kirajh

I am sooooooooooooo bored today. Can't even eat. I feel like I'm going to throw up everytime I eat. Had three bites of a lean cuisine cheddar potato and three the rest of it out.

Just a quick check in to let you guys know I'm here. I am sore today. Thighs ache. I think it was the eliptical cause that's the only thing I did different at the gym. and my sides ache from doing one of the ab machines sideways. Oh well. I'll work the kinks out tomorrow. Taking today off. It's Sunday,. The day of rest. I haven't talked to Brad yet about WA but I will. Still trying to figure out costs and if we can afford it. TTYL

Amtrac is $177.00 one way.

Just got off expedia. Air fare is a whole lot better than I thought. It's even cheaper than airfare to Minn. would have been. Got a price for $340.00 RT leaving from Flint and connecting in Cleveland. Then add the price of the rental (sounds reasonable too) and spending money, I'm gonna have to think about this and do some fast talking to DH. Well, gonna go check Amtrac now. TTYL

HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!!!.............. yeah, right. Last time I pulled that, I ran into my sisters restaurant, hit a patch of water and fell on my behind. OUCH. Been feeling pretty good lately. The sun's been out and I've been to the gym four times this week. This morning, I tried out the eliptical. Went 1/2 mile at 3.2/mile (10 minutes) 1/2 mile on the treadmill at 3.2/mile, 2 1/2 incline, and then went and hit all the weight machines for abs. And I got in 1/2 hour pedaling before going. Going back on Monday. Food choices have been pretty good too. (meals that is) Got to stop the snacking. I am really looking forward to Washington. I've never been to that part of the country but I am so afraid air fare or the train is going to way out of my price range, so I've been putting off calling DD to find out rates. I will though. This week. Then I will discuss it with Brad and get back with you as soon as I can. I do have to have my knee done and my tummy tuck...SOON. After reading all these posts from the past week, I've forgotten whatever I was going to respond to. Depression/suicide? _ been there, done that. Insomnia - guess it must be something to do with the moon cycle. I've had it too. Cameras? my neice teaches photography and she swears by Canon. Says they are the best. House selling? Karla, don't even respond when an offer is so ridiculus. Flat out reject it. Don't even bother with a counter-offer. Karri's job as a teacher? Hey, that is exactly the kind of teacher I wanted my kids to have. They each had one or two of them and they were the ones who made a difference for them. So, don't knock it. Me, with my teaching degree, well, let's just say I am at the other end of the spectrum. That's why I never taught, just subbed. Hey, I wouldn't have wanted me to teach one of my own kids, how could I teach other kids. Phyl, your pictures are fantastic. awesome. I can't believe the difference even from last summer. Okay, Think I'm long winded enough here. I know I'm forgetting a bunch of crap but then, what do you expect from someone with sometimers disease. TTYL. adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehn, what ever.

You don't have to track me down. I've been trying to get on here for two days and either my computer or the site has been giving me a problem. Everytime I get on, a message would pop up and tell me I had an error and did I want to send a report. Then in kicked me off, totally. It only did it here in LBT so I don't know what the problem was. Candice, I found the fabric on line. I am so screwed. There were at least six fabrics I really like and I don't know just what quilt to make and at $9.00 a yard....................well, think I'd better figure out what I want to make and buy the right amounts. I think I'd break the bank if I bought this stuff and saved it till I found what I wanted to make. I'd have to probably buy at least three yards of each fabric.............i'm sure you get the picture. I'm starting to really get in the swing of things. Cutting way back and less food is filling me up. Still have to go get an unfill. At least for a little while and see if that is my acid reflux problem. Now I have to get my rear in gear and head to the gym. Still pedaling though. It's better than not doing anything and it is way to cold to go out and walk. I'm too much of a wuss and I HATE WINTER. Another month or so and we'll be heading out for Florida. I can't wait. SO EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY AND I'LL TRY TO GET BACK HERE TOMORROW.

Two days in a row. A new record. Okay, I'm surprised I'm still here. Everytime I read one post, this stupid thing says an internal error has occurred and kicks me off. Happened to me four times. Steph - in the upper right corner of this page, there is a tab (turquoise) that says crazy offer. I opened it and it had a thingy about a special, lapband 4400 sleeve 5400. I tried clicking for more info but it slowed way down. So I can't tell you anything else, you'll have to look it up on your own. candice - Love the quilt squares. I love that fabric. I was gonna stop at your quilt store on my way home last summer but forgot directions. Who makes that fabric? I can go online and find it but it would help to have the designer. We will be at my mom's down in florida. She lives in Stuart which is on the Atlantic side. But we can drive just about anywhere. Do you still have my cell number? If not let me know and I'll send it to you. Jqnet - Restriction???? Hell yes. I have got to get down to the doctor and get a little taken out. The acid reflux is killing me. The one thing that does help it is food and that is a no-no. This afternoon, I was belching up water(and reflux).....six hours after I ate breakfast. But we're having a doozy of a snowstorm and I am not going to drive an hour and a half in this snow. I just now finished my third bottle of water today. No soda. My food for tday was BF.- half english muffin, slice lowfat cheese, one fried egg. Lunch- Was a silver dollar size piece of chicken with BBQ sauce and a half cup potato salad. Snack was one cookie. (the devil made me do it) Dinner was Fettucini alfredo (lean cousine) Couldn't eat all of it and a small slice of monterey jack cheese for the protein. Now all I have to do is make it thru the evening. I did get on the scale and it was down two pounds over last week and I fuigured it was water, but hey, my rings were super tight so I was holding water. My jeans still fit me but they are super uncomfortable. Twenty pounds and my TT will be history. I'LL COME BACK TOMORROW AND LET YOU KNOW HOW I AM DOING. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. TTYL. P.S. Love you guys. I don't know if I could do this without you.

Dang, you ladies are long winded. Been trying to catch up for over an hour and I ended up just skimming the posts. Steph - Beautiful pics on FB. Nice family. I went to Dr. Ortiz too. I liked him. He runs a first class operation. Got back on the program Monday. Yeah, I should have started earlier but I didn't. Food choices aren't the greatest.......but they are 90% better than they were. Got a freezer full of lean cousines so that will help a lot. Mad chicken Sunday and I've been eating off a chicken breast since then. Janet - you asked what was up with me? I am really disgusted with myself. I can't believe how far I've gotten off track. I'm finding it hard to get back on. And, I've got the money for my TT sitting in the bank. Pisses me off. I want it done, but I gotta wait till I lose some of this flab. I'm still pedaling at least an hour a day but I am finding it hard to get to the gym. I'm getting there at least once a week but I need to get there at least three times a week. The half hour drive doesn't help things but the weather is really doing me in. I hate winter. Can't wait to head to Florida......but it needs to warm up there before I go. We're thinking mid February. Candice, I didn't see any pics of your quilt here. Where were they? Loved the pics of your dogs. Such enthusiasm. I'm beginning to think I want a puppy...but I want one of those little ankle biters.... a yorkie, shiztu, lahsa, maltese or combination of these. We don't have too much snow here. Not as much as you. Maybe an inch or two. Not much more to say. Haven't done much except for being on face book and chaufeuring hubby and friend for their colonoscopies. That was two half days sitting in a waiting room. I do need to get back here more often. I love reading everyones posts and it is motivation to stay on track. So let's see if I make it back here soon. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S, a little early buy hey, I'm here. I have to admit that not having any thing to say and not posting but still lurking is much better than having 5-10 pages to catch up reading. (I don't think I made any sense) Then after spending all that time catching up, I'm out of the mood to post. Okay. My new year resolution is to get back on the program. I need to find that rabbit hole to fall into. Come Monday, no more crap food for me. I am still pedaling at least 60 minutes a day on my recumbant bike and I try to get to the gym at least twice a week. Tomorrow night there is a NYE party at our church. That will be my last hurrah, my swan song. Enjoy it, cause come Mon., no more crap. Mon. and Tues., I am chauffering colonoscopies but after that I am going to go for a little unfill. The acid reflux is getting so bad that it is waking me up every night and I find that I have to get up for an hour or two so that stuff works it way down the stomach. Sounds like you all had good holidays. Ours was good. Those grandbabies are so sweet. Karina kept running up to all of us saying "huggies, huggies. I yuv you". My heart was mush. Monday, was a little rough for me. It was Jayli's birthday. She would have been nine. Oh, where does the time go? I am going to try to be good and start lurking again. Then I can keep up with you all and be able to post intellegent replies here instead of gobbledegook. TTYL

hi guys. It's been a really tough time for me. Somes days I am up, others I am down. I think it's the time of year and the weather. I will admit to lurking before, but the last month or so, I've only come here about every 5 pages or so. I checked in last week end and clicked on to reply and said, forget it and got out of here. That's how things have been. Loved the Christmas card idea. I just didn't get any sent. None. Sorry, I had good intentions and about ten boxes of cards. Finally got my shopping done. Just got to wrap now and we're leaving for Grand Rapids tomorrow to spend Christmas with the grandkids. Oh no, I just pulled a blank mind so I'm gonna sign out now. BUT I DON WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS AND A PROFITABLE NEW YEAR. LOVE TO ALL OF YOU.

Okay ladies. I'll just say that I can relate to all of this here and leave it at that. Anyway, this is for Karla. I just came from my e-mail and I saw this ad on the yahoo page. It read most homeowneers haven't taken advantage of Obama's refinacne relief. Then it gave the website www.LowerMyBills.com. Don't know if it's any good, but at least it's worth a look at.

Thanks for the compliments. I have to admit that this quilt is one of my favorites. As for the finishing part, I have it machine quilted. Stitching in the ditch requires a better sewing machine than what I have. After doing bulletins at church this morning, GF and I headed out to go to the gym. We never made it. Did some shopping and went out to lunch. I was good. We both were. We had omelets. Good solid protein. Tomorrow I need to get back to sewing. I've got four little taggy blankets to make for baby gifts and I want to do another Christmas quilt for my GF. She has to be on of the most generous people I know, helping others in need during the holidays. She's in the middle of a divorce, her parents will be in Florida over Christmas, taking her daughter with them so I want to do something to cheer her up because she is unable to go with them. And she loves Christmas so I want to make her a quilt. I'm trying to get back here more often. But I need to get going and I will check back later. Have a good night all.

Quick drive by here. I'm still posting. Just not everyday. I'm trying to get here a couple times a week. I just wanted to let you guys know that I posted a couple of my quilt pics on my FB page. And my pierced earring frames that I made. One of these day, once I master posting pictures on FB, I'll learn to post them here. TALK TO YOU ALL LATER. IT'S AFTER 2AM HERE AND I AM TIRED.

Still alive and kicking. Spent the end of last week doing cleaning and last minute shopping for the family Christmas. I just love looking around my decluttered house. I don't think it's been this uncluttered and clean in at least five years. (shame on me). It was great having all the kids and grandkids in one place. Sunday went great. A little crowed but fun. Then Monday, I spent the whole day prepping for my test on Tuesday and a lot of time in the bathroom. Colonoscopy Tues morn. Everything checked out the way it was sposed to. Spent the rest of the day sleeping off the meds. Today, I went to the gym and froze my a$$ off. Winter has finally come to Michigan. We don't have much snow to speak of, but it's real windy and cold outside. The snow is due tonight and tomorrow. Can I get a discount at your quilt store?? I will post my quilt pics soon. Just got to figure out how to do it. Was going to have my daughter show me but they left early sund. nite for home and didn't have time. Janet, where in Florida will you be? We might be down there then too. And Candice, weren't you and Peter going down there too, this winter?? Now that you'll be retired you can do a lot of traveling. Okay, gotta go. Checked my e-mail and have over a 100 messages to check out. Then got to do some research on line. I will try to check in a little more often now that I have Thanksmas over with. And, I am not lurking either. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.

FINALLY!!!! Finally finished reading here at LBT. 5 Pages!! Dang, you guys like to talk. Things have been really busy this past week. Even made it to the gym once. Food choices have been pretty good. I even think the scale is starting it's downward cycle again. Almost done with the quilts. One more side to finish up sewing the binding. It's an instant Bargello pattern. Really easy, really fast. Tying it off and doing the binding is the hardest part of it. they did turn out really nice though. I'll try to post some pictures. Weather here is starting to turn wintery. Up in Grand Rapids where my daughter lives, they have gotten over a foot of snow. If you go to my wall on facebook, my daughter posted a picture of Karina standing in the snow. We just have a dusting of snow here. Thank God. I hate snow and winter. Had a lot of trouble trying to decide what to make for Family Thanksmas on Sunday. Finally ended up picking up a pork loin at Sam's club. Everyone else is bringing the rest. Well, Since I spent so much time catching up here (and NO Janet, I didn't lurk at all) It iss getting late so I will try to get back before sundays dinner. I do want to make some quick comments though. Candice,.....cute puppy. makes me want to get one. Phyll - You had me laughing with your posts. I needed that. Jackie - Hugs. Karla - You're not alone. Hey, I keep asking my DH if IT still works. I just get one of those LOOKS! Steph - If you read this, I'll see you over at FB. Love you guys/

Quick drive-by post here. First - HUGS, JACKIE second, congrats on the new puppy, Candice. I like the name Bridget. Then again.............Guess you could call her Branch Things are hectic here. We're having Thanksmas next weekend at our house. I need to finish three christmas throw quilts, shovel the dirt out of my house, finish gift shopping and wrapping, go to the grocery store.......need I say more? Thanksgiving was really enjoyable this year. Had two invites and went to both. Ate at both too. Me BAD!!! Did make it to the gym three times this past week. Hope to get there at least twice this coming week. So, if you don't hear from me, you know why. Of course, I have to cram in my addiction to FB in all this too. Be back next week after all these goings on are over.

Okay, here I am. Since you came and got me over at FB, I decided I'd better get my rear end over here before I ended up in some deep doodoo. Things pretty busy here. We never made it to Frankenmuth or the Birch Run Outlets on our anniversary. My friend Sarah had C-diff and the antibiotics weren't working and she was dehydrated something fierce. So, spent the day in the ER with her and it was too late once I got home. Went up to see the grandkids, trying to finish three throws for my sisters' kids for Christmas. (which is in two weeks) Computer's been down on dial up and to be honest, I don't really have anything to say. (my life is so exciting. NOT). I haven't even been lurking. And, I'm getting the impression that DH wants to pick a fight............MEN!!! Phyl - you ought to try my chicken chile. Talk about easy. Brown your chicken and onion. Add a jar of Northern beans (with sauce) and one jar of salso. That's it. You can spice it up if you want but I use hot or medium salso so it doesn't need it. Top with fat free sour cream and reduced fat cheese. Almost as easy as TV dinners. LOL Carla, since I just got my high speed back, I will check out those houses one of these nights when the cat wakes me up and I have free download time (2-7am) And I will let you know which one I like. Candice, are you having beautiful weather up there in Canada? I can't believe how nice it is here. Even wore shorts to the gym today and didn't freeze my butt off.

I'm Back!! Things have been pretty hectic around here. Yesterday was the first day of rifle deer season and we had the annual buck pole at church. We were there from 9am till 9pm. I was exhausted. We served soup and chili to over 300 people and since it was on a Sunday, we rented a huge tent out on the front lawn. So it was in and out all day yesterday. Wish I could say the exersize was really good for me,,,,,,,,,but after sampling the soups and the brownies.........need I say more? WhenI got out of bed this morning, I was so stiff and my legs were so-o-o sore, I almost fell over. I went to the gym today and right now, well if you saw me get around, you'd be certain you were looking at a 90 year old woman. I am sore!!! OUCH. Janet - yah!! you got enough clothes.except for the first picture, the clothes are all drab. Color up. Those are the fun clothes. And the shoes.OMG. I have two pairs of sneakers and two pairs of flats and that is it for shoes. Until last year, it was one pair of sneaks and one pair for church. I am not a shoe person. Jackie - good vibes for your band. I think I need to go for an unfill. The reflux is getting really bad and the belching is getting worse. I'm finding myself belching on my saliva hours after eating any food. Candice, if you make it to Michigan, I'll go quilt shopping with you. I just finished my DD's quilt. I'll try to get it away from her and take a pic of it and post it. I'm trying to get started on some Christmas throws for my neices for Christmas. I'm going to do the instant bargello and they go really fast once I get started. Okay, off to check all my other sites here. Been ignoring most of them for the past few days. What a back log. Okay, will check back tomorrow.......maybe...it's our anniversary and DH wants to go to Frankenmuth for dinner (hour and half awy) and it's right next to the huge outlet mall. So who knows if I'll make it here tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then Weds. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT ALL.

PHYL - Congrats on the 16's. W stands for Women's. They are cut a little more generous. I guess you can say I'm like you today. Foodwise I've done really good. Drink wise, not so good. I sure do like my pepsi. CANDICE - How long did your friend have to stay down in Costa Rica after her surgery? I read one post where they said they had to stay until they removed the drains...and that could take up to a couple weeks. I also read where it is almost impossible to get care from home doctors if you've gone out of the country. Our LB's are a prime example of that one. Out of about fifty doctors I called, I found three that were willing to do fills on patients who had their surgeries elsewhere.

I'm doing pretty good today. Mouth is only tender where they put the injections. And, I'm doing pretty good chewing with the front teeth. Karla - Who has the mortgage on your house? Is it one of the companies that got a bail-out from the government? How about writing to your congressman/senator and explain the situation and how the mortgage company won't work with you. AT ALL. It just makes me so angry that there are so many people out there getting handouts and a lot more getting a free ride that when there is someone who wants to do right, but is in a temporary fix, and just asks for a little break, that they just can't do it. It sucks.to put it mildly. I still say, quit making your payments, put it in an escrow account and let them foreclose. Bet they'll be willing to work with you then. They don't want your house. They just want your money and if they can't get that, well, something is better than nothing. You'd think anyway. Are you paying for your daughter's educations? I know you want to help them get ahead, but it won't help you if you end up out in the street. Candice, - saw an add in our local paper, someone has Jack Russell puppies for $100.00. I thought of you.

Checking in here. Been gone for a couple days. Computer was down and then it took me too long to get through everything. I just finished about four pages of posts. There's a lot there and a lot of replies. I['m just not up to it right now. Just know that I am thinking of all of you and I care. Had my appointment today at the dental school. Four teeth extracted. OUCH!!! Not really. They had me numbed up pretty good and now it's wearing off. One good thing though......stupid teeth didn't crack or anything. I never knew they were out till he told me. Now, I can only have cool and cold soft foods so soup was out for tonite. So, I had cottage cheese. Chewed it with my front teeth. Got a good cup to a cup and a half down. Now I am full. Took a tylenol #3 since the numbness is wearing off so I am just going to sign off now and I will check back tomorrow. Then I should feel up to responding. BUT FIRST, I HAVE TO TELL PHYL - GREAT GOING. WAY TO GO. CONGRATULATIONS. And tell Tracey to get well soon. Love and hugs to you all

I'd make the third. DH has already mentioned going to Mexico for TT. Hey, why not just make it a Lucky Seven getaway. Forget the cruise. I'm gonna get DD on it to find out air fare and I am going to do a little more research into this. Made the yummiest dinner tonight. Don't know what the calorie count is. I don't know how to figure that out but I can think of a couple ways to tweek it to make it lower cal. I don't like veggies and this was a zuchini casserole that I tweeked by adding diced chicken breast to it. Anyway, I took one large boneless chick breast, diced it up.........added 4 Cups diced zuchine and a half cup onion. (recipe said to boil veggies for 5 min. this is where you could save calories) I put it all in a fry pan and sauteed it in margerine till chick was done and veggies tender. Then I mixed together one can of cream of Mush. soup, I cup low fat sour cream and 1 cup grated carrot. You fold that into the chick and zuchini mixture. Then, take a box of chick. flavor stove top stuffing. Mix the bread crumbs and seasonings with a half cup butter. Put half in the bottom of a 9x11 inch pan..........and the meat and veggie mixture............then top with the addition stove top and bake at 350 for a half hour. It was great!! Not sure calorie wise but for me it was darned healthy. Pedaled on my bike today 75 minutes, went to the gym and walked a mile on the treadmill and then did some weight machines. Then spent 5 minutes in the tanning booth. I feel pretty good. Now, if you don't consider the mickey D's carmel frappe, I had a pretty good food day.......SO FAR. This morning, I was thinking how hard it is to lose (all of a sudden???) when I realized that I was only losing 8 - 10 pounds a month before. And here I am getting frustrated cause it's not happening in a week. DUH!! SUPER DUH!!! Guess I better get real here. Although, reality sucks. I guess I just have to get on the merry-go-round again and have patience. (the one thing I lack). Okay, guys.........haven't been on the computer much today so I guess I better go satisfy my FB addiction. Talk to you all later.

This won't let me add color or change font or size. What a bite!!! Brad and I will be going to Florida for a few weeks this winter. I'd love to meet up with you and Peter if we're there at the same time. No trick or treaters again this year for us. Guess that's what happens when you live out in the country. I think in the twenty five years we've lived here, we've maybe had a total of six trick or treaters not including the next door neighbor kids. Still waiting for DD to post pictures of the grandkids. Karla - for the life of me, I can't remember the name, but there is a firm that advertises on TV that will renegotiate with your mortgage company. They might not talk to you but they'll probably listen to them. What do you have to lose? I'll remember to jot down the number and name next time I see it. It's on all the time. Phyl - you are going great guns. I need to get motivated. Been going to the gym, but my friend Sarah can't go very much and I don't like going by myself. Yeah, any excuse will do. That will change. I just need to get motivated AND JUST DO IT!! Hey, that sounds like a great slogan for some company. It was good to see you back on the farm. I was so tempted to leave Earl a message and tell him that this was his chance to get ahead of you........but I didn't. LOL Four more days till I lose four teeth. Eating will be difficult then. Hopefully, I choose good soft food to eat and not that slider food. So, until then, I will eat, drink and be merry.........and not go overboard. Just need to make up for future lost time. Okay, will sign off now and will check back tomorrow. Mood is doing better but I wish this was spring and not fall. I HATE WINTER!!!!

Evening, ladies. Things are a little better today, Spent 4 minutes in the tanning booth at the gym yesterday. I absolutely hate this time of year. And it will continue till the middle of April. Food-wise, I did pretty good today. A slim Fast for BF, a crispy chicken snacker w/o the wrap, lettuce and cheese and sauce from MD's. Dinner was a spoonful fo refried beans on a 6" tortilla and topped with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Then tonight at small group, I blew it with two brownies and then I just got finished with a spoonful of peanut butter. Going back to the gym tomorrow. and i am still pedaling. I will check back tomorrow. Have a good night.

Good Evening, Ladies. Here I am. You don't have to chase me down. I've been having a rough time lately. Nothing I can put my finger on though. Not enough sleep, not enough of the right foods, not enough sun etc etc. Food choices haven't been too bad. Even been doing decent on the soda. It's just that once every so often, I start eating and just don't stop. And Lean Cousines just don't make it any more. My mouth is starting to hurt. Teeth come out next Thursday. I'm still pedaling at least 60 minutes a day and hitting the gym once or twice a week. (my friend that joined with me was sick all last week). Friends are very important. It is not good when you don't have one. I've got a whole lot of aquaintences but only a couple of friends that I do things with. Things got hairy during my time of depression and now there is a distance that has to be bridged and she and her DH are trying to talk us into getting an RV and taking off with them in the winter. And my other friend, Sarah, is in her early 40's but we go to the gym together and have shared some trying times together. But that's it. All my school friends live in other states and we talk FB and maybe get together once every couple years. Okay, now I don't know what else to say. That's probably the main reason I've been AWOL. Just don't have anything to say. I will admit to being adicted to Face Book so you can always find me there. I usually check here once a day or so. So I will talk with you all later. Oh yeah. Karla - Maybe the kids can have their cells in class but you can always make a rule that when they have tests in your classroom, they have to check their phones in the parking garage. (I like that) That way, if they want to text each other answers to their work, let them. It'll show when they take a test without their phones.