Fabulous 40's 10/31/03

[KIS13]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hi Everybody....I thought it was time to start a new thread, hope you don't mind. Well, it's the end of another month

I can't believe how fast this year is going. I hope I am a stronger person next year than I have been this year. Sometimes I think I just have to get angry...know what I mean? .

Rita, Diane & Tami - I wish you all a safe weekend. Give away all of the candy so you aren't tempted to cheat...lol
I am leaving work early today so I have to make this short. I look forward to hearing from you guys when I return on Monday. Diane & Tami I hope you ladies get to feeling better real soon. Rita you will be just fine. I found some real good recipes on the internet so I will share when I get back. Have a great weekend everyone. Lot's of hugs & love.

[Tx Charity]

Good Morning My Special Low carb friends.......
Today is another great day that we have been given to live so live it to the fullest!!! I am feeling alot better today and feeling full of energy... At least if I speak positive then maybe I will feel it !! >wink< Today I a m going out to work for a while ....... Hope everyone has a safe weekend.
Will post to you all more latter!!
Hugs & Love to you all!!

[Princess Di]

Hi girls! Well I won a basket at the basket bingo, (it was the vanity basket) it was filled with stuff from bath and body works, 7 toothbrushes, handcream, skin-so-soft, a book, a children's encyclopedia cd, a book, chapstick, a battery operated toothbrush and toothpaste and note cards. My friend won (her ticket was drawn for a door prize) a nice candle (not as nice as my basket, but atleast she didn't go home empty handed).

We only had 45 trick or treaters this year (we used to get about 130), so I do have some candy left. We put it in the freezer as soon as we turned the outside light off around 8:00. We'll give it to DS when he stops in to do laundry.

I'm feeling a bit better today, not so blue. I spoke with the cardiologist office Friday and have been cleared for surgery, so that made me feel a bit better. I guess they have mailed me a copy of the report, so now I wait to see it I guess. Well I have to run, company has dropped in.

As you can see I am VERY mad at myself for giving into temptation!!!! I ate myself sick over the weekend. Between the halloween candy and other bad foods I got on the scale this morning and was up 2 lbs. Why do I do it???? Afterwards I feel so guilty!!!


Well, that is behind me now and I am feeling more in control! I had my kids go through their candy, keep a small bag for themselves (made them hide it!) then threw the rest of it away!!! Now I can move on!!! I made a deal with myself. I want to lose 10 lbs. before Dec. 10th for a Christmas party on the 13th. Soooo, if I do lose 10 lbs. ( I know I can) I am going to buy myself a new Christmas outfit for the party. I love buying new clothes so I think this will be a good incentive for me to get my butt into gear and get this weight off!!!! I've been goofing off for too long!!!

KK- Hope you had a good weekend with Jim! Let's do this together ok? WE CAN DO IT!!!

Diane- good news! If your cardiologist gave you the green light to go on with your surgery that is good news right??? Keep thinking postive!!

Tami- so glad your feeling better too! Everyday is a gift and I am happy to be alive! I agree with you, we need to live each day to the fullest!

Hugs to you all, Rita

Diane- I forgot to congratulate you on winning the basket!! How fun is that!!! I love Bath and Body works stuff!!! My favorite is Raspberry! I bought a bunch of lotion and spray with my birthday money from my Mom. We all need to pamper ourselves right?

Take care! Hugs, Rita

[KIS13]

Hi Ladies,

Well, I hope you all had a good weekend and don't have any left over candy ....lol My weekend was ok started out Friday with my TOM and topped it off Sunday with a major back pain. We slept on a sleeper sofa (no back support) and I woke up with a killer of a backache. I finaaly called the Dr. this morning. I can't even stand up straight and to walk is rather interesting never mind trying to go up and down stairs!!! Needless to say I am in a great deal of pain so there is apparently some swelling that is pushing on a nerve or something. Oh well, I guess this will pass, the sooner the better though.

Tami - It is so nice to see you posting again!! I hope you are doing well and continue to do so. Love ya, girlfriend!

Diane - I am glad you finally have your schedule to get things taken care of...that must be a relief in it self. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Congrats on your winning prize!!

Rita - Don't you worry about being a bad girl, WE will get this down eventually. I don't even look at the scale these days for the fear of reality Oh, thank you for the card it was real sweet!!

Well, I need to stop for now, I will try to check in later. Meanwhile you ladies have a great day and know that you are always in my thoughts!

[Princess Di]

Hi all, just a quick note while I check in. It snowed here again last night (it doesn't stay long....yet) It is cold and rainey today (like the snow this morning wasn't depressing enough!)

I got my test results back, but no mention if they were better or worse. So now I have to wait until Friday when my cardiologist can compare them and call me back. To me they looked encouraging, I think the medicine is working, but I didn't see my results from last spring.

We FINALLY started working out again yesterday. I had been doing aerobics atleast once a week, but we hadn't been on our equipment for 2 months. It has been hard (even to do 20 mins for me), but I know it'll get easier. I told DH that we needed to exercise to get ourselves in the right mindset for the holidays.

6 days until my DD's due date.... Hopefully she'll go this weekend. I mailed down some film and a postage paid envelope to mail it back to me so I can develop it and send back one set of prints to her (then I know I get some!!) It will be hard not to see her until Feb or March.

I will try to post more later...I have to get back...

((((hugs))))))))

Good afternoon everyone! I am doing good. I have been cheat free for 3 days now and am happy for that!

Karen- Oh noooo, I was so sad to hear that your back is bothering you! I have a history of back problems so I feel your pain. It is NO fun for sure!!! I hope the doc finds out what is causing it and can help you! Meanwhile, rest, take it easy and don't lift anything heavy ok? Here's to a speedy recovery!!!! Isn't that always the way though, when you have a weekend planned that your TOM shows up? What's up with that anyways? LOL It always happens to me too....very frustrating!!! I hope you took some time off work. Sitting for a long time can be hard on a sore back too! Get better soon girlfriend!!!! And, you're very welcome for the card. I love sending out ecards..they have so many cute cards out there now!

Diane- How fun!! You are going to be a grandma again very soon!!!! You must be sooo excited!!!! Hehe, I like your camera idea! Mom's are sooo sneaky! But they know how to get what they want, don't they! LOL I hope you get good news from your cardiologist. I guess I read it wrong before and thought you already got news. Bad me! Think postive girl, ok? You're in my prayers! Glad to hear DH and you are back exercising, that's great!! Take is slow at first and work your way back up!

Tami- Hope all is well with you!!! Keep in touch!

Hugs to you all! Rita

[Princess Di]

Hi girls, where's our sweet little Tami hiding these days?? I hope she hasn't overdone it!!

Karen, is your back feeling better?? I have had back problems a few times, but always the upper back which my Dr said is the best kind.

Rita, are you still cheat free?? WTG girl!! I HAD been cheat free for a few days, but last night DH came home with battered chicken/shrimp for dinner with onion rings. I figured as long as I controlled my portion I wasn't going to beat myself up over it. Funny he brought home take out because I brought home salads on the way home from my seminar I went to for work....ofcourse his evil food won...lol!

Today I have a personal day and I plan on sewing a good part of the day as I am trying to make some Christmas presents. I am making some "quillows" quilt pillows (the blanket folds up into the pillow) and also working on quilted Christmas tree skirts. My friend gets $75.00 for the same tree skirt at craft fairs, so I think that is a nice gift. Do you think it's weird or cheap?? DH thinks we should buy stuff as well. I think it's made from the heart and not only has $$ for material, batting, etc , it has my time in it.

I'm not sure who will get the quillows, maybe just my kids (A mom always has to make sure her babies are warm, even when they're 22 and 23...lol)

I guess our group is back to the 4 of us again. It was nice to have the other ladies, but it's also nice that the 4 of us are still together. I will send pics of the new granddaughter as soon as she arrives...full moon on Saturday (the date DH and I chose for her arrival and then found out that DD and her DH picked the exact date months ago!!)

OK, I've rambled on long enough...hugs to all!!

[KIS13]

Sorry I didn't get in here to post yesterday...I am still suffering from a major back pain but at least today it is getting better. I can actually stand up straight sort of...lol I just have to go slow and take it easy for the rest of the weekend and hopefully next week I will be in better shape... I know Monday I am getting my butt back in gear and on plan! I just have to do it!! I have been so bummed out at my lack of willpower I haven't even weighed myself for fear of what the scale will say, although my clothes are telling me loud and clear!! So, yet again I will be going on induction!

Diane - You sound like you are doing great...I love taking a personal day here and there to do something special. I love to recieve a personally made gift, they are so much better than something bought because it is made from the heart! I look forward to seeing the picture of the new grandbaby! I must say I would have opted for the chicken and shrimp too they taste so much better than a salad for me the evil foods always seem to win...lol Stay warm......Sorry for bouncing around...

Rita - I am proud of you being cheat free for 3 days, you go girl!! Show me how this is done. I sent you an e-mail earlier today. Have a good weekend.

Oh...I got an e-mail from Tami and she said to say hello, she is sorry she doesn't get to the "BB" very much but she is still with us! She also likes the idea of us all exchanging x-mas cards. So, I guess the next step is to get our address to each other. Well, I reckon I better get some work done. I don't know if I will get to the "BB" over the weekend but I will be here on Monday.

I wish you all a safe a happy weekend....

Hi Girls!!! Yes, I am still cheat free and feeling great! My DD is turning 15 tomorrow and wants to go to a movie and out to dinner with the family. Sooo, I have to tell myself to order something low carb! ( I was surprised she wanted to something with us instead of her girlfriends!) But am happy she did!

I'm all for the exchanging of Christmas cards through the mail! I love getting and receiving Christmas cards! We can just email each other our addresses. Sounds like a plan to me!

Diane- Sounds like you are going to be busy sewing for Christmas! That's great! I love to sew too but don't have a machine right now. It broke down. Sooo, I have hinted heavily to my DH that I would like one for Christmas! I have made some of those "quillows" that you mentioned and gave them for presents one year. My family loved them!! I always love homemade gifts over store bought too, the mean so much more I think.

Karen- I really hope your back feels better by next week. Once it does feel better, don't over do it with exercising. It takes quite awhile for a lower back to get fully better. You can get back on track too. I believe in you!!!

Tami- Hope to see a posting from you soon! We miss ya! Keep in touch ok?

Wishing everyone a great weekend! Hugs to you all, Rita

[Princess Di]

Rita, just a quick question on the quillows about the placement of the pocket. Is it open facing the blanket or facing the edge? also is there a back panel? I'm confused by the different patterns I downloaded. I am making the pillow fronts today (not well I might add....UGH) and will be putting them together soon....Thanks!!!

Diane- Oh sure..ask me a tough question! LOL
It was a couple of yrs ago when I made them and I just used a friends quillow and made up my own pattern.
As far as I can remember..yes, there is a back panel. It's like your making a regular quilt but on the back you put a pocket. And I want to say the pocket is on the upper right hand corner facing down. So when you fold the quilt up you can slip it all into the pocket to make the pillow. Does that make sense? LOL

I'm sitting here right now using a paper towel trying to figure out if that would work. LOL All you can do is try different ways, pin it and see if it works! Sorry I wasn't more of a help. Me and my big mouth! LOL Happy Sewing!

[KIS13]

Well, it's Monday and like I said I am starting induction once again today! I sure hope I can get it together this time, I am so tired of always having an excuse for giving into my old bad habits!

My back is finally a lot better, not completely but at least I can stand up and walk around without excrusiating pain.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was a pretty good one. I am going to make a breakfast casserole tonight so I don't have to get up and cook every morning before I leave for work at 5:30!

Rita - Thank you for the uplift...I appreciate that you believe in me.

Diane - Sounds like you are going to be pretty busy making x-mas gifts...you go girl!

Tami - I hope you are still taking it easy at work. Stop in when you can, we miss you!

Sorry this is so short, and scattered. I'm pretty busy today but I wanted to check in. I will try to stop back by at lunch time.

Have a good day ladies!! (((((BIG HUGS)))))

[Princess Di]

KK glad your back is better...I'm back on track again today. You know, even when we fall off the wagon we could have been so much worse. Atleast we do some good in between! Just keep plugging along. I need to get back on track so I don't totally lose it over the holidays.

Rita, thanks for trying to help me with the quillows, I think I understand where my confusion was coming in. Are the pocket front and back both on the same side of the blanket? the diagram looked like one on the front and one on the back. Also should they be placed face down on the blanket? How did you do at DD's birthday dinner??

Tami, we miss ya girl!! Hopw you're taking it easy.

Well I have to stuff my face...cya later!

Hi all!
Well, I got on the scale on Saturday morning and I lost 4 lbs. from being cheat free all week. I figured knowing that I would be good when I went out to eat that night. WRONG!!!! I had good intentions..but they all went out the window once I got to the restaurant. First of all we went to on of the "infamous buffets" and nothing really looked good. The salad bar was a joke and there wasn't any plain meat to be found...sooooo I gave in to my love of chinese food and had a little fried rice, some egg rolls and some sweet and sour chicken. But then...it was the desert bar that did me in!!! I get soooo mad at myself for giving into temptation!!! Then if that wasn't bad enough..I had to have some if DD birthday cake and ice cream...GRrrrrrrrr! Needless to say when I got on the scale this morning I was up 3 lbs. Geez, when am I ever going to learn that I just can't eat all that sugar and carbs!!!!!! I am back to induction today and WILL do better this week!!! I have a major headache and neckache today. I must have slept wrong or something. DD had a nice birthday and we had fun. We also took her to the movie "Elf" it was hilarious!! You have to go see it. It will get you into the Christmas spirit!

KK-We HAVE to do this girl! I am counting on you to help me though this induction period. I am there for you too!! Together we CAN do it!!!

Diane- I only put one pocket on my quillows, but I guess if you make it reversible 2 pockets would work out great! I would think you would but one on each side. It's so hard to explain it in writing. SO much easier if you were close by to show you in person! LOL And yes, I do believe they faced down. Sorry I'm not much more of a help.

Tami- hope your doing well. Check in soon. We miss you!!!

Here's to a great low carb week. We all can do this!!!
Hugs to you all, Rita

[KIS13]

Well, I was a cooking fool last night. I made a hamburger quiche and a breakfast quiche both came out really good. that will get me through2 more days without having to cook at 4:30 in the morning.

I did good yesterday, had 2 soft boiled eggs and sausage for breakfast and 2 small chicken breast for lunch and hamburger quiche for dinner. I didn't get in all of the water I should have but I am trying. They keep it so cold in our office that I find it hard to drink cold water when I am freezing. Anyhow, today is day #2 being cheat free.

Diane - I will follow your advice and keep plugging along. I am planning on staying cheat free up til Thanksgiving day, since I am cooking I want to try a little of everything. then it is right back to being cheat free until my x-mas party and again cheat free. That's the plan whether I succeed is another story but I am going to give it a serious try.

Rita - I read something that said "if you are tempted to eat the wrong foods when you go out, try to eat somthing carb free before leaving that way you are pretty full and are less tempted to go over board." Makes sense really. I know, cause I am just like you when it comes to going out for dinner. Fortunatley for me I do not have a sweet tooth, unfortunately for me I love chips and potatoes and pasta and most of all bread.
I have tried some of the soychips in the health food store and they are actually pretty good and give me that satisfied feeling of something a little salty. Anyhow, get with me so we can do this together. like you said, "We can do this"

Tami - Girl, we sure do miss you. I realize you are busy getting it together and all but please stop in and let us know how you are feeling and what you are up to.

I will send you all a PM with my address, please send me yours and if you don't mind Phone #'s too.

Well, I have to go for now. I wish you all a great day of lowcarbing. I'll be thinking of you

Hi all! Well I feel good today. I got back on track yesterday and am still doing well today! Yippee!! I'm taking it one day at a time! The weather is gorgeous here today. I'm sitting here in shorts with the windows open! Gotta love it! It's hard to get into the Christmas mood here though. I need to really start my shopping soon! It will be here before I know it!

KK- Thanks for your address. I sent you mine! And yes, that does make sense to eat something low carb and maybe LOTS of water so I'm not hungry when I go out. Thank you for thinking of me! Maybe then I can stay more focused! I found a great pumpkin bar/bread recipe here on the lowcarbfriends site in the recipe room. It's called Weresome's frosted pumpkin bars. Everyone in the chat room was raving about them so I think I will make them for Thanksgiving instead of the traditional pumpkin pie.

Diane- Hope all is well with you. I bet it's getting cold out east already huh? Brrrrr! I don't miss shoveling snow! LOL

Tami- We think of you often here! Keep in touch girl!

Hugs to you all, Rita

[Princess Di]

Hi Rita, can you post that recipe?? It sounds awesome. I just made the pumpkin pie (with splenda and cream as substitues) without a crust and we're going to whip some cream for it. I hope it's not gross without a crust. We made a turkey today, but none of the fixings. In fact tonight I had some on my salad for dinner. It was good. I am trying so hard to be good....I have to get through the holidays without losing total control of myself...I will not let myself be that fat ever again. DH and I were just discussing tonight all the things we are already taking for granted: crossing our legs, tieing our shoes with ease, sitting indian style, getting up and down with ease, shopping in a regular clothes section, finding stylish clothes in our sizes, etc. How quickly we forget all that we've accomplished with our weightloss. I never want to look back. It's so easy to relax and forget the struggle we have been through to get this far...but now that I have thought about all the wonderful "simple" things I am more determined than ever. I'll email my address shortly by the way. ((((hugs))))

[KIS13]

Well, I have made it to day 3 and I even went out to dinner last night We went to Applebee's and I order their wings (mild) I could only eat 8 of the 10

Since Monday, I have accomplished losing 3 lbs. yippee!!! I just keep reminding myself how discusted I am with how I look and it actually makes my decision on what I eat a lot easier.

Rita - I would love to have that recipe also. I hope it isn't to complicated. I can relate to you about how hard it is to get into the x-mas spirit. It is in the low to mid 80's here and I so wish it would get at least into the 60's.

Diane - I totally understand what you mean about taking things for granted when it comes to things we can do now but weren't able to before. I look forward to wearing a pair of jeans and being able to sit down without feeling like I am getting cut in half. You keep up the good job you are doing. It is great that you and your hubby are doing it together, I am sure it makes things a lot easier.

Tami - Where are you girlfriend?...I hope you are still doing ok. We sure do miss you. Hang in there and stop in when you can (((((hugs to you)))))

Well, it seems I am finally on my way (again) I am just trying to stay focused and not lean to the bad foods. Well, I hope you ladies have a great day. Chat with you soon.

Hi all! Yup, it's raining, can you believe it? It hasn't rained here in over 6 months. It's weird actually. LOL But, in the desert...when it rains...we get MUD! LOL And our backyard isn't landscaped yet...what a muddy mess! And..I just gave our dogs a bath yesterday!! Yikes! Also it's about 60 degrees and windy..I guess I bragged too much about our nice weather! Teehee

Well, I'm doing good eating wise. I've kept on track for 3 days now. Even though DH and kids were home the past 2 days I still kept on track! Yeah for me! LOL I have trouble eating veggies though. I know I don't eat enough.

Karen- COngrats girlfriend on your loss!! See we CAN do it!!! Keep up the good work!!! And congrats on not cheating at Applebee's!!! I told DH not to let me eat out for a looongggg time!

Diane-how was the crustless pumpkin pie? I'll post the recipe for the bars after I finish this post. I really don't want to cheat at all on Thanksgiving either. I'll just have to eat lots of turkey and green beans! I hear you about not ever wanting to be as heavy as I was when I first started Atkins. I don't EVER want that to happen either. I think that is what keeps me from always getting back on track and not letting a gain of 5 lbs. get to 10 lbs.

Here is to a great low carb week ladies! Hugs to you all! Rita

1 cup almond flour (it takes about 8 ox of unsalted almonds. grind them up yourself in a coffee grinder or food processor)

1 c. splenda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3 eggs
1 cup libby's pumpkin (canned)
1/4 c. oil
2 Tbsp. water

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Splenda
1/4 tsp grated lemon peel

Combine first 6 ingredients. Add eggs, pumpkin,oil and water. Mix well. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.(or if making bars put into sprayed square cake pan) Bake at 350 for 20-30 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting:
Beat cream cheese, splenda, vanilla and lemon peel.
Frost and chill for 15 min. then cut. Refrigerate leftovers
cut into 15 slices or pieces(if bars) 3.5 carbs per slice
Enjoy!

LOL I meant about 8 ounces of almonds not 8 ox. LOL Why oh why don't I proof read before I post it!

[KIS13]

Well, I am still cheat free!!!!!!!! and we went to Applebee's again for dinner. I had a chicken caesar salad and only ate 1/2. I was a real good girl! I lost another 1-1/2 lbs. so that brings it to 4-1/2 total for the week so far.

Rita - Sorry about your weather....it has been pretty nice here only I wish it were cooler. Thanks for the recipe. I doubt I will be grinding my own almonds though...lol Oh and did I see you write that you were going to eat turkey and GREEN BEANS OMG, that is veggie matter....lol Are you ok? Just kidding...I always try to eat at least a spoonful of greenbean casserole (YUK). I am so proud of you staying on plan so far we are both doing well. We can & will do this.

Diane - I am waiting for your mailing address and phone # please send it soon... I can not wait to join you and Rita on being at your goal or very close to it. I just keep reminding myself how unhappy I am with the way I look and so far it is keeping me on track. I would like to strangle the girls in my office ...they toast bagels and cinnamom raisen toast all day long arrrrrrrrrr! What a temptation that is, (I love bread) but I am being strong and I don't touch it!

Tami - I'm not sure if you are out of town or not but I hope all is well with you and that we hear from you soon. ((((BIG HUG)))) We miss you.

Well, I have to get back to work now, sorry for rambling. Have a great day!! Chat at you later.