Prayers Please (Debs)

Ladies, can I ask you to pray for me please. Lately I’ve been feeling more and more down about my job (working in school as a special needs assistant, not childminding - I love that). When I got the job the headteacher was happy for me to work 3 days a week as I already had a commitment to look after the beautiful boy, but she really wanted me to switch to 5 days after Christmas. At the time I was like ‘Oh, ok - that gives me enough time to give little ones parents notice to find someone else’ etc etc.

However, having started the job I’ve become disillusioned with all the staff ‘politics’ - especially differences of opinion between the headteacher and the deputy (who also happens to be the teacher of the class I work with in the mornings). Add to that the fact that I really don’t think that one-to-one support is what the boy I work with in the mornings really needs.

It’s been on my mind on and off ever since I started at the school. I resolved some initial stresses with the class teacher once he realised I thought the same about boy not needing the one-to-one help. However over the last couple of weeks I’ve just been getting more and more down about it all.

Basically I really don’t want to do 5 days after Christmas, and I’m not really sure I want to do any days really. I knew that this school would be different - it’s a city school for 3-11 year olds with two forms per year, whereas last year I was in a little village school and everyone knew everybody. But I really have tried, and it’s getting to the point that it’s making me so stressed that I’m tired all the time, constantly feeling under the weather and struggling with my eating. I’ve felt myself getting short-tempered with people, especially my family. It’s hard because my Mum works at the same school, so I don’t want to leave her to deal with the aftermath!

I’m planning to go to the headteacher tomorrow and speak to her about it. I’ve put off doing it before becasue she’s the sort of person who can talk you into doing something even if you’d been planning to do the opposite, and I wanted to try to get my head sorted first. I’m not convinced my head is sorted yet, but I’ve got to talk to her soon before she starts to put together a new contract for me (my original one runs till the end of the year, and then she planned to give me a new one for when I started doing 5 days).

Um, right, please pray specifically that I’ll feel well enough to go in tomorrow (sore throat\cold and just mental stress). That I’ll be able to talk to the head at a time that’s not squeezed in between other stuff, but that I’ll have time to explain what I’m feeling and why. And that we can come up with a solution that is best for everyone involved. And that if I do leave the school I can work out quickly job I ought to be doing - Little one’s Mum goes on Maternity leave either at the end of January\beginning of February so I won’t be looking after him for much longer, although it would be great to be able to available to help out them out as and when needed. Thanks Everybody

UPDATE: The headteacher was off on a course all day today, but I’ve got an appointment to see her at 8.30am on Monday.

« My working dictionary For Debs »

1. Praying for you. Jobs can really be stressful at times. May God give you wisdom and strength to make a good decision and that he will provide all you need - either in this job or in a new job.

   Comment by Anita — November 30, 2006 @ 7:56 pm

2. Praying, Debs.

   Comment by Carrie — November 30, 2006 @ 8:56 pm

3. (((DEBS))) I will certainly be praying…

   Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 9:50 pm

My working dictionary

Over the last few months my working knowledge of differences between American English and British English has greatly expanded, especially in the category of food and drink.

For example (I’ll put American and then what I’d call it):

• Eggplant = Aubergine
• Biscuit = Some strange savoury thing with gravy that doesn’t really exist over here.
• Cookie = Biscuit
• Cola = Pop = Soda = Fizzy drinks
• Zucchini = Courgette
• and Spelling things without the u (for example flavour\flavor)

Ok, so my brain has now drawn a blank, but I’m sure there are plenty of others. Can anyone else think of any?

« Workin’ It in the White Stuff Prayer please »

1. This is Debs mum adding cilantro we call coriander. That one really puzzled me for a while.

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 3:24 pm

2. hehehe biscuits don’t always have gravy — sometimes they have jam or jelly or honey or just plain butter…….

   Comment by Maria — November 30, 2006 @ 3:58 pm

3. Now I am so smart! I have always wondered what coriander and aubergine were.

   What about car trunk=boot? Is that right, debs, is that what ya’ll call it? I am sure there is more…..

   Comment by lady laura — November 30, 2006 @ 4:21 pm

4. One that’s more phrasing than vocabulary is that the British say someone is “in hospital” where we say “in the hospital” - or at least I’ve heard that several times. Perhaps it’s not ubiquitous.

   I know I was quite startled when Austin Powers came out and I learned that “shagging” was something other than a Coastal Carolina dance step. (I never saw the movies, by the way.)

   Other than that, I’m not so sure how reliable I am since most of the “British-isms” that I know come from Wodehouse books and other out-of-date items. Is “going off your chump” still valid? I say that a LOT. I also like to say that things “aren’t cricket”…

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 30, 2006 @ 4:25 pm

5. Oh Wait!!! We were supposed to be talking about food! Oops!

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 30, 2006 @ 4:26 pm

6. And speaking of American biscuits, I don’t think there is an equivalent to soda crackers in the UK either. A few years ago I spent a week with a friend of mine visiting her sister in Northumberland and we ALL got the flu. Her and her two kids, her sister’s entire family and me. And I kept craving soda crackers and all they had in the house were digestive cookies/biscuits. They are not the same!

   I’m trying to think of other food differences but I’m drawing a blank. You’ve mentioned the major ones.

   Oh yeah, fries = chips… potato chips = crisps (I think), my British friend calls paper towels, kitchen roll. I’ve even caught myself saying that once in awhile.

   Comment by Anita — November 30, 2006 @ 5:15 pm

7. Saran wrap = cling film
   Vacation = holiday
   Lawyer = Solicitor
   A solicitor in the USA is someone who is trying to sell you something but either way they are not people most people think of fondly… (my brother is a lawyer so I know ALL the jokes)

   I know it is just food but I watch so many Britcoms I have a slew of them floating around in my head. I just cannot catch them right now. LOL

   Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 6:00 pm

8. I’ll have to get out the cookbooks my English mum sent me - I know there were some items in there that sounded yummy if only I could figure out what the ingredients are!

   Comment by Jana — December 1, 2006 @ 8:47 am

9. Jana, I’m sure between us we can come up with a translation for you! Post any ingredients you weren’t sure about and we’ll see what we can do

   Comment by Debs — December 1, 2006 @ 9:15 am

workin' it in the white stuff (LLAURA)

Leann mentioned that they are expecting snow. Well, we are too. Up to 14 inches of the white stuff. Schools have been canceled (not ours, of course!), the icing has begun, and everyone is in a panic. I say, bring it on! After all, I don’t have to drive to work, or anywhere else for that matter. This is when having a well-stocked larder comes in very handy.

All that being said, my workout tomorrow (tonight?) will be quite a bit different. I happen to love to shovel snow. Since my beloved son does too, we usually fight over who gets to do it since we only have one shovel. Not to fear, however. I has plans, ya see.

I just learned that one of my yayhoo neighbors (”Trixie & Dixie”, as I call them) is very seriously ill. Her drive and walk will get a good shoveling ala Nick, as will an elderly neighbor down the street. Since I run a business out of my home and have people coming and going, the walk needs to be kept clear at all times. This means there will be enough shoveling to be done to keep both Nick and I good and sweaty for a couple of days.

Unless, of course, the weather man is wrong (again) in which case I (not to mention Nick) will be very disappointed. We have our hearts set on it. And how else will I earn a cup of hot and frothy chocolate?

« Avoiding the biscuits My working dictionary »

1. Wow, that’s a lot of snow. Not sure I’ve ever seen that much here in London (either in one go or adding up all the snow we’ve had in my life time! )

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 11:16 am

2. We did not get any coverage but we enjoyed watching the flakes falling last night from our window. Sounds like you will be enjoying your snow thoroughly!!! Hope you get loads and get to shovel to your heart’s content. You will burn so many calories you won’t even notice the hot chocolate and you can savor it completely. Enjoy making a snow angel or two for us desert dwellers, too.

   Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 11:40 am

3. no snow expected here - just a possibility of hail (!!!). And storms and winds, but we’ve been expecting it to be here earlier, and just the winds are picking up. I will actually like the drop in temps - it’s warm in my house and I refuse to turn on the AC when it’s supposed to drop 50 degrees outside - from 78 (now) to 28 tonight.

   snoveling snow will definitely earn you that chocolate!

   Comment by Tracy — November 30, 2006 @ 1:07 pm

4. We’ve got snow and LOTS of it - at least it’s a lot to me anyway It’s been coming down for several hours now and this is all after getting a good coat of ice on the ground yesterday. It’s absolutely beautiful out there.

   I won’t be shovelling any though - the condo has a maintenance crew that came around and did all the sidewalks (mainly de-iced them) and the main roads.

   Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 2:36 pm

5. All you lovely ladies with snow, please post snow pictures - either here or on your own blogs.
   Please, pretty please

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 2:46 pm

6. No snow here, but my mom in Illinois is having a mess of ice and snow. We seem to have been blessed with an absence of anything - just some drizzle that will freeze a bit in the morning, but thankfully, no hail, and doesn’t look like we’ll get some now.

   Comment by Tracy — November 30, 2006 @ 7:18 pm

Avoiding the biscuits (Debs)

Ok, before I write what I actually want to say I have a question for you guys - Do you call all biscuits cookies, or are some call something else? Cos I would say that to me cookies are a type of biscuit, but not all biscuits are cookies.

Anyway, now that I’ve totally confused you all, I have another question… How do you avoid the biscuits?

This morning I was childminding and took S to a mothers (etc) and toddler session at our local church. I’m assuming you have those sorts of things - in a church hall and the kids play with lots of exciting toys and the mums (etc) all sit around and chat and drink tea and eat biscuits! Well, I’ve never liked tea or coffee so don’t have a problem refusing them, but when the biscuit tin comes round it gets harder. Putting aside all the ‘retuning the body to not want sweet stuff’ (which is great, and totally true) how can you manage to keep avoiding the biscuits?

BTW, in case you were wondering, I did avoid the biscuits today, but it was getting hard to say “No, I’m sure, I really don’t want one”.

So, how do you avoid the biscuits*?

* Or whatever it is that gets waved under your nose every 2 seconds.

« Why so Silent Good Messieurs? Workin’ It in the White Stuff »

1. I don’t call anything a biscuit except baking powder biscuits. We have cookies and bars (bar cookies).

   At home, I avoid them by not buying or making them. But when I’m out, sometimes I chew gum, or have something with me to drink. Anything that will give me something to put into my mouth instead of a cookie. But, it’s hard to resist, no matter what strategy I have.

   Plus, I think some European biscuits are easier to gobble up 2 at a time because they aren’t as sweet as our American Cookies. Like digestive biscuits - they don’t seem very cookie-like to me. Just my opinion.

   Good for you in avoiding the biscuits today! One step at a time, one day at a time!

   Comment by Anita — November 29, 2006 @ 4:44 pm

2. What helps me is being a cookie snob. I find that most of the time at a gathering like you mention, there are store bought goodies. With the exception of Nutter Butter (yum), I find commercially made or even store-bakery cookies yucky. Get snobby, it might work for you, too.

   Other than that, gum helps me too. Or having just brushed my teeth.

   If none of that worked, or someone who baked brought the treats, I would pick just one leetle cookie and nibble on it really sllloooww.

   And what’s up with you not liking tea, Debs? Isn’t that unpatriotic in jolly ol’ England?

   Comment by lady laura — November 29, 2006 @ 4:53 pm

3. Remember the energy and success and empowerment of NOT eating the biscuit/cookie today. That’s one of the things that I have to remind myself about — how great it feels to NOT be controlled by food and to not give in.

   And, seriously, learn to like TEA!! It’s yummy and also a good way to get water

   Comment by anne — November 29, 2006 @ 8:03 pm

4. Biscuits are biscuits and cookies are cookies and never the twain shall meet - except in the UK. LOL When I first discovered British Comedies I was so confused that they called little round sugary things biscuits. I kept telling Dan, “those are not biscuits, those are SUGAR COOKIES!” Seriously biscuits are NOT sweet here unless you put syrup, honey or jelly on them. They are breakfast food and I prefer them with gravy. Cookies are made with butter, sugar, flour and a variety of garnishes like chocolate chips and walnuts or oatmeal and raisins or peanut butter or… I am getting hungry here…

   Anyway, I don’t avoid them completely. I will be baking with the kids for the holidays and I will be having a nibble as I go from time to time. The thing is not to OVER INDULGE for me. I can have one with a cup of tea or coffee and then give the rest away. I have learned to control that. I find that when I totally cut out such things I feel awfully deprived. I know some of the other ladies would SWEAR I am giving bad advice but that is what works for me. I eat a bite of cake off Dan’s plate or eat one cookie and then I have had that taste and can let it go. Some people cannot and so they shouldn’t. We are just all different… It also helps that the only store bought cookies I can even tolerate are oreo cookies with a big glass of milk. If they are not homemade I won’t eat them. I am a real cookie snob, too. I even make my own cookies with whole wheat pastry flour so they are even a tad bit healthy. That helps when the “biscuit tin” is passed my way.

   Love ya sweetie!!! (((HUG)))

   Comment by Leann — November 29, 2006 @ 8:54 pm

5. I guess that’s like people in the south calling anything with carbonation a “coke” or the folks in the north calling it a “pop”. When of course you have different varieties and brands and whatever.

   I like Leann’s description of what we call cookies and what we call biscuits. How to avoid them?? Hmm, I typically don’t have a problem avoiding them in public. I figure people are looking at me if I eat junk in public and thinking, “that woman has no business eating that.” lol. Where my struggle lies is in private but that has come a long way in the last year. I’m with Leann lately, trying to train myself to just have a small bit and then move on - teaching myself that I can control what I put in my mouth when for years I believed I was a lost cause in that area.

   Anyway, I figure I don’t really have an advice lol - if you’re trying to avoid that stuff just keep in mind that you’ll be proud of yourself later if you do

   Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 7:10 am

6. Excuse me, it’s not pop or coke, it’s SODA! (yet another variation, LOL). I am also curious about what kind of cookies are called biscuits.

   The Christmas baking has begun and I am trying not to eat much of it. The way I handle it is to make cookies I’m not as fond of, and when I do make my faves, I have ONE. no more.

   I like the idea of being a store-bought snob - it would help. I’m trying to get ready for the round of Christmas parties - church, work, neighborhood, and it’s going to be a challenge, but if I’m going to lose weight by Christmas, it must be done.

   My number one tip is to make sure that you’re not hungry when you’re going to be in the situation. That makes it easier to make good choices. The idea of picking one to sample (slowly) is a good one too. Or enlist a helper who will stick by your guns with you (my dh will be mine at the parties, reminding me NICELY that I decided not to have the sweets, or that I decided to have ONE).

   Comment by Tracy — November 30, 2006 @ 12:33 pm

7. Ok, cookies would probably be homemade, but you can also get store-bought ones. They would probably be, for example, chocolate chip or something like that. Biscuits would be most other shop bought ones - things like digestives, hobnobs, custard creams and bourbons to name a few.

   Everyone said that I’d get a taste for tea or coffee when I went to university (typical student image being sitting up till all hours and using caffiene to stay awake…) But I never did, and to be honest it doesn’t really bother me. I’m not really keen on hot drinks - my ‘hot’ chocolate has to cool down before I can drink it! To Anne I’ll just add that I have no problem with drinking water, so i don’t even really need that excuse to drink it!

   I wasn’t necessarily wanting advice (but thanks for it anyway!), just checking other people are facing this too, and that people are alive really, whatever the blog may have suggested recently

   Finally, they’re ‘fizzy drinks’ ok?

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 1:13 pm

8. BWAHAHAHAHAHA…”fizzy drinks?” I call them sodas… but I may call them fizzy drinks from now on! LOL Oh, anything called custard creams cannot be anything but YUMMO! MUST.FIND.RECIPE!!!

   Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 1:33 pm

9. Dunno if you can make custard creams - I’ve only ever seen shop-bought ones, but let us know if you find a recipe!

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 2:07 pm

10. For what it’s worth Tracy and Leann, I too call it “Soda” but know plenty in several areas of the country who call it “coke” and “pop”. When my SIL asks “do you want a pop” I always picture someone getting smacked in the face lol.

    Of course, then you have the folks who take it to the extreme and call them “soda pops” lol

    Good times…

    Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 2:31 pm

11. Oh and I once babysat (”child minded” for Debs) a little boy who called soda, “Fuzzy Juice”. It was sooo cute once I realized what he was asking for lol.

    Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 2:33 pm

12. I’d call it babysitting if it was for an evening or something, but child-minding if it was for a whole day\couple of days a week. Also, people that do it on a more official basis (rather than as a favour for a friend) have to be registered as official child-minders.

    Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 2:55 pm

13. I was a nanny for a family during the summer while the kids were out of school. I still called that “sitting” for them I can see what you mean though. I’d never heard of “child-minding” till you mentioned it (and it took me a minute to realize what you were talking about lol). I think the differences are neat though - I’ve commented more than once to my husband how fun it is to read the differences in phrasing and stuff. Tee Hee…speaking of the hubby - he’s just walked in and it’s time to eat!

    Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 4:22 pm

14. My dad has always called them “fizzy waters” with the s on the end for both plural and singular. He is a true southern boy from south Texas. LOL

    Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 5:48 pm

15. Oh, and “sody water”…

    Comment by Leann — November 30, 2006 @ 5:49 pm

Why so Silent Good Messieurs?

Filed under: Blog Business � blestwithsons @ 1:06 pm

name the character who sings that!

Seriously…if you look over the main page of this GROUP blog… you see my name WAY too often. I mean, I know I’ve always been the most verbost (yes I know that’s wrong - but I like it!) but c’mon!! It’s just TOO quiet around here. This is the season when we need each other the most! When we should be pouring on the support and sharing lots of ideas for coping and cooking.

Where are you ladies? I miss you!! Why so quiet??

« Quote of the Day Avoiding the biscuits »

1. why so quiet? busy busy busy. sick kid. Christmas is how many days away??? NO. and the boys want to go backpacking when??? in the middle of getting ready for Christmas???

   etc.

   but I am trying to write a post about a great idea I just read about, but now I have to get off the computer again. I seriously covet my dh’s laptop now… so cool, but then again, I like a regular keyboard more… so what was I supposed to talk about?

   hi! Congratulations to you Blest, on weighing less than your husband. I don’t think I’ve weighed less than my dh since the first year of marriage. but it’s a long term goal of mine!

   Comment by Tracy — November 29, 2006 @ 1:18 pm

2. The Phantom, n’est pas?

   And I’ve been wondering the same thing. It seems like all blogland is eerily quiet since the holiday. Maybe they are all busily crafting, like me?

   Comment by lady laura — November 29, 2006 @ 2:51 pm

3. Yay Laura! Yes. Tis the Phantom. That’s one of the phrases that just randomly floats around in my mind. There’s another one from late in the musical…but I can’t remember what it is right now. (aigh!) It’ll come to me later, I’m sure…

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 29, 2006 @ 3:31 pm

4. I’ve been wondering where everyone was too. I wasn’t posting much cos I could only think of silly things to say, but p’haps I’ll jsut post the silly things, and something useful might come out with it!
   You’ve done a great job Blest

   Comment by Debs — November 29, 2006 @ 3:32 pm

5. because I am working full time — it is almost Christmas………….

   Comment by Maria — November 29, 2006 @ 4:24 pm

6. Ah. Grad school, broken toe (frustrating), bridesmaid duties this weekend, and trying to dig out my apartment from all the messiness of the stress of grad school (see previous post long-ago on stress). Plus I can only comment!

   Comment by anne — November 29, 2006 @ 8:06 pm

7. Finals week, severely sore throat, no sleep because I coughed my self senseless last night, swollen glands, lowgrade fever and just overall yucky feeling, not very chatty and not online that much. Oh, and it is suppose to SNOW HERE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a little excited about that since it hasn’t snowed here in several years. I hope it is white when I wake up tomorrow but I am NOT holding my breath. Headin’ for my flannels…

   Leann out…

   Comment by Leann — November 29, 2006 @ 9:00 pm

8. We’ve been busy with family stuff and making sure I get in my workouts. My son’s birthday is tomorrow also - busy, busy, busy! And then of course, there’s the other stuff I’ve kind of told you about already lol.

   Oh and Leann, I’m looking out at a lovely blanket of snow - hope you got some last night Hope you’re feeling better soon.

   Comment by Blair — November 30, 2006 @ 7:25 am

9. The post title reminded me of a song that they used to sing at a mother and toddler centre where my Mum worked - it was all about these little bunnies that were sleeping and then wake up and jump around. Anyway, one of the lines in it was “why so still? Are they ill? Wake Up Bunnies!”
   And now that song’s been stuck in my headever since I first saw this post. Doh!

   Comment by Debs — November 30, 2006 @ 3:00 pm

Quote of the Day (blest)

Beauty of form affects the mind, but then it must be understood that it is not the mere shell that we admire; we are attracted by the idea that this shell is only a beautiful case adjusted to the shape and value of a still more beautiful pearl within. The perfection of outward loveliness is the soul shining through its crystalline covering. ~ Jane Porter

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« To state the Obvious… Why so Silent Good Messieurs? »

1. This quote reminds me of a conversation I had with a cousin over Thanksgiving. He’s single and looking. He said he was at a function with some friends and noticed a girl who was so beautiful and very classy looking. He said he noticed her pearls. He wanted to meet her all night but for some reason they kept missing each other. Just before he was to leave he was within earshot of a conversation she was having. The words she used were some of the most foul he’d ever heard. He said instantly her attractive appearance disappeared to him and he thanked God silently for keeping them apart all evening.

   A beautiful inside can be radiated to the outside but when the beauty is only skin deep, the outer shell always cracks when the inner comes forth.

   Comment by Blair — November 29, 2006 @ 7:42 am

2. Great story Blair. And a good reminder that as much as there are days when I don’t feel lovely on the outside, it’s so much more important to continue cultivating the beauty within. It is way more lasting than the external beauty.

   Comment by Anita — November 29, 2006 @ 8:32 am

3. Man! Blair…I wish that could be a commercial or something. Young girls need to hear that!

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 29, 2006 @ 11:00 am

4. This makes me think about the photo here: http://flickr.com/photos/79194606@N00/307636090/

   You have to read what she says about the photo. Awesome stuff. I think this fits with the quote.

   Comment by Mandi — November 29, 2006 @ 11:50 am

5. I love this quote. I have known so many beautiful women and handsome men, but once I got to know them, I wondered what it was that I had first noticed. Their ugliness of spirit overpowered what was seen. I have also known many not-so-attractive people who, after I knew them a little, were beautiful to me.

   Comment by lady laura — November 29, 2006 @ 12:08 pm

6. It’s funny - I just read it again and it reminded me of something my mom said recently. Now keep in mind that she was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek… She said that when I lost a lot of weight right before college I got really bi***hy and that she hoped I wasn’t going to get that way again. We laughed about it -cause when I asked her to describe my ill-temperedness, it turned out she was describing typical 18 yr old behavior. So we’re hoping it was the age and not the weight loss that affected my personality at the time.

   ANYway… I see this as a reminder not to neglect the inside while extremely making over the outside.

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 29, 2006 @ 1:02 pm

To state the obvious

#1 - Together Everyone Achieves More - was the winning entry in the Name That Team Competition!

This was actually suggested by two different ladies - both on the same team! Debs and Maria, great minds think alike!! Weigh to go! One point will be added to the final score of Team Stepping Stone!payday without checking loan accountloan advance cash alonline loan advance cash debtpayday advance money loan militarycredit loans adverse for tenantsaffiliate program loan paydayagricultural money loan california northern hard11 payday guaranteed 16 loan Map

« A Belated Congrats! Quote of the Day »

1. Yay! Go Team Stepping Stone

   Comment by Debs — November 29, 2006 @ 1:37 am

2. Congrats Team Stepping Stone

   Comment by Blair — November 29, 2006 @ 7:57 am

A belated Congrats

Well, I’m a goof! I forgot to tell you who won the competition last week! Well, actually, at first I was just putting it off for the perfect moment…and then the holiday weekend got going and things were slow and…. Well, I’m a schmoe.

So. My apologies and my congratulations to last week’s winner…

Team G.O.A.L.!!!!

Exercise was a big part of Team GOAL’s success. They earned a whopping 9.6 points for exercise, with every healthy team member logging at least 3 days, and Captain Blair sweating in at 7 days! Water was great too - fifty percent of the team had perfect 7’s! Congratulations Team GOAL on a great performance!

Team LAFF was a distant second, but got the bonus point for 100% weight loss for the second week in a row!

And a special salute to Kimberly on Team Tigger who had 7 days of exercise, 7 days of water, and 7 verses memorized!!

« Showtime! To state the Obvious… »

1. For a minute there I was all proud. Then I realized that’s not my team. But, I am still proud, just not as much.

   Congrats G.O.A.L.

   Comment by lady laura — November 27, 2006 @ 3:02 pm

2. WOOHOOO - way to go gals!!! I’m doin’ the jig over here!!

   The team worked hard - I’m soooo proud of you guys!!

   Comment by Blair — November 27, 2006 @ 3:06 pm

3. Woohoooooooooo.

   Comment by anne — November 27, 2006 @ 5:24 pm

4. Yay, team!

   Comment by Carrie K. — November 27, 2006 @ 11:24 pm

5. Well done team GOAL. And weigh to go Kimberley

   Comment by Debs — November 27, 2006 @ 11:58 pm

6. The other thing we want to know Blest is which version of T.E.A.M got the most votes?

   Comment by Debs — November 28, 2006 @ 12:11 am

Showtime

Okay…the holiday is OVER. You faced the turkey and the trimmings and the pie… Now you have four weeks to get your Jingle Bell groove on and un-deck your personal halls for Christmas! How many pounds can you remove as a gift to yourself? Let’s be all Holly and Jolly and Rock Around the Christmas Tree until we’re trimmed too!!

Now… Let me see those numbers!!!

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« Ask and Ye Shall Receive A Belated Congrats! »

1. 215 / 200.1 / 160 Up four. Blech.

   Comment by Kimberly — November 27, 2006 @ 7:58 am

2. Am I really first? Groovy

   I have no change for the week. While that pleases me, when I checked my weight on Thursday morning I was down a pound from last Monday.

   Comment by lady laura — November 27, 2006 @ 8:01 am

3. Another no change for team Stepping Stones. I stayed the same. 205. I am pleased with my eating last week however an expected visitor was 1 week late. She’s arrived today. You have no idea how much water that makes me retain!

   Comment by Tami — November 27, 2006 @ 8:08 am

4. I’m up 2 pounds this week (144.4 / 143.6 / 125), for several reasons: Thanksgiving (although I did eat less than I did last year!), AF, and a broken toe that’s keeping me from exercising. (Yes, I realize that a broken toe sounds sissy… but now I know that it actually hurts a lot!!)

   So, my stats for the week for Team GOAL:

   Days exercised: 1/7 (Blest, I need to be on the injured list, so I’m not sure how you want to count the one day of exercise I got in before I broke my toe last Tuesday)
   Water: 4/7
   Verses: 0

   Comment by anne — November 27, 2006 @ 8:13 am

5. Broken toes HURT - not sissy at all. It’s amazing how much pain they cause - I’ve done that three times, and I never ever want to do it again.

   Comment by Tracy — November 27, 2006 @ 8:17 am

6. And here’s Tracy, reporting earlier than usual for Team T-I-DOUBLE G-ER!

   I’m happy to report a 3 pound loss! I was avoiding the scale until today but doing my best every day and it worked! I’m doing the bouncy dance

   So 260/250/130 (short term goal is 240), down 3!

   stats are 7 days of water, 4 days of exercise and to my dismay, only 1 verse.

   Heading to the doctor now for my littlest - he’s running a fever, plus it’s day 10 of a swallowed dime, no appearance. Wondering if we missed it. Hate to do an x-ray, but with the fever too, I think we’ll have to see where that pesky thing is in his system.

   Comment by Tracy — November 27, 2006 @ 8:21 am

7. Well, it was tough to do everything while not being at home with the normal routine. All I accomplished was losing 1 pound. And I’m happy with that. But I’m sorry for the rest of my team that I couldn’t do more!

   My stats this week for team GOAL:

   147/138/129 - lost 1 pound
   water - 0/7
   exercise - 0/7
   memory verse - 0

   Comment by Anita — November 27, 2006 @ 8:59 am

8. 212.8/174.6/135

   I’m down 2.6

   And I have to say that I now FINALLY weigh less than my husband!!!!! Almost four pounds less, thank you very much!! This pleases me.

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 27, 2006 @ 9:35 am

9. I gained 2 pounds last week. With travel and eating other peoples cooking I am happy it wasn’t more.

   163/155/135 is where I stand now…

   I also have a head cold so I am not exercising with this horrible cough until I feel better.

   Comment by Leann — November 27, 2006 @ 10:53 am

10. Up 3 pounds. Ick. My fault.

    Here’s Carrie reporting for Team GOAL:

    Weight: +3
    Water: 5/7
    Exercise: 3/7
    Verses: 0

    Comment by Carrie K. — November 27, 2006 @ 10:53 am

11. Oh, and for our team…

    2 days of exercise
    5 days of water over 80 ounces
    no scripture memory but lots read…

    Comment by Leann — November 27, 2006 @ 10:54 am

12. I am down .8 of a pound. I thought it would be more because I was sick this weekend and I couldn’t eat much, but I will take what I can get.
    3/7 exercise
    3/7 water
    0/7 verses

    Comment by Leigh Ann — November 27, 2006 @ 11:07 am

13. 210 / 181.8 / 140 - up .4 this week. Something is not right with my body. I’ve been floating between 178 - 184 for the past 2 weeks. Like one day I’ll be 184.2 and the next day I’ll be 179.8???? I even replaced the batteries in my scale thinking that would help but my husband’s readings have been normal and not all over the place like mine. I also did not ovulate this month so that is just another sign that something is whacked out in me. My emotions are all over the place, my fatigue is practically debilitating at times…. If I don’t start feeling better soon I am going to make an appt with my Rheumatologist to see if this could have something to do with my Rheumatoid. At one point they thought I had Systemic Lupus but I only had 6 of the markers and you need like 7 or 8. I’m wondering if I really do have Lupus which would explain some of the weird things going on with my body right now.

    Comment by Mandi — November 27, 2006 @ 11:23 am

14. Posting for Jana (who is on vacation this morning)

    Jana reporting in for Team G.O.A.L:
    Weight: sts Exercise: 3/7 Water: 3/7 Memory Verses: 2.5

    Comment by Blair — November 27, 2006 @ 11:30 am

15. Posting for Allie (who is at her MIL’s funeral today)

    Allie reporting in for Team G.O.A.L:
    Weight: +3 Exercise: 2/7 Water: 2/7 Memory Verses: 0

    Please remember Allie’s family in prayer during this time.

    Comment by Blair — November 27, 2006 @ 11:32 am

16. I’m at 279.4 which is up .4
    I know that I haven’t been eating amazingly probably due to being a bit ill and feeling a bit down. However, a new week starts now, so I’m not gonna beat myself up over it, I’m just gonna do the best I can for this week

    Comment by Debs — November 27, 2006 @ 11:41 am

17. Considering this was a holiday week, I think you all did quite well hanging in there! Life is a challenge at times and some of us did better at eating healthy and others did better with the exercise and the water. But we all did something! And that is cool. One step at a time at changing our habits is good. I’m sending prayers for everyone who is ill, injured, grieving or fighting some sort of battle. I guess that would be pretty much all of us.

    “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” –Jude 1:24-25

    Comment by Anita — November 27, 2006 @ 12:16 pm

18. Blest, what happened to last week’s competition results?

    Comment by anne — November 27, 2006 @ 12:18 pm

19. I was wondering that too. And the TEAM name

    Comment by Debs — November 27, 2006 @ 12:29 pm

20. I am up a pound after the holidays

    Comment by Maria — November 27, 2006 @ 3:44 pm

21. 256.6 / 209.2 / 135-140 ~ up 1.6

    Blair reporting in for Team G.O.A.L:
    Exercise: 5/7 Water: 7/7 Memory Verses: 1

    Comment by Blair — November 27, 2006 @ 6:30 pm

22. Hey Guys - I would love to respond to each one of your posts - but know that I’m praying that you are encouraged this week and rejoicing with you!

    333.2/150/328.0

    Down .4

    Comment by Kat — November 28, 2006 @ 11:52 am

It's my life (The Concise Version) Debs

I decided it was time that someone else posted, even if just to lift the burden of single-handedly running this website off of Blest’s shoulders Unfortunately I can’t really think of anything much that’s interesting to say, so, perhaps fortunately, I’ve decided to make this a short post.

Thanks to everyone that’s been praying for me regarding my cold\asthma situation. I’ve been really tired this week (on Wednesday I was in bed by 8pm!) and have just about made it to the weekend. I can tell that although my asthma is still not quite making an appearance, it might try it anytime so continued prayers would be great.

In other news, this weekend we are going to start the mammoth task of clearing out our loft in preparation for having a new roof done the week before Christmas (are we mad?!?!). This will invole lots of energy (which I don’t have), and dust (which I am allergic to) so we’ll see how that goes!

« In Review… The greatest temptation yet… »

1. Thank you Debs! I was starting to feel like a one-woman show! I know how you feel with the cold/asthma thing. I tend to get sick every year - and every other year it turns into pneumonia. Good news though - so far it seems like I’m fighting colds off better than I ever have in my life. I’ll start feeling sick and think “Oh…here it comes” and then *poof* it’s gone. My kids have all been sick - so I know there are very real germs around here… I think with the exercise and the weight loss and all the veggies and water I’m actually getting healthier!!! (ya think?) So there’s yet another reason to stick with it!!

   In other news, I mailed your cd out today!!

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 24, 2006 @ 4:55 pm

2. Yay! Thanks Blest

   Comment by Debs — November 25, 2006 @ 12:43 am

Because for Debs it's not a holiday

Hey Debs!! You won the drawing this week! Email me your address and the Mercy Me Christmas Sessions CD will be winging its way to you!!

Happy non-Thanksgiving!!

« Thanksgiving on the Beach Just in case you were wondering… »

1. WOW! That’s so exciting. I’ll be able to find out what all the Mercy Me hype is about I’ll email you right away. Thanks Blest

   Comment by Debs — November 23, 2006 @ 9:07 am

2. Mercy Me is awesome. I know you’ll love it!

   Comment by Kimberly — November 23, 2006 @ 9:48 am

3. Debs, I must admit I’m a bit jealous!! Congrats!!!!!

   Comment by Tami — November 23, 2006 @ 9:51 am

Name that team

Okay… I’m sorry for the delay. Here’s how the TEAM name game is going to work. I’m giving a bonus point to yesterday’s scores to each person who suggested names. (that’s a point for you - not to your team average. Think of it as an extra day of water… ) We’ll vote from now until Friday. I’ll announce the winning name next Monday and the person who suggested the winning name earns a point to the average for their team. I’ll number the suggestions, just leave the number of your choice in the comments.

1. Together Everyone Achieves More

2. Team Evaluations As of Monday

3. Tournament of Transformation

4. Turning Everything into Awesome Muscles

5. Race for Life

6. Totally Extreme Adventure of Motivation

So there you have it! Thanks to those who participated!!

« Prayers, please! Who wants it?! »

1. #6: Totally Extreme Adventure of Motivation

   Comment by anne — November 21, 2006 @ 3:27 pm

2. #1

   Comment by Carrie K. — November 21, 2006 @ 3:29 pm

3. #1

   Comment by Maria — November 21, 2006 @ 4:05 pm

4. #6

   Comment by Tami — November 21, 2006 @ 4:19 pm

5. #1

   Comment by lady laura — November 21, 2006 @ 4:27 pm

6. #1 - I almost suggested something similiar. My husband has a t-shirt from work that says TEAMS - Together Everyone Achieves Much Success

   Comment by Mandi — November 21, 2006 @ 5:45 pm

7. Yeah well - color me a rebel. I like #3! And no, it wasn’t my idea.

   Comment by blestwithsons — November 21, 2006 @ 6:16 pm

8. you are a rebel blest! still coming through AR on the 3rd?

   Comment by Maria — November 21, 2006 @ 6:32 pm

9. LOL - I’ll be a rebel with ya Blest and vote for #3

   Comment by Blair — November 21, 2006 @ 6:54 pm

10. I like #1

    Comment by Debs — November 22, 2006 @ 1:26 am

11. I pick #3.

    Comment by Jana — November 22, 2006 @ 7:39 am

12. I can’t decide from 1, 4 and 6.

    Drat.

    Comment by Kat — November 22, 2006 @ 9:13 am

13. #1 for me

    Comment by Allie — November 22, 2006 @ 9:24 am

14. #4

    Comment by Jenna — November 22, 2006 @ 3:12 pm