New and would like a buddy

[Lolly1220]

Good Morning All-
D- so very very sorry about Hannah.
Everyone else it will take me a while to get up to speed with who everyone is and what's happening--You do seem to have a fun caring group--
thanks for the advise--I'll cut out the pork rhinds and watch the calorie intake--Not sure what amount of calories is right?? Will have to figure that out. Am going to stick with this and wait for the big drop----hahaha
?? what do ds, dh ect stand for?? darling son/husband??
Everyone have a great day!

[Denise78]

Lolly, your menu looks good to me. But maybe this link will help. I saw it on one of the other boards. You plug in your weight and it calculates how many calories you should be eating each day. Remember though, as you lose weight, this number will go down so you should check it often. I do like to keep my calories even lower than what it says for my weight, but that is just me. I try to keep my calorie intake under 1200 and my carbs at 20-30. It's a little tough sometimes but I find I lose faster that way.

Click here: Resting Metabolic Rate Calculator

Also, try going to FitDay.com and sign up for their free diet journal. If you have the time, it's a good way to keep track of all your calories, carbs, fats, etc. You plug in everything you eat and it calculates it for you. If it doesn't have something on the list, you can customize your own foods. It does help to keep you from going overboard and it keeps you from guessing if you don't know how many calories/carbs a certain item is.

Pork rinds aren't too bad if you limit the amount you are eating and maybe don't have them every single day because of the sodium and fat content. But they are a good 0 carb snack if you are watching your carbs and can eat just a few at a time. I like to use them in place of bread crumbs if I am making meatballs or meatloaf so they do come in handy. The only other thing I would recommend is more veggies, especially drk green ones. They tend to help move things along, if you get my drift.

We do tend to abbreviate things a lot here. I think we got comfortable with our little group and forget that others may not know what we are talking about. Ds = dear son, dh = dear husband, bf = boyfriend. I have two sons so I use ds1 for my oldest and ds2 for my youngest when I am referring to them. Most times we don't even spell out each other's names and the only time that may be confusing is that Mi Chick's real name is Corissann so we call her "C."

Anyway, I ended up making a walnut coffee bundt cake w/cream cheese icing this morning. Dh, ds1 and ds2 said it was delicious. It was NOT low-carb so I didn't have any.

Dh and I had our coffee on the deck this morning, watching the birdies build their nests. Beautiful day to be outdoors, which is where I am heading now. Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine!! D

[Denise78]

P.S. YH, that's a good idea about the stone. Did you just find a rock in your yard or did you buy a special one? And then just paint on it? I don't think I've ever seen what you are talking about but I sure would like to do that for Hannah.

[yellowhair11]

I just found a large flattish stone and painted it real colorful with name , dates, and little things she loved. BTW-I loved the bunny story - poor dh with the garden I like the chimes idea too.

C - Congrats on the one pound ! Now be a good girl !

Your menu looked good L - I drink 2 pots of coffee a day ! 1/2 decaf and 1/2 reg. but I am on a modified WW. I know thats why I did not go with Atkins because I am a coffee fiend. S1 is oldest son, S2-middle and S3 is youngest. AH is just that

Making a beef stew roasty for tonite - figured everyone could use a home cooked meal. BF is awaiting my presence in the bedroom for dvd / tv marathon.

[Teresa3]

Happy Father's Day, All--

Dh and I did our usual Sunday at the Greek restaurant, but it was more festive that usual because it was totally full of happy family groups for Father's Day and UC graduation parties. And our dd1 called from San Diego, and dh's oldest son also called, so dh felt pretty happy. I got my usual Greek salad and moussaka. For dinner I was really craving pizza, but I remembered that you improvised when this happened to you, D, and I just took some chicken and green beans and melted mozzarella cheese over them, then poured a little ketchup over the top! It was OK. I'm sure a lot less calories than pizza, although pretty boring!

C, I bet you had a great day--the cinnamon rolls sound incredible; that's something I really wish I could have, but I guess it would only be once in 5 years! How did your cake turn out? And hey--big congrats on the scale going down another lb.! That is so cool!

Y, glad to hear your ds is sticking with the detox! You'd think your bf would be happy about this, go figure! Congrats on not gaining any weight on your trip! Yay! Those size smaller capris and tops will be fitting soon! I'm still using my jeans as my guage--I am going to try to not weigh again until I can wear a size 10. I guess the old scale will be rusted away and covered in cobwebs the next time I get on it. I actually was able to squeeze into a pair of 12's this morning, which is strange because they were not as tight as the 14's I've been trying to get into. I think I might try wearing those this week, so tight they will keep me from eating too much!

D, OMG! A walnut coffee bundt cake with cream cheese frosting! I am drooling! How could you make that and not eat any! Too amazing!
How frustrating the rabbits are eating all your nice vegetables and flowers! When we lived in the desert everyone had a big problem with the rabbits. People put plastic gallon jugs on their lawns to try to keep them away. I think it was an old wives' tale, I don't think it probably really worked! The chimes sound like a nice idea if they don't keep you awake!

You asked what I ate at the seafood restaurant--it was delicious--I had salmon and halibut sauteed with mushrooms and asparagus in a sherry cream sauce. Very rich, but low carb.

D, we used a round river rock for one of our pets as a marker in our flower bed. It fits right in with the landscaping, looks very nice, and no one would ever know it's a marker. It was for one of the grandkids pets so when they visit the little one always goes over and looks at it and talks about her pet that is buried there. I think she feels happy that her pet is resting among the plants and has a nice stone marker.

SC, are you still hard at work on your former house? How's the diet going?

Miss A, Lolly, Elaine--hope you all are having success lowcarbing!

Til tomorrow, T.

[miss.amaryllis]

Hello!

A very quick word from me - will write more later - thank you for clarifying the abbreviations, Denise!

To me, (I love whodunnits) DS is Detective Sergeant, DH is the Department of Health and Social Security!



and until later!

[yellowhair11]

BF is not happy with this type of detox, says he should have just gone cold turkey and that he is milking me again and now I am his supplier plus paying for it. BF was pretty nasty to me this weekend, just snapped at me or talked about S3 real bad. I was ok with food but I must confess I have that 1 bag of chips in my room that I did not toss - guess I should throw em out today as they are a big weakness of mine. Why did I go out of my way to buy these Fri. nite ? Ughhh.

AM & Lunch - watermelon
Dinner - snacks - beef stew, bowl of cape cod chips, few animal crackers, fruiti, glass of milk

Clothing sizes are so wierd, depends on the label, wonder who makes a true size. They probably did 30 yrs. ago.

Betty Crocker is bringing in some giant strawberry thing today and must think im not on a diet anymore, ughh. Ill deal with it when it happens. Oh yeah, the witch is all of a sudden trying to be all nice to me, I had better watch it.

Cinnamon buns - are we talking about the large rolls with the frosting that just melt in your mouth ? I have not had one of those in ages, T is right-every 5 yrs.

Must I throw the chips out ? Whaaaaa !

[miss.amaryllis]

That's better - The Ruler of All The Universe has been despatched out to work. He has a job at a local National Trust historic house, Knightshayes; but this morning one would have thought he was being sent off down a Siberian salt mine.

Teresa, what a lovely time you had at the Greek restaurant for Fathers' Day! I love your picture with such a dear little dog.

Yellow Hair - it's lovely to have a memorial stone in the flower bed. I would have done this for the garden graves of the two cats we left in the house from which we moved six months ago, but couldn't find a suitable stone! Tosca (silver spotted shorthair/Russian Blue crossbreed) had a wooden memorial painted with her name, and Jasper (Persian) had a china plaque I made at a craft class. I'm sure it did the children good to have somewhere reminding them of their cats (moi aussi, sniff, sniff). Goodness, the pet funerals we've had - hamsters laid to rest with full honours in light-bulb boxes, etc.

I have been absolutely resolute with my low carbohydrate régime! I'm so cross that the two pounds I lost have gone right back on again -

However, today I have put on a pair of navy linen cropped trousers and they are loose! I have even threaded round the matching fabric belt (which I'd taken off) to hoick them up a bit and avoid the dreaded builders' bum effect.

And more good news. (I'd like to warn the sensitive to stop reading now). A month ago, I had a repair operation on my undercarriage as the effects of a forceps delivery and two episiotomies by scissor-happy midwives were catching up on me, heading south, etc.

The surgery seemed to go OK, then the wound broke down, leaving me with a cavity that refused to heal. All the latest dressing products seemed to have very little effect, and the GP actually wrote to my consultant querying a back-to-hospital trip to have the repair repaired. I felt pretty fed up....

However, in the week that I have been doing high protein and low carbohydrate, I have started to heal up. The district nurse can hardly believe it! Every day it looks a bit better! Such a relief - maybe soon I can go swimming again, feel fitter and get my energy back! And then I can hunt for a job in this new county, Devon. Local speciality, clotted cream!

"Bangers and mash" is sausages with mashed potato. Available in ironic gourmet versions in the very smartest/organic restaurants, as well as in countless ready meal interpretations and in greasy spoon caffs!

I do so agree with you, Yellow Hair about clothing sizes! I tend to shop at Marks & Spencer because I know that their clothes size 12 will fit (or have done until recently!) but I'd like to be a bit more adventurous. The thing with M & S is that they have a good range of trouser and skirt lengths. I'm 5'3" and don't like to have to shorten things.

Right! I've rabbited on long enough and send lots of love to all!

[Denise78]

YH, pls go throw out the chips. Make a ceremony of it, do a little happy dance around the trash bin, drool over your new clothes, but throw out the chips!!! You don't need them and I bet if you truly think hard enough about it, you don't want them either. I think bf needs to let you be about s3 for the time being. You don't need the added stress. I understand his concerns but I think it's just adding more to an already bad situation. It's your money, your son, and in all reality, your call.

T, sounds like you had such a nice day. Good for the kids to call dh. I bet that made him feel good.

Stepson never called my dh for Father's Day. Oh what a rotten kid. We know he was in town, only 9 miles away, because we passed by him on the road on Saturday. He stays with his friends on the wkds and gets drunk with them. But geez, he could have called his dad even if he didn't want to stop over. He has a cellphone and even if he didn't, he was right here so it was a local call. Yep, only hear from him when he needs a favor. I felt so bad for my dh as I'm sure everytime the phone rang, he was hoping it was his son.

C, I see you just signed on here so you know we'll be posting at the same time again!! Hope you had a nice day with your family yesterday.

Clothes sizes...there was another thread about this in this forum. I guess the sizes today are actually BIGGER (sorry gals) than the sizes of yesterday. So a size 10 today is probably more like a 14 when we were in high school or college. That sux. But it sure does feel good to say you're in a 10 so guess it works in the long run!!

Bit of a "poor me" day. It's hard being so far from my family and not having seen them in several yrs. Called my dad yesterday for Father's Day. Actually called a couple of times. But he was too busy talking to my sister to answer my call and she's going thru a DIVORCE , which I understand why he might not want to cut the call short with her. But then I get the short call cuz he's tired of talking. So I call my mother, only to be told that she's on the phone with my sister and she'll talk to me quickly but then she has to go call my sister back. Geez. They see each other all the time, can talk whenever they want, I'm 1800 miles away for crying out loud. Anyway...I found out from my father that my brother, whom I have not spoken to in over a yr, refuses to meet with ds2 in July. Ds2 will be in Washington, D.C. on an FFA field trip for a week and he wanted to see his uncle and cousins. My brother works in D.C., lives right outside of it, but won't see my son because apparently he hates me too much. Nice. Take it out on the kids. I haven't told ds2 yet, hate to hurt his feelings that much. I told him that my brother was traveling and won't be home that week. So I email my sister about it and she answers me this morning, "what can I say except...I'm sorry." ??? I have listened to her go on and on about my brother at other times so it irks me to no end to know that although she's looking for everyone else to give her sympathy, she has none to give in exchange. Oh well. It's times like these that I appreciate my dh and sons all the more.

Friend called last night. She wants to go to Curves today. I am so not in the mood but I guess I should. It's been a couple of weeks and I need to get back on track with the exercising. It's a rainy day today so maybe a day at Curves will lift my spirits.

We grilled steaks for Father's Day and mine is sitting heavy in my stomach. Was really too big and I shouldn't have eaten it all.

Yesterday's menu: (lc = low-carb, WW = Weight Watchers for you newbies)

B-egg substitute, 2 sl WW cheese, coffee
L-2 burger patties, lc pita, lettuce
D-steak, cauliflower, grilled jalapeno peppers
S-lc cracker w/cream cheese

Our ice machine quit making ice last night. Ugh. I don't even own an ice tray and the nearest store for one is an hour away!! I hope this doesn't mean we're refrigerator shopping but it probably does.

Ok now I just got a heartfelt email from my sister telling me she's sorry, that she's been so consumed with her own problems, she forgot that other ppl have 'em too. Makes me feel a little better that she at least acknowledges my feelings.

Well you ladies have a great day and I'll catch ya later. D

[harley g-ma]

Good morning everyone!I'm in a good mood this morning as I start my lc diet today.I pigged out yesterday of course.Milk shake at lunch,chicken and dumplings at Cracker Barrel for dinner and chocolate double stuffed Oreos last night! My husband didn't understand my reason for eating all the things I'll miss but He's never had a weight problem.Any way I'm ready now to get this weight off now so with your encouragement
I hope to do just that. Thanks for explaining all the abbreviations,I want to share in all the ups and downs.My biggest worry right now is dd2 is facing brain surgery! I would be thankful for any prayers you can offer.I'm not sure exactly when she's going to have it as she is still researching Dr's.She has what you call Chiari Malformation where her brain
is growing down in her skull and pressing on her spinal cord.It's totaling messing up her whole body! I better go for my walk now before it gets too hot!

[MI CHICK]

Good morning all!! Have the odd day where I am home w/o a long list of must do's....that doesn't happen very often. So I will make a couple of must needed calls--hate phone calls & always procrastinate....& do a couple loads laundry. Will do my 3mile wop dvd too I think. Geez I have to have some sort of a plan or I'm just sit here all day

Yup-sausage & potatoes--just knew what I would love bangers & mash if I could just figure out what it was LOL!! Dh's job sounds interesting. But my job is interesting too & some days I just hate to go. And Miss A a looser fitting pair of pants is much better than #'s on the scale; especially when you actually had to add back the belt I've had 3 clients over the past couple years that had wounds that would not heal after surgeries & they had to go to special wound care Dr's to get 'em to start to clear up. So you need to be so careful--glad the diet seems to be helping. Are you possibly diabetic?? Is clotted cream like our sour cream I wonder?? What kind of a job will you be looking for & have you just moved to Devon? I'm such a nosey gal aren't I....we've told all in here & I think that's how we've ended up so supportive of each other.

Women's clothing sizes are all over the place--very frustrating at times! When I was complaining about it to dh a few months back he made the truthful observation that no woman wants to hear---if we were willing to buy things by measurements like men our sizes would be more consistent.....& I immediately understood he was right---don't want to buy a 44/44/64 dress I want to buy an even # whether it's a 12,14,16 LOL!!

Well D I think you have to get another dog if you're going to save dh's garden. I never even thought about how Hannah would be such a determent.

Our day didn't end up as planned--actually the whole weekend didn't go the way it was originally planned. But we all had a good time. My folks were still out of power & still sick so decided not to come. So it made the meal easier as I didn't do any of the extra things. So we did church, came home & ate, & then ds & I went to the store to do his grocery shopping for the month. Came home & loaded up the car w/all his now clean laundry & headed out. When we were unloading things at his apt ds yelled at his dad over something stupid he'd said. Then ds came
back into apt crying & apologizing that he'd talked so nasty to him. So that was ok but it did put a damper on the rest of the day I must admit.

My cousin has stage 4 cancer & has been given a year. Her ds brought her back to Ohio last week for treatment & her sister & I are going down soon to visit her. That's one of my phone calls today, to set things up. Am happy that she is at least on my side of the country. Her son just moved there a few months ago so I'm not sure where in OH he is but it will be no more than a several hour drive.

The cake came out very well. Had my one piece, & since I am not a big cake person am not really tempted to get into it again. Did send a big bowl of the potato salad home w/ds as that is a temptation to me.

Green beans T LOL no wonder it didn't feel like pizza. You needed pizza toppings like mushrooms or 2 pieces of (tky) pepperoni. I just laughed too hard at green beans on your pizza. Glad to hear you had a good father's day.

Lolly I think D is right on with the 1200/20-30. It's easy to end up w/too many calories in the richness of lc eating. But even in ww's too many 100calorie packs will do you in, just ask Y!

Well I guess I have rattled on long enough--will be posting at the same time as D again if I don't get this posted.

[MI CHICK]

Oh no D don't tell me 30yrs ago I would have been wearing a 22 instead of an 18
That's as bad as buying by our actual measurements

[Denise78]

LOL C, how do you think I feel? I was so happy to get into 2x's again!!

Harley G-ma, sorry to hear about your daughter. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Is this something she was born with or happened recently? Glad to hear you are starting your new way of eating! From the sounds of your yummy-filled wkd, you sure do need to start today!

T, about your "pizza." I hate green beans. But I'm glad it worked for you! Sometimes all we need is a little taste of what we crave and not an entire binge. Funny thing.....ds1 was raiding the refrig last night and I saw him putting a plate in the microwave and asked what he was doing. "I'm having my crustless pizza like you, Mom." He was! He put some sauce and mozzarella on a plate and was melting it up just like I do to cure those pizza cravings. Was too funny to see a 21 yr old guy doing that! Of course I think he evened it out with the choc chip cookies I saw him digging into later!

C, dh is devastated. The bunnies attacked again last night. OH I don't know what we are going to do. He 's his garden and it's his hobby all summer long. He's been talking about starting it up all winter and now it's destroyed. The shotgun is by the front door but I think those bunnies are in hiding this morning!!

Okay, I really should get going here if I'm meeting my friend in an hour.

Bye for now! D

[yellowhair11]

Miss A - ya better watch that wound closely - I can't imagine the diet has anything to do with it healing. Maybe the Ruler of the Universe can work a few extra hours this week.Where do you go swimming ?

Harley G - I am very sorry to hear about you daughter - how old is she ? Keep us updated and she is in our prayers. I would have pigged out over the weekend too if I was starting Monday. We dont have Cracker Barrel's in South Florida but when I travel I look for them.

Thanks for clarifying T's pizza for me C, I just quite could not figure it out early this am but then again I like green beans ! I am sorry to hear about your cousin. Too bad about the dinner too !!! And hurrah on your pound loss !!!!

Families are great, huh ? Now why don't you and your brother speak ? I did not speak to one of mine for years and years, but now I talk to all my brothers. I just ate S and figured we are all getting older, blah, blah.You are absolutely correct on the sizes D - when I was tossing some stuff that was really old I knew something was up. Oh Geez, we are all alot bigger !!!! More incentive !!! We have to be smaller than a goal size now. I think my mom was an 8 back then but it would be like a sz 2 now for sure, she was teeny. Glad you are getting to Curves, I gotta get in there - it seems so long - I actually had a voice message on my phone as to where was I from them - what a shock that was.

Im in big trouble all - dont let D beat me up to bad - Betty Crocker at work brought in this strawberry/raspberry shortcake with heavy whipping cream and I could not resist, a favorite, I thought I died and went to heaven - I had the whole piece. Ill have to pay this week for this crime. I have not had dessert in so long - now my stomach is hurting a bit - I put a double dose of husk in my potion - I hope I can flush this.

[harley g-ma]

Hi it's me again.I just got back from my walk,the down hills are nice but the up hills are killers.I felt like I was in slow motion.I know it's good for my health and my weight loss
though.

D,I feel for for your dh and his garden.It's alot of work.My dh WOULD be out there with
the shotgun! Keep up the good work,you've already come a long way!

C,Sorry to here about your cousin,I hope she doesn't have to suffer much longer and I hope your parents are feeling better.Both of mine are gone and I sure do miss them,especially my Mom.She was always there for me and I try to do the same for my
girls.

YH,you and D don't have to worry about me dropping off the lcf web site.I need some friends to help me stick to my diet.I'm enjoying getting to know everyone.Most of my friends and family are in Ga. and Fl.so I'm pretty lonely here in Il. I'm retired and I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work,maybe in a nursing home if they have one around here. I hope you are feeling better,it sounds like you had a rough time.

Miss A it is so nice to converse with someone from another country! I had a friend in South Dakota that I worked with from England and I just loved to hear her talk.Between my southern accent and her British one,we were a pair! my daughter has been to England several times and she is still in love with Princess Di.She has alot of her memorabilia.Have you ever been to the USA?

T,Thanks for the encouragement.I'm going to do my best to get this weight off.I know having all of you to vent to will help.

Lolly,it looks like we're the new kids on the block.I think we have found a good support group!

I guess I'll go clean up some.After all it will burn some calories!

[harley g-ma]

YH, I remember when I was working and people would bring in food,it was so hard to
resist.(most of the time I didn't) I know you're under alot of stress right now and that doesn't help.Just put it behind you and move on.I was wondering if your BF has any kids of his own? My dh doesn't and he thinks I do too much for my kids.Don't get me wrong,he has been wonderful over the years and put up with alot from my girls but he will never understand what it is to be a Mom! Hang in there,I'm thinking of you>

[Denise78]

Okay, all this talk about strawberry/raspberry shortcakes and oreo cookies and potato chips has got to stop!!!! I just ate a freakin' salad for lunch and darnit, you ppl are KILLING me here!! Knock it off all of you and get back to your healthy eating!!!

Had a real good workout at Curves. I got my rate up to 22, really jiggled a lot of fat! Met one of the owners and she was thrilled to hear of my weight loss so far. Oh and the best part --- I tied my own shoes. Now, between my MS and weighing over 330 lbs when I first started back in February, it's been impossible for me to do that without killing myself, usually dh or my friend has had to help me. Today I quite easily leaned over without thinking and tied my sneakers, stood up and then thought, Hey!!

I think we are extremely supportive of each other in this group, Harley G-ma (and others), so if you're looking for some help along the way, you've come to the right place. I don't know what I'd do without these gals!!

Ya hear that C?? Someone else thinks housework burns calories.

My brother and I don't speak because he is an arrogant jackass. Well there's more to it but I guess after hundreds of hours consoling him on the phone during his divorce, he got mad at me when I offered a bit of advice (he asked my opinion but just didn't like my answer) and he called me some nasty names so I told him that I won't be disrespected like that and hung up on him. He emailed me and demanded an apology and said he was willing to forgive me if I said I was sorry for hanging up, something he couldn't believe I dared do to him. LOL. Never would apologize for the names he called me -- he thought I deserved that. So I told him he wasn't getting an apology unless he was giving one and he said no, so we both just stopped talking to each other a little over a yr ago. But you know how I am about my kids -- so he's off my list for good now.

Well my groceries are melting away because you know I had to jump on and check out this board before I did anything else. Geesh. I cannot believe how hooked I am!!!

Hope everyone is having a Happy Monday!! D

[harley g-ma]

D, I know what you mean about getting hooked.I must get a LIFE! But I figure as long as I'm typing I'm not eating! Congrats on tying your shoes,it sounds like a milestone for you.We take such simple things for granted and don't stop to think about how hard it is
for some people.I am very fortunate to be healthy.I don't take it for granted.I have alot of friends that can't get around like I do.I would give anything to trade places with my
daughter and take her illness away from her.Its suppose to be hereditary but I don't know anyone else in the family that has ever had anything like this.I'll check in later.

[Denise78]

I went outside and saw Peter Rabbit nibbling on an eggplant. I quickly grabbed the hose to spray him just as dh drove up. He ran and got his shotgun and boo-hoo, no more bunny. Dh picked up the carcass and laid it in his garden so that the rabbit's friends will see what happens when you eat his plants!

[slendercate]

Hi, y'all,

Welcome to all the new folks!

Our computer had issues, so finally I back on track. I have missed you all!


We had a great Father's Day, my in laws were here and best yet, our only son phoned from his new home in Colorado! Hubby was excited and his grandparents were happy, too, to hear from him.

D, thinking of you and yours and dear Hannah.

C, sorry to read about your cousin.
Oh, as to my job. I am a speciality nurse, board certified in Wound, Ostomy, Continence, one of three at a VA hopsital.

Yh, hope you have recoperated from your cruise.

Well, got to go. Hubby is neading the computer, (we only have one) for his work. Now that we are up again, will check in again daily.

Hugs to all,

Slendercate

[MI CHICK]

Oh D that was such a funny narrative of the scene
I just had to read it to dh & he got quite the chuckle too! As cute as they are I do know that they can't be allowed to totally take over the garden--dh is more important than cute bunny Hope the dead carcass spreads the word to bunnyville!

Congrats on the shoe tying D--it's those small everyday things that count so much!!

So glad you had a good Father's day SC & that ds called!
And yeah we've all gotten so that a day away from the 'puter crowd is torture

Sorry to hear about your dd Elaine! Never heard of it--will have to look it up on the computer. Sounds like a painful thing. How old is she? You most certainly have my This is the kind of stress that drives one to eat too....course eating will not help your dd but that doesn't seem to have anything to do w/stress eating.

Yeah D that raspberry/strawberry thing was enough to make my mouth water! We need some one to volunteer to wax eloquent over something like green beans---hey T
get in here & sing the wonders of those green beans & keep us on track

T I hope you held the bag of chips in one hand & the new Capri's in the other & did the dance before stomping those chips into crumbs & then pitching 'em!!
If not & you caved & ate 'em....well just 'fess up & get on with it. Your stew roast sounded good! (course not as good as tater chips but we won't say that & upset D)

Glad you got to Curves D! Hope you did too Y. I did not get to my dvd & have no excuse. I hate to exercise. So it's a real push on my part to get any in. I look at people I know that love it & wouldn't miss it and just smack my head & say why??

Well the baseball game has ended so it's time to go to bed. Be back in the morning--but this way I don't have to worry about posting in time for D's coffee--I seem to be typing while she's pouring & logging on and keep missing the mark

[Teresa3]

Evening, Gals--

C, very sorry to hear about your cousin. It's nice she is going to be closer to you and you'll be able to see her soon. Your Father's Day sounded a little bittersweet...but at least your ds apologized to your dh--that shows he's becoming an adult, unlike poor D's brother!

Sounds like your Father's Day was less than perfect, D, to say the least! I heard someone say recently that God gives us friends in order to make up for family! At least your sister apologized. I'm sure everybody's stressed over the divorce, but you don't deserve to be dissed!

It looks like going to Curves ended up lifting your spirits considerably, D! Getting compliments on your weight loss and learning you can tie your shoes! Now you're promoted to first grade!

I see you all got a big guffaw out of my homemade pizza. Now you will believe me when I say I can't cook. But I picked up some pizza sauce at the store today, should I get an urge to cook again one day.

Y, what do you think we will say about the chips, hmmm? (email them to me) One piece of strawberry shortcake won't kill, but best be careful not to do it very often! Why do you think the w is being nice all of a sudden? Maybe they missed you. Did they have to do your work while you were gone? Can't believe bf is negative about ds's detox! You should be congratulated for getting him to do it, however it has to be done! No wonder you want to hang on to them chips!

D, bless your heart, you tried to save that rabbit! Who knows, maybe it will keep the others away. I guess they can get through a fence? What about an owl statue? I know it's too painful to think about, but maybe you do need to get another dog...

Miss A, congrats on the pants fitting more loosely! I also wonder if you might be diabetic, with the slow healing. But protein does help repair. I love bangers and mash. As a matter of fact, I just purchased some bangers this afternoon. Going to have some for breakfast--hooray lowcarb! Wish I could have the potatoes with them!

Elaine, so sorry about your daughter--we will keep you and her in our prayers. I hope surgery can help her. congratulations on getting started today, and on your walking! Volunteering is nice if you have the time. I volunteered for awhile at a nursing home. Played checkers with an elderly deaf man, and read to some of the bedridden ones. It was difficult, but I was glad to be able to provide a bit of distraction to a few of those poor souls. How many children do you have?

How many children do you have, Miss A?

Sc, good to hear from you, and glad you had a nice Father's Day. I know your dh must have felt so happy to hear from your son in CO!

Getting late, got to take the dog out for her nighttime walk. See you tomorrow! T.

[yellowhair11]

MON.
AM- strawberry/rasp. shortcake - huge piece. drink potion ( double husk powder, ewww)..
Lunch- grapefruit
Dinner-leftover stew, 1/2 bowl of the chips, end of bag - gone !, fruiti, few pretzels.
Ok- done with my binge, have to get super serious with food and exercise !

Hopefuly I can get to Curves after work today. So happy about the shoe tying D, not happy about bunny. Did your swimming deal start yet ? You will adopt some poor dog when you are ready. BF did not go to work today - applying for a couple jobs within company but one is far and he would have to move = get rid of S3 or leaving, BF has no children.

New posters, how old are you gals ? It would be nice to have a pic with the name. Am I the only poor slob working fulltime here now - exception C ????
Whaaaaaaaa

Time to get serious - can tell its going to be harder getting close to goal. Still cant drink all that water but not convinced on that one. I saw a preview of the walk away pounds tape C - I could not do it - that would bore me to death - but I heard many good reports on it ! Harley G - cleaning the house and burning calories only works for C, hope it works for you. How long of a walk do you do? I hate walking - too hot- but can do a treadmill in nice ac gym with a book.

[miss.amaryllis]

Hello everyone!

Elaine, I feel so much for you with your daughter's illness. I'm not so skilled at prayer, but I'm praying, I really am! And not to forget -

Harley G-ma -

It's your birthday today!

I hope you have a very good day!

Yellow hair, I am a 55 year old, still age 25 mentally! Mother of three, two girls, ages 25 and 24 and a "baby" boy of 21. I would love to post a picture, but I haven't yet mastered this skill. I must get someone to explain to me.

Teresa - I love your thought that we have friends in order to make up for family... mine are a bit sparse, in that I was born (a mistake as everyone has always pointed out to me) when my parents were in their mid-forties. My brother and sister were nineteen and twenty! My parents died many years ago, my brother died early of a cardiac aneurysm. This was literally a "broken heart" after his wife died of breast cancer and he hit the bottle in a big way. My sister is one of those perfect people but we've had to try to get along over the years. So long as it's understood that she's right about everything but nowadays Families are difficult!

The diet! I'm still resolutely sticking to it! My neighbours, when I was chatting to them were of the yes well! opinion, but this morning I was thrilled to get a call of "Ooh, you've lost!" as I opened the front door. But no loss on the scales. It must be soon!

I have squeezed into a pair of knee length shorts - actually not too tight, as it's about time I got my legs out.

Is Curves a gym, Yellow hair and Denise? Well done you!

Teresa, I'm definitely not a diabetic, but you've got a point with thinking of raised blood sugar in wound healing. Yet more improvement with wound healing again this morning, hooray. There is a Leisure Centre with a nice pool about a mile away, and I long to get back in the water.

And back to the Birthday Girl - I'm really loving talking to low-carbing and everything else friends in America. It's so interesting! I've never been across the Atlantic, but I am so grateful to America for

• (obviously no 1) you girls
  
• Estée Lauder!
  
• Example of perfect grooming, nail bars and white teeth!
  
• Elvis!
  
• Coca-cola (diet of course!)
  
• Revlon nail polish!
  
• Joachim Phoenix!
  
• Clinique Clarifying Lotion!
  
• (80's) the Jane Fonda Workout Tape/Book

Goodness, I could go on and on. Maybe a visit one day before I'm too old to stagger around...

MI Chick - clotted cream goes through some heat process which makes it thicker, richer and a light golden colour!.

In this part of the world (the West Country) the cream tea is famous. This is scones with jam and clotted cream and a big pot of tea. And no, I haven't! I was born a Londoner, lived many years in Kent as we couldn't afford a London house, but moved to Devon six months ago, as I have a widowed father-in-law here. He's not so good now, nearly 80, with dodgy knee and ankle as a legacy of leaping out of aircraft over Korea, and we felt he will soon need a bit of help!

It is a very pretty place to live! Fresh air, lovely scenery, the locals talk in a lovely furry-burry voice as opposed to dreaded Estuary English, even the soft water in the tap tastes nicer. Although once a Londoner, always a Londoner. Oh for the Underground and the city buzz I guiltily think sometimes!

Your President has had tea with the Queen and dined with dear old Gordon Brown last night. I hope the President wasn't too bored by el Gordo. He looks weirdly young, doesn't he?

Enough! Sorry to ramble on so long. Onwards and upwards, and more slender every day....

[harley g-ma]

Thank You Miss A for the birthday wish! I'm 58 yrs young today.I'm not worried about the number though,my dh says it sure beats the alternative!I still feel like I'm about 40
but I have a 41 yr dd also 39 dd and 33 dd.I also have 4 grandchildren,3girls 18,16,and 13 and we finally got a boy in the family with my grandson 16.My grandaughter just graduated from hs with honors.We are very proud.She is heading off to college.My grandkids tell me I'm never going to get old! I had my kids very young which helps me enjoy my gkids so much. I'm like you Miss A, I'm not very computer savvy and don't know how to put a picture on but when I do I'll post one.Enough about me! D your story
about the rabbit was so funny I also shared it with my dh.He's a hunter and of course he
would not have thought twice about getting him out of the garden. YH I don't work but I put my 30yrs in at AT&T/Lucent! Started at 21,retired at 51 so I know I'm lucky but believe me I get plenty bored.We sold the house and traveled around the country when I retired and spent some time working at campgrounds for our site.That was fun. I HAVE
got to take my dog out,he's dancing at the door and I'm not even dressed!

[Denise78]

Good morning ladies! I was pleasantly surprised with all these posts this morning! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

It's a beautiful day here -- birds are chirping -- sun is shining. I am off this morning to get my nails done and do a little shopping. Dh is a die-hard. Asked me to pick him up some more eggplants for the garden. He never knows when to quit.

Elaine!! Hope you have a nice day today! Any special plans?? How is your walking going and did you stay on plan yesterday? I am transplanted to this area too. Grew up in Massachusetts and New Hampshire but moved out here to Nebraska 9 yrs ago when I married my dh. I came from a small town of 20,000 ppl. Or so I thought. Where I live now has 30 ppl. I can name every single one and probably their cats and dogs too! Huge culture shock. But I know how lonely it can get when you first move to a new area. I think you're smart to look into volunteering somewhere. I was lucky that my kids were still in school and kept me plenty busy with their activities. Summers are slower for me since both my boys work away from home during the summer. Do your children live close? I'm keeping your daughter in my prayers. Pls keep us updated.

Miss A sounds like you need to take a visit to America soon!! Maybe that will be your reward for when you lose all the weight?? Yes, Curves is a gym that has sprung up all over America. It's for women only and it's based on a "rotation" concept where you blast the music and rotate from machine to machine when the little voice on the tape tells you to. I have Multiple Sclerosis, and I find it's about the only exercise I can do without a lot of pain, probably because it involves a lot of machines that you sit on, rather than stand and walk. Treadmills are very hard on my feet. I think it's very uplifting, exercising to music. YH joined a Curves in Florida right around the time I joined in Nebraska. We both have lost several inches doing it. How are those 2 lbs going? Did they leave you again yet or have you not weighed in recently? YH and I weigh in on Saturday mornings. Perhaps all of you could do the same and we could "report" our losses all on the same day?? Might be fun to do that. We also post our daily menus. Keeps us on track if we know we have to tell everyone what we ate for the day. Well....it keeps SOME of us on track. Others like to brag about strawberry shortcake and potato chips!!

Lolly, where are you? Have you left us already?? I hope you're just busy but will check in sometime today. I think it's important to check-in everyday if you can.

SC, glad you're back and your computer is up and running again. Dh has his own company-issued laptop. Best thing for us so we don't have to share this computer. He sets up in the kitchen and mine is set up in the livingroom and we call out to each other. Ds1 also has his own laptop. Sadly, I do have to share my computer with ds2 and that's a tough one because when he's home, he likes to message with all his friends and I go thru withdrawals! Glad your son is doing great and he called for Father's Day. Must have made your dh's day very special. How is your weight loss going??

YH, do you think bf will move out? Or is he wanting you to transfer with him?? Wow, that is a tough choice -- son or bf. For me, since it's not your children's father, I'd be choosing my son. Blood is thicker than water, but that's just me. I hope you don't have to make that choice -- it doesn't seem fair to you. How is s3 doing? Any progress that you can tell of?? So you just had to finish off those chips, didn't you?? I Cape Cod chips. I hope you get to Curves today. I think it's really motivating -- hate to do all that exercising and then pig out so it helps me to stay on track.

T, it does seem funny about me being able to tie my shoes, doesn't it? Yep, already for first grade!! Seriously though, it was only a few months ago that I could not tie my shoes, put my socks on or hook my own bra. I don't know if it's the weight loss or that my MS is in remission, maybe from all this healthy eating and exercise. Whatever it is, I'm very thankful! I think you did great with your home-made "pizza" even tho it was quite comical too. The sauce will make it seem even more "pizzier." Is that even a word?? Well it is in my book!

C, I can't believe I'm not posting at the same time as you this morning!! Or am I and I just haven't realized that yet?? I hate to exercise too. I think having a friend to go with motivates me to keep going, ya know? Speaking of friends, how is your little Japanese friend doing? Has she had her baby yet? I'm keeping your cousin in my prayers. I'm so happy to hear you will be able to see her shortly and spend some quality time with her. A good healing for both of you.

I think I did pretty good with my eating yesterday. I was dying for watermelon and strawberries. Mmmm. Wonder why??? The little store in town didn't have any so I had to satisfy my cravings with an apple instead. I will look for better fruit today as apples tend to raise my sugars a little more than strawberries do. (I have Diabetes).

Yesterday's menu:

B-coffee
L-salad w/diced chicken
D-2 burger patties, lettuce, 2 sl tomato, zucchini, 1/2 apple
S-lc cracker w/cream cheese

Well my sister must have had some case of the guilts. I received 3 long emails from her telling me how much she loved me and thought about me. It was a tough day for me yesterday. First day alone without my Hannah. I think I was just super-sensitive.

Dh is off to work but runs back in the house to tell me to pick up some mothballs and those spinning whirly-birds that you stick in the ground and they spin in the wind. Boy he's determined to keep this garden alive! I hope I remember everything. I don't think he wants to try a fence because rabbits can usually get into those and the garden is pretty huge, so it'd be a lot of work and he'd have to do that over the wkd, which is several days away. He's looking for something to save his precious plants now!

Okay I cannot believe I've rambled on this long but geez, it was just so good to have all these posts to read this morning. You gals really made my day!!

Happy Tuesday ladies and remember -- EAT HEALTHY!! D

[yellowhair11]

Ill probably have to post more often with more people now because I can't remember anything. Well I just finished my potion - whew - its like starting all over again after not having it for awhile. Me and D drink a potion for flushing fat. Mine is greens and husk powder mixed with water - if hungry ill add some whey - I swear by the stuff but does not taste all that great.

Harley B , I recently turned 56, dont mind the number much but hate the wrinkles and sag, especially with the weight loss, no money for face work ! You are lucky to be retired at 51, I am jealous, I will be stuck because of health ins., etc.

Posting pictures - perhaps one of our other scholars can help you - im clueless and need to post a new one too as I have lost weight since current pic. I am more of a Rocket Scientist.

I still dont get what a clotted cream is And I have nothing to say about our current president as I cant stand the guy. I like to think im 25 too - an old hippie gal from days gone by.

Ok we have Harley at 58, Miss A at 55, and Lolly ?? SC ?? I think D is the baby of the gang. Now of course I cant remember how old C, D, and T are but I believe we are in that range. We are going to have a girls vacation with our group someday - wouldn't that be a hoot.

Cripes, I wish I was out with you D buying whirly-things. S3 went to dr. this am and said he is ready to go a bit lower on dose, dr. hemmed and hawed at this - but its hard to say as it is a business and they probably want you coming for a long time so who knows, take the lower dose I said and see how you feel - you can always take another. I dont want him to get addicted to this new stuff either as its a small fortune. Hard to say about BF - no, I would not move, I have to much time in at my job and a state pension, Im really paying not much attention as I am so tired of it all. If he hates s3 that much then he should just go no matter, I cannot chose and put s3 on the streets-he will die and I could not live with myself.

[Denise78]

YH I'm sorry things are so stressful there. Maybe bf is just blowing off steam?? I don't blame you for wanting to help s3. When he is off detox and getting his life back together, then maybe you can talk to him about getting a job and his own place, but how could he do that on his own now?? It would break my too if you turned him out and something bad happened to him. Just tell bf to be patient. The day is coming --- it's just not there yet.

I know what you mean about posting more often. Not that you chickies need to hear from me more than you already do! But just so my posts don't take 3 days to read. This will be a quick one as once again my groceries are defrosting on the kitchen floor!!

I couldn't find any whirly-thingies. But I did buy mothballs, mothball crystals, deer & rabbit spray repellent, and a fast whizzing sprinkler. We have an underground sprinkler system but I was thinking that if dh ran this kind that shoots jets of water, it might scare off the bunnies. No eggplants either. Everything was picked thru so dh will have to be happy with the veggies that the bunnies didn't get to yet. (I wish you were with me today too, YH, I would have enjoyed the company immensely!!)

I am 47 but I think Lolly is younger than me so I will lose my "baby" status if she joins us.

I don't understand what clotted cream is either. At first I thought cottage cheese but the description doesn't sound like that. To be honest, just the name, "clotted" cream sounds pretty gross to me.

I did so good and didn't stop at any drive-thru's for lunch. I pulled a "C" and ate some lunch meat and a babybel lite in my van in the store parking lot. I'm really in the zone today. I feel good. I feel lighter. Just really determined to work hard this week at losing more weight. Tomorrow my friend and I are going to Curves in the morning and then, weather permitting, swimming in the afternoon.

Well those groceries aren't going to unpack themselves so I better get going. Hope you ladies are having fun!! D

[harley g-ma]

I've been really good yesterday and today and my dh just called and said lets go for a motorcycle ride and get something to eat for my birthday. We went out Sat.night and
Sunday but he loves to go out.I will do my best to get something low carb.Salad or maybe some hot wings.I know they have alot of calories but what about carbs?

D, you sure have been going to curves alot.Thats got to be great for your metabolism as well as everything else. I went for a year one time and really enjoyed it but now theres not one very close.It always helps to have a buddy to go with too. I did walk 3 miles yesterday and today so I'm doing better than before.

YH, It sounds like you're having a hard time right now,my youngest daughter has always
been unstable.She lives with her Dad in Fla.She's doing pretty good right now,I just hope it continues.I would love to get together with everyone one day! That would be so much fun.

Well dh just got home, gotta go feel the wind in my face Will check in later

[MI CHICK]

Hey ladies! It is harder to keep track w/ more gals around but it is more interesting too, so this is not a complaint just an observation.

Ok Y I turned 54 on June 2nd. Seems like T had a birthday not to long back. LOL Are our memories a sieve or what! Just saw Whoppi do her stand up act the other day & she was sooo funny about what it's like in your 50's. Only thing I've seen her in lately is on The View--one of my clients watched that every morning while I was making her bkf & cleaning up the kitchen.

D my dh's cousin set up a sprinkler system that ran off a motion detector and finally after many years of battling the deer has been able to keep them out of their garden. My young friend made up her own similar system after I told her about it & also had good results w/it. Course the trick w/ bunnies would be setting it all up to work so close to the ground. Don't think the whirly things will help, but they are cheery to look at...lol!

Elaine ck wings & salad is actually not a bad choice. Be careful of the wings in case the sauce has sugar in it. Enjoy your ride!! You could get a nice bacon cheese burger & a salad, just skip the bun. I always do best when eating out if I enjoy a rich protein along w/a salad. That way I don't feel that I'm being cheated and screw up. Keep up that 3 mile walk!!! That's great

Hey we all like sour cream, think clotted cream is a version of that. So how could it be bad ha! And look at cheese--I love cheese & we wouldn't have it w/o mold


Let's not get into Bush & wreck the end of a perfectly lovely day

It's good that ds is ready to try the next dosage down-sounds like he's really trying. Bf is a grown up & if he hates the situation that badly than he's free to go. Testosterone being what it is I don't know that he will ever get over the fight he had w/ds.

Hey T on SB you can have beans as they are a good carb. So I have pureed pinto beans or northern beans w/ a couple tbsp's water. Then stirred Mexican seasonings into it, spread it on a plate, sprinkled some 2% shredd cheese on it & micro till all warm & melted. Take out sprinkle w/chopped tomato lettuce etc & put a tbsp of sour cream on top---it is great & really fills that burrito/nacho need.
But no green beans please...lol!!

My ds had to do my pic...I don't have a clue

Well D it seems like maybe you at least got your sister to stop & realise how unfair they are being to you. Families are strange things....such a love/hate relationship so many times. Even though I like Y's just eating S & getting on w/it. We can loose lots of years waiting for the other person to grow up. And as T says we have friends to make up for our family members

Elaine you have a nice sounding family! At least # wise
LOL! We are a small family & I'm always a bit jealous of folks w/a good size extended family.

Think that Y & I are a bit jealous of where you & D live Miss A! Small, clean, friendly. And you even have the neat accent

Well today was fine for eating. Did 50mins on my walker while watching tv. Yes Y the wop dvd can be boring I suppose, but for the 3mile I am too busy sweating & swearing to be bored Made a meat loaf tonight as the weather has been cool all day & it wasn't a problem to have the oven on. Made dh a baked potato too.

Kids really plug you into an area if you're new--but when they are gone it's really hard I think to find a spot anywhere. Volunteering is always great. You could read books in the library for the children's hours. Hospitals usually have volunteer programs too. Some day you & I will volunteer Y....we'll drag our walks to the library & turn up our hearing aides & read the large print stories to the children Actually I'm in much better shape than you cause I only add to our financial pot, we would die of starvation off what I make---have to be kind to dh as he is my mortgage ticket LOL!!

Well ladies I hope I covered everyone--it not I'm sure I will catch you next time