We're Losing It": Diaries of The Big, The Bad and The Sexy! Part V

flamenca · 07-30-2007, 05:19 AM

Hi ladies,
our last thread became too long, it was time to move. Tam sent me a PM indicating she didn't want to start a new thred in case I had started one already, so here I go.

Last weekend was a shocker - or rather, this morning was one. I seem to have gained 4 pounds overnight!!!! SHRIEK!! I am now almost back to the dreaded border of ONEderland!!! Something's gotta happen, I am gaining weight and I can't seem to stop it. HELP!

Did have an interesting weekend though. DBF's brother got hitched. His wife is practicing Wicca, they are both not religious in the traditional sense of the word, but they are very spiritual. So they had a German priestess performing a wonderful outdoor ceremony, with many elements that were really moving and beautiful for everybody - and sprinkled with a little bit of humor. Everybody could realte to it, regardless of their religious inclination, it was very tastefully done. Being German, she performed a big part of the ceremony in English, but tried to do the important bits that involved interaction with the couple in Dutch. She had never spoken Dutch before, and had invested 3 months of her own time beforehand trying to learn the crucial bits, because she really wanted to do this for the bride and groom (how's that for involvement?). She had written herself cue cards, and with the wind and weather, one of them must have blown away, because she got stuck in the middle of her speech, looking for the right text. She said "Ok, so now has happened the one thing that shouldn't happen in these circumstances ... I lost my cue cards number 6 and 7. So either we move on to point eight right away, or you bear with me while I remember everything in English until we reach point eight!" LOL She was so sweet, a very interesting person, very warmhearted, funny and openminded. We had a great conversation later that night, and tons of fun.

Foodwise ... oh my. There were a million vegetarians, so everything was carbs with veg, or carbs alone. I had a very hard time finding any protein - and the bit there was, was spiced with chillies (which I am allergic to...)! Argh... Plus, sitting in the car for 3 hours on the way there, 3 hours on the way back on the following day didn't help either. Sigh. And this week, my class and my rehearsal were just canceled also. Seems like the universe doesn't want me to get moving, LOL!

Anyway, I have to get working, that's for sure. Hope to talk to you ladies soon!
Tina

tigir · 07-30-2007, 03:29 PM

Hey Tina!

Sorry about the scales!

We will just blame it on all the horrible carbs you were forced to have over the weekend - I am sure once you are back on your regular routine you will lose that weight. Although, aren't veggies considered "good" carbs? There is usually a lot of fiber in them, so they tend to not digest the same as a fruit even, which is also good on fiber but not something one should "overdo". That was my understanding anyway, but it probably depends on who you are as to how each thing affects you - balance is always good, and when you can't have proteins...*sigh* Yeah, that would be hard.

I am glad you had a good time though - did you at least get to have cake?

And to respond a little to your last post...yeah, I am not a big person really. I had a grandmother who was very small, she was only about 4'10" or so and wore girls' shoes. Very petite, and I think I take more after that side of the family, although I am shaped a bit like my mom too. LOL A good mix I suppose. *sigh* I STILL need to get pic up, but right now I have no idea where they went. LOL I will have to keep an eye out as I go thru all of the paperwork.

Well, I haven't been very active at all, it has been pretty dull around here without it too. I actually tried doing some clogging in my kitchen one night, just practicing my routine from two years ago. The bad part about all of that was how I felt when I woke up the next morning - evidently I had strained something in my hip because it was sore all day. It feels better now, but I guess my joints are not going to like those things right now so better stick with walking. LOL

I am off to get going on my day, hope everyone is doing well!

flamenca · 07-31-2007, 04:27 AM

Yay, you found me!

Ouch, Tam, that sounds painful .... maybe it's your kitchen floor that's not too suited for clogging? Dance studios usually have a floating floor which lessens the impact and strain on the joints and muscles. Be careful, ok?

I just found out that at least I will have two rehearsals this week, Wednesday and Thursday, yay! The scales this morning were a bit more forgiving, plus I was good yesterday - I made veggie and meat kebabs that I grilled in the oven with a little olive oil. DBF got a huge portion of fries from the local snack bar, but I only have 5 fries with my meat and veg. Really good fries, too - they are "prepared with love" as DBF says, LOL, always freshly made and not greasy. So this morning I was back to 197 (which in itself is a reason to shriek some more, but it's better than yesterday, sigh).

Thanks for the asparagus recipe - I'll try it next time they are in season. Which reminds me, I still have to make your zucchini bread. Hmm.. a friend of ours (well, somebody we met at the handfasting) is coming to our house Wednesday night - for the rehearsal - and I said I was going to cook something. It would be nice, but I am afraid it will take too long. I guess I will prepare my newly invented Asian dish - really tasty and low carb. I found wholegrain Chinese wok noodles that come fresh (not dried) in a little package. You rinse them and throw them in a wok for 2 minutes and they are done. Delicious - and only 23 grams of carbs per 100 grams of product. Regular pasta contains 73 grams of carbs... So I put some Wok oil in the wok, and sauté onions that I cut in rings until they caramelize. Add cubes of chicken breast until they are done. Add chopped zucchini and mushrooms (****ake are really nice), you can also add some Chinese cabbage or whatever veg you like. Throw in the noodles when the veggies are done but still crisp, and season with salt, pepper, fish sauce and a wee bit of Hoisin sauce. REALLY tasty - and you're done in no time at all.

I am counting down the days ... On Monday we'll go to Germany for 10 days, so I will be away from the board for almost two weeks. I might be able to check in once or twice, but don't count on it, I will probably be busy stuffing my face with Bavarian goodies and hopefully dancing my butt off with my best friend. LOL!
Monday morning, we first have our check up with the eye surgeon to see what the status is and whether we need additional surgery. (I think not, but DBF may have to.) We'll then go on to Oberhausen to check in a nice hotel and get treated to an Ayurveda massage. The next day, we'll have a champagne breakfast and will then spend the day in Warner Brothers Movie World (amusement park). Another night at the hotel, another scrumptuous breakfast and on we go to Bavaria, where we will spend one day with my aunt and uncle, before we go to my best friend's house on Friday until Thursday the next week. I hope the weather will be better than here, we haven't had a summer yet.

Of course I also have to visit my parents - I still have no idea what the status is with my dad's cancer. I know that meanwhile he had surgery which apparently went well, but my mom never called me back with the results of the biopsy or treatment plans or anything (what else is new?? LOL).

Right, I am rambling, LOL, I'd better get on with my work. I sat here till 7:30 last night, apparently I have some start up problems today ....

Take care of yourself and "the peanut"!
Tina

tigir · 08-03-2007, 12:39 PM

I figured I would wait until weigh-in day to get back on here...have been super busy getting my house under control and I was gone all day yesterday for my OB appt and some shopping.

So, the nurse told me I was 190 yesterday! Down 5lbs. Just 15 more please. LOL She asked if I was on the pg weight loss plan - some women just tend to lose in the first trimester from metabolism changes and happily I have been one the last few pgs. LOL

Of course I will start gaining here soon, so I may only be down 5lbs in the end. *sigh* At least it would be SOMETHING. LOL

Baby must be good too, HB was at 162, nice an strong, and easy to find this time, so the nurse said it must be a boy. LOL Well, too early to tell, we'll see...

Tina ~ Well, enjoy some treats for me while you are away! That sounds like a fun trip.

One of these days I am going to come visit you and you can just cook for me all you want!!! Everything you talk about sounds so delicious!!! :yum:

My hip is doing better thank goodness. I think that one is out just a bit, and with things loosening up with the pg I am not going to be as spry, iykwim. LOL I don't know if my teacher's dance floor is floating or not. I think it is solid as she converted an old church and I think used part of the oak flooring from it - but I just don't know. I have clogged all over my house before so I think it is just the changes with being pg. *sigh* Darn it anyway! LOL

I get to call the teacher and let her know that Anna won't be doing any kind of dancing this year. Anna just decided she wanted to concentrate on school and her animals. That is fine with me at this point, we will have enough expenses this year and into next that we could use the break from lessons. It will not only save tuition, but gas as well. I am a little sad it came to that though, but she might go back to it next year and took an interest in Irish dancing which she may be able to take from a different teacher. I don't really care what she does (I would love to take Irish myself!) as long as she is enjoying it - no reason to pay for lessons she hates, iykwim.

I am making my way thru all of the boxes and piles finally. DH helped out in the livingroom the other night - even did some ironing! LOL So, getting caught up on that and then it is on to the next thing...not sure what that will be yet, but I have enough projects to keep me busy for awhile. LOL

Anna's pigs get weighed tomorrow, cross your fingers they have grown A LOT since last weigh-in. They were the lightest out of our group and if they don't make weight they won't be going to fair. Of course they will just go into the freezer, but that is not an expense we accounted for - we were only keeping one for ourselves, the other was for the sale.

Well, off for now. I hope everyone is doing good. Carlin ~ How are you and little one doing? Laura ~ Where have you gone? Kris ~ COME BACK!!!

tigir · 08-17-2007, 04:03 PM

I MISS YOU GALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has been a crazy couple of weeks. We had the two little girls' b-day party, complete with pizza, cake and icecream.

I hurt my back somehow (this hasn't been a great month for my body, lol) and was out of doing much around the time of the party. It is finally doing better, so now can actually bend to pick up laundry, toys, etc. LOL

Oh, and THANK YOU TINA!

I used those little excercises you mentioned, for putting things back in gently and it worked! I could tell there were a couple of small pops, nothing big, but then it doesn't have to be to cause a lot of pain, etc. After that I was able to do a bit more and then things just kept getting better.

So, note to self...WATCH WHAT AND HOW YOU LIFT!

Things are just not going to be easy for me, I can tell. LOL Being pg has it's down points sometimes.

I just had to get on here and type something. I was going crazy without all of you to chat with. LOL Hope everyone is doing well and you all come back and check in next week! Tina ~ You have to fill us in on all the wonderful Bavarian food you ate!!!

flamenca · 08-20-2007, 07:08 AM

Hi ladies, I am back!
I missed you too, and I certainly enjoyed that Bavarian food ... sigh. Did not enjoyu so much stepping on the scales when I came back. Shriek - I was back over 200!! Actually, as of this morning, I am still at 200, I was briefly down to 199 on Saturday, but I forgot my meds when we went shopping to IKEA, and I had some pasta while we were there, so I guess that didn't help. So now I am trying very very hard to get back to the dreaded 194 I was stuck on for so long. I guess, I shouldn't have complained back then, LOL! I wish I was back there now...

So what all did I eat? Hmm... suckling pig, dumplings, red cabbage with apple, lots and lots of "Zwetschgendatschi" (a Bavarian plum cake that is made with a special kind of plums that apparently doesn't grow anywhere else. it's great for cooking and baking, because it keeps its shape and consistency somewhat. Regular plums simply disintegrate, and their taste is different also.), sausages and other specialities that I have absolutely no translation for. Oh, was it yummy! But bad for my tummy... LOL!

I don't have much time today, I am back at work and need to prepare for a meeting tomorrow that I had planned but my project manager was supposed to fill in the gaps (make an agenda, reserve a room etc.). He is out sick today, so I have to pick up where he left off without really knowing where that is, so I am major busy, and I have a 3 hour meeting about other stuff this afternoon ... I will write more next time, I promise!!

So, how are you pregnant cysters doing? Kris still isn't back, huh... And Laura? I wonder how she is doing. Anyway, talk to you all later!!

Tina

flamenca · 08-28-2007, 05:00 AM

WHERE IS EVERYBODY???
Feeling kinda lonely here ...

Tam? Carlin? Laura? Kris? Anybody??

tigir · 08-29-2007, 01:49 PM

YAY!!!! YOUR BACK!!!! Sorry I didn't reply sooner. For some reason I wasn't getting any indicators in my mail. Hm.

Those foods sound yummy, but I don't know if my stomach could handle them either. LOL

We are going to be pretty busy the next week or so. DD is taking at least one pig to the fair and so we are in preparation week this week and then next week she goes. I should be on every few days or so since I come back home after it all.

We started washing her pigs the other night - that was fun!

They are about the easiest animals to groom, not much to it, and they really love getting rubbed with the brush. LOL Of course watch out for your toes, those hooves hurt! Youch! LOL I had never washed a pig before, so I was having a blast!

This pg gal is doing good. I am in that boring part of pg where nothing is really going on, iykwim. I don't think I have felt any movement yet and I am just now needing to get into some maternity pants, but still small enough to maybe NOT need them. *sigh* This is the stage that is good in some ways, bad in others. LOL At least I am getting around easily still and my energy is coming back up, so able to peel myself out of bed in the morning (although I would really RATHER be sleeping in, lol). I have an appt. on Friday - should be one of those 10min ones that just tell me I am right on with everything and we will see you in a month. LOL I am hoping anyway.

Today I am starting to teach the two little ones at home. We are doing preschool and learning about oceans! WOO HOO! LOL I put sand in their sandbox and stuffed some seashells in there, so after we talk about what oceans are, etc. we will go outside to the "beach" and find some shells. They will be so excited.

I guess I am a little excited. LOL

I would really love to homeschool, but DH isn't completely on board with it. I am hoping to really impress him enough that we wait until at least Kindergarten to send the next little ones, but I would really love it if we just didn't send any of them and I did it all at home.

Anna started school yesterday, so I am missing her.

That is about it from here, I will keep you posted on my appt Friday and if the pigs make it to market. LOL

TTYL!

flamenca · 08-31-2007, 07:04 AM

There you are! It's good to have you back online, Tam, and to hear that everything's going well with your pregnancy. I just heard this week that my good friend from Atlanta, who had major problems getting pg, is finally having a baby girl. (After 2 ectopic pregnancies, which ruptured her tubes and made a normal pregnancy impossible, many many failed IVF attempts... at last, success!). I am so thrilled for her.

So you are washing pigs for fun? LOL, I think that's the first time I have heard that, hahahaha! I can just imagine you and your kids outside in the warm weather, getting just as wet as the pigs are! LOL...

Homeschooling - would you want to teach your kids at home all the way through to college, or just till they start elementary school? I think teaching them at home while they are still little is definitely a good thing, I am totally with you on that. Though I do remember having a good time in kindergarten (I was three when I went, till I was six and went to elementary school). I went in the mornings and my mom picked me up after lunch, to drop me off with my grand parents (mom was working full time, so was dad...). I do think that going to school once they get a little older has benefits for them (as well as disadvantages, obviously), but also for you.

Over here, not much news. Just finished a flamenco workshop with a Spanish dancer - so much fun! Also, I heard that my project deadline has moved up (back, rather) to Jan 14, which means I will be able to to my annual flamenco festival in February after all. It also means tons of work to get everything done on time, so I'd better get back to work now....

Talk to you later?
Tina

flamenca · 09-05-2007, 12:49 PM

Hmmm... no one here ....?
I am having a pretty bad day today. AF with cramps, bloating and weight gain. My project is not running smoothly and I fear for my deadline. DBF had really crappy news from his manager today, basically telling him that he should rethink if he wants to keep his job or not. The manager is too chicken to tell him straight up that he wants him to leave. DBF has been production manager for a year now (which is not very long), without previous management experience. He had asked for support and help in the beginning so he could learn and grow, but he never got it and had to figure everything out himself. So now they say he is not leadership material because he made some decisions that they don't approve of! (And also, because things with the company are going badly in general - and that is certainly not DBFs fault!) He is very upset. And the worst thing is, whatever he does now will be bad for him somehow. If he makes the decision to leave, he will abandon his team and have trouble getting another management position in the company, because he will be considered "weak" and unable to handle pressure and crisis. If he stays, his manager will do everything to NOT help him and get him in trouble (thus ruining his reputation) until he decides to leave himself (back to what I said before). What a sh*** situation!

Gotta go and cuddle him. He does not deserve this ...

Tina

tigir · 09-08-2007, 02:55 AM

Okay, so trying this again.... UGH! I haven't been able to post, not sure what is going on, but did TRY answering you earlier in the week. LOL

So, first off....sorry about your DBF and the job! That is just lousy, and I kwym about it being bad at both ends. *sigh* I hope he is able to find something else and hoping that he will be able to show it as HIM not having the support, etc. and wanting to grow. He would most likely the best person for the job too - that just sucks!

Second, I hope you make your deadline! YEESH, when does the stress end?

To answer your other post...I would LOVE to homeschool all of my DC all the way thru to graduation. I don't know if that will ever happen, but I love being a part of their learning experience. My younger sister homeschools her DC and plans to all the way. We have talked about the pros/cons and both agree there are pros/cons to both, it just comes down to which one you want to do more.

I think homeschooling done right FAR surpasses what the public school systems have to offer - at least in this neck of the woods, but Anna is in a good smaller school, so she gets more one on one and is doing well there. There are plenty of social outlets for homeschoolers - my sister has her boys in the YMCA sports program and there are other things like dance, etc. that kids can get into and be with other kids.

So, hoping I may be able to do homeschooling at some point, but right now this is where we are at. LOL

We are at the fair this weekend which is another reason I haven't been on. I will have to post again later and let you know how that went.

Hope things are going better your direction! Sending a (((HUG))) your way!

flamenca · 09-08-2007, 07:58 AM

Hi Tam,
it's good to hear from you again!! Thanks for the hug, I passed it on to DBF. He had a discussion with his boss and HR yesterday, and said he got his point across. Basically, they both agreed to disagree - and recognized that their management styles are simply very different. DBF's goals to fix the precarious situation in the company are more long term oriented, his boss wants a quick fix. So now, his boss is thinking things over again and will let DBF (by the way, his name is Peter) know by Tuesday if he is relieved of his function, or can stay. Peter is ok with it in a way, it was clear that he really didn't do anything wrong - he just did things differently and without any help or coaching. We'll see how that pans out in the end.

Gotta run now, a friend form Canada was visiting and we need to take him to the airport this afternoon. Gotta get some cat food first though and the stores close at 5 on a Saturday...

Have a lot of fun at the fair! I want to hear all about it later - did you and Anna get to scrub the pigs again?

Tina

tigir · 09-08-2007, 05:06 PM

Well, it sounds a bit more positive for your Peter. *sigh* Those situations are just sticky and stressful!

A little bit about fair before I head out again...

LOL Yes, Anna and I scrubbed pigs again - actually I scrubbed one and then Anna kicked me out because she found it easier to do without someone else there. LOL It is actually fun to do - like washing a car, only it is smaller and moves.

They love to drink from the hose too, and they REALLY love to be scrubbed, they start rubbing against you and one almost fell over - they get to be like dogs. LOL Scratch me, scratch me! LOL

Neither one of her pigs made market weight this year, so she could only take one to fit and show...then when her pig went out in the ring she couldn't keep control of her - that pig was ready for some fun after being in those little pens, so she ended up last and with a red ribbon (over here the order is blue - 1st, red 2nd and white 3rd) Everyone else in that group had at least a blue, so she had a double whammy this year with disappointment. That can be a good thing though, makes you want to work harder and appreciate when things are going well. She was a bit negative at first, but then started talking about doing a pig again next year and looked pretty proud showing some of her other friends her pig - some of the kids on barn duty take naps on their pigs, so you have kids crawling all over them. LOL I really need to get some pics up here - I will work on that in the next couple of weeks, my parents took a couple of her with her pig, so I will start there.

Her other exhibits did well, she qualified for the state fair on the dress she made for sewing, and got mostly blues on the other odds and ends she entered. A couple of reds, one of which I don't understand, but I am not the judge - and most likely I shouldn't be because all the kids would get the big ribbons. LOL

But, this was a slow year for her since she didn't show market and won't be going thru the sale ring - she missed it, so I am sure she is looking forward to trying again.

That is about it for now, I will most likely check in next week after we are all done with fair and back into a more "normal" routine. Hope your weekend goes well!

flamenca · 09-10-2007, 07:45 AM

Wow, sounds like your had some fun at that fair, LOL! Before I met you, scrubbing pigs would not have been on my list of things to try before I die, but maybe I should add it, LOL!!

Peter is doing alright. Anxious though. It's the waiting that grinds him down - it will most likely be Tuesday before he finds out what the management team decides... argh. I wish I could do something for him.

I am spending the day at home today, we cooked a really lovely spinach pie with some French cheese in it - it tasted great, but somehow my body didn't like it. I spent all night with stomach cramps, unable to sleep, so when my alarm clock went off, I was in no shape to get up, work all day and then have a rehearsal tonight. I decided to sleep a little longer and hope that my stomach would settle down. Still feeling queasy, not quite right, but better than tonight at least.

Now I am catching up on my book keeping - and doing whatever I can to avoid it, LOL. Gotta get back to it though, so here I go. Talk to you later!
Tina

tigir · 09-14-2007, 12:51 AM

Grrrrrrrr.

For some reason I am not getting notified when someone posts. Hmmm, not sure why, it usually does.

Fair went by rather quickly it seemed - I almost miss it! LOL Not TOO much, but am excited about next year.

You will HAVE to find someone who raises pigs - ones that are friendly, have been around people a lot and aren't over 300lbs. Then you will have to post pics of you washing them! LOL

I love working with animals, so that does help. I am trying to get some information for Anna in case she wants to try sheep. I am hoping she may be able to both sheep and pigs - if not this coming year, then the next. I love that I can give my dc the experience of the farm. It isn't something I grew up with, but always dreamed of - who knows, maybe my kids will all grow up to be city dwellers. LOL

I hope things went well with Peter's job. The waiting HAS to be the worst!

Not too much going on here, just recovering from the fair. I am trying to get my house back in order, but it isn't working. LOL I will most likely stay up and work on it after everyone else has gone to bed, that is when I do my best work/thinking.

DH came home early with a bad head cold - Anna is recovering from the same thing and I am sure all of us will have it by the end of next week. *sigh* That time of year - back to school and back to the germs. LOL I have had a headache today, so maybe I am next. *sigh* Not looking forward to it - especially when there just isn't anyone to really take care of mom.

Well, that is about it for now - I will try to check in more often so I don't miss your messages!