6/29 - Got up early this morning and went across the river to Havre de Grace with my friend, Denise. We walked 3 miles. The first half mile and the last half mile were by the river. Sure is pretty. Saw some baby ducks and a beautiful blue heron. Have had a good day so far. Deanna and I had a nice conversation this morning. Have drank so much water I feel as if I slosh when I walk. Gonna keep it short. Will post any loss tomorrow. Keep the faith:)

6/28 - Well, this month is almost over and I sit here having lost no additional weight. Why can't I seem to get my stuff together and get this job done? I am usually well organized and can get most things done that I want. This just seems like such a formidable thing to face. I keep telling myself to take it 10 lbs at a time and when I did that I finally got rid of the first 10. I have got to get back on track. We went out on the boat again yesterday afternoon and in the evening two of the kids and I went over to the park in Harve de Grace with my dad and listened to a concert. It was supposed to be folk and rock music. The bass was too loud and the vocals weren't loud enough. All in all, wasn't too bad; but was glad we didn't have to pay to hear it. The only song they sang that I recognized was an old Eagles song and it was almost over before I realized which one it was. The sure did butcher it. In 2 weeks they will have a steel ensemble there playing songs from the islands. I really want to go to that one. Didn't go to the ortho dude yesterday, they called and changed my appointment to next Wednesday; so I still don't know what he is going to try next. Well, will write again tomorrow. Oh yeah, I have walked every day and tried to keep my eating under control. Haven't eaten anything after 9:00 for the past 3 nights. For me that is quite an accomplishment. Keep the Faith:)

6/25 - Things are about the same. It is still hot and humid here. We spent most of yesterday afternoon out on the boat. It sure is nice out on the Susky. (That's short for Susquehanna River.) We dock at a little island in the middle of the river and swim. I swam for about 2 hours straight. It is really tiring swimming and dealing with the current. I was real good when we got home. Didn't pig out as I would have in the past. Only had a crab cake sub for supper. Asked them to back the crab cakes instead of frying them. They did it! I was kinda surprised, and so were they; they said I am the only person who has ever asked them to do that. They just baked them while they baked the pizza for the rest of the family. Eating crab cakes while they eat pizza is no problem for me as I can't stand pizza. I did break down and get some fat free caramel dip to eat with my apples. Have been resisting it for months and finally broke down. I only use one half of a seving for the whole apple. That is only 60 extra calories. Just needed something different. Have already walked today and drank about a quart of water and it is only 9:30. Sorry I haven't been on line much with ICQ and haven't answered many emails. I am trying not to use my wrist too much because it really is painful when I overdo it. Go back to the ortho guy on Friday. Will let you know what he says. It takes forever to type this because I can only type with one hand. Keep the faith :)

6/23 - 220 lbs - Well, I'm back again. Haven't lost the 2 pounds I gained back. I consider myself lucky not to have gained more. Went to a graduation for my nephew yesterday. He is the first of my parent's grandchildren to graduate. It is hard to believe he is that old. Seems like only yesterday when he was born. My oldest only has 3 more years of high school left. Already he doesn't always want to go with us when we go places. I made pretty good choices at the party yesterday. Had one burger with just ketchup, pickle, mustard and onion. Had five chips and a fruit salad made with just cut up fruit and no dressing. It was very good. Then I only had a small piece of cake. Couldn't resist (it was chocolate and I have that girl thing going for me right now.) Have done pretty good today, just can't seem to get the water thing going for me. I have really got to work on that. Feel in a better mood. Walking every morning has helped. Tomorrow I will walk alone because Denise has to take her oldest son to the airport for a flight to Yuma. It is supposed to be real humid again tomorrow. Got up in the 90s again today, but the humidity was alot lower than over the weekend. The humidity really seems to take it out of me. Well, guess that all for now; have got to go fix dinner. Keep the Faith:)

6/19 - I better warn you, I am not in a very good mood. Was weeding my flower beds last week and lost my wedding band. Despite repeated searches with the metal detector, we still can't find it. It is my fault. Since loosing the weight it had gotten really loose and I kept saying I was going to get it resized; but somehow never got it done. I feel really bad and miss it terribly. My husband says he will get me a new one, but it won't be the same. It is very humid today. Went for a walk today but only did 2 15-min miles. It was just too hot to do any more, even at 7:00 in the morning. Already near 80 and the humidity kicks off my asthma. Of course, if I could just stay on track and get some of this weight off, I won't have near as many problems. Just don't seem to have any motivation. My swim suit from last year is too big and I had to swim in shorts and a tank top. You would think that would help, but I am really missing my mom for some reason lately and have just been down in the dumps. Yobo does what he can to help me feel better but this is something I have just got to deal with. Can go for a while and then it just seems to hit me. Will it ever get better? I need my guardian angel to give me a lift. Gotta go, my youngest is having trouble with his asthma and needs another breathing treatment. At least being able to give them to him at home keeps him out of the hospital. Will try to be in a better mood tomorrow. Keep the faith:)

6/18 - Well, I have gained back 2 pounds, back up to 220. My husband somehow got into my page where I introduced myself and told me I wasn't being honest with you guys. I got upset with him but he pointed out that I failed to tell you that at the same time last year I weighed 275. I had forgotten about that (because that is 45 pounds I don't ever want to think about or see again). I guess that means I have really lost 55 pounds. I just didn't count it because I counted from the time I joined the journal page. Then we had an argument this afternoon. Our daughter wanted to go out on the boat and he told her we could if she could talk me into it. He knows how I feel about the boat. I like it and everything; but as far as I am concerned, we don't have to go out on it every day he is home. If I don't feel like going out it makes me seem like the bad guy. I called him on it and yelled at him in front of our daughter. That was really the extent of our argument; but I told him he does it to me all the time and I am getting tired of it. I like our arguments. We just tell each other what is bothering us and that is the end of it. When my Dad got mad, he would sulk for days and no one else in the house talked. I promised myself that when I had kids that would never happen and I think that helps. We seldom argue and when we do it is over very quickly and the air is cleared. I heard that is the way it is supposed to be done and it has worked for us for almost 16 years. I walked with Denise this morning. We were kinda slow. Walked for 45 minutes but only went 2 1/2 miles. We usually do 3 or a little over; but it was so humid that always seems to slow us down. It felt more like we were drinking the air than breathing it. I am gonna get off of here because it looks like a storm is coming up and we are under a tornado watch at this time. Can you believe it, tornadoes in Maryland. Go figure. Keep the faith:)

6/17 - Well, I started the morning out right. Denise and I have started walking in the mornings again now that school is out. This year we decided to sleep in a little later and not walk until 7:00 instead of 6:00. I live so close to the track I can sleep til 6:45 and still get up and walk the half mile to the track and get there in time. I haven't been walking tho because it is the height of rush hour and the road I have to walk on is a major highway with no sidewalks. My husband just hates for me to walk it then and I can see the wisdom of his judgement. I have been doing pretty good with my water intake. Looked up some recipes on the net and got one from a link on one of the pages for a recipe using yogurt and fat free pudding and fresh fruit. You are supposed to refrigerate it; but I froze my. Haven't tried it yet, but my daughter loved it. I just hope she doesn't eat it all before I get a chance. Keep the faith and I will write again tomorrow. I seem to do better when I write and let you all know how my day was. It keeps me aware of what I have been doing during the day. I really appreciate knowing everyone is here if I need help. Keep the faith:)

6/13- Sorry I didn't write for a couple of days. Wednesday really wiped me out. I took both back seats out of my van and it was totally stuffed with boxes and a couple of carpets from the classroom. We couldn't believe all that stuff had accumulated from just five months. By the time we got the van loaded up and went up to Steph's house in Delaware and back it took almost three hours. Then we had a few little things to finish up in the room.

I found out the cortisone shot only works if I don't over-use my wrist. Pulled weeds the other night and paid for it yesterday. Spent my whole first day off for the summer on the couch with a severe sinus infection and a wrist that felt like someone had lit a match inside it. Oh well, the antibiotics have kicked in and I feel better. Now to get to the matter at hand.

Started the day pretty good with a piece of toast with a little peanut butter spread on it (low-fat of course) and also had some honeydew. Also had a cup of tea. Have drank about 24 ounces of water so far. Guess that is a pretty good start. Keep the faith:)

6/10 - Well, today was the last day of school for the students. We have to go back tomorrow to finish cleaning up our room and moving everything to Steph's house. Since both of us were hired as long-term subs in Feb when the new class started, we don't know if we will have a job next year. If the positions are open, we will have to be interviewed just like anyone else interested in the job. Boy does that blow. I am just keeping my fingers crossed.

One of the kids called the teacher(Steph)a bitch today. He was taken to the office real quick. That is par for the course with the type of students we work with; but that is the first time that particular student has done that. We can only imagine what they will be like next year after all summer of being out of school and home all the time. Most of their problems start in the home. Oh well, such is life.

I meant to weigh in today; but was running late, again, and forgot. Will try to do it tomorrow. Don't have to fix lunches for the three kids; just myself. That should give me some extra time. Also don't have to be there til 8:30 instead of 8:00. I may just sleep in an extra half hour.

Did fairly good eating, had a light breakfast and a turkey sandwich w/o mayo for lunch. Haven't had supper yet because I haven't figured out what to fix. Yobo is at work and the kids will all want something different to eat. Sometimes feel like a short order cook.

6/8 - Well, we didn't go to the birthday party. We went out on the boat instead. What a trip, the water was rough and we were hitting 2 and 3 foot swells. I don't really care for it when it's that rough. We docked at an island and the kids went swimming again. The water is still just a little too cold for me. Of course, 20 years or so ago I would have been right in there with them.

The cortisone shot seems to have worked. Now my wrist only hurts when I use it too much. This includes such things and pulling on the boat lines, washing and waxing my van, and pulling weeds. I know because I did all of these things today. Now I am really paying for it so I will keep this short.

I had a terrible day eating. Did okay until supper; then I fixed pancakes and sausage for my husband and kids. Ended up eating two small pancakes and two sausage links. Of course, there was a time not too long ago when I would have eaten 3 or 4 pancakes and numerous links of sausage. I have finally learned to stop eating before I am so stuffed I can't move. Maybe I am learning. I can only hope. See you tomorrow and keep the faith:)

6/6 - I didn't have to walk by myself after all last night. Denise met me up there without a phone call. That's what I call a friend. We walked again tonight. It was a little chilly and windy tonight. Only about 61 and a 5mph wind blowing.

I went to the orthopedic guy today. He said I do have beginning carpal tunnel syndrome but it is not serious enough for surgery. He gave me a cortisone shot. First he gave me novacaine and then the cortisone. It still hurt like the very dickens. I don't want to have that done again any time soon. On the brighter side, my wrist is still sore but it does feel better than it has in quite some time.

Had a pretty good day diet wise. Watched my calories and fat grams and drank more water than I have been. The kids leave at 1:30 these last 5 days of school so I can drink more because I have all afternoon to be able to go to the bathroom. Only 2 more days with students and one more day after that to clean up. I believe we are as excited as the kids. We are also relieved. My frustration level will probably fall dramatically.

We are invited to a birthday party for my niece on Sunday. It will be at the bowling alley in Aberdeen. I doubt I will be able to bowl though. Don't want to over do it with my wrist. I'll let you know how things go eating wise. Will try to be good. See ya and keep the faith:)

6/5 - Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Have been having problems with my server. Kept getting booted. Also have been having trouble with my wrist. Things have been pretty bad down at school and have over- extended my wrist. Major pain. I go to an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow. Maybe he will be able to tell me something. I sure hope so. I really want to know what is wrong.

Only three more days of school for the kids and one more for me. I can hardly wait. As it turns out, I may be working summer school after all. Will know for sure next week. At least that is only 3 hours a day for 4 weeks. More money for my car payments. Every little bit helps.

My daughter is pretty sick with an acute sinus infection and sore throat. The doctor put her on antibiotics. That is what she gets for going swimming in 70 degree water and getting her hair wet. She has missed two days of school so far and has to stay home tomorrow. She looks like a ghost walking around because she is so pale.

Gotta go for my walk. Couldn't get ahold of Denise, so I am on my own. See ya later and keep the faith:)

6/1 - 218 - Well, so another month begins. I have lost 12 pounds so far. This is going to take a long time. Too bad it doesn't fall off as fast as it jumped on. At least the scales are starting to move down. For almost five weeks nothing seemed to be happening. Have been walking almost every night. Only 8 more days to work and then summer vacation begins. Then I can drink my full quota of water without worrying about being caught in the room and no hope of going to the bathroom. Maybe then things will speed up a little. Nothing much to report and I have to get off of here because I can hear thunder in the distance. They are calling for a severe thunderstorm this evening and rain for the next 5 days. I will write when I can. It depends on the weather and how bad my wrist is hurting. See ya and keep the faith:)