STW, knock-em dead on the interview!! I'll be right behind in spirit, just like you were there for me when I was going through the job-hunting process. I hope the vertigo goes away completely very soon.

sppunk, congrats on the job offer. It was only 2 months ago that I got the offer I had been wishing for, and I haven't forgotten how exciting that was!! I raise my glass to you. ((d))

CAPH, I remember when you lost your FIL last year. The exact same thing happened in our family, only it was Grandmother who handled all the finances and business. Granddaddy was so lost when she passed, and the holidays were especially stressful. We had a tough time on the first Christmas after we lost her. Your loved one will never be forgotten and will always be missed. But as time passes, there will be healing and the joy will return to the holiday season, and to life in general. Your MIL does indeed sound like a strong lady.

Faina, sorry to hear the news of your friend, but there is so much the doctors can do these days. Please keep us posted.

Now, to all of you losers on this board. (Weight losers, of course!!) :-)) Forty is indeed an F word, isn't it?? It does become difficult to lose weight at that age, but it can be done. Here's how it happened for me: A couple of years ago I had a blow-out with my sister. It's very rare that my sister and I speak to each other this way, and I was so upset I hardly ate for 3 days. My sister and I made up, but by then I had lost 5 pounds. I decided that I would just keep the weight loss going, and over the next 5 months I lost another 30 pounds. I drank a lot of water and cut back drastically on sweets and fatty foods. I DID eat carbs, because the Adkins thing never worked for me, it made me lose all of my energy. I got back down to a weight that was well within my ideal range, and I was overjoyed!! It wasn't easy, but really the hardest thing was just to get started. Once I got going and saw the weight coming off, I felt so inspired that it gave me the strength to keep up the good work. I also took up jogging. Jogging makes me feel much more healthy and fit. Before I started working out regularly I had so much trouble sleeping, but I now sleep like a rock. Good luck to you all, you CAN do this at any age!! ((y))

P. S. Although my weight loss process was kicked off by a blow-out with my sister, I don't recommend that form of inspiration. :-)

Happy weekend, all!!

And now for a Rave: My 17 yr old is hosting a "geek fest" in our basement- 9 boys on 7 computers drinking Mt. Dew to keep them up all night playing a game together. With all the things he could be doing at 17 I'm so happy he's building computers and playing on them.

Rave - you are all so sweet to each other

Rant - hairy arms (see other topics)

Rave - Scarlett doesn't have hair on her arms

Rant - pitfalls of mining

Rave - when people say they will pray for the miners and for a friend who is sick

amwosu:

I am a PT, and aeorobic certified, but am married to an overweight spouse, am short, so the smallest weight gain really shows, and, more importantly, as I age, the aching joints just add to my reluctance to get on the equipment that is in my home (T-mill and Cross Bow).

Historically, I gain 3-5 # each Christmas, and get back on the program in January. I understand this is normal for most people, but it doesn't make it any easier!LOL!

I still enjoy a Diet Rite per day, but for the most part, employ your listed suggestions!((Y))

Belle

Good Luck on the fitness goals everyone. Good advice from amwosu.

Bennie- I am at FF nearly every day after school. Good time to go as it is kind of quiet. This is one of my "good" periods -- I am not always so dedicated. It REALLY does help with my physical AND mental state.

I am so sorry to hear about your ornaments. That is so sad -- I cherish ornaments given to me through the years, especially ones from years when I lived far from friends and family.

By the way I figured out who you are (I'm not stalking) because I saw a list of math team members and recognized your daughter's name. My daughter played violin at the Page with your daughter and we met at one of those band jambories. I would probably not recognize you but I did recognize her in the hall the other day. She's grown at least a foot since I last saw her (3 years ago). She's adorable-- looks the same just a bit more mature.

Sorry to bore everyone, but a year or so ago Bennie and I realized that we hail from the same very small town (less than 4000 people). ((8))"It's a Small Fodor World"((8))

I'm ranting because I'm having so much trouble posting to Fodors today!

See the World:

I tried to post this on your Good, Bad, Ugly thread, but it got deleted - Maybe it's not considered travel-related? But I'll try it here since it can't be more off topic than this thread usually is!

"I found that on realtor.com in Stratham. Stratham is 10-15 minutes inland, as you had requested on your other thread. It says "waterfront" at $339K... this could be the deal of the century, even if the "waterfront" is a bit of trickle or marsh.

As Bloody Mary says, "If you don't have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true?"

Are you interested in Mass, NH, or southern Maine? School aged kids or summer/retirement home?

By the way, I've heard it said that Rye is THE most expensive real estate per square foot in the country. Now, of course, California mansions and estates in the Hamptons cost more. BUT, the scarcity of shoreline in New Hampshire, makes the cost per square foot of these gorgeous oceanfront places, and little cottages, go through the roof."

Old Southern Belle- I share your pain on the treadmill. I can only jog slowly 3 miles on the treadmill before my left knee is done. However, I love the Stairmaster because it causes no pounding on the joints. Both feet are always in contact with the machine so it's not jarring on the old joints.

Rant: The hypocrites who cry about the mine diaster while supporting a gov't which prioritizes big business profits above worker safety. You probably commiserate while standing in line at the bank to cash your dividend checks.

Eeva - I have kind of figured out who you are too because I looked at the school directory and pieced bits of info gleaned from here together. I can't believe we've met. Well actually I can because the town is so small but its still funny. I remember the band jamboree from a few years ago but can't say that I remember meeting anyone. :-(

Thanks for your kind words about my daughter. She has gotten tall and has a few more inches to go. She's a great kid but of course I'm biased.

Does your daughter still play? How is high school going for her? I went to the high school holiday concert in Dec - lots of very talented kids at PRHS.

I haven't been to FF lately and need to renew. But I'm there late usually (like 830pm) its quiet there then too.

If we ever run into each other in town please say hi. I would love to put a face with your postings.

cmcfong, what a lovely story about your father. I think it's wonderful, and very inspiring, that you've been able to let his death enrich the season rather than ruin it. You must be an incredibly optimistic and well-centered person. And I have a feeling he's very proud of you.

Seetheworld: I need a weight loss and exercise buddy, too. I am volunteering. You can email me at [email protected]

I didn't even finish reading the thread after seeing your message. I need a kick start and I am doing just the opposite of what I should. Ate too much since the first of the year. Help!

May I offer a suggestion to everyone that wants to lose some weight.

Until some years ago I was always on a diet and trying to lose pounds. I wasn't terribly overweight but I always was trying to diet.

I had become lactose intolerance so didn't eat icecream, cheese, a lot of deserts etc. but for some reason I could not get down to the weight that I wanted.

I than became very ill and ended up in the emergency room.

Long story short, I was allergic to corn!

I have not eaten anything that has corn in it since. That includes corn oil, corn meal, corn syrup etc.

You cannot believe the different names that food products show on their ingredients list that is actually corn including diet sodas.

I went onto Google, typed in Corn Allergies and there were so many websites. And one gave every name that meant "corn".

I have not eaten any food since than that has corn of any kind in it. And have never had a weight problem since. And of course haven't gotten sick either.

I am talking about every canned soup except for Anderson's Split Pea Soup. Most breads, frozen lemonaid, all sodas, diet or otherwise, BBQ sauce, most ketchups, almost but not all crackers etc. etc. You cannot believe the bottles of fruit juices that on the front read 100% fruit and when you read the ingredients they include corn syrup. I don't even know how they get away with advertising 100% fruit, corn is not a fruit.

I have spent so much time reading product ingredients..and it has been worth it. By the way, most canned tomatoe sauces include corn syrup.

I would suggest that anyone that needs to lose weight to "pretend" that they have an allergy to corn. Find out all the names that manufactures include in their ingredients that actually mean a corn product.

Do not eat any of those foods.

Honestly, I truly believe you will have the same experience that I have had. You can eat so well and not go around feeling hungry but you will lose weight. Best wishes.

Rant: traffic on the freeway heading to San Francisco on a Friday evening!! I missed the GTG with FainaA tonight after getting stuck in it )-:
Rave: A friend, another nurse, who I visited earlier today is recovering well from surgery on a brain tumor--the same surg I had a few months ago, in the same hospital.
RAVES: All the news and stories here, every week. Tonight's words from you all, of encouragement and inspiration, and ideas for making good changes. This means more to me than just making a resolution to myself.
Jorr and Buckeyemom, My dog also came close to flunking "school"--a puppy training class. (Sounds kind of crazy when you think about it, no?) Right after the instructor made some sarcastic comment about my guy's progress, he(the dog) took a huge dump in the middle of the training area, to the dismay of the humans and probable delight of the other animals. This was my intelligent Standard Poodle, so I'm certain he deliberately gave the instructor the doggie equivalent of the finger.
Cmcfong, thanks for reminding us of expressing gratitude to military service people.
Best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY 2006 to all.

Rave:
I got a little iPod for Christmas. I just finished downloading the music and setting it up, I did it without help...which is a Big Deal for me :D

You will know me if you see me on the street, I will be the one with the Big Poodle , dancing down the street, breaking into song now and then, forgetting that no one else can hear the music too LOL
Pup loves it when I dance so it should be quite a sight ~lol

CAPH, what a sweet thing to say. I hope he is.

I hate the word <b>DIET</b> -- in fact I'm not on one, lol.

A few years ago, when I lost my sister, and had my own health scare, I decided that eating &quot;healthy&quot; was in order. I eliminated all caffiene from my diet, as well as anything with artificial sweetners. I drink NO soda, but lots of water (road trips are a hoot) :)

We drink 2% milk, eat 2% cheese (although I am known to splurge on the full fat stuff during the holiday, lol), use healthy fats (olive oil, very little), and eat whole grains and lean meats. Many of you know I love my &quot;Cooking Light&quot; magazine. I cook reduced sodium meals, but have learned to use other herbs and spices for flavor. We rarely have processed foods.

So what's my problem. EXERCISE!...or lack thereof...

After I rehabilitated from my injury, I was in the best physical shape of my life. I may have dropped a few pounds, but what really made the difference was that the fat turned to muscle, I had more energy, and things fit really well. And I had really nice biceps, lol. :D

Then I allowed everything to come to a crashing halt. I spent every waking moment of my life sitting in the library or at my home computer, sometimes 18 hours a day. I'm sure I could have somehow found just 1 hours of that time for myself, but I didn't.

<b>We all have that in our lives - something to do other than take care of ourselves! Well, the pity party is over -- It's time to move forward, I say. &quot;Move&quot; is the key word!!</b>

Amwosu, thank for sharing your knowledge and expertise! You hit the nail on the head when you said... <i>&quot;Don't overschedule exercise unrealistically because it has to fit into your life not take over your life.&quot;</i>

Balance is everything in life. Good luck, everyone!

I'll be walking at the gym later today. Come on, join me for a walk, won't you? Take a walk around your neighborhood, if you are lucky enough to have some warm weather -- if not, bundle up! :D

RAVE: HOOK 'EM

RANT: Vince might not be back next year.

A big Rave - The Sun is Shining for the first time in days and days!!!

Oh, what a difference that makes...

Hi Cmcfong ~ Good morning, sweetie and thanks for your kind words. Thank you also for sharing your Christmas story, what a beautiful way to look at it, and the ornament with the picture of the darling little Sealyham puppy your Dad gave you for your ninth Christmas, my eyes welled up as I read that. Perhaps your father planted the seed for your love of our furry family members!

((L))


Amwosu ~ How thoughtful to add your long list of helpful hints, I have always enjoyed your posts. And like so many others did, I would like to add my own little hint I use to stay in shape...
...I have a bad knee and a bad neck, so my exercise is somewhat limited. I have a program in my home that I follow. It is amazing how much you can stay in shape with just doing exercises in your living room while watching your fav tv show! Anyway I won't bore you with my little exercises, but I will say, pay attention more to how you feel in your clothes vs. what you see on the scale. That old muscle weighs more than fat thing is true enough, I often see that I get toned and lose inches but my weight stays the same.

Once again, thank you to all above for allowing me to enjoy my Earl Grey and be a part of FFR&amp;R.

LoveItaly-
I read your post re: corn. That is amazing!!I had no idea that so many foods contained corn...ughh.(corn oil)

When I cut out all sugars, my mind is SO clear and I have so much energy. It really is amazing.

Have you or anyone heard of Isogenics? It is a cleansing system and vitamins thereapy etc... I have heard great things about it. It is rather expensive though. Anyone?