lindaa

Hey--don't forget me--I'm part of the 50-something gang too, AND I was banded in Mexico. Welcome Connie! I don't post as much as some other ppl, but I'm still a part of the group, even if they do tend to forget about me! :wink: Oh, Candice--enjoy France! Be sure to post lots of pics! Watch the Eclairs, or will the wine do you in? Gosh, we'll have so much to talk about next month! Janet--I take it that Andrew is "permanently" moved out? Hope all is well! Phly--I recall reading somewhere that you chatted with Steven recently. How'd that go? Hoping for the best. Well, the weeds got a headstart while I was gone. Gotta get to them now, while I can!

Hi--quick check in. Got back late last night and have tons to do. As for the 2-week challenge: I only lost 1, and probably gained that back while on vacation. Lots of eating out and good homemade meals that I didn't have to make! so I'm back to square one trying to lose the last 20. . .

Well, I'm done copying and pasting and downloading and uploading files for today. Tomorrow I have the bust-up meeting with the students and then submit final grades. Enough! I'll have more to do, but for the next week, I'm not thinking about it. It's hard for me to get involved in anything that requires a committment during the summer. I guess I'm still grieving the kids. . . I was always super busy with their activities during the summer. I'll get over it. I do still volunteer one night at the clinic. I think if it ever gets nice enough outside I'll feel better too. It's just so grey and cold. . . Enough with the whinning! Phyl--Mel IS going, and he fits right in as far a frugality (saying it nicely) and retirement planning goes. I hope Earl decides to go. Mel IS planning on helping Peter do some wiring and stuff too as I know he'll go nutsy-crazy-looney if he has to sit around and listen to us all day. So there should be plenty of "Man-time" going on. Janet--There are so many things I admire about you. You are so outgoing and easygoing. That is one big difference between us! That, and the exercise thing--You rock girl! Candice--good job on the weight! I think you've got me beat! I may end up being the worst looser this time--but I don't think I've gained. Tomorrow will tell!

I'm still here, trying to keep up with you guys and not doing a very good job of it. I've been tied to my computer the last couple days (yes even on the weekend) trying to get courses moved from one online platform to another. Lots of clicking, and after hours of that I can't think to type a response. I so wish I could get into exercise the way that you guys are. I have Wii Fit, but hardly ever get motivated to use it. I'm hoping I will get motivated when we're at Candice's. I think my major problem right now is lonliness. DH is NEVER here--he got himself a truck and spends every waking minute either thinking about it or working on it. He talks of nothing else. The kids are all gone, and except for Grammy and Cora Day, I can spend the whole day--morning till bedtime--in my kitchen never talking to a physical person. That, plus the weather is crap--50's, damp wind off the lake and rain. We will leave tomorrow for MA, which hopefully will be warmer. But I don't know, 18 hours in the car with a 9-month-old who mommy will not let out of the car seat while the car is running. . . It could be a loooonnnngggg trip! I will weigh-in tomorrow morning and post my results for the 2-week challenge. I'm not expecting much however. Back to work now. . .

Hi all. Just checking in to let you know that I'm still around. It's not really summer break yet with students in externships and lots of online work to do. I get Cora tomorrow and will go see DD on Thrusday-Friday. It's OK--it doesn't feel like summer yet anyway. I did succumb to one piece of cake yesterday--but only one small one. Woke up this morning with the most painful heartburn ever. I had to eat some yogurt to ease it. I'm scared--I just don't think this band is working out. I can eat too much, and still have to take Nexium and Prilosec every day. Granted, I don't vomit blood like I was last winter, but it's still not what I expected. Tell me--do any of you still burp and have hiccups--even between meals?

Dang! I looked out the window just now and saw my dad drive up. Sure enough, he gets out of the car with a plate in his hand. My mom is at it again! I told her I was going back on my diet, so she sends him over with cake--and not just any cake--oh no! It's my fav cake made with white chocholate and and delicious white creamy frosting topped with strawberries and blueberries. Last week she brough over pineapple upside down cake. Hope DH eats it all tonight because it sure is bugging me right now! DANG!

Hope you're all having a happy weekend. It's coooold here! The wind is nasty. I bought a cool new wind sock and hung it out yesterday. It was a good one, but the ends are already frayed There's a raw wind off the lake and even though the sun is brilliant today, I just can not stand to be outside. We went to church in the park this morning, and that was enough for me! Yesterday was a decent food day. So far today not too bad. I'm doing my part for the team! How about the rest of the team--Candice, Karla, Kari?

Yeah, Karri! Even if you are on the "other team" That's motivation! I'm only down 1. . . but hey, down is better than up!

Janet--What happened to your baby? And what's Andrew's status? You just don't need anything else right now! I'm down 0.5 from Sunday. It's something, but I can do better! Doing OK today. Had dry cereal, coffee with cream for breakfast and a grilled honey-mustard snack wrap for lunch. Supper will be left over tortilla soup from last night and maybe 1--only 1--Bloody Mary. Spent the day in the car driving from office to office checking up on students. 7 more days of that and they'll be done for good! THEN the real summer begins! I must say, Janet, we've gone from desert brown to tropical green in the last couple of weeks. It LOOKS like summer even if it doesn't quite FEEL like it yet!

Kari--I'm with you girl. I'm back up to 180 too, so if I have to suffer for the next two weeks, so do you. I have to give up my bloody mary's and marguritas, and all the little snackies that go with them. Comeon! Help me out here. I'm not little like Karri and Janet. I need someone my own size and from my neck of the woods to work with me here! We northeners need to stick together. Candice's in, and so are you. Let's make this a regional competeition. Who can lose more? The north or the south west?

Janet--5 pounds by 6/12? I'm IN! Only I'll be in MA on 6/12 and unable to weigh in. For me, it'll be 6/10. 2 weeks from today, but I'll go with my weigh-in on Sunday. You're on! Karri--Great news on the salary! You deserve some good news--I'm so happy for you!! Ruby--like I said, my address is 2709 Prairie Winds Ct., Sheboygan Wisconsin. We have about 1.75 acres--some of it is wooded and part of a pond. I'll provide a place to eat and acceptable, LBT food. Oh yeah, we have an almost 18-year-old Scih-tzu that you can take home with you in paymenbt! :thumbup:

Woah Janet! Andrew sure made it easier for you now didn't he? You absolutely did the right thing. What did he think was going to happen? Karla may be right on the money--otherwise it makes no sense at all.

Yesterday was our 34th Anniv, so not a good food day. Andy, Penny, and Cora took us out for lunch after church, (I had a 1/2 of a chicken quessedea and a Bloody Mary) and we spent the afternoon and evening hanging out with the neighbors. We live on a great little cul-de-sac with 5 houses. Actually, if you want to, go to Google maps and enter 2709 Prairie Winds Ct, Sheboygan WI. Then click on street view. Our house is at the end of the cul-de-sac on the left. Anyway, all of us are empty nesters in our 50's-early 60's. We get along great and hang out together a lot. Yesterday we helped one of the neighbors plant more bushes, then we had another fire and Marguritas when it got dark. We were laughing and chatting till 11--even though our backsides were freezing. Great evening! No plans for today. I'm saving calories for a humburger later--or as much of one as I can eat. I might go to the nursery and get a few things to mess with. There's always weeds to be pulled too. Mel's at his friends painting his new truck. We never buy new vehicles. We buy junk that Mel and his friend George restore. So kinda quiet here. . .

More hugs from me, Denise! I wish I could think of some way to help you. Courage, gf. This too shall pass. In the meantime, we're here for you.

Morning all! Melsky (DH) built a fire last night which was great, then a neighbor stopped over and we started drinking Marguritas. So my great eating day ended up not so great :thumbup:. Reading about your teaching experiences helps me understand why I have such a hard time getting my college students to understand that for every hour of class time they are expected to do 2 hours of homework--reading their textbooks, doing online activities, and something called studying. And, if I change my Power Points without giving them new notes they are ready to lynch me! I gave a take home exam just before the semester ended that had a term on it that we had not talked about and wasn't in their books/notes. Only one student bothered to google the term! Candice--Please DO NOT go into overdrive getting ready for us. I plan on bringing Wisconsin cheese, brats, hamburgers, and some other local stuff--enough for one (not so lo-cal) meal at least. We really don't need a lot of food. We can all chip in to stock the bar and get whatever snacks and stuff we want. Plus, I'm sure there are good places to grab a quick meal as well. So don't worry about feeding/entertaining us. We can make it up as we go along!

:thumbup::seeya:I'm committed! Booked the flights for 7/23-7/27. Oh Canada, here we come:seeya:

I'm in for a cruise, but best to plan on June as I don't know if we teachers will be able to coordinate our spring breaks. I don't know abut DH, and probably won't know till after Canada. I do know that for my part, Candice and I did real well together last year. . . Candice--I have everything set for the big weekend, I haven't finalized it yet--waiting to hear from you about the return. If I don't hear today, plan on us arriving in Toronto at 4:45 pm on Thursday and leaving at 2:40 pm on Monday. We can check our bags at the airport when Janet leaves and spend the morning in Toronto doing a little shopping or sight seeing. Hopefully there's public transportation to and from the airport and downtown or other points of interest--or you or someone else with a car wants to join us? Janet--you always say just the right things. My thoughts are with you guys planning graduations and seeing kids moving on. I was there last year at this time. My last one--DD--moved out for good in August. Looking back, I think that depression was one reason I stopped posting--I was physically sick all the time and really depressed, and I didn't have one good thing to say to anyone. It was all I could do to go to work, and many days I didn't. I'm better now, thank the Lord. I still have that empty, useless feeling. I still wish I could go back and enjoy my babies more and worry less, but that horrible sense of loss is fading, and I find pleasure in seeing them finding their places. Yesterday was a good food day--today will be too. I have the energy/desire to make it so!

Karri--I'm sorry if I sounded accousatory. I don't know the background, true enough. I do know that one of the things currently defined as "torture" was limiting the prisoners' caloric intake to 1000 calories a day. I don't know what it's called to do that to a body in training for a marathon. I appreciate that it's good healthy food; I hope that doing what you're doing will give you the results you want, and you can move forward and accomplish your goals. Best wishes on your weekend!

ohhh Candice--no use beating you up over the Blizzard; hope it was satisfying cuz that'll be the last time you do that! What I'm beginning to internalize is that this journey we're all on will never end. We will fight it each and every day--most days we will win, but when we don't we need to let it go and move forward. You're an emotional eater. Get a plan for the next time so that when the urge to go to Dary Queen presents itself you will know what to do. Easy for me to say--huh? Karri--seriously, and you know this, 1000 calories is NOT ENOUGH for anyone who is in trainning for a marathon. Now I've never run one, and never will, but my son, Tim did (Chicago). Tim is rail thin, but when he was in trainning, he ate more than me and I was probably around 250. Take Janet's advice and bump up the calories on the days that you're going to run. You will enjoy the workout much more if you don't pass out. I am serous. You have to keep the blood sugar level up while you're running or you run the risk of hypoglycemia. If you don't believe me, find a blood sugar meter and check yours after a run. You might be surprised how at how low it is unless you ate right before. Oh and by the way--I am jealous that you are so motivated to do these marathons. I am such a couch potato--I absolutely hate any unnecessary activity except maybe walking on a glorious day. I wish I had your and Janet's motivation. Kari--I'm so glad that you're going to Candice's! I will be booking tickets today. We considered driving from Wisconsin and picking you up, but we're taking a road trip to MA in June and the thought of another one so soon wasn't appealing. Flights are actually not to bad right now. I got to run--you'd think I'd have all the time in the world now that clases are done, but somehow every day is STILL full. Today I am running into work and then spending the night at Mindy's (DD) who lives about 50 or so miles away. One more thing: Even though I haven't been keeping up on LBT, I agree with Janet. You guys are family. I know that I am better off with you all than without. Thanks for the welcome back!

Hey Candice--that was really good advice! Turn the anger into something productive! I like it!!! Man I've missed you guys!

These was taken at Easter. She's 9 months old now. She's usually really smiley, but I don't have any recent ones on my computer. She has the CUTEST smiles! She waves bye-bye and throws kisses, and started crawling and pulling herself up last week. (Am I an obnixously proud grammy or what?)

I read "The Shack" yesterday. While I have some issues with the theology, it's very through provoking. Kind of related to my issues of worthlessness and gave me a reason to believe that I am worthy. Has anyone else read it? Today is a great day! The forecast promices 80, it's sunny, and I have Cora. She's sleeping right now--she "let" me rock her to sleep (mom just puts her down and she falls asleep on her own). When she wakes up I'll give her a bottle and then take her to work for a while. This afternoon we're going for a walk and to the park if the weather holds up. I live for Wednesdays! I'd post her pic, but I don't remember how. And, while I'm at it, I don't remember to set this site so this link comes up easier. Phyl--Hope you're having great weather--can't wait to see some pics!

Well, first of all, a 100 pound weight loss is NOT a failure! And if you are having band issues now, it's not your fault. A stretched pouch is a possibility--have you been grdually eating larger and larger portions? If that's the case, you need to cut back. Remember, the band is a tool, but you have to use it properly. I've learned that just because I can eat more than I should doesn't mean that i should.

I've had similar experiences--you probably need to be unfilled ASAP. Glad you're going to the doctor. Let us know how it turns out.

I HAVE MADE MY RESERVATIONS FOR CANADA!!! Arrive @ 5:36 P.M ON 7/23 (Thrus) and Leave Monday 7/27 @ 8:45 A.M. If we decide to fly, I'll try to get as close as I can to that. I get the happy/sad thing! I still dream about my babies and wake up sad that they're gone. But at the same time it's exciting to see them take their place and move on with their lives. I've been thinking about going back into foster care when I retire--we'll see how I feel about that when the time comes! Self-depreciation seems to be a common theme that I share. My brother is a millionaire and my sister is a doctor who has produced brilliant children, and that is all my mom ever talks about. Nothing that I ever did--or my kids do, for that matter--could ever measure up. So I learned to eat real well. My mom liked it that I ate her food, and the more I ate, the more she made. Of course, it does me no good to blame her. I need to take control so now it's an obsession that never leaves. It takes total concentration 100% of the time to stick with the program. I did well yesterday, and so far today I've stuck to the program. Tomorrow I will have Cora all day, and that will help plus iit just might be nice enough out to take her for a walk. Like they say in OA (yup, I did that one too) "One day at a time." It sure is hard work!