A New New Dawn

several of my "cupcake" meal recipes are made with wonton wrappers so that may be an option too.

think I may have to try this too!

Most all of us have our "setbacks". We have had these poor coping and eating habits for most of our lives and they are difficult to just "turn off". Two of the biggest things I have learned are - don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake. It will only make you feel worse and potentially sabbotage yourself even more. What is done is done. Learn from it, find your triggers and move on. Next time the urge comes, try to go for a walk, drink a big glass of sugarfree beverage, etc. Second thing, each time you are stronger than the "urge" it will make it easier the next time. It really makes you feel better and you will be amazed that after a few times those urges begin to subside and you no longer crave the junk. After not eating it for a while it doesn't even taste good. If you have Snacks or "junk" at home, get rid of it. Bring your lunch and leave your cash or debit card at home or in the car so you cannot be tempted. I promise, it does get easier. YOU CAN DO THIS! Today is a NEW day and a NEW you.

Though you are probably not all into country music (I love almost every genre of music)... but since C Mom shared her favorite song, I figured I would share mine. This mine and Brad's "song" but I think it applies to how I feel about you ladies as well in a friendship way.

Someone needs to quilt me a cry blankie for my tears! LOL Ericka made it to and from the beach last weekend in Ecuador. I was a little nervous as her and some of her classmates rented a van and drove 4 hours to get to the beach. They made it safely back. Today, her and the group left for the jungle. They are going from 10,000 feet above sea level to 600 ft. below... I told her not to get bit by any monkeys. Diane, I hope and pray your brother is continuing to improve and progress. I also hope you are able to return home soon. Carole, I also hope you are feeling better soon. I am not sure if you struggle with Migraines normally. If so, have they ever had you keep a journal? My gram used to end up in the hospital w/ them and they were able to identify some of the triggers for her were nitrates, msd, and sulfates (I think it was in wine). Thanks for your support and encouragement even when you are not feeling well. Michelle, I am glad your son is willing to try some alternative means. How is your hubby handling the news? Janet, glad you liked the family photos... hee hee. I didn't post any of my dad, mom, or gram. Then I realized I didn't even get one of me w/ Audrey or Brad or any of Brad. Oops. I hope it's nothing serious with your mother. Terri, thanks for your encouragement as well. It really does mean a lot to me. Dee, I may need some tutoring from you so I can take my math placement tests for the last few classes I need. So proud of you!!

Thanks Janet. My appointment is Tuesday a.m. My dr. is only in on Tuesday mornings. Some of my coworkers and I get together for each of our birthdays. LOL, I told them we could go AFTER my appointment, so either Wed. or Thurs. Thanks everyone for your encouragement and believing in me. I have been far too emotional lately and I know it will pass. Jeez, I turned on America's Got Talent. I don't normally watch this and started crying w/ the first act I saw (a 14 year old girl, whose father died) and she wrote and sang a beautiful song. Di, it's also reassuring to know you were "stalled" for several months and still made it to your goal and are maintaining it. It makes me realize and believe I am not a failure and I can still do this. I do believe a fill is long overdue as well. I also had forgotten my medicine when I went out to Omaha this past weekend, so for 4 days I didn't have my blood pressure medicine and that threw me out of whack. I normally carry it in my purse too as backup but had forgotten to restock that. Normally, I could've gone to the pharmacy and gotten a small supply to tide me over, except that my prescription is a mail order one. On top of that, my dr. couldn't call one in as I just got a letter in the mail that my dr. retired so I don't have one right now... My BP isn't that high normally, but it makes a big diff when I don't take it as it has a Water pill in it and I put on 6 lbs of water in those few days. Today is the first day I am feeling "unbloated". Oh great, I'm crying again with another amazing singer on this show... lol.

Carole, I hope you feel better soon. I am very pleased your band is still hanging strong!

I will 2nd this one!!!

Notes to self: You amazing ladies never cease to amaze me with your strength, encouragement, and determination Don't read our forum, whilst at desk at work.... chances are you will either LOL or get choked up and teary eyed! Well, Janet you got me today as I was overcome reading the story of your brother. Janet - I hope it is nothing serious with your mother and that Dave is on the mend soon. Thanks for being such a strong woman to bring and keep us all together. I am so glad you restarted our group so we could continue our friendships. Di - definitely continuing my prayers for your brother, had he had any prior health issues or symptoms? I am so glad he has you there supporting him and advocating on his behalf. Terri and Dee, I cannot wait for you two to meet. One day will be my turn too! Michelle - I am glad you have an answer to your concerns and can move forward. Not to sound corny, but I have seen so many shows on tv lately where people have amazing talents and it helps them with tourettes. It makes me think of how talented your son is with the piano. Carole, definitely keeping you in my thoughts today as well and praying for good news.

What Missy said. Also, every doctor us different in their approach just like every patient is different. Getting a fill is a piece of cake. Keep in mind it may take several fills to get there. Make sure to ask your Dr if there are any special instructions postfill. Many Dr.s will say a liquid diet for a day or two.

Yah, I was older too.... I initially said I was 43, lol.

Good afternoon/morning, Ladies. I hope today is a good day for all of you. I am in a pissy mood but keeping it to myself. Plus, I didn't sleep well and was upset w/ Audrey last night so some sleep tonight will help tremendously. I am a bit irritated w/ my "bff" and I think that is festering w/ me and behind my crankiness today in addition to leaving Omaha. I don't regret one bit staying here until Audrey goes to school and I know this will pass soon. I will miss the heck out of her and her sister even though they will be at college. Sorry, I am a crabby rambling mess today. I do love all of you ladies and appreciate all the great times, support, encouragement and wisdom we can all share w/ one another. You are all a God send for me. Janet, the funny part of me bringing up my age... I had to edit my post as I had my age wrong initially. I had to do the math and realized I had my age wrong, lol. Sharing my new favorite 0 calorie beverage with you.... I love flavored lemonades, teas, etc. but not a big fan of the powdered mixes. So I make a jug of unsweetened tea - for 1/2 gallon I fill the jug with warm Water and throw in 4 tea bags and put it in the fridge. It makes wonderful unsweetened tea. I bought the WalMart brand of the "Mio" flavor enhancers that you squirt in water. I bought their raspberry lemonade and added it to my tea.... man, it's YUMMY, imho!!! Janet, as for getting maddy to the beach, last year my kids' babysitter took her sister to Florida. Her sister was dying of cancer and had always wanted to put her toes in the ocean (which she had never done). They were able to rent a beach wheel chair and made wonderful memories bringing her sister to the beach. I have no idea how much it was but maybe that would be an option one day to take Maddy. Happy sewing, Terri. I am in awe of your talent. Carole, I, too, cannot wait to see the final remodelings. I am sure it will be amazing. My house in Omaha has granite counters and I just LOVE them. Thankfully, they are already there as I would have a heck of a time deciding on them and what to put! Di, I do love the firepit Brad got for the house. He LOVES copper and how it weathers. We have a beautiful birdbath he got for the yard too done by a sculpter with ornamental flowers, etc. I love the outdoors and it is so nice to just enjoy the elements and nature. Dee, I hope you are enjoying your day!!! Michelle, ♥

Dee, I am loving all your FB posts of amusement parks, kayaking, etc. and so proud of all you do and stand for! You rock!

Di, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I am days from being 42 myself and couldn't even imagine that. I pray that he recovers fully and quickly. You truly can't make this up, and I just shake my head sometimes as I feel for everything you are going through. On a funny note, your poor hubby!!! You are definitely in my thoughts, always. Big hug to you and prayers for you and your family. Janet, I hope you are on the mend soon. At least you were healthy for the trip. It was so nice to hear your hubby was very attentive on the trip. Terri and Carole, I hope the rain passes and good weather returns soon. Thanks for your good wishes for my weekend. We had a nice time. It's a long drive (465 miles each way), but worth it. For some reason, I am really in a funk coming home this time. It's so nice going there and just "being" together. Seeing each other 2 days a month gets pretty challenging for me. The time will come though. We did have a very nice time and his son, Owen, was so happy to come too. Michelle, I pray that it is nothing serious with your son. I am glad you are an attentive mother and notice these things even when they don't tell us all the time. Big hug sis! I can only imagine the worry you must feel for your son. Whatever it is, you will get through it.

ditto

Michelle, feel better soon!!!!! Keep us posted. I hope it's nothing major.

Hi, Ladies. Great news Carole. See, you are doing it. No obstacles have been able to stop you! You are a strong mama!!! Di, that's great news about your mother too. I am glad things have gone well these past several days. You definitely are a strong person and it has made you the amazing person you are today. If you ever wanna do what you do and travel the world or work part-time, the Joint is always looking for people as fabulously talented, experienced and driven as you. imho I am looking to move late fall. I am still hopeful I can do my job remotely and will broach that topic late next month. Today, our director told us of some new processes we are implementing in the next 2 weeks so that all our folders are electronic and no more physically routing them around the office to enable people to work remotely. One step closer to this being feasible. Dee, I am so proud of you in so many ways. and you going after your GED is just one more way!!! I have 3 classes to finish for my Associates and I have to take a Math placement test beforehand. I am dreading it. I used to do very well in Math; however, not having taken it in over 20 years I am lost! So I feel your pain. You truly are amazing. Terri, stay safe in the storms... Michelle and Nicole, I hope you aren't melting (unless it's just fat). Janet, how was the trip?? Damn it, all you ladies are! That's why you're my FABULOUS friends.

Michelle, hope the heat has passed... it is beautiful here today.... 70s, light breeze, lovin it! Finally able to have the windows open. So glad to hear the hubby has taken notice to how well you are doing w/ the band too, btw.

Aw, Dee, you brought tears to my eyes. I could see in the FB picture you were having a blast and I could totally understand. I do get scared of a lot of the rides (afraid of heights) but I, too, have missed so much w/ my kids because of not being able to fit on rides. We have a Six Flags nearby and I always made sure I went w/ both my kids or they had a friend or cousin with to go on the rides with them... So sad all the time I missed but sooooo happy that you are able to do that now and living it up! That is SOOO awesome and makes me teary eyed!!!

Good afternoon, Ladies. Sorry I have been offline the last few days. Work has been quite hectic. Thankfully, the person I am covering for is back on Monday though. My boss has been really happy with my work too so far so it's all good. I got my 6 month review (I have been in the dept 2 mos. but it's time for 6 mos. reviews). He gave me a really good one. So I was happy. Last night, I got together w/ my bff and we got our nails done and pedis. It was a new place that I will definitely go back to. (Awesome pedis). So, we were soooo hungry afterwards as I had barely eaten yesterday (busy w/ work) and lunch that didn't agree w/ me. So we headed next door to the Sheep and the Fiddle (and Irish pub). OHHHHH boy. My dinner was amazing and I ordered 2 foofoo drinks. Well, for someone that rarely drinks I was under the table (figuratively speaking). I was dying laughing for 2 hours and my friend was cracking up. In our 10+ years of friendship she has never seen me like that. All that over 2 drinks! Oh well, it was a fun time that I hadn't had in a long time so it was nice to get some laughs (ok, a LOT of laughs). Carole, the rainforest marble sounds amazing. Very unique. I hope the pattern works out as that really sounds interesting. So sorry about your foot. I used to wear platform sandals and had to stop as I seriously face planted in more parking lots than I care to remember. I would step on un level ground or a rock or something... I hope you heal up real soon. When do you find out how your scan went? (Thinking positive thoughts for you). Di, I am glad your yesterday is over. Sounds like an incredibly stressful day. Try not to beat yourself up. None of us is perfect and I would've cracked long before and you are still keeping up w/ it all. You are doing amazing, really! I wish I had 1/2 your strength. Dee, I am doing well, thanks! Audrey's been working a lot and I have been trying to keep myself busy. I am doing better w/ the band too. I hear from Ericka quite a bit so that is reassuring for me. I hope you are enjoying your summer w/ the kids too. Sorry to hear about the lady passing but you truly are an angel on earth as well. It takes a special person w/ a big heart to do what you do for others. Janet, I hope you are enjoying your trip!!!! You so deserve it. Michelle, how's the new machines working out for you? How did your finals go? I hope you are enjoying your summer. So what does hubby think of all the weight you have lost? He must be so proud of his hottie wife. Terri, thanks for checking in on me on FB. Sorry, I was in the midst of my 2 drinks that put me under the table when I saw it. Apparently, I cannot handle a drink anymore these days. I guess that's a good thing. Brad and I used to enjoy a glass or two of wine but with him being "pre-diabetic" we rarely do that anymore either. Well, it isn't a Brad weekend but ALMOST. :)My work gives us Thurs and Fri off so I took Wed. off to drive to Omaha. Audrey took time off work so she is going with and I am bringing Brad's son, Owen. Owen is super excited. I am looking forward to 4 days w/ my sweetie. I hope Gladys is being nicer to her mom too! I hope you are well and enjoying your weekend. Nicole, girlfriend, I am hoping no news is good news. Miss you!

Have a great trip, Janet!!!!

Too funny! I would be excited over those too!!! Congrats.

Janet, so sorry for your tears today. Remember the fun you had yesterday w/ the grandkids and how you are at such a better place in your life physically to be able to enjoy your grandkids even more. I am so excited for you for that. I am sorry to hear about Evan's grandmother as well. I know that must be very sad for him. It's the inevitable but difficult nonetheless. All the more reason we need to take care of ourselves so we can enjoy our time here on earth and with our families and friends. Big hug to you cMom. Carole, Di, and Terri (and Jack and Franc) have fun today!!! I am so happy for all of you (and a weeeee bit jealous). With all of life's stresses I am so happy all of you are able to meet and enjoy some pleasantries for today. Carole, so sorry for all the emotional challenges you are facing right now. The good thing is you have a lot of great family and friends that are there for you. May your appt today go well and your band be smiling back at the radiologist and you.

That's awesome Janet!!!! Sounds like a HUGE NSV and a great day!!