Re: 3 great things I am thankful for!!

[Guest guest]

> I am thankful for ..mmmmmmmmm

1.) My husband. He has been with me through it all, for the last

nearly 11 years, no matter what I have done or said. I am not the

world's easiest person to put up with or love sometimes, but he has

been a great and loving man (most of the time, haha)

2.) Finding this board. You all have no idea how much you inspire

and amaze me, every single day, in a 1,000 different ways! You make

me laugh, you make me cry, you find all of the emotions that some

days I think are lost forever. Most of all, you listen to me

bitch!!!!

3.) My resurrected friendship with my friend Leesa. This is the

friend that I thought was toxic, and I have learned that is not the

case. I just had to learn to talk to her, and not be afraid to tell

her what my needs are.

Okay....next!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Before I list three things that I am thankful for... I was just at

this trendy ice cream place (if I don't get a tiny bit of what I'm

craving I end up eating everything in the house) and I was noticing

that no one there was over 140#. And they were eating giant sundaes

with everything on them. I was happy with my 'lite' 120 cal cone- do

these skinny people puke up all that food? How can they eat like

that? I almost asked one of them that question. Then one of them

started cackling, I thought she was laughing at me so I abandoned

that idea. I always see thin young women eating fattening junk food

nonstop. I just don't know.

1. I am thankful for the ability to start over. Really I am the only

one responsible for what happens to the rest of my life.

2. I am thankful for the fact that I left my ex. It took the help of

my family, the police and a sympathetic judge but I finally feel free

and safe. From now on I will only associate with people who are

conducive to my well being.

3. I am thankful for a LIST of lots of things. One being a very

small number of people that actually care whether I live or die, and

how others feel. I try to be one of those people, but it's hard when

everyone around me at work is dying and all the pain just sucks the

life out of me in thirty directions at once. But they do once in a

while say I'm their favorite nurse, demented ramblings or not.

Also on my list are all things that are hilarious. Certain artists,

movies and people- too many to list. Also on this list is plastic

surgery. I know so many people say it's bad for women, making people

hate themselves, on and on. Hey, I needed it, I still do. Let's say

I lose the weight I want to. That's at least 80#. I'll likely have

skin hanging all over the place. I also had it in the past. When I

was thinner I had a giant nose, huge. Now my nose is my best

physical feature. I also have large dark spider veins all over my

body, especially my legs and breasts. It looks like someone took a

marker and drew lightning on me. I'm in my early twenties and

haven't had kids yet, and I don't think I will due to the fact that

my veins gross out every guy. So I'm spending a lot of money on

laser treatments for the veins. They're slowly going away. I am

also thankful for that particular laser. Another thing on my list is

of course this group, really.

[Guest guest]

>>>Ooooooooh k!! Thats 3 from me....anyone care to contribute??!!

Hugs!! Shan

I don't think I can top your list, Shan. Here's mine:

1. I'm grateful for Rob and all his support and love. He makes a mean burger

and meatloaf too. And I'm grateful for Chloe, even though she likes to wake us

up at night all the time. I'm thankful to Rob's family for their support and

help when we needed it.

2. I'm thankful for the park and botanic gardens. I love all the flowers and

trees, watching the birds, feeding the squirrels. I love sitting in the shade

on the grass and watching the kids play. I love playing frisbee with Rob until

my arm hurts, ha. I love watching the cycle of flowers at the botanic garden,

first the magnolias, then the cherry trees, then the daffodils, lilacs, peonies,

Spanish irises, in the summer the roses and lilies (my favorite flower is tiger

lily). I'm thankful there's a neighborhood garden up the street that I can walk

by every day, and I get to see the morning glories growing up the side of the

fence.

3. I'm thankful that I'm healthy and that I've found the strength, with the

help of Rob, this group, and others, to get healthy and work towards doing all

the activities that I want to include in my life.

XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

Huh... Three Things I Am Thankful For.....

1. My boyfriend, Avery...

He is just wonderful, a pain in the butt, adorable, funny, supportive,

maddening, intelligent, a super-cool geek, and my best friend... We have been

together for a wonderful, scary, occasionally bumpy five years (and counting).

It

has been the best five years of my life. Even when he was driving my up the

wall and back again, I have never regretted a moment. I am beyond thankful to

have him in my life and as my love...

2. Great Books....

I have to agree with Shan about this one. Books, for me, are the ultimate

escape. I am a serious book-whore. I love them, I can't get enough of them. I

have so many that they can't all fit in my bookcases (I have six), they are

stacked on the floor and everywhere else! I love them, love them, love them.

I have my old favorites, and my new loves, the decent ones and the ones that

were so bad I HAD to read to the end... :-) They let me go elsewhere for a

little while. Let me be someone else, know another's worries and trials....

They are the little affordable vacations that happen every week for me. I have

decided to use books as little awards during this weight loss journey... I

think they will work very well.

3. Great Music....

I also have to agree with Shan, here. Music has been a main supportive

pillar in my life since childhood. I started playing cello in 7th grade and it

was

my first love. I enjoy almost every kind of music and can appreciate even

the kinds I don't enjoy. I can go from Metallica, to Gorecki, to The Cure, to

Alan , to The Ramones and back again. I think that if I had to choose

just one kind of music to listen to for the rest of my life and give up all

others, it would be Classical... I can't live without it.

There are my three...

Take care,

(Balto., MD)

220/205/140

To see a world in a grain of sand and

a Heaven in a wild flower;

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and

Eternity in an hour

-- Blake

[Guest guest]

>>>>I was noticing that no one there was over 140#. And they were eating giant

sundaes with everything on them. How can they eat like

that?

Lol. I guess everyone has a different metabolism and a different level of

activity. Also, everyone eats different amounts of food and different foods.

Maybe they have a sundae once in a blue moon, and maybe they only eat part of

the sundae. When I was a teenager there was a popular ice cream place we'd go

together to and share sundaes. XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

LOL Sandy, doesn't it make you drool? You should not completely deprive

yourself of them though, have a treat now and then that fits into your plan.

There is a great shop here in Raleigh, NC called D'Lites... they have all

sorts of " diet " ice cream! Sugar free, fat free, and even low carb (they of

course sell the " regular " stuff too... I always have to avert my eyes when I

pass the " Moose Tracks " flavor, MMMmmmm!)! At only 34 calories per half cup,

I can afford to splurge every now and then, even add some yummy toppings! Do

you have anything like this near you?

~Jette~ in NC

Start Date 4/7/2003

SW-285/CW-251/MG-250/FG-160

" When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain to change... it

is time to change "

Re: Re: 3 great things I am thankful for!!

> Excuse me people, can we not talk about sundeas, there are a few people

that gain weight that just hear or see someone eating them:) That is how I

got over weight in the first place, watching people eat.

> Sandy

[Guest guest]

Shan,

I love Eminem too! Cassie and I were just talking about it yesterday,

how her friends are soo surprised that I like the same music they do.

LOL They say their parents hate it but I crank it up!

Hugs,

Gena

This is a great idea! I love

>

> I love the angst and obscenity ridden Eminem because if you overlook

> some of the

> language (or revel in it like I do lol!!) and listen to the lyrics you

> cant

> help but be impressed with the genius that is Em. Not that I am biased

> hehe!! I

> love the oldies of the 50s and 60s and all things Elvis because music

> then was

> so inherently thoughtful and well played ~ so much talent in the backup

> bands..no studio ''filler''.

>

> Whew..is that enough for just #1 ?!!

>

> 2.........Great books

>

> I love to learn and I love love love to read. I love mysteries. I love

> true

> crime. I adore love stories. I would immerse myself in all books

> academic in

> nature and become a TRUE ''know it all'' if time allowed. The written

> word can

> be compelling, it can be enriching and it can be frivolous and I

> cannot imagine

> life without it!! Reading takes you to other realities other worlds

> other

> lives and other possibilities!! Or it can be a stark reminder of how

> much better

> our own world could be with a little more tolerance. Or a brilliant

> neon sign

> telling you things are never as bad as they COULD be!! Reading &

> learning do

> nothing but make our lives better!!!

>

> 3......... Great men

>

> I love men!! I am thankful for men!! They are funny they are smart

> they can

> be snarky and elusive and loving and hateful and tender and merciless

> and I

> adore them for it!! Women and men are remarkably similar and polar

> opposites all

> at once and I thank goodness for that everyday (ok...MOST everyday!!).

> I love

> all animals and feel like I understand them on a level I cannot even

> explain.

> Men on the other hand?!! Are a constant surprise continual intrigue and

> unending combinations!! They come in all shapes and sizes religions

> ethnicities

> backgrounds morals and values  and just when you think you have one of

> them

> pegged....turns out NOT!!! Love them love them love them!! I totally

> thank my dad

> for this (no not THAT way!!!) because he of course is the 'ultimate

> man' in my

> life and he made me understand and KNOW long before it sunk in that I

> should

> expect and accept nothing less than a man with total respect for

> women. If a man

> treats his mom bad.....runnnnnnnnnn dont walk!! the other way ladies!!!

>

> Ooooooooh k!! Thats 3 from me....anyone care to contribute??!!

>

> Hugs!!

> Shan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gena and Shan... I am another parent who actually listens to Eminem, LOL. I

have varied tastes in music, everything from Heavy Metal, Classic Rock,

80's, Rap, and even Country! I think my music tastes have caused problems

for my son. I have noticed some of the children are not allowed to come over

to play with my son anymore, and I think it is because of some of the music

that we allow to be played in our house... oops!

I know that a 10 year old shouldn't be listening to such foul language, but

it is hard to tell my son he can't listen to it, when Mom and Dad do. I have

sat down with him and explained that this kind of language is not acceptable

in polite company, and that the attitudes expressed toward women are

definitely not acceptable. He seems to understand this, he says he just

" likes the cool beat " .

I guess that makes me a bad mom in some people's opinions... but oh well, to

each his own.

~Jette~ in NC

Start Date 4/7/2003

SW-285/CW-251/MG-250/FG-160

" When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain to change... it

is time to change "

Re: 3 great things I am thankful for!!

Shan,

I love Eminem too! Cassie and I were just talking about it yesterday,

how her friends are soo surprised that I like the same music they do.

LOL They say their parents hate it but I crank it up!

Hugs,

Gena

[Guest guest]

>>>I guess that makes me a bad mom in some people's opinions... but oh well, to

each his own. ~Jette~ in NC

I used to listen to music I knew would make my parents bananas, great teen

right? Not all the time. Just when I'd get mad about something. At least

music can bring controversial topics out in the open for kids to discuss with

their parents (hopefully). Sometimes I think the more we try to ban something

from kids, the more attractive we make it look to them. That from someone who

has no kids. XXXMarge

[Guest guest]

--I've always listened to the same music as my kids, especially my

oldest. My biggest problem is them stealing my cds. We don't have any

rules about what they can listen to because I think they would hear

it one way or the other and I would rather know about it so we could

discuss it. I love Eminem too, Cleaning Out My Closet is one of my

favorites and one we definitely had to discuss, kids don't always

listen that closely to what the song is really saying, they were

focusing on the coffin in the video. Not getting the symbolism of

course. My oldest actually got me into listening to country music

because I was always very non country. tammy d

- In weightlossbuddies2 , " Jette " <yahoo@e...> wrote:

> Gena and Shan... I am another parent who actually listens to

Eminem, LOL. I

> have varied tastes in music, everything from Heavy Metal, Classic

Rock,

> 80's, Rap, and even Country! I think my music tastes have caused

problems

> for my son. I have noticed some of the children are not allowed to

come over

> to play with my son anymore, and I think it is because of some of

the music

> that we allow to be played in our house... oops!

>

> I know that a 10 year old shouldn't be listening to such foul

language, but

> it is hard to tell my son he can't listen to it, when Mom and Dad

do. I have

> sat down with him and explained that this kind of language is not

acceptable

> in polite company, and that the attitudes expressed toward women are

> definitely not acceptable. He seems to understand this, he says he

just

> " likes the cool beat " .

>

> I guess that makes me a bad mom in some people's opinions... but oh

well, to

> each his own.

>

> ~Jette~ in NC

> Start Date 4/7/2003

> SW-285/CW-251/MG-250/FG-160

> " When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain to

change... it

> is time to change "

>

>

> Re: 3 great things I am thankful

for!!

>

>

>

> Shan,

> I love Eminem too! Cassie and I were just talking about it

yesterday,

> how her friends are soo surprised that I like the same music they

do.

> LOL They say their parents hate it but I crank it up!

>

> Hugs,

> Gena

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the inspirational posts Shan! Although I was offline for a couple

weeks and came back to 1100 posts, so I was kinda thankful that the group wasn't

as active as it usually is! lol.. as for the 3 great things I am thankful

for....hmmmmmmmm.. that's a tough one.

1. The beautiful bits of nature that surround me every day.... I live in

southern maine in a very small town with a lot of lakes and I love to just go to

the lake and watch the loons or ducks and the children playing in the water with

all the trees in the distance. Or within an hour drive I can be at the ocean

walking on the beach enjoying the surf crashing in looking for seashells and

watching the silly seagulls. Or within an hour drive in the opposite direction

I can be in the white mountains of New Hampshire and in all the glory of the

breathtaking scenery they behold. Whenever life gets too overwhelming for me,

which lately seems to be happening quite often, I go to one of my peaceful

places that I enjoy whether it be the lake, mountains, or ocean and it seems to

make me more grounded and it reminds me that life has some beautiful things to

offer if I just look for them.

2. Children.... sometimes I feel as though children are a double edged sword.

They bring me the most joy and the most pain. But I do know this... there are

many days when I am having a bad day and I will just look at one of the kids at

work and they will smile at me or hug me and I just realize what I am there for.

Sometimes of course it isn't until I get home from work to my daughter who is 8

going on 30 and it is like she can tell when I'm wiped out and she will be extra

good and we will just hang out and talk and play barbies or a card game or watch

a movie. At 8 years old she is definately my best friend and the thing I love

most in life.

3. Second chances.... and third, and fourth... LOL! There was a time in my

life 4 years ago when I was at my lowest point ever. I was living in a women's

shelter with my daughter hiding from my ex. I had just started dating again and

was seeing Chuck. I was coming off from 7 years of getting beaten and mentally

abused, which topped off with his beating me so badly I was hospitalized and

lost my second baby at 6 months along. I was totally f*%#@ up in the head. I

had borrowed and not payed back about $4000 from my parents, and turned my back

on my family and friends. I had nobody I felt I could turn to and I had

definately pissed a lot of people off. My parents took us in and gave us a home

and one day a month or so later I said I'm leaving today and I'm not taking

Cassie with me. I dont know when I'll be back, but please take good care of

her. And I got in my car and left. And I drove all the way from Maine to FL.

I stayed there for a while then met up with a guy and went to NYC with him for a

week or so. Then back to FL where I got into some really scary stuff with a man

that was 24 years older than me. When I had left Maine I didn't even tell Chuck

I was leaving, he heard that I was gone from my parents. One day 3 months later

I called my parents crying and they said they were sorry but they just couldn't

help me anymore. I had to help myself. Then I called Chuck and he said just

come home. He sent me money and I came home. I had to fight to get Cassie back

from my parents but after some time I did. Chuck has never thrown it in my face

that I took off, and he helped me get back on my feet again. I don't know if it

was a little mental breakdown or if I was just running away from all the pain in

my life at the time, or what it was. But I got a second chance to live life and

I took it. I feel so lucky for that. And never in a million years would I have

imagined that I could be where I am today 4 years ago. And I am so very close

to my parents now, and I am so thankful for that.

Nicci

3 great things I am thankful for!!

I am thankful for ..mmmmmmmmm

1...........Great music.

I love that there are so many genres of music that are all equally expressive

and allow us to experience so many many emotions...and relive them even years

later!! Like when you hear the song that was playing at your 9th grade

homecoming when you realized being a girl IS pretty neat hehe!! Or a song that

reminds you of something you have experienced in your life (pretty much any

Elton

or song lol!!) or hearing a 80s hit and remembering blasting

it

with your friends and just being a silly teenager!!

I really do love music of all sorts and always have. I love bluegrass BIll

Monroe on a hot humid southern night on the porch with iced tea and listening

to

the crickets (hokey? sure but ooooh so true). I love funky neat 70s music

(Captain & Tennile...Neil Diamond) that just makes you feel good hearing it. I

love the angst and obscenity ridden Eminem because if you overlook some of the

language (or revel in it like I do lol!!) and listen to the lyrics you cant

help but be impressed with the genius that is Em. Not that I am biased hehe!!

I

love the oldies of the 50s and 60s and all things Elvis because music then was

so inherently thoughtful and well played ~ so much talent in the backup

bands..no studio ''filler''.

Whew..is that enough for just #1 ?!!

2.........Great books

I love to learn and I love love love to read. I love mysteries. I love true

crime. I adore love stories. I would immerse myself in all books academic in

nature and become a TRUE ''know it all'' if time allowed. The written word can

be compelling, it can be enriching and it can be frivolous and I cannot

imagine

life without it!! Reading takes you to other realities other worlds other

lives and other possibilities!! Or it can be a stark reminder of how much

better

our own world could be with a little more tolerance. Or a brilliant neon sign

telling you things are never as bad as they COULD be!! Reading & learning do

nothing but make our lives better!!!

3......... Great men

I love men!! I am thankful for men!! They are funny they are smart they can

be snarky and elusive and loving and hateful and tender and merciless and I

adore them for it!! Women and men are remarkably similar and polar opposites

all

at once and I thank goodness for that everyday (ok...MOST everyday!!). I love

all animals and feel like I understand them on a level I cannot even explain.

Men on the other hand?!! Are a constant surprise continual intrigue and

unending combinations!! They come in all shapes and sizes religions

ethnicities

backgrounds morals and values and just when you think you have one of them

pegged....turns out NOT!!! Love them love them love them!! I totally thank my

dad

for this (no not THAT way!!!) because he of course is the 'ultimate man' in my

life and he made me understand and KNOW long before it sunk in that I should

expect and accept nothing less than a man with total respect for women. If a

man

treats his mom bad.....runnnnnnnnnn dont walk!! the other way ladies!!!

Ooooooooh k!! Thats 3 from me....anyone care to contribute??!!

Hugs!!

Shan

[Guest guest]

,

Ooooh 80s stuff, LOVE it!!! LOL Cassie is 13 and rolls her eyes when I

put it on too. She does like Phil and Def Lepard though. Now

how's that for a variety? LOL

Gena

> jette-

> i am a fellow eminem fan as well. there is just

> something about him and i can't put my finger on it. i

> listen to a little bit of everything also and enjoy

> the variations in the sounds. isn't that what life is

> all about-variety? i have a 14 year old in the house,

> and we do like some of the same music, and movies(we

> own 8 mile). i don't make any of her friends listen to

> it, she kringes when i take out the 80's stuff.

> anyway, just wanted you to know you are not alone in

> that way either. hows' the weight loss going? i only

> lost 1/2 lb this week, but it's better than nothing.

> talk to ya soon.

> nan