Free and Fit February

[sdlovespackers]

Free and Fit February

Hi FIT Friends!!

Oh Boy...it's been a dooozy of a week...my son only made it to two days of school this week (been out Monday-Wednesday)...I spent Thursday and today playing catch and I'm EXHAUSTED!!! But now I have to be gone on Monday again to take him to another doctor's appt out of town...ugh!!!

Lulu--Happy Birthday and :welcome: AND congrats on NOW 20 days!!!!

Dill--It sounds like I'm going to have to get another book now too...A New Earth, huh?? Well I'm going to a bigger city this weekend that has a Barnes and Noble so perhaps I can go take a look...yea...out of this small town to a REAL town with REAL stores!!!!

Chill--those pictures were really pretty that you posted the other day!! You really do live in a beautiful place albeit cold!! LOL!! Awesome job on your house sales too!! You go girl!!:goodjob:

Pap3--Thanks for reminding me how I need to be thankful for each morning...and how it used to be...SO SO HORRIBLE!!! Day and night, same story over and over...pure madness! Life is so much better now!!:h

Lav--Was your Friday a little quieter than yesterday?? I hope you enjoy your weekend!!

Cyn-thinking of you at this difficult time!:l

LBH--Here's to a Fantastic February!!:l

Rusty--You asked about my surgery, I believe...I couldn't scroll back that far...but I had my surgery (my stomach stapled) when I was 19 years old...(that was 18 years ago now...WOW!!!) I haven't had TOO many problems with it...I can't have dairy products (upsets my stomach), digesting red meat is kind of "difficult"...rich meat, such as prime rib or something, tends to "go right through me"...as will anything if it upsets my stomach....I know TMI!!! They have contributed me not feeling well lately to me not absorbing enough nutrients and vitamins too....so maybe there have been a few downfalls/negative things that have happened since that surgery, now that I think about it!! LOL!!! All that said, before my surgery my heaviest weight was 242..I currently weigh 147.

I know I didn't get to everyone tonight...I'm apologize...I need to head to bed, my son has a basketball game bright and early and then we are taking off for Sioux Falls!!! I will check back in with you all on Monday!!
SD

[rustop59]

Free and Fit February

Good morning everyone

SD - wow thats some weight loss. Sorry your son was not feeling the best, hope you enjoy the game with him this morning.

I guess everyone is busy with real life stuff. That happens to me at week-ends but I find just getting on to read keeps me grounded.

Off to do the horse with my daughter and going to walk the goldie when she is riding him. Going to a concert in the O2 tonight, Van Morrison, I got the tickets for my hubby, so its all go.

Hope everyone has a happy and AF Saturday.

Rustop

[cyntree]

Free and Fit February

Good Saturday! In my husbands' tradition, Saturday is the Sabbath, and a time for quiet reflection. Instead, we both ruefully watch ourselves race around on Saturdays, playing 'catch up' just as you say SD, and adding fuel to the bonfire already burning. I hope some day to discipline myself to have one day a week (one morning? a couple of hours?) when I unplug and get the whirling to stop. It's up to me...

SD, what an amazing story about your health journey - wow. I do hope that you can get set up with more nutrients, it seems like in your stressful work, you need all the vitamin and mineral help that you can get.

Rustop, I love thinking of you and your daughter and her riding. Despite there being a horse about every 5 feet in this neck of the woods, I have yet to hook up with any stables...it's on the list.

Sorry I missed you last night, Lav. I worked until about 11:00 pm, teaching myself to edit a movie clip that a friend needs to promote her business. I did it - but my brain is a little fried now... the next project will be easier.

Well, off to get things done ahead of my trip...wishing you all a peaceful day.

[Stargazerlily]

Free and Fit February

Hey all...

Cyn, so sorry to hear about the tragedy, take care of yourself on the journey to the service. I always question evil, and it sounds like something evil happened.

SD, it is so hard when the kids are sick, I remember those days, just trying to get them better and back into their lives! Your weight loss surgery sounds like it changed your life...but still consequences to your health. Hope you have a better weekend.

Lav, where are we? Well, I have just been busy, as I always am on my time off, trying to catch up with housework, appointments, etc. Plus, lots of reading. My favorite hobby.

Chill, I loved your pictures! What a great place for a training. Hope you continue to have lots of house sales, and hope you get lots of extra money. I have money on my mind and we have been trying to refocus for our retirement and it is intense, we have to be disciplined and save, save, save. I need to downsize too.

Dill, I am always thinking of spiritual things, and reading and trying to find answers. Recently, I have started attending another church, and hope to get more involved, but it takes time. I have had it with the Catholic crap about wanting to refuse women medical care, i.e. contraceptive choices. It is a public health issue, and women take birth control for things other than family planning, too. It is just not up to a bunch of celibate men to refuse women medical care, and it really is enough. Sorry, I was listening to something on NPR this week, and it struck me as so harmful to women, that I am done. I guess I got off subject, but will leave it. And I agree with you that it is so important to be mindful of how wonderful it is to wake up with dignity and health.

Weight watchers weigh in today!!!

Have a great day.

[papmom3]

Free and Fit February

Good Morning Fitsters!! Bright but cold here today. Rain later-hope it doesn't turn to ice. Oh wait-they were talking about Indy!! Silly me!

Sorry I didn't check in yesterday-no excuse really. I did read at work, but there was a post I HAD to reply to yesterday on the daily thread and that was all I had time to do from work. Then when I got home, my down time turned into busy time! How did that happen?? :H
Some coworkers (from another office) asked me yesterday how I did it all-the dogs, the agility, the quilting the two jobs, starting my own business etc. I told them that something had to go and it was the house. Dishes don't get done, floors don't get vacuumed, laundry doesn't get washed. I think I horrified them :H!! Hey, no one can do it all and if the choice is playing wiht the dogs or doing dishes, guess what? I really should be part of the 1% don't you think???

Cyn-safe travels on your trip and may the Universe, God whatever, give you the strength to get through this horrible and sad time. :l Congrats on figuring out how to edit the movie. It took me 3 days to figure out how to do edit the one I made of my sis's surprise party. Not sure I can remember how I did it but I think I downloaded a free software program. Couldn't do it with Photoshop or Windows Media.

SD-wow! 18 years of maintaining a 100 lb weight loss! You are a testament to this procedure. Good on you! I hope you figure out what you are missing in terms of nutrients and can fix it. Hope your son gets better soon!

Star-Why is it when we stop drinking we start looking for spirituality? Is it our age or are we looking to replace AL? Facinating. I too am looking for something but not at the point where I'll look at different faiths or churches. Besides I work on Sundays. Good luck at WW!!

Chill-another offer? Whoo hoo!! Hope all go through and certainly hope you are getting some sort of commission!!

R59-ooohhhhh, Van Morrison! You are so lucky! I'm sure it will fabulous!! Have fun!

Dill-you are very welcome! I have to write these things down sometimes and can only hope it might help someone else. I'm glad it helped you!!

So I was so bored yesterday I set up my own Etsy shop!! It's called Papmom3 Designs but if you search for that under Shops, you'll get over 20K hits!! You can search under pamh35 nad it should come up. All I have is a banner so far-I need to get some inventory made. Will be starting on belly bands today and will take a pic of LM modeling one of them and then I'll publish my first listing. Maybe in hindsite I should have waited until I had a robust shop to offer but I was feeling creative yesterday and again, very bored. Oh well, its done and can't be undone. Have to hope for the best. I wonder if I have to register as a Sole Proprietor like I did for my Virtual Assistant company? Do I wait to see how sales go? There will be overhead for sure as I'll have to buy thread and fabric in order to make the bands and totebags.

OK, got to feed the pigs and get that sewing machine set up. Oh and put the wax paper on the windows so DD doesn't get triggered and do the laundry and dishes and and and..... here I go again!! :H

[Lavande]

Free and Fit February

Well -
Glad to see my FIT friends!!!!
I was kinda freaked out last night when I didn't see anyone here :H

SD, I live in an area with no stores as well - bummer. You should treat yourself to a Kindle to download books wirelessly like I do
Your description of not digesting certain foods & nutrients sounds a bit like me at this point in my life but I had no surgery. I am looking into switching to liquid supplements (esp calcium & vit D) due to developing osteoporosis despite taking all the supplements.....
Glad your son is better!

Rustop, I love concerts - have a great time!!!

cyn, editing a movie clip?? I would have no idea where to begin - good for you.
Wishing you a safe trip.

Star, I have been fed up with the Catholic church all my life. I've always thought they treated women as sub-human. I joined my husband's Lutheran church & attended all the years the kids were growing up. They have totally different thoughts & feelings about women as evidenced by all the female pastors I've met. I sometimes miss going but I am no longer up for dealing with some of the internal/political struggles they have going on

papmom, you don't need to report your Etsy sales to the government. Why? Because I said so :H :H
Uncle Sam gets enough from us little people - keep your craft $ to yourself!!!!!

My husband has asked to come over to watch the Superbowl. He knows ful well I do not watch football nor do I eat the junk food that goes along with it......then I realized he doesn't have a TV where he lives :H

OK, need to get to my todo list!
Have a great day everyone.
Lav

[Rusty]

Free and Fit February

Good Morning Friends,

Welcome, Lulu! We are glad to see you here! Congratulations on your 30-Day Anniversary and Birthday!:goodjob: Stick with us. We are a fun thread.

I have been studying and then enjoying some time off...retail therapy, and yesterday....had a lovely day with my sister.:h

Cyn-I am so sorry for your loss.:l I'm sending you lots of love and prayers. I cannot imagine your sadness and fear for the families of your friends, as well as your husband...with the chaos of their deaths being investigated. The queries, the interviews...I know it's invasive.

Wow-SD-great news on the weight loss and keeping it off. You must be rail thin at 147 lbs...didn't you say you were almost 6 feet? If're interested, Cinders posted a WLS and Alcoholism link thread many moons ago..I think in the Focus on Fitness Forum. The link was from Calorielab. If you Google WLS and Alcoholism, the Calorielab link should pop up. The sad stories in there. Mama Bear, who posts on the Army Thread, say 40% of people who have had WLS become alcoholics. Mama Bear and Cinders both had WLS. These are two great people who never stop trying to slay the beast. I admire them both.

Rustop-enjoy the concert...Van Morrison...lucky woman you are. What is O2?

Papmom....good luck with the Etsy treasures. I don't know if you have to register your business as a Sole Proprietor or not.

Lav, if your husband is coming over to watch the SuperBowl, then he can take you out to lunch, dinner, or can CHEERFULLY complete the laundry list of tasks you have spelled out for him. HAHAHA!
Dill:

I think if my given name was Agnes, I'd look for another name, too. I like Agnes for saints and characters in history or novels, but not for me! :H

I'm with you, Dill. Agnes...I think of Aunt Agnes on the old TV show, "Bewitched."

Big hellos to Star, Cassia, Sooty, Chill, Dew, Shelley, My Beloved Mr. G :h (Valentine's Day is coming up)Jolie and anyone

[papmom3]

Free and Fit February

Table runner for my Cape Cod friends:



label by our dear Lav:



Reverse side (sorry the camera didn't focus too well!):

[dill]

Free and Fit February

Hello Free Ones,
Lav, I was like you last night. I wondered where everyone was and I began to wonder if I was a thread-killer!

Cyn, I would be so happy to help you with the downloads if I can. However, there is more than one way to do it (big surprise there, huh?!) so I wouldn't know how to help you from here without at least knowing how you plan to listen. Will you listen to it on your computer or on an Ipod? Do you intend to download audio or Epub (written). The way I do it is I download to Itunes and transfer to my Ipod. The library website offers free software for the download. It's pretty easy. If you can edit movies you must certainly be savvy enough to figure out the digital downloads!

SD, I did not know you had that surgery. Do your doctors attribute your insufficient absorption of minerals and vits to the surgery or is it a stand-alone condition?

Rustop, I hope you enjoyed the concert. I am a fan of Van Morrison. Did he play Moondance?

Papmom, I am still scratching my head trying to figure out what you meant by: "Oh and put the wax paper on the windows so DD doesn't get triggered and do the laundry and dishes and and and..... here I go again!! " What am I missing?

Star, Wow, what a rant! I see you have strong feelings about the recent news story re: the Catholic Church taking issue with HHS dept. forcing them to provide contraceptives, etc. which is of course against their core beliefs. I'm thinking I don't actually see it the same way you do. I think it is fine that the Catholic Church has core beliefs and I understand their point of view that children are a gift from God at the moment of conception. I think the government is infringing on their religious freedom. I personally may not follow the exact teachings of the Catholic Church, but I believe it is my right through self-determination to follow their rules or not. If I worked for one of those institutions and wanted/needed birth control, I think I could find ways to get it whether their insurance provided it or not. I would be glad to pay for it out of pocket, or go to Planned Parenthood. It's a free country (well, for the time being). There's more than one way to skin a cat, after all! Anyway, I have made my peace with the fact that the Catholic Church is firm in its beliefs and I can choose to accept that or not. I have returned to Church and attend regularly and I get what I can out of it. Nothing's perfect. I still seek spiritual understanding outside of the pew as well and probably find more on my own than in the conventional church setting. I really wish you well on finding a church that fulfills your needs.:h

Lav, did you go to Catholic school growing up? I did for the first 8 grades and was given the choice when I went to HS to go private Catholic or public. I chose public because I felt back then as you described. I've made my peace with it. Formal religion is a strange thing I think, no matter which one you choose!

Rusty, I love retail therapy! I wish I could do more of it, but money sure is tight around here these days. And thanks for reminding me about Aunt Agnes!

Along the lines of Anita Moorjani (thank you Chill for that link!) and Jill Bolte Taylor, I wondered if any of you had seen this video on Youtube? It was made by a young man who had a serious heart condition and cheated death a couple of times. It's only 7 or so minutes and quite moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5HLT-TyRs[/video]]This is My Story - Ben Breedlove [Flash Card Video] - YouTube

Namaste!

[dill]

Free and Fit February

Wow Papmom! ( X-post) That is beautiful! And is that label one of Lav's works?
You are one talented woman. I'm glad you are AF.:goodjob:

[Rusty]

Free and Fit February

Papmom-I love the table runner!! I really like your choice of colors. Where did you get the idea for this type of design....magazine, etc. or original Papmom 3 design talent? Did Ms. Lav help you with your new logo? As far as accomplishing everything in a day, no one does it like you do....I think everyone on this thread agrees with that. A tribute to your wonderful AF status.

LBH-how are you doing today?:l Has your pain subsided at all?

Dew-please check in and give us an update. We all care about you.

Chill-more reiki this weekend?

Dill-I went to Catholic school, private prep, and public. If I had to do it all again, I would have stayed at the private prep school. I went to public high school and it's really my only regret about my youth. I am a practicing Catholic and do not agree with many of the church's views, however, their philosophy with regard to birth control, divorce, etc. don't affect me so I don't waste time thinking about it. I focus on the very fine work my church and my mother's church provide with regard to feeding the poor, assisting the disabled, etc. in the communities in which we live. My faith was one of the key reasons I was able to finally address my problems with AL, and take action. Thank you also for posting the Youtube vidoe of Ben Breedlove. I will check it out on a break later today :-)

Ok, I am studying and I have my painter here....doing some touch-up work. I am having a fabulous AF Saturday and I hope you all are, too!

[papmom3]

Free and Fit February

Thank you thank you Dill and rusty! Yes, that label is a Miss Lav original and will be what I use on most of the items I make-especially the ones for friends/family. Rusty-I found the pattern in the quilt shop. I chose the colors and did my own machine quilting design (inlined as opposed to outlined) the fish with the same color thread-purple on purple, green on green. I'm very proud of this piece!!

Dill-I'm sorry-my mind was racing again! One of DD's triggers to barking and aggressive behavior towards my other animals is looking out the kitchen windows and seeing someone walk by, a cat or another dog. The book I downloaded for reactive dogs said to cover windows with bottom-up roman shades which I can't afford. The other alternative given was that decorative cling window coverings or tape some wax paper to the windows. Since the wax paper was less than $2/roll-guess what I picked?? It lookes horrible but I never have any visitors so I really don't care. Now I'm able to roll up the pull shades to the top and let some light in the kitchen. It's been so quiet here today! DD has learned immediately he can't look out the window anymore! Hooray!

[Chillgirl]

Free and Fit February

Evening guys

Im so far behind so please excuse me for not addressing you all.

Rustop - Van the Man! How wonderful, I love his music. I know he has had his own battle with the booze which I hope he is winning. Do you remember the Middle East hostage, John McCarthy? I met him at his book signing years ago, the book was called "Some other rainbow" taken from Van Morrison's song A Wonderful Remark Clinging to some other rainbow, While we're standing, waiting in the cold, Telling us the same old story, Knowing time is growing old. 5 years locked up in appauling conditions, him and Brian Keenan kept themselves sane by reciting all the song lyrics thay could remember. I used Brown Eyed Girl for a video I put together of Elle and it always makes me think of her.

Papmom - What beautiful vibrant colors! And labels by Lav, I love how this thread really is a team :l

Dill - Thank you for the utube link, the story really made me weep but im happy he is now smiling in that beautiful peaceful place with his Angels. Im always in awe of how many amazing people pass through this world.

My live Angel Maggie continues to brighten my every day. She desperately needs a lung transplant and her heart is enlarged yet I get a joyous message from her every day and she made me a tshirt which I know Papmom saw on FB, it was of two happy smiling little aliens with the words "same planet - different language" because we always joke we dont fit in here. She is so incredible and I feel so grateful to have met her. Now im really crying...:upset:

Sadly I dont get commission for the sales, in normal times if I was getting sales like these every month I would but in this climate I dont hope to achieve the annual target I get set. It still felt great though to get 3 sales in a week!

I have so much going on in my head at the moment I dont know where to start if I were to verbalise it so for now I will spare you the confusion. Just know that it is all good, I have SO many ideas and plans and need to sort it all into some kind of order to put in to practise. I spend half the day filling in an arduous job application form and tonight Im now going to chill, watch some DVDs on my laptop and eat chocolate......

[Lavande]

Free and Fit February

Chill - no sales commission? What's up with that?
Hope you have a good evening!

papmom, I have made tons of window shades, curtains, etc over my life time ~ pretty easy these days with youtube, etc (hint, hint)
I was just thinking your dog must think he has cataracts looking thru waxed paper :H
Glad you were able to use your labels - we'll keep working on that!

Dill, I went to Catholic school for 8 years then switched. It was a good thing for me too as I could no longer tolerate the good Sisters of St Joseph. I went back to get married there but that was only to please my Mother - seriously!

Rusty, whether or not the rules applied to me - I just find them oppresive to women & I'll drop this topic......
Hope your studying, shopping weekend is good!

Just did a little work, getting orders filled for folks & that includes EB. He was here yesterday & saw a printout on my desk of the cars & truck kiddie designs & said that he would like to have one on a black cap. He went right to my box of youth caps, choose the one he wanted & said - 'This will be perfect for the summer'. :H :H OMG he is a piece of work!!!

Well, it's 4 pm - time to go collect eggs & thank the girls

[ladybirdheart]

Free and Fit February

It?s good to be home and here on a quiet AF Saturday night. I have been putting things together on my nursery table to start my veggie seeds later in the month. I am hoping for some big fat plants for late April and am enjoying sorting through my box of seeds and setting up the lights, heating pad, and the little pots. Your quilting is lovely Pappy, as you know I like the ?domestic arts?. In contrast to all of this peace and serenity I also, however, bought the first season of ?Boardwalk Empire? on DVD a couple of days ago. I am finding it to be spellbinding but not for the faint of heart, I find myself at times pulling a soft fuzzy lap blanket over my head. I did the same with the ?Sopranos? and loved every moment. With my happy plant table and a new (to me) clever gruesome tale on television, my dreams tonight should be a challenge. Love and see you tomorrow, Ladybird.