Friday 11/26/10 QOTD: The day after American Thanksgiving has come to be known as "Black Friday", so-called because stores get "in the black" with the massive purchases made to kick-off the holiday season. People make game plans, study store floor plans, camp out the night before or show up at 2am to get a spot in line. Some start scouring for ads and sign up for Black Friday websites months ahead. What about you? Do you "do" Black Friday? How? Why or Why Not? Are there any lessons you can share you've learned from Black Friday you can apply to weight loss?
Before I had Michael I did black friday which included cutting all the 10$ macy's and filenes coupons from a couple newspapers and pretty much going through those two stores and buying great deals mostly for myself. I remember getting cute holiday decorations, towels, clothes, all sorts of stuff that I liked and the price was right. I went out once when Michael was in daycare and the day care was open, and had a list of games for the nieces and nephews etc and did get some good deals. This year, I was tempted by the laptops at
walmart, and we got up at 6, but figure they are probably gone, so we didn't go. That and the cocktails I drank yesterday made me want to just stay in my pajamas a bit longer. Michael just learned about black friday so he went through the ads this morning and saw an 8$ snowcone maker he wants at toys r us, so we talked about the aggravation of the crowds to go and save 8$ just because it's a good deal. If he really wanted it, it might be worth spending the full 15$ on a quiet day.
Exactlly right... they are being super cautious with his airway. Between his facial/mouth injuries and his pre-existing neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness in the throat, they are being slow in the extubation because if they extubate and he isn't breathing well, replacing the tube may prove difficult if not impossible. And the alternative (tracheotomy) has me terrified. But I know that that is a possibility today.
Without getting too sappy, let me just tell you.... Deb has already proven to be more of a friend than some "friends" I've known for many years. I guess in a situation like this people really start to show their true colors. I've been updating a lot on FB to keep extended family in the know. Folks from town, people I only know in passing and to say a quick hi, are showing support with nice comments and words of concern, phone calls.... and meanwhile, people I considered real friends have ignored every word, every update, everything I've said on FB. Maybe its just too much... too much bad news, too much drama for a holiday. But honestly... is one quick "thinking of you" comment too much to expect?
I enjoyed my short visit home yesterday, but they predicted freezing rain and winter weather driving conditions for last night into this morning so I thought it best to cut short my visit and return here last night. It made me pretty sad, because I feel like I barely got home before I had to turn around. I did get a nice meal and a shower and, more importantly, love and hugs from the kids, my parents, and the kitty. I got to organize some stuff that has come in like mail, etc, and open some cards that have arrived. And I got to see the flowers that DH's department at work sent before they died. So beautiful!

More hugs and prayers coming your way.

You are doing so well with all that has been thrown at you, Pamela, and if you're drinking too much coffee and even eating all over the road, and that is getting you through each hour of each day, then you do whatever it takes to get through each day, and be the strong and amazing support for dh and your family that you have been. I can only imagine how hard it all is on you, and I hope you are able to take care of you too. Praying dh is ready for extubation, and I hope he doesn't need a tracheostomy. I do know if he does need the trach in, very often patients are more comfortable with the it and do not get as restless as with the oral airway, and often it will help with the weaning process too. It's scary to see him go through yet another procedure, and I hope you have good news today and he is able to be extubated. I'm glad you got a little family time yesterday and I'm glad dd is with you today. I know you feel you're the one who takes care of her and everyone else too, but i hope you can lean on her a little too. I'm sure she is worried about you too, and wants to do anything she can to help.
Just a minute to post today's mini-challenge, because we are going out this morning.
The value of protein is becoming increasingly noticeable and people, especially us, are much more aware of this. Enjoy 2 servings of protein today.
Have a great day everyone!
Thanks for these cc. I'm guessing there's some protein in pumpkin pie.
Hey everyone. I disappeared some. I know some may have seen me posting on the other threads. I wasn't ignoring just kinda in a funk with this weight loss stuff. I had a very rough patch financially in the grocery department. Much gratitude goes to my brother for providing some food for us to get us through. I wasn't able to concentrate on food much at all the past few weeks. I had little interest in working out either.
Oddly enough I was down some weight, at least from what I had gotten up to but not having extras around to try to snack on helped big time on keeping to 3 meals.
I know tomorrow is weigh in but I've missed some. I'm not sure I'm 100% back into game plan mode so let me try to see if I can get back to reading enough to keep up half way.

We've missed you here. Please don't feel bad about not coming here. We are always here to listen also when things are tough if that ever helps. I hope things are better for you soon.
Good morning everyone! I out did myself yesterday and did all my baking. All I had to do today is dress and bake the ham. My honey butter came out yummy. Cam- I even made your pumpkin muffins

This is the first time in years that Im not rushing around trying to finish cooking by dinner. Our plans are to visit my parents for thanksgiving lunch, then going to BF's aunts house for thanksgiving dinner. Theyre all within 30 miles, so we dont have to travel far.
Honey butter and pumpking muffins sounds yummy. Hope you had a great day.
I spoke to Pam this morning. Her husband is going to be kept sedated today and they won't try to extibate until tomorrow. She is going to go home and spend some time with her kids today

She said her kids really need her today, and I know that she needs to be with them. Hopefully she can get some rest at home too. Spending time at the hospital is so draining, I really don't know how she's managed this long. Please pray that he has a restful healing day and that they will be able to remove the breathing tube tomorrow
Thank you for keeping us updated and for being there for Pamela. You are amazing and such a good friend.
Hmmm, funny holiday memory . . . when I was in my 20's I somehow was assigned the job of cooking the turkey. Well, I didn't know much about turkey anatomy but did manage to get the stuff out of the inside. However, after the turkey was cooked and we started to carve it, there didn't seem to be much breast meat --- turns out that I had cooked it upside down! It was very moist!
Ah well, as long as it was cooked and noone got salmonella, it was a success!!
Thanks to both of you!

It is a quality assurance position for a local company that works with various metals. It is similar to my last position, but I have more expectations. I will be doing various things, including verifying that a finished product is first-quality. There are a few of us in the department, and my position works primarly with the larger products. There are lots of opportunities for advancement too! I may be doing some other things too, but it depends on how many products I have to check on a given day/week. I am very excited!
Congratulations CC. I love that you are so excited, and I'm sure that is why you got the job. They saw your positive attitude and know you will be an asset to their business. Enjoy your weekend before the job starts monday.
One year I wanted this doll that came in a carrying case, which doubled as a pretend pregnancy device. So, when you opened it up the first time you found out if you "had" a girl, boy, or twins. Then, you got to use it as a carrying case (think backpack) for your child/children. I "had" a girl. This was the one thing I had to have that year. I was probably eight. I don't know what Santa was thinking when he picked out that to deliver.
QOTD--when Tom was 8 or 9 and almost over Santa we got him a video game system. (Keep in mind we don't even have cable tv and we were very strict with vidoe games, etc.) Anyhow, when he opened it he said--I know there's a Santa, because you would never have got this for me! Priceless.
This is that critical year for me now. I am being very careful not to have santa bring anything he's seen at target or elsewhere, even the stocking stuffer stuff. He's so on the edge. I'm not sure what his big santa gift will be yet. I love that the gaming system kept Tom believing.
Hope you enjoyed your day yesterday.
QOTD: My kids get so excited about Santa coming. Mind you only one still believes

Last year they got up at 1 AM to see if he had been there. Once they found the stockings and gifts they had to open them and play for a couple of hours before going back to bed

Crazy kids
I bet they'll always remember the christmas they got to open presents in the middle of the night.
QOTD: 13 years ago this Christmas , DH and I got married 2 days after Christmas! Now, we rarely have a white Christmas here in NE! Well, 1997, was an unusually white Christmas. I was a special needs aide at the time and De. 23 was the last day of school before the break. I was working all day and then was supposed to head up to DH's (then DF's) apartment that night for one last day of peace and quiet before the wedding. Well, we were supposed to have 3 inches of snow that day! Well, the weathermen couldn't have been more WRONG! We ended up with 3 FEET! Parents were calling the school all day to yell and ask why school hadn't been canceled. All the men who worked at the school went out during the last hour to dig everyone out and help the snow plow guys shovel us all out. So needless to say we didn't have that last quiet night. I remember talking to my sister and telling her to bring boots when they flew in on Christmas night as we had a lot of snow. She didn't believe me so I told her to put on the weather channel as they were showing the storm a lot that day. We had a snow plow not only plow the driveway but also half the front yard so people could park at the house after the wedding and reception. I have a funny photo of me walking to the limo on my wedding day holding up my dress wearing big fluffy snow boots! It's quite funny. It even snowed during our reception and our attendants were throwing snowballs at us the whole time! It was GORGEOUS and I never regret having our wedding so close to Christmas! It was MAGICAL! We had Christmas invitations and lots of poinsettias all around the church. We bot love Christmas so it is very special for us!
What a beautiful wedding that must have been.
The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge Week 11 Superstars!!
#10- 0.34% - dvccruiser76
#9- 0.38% - Cupcaker
#8- 0.44% - momof2gr8kids
#7- 0.48% - liesel
#6- 0.75% - TIE! SettingSail & KristiMc
#5- 0.80% - tigger813
#4- 0.97% - Dreamer24
#3- 1.02% - corinnak
#2- 1.36% - lovedvc
and now
The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge
Week 11 Biggest Loser is:
#1- 2.28% - tggrrstarr
Whoo hoo!!!! Congratulations tggrrstarr and all the top losers this week!!!!



Thank you shannon for all the time you put into being weightkeeper. And an extra hug for being up at 2:30 this morning.
Good morning all! Well, I am a maintainer this week just by the skin of my teeth! I will have to be very reasonable with my 2 celebrations this weekend and then really try harder next week on eating. My exercise has saved me from a gain this week.
Nice job on the maintain!!

this is a good week to maintain. Great score on the game, and be careful driving in the snow. I am from the northeast, and as I get older, I do not like driving in snow more and more. Years ago, I was going skiing with a friend who is from Ireland, and had never driven in snow, and it was snowing so bad, and the visibility was horrid, and I started to panic, and pulled over to the side of the road, and couldn't drive anymore, and she ended up having to drive the rest of the way. She still teases me about it.
I did step on the scale, and was up 2.4, but am very puffy, so I'm going to officially weigh sunday when I get back from my brothers. I think I did pretty well overall yesterday. I didn't have any dips or cheese and crackers before dinner since I was busy cooking, though I did sample some stuffing. I ate a full plate for dinner, small samples of everything, and was comfortable full, where in the past I would have had more stuffing or rolls, or whatever to just keep eating until I was overstuffed. For dessert, I had 4 slivers of pie, equalling 2 pieces. Now on the alcohol, 2 glasses of wine, one candy cane cocktail, which was good, but a little strong for me, so then one vanilla snappes and diet coke. Actually, it felt like I had more this morning, but now I'm feeling just fine.
We're heading to my brother's in western mass this morning and will come back tomorrow sometime. Sunday we have the local santa parade, and are getting together with some friends. I was telling her michael is on the edge of believing in santa, and her dd is 16 and said that is not ok, and she is going to help keep him believing. He loves Jessa, and if anyone can help keep the magic alive it will be her.
Enjoy the weekend everyone.