Tweakers United June 09: JUDDD, Fast-Five, OSMF and other non-conformists - Page 3

shunsweets · 06-19-2009, 06:41 PM

I'm not a good traveler, so my world adventures are done via books, music, the internet. How lucky your daughter is to see china MBB!

Emandm My teacher daughter is counting the days too. Today was her last and she's heading out next week taking her assistants to Gettysburg for a few days to thank them for their work this year. The other teacher daughter is on maternity leave, getting some sleep and treasuring her new baby. She is a wonderful mother who really grabs each moment as precious as you do with your girls.

Daisey

So sad to read of your loss. My dear MIL is 89 and still quite a character. I know I'll miss her dreadfully if I outlive her - she has been part of my life for so long.

Wallaby Another Hesse fan.

I'm happy to hear our "tweaker speak" has spread so well. I admire all the Judders. It's a plan that requires dedication.

Kisha I'm contemplating a trip to the Dr too but dread trying to speak up and get what I need. Best of luck to you - I'm sure you'll be sucessful!

I'm still fast5ing with VLC (we're buddies MBB!). Maintaining with no problem with a few minor tweaks. Exercising most days and trying to destress. Cut down to just one overtime shift a week - we're OK again financially and DH is feeling much better

. Life is good!

EmandM · 06-20-2009, 07:51 AM

SS - glad your DD is settling in with a new routine. It's fun being on mat leave. How nice of your other DD to take her assistants out to thank them. Maybe I should think about doing that (I only have one, and she is only in my class for 2 - 3 periods a week).

MBB - wow, China! I have been to South Africa and England, never to the Orient. DH's family is from Tawain but he has no desire to visit. Maybe when our girls are older.

Wallaby - my MIL was Buddhist. Beautiful religion.

Kisha - what approach will you take with the doc? Do you have to be aggressive or is she a "catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar" kind of a person?

I am posting on the CAD thread too as now that I have settled into a Fast 1 or Fast 2, I can relate to some of those ladies as well. But don't worry, I have not abandonned my tweakers! I know you ladies a lot better! I didn't want you thinking I was betraying you!

I am off to a family reunion (sans my two sisters, go figure) in the pouring rain. It is a 2.5 hour drive but worth it to see my parents and my favourite aunt and uncle, who I haven't seen in a couple of years (they live on the East Coast, in Antigonish, Halifax for those who know Canada). The food will be ridiculous there. Haven't eaten yet and plan to only have a 1-2 hour window to minimize the damage (yeah, right)! I will check in later tonight when we are back.

Hope the weather is better where you are! Have a great day!

wallaby · 06-21-2009, 11:26 AM

Hmmm, we seem to have a lot of connections on this thread. My DD is in year #3 of Mandarin and will be going to China next year with her school. Her plan is to spend her "gap year" there between h.s. and college in a couple of years. Such an important place to be "close" to! I do want to get there before too long. (But not before I get to India! ) I've done europe and latin america, but nothing in asia.

I'm having a hard time with eating at the moment. For some reason, the heat is making me hungrier!

EmandM · 06-21-2009, 11:38 AM

Wallaby - that is an amazing opportunity for your DD. Are you Asian? I'm curious as to her interest in learning Mandarin. Most people in Canada speak French (that's the equivalent to Spanish for Americans) but a lot of people interested in the business world take Mandarin classes. My DH's mom used to teach it aside from her regular job, and her clients were usually white men (a few lawyers, but mostly businessmen) and Asian kids, who dropped out of Chinese school and later realized they should learn how to speak/read/or write it a little better! lol

We are on the fence about what to do with our kids. Since they are half Asian, half white, I want them to experience both cultures. I took French immersion in school (so I am fully bilingual Fr/Eng) but I would willingly send them to Chinese school on the weekend, but DH doesn't want to do that to them (he hated it)! So not sure yet!

Sorry about your eating being off track. I am following Fast-5 but it's more like Fast-1 or Fast-2. I pretty much fast during the day (and am truly not hungry) and then I eat my calories at night. The benefits are similar to JUDDD and it opens up for social engagements which i have a ton of these days (so I don't have to worry about DD's). I just have to make sure I get enough calories in! lol Sounds funny, but it's true! Is there something else going on with you? Maybe emotionally that is making you a bit off-center with your eating? I know with me, when my eating is out of control it means something in my life is out of order (not in an a.nal, controlling way, but it means something is bothering me, I'm stressed, overwhelmed etc) and i look to fix that first. THen my eating sort of falls into place.

maizenbluebabe · 06-21-2009, 02:28 PM

Pam, there is often no rhyme nor reason to why some people become interested in a certain culture, although I, too, want to know the history of why wallaby's daughter is into Mandarin Chinese. Frinstance, our YDD who is now in China decided when she was at UM to major in Indonesian culture and language. (I have NEVER figured that out! ) Mind you, Alice is a person almost 5'9" with snow white skin and red gold hair (when younger) and huge blue eyes. She has spent a lot of time in Indonesia and speaks the language perfectly and is taller than most Indonesians and so when she goes, it is quite a "culture shock" for the locals to see this very pale Western looking person speaking their language so well. A few years ago, she and I were driving from Laguna Beach to Berkley and stopped at a beachside juicejoint to get some drinks and a huge old American car pulled in and a whole bunch of very small people tumbled out and Alice exclaimed, "OH, MOM! Indonesians!" And went running up to them greeting them warmly and sure enough they were originally from Kuta (Bali) where she recently had spent several months working on an AIDS project. First they were astonished at her and then they started beaming and it was like old home week.

I do hope your girls will become interested in their father's culture--even though Taiwan is "modern" and has had to struggle to keep its independence, it is still part of one of the oldest and most highly sophisticated cultures on earth and I envy those who have been able to travel there. Except for Turkey and 10 days in Japan, I have only been in England and Europe and so suspect that I will not make it to China or India--at least in this incarnation--although they fascinate me, as does South America.

HEY, it is fun to be free to talk about things like this and not have to stick to just weight loss stuff.

Hooray for Tweaking!

Since this is Father's Day, in addition to some other stuff, I gave my dear husband his favorite gift for any occasion--TWO APPLE PIES! (Joy of Cooking recipe) As you can imagine, I dont bake them often given my own food plans/choices but always do this for him when I want to give him something special to let him know how much I love him. I did have one small piece (just to make sure they are fit to eat

) but that is all I will have.

maizenbluebabe · 06-21-2009, 07:55 PM

Oh Dasiey, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother-in-law. Please give your husband my sincerest sympathy as well as the rest of your family. What a sad thing she could not have been here to welcome that dear new little baby Lydia coming so soon. These things are often beyond our understanding but the passage of time and recalling the happy memories will often bring comfort as I hope it will for all of you.

maizenbluebabe · 06-21-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

What wonderful correspondence she sent you! And she gets to see the PANDAS!!! awesome.

Oh Kisha, I am so glad you enjoyed her comments. Here follows her remarks after seeing the pandas. I hope you will enjoy them, too.

"Eric and I went to see the pandas today. Omigosh they are every inch as cute as you might think. They are very well cared for and kept in very good circumstances. The park itself is beautiful, like all such places we have visited here are. It is heavily planted with bamboo, and in the cleared areas there are a lot of roses (which grow beautifully here).

"The panda cubs are very playful and just hilarious. I couldn't make them funnier if I were Walt Disney. They tumble about and bite each others ears. Sometimes one wants a game badly, and the other one just sleeps and sleeps. They are very good at sleeping, dozing and lazing."

wallaby · 06-21-2009, 09:12 PM

EmandM, you are probably right that I'm eating - or rather FEEL like eating - more than usual because of "stuff' going on. At this moment, I've got a handle on family life and feel like everyone is in a good space - but wouldn't you know it, my work life has blown up.

(IS there a rule somewhere that says work and home life can not be copacetic at the same time?) Multiple projects and deadlines - which I am NEVER good at since I'm truly a Tweaker through and through.

My family is italian. No asian heritage at all. But we definitely have a family culture that celebrates our "global village". My DD has many people in her life who travel and work internationally, including an aunt who speaks 11 languages, and has worked in Africa and Southeast Asia for more than 25 years. And another aunt who has done humanitarian work in Latin America and Africa. DH's work also includes international travel, and we regularly entertain people from all over. My guess is that Mandarin is DD's way of maintaining a family culture, while breaking new ground (since china is not in the family repertoire, yet!)

Maizen, it's fascinating that your DD would dive into Indonesia!!

Em, DDs teacher is Taiwanese as well. I highly encourage you to have your children do the Chinese lessons (in our area, we have Saturday Chinese school). . what a gift they would have! So much easier to learn now than later - which you know. I'm sure your DH hated it, and maybe your kids won't enjoy it either. (Really, so what? they will thank you for it in the future!) I would bet too that the lessons have changed since your DH was a child. Would be worth checking out at the very least. ( Oops, apologies for getting bossy here! I do that sometimes....)

Dasiey, I'm so sorry I missed the reference to you MIL. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

EmandM · 06-22-2009, 08:30 AM

Hi ladies,

MBB - how great of your DD. What wonderful experiences and I can just imagine the surprise of the Indonesians when she started speaking fluently. DH always gets that way when a non-Asian speaks fluent Asian. I had to laugh at your testing of the apple pie. It reminds me of my dad, who loves sweets, and is often sampling while the cake/pie/cookie is being made. My stepmother growls and he says "I have to make sure no one gets poisoned!"

Wallaby - I totally agree with you about Chinese school for my girls. There's nothing to say they can't learn French and Mandarin. I think I can get DH on board easily enough. I love the term "global village" I use that with my students (who are mostly South and East Asian). You are not being bossy at all! lol You are right!

Also, in answer to your question about life, yes, it is always chaotic! When family is good, friends or work are not etc. I guess in a weird way it is sort of balanced! lol I always look at my life to see if it's balanced. It starts with me. Am I balanced physically, spiritually, emotionally etc. I find when I am, everything is in place and I am much calmer. When my eating is out of control it is a sign that something isn't balanced, so I figure out what it is and get back on track. I do a lot of talking to myself and to a higher power (very similar to the way AA members seek a higher power for help). I am actually not religious at all (nothing against it, just never took to it personally) but I am very spiritual and believe in something (some call it a God) that is bigger than me.

I am doing well on my plan. I am doing a Fast-1 I guess, but not stressing if I eat past my window. I feel very balanced (could be this relaxing time of year for me)! It is much easier for me not to have DD's since I have social eating events every night this week! The Fast 1-2 or whatever it ends up being is more suited to this and my weight is holding steady in my maintenance range. Life is good!

Ilpirata · 06-22-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

Oh Kisha, I am so glad you enjoyed her comments. Here follows her remarks after seeing the pandas. I hope you will enjoy them, too.

"Eric and I went to see the pandas today. Omigosh they are every inch as cute as you might think. They are very well cared for and kept in very good circumstances. The park itself is beautiful, like all such places we have visited here are. It is heavily planted with bamboo, and in the cleared areas there are a lot of roses (which grow beautifully here).

"The panda cubs are very playful and just hilarious. I couldn't make them funnier if I were Walt Disney. They tumble about and bite each others ears. Sometimes one wants a game badly, and the other one just sleeps and sleeps. They are very good at sleeping, dozing and lazing."

OMG! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

maizenbluebabe · 06-22-2009, 09:47 AM

wallaby and Em&M, WOW! I am sitting here reading your latest posts and thinking how lucky I am that we have found each other in this vast world of internet BB's and threads. I too know that when my world is balanced; when that special "orderliness" is in effect, there is balance in my eating and my attitude toward my body and the fuel I give it and in my feelings about life in general. Sometimes I feel like I am out-of-control and in a chaotic state of mind and then my eating can easily go to hell and my weight along with it.

The Dine (Navajo is a white man's term for them) have a wonderful philosophy (part of their religious belief) of hoz roi or hozho (spelled various ways) which is very like the balance you have referred to. It means being in harmony with life, being in a state of order with the Earth who is our Mother and with our fellow human beings in a spiritual sense. And when I do my own self-talk, I remind myself of the need to walk in beauty in my heart and in harmony in my head. It is often easier said than done, but I can tell when I am doing it.

Right now I am struggling--not so much with my weight, but with the tasks I must accomplish around our place this summer. They are many and mundane and seemingly unending and there are days when I feel I am not making much progress. Yet, these things must be done and they are my responsibility alone and they will result in a much more harmonious environment for us. So I have to keep plugging away and not give up.

Pam, your girls will probably feel negative about Chinese School from time to time--it is the nature of children to feel too "restricted" when they must yet do "more studying" of something/anything (especially in their precious "spare time") but as wallaby so wisely points out, when they are adults, they will bless you for it--and actually, so will John and his family despite his feelings of not wanting to "burden" his girls with more study. In your heart, you know he will be proud that his children have the wonderful privilege of knowing of their very special Chinese heritage. And as wallaby also points out, learning a foreign language is much easier when you are young and unencumbered with complex reactions/fears to learning something new.

And as well, as wallaby's daughter clearly recognizes, this century we are now living in is often called the Era of The Pacific Rim--this will become even more true as time goes on and there will be great need for people informed in the cultures and languages of that part of the world. When I was at the University of Miami, ALL of my Colombian friends had studied at least 3 foreign languages (besides their own native tongue of Spanish!) We here in the USA have long held the general attitude that if we know English, everyone in the "truly civilized world" OUGHT to speak it too and OUGHT to understand us. This is a sad attitude. Studying Spanish in high school and college and later, Norwegian and Old Norse gave me a window into other people, their arts and cultures that is invaluable.

(Several times I would have a Freshman student/counselee at U of M who on registration day would say when we planned their course load , "what do I need to study a Foreign Language in college for--I am going to be a lawyer/doctor/engineer, etc." At first it left me kind of speechless, but then I pointed out that knowledge of a foreign language AND culture was a necessary part of a "liberal arts education." Most of them got it then.)

We truly do live in The Global Village now and those who cannot embrace this fact are going to be left behind. (And think of all the great food they will be depriving themselves of!

)

Meanwhile, LOW CARB FOREVER!

maizenbluebabe · 06-22-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

OMG! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Glad you enjoyed the panda stories, Kisha. They will start home tomorrow. It will take a full 24 hours door to door--exhausting for me to even think about!

You know, I have a feeling you are "one of us" in more than just your dietary focus! I know from some of your past posts about some of the conferences you have attended that you too feel the need for balance and harmony in all the aspects of your life. And I think that is one reason I always value your participation here. You see The Big Picture, too!

maizenbluebabe · 06-22-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shunsweets

I'm not a good traveler, so my world adventures are done via books, music, the internet. How lucky your daughter is to see china MBB!

Emandm My teacher daughter is counting the days too. Today was her last and she's heading out next week taking her assistants to Gettysburg for a few days to thank them for their work this year. The other teacher daughter is on maternity leave, getting some sleep and treasuring her new baby. She is a wonderful mother who really grabs each moment as precious as you do with your girls.

Daisey

So sad to read of your loss. My dear MIL is 89 and still quite a character. I know I'll miss her dreadfully if I outlive her - she has been part of my life for so long.

Wallaby Another Hesse fan.

I'm happy to hear our "tweaker speak" has spread so well. I admire all the Judders. It's a plan that requires dedication.

Kisha I'm contemplating a trip to the Dr too but dread trying to speak up and get what I need. Best of luck to you - I'm sure you'll be sucessful!

I'm still fast5ing with VLC (we're buddies MBB!). Maintaining with no problem with a few minor tweaks. Exercising most days and trying to destress. Cut down to just one overtime shift a week - we're OK again financially and DH is feeling much better

. Life is good!

SS, some people like you can travel more effectively in their heads than certain others who actually go on a "tour" and are intellectually/emotionally deaf and blind to the culture they are visiting! (I have personally experienced people like that so I know they exist and it has nothing to do with socio-economic status, either.

)

When DD had her baby and was scheduled to go back to teaching when baby was 6 months old, she was not ready to give up that 24 hour a day contact and suffered "separation anxiety" for several weeks despite the fine day care situation she had. Young mothers today are under so many pressures--I admire them tremendously!

Like you and Kisha, I also need to make an appt with my doctor--just a check-up, but know he and I will not agree on some things so that makes me delay going. Dumb of me, I know.

VLC and FF (or F1 or whatever works on that day) seem just made for each other. This way is so simple for me too, I dont obsess about food and can relax more this way because I get to have supper every night and I am fortunately not hungry early in the day. And lunch is usually sooo satisfying--eggs and a sausage patty; a combination I love.

SO GLAD you are at a point where you dont have to do so much shift work--and how great that Bruce is doing so well and you can both enjoy your lovely place in summer on the Delaware AND the wonderful new baby.

dasiey · 06-22-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

Oh Dasiey, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother-in-law. Please give your husband my sincerest sympathy as well as the rest of your family. What a sad thing she could not have been here to welcome that dear new little baby Lydia coming so soon. These things are often beyond our understanding but the passage of time and recalling the happy memories will often bring comfort as I hope it will for all of you.

thank you all for your kind words

Ilpirata · 06-22-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

Glad you enjoyed the panda stories, Kisha. They will start home tomorrow. It will take a full 24 hours door to door--exhausting for me to even think about!

You know, I have a feeling you are "one of us" in more than just your dietary focus! I know from some of your past posts about some of the conferences you have attended that you too feel the need for balance and harmony in all the aspects of your life. And I think that is one reason I always value your participation here. You see The Big Picture, too!

O yes ma'am! My parents were hippies and ya know what they say about the apple? It would be impossible for me to delve into all of my spiritual beliefs... but suffice it to say that I have them (thank god) and if it weren't for that I would truly be lost in this world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

SS, some people like you can travel more effectively in their heads than certain others who actually go on a "tour" and are intellectually/emotionally deaf and blind to the culture they are visiting! (I have personally experienced people like that so I know they exist and it has nothing to do with socio-economic status, either.

)

When DD had her baby and was scheduled to go back to teaching when baby was 6 months old, she was not ready to give up that 24 hour a day contact and suffered "separation anxiety" for several weeks despite the fine day care situation she had. Young mothers today are under so many pressures--I admire them tremendously!

Like you and Kisha, I also need to make an appt with my doctor--just a check-up, but know he and I will not agree on some things so that makes me delay going. Dumb of me, I know.

VLC and FF (or F1 or whatever works on that day) seem just made for each other. This way is so simple for me too, I dont obsess about food and can relax more this way because I get to have supper every night and I am fortunately not hungry early in the day. And lunch is usually sooo satisfying--eggs and a sausage patty; a combination I love.

SO GLAD you are at a point where you dont have to do so much shift work--and how great that Bruce is doing so well and you can both enjoy your lovely place in summer on the Delaware AND the wonderful new baby.

VLC and ZC DO seem to naturally head towards F5 and/or F1 I have often heard the ZCers saying that they naturally end up eating only once per day. Do please go to the doctor! Its so easy to procrastinate these things... but so not worth it! This time I waited way too long and things were so messed up by the time I got in there.

The good news is that my DOCTOR doubled my Armour Thyroid and I am oh so hopefull that i will now be optimized and feeling better. i should be feeling better within a week on the meds increase and able to lose weight again!

yaay!

dasiey · 06-22-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

O yes ma'am! My parents were hippies and ya know what they say about the apple? It would be impossible for me to delve into all of my spiritual beliefs... but suffice it to say that I have them (thank god) and if it weren't for that I would truly be lost in this world.

VLC and ZC DO seem to naturally head towards F5 and/or F1 I have often heard the ZCers saying that they naturally end up eating only once per day. Do please go to the doctor! Its so easy to procrastinate these things... but so not worth it! This time I waited way too long and things were so messed up by the time I got in there.

The good news is that my DOCTOR doubled my Armour Thyroid and I am oh so hopefull that i will now be optimized and feeling better. i should be feeling better within a week on the meds increase and able to lose weight again!

yaay!

that would be so sweet......

shunsweets · 06-22-2009, 04:48 PM

Oh I'm so glad to read everyone's posts and feel the "spirit" of our thread return.

Emandm One more voice to encourage the Chinese school.

We are an international group in my family. My sister married a Canadian guy she met at the U of Hawaii and their adopted son went to french school until grade 7 so is now as an adult perfectly bilingual. I was so jealous and wished my kids could have had that opportunity. Meanwhile in our family my DH is Canadian, my SIL#1 is British (she met him at Oxford on a junior year abroad program), my SIL#2 is Canadian but his Dad is Hungarian so he speaks english, french, and hungarian, so my son is the next question but curiously the only serious relationships he's had have been with Asian girls - he became enamored with that culture after a year in Korea with the army. And me, well my spirit is closest to my Native American ancestry. Wow what a mouthful! I told you once we are a motley crew.

Wallaby I have found it to be absolutely true that when we finally get the family life settled work will definitely fall apart. But heck family is so much more diifficult and important so you are way ahead!

Kisha I'm so glad to hear that your Dr appt went well! I scheduled one for next week and am absolutely dreading it. I somehow lose my ability to communicate and become passive and stupid when put in the patient role. I don't get it because as a nurse I fight with Drs all the time to get the best for my patients, but when I'm the patient I become totally shy, ineffective, and nervous. My DH has actually gone with me to appts because I become so upset. He is going to go with me next week as well. Maybe I truely have a phobia about Docs because I've seen too much, but I admire your ability to get what you need and I'm going to use you as my inspiration for next week.

MBB You are so kind and completely understood my version of travel. I have been everywhere via study, film, art, ect. My children are great world travelers and are always amazed when I ask them about specific persons, places, and cultures they have visited and say How did you know that Mom? I always feel badly that I don't travel well as I think it really is such a growth experience but you made me feel that there is some merit to doing my travel intellectually - thank you. It's another weak spot for me.

Heck it must be confess my limitations day for me.

Dasiey Hope all is well. When is that grandbaby due? It's the best Dasiey. You're going to love, love, love being a grandma!

Today I walked in the park with my standard poodle. She's sickly so we walked slowly and didn't mother nature decide to open the skies with a 15 minute downpour just as we were far from home. The dog looked at me like "why now Mom?" and tried to crawl between my legs. So we ducked under a tree and I protected her with my body and somehow for a moment we were warm and happy and in touch with nature. Then the rain stopped and we were simply a wet smelly dog and a shivering human. Not much exercise but a touching moment that is staying with me tonight.

Tweakers.

shunsweets · 06-22-2009, 05:01 PM

Forgot to mention the father's day celebrations. The filet mignon on the grill (in the pouring rain) was divine. The shrimp was fresh and delicious. The board game bonanza quite spirited and competitive - yes even when it was Chutes and Ladders for the little ones. The fathers were duly homored and the mothers and wives happily secure in the knowlege that we are the ones in charge. And that baby! That glorious, warm, loved baby! Ah life is good.

But there was no apple pie MBB! Now that would have been the perfect finishing touch! We settled for a cheesy Acme cookie cake that said Happy Father's Day in garish red icing (no temptation there for me - I ate flavored whipped cream).

dasiey · 06-22-2009, 05:05 PM

Shunsweets, 4 more weeks and 1 day. I can't wait.
Baby Lydia Grace. She will be a grandmas girl
for sure......

EmandM · 06-23-2009, 07:41 AM

Daisey - I completely missed your post about MIL too. I am so sorry for your loss. How is your DH doing? Did you get along well with her? My DH's mom died a month before the twins were born. We didn't always get along very well as we lived with her for too long. But once we got our own place our relationship really improved and then she passed away suddenly from an aneurysm at 61. Very sad times.

SS - Hi!

I loved the story about you and your doggie in the rain! So sweet. Wow, you have a very multicultural family! My grandparents were South African, British and American. My parents met at Oxford too! My one gramps is a physicist and he was teaching over there. My dad was his student and gramps thought he'd like my mom (also a scientist, she ended up teaching science). So gramps introduces his favourite student (he and my dad ended up writing a book together, something about enzymes, the science gene skipped my generation) to his daughter and the rest is history (they later settled in Canada after attending another University here together).

Kisha - yay you about getting your armour doubled! Did you have to put up a big fight?

MBB - it is pretty amazing how connected we all are in some ways, and obviously why we are all still posting on the Tweaker thread even though most of us are doing different plans at the moment! lol I love the idea of balance. It is very calming for me and it's an easy sign to read when something isn't going right (as it manifests in my food or how I feel about my body). So if I wake up one day and feel fat, (even though I weighed the same yesterday) or I pinch some flab on my belly when looking in the mirror, or I think about just blowing the day and eating whatever, I go to a quiet place in my house and chat to myself and ask for help in figuring out what I need. I read somewhere about long ago when the Gods were creating people. They didn't want the people to have the same "powers" or spirituality as the Gods so they dicussed where they could hide them. They contemplated the sea, or the earth but they feared those were too easy and people could find them. So one of the Gods said "I know, let's hide it deep within each person, they will never look there." So they did, and those of us who look within ourselves are able to find it. I love that story. Now I am not talking about being perfect or pious. It's not about that, it's about being aware and compassionate, and that is what I try and teach my students, and children, so I need to walk the walk! lol

dasiey · 06-23-2009, 12:44 PM

thankks EmandM yes she was my MIL longer then my mother was alive.
Always treated like I was one of her own. She told me that my daughter was one of the best people she has every met. And she was so proud to have her for her granddaughter she said don't tell anyone but shes my favorite. That made me cry and very proud at the same time.

EmandM · 06-23-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasiey

thankks EmandM yes she was my MIL longer then my mother was alive.
Always treated like I was one of her own. She told me that my daughter was one of the best people she has every met. And she was so proud to have her for her granddaughter she said don't tell anyone but shes my favorite. That made me cry and very proud at the same time.

That is so very sweet. What a touching thing to have her say. The only thing my MIL said was that I was the prettiest of all the families! lol I'll take that I guess, but I'd rather be the favourite!

maizenbluebabe · 06-23-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

O yes ma'am! My parents were hippies and ya know what they say about the apple? It would be impossible for me to delve into all of my spiritual beliefs... but suffice it to say that I have them (thank god) and if it weren't for that I would truly be lost in this world.

VLC and ZC DO seem to naturally head towards F5 and/or F1 I have often heard the ZCers saying that they naturally end up eating only once per day. Do please go to the doctor! Its so easy to procrastinate these things... but so not worth it! This time I waited way too long and things were so messed up by the time I got in there.

The good news is that my DOCTOR doubled my Armour Thyroid and I am oh so hopefull that i will now be optimized and feeling better. i should be feeling better within a week on the meds increase and able to lose weight again!

yaay!

YAY KISHA!

(On ALL counts!)

(And thanks for the nudge--my yearly check up is scheduled for 2 weeks from now.)

Keep us informed how you are feeling now that the Armour dosage is up. You have been so faithful all during this crummy slow-down and we want to hear that you are feeling better and beginning to be rewarded for your determination so we can all do The Dance of Joy for you.

Today, I did VLC again and really was surprised when it was 4 Pm and all I had had a was a cup of coffee so then I came into the house and fixed a good LC dinner ( a steak and couple pieces of fresh cauliflower and a little bowl of plain Fage yogurt for dessert and that was IT for me for the day.)

maizenbluebabe · 06-23-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasiey

thankks EmandM yes she was my MIL longer then my mother was alive.
Always treated like I was one of her own. She told me that my daughter was one of the best people she has every met. And she was so proud to have her for her granddaughter she said don't tell anyone but shes my favorite. That made me cry and very proud at the same time.

OH Dasiey, you were SO LUCKY! What a dear loving heart she must have had--a TRUE mother's heart. And what a wonderful thing she said to you about your daughter.

I am so sorry she could not have been with you longer.

My MIL died 4 years ago, lived until 90 and she was a very good woman, active in her church and highly respected. She raised 4 boys and was a good mother and she and I never had a cross word nor did she ever make trouble for me in any way.

BUT she was very reserved (one SIL has called her "cold") and had no desire to be a "mother" to me or any of her other 3 DILs. Maybe being the mother only of boys didnt give her the experience to be motherly toward women. Anyhow, I do miss her because she was a good person who didnt meddle, but not because she treated me with great love or any understanding sympathy when my own beloved mother died 28 years ago and my heart was broken.

dasiey · 06-24-2009, 07:59 AM

the one regret is she didn't get to see her frist great grand daughter. baby Lydia. my son was hoping she would. so sad she wanted to see her as well. I guess she will from heaven. along with her aunt Lydia. lets not talk about this anymore. you all are so gr8.

wallaby · 06-24-2009, 07:05 PM

to Dasiey and all. I love this group. I imagine our lurkers scratching their heads and wondering what the heck we're all doing. But seriously... good social connections and balanced living are the ideal foundation for any weight loss program!

And I say balanced living includes an occasional foray into things like the strawberry rhubarb pie that enjoyed last night. (admittedly, a little more than my share, but it's the season!

)

Right now I'm nursing a ridiculous sunburn! How stupid of me, sitting poolside for 4 hrs w/out sunscreen. I have Mediterranean skin and so rarely burn - but still I should know better!! I slathered my children up, but today I just blanked on my own protection. (big question is, what the heck am I gonna wear to work tomorrow - what won't hurt?!

And Kisha - hope your new prescription is exactly the re-start button you needed to hit.

EmandM · 06-24-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallaby

: Right now I'm nursing a ridiculous sunburn! How stupid of me, sitting poolside for 4 hrs w/out sunscreen. I have Mediterranean skin and so rarely burn - but still I should know better!! I slathered my children up, but today I just blanked on my own protection. (big question is, what the heck am I gonna wear to work tomorrow - what won't hurt?!
.

Oh no Wallaby! Those hurt. I had so many sunburns as a child before we knew about skin cancer etc. I am very careful in the sun. In fact my entire school makes fun of me because on track and field day, play day or anytime I am outside I bring my fuschia rain umbrella for shade! Let em laugh, I am the one that looks 25 when I am 35! lol Seriously though I am very fair and will burn even with SPF 30 or higher if I am outside for more than a few minutes. I get my 15 a day for Vitamin D and then I run for cover!

shunsweets · 06-25-2009, 11:58 AM

Ah Wallaby Strawberry rhubarb pie! I have giant rhubarb out in the yard (the only thing I can grow) and I'm going out to cut it this afternoon. You've given me then yen for it. My mom used to send us out in the yard with little dixie cups of sugar and let us pick the rhubarb dip it in the cup and take a bite. We happily ate stalks of rhubarb without bothering her to cook. She always said the leaves were poisonous. Don't know if that's true or if she just didn't want us to eat them. We broke them off and put them in the "compost heap".

Sunburn is the pits Wallaby. Hope you're alright and not in pain.

Emandm You have the right idea and I bet you look like a sweet southern belle (way up there in Canada!) with your little sun parasol. Are you enjoying being off work? Settled in to the joys of summer? Saw you said your fast 1-2 is very much like CAD. Don't know that program but it makes sense that 1 meal a day would be a "reward" meal! Glad it's working for you.

I'm facing a dietary challenge this week. Got to "carb up" for some medical tests. Scary. I'll let you know how it goes.

Off work today so nothing but chores! Still there is peace and balance in the routine of cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, banking, taking the car to the shop(OK no peace on this one. I hate car trouble.) I guess it's all part of making a home a safe and comfortable place. Wouldn't mind it a bit if I didn't have to work 50 hours a week outside of the home! Sometimes I think the women's liberation movement really screwed those of us who enjoy homemaking and parenting by driving changes in our economy that now force most women into the workplace if they want to survive financially. I should have been in my grandmother's generation. I have an old soul.

Dasiey Only 1 month to go until the new baby! What a joy! Kinda puts all the little annoyances of life in their proper perspective when we encounter such an overwhelming joy.

Yes as Maizen so wisely points out it is all about balance in our lives and recognizing priorities. So enjoy the day tweakers! It's unique like each of you!

Ilpirata · 06-25-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

YAY KISHA!

(On ALL counts!)

(And thanks for the nudge--my yearly check up is scheduled for 2 weeks from now.)

Keep us informed how you are feeling now that the Armour dosage is up. You have been so faithful all during this crummy slow-down and we want to hear that you are feeling better and beginning to be rewarded for your determination so we can all do The Dance of Joy for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallaby

And Kisha - hope your new prescription is exactly the re-start button you needed to hit.

WELL, I feel a frikking million times better already! It truly is amazing. by day two on the increased meds I felt like my old self again. Last night I was packing for a weekend outing and looking around my room I realized I haven't picked up in there or even HUNG UP MY CLOTHES for at least a month! The fatigue and almost depression just snuck up on me and looking at that I realized how very poorly I had been funcitoning. NEedless to say I spent an hour tidying up... and reflecting on how grateful I am to know what is wrong with me - and to have a doctor that knows how to fix it!

My gosh the thyroid really IS nothing to mess with! I never knew ANYTHING about thyroid until mine broke... and honestly if it weren't for LCF I doubt I ever would have known what was wrong with me. I would have given up long long long ago and probably weight three hundred pounds by now.

LCF!

wallaby · 06-25-2009, 05:46 PM

My sunburn is still smarting. And so is my good sense! But I'm doing OK - I think since I'm always drinking water anyway on this WOE (JUDDD) that I staved off some of the nasty side affects of sunburn. (The dehydration, achiness, fever, etc.)

EmandM, my DD too is extremely fair - porcelain skin, blue eyes, auburn hair - and is not shy at all about carrying a parasol (chinese of course!), wearing long sleeves and giant sunglasses whenever she has to be outside for more than 10 min. For that i'm grateful.

Shunsweets I remember chewing on rhubarb as a kid as well. And yes I remember the leaves being off limits. Mmmm, so many good rhubarb desserts!

06-19-2009, 06:41 PM	#61
shunsweets Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,013 Gallery: shunsweets Stats: maintenance WOE: Bernstein, NK Start Date: May 2003	I'm not a good traveler, so my world adventures are done via books, music, the internet. How lucky your daughter is to see china MBB! Emandm My teacher daughter is counting the days too. Today was her last and she's heading out next week taking her assistants to Gettysburg for a few days to thank them for their work this year. The other teacher daughter is on maternity leave, getting some sleep and treasuring her new baby. She is a wonderful mother who really grabs each moment as precious as you do with your girls. Daisey So sad to read of your loss. My dear MIL is 89 and still quite a character. I know I'll miss her dreadfully if I outlive her - she has been part of my life for so long. Wallaby Another Hesse fan. I'm happy to hear our "tweaker speak" has spread so well. I admire all the Judders. It's a plan that requires dedication. Kisha I'm contemplating a trip to the Dr too but dread trying to speak up and get what I need. Best of luck to you - I'm sure you'll be sucessful! I'm still fast5ing with VLC (we're buddies MBB!). Maintaining with no problem with a few minor tweaks. Exercising most days and trying to destress. Cut down to just one overtime shift a week - we're OK again financially and DH is feeling much better. Life is good!

06-22-2009, 09:47 AM	#71
maizenbluebabe Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Georgia Mountains Posts: 1,366 Gallery: maizenbluebabe Stats: 182.0/168.4/150 WOE: LowCarb, JUDDD Start Date: June 08	wallaby and Em&M, WOW! I am sitting here reading your latest posts and thinking how lucky I am that we have found each other in this vast world of internet BB's and threads. I too know that when my world is balanced; when that special "orderliness" is in effect, there is balance in my eating and my attitude toward my body and the fuel I give it and in my feelings about life in general. Sometimes I feel like I am out-of-control and in a chaotic state of mind and then my eating can easily go to hell and my weight along with it. The Dine (Navajo is a white man's term for them) have a wonderful philosophy (part of their religious belief) of hoz roi or hozho (spelled various ways) which is very like the balance you have referred to. It means being in harmony with life, being in a state of order with the Earth who is our Mother and with our fellow human beings in a spiritual sense. And when I do my own self-talk, I remind myself of the need to walk in beauty in my heart and in harmony in my head. It is often easier said than done, but I can tell when I am doing it. Right now I am struggling--not so much with my weight, but with the tasks I must accomplish around our place this summer. They are many and mundane and seemingly unending and there are days when I feel I am not making much progress. Yet, these things must be done and they are my responsibility alone and they will result in a much more harmonious environment for us. So I have to keep plugging away and not give up. Pam, your girls will probably feel negative about Chinese School from time to time--it is the nature of children to feel too "restricted" when they must yet do "more studying" of something/anything (especially in their precious "spare time") but as wallaby so wisely points out, when they are adults, they will bless you for it--and actually, so will John and his family despite his feelings of not wanting to "burden" his girls with more study. In your heart, you know he will be proud that his children have the wonderful privilege of knowing of their very special Chinese heritage. And as wallaby also points out, learning a foreign language is much easier when you are young and unencumbered with complex reactions/fears to learning something new. And as well, as wallaby's daughter clearly recognizes, this century we are now living in is often called the Era of The Pacific Rim--this will become even more true as time goes on and there will be great need for people informed in the cultures and languages of that part of the world. When I was at the University of Miami, ALL of my Colombian friends had studied at least 3 foreign languages (besides their own native tongue of Spanish!) We here in the USA have long held the general attitude that if we know English, everyone in the "truly civilized world" OUGHT to speak it too and OUGHT to understand us. This is a sad attitude. Studying Spanish in high school and college and later, Norwegian and Old Norse gave me a window into other people, their arts and cultures that is invaluable. (Several times I would have a Freshman student/counselee at U of M who on registration day would say when we planned their course load , "what do I need to study a Foreign Language in college for--I am going to be a lawyer/doctor/engineer, etc." At first it left me kind of speechless, but then I pointed out that knowledge of a foreign language AND culture was a necessary part of a "liberal arts education." Most of them got it then.) We truly do live in The Global Village now and those who cannot embrace this fact are going to be left behind. (And think of all the great food they will be depriving themselves of! ) Meanwhile, LOW CARB FOREVER! Last edited by maizenbluebabe; 06-22-2009 at 09:59 AM..

06-23-2009, 07:41 AM	#80
EmandM Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 754 Gallery: EmandM Stats: Maintaining at 114 (5'5" 35 yrs) WOE: JUDDD/Whole foods Start Date: JUDDD start date: Nov. '08	Daisey - I completely missed your post about MIL too. I am so sorry for your loss. How is your DH doing? Did you get along well with her? My DH's mom died a month before the twins were born. We didn't always get along very well as we lived with her for too long. But once we got our own place our relationship really improved and then she passed away suddenly from an aneurysm at 61. Very sad times. SS - Hi! I loved the story about you and your doggie in the rain! So sweet. Wow, you have a very multicultural family! My grandparents were South African, British and American. My parents met at Oxford too! My one gramps is a physicist and he was teaching over there. My dad was his student and gramps thought he'd like my mom (also a scientist, she ended up teaching science). So gramps introduces his favourite student (he and my dad ended up writing a book together, something about enzymes, the science gene skipped my generation) to his daughter and the rest is history (they later settled in Canada after attending another University here together). Kisha - yay you about getting your armour doubled! Did you have to put up a big fight? MBB - it is pretty amazing how connected we all are in some ways, and obviously why we are all still posting on the Tweaker thread even though most of us are doing different plans at the moment! lol I love the idea of balance. It is very calming for me and it's an easy sign to read when something isn't going right (as it manifests in my food or how I feel about my body). So if I wake up one day and feel fat, (even though I weighed the same yesterday) or I pinch some flab on my belly when looking in the mirror, or I think about just blowing the day and eating whatever, I go to a quiet place in my house and chat to myself and ask for help in figuring out what I need. I read somewhere about long ago when the Gods were creating people. They didn't want the people to have the same "powers" or spirituality as the Gods so they dicussed where they could hide them. They contemplated the sea, or the earth but they feared those were too easy and people could find them. So one of the Gods said "I know, let's hide it deep within each person, they will never look there." So they did, and those of us who look within ourselves are able to find it. I love that story. Now I am not talking about being perfect or pious. It's not about that, it's about being aware and compassionate, and that is what I try and teach my students, and children, so I need to walk the walk! lol Last edited by EmandM; 06-23-2009 at 07:44 AM..

06-24-2009, 07:05 PM	#86
wallaby Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 267 Gallery: wallaby Stats: 153/136/120 WOE: alternate day Start Date: 01/09	to Dasiey and all. I love this group. I imagine our lurkers scratching their heads and wondering what the heck we're all doing. But seriously... good social connections and balanced living are the ideal foundation for any weight loss program! And I say balanced living includes an occasional foray into things like the strawberry rhubarb pie that enjoyed last night. (admittedly, a little more than my share, but it's the season! ) Right now I'm nursing a ridiculous sunburn! How stupid of me, sitting poolside for 4 hrs w/out sunscreen. I have Mediterranean skin and so rarely burn - but still I should know better!! I slathered my children up, but today I just blanked on my own protection. (big question is, what the heck am I gonna wear to work tomorrow - what won't hurt?! And Kisha - hope your new prescription is exactly the re-start button you needed to hit. Last edited by wallaby; 06-24-2009 at 07:07 PM..

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06-20-2009, 07:51 AM	#62
EmandM Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 754 Gallery: EmandM Stats: Maintaining at 114 (5'5" 35 yrs) WOE: JUDDD/Whole foods Start Date: JUDDD start date: Nov. '08	SS - glad your DD is settling in with a new routine. It's fun being on mat leave. How nice of your other DD to take her assistants out to thank them. Maybe I should think about doing that (I only have one, and she is only in my class for 2 - 3 periods a week). MBB - wow, China! I have been to South Africa and England, never to the Orient. DH's family is from Tawain but he has no desire to visit. Maybe when our girls are older. Wallaby - my MIL was Buddhist. Beautiful religion. Kisha - what approach will you take with the doc? Do you have to be aggressive or is she a "catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar" kind of a person? I am posting on the CAD thread too as now that I have settled into a Fast 1 or Fast 2, I can relate to some of those ladies as well. But don't worry, I have not abandonned my tweakers! I know you ladies a lot better! I didn't want you thinking I was betraying you! I am off to a family reunion (sans my two sisters, go figure) in the pouring rain. It is a 2.5 hour drive but worth it to see my parents and my favourite aunt and uncle, who I haven't seen in a couple of years (they live on the East Coast, in Antigonish, Halifax for those who know Canada). The food will be ridiculous there. Haven't eaten yet and plan to only have a 1-2 hour window to minimize the damage (yeah, right)! I will check in later tonight when we are back. Hope the weather is better where you are! Have a great day!

06-21-2009, 11:26 AM	#63
wallaby Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 267 Gallery: wallaby Stats: 153/136/120 WOE: alternate day Start Date: 01/09	Hmmm, we seem to have a lot of connections on this thread. My DD is in year #3 of Mandarin and will be going to China next year with her school. Her plan is to spend her "gap year" there between h.s. and college in a couple of years. Such an important place to be "close" to! I do want to get there before too long. (But not before I get to India! ) I've done europe and latin america, but nothing in asia. I'm having a hard time with eating at the moment. For some reason, the heat is making me hungrier!

06-21-2009, 11:38 AM	#64
EmandM Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 754 Gallery: EmandM Stats: Maintaining at 114 (5'5" 35 yrs) WOE: JUDDD/Whole foods Start Date: JUDDD start date: Nov. '08	Wallaby - that is an amazing opportunity for your DD. Are you Asian? I'm curious as to her interest in learning Mandarin. Most people in Canada speak French (that's the equivalent to Spanish for Americans) but a lot of people interested in the business world take Mandarin classes. My DH's mom used to teach it aside from her regular job, and her clients were usually white men (a few lawyers, but mostly businessmen) and Asian kids, who dropped out of Chinese school and later realized they should learn how to speak/read/or write it a little better! lol We are on the fence about what to do with our kids. Since they are half Asian, half white, I want them to experience both cultures. I took French immersion in school (so I am fully bilingual Fr/Eng) but I would willingly send them to Chinese school on the weekend, but DH doesn't want to do that to them (he hated it)! So not sure yet! Sorry about your eating being off track. I am following Fast-5 but it's more like Fast-1 or Fast-2. I pretty much fast during the day (and am truly not hungry) and then I eat my calories at night. The benefits are similar to JUDDD and it opens up for social engagements which i have a ton of these days (so I don't have to worry about DD's). I just have to make sure I get enough calories in! lol Sounds funny, but it's true! Is there something else going on with you? Maybe emotionally that is making you a bit off-center with your eating? I know with me, when my eating is out of control it means something in my life is out of order (not in an a.nal, controlling way, but it means something is bothering me, I'm stressed, overwhelmed etc) and i look to fix that first. THen my eating sort of falls into place.

06-21-2009, 02:28 PM	#65
maizenbluebabe Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Georgia Mountains Posts: 1,366 Gallery: maizenbluebabe Stats: 182.0/168.4/150 WOE: LowCarb, JUDDD Start Date: June 08	Pam, there is often no rhyme nor reason to why some people become interested in a certain culture, although I, too, want to know the history of why wallaby's daughter is into Mandarin Chinese. Frinstance, our YDD who is now in China decided when she was at UM to major in Indonesian culture and language. (I have NEVER figured that out! ) Mind you, Alice is a person almost 5'9" with snow white skin and red gold hair (when younger) and huge blue eyes. She has spent a lot of time in Indonesia and speaks the language perfectly and is taller than most Indonesians and so when she goes, it is quite a "culture shock" for the locals to see this very pale Western looking person speaking their language so well. A few years ago, she and I were driving from Laguna Beach to Berkley and stopped at a beachside juicejoint to get some drinks and a huge old American car pulled in and a whole bunch of very small people tumbled out and Alice exclaimed, "OH, MOM! Indonesians!" And went running up to them greeting them warmly and sure enough they were originally from Kuta (Bali) where she recently had spent several months working on an AIDS project. First they were astonished at her and then they started beaming and it was like old home week. I do hope your girls will become interested in their father's culture--even though Taiwan is "modern" and has had to struggle to keep its independence, it is still part of one of the oldest and most highly sophisticated cultures on earth and I envy those who have been able to travel there. Except for Turkey and 10 days in Japan, I have only been in England and Europe and so suspect that I will not make it to China or India--at least in this incarnation--although they fascinate me, as does South America. HEY, it is fun to be free to talk about things like this and not have to stick to just weight loss stuff. Hooray for Tweaking! Since this is Father's Day, in addition to some other stuff, I gave my dear husband his favorite gift for any occasion--TWO APPLE PIES! (Joy of Cooking recipe) As you can imagine, I dont bake them often given my own food plans/choices but always do this for him when I want to give him something special to let him know how much I love him. I did have one small piece (just to make sure they are fit to eat ) but that is all I will have.

06-21-2009, 07:55 PM	#66
maizenbluebabe Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Georgia Mountains Posts: 1,366 Gallery: maizenbluebabe Stats: 182.0/168.4/150 WOE: LowCarb, JUDDD Start Date: June 08	Oh Dasiey, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother-in-law. Please give your husband my sincerest sympathy as well as the rest of your family. What a sad thing she could not have been here to welcome that dear new little baby Lydia coming so soon. These things are often beyond our understanding but the passage of time and recalling the happy memories will often bring comfort as I hope it will for all of you.

06-21-2009, 09:12 PM	#68
wallaby Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 267 Gallery: wallaby Stats: 153/136/120 WOE: alternate day Start Date: 01/09	EmandM, you are probably right that I'm eating - or rather FEEL like eating - more than usual because of "stuff' going on. At this moment, I've got a handle on family life and feel like everyone is in a good space - but wouldn't you know it, my work life has blown up. (IS there a rule somewhere that says work and home life can not be copacetic at the same time?) Multiple projects and deadlines - which I am NEVER good at since I'm truly a Tweaker through and through. My family is italian. No asian heritage at all. But we definitely have a family culture that celebrates our "global village". My DD has many people in her life who travel and work internationally, including an aunt who speaks 11 languages, and has worked in Africa and Southeast Asia for more than 25 years. And another aunt who has done humanitarian work in Latin America and Africa. DH's work also includes international travel, and we regularly entertain people from all over. My guess is that Mandarin is DD's way of maintaining a family culture, while breaking new ground (since china is not in the family repertoire, yet!) Maizen, it's fascinating that your DD would dive into Indonesia!! Em, DDs teacher is Taiwanese as well. I highly encourage you to have your children do the Chinese lessons (in our area, we have Saturday Chinese school). . what a gift they would have! So much easier to learn now than later - which you know. I'm sure your DH hated it, and maybe your kids won't enjoy it either. (Really, so what? they will thank you for it in the future!) I would bet too that the lessons have changed since your DH was a child. Would be worth checking out at the very least. ( Oops, apologies for getting bossy here! I do that sometimes....) Dasiey, I'm so sorry I missed the reference to you MIL. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

06-22-2009, 08:30 AM	#69
EmandM Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 754 Gallery: EmandM Stats: Maintaining at 114 (5'5" 35 yrs) WOE: JUDDD/Whole foods Start Date: JUDDD start date: Nov. '08	Hi ladies, MBB - how great of your DD. What wonderful experiences and I can just imagine the surprise of the Indonesians when she started speaking fluently. DH always gets that way when a non-Asian speaks fluent Asian. I had to laugh at your testing of the apple pie. It reminds me of my dad, who loves sweets, and is often sampling while the cake/pie/cookie is being made. My stepmother growls and he says "I have to make sure no one gets poisoned!" Wallaby - I totally agree with you about Chinese school for my girls. There's nothing to say they can't learn French and Mandarin. I think I can get DH on board easily enough. I love the term "global village" I use that with my students (who are mostly South and East Asian). You are not being bossy at all! lol You are right! Also, in answer to your question about life, yes, it is always chaotic! When family is good, friends or work are not etc. I guess in a weird way it is sort of balanced! lol I always look at my life to see if it's balanced. It starts with me. Am I balanced physically, spiritually, emotionally etc. I find when I am, everything is in place and I am much calmer. When my eating is out of control it is a sign that something isn't balanced, so I figure out what it is and get back on track. I do a lot of talking to myself and to a higher power (very similar to the way AA members seek a higher power for help). I am actually not religious at all (nothing against it, just never took to it personally) but I am very spiritual and believe in something (some call it a God) that is bigger than me. I am doing well on my plan. I am doing a Fast-1 I guess, but not stressing if I eat past my window. I feel very balanced (could be this relaxing time of year for me)! It is much easier for me not to have DD's since I have social eating events every night this week! The Fast 1-2 or whatever it ends up being is more suited to this and my weight is holding steady in my maintenance range. Life is good!

06-22-2009, 04:48 PM	#77
shunsweets Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,013 Gallery: shunsweets Stats: maintenance WOE: Bernstein, NK Start Date: May 2003	Oh I'm so glad to read everyone's posts and feel the "spirit" of our thread return. Emandm One more voice to encourage the Chinese school. We are an international group in my family. My sister married a Canadian guy she met at the U of Hawaii and their adopted son went to french school until grade 7 so is now as an adult perfectly bilingual. I was so jealous and wished my kids could have had that opportunity. Meanwhile in our family my DH is Canadian, my SIL#1 is British (she met him at Oxford on a junior year abroad program), my SIL#2 is Canadian but his Dad is Hungarian so he speaks english, french, and hungarian, so my son is the next question but curiously the only serious relationships he's had have been with Asian girls - he became enamored with that culture after a year in Korea with the army. And me, well my spirit is closest to my Native American ancestry. Wow what a mouthful! I told you once we are a motley crew. Wallaby I have found it to be absolutely true that when we finally get the family life settled work will definitely fall apart. But heck family is so much more diifficult and important so you are way ahead! Kisha I'm so glad to hear that your Dr appt went well! I scheduled one for next week and am absolutely dreading it. I somehow lose my ability to communicate and become passive and stupid when put in the patient role. I don't get it because as a nurse I fight with Drs all the time to get the best for my patients, but when I'm the patient I become totally shy, ineffective, and nervous. My DH has actually gone with me to appts because I become so upset. He is going to go with me next week as well. Maybe I truely have a phobia about Docs because I've seen too much, but I admire your ability to get what you need and I'm going to use you as my inspiration for next week. MBB You are so kind and completely understood my version of travel. I have been everywhere via study, film, art, ect. My children are great world travelers and are always amazed when I ask them about specific persons, places, and cultures they have visited and say How did you know that Mom? I always feel badly that I don't travel well as I think it really is such a growth experience but you made me feel that there is some merit to doing my travel intellectually - thank you. It's another weak spot for me. Heck it must be confess my limitations day for me. Dasiey Hope all is well. When is that grandbaby due? It's the best Dasiey. You're going to love, love, love being a grandma! Today I walked in the park with my standard poodle. She's sickly so we walked slowly and didn't mother nature decide to open the skies with a 15 minute downpour just as we were far from home. The dog looked at me like "why now Mom?" and tried to crawl between my legs. So we ducked under a tree and I protected her with my body and somehow for a moment we were warm and happy and in touch with nature. Then the rain stopped and we were simply a wet smelly dog and a shivering human. Not much exercise but a touching moment that is staying with me tonight. Tweakers.

06-22-2009, 05:01 PM	#78
shunsweets Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,013 Gallery: shunsweets Stats: maintenance WOE: Bernstein, NK Start Date: May 2003	Forgot to mention the father's day celebrations. The filet mignon on the grill (in the pouring rain) was divine. The shrimp was fresh and delicious. The board game bonanza quite spirited and competitive - yes even when it was Chutes and Ladders for the little ones. The fathers were duly homored and the mothers and wives happily secure in the knowlege that we are the ones in charge. And that baby! That glorious, warm, loved baby! Ah life is good. But there was no apple pie MBB! Now that would have been the perfect finishing touch! We settled for a cheesy Acme cookie cake that said Happy Father's Day in garish red icing (no temptation there for me - I ate flavored whipped cream).

06-22-2009, 05:05 PM	#79
dasiey Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,105 Gallery: dasiey WOE: Juddd Start Date: 11/13/2011	Shunsweets, 4 more weeks and 1 day. I can't wait. Baby Lydia Grace. She will be a grandmas girl for sure......

06-23-2009, 12:44 PM	#81
dasiey Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,105 Gallery: dasiey WOE: Juddd Start Date: 11/13/2011	thankks EmandM yes she was my MIL longer then my mother was alive. Always treated like I was one of her own. She told me that my daughter was one of the best people she has every met. And she was so proud to have her for her granddaughter she said don't tell anyone but shes my favorite. That made me cry and very proud at the same time.

06-24-2009, 07:59 AM	#85
dasiey Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,105 Gallery: dasiey WOE: Juddd Start Date: 11/13/2011	the one regret is she didn't get to see her frist great grand daughter. baby Lydia. my son was hoping she would. so sad she wanted to see her as well. I guess she will from heaven. along with her aunt Lydia. lets not talk about this anymore. you all are so gr8.

06-25-2009, 11:58 AM	#88
shunsweets Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,013 Gallery: shunsweets Stats: maintenance WOE: Bernstein, NK Start Date: May 2003	Ah Wallaby Strawberry rhubarb pie! I have giant rhubarb out in the yard (the only thing I can grow) and I'm going out to cut it this afternoon. You've given me then yen for it. My mom used to send us out in the yard with little dixie cups of sugar and let us pick the rhubarb dip it in the cup and take a bite. We happily ate stalks of rhubarb without bothering her to cook. She always said the leaves were poisonous. Don't know if that's true or if she just didn't want us to eat them. We broke them off and put them in the "compost heap". Sunburn is the pits Wallaby. Hope you're alright and not in pain. Emandm You have the right idea and I bet you look like a sweet southern belle (way up there in Canada!) with your little sun parasol. Are you enjoying being off work? Settled in to the joys of summer? Saw you said your fast 1-2 is very much like CAD. Don't know that program but it makes sense that 1 meal a day would be a "reward" meal! Glad it's working for you. I'm facing a dietary challenge this week. Got to "carb up" for some medical tests. Scary. I'll let you know how it goes. Off work today so nothing but chores! Still there is peace and balance in the routine of cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, banking, taking the car to the shop(OK no peace on this one. I hate car trouble.) I guess it's all part of making a home a safe and comfortable place. Wouldn't mind it a bit if I didn't have to work 50 hours a week outside of the home! Sometimes I think the women's liberation movement really screwed those of us who enjoy homemaking and parenting by driving changes in our economy that now force most women into the workplace if they want to survive financially. I should have been in my grandmother's generation. I have an old soul. Dasiey Only 1 month to go until the new baby! What a joy! Kinda puts all the little annoyances of life in their proper perspective when we encounter such an overwhelming joy. Yes as Maizen so wisely points out it is all about balance in our lives and recognizing priorities. So enjoy the day tweakers! It's unique like each of you!

06-25-2009, 05:46 PM	#90
wallaby Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 267 Gallery: wallaby Stats: 153/136/120 WOE: alternate day Start Date: 01/09	My sunburn is still smarting. And so is my good sense! But I'm doing OK - I think since I'm always drinking water anyway on this WOE (JUDDD) that I staved off some of the nasty side affects of sunburn. (The dehydration, achiness, fever, etc.) EmandM, my DD too is extremely fair - porcelain skin, blue eyes, auburn hair - and is not shy at all about carrying a parasol (chinese of course!), wearing long sleeves and giant sunglasses whenever she has to be outside for more than 10 min. For that i'm grateful. Shunsweets I remember chewing on rhubarb as a kid as well. And yes I remember the leaves being off limits. Mmmm, so many good rhubarb desserts!