Rocky's Friends - January 2004!

[Susan Prudhomme]

Happy New Year! New thread started.

So good to hear from everyone.

We have just returned from the lake. We went there on Tuesday, it is now Saturday evening. It was heavenly. Peaceful and quiet. We had two couples for dinner New Year's Eve, very nice, but they left by 10:00PM as the weather turned kinda bad, freezing rain.

We had about an inch of snow on New Year's Day, but it rained after that and melted that all away. So mostly the ground was bare, except for in the shaded areas where the snow was a couple of inches deep.

During the winter months we do not have cable connected, which means we only have two channels to select from. Very limited. So we rented four DVD's to take with us. Three of them were good - A Beautiful Mind (Russell Crowe)(actually very good), Hollywood Homicide (Harrison Ford)(not his best), O Brother Where Art Thou (George Clooney)(humorous). And then we watched Saving Grace, don't know who starred in that one. Not so good.

I am starting induction 100% tomorrow. I have been in a semi-induction state since Wed. evening. Have not stepped on the scale. I am scared. It will probably say "One at a time, please!" But as you have all said, I am tired of feeling yucky, bloated, etc. I need to get my energy level back, too. Good luck to all.

I have made no New Year's resolutions. I do not need to feel guilty about not being able to do anything more than I already feel. Sorry, maybe next year.

Well, I am going to go to bed early. I am a bit tired from the 2 hour drive. Need to get psyched for tomorrow.

[LadyTexun]

Hi everyone!!!

I started back on induction on my anniversary date - Jan 02. but I forgot to "read the book" to refresh my memory on induction allowed foods. I had made a wonderful pork roast for New Years Day dinner, along with the traditional (an in my case required) "lucky" black eyed peas and home made corn bread. I planned on and indulged in the black eyed peas and a small slice of corn bread. To my tastes the peas were very good, didn't seem to have all the flavor I remembered, but still very good. The corn bread was edible. Now the next day, when BF got home, he didn't say a word about the corn bread, so I know it was just my tastes. I couldn't believe it didn't seem to have enough sweetness to it and I used real sugar in the recipe. I guess my tastes have really changed.

Last night I warmed up the last of the pork roast and made a scrumptious gravy from the drippings... just added a little water and thickened with guar gum so it was totally legal, BUT I couldn't resist boiling a small turnip for "mashed 'taters"... I don't think I blew it badly, but I should have resisted the turnip I think.

I've gotten into the habit lately of having a decaf coffee with cream and SF syrup before bed. I think I'll have to give up on that for a couple of weeks.

I really need to get into an exercise routine this year, so I guess my New Year Resolution should be:

1: Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
2: Quit procastinating about quitting smoking and just do it (I say this while sitting here typing with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth)
3: Stick to lo-carb induction levels at least one month
4: No Cheating!!!
5: Drink Water until they have to move my desk into the restroom at work!!!

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday... tomorrow is back to the old grind for most of us so I hope we're all well rested and ready to take on the world.

Hello especially to our "neice" Keeley be a good girl and let mommy get some rest.

See ya later losers

[hopeful_one]

Good morning ladies!

Just a quick to say hello so the new thread comes to my controls. We have Icy Rain coming down right now. I have my exercise plans and menus laid out for the week. Talk more later, hope everyone is keeping warm.

Angela

[queenj]

Hello and welcome back ladies.

So glad to hear that most everyone had a nice holiday.

The New Year's Eve Party was a success. First one planned and we were able to donate a considerable amount to our local Senior Center. Now we are thinking about having a Spring Fling in April to donate again. I think with that one, I won't have soo much to do as I want to be able to have some fun too.

I am cramming every carb I can possibly think of into the mouth. I start induction tomorrow. Already went to the grocery store to prepare. I have already attempted the smoking thing. Today is day 3 of no cigs. Last night we went to some friends' house and she is quitting tomorrow and it was a little difficult but I made it thru.

My New Year's Resolutions are as follows:

1. To have a better year than 2003
2. To quit smoking on Jan 2
3. To begin induction on Jan 5
4. To begin exercising at least 5 times a week on Jan 5
5.

[queenj]

Sorry the computer freaked out.

5. To drink water on a more regular basis.

I figure it should be somewhat easy to follow since they go hand in hand except the smoking. But the husband quit back in April cold turkey and he smoked more than I. He said he's been there and will help me thru it.

Hope everyone is doing well.

queenj

[scobee]

Hey losers- I am back- we got in late last night- it was a great trip except Michigan lost and it was COLD!!!!!!!! Did not take enough warm clothes, that's for sure. But we had fun going to DisneyLand, Chinatown, the Getty Art Museum, Hollywood, Universal Studios, the Rose Bowl parade and the tailgating party. Had a nice holiday with the relatives before we left too.

Of course I have not read all your posts yet (actually only the ones on this thread) but I wanted to let you know I was back and still behavin'- I may have actually lost a couple of pounds, which would be the first real loss since last summer (I don't count the yoyo pounds). Hope you have all had good holidays too!

[Lazy Daisy]

Happy Sunday Ladies!

It seems like ages since i've been on line....

Kathy-I hope you are feeling better ((((hugs)))) You sounded so stressed out the last few posts...And you are anything but a snob! Just try to keep Norm and I away from your house when we finally get to Australia; we plan on sucking back a few cold ones with you and Bob.

Susan-Good for you with induction, I think we are all going to start feeling better by the end of the week if we keep up with it. I'm scared....lol.

Lady T-sounds like you have everything under control as usual! Love your resolutions...i figure that i should hook up a catheter and a leg bag myself...lol. Water intake is an area that i really need to improve on...hope you had time to relax during the holidays...mmmm, your posts always make me so dahm hungy!

Scobee-Welcome Back! Sounds like you had a great holiday and you lost 2 lbs!!!! Way to Go. Do we get to see any pictures??

Angela- i am not keeping warm. Waaaaaa. It's been freezing out here. I have no water. My pipes are frozen! Been 2 days now. Help!


QueenJ-awesome with the no smoking...and sounds like you are ready to go with induction too.

Zukpr-hope you had a wonderful holiday and birthday! Everything starting to settle down in the house yet?

Hope all is well with everyone else...

For me induction starts tomorrow. And it ain't coming a day to soon. I can hardly wait to get my energy back. I have felt *****ty for two weeks now. Bloated, crampy, fat. UGH! I am on strict induction starting tomorrow.

No drinking, no low carb sweets, and nothing that ain't on the list. I have reread Atkins book and am rip raring ready to go. I'll be in ketosis in no time. Then hopefully get a few more of these pounds off. Just in time for summer <she says with a big smile as she's sits shivering in below zero weather>

I also want to run in the Sun Run in April. I start training for the 6km run on Monday. It's a progressive thing where you start mainly walking with short running intervals then progressively work towards a full 6 km run. Have to committ to training 4 nights a week rain or shine or snow....we'll see how it goes. Figure if i do this then anything else i do will be an added bonus. So gym fees will be way down....Yea!

Okay, must run and put something together for supper. May just have french fries....lol.and a couple of vodka and sodas of course.

I hope everyone is able to hang in there with induction for next few weeks. I think it may be alot tougher than we expect; it will be nice to have you all *itch at....lol

So my resolutions or let's say goals for January(i like to go month to month) are:

1) Induction for at least 2 weeks
2) Water intake-2.5litres a day
3)Training-4 times a week

I think tht will keep me busy.

Later losers

[green gal]

Good to hear from everyone
Bob says that we are still a the triple plus C rating. Thats Clearing Christmas Carbs from Cupboard . We are edging our way back in slowly there is now no chocolate in the house and no bread. Im so impressed by those of you who have been sooooo good.
Still thinking about my New Years resolutions. I think that basically its to be 10 - 15 K lighter this time next year. But Im going to have to work at it arent I. I didnt even go to gym this morning. I work the 3 - 8 shift and then made the mistake of just laying on the bed and as soon as I relaxed. that was it. I pretended that I didnt want to go as Bobs on holidays and I would miss spending time with him. DIdnt work. He knew. Air conditioner still broken Fingers crossed for tommorrow. better go its Tbone steaks on the BBQ for tea and salad.
Best wishes
kathy

[bkcorya]

H - E - L - L - O !!!!!!!!!

Well, it was back to work today.... Mark nearly had to push me out the door kicking and screaming! Of course, he nearly had to push me out the door while he was sitting on the couch because he has the flu.... And what do you think the first blanket he grabbed was??? My new fleece of course!

Kari - Here's the break down of how the present revelation went for your mom:

At the end of the day on Christmas Day, we had finally got settled in from all the traveling and excitment and I was sitting with my new fleece on the couch of course.... Mark and I were talking about did we both get everything we wanted for Christmas etc. when he says, well, I guess I'll have to go get your last present from your Secret Santa... By the time he gets back to living room, I'm trying to act all innocent with the little whistle and definately not looking him in the eyes when he snatches my fleece up from me and begins to interogate me to find out HOW I found the present, WHEN I found the present, etc.... It was really quite funny... Not to worry though, fleece is back in my posession! Although he did threaten to hide it from me again this morning!!!! So, are there any tricks I should know before I wash all his germs off of it???

Catherine -- HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Green Gal -- If you're hot you can head of here to Indiana where the low tonight is going to be NINE degrees which is going to make the wind chill BELOW ZERO! This is of course after it was 60 here yesterday! Geeze!

Scobee -- Welcome back!!!! I can't wait to hear what's on the agenda with the kids in January! Congrats on the loss!!!!

Angela -- Try to stay warm!!! Try to think happy thoughts about your greenhouse in the spring!!!

Lady T -- Congrats on the anniversary date!!!! And for setting resolutions.... I'm still thinking about setting some... Haven't got around to it yet!

Susan -- I hope the owl brings you much luck! I actually had made you a moose, but, I just wasn't as happy with how it turned out as I was with the owl...

Well, off to work!!!

-Brandi

[zukpr]

Hello Ladies!
Happy New Year!!

Well I guess everything will return to normal today. The kids are back at school, we're at regular full time hours and the weather has turned bad. It was such a mild Christmas here- we were spoiled by the warmth.

Glad to see everyone survived NY's, some better than others.

Chris has been LCing since 01/01 and has lost six pounds. I'm terribly jealous since he cheats daily. That's always the way isn't it? I haven't lost any appreciable weight since Aug or Sept., and it's dropping off of him even though the milk and sugar still go in his tea. Never mind -- I shall smile and think of his newly svelt body that shall be mine, mine all mine......(insert meniacle laughter here.............and here.)

Must go and accomplish something today.

Ciao for now,
Catharine

[Susan Prudhomme]

Brandi - WOW - you made my owl? I really loved it before you said that, but now - WOW. I am really impressed. Did everyone get to see the picture of it I posted on Picture Trail? Do you do other things with stained glass as well? My BIL does some of that too. I know it is time consuming.

We are such a creative bunch, aren't we. Artists with cooking, words, fleeces, flowers and gardens, quilting, painting and wallpapering, etc., etc. I am trying my hand at knitting a scarf for myself. I am using yarn called "fun fur", it is a strand of yarn with little strings hanging off it. When it works up, the scarf is fluffy. I chose a varigated color with pinks, yellows, greens, blues, etc. It is turning out cute. Only 6 inches long so far. We will see if I can make it about 40". I have had to start over about 5 times, cause it kept slipping off the needles. Got to work on the method a bit more. LOL. Of course, I am knitting instead of vacuuming, dusting, putting Christmas trim away. Oh well......

Zukpr - I'm with you as not losing since about August, and actually gaining about 10 pounds back. Yuck. It is great that Chris is now joining in. But Jit was the same way, cheating all the time. Guys are lucky that way. Think of how good they would do if they did not cheat! Maybe it will be more fun to create your menus with the two of you doing it.

Green Gal - loved the triple C rating that Bob coined. How true - how true. Hope your ac is workng soon. We have 28 degrees F, so not feeling the same as you, but I would rather be cold than hot. I can always put on another sweater, but when you are hot, well even being buck naked doesn't help.

Lazy - hope your pipes thaw soon. What a bummer. Keep strong girlfriend. We can do this. However, how do you drink more water when the pipes ain't a work'n????

Scobee - your trip sounds fabulous. Do tell about the Rose Parade? Would you do it again? Good to have had fun visiting your family - that is what holidays are all about.

Lady Texun and QueenJ - Good luck with quitting smoking. You can do it.

Dixie - How is motherhood treating you? Are you getting any sleep. So sorry to hear that Keeley has colic. Over here they have some magical mattress that you can buy that moves and seems to help babies with colic. Look into it, cause any relief will be well deserved for Keeley and all.

Well, better do something productive, vacuum or knitting - hmmmm. Tough decision. Later losers.

[bkcorya]

Hi Susan-- Well, I can't say that I made that exact one or not.... A friend and I make small suncatchers and sell at the local Stained glass store... I had made 3-4 of those and took in and then made your moose, but, didn't like it as much as the owl, so traded the moose out even for the owl. We 'borrow' the patterns for the little suncatchers like that from a company that specializes in them. I make or have made about everything there is to make with glass, except hot glass which I'm in the process of working on! I've made stepping stones, benchines, lead panels, transoms for doors, tiffany lamps, copper foiled panels and have also taught lessons for a few years to our local art club. I'm glad that you liked it and that it arrived in one piece! I'm repairing a piece right now for Mark's grandfather, who use to do stained glass, as it was broken in shipment....

[scobee]

Hi guys- this has been a crappy day for me- started out with being awoken by the neighbor's snowblower (the head of our bed is about 10 feet from their driveway) at 5:50 freaking' AM- am I a b*i*t*c*h or is that a bit too early for noisy machinery???? Finally I just decided to get up and shovel because I was too mad to sleep and he was still at it anyway- was going to tell him off but when I got outside I saw that he had shoveled our walk for us- how could I yell at him then- but I really would have rather had a full night's sleep as we are all jet-lagged. Maybe I will just take some melatonin and go to bed early tonight. Of course I was a total grouch all day- will try harder tomorrow. that is my number one resolution- to not be so moody all the time, or at least to not take my bad mood out on my family. I am also going to try not to snack so much. I don't think I am going to go back on induction with you gals, but I am going to try something new. I always seem to lose weight on trips (I mean the traveling kind), I think because there are virtually no legal snacks available except what I bring with me. So I am going to try to stick to a "trip plan" for Monday thru Friday and OWL on the weekends and see how that works. That would mean an omelet with a few strawberries or bites of melon for breakfast, salad for lunch, meat and veggie for dinner, and little pieces of 1 Atkins/other lowcarb bar for snacks. i guess that prbably is under 20 carbs...

Brandi- too bad about your hubby having the flu- is he the kind that milks it for all its worth and you really have to baby him the whole time, like mine? If so- my condolences... I am amazed about the whole stain galss thing- i always wanted to try that but I would probably set the place on fire- you can really make lamp shdes? i may have to hire you out- i would love to have some more stained glass lamp shades (i have one with cats) and stained glass windows in the master bath.

BBelle- sorry about your rude guests- I don't think you are a snob either- unreal that you are checking the surf report on Christmas day and we are clearing snow!

Linda- too funny about the socks- I always thought they went into a black hole to another universe- the kids and I loved the decorations you sent- they decided that the snowmen on the park benches represented the two grownups and two kids in our family!

ZUPKR- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (You are going to end up with a month of happy B-Days on this board...)

LadyT- thanks for the smiley hug- it reminds me of the 'love pats' I get from my kids. Thats what we call it when you pat someone on the back while you are hugging them.

LazyD- Where are the glowing light bulbs you were referring to?

Super- I am impressed about your knitting- i know how to do it, but it takes me soooo lonnnnng that it is just not realistic for me to finish anything- i saw this really cool scarf this woman in LA was wearing. It was about 12 inches wide, and one end was connected to the side so that you could wear it around your shoulders, with the long end hanging down to one side in front of you- kind of hard to describe, but it looked really sharp. We'll prbably see them around here in about four years....

Hopeful- you are so organized- that is great that you have everything all planned out- I guess if you don't plan, you plan to fail...in my case I basically just have a plan to try not to fail...

Queenj- glad you have got thru three days- if your friend wasn't quitting till tomorrow, does that mean she smoked in front of you? Must have been tough- hang in there, yuo and (LadyT) can do it!!

HOpe i remembered everybody- Oh, Dixie hang in there- have you ever heard of the colic carry? Where you have the baby lie on your forearm while you hold around one leg? It is hard to describe but it really works- puts a little pressure on baby's tummy and helps soothe the gas pains or whgatever causes colic.

Later...

[Lazy Daisy]

Happy Monday!

Day 1 Induction almost over! Did good and bad. Bad that i didn't eat anything until 3pm(caught out making calls with nothing with me) good that i stayed within the perimeters. I even got onto Fitday and entered all my food. Gonna try to keep up with it through Induction so i can see where i need to improve.

I'm feeling a little stronger today. I have to tell you that i haven't been feeling that good about things the past couple of weeks. YOu would think that after how long and how much i've lost that things would be totally under control in this head of mine....NOT. It really scares me to think about how easy it would be to fall back into the old routine even knowing how terrible I would feel. I wonder if alcoholism is the same. Or drug addiction for that matter...One thing is for sure--if I didn't have all of you to rely on and talk to i would of been finished over the holidays. Even though i didn't post alot i though of you guys everyday; it gave me the strength to say NO, i'm worth it....Thanks for that.

So today it was a totalof 992 calories...a little low but that's because i didn't have alot of meals or snacks. Here is the breakdown:

76% fat, 5% carbs(before fiber deduction) and 19% protein. Total carbs 19 less 6 for fiber for a total of 15. I can live with that.

But most importantly i feel okay. I have had major tummy problems the last couple of weeks; and will be happy not to be dealing with that crap till next Christmas. It just isn't worth it...and i think i did pretty good. Can't imagine if i'd eaten all those sweets that had my mouth watering.

I've had 48 ounces of water yet today. I will get the rest in before i hit the sack.....


I didn't weigh myself today....TOM is just leaving so will post my beginning weight tomorrow. Weighed on the weekend and was well over 190lbs. Not happy with that; figure i'll be about 190 or so in the morning. My goal is this....to be 170lbs by April 15 then it's a tummy tuck and maintenance for me. That's about 1.3 lbs per week which i should be able to achieve. Norm ain't too happy with it; he'd prefer me to stay where i'm at. He's really comfortable with how we live and eat and doesn't understand why i need to lose more. But he's supportive and does understand that's it's about me and nothing else.

Our water is back on.....Norm took a blowtorch to a pipe that he found frozen and voila; WATER.

Brandi-i'll pass on the update to Mom so she can stop hounding me....lovely work with the Owl. It's a beauty. And no special washing instructions- i washed it before i sent it to make sure it wouldn't fall apart...lol, so you should be safe.

Zukpr-Figures. Men. Love to hate them. Talking about bad weather....it's nasty out here. We are expecting our biggest snowfall ever tonight. Will make for a nasty day tomorrow. Jess's school informed us today that if we get all 8" of it then school will be closed tomorrow.....didn't our parents have to walk three miles to school in like 4 feet of snow everday???LOL.

Scobee-Pet Scan....funny you mentioned it a few posts ago. The doctor would like my mom to have one but medical doesn't cover it....they would like to bill her $3500 for the test...Ouch. They will probably pay double that for all the other tests they will have to do because they don't cover this! Norm and I have offered to pay and the company that she works for is looking at giving her a bonus to cover the cost....so one way or another she will have the PET Scan done so that she doesn't have to get poked and prodded anymore...and i don't care if my neighbor did my dishes and cleaned up my house 5:50am is too fricken early!

Susan-do post a pic of your scarf when it's finished....do you have any cats??? Probably not, if you did you wouldn't be so brave as to knit a scarf...or better yet, knit.

Barbelle-if you lost 15kg there would be nothing left of you.....Triple C? Too funny. It's hard getting in the swing of things ain't it?

No training today....nasty weather. That gives me 6 more days to get 4 days of training in! I may just have to run around the house

Well i think i may have a bath and go to bed. Find it easier the first few days of induction to stay away from everything and everyone. Work, eat and sleep. Basics.

Have a great evening. Keep strong for tomorrow

[Lazy Daisy]

Happy Tuesday!

Day 2 induction-- so far so good. It's 1:30 and i've actually had a coffee, 2 eggs, slice of ham, 1/2 ounce of cheese, 2 mushrooms and about 1/2 litre of water. And i'm just getting ready to have some homeade chicken soup, a cheese wrap, a slice of turkey, slice of bacon, and mayo. And for dinner i am making one huge wack of chicken wings to accompany my 2 cups of lettuce. I'm full just typing this all out....

Good News-i've recalculated how much water i need to drink everyday and am down to 2 litres. Woo HOO! Never thought i'd get so excited about not having to down that extra litre.

Soooooo, i have filled up my 2 litre water jug and when it is done so am I!

And hopefully this will help me lose the 10 lbs that the scale said i was up today....there is just no way in he11 that i ate enough carbs to put that kind of weight on. NO WAY NO HOW! Told the scale off and will get back on in a couple of days...could still be bloated from TOM>

Entered my food into fitday again. Shocking how many carbs creep up on you that i normally don't count....like coffee, eggs, creamo etc....all legal, but all definitely have little amounts of carbs that can add up over the course of a day.

AND NO TUMMY ACHES AGAIN TODAY. I'm happy.

Can feel myself getting anal again about carbs. I think this is a good thing.

Well better go get that lunch of mine on a plate....won't Norm be surprised when i call him in from the shop for a second meal....

Later losers

[Susan Prudhomme]

I was so happy to get on the scales today 2 pounds lighter than yesterday. But I know how foolish it is to think it is permanent. I had another good day, but I did sneak in a couple handfuls of mixed nuts. But otherwise I was pretty good.

I'm with you Lazy, my stomach is feeling a bit better. I can not say that I am becoming anal about carbs. However, I did have some extra energy today. So keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow will bring another successful day.

I will post a picture of my scarf when it is done. It really is coming along rather nicely, if I do say so myself.

You asked if I had cats. Not at this time. However, did I mention that my son gave himself a chocolate lab puppy for Christmas? Well, seeing that Eric works nights and sleeps days, guess who is taking care of it. And as puppies go, he is full of vim and vinegar. So when he is not sleeping, I have to put my needles and yarn out of reach.

Well Turbo, the puppy, is sleeping. I think I will go knit and purl a few more rows on my scarf. Have a great night.
Bar Belle - do you have ac yet? I will box up some of the very cold air we have and send it your way. Temps to be in the teens during day and below 0 some nights. Brrr... Think about those placemats I sent you. We are definitely your frosty friends here.

Zukpr - how is Chris doing with low-carbing? Jit will not give up his bread. And cheats alot when we go out to eat. Can't seem to pass on those french fries. Me, luckily, I do not miss them.

Lady Texun - what is the weather like in Texas this time of year? Any snow? or just cool temps? I bet you wish you had your lawn to mow for exercise. I rather mow than shovel.

Sprout - How are you doing with your resolutions? Are you relaxing a bit more not doing so much research? When do things start hopping for your greenhouse, when the seed catalogs start arriving in the mail?

Scobee - Do hope today was a much better day for you. I know if I don't get my required sleep, it affects my moods too. {{Hugs}} and "Love pats" to you.

Critterma - all done at Tarja??? It will probably be good to spend some more time with your girls when it does end.

QueenJ - Hang in their, Girl. Be Strong. Deep breathes of fresh air - breath in, hold, release - repeat. Same for you Lady Texun.

[scobee]

OK, I have had a day- still cannot get caught up with everything- there is laundry piled up, suitcases still not unpacked, and this house is a mess. This weekend we are hosting a 70th birthday party for my FIL, who just totally embarrassed me the other day. We went shopping with them on our way home from the airport, to CostCo, a big discount store in Detroit (wish we had one here). They had elliptical trainers for $500, which seemed like a good deal to me, so i climbed on to try it out. Well, one of the screws was stripped and the right footrest fell off, making a big clunking noise which everyone looked over to see what was going on. So my FIL says, really loudly, "Guess you still need to lose some more weight, don't you?" I was so embarrassed- at least I don't have to cook much for this party, as dh decided since I don't even have the Christmas stuff put away yet, maybe he should have it catered instead. Of course, there will not be much on the menu that I can eat- will have to make some salad and appys that i can have.

So lazyD- glad you are feelin better- unbelievable that they charge so much for a PEt scan- hope it is helpful. You remind me of me- I always want to weigh in before TOM is really gone, and then I get myself all dissappointed- we need smarter scales, that just automatically subtract that extra water....

Super- turbo is a great name for a lively puppy!! Hope your two pounds stays off- mine didn't....

Some of you asked about the parade- it was fantastic! We had to get up at 4AM so that the buses (16 from our hotel) could leave by 5am, with a police escort so that we didn't have to stop at all the lights and the buses could get off and on the exit ramps (the kids were really excited about that). There were bleachers set up right along the street, and we had assigned seats right at the start of the parade. The floats were incredible- there wasn't a single one I didn't like- the theme was Music, Music, Music! so they all had sounds tracks playing too. The only thing is that you can't hear the announcers like you do on TV, so you don't hear all the little details about the things they used to make the floats (only natural decorations are allowed) or which celebrities are riding on them. If we ever go again, I would like to take a tour of the float-making process- too busy this time.

[queenj]

I am terrible!

Didn't start induction until today. But only had 18g of carbs so I guess off to a good start. No exercise or water tho. Really need to concentrate on that!

Good news - No cigarettes since January 1. Woo Hoo. Hope Lady T is doing good with it as well.

Glad to hear that everybody is doing well with being back on induction and also glad to hear that everyone is feeling a bit better becuz of it.

Gotta go but will be back; have a great day.


queenj

[zukpr]

WAY TO GO QUEENJ--NO CIGARETTES FOR A WEEK!!!! WOO HOOO!!!!!

Scobee--four a.m.??? yeash, if that didn't drive you into a breakfast danish frenzie, I don't know what would. Not real supportive of your FIL, sometimes people don't realize how a comment made off the cuff can do damage. Hang in there mama.

Susan, congrats on the two pounds--you probably lost it chasing Turbo(great name!). All I could think of when you told us about the puppy was Bar Belle doing her best Homer Simpson ".....mmmmmmmm........chocolate laaaab.....".

Lazy Daisy, Can I come over for breakfast? I sufficed on a egg McMuffin, sans muffin. I'm starving. Great news on the water! Hugs to Mom!

Brandi, Just ship that throw blanket up here would ya--it's extreeeeeeemly cold and I don't much like it. I'll send it back in August.

Critterma, Are you getting any rest yet? I hope the girls let you have some down time at home to recoup from the Christmas retail season.

Sprout, That was quite a list of resolutions! I resolve to drop of the right kids at the right schools every day! and keep my water intake up. That does it for me.

Lady Texun, How goes the ciggy thing? Hang in there Girl friend. Thanks again for the books. Really enjoyed them! Must find Texus "2".

Making good food choises on Induction, but I did have vodka last night. I was cold so I had a shot in my coffee to warm up. It worked.

Chris is still somewhat adhearing to the Atkins WOE, I'll post his one week progress tomorrow.

Later losers!

Catharine

[LadyTexun]

Susan, our coldest so far has been just below freezing for a couple of nights, the days right now are in the hi 40's but we're heading back to the 60's during the next couple of days. That's one reason I love Texas... we get snow about once every 7 or 8 years and icy conditions about every 2 years for maybe a week

Hey, do you have a famous relative named Paul Prudhomme??

I am saddened to advise everyone of three things:

1: I have not been successful in my attempt to quit smoking, I will not be trying again for a short while due to...

2: It looks like me and the BF will be splitting up as soon as he can put enough money together to acquire his own place, it is a mutual decision and we are trying to part as friends.

3: My beloved Pru (my six year old ferrett) has passed on to the rainbow bridge. She was extremely lethargic yesterday morning, BF took her to the vet, she was suffering from an adrenal tumor, he did not hold out much hope for her, she was in pain and suffering. I will miss her very much.

I am still sticking to induction with no results so far. It's actually pretty easy right now, as I'm not in much of a mood to eat lately... but I'll get back to my perky self soon.

[Lazy Daisy]

Lady t- ((((hugs))))) sorry to hear about you and the BF. Even if it's mutual it's still a tough thing to go thru. Keep your head up....and so sorry to hear about your ferret. It's tough to lose pets that we love so much. I bet ferret heaven is like paradise!


Zukpr-i would kill for a shot of Vodka. I've got at least 8 more days of induction before i can partake. I'm trying so hard to be good; it's tough. Chris is somewhat adhering to Atkins---what is he cheating on??

QueenJ-congrats on the no smoking; such a difficult thing to beat...and welcome back to Induction. Will be interesting to see the results we each get.

Scobee-sounds like the parade was exciting.I haven't seen a parade since i was a kid...ignore your FIL. Some people just don't think. I remember someone at a clothes store saying to Jessica one day oh my, you have quite the tummy.....i was so mad i was speechless. She was embarrased and hurt. The next time an adult says anything about her weight i will pick out a physical flaw of there own and say ...."yeah i guess it's just about as big as the nose your sporting or that big gooey zit you have on your face" - we'll see how much they like it. I AM JUST WAITING. My protective claws are out and ready to go! I tell you, you don't mess with Lazy Daisy daughter.

Susan-how is your choc lab...lol, i mean Eric's puppy. Funny how once your a mom your everyone's mom! Hang in there with induction....i think that extra energy thing is starting to kick in. I found myself getting up off the couch at 11 last night to clean up the kitchen. I'm either sick or heading into ketosis.

Well off to the hospital with mom for yet another scan. Then to the mall to return a few things i bought that we're either too big or too small for Jess for xmas.

Have a lovely day.....a low carb one.

Later losers,

[zukpr]

Lady T, So sorry to hear about the BF and the Ferret. (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))) not a great way to start the new year. Stay tough and don't worry about stressing yourself out about cigarettes, just go easy on them, O.K.?
Take care.

Chris is cheating by having milk and sugar in his tea, ketchup on his burger, 1/2 a potato at dinner, today the burger with the bun, all in all though, for him---that's pretty good. I'll take what I can get. Usually, at the end of the day ('ya know--vodka time) he has milk and at least six chocolate chip cookies (what a man.), and he h