't worry about the cheat. Just jump back on the wagon. Drink Drink Drink lots of water. Flush those carbs out and you will be fine. Isn't it weird when ordering from a catalog. I get so carried away. I choose and choose and then when done choosing, add it all up and oops, I have gone overboard. I love catalog shopping.

Talk to you all later.
Leslie

[kayan]

Good afternoon everyone,

Surprise It's snowing here!!! Have been missing in action for a couple of days but have thought about you. I ended up working late on Monday, the evening treatment nurse went home sick and I was all ready an hour late so I ended up finishing her shift for her and yesterday was my 14 hour day.

Pam, So Sorry to hear about your friend's son. That is every parents worst nightmare. My DD2 lost one friend in junior high and 4 in high school and 1 that was seriously injured with perment damage. I know what we went through here and my heart and prayers go out to you and family & friends.

Leslie great job on your weight loss I never kept my carbs the same for any lenght of time. I tried alot of different recipe's. Carb cycling worked for me and I didn't know that I was doing it at that time.

Sherry, I actually had to stop at the evil store, not once but twice, and made it out of there with no ice cream. The first night was easy just got gas and some veggies, then I stopped in last night on the way home from work to get things stocked up for the storm and had to go get Milk which is by the ice cream case. I told my self NOT to look. but I found myself stealing a glance towards it and made my self keep on walking. telling myself don't do it. good thing no one was around they would of thought I was nuts talking to my self, or wondering Dont do what?? I remember that feeling of getting into a smaller size and how proud I felt. I also remember the panic I felt last week when my pants were TIGHT

Leslie & Carolyn Enjoy your kids time... I can't believe mine are grown up we did the whole sports, swimming and music thing. There are days when I miss that. But I have taken up quilting and swedish emboridary and get to read more.

Sue for $21 I would of made it worth it too. You do sound like you love gardening. Do you have business or is this for pleasure. I grew up on a dairy farm and we plant a small garden now for fresh veggies in the summer.
DD1 has actually gone back to school. She goes to Rutegars (sp) in New Jersy for land scape architect and design and LOVES it. She had graduated from Smith College with a degree in Behavorial neuro science and was miserable. She has one more year left there.

I think the whole state of Maine is shut down today, I lucked out and didn't have to work today or tomorrow. The first storm I have "missed" this year. I travel about 30 miles to work.

I also consider myself to be big boned, I never would of dreamed that I would ever fit into a size 6 jean, mind you ,they are Lee's medium, but a size 6
and I will take that. For 30 years of my life I was a yo-yo dieter, you all know the story, 10 lbs over weight, lose the 10, gain 20, lose 20, gain 30, etc etc till you weigh more than when you were 9 mos pregnant.

Mary, Welcome Hope to get to know you


Everyone keep warm and safe

Kayan