Updates and Confessions from Lois (LONG POST!)

Julie!!!!  So nice to hear from you!  I have missed you as well, and I PROMISE not to be such a stranger ever again.  If nothing else, my confession yesterday and the responses I have had have made me realize just how important it is to stay "in the loop" because it helps keep me focused and excited and determined.  I will be posting on B&V starting today, and once the pounds start coming off again I am sure I will feel more upbeat about everything.  (I'd have to..can't get much lower!)

Looks like you are doing GREAT! I am thrilled for you.  Hope you are well, and I'll talk to you soon.  Thanks again, sweetie!

~ Lois ~

Lois, here is my advice.

Do not indebt your home with a loan, even if you manage to qualify.  Go back to school, file bankruptcy (Chapter 7, if you qualify), keep the $7000 if you have it on hand, tell these debt restructing people to fly a kite.  Get that education and stipend, which will go a long way to qualifying for the Chapter 7 (no payback of the debt) bankruptcy.

Two years from now you will be able to get other credit cards, buy a new car or what ever you need to do financially with a CLEAN SLATE.

Good luck to you.   AND By the Way, 96 lbs in nine months is GREAT, especially with the stall for the past few months.   

Thanks for the great advice, CookieQueen.  I have a lot to consider and straighten out right now but I am confident that there are good people out there who will help me find my way back to a sound financial path.  I plan to be back on the right path DS wise TODAY! 

Thanks also for reminding me that my progress thus far has been remarkable.  Sometimes it is hard to remember just how far I have come when all the rest of life is happening. 

Have a good day.

~ Lois ~

Hello Lois,
I feel like I identify with you so much.  I declared bankruptcy in 2005.  You have so many stressors (mine have decreased, but that's mainly because I'm no longer working, and am on disability).  You are doing better than I am.  I was pushed out of my job by my supervisor, and haven't returned to the workforce, although it is on my mind a lot.  Sending good vibes your way.

Thanks, Nightowl.  It's always affirming to remember that others have been down this path and survived.   I appreciate the good vibes - in fact I am prety sure I can actually feel them as I write this.

Best to you,
~ Lois ~

Lois -

So good to see you posting again! Missed ya and had wondered about you several times.

I agree that all this stress is probably contributing to your overindulgence in sweets but i'm sure you can work it out and kick the habit, that's what it is, an addiction. You've admitted it now, maybe that will be just the push you need, it'sout there now you can face it for real and not hide behind it.

 I have no advice on the financial stuff, but i sure hope it works out for you!

 

Hello Sarah!  Another surgical Saranac Laker heard from!  I see you have just recently had your DS...I hope you are doing well and that you have an easy recovery.  I am SO SORRY to have not been around for you in the days right before yor surgery...I know it helps to have someone right there to talk to who knows the doctor, the hospital, the program, etc. 

It's amazing how much better I felt yesterday when I hit the submit button and posted.  You're right...admitting it is theraputic.  I know how I got fat, I need to conquer WHY I did and that's what I have to deal with now.

Thanks for your kind words, and I look foward to catching up with you and everyone else and reminding myself that we are, indeed, all in this together. 


~ Lois ~

Making it over halfway to your goal is SUCCESS! Imagine if you hadn't had the DS, and all this stuff had happened. If you are anything like me, you probably would have gained at least another 30+ pounds on top of your original weight. That would have been really miserable. Instead, you are stalled. That's not so bad when you think of the alternative. And they got all the cancer out in time and left only a tiny scar! Now you have your health, the DS, your job and a chance to go back to school. Get some good advice on the money stuff, and get it the frak out of your way. When you don't have to worry about it so much, you won't want to overeat. May only good things happen from now on. You know you deserve them.

Thank you for posting, Lois. I've often wondered how you are doing. I'm sorry you're facing so many hurdles. Please keep us updated, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help. PM me anytime.

-- Lenore

 check these out    www.daveramsey.com

and his pro-rata plan as explained by someone else  fpu.chuvala.com/docs/ProRataPlan.html

it will help you!

I decided to take the financial peace university course because I was spending carelessly and didn't know where my money was going!

I've already paid off 2 credit cards since August 15th....it's hard, but it's worth it

best wishes