Biggest Loser 10 Fall Challenge -- for losers and maintainers :)

[donac]

QOTD
For most of married life we have been spending Thanksgiving Day with dh's family. Nothing really special. We used to go to sil and when mil got sick a few years ago we moved the event to mil's house and I have been cooking. I love to cook so that is really not a problem.

Sometime during that weekend we need to go see my mom because it is her birthday. Two years ago she invited the entire family for Thanksgiving because it was also her birthday. She also rented some hotel rooms at a local hotel and we went there for the afternoon and swam in their pool. We each had a watergun and had a lot of fun. That and the Thanksgiving we announced our engagement to my family are two of my favorite Thanksgiving memories.

Speaking of Thanksgiving I am making my traditional prethanksgiving dinner. It looks like it will just be dh and I but I don't care. I have a turkey breast in the oven with some stuffing. I will make some veggies and cranberrry sauce and I am set for the week. Turkey sandwiches tomorrow since I will be getting home late and leftovers on Wednesday. The rest will go in the freezer.

Been to church, grocery shopped, started cooking (still need to make brownies for my math team since we have a meet tomorrow) had a short nap and did some quilting. Pretty good day so far.

Hi everyone who has been on today. Have a great evening. I probably won't be back on until late tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

[flipflopmom]

I know the struggles of life will eventually make us stronger it just feels like somedays I am so weak. I see the light at the end of the tunnel too and eventually we will get there. Even if it takes 3-5 years I am focusing on our traditions of the xmas season and just celebrating the true meaning of the day. I know some how we will get presents under the tree and my kids will be excited. I will always "believe" in the magic of christmas.



Glad you had some time with DS it must be so hard not to have him around especially during the holidays. The story of your friends daughter made me hug my kids a little tighter. These are the things I just cant understand in life. My prayers are with her family. I hope your days get brighter soon.
Ok Taryn a bit scary but here are our traditions.

That wasn't scary at all. Other than a few similarities I hope we are both here in 5 years to celebrate finding the light at the end of our tunnels together. Christmas tree lighting ceremony sounds wonderful!

This meal still happens, but fewer people attend these days and the family has grown and so have outside obligations. I remember all 13 of us great nieces and nephews got to play together. Often Charlie and the Chocolate factory would be one TV. Now we often have some sort of immediate family lunch with my parents and brother's family then we still go to my Great Aunts. We often spend the entire evening planning out or black friday shopping plan The kids still get to play with their cousins which they love.

You know, I've only done Black Friday shopping once. Sent Dh for 3 things at Walmart last year. Not a lot of choices here, 1hr. drive to anything other than Wal Mart. IF there was something SUPER discounted that my girls HAD to have, I might consider it, though.

White flaky stuff fell out of the sky yesterday! It didn't stick around luckily. We laughed about how excited we were to see the first snow when it is just a matter of time until we say "snow again?!?" My favorite part about Thanksgiving is leftovers! Seriously, I love the family togetherness. Even though we had our big Thanksgiving dinner last week-end, DS has asked that we still have a small family dinner on Thursday. It will be just the three of us and we are looking forward to just hanging out and relaxing together. We will start our Christmas decorating on Friday. And I have to tell you guys that apparently I am elf challenged because I've never heard of the elf on the shelf thing. But thanks to Google I did learn about it as well as a book called Llama Llama Holiday Drama which I think could work on so many levels.

Glad you learned all about the Elf. He's GREAT!!! Ours is Nikki, after St. Nick. Sophie LOVES the llama llama books. And snow, really? WOW!

Ours have changed over the years, being military we moved too much!! But since we have been in Florida we have dinner with the neighbors. Spend the day together. Friday early morning shopping, a Family movie in the afternoon and leftover Turkey sandwiches for dinner!!!!

Sounds very nice!

Went to church bazaars with my Mom and her friend yesterday-- had fun, only got what I really wanted. Speaking of Bazaar (bizarre)...my Mom's friend found a brand new bra with tags on it still, $4 at an estate sale that was my size-- and it's one I've had before and liked in a bigger size.

You always find the most amazing stuff!!!!

QOTD: This will be a quiet Thanksgiving as we will be getting ready for Disney the following week. We will put our tree up sometime over that weekend if not the night before Thanksgiving. We always watch the Macy's parade on tv together and then usually watch some holiday movies. We'll probably play some games too and I will also be trying to get the final things together for our trip.

How very exciting!!!! I know you are about to explode with excitement, I would be!

And honestly, I am kind of hoping the whole sister trip falls apart. I am a horrible person, I know. But then Mike will just come with me. I told him he could cheer at the end of the race! I haven't bought plane tickets yet....And this year I am FREEZING!!!!! Last year we kept the thermostat really low, and this year I am cold all the time. I'm guessing it's because I don't have as much insulation anymore, but who would have guessed that being cold all the time would be a side effect of losing weight.

Sounds like you just need to go ahead and call it off. Take Mike, and enjoy! They don't seem all that interested, anyway...

I totally am in the "FREEZING ALL THE TIME" boat. It's wild how weight loss does that. I wear a sweater or WDW hoodie all day at work, and a robe at home over my clothes. My Uggs never come off my feet!!!

My mom almost always cooked thanksgiving dinner, so last year was very strange. I love this picture that was taken of the three of us at the game that day, and I have it on my living room wall.
This year, I'm cooking at my house, and there will be 6 of us. Some girls at work were talking about thanksgiving, and one was saying her kids love coming home for thanksgiving dinner, and I thought I should cook at least once, so Michael would have that memory.

Kathy, it's so tough. to you. Great picture! I'm so glad you have that.

QOTD
For most of married life we have been spending Thanksgiving Day with dh's family. Nothing really special. Sometime during that weekend we need to go see my mom because it is her birthday. Two years ago she invited the entire family for Thanksgiving because it was also her birthday.

Glad you got to relax some today, Dona. Sounds like fun memories!

It's been a really bad day. Really. Recap

Got up at 4:30, decided to go back to sleep on the couch. Woke up at 8.
ILL! I had a lot I wanted to do before church.

8:10 - DH comes down and asks me to cut his hair really quickly. He goes to get the clippers, and we hear the loudest BOOM!!! I looked out the window, and our huge inflatable Hokie is falling down. "BRAD, SOMEONE JUST SHOT OUR HOKIE BIRD". "Honey, are the lights on?" As I am running to check on the girls upstairs, "Honey, it was a transformer. The power is out."

No Sunday School, no haircut, no laundry or dishes. Called the electric co., it was back on by 10:30. Quick showers, out the door for church.

At church, the first song sang was Daddy's favorite. Started crying. Choir songs were both about trials of life, losing people, being set free by death, etc. I was crying so hard, I just laid down in the pew on Mommy's lap, and sobbed. Couldn't sit up or stop until service was about half over.

Went to mom's for lunch, had to go to a friends 31 party. Mom gave me a check to order me something for Christmas. A friend's mom called and had me get her daughter something for Christmas, too.

Didn't get any rest or half done what I wanted to. Being doing a little, and working on P.C. stuff for a few hours now. Got a homework assignment due, lots to do on it. Headache from all the crying.

Need to get going, just wanted to check in with everyone. Hope you all relaxed some today!

 

[tigger813]

Taryn- I totally am about to explode. I'm doing a little bit in terms of packing each day. I got the toothbursh containers labeled this afternoon and pulled out the bathing suits. DH is worried that he doesn't have enough pairs of shorts for the trip. I don't know where I will find shorts if they don't fit as it's almost winter here! UGH! I will really get packing after next weekend. We have friends from church coming over on Sunday and then the full on packing will commence.

DH and I are watching the Patriots game and the girls are in bed. Only one is asleep so far. I heated up a small brownie for each of us with a scoop of ice cream and a tiny bit of the peppermint mocha Kahlua on top. I still needed the calories. I'm still drinking water. TOM has arrived several hours early again but that means it will be gone earlier as well.

Didn't get any exercise in today but I've done the water. Tomorrow I am getting up at 5 in the morning to get in 2.5 miles on the elliptical and then meeting some people from the wellness center at the track to walk for a bit and then redwalker should be coming over to walk.

I skipped the weight loss meetings last week so I will have to get back to you all on the password. I just emailed the coach for it. I need to watch the coaching training videos so I can become a coach. Just been so busy I haven't had time.

Finished the John Ritter book earlier tonight. So wonderful! I miss his comedic talents so much.

Taking DD2 for a hair cut after she gets home tomorrow and then we will go to the grocery store. May also run to Walgreens as someone on the budget board mentioned them having a Mickey snowman cookie cutter.

Sorry I'm babbling! I got my village on the mantle lit tonight and the Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Snoopy doghouse lights in the two front big windows (one upstairs and one downstairs). Just hope the landscapers come soon so I can get the outdoor lights up.

I think I'm done now. Need some more water and hope to get some more cleaning and straightening done. I hope to print the rest of the iron ons that I want to do for our trip sometime either tomorrow or Wednesday. Can't wait to get Christmas Carol DVD on Tuesday. I'll go after work. I need to go to Best Buy as I have the $10 coupon and a $10 reward certificate. ALso want to get the Jackie Evancho Christmas CD and maybe Susan Boyle!

Now I promise I'm done chatting!

TTFN :tigger;

 

[my3princes]

Good morning all!


Wow, Deb, great bargains but do you really have to get appliances for Christmas?


Go, Lindsay, go!

The appliances are not for Christmas. Our washer and dryer have been on their last legs for quite some time and I was just waiting for an opportunity to replace them. The dishwasher decided a couple of weeks ago that it no longer wants to drain on it's own

We managed to get those 3 appliances plus a new trash compactor. The trash compactor is installed and we pick up the other 3 appliances on Thursday after work. I hated to spend the money, but keep telling myself that the energy savings alone will make it worthwhile.

We came home from Sears this morning and piles about 5 cord of wood in front of the wood furnace. That should last us at least until the first of the year. It was really nice out so I took the afternoon and put up a lot of my outside Christmas decorations. I still have all the inflatables to put up and I think I'll change out some of the lights on the garlands with LED lights, but it does look festive out side.

At about 5 PM we headed back to Sears for the rest of the purchases. The items went on Sale at 5:30 and we were first in line so we got everything we wanted. Then we went to Home Depot and traded in a couple of sets of old lights for the $3 off coupons and bought some new lights.

We made dinner then put up our 2 Artificial Christmas Trees. We used to put the Disney ornaments on the skinny tree and all of our other ornaments on the larger tree, but decided to swap this years as we have more Disney ornaments. Both trees look awesome and it is nice to sit in the living room with them on. I still have tons of decorating to do, but just ran out of time today.

 

[tigger813]

www.weightlosschallenge.com username: wlc password: away

It's course three and week nine

TTFN

 

[mikamah]

Taryn- It is so hard, isn't it? I find church and the holidays are the hardest. Sorry you've had such a rough day. I hope tomorrow is 100 times better. I'll share my emotional moment I had today, which makes me chuckle now. I was grocery shopping, and couldn't find the Royal Lunch Milk Crackers which are what my mother used for her stuffing, since I thought I'd try to make her stuffing for thanksgiving, well, they have been discontinued, and Nabisco no longer makes them, well, I kept getting all filled up the rest of my shopping trip. It's funny, how I can be perfectly fine and one little thing will set me off still. Well, I came home and googled the royal lunch to make sure they really are discontinued, and there's a pretty big royal lunch cracker following, and the consensus is there is pretty much no substitute. There were people out there who refused to buy nabisco products until they bring them back. I remember the last couple years my mom was alive, she had a hard time finding them, but always ended up finding them, but she would get a big laugh out of it now. Hang in there. You are not alone.

 

[tigger813]

Good morning losers,

Just popping on or a quick hello to everyone! I just finished 2.5 miles on the elliptical while finally watching Grey's Anatomy from the other night.

Gotta go try and wake DD1 up. She had trouble getting to sleep last night as she said she wasn't feeling well. I think I'll let her sleep a few minutes more.

The heat just kicked on again. It's 44 here this morning and supposed to be in the mid 50s so I should get in a few more walks outside today. Interested to see who comes to the track for the walking group this morning. I'll walk about an hour and then come back and wait for redwalker. Going to skip the wellness center this morning and try to get some things done here before the walk. Since I have my breakfast stuff here I will have it here. I will go in tomorrow morning since I'll be on my way to work anyways.

Got our itinerary typed I'll post it in a few minutes!

TTFN

 

[my3princes]

good morning

 

[tigger813]

Here's our itinerary:
Disney Itinerary for December 1-9, 2010

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

O’Neill-6AM Flight from Boston to Orlando- Pick up rental car

Bahn-7:40AM from Raleigh to Orlando -Disney’s Magical Express

Head to Publix for groceries and Outlets for Crocs

Check in at Saratoga Springs

Animal Kingdom open until 8pm

No reservations for this day- lunch and dinner at hotel/park


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Magic Kingdom EMH AM 8AM opening

Breakfast at SSR

Tour park at will; Lunch in park

Dinner Reservation at Ohana for 6 people

After dinner tour resorts on Monorail for decorations and drinks

If time, visit DTD


Friday, December 3, 2010

Breakfast at SSR

9AM Universal Studios Islands of Adventure & Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Mom and Dad visits parks, shop, etc as they wish

Epcot EMH PM until 12:30AM

Also can visit DTD, pools, etc

Saturday, December 4, 2010

8AM Disney’s Hollywood Studios EMH AM

Stay at park as long as we like

Lunch as you wish

Also can visit DTD, pools, resorts, etc

Yachtsman Steakhouse reservation for 2
(Tracey and Brian)

Mom, Dad, Ashleigh and Izzie on your own for dinner and do what you wish this evening

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Breakfast at SSR

Animal Kingdom open at 9AM
reservation at Tusker House

3:15pm Finding Nemo: The Musical Reserved Seating

5:30PM Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Osborne Lights
Park open until 11PM

Monday, December 6, 2010

Epcot open at 9AM

Breakfast at Sunshine Seasons after Soarin’ in The Land Pavilion

Biergareten Reservation

Magic Kingdom EMH PM open until 11PM

Dinner at Magic Kingdom or back in room if preferred

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Epcot EMH AM open at 8AM

Breakfast at SSR

Segway Tour for Brian and Tracey?

Lunch at Epcot

Head back to SSR- DTD, pool, rest

Mom and Dad to Wilderness Lodge for reservation at Artist Point

Brian, Tracey, Ashleigh and Izzie on own for supper- DTD or Artist Palette

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Magic Kingdom reservation for breakfast at Crystal Palace
Magic Kingdom open at 9AM

Lunch at MK or SSR or Epcot

Evening visit Epcot until 9:30PM if wanted

Dinner at Epcot or whatever

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Bahn- 4:40PM from Orlando to Raleigh

O’Neill- 4:05PM Home from Orlando to Boston

If time, visit park of choice. Breakfast and lunch in room or at hotel/park

 

[flipflopmom]

Qualified for my own Pampered Chef website, spending my free time setting it up this am. I'll coach this afternoon!!

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

Talk to you this afternoon!
Taryn

 

[Worfiedoodles]

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

I could say the premiere of "Human Target" , but instead I'll say not having any deadlines at work. I have plenty of work to do, but it's a "reload" kind of week where I'm setting things up rather than working against a due date that's this week.

I'm at a conference all day today, so I won't be able to post. I should be able to read, so I'm hoping people will have lots to say to keep me entertained!

I hope everyone is looking forward to a great week!

Maria

 

[Rose&Mike]

Uggh, just lost my reply!

QOTD--not looking forward to anything special this week, but my DS comes home next Tuesday! We are at 6+ weeks since we've seen him and I am really missing him. We're going to clean his room this weekend and wash his sheets.

Taryn--glad your Mom was there when you were feeling so sad. As for the Princess trip--the one who is not running insists she wants to come just to come, the one who is injured has already registered. I just still think it's going to implode. Mike keeps saying, just let it play itself out.

Kathy-- I know it was sad, but thanks for sharing the cracker story.

TOM has finally arrived--46 days. I am hoping this means I will not have to deal with it as WDW in December. Tracey--had to smile when you said it was a couple of hours early. I think I remember being that punctual.

We did some window shopping yesterday, and despite a plan for dinner ended up going out. I just didn't feel like cooking. Feeling much more in control of the emotions today. No middle of the night anxiety issues, so that was nice!

Going to the Y after work for strength and elliptical. There is a new challenge on the Healthmiles. We have to get ~10000 steps a day for the next two weeks (150000 total). So I need to really pay attention. I want the extra points! I think homemade pizza is the plan for the night.

Have a great day!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: I have lots to look forward to this week!!!! Today is full of walking! Tomorrow I have to work. Wednesday afternoon we are supposed to go and see The Enchanted Village and do the Polar Express 4D experience. Thursday I have a vendor night for Usborne ($$$), Friday is just Friday and Saturday is Harry Potter and a home show at night at a friend's house! Sunday we are having friends over after church and then I really get packing for Disney!

I have a very tired and cranky 10 year old! Gotta take her to the bus in about 8 minutes!

On a positive note: I'm only up about a 1/2 pound from Friday so I will have another new low and if I work hard enough maybe I can reach my goal!!!!! I know I'm pushing it hoping for 5 pounds this week but I'm so motivated that I think I could do it!!!! I got my dress from our rehearsal dinner zipped up all the way yesterday. Haven't worn that in 13 years. Tight in the chest but after 2 kids what else should I expect.

Time to put some jeans on to head to the bus stop!

 

[my3princes]

Qualified for my own Pampered Chef website, spending my free time setting it up this am. I'll coach this afternoon!!

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

Talk to you this afternoon!
Taryn

We have a lot to look forward to this week. Wednesday is my youngest, Colby's, 8th Birthday. Thursday is my DH's 40th birthday (he is not so excited ) Thusday is also the Anniversary of Hunter's Grand Mal seizure and we are so blessed that he hasn't had another one and it looks like he never will . We will also pick up our new appliances Thursday night.

I work doubles today and tomorrow. Hoping to take everything out of the laundry room on Wednesday night and get it painted either Wednesday night or Thursday night. I want it all spiffied up before the new appliances go in.

It will be a busy, but fun week.

 

[mikamah]

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

I have two. No cub scouts on thursday and friday is my early day so the weekend will begin at 2.

Deb- Happy birthday to the men at your house, and such a wonderful anniversary to celebrate for Hunter. enjoy your new appliances.

Tracey- Love your disney itinerary and wish I was going too. Where is the Polar express experience?

Rose-So excited your ds will be home next week. On TOM, we went to disney once, and tom came over a week early, and it killed me to spend 6$ on 12 tampons in the Pop gift shop, so be prepared and that should ward him off. I can't wait til it's all over.

Maria- Hope your conference isn't too painful and you're entertained here on the dis.

Taryn- Congrats on qualifying for your own website. Does that mean when you have parties you can send email invites and people can order online without going to a party?

Dona-A pre thanksgiving turkey dinner is such a nice tradition, especially since you aren't home for thanksgiving and don't have the leftovers.

Have a great monday everyone.

 

[tigger813]

Kathy-It's at the Jordan's in Avon where the Enchanted Village is located now. Only like $5 for each thing to do. THe girls both have half days so we thought we'd go. If we don't go today we'll go another day after our trip though I really want to go Wednesday.

TTFN

 

[pjlla]

Morning friends! Again I only have a short time to say hi and then I have to run. When did my life get SO crazy!!??

We had a GREAT weekend and my DS's robotics team took home the1st place Championship at our tournament, along with the first place trophy for our robot performance!! We are heading to State competition on December 4th! We were SO proud of the boys.... their performance that day in every area far exceeded our expectations!! We are proud parents AND proud coaches!! The only not-proud moment was my stress eating/nibble most of the day! I KNEW I was stress eating and I tried hard to control myself, but definitely ended the day with more calories than necessary (although in my defense, I did pack a healthy lunch and snack so I wouldn't succumb to the temptation of the bake sale and pizza sale and I did well with that).

DD had a good swim weekend also.... she dropped 4 seconds in her 200 IM, which is a huge drop at this time in her swim career.... plus a few other personal best times in other events. She was satisfied with the weekend.

High school swim started today with 5:45 am practice. Life will be considerably crazier for the next few months, so I am putting in a disclaimer right now that I will NOT be posting regularly, but I will be sticking with it as far as the weight loss/maintenance goes. I will make a real effort to get over here a few times a week to say hi and try to keep up with the basics.

Please forgive me for this hit and run message, but I am off and running again in a few minutes. Talk to you all later hopefully........................P

 

[jennz]

Taryn Like Kathy I find church to be hard! Something always seems to remind me about my mom or mil, or it's something about dd that gets me going. Waterproof mascara! 1 1/2 years later it's still coming out of the blue...at WDW at the Hall of Presidents last month...my mom's favorite and I was sad for the rest of the day. I don't know what to say, just

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

To everyone celebrating simpler Christmases--we did this a couple years ago. Set very strict limits on gifts, decorating, going out, etc. and really had a wonderful time. It was nice to re-learn that it really isn't about the gifts and trimmings.

Thanks for the words Rose. Our christmases were always so over blown when I was a kid. There were presents galore at every house we went to and my family is no where near wealthy. Now it just seems no one has the money to spend but yet we are trying to hold onto something that use to be so special to us. I know its not about the presents but the feeling of not being able to just go out and by my kids and family a bunch of things is just killing me. Im trying hard to focus on the little things and I know it will get me through. Thanks again for the encouragement.

II love this picture that was taken of the three of us at the game that day, and I have it on my living room wall.
)

Thats a beautiful picture Kathy. I loved my mom always cooking on thanksgiving and then everyone coming over. We now travel to different houses on thanksgiving and I am hoping one day to take it over too. Theres just something about the smell of the turkey and filling in the oven.

I hope we are both here in 5 years to celebrate finding the light at the end of our tunnels together.

I hope we are here together too! Id say if we make it to the end of the tunnel that we can celebrate by meeting in disney for drinks but I guess that is what has gotten me in the financial predicament in the first place....always wanting to go somewhere or do something.

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

We dont have much going on this week. My kids are looking forward to their thanksgiving feasts at school and I guess the only thing I am looking forward to is pay day on thursday. We have a pretty uneventful weekend planned to. I guess I can also look forward to having some time to get some things done around the house.

We have a lot to look forward to this week. Wednesday is my youngest, Colby's, 8th Birthday. Thursday is my DH's 40th birthday (he is not so excited ) Thusday is also the Anniversary of Hunter's Grand Mal seizure and we are so blessed that he hasn't had another one and it looks like he never will . We will also pick up our new appliances Thursday night.

All wonderful things to look forward to.



My weight once again has gone up over the weekend. I just cant get it together for more than a week at a time. Princess training starts next week so I am hoping to regiment myself again and stop the roller coaster.

My mom and I had some shopping therapy yesterday. She had a bunch of coupons so she treated me yet again. God I love my mommy!!!!!!

I got a new wool jacket for work. Its a green color with black buttons. I am not a color person and always go for black and grey but it looks really nice and stylish. I also got 1 pair of grey pants, a black short sleeved top, a purple argyle sweater w/ a cami underneath, and a button down blouse that is while with silver sparkly tiny pin stripes.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

 

[SettinSail]

Hi everyone! We had a wonderful weekend in Thionville, France. We toured Chateau de Lagrange-- a castle which is still used as a private home, tour conducted by owner in English ! Toured another smaller private home built in 1754. Ate lunch at an Algerian restaurant (cous cous served family style with vegetables, meat and broth toppings). Toured the Maginot Line -- famous underground bunkers taken over by Germany during WWII until the Americans came to rescue the French!
Then Saturday night we did a wine tasting and ate at the restaurant owned by my DH's co-worker's family. It was very very nice but I'm not a big wine drinker and not really into gourmet food so much but I enjoyed the experience. Everything is organic and grown there (they call it Bio in Europe). They even grow the cereal they feed the ducks! I had a great steak but they would not cook it as well as I would have liked. It was a long night. At 9:30pm we had not even ordered yet and we did not walk out of there until close to 1:00am. Sunday DH was ready to come home so we were home by 2:00pm. I was able to get in W8D1 of C25K although it was a struggle. I was up 2 lbs this morning. Getting tired and annoyed of going up 2 pounds, fighting to get it off over and over again! Would like to make some forward progress! But I was actually down a new pound last Friday so need to get focused and stay there

Oh, and I am down .9 for the week. I don't know where the weight is coming off from...my big toe , but I'm not complaining.

CC

ETA: Cam: Work starts soon. Maybe the Monday after Thanksgiving, but that hasn't been confirmed. Hope DS "beats" everyone tonight.

Woo Hoo for a loss! Good luck with your new job!

What great adventures you are having!!! Are you coming back for good on the 18th, or just for Christmas?

We're only coming home for Christmas this year. We should be back home for good by July 1st, 2012. We have about 20 more months to go(sigh)

I'm down to 129 which means I've lost 46 pounds since I started coming here January almost 2 years ago. I haven't seen 120's since highschool and I'm not counting my bout with anorexia or my younger years when I tangoe'd with meth. I really don't care if I keep this weight, but I do want to stay under 135 as opposed to going over.

**If you notice the new pics in my sig, I finally got a pic of my 3 lil' kittens all together and sitting still. They were wanting my breakfast lol. Fig and Wally's mom is sitting on top of my truck-- she is truly gorgeous now.

WOW 129 I can only dream.....

I did notice your new kitty pictures, how cute!

Shawn- It's taken me about 23 months. I lost the first 30 very easily but the rest has been a long haul.

Oh boy, it may take me even longer. I've lost 21 pounds in about 9 months and none of them came off easily But, even if it does take me 23 months, that is better than weighing the same 23 months from now

Didn't get a chance to WI today. Back at a hotel. Last night's hotel was HORRID! But, no place else within about 20 miles with rooms due to sports at HS. We could have stayed here, but no hot water & can't cook. Will be back in here on Monday. Tile is getting grout today, Next week will get carpet & start floor upstairs. I am hoping to have furniture by thanksgiving, but not overly optimistic.

Will WI next week again. I THINK I should be down about a pound this week based on yesterday morning, but no telling with me.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hang in there! Hope you see light at the end of the tunnel soon!

My remorseful mood this am is prompting today's QOTD, which is a soul searcher.

QOTD Saturday, Nov.`13: Is there something in your past that affected your weight/health NOW that you would like to do-over?

I picked up some really bad eating habits in College and living on my own as a young adult. If I could go back, I would try to be more disciplined about eating healthy and exercizing so it would be second nature now. It was not until I met my husband though that I REALLY started packing on the pounds He is a HUGE eater and makes very bad food choices. I wish I had paid more attention to how much bigger my food portions got when we started eating together and tried to change him back when I had a slight chance of doing so! Now with him and my 13 year old son with a huge appetite, it is very challenging for me to eat normal portions and make healthy choices.

Mine mostly Im sure is from TOM still....adding in my dh and his job dilemma. His boss his miserable to him and he can never do anything right. Dealing with this for awhile now, but this week he found out he would not be getting any raise this year. There was a guide put out for giving raises and for a 1 % raise it said the employee goes 25-40% above and beyond for the organization. My dh was mortified that they did not even think he went above and beyond as little at 25%. He never says not to doing extra, covering at places that are not even in his job title, he has left numerous times in the middle of the night when he gets calls from the security team for their buildings....instead of waking up his boss if he knows its nothing important. There is even more but I wont bore you with it. Its just really sad. At this point its not even about the money all though it would be helpful but its the acknowledgement. This week he saw 2 openings for positions with a different company and applied. A previous co worker knows the HR people there and gave a great recommendation for him. This was on thursday. Last night he went on the website and the 2 jobs he applied for are now taken off. We are thinking they forgot to pull them and the positions are filled. He is very down about it. In his field (Early Childhood Education) There is not that many jobs to choose from to make the $ he is currently making.
I am also stressing about buying xmas presents this year. Not sure where the money is going to come from.

Sorry to burden you with my problems, just feels better to talk to someone (or type). Thanks for listening.

Wow, that just totally stinks! I hate it when someone does not get the credit they deserve. Someone knows and sees what he is doing and has chosen not to recognize it. That is tough. Can he respond in writing with a list of things he has done over the past year? Even if they will not consider him for a raise, he can ask for the list to be placed in his personnel file?

It sounds like emotions are running wild today My dm and I went shopping most of the day. We hit JcPenneys this morning after having been there for 2 hours last night. We had a 30% off coupon plus the 15% for completing the online survey. That had a good sale plus doorbusters. I think I did most of the clothing purchases for Christmas I got a $100 winter coat from my oldest for $24

Tomorrow night I need to do some major appliance shopping. Sears has their friends and family sale which is their black friday sale minus the doorbusters. They also do an additional 10%. We need a new washer, dryer and dishwasher

Saturday's QOTD: I never had a weight issue until my first pregnancy. I wouldn't change a things. The boys are totally worth the extra weight and extra work. My pregnancies were straight from H E double hockey sticks and I went through it 3 times. The doctor's told me if I get pregnant again I will not survive. Thankfully we always wanted 3.

Wow, what good deals! I can't wait to shop in the USA! There are no "deals" here, everything is so expensive. Love the dble hockey sticks

Watching the Hokies not do so well against the Heels. Winning by 9, when it should be at least 19 or 29.

Hi all,

From the land of the missing. DS #2 was home last week end from OTS it was so nice to see him. He goes back to Germany next week end so I have been down. I am trying to get his Christmas box ready. I have to get it in the mail by the 23rd to get there in time. This will be out first Christmas with out kids. I am so not looking forward to it. I wish we could afford to be the Kranks and just run away!!!

New job is going well. Was very disappointed that Jimmy Buffet did not sign my paycheck.They are a relaxed company, not what I am used to but very nice..

Went to the funeral last week end of the 24 year old. So sad. I don;t know how her parents made it though. So many young adults there...... just so sad. So hug your kids every day, the Mom just keeps saying I will never be able to touch her again.....


Sorry to be so down, just been a rough few days around here.

Glad to hear your new job is going well. I never got a chance to tell you that the girl who passed away was on the prayer list from my home church in NC. Her cousin is a member of our church it turns out. What a small world. So sad. I read a little of the blog. Just can not imagine that poor family going through that. Such a remarkable young lady too.

QOTD Sunday, Nov.14th. What is your favorite part about Thanksgiving? Do you have any special traditions?

Thanksgiving has always been a strange holiday for me. We had the traditional holiday growing up but after all us kids were grown and out of College, my parents started travelling by themselves on that weekend. I remember spending several Thanksgivings with a girlfriend's family and having a great time. Then, after I was married, we spent most every Thanksgiving with DH's family. UGH!!! There are only 3 of them so a very small, quiet and boring affair except for MIL's MOUTH Then, my sister's MIL started having a huge Thanksgiving and we all went there, including my parents. We tried inviting DH's family to that but they were hours late one year, complained about the food another year and finally announced they would not come again. This year will be the 3rd T'giving we have spent in Germany. In 2008 we were just here for a visit. Last year, we had no turkey, no celebration at all. This year we are invited to 3 so far
I love watching the Macy's Day Parade and it seems every year we know of a group from our area marching in the parade. I would love to attend in person one year! Have done the BF shopping but prefer to do that online now.
I have never cooked a turkey or T'giving dinner and I am 49 years old !!!

To everyone celebrating simpler Christmases--we did this a couple years ago. Set very strict limits on gifts, decorating, going out, etc. and really had a wonderful time. It was nice to re-learn that it really isn't about the gifts and trimmings.

We have been doing this for quite awhile and it is vey nice. We re-use the same decorations every year but we will add a few new ones from our travels.
DH & I do not exchange gifts and in my family we only give to the kids. Wish that DH's family would get onboard. They spend a lot of $ on gifts for us that we do not always want. Have tried talking to them but they don't get it It is amazing what a good job marketers do on the US public!

Hope the Princess ends up turning out how you would like. Maybe it will just end up being you & Mike !

It's been a really bad day. Really. Recap

Sorry you had such a hard day

Atleast you qualified for your own Pampered Chef website

QOTD Monday, November 15: Mondays are hard! What is one thing you have to look forward to this week?

Looking forward to no soccer practice this week! Our Fall soccer season is OVER !! Also, I have a big hike with my Wandren Club this Thursday to a beautiful area. I want to see how much better shape I am in this year than last when we hiked this area.

We had a GREAT weekend and my DS's robotics team took home the1st place Championship at our tournament, along with the first place trophy for our robot performance!! We are heading to State competition on December 4th!
DD had a good swim weekend also.... she dropped 4 seconds in her 200 IM, which is a huge drop at this time in her swim career.... plus a few other personal best times in other events. She was satisfied with the weekend.

CONGRATS for both !!!!!!!!!!


Tracey: Your trip sounds great! And, your parents live in Raleigh???
That's where I am from!

Kathy: Love the picture of you with Michael and your Mom. I know you really cherish having that day and those memories captured.

Deb: A very special week in your house! Enjoy! Have "fun" with your new appliances too!

I feel like I am leaving someone out but I've been on over 90 minutes and can't stay on here all night!

Hope you all have a great week! I need to do some menu planning and shopping tonight/tomorrow and get focused!

Shawn