Apples2

Ooops..Arlene..omitted you...you are unforgetable. Have a good one! I admire how well you are doing. And...Jessica...have fun with your family. Hope your injury is feeling better. Take care. Have something fun planned? Judy???? What's up for you this weekend. Have a good one. Can see you tooling around on your golfcart with the dog...

Mornin' All... Janet...I have been pulling for Crystal since the try-outs. But, I love the fact that Lee won. He is such a cute kid, humble and so happy. It's a given that the top two are going places anyway. I don't think Crystal will have to worry about not being noticed and having "things" in the works already. Was a great show last night with lots of stars. I thought of you as I was choking a crying when they were doing tribute to Simon and he was choking when on stage. I was thinking "I bet Janet is crying cuz she hates goodbyes". Anyway, sitting there crying when DH walked in...he thought something tragic had happened. Nope, just Simon leaving. I was almost sure he was going to announce that Paula was going to take his place. I could never get used to her when she was on the show. Too flighty or something. Hope your day goes smoothly and you can get everything ironed out with your ranch dealings. No fun to get thrown crappy surprises. Great...safe travels...watch the crossroads. Hope unpacking and settling in goes without troubles. Linda...have a blast on your camping trip. Travel safe. Phyll...hope you will get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery. DH and I really want to get out that way (DH's brother lives on an island outside of Seattle). I have been in the Seattle airport a couple of times and that is it for me. I think God concentrated really hard on the Northwest, making that area first. Got around to MN and got plain tired and ran out of ideas. Julie...safe travels, watch the crossroads and have a good time with family. (Hope they behave and treat you guys with respect). Joyce...family plans for the weekend? Whatever you do, have a great time. Cheri...do you have a break between the school year and summer school???? Have a great weekend. Get out and have some fun. Eva...you always have fun....don't have to give you instructions. Have a good one. Miss ya. Laura...enjoy the family time with Nels and DH. Any plans? Thanks for the dad update. Happy to hear you are heading his way for the test. I am sure he that will make him very happy. Good daughter. PJ...have a good one! You have a doable goal...keep up what you are doing! Jodi...congrats on the 5lbs! Not long b/4 we read a post from you about being close or at goal. Also, congrats on being pill free. Have fun on your date and have a wonderful weekend. OK...who did I miss? Whoever it is...love ya. Yep, you all guessed it...off to the lake today. Have some duties around here and will take off about noon. Grab my dog and go. Looking forward to the weekend and see some ppl that have not yet opened up their lake places. Plan on getting some reading done and a little time on the lake and some sum. Hoping DS, GF and her kids will find time to come up for some fun. Just plan on pulling into my spot and not moving my truck till Tuesday morning. Just want to wish everyone a safe, but fun Memorial Day weekend. Try to make a point of remembering those to which this weekend is dedicated. Sending the loves

PJ...I know you already got an answer to the Bells Palsy question. I had it twice. Once when I was in my early 30's and early 40's. Lasted about 2 weeks each time. Affected one side of my face (didn't move) and my speech. No lasting affects. Janet....now, that was one hell of a day! Sh_t happens...literally in your case. Have a good night's sleep and try to put it all out of your mind if you can. No reinsurance company???? That's crazy. Can they spell Errors and Omissions case??????? Great...sounds like your day wasn't much better. Hope tomorrow is better for both of you. Good night all....sleep tight.

Not sure about your vitamin for gum tissue question, Arlene. I have been fighting the receding gum issues lower front since I was about 16-17. Have had them surgically repaired twice and just don't want to go through trying to save them. My dentist said that surgery MIGHT prolong hanging onto them for up to 5 yrs but no guarantee. So...out they go. As long as he promised they will look natural, I had no problem with them gone. If I remember, I will ask him that question on Wed. Congrats on another lb. down. I bet you are feelings like the "Losing Queen" the last few months. You have the scale going in the right direction!:smile2:

On a thread I frequent, I posted a NSV ALERT!!! on Monday. We had 95.5 degrees and 79% humidity on Monday. I worked out in the sun for 3hrs or more in my gardens and did not even break a sweat. I used to have to work in 15 minute intervals and I would be soaking wet when I came into the house to cool off. So many good things come with losing weight.

Big Stone City???? Located on Big Stone Lake. If that is where he is from, it's not too far from the area I grew up. Yes, I guess it is a pretty area. We all go through our days not recognizing the beauty that is around us. So many small towns around here and everyone knows everyone. Would not be a surprise if I knew this guy.:smile2:

Joyce...yes, it will be worth it all. Looking forward to having the smile I have always wanted. And, thanks for the compliment.

Will be banded 2 yrs on 6/17. Have had 2 fills only and no problems what so ever. I feel my experience has been an ideal one.

Janet....to answer your questions...DS has agreed that it would be a good thing to wait till Sept to make his decision on the job. His decision but we just pointed out that he might want to have time to think and not jump in on an impulse. Out of my hands and he will do what he feels he can handle. Have not had a dental appt for 2 weeks. Next Wed is the next. Had to wait the 2 weeks for temp bridge to be made. Have 5-6 lower front pulled on Wed and fitted with temp. Bone structure and gum tissue all good and healthy on all other teeth. This will be an all summer long project. This guy does some great work. Some extra $$$$ to get it done but worth it. He's even going to sculpt upper gums at some point to accomodate a larger teeth on the uppers. I just feel fortunate that he can work with what I have.

Good Morning All Another lovely day here. Got a good night's sleep which is a good thing with all I need to get done today. Been a busy week and just when I think I might sit down in the evening to relax, something else comes up. Just life on the farm. Full schedule for DS and DH with tiling business and looks like they will have jobs that will bring them right up till the snow flies. DS needed to hire another laborer and he starts next week. I am the "gopher" and get interupts to run for tile and tiling supplies so it's tough to complete what I need to around here. No complaints though. Just need to relax and let some things go till I can get to them. I do feel a little frazzled though until I get into the routine of it all. So, just a quick hello this morning. Hope you all of a good day. Happy moving day, Great. Hope all goes well. Remember...toilet paper is the first thing to be unpacked and food last (so you can get treated to a few meals out).

Mornin' Eva...no fun catching up after a vacation, is it? Hope things level out for you soon...we miss you around here. :smile2:

PJ...I wondered what had happened to you and what you had come about with you and DH. So sorry for the the troubles you have been going through. I am not sure if I actually welcomed you back...meant to. I wish you the best as you deal with all that is on your plate at this time.

Phyll...coleslaw recipe sounds good. I am the only one that eats it in our house so it doesn't get made very often. Will need to try yours for a change. I love to put pineapple and celery seed in mine. Linda...have a GREAT camping trip. We took our sons camping since the time they were babies. We started in a medium sized Winnebago, went to a pull type and then just moved up from there. We have many good memories and stories the boys are now telling me about sneaking off as young teens after we went to sleep. Devils. Always thought they were just the sweetest young thing. Yeh right. Hope you kick this cold/flu b/4 your big weekend. I get ya on the butter consumption thing. I, too, don't know what I did with all the butter I used to buy. Guess it went into everything I cooked. Now it is rare if it ever makes it's way into the house. Joyce...giving up those white starches can only be a move in the right direction. Does not mean you can never have them again. Just plan for special times, etc. Giving them up totally will let you see if they actually are affecting your scale. Worth a try. I will ditto what Linda said about hardly missing them after awhile. Kind of like when you wean yourself off of sweets. The cravings get few and far between. Great...I guess that brownie sundae was not meant to be. Most ppl would have eaten it anyway. You had the willpower to not do it. Way to go! Julie...aren't you the daring one with Victory Red walls in your new kitchen! You'll need to share some photos when the project is done. Hi Jodi...sounds like you had quite the week. Hope you are having fun on your date. Maybe this guy from your past will not be as you remember. I had a guy that I dated in college contact me a couple of months ago. Newly single and in hopes that I was also single. Nope...pretty much married and I never heard from him again. Not even a little visit. Must have scared him. Huge day and not going to bore everyone with what was accomplished. Ran into a friend that owns one of my favorite clothing shop. He is closing it down. Bummer. Not that I need anything but he had such unique items. He is having a going out of business sale next week and every item is $5. I think he is selling things a bit too cheap. He said he has a group of things that he set aside for me. He was going to NY and buying just one of a kind items. Been in business for two years and has great fashion sense. Just not what ppl around here are wearing. I have some great pieces in my closet from his store. Well, off to do my crossword puzzles for the day. Hope you all have a good evening. Sending the love

Hey Meredith! Nice to see your post. And, I see you are not too far from reaching your goal. Way to go, girl! Miss your posts. Would love to see you more often. Hope life is good. Congrats on your graduation. Melissa...congrats on being an Auntie. Get on that new plan for a healthy life so you can be a healthy Auntie and play with that little one. As Janet said...You can do this! You just gotta get back to that way of eating you had when you lost your first 60lbs. We all care. Laura...all those first are difficult, aren't they? We don't take your emotional upset lightly. Any of us who have been through it know exactly where you are coming from. What a good idea to switch it up and get DH to comit to some training with you. Change is good. My workouts are not scheduled but I get them every day. Part of my daily life around here. There are times I am envious of you guys and your gym appts. That Nels will be back home b/4 you know it full of info on the day spent at the zoo. Big boy going off without momma. Big day at your house. Great...gonna miss you when your computer is gone. I agree...the least your HOA could have done was inform you so that you could have made plans to do what was necessary b/4 this time. Ppl can be just plain poops sometimes. Hang in there. Have a great day with GM. I know all these goodbyes are tough on you. Just keep in mind that you are just stepping into the next phase of your life. As I stated yesterday, you are so lucky to be able to fly back often to visit. And, I know you feel a lack of appreciation by certain family members. This move will be a test of whether they will step up to the plate and take care of GM. Just make sure GM has a backup plan (home health, etc) in your absence. Our feet hit the floor early but had rain during the night so DH spent a couple of hours over coffee this morning. Was nice. I needed to rehash a few things with him and obsess again over some family stress that I am having. Had a good bawl and now feel much better. Poor DH. He hates it when I fall apart. But, I have my way of doing it....just rant, cry and get on with my day. It worked. I feel much better. Still pissed but I can function again. You can pick your friends........you all know how the saying goes. Asses. Thanks for listening....I feel even better now that I used those swear words. Beautiful day here. Sun is shining, got adequate rain for the newly planted crops and might even find time to get out and ride my bike today. Extremely windy so will just have to see. Made up a "ride the bike" song for my dog (I know, I'm weird). He runs along beside me smiling, ears flopping. I just know he's singing a "biking with my mom" song in his head. Better get back to work. Computer work, laundry day and then off to town for the afternoon to run farm errands, bank, etc. You all have a good one.

Hey Janet...didn't see your post till now. Always thought about trying the Sobe but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I am so picky about my cold drinks. Never used to be. I am a strictly peach tea girl. I have to have lots of ice and drink from a straw and I can get a lot of it in in a day. b/4 LB surgery, I drank plain water. Now can't choke it down. What's with that????? Good going on trying though. Sorry you hate Mondays. The attitude a person has about Mondays usually has nothing to do with anything other than what you KNOW is waiting for you once you walk in the door at work. Hugs:wub:

My discovery of the day was a major NSV. I worked out in the yard most of the afternoon in 96 degree and very humid weather. I don't think I even broke a sweat and there was no slowing me down. 2 years ago it would have killed me. That's how my day went and thanks for asking!

Julie...sounds like you will have quite the weekend with many hours on the road. Make it a safe one (buckle up) and have a great time with family.

NSV ALERT!!!!!!!! 95.5 degrees at 5pm (was warmer earlier) and extremely humid here today. Worked out in the yard for a couple of hours this afternoon. It didn't wear me down and I'm not even sure if I broke a sweat. 2 yrs ago it would have killed me.

Jessica...do you care for Greek yogurt? There are so many ways to doctor up the plain. Also, Yopliat has a Greek yogurt now in diff flavors. Not sure of the carbs in those though. And, if you are craving ice cream type treats, how about just making a very thick small protien drink made with fruit and vanilla powder????? I freeze fruit and use that instead of ice. Easy to make and a nice/cool treat.

Whew...didn't think I would ever get on here today to post. Missed you guys and back to the daily grind. Wonderful weekend. Went up early on Thursday and planted flowers. Got a wild hair and went and purchased 7 more huge planters. So much more room now that I needed them. (Think it was one of those wants). Everything looks great and the plants healthy. DH and I did a lot more grunt work yesterday. Should have only one more weekend of work and then everything should be completed and we can sit in our new patio furniture with our feet up. DH stayed with me till this morning. He did not make it up till Sat night... got all the soybeans in and is officially done with spring planting. Woohoo! Picked up our 1/2 beef on the way home and got it all organized in the freezer. A lot of lifting and hope it does not make my band tight. (Usually does with lifting). No one was here as promised so tried to break it down in smaller totes to get to freezer. You girls were super busy and going to see if I can somewhat catch up with you all. Janet...I ditto Laura's comment about you being our Simon Cowell...so funny. You just keep cracking that whip and on the days you are in you funks, we'll just call you Simon Scowl. Another thing I will ditto that Laura said...you are our inspiration and have been to many in the past and will be in the future. Good going on getting to 136? You weren't really trying to though, right? Yep, think you should get a 2-peice. I would do it but I have way too many battle scars (surgery scars). I have halter tankinies...I can tie that sucker tight around my neck to hold the boobies up and I just lift it up when laying in the sun to get my belly tanned. I am lucky that it only takes about 30 minutes a week in the sun for me to have a nice tan. Have never been much of spending a lot of time laying in the sun even though I love to have a tan. One of the reasons I wanted to buy a tanning bed but decided to not. Judy...share, share, share. What works for one might help another. That's why all of us are hanging around here. I have learned something from each of you. Way to go on staying on plan. I like your method of one day at a time. Not so self-defeating if there is a slip-up. Wishing you the best and hope you keep on posting and letting us know how things are going. Joyce...I'm a little late with this and I know the others have shared their advice on carbs/cals/protein, etc., but wanted to also jump in. I think the thing that helped me succeed the most was my LB doc being adament about cutting ALL white carbs. None, zip, nadda. I am like Janet...never counted pure fruit and veggie carbs. I would if I would eat a bit of a yam, oatmeal, high fiber cereal, etc. I just totally cleared my plate of any white carbs. I consumed, and still do, 100 grams or more of protein a day. But, I also am of the belief that we only process 20-25 grams per meal. When I was in the weightloss stage, I added carbs (fruit, veggies, cereal) only after eating protein...it did the job. Also, another one of Janet's piece of advice...varying your daily calories. Maybe 900 one day and 1200 others. Tricks the body into not plateauing. Daily diligence is the trick....to be your own food police officer. Looking forward to your Onederland post. Hope your journaling, cutting the mashed tators, etc. will help to kick your stall in the butt! Hi Arlene....way to go again on the 3lbs. And, answered your question above...only flower gardening at the lake. They were so cute looking up at me this morning when I was giving them their momma time b/4 I had to leave. Just hope they look as cute when I get back there! LOL Great...you gotta just get those vitamins in daily. Get out in the sun some and take your prescription for now to get things back to where they should be. I attribute a lot of my energy to NEVER...not one day since b/4 LB surgery...missing my daily vitamins. Not a brag...just sound advice. Try to make it your morning routine. Pee, scale, make coffee, kiss DH and then swallow your vits! Good luck on the move. Hope you can stay in contact during these next two weeks. Hugs on having to say goodbye. I cry like a baby with goodbyes. I usually wait till I'm on my own but I get so chocked up. You are welcome on the bras. The brand you ask about are from Woman Within. I ordered six of them and never wore them. Ordered them ahead of time and shrunk b/4 I was able to wear them. Check in when you can. Wishing you much happiness in your new home. Time for you and DH and a new life. You are lucky you have the perks you do and can see your family often. Looking forward to hearing the scoop on everything. Julie......so, so, so happy to hear you are feeling better. You deserve a break, girl. Sounds like your remodeling project is coming along. You have gotten some good advice on some things you might want to ask your doc. Cheri has been the Info-Queen. Putting a name to what is ailing you could only be a plus. Take care and I think of you often. Hi Eva...Now...what's more important? Catching up on our posts or scooping poop and evicting the renters?????LOL. Hope you had a great vacation. Share when you can. Missed you. I will say it again...missed you. Phyll...you are just going great guns on the exercise. You inspire us! Congrats on getting to the gym and getting in what you do. Get a bill yet???????? LauraK...Woohoo on the date being a good one. I only have one request...I am just taking it for granted that we will all be bridesmaids if/when the time comes. I don't do puffy lavender cinched waisted dresses with butt bows. Just something to keep in mind. I understand what you mean when you say having DD at home can throw you off your plan. A lot easier cooking just for yourself when you are a banster. And, good going on the 5 day a week exercise plan. Jessica...we all "take" from this site, but, we all give and you have given a lot. Just being able to follow you from day 1 until now has been such an amazing transformation. You have taken lemons and made lemonade. I love, love, love your attitude. You were injured but you turned it into just trying a little hard. As the others have said...YOU ROCK, GIRL. I just love ya! And, isn't it nice that you just have limited time with MIL now? You can tune most of the negatives out. Way to go. Peaches...happy you are here and sharing. Love seeing when ppl post their daily intake. Shows they are really working it. Hope you stick around for a good long time. Cheri...as I stated above...great info. Sorry to hear that DH cut (literally) your post short. Don't you just hate when you post and post and then just gone? Laura...Way to go on wearing the 2-piece and the tanned tummy. Sorry about PMS/chocolate issues. I think that was about the only time I craved it...PMS times. Those Rolos and M&M's had their own drawer at my work. Of course, chasing them down with a large DQ Moolatte didn't help! Melissa...let us know how you do at the doc's appt. Good going on taking the steps to go to OA. There's going to be something that clicks for you to get you back on track. Have you ever thought of also doing a scheduled weekly check-in with your doc and weighing in?????? OK...I know I have left somebody out..so sorry...not intentional. Gotta get to work. Later.

Mornin' Gang...just popping on to wish everyone a great weekend. I am heading out after finishing up a few things around here. Headed north to plant my flowers at the lake today. Talk you you all on Monday. Sending the loves.

Julie...I really do love having flowers. Have just had a little bad luck the last couple of years but think this year will be a good one. Nice plants. Three and four years ago I bought plants that were so terribly root bound that they did not thrive. In all my years of gardening, I had never had that happen. So, bought a little greenhouse and started my own, babying them from seeds. Got spindly plants but some did good some didn't. Didn't get seeds started early enough this year so bought plants from a different place and they are so nice. They will make it just fine. Sounds like you are doing somewhat better. I guess I would still want answers to exactly what is going on if I were you. There's gotta be something. Take care and good luck doing your reunion prep. I headed it up for quite a few different years and then handed it over. People tend to rely on the same person/persons to do it and get it done. Been there/done that.

I love a compliment to start the day and I will accept it. :w00t:

Ooops...forgot...good news on your dad. Would love to hear that he got up in the plane, out on the boat, went somewhere fun for dinner, etc. I hope your parents will be able to start doing some of those things again. And, you enjoy these good days also. Feels good to have good news, doesn't it?