Hi everyone. I just wanted to let you know that God has answered my prayers and he called Mom to His house this morning around 4am. I was sleeping with her when she left peacefully. Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes. I am so sad that her physical body (beautiful smile, gorgeous thick hair, warm eyes) aren't here anymore but I am so grateful to have had the time I did with her. We are still making the final arrangements for her but we tentatively have Visitation scheduled for Friday evening and the funeral at 3:30pm on Saturday. Still working out all the details, which of course I have taken on. My Mom was a wonderful person, friend, wife, mother, sister, and provider. She was my sunshine and my biggest cheerleader. I know she is in a better place now although I will continue to miss her for a very long time. Please keep our family in your prayers. Hugs to all. Susan

Susan, God Bless you! You are a real trooper. Your mother must know how lucky she is and how much she is loved. That is why she is resting comfortably even without her medications. There is nothing more loving than taking care of someone in their time of need. Your family is in my prayeres. Hugs, Valorie

Hi guys! sorry I am late. We got moved into our temporary home this weekend, now I don't have a computer for evening use. It is end of month and very busy at work so I have to steal a moment when I can. I don't have a scale yet either so I don't know my weight. I do know that my clothing is fitting looser today. I wore a pair of size 14 pants yesterday that were quite baggy where they previously weren't. I had a great eating week so I think the scale moved down. I will let you know how much as soon as a scale is purchased. Onward and downward! hugs, Valorie

Shawn, I've told you before that I think you and I are very much alike so I TOTALLY understand your feeling out of control around that fudge. I do my best to avoid bringing stuff like that into the house but sometimes.........!!!! I know the fudge was something from your trip with the kids and it won't be available forever, thank goodness!!!! I was doing the same thing with almonds. Oh, they kept calling my name. I'd grab 3, 4 or 5 and then in a few minutes do it again. I had to recognize I just can't have a can or jar in the house but I think I will look into getting some in the snack size bags. I'll check at Sam's. Nuts are very satisfying to me if I can stick to a reasonable amount! So, Shawn, let's agree that when food is calling us and we find ourselves reaching, we will think of each other and say out loud some little message to stop ourselves. I'll say something like this: "OK, Shawn, I know you're watching me! Help me walk away!!!" And, we can even PM each other. Even if the other isn't online, if we just go to the computer and write, we'll be practicing what Trudy talked about yesterday. We can write what we are feeling. If we are just bored, simply goiing to the computer and writing will take our minds off it. If something is bothering us, we can explore what it is. Sometimes we don't even know what it is until we vent. So, let's strengthen our ability to avoid temptation!!! I'm doing pretty well today, how about you? I taught 2 classes back to back this morning. It went well and I have lots of energy. I'm headed out in a few minutes to my eye specialist. My eyes have been bothering me so much since the face lift. They are either running or dry, dry, dry. I still have swelling in the lower lids that prevents me from shutting my eyes tight and shower water runs into them!!! They are bloodshot too. I had proteing powder and yogurt for breakfast. I stopped for a Cafe Au Lait after classes but I mixed part decaf and part regular coffee mixed with my steamed skim milk. Since I'm going back out, I had yogurt and protein powder again for lunch but I added 1/2 banana and a little Fiber One cereal. Last night I did end up having the crunchy no sugar added Klondike but I did well overall yesterday and the scale rewarded me this morning. Evenings are the worst for me and with my husband being gone I have nothing to distract me!!! I hope you are having a very good day, Shawn! Remember, we are looking over each other's shoulders so let's make good choices!! I had to "endure" compliments from members of the 2nd class I taught. I don't see those people often and, like everyone, they were amazed at how I looked. I am still so uncomfortable when it gets talked about in groups like that! Mostly, I just say "thank you" and change the subject. People probably think I'm conceited about it but I've never been able to accept compliments and getting compliments about my body is extremely unnerving for me! Ok, gotta round up the dogs and get out of here! Have a great day - keep your chin up and be happy! CeCe

((((((((((CeCe)))))))))) You are so awesome!!! Thanks so much for your inspiring words... I have gotten better the past two days about my eating after I saw the scale... but it just frustrates me that I can give into temptation so easily.... I have really been trying to focus on my protein and my water the past couple of days and hopefully next week that will be reflected... When I had my houseful of people here on Monday I was doing my best to get rid of that fudge.. I was offering everyone a slice of it.. and today I only had one little nibble unlike the other day when I had a slice then another slice later, then yet another slice after dinner... it was bad... plus I had the maple covered almonds.... uuuugggghhhh... what a bad week I had... but I WILL recover and I WILL get my butt back on track.... Thanks so much for keeping me accountable.... I am so thankful for this board... even though we seem to be dwindling down, it is good to know that my November buddies will always be here for me... HUGS, Shawn M.