Apples2

Mine is fairly simple...Are you shaped like and apple or a pair? I was the apple...but, not anymore!

Great..the talk about the skirts reminded me of the boots I saw on sale. I remember you talking about wanting a pair of boots at the beginning of the season but could not find any. I saw a pair in the Travel Smith sale catalouge. They came in two widths around the leg. The one said that they were 17.5 inces. Something to check out and I know they are online also.

Phyll and Great...the not wearing a skirt thing is a trade off for being alive...like Great said the other day...battle scars. You are both beautiful woman inside and out. And, who's going to be more comfortable? You guys in slacks...not those ladies in the skirts. I know you will (or maybe already have) accepted the fact that unless you do PS, it is what it is. My thighs and upper arms are not what I would like them to be (melted butter) but I can cover them both. I met you, Great, and, like you said to me, when I looked at you it seemed as if you had forever been in the body you have now. Ppl dress so casual now. Even for weddings. A nice pair of slacks and a dressy top and you are good to go. I have had friends that were in an absolute panic when they knew they had to pick out a MOB dress. These are women that look 19 in a bathing suit but just are laid back and don't want to wear a dress. Well, they both found a flouncy pant suit that was so pretty. There's always something like that if you really have to go formal.

No way you can go in March to Seattle and book to FL to entertain us girls?

Your words "on fire" are IMHO the key that you are too tight. I think I would contact my doc's office and ask for a slight unfill. You might not have to lose your entire fill. Good luck, Melissa.

MOA is a great place but need at least a couple of days to take it all in. You definatly would get your exercise shopping there.

On the menopause issues....I am post-menopausal. I don't have the screaming Banshee issues and haven't for a few years. Just the hot flashes and they are managable. Did not want to take anything for them. Some women have hot flashes into their 80's, some never have them, and, like Janet, the middle of the road. OK...I can now tell you guys that I am officially stress free. Ready to start the new year and face it with a smile on my face. I've explained this b/4 but when our year end is done, that's the time we fine tune everything for tax purposes. It's all prepared and easy for the tax office. Of course, there are the calls with questions on a few little things but think all of that is behind me now. I can unlock my jaw and all my joints and relax. I so look forward to this time. I just wish all this did not coincide with the holidays but it is what it is. Wish I had DH's nerves of steel. Whew (that's my sigh of relief). Just got an email from some friends from Canada that have made it down to the resort we are staying at. Wondering where we are and when we are coming. I would leave tomorrow if it were up to me and the dog.

Hey Melissa...haven't seen you on here for a bit. Boy, I don't know if I have an answer on your reflux. I am a believer in none. I think you might be too tight. If this were happening to me and I just got a fill and having reflux at night, I would call my doc and talk to someone. In the mean time, I would stick to just eating during the day with my last meal no later than 6pm and maybe just stick to mild foods. You don't want to irritate things more than they are. Janet says about a month till we all meet. Are you getting excited?????

Julie..those ND traditions cross the border. I always have a number of those big roasting pans to take food for when someone dies and I take food to the family. We call them funeral hotdishes or funeral food. I usually make a triple batch of chicken/veggie dish. Stay warm today. I also decided that I would not venture out today. Still blowing and cold. Got a little gussied up though. Cannot spend every day (even when held prisoner in my own home) in sweats. Just sitting here all cute with no where to go!

Lucky girl...I have had hot flashes since the sweet age of 38 and they just get worse. We keep our house at 67 during the day and 63-64 at night. When you wake up, you grab the big fluffy robe you laid by the bed and run for the thermostat to turn it up and then light the fireplace and then run for the coffee pot!

Our summers are usually with at least that many days in the 90's with high humidity...land of 10,000 lakes. Just sent my donation for the "Polar Plunge" that will take place tomorrow. Sponsoring a nephew that will participate. Proceeds go to Special Olympics. No worries though...we are expecting a "Warm Front" to move in tomorrow. Temps over zero. Woohoo!

Awww, Janet, I DO have sympathy for you whimpy "fair weather" peeps.:tt1: Heck, my own strapping 250lb son turned down a free airline tickets to fly home cuz "It's just too cold in MN and there's nothing to do". And, this is a kid that lived in Alaska for two years. You are correct...it's all what you are accustomed to.

Jessica...what you are going through as far as pain goes sound pretty normal. They cut you, they blow you up and extend your cavity beyond capcity. In my case, the gas pain was the worst. But, I kind of knew what to expect because I had so many previous surgeries. And, I believe just being put under screws with our emotions and tires us out tremendously. You are doing great from the way it sounds. Up and walking as much as you feel you can, putzing and doing a few things, taking naps, lost 18lbs since the beginning of this process. Pat yourself on the back, be strong and TRY to let any negative comments roll. I know that's not easy but it will only make you stronger. You are in a not-so-great situation with living with someone else right now and I feel for your frustration. You are young and you came to the realization at this early age that you want to live a healthy life. If you asked any of us in our 40's and 50's if we have any regrets and I think we would all have the same answer...that we would have done this sooner for ourselves. I, for one, am very, very proud of you!:thumbup:

I gotta stay home....blahhhhh:lol: Thanks for the info, Eva. We grew up with pickled fish and when we were in Alaska, that's about all I ate. Was such a treat. I have had the sushi rolls and do not think (IMHO) that they are even worth eating. Too bland. :thumbup:

When I attended Holy Rosary School at a very impressionable age, those nuns told me HELL was sizzling HOT. Now, TX in the summer would be hell to me. :thumbup:

Welcome Nazzy...first of all congrats on the 100lbs lost. That skin issue is something I think we all just have to learn to deal with. I'll take any hanging skin over the fat I had any day. Any chance of your ins. covering some if you were to have it taken care of? I am 54 yrs old and lost 139lbs. I have some hanging skin...I do not want to have an elective surgery and I do not want to go to the expense. I just have learned how to dress to cover. I do 3lbs weights for my arms 3xday with 40-50 reps each time. It actually seems to have helped. Thighs...I guess I have just accepted that they are what they are. It's something we live with.

Morning Girls...been up for a couple of hours already. I'm usually a pretty good sleeper. Just have trouble getting to sleep most nights. Just me. Mostly wake up to tinkle. Well, the last week or so I have been waking up soooooooooo often. Was up at 12:30 (ate oatmeal), up at 2:15 for an hour and then just got up and had hot chocolate (thought that would help) finally got back to sleep and up at 4:10. But, good news...I think it's our new blanket...too warm. We have always slept with just a sheet and a quilt. With my weight loss I felt like I should have another blanket. I pin pointed my sleep loss that started the night I threw that darned micro fiber blanket on the bed. Janet...sending some warm and fuzzy feelings your way. You POOR THING...you actually had to get up and shut the back door???? 60 degrees???? OH MY WORD! How did you ever survive that???? Jewel...so sorry for your MIL issues. She actually should be seeing to your needs right now and making sure you are comfortable. I hate to say this since I don't know her personally but what a bat. (Just felt good to say that...sorry). Hang in there for now and just try to take care of you and do everything in your power to get out from under her roof. Living with a family member can really put a strain on the relationship. Eva...way to go on saving your company a headache down the road. OK...another naive food question for you...what is sashimi? Around here, if it's not deep fried, dripping in dip or have a crust, it's not considered fine dining. Snow plows have been by twice already so our road is open. Still blowing but I might just warm up my truck and meet someone for coffee in town. Or, could be sensible and stay home. Hummmm....

Phyll...congrats on the 2lbs and even after the holidays. Must have been the pancake!:thumbup: Have you ever noticed, Phyll, that tilapia swells when you cook it? I can hardly eat much of it. I would say about 1/2 of the portion of any other Protein I eat. Filet mignon...goes down really good but seems like it sits in my stomach for 2 days. I think it might be too rich for my system.

My DH does complete a lot of projects. But, it has to be the projects he is interested in. He is a detail person almost to a fault...just as DS that works with him is. They can both build anything out of metal and have inventions that are out there and been used for over 20 years. Just don't put a hammer and a nail gun in his hand...:thumbup:

Yup...he is. :thumbup: What's so funny though is that those little tasks is what he has problems staying focused. But, he has not a bit of trouble managing a fairly large grain farm and a couple of business'. WTH? I think it all has to do with the fact that he is doing what he is interested in and what he loves. But, ask him what time it is (anytime) and he would never, ever know. I admire him more than anyone I have ever known. As I said, he never uses this major hurdle he see everyday as an excuse and it amazes me.

Had another omit... Linda...wanted to comment on your stories. They sound interesting and nice that you took what actually happened and threw it in. I am an avid reader and always have been. A few years ago (not sure why...just had an interest) I bought all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and read them. Someday I plan on reading to my grandchildren some day. (One can always hope). Cheri...maybe you should try to get your stories published and you could make that a full time job and then you would have no employment issues. OK, NOW I am off to bed. Night all....I just cannot wait till the FL meet.

Where's our little Jewel today? Hope you are doing OK and just resting. Been thinking of you. Hey Deb...what size do you wear in that bra...PM me if you don't want to share it with the world. I have two that have been worn just a few times and then moved to a different size. They are 36D...a beige and a black one. Sorry you are blue. Hope you can shake it off soon. Julie...happy to hear you made it home safely. Still very blustery here. Looking forward to seeing at least to our corner tomorrow which is 1/4 mile away. Storms are great for one thing...getting things done. DH is MAJOR A.D.D. Very intelligent but has to be pulled back into projects...he tends to just drift away. He has never in his life used this disability as an excuse though. He just needs little reminders once in awhile that he has 20 things going at once and maybe just look at one and complete it. Boy, did I get off track...anyway, was explaining that I had his full attention and we completed all our paperwork we needed to. Also, got a lot of housework done. All in all, it was a great day. Heading to bed with my book. You all have a wonderful evening. Sleep tight...

Great...I use medium sized shrimp and scallops. As you could see, I used a roasting pan to make enough for the guys, so that was a double recipe. I make a sauce from 1/3 cream cheese, LF evaporated milk, parmesan grated fresh cheese, a little garlic, a little flour. All is cooked until becomes thick. I layer seafood/noodles/sauce and mozarella sliced or grated cheese. I had some rhubarb to us so I threw it in the pie. That's where that came from!

OK Girls...let's start placing our bets on who will live closest to Great if she moves. Great...Too bad you have to go through that with your GM and mother. Just hang in there and do what is right for your GM. She's the one that has to be taken care of. Another struggle for you when it comes to your mom. So sorry. That pie is multi-berry/rhubarb. Blueberries, Blackberries. It's gone. I didn't get any. But, the seafood lasagna was good...minus pasta. Still storming here. Worse than it was this morning. Let us know when you can tell us where you might live. Janet...thanks for posting that recipe. Have some company coming for dinner this weekend and might make it.

Laura...what brand of Protein Bar do you eat? DH and I eat them for breakfast and Snacks. DS also does a quick walk through of mom's pantry every once in awhile and fills up a gallon sized baggie with Protein Bars. He also has gotten into the habit of eating them for breakfast. He is not overweight but he noticed he put on 10lbs. Do you think it could have been the (2) Sausage, egg and cheese croussants he was consuming every morning on his way out here to work??????? 80% fat calories in those things. :smile2: