StephC

Dang Girlfriend!! He's cute as flippin button!!! I want him - can I just fantasize about him like I did your chocolate covered marine? I just synonyms of the word fantasize cuz the spelling didn't look right to me - one of them were to build castles in the air - LOL thats about right! After 29 years of the same old man that guy could build me a castle in the air! woohoo OK OK - so tell him no and know you are doing the right thing - dang the right thing!!! VA - stilling hoping for good news about the job - even tho the commute will suck at least its something until you can find something closer. I hope its the one! Sweet - I attract those same sleezeballs - gag gag! They are usually the ones who give me the shiver creeps - OR how about the dirty old men who look my beautiful young daughters up and down - I've turned and said thats just gross! to the pigs. Got my nails done - the nail nazi was sweet today - hows the girls, ready for christmas, and told me all about how they Celebrate in Vietnam. I guess she's not mad at me anymore.

Finally some news from the mia's! I'm glad you had a wonderful thanksgiving Natster! Did you get to see Anniebanannie? I need to travel, I feel so stuck on the mountain right now - ugh. I think we may go to Fla this winter - which is ok but its still just a visit to see family and friends. I'm ready for a real adventure,:bored guess I'll go get my nails done. woohoo. Transformer - thats great about DS, he sounds like he's doing well. Good luck with the job, all my kids worked as soon as they could. They loved making money - or spending money. Anyway it sounds like he's doing great and you sound like such a loving mother. When I read your posts I can hear the love in your words when you speak of him. And he's not at the most loveable age either. LOL My house looks so nice. Its clean. I said to dh last night while we were watching tv and I got up for a cup of tea, I love my house, especially when its clean. He said me too but I just don't say anything. ROFL - the big goof - what he was saying is if the house is a mess he has learned he better not say anything to me about it, or he'll be cleaning it. Its not that my house is ever really dirty but its the stuff that I don't get to while I'm working. Like mags and stuff piling up under the coffee and end tables - I remember when I first got my furniture I had vines under there, now theres People and Fitness - LOL. But not today, bc yesterday I cleaned it all out! It looks quite festive too. Today I'm at work for a few and then I'm off to get my nails filled. Have a great day ladies - love ya bunches. OH VA - Girlfriend how'd the interview go?

I'm saying a prayer for you VA - I'm sure you'll get it. I just finished my decorating - and cleaning. I look like crap and need to run to the store - I don't think I've even brushed my teeth yet - yuko! But I must admit the house does look festive. I put 2 boxes back that I didnt' even bother digging into. I need to run my garbage out and I'll be done. I think we are ordering in tonight. I really don't feel like cooking - especially since the kitchen is clean! I miss everyone - Nat, Kay, BK, Nikki, Bman, Boo, Transformer, Faith, Jill, Claudia... just to name a few - yoohoo where are you girls?

CoffeeWench - BRAVO!!! Did you ever stop to think they may be new to the internet? New to LBT and still finding their way around? The first week I was on I had to ask all those "stupid" questions, pb? nsv? but I was on here to get answers since I was still in the research phase. I don't mind the questions, I feel its smarter to ask questions then to sit back dumbly.

So where is everyone? Sweet - I'm not losing either. But I'm not gaining and thats good. I'm known to get on the scale and suddenly be down a couple pounds so I'm not worried about it right now. I really need to get my butt exercising! I wish I had the snow so I could get skiing again! I've always wanted to go to Rome. Oh you are sooooo lucky to be able to experience all of that! I'm so jealous!!!! I'm decorating for Christmas today. I won't put the tree up for another week or so since we get a real one. I've got the garland and lights up but I'm just dragging butt on the rest of the stuff. I have way too much stuff. We did a little remodeling this year, tearing out a bar so all those years of doing the same old thing has changed. Besides I'm kinda cleaning while I'm decorating. I feel kinda bah humbug today. Maybe I need to turn the computer off, put some Christmas music on and try again.

Me too. My job, office mgr at a private golf club, is pretty much a loner type job, other then the members who pop in to talk. Well theres a girl in the kitchen whos my age and I got along well with, she's a great worker and smart. So I trained her to help me while I was on vaca, since then I come in and find my computer on, QB's up, I've had to change my passwords - grrrr - if that isn't enough to piss me off she's made a couple comments in front of board members (aka my bosses) - like oh Steph's been playing on the internet all morning and then laugh about it. She crossed the line one day and when that member left I stomped into the kitchen and said what the hell was that all about? Trying to get me in trouble? She said oh they know I was just kidding - I said it sounds like you're trying to make me look bad - the chef then piped in and said yeah she can do that on her own she doesn't need your help. hehe - take it however you want... I guess it was his way to relieve the tension. Then at the end of the season, the Golf Pro was leaving and giving his goodbyes and she kisses him - on the lips - ok - so RED FLAG! So much for trusting her to help me.

I've had insomnia since I was 18 - almost 30 years! It sucks. I used to just go without sleep but found that OTC sleep aids are a godsend. I try not to use them every night, but if I have a couple nights with little sleep I'll use 'em. On the positive side... (is there really a positive side?) I've watched some of the best old movies during these times and also read hundreds of books too. When the kids were little I used it as "me" time. LOL how sad is that?!

I was afraid to talk to my husband about the surgery and so I didn't discuss it with him until I had ALL the facts. I even had to pick up insurance at my job bc his wouldn't cover it. But when I told him this is what I'm going to do he was ok with it. He knew I hated being fat and he saw my family having heart attacks and other health problems so when I said this is what I'm going to do, he just shrugged his shoulders and said ok. I agree with the others who said its your body and your health but I understand you wanting his blessing.

I don't mind the snow. I hate the cold tho. If it was just snow I'd love it but it has to be so darn cold!

Thanks Boo - boy the guys around here are wishing for snow too! Its hunting season and yesterday it rained all day - today is colder but no snow. Tomorrow dh goes back to work so it'll probably snow then. Whens your birthday? Unless its in the spring I doubt you'll be snow free. haha I'm at work today so I guess I better do something. Have a lovely day.

Years ago - like 15 years ago - dh and I attended a weekend marriage thing. It was great. We really needed the time away together and we both felt like we were working on our marriage so that meant a great deal. There were alot of couples there who were going through some tough stuff. I would say go if you get the chance.

I don't like it either - I tuned in and tuned out within a matter of 2 minutes. I agree with the statement of it being the same as allowing a drug addict to get to drugs while in treatment - whats up with that? Sad.

What I'm thankful this Thanksgiving? That I don't have those 60 lbs hanging on me any more!!! LOL Thanks girls.

did you notice I have no neck? Its like my chins go all the way to my chest. ewwww

it makes me want to cringe

here it is - next to my lastest "new me" pic

I forgot to tell you - I dropped a roll of film off last week, it was a disposable camera and had been laying around so I didn't know what was on it - well I about died when I picked it up. There was a pic of me that was HORRIBLE! It was at my highest. I'll try to scan it so I can show you all. I showed my girls and neice and they were all saying they couldn't remember me like that. Then I was at church yesterday, in a new size 12 skirt (thats actually alittle too big on me) and my gf said STEPH - I saw you from a distance and thought who is that? and then I looked again and realized it was you! so I said look at this - and showed her my picture - she said omg I can't remember you being that size. That was everyones reaction. The pastors wife said she thought it was bc they've been seeing me every week and since its been slowly coming off they don't see the HUGE difference. Anyhoo I'll see if I can scan it.

hey girlfriends! Sounds like you all had a nice Thanksgiving! I'm making turkey wild rice soup today and then thats it for the left overs - I have about 1/2 pumpkin pie thats going in the trash too. My daughter went back to college yesterday and the 3 of us won't eat the sweets so its best to get rid of it. Boo - I'm glad you are going to work on the marriage, I really feel its best for the kids if you can work it out. I know its hard to imagine but you really can get it back, the love, the friendship, the passion, like Sweethot said it may take some time but it can happen. We've both gone thro it - seriously I think ALL marriages go through it - I remember my mom saying after 45 years of marriage that sometimes she'd look at dad and wonder why in the world she ever married him and then other days she was so full of love for him. Now that he's gone she says he was the love of her life - her new husband is more of a companion. I'm in the 21st century - I finally got high speed cable internet service - woofreakinghoo! The service just came through our area with internet, phone and cable for just $109/month. I have it at work and it was driving me crazy to get online at home with dial up. So I'm happy. I also did Black friday - I am pretty darn close to being done too. We always have so much fun. My 2 daughters and my neice, we got up at 3 and were at the stores by 4 - crazy but fun! Sweet - I hope you like your bodybugg - I haven't walked or done ANYTHING even simular to exercise in a month! I'm waiting for the school gym track to open so we can walk in the evenings again. AND I did clean off my dreadmill today so I guess I could get to walking on it too. I downloaded all the couch to 5k's and haven't even listened to it yet. I'm a slug. Love ya girlies!

I used to think it was crazy to get up at the crack of dawn to shop but now its become a family fun day. My 2 daughters and my niece and I got up at 3 am and were at the store by 4 - we shopped until 8 and then had Breakfast and then we were off again and finally home before noon. We all take our cell phones and go our separate ways and somehow hit up with each other in just about every store. Or like today we all got our "sales" my oldest daughter got in that hellish line and we gave her our money and took off to the next store - we all got our purchases and were back waiting for her before she got done LOL - we made several trips to the car and there was barely room to sit on the way home. LOVE IT!!!

Happy Thanksgiving my lovely ladies!! I'm thankful for all of you and love you tons! Off to do our black friday shopping, me, the 2 dd's and niece. WOOHOO

I'm off the rest of the week now. I'm trying to catch up around the house. I've got a load in the washer and the dishwasher is running and I've got a bath waiting for me. Its not even 9am yet! I got on the scale this morning I'm down a pound. woofrickinhoo I feel hopeful. I know I'm not going to lose the last 18 lbs by Dec 11th but maybe I'll be within 15. My daughter comes home from college today. I miss her so much lately. At the funeral I was talking to a gf, I had babysat for her little girl too - when she was just 6 weeks old and now she's 13. She is in that stage... the one where aliens come take your child and leave a monster in her body.. I told her there is hope, you get your loving child back when they turn 18 or 19. My Olivia is 17 and I can tell she's coming back to me, she's already started to enjoy conversations with me. Raquel my oldest was the worst, they didn't just replace her with a monster but gave me a demon monster at that! But we got her back and now she's gotta call her mama everyday and is such a joy to be around. I guess I'm rambling. Check back with you soon.

Hi all! Boo sounds like you had a wonderful time! Don't forget we ALL want to meet Ophra :scared: - I hope things get better on the homefront - I know that those were some difficult years in our life. But we all have our own lives to live and what one of us can deal with another can't so just be sure its the best for the whole family. BTW - your pics look gorgeous!!! Sweet - enjoy your trip - wish I were able to explore Europe - lucky ducky. Bman - sounds like a nice weekend of lazing around. Your marine sounds like a nice guy, just take it slow and enjoy getting to know him. Natster - babe where are you? Va - I'm praying for ya, theres bound to be the perfect job out there. Transformer - I'm glad things are working out with your son. It sounds like he's focused and thats important. BK - hon we miss you. Kaydoll? recuped yet? Nikki - I'm sure your baby is getting what he needs - I've known alot of women who dont' gain much the first few months and then only gain 10-20 lbs total, of course that wasn't me - I ate for 5 :fish: - but if you're losing then he's taking all the extra from you. Just please make sure you take your vitamins! I had a rough weekend. A dear friend died Thursday night. She was just 47. She has a boy in 10th grade and a little girl in 1st grade. She had cancer, but just diagnosed 4 months ago. She was always chubby - like me with the belly - and I guess she hurt her back and was being treated for it and they said you need to see a bone specialist, they never even found out where the cancer started, she was so far into it. Her dh and my dh went to school together so we were friends that way and then when I was a stay at home mom I babysat her son. Its just is so sad. This has been a bad year for us, first dh's best friend was just 54 and now Sandy at just 47 - just too darn young! I haven't exercised in a few weeks! I still haven't even cleaned my dreadmill off! But I'm not gaining, infact I think I'm still losing about 1/2 to 1 lbs a week. Thanksgiving - I'm doing the cooking. Which I love. My son and dil will go to her moms for dinner and come over later but I'll have the girls and my niece and her dh and kids - about 9 of us - this is the menu. Turkey w/stuffing mashed taters green bean hotdish sweet potatoes corn pudding cranberry salad rolls pecan, pumpkin and apple pie (maybe coconut cream if they twist my arm) What about you? Then after all the dishes are cleaned up the men sit in front of the tv and the women play games. Usually Phase 10. Its one of my favorite days.

Nikki - hope the little guy is recovering from his operation. Kids recover so quickly! Well its been 2 months since TOM has been around - but I guess I'm not done with this bs yet! Dang - you all just wait til you go thro menopause - it sucks. BUT the good news is I didn't have the weight gain - so do you think.. can I hope?... maybe when I'm done I'll have dropped a couple more pounds. LOL

Kaydoll good to hear from you! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Alone time with dh is a must and should be done as often as possible. Count me in on the exchange and cards too - I'd love getting a card from Ireland - my mum is Irish - flaming redhead too! I had a good day with the kiddos. The little one is a blast, she talks my ear off - typical girl, talk talk talk! I like taking them one at a time to give a little extra attention. Whats everyones plans for Thanksgiving? I guess I'm having dinner here. Should be about nine of us -

I get to go have lunch today at 10:30 with my nephew - great nephew aka darth vader - at school. His mom and sister (aka fairy princess) are going too, then his mom is reading to his class so I'm taking Aspen with me. Shopping. Its always an experience taking the kids with me, its been a long time since my baby was that age. Which by the way, I posted a pic of my baby's first day of school. Her senior year of school. Ok - I'm off - have a wonderful day ladies!