The whole bad boy thing... I don't know. :) You'll have to consult with Cassie on that one. A guy with a bike or a puppy or a guy with a bike AND a puppy usually are a good bet, as well. lol And thank you for putting your picture up! We have to get Mary and Cassie up there, too. ;) Anyone else?

Yeah, Mary had her pic up for a brief moment, then pulled it down.

So what happens when the puppy grows up, is he no longer a hot item?:eek:

I don't know... I'm scared of dogs... ;)

Mary – good call on the water consumption. My water bottle was liberated by a small boy with dirt about two weeks ago . . . sigh! Time for a new one.

Mike and Quinn – may I jump in on the bike/puppy convo and add that a guy riding his bike with a well-trained dog running alongside is a favourite of mine!

Didn’t do too badly yesterday. Struggled through the exercise, but felt very accomplished when I was done.

Fitness:
30 minutes of cardio exercise 5 days: Y, Y
Keep calorie count between 1200 and 1500 N, 978; N, 1081

Personal:
Play a board/console game with my 9yo every day to prove I haven’t forgotten my oldest baby. Y, Y
Be more calm – my sleeplessness shouldn’t be anyone else’s problem but my own. Y, close call, but Y

I've worked as a receiving manager for 10 years and have only known ONE nice looking UPS man....ONE!!

However, I have dated my share of military men. I think I've got all the branches covered :o

I'm pretty sure it's the cat's fault. I haven't actually seen her do it, but I think she drags things in the laundry room while I'm sleeping...

See, my baby just likes to sit under it, she knows not to climb or hunt. Well except for the occasional ornament that "accidentally" falls off

They're just fleece blankets, nothing special. I haven't actually made one before, but I've seen it done and I'm pretty crafty so I should be okay:) I'll post a pic when I get the first one done.


So, recapping Monday....it went better than I thought it would. I cheated after lunch and got a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's just to kill the craving. And after that I haven't wanted anything sweet since, so maybe I'll have to listen to my cravings every once in a while and only sample.

Health/Fitness

1-under 1300 calories....hoping for better numbers than last week M1071
2-48 oz water daily...64 was just not manageable for me M-sooo close that I'm giving myself this one
3-1 Dt Dew daily....I'm sticking with this one until I nail it M-YES
4-Exercise 5 times...should have no excuses this week, I'm perfectly healthyM-no
5-45% or less carbs....40% was really tough, I usually kept under 45 though M-57% it was that dang Frosty and it's sugar!!
6-log log log....a no brainer, but it's easy green! M-YES
7-shooting for 2 more lbs M-didn't weight

Life/Work

1-clean the cat's bathroom....it's not as bad as last week, but still needs to be done completely N
2-all laundry....I haven't figured out why the pile keeps growing??? N
3-make all 4 blankets for the kids' N
4-finalize all Christmas shopping N5-start wrapping presents N
6-try not to kill anyone at work Y
7-stay on top of all paperwork, no more getting behind Y

It used to be the Culligan Man that turned heads at my office. It didn't hurt that he came in carrying two large water cooler bottles on his shoulders.

I just figured out how to put an avatar up so will be playing with it.

On a fun note I ran into an ex I hadn't seen for two years. It was nice to be 20 pounds lighter than the last time I had seen him. Mary

Mary, what a wonderful experience to have! Sometimes the hard work pays off, and sometimes it really pays off!

Tori, Quinn, and other animal folks, time for my favorite link. I posted last Christmas, but it bears reposting: A Cats Christmas

Quinn... Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops...I've got it! Somehow I find myself cranking it at the same parts my mom did, too. Some things never change :).

Mike, I cannot get the avatar going. I've shrunk it down to 80X61 and each time it tells me upload failed. But I am not surprised and vaguely homicidal anyway from EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WENT WRONG TODAY, oh excuse me, was I yelling? Maybe because it was THE MOST FRUSTRATING DAY I'VE HAD IN FOREVER!

Sorry. Sometimes it's easier to scream than to calmly enumerate every little thing and discuss it like a rational person.

Oh, never mind. It's there. I wonder how many times I kept putting it up and having it say it failed when it actually worked? GRRRRR. Very fuzzy, though. Should've chosen erotic tools. Whoa...I mean, snuggling hammers.

Cassie, go throw a dozen eggs. What is the file size? I'd think it's small enough. Are you trying to upload it directly from your computer or a website?

Bingo!!!

The tree is starting to fill up. :) Click it twice to make it big (not double click, click... load, click) ;)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...atarscopy5.jpg

Can it be at people?

Calorie limit 1600 1569, 1488
Cholesterol limit 300mg 192mg, 214mg
Carbs less fiber limit 25g 27.7g, 25.2g close enough
Saturated fat limit 12% of total calories 17%, 10%
Fiber 30g 20g. 39g
Veggies 5 servings 4, YES

Sugar Free Chocolate miniatures limit 2 per day 5, 0
Fish oil and vitamin D, green tea capsules for help with water retention forgot green tea, ditto

Exercise 5 days YES, YES
Water: aiming for over 48 ounces Sucked big time, ditto

Busy day, going to bed early. Will catch up tomorrow.

Mary and Cassie, great to have your pics to add to the tree! Thanks so much for adding more loveliness. :)

Big hugs to all.

Yes Cassie, you sure can.

Stupid midnight cough.

1. Log everything. Yes, Yes
2. Drink water. 2L, 1L.
3. Exercise 4 times. No, No.
4. Sleep before midnight. Close but no, Oh so close.

Mern, congrats on pushing yourself to exercise, I am having a hard time getting it done once it gets dark... ugh. Now tomorrow you can focus on some water.

Mary, how fun you did curling, and its excellent to run into an ex and look better than back in the time.

Quinn, Mike beat me to it but I also think the majority of guys like that look :) I think its something about the dress being short but having the boots to cover up so you are showing skin but not showing, anyway its great you got compliments!

Mike, good to hear your breakup turned out for the best, specially if you were both not taking full advantage of the situation. As Quinn, I cannot explain the bad boy thing... they are just so..*sigh*.

Behaze, congrats on getting your exercise in and staying calm.

Tori., LOL on all the branches! You got those calories with a Frosty? Even more kudos to you.

Cassie, sorry you had a rough day... go throw some people, a full dozen of them.

No snow yet, I went out and walked for a bit this morning then the day got consumed with tasks but it was at least productive. Glad to hear everyone’s starting to feel better. Have a great night.:)

Peace on earth will come to stay,
When we live Christmas every day.
~ Helen Steiner Rice

Goals:
Walk 25k: M=8.2k, T=6k
Gym 2 days: 0, 0
Exercise 5 days: M=Hike, T=Walk
Squats 5 days: M=Y, T=Y
Ab work 5 days: M=Y, T=Y
Calories less than 1400: M= 1226, T=1236
Calorie deficit of 5000 for week: M=-818, T=-685
Christmas prep or participation everyday: M=Christmas cookie gifts packaged and ready for delivery. T=Cookie bags delivered, gift cards all purchased, mom and dad’s gifts done.

I used to have a serious diet coke habit, I would literally drink 6-12 cans/day. And then wonder why I couldn't sleep. I never intended to quit the habit, just cut back. At first I would let myself have a dc for every bottle of water I finished. Then I cut back to not letting my myself have any until I'd finished all my water, so I had to switch to caffeine free because I never finished my last one until late in the day. Pretty soon I'd quit and hadn't even noticed. Baby steps, that's the key.

Hey gang, I'm not dead, just busy, we elves end up with way to much work to finish by December 25th!!! Anyway, I've not fallen off the wagon completely, but of course I'm struggling to hang on to the back tail light as usual. Yesterday I went to 2 separate gingerbread house parties, one for the 3rd graders and another for my girl scouts. Between the 2 I delivered 40 gingerbread houses. I was soooo dead dog tired last night, I'm used to being on my feet all day, what I am not used to is standing in one place hunched over, that hurts more than moving. Today I'm finishing up the gingerbread trains for the 5th grade and after that I only have to construct about 20 more. Not so bad really. I'm also making cakelettes for 5th grade if I can swing it. We'll see.

My goals for the week:

Don't gain any weight. That's it.

Hi Everyone,

I'm not dead either! I have been so busy it's kinda crazy! As most of you know, I had our annual friends Chrismukah potluck at my house on Saturday and it was a wild success! I made 3 dishes: pumpkin risotto, Italian sausages with red and yellow peppers, and fennel & pomegranate salad. Everyone brought food and it was a downright gluttonous feast but I am THRILLED to report that I stuck with my plan of NO sugar, NO white flour, and NO alcohol. I did eat more than usual of course but I didn't gain an ounce! :)

I am super duper busy at work now. I was promoted to editing and story editing the first episode of a new series so I'm responsible for determining the style, pacing and tone for the whole series. No pressure though! :eek:

I haven't totally caught up on posts but I will and so for now here a few messages to my lovelies. If I missed you, please know that I will catch up!

And I will post goals before the end of the day. I have been meeting almost all of them so far!

Wow behaze, WELCOME BACK!!! It's so nice to have you! Congratulations on your baby girl! Thanks so much for remembering little Chico's health. He is doing fine now (except that he is blind but he doesn't let it get him down.) I have been up and down, weight-wise and gave up all added sugar and white flour almost 4 weeks ago. It's going great! I think it's pretty amazing that you only have 17lbs to go until you get back to pre-pregnancy weight. Way to go!

Cassie, love your avatar! It's a lovely picture of you! And welcome back, we sure did miss you but sorry to hear that you were sick. I was sick last week and it sucked! Good looking goals, Girl!

Mike, I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better! The tree is looking awesome!

April, woohoo! Down 1.6 pounds. Way to go!

Mary, I hope all is well with you and the kitties!

Quinn, I love Snoopy!

Tori, glad to hear you are feeling better.

Mern, way to go on the exercise!

Main80, hope your cough goes away completely!!!

Darlene, your walk sounds lovely.

Almeeker, I know how you feel. I'm super busy too but damn your schedule sounds crazy what with all the baking! I don't know how you do it!!

Tuesday's report
 

Really in a rush and can't post till this evening, but have to be accountable...


1. 1200 calories or fewer. 871-still recovering from too many weekend party goodies :( 1471 long story
2. Follow what works for my pie chart. Yes, Yes
3. Log absolutely everything. Yes, even cough drops and vitamin C, Yes
4. Drink 3 sports bottles of water daily. Yes, Yes
5. Take vitamins and calcium. Yes, Yes
6. Exercise 7 times. Stationary bike, None today
7. Do shoulder exercises. Yes, No
8. Get in bed by midnight, 1 AM Friday and Saturday. Yes Not even close
9. Post daily. Yes, Yes
10. Focus on something wonderful that happened during the day (thx Quinn). It was 71 freakin' degrees!! ;)

Have a great day, everyone; catch up later!

Rose, I added you to the tree. I'll post it up later. :)
Health & Fitness
1) Lose 3 pounds (starting @ 182.2)
2) 4 servings of fruit/veggies yes, yes
3) Gallon of water yes, yes
4) 3000 calories deficient -1060. -907
5) 1 cheat meal clean, clean
6) Gym x 3 day off, yes
7) No Bread none, I caved
8) Net Carbs less than 65g/day (not including cheat) 73.6g, 76.8g
9) No disturbing the ghost during the night (in other words, no getting up to eat after I lay down for bed) got up, no
10) Daily:
a) Fish Oil yes, yes
b) Vitamin yes, yes
c) Glucosamine yes, yes
d) Fluoride rise yes, yes

Non Health & Fitness
11) Write 4 policies (have to turn up the heat on this one) 3, 0

Update on my 13 year old friend who had emergency surgery last Saturday. Yes, she did have appendicitis, but the appendix had not ruptured. They are still running tests to find out what caused the hole in her large intestine (that section removed) but it could be related to her diabetes--they've known for years she has Type I diabetes. There is no indication at this time that any more surgery is necessary. Prayers still very much appreciated.

Darlene, you are off to a fantastic start this week! Kudos on that!

Thanks to Mary, Cassie, and Rose for adding your pictures. :) You all are LOVELY and I LOVE seeing your smiling faces. Can't wait to see our whole group on the cyber Christmas tree Mike so generously made and is keeping updated for us.

Mary, great job journaling and exercising. Wonderful how active you are. I'm the same age as you and my exercise is a joke compared to yours and I honestly do not aspire to do any more than my 30 minutes per day. Kudos to you on that! Good luck with your water consumption. Wow, that's great that you were 20 lbs. lighter when you ran into an ex. :)

Quinn, thanks for the BIDIA award on my late exercise. I want to just crash on the couch by EARLY evening--EVERY day. LOL Wow, things scheduled until after 9PM last night. UGH! I'll bet you were glad to be able to crawl into bed at the end of the day!

Mike, again thanks for all your work on our cyber Christmas tree. Great start on your goals Monday and Tuesday! 73.6 and 76.8 carbs are still great--still less than half that most Americans consume. Congrats on the three policies written! Glad to read you're even more at ease with the "breakup" with your workout partner. Want to turn your YES on Gym x3 from red to green?

bhaze, great job Monday and Tuesday, but get your calories up, gal! Was that low calorie count just from being so busy? We'd love to see YOUR picture--got one Mike can add to the tree? Easy: just go to USER CP, then under SETTINGs & OPTIONS, choose EDIT AVATAR and follow the instructions. It may have been in the post I was composing that DH accidentally deleted that I congratulated you on the birth of your baby girl--if so, a belated congrats on that. :)

Tori, "However, I have dated my share of military men. I think I've got all the branches covered." Thanks for your service to our country! :D
You're off to a pretty darned good start on your health and fitness goals.

Cassie, I hope your day goes very smoothly. Yeah, what DOES Mike's snuggling hammers indicate? Just kidding. LOL That CAT'S CHRISTMAS was so funny. My son's cat knocked our four foot tree over many times--he wanted to live in it like a squirrel. A lot of green in your report this week. 1471 calories yesterday should still leave you with a nice calorie deficit, eh? Keep up the good work. I surely hope you can get to bed before midnight tonight--and all the rest of the week as well!

Main80, we all understand it's hard to exercise and sleep when you're sick. Are you feeling any better? Oh, golly, truly--thanks for the reminder about the water. I have just been totally forgetting. I stopped typing and drank 12 oz. straight down and then fixed myself a 20 ounce glass of ice water. Congrats on your logging and water consumption!

Amy and Tori, a friend of ours had a serious soda pop addiction and his doc told him his kidney stones were cause by that addiction and he must stop drinking it. He didn't heed the doc's advice and had to have surgery a second time because his stones were too large to pass. I still haven't read on the Internet how pop causes kidney stones. But I will do that later. I drink caffeine free diet pop--but usually average just one a day. Hey, I'm not knocking you two--I've had my share of addictions--some kicked, some like artificial sweetener not. I work on them one at a time.

Amy, you are amazing! So generous with all the volunteer work you do, especially helping the kids. I know those kids have to be thrilled with all the gingerbread construction. UGH, I know what you mean about the bending over hurting more than being on your feet and moving around. Hope there's an end to that type of pain soon.

Rose, "Chrismukah" LOL How wonderful to celebrate the two holy times together. OMG, my mouth was literally watering reading your party menu! No sugar or flour! Way to go! But you made so many yummy things that enabled you to do that! Wow, congrats on the promotion to editing. What's the series about? Any word yet on when the USA airing will be on your work in England?

Thanks Mern! :) Oh I corrected my red, I guess I was trying to be festive. :) The tree is actually my pleasure, see I get to bring us all together... since nobody wants to come to new orleans to run the race with me. ;)

I think that I might be the next victim of whatever "bug" is going around. Woke up this morning with a migraine and swollen glands, which is how husband started... Rats!! :mad: Maybe my super-duper immune system can fight it off. lol I sure hope that I don't get sick because I am cooking for a crowd on the 23rd, 24th and 25th. I have about 3/4 of my holiday baking done, shopping is done, but nothing is wrapped. Fingers crossed that it will blow over, otherwise hubby will have to learn how to wrap gifts in a hurry! ;)

Enjoy your day, all!

quinn

Let me explain what "bad boy" means to guys... and what I THINK it means to women, correct me if I'm wrong.

A bad boy to a guy is just that, a bad boy. Someone that's going to treat you like crap and disrespect you. Probably doesn't have a job, and if he does, he won't have it for long. A real dead beat, probably doesn't support or see his kids. He's the guy that you see on the TV show Cops, that comes out of his mobile home (nothing against mobile homes, that's just how it is on Cops), drunk, wearing a wife beater, has a budweiser in one hand and a corn dog in the other. Probably covered in tattoos and will control your every move. He says "what do you tell a woman with two black eyes?"... "Nothing you can say, you already told her twice!"

A bad boy to women (how I see it) is a good looking guy, slightly rough around the edges, maybe a tattoo or two, somewhat mysterious, can take control of a situation.

What you say you want is one thing, but then when women get a real "bad boy" that's when their world get turned upside down.

So if I'm correct, why is it that if a guy takes control of a situation (ie wears the pants) he the bad boy? That's a MAN, we are supposed to do that, we are raised to be the backbone of the family, the one that everyone can lean on when sh!t hits the fan.

Do you really want a guy that's out to 3am partying every night? Do you REALLY want a guy that's not going to answer your call, granted it's always good to let a call or 2 slip by. ;) Women need to quit looking for boys, when it's a man that you really need.

That's coming from the only MAN in this thread... but I act like a boy at times. :p

Ditto on not dead.
Sunday I was totally beat after a very full exercise day and several manditory home projects.

Monday I had a surprise trip back to the local mountains to rescue an experiment. It was raining in the valley, but snowing on top - wet, drippy, severe case of hypothermia, snow. Neither I nor my assistant had the appropriate footwear so we both ended up with frozen feet. She didn't even have a very good waterproof coat so she was frozen through and through. Both of us just went home after we got back and huddled with a hot cup of tea and a book (at least that's what I did).

Tuesday started out fine, but the rat exterminator was 2 hours late and DH needed help moving his very heavy new desk into his office. It turned out that we couldn't get it through the door into his room so he had to remove the top - which entailed pretty much taking the whole thing apart. Once the rat-guy arrived I had to take off to host a meeting a work. As soon as that was over, back home to get gussied up for a Christmas party. sheesh!

Wed seems to be a bit more under control.

Since I haven't posted any goals, I guess I can't fail :rolleyes:. Actually things haven't gotten too far out of control, but meatless Monday and holiday food has definitly undermined the low carb/high protein effort. And I can't say that I have been great about drinking my water - which I am discovering today is leading to a low grade headache.

The tree looks great Mike! Nice to see all the returning folks checking in. And, as always, it is inspirational to read how everyone manages to handle the ups and downs that life, especially life at the holidays, hands you.

I think I'll skip the goals this week (I know what they are), and start fresh next week.

Mike,

No, no, no...What you described sounds totally disgusting! My idea would be more like Richard Branson or Anthony Bourdain than the loser that you described! ;) Well dressed and just a little irreverent. They'd have to have the wardrobe and the money to back up the lifestyle. But you're right about one thing... they are fun to date, but definitely not marriage material... most of the time.

Health / Fitness Goals ...
1. 100oz water daily M: Yes, T: Yes(if not, it was very close),
2. Limit one diet soda daily M: Yes, T: Yes,
3. Walk on lunch M: Yes, T: was off work,
4. Exercise 4 times W-Sun
5. Weight and post weight M: 271.2,I am going to bow out on this one since I am sick now too and it is causing huge fluctuations in my scale.

Life Goals ...
1. Make a Christmas Card List M: done for work cards, T: No,

Well guys....I caught the bug. I have the sore throat and it is very hard to swallow. I just started getting it Monday evening. I was off work yesterday for some stuff with my son and today my doctor office is closed. I hope to be starting to feel better tomorrow but if not, I'll be making a doctor appointment. I have to be careful because I have reactive airway disease and if it settles into my chest and turns to bronchitis I will get asthma like symptoms that will last for months. I don't want to go through that again.

I have decided to stop weighing myself (or at least reporting it) because the scale is fluctuating 3-4 lbs per day this week. I don't know if it is because my body is holding water from not feeling well or what because I haven't really eaten anything extra. Well...yesterday would be a high sodium day but the day before wasn't and it showed almost 4 lbs gain from monday to tuesday. I don't think that is accurate and I'm not going to punish myself for it.

I'm off to try and catch up on the posts. Hopefully I can reply to you all soon.

Spoiled Rotten!
 

Besides the normal stocking full of rawhide, I just pick up a big Serta, memory foam dog bed for Chloe'. :)

Oh sorry Quinn, I was just describing a bad boy. It kills me when you see these girls (woman) that throw themselves at these losers. It's crazy the amount of men that are on death row for doing crazy crap and there will always be that nut job woman that hears about him and just has to be with him. It really is crazy.

Finally done reading through the thread. Sorry if some of my responses are dated LOL

Tori ... I'm glad you can try and pull strength from me on the diet soda. I have actually had a few days recently where I didn't have any at all. :) ... Good for you on reaching your goals with that little Frosty cheat. I know I am soon due for a trip to the dairy for ice cream. It will have to wait until my chest clears now though.

Darlene .... Thank you! I do like the mirror more lately. ... Good for you on getting in an extra long hike in case it snowed too much to hike the next day.

Main80 ... Glad to hear you are almost better.

Mern ... I second (or third) a BIDIA for you for working out at 7pm. I just can't bring myself to do it. It is before work or nothing for me.

Mary ... Nice to see you back! Nice avatar pic! I love seeing everyone's faces.

Quinn ... I will be getting more new clothes soon. I'm thinking another 5-10 lbs will see me securely down another size. Right now I could go down one and it would be tight so I'm thinking why not try to step down 2 sizes this next time. ... I love that your husband comes from a musical family. My pappy on my mom's side was a singer/guitar player. He used to perform at the moose weekly and every Christmas was a concert in his living room. Memories :)

Mike ... I have to say that in my jobs I see lots of UPS guys and most are not what I consider dreamy. But there have been 2 that were nice to look at. And one FedEx guy. But that FedEx guy wasn't in the standard clothes. He wore dress shirts & slacks and was built like a football player. He was my tech support guy and I had a direct email to him to get around the 800 number support people. LOL That was at my old job.

Cassie ... That is a very cute cat link. Even for a dog person like me ;)

Amy ... I love your goal this week. Sounds like you are following the simple rule of K.I.S.S. ... I love it!

Rose ... Great avatar pic!! How awesome is that to have a party like that and such good foods and not gain. You are so in control right now!And a promotion!!! Way to go girl!!!

Last week's stress is still here. It has shifted a little but it is still here. Later this week I may work up the energy for a rant but between being tired and my throat hurting so much, I just don't have the energy for it. LOL

Saw this on the boxer forum that I frequent today.... LOL

Christmas Cookie Rules...

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no
calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and
thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also
has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies
and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend.. Because your
friend's first cookie is calorie free, (see rule #1), yours is also.
It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the true
friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your
feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and
the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies
will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting
from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have
three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make
more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no
calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not
part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of
breaking causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories
since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will
cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories
because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's
a rule!

I totally agree with what you're saying. I wish that I had a nickle for each of my friends that married a guy that treated them like garbage. The problem with a lot of women, (and that nice guys probably don't get) is that a lot of women think that they can "save" someone, or "...he is really a good person, but no one understands him", which usually ends in disaster.

The advice that I give to my daughter, is to "always reach up, not down to a date." The last guy she dated was a so-so student. She thought he had potential, so she spent 2 years pushing him academically and tutoring him, even though he was 2 years older. His grades improved dramatically, he was accepted at a great school, and then he dumped her. Lesson learned... the hard way, but it was learned.

I totally understand why "nice guys" get frustgrated with otherwise intelligent women choosing losers. It would tick me off, too. My husband was kind of our town's eligible bachelor. He happily played the field for years, well after most of his friends married. We were best friends and had a business relationship for years... never dated, even though he would bring up the possibility occasionally. I told him that I didn't want to be another of his "fluff balls". ;) If we had a function to attend, but no date, we would call each other. His family knew me and mine knew him, because we were like brother and sister, always attending family events together, if we weren't seeing someone. Four years later, he talked me into trying dating, and we were making wedding plans a month later. I guess I was the only one that provided him with a challenge. ;)

April,
Thanks!!! I feel so much better now! I made caramel corn, butter toffee corn, biscotti, soft molasses cookies and Chex Mix today and was feeling guilty for "snitching". Now, at least I know that I don't have to log any of those calories... Whew! ;)

I can totally agree about them wanting to save someone, but then it's the same person that will be bitching about how they were treated... later down the road. Maybe they should try saving themself.;)

I can't exactly say that I'm one of the "nice guys", I have done my fair share of dirt, trust me. I wouldn't consider myself to be a loser either, I've held a job since age 15.

This is where it gets confusing... I'm not one of the "nice guys" but I consider myself to be nice. I'm thoughtful... at times, I help out... as much as I can and I'm friendly... somewhat. I tried being the "nice guy" a LONG time ago, but realized it's much more fun when you're not overly nice. When a guy is overly nice, he ends up being the "friend", nobody wants to be the "friend".

You can't be a push over and you must be confident! I've always felt that if you're tired of people walking all over you, you have to quit laying down and letting them.

I guess what I'm saying is you have to be a little of both. A guy has to be nice, without being a wuss. He should be able to make a decision on his own, yet be flexable.

Studies have shown that women do not want an overly friendly (or excited) guy. No woman wants a guy that's going to smile like Will Farrell did in Elf.

This is where a bike comes in to play. If I had my GSX-R right now, my smile would be wrapped aboud my head, bigger than Will Farrell's, but it would never be seen behind the tinted shield on my helmet. I would just look like a badass on a sport bike, but under the helmet I would be a big smiling nerd. See, you have to be both!;)


Sorry to ramble... I JUST took my adderall, I'll be better later. ;)

Hey now. You smoked me out from my lurking. So testically, there are now two of us.

Looks like I'll have to post a pic of myself in the next day or two so you can hang me from the tree as well. I haven't hung from a tree since I was a young lad. :D

Oh lets not start a conversation about hanging from a tree. I'm from the south, people will start to assume the wrong stuff.

Yeah, well, when I was younger I was better. But the last time I fell off when I was hanging off a branch and bruised my ribs. Didn't you ever climb trees? I used to be like a squirrel up north, where we had real trees, not all these dumb pines like here in NC (where I'm at anyway).

I'll pray for your friend, what's her name?

Keep your bugs to yourself, I'm done with that mess.

Nice to have you on our tree Pam. Looking forward to seeing your goals for next week.

Don't punish yourself b/c of the scale, just stay determined!Great job on your goals, but you can also keep your bug to yourself!

I'll try not to breathe on your posts... ;)