I'm here to help...

[ocotillo 0]

Morning from the frozen southwest. The lowest I saw it last night was 25 degrees. I'm sure some of my plants are going to be mush, but I did set up lights and covers for a lot of them. I have quite a few plants....not as many as I used to but still I have indoor plants and outdoor plants in pots. A lot of them are frost sensitive....not sure how well they will survive a hard freeze even with protection. Brrrr. It's still only 31 degrees out. Yes, I am a wimp.

Went shopping yesterday and bought a new MP3 player...it's so tiny and all it does is music, no video or anything else. It can do radio but you have to add a radio card. My old MP3 isn't recognized by the computer anymore and I really like to take my stories with me while I work. I also bought some outdoor fabric to redo my cushions on the front porch chairs. Every one of them is ripped and I don't like what is commercially available as replacement cushions. They won't be fancy, but they should work. Then I went to the sushi bar for lunch. That is always nice and relaxing. So yesterday I didn't get much done but shopping.

Of course I'd be up for a trip to Chicago. Right now I have nothing on my schedule except a trip to NC or OH at the end of September.

Cheri...you are too funny. It's almost nice to see someone post stuff that is "taboo". I have to monitor myself so I don't blurt out inappropriate things. My DH has no problems in "that category". He will take me any way he can get me as long as he can. It keeps him happy. I'm almost at the point I don't care either way, but I do like the intimacy.

My arthritis is acting up. My fingers and hands are sore, my back and hips are sore, and my right hand keeps going numb. I started with the ibuprofen yesterday and think I may have to stay on it for a bit to stay moving. It's still low dose so I'm hoping I won't have to go on the high dose stuff again. I'm also very stuffy today. Hope it's just allergies because I don't want to be sick.

We are going to a pajama party tonight at my friends house. She lives half a mile away so no problem with driving. I made posole for it both vegetarian and regular so people have something to absorb the alcohol. She is also providing many beds for people to sleep over.

Happy New Year's Eve. I'll try and check in later as I don't have much planned for today either. Wow.

Eva

[Tinagrl 0]

Morning from the frozen southwest. The lowest I saw it last night was 25 degrees. I'm sure some of my plants are going to be mush, but I did set up lights and covers for a lot of them. I have quite a few plants....not as many as I used to but still I have indoor plants and outdoor plants in pots. A lot of them are frost sensitive....not sure how well they will survive a hard freeze even with protection. Brrrr. It's still only 31 degrees out. Yes, I am a wimp.

Went shopping yesterday and bought a new MP3 player...it's so tiny and all it does is music, no video or anything else. It can do radio but you have to add a radio card. My old MP3 isn't recognized by the computer anymore and I really like to take my stories with me while I work. I also bought some outdoor fabric to redo my cushions on the front porch chairs. Every one of them is ripped and I don't like what is commercially available as replacement cushions. They won't be fancy, but they should work. Then I went to the sushi bar for lunch. That is always nice and relaxing. So yesterday I didn't get much done but shopping.

Of course I'd be up for a trip to Chicago. Right now I have nothing on my schedule except a trip to NC or OH at the end of September.

Cheri...you are too funny. It's almost nice to see someone post stuff that is "taboo". I have to monitor myself so I don't blurt out inappropriate things. My DH has no problems in "that category". He will take me any way he can get me as long as he can. It keeps him happy. I'm almost at the point I don't care either way, but I do like the intimacy.

My arthritis is acting up. My fingers and hands are sore, my back and hips are sore, and my right hand keeps going numb. I started with the ibuprofen yesterday and think I may have to stay on it for a bit to stay moving. It's still low dose so I'm hoping I won't have to go on the high dose stuff again. I'm also very stuffy today. Hope it's just allergies because I don't want to be sick.

We are going to a pajama party tonight at my friends house. She lives half a mile away so no problem with driving. I made posole for it both vegetarian and regular so people have something to absorb the alcohol. She is also providing many beds for people to sleep over.

Happy New Year's Eve. I'll try and check in later as I don't have much planned for today either. Wow.

Eva

Eva a Pajama party sounds like an amazingly great time!! That would be so cool if i ever got enough friends to have one!! I really want to go to Chigago and my partner said we can come if everything goes ok financially til then :)

[Apples2 19]

Tina....I find it very disturbing that your partner would think that she would have the ability to "let you" do ANYTHING. We all have things that we will and will not allow in a marriage (normal boundries). IMO, the more independent a person is, the happier their relationships will be. One person exhibiting control over their mate is very selfish on that person's part. You stated a week ago that you felt this relationship was over because all of the fighting. I would be laying out the dynamics of this relationship to a therapist. Never hurts to have a third party take a look at things. Especially now when you will be making so many changes in your life and will be gaining some independence just due to weight loss alone. Hugs.

Congrats on your 2.5 yrs. OA sounds like a great idea. There are a couple of the girls on this thread that have attended OA.

[Tinagrl 0]

Tina....I find it very disturbing that your partner would think that she would have the ability to "let you" do ANYTHING. We all have things that we will and will not allow in a marriage (normal boundries). IMO, the more independent a person is, the happier their relationships will be. One person exhibiting control over their mate is very selfish on that person's part. You stated a week ago that you felt this relationship was over because all of the fighting. I would be laying out the dynamics of this relationship to a therapist. Never hurts to have a third party take a look at things. Especially now when you will be making so many changes in your life and will be gaining some independence just due to weight loss alone. Hugs.

Congrats on your 2.5 yrs. OA sounds like a great idea. There are a couple of the girls on this thread that have attended OA.

Thank you very very much. I am going to follow through with OA. I cant drive right now (too big) so she has to take me everywhere. Yes its really weird she doesn't "let me" go places without her. A lot of people find it really weird. It has been this way SO long now that it has become a part of our relationship. I cant wait til i can drive again and i can just say, "hey im going to a meeting". I hope things improve and i become more and more independent.

I'm feeling a little too good right now i think (manic) because i am coming off a med (Serequel) that puts the weight on me. Doc said no more serequel... that i have to come off of it. So im feeling a little TOO hyper. Better than being in the bed and so so depressed though

[ljv52 2]

Good morning all. I got to sleep in!! Love having a 3 day weekend. It'll be hard doing the whole 5 days next week after two short weeks.

Melissa, proud of you for going last night and tonight -- glad you enjoyed yourself. You WILL be successful.

Arlene, get on that train -- you will love how you feel if you can go a few days in a row. This is Day 5 for me and I weighed this morning and i weighed in at my pre-Christmas weight even though I ate crap for 5 days during Christmas. So I'm very very happy I grabbed the conductor's hand and climbed on board. Now I just need to lose that last 8 - I want to do that by my bandanniversary on January 26. That way I'd be to my original goal.

To the newbies or those struggling -- I lost 106 pounds in about 10-1/2 months -- I was very good about eating correctly and exercised every day for at least 2 hours a day during that phase. Then I hit a wall last year when I had my hip replaced and all I did was whine whine whine about my "plateau" Although I was eating the exact same foods that I ate during weight loss, I couldn't get the scale to move even though I changed up exercise, I still stayed the same. I couldn't understand it and so I thought "my body must like it here". I am very very fortunate that I didn't gain weight. Anyway, long story short, when Cheri kept talking about the key to losing was to take the carbs out I didn't listen -- why was I able to lose 106 pounds by eating Protein and a few carbs all those months? I thought it would eventually get better. But I was eating SLIDER foods -- not just Protein. So I kept getting more fills -- well then I got too tight and suffered most of this year with pb'ing and getting stuck. I FINALLY took my head out of my a$$ and got on the choo choo and feel sooooo much better and am back to my lowest loss after spending quite a few months about 5 pounds up. I tell you this cause I don't want any of you to go through the same thing I did. There's so much wisdom on this thread, truly it is the greatest support -- even my surgeon's office doesn't give out the information we have here -- you truly have all the tools you need by reading and participating on this thread. So my 2011 resolution is getting to that original goal of 132 (normal BMI by the way) and maintaining that weight for the year! No more little 100 calorie pack snack foods that I thought were "okay to eat" -- they were NOT -- they have all been thrown in the trash. Thanks Cheri for speaking your mind on this thread and insisting that protein only is the way to go.

Okay, gotta get to the gym. Had Aylah last night so she's busy running around putting smiles on our faces -- she's so much fun when she wakes up after a good night's sleep.

Oh, forgot -- it was 60 here yesterday and rainy on and off - all the snow is gone except for where there were huge drifts -- unbelieveable. Felt good though.

Hope we can still get to our casino today -- have to be careful cause it's been foggy with all this warm rainy type weather. Looking foward to crab. We'll go early -- DS will watch Aylah as Katie is too sick.

Happy New Year to all if I don't get back here today. Much success to everyone in the year 2011 -- we WILL meet our challenges and WILL succeed!!

Love you all.

Linda

[IndioGirl55 32]

Good Morning Peeps - Happy New Years Eve...

Tina - The more you read the more you will find that you are not alone in this journey - We are more alike than we are different..

Girl one thing I gotta tell you (and it comes from experience) you partner is way to fricking controlling - I know about this - my Xdh was controlling and that's not good - Your partner has to understand (and I know where she's coming from cuz another Xbf & DS was a druggie) that if you want to go out get high or drink you are going to do it - keeping you locked in the house isn't going to change that - She can not change you.... You are going to do what you want to do. You are a grown women and if you want to go out - go out and meet friends - being stuck in the house 24/7 is a bad thing... I know what it is to be in your 30's in an unhealthy relationship - you think - oh I'm fat this person loves me for who I am - I don't want to start over - they will change if I love them enough - Well gf - I don't care how much you love someone - you aren't going to change them (this is a life experience (mine) - My Xdh would badger me if I was 5 min late from work - I was always on edge.. Not a way to live.

The reason for lbt is support and yes it's been mine since 5/07 and I'm still here - Why you ask - for the pple on this thread - They get us - they understand - I have a saying - "No one understands a fat chick but another fat chick"

So we get you and where you are coming from -I don't know how far Chicago is from Nashville google it - start a vacation fun - Every time you have a $5 bill put it in a jar for vacation...

Melissa - I have little bowls from target - they are just a little bigger than chineese dipping bowl - I haven't seen them there in a while - black on the outside blue on the inside (they had red & beige too) and I have tons of the $1 kiddy bowls that you get in the $1 isle... I eat off dessert plates too and have small spoons and forks... I measured these bowls and I use to weigh and measure my food - I am pretty good at eyeballing now - but heck after 3.5 yrs I should be..

Have fun at your party tonite - enjoy yourself..

Charlene - Girl !!!! You make to many freaking excuses... You need to make a contract/deal w/yourself - I will have 1 starch today - that's it... So when will I have it - for bf - lunch or dinner - I always save mine for dinner - But again you have been losing weight - so I can't complain too much - cuz the end result is all that matters as long as you are eating healthy

WTG on walking today !!!! Hugs on the pain...

Cheri - I think Chicago would be fun - like I said never been there - well the airport ;0) but that's it - I think Memorial day would be good - I am pretty free too .. Glad you had some hanky panky ":0) - I had a lot of it back in the day (looking for love in all the wrong places) and I think I used mine all up - I have no desire anymore - but that's ok w/me cuz I don't have a bf - so why would I want those urges and not have anyone to act on them with ;0) and another reason I don't really care about getting in a relationship - they might want it and I could care less. Pretty sad for a 55 yr old - could take hormones but why..

I think we all blurt out things at times I know I do - But some pple understand where we are coming from - as you all know I don't sugar coat things - it's not in me - I speak my mind - So I think that's what it's about - we who speak our mind understand that you aren't being rude just honest - We get you - Idrise & I discussed this often - he's a X new yorker - he's blunt - I'm blunt - we get each other - there are pple out there who want you just to be nicey nicey cuz they don't know how to deal with the truth - they are fake pple imho..

Apples - I gotta get my bills together this weekend - get Ranch stuff to accountant - not looking forward to it... Well you will be in AZ before you know it :0) it's cold right now but compared to what you are dealing with it's summer ;0)

Eva - You are up for any trip LOL you are our traveler ;0) - I will have to find a house sitter - or board my doggies - they have never been to a kennel and that idea kills me - but they have a big place here where I can have them all 3 together - it's called the Grandpaw... Hotel for dogs/cats .... My GF Debbie and I will be having a pj party too - movies - pj's lobster ;0)

Julie - Sorry your pain is back - keep a journel maybe to track what's causing it to flair up again - any outside stressors..

[ljv52 2]

Apples, thanks for offering to pick me up - I'd LOVE that! Maybe Joyce could meet up with us and ride with us from here too.

Linda

[ljv52 2]

Tina, I just checked mapquest - it's 440 miles from Nashville to Chicago. Okay, I really gotta go to the gym. Bye for real this time.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Tina Yep Manic is better than depressed - I agree -

On our get together - spouses usually don't come.. We talk about our bands - we talk about our emontions - just like this is our safe place to talk - our get togethers are the same way - She is welcome - but she will be the 3rd wheel cuz she's not banded and won't really understand what we are talking about ..

It's not like you are 900 lbs - why can't you drive - who told you you couldnt drive - have you tried lately....

Tina....I find it very disturbing that your partner would think that she would have the ability to "let you" do ANYTHING. We all have things that we will and will not allow in a marriage (normal boundries). IMO, the more independent a person is, the happier their relationships will be. One person exhibiting control over their mate is very selfish on that person's part. You stated a week ago that you felt this relationship was over because all of the fighting. I would be laying out the dynamics of this relationship to a therapist. Never hurts to have a third party take a look at things. Especially now when you will be making so many changes in your life and will be gaining some independence just due to weight loss alone. Hugs.

Congrats on your 2.5 yrs. OA sounds like a great idea. There are a couple of the girls on this thread that have attended OA.

LOVED THE WAY YOU PUT IT - SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME ;0)

Good morning all. I got to sleep in!! Love having a 3 day weekend. It'll be hard doing the whole 5 days next week after two short weeks.

Melissa, proud of you for going last night and tonight -- glad you enjoyed yourself. You WILL be successful.

Arlene, get on that train -- you will love how you feel if you can go a few days in a row. This is Day 5 for me and I weighed this morning and i weighed in at my pre-Christmas weight even though I ate crap for 5 days during Christmas. So I'm very very happy I grabbed the conductor's hand and climbed on board. Now I just need to lose that last 8 - I want to do that by my bandanniversary on January 26. That way I'd be to my original goal.

To the newbies or those struggling -- I lost 106 pounds in about 10-1/2 months -- I was very good about eating correctly and exercised every day for at least 2 hours a day during that phase. Then I hit a wall last year when I had my hip replaced and all I did was whine whine whine about my "plateau" Although I was eating the exact same foods that I ate during weight loss, I couldn't get the scale to move even though I changed up exercise, I still stayed the same. I couldn't understand it and so I thought "my body must like it here". I am very very fortunate that I didn't gain weight. Anyway, long story short, when Cheri kept talking about the key to losing was to take the carbs out I didn't listen -- why was I able to lose 106 pounds by eating Protein and a few carbs all those months? I thought it would eventually get better. But I was eating SLIDER foods -- not just Protein. So I kept getting more fills -- well then I got too tight and suffered most of this year with pb'ing and getting stuck. I FINALLY took my head out of my a$ and got on the choo choo and feel sooooo much better and am back to my lowest loss after spending quite a few months about 5 pounds up. I tell you this cause I don't want any of you to go through the same thing I did. There's so much wisdom on this thread, truly it is the greatest support -- even my surgeon's office doesn't give out the information we have here -- you truly have all the tools you need by reading and participating on this thread. So my 2011 resolution is getting to that original goal of 132 (normal BMI by the way) and maintaining that weight for the year! No more little 100 calorie pack snack foods that I thought were "okay to eat" -- they were NOT -- they have all been thrown in the trash. Thanks Cheri for speaking your mind on this thread and insisting that protein only is the way to go.

Okay, gotta get to the gym. Had Aylah last night so she's busy running around putting smiles on our faces -- she's so much fun when she wakes up after a good night's sleep.

Oh, forgot -- it was 60 here yesterday and rainy on and off - all the snow is gone except for where there were huge drifts -- unbelieveable. Felt good though.

Hope we can still get to our casino today -- have to be careful cause it's been foggy with all this warm rainy type weather. Looking foward to crab. We'll go early -- DS will watch Aylah as Katie is too sick.

Happy New Year to all if I don't get back here today. Much success to everyone in the year 2011 -- we WILL meet our challenges and WILL succeed!!

Love you all.

Linda

Linda - Maintence is a slippery slope - I know for me that I have to be mindful of any snacking - I don't buy like the 100 cal snack pack cheetos - Cookies etc - cuz I know I won't stop at one - That I have learned... Like I said - I limit my starches to about 1 a day (popcorn doesn't count I have been pretty lucky - I haven't had any real problems - but I am alway aware of what I am eating - I know that I have to be mindful of my addiction - and really I don't crave that old junk like I use to - I crave my meat/fish veggies ;0) and a little sugar ;0)

[JeweI 2]

Last feb I met some of the ladies in Florida and my hubby was so nervous about me going to meet people from the internet. He came along. Everyone was wonderful to him but he did feel like the third wheel. He didn't understand some of what we were talking about.

[Apples2 19]

Linda..haven't looked at the route to Chicago as far as who is where but would love a road trip with the girls. Maybe a drive to your place and overnight, pickup Joyce the next morning and onto Chicago! Another option would be for me to fly out of MPLS. Will just wait and see when the final plans fall into place. I always have "free" airline miles to use and might be more $$$$ reasonable for me to fly. Love the girl's road trip though.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the 100 cal packs. Funny how it takes someone else to make us see the light. That's what is so great about this thread. We get off on so many different subjects but it all comes back to what we are putting into our mouths and why. I don't share much on the thread on how I eat. Don't get me wrong....no one here makes me feel like the black sheep but sometimes I feel that way because I am so "different" in what I eat. But, on the other hand, I did got through the weight loss experience and was very successful prior to and after surgery and can share that experience with others. One of the reasons I don't post what I eat is that I don't want someone that is a newbie or someone that is lurking and reading to think that it even close to the norm.

I don't know what 100 cal packs are. Yesterday I opened up a box of Crunchy Go Lean and finished it off with my 3am feeding. Plus, I had 3 reg meals with protein/sweat potato and 3 Protein bars for Snacks and a big bag of popcorn while doing crosswords. My LP doc calls me an enigma. I call myself a LB freak. Doc has mentioned a couple of times of using me for an example with other patients. Told him I was far from being the "LB Poster Child". Look at the reaction I got from that other LB person last week. The "B" word still goes through my brain when I think about it but she in no way made me feel bad about myself. Waiting for the day that all of this changes and I will once again have to be vigilant with watching calories. So, for right now, I will just enjoy.

I am soooooooo disappointed that I did not pick up my lobster last week when I was in Alexandria. They were huge and about $35. I ended up with salmon, which both DH and I love. King crab is something that we both love also. This is the FIRST NYE that we didn't either host a party or go out to one. With the weather we are having, I just hope ppl use their heads and stay safe. Going to text both of my boys later and give them the "momma lecture" (with love and then threats...lol).

[Tinagrl 0]

Good Morning Peeps - Happy New Years Eve...

Tina - The more you read the more you will find that you are not alone in this journey - We are more alike than we are different..

Girl one thing I gotta tell you (and it comes from experience) you partner is way to fricking controlling - I know about this - my Xdh was controlling and that's not good - Your partner has to understand (and I know where she's coming from cuz another Xbf & DS was a druggie) that if you want to go out get high or drink you are going to do it - keeping you locked in the house isn't going to change that - She can not change you.... You are going to do what you want to do. You are a grown women and if you want to go out - go out and meet friends - being stuck in the house 24/7 is a bad thing... I know what it is to be in your 30's in an unhealthy relationship - you think - oh I'm fat this person loves me for who I am - I don't want to start over - they will change if I love them enough - Well gf - I don't care how much you love someone - you aren't going to change them (this is a life experience (mine) - My Xdh would badger me if I was 5 min late from work - I was always on edge.. Not a way to live.

The reason for lbt is support and yes it's been mine since 5/07 and I'm still here - Why you ask - for the pple on this thread - They get us - they understand - I have a saying - "No one understands a fat chick but another fat chick"

So we get you and where you are coming from -I don't know how far Chicago is from Nashville google it - start a vacation fun - Every time you have a $5 bill put it in a jar for vacation...

Melissa - I have little bowls from target - they are just a little bigger than chineese dipping bowl - I haven't seen them there in a while - black on the outside blue on the inside (they had red & beige too) and I have tons of the $1 kiddy bowls that you get in the $1 isle... I eat off dessert plates too and have small spoons and forks... I measured these bowls and I use to weigh and measure my food - I am pretty good at eyeballing now - but heck after 3.5 yrs I should be..

Have fun at your party tonite - enjoy yourself..

Charlene - Girl !!!! You make to many freaking excuses... You need to make a contract/deal w/yourself - I will have 1 starch today - that's it... So when will I have it - for bf - lunch or dinner - I always save mine for dinner - But again you have been losing weight - so I can't complain too much - cuz the end result is all that matters as long as you are eating healthy

WTG on walking today !!!! Hugs on the pain...

Cheri - I think Chicago would be fun - like I said never been there - well the airport ;0) but that's it - I think Memorial day would be good - I am pretty free too .. Glad you had some hanky panky ":0) - I had a lot of it back in the day (looking for love in all the wrong places) and I think I used mine all up - I have no desire anymore - but that's ok w/me cuz I don't have a bf - so why would I want those urges and not have anyone to act on them with ;0) and another reason I don't really care about getting in a relationship - they might want it and I could care less. Pretty sad for a 55 yr old - could take hormones but why..

I think we all blurt out things at times I know I do - But some pple understand where we are coming from - as you all know I don't sugar coat things - it's not in me - I speak my mind - So I think that's what it's about - we who speak our mind understand that you aren't being rude just honest - We get you - Idrise & I discussed this often - he's a X new yorker - he's blunt - I'm blunt - we get each other - there are pple out there who want you just to be nicey nicey cuz they don't know how to deal with the truth - they are fake pple imho..

Apples - I gotta get my bills together this weekend - get Ranch stuff to accountant - not looking forward to it... Well you will be in AZ before you know it :0) it's cold right now but compared to what you are dealing with it's summer ;0)

Eva - You are up for any trip LOL you are our traveler ;0) - I will have to find a house sitter - or board my doggies - they have never been to a kennel and that idea kills me - but they have a big place here where I can have them all 3 together - it's called the Grandpaw... Hotel for dogs/cats .... My GF Debbie and I will be having a pj party too - movies - pj's lobster ;0)

Julie - Sorry your pain is back - keep a journel maybe to track what's causing it to flair up again - any outside stressors..

Wow, i didnt realize how jacked up my relationship is! She said she would stay at a hotel and let me do stuff with you guys alone...hope she sticks to that. I think she would and i REALLY want to go meet you guys 440 miles isn't that far. Well, the driving thing: I have trouble doing shoulder checks to change lanes and back up...things like that. I have gained more weight and haven't drove in a year. She says i scare her because i cant turn around enough to do my checks and i am a "shoulder checker". My sister asked me yesterday if i could and had the money and independence to leave her would i leave her. I said No, i love her. I really want us to work but I'm afraid this will just get worse as i start feeling better about myself and wanting to go places without her.

Talk more later, I have to go to the nursing home to paint "nanna" nails hehe. She's really cute. I hate how sometimes peoples families forget about the old people and just leave them in nursing homes with no one to talk to or visit them. When the bright spot in their day is chicken and Rice for dinner.

<3

Laters

Tina

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

I know that its 10 hours from where I live on the south side to Kingsport TN but that's the other side of the state from Nashville. However, I think it might be a few hours less time than that.

The heavy thunderstorms last night melted all the snow, its in the 40's and the grass under the snow was quite green, boosted by the nitrogen all the lightning put into the ground. That astonishes me that lightning does that but it really does. Sun is out. My son is replacing my upstairs toilet (still waiting on the downstairs bathroom to get finished. The upstairs one was leaking and running all the time and is mint or avocado green. Definitely an antique. After he leaves I'm going for a walk. I'll have to dodge puddles but I usually walk on the sidestreets on the crown of the road. Asphalt is much less hard on your joints than concrete and the crown of the road allows you to keep your hips level rather than constantly tilted to one side or the other depending on which side of the road you're walking on. It's pretty easy to move to one side or the other for the occassional car and they can't help but see you.

I'll be glad to get some sun on me. Tina, its going to be hard to learn how to assert yourself, but it is one of the keys to loving yourself, and loving yourself is key to losing and maintaining weight loss. You and your partner should both read the book "Codependent No More" by Melody Beattie.

Cheri

[Tinagrl 0]

I know that its 10 hours from where I live on the south side to Kingsport TN but that's the other side of the state from Nashville. However, I think it might be a few hours less time than that.

The heavy thunderstorms last night melted all the snow, its in the 40's and the grass under the snow was quite green, boosted by the nitrogen all the lightning put into the ground. That astonishes me that lightning does that but it really does. Sun is out. My son is replacing my upstairs toilet (still waiting on the downstairs bathroom to get finished. The upstairs one was leaking and running all the time and is mint or avocado green. Definitely an antique. After he leaves I'm going for a walk. I'll have to dodge puddles but I usually walk on the sidestreets on the crown of the road. Asphalt is much less hard on your joints than concrete and the crown of the road allows you to keep your hips level rather than constantly tilted to one side or the other depending on which side of the road you're walking on. It's pretty easy to move to one side or the other for the occassional car and they can't help but see you.

I'll be glad to get some sun on me. Tina, its going to be hard to learn how to assert yourself, but it is one of the keys to loving yourself, and loving yourself is key to losing and maintaining weight loss. You and your partner should both read the book "Codependent No More" by Melody Beattie.

Cheri

I will see about getting that book. I could have swore i read that years ago. Prob need to read it again huh? Im about to leave for the nursing home see you all later. I will check in later when i get to my sisters house. We are taking the laptop to her house, going to have a little party (sober, my sister is sober too) and have New Years eve party sort of. Bye

Laters,

Tina

[Great2BThin 5]

Good morning, afternoon for some of ya. Taking a break from taking down Christmas stuff. We usually do it on New Year's day but are going to a football party tomorrow and DH is home today. Having a hard time with it as it was weird not to be home for Christmas. Tis a new phase of my life and I don't see myself actually being home on Christmas for some years ahead with us living away we will always go to Denver to see the kids, and it's easier for us to go there, than them to come here.

Happy New year to everyone if I don't get back here. May 2011 be one of the best ones yet and may all your dreams and goals come true!

Melissa, I got some tiny bowls at Target that hold 1/2 cup they are more for like sauces or dipping, but I know just what they hold and it helped me a lot in the weight loss phase.

Tina, why can't you drive? I was over 300 lbs and could always fit in a car, heck DH's aunt was 500 lbs and she could drive.

Chicago, would love to do a get together. Personally I would prefer it not be over a holiday weekend, much harder for me to get flights and also to schedule it as we usually go camping as a family on those. And I'd prefer sooner than later in the spring/summer since it will be so long since Vegas if we wait til closer to fall. Just my opinions of course, take or leave them. LOL

Speaking mind: I find as I get older I do it more and more. I used to not speak up at all and then let people walk all over me or come across as wishy washy and actually I think garnered less respect than now when I do speak it. Right or wrong, agree or disagree, what's that saying: Stand for something for fall for anything??? However, with my family it's caused some rifts as they are used to me not speaking up so now I am the bitch or the difficult one. No, I am just not your puppet any more to walk all over. Take it or leave it. By family I mean extended family not my DH and kids. LOL Though my kids would like it if I spoke my opinion less which I do try to do at times. Pick my battles. DH says save your bullets for the big ones. LOL

Eva, I'll trade you cold and take your 20's! We are close to zero and very white outside! Have fun at the PJ party!

Well better get back at the dismantling of Chrsitmas. Anxious to have my lobster tonight! Happy New Year, stay safe and warm!