***Bay Area Babes-Getting Beach Ready***

[skinhealth]

Availability for the next 4 weeks:
Starting with this coming weekend:

Okay - started doing this - just realized there's somewhere
I need to be right now.
Hummingbird - any possibility you could re-post the old one?
If not, I'll find it tonight and re-post it.

[Kris T.]

I feel bad that Angel left. I didn't get the chance to chat much, so hopefully we could all meet up in real life.

That being said, I'll wait (since I'm new here) and let you all decide, and I show up if I can. Don't take my schedule into account... Now that the kids are just about done with school it may be tough. So I'll just sit back and let you guys plan..

[pri17cess72]

Kris....you will love Angel. She is awesome.


The best days for me are Sundays and Mondays.

Menu

B: 1/2 turkey sandwich on flat out wrap
L: hot dog
D: yogurt and almonds and cheese

Not too big of an appetite today. Dont know what is wrong.

[Kris T.]

Well, after getting a bit lazy, I've gone back on induction. Today is day 5 and I have lost 4 lbs. We haven't used the car in a week.

Today was weird foodwise, as I spent most of the day on a fieldtrip and away from the house.

Coffee
Quiche piece
Atkins shake & bar, and cheese stick at the picnic.
Another bar
Olives
Not sure about dinner, maybe chicken and a big salad.


It's so hot, I don't feel like eating and I have a sunburn, but need to get something in me. Tomorrow will be better. Tonight I plan on either making mock Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or mock cream of wheat. Both sound gross but are amazingly good! Since I'm on induction my choices are limited.. Gotta go, the kids are hot, tired, hungry and fighting.

[Snowangel81598]

Wow! Where did everyone go? HB? Mamabird? Are you still around?

Well, I think I can officially say that I met my goal. The scale said 145 Monday through yesterday, and today it said 143.8. I think I might see if I can lose about 3-4 more lbs. If I don't, I'd still be pretty happy, though. I feel good, I think I look good (most of the time) and wearing clothing in single digit sizes is good for my self esteem.

How is everyone else doing? Liz, Angela? What's going on with you, two?

As for getting together, weekends are generally good for me. Saturday is best, but I could possibly do a Sunday afternoon.

[pri17cess72]

Congratulations Angel!! You need to change your stats now. I think HB is in Hawaii right now. Angela misses you, like I do. (((Hugs)))

I came by to say that I have a lot of stuff going on in my life right now. I cant go into much detail but PLEASE say a prayer for me and my situation. I will try to come in here as much as I can to say Hi and give you an update.

I am trying to stay on plan as best as I can but considering what I am going through it is hard. Please keep me in your prayers. I will appreciate it.

[Kris T.]

Hi Liz, I will. I am an emotional eater, which I gathered you are from your post. I hope you can pop back in soon.

Angel-congrats on your goal!! I love it when people reach them!

Kris (still not using the car!)

[mamabird1953]

Hi there, I'm still around. I'm just depressed. I'm an emotional eater too and so is my boyfriend. Times are tough this month. A school I went to ...actually a coespondence course, 22 years ago caught up with me and tried to garnish my wages. I only went a few weeks and got pregnant. So, I wrote them a letter and told them I didnt want to continue. That was 22 years ago! Since I sighned a loan back then I have to pay. They found out where I was working and called. So, they are taking 600.00 out of my check this one time and then I have to pay them 88.00 a month till 7000. is paid. Thats the deal they offered me. Or they would have garnished 800.00 a month from my wages. They are ruthless. Do you know that these people buy and sell loans just to make money? Unbelievable. So, now 600. is out of my check by the end of this month. I can't pay bills. A friend bought us some food and paid our cable and PG&E bill. It's funny but he had no idea about our being on atkins and he bought only atkins friendly food!

So, I've been crying and eating and am ready to stop now. I have'nt gained and have'nt lost. I'm grateful about that at least. I've been in anger and resentment mode and I know thats not a good place to be in.

I'm taking this One day at a time and One bite at a time.

[pri17cess72]

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the prayers. I am an emotional eater. Because of that, I have NEVER hit goal or even come close. Things are better now. I should be getting back on track again.

Mama, I am sorry what you are going through. I will keep you in my prayers. If you need anything let us know. We are here for you. (((Big Hugs)))

[Snowangel81598]

Originally Posted by mamabird1953

Hi there, I'm still around. I'm just depressed. I'm an emotional eater too and so is my boyfriend. Times are tough this month. A school I went to ...actually a coespondence course, 22 years ago caught up with me and tried to garnish my wages. I only went a few weeks and got pregnant. So, I wrote them a letter and told them I didnt want to continue. That was 22 years ago! Since I sighned a loan back then I have to pay. They found out where I was working and called. So, they are taking 600.00 out of my check this one time and then I have to pay them 88.00 a month till 7000. is paid. Thats the deal they offered me. Or they would have garnished 800.00 a month from my wages. They are ruthless. Do you know that these people buy and sell loans just to make money? Unbelievable. So, now 600. is out of my check by the end of this month. I can't pay bills. A friend bought us some food and paid our cable and PG&E bill. It's funny but he had no idea about our being on atkins and he bought only atkins friendly food!

So, I've been crying and eating and am ready to stop now. I have'nt gained and have'nt lost. I'm grateful about that at least. I've been in anger and resentment mode and I know thats not a good place to be in.

I'm taking this One day at a time and One bite at a time.

I think you can probably fight this. If my info is correct, there is a statute of limitations on collecting debts after a certain amount of time. You might look into it. Do you have an attorney you can speak to?

I'm so glad to hear that things are better for you, Liz! I was a bit worried.

Thanks everyone for the congrats! I appreciate it.

Has any progress been made in planning a meeting day?

[Kris T.]

Ugh-I'll be on and off (mostly off) for a teeny bit. Our DD is having MAJOR tantrums and behavioral issues. I have absolutely no idea why, but it's important that I spend time with her, not the computer. Ugh. The stress is ALMOST driving me to eat junk. I swear, is there a full moon?

I'll be gone the end of June-early July..

[skinhealth]

Hi everyone...
I can't believe it has been an entire week since I promised I'd post the schedule. I entered bizarro world a little over a week ago. Won't go into it but it involves the ex-boytoy. Some interesting synchronicities going on in my life right now...

Anyway...it sounds like Sunday afternoon would be best for Liz, Angela, and me. What about you Mamabird, HB, Kris (I believe you're saying that you couldn't meet until middle or end of July?) - would we like to meet soon?
Every other Sunday works for me.
I'm assuming that this coming Sunday doesn't work since it's so close.
Two weeks after that is a holiday weekend, the 6th - would that work?
Two weeks after that is the 20th - I could meet in the evening that day.
Then we're into August, hmmm....suggestions?


Liz - was reading the posts this last week, just not replying, said a little prayer for you, sounds like you got through alright

Mamabird - hope you're feeling better. Have you had a chance to follow Angel's advice. It does sound a little strange that they could still collect after 22 years. That's just disgusting since you wrote a letter to drop out after only a few weeks - sorry to hear that's happened.

Angel - Congratulations on the goal!! I bet you look awesome!!

Hummingbird - hope you're having a great vacation!!

Kris - that's awesome that you're able to go so long without using your car. WTG!! Awesome too on the 4 pound weight loss


I have been staying on track with food and exercise. Did Evolution last week but absolutely no cardio whereas the week before I was a cardiofreak. I'm back to cardio again today. I've decided that after I get my iPod fixed I'm going to start going for 1 hour walks in a hilly area and listen to This American Life on my iPod. Can't wait.
Hope y'all are having a wonderful Monday!

[pri17cess72]

I am having a "foggy brain" it may be due to the stress I have been through or the carbs. I just dont feel right. I really need to rest and relax. Several things in my life have finally taken it's toll. I am pretty resilant but what I went through is just too much.

Anyway this Sunday does not work for me and the one near the holiday does not either. I have been invited on a surprise vacation that I just cant turn down considering my stressful time I have been having.

I am going to see Incredible Hulk tonight. Anyone seen it? How about Sex and the City? I heard it was a great movie and I plan to see that next.

Hope everyone has had a relaxing weekend.

Thanks everyone for praying for me. I made it through some stressful events but I have a long road ahead of me.

Angela, I am curious what the boy toy wants. Good job with staying on track.

[hummingbird11]

consult an attorney. it will be well worth a couple hundred dollars to get out of this mess. if you can't spare a couple hundred dollars, join PPL for $20 a month. you get a couple of consultations and a couple of legal letters per issue per month. i joined this a few years ago and it helped me out of a real bind.

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

Originally Posted by mamabird1953

Hi there, I'm still around. I'm just depressed. I'm an emotional eater too and so is my boyfriend. Times are tough this month. A school I went to ...actually a coespondence course, 22 years ago caught up with me and tried to garnish my wages. I only went a few weeks and got pregnant. So, I wrote them a letter and told them I didnt want to continue. That was 22 years ago! Since I sighned a loan back then I have to pay. They found out where I was working and called. So, they are taking 600.00 out of my check this one time and then I have to pay them 88.00 a month till 7000. is paid. Thats the deal they offered me. Or they would have garnished 800.00 a month from my wages. They are ruthless. Do you know that these people buy and sell loans just to make money? Unbelievable. So, now 600. is out of my check by the end of this month. I can't pay bills. A friend bought us some food and paid our cable and PG&E bill. It's funny but he had no idea about our being on atkins and he bought only atkins friendly food!

So, I've been crying and eating and am ready to stop now. I have'nt gained and have'nt lost. I'm grateful about that at least. I've been in anger and resentment mode and I know thats not a good place to be in.

I'm taking this One day at a time and One bite at a time.

[hummingbird11]

FYI, I just wrote this email to my family & friends:

Well, we’re officially back from "vacation". We flew home from Kona yesterday, and with flight delays, we were finally home at 1am - pooped. Our trip began w/ ATA going bankrupt in April (no refund) and we had to buy new tickets on United. United was so badly delayed on June 6 that we missed our flight (the last Go! flight) from Honolulu to Kona. Had to get new tickets on Hawaiian. But it didn't really phase us too much as every other trip to Hawaii has always been pretty smooth...

But this one won't go down in history as one of our best or most fun trips ~ Nope! We crammed a month's work of work into one week - we are both physically & mentally exhausted. It was definitely NOT a "vacation" per se. We'd been planning this "working vacation" ever since early March when we found out that our tenants of 4 years (Roberto & Carie) were finally leaving on June 1st. So there was a LOT to do after having renters for so long. We ripped down wallpaper; retextured walls; painted the living room & hallway; cleaned carpets; completely redecorated; replaced furniture; art; linens; towels, etc. etc. etc. ZILLIONS of trips to Lowe's; Home Depot; WalMart; Costo and lots of garage sale furniture shopping too. Most importantly – we completely “Tiki-fied” the condo – complete w/ grass mat walls! (we’ve been ordering off eBay & mailing stuff over for several months)

We’d hoped for a bit of R&R, but we never even saw a beach! We did break for dinners w/ Kathy & Michael and Bob & Mary (down at the seaside cabana) + a few quick dips in the pool here & there to cool off - but that's it. And we hung out w/ Jim & Colleen on our first night and our last night.

I developed an upper respiratory infection over there (from the volcano vog, I think) and still having trouble and coughing a lot today - my lungs really ache. Plus my lymphedema is/was out of control (and has been ever since my birthday weekend) + the flight + the heat + being on my feet for 16+ hours a day didn't help. So everything was harder and painful. I swear sometimes I feel like I'm 85 instead of 45. Everything hurts - from my hips down to my ankles & feet. And don’t even get either of us started on our lower backs – ouch!!!!!!! I would gladly give my last cent for a good foot massage right now!!

I know - wah wah wah!

Dusty (DH) and I laugh because it sounds so whiny to be complaining about how tired & sore we are from working on our Hawaii condo!
I mean things could be a lot worse! But man oh man - we gotta pay that mortgage now and things are tight tight tight. Way too tight.

I have to go see the doc this week because I developed a new swelling issue in my right ankle. Lymphedema still contained to left knee/thigh.

AND thanks to the swelling - the scale says I weigh 170 lbs!!!!! I know that is complete BS but it is very very very disheartening for me right now.

But wow. I think we really bit off almost more than we could chew this time. Even poor (over-achieving) DH was shell shocked & out of juice. But we did it. And we finished by the skin of our teeth with barely an hour to spare before our 1st vacation rental guests arrived on Saturday afternoon!!

We stayed in a John & Linda’s empty condo on Sat night (w/ Colleen & Jim) and enjoyed almost 24 hours of freedom by the pool with mai tai’s!

The next morning we woke-up to water pouring from the ceiling of the condo right next door to us. It was a freaking tidal wave and flooded their unit. For awhile it looked like we might be affected but thank gawd NOT. I think we would have had a literally melt-down. We definitely dodged a bullet.

Anyway, the condo looks FANTASTIC. Our new website is almost ready to go complete w/ all new photos! It is so cool and so very Tiki!!

whew.

We figure in this dreary economy and dismal vacation rental market - we must be better or different - and we must have a niche.

So we're targeting the underground cult of Tiki followers.
We'll advertise at Tiki Central: Tiki Central Forums -
We've always loved Tiki; and apparently zillions of others do too!

a Tiki is a Polynesian Totem: Tiki - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiki Style (classic and modern Polynesian Pop) - think Trader Vic's or Forbidden Island: Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

Tiki Room: Tiki Room - Tiki Bars, Tiki Music, and Tiki Forums!

we are now Untitled Page ~ (still "under construction")
(FKA Casa de Emdeko #106 Vacation Rental in Hawaii)

WE'RE GOING BACK OVER THANKSGIVING TO RELAX & ENJOY THE FRUITS OF OUR HARD LABOR LAST WEEK!!!!!

[hummingbird11]

How about dinner on Sunday, July 20th ??

Wanna meet here?? Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

Or maybe we can find something a little more Low Carb friendly in San Francisco?

Originally Posted by skinhealth

Anyway...it sounds like Sunday afternoon would be best for Liz, Angela, and me. What about you Mamabird, HB, Kris (I believe you're saying that you couldn't meet until middle or end of July?) - would we like to meet soon?
Every other Sunday works for me.
I'm assuming that this coming Sunday doesn't work since it's so close.
Two weeks after that is a holiday weekend, the 6th - would that work?
Two weeks after that is the 20th - I could meet in the evening that day.
Then we're into August, hmmm....suggestions?

[pri17cess72]

Welcome back HB! I cant wait to see the pics of the new place. The Tiki Lounge is fun. I went there for a bachelorette party in 1996. I will check my calendar and see if it works for me. I dont drink but that shouldnt be a problem to hang out with you ladies. I am sure they have a diet coke for me.

Has anyone tried the oil cleansing method. I have been wanting to try it for months. I finally bought the castor oil today at Wal*Mart. It works really good. I did a mix of 50% CO and 50% EVOO. I think I will add a tad bit more EVOO since the CO is a bit drying. I have combonation skin.

Have a good night!

[Kris T.]

Liz, I don't drink (much) either..I'm kind of a lightweight! If it turns out that we can both go, do you want to carpool or otherwise get there somehow? I'm kind of a wimp about traveling around alone at night. I'll check my calendar, but I'll only be gone June 25-July 2nd..Alaska. No cooking for 1 week..yea! I was just at Wal Mart too. Gosh. Do you hate that place as much as me? I purposely bought 20 buttwipe pouches. The cashier asked why I bought so many (like she's the a$$wipe police), and I told her it was so that I wouldn't need to come back for a looong time. That's how much I dislike that store. Too bad it's on our side of town and on the way home from Express Fitness.

HB-Your condo looks sweet! Have you ever heard of the singer, Iz? He has a longer name..not sure what, but he's Hawaiian and has the most beautiful voice ever. We used his CD as a lullabye one for our kids. Jack Johnson (my next husband ) is also from there. Someday I'm sure I'll join him in Hawaii-lol! Which reminds me, I still need to get tickets for his show in Aug. P.S. The scale is a big fat liar. Mine is most of the time too.

Mamabird-I agree, find an attorney asap. I'm thinking about you!

I'm beat from a p.m. exercise class. That and some pork rinds. Not the best bedtime snack...

Kris

[hummingbird11]

Yes, I LOVE both Iz and Jack Johnson too!

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole has (had) the most beautiful voice and ukulele skill. His version of Over the Rainbow remains one of my all time favorite songs...

I love JJ's Banana Pancakes song too...where/when is his show? We're supposed to be in Europe Aug 8-31, but due to finances ($$ poured into the condo), it's become rather tentative...

That's too bad about your Wal-Mart. All the staff at the Martinez Wal-Mart are friendly and helpful. They all call me the "bag lady" because of my canvas shopping bags that I take with me everywhere! I'm not in love w/ Wal-Mart in general, for all of the obvious reasons and some not so obvious (have you ever read Nickel & Dimed in America?) - but one thing I do like about Wal-Mart is that they employ a lot of otherwise basically "unemployable" people, esp around here. Like a few of the "greeters" are very mentally challenged but their simple Wal-Mart jobs provide a paycheck and a purpose + a place within the local community.

OK, I'm back to counting calories & carbs today and hoping to kick this upper respiratory thing soon (seems to be getting worse) so that I feel like exercising again...I think I will start back slow with Callanetics today...

Originally Posted by Kris T.

Liz, I don't drink (much) either..I'm kind of a lightweight! If it turns out that we can both go, do you want to carpool or otherwise get there somehow? I'm kind of a wimp about traveling around alone at night. I'll check my calendar, but I'll only be gone June 25-July 2nd..Alaska. No cooking for 1 week..yea! I was just at Wal Mart too. Gosh. Do you hate that place as much as me? I purposely bought 20 buttwipe pouches. The cashier asked why I bought so many (like she's the a$ police), and I told her it was so that I wouldn't need to come back for a looong time. That's how much I dislike that store. Too bad it's on our side of town and on the way home from Express Fitness.

HB-Your condo looks sweet! Have you ever heard of the singer, Iz? He has a longer name..not sure what, but he's Hawaiian and has the most beautiful voice ever. We used his CD as a lullabye one for our kids. Jack Johnson (my next husband ) is also from there. Someday I'm sure I'll join him in Hawaii-lol! Which reminds me, I still need to get tickets for his show in Aug. P.S. The scale is a big fat liar. Mine is most of the time too.

Mamabird-I agree, find an attorney asap. I'm thinking about you!

I'm beat from a p.m. exercise class. That and some pork rinds. Not the best bedtime snack...

Kris

[hummingbird11]

Hi, about a good steak house for all of us on Sunday, July 20th??

Or do any of these sound good?? Low-Carb Dining on San Francisco Citysearch

Originally Posted by hummingbird11

How about dinner on Sunday, July 20th ??

Wanna meet here?? Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

Or maybe we can find something a little more Low Carb friendly in San Francisco?

[Kris T.]

Jack Johnson Music - Tour 2008.08.24 - Here's the date. I'm so disappointed though..at all his other shows you can volunteer (plus get free tickets). I'd volunteer for him though anyway because I'm such a groupie!! We just need to find an all-day babysitter as we'd take BART then bike in. I've been completely in love with that man since about 2000 when we first got Brushfire Fairytales.

I could make it on the 20th and any restaurant would be fine. DH and I went to one called "The Big Four" near Chinatown. It was hands-down, the best steak I had ever eaten! Unfortunately, they have this real strict dress code because it's kind of an old stodgy restaurant. Great food, tho.

But I'm up for anything...Yelp dot com is also a great place to search for places. People are completely, brutally honest..and usually spot-on!

K