Misc. Group Questions

Hey December Gang....if you have time could you please answer a few random questions for me? 1) It has become increasingly clear that I MUST replace my dead iPod in some way. Does anyboy here use a Zune and are you happy with it? I found a Black Friday deal on a 30gb Zune for $79 and that makes it a lot more affordable for me (dh still hasn't gotten a job yet). My other option is just waiting and saving money for an 8gb iPod Nano and that will take some time (we don't do credit cards anymore so it must be cash). Two years ago I started out in the mp3 market with an RCA Lyra and found it to be a total piece of junk so I am leery of electronics now. Sure wish I'd gotten more than 2 years out of my iPod. That was a big chunk of $$$...next purchase I'll definitely be buying a protection plan. LOL 2) In struggling with all this stress lately I am trying to be creative and find new non-eating ways to cheer myself up and help keep the depression under control. (don't want to ask to have my med increased just yet) Do you have any ideas you can add to the list I've come up with? --exercise --listen to music (not impossible but difficult to do without my iPod!) --shop (not practical right now) --complete an unpleasant task and know it is done --try on clothes (difficult since DH sleeps during the day now) --force myself to sew (not enjoying it lately) --try to get DH out of the house for a little peaceful time at home Here in Spokane we have very gray, bleak winters. Not tremendously cold or snowy but a LOT of overcast, dreary days. Depression is always worse then and I don't want to get caught in a downward spiral this year especially since there is already so much pre-programmed stress in my life right now. Until DH is working, therapy isn't affordable so I'm trying to take a do-it-herself approach and make it work. Any ideas? Thank you so much! Molly

((((Hugging you Molly))))) I know how you feel right now.. winter is the absolute worst for me! I am struggling right now too I am not gonna lie. I only really struggled during the PMS times.. and it**** me hard again this month. For two days now I have gotten over my calories.. went past what I told you guys and got to 1400 both days. Today will end around 1100.. I hate it. I can't control it either, which upsets me greatly b/c I am so in control otherwise.. I just wish my period would hurry up and start b/c once it does.. I feel so much better all the sudden and actually go to being not interested in food.. how weird it is. I am gonna send u a PM.

Thank you for the hugs and the PM! We are all going to have some challenges ahead of us the next few months as our pouch capacities increase and the weather makes us want to eat more. Not to mention the additional monthly challenges for us gals. Daily I can fight the eating urges pretty well until it becomes evening and then for some reason I seem to think that I can't go more than an hour without putting something in my pouch. Totally unrealistic! Molly

He Molly, have you looked into buying the ipod shuffle? It's so cute and only $79.00(I think). I would wait and get the ipod nano, it's the cutest thing around. I just bought my son one for xmas and makes me want to keep it for myself. It's going to be very hard to keep the depression away during this holidays but we must do it. It' time to stop hurting our minds and bodies and eat to live but not live to eat. Remember all you have been thru in the past and how far you have come and most likely you will be able to overcome all the difficult situations. Only think of yourself and keep your chin up. Good luck--we sure need it! Beatriz

Beatriz, thank you! The only reason i haven't looked into the shuffle is the amount of storage space. I know from my past use history with the iPod that I tend to not update it as often as most people and prefer to have all my music right there already...which totals around 8gb now anyway. So I first started looking at the nano and then a salesperson told me that the Zune has way more storage than I need for a lot less money. But...... I'm not especially tech savvy and have a certain comfort level with all my cds ripped into iTunes and am afraid to veer too far away from that or it will become a 'chore' that I never get around to completing and then turn into a waste of money. Really, all I need is a way to have all my music together, idiot-user friendly menus, create playlists and have the device portable and durable for use during exercise. No need for videos or wifi sharing or fancy stuff. Thank you so much for the words of wisdom and support. I'm going to print them out and post them in the kitchen to see during the holidays. These days I'm really trying to use the visual cue thing to help combat head hunger and your words will be a great tool. Hugs!!! Molly

Hi, Girlfriend! I missed U 2! Ro DH found an article in the New York Times on Nov. 8 in "Circuits" titled: "Don't Throw Out Your Broken iPod; Fix It Via the Web" Maybe one of the following sites can help you! Single Products (Best for iPod?) macfixit.com fixmyxp.com macosxhints.com

Hi Ro!!! Missed you!!! Hope that dh will let you come back to play with us more often. Or are you (ahem!) too tired from hanging out with dh for us? heehee Thank you for the websites, I'll check them out and see if there is hope for my dear old dead iPod. HUGS!!!! Molly