New and would like a buddy

[yellowhair11]

Hello everyone,

Geez, I missed you and need you guys ! I have not had time to read the posts yet but hope all is well and your losing piles of weight. The weather was horrible, windy, terrible rains, tornado sirens for 3 days, etc. I was ok for the first couple days. I made it thru the church part for the wedding, decide to take a cab to the reception because not feeling quite right. Halfway thru the dinner I had to leave and no privacy as a big concert is going on at the place. No cabs will answer phone, place finally gets me a cab and gives me a wheelchair. So sick, horirific stomach pain, diarrhea with blood, throwing up and dry heaves all at the same time along with horrible headaches. Afraid to go to hospital with the Fl. insurance. Spent vac. in bed and bathroom, in the plane john all the way back ! Dr. here believes its salmonella poisoning. On top of that I think ive gained weight, not sure how that is possible. Phone calls and problems with S3 on top of that, hoping to get to detox dr. for him today or tom. Bad addiction issues. Anyway, I will write more and read posts when I can as im going thru alot - off the toilet last nite so maybe passing but nerves are completely shot. I miss and love you guys ! Never got to see brother's new home or visit with nieces, friends, etc. Looked like crap, wore bulky dumpy sweater because of chills, sweats, over nice dress, only brothers at home noticed weight which was last thing i was thinking about.

[miss.amaryllis]

Hello!

I've got a stone and two pounds to lose, and I've just found this low carbohydrate site!

For me, it's the only really effective way of losing weight. I've had an operation a month ago - still not supposed to jump about too much, but my older daughter is getting married in three months and of course I want to look reasonable!

I've never found this sort of thing via the computer before... so, a new person!

How nice and supportive you all sound! I shall try sending this and see if it works!

[MI CHICK]

Oh Y I am so sorry things turned into such a diaster!!!!
And to come home to serious problems w/ds.
Hugs to you as you try & pull things together today!!!

Off to work--back later--welcome Miss A

[Denise78]

Welcome home YH. Oh you poor thing!! It sure does sound like the trip from Hell. What do you think gave you the food poisoning? I bet your system really couldn't take it after eating clean for so long. Sorry to hear about s3. I'm sure your nerves are adding to everything else to make you feel so sick. Please take it easy, rest up, and hopefully you will be on the mend soon. Sending thoughts and prayers to s3 that you can get him into detox and he gets the help he so desparately needs.

Bad news of my own here. Hannah now cannot walk at all so it's time to take measures and put her down. Ds1 called last night and is coming home tonight, wants to say goodbye to her one last time, so we'll hold off till tomorrow since she doesn't seem to be in pain. Ds2 came home last night. He's off to a wrestling camp this morning for a couple of days. So he gets his last goodbye in too. I spent the entire day yesterday sitting with Hannah in the kitchen and crying my outs out. Drank a whole pot of coffee by myself. Was a bunch of raw nerves all day. I know it's what we have to do but I so wanted her to just go peacefully in her sleep, on her own. I HATE that we have to do this.

I will write more later....just can't talk right now. D

[Denise78]

Okay, pulling myself together here. I had dh drag Hannah into the bathroom last night, which is off our bedroom. Figured the linoleum would be cooling for her. We left the door open and it's close enough she could see us in bed. I was up at 2:30 am giving her some water as she had started breathing heavy. Then she slept good, breathing was much better than it's been in days. But she still can't walk so she's not getting any better. This morning, dh dragged her back into kitchen so I could keep her company all day. Told ds1 we'd wait for him as long as she's not in pain, which she doesn't appear to be, just can't move around now. She wags her tail whenever I walk in the room or talk to her. She can lift her head and drink water but won't eat anything. I force-fed her the other day but figured I won't bother her with that now. I don't want to stress her out. I think it will be another long day filled with tears but I guess it can't be helped. We all need to get our goodbyes in -- she's been a member of our family for over 8 yrs and we love her so much. Vet called back yesterday --still can't make a diagnosis after the radiologist looked at xrays. Thinks maybe heart disease or tumor, nothing treatable. Dh will take tomorrow off and we will take her to the little local vet to end her suffering.

Anyway...

Sorry to hear about the fires, T. Hope they are not too close to your home. Glad you got your car fixed and it wasn't too big of a deal. You are so brave to eat by yourself in strange restaurants -- but sounds like it was fun and good eating too.

SC, still busy with the house or is that finished now? Hope you got to enjoy a little of your vacation before you went back to work.

Thanks for the info on sizes, C. Was not what I was wanting to hear tho. Am I really going to have to lose more than 50 lbs to drop another size??!! I was thinking maybe 20 or so but not that much. But guess maybe another 20 lbs and the 2x's will start feeling looser and then in 50 lbs I might be able to get into a tight 1x and then 75 lbs the 1x will fit fine?? Hmmmm. Don't think 75 lbs is do-able by the end of the summer but perhaps by the end of the year, maybe around the holidays and then dh can buy me a new wardrobe for Christmas.

I don't think the sf jello made me stall either although I've never eaten it on a regular basis, just once in awhile for a treat. I was eating that sf candy every night, just 1 or 2 sm pcs, but it's the only thing I did differently. Maybe it's not even the Splenda. Maybe it's just that magic number -- 40 lbs -- and you get a stall and then it starts moving along again.

Sounds like you are really getting a good workout in the garden, C, so I wouldn't worry about not exercising. Your flowers will be beautiful. I can't garden anymore and was not much of a green thumb, but I tried. Dh put together a little corner garden for me this year with a short white picket fence around it. Looks very pretty. He planted some flowers we had bought but I do have a box of wildflower seeds that I was thinking of scattering in there and I bought a hummingbird feeder I wanted to hang there too. Just haven't gotten around to it yet but maybe this wkd.

I think we will head to Wal-Mart on Saturday. Two hours away but I need to get into their vision center for contacts and new glasses and ds2 is due for new glasses too. This is his only Saturday off till school starts so best we get that done while we can.

Oh here is a bit of good news -- dh had full custody of his son for over 14 yrs and his ex-wife refused to pay court-ordered child support all those years -- the witch. We never went after her because oh well, that's life & we didn't want to make trouble, ya know? Anyway, I checked our bank statement online yesterday and guess what??!! They must have attached her tax return because there was a $1500 child support deposit!! Woo-hoo! That was a very nice surprise. (Although I'm sure it wasn't for her!!). Told dh, it's about time she was held accountable for at least a little of her own son's upbringing, but I sure would like to be a fly on the wall when she finds out she's not getting that tax return.

I held it together with my eating yesterday. Wanted a snack last night but tried to keep it low-carb. I ended up melting a little mozzarella on a plate and tossing some bacon bits on top and eating with a fork. Crustless, sauceless pizza.

Yesterday's menu:

B-coffee
L-ham salad, lc tortilla
D-pork roast, cabbage
S-mozzarella cheese, 1/8 tsp bacon bits

Okay ladies, I better stop rambling. So glad you are back with us YH. We will get you back on track.

Love ya gals! D

[Teresa3]

Hi, All--

Y, so very sorry to hear of your illness! Why did that have to happen on this trip you were planning for so long! I wonder if you got one of those tomatoes that were tainted with salmonella! It's really a bummer to get that; I had it once with all the symptoms you described, but got over it with antibiotics. Your doc did give you some, right?

Gosh, it sounds like all h broke loose, what with getting sick and your ds having bad problems. But glad he is finally going to detox; maybe he'll straighten out now.

At least you got to see your brothers and they noticed your weight loss. Anyway, not matter if no one else did--it's for you anyway. Hope you are on the mend totally, and we are here for you as always!

D, this is so rough with Hannah. I know she appreciates everything you are doing for her. And she will also be glad that you are going to release her from her illness. I know it will be excruciating, but you know it's the only way. I wished Jenny could have died in her sleep, too, but it rarely happens that way; that's why we have compassionate vets and owners. It's nice the boys are getting to say their goodbyes, and you'll have them home this weekend to help you get through it for at least a couple of days. Your dh is going to be home with you this week, isn't he?

Hope you are not feeling too discouraged about the sizes, D. You've been making great progress, and you'll be out of the x's before you know it! A new wardrobe for Christmas sounds positively inspiring! I think we deserve a new wardrobe for every one size down!

We're going up to our grandson's graduation tomorrow, and are spending the night, so you may not hear from me again til Sat. afternoon or evening. It's not going to be fun to drive up there in Friday traffic. And the boy has been into a lot of trouble this year, and is going to have to do rehab this summer, if they can get him to. He got accepted to college but may not be able to go; he may even have to do some time. So this is not going to be a very festive event. Just a dinner at a restaurant, and you can't be saying things to him like, congratulations you've got a bright future ahead of you, or ask him what his plans for the summer are! I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what I can talk with him about! The parents are very glum about it all, don't blame them.

Well, I have to take Poodie to the vet; she's been having a little uh "digestive" problem lately. So got to get going; maybe I'll check back in tonight, but if not, I'll see y'all Sat.

Miss A--hope you enjoy corresponding with us and have good luck with your weight loss! Take care, everyone! T.

[slendercate]

Hi, y'all,

Welcome, Alan and Miss M!

Alan, 42 lbs since March? Fantastic! Hang in there, you can do it. Glad you have decided to join us.

Miss M, what a very supportive group you have joined. Hope you enjoy posting with our group.


D, so sorry to hear about Hannah. Prayers are still with you and yours.
Hang in there, you'll have a new wardrobe very soon, you are doing so well.

T, be careful going to your grandson's graduation.

YH, God Bless You, hope you get to feeling better soon.

Today was so busy at work. DH working late tonight, dishes are done, I'm hitting the shower soon. Left DH something to heat up when he gets home.

Today was:
B-lc hood carb countdown milk (got up late for work).
L-roast beef, steamed brocoli, sf jello
S- few sonic tator tots, (9), sf limeaide
D- Hebrew National Hot dogs topped with saurkraut, homemade pasta salad made with Dreamfields pasta. (adapted an old recipe to make it lc with the Dreamfield's), 1/2 cup of lc butter pecan ice cream.

Well, off to bed. Got to start exercising again.

[miss.amaryllis]

Good morning ladies!

It's so terrible to read about this dear dog, so ill. I do so feel for you, D; it's heartrending.

Day 2 of my diet went well yesterday. I had two eggs and a slice of bacon for breakfast, and, being busy, never thought to eat any lunch until mid-afternoon. Very different from the weak and willocky days of calorie counting, which always meant eating lunch as soon as possible... Calorie counting was good for me only in that it really improved my arithmatical skills!

I am just drinking a mug of strong tea with just a splash of milk though. It's impossible to wake up without thinking "put the kettle on!". I can never eat breakfast too early - it's got to be strong tea!

I roasted a chicken in the evening, made a bowl of mayonnaise to have with some asparagus spears, and only needed a small supper, however augmenting the plate of The Ruler of All The Universe with baked potato and other things he likes.

TRoATU is quite funny. "How come you can eat cream? And butter? shouldn't that be cottage cheese? I don't understand!" etc etc.

I've been giving Dr Atkins a bit of revision. Is Fen-Phen some sort of mega-amphetamine available over-the-counter? It would be totally illegal here! Are collards a variety of cabbage? Dr A considers HRT and SRRI antidepressants to interfere with weight loss, but I haven't found this at all. Back in the 60's I remember hearing of "The Drinking Man's Diet" which sounded a fun way of carbohydrate control, but Dr A is not in favour of alcohol.

I left school in 1971 enormously fat from institutional food at my strict boarding school in which I'd comfort-ate large quantities. A dietician at the hospital where I was beginning to work recommended very low carb eating, and the effect was incredible. My first help book was "Eat Fat and Grow Slim" by Dr Richard Mackarness, before Dr A was in action.

A horrible memory from those days! A remark from one of the hospital cleaning ladies "Nurse, your legs look like two big beer barrels rubbing together". I've never forgotten it.

Well, I've chatted away - mustn't keep you - love to all!

[Denise78]

Good morning ladies.

Well Miss A, I have to admit, it's hard to read your post without an English accent. But sounds like you are jumping right in and doing well on your second day. We're all doing different eating plans here, though. I think T is the only one doing a version of Atkins, although not as much butter and creams if I remember correctly. Most of us are eating low-carb thru other plans or a variation of them and we even have a Weight Watchers gal too. There are boards/threads that are strictly Atkins that you can post on, otherwise we're just all winging it here, figuring whatever works for each of us, that's great! I believe Fen-Phen is illegal here now??? Or at least it was taken off the market due to deaths and such.

Found myself eating a little more yesterday, stress and sadness I guess. Hopefully I will get back on track today.

Yesterday's menu:

B-3 sl bacon, ham salad, coffee
L-egg substitute, spinach, salsa, cheddar cheese, 2 bran crackers
S-pickle, protein bar
D-pork cutlets, broccoli & cauliflower casserole, sf jello, cool whip
S-2 sl WW cheese, 2 lc crackers

SC, glad to hear from you again. I can't do the Dreamfields pasta. It's way higher in carbs than they claim and my sugars skyrocket when I eat it. If you check the label, they claim very low-carb but do the math, subtract the fiber from the carbs, it doesn't subtract to low-carb. I'm curious to see if it affects your weight loss at all. Maybe it's just not good for Diabetics but others can handle it.

Okay, dh just spilled water all over the kitchen floor and is late for work so guess I will end this and come back in a little bit.

[MI CHICK]

Good morning Ladies & Alan!!
It's 8:30 & I have finished up the planting of my wildflower bed (seeds) & potted & put out my last 3 plants. Had to get it done before it got hot cause it's suppose to be 89 & stormy today. Think that's the end of my summer gardening. Just like to have touches of color around the house. I had got out my hummingbird feeder a couple days ago & filled it & discovered it had a leak in it...how & why did I clean it up & put it away last fall LOL!! So this morning I spotted a hummingbird by it for a few seconds--so that answers my question about bothering to buy another feeder. Am going to see if I can find one that wasn't made in China....when you start looking for things you really realize how we have given away the making of 80% of our everyday items

The tail wagging every time I passed Chipper was what killed me The one nice thing about being an animal is that you can be eased out of your painful problem--as people you have to just lay there forever & go thru it all while your family slowly dies watching you. I couldn't go w/dh when he took her in....the only time I ever refused to do something w/him. He said it was just seconds after she got the shot that she was gone & he was holding her so I guess it would have been ok for me to go, but I didn't know what to expect having never done it before. Glad the boys were able to get home to say good bye D.

Glad to hear that day 2 went good Miss A! Glad you caught yourself when you only have 20lbs to loose!! How smart of you--the rest of us let it build way too high. And that remark is the kind that just kills you & sticks w/you till your dying day....we've all had them. Loved the name for either your boyfriend or husband Your morning tea is like my morning coffee--& the great thing about lc is that I can actually have a couple tsp of cream in it!! Phen-Fen is illegal here too. Any diet pills w/it were pulled a few years back. I should check out that book. I read Eat Yourself Thin Like I Did by Nancy Mosher, who is a RN, at the same time I read Atkins. This time I am doing South Beach as I think it is healthier the way it lets you have more healthy carbs like fruits & veggies & whole grains by stage 3. It works for me as long as I stay on track....

SC your job seems to really keep you hopping--what is it that you do, if I may so boldly ask?? I'd like to try that lc choc milk but am afraid I will like it too much ya know...would just be one more temptation. Thought about the white version as I saw a box of South Beach cereal that sounded real good & was on a great sale. But then I read the side of the box, the 3rd ingredient was SUGAR..... how much sense does that make??

Well I hope you get a little bit of fun somewhere along the line at the grad dinner T. Do you hate to drive or is it nasty traffic all the way there? That was scary about the fire!!! Db has had the wild fires in WY get pretty close to them a couple times & their biggest worry is always their horses & other animals.

Ds & I both need new glasses D, have you been pleased w/WalMart?? Your corner garden sounds lovely--good place to look out the window to while having a nice glass of ice tea. Do you get many hummingbird in NE?? And I am so happy that your dh got his financial due re: his son!! My db had his boys all the time even though he had split custody w/ex & she never coughed up a dime & the courts never did anything for him. Will you do something special w/it or tuck into savings for an emergency? I don't even know her & I would just love to see her face too


Y I know you're probably all swamped w/being sick & dealing w/getting ds situated & returning to work--hope you are at least getting a chance to come in & read how much we care & are praying for you & yours

Hooo I hear the thunder rolling in so I best get off here

[MI CHICK]

As usual I was posting while you were D...LOL
One of us needs to get up earlier.....

[Denise78]

Okay I'm back.

Yes, C, we need to time things better, don't we?? Now remember though, I am 2 hours behind you in time so it's ALREADY early enough for me here. Don't be asking ME to be the one to get up earlier.

I have only seen hummingbirds here once, last summer, and I've lived in this house for 6 yrs. I don't know that I can coax them back or that there are anymore in the area, but they sell the feeders in the stores, so must be some around. Mine is just a cheap feeder, so if I don't attract any, no great loss. Dh gave me a regular birdfeeder and built it onto a post for my front yard that attracts a lot of birds and I do so enjoy sitting on the deck and watching the variations that visit. Nebraska has tons and tons of birds. Much moreso than I would have guessed. But we have a lot of small waterways --- ponds, creeks, lakes and I guess that is what attracts them. We have pelicans, swans, cranes, even seagulls although we are nowhere near the ocean. Of course, those aren't the kinds of birds visiting my feeder, they are the ones visiting the ponds along the main roads. I do get a lot of meadowlarks, barn swallows, finches, wild canaries and blackbirds in my yard. C, I imagine being in MI, you must have lots of birds too with all the lakes there.

I am pleased with the prices at Wal-Mart, let's put it that way. The eye dr's around here can get pricey and we don't have vision insurance. I've been wearing contacts since I was 20 so I mainly just need someone to check my eyes due to the Diabetes and refill my contact prescription. I only wear glasses at home when I'm reading in bed but thought maybe if I got a new pr (mine are 10 yrs old), I might wear them more often. Ds2 only needs glasses to drive and his glasses are also several yrs old. So we don't go to the vision center very often but I guess it is okay. Have you had problems with them??

T, have fun at the graduation if you have time to check in once more before you go! If not, can't wait to hear all about it when you get home. Sorry to hear about dh's grandson getting in trouble, but I'm sure you'll find lots of other things to talk about. You can still wish someone going to rehab the best of luck. Actually, that's probably what he needs to hear, that you all are going to support him and help him in anyway possible.

Dh went to work and will call the vet and come home when they say is a good time to take Hannah in. I didn't think I had anymore tears to cry but I can't seem to stop. Ds1 is taking it very badly too. I know we will get thru today but it's going to be very tough. Thank you all for your support.

I think it will be good for us to spend the day together tomorrow, do a little shopping, go out to dinner as a family. Yes T, my dh will be home this wkd, thank goodness. He only travels maybe once or twice a year. Last week he had to go into the office at night a few times and once overnight, but he is only on-call like that once a month and that's the first time he's actually had to physically go into the office at night. Usually he can get the job done at home on his laptop as it's mostly software and analytical issues he can work on over the computer. But we had a lot of storms last week and I think some power supplies got hit by lightening so it was an unusual work-week for him.

Have a good day ladies. D

[Denise78]

P.S.

C, I've noticed A LOT of South Beach food products are extremely high in carbs. What is up with that?? Maybe they are good carbs versus bad carbs, but they still raise my sugars so although I can follow their plan, I can't purchase a lot of their products. The protein bars are low-carb but the frozen dinners and cereals are really too high-carb for me.

[Denise78]

Another P.S.

Dh just called. The vet can't see Hannah till 2 pm today. Not complaining -- it gives us more time with her to prepare ourselves I guess.

Hope you are feeling better, YH. Take it easy and post when you can. We miss you!

[MI CHICK]

Well D the deed is done by now & my are w/you & your family. You've done well by not stress eating thru it all. That's me, crying into my Kleenex in one hand clutching a cracker in the other....your strong determination will have you down to that 2X before you know it!!

Talked to my mom today re:Sundays dinner & found out they have been w/o power the last 6 days and have both been down sick w/the flu!! Did they call me??? NO....geez... I talked to her last Fri so their power must have went out Sat. A neighbor brought them over lunch & dinner one day. Kind of defeats the purpose of living fairly close to them if they won't let me know what's up. I could call every other day I suppose but hate for them to think I'm checking up on 'em. I swear it's just like dealing w/teenagers! Anyway they are starting to feel better & are hoping to be able to come for dinner on Sun.

I was surprised to find out a couple years ago that NE has a large Sand Hill Crane population! So I'm sure that you have a large # of birds. Being in a sub in the city I get a large # of birds but a limited variety. But I know lots of folks with a few more trees in their sub areas & they get a large variety. My folks get an incredible list of birds. I do enjoy the squirrels & rabbits too. The squirrels are just too silly for a little bit of corn on the ground LOL! I see a few hummingbirds each summer. I have some flowering trees that draw them. There may be a lot more that come but they are so tiny you have to be right there looking to see them. I went to a garage sale across the street today & bought a plastic one for $1.25

Never been to the WalMart eye clinic that's why I wondered. I got 2 pairs of glasses at JC Penney's eye clinic a few years back and was very pleased. Have bought my last 2 pair at Costco. The first pair I was real pleased with--the 2nd one I was not. Both times the eye exam was very theral & I felt pretty confident about that. It's harder when you get into the blended bifocals. Let me know how it goes. We were suppose to have ds get the other wisdom tooth pulled this summer, plus a new pair of glasses before fall classes, and it's June already...

I have done really well with my eating all week and am starting to get that nice hollow feeling. Do you know what I mean?? Seems like right when I get "there" I will have an extra heavy day of some kind. Have Sunday's dinner to get thru and then next weekend I am going to be up north w/the gal's in my Euchre club. That's eating & drinking all weekend long....one of the gal's has a house on a lake up north & we go there. They have bikes & a pedal boat & a pontoon boat. We usually have a nice bonfire Sat nite after we get done playing cards. So it is a great time. We've been together 15yrs & some of them were young moms in the same neighborhoods so have known each other longer. We've been thru things with each other that we sure never expected....one husband committed suicide and so did one son. Those were the 2 worst. One divorce, & a couple almost divorces. But good things too. We've had 2 weddings of kids & another 1 this July. One gal has 3 grand kids as her daughter just had twins to go with her 2 yr old....LOL I can't imagine...& she has to work full time still. The twins were natural which is unusual anymore--lots of twins anymore but most thru drugs. Sorry that was a bit of a ramble
anyway I wanted to do really good with my eating till we go cause I don't see me as ever standing up to all that good stuff!

Well I need to get the coffee set up for in the morning. Good nite all

[yellowhair11]

Hello all,

Well I am back now and need to get on the bandwagon because I have not been good with the food let alone exercise. I ate like a pig at beginning of trip, got sick, got better, ate off plan - stress eating. I have a bag of Cape Cod chips thinking ill eat them today and obssessing about my old favorites. Then I discover these Door County potato chips up north and had to see where I could order them online - but did not. So I need to get over it fast or ill be 200 before you know it. I got S3 to a doc on Thurs. and he is on suboxone for detox - costing me an arm and a leg and very few drs. can write scripts for it and difficult to find outside of the doc's office as your Walgreens, etc. dont carry many types of meds as I assume they dont want to get robbed - not exactly sure. He has been in bed since Thurs. and so far tolerable, I pray he is serious about this, the inpatient rehabs were thousands and thousands. So im feeling better other than nerves shot. On top of that I went to a Kohls store in WI and bought a bunch of stuff a size smaller !! Im going to start fresh with the responses as I cannot remember all the posts but it sounds like everyone is doing good

I would like to try contacts again - wore them many years ago and just gave up as my eyes changed, tryed the monovision and gave up but was not serious about it.

D - you have been in my thoughts and prayers with Hannah - I am so sorry !

C - thats something that your parents did not tell you about the electric ! How can they stand it, everything here is electric. I know the hollow feeling. Next weekend sounds like a blast with your friends.

I need to take up critter and birdwatching now, I dont know which bird is what, I have my giant lizards ( like 3 foot ) who just had babies, they eat fruit and veggies, then I see pigeons, rats, pelicans, cranes, seagulls, crows, wild parrots, and other birds that I dont know. Im in a congested city so I sure like these country tales. When I arrive at work in the dark I see many racoons, ferrel cats, and oppossums.

T - im sure the weekend will be fine with grandson - there will be many things to talk about other than problems, I hope he does not have to go to the hoosgow this summer but I understand as you well know and have been thru it all and he is in my prayers.

Well, ok, ill weigh myself later, ughhh, my capris are very tight.

[yellowhair11]

PS: My oldest brother gained tons of weight in the last 18 months since he retired. He goes once a week to a program the VA that looks very good with therapists, dieticians, etc. While he is showing me all this paperwork he is eating brats, italian sausage, etc ! - all microwave junk since they dont cook because mom did that for them. He is on all this medication now because of the weight gain ( 3 high blood pressure pills alone ) plus more stuff, back problems, knees, etc. All the weight went to his belly and he was always a thin person. Then he drinks all this beer at nite but thinks its ok because its Japanese rice beer ! Anyway, I did the best I could as far as talking to him but went in one ear and out the other I think - somehow he thinks if he shows up at the VA once a week the weight will miraculously come off. He kept asking me about how I lost all the weight but not really listening. It was sad to see him like this.

[Denise78]

Good morning ladies. Thank you once again for all your thoughts and prayers with Hannah. I do appreciate the support you gave me thru it all. She is resting under her favorite tree now. Ds1 and I sat in the kitchen last night and cried and cried together, just missing her.

I think I did okay eating despite it all, although yesterday I ate a lot of protein. Probably too much but given the circumstances, I guess I could have done a lot worse.

Yesterday's menu:

B-drink potion, 1 sl bacon, coffee
L-2 sm meatballs, broccoli & cauliflower casserole
S-8 shrimp, 1-1/2 deviled eggs
D-2 turkey burgers, 1 bratwurst, lc pita
S-1 bratwurst, 1 lc cracker w/ 1/2 laughing cow cheese wedge spread on it

YH, I am glad you are back with us. Your vacation, for what it was worth, is over and done with....and so are those potato chips!! Put them out of your mind and focus on all those clothes in a smaller size that you bought. What a wonderful idea to get you back on track. I think the problem with all those yummy high-carb snacks is that once you start on them, you only want more and more. So give yourself time and the cravings will diminish and you'll be satisfied with your 100 calorie packs again. My prayers are with s3 and the struggles both you and he will have to deal with now. Does he check in daily with the dr and will you take him everyday? Sad/funny about your brother. I think we've all been one of those "I'll start my diet tomorrow" types of ppl at some point or another, but I do feel bad for the ones who think they are eating healthy and still wonder why they gain weight. Educate yourselves ppl !!

C, I think when our parents reach a certain age, it is almost like taking care of kids again. Payback for all you did to them as a teenager. But I'm glad they are doing okay and hopefully next time, they will call you for help. Geesh. I know that hollow feeling too. Feels good and I'd like to feel it more often. Was feeling it the beginning of the week and then ate too much protein yesterday but I'll get that feeling back again. I'm more determined now than ever. Your wkd away next week sounds wonderful. What fun!!

T, how did the graduation go? Did you survive all the traffic? That is one thing I do not miss. Country traffic is maybe passing a few cars on the little one-lane "highway" and Heaven forbid you forget to wave to that passing car. Country life is stopping to help that broken-down motorist and ending up inviting them to stay for supper while their car gets repaired. Yep, a lot simpler living. Didn't think it would be for me when I moved here 9 yrs ago but now you couldn't drag me away.

Oh here is a bunny tale for you. Rabbits.....well they are not on dh's list of favorite furry animals today. We noticed the tops of a lot of my flowers were gone yesterday. At first I accused him of turning the hose on them too strongly, till we looked closer and they look like someone had had a pretty good lunch there. Then we turn towards the giant vegetable garden on the other side of the deck and sitting there calmly nibbling on a tomato plant is...a bunny!!! Dh grabbed the hose and I shouted, "Run bunny, run!!" (Dh wasn't happy that I scared the critter off before he could douse him). Dh was fuming, how dare that rabbit eat his garden, especially his beloved tomato plants!! He spoke of getting his gun out and thinning out the rabbit population around here. I told him I didn't think it was worth killing another human being over a stupid tomato plant, for crying out loud, just chill out. He looked at me perplexed and said, "I'm not talking about shooting a human being." I replied, "Oh...but I am. If you shoot one of those bunnies, then I'd have to kill YOU and is it really worth losing your life over a tomato plant??" (At least it made him find the humor in it all and meanwhile, the bunny got away scot-free!!)

So today the 4 of us are heading to Wal-Mart, a 2 hour drive. I need a family day, I think we all do. We will eat dinner out and do some shopping, get the glasses and contacts, maybe some new clothes. Gotta spend some of dh's ex-wife's tax return!!

I will be back shortly with my weigh-in for the week. YH, I am glad you are back. It's been lonely at the scales without ya!!

Have a good day ladies! D