January Chat/New Jersey Style

[nightingale2u 42]

Hey Chris...it's good to see you! Sorry about the PB... I guess experience is the best teacher! Actually...it's been pretty much exactly a year sinced I quit. I stopped last Jan but think it was closer to the end of the month when I finally tossed them for good.

Mandy... glad you had a good time but sorry we won't get to see pictures!

Hey... I joined a challenge on another site for walking 1000 miles in 2007... is anyone here interested in doing it with me?

BBL

[mousecrazy 2]

Good morning!

Nice icy day here...not the big ice storm we have been warned about, but supposedly it's still on it's way...we'll see. DH cooked a big Breakfast for DD and I...french toast, bacon and eggs. I have 1/2 piece of french toast, a piece of bacon and an egg. It's amazing to me, because my normal big breakfast would have been about 4 pieces of french toast, 4 pieces of bacon (more?) and 3 eggs. What a difference.

Beanie, this is probably what you were talking about with CiCi's...you ate "a lot", but not like you would have pre-band...so don't rush with your fill decision. Take your time. My endless, boring advice, huh?

Chris, glad you're here...sorry about the PB. Experience is the best teacher, and although it would be easier for us if the same rules applied to everyone, they don't. So we just have to feel our way through this journey, and figure out our little friend as we go!

Okay, so the 45/15 plan did not work out very well, but it's because I didn't use the plan. I used the 100% of my time spent on my computer plan...so I don't think the plan failed exactly. I failed to use the plan!

It's hard to motivate when you know you are in the house for 3 days in a row...maybe today? Otherwise, I'm gonna cut out a bunch of hearts, mail some to Eileen, and call it good.

Ya'll are just the little Exercise Divas, aren't you? Very, very good girls! Seriously impressive.

Mandy, your get-together sounded fun...who else had one? Chris? I just got a PM that there will be one in Denton on Feb. 1 at Jason's Deli...if any of you North Texas gals are interested, I think it is posted on the Texas Support thread.

Darcy, it's good to hear you are finding your energy and spunk...who cares if it's the meds or mania? LOL! Glad you found all your poopsicles! A BIG congratulations for making it a smoke-free year! I've made it 7 years now, and it gets easier every year, I promise you. I don't even think about it at all now, except to count the years. You've made a huge difference in your personal health, and in the health of your family, and you deserve a big hug!

See ya'll later....hugs!

Cindy

[Dutchgrl59 2]

It's COLD here, but I'm at least up!

Did I read that correctly.... my girls Darcy & Cindy were smokers? I just can't picture that! And you quit. Thats just waaaayyyy cool. Hugs.

Could you maybe help me with my smoking dilemma? I live in a mobile home which sits next to another mobile home. My back door/car port faces my neighbors porch where she smokes morning, noon & night at this cute little cafe' table. If I open my dining room window for some fresh air I will get cigarette smoke. That bothers me because come summertime that window is open all the time. Also, when my car is parked and we open doors and then shut them, the smoke gets trapped in my car. With 4 boys, one of them having had open heart surgery I REALLY don't like the second hand smoke.

WHAT DO I DO? This is a brand new tenant and she set up this special smoking station because why???? I bet she doesn't want smoke in her house. And I want to protect my kids, but in situations like this I alway seem to lose. Do I talk to the management or to the neighbor lady. If

I'm gonna guess she is over 60. Because these last 3 days have been extremely cold I haven't seen her. My guess is that she's smoking in the house. The landlord doesn't mind homeowners smoking, and I'm not trying to get anyone evicted but to tell someone they can't be outside, thats where I'm gonna step on some toes. Well, thats my hot topic of the day.

I also want to tell ya that our dear friend Sherry has lovingly hugged me via the cyber wires and I get to talk to her in the morning and like Darcy said "regroup" and try again. Today I have errands to run and I feel strong enough emotionally to go do those things today. Yesterday I just vegged and spent 1/2 the day in my jammies. I needed to do that and now I'm good. I get the day off tomorrow and so do the boys so we have a 4 day week and then another weekend -- it's all good. Bye!

[Kat817 19]

Well since we are counting...April 1st 2007, I will have been smoke free for 16 years! I have always been glad I quit, but now look at cigarettes costing $4.00 a pack, and am just blown away by it!!!!

Darcy---I have no problem walking with you---but I know there is no way I will do 1000 miles in a year. That's almost 3 miles a day, which is do-able, but if you miss one day, then doing 6 the next is really pushing it for me!!! And if you miss more than one, it would take me months to catch up! Yesterday, I did a lot of exercise for me---I hit Curves in the morning, then lifted light free weights with DH after dinner, and then walked 1 1/2 miles on the treadmill. The treadmill was not planned, but my dinner wanted to just sit there, and walking is the best way for me to get it going, so I don't end up with problems. I took my book, and walked until I felt better, and felt tired. Tired being the issue---with the other things I had done, another mile and a half would have done me in!!! Now if anyone wants to join me maybe we can share a 1000 miles!!! And I will be here cheering you on every STEP of the way!

Chris---guess you really are a bandster now!!! Did you have any issues with your old neighbor when you were moving?

Patty---maybe a well placed oscillating fan in the window, obviously blowing it away from your house, would send the message, without confrontation. If she says anything, simply explain about your sons surgery, and how you cannot take a chance at anything causing him more problems. Kill her with kindness, and maybe you will find having her for a neighbor is a good thing.

Cindy---good luck on the tree thing!!!

Betty---you huddled in waiting out the storm too?

Eileen---what's on your agenda for a Sunday?

Beannie---I see you on here at the same time---so just wondering what's up with you too. Did you notice we chased around the same threads all day yesterday I think it was!!!

Anne---where ya at?

Mary---how much new snow? We got another 3 inches or so, but it is soooooo cold out! It is noon straight up, and it is 5 degrees in my back yard!!! Hoigh is supposed to be 23. Guess who wants to stay by the fire? But have to go to the soon to be granddaughters (?)birthday party. I had a friend paint a castle mural on her bedroom wall. I am excited for her to see it!

OOpps---my brother is pulling up, I need to go get a bra on---so much for lazy!!!

BBL

Kat

[piercedqt78 658]

Here is my local radar for this afternoon, we are between Rockford and Chicago. http://www.chicagolandsportbikes.com/index.php?page=radar

~Mandy

[ReneBean 3]

Ah Sunday... a day of rest.....

We thought about going to the gym, since the chances are good that it could be closed tomorrow due to ice - but we decided that 5 times at the gym this week was enough. So I am sitting here drinking coffee watching the home shows. I love watching those shows on TLC and Discovery and HGTV.

My big plans for the day include taking down the infamous tree and watching many hours of mindless TV.

Chris - hope you feel 100% better, soon. So, how is the new place? All moved in, yet? All unpacked? Sorry about the PB. I didn't like MY experience with that at all... Hugs!

Darcy - sounds like your meds might be helping a little... I haven't seen anybody get excited about poopcicles and housecleaning before... lol! Of course, you have to watch out for that crafty Ice Cream... It will sneak past you when you aren't looking....And congrats on a smoke-free year. I gave up the evil smokes quite some years ago, myself. I figured being fat AND smoking with a family history of heart disease was just a little bit too suicidal... and I couldn't seem to control the fat at the time... so the ciggies had to go.

Mandy - I am glad you had fun at the Bandster meeting and at your game night. Don't feel too bad about eating in front of that gal. I am sure you weren't the first and she still has the whole post-op time, too. She will have to suffer thru worse than a group meeting before it is all said and done. That radar looks a little scary... way to much icy pink. Snuggle down and stay warm!

Cindy - your advice is always welcome - and never boring! :] I am really thinking hard before I get another fill. At least for the moment, if I exercise a little self control - just a little - I can eat appropriately without any suffering at all. So, maybe this is perfect. It would be NICE if I had a hard-stop point, but maybe not nice, if you know what I mean. It would be a double edged sword if I HAD to stop at a certain point. Right now it's just Easy to stop. I think I will try to take advantage of that before I get another fill. :]

Patty - Sorry about your smoker dilemma. I can see where telling her she couldn't smoke OUTSIDE in her own yard might be a little tricky. Are there windows you can open on the other side of the house?? I know it's a pain but I can't think of anything else... Maybe she will quit, too. New Year's resolution and all that. Maybe THAT is why she hasn't been out. Hugs. It will all work out....

Kat - you were a smoker, too? Seems like a lot of us did, huh? Yes, I saw you following me, yesterday... LOL! I was just surfing and watching TV. This wireless connection is sporadic - but it's nice to be able to use my laptop. :] How was the Grandbaby's birthday party?

Well my dears...DH is looking for some love and attention, so I have to go.

Hugs and Love to All!!

[Iluvharleys 15]

Good Afternoon Y'all!

I have been working, working, working, and now I think I am almost done! I still have a load of laundry to fold, and supper to finish, but then done!

I am freezing to death! I just can't get warm!

Darcy girl I am so proud of you for making a year. It seems like yesterday you were trying to quit. I have been smoke free for lets see, gosh its will be 15 years come Valentine's day! I can't believe that! Wow, you woke me up!

Beanie - Hope you enjoy your day of rest!

Chris - We all do it sooner or later! I was way over a year before I did my first one! Welcome to bandland! :D

Mandy - Glad you got to meet up with some of the gals, it's always fun to do that!

Cindy - How's the weather down your way? Did you get the freezing rain? So far we have had the rain but no frozen roads, but lots of frozen ice on the trees!

Kat - It is neat to find out that the other gals did things like smoke too! I am so happy I quit! I sure wouldn't go back to that again either!

Opps, I smell my supper so I must get in there and see if it's alright. Hello to all of you I missed, I'll catch you next time around!

[piercedqt78 658]

I made a bog pot of chili for dinner tonight. It was good, but then I had a Peanut Butter brownie for dessert. The Chicago Bears won today so we are only 1 game away from the superbowl. The announcer guy was saying that the bears were the favorite for next week so who knows. 1985 was our last trip to the bowl. I hope they do well but it makes me nervous to think they might win. When the Chicago Bulls were winning the championships the city was a dangerous place to be. Chicago fans tend to get a bit carried away when the hometown boys win. I just hope people are safe and smart if we win. I managed to get up and shower today, and then I proceeded to put on clean jammies. I think between the pain and the dread of surgery I am just down and a bit tired. (I'm sure the pain meds are not helping with either problem). I'm hoping to get better fast.

I don't think I can do the 1000 miles in a year but I would love to put a challenge out there. I am going to walk in the Avon Breast Cancer walk, anyone want to join me? We can form a team and walk together, even though we are all over the country. I just thought it would be a way to come together for a great cause and also give us somthing to share. Let me know if you think you would sign up and do it with me. If not I will join an existing team. I am going to do this, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and I want to walk in her honor. Also I have a friend that is a 12 year survivor, it would mean a lot if I walked to her too. Every day thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer, I want to help those women, they are somebodies mother, sister, daughter. Who wants to help me help them? ~Mandy

[SherryW 4]

Hidey Ho friends of NJ threadville....I still think it's funny how I landed here Totally clueless and just talking in threads lol. Now this is home

Soooo...today....my Christmas tree is in the same state it was the week before Christmas HAHAHA. Naked! DH has to take it down and put it in the attic. Hmmm wonder how long that will take aye? Since he's watchin the Football game I think it won't be happening today and he's working tomorrow so it won't happen then unless I do it. Since I'm afraid of going in the attic...looks like I might have it around for another week hahaha.

I got a new CD called Angel Symphony...I LOVE IT...I get goosebumps listening to it. I like to have it playing while I'm on the computer...it helps relax me along with my waterfountain. I'm liking the changes I'm making in my office here at home. I bought some new pictures for in here too from Kirklands. They are Earthy tones with dark stained carved wooden frames. One says "Fruit of the Spirit. Live by the Spirit...Love, Joy, Peace, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control" So thinking when I read it it will help me along my weight loss path...can't hurt right? The other two have 9 blocks in each and some of the blocks have printed a single word like Patience, Hope, Faith, Wisdom, Peace, Joy, Play, Love, Sing and Dance. I'm liking these. They match really well with the tan fabric of the futon. Kinda changing this room around a bit so it's not so GIRLY for DH lol. Most of the stuff is from my other house so it's all angels and hearts etc. So this should be good for us both.

BIL, SIL and nephew came over for dinner. I made Baked Ziti, heated up some crusty bread and made a chocolate cake. I had some of the ziti and passed on the rest. I still get full really fast and that's a good thing...umm...sometimes hahaha. I have to be VERY careful how I chew and what types of meats I eat because I easily get stuck if I don't.

Enough rambling...

Patty - We're going to see what we can do for ya hon. I'll get all the info from ya and call around to the contacts I have from work. More than happy to help you at least figure out what you're covered for, where you're covered, what type of plan you have etc. Don't fret....one step at a time and we'll get there. As far as the smoker....you're right it is tough. Do you happen to know if there is another door she can go out of to smoke? So maybe an alternate can be asked of her? The fan thing is a great idea if you can make it blowout and have another window blow in on the opposite side.

Darcy - I think it's great that you're taking up that challenge. You are much braver than I. I thought like Kat did...gee that's 3 miles a day and if you miss one then what? I know I wouldn't make it. I wish you the best with it though especially since you're hitting the treadmills at the gym! Plus congrats on the year without smoking! That's awesome!

Cindy - I can't eat french toast at all. Ohhh I miss it! Even better when it's da hubby cooking huh? heh heh My DH makes awesome breakfasts too but, seems I'm stuck with soft poached eggs. It's the easiest Protein for me to get down that tastes good. I either have those or cottage cheese for breakfast. Sorry about your 45/15 plan but, I totally know how easily that can happen lol. These computers are addicting too!

Mandy - Chili certainly sounds good on cold nights I went to a restaurant with DH last night and ordered some but, by the time I got it I had already had 2 drummies and a piece of crusty roll...MISTAKE and I should know better. The bread did me in and I couldn't eat anything. It's in my refridge for lunch tomorrow My guys are watching the Patriots hoping they'll be in the superbowl too. Maybe they'll be there with your team

Betty - What was for dinner that was cooking when ya left? hee hee I love hearing what you make because it all sounds so yummy. We should trade off recipes. Between you and Eileen's Low Carb thread yummmmm.

Eileen - Speaking of the Low Carb Thread...I met with a bunch of MASS bandsters yesterday and told them about it. They're going to take a peek and hopefully add more recipes too it too. I have to look some up to post there as well. We can never have too many recipes. How are you doing? Going Commando? OUCHY thats gotta hurt hahaha

Bean - Is your Christmas Tree down? Did you beat me and I missed it? Kudos to you for going to the gym 5 days that's freaking awesome! You inspired me that day to get on my stationary bike but, heaven forbid I kept it up. UGH. Right now I'm exercising the right of the gym to take the dues out of my checking account without me going. UGH. I told DH we really need to get back to it starting Monday...he said "YES DEAR" oh that was encouraging hahaha. I'll bug him again and if he doesn't go I told him I'm going myself. If I go myself...I'm hiring a Trainor for a few nights lol. Hmmm I think he's going now hahaha.

Kat - Cigarettes in Massachusetts are over $5 a pack I believe. WOWza what an expensive habit. I'm so glad I never started. DH used to smoke close to 3 packs a day before I met him. If he still did that I wouldn't be with him...can't stand the stuff. Congrats on 16 years without them! Stand proud on that one! Great job on Curves too!

Chrispy - Don't forget 3 days liquids, 3 days mushies with ya PB per BIDMC. ME...depending on how bad it was...tested the waters. If it wasn't bad I had liquid right after and then something mushy the same day. The next day back to normal stage. You're going to have to pay attention to your own band though. Sorry it happened but, I think we've all gone through it....ummmm 2nd fill BE very careful!

Can't go much farther back here...Cass, Pat, Anne...HOW GOES IT?

Gonna go travel the threads. Hugs!

[nightingale2u 42]

3 miles a day... Crap... that just won't do....lol. I'm still going to see how far I can go and I don't think it has to just be organized exercise... if you wear a pedometer all your steps count towards your miles for the year. Some of the peeps on the challenge have already gone 50 miles....lol... me...7.5.

Patty... Unfortunately... short of talking to the gal and maybe telling your about your boys and their health issues...I'm not sure there is much you can do. I was a closet smoker so I doubt if another soul ever had to inhale my smoke... but I sure would have wanted someone to tell me if my smoke was wafting into their house... but I wasn't the norm for a smoker. I hated every minute of my habit. Glad you are feeling a little better though and lets hope that the lady quit for her 2007 resolution like Irene mentioned. (((Hugs)))

Betty... Yay ... glad to see ya! You have encouraged me through all of my past failures with quitting... I'm glad I could finally do us both proud. Stop working so hard girl and curl up by a roaring fire and get warm!

Irene... I love all of those channels too and I especially like mystery diagnosis... love it. I love grossing my hubby out with the Trauma/ER shows too. Yeah... I saw the ice cream container eying up my hips... should have know it was up to no good. Is your tree down yet?????

KAt... After serious consideration of what is left of my sanity I agree we MUST share that 1000 miles...lol. WTG with your exercising girl!

CIndy... Hope the storm misses ya! Dang... I am going to have to move closer to you so that I can come over for breakfast! Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal!

Well... Zippo exercise today... and I reluctantly ate a few bites of chinese food tonight. (I know it's loaded with salt and I weigh tomorrow) We also stopped at McD's after Em's recital and got a cone which I figured was safer than having another sneaky/sly container in my freezer. We have our class again tomorrow evening and Wed... and EM's is Tuesday and Thursday so it's back to sweating our bunz off!

See ya all tomorrow!

[nightingale2u 42]

Whoops.. SHerry ..you must have been posting while I was typing away! You are going to be so relaxed that you are going to slip right out of your chair! Sounds like a wonderful environment to be sitting in the midst of! I'm sure you have a lot of angels around you all of the time.

[NewBeginnings2018 81]

The Pats just won a nail-biter!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!

Kat - no real run-ins with my psycho neighbor when I moved out. When I went back on Sunday to vaccuum, he did his usual yelling/turn up the music bit. I have to say that I have never been so happy to leave a place in my life. lol

Beanie - all unpacked? I wish! I still have half a spare bedroom worth of stuff to unpack. It will get done though - I hope. lol.

Sherry - I didn't realize I had to go on liquids after a PB! Oh man, I had freakin broccoli with dinner! lol I'll do liquids tomorrow and then go from there. The PB wasn't bad, and it didn't take long. I could tell it wasn't going down, I got a naseous feeling and did like you said - bent over and coughed. lol. Some came up, and then I did two little throw ups within the next three minutes. After that - fine. I was even able to eat a little something. I think TOM is on it's way so that may be why I'm a little extra tight. I've had a very tight feeling in my chest the past couple of days, but I've had a hard time distinguishing whether it's the band or the chest congestion. The pharmacist recommended Robitussin DM. We'll see if that will help at all.

[mousecrazy 2]

Just popping in for a check-in...

Mandy...are you still having surgery on the 17th, or did it get delayed a week? I can't remember. Congrats on the Bears win!

Chrispy, congrats on the Pats win!

(Stupid, stupid Cowboys....) LOL!

Confession: Christmas tree is still up....what is wrong with me! Just laziness, I suppose....

I made a nice dinner of Italian baked chicken, angel hair Pasta, garlic bread and Caesar salad...family is enjoying the new homemaker me!

Then we played a little American girl game with DD...very nice evening here.

Tomorrow, if the roads are okay, I'm going to this Lifeline Screening thing...they do 4 diagnostic tests...one for strokes, one for aortic aneurysms, one for peripheral artery disease, and then bone density. Since my mom had the abdominal aortic aneurysm...I am really wanting that diagnostic test...and kinda worried about it, too. But, I'd rather know than not know. I'll get the results in 21 days. IF they are open tomorrow.

DH said he'll drive me down there, because I am a big chicken about slick roads...

We're lucking out so far...there is ice on the trees, but the roads are not so bad thus far...it may worsen overnight, though.

Stay warm, everyone!

[piercedqt78 658]

Cindy, surgery is the 19th. I will be recovering next weekend so I get to watch another bears game. ~Mandy

[Kat817 19]

It is still freezing here---it is 6 out right now, and will go down further through the night...the fire is burning---it feels so cozy in here---I hate the thought of leaving, but I have to be at the dentist in the morning at 8:15, so he can recheck the bite, and see if we fixed it. I am not hurting, so I should have cancelled the appt. but forgot it until they left a reminder message on my machine, now there is no time to cancel! Guess I will survive, will just be that much happier to get back home and warm! It is not supposed to snow more overnight, which is great!

Darcy--I hope you can make it on your walking, if you decide to alter the challenge--I bet we all together could whip out a 1000 miles---I am game. I logged another big 1 1/2 miles today!!! DH and I also lifted some weights--but he was tired---I am kinda worried about his energy level, I guess I can't expect him to bounce back real fast.

Mandy--I am so sorry your foot is hurting so bad, I will be glad when the surgery and recovery are behind you! If the Avon walk takes place anywhere close to me, I'll join you! I did the breast cancer walk with Curves last year, that was fun! Having had cancer myself, and it being in my reproductive organs, it ups my odds of breast cancer--which is pretty scary! So count me in! Is your foot going to be ready?

Betty--hope you warmed up! And that supper did not burn!! I put some green chile stew into the crock pot, before going to the birthday party. It was good, but it was too hot for me to eat much of...it seems to sit in my pouch, and just get hotter! So, I ate some cheese and a slice of turkey lunchmeat, and went and walked instead! Of course, I did have cake and ice cream earlier, so it isn't like it hurt me!

Chris-- I read a story once about a woman who left her husband and before she left she stuffed the curtain rods with shrimp---soon the smell was horrid! They cleaned carpets everything, could not find the source!! Too bad you couldn't have revenge like that on grouchy neighbor!!! Just glad you are away from him! sorry about the introduction to the famed PB!

Sherry--your office sounds very soothing, a nice place to be. I used to have my computer in the other room, in an office. Then when DD and DGD moved in, it got moved into an armoir, in the den area. Now I like it here, when DH or I are surfing e-bay (when I am shopping for wire!!!) we can see without hollering at one another, and traipsing back to the back of the house. The room is empty now, but I like it in here, so guess the room will soon turn into a mini gym. That's our plan....we'll see!

Cindy--buy the construction paper in bulk, and while the hearts are on the tree, you can be cutting out eggs and bunnies---problem solved!! Let DH drive you and take your tests, if it will make you feel better, don't put off doing them! Hope it isn't freezing up too bad. They said down at our place (Comanche TX), they actually put hay out for the cows, so they could stay near the barn, and not have to graze. Hurry up Spring!!!

Beannie-- I am like Darcy--bring on the gore--I love the real life ER shows!! But I also like the remodel house shows. I just watched my every Sunday show Extreme Makeover--Home Edition. It is refreshing to me to see them do nice things for people, and they don't have to compete or eat bugs, or do stunts!!!

Patty--hope our Sherry and you can figure it out---will send up a prayer!

Eileen--hmmmmm I am going to have to read back, going Commando sounds interesting!!!

Cassie, Mary, Anne, all you MIA's...........we miss you!!!

If I missed you--it was not intentional, it is my old brain. I forget everything. You know they do say the memory is the 2nd thing to go...and I forgot what the first was, but I am sure it is already gone too!!!

Who is off for the holiday tomorrow???

Kat