mousecrazy

Chris rocked! Bucky is getting better each week. My votes for "off" are David (crooner) and Kevin. But, America votes, so there's no tellin'! Cindy

Is anybody here in the Chris fan club? Ace is gorgeous and all, but not my cup of tea. I'd rather have tea with Chris.

This isn't really an answer, but in the Zone, it is recommended to eat a small snack--of course, balanced to Zone specifications--before bed. I guess if it was protein, some carb, and some fat, but not lots of calories, you might be doing yourself a favor.

It's a strange transition, huh? I still get those urges, and sometimes I just indulge myself...but a lot less! I've done the same thing, Marimu, and put something in my basket to buy, then gone back and put it back on the shelf! It's almost unbelievable. Great thread, Cindy

My two cents: last night, Mandisa was the best...I liked Kelly, too. I think the girls got some good advice from the judges, which was to be themselves, and not be so interested in showing us "all" their sides. I think they'll relax into their comfort zones...I think Kinnick and Melissa will be voted off. I wish it would be Brenna, she is so fake. By that, I mean she poses too much, and is so calculating. Can't wait to see the guys tonight! Cindy

My normal breakfast is coffe, an apple and 1 oz low-fat cheese, then about 3 hours later, I have a Zone Perfect bar.

The 50 pound mark is HUGE!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Cindy

Hi everyone! Beanie...I THINK Bubble and Squeak is sausage and potatoes in England? Do tell! Your dedication to the gym is commendable! I wish I were like that. I love the little story you made up with me vs. the pizza! Dianne - I am so sorry about the rash/itching! I get that from the tape sometimes, or from morphine. The steroids should do the trick...are you taking a dose-pack? Sometimes these drugs will make it hard for you to sleep, so one of my doctors told me to modify the schedule...usually, you take some in the morning, some at lunch, some at dinner...but he told me to take all of them before 3PM. It worked, and I didn't have sleep problems. I hope you are feeling much better, fast! Doc - you and family are in my prayers. I am really sorry that you are going to have to experience all this pain and worry. Please keep us informed. Trish - hope you did well on your test! Sounds tough! Betty - glad you got to walk yesterday when it was so pretty! I hear we're in for a rainy weekend. I'm supposed to have a new little great-niece today...my niece went to the hospital this morning to be induced...I haven't heard anything yet! Today is Girl Scouts, and American Idol...I have to miss the 1st 30 minutes of AI, but it's easy to catch up. How goes it with all of you? Hugs to all, Cindy

Happy Monday, everyone! Hey, Pat! What's POGO? I play some of the games on MSN, and get badges...like I NEED another website to be addicted to??? LOL! I had a busy weekend where I couldn't play on the puter, which is th eonly reason I'd not be typing all over the place! I've tried to post once a day, anyway...just not so good on the personals. Your story about the breast reduction is so funny! LOL! Anne - I'm so happy to hear your good news! It's something to keep an eye on, but having an unnecessary procedure would be terrible. How are you doing, otherwise? Betty - what's going on with your ears? Are you doing better? Doc - thanks for you PM's! Eileen, get through the day as good as possible...I wish you had one of those "hands off" bosses! Pat, I'm sure you're not one of the meanie bosses! Kelly, one day at a time, right? You're gonna make it, and it will smooth out. Beautiful day here, just breezy. Trying to make it to Spring Break!~ Hugs, Cindy

You've come a long way, baby! Congratulations! Happy bandiversary! Cindy

Eileen, I am off to church right now...I will add your MIL to the prayer list...and of course, your family as well. My heart breaks for anyone who has to face a loved one's serious illness or hospitalization. I wisht here was more I could do. Thanks for the positive feedback on my gun course...I feel the same way you do, I think. Thought it might be a good idea for one of the good guys to have a little "equalization" plan! Doc, have fun with the family today! AFter church we have a skating party, then this evening a music concert at church, DD's choir is performing. It's gonna be another late night! Love you all! Cindy

Fantastic! You GO, girl! Cindy

I know I'm checking in late...we finished our gun course, then went to pick up DD at my dad's...I did really well on the range...got 238 points, with 250 being the highest, and 175 minimum to qualify. I added another thing to my things-I-said-I'd-never-do list, when the instructor said, "Cindy needs some 380 ammo." There's something I never thought I'd hear! It was weird. I'm proud of how I did...I was the only female in the course, and I was worried I'd hold everyone back or embarrass myself in some way. Dianne, gee, I hope you stop itching! The Benadryl helped me when it happened to me...it was after my hysterectomy. It didn't happen with my lap band surgery...but yours was a bit more complicated, to say the least! Sherry, good job getting out there and driving a little. It gets easier, and the port area is tender for a while. Mine still makes itself very known, if I eat too much I can feel the pressure there. Or, if I wear jeans that are too tight...by the end of the day, I can really feel it. Beanie, good luck with your IKEA stuff! It's been so rainy, you picked a good weekend to stay indoors! Betty, crawfish cakes! YUMMY! I think you have the best kitchen! Kelly, I'm happy for you about your tax refund! Things just always have a way of working out. Doc, I am soooo sorry about the PB! It's never happened to me, I only got close once. Please take it easy with some liquids for a couple of days, and let yourself continue to heal. It's easy to want to forge ahead, but do yourself a favor and chill. (Sometimes I talk like my students!) Patty, garage sales are fun...can't wait until you can wear 14's! My DH loves gnomes, too! Tomorrow is jam-packed, so if I don't check in tomorrow, I'll catch ya'll Monday! Happy hugs to all, Cindy

Happy blessed Friday, everyone! Gosh, I love coming here and reading everyone's posts! They just perk me up, and make me feel like I've actually sat down and talked with everybody. Doc, I wondered about your screen name, but I see now! I do think I have a smidgen of the Irish, myself...just a little. I always make corned beef, cabbage, potatoes (the boiled dinner thing) and I've EVEN made Irish Soda Bread a couple of times...I bet you could eat a little if you really want it. Trish, your test sounds grueling! What are you studying for, or to be? Anatomy makes me think medicine, but I guess it could be physical therapy also...good luck! I think maybe I should just help Pat on her taxes.... Eileen, well, at least it's Friday. I hate that you have a meanie boss. Mine is just sorta stubborn. But, remember...after my trip to San Antonio, I DO have some blackmail on him, so he kinda has to be nice to me. He's letting me leave a little early today, because I feel pukey...woke up at 3:30 with a migraine (haven't had one in a LONG time), and my medicine works for about 30 minutes, then the dang thing comes back. On the good side, DD is spending the night with my dad tonight, so there will be some peace and quiet this evening. Did I tell ya'll this? Hope it doesn't freak people out...tomorrow DH and I are taking a 10 hour gun course...I want to learn to shoot. Also, the way things are going, I thought it would be nice to be competent with a gun, in case I ever need to know how to unload one, or use one....DH is knowledgeable, but we are taking the course together so we can get a conceal carry license. Hope this doesn't upset anyone...it's definitely something I would not have done even 10 years ago. I'll add it to my list of "Things I Said I'd Never Do That I am Doing Now"! Everyone, have a great day...I'll check in later and see what's up! Cindy

I know how important this milestone is for you! It's really amazing! Enjoy your trip, and congratulations! Cindy

For the guys, I chose Chris, Elliot and Ace. For the girls, Lisa (long curly hair), Paris ("Midnight Train to Georgia") and Katharine. Chris has a good story, too. I'm also very fond of Taylor (harmonica) guy. Sorta Joe Cocker meets Dave Matthews, and some Ray Charles thrown in. I enjoy so much watching talent...face it, ALL of them are talented to some extent, or they wouldn't be where they are right now. Looks like a great season!

Hang in there, Kelly...sounds like you've got the "Jane! Stop this crazy thing!" syndrome (anyone else remember that line from The Jetsons?) I find the older I get, the less I enjoy change like that. I will say prayers for your DH and you...God is leading you, so something will work out. TrishS...good luck on those tests! I would gladly help you study if you were around here...I'm not good at those subjects, but I can drill and kill with the best of them! Patty, sorry about the sick kid...there's so much of that going around. Betty, I know we have lots of Nawlins people here in our area, but had no idea how that had affected the job market...my dad volunteers at a food bank, and says they are still seeing the Katrina people in there. I hope you soon find the job perfect for you! It's quiet now, but it's also time to go! Cindy

Doc! Great to see you! I can understand how you can get confused; you're in safe hands now. Pat...funny story about hiding and poopin'. Can you try to steer him to the toilet, or does that step on the mom's toes? As for your fill, it IS a hard decision...you know I have gone back and forth on this decision myself. I think the difference in the salad and the chicken is that the salad has dressing on it. Does the chicken have sauce on it? Chicken trips me up lots of time, but if it has barbecue sauce, Heinz 57 or something, I do much better with it....I bet you've tried that already, but just in case...anyway, you've done great with your weight loss, and you are probably just allowing your body to adjust for a while. I think that's probably a good thing in the long-run. Eileen, I hope the end part of your day is relaxing; sorry about the funeral. It sure seems like there are too many of those these days. Betty, how goes it? Any word on any of the positions you have interviewed for? Thanks for asking Doc to come hang out with us...she's a great gal. DD's teacher called and put me on the job to get the materials and pattern for Austrian hats...DD's school has an International Week, where each grade studies a different country, then sets up a display. This year they are studying Austria. I'm gonna look online for something simple...felt and glue. Gotta go, the natives are getting restless.... Cindy

Lots of good info here...like Donali said, a teeny unfill seems to be in order. If you want more variety and more choice in your situation, you do have to be able to take the responsibiliy over from the band a little...only you can decide if you are ready for that. I've made a decision to lose a little slower than I could, in exchange for not having a super-tight fill. It's an okay decision for me. Still, even with the small fill I have, I cannot eat 6 muffins! I can eat one. I cannot eat a whole order of nachos, but maybe 1/2 order. So, maybe stop dwelling on the word "finality" and think about the word, "opportunity." Adjust the band to your particular needs, that's why it's adjustable... However you work it out, I know you will, and you will do just fine! Cindy

My mom died in July 06. I know what you are talking about. There is no quick solution, only steps you can take toward acceptance. I'm not there yet; I grieve every day. Some days are easier than others. Some are painful. Here's what I want to offer you in the way of compassion and help. First, something one of my friends wrote in a card: "Your life will never be the same, but it doesn't have to be bad." Next, give yourself a little freedom with the food/comfort, but plan in advance what that means. I know you are sad and probably scared right now, but take care of yourself like you would take care of your best friend. You would give that friend healthy food, you would make sure she got her rest, you would make sure she had a safe place to cry. Do these things for yourself. My heart goes out to you in your loss. I hope knowing that others understand will comfort you, and I will pray for God's hand in lifting you up and protecting you. Hugs, Cindy

You're my hero! Cindy

I don't have any advice for you, but want to offer you my support in whatever you decide is best for you. It's a big decision, and I know I'd probably ask my bandster mates for their opinions, just like you did. Cindy

So, by the doctor's name, I assume you are in North Texas? I'm a Texan, too...live in Sanger north of Denton. Glad you're here...good luck with the start of your journey! Cindy

Well, now, let's see. One thing pops to mind, so try this idea out: "Worry is a hobby, don't confuse it with a useful act." Maybe instead of obsessing over calories, fat grams, protein grams, scales, and so on...spend some time obsessing over NOT OBSESSING. No matter what, your scales, and your ticker, are not going to smoothly move down, down, down. (Of course, as soon as I say this, 14 people will write to tell you that their scales do!) Anyway, I feel you on the obsession-thing...but I am working on getting over that little habit, or hobby, as the quote I shared with you simply states. I guess you can start by exploring the need to control...and understanding that you don't (actually!) have to! Janet, PLEASE take this as some thought-provoking input, and not that I am the guru of anti-obsession...I'm just sharing some stuff I think about when I come to the same place you are in right now. You are doing great! Cindy

Flower, I know this is not always what people want to do, and for their own good reasons. This is one way to handle it...just come clean. Tell everyone, and then there will not be any gossip. I think we're about split 50/50 on this topic...some want privacy, some just tell. I have experienced no negative responses at all...only warm and supportive encouragement. I may just be lucky to work with fantastic people (for the most part) and I've been here forever, so that might have something to do with it, too. Good luck with your situation, whatever you decide to do! Cindy