It's Thursday.....well almost!

I agree.  I also agree that they will hold her wealth against her but she has played well.  I like that she strategized to her advantage and when she saw that it wasn't going to work well, she came up with a new strategy.  I think she is the best out of this seasons.  I also like JT.  I just hope Taj can win immunity but I doubt that will happen.  She is a strong player but not extremely fast. 

I hope she wins immunity, then she has to decide who to go against.  Sorry JT, not you (if I had my choice).

Speed has nothing to do with it normally on the last show.  It is normally brains for one and stamina for the other. 

I think Erin is gone unless she wins immunity.  The other three have had a mild alliance for a while.  And I don't think she will win immunity.

If JT wins immunity, he is a man of his word and Steven goes with him.

IF Steven wins immunity, sorry JT.

If Taj wins immunity, I believe she will take Steven also. 

So, in my mind, JT can win it all, but only if he wins immunity.

morning!
we had a visitor last nite- a man michael used to work with- was enjoyable just sitting and chatting....

tanned yesterday- was weird going to tan with it pouring rain outside! heat felt good!

today are going to see Doc, (formerly) our  harlequin macaw--and talk to his new mom about talking care of our birds while we are in panama...this is about the biggest hurdle left of the trip!

i am sure i had other things to say but they must not be important even to me! and lots of things i would like to do today besides work but i need that check!

woke up at 445 to loud thunder and rain- still raining

michael has a blood draw today as follow up to his cholesterol meds

hugs and prayers

Good morning Gang.  Hope everything is going well with everyone.
Storms here last night.  At three a.m. my dogs were barking, so I came downstairs to see what it was all about.  Lightening and thunder.  Unlike a lot of dogs that are afraid of storms, mine want to attack it.  When I let them out of their crates they ran out the doggie door and started running around the yard in the rain trying to 'get' the lightening.  When I finally got them back in and locked the doggie door, they kept whining and yipping.  I spent the next three hours curled up on the loveseat trying to keep them quiet and to catch a few winks myself.  Hubby slept in until six and when he came down to go to work, I went back up to bed.  Layed there for about 25 minutes but couldn't get back to sleep, so got up took my shower and am ready to go....but to where?  Can't go to the gym because ladies go Mon,Wed,Fri.  Thurs are for the men.  I guess I'll just turn on TV and watch some news. 
I'm sure I'll be napping this afternoon.
Tomorrow I get my surgery date. 
Peace out.
Jan

Seems so long ago when I got my date, I was in for my weigh in yesterday and passed, so surgery on Tuesday. I did the signing the "contract" with the surgeon and now I am down to the final countdown.

Advice I have gathered and learned for people waiting surgery

1. Move EVERYONE including the dog out of the house so there are no smells of food. ( it is BAD when you look at dog food and wonder how it tastes.) LOL ok that was wishful thinking but try to avoid feeling deprived.

2. Practise holding your nose and gulping down the horrific tasting protein shakes ( no matter which one I tried I was disgusted, and I do believe I have tried them all.) Does not help when in Canada you can get four flavours, vanilla. chocolate, strawberry and chocolate. GRRRRRRRRR

3. Practise disguising your decaf cofee and tea smell/taste. enuff said.

4.Get used to the smell of antibacterial soap. ( pre-ops have to use it in program I am in)

5.Go out and buy yourself the prettiest./funkiest china you can find in the smallest sizes.

6. Go out and buy yourself the prettiest/funkiest silverware you can find in the smallest sizes.

7. Write in a journal. Yes writing with a pen, doing some sketches, and generally keeping notes of things that are on your mind. This is very important to those that do not have computer skills and with whom we want to share our thoughts, aspirations and dreams.
 
8. Make sure your insurance/ wills/ are in order.

9. Make sure you leave a letter for someone techinically minded with your passwords so they  can access your accounts and tell people any news. I suggest you change them all to one simple format temporarily. You can always change it afterwards.

10.KISS and hug all your family and friends and make sure they know you love them.



I am an agnostic so this is my prayer to one and all

 May you go forth under the strength of heaven, under the light of sun, under the radiance of moon;
May you go forth with the splendor of fire, with the speed of lightning, with the swiftness of wind;
May you go forth supported by the depth of sea, by the stability of earth, by the firmness of rock;
May you be surrounded and encircled, with the protection of the nine elements.

Your prayer for everyone is wonderful.  I remember when you got your date.  It does seem like a long time ago.  I figure my date will probably be sometime in July.  I think Dr. Genaw is booking about two months out.  Did you have to go on a two week liquid diet or what?  I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow.  Right now I've tried several protein drinks, and frankly I don't have a problem with the taste.  It's not like a chocolate malt, but I can deal with it.  My problem is trying not to drink with meals.  That's a MAJOR problem.  I'm trying to get used to it tho.

Also make a  list of things you want to do.. It is so much fun to mark them off as you are able to accomplish them. I am almost 5 years out and was able to cross off my last one of "ride amusment park rides" last October. 2 of my OFF sisters were with me, Melissa rode the roller coaster with me at Cedar Point Ohio. Margo cheered me on from the ground. Only another OFF sister can understand doing something that has been forbidden because of size for so many years. Some of the things on my list were play with grandkids, WALK, work in garden, wear pretty underwear, go to Festivals.  You know what your dreams and goals are.. Best of luck..Blessings

I have started my bucket list
Since I have lost 30 plus pounds already I have some accomplished.

Done
belly dancing with much sweating and STRUGGLE
walk dog round block without stopping
climb stairs at lake without stopping

TO BE DONE
post a pic of myself
english riding lessons
belly dance sexily
go home (Scotland) and take my parent's and brother's ashes back
visit my UK friend.
visit Italy
go on a cruise
HOPEFULLY be beautiful in my son's wedding pictures ( IF they get married)
be in pictures period.

The blue binder said one week only, That is what I am following, though there are some changes in the program so yes check with them.
The last three days no protein supplement......YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA........just clear liquids I forgot to ask if special K drinks are allowed do you mind asking?

Kelloggs™ Special K 20 Protein Water

Review Summary Kellogg’s™ Special K® brand began as cereal designed to help women eat healthy, but it soon became more than just a good breakfast choice. After several years on the market, Special K® discovered that they could make a weight loss plan designed around this simple cereal. But it didn’t stop there. Today, people can follow the Special K Challenge™ with not only several varieties of the cereal, but they can also have energy bars, cereal bars, snack bites and even waffles that are designed to help dieters lose weight. And now the have even added a unique line of flavored water to their product list called Special K2O™ Protein Water. This fascinating line of products claims to assist consumers with losing weight through eating and drinking the different Special K® products, but we want to take a closer look to see if this specially designed water is as helpful as the company claims it is. Ingredients At A Glance Special K2O™ Protein Water is a fascinating concept. Special K® adds 5 grams of both Protein and Fiber to this water in order to make the product “diet-friendly." The two added ingredients, though, have been researched as weight loss agents, and the results are that diets high in Protein and Fiber can assist in weight loss. Protein helps with several essential functions in the body, including muscle tissue maintenance, cell maintenance, and basic metabolism. Many diets work towards higher Protein content (especially low-carbohydrate diets), usually aiming at filling the dieter up with this ingredient instead of filling them with simple carbohydrates. Special K2O™ uses Whey Protein Isolate for its source of Protein, a Protein that has the highest known Biological Value (a measure of the protein’s total use in the body compared to how much is consumed). The Fiber contained in Special K2O™, as far as we can tell, comes from the carbohydrate content of the product, but it appears to be from sugar—not a great source of fiber. If there is a different and more beneficial source, we could not find it. It would be much more beneficial to see a normal source of dietary fiber such as psyllium rather than sugar. Other ingredients in this mixture include sugar and two artificial sweeteners, Calcium Lactate, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid and artificial flavors. These four ingredients generally work as preservatives. Special K2O™ comes in four different flavors: Strawberry Kiwi, Lemon Twist, Tropical Blend and Mixed Berry. The four options make this drink consistent without making it boring—dieters have a little more of a choice in what they drink in order to stay healthy.

the not drinking is slow...................but manageable

Aloha Ann.......I am excited for you. Your time is almost here, and you are going on a journey of CHANGE! Your list is great...but please add: Take pictures! Measure your body parts! And, rejoice in beginning a journey to health, fitness and freedom in your body!

Good luck!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen