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I just ate an apple and looked up the calorie content 125 calories in an apple?  I've got to drop some weight, but darn it I'm hungry.. can women live on lemon water and popcorn alone?

Someone mentioned Curves.. I just found out that I have one down the street.. 2.5 years in this part of town and had never spotted it... I think that is selective sight.  Is that program pretty good... I don't want to go to a gym where girls like my daughter are there doing their 3 miles without breaking a sweat.

I know nothing about Curves.  But I will tell you the one time I dieted and had success was because I happen to work with a nutrition guru who helped us.  He had us write down everything we ate for a week.  Everything you normally eat.  Then he added up our average carbs a day.  He then had us cut down by half the carbs.  Mostly that meant I had to do without bread, pasta and potatoes.  But, I was not hungry.  I could eat all day long as long as I didn't eat the big carb items.

It was the only thing that ever worked for me, and one I am getting ready to start again.  I lost 27 pounds in 3 months last time.  I can not diet if I am hungry.

Oh and I forgot the best part.  You pick one day a week to have a day off and eat anything you want.  Just has to be the same day.  I picked Sundays and that way, I never felt deprived because if I wanted something, I knew I could have it on Sunday.

Laurie, at one point Weight W@tchers had a point system where you did not have to count any points for any 'whole' foods.  So if you were eating fruits or veggies or meat, you didn't have to count ANY of it.  What you did have to count was the fats, oils, sauces, condiments ect.  And believe me, it adds up quick.  I loved that part of it, because I know it's not apples that are making me fat.

I also loved seeing the actual recommended portion sizes.  For meat, it's about the size of a deck of cards (so half of one of those big chicken breasts).  Also, a cup is about the size of your fist.

I've heard wonderful things about Curves.  My SIL lost a lot of weight and really strengthened up on it.  It's especially good for her because she has health problems with her spine and she could do traditional workouts and it really helped her to strengthen her core.

Good luck!

If I bite it I write it... it's the only way I can be honest with myself... carbs do seem to be our biggest enemy well besides DIL's (just kidding)  I came across a site called sparkpeople.com  and there is a on line tracker that is easy to use.. it will also keep up with carbs, fiber and a slew of other things.

Hmm how I love pasta.. why are the tasty things always the worse.  I'm going to pick up fish for dinner..hubby isn't wild about it but I love fish.. I was thinking tilapia with salsa and blackbeans.

Thanks Scoop.. I tried WW's a couple of years ago and the program does seem to work.. I priced it the other day and came to the conclusion that I had funds for the program or funds for exercise.  I'm going to try and call Curves this afternoon.

I used one like that called www.myfitnesspal.com that was really good too.  It's free and I liked it because it had most of the dining out stuff in there too.

hey Laurie
before you pay for a program with curves, see if they offer a 30 day free trail. i did that last year, curves offered a 30 day trail, and i took them up on it. the counselor said if i was strict of myself, and came in everyday for 30 days, watched what i ate and came to curves, i would lose at least 10 pounds.
well, i did excactly as she said, i DID NOT CHEAT, i went everyday to curves, for 30 days, same time, same bat channel, and guess what?????  i only lost 7 oz!!!!!!!!!!!!! i lost 1 inch around my waist and 1/4 inch around my thighs, nothing on my arms or butt!!
well to me it was a whole month wasted! when my counselor weighed and measured me at the end of my trail, she said" oh my, this has never happened before, have you been eating pizza everyday or something"?? no, i didn't even touch pizza the whole month! i think she believed i cheated on my diet, but i didn't, and curves didn't work for me.  i was just thankful i didn't pay for that whole experience!   nope, the only thing that ever worked for me is, weights, cardio, and eat  healthy. if you want to slim down, more cardio, less weights.   so in short, i didn't approve of curves.

Laurie,

I got a treadmill in November and one month later I was ten pounds lighter, hardly trying to diet.  I put it in my house because I dislike health clubs and know I won't use them.  This is so convenient, plus I can watch TV while I do it, jump on and off and into my own (vinegar-clean) shower.  I live in a cold area with lots of flu, so a germy environment is an issue and lots of HC's aren't that clean.

I do think you also have to count calories and pretty much everything you eat.  I have discovered black rice and organic barley, both wonderfully nutritious that satisfy a lot of urges for bad carbs.  Cutting down on fats helps but I do include some butter almost daily.  Junk food is entirely out.

Cost of treadmill:  $600 with various deals from Sears, plus delivery, including a three-year extended warranty policy.  Figure out how much the health club costs and if it's worth it compared to having your own weight-bearing machine.  You don't get the other machines, but I don't need those.  I do yoga and other exercises for my joints.  I also heard Curves had some religious affiliation; maybe I'm wrong, or maybe you want that.  Not for me.

Long time ago I bought a cheap treadmill from Sears.  I used it constantly.  I faithfully had them come out and check it each year, according to the extended policy.  The week before the policy was up the guy came and put $500 worth of repairs and upgrades and it ran another five years.  Don't be fooled, you don't have to get a really expensive treadmill to get good results.  My new one has everything, all the bells and whistles including the incline and PS if you don't use the incline, you won't burn many calories or lose weight.  I go about 9.5 out of 10.  Using this, at three miles an hour you can burn 500 calories or more in about 45 minutes.  Compare that to ordinary walking.

Most times you don't need the extended warranty but in this case of a treadmill it's really worth it.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do,

Kathleen

Hmmm I was going to go out for a walk.. but now I have to sit and ponder all these wise words of advice :)  Actually I would love to have a treadmill here at the house or maybe an elliptical.. I'll have to start saving my pennies 

Hi Laurie-
This month Self Magazine has some good day-to-day (easy) recipes from the trainer from the Biggest Loser. Also, I have the Slim in 6 videos--they really work but are total killers! Good luck!

Thanks.. I'll look for that magazine at the grocery store

Laurie, I had a shoulder injury last year so my doc/specialist advised against elliptical.  Check this out with your doctor or physical therapist before investing to see if it's safe for you.  (I also sadly had to stop lifting weights.  Another hub cap off.) 

One very important thing is to analyze what you would really like to do.  If you hate it, you won't stick with it.  I have always loved to speed walk and to break out a good sweat.  That's why my tread works for me.  I feel so great after I'm done.

Kathleen

I use to really enjoy hiking.. I found out that when you had to carry everything you were going to eat on your back.. you found out that you didn't need to eat as much

Laurie,

If you enjoy hiking, this may be the way to go.  For one thing it's free, and you live in a warm area, I take it, where you could more or less do this all year round.  Maybe you could start with this and work up to a treadmill via saving for it, as you said.

If you can hike up a steep hill for 30 minutes at a pretty good clip, it's the same as the incline on the tread.  Just don't take breaks.

My endocrinologist gave me these specs and he was right.  I'm like you and love to walk outside, but frankly, even an hour walk around town on flat sidewalks just doesn't cut the weight down.  I have to get on that tread and work it off.

The tread has the same effect as your backpacking all your food.  When you've been working hard for ten minutes just to get to that 100 calories burned-up point, you realize you'd better pay attention next time to what you are eating, unless you want to get back on and work it off.  Really really helps to become aware.   Also I am just not as hungry after I exercise.  I ate far fewer cookies this year over Christmas.  I was satisfied with one or two rather than three or four (twice a day!)

Another thing, you will notice with a treadmill or serious walking that your shape also will change. I now look slimmer than before, even tho I haven't lost all that much weight (I didn't gain back the 10 lbs over Christmas, TG, but I sure didn't lose any more either.)  But I look better. 

My endocrinologist is trying to get me to stop thinking weight.  He says it's better to be a bit overweight and really fit than any weight and not fit.  When I'm on my tread now, I watch calories burned as the number one, then the distance.  The great thing about the tread is that you can see it all and manage just how much you want to do.  Also I only work out every other day; that's enough. 

But go for enjoyment and fitness, and not some idealized version of what other people think we should look like.  I've given up on that. 

PS Today TCM had on silent movies.  Perfect for the treadmill as I don't have to turn up the sound to deafening proportions on the TV.  Why didn't I think of that sooner???? 

Kathleen

Have any of you ever tried using Green Tea type supplements?  I have been reading up on them and many people recommend them for boosting metabolism.  Anyone had any luck with those?

I used to be a huge exercise guru, but after 2 torn achilles tendon surgeries, I can't do much walking for long distances (so treadmills, hill hikes, etc. are out for me).  That's my worst issue.  I want to exercise more, anything outside of 20 minute flat walks is beyond me.

And Kathleen, loved your suggestions.  One of the things I used to do was hit the High School outdoor stadium.  Old softball trainer always had us doing up-and-downs on stadiums.  Up one side, across...down the next aisle...repeat.  All the way down the stadium then start again.  We would do 10-20 of those, depending on how mad he was at us  ;D. Those gave you everything in one workout.  Cardio, incline, and a very nice bum.

I don't know Pooh my dd was a collegiate softball player and doing all those benches took a toll on her.. I went to watch a game... there was probably a 2.5 month lapse since I had last seen her.. and I thought  I had given birth to a Sumo wrestler.  She was  so bulked up (I  guess her coach was always mad at them)... He took her from 132lbs to over 150.. and went from stealing bases to getting caught off base because it effected her speed so much. On the upside..she had more butt to put  behind the bat.  After playing, she lost 20 lbs almost overnight.. I took her to the dr.. and he said it was just the massive muscle loss.. she is now a healthy trim (never dainty) girl who has arthritis in her hip.

My mom did green tea with (you're not going to believe this) a tablespoon of vinegar added.. she claims that she shed 30lbs...I've taken vinegar tablets but failed to see any weight aid.

Hi Pooh,

I just make a gallon of green tea in my giant Ikea tea pot and drink it all morning while writing.  I question if supplements would be as potent.  I really question whether it would boost metabolism.  But no harm trying.

I know I know, the hub caps keep falling off don't they?  I have to watch my knees and heel spurs when I'm doing my treads.  Just got a new pair of Easy Spirit shoes and what a difference on my feet and joints; I always tell my Easy Spirit lady that if she closes her store, I'll have to go barefoot; I have funny feet and no other shoes ever fit.  To date my knees/feet aren't acting up after six weeks on the tread.  Keep your fingers crossed.

I do think it is virtually impossible to keep up with all of the health edicts the media and the medics put out.  A few years ago in the Canada Globe & Mail (national newspaper,) a woman wrote a comedy of New Year's resolutions simply repeating all the health rules, and it took up an entire half page of space.  It was really hilarious and showed that even trying full-time 24/7, you cannot keep up with it at our age.  It also showed there are a lot of conflicting pieces of advice.  (You know, one day they are telling you to eat margarine and then guess what, it causes, not prevents, heart disease.)

I think we have to do what we can, and certainly not injure ourselves trying to keep up an impossible ideal.  I'm never going to be a size 5 again and at times it's destructive trying to get back there.  Accept who we are and not buy into media ideals of impossible perfection.

Love the image of you running up and down the stadium.  I would hate doing that, so different strokes!  So instead of doing it, I'll just imagine you doing it.

Kathleen of the Green Tea

Who was ever a size 5?  My gosh this is insane... I really was born fat :)

Had to get that vinegar add in there somewhere didn't you?  ;)

I can see that with your dd, and the arthritis.  Softball was a brutal sport on your body. Never did college ball but played from the time I was 5 until I was 32 and finally figured out my reaction time had slowed and I was going to break something!  I was always underweight through school and my twenties, ate like a pig and never gained an ounce.  When I finished High School ball and wasn't working out like we had been, I dropped about 10 lbs in one week.  And it was definately muscle, like your dd.

And I think like everything else, moderation is the key.  We did way too many of them also, as it was a form of punishment at times.  But they truly were a great exercise and I think if you didn't overdo them, they would be good.  I tried them not long ago, not running them but just walking them and my legs were burning like crazy after going up and down twice (which says how out of shape I am!).  But, my foot couldn't take them and I paid for it later.  Going up and down, jumping or running is a big no-no for me.  But, I am stubborn enough to try anything once!

Oh Kathleen, you are so funny!  I don't like the taste of green tea, so I was trying to wimp out with the supplements.  I agree about the images and I know I will never fit that mold.  But, I also know I could stand to lose some weight for myself.  I too will never be little again, and I wouldn't want to be.  I was truly too little.  For my height and body shape, I look best and like myself around 150.

Laurie, my wedding dress was a size 3 and I weighed 105 pounds! (I am 5'7") Seriously, I was way too thin but couldn't help it.  I ate like a pig, but was so active I couldn't keep weight on!

Not a problem now!!!!!!!!

Me, too, Pooh, by the time I got married I weighed 87 pounds.  This was way way too thin; I couldn't keep weight on, but pregnancy fixed that.

Now I need to lose weight.  But I'm not going to go back to near-anorexia.

Kathleen

And Kathleen, I don't want my hubcaps back.....I WANT SPINNERS!!!!    ;D

Size 3.. 87 lbs.. what is it with you people... My theme song is now "I Love Big Butts"

I know anorexia isn't a joking matter (my DM & a dear friend had eating disorders) but sometimes I would like a little anorexia, as Roseanne Barr used to say. She also said that she had "dyslexia anorexia" 'cos she never thought she was fat enough.

Some friends and I went on a workout/diet plan a few years ago...after 6 months of getting to the gym by 5 am every day and eating the 6 small balanced meals per day that the plan outlined, my friends were svelt and toned and I.....looked exactly the same. I did feel stronger and more fit but no evident change in my looks or BMI. Oh, my bra straps stayed up better 'cos my shoulders were toned. That was nice.

DH & I used to be pretty active but for one reason or another we haven't been doing our usual sports lately except for one or two,  ;)  Gotta get moving, spring will be here soon!

Laurie, I can't remember ever being a size 3! Not even when I was 3 years old!

Really I think my diapers were size 3x

Ha ha ha.  I love you guys!

I had a friend that had dieted, exercised and tried everything to lose weight.  As a last resort, she decided to see a hypnotist.  He asked her during consultation was there any phobias or a huge fear of something she had.  She told him snakes.  During her hypnotism thing-a-ma-bob, he told her that all bad foods were snakes.

She said it didn't help.  All she could could say was, "Snake meat is dang good!"

Quote from: Pooh on January 06, 2011, 09:18:47 AM
She said it didn't help.  All she could could say was, "Snake meat is dang good!"

That's funny.. I was raised a meat and starch kinda gal... any starch would do.. My hopefully future dil who is Japanese was obviously raised the same way.. but she is a size 1, until she had to buy a 2 the other day.. pity huh.  Maybe if I ate it with chopsticks.

Courtney wonderful dear sugar friend:

Thank you for admitting your sugar/love.  Maybe admitting is not the right word.  Maybe broadcasting is.

How I love sugar.  I could give up most everything in life and live on a sugar island and sweet-treat all day.  I had two grandmothers who lived for sugar.  The first lived in a small apartment containing mostly huge bowls of foil-covered chocolates, hard candies in a rainbow-dazzling array, and multi-tootsies and other fantasy candies. 

My other grandmother was the queen of the home bakery: pies, cakes, and especially cookies and ESPECIALLY Christmas cookies.  No trip to Grandma's house was ever devoid of this fantasy of sugar heaven.  Then my young aunt took over the cake competition and began with fantasy cakes. One of my most graphic childhood memories is of the morning Auntie produced an angel concoction of cloud white frosting on enormous cake, and made the mistake of setting it on the kitchen table.  My cousins were over, and their mother was of the free-spirit variety encouraging spontaneous activity so as not to dampen the "psyche" (that aunt read a lot of psychology books about parenting.)  I stood at the kitchen door watching, mesmerized, in amazement, as my two cousins dipped their dirty little hands into the white frosting and lifted their stolen frostings to their mouths.  My aunt came in and screeched like a mouse had invaded Christmas dinner.  My cousins beat a hasty retreat out the back door to the yard, still licking their fingers.  My mother would have killed me for such an act.

I am so very sorry you do not like fudge.  Fanny Farmer fudge, drenched in butter, was a fixture of my childhood, doled out in fifty-cent allotments from my allowance.  It was pure heaven and nothing like the hard yet gluey stuff that passes today.  Ladies in white distributed it from behind mysterious immaculate counters.  It was a treat just to walk in the door of a Fanny Farmer shop, smell the combined offerings, and see the delights under glass.

And what about Krispy Kreme, speaking of donuts?  And Tim Horton's?  On another list I'm on we had a long discussion of the best of Tim's and guess what, it came down on Tim's Sour Cream Timbits.  The very best in donuts.

Loved your post and your name; if we'd had a girl she would have been "Jennifer Courtney."

See you soon in sugar heaven,

Kathleen

Sugar makes me very lightheaded and goofy. It lowers my immunity, puts a bad taste in my mouth and makes my joints ache. Yuck! But I do love cheese :)

Usually I eat lots of veg, lean protein, small amounts of whole grains if at all - you'd think I'd be a stick. But if I'm anywhere near a good creamy
Brie or a brick of gjetost, watch out.

Pen,

I didn't say I EAT all that sugar I describe. But it does not make me ditzy as you describe.

I also love cheese, think I'll get some now.

Kathleen

Oh, I didn't think you did Kathleen. I'm certainly in no position to judge anyone's habits at any rate. I'll cop to watching too much TV, procrastinating on chores at home & work, and eating too much cheese  ;D   I do have standards; I won't just sit and power down a brick of Velveeta. It has to be melted with Ro-tel first.

Quote from: courtney on January 06, 2011, 02:08:14 PM
 
   I first noticed at a barbeque when one of the almost 6 ft 150# guy said, 'sure, I'll have a small spoonful of that tater salad-it's my favorite'...  to me, the phrases, 'favorite food' and 'small spoonful' didn't seem right together!! hahaha!

I'd still be stuck on the tater salad

And the rest of you just hush.. I was so good today, had a sick dog so I spent the day at the vets but managed to only eat 1 cup of 15 bean soup for lunch, and no breakfast (I know I know, I was busy posting lol) so  by dinner I was famished.  How's this for being good.. Broccoli steamed, a large helping of Tilapia with a scoop of pico, and a cucumber and tomato salad.  I was so pleased with myself even tho I had what is a double serving of fish to most people, I thought I did well.. then what do I do.. I come here and read about cookies, fudge, cheese dip.. I think my jaw just tightened.  I'm getting a cup of coffee and for a treat I'm putting in 2 tablespoons of fat free half and half..(which btw..is the very best thing to cook with.. it does not separate)

Oh and the dog.. 6 hours later.. 400.00 later and they can't find a thing wrong... at least kids could tell you where it was hurting.

Quote from: courtney on January 06, 2011, 07:52:54 PM
   Laurie, how good you are about what you eat...what a power of example to one such as myself who could eat toast and caffenated tea loaded with sugar for breakfast, devil dogs for lunch and plain pasta for dinner, and be happy...of course I'm not going to live as long as I'd like to, if I do that, so I try not to. Motivation is key!
  Poor puppy!  Terrible about the $400. too, but to still not be able to help the poor dear one. Do you mind telling what kind of breed, girl, boy? how old, symptoms? Do you have any other animals? I love people and their pets!...I know, I am very curious, bordering on nosey, I know....  :-[    :)

The problem is, that is exactly how I've been eating especially the pasta.. I mean I love cold noodles with nothing on them.. this is sick.. I'll eat the uncooked pasta.. there must be some vitamin deficiency. I'm trying to be better and I actually love food that is good for you as well like the fish.  My dh got out the mayo based tartar and I about died.. I said lemon or pico, those are your choices.. yep he pouted but did not eat the tartar.. I'll claim that I found mold on the lid and had to toss it out.

I had posted a picture of my dogs, one you can see quite well here is the link http://www.wisewomenunite.com/index.php/topic,1057.msg24461.html#msg24461 (http://www.wisewomenunite.com/index.php/topic,1057.msg24461.html#msg24461) The 'girls' are both Chihuahua's.. Luise has one as well. Half sisters and right at 6 years old (45 in human years I saw the chart today) she is getting up in the middle of the night and drinking excessively, but all blood work and urine analysis turned out fine.. you should have seen me trying to chase behind her to catch her urine, that is why it took 6 hours :) So now we are waiting on two test, tested her for cushings and thyroid problems.  Vet said all I can see is fat.. I asked on the dog or me?  She takes after her mama I guess, so now we are both on diets.  Chibi is the black one and Jenni is brown... it's just hard when they are not themselves, but the drinking and bloating bothers me.  Other pets.. well my son's two pet rats are coming to stay again.. these are younger and not trained so they will stay in their cage at all times.. I said no rats.. no rats.. ahh but mom.. I will try to find them a home while he's gone, but I can live without them. His last rat bit my dog.. she was terrified after that. You have dogs?

Wow Courtney!  You, your family and friends have been cat saints.  To take all those strays and give them a good life, pay vet bills and show that much love is awesome.  I was always an animal freak.  Comes from having a country-fied grandpa that would let me do or have anything I wanted.  I think mostly to annoy my Mother.  ;D

I have had sooo many pets over my lifetime and have loved them all.  From a pair of female bunnies (which turned out to be a male and female so I ended up with over 40 bunnies), to cats, dogs, fish, hamsters, ferrets....and I loved them all.  We had to have my very last baby put down at age 6, because she had cancer and was suffering so bad in 08', and I haven't had a pet since.  It is definately like loosing a family member.  My new DH is not a pet person.  He is an animal person and plays with all of our friends, neighbors and parents animals, but he doesn't want one in the house.  He told me he is not against having a big dog someday that spent most of its time outside, but wants a house that would be suitable for that first.  Our current house has a small backyard that isn't fenced.   I am not a big dog person.  I don't dislike them, just had my fill living with Police drug dogs for years of big dogs.  I am the teacup kind of girl that can put them in a pocketbook and take them with me....Lol.  My friends all laugh because that would be about the only girly thing about me.  I am so not foo-foo but yet love little foo-foo dogs.   I miss having one, but between my work schedule and his, right now it would be hard to have one.  So I will wait until we are better equipped to handle one again, then I will start working on DH.   ;D

I have been looking and I think I want a teacup maltese next time.

Wow  Courtney.... I've never been much of a cat person, I've owned one and he was sweet (if that is what you call 5 weapons coming at you at once) but he was a pain in the butt.. he would potty behind my furniture, bring dead things to my bed.. and for some reason cat's don't think that they need to listen.  Since I viewed myself as being in training for children, I kept him and did so abuse free... then one day he walked off the porch and decided that his girlfriends house was a better place to live and her parents took him in like he was their own.  He never looked back..cut all communication, this new family owned him hook, line, and testicle sinker.  I never did find out what I did wrong in his eyes, and certainly there was no forum at that time to seek out for answers..

I have the Chihuahuas now but really they are hard to own... Kinda useless unless your doorbell has stopped working, then they always run to the wrong door.  Someone once described them as velcro dogs and I think that is pretty accurate.. a walk to the mailbox forces a welcome home greeting like I'd been gone for 5 hours.  Oh and 5-6 hours is all I can leave them I feel.. they can sleep 10 at night but their bladders work on overtime during the day..

Out of all the dogs I've ever owned.. the very best breed was the Boston Terrier.. and you can get one under 15lbs... look at these babies, that I just came across a picture of.  They don't look real.

Our Boston Sadie was probably the best dog I ever owned.. I use to raise and show Bloodhounds and they were great but large and the males were kinda dumb.  For now it's the chi's and rat's oh and one Mr Betta Fish.

I think boston terriers are adorable but their boogly eyes give me the willies!

Willies are a good thing

Oh Laurie... ;D

We've decided no more pets...my DH just goes to pieces when they die. It's amazing how clean the house stays without cats and dogs in it! Also, it's difficult to find reasonably priced pet sitters in our area and we enjoy traveling. I do miss snuggling with my kitties and walking the dog, especially since DS & DD moved out.

We have a lot of wildlife in our area, so I must be content with watching rather than snuggling, LOL.

Back to weight loss - I need one of those robotic dogs to walk so I'll be motivated to get exercise...I wonder what they poo? There's got to be something awful that happens if you don't take them out regularly...batteries on the floor?

I want this!

(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m140/yankeema917/teacupmaltise.jpg)

is that not the cutest puppy.. have you ever looked at puppy french bulldogs.. now you want to talk about cute.. I go to youtube and punch in different breeds to see them in action.. I just don't like hyper little dogs like Jack Russel Terriers.. I know I've just offended someone, but dang those things bring out the worse in me.. Brittany Spaniels do the same thing.

Pen you're right, they are hard to lose in the end.  Robo dog huh?  Bet they could crap a pile of technology if you aren't careful.

Ha ha.  My last baby was a Jack Russel!  Nah, didn't offend me, they are hyper as all get out and would run circles around my feet, but man she was smart.

The french bulldog puppies are precious, but again...the boogly eyes....lol.

I would think robots poop chips.

Ok ok....now I can't quit giggling Laurie....I google on youtube french bulldogs and come up with this!

Hmmm......could be a great help to Mothers......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfjvacT7SZA

Hi Pen,  I do agree with the "no more pets" statement, it is so heart breaking when something happens...I have had animals all my life, and by far my German Shephards were the best.  I am not crazy at all about small dogs--for the ones I did have were forever always barking--OMG---even if a leaf was falling from a tree--they had to bark.  ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!! ::)

Now my kids have the dogs and I have 2 cats--best buddies they are.  They do not have to be walked, they dont bark when a leaf falls, and of course they have their litter box, they ask for very little and give a lot...Now, if only I could get them to clean out their own litter box I would have it made!? :-\

I myself, have always said: no more, no more and then I break down and end up with 2 cats.  LOL

Pooh, that was great fun to watch.. aren't they the sweetest dogs.. with this dog you'd never have to bathe your babies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzgwdVEt00&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzgwdVEt00&NR=1)

My dd still allows the dog to lick her face.. guess it's an acquired love.  I would but Chihuahua's are known to be really bad breath dogs and my Jenni is no exception. My son claims that if he was a blind man he wouldn't be able to tell her butt end from her mouth end on smell alone.  I'm so happy that I put him through 6 years of education to be able to express himself so eloquently.

Well the time has come, dh is on his way home and we are moving mr master's back home for a short time.  I'm gonna make his life so hard he'll take any job to move out.. Actually he is waiting on the Navy and going to Japan to convince a very traditional Japanese man that his daughter is better living in America.  I'm soooo sick and tired of helping kids move, storing their stuff, moving it to the next location.. if I had it all to do over again, I'd buy each of them a big truck upon high school graduation.  You guys have a great weekend.. relax, enjoy.. get a pedicure, think of poor me moving boxes.  Laters

Hi Courtney!!   I have never had a cat that had poor litter box training never really heard of one either, except if they are not feeling well, and at times if they are not neutered they will develop nasty habits~~both male and female.

I dont know IMHO I think it is just basic instincts that kick in with cats and their liter boxes.  My one guy here I found in a barn when he was all of 5 weeks old.  Brought him home took him to the vet (ouch~150.00) and came home with meds for ear mites etc...basic kitten dilemas.  He did poop on my carpeting once--and I said to him "Oh No" I rubbed his tiny nose in it threw his poop and him in the litter box and I just told him "thats where..."  Not a problem since then and he is all of 4 years old now.  My 2nd guy--I adopted from a shelter he is also 4~~however I adopted him when he was 2 years old.   He is a sweetheart and I have no problems with him either.  When I brought him home he was so frightened I felt so bad and my other guy knew he was frightened and was so kind to him--no hissing none of that garbage and that is what I was so worried about.

I told them both straight out look guys, I pay the rent, I buy the food, I pay~~I rule...end of story.

Dont you just Love these animals......I do miss having a dog~~I still would Love to get a golden retriever.  However, I live in a large apartment and no matter how big it is I just dont think it is fair to the animal...Nor do I want to be walking a dog at night anymore~~not now a days....If I still had my home I would just open up the back door and let them run for our backyard was an acre fenced in.  Then I would consider having another dog...But not anymore, I am sorry to say.

Hugs, Faith :)

I was probably the one who mentioned Curves because I think they have saved my life. I just do better when I have a place to go and people to play with. My poor treadmill gained 10 pounds...all dust!  :(

My medical insurance plan used to pay for Curves in full, now they pay 2/3rds...which is still great. I like their computerized program...where you get on the machines and are monitored just once...then get a coded card that keeps track of what you are doing...what you need to work harder on etc. It raises the bar as you progress. I do it with Nutrisystem and I can stay at my idea weight if I don't do something stupid like falling and having to have my ankle screwed back onto my tibia...or having to have a cornea transplant...or that blasted tow surgery...all three in one year!

Drop into your local Curves and see how the different machines focus on different muscle groups and how you dance in place and rest in between each one. I love the music and the people. 

Luise, I just might look into Curves, even tho I have a YMCA 2 blocks away from me...Yesterday I purchased a pair of "Skechers~Shape-Ups" shoes, for I do love to walk and a few of my friends swear by them....I have heard a lot of raves about them as well...so, we will see.

Good for you. I find Curves fun and I am very into fun. I'm also a "Sketchers" fan.  ;D

Quote from: Faithlooksup on January 14, 2011, 05:49:06 AM
Luise, I just might look into Curves, even tho I have a YMCA 2 blocks away from me...Yesterday I purchased a pair of "Skechers~Shape-Ups" shoes, for I do love to walk and a few of my friends swear by them....I have heard a lot of raves about them as well...so, we will see.

Careful if you have weak knees or ankles.

NOPE, my ankles and knees are good and strong and I still Ice Skate as well.

Luise, how do you like your skechers?  Do you find them to be all that is said about them?

It's interesting how different people are in regard to different things.  I dislike health clubs and start fudging when I join; I prefer peace and quiet and also not having to commute, so I love my home treadmill.  I'm sure I miss out on working all the muscle groups, but it's effective exercise just the same.

Faith, I am very interested in your ice skating.  I would so much like to do it again, but last year I fell on the granite step and I think cracked or broke my ribs (just like me not to go to the doc.)  Or at least it was a very bad bruise all around.  I had previously been to a sports doctor for a shoulder injury and asked him about going back to skating "at my age" (I hate that phrase,) and he said, "Skating, not falling."  Which was very funny at the time, but so true.  What do you do to protect yourself?  As Luise says, we don't want to have to start screwing bones back together "at our age."

Thanks,

Kathleen

PS.  I'm 150 years old. 

Hi Kathleen,  You are NOT 150 years old, we just feel that way at time...I just wear knee pads and am careful when I go....we have an ice rink (man made) a few blocks away from me and it can get pretty crouded and if I know I am going to wipe out I just hang on to some one else and take them down with me (less impact when you fall.) LOL...Really....I never skate in the middle of the ring I always skate on the outskirts so If I am going to wipeout again I will land in the snow.

I grew up Ice Skating Kathleen with my family, that and tobogganing, sleding, were our winter sports back in "the days."  I even had my boys on ice skates when they were young...If you are careful you will be OK.....

With your shoulder injury, just really be careful and perhaps get elbow pads....and go with your instincts if it does not feel right, dont do it.

Come on over and we will go... ;)  Hugs, across the miles...Faith

How about snowshoes? I think as a former skier/skater/skateboarder I might be able to handle those :)

Re: Sketchers - my daughter loves hers, has two pair. I tried some on, they're very comfortable but I can't get the Seinfeld episode out of my mind with Kramer lurching around Manhattan in his big white sneakers ("Jimmy's got game!") and is mistaken by Mel Torme for a developmentally disabled adult.

Sketchers are some clunky lookin' shoes. I'll just have to get used to them, everyone I talk to loves them.

I convinced my family to have an ice skating party on Black Friday three years ago, as we all used to be fairly good figure skaters.  But when a very large teenager, out of control, whipped into me and sent me flying, I broke my wrist.  I was in a cast for many months and unable to hold my ski poles for cross-country skiing.  My husband bought me snowshoes so that I could have some winter fun on our trails.  I found those snowshoes terribly unwieldy: my feet kept tripping over each other.  I actually think I hate snowshoes!  It's now cross-country skis all the way for me.  I've given up downhill skiing and skating as too dangerous for these old bones.

I had a bad rotator cuff injury last September.  I am finding that shoveling snow is great therapy for a shoulder injury.  And that is where I am going right now, for the fourth time this week....

Since it doesn't snow here.... I haven't a clue what you all are talking about

Quote from: Laurie on January 15, 2011, 08:14:08 AM
Since it doesn't snow here.... I haven't a clue what you all are talking about

Early this morning on BookTV a history professor from the University of Texas, who has only lived in your state for 29 years but seems to know you Texans well, gave a hilarious characterization of Texans.    8) 8) Haven't a clue. 8) 8)    Indeed!

I have moved on from my beloved, thick soled Sketchers to thin soled Adidas Cross Trainers (where the shoes outlived the Velcro) because the Sketchers were easier to trip over. (And I was thinking of rollerskating?)The next pair of Adidas will have laces!

I am not 150 years old but still when I get down on the floor for some reason, I need something to brace myself on to get up. (And that's not factoring in skates.) That pretty much cancels out the skating idea, I guess. They are not allowed to help you up when you fall...coach, yes, offer a hand, no. It's become the law due to additional injuries that have been incurred from assistance. If you fall and can't get up, they have to call 911. I haven't totally given the idea up but I'm at 99%. I can see them saying..."Go ahead and call the aid car, Luise is coming this morning."

Re Skating, Laurie, here's what we're talking about:

When I was five I lived in south Minneapolis, a paradise for kids.  In those days mothers didn't have to worry about their kids being grabbed.  There was a park kitty-corner from our house with an ice-skating rink.  It was very safe as there were always adults there and lots and lots of kids and a section for the hockey players.

Those hours I spent alone as a young child skating were some of the happiest of my life.  Spinning around the ice under a Charlie Brown black winter sky klieg-lit with stars, with flecks of frozen snow falling on the iridescent ice, I could imagine myself alone in the universe in the middle of this crowd of people.  It was heaven on earth, infusing me with an intoxicating sense of freedom.  Weekends my whole family sometimes went to another rink where they served hot chocolate; mmmmm the taste was divinely sweet, dark and warming after a couple of hours on the ice.  I was a snow bunny and the cold weather never bothered me; I could stay out all day skating.

I had to be home by 5 PM from the nearby park, but in wintry climates it starts getting dark at four.  I was mesmerized by the growing dark of the sky and the slow emergence of the stars.  I was at home and one with the world beyond myself.  Finally I had to take off my skates and trudge home, back to reality until the next day. 

I've even got my football-baseball mad husband watching skating now on TV.  The sport defies gravity. I think it may be the most demanding sport there is, requiring the most intense concentration and discipline to master.  Is there anything more thrilling than watching an Olympic skater fly through the air on a triple axle?  Or watching a handsome young man spin his bespangled partner up up beyond his shoulders?

That's what it's all about.

Kathleen

They are like birds doing a ballet! A combination of flying and dancing.;D

My sister owns a large farm in NY.. she sent me photos of her standing next to the giant mound of snow that had just been moved from their driveway.  She looked like the little kid in, The Christmas Story, as her arms were sticking out awkwardly from her side, obviously not able to rest in a normal position. She wore a knitted cap, with her jacket hood pulled over the top of it, a scarf that could have exceeded 15 foot in length left in it's natural state, wrapped around her neck and face.  She had on boots that looked as though she could wade fish when not in use for winter survival and I'm sure she was praying that she would not need to pee anytime soon.  The cow near her had ice sickles hanging from her lashes.  I'm confident that the cow was more then ready to surrender to the slaughter house.  On the photo was a note saying how much fun they were having this winter and invited us up.... I just don't get it.. our summers are hot but you can survive hot and jump in the pool.. how the heck do you escape that type of cold?  It looks as if it takes 45 minutes to bundle up for a 5 minute stint outside.  Ice skating is pretty, when I'm sitting in the comfort of my home.  I may see real snow one day but all my luck I'll be the one who pees my pants while trying to undo all the protective gear.

Laurie,

Snow bunnies hate the heat.  We love cool, cold, freezing.  I loathed the two weeks every Minnesota summer it got too hot to bear.  And I hate air conditioning.  I own a large in-room air conditioner we have never used even once.

Lots of rituals around going out in the winter.  My grandmother had many layers.  I used to watch, fascinated, as she put on her vest, her sweater, her under-jacket, three scarves, her hat, her two pair of gloves, and finally her wooly coat. 

Now, I'm my grandmother.  And I love it!

Kathleen

What a great picture, Kathleen!  :D

Well  I guess I'm nothing more then a long-ear jackrabbit ... because I think it would actually kill me.. now where is my chapstick, my house is set on a chilly 66 degrees

 ;D ;D ;D Lauire ;D ;D ;D

Well, DH and I just got back from a sunny day the beach....but we're looking out at a snow covered ski area now (owning one's own jet makes life worth living.) JK, we don't own a jet.

I wiggling my toes in the sand. And wearing my dark glasses!  8) 8)

For a half second, I felt my heart drop.. I was wondering why you didn't pick us all up for an outing.

Alas, we have to drive a car to the beach, but we can just about walk to the snow today. The only untrue thing about my previous post was the jet. We live in a rather unique locale.

Boy. I guess!! ;)

You don't believe me!  :'(

That's what I get for being a jokester sometimes.

I do...I'm just jealous! (And still imagining wiggling my toes in the sand.) Western WA is pretty soggy right now.   :(

Kathleen,  what you described with your childhood memories of ice skating is exactly what I remember as well, yup, those where the days.....  The park we went to was two blocks away from us.  The pond was always frozen after Thanksgiving and a bunch of us would walk down to the park after dinner, everything was lit up as well as all the houses on our blocks being trimmed with Christmas, back then everyone decorated for Christmas...Christmas trees glowed from every window, as well as the outside of every house decorated in colors galore..We had no fears, for there was nothing to fear back then.  We lived life and enjoyed our childhoods.  Yes, we were snow bunnies, perhaps it was because we were  kids and we kept active so the cold did not bother or stop us, however I will take the cold over heat and humidity any day.

I Loved watching the Olympics last year~~of course the skating was my favorite, to watch the gracefulness along with the precise timings on the jumps and turns, every movement to the "tee."  I would watch in awe at the splendor of this sport.....and wish.....maybe in another life...

Hi Faith,

I, too, would be more serious about my skating if I could do it over again.  In those days however girls rarely dreamed about becoming professional athletes.  I love your phrase, "the splendor of this sport."  That is a perfect phrase; Faith, you have a talent with words. 

My rink, too, was lit for the hockey players.  Yes, I saw the Christmas lights winking on the way home.  These were such wonderful hours.  Hard to describe fully to a non-skater in a warm climate, Laurie.

On my post about Grandma's cold weather wardrobe ritual, I forgot to add the part about socks and boots; two to three pairs of socks, warmest boots purchased a size large to accommodate. I think she must have added 20 pounds to her weight with all the gear.  But then she was set for the day.  She started Christmas shopping in January; my Grandma lived downtown, not on a farm "over the hills and through the dale."  We could hardly wait to see her come on Christmas Eve with all her shopping bags full of a year's excavating every sale and deal in St. Paul. 

Grandma was far more worried about crime than my mother, perhaps because she lived downtown.  She never allowed me out of her sight. She actually strung pots across the kitchen, attached to the back door, when she came to stay with us.  I wrote a memoir about her for my family because she had so many idiosyncratic habits.  A lot of those habits, eventually, made perfect sense to me.

Later we moved to Edina (Minnesota)  and lived near big fields where Southdale Center was built, supposedly the first indoor mall in the country.  Before all the development you could cut through two big fields to the mall.  I always did this and shudder now to think what could have happened to me on those long walks through this very tall grass in this very isolated spot.  Today I'd probably wind up on ID TV.  There was so much more freedom then.

Those were the days.

Kathleen

Quote from: kathleen on January 16, 2011, 07:14:26 AM
My rink, too, was lit for the hockey players.  Yes, I saw the Christmas lights winking on the way home.  These were such wonderful hours.  Hard to describe fully to a non-skater in a warm climate, Laurie.

Hey... we had roller skating.. I remember standing outside waiting for the wood floor rink to open, while dressed in my best long fringed jacket on a hot balmy Florida night. My bell bottom hip hugger jeans that were so tight I dare not fall, and looking forward to the sound of my wood wheels hitting against the floor.  It might not have been as eloquent but it was where we all hung out often on Friday and Saturday nights.. when we weren't being street punks.  Dang I use to look good in those hip huggers.

Kathleen and Faith,

My childhood memories are also filled with days spent on the ice.  I lived in northern Wisconsin.  In winter, the playing fields of every school in the city were turned into ice rinks, flooded and partially maintained by the fire department.  After each snowfall, we took our shovels to the nearest school - which naturally would have been our own elementary school - put on our skates and cleared the ice.  The 'professional' rink downtown had a big warming house, and I think they sold candy and soda, but I never had any money so I only used it for changing into my skates for a lesson each Saturday.  I remember once when I was about 12, our skating teacher took us to Madison to watch the state skating championships.  When we got there, he realized that there were very few entries in the 12-14 yr old category, so he made us put on our skates and skate around.  I did a couple of spins and a waltz jump - the only jump I ever learned - and won the state championship!  It was a joke even then, and I have no idea what happened to my trophy.

The biggest difference between then and now was the freedom and safety we all had.  We rode our bikes everywhere, went trick-or-treating without fear, and our parents never worried about our personal safety.

Seasage, I remember the waltz jump! I learned it too, although I had to ice skate indoors where I grew up and never entered a contest. Congratulations on your win! I used to dream of skating on a frozen pond or river, but have never had the opportunity (Joni Mitchell's "I Wish I Had a River.") Instead we skateboarded everywhere without shoes, helmets or pads. I broke my arm once. My kids wore helmets on their tricycles, I was so protective! We bodysurfed and skim-boarded, & walked or biked miles to each other's houses or to neighboring beach towns. No wonder we were slimmer and more fit.

There were some horrific accidents in our neighborhood, though - kids got hit by cars while running across our busy 2-lane highway, or got their bare feet chewed up by bicycle spokes, or became paraplegic due to surfing accidents. We loved our freedom, but there were consequences. Lately, in the community where I now live, we've lost kids mostly to auto accidents, then to snowboard/skiing/avalanche accidents, one or two to suicide or gun accidents, and a few to the war.

Trick or treating was completely different back in the day. We were allowed to run wild "in the 'hood." It was our night. The parents congregated at various houses to party and hand out homemade goodies, and we kids were out 'til late. Everyone looked out for us but gave us the feeling of freedom. No store-bought costumes for us; we prided ourselves on our creative get-ups (it was a rather artsy neighborhood.) Now we hold our children's hands and guide them to the front doors of houses we know, and then we check every piece of wrapped candy carefully. No handmade goodies like witches glass or popcorn balls to hand out :(  Still, I always made, or helped my kids make, their cosutumes. Thank goodness for hot glue guns, LOL!

Yup, Halloween was always fun.....besides the bag candy given out, Our Moms made fresh pop corn balls wrapped in cellophane, my mom would make homemade taffy apples wrapped in wax paper with a orange ribbon tied around each one, nickels, dimes and quarters were given out, candy corn.  You knew your neighbors, and that is when neighbors were neighbors, not like now...  Every house had decorative Pumpkins on the porch with candles glowing within, scarecrows and paper bats hanging from the trees, with the full moon and wind playing its part upon the large empty tree branches as our imaginations would soar they were large giant hands coming down to scoop us up, we would screech and run just haveing fun.

Kathleen, I also can remember my Grandmother pileing on all her winter clothing, her big old black rubber boots which zippered and her two pair of wollen socks which she wore.....and every Christmas we would get another new pair of woolen socks from her.  But boy could she bake up a storm~~tins and tins of christmas cookies galore... "And Fruitcakes."

How I do miss those days.....Gone but not forgotten...

Now I'm tearing up...my DM, long since departed, made candy apples for Halloween and fruitcake for Christmas. Her fruitcake was delicious, not at all like those of late-night comedy sketches. I guess soaking them in enough rum to keep a ship full of pirates happy did the trick  ;D

A family story tells of my little mother standing on the docks with the Native boys waiting to be thrown a salmon. The fishermen would toss the undersized fish to the kids, and my adult mom was short enough to pass. Who could tell the difference when everyone was covered in parkas and mukluks? They really had to suit up for winter near the Arctic Circle!

What lovely memories! Beautiful! I remember my mother sitting in a rocker by a kerosene lamp reading Indian lore stories to my friends and me at our summer, log cabin in Michigan, as we sat in a circle around her on the floor.  Sigh...........smile.........

Wow, Luise when you brought up the fact about Indian Lore stories...took me down another memory lane.....When we were kids every summer we went to the Dells....besides watching all the water shows the Indians would dress up in their head gowns etc and dance around the fires.  My grandmother always had us sit and watch them, I had asked her "Grandma do you like Indians?"  she replied, "very much so, Indians are quiet tho wise, they are filled with words of wisdom and know the earth thru nature, they can hear miles and miles away when the enemy is coming."  Of course she continued with her story which completely fascinated me....to this very day I am still fascinated with Indian Lores.  I believe Dahlia Lama is part Indian.

And then on another note, I still wonder what they smoked in that peace pipe at night time... ;D 8)

Pen, I had to laugh about the rum...you are so right about that..I do remember my Grandmother soaking the batter in rum for days...and that is why she had so many rum bottles.  I think she even used some type of a wine to..I think, I know she used something else to soak it in as well.  I can just remember she had a lot of soaking going during the xmas holidays.

Seasage, I do hope you find your trophy someday and display it...Good for you!!!  A great childhood memory...