Over 40 - Christmas Challenge (Closed)

Squirkie

[/quote] Squirkie, You have been doing an amazing job. You diary is awesome these days. Great job.:drinker: with the water too. You will get those carbs !!! I have faith in you :flowerforyou:
[/quote]

Thanks Brobin, I've been slipping with the water - today my intake was 0!! :embarassed: I felt bad just looking at it on my diary which reinforces why it is sooooo important to log everything. I'll pull it back together because I can't stand seeing it in black and white!!!!

_gwen

This group is so cool It would be great if we stayed together after Christmas

Well, there's always Easter...

I like cous cous and bulgur wheat. I used to eat the Near East Taboule mix, but I find it is too salty. I just buy plain cous cous or bulgur wheat and add my own seasonings.

Yum, I'll have to think about something I haven't tried before. Wheat berries?

runninggirl262

It is not new, but the best food we can eat it QUINOA (pronounced keen wha) Google it. It looks like rice/couscous. It is a complete food. It has a proper balance of protein and minerals. You can use it like rice or eat it like oatmeal in the morning.

My favorite website to learn about nutritional facts about foods is below. This link below will take you to the qunioa page, from there you can enter foods in the search bar located at the top towards the right

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2

KeriA

Yes my son and love Quinoa unfortunately my husband and daughter don't. I guess I need to make it for out lunches. I made a guitless crustless quiche this week I found on MFP.

LHann360

Happy Saturday Ladies! I can't believe how fast the weeks are going. There are 91 days left until New Years :noway: Anyone set goals ( besides our weight ) or vacation plans yet ?? I want to go to Lake Placid in August. I already have the rental house picked out, just need the cash- always the fun buster that money thing. :sad:

So yesterday I didn't have to go and clean an office because the staff was working late. I get done cooking for the school kids at 2:30 and normally go to that job which only takes an hour or so, then I go to my gym class. I go home and figure I'll blow off the gym , my friend wasn't going to make class. I'm sitting there eating peanuts for a snack wondering where everyone is. I'm watching some show that wasn't remotely interesting BORED out of my mind. I don't want to clean the house , I'm supposed to be relaxing. My husband won't be home until 7, he's coaching. So I throw on my gym clothes and go to the gym.

Now I get there and Fred is going to teach the class today, not my normal guy. I've never taken a class by Fred. All I know is rumor has it , he's the toughest trainer- his classes are really hard- and he is not forgiving. Now I have this vision of Jillian Michaels screaming at me to do more.. in my head I'm contemplating just using the elliptical and skipping class. Hmmm well I went. I loved it. A new challenge, new exercises and of coarse I'm glad I went. I always am after it's over. This morning my shoulders were aching from all the pushups , and I went to the gym with my girlfriend that didn't go last night. I did the elliptical and came home. YEA!! Successful start to the weekend.

Again, no one is home and it's raining out. So I guess today I will clean.

Kbirk1963- glad you're still here... 4 # is an amazing loss

Sam- :blushing:( Leila I love you posts you are a real straight talker, and your weight loss has been fantastic.
good luck on the rest of this journey, ) Thanks for that....it really made my day :bigsmile: I LOVE spinach.... sometimes I put vinegar on it, sometimes just salt and pepper. Spinach salads at restaurants are my favorite ( minus the hot bacon dressing - so bad for you, but so yummy ) I also really enjoy acorn squash. I ate a whole one by myself the other day with my dinner.

Squirkie- how's the water going ? I think besides coffee , it's the only thing I drink. I can't remember the last time I had pop ( or soda to those folks on the west coast ) :laugh: Can't say I miss it either.

Gwen- what is a wheat berry ? I'll have google it. Shopping is on my agenda today as well.

Keri- and running girl - Every time I look at the Quinoa I want to buy it, but it's $8 and I am way to thrifty for that. I know it's supposed to be great, but if I hate it I'm out 8 bucks. Maybe the health food store will sell it in bulk and I can try it. I asked my husband to go to the health food store with me this weekend. That will be a first - I don't like to take him shopping because he buys all kinds of crap, cookies, good and plenty , and chips.

I guess I've prolonged my cleaning. Have a great day!

_gwen

Hi LHann360, a wheat berry is a wheat seed that has been cooked. check out wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatberry

Here are a couple salad variations that look good:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/672
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/wheat_berry_salad_with_red_fruit.html

_gwen

Last week's challenge: More core exercises. 10 squats a day, kind of inconsistent on the wall pushups, leg lifts and

This week's challenge: continue squats (2x10 sets), bent leg crunches (less back strain), wall push ups, Pilates planks. Added a monthly mini goal for weight. I need to pick up the pace to get to my Dec 25 goal.

Posting my numbers and updating my ticker:

SW - 192.5
GW - 172 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 191 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 194.8 (Aug 29) ugh, new scale
Week 3 - 192.4 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 191.6 (Sep 12)
Week 5 - 190.4 (Sep 19)
Week 6 - 189.4 (Sep 26)
Week 7 - 187.6 (Oct 3) mini goal 188
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31) mini goal 183
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7)
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28)
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx (Dec 25)

samhradh

Good morning ladies,
It's been a tough week, some stressful family troubles ahead, managed to stay strong keep my eating in check, and stuck with the 30DS so 15 days in i have lost 7.5 inches, so i feeling pretty pleased with myself.

I'm hoping that i will be strong enough to face the future, my Mom has just being diagnosed, with cancer and it's a month before she will get to see a consultant. So it's a waiting game to find out the treatment & prognosis.

So my minds first reaction was to comfort eat, give up on myself as other peoples worries are important than my vanity. But somewhere from the back of my mind something convinced me that i had to get fitter and healthier especially now, for two reasons,
1. to have the strength to support Mon and my family,
2. so that I am strong enough to get my kids through this without them being worried for me.

Ah well that life, just as you start to pick yourself up, there is always something else trying to kick you right back down, so this time I'm going to fight like hell to stay on my feet.

SW - 194
GW - 174 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 194 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 192 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 189 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 187.8 (Sep 12) goal for coming week GET EXERCISE
Week 5 - 186.2 (Sep 19) . DITTO get off your *kitten*, & go to bed by 10.30pm sod the housework.
Week 6 - 184.6 (Sep 26) GO TO BED
Week 7 - 182.8 (Oct 3) half way to Christmas goal, happy days, still have to go to bed earlier.
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31)
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7)
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28)
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx (Dec 25)

tannyb

Good morning ladies,
It's been a tough week, some stressful family troubles ahead, managed to stay strong keep my eating in check, and stuck with the 30DS so 15 days in i have lost 7.5 inches, so i feeling pretty pleased with myself.

I'm hoping that i will be strong enough to face the future, my Mom has just being diagnosed, with cancer and it's a month before she will get to see a consultant. So it's a waiting game to find out the treatment & prognosis.

So my minds first reaction was to comfort eat, give up on myself as other peoples worries are important than my vanity. But somewhere from the back of my mind something convinced me that i had to get fitter and healthier especially now, for two reasons,
1. to have the strength to support Mon and my family,
2. so that I am strong enough to get my kids through this without them being worried for me.

Ah well that life, just as you start to pick yourself up, there is always something else trying to kick you right back down, so this time I'm going to fight like hell to stay on my feet.

So sorry to hear about your Mom. But good for you for not letting that derail your progress. Best wishes to you and your family and for a good prognosis and outcome for your Mom.

runninggirl262

SW - 155
GW - 139 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 152(Aug 22)
Week 2 -150 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 150 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 149 (Sep 12) Goal: Water, Water , Water (Met)
Week 5 - 144(Sep 19) Goal: Work out each day while away. Drink Water (Met)
Week 6 - 143 (Sep 26) Goal: I'll stick with water goal, 30 DS every day this week (Met)
Week 7 -141 (Oct 3) Goal: call the Dr. can't ignore the knee pain anymore

dlperry65

Samhradh, so sorry to hear about your mom,
Found out in June my Father in law had lung cancer. It did take awhile to get all the details and be sure to ask questions and even talk to more than one cancer doctor. He has finished treatement and we are waiting the 3 months to find out if it worked.


SW - 171
GW - 150(Dec 25)

Week 1 - 169.8 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 167.2 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 166.4 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - XXX (Sep 12)
Week 5 - 168.4 (Sep 19)
Week 6 - 165.4(Sep 26)
Week 7 - 164.0 (Oct 3)
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31)
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7)
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28)
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx- (Dec 25)

Despite my eating habits, the weight is slowing coming off. Did NOT walk except one time last week, so will try to walk more this week. Have been reading about fiber again, so this week work on getting more fiber.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Lisa

paxetamore

Down .9 pounds. And down with a bad back - ugh! Short my 218 goal today... but see under 220 in my near future

GW - 199.9 (Dec 25)
SW - 225.3
Week 1 - 225.3 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 224.0 (Aug 29) - nutrition goal: drink 8 cups of water per day and meet weekly calories-burned goal
Week 3 - 222.4 (Sept 5) - exercise goal this week: increase cardio time in workouts
Week 4 - 225.3 (Sept 11) - limiting alcohol to weekends only and getting the cardio up & going
Week 5 - 224.7 (Sept 19) - getting the cardio up & going!
Week 6 - 222.7 (Sept 26) - getting the cardio up & going... still
Week 7 - 221.8 (Oct 3) - still working on cardio regime!

Pangui

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

SW - 252
GW - 222 (Dec 25)

Week 1 - 252 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 249 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - xxx (Sep 5) On VACATION, no scale.
Week 4 - 249 (Sep 12) Bummer, still on vacation recovery
Week 5 - 248 (Sep 19)
Week 6 - 243 (Sep 26)
Week 7 - 241 (Oct 3)

juliekin

SW - 184
GW - 145Dec 25)
Week 1 - 163 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 162 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 160 (September 5)
Week 4 - 161 (September 12)
Week 5 - 159.5 (September 19)
Week 6 - 158.0 (September 26)
Week 7 - 157.0 (October 3)

Working on water and have finally got back onto the exercise wagon. Period about to start, so expecting some bloating. Struggling a bit with getting up to calories and being balanced, but working on that too. Slower progress than I hopes, but something beets going up the scale!

_gwen

Good morning ladies,
It's been a tough week, some stressful family troubles ahead, managed to stay strong keep my eating in check, and stuck with the 30DS so 15 days in i have lost 7.5 inches, so i feeling pretty pleased with myself.

...

So my minds first reaction was to comfort eat, give up on myself as other peoples worries are important than my vanity. But somewhere from the back of my mind something convinced me that i had to get fitter and healthier...

Samhradh, I'm sorry to hear about your mom, taking care of aging parents is hard. My dad really gets me wound up sometimes.

Sounds like you've made some big gains on the emotional side of weight loss. Recognizing the reaction to comfort eat, and then choosing not to eat is a huge victory. When that first happened to me, I felt like my weight loss was really going to be permanent this time. And your right, being healthy and losing weight isn't vanity.

I'm cheering for you!

Gwen

_gwen

... down with a bad back - ugh!

Bummer. I keep running into that problem as well. I go back to baby steps, easy walks, nothing that causes pain, lots of rest and an ice pack or two has helped me. I haven't let the back issues mess up my eating at least. Good progress on the weight loss.

mrsbrown2k1

160 lb again this week....3 wks in a row. I must, I must break this curse by next Monday!!!

KeriA

Gwen great progress
Sam, sorry to hear the sad news about you Mom. I like that fighting spirit. You are making great progress too. You made it half way already. Take care.
Runninggirl really nice progress and yes see that Dr.
Lisa you are making nice progress. I hope you get good news about your father-in-law. Good luck with the fiber.
paxetamore like you good steady progress. Keep up the great work. Hope that you are saying your back is better now.
Pangui you seem to be making up for the vacation slow down now!
Julie you are doing great.
Tam hope you have a better week. 3 weeks is definitely time to change things up if you don’t see a loss. Wish I could say I had no experience with plateaus but I can't.

Have a great week all!

KeriA

Monday morning check in. I lost a little more than a pound. Unlike some of you I am happy with that since it is my goal to lose a pound a week. However after this summer and last week I would be happy with more for a while too. Here are last weeks goals. Gwen I bought Bobs Mill Flax Meal and am having it in my Oatmeal today.
1. drink more than 8 glasses of water a day - Yes.
2. make healthy meals at home – Yes I did better..
3. start adding weight training in – Yes, I went twice this week. Hope to go this morning again.
4. don't miss Zumba this week! - Was not up for it last Friday but plan to go this week.
5. get enough sleep - Yes but I need to stop pushing late nights.
6. get a rest day from exercise once a week. Yes Saturday I had a rest day.
7. I have a small part-time temporary job on Thursday morning so it is messing with my Wednesday running so I need to adjust.
SW - 231
GW - 210 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 229.8 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 229.8 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 229.8 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 229.0 (Sep 12)
Week 5 - 226.8 (Sep 19)
Week 6 - 226.8 (Sep 26)
Week 7 - 225.4 (Oct 3)
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31) Goal 220
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7)
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28) Goal 215
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx (Dec 25) Goal 210

Gwen I bought Bobs Mill Flax Meal and am having it in my Oatmeal today.

Have a great week all.

brobin41101

Hello everyone. It seems as though getting my water in for the day is getting much easier now.:drinker: I will continue to work on it in the coming week, as well as work on my exercise. I have done a little better getting more sleep, which has really helped me. Gwen, Congratulations on your mini goal. You should be very proud of yourself. Sam, I am sorry to hear about you Mother. Keep fighting for you and in the long run, it will benefit you, as well as your mother. Keep me posted on her prognosis. Runninggirl, You have been doing a awesome job. Your water and workouts have been great. But do me a big favor and get your knee checked. Better safe than sorry Dlperry, Slow and steady is the way to go. Keep up the good work ! Paxetamore, Hope you back is getting better. And...Look out ...Under 200 here you come !!! You are doing great.:flowerforyou: Pangui, You have had an awesome recovery from your vacation. Way to go !!!! Your diary is always rockin !!! Keri, You amaze me with your determination and commitment to exercise. You are fabulous:drinker: Tam, I don't know what you are eating because I can't see your diary. I know for me, I hit my plateaus because I wasn't eating enough calories. When I changed things up, I came off the plateaus with great losses. Good luck ! And Julie, You are doing great !!! Your weight loss has been steady throughout the challenge .:flowerforyou: I will catch up with the rest of you as you post .
SW- 209 GW - 185 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 207 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 204 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 203 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 203 (Sep 12)
Week 5 - 203 (Sep 19) ...And my Anniversary !
Week 6 - 199 (Sep 26) ...Out of the 200's...Finally !!!!!
Week 7 - 196 (Oct 3)
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31)
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7) - Mini Goal - (190 lbs. )
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28)
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx (Dec 25)

KeriA

Hello everyone. It seems as though getting my water in for the day is getting much easier now.:drinker: I will continue to work on it in the coming week, as well as work on my exercise. I have done a little better getting more sleep, which has really helped me.
Week 5 - 203 (Sep 19) ...And my Anniversary !
Week 6 - 199 (Sep 26) ...Out of the 200's...Finally !!!!!
Week 7 - 196 (Oct 3)

Did I not notice you got out of the 200's last week? Sorry Congratulations. Great progress.

paxetamore

Hello everyone. It seems as though getting my water in for the day is getting much easier now.:drinker: I will continue to work on it in the coming week, as well as work on my exercise. I have done a little better getting more sleep, which has really helped me. Gwen, Congratulations on your mini goal. You should be very proud of yourself. Sam, I am sorry to hear about you Mother. Keep fighting for you and in the long run, it will benefit you, as well as your mother. Keep me posted on her prognosis. Runninggirl, You have been doing a awesome job. Your water and workouts have been great. But do me a big favor and get your knee checked. Better safe than sorry Dlperry, Slow and steady is the way to go. Keep up the good work ! Paxetamore, Hope you back is getting better. And...Look out ...Under 200 here you come !!! You are doing great.:flowerforyou: Pangui, You have had an awesome recovery from your vacation. Way to go !!!! Your diary is always rockin !!! Keri, You amaze me with your determination and commitment to exercise. You are fabulous:drinker: Tam, I don't know what you are eating because I can't see your diary. I know for me, I hit my plateaus because I wasn't eating enough calories. When I changed things up, I came off the plateaus with great losses. Good luck ! And Julie, You are doing great !!! Your weight loss has been steady throughout the challenge .:flowerforyou: I will catch up with the rest of you as you post .

I crown thee head cheerleader :drinker:

And congrats on ONEDERLAND.. that is awesome! So sorry if I missed it! You are truly an inspiration!

RMayHicks

Ok, stayed the same since last week. But that's okay considering I was stress eating as I worked towards a deadline we celebrated our daughter's 10th birthday this past weekend. Water intake was great but didn't get to exercise as much as I wanted. So, this week I'll try to workout more and take more healthy snacks to my office, and of course consume eight or more glasses of water.

Just got in from yoga so I'm going to shower then enjoy a cup of green tea. Have a great week and keep up the good work!

babygurl48

GW - 180 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 208.1 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 208.1 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 206.7 (Sep 5) .loss of 1.3 lbs
Week 4 - 206.7 (Sep 12)
Week 5 - 204.6 (Sep 19) loss of 2.1 lbs
Week 6 - 202.6 (Sep 26)
Week 7 - 202.6 (Oct 3)
Week 9 - xxx (Oct 10)
Week 10 - xxx (Oct 17)
Week 11 - xxx (Oct 24)
Week 12 - xxx (Oct 31)
Week 13 - xxx (Nov 7)
Week 14 - xxx (Nov 14)
Week 15 - xxx (Nov 21)
Week 16 - xxx (Nov 28)
Week 17 - xxx (Dec 5)
Week 18 - xxx (Dec 12)
Week 19 - xxx (Dec 19)
Final - xxx (Dec 25)

challenges for this week ...360 pushups...omg!! they are so hard!!! To burn 5000 calories in a week and have 2437 left to hit goal!
I noticed I lose weight every 2 weeks... slow going... but better than nothing.

Squirkie

SW - 200
GW - 180 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - 198(Aug 24)
Week 2 - 199 (Aug 31)
Week 3 - 200.4 (Sep 7)
Week 4 - 202 (Sep 14)
Week 5 - 199.8 (Sep 22)
Week 6 - 197.5 (Sep 26
Week 7 -197 (Oct. 3)

This weeks goal...work on getting my water up and keep trying to limit those carbs. Didn't quite get there but I'm not giving up

LHann360

Week 1 - 195 (Aug 22)
Week 2 - 193 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 193 (Sept 5)
Week 4 - 191 (Sept 12)
Week 5 - 191 (Sept 19)
Week 6 -190 (Sept 26)
Week 7 - 186.4(Oct 3) OMG !!! Really !!!

Okay I don't know how it happened, but I am dancing this morning. I lost 3.6 lbs ?? !! :noway: :drinker: :bigsmile: I moved the scale across the floor, turned it left and right, got on it, off it, on it again and it still read 186.4 . I usually do it three times normally just to make sure and take the number that shows up most. Well it stayed the same every time. I'm just over the moon.

NSV- A few weeks ago I told you all I bought new bras and a pair of jeans at AVENUE. ( clearance $10 bucks :bigsmile: ) I wore them Sunday on my mall walk excursion and had to keep pulling them up. I didn't want the 14's, they were way too tight` rolls on the back of your thighs etc... so I got the 16's so I could wear them this winter. Well I took them back and the smaller pair was still on the clearance rack, so I exchanged them and they fit great. YEA!! Needless to say it's a happy Tuesday.

Congratulations to everyone with losses. I have them all written down...the list was quite long. This group is fantastic. Mrs. Brown, sounds like you're on a plateau to me. Shake things up a bit. I can't peek at your diary, but maybe upping your calories like we had brobin do will get you moving down again. She's on a superhighway now and into Onderland !! Congrats brobin!!

Squrikie ( your name makes me smile every time :laugh: I read it ) - no matter how you look at it, you're still losing each week. You're doing great.

maisiecm

Hi all

sorry not to have posted. Congratulations to all who have lost.

Have put on this week. Have had quite a lot going on as eldest DS has been playing up behaviour wise at school which is not like him as he is normally a good boy. The school thinks it may be a knock on from the baby but he is so kind, loving and good with the baby we thought everything was okay.

Oh well start another week

SW - 208 (Aug 28)
GW - 191 (Dec 25)
Week 1 - not joined in
Week 2 - 208 (Aug 29)
Week 3 - 204.5 (Sep 5)
Week 4 - 203.5 (Sep 12)
Week 5 – 203.5 (Sep 19)
Week 6 – 203.5 (Sep 26)
Week 7 - 206 (Oct 3)

dfeledichuk

Sorry for my absence everyone. My father in law passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday and I have been busy with other things and have had little access to the computer. I will endeavour to get caught up over the next few days. Hopefully everyone made great progress and meet their goals!

dfeledichuk

Good morning ladies,
It's been a tough week, some stressful family troubles ahead, managed to stay strong keep my eating in check, and stuck with the 30DS so 15 days in i have lost 7.5 inches, so i feeling pretty pleased with myself.

I'm hoping that i will be strong enough to face the future, my Mom has just being diagnosed, with cancer and it's a month before she will get to see a consultant. So it's a waiting game to find out the treatment & prognosis.

So my minds first reaction was to comfort eat, give up on myself as other peoples worries are important than my vanity. But somewhere from the back of my mind something convinced me that i had to get fitter and healthier especially now, for two reasons,
1. to have the strength to support Mon and my family,
2. so that I am strong enough to get my kids through this without them being worried for me.

Ah well that life, just as you start to pick yourself up, there is always something else trying to kick you right back down, so this time I'm going to fight like hell to stay on my feet.

So sorry to hear about your mom. It is so difficult to go through, praying for a good prognosis.

_gwen

Sorry for my absence everyone. My father in law passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday and I have been busy with other things and have had little access to the computer. I will endeavour to get caught up over the next few days. Hopefully everyone made great progress and meet their goals!

Donna, you really have quite a handful. We missed you! :flowerforyou: