New and would like a buddy

[Denise78]

Back from dentist appt and shopping. New dental insurance isn't worth crap. Our bill is over $300 and ins. keeps denying claims, but the dentist office wants to resubmit some claims they think ins. should have paid. I gave them $150 figuring no matter what, ins. isn't going to cover 100% of all dh's dental work lately. Then we go to pick up prescriptions and the gal at the pharmacy says I have a $450 balance. Yikes, I just paid $420 two wks ago. Hard to believe we ran it up that high again so quickly when all we're paying is $10 or $20 co-pays. Ooops, she says, I have the wrong acct pulled up. Whew. Was happy to pay the $110 after that. But that's 2 stops and over $250 already. It sure is expensive to try & stay healthy.

Stopped at the pet store and they recommended doggie aspirin for Hannah. $8.50. Geesh, that was more expensive than ppl aspirin!! But she's worth it. The lady there said Hannah may just be choking on hairballs since she's been licking that wound a lot where they drew blood and she's got some thick fur. Might be something worse but let's hope for the best so I gave her some vegetable oil when we got home, in hopes that if it's a hairball, that will help pass it.

Replaced about 6 eggplant and tomato plants. Dh thinks the others will survive even though they don't look quite so pretty today after the storm. So didn't have as big a bill there as we thought, thank goodness.

Okay, had my BIGGEST test so far. We went to Pizza Hut for lunch. Dh's choice but he said if I didn't think I could handle it, we could go elsewhere. I was determined to try. We both got the buffet. I filled up on salad as much as I could, 2 plates. And I ate pizza toppings. LOL. I don't know what that waitress thought when she picked up my used plate full of pizza crusts and bottoms but like dh said, I paid full price so what did they care how little I ate of their pizza. Boy, that was a tough one for me and I'm sure the toppings had enough calories in them but at least I ate mostly salad and didn't go crazy on my very favorite food in the world.

SC, glad to hear you are doing okay today. Tough love is tougher on the parents I think. Hang in there.

YH & T, hope you are both having a good day!!
C, stop doing chores and exercises and go enjoy your b'day!!!!

Okay I have weight loss on my mind WAY too much. We passed by a trailer park and I saw a sign and I got miffed and angry, till I re-read it. "Overnight campers welcome." I thought it said "Overweight campers welcome." I think I am losing it.

Love ya gals!! D

[slendercate]

C, yes, stop doing chores and have a fun b'day.

The cereal I like is Nutrious Living, Hi-Lo, 12pro/6 carbs. I get it from Netrition.com - The Internet's Premier Nutrition Superstore!
Our local store used to carry it, but have stopped, so I order it along with the scandinavian crisp, too. Love them, all fiber, no countable carbs.

I know Hood Lc milk is more expensive, but it is the only one we buy now, I especially love the chocolate kind, what a treat. In the winter, it makes a great hot chocolate.
We drink it, cook with it, bake with it, no body visiting can tell the difference. DH really loves milk, is trying to do PP with me, so he thinks he is in heaven. I like to drink it
as a bedtime snack.

D-laughing out loud about the sign you think you saw.
Hope Hannah responds to the "doggie asa and the vegetable oil.
Wow, I am proud of you. To go to a pizza joint and just eat the salads and the toppings, way to go. Like DH said, who cares what the wait staff think? It's your money, eat it the way you want to.

Well, will check in tomarrow. The yard at our old house really whipped me today.

[MI CHICK]

Over weight campers & fat chested
Maybe we are losing it cause you gals are sure cracking me up!!!

Ok it's 8:30 & we're home watching the hockey game. Dh & I were laughing boy we sure lead a quiet life don't we.


Dinner was very good. Dh told me to get the 3 cheese stuffed steak so I did--good thing he didn't tell me the price cause I sure never would have bought it--$18--I'd already ordered a pomegranite margarita as a real treat.
Boy was that good! I had a free birthday dessert coupon so we split that but were so full that we each only had a
couple bites. Kind of a waste. Didn't get choc as I knew I wouldn't stop at a couple bites...So we brought our stuffed bodies home. Told dh it's a good thing I didn't eat all day & did the 3mile walk LOL! Guess I'll be doing it in the morning too

D that is so good on the pizza hut!! That was the kind of great control I had all last vacation & am trying to have on a daily basis now. Sounds like you are really getting there. You've done well thru many social eatings over the past couple months. If it's thin crust pizza I can eat just the toppings & be happy--deep dish....well that is a no way for me.

Good to hear that the garden isn't as bad as you first thought. They actually mentioned your storm on our news this morning so I know it was bad.

Yeah the insurance/medical is a whole mind mess on it's own....all my tests were mainly covered. So only a couple hundred needed. Then I got the stress test claim & the insurance doesn't pay any of it.....so I haven't done my hands or made a appt w/the cardiologist cause I'm not sure now what the problem with the insurance is. Have to call & I hate that. Thought I had read thru all the info pretty good but I guess I missed something re the services schedule. Maybe they've paid all they are going to for me for this 6months or some such
The dr gave dh a card from each of the drug co that his 2 scripts are from that allows him to get them for his regular deductable. There isn't a generic so insurance won't pay for them. So that's nice cause we wouldn't use 'em if we had to pay full. Well now that I look at the cards one says it will pay the first $50....how much does this stuff cost???? Geez have to point that out to dh.

One last thing, dh walked in door from work w/a dozen red roses. Was so shocked!! He's never been the kind of man that did any of that stuff.... Over the last 5yrs he has started & it always really stuns me. They are beautiful! Made him take a pic when I got them in the vase. When waitress asked what he'd gotten me for my birthday I was so thrilled to be able to tell her about the roses! Was always hurtful when such things came up in past years to have to say nothing--people were always like you mean no card no gift no meal no nothing? He is always surprised when it means so much--still doesn't get it. Think he was embarressed when I told waitress & then she was going on about it. After she left he asked, were you embarressed to say I'd bought you a lounge chair for the patio & I said no not at all but what matters to her & me is the flowers. He just sat there & looked at me....LOL!

Ok need to turn this puppy off & join dh on sofa.

[MI CHICK]

You were posting same time as me SC---
thanks for the info. what are the scandv crisp? is that the bran crisp you get D? Hey that yard work all counts as exercise!!
Hey D reminds me I saw a list the other day & dusting supposedly burns 90 calories....lol

[Denise78]

C, your story about the roses brought tears to my eyes. My dh is the same way as your's so yep, something that thoughtful and out of character means SO much more than they can ever imagine! Bet this will be a b'day to remember. That cheese-stuffed steak sounds yummy!! So glad you enjoyed your dinner!!

Yes, I get those bran crackers from Netrition like SC. Only 16 calories and 0 carbs per cracker, which is about the size of a deck of cards, very good for low-carb eating. I like them with cream cheese or my 0-carb soy p'nut butter. SC, I've tried the Hi-Lo cereal too. Very good but I tend to eat more than I'm supposed to so it raises my sugars a little. Some things I only buy once if I have a hard time stopping at one serving. I get the crisp bran crackers all the time as they have a definite bran flavor, so it's not like I am dying to eat the whole pkg in one sitting.

Dusting burns 90 calories, hmmm? I knew it had to be true!! Now if I could just talk myself into cleaning more often, I'd be a skinny-minny, wouldn't I???

I am researching Hannah's symptoms online. I just cannot accept that it's cancer or a fatty diet. Too much broad space in between, kwim?? I'm wondering if it is Lyme Disease. She responded so well to the antibiotics and then went downhill after we were thru them. The articles I've read said that can happen with Lyme Disease if you don't keep the dog on the antibiotics for a full 30 days. I'm having dh call the vet tomorrow. The guy treated me very condescending....you know....I'm a WOMAN so I wouldn't understand the complexities of it all. Dh is going to insist on a longer period of antibiotics and if it turns out to be cancer, so be it, but at least we'll feel like we tried to save her.

Tomorrow I will get back to drinking the protein shake to help fill me up but I was afraid to drink it while traveling today.

Today's menu:

B-coffee
L-salad, pizza toppings
D-baked chicken, zucchini
S-lc crackers, organic lc sharp cheddar cheese

Dh is waiting on me to watch tv with him so I'll say good night ladies!

D

[Teresa3]

Good evening, Gals--

Glad you had such a nice birthday, C. I got a kick out of your story about the lounge chair vs. the roses! Men are all alike! Dh's favorite present for me was a pair of headphones--he commented, "Oh, you look so cute in your Bose headphones!" They really only respond well to things like that, C! Glad your dh got a clue!

Congrats on your downward trend, and for having the courage to weigh once more; now you can get that out of your system for awhile, and have a reference point. And big congrats on doing 3 miles on the machine! Wow! Sorry to hear about your ins. not coming thru for you on all your tests. Make that call, you know sometimes they will resubmit it for you. worth a try.

D, that's so sad about your garden! The weather seems so unpredictable there! Bummer! It's sad about your dh's son, too. I guess there's one in every family. We have a daughter who rarely communicates, and won't give us her address or phone #. And we want to help her, but she won't accept help--go figure!

SC, sounds like your son is growing up, and the tough love worked. A lot of the time people say things get better after their kids move away; they grow up more and learn to appreciate their parents, so I hope that will be the case for you. Keep those smaller clothes out and try them on frequently!

Y, are you packing yet? I always keep a list of everything I generally need for a trip, then just add on the particulars for the different climates and occasions. After I get my list all made, I feel less anxious. Then I divide it up into the three days before I leave. Glad you're feeling better on the prozac--let me know if it helps freeway jitters!

I'm going to have to start my posting earlier from now on--dh wants to have lights out by 11--I still have to take the dog out and get all ready for bed which takes me forever. So, toodledoo for now! T.

[Teresa3]

Just had to add one more thing--D, big congrats on going to a pizza place and only eating salad and the toppings off the pizza! That is being a superwoman! Awesome! OK, TTYL. T.

[yellowhair11]

Right now its 238am, I go back and forth with the computer - I will be a wreck by after work and still did not pack. I went to the dentist for a cleaning after work then decided to do the manicure and pedicure, upper lip and brow wax - a good excuse to stay away from packing nightmare and my feet were bad. No bad news at this dental visit-maybe the water pick thing is helping. Then BF was home and I cant get anything done when he's around. Tonite I have hair color. She never works Tues. but said she will come in for me as I said I cannot go up north with white hair. So I will be a nut case tonite but thats my own fault.

So sorry to hear about the golf ball hail storm D - I bet dh was ticked off - I cant blame you for not wanting to buy more. How is dh's teeth by the way ? I thought of him in the dental chair ! My dental ins. is terrible - only good if you have great teeth. You may be on to something with the Lyme disease D - can you take her to a diff. vet for another opinion ? The extra antibiotics won't hurt her-I would do everything possible. Ok, so our girlfriend getaway is the Overweight Fat Chested Camping Haven For Girls - a spa would be much nicer D but you can set up my tent for me and make the campfire. Geez, a pizza hut buffet - you did great ! What torture

T - Im sure you are enjoying the bose headphones ! And lights out at 1100 ? DH wants you comfy cozy with him. How is the food and exercise going ? Glad the grad. was good ! When are the jeans arriving ?

SC- Thats just about all they have at our supermarket here - Boarshead- so I get it all the time. It is very good and not cheap. I hope you are not working too hard on your vacation ! Which Callanetics tape are you doing ? I need to attempt tough love I guess from listening to all you guys. S3 is pretty bad, I hope there are no issues when im gone with him and BF. The last trip I took in Nov. BF went to a hotel while I was gone. BF cant come because he uses his vac. time to take off days when he does not feel well which is about 1 every week. Sounds like you will be burning fat this week !

Pomegranite margaritas and flowers C !!! Thats really sweet and made me cry too !!! Those pomegranites are suppose to be good for so many ailments - they wanted five bucks for 1 at the supermarket, I remember when they were 3 for a dollar. How long does it take to do the 3 miles on the wop ? Curious as it would take me probably 2 hrs. on a treadmill. And great on your new start weight ! Now change your stats.

BF did not return the famous earrings and gave them to me last nite ! He had better bring my dress home tonite as he took it to some cleaners out by his work ( far ). My flight is at 1100 tom. so not sure if I will post again but im addicted so most likely, Ill be manic from packing so ill need a break. I am not too worried, if I forget something Ill go to the store.

Mon.
am-cantelope and peach, potion
lunch-oatmeal w blueberries - 2 bites of of best homemade bananna bread I ever had ( Betty Crocker is back from her vac )
dinner - scrambled eggs with 1.5 pc. of wh. wheat bread
snacks-pretzels , fruiti, handful of jujubees ( why did I buy the freakin jujubees, figured I needed them for trip- a fat free candy but its that corn syrup ! )

[Denise78]

YH, I am going to miss you!! What am I going to do without your middle-of-the-night posts??!! And now T wants to post earlier. Geesh. I have to have SOMETHING to read with my coffee in the morning. I'll probably go thru withdrawals while you're gone. Don't drive yourself crazy packing. Like you said, if you forget something, you can always buy it. I usually end up having to do that even with my lists. Woo-hoo!! You got your earrings!! Bet those will look nice to wear at the wedding with your black dress. Good that you pampered yourself and got the manicure/pedicure and waxing done. You will arrive in style. I hope you have safe travels and a wonderful time!! And make sure you come back to us!!!!

Glad your dentist visit was a good one. Waterpic must be working. Dh's teeth are doing great now that he had all the bad ones pulled. Let's hope it stays like that since his way to treat is to yank those babies and I really don't want to end up with a toothless old man before he really is an old man.

Overnight Fat Chested Camp Haven For Girls. Thank you for at least calling us GIRLS.

We were up at 3 am with Hannah. She's having such a rough time. I think the aspirin is helping a little but it doesn't last more than a few hours and she seems to be running a fever. She's panting heavily unless I have the a/c going, which I have been but central a/c shuts itself off once the house reaches a certain temp and I must not have had it set low enough. She always sleeps in our bedroom but we found her out by the back door on the linoleum, which is probably cooler for her to lay on. Thank God. I woke up and couldn't hear her breathing and I was afraid to get out of bed to check. I laid there for a good 10 min before dh woke up and went to the bathroom and told me she was out by the back door. Whew. Her nose is totally bone dry, which is a sure sign that something's not right. And the insides of her mouth and ears feel very warm. I used a wet facecloth to try and wet her nose and cool her off a bit but I'm clueless when it comes to caring for sick dogs. Always had healthy ones. If it's not Lyme Disease, it's surely some kind of infection to be causing a fever and I think no matter what, antibiotics should at least help her feel better even if they don't actually cure anything else. Dh is checking with the vet and if they need to see her again, I'll bring her in. I'm sure there are other vets in other towns but none that are closer than an hour or that we know so I'll go with these guys first, unless they don't do anything for her, and then we'll go thru the phone book and make some calls, if need be.

Another storm last night. Terrible thunder and lightening. Probably what woke me up to begin with. Fortunately, dh looked at the weather report ahead of time (learned his lesson) and held off on planting the new plants. Hope we'll be able to plant before Winter!!!

T, hope things are going good for you. Still riding the bike??

C, back to the salt mines today. Is this one of your long or short days? Nice that you have Mondays off now. Makes for such a long relaxing wkd.

SC, keep those smaller clothes out where you can see them. We're all doing that and finding it to be such good motivation. I have a pr of pretty pants I bought months ago that I'm still several sizes too big for, but I'll get in them someday! I should just make a poster-size picture of me in a bikini and hang that on the refrig. Boy would that be an incentive to stay out of the kitchen!! For everyone in my house.

Happy Tuesday ladies!! D

[MI CHICK]

Good morning gal's! Sitting here w/morning coffee looking at my beautiful deep red roses

Stayed up to watch the hockey game thru all 3 overtime periods, it was almost 2am when I got to bed....so I slept till 9. Now I am running late on my to do list & at this point feel pretty lazy & don't care...LOL!!

That's a great idea on dividing up the packing list T. Maybe that would keep me from starting to pack so far in advance! Good luck Y as it's a hassle no matter how you do it. It will be worth it for the good visit w/family an friends!

We will miss you Y! Save all the good details to share with us. Like the looks on their faces when you walk in so slim!! Fresh hair & nails & toes & teeth & fuzz free &
smaller clothers--you are stlying girl!! Good attitude too that you can buy whatever you forget--I always pack like there won't be a store during that 2000 mile drive...LOL

Yeah do whatever you can for your dog D. Think all of us here have lost a pet that we loved very much & know how hard it is....dh won't even consider getting anymore cause he says he doesn't want to be 72 having to put another pet to sleep & grieving till he's 74.

T...Bose headphones....ooohhh that is so something dh would love to give me! And borrow too His idea of gift shopping is to take me to Circuit City & walk around & say oh would you like this, how about that, oh this would be great....electronics are not my thing ya know girls...next stop is Lowe's with the same story. Except I like more things there but a new bathroom or all new kitchen cupboards/counters is not quite what he wanted to spend for my birthday.....what does he think, I'm gonna find a hammer w/a pink handle & say oh my I must must have that for my pink toolbox....
On the way out the door I did spot this really great lounge chair that was very comfortable that I said I'd like for the patio. So he was happier than I was. Oh he is so very smart & yet so very silly.....

My ds has this whole range of friends that he accumlated over the last few years & I never understood where they came from So I finally ask one time when he was getting ready to go to PA to spend the weekend with some of them for a wedding of another one of them--he had met thru online sites of interest to him. Still didn't get it....they have met a couple times a year at different
places & there will be 20 to 75 of them (that was the year they all met at Cedar Point in Ohio). I now finally understand after having done this thread what he was trying to tell me. After a couple years you would feel very close--interesting that it happens with guys too.

Ok I must get a move on as it looks like its going to rain & I have a couple outside chores that I can procrastinate no longer
Have a great trip Y
to you all

[MI CHICK]

Good morning D!! As usual we were posting at the same time
LOL!!

[Denise78]

Good morning C!! I can always count on your morning posts, thank goodness. Seems we have been posting at the same time lately a lot, haven't we?? Great minds think alike!

[Teresa3]

Y, it sounds like you are getting it all together for your trip--here's where your insomnia can work for you! You are going to look Fabulous--did you decide to wear the long black dress? Just remember to put some of your meds in your purse so you'll have them handy, that's always my major concern! We are sure going to miss you; but we're cheering you on to have a great time! What color is the hair going to be?

Oh, I got an email notice today that my tummy tuck jeans are being shipped sooner than expected! Yeah! So they should get here in a few days. I also ordered a wild flower and black & white geometric print V-neck top which came yesterday. It's crazy, got beads on it and a bunch of stuff; I love it! I feel like going on a buying frenzy. Bored, I guess. I can't get dh to go on any trips this summer cause he doesn't like to travel any more, so I just feel like making purchases...what's more exciting than getting new clothes?!

Hey, that sounds like Carrie on Sex and the City. I love the idea of a meetup somewhere someday. There's four of us, like the gals in Sex--we could make our own movie. Instead of sex, we'd all be talking about...you absolutely know it--Food in the City! We'd probably eat ourselves silly out of excitement! What a great idea! Too bad airfares are so high--wish we lived closer!

C, your story of being walked thru the circuit city and home depot stores was a riot! I knew these men were all alike! The last gift I got for my birthday was a new toilet! I'm not kidding! But at least it was a fancy kind with a bidet feature, and I actually love it. It's just so weird to think this was my last birthday present!

Are you a big sports fan, C? Staying up til 2 am to watch a game is serious interest! I'm assuming dh stayed up with you? Is hockey your favorite sport? Being from IN, I like basketball, although more on the college level.

D, I'm so sorry you're having to go thru this with Hannah. Our lab was very ill the last 3 years of her life with congestive heart failure. We had a hard time letting go I guess since we'd had her from a puppy. She was a wonderful dog. It took me three years to get over it enough to get another dog, but I am so glad I did. Gena is a pill, but she is so much fun. I hope Hannah's illness is temporary. It does sound like another round of antibiotics would be worth a try.

Are you going to Curves this week, D? When do you start swimming? What's up with the sorority sisters? That sounds like so much fun; I guess I'm getting in the mood to get into another women's group or get the one I used to host going again. I just don't know what to do with them now--need to think of some new thing for us all to do.

How's it going, SC?

We were going to eat fish last night, which is a great diet food, but dh went out and brought me back a lamb patty and some minestrone soup. I was not feeling real great. But it was a lot of meat, and the soup was salty, so I am bloated today--no progress on the jeans fitting better the last few days. I'm going to the gym today and taking my diuretic, hoping to have waist measurement down tomorrow. The grad party threw me off too because all they had there I could eat was a lot of deli meat and cheese, and fruit. So I've been eating too much meat and salt. Fish and nonstarchy veggies is the best way for me to lose, I've discovered.

Oops, gotta go, getting near time to go to lunch and gym, not ready! TTYL, T.

[Denise78]

Food in the City?? T, you're cracking me up. We should be thinking more along the lines of Fit in the City and meet up at a gym than a restaurant LOL. But yep, that would be a neat idea to get together someday. I actually met up with 2 friends several yrs ago that I had met online. One was in Tennessee, the other in Indiana. Dh, the kids & I went back East to visit my family and stopped to visit these gals and their families for an afternoon. Ds1, about 14 at the time, thought I was crazy -- what if they were axe murderers or something??? I told the Indiana gal about that while we were visiting her, so her husband went out to the garage and came back in the house carrying a big axe and walked into the living room with it. I thought ds1 was going to jump out of his pants.

If you don't mind my asking T, what were your dog's symptoms with the chf? That's one thing the vet mentioned when dh called him this morning. One of my sorority sisters called and recommended some things for us to try. She has TEN dogs (and they all sleep in her bedroom with her & dh!!) so she knows a thing or two about them. Anyway, she said it sounds more like an infection since a fever doesn't go along with cancer. So I made Hannah some chicken & rice and she ate a little of that. I've been getting water into her too. But her breathing is so labored. It's raspy like she has a cold. Maybe that is the chf, her lungs getting filled with fluid. Or maybe she has what we humans get, like the flu or a cold or something. She is very warm to the touch and pants as if she is hot. The vet gave us 20 days worth of tetrocycline so hopefully the antibiotic will work. My apologies for talking too much about this. She's like one of our kids and I'm not even wanting to leave her alone to go anywhere for fear that she'll be gone when I return.

Had a little scare this morning. Heard of an ambulance going out towards the ranch ds2 is working at so I had to call the rancher's wife and make sure everyone was okay there. She said it was for a 28 yr old guy at a branding that was being held further down past her ranch. Whew. Not that I want anyone to be hurt, but thank goodness it wasn't ds2. We don't know yet what happened but if it's someone as young as 28, probably was an accident involving getting bucked off a horse or something like that. Out here when you see an ambulance go by, 9 out of 10 times, you know the person in it so it does get scary. Especially with the nearest hospital being an hour away!

YH I'm guessing you are on your way to get your hair done but if you peek in one more time....goodbye and have fun on your trip!!!

I'm not used to staying home anymore and I don't know what to do with myself today. I know C, I could be cleaning and burning some calories, couldn't I??

[yellowhair11]

Just had to pop in again and say hello before I go. My hair is the same, I did not have time to sit there and experiment but she has alot of new ideas from the hair convention she attended, the salon was closed but she came in for me which was nice. I made a list at work and worked off that. I hope its warm because not bringing jacket, I think it will be ok as I am always hot anyway. It was hard because I wanted clothes that fit and never got thru all the boxes yet, but the stuff that has been trickling in from ebay will do, some of the ebay bottoms are like 5 pounds away but some fit, getting the cute capris now that ill wear to work everyday. I have thrown alot of stuff out and made a big donation drop, filled to big garbage cans last weekend. I am going to miss my daily melt belt-she is behaving now. I am not taking the greens or husks with me but ran across of bottle of colon max so tossed that in. My tote is jammed packed as I never got the little bottles for the shampoo, cr. rinse, etc. and of course I want my brand. I think it would be great for us to plan a trip to meet - just like the sex and the city gals
My last trip in Nov. I met a gal on the internet and we met up in MX - it turned out great.

Ok, ill weigh myself this am and then when I return Hopefully I wont be a piggy. Ill pop it if I can - have to see the situation there. I have worked so darn hard and hate to gain 10 pounds so I need a diff. attitude this time, that I cant eat like a pig when on vacation-a habit ive done my whole life. (except for week trip to fat farm long ago)

Everyone is doing so well ! Im proud of you and keep it up, I want to see the stats go down ! I am praying for Hannah. Take care and love you all !!

[Denise78]

Glad you had time for one more post before you left, YH. Wow, meeting up in MX must have been so much fun!! Yep, I think we have to meet somewhere for a girls' getaway! Might be my new motivation so that I don't have to pay extra airfare like I see some are charging now for overweight passengers!! I think you will do fine on your vacation. Indulge in the treats that are worth it and be careful at other times. A good balance shouldn't put 10 lbs on you! Remember --- no piggy-time!!

Dh is in charge of our shampoos when we go places. He always saves all those little hotel samples when he travels and keeps them in his travel case. Might not be the exact shampoo/conditioner I use, but they are usually good ones since he stays in the nicer hotels at the company's expense. Are you buying used clothing on Ebay or new? I'll have to check it out since I've never bought clothes there but have bought tons of other things. I guess I should stop asking questions since it will probably be a week before I hear answers!

Another storm last night. Geesh. We live in such a dry area and then we get it all at once!! I heard the town pool is open but it's been so cold and rainy, I don't know how ppl are wanting to swim! Must be all kids. I'll wait for the warm weather myself. I look bad enough in a bathing suit, don't need to add giant goosebumps to the equation!!

Friend that I go to Curves with told me of a good vet about 2 hours away, and said she will go with me if I want, so that is my backup plan. I was up all night again with Hannah. (It's like those baby days all over again and for some reason the male sleeping in bed next to me hears nothing!!!) This morning, Hannah appears ever so slightly better. She's still panting, her nose is dry, eyes runny, but she did eat a little chicken, drank some water and ate the 2 pc of cheese that I hid her pills in, so we're getting her meds into her. I will wait to see how she looks throughout the day before I decide to take her in or not. Might just be a matter of the antibiotics getting into her system and this is only the 2nd day on them, just 24 hours, so hopefully we'll see an improvement today.

Scale is not happy with me this week. I was hoping for a good loss since no loss last week but we'll see. Last night I had awful back pain and was so blocked up, felt like I had to go to the bathroom but just couldn't. It was 2:30 am and I had the sweats so bad, waves of nausea over me. I took my bs and bp levels, both were a little on the high side but nothing worth worrying over. Sugar levels were actually low for me this morning. I don't know what I'm eating that is causing this blockage but it's not good. I will get more greens blend into me today and hopefully that will fix things!!

Well C, for once I think I am posting when you're not. Hope that doesn't mean you all are deserting me!! I loved it that YH left me a post this morning, otherwise it would have been a very lonely cup of coffee!!

Happy Wednesday gals! D

[MI CHICK]

Good morning D!!
I stayed up late watching the baseball game--it went into overtime like the hockey game the nite before so I didn't wake up till 9:30. And no T it's not with dh, sports bore him silly. Must be the only woman in America that sits & watches sports all by herself as ds is not into sports either.

I'm sure Y will have a good time. Hope all the vac tricks work as well for her as they did for me. She might do better as she'll be with the people that made remarks about her weight last time. You know the "I'll show them" attitude !!

I hadn't taken the scale to the basement yet. Was with my stack of winter blankets all set to go down. So I thought well I did so good yesterday I'll pop on it & keep myself inspired. You know what happened--said 236. This is exactly why I don't weight everyday....
So it's going down this morning! Found the worst binge thread & read all 6 pages. Sad what we do to ourselves. Great to see people addressing it & trying to get a handle on the evils that drive us all.

Your new tops sound like summer fun T! We're all waiting
to hear about those jeans! Sorry dh is not liking to travel anymore. That would so bum me out!! Good thing he's such a good hubby otherwise huh Even though the new toilet as bthday gift puts him on the "iffy" list

The ax story is a pretty good one!! We always hammer it to our kids to beware of strangers so I'm sure he couldn't get why you all were going! Poor kid

Maybe you are blocked enough that you should break down & take a laxative D. This was always the draw back for me w/lc. That's why I wanted to do the fiber drink. I'm thinking that maybe the protein drink might hold me better though. T told me about taking the fiber pills & that does the trick for me. But the fiber is suppose to help you feel full & satisfied. Anyway today you may need to just take a lax & get it all moving.

Well today is a work day so I need to get those blankets & scale to the basement, have my 2nd cup of coffee, & do my wop. Be back tonight

[Teresa3]

Hi, Gals--

Y, I know you are on your way, but if you are reading back posts when you return, just wanted to say hello and wish you a great vacation! We're going to be waiting on pins and needles to hear how it all went.

D, it sounds like Hannah may be on the mend with the antibiotics. Jenny's symptoms were that she did pant a lot when we walked her, and she slowed down a lot. Then she would cough a little, and later, when it got bad, she coughed up pink-tinged frothy fluid. We thought she was vomiting, but this actually was coming from her lungs! Because we thought this, it took the doctors a couple of days to figure out what was wrong with her, and she nearly died. When we thought she was leaving us, she made the most awful retching noises. But we managed to get enough Lasix and hbp pills down her throat that she survived the night, and when we got her on a regular regimen of the diuretics and hbp meds, she was much better and lived about 2 more years. However, it took dosing her 4x per day, and letting her out all the time because the lasix made her pee so much. I don't recall that she had a fever, but she may have when she first got so sick. I hope poor Hannah feels better soon, and that you feel better, too!

You don't suppose that your not feeling well last night was due to anxiety over Hannah, do you, D? I have had anxiety attacks cause me to break out into a sweat, but I am more worried about your blood sugar possibly having gone too low. My dad told me he breaks out into a sweat when that happens to him. Hope you are OK, D!. BTW, don't be at all concerned about worrying about Hannah to me--I love animals, and particularly dogs, as you can see!

Yeah, right, D, Fit in the City would be a better theme for us! Maybe we should all save our pennies and meet up at some fancy spa somewhere where they serve spa cuisine, huh? I just realized I miscounted--there's actually five of us, so much the better! Your story about the friend's dh with the ax makes me very nervous! We can trust each other, but how 'bout them relatives! Do you still stay in contact with this internet friend? I do think it would be fun to meet someday.


C, sorry about the scale! See, that's what happens when you weigh too often; it is so frustrating! I'm sure it was just water fluctuation, so don't let it bother you. You're doing so great with all your exercising, and you're eating under control, so I'm sure you'll be getting into those smaller pants soon!

Well, we didn't realize you are such a sports fan, C! Yeah, that is pretty wild, being such a fan and having a dh who isn't! There's a billion guys out there who would die to have a dw like you! But they say opposites attract!

Hey, I got the tummy tuck jeans today! And they fit! They have a panel across the inside front that does pull you flatter across the stomach, and they are wider in the waist so you don't have so much of a muffin top hanging over from the fat being pulled in across the tummy. And they also pull your butt up a little. Very stretchy, and comfortable. Those are the pluses, now for the minuses--they make my thighs look bulgier because they're tight and stretchy and pull you in across the stomach! I think they actually have too much stretch for me. But if you don't have a pear shape and big thighs like I do, you might really like them. So I'm going to keep these because they are pearl gray and I wanted a pair of gray jeans, and they are OK, but I wouldn't order another pair of them, not worth the $$.

Well, I seem to be getting dh's cold. Coughed a lot last night, and not feeling good enough to get all dressed up to go to lunch across town and go to the gym again. Just going to wash my face, put on some makeup and go to a nearby place to get some soup and a salad. There's a decent Italian place a few blocks away; then I think I'll come home and flake out for awhile and either just watch TV or read, so I'll probably check in again later, especially since I know you gals need another post to read what with Y being gone! So, TTYL! T.

[MI CHICK]

Thank heavens I made up a nice salad & put it in the fridg before I went to work cause I was starved when I got in & just sat here & scarfed it down. Didn't even taste it all that much I think LOL Was a green salad w/4oz tuna, 1tbsp sunflower seeds, 2tbsp shred 2% cheddar. My eating today has been on track again. Am at the point where I'm feeling better no matter what the scale said. I have to remember that, not the stupid #!

See this...this is me rolling on the floor yelling I hate to exercise don't wanna don't wanna!!!
Did the 3mile wop this morning. That last mile really makes me sweat--guess it's good I couldn't get the dvd to take me back to the 2mile LOL!! But I just hate exercising & so this is always going to be a big issue for me.

You weren't back in today D so I'm thinking you had to make the long drive to the other vets. Hope all is well.

So the fit on the jeans really depends on your actual body shape T? Gray would be a great color so I would probably keep them too. It's a good neutral. Are there any stores that carry them? Would prefer to try them on. Every brand is so different in the way it fits.

I had a spell in my late 30's where I was having anxiety attacks & had no idea what they were. When the dr finally realized what was happening I was surprised as I am not an anxious person. Just suffered them for about 3yrs & haven't had trouble in years now. Think mine were hormone related. Course it could always be your sugar--thank heavens I don't have to deal with that issue!

Yeah dh & I were most certainly opposites attracting! I'd never met anyone like him, he fascinated me. Course being opposites has also meant that we never agreed on anything in our marriage as we see things so differently...that's the flip side. Would tell anybody to not marry a total opposite!

Sorry to hear you are getting dh's cold T! It has been a nasty strain going around the last 2 months. Thank heavens dh & I have avoided it. That cough seems to hang on a long time so be careful.

Well I need to get off here & talk to dh a bit. I turned the 'puter on the minute I walked in & grabbed my salad & sat down with just a quick hello murmured in his direction. Course the hockey game was turned on immediately too as it's the big final game...lol

[Denise78]

Sorry to hear you & dh are sick, T. Hope you're feeling better soon!!

Thanks for the info about your doggie. Sounds like it was pretty serious with her. Poor thing. Hannah doesn't have the vomiting or any liquid coming up. It's more like a dry cough or gag once every hour or couple of hours. She actually perked up a little bit this afternoon, so I think the antibiotics are working, although she's still sick and not herself.

And yes, my friend & I took Hannah to the vet today so I was gone all day long. Had to leave her there a couple of hours because the vet was really busy and I think I made them nervous sitting in the waiting room, so my friend & I went out to lunch and did some shopping and then went back later. The vet said Hannah had a fever of 102 and wants to see her again tomorrow without me giving her aspirin because he wants to know what the true fever is. He wants to do some chest films too, which he didn't have time to do today. So I took her home tonight and my friend & I will go back up there tomorrow afternoon. Another 4 hour roundtrip drive! I treated my friend to lunch for giving up her day and coming with me. We went to Valentinos to their pizza buffet. I did the same, ate salad and the toppings off the pizza, only this time I had a few meatballs too. Hope they don't hurt me since I don't know how much breadcrumbs they were made with but figured they were better than pizza dough/crust. At least I hope they were.

My scale showed me up 3 lbs this morning, C. So I know what you're feeling. Drives me nuts. I'm hoping it's just water retention and I can get it down soon enough, although yesterday was a little heavier eating than normal for me. So much for a great loss this week as it will probably take me till Saturday to get these 3 lbs off again.

I always thought I drank a lot of water till I decided to measure it yesterday. I drank and drank and boy, it didn't add up like I thought it did so I'll have to start focusing on drinking more.

Yesterday's menu:

B-drink potion, coffee
L-chicken breast on lc tortilla w/lettuce & tomato
S-10 almonds, 2 string cheese, SB snack bar
D-2 hamburgers, lettuce & tomato on lc pita, zucchini
S-2 lc cupcakes (3 carbs ea)

water: 80 oz.
T, congrats on those jeans fitting you!! You are doing so great!!

I did test my sugars when I was sweating last night but they were more on the high side at that hour, 152, not low at all, but not high enough that I got scared either. It might have been anxiety though since I've been so worried about Hannah. One time my sugars dropped to 50 in the middle of the night and I woke up bathed in sweat and could hardly think, I was so dizzy. My dr said I was lucky -- some ppl might not have woken up or even been able to talk to ask their husband for some sugar.

Oh wouldn't a wkd at a spa be heavenly??!!!! We'll have to keep that in mind.

I hate sports on tv. I think because my father and brother lived, ate and breathed sports so a ballgame was always on tv at my house growing up. My boys are really into sports too, but the only games I like to watch are ones they play in. Fortunately dh doesn't really care all that much about sports either.

LOL @ you rolling on the floor throwing your I don't wanna exercise hissy-fit, C. It's terrible how much abuse we put on ourselves, isn't it??

Good job on having the salad ready. I carry a SB protein bar in my purse at all times now, just in case I get so hungry that I think about pulling into a drive-thru. It's always good to be prepared!!

Okay, dh just sauteed up some shrimp in garlic for us for supper. I think I will throw mine in some asparagus. Yum!!

And yep, now that we all wrote....it will be a lonely morning without YH's middle-of-the-night post. Maybe T will come back later and save us, C!!!!!! Or maybe you are saving MY post for the morning and I'm the only one with nothing to read tomorrow. Waaaahhhhh!!!!

Have a great night ladies!! D

[MI CHICK]

No D I am so addicted that I had to check one last time when the hockey game ended...should have waited till morning

good nite

[Teresa3]

Ah well, here I am just before beddybye time checking in just to give you gals something to read in the morning! Too bad I have very little of interest to tell you! We watched half of Into the Wild. it's 2 1/2 hrs. and was not so riveting as to make us want to stay up past bedtime to finish it. Nice scenery, though, and it kind of reminds me of my college semi-hippie days. Last night we watched a movie we both loved--Lars and the Real Girl. I thought it was going to be some bizarre sex thing, but it actually is not at all what you'd think from the first few minutes. It turns out to be a wonderful, heart-warming film. I recommend it highly.

Dh is feeling better today, but I don't. We did go to lunch at the Italian restaurant, which was nice because we don't often have lunch together and we hadn't been there for a long time. I had cream of artichoke soup and roast chicken with fresh snap pea and watercress salad. But because I wasn't feeling well I got some panna cotta. It was light, though, and all I had for dinner was some avocado and almonds. So I guess it all evens out.

D, what kind of lc cupcakes were those? Did you make them from a mix, or buy them somewhere? I don't think meatballs have too many carbs in them, because I get them at the Greek restaurant a lot and have never had a problem with them. You did amazing to not eat the pizza crust again!

What a nice friend to help you take Hannah all the way over there to the other vet! It sounds like he is being very thorough; I hope he finds out what is going on with her. At least you'll have peace of mind that you've done all you can for her. I hope you have a better night tonight!

C, that is a great idea to make your salad up ahead of time! So when you come home so tired you are not tempted to eat whatever is convenient! So do you exercise in the morning then? Three miles is just awesome! Glad you are on track today, and feeling better eating the way you know works for you.

The jeans are "not your daughter's tummy tuck jeans" and I think they have a website, so maybe you could see if they're in any stores. I think you are right to want to try them on because they're an investment, and it's such a bummer to have to mail things back, although Nordstroms does make it easy for you. I like my Liz Claiborne jeans better!

So did your team win the final? It's funny about your dh and you being opposites--you must agree on enough to have stayed together all these years, though! I think most of us picked someone fairly opposite to us to give us what we lack, and be interesting to us. My dh and I have some things in common, but a lot of totally opposite characteristics. Like he's an extrovert, very social, and loves politics; and well, I am sooo not into those things!

Oh, wow, it's way past time to take Poodie out, so I gotta sign off now...Hope you gals are enjoying your nice cup of morning coffee! T.

[MI CHICK]

thanks for the post to go with my morning coffee T!!

Off to work

[Denise78]

Well good morning ladies!! Thanks so much for the morning posts! I'm here a lot too, C. In fact, right before I went to bed, I quickly checked my email and it said there was a new post but since I knew I was off to bed and didn't have time to reply, I forced myself not to even peek, hoping to keep it for the morning!! Yep, we are definitely addicted!

Dh and I are total opposites in most areas. I'm still trying to figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

A neighbor told dh yesterday about a meeting they were having at 7 pm last night. They want to have a "block party" kind of bbq on Saturday the 21st at the little church at the end of our street, with the hopes that this will be an ongoing deal throughout the summer. Sounds nice but this little town is older ppl. Not elderly that need our help, but ppl in their late 60's, 70's, that age group, where they are still very active but definitely not our peers because there's a good 20 yr age difference between us. We're the young ones of the group (ha!) so they tend to assign dh & me all the duties these older folks don't like to do. The last time they did something like this, I got stuck with all the work. Dh checked the calendar and informed me that he's on-call that Saturday so I told him to forget it! My luck, he would get called into work and I'D be stuck doing everything. So we skipped out on the meeting last night and I told dh, he better let them know we're not going to the bbq because these are the same ppl that assign you jobs when you don't show up for meetings. It's how I got on the cemetery board to begin with. I had never attended a meeting in my life and one of them called me the next day to tell me they voted me in. I'm just so busy with sorority and ds2's school, that I want to enjoy my time off now, not worry about cooking and cleaning up for others every wkd. But they don't understand that -- I think they think I don't have a life and keep pushing me to join them LOL. I simply am not interested in becoming their friend. I'm always leery of being too friendly with neighbors anyway. Just about the time the meeting started last night, we got (another) terrible rainstorm, lots of thunder and lightening and a heavy downpour. So that will be our excuse why we didn't go!

I bought a hardcover book yesterday that was on clearance for $4.99. It's called Living Low-Carb and it says it's "everything food-loving dieters need to know to achieve lasting success, including: strategies for controlling binges and cravings, dealing with sudden weight gains, and secret metabolic weapons." I've only skimmed thru it but it starts out by saying the author tried Atkins and was successful but was worried about that for a long-term healthy approach. She then read Protein Power (isn't that what you did/are doing, SC??) and found success there too, so this book contains her findings and helpful hints to combine those kinds of WOE, along with recipes and tips on dining out, etc. Looks interesting, so I'll let you know.

The Italian restaurant sounds yummy, T. I hope you got to enjoy that delicious food even though you didn't feel good. A cold always dulls my taste buds -- although for me, that's probably a good thing!

The low-carb cupcakes are premade from Netrition.com and they are called Tastycakes. Two cupcakes to a pkg and they are a little smaller than a regular size cupcake. They are a plain cake filled with cream, no frosting. I bought 2 different flavors, chocolate (of course) and vanilla, which is kind of like a Twinkie only not so sweet. I'm not a big sweet-eater but every once in awhile, I crave something like that and where they are pkged in cellophane, they can stay on a shelf for a long while. They're good to keep on hand if my family is having a really good dessert -- makes me feel less deprived.

C, this must be an early workday for you since your post was so short! I will be gone the whole day again but at least I left you something to read when you get home.

My friend has already called me twice and wants to go early today so we can go out to lunch and shop. Hannah's appt isn't till 3:30. I hate to make her sit in my van for 3 hours beforehand but I hate to say no to my friend since she's being so nice about going with me 2 days in a row. So I guess we will leave here at 11:30 and go out to a late lunch and Hannah can rest in the van while we shop. At least it's a rainy day today so it won't be too hot for her. We'll go to Wendy's for lunch. They have good salads plus they will make up burgers for you without the buns so no temptations!

I am shopping for ds2's 17 yr old friend Tanner who has Down's Syndrome. Tanner's mom is a single mother (his dad skipped out on them and doesn't pay child support) and she's taking Tanner and her 20 yr old daughter on their first vacation to visit a friend in Texas, who also has a Down's Syndrome teenager. They were going to fly but the airfare was too expensive so they're renting a car and driving the 12 hours. I thought I'd make Tanner up a travel pkg with some magazines, dvd movies, just some things to keep him occupied all those hours in the car as he can be a handful when he's bored. I'll have ds2 drop it off next week before they go and I know Tanner will be thrilled. He adores my son. They've known each other since 1st grade and this past year, ds2 has been Tanner's mentor at school. Next school year, they've asked ds2 to take Tanner on a workstudy, where he will work at a business in town and ds2 will help him with that job for an hour everyday. I think this friendship is good for the both of them.

My my, I am chatty this morning, aren't I??? Sorry about that! Hope you gals have a great day! D

[Teresa3]

Well, sounds like you are having a busy day, D! Is Hannah doing better? I hope the antibiotics are helping her. At least you are going to have something to distract you--lunch and shopping--when you have to take her back.

That is so sweet of you to get things for ds2's friend. I'm sure those things will help him weather the trip. What a lucky guy to have your ds as such a great friend! I agree with you that this is a mutually beneficial relationship that grows each of them!

Thanks for the info on the cupcakes; they sound good, and I need something like that I can eat when I have a craving for cake. My blood sugar was up this morning--does it go up when you get sick? The lowcarb book sounds like a winner--let us know if you discover any new or helpful or yummy things!

Am feeling not good today. So tired, and just crummy. Funny because I don't have cold symptoms--just a dry cough, fatigue, and aches and pains. Very weird! Dh is going off to get us both some lunch to go from the Greek place. They make the best lemon chicken soup that is really tasty and feels healing. I wish I had no appetite when I get sick, but it never happens! I tell dh, if I ever don't feel like eating, I'm probably a goner!

So I've just been laying around checking online sales, and have my shopping bag full of new print tops and a couple of summer safari jackets. Dh will probably indulge me here, but I'm going to let these sit a day or two to make sure I'm not making too many impulse buys, then weed them out before I press the order button! It's just too easy!

C, hope you are having a good day at work--did you make your dinner ahead again?

SC, how are you doing this week with your ds gone? Hope you're hanging in there!

D, I hope you are enjoying the day as much as you can what with Hannah's problems. I used to love to go to Wendy's--they do have a great salad bar and yummy sandwiches. Dh loves their baked potatoes. But we don't have them in this area.

P.S. Don't blame ya for not wanting to get involved with the older group down the street; sounds like they want you to make their party! You've got enough to do right now! Join 'em in 20 years if you need to! TTYL, T.

[MI CHICK]

Well ladies I got up this morning depressed cause I'm not thin yet.... what is this stupid thing we have about needing 10yrs of weight to be off tomorrow??? Think that gets me in more trouble than anything...geez

Sorry that you still are under the weather T. I like you never loose my appetite... have told my dh too that the day I don't get up looking forward to my food for the day I am dead just pull the sheet over my head LOL!!

Was a good day again, except for the couple oz of baked whole grain corn chips....was 260 calories/1g sat fat so not too bad. But of course the carb count is high. But I didn't eat the whole bag which would have been easy to do. Just had 4 good size handfuls & then put the bag away, like a normal person would do.

Hot here today & suppose to be even hotter tomorrow
hate hot weather. Was quite humid today too. My client who had the heart attack is back in the hospital & wants me to do some errands for her tomorrow & bring some things to her at the hospital. I have a key to her place. Would rather not rip & run in the heat but can't say no unless I call the office & try to get a sub etc. Which is a pain. Plus it is hard to tell someone sick oh darn I'd rather have it as a day off....

Well that's a trip about the neighbors, & voted you in while absent no less . People are a stitch! Hard to get out of in a smaller town I'm sure. In the cities most neighbors are just polite not friendly so you don't really run into that too much. Parties I mean. Yeah if I'm gonna get stuck doing all the work it will be something I volunteer to do on my own thank you!

That book sounds interesting. That was one thing that I thought was good about SB, it was a woe that would work for the rest of your life, better than Atkins. Think A was best to jump start your system after so many years of carb overloading. I know the fruits can be an issue if you have sugar but the fruits & veggies that are so short in Atkins do not make you fat. That was the only part I could never agree with. Bet there is not one single person on the whole planet that put on an extra 85lbs because of the large variety of corn, peas, brussel sprouts they ate
ya know LOL!! I don't know about the actual Protein Power program. I just read a fiber book that was pretty interesting & explained real well the importance of fiber in your overall health. But the eating program that she gave cracked me up, cause instead of being all loaded up with all the 16zillion natural high fiber foods there are she had you using her fiber shake for bkft & her fiber bar for lunch....building up her retirement fund just a bit extra w/that part of her knowledge But it's fun to read all the different approaches.

The only thing I really like at Wendy's is their Frosty.....
oh yummy! Haven't had one in a couple years. DH liked their chili I think.

When I make Fathers day dinner next weekend I think I will use that other Pillsbury Splenda cake mix. DH loves german choc cake. So I will use the mix & put in an extra couple tbsp of dry baking cocoa which is only 20cal a tbsp. The frosting I could use the skim evp milk. So it wouldn't be diabetic/lc/lf healthy but if you can make the adjustments & have it still taste good that matters in the long run. Makes that treat just a little easier on ones system. I'll let you all know how it works.

I think your sons friendship helps him be a more mature man. And in the long run a more understanding male than most are. And I'm sure in it's own right it even brings him some fun.

Oh I love a good lemon chicken rice soup!! Never learned to cook it cause I know I'd have to eat the whole pot!

No salad tonight ladies. Cooked myself a burger & had pickles & a bowl of cucumber slices. Gave dh baked beans & hot dog & potato salad from the deli that I always doctor up for him. I am not standing & boiling & peeling all those potatoes an eggs to not eat the stuff. So I have bought it from the deli the last couple years & bring home & stir some more stuff into it. Know that sounds funny when you don't cook alot--but when you always cook everything it seems strange to buy pre-made stuff. LOL! Now that it's the 2 of us I do it more often on things that are too difficult to make up just a couple servings, or foods that that don't freeze well so that I can't turn them into future lunches.

Hope Y is having a good time showing off her new body to critical relatives!!!!

Well it's after 11 so I need to get off to bed.
Sleep tight!

[Denise78]

Well I guess it's my turn to leave you a post for the morning, gals.

I got home around 9 pm tonight. We sat at the vet's from 3:15 to 6:30 pm. Over THREE hours. I can't believe they kept us there that long. They told us it would only be about 20 min so we didn't leave and they kept coming out and saying it wouldn't be much longer. When all was said and done -- we still don't know what's wrong with Hannah.

The dr showed us her x-rays. It appears as if she has fluid around her heart but also a lot of air so he doesn't know what is going on. Her liver is so enlarged that it's pushing all her internal organs, intestines, etc., towards the back of her body. The vet showed his colleagues the x-rays and they are just as perplexed as him. Her bloodwork came back normal, her heart appears to be beating regularly and her lungs sound clear. But she had a fever of 104.7 and she's still panting heavily. So they are sending the x-rays to Colorado to a vet school there for the professors to look at and we won't know anything till next week sometime. They gave me 2 different kinds of meds to put her on in the meantime. Today's bill = $331. Unbelieveable.

I am alone tonight. Dh called on my way home to say he was staying overnight in another town because they didn't finish up the work there today and need to start work early tomorrow morning so it was just easier for the company to put them all up for the night. It was the one night I really needed him home --I'm so upset.

I'm also depressed about my eating today. I ordered a Wendy's triple and ate only the meat, no cheese, no bun = zero carbs. I had a small caesar side salad too. That was plenty of food and I should have stopped there. But for some reason I also ordered a small chili and even though I know the beans are too high in carbs, I ate it. We stopped at Valentino's for supper later on and once again I did the salad, pizza toppings and meatballs but also had 2 chicken strips that were lightly breaded, so another mistake that I didn't need. I feel so bloated and fat. It's very discouraging and I'm beating myself up about it. I don't know why I cannot just stick to what I planned on eating or at the very least, give myself a break when I slip up.

Today's menu:

B-2 eggs, lc tortilla, coffee
L-triple burger, salad, chili
D-salad, pizza toppings, meatballs, 2 chicken strips

T, I don't think being sick raises your sugars but probably the food you eat when you're sick does. Most of us gravitate towards comfort foods when we're not feeling well and usually comfort foods = high carbs. I'm sure once you're feeling better, your sugars will level off because you won't be seeking out those kind of foods. I think you should go ahead and order the clothes. You deserve to treat yourself!!

C, sorry you have to do all that running around in the heat tomorrow but that is very nice of you and I'm sure your client really appreciates it. I saw that they make a sugar-free canned frosting (with Splenda) that was too high in carbs for me but it would work for you, since you're not Diabetic. I don't think it was all that much pricier than regular canned frosting. I wonder how a homemade icing using Splenda would turn out??? I'll have to try that sometime.

We've had nothing but rain all day long. Oh I about forgot to tell you --- my friend and I were almost struck by lightening today!! Seriously. We were on our way to the vet, driving down a country road, no other cars in sight. A bolt of lightening came out of the sky and hit a transformer on top of an electric pole right in front of our eyes and the transformer actually split the pole right down the center!! It just went straight down the pole sending wood and sparks flying all over the place. I pulled way over to the side of the road as it happened, hoping that the pole and live electrical wires wouldn't topple in our path or hit my vehicle. We just missed it falling on us!! Very scary!!

Well I guess that's all I have to say. I think I'll crack open that low-carb book and see what it's all about. Maybe it will give me the motivation to get back on track tomorrow. I could use a good pep talk or a kick in the butt, whichever you gals feel up to!!

Good night ladies! D

[yellowhair11]

Have to be quick here. Flight here a disaster - fog - diverted and put on buses. Ok, here are my food sins so far: hash browns, bacon, full fat mint choc. chip ice cream, potato chips-whole bag, buttered toast, jujubees ! Help ! Cant go to bathroom ! Other than that nice time so far !

[MI CHICK]

Good morning!
What a long hard day D!! Glad your friend was there with you! Now no matter what you can know you did what you could. The cost....that's another issue. We've known people to put thousands into their pets....when our most beloved dog started having problems we talked about it & decided our limit. We tried to remember she was our beloved pet not our son or mom and that it was ok to not be willing to take out a loan to keep her going another year. It might be a problem that can be solved with one surgery, which would be great. Yeah it was not a good nite to have dh gone. Hope you slept ok

Well it was more cal & carb than you needed for one day this is true D. But since life is a series of many days, not all perfect, it will be ok. It slows us for a day or two when losing but it doesn't defeat our whole way of life. You can't always stick to your plan cause you are HUMAN. Think that is the definition of human=flawed. So quit beating yourself, dust yourself off & just eat like you normally would today! Our problems w/ this issue & my issue yesterday of being impatience w/not being thin after a week or so of being on track are the 2 that keep most of us defeated for years. So that's my support'ful kick in the fanny to let yesterday go & not be an excuse for not being on track today. And don't be hopping on & off the scale like a bunny over the next 2 days yelling at yourself LOL I just know w/your scale addition that's what you wanna be doing....

The homemade frosting that is for german choc cake would work with the splenda I think as the 1c of sugar is regular. Most other frostings use powdered sugar so not sure how that would work. Not usually happy w/canned frosting but if I see the splenda one I would try it for sure.

Wow that was scary with the lightening D!! Glad you were ok. I just happened to be looking out the window many years ago & saw lightening strike a transformer--was very scary!! The wires laying across the road shooting out flames afterwards. Was a very busy road so was amazing that cars weren't around to be injured!

Ok I need to get a move on & get my few home chores done before it gets too hot. Don't have to call my client till 9. Have a great day! The chicken strips & corn chips will not continue into today so D & I will have a great day along w/the rest of you

[MI CHICK]

Ok I see Y was posting when I was....
what a mess w/the fog & bus....
and the food---well it sounds like vacation is off with a bang LOL!!!!
Y you had all your vacation treats in the first few hours---carrot sticks & celery for you for the rest of the time....
Was just looking at your stats seeing that you are 100lbs less than me.....WOW